Anyone else notice the number of comments I have on my blog is 666?

G and M are my two little monkey babies, and when they get together, there is always some kind of trouble. Today, they decided they needed to brush their teeth…..in the toilet. I walk in and they are happily dipping their toothbrushes into the toilet and then brushing their teeth, as well as taking a cup and scooping out the toilet water and dumping it onto the floor for good measure. All of this with a huge grin on their very cute and very naughty faces. So I cleaned them up, scolded them, put them on time-out, and hoped it was the end of it. It wasn’t. I caught G in there again right after her nap. One of the kids had left the bathroom door open, and she was back in before we knew it. I cleaned her up again, another little scolding and time-out, and I thought that was it. Again, not by a long shot. A short while later one of the kids goes to use the bathroom, and the toilet begins to overflow. It’s clogged, which happens a lot over here since we have 8 people in this house and only one bathroom (I know, it’s crazy!) so the toilet clogs every so often, and we deal with it. Which Craig did with just a few plunges and thought that was it. Again….no. Another child goes to use the bathroom and it overflows again, and this time no amount of plunging is working. Craig and I realize, G must have flushed something down the toilet on her solo trip earlier this afternoon, and it was now stuck and causing a total obstruction. Oh for the love!

Craig worked on the toilet for 1 1/2 hours trying to snake out whatever it was that was clogging it, to no avail. We decided we were better off just paying $100 and getting a new toilet than several hundred dollars for a plumber to come out after hours and find the obstruction. So Craig drove to Home Depot (40 minutes away), and bought a new toilet. He came home, pulled the old one off, and took it outside where a toothbrush promptly fell right out. *sigh* Craig had been trying to unstick that darn thing for hours, and it just falls out?!? Anyways, then he goes to install the new toilet (w/ Power Flush! No more clogs!) and sees that the top of the tank is cracked. By this time it’s 8:50pm, and he can’t get to Home Depot in time to exchange it before they close. So he takes the new toilet off, and re-installs the now toothbrush free toilet back in the bathroom, but it’s still not flushing properly and clogging every other flush, so there must be something else G decided to flush (Hmmmm….maybe buying the movie “Flushed Away” wasn’t such a hot idea after all). So now he has to take the day off from work tomorrow to try and get this all sorted out, and it’s been quite miserable if you ask me. The toilet troubles began at 5pm and he didn’t get the toilet semi-working again until well after 10pm, and being very pregnant I’m not exactly able to “hold it” for very long, so it’s been so much fun. Here’s hoping we can get this sorted out, if not, I guess we really will have to call in a plumber, much as I don’t want to. Oh well, my need to tinkle far exceeds my desire to save a few bucks, so if it comes down to that, so be it.

http://health.msn.com/dietfitness/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=100156601&imageindex=1

   Click on the above link for an interesting look at the amount of calories and fat are in some of the dishes being served in some restaurants. I had no idea, and I’ll bet you didn’t either. And Mark and Gary, your Colossal Burger is on here too….I can’t believe your hearts didn’t explode.

   Yesterday, Haven and I went into town for Livy’s birthday party. Heidi had a wonderful spread set out, and fun games for the kids to play. The theme was “a camp out” (the invites really were the perfect reason to go with that theme, they were awesome!) and the kids loved the tents (Heidi has the party pics in her photo gallery so stop by there for a peek). Granny stole the show with her silver tea service set for Liv, and after the presents were done the kids all ran off to play, with Liv carefully balancing her tea set all the way up the stairs. Afterwards I stopped by Granny’s house to visit with them once they got home from the party and settled in. I once again forgot my camera (hey, I’m pregnant, I’m lucky I even remembered to bring the presents!) so I sadly have no pictures, again. Super genius. Anyways, I had a fun visit, and left feeling that I still had so much chatting and catching up left to do with Granny, and a sore stomach from all of the laughing at Uncle Mark’s stories. I miss having them here, and while I know they have a great life in Indiana, I just miss them (and didn’t realize how much I miss hearing them call me ”hen” and “cherub”, I mean who doesn’t love that!). I didn’t want to leave, but being Saturday, we have church early in the morning, so I had to get back to make sure everything gets laid out the night before so we can have as peaceful a Sunday morning as possible.

   I got to see everyone this visit (except my Dad), even getting a minute to stop by and see Scott and the kids (I got to see Korby at the party, but she was out w/ friends when I stopped by the house). Taft and Estee were completely enamoured with my belly, it was so funny! Taft told me to take my sweater coat off, and then pointed at my belly and told me to take that off too. I’ve grown a lot since they last saw me, and believe me, my belly is right out in front so they couldn’t miss it. After I explained that it was my belly and that there was a baby in there so it wouldn’t “come off” they couldn’t get over it and for the rest of my visit they had to keep patting my belly, and touching it and talking to the baby. Estee was fascinated with the whole “baby in my belly”, and I tried to get the baby to wake up and kick for her, but no such luck. Adler didn’t believe me when I told him he could even poke my belly and that it would be hard not squishy, but he finally braved it and was so surprised to find that it really was hard. Halston was more nonchalant about it all and just gave my belly a few pats, and then went right back to playing. I loved it, it was so cute and they are so funny. I think there is nothing sweeter than when little ones ask about babies and bellies. They are so innocent, and so fascinated, they just want to know all about it. My kids are the same, and it never gets old to me.

   So yesterday was a nice break, a fun party and a rare treat that I got too see almost everyone. That doesn’t happen as often as I would like, so I know to appreciate it! Happy Birthday Livy! Thankyou for inviting us!

  This winter I made a whole bunch of lounge/jammy pants for my little ones, and they were a bigger success than I ever imagined. My children absolutely love them! H changes into a pair as soon as she gets home from school, and they all love to play and sleep in them as well. In fact all of my little ones wear them as much as possible, and love to be comfy in them as they play about the house. I have made enough of them that I can now whip out a pair from start to finish in just 15 minutes (once they are cut out, the 15 minutes is just my sewing time). I like to set aside a time just for cutting everything out, all of my patterns and projects all at once, that way I can clear a block of time just for sewing and I get a lot more done that way. It’s also so nice to be able to just get it all cut out in one sitting and know that I have a whole bunch of projects ready for me to start on at a moments notice, which is all I usually have. I have found the best pants pattern of just two pieces, front and back, and have it all the way up to 9 in childrens sizes. It’s so easy and fast, and I really enjoy making them for them. The flannel ones are perfect for the cold winter weather, and I am now trying to get a bunch done in a light woven cotton for them to wear in the Spring and Summer months too. The pattern is so easy, you do not have to be a master seamstress to make them, they are the easiest ever! It’s been so fun letting them pick out the fabric they want, and then seeing their little faces just light up when I finish sewing them and they get to put them on. It ususally takes only a yard or less of the fabric for each pair (that’s for the little kids, but C’s takes a little over 2 yards, and Dylan is the only one that isn’t in on the lounge pants fun, he’s too “cool”)). Our Wal-Mart has a fantastic fabric selection to choose from as well with prices between $2-$5 a yard, and a huge section of flannel at $2.57 a yard. If anyone is interested I’d be happy to pass along the pattern numbers for the pants, your kids just might enjoy a pair or two as well!

2 lbs. ground beef

1/2 cup crushed saltines or buttery round crackers (like Ritz)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 (1 3/8 oz.) pkg. dry onion soup mix

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup ketchup

2 TBSP. steak sauce

   In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well with your hands to make sure it’s well combined. Transfer to an 8×11-inch baking dish and lighlty press into pan. Bake @ 350 degrees F for 45-60 minutes, or until no longer pink. Serves 8-10.

   I normally don’t stray from the “Manwich Meatloaf” recipe, but I had to try this one, and it was well worth it. It tasted so much like the meatloaf my Mom used to make when I was growing up, which is funny since half of the ingredients are ones she never used, so go figure. Everyone here enjoyed it immensely, and I liked it for a change of pace and will for sure be making this again. Still love the other recipe, just happy to have another great meatloaf recipe to enjoy. Also really good served with the funeral Potato recipe below.

2 lbs. frozen hash browns

1 (10 3/4 oz.) can cream of chicken soup

1 (12 oz.) can evaporated skim milk

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

9 TBSP. butter or marg. melted and divided

3/4-1 tsp. salt (to suit your taste)

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/4 -1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 cup crushed corn flakes

   In a large bowl combine the hash browns, soup, milk, cheese, 8 TBSP. melted butter, salt and pepper and mix well. Pour into a greased 9×13x2 inch baking dish. In a separate bowl, toss the cornflakes with the remaining TBSP melted butter. Top the potato mixture with the crushed and buttered cornflakes. Bake @ 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes unitl nicely browned and bubbling. 12 servings

   I made this using Corn Chex tossed in the butter for the topping since I was out of Cornflakes, and it was the same yummy result. My kids loved this and ate it all up. I enjoyed it too, and it was another nice funeral potato recipe that I will use again. Not overly cheesy, and quite tasty with the meatloaf recipe above.

   Wow! I’m into my third trimester already! I’m 28 weeks along and feeling very pregnant, of course, and it seems like anytime I walk anywhere I am being led by my belly. Like I can help that, it’s just right out there in front, guiding me along as I go. This has been the most active of any of my babies with tons of kicks, bumps, flips, squirming and wiggling, but it’s so reassuring to feel so much movement I have no complaints. I’m still feeling the majority of the kicks at the middle and towards the bottom of my belly, but then again there is plenty of time for this baby to turn so I’m not even going to begin to worry about it until about 34 weeks along. Sleep is something of the past and I have given up on a regular schedule and I’m basically sleeping whenever I can, whether it’s during the little ones naptime or after Craig gets home, I sneak in whatever hours are possible so I’m not too delerious. So I am up at crazy hours sometimes and asleep at weird times too, but it can’t be helped. I need the rest, so it’s “sleep whenever” for right now.

   So here we are, on the count down, with a little more than 11 weeks left, and I wish I had a little more time to prepare, I’m just not ready yet. But I don’t ever go over my due date, so I already know I’m not going to get any extra time. That’s good and bad, but I am really excited for this little one to arrive. I finished knitting the blanket and plan on making some matching booties next. I might even brave an attempt at a matching sweater, but I don’t know if I can muster the courage to take that challenge on just yet. I have already delved into my huge fabric piles and made quite a few blankets and layette items, and hope to be able to finish some more. I even managed to pick out the perfect coming home outfit, but I still need to find the socks and make a blanket to go with it. At least the weather has been nicer most days and has given my children more chances to play outisde, so maybe I should quit typing, get myself over to my sewing machine and get some stuff done!

*p.s. As you can see in the pics, this is the biggest I have ever been, but being baby #7 who’s surprised. I’m just big in the belly though and haven’t gained any weight anywhere else, and have in fact gone down almost two pant sizes (it’s a miracle and I’ll take it!), so no complaints. This baby is just doing a fantastic job of growing! And the pics are in my gallery for those that wish to scrutinze my ever expanding midsection.

   Haven lost her first tooth on Sunday (Feb 18th). She came over to tell me she thought she had a loose tooth, and I thought she was just imagining it. Nope, it was not only loose, but ready to come out, so I had her go and look in the mirror to see. Seconds later she came racing back into the living room with the tooth in her hand, she had pulled it out all by herself. She put it right under her pillow that night and the “Tooth Fairy” came and left her lots and lots of change. She was so excited, and has of course talked about it non-stop ever since it came out. She has decided however that she doesn’t want to lose a tooth every day. I have assured her it doesn’t work that way, and Haven is quite relieved. Another one of my babies, growing up. *sigh* Where does the time go?

http://health.msn.com/dietfitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100156377&GT1=9033

    The above link is for a story about another recalled food item, and it involves Listeria, which poses the most serious threat for pregnant women. The link below talks about the risks for pregnant women and why Listeria is bad. It’s bad for everyone, but if you are pregnant, it’s the worst. I forgot to post about the P.B. one (at least you know Mel loves and cares about you, she posted about it!), so I thought I would pass this one on.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/lm_tearsheet.pdf