Homemade Apple Baby Food

So I tried making my first baby food for Katie.  I went with apples since I thought that would taste good.



Turned out great and it was so easy.  I don't think it would necessarily save us any money but I like making it.
All I did was peel, slice, and core five red delicious apples.  Then I cooked them on medium heat with 1/2 cup of water until soft (approximately 15 minutes).  Then I pureed them with the processor.  I got seven 1/2 cup servings from it.



Next try, carrots and peas.

Snuggle Bunny Love

Katie Joy is now two-weeks old and she is as precious as ever!  I attempted to take some pictures at home and am happy with the results.  Here are a few of my little Snuggle Bunny!

Emily is away at camp this week and we miss having her around but Bethany has stepped up and been a huge help to me while Emily is gone. 

 I pray the Lord will speak to Emily this week and that she will follow Him in His will for her life.  I remember being at camp and feeling called to full-time Christian service.  I feel the Lord had me to be a teacher and I am so glad that even as an adult I recall that moment and try to live according to what the Lord would have for me.  I will be at home this school year with Katie Joy and I am not sure when I will be back in the classroom but I was so blessed to be placed with the students that the Lord gave me and to attempt to be an influence in their lives.  Unfortunately, many will never understand the sacrifices of the teachers they had at Heritage and will only criticize but I know the Lord will bless those who do His will and rewards will be found in heaven for the faithful.

Can't wait to have all my babies home once again!

To God be the glory!!!

A year ago, we were heartbroken.  This June we are celebrating!

Katherine Joy was born on Monday, June 11, 2012, at 11:01 a.m.

I was due on June 10 and was scheduled to be induced on Monday, June 11, if she had not made her debut by then.  We arrived at Winnie Palmer at 3:45 a.m. and were in labor and delivery by 4:15.  The nurse hooked up the monitors of Katie's heart rate and said I was having contractions every three minutes, even before she had given me any pitocin.  I was dilated to about 4 cm and was 60% effaced.  Once the nurse, Andria, inserted the I.V. and got my medicine going, the contractions picked up to one every 2 1/2 to 4 minutes.  I tried to rest and eventually dozed off even with the pains that kept waking me.

Dr. Parmelee Thatcher came in shortly after 8 a.m. and broke my water.  I had already told the nurse, Jessica, that I wanted the epidural once my water broke so the anesthesiologist came and inserted the epidural.  I was able to rest some but not even an hour after my water broke, I was at 7 cm.  Next thing I knew, I was at 10 cm and Dr. Thatcher was being called to the hospital (I won't tell she ran a red light - on accident of course!)

As soon as Dr. Thatcher arrived, I was feeling the pressure and ready to push.  Three pushes and Katie was born!  I will never forget seeing her for the first time!  She was quite purple but was healthy and here.  She was born at 11:01 a.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. and was 21" long.

I am so blessed to have three beautiful girls to love and teach.  I pray that the Lord will continue to help me to make the right decisions in raising each of them as individuals and as I endeavor to teach them the love of the Lord and how to serve and love Him.  I am so blessed by God to have the family that I have.  I wouldn't trade them for anything and am so overwhelmed that the Lord has chosen to use me to raise them.  To God be the glory!!!

A Time for Relaxation

I am so thankful for all the Lord has given me.  Not only did He give Himself for me when He died on the cross and rose again for me, but He continually provides for my needs and the needs of my family.  I know that without the Lord, I would not have the peace that comes from Him alone nor the joy that comes from knowing Him and being eternally secure.

I am enjoying making some items for Katie Joy's room.  Here I used scrapbook paper and ladybug stickers to create her name to hang above her crib.

Mom and I also spent some time relaxing at the beach recently.  My girls love playing in the sun, sand, and water, even if the water was still a little too cool for me.  The water was so clear and the day was lovely.  I love how Bethany's face lights up when I mention that we will be making a beach trip.  She would never leave if she had the option.  I am so glad they both have a joy for life!

Another Post from the Past

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

Bethany and I had a nice little talk last night. We laid in her bed and I asked her what she would like to talk about and her response was that she wanted to talk about "cool things."

I began with "Wouldn't it be cool if you could stay with me all day every day?"

To which she replied, "Yep!" Her turn, "Wouldn't it be cool if we had a big, big, big pool?"

"That would be very cool. Wouldn't it be cool if Mommy was finished with UCF?"

"Yes! Wouldn't it be cool if we had a house with stairs?"

"Very cool."

Then she wanted to talk about something else so I suppose I was not entertaining enough for her. But the whole thing made me think about Beth and Emily growing up and how I would like to take the time to simply sit and talk about anything that is on their minds in a nice, calming situation. I plan to make little things like this a priority so we can strengthen our relationship and so that they can know that they can talk to me about whatever they have on their minds, including big pools and houses with stairs.

Thoughts from the Past

MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2009

Pictures

I am very blessed with two daughters. They can be a challenge at times but a lot of fun too.

Here is a recent conversation between my 3 year old and I.

Me: I sure am sleepy.
B: Me too!
Me: Me three!
B: Me four!
Me: Yep, I am definitely exhausted.
B: Yep, I sure am expensive!

My husband and I were eating dinner with the girls and talking about how good they have it. I asked my six year old, who is a mjor Daddy's girl, what she will do when she has to leave her daddy one day. Her response? "But it will only be for my honeymoon and then I will be back."

A Time for Rejoicing

I am not sure what happened with my old blog site so I have posted previous posts that I created here in my new blog.

A lot has happened in a year since my miscarriage and I am happy to say that I expecting another baby girl on June 10, 2012!  Almost exactly a year after my loss, the Lord has given us another little one to love and care for.
We are looking at forty-one days until Katherine Joy is due and I am ready to have her in my arms.  She has been quite active and reminds me frequently that she is here through her kicks and turns.  The girls are both extremely excited to have a new little sister, although Emily was not excited about giving up her bedroom, especially when we painted it green!  She wanted to paint the room green when she moved into it but I wanted to keep it blue.

John and I have been busy getting the room set up although we do not have much for Katie just yet.  She won't need a lot but I have given away my baby things over the past five years and so we feel as if we are starting over as if this was our first baby!

Last night, after church, I was walking with Bethany and she announced that I was not fat.  She said that fat people stick out on the sides and since I am only big in my belly, I am not fat at all.  She made me laugh.