pizza bagels

I'm working too much to have much interesting to blog about. But tonight I actually made time to make dinner. So while I was at it, I snapped a few shots to share with you. (And I say why the heck not snap photos of what you eat!? It's part of our heritage, right? I mean, I don't think either of my grandmothers were much into pizza bagels back in the 1950s.)
There is no time for dinner. When things are less hectic, we're more into meal planning. For the past two weeks, I've been on a taco salads and pizza bagels kick. I know... poor John. Has to eat the same thing all the time. Whutever.

Really, don't feel bad for him. He LOVES the pizza bagels. I tried them once on a whim and he fell in love. Lucky for me, he likes the stuff that's easy to make and the harder stuff he usually could live without. So I'll tell ya how we make pizza bagels here. They are QUITE delish...

The shopping list:

• 1 package of refrigerator bagels (I usually buy the Lender's whole wheat variety)
• pepperoni
• pizza sauce
• mozzerella (I buy it in a block and shred it myself, it melts better that way)
  
• banana peppers
• fresh mushrooms (you could buy the ones in the jar... but fresh work well)
  
• can of sliced or chopped black olives
• onion (I happened to have some scallions leftover from the previous night's taco salads)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 365 F. Split the bagels into halves, lay on baking stone or pan. (Usually one bagel serves on person.) Shred cheese, set aside. Spread pizza sauce over each bagel half. Line with pepperoni. Add other toppings. Top with cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.

We like different things on our pizzas... so usually John has banana peppers on his and I have black olives and onions on mine. Great meal for kids... they can top their own!

showered with love

Dear JT,

Your mommy and daddy's closest friends had a shower for you today. I hope you realize how much love surrounds you. We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends. We are sitting at home now surrounded by all these wonderful gifts for you thinking that we are spoiled, spoiled (and so are you!).

Three hours seemed like it flew by today. I love, LOVE having all our friends in the same place. It is the most wonderful feeling. We are so lucky to know and be loved by SO MANY caring, beautiful, and talented people. It touches our hearts to know that these people will be an influence in your life as you grow up.

And in case you were ever going to ask us why we live where we do... these folks are the number one reason we live here. Your aunts Jenny and Becka threw you such a wonderful party today... your dad and I are still on such a high from the whole afternoon!

Everyone sends you their love... especially your mom and dad!

Hugs & kisses, baby boy...

play this country song backwards...

Today is like playing a country song backwards... my computer is fixed and back in my arms, the ceiling is done and looks lovely, and I lost 1/2 a pound.

Here is a pregnancy update...

How far along: 28 weeks.
Last thing I craved: Raspberry Truffle ice cream from Bruester's
Pounds gained so far: 18.5. Down a pound since 3 weeks ago. Hmm.
Last time the baby moved: 5 minutes ago.
Latest annoying pregnancy symptom: Swollen ankles.
Progress on the nursery: Still stalled at 5%.
What we're reading: Haven't been so good at reading lately.
What we're listening to: Classic rock.

Next post it's going to be time for some photos, I think.

:-)

being present for just a moment

Ali Edwards mentioned this Washington Post story on her blog today: Pearls Before Breakfast. I read it. It's a very long article. But I've read the whole thing and recommend it to everyone. It actually made me tear up to think that we are so busy and wrapped up in the day to day that we wouldn't notice a masterpiece blaring right in front of our noses. And I wondered as I read it which person I would be. As much as I want to be the person standing along the wall taking in the moment, I think I'd probably be the person barely noticing there is something different going on. And isn't that enough to make you cry? That life, art, and beauty presents itself every day and you just don't have time for it?

Oh and don't get me started on the mom who stands between her son and the musician so he can stay focused on getting where they need to go. That's probably me, too. How sad that we suck the creativity out of our kids' lives. I have made a mental note on it right now for JT's sake. (Yes, even though he's going to be a football player, his mother still thinks it's important to develop his creativity!)

Speaking of JT, he's 28 weeks today. He's doing well. He kicked his dad in the head tonight and we've taken two walks today. (Who knew a fetus could have such a busy day?!)

My computer was supposed to be away for a week getting repaired. Since it's been "in transit" since Saturday, I decided to actually talk to a person about it today. Apparently, it's lost. I am trying not to think what that means. It had better get found and back into my hands soon. I'm not sure if I mentioned or not... but I really miss it!

I'm starting to feel better about the basement, so I can actually mention it again without having a breakdown. John has been working with a contractor since Saturday to get the CeilingMax installed. Don't let their video fool you, it's not exactly like playing with Legos. There are mathematical calculations, measuring, geometry, etc. in a ceiling tile installation. It's just a few hours from being completely finished. I'll post some photos when it's 100% and all the debris is cleaned up. I've postponed the couch delivery twice now. I'm hoping we can finish up the last few items by next week. Keep your fingers crossed.

And don't forget to read Pearls Before Breakfast. Print it out and take it with you, read it in bits... just read it. Does it apply to your life at all? Which person are you... do you rush by hardly noticing? Notice and toss some change his way? Or do you stop and listen to the whole performance?

little clothes are so cute

Yesterday I went to a community "baby items sale" with one of my girlfriends. Hilarious to see women with strollers line up outside before it opens so they can get first dibs on "stuff"! Not wanting to miss anything ourselves, though... we were right there in that line.

I have no clue what we are going to need. There are a few obvious things like crib, stroller, car seat, bottles, etc... that I can think of. But for the most part, when confronted with a gymnasium full of baby stuff, I end up with a few articles of clothing and a well-worn Green Eggs and Ham. Oh, and I did get a mirror to put in the car so I can see JT's face when he's in the rear-facing position. We'll see if being able to stare at my baby while driving is a good or bad idea. :-)

And today, the most exciting thing I've done is wash all the little clothes I got at the sale. It's the first time ever washing baby's clothes... awww. They are so little and so cute. I just stare and them and imagine the little bundle of joy that will fit in them. As you can imagine, laundry is taking a little longer today than usual.

Saturday night John and I were laying on the couch watching tv, or rather passing out on the couch denying how tired we really were. Well, JT pretty much did a total 360 in utero that woke both of us up!

In other updates... The Apple support line says my computer has been repaired and is in transit back to the store. Let's hope they call soon. I'm going through mac withdrawal. And the basement remains behind schedule. So the schedule keeps changing. But there has been much progress this weekend on the ceiling. I find that I am slightly less stressed when there is visible progress.

what a week

Ugh. What a week. Here's the bad:

• Computer died last Saturday. It's away for repair for another couple days. I miss it.
  
• Basement still not done. Making me CRAZY. (You wondered what happened to basement photos, huh?!)
• Weather has been cold. The flowers didn't make it. I'm holding out hope for a few of them, though.
• I ordered maternity pants from Old Navy. They didn't fit, returned for exchange... they were OUT OF STOCK! (But I do have to say... hip, hip hooray to oldnavy.com for $5 shipping and free returns/exchanges on maternity stuff. That is the right answer.)
• The garage door opener broke. Boy that sucks.
  
• Work is crazy.

There is plenty of good though:
Been doing a lot of scrapping. My friend Jenny is keeping me motivated! I highly recommend the free rubber stamping class at Archiver's. I'm not entirely new to stamping... but it was nice to learn a few new tricks like alcohol ink. Mmmm, might need some of that!

The baby boy has been a little womb-raiding ninja lately. He's kicking like crazy. It is so cool to be able to "interact" with him now. He's kicking hard enough that you can see and feel his kicks from the outside... very cool. And no pregnancy issues... very thankful for that.

oooh, my husband just made me a sundae... gotta go. :-)