This weeks activities...

This week has already been a crazy one. The weekend was relaxing though, we did absolutely nothing except catch up on sleep. It was the first weekend in a long time where we were not entertaining, making dinner for someone, traveling some where, or have any type of commitment at all! As a family we needed this weekend to rest up and get energized again.

Here it is Tuesday and I feel like I need another two days to re-energize. I have a feeling though that the next 6-8 weeks will be kinda crazy and busy. We are doing as much as we can to minimize the stress of moving. However yesterday was very stressful for me. The day started out fine everyone was in a good mood, I was able to get a few things done around the house and I was able to run some errands. Then once nap time came everything took a turn for the worse. Bo wasn't listening, Joel kept getting out of bed, I was starting to get a headache and the baby was sitting on a nerve that was sending shooting pains down the back of my leg. That made it hard to get things done. Things just got worse from there. I was stressing about all that needed to be done the next few weeks. I was trying to finish up making some baby blankets and my sewing machine was acting up. Then I made dinner and the rice was over cooked. Then, I was trying to clean my bathroom and Bo decides to write on the wall with permanent marker. By this time dinner is not sitting well in my stomach and I feel like throwing up. On top of it all I was still extremely tired. So I decided to go to bed early.

Today was much better except I woke up with a stiff sore neck from sleeping on it wrong. I am still tired but not irritated. We'll see how the rest of the day goes...=) I have been working on laundry all day and now it is time for the boys to take a nap. I think I may have to take a small one as well! Then I can focus on making dinner and doing some more packing this evening while Jason and Bo are at Boy Scouts!

Our goal by the end of this week is to have Bo's old bedroom and the guest room completely packed and cleaned. I would also like to have most of the master bedroom packed. I am also going to take the boys to the pool one afternoon, so they can get out of the house. So hopefully i can stay on task and get everything done!

I will work on posting a new menu later tonight!

22 Weeks, updates and more

Actually I am going into Month 6! Not month 5 like the picture says. I am 22 Weeks and man has this past week just flown by. It has been a whirlwind really. I am really starting to feel the baby kicking, sometimes it really hurts and it happens out of nowhere and it is extremely painful. It feels like I pulled a muscle for the brief second. However feeling the baby kick and move around is my most favorite part of being pregnant! I am still having restless nights, except the last few I have slept really well. Probably due to complete exhaustion.

Jason's birthday party ended up being a lot of fun but there was some major stress and drama all day Friday trying to get things ready. I will spare you the long drawn out story, but basically I forgot several things for different recipes, Bo had VBS, I had to pick the Keg up, Clean my house, Make all the food and still take care of the boys. The Keg is a whole another story. Basically we ended up not getting a keg because the guy at the class six store was a COMPLETE jerk and they didn't get our keg delivered. So All day Friday I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Over all the though the party was a lot of fun.

We had so much beer left over that we decided to continue the party Saturday night with some of our close friends! Saturday was go, go, go as well. Jason had some Boy scout stuff to do, we had a retirement party to go to, things to clean up around the house and then people were coming back over at 6 Saturday night.
Sunday was more of a down day. I was so exhausted and burnt out that we stayed home from Church and just slept. How bad is it that I don't even remember what we did Sunday afternoon?

This week I have been exhausted as well. Our Friends Mike and Laura and their 3 kids have been staying with us for the past week while they wait to close on their house. It has been so much fun having them stay with us! It just makes for Late nights, Early mornings and busy days. Just because us adults stay up till midnight/1:00 doesn't mean the kids will sleep past 6:00 LOL All this week with the exception of today it has been raining outside so the kids, I think all got cabin fever yesterday and my patience was wearing thin with the boys. They really needed to get outside and play. Luckly tonight is supposed to be nice so I think we are all going to try and go to the park down the street after dinner!

Now on to the chaos that is coming up. I realized today that I have exactly 18 days before we leave to go house hunting, Pampered Chef conference and the Family Reunion in NY. Eeeek. I have so much to do. I really need to get my butt in gear and get some stuff packed. I have gotten a few boxes packed here and there but I really just need to keep out the essentials and get everything packed up. I also need to finish up some sewing projects that are for the family reunion. I need to start getting my pampered chef stuff put together for the conference. I need to do some more house hunting online and set up a time to view the houses when we will be in Dayton to house hunt. I have a Pampered Chef show that I have to do next week and finish getting ready for! I also have to start a cleaning list of things that need to be or can be done prior to moving out. So my list is getting longer and longer everyday. I mean I am really down to the wire. I basically have 2 1/2 weeks to get most of this done. My July is shot. When I do get home I have the pre-inspection walk through and then it's August. I have Joel's Birthday party on the 7th and then we are cleaning the house and packing the truck all that next week and we will be living in TLF come that week.

Anyways, I am feeling discontent and a little overwhelmed at the moment. I need to be content in where we are at. I am so anxious to move and for August to be here that I feel like I am missing out on just enjoying the moment however busy it may be. My patience is also wearing thin, I try to get certain things done and with the boys running around getting into stuff just makes me loose it sometimes. Maybe I will have a packing party! Have some friends come over and help me pack and take care of the boys and get all the stuff they get into packed up and then I just don't have to worry about.....What a great Idea! =)
Ok so Saturday June 19 if you want to come hang out and help for awhile I will be here packing away and I will feed you and make Iced Coffees!

Ok sorry for such a long post I always seem to go on and on. But thanks for reading and I will give updates later this week!

Jason's Birthday Party Update!!!

I have been planning Jason's birthday party now for two weeks and the time has finally come to actually put things together! I am so excited! About a week about i post a menu but I have since then modified it =)

I ordered the keg today and I pick it up on Friday! I also did the grocery shopping today and tomorrow afternoon I get to start baking some of the dessert. It is going to be hard not to eat any of it till Friday...lol

We are going to have outdoor games, water balloons for the kids, the fire pit going for smores and music playing! It should be a good time to relax and just hang out.

Anyways, here is the revised menu:

Garlic butter Cheeseburgers
Hot dogs
Fresh strawberries w/creamy lime filling
Homemade Au Gratin potatoes
Angie's Baked beans
Cole slaw
Strawberry Spinach Salad

Desserts:
Root Beer Float Cupcakes
Strawberry cobbler
Cinnamon sticky buns
Cheese Cake with fresh strawberries

Drinks:
Keg of Bud
MGD
Killians
Lemonade
Sweet tea
Various soda
Water

If you feel like dropping by feel free we will have plenty of food and drinks!!!

20 Weeks update...

I am a few days behind again on posting. Oops. Anyways, at my Ultrasound last week the doctor told me that the baby weighs almost 1 pound and is about 7 inches long.

This past week and a half or so I have REALLY started to notice this baby get all up in my ribs and stretch out and kick up into my lungs. I get winded doing the simplest tasks (like walking up the stairs) that I used to be able to do fine before baby.

I have also been having problems sleeping. REALLY ALREADY....UGH. I get hot really easily because the air circulation sucks in our house, yes it is a brand new house, but that is another story. I have also noticed that my feet and hands fall asleep really easily and my feet are swelling sometimes. All of these wake me up in the middle of the night. So I have been feeling a lot more tired come 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon.

I am really enjoying being able to feel the baby move! It's my favorite part of being pregnant! Jason and I are also staring to work on names....Any suggestions? There are so many of them out there.

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow and I am nervous about getting on the scale. I have been trying so hard to keep my weight down and in control, but I feel like the baby has gotten really big over the past 5 weeks since my last doctors appointment. I guess we'll see tomorrow.

I hope to be getting to the pool a lot over the next few weeks. The boys love it and it relieves a lot of the pressure in my lower back.

I am really excited for this baby! I am having so much fun looking at little girl things! I have been trying to decide on bedding and the colors I want to do in the nursery. I found a set at The Land of Nod which is the kid/baby section of Crate and Barrel. I absolutely love it...I think. I like that is is girly without being really babyish. I also love the fact that it has purple, pink, orange and green in it! The only thing that I am not happy about is the price. The cool thing about this site is if you request swatches they will send them to you free of charge. So they are sending me some, and that way I can take the fabric to the store to see if I can't find something similar and then my mom and I can just make the bedding. I really only want to make the bumper, bed skirt and blanket. I am fine with buying sheets and throws at the store because they are more reasonable price wise.
Let me know your opinion about the bedding!

Well that about does it for now

Deep Covered Baker Placed on STOP SELL LIST...

I had some important information regarding the Deep Covered Baker that I needed to share with you. Effective June 15, 2010 The White Deep Covered Baker will be placed on the STOP SELL LIST until further notice. Due to the high demand over the past year the manufacturers can not keep up with production for this amazing product. ALSO, Effective July 1, 2010 The Cranberry Deep Covered Baker will be available for HOST's ONLY.

If you have wanted the Deep Covered Baker NOW is the time to get it! I am offering a 10% discount on your order. If you want the WHITE Deep Covered Baker I need to have your order NO LATER THAN June 15. If you want the Cranberry Deep Covered Baker I will be taking orders for them until June 30th. If you are a past host that is 20% off!!! In order to get the 10% off you need to respond to this email, call me, comment on this post or Facebook me!!! Order 2 or more Deep Covered Bakers are Receive another 10% OFF!!! PLUS with your purchase of the Deep Covered Baker receive a FREE Deep Covered Baker Cookbook!!!

If you are interested in getting the Deep Covered Baker for FREE I have a few June and July dates available, contact me for available dates.

It's A Girl!!!

Today I had m 20 week ultrasound! I totally went in expecting it to be a boy, I mean I was hoping for a girl, but I for sure thought it was going to be a boy. As the tech was doing the measuring part of the ultrasound I was watching the screen hoping for a glimpse or a clue as to whether it was a boy or girl. The tech was measuring the legs and I was thinking "There is nothing there...am I really getting a girl?" After the Tech was done he went and got Jason and the boys who were in the waiting room. The got to see the baby on the screen and Bo was excited! The tech then went on to say that he was 95% sure that it was a little girl. He said he saw nothing during the whole ultrasound that would indicate otherwise! Jason and the boys and I were very excited! The tech gave us 2 photos and we let Bo hold them. He walked out of the hospital saying I gunna have a sisster, one sisster and two sissters. We were like no There is only one sister. He couldn't wrap his head around that there was only one baby in my belly, why would, he he was holding two pictures. He hasn't stopped talking about how he is going to have a sister!

When we got home we called the Grandmas and they are sooo excited. Then I called close friends and other family members and of course posted it on Facebook! Everyone is so excited, I am no longer going to be the only girl! YAY

Now when it comes to babies I think everyone is special and should get a shower. I wouldn't think twice about it when a friend is on her second, third or however many and has a registry and baby shower. However when it's my own, I feel bad. I don't know....People have been telling me not to feel bad esp, since I have never had a girl and therefore have nothing.
So I decided to get over feeling bad and just enjoy the celebrating! So I did go and create a registry at Babies "R" Us. I don't want people to feel like they have to get anything because you so don't have to. I did the registry so that people know the room theme, colors etc.. There are a few things on there that we do really "Need" and then there are some things that would be fun to have or just make life easier now that we will have 3 kids.

Here is the link to the registry for those of you who have asked.

Ahhh I am so excited!!!

June is Jumpin with the Pampered Chef!!!

JUNE IS JUMPIN' WITH THE PAMPERED CHEF!!!!!!

CHECK OUT THE RECIPES AT THE END OF THIS POST!
I am jumping with joy to tell you about why June is so exciting with The Pampered Chef ~ A COOL NEW PRODUCT and FANTASTIC FATHER'S DAY SPECIAL!

By reading this post, you have the exclusive opportunity to PRE ORDER BOTH!!!!!!!!!!! AND you can get a Triple Bonus Special from me!

1. Just in time for Father's Day ~ Save $5 on the GREAT GRILLING SET!
Now thru June 5 only $14 - (Past Hosts pay only $12.60)

Click here to see the amazing flyer and special!

FATHER'S DAY SPECIAL - Grill It Quick Set!

Set includes the Chipotle Rub, the BBQ Rub, and the Jamaican Jerk Rub, Grill it Quick spiral bound cookbook, plus a gift bag.
Want to add to the Great Grilling Set? Choose from multiple grill tools to make a complete grilling package!

Check out all the great grilling tools on my website:
www.pamperedchef.biz/abindewald

BBQ Turner $17.50,

BBQ Cleaning Brush $15.00,

BBQ Jumbo Turner $18.50,

BBQ Basting Brush $17.50,

BBQ Tongs $18.50,

BBQ Flexible Turner $18.50,

BBQ Skewer Set $18.00,

BBQ Basting Bottle $15.00

2. Just in time to beat the summer heat ~ the new COOL & SERVE TRAY is only $42! (Past Hosts pay only $37.80).

See the new cool serve on this June Host Bonus Flyer!

Cool & Serve - June special!

Brand new and available starting June 1, the new Cool & Serve is definitely the must-have this summer! The green trays stay cold for 6 hours, keeping your eggs, veggies, fruits, meats, and dips cool and safe to eat in the summer sun! The tray completely configures a multitude of ways and is the most versatile "chilled product" we have ever offered! You can
pre-order your new Cool & Serve with me through this post.

See end of post for multiple recipes!

3. Just in time to save you more money ~ a TRIPLE BONUS FROM ME!
Because you have read this post, I want you to enjoy some exclusive bonuses!

· First, with your purchase through this post of $60 (before shipping and tax), you will receive for free your choice of either the Kernel Cutter or the Corn Cob Nobs and Corn Butterer Set for FREE!

· As an added bonus, if your order is $120 (before shipping and tax), you will receive the Kernel Cutter or the Corn Cob Nobs and Corn Butterer Set PLUS 2 SPICES/RUBS of your choice for FREE!

SPICES & RUBS
Asian, Dill, Southwestern, Italian, Rosemary, Korintje Cinnamon, Cinnamon Spice Blend; Thai Red Curry, Lemon Pepper Rub, Chipotle Rub, Crushed Peppercorn Garlic
Rub, Citrus Basil Rub, Smoky Barbeque Rub, Creole Rub, Jamaican Jerk Rub, Greek Rub, Moroccan Rub

· For your TRIPLE BONUS, if your order is $150 (before shipping and tax), you will receive everything mentioned above PLUS, FREE SHIPPING AND your choice of one item for 60% off - either

the set of all 3 Collapsible Bowls - $24

the set of Outdoor Party Sticks - $15.60

the Grill Basket or the new Grill Tray - Basket $10.60, Tray $11.80

Keep in mind that these totals can be your personal order or get together with some friends and send me a combined order!

Be sure to order by June 5 for pre-orders and for Father's Day delivery!

WANT A FREE COOL & SERVE TRAY?
If you book one of my open cooking show dates in June or July you can get the cool and serve tray FREE! Email me today for a list of my open dates!

To get you in the spirit of using your new Cool & Serve with great summer
dips (both sweet and savory), below are a collection of easy and impressive
dips you can use with your new Cool & Serve!

Butterscotch Dip
Ingredients:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butterscotch ice cream topping
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in Small Batter Bowl; mix with Bamboo Spoon until smooth.
2. Chill. Serve with fresh fruit.
Yield: 1 1/4 cups

Caramel Apple Dip
Ingredients:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup apple butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup peanuts, chopped
5 apples or pears, wedged
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients except peanuts and apples in Small Batter Bowl; mix well. Chop peanuts using Food Chopper; add to Batter Bowl. Mix well; chill.
2. Wedge apples using Apple Wedger; arrange around dip and serve.
Yield: 16 servings (2 cups)
Cook's Tips: Apple butter can be found in the jams and jellies section of most grocery stores. Substitute 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained, for the apple butter.

Cheesy Bacon Dip
Ingredients:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled
1 large tomato, seeded and diced, divided (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup sliced green onions with tops, divided
Cocktail bread slices or crackers (optional)
Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise and garlic; whisk until smooth. Add cheddar cheese, bacon, half of the tomato and half of the green onions to cream cheese mixture; mix well. Spoon into Mini Baker.
2. Bake 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Top with remaining tomato and green onions. Serve with cocktail bread slices or crackers, if desired.
Yield: Yield: 3 cups (24 servings)

MAKE A DIP WITH OUR RUBS AND SPICES!

Try Barbecue Rub, Chipotle Rub, Dill. Southwestern - Try them ALL!

Ingredients:
1 cup (250 mL) mayonnaise
1 cup (250 mL) sour cream
2 tbsp (30 mL) Rub or Spice
Assorted fresh vegetables or potato chips (optional)

Directions:
1. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream and rub in medium bowl; mix well.
Cover; refrigerate 1 hour to allow flavors to blend.
2. Serve with assorted fresh vegetables or potato chips, if desired.
Yield: 16 servings (2 cups/500 mL dip)

Cool & Creamy Chocolate Fondue
Ingredients:
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 teaspoon Pantry Korintje Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon rum or vanilla extract (optional)
Assorted fresh fruit dippers such as whole strawberries, apple, peach or pear wedges (optional)
Directions:
1. Place chocolate morsels and half of the whipped topping in Small Batter Bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 1 minute or until chocolate is melted and smooth, stirring after each 20-second interval. Fold in remaining whipped topping, cinnamon and rum extract, if desired; mix until smooth.
Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
2. To serve, spoon fondue into small bowl. Serve with fruit dippers, if desired.
Yield: 2 cups (16 servings)
Cook's Tips: Ground cinnamon can be substituted for the Korintje Cinnamon, if desired.
Use the Apple Wedger to easily cut apples and pears into uniform wedges.
Dip the apple, peach and pear wedges into lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown.
If preparing the fondue ahead of time, store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Stir in 1-2 tablespoons milk for a creamier consistency.

Stick with what works

Since having kids things about my body have been different...which is to be expected. One of the things that have changed is my hair. Before kids I used to never have problems with it. Now the roots get really greasy and the ends are frizzy and split. I don't know how much money I have spent over the past 6 months trying to find a shampoo and conditioner that would take care of the problem. I have tried generic, name brand, organic, you name it I have tried it I even tried asking people that worked in various salons for solutions. I was getting really frustrated because nothing seemed to take care of the problem.

One day I went in to get my eyebrows waxed and I was talking with the gal doing them and mentioned my hair problem and she said she had a solution. I was thinking to myself that ya, ya, I have tried everything out there. She recommended a brand I have never heard of before, Joico. I was like what the hell I will give it a try. So I tried it and Oh my gosh I loved it. I instantly saw s difference in my hair! I have been using Joico for 2 months now and I won't use anything else now.

So then after finding this brand that I love and will continue to use got me thinking about other things that I am brand loyal to and why I am willing to pay the extra money for them. So here is a short list of some of my "Brands"

1) Shampoo and conditioner: Joico Balancing $11-13 a bottle, My hair is soft, full, not greasy and not frizzy=me happy and not having to spen a lot of time on my hair!
2) Jeans: GAP $35-$65 Jeans are really hard for me to find that actually fit my body. I have a smaller waist and wider hips so I am willing to pay a little extra for my jeans because I like them to fit.
3) Make-up: I use Clinique. $14-$24. I have sensitive skin and Clinique has been the only skin care system that doesn't make it worse.
4) Bath Products: I use Victoria Secret body wash, lotion, and body splash. $8-$10 I love the scents and I love that my skin is soft and smooth!
5) Coke: I Love Coke! Pepsi is to sweet

Are you brand loyal? If so What are some of your favorite brands?

Boys will be Boys!

When we went camping a week ago, Bo learned how to pee on a tree. He doesn't pee standing up yet because he is to short and that is just a mess that I am not ready to start cleaning up. So he still sits down. Our friends Dan and Lizzies son Blake taught Bo how to pee on a tree, and Bo is loving this new "Trick". Ever since we got home he thinks it is cool to pee in the back yard. He just stops what he is doing and pee's in the grass.

At first I am like Boys will be Boys, they pee outside, BUT he took this new found freedom to the next level and started Pooping in the back yard. He just squats down and poops. The first time it happened I couldn't help but laugh...It was so funny and the way he was so excited was hilarious. However, he has continued to use the backyard as his anytime restroom.

If you are friends with Jason on Facebook you may have seen some of the many funny conversation quotes between us and Bo. One of which goes like this...
Bo: "I can pee in the grass!!!"
Jason: "No, do not pee in the grass"
Bo: "Ok I go pee in the pool!!!"

We have been trying to explain to Bo that you cannot just drop your pants and go potty in the backyard. He has been getting better He is not pooping anymore, he still pees sometimes, but I am ok with that. I guess I can't be to mad at him for using the backyard as a bathroom, since I am the one who lets him run around the back yard naked. Again I am ok with that because we have a privacy fence and it is just Bo and Joel. If other kids were over I would make hime wear clothes.

But hey Boy will be Boys, right?

I love this kid! Bo is always so happy, energetic and full of life. You never know what he is going to do next! I love that about him!

Weekly Menu 1

All the mommy blogs that I read tend to publish recipes, menus and shopping lists for a week. I get so many good ideas from these people that I decided to try and do it myself. My menus will include recipes from various cookbooks, blogs, family, and some of my own. It will also include lunch ideas and snacks for the week. If I get the recipe from someone's blog then I will link to it! Anyways, your feedback is more than welcome. I will try and makes things as easy as possible and I hope you enjoy this weeks menu!

1) Loaded Baked potatoes with homemade cheese sauce!
2) Chicken Satay with Balinese Peanut Sauce
3) Lasagna with Garlic bread
4) Tex Mes Chicken and Rice
5) Chicken Garden Pizza

Lunches this week include:
Peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches
Fish sticks and mac and cheese
Chef salads
Deli sandwhiches
Left Overs

Snacks and sides for lunches include:
Fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, apple slices etc..)
String cheese
Pickles (we all love pickles =))
Sun chips
Cheese and crackers
Popcorn
Mixed nuts

That about does it I think. Enjoy and Happy cooking. Please feel free to ask questions if you have them!

Menu for Jason's Birthday Party!

Jason is turning 27 this year and I am throwing him a party laid back style since I know he is not that big into parties. Here is a sneak peak of some of the things on the menu!!!

Meat:
Beer Brats
Cheeseburgers
Hot Dogs

Desserts:
Mini Root Beer Float cupcakes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Torte
Strawberry Angel Food Cake Truffle
Sticky Cinnamon Rolls
S'mores

Sides:
Homemade potato skins and Sweet Potato chips
Deviled eggs
Strawberry spinach salad

Drinks:
MGD keg
Sweet tea
Lemonade
Pop
Water

Then I have some people who are attending bringing side dishes! I am so excited, the food is going to be sooo good!!!

Recipes, menus, and more

I read a lot of mommy blogs! Something that I love about all of them is that they always share their weekly menus, favorite recipes, little tricks to make cooking easier and faster, and shopping lists. I love that they do this because it helps me plan my weekly menus, meals and snacks. When I do this I find that I spend less money and I buy healthier things for meals and snacks. The last couple of weeks I have gotten lazy about planning a menu. Which, fine we were traveling and camping and what not, but now I don't have an excuse not to do it. So tonight I will be working on my menu for the week and I want to start sharing my menus with you! Whether you use one recipe, or the whole menu I hope that it will help you in some way to stay on budget, to eat healthier foods and snacks and in the long run save time and money! I will try and make it as simple and easy as possible for you! I will also be doing some rearranging on my blog, maybe adding some tabs and folders so check back for the changes and menu tonight!

18 and 19 weeks...

I have gotten a little behind in my posts, due to some traveling and trying to get caught up on things around the house. So here is last weeks and this weeks post in one! Last Thursday was my 18 week mark. The baby is about the size of a sweet Potato. I have been having a lot of acid reflux and indigestion lately. Which I hate...but I can manage it pretty well. If it gets worse though I may ask for something from the doctor, we'll see.
As for week 19 the baby is the size of a Mango. I have started to feel a lot more movement over the past week or two! That is my favorite part of being pregnant. I just think it is amazing that this little baby is growing stronger everyday and I can feel it move around...so cool! This week is dragging for me, probably because I am so anxious for my ultrasound next Tuesday. I can't wait to fin out if we are having a boy or girl. Up until last week I thought we were going to have another boy but now I feel it's a girl, Jason also thinks we are having a girl. I guess we will have to wait and see!!! But, honestly I will be happy with either! Babies are so precious!

Other happenings this weekend include more packing, house hunting, planning Jason's birthday party, cleaning my house for a BBQ on Monday, Bo's friends birthday party, grocery shopping, helping friends move, farmers market, Greek festival, Shakespeare festival, Church and shopping. WOW we have a lot going on =)

Friday is my shopping day, I will be going to Trader Joes, Target, Sams, the Commissary and babies r us! It's the only day I can do my shopping. Saturday we are going to the farmers market. I am excited to get some fresh fruits and veggies! I am going to be making fresh home made salsa and guacamole! Then we are going to stop by the Greek festival, come home and give the boys a nap, I am then going to help my friend Laura clean her house, then go to a birthday party, and then we are going to relax in Forest park while enjoying the Shakespeare in the park!
Sunday we have Church and then a big BBQ to go to all afternoon.
Monday I will be straightening up the house and getting ready for our small group BBQ!

Anyways, that's is what I have going on this weekend! Do you have any big plans for Memorial day?

17 weeks

Sorry I didn't post on my official 17 week day, we were headed up to Minneapolis for a wedding that day so technically I am closer to 18 weeks. The baby is the size of an onion, although I feel bigger...LOL... Weight gain is still under control, which I am extremely happy about! I even had a couple people tell me that I look like I have lost weight even though I am almost 18 weeks pregnant! YAY!
I feel great! I finally look like I have a pregnant belly and not just a fat belly. I am carrying very high which I think makes me look bigger than I really am but whatever. I do have a little trouble sleeping at night, not to bad but when I have to switch from side to side I wake up because it is like an 8 point turn...LOL But otherwise I am sleeping well. I am eating well I have my appetite back completely except for not being able to eat or drink a few things, but at least I am not vomiting anymore!
I have my 20 week ultrasound scheduled for Tuesday June 1st! Exactly 2 weeks from today!!! I am so excited to find out if we are having a boy or girl. I really want a girl but I think it will be a boy. Jason thinks it will be a girl.....so we are taking bets!

This past weekend we were in Minneapolis, a high school buddy of Jason's got married and Jason was one of the Groomsmen. The boys and I were not going to go but we changed our minds last minute! We surprised Grandma and grandpa! We let the boys wake them up at midnight when we got in! It was fun!
The wedding went well and was a lot of fun seeing catching up with friends! Everyone was able to enjoy the open bar since I was the built in designated driver!
On Sunday we went to Canterbury park and had a great time! Bo got to ride a pony...Joel did not enjoy it however. It was such a beautiful day and it was so nice to just relax and hang out with family and friends!

This week I am unpacking and straightening things up as well as plan and pack for our camping trip this weekend. So I will be pretty busy, but we are looking forward to camping with the boys and our friends Dan and Lizzie!

Well that about does it for this past week! Oh Ya, I cute my hair! I love it so here is my first pregnancy photos!!!

Time Management

How do you manage your time. Mine always seems to get away from me. I "like" the idea of getting up at 7am and starting my day while the boys are still sleeping but I am such a night owl that I don't. I would rather sleep. So my day really doesn't start until 8 or 9 and then I need to wake up...have my coffee, check my email etc... I do feed the boys and get them changed before I do that, but it seems like we just take it easy in the mornings and really don't get anything productive done till noon. By then half the day is gone and I feel like I am not going to get anything done, everything from chores, cleaning, shopping and errands.
I was thinking over the past couple of days what i could do to fix this problem of getting up earlier and here is what i have come up with. I am going to start slow, but jump in full force if that makes sense. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I am going to commit to getting up by 7 and starting my day while the boys are still asleep, whether its putting in a load of laundry, emptying the dish washer or picking up the living room, I will be doing something productive while my coffee brews and once that's done then I can sit down enjoy my coffee and check my email stuff. That way when the boys wake up I am that much more ahead of schedule. Tuesdays and Thursdays will be mornings that we can take it easy, I can sleep that extra hour and start the day a little later. Maybe once i get used to this schedule I can bump it up to getting up at 7 everyday, or if this schedule works then just keep up with it!
Anyways that was my thought for the day, I am hoping that this will stick and not just be another "great idea" that I had. I tend to have a lot of those, I think i get it from my parents....=)

16 weeks and organization

Well tomorrow marks the 16th week for me. I am feeling great! Nothing weird has been happening so that makes me happy. The baby is the size of a large avocado, 4.5 inches long and still only about 4 oz. Really the next big thing is to find out if we are having a boy or girl, then we need to start thinking of names. Any Suggestions? We do keep the name we decide a secret until the baby is born but I would love to hear your suggestions! Give me both boy and girl names since we don't know what we are having yet! I am excited to see what you guys come up with....Now I am talking serious names. Jason always has a tendency to throw out names like Latonya or weird combination names not that there is anything wrong with names like that but I wouldn't name my kids that. It is hard sometimes to tell if Jason is being serious or joking when it comes to names.

Anyways, I feel like I have been drowning again lately in "stuff" that needs to be put away, picked up, or cleaned. I Know I have written about this before and here I go again. This is the thing that I struggle with the most when it comes to keeping an organized house....the fact that I really don't know how to organize my whole house. I do fine with little parts of the house but overall I suck at it. I also am very organized when it comes to planning a vacation or a party but why I can't organize my house I have no idea. I have tried so many different things, all of which have failed miserably except one and that was the way I organized toys.
I know for a fact there are a couple of things that will help with the overall organization of the house I just need to find a good routine to stay on top of it. Some of which include:
Doing the dishes right after dinner
Doing a load of laundry every day
Bringing the "need to go upstairs" pile sitting at the bottom of the steps, upstairs every night
Putting the load of laundry that is folded away once I am done folding it

Those 4 things alone would help a lot. But yet I can't seem to stay on top of it. Simple tasks and I can't stay on top of it...What is wrong with me. I know I get easily side tracked...hehe and that is half my problem, whether it be a phone call, shopping, meeting with friends, finding some project that I started last month and decide to finish, playing with the boys, being so tired that I don't care or just being on the computer. All have become excuses for not getting something done at one point or another.

So again I am going to attempt to try and stay on top of those 4 things. I want to do it for a good week so that I get used to the routine and then it will just be second nature. I want to accomplish those 4 things before I start to make a set schedule for things like, mopping the floors and cleaning the bathrooms. One thing at a time right? One way I am going to try and do this is every night before Jason or I go to bed we will take 5-10 minutes and just pick up the random things that get left out and put them away. The dishes will get done right after dinner. Every night, No exceptions. After I get the boys there breakfast and before I sit down with my coffee and check my email I will put in a load of laundry and then change it out before I take my shower. Then once the load of laundry is done drying I will take it upstairs, fold it and put it away right then and there. With me doing this I think it will cut down on the "to go upstairs" pile so then at the end of the day when Jason and I go to bed we each can take the few things and put them away upstairs.
Thats my plan and I am stickin to it! Let's hope that I can force myself to do these few simple things without getting side tracked. I can always do most of the things that side tracked me when the boys take a nap or go to bed. I will let you know how I am doing come this weekend. Feel free to ask me as well. Accountability! =)

UltraSound findings...

Today I had my 15 week doctors appointment. The baby is doing well and it's heartbeat is 153! I was able to discuss with my Doctor the finding from the renal ultrasounds that I had done earlier this week. Good News....Everything came back normal, no fluids, stones or masses! YAY! I am so thanksful. She said that the back pain that I continuously have is probably pregnancy related. I guess it really is true that Every pregnancy is different! She said that she wants me to go to physical therapy once a week to have my back stretched out to keep the pain down to a minimum, but I told her it would be really hard for me to do that because that would require Jason to take time off each week so he could watch the boys for me to go. So then she said that I should go buy a pregnancy yoga video that I could do at home 3-4 times a week! Score, I will do that! So now the search begins for a video that has both the streching and fitness yoga on one dvd. Figure I can kill two birds with one stone.

Couple other things, I am very happy that I am able to start eating real food again! She did say that I probably did have a gallbladder attack that weekend I went to the ER, but things look back to normal. She did say to take it easy on fatty, greasy foods, but I can start eating dairy again! YAY, I can handle the no greasy food but I am missing my dairy!
I am also very proud of myself when it comes to weight, I have only gained about 3/4 of a pound! But I still have about 3 more pounds to gain before I am back at my pre-pregnancy weight, so that makes me very happy! I am hoping that with continued diet monitering and moderation and now that I am going to be doing yoga and yoga fitness 3-4 times a week that I can maintian a low weight gain!

My next appointment will be to find out the sex of the baby!!! I am so excited!!! But I sitll have like 3-4 weeks!

15 Weeks

This week the baby is the size of a Naval Orange! Other than the back pain that I have constantly I have been feeling good. I was finally able to get a hold of radiology to schedule my ultrasound appoinments, the Kidney and gallbladder were yesterday and then an OB one was today. Yesterday the tech didn't say much other than the results will be sent to my doctor. I am really hoping there is nothing major wrong because if there is my doctor said I may have to do surgery. So fingers crossed if there is something wrong it can be fixed with medicine/diet change etc...

My ultrasound today was uneventful other than getting to take home a picture of the little pumpkin! I was really hoping that they may be able to tell me if it's a boy or girl...but the Tech said she couldn't get a good look of that area. Things were still a little to small.

I have my next actual Doctors visit on Friday. So I should know more about the results of the ultrasounds then. We will also be talking about the diet that I have been on since my ER visit. I am hoping that I can start slowley introducing things back into my diet, like Milk and cheese! It all just depends on what the ultrasound findings are.

Tomorrow I have a Phonix Spouse luncheon to go to, grocery shopping to get done, baking to do for the Pampered Chef Quarters Auction, and prep work to do for the quarters auction tomorrow night! So I have a busy day. I am just happy that I have been feeling better overall and a lot less tired during the day. I still get really tired come 7 or 8 in the evening but for the most part I can get stuff done during the day!

Anyways, I will let you all know how things go on Friday!

Bo overcame a huge hurdle!!!

For months now Bo will go pee on the potty! The candy method worked like a charm for him. Everytime he would pee on the potty he would get a piece of candy. Once he accomplished peeing on the potty we started to work on getting him to poop on the potty. Getting him to go was a chore, he just didn't want to go. I don't think he was scared, he would just rather hold it in until we put a diaper on him at night and go poop then. We tried candy, that didn't work. we tried telling him that once he went poo on the potty we could go to the toy store and get a new toy, that didn't work. Stickers don't work either. I was running out of ideas and this morning Bo asked me if we could go to Monkey Joes. Then I told him "If you go poo poos on th potty we can go to Monkey Joes!" He said Ok, but I didn't think anything of it because he told me ok when we offered other things to get him to go on the potty and he doesn't go.
Well Bo was sitting on the floor playing Legos and all of a sudden he jumps up hold his butt and yells "Mommy, Mommy I need to go poo poos...." and he takes off running for the bathroom. I ran in there thinking he probably already went in his underwear. But I sat him down on the potty and he had not gone in his big boy underwear! YAY So then I asked him if he wanted me to leave the bathroom He said yes. So I stood outside the door and just waited for him to call me when he was done. I hear lots of grunting, and little whines like he was scared to let it come out and then all of a sudden he Yells "Mommy I went Poo poos...SEE...you wanna see" Sure enough he had gone! I praised him and told he did a good job and I was proud of him. I got him cleaned up dumped the potty and wiped it out and then Bo says "Mommy I got to go poo poo again, I went big poo poo now I need to go little poo poo." I was like OKAY....are you sure cuz you just went and there was a lot of it. I let him sit back down and no joke he went again! I was shocked and yet so proud of him!
We have been trying to get him to go poo on the potty for months and I guess Going to Monkey Joes was a big enough incentive for him! I am hoping now that he has gone that he will continue to go...We won't be going to Monkey Joes every time but I will have to fill up my jar of candy to give him a little reward for when he does go!
YAY BOAZ!!! Way to Go!!!

Help Whip Cancer Cooking Shows!!!

Happy Spring!
I am so EXCITED to share with you the Help Whip Cancer Pink Products that The Pampered Chef has to offer this year! There is a reusable shopping bag, Pink and white martini glasses, a pink tomato knife just to name a few!
In the month of May if you Host a Help Whip Cancer Cooking show, part of the proceeds will be donated to the cause!
I am looking to FILL my calendar in the month of May with Help Whip Cancer cooking shows! This is a cause that is very important to me and I would like to raise money for the cause. We all know someone who has been affected by this disease.

So to kick things off I am offering you your choice of the Pink Products FREE, when you host a show with me in the month of may. Plus I will provide the cooking ingredients for the recipes we will cook, I will send your invites out for you and I will pamper you and your girlfriends with some yummy food! All you have to do is give me your guest list and I will do ALL the work!!!
The first 4 People to pick a date for the month of May will be entered to win an additional $40 Free in product!!!
If your Guest sales are $500-$1000 then you receive an additional special gift from me!!!
Refer a friend to host their own Help Whip Cancer Cooking show and receive one of our new spices FREE!!!

As you can see we have several GREAT specials going on and I would love to help you get all the free product you want!
Contact me today to schedule your Help Whip Cancer Cooking Show!!!
Andrea Bindewald
www.pamperedchef.biz/abindewald