Ready for 2010!

We are thrilled for the changes that will be coming to our family in 2010! A new little one will be joining us sometime in August! This picture was taken right before Thanksgiving, but we decided to keep our news silent for a while. I am 9 weeks pregnant today though, and not feeling as sick as I was with Evelyn, so there is much to be thankful for.

Digging Out

We wanted to let all of friends and family in Iowa to know that we've been digging out from a BIG snow storm too. If anyone wants to move south, just let us know.

Christmas Card Photo Attempt

Don't get your expectations up too high for this year's Christmas photo. Here's a glimpse into the photo shoot...



I don't want to sit in my wagon anymore.



Ooooh, Christmas decorations!



That flash is way too bright.



Huh?



This is waaaay too boring. I'm outta here.



Please no more. :(



I'm all done.



Maybe daddy will save me from the crazy mom with the camera!

Arrowroot

Arrowroot is a great product that can be used in place of cornstarch if you are looking for a healthier, less processed alternative. The consistency resembles ground up chalk. It's also really, really fun to play in if you find it in grandma's cupboard.

Abby

Evelyn loves my parent's dog, Abby. I think she is why Evelyn loves dogs in general. She thinks all dogs are as willing to put up with her antics as Abby is, something we need to work on!

Hard At Work

Evelyn has been working with daddy lately. It's his busiest time of the year, so he really appreciates the extra help.

Fall Leaves

Evelyn really liked the raking I did of the leaves in our yard. This was her first chance getting to play in the leaves.

Halloween

I realized I forgot to post a picture of Evelyn looking adorable in her ladybug costume!

Pumpkin Waffles

These are so delicious! They don't even need syrup. I made a double batch and stored them in my freezer. Now when I need a quick breakfast, I can just pop one in the toaster.

1 1/2 c whole wheat flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp nutmeg and 1 tsp ginger)
pinch salt

Mix together in a small bowl.

2 eggs
1/4 real maple syrup
1 c pumpkin puree
1 2/3 c milk
4 T melted butter

Beat well. Fold the flour mixture into wet ingredients until just moistened. Don't over stir!

In my waffle iron I used about 2/3 c of batter and let them cook for 4 min.

Makes about 5 waffles.

What I Love About My 13-Month-Old

Having a toddler is certainly different than taking care of a baby. And while it has presented all kinds of new challenges, there are parts of it that I absolutely adore.

~She flips through her books to find pictures of dogs. When she finds one she starts barking and brings it to me to show me.

~She loves her antennae headband from her Halloween costume so much that she has been wearing it all week. It goes great with pajamas.

~She mimics everything I do. This includes pretending to scrub the floor, wash dishes, dust furniture, and go shopping.

~She gets really upset while I dry or brush my hair if she doesn't have a brush as well to work on her own.

~She will still snuggle in bed with me in the morning to nurse.

~She has an expanding and extremely cute vocabulary that includes: mama, dada, up, baby, and bread.

~She is figuring out some sign language and likes to the sign for "more" whenever she wants something to eat or drink.

~She's learned that shaking her head side to side means "no". She likes to use this one while she does something she knows she's not supposed to do!

~She's learning how to get dressed and undressed. One day she walked up to me, handed me her shirt, and went back to playing in just a diaper and pants. She will also find my tank tops, put her head through the arm holes, and walk around really proud of herself.

~She is soooo ticklish and loves being tickled.

~She loves giving hugs and kisses that melt my heart.

Yum!

Evelyn takes after her daddy in her love of my homemade pizza.

First Boo-Boo

Yes, I'm that compulsive of a picture-taker that I took a picture of Evelyn's first boo-boo induced band-aid. She didn't even cry when she fell and cut her knee open on the concrete, but she was quite intrigued by this new thing stuck to her leg!

Evelyn's Dedication

We had Evelyn dedicated on October 18th at Timberline Church in Iowa. The pastor of Timberline (Steve Hudson) is the same pastor that married Scott and I over 3 years ago. In case you are unsure what baby dedication is, I think the transcript of what Steve said during the dedication explains it best:

Throughout the ages, godly parents have presented their children to the Lord in dedication. You follow a noble heritage.

While dedication is a worthy act, you must understand that it offers no saving virtue. Dedication does not guarantee your child’s salvation, for this requires a personal commitment that each one must make on their own upon reaching the age of awareness and accountability. Salvation is obtained by grace, through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as personal savior. Though the dedication ceremony does not save, it is nonetheless a most significant act of faith and declaration of intent by the parents to provide Christian nurture to their child.

Believing that this child is a gift from God, and that He shall hold you accountable for her, do you now solemnly confess that it is you purpose to dedicate this child to the Lord and to His service? Will you pray with her and for her; instruct her faithfully in the doctrines of the Christian faith; teach her to read the Word of God; to pray and to lead a holy life; take her faithfully to the house of worship to attend its services; and do all that is in your power to bring her to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?

Parents: “We will.”


Evelyn in her pretty dress.


Her cousins love her!


Daddy reading the verse we picked out for her.

Banana Pumpkin Bread

2 ripe bananas mashed
2 eggs
1/3 c oil
1 1/3 c pumpkin or squash puree
3/4 c honey
2 1/2 c whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Combine wet ingredients in a large bowl. Combine dry ingredients and then stir them into the wet ingredients until just combined. Don't over stir! Makes one large (9x5) loaf, 2 small loaves, or 4 mini loaves.

Bake for 30-45 minutes (depending on the size of loaf) or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry.

One Year of Blogging!

A year ago today I made my first blog post! It doesn't seem like it could have possibly been that long ago. So today you get another picture.

Evelyn loves this little stroller she got for her birthday. She pushes it all over the house after loading it up with toys. A few days ago she tried to push it through her tunnel and ended up pushing the stroller and tunnel all over the house as the stroller is clearly too large to fit through. She ended up crawling through the tunnel, dragging the stroller behind her.

Sigh...I Love You Too

Evelyn is cutting some new teeth. This always leads to sleep deprivation for me, shortened naps for her, and extra crankiness from both of us.

A couple days ago I was particularly exasperated. She was clawing at my legs, whining, while I was trying to get dinner cooked. I picked her up and said, "I'm frustrated with you. Nothing I do is making you happy! I'm tired, you won't sleep, and you won't let mama get anything done!"

She responded by puckering up and giving me a big kiss on the lips followed by her sweet smile.

How can you stay upset with that?

Iowa v. Penn State

The tailgating started early on the front porch.

Followed by a little football practice.

She's working on her stiff arm!


Go Hawks!

One Year Stats

Weight - 18 lbs. - 5th percentile
Height - 29 1/2 inches - 75th percentile

We didn't go to a one year well baby visit because I didn't really see the need and neither does our pediatrician. We don't vaccinate (and no, it's not because I'm afraid of autism), so the only thing they would really do there is weigh and measure her...something I was able to do quite adequately at home.

I will take her in probably around 18 months to get her lead levels tested (we found lead paint in our house that has been taken care of, but we're supposed to get her checked just to be safe).

I'm so thankful that she is so incredibly happy and healthy. I'm also thankful that I did my own research on what would be best for her health in terms of vaccinations, medications, and diet and would highly recommend every new or expectant mother to do the same!

First Birthday Cake

I wanted Evelyn to have her very own little cake to smash and devour for her 1st birthday, but since we keep processed sugars away from her I had to get a little creative. Her cake was actually a soaked flour banana bread (why we use soaked flour) and frosted with frosting sweetened with honey.

Here's my "cake" recipe

1/2 cup of butter
1/2 cup of raw honey
3 large bananas
2 eggs
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
yogurt or kefir

Wet the flour with just enough yogurt or kefir to make it form a large ball. It should not be soupy. Leave in a warm place overnight or up to 24 hours.

Combine all ingredients. Pour into pans so that there is not more than 1-2 inches of batter in each. Bake at 350 until done. The outside will look done before the inside is. That is ok! Just leave them in there until the centers are cooked. It takes much longer to bake soaked grains. A loaf of bread can take an hour and a half.

Frosting

3 egg whites
2/3 cup of honey (I used a scant two-thirds a cup)
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put the unbeaten egg whites, honey, and salt into the top of a double boiler over hot water. Beat with an electric beater on medium to high speed, while you bring the water to a boil. Continue to beat for 7 minutes, or until the mixture forms soft mounds. Remove from the heat, add the vanilla slowly and continue beating until frosting is stiff enough to hold it’s shape.

Yield: 3 cups

Do I need to be as obsessive as I am about her not eating sugar...maybe not. But I choose to be, and when there are such delicious and healthy alternatives, why not? Besides, she doesn't know the difference and loved her banana cake!

One Year Old Photos

Happy Birthday Evelyn!

Nothing says "birthday" like a smashed puppy cake.

Meredith and Jeff's Wedding

I had the honor and privilege to be the Matron of Honor in Meredith and Jeff's wedding a couple weeks ago. The whole event was so beautiful, and I am so happy for them both!