Friday, December 31, 2010

20 Weeks - Half way there!

20 Weeks - Thursday, December 30th
{6 1/2 inches from head to bottom, 10 inches from head to heel, 10 1/2 ounces, length of a banana}


We are half way there, and still not fully in maternity clothes...maybe next week!  I'm ready for our little boy to start growing!

In honor of the size of Baby Moss, we are going to make the banana crunch muffins from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook I received for Christmas!  The muffins look so yummy, I can't wait to get started!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

It's a BOY!

In case you missed how we decided to find out if it was a boy or girl...click here.

It was the lion!


Robbie and Lala's first grandson, third grandchild...


Honey and Bill's second grandson, sixth grandchild...



A few pictures from Montgomery:

{Mom's tamari balls and my parent's Christmas tree}


We came home to snow in Birmingham...our first white Christmas!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

19 Weeks

19 Weeks - Thursday, December 23rd
{6 inches, 9 ounces, size of a large heirloom tomato}

The doctor swears I will be in full blown maternity clothes in two to three weeks. I won't hold my breath, but could be in for a big surprise in a matter of days or weeks!



Less than 36 hours until we find out the sex of the baby! I haven't been this excited about Christmas in years...

Speaking of heirloom tomatoes {the current size of Baby Moss}, this heirloom tomato, peach, and goat cheese recipe in the July 2010 Southern Living is one of the best things I have ever eaten.  Keep this in mind when tomatoes and peaches come back in season this Summer!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe Christmas is Saturday! It has certainly snuck up on us this year. It has been a busy month between Auburn football, sewing classes every week {fun surprises for the little ones...more on this later!}, shopping, and oreo balls!

A few photos from around the house...


Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Boy or Girl?

We had our 18 week doctor appointment today and they did an ultrasound to determine the health {most importantly} and sex of the baby!  The baby currently weighs 9oz, measures at 18 weeks and 3 days, with a heart beat of 141 bpm, and is healthy as can be.  We are truly blessed!

The ultrasound technician sealed the gender results in an envelope and ensured us it was sealed tight!  We immediately took the envelope to Three Sheets in Homewood and had them wrap one of two stuffed animals for us to open on Christmas morning:

Lion for a boy...



...and pig for a girl!



All wrapped up and under the tree...


We can hardly wait!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Oreo Balls 101

This weekend, we were busy making Oreo balls for our friends and families!  Walker was sweet enough to help, as I was overwhelmed with things to do the last weekend before Christmas.  They are one of his favorite treats, and I have to say, they are quite yummy.

If you are interested in giving it a shot, they are easy to make {just a little time consuming and potentially messy}!  It will also save you lots of time by buying the right ingredients the first time.  You would think it's hard to mess up a dessert with only three ingredients, but just wait! 

Oreo Balls

Ingredients:
1 package Oreo cookies, crushed {plain or mint}
8 oz. cream cheese, softened {I use the 1/3 less fat}
1 bag of vanilla candy coating {Wilton or Ambrosia}

Other useful items:
Toothpicks
Styrofoam {cut to fit in your freezer}
Chopper/Grinder


First, crush the package of Oreos in your chopper/grinder.  I have a little Kitchenaid Chopper, and it works well.  As of now, I only use it once a year to make Oreo balls!

Then, mix the Oreos and the cream cheese together using a blender or mixer.  Roll the mixture into small* balls, place in freezer in multiple* freezer safe containers.  Freeze for several hours or overnight.
*Tip:  It is important to keep them relatively small as they are easier to dip in the candy coating.  Also, I like to separate the balls into several different containers when freezing, as the balls are easier to dip when still hard/frozen. 


Once good and frozen, you are ready to dip the balls in the candy coating.  I used the following three different types of candy coating this year {due to multiple return trips to the grocery} and found that they were all quite different:
  1. Wilton White Candy Melts - Purchased from Michaels in the 14 oz package.  This was my favorite of the three as it was surprisingly easy to melt and not very messy as the candy coating dried almost instantly.
  2. Ambrosia White Bark Coating - Purchased from Publix in the 24 oz package.  This was next on my list, and clearly easier to find and purchase than the Wilton brand.  Also easy to melt and not as messy.
  3. CandiQuik - Purchased from Winn Dixie, and this was by far the messiest of all!  The candy coating did not dry as quick as the other brands which leaves the balls dripping all over the counter. I would not recommend using this brand, and hopefully I can remember this recommendation myself next year. 
Using a microwave safe bowl, melt the candy coating as directed on the package.  Then, use a toothpick* to dip the Oreo ball into the candy and place toothpick into your Styrofoam.  Place the covered Oreo balls in the freezer to harden.
*Tip:  Beware, not all toothpicks are the same!  Be sure to use the round toothpicks as the flat toothpicks are not sturdy enough to make Oreo balls.  I also found that the flat toothpicks are full of splinters waiting to happen!



It only takes a few minutes for the candy coating to harden, and you are finished!  Enjoy!

Friday, December 17, 2010

18 Weeks

18 Weeks - Thursday, December 16th
{5 1/2 inches, 7 ounces, length of a bell pepper}

We are almost half way there, and the time has flown by!  I can't say that I haven't wanted a glass of wine or two here lately, which makes another 22 weeks seem so far away.  But, Baby Moss will be here before we know it!



Our 19 week doctor appointment is next Tuesday (December 21st) and we will have an ultrasound to find out if we are having a boy or girl.  It will certainly be hard not to look at the ultrasound; however, I honestly don't know if we would know what we were looking at on the screen...if that makes any sense!  Who knows, we could get lucky, but we definitely don't want to spoil the surprise for Christmas morning!

Monday, December 13, 2010

17 Weeks

17 Weeks - Thursday, December 9th
{5 inches, 5 ounces, size of a turnip}


I don't think I've ever seen an actual fresh turnip before it has been made into yummy turnip greens and on my plate next to mac and cheese, fried okra, and sweet potatoes.  I thought about searching the veggies at WF {Whole Foods} for a turnip for our picture, and decided I did not have the time or energy to search...especially since I didn't really know what I was looking for!


I also figured that I will likely never venture to make my own turnip greens since there are plenty of soul food chefs out there that have perfected the side dish!

According to Baby Center, the baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — the baby's lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. The baby can move his/her joints, and his/her sweat glands are starting to develop. Very exciting, just wish we could see the baby now!

Speaking of him or her, we have our next appointment to find out the gender on December 21st!  We will wait to find out on Christmas morning with the family...it will be the best Christmas present ever!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Meet Al

Meet Al - he is handsome and quite photogenic with beautiful greenish blue eyes and masculine features.  He is a little on the shorter and wider side, but sits up nicely.  His features are simple, yet distinctive enough to define him as an owl.... 





Al certainly needs a little work.....I would like to add wings and legs to Al, so he would feel and look more like an owl, but I think we are off to a good start!

In the beginning...

Al...

I have also been busy making Christmas presents for all of the little ones this weekend {Al's fabric may appear later!}  More details to follow after Christmas, I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone! 

By the way, did you see the snow today?  Who would have thought?!?  Clearly not a blizzard by any stretch of the imagination, but if you look hard enough you may spot a few flurries...

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Nursery {Part 1}

Thinking of OWLS - fairly gender neutral, right?!?

I love this painting!  It's called the "Remember the Owlamo" from This Funky Junky blog by Liz in Birmingham.  Check out her blog and other paintings! 


Love this one too!

Mom also found these adorable handmade owls on Etsy.  There are so many, it's hard to choose!


This nursery is simple yet beautiful!  If the bull was only an owl...


17 weeks tomorrow!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Thanksgiving 2010

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving this year, as usual!  The celebrations started a little early this year with a fabulous dinner at Walker's Aunt Betty and Uncle John's house on Monday, November 15th.  We were all together to see Walker's first cousin, Ben, who was in town from Vail, CO.  We unfortunately do not see Ben more than once or twice a year so it was great to see him and catch up again.  The dinner was amazing and it was wonderful to share our baby news with Walker's family!

On Thanksgiving day, we went to the Jones Place in Perry County and visited with the Gould/Hobbs/Wilkes families and more.  I always look forward to Thanksgiving at the Jones Place as it is nice to get away and relax in the country with family for the day.

After lunch, we headed to Orange Beach to spend the weekend with Walker's family.  The weekend was super relaxing and we thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the Moss family.  The weather was cold, but it was certainly nice to be away from Birmingham for the weekend!

Just a few pictures from our weekend at the beach...
{Baby Forrest and Mary Walker at Jubilee Landing.  They are just shy of their second birthdays!}

 {Our nieces - Mary Walker and Lily Anderson attempting to take a 2010 Christmas card picture on the beach.  It was freezing, but they looked beautiful!}

 {Walker's sister Natalie Anderson after the kiddo's Christmas card picture}

 {My sweet husband Walker!}

 {Watching the sunset on the balcony at Romar House - notice the oil spill cleanup equipment in the background!}

{Natalie and Zach right before we enjoyed duck gumbo...}

We are certainly very blessed to be able to share Thanksgiving with both of our wonderful families!

16 Weeks

16 Weeks - Thursday, December 2nd
{4 1/2 inches, 3 1/2 ounces, size of an avocado}

I had my 16 week doctor appointment this week and everything is still going well!  We listened to the heartbeat again - 147 beats per minute.  At our next visit on December 21st, we will have an ultrasound to find out if we are having a boy or a girl!

I shared the news with my co-workers this week, and they could not have been more happy for us!  I am very blessed to work with such a great group of folks!

My belly certainly grew a little this week, but still able to wear all {or most} of my clothes....

Baby Moss

We finally have a new computer and are connected to the world once again!  It has been a while since my last post {almost two months!}; however, it has certainly been a busy time for us.  We are expecting our first baby on May 20, 2011, and could not be more excited!  This year has certainly proven to be a year we will never forget - first with our wedding in April and now expecting our first child - what a big year for us!

My sweet husband is so excited about the baby and has taken pictures of my belly each week hoping to see evidence of the baby growing inside.  He will have to wait a little longer, but maybe not too much!

12 Weeks - Thursday, November 4th
{2 inches, 1/2 ounce, size of a lime}

The end of my first trimester!  It has flown by, and still no indication of a baby in my tummy... 

13 Weeks - Thursday, November 11th
{3 inches, 1 ounce, size of a medium shrimp}

At my 13 week doctor appointment on Tuesday, November 9th, my doctor, Ashley Tamucci at Brookwood said that I should enjoy this time as I will not even feel pregnant.  Well, things had been rocking right along until those words were uttered!  I certainly cannot complain, as I have been extremely fortunate so far in my pregnancy.  Let's just say that while my appetite seemed to increase two-fold my stomach did not get the same message.  I have been forced to work on balancing my meals appropriately and things have been much better.

We were able to share the news with Walker's family on Monday, November 15th at an early Thanksgiving gathering.  Walker's first cousin was in town from Vail, CO and everyone in the immediate family was able to get together for the evening.  Walker shared the news with his young nephew Woodson {the ring bearer in our wedding - see below} who broke the news to the rest of the family.
The Moss family was so excited and I have to say, we were a bit relieved to have finally shared the news with {half of} our family.  We certainly have wonderful role models in Walker's brother and sister and their families and we look forward to sharing in parenthood with them! 

At 13 weeks, I'm still not showing...at least not due to the baby...maybe due to too much ice cream :)



14 Weeks - Thursday, November 18th
{3 1/2 inches, 1 1/2 ounces, size of a lemon}

I guess I thought that the second I became pregnant, I would have this perfectly round little belly that would be hard to cover up for the first 12 weeks.  I figured that I would have to make up reasons why I gained so much weight so quickly in addition to why I no longer wanted was drinking a glass of vino.  {I still can't say that I do not still want a glass of wine every now and again!}  Sounds silly, I know, but it's true!   Still waiting on that round little belly...
 

If you are wondering why I'm holding a clementine in the picture, I had a sweet friend pass along the idea of taking a picture with an item that matches the baby's size.  At 14 weeks, the baby is about the size of a lemon, and while we did not have a lemon handy, we certainly had a carton full of clementines!  I figured they were about the same size, right?

15 Weeks - Thursday, November 25th - Happy Thanksgiving!

{4 inches, 2 1/2 ounces, size of an apple}

 We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our families and were able to see just about everyone on Thursday {More Thanksgiving pictures to follow....}.   While in Selma, we were able to share the news with the Gould family just before lunch.  Everyone was so excited for us, and I am thrilled that Lillie {my niece and the flower girl in our wedding - see pic with Woodson above} and baby Alex will have a little cousin so close in age!  We also have great role model in my brother and his family, and I look forward to our babies growing up together!

Walker took this picture of me while we were at the beach {Jubilee Landing} for Thanksgiving.  I think the apple is a little bigger than the baby is now, but none-the-less...

More to come soon!