pinteresting recipes

Like many others, I do more pinning than making when it comes to Pinterest. Earlier this week I was inspired to make a few recipes that I had pinned... they all turned out great!

My first project was Crispy Coconut Chicken Fingers:

image source: Our Best Bites

I pinned this recipe almost a year ago, but held off on trying it because of the "exotic" ingredients... panko? coconut flakes? oh my... but on a recent trip down the baking aisle at my local grocery store I noticed that these ingredients are easily accessible and a far cry from exotic. I followed the recipe from Our Best Bites pretty closely, but made a few modifications. I left out the onion powder, because I hate buying spices just for one recipe. I figured that the garlic would give it enough flavor. I also used garlic salt instead of garlic powder, so I just left out the table salt that it called for. I can thank my Grandma Verna for my willingness to sub/omit ingredients- she did it all the time, even in baking (some modifications were more successful than others... I think everyone in the family was disappointed when she ran out of butter and made cookies with lard instead!).  Anyways, this recipe was great- I'll definitely make it again. This was much tastier than heat and eat frozen chicken strips! Oh, and as a side note, I tried sweet and sour sauce for the first time in my life when I made this recipe... I can't believe what I've been missing out on!

Next up was Baked Chicken Ranch Taquitos:

Image Source: Six Sisters' Stuff

This recipe was seriously easy! Justin cooked the chicken in the crockpot when I was at work and we had leftover bacon on hand from weekend brunch. DO NOT leave out the green onions in this recipe- they made a huge difference! I didn't measure out 3-4 tablespoons like the recipe called for- I just chopped up about 4-5 and called it a day. My only other sub was using cheddar cheese instead of montery jack. Technique wise, we added more filling tortillas than the original recipe- we probably made about 12 taquitos. We also skipped mixing the shredded cheese with the chicken mixture- we just put the chicken mixture in the tortilla, added some cheese, and then rolled up the tortilla.

I will definitely make these again! Justin was a bit skeptical when he saw the ingredients getting mixed together, but he was a fan. These also reheated pretty well and made for a yummy lunch.

My final pinteresting recipe was Parmesan Pull Aparts:

Image Source: Life as a Lofthouse

This is a super simple way to jazz up canned biscuits! Of course I had modifications... I don't have a large enough round baking pan, so I used a square 8x8 pan instead. I also used one can of biscuits instead of two (but didn't half the butter or cheese). I skipped the minced onion and used garlic salt and Italian seasonings instead. I didn't bother measuring out any of the spices, I just gave everything a couple of shakes and it looked good enough. I subbed shredded Parmesan for grated (we never use the grated stuff, so I didn't want it to go to waste). You would be fine skipping the parm all together and just using a little bit more mozzarella (which surprise, surprise I didn't measure out but eyeballed instead).

Hopefully Justin and I can keep our cooking mojo going and find some more great recipes on Pinterest. I don't mind cooking, my biggest challenge is coming up with interesting/yummy things to make. 

weekend fun

My mom came to visit last Friday and brought quilts for the girls:

I absolutely love the quilts- I'm tempted to start using them myself! The fabric in each quilt is from the same collection (Michael Miller Citron Gray) but they aren't identical.

My mom and I also had the chance to get some shopping done- we found an adorable changing pad cover (my mom ordered fabric, but thought the velour material would be more comfortable for the girls). Once we get the changing pad set up I'll take a picture of that. My mom also bought me a fuzzy pink robe to bring to the hospital- Justin said that I could use the hospital-issued robe, but my mom thought I would need something a bit more comfortable (and mom's do know best!). It is very handy that my mom is about the same size as me (pre-pregnancy)... she was able to act as my robe model!

Justin was busy with another handyman project over the weekend- he assembled the bookshelf we ordered from Pottery Barn Kids:

I can't wait to completely fill up the bookshelf- the girls have a good start on their library! I read that forward-facing bookshelves encourage children to read... it could just be propaganda put out by the manufacturers of the forward-facing bookshelves, but I figured it is worth a shot!

23 weeks

This week I had another appointment with the MFM- the babies look great! The girls both weigh 1 lb 6 oz, which is right on track with singletons at 23 weeks. Baby A was in the 55% and Baby B in the 56%, so Baby B must be just a little bit longer than her sister. I had another 3D ultrasound, so it was neat to see the girls squirming around. It was hard to get a good look at their faces, but at least they were cooperative enough to get all of the important measurements taken.

The MFM wants me to be tested for gestational diabetes at my next OB appointment. Apparently the risk of GD is higher with multiples. I'm hopeful that I will pass the test (we all know how much I love sweets!), but as far as complications go, this one is pretty manageable.

How far along? 23 weeks

Total weight gain? I'm up 8 lbs since my last MFM visit, so it seems like 2 pounds per week is my magic number. I've read that in the 3rd trimester weight gain slows to about 1 pound per week, so hopefully that is true... otherwise it looks like I might weigh 50% more than my pre-pregnancy weight by the end!

 Maternity clothes? Still wearing a combination- I am so thankful that it is legging weather!

 Stretch marks? Nope.  

Sleep? Still great... poor Justin has a bit of a cold and as been ending up on the couch though. I'm completely oblivious and don't notice that he is gone until I wake up the next morning... so lets hope my sound sleeping continues.

Miss anything? Still clothes shopping... I'm really in a shopping mood!

Cravings? Buffalo wings, caramel rolls
  
Aversions? Nope (although I still refuse to eat pork chops)
  
Symptoms? Just sore back/sore ribs... which I think is pretty par for the course at this point in pregnancy.

lined drawers

Last week Justin and I put the finishing touch on the dresser update by lining the drawers. It is amazing to see the difference $5 worth of contact paper can make!

Just had the great idea to line the sides of the drawers too

Newborn sleepers, ready for the babies... They probably won't be folded as nicely after the girls arrive.

maternity fashion tips

Here are a few of my best maternity/postpartum fashion tips. Even if you aren't pregnant- pay attention! These apply to you too.

1. Wear proper undergarments. I swear, every single day I see ladies who have ill fitting bras that can be seen through their tops. If you have weird cup lines you should probably go up a cup size and down a band size. Also, regardless of your size, get a bra with light padding- this will prevent too much of you from showing. Buy your expensive bras in black and nude (don't even bother with white- it shows through white tops, nude does not). My favorite bras are by Wacoal- they can be pricey, but I've had luck finding great deals at TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack. Wow... that turned into quite the rant, but a good foundation is the most important part of any outfit.

2. Open cardigans are your friend. They create nice vertical lines and are visually slimming. Colorblocking by wearing a solid color cardigan and printed top is particularly effective- your eye is drawn to the pattern and you get to look inches smaller. Open cardigans also do a great job at hiding any unfortunate muffin top or side chunk. When you select your cardigan make sure it ends either above or below your widest part- i.e. don't have the cardigan stop at the widest part of your hips. 

13 weeks

14 weeks

22 Weeks

3. Stock up on sexy stretch bra camis from Express. I am not exaggerating when I say that I've been wearing one of these almost every day since 2003. They smooth everything out and prevent weird bra lines from showing through. These days, they also do a fine job of concealing the pregnancy belly button that desperately tries to become an outie. I love how the camis are nice and long and able to cover the bump. 

4. Aside from the be band and Express camis, don't buy maternity clothes right away. I really didn't need maternity pants until I was around 20 weeks (at which my point my bump was comparable to a 26-27 week singleton). I was able to get away with my regular tops through 3/4 of my pregnancy. When shopping only buy clothes that you absolutely love (this applies with regular clothes too)... a limited wardrobe is much more appealing when it consists of clothes that you love and feel good in.

5. You only need 2 pairs of jeans. Seriously. And this is coming from a denim addict.

When I looked through the tub of clothes I borrowed from my friend, I was shocked that she only had two pairs of maternity jeans (she loves clothes just as much, if not more than I do). I thought I would need to invest in a few more pairs of jeans, but honestly I feel perfectly content with two pairs. Make sure you have a pair to wear with flats and a pair to wear with heels- I have gotten the most wear out of skinny jeans that I pair with knee high boots (and trust me... you need more than two pairs of knee high boots).

6. Always make sure that at least one article of clothing is fitted. This is one of the rules that applies to non-pregnant folks too... clothes that are loose all over add pounds. Pre-pregnancy, I loved trouser style pants, but I found that as my belly grew, that style of pant no longer worked for me... they only made me look frumpy. During pregnancy I have found that skinny jeans and leggings are the most flattering pant choice for me. So, always make sure that you wear something fitted, and use the fitted piece to highlight your best feature.

22 weeks

How far along? 22 weeks

Total weight gain? I think it is another 2 weeks, I only had my scale at home (which isn't digital) to go by this week, so I'm not 100% sure. I've been indulging in lots of Halloween candy lately, so we'll see what the numbers look like at my appointment next week- if I'm gaining faster than 2 pounds per week it will be time to cut back to a more reasonable amount of candy.

 Maternity clothes? Yup, but still a combination. In my picture this week I am wearing maternity jeans, but a regular shirt and jacket. I am glad that most of my shirts are long enough to accommodate my 40 inch (!) belly.

 Stretch marks? Still no tiger stripes :) Justin's aunts recently traveled to England and sent me a care package with some awesome stretch mark prevention oil. It is Mariposa Balms Bumpy Belly- the oil is so much easier to use than the thick cream I had been trying... plus it smells amazing.  

Sleep? Still great... I'm not sure if Justin can say the same though.

Miss anything? Clothes shopping. I've bought a few open cardigans that will work post-pregnancy too, but I have been trying to limit my purchases. I figure I will prefer to buy new stuff after the babies are here.

Cravings? Can't leave alone bars, caramel rolls
  
Aversions? Nope (although I am still a super picky eater, so when there are potlucks and what not at work I may casually mention an aversion or two).
  
Symptoms? My back is still sore pretty frequently, but I think that is a symptom that will be around until the babies are here. It has been a lot better this week than last- I think it is because I have found a few tricks to help cope with it. I make sure to take quick walking breaks every 30-60 minutes at work, and stand instead of sit at my desk when I feel uncomfortable. I'm lucky to have a job where I'm not tied to my desk!

the cribs are here!

Over the weekend Justin painted and assembled the cribs- I am so lucky that he is handy! Justin has been passing along this helpful painting tip to anyone who will listen- use an extension handle for the entire job, not just the high spots. It makes painting much easier and saves your back.

 I absolutely love the cribs- they are gorgeous! Assembly wasn't too bad either. Instructions always leave something to be  desired, (I seriously think that manufacturers should be required to have how-to videos on youtube) but it was a pretty frustration free project. The benefit of having two is that the second crib was a breeze to assemble. Thanks to Justin's parents for generously purchasing the cribs for the twins- I know I've said it before, but the girls are definitely spoiled :)

Here is a glimpse at the curtains- I loved the curtains from west elm, but found these at Target for about $100 less.

This picture gives a more accurate representation of the paint color.

 At Target we found these awesome sunburst mirrors (they were even on clearance!). They will be hung over each crib... don't worry, they are fairly lightweight and Justin will make sure to hang them very securely.

One of my favorite features is the storage space that is built into the cribs!

21 weeks

We've been making progress on our nursery this week- Justin has started painting, we picked up a few decorative items, and we have our cribs (thank you Grandpa Brad and Grandma Marla). I'll post pictures once we have everything put together.

How far along? 21 weeks

Total weight gain? Two more pounds- which isn't too bad considering I've been hitting the Halloween candy hard this week. 

 Maternity clothes? I'm still wearing both regular and maternity clothes. Over the past 2 weeks my belly has grown, so a lot of my pre-pregnancy shirts are too short. I have some great coupons to Express, so I'll have to go shopping soon to add a couple more tops to my wardrobe.

 Stretch marks? Still stretch-mark free... but at the rate my belly has been growing lately it might not be like that for long, we'll just have to see.

Sleep? Still going great.

Miss anything? I'm not a fan of having a limited wardrobe.

Cravings? Pizza, nerds
  
Aversions? Not really, although I plan on continuing to avoid pork chops.
  
Symptoms?My back has really started to hurt, but I suppose that is to be expected since my belly is carting around an extra 25+ pounds. I looked up a few back strengthening exercises, so hopefully doing those will help. I have determined that it is not shoe related- I get soreness regardless of heel height. My supervisor suggested wearing tennis shoes to work, I had to try contain my horror... everyone knows the only time I wear tennis shoes in public is if I am exercising. 

dresser reveal

In my last post, I gave you a teaser of the dresser Justin and I were working on over the weekend. Justin finished up the dresser today, and it looks amazing. In fact, we are so pleased with the results, that we will use the same process to refinish my childhood toy box.

Here is the before shot:

And the after:

I am thrilled with the results- I think it is quite the transformation! It is amazing what a few coats of stain and new hardware can do! The project cost about $80, $20 for the hardware, the rest for paint, stain, and supplies. The most expensive part was painting the top white, as that required primer, paint, and polyurethane... but I think it was worth splurging for the two tone look.

Here is a quick rundown of the process:

1. Give the dresser a thorough wipe down with a damp paper towel.
2. Apply one coat of primer (we used kilz).
3. Apply 3 coats of white paint.
4. Apply 3 coats clear poly to the painted part of the dresser (we used minwax)
5. Apply 2 coats of minwax stain and poly in one. The stain and poly in one was perfect for us novice refinishers- it was applied in thin layers with a paintbrush- no wiping down with a rag required!
6. Add hardware and admire handiwork.

I was inspired by this tutorial at Young House Love. We didn't follow the exact steps that they did, but it was an extremely helpful guide. Justin did all of the labor-intensive work on the dresser, but I like to think that since I picked the design I can say that I had a hand in the project too.

Justin will be painting the nursery next weekend, so I will add more pictures after that project is complete. I think the dresser will really pop once there is color on the walls. I am so impressed with the dresser that it is almost embarrassing- I often go into the nursery just to gaze at it. I'm sure the situation will be completely out of hand after the cribs arrive and the decor is in place.  

cliffhanger

Justin and I have been working on a fun project this weekend. It isn't quite ready for the after shot, but here it the before picture:

Stay tuned to find out how we are transforming this dresser that has seen better days. Because I'm nice, I'll give you a hint:

20 weeks

I had another doctor appointment today, and everyone is doing great! I will continue to see my OB once a month and will see the Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist once a month. The MFM will perform growth scans to make sure the twins are on track. I forgot to mention the size of the twins in my last post- they were measuring 9 and 10 ounces. According to Dr. Google, average size of a singleton at 19 weeks is 8.47 ounces- lets hope they keep it up! The MFM will also monitor for signs of preterm labor, so if there are any complications down the road we should be able to catch it right away.

Today my OB mentioned that we have a big milestone coming up- the next time I see her is at 24 weeks, which is when viability begins. Once I make it past that milestone, the next is making it to 32 weeks, which is when the twins will be developed from a neurological standpoint. Justin and I are both hoping that the twins make it to at least 36 weeks (37-38 would be even better). I've been telling the girls that they will have several opportunities to rebel in their teen years, and that for now I want them to listen to their parents and stay put until the end of January :)

How far along? 20 weeks

Total weight gain? Two pounds once again... I am definitely consistent! My OB said that my weight gain looked great... which immediately made me think "score! I can keep up my chocolate malt habit!". The vain part of me hopes that the weight gain slows to 1.5 pounds per week (I really want to avoid a Jessica Simpson situation), but I don't mind getting a little puffy if it means healthy babies.

 Maternity clothes? I continue to wear a combination of maternity and regular clothes. I am BFF's with my leggings, and have even worn them as pants on a few occasions. (For those who aren't familiar, my pre-pregnancy rule was that leggings could be worn in public only when your top was long enough to cover your butt. At this point in pregnancy, I've gone on walks around the neighborhood and to the grocery store with my legging-clad butt on display. I've rationalized this by telling myself that everyone is paying attention to my belly and nobody is looking at my butt. Maybe this type of thinking is how people start to become frumpy? Friends and family, if you ever see me in mom jeans get me to the mall STAT!).

 Stretch marks? Still stretch-mark free.

Sleep? Still going great! Today my OB warned me that sleep will probably become uncomfortable soon. Maybe I'll be a "magical pregnancy unicorn" (watch the movie what to expect when you're expecting) and avoid any problems with sleep.

Miss anything? Pants that both button and zip.

Cravings? Pizza, skittles (someone in this household ate an entire Halloween-sized bag over the course of a week... I think it might have been Justin), nerds, chocolate milk.
 
Aversions? If you guessed pork chops, you are correct! Over the past few weeks I have been able to start eating foods that made me nauseous earlier in pregnancy. I can once again have smoothies... which is a great way to make sure I get enough fruit.
  
Symptoms? Does needing a chocolate malt at least once per week count?