To my Dr. Bee, From my desk, I have the perfect view of the landing pad on the roof of the hospital. Since you are on trauma surgery this month, I know that those patients who arrive by helicopter are likely going to be seen by you (or at least your service). I love it, that in that moment when I see the helicopter fly by my window, I know that you are preparing for that patient. What a special reminder for me to pray for you as you go about your day! Can you believe it?...only 3.5 months remain of your intern year! Wahoo!
To Baby Boy, Just in case you're not keeping track...t minus 61 days until D day! :)
To the Yellow "Snow", You have made your annual appearance! It is nice to have you back (if only as a sign of the nice weather and beautiful flowers to come!). Even Long Dog sneezes when he goes outside. Wishing we got "snow" days from this kind of ground cover... Thank you, Lord, for the occasional afternoon rain shower that has given us some relief!
To the Kings and Queens of Inappropriate Comments, Pregnant women are still people. I am surprised by the bluntness of some of you expressing an interest in how my body has changed shape over the last several months. Although not offended myself, I would like to speak for other mothers-to-be and say we would prefer not to hear the following listed below, all of which I have actually heard. :) If you have the urge to say anything at all, tell her how beautiful and glowing she is. Even if it is alluding her that day...  It is not appropriate to say:
            "You are really bulging now!"
            "You look like you might drop that next week!"
            "Really, you have 8 weeks left?! But you are so big!"
            "Oh, it's you! I'm not used to seeing you fat..."
            "Your face is really filling out..."
Note: This is not a comprehensive list. And, in fact, I heard two of these today alone.
To my Handsome Hubby, The other day you changed the oil in my car while wearing latex gloves. Do even non-doctors do this? Regardless, thank you for this selfish act during your oh-so-infrequent free time. I am incredibly grateful! And thank you for taking off my toenail polish. I've never actually had to explain how to take nail polish off before...Thank you for such a rare opportunity! I love you with all my heart!

To all the nerds out there, Happy Pi Day!! I know, I know...what 27 year old that is no longer in school could possibly have the time or effort to remember that today is pi day (3.14 = March 14th for those that don't get it)? I do! And I'm very excited about it. So, in honor of this special occasion, and frankly because Baby Boy was craving some pie, I made Mud Pie for dessert tonight and I listed the recipe below. Enjoy! It is super easy to make and it doesn't take much skill or effort, but it does require a little patience. This was one of the favorite desserts my mama used to make when I was growing up. Contrary to the reason why we are celebrating with pie, this recipe isn't an exact science... I kinda just wing it.
To Daylight Savings Time, I am so thankful that you are here! I can now officially say that Dr. Handsome Hubby gets home from work while it is still light out (sometimes...). Hallelujah! What a privilege it has been to spend some time outside in the evenings without it being pitch black. However, I am still really struggling in the mornings... hurry, summer, so it will be light when I wake up!
To my Handsome Hubby,  The other night as we were getting into bed, you called me a "princess"...which I instantly boycotted, because I have never in my life thought of myself or desired to be a princess. In response to my protest, you said, "You're right. Only peasants sleep with that many pillows..." Thank you for always putting things in perspective.
 

Mud Pie, a family favorite

Ingredients
 
Chocolate Graham crackers or Teddy Grahams
4 tablespoons butter
1.5 tablespoons sugar
Tub of coffee ice cream
A jar of Hot Fudge topping

Flavors can be adjusted as you like. Handsome Hubby doesn't like chocolate, so sometimes when I make this for just the two of us, I use cinnamon Teddy Grahams, Butter Pecan Ice Cream, and Hot Caramel topping.





Directions

In a sealed large ziploc bag, place approximately 8 graham crackers or approximately 2 cups of teddy grahams and crush until pieces are fairly small. Add sugar and melted butter and mix. Dump crumb mixture into a greased pie pan, or an 8" x 8" baking dish. Press into the bottom of the pan to make a crust. "Incubate" :) in the freezer for approximately 15-30 minutes to allow the crust to slightly harden.


Once the pie crust has hardened (or at least cooled), dump the tub of ice cream onto the crust and spread evenly. It helps if the ice cream is somewhat softened. Again, place dish in freezer and "incubate" for at least an hour.


Once the ice cream has re-hardened, heat up hot fudge topping in the microwave (or per the directions on the side of the jar). Pour topping on top of the ice cream layer and smooth evenly over the top. It helps to work quickly...otherwise you end up with quite the marbled pie as the ice cream begins to melt and mixes with the fudge topping.


Place in freezer for several hours. I usually make this at least a day before serving so it has plenty of time to refreeze. Mama always served this with crushed peanuts and whipped cream on top. Mmmmm... Enjoy this special treat!

To the Belly Hog (I mean that in the sweetest way possible), I am overjoyed that you are growing healthy and strong...but it's amazing how long it is taking my stomach to adjust to giving you more room. Gone are the days of second trimester when I was hungry all the time and had room to fit everything I eat. Now, I am instead hungry all the time, and very much limited in the amount of space I have to put that food. Not to worry! Your papa and I have started the daily half-dozen or so after-dinner-laps around the surgical center by the house to help with getting the food moving. Only, Long Dog gets confused and tries to go back to the house every time we pass it.
To Hobby Lobby, After searching high and low for the perfect nursery decor for our little guy's room, I came across your selection of metal planes. Hallelujah! What a relief to find exactly what I was looking for...and 50% off too! I bought all 3 models you had. I am so excited to see this precious room come together. ("Before" pictures are below..."After" pictures to come, whenever the nursery is finished...)
To the Snake in the Yard, You gave me quite a startle yesterday while I was weeding. Thank you immensely for not being any bigger than you were. We don't want Baby Boy to come this early! And thank you for the reminder that no matter what my yard looks like, much of God's creation is still able to enjoy it!
To Weathergirl, Let me just quickly say that sometimes when I call you in the evenings and you are sitting down to eat the exact same meal I just ate, I wonder if it is unintentional ESP. Did we unconsciously communicate earlier that day what we would be having for dinner that night?! :) Mostly, this just makes me feel like you don't live so far away. I wonder, are you having pregnancy cravings as I have them?

To my Hardworking Hubby, After quite a long day on Trauma surgery, you came home yesterday and decided to cut the grass. It took several (dozen) tries to wake the lawn mower from hibernation, and even then it didn't seem happy that you gave it such a difficult job to do on it's first day back to work. ;) I'm proud of you and your persistence...even in the complete dark I thought the yard looked so much better.

Before picture 1... this room, once Handsome Hubby's office, has never been so clean! :)

Before Picture 2

Before Picture 3