Saturday, February 5, 2011

our little bundle of joy!

On Sunday, 
January 23, 2011 @ 1:03 am
Levi Bradley
was born!
He weighed 8 lbs., 7.2 oz,
measuring 20.5" long

His delivery could not have gone much smoother, really. He came not as quickly as his big brother, but not as lengthy as his sister. He's our biggest baby yet, but an inch shorter than his siblings. He has a great appetite and is working on packing on the pounds. He was discharged at a weight of 7 lb. 14 oz. and at his check-up he weighed 8 lb. 15 oz.! Wowie! I thought he felt like he was close to 9 lb.!

Levi is very mellow and doesn't really even cry (knock on wood). I think I've heard his cry twice in his almost 2 weeks of life. The most he does is let out a yelp. Of course, if we weren't right there to fix whatever he needed he may get into more of a cry, but we're not trying that out yet.

We are SO grateful for his safe arrival and the sweet spirit he brings to our home. His big brother and sister think he is pretty cute and his parents are enamored with him. He is a sweet addition to our family and we love immensely already!

snow much fun!

Last week we got a few inches of snow (maybe 8"?). Daddy bundled up the kids and took them out for some fun in the snow. They got the sled out, worked on the ramp and shooshed them down again and again. Hot chocolate was administered soon after they rid themselves of their extra layers, of course. They had a GREAT time and they all got some good exercise. It was a successful outing!
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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

behind the times

It's been QUITE a while since I've posted anything, so I'd say it's high time I do!

I am very pleased to announce that after about 2.5 solid months of potty training, Mr J has been diaper-free for about a month now! Woowhoo! He has developed the sense of KNOWING when he needs to go, he stops what he's doing, and GOES! And, he's able to hold it if he needs to. But mostly, I'm just SO grateful he KNOWS when he needs to GO, stops what he's doing, and DOES what he needs to. It's such a huge help having him self-sufficient in that department. And yes, I know this is all in time for another round of diapering to start but it's different with a little baby who is COMPLETELY DEPENDENT on you, vs. a little boy who tells you when he's stinky or hides to do his "business". Thank you for these little miracles!

Speaking of miracles, I can count down the days to my due date on 2 hands! Holy cow! I'm feeling pretty good though. Baby dropped a couple weeks ago and that has helped a lot, but I'm still growing and getting not as comfortable (again).

Current challenges you're welcome to chuckle at include:

* tieing my shoelaces is not a pretty sight, slip-ons are preferable;
* sleeping for more than 2.5 hours comfortably is not attainable (I know this is good prep for the upcoming days but still...);
* sitting at or near a 90* angle is not possible without sending me into contractions (maybe that's a good thing...);
* getting off of the couch MAY occasionally require me to roll off first, then get to my feet with assistance;
* sleeping with 3 pillows and a body pillow is necessary for optimal comfort- times like these a KING bed would be nice, at least for the hubby
* Rutter's chocolate milk is an essential food group, mmm mmmm good.
 (this shot was taken about 3 weeks ago, and not the best picture but you get the idea)
These and many more obstacles make my daily life comical to watch, and no I'm "not that big" for being 9 months pregnant, but I'm bigger than I used to be and I'm not used to lugging all this around, so it doesn't come off as graceful or natural. And, let me just say, this is not whining, or is not meant to come off as whining, I'm simply trying to paint the picture for you, or me rather for future journal purposes. :)

Our family had a very nice Christmas and New Year's filled with numerous gifts and tablescapes of delectable cuisine. By the time New Year's was over, we were all ready to de-tox and take a breather from "all the celebrating"- it can be exhausting! (Tough life, I know.)
Miss Alivia continues to LOVE preschool and currently has her first loose tooth! Can you believe it?! Me neither! She loves to color and draw, sing and dance, play dress-up, and help Mommy with whatever she's doing. She's a great big sister to her brother and will be a BIG help with her new brother, I'm sure of it.

Jackson is all boy. He likes to dress-up with his sister in his army fatigues or Spiderman costume and then chase her around the room with an occasional karate chop/kick combo. He has some golf clubs he likes to drag around, and he LOVES the garbage truck and spiderman toys he got for Christmas. He likes to " 'nuggle wif you" on the couch or whereever and although he has the tough guy persona at times, he's definitely a lova'.
We have received a little snow here and there and the kids are always anxious to get out and play in it! Of course! At this very moment they're bundled up and are walking around in the crunchy snow we got last night and this morning (a couple inches of snow with an icy layer on top). It's great that they're able to get outside and play!
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Mommy and Daddy are getting anxious for the new addition to their family. Mommy fills her time with housework, shuttling to and from preschool, trips to the store, crafting/creative time with the kids, and a lot of other "nesting", including more simple sewing projects, including taggie blankets, burp cloths, and blankets for the new baby and for expectant friends. Daddy fills his time working hard for all of us every day, then playing hard with the kids when he's home and helping Mommy whereever she needs, including giving her a hand to get off the couch or tie her shoes, or whatever the task requires. He is a GREAT daddy and a GREAT husband and I really lucked out. Honestly, I'm grateful every day that I have him for forever!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

in the kitchen

I don't know about you, but I've been in a cooking rut for a while now. Maybe it's the pregnancy and my lack of energy (Note: I get winded just from walking up the stairs. Sheesh!) but it's also partly because I have a hard time making and re-making the same things. I get bored and it seems like "we just had that" even if it was 2 or 3 months ago. Anyway, here are a few of the recipes I've been making lately.

Congo Squares aka Blondies

And here are a few new sites I've found thanks to my friend LDCO :).

I will be checking out THESE recipes from these new sites soon, I hope.

pumpkin chocolate chip bread

I can't believe I haven't posted this recipe before! IT'S SO TASTY! And it makes a big batch so don't be shy, share it and make someone's day.
 Ingredients
  • 3-1/3 c. all-purpose flour
  • 3 c. sugar
  • 4 t. pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 t. baking soda
  • 1 t. salt
  • 1/2 t. baking powder
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
  • 2/3 c. water
  • 2/3 c. canola oil
  • 2 c. (12 ounces) NestlĂ©® Tollhouse® Semi-Sweet Morsels
  • 1 c. sliced almonds, toasted - optional

Directions

  • In a large bowl, combine the first six (dry) ingredients. In another bowl, combine the eggs, pumpkin, water and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Stir in chocolate chips and almonds.
  • Pour into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 70-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Wrap in foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • To use frozen bread: Thaw at room temperature. Yield: 2 loaves (16 slices each).
Mini loaves? Use mini loaf pans and fill each 2/3 full. Makes 7-9 mini loaves. Bake for 35-40 minutes. These are great holiday treats, but beware, they won't last long!

{updated} marshmallow fruit dip

I got this heavenly dip recipe from my Aunt D. It is delicious with fruit- apples, grapes, pineapple, kiwi, etc.!

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
7.5 oz jar of marshmallow creme
1/2 t. lemon extract or 1 t. lemon zest (I prefer the extract, so I don't have the bits of zest in my creamy heaven)
3/4 c. powdered sugar

Blend all ingredients together and keep chilled until you're ready to DEVOUR it. Serve with apples, grapes, kiwi, pineapple, blueberries, etc.

Cook's note: Too sweet for you? Leave out or reduce the powdered sugar so it's just how you like it.

Updated 8.25.13

Fluffernutter Fudge

If anyone out there does NOT know what "fluffernutter" means, you are not alone. Until I moved back here I'd never heard of it. Maybe it's not specifically East Coast, but more just the combination of Peanut Butter & Marshmallow Creme, which I'd never placed together until I met my husband. It's one of his favorite sandwiches- PB & Marshmallow Creme, with the occasional banana.  Anyway, I renamed this recipe as Fluffernutter Fudge because I didn't realize there are regular PB Fudge recipes WITHOUT marshmallow creme. Anyway, it is super delicious and not healthy at all. That's why it's one of those "seasonal, holiday treats." :)

2 c. creamy peanut butter
1- 7.5 oz jar marshmallow creme
4 c. sugar
2 T. butter
1 t. Vanilla
1 c. + 3T. evaporated milk

1. Dump PB & marshmallow creme in a BIG mixing bowl; set aside.

2. Place all other ingredients in a saucepan. Boil for 3 minutes, and stir occasionally. Then pour over PB & creme mixture. Stir thoroughly until all the solid components are melted.

3. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and chill at least 2-3 hours. (As you can see, this makes a HUGE recipe. So there is plenty to share. Your neighbors, friends and family will love (and hate) ;) you for it.)
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