Friday, July 29, 2011

8 month photo shoot

So, back in February, I took Rocky’s camera and took pictures of Jessie & Maggie.  Not sure why I haven’t shared until now, other than my weird thing about keeping photos chronological. But I think it’s more fun to share them!  So, 5 months late, but here are Jessie’s 8 month photos:

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Thursday, July 28, 2011

Visitors!

Rocky’s brother Dick and his wife Dulcy stopped in earlier this week while driving their Harleys to Yellowstone and up to Beartooth.  Both girls warmed up to Uncle Dick really fast.

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I think Grandma Bonnie will be jealous!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Maggie Goes Rafting

Yesterday, Rocky took Maggie rafting on the Stillwater River (Stillwater is quite the misnomer as the river is anything but still! ) I did not get to go so here is Maggie's version of the trip:

It was fun. Dad was wrong there was no dinosaur attack and Superman is not real! But there was cliff diving! I didn't jump out silly! I went in the water and I learned how to row only when the raft was down. Well Dad helped me. Well I throwed rocks. And I tried to skip rocks but every time I did the just went down. We went on waves. I never went in or fell overboard. We saw an eagle. We rode on SpongeBob!

Well we went on a bus back to the car and our clothes were in the car. We didn't have lunch on the rafting trip. We had pizza and it was all you can eat! And salad. I can't remember the rest.
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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Chicken Parmesan Wraps

Recently I found a website called “Once a Month Mom.” The idea 2011-07-19 2011-07-19 001 011behind the website is taking seasonal recipes and making them freezer friendly. Usually she links to other sites for the original recipe, but also includes recipe & shopping lists (yes, shopping lists!!) of exactly how much you need for the group of recipes she's put together. Currently, I typically just pull out the recipes I think the family will like and haven't gotten "brave" enough to pull the full list, yet.


I’ve looked around and found a few recipes I like and tried the first one tonight: Chicken Parmesan Wraps. As usual, I had a few minor substitutions – though not as big of substitutions as usual. I used canned spinach instead of fresh and I ended up wrapping them like an egg roll, rather than in triangles. I think that’s more because I do not have any history or experience with egg roll wrappers and it seemed easier while I was in the process of making them to wrap them like an egg roll. The only problem with wrapping is I couldn’t get a good seal on the roll so some marinara leaked out. I think next time I would also add some garlic and fresh basil to give it a little more 2011-07-19 2011-07-19 001 012 flavor. I think that had more to do with my pasta sauce choice (Wal-Mart brand – which is good with spaghetti, but I think this needed a little sometime more) or even some freshly grated parmesan instead of the green can stuff.



Both Rocky & Maggie enjoyed them. I think they would be good with a Mexican flair – some cilantro chicken and pico de gillo.


I’ve also discovered I’m a bad food blogger because I didn’t even think to take pictures until I was almost done and then I really should have used a black plate instead of the white so the parmesan would have shown up better.


I’m really enjoying this website and am even going to do some test cooking for it next month. Hopefully I will be a better food blogger – though I can’t share what I cook until after the pages go live – especially if I find something both Maggie & Rocky will like!!

Monday, July 18, 2011

My Babies

I'm done having babies. Really I am. Even so, it does make me a little sad that I will never again cuddle a newborn that is mine all mine. The nursing portion of my life is almost over for good. I'm trying so hard to put memories of my babies into the vault so I can remember them in the future.


Like the first time I held Maggie (almost SIX years ago). Right after she was born. She came out, Dr. Z said "It's a girl" and put her on my chest. She didn't cry, but looked up at me while I talked to her. I remember it being dark in the room, but Rocky says it wasn't. I kept waiting for her to cry because newborns are supposed to cry.
And the first time I saw Jessie. We had just barely had time to get used to the idea of a c-section when she decided it was time to come. The room was bright and white. Nurse Nadine chuckled at me a little when I asked if I was going to have to have an oxygen mask and told me she hoped not. I waited impatiently for them to let Rocky in while trying to cough and throw up with a spinal block. It happened so fast, yet it took so long. Dr. Rosorio-Montville lifted her above the curtain while saying "It's a girl!" and I heard her cry, so pissed off to be out in the cold. Rocky got to hold her first and I tried to gentle touch her during the remainder of the surgery. I finally got to hold her on the way back to our room.
I have many more years for firsts with them. Kindergarten is coming up fast. But I know my family is now complete. And we can always add another puppy if the yearning for a baby comes along again.


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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

There's a New Winery in Town

I cannot believe it's been 4 months since my last wine post. I think I have been drinking some old favorites like Grooner and Shoo Fly. So I thought I would take a minute to write about the new Yellowstone Winery in town. That's right, a winery!

Montana is not a place that comes to mind when one thinks of places that wine might be made, at least not wine made with grapes! The grapes are actually Washington grown but the wine is made here in Billings. Rocky did a story there when they first opened and bought the very first 2 bottles: a table red and a Chardonnay. The red was a little young and probably would have been great after sitting in my "cellar" for about a year. The Chardonnay was nice.

A couple of months ago -- probably May -- they had a tasting. Of course we went! They were tasting their reds. The table red was much nicer this time. I ended up purchasing a Pinot Gris, which is always one of my favorite grapes. I enjoyed it very much!
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Friday, July 8, 2011

Wiconi & the Puppy

Rusty tries to get Wiconi’s attention.  Wiconi does a pretty good job of ignoring him, and putting him in his place when she needs to.

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Happy 4th of July

This year, Maggie really wanted to see the fireworks.  So, we hung around the house most of the day (with a quick trip to Wal-Mart), playing with Rusty and in the pool until around 7 when we headed over to Castle Rock Park and met up with some friends from church.  One of the local churches hosts the event, with lots of bouncy toys like slides, races and houses.  2011-07-04_20-06-03_84 2011-07-04_20-08-24_130

Wheeee!!

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Celebrating with a popper!

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Maggie really enjoyed watching the fireworks, but thought it was too loud. At least she had Dad to be with her.  Jessie liked the lights but did not like the noise so she and I watched from the back of the van – well, I watched and she watched Elmo.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Saturday, July 2, 2011

13 Months

Today Jessie is 13 months old. She LOVES to share, especially food with Wiconi whether Wiconi likes it or not (she usually does). Jessie is starting to do some signs like eat, more and all done. She's not consistent but she's getting there. She doesn't have many words yet though she babbles a lot.

Jessie still loves her baby dolls. She loves to give the hugs and "kisses." But her favorite game is still wrestling with Maggie. She will tickle us and laughs great big belly laughs when we tickle her.

Swimming lessons start next week and I'm sure she'll have a great time as she loves splashing in the pool, the tub, and Wiconi's water dish.

I've finally packed away most of the 6 month sized clothes though the pants still fit. She has a long torso and short little legs!! 2 more top teeth are coming in. And she's still pretty bald. The bit of hair she does have is kind of coarse so I'm starting to wonder if she'll have curly hair. It will probably be a while before we know.
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