Can't You SEA it's My Second Halloween

Last night was Trunk or Treat at church.  I have to admit it is one of my favorite things we do!  I did steal the idea from another church and bring it to ours, but that is not why I love it.  I just have the best time watching all the Trunk or Treaters interact with so many different, fun people from church. 

This year we were the recipient of the best hand me down costume.  Our friend Davis wore the octopus costume a few years and I raved and raved about how cute it was.  His sweet mamma offered to share it with us this year!  I still think it is the cutest costume ever!!!!

We decided to embrace the sea theme as well as that this is Avery's second Halloween since we did Guess Who's First Halloween with the Owl last year.  Be nice, I know there aren't ducks in the ocean, but it filled good trunk space.  I even played The Little Mermaid CD. 

Lou Lou was so nice she came to our house so that Avery could nap longer while we went to decorate our trunk and get ready for the fun.  Papa came straight from the airport to join in the fun, too.  Avery had a blast, but he did get hungry and need his snack cup by the end.  I realize Avery looks pretty bratty in this one picture, but I think the octopus cleave was pretty hilarious. 

And as you can tell Momma loves Halloween the most.  I can't help it, Aunt Linde has a really fun Birthday that I love to enjoy. 

Punkin at the Patch

Avery and I had big fun last Friday.  Aunt Linde took time out of her crazy work schedule these days to go to the pumpkin patch with us.  We had a great time.  The pumpkin patch was a really cute one by a church in our neighborhood.  It was a great fall morning to go and we were the only people there so Avery had free reign.  Sorry for the millions of pictures, but I thought it was fun to see him running all over.  Avery had tons of fun with the mini pumpkins.  He loved that they were just his size and he carried them all over the patch.  Aunt Linde even convinced him to kiss the pumpkin as we were leaving.

He also really liked beating patting the pumpkins and touching the warty ones. 

I thought it would be cute to get a picture of Avery sitting in the pumpkins because that was a super cute picture last year.  What a difference a year makes, we were NOT interested in sitting on the pumpkins this year. 

Wee've Got the Envelope

After Thursday morning Michael and I are breathing much easier.  We had our "big sono" at the perinatologist and got a great report!  Being an NICU nurse I really have a hard time not panicking about all the things that can go wrong, instead of being grateful for things that are right.  With both Avery and Wee 2 I find it a little easier to focus on the positive after the sonographer and perinatologist patiently explain to me how they can rule out many of my concerns at this appointment. 

And, most fun of all we have the envelope! 

YES!!! We will be suprised again, we loved it with Avery and are loving it again. 

YES!!!  Aunt Linde will know the big secret again.  She doesn't know yet, but will before long in order to get started on the nursery that will be tied with Avery's for the cutest room ever!

YES!!!  I again have no mother's intuition about the sex of the baby, I assume boy because I feel like most families are one or the other, but no dreams, feelings, etc. 

NO, we will not have another gender neutral name.  Avery's worked out well but we choose that because it is Michael, his dad and grandad's name not because it worked well for a boy or a girl. 

YES!!!  We have a boy name. 

No, we don't have a girl name. 

U2!!!

Last night we went to U2 it was AMAZING!  Go see them if you have the chance.  For once we enjoyed the opportunities we so often pass up living in the "big city."  Of course I forgot the camera, but this picture does the tiniest bit of justice to the amazing set and concert experience.  Wee 2 also experienced the concert, when it first started there was a lot of movement, I am not sure if that was an "oh how fun, or mamma make it stop," but at least he or she can say they have heard U2 and Muse in concert!

I have to say a huge THANKS to our families.  My Mom and Linde and Jeff have gone way beyond the usual use and abuse we give our families, between Grandma Day Care and play time at Jeff and Linde's.  Last week Mom was on Avery duty while I worked, but then also kept him Thursday and Friday while we had walk meetings and parties.  She then helped with the walk Saturday morning AND kept Avery for us AGAIN!!!  Jeff and Linde hosted a slumber party for the Prince so we could go to the concert last night complete with fun with markers and letting him climb in her bed at 5 am.  What a wonderful support network we have!  And best of all they send pictures so we can still see our little man when we were away from him so much lately!  Thanks!  Thanks!  Thanks!

Year of the Walk...2 down 1 to go!

I think I will always think of this year as the year of the walk.  I decided in January that I ought to give the whole excercise thing a try again.... I just never love it, but I can walk. 

So, back in April I got my walks started off with the March of Dimes Walk for Babies.  It was so fun, I walked with my friends from work on a dreary, misty day.  But, we always have fun together and this day was no different. 

Well this weekend we got to have part 2 of the year of the walk.  Michael and I helped with this year's Dallas Walk for Honduras (this link shows some pictures from Saturday) benefitting Predisan.  Predisan is a really neat Christian, medical mission that we think is worth the walk. 

We had a great time on another dreary, misty morning with old friends from church and new friends we have made working with Predisan. 

Now, I just have the Breast Cancer 3 day left.  It isn't too late to support team Brownings for Boobs, Emme is so close she has raised 92% of her money, you could give her last 8%!

I just hope it isn't a dreary, misty 3 day walk.  I don't mind 3 miles in the rain, but I don't know that I want to do 60 in the rain. 

Easy Yummy Recipe

I should remind you I am not the greatest cook, but I do okay.  Since I love having recipes to take from blogs I am trying to do the same and share a few of our favorites every now and then.  This is Skillet Chicken and Rice and it is a huge hit with the men in my life, and VERY easy. 

Here's what you need. 

1 1/3c milk

1 (10 3/4oz) can cream of mushroom soup

1 (6oz) package QUICK COOK long grain and wild rice

4 bones and skinned chicken breast halves

1 tbsp butter or margerine

and we always eat this with green beans and black eyed peas, sorry I am WT I like canned green beans

Step 1 melt the butter in your skillet

Step 2 put the chicken in the skillet, I use the tenders, I think they are easier to deal with and cook through easier and faster.

Step 3, technically in a different bowl, but I just dump the milk, soup and rice packet with seasonings in the skillet.  You MUST get QUICK COOK, otherwise it will take years to cook. 

Step 4-Give it a good stir and bring it to a boil. 

Aren't these pictures disgusting???

. 

Step 5, reduce heat, cover and simmer 12 minutes or until chicken is done and liquid is absorbed.  I usually let it simmer a few minutes uncovered after the 12 it usually takes us about 20 minutes.  We don't like it runny.  Also, you have to stir every now and then so the rice doesn't stick to your skillet, but if it does it makes a nice little crunchy part like the best part of the dressing at Thanksgiving. 

See, I told you big fan, no smiles just diggin' in.

This may be a Southern Living recipe, Mom can't remember where she got it. 

Family, please be proud of me you will notice Avery's food is touching ever so slightly I am trying not to pass on my wierdness. 

Mother of the Year, Part 3

No, that's not my 18 month old in a infant seat(please note the disgusted face and crunched up legs)...  I would never do that.  

I would also never wake up at 9:15 notice that my child was still asleep and then read for the next hour until he did wake.  Not me, I would get up and be very productive with a whole hour to get things done.  I would also never turn on The View while I fed my little prince sausage balls instead of talking with him or watching an age appropriate show like his beloved Seasame Street featuring "melmo."  I would also never then hear the date announced and realize at 10:30 that we are supposed to be at the pedi's office at 11:00.  I would never then also remember that the car seat is in daddy's car, at the office.  I would not then strap his infant carrier in the backseat and hope for the best while flying down the road to the pedi's office.  Nope not me, I am mother of the year!