And he smiles...

Oh how precious to see your babies first real smiles...here is one of Caleb's. Also, a picture of Joshua who had sneaked into Caleb's bassinet and this is exactly how I found him.

Harvest Fun!

We had 2 fun Harvest Festivals to go to this weekend. The boys had a ton of fun!

Lactation Bars

I am breastfeeding but have a very hungry guy and a limited supply so I'm having to supplement. I am taking Fenugreek and Reglan but I just found this recipe which is supposed to help increase breast milk supply. Has anyone tried anything like this? I think I'm going to give them a try...I'd be interested to hear other's experience.

Lactation Bars

2 c. butter, Crisco, or margarine (can mix and match to equal 2 c.) or sub in equal peanut butter for "fat"
1 c. granulated sugar
2 c. packed brown sugar
4 eggs
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. wheat germ
1/4 c. brewer's yeast or nutritional yeast powder
1/4 c. flax meal (or whole flax seed milled fine in a coffee grinder)
4 c. oatmeal (old fashioned, or as thick-cut as you can find)

Add In's: 1 bag mini semi sweet chocolate chips, chopped nuts ,dried fruit (especially berries) chunky peanut butter, butterscotch chips, milk chocolate chips, marshmallows, chocolate pudding

Cream butter and sugars well, then add eggs and vanilla and beat until well incorporated. Mix all dry ingredients except for oats in separate bowl, then add all at once and stir in as well as possible by hand before mixing with beaters until smooth. Add oats and chips (and nuts, if desired), and stir until well blended. Divide dough into five parts and line a 10x7 cookie sheet (with shallow sides, like a jellyroll pan) with foil, then spray foil with nonstick spray. Spread 1/5 of the dough into the foil-lined pan and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. When done, simply lift out the bars by the foil and place another piece of foil into the pan and spray for the next batch. Allow to cool at least slightly before cutting each pan of bars into eighths. Makes 40 bars. You can also use cup cake tins!

Update on the Boys

My goodness it's hard to get a picture of the boys together but here was my attempt from this morning. The second picture Joshua moved his leg at the last minute but it kind of looks like Caleb is smiling so I had to put it up. All continues to go well. Joshua has been very clingy lately and is still learning what it means to be a big brother and to have to share attention. And we are still learning what the best ways are to juggle them and to make the transition easier for Joshua. We've learned little lessons like we have to tell Caleb he has to wait while we take care of Joshua so that Joshua thinks that we are being fair. Simple and sometimes silly but it seems to make Joshua feel better.
In the meantime, Joshua has really stepped up to filling in the big boy role. He completely goes to the potty without any help and he now stands up at the big toiled (on a stool) to pee. He was sitting and using the small potty. He still needs help putting his pants back on as he hasn't learned the fine art of just pulling his pants down a little he takes them completely off - a little like George Costanza.
Joshua is very excited to be batman for Halloween. He has worn his costume around the house a few times and sings, 'na na na na na na Batman'. And sometimes like to shake it up by saying, "Bat-cat" or "Bat-dog". Caleb will be a caterpillar as long as the costume fits - we haven't tried it on him yet.

As for us, we have been spoiled by so many wonderful meals that I've hardly had to cook. The few times I have I seem to smoke up the entire house for some reason or the other which goes to show me how much those meals have been needed. :)

Sweetness & Monsters

Baked Chicken Ricotta Bowls

Over the past few weeks I've been absolutely spoiled with delicious meals from all my dear friends. One of the best things I love about these great meals is finding new recipes. My girlfriend Krista made this fantastic meal...the original recipe is HERE from foodnetwork.com but I am re-typing it cause they added a salad to theirs which kind of confused me when I was looking down the ingredient list. This recipe is EASY, yummy, different, and a perfect recipe to make a lot of and freeze.

Baked Chicken Ricotta Bowls

2 refrigerated pie crust
2 chicken breast halves, cooked and diced
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Divide crust into 12 pieces (6 from each) and shape each piece into a ball. Press the balls into the bottom and up the sides of 12 cup muffin tins. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine chicken, ricotta, cheddar, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, eggs, Dijon, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well. Spoon mixture into prepared muffin cups and top with remaining Parmesan. Bake 30 minutes, until a knife inserted near the center of 1 cup comes out clean and crust is golden brown.

My Job

chef, storyteller, nurse, craft director, finance manager, maid, building block architect, choral director, dinosaur imitator, coach, seamstress, groomer, calender keeper, personal shopper, nutritional specialist, party planner, cuddler, appointment maker, coupon clipper, gift wrapper, laundromat, playdate arranger, discipline committee, dairy producer, potty patrol, teacher, inventory manager, booboo kisser

.....

Mom...

and I wouldn't change it for the world

4 weeks old

Our little guy is now 4 weeks old. Amazing! I don't know why the second picture won't go in the right direction but rest assured we don't have him sleeping straight up and down like it looks. :)

Blogging

Life is good. It's frustrating at times, it's definitely very tiring, but it is filled to the rim with blessings. I am overfilled with the joy that my new family of 4 brings me and hope to share more with you as things get on more of a schedule. I know the days will get easier as my little ones adjust but for now I will not be a faithful blogger. I'll try to come on from time to time and will definitely continue pictures but if my blog goes a week without a post then you know why.

Nutty Apple Crisp

I found this recipe at allrecipes.com and it is absolutely delicious and perfect for the season.

Nutty Apple Crisp

5 cups thinly sliced apples
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss apples with lemon juice and water in a shallow 2 quart baking dish. (I use an 8 x 8) In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar, nutmeg, and salt. Mix to blend thoroughly. Cut in the butter or margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in walnuts. Crumble over apples to cover completely. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until top is lightly browned. Serve warm with ice cream.

More pictures...

Sorry that I continue to just post pictures right now...I'm amazed that I even have time to do that. Enjoy!

Pictures!

What's in a name?

I wanted to share how we came up with our sweet boys name - Caleb Gray.

Both John and I liked the name Caleb - but then when we realized the biblical significance and its connection with Joshua in the bible it just seemed perfect. Here is the connection...

God told Joshua and Caleb that they and the younger generation under 20 years of age would be the only ones to go into the Promised Land because they had
"wholeheartedly followed God." They had full faith and belief in God that He could defeat all of their enemies once they went into the Promised Land to conquer and possess it. You can find out more here.

Gray was my mother's last name so it seemed a very special way to honor her.

Also, I have misplaced my camera and need to find it so I can take more pics of our cuties and share them!!