Still Preggers....

  Hi there everyone, well my "due" date (September 23rd) has come and gone!  It is now Wednesday, 3 days post due date and still preggers. My first pregnancy was so easy and on time, so to have to play the waiting game and be over due is so hard to adjust to.  I totally thought I would be holding my little girl in my arms already, but she obviously has another agenda.  So, I've been doing ALL I can to try and get this labor started, but so far nothing.  Last Friday, I was having pretty consistent contractions during the day only for them to fad away that afternoon.  Mom AKA, MeeMaw, has been in town from Texas to help out with her new grand baby, but so far she's been helping me around the house.  It's been great having her here!  All those simple things, like doing the dishes or switching loads of laundry has gotten a little difficult with this growing baby belly getting in the way.  My dad, brother, and sister will be coming to visit on Friday and visiting for the weekend.  But with these days flying by, I hope little Kinley will make her appearance before they arrive and before they all leave on October 1st!  I have a check up tomorrow so we shall see what the doctor says, that's if I don't go into labor today/tonight, which I'm crossing my fingers for.  I'll be keeping everyone updated as much as I can.
                                                                        Wish me luck!

Exactly how I feel....Hahahahaha

(Oh, and that's not me in the picture)

Aguirre Campsite

  The other day, the hubby, little man, and I checked out the Aguirre Campsite.  I'm not much of a camper, but it was beautiful.  The hubby can't wait to bring Liam out there again and rough it.  Here's some of the pictures I took of the New Mexico scenery.

     Liam is just like his daddy and LOVES anything nature.  As for me, I love nature too, but being almost to my due date plus the hot weather plus all the hiking....let's just say I was more then happy to go when they were.

Sparky's Bath

     If you have ever personally seen our cat you would know he is HUGE! Almost 20lbs, all black with green yellowish eyes, long teeth that stick out from his lips, dainty paws, but a BIG belly.  We call him our panther.  Well, with the recent move to Las Cruces, I think the dry air and all the dust (since it IS a desert out here) was bothering him.  So, Liam and I gave him his FIRST bath!  (I bathed him and Liam took pictures) He's an older cat and we have always used those pet bath wipes on him which seem to do the job, plus I was always a little afraid on how he would do in a real bath.  He still has all his claws and wasn't looking forward to being bitten with those huge teeth  if he didn't like the water.  But, I was brave and to my surprise...he did amazing!  He was calm and didn't even meow! So, we shall say there will be many more baths in his future.  I think he was so much happier afterward, his coat was so silky soft and shiny and he wasn't coughing up hairballs anymore.  YAY!!

     After his bath, Liam helped me dry and brush him.  We were so impressed on how Spary did, we gave him some kitty treats as a reward. Way to go Sparky!

White Sands National Monument

     The hubby, Liam and I drove out to the White Sands National Monument.  It was really neat to see all that white sand in the middle of no where.  We only stayed out there for about 30 minutes or so due to the heat, but I was able to take some really great pictures.

We even got to pet a camel that was walking the dunes.

Maybe next time we can take one of the many tours they offer.

4 more days....

     I can't believe the time is finally here!  I'm 39 weeks and 3 days as of today and only have 4 more days till my due date this Sunday, September 23rd!!! WOW! Seems like it has taken forever to get here yet it's gone by so fast.  I'm not gonna lie, this round has been a little rough compared to my first pregnancy.  But like they say, all pregnancies are different and I can definitely agree with that.  I am so thankful that Kinley's been growing on track and healthy as far as the ultrasound can tell, even if I have to suffer through the morning sickness, heartburn, acid reflux, anemia, Braxton Hicks, and now PUPP.  I know my baby girl is so worth it.  So can't wait to hold her for the first time!

I'll be keeping everyone posted and up to date on the latest baby news...

My Birthday Weekend

     The first weekend of September just so happened to be my birthday weekend and guess who drove out to surprise me??  My parents!  They arrived on Friday and left on Monday.  It was so nice having them around, it's been awhile since we've seen them.  Plus, they got to see the new house for the first time too.  It was a pretty relaxed weekend.
     They got in Friday evening, the hubby had to work that night, so we headed to my dad's favorite restaurant, Golden Corral, for dinner.  Then came back to the house to hang out before we all headed to bed.
     Saturday, September 1st, was my actual birthday!  A young 32 and counting!  I opened my presents, a iHome dock for my phone, gift cards, Dutch oven, and dress...then had some breakfast.  Mom, Liam, and I went shopping to Target and Albertsons in the morning while the hubby slept (he had a late night shift) and dad was content "watching" football.

     We found some of things off my baby list, diapers, wipes, hospital robe, nursing cami's, diaper cream, newborn onesies, and much more!  I had a great time shopping with my mom again.  Liam even got some new Ninjago Lego guys, which he was thrilled about.  After our shopping spree at Target we headed over to Albertson's for a few groceries for Sunday night's special dinner, then drove back home.  Liam got a nap and the rest of us watched some more football.  Later that night we headed to The Cattle Barron for dinner to celebrate my birthday.  It was the first time the hubby and I have been and it was delish! I got a salad, filet mignon, loaded baked potato, and fried ice cream for my special birthday dessert.  It was so good, we were all stuffed when we left.

     Sunday, Setpember 2nd, mom and I got up early to start the prep work for making dinner and dessert for that night.  We planned on going to the Hatch Chile Festival during the day, so coming home to an already prepared meal sounded great to us.  One of the gifts I got from the hubby was a real Dutch Oven! I have wanted one for awhile and was so excited to try it out on Julia Child's famous Boeuf Bourguignon from her Mastering the Art of French Cooking cookbook.  While I worked on the stew mom was busy making my Triple-Layer Lemon Cake.  Once the cake was baked, frosting and curd made, and stew in the oven to bake for 2-3 hours, we all got dressed and headed to Hatch, New Mexico to check out the festival.

     There were chile peppers EVERYWHERE and it was HOT!! We parked and walked around till we could bare it no longer.  We stopped at food truck and ordered some lunch.  Afterward, mom picked out some chiles and we called it a day.  We drove back home and was greeted but the lovely smell of the stew in the oven.  We put Liam down for a nap while mom and I finished up the cake and the stew. That night enjoyed one of the best dishes I have made in a long time...then we had cake! Liam even helped me blow out all the candles.  It was another great day!

Papaw & Liam

     September 2nd is also the day the hubby and I seven years ago went down to the Colorado Springs Justice of the Peace and got married in front of a judge and my parents.  We did the whole JP thing first, then planned our BIG wedding at the church for the following year, May 2006.

     Monday, was a sad day.  Mom and dad left to go back home to Texas.  It was definitely a nice visit, and I know they will be back so for the birth of Kinley.  Mom plans on flying out on Sept. 20th, which is right around the corner and dad and my sister will be driving into town (only 8 hours, the way he drives) after she's born.  So much to look forward to, we are all excited!  I had an awesome birthday
weekend!!

     On a side note, I also received these beautiful flowers for my birthday from my awesome Bestie Kristi!!

Chewy Peanut-Marshmallow Bars

     These yummy bars are so easy to make and are great treat.  I got the recipe from  The Pampered Chef Simply Sweet Cookbook, one of my favorites to bake from.  I brought some over to a Spouse's Club get together and they were a hit!  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Crust:

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) Butter

1/4 cup Creamy Peanut Butter

1 package (18.25oz) Yellow Cake Mix

Filling & Topping:

3/4 cup Creamy Peanut Butter

2/3 cup Light Corn Syrup

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) Butter

3 cups Miniature Marshmallows

2 cups Crisp Rice Cereal

2 cups Dry-Roasted Peanuts

Preparations:

Crust:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place butter and peanut butter in a microwavable bowl, microwave uncovered on HIGH 1 minute or until butter is melted.  Stir until well blended.  Place cake mix into bowl and whisk to break up the lumps.  Add peanut butter mixture, stir until a thick dough forms.

Break apart dough and distribute over bottom of an ungreased large sheet pan.  Pat dough into the pan, spread evenly.  Bake 15-17 minutes or until crust is set and golden brown.  Remove pan from oven, let crust stand for 2 minutes to cool slightly.

Filling:
Meanwhile, combine peanut butter, corn syrup, and butter in a saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture is smooth.  Spoon 1/2 cup of peanut butter mixture over hot crust, spread evenly and immediately sprinkle with marshmallows.  Return to oven, bake an additional 1-2 minutes or just until marshmallows begin to puff. Remove pan from oven to cool.

Topping:
Add cereal and peanuts to remaining peanut butter mixture.  Spoon over marshmallows and spread gently in an even layer.  Cool completely or until topping is set.  Cut into bars.

Option:
Drizzle some melted chocolate on top for an extra special treat!

1st Day of Pre-School

     I can't believe it!  Liam is officially going to school!  It's only three half days a week for now, we didn't want to totally overwhelm him.  First, with the baby coming, then with the move, and now school.  We are thinking next semester we will increase the amount of days and let him go the full day, because this time next year he will be in Kindergarden.

     His first day school started on August 8th.  He was pretty excited, I on the other hand was a little nervous.  I got up early so as to make sure he got up early.  Got him dressed, made us a great breakfast of oatmeal, fruit, and OJ to start the day off right.

After breakfast, brushed his teeth and we were off to his school.

He just had to show me his new Sonic backpack.

     When we got there, he was a little shy.  But eventually came around and started to play when I left.  I was so proud of myself, I didn't even cry, which I thought I would.  Since, it was his first day, we wanted to make it special.  So, when I picked him up I surprised him with a superhero balloon and then we took him to Chuck E. Cheese for some pizza and fun!  We called it his "1st Day of School Party."  Even surprised him with a little card and cupcake.  

He had an awesome first day....and we survived too.