4/25/13

Fish Tacos



We love making fish tacos! This particular night (when I took the photo), we made dinner for some friends who were passing through town and we met them at the freeway with a home cooked meal. The great thing about this recipe is that it's easy to pull together, and can be tweaked to your liking (although we think our way is pretty yummy)! Enjoy!


4 fish filets (or 12 fish sticks)
4 corn tortillas
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded

Cook fish according to the package instructions. While the fish is cooking, fry the tortillas in oil on medium heat. Use paper towels to soak up any extra grease and to keep the tortillas warm. (For a healthier option you could just warm the tortillas in a wet paper towel just before assembling). Make the following toppings in separate bowls and set aside.

Sauce:
1/2 cup salsa (homemade recipe below)
1/4 cup sour cream

Coleslaw:
1 cup shredded cabbage
2 tbls mayo
1/2 tsp lime

When the fish is done layer the tacos accordingly: sauce, fish, coleslaw, and cheese.

We serve this with beans, spanish rice, and/or the leftover homemade salsa with chips.

Easy Homemade Salsa
1-2 jalapenos (depending on spiciness)
1 bushel cilantro
1 can Italian stewed tomatoes
8 roma tomatos
1 heaping spoonful of minced garlic
2 dashes of salt

We use a food processor to make our salsa because we like it a little chunky but I am sure you can use a blender, just use the pulse option.

4/13/13

Prayers For Emmalynn - March of Dimes


{Photo of Emmalynn taken by Moments Defined Photography}

Dear Family & Friends,


We are very excited to be a part of March for Babies this year!


Everyday, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick. We're walking because we want to do something about this.


The money we raise will support March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And it will be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care. 

Please help our team {Prayers For Emmalynn} reach our goal by making a donation HERE.

Thank you for helping us give all babies a healthy start!

Love,
Phil, Deneigh, & Emmalynn


4/1/13

Crib


We put Emmalynn in her crib for nap time for the first time. It was kinda a big deal. She did pretty well, but I don't think she's quite ready for all nighters.


And I have the best husband ever because he insisted on having a video monitor so it eased my paranoid momma nerves!


3/31/13

Happy Easter



3/27/13

Adventures In Baby Wearing



I made this wrap with a scrap fabric quarter and 3 yards of light weight super stretchy knit fabric. Here's to more productivity!

3/26/13

Two Peas in a Pod



I knew Shelby would be amazing with Emmalynn because she has always been great with kids and super chill. But Emmalynn is enamored by Shelby! She can hear her nails click on the hard wood floor and she'll start looking for Shelby. She will just stare at her across the room too. I think they will be the best of friends!

3/25/13

Going Outside



We just got permission for Emmalynn to go outside in our backyard and to go on walks as long as we don't go around children! We haven't gone on a walk yet because it's been too windy, but there was a short window where the wind had died down enough to try and get some vitamin D in the backyard!

3/23/13

Empowered


I feel so empowered! I got Emmalynn up from her nap and went to undo her feeding tube and her button was gone! I quickly found a new one and worked it back into her tummy. Whew! I was terrified the hole had shrunk because I don't know how long it had been out. Darn thing had a huge tear in the balloon. I knew this was bound to happen at some point and I am so proud because I am more scared of the gtube than the trach. Strange I know! This is probably only the beginning because do you see those little hands hanging on to that button? Ya, she thinks it's funny to tug on it, little stinker!


3/21/13

Good & Bad



The good news is she gained almost a pound in two weeks! She's a whoppin' 10 lbs 8 oz!


The bad news is, they had to take blood. I told them she was a micro preemie and that they are known for their horrible spider veins. The lady looked at me a glared and said this is my job. Ok whatever, I only watched my daughter get poked for 5 months in the NICU but you're the expert (cough). 20 minutes of bruising and getting nothing she did the heal prick like I told her to. 2 vials of blood to see if she is anemic. Poor baby! Her heal has multiple punctures and is bruised and swollen. Grrr!!!


3/20/13

New Toy



Like we needed one more baby thing, right?! This little girl (see those feet dangling), is getting bored with her other stuff and so as an early birthday present we decided to bite the bullet and get her something that allowed her to sit up and play. Don't worry, after the picture we put books under her feet.

3/18/13

Weekend Visitors



3/17/13

St Patrick's Day



3/9/13

10 Months!!!



9 lb 13 oz!

3/8/13

Rainy Days


Cold rainy days mean comfy jammies for everyone, warm milk and a nap for Emmalynn and hot chocolate and reading for mom and dad. 
Homemade chicken noodle soup is in the crockpot!

3/6/13

Effective Studying



Who does he belong to?! Look how dirty that shirt is! Maybe I need to make him some bibs like Emmalynn's!

3/5/13

No Big Deal


I just went to get Emmalynn out of her bed from her nap and found her and her bedding soaking wet (her diaper was HUGE). Oh no big deal its just my daughters stomach contents (partially digested breast milk, neosure, oatmeal, and pears). Her med port popped open at some point during her nap. She must have been starving! She's bathed (for a second time today) and now being fed for real!


2/28/13

Serger



The heavens smiled down on me today! I ran into a brand new Goodwill by our house this afternoon to find some frames to spray paint for a photo wall i am trying to do. I found 1 frame i liked but as I turned the corner I saw this baby on the shelf! I have wanted a serger years! For $30 I could care less that it's a tiny one! As I was walking to pay I had 2 ladies ask if I wanted it and 1 followed me to the check stand to make sure my debit card went through, lol! Score!

2/27/13

My 2 Favorite People



2/25/13

Laundry Day



2/19/13

First Hand-Me-Downs



2/17/13

LOVE Free Apps



2/15/13

10 Pounds!!!



2/14/13

Valentines 2013




2/13/13

Rainbow Brite?!



2/12/13

PRICELESS



This cute girls grand total NICU bill came to $921,999.80 (or so the lady adding it up said - the first quote was more). That smile is worth it!

2/11/13

3-6 Month Size!



2/9/13

9 Months!!!



2/8/13

Date Night



2/7/13

Grow Baby...


Mommy is getting sick of seeing the same size clothes! Lets move up to 3-6 months because it will be like a whole new ward robe!


2/5/13

Tutu Cute



2/3/13

What A Day!


Remember that one time...


...it was our 12th anniversary + the 49ers were in the Super Bowl?! Ya...it was pretty epic...even if they lost! But hey I score 12 years ago when I said YES to this crazy fan!

2/2/13

Why So Serious?!


It's hilarious how Emmalynn can be all smiles one minute, then the second we get the camera out, she furrows her eyebrows and looks so serious!


But sometimes we capture that smile!


2/1/13

Jenny Jump Up


We let Emmalynn try her Jenny Jump Up for the first time! Instead of bouncing she just turns herself and pushes off the door! (Sorry for the washing machine agitating in the background).


1/31/13

White Chicken Chili


Lest you think my blog has turned into a blog just about Emmalynn, I thought I'd surprise everyone (including myself) with a stellar recipe!




1 onion, chopped
2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
1 tsp garlic powder
1 can chicken broth
4 cans great northern beans, drained
1 can green chilies
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 cup sour cream

Sauté onion, chicken, and garlic powder in skillet . Add all ingredients except whipping cream and sour cream into a crock-pot. Cook on low for 4 hours. Add whipping cream and sour cream warm. Cook for another 15 minutes.

1/30/13

Oatmeal vs Rice Cereal


The verdict is in, our food critic thinks oatmeal tastes better!


1/28/13

Infection...Boo


Poor baby has 2 kinds of infections. We went almost 6 months without a trach infection. I knew it would happen at some point. They had to do a 4 day test to see if she will need to be hospitalized. For now we've got antibiotics galore and Tylenol for the fever. Lots of snuggling going on at our house cuz she just wants momma to hold her.


1/25/13

Free Concert


Ladies and gentlemen...the next Mozart!


1/24/13

What Has Emmalynn Discovered?!


Hair! She likes to grab and pull daddy's short curly hair. 


And people wonder why my hair is always in a ponytail!

Rice Cereal


So our little peanut only gained 4 oz in 2 weeks (9.6 lb) even with increasing her feeds. Today the doctor decided to have us add 1 tsp of rice cereal for every 2 oz of milk (which really is nothing and it just dissolves in breast milk anyways) but he said to let her taste it and try and eat it with a spoon (since she hates bottles) before putting it down her gtube. 
Hilarious! Here is our first attempt!


Second attempt = more success!




1/22/13

Back to School


Dear Daddy,


We are so proud of you for getting nearly perfect grades last semester! Good luck this semester! We love you!

Your Girls

1/21/13

Rolling For Reals!


Emmalynn used to love laying on her tummy in the NICU. Now that she has the gtube I think it's super uncomfortable. She learned pretty fast how to roll over so she wouldn't have to suffer through tummy time!


1/18/13

Jeans


I LOVE a good deal (especially on a poor starving students budget)! I got these cute jeans for Emmalynn for $4 at Kmart! It made my day. And it is blog worthy!


1/17/13

Whoa!



Whoa mom, what's on my jammies...it's making my eye go crossed!

1/14/13

Hot Chocolate



It's a hot chocolate kind of night!

1/13/13

Bumbo Time



1/11/13

Squeal


Her new favorite thing! She usually laughs (we can tell by her breathing). After 4 shots I can't believe she was still smiling! Listen close, she has learned to squeal and her pulminologist has order a speaking valve (PMV or passy muir valve) to try for a few seconds at a time to hear herself!



1/9/13

8 Months!!!



1/7/13

Bumbo


What's going on mom?!


Trying out the Bumbo for the first time, haha!

1/6/13

Love Day


I couldn't resist! I had to get my decor up for Valentines. Christmas came down and everything looked plain. Thank you Pinterest for the ideas, the 99 cent store and the dollar bins at Target, and my own stash because now we are ready for love day!


And while I was at the 99 cent store I picked up these fun vintage plates and made a cute tiered serving dish! 3 plates + 2 candle stick holders + E6000! Five minute project...just my style!

1/3/13

It's a Big Deal



Emmalynn has bad oral aversions (although it doesn't compare to others). I spent about 10 minutes putting her toys in my mouth, then hers. I showed her it was ok and smiled and sang goofy songs. I was just trying to make it a positive thing. When Santa got her a pack of rings for Christmas, there was a plan behind it! See the rings have a bunch of different textures. Textures that Santa was hoping she might put in her mouth, suck on, run her tongue over, etc. So after our little 10 minute "it's ok to put things in your mouth" I gave her one and walked away, all the while watching her. She looked at it, moved it from hand to hand...then put it in her mouth! I wanted to cry. It's a big deal to get something other than a binky in her mouth! My first thought was yay, she has something new in her mouth that she put in on her own! My second thought was dang she's a smarty! I am a proud mom! Baby steps!