Making Himself Heard!

I guess it shouldn't surprise me that Adam is a noisy one. He has to be that much louder to be heard above his chatty older sister. And I know Italian families get the reputation of being loud, but I must say the Poles can hold their own! Of course anything sounds louder than the family I grew up in. HA HA

I finally caught his squeals and giggles on video.

Enjoy!

Should I Count My Eggs?

Adam has slept at least 7 hours at night the past four nights...and I am liking it!

He's gone a longer stretch like that once or twice before, but it never lasted more than 2 nights in a row. Then he'd be back to his usual every 3!

I don't know...have we turned a corner? Or am I counting my eggs before they've hatched?

This sleep deprived momma is hoping the former is true.

Crazy thing is, I've woken up two mornings so far with sleep headaches. You know, the kind you get when you sleep too long? Here's the crazy part--it was after 7 hours of sleep!!!
Does that sound like too much sleep to you?! HA HA

Working Out The Wiggles

While Pete was off taking his Math proxy test this morning, (they're making him get certified in another subject besides Physics), I took the kids to a local school's benefit auction. They had all kinds of fun activities for the kids: barrel train rides, pony rides, ring and bean bag toss, a moon bounce, etc.

Natalia had some major wiggles to work out since Mommy had been telling her not to jump on the furniture all week. Needless to say, she L O V E D the moon bounce!

And, I don't think a day goes by without her asking whether it's summer or not and time to ride the choo choo train! (I told her that we would take her to the Strasburg Railroad this summer to ride the train. She can hardly wait!) So, the barrel train ride this morning got her smiling!

After about an hour we were all hot and tired and ready to head home.

I cannot believe how summer-like it is already! DID WE SKIP SPRING?!?!

4 Months Old

Adam had his 4 month appointment this past Monday and it was no surprise to hear he was a growing boy!


Measuring 26 inches long and weighing 14 lbs. and 5-1/2 ounces, he is still blazing a trail--determined to grow up to be tall and lean like his daddy. After flirting with Dr. Mary, he decided to show off a bit and roll over for the first time! My oh my. :o)

And as if that weren't enough for this week, he also found his piggy toes. They've been a source of entertainment ever since.

Here are the most recent pictures of our little man. He's become quite the drooler, hence the wet chin and blanket. Enjoy!

Easter Fun

Three weeks ago my mom, sister-in-law, and I took the kids to an Easter Egg Drop at a nearby church. We were alittle crazy because let me tell you--it was COLD! We're talkin' gusty, bonechilling wind! And everybody and their mother (literally) was there!

FINALLY the helicopter flew overhead which got ooo's and ahhh's from the kids. (All of us parents were wondering how the pilot managed to keep the thing flying straight in that wind.) They said "GO!" and all the kids ran out onto the field in their designated age group area. In no time all of the eggs were picked up and everyone took stock of their loot. :o)

There were other things inside afterwards but there were just too many people to make it much fun so we headed home. Afterall, we had paint at my parents house so I just painted the kids faces there.

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Easter weekend was full of activity. My mother-in-law was here for dinner Saturday evening and we spent Sunday at my parent's house with the whole family. Both sets of great grandparents were there too. That was really special. And we finally were successful at getting a good family picture.

There was a lull in the busyness of the day. (I've come to really appreciate the lulls! When there are numerous little ones to take care of, holidays can be exhausting.) At one point there was a crowd around the dining room table. Their task? Coloring. :o)

Visitors!

What a fun afternoon we had today!

My cousin Anthony's wife Lori and their little boy Austin came to see us today. Austin was born exactly 4 weeks after Adam, so we've been in close contact ever since. Today was the first visit in person and oh my word...the boys couldn't have been cuter together. Natalia was in her glory with TWO babies in the house. And Lori and I did manage to have some good conversation despite the demands of 3 kiddos.

Here was the only good shot I got despite our attempts.

Alphabet Meme

This is a fun list I saw on Lynn's blog a few weeks ago. I think I'm pretty predictable but read on...I may surprise you. :o)

A is for your age: 32

B is for your burger of choice: Five Guys Little Bacon Cheeseburger w/mayo, ketchup and lettuce

C is for the car that you drive: Subaru Legacy wagon

D is for dog's name: we used to have a German Shorthaired Pointer, Molly, but she's gone now

E is for an essential item you use each day: lotion (I absolutely LOVE the smell of J & J's baby lotion--the one that comes in the pink bottle)

F is for your favorite television show: Friday Night Lights (hopefully they'll make a season 4)

G is for favorite game: Pictionary

H is for hometown: Manheim

I is for instruments played: violin

J is for favorite juice: white grape

K is for what you'd like to kick: my weight issues (and mindset)

L is for last restaurant you dined at: well the word "dined" signifies something alittle more glorified than Five Guys...wow, I can't even think of one! Honey, it's time for a date night!

M is for your favorite muppet: the Swedish chef (Noo nee, noo nee, noo nee, noo...)

N is for number of piercings you have: 2, one in each ear (I highly doubt that'll ever change)

O is for overnight hospital stays: only 1--I had both my children at the hospital but went home 12 hours after giving birth to Natalia because they said I could. I certainly wouldn't have chosen the circumstances (you can read about her heart condition here) but I was glad to get a full night of sleep in my own bed before facing reality the next morning.

P is for people you were with today: my hubby and kids, Mindi (we were on the same missions team to Central America back in '95-'96) and her kids, AND everybody and their mother at Lowes.

Q is for what you do in quiet times: read, journal, pray, sometimes listen to a podcast.

R is for regrets: no major regrets, just a lot of everyday moments when I didn't choose better

S is for status: married

T is for time you woke up today: that would be TIME with an "S"...let's see, it was 12 am, 3 am, and 6. Natalia was up at 6:30 so there were no Z's after that.

U is for what you consider unique: each of my children

V is for favorite vegetable: sweet corn (from my parents' garden--nothing compares)

W is for your worst habit: not being concise. I love details to a fault sometimes.

X is for x-rays you have had: I've had my teeth scanned and sonograms during pregnancy, but that's it. Oh, and I think the chiropractor scanned my neck once when I had a pinched nerve.

Y is for yummy food you ate today: I had a Yum Yum Cupcake at lunch. That's what we call Cream Cheese and Chocolate Chip filled Chocolate Cupcakes.

Z is for zodiac sign: I think I'm Capricorn, but quite frankly I could care less what my sign is.

Comradery

comradery:
(noun) the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability [syn: chumminess]




...for now they're buddies. :o)

Burgundy Leg of Lamb

This year I decided to try out a new recipe for Easter dinner.

Pete's mother was here on Saturday and I knew that the three of us adults would like it. Lamb is afterall a dish that not everyone enjoys, but we really did and it was SUPER easy!

I also made Scalloped Potatoes (tastes like you spent hours on it but the simplest recipe ever!), Honey Glazed Carrots and a salad. For dessert my mother-in-law brought her traditional Polish babka (cake), some Greek sweet bread. That, some Hungarian dessert wine and my Lemon Bars and it was an official feast!


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Burgundy Leg of Lamb (Crockpot Recipe)

So succulent and fall from the bone tender!

4 lb. leg of lamb
salt and pepper
2 TBsp. dried parsley
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 medium carrot, chopped
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 bottle Burgundy cooking wine
1 c. beef broth
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 jar black cherry preserves (about 1 c.)

1. Sprinkle lamb generously with salt and pepper, then parsley, garlic, and oregano. Place lamb in greased crockpot and set aside.
2. In a small saucepan, saute the onion and carrot in olive oil for 3-4 minutes or until tender. Add wine, broth, lemon juice, and preserves, and pour over lamb.
3. Marinade overnight, covered.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours.

Makes 4 servings.

***slightly altered from allrecipes.com

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Garlic Scalloped Potatoes

8 medium potatoes
1 tsp. minced garlic
4 TBsp. unsalted butter + 1 TBsp. softened to grease pan
1 1/2 c. heavy cream or half and half
salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Rub softened butter and evenly sprinkle garlic in bottom of shallow 2 quart dish (8x11.5x2").
3. Peel and thinly slice potatoes.
4. After each layer of potatoes, sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. After last layer of potatoes, pour heavy cream over entire top, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Finish with pads of remaining butter.
5. Bake until cream has been absorbed, about an hour.

Makes 6 servings.

***slightly altered from marthastewart.com

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Honey Glazed Carrots

1 1/2 c. baby carrots (or about 4 carrots, peeled and sliced)
3 TBsp. honey
2 TBsp. water
1 TBsp. brown sugar
1 TBsp. butter
1 tsp. lemon juice
dash of cinnamon

1. Cook carrots in boiling water just until tender.
2. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over drained carrots into an oven safe dish.
3. Cover and bake for 45 mins. at 350 degrees.

***This recipe makes only about 3-4 servings, so you may want to double it.

Now Wait A Minute!

And to think I started putting this 6 mos. sleeper on him at 2 mos. because he was so long. Now at 3 1/2 months it's already highwater length!

I can just see it now--the $ signs required to keep this boy clothed, not to mention the shoes!

Good thing he's a boy and can run around in less...cha' ching!

What A Way To Sleep!

Adam started a new thing in the last two weeks--sleeping curled up on his side.

Here he is, sacked out on the couch.

Even his bouncy seat doesn't thwart his new sleeping position.

And this morning, while I was getting ready, he was catching a nap in his swing. Hmmm...I wonder what he's dreaming about?