4th of July Treat: Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza

I think all of us can agree that Pinterest is one of the greatest timesucks websites out there. I need a recipe for anything...scroll scroll pin...need fashion advice....scroll scroll pin....organizing tips...scroll scroll pin... 3 hours later you feel like a new person with new goals! I love it.

So in one of my scrolling trances I stumbled upon these adorable mini fruit tartlets. Anything miniature wins my heart because they are cuter than cute.

Source: bannerboutique.blogspot.com via Joanna on Pinterest

I made them for a beach trip and I was disappointed to discover that my miniature tart making skills are lacking. Maybe I used too much cookie for the little cup and they ended up looking like cookie muffins. Don't get me wrong, I still ate them. I am pregnant after all and I need to teach Baby V that sometimes mistakes happen.

I also taught Baby V that you gotta bounce back and roll with the punches. So, I made a cookie pizza-tart.

I busted out my tart pan, squished my store bought sugar cookie dough into it as the crust, shmeared a mix of Cool Whip and a small tub of cream cheese, and decorated it all purdy with berries.

How's that for an easy 4th of July treat? My mom also put me on baked beans duty. Anyone have any good recipes for that?

Have a great Fourth of July, friends! Eat lots, have fun, and God Bless America...seriously, God, we need it.

22 Weeks Pregnancy Update

Hi Blogger World! Yes, I am still alive and well. I guess you can say I'm double alive because of the second heartbeat growing inside of me. CRAZY! I still can't believe it. A lot has changed since my last post and I have been ichin' to write about it.

How far along? 22 weeks which is about 5-1/2 months

Total weight gain: ::sigh:: I am tipping the scales nowadays. I'm embarrassed to say that I've gained almost 15 pounds. Doctor says I need to slow it down for awhile. There will be no more ice cream binges for Mama. 

Maternity clothes? I'm pretty much rockin' maternity leggings and dresses since they are the least restricting for the summer. I am wearing comfy flip flops (These are a Godsend) because my feet are starting to swell. No bueno.

Stretch marks? No. My Burt's Bee Belly Butter is working like a charm. Highly recommended.
Sleep: Sleeping well. Only have to get up to pee once or twice.

Best moment this week: Hubby and I got to see Baby hiccuping a whole bunch in the ultrasound. Doctor also let us hear it. It was so cute. Ultrasound also showed us that Baby is healthy! So happy to hear that.

Miss Anything? Hot dogs! If Hubby is around, he will not let me touch them. Going to the Dodger game this week was no fun without a Dodger Dog.

Movement: Baby is kicking and hiccupping at all hours of the day and night. It's a beautiful feeling. Hubby can feel them now, too!

Food cravings: Ice cream, grapes (which I'm disappointed to hear that they are loaded with sugar), and Peanut Butter.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing at the moment
Gender predictions: I'm still getting lots of predictions for both boy and girl. I guess I would have to say I feel like it's a girl. We will see.

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Massive weight gain and swollen and aching feet. Thank God for Hubby's foot rubs!

Belly Button in or out? Half in and half out. It's a sight to be seen.

Wedding rings on or off? My wedding band still fits but my engagement ring will not go on anymore. Fatty Mcfatterson over here.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Very happy and calmmer now that summer is here.
Looking forward to: Decorating the nursery. We have officially started that project! Can't wait to show you guys our theme!

It's A.....

...DEBATE.

Yes, hubby and I are at odds. He doesn't want to know and my impatient buhdunk wants to find out. So, as of now, he we are NOT finding out. But, my anal retentive personality just can't be settled for 5 more months of NOT knowing. I'm a list person, so I made a list.  Pros vs. pros...wait a second that's not right...it makes sense in my head, promise.

PROs of not knowing

• It's a special surprise on the big day
• No one is doing this anymore. The novelty of being one of the few couples that wait is appealing.
• Doctors can say it's a girl and you prepare for a girl and BOOM... it comes out with a penis. Gender FAIL.
• Baby will still be cute in yellow ducky onsies. I mean, who the hell doesn't like duckies? That's what I'd like to know.
• ummmm ??

PROS of knowing

.via.

• Isn't the baby surprise enough on the big day?
• Everybody is doing it. Peer pressure. Lovely.
• You can prep the nursery
• I hear it's more a of a connection when you know. Talking to your "Baby boy" is a lot more special than talking to "Baby."
• Cute dresses for girls and cute whatever boys wear for boys.
• Better wardrobe for baby
• Easier for friends and family at the baby shower.

Well, either way I get a baby at the end of this game and all will be water under the bridge. I'm not stressing about it and you know what's fun? Using old wives' tales to find the sex of our baby. Who needs doctors when you got these...

Old Wives' Tales
1. Carrying high, it's a girl. Carrying low, it's a boy. High...girl
2. Heartbeat 140+bpm, baby girl. Heartbeat below 140 bpm, baby boy. 150...girl
3. Craving sweet, pink it is. Craving salty and sour, blue time. I'm craving mostly salty....boy
4. Chinese Calendar says Age of conception + Month of conception= Sex of the baby.
28+February=boy (That is more information than I'm sure you wanted to know)
5. Mayan calendar says if my age and the year of conception are both even or both odd, it's a girl and if it's one even and one odd it's a boy. 28 and 2012....girl


Still need to try:
-String with your wedding ring. If it swings back and forth blue and green chucks! If it swings in circles, dresses!
-Pee in a cup, add Drano. Green=girl, Blue= boy. This is totally bizarre. I have to try it.
-Toddler play. If a toddler shows interest in your belly, it's a girl. If not, boy.


You know what, all this silliness really makes it fun. Even though these are totally bonkers, I'm still going to test each one. I have 4 more months. Wowza Mahgowza.

18 weeks and counting

Lessons Learned in Trimester ONE

I am officially into my second trimester. I just opened my eyes from a blink and here I am... 16 weeks preggos. I have learned so many amazing and disturbing lessons thus far and I wanted to share them with you. I have so many friends that are going down this route, so here is what to expect (sorta) when you're expecting.

• When people offer to help you carry something or do something for you because you're carrying precious cargo...live it up. This isn't going to be forever.
• You will feel tired. I felt like I climbed a mountain everyday. Growing a baby is no joke.
• Hormones SUCK.
• Weeks vs. Months. I never understood this and I never wanted to admit this because I'm a woman and I figured I should've read this somewhere in my women's manual. When I used to ask women how far along they were, they would always answer in weeks instead of months. I would reply with a "Wow, how cute!" and walk away having to do the math in my head. Pregnancy is counted in weeks because the baby's development is so different from week to week!  And fyi- 36-40 weeks is full term aka when the baby makes it's debut.
• You can't eat for two. Remember one of the two is only the size of a small fruit. You really only need a few extra calories a day. This broke my heart.

• People say the most hurtful things. One of my co-workers, who I used to be quite fond of, wins the award for rudest comment. During the first few weeks of my pregnancy, I was extremely paranoid about miscarrying. I had anxiety about it, it was so bad. I told her this and she replied "Oh, I miscarried my first one, you probably will too. It happens." I avoid her at all costs now because I do NOT need that kind of negativity.
• Pregnancy isn't all fun and games. Acne, nausea, dark patches of skin, daily headaches, mood swings, food aversions, husband aversions, food cravings, husband cravings (rawr!), extra hair in weird places, slower hair growth in others, and that's only the tip of the iceberg.
• But it is the most amazing beginning. The best is yet to come.



How far along? 16 weeks

Total weight gain: About 6 pounds. But how accurate can an Ikea scale be?

Maternity clothes? I've officially given up on my pre-pregnancy pants. Hubby is taking me maternity pants/shorts/leggings shopping this weekend. This is the best gift for my fat butt.

Stretch marks? no
Sleep: Starting to lose sleep. Waking up in odd times of the night.

Best moment this week: Having people notice my little bump.

Miss Anything? Stella Rosa. I'm not even a big drinker.

Movement: I THINK I felt baby move yesterday... not sure.

Food cravings: Hot Cheetos, oranges, and BEEF! I am so pregnant.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) and Chipotle BLAAAH. Even seeing the signs make me gag.
Gender predictions: More on this soon

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Headaches like a mofo and being SUPER uncomfortable and restless at night.

Belly Button in or out? In but it is starting to look different.

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: More happy nowadays I would say.
Looking forward to: Finding out the sex of the baby AND summer vacation in 2 days! Looking forward to that time to decorate the nursery.

Dear Coffee, I Miss You.

My body has officially rejected coffee. Such a weird phenomenon. Days before I found out I was preggers, I picked up my regular order at Starbucks and was repulsed by the flavor. I blamed and cursed the barista (in my head, of course) for ruining my life. I tried yet again on another  day  and... nope.... Pregnant Joanna says nope.



Good Bye, old friend.

After I found out I was preggers, I did some research on this and it turns out that Momma noses and tastebuds are strong and in charge! We have heightened senses to protect our babies. I don't know about you, but that sounds like a Superpower to me. This is awesome news, guys! I have superpowers!

Also, before I became a Superwoman, my Superman of a husband bought me one of the coolest gifts known to man. A self-heating coffee can. Sounds dangerous, doesn't it?

I went to work a little bit early that day so I can test out this bad boy. I figured I needed extra time to make subplans just in case this can blows off my arms or something.

Step One: Turn over can  and push the button to activate heating device. This is where I said a prayer and waited for the button to activate some kind of bomb.

Notice how it says 1.5 cm? Because any less wouldn't work and any more...who knows what might happen.

Step 2: Shake for 20 seconds. Don't worry, I did follow directions and turned it upright.

Step 3: MIND BLOWN. Drink.

Verdict? It got hot, but it didn't burn my lips or anything. The flavor was ok. It was a little bitter for my liking and it could probably use a few pumps of caramel and whipped cream on top. It wasn't Starbucks, but it does the job. Although this is cool beans, I wouldn't purchase this again.

I guess not having coffee for a few months will be ok. I KNOW I can have some if I really wanted to because everything in moderation wouldn't harm baby, but in my case, it is the flavor that gets me. I just can't seem to taste it like I did before. The smell on the other hand... OoooHhhhhhHH.... so good.

So next time you have some Starbucks, drink one for the homie and her baby. Thanks!

Wandom Wednesday: It's Magic, Baby!

1. I am almost done with my first trimester. Holy Guacamole. Sooner than you know it, I'll be telling you I'm planning my baby's 18th birthday. Where does the time go?

2. On that note, my nausea, food aversions, and moodiness are starting to go away. Yip Yip Yipeee! This is amazing news and this week I loaded up on some good ol' fashion veggies. Atta girl, Joanna!

Homemade Portabella Mushroom burger and Sweet Potato Fries

3. This week is the last week of state testing for my students. I loathe testing as the ONLY way to track these students' progress. I for one am horrible with standardize tests. Let's not bring up my SAT scores...ever. I am not ashamed anymore because I went on to college, got my masters, and became a teacher. Take THAT SATs.

.via.

4. My dog wont leave me alone. I think he knows there is a baby in my belly. I hope he knows it's a friend and not a cookie.

5. Tomorrow I'm going to The Magic Castle in Hollywood. What is this "Magic" Castle, you say? It's an exclusive and private club where magicians gather to do their thang.I feel special because only special members of society can enter....or people that KNOW special members can go. Luck for me, I know someone, who knows someone, who knows someone that is one of those members. That makes me special enough, I think.

It's also a place where you can get lessons on the art of magic, dinner and a show, and your mind blown. Well, not so sure about the last one since this will be my first time going. I hope I get to see something MAGICAL!

Baby Sunshine

As you may have noticed, I stopped blogging for a good month or two.
I have been busy....growing a baby in my belly. I'm PREGNANT!

Hubby and I are VERY EXCITED and for the past three months I have been on cloud 9 dreaming about this little nugget in my belly. Words cannot even explain this joy.


Baby Sunshine at 10 weeks and 4 days

Do you see our Baby Sunshine? Baby is sleeping on it's left side facing us. You can see the head, a bit of the torso, and the little legs all the way to the left. We were able to see the little flicker of the heartbeating and we saw our baby wiggle around a lot.  I can't stop staring at my beautiful baby.

 

How far along? 11 weeks

Total weight gain: 3 pounds since the start. Not to shabby for someone eating all this junk.

Maternity clothes? I have already worn the heck out of my Belly Bands. This bloat is no joke. I've also purchased two pairs of maternity jeans because my old jeans don't like to cooperate with me. Buttons are impossible. Plus, I wanted to get the most wear out of them. They are AMAZING! I may never go back to regular jeans again.

Stretch marks? no
Sleep: It varies but I'm sleeping pretty well on most days.

Best moment this week: Seeing our baby on the ultrasound and FINALLY getting to tell everyone.

Miss Anything? COFFEE and Sushi! I also missed out on Coachella this year. Boo.

Movement: We got to see our baby move but I don't feel anything yet.

Food cravings: Everything that's bad for me. Burgers, fries, red meat, and cake. I also enjoy fruit.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Noddle soup, veggies, and certain smells. Disgusting.
Gender predictions: I've had dreams about having a boy.

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Nausea in the morning and evening. Tender Ta-Ta's.

Belly Button in or out? In but belly button ring is out.

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm pretty happy but I am a slave to moodiness a lot of the time.
Looking forward to: EVERYTHING! I am very excited for my nausea to go away and my belly to start showing!

More details to come for the next 6 months and boy oh boy (or girl oh girl) do I have a TON of things to tell you. Get ready for weekly updates, symptoms galore, and my journey through all this excitement!