St Louis - Part 3 - The Zoo

Blog friends - happy Sunday!  I haven't updated this week because we have been busy loving life - but Lilli is taking a nap still (in her BIG GIRL BED-more on that later!) so I am going to try to finish my St. Louis Recap before I forget the details!

I left off after our first day of the Zoo.  Last year we did one day of the Zoo and it just wasn't enough.  Since it is FREE and we had a free shuttle, we decided to do two days this year.  I am glad we did!  This time we bought the "Safari Pass" which was 10 dollars a person but we thought well worth it.  We typically give a donation to the Zoo before we left so it was ok to pay for something while there! 

The Safari Pass included-
Rides on the Carousel
Rides on the Train
Sea Lion Show
Children's Zoo Admission
3-D Movie

So we did ALL of that!  By far, Lilli's favorite was the TRAIN!  She is still talking about how it went through a tunnel - she was mesmerized.  We rode it all the way around the zoo at one point and she was in Heaven.  Momma was in Heaven because I didn't have to walk as much this day - we just took the train from one part of the Zoo to another - much quicker!

Here are some photos from this day -

Leaving the hotel-such a big girl!

 

Waving to people while on the train!





Sea Lion Show - I think we enjoyed it more than her, she was ready to ride the train some more



We took late naps and had an even later dinner - but that was ok because it was vacation!  The next morning we got up and had breakfast - followed by a final swim - then headed back home.  

This year

And last year!

We had an uneventful ride home (thank goodness!) and even found a Chili's restaurant since it was my birthday and I was craving it!  She did great in the car, even sleeping about 45 minutes.

Overall it was a wonderful mini-vacation! 

Recipes lately

I'm taking a break from my St. Louis recap to post some recipes I have tried (and enjoyed!) lately.

Last night I made "Crispy Coconut Chicken Fingers"- taken from here
12 chicken tenders

1-2 eggs (start with one and crack another if it runs out)
1/2 C flour
1 C sweetened coconut flakes
1 C panko bread crumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder


preheat oven to 450 degrees.


Give coconut a rough chop so it's about the same size as the panko pieces.

Combine it with Panko and spices in a shallow dish. Mix well to distribute all of the spices.
Place the flour in another shallow dish, and the egg in another. Give the egg a quick beating.
Working with a few chicken tenders at a time, dredge in flour. Dip in egg, then finally coat in the coconut Panko mixture. Press in with your fingers to make sure the entire thing is well coated.

Place chicken tenders on a foil-lined baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. You can drizzle or spray olive oil on top for a crispier tender.


Bake in 450 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until juices run clear. If tenders are on the small side, they could even be done in about 15 minutes. If they're big they can take more like 25. The coconut will be nice and golden and the panko crisp, but light in color still.

I couldn't find Panko crumbs so I used regular bread crumbs.  Silly Walmart.  We didn't make the pineapple sauce because we have tons of HONEY leftover from Lillian's birthday party (remember - I used the honey bears as favors so I now have jars of honey in my pantry!)  Also, I have tried many times to bake chicken and often end up with a dry, tough result.  However, that was NOT the case with these!  They were juicy and I didn't miss that they were baked, not fried.  They were crunchy and tender!



From the same website, I made these 2 weeks ago -
Toasted Ravioli
2 tablespoons milk

1 egg
3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs (this can easily be done by just adding some basil and oregano to some plain bread crumbs)
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/2 (25 ounce) package frozen raviolis (any flavor)
vegetable oil for frying (enough to generously cover the bottom of the pan, but you don't want too much)
grated Parmesan cheese
marinara sauce


Combine milk and egg in a small bowl. Place breadcrumbs and if desired, salt in a shallow bowl. Dip ravioli in milk mixture, then coat with breadcrumbs.


In a large heavy pan, pour oil about an inch deep. Heat oil over medium heat until a small amount of breading sizzles and turns brown. Fry ravioli, a few at a time, 1 minute on each side or until golden. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately with hot marinara sauce.


I used regular cheese raviolis from Walmart, but they had others.  Even Lilli loved these!  I can never really guage Jason - he says he likes everything, haha.  However, both of these recipes are ones I will keep and try again, so that is why I wanted to share!  Sorry for no pics - they were gone before I could get my camera out! I also made a "summer spaghetti sauce" with peppers and tomatoes - but we didn't really like it so I have already deleted the recipe!  But these would be good appetizers with your normal Italian meal.

Speaking of Italian, I HAVE to add my dad's Bruschetta recipe - coming from my dad, it of course has no measurements - so just use what you would like
• Ripe Tomatoes Sliced

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Garlic Salt
• Pepperoni Slices*
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Chopped fresh basil
• Fresh Whole Milk Mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4 slices (FRESH IS THE KEY!)
• Italian Seasoning
• Chopped Fresh Green Onions*
• Shredded Italian Blend Cheese
• French or Italian bread cut into 3/4 inch slices
• Fresh Grated Parmensan Cheese*
 *Optional


Place the bread on baking sheet; coat with olive oil and sprinkle Italian Seasoning.
Place under broiler till toasted. Turn and repeat for other side.
Remove and cover with pepperoni, sliced mozzarella, a few chopped onions, and sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. Return to broiler until cheese is melted.
Remove and cover with sliced tomatoes sprinkle on basil, as well as the Italian and Parmesan cheese.  Return under broiler till tomatoes slightly cooked and cheese melted.

As a tip, I use parchment paper like it is going out of style!  It makes for much easier cleanup AND a crispier finished product.  I have taken the Bruschetta to several parties and it is gone in a snap!!
 
 Hope you enjoy some of these!

St Louis - 2011 - The Zoo

On Friday morning, Jason and I woke up to find Lilli still sleeping soundly!

Since she has never slept in our bed we weren't sure how she would do - well, we ended up getting ready in the bathroom AND I went downstairs to get breakfast (since they would close at 9) while she slept!  We ate our breakfast in the kitchen of our suite and when she woke around 9:30 we were ready to head to the zoo!

How hilarious is Miss Sassy Britches!?

Here are some of my favorites from the zoo.  It was hot, but we had a nice breeze.  I didn't get "miserable" until around lunch time - so we left without eating lunch (just had leftovers from PF Changs the night before at our room)



This peacock roamed the zoo and we saw it several times!





She HAD to have her snacks and drink!



This is my FAVORITE photo!

After about 3 hours we headed back for naps and dinner at The Cheesecake Factory (across the street).  I wanted proof that I was around this day so I tried to get a picture - she was not interested!

We had a delicious dinner and went for a walk around the Galleria Mall.  We took her to Build a Bear so she could pick out an amimal we saw at the Zoo.  She chose a tiger (who her Daddy named Stripes) and loved on it all night. 

We had so much fun!





St Louis - 2011 - The Magic House

Hello blog friends!

We just returned from another trip to St. Louis.  For those that don't know, it is one of our favorite cities.  Jason and I went there when we were dating in 2004 - then he proposed there in 2005 - then we went for Lilli's first vacation in 2010 and again now in 2011.  We love that it is about 3 hours but we can spend a long weekend with so much to do!

This is going to be picture heavy, so bear with me!  Remember you can click on any picture to make it bigger (that is for you, mom!)

Thursday -
We left home as soon as Lilli woke up and stopped first for a breakfast at Chik-Fil-A.  Be still my heart.  I have been wanting their little chicken yeast rolls for YEARS, no joke.  I just never go near one at breakfast time so it was a definite on our list!

We arrived in St. Louis around 1:00 - after some crappy directions (I hate getting them from the internet - ugh) we took the long "scenic" route to get to Kirkwood, where the Magic House is located.  We stopped at Deweys, a local pizza place recommended on some travel forums.  I had a pizza with green peppers, onions and sausage - something I never eat - but my pregnancy palate is much more advanced than normal!  It was yummy - and Lilli loved to eat the parmesan cheese on the table!

 We had talked up the trip so much - she was SO excited!

Here is a link to the Magic House.

We stayed about 2.5 hours and Lilli was worn out at the end (as were Mommy and Daddy) and we still didn't see it all!

Alice and Wonderland exhibit -

Trying to get a photo of the two of us - this is what she wanted to do!  In fact, there will be FEW photos of Lilli and me (and none of the 3 4 of us) because she wanted nothing to do with that!

She did hug the rabbit, though -

But her favorite things were the sand and water table - 

They were in two seperate rooms - in an area specifically for kids under 6.  I loved that she could get her hands wet and sandy and make a mess and I didn't have to clean it up!

 They also had a village just for kids - she enjoyed grocery shopping (and made me proud when she put ALL her groceries back on the correct shelves when finished!) and playing in the house.  She also loved the baby nursery!



Fishing in the pond!

  

Can you spot the best part of this picture --- It's JASON holding my girly diaper bag!!


 I have to add here - any time Lilli hears a baby cry we ask her why the baby is crying.  She always responds with "Mommy hold her..want some milk and hold her and a hotdog" and I get so tickled every time!

Making shadows on the wall-

Finishing up the Magic House by playing with the balls - she thought it was hilarious.

We left when we were all worn out and headed to our hotel in Richmond Heights.  Last year we stayed here and loved it so much we came back again!  We stayed at the Hilton Homewood Suites by the St. Louis Galleria.  Favorite parts of the hotel - huge rooms (we had a suite last year which was perfect for her pack-n-play) free breakfast (with waffles and REAL food like sausage and bacon - Jason's faves!) and a free shuttle to the zoo, among other places.  The prices were better than hotels near Forest Park - so that was enough to get me to come back! 

That night we planned to grab dinner at P.F. Changs since it was just across the street.  Lilli had to model her dress for me before we left -



She has her Daddy's long, muscular legs.  I'm jealous!



After our yummy dinner we came back to the hotel to swim - which was probably L's favorite part!  She was grinning so big I bet her cheeks hurt!  I didn't take my camera because I didn't want it to get wet - but she giggled and laughed so much!

We finished the night with a call to Nana and PawPaw back home!

Lilli has NEVER slept in the bed with us.  So we were all a bit nervous how she would do sharing a king size bed for the weekend.  It took her a while to wind down but she ended up doing great!

I'm posting now and will do Part 2 soon!

Baby Pumpkin!

It really is true that the 2nd (and 3rd, 4th, etc) do not get the same treatment from the get go.  Poor baby is already 20 weeks old and I am just NOW doing an update about him/her!

We found out on February 8 that I was pregnant with our 2nd child.  I am a charter - so I knew when to expect my period and when I could test.  I tested early and was excited to see the faint lines!  I was out that day for snow but I managed to drive to the Dollar Store for a test AND to the Doctor for a blood test without anyone knowing!  I told J as soon as he got home - but we waited until about 7/8 weeks to tell everyone.  I wanted to tell the world, but also keep it our little secret as long as possible!

Unlike my previous pregnancies, they only did one round of bloodwork and said they would see me in about a month.  The wait was tough, but since I was already so sick I knew everything was going well!  The morning/night/all day sickness started exactly at 6 weeks and was pretty rough until about 14-15 weeks.  I did have one hospital stay for dehydration, but otherwise I am managing with a coctail of B6, Unisom, and Dramamine.  Other than being weak/groggy because of all the meds (and consistent low blood pressure) I am feeling good most days.  I have even tapered off the meds with some success.

Here are some stats from my appointments -
1st time to hear heartbeat - it was 167
2nd time (around 8 weeks, while in hospital) it was 174
3rd time (12 weeks 4 days) it was 164
4th time (at big ultrasound) it was 147
Here is a picture, same that I posted last week (and I don't know why it is upright but I can't get it to turn)

Ultrasound

We have had 3.  Last appointment was the "growth and development" ultrasound.  We were excited to see that the baby is growing perfectly!  They could see all chambers of the heart, all the parts of the brain, etc.  I don't know exactly how big the baby is, but based on the measurements on the screen it looked like Pumpkin was measuring ahead with long bones - so maybe tall like Big Sis??  The baby is currently breech (head up, feet down) like Lilli was, apparently my babies find a good spot and stick with it.  Lilli turned before our u/s at 30 weeks so hopefully this one will do the same.  In fact, I had a dream 2 nights ago that I felt the baby turning correctly - so we shall see!

Gender

We chose NOT to find out the sex of the baby.  It was HARD!  The ultrasound tech was more nervous that us, I believe.  She was afraid she would see it and give it away later.  However - she was great and said later she wasn't even sure if she knew the gender since she didn't investigate. So the surprise is still on!  I go back and forth - some days I feel it is a boy, others I swear it is a girl.  We really don't have names settled for either so it will all be a surprise when the birth day arrives! 

Weight-

So far I have gained about 11 lbs, which is 12 more than I had at this point with Lilli.  However, with her I was still sick until about 26 weeks or so, so that is to blame.  I ended up gaining 49 lbs with her in those last 13 weeks - eek!  So much was water but with a hot summer coming up I can only imagine it will be worse!  The swelling hasn't started but I know it is coming!

Movement-

I swore I felt flutters around 14 weeks.  I felt strong kicks around 18 weeks.  Just last Friday (on our anniversary) Jason felt the baby kick from the outside!  Such a special moment!!  I didn't feel Lilli until about 22 weeks, so this is a nice change!  Now I feel low kicks all the time and I LOVE them!  Baby is quite active!

Cravings-

I am loving fresh fruits and vegetables.  Not enjoying grilled chicken or ground beef as much as I do when not pregnant.  I was wanting red meat (which I rarely eat) for a few weeks but I think that has passed.  I don't crave anything long term - but when I get something in my head I HAVE to have it or it won't go away.   Last week it was this - A "brownie earthquake" from Dairy Queen. It was HEAVEN.

Today it is this -

Subway Chipotle Chicken and Cheese Melt.  I had it yesterday and it was so yummy I want another!  It is the "5 Dollar Footlong" for June - so next time I am getting the big one! :o)

Belly-

The belly is definitely growing!  I love having a belly at this stage of the pregnancy.  After about 32 weeks I am miserable...so I am enjoing the look of it this summer!  In general I feel prettier while pregnant (at least in the mirror - for some reason my pictures look not so great so I must be delusional!)

This was my first belly shot, taken at 20 weeks on Sunday-

My ankles are NOT swollen - I have permanent cankles.  It is unfortunate.



Jason-

Jason is, as usual, treating me like a queen.  I get foot rubs after a long day and back scratches when needed.  He constantly tells me to go sit (even though I feel like that's all I do some days) and does most of the chores.  He is an amazing Daddy and so excited about Baby Pumpkin.  We talk about the baby and both seem amazed that it is happening - and quickly!  Sometimes I think we are in denial since we don't know the gender and don't have a name or a nursery or anything concrete yet.  But the belly is so undeniable we have that constant reminder!

Lillian-

I am still not sure she knows what is going on.  Just last week I bought some baby clothes and she has loved playing with those, but has no idea an actual BABY will be in them soon!  It is going to rock her world.  I worry that she will be jealous - and I know she will at times, but I just hope she enjoys having a baby sibling.  I hate changing her routine and her life - especially when I think about how spoiled she is (only child and grandchild) but hopefully she will forgive us someday! ;o)  She has recently started saying the baby is a boy...but that changes and will change again, I'm sure!

Well, I guess that is all I can think of for now!  I will try to update again in about a month and keep that up, now that things are changing more.  Hard to believe we are already half way to meeting our little one!!