26 Weeks - Eggplant

Baby's now the size of an eggplant!

Baby's soaking up your antibodies, getting his immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and he'll soon be practicing the blink...perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.  The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

~Pregnancy Highlights~

Due Date: May 6, 2011 
Total weight gain: 16 lbs.
Morning Sickness: none
Cravings: spicy everything, sweets & mexican food (the mexican makes me swell so not only I am trying to control my sweet tooth but my mexican tooth as well...........this stinks!!!) 
Sleep: getting a little better
I can't live without: water; I am very thirsty all the time
I miss: feeling attractive
I am looking forward to: ordering his bedding & my appt. next week
Milestones: only 98 days left to go........HOLY CRAP!!
Exercise: walking the mall 3-4 mornings a week - no pilates this past week......BOOO
Diet: I think I might have finally gotten over the "see-food" diet I have been on
Maternity Clothes:  pants yes - shirts a mixture still
Movement: he is quite the little mover & shaker so feeling him daily is the best feeling day in & day out!!
Gender: Boy; Colton Lee
Labor Signs: None
Belly Shots: 

Yummy Recipes

Last Saturday I went to a baby shower for a good friend & not only was the baby shower a blast but there were some YUMMY food too & I thought I would share with you all!!

This was the best; B even loved it!!

Annie's Fruit Salsa & Cinnamon Chips

Ingredients

• 2 kiwis, peeled and diced
• 2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced
• 8 ounces raspberries
• 1 pound strawberries
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor
•  
• 10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
• butter flavored cooking spray
• 2 cups cinnamon sugar

1. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Spray again with cooking spray.
4. Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture.

I have really only ever loved my mom's potato salad but I am NEVER able to recreate it so I am going to try to make this one since it was delicious!!

Texas Ranch Potato Salad

• 1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
• 2 cups mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup chopped green onion
• 1 pound bacon slices
• 5 pounds unpeeled red potatoes

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add whole potatoes, and cook until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain, run under cold water to cool, and chop into 1 inch cubes. Transfer to a large serving bowl, and refrigerate until completely chilled, about 2 hours.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the ranch dressing mix, mayonnaise and green onion. Cover, and refrigerate for about 2 hours to blend flavors.
3. Wrap bacon in paper towels and place on a plate. Cook in the microwave until crisp, about 15 minutes depending on the power of your microwave. Cool.
4. Stir the mayonnaise mixture into the bowl of potatoes. Crumble bacon into the bowl, and stir to distribute. Serve.

Sausage Balls

(I am not a fan of sausage but these were to die for so here is that recipe as well!!)

1. You mix one pound of mild sausage with 10 oz of shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese and 3 cups of Bisquick and a little salt and pepper. 
2. Mix it with your hands (it's pretty gross!)----roll them into balls  
3. Make sure you leave the cheese out at room temperature so that it mixes better. 
4. You have to really mix it with your hands well to make it form! 
5. Bake them at 375 for about 10 minutes or until they are brown.

Why God Made Little Boys

I read this poem & fell in love with it............how true it is & how lucky we are to have Brayden & his little brother joining our family soon!!  We are truly blessed!!!


God made little boys it seems,

to answer every parents dreams.

For expectations are begun

when he sends down a little son.

A son to teach the golden rule,

to watch as he goes off to school.

To marvel at his happy face,

every time he wins a race.

Playing tricks & funny pranks,

learning to say "please" & "thanks".

Yes, God brings parents endless pleasure,

when he sends a little boy to treasure.

Author Unknown

Didn't Go Like I Thought It Would.........

In my mind I thought that Brayden's 1st haircut would be a great, wonderful & tearful experience for our family BUT boy was I wrong.  We have been debating on when he needed to go & finally his hair just looked crazy all of the time so IT WAS TIME.  We were going to go as a family this past Sunday but B wasn't feeling 100% so we again put it off & I decided to go yesterday.  Unfortunately Lance had to work so he wasn't there but I think that was probably for the best because he HATED every second of the experience.  I didn't think he was going to love it or even like it but I didn't think it was going to go this bad...........

He wanted no part of sitting in the "little seat" by himself so I sat in a hair with him on my lap & fought to keep him as still as possible the whole time!  It was heartbreaking but the boy needed his hair trimmed something awful so he (we) just endured the painful 5 minutes!!

***NOTE TO SELF - candy does not work as a bribe with Brayden*** 

Someone please save me........... 

After all of that he was fine & got this certificate for his baby book. 

To me he looks like a boy now 100% & I am sad but he sure is cute with his new do!!!

Wordless Wednesday..........

I am loving my new camera & trying very hard to learn all the in's & out's of it not to mention this little face makes taking pictures fun.

Organized....Finally....Maybe........

It has been a month since Christmas came & went & I think that we have finally gotten the toy insanity sorted & organized.  Brayden received an overload of toys this Christmas & admittedly we had one hell of a time getting them organized.  We actually wondered if he would even play with everything he received but he manages to play with almost everything everyday & he seems to love everything as well.

We have a closet downstairs that used to house our vacuum & random nothingness that we have turned into his toy closet.........

He goes in & always comes out with something different!!

I think his favorite thing to play with would have to be his ATV; our boy loves to be outside & LOVES to be on this thing............

We got him a table so that he would have his own place to learn, color & "read" & he is actually getting the hang of sitting & doing all 3 of these things pretty quickly.

Not to mention these cookies are a HUGE hit............

His cousin got him this stuffed dog & he loves to cuddle & lay on it in the evenings when we are just relaxing watching TV & winding down.

The sit & spin in a big hit as well; he actually uses it more a a seat than a toy; he will sit on the top of it & spin the bottom part with is little feet.

With all of the snow & rain that we have been getting we haven't been able to us this much but he has LOVED it the few times we have taken a stroll in it.

This wagon came with building blocks but the blocks are in a bin in the closet because all he wants to do in get in & have mommy pull him around the house........it has a very low handle so it can be very hard on this pregnant momma's back!!

Scout is an awesome addition to our home; we all love that you can personalize him with B's name & stuff he likes.........it makes him very special!!

These cars are played with all day everyday..........

JoJo's remote car is perfect for a 1st timer.......2 buttons & noise; what could be more perfect right?

This was a gift from his Grams & Puddy & he opened it back in November when they were here.........it is one of his most prized toys & LOVES to golf upstairs in the hallway!!

A Thing of the Past.........

Yesterday I tried to take some Valentine's photos of B but I can not get him to sit still to save my life. When you are taking photos of your little ones how do you get them to sit still/pose.........even for just a second??

Here is one photo that I think is OK but not what I was looking for..........

Wranglers.........

Brett Favre has nothing on this kid; I just love him in jeans..........his little diaper butt is too cute!!

Finally.......

The snow finally left us at the beginning of last week so that meant we could get back in the groove of things & that makes this momma REALLY happy.  We are all finally 100% & feeling good about getting back into our routines..........this means I am walking again (woo hoo) & B is getting to play at the mall again :)

He just couldn't control his excitement!!

Even dad came with us one day this week........

Watch out on the roads when this little guy gets his license.........he is going to be hell on wheels!! 

I feel like we are having a bit of a struggle getting back into his normal routine though & I have let that fact bother me more than it should, I think.  I was actually asked a while back if I was one of "those moms" that has a strict schedule or if I was more of the laid back type of mom & I have to admit that I am kind of the more strict schedule mom.  I think that a great & normal routine helps both B & I get through each day with out too many tantrums or breakdowns & although some days I do feel like I am a slave to "the schedule" it really is what has & still is working the best for us.  I am not saying that at exactly 11 he is eating lunch & then at 12 noon my child is in his crib asleep BUT he does have 2 snacks a day, eat lunch, & go down for nap at about the same time each & everyday...........does that make me "that kind of mom"??  What kind of schedule/routine do you guys have??