2 year photo shoot

The other day we ventured out to do Grant's 2 year photo shoot.  Now, knowing my child will not stay still for a second and really does not like to even smile for cameras, I knew this was going to be a challenge!  So, we decided to make it as fun as possible and try to get some natural shots.  We chose a gorgeous fall day and headed out to our property on a golf course with a golf club, a ball, an adorable little boy and a camera.  Grant had so much fun playing golf that he barely noticed the camera clicking away- it was perfect!

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo

 

On Saturday night, we celebrated Grant's second birthday.  Wow, what a difference a year makes!  Grant actually enjoyed opening presents - although that only lasted until he got a big truck and then all he wanted to do was play!  When asked, he would tell you that he is, "two" and he actually sang, "Happy Birthday to You"  and is still singing it!  I still can't believe how grown up my baby is getting!

This years theme was trains.  Grant has been obsessed with choo choos for a while now and I had received a fun train cupcake mold for Christmas last year and then picked up a brand new set of train cookie cutters from a friend at our garage sale this summer, so the choo choo theme seemed the obvious choice! I don't go all out with themed food and all that, but I do enjoy planning little touches to make the day special.  There was a time in my life that I wondered if I would ever be able to celebrate my child's birthday so I like to make the day as special as I can.  My plan was to attempt to make this as simple as possible because I am quite tired these days being so pregnant. However, once the planning started, I just couldn't stop!
 


The invitation.....

The Birthday Boy..... in the t-shirt I made for him without sewing since I never got around to getting those sewing lessons!

The favors for the kids... these were cups that had train cookies inside as an extra treat.

The favors for the adults.... train cookies.

The cake.....

The jell-o..... the cupcake mold ended up being a jell-o mold after a disastrous
attempt at making cupcakes in it!  I was really glad I tested it out before the day of his birthday!

The presents..... wow, is he ever spoiled!

2 years old

Grant Weston,

As I sit here writing this, I am overcome with emotion thinking that it was two years ago today that we first held you in our arms.  This last year with you has been truly amazing.  I am so thankful that I get to stay home 3 days a week and watch you grow and discover the world.  You have grown up so much and it kinda makes me sad to think that you are no longer my baby.  There are so many new things that you surprise us with everyday.  Here are a few highlights....

* you talk like crazy.  You still have your own language that you use every once in a while,  but you really learn so many new words a day that it is scary!  You repeat just about everything we say now and you are getting really good at forming 3 word sentences.  I am so proud of you and ashamed of myself for ever worrying about your language development!

*you made the transition into a big boy bed in the last month.  Below is a picture of how much you like your bed!  Most nights you go to sleep in the bed but we find you on the floor in the morning.  Sometimes before we go to bed we check on you in your bed and then find you on the floor surrounded by books with the light on in the morning!  This scares us a little because we are not sure when you are actually getting up and reading to yourself.

*you are still a daddy's boy.  The first thing you say when you get up is, "daddy" and you ask about him all day long.  I know this is because daddy spoils you and I have to discipline you so I will let it go for now, but soon you will need to become my mommas boy!

*you love to read books especially before nap time and bed time and you tend to use that as a way to stay awake longer!

*you love to play outside.  The second thing you say when you wake up (behind Daddy of course) is, "outside".  I am pretty sure if I let you, you would play outside all.day.long.  We got you a bike last month and you love to ride it around the block.  It takes you about 45 minutes because you like to stop and check everything out.

 *you are a true boy!  You love trucks, tractors, excavators, scoops, diggers, and most especially dirt!  They have been working on our road for what seems like months and you have been glued to the window watching all of the construction trucks- it is so cute how excited you get.  Every time you think you hear a truck, you look at me and scream, "truck coming" like it is the coolest thing in the world!

*you are very observant and don't miss anything.  You can spot an airplane in the sky that I have to put my glasses on to see!

*you have been showing a lot more interest in the potty lately but mommy doesn't dare try to push the issue before your world is turned upside down with a little brother.  You have been going on the potty for months before your bath time but recently you have asked to go other times as well.  This is a picture of your first time going poop on the potty.  Yes, I am THAT mom that takes a picture of this proud moment!

*random stats - you are wearing 18 month pants, 24 month shirts, size 5 shoes and size 4 diapers.  Last time you were weighed was a couple months ago and you were 24 pounds.  I will update this info after your 2 year appt on Monday.  I am very curious to see how much you have grown.



We love you so much Grant.  I am almost worried about having another child because I wonder if I will have enough love for both of you.  I cherish the few times a day that you snuggle on my lap and I hold you close and thank God for blessing me with you. ~mommy

36 Weeks!

36 weeks pregnant with Grant

36 weeks pregnant with baby boy #2

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... Can you hear that deep breath that I just took?  I finally made it to my final milestone- 36 weeks!  Technically I am not full term until next week, but if you go with the every 4 weeks milestones, I made it!  I have been seeing my OB every week for a couple weeks now and so far everything looks good.  My blood pressure is staying consistently low and so far I have had absolutely no swelling.  It is crazy to think that it was this week two years ago that I went into the hospital to get tested for preeclampsia and I left with my Grant Weston! 

Unfortunately, I have been having a lot more anxiety lately.  I had a nightmare that this baby was stillborn and ever since then, I am scared out of my mind that something awful is going to happen.   So, needless to say, I am more than ready to have this baby any day.  I am pretty sure unless you have been in a similar situation, you just don't get the intense feeling of just wanting the baby out so that it is not just your sole responsibility anymore.  I have had so many people tell me that I am crazy for wanting the chaos of two little boys so soon, but please just bring me the chaos already. I will gladly take it on if it means this baby is healthy and breathing and in my arms and I can switch my worrying to things like is he eating, sleeping, and pooping enough! 

Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like anything spectacular is going to happen anytime soon in the labor department so I will try to take deep breaths and wait patiently- much easier said than done!  Luckily I am  busy planning a choo choo birthday party for an amazing little boy so that is keeping my mind occupied at least a few hours a day!

I had great plans to post a belly pic but could not get a good one with the timer so I will have to wait until J gets home tonight to post it so you will just have to come back :)

September Recipe

Yes that is right, I am actually posting a recipe in the same month I made it! Amazing!  My dad was here for a week so it gave me a perfect opportunity to try out a few new recipes.  Again, I decided to take advantage of the summer harvest of peppers and tomatoes and made this delicious vegetarian meal.  I would recommend this for anyone- vegetarian or not.  The quinoa makes it hearty enough that you really don't need meat.  However if you have to cook with meat, I am sure you could add sausage or ground beef and it would still be delish.  I just got this recipe right off the back of the quinoa box which can be found in the rice aisle at the grocery store.


Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 4 large green peppers (or 6 medium)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1/2 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes, coarsely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 (12 ounce) jar mexican salsa
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Cook quinoa as per packet.
3. Steam peppers until soft but not limp.
4. In a large skillet, saute the onion and mushrooms in butter.
5. Add the diced tomatoes (reserving the juice).
6. Add the crushed garlic and salsa.
7. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
8. Add the sherry and simmer 10 more minutes.
9. Fold in quinoa.
10. Place peppers in baking dish and fill with quinoa mixture (half the mixture will be used up).
11. Thin remainder with reserved juice and pour around peppers.
12. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over peppers and bake in 325 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.

The only thing I changed was that I omitted the sherry because I didn't have any and didn't want to buy a whole bottle for just 2 T!  It tasted fine without it.

Let me know if you try this one.

34 Weeks

We had our 34 week ultrasound yesterday to check growth and fluid levels in case I develop preeclampsia and need to be induced early.  Everything looked fine and baby boy measured in around 4 pounds- right where he needs to be.  It was so exciting to get another peek at this little guy.  And for all you that thought there was a possibility this was a girl, it was definitely confirmed that this is a BOY (see pics below)! 

I can finally say that as I lay there watching the screen, I got excited.  That is a lot for me.  I always try to not get too excited, just in case.  It felt good to feel normal for once and be able to enjoy this opportunity to see our baby boy.

Praising God for a healthy baby!

August Recipe

Yes, I know it is September!  However, I am a little behind in my recipe posts so I am doing a little catch up.  In July I tried a new recipe for a delicious looking zucchini casserole from All Recipes.  It was anything but delicious and unfortunately it was the only new recipe I tried, so no recipe for July!  In August, we had an abundance of tomatoes in our garden so I tried a bruschetta recipe that a friend gave me.  It was delicious and a great way to take advantage of all those ripe tomatoes.

8 plum tomatoes seeded and diced
2 Tbls minced garlic
1/2 c. Coarsely chopped fresh basil
1/4 c. Coarsely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 tsp tarragon (you can use 1 tsp fresh if u want)
1 Tbsp. Balsamic vinagar
1/2 Tbsp. Olive oil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional) 

Serve with toasted crostini and if you are adventurous (and can eat goat cheese at the moment), spread some on the crostini before you add the bruschetta.  YUM!