Monday, September 27, 2010

Roll Over!

Our baby boy rolled over from his belly to back today!  It was like one of my players scored a goal with no time on the clock to win the game on a corner play that I designed, only cuter:).  Brennan can really hold his head up well now and he is talking and smiling at us more.  He still loves being on his belly and watching fans and lights.  It's so exciting and makes me even more sad that my maternity leave ends after next week; I feel like I'll miss out on so much. 

Beach Bums

Last week Brennan took his first trip to the beach (trip review to come later).  We went to Duck, North Carolina for a week.  We had a great time.  The trip was a late celebration for my Mom's birthday.  Here are some pics of our adorable little beach bum!

Beach Bums Coolest Dudes Ever (that's what his shirt says)



Toes in the sand






Beach bums


Saturday, September 18, 2010

Happy 2 Months!

Today, Brennan is 2 months old!  Wow, our little boy is getting so big.  Yesterday, at his doctor's appointment he weighed 11 pounds 7.7 ounces and was 23 1/2 inches long.  He also got his first set of shots, which wasn't fun.  Take a look at our growing boy!
2 months old

Monday, September 13, 2010

Blue Jeans

Yesterday, Brennan turned 8 weeks old.  Wow, how time is flying by! Fall is almost here and with that comes the start of football season.  Brennan spent yesterday cheering on the Steelers and hangin' with the boys. Today, B wore his first pair of blue jeans:)
Go Steelers!
Hangin w/ Eric

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Happy Grandparents Day!

In honor of Grandparents Day:

Grandparents hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.
~Author Unknown   

It's such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother - that's why the world calls her grandmother. 
~Author Unknown

Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do.  Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children. 
~Alex Haley

If your baby is "beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses, sleeps on schedule and burps on demand, an angel all the time," you're the grandparent .  
~Teresa Bloomingdale 

Grandparents are similar to a piece of string - handy to have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their grandchildren.  
~Author Unknown


No cowboy was ever faster on the draw than a grandparent pulling a baby picture out of a wallet.  
~Author Unknown  

Friday, September 10, 2010

To Have and To Hold

Over the weekend, we had the pleasure of celebrating Nate's sister's wedding.  Rebecca and John were married Sunday, September 5th in Pittsburgh.  John and Rebecca are perfect together and it's clear that they are so in love. We were honored to be a part of their special day.  We had a great time in Pittsburgh and Brennan was happy to meet many friends and relatives for the first time.  

The view of Pittsburgh from the Grandview where the rehearsal dinner was held.


Beautiful decor for the wedding at the Mernick Center
Brennan ready for Aunt Rebecca's wedding


Here comes the bride, Rebecca looked stunning!
The happy couple. 
Family of 3.  I'm a lucky woman to be with these 2 handsome men!
To have and to "hold"
Wishing you both a lifetime filled with much happiness:)
Monday brunch hosted by the Johnsons.  Everything was so lovely.

 Brennan meets Maya.  More "holding" :)

Thursday, September 2, 2010

My Boy

A few pics of Brennan.  He's awake more often now so I can get more with his eyes open.  He even smiles at us now and we think he knows that he's doing it and not just passing gas.  His eyes seem to be getting bluer, maybe we'll have a blue eyed boy:)  His hair is falling out, and what is still there continues to be brown. 
Napping in the Boppy.  Totally Handsome!


Hangin' with Daddy
Gotta keep an eye on Daddy

Recipes

A few easy and worthy recipes, just in time for your Labor Day picnics:)


Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1cup dark brown sugar
1 stick softened butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 package semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup M&Ms or walnuts (optional)
Directions in a large bowl combine sugar, dark brown sugar, butter, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract.  In another bowl combine flower, salt and baking soda.  Then add flour mixture to large bowl mixture.  Add chocolate chips and M&Ms.  Roll into balls, place on cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes.

I got this recipe from a coworker, who got it from a neighbor...I think it's much better than the one on the back of the package.  I always ended up with thin cookies using the recipe on the back of the chocolate chips, these are not thin and very tasty.

Asian Cole Slaw
16oz cole slaw mix
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup sunflower seeds
2 bunches scallions, chopped
2 packages chicken or plain flavored roman noodles.  Put noodles in zip lock bag and crush.  Add in the nuts and seeds, mix with cole slaw mix and onions just before serving.
Dressing:
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup white vinegar
2 flavor packets from roman noodles
Mix all ingredients and set in refrigerator for a while, pour on cole slaw just before serving.

This is my mother in law's recipe, it's a nice alternative to regular cole slaw and in my opinion healthier and tastier.

Black bean and Corn Salsa
1 can black beans, drained
1 can shoepeg corn (white), drained
1/4 c cilantro, chopped
1 tsp Tabasco sauce or to taste
chili powder
Italian dressing
 Mix these first 6 ingredients and marinate at least 3 hrs or overnight.
 Before serving with tortilla chips, add:
 Green pepper, finely chopped
Red onion, finely chopped
Tomatoes, finely chopped

This recipe is from my sister in laws friend.  It's super easy and very tasty.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
3/4 cup hot fudge ice cream topping
1 Graham cracker or chocolate crust
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/4 cup cold milk
2 pkg (4 serving size) vanilla flavor instant pudding
1 8 oz tub cool whip
Spoon 1/2 cup of fudge into crust (if using chocolate crust you may want to skip this)
Mix peanut butter and milk with wire whisk until well blended add dry pudding mixes, beat 2 minutes.  Gently stir in half of the cool whip.  Spoon into pie shell.  Top with remaining whipped topping.  Refrigerate 3 hours or until set.  Drizzle w/ remaining 1/4 cup of fudge before serving.

It doesn't get any easier than this pie:)

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Handmade

You know I enjoy making different crafts or gifts.  Here's 2 things I made recently:
"Tying the knot" bridal shower favors.  Chocolate covered pretzels in the bag.
Tag that I made, sorry for the poor quality pic
Diaper cake for baby boy:)

I also helped make a "towel cake" for my sister in law's bridal shower.  I don't have a picture but here are two sites that explain the idea.  I had never seen one of these cute cakes.  Towel Cake 1, Towel Cake 2

My DIY projects are always quite simple and not very elaborate, but if you are looking for something special or the perfect gift, check out www.etsy.com for handmade goods.  Here are a couple of sellers I have used or whose work I like.