Chick Fil A

Jules and Josh came over this week to help us make some special treats for the Chick-fil-A Moms group!  We made up some simple and kid-friendly recipes and we had four helpers in the kitchen (well, I take that back, I'm not sure if we should consider Anne a helper).  Both had similar ingredients and were easy for the kids to pour in and mix together.  The first recipe we made was Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars.

The first step was to line the bottom and sides of an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper.  Next, in a large bowl, the kids combined 

 

• 1½ cup regular oats
• 1 cup whole almonds, roughly chopped
• ⅓ cup ground flax seed
• ⅓ cup pepitas
• ⅓ cup dried cranberries
• 10 dried apricots, finely sliced
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

In a separate bowl, they microwaved 

• 1 cup peanut butter
• ½ cup maple syrup

for about 20 seconds until the mixture was smooth and runny.  Then, they mixed the two bowls together and mashed everything into the baking dish.  Waiting for the bars to set in the refrigerator for an hour was the most difficult step! 

our next recipe was for Quick and Easy No Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal Energy Bites.  In a medium bowl the kids added 

• 1 1/2 to 2 cups dry, uncooked oatmeal
• 1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter or other nut or sun butter
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup quality honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

Once the mixture was soft and not sticky, they added 

• 1/2 cup mini dark chocolate chips

Then they rolled it into balls and placed them on a tray.  They also sampled quite a few before we stored the rest in the fridge to eat later!

Happy Mother's Day to the one who taught me how to be a mom!

A Beautiful Monday in May

Yesterday turned out to be a cooler, gorgeous day.  Seth asked if we wanted to meet him for lunch, so after we picked Jane up from preschool we all headed to Silo at Reynolda Village.  We were able to snag a table outside.  The girls played with the rocks and I admired the beautiful flowers while we waited for our food.  

 Then, after the girls woke up from their naps we jumped in the car and went to the new sprayground at Little Creek Recreation Center.  The water was cold, but the sun was beating down so it was fun to put your fingers and toes in.  Anne was scared at first, but after she got used to it, she loved stomping the water and being silly with her sister.  I love spending Mondays with these girls!

Dancing Queens

Jane has been "teaching" Anne some of her new moves from her ballet class.

The Most Expensive Strawberries

Saturday, Ashley invited us to go strawberry picking at Clodbuster Farms in Kernersville.

Of course the girls ate more than they picked, but we still managed to fill one bucket (a gallon).

Ashley, Morgan and Kevin joined us

 and then Audrey, Clara and Henry.

When I went to pay the girl for the strawberries, I reached in my pocket and my $20 bill was not there.  It must have fallen out in the field or on the way to the field.  I retraced some of my steps and could not find it, so I went back to the car and got another $10 bill.  $30 for a gallon of strawberries and a whole lot of fun!

An Almost 4 Year Blogging Hiatus

I'm not sure what got me thinking about blogging recently, but after 3 and a half years and another child, I decided I would like to try blogging again.  It only last for a short bit the first time, so we'll see how long I can keep it up now (especially with a 3.5 and a 1.5 year old and summer coming)!  I'd love to have the pictures and stories as a personal journal to look back on, so let's hope I can stay dedicated.

Two Months

2 months, September 27, 2013
9 pounds, 3 ounces (5th percentile)
21.5 inches (11th percentile)
15 inch head circumference (44th percentile)

milestones
grew from newborn to size 1 diapers
started using cloth diapers
grew out of most of your newborn clothes, wearing 0-3 months or 3 months)
drinks from a bottle easily
began to smile
"talks" more and makes cooing sounds
focusing more for longer periods
using hands to reach for and swat at toys
sleeps for much longer stretches at night (usually one 6-7 hour stretch)
usually takes 4 naps during the day
first trip to the beach- slept entire car ride there and back
growing some hair back on top of your head
got 3 shots and 1 oral vaccine
still loves being outside

Eight Weeks

I think this will be the last of my weekly updates.  We are so busy now it is hard to find time to post and our weeks are starting to look similar without many new visitors.  Jane is so much more interactive now and I find myself "playing" with her all day.

Saturday: I got up early and went to Traditional Yoga at the hospital with Angela.  My back and shoulders were killing me and I knew Mommy/Baby Yoga weren't going to help!  Then, Kelly and Brett came to Winston to meet Jane and we all went out to eat at Mayberry's.  For dinner we went and grilled out at the Tuckers.

Big cousin Jules holding Jane

Sunday:  We did our usual walk to Starbucks in the morning.  Mom kept Jane while Seth and I went to Serah's Letters From Home show at the Hanesbrands Theater.  I only stayed until intermission and then I went back to feed Jane and help my parents pass out water, lemonade and apples for Cycling Sunday.

We had our usual pizza night at the Fracks after Seth's soccer game.  Drew, Danielle and Ellie came and brought this amazing Brownie Brittle.  Yum!
















Monday: Stroller Workout in the morning. No Boundaries started and Seth had Camel City Jazz Orchestra rehearsal so Jane stayed with Nanna.  Josh and Jules were there too.

Jane also tried her first cloth diaper today.  They are a little big, but they work.  I'm excited to start using them and so is she!

Go Heels!

Tuesday: We walked at Reynolda Gardens with Cat and Kara (and Finley and Hayden) and then came home after that instead of going to music.  Since Seth had a work dinner, we went back to Reynolda Gardens with the other Kat and took Bella.  Afterwards we ate outside at Bobs for dinner.

Wednesday: Jane and I went to eat lunch at the Mayflower with Nanna, Pap and Josh and then we went to Myers' Greenhouse to buy mums for the front porch.  Yay for Fall!

Pirates!  Arrrgh!

Thursday:  Pap, Nanna, Josh and Teddy stopped by for me to take their picture before they went to Pirate Day at Krispy Kreme.  Then Jane and I went to Mommy/Baby Yoga and the New Mother's Group at the hospital- Jane weighed 9 pounds, 1.8 ounces with her clothes on (I didn't want to strip her down since she was happily sleeping!)
I had No Boundaries at night and Seth walked her and Bella around while we ran so that he could show her off at the end.

Friday: We stayed home so we could start to work on a nap "schedule" and also because we planned on walking with Kate in the afternoon.  As it ended up, Jane slept until 12:00 and I had to wake her up then!  Seth got off of work early so we were able to spend the afternoon together and then Michelle (from 1st Street) came over for dinner.

Seven Weeks

Sunday: First thing in the morning we walked to the Bagel Station/Starbucks with Serah, Mat and Sydney.  Syd was interested in Jane's bottle of milk :)

Then, we had a very busy afternoon.  First we headed over to Howard and Karen's house for a quick visit since their friends were in town from England.  From there we went straight to 2nd Sunday on Fourth downtown to hear Martha Bassett's band play.  Then, we had Pizza and Bluegrass family night as usual after Seth's soccer game.

Monday: In the morning we went to Fit Mamas Stroller Workout at South Fork Park.  Cat and Finley joined us this time.  Jane was a little fussy, but Emily (the instructor) held her and she went right to sleep.
I had Fleet Feet No Boundaries Kick-Off and Seth had CCJO rehearsal at night.  Jane stayed with Nanna and then I finished feeding her when we got home.  Monday night she slept from 10-4 and then again from 5:30-8:30!  WHOO-HOO!!!  Nanna must have the magic touch!

Tuesday: Seth, Jane and I went downtown to buy a newspaper from Susan to support the Food Bank first thing in the morning.  Then Seth went to work and we headed to the Children's Museum for Forsyth Family's Kids Morning Out with Pap and Josh.  That night for dinner we all went to Pancho Villas.  Jane was pretty fussy so we had to alternate eating and walking her around outside.

Wednesday:  We must not have done much on Wednesday, because this is the only picture I have and I can't remember anything.  Jane likes to have her arms up or out when she sleeps!

Thursday: I had my postpartum follow-up appointment with Dr. Pollard and Jane came with me.  Everything looked great!
GB and Dama kept Jane for a couple of hours at night while Seth had rehearsal and I made some clothing returns and went to the grocery store.  It's amazing how much quicker I can get things done when I don't have her with me :)

Friday: In the morning we walked with Cat and Kara at Reynolda Gardens and then went to Music and Movement at the library.
Kate and Ryan came over for dinner and we made Vietnamese Spring Rolls.  Delicious!

Six Weeks

Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Ocean Isle for Lisa & Clint's Wedding

Hangin' out on Aunt Camilla's Quilt

and in Daddy's lap

Seth playing frisbee on the beach

Ocean Isle Beach

Partying at the Wedding Reception

I only squeaked at the ceremony when dad played the guitar

Beach Bum

Tuesday morning we walked with Cat and baby Finley at Reynolda Gardens and then went to Music and Movement at the library.

Tuesday morning we walked with Cat and baby Finley at Reynolda Gardens and then went to Music and Movement at the library.  Then we went to visit Nanna, Pap and Josh before they headed off to the beach.

Wednesday we went to a playdate and walk at Tanglewood.

Thursday we went to Mommy Baby Yoga and the New Mom's Group at the hospital.  Jane weighed 8 pounds, 2.9 ounces!  Whoa!  That afternoon we had massages and then Seth and I took Jane to First Street for dinner so Michelle could meet her.  Her first trip to the bar :)  We got all kinds of looks!

Friday we went to Book Babies at Reynolda Library, but it was really Mary Time Music!  Jane was way too young to participate, but it was still fun to go and expose her to the music and interact with other moms.  Afterwards we stopped by Seth's work to hang out for awhile.  Then Courtney came over after she got off work and helped me give Jane a bath.

This morning we got up at the crack of dawn to go visit our Fleet Feet friends before their 7am run.  Now we have a busy day scheduled.  First, we're off to see Christin and Gary's new "land" and take Bella swimming in their pond.

Five Weeks

Last Saturday morning I went to a Fit Mamas Workout group I found online.  It was at Joanie Moser Park in Lewisville.  Emily and George met us there.  The instructor, also named Emily, is an ME instructor and has a 6 month old boy.  There were about 8 moms there with kids ranging from 4 weeks (Jane) to 14 months old.  We did a circuit type workout, moving our strollers from mat to mat and doing exercises with weights at each station.  Jane was wonderful and pretty much slept the entire time.  It was so great to workout again, but man did it kick my butt!  I might have overdone it a little bit, having not done that type of lunging and weightlifting in quite a while :)  I hurt so badly the next day!

After that I came home and Kyleigh and Alfred came by to meet Jane.  Terry, Anna and Bridge ended up stopping by at the same time so we had a full house.  That afternoon Seth and I were able to get away for our first "date" since Jane arrived.  Back in March, I bought a Groupon for a Couples' Massage class and scheduled it for a couple of weeks after her due date thinking it would be a fun thing to do.  Little did I know Seth would be having surgery that week also!  Anyway, it was nice to get away for awhile and Mom and Dad surely enjoyed keeping Jane for 2 hours.

Sunday morning we invited Terry, Anna, Drew and Danielle over to join us for our weekly walk to Starbucks.  T and A brought Audrey along so Bella had a buddy as well.  I'm sure it was quite a site to see 3 strollers, 6 adults and 2 dogs walking through Ardmore.  It was really fun enjoying our new normal with such good friends.

Susan Busch brought dinner on Sunday evening and then we headed over to the Frack's for bluegrass practice.

Monday I went back to the park to do another Stroller Workout with the Fit Mamas group.  The news came to film a segment for TV, so Jane might be a star.

Tuesday morning we went to Music and Movement at the Central Library and mom and Josh met us there.  It will definitely be more fun when she gets older, but it was nice to sing to her and have her exposed to the music.  That was also Jane's one month birthday so we did a photo shoot.

Wednesday Jane and I ventured out to our friend Natalie's farm with grandpa/Dama Kevin.  Jane just loves being outside.  For dinner we all went to Panera with the Tuckers.

Thursday we went back to Mommy/Baby Yoga and I weighed Jane at the Nursing Mother's Center afterwards.  She weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces, which meant she has been gaining more than a pound a day since two weeks ago when I weighed her there.

Friday morning we left early for Ocean Isle.  It took us a little longer than expected to get there, but Jane was an excellent traveler.  She slept almost the entire way, waking up to eat once and making noise for a total of 1 minute.  Seth and I realized what it's like to travel with a baby.  It's a good thing Bella didn't go with us, because I don't think she would've fit!  Our Volvo was packed to the brim.

We ended the night at the rehearsal dinner at a house on the beach and Jane fell asleep off in the corner.

One Month

Four Weeks

Last Saturday morning Amanda came to visit and Saturday evening Aunt Camilla and Uncle Ted finally got to see her.  They also brought some frozen Brunswick Stew which we cannot wait to eat!  I also had the treat of getting a "back to school" pedicure with Beth and Serah while Seth stayed at home with Jane.  We introduced the bottle to her and she seemed to have no problems taking milk from the milk man :)

Sunday morning we walked to the Bagel Station and Starbucks with the dogs and Serah and Mat.  Betsy stopped by after that and then we spent the afternoon running errands.  Sunday night we had bluegrass practice and chicken pie at the Frack's.

For lunch on Monday Cheryl brought salads for mom and I.  Jane loved sleeping in her arms.

Tuesday Cindy came by for a quick visit.

Early Wednesday morning Seth had surgery.  Kevin came to pick him up at 6:45am and Mom came over to sit with me at 7.  I was a nervous wreck, but I tried to get a little bit of sleep while Mom took care of Jane.  Kevin sent frequent updates, which was so helpful.  Seth went into surgery around 10:15 and the nurse updated us once during the surgery and then we finally heard he was out around 12:45.  He was taken up to a room for extended recovery, while the anesthesia wore off and they gave him additional pain medicine.  They were released to go home around 4:30, so it was a very long day of waiting!

Here is Seth with his lovely ear bandage.  Dr. Maxwell was pleased with how the surgery went.  That night we were able to go to Kevin and Beth's for dinner as Seth had requested pork tenderloin, salad and potatoes.

Thursday we took it easy all day as Seth's equilibrium was really off and his pain was worse.  I was able to get out and go to Mommy Baby Yoga in the morning and we all were able to make it to the park that evening to get Bella some exercise, but Seth was feeling pretty rough.  He actually had me stop the car on the way home from the park, because he got so dizzy.  He had to get out and throw up in some random person's yard.  Poor thing!

Friday Mom came over to help watch Jane so that I could get our house cleaned up a little.  Serah came to take Seth and Bella to the park.  That was so helpful!  That evening Phillip, Wendy, Gabriel and Noah dropped off Pancho Villas for dinner.  We were exhausted from such a stressful week.


Visitors this week:
Amanda
Aunt Camilla and Uncle Ted
Betsy
Cheryl
Cindy
Phillip, Wendy, Gabriel and Noah