Sara's 3 month pictures

We took Sara in to JC Penney for her 3 month pictures. Here are some of our favorites. The yellow quilt is the one that her Great Granny Charles made for her.

Recipe Friday

Chicken Supreme Casserole
(This is one we all really like.)

3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed
2 cans green beans drained
3 - 4 medium potatoes, cooked and cubed
1 box dry seasoned stuffing mix (chicken flavored)
desired amount of cheddar cheese (We probably use 1 1/2 to 2 Cups.)
1/2 C butter or margarine, melted
2 cans cream of mushroom soup

Pre-cook chicken and potatoes. In greased 9 x 13-in pan mix together the chicken and potatoes in bottom. Spread cheese on top, followed by the soup, then green beans. Spread stuffing mix over the beans and poured melted butter on top. Bake at 350° for 30 min.
Cooks note: I mix the stuffing according to package directions before putting it on top.

Bryant's Cardiologist Checkup

Bryant saw the cardiologist yesterday for his yearly check up. They did the ultrasound of his heart, which he had to be very still for so he was given a sucker and chose "Happy Feet" as the movie he wanted to watch. They got him all hooked up and showed him the blue gel they were going to put on him (he thought that was cool) and the "flat camera" that needed the gel to work. We were glad he's big enough to hold still and didn't have to be sedated this time. After about 30 minutes of laying there for the ultrasound we met with the cardiologist. The day before we went Bryant told me he wanted to listen to his heart so we asked the doctor and of course she let him. He was so excited about that and said it sounded "low." He got to pick three prizes when we were all done and they were all blue.

The cardiologist said his murmur looks better. She's very glad they didn't do the balloon procedure before and he shouldn't need it now. The gradient of his Aortic Stenosis decreased from 60 mm mercury to 40 mm mercury. The gradient is basically a measurement of the pressure used to push the blood through the aortic valve on his heart. It's down to the low range now so is not as big of a concern. She said that now they just watch to make sure the heart above the valve doesn't start thickening, showing it's stressed with the extra work. She said she still doesn't want him playing football as a team sport, but soccer's ok. ;-) It's great news and we were so excited to hear it. Hopefully it be more good news at his appointment next year.

Silly Kaylee (by Heather)

So two nights ago Caleb and I are getting ready for bed when we hear a loud thud followed by hysterical cries from Kaylee. We get to their room and sure enough she fell out of bed. She told Caleb she fell out of Rachel's bed and it took several minutes to get her to calm down and stop crying. Well, the next morning when I told the girls they were too big to be sharing a bed now they both looked at me like they didn't know what I was talking about. I said, "Kaylee, didn't you tell Dad you fell out of Rachel's bed last night." She started laughing like I was teasing and said I wasn't in Rachel's bed last night. I asked if she fell out of her bed. To which she responded (still giggling), No mom, I was climbing down the ladder to get my bunny. So I asked if that was how she fell. She said, "Mom, I didn't fall out of my bed." I finally realized she had no memory of it at all. It took me several more minutes to convince her that she did actually fall out of her bed, but I am glad she obviously isn't traumatized by the event.

Gum in Hair??? (posted by Heather)

Kaylee came home from church today with some tacky (the stuff you can use to hang posters, etc on the wall). She was playing with it and had stuck it on her forehead. Not a good idea in hindsight. Anyway, she came down the stairs and said, "Mom, I can't get it out." She had managed to get some of it in her hair. Thankfully it wasn't the whole wad. After a quick call to my mom for any tips we pulled out the butter and got started. After about 10 minutes we had it all out and then had to go wash the butter out of her hair. I didn't think about taking a picture until it was too late, but had to share the story. I guess we've had our first "gum" in hair experience... kind of anyway.

Hamburger Stroganoff

I forgot yesterday, so here's my recipe for "Recipe Friday." I got this recipe from a Betty Crocker cookbook. So, here it is...

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 C)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 (4 oz) can mushroom pieces and stems, drained (I omit this while cooking and add some to the top of mine when dishing it up.)
1/2 tsp salt
1 C sour cream
Hot cooked noodles or rice

1. Cook beef, onion and garlic in 10-in skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain.
2. Stir soup, mushrooms and salt into beef. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes; reduce heat to low.
3. Stir in sour cream; heat until hot.
Serve over noodles or rice.

Time for an update

Sorry its been so long since we've posted. I've been busy with the baby and adjusting to life with four children and Caleb's been training in his new position as manager as well as preparing presentations for Omniture's annual summit, which is a big deal. Suffice it to say things have been a little crazy for us lately. If I can get Caleb to download the pictures from our camera I'll try to post some of those this weekend. Until then, here's a little bit about our lives recently.

Sara is four months now and is really growing fast. She likes to jabber a lot now, especially when she is tired. We heard her first attempt at a laugh last Sunday. Caleb was playing with her and all of a sudden we heard a little chuckle. She sure smiles a lot and is always searching for something to grab a hold of with her hands. She has really started gnawing on her hands and her pacifier like she's in the beginning stages of teething.

Bryant has been a little easier the last couple of weeks. I think is has a lot to do with the fact that we're finally getting back into a schedule of sorts. That, and the fact that we are learning how to use the x-box/wii as great motivation. Funny Story: Last week Bryant was playing in his bedroom when Caleb went in to see what he was doing. While Caleb was in there he had his shirt up scratching his stomach. Bryant looked up and pointed at Caleb's belly button and said, "Look Dad." Caleb looked down to find some navel lint, to which he replied, "Aahh, my stuffing's coming out." Bryant I'm sure pulled one of his many faces and said, "That only happens when you're bigger cause my stuffing's not coming out." We both had a good laugh about that one.

Kaylee is in the tattle telling stage and is being sure to let me know every time Bryant is not doing what he's supposed to. This in turn means that she and Bryant are fighting a lot more. She also has become quite the little mother. She loves to entertain Sara. The other day she had the blue pom poms and was chanting "Go BYU" over and over. Sara loved it of course. She and Rachel also love taking turns picking Sara's outfit for the day.

Rachel is really growing up. She is doing excellent in reading at school and was tested at above grade level. Math is a little more challenging for her but she is doing good and improving all the time. Sweet story: Last week I was having a really rough day. The kids were fighting a lot, Sara was being especially challenging, and it was all culminating as I was trying to fix dinner. As I was on the phone with Caleb venting my frustration and trying hard not to yell at the kids I looked over and realized Rachel had taken initiative and set the table without any request from me. It was so sweet and so what I needed at that moment. It made my day. I pulled her aside, gave her a hug, and told her how awesome that was. Caleb did the same thing when he came home. She was glowing the rest of the day. It also triggered a snowball effect over the next week as all the kids tried to do extra chores, or get chores done before I had a chance to ask them to.

I am trying to adjust to a new schedule and routine. I really feel like this has been my easiest recovery after a baby. I have not felt the stress, or blues that I remember feeling after my others. The last few weeks I have felt better than I remember feeling in years. Almost like something in body got out of whack after I had Bryant, but having Sara has straightened me out. I just hope it continues. I have set a goal to attend the temple once a month, and get together with my neighbor once a week, and have been asked by the enrichment committee to start up my monthly card group again. I have plenty to keep me busy but really feel like I am at a good point in my life. I'm so grateful to Caleb for all his support and help at home. It would be very hard without him and all his help. He's so awesome!

Caleb has been really busy and stressed with work. We are both grateful for the great job he has right now. He manages to find time for the kids everyday and helps out at home as much as he can. He still enjoys raquetball with his dad and brothers, and Rockband on the x-box when he is able to squeeze it in. He will breathe a sigh of relief after the third week of February when summit will be over and he will have one less thing to stress over.