March 31, 2011

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

picture found here: http://fakeginger.com/?p=1204

Don't those look delish?! Let me tell you, today is my husband's birthday and I decided to make him homemade cupcakes, instead of buying a cake or something similar. I will just tell you now that he has eaten 4 so far haha, no joke? Want to make them yourself? The recipe is easy!! FYI I used our magic bullet since we don't have a mixer and didn't want to mix them by hand haha.

One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes from Martha Stewart
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside. Sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.

Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting from Martha Stewart
6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy cream

With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until pale and fluffy.  Add salt and peanut butter, and beat to combine.  Beat in vanilla.

In another bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-speed, whisk cream until medium-stiff peaks form.  Fold cream into peanut-butter mixture.  Use immediately, or refrigerate, covered tightly, up to 2 days.  Before using, bring to room temperature and stir with a flexible spatula until smooth.

March 29, 2011

Finally! An Update!

Whew I can finally make an update!! I FINALLY got the memory box for Liam done!! It only took FOREVER haha. I am quite happy with it, as long as it doesn't fall apart haha. I also found the dresser for his room! I hope it matches the crib ok but I guess it wont be the end of the world if it doesn't. On the first, I'm going to order it at walmart.com and have it shipped free to the store. Then whatever week it comes, I'll have my dad come up that weekend so that Adam can help load/unload it since I can't lift much. I'll also be going to target to get the organizer and drawers I want for the room AND probably nice drawers to put under the changing table for more storage (I like organization ha). Other than a chair, we will have everything. I may order that too if I can find one but that can wait for now...maybe ha. I'm getting excited to be getting his room together! That dresser will be the next project I do for when Adam is at work all day!!

His memory box (excuse the white...the glue is still drying - luckily dries clear)
dresser (on sale from $230 to $198)
organizer (in store it is a little darker luckily but we will see - I want to get dark green and also the cream colored drawers for it)
Other than that, things are good! I have been trying to sell my old PS2 forever now and I found some soldier who will buy it tomorrow for $100!!! So tomorrow my friend is coming with me to meet him on post at one of the shoppettes (the gas station area). He better not try to scam me... I know his rank AND his name LOL. I'm good with meeting people online though so it should be fine. Plus he seems nice from what I have talked to with him. I don't even think it's worth that much, but HE is the one who gave me the price! Adam and I are also trying to sell this Warhammer figurine/toy/game things that his friend got him when he was deployed because they were going to play... well the whole set is worth like $500+ so I am hoping eventually someone will buy them!! Wouldn't that be nice!! I put up ads on craigslist and the ft. lewis yard sale site and he will probably make a post on ebay later.

How is everyone else doing?!

March 28, 2011

I Fail...

At keeping up on here. I will try harder, I promise! Things have been crazy lately though. My dad had surgery wednesday so I only posted that week for my pregnancy stuff. THEN the husband and I spent the weekend together (like normal) and he didn't really do his own thing so I didn't get on here. NOW I am busy finishing Liam's memory box and looking for a dresser haha. I know it doesn't sound like much but it is! That box has taken all day and I am STILL not done. TOMORROW though I promise to post something and some pictures!

March 25, 2011

28 Weeks; Helloooo Third Trimester

How far along: 28!!!
Total weight gain: 23lbs so far; can't believe I gained 6lbs this last month. :(
How big baby is: He's about the size of a chinese cabbage; average baby is two and a quarter pounds and 14.8 inches..CRAZY.
Maternity clothes:
Same old same old. I need at least one more pair of jeans asap though.
Stretch Marks: I'm pretty sure I found more, but nothing is new there.
Sleep: I've been having trouble falling asleep and getting comfy enough.
Best moment this week: Feeling Liam move/kick so much. It makes me happy.
Worst moment this week: Lack of sleep.
Movement: He moves/kicks ALLLLL the time now. =] LOVE it.

Food cravings:
Fruit, fruit and more FRUIT! =]
Belly Button (In or Out): In! Although it's trying to be an outie.
Gender: Our Mr!

Labor Signs: Braxton hicks for sure here and there.
What I am looking forward to: Hearing back about my glucose test; hopefully good news!
What I miss: Being able to walk more; I get worn out now!


Feeling huge ha
 

March 24, 2011

Six hours and three days later...



I FINALLY finished the letters to go on Liam's dresser!
How did I do this you ask? No, not paint. Although I do wish ha.
I used good old scrapbook paper from JoAnn's fabrics (love that store).
For the stand, I just had the left over green that I cut out dots from.
I also used a white paint marker for the dashes! Pretty cleaver, huh? ;)
I would like to think so. I am very proud of how it turned out!
I can't wait to put it on his dresser, whenever I finally find one!

Other than that excitement, I hope to start his memory box here soon.
I need more projects for his room, any ideas? Let me know!
I may decorate some wooden frames to put up but who knows yet.
I am definitely in a crafty mood though.


March 21, 2011

Get To Know Me

Thanks to Angie over at Lariats and Lavender I found this awesome weekly linky called "Getting To Know You" and it is supposed to be done on Sunday's but I wanted to do it NOW after I found it. Plus, Angie was rebellious and did it late. ;) I need more weekly things to post about ha. Feel free to answer the questions below and link up! 

Click the button!!
Mannland5


1. if you won the title of miss america, what would your platform be?
Nonjudgmental, open-mindedness. I would say world peace but that is so hard to promote. I don't think I could keep myself up to that promise. 

2. outdoorsy or indoorsy? 
Outdoorsy for sure. I love my lazy, stay in and do nothing days. However, I love being outside, walking around in the sun and hanging out with friends.

3. pajama's out in public..classy or tres tacky? 
I think it is in between haha. I mean, in ratty pj pants and a baggy shirt or sweatshirt - definitely tacky. Although if you wear nice black yoga pants like I do, it's not so bad (although I would never wear them outside the house). None the less, I wouldn't call is classy or tacky ha.

4. what's your favorite room in your house?
The living room, because our tv, game consols (xbox 360 for the husband, ps3 for me), and comfy couches are out here. Soon the nursery will be my fave I am sure.

5. nook, kindle, or book? 
BOOK. I like the idea of nooks and kindles but I don't really ever want one. Maybe if someone gave it to me, but I would never go buy one. Sure it can save money because most ereaders have cheaper books than the actual book itself. However, I like the idea of sitting down and cracking open a good book. I like to turn the pages, that certain smell a book has, the idea that if I drop the book it wont break. I like that I can hold it physically, instead of stare at a screen.

6. would you rather wear the same outfit for a week or not brush your teeth for a week? 
I would rather not brush my teeth. It may be gross to you but I have done it before anyway, HELLO camping haha. I hate wearing the same clothes over and over again because they become baggy.

7. what's your favorite blog at the moment? 
I have a few I just love to follow, but I would say Mommyhood because Kiranda cracks me up and we are good friends. Her posts are always interesting and I find a lot of info about pregnancy and motherhood since she has THE cutest son ever and a little girl on the way. =]

8. lately i've been daydreaming about.........? 
Liam being here, duh! Our baby boy to be. I cannot wait!

March 20, 2011

I Need to Get On This!

....and by this I mean my BLOG haha. I haven't really been posting lately and I guess it's ok to take a break. Not like I have a lot of followers yet, but to you 26, you are amazing! I just need to start participating in scavenger hunt Sundays! Well, or something along the lines of parties to follow ;). Any ideas, huh huh? I love those games, they are fun. Plus I REALLY need to dust off my Canon. Poor thing has been neglected for a while now. GOOD news is I am done with class so hopefully I can post more. HELLO AA degree! Now I can focus on Liam's room, Liam himself AND my own life instead of school. How cool is that? Well I guess you could throw my husband in there somewhere as well. Kidding!! Want some more good news?! The husband and I have everything put together for Liam's room so far! I put together the stroller so we have that and the carseat done. I also put together the changing table the other day AND together, we put the crib together. All I need to find now is a classic cherry dresser (without paying $500) to match and to buy the organizer cubby unit from Target. I can't wait! This week I shall be starting on decorating wooden letters to go on the dresser when we get one and his memory box. Don't know what that is? Well click here. I want to add stuff like the newspaper on the day he's born and other mementos. I want more crafty ideas. Moms out there, throw them my way! I love decorating haha. 

Aside from all of that excitement, my weekend has been pretty good! My husband and I went out for lunch, glow golfing AND saw Limitless. Let me tell you, what a crazy movie that was! It was super good though, you have to see it. The trailer does nothing for the movie. How did YOU spend your weekend?


Glow golf!

March 18, 2011

Twenty-Seven!

How far along: 27 weeks woo.
Total weight gain: We shall find out next Friday (I only get weighed when I go to my OB).
How big baby is: Liam is about the size of a head of cauliflower. Average size of a baby is two pounds and about 14 1/2 inches long with legs extended.
Maternity clothes:
Same old same old. I DID buy two cheap t-shirts though because I need more!
Stretch Marks: Oh there are more on my stomach. :(
Sleep: I feel like I haven't been getting enough, but oh well.
Best moment this week: Feeling Liam move/kick so much. It makes me happy.
Worst moment this week: Back pain..and at some point this week I got a charlie horse ha.
Movement: He moves/kicks ALLLLL the time now. =] LOVE it.

Food cravings:
Fruit, fruit and more FRUIT!
Belly Button (In or Out): In! I don't think it will pop out.
Gender: Our Mr!

Labor Signs: Not sure but I have been feeling some weird fullness/tightening below my belly button. BH perhaps? maybe.
What I am looking forward to: Third trimester!
What I miss: Being able to walk more; I get worn out now!

March 17, 2011

AA Is MINE!

I just want to quickly update all my lovely followers on the fact that Heleen is now back on board!! I just finished my final test for my online class so as long as I do ok on that and my final essay, I should end up with an A or B in the class I hope. This means an AA degree will soon be MINE. I don't technically graduate until spring (because I turned in the graduation packet too late for this qtr oops)... BUT I shall be done with classes. Now I can get my life back and be able to post and such again YAY. I need to keep this blog entertaining after all!


Has anyone else accomplished anything lately?

March 15, 2011

My Dad Is Amazing!

aI went grocery shopping and paid all the bills today! I hate grocery shopping alone, but I always do it while the husband is at work since payday is always on a weekday. Then my dad came up and we ran around places. I didn't have time to go to the farm stand before he showed up so we went and I got TONS of fruit haha. I've been craving fruit like NO OTHER... I got apples, a WHOLE pineapple (pretty excited), strawberries and everything else that sounded good ha. I love it and it's cheap. I just wanna eat it all....RIGHT.NOW! =]

BEST PART of today! My dad bought us our car seat/stroller travel set!!! Freakin excited about that ha. It was originally $269-ish, on sale for $246-ish PLUS 20% off so in the end, he paid $217 (including the tax) so we were both pretty happy about that! He also spent $100 and got Adam a remote control helicopter for his birthday! I gave it to him today because we only have 7 days to exchange it if there is something wrong with it... and his birthday isn't until the 31st. He LOVES it haha...already played with it a bit. I can't believe it...my dad spoils us haha. Dont worry though, I got him NBA 2k11 that he wanted for his xbox and I am trying to figure out something else possibly that he could open up on his actual birthday. =]

Other than that, I got things done today! I'm so glad to start getting Liam's room ready!! Hopefully we can put stuff together soon. I also got the invites for the baby shower sent out today! =] I can't wait... NEXT MONTH woo. Anyway, I hope everyone else is having a good day. I need to go work on some school work again. Can't wait for this week to be over so I am not so MIA from stuff online. ;)


Here is a picture of the set and then what his helicopter practically looks like (it's medium sized - so about 6-12 inches long or so).


I loveee Graco AND the carseat goes to 35 lbs =]
 

March 13, 2011

Sorry If I Am MIA...

This whole weekend, my husband has been away at work in the field training BOOO. The army knows how to mess things up. He was supposed to be home today but of course not. So I have been hanging out with friends to get out of the apartment. Anyway, so I am sorry if I have been MIA... and I am sorry if I am a bit MIA this week. It is my FINAL week of college...EVER. Well, for my AA anyway for now haha. I believe I have an A or B+ in my class so far so I need to focus on this final week since I have a final test and an essay due friday eek. 


I will hopefully have something crafty to post here in a week or two!! I wanted to get started on stuff for Liam's room so I got white wood letters that spell out L-I-A-M and holders so I can set them on his dresser (which I still need to find)... and I got some scrapbook paper to decorate it with! I was going to paint them originally but decide that would go badly! I will post pictures whenever I finish it, but the idea will kind of be like this:
I have a solid brown color and then some different colored green/yellow/red polka dot type things (different sizes) both that are scrapbook paper... so I think I will alternate like above with solid on either top or bottom. I'm pretty excited haha. I ALSO got one of those huge scrapbook storage boxes like:
I got some other scrapbook pages to decorate it with (hopefully it will work well like the letters do) and I will decorate the top with jungle animals and his name (since the theme is jungle)... and I will use the box to put keepsakes in...such as his baby book (if I ever buy one), he 'firsts' like christmas ornaments and such... or newpaper from the day he is born..stuff like that. I am pretty excited. My husband doesn't know I got all this stuff yet so I hope he likes it! I just want to start decorating already.


So that is what is going on the next week or two so if I am MIA- sorry! Lots going on haha.

March 11, 2011

What's In YOUR Cabinet?

Thanks to A Sorta Fairytale I found this cool little post to do. Feel free to join in on the fun! What would I find in YOUR cabinet?

1. Facial Product. 
I absolutely LOVE Biore! I used to use this acne cleanser one, but I don't anymore. I need to get some more Biore products!



2. Hair Products. 
I use Dove daily moisture shampoo/conditioner, as well as Pantene curly hair spray and some good old water in a spray bottle ha (natural curly hair is sometimes a pain).


3. Pills. 
The only one I use currently is (rarely) Tylenol because of the pregnancy. I should have invested in Tylenol PM haha. When I'm NOT pregnant, I take NyQuil because it's my best friend (along with Dayquil) when I am sick. I also used to take the PX (shop on our military post) version of Somnitabs because they are non-habit forming and I had issues sleeping when my husband was deployed... and he got some Excedrin the other day for a headache (since he always stole my Tylenol's).
 

 

4. Deodorant. 
I use whatever sounds good at the time, but lately it's been the Shower Clean version of Degree.


5. Perfume. 
Thanks to my husband, I wear Beyonce's Heat alllllll the time. He got it for me for my birthday! =]

6. Make-up. 
I usually wear some sort of liquid foundation (currently - Cover Girl Clean), Maybelline eyeliner, Cover Girl Lash blast, and either Burts Bees Mango lip balm OR Bath and Body Works' mint lip gloss.

Oh Week 26! =]

How far along: 26 Weeks!  Yeah! 
Total weight gain: We shall find out the 25th (I only get weighed when I go to my OB). Aiming to not gain too much this month.
How big baby is: About the size of an English hothouse cucumber! Average baby is about 14 inches long and about a 1 2/3 pounds! He's getting to be a big boy!
Maternity clothes:
Same old same old.
Stretch Marks: I haven't really been paying attention lately, although I am sure I have more ha.
Sleep: I need more of it! That's for sure.
Best moment this week: Finally having my husband being able to feel his kicks.
Worst moment this week: Back pain!! :(
Movement: He is starting to kick/punch me like crazy! I have figured out the most part that he is most active around whenever I wake up (usually 8ish) to the afternoon around 2pm-ish.

Food cravings: Nothing lately.
Belly Button (In or Out): Still in! My husband says the area around it looks like the end of a balloon hahaha.
Gender: Definitely our baby boy!
Labor Signs: No BH or anything yet, but sometimes I do feel cramping for a second.
What I am looking forward to: Hopefully having my husband feel Liam move more, I love how excited he got.
What I miss: Being able to do things easier..it's hard to bed down or walk for long periods of time.


26 Weeks

March 9, 2011

I'm a Human Punching Bag

So I went to this ultrasound workshop thing today at my dr's office. There were a few patients that came in at a time and they had 'students' doing the actual ultrasound to learn more about how to do the ultrasounds on expecting mothers (don't worry, a REAL tech was in there helping). Anyway, it was really neat because I learned tons about the whole procedure and what they actually have to do to get the certain measurements and such, since normally the tech just does their own thing. I also learned that Liam is head down, which explains why he is kicking me where he is haha. I'm really bummed though. It didn't turn out like I thought. They made it sound like we had three different machines and we would get lots of pictures. Well, they had one machine for each person and I only got one picture. :( I guess Liam is just way too active haha. BUTTT I can say that I got to see Liam for like a full hour on the monitor! haha. I loved it. I saw him wave and he was moving all over the place. He pretty much used my uterus as a punching bag too, which was weird to see heh. Oh and he totally kept flashing us his 'goods' so he is a boy for sure. I loved seeing him move so much, but I REALLY wish my husband was there to see it all. Especially since I didn't really get any pictures. Oh well though I guess. It was still a cool experience because it was totally free and everyone was super nice. Plus there were goodies, including water, chocolate, and FRUIT (I loveeeee fruit). =]

I hope everyone else is doing well! I'm sorry for posting so much about the baby lately, but that's all that's been going on in my life lately haha. I need to have something else to update on one of these days.

March 7, 2011

SUCCESS

It only took me ALL DAY to get this whole second of Liam kicking, but I did it. I finally started feeling him from the outside yesterday and he didn't want to cooperate for my husband...so since he's working overnight, I tried to capture it for him on my phone and it finally worked! I must have tried a million different times...


VERY hard to see...but about 8-10 seconds in...

A little MIA.

Sorry about that everyone. I've been spending time with the husband since he's always working all week. I didn't even get some of my book read for my class, oops. Guess that's what I shall be doing later. Anyway, you haven't missed much. Although I FINALLY felt our baby from the outside, a little nudge. Hopefully my husband can feel soon!! That's my big milestone for the week. I'm just waiting for Wednesday to be here because I have this ultrasound workshop at my OB office...pretty excited!! I'll update that later. Oh! AND I have just this week and next week left of my final class. WOO PARTY! I will finally have my AA after this. Unfortunately that means I have an essay AND final due this friday I think. Hopefully I wont go MIA though...but after that I'll be on here more!

On a new note... I got yet another award thanks to Rhaissa!
When you get this award you state 5 amazing things about you.
  1. I have had my license for about 5 1/2 years now and have only been in one accident (stupid people rear-ended me in high school).
  2. My middle name is Perris (like Paris - not sure how I got that as a middle name ha).
  3. I am black, white and native american (Ogallala Sioux).
  4. If I wasn't married with a child on the way, I would probably spend all day reading books and surfing online.
  5. I love the idea of being a stay at home mom, so Liam wont have to be bouncing from place to place.

March 4, 2011

Week 25!

How far along: 25 Weeks! Crazy!!
Total weight gain: 17lbs so far (I only get weighed when I go to my OB). Aiming to not gain too much this month.
How big baby is: About the size of a rutabaga (name cracks me up)! Average baby is about 13 1/2 inches long and about a 1 1/2 pounds!
Maternity clothes:
I still only have two pairs of maternity jeans and a couple shirts. It works for now..but I think I need a couple more shirts.
Stretch Marks: Found some more spots on my stomach boo.
Sleep: I've been pretty good lately. Although these dreams get more ridiculous every day.
Best moment this week: I'm feeling what might be kicks! They aren't that strong so I am not 100% sure yet.
Worst moment this week: Feeling so lazy! I just want to hang with friends and go out and do stuff. 

Movement: I feel him all the time! Wish we could feel him from the outside though; I want my husband to experience that.
Food cravings: Fruit and occasionally chocolate. :(
Belly Button (In or Out): Still in! My husband says the area around it looks like the end of a balloon hahaha.
Gender: Our Mr!
Labor Signs: None yet! Although I get some cramps for a second here and there. Probably from stretching though.
What I am looking forward to: This ultrasound workshop my doctor's office is having next week! Hellooo lots of pictures!
What I miss: Being able to bend! It hurts to get up from couches or bend down to pick up/reach things.

March 3, 2011

Sweet! My First Award.

 
SWEET, I got an award! All thanks to the lovely Rhaissa
When you receive the award you must pass it along to 8 other bloggers. Share 8 things about yourself then, pass it along!

  1. I watch far too many crime shows.
  2. I played the clarinet back in grade/middle/high school for eight years total.
  3. One day I want to own a Mustang or the newer Camaros
  4. My dream job is to work as a photographer for National Geographic ;)
  5. I'm left handed, but do most things right handed (except write and use silverware).
  6. I WILL own a Chinchilla one day; I think they are cute.
  7. Most days I am too lazy to wear makeup, but hate going without it.
  8. To calm myself down, I go on drives in my car when I can and blast loud music.

March 2, 2011

Appreciation For Yourself and Others

These past few days have me wondering: do you show your appreciation for what others do for you? Do you receive appreciation for what you do for others? 


I talk to my dad just about everyday for a few minutes on the phone. I mind you, he only lives about 20-30 minutes away from us. For the arrival of Liam (our bun in the oven), my dad bought us our crib and changing table set for my birthday/Christmas present this last year. Well, now he wants to buy us our car seat/stroller travel set! I feel so bad for him buying all that for us, but at the same time I am so thankful. However, I do not show it that well. I just hope he knows how thankful I am for him doing this! We have the money, plenty for that set and some of the things we need, but how can you turn down help? You just can't hah.


Lately I have also been doing things for my husband. He does not have his license anymore because it expired many years ago. His friends always drive him because he used to live right next to one of the back gates, so there was no need for his roommates and him to take separate cars. ANYWAY, his friend that lives a few minutes down the road normally takes him, although sometimes I have to either pick him up or take him in the mornings. I normally don't mind, but these gas prices are getting ridiculous. I always complain about picking him up or taking him, but he knows I always will. Sometimes he gets upset and then I believe at times that he doesn't always appreciate how I have to take him some days. 


I guess I just wish that showing appreciation was easier. I know that people appreciate what I do. I know that they probably believe I appreciate what they do. However, we don't always think that so it needs to be shown. 

Who else believes that appreciation isn't showed enough? Maybe it is just me?