Reunion!

I had the opportunity a couple weeks ago to have a friend reunion with my best gals! There are a total of FIVE of us...and we have been through it ALL together...

We grew up together, went to school together, and now we have all got married and made babies and its CRAZY!

We all don't live near each other, but we had the opportunity to all be together for ONE day, and only for a couple of hours! I'm sad that it was so quick, but it was DEF much needed! ALTHOUGH...I would like to add we will get to see each other one more time this year when the last one out of all of us gets married! It's gonna be so fun!

They wanted to take this dorky picture, which for some reason I wasn't to thrilled. They are so wierd!

Belly Shot!

Ok so I am totally against posting my bare belly for people to see...I just feel funny =]

But I tend to give into peer pressure, and well...so I decided I would post one! JUST ONE!

Here I am...32 Weeks prego...

i was going swimming, and didn't have a bathing suit so I borrowed my moms top, and used some work out shorts.

I know....

sexy...

The Countdown Begins!

So I have had an amazing pregnancy! I hear stories of other women who were constantly sick, who couldn't even get out of bed in the morning, and worse, women who weren't allowed to get out of bed due to a chance of a miscarriage. I can't begin to express how blessed I am to have had a healthy pregnancy. I have been able to work every day, take care of the house, and stay physical active. I mean how great is that!

But I wanted to talk about things that have changed within the past couple of weeks that have made this hard. For starters, I have always had that "out of breath sensation," BUT NOW, I am like struggling to stand up! haha. I have still been able to go to the gym every day, but my 50 minutes of cardio is almost impossible, because I begin to feel like I have done too much at 20 minutes. Even if I am just walking!

I also have been anemic since college, and being pregnant my iron has been extra low, when it should be extra HIGH. So I have had to up my iron intake alot, and if I don't I get seriously dizzy and feel like I am gonna pass out. To add to that the weather is slowly creeping up into the 90's and I am constantly burning up! OYE!

Everything has become alot more challenging to do. I have always been active and been able to handle everything around the house, but now I find myself having to take a break on the couch more often. I guess that is just what is supposed to happen!! Right?? I am ONLY 8 WEEKS AWAY! AHH

The hubby and I are so excited! We can't wait to hold our baby girl in our arms!

Birthdays and Baseball

My hubby and I are one busy lil family. I feel like we never have time to party and relax!

So there hasn't been much to really update on the ol' bloggy blog until recently.

First up, we celebrated my hubby's 33rd birthday....hahha...jk jk...29....ok ok...26!( I like to give the ol' man a hard time =] )

Here he is showin off his new kicks he got! Such a dork/major stud!

(Pay NO attention to my disaster of a closet. Between my hubby and I's shoes, clothes, & accessories obsession there really is no room. I could organize, but......=] )

After the over the hill birthday celebration, we had the opportunity last night to attend the San Diego Padres baseball game. We were pretty stoked because we love going to sporting events together. Ever since we have been married, I have been more and more accustomed to watching/playing sports. The hubby will always try and play catch with me, and thinks even though I claim to be 100% girly, I have a secret athletic side...But then I will destroy all hopes of that when we will be watching a baseball game and I say, " We need to make another goal!" I have to promise him that our daughter will be a little more knowledgeable in the athletic area, and I won't pass on my genes haha!

Anyways, we had GREAT seats! Always a benefit when attending sporting events! Special thanks to wonderful family members!

Isn't he just dreeeaaammmyyy =]

Overall we had a blast, and even got a free bobble head! I have always wanted one!

We have a very exciting next couple of months coming up, so I promise the bloggy won't be so left alone for a long period of time.

Coming up this weekend I am throwing a bridal shower for close to 100 people! I KNOW! This girl is one popular diva! I am doing all the desserts for the party, so you know I will be posting some pics of all the sweets!

Until next time! MUCH LOVE!!

Camera Blues

I have always loved taking pictures, and since our baby girl is coming in 8 WEEKS** I have decided my current camera will not do justice for me =(!

Right now I currently own a Nikon Coolpix L100, and it is a really good camera too! But I need a camera with a little better picture quality, a clearer image, something with great zoom (so I can take pics of food haha), and comes out well....pretty haha.

I have my eyes set out for a few different types of cameras. I want one that I can change the lens. But my wants don't always fit my budget..."I want to be a billionaire so freakin' bad!"

hahah

Any suggestions for a clueless person like me as to what the good cameras are now a days?

Sparkley Suga' Cookies

I love sugar cookies.

They are light, and fluffy.

Best straight out of the oven.

And can be decorated SO darn CUTE!

Of coarse I think sugar cookies are best smothered in chocolate =]...but that's just me!

Anyways, I do this thing at my church where I teach the 14-16 year old girls, and I absolutely love it! And they love me...when I bring treats..haha

SO I was teaching this lesson on love, and I wanted to make something really cute, BUT, it was ten o'clock at night =] Go figure...and I knew with my body, well I get tired at about 10:15!

But I was determined. I knew I wanted to do a sugar cookie, maybe hearts, but I didn't have the time, nor did I feel like making an incredible huge mess in my kitchen. It made me think that a lot of people don't always have the time to bake...

And that is why I LOVE store bought mixes...ITS OK TO USE THEM AND NOT FEEL GUILTY =]

The best thing about them, is you can make them you own, and still do a heck of a job decorating them...

So I started with my betty crocker sugar cookie mix, but added some almond extract to it.

Then I rolled out though dough,

And cut my shapes out, and placed them on parchment paper. I then let them sit in the fridge for about 20 minutes...I cleaned up and got ready for bed while they chilled =] (Chilling the cookies help them hold shape when they bake, so they don't puff up!)

Then I baked them for about 8-10 minutes, and removed them immediately to a cooling rack, so they wouldn't cook any longer.

And then it was time to decorate them!

I just used a simple recipe for Royal icing, which hardens on the cookie. But you can use store bought frosting. Here is a Royal Icing Recipe:

Royal Icing:

3 cups powdered sugar

2 Tablespoons Meringue Powder

1-2 Tsp. Almond extract

2-4 Tablespoons Water

1 T. Lemon juice(optional for a lemony taste)

Beat all ingredients together until creamy. Should be somewhat thick. You don't want it to watery, or else it won't spread.

You can add any color, or you can DIVA it up and make it sparkle!

To make your cookies shine you can use Luster dust (Found at craft stores in baking section) Add some extract to a little bit of dust and then paint onto dry cookies.

Make sure frosting has dried enough onto cookies.

Seeeee...it's totally ok to use a pre mix! It is quick, easy, and cheap! And no body has to know =]

Make it your own!

Flower Power

Ok so I have been baby crazy lately...bare with me =]

But I just HAD to post about this certain topic.

Since I am 3 months away from being a mother...(AHHH)

I have been trying to get everything together, little by little.

I just SO happened to walk into this amaaaaaazing baby boutique!

But everybody knows baby boutique doesn't mean CHEAP =]

I was just in awe of all the utmost adorable things they had to offer, and alot of it had to do with flowers. Everything was soooo cuuute. But when I saw the prices, and remembered I am no Housewife of Orange County (no offense...totally addicted to the show)..I figured the $30 one-sies probably were NOT in my price range...nor the hubby's =]

So I decided to rely on creativity...mine def struggles, but I have to start somewhere...

I tried to replicate a shirt I saw in the store, which was close to 30 dollars. You want to know my total cost. Don't pass out!

2 FLIPPEN DOLLARS

And it doesn't look SOO incredibly bad =]

I can tell I have alot more flower power left in me...Oh the ideas in my head!