Sunday, October 28, 2012

Top 10!

1. We had a busy weekend of family fun in Delphos. Looks like this might be our last weekend trip before McBaby comes...

2. Hayes did not do a great job of sleeping this weekend. I guess when those bad sleep nights are so rare, you can't complain too much. But....seriously, Hayes?

3. Hayes' favorite family member on the McCormick side might be Charlie. By the way, Charlie is a sweet dog. I hope his other family members aren't offended...

4. I've been asked several times recently if I've been having cravings. I don't think I am...but then I went grocery shopping alone today. And I came home with chocolate chip cookies and cookie crisp. So, maybe...just maybe...I'm craving cookies today?

5. The Irish had an amazing game against Oklahoma this weekend. Go Irish!!!

6. Congrats to Ryan's cousin, Emily and her family! They added two perfect additions this week and we are so excited for them!

7. Have I mentioned that my sister-in-law is also pregnant? It's true. Funny part, our due dates are the same day! Also, both genders are a surprise! It will be an exciting holiday season for our family:)

8. My 10 year high school reunion was this weekend. We did not make the long trip to Louisiana...14 hours in a car does not mix with week 34 of pregnancy. It's crazy that it's actually been 10 years since graduation. Ugh I feel old.

9. What makes a good leader? Just a question I've been asking myself lately. It's starting to feel like good leaders are getting harder to come by these days...

10. Pray for everyone who will be affected by Hurricane Sandy!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

BOO!

Hayes attended his first Halloween party this week at daycare. There were fun Halloween games in the different rooms. Hayes really enjoyed "pumpkin bowling," although he was more concerned with re-stacking the pins than he was with knocking them down. He was not so much a fan of the witch reading Halloween stories. That lip popped out and started quivering pretty much immediately. He also didn't like the other kids in scary costumes... Oh well. Maybe next year will be less scary for him;)

For his costume this year, I decided on a football player. Anyone who knows Hayes knows he loves throwing pretty much anything he gets his hands on. Ball was his first word, so football player seemed appropriate. My mom made his jersey. For those not from Delphos, OH, I'll let you in a few fun facts about his jersey. The colors are the same as his daddy's high school, Delphos St. John's. And of course daddy's football number was also #4.


He made it very challenging to get any pictures of him actually playing with his football...this was pretty much the best "action" shot I was able to get.


He was pretty skeptical of the black stickers. I'm glad he left them on though. They made him look like a serious, tiny athlete:)



Happy Halloween from Hayes!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Top 10!...or 9

1. What a weekend! There were lots of great football victories...Notre Dame, La Tech, LSU, and ULM! All of the victories made it a happy weekend in the McCormick house;)

2. Ryan and I had a semi-nesting weekend. Ryan went on a crazy bathroom cleaning spree and I went on a crazy closet clean out spree. We really know how to have a good time here...

3. Want to know how to make a mommy's heart melt? Put daddy's hat on. Seriously. My heart was in a puddle on the floor when he walked into the kitchen like this.


4. Had an ultrasound on Monday. McBaby is adorable, of course. Also, McBaby is large. Like 70th percentile large. Yay for me!

5. I've decided to skip fall decorations this year and put Christmas out early. I know I won't be decorating after this baby is born. Might as well get it up before, right?

6. I found this clever idea on Pinterest...toddler friendly halloween treats! Fill clear goody bags with Trix cereal, tie with fun ribbon, and add a "Trix or Treat" tag. I made mine using a free font from DaFont printed on scrapbook paper. Easy, cheap, and perfect for tiny people.


7. I'm finishing up my Christmas gift post. I am lacking in the gifts for men department...

8. My brain is empty.

9. I am still in major need of prayer for some stressful situations in my life...

Happy Fall!

Fall is probably my favorite season. I love the football, pumpkins, mums, and cooler temps. And I love love love when the leaves change colors. Of course, I needed some pictures of my little cutie in these pretty leaves. Our yard is pretty much void of leaves, so we headed across the street to our neighbor's house for these pictures. Enjoy!





Sunday, October 14, 2012

Top 10!

1. I had such a wonderful time at my diaper shower today. I can't believe how close we are to McBaby arriving!

2. Speaking of McBaby, here is a fun picture. I am 32 weeks pregnant with Hayes on the left and McBaby #2 on the right...I think McBaby #2 looks a little higher in this picture.


3. I made these fun caramel apple treats for my hostesses today. They were easy to assemble, super cute, and tasty. I added heath bits to the caramel dip in the jar for a not so healthy way to eat apples.


4. Football thoughts: Go Irish! And please don't end anymore games in such a stressful manner. Geaux Tigers! Way to show up for a game and play hard! And of course, Go Bulldogs! Even though it wasn't a win, the bulldogs left everything on the field and came so close to beating the Aggies. I am so proud of the bulldogs!!!

5. We get one more sneak peek at McBaby tomorrow before the big day. I can't wait to see how much this little one has grown!

6. It is getting pretty hard to get comfortable these days. Last night, Ryan was determined to help and ended up creating an arrangement involving the couch and 2 ottomans in an attempt to make me more comfortable. Thank goodness for husbands:)

7. About 3 years ago, I said I would like to paint the brick around our fire place. Ryan acted like I wanted to replace all of our interior lights with black lights and open our house as a night club on weekends when I made that suggestion. Yesterday, Ryan said he wants to paint the brick around our fireplace. Novel idea, honey;)

8. Happy happy birthday to my partner in crime, Terra!! I am so glad to have you as a partner in our crusade for dementia awareness and would have lost my mind long ago if not for you! I hope today has been super special, you deserve it!

9. We had crock pot lasagna tonight. It was good, but I think we could make it better. Once I tweak my recipe, I will share:)

10. Tonight's prayer request is for a college friend's mom. Her mother has battled cancer in the past and it has returned. She also had a fall Thursday resulting in a head injury. Please pray for this strong woman who has already overcome so much in her life as she recovers from these hurdles. Pray for her family during this time as well.

Mexican Fiesta for McBaby!

God has blessed me with such wonderful friends since I've moved to Ohio. Today, some of those friends got together to help celebrate the arrival of McBaby #2 with a Mexican fiesta!
 
The theme of this diaper shower was quite fitting since my love for Mexican food has increased since becoming pregnant. My super creative friend, Gina, came up with all kinds of fun Mexican inspired details to make the party extra special. Here are just a few shots of the fun...
 
These babies came to party! I'm pretty sure they were sneaking margarita in their bottles...
 
 
 
 
The guests got this super cute cactus shot glass to make their gender guesses in. The vote was split down the middle for girl or boy!
 
 
How amazing is this sombrero cake? I don't know how Gina manages to create things like this with two small children running around.
 
 
How cute is the sleeping baby on the cake! I am fascinated by the fringe detail on the blanket.

 
No diaper shower is complete without a Mexican inspired diaper cake. How fun is this one?

 
Hayes is really enjoying these festive duckies...


 
My wonderful hostesses....Terra and Gina.

 
This momma-to-be was definitely in need of a day with the girls and today's party fit the bill. Thanks to Gina and Terra for a wonderful party! And thanks to my wonderful friends for coming to hang out and showering McBaby with lots of diapers!!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Pumpkin Pancakes!

Tonight's supper was soo delicious! It was supposed to be crock pot lasagna...but my prep work didn't get done in time. So we improvised. Pumpkin pancakes, turkey bacon, and scrambled eggs it is!

The pumpkin pancake recipe was something I just threw together and it turned out to be autumn perfection. Here is my recipe...

2 cups bisquick
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 heaping tsp baking soda
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
cinnamon
vanilla

Mix bisquick, milk and eggs in a large bowl. Add in baking soda and pumpkin puree and mix well. Add cinnamon and vanilla for an extra special flavor. Pour batter in 1/4 cup increments onto a hot griddle. Sprinkle with powdered sugar when done. Enjoy!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Top 10

1. Day home for Mommy and Hayes thanks to a double ear infection and a nasty cold for one little boy. I am taking advantage of nap time to catch up on my blogging...

2. I'm having a baby soon...like in 2 months. Holy cow.

3. Speaking of having a baby...I could go for a really good cookie right now. Or a brownie. But, I don't have those things in my home. And I have a sleeping toddler. Which means I will just continue to think about those tasty treats. And maybe send my hubby a text suggesting a stop on the way home.

4. Speaking of tasty treats, if you are ever in Dayton you must go to Dorothy Lane Market and get a killer brownie. You must. Field trip after nap? Maybe...

5. Cold weather snuck up way too fast on us. Hayes needs a hat and I am having trouble finding one...or at least one that I like.

6. I am sooooo proud of the Irish and my La Tech Bulldogs! They are both having such great seasons!! LSU, I'm disappointed. You can't always be the best, but you could always give 110% in the game. Just saying...

7. Leggings and yoga pants. Cardigans and sweaters. Boots and cute flats. These are things I could not live without in my maternity wardrobe.

8. Christmas is almost here! Well, it feels like it when you are trying to finish up Christmas shopping before giving birth. I am toying with the idea of doing a Christmas gift idea post. Because I have sooo much free time these days to research fun gift ideas.

9. There are so many people who like to comment on a pregnant woman's size. Every day I am amazed that I didn't punch someone who felt the need to tell me how HUGE I am and how they just can't believe how far away my due date is. Seriously. I think I deserve rewards for being polite despite the raging hormones and emotional roller coaster my body is currently going through. That being said, I think it is quite the accomplishment that I can still wear my wedding rings comfortably and my ankles are normal size at 31 weeks. So there, pregnant women haters. I hope you are asking God for forgiveness every night for the things you say to women carrying the future of our country. Wow, that wasn't dramatic AT ALL.

10. Um, pray for my raging hormones...

Autumn Chopped Salad

I found this recipe on Pinterest forever ago and finally got around to making it. Why did I wait so long??? This is such a good salad full of so many flavors. Even though Ryan thought it sounded a little "girly," he ate it and loved it. I think the bacon made it ok for him...

Autumn Chopped Salad

1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped
2 pears, chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
8 slices bacon, chopped
6 oz Feta cheese crumbles
Poppy Seed dressing

Toss all ingredients together. Add dressing last and enjoy! Pretty easy, right? And pretty delicious. Trust me.

Crock Pot French Dip!

I am on the hunt for delicious crock pot meals. I'm building a collection of these for easy cooking on maternity leave:)

These sandwiches were delicious and the leftovers will come in handy all week long! I found this recipe on Pinterest.

4 lb rump roast
1 can beef broth
1 can condensed french onion soup
12 oz bottle of beer
French bread

Place your roast in the crock pot with the beef broth, soup, and beer. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. When the meat is done and you are ready to eat, toast your bread. I opted to do mine on a stove-top griddle with some butter. Load your sandwich up with some super tender beef and top with cheese, if you like that sort of thing. Use the juice in the crock pot for some sandwich dipping!

Since only 3 people ate sandwiches, we had lots of leftover meat. Here are the plans for our leftover meat: beef stuffed baked potatoes, beef fried rice, and beef quesadillas. Gotta love the dish that keeps on giving!