So, I bought this purse this summer (after lots of trips to the store which Brad loved:). I had to have the perfect bag. This was before I knew we were pregnant and this was just gonna be my big mom bag. You can see it wasn't really big enough, the top never zipped shut, but it had some niceties to it and now...it's broken. I've never needed/wanted a bag so bad. Never had a diaper bag with the last two so I guess I will be buying a sweet diaper bag for this little person.

1. C-section finally scheduled. I am 2nd on the list because they dragged their feet scheduling me.

2. Amazingly 3 good people watched Chloe and EZ while I had to go to not 1 but 2 doctors offices to complete one appointment. It was a snowy day too.

3. I am 34 and 1/2 weeks today and Chloe and I looked at her baby book. I was so cute and tiny being pregnant with her. Holy cow this baby has taken over my body. I am large and in charge. That's for sure. But My Brad loves me and encourages me and compliments me so couldn't ask for more.

4. We've decided if you want to find out what the baby is, upon delivery, then you have to actually call us. No texts. This baby deserves more than that! And if no one calls maybe we will keep it's gender concealed until it's 5 like some crazies did in the UK.

This inspires me. See if you can pick out where it's from in one of the next few pictures.  I love the colors, the shapes, the scatterings.

Before EZ was born we went on a little getaway to St. Louis as a little family of 3. This time we went on a little getaway to Bloomington. We stayed in a hotel, ate at a restaurant, swam, played at the Children's museum, visited some terrific friends, and finished with Beauty and the Beast on the big screen. Which was "magical" according to Bluebird. I can't believe we will be a family of 5 soon.

 This little guy loves his trains.

 She loves to play pretend in every way.

 Discovering the camera.

 He loves the water too.

 I have this same picture of Chloe when she is 2. Oh, Discovery Children's Museum of Bloomington. We love you. You have seen us/me through moving to B town through EZ's birth and numerous afternoons of getting the energy out.

 Oh Yes, I am pregnant and beautiful.

 Seems like I only get comments when I post food. So...look at this delicious go-to soup.
I can make this one off the top of my head so it's a winner for everyone.
Homemade Chicken Noodle with homemade super easy noodles.

The recipe:
Cook about 2-3 chicken breast in about 4 cups boiling water add 1 chicken cube. (I use reduced salt) My mom's delicious chicken seasoning trick is sprinkle poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, a little celery salt, and some dried onion in there. Makes great broth and very flavorful chicken.
Shred the Chicken. (I had done this step earlier in the week and used the chicken for 2 recipes.win.win
Strain the chicken broth
Bring the broth to a boil. Add 1 more cup of water with a boulion cube or a can of chicken stock.
Add 3-4 cut up carrots
Add 3-4 stalks celery
Cook till tender.
In a saucepan, make a rue using about 1/4 cup butter melted, add 1/4 cup flour, then add about 1-2 cups milk till thick. Add to the broth. Stir. At this point add some salt, 1/2 tsp dried basil, 1 Tbsp dried onion, and pepper. (if it's not thick enough add some cornstarch mixed with water till you get it the way you like)
Meanwhile,
Noodles:
2 cups flour
3 eggs
2 TBSP milk
1/2 tsp salt
pinch of baking powder.
Mix to form a dough. Flour your hands and knead the dough till it's not sticky (keep adding a little flour) These noodles are so fool proof! Roll out with a rolling pin on a very floured surface to prevent stickage later. Slice noodles with a rolling pin. The recipes say to let dry but really, who has time for that, when you want chicken noodle soup you want it now. So...let them dry while the other stuff cooks or prepare them earlier. These noodles cook immediately when you put them in the soup. If you let them dry they retain their noodle shape. If you have to stickily put them into the hot soup they still cook fine and add some funky shapes and dumplingesque quality to the soup.
Once you add the noodles the soup is ready to go in about 5-8 minutes.
Try this...it's really good.

Amazing..

Something about a red, red grapefruit inspires my creativity. I will paint this.

And this too...
It's January 11th in this photo...January 11!! Stay please. If there are no mountains I'd prefer no snow. Though, I have to confess, I do love winter once it's here in full force. These teaser days are confusing.
And, why not make some homemade donuts. These actually turned out really good and they look pretty good.
I halved the recipe, thank goodness. Brad is out of town and we did our fair share of eating donuts. Here is the recipe if you want to give 'em a try:

Here is the full recipe:

4 1/2 cup to 5 cup flour

1 1/4 cups sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp salt

3 eggs beaten

Combine all of the above

In another bowl:

1 cup milk

1/4 cup canola oil

2 Tbsp. Orange Juice (I used a fresh orange)

4 tsp. grated orange peel (I thought it would be better with maple so I just used 1 tsp. maple flavor and 1 tsp vanilla flavor. If you were doing the full recipe you would need to double that)

Mix the wet into the dry and add just enough of the remaining 1/2 cup flour to make a soft dough. Sit in fridge for 1 hour covered.

Take out and roll on a very floured surface. Use a donut cutter or, if you're like me, just cut a circle out and then a littler circle out to make a no brainer donut shape.

Oil for deep frying. I used a combo of peanut oil and smart balance canola oil. Cause if you're having donuts why not fry them in something partially "healthy". Yeah right.

We topped with a maple glaze, powdered sugar, and a chocolate ganache type deliciousness. Next time I am certain the sprinkles will make their appearance.

Give these a try. Easy and delicious.

Happy 8 years.

We were married 8 years ago!

Tonight we celebrated with the kids. Brad and I ate by candlelight while the kids ate at their little table. They were eating at "steak and shake" and Brad and I at a much better "pretend" restaurant. I made romantic red velvet cupcakes with this amazing cooked cinnamon buttercream frosting which was delicious. We just talked and talked and acted like we were on a real date. It was awesome. Afterward, we all sat down and watched our wedding video which we hadn't done, really, for about 6 years. Chloe was mesmorized. This was a very special anniversary. One to remember.

The best part of the anniversary, though, is probably that Brad is upstairs getting them ready for bed. Finally, 31 days of nightfloat December are OVER!!! Man, I have not liked night float and am very grateful that he won't ever have a job where he'll be there nights. Thank you internal medicine clinic:)

It's been a terrific 8 years with lots and lots of UPs!

Love you My Brad.