alex fazio

Monkey Bread

 

Can we say YUM?!?! My hubbys best friend is in town visiting this weekend and I decided to be suzy homemaker this morning and whip up a huge breakfast, and we just happened to have the ingredients for monkey bread. I LOOOOOVE this for breakfast, I try not to make it often because I am sure its so so fattening, but its delicious and super easy to make!

Here is the recipe from Pillsbury:

Monkey Bread

INGREDIENTS

1/2	cup sugar
1	teaspoon cinnamon
2	cans (16.3 oz each) Pillsbury® Grands!® Homestyle refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2	cup chopped walnuts, if desired
1/2	cup raisins, if desired
1	cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4	cup butter or margarine, melted

 

DIRECTIONS

1.	Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 12-cup fluted tube pan.
2.	In large plastic food-storage bag, mix sugar and cinnamon. Separate dough into 16 biscuits; cut each into quarters. Shake in bag to coat. Arrange in pan, adding walnuts and raisins among the biscuit pieces.
3.	Mix brown sugar and butter; pour over biscuit pieces.
4.	Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until golden brown and no longer doughy in center. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Turn upside down onto serving plate; pull apart to serve. Serve warm.

Seriously, try it! I dont add raisins because I dont like them but you certainly can if you do. It looks really pretty too if you turn it upside down onto a serving platter.

Anyway, so now that we know our little cupcake is a girl, I am so in little girl mode. I have been thinking about the nursery. At first I was in love with this bedding from pottery barn

 

 

I just think its so cute, and I love that shade of pink on the walls, but then me and my sister got to brainstorming, and I really would love to do a cupcake room for her, I think it would be soo cute and way more personal. Jose (my sisters fiance and really long time close family friend) is an amazing artist and I know he could pull off some really great cupcake art...so then I started looking at fabrics and like some of these...

 

I LOVE this cupcake fabric, but cannot find it online for the life of me. Target had some valentines stuff last year that had this design, but as far as finding this actual fabric, its impossible! I would so love it for the nursery because I think its so whimsy and cute, but no dice :(

 

 

I know our nursery furniture will be all white, and the walls will be some shade of pink with nice big baseboards at the bottom...but I have no clue as to the bedding, and even if I find the fabric, how would I make it?? How cute is this little sign?

 

(in case you havent figured it out, I have a big thing for cupcakes for whatever reason).

Maybe I should nix it all together and get a crib in a bag to make it easy, I dunno, what do you think?

Baby GIRL Fazio!

We had our big 20 week ultrasound today, and our sweet little baby is no doubt a GIRL!! She had us all fooled, I am still in shock that I am not shopping for green and blue, I was soo sure it was a boy. My hubby and I could not be happier, this little girl is going to have so much love its not even funny. I swear, my poor moms side of the family is just bound to have all hormonal women :) (or as Valerie said we have some gene that causes us to kill off any chance of a male in utero!)

Here are some glamour shots of our baby girl

 

She was resting quietly in the begining...

 

And then decided to do summersaults! I think we may have a gymnist here :)

Her cute little arm

 

And a kick right to the bladder like always!

 

We asked her to wave for Grandma and Grandpa & Aunt B and Uncle Josey!  "Hi guys, I love you!"

 

I think this was the one we got a little yawn and some hiccups

 

Here she is showing her lady bits, so un-modest!

 

And...I save the best for last, Skeletor :)

 

It was such a suprise and the best 45 minutes ever to be able to see her moving, know that she is measuring right on track (shes 8 oz), all of her fingers and toes are there, and her heart is beating strong (143 beats/minute). I am still in shock, it may take me weeks for it to sink in that its a GIRL!

Nursery Bedding

 

Ok so I admit, I am bored at work, what do you think of this bedding? I love it! 

zzzz....

 

I seriously just cannot kick this wave of exhaustion that has come over me since being pregnant!! I can sleep 12+ hours and still nap during the day AND go to bed early! This week I am vowing to pack healthier snacks for work, eat smaller/more frequent meals throughout the day, more water, be more diligent about my prenantals and iron supplements, and start working out. We'll see if any of these help, I am willing to try anything! I got a few prenatal DVD's for Christmas but have just been wayyyy too tired to even think about taking them out of the wrapper!

Anyway, our big ultrasound is next week (Wednesday) and we are more excited every day!! Its so fun to think about knowing if our baby will be a boy or a girl. We really would be thrilled with either. I love the thought of my first child being a "big brother," and my heart just melts thinking about my husband having a little boy to teach and do things with, but at the same time, I adore all things pink and frilly, and would love the first to be a big sister who would help with future babies. There are so many reasons why we would be beyond thrilled no matter what the outcome, but we just cant wait! We are heading to Babies R Us to register after the ultrasound, which will be fun because I have really refrained from picking out anything baby related until we know the sex. Its hard not to even LOOK, but I dont want to be too overwhelmed, plus it will be really fun for us both to pick things out together.

At work yesterday a really touching, heartfelt letter came in from a sweet lady who lost her husband on New Years this year. I really really loved this family, and was so hoping the outcome would be better for them, but God had a different plan. It was really the first "thank you" letter I have read/been a part of as a nurse and it made my heart so full to know that I might have made the last days of her husbands life better. Not sure if its being pregnant, but I have read it three times and bawled like a baby each time. I never thought some people would touch me as much as they have, but I guess in this field its bound to happen. I am so grateful for my job and the fullfillment it has given me!

Looong weekend

I dont know why this weekend is dragging on but I feel like all I have done is work. I hate doing the 2 days on, one off, 2 on, one off...one day is not enough to catch up on my sleep! I should not complain, I am so lucky to have a great job, especially in these hard economic times. I see gas prices going up again and it makes me cringe, if it hits 4 bucks again we are really in trouble. I had a doctors apt on friday, baby looks great and Jan 28th is our big ultrasound when we find out the gender, I am sooo anxious, ten more days!!! I think I have been feeling baby flutters and small kicks to the bladder this week but am not 100% sure, its a weird feeling but not consistent yet. I am sure I will get to a point where its painful and I will want a break but right now I want to feel my baby more and more, its so amazing to me that I have someone growing inside of me I am still in awe every day. Anyway, hope everyone had an awesome weekend!!

The nifty fifty!

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now? Kobes crate, a tennis ball, and my lunch box from work

2. What's your favorite curse word? Hm, probably what the f*$%

3. Name 3 people who made you smile today? Michael, Kobe, my dad

4. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? Watching bringing home baby reruns on the couch with Kobe

5. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Sleeping :)

6. What will you be doing 3 hours from now? Eating Grimaldis Pizza I hope!

7. Have you ever been to a strip club? Yes, lets not go there...

8. What is the last thing you said aloud?  Shoot

9. What is the best ice cream flavor? Lately its cheesecake icecream with graham cracker crust and strawberries from cold stone

10. What was the last thing you had to drink? Sprite zero

11. What are you wearing right now? Black target sleep pants, a grey shirt and warm socks

12. What was the last thing you ate?  Egg salad sandwhich on white bread, yum!!

13. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? Nope, I need to though, my clothes are getting a little snug

14. When was the last time you ran? Lord only knows

15. What's the last sporting event you watched? A Laker game I am sure

16. Who is the last person you emailed? Michelle

17. Ever go camping? Yes, I loved camping at the beach when I was little, and especially at LAGUNA SECA!

18. Do you have a tan? No :( I cant wait for the weather to get warmer and be able to lay out by the pool...I have had a tan for the last 5 years straight and am white as a ghost!

19. Do you drink your soda from a straw? Yes, from a fountain with ice please!  

20 What did your last IM say? Hm, I havent IM'ed someone in forever so I would have to say no clue!

21. Are you someone's best friend? I would hope my husband would call me his best friend :)

 

22 is missing!

23. Where is your mom right now? Probably at work if I could guess

24. Look to your left, what do you see? A white desk with a better homes and gardens magazine and paper shredder

25. What color is your watch? I dont have one actually, I need one for work!

26. What do you think of when you think of Australia? Australian cowboys with sexy accents and nice teeth! (dont ask)

27. Would you consider plastic surgery? Been there done that, and would totally do it again after all of this baby making is over

28. What is your birthstone? Saphire, I am a September baby :)

29. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive-thru? Drive thru for sure, I keep McDonalds in business with their egg mcmuffins these days

30. How many kids do you want? I would love 3 or 4 kids, talk to me after 1

31. Do you have a dog? Yes, Kobe, a 5 month old Vizsla

32. Last person you talked to on the phone? My mother in law about the bridal show

33. Have you met anyone famous? I dont think so, I will have to ask my parents, none that I remember!

34. Any plans today? Housework, showering and hopefully Grimaldis Pizza with the in laws

35. How many states have you lived in? 2, California is my home and now live in Arizona

36. Ever go to college? Yep, graduated nursing school December 2007

37. Where are you right now?In my office

38. Biggest annoyance in your life right now? Hmmm...dishes in the sink!!

39. Last song listened to? A sugarland song on someones blog

40. Are you allergic to anything? I have a mild allergy to melons and avocado (make my throat itch) but I love them so still eat them

41. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? None, I love flip flops but its been too dang cold!!

42. Are you jealous of anyone? My sister, she gets to spend every day with my parents!

43. Is anyone jealous of you? Not that I am aware of

44. What time is it? 3:12 pm

45. Do any of your friends have children? Yes, many!

46. Do you eat healthy? I have been making a huge effort, but lately, food cravings and aversions make it really hard!! I did have a whole wheat english muffin, low fat yogurt, and OJ for breakfast, does that count??

47. What do you usually do during the day? Work 3 days a week, and on my days off lounge and sleep!

48. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? Usually at work, but at home its just hi

49. How did you get your scars? I have a couple on my hands from the flat iron and in my left index finger, a piece of a led pencil that Mike Wainford stabbed me with in 3rd grade!

50. How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 27, yikes!!!

Really?

So yesterday Michaels car got stolen. Yep, just stolen at random while it was parked and he was working. Apparently many cars are stolen from this plaza, but why ours?!?! Ugh, it stresses me out to think about having to get a new car, go through insurance claims, more bills, etc. We were going to buy our nursery furniture this month, not a new car :(

My favorite so far!

 

From TheBump.com: Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. And, if you're interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender.

So I realize I missed the last two weeks, but it was only a couple citrus fruits (lemon then orange) so I dont feel so bad, but this week I just couldnt pass up! I love avocados and anything with avocado in or on it, I think I could eat them straight out of the skin with a spoon, just add some s&p. Cant believe we are 16 weeks already, and in the next couple weeks we get to find out the gender, I wish I could find out right now I am so excited!! Technically, you can go to a 2D place and find out at 17 weeks, or wait for your big anatomy ultrasound your OB schedules between 18 and 20 weeks. I know it seems silly since its only a couple weeks difference...but the 2D is sooo tempting, we are just dying to know if we are going to be sporting a pink or blue diaper bag!!

Anyway, this week is a little crazy with the az bridal show coming up this weekend, we are renting a booth to promote my hubbys new company and its all day Saturday and Sunday. I am looking forward to a couple days off after to recoop!!

My lovely baby bumps

So I had a belly to begin with, always had my entire life, and being pregnant (although early) is no exception. The last few weeks it has been there, but mainly after a big meal, and this morning I noticed it prior to eating, so I guess now it can be a baby bump rather than pre baby chub?? Whatever the case, I am proud to sport what I am housing our baby in, even if it is a lousey, bad quality blackberry pic! We are halfway through week 15, almost time to find out if we will be buying dolls or tonka trucks! I still have our trip to blog and post pictures of but am working all weekend so will probably be monday.