Cinnamon Apple Pancakes

The hubs went to a conference in Colorado this summer for school and stayed in a bed and breakfast where he enjoyed some delicious cinnamon apple pancakes.  I had decided that once he got back, I would try to recreate them since he liked them so much.  It took a while for me to remember to have an apple on hand on the weekend, but I finally got around to it this past Sunday.

I didn't go all out and make the pancake mix from scratch - I just used our box mix - and then added some diced apples and cinnamon to the batter.  The pancakes were just okay, but nothing to write home about.  I guess I am going to have to find a good pancake recipe for us.  The apples were a good consistency, but I felt like they needed to be a little sweeter, and I couldn't really taste the cinnamon that much.  

Any suggestions??  The concept really intrigues me, I just can't get the taste to line up with my expectations and P's Colorado pancakes. 

35 Weeks

Last week I was 35 weeks pregnant (according to the original due date of Oct. 12).  We finally got around to taking some pictures on the last day of the 35th week.  I was kind of over it and ready for dinner, so they aren't the best pictures that we've taken, but P worked well with what I gave him ;).  At 35 weeks, Grayson was about 5 1/4 pounds (!!) and around 18 inches long.  The weight is similar to that of a honeydew melon.

The fun news about this week is that the baby's basic physical development is now mostly complete, and his main job is just to bulk up a little more in the coming weeks.  It is a relief to know that should he come any day now, he should be fully developed and perhaps not even need a stay in the NICU.

 I had an all day continuing eduction conference downtown this particular day, so I was unable to sit with my feet raised at all.  As you might be able to see, my feet were so swollen by the end of the day.  It didn't help, of course, that the 100 degree heat came back this week as well.  Last weekend, my feet actually looked like feet again after four or five consecutive days under 97 degrees and a day at the spa with a massage and pedicure, and we thought the swelling might stay away after that.  We were so wrong. 

Week 34

We didn't get around to taking any pictures with the pineapple last week, but I did take another shadow shot on one of my walks with Jackson.  I guess this is two weeks in a row without fruit, but we bought the 35 week fruit yesterday, so here's hoping we take the time to get some shots tonight for it!

34 week bump in a shadow:

It is much bigger than the last shadow picture I took at 24 Weeks!

Baylor Football

This weekend we went to the first Baylor football game of the season. I love my school and the experience of being at the game, but I've got to tell you, being 35 weeks pregnant is not the best time to go to a game.  When we got to the game, the sun was still out and the car still said it was over 100 degrees outside.  Walking to the stadium was so hot, I wasn't sure I would be able to cool down from it. 

We had pretty good seats on the alumni side (I thought they were nice, at least), and for a while no one sat next to me, so I didn't feel too crowded.  Once the sun went down, it got a little better heat wise, but the air was so still that there was barely a breeze. 

By the end of the game, my feet were super swollen and I was a bit concerned.  I excused myself from the stands about a minute before the game was over and got ready to leave as soon as it was over.  The game was so close that it came down to the last minute and I hated that I wasn't there to watch the outcome, but this isn't the first or the last change that I will have to make for baby Gray.  Buuut, first game of the season, and it goes in the win column!  Sic'Em Bears!  

Grayson's first Baylor game!

While we were in Waco, we couldn't help but to go by the bookstore the next morning and buy some more baby Baylor gear.  We got a super cute t-shirt for Grayson along with a stuffed bear wearing a BU tie.  I can't wait to dress our precious little bear in his Baylor clothes.

Nursery Updates

I finally got around to doing my first load of laundry for our small babe this week so that I could put sheets on the crib and give it a semi-finished look.  I have to say, buying the baby laundry detergent and doing a load of small baby clothes really hit home that we have a baby on the way! 

Stuffed animals from the shower (the elephant smells amazing!)

 

Looks like I need to smooth out the bed skirt a little!  It is amazing how tightly that mattress fits in the crib.

We decided on a rug from Pottery Barn Kids for the nook area, in hopes that it would make the area look more like its own space.  I hope that once we move the rug back just a little bit that it will help us achieve that look a little better.

We have purchased all of the decorations for the wall, so we just need to set aside time to add the large tree decal behind the crib and the elephant decals above the dresser along with the letters that spell out Grayson's name.  I think it is coming a long quite nicely.  I just can't wait for it to be done!

A Shower to Remember

Some of my most favorite people in the world threw a shower for me in Dallas a few weeks ago.  I so appreciate all of the time they spent meticulously decorating and cooking for me and Grayson.  We were showered with so many wonderful gifts, P and I can't even explain how grateful we are.

 

The decorations were awesome!

A tree for wishes from all of the guests

Sweet sister making decorations

Beautiful table for the food

Pretty sister-in-law with decorations

Before the shower got started, we took a picture with all of the shower hostesses:

And then we ate cake, opened gifts, and played some games.

Delicious Cupcakes

Book Basket

 Thank you for such a wonderful party!

More Pictures/Week 33

The last few weeks have been pretty busy, and I just have not taken the fruit/veggie pics that I would like to have.  Since my sister took pictures of me a week and a half ago, I am happy that I at least have week 33 documented in some way. The hubs and I had Jess take pictures of us outside my parent's house and then at Parker Square in Flower Mound in the early morning sun. Thanks for capturing some great shots, sis!  We greatly appreciate it.

I love my Dr. Dr. in training

Am I supposed to hear anything with this??

My love

Loving Gray's Baylor gear already!

Photographer

Last weekend while we were in Dallas for Grayson's amazing shower, I asked my sister to take some pictures of me and P.  I think she has a great eye for pictures and a much better camera than we have right now.  Her patience with the heat and finding the perfect spot for pictures was great.  Here is one of my favorites in front of my parent's house...I'll put more up later.

Shopping Finds

When I was at HomeGoods last week looking for inspiration for my shower hostess' gifts, I of course, drifted over to the baby section for a bit and found the cutest onsie collection.  It is a set of four onsies with each of the upcoming holidays on it.  Each one says "My 1st" and then the holiday that it is referring to.  I love that the set grows with the baby, meaning, the first two are size 0-3 months, and the last two, (Christmas and New Years) are 3-6 months.

I hope that Grayson likes the holidays half as much as his mommy does.  I know that this year he won't understand anything that is going on, but I am so excited for the holidays to come.  Kids just seem to make them so much more special. 

While at HomeGoods, I also came across a very cute stool.  I took the picture below at the store and sent it to the hubs to get his opinion.  I thought P would be more excited about it (it has an elephant on it!!), but his excitement level was a little disappointing.  I almost didn't get it because of this, but then I reminded myself how cheap it was ($15!!), and that at the very least, a low stool for nursing had been recommended in my nursing class. 

I think this stool will grow with our family for a long time.  Starting out as a nursing stool, then I can imagine it being in the bathroom helping Grayson reach the sink, and as a small seat for his tiny toddler body.  Although P was less than enthusiastic about this purchase, I think it will be great!

Milk...it does a body good

When I buy milk I always check the expiration date before taking it off the shelf.  I don't really drink milk all that often and it usually goes to waste.  I hate wasting the money, especially since we've been buying special milk for me during the pregnancy (Organic milk with DHA added).  Well, this weekend I was amused when the milk that I picked up had a longer shelf life than the due date!

I know he may come later than this date, but it was amusing and put a smile on my face.  Five more weeks!  We can't wait...