Two Weeks Old!

Dad and Ike

Bill and Ike had a great time on Bill's two weeks off. Bill took Ike out on errands, they went to the park, out for Chinese food, grocery shopping . . .

This is a picture of Ike and Bill opening a couple of trains that Bill bought Isaac while out running errands.

Dad and Kate

Kate loves laying on Bill.

Snoozin'

Bill and my Mom took Kate to her first doctor appointment this morning. I stayed home with the flu bug. Actually I had the flu really bad yesterday, I sweat the entire night, and in the morning I felt better (just a little dizzy). I guess all those those vitamins did their job! Doc gave out lots of information (as usual) and let us know she was perfectly healthy.

After the doctor's appointment my Mom came over with a bouncer for Kate. She LOVES it! This is a picture of her snoozing while I made my family dinner. I LOVE it! I have a feeling it's going to come in handy many more times! Thanks MOM!

Ike on Ice

Bill took Ike out to ice skate for the first time yesterday. He had so much fun and keeps talking about going back.

Kate

Sleepy Kate

We've been really lucky with how great a baby Kate is! She wakes up at night making cute little noises and I try to feed her fast before she gets a chance to really tell me what's on her mind! She's just been a complete joy and we are SO happy that she is here.

Ike is a doting big brother. He loves to hold her and talk to her, but lately his favorite thing is giving her rides in the swing. Grandma Linda brought one over for her a couple days ago so it's the latest new toy for Ike. Supervised, he gets to push the buttons on her swing. She gets to go all different speeds in one ride:) He also likes to turn the music on the swing for her.

Bill is LOVING his baby girl. She gets affectionately called "Princess" from him and he does anything she needs. He's also been WONDERFUL around here. If we need to get something, he'll run to the store. If we need something fixed, he'll fix it. I think he's running out of things to do around here. He's keeping the house nice and tidy which is so much appreciated.

I am recovering nicely. Walking is a little challenging and I'll make great use of the doughnut pillow for the next couple weeks, but other than that, I feel great!

Kate Adelynn May Parramore

Kate arrived at 6:00 on February 15th. She weighed 7lbs and 7oz and was 19 inches long.

Valentine's Day

Bill came home for dinner tonight with a nice surprise for me -- a romantic card and CHOCOLATE! What more could a girl ask for:)
Ike and I made Bill dinner for Valentine's Day and Ike did a good job making the pudding. When we sat down to eat it after dinner he looked at me, smiled, and said, "M says Mmmmmmm!" (Notice it is in his hair as well!)

The Flu Bug

Poor Isaac caught the flu bug that Daddy had last week. He's been achy and laying around the past couple of days. Last night his fever was bad and he was all "goosebumpy." He's up today playing with his trains for a few minutes and laying around in between train playing. He was excited to go to the doctor this morning and as we left the doctor he said "I'm all better, Mommy."


The doctor gave us lots of good ideas for helping boost Ike's immune system and for me to keep from getting the flu. Ike likes salsa so I'll be serving up salsa and chips for dinner tonight with extra garlic! Garlic is good for the flu and preventing it! Bring on the ginger, vitamin C, and cayanne pepper! There are just SO many ways to help boost an immune system! I need to remember to take a notebook next time we go visit the doctor! He's just full of information.


Kate was kicking a lot last night and I had many irregular contractions. We're hoping she stays in a little while longer -- we've got to make sure we are over this flu bug!!!

Making Art in the Kitchen

This is a GREAT book! Not only does it make a beautiful decoration for the coffee table, but it's so inspiring on the inside! It will take about an hour to read through (it's filled with pictures and apron patterns) and it will make you really want to embrace your domestic side. There are lots of stories about what people remember about the person who wore these beautiful and often simple aprons. So strap on your apron (or find one, make one, buy one, or collect them) and start cooking! After all, loving memories often start in the kitchen!

In our house growing up, winter was my favorite season! My Mom would wear her apron from Germany (not all the time) and she'd make all sorts of soups and fresh homemade wheat bread. Often times this is what we came home to after school. What a treat! Usually along with the fresh bread, she'd also cook up some cinnamon sticky buns. Amazing!

Guam Food

Yesterday I made Guam fried rice and egg rolls. My Aunt Kathy came out and taught us how to make some great Guam dishes a while ago and these are a couple of them! Yum! I'll post recipes later. My dishes didn't quite turn out as good as A. Kathy's but I'm sure with a little more practice we'll get there.

Valentine's Preparation

We went through five glitter glue sticks and made eight Valentine's Day cards! What fun!

Come Out Baby Kate

I get weekly updates on the progression of our pregnancy. This morning I showed Isaac the e-mail as you can see the mommy tummy and the baby inside. As if to call a puppy, Ike put his hand out toward my tummy, smacked his lips and said in his sweetest voice, "Come out baby." We are still ten days away from our due date so she'll probably stay put a while longer.

Turkey Tetrazzini

A few months ago we went to the doctor and he mentioned to us that if we want to be healthy I should cook like Grandma used to cook. After the visit I went to Grandma's house and had a nice long conversation about what she used to cook for her family and what her mother made for her. There are some things that I will be unable to prepare as Bill doesn't hunt nor do I pluck feathers. However, in my quest for good, old-fashioned recipes my Mom bought me a cookbook called "Like Grandma Used to Make." As I prepare meals that my family enjoys, I'll post the recipe for anyone else who would like to try. I would also enjoy any delightful recipes from anyone else!

Turkey Tetrazzini:

6 oz spaghetti
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups chopped turkey or chicken breast
1/3 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain and keep warm.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium-size saucepan, whisk together evaporated skimmed milk, milk, flour, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook over moderate heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture starts to thicken. Cook and whisk for 2 min more or until thickened. Stir in the Cheddar cheese until melted. Stir in turkey.

3. Place half of the spaghetti into a lightly greased 2 quart casserole dish. Top with half of the turkey mixture. Repeat layers. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over casserole. Bake, uncovered, for 30 min or until heated through. Makes 4 servings.

My Guys

Yesterday Bill woke up in a sweat and feeling miserable. Turns out he has a virus and the sweating finally broke this morning. Last night I thought Isaac might have caught it too as he started shivering really badly. It turned out to be the frozen fruit he ate that made him so cold. He seems fine today, but he sure had fun bundling up and getting a little extra special attention.

Housekeeping

So what's with the gross pile of crumbs? Well, Ike has been searching for crumbs for the dump truck (he calls him Jack) to collect. It kept him busy for quite a while this morning. So it looks like we've found some housekeeping help:)

Life is Beautiful

Ike decorating the table.
Thinking.
Tasting his chocolate that Grandma brought him from Hawaii! Loved it!
Grandma brought Kate back this dress from Hawaii.

As I sit down tonight to write, it feels more like my time to sit and rest. We've had a productive day: the pot roast is in the oven filling our home with an amazing aroma, Isaac is sqeeling with delight playing with his trains, the dish washer and washing machine are helping me keep up with the housework, and we have the anticipation of company for dinner tonight. Life is just BEAUTIFUL.

My belly is still large and tight, but brings such a peaceful contentment and joy. We might be waiting for Baby Kate's arrival for a while longer, but don't think I haven't tried the castor oil:) I took a nice sizeable dose this morning and have had a few contractions, but nothing consistent. It would have been a fun day to have a baby today as my Great Grandmother Garnet was born on February 4th and would have been 98 today! However, we'll wait patiently as we really have no other choice:)

My Mom stopped by with gifts for Baby and Isaac. Kate got three new outfits and Ike is LOVING the chocolates! She sure knows how to spoil the grandkids!

Superbowl Party

Isaac pooched his belly out and Uncle Jeff asked, "Do you have a big belly like me?"
Ike responded, "NO, like Mommy!"