Sweetness and Smooches {A Week of Kazmann Love – Day 3}
Sharing Our Snuggles
“Here Bo, you snuggle Mickey.”
“Maybe I’ll help and snuggle both of you.”
Be Mine
You only have a week to get your Valentine.
No pressure.
To help you get in the mood (or make you run further from it) I am a “Guest Valentine” today on oen of my college roomate’s wonderful blogs.
So, pop on in to Jordy Liz Blogs and see one thing we say in this house, especially with kids.
A Doozy
This past week has been a doozy.
Everett was in the hospital and while he is home now we are all still feeling the effects of what was a VERY long weekend and a sickness that seems to never end. Fortunately for Everett he has a very worried yet attentive brother to look after him.
Sweet boys.
(Yes, I will tell you what happened but for now I’m going to sit down…and probably cry from exhaustion.)
A Different Eve
This year’s Christmas Eve was a bit different as the absence of Dana was truly felt. Each year, she and Don always hosted a fabulous Christmas Eve at their house. In the months leading up to it I would chat with her about all of her shopping, wrapping and place settings for that year. She loved to find a new creative way to give everyone their own personal spot, a beautiful table, delicious food and gifts that would make their eyes light up. Dana was a kid at Christmas. She was always full of giggles and couldn’t contain her excitement as her gift pile grew – not ashamed of boasting when her pile was the biggest either. She had a fine balance of loving the gifts but really just loving having her family and her closest friends (who were even more her family) there to celebrate and share her love with.
As I wrapped each present this year I thought of her. Each and every present. Long ago she started artfully wrapping our gifts with decorative paper, elaborate bows from “real ribbon” complete with some specially coordinated topper. Over the years it became a sort of “thing” to see who was going to put what on top, which ribbon got recycled from last year and who got the special topper that year (inappropriate Santa ornament anyone?). Now, I can’t help but continue to do the same with all of my gifts for my nieces and nephews as they see what little trinkets adorn the tops of their packages too.
She was very much missed and will be each year especially on Christmas Eve but we will carry on with her holiday traditions as we try to start some new ones to make up for those lost.
This year, the Orr clan (brother and sister in law Drew & Jess with my niece Cathryn,
and nephew Cameron – Dad & Jill and my grandmother) gathered at our house. We decided to make it as easy on us as possible with 4 kids three and under so that it could be relaxed and about the kids. Everett made sure his first Christmas Eve was about him as he was fussy most of the evening requiring my full attention. I then inhaled a plate of food (the two minute swallow a plate of food without chewing because you have to get some 
calories so you can feed your son again meal) without paying attention to what I had been served. Thus…I threw Everett into a colic tailsping after the next feeding because of the meal. Poor Everett…poor us.
So, while I may have missed the end of dinner and all of the gift opening, I made sure that Colter took some pictures so I could see what happened!
The professional unwrapper himself.
(Turns out that once he unwrapped one that is all he wanted to play with and was annoyed by having to unwrap others.)
Here Pop and Nana Jill, let me help!
Pre-Fussiness Smiles for Pop
Celebrating Great Grandma Orr’s birthday a few weeks early.
Caden ecstatic to drink out of his Mickey Christmas cup with a straw. It’s the little things.
Just when Drew & Jess thought they had won Caden’s heart with the Little People airplane gift, he opened Great Grandma’s gift…a blinking, light up remote control car. You have never seen a kid giggle and squeal so much.
So yes it was different, but we were able to come together as a family and make it about the kids while still missing Dana and those we usually see at her house each year. We made new memories with the new and more grown kiddos this year and got to enjoy the magic they bring to the holiday. Everyone then ventured off to bed in their Christmas jammies waiting for Santa’s surprises!
While This Blog Was Sleeping
You may have noticed that there was an impromptu blogging hiatus.
Not because of kiddos though.
Because of hijackers.
Not hijackers on a plane, I haven’t flown anywhere.
Hijackers making this site go crazy.
Though if the hiatus wasn’t from hijackers it probably would have been from kiddos.
Because I have a colicky newborn and a toddler who likes painting himself with peanut butter.
I have deterred.
My brother, AKA “Family IT guy” fixed the hijackers – I like to think he arrested them and sent them to Alcatraz all by their lonesome. That is if they were plane hijackers.
Regardless, while this blog was “sleeping” this is what you missed and what I will be updating you on.
**Thanksgiving – We Actually Made it to Dinner** On November 27th Caden turned 21 months ** On December 2nd Everett turned 1 Month ** Tidbits of Mothering Two
** Recipes – Oh Wait…I Haven’t Cooked Anything New in A Month – nevermind **
Until then, I will leave you with some cuteness to get you through.
Family Snuggle Time
Ringing in 27
This past Saturday I officially rang in year 27 (another reason why Baby E can now make his appearance any time he so chooses) and I think it was one of the most perfect birthday celebrations I have ever had. A couple weeks ago I called my mother in law and asked if she thought it would be okay if we celebrated my birthday with them at their house.
Yes, you read right.
I asked to spend my birthday with my in laws.
In fact, I didn’t even clear it with my husband prior to making the arrangements or ask if he had made other plans. (Naturally he loves to say how he had to cancel the limo & fancy restaurant because of this.) I know my mother in law partially thinks it is because I am so dang pregnant and didn’t want to have to go out so to speak, but I kept telling her it was really because spending the evening with her, my father in law, the hubs and Mr. Caden sounded like the perfect list of guests to me.
I am very fortunate. I don’t have “in-law” stories like so many of you. My in-laws have been a part of my life for roughly 11 years now and in the last eight years I would say they have been in the very top tier of my biggest supporters and really, caretakers. When my parents moved to Florida I would come home from college and stay with them at
times…even when Colter wasn’t with me. When my mom passed away I was at their house and they were among the first to for lack of a different truth, just hold me. My in laws are my family through and through and now in an even more special role, they are Caden’s Nonna and Pa Pa.
Caden LOVES his Nonna and PaPa. Loves them. He applauds when we pull into their driveway. He grins from ear to ear as he scurries up their sidewalk to the front door leaving us behind them. He immediately reaches up for hugs when he sees them. He is more upset when they leave a room than when we do. I already see Caden cherishing them like I did my grandparents. It is very special and very sweet.
Soooooooooooooo, I wanted to spend my birthday with them. Carolyn went all out with an unbelievably delicious dinner complete with her homemade chocolate birthday cake. I ate quite the birthday meal, but just for Baby E. They even had beautiful fall birthday hydrangeas for me which she may or may not know are my favorite flower.
There was playtime outside, good food, even better company and a happy boy who cheered on the Rangers after dinner with us allowing everyone to visit a little longer.
With birthday calls from friends far and near, cards in the mail from sweet friends and generous gifts that were not expected it was a wonderful day. Yoga in the morning, getting to meet a precious Graham Fenner, their newest addition, relaxing, celebrating, the Rangers winning and heading to the World Series and getting to play with a new iPad (thank you hubs) it was a wonderful way to kick off another year. I couldn’t help but look around at my husband, son, the family around me and feel Baby E getting comfy in my belly and not feel so content and at peace in my blessings.
Happy Birthday to Me!
Scrumptious & Filling {French Dip}
I know it is shocking but I cooked a meal that isn’t for my freezer.
Does it take away from that shock if I tell you it did involve a crock pot?
I’m tired people…and very pregnant, what do you want from me. A meal slaved over at the stove all day? HA!
I can say that this was a delicious meal and just the filling protein that Baby Kaz II (and the hubs) needed. In fact, as the hubs was slicing the meat for me (I tend to knick fingers…or limbs) he stole a slice (typical) and said ” Ohhh, now that is good.” So Pioneer Woman was a success again in this household (yes I make her stuff a lot because I rarely have a “fail” with her recipes). So easy (thank you crock pot) so delicious (thank you beef) and well worth you making it too.
French Dip Sandwiches (Or “Drip Beef” as PW Calls It)
- 1 whole 2.5 To 4 Pound Chuck Roast
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1 whole Large Onion, Sliced Thick
- 3 cloves Garlic, Peeled
- 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
- 1 cup Sherry/Red Wine
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 4 cups Water
- Toasted, Buttered Deli Rolls
- Sliced Provolone
- OPTIONAL: Rosemary, Thyme, Other Spices
1. Heat your butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Saute the onions for a couple of minutes, or until starting to get brown. Transfer your onions into the bottom of your crock pot.
2. Set chuck roast on top of the onions. Add all remaining ingredients. ( I sprinkled the seasonings over the meat before the liquid)
3. Cover crock pot and simmer on low for 6 hours, or until beef is fork-tender and falling apart.
*Mixture can be refrigerated overnight. Remove hardened fat from top of pan before reheating.*
4. Serve on top of toasted, buttered deli rolls. Top with cheese (Provolone/mozzarella) and place under the broiler if desired. Pour some of the “au jus” into a bowl for dipping and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I was too pregnant and hungry to put true effort into the presentation of the picture. Therefore it does not show off how delish it really looked.
Sidenote: It’s that time of year…so I happen to be making Candy Corn Sugar Cookies tonight. Just a little reference in case you forgot about that recipe from last year. So adorable and tasty!
While the Months Pass
I have yet again fallen behind on Caden’s monthly updates which is primarily due to how busy our little man is! The
last time I did an actual “month” update was when he was a bit over 15 months old and now he is a tad over 17 months old. The nice part is we have finally taken to saying he is “about one and a half” (which is crazy) and are able to drop the whole months label anyway. I mean once they are a year old you can see people calculating in their head when you say any “months” over 12. It appears I have wandered and stepped on a soapbox.
You haven’t been completely uninformed as to what has been 
going on in our and his life. There was his first plane ride and trip out of the country, a lot of time in the pool (before it even got too hot for that) another injury that I have yet to share with you and some fun projects. More notably, Colter and I recently came to terms with the fact that he isn’t so much of a “baby” anymore as he is a “kid”! We were looking at him and realizing that he really does look like a little boy now and then we tried to figure out exactly how that happened.
What comes with that “little boy” status is toddler-hood which he has fully entered – demands, opinions, fits and
mischief have added to his laughter, silliness and sweet cuddles. It is about time right? 
He spends most of the day figuring out what he can get into or what he would like to get out. Recently, he has had a new found obsession with either mine or Colter’s shoes. If he can find them, he will wear them. This does not help with his clumsiness that causes him to fall constantly. CONSTANTLY. He lets his little feet get going a bit too fast, so when he is wearing size 7 women’s flip flops it gets very interesting.
He is still in love with blocks and building towers, but has transitioned to his legos and mega blocks instead of just foam ones. You might see him running to his box of legos for you to open them when he gets home from errands and while they end up spread throughout the whole downstairs (which Colter has to now pick-up at night 
because I can’t forward bend that many times), he is quite productive with them. If you really want to keep him in one place he will snuggle up to you if you sit and build with him.
You can see it in the first picture, but just like our last update he also still loves to put things on his head. He is especially happy if you try to put something on his head so he can balance it. While his noggin is large and easy to point to Caden will tell you where his belly, nose, ears, eyes and feet are as well. He usually laughs while pointing out the answer to your question and finds the 
whole process of this game quite silly.
Since I have mentioned silly, he turns into a silly wild man when Colter gets home from work. Relieved to have someone to rough house with Colter can barely get changed out of his work clothes before Caden is trying to jump on him, over him, through him, up to him etc. The poor little guy is stuck with a waddling mom who for some reason won’t let him use her big round belly as a trampoline all day. So, he takes full advantage of a dad who loves to roll around with him and let him be a boy. Unfortunately for Colter Caden rarely gets tired and quits the game.
While the woes of being a toddler make some days challenging and frustrating for everyone he still has too many redeeming qualities. He has become a full-fledged helper which I am hoping continues with his brother’s arrival. He will pick things up that he (or I) drops and hand them to me, loves to close any door or cabinet for you and for the most part understands when you ask him to do something. He even helped Pop build some shelves in brother’s closet! Surely he will hand me diapers for his new brother right? (Wishful thinking) Caden very much enjoys plopping down in my cross-legged lap to read, build blocks or snuggle. It is funny that sometimes he will stand up and scoot back trying to get closer knowing that I should have more lap to give him. Alas, that big ol’ belly is taking up all his room!
I wish for him that it wasn’t so hot so we could spend more time outside but I am hopeful to get a little break in the weather here in the next couple months so that his nightly yard time can return. We are loving hearing him sing the ABC tune, make animal noises and mimic us counting to three when he jumps & plays. He makes our mornings early and our days busy but our hearts are very full. It is amazing to see how many new things he learns every single day and exactly how much he grew over night to reach those new hidden treasures. There have already been such fun new developments since he turned 17 months that I am excited to share in the next update. Until then I am sure we will be plenty busy.
Easter Bunny Leftovers
I have the perfect solution to some of your Easter Bunny leftovers…
(That is if you got Easter M&Ms this year)
Whenever I am faced with the decision of a cookie tray I always go one way. Those deli cookie trays at office meetings or staff developments are loaded with sugary temptation just to stare you down and test your concentration. That is how I see it at least. Not being one to pass up a good offer, there are always the same choices. You’ve got your sugar, a classic treat. Then there is the peanut butter with even some peanut chunks possibly. The tray might try to spice things up with some white chocolate macadamia nut but you know there will always be some chocolate chip/chunk of the traditional variety. All good choices right? I agree….until I see the M & M Cookies. I don’t know what it is…the colors, the combination of a sugar cookie type dough with a touch of chocolate? Whatever it is, I can’t resist. I think it is because I never make them myself, so I decided to change that.
M&M Cookies
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cups softened butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cups light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup M&Ms (or more if you choose)
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silpat.
2. Combine your dry ingredients (flour, salt & baking soda) in a bowl and set to the side.
3. In a mixing bowl, cream together your butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Once it is mixed and creamy and your eggs one at a time.
4. Gradually incorporate your dry ingredients.
5. Stir in your M &Ms.
6. Spread out your scoops of cookie doughon the baking sheets (I like using a small cookie scoop for a perfect 2 bite sweet treat) and bake away!
Bake at 350 Degrees for 9-10 Minutes
(Until Lightly Browned)
Chilling
Since it is only February, I by no means thought that winter was over and was doing quite well with our chilly days being cozied up inside. That was until this past weekend hit. Last weekend, it was spring. Not the first few days of spring where everyone busts out the summer clothes like the girl’s do with boots as soon as fall hits. Late spring. Warm spring. Beautiful spring.
Mornings in the backyard with the pups.
Days at the park dressed in the only remaining short sleeve onesie that doesn’t give the appearance of a boy dressed as a sausage.
Evenings on the porch in the swing gearing up for another walk just to take advantage of the weather.
Why take advantage of it you ask?
78 degrees on Sunday, 13 degrees today. With Wind Chill? Negative 4 Degrees
NEGATIVE!
When I say we are “iced in” I mean it. Literally.
We can’t open our front door because it is frozen shut.
Caden has two layers of clothes on because his little body was still cold in just one.
Thrasher is wearing a sweatshirt and Bo won’t leave his bed.
It is cold.
So cold that for a second I thought I lived in the North.
I then remembered that I don’t. I live in Texas. The South.
South!
There is ice hockey going on in the streets and power outages across the state. Go figure. Don’t worry, it is going to get above freezing by Friday…just in time for it to snow. So while this past weekend we might have been partying in the sun, we are currently under house arrest and ”chilling”. It’s the honest truth.
