Happy Birthday Norah Kate

Happy 2nd Birthday Norah Kate!  We hope that you have a wonderful day.  I think Lydia wants to call and wish the birthday girl a happy, happy birthday.  Chat soon!

Carrot Cake

Ingredients: 
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. gound cinnamon
1 c. cooking oil
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baing soda
3 c. finely shredded carrots
4 eggs

Directions:
In large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.  Add carrots, oil and eggs.  Beat with an electric mixer till combined.  Pour batter into greased ad lightly floured pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. 

Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat together two 3 oz. pkgs. of ceam cheese, softened; 1/2 c. butter, softened; and 2 tsp. vanilla till light and fluffy.  Grandually add 2 c. sifted powdered sugar, beating well.  Gradually beat in 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 c. additional sifted powdered sugar to reach spreading consistency. 

35 Weeks

35 weeks and one day...that means in just four short weeks we will be blessed with our baby!  I have to say that I am physically ready to have this baby.  I mean really...can I get four weeks bigger?!?!?  It dawned on me last night that I have nothing bought, washed, or packed for our stay in the hospital.  I guess I probably should start making a list and doing some things.  Not to mention the baby's room is NOT done yet--maybe I will work on that tonight after Lydia goes to bed if I have enough energy :)  Speaking of energy..I pretty much have NONE..so, wish me luck :) 

Laura had asked me to post a picture of me pregnant with Lydia and then one this time around.  Here is my best attempt on pictures side-by-side (thanks for the tips).  Boy, I look pretty tried in the new one...and that was taken yesterday at 10 am..yikes!!  I have a doctors appointment Wednesday then it's back every week.  

Lydia is really starting to get excited about "the baby"  She loves to touch, kiss and hug the baby in my belly.  She also loves to lift up my shirt and talk to my belly...she has even tried doing this to people who are not pregnant..sorry Megan :)  Two of the funniest things she has done are...calling my stretch marks oches.  Which made an appearance A LOT sooner this time around.  The second things she has been saying is "mommy back hurts"...does that mean I have been saying it a lot--YES! 

Lydia's Friends

Lydia loves all animals!  She has yet to meet a four legged creature that she didn't care for.  Sadie and Frost are two dogs that she thinks are pretty cool.  Sadie is our beagle..she is a lazy and sometimes grouchy!  Lydia often gets out all of Sadie's toys (and some other items..see the lint roller) or her things..you see she likes to share.  She thinks Sadie wants to "play with them"  Well, she really doesn't have any interest unless it involves FOOD! 

Sadie chilling with her shades on!

Frost is Kane's parents dog.  She is Lydia's other doggie freind.  Frost is a lab and seems to play a little bit more with the Little Miss.  However, she also has a limit :)  Frost also has a little bit more engery than Lydia's fat dog :) 

Lydia giving Frost a BIG hug for Christmas!

I can't go without saying that Lydia also loves ALL the cats in her life.  I don't know how she keeps them all straight..but, she knows the names of them all and who they belong to.  It is really cute. 

fLaSHbaCK fRidaY

I mentioned earlier in the month...I have been going through lots of pictures. I just LOVE this one of Lydia and her Uncle Kye taken in July 2008. We took a little trip to visit him in Ohio. We can't wait to see you soon!
Give us a call sometime...Lydia is just lovin' talking on the phone...AND I know she would love to say "hi, Uncle Kye"

A Growing Belly

Sunday will mark 35 weeks of pregnancy! That means two things....another belly picture and one more week closer to meeting our baby. I have to admit...I really start to get impatient around this time. AND not because I am so uncomfortable or so ready NOT to be pregnant...BUT, I really want to know if this is a little man or a little lady :) I know everyone is saying you could have found out 15 weeks ago--but, we didn't and I wouldn't have it any other way :) ALL we are praying for is a healthy baby and a safe delivery.

Speaking of boy or girl...two people stopped me today and said, "so, I see you are having a baby girl"..Well, we don't know. They just knew for sure...this was a little girl because of the way I am carrying. Who knows--I do know we are getting closer to deciding on a name. We have a girls first for sure and getting very close to selecting a middle. For a little boy..well, we have three choices and might have to meet the little guy before we decide (if he is a little guy) the middle name will be Kane for sure though.

15 weeks

20 weeks

25 weeks

30 weeks

I am sad to report that I think today was my last day of aerobics. I think I have reached my limit. Plus, getting up at 5.00 AM..might be overrated for me at this point in time. I think I could use the extra shut eye.

Cream Puff Dessert

Cream Puff Dessert

1 stick butter
1 c. water
1 c. flour
4 eggs
1 large box instant pudding
3 c. milk
1 8oz. package of cream cheese
1 8 oz. carton cool whip

Boil water and butter. Add flour and beat well. Cool slightly. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Spread in greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool completely. Mix pudding, milk and cream cheese together. pour over crust. Spread cool whip on top of pudding mixture. Drizzle with chocolate syrup or sprinkle with mini chips or other sprinkles.

Any flavor of pudding may be used. You may also substitute 2 small packages pudding (increase milk to 3 1/2 cups) for the one large package.

A BIG Thank You!

A BIG thank you to Grandma Connie! She made us matching baby slings :) She is such a talented lady!! I love them! Lydia hasn't gotten the idea just yet. Something tells me when I have a baby in mine...she will have one of her babies in hers. They are soooo cute. I am excited to use it.

I didn't have a sling or wrap with Lydia, but knew this was something that I needed with a baby and a two year old. I think it will make things a little easier :)

Thanks again Grandma Connie~Audra and Lydia

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! We had a great day just spending time together. We didn't make it to Church this morning. I haven't been sleeping very well. I will wake up around 3 or 4 and can't get back to sleep. SO, I told Kane if I was still sleeping we probably wouldn't make it to 8.30 church. Needless, to say I sleep pretty good! Kane was going to make the ladies in the house chocolate waffles for breakfast, but Lydia wanted toast and yogurt..AND she won.

Kane was so sweet and got Lydia and I some candy. I am pretty sure we both consumed enough candy for the rest of the month :) After getting ready we had a small gift for our little Valentine. She was so excited..especially to see Snow White and her new books.

Taking a look inside
Checking out her Puppy Love book and Kitty Love book---she loves animals!

She kept repeating "Snow White", "Snow White"

Lydia wasn't really in the smiling mood today (I think she might be coming down with a little cold). BUMMER!

Her Daddy picked out this VERY special card for his VERY special little girl. I think she really like it :)

Kane, thanks for being such a loving, caring, hardworking husband and father! You are the BEST! We LOVE you! Happy Valentine's Day....

Valentine Cookies

On Tuesday we ventured over to Norah Kate's house. Her mommy Megan had invited us over to decorate sugar cookies in honor of Valentine's Day. She had some extra special guests there her niece and nephew. Megan had all the cookies baked and ready to frost and sprinkle. I am pretty sure that the kids had a great time. AND I also know that the adults were exhausted by the time we cleaned up! Poor Meg even gave herself a headache :( I don't think any of else will be opening a daycare anytime soon!!

I decided after this play date I really need to loosen up. I was the only mommy that didn't let their child frost their own cookies. I know...I need to chill out. Lydia had a blast putting sprinkles on the cookies. And just like when we decorated cookies at Christmas she refused to eat any of them. I guess she thought they were too pretty to eat.

Lydia had a sprinkle jar malfunction...and ALL the sprinkles fell on her heart!

Barrett taking a little sample of the chocolate frosting
Norah Kate deciding your mouth was a better spot for the good stuff

Evan and Norah Kate both working very hard :)

Everyone working on their masterpieces.

Some of the finished products...don't they look good?

Thanks for the great time...We had a BLAST!

FLaShbAck FrIdAY

Hoping for a Wildcat win this weekend :)

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to our HOME! That's right 4 years ago today we moved into our home that we designed and did sooo much of the work! AND boy...it was HARD work. We couldn't have done it without the help of our families--Thanks guys!

A Little Game!

Let's play a little game! I am sending you a link to a baby on-line pool. You need to guess: the gender, weight, length, and birthday. Click on the link. In the upper left corner there is a box for invited guests. Our game name is: newadditionH click GO and enter a guess and don't forget to submit! This should be FUN! We of course will keep you posted!!

http://expectnet.com/guess.php?babyid=1


I'm not sure there is a prize beside bragging rights :)
~Kane, Audra and Lydia

I had a Doctor's appointment today. Things went great! Miss Lydia was invited to attend this appointment. Our doctor hadn't seen her since she was about 2 weeks old. She of course was a BIG hit!!

I am measuring 1 week later (bigger) which is really no surprise. It seemed like I was always 1 or 2 weeks bigger with Lydia. While feeling around on my tummy she asked how much Lydia weighed and I told her and her response was....(not sure of her exact words) but something like....yes, this baby is also going to be very large. She said she could already tell by the size of his or her head..yikes! Glad it isn't coming out the natural way :) My blood pressure is still great and the baby's heart was beating 150 bpm. Which is on the lower end--usually it ranges from 150-175.

I'm beat...it's 8.03 and I might just go to bed :)

Chocolate Waffles

This recipe is straight out of the Rural Route #5 Box 113 cookbook that my mother-in-law created for her boys. It is full of delicious recipes that are family favorites. These waffles won't disappoint!

Chocolate Waffles

1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
2 eggs
1/2 c. oil
1 t. vanilla
2 t. baking powder
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. milk
4 T. cocoa

Mix dry ingredients, add liquids & mix, bake in waffle maker. ENJOY!!

Me and My Pink Bear

I have been cleaning out and organizing ALL the pictures we have on our computer (which is a lot). Looking at all the pictures of my Lydia Grace brought a tear to my eye. Remembering what it is like to hold a newborn baby, cuddling with them in the rocker, and their sweet smell. She has grown so much in 27 months! However, when I look back at pictures I see that beautiful smile and her amazing eyes. AND that personality...what a blessing! AND I also realized that she was pretty darn cute even with NO hair or teeth!!

Newborn

one month
two months

three months

four months

five months

six months

seven months

eight months

nine months

10 months

11 months

AND it looks like I forgot to take a 12 month picture...gosh, what was I think! Love you sis :)

Are You Ready For Some Football?

I am a huge sports fan so I of course am super excited for the Super Bowl tonight! I really don't have a "favorite" NFL team...but I of course have some teams I like better than others :) The two teams playing tonight I both really like but...I think I have decided to cheer for the Saints. Even though I really like Peyton Manning and the Colts.

Happy Birthday Big Sis

Happy Birthday Gretchen! We hope you have a great day. Miss Lydia sends her aunt a big hug and kiss :)

I'm a BIG girl!

2010 has been full of HUGE changes at our house. Along with potty training we wanted to move Lydia to a big bed and move the nursery to our guest room. After our trip to Tulsa we decided to go ahead and "just do it". Lydia had been climbing out of her crib and nap time had been a disaster so my thoughts were could it get any worse?!?! I was thankful we didn't have to take the crib apart and just had to slide it across the hallway. It was kinda sad. It dawned on me that Lydia is not a baby anymore and we are moving on to a new chapter of our lives.

Lydia's nursery

Lots of memories of my precious little girl

Lydia is already making sure baby Emma has a spot to sleep. She often calls this bed Uncle Kye's. AND gosh, I really needed to dust that bookshelf...
Daddy putting together the bed rails.

This is Lydia's BIG girl room. I need to find or make a bed skirt then I think it will be complete! Lydia LOVES it!! AND yes, my two year old is sleeping in a queen size bed. When we got married we had two queen size beds and then we bought a king. I thought what the hay we might has well use what we have :)

I am happy with the way it turned out...and making the move has been a breeze. She has never gotten out on her own (I should probably knock on wood). My only complaint is that it seems to take her so much longer to fall asleep. Today after KDI was the first time that I would say we were on our regular schedule.

Potty Time

Exactly one month ago we started potty training at our house! This was about our third attempt. For one reason or another we just gave up in past tries. This time we were determined that this would be the time it worked. I really wasn't interested in buying diapers for two little ones.

In past attempts I would say that she was toilet trained but would never tell us when she had to go. The liquid waste seemed to happen right away but, the solid waste took about two weeks to accomplish. AND that just seemed to happen overnight....it was like something just clicked. I am proud to say we have had great luck and are wearing panties all day long except for nap time and nighttime. I am hoping to lose the pull-ups at nap time soon. She has woke up dry 4 out of the last 5 days!

Lydia's princess potty ring

The pile of panties...what a challenge picking out what pair to wear. I have started only letting her pick from about 3..because it was taking 20 minutes to decide on which pair...mercy!
AND yes, there was bribing involved.

Kane wouldn't let me take a picture of her on the potty...in his words...would you like someone to take a picture of you on the toilet! Such a good point...but, I am not as cute as she is :)

Lydia we are sooooo proud of you! We love you lots..

Mommy & Daddy