Happy Birthday

Providence turned 7. It's been a weekend full of celebration.

Thursday: Haircut
Friday (actual birthday): movie date with mama
Saturday: dinner and presents with Isaiah's family
Sunday: cupcakes with my brother and family.

I made chocolate zucchini cupcakes with the girls and they are so delicious! If you have as much zucchini in your garden as we do you need to make them. Right. Now.

Makes 24 cupcakes:

Cake:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Frosting:
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.

In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended.  (Looks kind of like moist sand).

Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and chocolate chips. Scoop evenly into 24 cupcake liners.


Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until cupcakes spring back when gently touched.  Cool completely before frosting. (I made them the day before).

To make the frosting, melt together the 6 tablespoons of cocoa and butter; set aside to cool.

In another bowl, blend together the confectioners' sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture.

Spread (or if the frosting is still a little warm you can dip them) over cooled cupcakes. Top with mini chocolate chips or coconut (or whatever else your little heart desires).

 

I have made this recipe sans frosting and it is still wonderful.

Boy is doing this, and girl is doing that

A lot of :mommy: bloggers do milestone posts for their kiddo's. I'm going to double up since Jubilee didn't get an 18 month one and is now 19 months. I know these may not be as much fun to read unless you are obsessed with the children making milestones... but not only am I obsessed with these two I also have a terrible memory so I'm doing it.

Asaph :: 3 Months

Wears 6m and weighs about 20lbs

Nurses on demand...a lot. And on that note he knows who feeds him - he's a total mama's boy for now.

Sleeps a 4-6 hour chunk but then nurses on and off for the rest of the night. Naps when and where he wants.

Blows bubbles and drools like crazy soaking anything in his path.

Loves his thumb, he sucks it with all other fingers straight instead of curled which results in a lot of eye poking. For some reason though, he won't do it in the car so we switch to the pacifier because he likes to suck on something while he falls asleep, and Isaiah can't handle the crying (not that I'm dancing jigs about it).

Smiles, oh how he smiles, just looking his way can produce one and melt your heart (such a difference from his sister Jubilee who was nothing like her name for the first 6+ months of her life).

Laughed for the first time for his Nana. Warning: his smiles make your heart melt but his giggles make your heart explode - really!

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Jubilee :: 19 months

Wears 2T and weighs about 30lbs

Sleeps 10-12 hours a night, takes one 1-2 hour nap.

Milk is her favorite food, she drinks 1-2 gallons of raw milk a week.

Talks all.the.time. Will repeat pretty much anything.

Thinks she is a big girl and wants to copy-cat everything her big girl sister does, whom she thinks is the greatest.

Loves, LOVES her father, when he comes home from work she'll squeal "Papa" and run to his waiting arms.

Aunt Kris is still her next favorite outside of immediate family. Grandpa is up there too.

Brings me the phone saying "Om, Om" to call Oma almost everyday.

Tells me when she needs to use the toilet about 30-40% of the time, her reward when she goes is to wash her hands, she thinks it's the best.

Is very maternal, loves taking care of babies real or dolls, worries when someone cries or gets hurt and will ask "kay? kay?" till she knows they are ok.

Favorite book is Goodnight Moon, she wants to read it over and over and over. When she reads to herself she'll point to letters and say "I, E, O" etc. without matching the sound with the letter.

Curious, independent and unafraid. Bad combination. Makes life an interesting challenge.

Throws mean tantrums, complete with throwing herself down and flailing limbs.

Is finally growing into her name, she brings joy to everyone she comes into contact with.

Along Comes Another Month

It has been over a month since I last posted. Life has been busy.

It's been busy-fun with:

-The reviews I am doing over at She {hearts} It

(I just posted a review about these summer sneakers).

-Providence lost both of her front teeth, LOVE that.

-Watching this little guy grow

-Going to the zoo with friends

-Building forts

-Parties and parties, baby showers, birthdays, graduations...

It's also been busy-hard, Isaiah had a seizure last month and besides the initial 911 call, ambulance ride, and hospital visit we've since been going to doctors, getting tests, seeing a specialist, etc. He is doing well, no problems since. His neurologist said it all points to pain medication that he was taking (seizure is a side effect).

On top of this the doctor told him he couldn't drive {at work} for 3 months, so over one weekend we weren't sure if he would even be able to keep his job since driving is part of it. Thankfully everyone that needed to be on board decided to work around his limitation and he is able to "ride-along" till August, when he will be released to drive again.

Providence and I have been reading about the Israelites in her Bible lessons, as we read each story over and over I shockingly tell her how they didn't learn...they STILL didn't trust the Lord to take care of them after all HE had done. Then my surprise and disgust turns to shame, I'm right there with them. Fretting after all He has done.

Yummy in my tummy

While working through my yeast issues my diet is extremely restricted. Nothing to feed the yeast: sugar, fruit, processed foods, refined foods, gluten, even some starchy veggies like carrots, potatoes, and corn, all no-nos for the time being.

This is forcing me to be a little more creative in the kitchen. I warned Isaiah that dinners around here may be getting strange for a bit, like mashed turnips instead of potatoes (delicious by the way). Perhaps it's not so strange for some (like me) but my pickiest eater by far is my husband and I wanted to warn him. I found some great recipes that fit my criteria. Though some of them I've been a little apprehensive about sharing with the man of the house, he is the type that just won't eat what he doesn't want.

One of them was planned Wednesday night, a recipe that sounded wonderful and simple:

Coconut Chicken with Spinach

For 2 servings:
1 large chicken breast (chopped)

3 cups baby spinach
1 onion (chopped)
1/2 cup coconut milk
3 tablespoons coconut oil
Handful of almonds
Salt and pepper to taste

Add almonds to the food processor to chop them up, then lightly brown in a pan with coconut oil. Set aside.

In a pot, add the coconut milk and spinach, then cover on a low heat to simmer.

Now add the onions to a second pan for 2 minutes with coconut oil, then add chicken until thoroughly cooked. Take the chicken and onions and add them to the pot with the coconut milk and spinach. Stir and cover for 2 minutes. Served garnished with toasted almonds, salt and pepper.

SOOOO good, changes I made were of course doubling the recipe, I used regular spinach and slivered almonds so I was able to skip the food processor step, also I only had one onion but it was pretty big.

As I was preparing this mushy mess of goodness I thought "Isaiah will probably have to scrounge for dinner tonight I don't think he will touch this." I got a welcomed surprise when not only did he eat it but he said "This one's a keeper to put in regular rotation." Wow, his horizons may be expanding - I'm thinking of trying some kind of quinoa salad on him next.

*since I didn't take a picture of the dinner he is a picture of the picky eater*

Battle with the beast

The beast of yeast! I have been dealing with thrush the past 3+ weeks, horrendous. I've been trying to work on it naturally (you should see the arsenal on my counter of things I am taking for this) but this last Sunday Isaiah told me to go to the doctor. He said he didn't want to hear me sobbing as I nursed anymore. So on Monday I went and we were prescribed nystatin, granted I was already beginning to improve by Monday and I am just continuing to do so. I can even talk while nursing again! Latching on still causes a sharp intake of breath at times but cracks are beginning to heal - hallelujah!

Life has revolved around nursing and taking many many things for my thrush for a few weeks now, it will be SO good to be able to nurse without thinking about it. To enjoy it. I hope those days are coming soon.

The corners of your mouth turn up

Ace loves his big sister - his biggest sister I should say. She can make him smile all live long day.

What's a Day, More or Less?

I have been meaning to post this short story for awhile now, but wanted to take a recent photo of Asaph to put up with it and haven't...so here's the story sans photo, but rest assured he's growing and still oh-so-cute in his little manly way.

An envelope arrived recently from the department of Health and Welfare, enclosed was birth certificate info that we need to make sure is correct. Since I like to read and verify these kinds of things (I typically I read any papers before I sign) I scanned over the facts

Name: Asaph blah-blah

Yes.

Sex: Male

Looking good.

Blah-Blah-Blah. Wait hold on there.

DOB: March 16, 2011

Ooops, he was born the 15th...

Unfortunately to have anything fixed on the birth certificate you need to have the corrections notarized. More unfortunately if the corrections happen to be the time or date of birth you need a signed affidavit from the birth attendant. They make this real easy for a gal who just gave birth. I called my midwife and she said she'd take care of it. I'm thankful because when I told Isaiah what we would need to do he said "Let's just leave it, it's only one day."

Collector

Providence has this obsession about rescuing anything she thinks can be reused. Boxes, containers, stained and ripped clothing, tiny pieces of paper, if I'm tossing anything out she will ask if she can have it. The other day it went to far, I was throwing away the plastic diaper wrapper and she asked if she could have it. In disbelief I asked her what she would use it for, she said "Oh lots of things, a bag, a hat..."

I'm afraid Providence has inherited my fathers lack of ability to throw anything away.

The Way Moms Think

For some reason when you become a mom bodily functions become a daily topic of conversation. This is today's main topic of conversation so if you're not a mom I'm warning you. First though I'll share a quick picture that anyone, mom and non-mom alike, can appreciate.

Jubilee has been growing up so quickly since Asaph arrived. Overnight it seems. Here she is today hard at work doing her "school."

Now onto the bodily functions...This morning while preparing for Providence's school Jubilee came up to me pointing to her diaper saying "poop" I was excited (a very motherly thing to be) that she was beginning to understand this and asked her if she went poop. She nodded vigorously, but when I checked there was none. I asked her if she needed to go poop and she again nodded. So onto the toilet she went where she lost no time doing her business all the while turning around to check her stuff out. She was very proud, proud of filling the toilet and proud of emptying it with a flush. Not sure if this is a one time thing here or the beginnings of something beautiful, but it's made me think about poo all day.

As the Dust Settles

We're all getting settled in, the past week has gone famously not just getting through the day but with school and laundry accomplished as well! The meals we were receiving from church are over now so this week I need to figure preparing dinner into the new life with three in addition. Trying to get out of the house still poses major planning but it will be second nature soon, I hope.

Jubilee loves her baby. But she likes to love him with smothers and eye poking so we have to monitor closely. Providence, of course is the most incredible helper. Her cheerful "yes mama" and mad dash to do whatever was requested makes life wonderful. She is a huge blessing to our family, I don't think I can quite articulate how much, but boy do I love her.

As for Isaiah and myself we're getting used to being kept up nights by the little man grunting. He sleeps great, just grunts all night long. However I got a pretty good stretch of sleep last night.

As for new arrival himself- my 3 week old son is just about grown out of 3 month stuff, good thing newborns legs are happy to stay pretty squished up.

My Sardines

When we found out baby #3 was on it's way I figured that a bigger car was in order. Alas I was mistaken, Isaiah discovered that we could just barely fit carseat, carseat, booster across and the hunt was quickly shut down. So now the kids are wedged in so tight they probably don't need to be belted in, but don't worry they are.

Oh the places we'll go

Well I did it. First outing with three chitlins all by myself. It went down pretty darn well too, despite the scattered showers.

Providence has soccer practice from 5:30-6:30, it's at a park less then 10 minutes away so I figured I would plan to leave at 5 (knowing that there would be some kind disaster like a diaper blowout causing me to leave about 15 minutes behind schedule). It worked like a charm and I was pulling out of the driveway at 5:10 (anyone else trick themselves like that?), as excited as I was to be running ahead of my real schedule (but behind my fake one) I was bummed to arrive at the park well over 10 minutes early and before anyone else...finding the middle ground of right on time is hard to do.

We sat in the car till the coach showed up and then I unloaded: first Providence she's easy and really she unloaded herself, then I put on my wrap and slipped Asaph inside. Last was Jubilee, who walked happily holding my hand, and boy did she seem big.

We played on the park structure while Providence ran around chasing soccer balls till it got too cold and rainy, for the last half hour the two littles and myself sat in the car while I nursed the boy and the girl pressed every button our pathfinder boasts. I had parked just so to be able to keep an eye on the 6 year old as well. Well done mama, well done.

I know am ridiculously proud of our hour long outing, and my meticulously executed plan, but I can't help it.

International my dear, because we're just that classy!

We have our first international giveaway over at She {Hearts} It. A Sunshine Kids booster seat, so hop on over there and sign up. You'll be glad you did because you can check out the other awesome giveaways on the right hand side while you're there.

The Down and Dirty

Both of my girls arrived fast and furious, labors from start to finish in under 4 hours.

Boys are different, so I've been told, and oh boy this one started mucho different.

I won't start with the distinct differences during pregnancy, or the months of cramping and contractions (you call them "practice" all you want, this time around they hurt). Nor will I go into the false labor I experienced for the first time. I will begin this story with Labor...kinda.

I have a wonderful midwife. I met her in 2007 at one of my SIL births and I said then "If I ever get remarried and have more children I want her." No one else would do. And so when I got re-married and found out I was having another child I called her right up. She was unable to attend Jubilee's birth due to a series of unfortunate events, including but not limited to: I went into

labor early, I was at my SIL's house which is an additional 30 min from mine (she already lives close to 2 hours away) and she had never been there, it was snowing heavily, and she wasn't called till about an hour before Jubilee came.

6 months later I am calling her again, I told you no one else will do. Truly, I'd rather have her there after the birth then a different midwife during.

Now we'll get to the labor...Sunday night I was once again experiencing cramping, I was tired and so finished. Frustrated with all the pain and discomfort with seemingly nothing to show for it. Everyone kept saying "It's doing something." but I couldn't see what it was doing and had no idea how long my body would just keep doing something. I figured I should call my midwife, before it got too late that night and let her know what was going on. She assured me she was staying in town, which means less the 30 mins away, and to not hesitate to call her.

Isaiah stayed home from work the next morning and our big hic-up was Jubilee happily bathing my phone in the toilet, the result was a completely dead phone and all contacts lost. Meanwhile my concerned midwife was trying to reach my now trashed phone and just getting voice mail. Around 1 or 2 that afternoon as I was trying to get some rest she stopped by and asked if I wanted her to check me. When she did she exclaimed I was at a 4-5! Boy did that put a smile on my face and filled me with renewed energy, nearly halfway there, the easy half granted, but on my way. I jumped up ready to walk the baby out.

We walked and I got tired, came home and rested, walked some more, rested. Slowly others

began showing up. Besides my midwife, her assistant, and an extra midwife that was getting certified and needed another birth, I had invited 3 of my SILs, 6 neices, and my mom who was staying with us.

Throughout the day I was having contractions, but it didn't seem to be really moving. I walked, rested, rolled around on a yoga ball, and did it all over again. Finally around 10pm I was ready to try to get some sleep, midwife checked me again, easily stretched to a 7. Yes. Really. And I was ready to go to sleep! So I did, for about 5 hours. As for the full house, some went home and some settled down to sleep.

On Tuesday morning I woke up around 3am with cramping again, the morning was more of the

same, moving and resting. Around 10-10:30 the 3 midwife ladies said they would leave to give some space but not be too far. I asked if I could take some castor oil at this point, my midwife didn't have a problem with it. She even had a recipe to make a milkshake, saying that it binds with the dairy, with less cramping. The recipe called for 4oz, we did half that. The shake wasn't bad tasting, just a little funky aftertaste. Thankfully, I didn't get any crazy cramping, about two hours later I went to the bathroom once. I came out and told Isaiah to call the midwife back.

I quickly moved into some real and HARD contractions, as I quietly worked through them, tears fell off my face. "I did NOT want to do this", I said over and over, even though I knew it was a little late, I just wanted it to be done. When I began involuntarily pushing everyone quietly arranged themselves in my bedroom (16 bodies, not counting my own) and I sat on a birth stool in the corner with Isaiah behind me. As I sat on the stool I remember saying "Get this baby OUT!" It

seemed mere moments before my body began convulsively pushing again. Providence who had wanted to catch baby was pushed up to the front as my water bags emerged, slight pause and it broke as head came, another slight pause and body came out. As baby was handed to me I announced "It's a boy."

My reward: Asaph - 11lbs - 23 3/4in - born March 15th

The Babe Arrives

And guess what, it's a BOY!!!

Asaph Leighton

41 Weeks Past

I have now been pregnant approximately 41 weeks (ok really 39 because the 40 week pregnancy wheel really starts at last cycle meaning conception takes place at week 2 of pregnancy) but for the sake of using the 40 schedule, because I have been, I am now 41 weeks. This is when I gave birth to Providence, a 9lb 12oz baby by the way. I think this one is going to top her, IF he/she ever wants to come out.

I think this feels so stretched out because I've (along with everyone around me) been ready and waiting for this baby for the last 4 weeks. Yes FOUR! I did that stupid thing I was saying over and over I wouldn't do- thought I would have the baby early, now baby's getting even.

I have a midwife appointment today, we'll measure this sucker and see that I'm still indeed growing (along with baby). That baby is doing fantastically well (seriously, how can baby move so much still, THERE IS NO MORE ROOM!) And that I could go at anytime. Guesses anyone?

Providence took this picture and I really liked it even if it's {just} a bit blurry.

3-2-1 Blastoff

She {hearts} it launches today with a review of Pure Anada (Natural Cosmetics and Botanical Skincare) including a giveaway worth $60. I am very happy to be a part of this team and will be even happier if you would check us out.

New Addition

But no it's not the baby.

Oma and Grandpa have been staying with us this week awaiting little one's arrival. Yesterday the sun was out and Providence asked Grandpa to play outside with her and help her clean up her playhouse. Guess what Grandpa found shut up inside.

I'm thanking the Lord that they found her when they did, and not a starved dead cat later. We don't really know how long she was imprisoned but I'm pretty sure Providence has been out there less then a week ago...poor thing was awfully hungry and attention starved.

After Providence cared for her the entire morning Isaiah told me "I guess this is how God gives pets to little girls whose Papa won't." He sat Providence down and told her that Mittens (Providence had named her) may be someone else's cat and might go back home, but if she sticks around then Providence needs to take care of her everyday. A few other rules are she's outside only, and if she sticks around for awhile she's going into the vet to get altered. Providence was a little disappointed about that, explaining that she LOVED kittens. But Papa is firm.

Due Dates and Sisters

Jubilee absolutely adores Providence. She follows her around the house and wants to do everything she does. Sometimes she will even refuse to give me kisses, instead bestowing them on her very willing sister. I love that they can, and do, play together. Providence doesn't seem to mind the copy-cat, yesterday she even picked out "matching" outfits for the two of them. Later I caught them spinning around in circles till they fell down in the living room. Their giggles are infectious, and I'm sorry you can't hear them.

Today is my semi-official due date. I've thought this is a boy nearly the whole pregnancy, and would really like to add some testosterone to our estrogen filled house. Watching the girls together however makes me think throwing another one in the mix would be fun too (not to mention the convenience of clothing). Thankfully I don't get to choose, God in His infinite wisdom does and we'll joyfully receive the blessing He gives.

Another Heartening Return

A few years ago I my friend Drea founded a mama review blog called SIMPLE (still going strong) and asked me on board. I enjoyed everything it entailed getting the products, trying them out, writing about them and telling other mothers...but when I got re-married I dropped out of the online world and needed a break. Which stretched a good two years. So imagine my excitement when Drea said she was launching a new review site with another friend, and asked if I would like to be a part of it. Hmm, let me think two seconds...YES!

She{hearts}it.com will officially launch March 7th with fun giveaways so take a peak and check back often.

False Alarm

2am Saturday morning I awaken with contractions, an hour later although things hadn't progressed I was having regular contractions every 10 minutes and unable to fall back to sleep. Considering that both of my other labor and deliveries were about 4 hours from beginning to end I thought I should call my midwife, and make the other calls when I was unable to rest in bed through the contractions. I then lay in bed thinking about this little one I would be holding as the sun came up.

Then the sun came up, no change. My midwife suggested taking a walk so I walked around and around the block making calls and telling others it might be the day. While I definitely had stronger and more frequent contractions on the walk it would slow right back down to every 10 mins once I returned home. Mid-day no change, evening no change. I felt the fool alright every time I had to call someone to say nothings changed.

Finally around 8 two of my sister-in-laws decided to take their children home to bed. We then put our own kids down and watched a movie. I fell asleep around 10:30 and slept right on through (minus bathroom breaks) to the morning. I awoke to cramping gone and regular contractions gone.

FALSE ALARM! I didn't think my body did that.

Pregnancy Dreams

This baby is still holding on, 1 week left till due date, but my guess is I'm going past that. So still being pregnant I am still having pregnancy dreams. Truly I have these kind of dreams even when not pregnant but for some reason while with child they're called "pregnancy dreams."

Last night Providence got attacked by a cycloptic octopus while we were living in a tree in the middle of an ocean. It was really scary. When I woke up with a pounding heart I told Isaiah, no details or anything, me just saying the dream aloud makes it more dreamlike. He assured me Providence was fine.

Marching On

Although everything else is ready, I think I have a 40+ week baby here, which means waiting for March. All supplies for the birth have been sitting out ready to go for a couple weeks now.

And me, this is what I can see, belly and more belly. Legs and feet are a thing of the past, in fact the only reason I know I still have them is because they hurt!

I do have to admit I love watching and feeling baby move, and somehow this little one still finds room to do it, a lot!

Wild Child

This past Sunday I had a baby scare. Jubilee tripped, crashed head first, and began crying- no surprise and not that scary, it happens all the time. The scary part was her coming up with blood and a split cheek that was already bruising. The bloody gash looked so wide on her tiny porcelain white cheek I was sure she needed stitches. Isaiah, unusually calm (he's the one checking temps and monitoring food/fluid intake of sick babies) cleaned it up and said a bandage was enough. As you can see he was right.

The picture does not quite do it justice (it looks like a little scratch and you can't really see any of the bruising) but you can see that it's healing up nicely and that Jubilee was quickly back to her wild ways. I thought I would get out of the crazy stunts till we had a boy.

Perhaps I am not as vigilant with number 2, or I have forgotten how it was but she sure seems to get into more sticky and dangerous situations then her older sister did.

Morning Snow

I love snow, it makes cold so, so, worth it. Of course I grew up in Sunny California without much exposure, and even here while we get some we don't get nearly enough, so it's special. Providence shares my enthusiasm about snow. Well honestly she is much more enthusiastic since she actually goes out to enjoy it, and I tend to enjoy it through a window.

Things Don't Always Go As Planned

I had planned to blog regularly in July when I came back, I really, really did. But I didn't, and each day that passed seemed to make it harder to get back to it. Then my sister inspired me, she hadn't blogged for two years and then just re-entered, if she can do it, I can do it...again. So here I am.

With seemingly constant contractions for weeks now, I was sure I would have had this baby by now. I am about ready to pop, and still have 2 (or more) weeks to go. This cell phone pic was taken last week at 37 weeks, and at my mid-wife appointment this same belly was measuring a solid 39+ weeks. I think my ribs will need to crack and the skin split to make ANY more room. I am amazed each day to wake up to find my body still intact. God sure has made us perfectly though and I can rest in knowing that He knows and plans the perfect timing for this little one to arrive, but I am still praying it's soon!