Figure friendly Super Bowl recipe :o)

Okay, it's just a great recipe - but, since I am making it for this weekend, I'm calling it a Super Bowl recipe. And, since several friends will be looking to lose baby weight this year - myself included - I thought I would share this recipe. It was given to me by Mark's friends, Peter and Karen. It was one of his very favorite treats - a big deal since he normally won't eat much fruit - until the last time I made it when he had heartburn - but I'm trying again - more for me if it still gives him heartburn.

Fruit Salsa:
1 pound of strawberries (I use the frozen ones and let it thaw)
2 kiwis
1 firm pear
1 Granny Smith apple
the juice from 1/2 an orange
zest from 1 orange
the recipe that I was given also called for adding 1T of brown sugar - but I have never done that

Just whirl it all up in a blender or food processor - it will be pureed (I don't even peel the kiwis or pear or apple anymore).

That's the easy part - the time consuming part is as follows:

Cinnamon - sugar chips:
2-10" packages of flour tortillas
cinnamon and sugar

Brush each side of a tortilla with water and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar(I'm sure that you could use Splenda if you prefer). After that, using a pizza cutter, cut the tortilla into wedges. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 400-450 for 5-8 minutes until crispy. Each oven is different - you'll just have to figure out what works for you so they're not chewy or not burnt.

I have seen cinnamon-sugar chips at WalMart - that would work if you don't have time to make the chips.

Am I the only one??

Can I just say - I don't think that I can take 10 or so more months of presidential candidates/politics/campaigning. Ughhhhh. Maybe we just watch too much CNN.

First outing!!

Saturday was a big day for us! We all went out - Matthew and I dropped Mark off at the theater - he wanted to see Cloverfield. So, we dropped him off then Matthew and I headed to Starbucks - Matthew ate his "lunch" there, then we went to Target :o) He was basically asleep throughout that experience. We picked up Daddy and then headed to Moe's for dinner. It was a good day!

For Grandma

attitude of gratitude

After reading my seven random things - I think that I might have come across a little dismal??
Anyway, I figured it was time to list some things that I was thankful for....

Because I'm living in a town that I really wouldn't choose, means that I'm married to a wonderful, godly man - for that I am thankful.

Because I am exhausted at times to tears for being up several times a night and living my life in three hour increments, means that we have been blessed with a healthy little boy, for that I am thankful.

7 random things

I was challenged by Leanne to come up with seven random things about myself - let's see if I came up with enough.........

1. I haven't the foggiest idea of what to do with my hair - no I will NOT post a picture. It's long - the longest it's been in probably seven or eight years. I keep thinking I need bangs, but when I bring it up, people - Sherrie, Janie and others - say nooooooooooooo. Any other "style" will probably mean work - and I'm probably too lazy for that right now.

2. My most satisfying job was working in critical care for ten years. I still miss it.

3. The reason I got out of critical care was so I could have more regular hours to be more involved in church ministry. With that said, my next job was woefully unsatisfying, God really taught me how to be content when you don't like your job. It fulfilled goal of getting more involved at church and I had to keep reminding myself that that was still more important to me than liking my job.

4. Even though there is no reasonable way we think this could happen, Mark and I would love to live in New York City.

5. My number one preference in the job category would be to be a stay at home mom - that is not an option, financially.

6. My number two option in the job category would be to work somewhere like Starbucks - again, not an option.

7. I have no desire to work in the nursing field anymore - there again, not an option financially.

Well, I stretched things out - but there you go :o)


Okay, now it's Michelle's turn!!!! :o)

Waking up is hard to do!!

Woo Hoo!

I just got the "everything looks good" speech from my doctor today. No seeing him for six months!!! He's a nice guy - but I'm not going to miss him at all!

I just got off the elliptical machine - believe it or not, I've been looking forward to getting back on that thing for several months!! :o)

If it were warmer (I know, it is warmer than Indiana) I would take him to "the mall" - that's what Mark calls WalMart. Doesn't get much more exciting than that around here!

one month old

I'm one month old today! When I went to the doctor's office last week, I was ten pounds! Mommy and Daddy are still trying to figure out my reflux issues and getting over my cold. I make lots of random smiles. Mommy isn't sure if I've really intentionally smiled at her, yet. I had been eating more and faster the past couple of days, but yesterday I decided - "what's the hurry?" - so, I'm back to taking my time. I'm getting stronger, I can hold my head up longer. I've been told that there are cats around - but I haven't noticed. I'm still trying to figure out Mommy and Daddy.

Trench buddies

There are times in your life when you're in the trenches - and it's "just" you and God. Those are special times to realize that God IS enough. Then there are other times when you are in the trenches - and though God is enough - and you know that by now - He is gracious enough to bring along some "trench buddies" who are going through similar experiences at the same time. Not only can you encourage them, they can encourage you.
Even though no one prefers to go through the trenches - it's a part of our lives and a vital part of the refining process. I'm thankful for my current trench buddies - Molly, Leanne, and Betty, Sherry to name a few.
It's funny to think that had I not moved out of Lafayette, I might not have these connections. I don't know that I would have had a blog otherwise; and though several of these ladies were more acquaintances, I cerainly feel more of a kinship to them/you now. God bless and know that I am praying for all of you!

Recovering

Somehow, despite rarely having contact with the "outside world" the past three weeks, I developed a cold. Of course, being a first time mom, I was concerned about passing it on to a newborn.
And then it happened - Matthew started getting congested Monday, we brought him in to be checked - the dr. said it sort of a pre-cold state. Well, two days later - the yellow gunky drainage shows up.
We brought him back in - the nurse practioner was encouraging and helpful.
Thankfully, esp. for Mark ;o), I'm not freaking out like I very possibly could have. Mark reminds me, as does the Holy Spirit, that these things are out of my control. I have to continue to trust God for the outcome, for wisdom, patience and strength.

a sad farewell

Our computer was laid to rest yesterday. It crashed - again. We knew that the time was coming - it was seven years old - it was sad, though - that was my first computer.

Game day #2

The previous game day entry was for the Daddy and Granndpa E. This entry is for me and everyone else :o) It's a 6-9 month - a little too big for now - but something to look forward to for the next season!!!

Good morning!!

A mixed bag

Well, we started Zantac Monday night. I was a bit skeptical - because everyone else that I shared our woes with used Prilosec and were happy with there results. I am pleased to report that we have had no throwups since Monday - and this is Thursday :o)
I still hear gurgling at times - sounds like he just needs to clear his throat. I wonder how much of his fussy sleeping issues are related to that or just a Matthew trait. We haven't tried the sleeping on his stomach, but I have read that putting him on his stomach after eating can help.
Anyway, that's where we stand on the reflux issue.

At some point, basically every blog won't be about Matthew and our trials and tribulations - that's just kind of where we are at right now. I do realize that there is much more going on the world.

*****A side note - not related to Matthew - Mark is getting that kidney stone feeling again ;o( That's obviously not what we want to have to deal with - ever again, but especially now. It's not that he's not doing his job in drinking water.

So, if you think about it, you can pray that it passes painlessly - or as painlessly as possible without having to go to the hospital for pain medication. We'd surely appreciate it.

2 1/2 weeks old

I saw someone else do this and thought that it was a neat idea - My goal is to take a picture - every month - of Matthew in a 12 month size onsie. Should be fun to see him fill it out.

A word to the wise....

Never, ever cut your toenails too short. And always cut them straight across - don't angle them at the edges. Why?? You do NOT want ingrown toenails! Trust me on this!

The dreaded "R"

Reflux! No fun. We've got Matthew on a thickner for his formula now - he doesn't throw up every time - maybe 1-2 times a day. Poor little guy. It just messes up his whole schedule. Doesn't seem to phase him, though.

It's challenging to "enjoy these days" instead of wishing them away to a few months from now when he is - hopefully - sleeping more through the night - and we are able to get more sleep. He is a cutie and we are thankful for him!

Happy New Year!

Hard to believe that it's 2008! Where does the time go?!

Updates from us - Matthew weighed in at 8# 6oz yesterday - made everyone happy with that. Got my staples out yesterday - more comfortable now.

I think that Mark and I have to just accept that our Matthew is going to eat when he is ready to - "I will eat no milk before it's time" attitude. He seems to be starving but as soon as he gets the bottle in his mouth - it's time to sleep. You think that he's sucking - he's just not swallowing. He does this for about 20-30 minutes - no matter what you do to wake him up. Once HE decides it's time to eat - he downs it - it has to be his idea though.
Evidently, my nephew, Jared, was a bit like this - so we've been calling him Jared :o)

My prayers for us this year, as well as our loved ones, are for wisdom, health and a thankful heart that's growing closer to our Lord and Savior.