Food Friday - Fried Chicken Sandwich

Shield your eyes, health-nuts. This one is as unhealthy as they come.

But when a pregnant lady wants something, she will go out of her way to get it. 

INCLUDING making it for herself.

In this case, I wanted NEEDED a buffalo chicken sandwich.The only issue is I did not want to pay for it. Can you say "CHEAP-O". Yes. You can.

You will need:

• 2 large chicken breasts thawed
• 1 sleeve crushed saltine crackers (we used salt-less saltines)
• 3 eggs
• Pinch/dash/touch (your call) of garlic
• Pinch/dash/touch (your call) of Season Salt
• Pinch/dash/touch (your call) of Parsley
• 1/2 cup Canola Oil
• Buffalo sauce to taste

Now. Let's not over complicate this as there is essentially NO recipe. It was a weak, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants moment. But everyone is entitled to a brief indulgence, right?!

Now, pour your oil into a medium size skillet and turn to 3/4 heat.




In a food processor, blend up the crackers, garlic, seasoned salt, and parsley until very fine. If you don't have a food processor, a gallon sized zipper bag and a rolling pin will do. Then pour into a bowl. Scramble 3 eggs in a medium sized bowl. Dip trimmed chicken breast in eggs making sure to coat thoroughly. Dip (again thoroughly) in crumb mixture. If you want your chicken SUPER crunchy, you can dip again in eggs then crumbs.

Place in heated oil for about 10-15 minutes (really depends on the size of the chicken breast. Use your best judgement. Flip and cook until chicken is no longer pink! I am kind of finicky about chicken. It makes me nervous. You will normally see 2-3 cut marks in it as I have to check and re-check to make sure it is cooked through.

Split a bun, place 1/2 of your large chicken breast on the bun, and cover with buffalo sauce. I top my bun with mayo and Tyler uses ranch. I will let you make that executive decision.

***IF you want  a healthier option, you can try baking the chicken at 350* until it is heated through.

ENJOY!

Now I am off to celebrate yet another birthday at a ball game. Hopefully this one doesn't go 13 innings like last year on my birthday!

Another Year Older. Another Year Wiser?

Today.

Today is my birthday.

When I was a child, I would create a countdown, or a calendar with Xs, or some way to remind myself that soon I would be another year older. 

We would have parties or celebrations that would exclaim to the world that "WE ARE OLDER!!!" (We being Becca and I.)

When did that stop?

I used to really remember things about myself.

This year, I forgot about my birthday until the week before! Want to know how I was reminded? Someone scheduled a meeting with me for work! It took someone actually saying the date for me to remember my birthday. 

I am not saying this because today has any monumental meaning to me. Because really, it doesn't. I am really more excited to celebrate one year of marriage with my husband in a little over a week.

I am saying it because the last few years have brought so much change to my world.

Instead of my birthday, I am busy remembering:

Anniversaries.

Grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, sibling, friend, spouse birthdays.

Weddings we plan to go to.

DUE DATES.

Baby room decorating/planning.

Bridal and baby showers.

You know the drill... you have to remember so much stuff that remembering your own really seems minor in comparison.

Two years ago, I was graduating.

Last year, we were getting married.

This year, we are preparing for a baby.

When did I "grow up"?

In any case. Today I celebrate my birthday at a baseball game with a big 'ol belly, a man at my side, a ring on my finger, and a smile on my face.

I am so so lucky.

A Scary Mom Moment - Baby Update

This is kind of hard to write and I have seriously contemplated even posting about it. Being pregnant is scary.

You should know before I begin, that the baby and I are both fine. 100% Healthy and our baby is in the 75+ percentile for growth! We are wonderful.

This one is very very personal. But I have chosen to share it because I know I'm not alone. Pregnancy is scary! You develop this unconditional love for the little nugget growing in your belly. The only problem is that apart from eating the right way and not participating in a friendly game of tackle football, the baby's growth and development is really out of your control. This leaves you constantly worrying.

On April 25th, I had a routine check-up at my doctor's office. You know the drill, a quick "how are you feeling" and a check of the heartbeat, blood draw and you're out the door! Typically, it's a 20 minute process. Tops.

This one did not work out that way.

I went in as normal at 10:25, checked my weight, asked the routine questions, and jumped up on the table to hear that precious heartbeat. But she couldn't find it. Normally it is a 5 minute process of searching, finding, listening, and oohing/aahing. This time, we only got to step 1, the searching. She looked for 20 minutes and this far along in the pregnancy it should take less time than the 13 week appointment did. But there was nothing.

Once in a while she thought she heard the baby move, but she couldn't find the tones. I didn't panic, yet.

After a few more minutes of searching she said (in a panicked tone) "We need  to get you in for an ultrasound right now". I still didn't freak out.

I asked her "has this happened before" and she said yes. So I made her promise and she did.

She simply stated that she was concerned that this far along she can't find it.

Now I freaked out.

I cried. A lot.

So she said "it'll be alright", gave me a hug, and rushed out to schedule the ultrasound.

I didn't see her again after that. But I did see her nurses. One who came in, hugged me (crying, mind you), and handed me the appointment sheet for the hospital (ultrasound). The next two came in to take all of my blood. OK, two vials. Of course, one of them hugged me too! If that doesn't get you worried, nothing will.

But these ladies are wonderful. Every one of them. My doctor, her nurses, they all rock.

Once the blood draw was done, I got in my car at 11:25 (still sobbing) and called Tyler who said he would meet me at home to take me to the hospital. He continually said motivational things like: don't worry, you are fine, the baby is fine... just supportive. Then, when he got home, he just hugged me. That's all I needed.

After I applied makeup to try to hide the red splotches forming on my face (I'm an ugly crier), we left.

They rushed us through the sign in and brought us right back. I think they felt bad for the ugly (obviously crying) girl that just walked in... but I appreciated it. So we sat. Only for a few minutes, but it felt like forever! Especially when a little old lady tries to carry on a conversation with you. I was cordial, but wanted to punch her in the face. I was in no mood to talk to anyone right now. I just wanted to know that baby K was OK.

When we went in, I knew the process: lay down, pull up shirt, tuck towel into pants, and they put warm goo on your belly. I held it together this time up until I saw that heartbeat. Then I lost it. I was so excited that my fears were unwarranted and our nugget is fine. What. A. Relief.

Tyler rubbed my leg the whole time while they took the measurements, looked at the baby, and printed our pictures. He was amazing.

We got a call shortly after from my doctor saying "the baby looks great". Then, about 10 minutes later from her nurse, Heather. Yes, Heather called to say that she'd heard the good news and wanted to let me know she was so thrilled and make sure I was doing OK. They care that much.

I have never been to a doctor's office where they know you by name right when you walk in. It makes everything so much more comfortable!!!

Now, we are at 5 ultrasounds for this kid. Typically, a pregnant lady will only have two throughout a pregnancy. Sure we'll more than double it! Ugh.

Ultrasound one was at 9 weeks. Typical.

Ultrasound two was at 13 weeks as I was having TERRIBLE cramping and morning sickness.

Ultrasound three was when they couldn't find heart tones.

Ultrasound four was for gender/organ development.

And ultrasound five was yesterday because during the 20 week ultrasound, the little nugget was dancing and squirming too much and they couldn't get good pictures of the heart and spine. Silly baby.

Pretty sure we have the most photographed fetus ever.

Here is what I took from this experience:

1. Do not panic if they can't find the heartbeat with the little wand thing. It has happened before. They will just schedule an ultrasound to see the little bugger.
2. Go to a doctor who recognizes you as (___Your Name Here___), not just a patient. You want someone you know to give you good or bad news. Not somebody who has to look at their sheet to remember your name.
3. Make your husband go to all of the appointments. He can sit outside while you do the icky stuff, but make him be there. Tyler had meetings in the morning so he couldn't make it to the check-up, but he has promised to go to the rest of them. Especially after this experience. Even though he had wonderful composure, I know he was worried. The relief on his face was all I needed to see.

Optimism is really the key to pregnancy (well, mine anyway). If I eat right, sleep plenty, drink lots of water, and exercise, my body will do the rest. What an amazing thing.

Ultrasound Number Five

Tomorrow I will explain what all this ultrasound nonsense is about. Typically during a pregnancy, you will have one or two. But not our baby! She just wants to strike a pose so we just keep going back. (I WISH that was why.)

For now, I am going to bask in the knowledge that in a coupe of hours, we will see baby K again. 

Oh yeah, and I intend to ask them to PROVE IT!

I was so completely and utterly convinced that she was a he so I want them to prove it. Double check, if you will. I hope they're not offended!

Hopefully this is our last ultrasound appointment.

Not that I don't LOVE seeing our little nugget...

But these pictures aren't cheap! : )

Happy Humpday!

Gender Reveal Pictures

As most of you may know, we did a gender reveal to discover if baby K was a boy or a girl.

We wanted our whole family to be a part of our celebration as they are all first-timers too! First time grandparents. First time aunts. First time uncles. And of course, first time parents.

It was an outstanding, thrilling, surprising experience!

Between this, a ball game, and Memorial Day Weekend, my camera got a workout!

Here are the pictures from the gender reveal.

Getting ready for this gathering may have definitely stressed me out. A lot.Especially when my sweet husband was running around taking pictures of ev-er-y-thi-ng. Seriously. He was amazed by his picture of chips. Then he asked for a picture of our baby. I couldn't resist the smile this provoked. The top right is daddy-to-be Tyler. Bottom left is my g-ma sitting on our big-people couches. She fit very well! Ok, maybe not. But it was funny! Next is excited dad Tyler. Finally, last but certainly not least, aunt Becca. She was working and waiting for family to arrive.



Before we found out, we played games and sat around chatting. I mean, who (besides me) REALLY does dessert first? We played bean bags, bocce ball, and sat around enjoying some friendly conversation.

We all enjoyed an abundance of food pre-discovery-dessert! My dad grilled the burgers (which he brought) and hot dogs (which he bought). Such a good man. next, look. at. that. spread. Yum. We did buffet style serving.



Ooooooh Boy! (You'll have to excuse my hair. It was rainy/humid/gross outside.) I LOVED the cupcakes. They were cute and delicious. Bottom left is the family waiting to be served (with smiling grandpa Jeff) and on the right, our cupcake cheers.



Tyler's and my reaction was something to be remembered because we were shocked. I was 100% certain she was a boy. Tyler thought girl until a few days before at our ultrasound. Starting at the top right: I peeked. I wouldn't show Tyler what I had, but the tears started coming! So he looked and was SOOOO surprised! We had to check and double check the frosting. Notice Tyler's eyes stay big the WHOLE time. He was in shock. Smooches for mom and dad. Finally, our pink surprise. SO excited.




Our parents and siblings brought us gifts.I had to laugh because I LOVE monkeys and my mom and dad brought us monkey butt pjs! Also, I likes the cupcake outfit. How appropriate. Not sure cupcakes will ever mean the same thing to me...



Proud mama and daddy to be. Can't wait to meet our baby girl!