35 week appt

Baby girl is doing great:) She is a little thing... weighing in at 4 pounds 15 ounces (10th percentile). Sonograms can be off by 20%...so who knows where she will end up. My doctor isn't worried, as she is still growing, and could gain up to 1/2 pound each week. She said plenty of babies are born full term in the 5 pound range and are perfectly healthy. Check out her big lips;) Such a cutie!

34 weeks

How Far Along: 34 weeks

Size of Baby:Honeydew- We might be getting an ultrasound @ tomorrow's appointment (35 weeks) so we'll have a better idea of how big she really is:)
Total Weight Gain: 24 pounds-- Super hungry these past 2 weeks.. guess she's growing!
Maternity Clothes: for sure!
Gender: baby girl! Alexandria Rae Sulak
Movement: Some days she is WAY more active than others. I have learned that she takes after her mama, and LOVES Christmas cookies. Definitely the biggest reaction from these- out of anything I have eaten the whole pregnancy.
Sleep: Haven't been sleeping as well as I used to. So sad!! I have days where I have TONS of energy and want to get everything done...and then days where I totally crash and feel that I have hit a brick wall.
What I Miss: Having my body to myself. I'm ready to be able to exercise again- It's been 8 weeks since I've been allowed to work out. This has been a HUGE change for me. I know I'll be wishing I had an excuse to not work out in a few weeks ;0)
Cravings: None really- so boring!!
Symptoms: I treated myself to a prenatal massage- REALLY helped with my back pain. It's been creeping back, so I'll probably go have another sometime soon...

Best Moment this Week: Knowing that we're almost to the 35 week mark...which is when my Dr won't stop labor....meaning we're in the 'safe zone' :) Can't wait to meet our sweet baby girl

32 weeks

hmmm...make-up would have been a good idea... haha..and in other news, my face has officially gained a few pounds!

How Far Along: 32 weeks

Size of Baby:Squash- I would guess around 3 3/4 pounds, and she should be gaining 1/2 lb per week!
Total Weight Gain: 20 pounds-- I'm supposed to be gaining 1 pound per week now...yuck!
Maternity Clothes: for sure!
Gender: baby girl! Alexandria Rae Sulak
Movement: She's still pretty active. She moves from side to side...giving both sides a fair share of kicks- definitely prefers my right side though.
Sleep: Haven't been sleeping as well as I used to. So sad!!
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach....big time
Cravings: None really- so boring!!
Symptoms: hernia pain, back pain--BIG TIME :(, BHs, pressure

Best Moment this Week: I got to see Alexandria again-- had an ultrasound b/c I was having so many BHs. She is still head down, with her booty by my bellybutton. I still have plenty of fluid, and the FFN test was negative:)- which means I have less than a 3% change of going into labor w/in the next 2 weeks. Dr. Pao is predicting an early January baby...she would happily deliver her anytime after 35 weeks...I'm hoping she's right! SO eager to meet our princess!

30 weeks

How Far Along: 30 weeks

Size of Baby: squash- baby should weigh around 3 pounds, and she should be gaining 1/2 lb per week!
Total Weight Gain: 18 pounds-- I'm supposed to be gaining 1 pound per week now...yuck!
Maternity Clothes: for sure!
Gender: baby girl! Alexandria Rae Sulak
Movement: I've had less head butting in these last two weeks..I've been introduced to the rib kicks though =/
Sleep: Haven't been sleeping as well as I used to. So sad!!
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach....big time
Cravings: None really- so boring!!
Symptoms: hernia pain, back pain, BHs, pressure

Best Moment this Week: Knowing that our baby girl will be here in 10 weeks! SO excited to meet her!!

Caramel Apple Layer Cake with Apple cinnamon frosting

I made these cupcakes yesterday...didn't get a picture, but they are definitely worth making!

INGREDIENTS
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour-- i just used regular pastry flour
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1½ tsp. baking soda
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
1½ cups light brown sugar
¾ cup canola oil
¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
¾ cup caramel sauce (homemade or jarred)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 eggs
1½ cups sour cream
1 small instant pudding packet

Apple Cider Frosting:
3 sticks of butter
1/4 cup apple juice or apple cider
1 tsp cinnamon
5 cups powdered sugar
pinch of salt
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together whole wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside. In a second large bowl, beat sugar and oil together with an electric mixer until well combined, about 30 seconds. Add applesauce, caramel and vanilla, beat for 30 seconds, then add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk, and continuing to beat until well combined.

3. Pour batter into cupcake liners- bake for 20-25 minutes, depending on your oven.

4. For the frosting, put sugar, butter, cider, cinnamon and salt into a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

28 weeks

How Far Along: 28 weeks

Size of Baby: eggplant- Had a sono this week, and she was weighing in at 2.4 pounds, which is the 30th percentile.
Total Weight Gain: 15 pounds
Maternity Clothes: a mix of both..mostly maternity
Gender: baby girl! Alexandria Rae Sulak
Movement: movement has changed quite a bit- less big kicks. More head butting...:(
Sleep: Love it, but switching sides has become a chore. hah
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach....big time
Cravings: None really- so boring!!
Symptoms: hernia pain, back pain, BHs, pressure

Best Moment this Week: Getting to see our baby girl, and knowing she is growing!!

I had an unscheduled appt this past week- do to the amt of BHs I was having- up to 5-6 an hour. AND, I was feeling a change in pressure. They did the Fetal Fibronectin test (tests to see if you're at risk for going into labor in the next 2 weeks), and it came back negative- hooray! They also did a sono to measure my cervix, since I was feeling so much pressure. Turns out all is fine, baby's head is just ON my cervix- which is naturally creating pressure.
My dr is being very precautious, because of my past medical history, and due to how hard it was to get this sweet baby. She told me no more exercising:(, and no more substituting. Basically, I can be out of the house, but not for more than 3 hours at a time. I go back in 2 weeks to repeat the Fetal Fibronectin test.

carrot cake cupcakes

These were beyond yummy...Super moist...SUPER delicious!!
Original recipe is from allrecipes.com. I changed it a little bit...

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup sour cream
  
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice --blended
  
• 1 vanilla pudding packet
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8x12 inch pan.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, oil, sugar and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour mixture and mix well.
4. In a medium bowl, combine shredded carrots, coconut, walnuts, pineapple.
5. Using a large wooden spoon or a very heavy whisk, add carrot mixture to batter and fold in well.
6. Pour into cupcake liners- Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Toothpick should come out clean.
   
7. Allow to cool completely before icing. -- Ice with your favorite cream cheese icing.. nom nom
   

Shower for baby Allie Rae

With Melissa
Linds, Stacy, Steph, Me, Veronica, Holly- all my Springridge buddies!

The lovely Linds:)

Me, Sara, Mom, Sally, and Jennie- they came all the way from San Antonio- Love you guys!

Wishes for Alexandria, Ray, and I- love this...it's in the nursery now:)

Precious banner- made by Melissa

Me and my beautiful mama:) Just love her...and hope to be half the mom she has been to me!

My camera died pretty early on in the shower- Thanks to Allie, Melissa, Jen, and Linds for the beautiful shower!!!

Nursery Reveal

Her crib still needs a crib skirt, and some frames need filling... but it's mostly finished. Such a happy place to be- can't wait until she is in it!!

26 weeks

How Far Along: 26 weeks

Size of Baby: eggplant
Total Weight Gain: 15 pounds
Maternity Clothes: a mix of both..mostly maternity
Gender: baby girl! Alexandria Rae Sulak
Movement: all the time...She has started thumping my cervix more- not my favorite feeling
Sleep: I Love it!!
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach....big time
Cravings: None really- so boring!!
Symptoms: hernia pain and my back aches sometimes..that's about it

Best Moment this Week: We finished her nursery:) pics to come!

24 weeks

picture isn't the best...did it w/ the self timer on the old camera.. oh well.

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Size of Baby: Papaya-- 12 inches and 1.3 pounds
Total Weight Gain: 14 pounds
Maternity Clothes: a mix of both..mostly maternity
Gender: baby girl! Alexandria Rae Sulak
Movement: all the time...
Sleep: I Love it!!
What I Miss: Strawberry Daiquiris and sleeping on my stomach
Cravings: I'd say the cheese craving has gone away..now it's ice water
Symptoms: hernia pain and my back aches sometimes..that's about it

Best Moment this Week: Ray got to feel her kick:)

22 weeks

We took our babymoon this week...went to San Francisco- so fun!

How Far Along: 22 weeks

Size of Baby: Papaya
Total Weight Gain: 10 pounds
Maternity Clothes: a mix of both..
Gender: baby girl! Alexandria Rae Sulak
Movement: She started kicking (able to feel her on the outside) mid way though week 20. YAY! Definitely cried...and had trouble sleeping that night..I was waiting to feel the next kick
Sleep: I Love it!!
What I Miss: Strawberry Daiquiris and sleeping on my stomach
Cravings: still just cheese....
Symptoms: My hernia has probably trippled in size since the beginning of the pregnancy. It now looks like I have an outtie...but really it's just my intestines popping out. lovely, ehh?

Best Moment this Week: feeling her move:)

a work in progress....

all of the pieces are coming together.. :) It's almost finished!

20 weeks....half way!!!

How Far Along: 20weeks (and I'm actually 20 weeks still..aren't you proud of me?!)

Size of Baby: Week 20: Cantaloupe- 6.5 inches and 10.6 ounces (a few days shy of 20 weeks, she was weighing in at 10 ounces...sooo tiny!!)
Total Weight Gain: 7 pounds
Maternity Clothes: a mix of both..
Gender: baby girl! Alexandria Rae Sulak
Movement: The movement has picked up quite a bit in the last week. I can only feel her if I'm sitting perfectly still. Can't feel anything on the outside yet.. pooor Ray:( She was moving around like a mad woman during her sonogram...the tech had trouble keeping up with her.. guess she takes after her mama;)
Sleep: I Love it!!
What I Miss: Strawberry Daiquiris
Cravings: still just cheese....
Symptoms: My hernia has probably trippled in size since the beginning of the pregnancy. It now looks like I have an outtie...but really it's just my intestines popping out. lovely, ehh?

Best Moment this Week: seeing our sweet baby girl:)

foot.. i was pretty excited about this one.. it looks like she didn't get my short pinky toe;) I'd love her even if she did though:)
spine
rubbing her eye:)

18 weeks

How Far Along: 18 weeks (I'm actually 19 now..but this pic was from 18 weeks:))

Size of Baby: sweet potato--Average size: 5.6 inches, 6.7 oz.
Total Weight Gain: 7 pounds
Maternity Clothes: yep:)
Gender: baby girl! Alexandria Rae Sulak
Movement: I've had flutters...no kicks yet though
Sleep: I Love it!!
What I Miss: Strawberry Daiquiris
Cravings: still just cheese....
Symptoms: My hernia has been driving me crazy..other than that, I feel pretty good:)

Best Moment this Week: deciding on a nursery theme... so fun!

16 weeks..it's a girl!!!

How Far Along: 16 weeks (I'm actually 17 now..but this pic was from 16 weeks:))

Size of Baby: a avocado
Total Weight Gain: 2 1/2 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I've been wearing some tighter fitting maternity shirts...they make me feel like I look pregnant..and not just pudgey:)
Gender: baby girl! Alexandria Rae Sulak
Movement: too early..can't wait for this!
Sleep: My OB said it was okay to still be sleeping on my back/stomach...so, sleep has been a little better.
What I Miss: Strawberry Daiquiris!!
Cravings: still just cheese....
Symptoms: My hernia has been driving me crazy..other than that, I feel pretty good:)

Best Moment this Week: finding out that we're having a girl! SOOOO excited!...and seeing our sweet baby on the u/s:)

Cinnamon sugar pull apart bread

I haven't been baking nearrrrly enough!! ..but have tried a few new recipes...

This one is from J0y the Baker, and was pretty delicious.. didn't last for long!It was a bit time intensive...but I think it was worth it.

Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread

Makes: one 9x5x3-inch loaf

Recipe adapted from HungryGirlPorVida

Print this Recipe!

For the Dough:

2 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 envelope) active dry yeast

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 ounces unsalted butter

1/3 cup whole milk

1/4 cup water

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Filling:

1 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg

2 ounces unsalted butter, melted until browned

In a large mixing bowl (I used just the bowl of my stand mixer) whisk together 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Set aside.

Whisk together eggs and set aside.

In a small saucepan, melt together milk and butter until butter has just melted. Remove from the heat and add water and vanilla extract. Let mixture stand for a minute or two, or until the mixture registers 115 to 125 degrees F.

Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula. Add the eggs and stir the mixture until the eggs are incorporated into the batter. The eggs will feel soupy and it’ll seem like the dough and the eggs are never going to come together. Keep stirring. Add the remaining 3/4 cup of flour and stir with the spatula for about 2 minutes. The mixture will be sticky. That’s just right.

Place the dough is a large, greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel. Place in a warm space and allow to rest until doubled in size, about 1 hour. *The dough can be risen until doubled in size, then refrigerated overnight for use in the morning. If you’re using this method, just let the dough rest on the counter for 30 minutes before following the roll-out directions below.

While the dough rises, whisk together the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg for the filling. Set aside. Melt 2 ounces of butter until browned. Set aside. Grease and flour a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Set that aside too.

Deflate the risen dough and knead about 2 tablespoons of flour into the dough. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 5 minutes. On a lightly floured work surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough out. The dough should be 12-inches tall and about 20-inches long. If you can’t get the dough to 20-inches long… that’s okay. Just roll it as large as the dough will go. Use a pastry brush to spread melted butter across all of the dough. Sprinkle with all of the sugar and cinnamon mixture. It might seem like a lot of sugar. Seriously? Just go for it.

Slice the dough vertically, into six equal-sized strips. Stack the strips on top of one another and slice the stack into six equal slices once again. You’ll have six stacks of six squares. Layer the dough squares in the loaf pan like a flip-book. Place a kitchen towel over the loaf pan and allow in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes or until almost doubled in size.

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Place loaf in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is very golden brown. The top may be lightly browned, but the center may still be raw. A nice, dark, golden brown will ensure that the center is cooked as well.

Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the bread and invert onto a clean board. Place a cake stand or cake plate on top of the upside down loaf, and carefully invert so it’s right side up. Serve warm with coffee or tea.

baby presents

I recently made a few things for a dear friend, who is having a sweet baby boy!

The first is a taggie..and I used this tutorial to guide me. I'm not going to lie, it took FOREVER. Sewing all of that inside out was quite a challenge. I think it turned out pretty well for a first run...I also added some plastic to the inside to give it a crinkle sound.
She also wanted a few tie onesies...so I made her a few:)Love ya Linds... can't wait to meet your sweet Parker!!!

14 weeks

I know...my hair looks awesome. I'll teach you how;) HAH

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 14 weeks

Size of Baby: a lemon

Total Weight Gain: 1 pound

Maternity Clothes: I've been wearing some tighter fitting maternity shirts...they make me feel like I look pregnant..and not just pudgey:)

Gender: Have to wait until 16 weeks..less than 2

Movement: too early..can't wait for this!

Sleep: My OB said it was okay to still be sleeping on my back/stomach...so, sleep has been a little better.
What I Miss: nothing:) I feel so blessed
Cravings: still just cheese....
Symptoms: only threw up twice this week! YES! Feeling pretty good!

Best Moment this Week: My glider came in...sooo comfortable!! And...ordering our stroller..SO excited for it to arrive!

On another note...sorry for the lack of baking posts.. I'll try to be better!!

12 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 12 weeks

Size of Baby: a plum

Total Weight Gain: I lost 2, and gained them back...so 0?

Maternity Clothes: Not yet.

Gender: our dr didn't even take a guess! :( Have to wait until 16 weeks..tear!

Movement: too early..can't wait for this!

Sleep: Sleeping has been rough. I'm a belly sleeper, so the transition to my side has been hard. I toss and turn A LOT.

What I Miss: nothing:) I feel so blessed

Cravings: CHEESE...seriously, anything with cheese...cheese pizza, baked potatoes with tons of cheese, grilled cheese, mac & cheese

Symptoms: the barfing has really died down. thank goodness! I'm a little tired still, and am having ligament pain/stretching pains.

Best Moment this Week: seeing our baby and hearing the heartbeat on Monday. Such a relief!!

scans

Since we were with the infertility specialist, we got some really early scans.

4 weeks 6 days... We were only able to see the sac.
5 weeks 5 days We saw a tiiiiiiny little speck in there. My infertility specialist was able to detect the heartbeat. SO exciting!! I may have cried a little (happy tears)..
9 weeks 2 days Heartbeat: 183...such an amazing feeling!

baby!

We're having a baby!! YAY! For those of you who know me, know how much Ray and I want this. It's been an incredibly long, and emotional 2 years (can you believe it's been that long?!) We're so ready for this new journey, and all the changes that come with it.

Taking a look back:
After the triplet miscarriage, I had developed a uterine AVM as a result of my second D&C (had 2 due to retained tissue). It was a mystery to the doctors..All they knew for months, was that I had a bulky uterus, with a mass that had blood flow. They thought it was retained tissue, molar tissue, cancer, really they didn't have a clue. I was sent to a gynecological oncologist, who did several CT and MRI scans...which eventually led to the discovery of the vascular nature of the mass. The radiologist guessed it could be an AVM...but they are SO uncommon (most radiologists see 2 in their entire career...), they weren't sure. I started passing blood clots the size of half dollars..up to the size of my palm. Yes, I freaked out. They did a next day surgery to embolize the mass...and I'm fixed now! yay!!
We were supposed to wait 6 months before 'trying' again. We started doing the infertility tests at 3 months, as these take 2 months to complete. We wanted them to be finished before 'go time.' Lucky us, I did well on all the tests, and we got the 'go-ahead' at 4 months!!

We were VERY closely monitored by my infertility specialist, as we didn't want to have triplets again (way too risky with my uterine AVM...pretty risky without that!). He was monitoring my follicles, to make sure I only had one. We would have skipped a month of trying, if there had been more than one. Luckily, there was only one.. and we conceived the first month of trying! HOW CRAZY IS THAT?! (took us 10 months last time)

So, there is my background in a nut shell....sorry it was so long.

I snuck to the bathroom in the morning, took the test (silently flipped out)....grabbed my card I had made, just in case things worked out...and slid the card across the table to Ray. He looked very confused. (He later told me that he thought he had forgotten about an occasion..haha) He opened the card..and it said, "You're going to be a daddy!" :)Ray and I the day we found out- 5/19/11..SO happy!

Me @ 4 weeks...I better get back to this size! haha

Satled Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes (mmmmm!)

These were a little on the time-intensive side, as far as cupcakes go. But TOTALLY worth it! I always have trouble w/ the icing tip clogging, whenever I add something solid (melted chocolate, melted caramel, etc). My tip always gets clogged....probably b/c I'm ADHD and impatient always in a hurry to eat one!Caramel Cupcakes: Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (8-oz.) container sour cream
• 8 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons whipping cream

• 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
• 2. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients. Gradually add to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beating until blended. Spoon batter by rounded tablespoonfuls into lightly greased miniature muffin pans.
• 3. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes. These take a little longer to bake b/c they are so dense....mmmmm!
  
• 4. After cupcakes are cooled, microwave semisweet chocolate and 1/4 cup whipping cream in a microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 minute, stirring at 30-second intervals. Whisk in 2 Tbsp. whipping cream until smooth. Dip tops of cupcakes in chocolate mixture, and let stand until chocolate is set (about 30 minutes--I put mine in the freezer for a few minutes to speed the process). Pipe or spread Salted Caramel Buttercream onto cupcakes.
  

  

Caramel Frosting: Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 (3-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 15 caramels
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 
  

1. Beat first 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. 2. Gradually add powdered sugar alternately with 3 Tbsp. milk, beating at low speed until blended and smooth after each addition. 3. Melt caramels with 1 Tbsp. milk in a small microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 minute or until smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals. Fold caramel mixture into buttercream, creating swirls. (Do not completely blend.)

Principal's Day/Teacher Appreciation

Quick and easy way to say thank you...
My class did it for Principal's Day, but it would easily work for Teacher Appreciation Week.
I had each kiddo bring a candy bar, and then I put it together--turned out SUPER cute! It cost me about $8 to make...not too shabby:)
Materials You Will Need:
-container
-skewers
-floral foam
-ribbon
-cellophane wrap