Last night, after finally escaping the perils of our attic with a suitable shirt, my parents, Steven, Lorelei and I were off to the trail of treats in a local park.

The pirate (and her blankie) and her baby brother/sister

Welcome back!

I like to think of myself as “messy organized.”  I’m not a neat freak by any means (although I do like CLEAN, especially if *I* don’t have to do it), but I do want everything to have a place.  This is NOT the same as having to have everything in its place ALL THE TIME.  I just want to know it has one, ready and waiting, just in case I get the urge (or someone else does *ahem*) to put it up.  So, I was VERY proud of myself when earlier this year I took it upon myself to fold, organize, and pack away in LABELED containers all of the attic’s contents as well as too-small baby clothes and not-this-seasons clothing.

I was very proud.

Until yesterday.

My parents were due to pick L and I up within 45 minutes and I had just discovered that I had no long sleeve shirts to wear to the “Trail of Treats”.  I hurried upstairs, only to find my husband’s military gear strewn haphazardly in front of the attic door.  I heaved it all into a pile, silently cursing him and his 50ton pile of camoflauged crap.  I opened the attic door, ready to find the container and crack it open enough to just to steal a LS maternity shirt and run back to the things I still needed to do (dress, feed L and myself a snack, throw up, not throw up, maybe throw up, dress L, etc.).

0-6 mos baby clothes.  Nope.  Baby gear and blankets.  Nope.  6-12 mos baby clothes.  Nope.  Seasonal clothing.  Nope.  Blankets.  Nope.  Toys.  Nope.

Squinting, I moved farther into the attic, aware that the light from the other room would only reach so far into this space.  Crammed into a corner with not enough room, I bent myself all funny and pulled a tote onto myself just so I could read it.  Nope.  Not it.

I began rearranging tote after tote just so I could get to the one under the one before it until I could barely move due to large plastic (and heavy) totes framing my body in the tight space.  “Seasonal Clothes.”  It was the only tote left and I knew I hadn’t packed the maternity clothes in a box.  I held my breath and cracked it.  I could barely make out the patterns of my winter wear, along with…what’s that?  Maternity clothes.  As I balanced yet another tote with my bum to keep it from smashing down on me, I rifled through the clothes looking for anything LS that would cover my belly.

Who in the hell packs MATERNITY clothes with their seasonal clothes?

Me.  That’s who.

And, who in the dickens places THAT plastic container UNDER the baby ones.  (Would it not make sense that you would need Maternity clothes BEFORE the baby stuff should you get pregnant again?)

Again.  Me.

And, what pregnant chick in her right mind would climb around in the attic and take it upon herself to cart out a 50 lb container of clothes that includes some major lifting and shimmying around corners and other crapthatisnothers blocking the door?

Not me.  That’s who.

That’s right.  I grabbed my shirt and then I dashed out of the attic, slamming the door behind me as the totes that had been held up with my bum began to crash like dominoes.

By the way, honey…there’s a mess in the attic.  And, you totally owe me.

Actually, I’m pregnant – but, when you feel like you are becoming a whale, you feel like a whale.  Mostly, I know that in a few months I will be huge and it’s going to take you longer to get there (unless you have with-holding news from me), so I am giving you a head start, k?  Here are a few desserts I’ve been dying to try lately (but will resist making them because I don’t want the whole thing).

Thank you Rachel Ray, butts across the globe will be bigger because of you and this recipe. 

(And, if you find yourself lazy (like me), here it is)

Apple Pecan Sticky Buns

1 1/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar

1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) butter, softened

2 cups flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons honey

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan. Place the apples, 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1 tablespoon butter on a parchmentpaper- lined baking sheet; toss to coat. Cover loosely with foil and roast until tender, 15 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350°.
2. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, blend the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt at low speed. Add 5 tablespoons butter and mix until crumbly. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs with 1/2 cup cream, then mix into the dry ingredients.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to form a 9-inch rectangle. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup brown sugar, the pecans and cinnamon. Cut up 2 tablespoons butter and dot the dough. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture on top and cover evenly with the roasted apples. Roll up the dough, jelly roll-style, and cut crosswise into 9 slices; place the slices cut side down in the prepared baking pan. Bake until golden, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.
4. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, bring the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the honey to a boil, stirring. Whisk until reduced, about 2 minutes. Let cool slightly. Drizzle the sauce over the warm buns.

Oh, what’s that?  You need more?  Try this one…

You should be writing thank-you cards to Rachel Ray by now, don’t you think? 

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

1 cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten

1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt

1 2/3 cups flour

4 ounces cream cheese, chilled

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the baking powder, the baking soda and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour.
3. Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon, drop 12 generous mounds of batter, spaced evenly, onto each baking sheet. Bake until springy to the touch, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the cream cheese. Add the confectioners’ sugar and the remaining 2 pinches salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; mix on low speed until blended, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
5. Spread the flat side of 12 cakes with the cream cheese frosting. Top each with another cake.

 Still not impressed?  Fine.  Check this one out.  (And if you don’t fall in love with this ooey goodness, why are you even my friend?)

Candy Apple Pie

From MiMi Hodge, winner of Good Morning America’s “Pie of Emeril’s Eye” Contest, 2000

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 3/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Apple Filling:

• 5 Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, sliced very thin)
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cream Cheese Topping:

• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup sugar

Topping:

• 3/4 cup heavy cream, whipped
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter. Mix well and press into a 10-inch pie plate and up the sides. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until golden in color. Remove pie shell from oven and cool completely. Pour caramel into pie shell and sprinkle with 1 cup of chopped pecans. Refrigerate pie shell while making apple filling.

3. In a large (12-inch) skilet over medium heat, melt butter and add brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Stir with a wooden spoon. Add apples and stir. Cook over medium to medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes until apples are softened and tender. Let cool for 10 minutes and pour into pie shell. Reduce oven to 350 degrees F.

4. In a medium bowl, using a hand-held mixer on low speed, combine cream cheese and sugar for about 1 minute until smooth. Add egg, lemon juice and vanilla and beat for 1 minute or until fully blended. Pour over apple filling in pie shell. Bake for 30 minutes until an inserted knife comes out clean. Remove pie from oven and let cool. Refrigerate for 4 hours. Let stand outside the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

5. Top with whipped cream, caramel and pecans, and swirl with a knife. Slice and serve.

PS – I found this recipe and these sinful photographs over here.  She’s the owner of one of my new favorite blogs.  I might have to try to see how to get invited over for her next dinner party, too.

Finding out you are pregnant can be a joyous time in your life, but there can also be some very mixed emotions about who and when and how to tell…

“Will my boss try to fire me or think I can’t do my job as well?”

“Will my coworkers look down on me?”

“Will my family and friends be excited for me or will they make rude comments?”

“And, what if something goes wrong – it would be horrible to have to go back and tell everyone that things have changed…”

WHEN TO TELL…

While there is no one PROPER way to announce your great news, there are a lot of thoughts on the subject. Some people feel that telling others at the getgo will also mean more support if something should happen. Some people choose to wait until after the first trimester to announce their news, once miscarriage rates drop significantly. Still others tell their closest friends and family first and wait to announce it to the world only after the first trimester has ended. But, whichever you choose to go with, it should be something YOU feel comfortable with.

HOW TO TELL…

So, you’re pregnant and you’ve decided to spread the news…but HOW? Again, there is no right way or wrong way, and it’s only limited by your creativity (or your ability to search google). But, here are a few ideas to get you started:

-For your Christmas Cards this year, use a picture of your ultrasound to announce the news.

-Say it with a gift. Buy some booties, a bib, or other “baby stuff” and wrap it up to give as a gift. If it’s not around a normal gift giving time, you can call it a “just because” gift. Also, if the person you are telling is a first-time dad, grandparent, etc. consider buying them a “dad” (or whatever) item (like a keychain that says “DAD”).

-Buy some of the plastic babies like those put in Mardi Gras cakes and hide it in one of your cakes. Serve up the cake and when someone finds the babe, you can hand them a note or just announce the good news.

-Wrap up the pregnancy test as a gift.

-Make your own fortune cookies and write your own message – it can be cute or hilarious. Then, give them out at dinner, regardless of what’s on the menu!

-One couple just bought a new home around the time they found out their good news. They made a video, touring the house explaining what each room was and when they got to the extra bedroom, they announced “And, here’s the baby’s room!” The video was shown online for their friends.

-Or, you can make a shirt…like this one…and show up with your child wearing it and not say a word (and email the photo to those far away):

(read the shirt)

And yes, I have an announcement.

We’ve been off of homeschool for so long, it really is time that we get back into it with a renewed vigor. Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure someone swiped and threw out my homeschool papers I’d had printed out. We won’t name any names or anything, because in all seriousness, it could have been me (on accident). But, luckily I found my documents saved on my computer and should have them all reprinted by the end of this week. And, this time? They’re going in a binder. I’m going to go ahead and start a Lorelei binder and a “Teacher’s” binder (2 separate ones) for each grade/age class she completes. I’m really excited about it! Some things will be nothing more than me journaling in her binder and a photo of her doing some new things, but there will also be artwork and the like.

Anyhow, I have a list of things for each age group (from 3-36 months), and while it’s not really “curriculum,” it does give me a good idea of where we stand and what we both need to work on. I use it more as a guide. But, if L doesn’t know how to do some things that are classified as a younger age, I don’t sweat it either. It’s a guide. Nothing more.

So, our new list (she’s 18 months) looks kind of like this:

Cognitive:

1. Match a cut out piece with its outline. We’ll practice this by cutting things out of construction paper and having her try to fit it. At first, we’ll start with just one choice and move on to 2 or 3, so it’s like a puzzle basically.
2. Practice completing simple 1-3 piece puzzles.
3. Match geometric shapes. I plan to just use some cut outs for this, and maybe even make some flash cards, as well.
4. Distinguish same from different. I will use small clean meat trays to feature things like macaronis and then a raisin and ask her to identify what is different. Eventually, we’ll be able to move up to things like farm animals vs. sea creatures but that’s farther down the road.
5. Trace and match shapes.

Motor:

1. Clip clothespins onto a rim. She KNOWS they clip, but seems more interested in taking them apart. We’ll have to work on this (or buy less cheap clothespins!)
2. Putting objects in and out of a pocket booklet.
3. Taking lids on and off of things. She can do this with some lids already, but not so much twisty lids…
4. Unwrapping objects. We haven’t really practiced with this lately, although last weekend at the grocery she knew how to unwrap the plastic off of the raisins. This will be great for Christmastime
5. Picking objects up with a magnet.

Sensory:

1. Identifying colors. This will be great with our new color magnets we made!
2. Matching pairs of objects by color.
3. Identify 10 basic parts of the body.
4. Identify objects by feel.
5. Take a theme walk.
6. Match objects by pattern/texture.
7. Work with playdough!

Language:

1. Practice the 10 body parts.
2. Retrieve named objects and practice learning new names for objects.
3. Name pictures in a book, perhaps trying to learn a new one every week?
4. Name colors.
5. Begin Basic Counting (1,2,3)

Social

1. Explore a treasure bag (bag filled with random goodies) in a group
2. Imitate facial expressions
3. Watch and imitate body movements
4. Listen to and follow instructions
5. Identify and name others

Practical Life:

1. Unrolling and rolling up work mat
2. Wipe up spills
3. Sorting and matching utensils
4. Using cookie cutters to cut bread into shapes
5. Sweeping up
6. Cut soft food into pieces

To be honest, the language part is what gives me the heebie jeebies. Lorelei KNOWS words but either refuses or hasn’t mastered them yet. And she gets really really quiet in front of people she’s not around alot (even if she knows them). At some times, she is totally ready to practice repeating her ABCs or trying a new word, and other times she’ll act like you have 80 eyeballs or just ignore you. I’m a little sensitive about her language skills as is, but I’m trying to keep in mind that between 18 and 24 months, there are some HUGE changes regarding language she’s going to go through. On the other hand, despite the fact I’m a SAHM and playdates are hard to come by (since we live in the middle of nowhere) Lorelei has all of the things listed for Social down. All of them. I’m keeping them on the list for now, though, just to keep her practicing them. She’s pretty social as it is, though, especially with other children and kids. As far as the other areas go? I’m delighted to start trying them with her, she generally loves trying new things and absolutely LOVES the practical life stuff. We REALLY need a mini (but well made) broom/mop/cleaning set for her.

Ooops.  I made a few updates to this blog a while back and never really quite got around to telling you all about them – it’s not that I don’t think you can see with your own eyes, I just thought I’d tell you more. 

So, here we go…the “tour.”

Ladies and gentlemen please board the bus and take your seats.  I care not if you choose to flail your arms, legs, or heads out of the windows – but I’m going to need you to sign this piece of paper that says should you get decapitated or loose anything, it’s your own idiotic fault.  Okay?  All settled in, now?

Up top, you’ll see my new header.  And, under it – my pages.  They’re spiffy and you should check them out.  They’ll also be changing from time to time.  I’ll try to let you know when something new goes up, but I’m kind of a slacker like that.

At the top right, you’ll see a magnificent search box.  Want to see where I called your mom a hussy?  Search it.  Beneath that is where you can subscribe to my goodness.  You know, so you’ll be the first to know when I talk smack and reference big yellow school buses (Yo mama).

Beneath the magical subscribe button (which will bring you many years of good luck if you sign up, or so they say) is adspace.  Why?  Because I don’t want a REAL job and yet I still would really like a new pair of shoes (or 5)…or a plane ticket to meet some of you.  I hand pick each of these and currently, I have a cool halloween costume shop, a professional tutor site, Vista Print (get some free biz cards, yo!), and the pepperjam network ad (which is where all of these ads came from).  To date, I’ve visited each of these sites but have only USED the last two, and I highly recommend them.

Beneath that, I have some text link ads.  These aren’t really my favorites, but they are recommended because UM, DUH…They make me money.  So go clicky clicky and support my bad habits. 

Then, we have all of my categories for my posts.  I really have no clue what I’m doing there, so just wing it.  Or, use the search function.  K?

Next up is this spiffy little…message board type thing.  I have no clue what I should call it.  Basically I can ask a question or you can and we can all answer.  It’s a fun way to get more involved with my site.  And, now that I’m feeling better, I plan to ask you loads of crap, so be sure you humor me and reply, okay?  Please?  Not sure what I’m talking about?  See the blue linky looking stuff underneath my categories on the far right?  Click it.  I swear it’s not spam or ads.  That, and all the cool kids are doing it.

Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts because the whole left side?  Yeh, that’s where I try to secretly suck out your brain powers.  Or something.  I’m pretty sure you know what I do over there.  From the looks of my bank account you sure as hell aren’t here for my ads.  (And, I’m thankful)

Our tour is coming to an end, but before we come to a stop, please note the very bottom of this blog where you can see my recent posts, recent comments, and blogs that I {heart}.  And, be sure you check out how easy I made it for you to stumble, digg, facebook and whatever else my posts with your friends – you know you want to.  Didn’t your mommy teach you to share?  By the way, you can go ahead and skip any PJ pics of me for sharing.  I’d hate for anyone to see that before their morning coffee.

And that my friends, concludes our wonderful tour.  Thank you so much for visiting, and I’ll be in the back of the bus signing autographs, next to the fire escape.

I’m finally feeling better and while I hope that mess is behind me now, I’m erring on the side of caution for a couple of weeks before making any announcements such as “I’m cured!” “All better” “Let’s go out for drinks (Nonalcoholic of course, for me).” I really hate being bitten in the ass. Anyhow, now that I can sit up without barfing and walk ten feet without passing out, I’m starting to sort of feel bad that there are still 2 laundry baskets FULL of clean clothes and 2 FULL of dirty, as well as a messy house and you can’t even see my kitchen table for all of the boxes and bags. Oh wait, there IS still a kitchen table in there, right? Sort of. I sort of feel bad. And then I realize that that’s how it was BEFORE I came back and that Mr. Clearlynotthebosssanders can catch that stuff up. Someday, I’ll have to start cleaning again, but not today. For now, I’ll just sneak in the extra dirty clothes to the huge pile in the floor and pretend they were there all along. Shh. Don’t tell him, k?

And, now that I’m feeling better, the fear of blowing up like a freakin’ Michelin Man display really scares me. I stocked up on an armload of nifty pregnancy exercise dvds, hoping at least one of them would tell me to sit the frick down with some juice and just relax and watch SOAPS because DUDE I’M PREGNANT. No such luck. They all want me to lift my leg here, move my arms like this, and do these interesting things with an exercise ball. Today, I thought I’d do this. You know, go for it. I got out one of the dvds and the accompanying exercise ball they sent me (because they love me) and looked it over. Which made me hungry. So I ate. That’s right, I chose a potato skin over exercising – and I did it all for the baby, because you know what? This kid needs its nutrition and what kind of mother would I be to withhold perfectly good nutrition?

The exercise ball was still in the box and quite frankly should’ve come with directions. I’ve blown up exercise balls before but this thing kept whistling at me and it was a bit unnerving. The fact that I was out of breath by the end of ball inflation should have told me to quit while I was ahead but Nooooo. It did, however, inspire a sudden need for chocolate. And, then of course I began feeling guilty about the chocolate and needed another potato skin just to even things out a bit. And then, I really had to go sign up for all of the giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaway, where I promptly entered giveaways for more chocolate (I need an intervention). I would’ve procrastinated longer, but Steven would be home soon and while he loves watching me work out to Carmen Electra’s workout videos (she oddly enough didn’t have a pregnancy one available), I knew I’d only be laughed at and mocked with some of these. Hell, I’d mock me, some of the “moves” were ridiculous. So, I popped in the dvd and tried my hardest not to laugh.

Warm Up? The only warm up I want is a massage beforehand (and after), but I knew I was being too demanding so I skipped that section. Straight into cardio. I’ll admit, I was a little scared. I’ve barely gotten out since I’ve been sick and I remember how much dizzying cardio I used to do pre-pregnancy when working out. This was…not cardio. My heart might have actually stopped during a few moments from the incredibly slow movements that reminded me more of rocking a baby to sleep. But hey, this is cool. I can barely move and still call it cardio? Oh freakin sweet heavens. I’m in love. Because now I can eat my brownies and potato skins while I sit and move my legs to cardio beats.

I wonder if I can convince my body to still not blow up like a giant puff marshmallow because the video SAID I was doing Cardio. So, it should count, right?

Holy smokes!  I almost missed the blog carnival!

I have 2 great books to give away from the Chicken Soup for the Soul Series:  Moms and Sons and Like Mother, Like Daughter

I love reading Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and always find their stories to be inspirational and great.  I thought it would be great to share with you two great titles, written especially for mom!

To win, simply leave a comment telling me which book you’d like and why!  It’s that easy!  (Be sure I have a way to reach you, though.  I won’t play detective if it’s not obvious and will draw a new winner).

I’ll choose a winner this weekend and post the results Monday!

For more awesome giveaways, check out the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival!

And, be sure to check out my See Kai Run giveaway over HERE too!

First we scoop out the “guts”…

And then we show daddy how to do it the “right” way…

And then we draw out our fabulous design… (and yes, I’m in PJs…after noon…)

We lick our pumpkin pieces…or, she does…

She even takes a bite…

Dad, this tastes NOTHING like pumpkin pie (spit, sputter)

Finish decorating the baby pumpkin … and then the driveway…with stickers!

(Then, cue the camera’s batteries dying before our last shots with the finished pumpkins all lit up.)

Coming soon…  Our spooktacular pumpkins…or, rotting pumpkins, depending on how fast we find those rechargeable batteries we lost.  Whichever.

I had always said that I wanted to be a published writer, and while I unintentionally phrased it in such a way that would make that goal easy to TECHNICALLY check off the list – I never quite did what I wanted to do.  I have written and published poetry, I write about my life consistently and publish it for the world to see, I’ve written for a couple of small magazines/publications and most recently, I even wrote a bit for a well-known book series.  I only have myself to please on this one, and I’m not done yet.  Some of you are aware that before I became Ms. Sicky Sick, I was working on a novel.  Well, I’m back, and I’m bringing it back too.

I had only just started before my poor laptop began gathering dust and everything fell behind, but I had been writing it all semi-publicly.  As in, if you knew where to find it, you could read it.  I was hesitant to mention it as I have a huge knack for having high aspirations and then changing my goals.  But, then there was NaNoWriMo.  It stands for National Novel Writing Month, and it’s happening THIS November.  The idea is that on November 1, you begin writing and by November 30 you will have 50,000 words or approximately a 175 page novel (more if you do BIG print ).  I just calculated that and that’s about 1, 666 words per day.  However, since you’re writing with such intensity this thing focuses on quantity not quality – which is all jazz hands and everything, but… if I’m going to do this, I want it to be good, ya know?  So, I’m going to join the gazillions (or 5) other people across the world that are taking part, and I’ll write daily during the month of November on my now private blog that was set aside for this novel (not Bosssanders.com).  I’m aiming for 50,000 words by the end of November, but regardless I’m hoping this just lights my pants on fire a bit.  It’d be cool to have a GREAT novel finished before baby A gets here.

I haven’t really decided how open I want the novel blog to be – part of me wants it to be a surprise, and part of me really likes the feedback (assuming I get any).  Plus, knowing that someone is waiting for the next installment really makes me want to jump in and write more and more, you know?  Then again, I don’t want people who happened to find me in search or something to steal my stuff and try to publish it as their own in any way, shape, or form.  So, who knows.  Guess it depends on if anyone is even interested, too.

4 more days…