Pregnancy Favorites

A little update on my pregnancy:

Uncomfortable... YES!

Tired... YES!

Ready to be done... YES!

Life is crazy and I am trying hard to keep busy, which I am doing. And the time is going relatively fast, but these last few weeks of pregnancy are a killer. I am enjoying my time with Connor as he relishes his last weeks as the solo Stanger child. We are happy and healthy and all in all doing extremely well.

I thought I would share a few of my favorites during this pregnancy like I did last time around. So these are the things that make the top of my list, for daily favs!

Chap-stick and Lotion
...for all the dryness that comes with pregnancy



Bella Band
...for keeping my tummy supported and my pants up

Roasted Asparagus

This is my favorite meal to make lately, it is so easy and I have cravings for asparagus all the time. So it is at least weekly and sometimes I wish it was daily. Connor loves the salmon and especially asparagus so he snipes large portions of this meal too. 

Lemon Garlic Oven-Roasted Salmon with Asparagus

Salmon fillets

Asparagus bunch

1-2 tbsp. olive oil

Shredded parmesan

Salt and pepper, to taste

Garlic salt, or 1-2 minced cloves

Lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 400. Lightly drizzle baking pan(s) with olive oil. I use a separate pan for asparagus and salmon.

2. Wash your asparagus and snap (don’t slice!) the ends off. Put asparagus in a med size bowl and add a tbsp. of olive oil; season with salt and pepper (and garlic salt). Mix lightly with your hands. Lay the asparagus on the pan and sprinkle with parmesan.

3. Season both sides of salmon fillets with garlic, salt, and pepper and any extra seasoning you want (I use Basil, Oregano, and Parsley). Then place your fillets on the pan.

4. Pour a little lemon juice over both pans.

5. Then I put both pans in the oven. Salmon for 9 mins and asparagus for 12mins, depending on how you like it cooked.

Blue Powerade

... drink of choice, all the time!

Snickers Ice Cream Bars
...Yum! I have been into lots of frozen chocolate treats this time. I will take a frozen Hershey Bar any day!

AND

Of course what has made this pregnancy go by the fastest is Connor! He makes all the little hard parts worth it, because even though he tackles me and gives me rough love. I look into him and see all that love and happiness and it just makes me all the more excited for the new little fairy princess were about to have.

Plus he is constantly giving me hugs and kisses lately, it makes me think he knows something is about to change.

This is pre-haircut... 

October Treating

These are Shea's FAVORITE cookies. When we first got married I wasn't all that into cooking or baking, and am still no good at it. But it was the best feeling in the world to have Shea fall in love with these cookies. I had them all the time growing up and still enjoy them so much; they never last long around the house. 

We usually have them with peanut butter chips, but once October begins I feel the festive nature spurred inside me that commands me to make them with Reese's Pieces instead. They then take on that Fall look that gives me even more reason to make them. 

CHOCOLATE REESE'S PIECES COOKIES

(Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies)

Ingredients:

1 cup Softened Butter              2/3 cup Coco

1 ½  cup Sugar                        ¾ tsp Baking Soda

2 Eggs                                   ½ tsp Salt

2 tsp Vanilla                           Bag of Reese's Pieces/Peanut Butter Chips

2 cup Flour

Directions:

Cream butter, eggs, and vanilla

Mix sugar, flour, coco, baking soda, and salt

Blend together

Add Peanut Butter Chips

Cook at 350 degrees for 8-11 minutes. 

(9 mins is perfect for me, but they may be a little too soft for some)

Craving Cupcakes

Today I am craving some of my Mom's Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cupcakes. But since I am not pregnant anymore I decided I won't give in to my craving. Plus I am just too lazy to go out to the store, lug Connor around in his car seat, and buy cream cheese to make them.  

I love cream cheese and anything with cream cheese, for instance my favorite kind of cake is chocolate cheese cake. I have had it for my birthday almost every year since I was 14. These cupcakes are one of my all time favorites. When I make them I usually think to myself, "Wow this is a lot of cupcakes I will have to share..." So I plan to give some to friends, but they never end up leaving our home I eat 90% of them before Shea even knows I made them.

So I thought I would share the recipe, in case anyone else is craving some chocolate and cream cheese combo.

CREAM CHEESE CHOCOLATE CHIP CUPCAKES  

Cream cheese mixture:  

8 ounce cream cheese package
1 egg
1/3 sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup of chocolate chips

Chocolate cake mixture:

1 ½ cup flour
1 cup sugar
¼ cup coco
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 cup water
1/3 cup canola oil
1 tbs vinegar
1 tbs vanilla

Directions:
Use a mixer as you combine the ingredients for both mixtures 

Use Aluminum Muffin Tins

Fill muffin tins 1/3 full of chocolate cake and a tablespoon of cream cheese

Makes about 20-24 cupcakes

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes

Refrigerate (I like them cold!)