Hippo Soap

Since I am awake anyway at almost 4 am, why not blog about hippo soap?
So I have had this cute little guy for several years. (I think my sister bought him for me, although I cannot remember for what occasion or simply because?)

Well, I was going through my bathroom stuff bin the other day, and decided it was time to get him out and use him. Doesn't he look happy?
:)
Although I must say, not well-contoured for ease of use. Oh well. He's cute and that makes up for a lot.

Whale!

I know, I know. It's very superficial of me to want this. But want it I did.
Although, for a few weeks, I had forgotten that I told my husband I wanted it.
Until it was almost Valentine's day. And I saw he had a Target receipt by his wallet. And then it all came back to me.
Maybe he remembered my whale! And I was so excited.
And later that day, a bit disappointed when the whale did not appear.
Don't get me wrong, he gave me a very, very sweet card. And he wrote thoughtfully in it, and picked it out. Which is also what I "want" in a card.
But...no matter how awesome a thing you get is (ok, with me at least), if you were expecting something else, something else that was just THIS awesome, you will be a little sad.
So anyway, we had a talk about it...rather than just me be sad and brooding, so that was good.
And then my mom and sister went to Target. And picked him up.
And he will be at the shower for the baby.
:D
YES!
:D

Made my DAY!

Baby...girl?

And the baby is a....girl.
At least, that's the most they could see. The tech pointed out the 3 girl lines, but she would not open her legs, and therefore, we could not confirm 100% that she is a not a boy.
But that's ok. This way, John (and now me) get to know, but I (and sorta John) still have some element of surprise.
Which is pretty awesome. How often do you get it both ways?
I am going to have my cousin Joyce look at me when I get a baby belly. Apparently she is pretty good to look at someone and know.
I do *sorta* have a little pooch now. That others can see! Woo! Made bigger when I wear three layers of clothes. :)
Next doctor appointment is in two weeks. At first I was confused how I got off track a week early, then I realized I will actually be going in a week *later* than all my other monthly appointments.
I am so easily confused.
Here she (or...ahem, maybe he?) is!

Baby

I would say a baby is more than an "un"epic adventure, but I am too lazy to figure out how to change the title of the blog. Let alone figure out a new title. So we will let it be. And just assume that anything from this point on will be epic. At least in my little world.

So there he or she is! Pretty awesome and looks like a baby! That was 12 weeks (or a day shy). I am now 17 weeks. Still not quite showing, although enough of a bump that it feels hard. And my regular pants are not quite comfortable, but maternity clothes mostly fall off. Oh well, I will be patient. Even though I will be excited to have the very visible proof that the baby is there (and somehow I associate REALLY feeling the movement with a visible bump), I know it's probably good that I don't get crazy big right away.

It is the first one.

Shouldn't show too show.

But I am eager for the weeks to come! And feeling the baby (more than just vibrations) and looking pregnant. 

And finding out if he/she is a boy/girl. Just 8 more days! :)

Can't wait!

Fiber One Chocolate Brownies

Mmm. They looked good, right? So naturally they hopped in the cart.

I would say that they are, indeed, yummy. Nothing quite like a homebaked ooey gooey brownie. But, a semi-dense, semi-airy (cake like) brownie, with, my favorite, little mini chocolate chips...(You could probably throw mini chocolate chips - or regular for that matter- into any dessert and I would be excited.)
So, they were good, they were chocolately, and had I looked at the box, I would have realized that yes, they were square, and not bar-like, but that, obviously, did not detract from flavor.
If I rated them, I guess I would give them 3.7 out of 5 stars. (5 Being: I WANT to eat another one right now.)
So there ya have it. Something new I tried today!
Yum!

Tropical Island Cake

So, I do enjoy baking, but even more than the baking, I enjoy the decorating of a cake. I just like to try to creatively think of how to "do it", even at the expense of my sanity at times. And also, the obvious, best choice of something to represent something else.
Oh how terrible it would be to use a plastic palm tree to represent a real palm tree! I must find a way to make it edible.
I must say, I was pleased with the result. Melting green (well white dyed green) wafers and shaping them into fronds on wax paper, and then carefully stacking small Reese's Cups.
It worked great....but summers are too hot and car rides too bumpy for that to work.
However, I was pleased with the effect beforehand, and, as it is a cake design that I have not specifically done before, it is new!

And here it is!
Tada! Isn't it wonderful.
Well, I'm really proud of the starfish at any rate.

Apple Salad

Recently I was talking to a friend and she was preparing this dish. It sounded intriguing. Possibly good, and possibly just weird.
In an awesome twist of fate, all of this stuff (in half measures) happened to be in the refrigerator. Perfect. So I made it (partially with Baby Ruth - I ran out of Snickers) and it turned out .... okay. I didn't love it, but, it was....okay.
That's about all I can say about it. But feel free to try it!

Apple Salad:
8 Apples, Peeled, Cored and Sliced
8 oz Cool Whip
8 oz Sour Cream
8 Snickers Bars, Chopped
Mix in bowl together and refrigerate. Enjoy!