Add a little rum and you've got yourself a yummy summer cocktail
CARIBBEAN MILK COOLER
2 cups breastmilk
2 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon coconut extract
2 tablespoons sugar
Ice cubes
Mint sprigs (optional)
Directions: In a blender container, combine all ingredients except ice cubes andmint and blend on high speed until frothy. Pour into four tall glasses filled with ice cubes. Garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.
Variation: For a thicker drink, freeze pineapple juice in an ice cube tray. Blend these pineapple cubes with all other ingredients except mint. Omit regular ice cubes. Serve in a chilled glass.
Makes 4 servings.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The first of many letters to my child
Dear Baby,
I am so excited to meet you. Throughout this pregnancy you have been very reasonable with my requests. I wanted you to be conceived so that I would get the end of the school year off to spend time with you, you obliged. I didn't want to be sick all the time, throwing up in front of my students, you obliged. I only have a few more requests before you join this world and I start catering to your every demand.
1. Wherever you are positioned, could you move a little to the left? You seem to making mommy swell lopsidedly. Only my right foot and leg get swollen, and this makes me look really weird at the end of the day.
2. I am happy that you are in the right position to be born, however I would appreciate that you not use those precious little hands of yours as shovels creating what feels like you trying to dig your way out.
3. Again, I'm happy that you are head down, but until you are ready to come out for real, it's very painful for you to use your little legs to try and shove yourself down further into my crotch. I hope that those strong little legs come in handy for you some day, but right now, they make mommy cringe in pain.
4. All my other requests would be considered bub kiss if you granted just this one...come join us in this world before the end of spring break. Mommy really doesn't want to have to go back to work and deal with "He's touching me, no he's touching met" battles between 13 year olds while she's hauling around all the wonderful weight you've gained.
Love,
Mom
I am so excited to meet you. Throughout this pregnancy you have been very reasonable with my requests. I wanted you to be conceived so that I would get the end of the school year off to spend time with you, you obliged. I didn't want to be sick all the time, throwing up in front of my students, you obliged. I only have a few more requests before you join this world and I start catering to your every demand.
1. Wherever you are positioned, could you move a little to the left? You seem to making mommy swell lopsidedly. Only my right foot and leg get swollen, and this makes me look really weird at the end of the day.
2. I am happy that you are in the right position to be born, however I would appreciate that you not use those precious little hands of yours as shovels creating what feels like you trying to dig your way out.
3. Again, I'm happy that you are head down, but until you are ready to come out for real, it's very painful for you to use your little legs to try and shove yourself down further into my crotch. I hope that those strong little legs come in handy for you some day, but right now, they make mommy cringe in pain.
4. All my other requests would be considered bub kiss if you granted just this one...come join us in this world before the end of spring break. Mommy really doesn't want to have to go back to work and deal with "He's touching me, no he's touching met" battles between 13 year olds while she's hauling around all the wonderful weight you've gained.
Love,
Mom
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Bump Day - Week 37
It's official! The baby is full term! I am so excited to have reached this point. Now the serious negotiations begin. Next week is Spring Break, and there would be nothing more wonderful then having the baby at the end of the week and not having to go back to work. So the baby and I are in bargaining mode...we'll see who comes out a winner.
The Baby
Baby's now the size of a watermelon! Baby is gaining about 1/2 ounce a day and getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready. He's also brushing up on skills for the outside world: blinking, sucking, inhaling, exhaling, and gripping (it's getting strong!).
The fruit size this week is exactly why I do not have a bump picture to share. My belly button is haning on as an innie, but I don't know how much more it can take. Instead of belly pictures, I have nursery ones to share. Enjoy!
A view from the doorway
My cute crib...I love the monkeys everywhere.
A view of the dresser. Hanging above is the blanket my Aunt cross-stiched for the baby.
An up close view of the blanket. I love the mother goose theme.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Another edition of...
TUESDAY'S TITTY TASTIES!
FRENCH TOAST STRATA WITH CARAMEL SAUCE Ingredients:
10 slices whole-wheat bread
1½ cups breast milk
2 large eggs plus 4 large egg whites, or 1 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute
1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Caramel sauce (optional -- see recipe below)
Directions: Lightly coat a shallow 2-quart baking dish or casserole with a nonstick vegetable spray. Arrange half the bread slices in the bottom of the dish (it may be a tight fit). Reserve the remaining bread slices to layer on top. Combine all remaining ingredients and mix well with a wire whisk or eggbeater. Pour half the mixture evenly over the bread in the baking dish. Layer the remaining bread on top and cover with the remaining egg mixture. Cover tightly and refrigerate several hours or overnight. To bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Remove the dish from the refrigerator and spray the bread lightly with nonstick vegetable spray. Bake until lightly browned, 30 to 35 minutes. Cut into six pie-shaped wedges and serve with the Caramel Topping. Makes 6 servings.
10 slices whole-wheat bread
1½ cups breast milk
2 large eggs plus 4 large egg whites, or 1 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute
1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Caramel sauce (optional -- see recipe below)
Directions: Lightly coat a shallow 2-quart baking dish or casserole with a nonstick vegetable spray. Arrange half the bread slices in the bottom of the dish (it may be a tight fit). Reserve the remaining bread slices to layer on top. Combine all remaining ingredients and mix well with a wire whisk or eggbeater. Pour half the mixture evenly over the bread in the baking dish. Layer the remaining bread on top and cover with the remaining egg mixture. Cover tightly and refrigerate several hours or overnight. To bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Remove the dish from the refrigerator and spray the bread lightly with nonstick vegetable spray. Bake until lightly browned, 30 to 35 minutes. Cut into six pie-shaped wedges and serve with the Caramel Topping. Makes 6 servings.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Maybe I'm taking this too far...
After seeing the post on Craigslist then being inspired by Sarah to look up the chef who made cheese from his fiance's breast milk, I thought I would google breast milk recipes and see what came up. I was surprised by how many options there are. So in a new feature for the next couple of weeks (to entertain me until the baby comes) I give you
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup breast milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 tsp vanilla
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 strawberries, hulled and chopped up
1 1/4 cups icing sugar
1/8 cup breastmilk
1/8 cup half-and-half
1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 18 muffin cups with liners. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder until well mixed.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. With the mixer on low speed, beat the flour mixture alternately with the yogurt and breast milk. Beat in the vanilla. Pour the batter into the muffin cups.
Bake the cupcakes until golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the center of each comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Transfer the pan to a rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, prepare the frosting. Cream the butter until it is pale and fluffy. Add the strawberries: beat for 30 seconds. Then add the icing sugar, 1/2 cup at a time until well blended. Add the breast milk and cream, alternately by spoonfuls, beating until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until well incorporated.
Spread the frosting on the cooled cupcakes and place a piece of strawberry on the top of each.
TUESDAY'S TITTY TASTIES!
Vanilla Breast Milk Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup breast milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 tsp vanilla
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 strawberries, hulled and chopped up
1 1/4 cups icing sugar
1/8 cup breastmilk
1/8 cup half-and-half
1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 18 muffin cups with liners. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder until well mixed.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. With the mixer on low speed, beat the flour mixture alternately with the yogurt and breast milk. Beat in the vanilla. Pour the batter into the muffin cups.
Bake the cupcakes until golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the center of each comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Transfer the pan to a rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, prepare the frosting. Cream the butter until it is pale and fluffy. Add the strawberries: beat for 30 seconds. Then add the icing sugar, 1/2 cup at a time until well blended. Add the breast milk and cream, alternately by spoonfuls, beating until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until well incorporated.
Spread the frosting on the cooled cupcakes and place a piece of strawberry on the top of each.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Happy 35 to me!
Today marks my 35/35...I'm 35 weeks pregnant and have 35 days left to go. I can't believe it's getting so close. At least we now have the ability to bring our baby home from the hospital. We bought our car seat and stroller this past weekend. After all the research we initially did to pick a stroller, we ended up going with something completely different. We had a bunch of $ in gift cards to Babies-R-Us and they were having a big sale with a 20% off coupon(in store only, otherwise I might have bought online) We're happy with our purchase, especially since the stroller fits in the trunk of our car, which was a big concern.
I leave you with a post from Craigslist...this really grosses me out.
I have a one month old who was hospitalized from birth until recently. He had to have gastroschisis surgery so he couldn't eat for about 3 weeks. Since I knew the benefits of breastfeeding, I made sure to keep up a good supply for when he was ready to eat. He's finally home, doing great, and eating regularly. I now have over one hundred of bottles of breastmilk! They are all dated, frozen, and good for about 6 months. I don't have the room for them, and my baby perfers nursing to bottles. If you are intersted, please email me. I am a healthy non-smoker and I am drug and alcohol free. I take a prenatal vitamin and dha omega-3. If you have any questions, please let me know. Have a peaceful day!
I leave you with a post from Craigslist...this really grosses me out.
I have a one month old who was hospitalized from birth until recently. He had to have gastroschisis surgery so he couldn't eat for about 3 weeks. Since I knew the benefits of breastfeeding, I made sure to keep up a good supply for when he was ready to eat. He's finally home, doing great, and eating regularly. I now have over one hundred of bottles of breastmilk! They are all dated, frozen, and good for about 6 months. I don't have the room for them, and my baby perfers nursing to bottles. If you are intersted, please email me. I am a healthy non-smoker and I am drug and alcohol free. I take a prenatal vitamin and dha omega-3. If you have any questions, please let me know. Have a peaceful day!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Let it rain
On Saturday I had my second baby shower hosted by me dearest friends. Emily even drove 10 hours just to host. Courtney had the fabulous idea to have the shower at one of those paint your own pottery places.
I'll admit I was a little nervous at first...was I going to wind up with 10 different coffee mugs or vases? I should have had more faith in the ladies because it turned out to be the BEST IDEA EVER! They picked a mirror that was framed with tiles, and each guest got to paint a tile. They coordinated colors so it will match the nursery and our little baby will have a life time memento of how great his/her surrogate aunts are. I was even able to keep two tiles on hold for when the baby is born to put name, gender, birth date and feet prints.
I'll admit I was a little nervous at first...was I going to wind up with 10 different coffee mugs or vases? I should have had more faith in the ladies because it turned out to be the BEST IDEA EVER! They picked a mirror that was framed with tiles, and each guest got to paint a tile. They coordinated colors so it will match the nursery and our little baby will have a life time memento of how great his/her surrogate aunts are. I was even able to keep two tiles on hold for when the baby is born to put name, gender, birth date and feet prints.
(my mom, hard at work making a tile for her grand baby)
There was an amazing spread of food, including cupcakes from A Piece of Cake, where we got our wedding cake, and chips with garlic dip from Brazenhead...my absolute favorite chip dip.
Baby got some great gifts, including bedding set, lots of fun books to read, and more stuff to bath and snuggle with. I got my diaper bag too, which I am totally excited about.
I can't believe how blessed I am to have such great friends!
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