4 Months Old!

Little T is four months old!

Weight: 15 lbs 9 oz
Wearing: Officially into size 3 diapers. Since he's in the 75th percentile for both height and weight, I don't think he will be wearing 3-6 month clothes much longer... his toes are already getting all scrunched up in his footy pajamas. :)
Loving:
- Spending time outside, especially with how beautiful the weather has been
- Grabbing things within arms reach (and so it begins...), playing/practicing with his spoons
- Bathtime! He splashes the whole time, making it bathtime for both me and him! I'm teaching him sign language and the two signs he responds to/smiles at are "bath" and "milk". :)
- Reading books (He still "reads" with me)
- The "ABC's". It's become one of those songs that I can sing to him when he's frustrated and it calms him down.
- Laughing and smiling. He's one happy guy!

Poor Bear...

To Little T, Happy 4 months! You're getting so big so fast! You were such a good boy this weekend with all the errands we ran and you absolutely loved being outside "playing" disc golf with your Papa! And you are absolutely adorable in your hat. Outside is much more enjoyable when you don't have to spend all your time squinting your eyes to keep the very bright sun out. :)
To Handsome Hubby, You were post-call Friday, but since the hospital was full and not accepting any new patients, you didn't have to recover much when you got home. I'm sure you non-medical readers are wondering what that means... It means that you essentially had all Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off! What a wonderfully beautiful, exciting long weekend! What a treat!!
To the Incredible Long Weekend, At this stage in the home-buying process, we should be spending every moment of Little T's nap time packing. But, it was such a privilege having Handsome Hubby home, that what did we do? Be broke out Settlers of Catan and had our own little family tournament and went disc golfing! The house will eventually get packed up...
To the Catan Tournament, Two days. Eight games. Two sore losers (well, not too sore...there were two winners too). Ultimately, an even two-day tournament tie. Thanks for letting us have a little impromptu fun!

Food Friday!: Mama's Green Sauce Chicken Enchiladas

Food Friday!: Mama's Green Sauce Chicken Enchiladas

Several years ago, around the lunch table at work, an interesting question was presented to me (thanks Jagbirder Judy!): If I were on a deserted island and I could eat any meal of my choice for every meal while stuck on that island, what would it be? My answer?? My mama's Green Sauce Chicken Enchiladas. To say I love this recipe is an understatement. It has become my "go to" recipe for when I take meals to families and I was even introduced to some new people at church by a friend who had received one of my meals as the person "who makes the best enchiladas!" (Thanks Amy!). I was even so bold as to take a Mexican friend my enchiladas after she had her baby. Boy, was I glad that you enjoyed them Mexico Morris! I couldn't believe it when you asked me for the recipe! :) Alas, your baby girl is now over a year old, and I have just now finally gotten around to posting it as a Food Friday post.

Chicken not pictured :)

 Ingredients

1 cooked chicken, shredded
2 cans green enchilada sauce
8-10 flour tortillas
3/4 cup Mexican cheese, shredded (plus a little to garnish top)
1 can diced green chiles
1 medium onion, finely chopped
Oil (for frying tortillas)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour half a can of sauce in the bottom of a lightly greased 9 x 13" pan.

Add the other half of a can of sauce to the shredded chicken (roughly 4 cups), the 3/4 cup of shredded cheese, the finely chopped onion, and 1/2-3/4 of the can of diced green chiles (I use roughly 1/2, but you can add more if you would like a spicier enchilada). Mix well.     

In a frying pan, add enough oil to generously cover the bottom of the pan. Heat over medium-high heat. Lay each tortilla in the hot oil and quickly cook for approximately 5 seconds on each side. Place on paper towel covered plate to cool and to allow extra oil to drain.



Spoon chicken mixture into tortillas, roll, and lay into the green-sauced covered pan. Generally, I make 8 tortillas per 9 x 13" pan, although you can make more or less depending on how well you stuff the tortillas with the chicken mixture.

 

Ok, in this case, I had a little extra shredded chicken, so I actually made 2 pans of 5 enchiladas. One we ate, one is in the freezer.

Once the pan is full, pour the second can of green sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Cook for about 20 minutes, then remove from oven, and top with extra shredded Mexican cheese. Put back in oven until the cheese melts (about 6-8 minutes). Enjoy!!


Serving Suggestion: Spanish or Saffron Rice, Black Beans, and Salad (not pictured)


This makes one pan of enchiladas. Almost every time I make this meal, I double it, making one pan for another family (or my freezer to use later) and one pan for us to eat that night. They freeze really well, but I would recommend freezing it before cooking, and before adding the can of green sauce over the top. I instead keep that can in my pantry, ready to use whenever we eat the freezer meal, and I label it with "for pan in freezer" with a Sharpie so I remember that can is spoken for. I'm sure that some of my scientist tendencies will stay with me forever... :)

To Little T, One year ago this week we found out we were expecting you, on our church's day of prayer! The Lord blessed us with much when He sent us you and our life completely changed after that day! Thank you, Father, for blessing us with this beautiful child!
To the House Hunt, You are complete! Thank you to Mrs. Realtor for all your help! We are excited about this next transition this next month (What a year! A baby and a new house!) and slightly overwhelmed all at the same time. I will miss the home that we've had for the last 3 years. Now all I'm wondering is where will I get all the packing boxes?! The last move was all Fisher Scientific and Sigma boxes. :)
To the last three weeks, Where have you gone? Time flies when you are having fun! Now that the summer is over (hasn't the weather been beautiful?), our Bible studies have started up and I'm so looking forward to spending some wonderful time with our married group and my new moms Bible studies. We also ramped up, and then completed the house hunt, and started the process of all things paperwork and packing before closing next month. Handsome Hubby started a new rotation; we found new renters for our current dwelling; I broke a window (I blame the nice weather...); we've had three total visits from Little T's grandparents; and I feel like I'm still missing something...
To Handsome Hubby, It's going to be an interesting month ahead. Glad that I'm in this with you! I wouldn't have picked a better partner to make these big decisions with. Eeek! I feel like a real grown up. Nothing like having a mortgage to make you feel like an adult...Let's start packing!

Happy Labor Day!

To the Nursery Rocking Chair, While rocking Little T to sleep, I somehow get myself turned 180 degrees... and I always end up in the middle of the room. I wonder, if I rock long enough, could I end up turned 360 degrees and in the opposite corner of the room?
To Granny D, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Wishing you a wonderful, beautiful, amazing day. Wish we were there to celebrate with you! We love you, Son, D-I-L, Long Dog, and Little T!
To Long Dog, The other evening, I went to check on Little T after I heard him moving around in his crib. Lo and behold! You beat me to it! I found the nursery door open, and you sitting quickly next to his crib, listening. Thank you for being a good watchdog. I'll always know if something is up, since you supervise everything from bath time to pajama time and rush to his side at every little cough, sneeze, squeak, squeal, and bowel movement. Yes, I said bowel movement. Apparently Long Dog assumes something is very wrong when those sounds are made. :)
To the Neighbors Down the Street, I must admit that I was quite embarrassed as you walked by my house the other day. I'm sure you thought I was crazy when you saw me standing on my porch, leashed dog beside me, after dark, throwing sticks at the house just above my front door. I'll have you know that my husband (i.e. bug killer) wasn't home yet and there was a giant (I'm not kidding...) Palmetto bug just waiting to leap at me when I made my way inside. There is a method to my madness.
To the Yellow Jackets, Happy first game of the season! Go Georgia Tech! P.S. How did I become friends with so many Georgia fans??
To Handsome Hubby, It's Labor Day! Here's to landing a rotation at the VA hospital on a federal holiday. Surely they will send you home early! Sending happy home-early wishes your way! :)

Food Friday!: Chicken Taco Bowls

Food Friday!: Chicken Taco Bowls

So, I'm still pretty new to Pinterest. I have just started to use it as a resource for cooking, decor, and organization tips and I was pleasantly surprised when I found this recipe..and a crock pot one at that! Honestly, I have had some pretty bad experiences with dry, over-cooked, flavorless crock-pot meals. So much so, that I until recently, my crock pot spent much of the time under a layer of dust on a random shelf in my kitchen. Thanks to this recipe, though, I have pulled it out and really used it as a valuable appliance (for everything from making dinner to stocking up on shredded cooked chicken to cook with down the road)!  

This recipe is incredibly flavorful, and although it is easy to set up with only a handful of ingredients, it takes like I spent much more time making it. Try it! I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

Chicken Breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
1 16oz jar of salsa
1 1/2 lb bag of frozen corn
1 15 oz can of black beans
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tbsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tbsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp salt (optional)
2 cups dry white rice
Shredded cheddar cheese to garnish
Fresh Cilantro to garnish

Directions

In a crock pot, place the chicken breasts. Mix together all ingredients except the rice and the cheese and cilantro (to be used as garnishes) and 1/4 cup of water and pour over chicken, making sure the chicken is completely covered.


Place lid on crock pot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours (although my crock pot cooks hot, even on the low setting, and my chicken was cooked through after only 4 hours). I would recommend checking your chicken after 4 hours.

Prepare white rice according to package. Once chicken is done, shred with fork and mix. Assemble "taco bowl" by layering rice, then adding the chicken mixture, and adding cheese and fresh cilantro on top. Enjoy!

To the Baby in the Mirror, You have never been so entertaining! I've decided that Little T is going to be a social guy just like his Papa. Now I just need to get him to have regular play dates with other babies, so he doesn't grow up just talking to himself in the mirror. :) We start MOPS next week! I'm excited about him meeting some more real friends! For now, thank you for spending some time talking to my little man.
To Long Dog, Around lunch time the other day, I heard your tummy growl. It was then that I realized I had completely forgotten to feed you breakfast. I felt like such a bad Mama! Thank you for forgiving me and loving me anyway. Next time, you can remind me to feed you... You're such a good boy!
To the Dr. Husband, You starting a new rotation this week and I was happy to hear you got some OR time this week! I love getting to hear about your day, even if it sometimes involves almost getting bitten by an elderly patient (thankfully, he doesn't have teeth!) while putting in a central line! Thank goodness you got away unscathed.

Three Months Old!

So happy, his socks are falling off! :)

Little T is three months old!

Weight: Roughly 14.5 lbs
Wearing: Moving on up! 3-6 month clothes (I've packed all the 0-3 month clothes away...)
Loving:
- Sitting up (still with Mama's help, of course, but don't try to lay him down!)
- ceiling fans
- the TV (He's a little TV junkie!! If it on, he's looking at it. So, we have been listening to a lot of music around the house instead.)
- Rattles (grabbing, holding, shaking)
- "Flying" through the air (He certainly loves playing with his Papa!)
- Reading books (He "reads" them with me, talking the entire length of the book)
- Laughing (a lot!)

Always chewing on his fingers (the first two)... I'm thinking we have a teether already!

He chews one hand, Bear chews the other... (I promise this wasn't staged!)

Long Dog checks to make sure Little T is okay after I started blowing raspberries. Long Dog apparently thinks it's dangerous.

My handsome blue-eyed guy! Now bigger than Bear!

Talking, always talking!

To Little T, Happy 3 months old! You're getting to be so big!  And I'm so thankful that you still think your Mama is funny... One problem: you are now attempting to blow raspberries when I do it. I can see this becoming an issue when you learn to eat real food.
To all the family, We so enjoyed all the time we were able to spend with you over the last week! Thanks for welcoming the four of us and all of our stuff into your homes and making us feel loved... and I loved seeing you all love on my little man. :) He has never laughed as much, talked as much, and smiled as much as he while being entertained by each of you. And, a very happy belated birthday to Popmiester and Banker Boy! So glad we were able to celebrate with you last week.
To the Blueberry Cake, As it turns out, some of the people in Sunday school were waiting to see who picked up the platter you were on after class ended to ask for the recipe. I have never had so many people oooh! and ahhhh! over a recipe and I am grateful and humbled by all of the comments! You may just be worthy of a Food Friday post!
To my Best Buddy, Yesterday was your perfectly gorgeous last day of vacation! Even if it was just the two of us, I loved that we grilled out and had a picnic lunch and played corn hole on the newly-cleaned back deck (thanks Granny D!). I had a blast and we all know Little T and Long Dog loved being outside. We enjoyed having you off for a whole 9 days and wish you didn't have to go back to work...although some one has to work, right?! :) P.S. Thanks for being Pest Control Man and spraying twice for mosquitoes. I think we finally eliminated some of them and it makes enjoying the weather that much easier!

(From the left) Popmiester, Handsome Hubby, Banker Boy, Hurricane Hunk

Nice job on the cupcakes Mama!

Food Friday!: Fish Tacos

Food Friday!: Fish Tacos

Don't knock it until you try it! :)

My mom loves fish tacos. The first time she made fish tacos for dinner, I was skeptical that I would like them. I think Handsome Hubby was even more skeptical when she said she was going to make them one time when she was visiting. Much to our surprise, they are wonderful! And they are pretty easy to make once you have all the parts. Give them a try...I hope you enjoy! It's one of my favorite meals now.


Ingredients

Cod, Tilapia, or other white fish fillets (roughly 1 fillet per person if using Tilapia, which makes 2-3 tacos)
Monterrey Jack Cheese, shredded
Cabbage, shredded (I buy a pre-shredded bag in the produce section that it meant really for coleslaw)
Lime wedges
Cilantro
Ranch-based dressing (lately, I have been using Olde Cap Cod's Chipotle Ranch Dressing, although I have used original Ranch Dressing and Fresh Market's Cilantro Ranch Dressing)
Corn Tortillas
Oil

Preparation

For Corn Tortillas: Cover the bottom of frying pan with oil. Fry each corn tortilla separate, roughly 10 seconds on each side. Fold in half to create "taco" shape and place on a plate covered with a paper towel to drain. 

For Fish: Season with salt and pepper. Place in hot frying pan with 1-2 tbsp of oil and hot on medium heat approximately 3 minutes on each side, or until fish is cooked through and flaky.

Assemble Taco: Place fish chunks in taco shell. Add your preference of cheese, cabbage, cilantro, squeezed lime, and ranch dressing on top of the fish (in that order) and ENJOY!


Dinner Suggestion: Serve with Mexican Rice and Black Beans...mmmmmm!