Halloween 09'

Even though the weather was less then perfect (70 degrees but rainy) we had a great day! AJ helped hand out some candy and then off to a kiddy party at Michele's we went! The kids had a great time playing, then we did a little trick or treating and then it was time for some of Aunt Maria's yummy cupcakes! My little strawberry is going to sleep well tonight - hopefully so will mommy - with exactly 3 weeks till my due date sleep is becoming more and more difficult!

Ready for Dylan

His furniture is all set up (thank you SO SO much Grandma & Pop Pop - we LOVE it), the new born clothes, bibs, blankets and burp cloths are all washed, my "GO" bag is almost ready, the car seat is installed and now we are just waiting...and waiting...and waiting...

Big Girl Bed!

We finally decided it was time to convert AJ's crib into the toddler bed. We have never been in any rush since she has never once tried to climb out of her crib (I have heard tons of horror stories) not to mention she has always slept very well and as the saying goes - if it ain't broke...

Well, after talking long and hard about it Alex & I decided that it would eventually HAVE to be done (I could just see her telling her friends in Kindergarden she still sleeps in a crib!) and we thought it's better to do it before Dylan arrives then after so she had a chance to adjust and to get used to it before the adjustment of dealing with a new baby in the house on top of it. Well, I am not sure what all our talking and worrying was about - SHE LOVES IT! The very first night she wanted to climb into it all by herself and was happy to fall asleep in it! She wakes up every now and again and calls for us to come cover her or bring her a sip of water but overall she is doing great and we couldn't be any happier or prouder of our big girl! GO AJ!

Mini Mushroom & Onion Meatloafs

1 lb ground beef

1 small container of mushrooms chopped up

1 small onion chopped up (very thin sliced then chopped)

1 TBS butter

1/2 container brown gravy (Whole Foods brand is the way to good - only good gravy in a jar)

few shakes of bread crumbs

1 egg

cooking spray

1/4 cup water

Heat butter over medium heat in a pan and saute the onion and mushrooms for about 5 minutes. Remove from pan and let it cool. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl combine the ground beef, egg, 2TBS of the brown gravy, 1/2 the cooled mushroom onion mixture and bread crumbs. Mix with your hands all together and make about 6 small oval shaped patties. Brown in the pan on both sides and put in a baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Put the other half of the mushroom/onion mix back into the pan and add the rest of the gravy and a little bit of water to thin it out a little. Bring to a boil and dump over the mini loafs in the baking pan. Cover with foil and bake in oven for about 25 minutes before removing foil and then finishing cooking (about another 10-15 mins depending on how thick they are). Serve!

Crock Pot Stew - Aunt Gertie Style!

1 lb stew meat cut in cubes

flour for dredging

1 TBS olive oil

3 peeled carrots chopped into chunks

1 32 oz. can of diced tomatoes

1 package dry brown gravy mixed with 1 cup water

2 smaller potatoes peeled and cut up into chunks

1 onion chopped up

1/2 lb whole wheat orzo cooked

Dredge the stew meat in flour and brown in a pan over high hear in olive oil. Set crock pot to 8-10 hour setting and add to it the browned meat, stewed tomatoes, brown gravy mix & onion. When it's about halfway done (after 4-5 hours) add the carrots and potatoes. Finish cooking and then serve over cooked orzo. This is the first time I used the orzo and I highly reccommend it - it was perfect! My Aunt Gertie always made her stew this way (tomato based) and it's so so so so yummy!

1 Month to Go!!!!

About 1 more month and this family of 3 will become a family of 4! We are so so so excited and ready for Dylan Sutton!

Apple Crisp!

Easy & Delishious Apple Crisp

4-5 apples
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 stick of softened butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
few sprinkles of white sugar
few shake of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and slice apples and put into the bottom of a 8x8 baking dish. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Mix remaining ingredients with a fork and sprinkle over the apples. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes.

Week 6 - Little Explores Class - Leaves!

This week we learned all about why leaves fall and learned how to rake them. Since it was cold and raining we only made it outside for a long enough to walk into the woods, rake a pile of leaves and then jump into them! Back inside we learned from Miss Barbara why leaves turn colors and then fall. We then read a book about leaves and then did 2 different art projects. At the end of class Miss Barbara found a worm to feed the turtle and the kids all gathered around to watch. Finally, they all got to pick a little pumpkin and then home we went! As usual class was great and AJ was happy to wear her rain boots!

Comverge & New Uggs

The closer you get to your due date the more often you need to see the doc and the harder it is to pick and choose the day and time. Luckily I have been able to get all early morning appointments and Alex is able to take AJ with him to work for a few hours (thank you Comverge employees for being SO tolerable of my crazy toddler - only 5 or less more weeks left). All the ladies out there know how good obgyn's are at making you wait, and wait, and wait and wait. I accept the waiting in hopes that one day soon it will be my turn to make everyone else wait while I deliver, but it doesn't mean it sits well with a almost 2 1/2 year old and her VERY pregnant, all out of patience mom is thrilled daddy is there to help! AJ LOVES going to work with daddy and this morning was no exception. She was very excited to get all ready and really wanted to show off her brand new Uggs that Mimi bought her yesterday! She has been wearing them ever since - it was even hard to get them off of her for nap time! I must say, she does look pretty adorable in them!!!

Sausage & Peppers Over Spaghetti Squash!

1 spaghetti squash

3 italian sausage links, sliced into chunks

1 small can of diced tomatoes w/ basil

1 small package chopped spinach

1/2 yellow pepper, silced

1/2 onion, sliced

3 smashed & chopped garlic cloves

2 TBS olive oil

grated cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Spray a baking pan with some olive oil pam cooking spray and place the halves cut side down on the pan. Bake in the oven for about 1 hour and then cool. Use a fork to scrape out the squash, it will come out in strands like spaghetti! In the meanwhile, brown the sausages in 2 TBS olive over medium to high heat. Add peppers and onions and cook till softened and a little browned. Add garlic and cook for another minute or so and then add the spinach and diced tomatoes. Turn heat down to low and let cook for about a half hour. Combine with the spaghetti squash, sprinkle with Parmesan Reggiano & serve! EXCELLENT!

35 Weeks & Counting!

Hurry up November - we are all anxiously awaiting Dylan Sutton's arrival!!!! He is really starting to do a number on my ribs and back!!! All I have to say is this boy better be big because as you all can see - I am!!!

Pumpkin Picking - Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon, NJ

We had a great day today pumpkin picking with the cousins. This is the second year in a row going here and it once again did not disappoint! There is so much for the kids to do - hay ride, pumpkin pick, rides, animals, corn maze, pony rides & food! It was a really great day and the weather was perfect! I love the fall!!!