Recipe: pizza pancakes

Can't really take credit for this one. Ben & his friend Billy found the recipe, I just brought it to the kitchen. It turned out well, makes for a quick and easy dinner, and you can modify it to whatever you would want on your pizza!

Original recipe found here: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pizza-pancakes

Ingredients

2c bisquick baking mix 

2tsp Italian seasoning

1c milk

2 eggs

1/2c shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 tomato, diced

1/4 green pepper, diced

Handful of pepperoni, quartered (about 1/4c)

Directions

Combine baking mix & seasoning in a large bowl

Combine eggs & milk in a smaller bowl; combine with dry ingredients until just moist 

Fold in cheese and "toppings" (tomato, pepper & pepperoni)

Heat a greased skillet on med-low

Spoon mixture into heated skillet and let cook until bubbles pop, a few minutes on each side until golden brown

Optional: serve with warm spaghetti sauce 

Letters to Baby: Hurry up and Wait

Dear Baby,

First, let me start by saying, I'm sorry you don't have a name yet. It's not that we don't care - quite the opposite. For some reason we are obsessing over weird details we never even considered when choosing your sister's name. It's hard to name a boy! Something strong & masculine, but not doesn't sounds like a pit bull or super hero. Something that goes with "London Claire" but nothing that rhymes, starts with L, or has geographic origin. What will your nickname be? Should we use a family name? Will people mistake it for something else? Will there be 4 others in your kindergarten class? It's a lot of pressure! But I promise, the names we've narrowed it down to are all pretty awesome and I know, soon, it'll just hit us which one is perfect for you. Maybe after you're already here, but I'm (finally) ok with that. 

Anyway, the point of this was that we are not ready for you to come. 

NOT. 

READY. 

Beyond just not having your name picked out, your nursery is not even close to finished. Your closet is empty, the crib isn't set up, sheets haven't been washed. I don't have your coming home outfit washed. I have no idea if we own any socks for you. All of this stresses me out quite a bit. You see, your mama is what some people would call a bit of a control freak. Type A. Whatever. So to have all these things left undone is unnerving to me, and causes me to hope you stay inside for at least another month. 

But yet, for some strange reason (maybe because I hate being pregnant and I'm relatively sure if you don't come out soon you might actually break my ribs), I'm so ready for you to be here. I'm over analyzing every possible pre-labor symptom. I packed my hospital bags (sort-of) tonight. I RSVP to things in the coming weeks with the preface that we'll attend if you haven't made your arrival yet. So I guess as much as I am not ready for you, I am as ready as I could possibly be to meet you, and hold you in my arms, and stroke those sweet tiny feet that have been threatening to crack my rib cage for so many weeks now. From as much as I can tell, things are pretty cramped in there so I think you're ready to come out, too. 

And since I'm "full term" and you've been measuring plenty big enough, I'll just go ahead and give you permission to come any time you're ready. Which, we all know, by me saying that means you'll be two weeks late. But hey, maybe then you'll have some socks?

Can't wait to see your sweet face, and watch your daddy meet his son for the first time. We love you so much already. 

Xoxo,

Your mommy

Recipe: yummy burgers

So we bought a cow, right? But would you believe that this week was the first time we've made burgers on the grill with the *amazing* ground beef? They were delicious, cooked to perfection (way to go B!) and London even loved the mini-burger I set aside for her. And for the three of us, it was enough to freeze dinner for another night (read: to be enjoyed in my post-baby sleep deprivation haze). 

Inspired by this post via Pinterest: http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2011/10/best-burger-ever-recipe-with-secret-sauce.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/vlrRO+(Little+Miss+Momma)

Ingredients

1.5lb lean ground beef

1 heaping tbsp BBQ sauce

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Onion powder and black pepper to taste (I use both of these pretty liberally)

Directions

Mix all ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl

Form patties approx. 1-1.5" thick

Press firmly with your thumb in the middle of each patty to create a significant indentation; this will allow the burgers to stay "flat" and cook more evenly

Grill each side to your liking OR sautée 4-6min on each side in a buttered pan over medium heat 

Serve on buns and top with lettuce, tomato, etc. 

36 weeks

How far along?: 36w3d

How big is baby?: the size of a large cantaloupe; approx. 19-22in and 6lbs

Weight gain?: none since last week; 21lbs total

Stretch marks?: none

Sleep?: terrible. I have a lingering cough plus the reflux makes me wake up choking and often vomiting, so the sleep is interrupted and normally quite uncomfortable

Best moment last week?: London's 2nd birthday celebrations. Two is the sweetest age! Don't get me wrong, she's a total diva and the tantrums wear me thin, but she just loved celebrating her birthday. 

Food cravings?: nothing of note, besides beer and Italian subs

Symptoms?: reflux, more aches & pains than I could ever list, and one less than pleasant symptom I will spare you the details of

Exercise?: yoga and chasing London

Movement?: I'm constantly feeling his little heel up by my ribs

Belly button?: no change but definitely visible through clothes 

What I miss?: sleep

Labor signs?: as of today, my cervix is starting to thin & dilate and baby's head is low. Great news, considering I never got that far on my own with London, but not necessarily indicative that he'll be here any time soon. 

What I'm looking forward to?: continuing to work on his nursery. Ben is working hard to get it ready!

34 weeks

How far along?: 34 weeks 4 days

How big is baby?: the size of a pineapple! 19-22 inches and about 4lb 9oz. He has likely reached his birth length and is now packing on the pounds. He obviously had a growth spurt since my last appt because I went from measuring 30w to 34w in only two weeks!

Weight gain?: back up to where I was a month or so ago - overall I think I'm at 19lbs, so on track to hopefully gain only a few lbs more than I did with L

Stretch marks?: nope - even the dr commented on how lucky I was not to have any!

Maternity clothes?: refusing to buy any more but I did get some super comfy non-maternity pants (http://m.target.com/p/mossimo-supply-co-junior-s-soft-pant-assorted-colors/-/A-15128697) from target last week. And I'd like to get some nursing-friendly tops and gowns or pajamas before the hospital. 

Sleep?: ugh. Getting very tough. I'm fighting a cold or allergies, so I'm snoring like a chainsaw (poor Ben even slept on the couch!) and the heartburn (or whatever) is still causing me to wake up choking & vomiting. I tried sleeping propped up but ended up with a horrible headache. And most nights I have to get up 1-3x to pee. But at least I don't have insomnia!

Best moment last week?: we had a nice little adults-only getaway in Virginia Beach last weekend! 

Food cravings?: nothing to note

Symptoms?: aside from the previously mentioned, my pubic symphysis pain has flared up again and the mid-back / rub pain has started. I can tell it's getting crowded in there! Hoping to see a chiropractor to help alleviate some of the issues. 

Exercise?: signed up for 6 more weeks of yoga!

Movement?: frequent and often painful but at least I know he's healthy & active!

Belly button?: out mostly, but didn't stop me from wearing a bikini this weekend

What I miss?: adult beverages 

Labor signs?: he's head down (confirmed by ultrasound yesterday) but that's all for now - and hopefully for awhile!

What I'm looking forward to?: London's second birthday party next weekend!