The Ihnen's

Mt. Rainier 2010

2010-06-13T17:21:00.000-07:00

Our little family

We finally went on our first camping trip. We went to Mt. Rainier with Ryan's family and it was so much fun! Emma was such a good girl. Thanks to my parents we took their tent trailer which made it so nice and comfy! We enjoyed great food, awesome weather, great company, hiking and site seeing! It was so fun and we can't wait to do it again! Here are some pictures of our adventure!

The family hiking

Emma and I being silly.

Emma playing and being such a good girl :)

Packing up and getting ready to go. She is such a little ham!

Family picture in front of Rainier. Emma is passed out from the long weekend, but it was perfect :)

RRRrrraaarrrr!!!!

2010-06-10T17:04:00.000-07:00

The lion Beanie

I just can't decide what is Cuter...

2010-06-10T16:53:00.001-07:00

My newest Beanie :)

Stuffed Chicken Parmesan and Parmesan herb rice MMMmmmm...

2010-06-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

This recipe is SO good and SO easy to make. It can be adapted to whatever ingredients you have on hand and you don't have to exactly follow the recipe. I made this one evening when Ryan was super hungry, I needed to go grocery shopping and thought I had nothing to make for dinner. I was able to concoct it from a bunch of different recipes online to fit the things that I had in my pantry. Needless to say, I was avoiding having to do that pesky grocery shopping! Here goes to Chicken Parmesan. Easy, quick, and even better when your man LOVES it!

Chicken Parmesan:

2-3 Chicken breasts thawed
1 cup Ricotta cheese
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 spinach
1 T Parsley
1 T Oregano
1-2 T Fresh minced Garlic
Salt and Pepper to dash
1 bottle your favorite marinara sauce or try THIS homemade recipe
1 Cup Panko Bread crumbs
1 egg
2 T milk

Directions:

1. Heat skillet with a little olive oil. While Skillet is heating crack egg and whisk in med. size bowl. Add 2 T milk to egg. In another medium size bowl add bread crumbs. (If you desire, add garlic powder, onion powder or your favorite seasoning to your bread crumbs for extra flavor).
2. Before dredging chicken cut a pocket in center of each of them. Then dredge in egg/milk mixture, then in bread crumbs. Then place chicken in hot skillet.
3. Sear chicken on each side for 2-3 minutes or until bread crumbs are crusty and brown. You are not cooking the chicken, simply cooking the outside ingredients. Take off heat when done.
4. Take your Ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, spinach, oregano, parsley, and garlic and mix together in bowl. Then place a good amount of mixture into each breast. Place stuffed chicken breasts onto an oven safe dish.
5. You will cook them at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes or until the meat is tender and done.
4. While chicken is cooking heat up your sauce. If you made homemade, go you!! If it is bottled simply heat it up. Sometimes I like to add sauted onions, mushrooms, or artichoke hearts to my sauce if I have them on hand. SO good!
5. When chicken is done, place hot sauce all over the top and extra Parmesan cheese if you like. Enjoy! So good!

Parmesan Herb Rice:

Ingredients:

1 Cup white rice
1 Cup Parmesan cheese
2 cups chicken broth
1 T garlic
1 T Italian Seasoning
1 T Parsely or Basil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients except your Parmesan cheese into either a rice cooker or a pot on the stove. Give it a quick stir and then cook according to rice package directions.
2. In the last two minutes of cooking stir rice and add your Parmesan cheese and then serve with your main dish.

This is for reals...

2010-05-26T15:18:00.000-07:00

This is serious folks. She REALLY has it down now...

Garlic Chicken Alfredo Pizza

2010-05-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

Pizza of all kinds has become a favorite in my family. It is easy, quick and can be so fun adapting so many different kinds! One of our favorites is garlic chicken alfredo. You can use leftover chicken if you have it on hand for this and if you really get into it... make your own dough! This dough recipe is a "no failure". I got it from our friends the Hoyles and lets just say... They don't mess around when it comes to their pizza. Also, you can really add any toppings you like. The recipe below is what I always have on hand to do, but I have added many different things to this recipe such as mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes or mozzarella, onions (when Ryan isn't looking) or whatever else you like! It is all up to you!

For the dough:
Ingredients:
1 3/4 Cups Hot Water
4 1/2 Cups Flour
1 tsp. Yeast
1/2 Cup oil
2 tsp Salt

Directions:*Mix all ingredients together into bowl.
*Place a towel over bowl and let rise for 2 hours

Cooking Directions:
*Heat oven to 55o degrees for 25 minutes
*Roll out dough 1/4 inch thick
*After rolling out dough place cornmeal on paddle, then place dough on the paddle. Add your sauce, cheese, and toppings. Easy enough!

For the pizza:

Ingredients:
Alfredo Sauce (try this homemade one from www.ourbestbites.com)
1 tsp. minced garlic
Salt and Pepper to dash
Fresh Basil4 cooked strips bacon
1 cup cooked chicken
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp olive oil
Italian Seasoning to dash

Directions:
1. After dough is rolled out, spread olive oil, garlic and Italian Seasonings on dough. I like to bake my dough for about 2 minutes to instill these flavorings on the crust. Then take out and place toppings on.
2. Place alfredo sauce, chicken, bacon, dash of salt and pepper, and cheese all over pizza. I like to add cheese, then add basil, then add a little more cheese. Cook for 8-10 minutes and then serve.

It should look like this! Yum!

Crawling and Standing...

2010-05-26T13:36:00.001-07:00

I sit here quiet and look lazy so they think I am being good...

And then when I have the chance...

I go! I start out slow and give Mommy a smile as if to say, "Mind your business Mommy. I am just hanging out."

But then...

I am off! And, I am going fast!!!

Here I come Doggy food! No one can stop me!!! Chevy will starve if I have it my way!!!

Ut oh... Mommy is coming to get me...

I like to stand and greet Mommy now when she comes to get me. I am just so nice like that...

And, look what Grandma Ihnen caught me doing. Hehehe...

I am Sick...

2010-05-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

I cuddle a lot. Mommy LOVES this and feels like she is in Heaven. Even when I don't feel good I am such a good baby. Mommy sometimes thinks she wants 10 of me. I think she is crazy... And, I am not willing to share my ice cream truck treats!

This is what happens when I am sick and finally get some sleep!!!

Spring Fun!

2010-05-26T13:22:00.000-07:00

This spring I have been doing so many fun things. I attempted helping Mommy and Daddy with planting the garden, but realized very quickly I am not so sure about the grass. The patio is for me :)
So I crawled on it. Mommy wasn't very happy about this, but she is grateful that the shout cleaned my clothes up well! I love the sun!

I also realized how much I love the ice cream truck. I don't know why Mommy doesn't give me more of these because she really should... Don't you think?

Things I am looking forward to this summer...

*My 1st Birthday and destroying the cake
*Walking soon!!
*The new Swing Set that Grandma and Grandpa bought
*And the swimming pool that Mommy has been promising me

Hooray for Summer to come!

Dear Grandpa Ihnen,

2010-05-26T13:13:00.000-07:00

I love my new High Chair. It is beautiful and Mommy loves it too. My Grandpa is so talented. I love you.

Look what I can do in my new chair...
I can eat in it...

Be silly and look so cute in it...

And even ignore Mommy and watch Cartoons in it. Who likes taking pictures anyway?!

It is the best! Thank you Grandpa!

Spaghettie Carbonara and Bruschetta

2010-05-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

This recipe is SO good... Probably because if you are on a diet, this isn't something you would want to make. If you can tell in the picture my portion size is small, but it is worth it to me to have that little piece of heaven! This is a great recipe to make for your husband as a surprise, Valentine's Day, Date night, Father's day (which is coming up soon) or just because it is down right delicious! I think the only thing that makes this dinner healthy is the bruschetta or if you added a vegetable side. The night that I made this we had artichokes, which with all the butter they aren't that healthy, but a great idea is to save your artichoke hearts if you don't eat them all and freeze them for spinach and artichoke dips or other pastas! Just an idea... Here goes for a little entry into pure heaven...

Spaghetti Carbonara:
Ingredients

1 Large handful Spaghetti pasta
1 cup cubed ham
1 cup cubed bacon or pancetta
2 T garlic
1-2 cups whipping cream
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup fresh spinach
1 bunch fresh parsley and basil chopped
Salt and pepper

Directions
1. Place water in pot with noodles and begin to boil and cook noodles. Dash with a little salt for extra flavor.
2. In saute pan cook bacon. When bacon is cooked, cut into little pieces and place back in bacon grease with ham. Cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add garlic and saute another minute.
4. Add whipping cream. Stir to coat everything. Let the cream cook for about 3 minutes on medium high heat and then reduce heat a little. It will start to thicken.
4. Add spinach, Parmesan and continue to stir for everything to cook. The spinach will only take a couple minutes.
5. Dash with salt and pepper. Lastly, add your noodles from the pot with a little water and stir altogether.
6. Top with fresh herbs and more Parmesan cheese and it is ready to serve!

Bruschetta:
2-3 Tomatoes
1 small bunch chopped basil
1 T fresh garlic
2-3 T Olive oil
1-2 T Red Wine Vinegar
1 large Crusty bread
Fresh mozzarella cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Chop tomatoes. Add garlic, fresh basil, salt and pepper and oil and vinegar and stir. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Cut crusty bread into little circles. Place olive oil on the bread and heat in oven until browned. Serve with bruschetta and fresh mozzarella cheese.

Coming soon is my favorites - Salsas and Guacamole!

Beer Can or Cola Chicken

2010-04-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

This dinner item is a tradition in Ryan's family. His Mother has made this every summer since I have known them and it has always been delicious! I have decided that I would master my own bird and try it as well. If you don't want to use beer you can use any Cola that you prefer. All it is for is to help tenderize the bird and make it juicier. It is not meant for taste. This is fabulous as a dinner item and the left over chicken freezes well for other dinners such as enchiladas, soups or is even great on sandwiches. There are all different techniques on how to do this and I seemed to find an easy way for me. The trick is to get the bird to stay standing without falling. To make it easier I found this little contraption posted below at Yokes for only $12.00. It is great because the bird stands free, the juices fall to the bowl so you can keep basting the bird for more flavor and is easy to use. Only problem is cleaning it! You can use it on the grill or in your oven. Either way, it is delicious, easy and great use for more than just one meal! Enjoy!

Chicken cooker contraption
(The bowl is for juices, the tube is where you place the liquid or veggies)

The Chicken ready to go

And she is ready to eat!

Beer can/Cola Chicken

Ingredients:

1 4-5 pound chicken thawed (Costco is great priced)
1 stand to cook bird
(Or you can use cooking string, the can, and a cookie sheet to keep it in place)
1 can beer or Cola (Coke or sprite)
1 bunch cilantro
2 jalapenos chopped
1 T cumin
1 T garlic + 1 spoonful minced garlic
1 T onion salt
1 T thyme
1/2 T. ginger
1 T cayenne pepper
1 T paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
2 T lime juice

Directions:

1. Mix all dry Ingredients together.
2. Wash bird in water and pat dry with paper towels. Clean out inside of bird and discard.
3. Rub dry ingredients all over outside of chicken, under skin (May have to cut) and inside. Place in refrigerator for 2 hours to marinate.
4. In can or container place beer or cola, minced garlic, chopped cilantro,lime juice and jalapenos.
5. When grill is ready place chicken on contraption or can and place on grill.
6. Cook on grill for one hour at Medium/high heat for one hour. If cooking in oven cook for one hour at 375.
7. Chicken is done when it has reached 165 degrees on your thermometer.

Enjoy!

***This recipe is a mix of 3 recipes taken from foodnetwork and changed to my liking :)

Bon appetit!

Posing Pretty

2010-04-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

This lucky little girl named Emmalee received a beautiful dress from her Nana for Easter. She posed all pretty, smiles and all so Nana could see....

Bright eyed Angel Baby

Close up to those chubby cheeks

Heaven's precious gift

Giggles, Giggles all the time

We Love You Nana!

Food, Cooking and my Thoughts...

2010-04-24T20:54:00.001-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about food. We need it for survival, sometimes we need it to feel better, other times we need it because it is "Oh so good". I love food... I love to eat it, taste it, cook it, smell it, you name it and I love it. I love to try new things, mess up, get the silent treatment from my Husband (Silence as in this meal is the best I have ever had) and more. I love summer because of my garden and cooking everything that I grow. I LOVE it all! I don't know how I have managed to keep up the cooking while working so many hours, but as my husband would say.... It is my sanity, my stress reliever, my happiness. I love the kitchen! Growing up Ryan and I both shared Mother's who LOVED to cook and who are both not only great cooks, but great teachers. We each had the blessing of a hot meal that was prepared by loving hands every night. It is because of this that I have not only been taught to love to cook, but really do love it. I believe that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Your day starts there and will most likely always end there. And... Most importantly your family will always be there with you. I like to joke with Ryan that because of this I think that someday in our dream home I deserve the ultimate kitchen :)

My goal this summer is not only to cook and fill the hungry bellies of my family, but to share the recipes that I have found that I love. We are so lucky today to have so many blogs, websites and cookbooks that share the same inspiration and love. So far, I have managed to not once cook a casserole for my husband since we got married. That is right ladies! No tuna casserole, chicken casserole, cheesy casserole has been served in this house! I have tried to keep it entertaining, new and exciting. Some dishes are healthy, some aren't which makes them down right delicious and some are just fun. Sorry this entry is rather long and boring and filled with no pictures, but I will be posting plenty of Beer can/cola chicken, Pork in Green Sauce, Spaghetti Carbonara, Asian lettuce wraps, Double fudge mint brownies, Chicken cordon bleu burgers, Fresh garden salsa and many more... Would you like to stay?

BTW... Emma is growing beautifully. Just about crawling, chatting away and absolutely beautiful. New pictures to come. As for Ryan, he is still waiting for work, but waiting happily and as handsome as ever. I am so lucky :)

Does this thing even exist?

2010-03-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

Bubbles, bubbles everywhere!

Splash! Splash! Emma's taking a bath!!

Don't let her fool you with those big pretty eyes...
Don't worry there is a shampoo bottle blocking her privates :)

It has been forever since I last blogged. Soo much has happened! I am a working machine! I wish I could be home with my baby, but we are still going through some lay offs! We are hoping that in the next month or two things will start picking up and Ryan will be back at work so we can switch places, ha ha. Although, he is the best stay-at-home Daddy!!! I am supposed to be training for a half marathon that I am running with my sister and my Mom. Although, I have to admit I am struggling with working so much and still having the energy to get up early and run. But, after seeing Mell's blog about the run she did I am way more motivated. Wish she was here to run with me!! Some other new things are that I have applied for financial aid and hope to get started back in school! Life is crazy, but it is so good! Busy, happy and fulfilling each and every day!

Some new and exciting things about Emma is that she is a rolling machine. And, she ends up in the weirdest of places!!! (In our office Ryan has two big boxes that he still has yet to go through and some how she managed to push them apart and get stuck in between them) She is talking up a storm. She is like the text book baby and says "Goo Goo Ga Ga" all day long! She cut her first tooth the other day and has another one about ready to pop out! That has been miserable for her, but so fun for me to feel the tooth and she is extra cuddly! She LOVES bath time which is great because she used to scream through it. I now have to hold her down in the tub because she is so excited that she either dive bombs for toys or splashes water all over me. It is the best :) She wants to crawl so bad, but still has yet to get her chubby bum moving! I just love her!

I hope everyone is doing well! Sorry it has taken me so long! I guess life has to come before my blog, ha ha!

Family Pictures!!!

2010-01-02T01:48:00.000-08:00

The Ihnen Family 2009

We finally got our first family pictures! With the lay offs money has been tight and I wasn't sure if we would be able to do this, but thanks to Sears Photo and their great Holiday Coupons and my parents for giving us Christmas money every year... It happened!!! It was the best present ever. Emma was such a ham and apparently she loves the camera and attention in the spot light. Should I be worried? She did great and they turned out really well. I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year's! We enjoyed getting our pictures done, a great pizza dinner and our friends Heather and Andrew and their two boys. We watched movies and made it to bed by 10:00pm!!! Ha Ha we are so lame!!! But, it was great and perfect!

Daddy and His Little Angel

Mommy and Angel Baby

Thank you Julie Hoyle for this dress! Amazingly it was the tightest squeeze ever for being a 6-9 mos. dress! Emma is 18 pounds and it didn't want to come on, ha ha!

Loving her smile and big blue eyes!

Happy Baby...

Look at me Mom!

Loves those toes almost as much as her thumb!

Emma's First Christmas 2009

2009-12-27T19:21:00.000-08:00

The Entire Family Together.

Christmas 2009 was quite the treat. Ryan's family had everyone here to attend, which hasn't happened in quite a while! We played games, ate great food, watched movies and enjoyed each others company. My parents house was extremely mellow and laid back. We had a big Thanksgiving to make up for our short, but sweet Christmas afternoon of eating when and as you liked, TV and napping. I don't even think we took pictures which was kind of a bummer. I will have to check my Mom's camera to make sure. I am thinking we were all exhausted from our Christmas movie making this year. (For those who haven't checked out or seen what I am talking about you can visit www.3squaresfilmfestival.blogspot.com for some quality entertainment.) For Emma, she made out like a bandit! Santa treated her well this Christmas! Although, Santa can't wait for next year when she will understand and be more excited! =)

Here are some pictures of the Ihnen's Christmas.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Love you all!

Baby Clause and Mrs. Clause Ihnen.

Grandma and Grandpa Ihnen with Amelia and Emma
in their Christmas dresses.

Merry Christmas 2009

Grandma and Grand babies in their Christmas PJ's
given to them by the Grandparents.

Emma and Amelia. Christmas Bunnies =)

My next post will be new pictures!!! We are getting our pictures taken for the first time as a family this Thursday and I am so excited! Although Ryan's hair is shabby, it is his typical winter hairdo and it wouldn't be a "true" picture without it, haha. Once I have the pictures I will make sure to share them with you! Again, we hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Holidays!!!

It's Been Too Long...

2009-12-05T10:20:00.000-08:00

Precious Day. Precious Angel Baby...

I don't even know where to start. It has been so long since I have updated I just can't stand it.

Let's see...

In October my Dad gave Emma her blessing and it was truly beautiful. He did a wonderful job. It was an emotional day for me, but truly special for my Dad to be able to do that for my daughter and I know she will be blessed. So, thank you Dad, I Love you...

Emma in her blessing dress. This was my dress when I was a baby and was made by my Grandma Moon.

Pumpkin girl for Halloween. My Mom made her Halloween bow. Uncle Nick is holding her.
BOO!!

Emma is growing beautifully. She is full of so much personality already. She sleeps through the night, smiles, plays, laughs, talks and coos up a storm. She is so chubby! We call her out little Michelin women. At her 4 month appointment she weighed in at 15 pounds! She is holding her toys, enjoying her new jumper (early x-mas present) and just about rolling over. This is the best stages I think.

This picture is special. Ryan had a brown velour outfit when he was a baby. It will be cute to put the pictures together of them wearing their outfits and in the same pose.

The Little Michelin Women. Ha ha.

Emma and her bouncer at Grandma and Grandpa Ihnen's. She was so happy they got her this toy as you can tell. :)

Emma with Grandpa Ihnen and his tractor before he sold it. She is wearing her John Deere onesie.

The last couple of weeks have been kind of tough. Ryan was laid off early, I went back to working almost full time and now with the Holidays in swing it is just crazy! I am not sure how much more Ryan and I can experience... It seems we hit every good and bad wind in just our first year of marriage, but I am always surprised and something new always happens. All in all, we are so blessed and still both think we have it all - A roof over our heads, a best friend and the most precious baby in the world. Love is spoken here no matter the mood or circumstance :)

During Thanksgiving my brother Josh and his wife Sarah and their two kids came from Florida. We have so much fun visiting with them, eating TOO much good food and playing games. We miss them because we hardly get to see them, so it was a special treat to see them for Turkey Day. My Aunt Terri and Uncle Tom and their kids came too and that was great as well.

Brody and my Brother Josh Hanging out.

Crazy kids playing at Nana and Papa's House.

Braden passed out from all the chaos.

Up above is recent pictures of Emma, Halloween,Thanksgiving, and the newest addition. Ryan has been wanting a second puppy. I haven't decided yet where I stand on this subject, but knew it would happen either way when you marry a hunter and dog lover. Our puppy Chevy has been so sad since we replaced her with Emma, ha ha. She cried and moped around our house for a couple weeks. The other day we took in two stray labs. We are only keeping one and will be finding a home for the other. So far this has been a lot easier then the first time. Ryan does most of the work and there has been very few accidents because they seem to follow Chevy, which is great. There is a chocolate one and a black one. We know for sure they are from the same litter, abandoned and possibly abused. So hopefully we can love them back to good health :)

Whatever puppy we keep will be named Gunner. So cute...

Some things that we have to look forward too are Christmas! Ryan's sister Jessica and our niece Amelia will be coming for two whole weeks! This will be great since we know that Jessie will most likely be deployed to Afghanistan soon. It will be fun to spend the Holidays with more family. I love Christmas, what it means and the feeling you have when you are surrounded with family and the ones you love. Happy Holidays everyone!

Christmas is Coming Soon :)

2009-11-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

This year for Christmas my family has decided to give the gift of laughter instead of presents. This was my Sister Jenni's idea in Arizona. It will be a new family tradition that we will post videos from each family every Christmas on Youtube and win prizes for the most voted and best video. Each year will be a different theme and each year our parents do not get to choose what their video will be. It will be voted upon. I am sharing this with you because it is so funny, and because we need your votes. Below is the email that my sister sent me that explains the rules and regulations for our family. She has created a website that you can follow everything, view the videos as well as vote. The deadline is December 23rd! Vote for our video!!! Enjoy the laughter :)

http://3squaresfilmfestival.blogspot.com/

Email from Jenni:

First Annual

3 Squares Film Festival

“Because three is enough, if not, flush and begin again.”

This year marks the Rew Family’s first annual film festival. Instead of giving Christmas gifts to siblings each family is responsible to produce one film posted to YouTube due by December 23^rd.

Theme for 2009: Music Video

Each family (with exception to Janna & Howard) will produce a music video to any song they choose.

Janna & Howard’s music selection will be chosen by popular vote.

Film Rules:

Every family member must be on film.

At the beginning of each film each family must introduce themselves. Please include the year and the names and ages of each family member.

There is no time limit. If it is too short, we will call you lazy behind your back. If it is too long, Dad will grow weary of pretending its funny.

We will post the videos to YouTube and compete with each other to see who gets the most viewings and the best ratings.

The point is to be funny. Our gift to each other this year will be to have fun together.

Typical Wines:

“I don’t have a video camera”

You can borrow one from friends or use your digital camera to create a slide show.

If you live in Richland you can borrow Mom & Dad’s when you are there every day eating their food.

“We don’t have time”

You can use family home evening night to create these videos. This project replaces having to give a Rew sibling Christmas gift to any one this year. By producing this video you are saving money and shopping time. Unless of course you forgot to ever send your Christmas gift last year and then, yes, this will take more of your time than usual.

1 Year Anniversary - October 4th, 2008

2009-10-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

October 4th- My one year anniversary and I can't even believe it. As I was preparing to type this I was brainstorming this last year and am shocked at how much Ryan and I have experienced in just the first year of marriage and even more shocked at how fast it went! It is amazing how even with all of the ups and downs, how everyday and through every experience you can continue to fall in love with the same person over and over again. I know that sounds sappy and straight out of a chick flick, but it is true and I love MY husband more and more as each day passes. Here is a quick over view of our FIRST year together...

1. Dating on and off for 5 years2. Living apart while I was in school in IDAHO/UTAH
3. The Engagement
4. Planning a Wedding = CHAOS
5. Buying our first home6. Our Wedding Day - October 4th, 20087. Our Pup named Chevy-poo8. WHOOPS! I am pregnant - November 16th, 20089. Projects on the house/never finishing them/ TOO many projects :)
10. New Jobs - Union/American Laser
11. Going through both of us being laid off and having TOO much time on our hands
12. New Hobbies
13. Preparing for Baby Girl Emmalee Jean14. July 16th, 2009 - 5 year dating anniversary & Emmalee is here!!!15. Church callings, Ryan back in School and being first time parents!
16. New Jobs - Kadlec/Nouveau
17. Watching our Beautiful Daughter Grow18. Becoming a new little family and our 1 year anniversary =)19. 20.... And So many more memories continuing to come...

I am so grateful to supportive family and friends and examples of good relationships/marriages that our parents, and grand parents have shown us. I remember on my wedding day my Uncle Tom who married us explained it as a legacy and a heritage that we have. It is uncommon to have long lasting, successful marriages these days. In our families we have an abundance of that and because of that I know we are so blessed. I love my husband more than anything and our beautiful daughter. I feel so lucky and as though I truly have it all. I am so excited for this roller coaster of life that Ryan and I have to look forward to. =)

Congratulations to us!!! I love you Ryan <3

Emma and Daddy

2009-10-03T14:50:00.000-07:00

Laughing and Happy :)

Here are two new pictures of Emma and Ryan. They are so cute. Tomorrow is our 1 year anniversary and I had one of the pictures of them together framed for him and then one made into a wallet so he could always have her with him. I can't believe it is a year already, and we have a daughter! So crazy! We are so blessed and I just love them to pieces. I am the luckiest girl in the World...

Emma and Daddy.
<3

Beautiful Baby Emma.

Amelia in Town

2009-10-03T14:35:00.001-07:00

Christine and Amelia.

This last two weeks Ryan and my niece Amelia has been in town. We don't get to see her very much so when she is here it is quite the treat =)

She has become good friends with our other niece Christine from the wedding and other times that she was here. So on Friday we had a play date and had so much fun! We painted toe nails, watched movies, went to McDonald's and ate lunch and played on the toys and then played some more at Nana's house. They are so cute, with their sassy/bossy 4 year old personalities. I hope they had as much fun as I did and continue to want to play together whenever Amelia is here. Here are some pictures of our Day...

Hot pink nails with white flowers.

Playing in the McDonald Play House.

Sliding Down the Slide.

It was a success. They had fun, played hard, fought hard like girls do and passed out when everything was said and done, ha ha. It was great. :)

The Spa

2009-09-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

Work has been going great. At first I didn't think I would pick up clients too quickly, but they seem to keep me busy and I am glad. It was extremely nerve racking in the beginning. It has been a while since I have been in the Spa atmosphere and I am more used to the medical environment, but I am so grateful for a good job, great coworkers and the opportunity to do what I love. And... I was amazed at how everything comes back so quickly! I had a training day on Tuesday and I was able to get a Vitamin C peel and Microdermabrasian to feel the product that they use and the machine. It was awesome! In school they never let us combine the two, but when they are put together it is such a powerful and awesome treatment. My skin needed that after having a baby and I feel great. The stress from a new job didn't help my skin either, so hopefully it clears up great.

Leaving Emma is still hard, but I am so lucky to have my Mom and Mother-in-law Kim to watch her. They are so good to me and Emma does great with them, sometimes even better than when she is with me, ha ha. I miss her when I am at work, but I know she is in good hands and I am so grateful for the help. Thank you!

Hopefully as time goes on and I become a regular I will pick up more clients. The Holidays are coming so I hope to be plenty busy!!! If you are bored, come visit me at Nouveau. =)

Here we come Halloween :)

2009-09-21T18:19:00.001-07:00

I have been working on a few beanies for baby gifts whenever I can manage to find the time. Here is my latest. It is a pumpkin if you can't tell and there is a brown stem on the top if you can't see it that well on your computer. I think it is one of the cutest yet, and I just can't resist taking pictures when it turns out this cute, and the cUtEsT bAbY in the world just makes it that much better. =)

I love FALL, the colors, the leaves falling off of trees, warm and delicious soups, comfy clothes and the many layers of sweatshirts/scarfs/beanies, cloudy cold days where you can cuddle up to your loved ones. It is the best, brings happiness to my heart <3 and I can't wait for the Holidays and what is to come this fall. Although if I say so myself... I love October the best because coming soon is my 1 year anniversary. =)

Pretty PUMPKIN Girl

Now for my newest project - Crocheting Christmas Stockings - Oh the possibilities...

Ryan's new TOY

2009-09-14T19:03:00.000-07:00

Ryan recently traded his Jeep Wrangler for a Suzuki Samuri. The Samuri was ready to go wheeling and is a vehicle he has always wanted. If any of you know my husband you know he is a car addict. I figure that I have to get excited with him so it doesn't drive me anymore nuts than it already does. Oh how I love him... :)

Camo seems so perfect being the Hunter that he is, ha ha.

Rub a Dub Dub!

2009-09-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

Emma Loves Bath Time. Although, it is a lot of work for Mommy and Daddy cleaning in between all of those rolls...

Loving it!

Wow! Check out all those rolls!!!

Sunday and New Pictures

2009-09-14T18:21:00.000-07:00

On Sunday it was Stake Conference or "Regional" and since it was the same everywhere, Emma and I went to church with Nana and Papa. All of her newborn dresses she only got to wear once... So sad because some of them were so cute! This dress was given to me by my sister and I love it, especially since at the moment it is the only one that fits and will fit for maybe a couple more Sundays, ha ha. Here we are leaving to church, happy as can be.

Emma is so chunky. It is hysterical. She outweighed a 4 1/2 month old baby on Sunday and she is only 2 months! What a Chowhound...

Here is some other pictures that I took of Ry and Emma after she was burped. I love these photos because of her chubby cheeks and lips. They are so funny. So FULL. Ha ha...

So precious. Her hair is finally starting to come back in. Although now we have a bald spot in the back. You just can't win, ha ha.

Sleepy Chubby Bunny :)

Last, but not least here is Chevy. She is a year now and still small to me. But everyone that comes over and sees her thinks she is so big! She was my first baby and loves Emma. She is still a little stinker though... :)

It is a miracle I got this picture of her. The moment you point the camera in her direction she usually looks the other way... Too smart for her own good.

Life Update :)

2009-09-08T16:44:00.000-07:00

Sleepy baby in her bouncer

So much has happened the last couple of weeks and I have been too busy to update. Emmalee is growing beautifully. She is getting so big so fast and I can hardly believe it! Em has started making cooing noises and she seems to have a lot more to say. She is more alert each day and getting quite the personality. I love watching her grow and it is amazing the changes that she has made. She looks more and more different all the time to me. Still mostly like her Daddy, but I think that could change. :)

Ryan is still busy working and being the great supporter of our family. He is still loving his hobbies. He is in the process of possibly trading his Jeep Wrangler for a Samuri, which is a wheeling rig. Basically the one of his dreams. He seems to get new cars as often as eats. I figure at this point if he works for them and sales one thing for another I can't complain and this hobby makes him happy :) He is also looking forward to hunting season this fall, but with school starting at the end of September and lasting until December he may not get to do much of that.

As for me, I seem to keep busy being a Mommy (which I love), cleaning and keeping up with the house and the latest... My new job!!! Out of the blue I was called by Nouveau Skin Care and Day Spa. I had applied to them when I first moved home a year ago after I graduated. I hadn't heard anything and basically gave up on working there. I was so excited to get the call and it is for the perfect amount of hours. I will be part-time and will be able to train with Esthetician's that have done this for 30+ years. I will have the opportunity to train/learn from them and their experience as well as expertise. I am excited to learn new things that I didn't know in school, and to continue in the profession that I love. This is the ultimate job for me to be able to work in the largest and best Spa that we have in little old Tri-Cities. The Spa offers so many new treatments that I haven't been able to do before, let alone try myself. I am grateful to contribute to our family and continue in the skin care business. :)

You can check out the Spa at www.nouveauspa.com

Ain't she Pretty?

2009-08-27T16:59:00.000-07:00

Today I had a Doctor appointment and since I had to run errands I thought I would dress Emma up cute. I seem to only really dress her when we leave the house. At home we are comfy in our PJ'S or Emma's diaper. This outfit we got from our friend Jenna at our baby shower and it is super cute. It finally fits Emma and she looked adorable. Everybody loved her at the Dr.'s office.

Even with the spit up it is still cute. :)

Such a pretty girl. I love her so much.

I am a Couponer :)

2009-08-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day using coupons. I have been getting a lot of advice from my sister-in-laws and sister. As well as doing research from different blogs and forums all about coupons that they gave me. At first it seemed super overwhelming, but I think I am getting the hang of it and these blogs are fabulous! I think I am addicted now. My goal from all of this is to have a pretty good food storage, house hold items on hand, cleaning supplies, you name it I hope to have it. With Ryan having the possibility of frequents lay offs I want to have everything on hand and never feel bad when we have to buy something because hopefully we will have it on hand and at a great price!

I decided to start today with just one store. I went to Albertson's. I checked the blogs before I left which told me all the deals, I cut out the coupons from the Sunday paper that I wanted and away I went. As I was filling up my cart I felt rather silly. It was piled high!!! Today's goal was to get things for Ryan's lunches like soda, chips, snack pack puddings, gatorade, cookies, and cereal for the morning. I made a haul! I basically massacred Albertson's. My total purchase was around $210.00. With my coupons I only spent $90.00 of that. That seems like a lot for having coupons right? But... I also got a $10.00 off my next purchase. I think the more that I do this, the more that I will save because I will already have things on hand.

The first thing I did when I got home was subscribed to the Sunday newspaper, placed all the items I got on the bar, and waited for my husband to get home. I was so excited and giddy like a little girl! And he was excited about our savings too.

Here is proof of my purchase :)

Chevy Loves her Baby and I Love mine...

2009-08-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

The other day I took a shower and placed Em on a blanket in the middle of the bed. I had just fed her and she was kicking, cooing and having the time of her life. When I shower or basically do anything Chevy always follows me around or is somewhere that I can see her. Usually she lays on the floor in front of the shower, but this day was different. When I got out of the shower I walked out to this...

Chevy seems to no longer be jealous. Chevy loves her baby. <3

Waking up to my two babies = Heaven.

Gumpy Old Man?

2009-08-23T20:32:00.000-07:00

Someday Emma will not only hate me for this picture, but probably if she ever reads this post. Everyone told me when Emma was born that she would have a bald spot on the back of her head from laying down. Since she was born with quite a bit of hair I expected for that bald spot to show up sometime soon, as most of her hair or the thickest part was in the back. I kept waiting and waiting... and instead ended up with this as pictured above. Instead of Emma losing her hair in the back she is losing it on top! It is sort of like a bald mullet, ha ha. Everyone also told me that babies go through an awkward stage and this is definitely hers. She is losing more and more hair on top, but still has plenty in the back. She is officially my grumpy old man (She has Ryans grumpy expressions)

Emma - Mommy Loves you and thinks you are so beautiful, awkward or not, with hair or without, mullet, bald or whatever... But, this is just so funny Mommy had to document it. I love you. <3

Thank goodness for headbands ;-)

My name is Emma...

2009-08-23T19:39:00.000-07:00

And I am a Chubby Bunny!!!

My little princess is well over ten pounds already, in size 1 diapers and growing so fast!!! I can't believe how quickly she changes and as exciting as it is with her new expressions, the more alert she is getting, it makes me SO sad. Everyone was right... These first moments go by so fast and with her getting so big I hardly feel like I have a baby anymore. Isn't that weird? She is only 6 weeks old (This Thursday) and I already feel like she isn't a baby, Ha Ha. Maybe it is because to begin with she was SO tiny.

On a side note... It has taken Ryan and I almost a year to paint our office. Finally something inspired us to get a start. Who knew we hated home remodeling projects so much? The previous owners had painted their childrens bedrooms in some pretty out of control colors. The boys room (The office) was a dark midnight blue with yellow planets all over them. The planets were also covered with glow in the dark goop. Although I must say they glow wonderfully, it was a pain to re-texture. In the girls room it was an awful purple that was covered all over the outlets and everything. That was repainted already for Emma in a pretty pinkish tan. Anywho, we have only begun the madness with texturizing the walls, priming, and priming/painting the trim. We have a lot more to do, but it is so exciting to get a start and know that one more room in this house will be done. After this we have the bathrooms, our bedroom, new flooring in the laundry room, the trim throughout the house... The list goes on and on. Next time we are building a brand new home... Ugh!

The Girls Room Before

Emma/Guest Room now

One of our lovely planets. So far it has taken Ryan 3 coats of Primer. When this room is finished I will take an after picture. Yikes!

Inspector Issues

2009-08-17T21:11:00.001-07:00

Lately Ryan and I have had some pretty frustrating, but also hysterical "Inspector" issues. This is a long story and still also in the process, but I couldn't let this one go by without sharing. So here goes...

A couple weeks ago Ryan came home from work, went into his shop to do some things and found a notice stapled to the wall from the City of Pasco Inspector. Apparently he had come by, inspected our shop without us knowing or even calling him to come. Ryan came in the house and asked me if I was aware as the papers said that he had knocked on the door and no one answered. Because no one answered, he just helped himself to our back yard. Being that we were not working on any remodeling in the shop or house and had not called an inspector to inspect anything, we were both frustrated. Especially my Husband, as he has a young wife, and new infant child home alone all day and some creep helps himself to our back yard. Once Ryan glanced better at the papers he realized that the idiot had the wrong house. He was supposed to be inspecting our neighbors house. So, Ryan took the papers to the neighbors, explained the issue, came home aggravated about everything, but let it go.

About a week after that he received another paper from the Inspector, but this time in the mail. The inspector was basically sending him paperwork saying that he had inspected everything and we would need to make our payment to him, as well as fix the issues for our permit. We both looked at it and thought, what an idiot, it wasn't our house and we aren't doing anything about it. So we didn't.

Then, today we received another packet of papers. The inspector must have realized his mistake,(Obviously because our neighbors must have called him. Our neighbors took off a full day of work waiting for him to come.) but also realized that our permit for the shop wasn't actually in the shop and up to code for the City of Pasco. Apparently when the house and shop were built it was never up to par, but should have been before the house was sold to the second owners, and Ryan and I. We even had the house inspected before we purchased it and this problem was not caught! He now sent us a bill for the new permit and saying that we not only needed to pay and fix the problems, but have him come and inspect it and pay him! Lets just say that Ryan was livid.

After calling our Realtor for our inspectors phone number, talking with a few friends in the law business and of course my Dad, we came to some conclusions from the Inspectors paperwork. My Dad noticed that the dates that he put on the paper that he sent us were not valid to the date he actually inspected our shop. Therefore he was lying to make it look like we had actually called him out, when we didn't, therefore it is fraud. Also, he basically trespassed onto our property. Inspectors have the right to check any property that they have been called out too, and he was not called out to ours. And, according to the law you only need a permit for new remodels to your home or if you are building, which we are not. I love my Dad. :) He is great with things like this and will be taking care of the issue for us. But, what bad luck! Ryan and I haven't lived in this house for a year and it was built in 2001 which means that two sets of owners have lived in the house with this issue and haven't had a problem!

We seriously have bad luck! Hopefully we will get some good luck and this issue will be fixed.

Dang Inspectors... Is it really that hard to find the correct address when it is right in front of you on your paperwork and you are clearly parked in front of the houses to check and see? Honestly... I would be worried if he was my inspector if he can't figure out where he is, how does he know what he is doing? :/

Cousin Cameron's Mission Farewell

2009-08-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

This Sunday was my cousin Cameron's mission farewell. It was fun to listen to him talk, although I was stuck in the Mother's room nursing. (Thankfully they have speakers so you get to listen to everything and sit in comfy chairs ha ha...) I can't believe how old he is and what a young man he has turned into. I used to babysit my Uncle Tom and Aunt Terri's kids when they were younger and it is hard to believe that they don't need me anymore to watch them. He is going to be great in Florida. The people there are so lucky to have a great young man to serve them and teach them so much. :) It was also great because Ryan came to church with us. I was so excited to finally have some decent pictures as a family. We were all dressed up and it was perfect! Thank you Cameron for giving us a reason to look cute! :)

Cute Family. My Husband is SO handsome dressed up. I don't get to see that very often and boy do I love it :)

Proud Daddy. Emma staring at him. <3

Mommy and her princess.

First Day of Church, The Swing, Update on Emma

2009-08-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

Last week Emma and I managed to go to Sacrament meeting at church. I don't know exactly what I was thinking. It was a little soon, ha ha, everyone keeps telling me to slow down and that I am doing too much too soon and I am definitely feeling it now :( But, I took some cute photos of her in her first church dress and let me tell you... She looked precious even if we were tired and grumpy. :)

All dressed for Church.

So Precious.

Also, the most recent pictures that I have taken is Emma in her swing. We got this swing at our Baby shower from Julie Hoyle. Let me tell you, Emma loves this swing so much and so does Mommy. :0)
If I keep her in the swing she stays happy, entertained and Mommy actually gets things done. Woohoo for the swing!!!

So Comfy! Gotta love the binky too!

Happy and Content.

On Thursday we had Emma's 1 month appointment. I can't believe that she is that old already! It feels like I just had her and we just got home from the hospital... My how time flies! Although, it feels that way, Emma doesn't look like how she came home from the hospital. She has finally started filling out her clothes, getting chubby and weighs a whopping 9 pounds already! We had an appointment one week before this last one and she was 7 pounds 15 ounces. She gained a little more than a pound in a week! She is eating great, growing beautifully and so healthy. Ryan and I couldn't be happier. Things are going great. I am feeling better each day. My only complaint is the baby weight that I need to lose, but I am wearing it proudly as my badge of honor, ha ha. I am sure I won't feel that way about it in a couple weeks though if it is still sticking around ha ha... :)

PJ Time :)

2009-08-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

Today is three weeks since Emma was born. She has been an easy baby so far. She may have her nights and days mixed up, but her life right now consists of eating, pooping, and sleeping. She is happy and becoming more and more alert. It is so fun to see her awake and have her recognize my voice, smile and coo, and the more weight that she gains the cuter she gets. We had her Doctors appointment today. She now weighs 7lbs and 15 ounces. That means since her birth weight she has been gaining about an ounce a day which they said is good. She isn't quite as big as her new little cousin Lucy, but I am sure Emma will catch right up and probably pass Lucy right on by. Emma is healthy, and doing great which was good to hear as well. Every moment with Emma is amazing. Being a Mother is the most wonderful feeling in the world. I love her to death. She brightens every day of mine. :)

Getting Ready for bed.

In her cute PJ's.

All bundled up.

Baby Feet...

2009-07-25T10:59:00.000-07:00

I don't know why... But, I think they are SO cute..
.

It's hard work being So Dang Cute...

2009-07-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

Who knows how they make it through each day...
:)

Wide Awake Photo Op - This is Rare

2009-07-24T14:28:00.001-07:00

Hello!

Just making faces and playing!

Okay Mom... This is getting old. I am not looking!

Maybe if I hit her she will stop...

It Just Doesn't Get Much Better Than This...

2009-07-23T16:16:00.001-07:00

Emmalee couldn't agree more... <3

The C-Section...

2009-07-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

She sleeps like her Daddy... Mouth open :)

I have figured that by now people are wondering... What happened? Why a C-Section? I am still trying to grasp everything that happened myself, as it was SO fast. I wasn't given much time to think and when it comes to these things, you don't get much of a choice either. So... Here is the story.

Thursday morning I went to my appointment to do the usual check up and see how everything was going. I was 39 weeks along, having on and off contractions for about a month and already 2cm dilated. I arrived and the nurse decided while I waited for the Doctor to do a stress test. She hooked me up to the baby monitor, waited a couple of minutes and then excused herself from the room. I thought that was weird, but knew something was wrong when they Doctor came running in. At this point I was nervous, especially since before I left for my appointment I had already decided that I wasn't having her anytime soon because I wanted her out so bad. So nothing was ready... my house, all of my bags were at home, and I wasn't ready. My baby shower was supposed to be that night, my doctor was out of town and family was going to be here - I didn't have time to have a baby, ha ha. The Doctor did some checking, assured me to stay calm, and then used his cell phone to call the Hospital right next to his office to let them know to prepare for an Emergency C-Section...

I broke down. He let me know that Emma was okay, but her heart rate was dangerously low, changing between 39-80 and that he didn't want to take any chances. He helped me into a wheel chair and started running for the Hospital. At this point, I had no time to call my Husband, my Mom, Ryan's Mom... ANYONE!!! I was sobbing on my wheel chair ride to the hospital, terrified for my baby, me and even more terrified that I was alone. The Doctor was great. I knew he was really scared for Emma and I could tell by his actions, but as we rushed over he kept reassuring me it was okay and saying "You are having a baby today!!! How exciting!!!" When we got to the birthing unit they took me to my room and checked the heart rate one more time. At this point it was stable and things looked like maybe they would turn up. He went over some things with me and decided that maybe we could wait an hour and see how things go. I called Ryan and told him to come to the hospital and called my Mom and Ryan's Mom. I was still panicked at this point. I feared the worst because her heart rate had been low for the last month, as well as my amniotic fluid. After an hour went by, the Doctor came in to let Ryan and I know that we would start inducing labor because things were looking great. I was so relieved!

Two hours into the pitocin and I was feeling contractions!!! Before we started inducing I was 70% effaced and even more dilated! When they started to get a minute apart I called the Nurse in pain for an epidural and asked Ryan to go to the car and get my bags. Within the 5 minutes that Ryan was gone, Emma's heart rate decreased dangerously again! How could this happen? I was terrified again. The nurse came in and did a catheter as quickly as she could, the Doctor came in and said that they would be ready in 5 minutes and to sign some piece of paper and my poor Husband came in with bags and was thrown a gown and told to say goodbye as they wheeled me off to the OR. Ryan did as he was told, leaned to me and cried and said he loved me and then asked me... "What are we naming this baby?" Ha ha... I started crying even more... I was so scared, in pain and just blurted out the name that I wanted. Without hesitation he said he loved it and kissed me goodbye. I have the best husband. :)

After preparing for the C-Section, they allowed Ryan in and he watched everything! I was amazed. The only thing that came out of his mouth about the whole experience was it was violent, tears, and I am so glad you are okay, ha ha. Our precious Baby came out in about 3 minutes and was doing okay.

The most frustrating part about the C-Section was we thought we would have some answers after she was born. We assumed that the cord must be wrapped around her neck, but it wasn't and I still don't know what went wrong. But... I do know one thing. Emma needed to come out quickly and quickly she came. Although, we had some minor problems with her health afterwards, she is healthy now and happy and eating like a pig!

Today we had her check up and the Nurse kept saying how she couldn't find anything wrong with this baby. I know why... That is because she is perfect. :) I have come to realize three things. While I was pregnant I would have told you that I couldn't have a C-Section and that it wasn't going to happen. It just didn't seem like the way to have a baby to me, and it still doesn't. But... I have decided that it doesn't matter how your baby comes, just that when they do they are healthy and so are you. All of the things that I thought were so important and mattered have flown out the window and it is amazing how your priorities and ideas of what is important change. I know that I am so blessed to have this child in my arms every second and to feel as good as I do after surgery. Heavenly Father was thinking of Emma and I through everything, and I know he blessed us with alert Doctors that were aware and ready to take action. I am so grateful to him and for this special gift. I have never felt so much love towards anyone and like I said earlier... I would have 10 C-Sections just to have her here.

Well... That is the story. We are doing great. I surprise myself all the time at what I have been able to do! I love my Emma!
:)

We Are Home :)

2009-07-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

Emma and I were able to come home Monday. We are so grateful to the wonderful medical staff, our many Doctors and Nurses. We had an outstanding experience given the circumstances and were treated with the best of care. Even though it was great, we are SO grateful to be home, in our own beds, and able to take care of ourselves. Emma is doing awesome! She is quite the little piggy and will be chunky huge in no time! I am doing good as well. It is slow going for me. I don't expect to really be moving around anytime soon, but I am doing as much as I can and feeling alive, ha ha. Thank you to everyone for dinners, prayers, thoughts, gifts and more. We are so blessed and so grateful. Here are some new pictures of Emma. The picture with the big flower is how we came home from the hospital and the other one is her all dressed up cute in the house... She is a Doll. :)

Emma posing cute for the Nurse to take a picture for the Hospital website before we were released to leave. You can check it out at www.kennewickgeneral.com. Click on Baby browser to the left and either search her name or birth date which was July 16th.

Emma posing pretty for Mommy.

Close up of Emma.

I have to say, that even after how everything went, she is so precious. I feel so much love towards her and would have went through 10 c-sections just to have her here. I am so grateful for this little piece of heaven and am so happy to be home, to be able to love her and hug and have her as my own. Mommy loves you Emma. You are the best thing (besides Ryan Daddy) that has ever happened to her.

Update on Baby Emma

2009-07-18T11:09:00.000-07:00

Although Emma has been latching on and sucking great on her own, Mommies milk has not come in yet. :( Her Blood sugar is starting to get better, but her temperature is fluctuating. To be on the safe side Emma will be staying 48 hours to test for infection. I will most likely be sent home today. :(

These last couple days have been the start to a major roller coaster ride. We are so blessed and realize that even with a crazy turn of events we have a healthy baby for the most part and healthy Mommy. We wish things happened differently, but all is well. We can't wait for Emma to be doing good on her own and to be together, at home as a family. Thanks again to everyone's prayers, comments and concerns. Ryan and I know we are so lucky to have such great friends, family and a wonderful supportive system to help us through anything.

Baby Emma with her IVS and hooked to just about everything in the Nursery.

Baby Emma in the Nursery getting the best of care. Safe and Sound.

Emmalee Jean Ihnen

2009-07-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

Please welcome
Emmalee Jean Ihnen

Born 7/16/09 at 2:47pm
Weight 6 Ibs. 4 oz.
Length 18.5 inches long

Although Emma gave us a scare with a decreasing heart rate. She came fast and easy through an emergency c-section. We are healthy, happy, and feeling hopeful that we will recover fully and soon. :) Thank you to everyone's prayers, thoughts, gifts and love.

First Moments into this World.

Proud Daddy.

Exhausted Mommy from a long traumatic day.

Happy family :)

9 Days and Counting...

2009-07-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

I have 9 days left until my due date. I am more uncomfortable as each day continues, but still happy to be able waddle around as much as I can. The on and off contractions are such a tease and I have decided that I am over it. I think it would be way better to experience the pain of contractions, have the baby and be done. Although, eventually I will find out for sure and let you all know :) If she comes, great... If not, well I guess I will just get used to being this way, ha ha just kidding. Good news is that I will most likely be able to be at my Baby shower which I am excited for! :)

I find out tomorrow if I will be induced, although I have a feeling that is a not going to happen... So, Happy Baby Shower to me and hopefully I don't have this baby this weekend... We have family in town and my Doctor is still gone...

On a Side Note...

2009-07-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

This morning I was looking through pictures of my nieces and nephews and decided that Ryan and I have some serious COMPETITION. Not only has my Mom warned him that this baby better come out with hair... (Ryan had a head full of hair when he was born, whereas the Rew kids are toeheads) but our family has been very blessed with the cutest of kids. Talk about pressure - Maybe this is why this baby doesn't want to come! I don't blame her :)
If you don't believe me, take a look!

These two Babes are Olivia and Brody. They are my Brother Josh and his wife Sarah's kids. They are SO cute, full of so much personality and I swear there is nothing cuter than a smiley boy with a head full of hair :)

These three babes are my Brother Brad's kids and his wife Thera. Their names are Braden, Bradley and Christine. They are ALL adorable (notice the blonde hair pattern in all of these kids, including my other Brothers) I get the joy of seeing these kids often because they live near me and I am so grateful for that... Although, I am wishing and hoping the others will move closer too :)

This is my sister Jen and her husband Chad and their kids. She is expecting her first girl this August, but these are her strapping young boys. They are all blondies as well. If I had single pictures of each boy I would post them all because they are just as deserving and just as cute!!! Their names are Mason, Tanner, Jacob, Sami, and David. Each one has a different personality, so sweet, and fun to be around. During my wedding when all of the kids were here it was so fun to see them interact and play. I can't wait for family reunions :)

And this darling Babe, (for once I am not talking about my husband) is Amelia. This is Ryan's sister Jessica's daughter and our God Child. We don't get to see Amelia very often, but when we do we are so happy to have her around. She has become really good friends with my niece Christine, who is in desperate need of girlfriends as she would tell you because her life is surrounded by boys.

So... as you can see we have quite the abundance of hotties in our family. I have decided that if Ryan and I get a baby with hair we will have won no matter what... (Just kidding) Either way, it doesn't matter. I guess the point is my family is very blessed, but I think because of this my child will not leave the womb. She is terrified, and I can see why :)

Day 10...

2009-07-14T06:53:00.000-07:00

As anxious as I am it is wierd to think that I have only ten days left, maybe even less. Today I have decided to focus on other things, instead of the contractions and being so uncomfortable. I had this thought in my head that if I didn't clean my house she would come because that would not only frustrate me, but people would see my messy house. That plan didn't work. Today, no matter how uncomfortable I get, I am going to clean, watch a chick flick, maybe enjoy some crochet and act as though I don't know anything might be happening. We will see what happens... :)

Update on Day 11...

2009-07-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

Apparently what I thought was a UTI infection is actually my water leaking, but it has not broken. They checked my PH levels and fluid level in my amniotic sac and it appears to be low. My Doctor said that if it gets lower I will have to induce. I will know on Thursday. I was thinking to myself, "Oh darn". As exciting as it is, it is by far the worst timing... Which is why I must assume that it will happen that way because that is just my luck! Between my Baby shower, Ryan's sister and brother coming into town Thursday and my ACTUAL Doctor being out of town I am thinking it will happen. But, with my water leaking I am hoping in the next couple days I can go into labor myself. SO... all in all it is better news than a UTI. I am grateful to be feeling okay, the baby is healthy and doing great and I couldn't be happier. :) Now I am off to taking a nap and playing this waiting game :)

Day 11...

2009-07-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately there is no good news today :( I was up all night with Braxton hicks and a wonderful UTI infection. I think Ryan is about as done as me because we didn't get much sleep ha ha. We are ready for these all nighters with the baby since we don't sleep anyways. Our other baby, Chevy, was terrified of the thunder and lightning and that kept us up as well. With a UTI, no sleep, and braxton hicks I am still hopeful that something will happen soon. I say "Bring it on Baby" ... Your Mommy is tough. I may whine, want you out and may possibly be going crazy, but bring it on... I can handle you :)

12 Days and Counting...

2009-07-12T12:06:00.001-07:00

Last night I had on a off contractions, as well as this morning, but nothing sticking around. I may try walking today, but I am exhausted and extremely uncomfortable. I told Ryan this morning that maybe she wasn't going to come until Mommy and Daddy agreed on a name for her. He didn't seem to agree, but I am now certain this is the problem. I feel like I have tried everything else... Haha, as uncomfortable as it is though, I am in good spirits, happy and excited. Just anxious and ready to be done... Maybe on day 11 we will have some good news :)

13 Days To Go...

2009-07-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

I have walked every morning and evening for three days. I have scoped out every street in my neighborhood so if you are looking for a house or car for sale I think I can help you out. I have cooked the most ridiculous spicy food and still no baby... But, I have not given up yet... I can feel the sporatic contractions getting stronger... Hopefully this means something will happen someday soon :)

14 Days To Go...

2009-07-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby Girl Whom we have not agreed on a Name,

I am 38 weeks exactly today and I can hardly believe that you will be here soon. I can't tell you how amazing and hard this last couple of months have been, but I know everything was all worth it. There are so many things that I love about you already. I feel like I already know you. I love your 4-5 hiccup sessions each night. Although it feels like you are having convulsions it helps me to know you are still around. :) I love the feeling of your hands or feet gliding across my belly, almost as though you are reaching to me, or trying to kick me... Either way I am happy because I know it is you in there moving around. I love your baby room and can't wait to show it to you. I hope you like it. I think I probably go in there 10 times a day just to look at it, clean it for the millionth time because I am so excited. I love making you beanies and have so many outfits with matching beanies for you. Don't worry, when you make an entrance into this world you will have the best looking outfit there :) I love that when I talk about your arrival with your Daddy he becomes a new Ryan that I haven't seen before... I can't wait to see him with you... So soft, sweet and mellow and so excited and proud to be your Daddy. I know he is just as excited as I am and even though he doesn't get to feel you all day long, I can promise you that he knows you and loves you just the same.

As excited and happy as I am, I am so tired. I just can't lie. I know that I am going to miss being pregnant and having you in my tummy, but Baby Girl I need my body back and I need you to take over your own :) Mommy wants to be able to bend over and tie her shoes, not wake up with swollen ankles, and possibly make it through one day without heartburn. I know I will be up at night making sure you are happy, but I would rather do that because it will be doing something that I will love to do, instead of the potty breaks every hour that I am enjoying right now :) I want to be able to go running in our new jogging stroller, instead of feeling like a cow... I just can't wait any longer. I know it feels warm and safe in there, but I promise you I have a safe place for you here and that I will do my best to give you everything you need to make you happy, smart, and a beautiful young women that I know you can be. So... Please let Mommy leave this emotional roller coaster and waiting game and just come... Come home... I don't know if I can wait patiently anymore...

I Love You,

Your Mommy

Momma's Check List...

2009-07-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

Momma's Check List...

Kitchen clean - Yes!
Bathrooms clean - Yes!
Baby Room Organized - Yes!
Baby Here - NO :(
Floors vacuumed and mopped - Yes!
Chevy given lots of attention - Yes :)
Ryan Daddy ready - Yes!
Baby Here - No! :(
Baby Bag packed - Yes!
Diapers, wipes, baby supplies - Yes!
Car seat ready - Yes!
Baby Here - No!!! :(
Chevy given even more attention - Yes!!! :)
House Dusted - Yes!
Mommy and Daddy's Bags packed - Yes!
Baby Here??? - NOO!!! :(
Camera charged and packed - Yes!
Laundry complete - Yes!
Food for Ryan - Yes!
Baby Here?¿? - No!!! No!!! No!!! :(
Baby shower planned - Yes :)
Garden watered - Yes!
Mommy and Daddy excited? - Yes!!!
Baby Here?¿?¿ - Nooo!!!! :(

I just don't know if I can wait any longer...

The Baby Room

2009-07-07T20:44:00.000-07:00

I have been so excited about having a baby room. I have finally completed it. It is ready for the baby to come home. I have more things that I would like to add, but the clothes are washed and hung, the dresser is painted, the crib is ready and even the guest bed is ready. I have tried really hard to make this affordable and not spend too much. I repainted Ryan's old baby dresser, which resulted in us getting a new one. (I am so glad because we needed it desperately and the one I painted is adorable!) The curtains that are brown my Mother gave me. I had a down comforter from College that I reused with a new duvet cover. And... Instead of using the ugly worn closet doors, my Mother-in-law Kim came up with the idea of using curtains. It brightens up the room and is adorable! I have had a lot of help from my Parents with painting and purchasing the crib, Ryan's Mom and Melinda with painting the dresser, Melinda with taking pictures of my BIG belly and helping me get them in the frames and everyone pitching in here and there. And of course, my husband with hanging things, putting the crib together and more. I am so lucky and so grateful to everyone's help. Thank you all! I am excited to share this with you. I hope you enjoy! Now we just need to get the baby out of me and in there!!! :)

The Crib. The colors are Chocolate brown and pink.

The Guest Bed.

The Curtains on the Closet.

Ryan's old dresser and Belly Pictures.

The Hamper and Baby blanket made by my Grandma Barbara.

Close up of the one of the Belly pictures.

Close up of the other picture.

View of the entire room.

My Best Friend Heather...

2009-07-07T10:26:00.000-07:00

A while back I had posted an entry about my Best Friend Heather. We happened to be pregnant at the same time. She had her baby finally, after being ten days over due! (Poor Girl!) and I thought I would let everyone know that she had a BOY. He is so cute. They named him Marshall Lewis Noles. I am so excited for her and so excited to be able to have children together that will be the same age. She is a great Mother and a wonderful example to me. I have learned so much from her and she is always willing to answer my questions and help me out. I love you Heather! Congratulations to the new addition to your family!

Marshall Lewis Noles
6/22/09

The Happy Family
(I stole these pictures from her)

Pregnancy...

2009-07-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

I thought I would update everyone on the pregnancy. I am 38 weeks this week and still pregnant, ha ha. I am feeling more and more tired, HUGE, and ready to have this baby. I am SO excited as we get closer to be able to meet her, see what she looks like and hold her for the first time. This last couple of weeks have seemed SO long and I wish it would go by faster. The baby room is almost finished. I have a few more touches to make and then I will post pictures. As for me... I finally took some pictures of my bare belly for all to see. These will be the last pictures of me pregnant and for some reason, as eager as I am to get her out of me, I am kind of sad. I am so glad I took the time to do this because I know I won't with the next kids and this is such a special time. Melinda, Ryan's brothers fiance is great with photography and capturing special moments. She was kind enough to take the pictures for me and they are So cute. I am so grateful to Melinda and all her help with the baby room and pictures. She is great and has made this even more fun for me! Here are a few of them for your enjoyment. This is it folks! Hopefully the next couple posts are pictures of the baby room and my precious baby! Wish me luck! :)

Big Belly Ready To BURST! :)

This Took A LOT of Bribing - Thanks Babe!

My Very Favorite :)

It Looks Like A HUGE Basketball Ha Ha...

So Precious...

Well Baby Girl... We are ready for you. We may not have agreed on your name and we may still have plenty to do around the house, but we are ready. I can't wait to meet you...

Update...

2009-06-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

Surgery went great. Everything looked good and she is now resting and recovering! We are glad that it is over and she can hopefully slowly get back to the normal Janna that we know. Thank you all for your prayers. We are so grateful! :)

Can I steal your prayers for one day please?

2009-06-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

My Mother.

This is my beautiful Mother Janna. If she knew I was posting this entry about her I think she would flip... But, tomorrow is a big day for her and our family and I needed to tell everyone about my Mother. Tomorrow my Mom is having surgery for her second cancer. When I was a freshman in High School she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. After two surgeries, a long recovery we were happy to find out that she was in the clear. It was exciting, triumphant and a huge achievement. She has lived the last couple of years cancer free and in remission... Until recently. Recently, she was diagnosed with a very rare cancer that has nothing to do with the previous cancer before. Although everything looks hopeful because it is slow growing and they have caught it very early, this is still my Mother and surgery is always terrifying. So... The point of today's blog is to relieve my fears and to tell you about this amazing women that I am so lucky to have in my life.

My Mother is so Smart and Talented. After receiving her Associates Degree my Mother got married, and started a family. Having 4 kids didn't leave her much time to go back to school, and I don't think it really mattered to her. By the love that she has shown for everyone in my family and how I was raised I know that she didn't need a degree to make her smart. From the time that we were all little kids my Mom found ways to contribute to the family. I can remember her teaching piano lessons at 6:00am in the morning before kids went to school. I hated it because it woke me up, but it was her thing, her talent that she is amazing at and she had so many students who learned so much from her. A lot of them I grew up with and they all tell me how much they love my Mother and the things she taught them. She still plays the piano today for different events, church and pleasure. I appreciate it and love her music more and more. My Mother started a business with her best friend Julie Hoyle when I was in 5Th grade. I remember all of us kids were so excited about the Dollar Shop until we realized that we had to help out. It was so much work! But... we learned so much from that store. We ran a business together as a family. We had to work together, grow together, learn together and struggle together. When business became tough, Julie and my Mother turned it into a scrap booking store. My Mother yet again surprised me. She wasn't the scrap booking type, but she started teaching card making classes, scrap booking classes in her store, through out the church and community. It didn't matter the challenge or the task, she could do it and she continues to do amazing things. Whether it is playing the piano, making my wedding invitations, teaching cooking classes, participating in a bell choir, or making her first square foot garden, it doesn't matter... She can do it and will do it because she is amazing. My Mother didn't need a degree, she was already so Smart and Talented.

My Mother is Loving and Serves Others. I believe this is her ultimate goal in life. She seems to always be helping anyone and everyone. I don't know how she does this, or where she even finds the time. Whether it is through callings in the church, the elderly ladies she loves (And They of course LOVE her!) a family member or good friend... she is serving and taking care of everyone around her and has her whole life. We used to joke in the house that our home was a "hotel". It seemed that someone was always staying in our home to visit their family, or a wedding or just here for the weekend and she loved to give her home freely to those who needed a place to stay. She loved this SO much... That one time while she was a temple worker a couple drove all the way here from Canada to come to the temple. They didn't have much money so rather than stay in a hotel they slept in their car. They had a box of vegetables and fruit that they ate. My Mother met them in the temple while working and she couldn't bare the thought of them sleeping in their car. Of course, she knew what she had to do. She opened her home to complete strangers, gave them a place to stay, fed them and made sure that they were taken care of so they could see the temple. We all thought she was crazy. Complete strangers! But... My Mother is so giving it didn't matter to her that we didn't know them, she would serve them anyway. I also had a lot of friends throughout my schooling that came from single family homes. I am constantly reminded from them of the love and gratitude they have for my mother who fed them meals, drove them to school, dance, and gave them a safe and happy place to stay. My home became a home to many friends in need. From the time I was a little girl she has always been an example to me. She has served me when I was sick, sad, scared, rebellious... You name it and she was there. I was lucky to have a stay-at-home Mom who participated in my life and made sure that I was always taken care of. Moreover, she made sure that I served in my community, church and to my family and although it was always a fight, I have grown so much today because of her example and because of the things that she knew I needed to do. My Mother is Loving and Serves Others.

My Mother is Spiritual. Growing up we were always taught to say our prayers, attend church and our meetings and to be good Christians. My Mother was always an example to this. Every morning I would run into her room to tell her something, good or bad, and interrupt her kneeling next to her bed praying. Her morning consists of the same routine and has for years... Prayers, walking, reading her scriptures, and getting ready for the day. It has never changed. When she leaves on trips she finds a place to go to church and is always prepared. She is the ultimate example to me when it comes to loving my Savior, having faith and being proud of religion and who I am. When I was in second grade and my brother Brad was in Fifth grade we were home schooled. I think about this time we had the most time to really learn of our Mothers love for the gospel and see her use it every day, all day long. I don't think I really appreciated it or understood it until I got older. Being raised in the LDS church I think you tend to forget how lucky you are and what all you have in front of you because you have always had it and never lived with out. She really pushed hard for us to read the scriptures together as a family and we finished the Book of Mormon. We said prayers more often together because we saw each other more and it is memories like those I will not forget. She often says all the time how much she wishes she could be more like her Mother Barbara. I see my Grandmother in my Mom every day. I wish my Mom could see how truly amazing she is. My Mother is Spiritual.

There is so much about my Mother I could tell you. I could go on for days. I think a lot has changed for me in the last couple of months. As a soon to be Mother I have not only grown so close to my Mom, but I understand the importance that Mothers play in the lives of children. I can't imagine life without my Mother. I know that this cancer is a small bump in the road and because she is tough she will fight it, be strong and live through this. But... This is still my Mother and I need her to know how much I love her, appreciate her and need her. It has been said by the First Presidency of the Church that "Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.” That is my Mother and I believe this with all of my heart.

So I ask of you... Can I steal your prayers for one day for my Mother?

wE HaVe A wOrKiNg DiShWaShEr!!!

2009-06-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

For the past 9 months that Ryan and I have lived in our new home (New to us)... We have only had a dishwasher that worked for about 3 weeks of that portion. Can you believe that I have been washing dishes by hand my whole pregnancy? I can't either, but it is true. In a newly built home that we purchased our dishwasher decided to stop working. Little did we know that it was just a minor clogging problem and could be fixed so easily! My poor husband would pull the darn thing out like a million times, read about how to fix it online forever and still nothing seemed to fix easily. But, with the help of my father they were able to pull the job off and it is running and working beautifully! Never in my life would I think that the sound of running water in my dishwasher would be like music to my ears... But I am in love. Thank you Dad and thank you Ryan for fixing it before the baby is here! I am so blessed and SO happy... I don't even think you understand HOW happy...
:)

My Dad also managed to touch up the paint in the baby room, making it even more perfect. Once it is all put together I will post pictures for all of you to see. You all should be jealous because there is nobody like Howard Rew. He is quite the man and I am very proud to call him my Father. Now comes the fun part of decorating, getting everything ready, and hopefully get this baby out of me so I can meet her!!!
:)

This would be THE Howard Rew with his beautiful wife Janna. They are my parents and yes I thought it was only necessary to post this picture and blog entry about them because they are the best and you ALL should be very jealous.
:)

Memorial Day

2009-05-26T22:16:00.000-07:00

Some of the many flags displayed.

Wayne King's grave... Barbara's Hubby

Grandpa and Grandma Rew's Grave

This Memorial weekend my Husband spent most of his time laying our new wood flooring. It is so beautiful and once it is all finished I will take pictures.
:)

On Memorial Day we were so tired, but I managed to force my wonderful sleepy and exhausted Husband out of bed and to Sunset Memorial Gardens to watch the Memorial Day Ceremony and to see all the beautiful flags that they display. I have grown up doing this almost every year because my Mother usually plays the piano for the choirs that always sing and as a family we have always tried to be there. The last couple years I haven't been able to go because I lived away for school and I just didn't want to miss it. I didn't know the time of the Ceremony so we missed the speakers, but showed up in time to here the Choirs sing "God Bless America" and other traditional songs and to watch the "Salute to the Fallen Soldiers" where they shoot the Guns and raise the American flag. This usually is my favorite part for some reason, I can't decide if it is the meaning behind it or the fact that cute old men that served our country, along with younger men, do it and I find it fascinating. But, either way I love it and it seems to always make me cry.

I was happy to see that, enjoy the beautiful sunny weather, see all the flags and take some pictures of my Grandparents grave, along with Barbara King's husbands grave. Barbara is like a Grandma to me and I always take her to visit Wayne, bring him flowers and talk. It was a beautiful day, an important day to remember and the best way to end a long weekend.
:)

IF yOu PlAnT iT... It WiLl GrOw...

2009-05-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

The Garden growing HUGE!!!

I was taking care of my garden today and noticed that certain plants are starting to grow little buds. Even though nothing is ready to eat, I was so excited and decided to take pictures of what is in store to come.

I found...

ONE beautiful little green tomato,

a BUNCH of green beans,

and a HANDFUL of green strawberries.

I can't wait until they produce to their capacities and my garden is full. I am looking forward to eating from it, sharing and being able to pat myself on the back for the hard work that paid off! Especially since it hasn't been easy bending over with this belly... Ha ha.

Woo Hoo!!!!!!
:)

My Best Friend and I

2009-05-20T12:04:00.001-07:00

Heather and I

My best friend Heather and I both happen to be pregnant at the same time. Last Saturday was her son Rowan's 2nd birthday. We decided to take a pregnant picture together. She is due in June and I am due in July. I can't wait until she has her baby because she never finds out the sex. If it is a girl, our daughter's will be friends! I can't wait to find out. I thought this picture was cute... Love you Heather!

New Creations :)

2009-05-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

The newest beanie.
:)

Baby Boy Beanie with Brim. I just finished this one. This will be for Heather if she is having a boy.

This is a Beanie and matching scarf that I did for Ryan's Mom for her Birthday. I finally took pictures of it. It looks really cute on!

This is a headband with a new flower. White headband with a hot pink and light pink marigold. I love how they curl on their own! This is my favorite!

The Front View.

The beanie. I think the flower will be so cute because it is huge and will look adorable on a little girls head!

This last week Chevy had surgery. She was Spade. So, I had to do a lot of sitting to keep her from moving around. Being that she is a puppy she wanted to still play, even though it put her in even more pain. So while we sat, and took naps, I did a little crocheting. My friend recently found out that she is having a girl, which is really exciting because everyone is having boys that I know of, but me! So I thought I would make her a really cute beanie and headband. Plus, her first child was a boy, which means she has nothing for a girl! I wanted to learn a new flower, and thanks to youtube.com I was able to achieve another design. After 3 hours of practicing and messing up WAY too much, I finally finished and thought I would share. Enjoy! :)

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2009-05-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

The brick wall is really cool looking. Makes for a great background. I believe this was the side of a Restaurant or Pub... I can't remember.

I seem to feel good about everything I wear when I actually dress up until I see pictures, ha ha.

I know I am a little late. But, Happy Mother's Day to everyone!!! This Mother's Day I was in a little pain from pregnancy and not up to really doing anything. My parents were out of town so with Ryan's family we went on a family drive. We did a lot of sight seeing, chatting, and spending time together as a family. It was relaxing, fun and it helped that we actually had beautiful sunny weather! That brought a smile to my face. Melinda, Ryan's brother's fiance, is really great at taking pictures. She took a lot of pictures of old barns, landscape and some of Ryan and I. I look huge from my dress, but who am I kidding I am huge no matter what at this point. I stole them off of her blog and since they are the latest ones that I have, I thought I would share. Happy Mother's Day!!!

~Southwestern Bean Soup~

2009-05-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

Don't forget the toppings! This soup is healthy, hearty, and SO YUMMY!

The past 2 weeks for some reason the weather has been nothing but chilly, rainy, and WINDY. It hasn't been exciting spring weather and my poor garden was struggling for a while! On nights that my husband is away at school I am usually dreading being alone, running away to my Mom's house to make her entertain me or Ryan's parents house, or just trying to keep busy. I am still weird when it comes to being alone - I hate it. For example, when Ryan leaves for work in the morning I make him close the closet door and bathroom door in our bedroom. I can't sleep with them open!!! I am still such a child in so many ways! But... tonight for some reason I felt excited to have the house to myself. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being with my husband. I cried for the first three days that he went back to work because we had 4 MONTHS of lay off time to play, annoy each other! (Basically our Honeymoon) But, I have been craving foods that I know he wouldn't eat and I figure this will be a great way to spend an evening alone... Eating something warm and tasty that I love, watching a girlie movie, and not having to worry about what to make MR. PICKY-PANTS! Tonight... The schedule is engorging myself with my homemade Southwestern Bean Soup simmered to perfection in my crock pot all day, my favorite and most comfortable sweats, popping in an Audrey Hepburn movie (I love her), and possibly crocheting... Here is my recipe... I thought for those of you who enjoy soups on a cold day and a soup that is HEALTHY, you would especially enjoy this!
Bon Appétit!

Southwestern Bean Soup:
(Pictured above)

1 can Black Beans
1 can White Beans
2 cans Kidney Beans
1 can diced green chilis
1 can diced tomatoes
2-4 cups chicken broth (Depending how liquidy/chunky you like it)
1/2 Red onion chopped
1 package frozen corn
1 tbls. minced garlic
1 jalapeno pepper chopped (Optional)
1 bunch fresh cilantro chopped
1 tbls. Chili powder
2 tbls. cumin
Salt and Pepper
Dash hot sauce (I like Tapatio)

Toppers:

Cabbage shredded or chopped
(I love fresh cabbage, it adds a crunch. You can use lettuce if you like)
Fresh tomatoes chopped
Green onions chopped
Fresh avocado sliced
Fresh cilantro as garnish
Shredded pepper jack cheese
Sour cream

Directions:
1. Saute onions and garlic until cooked. Place in crock pot.
2. Open all cans, rinse beans and add beans to crock pot. Add chicken broth, diced green chilis, diced tomatoes, and frozen corn.
3. Chop jalapeno and cilantro. Add to crock pot.
4. Add salt and pepper, cumin, chili powder and hot sauce. Stir ingredients together.
5. Cook on low all day or cook on high 3 hours.
6. Serve in bowl with toppings you desire. Delicious!

***I freeze this dish to make it last longer. It makes a lot and since I only like it, if I freeze it I can enjoy it another day! :)

I am SO Blessed :)

2009-05-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

The new "Mommy car". Don't I have the best Hubby in the world?
:)

Ryan promised me that when and if we got pregnant he would buy me the perfect car for the baby and I. Well, little did he know that this would be happening so soon after we got married! Needless to say, with a baby on the way, he not only fulfilled his promise, but I AM SO BLESSED! My sweet hubby surprised me with a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer and came through with everything that I wanted in my first "Mommy car" as we like to call it. It is perfect, SO nice and has everything that I need!

I just want Ryan to know how much I love and appreciate him working hard to support and take care of me and our future family. I am proud of you babe, I couldn't ask for anything better and I am so thankful for all that you do. Thank you and I love you!

Craigslist is ADDICTING!

2009-05-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

Where the kennel used to be we are going to put sod all the way up to the shop. WooHoo!!! It is GONE!!!

This weekend I sold my first item on Craigslist. It was SO exciting! When Ryan and I bought the house in our backyard was a dog kennel. It is a very nice kennel, but we were never able to use it with Chevy because we got Chevy in October and it was too cold. Since we have lived in the house it has sat in our backyard, piling up with weeds and long grass and had absolutely no use. So I thought, why not sell it? I put it on Craigslist and was flooded with emails and people who wanted a dog kennel! Who would have thought? Anywho, we finally found someone who was SERIOUSLY interested and this weekend they picked it up. I was thrilled!

Also, in the last month we have bought an extremely nice desk and will be starting on Ryan's office. Now that I have sold something, I keep walking through the house thinking and trying to find something else I could get rid of. It is too fun. I finally got an offer on my wedding dress. The more that I sell the more I can buy!

I made an offer on a jogging stroller and graco. Both as good as new and hardly used. Wish me luck!!!

(This could be a problem with me not working and having PLENTY of time to search Craigslist away... Ha ha)

Doggy Daycare...

2009-05-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

Riley trying to relax with all the chaos. Poor girl.

The trouble makers looking at me like, "It wasn't ME!"

This picture is taken from a normal weekend of babysitting. This is Cole and Chevy showing their affection for one another.

SO... This weekend Ryan's parents went to Portland, Oregon to help his brother move into his new home that he purchased. Very exciting for Nick! Ryan and I couldn't go because Ryan has school all day Saturday. As always, Ryan and I get to watch the dogs when they go out of town and my house becomes Doggy Daycare. We have done this quite a few times and normally it always goes well. It usually is a big help to Chevy to have the older girls here because they keep her out of trouble and they obey better, but this weekend that hasn't been the case. Chevy (Our pup) absolutely loves this because she gets a lot of play time with her favorite puppy Cole and usually they play SO hard they sleep like babies all night long. Riley the old lady of the group I think doesn't enjoy it quite as much. She doesn't eat when she is away from Ryan's Mom and she is constantly walking to a different room to sleep and get away from the younger crazy pups. By far she is my favorite because she is so sweet and puts up with so much, ha ha what a sweet lady.

Anywho... This weekend hasn't been like any other weekend. We have had more doggy poop and throw up accidents then every before! It is absolutely crazy, especially when you think that they are all potty trained and have been for quite a while! I am not sure if it is the rain or maybe something in the air, but it has been QUITE the weekend... I guess this might be a good way to prepare me for the poopy diapers and mess of a child because since Ryan has been either at work or school, I have had the blessing to clean it all up. YUCK! All I have to say is I am glad that we are getting new flooring and this might help Ryan get a move on that... Wink Wink... :)

Aren't these SwEeT?

2009-04-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

Headbands made by Brittany!

Bows I purchased from the Craigslist Lady

So my lovely girlie friend and old roommate Brittany Hawkes sent me the cutest little gift in the mail and I wanted to share pictures with everyone. She sent me two headbands for babies! They are adorable and I love them. When I found out that it was a Girl, I bought some bows and things for her. Now that I know that people make them, I think I am going to attempt to make some of my own! With the whole crocheting thing down I am either feeling VERY confident or just plain crafty. I have no clue. But... I have two nieces and my sister found out that she is having her first baby girl, so I guess that with all the girls we will NOW have in our family... I best be getting to work!

Enjoy! I wish I could take the credit for these because they are SO Precious!

Thank you Brittany and Craigslist Lady For your creativity!

Say GOODBYE To The Dress :(

2009-04-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

SO I have decided to Sale my Wedding Dress...

My Reasoning:

~It is so expensive to properly store it so it doesn't turn YELLOW
~It will be outdated when my future daughter gets married
~She will MOST likely have a different body type then me
~She will probably want her OWN dress like I did
~I can't find a GOOD ENOUGH reason to keep it stored in a bag
~Someone might love it just as much as I DID

So I have placed it on Craigslist.com in hopes that it might catch someones attention. It took me a while to reach the point where I thought I could part without it. I have dabbled over the idea for a while now and even though I never take it out of the bag, look at it, and could in no way fit into it now, it seems as though it has grown apart of me. It was my dress... for my special day. But... Like they all say... It is just a dress...

The Belly

2009-04-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

Here I am sitting down holding what looks like a basketball :)

Stand up Side view.

Sitting Down.

I think this is the most dreaded of all part of pregnancy... Everyone that doesn't live near or around you wants to see pictures of THE BELLY! It isn't that I don't LOVE the belly and what is growing inside of the belly, but I don't necessarily want to show it off to everyone. As excited and beautiful as pregnancy is, it is a big change in appearance and BODY. Well, I guess that I have given in. TARA, one of my closest girlfriends and old room mate has requested some pictures and I have promised her that I would. I told her it would be done by this weekend, although that did not happen. My apologies! Although, it is going to happen today. I finally got some decent maternity clothes and therefore feel somewhat CUTE enough to get the task done. They are summer ready, even though for some reason the weather here is freezing! So here goes... These are the most recent pictures of the BELLY. And... Again, I have yet to post pictures of the ultrasounds, but I really want too. I want every ones opinion on whether this is really a GIRL or not because our pictures weren't that great for starters, and she wouldn't spread her legs!!! Anywho... Happy Belly Growing to Me!

I am back!!!

2009-04-28T13:18:00.000-07:00

The garden.

My Herbs!

Beanie I did for one of my Nieces. I just have to finish the flower.

Crocheted baby girl head band

Well, I guess you are all wondering what the heck happened to me?!? Unfortunately, I had to delete my old email account. I didn't realize that this would affect my blog and delete it as well. Long story short, I have a new blog and we are back in business! The only down fall is I have lost everything on the old blog and all of you have to remember a new address. So, to make it easy, it is http://theihnenbunch.blogspot.com. Anywho, I guess I will give you all an update on Ryan and I and the baby cooking away!

Ryan went back to work about 3 weeks ago! Woohoo!!! Thank goodness! He is working in Boardmen, Oregon, which is about an hour commute there and back. His days are long, especially days that he has school after work, but he is happy to be working again. He leaves at about 4:45am which is quite early and means I am up making his lunch! This time around I have tried really hard to make his lunches fun and exciting instead of the same old every day sandwich. We have done the ultimate Turkey Sandwiches with pepper jack cheese and romaine lettuce, Egg salad sandwiches, Bagel sandwiches, Leftover pulled pork sandwiches, White chicken chili, Homemade potato salad and I am working on some fun Summer salads and salsas along with new sandwiches to make his meals tasty and unique. One morning I was joking with him while making his lunch and told him I wanted to be the "Brown Bag Lady". I am obsessed with food network cooking shows and I told him Paula Deen was my inspiration. I was going to be the "Brown Bag Lady" for the Union workers and get paid to make their lunches. I don't think he thought this was as funny as I did, but I know the other men comment on his lunches... I think I could get some extra cash for this!!! He didn't seem to think so...

As for me, I have been so busy "nesting" as you would say. Ryan and I were lucky enough to receive a very nice tax credit when we purchased our home. I am hoping we will be able to use that for new flooring, furniture and finishing the baby room before the baby comes. That doesn't give us much time! In order to prepare for new changes, I have been cleaning like crazy and De-cluttering! In my family room at this moment I have about 10 garbage bags full of goodwill junk! I went nuts! Needless to say the cleaning is done and I am just waiting, wishing and hoping for that new flooring of mine :) Also, given that it is gardening season and I am a veggie lover as well as a cook, my Mother and I took on the task of creating our own Square-Foot Gardens. I am really excited to see how this has turned out. We went to an Enrichment activity which was a seminar on Square-Foot gardening. We took the class, became motivated and with the help of my Father we accomplished the boxes and planted our vegetables and fruits. This is my first garden so I am hoping for the best. I planted Roma tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes, Big juicy Bush tomatoes, Sugar snap peas, two strawberry plants, two raspberry plants, one blackberry plant, cucumbers, Walla Walla sweet onions, and a HUGE assortment of peppers (Red peppers, green peppers, jalapenos, chili peppers, Serrano peppers and more)!!! I also learned how to do herbs from my Mother-in-law so you can bet that my Mother and I planted our own fresh herbs as well... We did parsley, oregano, rosemary, cilantro, basil and chives and we have used some of them already and they are delicious! Also, I have become obsessed with crocheting! Who would have thought? Ryan found this hilarious and spent a whole afternoon taking pictures of his young bride crocheting, something he thinks that only 80 year old women do. I learned how to do beanies of all sizes, scarfs, and headbands! They are super cute and thanks to Bess one of my girlie friends who taught me how...

As for the baby, we are healthy, fat and happy! I have been feeling great the second trimester and the beginning of the third. Other than a few minor aches and pains I am happy and we are doing good! Right before my blog was deleted we found out that it is "most likely" a girl. It was hard to get clear views of her, she seems to move a lot! Don't you love that? "We aren't for sure" or "We think"... How are you supposed to prepare a baby room with that? I am hoping for a better ultrasound with a better view to give me a for sure answer! But as for now... It is a girl. We haven't agreed on names yet, but so far I think she will be an Abigayle. I have been meaning to scan in the ultrasound photos and still have yet to do that, but above I have posted pictures of my garden, herbs, the crocheting madness!!! I hope you are all doing well and I am glad to be back to hear all about you guys! Love and miss you all!

The Ihnen's

Mt. Rainier 2010

RRRrrraaarrrr!!!!

I just can't decide what is Cuter...

Stuffed Chicken Parmesan and Parmesan herb rice MMMmmmm...

This is for reals...

Garlic Chicken Alfredo Pizza

Crawling and Standing...

I am Sick...

Spring Fun!

Dear Grandpa Ihnen,

Spaghettie Carbonara and Bruschetta

Beer Can or Cola Chicken

Posing Pretty

Food, Cooking and my Thoughts...

Does this thing even exist?

Family Pictures!!!

Emma's First Christmas 2009

It's Been Too Long...

Christmas is Coming Soon :)

1 Year Anniversary - October 4th, 2008

Emma and Daddy

Amelia in Town

The Spa

Here we come Halloween :)

Ryan's new TOY

Rub a Dub Dub!

Sunday and New Pictures

Life Update :)

Ain't she Pretty?

I am a Couponer :)

Chevy Loves her Baby and I Love mine...

Gumpy Old Man?

My name is Emma...

Inspector Issues

Cousin Cameron's Mission Farewell

First Day of Church, The Swing, Update on Emma

PJ Time :)

Baby Feet...

It's hard work being So Dang Cute...

Wide Awake Photo Op - This is Rare

It Just Doesn't Get Much Better Than This...

The C-Section...

We Are Home :)

Update on Baby Emma

Emmalee Jean Ihnen

9 Days and Counting...

On a Side Note...

Day 10...

Update on Day 11...

Day 11...

12 Days and Counting...

13 Days To Go...

14 Days To Go...

Momma's Check List...

The Baby Room

My Best Friend Heather...

Pregnancy...

Update...

Can I steal your prayers for one day please?

wE HaVe A wOrKiNg DiShWaShEr!!!

*Memorial Day*

IF yOu PlAnT iT... It WiLl GrOw...

My Best Friend and I

New Creations :)

Happy Mother's Day!!!

~Southwestern Bean Soup~

I am SO Blessed :)

Craigslist is ADDICTING!

Doggy Daycare...

Aren't these SwEeT?

Say GOODBYE To The Dress :(

The Belly

I am back!!!

Memorial Day