Gold Star Club

Recently my work began a "healthy you" initiative and has really been focusing on wellness and weight loss. I sat in on a meeting the other day and heard mention of putting up a "star chart" to monitor employees progress towards weight loss/healthy living goals. I figured that since I'll never earn a star on that chart (seeing as I'm probably the only employee going up on the scale instead of down) I'd make a post about gold stars the Still way!

First off, I'd like to give a gold star to Matt. He is managing my raging hormones like a champ. I'm pretty sure I use the word "annoyed" about 100 times a day. Many times, that word is directed at him. It's really not his fault, he's just an easy target. I think he's realized that the whole "it's not you, it's me" really does apply in pregnancy. When I made it to 12 weeks he bought me flowers, brought me breakfast in bed (my choice of Mickey D's chicken biscuit or sausage, egg, cheese biscuit...I went for the sausage, egg, cheese one FYI), and made reservations at a restaurant in town to celebrate.

Yesterday when I came home from work, he had already dusted the whole house and cleaned the bathrooms. I'm pretty sure I had mentioned the day earlier that I was "annoyed" at having to clean the house and so he took it upon himself to do the two things I hate the most! Seriously, the guy deserves a gold star.

Secondly, I'd like to give my mom a gold star for simply not asking anymore questions about what I am eating. All I had to do was mention once my annoyance with her questions and she just stopped!

And finally, I'd like to give myself a gold star. It's my blog...I deserve it. Plus, I won't be getting one at work anyway unless they give out stars for weight gain. I would like to give myself a gold star for my brilliant think-ahead planning. When my coworker asked me if I'd like to buy any girl scout cookies from her daughter I not only agreed but bought three boxes!

And here's why...one box has been reserved for this:

Peanut Butter-Chocolate Tagalongs Milk Shakes

1 quart chocolate ice cream

1 cup milk

1 package Girls Scout Tagalong cookies, frozen and crushed

Process ice cream and milk in blender for 15-20 seconds or until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides, if needed. Remove and reserve 1 cup crushed cookies. Fold remaining crushed cookies into ice cream mixture. Pour ice cream into four serving glasses and drizzle each with 2 Tbsp. Chocolate-Peanut Butter Sauce and reserved crushed cookies.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Sauce

1/4 Tbsp. milk

1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate morsels

1 1/2 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter

2 tsp. sugar.

Combine milk and morsels in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, 2 minutes or until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in peanut butter and sugar until well blended.

That's right. I've been dying to make this thing since I hear girl scout cookies were on sale! See post below for verification of this sad fact. I'm making this joker tomorrow and I CANNOT wait. And for that, I deserve a gold star.

My TV is making me fat.

Seriously. It's like every food commercial is talking directly to me. Who knew that Krystal had so many appetizing breakfast items? However, after seeing their commericals it is imperative that I try it. Plus their chocolate covered strawberry milkshake is calling my name. Anybody seen that TERRIBLE commercial for Denny's Grand Slam (I know, the name should be a turn off in itself but apparently it's not) breakfast with the nanner-puss (again the name should be a turn off) song? Again, it's TERRIBLE but, man, it looks so good. Last Friday, Orville Redenbacher made me fix a bag of popcorn and all he had to do was show me a commercial with a bowl of popped popcorn in it. The power of suggestion is so strong. I can just hear someone mention the words chocolate chip cookie and it stays on my brain until I get one. Even the billboards are trying to make me fat. Everyday on my drive home I pass a Cracker Barrel billboard of three luscious looking pancakes lathered in syrup with a dollop of butter on top. I just can't pass it up...it's like I have to have it. Like it is imperative to my survival or something. Are all pregnant people like this or am I going to be some ginormously overweight anomoly?

Quick update on Baby Still

So, I went to the doctor Tuesday for my 14 week appointment and everything went great! The heart rate was 155 and sounded very strong. The doctor was able to hear him/her moving around and told us to listen for a "swoosh" sound but we heard nothing. She also said she thought I'd be able to feel him/her moving around by my next appointment! I'm hoping this is the case even though I have no clue what it's supposed to feel like. Anyway, we go back March 10th to find out what we're having and to do the anatomy ultrasound. I CANNOT wait to see that little baby!!!

In other baby randomness, I have been so overwhelmed by people's generosity. Jeri Anne has let me borrow her bella bands (which I'm thinking I'll have to start using soon) and the other day Harper called me to come over and pick up a load of maternity clothes! When I got to Harpers she also had a swing and bouncy seat that she's letting us borrow! Also, Caroline is letting us have their pack-n-play. It is just amazing to me how nice my friends are! It is such a blessing and Matt told me the other day that he thought it was an answered prayer since he's been so worried about swinging this whole thing financially. THANK YOU to all those who have dropped off happies, sent cards and let us borrow your stuff!! We greatly appreciate it.

As seen on TV

I've been thinking that no matter what I posted next it would seem a bit drab in comparison to the big reveal below, but I think I've found a post that can match a baby announcement (detect sarcasm here). So, for Christmas my mom went a little crazy with the "as seen on tv" gift happies. Sorry moms, it is true! She got my aunt and uncle the PediPaws (in my mom's defense they did request said gift)...you know the one where you put your dogs nails in this contraption, and it like saws the nail down? Matt and I got the Debbie Meyer's Green Bags. Yep. At first, I felt that this might be one of the most ridiculous gifts ever. However, I've recently decided that I should eat some fruit in between the pasta, potatoes, and chocolate and opted to put ole Debbie Meyer's and her Green Bags to the test. Let me say...these things are pretty fun for bags. Basically, you put your fruits and veggies in their own little green baggie and voila...they stay fresh for longer! Just like the box says. So thanks mom for your random gift of prolonged fruit and veggie enjoyment. I'm just thankful that the Snuggie wasn't as popular then as it is now, or we would have for sure gotten one of those!!