updated family photos

ok. maybe not the best of Nora per-say but cute nonetheless, right?

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Steph's Pick - the Miracle Blanket

I've always loved my sleep. Although I am a morning person and some might argue that "morning people" can't possibly love sleep, I really do, especially now, dream of getting more sleep. However, gone are the days of naps in the middle of the afternoon and going to sleep at 9:00 pm and waking up at 8 am.

Upon Nora's entrance into the world my entire life was flipped upside down in many ways. One of the major ways was the amount of sleep I was getting. Like many new mom's I was anxious to hear any advice about how I could get Nora to sleep through the night. One of the specific suggestions I took was to swaddle her from day 1. This worked great the first few weeks when she slept so much and so soundly. But the minute she got a mind of her own and started fighting with our swaddle jobs we knew we needed a better remedy. I tried a bunch of the swaddle's from Target and Babies "R" Us but none of them did the trick. She might sleep well one night but the next we'd awaken to her grunts and crys as she escaped the swaddle and was hitting herself in the head.

Enter Miracle Blanket. Some might remember when we ordered it. Call it a fluke or not - but the first day we used this thing our little princess slept from 10:00 pm (dream-feed) to 6:30 am. I couldn't believe it!! Alan awoke that morning and said (and I quote) "It really is a miracle!"

So here's to sleeping past 3 am and a $30 miracle!

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more visitors...

we already miss you two. come back soon. pretty please :)

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Steph's Pick - ♥ peanut butter cups ♥

Have I ever told you how much I love peanut butter and chocolate? Well - I do!! I stumbled across this unbelievable cake and have been dreaming of the perfect occassion to make it. One of our friends fondly calls me his "treat-master." His birthday is in a couple of weeks. I figured what better time to try out this recipe? I'll have to let you know how things go. Until then... you can bet I'm dreaming of pounds and pounds of peanut butter cups.... :)

Delicious! YUM!

To try it yourself go to: http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/new-pictures/birthday-bliss.html

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Nora's Announcement

Here are a couple more photos from Kim Bee (http://www.kimberlybee.com/).

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two months

weight. 11 lbs, 10 oz (75%)
height. 24 in (95%)
head. 15 in (50%)

thanks Nealy for the headband!

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something new

you know you're an adult when a new set of these make you giddy... :)

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Steph's Pick - Calzones

Everyone has staple recipes that they use over and over again in their homes, right? If not, you should! Calzones are one of the things that Alan and I LOVE to make at least a couple times a month. They work great for a dinner and a movie night (that is if you're staying in). The Pizza Crust recipe (compliments of Nealy - which by the way, if you haven't checked out her blog, you totally should - she has some awesome idea's on it) and the Calzone recipe below are awesome!

Pizza Crust
Ingredients.
3 cup flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp garlic
1 1/6 cup water
2 tsp yeast
1/2 tsp italian seasoning

Directions.
Heat water to tepid; add sugar and yeast. Add remaining ingredients and knead 2 minutes. Let rise 30 min in warm place (ex: turn over on for 1 min then off).

Calzones
Ingredients.
Toppings: Pepperoni, Sausage, Mushrooms, peppers, etc... Here's your chance to get creative
1 cup mozzarella cheese
Italian dressing
Parmesan cheese
8 oz can pizza sauce

Directions.
Preheat oven to 400 degree's.
Combine ingredients (meat cooked if need be) and add just enough dressing to moisten (2 Tbsp. should be plenty). Divide dough into 4-6 pieces. Roll and stretch each to form a 6-7 inch circle. Spoon filling on half of each circle, leaving 1/2 inch border. Fold other 1/2 over to form a 1/2 moon shape. Crimp edges with fingers to seal tightly. Cut a small vent on top. Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes. Brush with Italian dressing and sprinkle with parmesan and bake another 3-4 minutes. Serve with cups of pizza sauce.

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Lots of Visitors

I've always really appreciated the people God's put in my life, but I never knew really how much I would appreciate my family and friends until after Nora's birth. All of our family and friends stepped up to the plate in a big way - many of them flying in after her birth to help for a few days. All of these people came with helping hands, lots of love to give the baby and eager hearts. Here's to willing servants and loads of extra kisses.

Note: You may notice that I have a picture of my best friend's husband, Nate, but none of Jess. No - Nate didn't come without Jess. I just didn't get a picture of our little girl with Jess :(
AND - we still have more visitors (believe it or not). My good friend, Nealy, and her little one, Callie, are coming in a couple of weeks. Nora's grandpa, Ray, will be here in October along with two sets of Nora's great-grandparents in October and December.

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Steph's Pick - A Photographer

Many of you have heard me rant and rave about my favorite Phoenix based photographer, Kimberly Bee. She took my maternity pictures and was kind enough to also take Nora's newborn pictures. The above photos are just a few that she took. (I'll post more later).
As you can see - she's AWESOME! If you're from the Phoenix area (or coming to Phoenix sometime) and are looking for a photographer - please do check out Kim. You won't be disappointed.

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now a Top 6 List

So... Allie so graciously reminded me of another "First" that she thought I just had to include in my previous "Top 5 Nora/Mom Firsts of the Week." Not sure how I could have forgotten this... I'll attribute it to "new mom brain."

Without further ado..
6. First Major Blow-Out in Public
Last Thursday, Nora and I decided it was time to get out of the house and run a quick errand. Because I had a gift card to use at Babies "R" Us I thought that would be the perfect place to go. We got all ready to go and had gotten situated in the cart, ready to do our shopping, when I heard some serious Rumble down Under. :) I obviously knew what was happening and thought to myself, "Well, hopefully it's not too bad and I can pick up a few things real quick and head home." (I know - I'm a bad mom) Unforunately that was not in the plans for either of us as I soon saw Nora's onesie change to a whole new color.
At this point I knew I needed to make a beeline to the bathroom. Now you know you're a mom when you find yourself wondering what the changing table conditions will be :) I had high hopes as I thought Babies "R" Us surely would have nice accomodations - boy was I wrong!
So I took my screaming little baby into the bathroom to try and clean her up as best as possible. Of course she proceeded to kick her little legs through the mess making the clean up even worse. After at least 5 minutes of clean up (note: although clean, Nora was still screaming) I finally got her in her new diaper and onesie and in the carseat. And to close out the event, after one minute of being in the car seat, she had one of those nasty curdy spit-ups. What a great outing!!! So much for a clean onesie :)

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Two Top 5 Lists

For those of you who have been asking for a Nora/Mom update I thought I'd make it a little more interesting by providing you with 2 "Top 5 Lists." The first will be a list of 5 products that I've found extremely helpful over the past 7 weeks. And the second will be a list outlining the "Top 5 Firsts of the Week." So without further ado...

Top 5 Nora/Mom Products

1. Itzbeen - See previous post on this one. It's been a life-saver.

2. Burp Cloths - I gotta say, I didn't see this one coming! I had no idea how many burp cloths we would go through. I feel like I'm always washing them! Some of my favorite burp cloths are shown below. However, these run at a fairly expensive (in my opinion) rate of 3 for $20. Instead, one of my friends offered to sew some fabric on to my already purchased cloth diapers that I had planned on using for burp cloths. They turned out awesome! Check out her blog for specifics on how to do this!

3. Earth Mama, Angel Baby Natural Nipple ButterBelieve it or not - my dad actually picked this up for me while he was in AZ. He had heard that I was having some soreness and thought I might want to try it. Believe me when I say - I love this stuff at least 10x better than the standard nipple cream/gel

4. FoodTidings.com - I posted about this awhile back but just had to make note of it again b/c it's just amazing! My friends and family all came together to sign-up to bring us meals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 7 weeks straight!!! I couldn't believe their generousity. Thank you everyone for providing such incredible food for us during this time!

5. And last but not least - our two key ingredients to a good night's sleep (for Nora that is - and mom and dad for that matter) - a swaddle and sound machine! The swaddle we've been using is the Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe from Babies "R" Us; however, because we have a squirmer of a baby I just ordered The Miracle Blanket. We'll see how it works :)

And then our sound machine. Who knows how much this really helps, but since day one we've been using white noise during her naps and the evenings as we heard that it's supposed to help. We even picked up The Sleep Sheep (see below) for easy transport.

Top 5 Nora/Mom "Firsts" of the Week

1. Fluke or not - Nora rolled over. Stomach to Back. I couldn't believe it!

2. Leakage Galore - I leaked through my first shirt! How embarrassing!

3. Date Night - Alan and I went on our first date night (not including the times out when our parents watched Nora - that didn't seem to count as much). Thanks Brandon and Brittany! We went to Postino's on Central and LOVED every minute of it. Although we did miss our little princess.

4. Cloth Diapers - Now I certainly realize that everyone has their own opinions on cloth diapers. We decided to give it a try and just started this weekend! Things seem to be going well.

5. Church Nursery - After successfully making it to church 4 times since Nora's birth, we unforunately had to leave an hour or so into the service b/c of various reasons. So.... Nora's first church nursery experience will be next week! We got her card and are ready to be able to sit through a service without our little punkin' making a scene :)

That's it for now! Till next time...

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Steph's Pick - GroupOn

Remember when I posted about Phoenix's 1/2 price restaraunt deals? Although I still check this radio giveaway on a weekly basis, I was just introduced to a new website that is similar. But maybe even a little better!!! Groupon.com is an opportunity for merchants to offer to discounted services/products to 100+ people.
Here's how it works.
Each day GroupOn features something cool to do at an unbeatable price.
You only get it if enough people join that day… so invite your friends! (I think it's usually at least 100 people need to be interested in the deal before they make it available)
Check back the next day for another awesome Groupon!

Check it out today! You just might get an awesome deal!

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1 Corinthians 13 for Moms

I attended a baby shower for a dear friend (who just happened to have her sweet girl, Reagan, yesterday!) and one of the co-hosts shared the below reading. I found it to be really encouraging and thought I'd pass it on to you all as well... Happy reading...

I can read bedtime stories till the cow jumps over the moon and sing "Ten Little Monkeys" until I want to call the doctor - but if I don't have love, I'm as annoying as a ringing phone.
I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and listening to my voice mail, I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood, and I can tell a sick child's temperature with one touch of my finger, but if I don't have love, I am nothing.
If I live in the house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love, I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing and decorative achievements, but have not love, my children learn cleanliness, not godliness.
If I scream at my children for every infraction, and fault them for every mess they make, but have not love, my children become people-pleasers, not obedient children.
Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh. Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window. Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk. Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love is patient when my child chooses to show their artistic talent with crayons on the wall for the third time.
Love is kind when my child says, "I don't like you anymore!"
It does not envy the neighbors' swimming pool or their brand-new mini van, but trusts the Lord to provide every need.
Love does not brag when other parents share their disappointments and insecurities and love rejoices when other families succeed.
It doesn't boast, even when I've multi-tasked all day long and my husband can't do more than one thing at a time.
Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, "What have you done today?"
It does not immediately seek after glory when we see talent in our children, but encourages them to get training and make wise choices.
It is not easily angered, even when my child acts like the world revolves around her.
It does not delight in evil, is not self-righteous, but rejoices in the truth. Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present "mommy," the taxi-driver to every childhood event, the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.
Love does not give up hope. It always protects our children's self-esteem and spirit, even while handing out discipline.
It always trusts God to protect our children when we cannot. It always perseveres, through blue nail polish, rolled eyes and crossed arms, messy rooms and sleepovers.
Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child and then, stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God's perfection of my child.
All the projections I had for my house and my children have faded away into insignificance, and what remains are the memories of my kids.
Love never fails. But where there are memories of thousands of diaper changes and painful labor, they will fade away.
Where there is talking back, it will (eventually) cease.
Where there is a child who thinks she knows everything, there will one day be an adult who knows you did your best.
When we were children, we needed a parent to love and protect us. Now that we're parents ourselves, we have a heavenly Father who adores us, shelters us, and holds us when we need to cry.
Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture, dishes with missing place settings, and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings, but the greatest of all is the Love that permeates my relationships with my children.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Adapted by Kelly P. Simmon from Anonymous poetry and poetry by Jim Fowler

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Steph's Pick - a Magazine

Alright, I have to admit - I haven't really cooked much of anything for the past 6 weeks (thanks to my friends and family who have brought food over). However, before having Nora, I tried my best to cook at least 5 home-cooked meals a week. I realize some people just don't enjoy cooking, but cooking is a bit of an outlet for me. I love trying new recipes and seeing what works and what doesn't. It's so much fun.
One of my favorite magazines is Cooking Light. There's nothing like opening my mailbox to find this magazine just waiting for me. Upon receiving it, Alan can count me out of any quality conversation, as I'll spend an hour or so just dreaming of all of the great meals I might try.
If you're looking for a new mailbox "treat" - try Cooking Light! I'm serious when I say - close to 100% of the recipes I've tried in the magazine are AWESOME.

Tip: Rather than keep all of these magazines around our home, while going through this magazine I rip out the recipes I'd like to try some day and file them for future use. That way once I sit down to make my menu for the week, I can go through these recipes and decide which one's I will use throughout the week.

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One Month Stats

for those who might be interested to see how our little princess is growing... 9 lb, 14 oz: 75%, 22 in: 90% and as far as head circumference, I didn't catch the actual measurement but she was in the 50%.

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Steph's Pick - a Website

I have a confession - I LOVE blogs. Any kind of blog. Whether it's a good friend's blog, a friend of a friend's blog or a creative entrepeneur's blog - I'll read it. It's been a bit harder to keep up with everything since Nora's birth but I'm gradually finding more and more time to satisfy this craving of mine :)
One of my favorites is ProjectNursery.com. I love reading about all of the creative nursery idea's and baby products. So much that I decided to submit Nora's nursery to their "Real Rooms" section and see if they might be interested in highlighting it. And highlight it they did....
Check it out today....http://projectnursery.com/2009/08/real-rooms-noras-dark-pink-dream/.

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4 weeks

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Steph's Pick - DIY Magnets

One of my dear friends in AZ, Amy, has been making these magnets for the past year and sending them as gifts. Magnets are one of those things that I hate to have to buy but can always use more of - especially cute one's! These specific one's always turn out so cute and so I decided to give them a try myself. They are soooo easy. Here's what you will need:

Items needed:
- Small round magnets (we found a 50+ pack at Michael's or any other craft store)
- Magazine/Decorative Paper cut outs for artwork
- Round Clear Rocks (again at any craft store)
- Gift Card tin for easy display
- Hot Glue Gun

Directions:
1. Cut out numerous round artwork pieces
2. Hot glue artwork to rock and let dry
3. Hot glue magnet to back of rock and artwork
4. That's it!! Like I said - super easy, huh?

As with any of my DIY projects, if you decide to try your hand at them, please be sure to send us an email with a picture of your finished product. Happy Crafting...

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3 weeks and a few thoughts on pregnancy

Our little Nora is 3 weeks!! Wow how time has flown?!

I stumbled across these 10 little truths about pregnancy and although I was not one of those women who just loved being pregnant, these truths brought a smile to my heart :) Although I'm not sure I can say that I can fully understand all of them, the majority of them ring very true. So in honor of Nora's 3 week birthday, here it goes...

1. nine months feels like the blink of an eye and forever all at the same time….
2. no matter how uncomfortable you feel with your body, you’ll miss being pregnant later…..
3. feeling your baby kick for the first time is similar to your first kiss, all butterflies and smiles….
4. pillows are sent from heaven & can help you get a few comfortable moments in bed every night….
5. a glass of wine every now & then is really okay….
6. nap whenever the feeling comes over you, when your little ones arrives you can only rest when they do….
7. rub oils & lotions on your beautiful belly all the time, even if it cannot prevent stretch marks, it sure feels nice….
8. chocolate is a critically important food group….
9. appreciate your breasts, nursing will change them forever….
10. pregnancy is as sexy as you want it to be, so wear your little lacy night gown & love every little bit of your amble curves…..

Taken from KisstheGroom.com

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