Preparing for Lucas' Lucky #2!

Nate and I fully acknowledge that we have gone overboard and seriously overdid it the last couple of birthdays and Christmases. So this year, we want to concentrate on more quality, less quantity. First birthdays are B-I-G in our book, thus 2nd birthdays are just relaxed and simple. No plans for a party this year (and we didn't do one for Seth). This year we are just taking our family and meeting a few more of my family at the local Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and rides. I'll use the following to dress up our table....


Now, on to gifts. Lucas is my kitchen buddy... often right underfoot and desperately wanting to see what's going on. He is constantly in my utensil drawers. So Nate and I found him this great little tabletop stove and pot/ pan set from Pottery Barn Kids. I'm really enjoying toys made of wood... usable for generations, and I can already see my grandkids playing with this!



Next is another toy from PBK. Both boys got one of the smaller cars for Christmas, and they are a big hit. Lucas is receiving the bigger Push Car (handle can be removed) for his birthday. This car is so cool. The smaller cars, when you push on the rear, it generates power to light up the guide's helmet. In the bigger car, when you push it, they light up AND tell adventure stories.


Lucas has had a fascination with planes, ever since he could speak. "Mane!!" was one of his first words, as he would point to the sky as a plane flew overhead. So Nate picked up a couple of these Plan City planes.




And finally, from Gramma.... a steerable trike. So he can join his brother on bike rides.


March 12 is going to be a FUN FUN day! I'm going to make Lucas a Caramel Banana Cake!

****************

Caramel Banana Cake

3 sticks (12 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk
3 large eggs, separated
One 5.5-ounce bag soft caramels, such as Werther's Original Chewy
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat 1 stick butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add 3/4 cup bananas, the baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt and beat until smooth. Stir in 1 cup flour. Mix in 6 tablespoons milk and the remaining 3/4 cup flour until smooth.

Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites at medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually mix in the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar at high speed until stiff and glossy. Fold the egg whites into the batter until no streaks remain.

Spoon the batter into cake pan. Cut 9 caramels in half, and press into batter. Bake until the cake is springy to the touch, about 30-40 minutes. Let cool.

Meanwhile, in a small, heavy saucepan, cook the remaining caramels, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup banana and 1/4 teaspoon salt over medium heat, stirring, until the caramels are melted.

Using the electric mixer, beat the egg yolks and confectioners' sugar until thick, about 3 minutes. Slowly beat in the caramel mixture; transfer the mixture to the saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly for about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until cool.

Using the electric mixer, beat the remaining 2 sticks butter at high speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the cooled caramel mixture, then beat at high speed until fluffy. Spread the frosting onto the cake.

****************

We had a busy day here yeaterday. I had my 30 week DA at noon. Nate got the first coat of "Cafe Pink" paint up in the nursery. For dinner, we ate Bertucci's Pizza. Nate started our taxes last night. Looks like we are getting our FIRST Tax Return in 8 years!

30 week DA:

Of course I passed the 3 Hr Glucose. With Flying Colors.

I gained 3 lbs since last time. Heartbeat & Blood Pressure all good and normal.

We talked briefly about permanent methods of birth control, but no decisions have been made.

That is about it! March 6 is my 32 Week DA, I am now visiting bi-monthly. I will also have my last US!