Pumpkin Patch

Today was such a good day.  This morning we took the girls to the pumpkin patch at a local farm.  They have tons of stuff for the kids to do, including slides, tractors to play on, and animals to pet and feed.  We went with our friends the Roberts' and so the kids (and us parents) were able to play together.

Chasing each other in the maze

These two thought the goats needed pumpkins too. They worked so hard to get them what they thought they needed.

After we played, we took a hayride over to the pumpkin patch and the kids were able to walk around and pick their own pumpkin.  Sophia was so overcome with excitement that she fell asleep.  Emma was more than happy to choose one for her.

Sweet Amber offered to carry Sophia while we chose our pumpkins and Sophia was so content with her that she fell right to sleep.

After the kids exhausted themselves at the farm, we headed over to the park to have a picnic lunch.  When we got home, we got the kids cleaned up, changed and put them down for a three hour nap.  Mommy and Daddy took a good, long nap too. ;) 

Now we're getting ready to have some pizza for dinner and finish off the evening with some shopping and then maybe Andy and I can watch a movie after the kids go to bed.  I'll have to see if I can persuade him to watch a movie instead of the UT/Georgia game.  Five years ago, I "made" him get married during the game, so I may be pushing my luck.

Happy Anniversary

Today is my and Andy's five year anniversary.  I remember when I first met Andy, he was just this cute guy I worked with who didn't really talk much.  So much has changed since then.  Now, he's this really cute guy I live with who doesn't really get a chance to talk much. My, how things change. ;)

This past weekend, we had the chance to go on a lunch date together and as we sat there talking, I couldn't help but be struck by how different our lives are compared to when we first began dating.

2002-Newly Dating

We were just a couple of twenty-somethings, working, going to school, and having fun.  My biggest problem at the time was if I was going to have to work all weekend or if I was going to get the chance to spend some time with my friends.  We both worked at Kohl's and we thought it was pretty cool when we were scheduled at the same time.  Our dates were mostly to the movies, to dinner, or hanging out at O'Charley's on The Strip.  Our conversations were mostly about our friends, school, and there was nothing remotely serious about anything we said.

 2006-Newly Married

We were both recent graduates and had our first "real" jobs.  We were renting a townhouse that we didn't have enough items to furnish.  I was learning how to juggle being a wife with being a first year teacher.  We would come home and have the rest of the evening to do whatever we wanted; go to dinner on a whim, go to a movie, go to the pool, or just hang out and watch TV.  We talked about our dreams of having a family of our own someday, but having kids was the furthest thing from our minds.

2011

We are now a couple of thirty-somethings, working, taking care of our kids, and having fun.  Our conversations are peppered with words such as, "mortgage", "home-equity," "good school zone," "insurance," "baby-proofing," and "discipline."  Finding time to spend with just the two of us is rare and usually spent wondering how the kids are doing.  Spontaneity is a thing of the past. Going to dinner, a movie, or the pool are life-changing events that require more preparation than a NASA shuttle mission. We don't have big problems, but lots of little worries: 

"Will Emma ever be potty trained?"

"When will I have time to mow the yard?"

"Do you think Sophia's teeth are coming through?"

"What are we having for dinner tonight?"

I look around and see lots of strong, healthy relationships that I admire and strive for.  We are blessed to both have our parents still happily married.  I know that five years doesn't seem like much, just a stepping stone is our lives, really, but when I think about all that we have accomplished in our five years together, I'm pretty proud of us.  

We have committed our lives to each other.

We bought our first house and turned it into a home.

We brought two of the most beautiful baby girls into this world and are doing a darn good job of raising them.

We love each other more now than we did five years ago and are thankful to know that our love will continue to deepen as we grow together.

Through it all, my husband still makes me feel like that twenty-something without a care in the world.  And that is definitely something to celebrate.

Eight Months Old

Sophia, Sophia, Sophia.  You are eight months old today, my sweet thing.  Where is the time going?  Hurry and hit the pause button!!!

Weight

Birth: 8 pounds 5 ounces
1 month: 9 pounds 3 ounces

 2 months: 11 pounds

3 months: 11 pounds 8 ounces

4 months: 13 pounds 13 ounces

5 months: 15 pounds 4 ounces

6 months: 16 pounds

7 months: 17 pounds

8 months: 18 pounds 6 ounces

Length

Birth: 19 inches
1 month: 20 1/2 inches

2 months: 22 3/8 inches

3 months: 23 1/2 inches

4 months: 23 1/2 inches

5 months: 25 inches

6 months: 25 1/2 inches

7 months: 27 inches
8 months: 27 1/4 inches

Sleeping

I don't think I was meant to have amazing sleepers.  Although, from what I hear, your daddy and I were never great sleepers either.  Which is ironic since all we want to do now is to sleep as long as possible, which you don't.  You are still sleeping though the night, for the most part.  Sometimes these darn teeth (wherever they are) interrupt your night, but not that often.  You are NOT a good napper.  I don't know what I'm going to do during my breaks from school if both you and your sister don't nap. I don't even want to think about it!  You take a morning nap and a quick afternoon nap.  You get tired early and fall asleep between 7:30-8:00.  You are still waking up early, anywhere between 5:00 and 6:30.  You usually keep the 5:00 waking for weekends though. 

Eating

You are down to four bottles a day and are eating three "meals" a day.  You have oatmeal or rice cereal for breakfast, a vegetable/fruit for lunch, and one of each for dinner.  You have also started eating Puffs.  You have recently become a little more coordinated when you're trying to get them in your mouth, but they usually get lost in your hands or fall into your lap.  

Milestones

Too many to count!  You officially started crawling this month.  The "inchworm" is gone, and you are 100% mobile.  You have also started pulling up on ANYTHING that stands still (even some things that don't, such as your sister).  Between this and your new crawling ability, Mommy and Daddy have their hands full.  You are such a daredevil and think nothing of launching yourself out of our arms, or "forgetting" that you can't walk, and just let go when you have pulled up on something.  Your sister is thrilled with your new talents, except when they lead you directly to her toys. You understand the words eat, Emma, Mommy, and Daddy.  When we ask you where one of us are you look directly at that person and reach your hand out to them.

What I Want to Remember

When you sit in your highchair and are happy, you "dance" by rocking your body from side to side.  If we say the word "dance" to you, you grin and start to dance.  When you can't quite pull up on something, you sit up on your knees and bounce up and down.  I guess you think you're moving because you smile the entire time.  You make the cutest smacking noises, even during times when you're not hungry.  I don't know if it's simply because you can or if it makes your gums feel better.  You also love to blow raspberries.  You think it's hilarious when you blow a big, juicy one in our faces.  

Even though you are Miss Independent, you are still willing to let me love you and cuddle with you (within reason, of course).  When you lay your head down on my shoulder and coo, then reach up, grab my face and give me a big baby kiss, I know that you'll always be my baby girl no matter how much you grow up.

Love,

Mommy

Mmm, Mmm Monday- Swiss Chicken Casserole

I found this recipe on Pinterest (where else?!?) and it led me to this mom's blog.  Jill Dubien is exactly who I want to be when I grow up.  She takes fantastic pictures, she makes delicious meals, and she engages her children in brain-stimulating crafts and projects.

She pretty much makes me feel bad about my life. ;)

She promised that even though this recipe is simple, her children gobble it up.  That's exactly what I want to hear.

Here's what you'll need: 3 chicken breasts, 1 can cream of chicken, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup milk, 6 slices of Swiss cheese, and 1 package of Stove Top (unprepared).

Spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.  Place your chicken breasts in the baking dish and place a slice of Swiss cheese on top.  I didn't cut them in half and they were too big for one portion.  Don't be like me. Cut yours in half.

In a medium bowl, mix the cream of chicken with 1/2 cup of milk.  Pour over the chicken and cheese.  Sprinkle the Stove Top on top.  Drizzle the melted butter on top of that.  I didn't use the full 1/4 cup.  I used about 2 tablespoons and sprayed the top with my Misto to completely moistened the stuffing. My bottom thanked me just a little bit.

Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes or until the chicken's juices run clear.

Reviews from The Peanut Gallery 

Me: 5 out of 5 stars.  This was REALLY good.  I'm not a big fan of chicken breast (I find it to be pretty dry), but this came out very tender and really moist and flavorful.  I didn't add any additional seasonings and it came out great.  I loved the flavor that the Swiss cheese added.  The only thing I didn't like was due to my failure to cut the breasts in half.  Next time around (and I WILL make this again!) I will pound them out to thin them a bit and cut them in half. I think this would also be good with boneless pork chops.

Andy: 4.5 out of 5 stars.  He thought it had great flavor and he liked the crunchy topping.

Emma: She was in "a mood" today and took her time eating.  She ended up eating all of it though.

Swiss Chicken
Recipe from Meet the Dubiens

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; halved
6 slices of Swiss cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1 package Stove Top, chicken flavored (not prepared)
1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly grease baking dish. Rinse and trim chicken breasts and place in the baking dish.  Cover each piece of chicken with a slice of Swiss cheese.  In a small bowl, combine the soup and milk.  Pour over the chicken and cheese.  Sprinkle with dry stuffing mix.  Pour melted butter over the top and cover with foil.  Bake for 50 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

A Relaxing Sunday

We have had the best weekend and I'm so sad to see it end.  The weather has been gorgeous and we have been trying to spend as much time outside as we possibly can.

This afternoon we took the girls to see their Mimi and Papa.  They had been out of town and Emma was dying to go for a visit.  She spent the afternoon helping their neighbor, "Mr. Bob" reseed his yard.  He was covering the grass seed with hay, and man, did she think that was the best job.  She helped throw down the hay and spread it with her rake.  We'll see if she likes that job in a few more years! ;)

Emma took a longer nap today (I guess she worked too hard), so Sophia helped me cook dinner.  We never got a chance to have Andy's birthday dinner, so we had planned to do that tonight.  While I cooked, Sophia occupied herself with eating Puffs.  She still hasn't mastered the art of getting the Puffs into her mouth, but she can spend hours trying.

Well, of COURSE I took a picture!

After dinner, Emma really wanted to get out and play so we took the girls on a wagon ride.  It's great now that Sophia can sit up on her own and can join in on the fun.  They were so cute in the wagon together.  We passed a house with a barking dog and Emma told Sophia, "I'll save you!" 

I'm so happy that the weather has been so nice.  I have been looking forward to fall and all the fun activities that go along with it.  One of the blog moms that I follow, Katie from Loves of Life, created this adorable Fall Bucket List to print out and check off as the items are completed.  Head on over to see hers and grab one for yourself.   I can't wait to print mine out and get started!

Up to the Mountains

Both Andy and I took a much needed day off on Friday and headed up to enjoy the beautiful mountain air.  We dropped the girls off at my parents' house and then headed up to the Smokies.

I had forgotten how nice it is to just sit in the car in complete silence.  I love talking to my husband, but I think we both realized the importance of just being still.  Once we entered the park, we stopped periodically to walk down to the river.  At one point I just laid on a big rock, listening to the sounds of the river.  It was so wonderful.  Our main goal was to go to Newfound Gap and then head up to Clingman's Dome.  I had never been to either and I was in awe of how beautiful this part of the country truly is.

Chimney Tops

Pardon the dust, but look at that temperature!

The view from Newfound Gap

Walk to Maine? No thanks.

The base of Clingman's Dome

See those clouds?  They were seriously about 20 feet above us.

The observation tower--on our way up we passed a girl that had just gotten engaged.  How exciting!

The view from the top!  When we got up there, there was this sweet little girl that shouted, "We're at the sky!" It was so adorable!