Saturday, February 27, 2010

Mother's Gift


Shortly after having Griffin I saw this ring on a fellow blogger's site. I wanted to go ahead and order it for myself but due to being on maternity leave for 12 weeks I decided to wait until I was back to work and getting my full pay check. This is the cute little box it came wrapped in.

Delicious smelling lavender.



The picture does not do the ring justice. It is simple yet precious. I love it. I ordered it from Nelle and Lizzy.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Are you a great marriage partner?

This is from the book " Lists to Live By for Every Married Couple"

Are you a great marriage partner?
  1. Do you give your spouse a hug or a kiss each morning?
  2. Do you look for opportunities to express your love?
  3. Do you surprise your spouse with compliments and gifts?
  4. Do you let go of passing annoyances or differences that could turn into conflicts?
  5. Do you periodically do it his way?
  6. Do you take the time to have heart to heart chats?
  7. Do you truly listen to her?
  8. Do you sometimes say "I'm sorry"?
  9. Do you allow your spouse to "lose it" every once in a while?
  10. Do you pray for each other regularly?
  11. Do you show your love even when you do not feel it?
  12. Do you have eyes only for your partner?
  13. Do you share your dreams and talk about how you can make them come true?
  14. Do you expect to love and cherish him "for as long as you both shall live"?
  15. Do you frequently say " I love you"?

I have a few things that I need to work on in order to be a better partner. Do you agree with the things on this list? Anything that is not on the list that you think would help you be a better partner?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Afternoon Off Part 2

I have one half day per week. Usually on my half day I come home and get some chores done or I run a few errands. Occasionally I make plans to meet a friend for lunch or go shopping. Since I have been back to work after having Griffin I have not had a relaxing half day. I have been coming home and scrubbing floors or toilets, doing laundry, paying bills, prepping meals for the remainder of the week...and the list goes on and on. I am the type of person that feels so much more focused and in a better state of mind if I have stuff organized and things crossed off my to do list. However this past week I reached a breaking point. I NEED a BREAK! Between working full time, and being a mom I am rather burned out. I start my day at 5, leave at 7 with both kids and its off to daycare then to work. As soon as I finish with my morning patients its a race to the daycare to nurse Griffin, usually I eat the lunch I pack while driving. Then its more work and then race to pick up kids. Home to cook dinner while dealing with temperamental 3 year old and a baby that just wants to nurse! I sit down to eat and usually have to get up 2-3 times during the meal. Half the time while I am eating Griffin is nursing or now I am trying to feed him baby food in between my bites. Tubbies, bedtime stories, brush teeth and bed for Syd. Then more nursing, kitchen cleanup, wash bottles and get organized to do it all again the next day. Any idea why I am exhausted. Bill and I were talking Sunday about how I feel and where things are these days and he just about insisted I take some time for myself. He is so supportive and helpful but I still feel like a lot is on my shoulders. So we decided the first place to start is that this week my half day was mine. No work all fun!
I left my office around 12 and headed to Greensboro. I ate lunch by myself at Panera (one of my favs) while reading a book. I caught myself eating fast and had to tell myself to slow down and relax. Then I headed to target. I felt as light as a feather getting in and out of the car without any kids, diaper bags, breast pump bag etc. I had time to stop and look at things and get a few things for Syd that she has needed. I then went over to Stride rite to look at shoes for Syd but I am waiting to buy them because they have a sale starting next week. I wrote down what I want so Bill can stop and pick them up. Again in and out of the car so quickly which was great because it was rain/snowing. I went into Barnes and Noble and ordered a Cafe Mocha and sat in a big comfy chair with my book. It took me some time to relax...slow down and breathe... but finally I was so relaxed I fell asleep. I do not even care what the people around me thought. I hope I did not snore or make any snorting noises (because I am a little congested) but oh well if I did. I glanced around at the kid books for a few minutes and headed back to town to pick up kids. In the car I listened to adult music (Keith Urban) not a kids song CD. I had a great day and was very relaxed and rejuvenated when I got to the daycare.
I cannot take every afternoon that I have off to relax because there is just too much to do and it is a great time to get some stuff done while the kids are still at school and I am not falling asleep, but I am going to make an effort to make some of these days "me time". Please do not misinterpret how I feel about being a mom, I would not trade my life for anyone else's but I do need a break at times. When I have some time to myself to get rejuvenated then I am a better mom. I like some of the ways other people said they would spend their time. I would also enjoy getting some exercise, scrap booking, gardening (when the weather is nicer), reading a book in my sun room or at the pool, going to a movie, baking....so many hobbies and options.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Afternoon Off

What would you do if you had an afternoon off? No obligations, no appointments, no kids! How would you choose to spend your time?

Longing for spring


Monday, February 22, 2010

Legos


Sydney received some Lego's for Christmas from Bill and I. Let me just say they are fun! I had Lego's as a kid but I do not think I had the small ones. Well a few months before Christmas while shopping in Raleigh I was introduced to the Lego store! I had no idea that Lego's were expensive but I think they will be worth it. I opted to buy the set with smaller pieces because I think Syd would have out grown the big ones too fast. I must say that the small pieces make me nervous with Griffin around and soon to be exploring the floor. We have had the Lego's out a few times and I enjoy helping Syd build. We made this little house and vehicle!
Do you have Lego's at your house?

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Valentine's Day

I believe that it is the small things in life that can make it special. I am always looking for simple, inexpensive ways to make holidays and ordinary days special and fun. For our Valentine's breakfast we had heart shaped pancakes.


I set up a treasure hunt for Sydney.


She is searching for red construction paper hearts with a treat taped to them.


Here they are, I put a message on each heart "We love you because...", there were 7 and once she found them all we read them out loud to her.


For Bill I put a little note in his lunch every day of the week leading up to Valentine's day that said "I love you because..." and I gave him 1 dove heart each day. No big gifts, very little money spent but we all felt special.




Friday, February 19, 2010

I have this book...

My sister in law gave my husband and I a book 7 years ago when we got married. The title is "Lists to Live By for Every Married Couple" compiled by Alice Gray, Steve Stephens and John Van Diest. It is a neat book, not the kind you sit down and just read but it is fun to glance at now and then. The book is full of lists:
  • Fun Activities for Couple Friends
  • 12 times to say "I'm Sorry"
  • Loving Little Things for Wives to Do
  • Loving Little Things for Husbands to Do
  • Trust Builders
  • Four Promises of Forgiveness

The lists go on and on and I plan to share a few with you in upcoming posts. I do recommend this book to newly married couples and also couples who have been married for years and years, we can all learn to be a better spouse or have a better, healthier marriage.

The first list I want to share is 12 Actions for a Successful Marriage

  1. Ask
  2. Listen
  3. Accept
  4. Respect
  5. Risk
  6. Encourage
  7. Adjust
  8. Forgive
  9. Give
  10. Love
  11. Laugh
  12. Comfort

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Yum

Can you tell what I am making?




Any ideas now?


Does it look yummy?









Homemade sweet potatoes! Griffin loved them. Can you tell? I bought 2 sweet potatoes for 1.89 (not the best price but I wanted them for this weekend) and I made 33 cubes, that is about 6 cents per serving! Way cheaper than jar baby food.






Wednesday, February 17, 2010

tummy or thumb time?

I am working on tummy time with Griffin, he is not too fond of being on his belly. So a few weeks ago when I laid him on his belly and laid down beside him I kept saying his name and trying to get him to turn his head and look at me. I then heard this sucking noise and when I peeked around this is what I saw...

Instead of turning his head or pushing up he just sucked his thumb! Oh well.


Since this picture was taken we have continued to practice and he has gotten much better at tummy time.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Hot Chocolate

When we get snow we have hot chocolate. A few weekends ago when it snowed for the first time this winter we had hot chocolate.

Sydney kept asking me when we could have hot chocolate and I said "when it snows" well I had to keep a promise.

When we have hot chocolate we must have cookies.

Yummy!



Do you have any traditions when it snows?



Sunday, February 14, 2010

Playing School

Sydney loves to play school with daddy. They get out her little table and practice writing and identifying letters and numbers.

Sometimes Bill is the teacher and sometimes Sydney is the teacher.

Sydney loves using a black marker and also highlighters.


At Sydney's daycare they are using a program called "writing without tears" to teach the kids how to write. She is doing awesome.


Of course when Bill plays school with Sydney there are treats involved, usually gummy snacks of some sort, a major treat at our house.







Friday, February 12, 2010

Thursday, February 11, 2010

4 Months







Wow our baby boy is four months old. He is such a joy. I cannot believe he is so big already.



At four months:
  • Griffin is momma's boy. He loves his daddy but if I am within sight he is looking my direction
  • sleeps all night most nights from 9-6
  • is laughing more and more, sometimes all it takes is a look from momma

  • Griffin is so loved by his big sis, the other night after bath she leaned down over him (on the bathroom floor) and said "I love you to the moon and back"
  • loves to ride in the car, rarely cries, and often falls asleep

  • is adjusting to day care well

  • is starting to get some more neck and head control, will pick his head up and look around when laying on his belly but is not a huge fan of tummy time

  • has tried rice cereal twice but may not be ready yet (pictures later)

  • weighs 14 pounds and 10.5 ounces, measures 24 3/4 inches in length

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Whats for dinner tonight?



Sausage and Roasted Vegetable Penne
1 sweet onion cut in wedges (I actually forgot this)
1 medium zucchini sliced in 1/2 lengthwise ( I used 2 because I love zucchini)
1 red bell pepper, inside removed and cut in large pieces ( I also used a yellow pepper)
1/2 pound button mushrooms, removed stems ( I forgot these too)
olive oil
kosher salt and black pepper
1/2 pint grape tomatoes, washed and dried
2 sweet or hot Italian sausages, thinly sliced or casings removed
1/4 cup white wine
12 ounces whole grain penne, cooked according to package and reserve 1/2 cup cooking water
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Preheat oven to 400. In a bowl toss all vegetables except tomatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper. Arrange on baking sheet and roast about 30 mins turning half way through. Then toss tomatoes with oil and season, add to roasting veg and roast another 30 minutes. Meanwhile in large skillet cook sausage and saute until cooked through, turn up heat and deglaze with wine. Once veggies are cooked, cool slightly and then chop coarsely. Add vegetables and any pan juices to the skillet. Toss in cooked penne, adding reserved pasta water if needed to moisten. Garnish with Parmesan cheese. Yummy and healthy. We had this 2 weeks ago and will be having it again this week.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Look Alikes?

Sydney at about 1 month, look at all that hair.

Sydney at about 7 weeks.

Griffin Sawyer at just under 4 months.






Do you think out children look alike? The ladies in the infant room call Griffin "little Sydney"


Thursday, February 4, 2010

wordless











Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Scones











When I buy buttermilk to make Buttermilk Oatmeal Waffles I have plenty of milk left so I usually make Cranberry Oatmeal scones. I made them twice this time and I still have some buttermilk. Sometimes I use a biscuit cutter and have nice matching shapes and sometimes I form a circle with the dough and just cut wedges, a bit more rustic. Either way you cut the scones they are delicious. I tried something new this time and added some fresh orange zest, yummy! Scones are great with tea or coffee.


Cran Oat Scones:
2 C all purpose flour

1/2 C quick oats
6 T sugar
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

10 T cold unsalted butter (I use 1 stick and call it good)

1/2 C dried cranberries

3/4 C buttermilk ( I buy fat free)

Preheat oven to 375. In a bowl combine flour, oatmeal, soda, baking powder, sugar and salt. Using a pastry blender cut in the cold butter until dough is crumbly. Fold in cranberries (and orange zest if desired). Add buttermilk and stir lightly, do not overwork. On a lightly floured surface pat dough into a circle 2 inches thick. Cut dough into 8 wedges. Transfer to baking stone or sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 22 minutes. So good.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Snow



First snow of 2010, and the first snow of the winter, at least at our house. Fairway #6 outside our back gate.


Sydney and I ready to use the surf board as a snow board.

She had a blast and I got some much needed exercise. Going down the hill was a blast but it was a chore pulling her back up.


Pure joy


A site we do not see that often, ice on the pond.



Daddy and Sydney ready for some snow fun.




Waving to me on the front porch, I was inside with Griffin.

A good attempt at a snow man but it was the wrong type of snow, too fluffy and then of coarse the rain made it ice chunks.