Bon Appetit!

As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, BzzAgent gave me the opportunity to try out this new brand of frozen pizza, Bon Appetit.  What could sound better to a pregnant woman than free pizza, right?  Well...
Last Friday, went to do my normal grocery shopping at the Giant Foods in my hometown.  I got to the freezer section and found this brand of pizza.  I'd done some research so I was going in with this expectation of walking out with a trio bacon pizza.  This brand makes five varieties.  Who would want to guess what flavor my local store didn't carry?  Yep, my trio bacon.  Start of heartbreak here.
My daughters chose a pepperoni and pesto pizza, and like normal I picked out a second pizza...hubby and I are huge pizza fans so we normally get our grub on.  I grabbed a mozzarella and pesto for us, since I know he's not a big veggies-on-my-pizza fan.
Get home, have those pizzas sitting in the fridge all weekend (thanks to morning sickness, food slipped to the bottom of my must-need list for a couple days).  Last night I finally pulled those suckers out of the freezer.  Hubby was home from work early, it's the start of a week of mandatory overtime for him, and I go back to work next week so figured we'd have one last evening of cuddling, eating pizza and Netflix before all hell breaks loose!
Heat the oven to 425 and pop them in, 12 minutes later they're done.  Not bad, Digiorno normally averages about 20 minutes so I'm happy with a shorter cook time!  Although the size comparison...a Digiorno pizza normally takes up almost all of my pizza pan; these...well, not so much.
So I cut the pizzas and delivered to my family.  My 4-year-old LOVED the pepperoni and pesto pizza.  So much so that she ate 4 pieces!!  My 6-year-old was not a fan of the pepperoni and pesto, she said it was too spicy and drank an entire glass of water with her one piece of pizza.
My hubby and I tried both the pepperoni and mozzarella pieces.  Hubby was not impressed with either.  I enjoyed the mozzarella to a point, the cherry tomatoes on it were a bit bitter, but everything else was enjoyable.  The pepperoni, on the other hand, I tend to agree with my daughter, quite bitey.  (This coming from a girl who could eat hot wings all day)  I took one bite of the pizza where the pesto was on top of the pepperoni and it instantly burnt my tongue...so much so that I felt dehydrated and couldn't taste anything the rest of the night!
Might be better for a more organic person looking for a frozen pizza, but for someone who regularly buys stuffed crust 3-Meat pizzas, not the road to go down!
I do appreciate the opportunity to try it however, and if any of my friends wish to try, I still have two $1 off coupons I can send!

Cooking with Jack

I'm not allowed to drink, so rather than expect my fiancee to take care of all the alcohol in our house (although in reality he really wouldn't mind), I've decided to find as many recipes with alcohol as possible.  Finished off the rest of our bottle of Jack Daniels tonight with this amazing marinade for steak.

Marinated Jack Daniel's Barbecue Flank Steak

1 1/2 lbs flank steak
1/2 cup Jack Daniel's Original No. 7 Barbecue Grilling Sauce
1/4 cup Jack Daniel's whiskey
1 scallion, chopped
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 ice cubes

In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of Jack Daniel's Grilling Sauce with the whiskey and set aside.
In a small saucepot, saute the scallion in vegetable oil until lightly browned and reduce heat.
Add Grilling sauce mixture and cook for 3 minutes, stirring often.
Remove from stove, stir in remaining Grilling Sauce and ice cubes to chill the sauce.
Once sauce is completely cooled, pour over flank steak to marinate.
Place into resealable plastic bag and allow to marinate for 4-24 hours in refrigerator, turning occasionally to distribute marinade evenly.
Grill steak over medium heat to desired doneness, turning halfway through.
For added flavor, brush additional marinade on steak while grilling.

That with some loaded potato salad and creamed corn, with cherry turn-overs for dessert.  Mmmmm-mmmm, good!
Jeff surprised the girls and I yesterday on his way home from work.  He stopped for gas, and picked us all up chocolate bars for after dinner.  Something as small as that makes me all heart-happy and teary-eyed.  I've always longed for a relationship where the little romantic things are done regularly, and this man....he's exactly it.  He's what I've always wanted, what I always needed.
He didn't respond the best when we first found out I was pregnant.  He was nervous, obviously, and since he just finally started college, he was concerned how that would pan out.  But as time's going by, he's getting so much better.  He has literally crawled out of bed at 1AM to go get me food from Sheetz.  He has gone out of his way to get something specific for me on his way home from work.  And he's been so loving with me, which is exactly what I crave right now...I'm truly blessed to have him.
And his demeanor with the girls...it hasn't changed.  He's still amazing with them.  Overly so.  He plans on adopting them both when we're married.  That way, by the time the baby comes, we'll all have the same last name.
The girls...they're amazing.  I expected some negativity from Viv as she's always said she doesn't want another baby sibling, but she's adjusted well and is always coming over and hugging my belly, kissing it.  Schylar...well she's just this big cuddly lovebug, always has been.  

Better Than Free Diapers!!

So I stumbled upon the most amazing thing ever while perusing Facebook today.  A link for free Huggies diapers!
If you've never signed up for a TopCashBack account, or have an account through them but have never made a purchase before, this offer is for you!
Head over to their Huggies deal and read all the juicy details.
Click the red button that says Get Cashback.
You'll now be redirected to the Walmart site.  It will direct you to the Huggies Snug & Dry Ultra Diapers listed for $7.97.  Add whatever size you need to your cart (note:  this must be the only thing in your cart, sadly you can only get one!).
You can choose to pay to have it shipped to you, or do as I did and click Free Store Pick-Up (since diapers are normally in stock, you can pick it up the same day).
Pay the $7.97 (here's where having that Walmart savings catcher app comes in handy...I had $5.82 cash back from the app that I was able to apply, so my out of pocket cost is $2.15!)
Within 7 days, you'll receive the $9 cash back from TopCashBack.  This will be sent to your account (either Amazon gift card, bank account, or paypal account) after 14 days.
If you choose to be paid out with an Amazon gift card, they add 2.5% bonus on top, so you'd end up getting paid $9.22 instead of $9!

This offer is only available until 23:59 PT on Monday July 13, 2015 or until stock runs out so hurry!!
It also only applies while diapers are priced at $7.97; if the price changes, the deal is over.
TopCashBack does not limit their offers to one account per household, so every member of your house could sign up technically and reap the benefits!  Just make sure they use your Refer-a-Friend link, you get $10 for everyone who signs up and makes a purchase using your link!

Jack Daniels Cupcakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup strong coffee
1/2 cup Jack Daniels whiskey
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a large bowl, stir the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt together.

In a separate large bowl, combine the eggs, coffee, whiskey, buttermilk and oil.

Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and whisk until smooth.

Spoon the mixture into prepared cupcake wrappers.

Bake for about 18-20 minutes until the tops spring back when lightly pressed.

Cool completely before frosting.

Notes:  I didn't realize beforehand that I didn't have 2 cups worth of brown sugar, so I substituted white sugar...they still turned out good, but next time I'll test with brown sugar to see if there's a difference.

I used cream cheese frosting...the strong flavor of the frosting takes away a bit from the cupcake, I recommend trying vanilla, or I did find a JD Icing recipe you can test out!

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

3 cups powdered sugar

Jack Daniels

3 tbsp strong coffee

Beat together butter, powdered sugar and strong coffee.

Then add Jack Daniels until it gets to the consistency of icing.

Made these as a test-run for the ones I plan on making for our wedding.  Ignore the icing in the photos, my children like cream cheese frosting and decided since they weren't allowed to eat the cupcakes, they'd at least test out the icing.  *sigh*

I Need Something

I really need to find something to do with all my spare time right now, that doesn't include spending money...or cleaning.
I should actually clean.  My kitchen floor is filthy.  But every time I get the urge to do it, I don't have the energy.  I don't have the energy to do much at all right now, actually.
Except for lay around a swimming pool.  That would be fantastic.  Anyone got a pool I can use?  Anyone?  *crickets*  Damn...I could take the girls to Hershey and just laze around their pool.  But that requires driving up there...and that involves gas.  Gas = money...and usually food, too because once I get to an amusement park with all the fried food odors cleansing my nose...I will need to eat.
This kid...has no set stone on cravings.  The other night Jeff and I were laying in bed, almost 1 AM, he had to work the next day...and I say, "I could really go for some baked macaroni and cheese...and buffalo chicken."  He agreed that buffalo chicken sounded good, and left to go to Sheetz (the only place that sells both pre-made at that hour).  And then we spent the next two hours chowing down and finishing season 4 of Game of Thrones.
Although in his defense, I let him call off work the next day.  3 hours of sleep wouldn't have worked well.
4th of July was a little rough this year...it rained most of the day, which matched my mood.  Would have been my mom's birthday...the first one without her here.  Baked Jack Daniels Cupcakes and went over to my dad's to share, but he wasn't home.  Never did tell me where he went.  So we went to my grandma and brother's house and shared cupcakes with them.  My brother made yummy chocolate peanut butter brownies so we got our sugar on, and just relaxed and talked for awhile.  Him and I have gotten a lot closer lately, and I'm glad.  He was my best friend growing up, then I became a bratty teenager and we grew apart.
The cupcakes were a test run for what I'm planning on making for the wedding.  They turned out good, but you can definitely tell they have JD in them, so I'll be buying a small cake for the kids and me.  I used cream cheese icing this time around, but I think I'll test with vanilla next time.  The cupcakes have a strong taste, which is amazing, but it doesn't blend as well with an icing that also has a strong flavor.
Jeff gets his loan check within the next couple weeks, and once we get that wedding payments/planning will be in full swing.  I have everything mostly planned, just haven't had the finances to pay for it.  We're going to the hotel on my birthday for dinner with my maid of honor, so her and I can get a layout plan, find out about seating for the reception, and pay for the catering for the reception.
I plan on getting this cake for those of us that can't eat the alcohol filled concoctions I'll be baking:

Only I'll probably do red/black for the outer frosting to go with the reception theme colors, and then just do the inside frosting either pink or blue.
I'm 7 weeks now, I'll be 20 weeks the first week of October so by then I'll find out what I'm having.  May be the hardest secret for me to keep until the end of October when we get married, but I really wanna announce it to everyone at the reception.  That way no one can say, "Well he or she knew before I did, what the hell?!"  Not that I've experienced that at any point in my last three pregnancies (note the sarcasm?).  

One thing I HATE this pregnancy...is preggo brain!  Seriously, I have never felt so forgetful in my life!!  I asked Jeff to stop at the store (well, my phone auto-corrected to sell our door...) for two things, milk.  He was like, and what else?  Ummmm, my brain forgets, I think just milk.  Luckily, I remembered the second thing, soda...just as he was leaving the store.  Ugh, so frustrating.
We were running around yesterday, trying to find a barber shop that was open (since when are barber shops NOT open on a Monday?!).  We stopped at the mall and of course I meandered into Children's Place.  Found this adorable little sleeper for $4.80 and had to get it.

Boy or girl, this baby will wear race car jammies!  Was a little nervous because they're newborn size (up to 7 lbs) and let's face it, my kids came out weighing more than that.  But maybe it'll get a week's use when it's first born.  Guess that means I'll have to do laundry more than once a week now, damn.
I'd say I have high hopes for a smaller baby, but check this:

This would be my adorable little 6-week bump.  Yeah, I'm competing with a friend who is due in a month, and only growing bigger by the day, so I don't think this baby is going to be small.  He/she likes to eat.

And what can make a pregnant girl happier than free food?  Seriously.  If you haven't signed up for BzzAgent yet, I highly recommend it!  This site has campaigns where top brand names send you free stuff and you get to test it out (and keep it) and review!  The more active you are in the campaign, the better your chances of getting referred to others.  The first one I got to complete last year right before Christmas was for Hasbro!  I got three popular games for the kids to play, including Monopoly Jr.
Well, they emailed me a couple weeks ago saying I'd been chosen for a campaign by Bon Appétit™. 

I get one free pizza, plus coupons for $1 off to give out to friends and family (and unsuspecting people at the grocery store) who may be interested in trying them.  They have a bacon trio pizza, and I think it has my name on it.  I seriously can't wait to go grocery shopping this weekend to pick up my free pizza and try it!  The reviews I've read so far are all positive.

I'll write an official blog review when I pick mine up and try it.
And I'll include a special post of my Jack Daniels cupcake recipe for those interested in trying it!

I Have an Announcement!

So, it's now official.  He called his parents and one of his sisters on Father's Day and let them know he's going to be a dad.  They're all very excited for him, and hoping for a boy as well.  His other sister I messaged on facebook (I actually get along with her better than he does) and she hopes for a girl, so that we don't have a mini-Jeff lol.
I really want a boy.  To the point of already referring to the creature in my stomach as 'he.'  I'd be happy with a girl, but I really don't want to have to referee between 3 girls!  Plus, I really like the name that we've come up with for a boy.
Still haven't gotten the release to go back to work.  It's been almost two weeks I've been out on leave.  Wednesday last week the doctor faxed in my return paperwork, and I'm still waiting to hear from HR about when I can return since I'll be on restrictions.  I better get paid for this time!!
Anyway, without further ado...the official announcement pictures.

At least I've been able to sleep.  I've been sleeping a lot lately.  Eating it up while I can I guess.

Strained Shoulder and Such

I managed to strain my shoulder at work.  Possibly the most painful thing I've gone through, and the healing process is just as bad.  I can't move my arm.  Which means I haven't showered properly in at least a week.
The doctor put me on Vicodin and prescription Ibuprofen for the pain.  Taking it, I feel high as a kite.  Dizzy, sleepy.  Literally slept 12 hours straight...during the day time.  Needless to say I had to put in for leave from work, not because of the injury itself but because of the meds...can't drive myself to work if I feel like sleeping all the time.
Wonderfully, I discovered that if I don't take my meds, the pain is bearable, and I don't feel like sleeping all the time.  So when I go to the doctor this week, I'm going to see if they can sign the slip for me to go back on restriction.  I'd rather be there doing something than not doing anything at all.  Besides, I have a wedding to pay for.

This year has brought lots of ups and downs for my family.  I look back and giggle at the ultimatum I gave Jeff, a wedding or a baby.  He sighed, poured a shot for each of us and proposed.  Now, looks like I'm getting both.

Oh wait, what?

Major, we have a fuck up.  See, I'm usually very good with tracking my period and knowing when it's safe to have sex.  On Day 6 of my cycle, when I'm still lightly bleeding from my period, it's generally a safe time to have sex and he can cum freely (haha, that sounded so dirty)...well, who the hell told my body to release an egg early?  I've been feeling it all month...on May 27, not even a week after we had sex, I started having cramps.  Bad cramps, to the point I left work early.  I knew they weren't menstrual either, so my first thought was great, implantation cramping?  Since then I've lost my appetite and have felt nauseous a couple times.  Plus been having random cravings (this really expensive appetizer at this expensive restaurant we like to go to....and vanilla ice cream covered in rainbow sprinkles...yes, I've had both fulfilled :D).

When my period was two days late I knew it was time to test.  I'd been writing these symptoms off as side effects of the pain killers, but I know my period and it is never more than a day late.  I told Jeff at the grocery store that morning, and took it when we got home.
He's not exactly happy about it.  He just started college and is still working full-time, so he's concerned how we'll balance things.  I told him I managed a job, school and a baby at 16 without spousal support.  He's not alone in this, I will make sure he has time to study.  His education is our future, and as long as he's willing to put in the long hours, I am too.
In other news, summer is in full swing!  Viv finished her last week of kindergarten the first week of this month, shedding a few tears in the process [both her and me].  She did amazing this year and has blossomed so much.  She is excited for first grade and all the new adventures it will bring!  Her report card showed all proficient's and outstanding's.  She made many new friends this year, several friendships I hope to be able to encourage to flourish over the summer through play dates and picnics.
She also had her softball picnic to celebrate the end of the season.  The coach congratulated her for having the most progress in hitting.  At the beginning, she was terrified to hit off the tee.  In their last game, she hit four times by coach pitch, slamming it the first toss!
We've made a Summer Fun [Bucket] List full of reading, hikes, places to go, food to eat, water fun, arts and crafts and a few pay it forward's!

We'll hopefully be getting Schylar into pre-school this fall.  I'm a bit concerned with her starting school.  She has no urge to learn, and what she does learn is like in one ear, out the other.  The doctors aren't sure if she's ADHD or just that damn stubborn lol.

Jeff started school at the beginning of the month.  Month 1 out of 32 for his bachelor's degree.  It'll all be worth it when he's working for Blizzard and we're nestled somewhere in Anaheim...or working for the company that made Smite and living in Atlanta.  Those are his two dream corporations to work for.
I've started working on our ancestries.  Found some fairly interesting things so far on my side.  Several soldiers in the civil war.  My mom's side fought union, my dad's side fought confederate.  None of the confederate soldiers came home.  One actually died in the battle of Gettysburg, which happened 20 minutes down the road from our house.  Gives you goosebumps knowing that!!
Oh, and if you're on facebook, keep the baby hush hush.  The family doesn't all know yet, and we (more like I) want to think of something cute to officially announce with.