Sometimes...

sometimes....I catch myself looking into the mirror and not recognizing this bump!  it's REALLY starting to pop right now!

sometimes....I eat an entire bag (like the full-size) of Frito Scoops on the way home from the grocery, because I simply can't stop myself.

sometimes....no, all the time, I wish I lived closer to my fam and best friends.

sometimes....I just stare at baby boy's clothes in his closet, and picture what he'll look like wearing them.

sometimes....I catch myself watching Lifetime Movie Network.....for 5 hours straight.

sometimes....I run out of gas in my car, and my phone dies while trying to call someone for help.  yep, that "sometimes" happened this week, and will hopefully never happen again.

sometimes....I walk into Target for toilet paper, and end up spending $100 on who-knows-what.

sometimes....I wonder why I blog, and I wonder if anyone out there even is reading it.  

sometimes....I forget to wash my makeup off before bed.  I know, gross.

sometimes....my hubby and I play footsie in bed before we fall asleep, like little middle schoolers flirting on the playground. 

whats one of your "sometimes....."?  do share :)

Sweet Summertime

John and I have been soaking up the last couple of weeks - enjoying this ammmmazing weather, and spending pretty much all of our free time outside and with friends!

Here's a peek into our outdoor lives - via iPhone pics :)

Day trip to Point Pleasant Beach, NJ:

Bocce-Balling with the Bump:  

Picnic and Music on the Lake: 

We have had the most GORGEOUS sunsets lately!

Isn't is amazing to see the work of our Creator!?

And to think, no matter we where all are, across the country, we are all seeing the same sunset!

Hope you're enjoying these last weeks of sweet sweet summertime :)

Skinny Frozen Peanut Butter Pie

I recently needed to whip up a dessert to bring to a dinner party, and I found this gem, and gave it a shot.  I had the day off work to prepare, giving myself plenty of time to make and freeze beforehand.  

I haven't been craving rich or chocolaty desserts at all through this pregnancy.....I've been more of a sour candy and gummy bear lover.  So I thought I wasn't going to be the biggest fan of this dessert.  

But midway through preparing it, as I was licking the spatula testing the batter, I think I may have gasped aloud.  

This filling is to.die.for.  

Not to mention, it's nestled between an OREO crust, layers of Reeses Pieces and chocolate syrup.  

It's kind of dangerous.  And it might just be my new favorite dessert.  

Perfect for summer, dinner parties, birthdays, or just to have in your freezer to nibble away at a little (or a lot) at a time.   

Skinny Frozen Peanut Butter Pie

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Ingredients:

Oreo Cookie Crust:

24 reduced fat Oreos 

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) light butter, melted 

Filling:

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup milk

8 oz reduced fat cream cheese, softened (may also use fat free)

8 oz fat-free thawed whipped topping (I used Cool Whip Free)

1/4 cup chocolate syrup (I used Hershey's Sugar-Free)

1 cup crushed Reese's Pieces, divided

Instructions:

First, make the Oreo cookie crust by crushing the Oreos into a fine crumb using a food processor or blender. Using your hands, mix the crushed Oreo crumbs and melted butter together. It may look like there is not enough butter, but it will come together. Place into a 9 or 10 inch pie pan, pressing the crumbs onto the bottom and up the sides as much as it will fit. Try to make the crust 1/8 inch thick all around. It does not have to be perfect, though. Set in the freezer as you make the filling.

Prepare the pie filling in a large bowl by mixing the peanut butter, sugar, cream cheese, and milk. An electric mixer would be easier, but I gave myself a good arm workout, and used a wooden spoon. Mix until the mixture is completely smooth. Gently fold in the whipped topping.

Remove pie crust from the freezer and layer 1/2 of the pie filling onto the crust. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the crushed Reese's Pieces. Layer with the rest of the pie filling, swirling to make it completely smooth on top. Top with chocolate syrup and remaining Reese's Pieces.

Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight. 20 minutes before serving, remove from the freezer and let sit out to gently thaw. This made the pie much easier to cut.

Enjoy!  And then come back, and THANK me for introducing you to this slice, errr - slices, of heaven :)

(P.S.  Don't be fooled by the title...this pie will not make you skinny.  But there are a ton of ways to lighten it up, if you so desire.  I used fat free and sugar-free ingredients wherever I could, so I felt better about eating 1/2 of this pie by myself.  And it still tasted DI-vine.)  

The BEST Banana Muffins

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We go through bananas like crazy...from smoothies, to cereal, smeared with peanut butter, or just plain!

This week, I had a few bananas that were past the "sliced over cereal" stage....and almost past the "blend into smoothies" stage.  I decided to whip up some banana muffins, and I just HAD to share the recipe!  These were SO good y'all. I make banana bread a lot, and I like to use different recipes to find my favorite...and this might be it.  Moist, flavorful, and filled with ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge/pantry.  

Try them out the next time you have some black ripe bananas, and are in the baking mood!

Amazingly Easy (& Delicious) Banana Muffins 
Adapted from: Cat Can Cook
Makes 12 muffins

Ingredients:
4 large, ripe bananas, mashed 
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour

*chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix the mashed bananas, sugar, egg and butter together in a small bowl. Set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, baking powder, salt and flour. 

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well.  Pour into greased muffin tins, and bake in preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes. 

**I added chocolate chips to half the batch, so yummy!!**

Cook's Notes:

These are much more flavorful the next day, and they freeze very nicely too!

ENJOY!!

Halfway There: 20 Weeks!

How far along? 20 weeks...halfway there!  Time is flying!

Baby Size: Baby is the size of a banana - I celebrated by making these!  ;)

Total weight gain/loss: 11+ lbs and counting

Maternity clothes? Still wearing maternity skinny jeans, and regular tops and dresses.  My scrubs for work are starting to get small though!  Eek!

Stretch marks? Not yet....

Sleep: Sleeping great!  Still not yet waking up to pee - so nice!

Best moment this week: John feeling baby boy move!!  So incredible.  Simply amazing.

Miss Anything? Margaritas. And Mojitos.  It's summertime and I love summertime cocktails!

Movement: Feeling a lot of fluttering - more than ever lately!

Food cravings: Sour patch kids, cheese sticks, and fruit

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not feeling sick, but having awful indigestion!  Yuck.

Have you started to show yet: Yep!  I can't believe I'll still be growing for 5 more months!

Gender: BOY!!!

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? This heat has made my fingers swell, so they are off this week!

Mood? So joyful :)  So thankful.

Looking forward to:  Sharing the name --- it's picked!

{Our 20 week Ultrasound}

Baby boy is looking perfect - weighing in at 11oz, and still has the due date of Christmas Eve!

Thank you God for this amazing blessing!  My heart is so full already!

Splurge or Save - Guest Post

Splurge or Save: 

Finding The Right Balance With Baby Supplies

Do you need those $100 baby accessories? It's a question I frequently asked myself when trying to prepare for my pregnancy on a budget. After having my daughter, I'm now a little wiser and better suited to give advice on where you can splurge and where you can save on certain baby items. Here are a few ideas!

Splurge: Crib

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There's just no alternative to the real thing, not when it comes to a quality crib. For one, you'll want something with good structural integrity to protect both the health and safety of your baby, and that might mean paying a little more. Look for cribs made of sturdy birch wood or long-lasting maple wood. You should also consider things like caster wheels, height adjusters and extra storage below the crib, all minor things that can make a real difference in the long run, trust me. When it's 3am and you're juggling a baby in one hand and bottles and diapers and pacifiers in the other, you'll be really glad you splurged for extra space!

Save: Baby clothes

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We've all had visions of dressing up our baby as a giant hot dog and then blackmailing them with the pictures for the rest of their lives. No? Just me? Well, whether you're into costumes or just simple onesies, baby clothes are one area where it's okay to budget. You can find plenty of cute, warm outfits without breaking the bank, and besides, they grow so fast that it's not like any wardrobe you choose is permanent! Make sure if you purchase used clothes, to give items a good wash before dressing your little one.

Splurge: Cord Blood Banking

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After my daughter was born, I learned that many families choose to collect and bank their newborn’s umbilical cord blood.  Cord blood stem cells are being used today in the treatment of treat a wide variety of diseases including certain cancers and other blood disorders.  Make sure to talk to your doctor about your options and do your own research- it could be worth the splurge.

Save: Diaper Bags

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This is one area where comfort should trump style! Forget name brands and celebrity-inspired diaper bags; you need something that you can rely on, something strong and durable and filled with depthless pockets for all your mommy needs on-the-go. The good news is that plenty of bargain bags fit these requirements, even and maybe especially used ones. After all, they've already seen another child safely through his infancy, so why can't they do the same for you? Go get 'em!

Becoming a mom is an exciting time, but breaking the bank isn’t fun!  Take these tips and do your own research.  It helps to be prepared for big-ticket items ahead of time before the big day comes.  

Katie Moore has written and submitted this article. Katie is an active blogger who discusses the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26

July Beauty Favorites

I haven't been shopping a ton this summer for beauty and makeup, because I tend to go pretty minimal in this warm weather.   But I have picked up a few things, and I wanted to share my absolute favorites with you!  I used these products for the entire month of July (and June too!)

Enjoy!!  :)

M.A.C Rubenesque Paint Pot

I actually got this paint pot last summer, and have recently rediscovered it in my collection!

It is the most gorgeous glowy rose-gold color and I have been loving it lately!

Wear alone with some liner and mascara, or wear it has a base under a similar shadow color- either way you will fall in love!!  

OPI "Pinking of You" Nail Polish

The prettiest shade of bubble gum pink!  Creamy and girly, and looks great with a little tan!

LOVE this cool-toned color and have been re-painting my nails all month with it.

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation

I do love my tried and true tinted moisturizer, but for days when I want/need a little more coverage, I have been reaching for this foundation.   It is light and airy, but gives good coverage and feels like you are not wearing foundation.  When I want a little luminosity to my skin, I'll just add a pump of this in with it before applying to my face.  

Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick

"Speak Your Mind"

If you have already clicked on the link above, you might have already gasped aloud at the $18 price tag on this lipstick.  But I'm telling you, it came highly recommended to me, and here I am, highly recommending it to you!  It is creamy, luxurious, and the most perfect shade of nudey pink.  It reminds me of MAC lipsticks, but I do like it better.  I LOVE IT.  (I probably won't purchase any more colors, because it is pricey, but also because I find this shade is perfection.)  Use an Ulta coupon and go get you this lipstick!

NYX Butter Lipglosses

"Eclair and Apple Strudel"

Let's talk about the perfect lipgloss.  Creamy, great color, feels like butter, not sticky, and smells like cake.  Well - I found it!  These butter glosses are incredible and I picked up these two colors recently at Ulta, when they were having a "buy 1 get one 1/2 off" sale.  And now I want every color.  Love pairing them on top of lipsticks (the Eclair looks great over the Bare Minerals lipstick), or on their own too!  They have just enough pigment and creaminess to hold their own and last too!  

And now, to take all this make up off!!!

........

Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Wipes

I am a big fan of makeup remover wipes, I just love how refreshed and clean my skin feels after using them!  I picked these up randomly this month, and will definitely be repurchasing! 

They have the perfect amount of saturation, and remove makeup like a dream.  No pulling or scrubbing to get that mascara off, these are so easy to use, and they leave my skin feeling amazing.

Hope you will check some of these items out - you will not be disappointed!  And please let me know if you have specific questions about the products via comments or by emailing me!

emilysadlow@gmail.com

Hi Baby - 19 weeks

hi baby boy!

you are 19 weeks today!  mommy has felt you move for the first time this week.  and oh what an incredible feeling that has been.

you especially like to flutter about after I sneeze, while i'm eating peanut butter ice cream, and when your daddy plays you the star wars theme song.

he thinks you already love star wars - and he even secretly wants to name you "Jedi".  obviously mommy has WAY to much control over the name situation to let that one fly, but just get ready for some crazy nick-names from your dad. 

you are growing perfectly and i do check on you from time to time at work on our ultrasound machines.  i just like to catch a quick glimpse of you - and you're always in the reclined position, feet up and arms over your head.  just relaxed as can be.  i hope you're comfortable :)

we can't wait to meet you little one - i day-dream about whether you'll have hair or not when you're born.  whether you'll have your dad's eyelashes (i hope so!), or my crooked nose (i hope not!).  our first baby shower is coming up in Tennessee, but gifts have already been pouring in from family and friends.   i hope you feel the love and the excitement that is going on out here for you.  because there's a lot of it.

stay snug, little bug. 

i love you,

mommy

How far along? 19 weeks...almost halfway there!

Baby Size: Baby is the size of a mango - John's favorite food!  ;)

Total weight gain/loss: 9+ lbs and counting

Maternity clothes? I finally wore my first maternity jeans this week - thanks to an amazing GAP maternity sale!  Still wearing my "normal" tops and maxi dresses.

Stretch marks? Not yet, just oiling and lotioning like crazy!

Sleep: Sleeping great, starting using a small wedge pillow under me this week, which has been so comfortable!  And I'm not yet waking up to pee - so glad about that!

Best moment this week: Feeling baby boy MOVE!!  It's my favorite feeling in the world.

Miss Anything? Margaritas and Queso dip.

Movement: Feeling a lot of fluttering - can't wait til John can feel him move too!

Food cravings: Sour patch kids, Cheese, Peanut Butter, and Fruit

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not feeling sick at all anymore!  Still not a big fan of fish though.

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes, the bump is there!  

Gender: BOY!!!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In....side note, I have a super deep belly button, and I'm so curious to see if it will pop out!

Wedding rings on or off? On...although in this heat, I have noticed a little finger bloating...yikes.

Mood? So excited!!

Looking forward to:  My first baby shower coming up at the end of the month!  And picking a name!

Theit Camera Bag for Sale!

Bloggers/Photographers -

I'm selling my Theit Bossi Black Camera Bag!  

This bag is in amazing shape!

I took it to Europe and used it to carry around my nice SLR camera. 

It was a dream, so comfortable, easy to carry, and I loved all the little compartments. 

I would keep it, but I am trading it in for...you guessed it, a diaper bag.  Yippeeee ;)

Let me know if you're interested (email me here) - it was $159, and I'll be selling it for $99 including shipping.

Read all about it here

****sold****