Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Asian slaw

We had a great visit in Charleston a few weekends ago. And as you may remember, we love to cool when we visit my brother and his family.

This time we were enjoying ribs on the Green Egg and we tried a new slaw recipe that turned out super yummy! There's a good bit of chopping / knife work but totally worth it!


Asian Slaw
from Epicurious.com


  • 6 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 5 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons (packed) golden brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic

  • 5 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
  • 2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
  • 2 large red or yellow bell peppers, cut into matchstick-size strips
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled, cut into matchstick-size strips
  • 8 large green onions, cut into matchstick-size strips
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Whisk first 7 ingredients in small bowl to blend. (Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before continuing.)
Combine remaining ingredients in large bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper and serve.









Saturday, February 23, 2013

3 months

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We’ve had a really good month.  Every day gets more fun and Isaac’s personality is starting to come out.  I went back to work and Isaac has started daycare.  We are adjusting.  I had so many people praying for me and supporting me on my first day back.  So thank you!  I even got 3 flower deliveries!!  Some of the prettiest flowers I have ever received!

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Little man has been doing well.  I think he’s still figuring out his sleeping schedule with the addition of daycare.  He isn’t napping as much as I think he needs, but we’ll get there.  Some of the news things he is doing this month:

Recognizing Mom and Dad
Starting to giggle
Likes baths
”talking” a lot more – actually chatting back and forth with coo’s
Follows you with his eyes when you leave the room
Making our hearts melt!

And of course some out takes:

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Sunday, February 17, 2013

8/52



My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. Jim Valvano

Saturday, February 16, 2013

7/52

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I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.
                                                                           1 Samuel 1:27

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Baby Must Haves

I really enjoyed reading other blog posts about what items Mommies could not live without, so I thought I would put my two cents in as well.  We are inching toward the 3 month mark so that’s as far as my knowledge extends.

So in no particular order here they are:

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Motorola Digital Baby Monitor

Love this thing!  There are nicer versions of the video monitor out there but this one does what you need.  Good picture – good reception.  The screen portion is rechargeable so you can leave it plugged in at night but unplug to take with you as well.  The battery life is good.

 

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Summer Swaddle Me Blanket

We have had such good luck with swaddling.  I know for some babies it works great and not so much for others.  Isaac flails his arms when he asleep so when he isn’t swaddled he wakes himself up.  I can’t say he loves the swaddle at first but a little rocking and swaying and kid is OUT.  AKA music to parent’s ears!  We started with some smalls and went out purchased the medium when he out grew the first ones.  Take note: do not put these in the dryer.  They shrink!!

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Fisher Price Swing

Isaac loves to swing.  And swinging = good napping and mama love that!  We got ours at a church consignment sale for a fraction of the price of a new one.  So the $35 we spent was totally worth it!  I can’t say the same for the little vibrating seat we got (also at the consignment sale).  It doesn’t move enough for Isaac’s taste – a little too boring for him.  But the $15 I spent on it wasn’t a huge loss.

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Munckin Drying Rack

This bessie gets used A LOT.  So far we are mostly hand washing the bottles because Little Bit goes through them like hot cakes and we don’t run the dishwasher often enough.  I like the ease of this drying set along with it not taking up too much counter space.

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Sound Machine

I had been looking online for a sound machine but couldn’t find one that I liked.  So a week or so before Isaac was due, Julie and I headed to the Nester’s yard sale up in Huntersville.  (btw – the place was a mad house! But we did find some fun items!)  While in the LONG line to check out I happen to see this sound machine sitting there for $2.00.  I snatched it up and knew if it didn’t work perfectly or wasn’t the correct kind of sounds I wasn’t in the whole too bad.  Little did I know that this would be one of the best things we had for Isaac.  The “night train” setting sounds just like the womb sound.  Best $2 spent EVAH!!

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Rocker

Isaac loves to be rocked and when you combine that with his sound machine it’s a unbeatable combination to get that baby sleeping.  This was my Aunt’s chair that we had recovered and we love having it in the nursery.  The fabric was a gift from a friend + a free hand me down chair = a really good deal.  We only had to pay for the re-upholstery and Sugar Hill Upholstery did that.  They do a great job!

Here’s a before of the chair:

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Love the way it turned out!

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I had the upholsterer straighten up the lines on the back cushion and leave off the buttons.  I updated the chair very nicely!  I love the idea of rocker that doesn’t slowly move across the room and it doesn’t look like a typical glider.

I know things will change as he gets older but so far these items have made our life easier.  What items are on your must haves?  Anything I’m missing that I should have? 

Saturday, February 9, 2013

6/52

 

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The children have been a wonderful gift to me, and I’m thankful to have once again seen our world through their eyes.  They restore my faith in the family’s future.

Jackie Kennedy                

Saturday, February 2, 2013

5/52

issac and mom

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  She never existed before.  The woman existed, but the mother, never.  A mother is something absolutely new.  ~Rajneesh

Friday, February 1, 2013

Weeks 9 & 10

The weeks are passing by quickly…  only 2 weeks left till I am back at work and Isaac is at daycare.  If you see me in a puddle around then just walk on by.  I read something this week about how time passes during this phase…  the days are long but the years are short.  Makes perfect sense to me!

week9

week 10

Oh.me.goodness.