Family Sunday...

This Sunday it was family day where my brother is studying.

We took about a 35 minute drive out to see him.

I was nervous, considering Andrew had never ever been on a long car ride, and he's pretty unpredictable...but away we went.

And he was an angel ..NOT ONE PEEP the entire car ride.

He was even well behaved and we ALL got to sit and eat breakfast while he sat - awake- in his carseat on the chairs beside us.

Sister enjoyed herself. She had a little of everything for brunch.. including a bite of apple below.
My Mom was there, and our Aunts and Uncles as well.
It was such a nice event, and I was glad we werent too afraid to make it with both kids...
I think its our fear of "what if he starts crying" that is what holds us back.. but the fact is, he's a baby, and he cries..and mostly its us the parents who get embarrased... and red faced.. when its not a big deal at all, we just feel bad for the other people around us.

But Andrew did well, and we're planning a little trip next week too .. which is a little longer..
baby steps I guess!

Little man with his Daddy...

Great family Sunday!

WILW - Its been too long!

WILW - I cannot remember the last time I participated... but It is about time I catch up!

Mostly Im loving that my sweet baby boy is doing much better.

Sleeping better, acting better, eating better...

We're approaching month 3, and hopefully things are headed in a better direction overall.

Life is getting better around here...

Pink Drink - New Favorite

Pink Drink ...

I've had a few of these this week since we had all the ingredients.

Im thinking of doing a big punch bowl full of this stuff for Andrew's Christening in May.

Art

Im loving that I've even found time to get back into my art.

This is a stool Im in the middle of right now...

Shopping!

Lastly I've been doing some shopping, and let me say its refreshing to try on a pair of regular jeans, tops, skirts and shorts.

I found a cute dress from Ruche online for Andrew's Christening, and today I foud some great deals at Old Navy.. plus 30% off!

I found these awesome trouser jeans (below) and I got a few shirts as well, and a couple things for the kiddos!

Happy Wednesday!

Its Official {Some News}

Well Its Official.. I am no longer trying to juggle working and a family life.

I am an official Stay at Home Mom, and I couldnt be happier!

I had often thought before I had Andrew, "Gosh, how am I going to do this with two!"

For the last 2.5 years I've kept my job as a recruiter with a fabulous company.

I started back with them waaaaay back when Mathew was in Iraq.

They let me work from home and recruit from NC, flew me to FL for training.. and after Samantha came I went right back to Full Time... ( I was home, in NC, and she was SUCH an amazing baby..that I could manage BOTH successfully, without childcare/nanny)

Then when we moved in Nov 2009... I went part time, just because I had no full time help, and I wasnt crazy about the idea of daycare. Not to say ANYTHING bad about it at ALL.. but it just was a decision we made for our family that worked for us.

August 2010 - we found an amazing Nanny for Samantha. Someone we knew through someone, so it was a personal connection. She was in school for childhood psychology.. PERFECT! So she could babysit/diagnose any problems, ha! Just kidding.

Samantha grew to LOVE her and so did we! It worked out perfectly .. again..

Now adding Mister Andrew would be a change for sure. I wasnt sure how I was going to handle it at all.. I was prepared to go back to work, possibly part time, until I could figure out a solution. Our beloved Nanny is getting ready to enter the real-world workforce and is oddly enough, moving to North Carolina! (Im a little jealous!.. Okay a LOT)

So, I mustered up the courage to have one of those very uncomfortable conversations with my boss, since on Monday 4/24, I was technically due back at work full time.

Since poor Andrew has had a lot of issues and challenges since birth, it really IS harder for me to take care of him, even if there was no 2 year old running around..

My boss was completely understanding and wonderful.

He's a family man, and understands. I've known him for almost 7 years now, and I will truly miss not only working for a great man, but a great office, great co-workers, and great company.

But my family comes first, and that's what is most important.

I am very thankful to God that I have the opportunity to stay at home with my kids.

These years are already flying by WAY TOO FAST for me to miss them.

Its the easiest decision I've ever made, and one I know I will never regret for one second.
These two precious babies are my life, and Im so glad I get to spend this time with them.

Someone wrote on my facebook page, "You'll be working alright.. just not leaving the house to do it"

Yes that is so true. And when I'm ready for the workforce again, I hope and pray I can find a place as wonderful as the one I just left. Maybe even get my old job back! Hey, you never know!

I took all these pictures yesterday 4.20.12

We went for a 1.5 mile walk in the morning, it was sunny and close to 75 degrees.

I felt since I had just spoke with my boss the day before that yesterday was my first real day at home as a SAHM.

Everyday wont be easy, but it is going to be right where I want to be.

Home.

All About Andrew

Today's post is all about this big guy.

Thats what we call him around here..

The big guy..

He is named for his large size..ha..

I always say this but I cannot get over how big he is compared to Samantha.

He is already in some 9 month onesies, and outfits..

This was him in the morning on 4.14.12.

He's definately good natured in the morning, smiling and talking up a storm.

It helps me wake up cheerful I guess..

He sleeps pretty well, although he's with us.

He'll wake up at least 2 times per night.

And I've noticed he isnt nursing as long at night at all..

Last night for example, he only nursed on one side and fell back asleep for another 4 hours.

Monday 4.9.12 we went to the Dr's for his 2 month checkup

A little late.. and he got his first round of shots.. poor guy

He squealed for about 1 minute and then he was surprisingly silent the entire car ride home.

He was a little fussy that evening.. but never had a fever, or any side effects that we noticed.. thank the LORD!!

His stats were quite impressive as well.

He's a solid 15 lbs.. already!

Samantha wasnt 15 lbs. until she was 4 months old.

He's only 2..Woah.

The doctor was so impressed with how much better he was doing.

We also saw the lactation nurse who has been with us since the beginning... and also made some house calls when Andrew was in so much pain (we thought)..and she said.. His "case" was in the top 10 worst that she's seen .. I dont know if that makes me feel better about how far we've come, or worse?

At any rate ... life is getting a little easier around here.

I can put him down a LOT more.. and he'll even fall asleep some days by himself.

We hardly rock him anymore at all. We've stopped his acid reflux meds, and other colic meds to see if he even needs them anymore

But poor guy is still super gassy.

He farts like a truck driver some days.. and you hear it and you cannot beleive something so loud and obnoxious is coming from an infant!

He's a real charmer this one.. watch out ladies...

And he's my little snuggle bunny..

I just love his squishy nose in this picture.I had to show you all the precious christening outfit that my sis-in-law had sent this past week

I cant wait to put him in it!

And a sweet hat and booties to match.. ugh!

I love it!So I just wanted to dedicate this post to our little Andrew George.
Thank goodness life is a little easier with you...

Momma's Got a Brand New Ride & Recipe {BEST Oatmeal Cookies!}

Shortly after Andrew was born, we started going places as a family of four. No where exciting mind you, since the little guy is/was pretty unpredictable. But we started to see how small my car was after we packed in two carseats, strollers, diaper bags, grocery bags, ... you get where Im going. So we started car shopping.

We considered another Toyota.. but the Highlander wasnt much bigger.

And we want to travel soon to Ohio to see Mathew's family, and our friends, etc.

So last week Momma got a new car..

An Acadia. Looks like the one pictured below, but in White.

I really like it. I've only driven it a handful of times, but as far as space goes..ITS HUGE compared to my old Rav4. It's a really good size, 3 rows of seats, and big enough that I can crawl back into the 2nd or 3rd row if I needed to (for long car trips)

This post is a little all over the place, but last week I found an AMAZING Chewy Gooey Oatmeal Cookie Recipe from Allrecipes.com

I paired it with my new favorite Buttercream Frosting Recipe from Williams Sonoma.

Its called the "quick buttercream recipe" and its really really good..

Recipe: http://http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chewy-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cookies/

The only thing I changed was I used about 1/2 the amount of chocolate chips, and I used mini chips.

And I used Chopped Hazelnuts, because I didnt have any Walnuts

The batter was equally as good as the cookies.
I scooped them out fairly large, and they really spread out when they bake.
This recipe's a keeper!

Chicken Pot Pie

I've never made a chicken pot pie.. ever.. and I came across a tired looking old magazine page that I tore out probably last year.. and looked at the ingredient list, had everything already, so I decided to give it a try!

1 pkg 140z - ready to roll piecrust

1/4 cup flour

1 can 140z low sodium chicken broth

1 1/2 cups fat free milk

1 cup diced celery

3 cups cubed cooked chicken

1 pkg frozen mixed veggies (thawed)

1 tbsp dried onion flakes

1 tbsp dried parsley

1 tsp poultry seasoning

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 egg beaten

1. Heat over 450. Coat bottoms of two glass/ceramic pie plates with cooking spray

2. Combine flour and broth; place in a large pot, bring to a boil. add milk and celery. Simmer 3 min. Add chicken, veggies, onion flakes, parsley, poultry seasoning, garlic salt and pepper.

3. Spoon chicken mixture into pie plates.

4. Unroll pie crusts and crimp around edges

5. Before baking, vent the pie crusts and lightly brush with egg. Bake 450 for 15 min, then reduce to 350 for 25-30 min.

Its from Family Circle
This little message on the page also had me wanting to try this recipe as well...Freeze one and make one? Thats the kind of recipes I like, and should be making more of these days..

I made one.. and tasted it, it was delicious.. perfect blend of veggies, broth, chicken.. so tasty!

And I froze one.

The first pie I made I used a Pie Crust for the top, this one, I froze just what you see (above) without a "top" - Before I bake it I may try cooking it at 400 for about 15minutes, and then adding Pillsbury Grands biscuits instead of a pie crust, and baking until they are golden.

Something about having a freezer-ready meal makes me all excited! Im going to be trying Lasagna next for my freezer meal, and hitting up good ole Pinterest for more ideas too!

Easter 2012

We celebrated Easter today!

We all woke up around 7:30am.

Headed downstairs, and I asked Samantha who had come? I put the baskets right in front of the fireplace, but she was a little sleepy, so it took her a while to find her basket.. ha!

She wasnt too candy crazy at first.. and played with her new bug catcher, and lip balm first

I think I overdid it again.. I cant help it.. I buy stuff and hide it, and when I go to put everything all together I forget half the things I bought. She was pretty happy with her loot. I tried not to give her too much candy... but we let her have some this morning since it was Easter and all.

We got her a Cinderella Barbie, Ballerina book, and activity book, Band Aids (since she's always putting them on her babies) a puzzle, Playdoh eggs, some lip smackers (to add to her "pretties" as she calls lip balm" Some kit kats, rabbit suckers, A huge box of new crayons, and some other small stuff, kit kats, bunny marshmallows, and of course jellybeans!

Andrew got a little basket too.. some dino jammies, baseball paci's, a book, and some Bert's Bees Powder

After baskets we had breakfast and then it was outdoors for an Egg Hunt! This year was great because she REALLY understood what the egg finding was all about.

Daddy did a good job hiding the eggs.
And Andrew was napping so we got to just give her our attention which was wonderful

She opened every single egg as she found it, and had a taste or bite of whatever was inside.. and emptied its contents into her little basket.. and of course she had some hysterical commentary that I thankfully caught on video.. she's so funny to listen to, Mat and I laugh all day long...

We went to the park before lunch and she played a little and ran around.. we had a minor meltdown when leaving, and then at home she curled up on the couch really early and asked to go to nap at 12 noon!

I guess all that candy for breakfast made her crash! No problem.. I took her up and she slept for 3 hours solid. -- Thank goodness.. while I got to work on my deviled eggs, and buttercream for my orange cupcakes!

We had dinner with my 2 aunts, uncle richie, and grammy came over. Ham, Carrots, Potatoes, Asparagus, Rye Bread and Deviled Eggs. Yum!

Dessert was my job, no problem. Mom brought a tray of cookies which were amazing. I made Orange Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. I used the Williams Sonoma recipe for the Buttercream, and I think I found a new favorite.. It was the BEST tasting most creamiest ever! Jelly Beans, Chocolates and some Bunny and Chick suckers I made.

This was the best Brother - Sister pic we could get.. She wouldnt sit next to him...
Grammy loves her little man...

SJ had the most adorable pink smocked seersucker dress on for Easter.. but it wasnt complete without her Ruby Slippers of course

She had so much fun with all the company, and ate like a pig!

Our attempt at a family picture...

It was such a nice Easter day/evening.. and Sassy once again was in bed early and went down without a problem.. hmm, maybe I should give her sugar/chocolate/candy more often during the day!

Happy Easter!

Week Before Easter

I am WAAAY behind on so many posts.. I've neglected my blog.. and finally got some time today while Andrew fell asleep on the boppy pillow on my lap.. I am typing this!

So here we go..

This was the week before Easter.
Samantha was really understanding this year that the Bunny was coming to her house.

We kept telling her about the egg hunt, and finding her Easter basket.. and of course reminding her all week to be good or else he wont come!

I got together an Easter package for our Nieces Grace and Julia in Ohio and I made some homemade goodies to put in there.

Bunny Bait - found on Pinterest

It was really easy, and I used homemade popcorn. Basically you mix pretzel pieces, M&M's and you drizzle melted white chocolate over and spread the mix on a baking sheet until all the chocolate has dried. I added some sprinkles too while the chocolate was still hot.

I also got these cute printable "hoppy easter" signs off Pinterest too.

Bunny and Chick suckers went in the basket too.

Easter weekend was really nice and sunny outside.

Saturday Daddy and SJ headed to Grammy's house to help her turn some soil and plant blueberry and raspberry bushes.

And Brother and I headed to Target for a few last minute Easter goodies.. and Diapers (of course!)

Usually I CANNOT take him anywhere.. But he was surprisingly sleeping the ENTIRE trip to Target... He woke up in the car on the way home though.. screaming as if you had a flame to his hand.. oh brother!!!!!!!!!

He was FINE once I took him out, and he fell back asleep in the sun (below) when we got to Grammy's house.. My frustration?? - WHY CANT HE JUST KEEP SLEEPING THE ENTIRE TIME!!!!

Samantha loved being at Gigi's house.. she loves her hammock swing.

We got her in bed early and I put together the baskets and filled her eggs for the outdoor hunt the next day..

Oh it feels good to finish a post finally!!

I've got about 4-5 in the draft phase as well.. I hope to get them out soon!!