"Sgt. E." Bars

So many memories come back when I make these! They were a regular in school lunches, and a favorite snack growing up.

There was a name change to the bars when I was in high school. My older brothers recruiter Sgt. E. ended up being a close friend to the family, at school one day he was offered a bar from one of us, and from that day on he would HOUND us for his favorite "cookie". There was never really a name for these before that, so in honor of his love for these, we changed the name :)

RECIPE

1 cup butter

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups brown sugar

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups rolled oats

Fudge Nut Filling

1-12 oz. package chocolate chips

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup finely chopped nuts

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cream together butter and sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in rolled oats. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Set aside while you make filling.

In saucepan over boiling water mix together chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter and salt. Stir until mixture is smooth. Stir in nuts and vanilla extract.

Spread about 2/3 of oatmeal mixture on cookie sheet. Cover with chocolate mixture. Dot with remaining oatmeal mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly browned.

ENJOY! Cut up into desired bar sizes and store in freezer. Cause that's where I put everything. I even prefer to eat these frozen. But eat as you like! These are awesome!!!!

Counting Down....

Baby's Room!

My picture taking skills aren't that awesome, excuse me. But you get the gist of it... this is the nursery!!! There are still those finishing touches, pictures n things to be added. I'm sure I will organize everything 2 million times in the next few weeks. I kinda got everything set up in there last night and it finally has that almost finished look instead of a storage look :)

My parents were here on a short stop on their way back home and it was so nice to see them! Even if it was for just a day! I'm happy that they got the chance to actually see me pregnant and everything. I love that my mom got to help set up the baby room last night! I asked my Mom a million questions about babies etc. ... my Dad got a few laughs out of the huge look in my eyes about me just thinking about the baby coming so soon. I know that everything will be fine.

I'm over thinking about the delivery... now it's after the delivery that I can't get out of my head. A baby is actually coming and it's staying here... not going home to someone else, it's mine, and I might break it! It's always so cute to see other people go through pregnancy and see their babies, it's all "AWE and butterflies" but I've never thought of all the crazy random thoughts and emotions that may go through their heads. Not to seem down at all about any of this... I am THRILLED to have a baby and be a Mom! Absolutely thrilled! I just know that I used to look at people who were married and/or about to have babies and think AWE! and not give a thought to what it is actually like. Marriage is great! Love it! It's a lot of work. Pregnancy and babies are great! Love it! But that's also a ton of work, and there are all the great things to follow... I guess what I'm trying to say is, just think past the AWE! moment all you "awe"ers out there :) It's kinda scary to!

I'm 36 weeks 4 days pregnant today! I thought I should take a picture again and show the belly progress!

No bare belly picture this time... I pull my shirt up and go OOO I'm getting reeeeally pregnant now! (well to me anyways) So as soon as that shock wears off, then maybe we'll do a bare belly shot. My belly has dropped a bit in the last week so it's not so out there. At the last check-up everything was good, babies head is down ... waaay down. Somewhere around a 5 pounder now and will be gaining 1/2 lb. a week, I think... so by the time the baby is due it should be 7 - 7 1/2 lbs. Which is fine by me! I was expecting bigger by the end for some reason.

I've been staying busy and working still. I work part time so it's not that bad at all. I don't know when I'll stop, I just know that if I stop I'll be at home and go craaazy waiting for the baby to come. Especially if it's late! We are on the count down! So exciting! Can't wait to have everyone meet Baby MAC!!!