Happy First Birthday Baby Erin!!!

It's kind of bittersweet to celebrate your child's first birthday. I am excited to see my little baby growing and changing. She is doing so much these days. On the other hand, we are starting to leave the baby days behind us. She doesn't want to snuggle so much anymore. Although, she is still a mommy's girl!

I can't help but think back to a year ago today. Right now Grant was watching Wheel of Fortune (a show he had to watch every night back then) and I was packing our bags for the hospital between contractions. I was so excited! I had planned on a natural birth this time around after an induction with Grant. We left for the hospital shortly after 8 pm. It was raining that night and I remember getting on to Stephen because he was sending an email to the guys at work while driving us to the hospital. (I think now I was just uncomfortable because I couldn't get to a comfortable position during the contractions in the car.)

We arrived at the hospital a little after 8:30 pm. It was after hours so I had to be admitted through the ER. They sent my on up to Labor and Delivery. After the nurse began to put me in the computer she said she'd monitor my labor for the next couple hours. We watched American Idol while I labored on. About 10:10 pm my water broke and just minutes later she was born!!!

Here she is just after she arrived!
Here's Grant meeting Sissy for the very first time. I can't get over how little he looks. I thought he was such a big boy at 17 months old!

Erin has brought so much happiness into our lives. Stephen and I can't imagine life without her. This past year has been a difficult one with two babies in the house, but we have been blessed beyond all our expectations. I wouldn't have it any other way! I can't wait to see the young woman that she will become.

Cupcakes!!!

We celebrated Erin's first birthday tonight after dinner with a cupcake. We have a party planned for Saturday, but I wanted to celebrate on her actual birthday. I have to say that she didn't disappoint with the cake. This girl loves to eat. She pretty much ate the whole cupcake all by herself!

One More Day

I cannot believe that this little girl will celebrate her birthday tomorrow. I know I say this a lot, but time flies! I am busily preparing for her party this weekend. Stay tuned for more pictures.

The picture above was taken after church this past Sunday. Our Care group had the fellowship meal. Grant is running around in the background.

Do You Know What This Is?

Grant does!!!!!

(This photo is courtesy of Wikipedia)

A few days ago Stephen's parents were outside playing with the kids on our swing set while I was at work. Grant was on his see-saw with my father-in-law. Grant said "snake" and pointed right below his feet. Sure enough there was a pygmy rattlesnake right underneath him!!!! I am so glad I wasn't there to see this, but it still gives me goosebumps to think that it was this close to my baby! I know we have plenty of snakes out here, rattlers included, but I worry about the kids running into one. Our neighbor's lab was bitten twice by a rattlesnake and didn't survive the second bite! (This was on our property!) Luckily, Hunter seems to be unaware that he is supposed to be a dog and therefore doesn't do some of the risky things to encounter these creatures. (Such as digging huge holes underground). He doesn't even notice any of the wildlife around here!

We talk about the snake daily now. Grant will say, "Snake go away. Bad boy snake!" I hope he remembers this!

Our Valentine's Day 2009

We have had a nice Valentine's Day here at our house. (Much better than last Valentine's Day, which I spent in Labor and Delivery due to a terrible stomach virus. I was 37 weeks pregnant!) We made marshmallow pops last night for all of our Valentine's with a little help (and I mean little) from Grant. The pops were a hit with Grant and Erin. Who can turn down sweets? We used both regular and the pink strawberry flavored marshmallows.

Yummy!

This morning I made heart shaped pancakes for a special breakfast treat. Did I mention that this child loves to eat?

Check out those baby hands. I just love them!

After breakfast Stephen offered to watch Erin while his mom, Grant and I went shopping. I got Erin some cute clothes for her birthday and Grant got some new shoes. While at the mall Grant saw this Mickey ride. He loves Mickey, therefore, he wanted to get on. Once we put some coins in to give him a ride he quickly changed his mind . This kid is never going to Disney world.

This afternoon Stephen and I went back out shopping to get Grant some spring clothes. I didn't find many clothes for him at the outlet mall. He really needed some new shorts. The shorts he wore last year look so small on him it's funny.

For dinner we made heart shaped pizzas. (Do you see the recurring theme?) The kids loved them and I think I might try this idea again.

My sweet boy...he's growing up too fast.

After dinner, the kids got a bath and I cut Grant's hair. Now it's time to get ready for church in the morning.

We hope your day was as good as ours was!

Please Pray

Please pray for the precious baby girl on the right side of my page. Little Emma needs our prayers. She is three months old and was born with several holes in her heart. To read more about her check out my friend Kristi's blog, or her mommy's blog.

Updated Chicken Recipe

I goofed yesterday and left out an ingredient to the Herbed Slow Cooker Chicken. I am sorry! I had a crazy eleven month old climbing all over me while I posted the recipe. I hope I didn't ruin any one's dinner!

SEE BELOW FOR UPDATED RECIPE

Herbed Slow Cooker Chicken

As a mom of two little ones I look for recipes that are quick and easy. Here's a new one I tried out tonight. The chicken was delicious, juicy, and tender. I have to be honest with you. I am not a big fan of chicken. (Unless it's from Chick-Fila. They must put something in their breading that's addicting.) I could do with out it, I am a beef and pork kind of girl, but Stephen loves it. So, I fix it. (I really ought to eat more chicken anyway.) This is the first recipe in a while that I actually enjoyed eating the chicken. Give it a try!


1 tbs. olive oil
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. pepper
4 chicken breasts (boneless or bone-in)
1/2 cup chicken broth

In a small bowl combine first 8 ingredients; rub over chicken. Place in crock pot; add broth. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.

Happy 30th Birthday!!!

This is the first of three posts.


Yesterday was Stephen's thirtieth birthday. We celebrated by having dinner with his family last night. I think I am more upset about him turning thirty than he is. I still have a couple years to go. I think it bothers me more that when we started dating he was just seventeen. It seems that time has passed so quickly. I wish time would slow down sometimes. Next thing I know the kids will be all grown up!

We had big plans for a date night tonight. Boy, do we need one! I think it was September the last time we got away alone together. Our plans were halted this afternoon. As I was cleaning up lunch, (and washing clothes and the dishes) I noticed that our water pressure was gone. Stephen had just come inside after helping his dad cut down and haul off about six or seven trees. He was ready to get a shower and have lunch. I knew something was wrong with the pump to our well.

Sure enough the pump was shot. So, Stephen and his dad spent the afternoon replacing the pump on our well. The good news is we have water. The bad news is we didn't get to go out. Thankfully, my mom and dad have offered to take the kids home tomorrow after church so that we can go to lunch (and by BJ's we are out of diapers) together.

Play Day Outside

The weather was finally nice enough for us to get outside today and play. It was such a beautiful day! The kids enjoyed it so much. I am trying to get Erin used to wearing a bow in her hair. She's slowly getting enough to pull back, but it quickly slips out. She's becoming accustomed to it and only pulls it our every now and then.

Check out those teeth! She now has 5 total and boy can she eat!

For those of you that never see her smile.

(Erin won't crack a smile in public. She's incredibly shy.)

Silly girl!

Grant on a mission!

Riding the see-saws together.

My sweet baby is growing up!

Grant's Tractor Ride

This morning Stephen and His dad were cutting down some trees and hauling down to the back of the property with the tractor. They are going to be building a new trellis over the grapevines. Grant heard his daddy start the tractor and he took off after him. Grant got to help today!

I was playing around with different actions in Photoshop and I thought this was kind of cool.

Hunter helped too!

Happy Birthday Mimi

Last Friday evening I had the family over to celebrate my mom and Stephen's birthday. Her birthday was last week, while Stephen's birthday is Friday. (He'll be 30!) Here are a few pics I wanted to share. We will be celebrating Stephen's birthday again this weekend with his family. I will be sure to get some pictures of that.

Erin playing with girl toys for once!

The child likes cake! (She was still sporting her rash Friday night)

I can't wait for her first birthday in a few weeks.

Here's a flashback to Grant on his first birthday. He's not loving that cake!

In fact, he screamed about it.

He does, however, enjoy cake now. With a spoon. Or a fork.

The Birthday girl herself!

Grant helping Mimi to read her birthday cards.

Just Keeping It Real

Today has been a crazy day. Mondays usually are around here. I think it has to do with our schedule being thrown out of whack on Sundays. Yesterday was very busy . I had a baby shower to attend between services so the kids and Stephen spent the afternoon at my parents house.

So amid all the other things on my to do list today I started filing our income tax return. I was having a difficult time because Erin just wants to be held today and Grant wouldn't stop climbing all over me. So when Grant asked to paint I gladly obliged. Grant love to paint and he does it almost everyday. He is always so careful to only paint on the paper. Until today:

This is what I found when I came back to check on him.

Needless to say he was proud of his work!