Freezer Meals

Getting ready for baby, meant getting prepping some food for us to eat post baby.  While Josh was home over the holidays he helped me cook up a storm and we have a stocked freezer to prove it.  Thanks to my BFF Pinterest I was able to make a Freezer Meals Board and pin away all the recipes I wanted to make.  Here's what we have waiting on us:

Breakfast was truly inspired by Southern Living, the January issue had a great looking recipe for Applesauce Muffins with Strussel Topping, which were as good as they look! 

Source: southernliving.com via Sarah on Pinterest

While on the site, I searched for a banana bread recipe and found one that involved cream cheese and peanut butter (of course we added a bag of chocolate chips for good measure).

Source: myrecipes.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I also made my mom's Deviled Ham Quiche which I don't have on my pinterest board.  It's a favorite of mine and I'm looking forward to heating up a slice or two.

For lunches and dinners we are stocked up on
Chicken Divan, I have loved this a long long time.  I added more lemon juice than this recipe called for.

Source: passionatehomemaking.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Paula's Wild Rice and Shrimp Casserole - a recommended recipe from favorite mommy blogger, Kelly

Source: kellyskornerrecipes.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

We are really looking forward to these Butternut Squash and Spinach Stuffed Shells which lead to a discussion on if lasagna or stuffed shells were easier to make - the jury is still out.

Source: prouditaliancook.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

We also made Pesto Chicken Stuffed Shells, but added broccoli a la Kate

Source: joelens.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Asian Turkey Meatballs were such a hit, most were eaten instead of frozen - boy were they good!

Source: skinnytaste.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I also made a few different batches of enchiladas.  Green sauce has been a long time favorite of our and I threw a Monteray Jack/Sour Cream variety in as well.  Should be yummy!

I also stocked up on a bunch of Stouffers family entrees like lasagna, enchiladas, chicken casserole.

All About Baby

Our little guy hasn't arrived just yet, but we've been real busy getting ready for him these past few weeks!  I went into all out nesting mode right around Christmas.  It was perfect because Josh was home with me for 11 days and boy did I put him to work!  We made a slew of freezer meals, worked a lot on the nursery and rounded out just about all of our "must have" baby items.  We also attended a few baby classes, Dr. Appointments, etc.

Let's see, there were a few appointments with our OB practice - baby is still doing great, and I still weigh less than I did before I got pregnant.  Our third and last ultrasound-he has hair (we are wondering what color as Josh is blond and I am brunette) and was projected to weight 6lbs 14 oz at my 36 1/2 week mark - which means (as my Dr put it, I will not be having a moose-ha!).  Breastfeeding Class - Josh is still scarred and truly upset that I made him come when he could have been watching football, but I learned a lot and was glad to have him with me.  Prenatal Orientation at our Pediatrics Office- we were with 7 other couples all at the same stage of pregnancy as us, and I'm still scarred that the woman sitting next to me went into labor while we were there, but so happy with the pediatricians that we will be seeing.  Baby Care class - we learned lots of great tips and tricks and Josh changed his first diaper (on a doll) and did better than me. 

Now, I'm just getting super anxious about actually having this baby.  I honestly feel so lucky that the sorority chapter I advise has workshops and recruitment right now because that has been a WELCOME distraction.  I've had a great time with them this week, but felt really old when they were crafting this afternoon and listening to '90's music - Brittney and Backstreet Boys songs that were actually the popular songs I listened to when I was their age.  I actually remember my sisters doing Backstreet Boys dances at our recruitment workshops-he he he.  Instead of Backstreet Boys, I'll be listening to Surfing for Birthing tonight as it helps calm my delivery nerves with ocean waves and birthing affirmations. 

The nursery is well on it's way.  I'll take some pictures on our Nikon after I finish his name display (we are waiting to meet him to finalize his name), but here are some iphone sneak peeks.  Oh yes, and maybe I'll upload all the pics from my AMAZING baby shower last week!

My Pottery Barn Chair with Peter Rabbit quilt and pillow, lots of time will be spent in this chair.

 

 

Peter causing trouble over the bed!

Gator Corner - we haven't put up the rest of the artwork yet, but these Gator prints were a priority for my husband!

Time Flies

When your having fun, super sick, totally preoccupied with organizing everything in your home or all three in my case.

I had grand plans of blogging a year in review and actually posting pictures of our trips to Greece, Seattle, Maine and our babymoon in Charleston, but with the baby due to be here in less than a month I've got way more important things to do. Putting all books in size order on every bookcase we own, taking everything out of cabinets and reorganizing and even labeling containers is an instinctual must right now. I've left no drawer unattended or shelf ignored. After making a few dozen freezer meals and all this crazy organizing. I can say I'm totally nesting.

So much in fact we even got rid of our storage unit. Over the past few months we've donated a household full of items to various charities. All in the name of feathering my nest!

Other than my new organizing obsession, I'm trying to overcome the second non medicated cold of my pregnancy. There's only so much a netty pot can do. I've had to turn to baby safe cough medicine this go around.

Today, I'm going to fight the urge to do more on our pre-baby check list, and take time to get spoiled and enjoy myself, that's what you are supposed to do on your birthday, right!??

I can't believe how much has changed in one years time. I won't be spending the day at Red Door like I did last year, but am looking forward to getting a few treats at the day spa down the street, lunch with my mom and bestie at Nordstroms Cafe (my favorite spot for fur coat fashion shows) some shopping for frivolous mommy items, and a nice dinner with my husband. Saturday, I'll go back to celebrating becoming a mom with all my friends at my baby shower. I'm already looking forward to washing, folding and organizing all the gifts for our little guy-weirdest obsession of my life this nesting instinct.

I'm looking forward to my special day, and getting to celebrate with a weekend full of cupcakes!



In case you were wondering what a 9 month pregnant 32 year old looks like after eating a pre birthday cupcake!

Lots of Love,

Sarah

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

With our little guy due to arrive in 5 and a half weeks, we decided to stay in Virginia rather than make the drive down to Florida for the holidays this year. I think we are still a bit jaded from last year when we both ended up with the flu, and were confined to the guest rooms and sofas at our parents houses instead of spending time with friends.

I'm also proud to report that thanks to some 'B' tiered prescriptions (all medicines are ranked in categories for pregnant women) I have recovered from the flu-like symptoms I've been suffering from for the past month. Just in time for Christmas goodies! You will be able to tell how excited I am to be able to eat again after reading this post.

This year we were able to spend time with friends and even family thanks to Skype.

Lacey and Michael had us over for dinner on Christmas Eve. She did a fantastic job on the table, it was sparkly and beautiful.




For appetizers we had Pate that Josh still hasn't stopped talking about, honey roasted cherry tomatoes (with fantastic honey they brought back from their trip to Italy) served with goat cheese, various olives stuffed with goodness, pistachios, and a little liquid gold. The liquid gold was this amazing aged balsamic vinegar also brought back from Italy. The small bottle was very pricy, and is referred to as liquid gold. They served it in spoons with a creamy Parmesan Cheese.




The main course was a lovely salad with homemade dressing, filet topped with lump crab and Bernese sauce, mashed potatoes, shaved asparagus and Sister Schubert's rolls for the lucky. One of the many highlights of the evening was when the basket of dinner rolls burst into flames while we were praying!




Michael saved the day, but not the rolls, they got a little soggy while he was extinguishing the flames. Dessert was the infamous Baltimore Bomb pie, which is a chess pie topped with chocolate covered cookies native to Baltimore.

We played board games and our husbands won over and over again. That's what we get for being married to the two smartest guys we know-ha! They did have the advantage that I have pregnancy brain and Lacey had lots of vino. In hindsight, I think we should have gotten a handicap for that.

Molly enjoyed sitting under their tree and the backyard.



Christmas morning was just the three (and a half) of us. We had chocolate chip waffles, hash browns, eggs and turkey bacon. Not the typical Five Meat Morgan tradition, but we are going to make up for it next year when Murphey is state side.

Josh and I had fun opening presents and just spending time together (with Molly of course).

Josh wrapping up in his blanket from his aunt.





After a few hours of Josh playing his new video games and me writing all our thank you notes (so thankful to be caught up with that), we headed over to Jen and Johns house for Christmas dinner with our friend Christy. It was so fun for Jack to show us all his presents and open a few we brought him! I also loved cuddling with baby Sophia, who as always was dressed to the nines. Jen made a fantastic Rosemary and Thyme crusted roast, asparagus, roasted carrots, Johns great-grandmothers mashed potatoes, cheesy bread and for dessert the famed eclair ring. It was amazing, and more than made up for the rum Yule Log Josh picked up on accident. Regular Yule Log, good. Highly flammable rum Yule Log, bad, very bad.

We did snap a family picture in front of their tree. This like all the others in this post are from my iPhone, one day I'll brush off the Nikon, I promise.




Hope yours was as merry and bright!


Lots of Love,

Sarah

Wishing you the Merriest!

Tis the Season

We've done some serious partying at our house this year. Which is probably the reason I've stayed close to bed the first half of this week (well that and I have been getting 3-4 hours of sleep at night, so I try to catch up during the day).

But back to the fun stuff, partying! Who needs their fancy Nikon? My iPhone is the only way I take pictures these days.

My sorority alum group had a fun Tacky Sweater/White Elephant Party a while back.

Having fun with the bump



With some of the gals I advise with at AU.



I also coordinated our groups annual trip to the National Christmas Tree preceded by Cocktails (or in my case club soda) at POV- the roof top lounge at the W. It was really fun!

My junior league committee also had a fantastic party for the families we work with.

Our party coordinator and volunteers with some of the kiddos.




Among awesome gift bags, we also let the families add to their libraries by giving them hundreds of books!



Excited readers!


Last, but certainly not least. Josh and I hosted our annual holiday open house. Being the true prego brained lady I am, I totally forgot to snap pictures that night. I did take some during clean up the next morning.

Josh wanted to make jambalaya this year and boy did he. We joked he made jambalaya for 80, but our 50 or so guests had no problem finishing the extra large pot off.




We also served a lovely veggie platter, spinach and artichoke dip with crackers, cheese fondue, bruchetta, hot onion dip, bacon wrapped jalapenos, meatballs, and my aunt Sugies sausage balls.

This year I only made a few hundred cookies vs my 1,000+ last year. The always favorite Oreo balls were a hit.

Also a hit - homemade lemonchello brought by one of Joshs co-workers.

The bar was still in great shape the next morning-ha!



Hope you've been able able to share in the merriment of the season!!

Lots of Love,

Sarah

Scents of Christmas

It must be the advent candles, but for some reason candle burning makes Christmas for me. Over the past few years I've stepped it up in the candle department. I just really love the way my home smells with a nice burning candle.

To me the benchmark of Holiday Candles is Thymes Frasier Fir. But I could never justify spending $40 plus on a candle, so I stuck with the holiday scents from Yankee.

This year, I decided was the year and bought Frasier Fir the day before thanksgiving from my favorite boutique in town. I have loved every minute of it.



But my dear Frasier Fir has some stiff competition coming in the form of Nest's Holiday candle. I was given this by a friend this past weekend and am crazy about it.



What's your favorite Holiday scent?


Lots of Love,

Sarah

Baby Shower

I have been partying my way through December.  Add the fact that it takes my eight and a half month pregnant self quadruple the amount of time I think it should to do something and my bustling social calendar, I'm amazed that I actually did get my Holiday Cards out before Christmas. I obviously needed to hire an elf this year. 

The hustle and bustle began the first weekend in December when my friends hosted a shower for me in Tampa.

Jessica, me, Lauren and Gwen - who would have guessed all the fun times we've had through the years.

It was a Gator Tailgate Themed Luncheon.  Complete with a Gator Diaper Cake, all my favorite foods and surrounded by my cherished friends.

It was great to spend the afternoon with all these wonderful ladies.  Lots of tears were shed on my part (and I it wasn't just because of the crazy pregnancy hormones).  I truly miss getting to spend time with all my Florida friends.

Suzanne is expecting a boy, too.  I hope we'll get to move back to FL one day so our boys can be on all the same sports teams.

Speaking of sports teams, Liam will be linebacker with Suzanne and my guys!

And little Mia is going to have dates lining up at the door!

Allison and I with our baby bumps!

 

With Jessica (Josh's unofficial little sister) and Missy.  

They are the sweetest friends, I'm so glad I inherited them from my husband!

Speaking of sweet friends, I'm truly blessed with the ones I've been given.

With Sonja- for some reason I burst into tears every time I see her-ha!

Lucy (aka Anne) a true inspiration, survivor and fantastic singer - we've spent way too much time singing at the top of our lungs together!

 

 My partner in crime, Reema.

I could have an entire blog recounting our adventures together

Sadly, I don't have pictures with everyone there, but I can't forget the two most importants guests (other than me and baby T) The Grandmothers!!

The decorations were beautiful.

The food was fantastic, I mean what pregnant lady doesn't love mashed potato bar and cake?

The activities were fun.

And I was showered with love and gifts from my friends and family!

Doctors Orders

Eat more Christmas Cookies.

I guess that's what happens when you weigh in 20 pounds less than you did at your first pregnancy appointment.

I went straight to Starbuck for a peppermint hot chocolate and every type of brownie they make. I wasn't planning to make my 1,000 Christmas Cookies this year, but may have to step up my game-ha!



Lots of Love,

Sarah

Not Giving Up

I have hopes that the Verizon repairman will leave me with Internet tomorrow, but until then I'm staying connected by 3G!

I failed at something today, and I don't like failing (don't worry, I'm not giving up). What did I fail at? Stacking coupons at Babies R Us.

I have grand plans of purchasing some of the higher dollar items we'll be needing for baby. So going through the most recent Babies R Us ad and taking a look at my store coupons, I formulated a plan. Since our swing was spend $150, save $30 - and I had 20% off single item coupons, I began to wonder if I could use both discounts on the same item. So I did what any deal seeking mom would do and called the store. The associate I spoke to said absolutely just as long as neither was expired. I took a close look at all my coupons and the circular, and made an action plan of which items I planned to buy over the next few weeks.

Low and behold I got an email Wednesday night that there was a one day sale on Thursday. I looked through the add (and even had my neighbor print my coupons since our Internet is down). With 20% off our pack n play and my additional 20% off a single item, I decided it was worth sneaking a trip into my very busy day.

After 2 Dr appts, lunch with friends, a meeting and volunteering, I didn't make it there until after 9. I found the pack n play loaded it in my cart and found another item I had a coupon for. I get to the register and hand the clerk my three coupons, to which she tells me I can only use two. No I say, I called before I came and asked if I could use both the 20% off pack n play and 20% off a single item coupon on the same item at the same time AND was told yes as long as they weren't expired. She called over the manager who repeated only one coupon could be used at a time, despite what I was told on the phone. I was so mad I made a trip there!

I asked about stacking with the credit card and completion coupon with other store offers and coupons and he said I could do that. So it looks like I won't be knocking things off my priority list until two weeks prior to my due date. Thanks for nothing Babies R Us.

I also think it's ironic that I was haggling for an extra 20% off while my husband is hosting his colleagues from around the world at a private event at the Kennedy Center tonight. And our dog sitter went to bed early (while I was running late) so I have to pay for our dog to be boarded tonight because of this whole mess - the next time I go to Babies R Us it will be a day too soon!


Lots of Love,

Sarah

Christmas Spirit

Our Internet is out, so I've been surviving on my iPhone, which is not the easiest!

But despite being disconnected, the Holiday Parties are in full swing, and our calendars are bursting with holly and Christmas cookies!! Tonight was my first party of the season with the lovely ladies on the community placement council at JLW. We had a fun book exchange, and lots of awesome goodies!

I gave South of Broad which I read on our babymoon a few weeks ago, and got a cool book on Preppy Life in DC (hope to have a moment to read it, but don't think that will actually happen anytime soon).

Here's my book, wrapped up in lots of glitter!!



And here's me with baby T, ready to start the 2011 Holiday Party circuit!




How excited are you to party your way through the next few weeks!?

Lots of Love,

Sarah

31 Weeks

Wow, time flies! I'm just back from my baby shower in Florida, which was fantastic! Josh worked on the nursery while I was away, and we have a trip to Goodwill and our storage unit to make tonight. I also returned to our Internet being down, sooo I am looking forward to a visit from the dishwasher and Internet repairmen this week, amongst 10+ doctors appointments (maybe it's a good thing our Internet is down). I've got a lot of catching up to do. Now onto the good stuff:



How far along: 31 Weeks

Size of baby: Head of lettuce

Total Weight Gain/loss: I had gained 2 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight and then got super sick right after thanksgiving and lost 6/7. So at 8 months pregnant I weigh less than I did when we found out we were expecting.

Maternity Clothes: Pregnancy jeans are a God send! I can still make some regular items work with the assistance of pregnancy tanks-which are worn daily. I've had to get more maternity clothes than I thought I would, but am very thankful to have found cute items that mix and match well! I don't want to retire my pregnancy jeans anytime soon!

Gender: It's a BOY! His initials will be JAT, but we decided to meet him first before pulling the trigger on his full name. We will be using family names. But still refer to him as Timmy T, especially when he strong arms my tummy.

Movement: He is a mover! He has knocked things off my tummy a few times. He is particularly active at 11 am, 4 pm and 11 pm.

Sleep: Trying to get as much as I can while I can.

What I miss: Stamina- when I need a break, I NEED A BREAK. There is no more pushing through for this moma. Wine and or cocktails with friends at all these awesome holiday parties would be nice, too.

Cravings: SWEETS! Passed my diabetes test with flying colors, so we have a house full of candy cane kisses and cookies. This little guy like sweets as much as his daddy. Daddy is really loving bowls of Hersey kisses on the coffee table (and sneaking mommy's chocolate any time he can).

Symptoms: Are things subsiding? Am I jinxing myself? Other than my non baby related mystery illness, I'm doing pretty well.

Best Moment: Being surrounded with the love and generosity of my friends at my baby shower! The prenatal massage my mom arranged for me was fantastic as well!!

Lots of Love,

Sarah



Lots of Love,

Sarah

Cheese Please?

Only I would develop some crazy illness in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner. I'm probably the only person (pregnant at that) that lost 6 pounds Thanksgiving weekend. At eight months I now weigh less than I did when I initially found out I was pregnant (granted that was after a glorious vacation in Greece - Ahh feta cheese at every meal).

I am missing cheese and most every food out there as I have existed solely on saltine crackers for the past week. Never have I been so hungry and not wanted to eat at the same time! I'm making my favorite Greek chicken soup in a few minutes and can't wait to have a hot bowl of it. I'm overly cautious I guess because Saturday is my first baby shower, hosted by some of the best friends a girl could ask for! I just can't wait. I don't want to be doubled over in pain the whole time, so I'm sticking to Doctors orders and keeping the blandest diet known to man, but boy I'm missing cheese.

After getting the thumbs up to fly on Tuesday ( don't worry Baby T isn't going anywhere -other than up and down the east coast with me) I was on a plane down to FL yesterday. I didn't fair well. Thank goodness for first class with extra space, but gosh almighty I was sicker than could be (I've always suffered from motion sickness, and can't take meds to prevent it right now).

I was initially a bit sad to be gone from home for six days, during such a busy time, but think I'll need that long to be willing to board a plane again next week!

I'm happy to report i am feeling much better, and have added a bit more to my diet. My mom and I finalized our outfits for the shower this morning and she's having her massage therapist come give me a prenatal massage thus afternoon!
I can't wait to see all my friends in Tampa on Saturday, I was so scared that I would even make it!

My husband helped put things in perspective for me when he said you have three things to do in the next two months, go to your baby showers and push-HA! I'll take care of the nursery, our holiday party, and everything else. What a great guy I have!! I seriously hope I can do a lot more than that, but it's good to have a reality check every now and then, and a few pieces of cheese (maybe after the shower).


Lots of Love,

Sarah

A Wonderful Thanksgiving

It was such a joyous occasion to celebrate Thanksgiving with our friends and family.  I'm finally getting to share my fall wreath which welcomed our guests.

 I also printed up a Keep Calm and Gobble On sign to encourage our guests to eat up!

Josh and I had a solid plan Turkey Game plan and were headed up to bed after making all the pies, stuffing, ironing on linens, and prep chopping on Wednesday night when our dishwasher starting dinging 15 minutes after we started running it.  A few hours of using our wet vac and dissembling and reassembling our not quite year and a half year old dishwasher, we decided to hand wash all the dished that had been loaded in it and finally hit the hay just before 2 am and call a repairman next week.

Josh got up at 7 to stuff and put the bird in the roaster.  His parents had gone to bed early and were already having breakfast.  Since Molly didn't like being left behind while everyone else was having a party downstairs, she and I headed down.  Since I have been suffering from pregnancy insomnia for the past few weeks, I didn't really think having just five hours of sleep would phase me, plus I wanted to get my hands on all the Black Friday ads in the paper.

We watched the parade and I set the table while Josh did all the cooking.  Around noon I left to pick up some of our friends, and we had a great time visiting with all our guests while everything finished up!

Last year the turkey took two less hours to reach 180 than we planned and this year it took two more hours to reach 180 than we planned.  It worked out well because everyone enjoyed appetizers, sweet tea and wine while we waited. 

We slimmed down our appetizer offerings to deviled eggs and cranberry salsa served over cream cheese - as to not fill up before the big meal.

Dinner included:
Roast Turkey
Cornbread Dressing & Stuffing
Cranberry Wild Rice
Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Wild Mushrooms and Cream Sauce
Pineapple Casserole
Tomato Aspic
Sweet Potato Casserole
Mashed Rutabaga
Honey Glazed Carrots
Turkey Gravy
Cranberry Sauce
Yeast Rolls

For Dessert:
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Apple Pie
Pecan Pie
Served with Whipped Cream and French Vanilla Ice Cream
Coffee and Tea

It's really a shame that I didn't snap a picture of the desserts because they were truly the BEST I've ever had.  Actually everything was amazing.  Spending time with friends and family, the great food-it's what Thanksgiving is all about.

Unfortunately, I ate too much and ended up getting really sick.  So sick in fact we had to abort all Black Friday shopping.  I ended up in the hospital getting an IV and anti-nausea medicine.  Needless to say I did not finishing my Christmas shopping or do all our decorating as planned.

I was also going to host the Game Viewing Party for the DC Gator Club today, which isn't happening either since I can't even walk down the stairs.  I am taking it easy, eating saltines, and getting rest so I can get back on my feet.  Lesson learned, there is no such thing as pushing through when 8 months pregnant.  It's so hard for me to sit back and take it easy, when there are so many things I want to do.