Mom Monday- Happy Birthday, my peanut!

Four years ago today, I was given the best gift possible.

My beautiful Elizabeth joined us on this day four years ago. 

She is my miracle baby.  With each day, she grows more beautiful,

more vivacious,

and more loving.

Happy Birthday, my darling!

Mom Monday- One Year!

Today was Evie's one year old doctors appointment.

Even though she HATED the shots, she actually did wonderfully.  She calmed down quickly and when they drew blood, she didn't make a sound.  She was a trooper!  Though funny aside- she pulled off her bandaid and got blood on her checkout sheet- I was mortified, but the checkout lady said she'd had much worse. ;)

The doctor was really impressed.  Evie was very happy and was measuring great.  She is 18% in weight, 40% in height, and ~50% in head circumference.  I will say, both my babies are petite, but very healthy.

She is talking more each day.  The doctor was particularly pleased that she knew so many words.  My personal favorite is when she says thank you- it comes out tank you- so cute!  I have to say, I credit her vocabulary to two things: 1) my house is never quiet, someone is always talking and we don't talk down to anyone, the same words I use with Mark, I use with the girls and 2) Kindermusik: I could go on and on about how great Kindermusik is, but in the interest of time, I'll say that Evie picked up at least two words from Kindermusik.  All in all the doctor made me one proud mommy!

Now to be fair, it wasn't all perfect.  She is still a little picky about some of her foods, but the doctor told us we had a normal child and not to worry, just keep exposing her to the items that she isn't eating.  But I think we are turning a corner with Evie's "pickiness" she's eating a little broccoli now and tomato based sauces.  So hello more yummy veggies!  Of course she'll always eat her staple veggies- carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash- and the girl hasn't met a fruit she doesn't like.

All in all a good day for little Evie!

Mom Monday- Evie's First Birthday Celebration

This weekend we celebrated my baby's first birthday.  All my family and some friends came down to the house to enjoy some barbecue and baby time.

First the birthday girl had to get up from her nap.  She rolled out of bed to find a party going on, I think she was happy.

She loved hanging out with her family.

We had some yummy food.

Including a flower cupcakes and "healthier" cake made by mommy.

She seems to like the chocolate, even if it has wholewheat flower and unprocessed sugar. ;)

Evie is very loved, she got so many wonderful gifts and almost got lost in some.

Mommy and Daddy got her a wagon and kitchen set.  She loves wagon rides, which will be good this summer as both girls will be helping me with the garden.  Both girls love that kitchen sings.

She played hard...

But before you know it, needed a pacy and nap.

A great day to celebrate with so many wonderful people!

Thank you, Mommy!

Ever since I became a mom, I realized what my Mommy went through to get me here.

Birthdays now are more about Mom to me.  Technically speaking, I should get her a gift. ;)

So big thank you to my Mommy!!  She's always been the best mom, and I can't thank her enough for all that she has done. 

My mom, sister, and I with Baby Evie the day of her birth.

Thanks for giving me life, Mommy.  I love you!!

On my way to granola town- Birthday Edition

So each week I write about something I'm doing different in our life that might fall under the category of granola.  Most of it is changes to our food, as we want to incorporate better quality, local, healthier, and in most cases cheaper food options.

But this week is different.

Why?

Today is my birthday. 

Not just any birthday mind you, but one of THE birthdays.  Yes, today is the end of an era for me.  Today I am officially no longer a twenty-something.

So in honor of the day of my birth, I'm going to make some granola wishes I hope to fulfill in the future.  Here goes!

1. I want to master sourdough bread.  I've already taken the first step and made my first starter.  Most people keep theirs for years and even name them.  We named it LG- for little girl- that one is all Elizabeth, don't ask. 

Wish me luck!  I hear that it's not easy.

2. Mark and I both want to start roasting our own coffee beans. 

I'll go ahead and say it, we're coffee snobs.  We dislike the over-processed stuff they stock on the shelves.  We're even purist on the ways to brew...it only makes sense that we would continue on our road of "snobbery" to roasting our own beans.  Twenty four hours after a roast is suppose to be the best time to brew.

Anyway, I digress.  We're on our way here too.  Our Christmas gift to each other is green beans and a roaster. Yay!

3. I want to get my crocheting back underway.  I MISS IT.  With class it has been crazy busy here, so no crocheting for me. 

Plus I want to get the Etsy store open. I'm only two months behind. ;)

4. My sewing/embroidery machine is growing cobwebs.  I would like to finish some projects and work up some more things for the Etsy store....if it ever opens.

5. Chickens.  Simply put I want some...and maybe a turkey.  Definitely a cow too...maybe I ought to add fence to that list.

6. I want to learn to smock.  My mom started teaching me, and I stopped after awhile.  But I remember all the cute dresses she made me, and I would love to do that for my girls.

7. Next year I want to can and freeze a lot more food.  I'd like to remove almost all our dependence on store bought canned food, if possible.

8. I hope to perfect my bread making skills.  Right now I'm making our loaf bread and hamburger buns.  It's good, but a little tweaking is needed to make it even better.

I think that's enough wishes for now....though looking back, it looks a little more like a to do list. I guess I better get busy. :)

The Pirate Party

 So the day of Elizabeth's birthday was also her pirate party. 

It was a blast!

I was so thankful for all the people that came, I know it is hard to travel and we had a LOT of people.  All together there were 13 kids and 18 adults. 

A few of our pirate crew mates!

Pirate cousins playing together!

 The kids loved the playground, but sadly I didn't bring my camera down to the playground area this year, so the only pictures are of the picnic area where we ate and did presents.

We had tons of pirate gear, and I even tried to wear a hat with matching shirt...only my big head/hair isn't made for paper pirate hats, so it kept falling off.  I eventually had to abandon the hat. 

Spyglasses anyone?

Elizabeth wouldn't wear a hat that day, but was eager to show everyone her hook and her mask.

Arg!  Taste my hook, ye scallywag!

Elizabeth Hook

Just pirating it up!

The food was great.  Mark grilled and we had lots of yummy sides including: baked beans, chips, pasta salad, corn salad, and cole slaw. 

YUMMY!

 

Let's not forget the yummy birthday cake and cookies!

Love this cake- Buttercream = YUMMY!

Ready for CAKE!

Elizabeth got great gifts! 

Pet hospital- too cool!

Yay, gifts!

PONY!

She got an art desk from Mommy and Daddy!

Art supplies too!

Princess dress from Aunt Melissa!!

Plus there are lots more I couldn't post. 

Even some friends and family members didn't think they could come so they gave her her gifts early.  When they were able to able to come, they brought even more! 

Needless to say we are so thankful for our family and friends for being so generous.  Thank you for helping us celebrate our special little girl's third birthday!!  We love you all!

Daddy's birthday

So the Sunday before the delivery was Daddy's birthday.  I won't say how old he is, but let's just say he married a much younger woman. ;)

Anyway, we spent his birthday weekend doing lots of fun stuff.  On Saturday, my sister came down and we went up to Bays Mountain.  It's a local park in our area.  So up the mountain we went and we started with all the animals around the park.  We saw the deer, otters, turtles, wolves (which came right up to the fence to Elizabeth- can you say tasty morsel??), and all the birds of prey.  We then headed to the picnic area where we had a nice homemade picnic (chicken salad, chips, fruit, cookies, cake, yogurt, tea, and juice).  Next came the planterium.  Elizabeth wasn't too crazy about it until they started the program, which had a robot in it.  You show that child a robot and she loves it.  From there we headed home and enjoy the evening with a nice movie and wings!

On the dock of the lake at the top of the mountain.

Checking out the wolves, or is he checking out us??

The next day was Mark's birthday. We got up and had doughnuts, unwrapped his gift (the Decemberist's latest album on vinyl), and sent my sister home.  We then headed to church where I got to announce to the whole congregation that it was Mark's birthday.  Nothing like a little love. I also said thank you for all the shower gifts too.  :)  We decided to go out to eat, and Mark picked a fast food place since it had a playground for Elizabeth.  Such a considerate daddy!  When we got home we did some packing for the hospital and daddy & baby took a nap.  That night I made Mark's favorite- homemade chicken and dumplings.  We also had fried apples (east TN delicacy), fried okra, and cooked carrots.  Not the healthiest of meals, but hey it was his birthday!  For dessert, another favorite of Mark's- peanut butter pie.  All in all, a good day.

Birthday gift!

Peanut Butter Pie.