Mexico and Teeth

We're home! We had such a great trip to Mexico; everything went so smoothly. Noah did great, the students did great, and we had a great time building two houses for two deserving families. Here are a couple pictures of our week:


Noah loved being the chauffeur:


The property before the lofthouses were built:



Unloading the houses:

Hard at work:

Overseeing the job:







Lofthouse #1 almost done:

Our team with the families we built for (the other house is to the left, not in the picture, but on the same property):

What a great week!


Also...

Noah's first tooth has finally come in (1 week short of 10 months)!! He won't let me look at it too hard, but I can definitely feel that it has broken through. The one next to it is allllmost there, I can feel that it's about to pop through. I'll see if he'll let me get a picture of it when he wakes up. :)

Happy Easter!

I hope you all had a great Easter celebrating Christ's resurrection. If the resurrection didn't happen, our faith would be useless. Easter is such a special day and each year I'm really beginning to understand and appreciate the importance of this day as it relates to my faith.

What a beautiful Easter Sunday it was here in Southern CA!! 85 degrees!! Here are some pics I took while we were out front enjoying some sun:







and finally...one of my little ham cruising around the coffee table:



Hylke, Noah and I are leaving in the morning to go down to Mexico to build houses for two families. We're taking about 23 JH students...we can't wait! Today we had lunch with some good friends and spent the rest of the day getting everything in order for our trip. I'm excited that we get to bring Noah (although logistically it's a bit more complicated ;) I'm excited to expose him to the ministry aspect of our family in all ways. Both of the families that we're building houses for have babies...I'm also excited to have Noah along for that--a connection point with the mom's. There are some things that break language barriers, babies are one. Please be praying for us...safety, good health, and great ministry! I'll post pictures when we return at the end of the week. Until then....

He is Risen!

Recipes

Hylke's assistant let me know that she's been reading my blog and likes when I post recipes. She is a newlywed and is wanting to try different recipes that are tried and true. Even with nearly 5 years of marriage under my belt, I too am always looking for new recipes...so all you blogging friends of mine, keep them coming!! :) Megan, this one is for you; I found it on the Rachel Ray website and it's an easy make for a casual night, and Hylke LOVES these sandwhiches.

BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

You'll need:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 2 pounds)
Salt and pepper
1 onion finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/3 cups barbecue sauce
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
Hot pepper sauce
6 kaiser or French rolls, split
6 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 1 1/2 cups)

Directions:

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and place in a heavy pot with the onion, garlic and just enough water to cover (about 1 1/2 cups). Add the barbecue sauce, vinegar and a few drops hot sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove the chicken from the sauce and shred with two forks.

2. Boil the sauce, skimming occasionally, until reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the shredded chicken and heat through. Spoon the mixture onto the rolls and top with the cheese.

For a fun addition I made homemade potato chips last time by slicing peeled potatoes with my KitchenAid Food Processor. The FP has a blade that slices very thin, perfect for potato chips. Just fry the sliced potatoes and season them...what a tasty side.

Oh, and last night was SO MUCH better...Noah only woke up one time...I gave him some tylenol and after some crying he was back to sleep until morning! YAY!

Banana Bread

**I have posted several times today, so be sure to check them all out!**

My friend Julie brought me the most delicious banana bread a couple weeks ago. I asked her for the recipe and she just posted it on her blog. I thought I'd post it too so you all could enjoy some yummy banana bread!

1 1/2 cp. flour
3/4 cp. sugar
1/2 cp. oil
1/3 cp. orange juice (for part of that 1/3 cp, I add a little mango juice if I have it)
2 eggs beaten well
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 ripe bananas well mashed
(I also add a little vanilla)

Mix all ingredients, adding bananas last. Pour into greased and floured pan (I make 2 small loaves with this batch, though I'm sure you could make one large one, or make muffins too). Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes until middle is set.

Thanks again for the yummy bread, Julie!

What do you think?

Make sure you read the previous 3 posts (starting with "It's 12:14am...") If you haven't visited my blog today.

Noah's Assignment

**If you have not read my previous 2 posts, read those first. :)**


This was Noah's assignment this morning:


You may not be able to read what he was writing...here's a closeup:

Update on my previous post

If you have not read "It's 12:14 am..." read that first. :)

So, back to bed I went...Noah did fairly well, but not the 7:30am I was hoping for. 4:30am rolled around and he was back up and screaming. I went in, put him down and went back to bed....3 mins later :)...went in nursed him and then went back to bed. I admit, I was so tired I just wanted him to sleep. Do I think he was really hungry? No. Did I nurse him anyway? YES. Did I even have time to think about it or was I on tired mommy autopilot? Autopilot. 7am rolls around...no, he wasn't screaming, he was just doing his I'm awake and happy (HOW IN THE WORLD?? :)) and talking. After a bit Hylke went in (w/o my prompting) got him, took him into the living room and played for awhile, gave him breakfast and then brought the exersaucer into our room and let him play in that while I continued to...ummm...rest...not sleep, but lay in bed with my tired eyes closed. Once I mustered up the energy at about 8:15 I got up with him and we started our day.

Three things that saved my life today (not literally, but you know....)
1. My dear husband taking care of Noah this am
2. Panera blueberry bagel...I NEEDED THAT!
3. Strong coffee with too much creamer...I needed that too!!!

I hear my dear sweet boy waking up from his nap about 1 hour too early...will the saga continue today?!?! At least I'm in a better state of mind to think clearly...and I can tolerate his crying a bit more. :)

It's 12:14 am....

Yes, I am up blogging at 12:14 am. If anyone has experienced what I'm about to share, please leave comments of encouragement...:)

7:00-Noah's down for the night, no problem
9:30-Noah's up screaming...hmmm, that's weird. I check on him, he's standing in his crib (he's just started doing this recently, and only during the night the past couple nights) I think to myself, I really have to work on teaching him to get back down...should I just let him cry and figure it out? But he's sick with that nasty cold...I'm a softy when he's sick. I lay him back down and he's out.
10:46-Up and screaming again...oh my goodness, what is going on here? I let him cry for awhile, no letting up. I go in and check on him, he's actually standing up facing the back of the crib/wall...I think he may be sleep standing. :) I put him back down and he's out.
11:13-Up and screaming AGAIN....I let him cry a bit longer, while I play out in my head what to do...this has never happened...Jodie: Hylke, if you were the mom what would YOU do? Answer: See if the neighbors want to watch him. Jodie: Hmmm...good idea, not going to happen. Should I just let him cry now? But he can hardly breath as it is....nope, I go in and put him down and he's out (or so I think).
11:26-Up and screaming and chewing on his fingers...teething? Almost 9 1/2 months and no teeth. It seems like he's been teething for awhile (chewing on everything/drooling) is he up in pain? Mommy rocks him...while I'm rocking him all of the sudden he pushes away from me and acts like he's trying to stand up...I gently have him lay back down. I think to myself, is his body just automatically doing that b/c he's doing it all day while he's awake and then once he's up he doesn't know what to do?? I lay him back down and give him some tylenol and so far so good.....

Here are my thoughts/questions: I'm so glad that Noah sleeps so well (most of the time.. :)) but I feel that much more unprepared when nights like this occur. Since he's been sick and has a harder time breathing, I've been expecting some restless nights...but this is different. I'm not sure if this is a phase...is it the teething? Learning to do more like stand and cruise? Is it his cold? Did he have a tummy ache? I guess I'll just rely on my mommy instincts in terms of how I respond...there are times when I know he just needs to cry...but there are other time when I know somethings up......

Please excuse any spelling/grammar errors in this post (or any other...haha)...I'm heading back to bed (hopefully until about 7:30am!!!)

oh my goodness

I just went in and peeked at Noah sleeping (i love doing that :)) This is what I found:

It may not seem like a big deal, but this is the FIRST time he has slept on his tummy!! He has always slept on his back, and tonight I put him on his back, but found him like this. TOO CUTE!

I love to laugh, ha ha ha ha...

No, ma-ma

I thought Ma-ma was naturally the first word that ALL babies said. Ok, not really, but I was hoping it was the first word that my baby said. However, Noah prefers Da-Da! It's pretty cute (and slightly maddening :)). He goes around all day saying, "Da-da. Da-da-da-da-da-da." I encourage him to broaden his vocabulary with "Ma-ma." He simply smiles at me and says, "Da-da". Oh, occasionally he will through ba-ba-ba in there, but I've only heard ma-ma one or two times and it was when he was whining...more like, "mamamamamama". Soon enough, soon enough.

9 months and other stuff :)

It is so hard to believe that Noah is 9 months old already. I remember walking through the store when he was brand new and everyone commenting on how tiny he was...now he's the big boy! I compared his newborn diapers (I saved one) and his size 3 diapers, what a difference.

My big boy has even started snacking on Cheerios! He loves them and even prefers them over the flavored Gerber Puffs. Here's a little clip I took...feel free to stop watching after he gets the first one in his mouth...the video just shows him doing it a couple more times. :)

I decided to include a couple of my new favorite pics...beware...there may be a naked bottom...you've been warned. :)

Cuddle time with Daddy:

Playing with his "new" toy:

(thanks again Isabella and Lily for sharing your toys with Noah!)

Changing time:

This has become a bit more interesting... if he can get away, he will (or scream trying)!!
Noah and his buddy Will:

Surviving Step and Going Green

Today I accomplished a couple of things that I've been wanting to do. They may not seem very significant, but I'm proud of myself!!!

First, I got back to the gym and signed Noah up for the Kids Klub. I joined LA Fitness to shed the unwanted "Noah Love" or baby weight, back in October, but in all honesty I haven't been very good about using the membership. I have a list of excuses that is at least 10 miles long and some excuses are really valid, but if I want to see those pounds actually come off, I figured I better find a way to shorten the list and get back to the gym. My number one problem was childcare for Noah. Noah's a pretty scheduled baby and I really try my hardest to make sure he gets his naps and feedings on schedule (and I reap the wonderful benefits of a baby who sleeps through the night!!) so finding time to make it to the gym and back seemed almost impossible during the day, when he was younger. When Hylke comes home it's time to eat dinner, get Noah ready for bed and then put him down. 7pm would seem like the perfect time for me to head out to the gym...Noah's sleeping, Hylke's home to watch him...BUT...my sweet husband just wants me home to spend some time with me. :) Honestly, I try and remind him that those extra pounds won't shed that way...but I have to admit, I'd rather be home with him too. Therein lies the problem...I never make it to the gym. After talking with some gals from church (one of whom uses the Kiddie Klub and assures me that my sweet one will be fine) I decided to go ahead, sign Noah up, and get my bottom (yes, a little bigger than it should be right now) back to the gym!! YAY!! Today I took the step plus abs class...it was a wonderfully painful (literally) reminder of how desperately I need this!! I feel good and am happy that I can now bring Noah with me and get in a workout while Hylke's at work! Oh, and I actually enjoyed the step class today...you can read my first experience here.

The next thing I did was use my reusable grocery bags! We can't afford to "go green" in all areas, but I did realize that there were some small changes that I can make to help the environment. We already use the light bulbs that are more eco-friendly, we got energy efficient washer/dryer (yay for front loaders!) and now I have my very own grocery bags instead of using the plastics bags provided by the store. Costco sells a 3 pack of reusable bags (and they are SO BIG) for $3.49. I can load so much into one bag, it's wonderful. The bags also have longer handles that fit over the shoulder...a perfect way to carry in all the groceries at one time (or maybe two).

So there you have it, my accomplishments for the day!

Wild Animal Park

This past Thursday the 3 of us (with a friend and her 3 kiddos) headed down to Escondido, Ca to visit the Wild Animal Park. Noah's still too young to appreciate all of the animals, but we had free tickets and mommy and daddy had fun! Here are a couple snapshots of our day. Thanks, Beth for inviting us along!