secret ingredient brownies

I am stealing this post from my friend's blog. Can't wait to try them!

Secret Ingredient Brownies

When my friend told me this recipe, I was skeptical. But we tried it out and it's pretty good:

1 box brownie mix (I used Duncan Hines family-style chewy fudge)
1 can black beans (undrained)
2 T. water

Puree undrained black beans & water in blender or food processor. Add to dry brownie mix and mix well. Bake according to instructions on box.

No eggs or oil needed. The brownies turn out very soft, chewy, and sweet. My kids can't tell the difference. Sneaky way to increase fiber & protein, decrease fat.

I know what you're thinking, but just try it!

Another Surgery

Well, we went in for Peter's followup from having surgery on his throat when he was in the NICU. I had to help hold his arms and legs still while a nurse held his head, and the doctor stuck a tube down Peter's throat. I had to try really hard to keep from crying! He screamed and was so sad, it took a while after it was done to calm him and then give him a bottle. His throat looks good, it is still a little red. We can try driving with him in higher elevations, but we will have to keep close on him to make sure that he is breathing properly. Not sure if I am ready to experiment though.

While we were in the office I asked them to check this bump in-bewtween his eyebrows. It almost feels like a marble is in there. I noticed it a couple months ago, but figured I would see if it would go away, hoping it was just a bump from Lucy playing with him. Well, it isn't. It is a dermoid cyst, next week we will get a catscan done and see what is going on in there exactly. I need to stop reading up on it on the internet, because I was super stressed last night thinking of what could be in there-namely cancer, it could have a tooth, eyeball, or other gross things too. Hopefully it is just extra skin that they need to take care of.

Anyway, I would appreciate all prayers on his behalf. Peter is definitely a strong little guy. I hope he doesn't remember any of this crazy stuff when he is older.

I will keep you posted, all I know now is that he will have a ct-scan in a week, we will go in for the consult in 4 weeks, and then surgery of some kind in the beginning of December.

Hope you all are soaking up this beautiful Fall! I love it!

Cheers!

biggest loser cupcakes

This is the cupcake recipe from biggest loser that I want to try:

Vanilla Cupcakes

Makes about 14 cupcakes

Ingredients
5 organic egg whites
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

For the frosting
1 cup nonfat cream cheese
1/2 ripe banana

Method

• Preheat the oven to 325F.
• Place the egg whites in a large bowl and using a handheld mixer whip the whites on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes or until the whites begin to lighten up and hold their shape.
• Increase speed to high and whip in the salt and honey until the whites hold a soft peak, then add the vanilla extract.
• Fold in the yogurt.
• In a separate medium mixing bowl combine the flour and baking powder and mix well.
• Sift the dry ingredients into the egg whites a little at a time, gently folding them in with a rubber spatula.
• Once fully incorporated, scoop the batter into cupcake tins lined with cupcake papers.
• Bake the cupcakes for 15 to 20 minutes or until they have colored and gently spring back when pushed with a finger.
• Remove from the oven and cool the cupcakes at room temp.
• Mix the cream cheese and the banana in a medium mixing bowl until well incorporated, leaving small chunks of banana throughout the frosting.
• Once cool, spread a little of the banana frosting over the cupcakes and serve.

Nutrition Facts:
Calories 60
Total Fat 0g
Sat Fat g 0g
Cholesterol 5mg
Sodium 190mg
Total Carb 10g
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugar 4g
Protein 5g

Peter is 4 months old!

Peter turned 4 months old on Sunday!
He is so cute and I just can't get enough of him.

We went to the dr. and these are his stats:

71% for weight: 15 and 15.5 oz pretty much 16 lbs
91% for height: 26.25" long
81% for head: 43.5 cm around

Peter has learned a lot of things:
He is teething
He does sit-ups and crunches
He can't get enough of Lucy and even puts up with her sticking her fingers in his mouth
He lets Lucy pet his head and talk to him and love on him and he just giggles and giggles.
He squeals a lot
He can push himself up on his belly, the doctor was impressed with how strong he is.
He likes to stand on my legs and squeezes my fingers really tightly.
He smiles and coos, and I love getting him from his crib, he giggles and flirts with us:)
Peter is now sleeping 7-11 hours a night
He drinks a bottle every 3-4 hours throughout the day and we are about to start him on solids
He loves to jump in his jumper/saucer
He loves anybody who smiles at him
He likes to run errands and go for walks
He loves bath-time, we are still working in his cradle cap.
He is still constipated off and on, that makes him sad
When daddy sneezes super loud or Lucy yells loudly he gets startled and cries, Other than that he is the happiest baby alive, just Lucy when she was little.
Oh, and he loves tv too, fits right in our family:)

I know I am forgetting a few things..I'll add more later:)

So hard to catch his infectious smile on camera, finally I got one!!

He was ready for picture time to be over:)

Such a cutie!

Another catch up:)

Here's what we have been up to...
Eating our yummy lunch!!
Lucy loves to read books!
Texas Caviar:) YUM! Recipe I might choose a little less of vinegar next time, but yummy!!!
Getting ready for church-don't they look so cute!
Pot Pie in a Jar Chicken pot pie I will be making the Apple Pie in a jar this week:)
He is 4 months today-I will post stats on Tuesday after his appointment
Lucy and David playing
She is getting 4 of her teeth, and yes, she eats paper when she teeths
Fun videos of Peter-he squeaks in one of them-that is how he talks all day long:)