Girls and Babies Weekend: Day 3

Sunday we got up and went to church, we skipped class. I was impressed that we were all fed, dressed and ready to go for church at 10:00am! We went to lunch at Fat City since neither Meghan or Kristen had ever been there. And we got back to the house and put the boys down for a nap and got to visit some more before they left around 4:30. We had such a good time. I am so glad I finally got to meet baby Ian, and glad the girls got to meet Stratton for the first time. And so glad that Ian and Stratton got to meet and become friends! I mean after all,  they will be roomies in college some day. . .the college they attend is still debatable, Harding or U of A. I guess it depends on where they get their football scholarships, I know their daddy's are rooting for these future Razorbacks but Kristen would have major issues with that- she is not a fan, and that is putting it politely!

[Ian really liked Fat City, even though all he got was a bottle]

[Group shot:: Take 1]

Meghan decided she needed to hold Sadey since K and I both had babies to hold, we were laughing so hard. Can you see that look on S's face?! He's thinking "these chicks are nuts!"

[Group shot:: Take 2]

You can see what the boys were interested in!

[Group shot:: Take 3]

No dog this time, but the sun was really bright!

We had such a good time this weekend. It went by way too fast, though. I think we could have talked non-stop for a week! But we did have a lot to talk about! I am excited for Meghan and her hubby who are moving into a new house this weekend and she is due the end of July (and they aren't finding out what they are having so that makes it extra exciting)!! And Kristen and her family will be moving again, back to D.C., in the next few months, so that is super exciting! Jarrod and I have no plans to move or have a baby- so we are the boring ones! I am so glad that the good Lord decided that our 3 paths should cross, these girls are such a blessing to me! I love when we get to spend time together, but it makes me sad that we don't live closer and could do it more often! It's very exciting to think that the next time we do this there will be 3 babies. . .hopefully 3 boys! : )

Girls and Babies Weekend: Day 2

Saturday morning Stratton got up at 6 am, which is normal so I fed him in our room and laid him down in bed with me (which I never do) and he went back to sleep and slept until 8:30-9:00am. I got up at 8:00 and didn't even wake him up! Jarrod left about 6:30 to go his fraternity's alumni association meeting that was in Conway so we had the bed to ourselves and I was glad he went back to sleep! For most of the day on Saturday we just hung out and talked. Both the boys took a couple of good naps so we had some good time to visit.  Jarrod got home about 4pm from his meeting. He offered to keep the babies so we could go out to eat and to the movies! (Do I have great husband or what?!)

We went to Lazzari's for supper and then went to see "Letters to Juliet". We had such a good time! Then we ran into Target to pick up a few things, have you ever been to Target as they are closing? They start turning the lights off on you, creepy!!  We got back to the house a little after 10pm, where Jarrod had successfully fed both boys supper, changed Ian into his jammies and put him to bed about 7pm, bathed Stratton and got him ready for bed and put him down about 8:30! Not that I didn't think he could do it, he is great with kids and babies, but I was impressed!

Girls and Babies Weekend: Day 1

My two best girlfriends came to visit this weekend! Both are college buddies from Harding and we don't get to see each other very often! Kristen, lives in Tampa right now and we see each other on average about once a year. I think the last time we saw each other was last May. We were both pregnant! It's been a busy year for the two of us! And my friend Meghan lives in Memphis but she is a nurse at Le Bonheur and has crazy hours, so we don't get to see each other very often, even though we live so close!  Kristen and her baby Ian flew into Memphis Thursday evening (she left Kate at home this time) and Meghan picked her up and they stayed in Memphis Thursday night. Friday after a fun maternity photo shoot (Meg is about 31 weeks pregnant and Kristen is am amateur photographer) and a trip to Target to get Meghan's baby registry going they finally made it to Jonesboro- they only got a little lost. . .

We stayed in Friday night and I cooked supper and we just hung out. The baby boys cracked us up! Ian is almost 7 months and Stratton is 10 1/2 months. They acted like little boys act, I guess. Head butting like little rams and taking things from each other, and wanting to grab at each other.  Stratton was a little more aggressive than Ian, but then he is crawling and Ian is just on the verge, so he has a little advantage over him! Stratton loved Ian's hair. He wanted to pull it and touch it. I assume out of curiosity, Like "What is this stuff and why don't I have some?!"

   

We put Kristen and Ian in Stratton's room, since there is a twin bed in there already. And set Meg up a room in the office with the wonderful airbed Jarrod bought while we were in the hospital during my pregnancy. And we put Stratton in the pack and play in our room. It really worked out well! I was surprised that Stratton slept though the night and we didn't wake him up when we went to bed.

Yummy! I love a new twist on old favs!

I am SO trying this tonight!! Of course I won't follow the recipe, I will have to make a few changes to make it "mine"!

Mac & Cheese Cupcakes

Ingredients

8 ounces small elbow macaroni
Olive oil
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salt to taste
2 cups sharp cheddar
Butter
Seasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoons chives, snipped

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Cook the macaroni until tender. Drain, toss with a little bit of the oil, and set aside.

3. In a medium nonstick saucepan, whisk together the milk and cornstarch until well blended. Stirring often, bring to a boil over medium heat.

4. Stir in the mustard, pepper, and salt. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened.

5. Stir in the cheddar until it melts, then fold in the macaroni.

6. Butter two cupcake pans and coat with the bread crumbs. (Be sure to shake off the excess.)

7. Fold the chives into the macaroni mixture. Spoon the mixture into the pans and top with bread crumbs to taste.

8. Bake until golden on top, 15 to 25 minutes.

It's just a couple of months away?!

I promised myself I wouldn't let it happen to me. But gearing up for "Project-1st Birthday Party" is starting to take over my life! I have loads of ideas and could spend all day and night dreaming up decorations and party details. Unfortunately, I have job and a family and lots of other things to take up my time. . . so party planning will take a back seat for now, but it's fast approaching and will be here before I know it!

Playing outside

In between the rain- and we have had A LOT of rain these past couple of weeks- we have played outside some. Stratton loves to be outside! My dad (aka "Pops") bought him a neat wagon and he loves to go for rides in it. Last Thursday night we went for a LONG walk around the neighborhood. Jarrod pulled the wagon and I pulled the dog. No kidding, we wore Sadey out! She would want to stop and I assumed she needed to take a potty break- nope. She would just lay down?! I actually had to carry her for a few minutes because she would NOT budge! Makes me laugh. Oh, and I know it looks funny that we are playing in the front yard, but in the afternoon the front yard is so nice and shady we end up sitting out there instead of the back yard where the sun is blinding!

10 months old!

I think my "baby" is no longer a "baby". He has grown so much in the past month! It has really been a crazy one! Between being us all being sick, a few tornado scares, Jarrod being gone for three weeks, Stratton learning to crawl, birthday parties, showers, mother's day . . . . it's been hectic to say the least!

Play: He is such a busy, busy boy now! He has already learned how to open drawers and cabinet doors, pull or push things off tables, he has head butted just about every piece of furniture we own-and has the bruises to prove it- and he is mastering the art of pulling up. . . . and falling over! He loves to be outside! My dad bought him a new wagon (like the one Carson and Olivia had that he liked) yesterday and took him for a ride yesterday evening, he said he loved it, so I guess we will be going for walks pulling a wagon now. He likes the cat and the dog, he gets so excited just watching them! He also likes books, well eating them anyway! We try and read to him every night, but it's hard when he is constantly trying to grab at them!

Sleep: Stratton usually goes down sometime between 8:30 and 9:00pm. And he is almost always bright eyed and ready to get up and go by 6:00am. And it doesn't matter what time you put him to bed he is always up early. I think we just have an early riser on our hands- great. Lately he wakes up and will play in his crib for awhile, he rarely fusses when he wakes up. He takes 2-3 naps a day. There have been a few days where he didn't nap at all- that makes for a fun evening. I know it must be hard to slow down and take a nap at daycare when there is so much going on, but he is so much more pleasant when he gets good naps!

Food: He is finally eating small pieces of food like a champ! I was amazed at how quickly he caught on to feeding himself! Anything he can eat with his hands he is into. He LOVES puffs and those yogurt melts, they are such a life saver!! Instant happiness for a fussy baby! He is eating 4-5 tbsp. of cereal in the morning along with a container of fruit for breakfast, a container of veggies and a container of fruit for lunch and the same thing for supper except depending on what it is we might give him some more cereal. We are in between stage 2 and stage 3 foods. He doesn't seem to be picky, except it doesn't seem like he like anything with tomato sauce, like the step 3 spaghetti or lasagna. He is still taking about 5-6 bottles a day, 6 oz in the morning and at night before bed and then 4 oz along with his meals and one around 3pm for a snack. He absolutely will not hold his bottle. My mom says I never held mine either, so maybe it's hereditary, I think it's just pure laziness though!  He really doesn't like the sippy cup-even the ones with the straws he might take a little water out of, but no way will he take his formula in one! In fact he gets pretty upset when you try to do so! But he at least he will hold those, so maybe someday soon we can get him weaned off those bottles!

Clothes: He is wearing mostly 12 months or 12-18 months. I am really glad it's time for shorts!! We can actually put him in 9 mo size shorts since his waist is so skinny. Pants in a 9 mo size however, look like man-capri's-not cool. So, those we have to buy the bigger size, as we have to in body suits and one pieces. His torso is so long that he needs at least a 12 mo for the length! I broke down and bought several things from Target a few weeks back. Going to daycare is really messy!

Miscellaneous other stuff: This kids LOVES to take a bath! I think he would stay in there for hours if we would let him!! He has 7 teeth, might possibly be working on #8 right now? He loves kids and likes to watch other kiddos running and playing. He has also just started to have a little bit of separation anxiety from me. I hear it's pretty common at this age!