peanut butter cup chocolate chip cookie brownie..bar?

Ever since I discovered Pinterest several months ago, I've used it to branch out and try a bunch of new recipes. 98% of the time, I haven't been disappointed either -- and this time, with this recipe I'm about to share, is one of those times! If you have a sweet tooth like we do (I say we, because my husbands just might be worse than mine at times!!) then you will really enjoy this recipe. So, run..don't walk..to the grocery store, get your supplies and get baking!! You'll thank me later :)

Stuff you'll need: - ready-to-bake chocolate chip cookie dough - 12 reese cups - box of brownie mix ( and whatever you need to make the mix, usually eggs & oil) - muffin pan

You might also want to enlist someone to help you ;) First, pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Next spray the bottom and sides of the muffin pan lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Then, smoosh a cookie dough square in the bottom of each muffin slot, making sure it fills out the bottom.

Place a reese cup upside down on top of each cookie. Try not to eat any in the process..

Prepare your brownie mix according to the box. If you have help, let your help do some of the stirring as it can get a bit tiring!

Once mixed, spoon some brownie mix into each muffin cup, about 3/4 of the way full.

Put the pan in the oven and bake for about 18-20 minutes and voila! Let the pan cool completely before removing them. You might want to take a butter knife to loosen the edges, then they should easily pop out.

Pour yourself a big glass of milk -- and enjoy!!

two months!

Audrey Elizabeth, you are TWO months old now! It's so hard to believe that 2 months have passed already, and how much you have already grown and changed. Everyday, it seems, you do something new, and your Daddy and I are amazed and smitten at how wonderful you truly are. We love to just watch you, waiting to see what new thing you do next!



You had your 2 month check-up this week, which included your first round of vaccines. You were NOT happy once those needles pricked your little legs. You cried, which was to be expected, but not for too long. Your little face was SO sad. Mommy felt horrible, but kept a brave face. And believe me, baby girl, it was NOT easy not allowing myself to shed tears right along with you! After your shots, you were one sleepy girl the rest of the day. When you were awake, you were fussy, so we just let you sleep, only waking you up to eat, then letting you fall back asleep. After some tylenol and a warm bath, you seemed to feel a little better. We knew it was the shots though, because you are generally a very happy go lucky baby.



Your first month, you were a little slow to get back up to your birth weight, but you certainly made up for it in the second month, little one! You now weigh 12 lbs 4 oz, and are 23 3/4" long! The doctor said you were in the 88th percentile for weight, and 90th for height -- a very healthy girl! You have outgrown your newborn sleepers, which makes your mom sad. You're growing way too fast! Amazingly, you can still wear some of your newborn sized outfits though (like the one in your 2 month photo) but you can now fit into your 0-3 month clothes, and sometimes, even 3 month!



According to the doctor, you are also meeting all of the milestones you should be by this point. You having been smiling for awhile now, but lately, you smile A LOT, and with purpose. My favorite smiles are first thing in the morning, right after you wake up. You love to smile at anyone, even if they aren't talking to you! It's so very sweet. Often times, I even catch you smiling at things like the elephants on your swing mobile, or the stuffed animals in your crib. And finally, mommy was able to catch that beautiful smile on camera! Keep smiling, baby girl..you light up the world :)



You are still a great sleeper -- now only if you'd learn to sleep in longer stretches at night! You are very much a creature of habit, and still wake up every 2-3 hours during the night to eat. You are always sleeping by 8 or 8:30 every night. Daddy and I have even tried keeping you up a little later, hoping you'd then adjust a little closer to our schedules -- but you won't have it, and continue to fall asleep when you want to. Silly girl. Some day, I know I will have to drag you out of bed, so for now, I will enjoy these moments (with lots of caffeine, of course!)



You've had an exciting month, including a visit from the Eater bunny at Grandma and Papa's house, and even a trip to Canton, OH to visit the Pro-Football Hall of Fame. You were such a good girl during that trip, Daddy and I were so proud of how good you were! You also attended a graduating Veteran's dinner at Daddy's school, in which you were the star of the show. Everyone wanted to see you and hold you. Everyone that meets you always says how beautiful and sweet you are -- and we can't help but agree with them :)



Happy 2 months, Audrey Elizabeth! We absolutely cannot wait to see what the next month brings!!

Love,

Mommy

a little update!

So I've been a mommy now for seven weeks now, and its been wonderful. A little challenging at times, but its all a learning process. I've been spoiled thus far with all the help I've had since coming home from the hospital. The first week, my mom was here and was a huge help, especially since that was the worst week for me, recovery wise. It was nice having here there, and I know she enjoyed getting a week of Audrey time! The following week, Ryan's grandma flew in from Colorado to help out, and meet her first great grandchild. It was nice having her there during the days when Ryan was gone at school and I would have been home alone. She also cooked for us, which I know Ryan was happy to have her cooking! lol. And the week after that, Ryan was on spring break, so he was around all day and it was nice having an extra hand!



Audrey has been a wonderful baby! She has her fussy moments, but for the most part, she really is a good baby. She really only cries when she needs something, which is usually food, lol. The girl can eat and loves to eat!! She is a decent sleeper too, and luckily, never had her days/nights mixed up. She's not a great napper during the day -- usually gets one good nap in during the afternoon (usually only if we're out and she happens to fall asleep in the carseat), then really wants to pass out in the evening. I end up getting a few hours of sleep in before she wakes up to eat, then we sleep again for a couple hours, then if I'm lucky, I can get her to sleep a little longer. I can't say I'm getting a ton of sleep these days, but I am already accustomed to running on minimal amounts of sleep thanks to my years at the TV station!! But, it could always be worse -- I could have a baby that has her days and nights mixed up ;)



She had her one month check up (nearly a month ago now!) and everything went well. She is finally back up to her birth weight, which is a relief. She had lost a pound by the time we left the hospital, and we struggled a little getting her back up to her birth weight, but we are FINALLY there (and by the looks of her chubby little cheeks, she's been growing steadily ever since!) She also grew half an inch and is in the 50th percentile for both. She can still rock SOME of her newborn clothes, but probably not for much longer! Width wise, they fit perfectly, but they are being stretched a little at the snaps, so you can tell the length is a little small. Most of her newborn sleepers don't fit anymore, so we've had to move up to the 0-3 month size (tear!). I almost want to cut the little feet off, so she can wear them a little longer! lol.



Audrey made her first trip up to Erie during Ryan's spring break. Initially, we were going to go to Colorado to visit her great grandparents and great great grandma, but those plans fell through. Hopefully we will make it there this summer! She does great in the car, and usually falls asleep right away. She's also been on a couple other small trips, including another trip up to Erie, and to Grove City one afternoon for a little shopping with Grandma and Papa. As long as the girl is fed, dry and not overly tired, she's a happy camper (albeit she DOES love to be held/cuddled and starts to get lonely if she's left "by herself" for too long)



The weather here has been amazing, for the most part. We've been trying to enjoy it as much as possible, for who know when we'll have another March with temperatures in the 80s! I wish we didn't live in a neighborhood full of hills, as I'd love to start taking her on daily walks. However, the hills are ridiculous and there is literally no flat streets anywhere within walking distance. It's a shame too, cause she loves her stroller. We did go on a nice walk down at the Waterfront with Renz one day, and Audrey slept the whole time. We're gonna start making a weekly tradition of that!



Her first Easter is coming up, and she already has her dress ready :) She met the Easter bunny a few weeks ago with her cousin Joey (she was none too impressed, haha) so she's all ready for her first "real" holiday! She will be getting a little basket, of course (with maybe a little candy for Mama ;) which I think is more exciting for me, than anything. Holidays will never be the same again!!



As for me, I'm recovering nicely from my c-section. My incision scar still hurts, on occasion, but only if my clothing happens to rub it, or if I do wayyy too much (like walking a lot). As far as the baby weight, it's been gone since the first few days. haha. I lost it all, and then a little extra. Still not where I want to be, but I'll get there! I'm hungry all. the. time. Quite a difference from where I was during pregnancy. lol. I'd get halfway through my meal, and be stuffed. Now, I finish eating and I feel like I'm hungry again shortly after. ugh!



That's it for now! I promise to write more, and more frequently. I need to be able to blog things as they happen, not weeks later ;) Until next time..(and hopefully sooner, rather than later..lol)