The Brick Wall a.k.a. Liam

Liam is driving me NUTS! There have been tons of changes in our lives in the last few weeks and I expected Liam to have some issues but it's getting ridiculous! The constant whining and stomping around and crying over nothing has to end. If you have any suggestions I am open to taking them at this point.

I have never wanted to die my hair but at this rate Liam is going to make me gray by 32!

Stroller Pushing Robots

Liam is now enrolled at one of the village primary schools for kindergarten. The school is around the corner so we walk to school every morning along with everyone else. Tuesday was the first day Luci and I walked Liam to school. On the way home I was in a line of strollers walking down the sidewalk when it hit me: We look like mommy robots! A long line of stroller pushing mommy robots! I don't want to be a mommy robot! As soon as the weather is warmer Luci will be going to school in a carrier so I don't have to be in the Mommy Robot line!

My Strange and Funny Birth Story

**Disclaimer: If you have a weak stomach, plan to have children in the future and would like to stay blissfully unaware, are a man, or don't like over sharing DO NOT READ THIS BLOG POST!

Consider yourself WARNED!

After 9 (OK I think it really works out to 10) months of wonderful pregnancy it was time to meet my little girl. At least we hoped she would be a girl since the pink monster threw up in our house. Mike and I were a little worried because Liam had been wishing hard he would end up with a little brother despite the ultrasound.

I decided to try to have a natural and drug free childbirth pretty early on in my pregnancy. Mike thought I was insane and really didn't think I would do it. My competitive side really wanted to try since I have so many friends that have multiple times.

We headed to the hospital on Wed morning around 1:30am and I had been having pretty good contractions for most of the day. The nurses got me all hooked up and checked me...and sent me home an hour later. Before I left they asked if I would like something to help me sleep. I hesitated because I have gotten a drunken Ambien phone call from my sister before but decided to go for it. BIG MISTAKE!

I took a shower when we got home to "stimulate labor" and ended up having hallucinations that Liam's bakugons were rolling around in the bottom of my shower. Then I saw a cartoon'ish smurf like village next to my bed. Ambien is one of those drugs you can't fight. You have to go to sleep or crazy things will happen...contractions wake you up...so crazy things happen! I am pretty sure Mike thought I was loosing it.

At 6Am I got Mike up so we could head for the hospital again. I knew these contractions were stronger and I figured I would be admitted as soon as they checked me...WRONG! Although I was 4cm they nurses told me they wouldn't admit me yet and to go walk around for an hour or two!!?? Thankfully everyone was at work so Mike and I walked up to the Systems Office and hung out with our "peeps." The whole time we were there I was having strong back to back contractions. Even Mike was surprised how fast they were coming and how long they were lasting. I think I told him it wasn't fun anymore at one point.

When we headed back to L&D I hopped on the birthing ball for a while until that wasn't fun anymore. By then my contractions were causing some hee'ing and hawing and I told Mike I was ready for some drugs. The pain was way worse this time around then with Liam. Then to my amazement my water broke while I was having a contraction in the middle of my room. Mike got a nurse and she said the Dr. would be in soon. Soon wasn't soon enough! By the time he came in I was 6cm and they FINALLY admitted me and took my blood work. If you have had a baby you know you can't get an epidural until the blood work comes back. The Dr. told me I was going to have this baby before the blood work could be done but he could give me some narcotics and phenegrin (because the drugs make you sick and yes I know I can't spell!) to help with the pain. I said YES PLEASE...but I didn't realize that drug combo would turn me into a sleepy and loopy crazy!

If you are ever in this situation I recommend avoiding the drug combo. It actually doesn't help with the pain it just relaxes you and makes you sleepy. That's fine in most all cases but not in this situation. From what Mike and my nurse told me I would have a contraction and then my head would fall on my pillow and I would snore till my next contraction. Then I would ask if the last awake phase happened because it seemed like a dream. Mike and my nurse got a huge laugh at me! I also apparently kept asking when the drugs would kick in and take the pain away...which it never did.

When it was time to birth my baby I was in screaming mode. When it was time to push I kept saying it hurt to which my Dr. told me "The contractions hurt so you might as well start pushing." To which my response was to push and SCREAM. He told me screaming worked too! During the pushing I also asked Mike why we decided to do this again...and he quickly responded "So I can get a Land Rover remember!" Then the best silly moment of my labor... While I was pushing Mike said "She has a head of black hair!!" To which I SCREAMED NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Lucille Kate LeCroy was born at the exact moment I predicted. 3 days before her due date at noon. I really wish I would have put some money on that down at the bookie. She's tinier than her brother was just like my midwife predicted and has the tiniest perfect head. She is the sweetest little thing in the whole world and I am glad my hubby changed his mind about having #2. 4 yrs ago I was sure Liam would be our only one.

I would not have a natural labor again even though I felt so much better after this birth than with Liam. If you knew me after I had Liam you would know I was out and about the day we came home from the hospital so it isn't saying much. I just feel better this time and not so puffy and fluffy.



Luci is perfect and I can't wait to see what the future holds for my family of four!

33 weeks

As you can see I am getting bigger and bigger! The first picture was taken at 2o weeks and the new picture at 33 weeks 1 day. Only 6 weeks and a few days left till we meet Lightning Tiger and you all can finally learn her real name. Now if only I could finish getting everything I need before she comes!

Ice Cream Cake

Making an ice cream cake is a lot easier than you might think. Next time I make one I will do step by step photos but for now here is a brief "How To".

The Basics you will need:
Silicone baking pan (shape doesn't matter)
1 carton of ice cream
1 large tub of cool whip
1 Cake, cooled completely

Bake your favorite cake and cool. Sit your chosen ice cream flavor on the counter to soften. You want it very soft but not melted and soupy. When the cake is cooled cut into three even layers and then cut to fit your chosen pan. Use the bottom layer of your cake in the bottom of your silicone pan. This will end up being the top of your Ice Cream Cake so you want it to be as smooth as possible. Pour half of your ice cream onto the cake and smooth. (It helps to dump all the ice cream into a bowl and give it a good stir. It makes it smooth and easier to spread around.) Place another layer of cake and the rest of your ice cream. Smooth and add the last layer of cake. Cover and stick in the freezer. It's important to work quickly and neatly and get it in the freezer to prevent melting. Let the cake freeze till solid (at least 6 hrs) Make sure your cool whip isn't frozen. Turn your frozen cake onto the plate your plan to serve it on and pile it with cool whip. Spread and smooth like you would if frosting a cake. Stick the whole cake back into the freezer.

 Decorating tips: You can pipe the cool whip with a large star tip and it looks wonderful. I also took kitkat bars and dipped them in chocolate and sprinkles.
  There's no limit to what you can do on the inside or outside. I often add chocolate or caramel syrup and marshmallow fluff to the inside. Try sprinkles or cookie crumbs.

Pumpkin Whoopie Goodness

My husband works with the Systems Office at the hospital. Systems, like most good people, like to have potlucks as often as they can. Mike tends to not find out till the last minute or doesn't remember to tell me. His contributions usually end up coming from the grocery store and that annoys me. Two weeks ago he FINALLY gave me a heads up that they were having a potluck and told me I was to make a desert (imagine that!). I decided to go with a whoopie pie of some sort. I have become slightly obsessed with them since having one from a eatery on base. It lacked flavor and cost WAY too much. The filling was also some what of a mystery to me as well. It wasn't marshmallow or butter cream and wasn't sweet. YUCK!

Mike loves pumpkin flavor stuff so I found a pumpkin whoopie pie recipe from Martha Stewart. I had to modify the recipe since I couldn't find canned pumpkin (I used canned pumpkin pie mix and left out the spices that were called for in the recipe). I spent the whole day Thursday working on them and they turned out FANTASTIC even though they didn't look like Martha's. I am not a pumpkin fan and even I thought they were tasty. Liam claimed he needed to taste test one cookie from each batch. Quality if very important to him!

I ended up present at the potluck on Friday and I am glad I went. There's nothing better than having people tell you how wonderful you...I mean your food is! I especially like compliments when they come from the Camo that runs the hospital. Always please people in high places!

I Love a Great Deal!

Mike and some of his friends participated in a fun 5K today called the Spartan Race. All of them dressed up in costumes and had a blast. I was there with camera in tow to record the fun and I got some great pictures. Mike took our old Pentax (it was the first of the water resistant and shock proof cameras from 6 years ago) and took a few pictures of all of them on the course. When we got home I decided to put together a photo memento for the whole crew (all 11 of them). I was able to put a quick little photo book together for them and managed to save almost $50 with all my promo codes! If you haven't used Shutterfly before I highly recommend you check it out. Honestly, I can not remember how I got turned on to Shutterfly over 4 years ago but I have LOVED them and their wonderful site. Plus they are always sending me emails with special offers that make ordering even better!

Sassy Barbie Cake...Complete!

This cake is my second attempt using marshmallow fondant. I am still not very good at rolling it out evenly and getting it on the cake. Like most things, I am sure a lot more practice would be to my benefit. All in all I am very happy with how this cake turned out. I love the contrast of shiny and matte and I am very happy with how the zebra print looks.
  Here's the breakdown on this cake:

6 in. round top layer, devils food with pink butter cream between layers
10 in. round bottom layer, devils food with pink butter cream between layers
2 batches of marshmallow fondant ( white and pink)
Wilton Edible Glitter
Wilton Edible Silver Simmer Powder
Wilton Piping Gel (used as glue for all pieces and them to coat bottom layer for shine)

White fondant dots

I mixed the silver shimmer with clear vanilla and painted the white  dots.

I made this 5 out of fondant using a template cut from Barbie font.
I let this dry for a few days.

I then coated the 5 with piping gel and sprinkled with Edible Glitter.

For the zebra print, I used a pizza cutter to cut random shapes. It helped
looking at a zebra skin. I then used a paint brush and piping gel to glue strips on.
(do this before adding your second layer of course)

When dry I painted the whole bottom layer with the piping gel to make it shiny and
hide all the spots I got a little crazy with gel.

The dots are glued on with the piping gel as well.

And this is the Barbie that inspired it all.  I was going to add
a finishing trim around the bottom of each layer but nothing
looked right.

Sassy Barbie

Have you seen Barbie lately? That girl has changed a whole lot since I was a little girl! One of Mike's co worker's asked me to make a birthday cake for their daughter's 5th birthday. They gave Mike a Barbie that they wanted me to use as inspiration/decoration and he got to carry it all around the hospital. This Barbie is HOT! It's the Sassy Barbie with black and zebra leggings and hot pink sparkly top. When I saw her I had to throw out my original idea and come up with plan B.

The birthday party is Sunday afternoon and I am already ahead of schedule. Both cakes are covered in fondant and I have started working on decorations for the top layer. Fingers crossed, the bottom layer should have pink zebra print by the end of the day.

Keep an eye out for pictures of the project. I pray this little girl loves this cake!

You Scream, I scream, We all scream for Ice Cream Cake!

One can never go wrong with ice cream. I personally love ice cream cakes but they are usually pretty expensive to buy. The only time I will splurge on one is if it's from Cold Stone Creamery. (YUMMMMMMMM) Of course we do not have CSC here in the UK (which is a damn shame) and carvel cakes from the commissary don't do it for me. Especially since there is NO TELLING how long that thing has been in the freezer.

Above is a picture or a super quick ice cream cake I made for a BBQ. I had a 9in homemade chocolate chip cookie in the freezer. (You know one family doesn't need as many cookies as one recipe makes. So I baked a cookie cake to keep in the freezer for emergency.)

For this cake you will need:

1 carton ice cream

1 small marshmallow fluff

1 container cool whip (freezes better than homemade whip cream)

Chocolate sauce 

Sprinkles

Some other option: Carmel sauce, cookie crumbs, nuts, brownie or cake instead of cookie

Use the same pan you used to make the cake portion.

Set out your ice cream till soft and spreadable and spread it smoothly into pan and drizzle with chocolate sauce.

Freeze.

Spread marshmallow fluff but not all the way to sides. It's super sticky and might make it hard to get the ice cream disk out.

Freeze.

Add the cake portion and press firmly.

Release the whole thing using a hot towel or water. 

Flip onto waiting plate.

Freeze.

Take out and spread with cool whip and decorate. 

Freeze till ready for the party.

You will want to let it set and soften slightly.

This whole process can be made a whole lot simpler with a spring form pan. But I don't have one and didn't want to buy one! 

Enjoy!

Lightning Tiger/Tigress

After the longest ultrasound I have ever had (which is saying a lot since I had at least 4 before I graduated high school) we still aren't 100% sure the sex of Lightning Tiger. We do know however that all the organs, bones, parts and pieces are present and in the right location. I was a little worried for a second when the Tech was looking at the hands because one looked like a hook. Thankfully it was just a weird angle. The tech spent over an hour scanning and checked the sex at least three times. Apparently LT is a red head because it's leg's were crossed or too close together every time. The tech, Mike and I all agreed that it looked to us like Lightning Tiger is a Tigress!

At this moment I am terrified to buy pink in case we find out everyone was wrong. Right now I am researching 4D ultrasound clinics and will hopefully be able to get one done next month. Nothing like a drama!

Until next time!

20 Weeks

I am finally starting to look pregnant. That period of wondering if people are thinking I'm just fat and need to do crunches is over! This past week or two I have popped out and Lightning Tiger is kicking hard enough to feel it with a well placed and patient hand. Needless to say Liam has yet to feel anything. He has a problem sitting still long enough and this morning his hand was too cold. Keep your fingers crossed that all is well and we will find out what Lightning Tiger is Aug. 26.

Short Notice

Some friends called Thursday night while I was out with the girls to ask if I could make a little wedding cake. A friend of theirs is getting married today and they are throwing a little party after. I couldn't just make a little one layer cake because that doesn't feel "wedding" to me. This little jewel is an 8in and 6 in round chocolate cake. I started baking around 3pm Friday and finished decorating at 0945am Saturday. Hope the happy couple enjoy it!

RANT

Eight-teen years ago my parents moved us to the Mid Ohio Valley. My dad, who works for the power company, had been transferred to Gavin Power Plant in Galia County, Ohio. The area wasn't known for their good schools and neither were the surrounding areas so my parents looked elsewhere. They finally settled on Warren School District in Washington County, Ohio which was easily 45 min to an hour away from my dad's new job. Distance was not an issue. My parents were smart and wanted to live in an area with good school and in a place they thought would have good resale value. All are VERY important when you could end up moving in a few years.

I HATED it! We had just left a fantastic town (Bethel, Ohio) that was close to Cincinnati and had fantastic shopping! I was stranded on a golf course with no neighborhood kids. The school was old and I was stuck back into an elementary school in 6th grade because they didn't have a separate middle school. The area had no private swim club like we had in Bethel and the shopping SUCKED! Eventually, I grew to like the area enough not to run away! When I graduated high school I couldn't wait to get away from it all though.

I chose to go to Kent State University because it was pretty far from home, I didn't know of anyone from my graduating class going there and the first guy I saw on campus at Orientation was cute. Most of the kids I met were from Northern Ohio and when we started talking about the schools we had come from I got really annoyed. All of them had newer high schools, awesome clubs and programs and technology we could have only dreamt of having. I ended up being the girl that came from the crappy country school that had drive your tractor to school day!

Sadly for my old school district the bond levies were always voted down. Our school district is HUGE but all rural with no zoning (except where my parents live). You could have a really nice house next to a falling apart and abandoned trailer. The area also has lots of old folks that aren't big on change. Sadly, yesterday the bond issue was voted down again and the school board is giving up. The comments on the newspapers website says it all. People saying they voted no for reasons that have nothing to do with the issue. One person actually posted they had voted No because they see girls walking around in shorts so short their asses hang out. It said that if the school can't stick to a dress code how can they stick to a budget. It's small minded, ignorant people like that that hold back the future of America. The MOV is considered Appalachia and it seems this part doesn't want to improve itself. One of the areas my parents chose not to move into got a new high school YEARS ago. It's just as bad off financially as Warren but people know what's important. I feel so sad for my Alma mater and the people that I know that still live there with their children. I will never understand the thinking of the people who voted NO. I wonder how many of them have children and want their children to have a future. My education was not nearly as good as my friends from Northern Ohio and that was 11 years ago.

Now it just seems like a waiting game. Wonder how long before the State steps in, takes over the school and raises the property taxes anyway?

Preggo Brain!

Anyone mother can tell you the effects pregnancy tends to have on the brain. I haven't done my research to see if there is a medical link but any that has been pregnant once can vouch. Symptoms tend to include:

• Forgetfulness
• Train of thought loss
• Concept of Time loss
• Loss of Patience

Today is a prefect example. We were invited to a birthday party a week or two ago for a friend's daughter who is turning 1. I RSVP yes, told Mike, and even volunteered to make the Smash Cake. This morning the boys went off to work on the boy car, I cleaned the kitchen, got dinner in the crock pot, started laundry and went to chill with the computer and FB. One of my girlfriends, who is also invited to this party, replied to my post that I missed "baking a cake." This comment put me in a panic. I called my friend to confirm the party is today at 3pm. Mind you this all happened around 10:30am or 11. Needless to say I have been running around the kitchen like a mad cake baker! Within the hour I got the cake baking in the oven and the frosting made. I have not been able to get a hold of Mike to make sure he is home by 2. Right now I am just keeping my fingers crossed that in the next two hours I can:

• Shower
• Wrap birthday present
• Cool Cake
• Ice and decorate cake
• Get to Party on Time

From now on I will remember to write these things on the Calendar in the hallway. Thankfully I had everything needed in the house to get this cake made. I would feel AWFUL if Jayla didn't have a smash cake for her party. Come back and check to see if I manage to pull this off!

Breaking Records

I have set some new personal bests:

1. Gained 10lbs in 16 weeks (at least I have pregnancy to blame)
2. Done 0 loads of laundry in 2 weeks (thanks honey for picking up a little of my slack)
3. Ignored the crumbs on the kitchen floor for 2 weeks.

I am pretty sure there are other records that were recently broken but I think embarrassment is blinding me. Sunday has been spent doing some serious cleaning and at least the ground floor is worthy of guests. Sometimes we have to admit our flaws publicly so we can be shamed to take care of things.

My sister Megan visited with us for almost 2 weeks and we had a great time. She left us on Saturday and Liam has asked when she is coming back. He really doesn't think she needs to see any other countries. 

Lightning Tiger is 16 weeks along and doing well. We will have our ultrasound at the end of August and hopefully we will see a healthy little being and find out the sex. Mike is positive it's a boy and I am leaning toward girl due to some differences in this pregnancy. I hope it's not a boy because we have not been able to agree on boy names! Mike comes up with some very crazy names.

Till next time!

Italy Trip

My husband very kindly booked a trip for me to go to Italy for a weekend of cooking classes. The trip is ran by a company that operates Italian "restaurants" in the overseas commissaries called Gourmet Italia. Larry Pisoni , the owner of the company, is born and raised Italian and is married to wonderful woman, Carol who is from the DC area. They have been doing these cooking classes all over Italy for the last 20 years with a focus on the Mediterranean Cuisine.

Our class was pretty large and full of American Military and Govt Contractors from all over Europe. Everyone was very nice and they made the trip even better. Our weekend took place in the Asiago area of Italy and we stayed at a wonderful hotel. My travel companion flaked at the last minute so I got a big room all to myself.

The view from my balcony.

The cooking classes were more like demonstrations with some hands on. I was very happy that Marco (our chef) taught us how to make gnocchi and risotto. I have attempted risotto once but wasn't sure if it was done properly. Marco used red wine to make the risotto and it was fantastic!

Every meal involved a lot of food! Lunch was three courses (the third being desert) and dinner was usually four or five courses. I have never eaten so much in such a short span of time! At least I can claim pregnancy for the tummy I developed.

Our class also went to an Asiago cheese factory. As a known cheese lover it was like going to heaven!

This is the ageing/storage room that had to be almost three stories tall.

Overall it was a wonderful trip and a great experience. I am very happy Mike made me go on this trip and hope to be forced to take more trips in the future!

This will take you to all the photos I took over the course of the trip.

Italy Cooking Trip

Overpacker...

I have always been an over packer when it comes to trips. One must always have choices especially when you don't know what to expect from the weather. The problem with being an over packer these days are all the carry on requirements and having to pay extra to check baggage. In Europe you can get super cheap flights on the budget airlines but their rules and fees regarding luggage are crazy. It's all part of the way to squeeze every pence from your pocket. You have to pay a fee if you wait to check in at the airport, checked baggage fee, no free snacks or drinks, and they even want to have pay toilets on the plane (hasn't happened yet but I am sure it will soon!)

How does an over packer pack for a 4 day trip in a small carry-on? A carry-on that I'm not even sure will meet the tiny requirements of 21.7 inches * 15.7 inches * 7.9 inches. My bag is packed with:

1 pair jeans

2 knit dresses

1 pair pj's

4 tops

3 camis

1 bathing suit

5 pair undies

1 book

1 DSLR camera

1 FLIP

toiletries

purse and contents

And hopefully snacks!

I just hope this thing weighs less than 20lbs!

Getting Old...

You know you are getting old when your niece graduates from high school! OK, so I was only in 6Th grade when she was born but it still makes me feel old!

My niece has grown into a beautiful, intelligent and well rounded young lady. I truly feel she has a very bright future in front of her as long as she stays true to what she wants in life. It's not easy trying to plan your future and make the right choices. I know a few of my choices weren't in my original plan!

I wish I was able to be with you today Kelsea. Know that I love you and I am so very proud of the person you are and the person I know you will be. Stay true to your heart and follow your own dream. The most important thing to remember is that no matter what, we love you and will always be in your corner cheering you on and supporting you 150%. Forget the bad, stay in the present, and keep looking to the future.

Another Chapter Begins

Shortly after Liam turned 1 yrs old, and people started asking the inevitable question, Mike stated he didn't want to have more kiddos. . It took me by surprise to be honest. Mike stated he wanted Liam to be able to do whatever he wanted, wanted us to be able to travel easily as a family and financially it made since. After a while I got used to the idea. Liam and I have always done a lot of traveling and it's easy to take a toddler on a plane when you only have one.

With every move and new stage, the baby items were sold or given away. When preparing for our move to England, I asked Mike one more time if he was sure we were done. "Yes!" The last of the items were sold. The only item we have from Liam's infancy are some "keeper" clothes, crib, bedding and mobile. It's sad to part with cute stuff you child enjoyed so, but they are being enjoyed by others. My friend Brooke sent me a picture of Cece playing with the kitchen we gave them and it made my day!

Shortly after arriving in England, Mike started his mission to get a Land Rover Discovery. My boys and their need for 4wheel toys! Don't get me wrong they are nice and I enjoyed test driving one but they are HUGE! Even though they are UK cars they are monsters in comparison to other cars and parking spots! My comment was that a Discovery is a family car and we would need more than 1 child to justify it's purchase. Who would have thought that a few days later, my hubby would tell me he had changed his mind. "If you would like to have another baby I am cool with the idea." WHAT, WHAT, WHAT?! Three years of stead fast NO and then all of a sudden he has a change of heart? Was it because he had just turned 40? There were many discussions that followed to get to the root of the matter. I realised he was serious.

A few months later and we are 10 weeks pregnant. Liam is excited and will make a fantastic Big Brother.




I have already started the hunt for good baby deals. So far I have picked up a highchair, bouncy seat, new infant seat, and Mike got a diaper bag. All for under $200! It helps being in a military community where people are moving all the time!

This will be an interesting journey.