Fall

Since I failed at actually doing a Halloween post, a apple/pumpkin picking post and a Thanksgiving post, you're getting an all-in-one!



We began our nice fall with our annual apple and pumpkin picking with Kayla and Jada.  We started this with Kayla probably when she was about 4 and have continued (almost) every year.  We were so excited for Ava to join our tradition!

Jada and Kayla

Kayla in the tree

Jada in the tree

As much of our fall has been, it was a warm sunny day.  The girls were all dressed for cool fall air in their fun Halloween attire, so the 75-80 degree heat caused us to make this a quick day out!

Pumpkin time

Fall 2011

my baby's first pumpkin

Next up was Kayla's birthday.  She had a Costume Zumba party!  All the kids dressed up and did zumba!

beautiful Kara Bear!

Now, terrible mom-of-the-year award may go to me for not getting a good picture of Ava in her first Halloween costume (homemade may I add).  I kept meaning to put her back in the costume and take pics but it is now almost December so that is not happening.  Oh the shame...

cupcake

And then we trick-or-treated with Maxx, the fisherman and his cousins.  Ava actually took a nice snooze as we walked around the neighborhood.

Maxx and Ava

On to Thanksgiving...We did our usual at my mom and dad's house.  Lots of family, lots (too much) of food and lots of laughs.  

Here's Ava before we left.  Don't mind the mess and the binkie, this is (our) real life.  Remember that pile of fabric and ribbon from a post a few weeks back?  Well here she is in all her glory!  I made Ava's dress!  Let me repeat, I MADE A DRESS!

Thanksgiving 2011

the feast

 This horse was given to my brother for his first Christmas (or birthday?)...anyway, it's about 30 years old and I remember playing on it like it was yesterday.  My dad took it out and cleaned it up for the kids to play on.  It's funny how I remember it being so big and swinging on those bars like it was a jungle gym.  Now, it seems so small.  I guess it's all relative!

Anyone still reading?

We'll round out Fall with Kara Bear's Christening!  She was the perfect little angel and looked just like Ava the puritan in the family Christening dress!  This dress was worn by my mom and her 2 sisters, my cousins, me, Sarah, Kayla, Jada, Ava and now Kara.  (have I ever mentioned that we are so creative with our names?)  It's a little piece of love that all the little girls have the honor of wearing.

Mommy and Kara

Uncle Rick, Ava and Lolo

Ava was really into the sermon

The Godparents

how gorgeous is she!

So that's what we've been up to this fall!  Now it's on to Christmas time and someone I know is going to be one very soon.  How did that happen?

Weekend recap

This weekend was relaxing yet I'm exhausted! Friday night, I made Ava a dress for Thanksgiving! Now, I do not know how to really sew. My Great Grandparents were tailors and my Grandma Josie learned from them, my mom learned from her, and then there is me. 7th grade home-ec is about the extent of my sewing knowledge! I have watched my mom do things but never really made anything myself. I asked for a sewing machine for Christmas with hopes that it will not become a dust collector! There are so many adorable, homemade things out there that just don't compare to the massed produced. Some people are really talented! Just do a quick search on Etsy and you'll see what I mean. So I bought myself a pattern, some fabric, thread, etc. and set out to make a dress. I borrowed a sewing machine from my mother-in-law and got to it. I did have to read the sewing machine instructions on how to do the bobbin, thread the needle and so on (also consulted with YouTube on making a ruffle) but it came out pretty good for my first creation...just don't look that closely and the seams and stuff!



I can't wait to put it on my little smooshie face!

Saturday was spent shopping for a few things for Ava's upcoming 1 year old photoshoot as well as a Christmas party dress. I had a 60% off 2 items, 40% off the rest coupon for Gap so I got 2 dresses, a shirt and tights all for $41! One of the dresses was $54 on it's own so I was very excited about that deal!

On Friday when I was picking Ava up at school, I was chatting with her teacher about the weekend and I said that I wake up so early because I'm just so used to it. She was like,"what do you do when you wake up at 6:00?". Little did she know that unfortunately (maybe fortunately for them I guess), I have inherited my mom's "up early baking" disorder. So I whipped this apple cream cheese bundt cake. They all devoured it today!




Then we went to the Giants game. Pretty ugly game. We didn't get home til around 2am so that explains my extreme exhaustion today.

However, my night is not over. I'm off to get my hair cut. I hope I don't fall asleep while they are shampooing!


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Why?

Hard question to ask on many levels. I'm currently asking myself this right now. There have been 3 deaths in my family's almost day to day relationships and all were way too young.

The first was a mother of two of Ava's classmates. She passed away while out of the country and left behind a husband and 2 beautiful girls, 3 and 5 months. Although I did not know her personally, I see her daughter almost daily. I can't even begin to think about those girls growing up without their mommy. The second was the man who does my mom's nails. He owned a local nail salon and was the nicest, most professional and compassionate man. He did my nails a few times and welcomed my whole bridal party to his shop right before my wedding. He passed away doing the only thing he ever did for himself, fishing. He also leaves behind a young family. The third, and closest to me, is my best friend's future mother-in-law. I think of Christine and Seth as my family and hate to see them go through this, especially with their upcoming wedding.

I know many people of faith will tell me that the answer to my question is that it's God's plan. I guess I don't have strong enough faith because I'm really not liking his plan right now.

Rest in Peace Tatiana, Paul, and Pat. You will be missed by so many.

Another question of why I'm asking myself right now has something to do with this...



More like why do I do this to myself! Sounds pretty selfish. Hopefully I'll have a finished product to write about soon!

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What's for Dinner Mexican Chicken Stew (?)

Do you ever have those nights where you have no idea what to make for dinner?  Those are most nights in our house!  It happens to us from time to time.  We'll take meat out of the freezer in the morning to defrost and then realize, at 6:30, that there's nothing to really go with that chicken that we now have defrosted.  The other night was one of those nights.  I had defrosted chicken and nothing else really!  I scoured the fridge, freezer and pantry and came up with this meal.  It was delicious and I actually made it again since on purpose!

Mexican Chicken Stew

1 lb chicken breasts or tenders, cut into bite sized pieces
1 yellow onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 can beans (I used kidney), drained and rinsed
spinach (about a cup fresh or 1 package frozen)
1 packet taco seasoning
olive oil
water
cilantro (I have these frozen cubes that are awesome!)

Saute chicken in a little olive oil.  Remove from pan.  Saute onion, carrots and garlic over medium high heat until tender, about 5 minutes.  Add tomatoes, beans, taco seasoning and water according to directions on packet of seasoning.  Return the chicken to the pan and bring to a boil for 3-5 minutes.  Throw in some spinach and cilantro, reduce heat and cover.  Let simmer until spinach has wilted or defrosted (?).

We ate this over brown rice with a little dollop of Daisy, aka sour cream.  The second time I made it, I didn't have any diced tomatoes but I did have a jalapeno, so I diced that up and sauteed it with the onion, carrots and garlic.  If you like things more soupy, add some more liquid (water, chicken broth, etc).

I don't have a picture because it really doesn't photograph well...and we ate it all!

It's Been Quite a Week or 2 or 3

I've definitely been slacking in the post department.  In the past 3 weeks, we've been to the doctors 3 times, the ER, gotten a nebulizer and antibiotics and did it all with a smile!  Since my post about the nebulizer, Ava sprouted 2 teeth that brought on a nice case of the poops an upset stomach.  It started last Saturday while I was at a baby shower, so Daddy had to deal with it! haha love you Nick!  After 3 days of that (she stayed home from school Monday and Tuesday just to be safe), I noticed something on her bum while changing her diaper Wednesday night.  She went to bed...I went to Google.  The internet is the best and worst tool for new parents and let me tell you, my google history has some interesting searches in it!  Many things I began to read were frantic mothers of babies diagnosed with a staph infection or MRSA.  Hello panic, my name is Katie, nice to meet you.  I waited til morning to see what it looked like and then more panic set in when i felt this huge hard lump under her skin...it was about the diameter of a quarter at least. (and yes, I just had to google diameter and make sure I was using the correct term!  I miss high school)  So off the ER we went and when I said to the doctor and nurse, "Well, I saw online that it could be a staph infection, etc..." they both looked at me like "typical first time mom"!  They diagnosed it as an abscess, prescribed Ava some antibiotics and said to follow up there or at my pediatrician.  We went to the pediatrician Friday and she prescribed an ointment to be used in conjunction with the oral antibiotics and gave us a few instructions like salt baths 3 times a day.  Ava didn't seem to mind...

Splish Splash, I love a salt water bath!

Nick stayed home with her today since I was out of work 2 days last week.  His only concern was, "What outfit is she supposed to wear today?", since I left while she was still in jammies.  I had to inform him that the bottom left drawer of her dresser contained actual outfits (pants folded inside the matching shirt).  I've now named it the Daddy Drawer!  They had a fun day together...breakfast, nap, lunch, Target, snacks...and were both still happy when I got home!

**I realize (or have been told by Lolo) that I haven't done a Halloween post yet.  I will get to it...hopefully before Thanksgiving!**