Ah... Siblings...

Dedication Gowns

We dedicated the girls to the Lord in the presence of our church family on January 23, 2010.  These gowns were made using embroidered linen, silk ribbon, and mother of pearl buttons purchased by the girls' great grandmother. I used McCalls 4865 for the bodice and sleeves and the skirt is simply 45" of the scalloped linen gathered to fit the bodice.  The bonnet made from the tutorial found at Sharon Ann Burnston's site.  I hope these little gowns are passed down as generations are dedicated to the Lord.

Aeralind Grace  (Hymn of Grace)

I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Psalm 146:2 

Bronwyn Hope (Steadfast Hope)

…Continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.

Colossians 1:23

Here they are together:

And a detail of the back of the dress and cap:

I'd make these set to sell if anyone is interested.

Personality in Pictures

Aeralind Grace

Bronwyn Hope

 

The Gift of Returning

Thursday afternoon I opened the side door to let a whining Olive cat come inside. I was busy making something to eat when I turned and saw a flash of orange and white. Olive cat is brown. I followed the flash downstairs to see something I never expected to see again: a safe but skinny Moonbeam kitty eating from his food dish raveneously. After nearly 4 weeks of being gone (the first week having nights in the low teens!), he has returned miraculously. The lost has been returned to it's master and I rejoice; what a small glimspe of me returning to Him.

187. Moonbeam kitty returning!
188. A cold kept to myself.
189. 8 hours of sleep one night this week.
190. a husband who kept sending me to bed when I was tired.
191. Gas in the car
192. A church family that knows and honors what it means to raise children in community
193. Watching Lindy's peace in the midst of a storm
194. Such easy going babies
195. Karen's link to a dairy free yogurt recipe.
196. Warm weather
197. Almost down to 3 naps a day!
198. Watching my daughters share smile and laughter
199. The sound of the whine chime letting me know wind exists.
200. Spit up soaked shirts (mine)
201. Hearing my sister's voice
202. Thoughtful presents
203. Nana kisses
204. Ruthie's baby love
205. Playful banter
206. Everything Bagels
207. A glimpse of spring coming

Milk Allergic/Sensitive Recipes: Mexican Chicken Soup

So I'm the proud new owner of a nose that won't stop dripping. I've rubbed it raw many times over with tissue and due to the possiblity that Sudafed could dry up milk supply (and did dry mine up once before when I took it) there's not much that makes my nose feel better. But this soup did the trick and I'm thawing out the second freezer meal in hopes that it'll get me back up to 100%.

My small group leader served this a few Wednesday nights ago and it was so good I begged for the recipe, now I'm loving it even more. It's easy to make and definitely makes me feel like I'm doing something good for my sick body :D I don't know where she found this recipe, but "honey fudge" is a genius!

Mexican Chicken Soup
this is my favorite food in the whole world, it is so delicious! it is a little on the spicy side though, since that is how we like it...

by honey fudge

50 min | 20 min prep

SERVES 6 -8

• 3-4 chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 8 cups chicken broth (I added more broth)
• 3 tablespoons jalapenos, chopped (i used a single fresh one)
  
• 2 limes, cut into wedges (you can also use bottled lime juice)
• 1 avocado, chopped

1. In a large pot, add everything but the rice, avocado and limes, cook on high heat, bring to a boil for 30 minutes.
2. Turn heat down to low and simmer, add rice and stir as little as possible until you are ready to eat.
3. Add avocado chunks into soup and stir once.
4. When ready to eat serve soup with juiced lime wedges, the juice adds a very nice flavor to the soup.

Top 5 things I never knew I would do as a mom

5. Intentionally frustrate them by putting them on their belly.
4. Talk to them about how wonderful it is to find dairy free hot chocolate while pushing them in the grocery store.
3. Limit my childs time to a toy (cow) so as to slow her obsession,
2. Using a cold, wet wash cloth on them to wake them up for feedings.
1. Pick buggers out of my daughters nose with dull tweezers while she is screaming so I don't have to listen to Darth Vader breathing at night.

Thievery and Mischief

Carnegie Hall

When I was in High School, I was blessed to be in a fabulous choir called the Socastee Singers. We specialized in a cappella Madrigals and teaching one another life lessons.  We cried and we sang and we laughed and we had family traditions. One of the our silliest traditions being our talent for changing from street clothes to formals in less than 5 minutes on a bus without showing any inappropriate skin ;)  But our favorite tradition was circle time: it was where we met to talk about serious issues including 9/11 after shocks, grades, disagreements, and to sing our school Alma Mater written to the tune of "Oh, Christmas Tree" at the end of each class.

My first year in this singing family, we were privileged to sing in Carnegie hall. We joined other choirs to form the "National Youth Choir."  It was my first plane ride and my first visit to a large city. It was magical.

Yesterday, a friend uploaded recordings of the Socastee Singers. Scroll down to enjoy our Carnegie performance.  Track 5 "The Jabberwocky" is my personal favorite.  It's a Lewis Carroll Poem with tons of made up words.  We had so much fun!

One Thousand Gifts

164. 4 1/2 years with Moonbeam kitty and the ways He used that cat to comfort me
165. Laughter caused by little girl chatter
166. Girls reaching for their toys to hit their first 4 month milestone at 4 months :D
167. Health over this winter
168. Finding out I didn't have my first cavity yet ;)
169. Ladies bible study
170. Ashton Michael arriving safely and healthy!
171. Shepherding group
172. Going on walks as a family
173. Stain remover
174. PomPom topped hats
175. The Father who runs to us even after we run away
176. Random chocolate chips eaten off the kitchen floor :-p
177. Provision. The God who provides.
178. My sewing machine
179. The often unused ability to listen
180. Bronwyn's ability to tolerate me eating a yogurt... so tasty...
181. Being used to bless others
182. A morning out without the girls
183. A husband who took care of the girls on my morning out
184. How the poor girls fell asleep in our arms while suffering vaccine consequences
185. How we too can fall into His arms for comfort while suffering sin consequences
186. The comfort in being held

A Memorial to my Sweet Moonbeam Cat

This is my year of Trusting Him, so instead of tears and why's as I mourn the loss of my 3rd cat I'm writing a memorial to celebrate 4 1/2 blessed years with sweet Moonbeam kitty.

I met Moonbeam cat on 27 June 2005 when my roommate Virginia cried out, "Hey, Missy! You've got to come see this!"  She was sitting on the porch with a tiny orange and white kitten on her shoulders. Off next to her was another grey and white kitten. He had jumped up on there all by himself and was the most affectionate cat.  Virginia, who is allergic to cats, insisted that I call my fiance Derek right that instant so that he could keep them.

Moonbeam and Shadow on 27 June 2005

Voluntarily Reenacting how He Introduced Himself to Virginia

We begged and pleaded and whined to get Derek to agree to take the cats. He agreed on one condition: only if they were at the condo on their own the next evening and only if we did not feed them.  Virginia later confessed that she fed them soymilk.  The following morning I let them nibble some of my pancakes as I ate breakfast with them on the porch.  When I came home that evening, Virge had the little babies pinned up in the bathroom.  Derek was getting sweet kittens whether he liked it or not (and he loved it!). I grabbed food, a litter box, and a kennel and drove them 3 hours to live with Derek in Clinton, SC.  We named them Moonbeam and Shadow.

Moonbeam and Shadow kept Derek company in that lonely year before we married.  They snuggled up next to his feet in bed, climbed his curtains, pooped in his bath tub, and wrestled on every surface in that house!  Derek and I married the following May and we loved to watch those sweet kittens run at each other head on and meet in a bundle of fur midair. Moonbeam and Shadow also loved taking evening walks with us around the block.

Causing Mischief before Derek and I married

In September we moved to Travelers Rest.  Moonbeam was terrified of the three horses that lived across the street. For over a week our city cat lived in this giant oak tree.

Can you find Moonbeam?

Here he is! 

He out grew his fear of the horses and soon was sitting in the horse pasture teasing the dogs every morning at 6 am sharp ;) 

Moonbeam had a rough adjustment to his country kitty life.  Moonbeam lost his buddy Shadow, made a new friend in Dipstick kitty, and lost Dipstick kitty too :(  Finally, we got Olive cat.  They were friends on a limited basis:  as long as Olive cat got to eat out of the food dish first. He had many trips to the vet for abscesses and such, but the best trip was for stitches.  Stitches for what?  Why that crazy cat got pecked by an evil mocking bird!

Yep, this massive gash was caused by a Mocking Bird.

Eventually he loved his country life.  He spent his days hunting, teasing dogs, watching the horses, and, of course, going on walks with me and Derek like he was a dog on a leash.

Ah... the life of the country cat.

Finally we moved to this house last Novemeber.  I attempted to make him an inside kitty for fear that the suburbs would kill him.  My first trimester with the girls passed during that inside time.  He laid on my stomach as if he were keeping the eggs warm every day when I napped.  Finally, I could keep him in the house no longer (due to his destructive stir craziness) and I let him out.

Just before the start of my 2nd trimester, Moonbeam took care of me when Derek wasn't home.

Moonbeam kitty hasn't been home now for over 2 weeks and we miss him like crazy.  Every flash of orange looks like it might be him.   But most of all we miss seeing him greet us when we came home rolling in the driveway in his excited plea for attention.

We miss you Moonbeam cat.  You were the best cat ever!

4 months!

The girls are four months today and I'm... well, tired :) We had a busy day including a play date and a goodbye dinner/dance. Honestly, milestone wise they haven't changed too much from last month, but here's a few:

• Sleeping consistently at least 5 hours and up to 7 hours at a time at night!  Oh mommy and daddy are so so happy!
• Tracking large items and small items all over the room
• Being able to turn their eyes toward a noise.
• Wiggling around so much that they actually manage to turn 180 degrees
• Smiling tons when grown ups talk to them
• Cooing and talking back to us
• Showing interest in hanging toys.
  
• Noticing one another (I have a video of the first time they noticed one another at the same time... I will figure out how to load it on here!)
• Very good consistent head control
• Fat rolls on their legs :-p

Aeralind is like mommy, when she's overtired she get super silly and giggly. I could watch her all day at this state and must confess that I keep her up after her sister sometimes just for my own amusement.

Bronwyn prefers daddy to all other people; she even saves up almost all her smiles for him!  He is her hero and she can't wait to see him each day.

Generally, they have become so adorable I can hardly stand it!  Pictures coming soon... when I get some rest!

One Thousand Gifts

152. Moonbeam kitty.  I'm so glad we had him for almost 5 years.  His snuggles will be missed, but I had them when I most needed them to comfort me.
153. Trust in Promises that never fail.
154. Four richly blessed months with our sweet girls.

155. Provision... bit by bit... we're going to make it because of Him
156. Dancing with friends tonight.
157. Margaret. She will be missed as she moved to Canada, but the example of faith in Him will not be forgotten.
158. My husband's help in the kitchen.  The cook massive amounts of food on the weekend and freeze it sprees that he assists in is sometimes the only way I'd have time to get a meal to the table.
159. My husband's help super cleaning my 4 month neglected house on my birthday (or is that for my birthday...)
161. Mom coming to help with the 4 month pediatrician appointment
162. Catching snowflakes on my tongue for the first time this season.
163. Watching Ruthie's love for my girls.

Milk Allergic/Sensitive Recipes: Chocolate Cherry Roulade

OH MY GOODNESS! THIS IS FANTASTIC!

Recipe here.

My Birthday Gift from my Husband

Milk Allergic/Sensitive Convenience Foods

One of the hardest parts about going dairy free and breastfeeding at the same time is the lack of dairy free convenience foods!  Seriously, as if breastfeeding a fussy baby every 2-3 hours wasn't enough, all of a sudden you're also forced to make your own snack food because you're having trouble finding anything dairy free; there just isn't enough hours in the day!  I hope this list of quick things to eat or make will help you on your way.

Dairy-free Snacks and Treats*:

•  Fresh Fruit
  
• Thomas Bagels (Wheat and Cinnamon Raisin for sure)
• Sara Lee Wheat Blueberry Bagels
  
• Jiffy Cornbread Mix
• Duncan Hines Brownies
• Martha White Muffin Mix (Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Honey Bran, Chocolate Chip for sure)
• Original Sun Chips
• Synder's Pretzels
• Wheat Thins Tuscan Herb Flat Bread
• Regular Wheat Thins
• Earth Grain Honey Wheat Berry Bread (love this stuff)
• Natures' Own Bread (Honey Wheat, 7-grain, Wheat)
• Marshmallows
• Graham Crackers
• Quaker Instant Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal (our store brand doesn't have milk either)
• Ritz Crackers
• Pop Tarts
• Nesquick Chocolate Powder (with rice milk this makes a convincing hot chocolate, but it's less than appetizing with soy or almond milks)
  

* Always read the labels to ensure that these items are dairy-free. Formulas change from time to time and some companies have different ingredients depending on where the product is manufactured.

Please help me add to this list if you can!

This Sweet Little Face

The owner of this sweet little face discovered that she weighed 5 ounces less than her sister yesterday.  So yesterday night, she made it her personal mission to gain all 5 of those ounces by eating every two hours.

This tired momma face needs a nap.  And she'll probably be wearing PJ's all day in anticipation of that nap.

On Gratitude

2009 has been a hard year.  We have been blessed beyond measure, but stretched in a more readily tangible manner as well. Looking back at the challenges is much easier: the months I slept away at the beginning of the year, the 60 or so ultrasounds the insurance made us pay for outright (though they counted for deductible), the dead stove/car part/washer, 3 trips to the vet with the clumbsy cat, the sleeplessness, the struggles with breastfeeding, and did I mention the sleeplessness...

It's so easy to focus on the negative.  So easy to bury myself in blankets and cry.

But I will choose gratitude. I choose looking at the good things and saying thank you. Glossing over the bad bits with joy in what was good, right, and holy.  The unsaid thanks you's of last year:
104. Derek's boss and boss's boss fighting for his raise last December despite the bank saying they would allow no raises that would start in the new year.
105. A steady paycheck for me last January.
106. Money from the Furman Ropes Course which I was still earning 6 months pregnant which kept us afloat when Derek needed a root canal and paid for at least 3 ultrasounds.
107. Working at Miracle Hill for the final season and passing the torch to another, but getting to see some boys grow first.
108. Watching Brayla play basket ball and teaching her to play Othello.
109. A growing friendship with Nana Stevens and her face when she saw the two babies on ultrasound pictures after hearing Derek tease endlessly about twins.
110. My sister's frantic phone call when she got the card announcing the twin's arrival.  How excited she was despite having "the worst day of her life".
111. Both set of grandparents rejoicing in the little lives.
112. Being able to sleep non stop February through early April. During that time my body built an amazing placenta.
113. The girls not developing TTTS even though their doctors completely missed a shared placenta.
114. The girls being born 1 oz apart even after being told that Aeralind should be a pound or less.
115. The reassurance of Dr. Alt on the one day I actually cried at the OBs.  Any other person would have probably prescribed me drugs.  But she had been through a twin pregnancy.
116. Playing Ultimate Frisbee at Score up until May when Score ended. I loved that!
117. Going to Helen, Georgia with Derek before the girls arrived. Loved playing putt-putt, walking all around, swimming, and window shopping in that beautiful town.
118. Being invited to stay with Kent and Jen in Gatlinburg the following weekend.  And witnessing the epic chicken game between Kent/Gary(his son) and Derek/Gary's friend.
119. Spending time alone at the grocery store with Jen.  She passed so many nuggets of motherhood wisdom to me in that short time :D
120. The MoM club!  I really enjoyed going during the spring/early summer.  And loved hearing from Katie just seeing how things were going at 3 weeks old.  Now I'm loving Marcie's Under One Crowd and all the great women I've met through it!
121. A neighborhood with a pool. Loved being able to sit in the water like a bouy when I finally did have "please don't exercise or be on your feet too much" restrictions.
122. Finally being able to breathe, stand, and sing all at the same time at church on Sundays!
123. Being able to hug my husband without the giant watermelon between us!
124. Hearing both girls cry/whimper in the operating room.
125. Being able to hold both girls on my trip from the operating room to my room.
126. Falling asleep so many times in the early weeks with both girls snuggled on either side of me.
127. Meeting Sara at the St. Francis Breastfeeding Support Group (even though her boys/my girls have known each other since the girl's second day of life)
128. The St. Francis Lactation Consultants.  Love them. Love love love them.
129. Meals delivered.  I don't know how we would have ate those first 3 weeks without so many generous meals.
130. People being in my house that just let me nap without worrying about baby care.
131. The MFM office being so generous with payment (unlike my OB).  Their pay something/anything you can payment schedule saved our financial lives over and over again!
132. TWO babies.  Half the sleep but twice the fun.  I can't imagine not holding one while Derek holds the other. It like a gift for both of us and I have to learn to share :D
133. What an uneventful pregnancy! (well, besides the dramatic entrance)
134. Such easy going babies.  Even in their crazy reflux insanity time where they screamed for 30-90minutes all they really wanted to do was wake, eat, play, sleep. So easy!
135. The privilege of watching Daylin's 3rd birthday!
136. Meeting Marcie and Amber at Bouncing Babies.
137. So dairy free items that I could buy and snack on without worry: Sunchips Original, Synder's Pretzels, Crackers.
138. Grapes and Pineapple.  Oh, how I could have eaten just these two things those first few weeks at home!
139. Little girls.  Two boys would have panicked me :-p
140. Sly smiles, sneaky smiles, satisfied smiles, good morning smiles... okay...really any baby smiles.
141. A husband sacrificing so much of himself in those first few weeks when I could hardly get out of bed to pump, or manage not to cry in sleep deprivation.
142. A husband who has yet to grow weary of sacrificing so much of himself and who admits that his real work begins when he gets home to us.
143. Laughter and teasing.
144. Patient babies.
145. A new sewing machine.
146. Derek's dad fixing my old one!
147. So many hand me downs that I'm almost never in need of anything.
148. Baby monitors.
149. Cloth diapers
150. Generous people.
151. There are too many good things from last year to list before the next feeding time... which is now!

I pray you recognize the blessings that came disguised in hardships last year!

Milk Allergy/Sensitive Recipe: Sausage Minestrone

I'm loving soups right now: warm, comforting, and easy.


Sausage Minestrone

Ingredients:

• Onion, chopped
  
• Sausage (I used breakfast sausage because it was on sale, but Italian would be super yummy too)
• 28 oz Can of diced tomatoes
• box of low sodium chicken broth
• Can of beans (optional, I used kidney)
• 1/3-1/2 cup Alphabet Pasta (or any small pasta)
  
• Swiss Chard or Spinach, cut up or torn into small chunks.
  
• Garlic power, basil, rosemary, thyme, and pepper to taste.
  

Directions:

1. Cook Sausage and Onion in a bit of oil until Sausage is cooked through.
2. Add tomatoes, broth, beans and pasta.
3. Bring to a boil and cook until pasta is tender.
4. Turn off burner and add Swiss Chard or Spinach.

I doubled this and froze some for a lazy day.  So easy and so good.