New Year, New Blog

Just in case anyone out there in the blogosphere wants to know, I'm headed to a new blog. One where I may, in fact, blog.

So, feel free to stop by! I'd love to have you!

http://blessedlittlemess.blogspot.com 

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Last Saturday night, Clay's work hosted a night out at e Redbird's game. So, being a good little employee/family, we went! Of course, we weren't going to turn down a free evening of baseball and Rendezvous BBQ! That's ridiculous! It was a fireworks game, so we were hoping The little one would make it to the end, but, alas, that didn't happen. She did however, have a GREAT time! Hannah loved being outside (the weather was perfect last Saturday, in case you missed it... Unlike this Saturday, where it the upper 80's and humid at 10am... Hello summer) and seeing all the people. The snacking on BBQ and Cheerios helped too! (The kid likes pork... It was her first meat. We're trying to raise her right!) She did well through the fireworks they set off during the National Anthem. They really didn't bother her at all. That might be a good thing for vacation in a couple of weeks :). In the 2nd or 3rd inning, Hannah got to meet this guy:

She LOVED Rockey the Redbird! I was very happy that she loved the big character! Also a HUGE plus for vacation in a few weeks. (More on that later... Any guesses?) All in all, a fun night! And something that we can do again while Hannah is small!

Naptime Baking

Clay finished up with tax season last week... woo hoo! And this week, he has hit the books/videos/online study reviews hard for the CPA exam... BOOO HISS! He is studying anytime he can: lunchtime at work, after work (but usually after Hannah goes to bed, so that he can get some little one time in), at work when he's got any down time, and even early in the morning!

So, I've been looking online (i.e., I've been playing on Pinterest and looking at blogs through there) for some quick and easy breakfast and lunch ideas for him.

Yesterday, I tried one out while Hannah had her afternoon nap. I made some Baked Oatmeal Cups that I had seen a few people "pin". I followed a pin to a blog, to another blog, to another blog, and then I completely rearranged the recipe, so I'm going to put what I did (and what I'll do next time)!

Baked Oatmeal Cups
3 mashed bananas
3 cups old fashioned (not quick cook) oatmeal
2 eggs
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup Almond Coconut Milk
2/3 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup Craisins

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Mix up your first six ingredients. Let them sit while you prepare the muffin tins.

Put muffin liners in 18 cups and spray with cooking spray.

Stir in your chocolate chips and Craisins.

Use an ice cream scoop to even scoop your batter into the muffin tins. (If you don't have an ice cream scoop specifically for this purpose... GET ONE TODAY! =) )













I had just enough batter to make 17 1/2 Baked Oatmeal Cups. (The 1/2 was a nice "tester" cup for me to have when they came out of the oven!)

Place them in the oven for 25 minutes.

Let them cool completely and enjoy!

Overall, I think they turned out pretty good. Next time, I'll probably add a little bit of cinnamon and/or nutmeg, just because I usually like that flavor profile in oatmeal. (I even add that to Hannah's oatmeal every morning, depending on what fruit she has mixed in that day). Clay said he likes them too and it was great just grabbing it quickly this morning, all ready to go!

Now, I just need to see a) how long they last sealed up on the counter and b) if I can freeze them!

Blogging - Take 437

I've found that when you are home with the little one, sometimes your days and weeks run together. The, you forget what you did, or when you did it! So, though it has been proven many times over that I'm a HORRIBLE blogger, I'm going to try again.

I've given the blog a facelift (not a good one, but one nonetheless). A new name, some new pictures, and a new post! If nothing else, I want to try to keep this up, at least a little bit, so I can remember what little H and I get in to! And, mostly, what she is doing.

She's growing up WAY to fast. That's what they do though, grow, grow, grow. So, I'm going to do this. For now, I'm going to try to set a realistic goal of one blog post a week. Then, if I get an extra one in, it's a bonus! And, I'm telling myself that this one definitely does NOT count for this week. So, I've got three more days to make it happen. I can do it!

Hannah's First Four Months

Well, Hannah was born... and she had her first 4 months of life. No biggie, right? Hah!

In some ways, it's like she was born yesterday. In other ways, I can't imagine life without her, and she has just been with us forever and ever!

It's absolutely amazing and wonderful to see the little girl she is turning into. She is so much more than a little baby now, even at 4 months old. She's so curious and interested in the world around her now. She's starting to play with things and has discovered her hands and feet. Her smile and laugh can, of course, melt mommy's heart in an instant!

I'm hoping that as she really starts hitting big milestones in 2012, I might be better about documenting them here, so we remember when and where they happened! Of course, I always say that. But, I'm hoping to use some of my better blogging buddies as inspiration

But, I'll leave you with the good stuff... the pictures =)

 

Welcome to our world Hannah!

Well, I'm a couple weeks behind, but who can blame me right? I'm typing this with one hand, on my phone, while a sleeping baby girl is lying on my stomach! Hannah was born on September 1 at 11am on the dot! She was 7lbs, 15oz and 20 3/4 inches long. Most importantly, she is perfectly healthy and perfect in her mommy and daddy's eyes!

Our lives have obviously changed dramatically since 9/1. We are slowly but surely starting to find our new normal. So far, I feel pretty lucky as she tends to sleep in 3 or so hour stretches through the night. Of course, I'm still beyond exhausted, but that comes with the territory.

We've had a few setbacks, but we're working through them. Breastfeeding has NOT gone well or as planned. (Sorry if this is TMI...) I've met with the lactation nurse at Hannah's pediatrician's office and left that day very encouraged, but we still have alot of problems and serious pain. Not just uncomfortable, but cry my eyes out, I can't stand it pain. Right now, we are trying to nurse, but I pump as often as I can and we are supplementing with formula. Not what I had planned, but she is being fed and that's what counts!

We had her newborn picture session yesterday and from the two sneak peek pictures we've received, we're very pleased! She's a cute little girl (though I guess I'm a bit biased!)

I'm looking forward to figuring out our new schedule, as most know I love me a schedule. I know it will be constantly changing.

Hopefully, being home with her now, I'll be able to carve our time to keep this updated on our ever changing lives!

32 Weeks (well, almost)

Well, I'm only 18 weeks behind in posting, right? Not THAT bad... HAH!

Tomorrow marks 32 weeks! It's hard to believe she's almost here! (Yeah, in that 18 weeks, lima bean got a gender and a name!) It's REALLY hard to believe that in 5 weeks, if Hannah decided that it was time to make her appearance, the doctors would let her!

We've got things rolling, in getting ready for her. Her nursery is painted, and all the furniture is here and assembled!

Here's Hannah's crib and changing table

Here's the window, glider and part of the bookcase

 

 

 

 

Here's the glider and bookcase... not very organized or cute yet! You can also see part of the decal that's going on her wall. It's just the one little bird right now, but there is a whole tree/family of birds. Maybe that'll happen this weekend.

And here's her sweet little blanket that goes with her bedding! I love the little birds and owls. We've actually got all of the bedding now, but I haven't taken pictures yet. 

The next big project is cleaning out the closet in her room. It's full of years of "stuff". Since her room was our second guest bedroom/office, the closet in there really collected a lot. I've made some progress, but there are still some serious boxes to be gone through!

Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, we'll have most everything together in her room! I still need to:
1) Clean the closet
2) Put up the decal on the wall
3) Put up the ADORABLE letters that  my little sister painted for her! (They are curly-Q kind of letters, and my sister, Cindy, managed to put all of the patterns and birds that are on her bedding, onto the skinny little curly letters... she is ridiculously talented)
4) Find a mirror or fun photo collage frame to put over her changing table.
5) and, you know, all the other stuff that needs to be done.

Maybe I'll have some more, complete pictures soon!