Bryson Van Werven

Bryson Van Werven born May 6th at 7:25pm. Weighing 8 pounds 13 ounces and 22 inches long. He was exactly a pound smaller then Kohen. This little guy made a quick entrance into the world. I pushed for 10 minutes and out he came. He is a very content baby. He doesn't spit-un- lick his big brother who would soak a burp clothe-still not sure what to do with all my burp clothes. He is a little gassy and at the moment is going through a growth spurt b/c hes only having 2 or 3 poopy diapers a day. We're working on his sleep/wake cycle but seeing as how he is only awake for about an hour a day, were not making fast progress. We have not had any CIO periods, as of yet. I think hes going to be a pretty good baby. He also already almost weighs 10 pounds and hes not even 2 weeks old. =) Since day one he has been on a schedule and he doing very well with it (eats at 6,9,12,3,6,9)- the only exception is the fact that he going through a growth spurt so he wants to eat longer and a little more often. He will go back to the three hours as soon as it passes. Heres a few pics of the little/big guy!

Kohen meeting Bryson for the first time

Dad and his boys

New Happenings around the house

New Chevron Pillows in the living room

Painted the plexi glass to look like water

Still a work in progress-there will be a saying below the pic and 2-8 X 10 on either side of the canvas

New self my brother made for the front entry

A little color to brighten up my house here and there

Baby time

Lets just say things are progressing as of my dct apt yesterday morning. I have five freezer meals in the freezer and a double batch of freezer cookies. All my flowers are planted as well as strawberries in the garden. Mothers Day gifts are made and ready. My house is totally clean including bathrooms and laundry is done. Bag is packed and car seat is in the car. Yep, I think Im ready to have this baby! Just is the baby ready to come out?! We will have to wait and see. Im okay with it staying in a little longer but not too much longer!

2 year update

Okay, Kohen really isn't 2 till June 5, but with the baby coming I figure I have more time now. Kohen is growing up like crazy. He's in 3T everything and I will even buy 4T jackets and shirts (I like them a little bigger on him). He still has some 2T jeans but they fit him right now but not for long. He can say 3-4 words together and amazes me more and more everyday at how much he understands. He knows Red, Green and Blue colors and can count to 3. We are still working on his ABC's but he sings Twinkle, Twinkle and does Patty cake by himself. He got his 2nd and 3rd two year molar this week. He was a little fussy but nothing to complain about. He still eats like crazy and loves to do it. He tells me to change his diaper, when he poos and shows me where and how he pees-he even makes the noise....so funny. He is totally ready to be potty trained but I will not do it till the baby is 3 months old. Then we will dive in and diapers for the little boy will be no more. I still don't really like him to watch a lot of TV but if I need a little break he watches Elmo's world or Boz. He LOVES both. Kohen is totally an outside boy and will take any chance to be outside with dad or papa. He loves helping them shovel and dig in the dirt with the tractor. He has certainly become more independent in the last few weeks. Only he can zip his jacket, put his his shoes on or put his shirt on. I have to ask if I can help and most the time he says "No." With a little smart attitude! =) Kohen's sleeping is going great. Kohen schedule for the day at 2 years.

7-wake, breakfast

Bath

Independent play, outside time, play dates or run errands with mom

11:30-Lunch

12:30-nap

3-wake

walk outside, learning activity or help mom with chores

5-dinner

Playtime with dad

Books

7-In bed and lights out

Playground is DONE!

The playground is totally finished. We also finished the campfire area. It will be so nice to have both this summer. Kohen is loving climbing the ladder-by himself-and sliding down the slide-by himself.

Now Im onto the garden. I weeded it last weekend and am hoping to plant everything before the baby gets here but will see. Here is a list of veggies/fruit Im going to be growing. If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them....

• Potatoes
• Rhubarb
• Strawberries
• Sweet Peas
• Beans
• Cucumbers
• Lettuce
• Pumpkins
• Squash-for baby food
• Sweet Potatoes-for baby food
• carrots
• zucchini

That sums it up. I will post picks of the garden once everything is planted and growing good!

Naughty spot

My parents had a stool that they had gotten recently and didn't find a need for it. I was browsing blogs and found a great idea to do with it.

The stool before I painted it with some left over teal paint from a previous project. I took steal wool to some of the edges for a distressed look and found a cute vinyl saying off Etsy.com to go on top.

The end result and a grand total of $13.00 dollars. We have yet to use it but Im sure it will get plenty of use in the future!

Hospital visit

Well, we had our first stay at the hospital with a sick kid. Such a scary experience for a first time mom. Im very glad we went and it wasn't that scary with it all said and done. Heres the story.....

Kohen woke up Thursday morning about 1 am throwing up. I then laid a towel down and brought him to my bed. He threw up a few more times before finally falling a sleep for about an hour an a half. I luckily had my 36 week check up apt in the morning and decided just to bring Kohen with me. The dct said to watch him and see if it got worse or if he started getting a fever then to call him. He fell asleep on the way home and came home and slept for about and hour and a half in his crib. He woke up and threw up again (we luckily had no throw up in the dct office but I was totally prepared). And then the diarrhea started and let me tell you it was horrible. I'm not going to describe it in detail but it was horrible. Around one o'clock in the afternoon he started getting a fever. He would fall asleep in my arms with his blanket for a few minutes and wake up and throw up. I then decided to call the dct to see if I could give him Tylenol with nothing in his stomach. He asked when his last wet diaper was and I said about 6 that morning. He told me that he would call me back. When he called back about a 1/2 hour later he proceeded to tell me that he was having a room prepped at the hospital, that I need to bring him to admitting in the east tower, and that he will most likely spend the night with an IV in. My heart dropped.....I have to be honest I did not want to take him in. I am so glad I did though. He was VERY lethargic and didn't even really make a peep when the put the IV in. (I had daddy go with him b/c I would have had a major breakdown) He didn't have a wet diaper until 11:30 that night and it was only a very small amount. He lost 3 pounds in the hospital and it turns out he had a bad case of the Rotavirus. So needless to say Kohen was VERY dehydrated. Kohen did and slept so well in the hospital. I slept with him in his bed. He was all cuddled up next to me ...as close as he could get with this belly. I loved all the snuggles and cuddles but I also wanted him to be better. By about 2 in the afternoon on Friday Kohen was ready to go home. He was getting a little restless and didn't want to watch cartoons anymore. I was right there with him. =) I think mickey mouse clubhouse is the most annoying show ever and if I have to hear the 'hot dog song' one more time I was going to shoot the TV. So we were discharged at 5 on Friday. Kohen is taking 4 hour naps and is still not his normal self but he is SOOOO much better and we praise God for that. It is also a huge blessing this all happened before the baby came and not after. Here's a few pics....

A very tired boy

Dad came to visit us before he went to work. Kohen was very happy about that and kept saying, "Dada stay there!" Meaning stay here.

Just woken up from a nap

Is that hospital gown not the cutest!?

Going home and getting his IV out!

Playground

Current pictures of the playground. Totally secured into the ground with re-bar and leveled. Waiting for a dry day to put in the gravel and move the fence. The space to the right in the pic is our new campfire area!

baby blankets

My Auntie Jennie made me these awesome baby blankets. I'm so happy with how they turned out. If anyone is needing receiving blankets to buy. She has a lot already made up and would love to sell them to you!

One more month...give or take a little!

I have one month left. We took a few belly pics when I was at this stage with Kohen, as well. We compared the two pics and I am much smaller with this baby. Im was also measuring 30 weeks at my 34 week apt. The dct is not worried b/c Kohen was so healthy and Im not at any risk of having a preemie. Not posting these on facebook so you're the lucky viewers!

36 weeks

Nursery

The nursery is totally finished!! Here is the chair that my amazing in-laws bought for the baby. I absolutely love it and its SOOO incredibly comfy!! Thank you MIL!!

Throw blanket

I've been getting a serious itch to make a throw blanket to brighten up our couch and living room area. Well, today I went to Joann's (with my 40 percent off coupon, of course) and picked out some material. Pretty happy with my selection. I also have plenty of craft projects I've been working on-I will post all of them soon.

Playground

This past weekend we got a lot done around our place. Transplanted plants, planted trees, made a new flowerbed, trimmed up some evergreen trees we have along our house, took down an old split rail fence, put a border around our new playground/campfire area and put in Kohen's new playground. It feels so good to be productive and I'm looking forward to another weekend like the past in the near future. Weather permitting of course. Here's some pics of us putting in the new playground..

the sidekicks

Chicken Chow Mein

Made this last night. It was amazing, everyone liked it and its healthy. What could be better!? ( I didn't use mushrooms. Instead I put in cut up zuchinni and carrots for color) Enjoy

2 T olive oil
2 onions
2-3 C celery
2-3 C bean sprouts
1 8 oz package mushrooms
4 chicken breasts
salt and pepper

3 C water
3 Chicken bullion cubes
2 T soy sauce
1/2 t sugar
3 T cornstarch dissolved in 1/3 C water

Hot rice
Chinese Noodles

1. In a large skillet heat 1 T olive oil. Cut up the chicken breasts with a pair of cooking scissors. Add them to the pan and sprinkle with salt and cracked pepper. Cook over medium heat until the pieces are golden brown. See how pretty they are? This beautiful golden brown color is going to add some screaming delicious flavor to your chow mien.
2. While the chicken is getting itself beautifully browned you are going to be chopping up your veggies. The long noodlie like things pictured at the far left are bean sprouts. You can find them at any grocery store, though I don't recommend buying them at Walmart. They sale them in a prepackaged bag, and are very rarely fresh. Smiths (or Kroger) has the best quality I have found. I always make this the same day I purchase the bean sprouts....they do not keep very well.
3. When your chicken is browned, set it aside. Add 1 T olive oil to the same skillet you cooked the chicken in. Add your veggies and cook on medium heat for about 15 minutes, or until the veggies are crisp tender.
4. While your veggies are cooking put the water, bullion, soy sauce, and sugar in a small sauce pan. Heat until boiling, and add the cornstarch/water mixture. Stir it in thoroughly. The sauce should thicken quickly. Set aside.
5. When your veggies are done, add the chicken and the sauce back into the skillet with the veggies. Heat through and serve with rice and Chinese noodles.

More baby stuff

My parents got us an awesome new infant swing for baby #2. I decided to put it together today because I want Kohen to get use to all the new stuff and I can discipline him not to touch it before the baby comes. We also hung some new wall art in the nursery. Its from children inspiration and is wall cards numbering one to ten. The nursery is almost done. We only have the new rocking chair left, that should be in anyday, from Jordans parents and then we're all set. Im starting to get really excited to meet this little one.

Decorating the nursery!

So I'm putting some final touches on the nursery and thought I would share. We're also letting you in on a secret. Both our girl and boy names that we picked out start with the letter 'B'. We're not worried anyone is going to guess it b/c they're both unique and you don't hear them very often.... if at all...kind of like the name, Kohen. So now you know! =)

Weekend projects!

This weekend we decided to take full advantage of the sunny weather. I have sold numerous things on craig list the past week. We finally were able to clean out our entire play room and loft in the shop. I had a desk, couch, etc in there from when I was younger. I decided to purge and sell them on craigs list-plus a little extra cash is always nice. We also brought a truck load to an adoption garage sale that will be happening March 5th.

We decided to start digging out where Kohens playground/campfire will be. Put up a new basketball backboard for me and Kohen in the future, and finally took down a nasty monkey tree in the front of our house. It was all a huge success, and Im so happy we're getting it all done before baby number 2 comes along. Here a few pictures to highlight....

The play room

The loft in the shop

The monkey tree

Kohen's new playground site

New basketball backboard

2 1/2 months

I only have 2 1/2 months till this baby is here. With that said I have started studying my babywise book. I'm a huge advocate on babywise. Its not for all people, but its defiantly for me. I feel much more at ease having my baby on a schedule.

Why I loved babywise-

I love Babywise because it helped me feel like I had a little control in my life during a time when I truly felt so many things were so much out of my control! I started following Babywise from day one with Kohen and really liked how it helped me to plan my day. The structure it provided helped me to feel more prepared and more confident as a first time mom. I felt like I actually had a plan that I could follow and could also be flexible when the need arose, such as a growth spurt or traveling, etc. I was able to stick to Babywise and troubleshoot the 45-minute intruder, middle of the night wakings, and dropping naps. It was HARD but I did it!
Because of my consistent devotion to Babywise, Kohen started sleeping through the night at 7-9 weeks and started sleeping 12-13 hours a night at 5-6 months. A little later than an "Angel Baby" but I will take it! Once he learned to self-soothe around 3 months of age, it was like our whole world opened up and I felt like myself again!When people are amazed at how well Kohen sleeps, I just tell them that he is a Babywise baby.
When other people tell me, "Oh you are so lucky your son is a good sleeper!" I say: "I am not lucky. I worked my butt off to train him to be a good sleeper and I am extremely proud of that!" Babywise is hard work but it is SO worth it in the end!

This is my story and like I said babywise is not for everyone!

Newborn hat

Slo day design (sarah ortiz) made me this crochet newborn hat. I love it. If its a girl I can attach the pink flower to one of the bottons, if not then I just take it off. Is that not so smart. I thought I would post some pics of it b/c I love it so much!

NEW CARPET

I LOVE the new carpet that we just got installed into the babies room. A friend of Jordans put the carpet in today and it turned out amazing. So much nicer then the poop brown that was in there before! Still need to put the trim back around the bottom....

Best Chocolate Chip cookies EVER!

Made these yesterday and I have to share the recipe because there just that good! It makes enough to put some in the freezer and some for Jords lunches! Enjoy!

Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 1/2 C butter, softened

1 1/2 C sugar

1 1/2 C brown sugar

4 eggs

1 t salt

2 t baking soda

1 t baking powder

2 t vanilla

5 C flour

2 bags Guittard Milk Chocolate Chips

1. Cream butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla together for about 3 minutes. You want the mixture to be well incorporated.

2. In a separate medium sized bowl mix the dry ingredients.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed ingredients and mix until all the flour is incorporated.

4. Add the chocolate chips and mix.

5. Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet.

6. Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes. Do not over bake. You'll want to take the cookies out of the oven when they start to crack, then let them stay on the hot cookie sheet to continue cooking for about 5 minutes

whats for dinner

Tonight we are having some friends over and I decided to make homemade sloppy joes. Thought I would share-Enjoy!

Sloppy Joes

1 onion

1 green pepper

4 cloves garlic

1 T olive oil

Salt and Pepper

3 pounds ground beef

1 T Montreal Steak Seasoning

1 C ketchup

1 1/2 C Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce

3 T apple cider vinegar

1 t Worcestershire

1 t liquid smoke

3 T brown sugar

1/2 t chili powder

1 T water

Kohens chair

Kohen got this chair from my parents for Christmas. He loves it. He sits and reads books in it all the time. Kohen LOVES, LOVES to read books. I like it but its also SO time consuming. I just have to remember that when he is sixteen he wont be running to me saying bookie, bookie...so I need to cherish it now! =)

Kohen 19/20 months

So its been a while since I have had an update on Kohen. He is learning new words every day and amazes me how he can put things together in his little brain. Such as, papa's truck, or dada hat....how do kids get that?! I love watching him grow and learn. Kohen is now in 2T pants and 3T shirts and growing like a weed. He eats amazingly (I have never had any complaints with his eating) he will eat just about anything you put in front of him, unless he isn't feeling well.

Kohen is a very active boy and loves being where ever I am....a little annoying at times but he loves helping me do laundry, clean-up and putting dishes (his plastic ones) away. Cant really complain, right? Kohen doesn't watch too much TV...probably b/c I don't have it on during the day, but if Im making dinner I will put on BOZ -colors and shapes and he will watch it for about 10 sec at a time. Im hoping that he will watch more learning DVDs by the time the baby comes but if he doesn't thats fine too.

We are teaching him 'come here' and cleaning up our toys before we go down for our naps or nigh, night. I am also teaching him his colors-which he has learned green and blue and can also count to 2. I know big whoop, but I still think its pretty cool. Kohen knows his please and thank yous and he very happy to say both...for now!

Kohen is going through a phase where he really doesn't want to be bother by other kids. If he goes to them then thats fine, but if they come to him hes not real sure about it. My friends all tell me that there kids did the same thing at about this age so Im not worried. We went over to a friends house for dinner and Kohen and there little girl played so well. Jordan and I both thought it was b/c this little girl was quite like Kohen and not all up in his face. They played for over 2 hours. It was so fun to watch.

Kohen sleep the past few weeks was a little distrupted but we are doing fine now. I tried to bring him down to one nap and that didn't go over well. He started waking in the middle of the night and only taking a 1 hour 1/2 nap. So we are now at 2 naps again and he is doing great.

Heres Kohen schedule-

7-wake

breakfast, bath, doing chores with mom

9:00-nap

10:30-wake

11:00-lunch

earns, walk outside, play with dogs, learning activity

1:30-nap

3:30-wake

Independent play in room or family room

5:30-dinner

one on one time with dad

7:00-lights out

for a two week period this last month kohen was going down at 7:30 and waking early b/c he was over tired. I figured out the problem and his sleeping the past week has been amazing!

Rainy day projects!

Over half done staining Kohens new playground. So fun!

Painted the new dresser/changing table for the nursery.

Side table my dad built. Painted black to match the changing table!

That little boy of mine poem

Im going to get this in vinyl and put it on a canvas in Kohens room. Im curently reading, "bringing up boys" (Which I love and recommend it to anyone that has boys). This poem is in the book and it is so true to me. I just love it!

This little boy of Mine

Two eyes that shine so bright

Two lips that kiss goodnight,

Two arms that hold me tight,

That little boy of mine.

No one could ever know how much your coming has meant.

Because I love you so, you're something heaven has sent.

You're all the world to me.

You climb upon my knee.

To me you'll always be,

That little boy of mine.

Christmas Goodies

The few weeks leading up to Christmas my mother and I made A LOT of Christmas goodies. I thought I would share with you some of our favorites.

CREAMY DREAMY FUDGE

4 C sugar
1 can evaporated milk
1 C butter
2 large Hershey Chocolate Candy Bars
1 12 oz package milk chocolate chips
1 7 oz jar marshmallow cream

1. Put the sugar, milk and butter into a large sauce pan.
2. Stir it all together over medium high heat. Bring it to a boil while you continue stirring.

Once the mixture has reached a "hard boil" (this means it keeps boiling, even while you are stirring) continue cooking for 5 minutes while you stir.
3. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the Hershey Chocolate Bars, Chocolate Chips and Marshmallow Cream. Mix it well so that all the ingredients are well combined.
4. Pour the fudge into a buttered 9x13 pan.
5. Let the fudge set and cool for about 1 hour. After it has cooled down you can cover the pan with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It also freezes really well.

Caramels! Rich and Buttery

Yield: 1 jelly roll pan (about 130 caramels) 1 cup butter 2 cups packed brown sugar 1 cup light corn syrup 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 1. Melt the butter in a large sauce pan. 2. Add your brown sugar. Stir it all around until it dissolves. 3. Add the sweetened condensed milk. 4. And the corn syrup. 5. Now bring the mixture to a boil, while stirring. Stirring is key here. Don't stop stirring. 6. The mixture will need to boil for 20-30 minutes or until the temperature on your candy thermometer reads between 235-240. HOWEVER...I have found candy thermometers to be a bit sensitive and inaccurate at times. Most of the time when I make candy I don't even use one. There is a little trick I will show you. Ice water is going to be your pal. When you are approaching 230 degrees on your candy thermometer, dip your spoon into the caramel, then into the ice water. Let it hang out for just about 10 seconds or so. Then press your finger into the caramel. If the candy holds the finger indentation. 7. Remove your caramel from the heat and add some vanilla. Stir until well combined 8. Pour the caramel into a buttered jelly roll pan. Let the caramels cool and set. This should take about 30 minutes.9. I like to cut them with a pizza wheel. Scissors also work well. 10. Cut yourself up some wax paper and you are set to wrap your fabulous caramels.. M and M Sugar Cookies 1 C butter, softened 1 1/2 C sugar 2 eggs 1 1/2 t vanilla 3 C flour 2 t baking powder 1 t baking soda 2 t cream of tartar dash of salt 1 medium bag (12 oz) M and M's 1. In a stand mixer, or with hand held beaters cream the butter and sugar for about 3 minutes, or until fluffy. 2. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix for 2 more minutes. 3. In a separate small mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients. Add to the butter mixture and mix until well combined. 4. Pour in your M and M's and mix just until combined. Don't mix too long here guys and gals... 5. Form into round balls (about 2 inches in size) and lay onto a cookies sheet. I like to smash the dough down just a little bit with the palm of my hand. 6. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes (about 6 minutes at 325 in a convection oven) or until you see the cookies start to crack. Take them out of the oven and let them finish cooking on the hot sheet for about 5 minutes. 7. Remove from the cookie sheet onto a wire rack to finish cooling. CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER BALLS 1 cup peanut butter* 1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme 1 1/2 cups crisp rice cereal 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 4 teaspoons shortening Directions In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter and marshmallow creme; add cereal and stir until well coated. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and shortening. Microwave, uncovered, for 1-2 minutes or until chips are melted;stir until smooth. Roll cereal mixture into 1-in. balls; dip in chocolate. Place on a waxed paper-lined pan. Refrigerate until set. York Peppermint Patty Brownies Yield: 40 small brownies, they are very rich...cut them small Time: 45 minutes + refrigerate overnight 1 C butter + 1T to coat the pan 8 -1 oz squares unsweetened chocolate 5 eggs 3 3/4 C sugar 2 t vanilla 1/2 t salt 1/2 t almond extract 1 2/3 C flour 1 C semi sweet chocolate chips 2 bags York Peppermint Patties (the generic brand has been known to make this recipe flop. I would advice buying the good stuff) 1. Line the bottom of a 9x13 pan with tin foil and grease it with butter. 2. Microwave the unsweetened chocolate and butter for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each cooking interval. Keep cooking and stirring until the chocolate and butter are melted. Set aside. 3. In a mixing bowl (or in your stand mixer) beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt and almond extract for 3-4 minutes. 4. Add the melted chocolate mixture and flour. Mix until incorporated. 5. Stir in the chocolate chips. 7. Spread half of the batter into the buttered pan. 8. Unwrap your peppermint patties and line them up over the top of the bottom layer of batter. 9. Cover the patties with the second half of the batter. 10. Bake at 425 for 23 minutes. This part is a little tricky. Stick a knife in the top layer of brownie and be sure that it comes out clean before you take them out of the oven. 11. Cool on a wire rack and then refrigerate at least 6 hours. NANIMO BARS 1st layer--melt ingredients together in saucepan 1/2 c. butter 1/4 c. sugar 5 T. cocoa *Remove from heat and add: 1 egg 1 3/4 c. graham crumbs 3/4 c. coconut 1/2 c. walnuts (optional) *Press into greased 9x13 pan *While mixing 2nd layer, put this in the freezer 2nd layer--mix in mixer 1/2 c. butter, softened 3 T milk 2 T custard powder (or I substitute vanilla pudding powder) 2 c. icing sugar *Spread over 1st layer and then put in the fridge while making 3rd layer 3rd layer: 1 1/3 c. chocolate chips 4 T butter * Melt over LOW heat. If mixture is too thick, add a little milk--it will spread much better. *Spread over 2nd layer and refrigerate. These are sooo yummy. They also freeze well. Enjoy!