Thursday, September 27, 2012

Slow-Cooker Creamy Chicken with Biscuits

Today was a FULL day, full in a fun way. The babies and I ventured out in the world with "Grammy" (my mom). Because I knew I would be away from the house from 10:30am to ?, I prepped dinner early (as in 5:30am, before the babies' 6:00am feeding). I deboned a whole chicken that I made in the crock-pot overnight, then it was time to feed the babies. After the babies were fed and put back down, I prepped and assembled the ingredients for a new recipe I wanted to try:

Slow-Cooker Creamy Chicken with Biscuits
source: Real Simple
*My side notes:
I did not use dry white wine because I didn't have any. I added roughly diced small gold potatoes because I had some on hand and thought, why not? I didn't use poultry seasoning because I didn't have any. Instead I just used salt, pepper, garlic powder, and sage as the seasonings. I used already cooked & shredded chicken, for some reason I don't like adding raw chicken to crock-pot recipes. The recipe mentions using drop biscuits, but I used Grand's canned biscuits because that's what I had in the fridge. I had to thicken it a little after it had cooked all day. I did so by stirring in a shaken mixture of milk and cornstarch. It ended up being a tasty warm meal on a slightly cool and dreary fall day.

early morning prep &  clean up...

my finished product...

served over bottom half of biscuit, topped with 
sharp cheddar cheese and top half of biscuit...

and just because they're cute...my 'lil punkins...

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I  had an abnormally productive day today. In addition to taking care of my 4 1/2 month olds, I baked 2 dozen pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, did 2 loads of laundry, cooked dinner, and washed lots of dishes and bottles. I definitely can't keep up the pace I kept today!

While I was baking I decided that I would blog the muffin recipe after the babies were in bed.

source: tastykitchen

my finished product...

my assistant muffin maker...

while I made our dinner...

wren made this...ewww!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Dedication

Today Tom, Grady, Wren, and I participated in Parent-Child Dedication (aka Baby Dedication) at our church, Council Road Baptist. Our church defines this time of dedication as:

•A time to commit to God, yourself and others, to raise your child(ren) with His help.
•A promise to do everything you can throughout their lives to teach and train them to follow God, to lead a Christ-centered life and to develop a personal relationship with Him.
•A promise to love and nurture the child(ren) God has blessed you with.
•A sign of humility, recognizing that you need God's help and wisdom in caring for the gift of life He has given you.

The dedication service allows parents to make a public commitment to raise their child(ren) in a Christian home and to provide them with information to help them one day have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Baby dedication services at our church over the past 3 years were typically pretty difficult days for me due to infertility. Occasionally we would happen miss these Sundays for one reason or another, and honestly, I always breathed a sigh of relief when it worked out that way. Today, as I was mentally preparing for church, my heart was filled with thankfulness that I have been given 2 little miracles to dedicate to the Lord. This is yet another unbelievably surreal milestone in our parenthood journey.

Grammy, Granddad, [Great] Granny Wilma, Oma, PawPaw, [Great] Grandpa Crawford, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Karla, Tyler, Michael, Uncle Bryan, Aunt Tiffany, T.J. and Mac all came to church to see the babies get dedicated. After church we all went out to lunch together.

Due to the busyness of the morning, the nice camera that I brought to church never made it out of its bag. So all I have at the moment are iphone pics. Grady got all dressed up in his bowtie. And don't mind Wren's bib, we were trying to preserve her pretty lace dress until after her big moment in front of the church. Today was their first time to wear shoes, they didn't know what to think when I was putting them on.


Saturday, September 22, 2012

Insta-post

Just postin some in.sties for the record book...

[09.03.12 - 09.21.12]

seriously cute #putabirdonit

dreamy...

First trip to the grocery store with a baby. 
Wren did pretty good. Brother stayed home with Dad.

Bliss...

Listen here son...

Who says you can't wear a tutu with your pj's?

[9.8.12] #myworld

Help! Mommy is playing dress up with us!

Perfect day for a hoodie, or two!

Pretty rain-kissed petals...

Say a prayer for me, at Sam's alone with these 2! #neverdonethisbefore

Silly I know, but I teared up tonight bc my babies no longer need
these small bottles. In early NICU days they used to eat ~1 oz per
feed. Now they will eat 6 oz per feed. #preemieprogress

So many babies!

 This is for those that ask me if they cry at the same time. #feisty

 Cutie patooties! 

Friday, September 14, 2012

Fall Pasta

Fall is here! There is a crisp in the air, I am wearing a zip-up hoodie, my windows are open, and I've been burning my pumpkin scented candles. I am thoroughly enjoying my favorite season.

I made one of my staple fall dishes for dinner last night. I've never shared this recipe on my blog before so I figured I should now.

It's called Penne-Wise Pumpkin Pasta by Rachel Ray. Now, I know it sounds weird to use pumpkin in a pasta but it is so yummy, don't turn your nose up until you've tried it. An added benefit is that pumpkin is high in fiber, just 1 cup of canned pumpkin provides 7.1 g of fiber.

source: foodnetwork

*My side notes:
I omit the hot sauce, nutmeg, and cinnamon. I have tried using cinnamon and nutmeg in it before but it isn't savory enough for me with those two spices in it. Unlike the recipe, I just use dried sage (heavy handedly because I love sage) in the sauce mixture rather than fresh sage as a garnish at the end. In addition to the sauteed garlic, I add a little dried garlic powder into the sauce mixture as well because I can never have enough garlic. Also, I take some of the "wise" out of the recipe because I don't use whole-wheat pasta. The texture of whole-wheat pasta is odd to me, so I go with the regular stuff.  I also like to experiment with different shapes. Last night I used half cellentani and half penne pasta. I also used freshly grated asiago cheese (similar to parmesan) in and on the pasta. I can't leave recipes alone, I always cater to my liking. 

Cellentani Pasta

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Pure Joy

Last Sunday, September 9, our pastor began a sermon series in James, with the first installment entitled "Suffering" over James 1:1-18. 

Our good friend Derek Watson, owner of Lampstand Media, was asked to put together a video of Tom and I to pair with part of the sermon. Derek wanted to capture our trial of infertility. I REALLY don't like seeing or hearing myself like this, but I am so glad we have part of our story captured by an incredibly talented documentary filmmaker such as Derek.

To watch the video, please go here: James 1:2-4 on Vimeo. In case you are interested in seeing the sermon notes from this sermon, follow this link or click on the image below.
James 1:1-18 [NIV]
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their position. But the rich should take pride in the humiliation--since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." 

Friday, September 7, 2012

Sweet Little Clothes

So, this mama may have been on a couple of small shopping sprees recently. The babies needed 3-6 and 6-9 month size clothes and there are a few upcoming occasions that they needed special outfits for. 

The babies are getting dedicated at church on September 23rd and then they are going to their first wedding on October 5th. Sometime in the beginning of November we will have their 6 month pictures taken, so they needed a few things to wear for that too. 

I had not really purchased many clothes for the babies until recently because we were given so many pieces of Newborn and 0-3 months clothing at their showers. It is so much fun to be able to actually purchase those sweet little clothes that I used to longingly walk past. 

A few of the following pieces aren't the exact ones I purchased but they look strikingly similar. You'll get the idea.
 

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Grady & Wren: 4 Months











Grady's Stats: 11 lbs 13 oz / 22 inches
Normal Growth Chart: 3rd percentile for weight, 2nd percentile for height
Way to go Grady for making it onto the normal charts!

Wren's Stats: 12 lbs  9 oz / 23 inches
Normal Growth Chart: 25th percentile for weight, 39th percentile for height

Grady's Clothing & Diaper Size: Some Newborn clothes that run big and 3 Month clothes and Size 1 diapers

Wren's Clothing & Diaper Size: Some Newborn clothes that run big and 3 Month clothes and Size 1 diapers

Special Outings: On Tuesday morning, August 14, I took you on your 1st walk in the neighborhood. It was a beautiful morning that wasn't very hot so I figured I'd better capitalize on it. I pushed you around for about 30 minutes and you guys slept pretty much the whole time. On Friday, August 17, we went out to eat at McAlister's Deli so I could get out of the house after a busy week at home.  You both sat in your car-seats and were so good the whole time. It was so pleasant due to the lack of fussing. You usually fuss because hate your car-seats, especially you Miss Wren. After dinner we went to Home Depot to get some things and you rode around the store in your stroller just as content as could be.
I went on a special outing, my first time to be away from you both overnight. I went up to Grand Lake for Aunt Blaire's bachelorette weekend. I left Friday evening, August 24, and came back Sunday afternoon, August 26. I originally decided not to go naturally because you are little babies and I wanted to stay with you guys. But your Dad and Grammy insisted that I get away and be with Blaire during this special time in her life. I hadn't been away from you since our days in the NICU and it was really hard to leave you but it turned out to be a great weekend. I missed you SO much! I made Dad text me updates and pictures of you all and we did a face-time call on Saturday night. I was so ready to come home and hold you come Sunday.
Milestones:  Your personalities are really starting to come out. Grady, you're still a little charmer. When I lay you down in your crib and swaddle you for a nap or for the night and you get excited and grin and flirt with me.  Then when I try to put your paci in your mouth you think I am playing and you grin even bigger and just look into my eyes. You make it really hard for me to walk away and leave you in your crib. Wren, you do something similar when I put you down to sleep. You get really excited that I'm swaddling you and just smile and do this laugh where you breath in really big and squeal. I love it!

You are both getting so strong and can "stand" on your little legs when we hold you under your arms. Your arms and legs are always moving and kicking when you are playing on your play-mat or on a blanket.

You took your first bath together on Wednesday, August 29. Daddy and I both had all hands on deck. It was tricky to maneuver bathing you two at the same time. We decided that we will do bath-time one at a time for a little while longer. Wren, you were in the "deep" end of the baby tub and you kept stepping on Grady's precious parts. Grady, you were in the "shallow" sloped part of the baby tub like normal.  You guys didn't seem to mind being in the tub together, but it is clearly not designed for bathing two babies at once.
This isn't a milestone, but definitely worth mentioning...Grady, your sneezes are hi.larious! The wind up to the actual sneeze is so loud and always catches us off guard. It's a BIG "AHHHHH" and little "chooo."  Like this, "AHHHHH-chooo!" It's impossible to describe it in words but I know by recording it here, I will be able to remember it when I read over these updates in the future.

My Thoughts:  I worked really hard getting rid of stuff and rearranging furniture to clear out the front bedroom/office/den. I decided that I wanted to turn that room into a playroom for you. It had become a catch all/storage space and I wanted to utilize it better. After we have the piano moved to Aunt Karla and Uncle Jeff's house, we will gain even more space in there. I am sad to have the piano that I learned to play on moved out of our house, but one day when we have a bigger house and you two are older, we can get it back. Hopefully you guys can learn to play piano on it too. Now we have a designated space where we can put away baby stuff and toys and we can just close the door on it all if we need to.

Routine:
These days our routine looks roughly like this:
6:00am Feed
7:00am-10:00am Nap
10:00am Feed
10:30am-2:00pm Playtime/Tummy time/Nap
2:00pm Feed
2:30pm-4:00pm Nap in crib
4:00pm-6:00pm Playtime
6:00pm Feed
6:30pm-10:00pm Playtime/Tummy time/Cat naps/Bath-time
10:00pm Feed
10:30pm Bedtime

Favorites:  The Baby Einstein Octopus that hangs over the changing pad, Baby Einstein Neptune play-mat, Snug-a-Bunny bouncy seats, swings, ceiling fans, overhead lights, lamps, being talked to, and being snuggled.

Dislikes:  You have gradually begun to tolerating your car-seats better.  And after I tried some different things with your baths, you are starting to like them.  You still don't like tummy time but every now and then you tolerate it.

Food:  You are both still on your special preemie formula, Similac NeoSure. Grady, we stopped concentrating yours due to your tummy troubles. We thought your tummy would do better if it didn't have to digest the extra concentrated formula. You were both eating about 3.5 oz (105 mL) per bottle at your 6:00am, 9:00am, 12:00pm, and 3:00pm feedings. Then at your 6:00pm and 10:00pm feedings, you would eat about 5 ounces. Currently, we are trying to get you used to going to bed earlier and eating every 4 hours rather than every 3 hours. After a few transition days you are now eating 5 oz every 4 hours at 6:00am, 10:00am, 2:00pm, 6:00pm, and 10:00pm.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Insta-Post

Get ready for a FLOOD of instagr.ams...just trying 
to preserve my insta.memories... 

[08.06.12 - 09.03.12]

Thank you MIL for spreading a lil sunshine my way...

Sweet feet...

So thankful for this dad that comes home nearly everyday 
on his lunch-break to help me with our little loves...

Cute PJ time...

Love this little man's cheekers...

Sleep? Who needs sleep?

Rah Oklahoma!

Grady has an interview today...

Sweet pea in her polka dots...

It was too nice this morning to not take a walk...

Thunda! Thanks Aunt Blaya!

Makin "W" look good...

Bear bottom...

Family outing: Dinner at McAlister's Deli followed by a
quick trip to the Depot! All with NO crying! #success

Sleepy boys...

Fights it to the end...

Pay med bills or cuddle sleepy baby girl? #nobrainer...

Every night's a slumber party!

And THAT is how you pour a beer...

Celebrating the bachelorette this weekend...

Reunited and it feels so good! Missed my babies this weekend but 
had a wonderful time celebrating @bbender, the future Mrs. Hart...

Love my little sous chef...

Oh hey there baby Carlos!

On the edge of her seat...

These are the faces I get after telling them "night-night." #meltmyheart...

Enthralled with their bedtime stories. Zzzzzz. 
All three of them lulled to sleep. #thejesusstorybookbible...

First dual bath. Prob won't be doing that again for awhile...

Just traveling round the house in the stroller. #efficiency...

Boomer Sooner...

Saw this while starting b'fast this morning. Made me laugh...