Checking Out the Chicks (Again)!

Last year about this time, we took Jack to see the baby chicks at Big R.  They were such a hit last year, we decided to take him again this year.  Here are some shots of Jack "checking out the chicks"!

Belly Button Embarrassment

In a lot of ways this pregnancy has been quite similar to my first, but there is one thing about it that has been very different.

My belly button.

When I was pregnant with Jack, my belly got big (of course) and round.  But, no matter how big the belly got, it always stayed nice and smooth, rather like a large beach ball.

With this pregnancy, that large beach ball is more like a balloon, complete with the knot at one end.  And it just so happens that knot is dead center of my stomach, guiding my way into every room.

My belly button.

The minute my belly began to grow, that button protruded forward almost explosively.

As students were beginning to catch wind of my pregnancy, one sweet little 5th grader touched on this growing nerve when, as we walked down the hallway to my office, he commented conversationally, "I can always tell when somebody is pregnant because their belly button pokes out."

At the time, I drew my sweater tightly around me and laughed awkwardly.  "Is that so?" I asked.

My belly button embarrassment grew.

No matter what I wear, the button is there.  No matter how tight the tank top or how seamless the belly band, the button will not be contained.

Then, as usual this evening Jackson asked to see the baby and pulled my shirt up.  Just like always he leaned right in to the belly button to speak, almost as though speaking into a microphone.

"Hi, beebee," he smiled, and poked at the protrusion.

But, unlike other nights, tonight Jack watched as I changed into a different shirt after work.  He pointed to my belly button.

"Pop!" he said.

Jackson's Quote of the Day

"Mama's chin, Mama's chin," said Jack, jabbing at my face.

"Mama's eyes," he added, poking roughly at my left eye. "Mama's eyes!"

"Mama's nose, nose," he said, pushing hard on the feature that protrudes farthest from my face.  Then his finger moved a bit lower to just under my nose before he commented gleefully....

"Hole in 'dere!"

Our Precious Baby Girl!

Pear Crumb Coffee Cake

We recently had a very large number of pears (and apples) made available to us at work.  I helped myself to some pears, searched for a recipe online and whipped up this delicious coffee cake with some of them.  It was quick, easy, and very tasty.  (from Cooks.com)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

     Cake:

1-1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup 1% milk
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
2 ripe pears, cored, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Streusel:

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
 

For Cake:  Combine first 5 ingredients in medium bowl.     In a separate bowl, mix milk, butter, and egg.
Pour into flour mix. Stir in pears, transfer to pan.

     Streusel:  In bowl, mix sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
     Stir in butter to form crumbs. Sprinkle mix over batter.

     Bake for 30-35 min or until golden and dry on top.
     Cool completely in pan.

Enjoy!

March Brunch Bunch

Brunch Bunch was quite amazing this month! We held it at Tammy's house a week early and everybody was able to make it! Tammy's house was overrun with children as there were 12 in attendance this month (and that is without Becca's oldest two). It's remarkable to reflect on how this group started with just three ladies (and not a single kid!) the year I moved to Colorado (ten years ago)! I feel blessed to have such a great group of friends and lucky that we have such active and healthy children to love. Here are a few moments from this month's get-together.

Jessica holding Hazel (I think!)

Becca & Olive (probably)

Lisa & Gracie

Tammy and Krista

Eliana (Ella), chillin' on the floor

Jack, peeking over the table

the kids' breakfast table (not all kids in attendance are pictured here)

Becca, holding either Hazel or Olive

Lisa

the other Elliana (Elli)

Elli and Mia loved playing dress up together!  Every time I turned around they had another dress on!

Jack, Lisa & Gracie peeking over the rail

Zach

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I'm  not even sure which twin I was holding!

Ella and Zach were born the same month!

Emily's Baby Shower

Nathan's cousin, Emily, and her husband Rob are expecting their first child in April. Emily's two big sisters and her mother threw her a gorgeous shower to celebrate. The shower was so beautiful with so many lovely touches that it could have been featured in a magazine. Obviously, Emily's baby is highly anticipated and completely adored! We can't wait to meet the little guy!