sick day

I woke up this morning at 4:00 am feeling pretty crummy. I'm known to be an early riser...but this was a little too early. I had a bad headache and a terrible sore throat. My whole head hurt so bad, I called a sick day. Oh, that's right. It's my weekend. Ryan and I have a knack for getting sick over breaks and on weekends. You know, when you're supposed to be having fun. I did have to cancel on a few friends though. Luckily, they're pretty understanding people. My friend Hillary even suggested I get some wellness tea. What a friend. She's looking out for me even though I cancelled our scrapbooking day.

And instead of taking my cousin out to breakfast, I got to visit the doctor. My little munchins at school have been coughing, blowing their noses, and going home with stomach aches all week, so I thought I better get it checked out. I have myself a sinus infection. Lovely.

I think Mason knows that I'm not feeling like myself today. He's been a little extra cuddly.

He's even sharing his toys.
He only laughed once when the nurse told me my face was puffy. Um, thanks. I'm not feeling well, remember?

And he took a 3 1/2 hour nap. That was the best part of all:) Thank you sweet boy. I'll be back to normal soon.

girly girly

Mason spent the weekend surrounded by girls. There was pink everywhere. He's such a good sport. You see, it was the weekend of my best friend Mindy's baby shower. In just 6 short weeks she will get to welcome her little girl into the world. I'm just a little excited about this:) We've been friends for so long....since 7th grade...and it's going to be awesome to journey through motherhood together. I'm so thankful for her friendship. Here are a few pictures from the shower.

Ok, this little snowsuit is just about the cutest thing ever.

No, wait. Maybe her pregnant belly is the cutest thing ever!
Mason spent most of the shower with Nana.

If he looks a little tired, it's because he totally missed his morning nap. There was too much going on and he didn't want to miss a thing. Plus, he was loving being passed around and everyone giving him so much lovin'! He was so good...despite all this. He was just his usual mellow self. He can't wait to meet his new friend.

cinnamon rolls

oh.my.goodness. My mom and I set out to make cinnamon rolls with the recipe by Pioneer Woman. After we made the dough and started rolling and cutting, we quickly realized that we did not have enough pans. We should have known when we started with 9 cups of flour. Once we got the pan situation figured out they started baking. The house smelled amazing. A mix of maple, cinnamon, and homemade bread.
We brought two pans to church, and sent one pan home with my mom. We still have plenty to share, so please...come on over!

breakfast

I love breakfast. I love to make breakfast. I love to try new recipes for breakfast. Ryan and I almost always cook breakfast on the weekends and eat together. Sometimes I make it (usually on Saturday) and sometimes he makes it (usually on Sunday). A few weeks ago, my best friend Mindy reminded me of the importance of slowing down and enjoying the morning. This is easy for us to do on the weekends, but not so much during the week. During the week we get up at different times and Ryan is usually heading out the door while I am just starting to make my breakfast. So, we don't get to eat together. And usually when I am eating breakfast I have the laptop in my face taking a moment to catch up on things. But, I've been trying to take a little time for me in the morning and enjoy our view out the window, pray over my day, and just have some quiet time. It's been wonderful. Of course, I still love our weekend breakfasts together.

Last weekend we tried a few new things. On the menu:

mushroom and onion tartlets

fruit salad (with grapefruit, oranges, figs, and kumquats)

orange cranberry bread (sooo good, a little gift from mindy).

We had never tried fresh figs or kumquats before. They were a fun addition. The figs were slightly out of season (who knew they were a summer fruit?) but still sweet and delicious. I can't wait to try some when they are in season. And the kumquats were a burst of sweet and tartly sour at the same time. Fun! Take some time to enjoy your breakfasts this week, friends.

saturday plans

This is where we will be spending our weekend. Out in the addition. It's a little cold out there. (Ok, after a couple hours it's a lot cold out there.) There's no insulation yet. But, that's ok because there's work to be done and we have a warm fire in the wood stove waiting for us in the "old" part of the house. And the sun is supposed to be out today. And we have lots of coffee.

These are a few pictures from last weekend. Ryan was finishing framing out the closets in the bedrooms. Today we have some long pieces of lumber to unload from the trailer and some ceiling joists to hang. Then it will be time to run wires for the electricity. We thought we would get to that last weekend, but everything takes longer than you think with a baby in the middle of it all:) I'm sure Mason will be a big help again today. Gotta love that little guy.

7 months

Dear Dad and Mom,

Mason here. You know, the little guy that has rocked your world for the last 7 months. I just wanted to let you both know that I love you so much. That's why I smile and laugh when you walk into the room. That's why I cry so you will hold me.

I hear that there are going to be a few new little ones around here soon ( a friend in March, and a cousin in May). I can't wait because I'm pretty sure that you two don't really understand what I'm saying, even though I talk and talk. It's ok that they will both be girls. I'm getting pretty used to it since I get to hang out with Ruby all the time. Pretty soon I will be able to pull her cute little pigtails. Oh, and would you please tell her mom that I'm sorry about the major blowout the other day (daddy told me to do it....something about her making fun of the way he says puree:) Oh, and another thing...mommy....I'm pretty sure I saw daddy leave that bag of dirty clothes in the back of the truck. He said something about a frozen surprise for you.

This is me contemplating a life surrounded by girls.

Daddy says when I'm older, it will be a good thing.

Thank you for all the new fruits and vegetables you are feeding me. I haven't tried one yet that I don't like. But of course I'm a lot more interested in what's on your plates and in your glasses. Won't you please share with me? This time I'll only drool a little bit into your cup.
Thanks for all the fun baths. And they really are fun now that I can wiggle about more and reach for my toys. Splashing is pretty fun too.

I'm pretty sure that Daisy and Java have figured out that I'm their new master. We have a great way of communicating. I tell them what to do and they lick my hand in submission. I taught them to guard my toys, blankets, and pillows while I'm napping. It's ok. Really. I don't mind sharing with them.



What do you think of my new game? I call it "Guess What Position I'll Wake Up In." I love flipping, flopping, rolling over and sticking my feet up in my sleep. Hey, at least I'm sleeping. Thanks for such a big crib to move around in. It's fun to make you laugh in the morning when you see how I've landed. You really should take some pictures so you don't forget.

Can you believe how much I'm moving around? Since you're rookie parents (I put in to be the youngest, but oh well...I guess I can teach you the ropes) I should remind you not to leave me unattended unless I'm on the floor or buckled into something safe. You see I'm forever toppling over, reaching for things, and just trying to figure out exactly what to do with my arms and legs. I'm glad you find me so entertaining! You keep laughing and I'll keep being the center of attention, ok?

You really are the coolest parents ever. (Mommy told me to say that.)

xoxo,

Mason

first christmas

We had a great Christmas. We were blessed to be able to spend time with both families. Even though Ryan was sick (grocery store runs for 7-up and juice) and Mason was a little fussy and plugged up (grocery store runs for prune juice) we enjoyed our holiday. But, it's good to be back home:)
Mason impressed us all with his little drummer boy ability and entertained himself at Grampa's and Grammie's with a paper plate and measuring spoon. He even helped open a few presents. He is loving all his new toys!
At Papa's house we whipped out the Christmas costumes. He was a good sport while we all laughed and took pictures. He provided more than enough entertainment.
It was so wonderful to celebrate his first Christmas with friends and family. During all the visiting, opening presents, playing games, and laughing, it's important to remember that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

May you have a wonderful and blessed New Year!

wordless wednesday

splish splash

Mason loves his baths! It didn't start out that way. He used to cry during the whole thing. Now, if he's crying and you put him in the tub, he actually stops. He's been getting baths a lot more frequently since he started eating more foods. If you can call it eating...I guess most of the food makes it into his mouth.

He recently figured out how to splash in the bathtub. Now that he can sit up by himself, he loves to reach for his toys and splash the water with his hands. If I hold him on his back he kicks his legs in the water. All of this splashing is followed by lots of giggles.

Bathtime has changed from carefully holding this tiny baby in his tiny tub in the sink to full-blown fun in the big tub! And of course it must be followed up by a few pictures in his adorable bathrobe.

One of his first baths.Um, mom and dad, don't you think I'm getting a little big for this thing?

Check out my cute robe and my rubber duckie!

I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season, and taking some time to slow down and enjoy time with family. Take time to ponder all the wonderful blessings God has put in your life.

wordless wednesday

6 months

Dear Mason,
You have been such a blessing during this trying month. In the midst of sadness, you bring pure, innocent joy. It amazes me that you do not know pain or sin yet in your prescious life. We have watched you grow in so many ways and it's hard to believe you are half a year old.

We have spent a lot of time with family this month and you are loving every minute of being loved on! You are such a people person.

You love going for walks and being outside. And you are already borrowing daddy's clothes!At six months, Mason, you:

~still drool like crazy

~can roll over both ways

~can sit by yourself, leaning forward on your hands to support you

~love to be held upside-down, and be tossed in the air~talk to us all day long

~sleep through the night

~love your spinach

~love when Java licks your hands and feet

~always fall asleep in the car

~love to touch faces and pull on beards (especially daddy's)

~love to sleep on your side

~really like to play in your exersaucer

~get excited when we walk into the room

~love to be around people, especially family

We love you so much, Mason and look forward to the next 6 months. You're going to learn so much.

xoxox,

daddy & mommy

I love you, dad

I've been thinking about this post for the last week and I really just feel like I need to write it before I can move on and post about something happy. My dad passed away last Saturday, after a battle with cancer. I feel like I have a big hole in my life, where my dad used to be. It doesn't even seem real, and I don't even know what to write. Except that God is good. Even in tragedy, He is good. I am thankful that my dad is no longer suffering. I am thankful that since everything happened so quickly at the end, and I couldn't be with my dad, that I was already together with my mom, sister, and the rest of our family. What a support to gather with them in prayer. I am thankful that I took Mason to visit him a few weeks ago. And I am thankful that God is unchanging in a world that is constantly changing. He is my Rock and my Comforter. I miss you dad.

pumpkin pecan pancakes

These pancakes are wonderful! If you can't get enough pumpkin, like me, then you know what I'm talking about. I love baking with pumpkin this time of the year. As I write this, I have pumpkin coffee cake baking in the oven. I'm trying a recipe from my sweet sister-in-law, Caroline. Either way, you should make something pumpkin for a yummy breakfast treat.

Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes

(adapted from Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes on allrecipes.com)

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 c. 7 grain cereal (uncooked)

1/3 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

dash nutmeg

1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 c. milk
1 c. pureed pumpkin
3/4 c. plain yogurt (or sour cream)
2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. chopped pecans

Mix dry ingredients. In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients and mix. Add the pecans. Make pancakes:)

Whipped Topping

(adapted from allrecipes.com)

1 c. whipping cream
2 tbsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4 tsp. vanilla

Mix together until stiff peaks form. Top pancakes and sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon.