PEA pod, Sweet PEA,, PEAnut

PEA

May 13 at 5:52pm- 6lbs. 3ounces- 18 inches long- He is precious in every way. The girls adore him. I will post some non-hospital photos in the next few days but I wanted to post a couple for you die hards out there who have been waiting so long to see him. Thumb suckingFirst BathPea pod had a tough time breathing for a couple days so he had to stay in the NICU and the girls couldn't hold him. They were kind of devastated but they came to the hospital everyday to peak in the windows at him. All the nurses were smitten by their cuteness.
Thanks Mom!
First Day home. Princess K could finally hold him- and she did- every second she could. She developed a cold over the last few days and hasn't been able to which has caused many an emotional meltdown! But, atleast we know she loves him.
Pea pod is thinking, "Dad, I can't wait to have silver basketball shorts like you!"

Love you all! Stay tuned for more.

Likely my last night as a mother of 3...

Hello family and friends. I wanted to post a few of my favorite pictures over the past few months because it may be a while before I get around to this again. I wanted you to have something to hold on to and remember us by. Baby brother will probably be here tomorrow some time being delivered via c-section at OC Hospital. Thanks for all your name ideas! We really do love the input (even if we think the names you suggested are hideous ;-) !!

Some photos from Easter-ish

A note to my girls in preparation for our boy...

I have had anxiety for the last nine months over this night. The night that I would kiss my girls to sleep and the next day, bring a baby boy into our family. There is no joy like having each of you in my life...

When I brought this "cake" home from our first ever Allgood Baby Boy shower, Princess K, you said this was the most beautiful cake you had ever seen. You girls find the amazement in everything.
Thank you girls for being flexible. This sled was delivered by Santa in February because they were sold out EVERYWHERE around here. I hope flexibilityis a trait you develop because you certainly won't get it from your mom. Sorry.

Please always be best friends. I know that is a tall order but your family will always love you... boys, clothes, and friends will not---- so, be good to eachother.

Thank you for being full of wonder.
MJ, you are the middle kid- and perfectly suited to it. You are beautiful. You are easy going and in your baby blessing, your dad said you would be a peacemaker. I think you are a peacemaker but not in the traditional sense. You make peace by making us all laugh hysterically because you are s stinking funny. You make peace by getting really mad when we don't follow our own rules and you try to restore order. You make peace by getting mom diapers and wipes to change Reb's diaper. You are such an incredible addition to our family and I know you make sacrifices everyday because mom calls you Reb all the time on accident and you tell me, ''it's okay mom". You also looked like you had seen a ghost when we found out we were having a boy. I love that about you. I always know how you feel and I am so grateful you are my daughter.

Princess K, our oldest. Not just the oldest in age but wise beyond your years. Your concern and sensitivity to others has been an example to me. After we had you, our doctor told us he was cautiously optimisitic about your well being because you were so small. Since then, you have become the cautious one. I love your spirit, I love your strength and I love your goodness. I look forward to growing up with you! You are small but you are strong. Thank you for being amazing.

Our baby girl. Even though you hit the terrible twos with a vengeance, your terrible is only bad when you want me to hold you and I can't. You slept through the night from birth, you never cried when you woke up- you just waited patiently for us to come and get you. You didn't walk until you were 18 months because you were content just chillin. I love you more with every day that goes by. Thank you for being you. I couldn't have asked for a more delightful youngest daughter. I adore you Reb.

Here is the reason I have these kids. This guy is amazing. There isn't a better dad on the planet and there isn't a better husband. You Jared encourage me to be my best without asking me for a thing. You make me laugh everyday- even though it is usually at myself. You tell me I am the cutest ever. And what girl after 8 years and 4 kids doesn't want to hear that from someone who actually believes it? I am so thankful for the sacrifices you make for our family. You are a rockstar and I love you and I am so excited to bring another baby home from the hospital with you. I am SERIOUSLY, SO BLESSED!!! ;-)

A Twist on Hawaiian Haystacks

A confession...
The first time I heard of these was almost 5 years ago- right after we moved to Cedar Hills. Someone invited us over for dinner and when I offered to bring something she told me we were having Hawaiian Haystacks so I could decide what went well with them.
--Insert justification here--- I had just had a baby and was a little hormonal/emotional and was having problems with nursing. So, after some searching on the internet, and learning what they were- I burst into tears. I really did. Cream of Mushroom soup and chicken in the crockpot until completely mushy, covered with cheese and other vegetables served over white rice. I wanted to call her back and say, "NOTHING goes well with Hawaiian Haystacks, those sound nasty!" Thank goodness I didn't though. After some minor alterations, they have become one of my favorite dinners!

So here is my recipe-
1- 3-4lb. boneless pork butt roast or 3-4 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
1 can of coconut milk (light or regular)
2 T. soy sauce
1/3 cup pineapple juice (from 15oz. can of pineapple tidbits- reserve fruit for toppings)
1 1/2 tsp garlic salt
**Put all ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low 8 hours. Once chicken is done, turn crockpot off and let sit in juices for 10-20 minutes.

8-10 servings of jasmine rice
**While meat is resting, prepare rice according to package directions. When rice is done, shred meat and place in serving containers. Keep rice and chicken SEPARATE for fear of mushiness.

For the toppings: (chop enough to last a couple of days if you eat leftovers because I will eat this for dinner the first day, lunch and dinner the next and usually lunch and dinner the next.) Just bag your veggies up individually.

Celery- diced
Tomato- diced
Green Onion- chopped
Pineapple- tidbits (a 15 oz. can)
Toasted Coconut
Crunchy Chow Mein Noodles
Cheddar Cheese- finely shredded
Shredded or grated carrots
Bell pepper (any color)- chopped or diced
Toasted almond slivers or cashews