Cool Weather Baking

Since I have been avoiding the oven all summer since it spews it's nasty heat all through my air conditioned house, I have been looking forward to cooler weather so I can make some yummy food. To help myself become a little more goal oriented I told Shawn I was going to try baking something new once a week, like pumpkin bread and cinnamon scones. He didn't even complain, can you believe it? ; ) Well I became ambitious this week and have tried out 3 new recipes. I had one failure last week which I'll elaborate on later.
First up on the baking list was these 3 ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. Cake mix, chocolate chips, and a can of pumpkin, can't get easier than that. They were, and are pretty yummy. The pumpkin doesn't really come through much which is kind of a bummer but I'm not sure I like pumpkin and chocolate together anyways.

Next I was on to something a little more savory. I pinned these cheese wafers to try and finally decided to do it. I pinned them as a goldfish alternative although they're more like a cheese it alternative. While not really healthy, they do not have any preservatives or artificial crud so that's a plus. Since it's mostly cheese they come out with a softer texture but Mae LOVES them and they're not a chocking hazard like a hard cracker. Lord knows my baby chokes enough! I completely recommend these.

Last but not least is Carrot Snack Sticks. "Mae Watt, eating carrots??" you say as you remember Mae's first experience with carrots. Well, yes, my baby loves something that contains carrots. These carrots sticks are super yummy and minorly time consuming. The recipe says to grate the carrot using a microplane. I don't have one so I shredded the carrots in the food processor and then put the blade in to chop them super fine. Worked good for me and I got to use the food processor for both recipes. The long part is just working the dough. I will add an extra 1/2 tbs oil when I make them next. I'm so happy that Mae likes them and hopefully I can find some more healthy homemade snacks.

Best part of all with the last 2 recipes is that I had everything on hand already so I didn't have to go to the store and buy lots of expensive ingredients or expensive packaged snacks for Mae.

 Also, other mommies out there, make broccoli potato cakes! They are one of my only ways to get Mae to eat her veggies. She loves these and I always make a big patch and make 3 or 4 patties for lunch for her every day.

It's a........

BOY! 

My ultrasound was Monday. I really tried not to think about it at all because I didn't want to get antsy.  I picked Meg and Matt up at the airport after lunch and then we came back to my house to wait for my appointment. My dad and Matt watched Mae. (i hear she got some cookies) Anyways, all four of us (my mom, meg, shawn and I) show up and take up half the waiting room. Shawn was really thinking girl and I was hoping for a boy. The ultrasound tech didn't talk much during the scan except to tell me to stop sitting up. (she wouldn't move the screen so I could see it!!!!!) Well, after a few minutes I saw her type in bladder and I knew we were getting close to the money shot. Shawn and I looked at each other and I shook my head meaning "she's not there yet". Well I start to see some legs and know right away it's a girl. My heart was beating so fast. Then the tech moved the image a little and I saw clear as day. "It's a boy, right?" I said, with a huge smile on my face. She confirmed that and then the scan was over and she left. My mom immediately pulled out a little newborn boy outfit. She said she just had a strong feeling. We were in shock. I felt for sure I could only have girls. haha I suppose that's what everyone thinks. We're getting used to the idea more every day. I told Shawn this morning that his son isn't really a morning person and we both said that sounds so weird to say "your son". We're thankful that God is in control of our family and our lives and that he decided to bless us with a healthy little Henry Reed Watt. 

Here is proof! See the arrows exposing my poor son? He'll totally hate us for this one day but I showed Mae's pic so it's only fair. It's quite vulgar, sorry. 

 This is a 3D pic. You can see his hands kind of rubbing his face and it looks like he's got some big 'ol lips.

 Profile picture. You should be able to see a few white dots around his forehead. Those are his fingers.

 19weeks 3 days

Henry is a very active baby. At this point with Mae I'm not even sure I felt much movement at all. Henry kicks ALL the time. These are the kind of kicks I felt with Mae at like 25 weeks. We'll see how things go from here. I hope he doesn't hurt me too much with his kicks as he gets bigger!

Pregnancy is going well. Sleeping is not. It's just uncomfortable to have to pee all the time. Hey, only 20 more weeks right? Hopefully I can curb my appetite for sprite and potato chips so I don't end up gaining 70lbs! I'm up about 9 lbs but 7 of those were in the last 4 weeks. haha He's just growing a lot, right? RIGHT? No I'm not really too worried. I know I'll gain what I gain but I should start eating a little healthier.

The cutest pictures in created history

She looks so pretty and grown up!

 Hilarious!

Part Two!

A rainy morning turned into a lovely sunny afternoon. The water was a little chilly but Paul and Shawn didn't seem to mind. 

We have the four mile creek greenway right near our house and we went on a family walk one morning. The weather was nice and we ended up walking a couple miles.

 Mae obviously does not think the camera is very interesting.

Watt Trip Part One- Charlotte Nature Museum

Shawn's parents and sister came in town last week and we had a wonderful time. The day after they got in we went to the Charlotte Nature Museum. It was uptown but luckily just south enough of the city that we didn't hit any convention traffic. The museum was so cool.

There was a whole bug area which Mae loved/hated!

 The little boy is looking in a cage of cockroaches. Mae's not sure about it.

 Ahhh! The giant fly man!

 Fly baby freaked out a little during this.

 They had a butterfly garden that was really neat.  Mae was a little scared of them but enjoyed watching them fly around. Luckily one didn't land on me because they freak me out a little.

 "I'm watching you, butterfly!"

 KK (grandma) looking at snakes with Mae. I could not even walk by the cages. I hate snacks sooo much.

 Mae and the stuffed beaver

 The museum also had an outside part. There was a trail and a play area.

 Working with grandpa

 "it's too heavy!"

 I can't wait to go back again when Mae is a little older. I'm happy we got to experience it with Shawn's family