Pumpkin Muffins w/ Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Muffins
4 eggs
2 cups white sugar
1.5 cups oil
1.75 cups pumpkin
3 cups flour
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. B powder
1 tsp. B soda
1 tsp. Salt
2 cups raisins

Beat eggs. Add sugar, oil & pumpkin. Combine dry ingredients and add to wet. Mix until smooth. Add raisins.
Bake 375 for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown
Mine are without raisins because my husband is weird and hates them :(

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 tbs. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 cups icing sugar

Beat cream cheese, butter & vanilla. Gradually add cinnamon and icing sugar.

More icing sugar may be needed! I don't really follow recipes super closely so I'm not sure how much I used :)

Enjoy!

A year in review

One year ago today I was in Calgary, at the Regional Fertility Clinic having an IUI done. DW had gone in early that morning by himself to do his part, and I went down a few hours later to do my part. I was emotionally spent and ready for a break. This was our last try until the new year. My body needed a break from the drugs, I needed a break from the whole process - internal ultrasounds, drugs, cramps, timed intercourse, trips to Calgary every other day for almost 2 weeks each month - I was tired and overwhelmed. My sister and parents were planning a liver cleanse and once I got my BFN I was going to join them. It was something to look forward to, to help take my mind off of what I was sure was NOT happening in my womb.

It's hard to believe how much can change in 365 days! Things felt different within a few days but I didn't want to hope and have my heart crushed! I tested 13 agonizing days later and BFP!!! I was a mum :) I prayed all the time, giving my babe back into God's hands! I was so excited and so terrified but trusting that the giver of life was watching over us! Every week was a huge milestone, especially once we passed week 30!

Fast forward to today: I woke up to my beautiful 16 week old baby girl, who was wiggling, grunting and about to wake up for her breakfast! I am so blessed and more in love than I knew was possible!

Beginning of the end

Hard to believe the 3rd trimester officially started today! I am already 28 weeks!! This lil one is getting so close to being done :) I can't wait to meet her, to snuggle her, to learn who she is! YAY The count down is on, and I am so excited!

Blessed

I am a VERY blessed woman! Yesterday marked the 27 week mark for my pregnancy, which means my beautiful baby will be in my arms in a MAX of 15 weeks, and I am considered 'term' in 10 weeks. My baby is growing, healthy, and I am so thankful for that every moment. Even when I am lying awake at 2 am, needing to pee, with a ridiculously sore back, I am SO thankful for this journey! I wouldn't trade a moment of it. Every time my babe moves in the slightest, without meaning to, I smile, rub my tummy and say 'hello lil one'. I giggle while watching tv, out of the blue, because the wiggles are so amusing and amazing to me. I am in awe of the miracle that is growing inside me. And I am SO thankful that with every day that passes by, my baby is growing stronger, getting ready to come out and meet this crazy group of people that he/she will call family!

Today while watch 2 amazing and beautiful little ladies, my 28 month old niece looked up at me and out of nowhere said 'I love you'. When I said 'I love you too Boo bear' she looked at me all serious and said 'Auntie, I love you'. I was complete mush. All through out the day, she confirmed those 3 little words over and over again, with giant bear hugs and about a 100 kisses. She brings so much joy to me, and makes me SO excited to meet my precious babe in 10-15 weeks. I can't wait for the hugs, the kisses, and one day hearing 'Mummy, I love you!'

I love April!

I am a total 'spring' girl! I love the puddles, the warm sunshine while still wearing a hoodie, the smell of bbq's being fired up after months stuck under snow. I just LOVE spring! Maybe it is because I was born in April? Anyway you dice it, I crave spring from the moment the snow falls, til the snow starts melting. And once summer arrives? I want FALL! haha I am not a hot or cold person, I like comfortable.

Which is why having a JULY baby is going to be hard! I am already starting the hot flashes and it is only April 4th. I am only (haha 'only') 26 weeks and 5 days preggo... which means I have a lot more 'warm' on the way, with an ever growing belly. Oh de-de-de-dear! Air conditioning, fans, bare feet and loose flowing dresses shall be my best friends indeed! (except for while I am at the dreaded Walmart)

Latest preggo pic

I am really hoping to get my dear friend to take some belly shots before this wee one comes out! Some professional like ones, while enjoying her amazing company :) Bliss!

Adorable Blogger Templates

LOVE the templates from Leelou Blogs! SO cute!

25 weeks!

Holy smokes! Where has the time gone? This lil Turkey is due to arrive in only weeks!! Thought it was time for some random preggo updates :)

21 week photo

23 weeks 6 day u/s pics

We also found out the gender of our lil one :) So very exciting! Of course we are not sharing the info at this point though. I like having it as 'ours' for a little while. So much of this journey has been very public, so having a lil secret of our own is fabulous fun... for now at least :)

I shall take a new photo next week, hopefully I can find someone to take it too! Self portraits and I are not friends these days. I actually got my brother to take the 24 week one.

Week 24 brought on some big changes at the end. For one, I woke up with a sore belly button yesterday morning! What is that all about? Plus all the sudden things that did fit at the beginning of week 24, don't now! For example my tank top is now about 3 inches to short. My maternity pants that used to fall off, are nice and snug. And my bra is no longer 'cutting it' as it was since my last growth spurt. I am spilling out all over. Guess a trip to Edmonton to the custom bra shop is in order!

Our lil one is getting way more active lately. Usually right on my bladder or sciatic nerve, but today I actually felt lots of movement up higher by my belly button. Which is a new and exciting development! Oh, I can not WAIT to meet this lil turkey who has stolen our hearts :) Hurry up July!!!