The Past 6 months...

The Past 6 months…

·         

      From 1 child to 2 children

·         From only child to big brother

·         From family of four to party of five

·         From contractions once a day for 2 weeks to every 3 minutes

·         From an ambulance ride to being strolled into the OR for an emergency C-section

·         Troy rushing from Boston to be by my bedside in the middle of the night

·         From 4 lbs 3ozs to 15 lbs 6ozs

·         From 45 cm to 65 cm

·         From 1 ml of milk every 4 hours to 7 oz of milk every 4 hours

·         From long walks down empty hospital halls to strolls around the neighborhood

·         From emotional roller-coasters to emotional highs

·         From CPAP machines and beeps to giggles and coos

·         From every 2 hour positional changes to rolling over by himself

·         From tears to laughter

·         From helplessness to hopefulness

·         From the Jewish Hospital NICU to St. Mary’s Hospital NICU to home

·         From doctor appointments every 2 days to every 3 months

·         From premature diapers to size 2 diapers

·         From 3 lb clothes to 3-6 month clothes

·         From emotional wounds to emotional healing

It’s amazing how much prayer and faith can do.  Every day I look at this miracle and feel so blessed. God continues to amaze me.   “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6

One way to Troy's heart...

Apple Turnover's

Sometimes it's true when your grandmother said, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach!"

Recipe:

Filling:

• 4 cups diced apples (I prefer granny smith apples)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 cups water 
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or if you don't have any use flour)
• 1 tablespoon of water 

Peel and dice apples and soak in lemon juice and 4 cups of water for 5-10 minutes.  Then melt butter in skillet (medium heat) and add apples and continue to cook for 2 minutes.  Add brown sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon of water, stir and cook until sauce thickens.  

Dough:

• 1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt (pinch)
• 1/2 cup of butter, room temperature cut into chunks
• 3 tablespoons ice cold water
• I add a few pinches of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to my flour

Sift flour and salt and then cut in butter with either two knifes or a pastry blender.  It should look crumbly or like coarse cornmeal.  Then add ice water and stir with a fork or mix with your hands.  Then mold dough into a ball and chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.  (cold dough is easier to work with)

When ready take dough and roll and cut circles out.  I used a cereal bowl (from ikea :) to measure the size of my circle.  Scoop a tablespoon of filling into the center of the circle, then fold over and press the edges together with a fork.  Cook at 400F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  

Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk or water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pour over baked turnover and then top with left over filling and ENJOY!!!

Thai Coconut Chicken Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms

Thai Coconut Chicken Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe

Ingredients: 
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (3-4 breast)
3 tablespoons Olive oil
2 tablespoons Olive oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 (14 ounce) cans coconut milk
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root (I add more)
4 tablespoons fish sauce
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup shiitake mushrooms (I add more)

Directions

Cut chicken into thin strips and saute in oil (can use sesame seed oil) for to 2 to 3 minutes until the chicken turns white.
In a pot, bring coconut milk, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and broth to a boil. Reduce heat. Add ginger, fish sauce, lime juice, cayenne powder and turmeric. Simmer until the chicken is done, 10 to 15 minutes.
Sprinkle with scallions and fresh cilantro and serve steaming hot. (or broccoli sprouts)

Happiest Baby on the Block

Colton really is the happiest baby around.  We are truly blessed with this little angel.  Being born at 32 weeks was a shock for both Troy and I.  He, however, has surpassed all with how well he is doing.  He is a little behind on some of the developmental things (sitting up, rolling over, etc)

but the doctor told us it would be around 2 years until he fully caught up.  So we go by his adjusted age which is almost 4 months instead of 6 months.  So the good news is he is right where he needs to be for a 4 month old!  He continues to amaze us every day!

JP's Birthday Party

Glad this one is over.  Nothing like 15 five year olds running around like crazy monsters.  We did his birthday party early this year so his Papa could be there!

Birthday Goody Bags

 For Jackson's 5th birthday we had the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Theme and I wanted to make name tags for the good bags.  I actually was just going to paste them onto a white lunch bag but my husband came home with the plastic TMNT bags.  So I just changed them into name tags for the kids.  Fun and easy and adds a personal touch!

Start with a template

Add mask and then cut out white circles for eyes. 

Then use either black marker for eyes or you can cut out black circles.

There are numerous options for the mouth like using white construction paper and black marker for teeth but the birthday boy requested this mouth.  (much easier--just added on with a black marker)

Finally...I'm back!!!

I decided to create a new blog about "Domesticating Betsy!"  My family and friends know that I struggle with this "stay-at-home" mom persona, so I thought I would share with you my struggles and successes.  Hopefully you will find my journey as amusing as my soon to be 5 year old son and 5 month old baby!  My husband on the other hand continues to just look the other way.