Fat Progression

I didn't keep track of how my body changed with either of the girls, so I thought I'd better do it this time. I am now 3 months prego, and in a couple of days will officially be finished with the 1st trimester. Just the last couple of days I have felt sooo much better so hopefully from here on out I can actually enjoy it. Here are a couple of (terrible, quickly taken) pics that I'm posting small so you can't see them too well. Hopefully my photographer (Dan) will do a better job next time. Although I could have had something to do with it.



And my personal favorite


I will also be keeping track of Dan's weight for the next 6 months. This is a true (maybe somewhat exaggerated) story: When I was pregnant with Delylah, I think Dan felt a little left out. Although he adamantly denies it, he gained like double his weight in order to steal my thunder. In addition, he 'coincidentally' had terrible back pain during this time. Seemingly from carrying around all that extra weight. So this is Dan at 3 months 'pregnant'. I'm watching him this time so this time he won't be able to deny it.

Happy Thanksgiving

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Buttermilk Banana Muffins

I think this is the first time I've posted a recipe, but I know I'm always looking for a good, easy recipe so here it is. You have to try it. It takes about 10 minutes to get in the oven.

2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 t vanilla
1 1/2 t almond extract
3 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
4 medium, over-ripe bananas
3 cups flour
1 1/2 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/2 cup chopped nuts - optional
Glaze - optional

1. Preheat oven to 325
2. Grease and flour muffin tin (it makes 24 but I cut recipe in half and just did 12)
3. In a large mixing bowl, mix ugar and oil. Stir in sour cream. Add vanilla, almond, eggs and buttermilk. Mix well.
4. Mash bananas with fork and add to sugar mixture.
5. In another bown, combine flour, salt, soda and baking powder.
6. Gradually stir flour mixture into sugar mixture. Add nuts, if desired.
7. Pour batter into prepared ban and bake about 25 minutes or until lightly brown.
8. While hot, poke holes in top and pour glaze over.

Glaze:
1 T melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 t vanilla extract
1/4 cup orange juice

They're good warm, but even better the next day.

He May Not Be Good At Much, But....

...He's a Grrreat Uncle.

Halloween Fun

This was Dan's and my fourth Halloween together and it was the best yet. A big part of it was that it was on Saturday, and also because BYU didn't play that weekend so I didn't have to compete for Dan's time. We were able to get a lot done during the day, and then in the afternoon Dan had Brooklyn draw what she wanted on her pumpkin, and he carved it for her. That's always been his job for which I'm grateful because it is not my thing. I don't really consider him an 'artsty' person either, but he did a great job. I was very impressed. Then we took the girls out trick-or-treating and they are both at the funniest ages to watch. Brooklyn's at the age where she has an opinion about the candy; what's good to get and what's not. And she knows how much her mom loves Recees and would pick that whenever she had the chance. Delylah, on the other hand, doesn't care what she gets as long as she gets something. She was quite the aggressive bumblebee.

Bad Karma

I think I may have complained too much about my morning sickness, because I now have so generously been given the flu to go with it. It's as if someone wanted to show me that the constant nausea really was nothing compared to constant nausea with a fever, headache, vomiting, sore throat and cough to go with it. But I have to admit, it worked because just the morning sickness alone sounds like a dream compared to what it is now.
It actually started with Brooklyn. She got the flu about a week and a half ago and it lasted for nearly a week. She had a really high fever, reaching almost 105 degrees. Fortunately, she's a very easy sick kid. She either rests and naps, or is content looking at books and watching TV. In fact she's an easier sick kid than she is healthy kid. Anyway, as soon as she came down with the flu, I became ultra OCD about not getting it. I washed my hands compulsively, sanitized the whole house and changed sheets multiple times. But then yesterday on my way to my OBGYN to get the flu shot (ironically), I could feel myself coming down with something. And then when they took my temp, it was 101 degrees making me ineligible for the shot. I then got the most uncomfortable nose swab that will determine shortly what kind of flu it is.
My parent's brought Delylah to their house this morning so I could get some much needed rest for which I am SO grateful. I actually slept for about 7 hours today, after sleeping for about 12 hours last night. My parent's are soon going to be turning their mission paper's in, but I have to admit, I'm praying that they change their mind. I don't know what I'd do without them!
So there's the family update. Delylah and Dan are healthy so far and hopefully they'll stay that way. And I'm learning my lesson for complaining too much.

Happy Birthday, Old Man

Dan turned 33 last Sunday. I (with a lot of help) cooked him some of his favorites for dinner at my parent's (ribs, twice-baked potatoes, salad, rolls, banana cake) and had my family over. Dan doesn't like a lot of attention, or for me to make a big deal out of his b-day, so this was just right for him. He enjoyed himself, but the girls are the one's that had a blast getting ready. They were so excited for his birthday. They helped me shop for his presents, picked out and drew on cards, and made lots of decorations.

Here are some of the decorations they made. You can tell it's a Delylah masterpiece if it is entirely covered in stickers. Including the writing.






Dan posing in his 'throne'. My dad was NOT happy about being kicked out this week. Actually he didn't care at all.


Cake and presents. And I would personally like to thank RYAN for hiding behind the balloon in the family pic. Really, the world appreciates that.





Random Side Note #1: I feel like I've been living a lie because I haven't officially acknowledged on my blog that I got BRACES. It was actually about 4 months ago but I thought I should probably give an explanation as to why I haven't, and won't smile in any pics until they're off. 28 with braces is not cool.

Random Side Note #2: I've read a lot of blogs and talked to a lot of mom's who have these elaborate morning routines. They actually wake up before their kids and then wake their kids up and do reading and breakfast together. I pride myself on being routine oriented, however morning is not my best time. Especially lately while I've been feeling so crappy. I usually sleep until the girls wake up, and then continue to sleep while they play and watch cartoons. But Dan and I decided that this week we would attempt a morning routine. We're going to wake up at 7am (about an hour earlier than I was before), wake the girls up, and have breakfast together. Then the girls will do their chores before Brooklyn has to leave for school. I had to put this in writing so there's a better chance I'll actually do it. I'll let you know in a week how successful it actually is.