lights

Oh what fun it is! There is nothing like Holidays when you have children. Everything is so wondrous to them. So amazing and exciting. Chloe is loving "Kismis Yites"  everywhere we go she is spotting them and yelling 'See! see da yites!Wow" 

She finds Christmas trees in sky scrapers, in peoples homes through their windows everywhere.

the other day someone had antlers on their car and she thought it was the coolest thing ever.
We have the tree up and the presents under and wrapped.

She hasn't realized that she can unwrap all of the presents under the tree thank goodness!
I can't wait for Christmas morning!!!!!!!! She is going to get the
biggest surprise of her life when she realizes that they are hers!!

Handmade Aden and Anais swaddlers

I have been in love with the A and A blankets as soon as they came out! Chloe was a summer baby and could have used some of these handy muslin swaddlers. I used to feel so bad to have to nurse her when it was so hot out. Her little head would get so sweaty under a regular receiving/waffle blanket. We would both be beet red when she was done. 

They came out with these after chloe was about a year old and by then she was through with her receiving blankets/swaddling. I am so excited that new baby girl will get to use these gems. I am so excited to get to  dress up and make things for this little girl! So I went  online and did tons of research to find a similar cotton muslin to make her some mommy made blankets.. I found this fabric in white and dyed it coral and hand stamped some light aqua birds on.

There were bumps along the way..

It looks like a murder took place in our living room..Yep that's an entire bottle of red Rit dye. 

Never turn your back even for a second when you have an active curious toddler. Lesson learned.

also when dying fabric soak it in water before dying, or you will end up with a slight tie dye effect.

I picked up some fabric paint and stamps and hand stamped the fabric.

These owls were so cute and girly. I love them, 

Regardless of the bumps in the road..

 I think they turned out pretty cute for a DIY project!. 

Think Pink

I know this seems ridiculous, but I am so thrilled that Chloe is out of her "no bow/headband phase" for months and months she would throw a fit and tear her Headbands/bows out of her hair. Now she asks for them! Yay :) She will climb up her dresser to where her bows are and stick two or three in her hair and say "Pitty!" 

So what do I do now?? Of course I start up my bow making.. once again. (Rolling my eyes..as if I she needs any more) Although to my defense she does take them out while in her car seat and play with them (aka rip them, or pull off the pearl centers etc) So I need to make more :)

Again to my defense I enjoy making them, and they are so cute to add to shower gifts... That is if you are celebrating the coming of a little girl.

I think I will start doing some bow parties again. They will come in handy for another little someone sometime soon. I can't believe I am going to have two little girls!... 2!!!! I was so excited I got started on making her a quilt and I made her a pink cake in celebration of having another little girl join our family.

Can you tell how excited we are???

This little girl seems so different than her older sister already.

Every time I got an ultrasound with miss Chloe she was doing flips.

This little girl is always just chilling or sleeping 

Doesn't she look so happy and peaceful? I just love her! 

I admit I was a little surprised that she was a girl, I thought she was a he.

I had hoped she was a girl all along.

I keep feeling so blessed to get to have her sweet little spirit in our family.
Now if we could only decide on a name for her...

11.14.12

I jump into bed and wait for Adam, who is still flossing in the bathroom. So I shout out

"Babe will you grab the humidifier out of Chloë's room and add a few drops
of eucalyptus? Every time I lay down I start coughing and I don't want to
keep you up tonight."

Adam- "Yup... Did you know that you snored last night?"

Me- Yes!! (still shouting) My nose was completely blocked!

Adam- "You know what I thought when I heard you?.. Of course my wife would
have the cutest snore in the world. I could totally sleep through that!"
Love him.

Boy or girl?

I had my 13 week screening today and got some pictures out of it to share with the family..

They didn't spend anytime at all trying to get "good shots"

because it's just to test the nuchal translucency.
The baby looks great. They are not worried about anything. Yay! 

But, any guesses? What I am seeing.. is that the umbilical cord?
oh and don't be alarmed by the giant hole in it's head.. 3d can look a bit scary. 

I remember Chloe was doing flips when I had this test done.. this baby was either really calm, or asleep. Not too much movement, just a turn or two.. Anyway..

We don't care what it is, but we for sure want to know either way!

11.5.12

How far along? 12 weeks 

How Big Is the baby? The size of a lime 2.5 inches

How big is your uterus? Bigger than a grapefruit.

Maternity clothes? Can't fit into maternity, can't fit into my regular clothes. May need to bust out the belly band and hair tie for my jeans.

Sleep? lousy.I get up all through the night to pee, and I can't seem to get comfortable. Lots of back cramps/discomfort.

Movement? No feelings yet.. With Chloe I felt her kicks at 14 weeks. So maybe 2 more weeks?

Food cravings? no not really, although I do like dairy a lot right now. Totinos pizza, but I have always craved those things!

Gender? Still a little too early

Milestones: Second trimester here I come! I made it this far.. isn't 12 weeks the "hump"?

Emotions: Normal.. usually.

Pumpkin Carving

10.29.12

Just a quick jot down before I forget everything.. Notes for my own record..

This pregnancy is so different than Chloe.

 Some similarities are- 

1.  I'm not a fan of meat. Although I can actually eat it this time around.. 
2.  I got sick at 6 wks 1 day
3. food aversions
4. Insomnia
5. Smallest bladder ever!
6. I cannot handle cream of chicken.. in anything.
7. Restless leg syndrome (lol Adam thinks this is weird\funny)
8. Love potatoes.

Differences in this pregnancy-

1. food aversions to most food in general not just chicken this time. I won't know until I put it in my mouth... Then I KNOW!
2. I DO NOT want sweets
3. Nor do I want only carbs this time
4. I'm sick then I'm okay
5. I have less energy this time.. (I wonder why??)
6. No food dreams
7. I haven't had to get up in the night every night for a bowl of cereal.
8. My fear of losing this baby is stronger.
9. I'm showing already!!. started abt. 9 weeks!
10. No cramps or uterine stretching.
11. Slightly more hormonal.
12. I can only eat until I'm 1/4 full. Maybe five bites and then I'm done.
13. I have had some sharp twinges.
14. Loads of lower back issues.

@ 11 weeks pregnant. 10/29/12

Me pregnant with Chloe @ 19 weeks

I look about the same as I did when I was 19 weeks pregnant with Chloe!!!!!! Oh my!

Pumpkin Patch

My cousin and I took our little ones to the pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins and pet the animals. They girls went wild, and Chloe started picking up pumpkins and throwing them! These pictures turned out terrible (quality wise) I wish I could have got better pics, but I was putting out fires all over the place..

 They pet the baby chickens, pigs, goats, and bunnies.

 I was so shocked that Chloe was so soft and gentle with them!

As always Chloe loves the flowers, and has to stop and smell them :)

 They rode the hay horses..

 I made the mistake of putting Coco up on the scarecrow's lap... She was so scared and started crying and asking to get down. Can't blame her much.. He is pretty freaky.

Enjoying Popcorn while taking a quick break..

Our day wouldn't be complete without a time out... She kept chucking the pumpkins and busting them!

All of a sudden C started running up to the scarecrows and one by one hugging them! lol funny girl.

Roasted vegetables/Cheddar bay

Oh my goodness I just had to share two really yummy recipes that I have tried lately. I am a pinterest addict. I have tried many recipes off of pinterest, and not all of them are good. I really like these roasted veggies though. Simple way to get your vegetables in. 

I made these with brussels and mushrooms, which Adam is not a fan of, but you don't have to use them if you too don't like them.

1. Pick your favorite vegetables (or what ever is in season) and coarsely cut them up.
2. Grab a large ziplock and throw in the following.
3. 1/4 Cup olive oil
4. 2 T parmesan 
5. 2 cloves garlic, minced
6. 2 T. balsamic vinegar
7. 1 t. chicken bouillon
8. 1 t. sugar (brown or white)
9. S&P if needed
10. Toss veggies (I usually fill up a gallon sized bag)

Throw on parchment papered jelly roll pan. Cook for 25 min or so on 450. Serve with Chicken as a meal, or toss into your favorite pasta.

I love Cheddar Bay biscuits from Red Lobster.. This recipe is EXACT!! Here is the link to her website and her recipe from http://www.portuguesegirlcooks.com/2012/04/scratch-cheddar-bay-biscuits/

Scratch Cheddar Bay Biscuits

This morning I woke up with a need to make biscuits, which for me is kinda weird because I’ve never made them, and rarely eat them. I started looking through a few recipe books and plain biscuits just weren't cutting it. I figured I would jazz them up with some cheddar cheese, and then a lightbulb went off and I thought of cheddar bay biscuits. You know them, those really yummy little biscuits you get at that chain seafood restaurant. I've never met a person who said they hated them, they are just too good.

I've made these once before, using a recipe that included a boxed biscuit mix, but I found them a bit on the salty side, and a little too dense. So I set off to make a scratch version that was light, fluffy, and flavourful, and rivalled the Red Lobster version. The flavour of these are spot on, and dare I say even better? They are fluffy, cheesy, moist, and have a nice garlic flavour.  The best part is that they come together in a snap. Now you can enjoy these biscuits anytime at home!

Scratch Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Makes 16 biscuits 

1 1/2 cups (7 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (about 4 1/2 oz)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Garlic Topping
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter
2 cloves garlic, finely minced or through garlic press
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley

Directions

1. Adjust oven rack to the upper-middle position, and preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or a Silpat.

2. In a large bowl, whisk both flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and garlic powder until combined. Add in the cubed butter and using your fingers, rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal. Add in the shredded cheese and mix to combine. Add in the buttermilk and mix until combined.

3. Using a 1/4 measuring spoon, scoop the biscuit mixture onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake the biscuits for 10 minutes, and then remove and brush with butter mixture, and then bake for an additional 5 minutes until the tops are puffed and golden brown. Allow biscuits to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Serve at room temperature or while slightly warm.

Butter Topping

1. In a small saucepan, combine butter and minced garlic, heat on medium heat until the butter is melted and garlic is fragrant about  1 to 2 minutes. Add in the garlic powder and dried parsley, and stir to combine. Set aside.

Busy! Busy!

My little girl is SO busy! I can't believe how quick she is too! I turn around to put dinner in the oven, clothes in the drier.. and come back to find all sorts of things!

A baby in a puddle of Melaleuca oil,

lotion dumped out ALL over the floor,

3 nail polish incidents,

A few dug out scented candles,

The entire box of Cheerios on the floor,

10 plant starters dumped out and in her mouth,

dumped out shampoo,

Spilled milk gallon,

The entire box of spilled oats,
Couch art (with sharpie)
Computer screen art (sharpie also)
sewing pins scattered through the carpet,
Candle oil dumped on body and drank,
a few perfume bottles emptied (sprayed empty)

and I know what you are thinking.. I must not watch her.. thats not the case! she's just so quick!!

These were from a little while back. I lost the camera I take video with for a while, now that I found it I'm sure I will capure more incidents.

I so wish I could capture more of these disastrous moments on film for proof!
Actually I wish that that they start happening less often.

Cousin love

Little Arabella and Chloe.

The cutest of cousins.

6 months apart

These cuties are so fun to capture.

Arabella is much easier to photograph that my own. But candy bribes work wonders on this girl.

All I had to do was tell Arabella to smile and she would sit still and look as happy as she could. Coco kept running to us for the Candy she was promised :)

I love this one of the girls holding hands.. so sweet. Bella looks so adorable in her tutu!

laughing right now while putting this one on the blog. I love how Bella is holding Chloe's face for the kiss..

Come on I'll take you ..

Gotta love those dimples!!

Naughty Chloe running away while we were trying to get a good picture of the girls.

Candid is really all that I can manage with such a busy girlie. Maybe in a few months she will be easier to direct. But for now I kinda like the candid ones :)