Peach Cobbler

This recipe is modified from one I found on allrecipes.com--so yummy and perfect for any time of year. When fresh fruit isn't in season you can used canned. Granny Smith apples, berries, or peaches are especially good in this recipe.

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4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. sugar
1 c. milk
29 oz. can of sliced peaches, drained

Topping:
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
3 Tbsp. oatmeal

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Put slices of butter in an 8 x 8 inch baking dish and melt in the heating oven.
Combine dry batter ingredients, mix with milk, then pour over the melted butter in dish.
Layer sliced peaches over top.
Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over peaches.
Bake for 50-60 minutes.
Serve warm.
Makes 4-6 servings.

Suggestions?

This post is merely to ask for your feedback. I need some book recommendations. Though I enjoy rereading my favorites, I'm alittle bored of that and so...

Any suggestions?

Some of my favorite types are:

1. Historical Christian fiction (think Bodie Thoene or Francine Rivers--I like Karen Kingsbury but she gets really predictable)

2. Classic Literature (nothing too "heady" for now: like To Kill A Mockingbird, or Little Women)

3. Mystery/Suspense (I like most of John Grisham's work, just nothing too dark or gory)

4. Light-hearted "Beach" reads--some fluff allowed ;-)


What are some of your favorites?

Coming Out Of Hibernation

Oh, what a breath of fresh air and warm sunshine will do!

This morning I awoke with a pounding headache and every muscle felt sore--must have been having some wacky dreams! But, after 2 Tylenol, tea and toast, I was determined to power through and actually try to accomplish the grocery shopping before lunch.

With feeling so completely wiped out these last 3 weeks ENERGY was part of the issue--but the even greater reason was all of the combined smells of the place. (And it's a very clean, well-kept store!) As I told my mom last night, I've had trouble even walking through the cereal aisle. That's how keen my smeller has been. Hmmm...under different circumstances I could replace the drug-sniffing dogs, but I digress.

Well, I am happy to report that Natalia and I were victorious this morning. No hurling or collapsing. :-P Praise the Lord!

Maybe the nausea is lessening just a bit. Wierd, since I stopped taking the ginger root and Vit. B6 last Friday. Just didn't feel they were making that big of a difference and I wanted to see what stopping them would do. Maybe I'll be one of the fortunate ones this time and this yucky bout will be short-lived.

All I can say is, I feel like a bear coming out of a long hibernation. And after so many rainy days, the sunshine was calling to me...

Baby Stuff

Gotta' question for all you recent moms out there. Anyone have anything to say about Belly Bands? Supposedly you can extend the life of your normal clothes by putting these around your waist to cover up loosened pants. Sounds good to me right now because though I'm not really showing yet, I really feel uncomfortable with things that sit at my waist. Are these band thingies something you'd recommend? And where can I find one without spending a ton?

On another note, but still baby related, our newest resident is the size of a grape this week and has lost his/her tail! Whoo hoo! :-) The four chambers of the heart are forming as are the valves. My 1o week appointment is next week so it will be exciting to once again hear the heartbeat.

Now, I'm just hoping and praying that this upcoming weekend's festivities will smell and taste good to me...and that I'll have energy to visit with all the family we plan to see.

What's The Deal?

Our daughter has begun to do something strange lately.

Then again, maybe it's not so strange and is yet another way she is "taking control" of her life. :-P

A few mornings now I've walked into her room to find her completely undressed--but thankfully still wearing a diaper. What's the deal? You'd think she'd make the connection that it's a bit chilly this way! I think she's doing it after waking and before making enough noise for me to know she's up.

She doesn't seem bothered by it though and since then has even tried to take her shirt off while we're just relaxing in the living room--before I've stopped her.

Anyone else have kids who did this, and is it just a phase? Hopefully an at-home phase!!!

pOh-tAy-tOe, pOh-tah-tOe

Natalia's development since turning 2 has been amazing. (I know this is no surprise to those of you with toddlers--you know!) Not only is she saying some Polish words, but forming longer and more complex sentences and surprising us daily with the things she does and says.

Still, there are some really funny pronounciations that we get a good chuckle from. Here is a sampling:

flip flops = fee bops
milk = muck
car = tar
Morgan = moy-net
Avery = A-vee
Natalia (herself) = tah-lee-ah
thank you = ah-doo
school bus = stool b-oo-s (supposed to sound like look)
.....and what's more, everything--EVERYTHING--is "mine". Though we now have established that some things are Mama's and Tata's. But the house, car, computer, etc....apparently not!

Last night she actually said "lasagna"! I didn't even know she knew what that was! I don't make it that often.

What's really cool is hearing her say "csesc" (ch-eh-sh-ch = hello) to her Babcia (Grandmother)or Dziadek (Grandfather)--which she can actually pronounce!--and hear her ask "Where's Woijek (Uncle)?" Pete's been waiting and waiting for her to catch onto the speaking part of the language, though she understands it perfectly.

And finally her personality is really starting to bloom--and boy, is she a determined little one! I really have NO IDEA who she takes after! (Bah hah!)

We know she will LOVE having a baby sister or brother come the end of the year. She already plays momma to all her dolls and stuffed animals, reading to them, feeding them in her highchair, and singing to them in her crib. She'll be a wonderful big helper to Mommy, I just know it. She already come running into the kitchen whenever she hears the dishwasher door open yelling, "I wanna' helper! I wanna' helper!" :-)

Her bright-eyed smile first thing in the morning as she jumps and jabbers in her crib, watching her read her books with great concentration, pointing and saying what things are, and hearing her sing countless nursery rhymes continues to melt our hearts. (In fact, right now she's downstairs singing "oh where, oh where has my little dog gone?" quite enthusiastically!)

That's our girl--love you Sweet Pea! XXXOOO

It's Been 2 Weeks of Mother's Days

Yesterday I was in my usual spot--on the couch. Not how I would prefer to spend Mother's Day, but oh well. It became my usual resting place 2 weeks ago when the pregnancy all-day yuckies came to stay. I distinctly remember feeling nauseous for the first 4 months with Natalia, but somehow it seems worse this time. Maybe teaching full-time then was a helpful distraction, maybe having a 2-1/2 year old to take care of makes it harder the second time around...or maybe the yuckiness IS worse. Who knows?

My consolation is that this too shall pass--AND many people have had it alot worse! I know someone threw up every day of her pregnancy and even during labor. Thank you Lord that that is not the case with me! I have been able to keep things down...so far.

All that to say, my hubby has made the past 2 weeks the greatest Mother's Day gift of all--he has stepped up to the plate in such a way that it's been humbling...very much so. He hasn't blinked at the prospect of cooking dinner and cleaning up after he's put in a full day of work. If I plan the meals and make him a grocery list, he's all set to go. Smells, particularly in the kitchen, have been especially problematic for me. Just the thought of cooking sends me reeling. I have enough trouble just opening the pantry cupboards and refrigerator, so his attitude and desire to serve me in this way is HUGE. It's hard for me to be on the receiving end of such love without feeling guilty! But, I know that instead of letting my thoughts go there, I can give glory to God for the grace He's given and to honor my husband for his sacrifice. Even though I am undeserving, he lavishes his love upon me--what a picture of Christ and the glorious gospel.

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I thought I'd give a few more details to let you all know what's been going on. I've had two doctor's visits so far; the first to confirm the pregnancy and the second to have an early sonogram. The sonogram was to confirm a heartbeat and to determine if we were having multiples--chances were a bit greater because of the medication I had been on.

So, last Friday Pete went with me to my sonogram. We're just having 1 baby, and the heartbeat looked and SOUNDED just great. Considering that the baby is the length of a kidney bean, this was so remarkable! Pete's convinced he saw something between the baby's legs--he's delirious. :-)

This pregancy will be considered high-risk, but not, if that makes sense. The doctor's will order special tests along the way, due to Natalia's heart defect, but they don't expect to find anything. This is because there are no known hereditary/health issues in our family that would have caused her defect. You can click on this link for an explanation of TGV (Transposition of the Great Vessels).

We haven't been anxious about it--God has continued to grant us peace that He is sovereign. He carried us through the fire before. But we are praying for a healthy baby and a "normal" delivery this time around.

Thanks for sharing our excitement with us! I'll continue to post updates.