eat: peanut butter cookie dough brownies

I have never had much of a sweet tooth. I would much rather have chips and salsa over chocolate any day. Things have changed a bit now...thanks to pregnancy. All I want is sweet, chocolatey, peanut buttery goodies! (I have to have peanut butter at least once a day!) I have made this delicious recipe several times, and just MIGHT have to make it today. It is amazing and oh so easy! Ingredients {Brownie Layer} nonstick cooking spray 1/2 c unsalted butter 2 (1 oz) squares unsweetened chocolate 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 c sugar 2 large eggs 1/2 plus 2 T all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 c semisweet chocolate chunks {Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Layer} 1/4 c unsalted butter, softened 1/2 c packed light brown sugar 2 T milk 1/2 c creamy peanut butter 1/2 c plus 2 T all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp salt {Ganache Layer} 3/4 c dark chocolate chips 1/4 c heavy whipping cream 1/4 c corasely chopped salted peanuts Directions 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom and sides of an 8x8 inch pan with cooking spray. For the brownies, microwave the butter and unsweetened chocolate in a microwavable bowl at high power until the butter is melted, about 2 minutes. Stir until combined, then mix in the vanilla extract. Meanwhile, beat the sugar and eggs in a large bowl and add in the chocolate mixture. Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt and chocolate chunks. Spread the brownie mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake until the brownies are set and a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out clean, about 22 - 28 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes. 2. For the peanut butter cookie dough: Add the butter and brown sugar to a large bowl and mix until creamy. Mix in the milk and peanut butter, then stir in the flour and alt. Spread the peanut butter cookie dough evenly over the cooled brownies. 3. For the ganache: In a small microwavable bowl, microwave the dark chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream, uncovered, on high for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Continue stirring until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Spread the ganache over the peanut butter layer and sprinkle with the chopped peanuts. Refrigerate until the dough and ganache are set, about 1 hour. Cut into 16 squares and arrage on a serving platter to serve.

Enjoy!

Finally Feeling the Flutters

I am now 21 weeks preggers. I have been patiently waiting to feel those precious little flutters from Miss Clara. Finally it happened. I was sitting at my computer (at school, on Wednesday) and felt this little flutter low in my tummy. It happened three times. After that, I felt it again in the evening, and then every day since. I cannot even begin to describe what an incredible feeling it is. My doctor told me feeling the flutters for the first time is like a secret between just you and your baby. What a beautiful little miracle.

Clara's Take-Home Outfit

I found the prettiest little gown and booties for Clara's take-home outfit from Baby Beau and Belle. It just came in the mail and I could not be more pleased. It is so very perfect and I cannot wait to see teeny Clara in it. Now I need to get my momma to teach me how to make those big bows...the bigger the better! I'm so ready to meet my little Bee.

The Nursery

So before finding out the sex of our Bee, I didn't buy much. In fact, I was so convinced we were having a boy that everything I had picked out/ideas I had for the nursery were BOY BOY BOY! The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted a wrought iron crib. I loved the idea of all of our baby Beemans using it AND possibly passing it down to Alli once she had babies.

I fell (head over heels) IN LOVE with the Bratt Venetian crib in antique white. It was so easy for me to picture our little Clara Beth in it. My sweet mom and dad bought the crib for us and it will be here in May! I cannot wait!

I knew I wanted to go with a "vintagey"/"antiquey" look for the nursery. Light pinks, neutral colors, ivory... I found this gorgeous rug from Layla Grace and knew it was perfect. Very femine and soft. I am patiently awaiting the arrival of the rug. The bedding was so hard for me to decide on. UGH! I knew exactly what I wanted but could not find it anywhere! I wanted something simple and easy to care for. I loved the look of linen...but come on, how practical would that be? I ended up finding this custom crib skirt on Etsy. I didn't want a print on the skirt so I'm going with a solid taupe (and there will only be three tiers). I wanted a solid pink crib bumper. Seriously should not be hard to find, right? I finally found this one at Restoration Hardware Baby. I love the soft pink and I think it will look so pretty with the ruffled crib skirt.

So I kind of feel like I've done a lot so far. I'm just ready to get everything in so we can start putting it all together!!! Now I've got to try to convince D that a chandelier in our little girl's room is a FANTASTIC idea!

Spreadin' the News!

I am very blessed to have my family living so close by. I wanted to come up with a fun way to reveal the sex of our baby. I had friends who had done the cake with the pink or blue frosted filling, which I loved, but did not want to have to make two cakes. So we decided on cupcakes. My friend Nicole told me about a friend who had made a "What will it bee?" cake with little bumble bees. I LOVED that idea, since all along we had been calling our peanut our Baby Bee.

I made the cupcakes the day before and decorated the table with bumble bees.

Everyone, except for my daddy, was thinking boy! Love their reactions! (Aunt Alli screamed, Lee Lee cried and Pop Pop was speechless!) Amazing.

We are Tickled PINK!!!

So Monday, February 28th was the BIG day! The day we were to find out if we would be having a baby boy or a baby girl. All along, Derek and I had been seeing blue. Our families were split right down the middle on their guesses. The only thing that was certain...this baby was going to be a soccer player! (Like Daddy of course!) Derek and I left work early for Dr. Levin's office. We had to wait almost an hour and a half. We were the last couple waiting. When we sat down in the room with the US technician, she told us that we were her 17th US today and that she had several babies not cooporate when finding out the sex. I told her right away that my mom said not to leave until we knew...AND that tomorrow was my birthday so she just HAD to give us an answer. So right off the bat, she went in to find out what we would be having. Pretty much right away, she told us we were having a little girl! She showed us the three little white lines. (D made her go back a second time just in case). We were in shock. Derek's first thought was...the cost of her wedding! We were beyond thrilled, not to mention surprised! We had just known we would be having a boy...especially with all those Beeman boys! I know it's hard to tell in the US picture, but right under the words "It's a girl", you can see the three little white lines indicating girl.

The next picture is my favorite. Her little mouth would open and close. She looks like she is smiling in this picture. I think she knew this was her big debute so she was trying to be extra cute! You can even see her little round belly!

She looks a little more serious in this one. She was wiggeling and dancing up a storm for us! I think the three Hershey Kisses I ate before helped a little!

She was a little shy in this picture. But I love how you can see her arm. She was really preforming for us! She would tuck her little hands under her chin and "pose", then she'd put them behind her head. I could have watched her all day!

Her little mouth is closed in this one. We could see her precious heart beating. What a beautiful little miracle!

After we finished up with the US technician, we went in to talk with Dr. Levin (who I love by the way). She said everything looks great...so that was the best news! We got to hear her heart beat again...146 bpm. I just cannot even begin to describe the love I already have for my little one. God has blessed us in so many ways. I just pray that I can be as loving and Godly as my own momma.

On to the name! Her name is Clara Elizabeth. Clara is my dad's grandmother and Elizabeth is my middle name. We had our girl and boy names picked out way ahead of time so it was very easy. I love her name and love that I can start refering to Baby Bee as Clara. My family has always called me Ashlee Beth, so Pop Pop (my daddy) has already started calling her Clara Beth. So special.

The Bump...19 Weeks

Pardon the lack of makeup...we were about to head to the gym! This picture was taken two days before our BIG ultrasound. I've been feeling really good lately. By the end of the day, I'm exhausted and could probably go to sleep at 6:00. But ask any kindergarten teacher that question, and she'd probably say the same! I haven't had any cravings really...except orange juice is something I MUST have every morning. I also love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, yogurt and any type of fruit. Meat still pretty much grosses me out, unless it is in something, like a salad. And I'm loving almost anything and everything sweet! I am keeping that part under control though! :)

The Bump...18 Weeks

Here we are at 18 weeks!