Steppin' out Saturday

I got to "Step Out" on Saturday and I actually got to take a picture of what I wore....Kind of. 

shoes: thrifted-pants: New York & Co-tank:target-cardigan:target-necklace:thrifted

Josh gave me the day to myself on Saturday.  He even told me I shouldn't clean or anything, he knows me too well.  Not knowing what to do without a husband or at least one of my girls I decided to get crafty.  I recreated an idea I saw on Pinterest and then one that fell out of a tree. Literally. 

1st project: Painting letters to match Kyra's wall.  An idea I found on Pinterest. 

2nd project: Making a pennant sign for above our laundry area. We don't have a laundry room. It's more like a laundry closet. I still wanted something pretty above it any way!

This idea literally fell from a tree in our yard.  We came home one day and this particular branch was just laying there in the front yard.  I knew I had to do something with it so I decided to make a pennant banner and put it above our laundry room area.  All I did was hot glue (I can't sew. yet.) pieces of fabric together and then hot glue them on to the branch! How cute does it look?!
 

Little Mommy

We have a love-hate relationship with the age 2.  It's times like these when the love comes out.  She loves playing a little mommy to her babies. 



Reading my Bible like a children's Bible.

Teagan and Kyra have a few Bible's between them.  One of the latest ones they have acquired is one I found at a consignment store.  Practically brand spankin' new.  It needed some toddler-baby love so we brought it home with us.  It's the "My Favorite Bible". 

There is something really neat about this Bible.  The words jump off the page at you.  Not literally of course, but they have used different sized text, bolded text, italicized text, etc to emphasize certain points in the passage. 

It got me thinking about how I should read my own Bible.  My friend, Alison, said she has started occassionally reading the Bible outloud.  Emphasizing certain parts, like when GOD speaks.  That is exactly what this Bible does.  When Josh and I read to Teagan and Kyra we do so with voices that emphasize certain parts.  We do that so those particular things stick.  Alison does it so the words become even more emphasized and impactful. 

This is something I might have to start doing myself.  Whatever it takes to push the WORD deeper in my heart and in my head.  Oh the things we learn from our children...

Sisters.

Teagan loves Kyra.  This is something we have seen over and over again. They are beyond adorable in the mornings together.  Sometimes Teagan gets a little too loving but Kyra's face lights up every single time she sees Teagan or hears her voice.  It often brings tears to my eyes.  It always brings a smile to my face.

Homemade Laundry Detergent.

I did it. I ran out of laundry detergent.  So, Josh bought the stuff to make it and I did.  I didn't want to mess with making the liquid stuff, too messy.  So, I made the powder stuff. 

I will let you in on a little secret...it was easier then making a ham and cheese sandwhich.  Seriously, I just googled "home-made laundry detergent" and found this recipe several times.  I followed it and Wahlah! We have detergent for the next 2-3 months for about $6! Holla!! (yes, I just said typed holla, I am that excited about it)

2 cups Borax (I used 20 Mule Team Borax)

2 cups Washing Soda (I used Arm & Hammer)

1 regular sized bar of soap (I used the Fels Naptha and it smelled lemony fresh!)

All you need to do is grate the soap, then mix the three ingredients together for around five minutes or until thoroughly mixed. 

I basically doubled and tripled and whatevered the ingredients until I filled up my bucket.  Josh added an extra shelf for me in our laundry "area" so I am searching for a cute, PLASTIC container.  Next on my list is dishwasher detergent!



3mths

We're a few days late on this post but life with 2 is crazy!

Weight-12.1 lbs
Height-25 inches long. Yeah, you read that right. My 3mth old is 25 inches LONG!
Diapers-still in size 1

*still hates to be wet and has started a more then crazy pooping schedule (that one is for you, Manda Nan).  Her current record is 13 days with no poop. For a breastfed baby it's "normal" so, no real worries.

*loves looking at the light and at fans and all things shiny.  Her favorite thing to look at and watch is Teagan though.  She loves her big sister.

*kyra isn't much of a talker.  She has a tendency to be a quiet little observer but oh boy, when she has an opinion we all hear about it!

*even though she doesn't talk a whole lot her smiling makes up for it.  She shares those gummy smiles with us all the time.  It makes us all melt. 

*the hiccups have finally started letting up.  Now we're down to a few times a week instead a few time a day.

*loves taking baths.  She really loves playing with Teagan.  I can't imagine what she is going to be like when she can be in the real bathtub and not in the baby bath IN the big tub.

*has started rolling to her sides.  I still swaddle her at night but I have a feeling when we stop swaddling her she will be a side sleeper.

*kyra still HATES the car seat.  The ride home most days are off the chain.

*she has finally taken to her paci. THANK YOU LORD.

*she eats anywhere from 3-5 hours (usually 3) during the day.  She is sleeping 9-11 hours at night but we're hitting our first official growth spurt so there is a little break in the consistent sleeping pattern but I think we'll be back to normal soon. 

*kyra is still a champion cat napper.

*her head control gets better and better everyday.  When pulled up from a sitting position she keeps her head steady.

*nursing has had its ups and downs.  I think the whole only pooping  7-14 days plays a part.  For about 3-4 days after she poops she rocks the nursing but as we go on the feedings get worse.  I have to walk and dance around just to keep her latched.  We have a call into a lactation consultant. I will not give up without a fight.

We are continuing to adjust to our new normal.  Most days it feels like Kyra has always been in our lives.  That is how perfectly she fits into our family. 

Chicken and Rice Soup

I am slowly falling in love with my crock pot. It is steadily making my life SO MUCH EASIER.  Like last night.  I tried this Chicken and Rice soup recipe and adapted it.  Basically I made an adaptation of an adaptation and ran with it.

Here is the recipe from the blog Pearls, Handcuffs and Happy Hour (a blog I have started going to A LOT for recipes).  Afterwards I'll let you in on what I did differently.

What you need:

1 rotisserie chicken

1 box {32 oz.} chicken broth

1/4 cup lime juice (2 limes)

1 cup salsa

1 can diced tomatoes with onion

1 cup frozen corn

1 cup frozen chopped veggies (celery, green pepper, and onion)

2 tbsp. chopped cilantro

1/3 cup Mexican cheese

1-2 boil-in-a bag bags of rice

What you do:

First up, bring chicken broth, lime juice, and salsa to a boil.

Add in the diced tomatoes, frozen corn, and frozen chopped veggies. I definitely let the frozen items thaw out before I tossed ‘em in. Cook on medium high heat for about 10-12 minutes, reduce to low and add the shredded chicken. Cover and let simmer for about 20-30 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook your rice. I’m a cheater and I always use the boil-in-a-bag version. I boiled 2 bags for this recipe. Drain and return to pot. Now take a spoonful{ish} of rice and dump it into your bowl.

Spoon a very generous helping of the soup mix on top of the rice. The more rice you add, the thicker your soup will be, so proceed with caution.

What I did differently:

First off I put all of the ingredients, other then the rice, in a crock pot and let it cook over night on low. 
I did not use the can of tomatoes/onions.  I just diced a little bit of onion instead. 
I used an Archer Farm (Target) brand salsa.
I used frozen peppers (red, yellow and green) instead of frozen celery, onion and peppers.

 

It was SO good! And when you add the rice you have plenty enough for lunch the next day!