and the verdict is...

Feeling very blessed today. Our baby is big and healthy, with a strong heart and "nice" brain (according to the OB!). And...
We had our amazing 20 week ultrasound this morning...got to count fingers, see all of the developed bones, parts of the brain and the heart chambers - truly astounding! When it came time to check the gender this little boy wasn't shy at all and gave us a clear view.

We are completely over the moon!

Baby Boom is measuring one week and one day ahead, which has been consistent with every u/s we've had so, we'll see at my if my doctor will make any due date changes at next month's appointment.

Let the shopping begin :-)

oh, we're halfway there...

20 weeks down and 20 weeks to go...

Today marks the official halfway point of my pregnancy. I can't belive how fast time is passing and I know this is something I'll repeat often as soon as this little one makes his or her appearance, grows and flourishes. The baby seemed to be commemorating this milestone with a party in my womb all day - lots of flipping and kicks (two that daddy was able to feel on the outside). We are about to countdown the hours until we are able to get another sneek peek on Tuesday morning! Today is also bringing another gift - these stormy skies and leftovers from Huricane Bill means there will finally be an end (even if brief) to the high heat and humidity that has been torturing me for the past week and a half. My sweet husband installed the a/c to get us over the worst of it but, I'm hoping we won't need it many more days this season. Bring on autumn!
One more thing: the above is proof that an excellent cupcake can fix just about anything (yesterday's flavor - PB&J). Thank you Crumbs on 87 Beaver, NYC for getting me through the municipal training blahs!

-- posted from my iPhone

recipe: crock-pot swiss caserole chicken

Tried this fantastic recipe tonight, courtesy of Crockpot Tuesdays. Mr. B and I both loved it! It was very tasty, inexpensive and extremely easy to prepare (literally 5 minutes). As an added bonus, using these measurements yields the two of us 3 full meals...just add a salad or veggies. I'm sharing the recipe with some modifications and suggestions below.

Swiss Casserole Chicken
6 chicken breast halves
4 slices swiss cheese
1 - 10 3/4 ounce can cream of mushroom soup (*I used cream of chicken)
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp crushed garlic (*modification)
2 cups instant stuffing mix (such as Stove Top)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

1. Lay chicken breasts in slow cooker, top with cheese slices. Combine soup, milk and minced garlic in a small bowl and spoon over cheese. Sprinkle stuffing mix over top. Drizzle melted butter over stuffing mix.

2. Cook on low 8-10 hours or, high 3-4 hours. (I cooked on high for 3 hrs 15 minutes and it was perfect)

Suggestions:

• Mr. B thinks adding some dried cranberries to the stuffing mix would be a nice addition, providing a bit of a sweet/salty twist. I agree and will definitely try this next time.
• I would recommend using low-sodium soup, low-sodium stuffing or both. You can always add salt but, can't take it away. Next time I'll try one low-sodium option and see if it helps a bit. Although this dish was certainly not over-salted, I'm just not used to cooking with a lot of salt which effects my palette with some recipes.
• I think any hard, sliced cheese would work for this dish. Swiss adds a very subtle flavor. If you are a cheese lover, maybe try cheddar for more flavor impact.

Please excuse the lack of a photo this time around - it was dark by the time we got around to eating and, frankly, it smelled way too delicious to put off dinner for a picture!

all things evil...

1. Sonic (and Cablevision for running their ads):
Seriously, why must I be taunted and tempted with images of things that are nowhere within my reach? A Sonic commercial plays on our television at least once an hour yet, the closest to our home is about 2 hours away or over state lines. Don't these people know it's unfair to play on the cravings of a pregnant woman? But, HA! I have found a way around their trickery. It happens that a Sonic opened not far off the path to our mini-vacation this weekend...score! Cherry Limeade Chiller, you will soon be mine, all mine!!! Bwahahahaha ;-)Bonus! I went online in search of a coupon (hey, if I'm required to drive two hours for it, I should at least get a deal, right?) and found this one for a 99 cent regular Chiller. Click and enter your e-mail address to get yours and join in my sweet revenge!

2. Vampires: I can't help it. Ever since reading my way through the Twilight series, I've been wanting more blood-sucking action. It's bad, I know. Add to that, the torture of hearing all of the rave reviews of the show True Blood and little ol' me without access to HBO. So, what's a girl to do? Read, of course! I found the Sookie Stackhouse books online for 40% off retail but, didn't really want to wait the 10 business days for delivery. Google being my friend today, I found a coupon for 40% off any book at Borders, called to have them set aside the box set of books 1-7 and made them mine at lunchtime. Gotta love vamps for a steal! I plan to make my acquaintance with Ms. Stackhouse tonight...

Have you read these? Any thoughts or reviews you'd like to share (without spoilers, of course!)?

super cute label freebie!

Tell me these aren't some of the cutest labels you've ever seen...Can't do it, can you?
Want them? Need them?
Go here now: Got Sketch Labels Download

Thanks for posting this, Celeste!

much needed updates...

I just typed out a looooooong post and my computer ate it, grrr! So, here's a short version for now...

The belly. At 16 weeks (7/24) my belly finally popped a bit so, I was inspired to try for a photo. Not the best from my iPhone but it's a start. Mr. B took several more that weekend and we'll likely take weekly shots here on out for Baby Boom's scrapbook.

Commuting to the far end of NYC in the summer is not fun, especially with my current aversion to heat and humidity. Steaming subway stations and molten asphalt, anyone? But, I am occasionally required to work out of our Wall Street office. At the very end of Wall Street, past the stock exchange and trough the throngs of warm weather tourists. And, here's proof - taken after crossing the street from the #4 Wall Street station. Check out the crowded chattle line on the left...yep.

But, the commute home is never bad when accompanied by a treat or two. The picks this date were and Iced non-fat Chai Latte and a black & White from Junior's. Yum!

On the scrapbooking front, I finally flung myself back into my beloved hobby after a 4 month hiatus (yes, my last page was completed in March!) at an all-day crop. Not my most productive crop ever but, I had a great time with friends and went home with 4 completed layouts. As soon as I can get motivated to scan them in, I'll post a couple here.

And, about that diaper bag decision. It's on-going:

1. #3, the Petunia Pickle Bottom has gotten some pretty terrible reviews about the fabric wearing poorly and a couple of other things (the need to purchase stroller clips for an additional $20 you say?). And, a lovely reader offered her mom perspective that the messenger bag flap was sure to drive me mad (thank you!!!).
2. #2, the Rowdy seems to be eternally out-of-stock or selling for twice the recommended price if one should manage to come across it. In the end, while pretty, I"m not sure it would be large enough for all the baby goods.
3. #1, the Skip*Hop Studio is definitely still in the running and I'm also considering another of their models that, like the Rowdy, has a detachable small purse for mom (and is in a very chic fabric).
4. Now, am looking at a #4, Fleurville. Love that they use eco-friendly fabrics that that they wipe clean.

-- posted from my iPhone