Lately...

Well, Aiden is almost 5 Months (that post coming in a week) and he's changing everyday!! He is so much fun and gets cuter every week (I know he's my kid so of course I'll say that). His curiosity to learn amazes me daily and helps me strive to be a better teacher for him...

Our house-hold hasn't been up to too much lately, I like to lay low during the "sick season" so we are cozy and comfy at home most of the time! This month is busy with birthdays and the holidays. One birthday we celebrated was mine!! Chris brought me some Dunkin' Donuts and bought me some nice dress boots then took me to Longhorns that night. That weekend we had a family dinner with a few friends joining us and ate Olive Garden! Yummy.

I also have been busy venturing out a few times for myself while Chris took care of Aiden. My favorite outing was the "Refresh" night with church for the women of Broadway!! We painted pottery and had a blast and made more new friends. I'm looking forward to the next night out!

 

Happy 4 Months Aiden!!

Aiden's 4 months old...October!

1. He has his schedule (feeding, playtime, napping, and night sleeping) down so tight now that he's pretty much predictable! He used to do better while we were out b/c he would sleep the whole time but now its opposite! He loves to be in his bed (pack-n-play...yes he's still in our room) and cries if he's tired an we're out. He's now skipping the middle of night feeding so we usually go from 9pm to 5am with the occasional nights of waking once or twice fussing b/c he has a dirty diaper, wants his paci that fell out, or just is awake and needs his momma! So I've been trying to let him "cry it out" a bit if I know its the last reason!! Yesterday I started letting him take naps in his actual crib and it didn't go so great. Today I laid him in there while I hung up all his clothes and let him play and get used to it as something good not scary and then tried the afternoon nap today in there and its going good so far! 

 

2. The 4 month check up went great last week too. He got his second round of shots, daddy went this time and it made him sad to watch, and only cried a minute. His measurements were: 11lbs 8oz and 24 inches long! He's still little but I think its so cute, and since he's healthy its all good! He's just now in 0-3 month clothes and some 3M if they have footie's attached. So Christmas we're gonna just ask for gift cards to buy clothes as/when we need them since he's not growing outta sizes fast I wont know what he'll be in or need after Christmas and different brands fit different too.

 3. We're trying rice cereal in the night and morning bottles. It's helping or could just be the timing b/c he's now able to sleep longer at night. I did try to feed him from a spoon and the first time went great...he even helped hold the spoon and pull to his mouth...the next two times not so much as he cried and wanted his warm bottle! Oh well, we've got time so I'm gradually trying it here and there to prepare for the 6 month foods. I did buy a few jars of the "supported sitter/4month" fruits to try out but I think I may wait closer to 5 months.

4. Play times are so much fun with Aiden now!!! He is just so happy. He grabs at everything, chews on his toys, laughs, jabbers what sounds like stuff we constantly say to him, loves his puppy, is so curious, likes to watch a few cartoons (Jungle Junction being a favorite), and even does a little squeal when he gets excited while he's playing! Its so cute! I try to read, sing, and work on milestones like sitting strength and real words too - hey your never too young to start learning! 

 

5. He has grown to really like his Daddy almost as much as he likes his momma! lol At first, he wasn't so sure about any one but me and now that Chris has been home a lot more and he's at the playing stage its so cute to watch them now. He will just smile when Chris comes home from work and bends down to talk to him. Chris is always telling me "Babe, he is just so precious...I love him!" One thing is for sure he is LOVED in this house!! :)

 6. It was Aiden's first Halloween last weekend and he was THE MOST adorable Baby Bumble Bee!! We went to our church Trunk or Treat at Broadway Baptist so decided to go as a family theme. I was Momma Bee, Aiden was Baby Bee, and Chris was the Bee Catcher!! I thought it was a clever idea if I say so myself. lol We had a lot of fun with our friends and went to eat with a few couples after too. It was a lot of our friends first Halloween for their little ones too so we got lots of pictures!

God is Great!

Gods art -work is the most precious gift to us each day!!

I have to start remembering to take the time to stop and look around!! Here is a glimpse at what I caught on vacation to Florida a few weeks ago...

Happy 3 Months!!

I'm a day late but Aiden is 3 months old!! Was it really June 29th when we welcomed his little body into the world? I was astonished that I had just delivered a baby much less fell in love the moment I saw him...and still do!!!

Dear Ada Boo, you amaze me daily...seriously! I can not believe how much you seem to grow mentally and physically (although you are just now growing out of most newborns). Your last check up, which was two weeks ago, you weighed an even 10lbs. I know you have gained since just from picking you up! You go back for shots the end of Oct. so we'll see then! You are SO alert now just laughing, making more noises, and actually reaching for and holding toys! Promise it sounds like you say "Ha" to us after we say Hey to you over and over. I will throw in an "Hola" and you just grin so big! Your attention span is limited so I have to change your stimulation quite often. You have been sleeping 6 to 8 hours at night and I'm so proud, especially since you don't really fight sleep anymore! There are times when you get thrown off - like the past week! Think its a growth spurt though because I had to increase your ounces too and I just started rice cereal in your night bottle a few days ago so we'll see how this works out. The day starts with a bottle, some story time and singing with mommy, and a few educational shows on Sprout and Playhouse Disney! Your favorite songs are "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Happy and You Know It" , and anything I make up to keep you entertained! Your dad made up one to teach you how to spell your first and last name to the tone of the Mickey Mouse song! Its pretty clever! "Amazing Grace" seems to calm you down when you are fussy; although it does not always work! A good nap follows your morning routine then a lunch bottle and play time together which I love. After that, you go down for a long afternoon nap. When you wake from that its time for your independent time in your play gym! I feel you need some discovery time on your own so you don't get too attached and have to rely on me to play and learn everything. You are really able to use things now instead of just lay and look. Daddy usually comes home during this time and you get to be held and played with until its time for your bedtime routine (which is quick yet gets the point across to you its time by a fresh diaper, long pajamas, and Johnson's bedtime lotion) and then its your bottle and straight to the pack and play to fall asleep!
So, your first vacation to Florida was a 7 day stay for you at only 11 weeks! Yeah we took you that young and still enjoyed ourselves!! The combo of fresh air, breeze, and sound of the ocean was your favorite. You would be so good when we went to eat, were at the beach, and pool because you usually sprawled all fours out and slept in the shade!! Pict below! The condo wasn't your favorite because you didn't recognize anything an that had you all out of your comfort zone. Since the trip you don't like getting in your car seat...but who can blame you after a long drive like that! A few new things you have discovered the past couple days are helping hold your bottle, trying to turn over, grabbing my hands or your toes while we change a diaper, and really loving those hands in the mouth! So if I wasn't bad enough already I am a real germaphobe now!!! Dreft wipes, Pacifier wipes, and Purell are a MUST!! I have so enjoyed these 13 weeks together and if time could stand still I'd let it because you are growing up way too fast. I take a million pictures of you but I will have every moment for years to come :) Love you baby boy!

Recipe #3

#3 Wontons

These are both kinds below with a side of Spanish Rice!!

Ok, this one is a combo of two types of Wontons I make! The recipes call for a dozen of these so that is what I will list below. This one I actually split it all in half to make 6 of each kind to show for the blog! I serve Spanish rice as the side! I've also done Mexican rice with the Taco ones too! Its better if you fix one kind at a time for taste :)

*Needed Items for either recipe:

Wonton package (this is more than enough for the two dozen)

Muffin pan
Non-stick cooking spray
Spanish Rice package (optional)

Taco Wontons

*see needed items above first

1 lb ground beef

1 pkg taco seasoning mix

1/2 pkg sprinkle cheddar cheese

taco sauce - I use mild taco bell from wal mart!

Beefy Ranch Wontons

*see needed items above first

1 lb ground beef

1 pkg ranch seasoning dry mix

1/2 pkg sprinkle Italian cheese

ranch dressing

Bake oven 350* while browning ground beef in a pan.  After beef is done, mix in package of seasoning and simmer for about 5 mins to let the taste soak in. Spray muffin pan with non-stick spray then partially over lap two wonton shells in one muffin hole and repeat for whole pan. Fill cups with ground beef mix then top with cheese and bake for approx 10 mins or until tips of shells are brown. Once cooked, top with sauce or ranch and serve!! 

These two dishes are an easy favorite at our house!!

2 Months!

Happy 2 Months Ada Boo!!

 

Well it does not seem like you've been in this world for that long, or that we're actually parents after 5 yrs of marriage!! At your check up on Thursday, you weighed 9lbs 12oz and 22 1/2 inches long! So in 2 months you've gained exactly 2 lbs since birth and grown 2 1/2 inches. You are now on a good feeding schedule at 4hr days and 6hr nights; although, you don't have a specific "go to bed" time yet but thanks for the sleep! lol The "wake times" are more frequent and you play more now throwing your hands up at your hanging toys on the play place, oh and you've found those hands! You have grown a new love to the blue puppy that used to sit on your changing table since you came home so it doesn't sit there anymore cause it goes where you are now! We've been out and about a good bit and are usually better then than you are when we're home...you've been going to church and fall asleep during the singing if you don't on the ride there! I have to say you are becoming attached to me but I would rather have it that way than  to a babysitter who would keep you 40+hrs a week if I worked. Your smile is adorable and you make the cutest noises now...and you kick like CRAZY!! I am so blessed to say your my little boy and I am excited to watch you grow. Thank you Lord for this little blessing!!!

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