JD's Wife

if you think being a stay at home mom is uneventful, think again.

2012-02-24T07:57:00.001-06:00

Rea has been teething and wakeful at night. I think she is getting 4 new ones. She also recently dropped her morning nap...she only takes one! So grown up. I have felt a little tired and unproductive during the day and was starting to think negatively about all the things I didn't do that are on "my list." In situations like this I try to pull a cindyvalutis (my mama) and get all positive. So I made a list of what I did get done. It helped. Happy Friday.This week I...Spent time with my friends.Made homemade chicken stock and two yummy dinners.

Hosted two sets of guests in the evenings.Read Reagan at least 50 stories.Dumpster dived for one of Rea's sparkly pink Toms after questioning if she threw it out the day before (she is in love with throwing away). Sure enough. In the trash.

Watched the finale of downton abbey with my wonderful jd.Cleaned the bathroom (but not my floors).Started a painting project.Prayed more than usual.Had at least ten dance parties with Reagan.Sent a care package and letter to my dad in Afghanistan.Enjoyed leftover french silk pie for breakfast....mmmmm.

it's the little things.

2012-02-17T14:31:00.001-06:00

i wish you could have seen my face when i saw this yesterday afternoon. pure joy.

sitting on the top shelf in the new products area. i have been dreaming of tomato paste in a tube for so long. i was just discussing it with a friend 2 weeks ago, and then of course, those trader joe's geniuses read our minds. tomato paste is called for in many recipes and always just a tablespoon or two. this results in a half thrown away can because you won't be using it anytime soon...BUT you will need it again in a month. it's the little things in life.

reagan enjoyed the marinara i made with the 99cent tube. this is her cheesin' smile. it almost gives me goosebumps i love it so much. my little cousins tell me she does it because i do it. haha do i really do that?!?!! these babes pick up every little thing.

be mine.

2012-02-14T11:47:00.001-06:00

finally a little more snow on valentines day.

happy birthday to hudson & rebecca mary. we love you!!!!!!!!we hope everyone's day if full of little surprises and amazing dessert.

little d...ebussy.

2012-02-08T11:27:00.001-06:00

I guess listening to Claude Debussy in the morning has paid off.

YouTube Video

the wedding. 2.4.12

2012-02-06T11:12:00.000-06:00

the husband and the wife.

the sisters.

the seating arrangement.

the candy.

the daughter.

the stunning bride.

the first dunham i met besides my groom.

the niece.

the most perfect february weather.

the gorgeous north dakota sky.

experiencing life in your yoga pants.

2012-01-30T07:49:00.001-06:00

With each one of your children, you only get a short season of sowing. As a mother, you have to capitalize on the opportunities that the season brings. Your time is now. This opportunity won't come around again with your child. Life is continuing to march on, one way or the other. You might feel like you are missing out on the excitement. You might feel like the world is passing you by as you rarely get showered and dressed before noon because you are busy caring for your baby. Let me assure you that you are experiencing LIFE. You are experiencing true life in its most beautiful form right there in your yoga pants. It's not exactly how you dreamed it would be, is it? You might not realize it yet, but these days of your life will be the most influential days that you will ever have!

Your time is now, dear mother. Don't miss it.

-Kathleen Nelson, Motherhood, The Heart of a Mother

five days....

2012-01-29T16:15:00.001-06:00

the dunham diner.

2012-01-26T20:15:00.002-06:00

menu tonight was burgers, sweet potato fries, & homemade frosties...

our new thing is english muffins instead of buns. amazing. now on to hulu & bed. night night.

windows.

2012-01-24T08:48:00.001-06:00

turkey bran meatballs

2012-01-20T17:01:00.002-06:00

my little lady is hilarious. her various antics have practically brought me to tears this week. do any other mamas wish they had a video camera built into their forehead to capture it all? i really do.

this is moments after taking a try of one of her favorites...turkey meatballs! she (usually) enjoys sitting in her high chair and watching me cook. i try to tell her everything that i am doing out loud. she babbles along with me and enjoys playing/banging with various kitchen utensils and snacking on cheerios or cheese. little d. has always been a great eater. she has a couple things she won't eat: 1-avocado...maybe because she consumed one a day for almost 4 months and got extremely sick of them? and 2-potatoes....not sweet, not regular, not mashed ONLY if they are french and fried does she care for them. otherwise, she eats it all...favoring broccoli, beans, oat bran, and every single fruit and also enjoying randomness like hummus, shrimp, rice, curry and even cod liver oil. ew. i am so blessed. anyways...protein is hard for the little ones. i have heard it from a lot of moms. until reagan stopped drinking breast milk i wasn't too concerned about it as she was drinking the super food of all super foods. but since last month when she was weaned, i have especially tried to amp up the protein. she tends to like turkey the most and so i have made these delicious, easy meatballs a couple of times. we all love them.

kd's turkey bran meatballs.

1 small onion grated
4 cloves of garlic
1 egg 1/3 c oat bran (or oatmeal ground up in a blender/coffee grinder)
4 squirts of ketchup
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley or a couple of tablespoons dried parsley
1/2 c parmesan or pecorino romano or both (that's what i like to do)
salt & pepper to taste
1 package of ground turkey (trader joe's and target's usually come in 1 and 1/2 pound packages)

blend everything together except the meat in a large bowl. add meat. form into whatever size meatballs you enjoy...i like them bite size. bake at 375 for about 25-35 minutes (depends on size) on a cookie sheet sprayed with olive oil. enjoy alone, on a sandwich, or with tomato sauce and spaghetti!

michigan part II: the greatest new years eve everrrrrr

2012-01-11T08:06:00.001-06:00

for months and months we looked forward to this day for a plethora of reasons. one-nobody throws a party like amanda's family and I mean nobody. two-the incredible michigan state university basketball coach, tom izzo, would be there. jd was determined to talk to him and guess what people...he did! so proud. three-we would have an amazing babysitter(thanks nans!) four-amanda would be a knock out bride... and so fun and so relaxed. being in her bridal party was such a blessing. I loved every minute. five-my ladies would be together after a tough year of many, difficult trials. I am so proud of all of you. still pray for you all the time and so thankful we could reunite and celebrate. I miss you.

cling to hope

2012-01-09T12:27:00.002-06:00

softly I announce My presence.

shimmering hues of radiance tap gently at your consciousness, seeking entrance. though I have all Power in heaven and on earth, I am infinitely tender with you. the weaker you are, the more gently I approach you. let your weakness be a door to My presence. whenever you feel inadequate, remember that I am your ever-present help.

hope in Me, and you will be protected from depression and self-pity. hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. the more you cling to this cord, the more I bear the weight of your burdens; thus, you are lightened. heaviness is not of my kingdom. cling to hope, and My rays of Light will reach you through the darkness.

psalm 46.1 romans 12.12 romans 15.13

devotional for january 8, jesus calling, sarah young

michigan part I: reunited

2012-01-07T16:12:00.001-06:00

her first valutis Christmas, new word = doggie, cruising on her feet, built her first snowman, loves her nana, yiayia, but most of all schooner! her mom & dad relaxed...didn't really lift a finger. best friends, late nights, great food, good chats...my heart is aching for Michigan.

Rositoesi

2011-12-30T14:47:00.001-06:00

Happy wedding weekend to my love, amanda rose....I am so proud to be your maid!!

have yourself a merry little Christmas.

2011-12-22T08:46:00.001-06:00

Love, jd, kd, & rd

Sick little babe.

2011-12-19T15:12:00.001-06:00

High fever. Soar little ears. Non stop Cuddles. Pbs Cartoons. Lonnng naps. But praise God, I think she's on the mend.

Let it snow.

2011-12-15T07:51:00.001-06:00

The past few days have been mild and melted our perfect blanket of snow. We have enjoyed the walks it has allowed but we're ready for winter again.

a little laundry

2011-12-08T16:41:00.001-06:00

She can't get enough of pulling clean laundry out of the basket. And then putting it back in. And repeat.

thirty&fabulous

2011-12-07T11:51:00.001-06:00

We celebrated logs 30th birthday this weekend. Glammed it up. DD won with the toast. Consumed the best mini burgers ever. Missed n & lu.
Grateful for my older, wiser, beautiful, intelligent, sister in law.

Real life.

2011-12-06T07:35:00.001-06:00

Toys all over. Only one sock on. Rug needs to be vacuumed. Trying to capture Reagan climbing up on the red table but she decided to walk away. New independence. Real life (that I love).

YouTube Video

This is what you need to do.

2011-12-01T12:27:00.001-06:00

Get in your car, drive to the nearest Trader joes, buy this.

You will never regret it. I meant to tell you this a year ago when I was eating an average of three containers a week but then I had a baby and forgot to blog about it. Enjoy.

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thankful for aunties.

2011-11-26T19:13:00.000-06:00

Almost birthday.

2011-11-17T12:10:00.001-06:00

We had a little celebration with our Minneapolis family on Saturday for Reagan's almost first birthday. It started at noon so we served breakfast and mimosas of course. A little glimpse...

pumpkin head & peanut...soup

2011-11-09T17:06:00.002-06:00

As a little girl-and honestly maybe until I was 16 or 18-my dad called me "peanut." This was because when I was born my head was shaped like a peanut. He also has been known to call all of his kids "pumpkin head." I think both of these pet names are pretty cute...and I am not super fond of pet names. I have noticed myself using them for Reagan lately and it always makes me laugh to myself. My dad is a Captain in the Navy...basically he has worked his butt off for over 30 years and is amazing at his job and serving our country. Tomorrow he leaves for Afghanistan...again. He has been on tours in Iraq, Qatar, Afghanistan, and on multiple ships multiple times since 2001. I am really proud of him. I am wondering if you could say a quick prayer for him, that God would keep him safe for the next year?

Thanks:)

And speaking of pumpkins and peanuts...here is the link to what we had for dinner last night....amazing!!! I didn't have shallots so just used more onion...added more garlic, subbed the low fat milk for whole milk and cream, subbed the smooth pb with crunchy, and added curry powder and a big dash of cayenne pepper. I served it with cranberry corn muffins. Really yummy and about to eat the leftovers right now!

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Those eyes.

2011-11-08T11:02:00.001-06:00

rea & uncle dave

2011-11-04T11:40:00.001-05:00

these two bonded a lot last weekend.

have a wonderful weekend!!!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T21:01:00.001-05:00

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7/28

2011-10-31T11:15:00.001-05:00

We have been together for one quarter of your life. That seems kind of long. In a great way. Seven birthdays ago I brought you your first present outside Simpson hall before our 8ams. I left presents for you in the library and your 1 oclock class...thinking back on this I wish I would have snuck in to your classes today. That evening we ate starbucks ice cream and smoked cigars in the arb. We hardly knew each other but I had a tiny hope in my heart of spending the rest of my life with you...meeting your family, having babies and being your helpmate for life. Thank you, God, for making my dreams come true. Happy birthday to my best friend, JD...you look mighty good in that long underwear!!!!

Seven years ago.

Five years ago.

Four years ago.

2 days ago.

Eleven.

2011-10-25T16:14:00.001-05:00

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75

2011-10-16T14:00:00.001-05:00

This picture is of my yiayia (greek nickname for grandma) and her three children, Ronald, Kay, and Ernie. Ronnie is on the left. My great grandmother, Anna Ring Valutis, would have been 96 years old on October 9. She was married to my Papooh on October 20, 1935. She was 20 but didn't tell her 30 year old husband this until after they were married! 20 doesn't seem that young to be married back then so it's interesting to me that she kept it a secret :)

Following their first anniversary on October 16, 1936 my grandfather, Ronnie, was born to Ann and Tony at Irwin San Hospital in the Borough of Queens, Long Island, New York. I wonder if they imagined that the little blessing in their arms would be one of the most God fearing, hilarious, intelligent, hard working men that ever lived.

50 years later my Papa welcomed his first grandchild in to the world. She was a little spitfire right from the beginning. He used to tell me that she started talking at 9 months and never stopped. If you know her, you probably agree. As you may have guessed, that spitfire is me.

Almost 25 years after that my Papa welcomed his first great grandchild in to the world. She was named in honor of his favorite president and favorite woman (my Nana Rosalie). Although he was not on earth to meet her, he watches her and chuckles at her from Heaven. I am SURE of this.

Happy Birthday Papa. 73 years was way too short....so I am celebrating 75 today.

donuts&applecider

2011-10-14T17:34:00.000-05:00

today, the REAL housewives of minneapolis packed up the babies and ventured to the cider mill. i love being a stay at home mom. i love spontaneous adventures. i love having one of my best friends live less than 10 minutes away. i love that she is a stay at home mom, too. i LOVE my little reagan rosalie. and hudson. and donuts!! so today was pretty much bliss.

i really do have the best job. have a beautiful weekend...

Proverbs 17:6

2011-10-10T11:38:00.001-05:00

Children's children are a crown to the aged...

So thankful for these GRAND parents. And their little crowning glory. Amazed that Reagan could see them all during a short two weeks. Praying that she will treasure them, go on fun adventures by their side, respect them, make lovely memories together and squeal with delight when they visit.

Currently joyful about...

2011-10-09T13:11:00.001-05:00

White wine at 12:30 pm. Open face egg&cheese. Avocado. Olives. Handsomest husband making it for me. Laying on the couch. Football. Vikings are winning. A very good weekend. Baby sound asleep.

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ten. & a birthday wish.

2011-09-24T08:39:00.001-05:00

Ten months ago today you were born. I want to remember that you love standing at the red table, you finally like when we read you books, your favorite games are chasing daddy and playing hide n seek, you like to talk to your pink bear, you usually still enjoy an early morning feeding and then two more hours of sleep, mango has beat out avocado as your favorite food, and you are clingier than ever to me...rather new since you used to be straight up daddy's girl.

And a couple years before you were born...a very pretty lady from Valley City, ND was born. Happy Birthday gorgeous grandma d. We love you.

half moon trail.

2011-09-19T11:21:00.001-05:00

Last night we returned home from a very lovely little vaca.

d's a's & z's

Reagan & Hudson played soooo hard.

This pretty woman loves our babies.

Another pretty lady...who will be 10 months old in 5 days.

These people chose to run 8 miles.

This person chose to eat mass quantities of rum cherry ice cream

and cinnamon rolls.

Wiggle break on the drive home.

Her chipper mood did not continue when we walked in to our empty home. Someone was missing hudson and half moon trail.

For my brother.

2011-09-13T10:06:00.001-05:00

YouTube Video

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the details.

2011-09-10T12:37:00.001-05:00

the rsvps.

the flowers.

the puffs.

the lanterns.

the tables.

the vases.

the place cards.

the wedding party.

the really good looking people.

the really good looking parents.

the chins.

the mad dog.

the bride & the groom.

the next bride and groom...

congrats ad and am. we love you so much. let the wedding wonderfulness begin!!!!

pancakes for dinner.

2011-09-08T09:33:00.001-05:00

last night we had pancakes for dinner.

based on an old whole wheat flour recipe I added oat bran to boost the fiber (and because I am obsessed with oat bran lately..thanks gwynnie) and replaced honey with sugar so Reagan could eat them (honey causes infant botulism...whatever that is???).

delicious oat bran blueberry pancakes
3/4 c oat bran
1/2 c whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup whole milk
1 egg
1 tbsp melted unrefined coconut oil or canola oil
2 tsp sugar (honey or agave would work great)
frozen wild blueberries
butter or unrefined coconut oil for frying

Mix dry ingredients in a large 2 or 3 cup measuring cup. Add wet ingredients.

Warm up a non stick skillet. When a drop of water sizzles...add some coconut oil and fry up your pancakes. I doubled the recipe and it made enough for dinner last night, breakfast this morning, and a couple leftovers for Reagan. She loves them...basically was panting this morning as I shredded them up on her high chair.

Valutises

2011-09-03T14:18:00.001-05:00

My uncle took this on his phone and sent it to me today....he must be at nana's. I think this photo is framed in her office. Oh how I love them.

Papa, mom, nana circa 1964. Nana: you are still this classy and beautiful...and I know papa would agree.

who would have thought

2011-08-28T17:45:00.000-05:00

that the 2002 red river high school snow ball queen (cz) and king (jd) would go off to college, then marry some crazy michiganders, and THEN go have two of the most beautiful babies in the whole world 80 days apart?

H.H.Z. & R.R.D.

snow ball king and queen 2028

piano lessons

2011-08-26T17:45:00.001-05:00

will be much more tolerable for Reagan if the piano looks like this:

viviaa

nine.

2011-08-25T14:41:00.001-05:00

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sh's wife.

2011-08-17T09:51:00.000-05:00

some think that the wedding of the year involved these two....

i'm afraid i disagree.

wedding week---little d. edition.

my auntie g got married on saturday. we celebrated all week, starting with a birthday dinner for auntie lu.

then uncle d and i hung out at the rehearsal dinner.

the rents.

my mom's favorite picture of auntie g. she was the most beautiful bride EVER and i have been to a lot of weddings in my nine months of life...plus mom keeps saying that.

that's me. love grass.

my uncle s!!! now i have 4 uncles.

grandpa!!!!!

auntie lo auntie g auntie a mom & auntie lu

i went home to sleep so i missed this picture.

i am so proud to be a dunham.

sh's wife.

Things I will be/want to be/dream of making myself.

2011-08-08T13:59:00.001-05:00

Will be.

I love this verse.Via
Want to be.

I might need help from my engineer brother in law on this one. He taught me how to add a plug (or however you call that) to my current pendant lights.Via
Dream of.

These are those primary colored puzzle piece foam play mats painted. Beautiful. I would probably do a simpler pattern because I am not a very good painter but I love this idea for a home with wood floors...and you can pick it up and store easily. Via

Good morning.

2011-08-06T10:25:00.001-05:00

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My freezer is a cold mess.

2011-08-05T14:33:00.001-05:00

Via

Via

Freezer re org is my august goal. Maybe I'll post a b&a....if not...hope this inspires you.

happy birthday jackie!

2011-08-02T09:35:00.001-05:00

jackie o by shuffman11 featuring vintage bags

Pleated dress
£95 - lkbennett.com

Proenza Schouler tweed coat
$2,100 - kirnazabete.com

Yves Saint Laurent black heels
$895 - ysl.com

Oversized sunglasses
$195 - swell.com

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Downward dog

2011-08-01T20:34:00.001-05:00

YouTube Video

her first backyard.

2011-07-31T15:11:00.001-05:00

lately i have felt a little crammed...my kitchen just seems to be shrinking, the 1920's pipes have been turning our water a brown shade and reagan's busy body keeps being a bad excuse for me to put off reorganization projects. but i love it here. finding this place was a little miracle. and i need to remember it.

a couple months after our wedding jd's one year lease ended. i wanted to move down the road to uptown...old architecture and wood floors were my dreams. joseph didn't want to move there because of the parking (he is so wise...i would hate that with a baby!!!) and loved our location so encouraged me to look close by.

one afternoon, after my car engine blew and i took one of many, many aimless walks around my newlywed surroundings...i saw these old brick buildings two blocks away that looked like they might be condos or apartments. there was a small plaque with a phone number on the side of the building...i called, and called, left messages and never got a response. i figured they must be full. i would walk by at least ten more times and just wonder what they were like. it sounds odd but i had a weird longing to live in these random, old brownstones. they were uptown buildings transported to our not so uptown neighborhood.

3 months later...still no luck in finding a new place. looking quite often. need to make a decision. jd on a business trip in oklahoma. get on craigslist after work to see if any aparments in our area are newly posted...top of the page, a 3 minute old post of a vacant apartment in one of THE brownstones. Wood floors. brand new appliances. ARCHES?? Little quaint nooks and crannies? A perfect backyard with a clothes line? I called 2 minutes later. They had already booked 3 showings for the morning but she said that if I came tonight I could have first dibs...i would have to sign the lease right away though.

my sister in law and I went to see it and as we walked in we knew it was right. had to sign the lease...or it would be sniped in the morning. I got married 5 weeks after my college graduation, 3 weeks after my 22nd birthday....didn't have a lot of big decision making experience and tended to lean on JD for all of the big stuff. he was in oklahoma. had to make this decision by myself, without him seeing it. he told me he was fine with whatever I liked :)

almost three years later I can say with confidence that God provided us with this perfect home. and with His help, I made a very good decision. I can't wait to drive by this place when Reagan is older...be the soooo typical obnoxious mom and say..."that's where we lived when you were born! you loved watching the cars go by..." and show her these pictures of her in her first backyard.

Why can't Zara please sell online??????

2011-07-29T09:49:00.001-05:00

This is what my cart would look like. Can I mention that the baby stuff is all less than 12.99 and the mommy stuff is less than 39.99!!!! Zara I pleeeeed with you to come to MSP.

3.99 folks.

some hot pink inspiration for you.

2011-07-28T09:19:00.001-05:00

if i could wear anything right now it would be this. all of this.

via
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introducing: hayden calligraphy & katie murphy stationary

2011-07-25T18:09:00.001-05:00

my wonderful sister in law, gd, is marrying the amazing, sh, in less than three weeks. no words can describe the excitement :) another married couple in the d family FINALLY.....it will be lovely.

i did the custom calligraphy for her wedding invitations, while my friend, katie murphy, did the graphic design layout. we are excited to share our collaboration with you as we hope to work together more in the future. check out katie's website...her work is unique, classic, and simple (totally my choice of style for invitations, stationary etc.) i also offer custom calligraphy services through katie murphy stationary. you can look at style choices here under calligraphy options.

thank you

katie for your partnership and

gd for the opportunity to design.

loved doing it!

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

2011-07-17T20:34:00.001-05:00

The end of a thing is better than it's beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry. For anger rests in the bosom of fools.

seven and a half months.

2011-07-12T09:55:00.001-05:00

she is sweeter and funnier and more grown up every day. yesterday she went from laying down to sitting up without help for the first time. in the morning she couldn't do it...at 1:00 pm she could. things like that still baffle my mind. they are miracles, people. you have to agree.

i get really sappy when i look at newborn photos...will i admit that i can't even wait to hold my next newborn in my arms? i really can't. she looks so hilarious in this picture. she still has a serious side, although it comes out less these days.

look at those big baby blues.

such a reagan face.

i am tall.

sometimes i try to pretend to be bashful.

but let's face it.

i'm not.

we love you, reagan rosalie. every single, perfect, beautiful, hilarious, goofy, determined, adventurous part of you.

Ain't about the Cha Chang Cha chang.

2011-07-08T08:28:00.001-05:00

Maddi Jane - price tag

Click on that if you want to hear Reagan and I's fav new song to jam too sung by our fav little adorable twelve year old....you will love her I think. Thanks LA!

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Poolside

2011-06-28T19:33:00.001-05:00

Rea and Hudson at the pool today. If you only knew how much this represents their personalities!!!! In other words...Hudson is chill. Reagan....not so much! But she is perfect.

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bad medicine lake.

2011-06-26T20:31:00.003-05:00

Reagan saw one of the most beautiful places on earth for the first time last weekend...and she loved it!!

Like it list baby edition...addition: walkers = amazing

2011-06-24T12:03:00.001-05:00

This seven month old (today!!) lady loves her walker.

And staring in the bathroom. Sometimes for ten minutes.

Our ped has walkers on her list of no no's. But we don't have stairs and rea spends hours running around in it happy as can be. So walkers will stay on our like it list. We got ours as a hand me down...a 1996 edition. They do still sell one model at target and a lot online. Look at garage sales!!

Nehamiah 8:10 b

2011-06-23T08:43:00.001-05:00

For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow for the joy of the Lord is your STRENGTH.

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Daddy's girl.

2011-06-19T21:18:00.001-05:00

I love the way they love each other. Happy fathers day, jd.

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A grand father.

2011-06-17T10:49:00.001-05:00

Can't stop thinking about you today, papa. Wishing I could chat with you about what I have been reading in Daniel...and tell you funny stories about Reagan. Longing for one of your pancakes and a talk with you at the kitchen table. Wondering why reagan won't ever hear your jokes and your laugh...the one where you think something is really funny and it gets high pitched. Remembering that she will in heaven. Wishing you could see how amazing JD is with Rea and that you would be in new york in two weeks to sit on the porch and watch all the commotion...thinking you are content to be where you are :)

Hoping you know how much I love you. Praying you know that you are the grandest father I could have ever asked for.

Well would ya look at that?

2011-06-16T21:24:00.001-05:00

Rea's new favorite thing: making blanket forts. She did this completely on her own in a matter of twenty seconds. No wonder they encourage sleep sacks.

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Little d's first swim.

2011-06-07T11:07:00.001-05:00

My little lady likes the water!!

HAIL no

2011-05-10T21:16:00.000-05:00

this just in. the most amazing hailstorm i have ever witnessed. JD and i were literally jumping around the apartment. we love crazy weather and we had both never seen anything like this. the hail started out golf ball sized and about 10 minutes later some pieces were about the size of a clementine or plum. reagan loved it too---mostly because it allowed her to stay up 45 minutes later than usual.

JD holding one of our hail souvenirs that is now in the freezer.

mamas.

2011-05-08T18:28:00.002-05:00

today i keep thinking...i'm a mom? really? i know it should have settled in by now but it still is an amazing thing to me. hahaha. very thankful for my own mother today...along with my mother in law and nana. but also thinking of my many friends that became mamas this year. so grateful for all of their love/support/wisdom/funny stories.

happy first mothers day CZ, KM (almost), MKP, BR, MS, & EW!

must read

2011-05-07T15:36:00.000-05:00

Today's WSJ editorial section has a very good, respectful article on something that has been confusing me all week: why we can't see the proof of the event that rocked the world last weekend. I am not saying it didn't happen--I believe it did, and I am so grateful...just read the article. I couldn't say it any better.

and I can't close this post without saying...
Thank you, Mr. President.

avocados!

2011-05-06T21:19:00.001-05:00

milestone of the week: avocado. now whether or not she swallowed more than a teaspoon...unsure. most of the food ended up on her face/clothes/my clothes/bumbo. but...they say it takes a while. tomorrow morning will be meal number 4. regardless, it's been fun :) I would highly recommend avocado for a first baby food. it is SO easy to prepare and so full of goodness for the babe. I just take a teaspoon chunk out of one half of the avocado (I store them covered in plastic wrap with pit in the fridge) and JD or I eats the other half :) then i mash it up in a little bowl with a fork and add a little bit of breast milk until it's nice and thin. I have read many books that claim it's a great first food but here is an online source.

yes, she is wearing avocado apparel. one of my best friend, cz's, dad is an avocado farmer in california. i know, so cool. she got rea this onesie and her little z has a matching one. he is going to start on avocados too, of course :)

may!

2011-05-02T18:18:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I woke to SNOW on my last day in North Dakota. I have started to believe that I really was meant to live in the Northern Tundra as this didn't even bother me. Rea and I spent the week with my in laws while JD studied and wrote papers. 2L will be over in just 8 days. VERY hard to believe. This semester just flew.

Reagan has her first little cold. You wouldn't even really be able to tell if she wasn't so sniffly and her pacifier didn't fall out like crazy while she sleeps :) Her disposition has still been very cheerful and funny. Her latest love is hearing her own pretty voice aka screaming.

If her cold clears up I will be starting solids this week. I am going to make my own rice or oat cereal (deciding right now) and also give her avocados. If it wasn't for my pumping situation I think I would wait a lot longer. She does seem ready. Just obsessed with food and trying to grab it. On our way home yesterday we stopped at Dunn Brothers for a latte and snack and she practically dived in to my yogurt parfait.

Very excited about May. We will go home to ND one more time, drive to Michigan to see yia yia Cindy for the first time since Rea was 3 weeks old!!!!! and see many high school and hopefully some college friends. JD will take 2.5 weeks off with no work or school. This has not happened...ever. We are not really sure what we are going to do with ourselves.

God bless your day.

how great thou art

2011-04-25T17:34:00.000-05:00

my favorite hymn sung by ms. carrie underwood. you must watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk

no words!!

He is risen.

2011-04-24T18:42:00.000-05:00

happy easter! love, 5 MONTH OLD reagan rosalie

like it list (baby edition)

2011-04-18T13:23:00.000-05:00

things that have been a huge blessing to me and I would recommend to all new families :)

summer infant swaddleme blankets. Reagan loves her hands so these saved us. We swaddled her from day 1 but not tight enough and so she would get out and wake her self up from naps...this little wonder solved that problem and she slept 6.5 hours the first night we used it. Coincidence? doubtful. Many hospitals send you home with a Halo sleep sack. I also really like those and that's actually what we use now since Reagan outgrew the swaddlemes at about 12 weeks (I think they will last longer for shorter babies). However, the negative about Halo's is they rarely come in cotton...and I am all about the cotton. We did find one on amazon.

ergo infant carrier

we love this. for the first 2-3 months we did not use it very much...but that could be due to the fact that we didn't get out much hahaha. we used it around the house a little, but reagan just fell asleep or sometimes didn't like it at all. if you use it in the first 3 months you need an infant insert. Now Reagan loves it and I have been using it a couple times a week at least. It is very comfortable and easy to put on. I also have a hotsling and have used it ONCE...so in my opinion get one of these, your husband and you can both use it and it's way more user friendly than a sling (i had to watch the dvd 4 times to figure out how to get Reagan in correctly and then I got it out the next time to use it and I couldn't remember for the life of m e. If you have to make a dvd to illustrate how to use a baby product...not sure if it's my kind of thing HOWEVER I have heard that people LOVE hotslings...so I am going to keep it for my next babe in case.

with infant insert. jd making me dinner :)

aden+anais bamboo blankets

hands down the best, softest, prettiest blankets around. Perfect for swaddling a newborn...and we still use them every single day. Gifted to me by one of my most wonderful friends too...love you k.l.s.

vibrating baby chair...aka Reagan's lazy boy.

She has been hanging out in this thing since she was 1 week old. She still loves it and spends at least an hour a day in it...back when she was little...at least 2 or 3 hours. I was so hesitant about this...I didn't think we "needed" it plus I hate things with cartoony baby illustrations. Why can't they make a pinstripe or subtly polka dotted baby item...or gasp...a SOLID colored baby toy!!!!??? But this beautiful chair will be a staple in the dunham household until we stop having babies around :) Note...we took the toys that hang over her off and pretty much never use them.

hilarious picture.

dr. browns bottles

If you are going to pump at all...use these. Reagan never had tummy issues when switching over to a bottle. I have also had friends switch over to these and they noticed that their baby was less gassy and took the bottle much easier. They are also glass which I LOVE! They heat up super fast for those late night feedings :)

that's all for now. maybe another post with more....but these are my must haves!

breakfast & a dress

2011-04-16T15:30:00.000-05:00

this dress might not look like much....but on (me at least hahaha)..it's pretty amazing :) and on sale. J Crew has an extra 30 off in stores and online...Rea, Auntie LD and I went today. So fun. But I left empty handed :) They really do have a lot of great stuff right now so you should go!

via jcrew

and if you are sick of oatmeal for breakfast (served in a regular manner) make this instead. I have made this at least 3 times in the past couple months and we really like it...plus if you just have two (solid food consuming) people in your home it lasts for a couple of breakfasts.

baked oatmeal
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup milk
2 tbsp unrefined coconut oil or butter (i like to do one of each)
2 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
salt to taste
dash of vanilla
1/2 cup almond or peanut butter

whip everything together in a bowl, pour into a casserole dish, 9by9 pan, or 11by13 pan.
bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes...25 gives it a nice crisp top.
serve with warm milk drizzled over...and some raspberries!

recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

the last 4 months

2011-04-10T13:48:00.000-05:00

why i am thankful today:
it is 74 degrees out (at least according to the messed up thermometer in my car...could be +/- 5 degrees).
it is spring.
my daughter is sleeping sweetly.
i haven't had a clogged milk duct in 7 days. this is a record for me. might not sound that big of a deal, but it is to me and my little family. if you're a guy you might want to stop reading this now...not even sure if guys read my blog but if you do...the rest of this most likely will be TMI for you.

I really don't know if the following story will matter that much to anyone...but even if it helps one present or future mama, it's worth telling. God gave me the past 4 months for many reasons...hoping one of the reasons is so I can help some other moms.

Before I had my sweet girl, I planned on breastfeeding. I didn't just plan on it. I was pumped about it (little did I know how PUMPED I would be one month after her birth hahahah you'll get it in a minute). My mom is a huge breastfeeding advocate and prenatal nutritionist so I have heard that the breast is the best my entire life. I wrote persuasive papers on the benefits of breastfeeding for my developmental psych classes in college. I honestly looked forward to it for years.

Reagan had trouble latching from the beginning. She fought it, and was very frustrated...so after about 6 sessions with lactation consultants in the hospital, we were given a nipple shield. It was my mother in law and I's savior as we both didn't sleep at all the first night. The shield worked great...so we used it. I was going to ween her at some point...they said I definitely should by 3 months...but I was enjoying the convenience of the shield (even though Reagan was able to occasionally latch without it) and recovering from a 4th degree tear...so I decided to wait. Dumb. But now I know.

When Reagan was 5 weeks old I got my first clogged milk duct. I got it out by drinking tons and tons of water. Then two days later I got another one. This one was feisty...it wouldn't unclog. Two days later I developed a terrible breastfeeding infection called mastitis. And now my story really begins. It would take way way too long to tell it all sentence by sentence so I will give you the condensed version in bullets...if you have any questions leave a comment and I will email you with details.

-2 weeks fighting mastitis
-1 week of antibiotics
-Still no progress
-Reinfected with another bout of mastitis
-New antibiotic for 10 days
-Reagan has a nursing strike (most likely due to the infection)
-Gave her a bottle and she took it. I cried. But I was crying a lot at this point haha.
-No progress
-Developed an abscess
-Sent to a breast surgeon for surgery
-MIRACLE 1: no need for actual surgery
-New antibiotic for 3 weeks
-8 visits to the breast surgeon
-7 aspiration procedures
-Abscess gone and beginning to heal after 4 weeks of infection
-Pumping exclusively to avoid clogged ducts and promote healing to abscessed area.
-Reagan drinking breast milk from bottles full time.
-Then I started getting clogged ducts (what causes mastitis if they get infected)
-MIRACLE 2: successfully unclogged 30+clogged ducts over the past 2 months...many weeks I had at least one a day
-never another sign of mastitis
-not completely sure why i had so many clogged ducts (could be linked to too much yeast in body from all the antibiotics)
-Sadly, Reagan still can't latch on. trying occasionally.
-Pumping every 2-3 hours every day, once during the night when reagan wakes
-MIRACLE 3: Reagan is 4.5 months old and still exclusively drinks breastmilk, is completely healthy and happy.
-MIRACLE 4: I started pumping a little more often this week to up my milk supply...all of a sudden my clogged ducts are gone. So if you ever struggle with them...try pumping more! I was pumping ever 3 hours but that might have not been enough for my body. I tried EVERY other natural remedy out there. Too many things to list...go to kelly mom if you want to see every thing I tried.
-MIRACLE 5?!?!?: Reagan will latch on again. My daughter is amazing. I think she can do it.

So that's where I am today. The infection and abscess was physically very painful..almost worse then my natural drug free child birth...not joking. But the hardest part was that it was a mental battle for me. A battle to not lose it, give up, and freak out. A battle to not care that I was giving my daughter a bottle (sounds dumb but this was a pride thing for me). A battle to not compare myself to other mom's who have it "so easy" after they have a baby (even though it's never really so easy). A battle to not depend on myself...but depend on God. Because HE is who healed me and gave me every bit of grace to get through this.

So to every woman who wants to breastfeed or has...I respect you. Nobody tells you it's going to be hard. And hopefully, it wasn't or won't be for you. But even if it is. I think it's worth it.

God is so, so, good to me.

I would like to thank every person who has prayed for me especially my amazing Mom, my incredible Mother in law, and my sweet faithful Nana. These three have prayed for me more hours than they could count and encouraged me by phone or text every single day. Without them I would have given up.

And then there is JD...the greatest man on earth. He has never asked me to stop, or made me consider giving up my (our) dream to give Reagan breast milk. He is so humble and such a servant. He has sacrificed hours and hours of studying to care for me and our daughter. I can never thank him enough.

i love her.

2011-04-04T21:07:00.000-05:00

we like to hang out. all day. every day.

4 months (almost)

2011-03-20T16:10:00.000-05:00

twins.

doing the model pose--a must for all dunhams.

playing bounce on the couch with dad.

such a sweetie.

dinner = success

2011-03-14T19:40:00.000-05:00

it was soooo good. you must try.

i added mushrooms & doubled the recipe.

oh hey there!!!

what's for dinner - vodka pasta

2011-03-14T15:15:00.003-05:00

· 1 pound uncooked penne pasta

· 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

· 4 cloves garlic, minced

· 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

· 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

· 3/4 teaspoon salt

· 2 tablespoons vodka

· 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

· 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

· 2 (3.5 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

2. In large skillet, heat oil over moderate heat. Remove casing from sausage and add to skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until brown. Add garlic and red pepper and cook, stirring until garlic is golden brown.

3. Add tomatoes and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.

4. Add vodka and cream and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and add pasta, toss for 1 minute. Stir in fresh parsley and serve! via allrecipes.com

I am going to use whole wheat penne. My friend EW who I get to see in ONE WEEK gave me this recipe. She had her son 6 weeks after I had Rea. They have been in an arranged relationship since before conception...my Senior year of college to be exact :) We even knew what their names were then!

now i'm off to eat a almond butter strawberry jam sandwich, my latest favorite.

i'll let you know how dinner turns out :)

super bars.

2011-03-07T10:16:00.000-06:00

the perfect, healthy, snack that JD and I can't get enough of...full of protein, omega 3's, coconut oil and fiber. Plus they are EASY...I can make them with Reagan in one arm ;)

2 cups almond meal (or almonds ground up in a food processor)

1/4 cup flax meal/ground flax seeds

1/2 cup dried cranberries or apricots

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup almond butter

1/2 cup melted coconut oil (unrefined)

1-2 T honey

2-3 t vanilla

a few squares of white chocolate or 1/2 bag white chocolate chips

Blend all dry ingredients plus almond butter together in a food processor if you are using whole almonds/flax seed. If you have almond meal and flax meal you can blend together in a bowl. In a saucepan melt coconut oil over lowest heat until it looks clear with no lumps. Remove oil from stove and stir in honey and vanilla. Add the liquid to the other blended ingredients. Press into a square pan...it should be a thick gooey paste...almost like a cookie dough consistency.

Chill in fridge for an hour. Melt chocolate and drizzle or spread over chilled bars. Return to the fridge for another 30 minutes.. Cut into bars and ENJOY!!! Keep in fridge or freeze.

For this batch I used dark and white chocolate because I only had a little bit of each. I also didn't have any coconut because I used it up in the last batch. They were still amazing. Sometime I am going to use natural peanut butter instead of almond butter and another type of seed...maybe chia? Super flexible recipe.

little d & little z

2011-02-26T09:26:00.001-06:00

this is my sweet friend cz and i, along with our two little babes out for apps and water in august :)

look at how our babes have grown!!!!!

introducing, hudson herbert z.

born on valentines day!

sweet little z. so happy he is here and so healthy.

very thankful for his life and especially his mama.

will you be our valentine?

2011-02-14T14:29:00.000-06:00

we will continue a 6 year tradition tonight...big mac meals from mikey d's!!!

very thankful for the most amazing, handsome, husband in the world.

happy valentine's day. love, the d's

grandma's house

2011-02-03T09:32:00.000-06:00

on monday rd & i traveled by ourselves to grand forks. we miss jd/daddy sooooooo much. it's almost unbearable but we have the most wonderful grandparents/aunties/uncles that are holding us over.

some photos of little d this week:

bath time

moving like crazy

ready to go to her first play date

so happy.

thankful.

2011-01-24T13:04:00.000-06:00

photo via emersonmade

today i am thankful for my daughter. she is 2 months old. she slept 7 hours last night. ate real quick. slept 3.5 more. she smiles all the time and brings more joy to our lives then we could ever have imagined. God has brought some not so joyous things to my life the past few weeks but I will continue to be thankful because "these things remind me to depend on Him with all my heart. They prompt me to trust in His love, His forgiveness, His power, His sufficiency, His ability to overrule and His transforming presence within me."

--paraphrased from 31daysofpraise by ruth myers

one thing that brightened my week was a package from the author of an amazing blog.

enclosed were the BEST gingerbread cookies I have ever ever ever tasted.

thanks ms!! :)

our little blessing.

2011-01-15T11:47:00.000-06:00

reagan looking at lizzie. 4 weeks old.

sleeping on uncle david

take this time to interupt reagan pictures to announce that these beautiful people are ENGAGED! this news has given me so much joy...needed it this week!!

uncle ben visited us for 10 days. so thankful.

so thankful for swaddle blankets!!

loves getting her diaper changed.

cooking with daddy in the ergo.

our sweet girl this AM...7.5 weeks old.

someday i will return to normal blogging and not just pictures of rrd...but really, is there anything better? not really.

our little elf :)

2011-01-03T11:07:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year from the d's!!

This is my favorite picture of rea so far with her beautiful aunty lulu. LRD bought this outfit for Reagan's christmas debut! We had a wonderful, crazy, past two weeks with lots of family, traveling, and visitors...missing everyone but happy to be back in a routine.

photo via gorgeous grandma d.

no complaints here.

2010-12-17T13:22:00.000-06:00

playing with daddy.

first real bath!

family photo attempt.

trying to nap. i STINK at napping.

gram/grammy/yia yia...name TBD.

dad home for lunch. i have the best husband ever.

reagan rosalie

2010-12-01T20:44:00.000-06:00

before.

after.

r.r.d.

november 24, 2010

10:04 am

7lbs.12oz

20.5 inches long

she is so so amazing. thank you, Lord!!!

35 weeks.

2010-11-23T12:45:00.000-06:00

my friend m.n. just sent me these photos and I realized that my mom has not seen me since I was 30ish weeks...so I have to post them :)

ld 4 weeks ago...

one of my dearest college friends, m.n.

2 +/- 2 weeks.

2010-11-17T10:36:00.001-06:00

the time has come and i am pumped. my fav things lately have been baking and washing ld's clothes/diapers. must be that nesting finally kicking in.

i bought d some amazing, flower filled, hair accessories on friday and felt kind of guilty so here is my attempt to make up for that. a little boy would be such a blessing.

etsy shop: cloo gifts

i know this is a girl - but so cute for a little man.

etsy shop: mya's eyes

joanna goddard(of cupofjo fame)'s, son, toby.

cutest little boy of 2010 besides rocco p. & seb s!

rocco's room

2010-11-11T10:40:00.002-06:00

my college roomate, mk, had the most beautiful little boy in september.

in fact, she was in labor on labor day.

i think that's really cool.

little rocco!

i think you will love his wonderful nursery that his pretty mama decorated.

vintage crib that mk found at a flea market for 40 bucks WITH MATTRESS!!! paired with a dwell studio for target sheet (little d has the matching receiving blankets!..the sheet is still available for purchase)

look at that amazing cowhide.

and the metal stackables hold rocco's diapers and sheets.

another view of the amazing crib...mk just ordered new blinds but i like the shower curtain that she used temporarily! it totally works. i am sure her or her dad painted those little block paintings on the wall but she didn't say.

this shot shows off the beautiful wall color she chose.

mk & her husband just bought this house. it looks like it has amazing character!

rocco's door :)

the closet/cubby...look at rocco's amazing vintage suitcase collection!

wonderful lime green chair.

thanks for sharing, mk. i can't wait for rocco and little d to meet and be friends (or boyfriend/girlfriend)

miss you so much!

vote.

2010-11-01T11:50:00.000-05:00

We are SO fortunate to live in America...so get out tomorrow and VOTE!!!

God bless the USA.

my words.

2010-10-28T08:06:00.002-05:00

i want my words to be a blessing.
i want them to be an example for little d.
encouraging to my husband
and everyone around me.
i fail in this a lot.

a portion of today's devotional that i receive every morning:

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips, Psalm 141:3(NASB) that I may not stumble in what I say. James 3:2(NASB)

Let my speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, Colossians 4:6(NASB) and enable me always, out of the good treasure of my heart, to bring forth what is good. Matthew 12:35(KJV) Let my mouth utter wisdom, and my tongue speak justice; Psalm 37:30(NASB) and do not let Your words depart from my mouth, nor from the mouth of any of Your people, nor from the mouth of our offspring, nor our offspring’s offspring, from now and forever. Isaiah 59:21(NASB)

Enable me always to open my mouth in wisdom, and let the teaching of kindness be on my tongue. Proverbs 31:26(NASB) Give me to know what is acceptable, Proverbs 10:32(NASB) that my tongue may be as choice silver, and my lips may feed many. Proverbs 10:20-21(NASB)

-via matthew henry's method for prayer daily devotional

healthy rainbow pancakes!

2010-10-27T08:06:00.000-05:00

photo: mckmama

i can't wait to make these for/with little d.

being pregnant is a wonderful thing.

2010-10-21T10:47:00.000-05:00

many people stop me during the day and ask "how is it going?" "is it getting pretty bad?" "are you soooo uncomfortable?" my answer is usually "I feel great." because I do. and God is good. I was excited to be pregnant for many obvious reasons but I think the world gives pregnancy a bad wrap. It's a blessing. Children are a gift from God and so is the way that He designed them to come in to this world. It can be a little uncomfortable sometimes but here are a few reasons why I love it:

1. little d is with me all the time!!
2. people stop me in the skyway (minneapolis's version of a sidewalk)/elevator and tell me that i "look sooo cute" or ask me "when are you due?" then we get to have a fun little blessing of a conversation.
3. i felt like making thanksgiving dinner on tuesday, and so i did.
4. i eat lots of donuts.
5. people wait way longer than usual to hold a door open, offer to carry your groceries, or just stare at your big belly and smile (usually in a very non creepy way)
6. receiving many picture texts/care packages with little pieces of little d's wardrobe. our families excitement about our little gift could be the best part of the whole thing.

thanks Lord. praying and hoping for when we get to meet this little one. and enjoying my pregnancy until then.

cloth diapering I

2010-10-08T12:51:00.002-05:00

i am really excited to use my little tiny cloth diapers...i keep looking at these pictures of an 8 week old...

prefold with bummis cover over it.

w/o cover

photos used with permission from greenmountaindiapers.

why am i cloth diapering? i had intentions of writing this long, informative masterpiece post about my journey to this decision but i still haven't finished it so i will sum it up with bullets in the order of how it came about:

i was cloth diapered
i thought it would save me thousands of dollars
gwynnie worked at a store that sold cloth diapers and gave me amazing information
i did tons of research. like days worth.
i realized that because we pay for our laundry by the load it will only save us a couple hundred dollars for our first babe ($1000+ for babies # 2, # 3...etc. so we decided it was still worth it!)
cloth diapers are adorable and amazing for my babies bottom (i.e. no chlorine/chemicals that are not allowed to be in feminine products but are pumped in to disposable diapers)
it takes 500 years for 1 diaper to degrade in a landfill. and let's face it. i'm somewhat of a crunchy con.
i hear that with SOME cloth diapers/babies you will have less blow outs and less diaper rash. i am not depending on this 'hearsay' but hoping it will be true for me & little d!!!

i will be using prefolds from mamagoose/prowraps through the newborn stage. after little d is about 10-11 lbs i will use a combination of prefolds from mamagoose/greenmountaindiapers with bummis/thirsties covers and some all-in-one cloth diapers (fuzzibunz&bumgenius). this could very well change...but it's the plan as of now.

prowrap over prefold for the newborn stage.

fuzzibunz all-in-one (can be used from 10 lbs. to potty training)

bum genius 3.0 all in one (can be used all the way through as well!)

i have never changed a cloth diaper. i don't even think i have seen a baby wearing one in real life. this could be awful...however, i have committed to it and am ready for the challenge!

God bless your weekend :)

last night's dinner

2010-09-30T13:01:00.000-05:00

quick, easy, full of omega 3's...and JD loved it.

salmon cakes.
a couple tbsps olive oil
1 stalk of celery
a little bit of an onion (about a 3rd is what I used)
1/2-3/4 cup oatmeal
1 egg
2 6oz. cans of trader joe's wild salmon (or any kind...but tj's is salt free and really good/cheap)
a spoonful or two of mayo
a couple tbsp of fresh or dried parsley
salt & pepper to taste
lemon

preheat oven to 450. saute chopped celery and onion in oo (maybe add some garlic...i didn't but will next time) for a couple of minutes. mix up the rest of the above ingredients...add sauted celery/onion last. make little cakes (this makes 8 medium sized ones) with your hands. if you a lot of time...brown the cakes in the same pan with a little bit more oo for a couple minutes. i just baked them on a greased cookie sheet for 15-20 minutes. mix up the below sauce in a bowl. serve over salad or however you want with lemon wedges and lots of sauce drizzled on top. this fed us for one meal with enough leftovers for one of us to have it for lunch but we eat a lot. enjoy!

yummy sauce.
a couple tablespoons of plain yogurt
a couple tablespoons of mayo
fresh or dried dill
1/2 of a lemon worth of juice

**note: you could make this gluten free by substituting oatmeal with quinoa. you could also sub oatmeal with breadcrumbs.

recipe inspired and changed around from one i found on eatingwell.com

31 weeks

2010-09-28T12:02:00.000-05:00

for my 2 friends that don't have fb.

and because, let's face it. i love being pregnant.

this was taken by ap at the most lovely baby party/shower that her and cz threw me last weekend.

it blessed jd and i so very much!!!

the weekend.

2010-09-24T12:09:00.001-05:00

crazy week and not a lot of time to blog. i hope that you have a fabulous weekend and enjoy this adorable little website:

http://www.joyfolie.com/

sneak peak:

photos: joyfolie
yes these are baby/toddler shoes!!!
even though I would wear them all.

happy birthday weekend to my beautiful mom and mom d! not only are they amazing mothers but now...gorgeous grandmas~so thankful for you both.

happy constitution day.

2010-09-17T08:32:00.002-05:00

today we celebrate the creation of our great countries Constitution. have you read it? you should. if you need a free copy go here.

"a government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have."
-ronald reagan

God bless the USA.

nursery inspiration II

2010-09-16T12:23:00.003-05:00

wonderful but pricey crib.

i think i more enjoy the little babe sitting in front of it.

tangerine seersucker fabric.

beautifully neutral.

buttercream.

the two looks above remind me of frank's nursery in Father of the Bride 2...

top 10 best movies ev.

but not as good as FOB 1.

perfect nursary rug.

via anthro.

thrift store chair re-covered...so lovely!

this wall color and bedding might be my favorite so far...

bedding is same as jenna lyons nursery from my

first nursery inspiration post

photos: me&wee

the more important post of the day.

2010-09-13T16:00:00.000-05:00

why you are an amazing brother:

you're the only one that shares my love for everything gummy
you remember every, annoying, detail of our hilarous, wonderful, childhood like...
loosing our luggage half way across the world.
playing "post office" day after day after day.
catching frogs night after night.
ACCENTS.
junior mint disasters.
skyway mcdonalds returns
you did not like the beach (ptl that you do now!)...but you still let me sit there all day, every vacay.
you still love me even though i made you late to first hour wayyyy too many times.
you talk more than i do.
you have the greatest taste in music.
you will be an amazing uncle!!
you miss him just as much as I do, in the same exact way.

and you ROCK.

have the best birthday bb!! i'm always here for you.