Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Take the name poll!

On the right, please help us pick the middle name. We are stuck!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

I cannot decide!

I have been trying to figure out what temporary sleeping device I should purchase for when Bianca is born. I have 3 options.

A Bassinet like this one:


It has storage underneath and the bassinet comes off so I can carry it to any room in the house, convenient for having the baby sleep downstairs in particular. And once it is downstairs it will be on the floor where the girls will probably disturb her. But it doesn't have much use after she is sleeping in her crib.

A Mini Pack and Play like this one:


It is small enough to move through the doorways so I could pull it to other rooms but getting it downstairs would be more complicated. However, it can then be used to keep her safe once she is able to sit up - but I never really did that with the other two girls. And its good if we travel later on. She can still sleep in it once she is older. Added benefit to this one is that it matches our bedroom exactly. haha.

Or this Rock n' Play Sleeper:

It folds up so I can easily get it downstairs and it is taller than just a bouncer so I can reach her from the bed. But she would have to be strapped in and that is more complicated since I will probably be swaddling her. Oh, it also rocks! That could be useful. Once again it does not have much use once she is in her crib.

I will have a bouncer that will be used downstairs mostly and she could sleep in that occasionally for naps etc. That is what I did mostly with Gwen anyway - had the bouncer in the living room and a pack and play in my bedroom for night time.

Slight side note: My doctor wrote in the date August 16th to induce me so as long as I am dialated by that date I will be having her on the 16th.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Our Dinner Tonight

I think this is pretty good. I kept thinking there was not going to be any flavor to this dish because its basically chicken broth with cream cheese but it was actually quite flavorful. And I like that you can make it a veggie-ful as you like! Ours was probably half veggies.


Creamy One Pot Pasta

Ingredients:
4 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 jar of sun dried tomatoes*
3 cans (5 and 1/4 cups) chicken broth
1 lb. uncooked pasta (I used bow tie)*
1 head broccoli (2 cups)
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
4 oz. cream cheese
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
grated parmesan

Directions:
Cook garlic in 1 tbsp. oil in stockpot for a couple minutes. Add broth, cover, and bring to boil. Stir in pasta, cover and cook for 6 to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, chop broccoli and carrots and slice tomatoes. Cut cream cheese into cubes. Add veggies, cheese, salt and pepper to pot. and stir until cream cheese is melted (do not drain pasta). Reduce heat, cover and cook 4-5 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Brian's Birthday Party

We had Brian's birthday party on Saturday. I did not take any pictures - how strange of me! A bunch of people came so it was a nice turn out and Brian was particularly happy! Our main activity for the party was food. Here was our menu:

Shredded BBQ Beef
Chicken Salad
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Green Salad
And a nice Fruit Salad

I really liked the chicken salad but I think the BBQ Beef was the biggest hit so here is the recipe.

Barbecued beef sandwiches, cooked in the slow cooker.
Ingredients:

2 1/2 to 3 lbs lean chuck roast or bottom round
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup wine vinegar
2 tablespoons spicy mustard or Dijon
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Preparation:

Place beef roast in crockpot. Combine remaining ingredients; pour over roast. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours. Remove roast, shred meat. Place shredded meat back in crockpot; stir to coat well. Spoon barbecued beef onto toasted sandwich buns and serve with extra sauce, if desired.
Serves 6 to 8.

The girls had quite a few friends there so they were super happy and occupied the whole time. And when they were tired of playing with the kids they had plenty of people to help them play the Wii. The Wii was Brian's birthday/graduation present from my mom! The girls are finally figuring out how to do most of the games on their own. Apparently Gwen is really good at golf which makes sense beacuse she is spinning all of the time.