Pumpkin Carvin' at Nana's

Sunday, October 28th, we ate at my mother-in-law's house for Matt's birthday.  His sister and brother-in-law bought all the kids a pumkin to carve.  It was a messy, but fun, project for all the kids.  Well, it ended up being more of a project for the daddys.... haha!  The kids got to pull all the yucky stuff out of the pumpkin though and pick a design.

 

 

 

My little punkin'

And the Father of the Year reward goes to...

Matt carved this pumpkin!  Free hand too!  I was impressed!

 

Five little pumpkins sittin' in the patch...

 

Thanks Aunt Ashley for the great memories!!



First Fever

Yesterday, Norah Kate woke up with a fever of 101.6.  Let me be honest for a second.. I panicked.  My sweet baby doesn't get sick and has never run fever!  I called the pediatrician's office immediately (this was at 7:30) and left them a message.  I went ahead and gave her some Advil, but she was pitiful.  She had some clear drainage and just acted really tired.  She let me sit and rock her for over an hour.  She was not her usual playful self at all :(

We went to the pediatrician's office at 11 and they tested her for RSV.  She tested negative thank God!  Her throat looked good, her lungs were clear, and her ears were fine.  The doctor thought she had a cold or virus.

She ran fever on and off all day yesterday and didn't have much appetite.  She nursed real good though.  This morning her drainage is green (yuck!) and we were running low grade fever.  She still acts like she don't feel good, but I hope we are starting to get over it!

I take care of sick people on a daily basis, but it was totally different yesterday with my child.  My heart literally hurt for her!  She was extra clingy and wanted her mama, which was fine with me!  Yesterday was also mine and Matt's 2nd anniversary (Happy Anniversary babe, haha!)  and I was planning on cooking him a big breakfast, going to pick up a gift for him and then us going out for supper that night as a family.  Um, yeah, that didn't happen!  Life happened.  That's okay though... it's all part of being a parent, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Update:  Wednesday night, October 24, she woke up and sounded extra croupy and was still running fever so we called and made another doctors appointment for 9am Thursday.  I had to call in to work so that I could take her.  Dr. G gave us a prescription for Amoxicillin (antibiotic) and Bromfed (cough suppressant/decongestant) and went ahead and treated her for bacterial rhinitis and/or strep since I had strep a couple weeks prior. 

After leaving the pediatrician's office, I went to Walmart and stocked up:

 



 

 I was all prepared to go back to work Friday, but about the time I called the baby sitter to tell her that I was working Norah Kate spiked a temp of 102.8... even with Tylenol and Motrin on board (yikes!!).  I called her right back and went ahead and called in to work.  I figured the antibiotics just needed time to work...

Now, October 30, she is fever free (yay!), drainage is clear (yay!) but we still have a cough  (expected...).  She still doesn't have much of an appetite, but she is sleeping better at night.  I pray she doesn't get any worse.  My nerves were about shot with that fever!  It was pretty scary when nothing was bringing it down!

For all you mom's out there:  I LOVE the Vick's baby rub.  It seems to help her sleep better at night and has a really soothing smell.  I rub it on her back, chest, and even her feet before bedtime.  I would definitely consider it an essential when your little one has a cold.

 



Blue Ridge, GA

October 13-16th my mama was on Fall Break so we started planning a few months ago to go north and see the leaves.  When I was younger we used to go to the mountains EVERY fall.  Fall is my absolutely my most favorite time of year.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the colors, the weather, the food... everything about it.

 

The leaves were perfect!  So pretty!

Mama, Daddy, Norah Kate, and I all piled up in Daddy's truck and went north. This was Norah Kate's first road trip north. We went south all summer. We went to Blue Ridge, GA and the weather was perfect!

 

This was the bear at the cabin.  Norah Kate loved it!  She kept calling it a "dog" though!

 As always, my little road tripper traveled very well! We stopped once on the way up and once on the way back for her to stretch her legs and take a break from her car seat. About a week before the trip, I switched her carseat to a covertible car seat. It is much more cozy with more room for her to grow. She is still rear facing though!

 



As always, my little road tripper traveled very well!  We stopped once on the way up and once on the way back for her to stretch her legs and take a break from her car seat.  About a week before the trip, I switched her carseat to a covertible car seat.  It is much more cozy with more room for her to grow.  She is still rear facing though!

One of our little pit stops for some leg stretchin'

 

Blue Ridge is a small little town.  They have a cute downtown and is home to the best fudge I have ever eaten! Three Sister's Fudge is a small little fudge shop with about 12 different fudges to choose from.  But, oh. my. gosh. it was melt in your mouth good!  We stopped by Tuesday on our way out to buy more...(embarrased to admit this!)... but they were closed!

We had a great time!  I wish Matt could have came with us.  Norah Kate was an angel.  She slept with me from about 3:00 every morning and woke up earlier than normal... but overall was very good.

Our God is truly a wonderful artist!  Isn't this beautiful??

9 Month Check Up

19lbs 5 oz (67th percentile)

27 1/2 inches long (40th percentile, probably gonna be short like her mama..)

 

2 shots (Flu & Pneumococcal)

 

We saw a new pediatrician and loved her!  Dr. G. said everything looks and is going great!



Baby Steps

Guess who is taking steps? 

 

 

That's right... my big girl!

 

(I keep trying to get a picture of  her standing, but she always lunges at me so they are really blurry)

 

Each day she is adding more and more... with a total of four steps yesterday!

 

I wouldn't officially say "walking" because it is more like "stumbling."

 

Take a step...flail her arms... wobble... catch her balance... take another step.

 

She is persistent, and it is amazing to watch.

 

I am so proud!

 

Also... she is saying "mama." Finally! After months and months of me trying to get her to say it she finally is saying it around me.  She would say it in front of everyone else but me.

Freezer Meals

A couple of weeks ago I put up several meals.  I have been meaning for a while now to blog about my experience, but haven't been able to get around to it.  Let me be a little honest too... it was kinda a chaotic (and expensive!) experience, so I have been hesitant to post about it.  Haha!

I have a friend who did her freezer meals and she did all of her hamburger recipes one day and then her chicken ones on another.  I would highly recommend doing that!  I tried to do it all at one time and ended up spending a day and a half in the kitchen !  One good thing though, I am finished with freezer meals for several months!  Our freezer is stocked up!

I didn't want to use freezer meals for every night.  Mostly on the days I couldn't make it to the grocery store that week or on the days I am working.  After all that hard work, I am kinda stingy with them!  I don't use them unless I absolutely have to!  (I don't know why I think like that, food is food and I can make more??)

I put up a stock pot of taco soup, 3 lasagnas, 3 teriyaki chicken, 3 baked spaghetti, chicken stock, shredded chicken, 3 roast beef (with carrots and potatoes), and 3 chicken pot pies.  Whew!

The recipe for the teriyaki chicken and chicken stock I got off of Pinterest (I LOVELOVELOVE me some Pinterest!).  You can find the recipe here.  The chicken stock has very good flavor and has come in handy for many things: chicken & dumplings, chicken & rice, soups, etc.

I will share my recipes for my baked spaghetti, lasagna, and taco soup on this blog post along with a grocery list.

Grocery List

5-6 lbs of hamburger meat
1 pack of spaghetti noodles

1 pack of Oven Ready lasagna noodles by Barilla

Ricotta Cheese

Shredded Parmesan, Mozarella and Cheddar Cheese

1 extra large jar of spaghetti sauce of your choice
2 cans of mushrooms (optional)

Italian spices (I like McCormick)
1 can Black beans

2 cans Red Kidney Beans

2 cans Kernel Corn

2 packets Taco Seasoning

2 packets Ranch Powder

3 cans of Rotel

3 cans Tomatoe sauce/paste
 

6 8x8 tin foil containers (these are perfect for me and Matt, usually allowing large portions for both with enough left over for lunch the next day!)
 

Soup containers (size of your choice, at least 3 of the bigger ones, or you can use small containers for one person meals)

 

 

Recipes

First, brown your ground hamburger in a large skillet, then divide it into three equal parts for each recipe.

-I went ahead and simmered my portions of hamburger meat (approx 3-4 pounds) with the large jar of spaghetti sauce and 2 cans of mushrooms(optional)

 

Lasagna

*I use the recipe on the back of the noodle box except I don't make quite as many layers (I can never seem to fit as many layers as the recipe calls for in my pans).
-Grease bottom of pan
-Spread approximately 3/4 cup of meat sauce on bottom of pan
-Spread out uncooked lasagna noodles
-Spread ricotta cheese/egg/spice mixture over the noodles (Mix the container of ricotta cheese with one egg and a tsp or so of Italian spices)
-Cover with thin layer of meat sauce
-Sprinkle with cheese blend (mozzarella and parmesan)
-Spread out another layer of noodles, ricotta chese, meat sauce
-Top with final layer of noodles, sprinkle with cheese (If you wish you can drizzle with about 1/2 a can of tomatoe sauce for extra-sauciness)

** To Cook: Thaw overnight or during the day.  Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until bubbly

 

 

Baked Spaghetti
-Cook your noodles according to box.
-When noodles are done, mix together approx 1/2 of prepared meat sauce used for lasagna & noodles
-Spread in greased pan
-Cover with cheese (mozarella, cheddar, parmesan

**To Cook: Thaw overnight or during the day.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
 

 

Taco Soup

-Mix together approximately 2 pounds of hamburger meat, canned corn (drained), canned Rotel tomatoes, beans (kidney & black), tomatoe sauce, and a cup or two of water (depending on how "soupy" you want your soup). Bring to simmer.  Add taco and ranch seasoning.  (A dash or two of Tobasco sauce will give you an extra kick if you like spicy!) Simmer for approx. 15 minutes.  Allow soup to cool then transfer to freezer containers.

**To reheat:  Thaw overnight in fridge or under dripping water in sink.  You may also defrost in microwave.  Warm in microwave or over stove top until simmering.  Enjoy!

- You may add sour cream and cheese if you wish.  It is super yummy with some Tostito chips!
- I love using the smaller containers to freeze it in for my lunches and such!

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*9 Months Old*

Sometimes when I am doing these blog posts, I have to count the months in my head... because it just never seems right.  My sweet darlin' is 9 months old.  I know I say this every time but I swear it feels like I just brought her home from the hospital!  I feel ridiculous because I have been taking monthly pictures with those onesie stickers... well I completely missed a month because it went by too quick!

 

Four days or so after she was born

 

 

Nine months old!

She is constantly surprising me... everyday.  She is crawling, standing, pulling, and cruising along furniture.  She will step while holding on, but she hasn't taken a step yet independently.  She is saying da, pa, sss, va, ba, hey, ha, and many other consonant sounds.  She will wave and say "bye-bye."  She will say "Ssss" for "Hoss." She loves the sound of her voice, and when I pick her up from the babysitters she talks the whole drive home.  I love every minute, she is truly the best part of my day!

She rolls and tumbles all over the floor,the bed, the furniture, us, Hoss...  She can be pretty rough sometimes.  She hardly cries when she falls down.

Norah Kate is still a chunky baby.  She loves to eat.  She eats breakfast (rice cereal, oatmeal, Cheerios or yogurt), lunch (fruit and veggie), and supper (fruit and veggie, or if I have something cooked she will eat tablefood).    I am feeding her more and more finger foods and she does great with them.  I will give her pieces of meat, small pieces of cheese, a chopped banana, peas, spaghetti, lasagna, rice etc.  She is drinking out of her juice cup pretty good, but still takes breastmilk from a bottle while I am working.  She nurses 3-4 times a day: morning, mid-day and bedtime.  This week she wouldn't take a bottle during the day while at the sitters... so I am wondering if she is starting to wean herself some.

She is wearing 9 month and some 12 month size clothes.  She can hardly fit into anything 6 month or 6-9 month anymore.  I haven't had to buy any clothes (not for necessity anyways) up until now.  I was so blessed to have received so many outfits as shower gifts that she was set for outfits through 6 months!  Let me just say that is has been challenging finding appropriate Fall and Winter outfits for her.  In South GA we don't have much a Fall and barely have a Winter, so the typical Winter clothes in stores are way too "cold weather."  Plus, I try to steer away from dresses because she gets all tripped up on them while she is crawling around.

Norah Kate's Quirks:

-She hums when she is sleepy in the car.
-She has started patting my back when I am holding her and patting her back while laying her down at night.
-She gets the giggles.  Mostly due to Hoss.
-She is the perfect grocery shopping partner.  She is on her best behavior 99% of the time.  She also likes to try to help me pull stuff off the shelves into the buggy and reach back to inspect what I have already put in the buggy.
-Two teeth on bottom, two breaking through up top, and two more on top about to break through!
-She is biting.. related to teething (above statement) I think (I hope!).
- She does not like shoes... She looks at her feet like "What in the heck are these?"  I am starting to put them on her just around the house that way she will be used to them by the time winter comes.
-She hates when I change her diaper... still... this is just getting worse every time.  I don't really know how to discipline this behavior?
-She has learned how to grunt/growl when she is angry or impatient.  Oh, boy...
-She LOVES my K-cups for my Keurig, my lotion bottle, and my hair brush.  She will open up whatever cabinet/drawer I keep them in and it's the first thing she drags out.
-She don't use her walker/jumper like she should.  She plays from her jumper from the outside and pushes her walker across the floor.  She don't like being put "in" them.
-We still use her swing...occasionally.  I don't know what we will do when she outgrows it.  It can be a lifesaver when she is fighting sleep or grumpy.  I was thinking today about packing it up, but she got fussy so I had to put her in it for a nap.
-She has found her temper and can be tenderhearted at times... then other times she just laughs and scrunches up that cute little nose when I tell her "No."  She hasn't quite figured out when I mean business.

Those are some big 'ole britches...

I got her ears pieced at the jewelry store on September 29th

I think it's time to start childproofing our drawers and cabinets!

 

She is such a good baby, and I love her so much!  I can't believe I will be celebrating her first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Birthday allwithin a few months!  It is most definitely bittersweet.