1 month! (Sort of...)

Alexa was 6 weeks and 1 day when I took this photo, but I didn't have the stickers for the onesies yet.  Woops, sorry Alexa.  Your mama stinks.  The second child syndrome is already setting in.  I notice how different I was with Ellie.  I was on top of it all.  Okay, not really- but I was way more diligent with things like this.  Alexa is lucky she got a baby book, and even luckier that it is somewhat filled out.  Maybe it is a blessing for her.  Sure, she'll get all the hand me downs, but won't we be more relaxed since we are supposed to have a better clue as to what we are doing with our second.  Or are they so close together that it won't even matter?  I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I'm feeling more comfortable with 2 children.  It seems like we've almost hit a stride.  Well, not a full on stride, more like a limp or a hobble but we are making progress is the point I'm trying to make. 

So happy 1 month (6 weeks and 1 day) to Alexa Lynne.  I'll do better at your 2 month photo, I promise!

Ellie's 1st Birthday

I know that her birthday was in May, but I really wanted to show it on my blog.  I know first birthday's are more for the parents than the actual child and this birthday was no exception.  I wanted to really celebrate her first year and go all out.  I wanted to celebrate her life, the love she has given us, and the fact that she appears to be doing very well.  Although it is too early to tell what permanent damage she has suffered for having me as her mom.  :-)

The dessert table

We went with an owl theme.  I did a lot of the projects myself.  I had so many more ideas, but like I said in my first post, I lack execution- so we had what we had!  I made the banners and the topiary that was on the dessert table as well as her high chair banner that we ended up placing behind the high chair.

It says "I am 1"

Ellie's little birthday outfit was so stinkin' sweet.  I ordered the cutest onesie, hairbow, and personalized owl bloomers from Bella Claire Baby and I made her tutu myself!

I tried to make her smash cake all by myself.  Lord knows I tried, but I failed!  I can't ice a cake worth a damn!  So off to Publix I went with photos of my idea and they made it happen.

Ellie's smash cake

 Needless to say she enjoyed her party!!

Pictures

I'm new to the whole blogging thing, but I do plan on adding photos here and there.  Especially for my recipes.  I'm a visual person and I prefer to see a picture of what I'm making.  Just a head's up.

Ellie's First Beach Day

What a great weekend we all had.  The weather was absolutely beautiful.  We decided to head up to Palm Beach, initially just for the night, but we ended up staying the entire weekend.  On Sunday, we took Ellie to the beach. 

Ellie and Uncle Luke

She's been to the beach a handful of times, but this was pretty much before she could walk.  She'd tag along with us in her carseat.  But this time was a blast.  She was a little afraid of the tide at first- when it would wash ashore on her little feet, but she is fearless!  In no time she was splashing around like she was born to be in the ocean.  It was so sweet.  Uncle Luke says he's going to teach her to surf, and when that time comes- I have no doubt she'll love it.  She's not much for getting messy, though.  When the sand would get on her hands she'd make a little scowl on her face and hold out her hands.  She really is a hoot.

Alexa stayed behind.  Gigi and Pawpaw (Marshall's grandparents) watched her for us while we went.  It is so funny the way you change when you have your second child.  We always toted Ellie along wherever we went, having someone else watch her wasn't really an option for us.  I was like a mama hawk and there was no way I was letting my little Ellie out of my sight.  Now, we have no problems asking someone to watch over them while we do this or that.  Not that Gigi or Pawpaw mind.  I know they love spending time with our girls and we are grateful for that!

Reflux

This reflux business has been very trying on our little family.  Especially since our special angel won't sleep because of it.    Thankfully, we have a great pediatrician.  She gave us some medicine (Zantac in a liquid form) for Alexa.  On Monday she told us that we should have some relief by the weekend. 

Last night and the night before were great.  I don't know if it is the medicine doing it's magic or the fact that we have her swaddled tighter than a crazy person in a straight jacket, but I'll take it.  I am waiting for 4 good nights in a row before I declare a success on this front.

Sweet Ellie has a mild fever.  Don't think for one second that it is slowing her down.  I love my girls so much. 

Newborns

Ellie as a newborn

Alexa

I have to be honest, I am not a fan of the "newborn phase."  I can't really tell what they need, why it is necessary to cry at 2, 3, 4 a.m and why they sometimes take 4 days to poop.  Nope, not a fan.  Ellie had colic and that was just God awful.  There is nothing like thinking or feeling like your baby hates your guts.  She was completely inconsolable from the hours of 4-7p.m every day for about the first 3 months of her life.  I prayed like hell that Alexa would not have colic.  It appears that God answered my prayers, but not how I had hoped...

Alexa has reflux.  Let me tell you that in almost every way this is worse than colic.  She cries all the time, she rarely sleeps and if she does it is in the afternoon, and she is extremely fussy.  She does not like to be put down.  The days are long and the nights are even longer.  I actually WANT to go back to work. 

This phase seems like it will never end, but then I think about how quick Ellie's first year flew by and I know this will be over in a blink.  Thank God for that. 

Maybe tonight will be the night where we actually sleep...

So I have this journal...

I had this idea to start a journal before Ellie was born.  I thought about what I would put in it and planned on giving it to her when she was 18, or possibly older.  About 6 months ago, I bought  this adorable journal from Barnes and Noble to put this great idea into action.  Needless to say, it is still sitting on my bookshelf; blank and I guarantee that 6 months from now that journal will still be blank.  Oh, and by the way Ellie is already almost 15 months old and she also has a newborn sister, Alexa, so this is probably my best bet at an attempt to chronicle anything of my journey into motherhood.  I often have great ideas but I lack execution.  I'm sure they will learn this about me soon enough.  Hopefully they will never learn that I have no clue what I'm doing...

Ellie when I had the idea to start a journal

Ellie when I bought the journal

Ellie when I actually started

Alfredo Sauce

 This is a basic recipe for Alfredo sauce.  I warn you, it is delish!  If you make this you are likely to have it requested again and again.  Experiment with additional ingredients, more whipping cream, more cheese, garlic whatever!  And trust me on the nutmeg.  :-)

*tip- I make this with chicken and broccoli.  I do not add garlic to the alfredo sauce but I do add it to the chicken while it is cooking in the skillet*

Ingredients:

-1C heavy whipping cream
-1 stick of butter
-1/2 C shredded parmesan cheese
-1 dash of nutmeg
-salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Melt butter over med-low in a heavy bottomed skillet.  Add heavy whipping cream and stir.  Slowly stir in the parmesan cheese.  Season with a dash of nutmeg.  Stir frequently.  Sauce with thicken.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Lone Star Black Bean Soup

I've been making this for years.  This recipe barely lasts a day in my house...

Ingredients:
-2 large cans of black beans

-3 celery stalks (chopped)
-3 carrots (chopped)

-1 med white onion (diced)

-1 small package of diced ham

-1 large box of low sodium chicken broth-like Swanson's

-2 tbs of diced garlic

-1tbs cumin

-1tsp cayenne pepper

Directions:
sautee onions, carrots, garlic and celery in pot on medium low until almost cooked
add the cumin and cayenne pepper; cook for about 1 minute.
add the chicken broth to the mixutre, turn heat up to medium and simmer
add one large can of black beans
puree the second can of black beans in a blender and then add to the soup. simmer for about 30 minutes. Skim the top of the soup before serving.

Easy Baked Chicken

This is one of Marshall's favorites.  You can use this for pork chops, too!

-4 Chicken Breasts
-Ranch Dressing (for marinade)
-Italian Bread Crumbs

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.  Place the Ranch Dressing and the Italian Bread Crumbs in 2 separate plates.  Coat the chicken with the ranch and then coat with the Italian Bread Crumbs.  Bake for 30 minutes or until juices run clear.

Crock Pot Pulled Chicken

This recipe is super easy delish and healthy.  It uses chicken breast instead of pork. 

-5-6 chicken breasts (I use frozen)
-12 oz BBQ sauce
-1/4 c brown sugar
-1/2 c italian dressing
-2tbs worcestershire sauce

Directions:
Place chicken breasts in crock pot.  Mix other ingredients in a bowl and pour over chicken.  Cook on low 4-6 hours.

Simple Crock Pot Roast

This crockpot recipe is tried and true.  It was initially made with brisket meat, but now I buy whatever roasting meat happens to be on sale.  You can add root veggies (rutabega, carrot, potatoes) and play around with the lipton soup packets. 

-5lbs of roasting meat of your choice (brisket, boston butt, etc)
-1 package of lipton onion soup mix (I use beef & mushroom)
-1 can of sliced mushrooms; undrained
(optional: potatoes, carrots, rutabega)

Directions:
Lay meat fat side up in crock pot
Mix soup mix with the can of undrained slice mushrooms, pour mixture over meat
Cook over low heat 8 hours or until fork tender