Yes, we are expecting again!

About 17 weeks along with girl #4.  Due in February 2014!

My big kids - September 2013

 

I can't get over how big my kids are getting!  Matthew 7 and Isabel 5.

2nd grade and Kindergarten!

I have been cooking lately and here are some of my fav's!

 

 

 

From Mel's Kitchen:

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2010/07/black-bean-and-sweet-corn-quinoa-salad.html

 

Black Bean and Sweet Corn Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup frozen sweet white corn
• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

Directions

1. In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When shimmering and hot, add the onions and saute for 4-5 minutes, stirring often. Add the garlic and stir for a minute or two until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
2. Add the quinoa and cover with broth. Stir in cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes (or until all the liquid is absorbed).
3. Stir in the frozen corn and black beans. Cover and let the pot sit off the heat until the corn and beans are heated through, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in the cilantro. Serve warm or chilled – it is delicious both ways!

 

Sea Bass with Garlic butter

http://bbq.about.com/od/fishseafoodrecipes/r/bl50716a.htm

 

This is a wonderful yet simple way to prepare sea bass. The garlic butter sauce blends nicely with this mild flavor of this light and flaky fish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds sea bass
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• lemon pepper and salt to taste

Preparation:

Combine onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, lemon pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle on both sides of fish. To prepare butter sauce, combine butter, garlic, and parsley, in a small saucepan. Remove from heat once butter has melted. Preheat grill for medium high heat. Place fish on lightly oiled grate, cook for 7 minutes. Turn fish and coat with butter sauce. Cook for 7 more minutes. Once fish flakes easily, remove from heat, drizzle with olive oil, and serve.

Isabel turns 5 on 5/05/13

My darling girl Izzie turns 5 on 5/5!
(Can you tell she wasn't very happy to take her pictures!)  She is such a sweet girl!  Loves to draw and doodle and write in her journal.  She is a messy little thing in her room, but will clean up when asked.  She loves being a big sister and helps her mommy.  As well as loves her big brother and looks up to him.  She loves her daddy and will draw and write him love notes to take to work.  She loves to wear dresses, jewelry, shoes and to look at mommy's make-up!  She is still very shy, but when you get her talking she will tell you all sorts of things!  I wish I had a magic wand to stop her from growing up, she is the perfect 5 year old!  I love you, my Isabel Grace!

Her birthday cake - she was able to draw on it and make it her own.

She wanted a rainbow cake!  Ta-da! Mommy is magic!

Best Homemade Pancakes

My kids love pancakes, when we go out to eat they want pancakes and when it is the weekend they want pancakes.  I find this recipe in the paper and wrote it down and it is so yummy and fluffy.  It is even better with bananas cooked in.

The Fluffiest Thickest Pancakes

1 1/2 cups flour
3 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar

1 1/4 cup milk
1 egg
3 Tablespoon butter, melted

In large bowl with the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.  Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg, butter and mix until smooth.  Heat griddle over medium-high heat.  (servings: 8 pancakes)

Emily at 1 year

Em's 1st Birthday

1 year old!

Eating my special low-sugar cake.  Oh wait I am only eating the frosting, and it is loaded with sugar!!

Standing on my own.

 

My beautiful girl!

 

This First Year has flown so fast.  Can we hit the pause button please!?!  Emily is the sweetest baby, so loved by all.  Matthew and Isabel think she is the best baby and tell her so everyday.  They have to kiss and hug her almost as much as I do.  Em lights up when Daddy walks in the door, still her favorite word (mostly only word) is, 'da da'.  She crawls as fast as she can to him.  She still loves mommy's milk but will sneak away Izzies or Matthews chocolate milk.   She will stand all by herself but no steps yet, soon I am sure.  She is my cuddle bug and will pretend to be shy and give hugs.  She is 19 lbs and is in the 25-50 percentile on all her stats.  And she has 7 teeth.  I love this sweet girl so much!