Life of Larisa or LOL

I'm becoming more and more restless, especially as two mom friends that were due after me, have already had their babies. Each day seems longer and longer. I feel like the days are at least 32 hours long instead of the standard 24. But, yesterday made things a little more bearable since Isom and I got to see Baby Z via ultra sound. I'm due this Sunday but at my last doctor's appointment on Tuesday, there was a little question about the size of this big boy. My doctor ordered an ultra sound for me to have Baby Z measured and estimate his weight, check on my fluids, and of course see the cutest baby in the world! I won't be giving away the estimated weight just yet but I will say that 1) the ultra sound tech had a funny look on her face when seeing the actual size of Baby Z (a look that said, wow, I feel sorry for you) 2) she also said my uterus is a trooper (guess it's fighting a battle against these big babies I keep having) 3) the head and stomach measurement...

Now the bad name is growing on me. Larry's Bakery was hit up once again on my way to Target (again) today. The reason for the Target trip, sunglasses. Walked right out of there and totally forgot to even look at the sunglasses aisle. I can't wait for my brain to return. The pre-Target pit stop was lucrative though. I tried the coconut half moon and the butter mochi with cream cheese from Larry's. Both were good...but especially the mochi, which of course I don't have a picture of. I used to stop at Blimpie's for a sweet pepper sandwich (and other veggies and cheese) every time I went to Target (somehow I always need to make a weekly Target run). It was a great tradition. But now, sigh, Blimpie's has been closed. Good thing there's Larry's. I see a new tradition in the making...

...well, hopefully. I started out week 39 by going to the Ice Palace. Yes, the ice skating rink. Not to skate (although I really wanted to), but to celebrate Mia's 8th birthday. Yes, as one of the birthday twins, her birthday is actually in July, but wise beyond her years, she decided to have her party later...one, to be able to invite school friends, and two, well, duh, to celebrate twice! My kind of party planning. Since I was not skating, Isom filled in for me. So, at least I got to be amused (he actually did a great job and didn't even fall). And happily, the same can be said for Gabe (I had pregnancy induced paranoia of broken limbs prior to the birthday party). For a kid growing up in Hawaii, having only seen snow about two times in his life, he does pretty well at ice skating...and drinking hot cocoa. The ice capades were topped off with the mandatory kid birthday pizza and cupcakes and I couldn't help but think what a perfect party combination the skating ...

Where you can enjoy two desserts...after you've had some edamame, spinach salad, pork chops (well, the other ladies did), calamari, and tofu. My last ladies night out before becoming a mom of two boys. It was my last super! A great last super. The old Side Street (or the Ala Moana location) is the seediest, dirtiest, craziest looking place to eat food. But, it was good food, so the surroundings didn't matter. The new Side Street has married their signature good food with an atmosphere I am more used to dining in. Our service was good, the restaurant was busy, and us girls could let our hair down, be loud, take our time, and eat plate after plate of their family style spiced to perfection food. Too bad dessert isn't a labor inducer...I would have had this baby months ago...

I must get this out there right away. WORST name for a bakery ever. Sorry. The name does not conjure up images of delicious aromatic baked goods. In fact, the name Larry makes me think of an Auto parts place, a mechanic. But, I had the most delicious blueberry Danish, so I guess the name isn't all that important...and it is actually quite memorable. Who can forget "Larry's Bakery"?! It is located in an industrial part of town near the Salt Lake Target store (perk...shopping after). There is limited parking but if you go mid morning like I did, it's not a problem. The original reason for trekking to Larry's with Lena was to try out their cupcakes. Their cupcakes weren't quite ready yet so I "settled" for a Danish. No complaints here and an excuse to go back. Although their blog doesn't appear to have been updated since 2009, you can still click here to see the adorable cupcake bouquets they make for special occasions (like delive...

I've been playing around with different combinations of fun colors and sparkles and crackles and shatters for my nails. I like to change things up (much to Isom's dismay...he hates the smell) about once a week. This week, I discovered two new things---one was Pinterest (thanks Danielle and Tobi) and the other was this nail technique...on Pinterest. So, here's the directions for all you DIYers. Step 1. paint nails a neutral base color (I used white) Step 2. after base color drys, dip in alcohol (I used rubbing, but the Pinterest suggestion was Vodka...drink and do your nails!) Step 3. take a strip of newspaper and press on the still damp nail (This step reminded me of all the temporary tattoos Gabe has had me apply over the years) Step 4. a fun nail that has words/print on it (Doubly good for me...words and nails!) The look is endless, every time you do it, it will turn out differently. Next time, I'm trying color newspaper print...like the comics. This is als...

Even if I didn't like the taste of these, which I did, I would try to find a way to bake these muffins more often...they smell heavenly. Clean. Cool. Refreshing. Tasty. This recipe called for a triple citrus combo. Lemon, lime, and orange zest. Mixed with non-fat plain yogurt and your typical other muffin ingredients and you have yourself the perfect summer muffin to go with your tea or coffee. There are just certain aromas and flavors that scream sunshine and these muffins fit the bill. I had to send them off with Isom to work today before I devoured the rest of the container. The addition of the yogurt helps make them soft and crumbly, like a really good scone. They aren't anything fancy to look at, but your taste buds can't see. And it was nice to bake something that required no frosting.

...for Bella and Edward's (yes, fictional characters from the Twilight saga) wedding anniversary of course! This just proves further that the last weeks of pregnancy equal crazy. I love both the Twilight books and movies, but never thought I would have the opportunity to attend a party to celebrate two of the characters getting married...and to bake cupcakes for that party. Thanks to another Twi-hard mom friend, I secured an exclusive invite to the event. And what an event. I thought I loved a good theme...this hostess has me beat...by a long shot. It was fun and silly to gather with the other ladies to play Twilight themed Bunco, cut Bella and Edward's wedding cake, play a little Twilight trivia for prizes, re-watch Twilight, and talk story with folks who are similarly obsessed. It was a great distraction from being 38 weeks pregnant. And some great dessert eating. And the perfect venue for me to wear my "Edward's Baby" Twilight maternity shirt. And not...

Freaky Friday meets Wife Swap (I know it's guys, not chics in the movie). I also know it's not the best concept for a movie, but it had two of my favorite actors, so I was able to gloss over the ridiculous pee in a fountain and switch lives with my best friend premise. Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds--great comedy duo. The Change-Up takes place in my hometown---Atlanta. Except, I didn't even recognize it! That is a sad commentary. I really must make it home one of these days. I was so happy to be in a non-kid movie yesterday. I didn't even need to indulge in popcorn and Reese's Pieces. I was also spared (for once) from obnoxious seat kickers. All of these factors made for a funny and enjoyable movie experience. Take one uptight lawyer family man (Jason Bateman) and one out of work, slacker, pot smoking, womanizing loser (Ryan Reynolds) and let them lead each others lives for a week or so, and this is the movie. No tricky CGI. No over the top action/advent...

Cupcakes without eggs? It's possible. I'd been wanting to try this recipe for awhile, but there was no occasion and no cherry cola...yes, that is the oddball ingredient for these super soft and delicious cupcakes. Cherry coke and a can of condensed milk (which I'd much rather drink than regular milk). Both the occasion and the cherry soda presented themselves yesterday. Isom announced there would be a work potluck today and no one had signed up for dessert. I had no idea that Cherry Coke no longer came in a single serving bottle here on Oahu. Maybe you can find it elsewhere? I have been unsuccessful. So, there's the grossly pregnant chic buying a 12 pack of Cherry Coke at Safeway yesterday (which I guess is better than a carton of cigarettes? A fifth of Jack?)...thanks Gabe for loading in the cart for mom. With my ingredients now in possession, the no egg cupcakes were ready to be made. Too bad it was a million degrees when we got home. We took a pause to do...

...other than giving birth of course, could be today. Originally today was supposed to be spent poolside. Instead, it was an adventure in real life Candyland (you know the little kid board game). I guess it was actually more like Bakeland, but... Starting off the sweet parade was a new Mango flavor cupcake from Hokulani Bakeshop in Restaurant Row. Rated M for MMMMMM. The frosting was the best part. The next stop was Let Them Eat Cupcakes in Chinatown. German chocolate cake with coconut and nuts and oooh, rated G for Good God it was Great. Both the cake and the topping were delicious. The third stop was supposed to be Cake Couture in Downtown but the directions we received and the parking situation were bad so we had to forgo. Rated F for Failed to Deliver. We (my Bakeland playing partner) are flexible, so we moved right along to donuts. A Creme Brulee donut from Regal Bakery by the Airport. A little too burnt creme for me, but the cake donut was pretty close to perfect. Rat...

...that I am now addicted to one more app on my iPhone! But, seriously, thank you. I feel like a real photographer! Try not to laugh and blow anything out of your nose or mouth. I have discovered Instagram thanks to a recommendation from one of my favorite fellow bloggers (scroll down the side of the main page to check her out). So, since I have so much "spare" time waiting for this basketball in my belly to fall out, I have spent the better part of the last week taking pictures just so I can see what fun things I can do to them via Instagram. If you have an iPhone, I highly recommend the free app. But don't get mad at me, I warned you...it's addicting. So, thanks Tobi...I think. You'll notice I am taking more photos of people than food...small victory. Here are a couple of my fun before and after shots...

The only good thing worth mentioning about this weekend? Taking Gabe to see the Smurfs Movie. It's always interesting, sometimes scary, to see what can become of your old childhood memories. Every Saturday when I was growing up, could be characterized by PJ's and Saturday morning cartoons. Pillsbury biscuits with molasses for breakfast, and the day was complete...well, at least the early morning anyway. Saturdays were also dance class day. But, back to the movie. My general rule about live action and animated movies is that they are bad. This movie worked though. There were a few bad CGI moments but hey, I can't do that stuff, so I better not be too critical. The plot was reasonable, and I was happy with the Smurfs that were chosen as the "stars" of the movie. Neil Patrick Harris (oh Doogie ) was a welcome addition to the modernized version of these classic little blue guys. Although I have been unsuccessful in getting Gabe interested in watching old...

If I weren't so pregnant, I would be doing a dance. It is August. The month I am due. I no longer have to say, next month, in a few months...I can say THIS MONTH...well, that is if this baby wants to cooperate. I know babies are rarely born on their due dates but I have to hang on to the date or I won't be able to get through these next three weeks. I think we are ready. I hope we are ready. The baby room is ready. The baby clothes are ready. Gabe is ready. The pressure is on for Zachary. He has been kicking and wiggling around despite what has to be a very tight space. My appetite has somewhat returned...just in time to gain extra weight at the end. My memory has disappeared. My common sense has flown out the window. And my tear ducts look for an excuse to shed a few hormonal tears. I am experiencing back pain and sleepless, multiple bathroom filled nights but all of these are just signs that I am in the home stretch. In less than one months time, less time tha...

...for Gabe, not me. The report? He did great. Maybe it's his new haircut? There was an underlying current of anxiety all summer about what third grade would be like (mostly from him...but some from me). I know we've only survived the first day, but that can really set the tone for the rest of the year. His teacher seems strict but warm. Welcoming but down to business. And she is organized. Can't tell you how much I love that. It's a good match for the eight year old boy. When asked what he thought of her, Gabe summed up "Well, I heard her yell today, and I'm used to that!" (while glancing at me). Isom and I both escorted the little prince to his new class located in the portables outside the regular school classrooms. Escorted him all the way to the front row. His teacher must have been spying on us...she already knew this was the appropriate place for the little rascal! If it weren't for Isom, I would have totally forgotten to get even ...