Three Months

I can't believe she is 3 months old already. There still aren't words to explain the joy she has brought into our lives. I love my husband even more watching how he is with her. I am in awe of how much my sons love her.

You would think that adding a 4th child would be more work, but it has turned out to be the opposite. They love helping with her and are so proud of her being their little sister.

At her 3 month check up, she was 14lbs 4oz and 23.5inches long and in the 90% for weight and the 25% for height. Considering she was in the 5% for weight and 20% for height when she was born, she is growing REALLY well. I am still loving breastfeeding. This time around we have gone pretty much full crunchy AP, though we are doing vaccines. Cloth diapering is working out great for us. I can't believe I ever used disposables! Bella is rarely put down. She is normally in someones arms or being worn, as a result she almost never cries (part of that I am sure is pure luck in getting a happy baby). She smiles all the time, until I take out the camera, then she refuses. She is laughing and cooing now too. Everyday brings something new and even though she is our 4th, it never gets old.

Whole

A little over a year ago I wrote this post about being broken and coming to terms with the fact that I would never have another baby. Little did I know, just days later Arabella would be conceived. On Superbowl Sunday I found out she was on her way, I was terrified and the pregnancy was long and scary. But here I am, writing this post with a sweet sleeping little girl on my chest.

2011 was not an easy year, but it left me infinitely blessed. My family is complete, my heart is full.

Swedish Baked Rice

I have been meaning to share this for a long time, it is an old family recipe that my father and I have been adapting/perfecting for years. It's hard to describe it. It is not overly sweet or custard like, it's delicious!

Swedish Baked Rice

2 cups rice
4 cups water
2 tbsp butter
2 tsp salt

Put all in pan, bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and cook til done.
Prepare the rice the night before and cool.

In another bowl mix together:

2 cups milk
3 eggs beaten
3 or 4 tbsp sugar (My dad likes is sweeter and leans to the 4-5 tbsps, I like less.)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp nutmeg

Add cooled rice.

This will look a little like rice pudding. Pour into large baking dish. I suggest not too deep or this will take FOREVER to bake, I do a larger shallow one. Bake covered at 350 for 45 mins, uncover and cook an additional 15. This is a temperamental dish and cooking time will vary. Should be set and not soupy all the way through.

Since we are a large family this feeds 6-8 heartily. I normally have to double it for family gatherings.

And the Winner is..................

Comment number 12!
Barbara P said...
I havent been since I was a kid and my kids have never been!!!

Congrats!

Ringling Bros. ® Presents DRAGONS

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For more information on the show, visit
www.Ringling.com.

We'll see you at the show!


"In exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine."

WTF Happened to Compassion?

This subject is painful and personal for me, so I am going to get ranty and leap up on a soap box.

I am talking about the Duggars and the insane comments I am reading about their pregnancy loss.I have actually had to unfriend a few people in the last few days over this. The comments are sickening.

If you read my blog, you know I was in the same place she is almost 5 years ago. I lost a baby at the same gestation. For those of you who didnt know Michelle Duggar was almost 20 weeks with what turned out to be a little girl, when she found out her baby passed away. She ended up delivering the baby at home.

Reading comments like the vicious ones aimed at the family takes me back to the pain I went through. You arent just sad, you don't love your other children any less by grieving this loss, your world is shattered.

I had three children when I lost Kai, it didnt make the pain any less. I would imagine having 19 wouldn't make it any less painful either. To comment that this was a warning from God or that her body is telling her no more, is just plain bullshit.

Pregnancy loss (and for the love of God, this was NOT a miscarriage) can happen to any mother, at any time. I went on to have 5 more losses before being blessed with Arabella. Thank God no one else gets a say in my fertility.

Maybe you don't agree with the Duggars' choices, and that is fine, this is a free country. But when a family is grieving the loss of their child, just say "I am sorry" and shut the hell up.