Family Traditions

The first time I spent Christmas with the Sevigny's in Massachusetts Scott's mom had made this yummy apricot bread that we ate morning, noon and night. It's been one of Scott's favorite holiday treats forever and it instantly became one of mine. We decided not to travel this year since Isaac is still so little. We were fine with this decision until Scott began craving his mom's baking. Pam bakes like crazy the days leading up to Christmas and it's all delicious. I haven't exactly been great at cooking since Isaac arrived so I knew I had to do something to help ease his "pain" (and mine too) during the holidays. Luckily Pam shared her recipe along with some very helpful hints. Pictured below is my first attempt at baking this recipe. While turned out great and we're gobbling it down, I'm not sure it filled the void. It's always tough being away from family during the holidays and I think everyone knows that some things are just better because your mom made it. At any rate, I hope to continue this family tradition here in Texas. Hopefully someday, Isaac will email me and ask for this recipe so he and his family can bake it too. Thank you Pam.

I've posted the recipe below. Not sure how it will work this way...try clicking on it to make it bigger. I may have to just type it out, we'll see.

Well, the scanning didn't work very well. I'll have to type it up some other day and post later.

Merry Christmas!!!

Hall of Fame

Yesterday, shortly after this photo was taken, Isaac was inducted into the Diaper Blow-out Hall of Fame. He gave his momma quite the surprise when she reached past his sock to unsnap his pant legs. Momma has now been christened into motherhood.

Action Shots

Isaac has been working hard at lifting his head this week. Here are some shots of what he did today. Sorry the pictures are so blurry. Isaac wasn't exactly posing for the camera.

Sleep

We are trying to get Isaac to sleep through his middle of the night feeding and it may be working right now. Here is how it's going...

He wakes up at 3:45am this morning. I take him with me to the kitchen to make his bottle and he falls asleep by the time it's ready. We get back to the bedroom and he is still asleep so I put him back in his crib. He stays asleep! I'm thinking he'll be up as soon as I get back in bed but he sleeps for another half hour. This is good. Then I hear him again. I'm thinking he must be starving by now so I get up and go in his room. I go ahead and give him his binkie so I can put his bib on him without him waking Scott. HE FALLS ASLEEP AGAIN!!! (I know I'm jinxing this as I write) This was about 10 minutes ago. I should go back to bed and sleep but now I sit and wait.

Jinxed...I hear Isaac...wish me luck!

so I'm back. it's 9:15 in the morning. Isaac ate and went back to sleep until 8:00!!! I think Christmas came early. Now the true test will be tonight.

Happiness

I think the picture says it all

You know you're a mom when...

• you have no idea what day of the week it is
• you lick your finger to get something off someone's face
• you pick someone else's nose
• you're very interested in poop

Old MacDonald...

Isaac is growing fast. He's still a little munchkin and Newborn sizes fit best but he's beginning to fit into some 0-3 month outfits. Here is one that Lynn, my principal, gave Isaac. On the front is a big fuzzy duck and some of the words to "Old MacDonald had a farm". He looked very cute.

Tummy Time

Isaac's resting after his tummy time work-out yesterday. I love the little wrinkles around his wrist.

Already a month old!

I can't believe a month has already passed since Isaac was born. He's changing everyday and with it comes new joy and utter contentment for me. I was happy before he came along but now, as the saying goes, my cup runneth over. I think I'm the luckiest person in the whole wide world.

Isaac started holding his head up early on and can now turn it both directions during tummy time. This last week he started smiling. Is there anything cuter than a smiling baby? He has grown 1 1/4 inches and there is no telling how much weight he has gained. He's getting quite squeezable these days.

So, in celebration of Isaac's first month I thought I'd share his birth story with everyone who doesn't already know it. Sorry it's so long and I apologize for the poor, poor grammar and tense issues that infuse this story.

Sunday, October 19th I started labor. They were small, easy contractions that were not very regular. Scott and I decided to go for a walk to help move things along. It worked; my contractions picked up, got a little closer but still not painful. Later that eventing I thought my water broke so we called the doctor and they said to come on in to the hospital. Now that I know what it's really like to have your water break I feel really dumb... We arrived at the hospital and I was checked into my room and examined. Apparently I had just wet myself because my membranes were still intact. But by this time my contractions were more intense but not as regular as they wanted. Scott and I walked the halls of the maternity ward for about an hour and a half (while I unknowingly mooned the nursing station my first walk round. We fixed that real quick.) hoping that my contractions would become more regular. Well they didn't. They were a lot more painful but not timely enough for the nurse. At 11:30 that night I was sent home with a sleeping pill and instructions to call when my contractions were 5 minutes apart. I was none too happy about this but what could I do?

We get home and by this time I am in a lot of pain but very sleepy from the sleeping pill. Despite the sleepiness I can't lie down because it's too painful. My mom and Scott decide to move the glider into the master bedroom with the hopes that I can get comfortable in it. Luckily that worked for a while. I labor all night long - this is pain like I've never experienced. But luckily I fall to sleep in between contractions because the sleeping pill they gave me was so strong. I don't remember a lot of the night but Scott was there with me the whole time and much of this story has been told to me by him and my mother. About 6am, October 20th, I am in so much pain I can't sit, stand, squat or anything. But here's the best part, my contractions still are not regular! They are 5 minutes, then 3 minutes, then 7 minutes, then sometimes 11 minutes apart. Then I start feeling the pressure...I need to push but I'm not sure if that's labor or I'm needed to push out a baby because hey, I've never done this before. And here's the most stupid thing...I don't tell anyone that part. My mom and Scott can just tell that the pain is no longer bearable so Scott decided to call the doctor and lie. "Yes, her contractions are 5 minutes apart." Hallelujah we are invited back to the hospital...during morning rush hour!

I totally don't remember the ride there or even getting into the car. Pain has caused primal instinct to kick in. We get on the road, (btw, Scott has told my mom to take her time getting ready and just meet us at the hospital in a couple of hours because my contractions still aren't the textbook 5 minutes apart) so we get on the road at the same time as everyone else in Houston. I'm not sure how Scott got us there as fast as he did but I love him for it. We pull up to the valet around 7:30ish and I can't get out of the car because I'm having another contraction and am trying not to push, which by now I've shared the little "pushing" detail with my dear husband. Anyway after two very painful contractions, which I'm sure scared everyone in the parking area and hospital lobby, we make it up to the L&D floor. Again, this is from Scott because I don't remember much of anything. Apparently as soon as we turned the corner to the nurses' station and they got a look at me, people started scrambling.

I get in the room in and examined in record time. My nurses, Clarissa and Holly, the most wonderful two nurses ever, pressed some code button on the wall and people come running into the room including the doctor. I am dilated 10 cm and the baby is ready to come out! My water broke as soon as I got in the bed and the doctor is telling me that the fasted way to end the pain is to just start pushing the baby out. Umm, no thanks...what about my drugs? what about the epidural? I'm not sure what I said or did but within minutes the most wonderful man was there with my epidural. This of course slows things down and blah, blah, blah, Isaac was born at 12:08 that afternoon. And my contractions never became regular...

Here's my little man in my lap right after he was born.

Happy Halloween!

Here's Isaac yesterday in his two Halloween outfits.

Isaac is a very serious pumpkin.

This paci is bigger than his face but he loves it.

Thanks for the outfits Cindy, Isaac was a cutie!

Isaac Erhardt Sevigny

Isaac was born October 20, 2008 at 12:08pm. He wieghed 6lbs 13oz.

I just have a couple of minutes to post some pictures of Isaac. I'll have to write about the birth later...we almost had him in the car!

Enjoy the pics and I'll post more when I can.

We are off...

to the hospital!!!

Warm & Cozy on D-day

Today is the official due date for Baby Bug. We went to the doctor today for the biophysical profile to check how everything is going. Baby Bug is cozy and safe in the oven but not quite ready to make an appearance. We have until next week to naturally get this show on the road. Wednesday, my doctor wants to induce. So send your best labor thoughts this way. We'll keep you posted.

Stork Watch

We just got back from the doctor's office. We believe the stork is in flight. I am 90% effaced and dilated to 1cm but haven't had any significant contractions yet. I have to go to the hospital Thursday morning for a biophysical profile. It will evaluate fetal breathing, movement, tone and amniotic fluid through use of an ultrasound. If everything is fine I can go home for another week. If any red flags are raised they might decide to induce labor. Hopefully we can get this show on the road naturally without induction. Keep your eye out for the stork.

Baby Bug's Room

We finished the nursery yesterday! Thanks Mom for all your help. Huge thanks and appreciation go to the daddy-man who had to do all work. As much work as it's been I think he enjoyed every bit of it. I know I did. Okay Baby Bug, your room is ready. We just need you to make your grand entrance.

Crock Pot Still Cookin' on High

Baby Bug is still warm and snug in the oven. Although, as I told my friend Ryan (who gets credit for the crock pot remark), it feels more like a pressure cooker these last few days. I have finally hit the really uncomfortable stage of pregnancy when you start to overcome the fear of labor and delivery because you just want the baby out.

Last night during the Red Sox game I think I tried sitting in 50 different positions. Scott got out the exercise ball so I could try that. I love the exercise ball! It was my saving grace. I just wish it had handles like the big bouncy balls that we had as children. I loved that thing. Ours was orange and had a weird face painted on it. I wonder if they still make those....I just looked and they do still sell them and they even sell them with covers. Baby Bug will definitely have to have one of these some day and maybe one for me too.

Scrapblog...New Fun

I can't remember how I heard of this site (http://www.scrapblog.com/) but I finally played around with it today. It is so easy to navigate. It's a quick online scrapbook site that will give you layouts to use or you can make your own. This was my first attempt. Too fun!

10, 9, 8, 7...

There are only 10 days left until Baby Bug's official due date! We are almost ready. The one thing left to do is hang the pictures on the walls. I am feeling relatively good however, sitting and sleeping are less and less comfortable and bending is out of the question. On a happy note, my overwhelming need to have 800 rolls of toilet paper and boxes of kleenex in the house has been met. It's not as if the stores are going to close or anything. I just feel the need to hoard household items right now. People could actually shop from my cupboards this week and probably again next week. "Attention shoppers, toothpaste is on special in the master bathroom."

Organ Donation

picture stolen from Jamie's blog

Are you an organ donor? It's no fun to really think about this issue but I can't tell you how important it is. My friend Jamie has had two kidney transplants in her short life and really needs another but the risks are too high this time. While I've never told her this, she is one of the bravest people I know. She is a beautiful, funny, upbeat and positive person. And most important she is living her life. Here's a brief, brief background. We met in college. Jamie was my suitemate and roommate to my other friend, Shannon. By our senior year the three of us shared an apartment and Jamie was dating our high school buddy Ryan. A few years later Jamie and Ryan were married and are today living happily in Austin.

Jamie posted some great information on organ donation a couple of months ago and I've been meaning to link to it. So here it is. I highly recommend taking a look. Love ya' Jamie!!!

More Burpees!

Here are the latest in the bunch. I love the baseball one. Scott is a big time Red Sox fan so I had to make this one for the up-coming play-offs.

I Love Ribbon!

I ventured out today amongst the crazy drivers. Thank goodness it was worth it. Michael's and Jo-Ann's were both open. So, as if I don't have anything of importance to do, like finishing the baby's room, I bought new ribbons and fabrics to decorate more burp cloths. I even found some Halloween scraps and Christmas ribbon to make a couple of seasonal ones. I can't wait to get started.

Baby Burps

A while ago we received a baby gift with a cloth diaper that was embelished with some cute ribbon and stitching. I thought it was so cute I would have to give it a try. So the other day, when Ike was on the horizon, I needed a project to keep me busy and my mind off impending doom. Luckily Scott's mom had sent us a bunch of cloth diapers a few weeks earlier in a big box of goodies. I got them out and then dug around in my ribbon box (which by the way, needs some major replenishing) and basket of scrap cloth and came up with these. It was "sew" easy! (sorry, I couldn't resist the bad pun) Once stores reopen around here I want to get some more ribbon and make more.

Ike? Really?

I am very unhappy with the name of this Hurricane! Of all names to use, the National Hurricane Center picks our boy name. Why not Ichabod, Isis, Irving or Ian? Granted we are going with Isaac but how cute is the nickname Ike! Or how cute did it use to be? I can hear it now, "hmmm, you named him after the hurricane?" Well Bug, if you are a boy, everyone will associate your name with the "Big One of 2008." I'm sure you can handle it.

Here are some pictures of our yard and the surrounding area after Ike. We were so fortunate, no real damage to the house or property. We obviously lost power for a few days, had tree limbs all over the place and our hot water vent flew off the house. The power was the worst but just when I was having a total pregnant meltdown, our friends Sheryl and Joe lent us their generator and window unit (not to mention a shower and some cool air relief at their house). They were our life savers! We can't thank them enough for their generosity! Can you guess what we are buying when all the stores open back up? Thank you Sheryl and Joe!!!

This is our patio area Saturday afternoon.

this is where our water heater vent landed (it's actually in our yard; we couldn't believe it)

The Sevigny Clean-Up Crew

We drove around one evening (before curfew). This is Memorial Drive near Tully stadium where the National Guard was stationed.

This is a neighborhood off of Memorial.

These three were taken up and down Kirkwood. Just about every other tree was blown over.

Here is one of our gourmet meals we prepared outside on the grill. It was yummy!

We are so very thankful that we did not suffer the damage and loss that so many people across Houston and Galveston have experienced. Our pictures are nothing like what we have seen on the news. We feel blessed.

Cute as a Bug!

On Saturday my cousins, my mom's first cousins, hosted a shower for the Baby Bug in Bay City. Mary, Betty, Debbie & Linda did a wonderful job and we all had a great time! I had to post the picture of the cake. It is just about the cutest cake I've ever seen.

Thank you ladies for a wonderful afternoon!

Fat and Sassy!

So there have been many requests for a photo of prego me. I think it's funny how our mind can fool us. I don't feel like a big pregnant person. I see pictures of other women due around the same time I am and I think to myself, "oh my, she is huge! So glad I don't look like that!" And then I see this... Wow, have I blossomed or what?

As much as I have struggled with my weight over the years this is totally worth it! I have learned to embrace the moon pie face and budda belly! Besides, I love to eat and food just tastes so much better these days. I'll enjoy it while I can - 8 to 9 more weeks to go before Baby Bug greets us all.

lemon cheesecake squares

Scott loves anything lemon or raspberry. He's been very patient will all the chocolate things I've been making lately. So for the 4th, I made him these lemon cheesecake squares from Martha Stewart. They are very yummy and very easy to make. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

Makes 16

FOR THE CRUST:
8 graham crackers (each 2 1/2 by 5 inches)
2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

FOR THE FILLING:
2 bars (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon (2 to 3 teaspoons zest and about 3 tablespoons juice)

Directions
Make the crust: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. Crimp overhang under rim of pan.
In a food processor, blend graham crackers with sugar until finely ground; add butter and pulse until moistened.
Transfer crumb mixture to prepared pan, and pat in gently (wipe processor bowl clean, and reserve for making filling). Bake until beginning to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. While crust is baking, make filling.
Make the filling: Place cream cheese in food processor; blend until smooth. Add sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice; blend until smooth.
Pour mixture onto hot crust in pan; smooth top. Return to oven, and bake until set (filling should jiggle only slightly when pan is gently shaken), 30 to 35 minutes.
Cool completely in pan. Cover very loosely with plastic wrap; chill until firm, at least 2 hours (and up to 2 days). Use foil overhang to lift cheesecake out of pan. With metal spatula, lift cheesecake from foil; cut into 16 squares.

I used salted butter for the crust (it's what I had) and it was still yummy!

Redemption

I have to redeem myself...this is a picture from last year of a gorgeous and yummy chocolate pie I made. Let's forget about the cake disaster even if it did taste sooo good. But back to the chocolate pie. This pie is highly sought after at all family gatherings. My mother once made 50 mini pies for a family gathering so that everyone could have their own pie.

Here's the Chocolate Pie recipe. It was my grandmother's...it may have even been her mother's recipe. I'll have to check on that.

Set aside in a bowl: 1 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup cocoa

1/4 tsp/dash of salt

if lumpy make sure you sift

separate 4 eggs - whites go in separate mixing bowl

In a saucepan:

4 yolks - beat til creamy

stir in 2 cups of milk and put on medium/medium-high heat

stir constantly until mixed

pour in dry ingredients

stir while cooking until it boils for about 5-10 minutes, it should get thick

add 1/4 stick of unsalted butter

1Tbs of vanilla

stir until the butter melts and pour into a pre-baked pie crust

for the meringue: beat reserved egg whites 1/2 way until they are foamy

sprinkle in 4-5 Tbs or 1/4 cup of sugar

beat until peaks begin to form

spread over pie

(be sure your meringue is touching all sides of the pie crust, this will keep it from shrinking in the oven)

bake in a 400 degree oven (you must watch the pie at this point)

take out of oven once the meringue has browned.

The Ultimate Cake Disaster!!!

I had the bright idea of baking a cake today...not a real, made-from-scratch cake, just a boxed mix that's been in the pantry for I don't know how long. I'm pregnant, I had a craving. I thought I'd use the 9" circle pans that I received as a wedding gift last year. I've never made a layer cake and I thought might as well try with the boxed mix. If you've ever made a layered cake you know that you are supposed to even out/level the layers before stacking. But for some brilliant reason I thought, eh, it will be fine; it's not that bad. Well, here is the result. Beautiful, yes?

I have laughed all afternoon about this. Every time I walk into the kitchen another piece has cracked or has slid off. I tried helping it out with the plastic knives. I looked for toothpicks so they wouldn't show but we didn't have any. The only things I could find that would be light enough were the plastic knives. Poor cake. Poor Scott, he's so lucky to have married Suzy Homemaker! He's not home yet so he hasn't seen it. It'll be a good laugh!

I was going to hide this from everyone but my mom convinced me to archive this gorgeous cake. Thanks mom for encouraging self-humiliation and a really amusing afternoon.