Keeping Ourselves Occupied....

Two of the families that we played with the most during the week both moved away last week :( So Mia and I had to find some ways to keep ourselves occupied so we didn't miss our friends too much.This is our homemade hot air balloon pinata. This was a several day project that was fun but I got tired toward the end so the whole thing didn't end up being covered with colored paper. Mia is looking forward to filling it up with popcorn and breaking it open.
Friday we took the BART train into SF to visit John for lunch. The BART train is very stroller friendly which is great...nothing like NYC... no turn-styles and every station has elevators. Mia loves riding on the "daddy train" and asked for her picture on it. And yes she is wearing the same dress as in the above picture. It's her FAVORITE "princess" dress that she wants to wear for days in a row, so I have to steal it at night to wash it :) Mia refers to herself as "Mia Princess" ... and I'm "the Queen" and John is "the King." I prefer mommy...

Some Yummy Recipes

So for dinner we had some really yummy chicken that was sooooo easy that I have to share the recipe.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken
(off of the Best Foods Mayonnaise label...haha)

1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
4 tsp. Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

Combine mayo and cheese. Spread on chicken, then sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake at 425* for 20-25 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.


This next recipe is not as easy (although with a food processor it would be...) but its good for you and we really enjoyed it! It's really flavorful and it's nice to have something different! Mia even ate it! It requires quite a few ingredients so I didn't follow the recipe exactly (my adaptations in parentheses). I think next time I'm going to make a really big batch and freeze the patties in wax paper.


Santa Fe Falafel
(found this recipe online from Redbook)
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 6 min

1 can Anasazi or pinto beans (15 oz) rinsed, drained
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat pepper-jack cheese (we just used cheddar)
1/2 cup baked tortilla chips finely crushed (we used regular tortilla chips)
3 scallions minced
1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper (I didn't have any...)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 clove garlic crushed through a press (I used dry minced garlic)
1 1/2 tsp chili powder (I only used 1 tsp)
1 tsp salt
1 large egg white
8 whole-wheat pitas (4 1/2-inch) top third cut off
8 slices red onion (thin)
8 slices plum tomato (thin)
1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 tsp lime zest mixed with above sour cream (I didn't have any)
1 tsp lime juice mixed with above sour cream

Place beans in a medium bowl and mash with a fork until a coarse puree forms. Add cheese, tortilla chips, scallions, bell pepper, cilantro, garlic, chili powder, salt, and egg white; stir until well combined. Shape 1/4 cupfuls into 8 (3 inch) patties.

Spray a nonstick griddle or large skillet with olive oil cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Cook falafel 2 to 3 minutes per side, until browned and heated through.

Place a falafel in each pita with a slice each of onion and tomato, and shredded lettuce. Serve with lime sour cream.

The Bump Update...

Here I am in my bathroom mirror... 51 days to go according to my countdown on the right :) I'm pretty sure I was this big when I was full term with Mia... and I've still got some time to go! And boy does caring for a 2 year old while pregnant take a toll on your body! All the bending and lifting that I didn't do during my first pregnancy. Shhh... don't tell my doctor. It's so hard to tell your 2 year old you can't carry her!

Swimsuit Weather

Mia loved her new swimsuit so much she had to wear it when washing the car. I particularly like the rain boots with the swimsuit :)
It's been a bit warm so we've been putting the sprinkler under the trampoline and had friends come over to jump with us. It's been fun. Tomorrow we start swim lessons at our city aquatic center which Mia is soooo excited for. I'm not so excited for the fact that I have to get in with her in my oh so cute maternity swimsuit... but oh well. It'll be fun. Baby girl is well and kicking up a storm. I'm over 31 weeks pregnant and counting...I've changed doctors recently so now I have the option of doing a VBAC, so we'll see how this all plays out. We take a VBAC class in a couple weeks to give us the rundown on it all and then we'll decide whether we'll try a VBAC or not.

Do you think they're related??

Mia and her cousin Ally are about 6 months apart. Looks like they are going to be good buddies growing up :)

They especially loved raiding their aunties closets for high heels. That is definitely Mia's fetish... high heeled shoes and I think Ally was not too opposed to playing along.