Recipes # 1-2

I love cooking, so decided to start posting recipes on here as a journal for myself on what I've made and share if any of you want to try them. Most are going to be ones I've done before but if I try a new one I'll let you know on that post! If you try any, I'd love a comment on how you liked it!! :)

#1 Strawberry Rice Krispy Treats

Needed Items:

6 Cups Orig Rice Krispies

1 Pkg (10 oz) Strawberry Marshmallows

3 Tablespoons Butter

Non Stick Cooking Spray

13 x 9 Pan

Instructions:

Heat butter in bowl pan on stove at medium until melted. Add in St. Marshmallows a hand full at a time and stir briskly until the whole package has been added and melted. Spray your pan with non-stick spray and set aside. Take bowl pan off burner and pour 6 cups of Krispies in the mixture and stir until fully coated. Pour evenly in 13 x 9 pan (it can get messy). Set aside until cooled, cut into squares, and serve!! Best if eaten with in two days.

#2 Cinnamon Apple Chips

Needed Items:

Cinnamon Sugar, Non-Stick Spray, Apples (as many as desired) and Baking Sheet

Instructions:

Bake oven at 350*

Slice Apples into very thin pieces (thinner the better). Coat both sides with Cinnamon Sugar then spread out on baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake in oven 10 mins on each side or until crisp.

*This was a first for me and I personally don't like them but I am not an apple person either!!

Inspirations

Just thought I would share some verses with my fellow bloggers!! These are clips from my daily devotionals. Hope you find that at least one speaks to you. I know I did!!

Matthew 16:25 - “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.”

Psalm 55:22 - “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

- What are you holding onto in your life that is keeping you from growing closer to God? Trust in HIM and let those things go!! Security is in the Savior!!

Psalm 139:23 - “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”

- Are there things confusing you or have you asking "why?" God is always there and His plans are perfect, period!!

Philippians 4:4 - “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”

- Happiness comes from out side circumstances and Joy comes from with. If we have God in our heart we should always be joyful!!
 

Psalm 55:22 - “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.”

- If we give it all up to God to save us, than why do we keep going back to the habit of carrying all our own problems and not trusting Him to take care of them? If God saves us from Hell then he can save us from anything!!

Psalm 18:2 - “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.”

- Don't just sing, talk, read, pray, or post about our belief in an awesome God but actually believe in Him and live through Him in all you do!! Meditate on the wonderful names He is worthy of (ex: Messiah, Father, Prince of Peace, Almighty, Good Shepherd....)
1 John 1:9 - “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

- Confess your sins (repent) and be set free from guilt through His sea of forgivenss. No better testimony than your own!!

John 3:16-17

All About Aiden!!

Adorable Incredible Discovering daily Entertaining New love!

Its been so long since I've updated on his progression leaving off around week 3 so to finish filling you in...he went through a feeding "growth spurt" and cried a good bit too till we got used to the change in ounces and fighting sleep round the clock. It was hard that week so I will state it mildly...exhaustion!! He discovered he no longer likes the "soothie" pacifier that he had in this picture and his favorites are Avent Ortho so we have four of those now just incase and he went from liking the bouncer to fussing when it vibrated so now its the swing! See a few post below for more on this week. This is the week we took our first round of family pictures too!

Week 4

Things are still about the same with sleeping. Some nights are all-nighters and some are just waking every few hours. I am starting to ask myself how much longer will this last? I basically stayed in my PJ's and looked so worn out this week as I was sleeping during the day and awake all night when he was and felt so out of touch with the world, not to mention my husband as we were on different schedules! Aiden became more alert this week and started looking around for things. He also began to hold his head up the whole time we burp him and has discovered he doesn't like that position (on our shoulder burping) either. It is funny how such a little person has so many preferences! lol He had his first swim experience the end of this week too. He did pretty good, a little fussy at first but then adjusted to the warm pool water and floated his legs and went to sleep in my arms...I said it must of felt like the womb! He sure did look cute in his attire though. We took more family, his one month, and a 5th generation Smith picture too. How neat Aiden got to meet his great-great grandmom or better yet, she got to meet and hold him!!
Week 5

Aiden is now very alert and notices faces and things now. He loves looking at his changing table puppy and spots you walking by him. He is making "cooing," "ahhing," and "Uhh" noises too! His head holding is becomming longer and longer and he still doesn't like to burp on our shoulder. He hardly ever burps for Chris for some reason so most of the time he gets passed to me! He's discovered a few more facial expressions he can make and I love it. We are now working on more tummy time and a lot of silly faces and noises go back and forth between us!! The sleeping is gradually getting better too. He sure must know when daddy changes his diaper because it never fails he will pee on himself, the table, on Chris, or all of it 8 out of 10 times but I've only gotten it three times in over a month. Weird I know, I have better odds since I'm here all day doing it too so thanks A!! lol The end of this week was the first time Aiden got to go to Church and he did pretty good, got a little noisy with grunting (which is his favorite thing to do) so Chris took him out during the preaching and watched from the lobby tv and then he was left with someone besides Chris or I and the first time I had even been away from him. It was the first night of our Caregroup and Chris insisted we start when the group did and had to coax me into it for a week, I hate to say I didn't want to go leaving him so soon, but the in-laws came to keep him at our house and we headed off for a total of 2 hrs and 40 mins!! lol

Week 6

Lots more pictures have been taken as he's doing more and making the cutest faces now! He has learned to make a few more noises and still does those cute faces he started a few weeks ago. We have discovered he is very strong and seems smart (but who doesn't think that about their kid)! Those legs push and kick off things and he moves non-stop. That little temper is coming out in him too, he has started getting mad when he cries and will clutch those fist and sometimes scratch at his face or ours so the mittens have gone back on!! On the other hand, he is also so lovable though. He now is okay with laying on your shoulder (if your not burping) and will "hug" onto you or hold his head up the whole time just curious at what all he sees! He knows when we are in the room or not and when he wants to make faces and play with you too. Its so cute! The sleeping is, I think, about set to a schedule. We have made it four days and three nights now with him going four hours between feedings during the day and five to six at night!! I hope it stays and am so thankful to get some rest; although, I have to pump I stretch it with his feedings. He is falling asleep on his own when we lay him in his pack 'n play (which is still in our room...wont be going to his room crib for a little while) but he still has to have the seahorse playing and a pacifier to soothe him! I have tried making him nap there during the day too instead of falling asleep in the swing or blanket in the den but we're still working on that. As a size update, he is still in almost all newborn outfits and diapers but is also filling out, so I guess he's just petite (for now). I'm impressed at how quickly he's learning and progressing and can't wait to see what this week holds as he'll be 7 weeks tomorrow!!

I promise I wont take as long to get the next few weeks out!!

Inside My Head

First, I just realized I have abandoned blogging. This isn't by choice but daily life keeping me so busy I only have a few minutes at a time to get on here which is never enough to blog all that I want. Always say "I will do it next time I'm on" then I don't have time! Now that I can, let's get going...and thanks for still following!!

Here are some random thoughts inside my head right now:

1. There needs to be a Target in Hernando! Oh maybe not I'd be in trouble if there was...

2. Showers mean so much now days. You stay-home-moms know exactly what I mean here!!

3. Why don't I take up running? Oh yeah, I'm tired.

4. Its SO hot outside I am actually looking forward to the beginning of fall, and for the record I said beginning!!

5. Why do babies fight their sleep? If it was up to me I'd gladly take every nap I could get in those comfy places like a soft padded swing or bouncer, a swaddle of blankets, mommy and daddy's arms, etc.

6. Why when it rains does the satellite or dish go out when they claim its better and more advanced than the regular television used to be?

7. Herbal Essence Hello Hydration is so good to my hair!! lol

8. Fruits ripen and bruise too quick and easy.

9. Has it actually been 7 weeks since I was fixing to deliver a baby?

10. Is my high school reunion really two years away...oh my gosh am I really that old already?!!

11.Redbox is addicting since its so cheap and convenient!

12. Is it bad I have to ask "what day is it" a couple times a week now?

13. I miss cooking and trying different meals...now its usually quick and easy!

14. My job is 24 hrs - 7 days a week now instead of a straight 40 hrs but I enjoy it so much more!

15. Ahh there are only 131 days till Christmas.

16. Why am I posting this random blog when I have so much to catch yall up on? lol

Life around here...

If I had posted this blog anytime in the last 5 years it would have been a lot different and about lots of vacations during the summer, freedom to go and do whatever - whenever, sleeping in on a rainy day, a full-time medical job, lazy or busy weekends which ever we chose, ballgames and muddy atv rides with the hubby!! Now let me share what life is like around here now...

Its a full-time schedule that is run by a handsome little boy whose in the 7lb range, a repeat of feedings, pumping, bottle cleaning, diaper changes, outfit changes, holding, rocking, lullabies, bouncer, swing, and tummy time!! Yes my day (and night) is all about our newborn now!! Me time you ask? On ocassion while he's sleeping during the day IF I haven't crashed myself :)

A summary of the first THREE weeks...yes he'll be that old tomorrow!!

The first week was pretty much packed with non-stop visitors, phone calls, and trying to adjust to the waking to feed schedule through out a 24 hour period only to start it over again the next day! Not much went on besides the usual eating, sleeping, and diaper changes this week. He has discovered the wonderful world of stretching and kicking those legs! I was recovering this week so it was a little tough, but I had some help from great family. Chris and I were over-whelmed with the people who wanted to see Aiden and bring us dinners to help out! Thanks again.

1 week

The second week was a little of the same, more people coming to see us or back for another visit! By this time I was needing a break, and not from the baby but from all the people! lol He was pretty much on a 3 hour schedule but I was having to pump every 2 to get rid of the Mastitis I developed so my sleeping time is very limited and wearing me down for sure. Aiden had his first Peditrician appt during this time and did great! He weighed 7lb 4oz such a little boy (surprised us b/c I was 8.5 and Chris was 10.2)! I got a ton of pictures during this week and I was able to get around better and was adjusting to everything new! Chris is back to going 4-wheeler riding and playing ball on weekends too but is helping out while home!

2 weeks
As the third week approaches, Aiden has gone through a growth spurt waking more like 2.5 hours for feedings so I had to up his ounces a little to get him back on track. During the day he's almost a angel sleeping and waking just to lay there quiet and look around but night time is a different story! Its up for feedings and not wanting to go back to sleep, fussy when he looses his pacifier (and I feel he's too young to "cry it out" yet) and I'm still up pumping so its a task trying to get back to sleep just to hear the alarm what seems like minutes later! Its no fun but worth it when I look into his pretty little face!! Chris took an entire night shift Friday and I actually slept 6 straight hours, a first since pregnancy and even then it wasn't that long towards the end! He is starting to be more animated, make noises, and notice things around him. He loves that pacifier and his bouncer is his new favorite since its like riding in the car I guess. When we go out he's actually great and sleeps most of the time no matter how many times you get him in and out of the car. This makes for trouble waiting to happen cause we can get a lot of shopping in that way! lol Aiden's latest check up he was 7lb 10.5 oz and almost back at his birth weight. This week we took those adorable little newborn pictures and a few family ones too! I will get more of those out soon...

So with all that being said, you can see its full time baby bliss around here now!! Even with 5 years to prepare it takes adjusting...I sure wouldn't trade it though! It might be difficult at times but God trusted me with this little life and I shall not fail...going to do nothing but my best at it :) As I was up early one morning it hit me that its not when things are going perfect that we grow stronger but those times that challenge us when we find our inner strength!!! I just lean on the passage Phil 4:13 as I push through in my new life.

First Two Weeks!!

Tomorrow Aiden will be 2 weeks old. Oh my, where did time go?

The first two weeks at home have been a busy one! We had tons of company and still trying to get adjusted. I am thinking of putting a sign on the door that we are no longer having vising hours due to lack of rest and sanity - every time we start something its another knock at the door! lol
I'm recovering pretty quickly but got hit with Mastitis last week which slowed me back down and made things hard. He sleeps a lot and that helps....actually he's been a very good baby (so far)!!! He started out on his own 3 hour schedule and its going great ;) Diaper changes are his favorite time to kick those legs like crazy making it a very hard task. He loves his paci already, but Daddy said no boy thumb sucker, we had to do something he loves having stuff in his mouth and hands in that face!
He's making the cutest faces this week. There are three he does most often which we call bird face, pouty lips, and he scrunchy forehead - which is Chris' favorite! I have to agree, kissing that little soft wrinkled head is the best! He just began to smile while he's sleeping and I wish I knew what was going through his head when he does that...probably thinking about how great his Mom has been to him!
He was introduced to the swing this week too. He's so little I have to roll up a blanket around him to keep him from falling over. His Mamaw (Chris' mom) got him a Sea Horse (a form of glow worm) and he likes listening to the music and watching it light up...life safer at night when he thinks he's gonna stay awake but I have other plans of sleeping! He is starting to recognize things around him and the toy bar above his head on the pack and play too...he looks up at it and makes a funny face like it startles him though!
Thursday was his first Peds appointment. Grammy (my mom) had to drive us to Memphis to meet Daddy since its by his work so we can have his first appointment all together! We got a great report and he lost his birth fluids and weighed in at 7lb 4oz now being accurately measured at 20" long. He did good and only cried when she was turning and pushing on him then he stopped and just looked around the rest of the time. After we went to Perkins to eat with my mom and a quick Target run for some baby necessities and he actually slept the WHOLE time!
Looking back over these two weeks, I can not believe he's actually here and growing so fast even though he's still so very small. I wonder what milestone we'll hit next? Baby don't grow up on me too fast you may be the only one and I want to cherish this!!

Aiden's Here!!

I am a little behind on posting considering we welcomed our little baby boy into the world last week and I'm still getting used to being a first time mom!! Here is the story and pictures!!

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 Chris and I left the house as a family of two for the last time heading to the hospital at 4am for me to be induced. We arrived at 5am and got transported to our room to begin what could be a long process! I got my first bag of fluids and all the monitors hooked up at 5:30am and we began to get anxious and nervous thinking of what lies ahead that neither of us have experienced before....so we started the morning off with a prayer while I was in the hospital bed and we lifted this to God as He's been so gracious to us we knew it was going to be okay!
The nurse brought my first bag of Pitocin in around 6 or so and shortly after I felt the very small contractions which weren't bad at all. We watched tv and I began taking full advantage of those marvelous ice chips while we slowly had family and friends fill the waiting room and take turns coming to see us! Dr Murrmann came in at 9:30 checked my progress and I was 2.5cm dilated (was 2cm when I arrived) so she broke my water (which I didnt feel at all thanks to the epidural I had just gotten)!! And yes I was nervous about that this whole time but the CRNA was awesome and I had no problems so then I could just chill the rest of the day while people said "your having a contraction and its high on the scale!" lol I had a few checks and wasn't progressing too quickly and family in the waiting room kept on asking how much longer. But hey, I had told them all not to come too soon wait till we let them know its close cause with it being my first that could take forever being induced to labor! By 2pm I was 4cm and had about 10 cups of ice chips by now and a million text messages of questions! lol Chris and I were getting tired but couldn't sleep, he finally decided to leave the room and get lunch in the cafeteria while he sent Brandy in to make me laugh a little. Now its almost 4pm and I am 8cm and contractions are back to back so its getting close...then another check about 4:20pm and its 10cm and time to push! But wait....my epidural has worn off I need to ask some questions first. I can feel the contractions (not as bad as with out one but knew more than if it was still working) so I asked the nurse if I got the other dose they said I can have with me being right here will it slow the pushing down? Her answer, "yes you could push double the time and most first timers are average 2hrs so if I were YOU I'd pass on it if you think you can handle it." So I looked at Chris and he gave me this "you can do it look" so I turned to her and said, "I'm going for it, lets get this over with!" Dr Murrmann walks in and the nurses had already brought in all the carts etc. So now the time I have dreaded starts...contraction and first push at 4:30pm!! Chris was wonderful and such a support both with the leg and vocally encouraging me along through the pain. Aiden had been in the birthing position since 34 weeks, and as we suspected this whole time, with the hard contractions he twisted face up (meaning he'd be looking at the ceiling when I delivered instead of the floor) at least its not breach where I'd had to get transported to an OR. My doctor tried turning him back over but he wouldn't go because contractions were so close and she looks at me and says, "If he hadn't turned you would have delivered already, but this OP position is harder to push out...he's about to crown and if we use low forceps he'll be out on the next round of pushes." Again, I look to Chris for a little help in deciding and he was wonderful saying, "you can do it he's almost here!" So I took a sigh of relief that God was in control of this room and told her with full trust in her decisions, "Whatever you have to do to get HIM here safe!" So the forceps are handed over and with the next set of contractions I begin to push (let me remind you the epidural had worn off earlier) and out he came with 5 hard pushes!! Aiden is finally here at 5:23pm (53 mins of pushing) weighing 7 lbs 12 oz and 20" long!!! Chris got to cut the cord then they put him on my stomach and I fell in love at that moment! He is perfect and so much more than I ever imagined, thank you Lord! Chris then followed him around with the camera just smiling over at me. We are finally parents and minutes away from holding our son! We ended the process how we started it, praying and thanking God for what he's done! Recovery lasted 2 hours...one for me to be released for transfer and the other hour because the floor was packed with deliveries and they had no rooms at the moment. There were 16 babies born on June 29th while we were there so that's how hectic it was that night! Finally, I said okay we'll let the grandparents in to see us since we're still in the actual delivery room so Chris goes to get them and comes back with 12 people.....yes the whole waiting room full of visitors came in at once with cameras flashing in our faces everywhere!! Around 8pm we were transferred to our room for the rest of the stay and the family/friends who came to see us got to pass him around. We finally got to eat at 10:30pm and settle in for the night...its been a long 31 hours since we left the house! Let me go out saying Aiden is adorable and we just LOVE him to death and I thank GOD for all his mighty blessings in our life :) Enjoy the pictures below!

Opening My Eyes...

Okay I have to say sitting at home with just our puppy, Alex, everyday just waiting on 'delivery day' to come is getting pretty boring. I am 38 weeks today and my last day of work was the day I turned 36 weeks! I have laid with my feet up so much I think my back side has gotten flatter, watched so much TV my eyes hurt, checked so many web sites I could become a Internet coordinator, and cleaned-washed-organized-etc that there is nothing left to do!! So I say I am ready for a newborn to be taking up all my time; although, I've been told I will wish these days upon me again...which I don't doubt cause I do get stressed easily.

Now that last statement brings me to the title of opening my eyes! As I read a friends blog this morning, I was reminded that I too give things up to God and pray-take them back and worry about it-then give back up again to Him. This isn't how HE wants us to do it...once we give it up it should be out of mind because He is in control! That's where human nature takes over challenging us daily. As the birth of Aiden approaches and the thoughts of that and parenthood, how we"ll make it on one income, the "what if's" and so on bring me to the remembrance of what I've come across in the past that I'm leaning on to get me through!

Last year Chris and I both read through the book Crazy Love, by Francis Chan, and I have to say I may need to go back through it soon! The chapter "Profile of the Lukewarm" really got to me when I read the book. You do not realize how easily we can fall into this category, even when we're doing what is thought to be good an right! So I quote two verses referenced in the midst of this chapter that I have to say speaks big...

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22)
"Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.."
(Colossians 3:2)

These are so true for me in the fact of stating I get stressed and worry easy. I pray for God to be in control but then I still worry about them so I have to think what am I really doing?

I have so much to be thankful for and so much opportunity has risen for us! Just in the past 9 mons I have prayed for protection and strength during this pregnancy and I could not have had a better experience and bypassed ALL the winter sicknesses the way I did with out that being given fully to God. So the chapter "When you're in Love" (from Crazy Love) has a verse that opened my eyes in a different way!

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song." (Psalm 28:7)

As I often worry about the little things, I have to quickly look at all I've been given and all the things I should NOT be worrying about. With out the love for God and making Him the center of everything I KNOW we would not have or be able to do what we do with out that. I have a great husband whose Christian ways have continually grown over the 5 years we've been married, we're growing closer together as we grow closer to God as a couple and individuals, we landed into a great new church home a little over a year ago, our first baby blessing from God is on the way, and we have some amazing family and friends who are great examples of God's love in our life! Thank you GOD for all you have done, are doing, and will do for me!

With all that being said, I have to stop...look up...open my eyes and SMILE!

Here are a few other passages that are great reminders for me...

These are from More Faith in My Day, the book of Proverbs for women by Emilie Barnes.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

"A faithful woman will abound the blessings." (Proverbs 28:20)

"Anxiety in a woman's heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad." (Proverbs 12:25)

These are just straight from the Bible or memory!!
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
(Hebrews 13:5)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God." (Philippians 4:6)

"For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23)

"Humble yourselves; therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6)

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for mercy of our Lord Jesus unto eternal life." (Jude 1:21)

*I know this is long, but my mind was going and I felt the need to share it, after all that's what I started blogging for!!

Random...

I would say being at home all day just waiting for Aiden to decide to throw those labor pains on me makes for a very random post!

8AM guess I'll go for a walk since I cant sleep in and also time to wish Chris off to a good day at the lake with his guy friends!

Big bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios. There is nothing on TV! What to do?

Got laundry done and a little picking up...actually I've cleaned all week so there wasn't anything to clean and my laundry loads are so small. Oh well I'm up doing something!

Took a nap with Alex...my phone kept ringing during this time...and AT&T is on my bad list if they don't fix the service problem that 'all of a sudden' hit our area.

Found a few movies to keep me occupied while I fixed a juicy BLT and Doritos!

Piddled around the house and thought of all kinds of things I WILL be doing soon when I have a newborn 24/7. I actually cannot wait now...but I know I will miss the quiet lazy days then!

Put up clothes I washed earlier...organized photo albums on the coffee table...Re-packed our hospital bags!

Watching License to Wed (for the third time I think) while I eat Chicken Nuggets and saute vegetables.

Its dark and thinking the boys got lost on the lake today! HA I guess I'll go for our nightly walk...time to get the IPOD out and jam!

Yes a LONG boring day...and Alex agrees!

Pregnancy Progression

I'll go through from the beginning with a summary since its been a long 8 months!!

We found out we were expecting our first child on October 22, 2009 and had to wait two weeks for our first 'confirmation' appointment. We officially found out the Friday before my Birthday (which was neat) and my due date is to be July 2, 2010. Time to tell family and close friends!
The first tri-mester was not all that bad (it could have been worse) I never had the morning sickness which was my one "please spare me" request! I had that bloated feeling so no "eating for two" for me yet...

4weeks (day I found out)

Second tri-mester was better and I didn't have any out of the ordinary symptoms. We also got to find out the gender around 20 weeks and it was a BOY! The name was decided when we left the ultra sound room...Aiden Christopher! Now the fun starts with shopping, room decor, and registering!

16weeks

20weeks (ITS A BOY)

Third tri-mester has flown by! This is the time when your mind is busy with preparing the house, multiple doctor visits, and those much awaited baby showers!
I've had some minor problems with the circulation, varicose veins, and back pain from the pressure of him sitting SO low this whole time (please dont turn or move at the end). Each week of a pregnancy is an exciting milestone! Now that we're in the last month and its an any day now feeling its a whole new mix of emotions!

28weeks

37weeks

Countdown is 3 weeks!! Aiden we are so ready to meet you :)