Emma's 1st Time....

For a breathing treatment!

We took Emma to her 4mo well checkup today and it quickly turned into a sick checkup. As we suspected, Emma has RSV (which means Reese did too) AND an ear infection starting in her right ear and redness/inflammation of her left ear. 

As the nurse was asking her assessment questions she was able to hear Emma's high-pitched cough, congestion, & her hoarse cry. She put the pulse oximeter on her to check her O2 saturation levels and she was only 93% (normal is 99-100%)! She got a breathing treatment for 5 minutes in the office and she did VERY well with it. She just sat there and breathed in the medicated vapors. The whole time Cody & I were debating over what type of animal her mask was supposed to be (the face of it has scales). He said a chicken at 1st then a rhino and I think its a lizard...hey, we have to make the most out our situation, right?!

We are to continue the breathing treatments at home every 4-6 hours, administer steroids and antibiotics. I am also allowed to give her Pedialyte since she has a decreased appetite for milk (milk and congestion don't make a good combo). She is going back for a follow up on Friday (sooner if needed) and we are to take her to the ER if she gets worse in the middle of the night.

Please pray we can avoid the hospital!!

On a healthier note:

Emma weighs 13# 8oz (48%) and is 25.3in (84%). She grew 3 inches in two months (going from 57% to 84% in height)! Her weight percentage did drop from 65% to the 48% from her 2mo appt, which surprised me with all her little rolls (some has to do with her decreased appetite from being sick the past few days). Overall, she has grown nicely. We did not get her 4mo shots today due to her virus...they will just have to be postponed for a bit ;)

Happy 4 Months Emma!!!

Emma is 4 Months Old!!

Emma goes to the pediatrician tomorrow for a check up and shots. However, Emma is sick with the same stuff Reese had so I doubt they will give her shots. She has a terrible cough, congestion, sneezing, and overall just doesn't feel well. I am pretty sure the girls have RSV. I will talk to the pedi thoroughly tomorrow about Emma's symptoms. I can't wait to see how much she weighs. She is quite the little chunk and I love it!

 She is still working hard on trying to roll over from her back to her stomach. She gets SO close but just can't get over that underlying arm. She is still doing wonderful at nursing and not so wonderful at bottle feeding. She's a "momma's girl" I guess! 

Emma refuses pacifiers and is content sucking on her fingers ;)

Here are a few photos from this past week:

Emma Enjoying Her New Baby Swing

Posing in her new hat

WW: Week 3

I have continued to stay on track with my points. It is getting easier and feels less and less like a diet. This is a lifestyle change. Most important thing I have learned...that I don't have to finish Reese's uneaten food! When Reese doesn't want/like something she always gave it to me to eat. Now I just say "lets throw it away" or "let's put it back in the fridge". 

Cody worked a BUNCH this week so I don't have any new recipes to post (although I have a bunch I want to try soon)!

Week 3 Weight Loss: 2.5 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 8 pounds!

Here we go again...

Our precious little Reese is sick once again...

She has had a runny nose and coughs when she sleeps for about a week now (these are not unusual symptoms for her). A kid in her classroom has strep and another has pneumonia so I have been "waiting" for the inevitable fever to come. 

Well yesterday it did...school called me after naptime and said she had 103.9 fever. I am so thankful to live less than 5 minutes from her school! I immediately picked her up and we were worked into the pediatrician (meaning we had to wait about 45min-1hr to be seen). I was worried about how Emma would be b/c I didn't get a chance to feed her before I got the call from her school. But we managed not to have any meltdowns and I was able to feed her in the pediatrician room once Reese was called back. 

Her temp was 103.1 there. Strep and Flu tests were both negative...thank goodness! Her tonsils are red and swollen. She has a sinus infection and the adenovirus is going around according to the pedi. Reese was given motrin there, a cough suppressant and antibiotics. I cooled her off once we were home with a bath. 

Reese napping on the couch

Here is Reese praying at bedtime (prior to being sick)

"Thank you Father, Thank you Father For our food, For our food, & the many Blessings, & the many Blessings, You were good, You were good! Amen Jesus!!"

Dress up time: I think she wants to go to Disney!!  ;)

Sneak Peek....

Here is a sneak peek at Reese's party favors =)

Cupcake Candy Cups

My 2nd Week with WW

Week 2 has gone much smoother for me! Honestly, I don't feel like I am on a diet.
 I think I have gotten into a "groove" so to speak on planning menus and counting points. Some days I am actually struggling to eat all my points (which is highly required for nutritional guidelines). I have had NO decrease in my milk supply, which is what I was so worried about.

My goal now to start making sure I meet all my "Health Check Guidelines" each day, which includes 8 servings of water (I always meet this one!!), 3 servings of milk/dairy, 5-8 servings of fruits/veggies (this is where I lack!) and 2tsp of healthy oils a day (haven't even attempted this one!).

Cody & I have been trying a ton of new recipes!! It has actually been fun b/c it is forcing me to attempt new meals and get out the "food rut" that we were in. Last night we enjoy some yummy Dijon Roast Potatoes & Chicken with Balsamic Vinegar, Sweet Onions & Thyme.

Favorite New Recipe: Asian-Glazed Drumsticks

(served with 1/2c white rice and broccoli & cheese)

Cody's comment on these: "They don't even taste healthy!"

Haha!! I love you Cody ;)

Week 2 Weight Loss: 2 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 5.5 pounds!

I should add: I am officially back to pre-Emma weight now :)

Cupcake POPs & Marshmellow POPs

So I recently discovered cake POPs and will be making Cupcake POPs for Reese's party =) 

These look like SO much fun to do!!! 

I bought the My Little Cupcake mold from Amazon :) I haven't decided yet if I will use cake batter or oreo cookies to make these. I think for ease of time I will try the oreo recipe :)

Here is more simple version of this idea:

My 1st Week with WW

Week 1:

I have to say that Weight Watchers is definitely an adjustment. Day 1 I was scared to eat anything b/c I didn't know how my points would add up throughout the day. I ended up meeting my 43 point daily quota but I quickly realized it was better to plan out each day's menu the night before. Creating menus the night before helped take the stress out of the next day b/c I just ate what I wrote down for the day. I think the 1st week is the  hardest b/c you have to calculate the points all your favorite foods are worth. Once I build up a selection of daily menus and points for favorite items it will be easier. 

On Thursday Cody & I decided to enjoy the day a bit and go to PF Changs. I figured out my points before I went so I knew exactly where I stood for the day. Water = 0 pts, 1 cup egg drop soup = 1 pt, 1 cup of General Tso's chicken and 1 cup of white rice = 23 pts! I didn't feel guilty about this though b/c I had not even touched my weekly allowance of 49 pts.

I have learned a lot in this past week. I can eat anything I want, I just have to watch portion sizes and count everything. I have learned that a lot of my pantry/fridge options aren't the best option available. For example, the wheat bread I like to eat was 3 points A SLICE! This doesn't mean it isn't a "healthy" bread but it does mean that it will take up more points than some other options. I quickly found another whole wheat bread that is 1 point per slice :) I have also switched from 1% milk to fat free milk (I can't tell the difference and it saves me 1 point per cup). We also tried eating turkey sausage for breakfast and it was very good! Even Cody & Reese liked it :)

As of yesterday I still had 37 of my weekly points available + my 43 daily points. We enjoyed the day by ordering pizza for lunch. Domino's Pizza: 1 slice of a medium thin crust pepperoni pizza & cheddar cheese (2 toppings) was 6 points. I did not come close to using all of my weekly points so I need to learn how to space them out throughout the week.

Week 1 Total Weight Loss: 3.5 pounds

How To Make Tiered Cupcake Stands

How To Make Tiered Cupcake Stands

Supplies Needed from Lowes or Home Depot:

1. Primer

2. Spray Paint (in desired color scheme)

3. A mask for the fumes

Supplies Needed from Dollar Tree:

1. Silver Serving Trays (can choose round or oval)

2. Crystal Candle Sticks

3. Fix It All Super Glue (NOT Gorilla Glue!)

 Step 1: Spray plates and candle sticks with primer

 Step 2: Once the primer is dry spray platters and candlesticks with desired colors. 

I used Valspar spray paint in a "gloss".

 Let each coat dry before painting another coat, it took about 3 light coats.

Step 4: Glue your candle sticks upside down to the platters so that the widest part of the candle stick supports the platter above it. As you glue each tier apply a weighted object to help aid in a secure bond between the platter and the candlestick.

Step 5: Fill with cupcakes!

A Healthier Me!

Today is DAY 1 of a "healthier me". 

I have started the Weight Watchers program online so I can shed some weight. I have had 2 babies in the last 2 years and I would like to get my body back to the size I was when I met Cody. I have struggled with my weight over the past few years and having a hypothyroid doesn't help me out. 

I am doing a tailored plan for breastfeeding, which allows me extra calories so that my milk supply isn't affected but still allows me to lose weight. Although this might be a slower process than non-nursing moms. I am allowed 43 "points" a day and have an allowance of 49 "points" to use how I wish each week (either all at once or spread out).

Today I am struggling b/c I haven't really gotten into a routine with this plan yet. I don't know what to eat. I need to realize that I can eat anything on this plan but I just have to watch portions and count my points.

All fruits and veggies are zero points! Guess I need to learn how to like veggies :/ 

So far today I have had:

Coffee with sugar & flavored creamer: 5pts

Banana: 0pts

Mini Pretzel Twists: 3pts

I need to figure out how to balance these points b/c I still have 35 to use and the day is half over and I am starving!

I am happy to say that Amy was my inspiration for choosing weight watchers since she just recently started the program as well. Cody is very supportive over this decision and happy to help keep me on track!!! I am excited for a "healthier me"!

What Has Emma Been Up To?

Yesterday (1/8/11) Emma tried very hard to ROLL OVER!! I caught her in action with my phone so the pictures aren't high quality. She was trying to look at a toy that was above her head ;)

Almost there Emma!!!

And here are a few smiles from this morning =)

Exploration:

Emma found her hands this last week and they are ALWAYS in her mouth. Yesterday she found her feet and tries very hard to reach them! She is full of smiles and giggles now :) She is also becoming more interactive with her toys and can now reach out and touch a toy with purpose. Everyday Emma gets a short period of tummy time, playtime in the jumperoo to build leg strength, and independent playtime so she can learn to entertain herself. She does wonderful with the independent play!!!

Eating: 

The bottle feeding (of breast milk) is still a challenge. She just does NOT want anything to do with a bottle. I guess it is a good thing I am not working right now. I can't believe at the end of the month we will be introducing rice cereal already! I think Emma will be my "good" eater. She is already 13.5 pounds according to our scale at home and is getting little rolls on her thighs and wrists. We aren't used to this because Reese never ate this much.

Sleep: 

We are very proud of her-- we can lay her down in her cradle tired and most times she can put herself to sleep!! Once she starts sleeping longer through the night she will be moved to her crib (upstairs). 

How To Make A Rainbow GIANT Cupcake

How To Make A Rainbow GIANT Cupcake

You will need 2 boxes of white cake mix and prepare as instructed on the box:

 Divide up the batter into equal amounts for the number of colors you will be using. 

I have 6 colors so the batter divided into 1.5 cups per bowl:

Gel Food Colors (in your desired color scheme). I found these at my local cake supply store. Betty Crocker makes a box of 4 primary colors, however it is not sold at my local grocery store.

Put at least 4 drops of each color into the divide batter until desired color tone is reached:

Pour approx 1/2 cup of each color in concentric circles into your pan 

(I used Wilton's Cake Release to grease the pan prior to this step):

Here is my mistake (realized it after I cut into the cupcake)...

I have the exact same color pattern on the 'bottom' and 'top' cupcake pans. Then end result was for a very dominant purple & blue pattern in the cake. Next time I will reverse the color combination so when they are put together the pattern makes a rainbow! I baked it at 325 degrees for 60 minutes and it was perfectly moist!

GIANT cupcake liner made out of candy melts:

Beware...this took me four tries to work. The good thing about candy melts is that you can re-melt it and try again if it doesn't work. I did not take photos of this process since you have to work kind of fast. Melt candy melts in the microwave as directed. Spread the melted candy around the 'bottom' portion of the cupcake pan. I used a plastic spoon to help spread the candy melt around. BIG HINT: spread it all the way to the top of the mold and create a "lip" so that you can pull it out once it is set. I then set it in the freezer for 2 minutes until it was nearly set and then put it in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes to set even more. Then carefully pull candy liner out of the mold.

Once cupcake has completely cooled you place it into the candy liner. You will need to put icing between the 'top' and 'bottom' halves so they stick to each other.

 Finally, ice the cupcake and decorate! 

I used Wilton's Whipped Icing and added food coloring. This icing is VERY easy to make and tastes good but I will try to flavor it next time with strawberry extract.

Then cut the cake!

...as you can see my rainbow isn't really a rainbow (as explained above).

ENJOY!

SA Zoo Adventure

Jan. 1st, 2011 we went on another zoo adventure! 

Reese LOVES the animals and this was Emma's 1st trip to the zoo :)

Emma was having fun!

The bear was active this time!

Reese & the Parrot

Look! A rock :)

Reese & Daddy feeding the ducks

(Cody handed Reese the food pellets and she popped one into her mouth! We told her to spit it out & she did...gross Reese!)

Reese feeding the turtle...ha!

Reese and Daddy had fun playing in the Tot Spot while I fed Emma

This time we decided to ride the SA Zoo Train because Reese REALLY wanted to :)

Emma's 1st Train Ride

Reese's 1st Train Ride

A Little Attitude

There's a smile!

Great way to start off the new year!