Posts
In Our Arms
8 years ago
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sweet Dreams.
I thought you all would enjoy hearing about the dreams Jeremiah and I have had about pregnancy, childbirth, and the child we will soon have. Some of them are rather funny.
Dream #1
I had a dream that we had two twin boys. After the first boy was born and placed in my arms, he looked right at me and said, "Speak to me!" I had just learned (in reality, not dreamland) that my child had the ability to hear my voice, so I guess that is where that came from!
Dream #2
I was having twins (seeing a theme here?) and the doctor gave me two dolls to take home to practice parenting. However, when I was carrying one of the dolls around it turned into an actual child! I frantically started searching for doll #2 only to find him underneath the kitchen table. He was beautiful with a lot of red hair, neatly combed and pretty blue eyes.
Dream #3
I had twins, again, a boy and a girl. This was a rather boring dream, other than the fact that they were AFRICAN AMERICAN! Don't know how Jeremiah and I pulled that one off.
Dream #4
Last night I dreamt I had a sweet baby girl. The funny thing was, the nurses put her in a silly lion's costume right after she was born. Perhaps because I have been reading through the Chronicle's of Narnia???
Jeremiah Dream #1
He, too, dreamt that we had African American twin boys. He was stuck in traffic and didn't make the delivery on time. Much to his dismay the nurse had named them (where was I????) without consulting the parents. He only remembered the name of one of the boys: Benjamin.
We have been praying that God will show us the right name for our son, so perhaps this was a sign?? I really doubt it :) I have really been thinking about international adoption a lot lately, so perhaps that is why there are so many black babies popping up in my dreams!
As a disclaimer, I have seen two ultrasounds, and despite my crazy dreams I can rest assured (ha ha) that there is only ONE little BOY in there!
Dream #1
I had a dream that we had two twin boys. After the first boy was born and placed in my arms, he looked right at me and said, "Speak to me!" I had just learned (in reality, not dreamland) that my child had the ability to hear my voice, so I guess that is where that came from!
Dream #2
I was having twins (seeing a theme here?) and the doctor gave me two dolls to take home to practice parenting. However, when I was carrying one of the dolls around it turned into an actual child! I frantically started searching for doll #2 only to find him underneath the kitchen table. He was beautiful with a lot of red hair, neatly combed and pretty blue eyes.
Dream #3
I had twins, again, a boy and a girl. This was a rather boring dream, other than the fact that they were AFRICAN AMERICAN! Don't know how Jeremiah and I pulled that one off.
Dream #4
Last night I dreamt I had a sweet baby girl. The funny thing was, the nurses put her in a silly lion's costume right after she was born. Perhaps because I have been reading through the Chronicle's of Narnia???
Jeremiah Dream #1
He, too, dreamt that we had African American twin boys. He was stuck in traffic and didn't make the delivery on time. Much to his dismay the nurse had named them (where was I????) without consulting the parents. He only remembered the name of one of the boys: Benjamin.
We have been praying that God will show us the right name for our son, so perhaps this was a sign?? I really doubt it :) I have really been thinking about international adoption a lot lately, so perhaps that is why there are so many black babies popping up in my dreams!
As a disclaimer, I have seen two ultrasounds, and despite my crazy dreams I can rest assured (ha ha) that there is only ONE little BOY in there!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Maternity Pictures!
Now, for your viewing pleasure, here are a few of our maternity pictures. We took them last weekend at Berg Park, one of my favorite places in Farmington.
Do everything without complaining....
Philippians 2:14 has been on my mind a lot lately. I'm wondering how to make it through the next, approximate, 7 weeks without complaining about:
- Feet, or some other body part, in my ribs.
- How often I drop things and how hard it is to pick it up.
- All this peeing.
- The little guy using my bladder as a punching bag.
- Not sleeping well.
- Fatigue.
- My heart rate issue when I workout.
- Having to give up walks at Berg Park and the chance to feed my ducky friends that comes with.
- The eager anticipation of this little person's arrival.
I really am stoked about meeting Baby Hayes (and finally settling on a name for the kid). Sometimes I feel like when I am telling Jeremiah, for the millionth time that my hands, feet, or upper belly area (weird) are falling asleep, or whatever the current ailment is, that I am not doing a very good job of savoring the moment. I am surprised to find that (gasp!) I don't really enjoy being pregnant.
Perhaps I should think about those feet in my ribs meaning that he is growing big and strong. And use the sleepless nights as a chance to prepare myself for the sleepless nights to come. How much sweeter they will be when the little guy is actually in my arms!!
Sigh, in hindsight these last weeks will be only a moment.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Shepherd's Pie.
Mmmm, this was good! I have been trying to spice things up a bit and make something new a couple times a week. This one was a keeper. I changed it up a bit, if you want the original recipe click on the name of the recipe below.
Shepherds Pie
INGREDIENTS
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
5 carrots, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 c. celery
1 pound lean ground beef
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons ketchup
dash of Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup beef broth
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash. Mix in butter, finely chopped onion and 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside. (Note from Susan: I spiced up the potatoes a bit more. Added milk, some sour cream, garlic powder...)
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, mash and set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.)
Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onion and celery and cook until clear. Add ground beef and cook until well browned. Pour off excess fat, then stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add ketchup and beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Spread the ground beef in an even layer on the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. Next, spread a layer of mashed carrots. Top with the mashed potato mixture and sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
I served it with brown gravy, it was delish! Great leftovers, too.
Shepherds Pie
INGREDIENTS
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
5 carrots, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 c. celery
1 pound lean ground beef
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons ketchup
dash of Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup beef broth
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash. Mix in butter, finely chopped onion and 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside. (Note from Susan: I spiced up the potatoes a bit more. Added milk, some sour cream, garlic powder...)
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, mash and set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.)
Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onion and celery and cook until clear. Add ground beef and cook until well browned. Pour off excess fat, then stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add ketchup and beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Spread the ground beef in an even layer on the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. Next, spread a layer of mashed carrots. Top with the mashed potato mixture and sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
I served it with brown gravy, it was delish! Great leftovers, too.
Seven things about me..
I have been tagged by Stacey, so here goes. Seven things about me, this will be riveting, I'm sure.
1.) I firmly believe that garlic does not belong in eggs. Ever. Eww.
2.) While I'm thinking about breakfast, you know how there will be that foil or plastic covering on top of cream cheese, sour cream, etc? I don't understand leaving it on there after you open the container. Just take it off!
3.) I like to shop when I get bored.
4.) Having my nails done is important to me.
5.) Working out is not an option.
6.) I LOVE gourds of all shapes and sizes. They make fall wonderful.
7.) Here is a secret. These days, if I am just pooped all day I will lay around until about 4:30 then realize Jeremiah is about to come home and I will work frantically to get the house cleaned up. There we go, the cat's out of the bag.
Ummm...I am breaking the tagging rules and not tagging anyone else :)
Friday, October 17, 2008
The nursery!
Well, the little guy's room is about 99% complete! Yay! I still need a couple small things, but there is one last shower coming up the first weekend in November so I am holding out on purchasing them. Now, for my family members out there, I know that there aren't a lot of knick knacks - that was intentional, just don't tell Granny :)
In this first one, I have his bathrobe and towel hanging from lovely shelf Cris got us. And, of course, the cute hamper Jen got us.
Here is the window treatment that my mother in law, Kat, so beautifully put together. She also sewed the pillow that is in the glider, oh, she got us the glider, too. Yeah, she's a good lady. I love the cute little burp cloth that Lindsay got us. I am still searching for a nursing book to go on the side table. I hear it's good to have one handy.
The beautiful crib and bedding, thanks Mom!
Here is the changing table, which still needs the contoured pad. Lins got us the pictures hanging on the wall, which all show scenes from nursery rhymes.
In this first one, I have his bathrobe and towel hanging from lovely shelf Cris got us. And, of course, the cute hamper Jen got us.
Here is the window treatment that my mother in law, Kat, so beautifully put together. She also sewed the pillow that is in the glider, oh, she got us the glider, too. Yeah, she's a good lady. I love the cute little burp cloth that Lindsay got us. I am still searching for a nursing book to go on the side table. I hear it's good to have one handy.
The beautiful crib and bedding, thanks Mom!
Here is the changing table, which still needs the contoured pad. Lins got us the pictures hanging on the wall, which all show scenes from nursery rhymes.
This room was such a collective effort and I am so grateful for EVERYONE who has blessed us so richly. We, Jeremiah, the little guy, and I all thank you.
