Cookies and Cups part 2

First up this week? Pull Apart Praline Bread

Rating: 4/5 spatulas

Unfortunately I don't have a picture of this one. Don't get me wrong. This was incredible. Moist, delectable, tons of flavor...the icing. Oh my word. It was out of this world. However. For my stage of life right now, it was a little too time consuming. And it was best right out of the oven. Even 2 hours later it had lost some of it's awesomeness. If you can guarantee that it will be eaten as soon as it comes out of the oven, make it. If not, I'd probably use my time baking something else. 

Next up? Fudgy Brownies

Rating: 5/5 spatulas

Delicious,  moist, and super easy to make. Grey said I could stop trying any other brownie recipe. This was "the one." She uses melted chocolate instead of any cocoa powder. That, my friends, delivers the fudgy-ness that is out of this world. We made these for small group and I got several compliments!

Ps- EL posing with my baby picture. Girrrlllll. You look just like your momma.

This Week

There were a lot of temper tantrums,

Rolling over,

 Little lady snuggles,

 Vacuuming,

 Toe grabbing,

 Selfies,

 Rocking out,

 Falling over,

 Sitting up,

 Rough housing,

 Little man snuggles,

 And toddler taken selfies.

Randoms

For June, we've nicknamed it, "clean out the freezer" month. I've got food in there from before James was born. Woof. First up? Frozen bacon, sausage links, and biscuits from YEARS ago. Yummy.

Emmie Lyn had her four month checkup yesterday. She, like James, has slowed down on her weight gain. She weighed in at 13lbs 6oz (48%) and was 23 1/2 inches long (25%). 

She also has trouble turning her head to the right. Weird?! We're supposed to work on that at home.

Today is Grey's last full day of teaching, ever! The old man will start an IT job at another school come August. He could not be more excited. 

Speaking of, I've agreed to teach part time (8-10 every morning) starting in August. 

I need someone to come shave our cats. 
I. Cannot. Handle. Their. Annual. Hair. Shedding.

The splash pad opens on Monday! 

We found the four ft long snake yesterday. He was coming through the roof of the goats' house. I think he was hungry. 

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today was Memorial Day Weekend.

One year ago today, I had a suspicious feeling that something was "off" with my body.

 One year ago today, I took a pregnancy test a few days early.

One year ago today, It came back positive.

 One year ago today, my life changed. 

 Truthfully, I think back on this past year a lot. The emotions, the "missed" job opportunity, the growing belly, the fearfullness of what it meant to have two kids two years apart... I spent a lot of that year filled with anxiety and worry.

 Now? I could not be more thankful at how my life has turned out. Thanks be to God for being in control and planning my life better then I could ever imagine!

 Your bald head, your beautiful blue eyes, your chubby thighs

 Your gorgeous smile, your luscious cheeks, your sweet round belly

  Emmie Lyn, you are forever mine and I am so glad!

PS - this is my, "Holy Crap. This baby is a girl" face. :)

4 months!

Emmie Lyn,

Happy 4 months old (tomorrow)! For once, I'm ahead of the game instead of being behind. Go me. The theme of this month? Drool and Sleeplessness!

 This month has been a doozie. You're still on the same schedule as before, sleeping 13ish hours at night. You usually take a 45 min morning nap, a 2 or 2 1/2 hour midday nap, and a 45-60 minute late afternoon nap.

 The past two weeks have consisted of a major growth spurt. Many days, you could not make it the 3 hours in between feedings. You'd wake up from your midday nap after 30/45 minutes and refuse to go back to sleep unless I nursed you. Surprisingly, an hour later, you'd still nurse like your life depended on it. Those precious nights of getting up 1-2 times in the middle of the night are LONG GONE. This month, a good night meant getting up twice. Most nights consisted of getting up 3 times and the last 2 weeks, I've gotten up 4-5 times a night. The past three nights, you haven't slept for longer than a 2 hour stretch before wanting to nurse. Baby girl, with a toddler to chase during the day and you keeping me up at night, that makes for a really REALLY tired, cranky, and patience-less momma. Your poor brother has gotten the rotten end of that deal.

 You still hate tummy time and usually just flop around on the ground. You are working on sitting up and can usually balance for 1-2 seconds before you lose it. You still love to stand up and you've started squealing at the top of your lungs when you do it. James always gets excited and says, "Emmie is squawking Mommy!"

(James is protesting getting his picture taken)

 "There There James"

 "James! Show your sister some love!"

 Turd.

 Emmie Lyn, you still love your play mat and we've recently started putting you in the exersaucer! I'm proud to say that you no longer occupy the bouncy seat on top of our kitchen island. We've moved you into the high chair (for as long as you'll put up for it) during meals. Yay! 

You're still in 3 or 3-6 month clothes and size 1 diapers. 
I got you to laugh today (even amidst your brother screaming from being in time out) and it was the best thing I've heard all week. 

 You're my bright blue eyed, drooly, sweet cheeked little lady and we love you so much!

Crib Sleeping

Belly showing, mouth wide open. 

This is how we roll.

Meet Donald and Hilary!

We got goats!

The facts:

They're Nigerian Dwarf/Pygmy goats.

They eat poison ivy.

They poop everywhere.

They are like dogs. They follow you around the yard, crawl into your lap, and hop up on your back.

This is Donald. He likes the ladies. He's the most social and cuddly goat.

This is Hilary. She's a bit shy but she's coming around

This was not staged. :)

They're awesome!