Life catchup!

I used to take so many more pictures, and then I sort of fell out of the blogging routine, and stopped taking all the pictures. But, I still blogged about the random stuff I did that nobody found amusing except maybe like 4 friends (including my mom) who were procrastinating doing things that were much more important. To you four readers - enjoy! I've found a few random pictures that have reminded me of things to write about!

Also, I really miss Charlie. Last night I just wanted him in bed next to me to cuddle. He told me to use pillows and I said I needed his nightly face stubble and hairy legs to warm up my feet, haha. I think we're almost at the 8 week mark - 2 months - of him being gone.  Same thing happened last time - this is when it gets tricky and I REALLY start to miss him. Not that I didn't before, but this is when it gets a bit harder. I am so grateful his deployments average 4.5 months. I know he goes more frequently than the guys who have to go for 9 months to a year (seriously can't fathom him being gone that long, those families are heroes). Even if he has to go more often, I'll take it. The broken up time makes it doable.

I've been enjoying learning my new sewing machine and am loving it. I have always been crafty and good with my hands, and even though most of the work is on the computer, I definitely have to cut things etc. I told Jaren I would open an Etsy shop called "Aggie-zines" and give Clara a penny for each sale for her college fund since she named me Aggie.

Today I made this Turkey with a monogram for a friend.

Charlie said it looked better and I asked him if he could even notice or was just being nice, and he told me that the lines looked straighter, etc. Husband passed the test :-)

I still have a lot to fix - for example the pattern I picked for the body of the turkey doesn't fit for the front pattern, the design on the fabric is too big (I completely overestimated how big this design was). Also, I would have probably done a darker pink outline for the middle. You live you learn! I've told my sister in law a million times I wish she was here to teach me in person, but she has seriously been the best "online teacher" in the world, and is constantly answering my questions and giving me advice. (Kind of like Stacy, my pastry chef friend, who gets asked a million baking questions - how long does yeast live, etc etc). I have good friends.

Even though she's only been my sister a short time, I have learned a lot from Sarah.  One thing (besides how to monogram and appliqué, ha!) is about communication without your own agenda. She is so good at listening to me and being kind about her response. Maybe it's a southern thing, maybe it's a classy thing, but I think it's an intelligence thing too. She has a way of giving answers/feedback that even if she disagrees with you, she would never directly say it. She sort of leads you to your own answer, and really wants it to be what you want, without pushing an agenda. I feel like most people give advice based on their own agenda. Sarah - I don't know if you even know that you do this, but I've noticed it about you and keep meaning to tell you, so here is a very public way of saying that I learned a great value from you in this!!!

Let's back a up a bit from the sunshine and ponies sap before this prego starts crying alone in her bed writing her blog. We had a very rainy August. And September. Usually July is just hot and August is ridiculously hot but this summer we had an outrageous July, and then tons of rain in August and September - more than usual!

Taking that picture was totally safe..... (no really actually I pulled my phone up to get the directions to where I was going and snapped it accidentally haha).

But we also had a few rainbows, including one that was HUGE. It seriously was over the entire city, from beyond one side of the mountains to the other. The cell phone picture does it no justice at all.

My friend from high school Rachel and I have lunch almost every Friday and a couple weeks ago our friend who graduated with us was actually able to join us!!! It was SO nice to have three of us there together.

Me, Sara, and Rachel.  And of course my water bottle makes a cameo :-)

I've found a new favorite food category - crackers! Love love love. I think it's because for so long it was all I could keep down. My new favorites - rosemary and olive oil triscuits:

I am subbing at an elementary school and they have snacks for everyone in their teacher room. I found out today that I am NOT a fan of the sun dried tomato triscuits. I seriously had to contain myself from spitting it out, and seriously considered doing that! I've also learned that I could never be a teacher for any grade lower than like 3rd grade. One on one or in small groups, I love em. Hell, I used to work with 2 year old special needs kids and not only was I really good at it, I LOVED it! But it was 1-1. Big difference.

Speaking of little kiddos, I miss my little Clara. Jaren, are you reading this? I miss you guys!!! Please text me 374534 times today to make up for the last week of missed texts. Thanks iPhone upgrade. Actually, I don't mind the changes in the upgrade, I just don't like that texts and emails and calls aren't working properly without wifi at all times.

I made a list today, and including me, there are 14 pregnant women I know, (including two of my sisters in law), due between next month and the beginning of May!!!! Crazy. I may even be forgetting some. Love having people to share the experience with :-) Girls - if you're reading this - let me know if I can practice my sewing for the little ones!

One more pic because little Lee is just the sweetest little cotton fluff marshmallow snow puff puppy:

See you all tomorrow for the weekly belly pic and update - 17 weeks yesterday, post comes on Friday :-)

Lucky charms, Lucky me!!!! (Written on Saturday, 8/24)

So yesterday, I woke up craving lucky charms. Not a prego "I have to have this NOW craving", but "that sounds like a good breakfast". Have I mentioned that I HAVE to eat breakfast these days? Super weird because normally I don't get hungry til 2-3 pm. Yes I know, it's the most important meal of the day, but I've gone 20 something years (why dont we go woth 24 😉) without it and I am very healthy and survived.

Anyway, since about week 8-9, it's the only meal that I could handle when I was throwing up 283473847 times a day. I mean, I still threw it up half the time, but at least I could stomach the thought of it. Week 7-8, all I could handle was popsicles. Wow I am glad that's over. By the way, I am getting a bit better - only getting sick every 2nd or 3rd day, and nausea is not nonstop. I am only taking one or two zofran a day :-)

Well, I keep cheerios and special k red berries for breakfast, but yesterday I woke up and wanted Lucky Charms. I texted Jaren:


She didn't really respond to the Lucky Charms post but I didn't think anything of it. Most of my friends and I have about 8 thoughts going on during one text message or conversation. I think it's just the way girls work. I love the meme/ecard that says:

It's not only accurate, but hilarious. And as the meme suggests, I digress. But back to the meme again, before moving on. I think I should have a post of funnies I've found on pinterest. Okay, done, promise.

What was I talking about?

Ummmm.....Oh Lucky Charms. Okay, so I went on with my day, and we went to my friend Hila (and my mom's friend/coworker's) house for Shabbat dinner. I brought Challah, it was gone in a second. Ugh, it's so good (I promise I'll post that recipe). Jaren was texting me and asking where I was and what I was doing. Then later she asked if I was home yet. I honestly didn't think anything of it. Thought she was just being nosy! Lol. Should give you some insight into our conversations/relationship.

Well, when I got home I saw this in the driveway:

I got out of the car and saw this:

SWEETEST THING EVER! Best deployment husband I could have asked for. Yes I made up that term. But honestly, this hormonal prego couldn't handle the sweetest gesture. I have the most amazing friend in you, Jaren!!!!

The next morning: Heaven!

Mmmmm, I want some now.

Love you Jaren, thanks again!

French Onion Chicken

I made this for dinner last night and didn't think to snap pics along the way. In my blogging hiatus (hiati for plural?) I do keep cooking awesome things if I say so myself, I just forget to snap pics. So it's only natural that upon the return of one, I don't think to obsessively photograph each step. Sorry!

Anwyay, it was really good so I snapped pics of the leftovers which really don't look that good, but I promise they taste great!

I do normally use glass tupperware. I guess not last night.

I sent Jaren and Eden an email with the instructions. Here was my email t them:
I served this over pappardelle noodles, but you could serve over whatever.

I bought chicken breast cutlets from costco - I think I probably used an equivalent of 4 chicken breasts cut into strips. It wasn't organic chicken, we'll survive.

-1/4 block of low fat cream cheese

-1/4 cup fat free plain greek yogurt (or fat free sour cream)

-1 packet of liptons french onion dip

-olive oil

-2 medium onions (I would have done way more onions but i only had 2)

-white wine and chicken broth - I have no idea how much since i just eyeball (start w/a 1/4 cup each and go from there)

1. Rinse chicken. Sprinkle some oil in the crockpot and put the chicken in it - no need for salt, plenty in the liptons. Turn crockpot to high.

2. Mix the greek yogurt, cream cheese, and french onion, then mix in the wine and broth. The mixture should be more runny than creamy (if this helps determine how much broth and wine to put in). Dump it over the chicken and mix.

3. While the chicken is getting started in the crock pot (on high), slice the onions and separate them. Melt a tablespoon of butter and some olive oil over medium heat and add the onions, with some salt. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, then lower to low to caramelize, cover, and let cook for about 30 minutes.

4. Add the onions to the crockpot, stir, and cook for about another hour. It doesn't need to cook for very long since the chicken is smaller strips and the crockpot is on high. I think it was about 2 hours before it was completely cooked through.

It was easy and yum!

Here is a picture of it plated for lunch today:

I added some shredded part skim mozzarella cheese.

By the way, here was Jaren and then Eden's response to the e-mail:

Jaren Rabe	9:46 PM (16 hours ago)
to me, Eden

I stopped reading at "it wasn't organic chicken". 

Sent from my iPhone

Eden Sherman	5:47 AM (8 hours ago)
to me, Jaren

Hahaha oh man I wish I lived in Vegas... Never thought I'd type that

Sent from my iPhone

Haha love my friends, they make my heart smile. Enjoy the chicken!! Oh and speaking of friends and food, one of my favorite things is that Katy will pin a recipe, I see it, and make it for dinner that night or the next (obviously inviting her). We didn't really realize this until one day she said "I love pinning things, they magically appear for dinner at Avigail's that night". Hahahahahah! 

Welcome Elsie Anne!

Where have I gone?
To a land where internet is scarce. I promise posts soon. With pictures.

Let me sneak a quick one in.
Cravings: the two batches of cookies I'll be making later, and a movie night out with Charlie. Also, a white chocolate kit kat. I'm sort of sensing a theme.....

But for now let me say, MAZAL TOV/CONGRATULATIONS to my dear friend Jaren Rabe, her husband Roger Rabe, and little Clara Rabe (our flower girl fyi), on the birth of their second daughter Elsie Anne. Love you already E-Anne.



She looks like Clara. I think.

This and that Thursday

Yesterday I went to pick up some Taste of the Nation tickets from Jen at LaCave. It was my first time going to the Wynn in a while and I forgot how beautiful it was! Look:




Mmmm my overnight oats tasted just like apple pie this morning. I swear I woke up so excited to eat them. If I celebrated Christmas I'm sure it felt something like that. My sleeping habits have been really weird with Charlie on nights. I am going to sleep around midnight or 1, waking up at 5 or 6, eating breakfast, and then falling back asleep at around 7 or 8 for another hour. What the heck?  I used old fashion oats, chia seeds, apple-cinammon chobani greek yogurt, one packet of stevia, a bunch of cinnamon, and almond milk.  I have a good metaphor for those who are confused by overnight oats. They don't taste raw, just like ceviche doesn't, because the acid "cooks it". The chia seeds absorb the liquid and thicken it up to make them thick and mushy and yummy, almost like the chia seeds "cook" the oatmeal.

I woke up feeling motivated and put on new workout clothes but when it was actually time to work out I kept delaying. Enjoy this exchange between me and Jaren:


Notice how it's past noon and I still hadn't gone? I ended up doing a 20 minute interval run. Not bad but not great. At least I got some sun! I need to start going to body pump again and doing the stairs/elliptical for an hour on alternate days. I've been slacking a bit.

I have a medical procedure at 230 because I had some abnormal test results. I spoke to my sister who said that my results were the least worrying of what "abnormal" could be, so I am not that nervous, although I think I will be when I sit in the doctors office. Hopefully it's quick and painless. Mom and I have a meeting with Pietra at threesquare after to discuss some wedding stuff :-)

In happy news, Charlie came home and put his food leftovers directly in the fridge! I didn't need to remind him, I didn't need to find them in his car 2 weeks later, or in the gym g-d knows how long later. I was so excited to find them this afternoon. Thanks sweetie, it's so the little things!

Spoke to Pat (Charlie's stepmom) last night for a while. I am excited to spend some time w/them this summer finally. Hurray!

Gotta shower before the doctor. Wish me luck.

Finding treasures during spring cleaning

Look what I found:

Movie star/celebrity? or Future Hubby?

While doing all my organizing I found a scrapbook that Charlie's hs gf's mom made him. It was AMAZING. I would honestly hire to make me scrapbooks. There were all these pictures of Charlie playing football etc, and several articles he had written, clubs he was in, a few high school dances, etc. Did you know that not only was my love the salutatorian at his school, but the president of the FBLA - future business leaders of America? Is anybody surprised? I wasn't! How handsome does he look in that picture?

In other news, does anybody have any good tips for where to buy those camelback water bottles for less than $20? Lol. Also, any tips on keeping them clean? It's so hard to clean those straws and I don't like the thought of drinking bacteria.  I found cheaper ones at Target but they are not that good. Speaking of Target, look what I found. I immediately texted Katy this picture:

They had an entire collection and I so know what I am getting for her birthday! (One more month and then you are my age.....which is......24....never 25).

Speaking of Katy, I miss you! Why did you start working when I stopped?

Poor Jaren, Roger was delayed again, so I told her I was taking her to Max Brenner to distract her. I met her at Clara's feeding therapy which happened to be right across the street from my wedding dress shop, so we went to see it! I hadn't tried it on since I bought it. It fits amazingly and I LOVE IT! They started the alterations but since I'm basically having it re-done in so many ways, it's going to take a while. Obviously not gonna post pics on that. Poor Clary had a blue sucker and Jaren wouldn't let her walk with it so we had a very cranky Clara (which is better than a cranky Jaren having to dry clean, or worse, buy a wedding dress). After the dress, we went to Max Brenner and I had my favorite - the Mexican Hot Chocolate. Jaren and I shared a salad, and then this beauty:


Demolished.

And if I haven't posted enough (gosh can you imagine when it's my babies?) here are some adorable pictures and videos of Clara the last couple of days (and a few randoms). I told Jaren that Roger is gonna be like, "why is Avigail calling you every hour" when he's back, because I'm so used to spending time with them now. At least Clara hasn't called me Daddy yet. Just aunt Aggie.



Yes, that's a 2 year old laughing amusedly when "Aggie crying". Unbelievable what humans find funny :-) Can ya blame her?

Clara eating with chopsticks just like Mommy.

After eating, you always want to dance a little:

Clara and Aggie


Pre taking off her diaper by herself and repeating "diaper! trash! Diaper! Trash!" over and over utnil we let her throw it away. She did go potty twice though (and I tried to show her the bidet but ended up getting splashed whoops). Clara went to wake up Charlie last evening (he's working nights), it was very sweet. He also didn't mind a naked 2 year old saying "wake up charlie" which made me smile.


This is a book Katy and I found while cleaning out the bookshelves. I'm assuming this belonged to a past ladyfriend's of Charlie's. This book is so outdated. It speaks about introductions and "lesser people" so you introduce a female to a male (this is their first example!) and a lower rank to a higher rank etc etc. Sort of ridiculous. It's also funny that it's like "eye contact is important" "repeat someone's name in your head so you remember it". Anyway, Jaren made me pose for this as a joke and then uploaded it onto my fb account and wrote "I can't wait". The funniest thing? About 12 people have liked this and commented nice things about it. It's a joke friends! (But I am excited to be an air force wife because it means I"ll be charlie's wife!)

Another thing I"m excited about? On Monday I'm driving to Palm springs to see Eden! On Tusday I"ll see Emily and Shayna and FINALLY meet David, on Wednesday Eden drives back to Vegas with me as do her parents, and on Thursday we all go to TASTE OF THE NATION! I can't wait - let me know if you want tickets.

Pizza success (and laughing so hard you may tinkle)

Pizza was a success! I made two different kinds, both Vegan. The crust was REALLY good, although next time I would like to add one more tsp of salt and one tablespoon of honey. I'll post the recipe after this in a separate post.

I rolled it out into two smaller pies, and baked it for about 20 minutes at 425 degrees.


Pie number 1: Onions caramelized in balsamic and zaatar, topped withs sliced tomatoes. I added the avocado the last 2 minutes.



Pie number 2. Not as visually appealing. Caramelized onions with sliced pear and "vegan" mozzarella cheese. I usually would use fresh mozzarella but I made this at my parents house.


Oh! Their neighbor brought sushi and I ate about 4-5 pieces. It was SO GOOD! I asked her if I could come over and have her teach me and she said she'd be glad to.


Here is some of the food from last night:


Adina made a salad, and then a platter with different salad toppings - it had jicama and just awesome things. It was such a cute idea and I am definitely replicating it. I really want to do the same thing but almost like a "seder plate" style, where the different salad mix-ins are in small little dishes.

Here is Maya, the Sal's youngest, with Maya, our youngest:


I went over to Jaren's after dinner with Jessi and she was hanging up her American flag wreath since her husband comes back from deployment this Wednesday:


Clara's new favorite thing is playing with credit cards from your wallet, so I cleaned mine out and brought her a bunch of cards. I also brought her my license that expired forever ago - Clara has a fake id! She was SO happy to get her presents and every few minutes would turn to me and smile and hold one up and say "presents"!




We then made signs, aka Jaren made a sign for Clara (yes there was a joke about why wasn't Clara doing this, 2 year olds these days), Jessi made a work of art for Joe (who comes back in 3 weeks) and I sat on the couch and drank a coke zero and a bag of bugles. I actually did help out by getting different things so Jaren didn't have to get up. Poor thing couldn't lay on her belly to work on the poster. I have quite a hilarious picture of her attempting to but I will not post.

Last night was definitely reminiscent of making signs for big/little week during my sorority days. It really felt like I was with old friends and we could not stop laughing. When a pregnant woman thinks she may pee herself laughing its not that big a deal, but when I almost do, it means you're having a good time!

Jaren will probably kill me but I had to snap a pic of her at one point because her face was bright red from laughing. I don't think you can tell in this pic, but trust me it was.


Hope you all had a weekend that made you laugh so hard you thought you'd pee yourself!

Perfect Saturday

We woke up early compared to our schedule lately, at around 715 and went to hike at Red Rock. We met one of the spouses Nikki and her pit/lab mix. We did a bit over an hour hike. I HATE going downhill especially when it's climbing. Im such a baby. I also had a runny nose because of the weather and didn't bring tissues. I felt so high maintenance, but then Charlie did point out that I sounded like I have a cold (I don't, just wind/allergies etc). I was so proud of myself hiking w/no breaks. I know it's not nearly as intense as Masada but that was a wake up call to start stair climbing and it helped!

We went over to my parent's house to hang out for a bit and decided to go to brunch. My dad goes to sweet tomatoes every weekend and really wanted to go but I was starving from the hike and wanted breakfast as did Charlie so we convinced him. We told him we'd go tomorrow. We went to the griddle in the vons shopping center and it was eh. Not totally impressed w/the menu. I would have rather gone to babycakes!

We noticed a new boba shop so my mom and I went in and when we came out this is how we found our men:

Twins! So cute.

Mom and I went to my house while the boys did boy stuff (probably broke something on the computer) and we discussed some details for the summer (she'll be visiting etc etc) and spoke about some other mommy/daughter stuff and then made a menu for tonight. The Sals are moving so we invited them for dinner along with Adina and Rick and my parents' 80 year old Japanese neighbor whose husband passed at NINETY-EIGHT! Amazing. What amazing people that my parents think to invite her. My mom said she was so pleased and asked what she could bring, and my mom said anything she wants, she doesn't have to, so she's bringing sushi! Note: invite her to my house too, it's a mitzvah.

I baked my famous Ilana Shapiro cookies (well my cookies now since I only make that recipe!) and took a batch over to Sheila at the front gate. Mom is giving one to someone and I am bringing the others to Jaren's tonight - she and Jessi and I are making posters for Roger and Joe's return. Roger comes home on Wednesday and I think Joe has about 3 weeks (hopefully!). Here are some of the cookies:


If you haven't made these before, please reference this recipe. They are perfection. Big and chewy and just yum. The secret is a, you have to have bread flour, and b, you have to refrigerate them for at least an hour before you pop them in the oven!

Dad dropped Charlie off and took the dogs to their house (he missed them) and then sent me this picture of Odgie cuddling with "squirrel". Squirrel is actually a stuffed dog (that is totally disgusting) that Odge has had since I was in college or something like that. The picture was really unclear and dark so I didn't instagram it, I DOUBLE instagrammed it. That's right!


Okay Jessi is here and I'm being totally rude and finishing this. Plus I need to wake up Charlie and make my pizza from the pizza dough I made. Reports on that later, and the recipe I made up if it's a success.

Pre-risen

grownups on the playground

I watched Clara on Tuesday so Jaren could go to her doctor app across town. Tell me you wouldn't go hang out w/this girl on a daily basis:


On my way there I stopped at El pollo loco and had a chicken avocado salad bowl. Demolished. Clara  took a nap right when I got there.
 
I don't know why but it looks like I have braces in that picture. Clara is so sweet, right before her nap. She tries to call me Avigail but it comes out as "Aggay" so I am officially "Aggie" to the Rabes. Love it! Made me so happy when she got this HUGE smile on her face when she woke up and cried "aggie".

We went to the park with Jaren when she came back from her appointment. Clara and I see-sawed w/Jaren:


And then we all swang for a while. Well not we all, just Clara and me. First Clara

I got my arm workout in.

Then me:


Dude, swinging is a lot scarier than I remember! Remember how we used to jump out when it went out? What the heck??? Obviously Clara got tired of pushing me so she went back on the swing and Jaren pushed us both. (okay, a 21 lbs 2 yo did not really push me).


Weeeeee! Notice how clara is barely moving? Jaren and i played a game instead of pushing her.....

Which ended in this:

a nice chunk of my thumb missing. Why you ask? Because Jaren had to spin me. There's a video but having a hard time loading it.