And he's off!

Stats: 6 months, 1 week: 18.2 pounds, 26 1/2 inches

  Sam the man is on the move! Well, I guess he has always been on the move, because he has NEVER been still! From a week old he was holding his head up, and as the weeks went by he was pushing up on us with his legs. So, we knew we were in for it. I kinda blame this on me because during my pregnancy I NEVER was still. I think I only took a couple random naps, but besides that I was putting in probably 10 hour days up until a day before I went into labor. So, I guess it is payback!
  At about 4 1./2 months Sam was crawling backwards. And, a few weeks later he figured out what crawling meant. He would get up on his fours and push (insert face to ground). Then finally he put it all together, and never went back. When we went to California last month he started pulling himself up on the couch. I was like, WHAT?! Hello child, you weren't even 6 months old and doing that. Please go back to the days when you layed there so peacefully. Now he enjoys pulling himself up on everything, taking off one hand and staring at us with his priceless smile. I am just waiting for the day that the hands go off and bam! A step. I know it is coming fast. TIme flies with the blink of an eye, that is for sure!
  At his doctor's appointment this week he was named the strongest 6 month old that the nurse has ever had to hold down. I felt so bad but the both of us had to hold his legs down pretty hard. He cried (tear), then I picked him up and he was fine. He would look at the nurse and tell her off in baby talk, look at me quietly, then back at her with his talk. He knew who the mean lady was! Anyhow, he is healthy and happy, and that is what matters most.
  Halloween is coming up, yay! We painted pumpkins, and did some decorating outside. This weekend we are going to go to the pumpking patch, Then the following week we take 6 month pictures. It is going to be busy! Not sure what he is going to be for Halloween. So many choices. I am going to attempt to make one..and then we can have several to snap pictures in. We shall see! Until next time...Ciao!

Sam & Daddy cuddling

Our pumpkins, Sam's isn's pictured yet

Look mamma! I'm standing

Happy 6 months bambino!

Chicken Cacciatore, Nonna style

Okay, so as requested..here is our family's chicken cacciatore recipe:

Ingredients
4 chicken thighs and 2 breasts (I use all breasts)
2 tsp salt/pepper
1/2 cup flour
3 tbsp olive oil
1 large bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
3/4 cup white cooking wine
1 can diced tomatoes
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 cup chopped basil

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Coat with flour.

In a large saute pan, heat oil. Add chicken pieces to pan and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, until browned. Put in a dish.

Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, and saute. Season with salt and pepper, add wine. Simmer until reduced by half. Add tomatoes with juice, oregano, broth. Return chicken to pan and coat in sauce. Bring to simmer. Continue simmering over medium heat until cooked through~about 30 minutes.

Transfer chicken to platter, and spoon sauce over. Sprinkle with basil.

Mangia! Mangia!

Oh, you're crafty.

I am so thankful and blessed to be able to stay at home and watch Sam. I used to think, there would be no way that I could stay at home all day long and not work. Well, turns out, taking care of Sam is a lot of work. He is not the typical baby, napping, laying down so that I can do a lot of things..he is a mover and a shaker. Wow! I wonder who he got that from??? Haha. I can leave him down for about 5 minutes before he rolls over and ends up at the other end of the room. Yes, at 5 months he is crawling. But, that story is for another day.

I have taken advantage of those moments when he is sleeping to do some crafting, cooking, or baking. I have always been into scrapbooking, making cards, and painting things. But since starting from scratch in our home, I have decided to do some of my own decorating. Here are some of the things I have done:

 For above our bed. An old screen that I painted and sanded with our initials.

 Mod podged canvas' with Sam's pictures.

 Gnocchi!!

 Gnocchi with pesto, basil from our garden.

 An old nightstand that was left in our house. Had lots of stickers and paint on it. I sanded, painted, then did a blue overcoat. Then antiqued. It is now in our living room.

 Smores bars. Mmm! Even Jace gave it 2 thumbs up.

Chicken cacciatore. A favorite made by my Nonna Gladys.

 

So, yes. I am feeling a little like Susie Homemaker/Betty Crocker. It has been a lot of fun trying out new recipes. I can;t wait to start on Halloween decor! Sam has been my little sous chef as he is usually in the carrier while I am cooking. Maybe he will be a chef like his dad. You never know. Right now I am thinking more like a track star at the moving rate he is going!

He's 4 1/2 months old?

Yesterday while walking in Walmart, a lady stopped to see Sam. This is how the conversation went.
Lady: "Is he about 6 months or more?"
Me: "No, he is 4 1/2 months old."
Lady: "Wow! What a big boy, and he's so strong!"

Yes, this is about the 10th time I have heard this remark. It is funny, because since Jace and I are both small statured people, I always thought that we would have this tiny little baby with chicken legs, blue eyes, and muscles. Well, I guess I got the muscles part right! This all led me to think about how much he has grown already. Tear. :( Where does the time go? I mean, he never was the typical baby persay. Always moving his head around, trying to stand up on you, not taking many naps. But, I would not change a thing. Sam is definitely the man.

A couple days ago I was picking out an outfit for him when I decided to go through his clothes. Big mistake. There were so many things that he had outgrown. So many were still new too. This made me sad, yet again. I reminisced about the times that he wore them, what we were doing, what stage he was at. So I saw these 9 month Carter's onesies which didn't look that big. Put them on him, and yep! They fit. Are you serious? Must have been some defect or something, because this not even 5 month old cannot fit into a 9 month onesie yet!!!

So, as I just rocked my big baby off for a nap, I think about the big scheme of things. I know I am told let him fall to sleep on his own, let him cry it out. But time is flying, and I want to hold him for as long as I can.

"Children arrive so fresh from heaven they are born with angel wings. If we love them completely, they are able to fly."

And that left me, crying like a baby.

4 months and growing

Okay, so I have been MIA. I didn't have my laptop until we went out to California in June and it was too hard for me to type on my phone keyboard. But, we are back! Here is what has been going on:

~Sam was baptized Catholic on May 27th in California surrounded by our families and friends. Thanks to all for coming!
~Sam gained a lot of weight (shcoker!) 15.9 lbs and 26 inches. Everytime we are out people say, how old is he, about 6 months? No people!
~Sam took his first trip to California and loved bonding with family, animals, and California sunshine.
~Sam never sits still. Please define the meaning of sit for me, or for him rather. He has been pushing up on his feet for a while now, and probably will be walking in no time. Boo! He is crawling, backwards.
~Sam snorts! Yes, he has inherited the best quality, ha!
~Jace has been super busy at work, despite the heat here. But has made time to play in a few fast pitch tournaments which we had fun watching, again...despite the heat.
~As for me, I am enjoying my time at home with Sam. Crafting, pinterest-ing, cooking, and being a mom.

Here are some pictures of what has been going on...enjoy!

At daddy's tournament in Topeka

With Nana Traci and Granny B!

At a Hawaiian party with Nonna

Sam met Bizi Gladys and cousin Kendall

Sam likes to read!

Sam's baptism

Happy 4 months Boogie boy!

I'm strong, and happy..most of the time!

Lately,,,

  It has been a busy time already, and the baby isn't even here yet. We are renovating an older home, and it has turned out to be a lot more work than initially planned. Isn't that how it always works?? Last weekend we picked out the paint, and painted everything but the bathroom. That will be this weekends project along with flooring and fixing the dog kennel. We are so blessed to have such great friends and family that are helping us out through this process. And a big thank you to the baby who has been cooperating! Keep baking!
 This week I visited the doctor again (actually my midwife who I LOVE!), and am not dilated, and cervix still thick. She says that if she had to gamble, she would say he comes right around his due date, but probably late. We shall see if she is correct! Our next appointment is Tuesday, so I will be checked again.
 It's another good thing that the baby is cooperating, because Jace has been out of town all week to California getting my car and our things. I have missed him so much all week. I have been running the show at work, and boy am I exhausted! Now I definitely see how hard he works. Work has been going smooth though. Myself and 2 coworkers have been kept busy. Girl power! Jace gets back tomorrow sometime, so we will be glad to see him. I painted the window trimming today, and this weekend will be filled with more and more work. I think I will squeeze a couple naps in there somewhere...
  Also have been washing the baby clothes. Wow, I swear this kid already has 100 outifts. I can't resist the leg warmers and specialty things. Fort Scott has the cutest baby store with all sorts of personalized things. My kind of place. Plus etsy, well that is a whole other story...addiction. Alrighty, well I am off to bed now. Tata for now!

Baby Shower #2 Fun

In the beginning of February, I ventured out at 32 weeks pregnant on Amtrak to good old Buttonwillow for my family shower. The train ride was fine as usual, oh despite losing my eyeglasses :( I slept comfortably, or as comfortable as I could with my basketball. It was so nice to be home, nice to share my mom's bed :) The shower was WONDERFUL. With about 40 people, close friends and family, we were showered with priceless gifts for our little man. Even my Kindergarten teacher was there. I can't thank my wonderful family/friends for throwing us such a wonderful shower; from the delicious owl cake/cupcakes to my favorite potato salad, it was all so personal. Here are a few pictures of the fun we had!

The entry table

Such an adorable cake made by the same lady that did our wedding cake!

My wonderful mom and mother in law

I heart owl hats!!

Also while I was down, we celebrated my mom's 21st birthday ;) She looks fabulous for her age, and I hope to one day look just like her! All in all, it was a great time. I was sad to leave, but ready to go back and get this show on the road!

Sunday funday

   Not only was this past Sunday the superbowl (not like I was thrilled for that!!), but it was also the day that we had planned to take maternity pictures. I was a little afraid for the weather, because we have that crazy yo-yo weather, but that morning when we woke up it was nice and sunny! God must have known what was happening that day! Our good friends, The Browns, have a daughter Bailie, who has taken photography lessons and offered to do our pictures for us. She was amazing! She picked several different spots througout the town, and had so many creative ideas. I had known a few that I was going to do, and they all turned out so awesome. Even Jace was a good sport about it all. Thanks sweetpea! Here are some of my favorite shots...

Showered in Texas

   A couple weekends ago, Jace, his grandmother, and I headed down to Texas to be showered by friends and family for our new baby. It was a 6 hour drive, not too bad (since I didn't do the driving!) and we were excited to see everyone, and also to meet our new adorable niece, Callie. That night we were able to meet the cute little munchkin, and see some of Jace's family. The next day was the shower that was thrown by my good friend, Jennifer Curiel. One of the most creative people I know! She went all out with the own and green theme, I LOVED it all!!!
  It was so nice to see old friends and family. It always seems like months and months before we see each other again. But, it is nice because we always keep in touch somehow. It was all so special from the food, to the cake, to the wonderful gifts. I don't know why, but it is always so awkward opening gifts in front of people. I feel like it gets all quiet, and then all eyes are on YOU! We got so many great things that we will put to good use once the babes is here. Thank you everyone for helping celebrate with us!!!

                     Our wonderful family, including new niece Callie, and unborn nephew baby Schwyzer :)

                                     The entry way table. Look at all of the cute owl things!

                                                  The delicious cake made by Jen.

              The basket I got to take including one of my favorite quotes and a picture of the babes!

Class now in session.

  First night of childbirthing classes, check. We were joined by 6 other couples to listen to L & D nurse educate us all on labor and delivery. I thought it was a bit bittersweet, because in my last post I was just saying how I was panicking about this part. We missed last week's class because I was not here yet, and part 2 was labor. So, we got our folder of handouts, booklet, and were ready to roll. Of course I am there taking notes (as if notes will really help me once I am there); It is like I think this is a college test or something! Um, it is a little more than a test indeed!
   After going through the handouts and watching a video about labor (I know Jace loved that part), we took a tour of their hospital. This will not be the hospital I am delivering at, but I still wanted to go and check it out anyways. Again, Jace loved that part because he was ready to leave an hour into the class. And, I fail to mention that I was unaware that the class was 2 hours! (Sorry sweets!) Hospital was nice though, nothing out of the ordinary, small, great security, big rooms, helpful people.
  So, now I am home, off from work today, with the book to my left itching to read what I missed last class. So that is definitely on my agenda today. Also, getting my doctor's appointment in order, and convincing Jace to go back next Tuesday to hear all about epidurals, woo hoo!!


  On another note, our precious niece Callie Lee was born to Jace's brother, Adam and his wife Katie last night. She was a whopping 8 lbs 11 oz. She definitely has Adam's nose and  is such a cutie! Can't wait to meet her next week...

It'll all go smoothly...

  Just about 11 weeks to go, and here I am starting to worry. So far I think things have been okay, I mean as far as the pregnancy. No major problems, besides the lovely indigestion and uncomfortable basketball that is in now my stomach. I guess it hasn't really felt REAL until now. Meaning, hi, you need to get the nursery going, and in a short while there will be a baby in your arms. NO TURNING BACK!
  I signed us up for childbirthing classes which will start this Tuesday. Needless to say, Jace says he knows everything about giving birth, what happens, etc. Well, hi there, you are not GIVING BIRTH! So, I am forcing him to tag along at least for the first Tuesday. I appreciate his friends saying oh that is such a waste of time, ha. Well, too bad! This is more for me of course. I mean I guess I can go to classes and read, read, read, but nothing will totally prepare me for what is about to happen. I think I am more afraid that I will not know what to do, I mean I am not persay scared; just nervous that I will be totally clueless. I have a ton of friends who say it will all go smoothly; just relax, people will be there to help. So, that is what I am hoping for right now.
  What if I pass out? What if he won't come out? What if, what if? Well, I guess these what ifs will be answered around March 29th. PS-Please don't come too early!!

Life with baby in pics

Choo, choo..I made it! 29 weeks and counting

  Well, 35 hours later I made it to the Land of Oz. The train ride was fine, actually seemed to go by quickly by reading, playing farm story (I know, I know), and walking up and down the cars. Gotta keep moving! Jace picked me up almost on time, and we headed to Sam's to do some shopping for the good old work. An hour later, we were in the town that we may call home.
   Small towns grow good people, right? Um hi, I am from Buttonwillow..1600 people! This is at least 8,000, so there must be a lot of good people. Anyhow, Jace knows practically everyone. I am glad though, because he has developed some good relationships with great people who I have already had the chance of meeting too. It helps to have a base, not to be just 2 lonely California people looking for Dorothy...
  In other news, baby is doing great. I should have my next appointment in 2 weeks. He has been moving around like crazy, hiccuping, rolling, and just living the life in a womb. Jace felt the hiccups this morning which was so much fun. I am sad that he has missed all of this time, but we will play catch up as fast as we can. Granted he doesn't come yet..no way, you gotta cook babes!
11 weeks to go!!