Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies

makes 16-20 cookies

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup cocoa powder (I used Ovaltine because its sweeter (and therefore much better)

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup white chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 375.

Cream butter and sugars together until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and combine until smooth. Beat in red food coloring. Stir in cocoa, flour, baking soda and salt until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Using (big) rounded spoonfuls drop dough on cookie sheets and bake for 10-12 (I think 11 was perfect) minutes. Cool on pan for 3 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. I didn't cover mine and they were good overnight. I don't know about the second day-- they didn't make it that far!

also

I haven't posted a belly pic in a while so here is one in my new favorite dress:

Also you can see my hair just keeps on growing-- almost as fast as my belly. I really need to get it trimmed.

Photo Book

I got a coupon for a free photo book that had to be used by tomorrow. So I made a "first 20 weeks" photo book. Check it out:

Click here to view this photo book larger

I can't wait to see it for real!!

fabric!!

I think I have finally decided on fabric for the nursey!!
This for the crib skirt:

this for the curtains:


I am thinking button tab curtains. I might take the two fabrics and make a diaper stacker too--Or I might find a new fabric I like and make one out of that!!

happy

Do you ever have those days where everything seems to go right?
Its nine a.m. and I have all the regular Saturday chores done-- weekly menu planned, groceries shopped, bills paid.

The new kid at the grocery store put all my fridge/freezer stuff into one bag, so I only had to open the doors one time, and somehow managed to get the other stuff into a (mostly) pantry bag and cabinet bag. He must be magic!

Because my day has gone so smoothly so far, I think I will clean out the fridge and pantry because they need it DESPERATELY. Too bad I can't do too much manual labor or I would seriously consider taking apart the spare bed. Maybe I'll just take photos and try to sell it on Craigslist for $20. That can go toward fabric!!

Nesting

I know nesting isn't supposed to start yet, but since I have done everything else (except tell) early, I am going to say that is starting early too.

My version of nesting, so far, does not include scrubbing. I am too cool for that. Mine is planning for the end of the year, and making lists. And by lists I mean color coded excel spreadsheets with formulas and headers.

So far, I have one for diapers, one for Christmas gifts, one for how many frozen casseroles to make ahead of time, and one for nursery themes/ideas (FYI I'm going for a non matching patterns/matching color scheme thing). I also have a less coded, but still very-much-there list for registering, which includes what to get at Target, Babies R Us (even though I swore I wouldn't register there because of their awful prices and even worse customer service), and Amazon.

List making makes me feel better about the things I want to do, but can't do yet.

Baby Stuff

Gosh, babies need a lot of stuff. And you can get this, which does this and this, or this and this and this (but of course, thats more $$) Its so overwhelming.

We were thinking about registering today, but honestly, I just didn't feel like it. I was tired, we had other stuff to do. Even thinking about where to register is hard. I really wanted to do Target and Buy Buy Baby and Amazon... except there is no BBB or Bed Bath and Beyond with a baby section (thats what we have) within 50 miles of Toledo. I guess Babies R Us it is... even though I despise that store. Their prices are way too high and their stuff is the same as everyone else (just more) and their customer service is horrible. But, thats what makes it easier for everyone else. I do think we are going to register for travel system and pack and play at Target though, because they have them in store and they are way cheaper there. All the smaller stuff will probably be BRU.

I am starting to think about nursery ideas... even though the Dr. said we still have to confirm (on Tuesday, yay!), I am sure this baby is a girl. When she said it, I knew she was right. I am thinking yellow walls-- which is funny because up until about a week ago I HATED yellow. But I think yellow and pink will be really pretty.

Peaceful

We went to the beach Thursday and Friday. Originally I had just taken Friday off, and was contemplating a weekend beach trip... then we had a good deal pretty much fall into our laps. So Thursday and Friday it was.
Thursday was good, we left early so we got there early, our room was ready when we go there so we didn't have to wait, and we got to spend plenty of time by/in the water. Thursday night I decided I was going to turn off my phone, take off my watch (it has the date on it) and focus on relaxing with my husband and our baby. I had a nice, peaceful day, one on which I didn't focus on sadness, and I didn't think about anything, except about how lucky I am right now. I think I did a really good job, and I know I did what was best for me.
I am, however, so thankful for the kind words I received (today) and all the great people who kept me in their thoughts. I truly am blessed.

And, because I can't resist... here is little lady's first trip to the beach:

I hope she liked it!