My Favorite Pancakes

I'm 50% Swedish. My dad is 100%. My mom says she got in his family because she had blonde hair and blue eyes.

My grandma, Elfie, was a great cook. She passed some of her skills on to both my mom and my dad. One recipe my mom still makes is Swedish Pancakes.

Most Saturday mornings, mom would make our family pancakes. If you heard the word pancake in our house, it was in reference to Swedish pancakes. I don't think we ever ate a normal pancake in our home.

When Drew and I would go home to visit when we were newlyweds, she would make those pancakes. We looked forward to it. Sitting at the dining room table in our pajamas eating as many pancakes as our bellies would hold.

It took me a few years to try to make them. And then took me a few tries to get the hang of making them.

Now, we eat them monthly. I like serving them for dinner.

I was so disappointed when I discovered Sage didn't like them. We thought he was not our child. Maybe he had gotten mixed up with another baby at the hospital. He is Swedish. He should like them. They are in his blood. He was adamant that he didn't like them.

But, last night. Last night! He declared he likes them. He likes them! He ate one. Levi ate one. Kolby ate three. I ate three. Drew ate four.

When Sage said he likes them now, I raised my hands in triumph. Levi copied.

We all celebrated.

I finally captured Levi's funny face! I thought it was cute that he had a piece of Swedish pancake on his nose. I didn't expect him to think it was so funny!

Here's the family recipe:

Swedish Pancakes

4 eggs well beaten
salt
4T sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 cup milk
1/3 cup melted butter (about 6 tablespoons)

Beat in order given (use a hand mixer). Bake on a hot griddle. (We've always used a round cast iron griddle) Spoon a laddle full onto griddle. Tip and turn the griddle so the batter spreads out all over. Use a flat spatula to flip it over. When it is done, roll it up. Serve hot with syrup. It's not necessary to grease the griddle.

(For dinner last night, I tripled the recipe)

What's your favorite family recipe?

Life is Uneventful

I'm having a bit of writer's block. If I can call myself a writer. I just don't know what to say. I've sat down to write something many times and just look at the blinking cursor.

Blink. Blink. Blink.

Nothing. So I close my computer and go do something else.

Chalk One Up For...

"We don't achieve victory once, then never have to bother with it again, desiring to be Godly is the work of a lifetime."
-Beth Moore, Praying God's Word Day by Day

Quite honestly, I've been struggling with this lately. I desire to be Godly. But maybe I don't desire it everyday. Did I just admit that? Actually, I think I do desire it everyday but I don't want to do the work for it everyday. I want to achieve the goal and check, it's done. But, it's never going to be done.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:9&10 (ESV)

I haven't written in a while, not because I haven't had words to say, or maybe I have had words, just a hard time expressing the thoughts mulling in my head.

We've had an uninvited guest rearing his ugly head in our house lately. Mr. Selfishness. Adults and children in our house have been affected. And by adults, I mean me.

This post sounded so much more eloquent in my head as I washed the dishes.

My friend suffered an ectopic pregnancy on Friday. I haven't been able to get rid of the thoughts of what could have been. How different my weekend could have looked. I praise God that I had a regular weekend, that she is home with her husband and kids. Selfishly, (see told ya) I'm so glad she's still here to be my friend.

A tree cracked in half in our neighborhood, landing partly on some parking spaces and a deck. No one was hurt, that I am aware. But, it made me think, we don't know when our time will be. When we'll get called home. Are you ready? Am I?

What would I have wanted to do today if this was my last? Did I do it?

I did some things today that I would have wanted to. But, I didn't do everything. I didn't tell my boys that Jesus loves them today. I didn't tell them that Jesus is the best thing in life.

I did read to Kolby, rock Levi and play Wii with Sage. I haven't spent enough time with Drew.

And that's my wrap up. I'm off to spend time with Drew.

Levi ~ 9 Months, A Month Late But Who's Counting

19 lbs. 12 oz. ~ 5oth percentile

29 inches ~ 90th percentile

size 3 pampers

size small Fuzzi Bunz

size 6 - 12 months clothes

started crawling right before turning 9 months

pulls up to stand

practices standing for a couple seconds

walks along furniture

has started to blow raspberries

bites my shoulder, cheek, leg, arm and the crib rails

wakes up 1 - 2 times a night

in the last week, he's learned to sleep through the night (this has been a draft for a while, I better not have just jinxed that)

things you've eaten off the floor:
cheerios
macaroni and cheese
taco meat

babbles mamamama and dadadada

signs "all done" with one hand

yells in protest when something is taken away

gives great big smiles to dad and reaches for him when he walks through the door

lays his head on my shoulder when we walk into the nursery or meet a stranger

so sweet and snuggly

Welcome!

You followed the link and found me! Thanks for coming along. Sorry I didn't give you more of a heads up! I got excited. Nealy showed me the light and the easy way to change things up without having to import a blog. Good thing I have smart friends!

I have to give props to my sweet hubby for designing the header. Didn't he do a great job?!

I love my new little space here on the ol' internet. I'm going to be doing a few more changes, hopefully but will stay in this little spot.

It only took me four years to make my blog more my own. I'm quick like that.

And since you came all the way here: Levi had his first taste of macaroni and cheese this afternoon. Off the floor.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I'm changing things up here at Seagulls in the Parking Lot. You can see I've changed the picture and the background. I've just played around a little bit. With a little email help from Nealy.

The picture was taken in January by Drew's cousin, Molly. She does such a great job, we try to have her take them whenever we see her! And Levi was just a blob then so it seemed necessary to have more made. (did you catch that southern phrase?)

If I'm quiet, it's because I'm slaving away on a new improved blog. Drew might be helping a tad. I'll give you the address and kindly ask you to change your stuff when the time comes, hopefully in a week or so. I'm trying to import my blog and having a hard time, I keep getting an error code. But that's not what I'm here to write about.

I can't wait to show you what Drew can do! Maybe I'll hire him out. Okay, this is going nowhere. I do have thoughts floating in this head of mine. They just come the most when I am nursing Levi. And then they float away.

We're so classy...

We buy our wine and our art from Target.

And the Winer Is...

KELLI!!!

Yay for you! You win a dozen chocolate chip cookies made by me!

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That was so scientific since 4 of you entered the contest. I put the 4 names in a bucket and let Sage pick. He thought I might be crazy. Oh well.

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So, we were gone for 2 weeks. You already knew that didn't you? What gave it away, the fact that most of you know me in real life and kept commenting, I'm confused, are you home or gone? Or the fact that I scheduled a Wordless Wednesday post for Thursday. Oops!

We visited family and had a great time. I'm still catching up on sleep and laundry.

Drew came home for 4 days in the middle to work and decided it was a great time to paint our master bathroom. Well, part of it. We have 2 rooms, a shower/bathroom and a sink and vanity counter room. He painted the sink and vanity counter room. (That is not the technical term, I have no idea how better to describe it.) It's a coral color and I love it. But, now we're not sure what to paint the shower/bathroom room. I thought we would paint it the same color but he's thinking a complimentary shade. What do you think? Also, anyone know of a place to find simple, modern, cheap mirrors? Please do not say Ikea.

Like my laundry, sleep and bathroom, my mind is jumbled, not working real well. We're coming down off our vacation high. You know the one, where there is always someone to talk to and something to do or go do?

I'm realizing that my life is a little lonely here. But I'm also realizing it is a lot my fault. I'm so good at making excuses for not calling people. I always think people are way too busy to talk on the phone. I usually opt for an email or a text.

Or it's the feeling you get right after your done with a roller coaster. During the ride you feel so exhilarated and right after you get done you still feel rather excited. And then at the end of the day when your driving away from the theme park you're so tired. And the next day, you realize life just keeps going forward. Laundry piles up, dishes are dirtied, stomachs are filled and then hungry again, toys get dumped out and need picked back up.

Life is just so daily.

And Mothers Day Out started today except I didn't find out until 2:30. It was from 9 - 2.

Last night Drew said we need a vacation from our kids. Is that bad? To admit that out loud? We had a little bit of a rough night.

I might be the only mother sending my kindergartner to school wearing a pull up because he won't poo in the potty. I'm not talking about Sage. Or Levi. Although, someday I might. My track record with potty training is less than stellar. The thought has gone through my head that I shouldn't have more kids if I can't potty train the ones I've got.

Welcome to my head, thanks for reading the spewing mess that is me today.

Name That Photo Contest!

Leave your caption in the comments and I'll pick a winner on Monday. There will be some sort of prize... but I don't know what yet!

Wordless Wednesday~ Cars

We're in Trouble

Trouble. With a capital T.

See that train table? My dad made it for the boys for Christmas. That's not why we're in trouble.

See how there are three boys standing around the train table? Three? We thought that this would be our "safe place" from Levi for awhile. Not so much.

Mobile at 6 months and standing at 9 months. We call him super baby.

Sage was not quite this active and Kolby had just learned to roll over at 8 months.

We're not quite used to this kind of activity from a baby. We'll keep him.

Still Tired

I must need a baby fix this week. Or I'm just tired again.

Here's a post I needed to reread for myself and remind myself why middle of the night nursings aren't so bad.

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Originally published February 25, 2009

I'm tired. So tired.

It has everything to do with a certain little boy getting up often to eat or a need to be rocked.

My first flesh reaction is to complain. And boy could I!

And then I thought about how badly I would want to get up with him many times if something were to happen to him, if he was all of the sudden gone. And I realized that I need to cherish those moments. And think about what I love about getting up with him instead of the fact that 2 hours of continuous sleep isn't great.

I love watching him nurse so contentedly like I am the only person that will satisfy him at that moment.

I love when he is done and just laying in my arms so totally asleep.

I love when I pick him up to move him to my shoulder, he startles, and both arms go straight in the air, fists closed, knees pulled up to his chest, kind of like he is about to take off like a super hero.

I love when I lay him on my shoulder and his whole body is limp against mine, just snuggled in so content, so trusting and so totally asleep.

I love watching him after I lay him down in his crib as he finds the most perfect, comfortable way to sleep. His knees pull up under him and his little bum sticks up in the air.

I love kissing his fist.

I love kissing his cheeks.

I love kissing him.

I love him.

Getting up in the night isn't so bad.

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And here's the difference 8 or so months makes.

Now, I go get him and bring him to my bed.

I like to doze while he fills his belly.

I love to feel his little body all snuggled close to mine.

I love to kiss the top of his fuzzy head.

I love that his hand reaches out looking for my hand.

I love that he rests his hand on my hand which rests on his belly.

I love when he reaches his hand up and grabs my mouth.

I love when he pops off and I can take him back to my bed and go back to sleep!

Ya Wanna Know What I Realized?

I published Levi's birth story 2 weeks after he was born.

Only one person commented.

I realized it's because I published it for the day that I started writing it, November 11, one day after he was born. So, it went to that spot instead of the top where other people would see it!

Funny me. Hey, I had some things going on!

Here it is again. For those of you who haven't read or heard it already.

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You read the doctors office story from the morning of November 10th.

So, I knew I was having a different doctor deliver me and I was fine with that. This would be my first ob-gyn experience. With Sage and Kolby, I had a midwife. Very hands on. In the room most of the time. Nothing monitoring me. No iv. Not the case his time.

I had to wear two monitors, one for the baby's heartbeat and one for the contractions. I understand the baby's heart beat, they want to monitor it to make sure it doesn't dip or anything. Except that the baby kept getting lower and lower and hard to keep the monitor in the right place. Many times the nurse had to come back in and rearrange the monitor.

The contraction monitor just allowed Drew to see how painful the contractions were or weren't and when they were coming. Except that it was a little behind my pain level. He figured it out pretty quickly. And, I don't understand why my contractions needed monitoring but what ever, I could handle it.

My first iv. I had to get my first iv. I understood why they wanted me to have it in, "just in case" I needed an emergency c-section. I get it and I was okay with having it. BUT. I didn't realize that after the baby was born, it would most definitely be used. They put some saline mixed with petocin. So, all night long, my uterus was contracting. And it was painful. Keep me awake painful. I would not have agreed to that, but it was already done and started. I hated the whole iv experience. I even thought to myself "I can't wait for my labor to pick up so that I don't think about the iv anymore." And then I found out I had to keep it in.

So, those were the things that I didn't like about my experience.

And now from the beginning. We took the boys to our friends house and got them settled for the evening/night. As an aside, they did so great.

We got to the hospital a little bit after 4 pm. We did paperwork and waited for the doctor to come and break my water. She got there and broke my water about 5:25. I was at 4 cm. And, we waited. Drew and I thought that immediately contractions would come fast and furious. That was what happened with Kolby, so of course it would happen this time too, right?! Not so much. The first hour, contractions picked up but nothing too horrible and they were like 8 minutes apart.

Pitocin was suggested at 6:15. I declined and said lets see what's happening at 7. By quarter to 7, I was at 7 cm.

Contractions got harder. I mentioned not doing a natural delivery next time and that this would be our last child. Drew told the doctor that historically we're really close when I say those two things.

I told myself many times to pull it together, get myself under control. Also, this was the best labor and delivery that Drew and I have done together. He was so encouraging and loving. The other two labors, the midwives or nurse really "took control" of me and keeping me focused. Drew and I really connected this time and when I opened my eyes, his face was the one I was looking for and his voice was the one that I listened for. He said the right things at the right times and I know I fell more in love with him during the labor and then watching him with our new son, amazing.

I remember one really bad contraction. And then, a lull. I even said "What's this, the calm before the storm?" And it turned out to be just that.

The next contraction, I was pushing. He was coming and there was no stopping him. Except for the nurse telling me not to push. I screamed instead and asked why. The doctor didn't have her gloves on yet. Then she told me to push, Drew told me how great I was doing. And two pushes later and he was out.

They set him on me, told me to kiss him and whisked him away. All the while, saying how big he was. We got him for an hour, he nursed and we both cuddled him and then they took him to the nursery for observation for 4 hours and took me to my room to settle in for the night. I didn't sleep until the nurse brought him back to me.

I can't believe it has been two weeks already. The pain of his delivery is still so fresh in my mind but my body is healing so quickly. Women's bodies really are amazing.

The Dinner that Wasn't Meant to Be

I started making dinner with a napping baby and two boys watching a video.

I finished dinner with a screaming baby and two boys running around in circles.

In the middle of making tomato basil soup as I pureed the tomatoes with the basil and tomato juice. I covered the top of the blender with some paper towels so the hot soup wouldn't jump out to burn my hand and splash all over my cupboards and counter. I must have pushed too hard because I heard a bad noise. The kind of noise that makes you turn off the garbage disposal really quickly. Except I wasn't running the garbage disposal. It was the blender. I took my hand away and saw that the middle plastic part had fallen into the blender and gotten itself blended. The chunks of plastic that were missing were impressive. It also rendered my blender useless. And since there were plastic chunks in half the soup. I decided not to continue.

I had pureed about half the soup so I decided to forge ahead. I can improvise, I thought to myself. I'll just add half of the whipping creme and half the butter.

It worked.

I moved on to butter 10 slices of bread for grilled cheese sandwiches.

I realized I didn't have quite as much cheese as I originally thought. I prayed for the cheese to be enough. (No, I'm not kiddding. I really did pray that. What?)

It was.

As I started putting the bread and cheese on the griddle, bread started sticking together causing me to add butter on top of butter.

I burned the first side of the grilled cheese. I forged ahead flipping the black sides of the grilled cheese.

I stopped reading my book so I could really concentrate on not burning this side of the grilled cheese. After all, it was the side that I was planning on serving to my family.

I didn't burn it.

Bellies were filled.

Tomato Basil Soup

4 cups tomatoes (8-10) peeled, cored and chopped OR
4 cups canned whole, tomatoes, crushed

4 cups unsalted tomato juice

12-14 fresh basil leaves, chopped

1 cup whipping creme

1/2 cup butter

1/4 t black pepper

salt to taste

Combine tomatoes and juice in saucepan. Simmer 30 minutes over medium to low heat. Cool slightly then place in blender. Add basil and process to puree; this will need to be done in batches. Return mixture to saucepan. Add cream and butter. Stir over low heat until cream and butter are incorporated. Stir in salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil.

All Better

The Lord heard your prayers and answered yes! Thank you friends.

Kolby is much better. Yesterday, he perked up a lot. Begging for cereal.

We're dealing with the other end, but I can manage that.

Except on my floor.

Or my pants.

But you don't really want to hear those stories.

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Abrupt change of subject.

Remember my craziness? Well, we finished them.

Kolby ~ Sage

I plan to hang them in our dining room. It was a lot easier than I thought. Mothers Day Out and Sunday School have taught them well. I'm thinking this would be a fun project every summer. Then I could keep adding them to the wall. They're definitely cheap decorations!

I'm pretty proud of them.

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday, the Lord was good. Kolby didn't throw up anymore. He ate water, toast and part of a banana.

I got the floor mopped and the laundry done.

Last night, he slept through the night.

Levi didn't.

I was trying to get a few more minutes of sleep and Drew got up with the boys.

Kolby was so thirsty. He downed a glass of water.

Then he threw that glass of water up.

The Lord is good. I didn't have to clean it up.

So, today, we start over with small sips of water. If all goes well, we'll move on to toast for lunch. If that goes well, he'll get toast and a banana for dinner.

Sage and Kolby are watching Tale of Despereaux.

Today is packing day.

My Plan B, God's Plan A

I heard once that God doesn't have a Plan B.

That comforts me.

Especially today as I had planned to mop the floor, do the laundry and clean the bathrooms. And take the boys to Chick Fil A for lunch and to play.

But at 2:45am, Kolby cried after throwing up. Fortunately for me, Levi had gotten up just a few minutes earlier and I had brought him to our bed to nurse him.

Drew dealt with the chunks. And very well I might add. He helped Kolby and then started the wash. Right as he climbed back into bed, I put Levi back in his own bed. And we both tried to settle back to sleep.

A weird noise made Drew fly out of bed and run to Kolby. I had thought it was Levi. Once again, Drew started the wash and changed the sheets. This time I gave Kolby a bath and settled him back to bed.

We got back in bed and started to dose again. Levi cried out. We listened to him for a few minutes and he settled himself back to sleep. (That is so not normal. I need to start letting him settle himself.)

Starting to dose again, Levi started up again. It had really been about an hour. I decided to nurse him again.

And then Kolby cried out again. This time, Drew got there in time to hold the bowl for him. Less clean up. He climbed back into bed. Levi finished but was wide awake. I tried putting him back to bed. It was only5:45.

He yelled on and off until 6:30 when I decided to call it a morning.

Kolby slept until 8.

The floor may not get mopped, we aren't gong to Chick Fil A, instead the tv will be on all day, I'll be wearing a pony tail, t-shirt and running shorts. Although, I don't plan on running. Unless it's to the toilet.

We'll do extra cuddling. Hopefully I can sneak in laundry loads. We're scheduled to go on a trip Saturday morning.

Pray for our family. Pray that the rest of us don't get sick and that I can get us packed and the house in order.

It's funny because at the end of last week, I decided I should pray four our family's health. In light of our trip and all. My kid rarely get sick but I felt it pressed upon me to pray anyway. I did. But I guess the answer was no. I wonder what he wants me learn from this?

Lord, help me to see what you want me to see. Help me to be patient and kind. And Lord, please let the kids only throw up when Drew is home. It just totally grosses me out.

The Big Finale

Skirt week came to a close on Sunday. Monday and today I've worn shorts.

I can't think of a great reason that I stopped taking pictures. I got bored. No one seemed to care. But here, in words is what I wore.

Thursday:
Red Old Navy skirt
White Slub Tee from Target

Friday:
Gap A-line jean skirt
Shirt (From Nordstrom junior department) a creamy white color with a pretty collar and flutter sleeves

Saturday:
a skirt like this, but heather gray
And, say it with me, a white t-shirt from Target

Sunday:
Khaki A-line skirt from Banana Republic
Black Limited shirt

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I caught Sage eating his booger. It isn't a rare occurrence. After I scolded him, I asked him, in a disgusted voice, what they taste like.

Sugar!

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Levi turned 9 months old yesterday.

9 months in, 9 months out. I can't believe it has gone this fast.

He has 4 teeth. 2 on top and 2 on bottom. 2 more are coming on top.

He belly crawls all over the house.

He has successfully crawled up 4 stairs. (Under Drew's watchful eye. I wasn't home.)

He pulls himself up to everything. This morning, I said to Drew "Soon, he's going to start cruising."

This afternoon, I watched him walk his way down the couch.

I'm not ready for that. Doesn't he know that he's my baby? I'm not ready for my baby to be growing up so stikin fast.

I wonder if I need another baby. And then I wonder if my baby/pregnancy craving will ever be satisfied. What a weird thing to wonder. I guess we have always said 4 or 5. God knows. And that is good enough for me.

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I'm going to take a blogging break. Maybe. Probably. Check back. Or don't. Whatever.

Yesterday's Outfit

Top: Merona slub tee
Skirt: Old Navy

Finally! One thing not from Target.

I'm not taking a picture of my outfit today. It is a skirt. I feel like I cheated. I didn't cheat, I just feel like I did. I wore a gray Old Navy skirt just like the black one above. And an old Yale t-shirt. No make-up. But I did shower. So, no picture.

I should tell you what made me think about doing this week challenge.

I went to a women's event at church where they wanted us to meet new women and chat. They had questions sitting on the table for us to answer. One question was, "What would be your dream job?" I said "I always wanted to be a stay at home mom, so I guess my dream job has been achieved. BUT, if I wasn't thinking of my kids or husband than maybe a job in fashion of some sort. I know I'm wearing a t-shirt and jeans..." And kind of giggled at myself. I knew that I wasn't dressed super cute or really hadn't tried that hard. The woman sitting next to me said something like "Yeah, when you said that my eyes got as big as saucers!"

My reaction was to laugh. But it did stick with me.

And with that thought in my head, I decided to try to dress cuter. Today, I failed. I didn't dress cute. In my head it was cute but it ended up looking different in reality.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Day 2 with a 5 year old photographer

Today we went swimming and I didn't shower and get dressed until nap time. But, since Bunko is tonight, all is not lost.

Merona (code for Target) skirt
Merona (again code for Target) top

It might be most interesting to see if all my clothes come from Target. Maybe I need to get out more.

I did discover, through another blog, Gock's Frocks and would love to own one of her handmade yoga collection wonderland skirts. Just dreaming, not buying. Thinking of how many different colored shirts I could wear with that. I just know I would wear it at least once a week, if you haven't seen me and hopefully, I won't run into you somewhere unexpected!