a different option

I LOVE these granola bars. And they actually are better for you than most granola bars you'll find. But I've started a dairy free diet for the sake of Jace (that is another story for another time.) So I'm having to change my diet A LOT. Have you ever realized how many dairy products are in many foods you eat? I am reading lots of labels. Goodbye to my favorite on-the-run breakfast. Good news is....I made my own granola bars and they are amazing! Plus, they are better for you AND easy. I made them with dark chocolate (yes, the special non-dairy chips) and dried cherry. I substituted flaxseed meal for the wheat germ. This recipe was passed on to me by my sister-in-law and they are great for you granola bar lovers. I'm thinking now I won't feel like I'm giving Addelyn a candy bar when I let her have a granola bar!!!

http://www.joyfulabode.com/2008/04/11/homemade-granola-bar-recipe-no-high-fructose-corn-syrup-in-these-bars/

P.S. If you have good suggestions for dairy free recipes, eating tips, etc....I'd welcome your thoughts!

bad breath i guess?

Tonight I found out that Addelyn confided in him the other day that "Mommy needs to shower her mouth." She also asked me why my breath smelled funny tonight. Nothing like a three year old to be very very honest!

so thankful

Sometimes I focus so much on our blog about the kiddos I forget to mention what a great hubby I have. Crazy to think how life has changed so much in these five years of marriage so far. Now we have two kids, weird! He is a wonderful dad who continually surprises me with how great he is with the kids and also what a partner he is in life. He is the guy that gets up at night to swaddle Jace after I feed him (mostly because he does it better, which means better sleep!), who takes the kids outside to play while I take a nap, and who I can still have a great night out with- watching the Nadas and getting pizza at 1 am. Love it. I actually have a picture of the two of us- from my cousin's wedding four weeks after having Jace- in front of the state capital. I love my husband!

she leaves a trail....

Whenever Aunt Jiller visits, Addelyn's favorite thing to do is to go through Jill's purse. It is FULL of treasures, plus she allows it (Mom doesn't). See the lovely trail that spread through our dining room?

generations

Papa Marvin taking a nap with Jace

Nonnie Lora Kramer

Grandma Stewart and Great-Grandma Stewart at Nate's wedding (and other fam all around)

Grandma Stewart

Quinlan side- Mark, Nonnie Kathy, and Papa Tom

Great Grandma Kramer

Hoskinson side- Mark & the kids with Papa Dar, Papa Dean, plus Papa Tom too!

I don't have pictures of all of the family and generations on this post but I have captured a few since Jace was born that I'm thankful for.

first bottle

Crazy to think it is only a matter of weeks before I head back to work. I decided it was time to try out a bottle to make sure this little boy will be open to taking one! Big sister Addelyn has been WAITING for this moment. She loved giving him the bottle and has asked every day since when she can do it again! He did take it pretty well so that is good news.
By the way, check out the rolls on Jace's arms. Impressive huh? He is eating and growing well. Seven weeks old now. Times flies but Mark and I agreed tonight- he is such a good little baby boy and really has been an easy baby for us so far. I'm thankful for my kids. Pretty amazing how you can't imagine loving the second as much as the first but yet you find yourself overflowing with love for them too!

one day apart

Our good friends had a little girl the day after Jace was born. Remember the pic of the preggos from our small group? Slowly but surely, those babies are being born! Myka is a sweet little girl who came home to two fun older brothers. Boaz (Myka's oldest brother) is only two months younger than Addelyn. The top picture is of the two babes at the hospital during their stay after they were born. The bottom one is when they were a few weeks old. Aren't they sweet? It will be fun to watch them grow up together!