Breakfast to Impress

This is now my very favorite recipe in my collection!! This is a recipe from the cafeteria at my hospital. Very rarely, they serve blueberry pancakes wth this amazing syrup. My friend asked around and got this recipe - I think it is even better than the cafeteria. This will now be my special company breakfast, Christmas Morning breakfast, hope someone makes for me on my birthday breakfast.....it's amazing and I think it beats my old standby of pumpkin waffles. Blueberry's are in season and this is the one month they are actually affordable at the grocery store.....so pick up a pint of blueberry's and treat yourself to this fancy, schmancy breakfast treat.

Blueberry Pancakes

1 egg

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp salad oil

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Mix all dry ingredients together. Add in liquid, stirring until just mixed. Fold in blueberries.

Cook at 350 degrees on griddle or just cook on the stove med-high

Butterscotch Syrup

Combine:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 TBSP light corn syrup

Heat to dissolve sugar and melt butter

Before you add the baking soda, make sure your pan in big enough, as this causes the liquid to foam to twice the size

Add while stirring: 1 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp vanilla

It will foam, then settle.

Enjoy a little bit of happiness on a plate!!! This syrup would be great on any pancake.

New Look

I decided it was time for a new look to the blog. The winter picture was getting old and it was time for some new colors. Enjoy!

Surprise Guest!!

I am so excited!! My friend Mandi just called and she is going to stop and stay with me tomorrow night on her trip from Des Moines to Seattle. It will be so nice to catch up! YEAH!!! It will be a nice treat since it's been lonely with Joe out of town.

Found!!!

I am taking advantage of this nesting syndrome and going through my old crap and getting rid of things. I got through our entire "storage room" the last time I was on weekends (and off Monday - Thursday). My Mom bought me the University of Iowa Christmas Ornament from every year I was in school (even after I graduated, so I had the 2002 ornament). Well....each ornament was in a different box/tub, etc because I received them one at a time. When I cleaned the storage room - I found 6 of the 7. For weeks I was so sad and thinking about how I could find 1999 or admit to my mother that I lost it! A few weeks ago it dawned on me that I had stashed some under-the-bed containers in our guest room. Sure enough - there was 1999!!! I am so glad to finally have all the ornaments in one place. I want to do something cool with them, but I haven't decided what that is. I could hang them on the Christmas tree every year, but I want to do something I can enjoy year round to remember my college days. Any suggestions?? Mom, here is some photo proof that I have them all! AT - I hope you know where all of yours are, I was contemplating paying you for your 1999!! :-)

Crib and Dresser are ordered

We have 10.5 weeks until my due date! Today I made the trip to Babies R Us to order the crib and dresser. They should be available to pick up in 7-14 days and then the nursery will be that much closer to done.

Baby Blueberry's Room

This is Baby Blueberry's Room - defined by the hanging blueberry (for now....)



Here is a preview of the Crib Set - there are 2 valences and they are long enough to cover the 3 windows - should look nice.I unpacked all the gifts from the 2 showers and Blueberry is VERY loved and blessed. There was a random nail left in the doorway, so I just had to hang the blueberry up for now....makes me smile! The shelves are filling up and it's nice to really organize things. Now we just have to finish the closet and get the dresser and crib. I am contemplating dark wood vs. white blinds and we'll order those when Joe gets home. Enjoy the photos! I bought diapers the other day, so they say once you have diapers you are ready! We are getting closer.

A Lovely Lunch

My friend Andrea and I had a great lunch today. She came over to see the nursery and then we had lunch at Eggs in the City. It used to be a gas station and now has so much character. It's 95 degrees....but we were able to sit on the patio in the shade and it was quite lovely. She's off to work and I'm going to take a nap....ahh a perfect afternoon.

American Idol Auditions in Salt Lake

Simon, Paula and Randy are in town. American Idol hopefuls were lined up last night hoping for a chance to get on the show. It will be weird to watch Salt Lake during the audition shows next season. I know you are surprised....but I decided not to audition!

Worn Out Puppy

Nicky had a long weekend at home by himself with me working and then he had to lay in the living room with me all day while the carpet guys were working. I took him to the park and officially wore him out! I think he was even surprised at how far I could throw the ball with the chuck it! So surprised, that I had to help him fetch the ball a few times and sent myself wondering through the park! Joe can judge it better and has a much better system than me...but I'll learn. Nicky knows I don't throw the ball that far usually, so he won't run ahead like he will with Joe.

Back Stairs

We also replaced the carpet on the back stairs - you may remember that Nicky helped us to decide to replace it when he pulled some up last winter. It's dark, but it shouldn't show all the mud Nicky brings in. It's our main entrance in the winter, so we track crap in as well. The old carpet wasn't installed as well and I think this looks great!

The Baby Room is getting closer....

The room is so close to done. The carpet guys were here all day and I love it!! Next we have to hang the closet door, install a rod and shelf in the closet. We need to order and install blinds. The door needs to be stained and then we just need to fill it with Baby's things and wait for Baby Blueberry to arrive!

Joe Update

Joe safely made it to Recife, Brazil. He left Atlanta last night and flew into Rio and then on another plane to Recife. We talked a few times today via cell and then via Skype. It's nice to "see" eachother!! I know he's near the beach, but it's rainy season, so he said it's not that pretty. Recife is named for it's Reefs (Recifes in Portugese).

Joe's off to Brazil

I just worked the longest weekend ever!! I only worked 4 days, but they were 12 hour shifts and it is hard on a pregnant girl!!

Joe is enroute to Brazil (one day late) - he had a surprise Saturday night in Atlanta due to do a delay, diversion, missed connection.....if it could go wrong, it did. He is now on the plane enroute to Brazil and he sent me these photos of his seat. I don't think he will ever fly coach with me again! I could live in this plane seat if I had to. I'm glad he is flying in style if he has to travel so much for work. If only real people could afford this kind of travel.....

My bonus holiday!

July 24th is Pioneer Day in Utah. It's a state holiday defined by Wikepedia:

Pioneer Day (also archaically called the Day of Deliverance[1]) is an official Utah state holiday celebrated on July 24 in the U.S. state of Utah, with some celebrations in regions of surrounding states originally settled by Mormon pioneers. It commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon Pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, where the Latter-day Saints settled after being forced from Nauvoo, Illinois and other locations in the eastern United States. Parades, fireworks, rodeos, and other festivities help commemorate the event.
In addition to being an official holiday in Utah, Pioneer Day is considered a special occasion by many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Pioneer Day, some Latter-day Saints walk portions of the Mormon Trail or reenact entering the Salt Lake Valley by handcart. Even Latter-day Saints outside of the U.S. occasionally sing Mormon folk music around July 24 in remembrance of the pioneer era.
Some non-Mormons in Utah celebrate the day by remembering other pioneers, such as Bishop Daniel Tuttle, who was responsible for Utah's first non-mormon schools (Rowland Hall/St. Mark's) and first public hospital (St. Mark's) in the 1800's.[2] There are fireworks in Salt Lake City, people have BBQ's, and there are parades"Days of '47 Parade and Fiesta Days in Spanish Fork."

Pioneer Day to me -- bonus holiday, Joe will be home painting the nursery and has golf plans. I will be working (it's one of my assigned holidays this year). I will be earning holiday pay and bank 8 hours of PTO on a day that means nothing to me! I guess I may catch some of the fireworks on my way home from work. It is much bigger than the 4th here and I consider it a Mormon holiday and will probably plan family vacations out of town because we already have the day off!

Pizza

Tonight after having to go to the carpet store unexpectedly to finalize the plans in the middle of taping the room -- we opted to get pizza for dinner. I grabbed my cell phone to call in our order when Joe said, "we don't have to get cheese, you can get meat on it if you want - we don't always have to get cheese". I said, "cheese is my favorite, of course I want cheese!" I guess we were meant to be together -- we are both weird and like cheese pizza. I always feel bad when we have company and I forget and order our favorite Cheese pizza -- if it's good NY style pizza, why ruin it with meat? It makes it too hard to fold in half and eat!!! One more reason I love my husband so much! If you visit and we order pizza - try our favorite cheese pizza!

Nursery Progress

We continue to work on the nursery. The contractor was officially done last Friday. The carpet estimator was here today and we are having the carpet installed on Monday. We taped today and now Joe is in a mad rush to get the painting done before he leaves for Brazil on Saturday. It seems like a small room until you have to prime and paint it in 2 colors!!! What a great Dad! I am going to follow the rules and stay away from the primer and paint. I am so excited to have a place to put all our great baby gifts and start really getting the nursery ready for Baby Blueberry.

Baby Shower

Dorothy (Joe's mom) hosted a fabulous shower for us in Salt Lake City last night. She has an awesome group of friends and we had so much fun at Yamasaki (Aweomse Japanese restaurant owned by her friends family). Dorothy made the most adorable Noah's Ark cake, cupcakes, and even gift bags that had homemade chocolate animals in them!! We chatted, laughed, enjoyed a great dinner, and recieved many kind, thoughtful gifts. Thanks to everyone!!! Here are a few pictures from the evening. Thanks to Joe for loading at Dorothy's house, unloading and taking upstairs at the restaurant, reloading, and bringing home all the gifts! We are blessed with kind, giving friends and family. Do you think this baby is spoiled or what??

Back from Vegas

We had a relaxing time in Vegas. Baby Blueberry has been to Vegas 3 times!!! We think he/she likes it! Summary...

1. Don't accept a free hotel in Vegas from a timeshare company - not worth it and we won't do it again.

2. Try the Seafood buffet at the Rio - yum...crab legs and the desserts were great as well.

3. The new Palazzo is awesome and it is nice that the Venetian Grand Canal shops just don't end - they now wind through to Palazzo.

4. The $2.99 strawberry shortcake at Circus Circus is a true value find in Vegas and delicious!

5. The taxi fares in Vegas have sky-rocketed -- get out your wallet!!!

6. Rivera comedy club was fabulous!! We enjoyed some Vegas level stand up.

7. Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is pretty cool and their pool looks awesome!

8. First Class travel is fabulous and I could get used to it -- I now understand why Joe is crabby when he gets "stuck" in coach for long flights! Thanks Delta for the First Class upgrade to and from Vegas.

You're Having a Baby Class II

We had our final 3rd trimester class today. We were able to tour the women's center and now we know where to go and what to expect. Joe kept the class interesting for all and I can provide some highlights. He is definitely going to be a "north of the the tent" Dad. While on the tour, our instructor found a placenta and brought it around for all to see and Joe almost went down. It was a little much for him and he is worried that the "owner" of the placenta would be quite upset if she knew it was being shown to a class. His face was even better than this baby's. At another point in the class, we split into groups of men and women and discussed things we were worried about. The number one concern on the guys list was "they would miss out on some sports". During class some poor guy got blamed by his wife for saying this. But, it was Joe! He claims no one was saying anything and he felt he should break the ice with a funny comment - way to go, Joe!! How embarrassing!!

The class wasn't fabulous, but I learned some things and I think we are better prepared for the birth. I'm still not sure that either of us really know what to do with a newborn....but we'll get there and we'll rely on our family to help!!! At least we can both usually keep a decent sense of humor!

Paint for the nursery

I know you have been waiting to see what color we are going to paint the nursery! The walls will be Brown Teepee and the ceiling, shelves, and window sills will be Belvedere Cream. I am going for warm and soothing.

Behr Brown Teepee

Behr Belvedere Cream

Babies R Us

We made our first big purchase at Babies R Us. I got a glider. It has been in and out of stock and I got an email this week saying they were in stock, so we jumped on it. We are a little bummed because they quit making the crib we like and I think we are just a little too late to get it so we will wait on ordering the crib. We want to find all the furniture in Cherry and we have to stick with that plan since the baseboards are cherry as well. The company has of course released the newer, more expensive version of the crib and we may go with that. I am concerned because the matching dresser is a little bigger than I want, so we have to do some measuring!

Delta Rocks!

Joe and I are headed to Vegas tomorrow. We have 2 free nights from a timeshare presentation we went to last year. We were also promised a 7-day cruise....but we had to pass on that because they are not fond of pregnant women on cruise ships. We thought we'd still use the free hotel in Vegas. It's free....so you get what you pay for and that means Circus Circus! Cool, huh? I've never stepped foot in the place and I know it was cool when I was a kid and my grandparents used to stay there like 20 years ago. The good news is I woke up this morning to an email from Delta saying that "Your Upgrade has been confirmed!". At least I'm flyng to Vegas in style in FIRST CLASS!!! This is my first flight since I acheieved Medallion Status. Joe has been a Medallion member for a while, so the email confirmed we are sitting together in row 6!

They Lied to Me!!!

My sister can share a great story about how upset I can get when people lie to me. I just don't handle it well. Well....I have again been decieved!!! It just makes my heart race typing about it. Way back in February when that little stick turned positive I started planning!! I called my doctor, my insurance company and my benefits at work. My job changed this year as far as leave goes --- we used to accrue long term illness leave which could be used for maternity leave and now we don't accrue leave, but we are eligible for short-term disability. I was told that I would need to use 80 hours of my PTO (I planned on that) and then my short-term disability would kick in for the remainder of my maternity leave and I verified the entire 12 weeks with the lady on the phone. I was planning on getting paid for 2 weeks as a full check with my vacation and then at 60% of my pay (but no taxes are taken out) for the remaining 10 weeks. GREAT! I have even bragged about this great benefit they were so excited to offer last year! LIERS!!!! In a conversation with a colleague who is expecting soon, she stated that she is secretly hoping for a C-section so that her short-term disability will pay her for an extra 2 weeks......I said, "WHAT??". I called and she is correct. I will be paid from that short-term disability fund at 60% for 4 weeks (not 10)!!! I am pissed!!!! I don't have much more PTO, so the remainder of my leave will be UNPAID!!! We will find a way to survive and I guess we will be so happy with the baby, we won't want to spend any money anyway, right?? Family - no flights from us this year and expect to enjoy some time with Baby Blueberry as your Christmas gift (December is going to be a tight budget month)!!! I'm just relieved that I know now and I can start planning.....until my plans change again!

My job can be cool

Today I had my first experience in the simulation lab. I am a responder to code blues and today I got to practice! We are so lucky to have a sim lab. There are 2 children (a boy who is about 10 and a baby girl who is 1 year) and they are wired. They respond to everything you do and you can watch them breath, hear her cry, administer medications, do compressions, etc. You also see her heart rhythm on a monitor and it changes by result of what's going on with her condition and how you intervene. I was nervous to go. My role is the drugs....but in this practice situation there weren't many people, so I had to hold my own. The scenario was video taped and then we had to watch it and decide what we all could do better. I learned a ton and I will sign up again. I am so lucky that my hospital has such an expensive, fancy lab! Rumor has it, it cost over a million dollars --- woah!

Long day at work...

I am salaried at work. I only punch a clock when I work evenings or weekends for an additional differential. Our scheduled day time shift is 7-4:30 which I usually work 7-3:45. I justify this because I work through lunch and there is often a lull about 3:45 and we have an understanding amongst my team that we help eachother out and we leave by 4 at the latest unless crazziness is happening and then you stay late. Today was SUPER SLOW....it's summer and we just aren't busy. My usual co-worker is on vacation and his replacement for the week is new guy. New guy just completed his pharmacy residency at our hospital and ended his year on a rotation with my boss. He's the suck-up type and in my opinion ready for "the mole" position in the pharmacy. We all joke that we have one and that's how our boss always knows our tricks. Needless to say, I will be spending my last 45 minutes each day watching the clock until exactly 4:30 and it is killing me!!!!!!!

To top it off, when I was finally leaving work I looked down (yes I can still see my feet) and I wore brown shoes with my khaki pants and black patterned shirt. Seriously....how embararssing!!! Tomorrow I will choose my shirt before I choose my shoes!

Pregnancy Dreams....

I dreamed alot during the 1st trimester, but not necessarily about the baby. Second trimester the dreams kind of ended...but last night I had a doosy! I gave birth at Floyd County hospital (in my home town). It was a baby girl. I was all alone and the nurses were so mean to me (I know ALL of my family would have been there). I tried explaining that I didn't know how to do anything with my baby and they just brought me a huge textbook and told me to read it. They also explained that they had many deliveries expected the next day and I needed to get out by 8AM. My baby girl was born super early at 29 weeks, but was fine since she weighed 4 lbs (impossible). I woke up feeling so scared!!!! I pray this little one doesn't come at 29 weeks. I would classify this as a nightmare and I won't be traveling to Iowa until after the delivery!

Does this dream make anyone think this baby is a girl?? I'm still feeling boy.

Baby Class

We attended Session 1 of 2 of the 3rd Trimester Class. We chose the class that includes much of the Lamaze breathing techniques, but is geared towards people who plan on having an epidural. I didn't get much out of the breathing stuff and we get kind of giggly doing it.....so let's hope that epidural really works!!! I had never heard of all those stages of labor and I'm a little worried about that first stage which includes contractions at home for up to a day before you go to the hospital.....ouchie!

There were 14 couples in our class. 3 of the couples including us are letting the sex of the baby be a surprise. 10 of the 11 remaining couples are having a BOY. I just can't believe those odds. Maybe there is something to the Chinese Calendar!!! I still think our little blueberry is a boy and the odds from our class would support that.

Weekend Visitor

My great friend Leslie visited from Denver this weekend. Friday night we went to our standby sports bar. Saturday she slept in and kindly took Nicky for a walk while we were at Baby Class. We all went for pizza and then Joe ditched us for golf while we got pedicures!!! We then went to Park City for some Outlet shopping and dinner with another mutal friend. We ended our Saturday night at the Bayou where Leslie had her very first Stout Float!!! Sunday we went to Ruth's diner (our favorite breakfast joint up Emigration Canyon) and to Olympic Park. Time escaped us and we barely were able to drive her by Temple Square on the way to the airport!!! Thanks for coming Leslie!! It was a great weekend!

Nothing Bundt Cakes

My co-worker brought in an amazing cake today. It's from Nothing Bundt Cakes. There is one store in Salt Lake. We were celebrating the fact that the student we had for the previous 6 weeks in gone and the new one that began on Monday is awesome!!! She just got the basic cake with frosting....but it was fabulous!!! She bought the flavor of the month which was lemon/raspberry and it was great. There cream cheese frosting is amazing. You have to check out the website to see how beautiful the cakes are. Come visit - we may have to celebrate with a bundt cake! I'm sending you a "hole lotta love".

World's Best Lotion

I live in a desert - I brag about the lack of humidity and bugs here constantly, but it has some negative effects on my poor skin. I have been a fan of Curel for many years and I've tried a few of their new lines the past few years, but my standby has always been the Original Fragrance Free...until now! The Curel Life's Stages Pregnancy and Motherhood is awesome! I would recommend to all including all ages and even men. It has the right amount of shea butter and is pretty fragrance free. LOVE IT!!! It's more of a cream than lotion. Give it a try if you so desire.

Salsa Fake Out

I never liked salsa for years because I usually only had the store bought (sit on the shelf for years) jar salsa. I also have sensitized my taste buds over the years and I've learned to love it!! BUT - I only like FRESH salsa. Unfortunately I rarely have time to make it myself. A trick I discovered is to buy the "fresh" salsa in the refrigerator section of the grocery store and doctor it up! We all do it with spaghetti sauce. I add a little cilantro and red onion (white or yellow works, but red is my favorite) and it tastes-like-homemade-without-the-work excellent salsa!!! Nothing like a time saver and for many of my readers - salsa is almost calorie free -- but don't forget to add the calories from the fried chips! I am a fan of the baked tostitos!

Nursery Progress Day 5

Things are going great. The sheetrock guy said he will be here 3 more days to mud and then sand. I'm not looking forward to the sand getting all through the house.....but this is going to be a great nursery. I really like the large window well - I was worried about how that would blend, but they did a GREAT job! The transition to the original (and not straight) ceiling looks great too - we opted to leave the original ceiling. We bought cherry baseboards yesterday and we are going to pick a soft, cozy taupe colored paint and I think we'll paint the window well and shelves white or off-white for contrast and the ceiling will be white or off-white as well! It's all coming together so well.