24 WEEKS TODAY!

I am feeling good, and so happy! (: Although I have been a lazy butt this pregnancy...and do nothing but eat, sleep, sit around, and play with my kids! lol It is too hot to take a walk everyday, so I have been steadily gaining weight, but since I started out "underweight" I don't mind so much.

Baby girl (A),

I love feeling your kicks and movement! You sure are an energetic little girl, and move all around especially after I eat something sweet! (:  Mommy and Daddy cannot wait to hold you in our arms, and Jeffrey and Lily cannot wait to see your sweet little face.  Jeffrey understands that you are in my belly and he has to wait patiently for you, while Lily thinks you are my belly button that has started to poke out. (: lol You are growing quite fast now and weighing about 1 pound! Mommy craves everything sweet, and keeps baking something new every few days! (Girl, you are going to make Mommy fat!) lol But it is a good excuse to feel you move and kick so I know you are ok in there. (: My next Dr. appt is July 6th and can't wait to hear your little heartbeat again!

Oh there you go kicking me again! haha

I love you,
Mommy

Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes

One of my favorite desserts is Pineapple Upside Down Cake (I get the love for that cake from my dad) (:
But I sometimes find it to be a bit dry and I hate that not everyone can get a slice of cake with a cherry as well.  But then I came across mini pineapple upside down cakes on Pinterest (I am obsessed!) and had to give it a go! So I made them yesterday while we stayed at home because of a tropical storm in our area.

Rainy days at home sometimes are the best! We had a great day building a huge tent in the living room using sheets and blankets and it kept the kids busy for hours! (:  The part of the day was eating these little beauties after a yummy dinner of steak, orzo pasta with parmigiana and basil, baked potatoes, peas and glazed carrots. YUM!

I had to bring some over to my grandma and share because they were so delicious! (Since my dad was not in town to enjoy them!)

Here is the recipe for the cake:

Duncan Hines Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix
1 Small box of vanilla instant pudding mix
4 Eggs
1 Cup of water
1 Cup of pineapple juice
1/2 Cup of vegetable oil

Mix all together in mixer for 2 minutes

Then you need:

1/3 Cup of butter
1/2 Cup of brown sugar
1 Tb of clear corn syrup (not needed, just personal preference!)
Jar of maraschino cherries
1 Can of pineapple tidbits

Coat cupcake/muffin pan with butter.
Melt butter in skillet on medium and then stir in brown sugar in butter and add corn syrup. Stir till well combined and then pour butter/brown sugar mixture into cupcake tins until bottom is covered and then layer in the pineapple pieces and place a cherry in the middle of the pineapples.  Pour in just enough cake batter until cherry and pineapple pieces are covered/ (1/3 full)

Bake at 350 degrees for about 18 minutes depending on your oven.
Hope you enjoy! (I SURE DID!!)

Photos from our tent building adventure (:

Here the kids are having fun in their giant tent in the living room (:

My sweet boy

Fathers Day Gift!

For the real life superheros in your life! Show him how special he is with this cute hero box filled with his favorite snacks! (:

Daddy looking at the picture Jeffrey drew for him (:

Daddy's hero juice! 

Here is the link, so all you have to do is click and print on adhesive sticker paper! (:
http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/diy-fathers-day-gift-superhero-craft/

I bought a photo box from Micheal's, and then filled it with IBC root beer, chips, pistachios, beef jerky, Godiva chocolate bar, mints, and Reese's!! (:

I hope my FIL and husband loves their boxes! I gave my dad his box last week because he is out of town for another few weeks or so. (My dad thought it was great!)

Donut holes with fresh strawberries and bluberries with Blueberry greek yogurt

SO yummy (: (Picture taken with my phone, sorry I am lazy this morning)
I ate 4 of these! Hey, I am pregnant...don't judge me! (;

Jeffrey's Last Day of School was today! I am about to go and pick him up and it is such a bittersweet feeling! He is getting so big! ): But look how more confident he looks after half a year of school and having such amazing teachers work with him! His speech has gotten so much better, and I  am happy to know he will be in Mrs. Davis' class next year as well. I know he will excel and do so well by being with her for another whole year next year. But enough of thinking about him going to school again, that is two months away! I get to have my boy back for the whole summer and we will do so many fun things together! (: Mommy is so proud of you, Jeffrey! You are such a sweet, smart and funny little boy who has stolen my heart from the moment I heard your heartbeat at my first ultrasound when I was pregnant with you.  I pray everyday that God gives me the wisdom to raise you to be a wonderful, strong man of God...and I have no doubt you will! (: Mommy and Daddy loves you...xoxo

Hospital Bag Essentials

Bathrobe - I know many sources say you wouldn't want to wear/ruin anything of your own, but I felt so good changing into my own bathrobe instead of the hospital gown and it did not get ruined a bit! 
Socks - Comfy Socks with Grips on the Bottom which turned out to be the best purchase ever for the hospital stay. 
Dry Shampoo - In case you aren't able to shower on your own, this would be a lifesaver. I also brought shampoo & conditioner, which I used instead because I was able to shower at about 24 hours after surgery.
Chapstick, Face Wash & Moisturizer
Boppy - for breastfeeding, snuggling & propping up baby. Can't say enough good things about these!
Camera, Phone & Chargers for both - for sharing the news & capturing all of the first precious moments!
Hand Sanitizer - For you & your guests, threw this in the bag last minute and we went through an entire bottle in three days.
Pillows & extra blanket - for the hubs window seat/bed :) 
Snacks - Our hospital food rocked, but we also had jello, pudding and all of the stuff to make sandwiches while we were there. Of course hubs had to make a Chipotle run on day three as well.
Nursing Bra & Soothies
Baby Hats! - Was so exciting changing her out of the hospital hat and into her adorable hats I brought, and we got sooo many compliments from the hospital staff on how cute she looked
Going Home Outfit for Baby - something comfy & warm. Also, that is the only outfit she wore during the stay, the rest of the time she was in onesies from the hospital or just a diaper. No need to bring multiple changes of clothes.
Going Home Outfit for You - I recommend anything loose, five times larger than regular size, etc. As I mentioned, I was sooooo swollen from the fluids (not just my belly) and could hardly squeeze into the clothes I brought. I recommend Dance Pants from the Gap (I have so many pair, which I wore for weeks after Harper was born) and a stretchy nursing top... or if it is summer, definitely rock a maxi dress!!
Things that I thought we'd need but ended up getting/using from the hospital included the breast pump, lanolin, bottles, pacifiers, swaddle blankets, onesies, diapers, any feminine products, water cups & towels. No need to pack any of those things.. the hospital should be very accomodating! 
And the one last thing I would recommend that we did not bring but it would have been a lifesaver... a plug in night light! All of the hospital room lights are soo bright. At bed time, you still need to be able to see your little one or be able to see to get around, but it is impossible to sleep with the awful room lights on.. or even the bathroom light. So I would bring a small plug in one, you'll be glad you did! :)