Simply Sara

Tuesday night, I made a to-die-for casserole for Home Group. My in-laws gave me the Deen Brother's cookbook for Mothers Day and I have been impressed by everything I've tried. This recipe would be great to take to a potluck or family gathering. Corn Bread Casserole with Fresh Corn and Green Onions 1/2 c. unsalted butter, melted 1 c. fresh corn kernels (from 2 ears of corn) 1 15 oz. can cream style corn 1 c. sour cream 1 8oz. package corn muffin mix 6 T. thinly sliced green onions 1/4 t. pepper pinch of salt Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter/Spray a 9-inch baking pan; set aside. In a large bowl stir together the 1/2 cup melted butter, the fresh corn, cream style corn, sour cream, muffin mix, green onions, pepper and salt. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 60-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Makes 6-8 servings. This recipe is great doubled.

We had a blast celebrating Memorial Day at Anderson beach a.k.a. Redneck Beach with some dear friends. The sand was dirty, the water was disgusting (think brown mud and trash), but everyone had tons of fun! Here Lucas and his pal Andrew are cheesing for the camera while enjoying a yummy pretzel snack! Matt and I spent the rest of the day doing yard work. Actually Matt did 99% of the work and I waddled around the yard trying to help.

Here is a great "full" body shot - arms and legs and face. So beautiful! She kept her hands (and feet) near her face most of the time.

Today has been an unbelievable day. Matt, Lucas and I traveled to Vision of Life in Piedmont along with my Mom and Matt's parents to see our baby girl in 4D. I was so excited/nervous this morning that I couldn't stop talking. My mind was racing, but mostly I couldn't stop thinking that I needed confirmation that yes, we are in fact having a little girl. I'm not sure why this concept has been so hard for me to grasp, but I do know that I'm excited that it's true! What an amazing experience. The ultrasound brought our little girl's image to life and radiated her beauty. She appears to have my nose and upper lip along with Matt's full bottom lip. Her chin and round cheeks reminded me of Lucas at birth, but overall she has a strikingly feminine look about her. We had a great time laughing and talking as the ultrasound tech, Ben, poked my belly in an effort to get the best shots. She was folded in half, her feet above her forehead. And apparently she is a sn...

Matt and I spent the past weekend in Asheville sans Lucas. It was SO wonderul to have some quality time with my precious hubby. Our fascination with the Biltmore House monopolized the entire weekend - we pretty much spent our entire trip there and at the Carrabaas in our hotel's parking lot. I am married a fine looking man. Wow! I'm a lucky woman!

For the second time in two weeks, I'm struggling with allergies. Normally, spring and fall can pass without effecting me, but this year, I'm feeling the full effects of the budding trees and hazy pollen. In the effort to be able to breathe again (I figure that's pretty important), I bought an over the counter antihistamine, recommended by my doctor to ease my discomfort. I quickly realized that my tolerance for medicine is very low. (Matt already knew this from past experiences involving me and pain pills post-op, but I seemed to have blocked out those memories.) Needless to say, I was in rare form last night. As the hysterical laughter and tears turned into a foggy, sleepy haze I started to wonder if baby girl was feeling just as loopy as I was. I sure hope not. After shaking her up like a popcorn kernel in a hot pan for 10 minutes, it's no wonder she kept waking me up throughout the night. Against my better judgment I submitted to my desire for breathing again tonigh...

So Lucas and I had some quality time today over a couple scoops of ice cream at the Koo Koo Cafe. Here's what I found out: Lucas's best friend is his new stuffed kitty-kat which he has affectionately named "Meow-Meow". His favorite color is orange, favorite ice cream is "the green one" - mint chocolate chip. He thinks he is three and pronounces his name "Gu-cas". This morning we all went to see "Dr. Tim" where we heard the baby's heartbeat and I got checked, rather uncomfortably, for pre-term labor. Good reports all around. Baby girl appears to be making her presence known in my lower half, explaining the pressure and pain I've been feeling. Hopefully she'll be moving up soon. It's hard for me to believe that I'm 6 months pregnant now. There are days when I feel so close to Baby Girl and other days I forget that I'm pregnant. Okay, so I can't fully forget due to the growing bulge that makes bending over, huggin...

I wrapped up my baby belly in a pretty bridesmaid dress complete with a bow on top. Wedding party The happy couple, Andy and Stephanie. At the reception, Lucas decided to join Poppy's band. He "played" the maracas and tamborine for over an hour straight. This boy's got some music in his blood!

Meet Daisy the Clown - Lucas's new best friend! We attended a birthday party where Lucas followed Daisy around like a shadow! Apparently being a drummer is genetic. (Our house has become a work warehouse/storage unit - I think it's time to move!) This weekend Matt's brother got married! We spent Friday night rehersing for the big day. Don't worry, I didn't sit down for the actual ceremony! While we were practicing walking down the aisle, Lucas explored the wonders of "traditional church" - climbing under pews and stealing pencils from the back of them!

For some reason that I can't explain and don't feel like trying to figure out, potty training has taken off for Lucas! He has "tt-ed" in the potty at least 2 times a day for the past 5 days! Hooray! I have no idea where to go from here, but somehow I think we'll just figure it out!

Lucas and I have been very busy today. Our morning started with a quick jaunt to the Xpress oil change place; and let me tell you, express is right! We were in and out of the (clean) comfy waiting room in less than 20 minutes and on our way to Dunkin Doughnuts. Out of nowhere a craving hit me for some yummy goodness, so we made a quick detour before our dreaded trip to Walmart. It takes a lot of courage and sugar for me to take Lucas to Walmart, but it had to be done. Along the way from the shaving cream aisle to the flipflops, we stumbled across some shiny, glittery (read: tacky) Thomas the Train stickers. Since I was still feeling good from my sugar rush, I agreed that we could get the "tickers". It wasn't until a couple hours later back at home when a *great* idea hit me. Let's see if these stickers can manipulate.... I mean motivate Lucas to sit on the potty. After 2 months of hearing "NO!!!" every time I even mentioned the potty, I am feeling pretty de...

I have to apologize to my sister Amy for this picture. I told her yesterday on the phone that I almost never cook breakfast for my two guys. And I don't, unless the mood strikes me and it did this morning because both sleepy-heads slept in until 9:30!!! Now that's a reason to celebrate with biscuits, bacon, and eggs! (That's blackberry jam - my all time favorite - on L's chin.) Lucas and I tried out Crayola Color Wonder finger paint today. I like the no-mess factor, but overall, I'm not that impressed. I think next time I will stick with the (cheaper) messy kind in a bottle. Can't you do fingerpainting with jello or koolaid mix? Sounds yummy and just might be lots of fun. Time for a Google search.

Apparently being wrong is a theme in my life right now. At least when it comes to planning for something and it turning out entirely different from what I expected (read post below). Matt and I walked into our ultrasound appointment last Thursday excited and ready to see our little baby. I needed the reassurance that only an ultrasound can bring. We looked at each other as I was heading back, and said, "it's a boy". Fifteen minutes later, we found out that we were wrong! After checking the heart and brain functions - everything looks great, by the way- the technician poked and prodded my belly to get our little one to uncross their legs. Once I stopped giggling and the baby cooperated, a picture was frozen on the screen. The technician said, "There it is". I said "I see it!" (No, I didn't) "It's a girl!" "WHAT!!!!" Tears erupted from my eyes like a water hydrant. "Are you kidding me?" I look over at Matt and he i...

Isn't it funny that no matter how hard we plan, or how prepared we are, things don't always turn out like you think when it comes to life with a toddler. Our trip to Publix yesterday was a great example of that truth! I spent over an hour Sunday night working on my grocery list. I haven't been this inspired since last fall before I was pregnant. I perused Food Network's site for new recipes and laid out my list in categories according to the aisles in the store! Right before bed, I even set out my coupon book, list, and packed snacks/toys in my purse ready to entertain Lucas. Everything was perfect and I was feeling pretty good about myself. Skip ahead to the next day. We get out of the house around 10:30. Lucas had been pretty happy all morning, except for a brief spout of tears as he begged to go to work with Daddy. As we're settling in and enjoying a snack (all pregnant women understand the importance of snacks - especially when morning sickness is still linger...

Thanks, Meg for sharing this wonderfully yummy recipe ! I went to the grocery store to buy coconut as soon as I read your post! The extra trip was totally worth it! Wow!

I found this dress on a shopping trip with my Mother-in Law early this week. I love this dress. However, it isn't a maternity dress. Not a problem, right? Well, if I plan on sitting down at any point then yes, it is going to be a problem! Check out my belly! I took the dress yesterday to get some panels added to the lining. This dress was too hard to pass up even if the lining fits me like a body suit!

Nana, Andy and Stephanie enjoying some yummy Outback! Lucas was so hyper that night! He's playing trucks with Mimi and Poppy after dinner! Girls Day with Meredith, Candace and Stephanie.

On a particularly warm Thursday, Lucas and Daddy had fun washing "the big truck". Sunscreen is going to be very important this summer as you can see by Lucas' glowing white skin! I promise this isn't a plug for our business - however, if you need any residential audio/technology or pro audio systems, you see the number to call!

Caught in the act! We woke up one morning to find Lucas having fun in his big boy bed. He has since learned that toys/books/trains are not allowed in bed! Daddy's big helper! It's never to early to teach your little ones how to change a tire! We are loving this warm weather!