Jackson

We welcomed our sweet baby to the world on March 31, 2017! His birth was long 

(to me!), slow and I hate to say it, but hard and frustrating.

Jackson Paul

6lb 14 oz

19.5"

I've been blessed with fairly easy births,and I expected this one to be the same! I woke up at about 12:30am thinking that something wasn't quite right. Not a second after I woke up, my water broke!It didn't take me very long to wake up and for adrenaline to pick up. I woke Mike up, and we both started rushing around, waiting for things to start progressing quickly. My sister came right away, but nothing was happening. I was having a few contractions here and there, but nothing that made me thing that labor was actually starting. It was about 1:30 when I tried to go back to bed, and slept on and off for about 4 hours. I then got tired of waiting and thought that maybe if I got up and started moving, maybe labor would actually start! I got up and made breakfast for everyone, and got in the shower. Still nothing! I knew that I had an appointment with my midwife around 11:30 in the morning so I decided to try to nap if I could. I'm not sure that I've ever slept so hard! Mike woke me up to get ready to go, and I could barely drag myself out of bed! 

Jack at 1 month old

We got to the appointment, and it still seemed that nothing was progressing. We monitored the baby, and I knew that I was having some contractions, but nothing that was really worth timing. My midwife sent us out, and told us to start walking and see if that helped. As we were leaving, it seemed that my contractions were picking up, so I started to watch them a bit closer. We went to our local co-op to get some snacks, and some bone broth for me to sip on, and while we were there I had to keep stopping because contractions were coming faster! I went out to sit in the van while Mike payed for our things, and started timing them. They were still around 7 minutes apart, but were getting closer. Once we started driving though, they slowed down again. I was so frustrated, and so tired so I told Mike that we should go home and I would try to nap again. He "accidentally" took the wrong way, because he could tell that labor wasn't slowing down and that we should stay close to the birth center. He's pretty smart! We went back to the birth center, and things slowed down.....again. It was hard for me to keep a positive mindset at this point, which I know is SO important, but labor kept starting and stopping, and I was so tired...and I just wanted to meet my baby! 

Jack at 2 months

We started walking, up and down the block, over and over, until my contractions were picking up in intensity and time. We could both tell that they were getting closer and closer, so we started to head back to the birth center. Once we were back, labor slowed AGAIN. I felt like giving up (even though I knew I couldn't actually do that!) I told Mike and my midwife that I just wanted to lie down for awhile, and try to rest. She said that she would check in after awhile, or to let her know if anything was happening. It was about 3:30, and not even 20 minutes later that Mike went out to get her. I was at the point where I couldn't move without having a contraction, and they were coming fast. It's always at this point when I tell Mike that I'm not ready to do anymore...he says that's how he knows that our babies will be here soon! It was a LONG hour, and a lot of me struggling to get into the mindset that I COULD actually do it...after a bit of of loving (for lack of better word) pushing from my midwife, and our little boy was born! It took him a little bit to figure out how to breathe, but as soon as my midwife suggested that we give him a little oxygen, he started breathing and crying. We stayed at the birth center for four hours after he was born, and spent that time nursing, resting, and snuggling our sweet boy. We were in love immediately. 

Jack at 3 months

We were so excited to get home, and woke up the kids...but they were too tired and didn't actually get up to see him! :)

It has been a big adjustment going from 3 to 4 kids, but we wouldn't have it any other way. He fits right in, and everyone absolutely adores him! 

Minty Hot Chocolate

I was at Costco the other day, and the Vitamix demo guy was giving out samples of a perfectly creamy, peppermint hot chocolate. I was intrigued, and took a sip. It was so very decadent, without any heavy cream or half and half...it was delicious. He told me what was in it, one of the ingredients being vanilla coffee creamer. Blech. Not something that I would want to drink every day.
I've been trying a few recipes for a dairyfree/nut free hot chocolate that Maddie can drink...and that she likes. As much as she loves canned coconut milk, it just doesn't work very well in hot chocolate for us. This recipe is so simple, and you make it in the blender!

The Cast of Characters

I took the Vitamix Guy's idea and ran with it. We've had chocolate mousse with avocado, so I really didn't think it would be too difficult...and it wasn't!

I used liquid stevia drops, and then tried it with pure maple syrup. It tasted much better with the maple syrup, but feel free to use honey or sugar too.

Minty Hot Chocolate

Makes 1 cup

! Tbsp Cocoa powder

4-5 drops stevia, or 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup

2-3 drops mint extract

2-3 drops vanilla extract

1/4 of an avocado, sliced

1/2 cup boiling water

Put all of the ingredients into a blender, and pulse it a few times. Blend it until it's completely smooth, and there are no chunks of avocado.

Paleo Lunches

We're still in the paleo-type-of-food phase with Maddie right now, and I finally feel like I've hit my groove with making meals, and making them quick!
Most of our meals are totally paleo, but here and there I make something separate for Maddie, so that Charlie isn't totally missing out on the foods that he loves.
I have to say though, nearly everyday I'm amazed at what my kids will eat. Avocado? They'll pile that into their mouths faster than I can scoop it out for them. Broccoli? Served with a little lemon juice or apple cider vinegar on top, they inhale it. I've been so thankful that we started feeding the kids real, healthy, nutrient dense foods, since they first started eating...I truly believe that's what has made them into the good eaters that they are.
I wanted to share two of my favorite lunch ideas that I've found come together really quickly, and are so good for growing bodies (and nursing mamas!).

Salmon Salad
1 can of Salmon (wild caught, BPA free cans if possible!)
1/2 of a cucumber, chopped
1 avocado, diced
1-2 shredded carrots
1 Tbsp olive oil
salt
pepper
juice from 1/2 of a lemon
Drain the salmon, and mix everything together, to taste! I served this in bowls, with a side of fruit. It's loaded with protein, vegetables, and healthy fat!
**I don't have a picture of this one because...it doesn't look super delicious in pictures!)

Roast Beef Hash

Leftover Roast Beef Hash
1-2 C leftover roast beed
1 Large sweet potato, cubed and cooked (I prefer mine roasted with lots of coconut oil and garlic, but you can steam them too)
1/2 bag of frozen broccoli, steamed until fork tender
2 cloves of garlic, minced
salt
pepper
eggs
Chop up the roast beef so it's in small bites. Add a good heaping Tbsp of coconut oil to a cast iron skillet (or a frying pan!),put in the garlic and let it cook for a minute to soften it. Add in the beef, sweet potatoes, broccoli, salt and pepper. Try to mash up the sweet potatoes into the meat, but not completely...you still want a little bit of texture from them. While it's heating, fry up one egg per serving, in your preferred type of fat (PLEASE no vegetable/canola oil for my sanity's sake! :D ). Once the hash is complete, serve it up into bowls, and top with your fried egg.

**This is another one of those recipes that you can sub in whatever you have...ground beef/pork/turkey, carrots, onion, or any other type of vegetable that you have!**

Paleo Italian Wedding Soup

We've been in a different food territory for about the past two weeks. For about the past year, we've had some different digestion issues going on, and I finally felt ready to tackle them. I'll try to get into it more at a later time, but right now I'm still processing, and slightly overwhelmed. For now, we're pretty much eating paleo, minus sweeteners and fruits...which leaves.....meat, vegetables, and healthy fats. It hasn't bothered me too much, except that we can't even do eggs, which makes breakfast really really hard. No scrambled eggs, no egg and veggie muffins, no butternut squash pancakes (which are seriously delicious and totally fall-ish.). We're mostly eating leftovers and soup right now, which is really ok...I just miss pancakes and baked oatmeal :)

I've been experimenting a lot with soup lately, because it's so easy, and super quick. I can pretty much just throw whatever into a pot with some chicken stock, salt and pepper, and call it good. Thankfully, it's soup season, and everyone in my house loves soup...even Hannah was sipping on some chicken stock the other day!

Tonight for supper, I made my own version of Paleo Italian Wedding Soup. It was so yummy! I don't know why I haven't thought of putting meatballs in soup earlier. It makes a LOT of meatballs, so save some for lunch tomorrow! Or freeze them!

Italian Wedding Soup

Serves 6

Meatballs:

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 lb. ground pork

1 Tbsp Parsley

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/4 onion, chopped finely

Soup:

6 Cups chicken stock (divided)

1/2 bag of frozen broccoli

1/2 bag of frozen cauliflower

1 1/2 Tbsp pesto (I used homemade, dairy free pesto, but you can use whatever you have on hand.)

Mix ingredients together, and form into balls. Heat a large stock pot over medium high heat, and drizzle in some olive oil. Once the pan is heated, put half of the meatballs in the pan to brown. After about a minute, flip onto the other side. You're not looking to cook the meatballs, just to get a good amount of caramelization on them...and to get some brown bits stuck on the bottom of the pan. Remove, and do the same for the other half. Take 1 cup of chicken stock and pout it into the pan (it will be loud and steamy! That's what you want!). Use a whisk to scrape the brown bits off of the bottom of the pan...that's where the flavor is! Add in the rest of the stock, the meatballs, and the veggies. Cover and let simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the broccoli and cauliflower are cooked through, and the meatballs are floating on top. Finish the soup off with the pesto, and salt and pepper to taste... And maybe some parmesan cheese if you can ;)

Note: feel free to add whatever veggies you'd like! Carrots, and potatoes would be good, or even some white beans to stretch it a little further. Next time I'll be adding some chopped kale for some more greens!

Enjoy!

Changes

How funny that my last post was almost exactly a year ago! I was just telling Mike how I don't remember very much of this time, last year...other than being sick. It was just kind of a blur! :)
Life has been crazy, busy, loud, stressful and wonderful this past year. Our sweet Hannah has brought SO much joy into our lives, and we are so thankful for her!

Brand New, Hannah Joy

We MOVED!! We put an offer in on a house just hours before Hannah was born, and moved when she was 4 weeks old. I don't want to do that again. But, we're settled, and absolutely loved having a large backyard all summer. The kids were outside all day long most days, and wore themselves right out. We've moved so many times within the last 6 years, it's such a strange feeling to know that we're staying put for awhile! And, I don't have to listen to anyone stomping on my ceiling :)

We had a couple of big birthdays...Maddie celebrated her golden birthday in September, and Charlie turned 4 in August! People say that time flies...well, it really does!

Birthday Kids!

We're getting ready for Thanksgiving this week...and boy am I ready. I'll have my thanksgiving pants on, and plan to pig out! **Bonus points to anyone who gets that reference!** I'm looking forward to this next season, even with the snow!

Practical Ways to Teach Your Kids About Jesus

This was originally my idea for a post on Monday, but after praying about it, I felt like God was leading my into a different direction(obviously.) But, this has been on my mind SO much lately, and I've been working on compiling a mental list of small ways that I can teach my kids about Jesus. Here it is!

*Every night at bedtime, Charlie and I lay in bed and thank God for the things He's given us. We also pray specifically for those who are sick, or hurting.

*Let them see me reading my Bible, or doing my Bible study

*Read to them from a Children's Bible. We have this one.

*A friend gave me the idea to pray over them as their acting up. For example, if Charlie pushes Maddie, I will hold his hands, and ask God to help him to remember to have kind hands.

*Memorizing verses. Charlie is part of Cubbies, so this is pretty easy for me. We just read through his book each week, and memorize the verse that goes with it.

Charlie at Cubbies

*Make a prayer book. This is an idea that I have yet to work on. It's really pretty simple, I just have to put it together! I just plan to take a small photo album, and put pictures of family and friends in it. The kids will each have their own, and it will be a great reminder that we need to be praying for our family!

*Listen to christian music on the radio. I try to be very careful about what we listen to in the car...we pretty much stay away from most secular music, especially now that Charlie is really listening and repeating everything that we say!

*Reminding him that Jesus wants us to be loving and kind, and that it makes God sad when Charlie sins.

*Answering questions that they have. Talking to them about where Jesus lives, and about heaven. It's fun to imagine what heaven will be like!

I hope this is a helpful list, I know that we have a long way to go, but this is a pretty good start!

Thrifty Tuesday

Whoops. I missed this yesterday, sorry about that! You know how it is...life with two kids and all.
Instead of sitting down and writing out this post, I actually made myself some lunch and cleaned up the kitchen...and then of course, as I sat down to eat, Charlie got up early from his nap :)

So anyway, this was a tough week for me. I can feel that we're in the middle of the month, because this is when I usually go downhill and get antsy. Instead of doing my grocery shopping at Aldi, like I've been doing the past couple of weeks, I went to Target. And oh, it was like a breath of fresh air. They have the organic whole chickens that I usually buy, and their produce is fresh. BUT...I spent more. I could feel it as I went through the checkout lane, and saw the total...even with my cartwheel coupons, and target card...it was still more than what I would have spent at Aldi.

Here's the good news though...I still managed to save some money last week! Here's what we did:
*The kids and I stayed home most days. Other than to BSF and Cubbies, we didn't really go anywhere. This saved me from spending more money at a store, AND saved gas money!
*Charlie and I DID go out on a date...but I got water, and no appetizer, even though we were starving! (does that count, at all??)
*We made crafts with things that we already had on hand
*I made all of our meals, except for the night that Charlie and I went out
* Baked with ingredients that we already had on hand
*Skipped going out for lunch on Sunday, even though it was already after naptime, I didn't know what we were going to eat, and we were all, once again, starving!

There really isn't too much from last week, and I'm probably not remembering some things, but there you go!