Simply Sara

We have been so blessed to have a wonderful OB/GYN and Pediatrician! We've been with them for several years now, and have relied on their personable, quality care. We feel like they are a part of our family! (Okay, so not that close, but we do love them!) Vanessa understands what I mean! But we are having the hardest time finding a family doctor for me and Matt. I thought we had found "the one", but after spending 2 hours in a waiting room today, I've decided it's time to get back into the game and find someone else! I can understand a short wait, but 2 hours to see a doctor for 10 minutes is ridiculous! Eventually I got tired of people watching and listening to the conversations going on around me. (It's not like you can read a magazine lying in a waiting room - who knows what snotty hands have been touching it before you!) Thankfully Ava is the best baby ever, and stayed happy for the total 3 hours we were at the doctor's office today. We know a great do...

Matt's been growing a beard for about 3 weeks. He's pretty good at it. I personally prefer the less is more theory on facial hair, but he likes to try out the moutain man look every so often. After a couple weeks of scruffy, I protested by no longer shaving my legs, but I could only do it for a couple days before giving up! Due to work meetings this week, Matt shaved his face leaving only a soul patch . Last night Matt and Lucas were talking during the bedtime routine about his new look when this conversation took place: "Daddy, where's your beard?" "I shaved it buddy" "What about that patch?" "Well I left a little bit" "Well, that hair is sad; he misses his family. You need to grow him some more family." FYI: I spent some time googling "soul patch" today. Apparently there is a wealth of information on facial hair online. Gillette has a "grooming glossary" complete with pictures. The "toothbrush...

Well apparently I did something right today, because Lucas is taking a nap as I type! I was so encouraged by Molly's reminder that sometimes it takes 2-3 introductions of a new thing before a child accepts it (remember baby food?). I used the timer method (play alone in room for an allotted time than nap) for the past couple days, but today I increased the time to 30 minutes. Once the bell rang, Lucas put his toys in the hallway (one of my rules), went potty, than got in bed. That's when I decided to be sneaky and make sure that boy fell asleep! At Matt's advice, I put a chair outside of Lucas's room. As soon as I heard him talking, I opened the door and told him to be quiet. Three reminders later (or 5 minutes) Lucas is asleep! Hooray! I think the key is to make him lay down and be still so the sleep can take over. I know he's tired; his cranky demeanor lets everyone know he's tired, but I think he's been having too much fun to fall asleep! I'm going ...

I have really struggled to get back to my pre-pregnancy body. I gained 35 pounds while I was pregnant with Ava (38 with Lucas). The first 25 practically fell off during the couple months after Ava was born. Naturally I was thrilled at the success I found with little to no effort on my part. After our agonizing decision to stop breastfeeding when Ava was 12 weeks old, my weight loss came to a crashing halt. In fact, 3 pounds crept back on because I didn't change my diet to accommodate the hormonal change. (I miss those extra calories nursing Mom's burn.) I quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) began to tear myself down for the way I fit and didn't fit into my clothes. We decided to join the YMCA in November, and I was confidant my weight loss would rev back up. Matt and I decided to track our weight loss; and Mondays because our official weigh-in day. As the scales began a steady decline for Matt, my weight began to yo-yo each week. Two pounds off one week, 1 pound gained t...

My "new" nap plan didn't work. At all. Apparently Lucas isn't ready to handle the freedom of the timer. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Naptime just isn't working in our house. At least not for Lucas. He has always been such a good nighttime sleeper, but naps became a challenge starting at age 2 1/2. Some weeks, Lucas sleeps 2 hours everyday and other weeks, he doesn't sleep at all. I feel pretty strongly that kids need to rest during the middle of the day; after hours of play, their little bodies (and emotions) need to be rejuvenated from either a nap or quiet time. Everyone in the house is effected when Lucas doesn't nap. He is such a grumpy-gus by 5:30, that we find ourselves anticipating bedtime at 7:30. So that is why I'm so determined to find a solution to this little problem. We've tried everything - threats, bribes, punishment; all the things parenting magazines say you aren't supposed to do. Today we are trying a new nap routine and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will work. I typically include Ava in our book time before nap, but today I put her down first, so Lucas and I can h...

This was our dinner tonight. It may not look like much, but as Matt said "these pizza muffins are a keeper!" I love it when I hear Matt say that! I enjoy trying new recipes, but it kills me when I work so hard and the reviews are only so-so. I don't blame Matt for mixed reviews, I usually agree with him. Last week I spent 3 hours on a chicken and sausage gumbo; I learned alot (I made a roux from oil and flour for the first time), got a few grease burns (you have to constantly stir the roux for 20 minutes), and every last bite was consumed(both guys went back for seconds), but I didn't get the "it's a keeper" comment. Everyone who knows Matt, knows that he has simple taste. My palate is pretty simple as well, but I do enjoy trying new things and eating fru-fru food whenever I get the chance. Well this meal isn't fru-fru or complex. But it is super fast, easy and yummy! I think these would be great served at a tapas party or for dinner like we did toni...

Here are some conversations I've heard lately: "Buddy, Mommy and Daddy are married. Just like Ben and Skye are married and Brian and Becky are married." "I'm married too, Mommy!" "To who?" "To my cousin!" ********************************* "Mommy, why are you singing Little Einsteins?" "I have no idea buddy, but it's stuck in my head." "Well, you need to stop. You're being a tease." ********************************* (While Andrew and Lucas are waiting for me to fix their lunch) "Andrew, look at these beautiful flowers! Smell them" "But we can't eat them!"

I am so not a morning person. There is no one in my life who would argue that point with me. I have been "slow to rise" ever since I can remember. I would much rather stay up late and sleep in, than be smart and go to bed early. Besides, if I go to bed by 10, I would miss Private Practice and Brothers and Sisters, two of my favorite shows. This mindset got me into a lot of tiffs with my sister, Melanie, during our high school days. Mel is the opposite of me; she's not only a morning person, she's rather chipper about it. I blame our mother for that (love you Mom!); she woke us up most mornings with a song. Since my school was too small to have a bus system, Mom or Melanie would take me to school in the mornings. By the time we rolled out the door, I will still a grumpy gus. (That's what we call it in our G-rated home.) It was like the rain cloud over my head conflicted with the blue skies around me. I remember one particular morning, it was Melanie's senior ye...

So this was our romantic Surf and Turf dinner: pan seared Salmon, garlic bread, steak, sauteed green beans with garlic, and potatoes gratin. (We ain't scared of garlic!) I very loosely based the menu on this . I love watching Food Network chefs and shows; I try to catch at least one show a day. But the funny thing is, I don't cook the recipes very often. I am much more of the get an idea and figure-it-out-myself kind of girl. My favorite chefs/shows to watch are Ultimate Recipe Showdown , Chopped , Diners Drive-ins and Dives , Giada at Home , and Guy's Big Bite . I didn't realize it until now, but I'm really like reality food tv. Top Chef is still my top reality food tv show. I have learned so much (useless) information watching 5 seasons! I was talking a friend the other day about the connection between food and stress. Specifically the way stress causes me to quit cooking all together. When I've had an emotional, challenging or hormonal day, my ability to prod...

I've been playing around with my Mother-in-law's fancy shmancy camera this week. Here are a few of my favorites so far. I hope to get some good black and white photos of Ava tomorrow. I'd like to capture her sweet chubby legs and pudgy fingers. The quiet from Sunday ended pretty quickly after I wrote my last post. The week has been full of time with friends, time in the kitchen and lots of time spent outside. I made chicken and saugsage gumbo on Monday; a great recipe from Southern Living. Last night I surprised Matt with a romantic dinner of surf and turf at home. Our friends kept the kids while we enjoyed dinner on our fine china with no interruptions! How refreshing to eat a meal without hearing "Excuse me Mommy" 18 times. We finished the night with the best dessert ever - a chocolate 6 layered cake from Divinci's. I did manage to find the focus and energy to start a project, aren't you proud! I'm painting a bookshelf that will house our growing ...

Most days, I live for nap time. I do my best to work Ava's schedule so she will go down at the same time as Lucas. I need those 2 precious hours of quiet. I never knew how loud a 3 year old can be until Lucas hit this wonderful and challenging stage of exploration. Seriously, we are trying so hard to teach him about manners and speaking in an "inside" voice, but the kid has only two volume settings - loud and louder. His language has exploded. We are continually amazed at what comes out of his mouth and head. He has finally learned to correctly pronounce his name (no longer "Gucas"), but my favorite word he still stumbles over is "heck-i-top-ter". Too cute! But today the house feels too quiet. Both kids are asleep (which hopefully means no grouchy pants this evening) and Matt has returned to volunteer at the evening services at church. I turned off the t.v. because there's nothing good on, but I may have to turn it back on just to fill in the empty...

We took Ava in for her 6 month check up today. Our little darlin weighs 16 pounds 4 ounces and is 26.25 inches long! She is sticking to the 50-60th percentile, which means she's right on track for her development! Hooray! What a wonderful feeling to leave a well-check with good news regarding her weight! Her chubby thighs were a pretty clear indication that it was going to be a good visit, but it was still nice to see it on the scales. We heard a nice sermonette (or two or three or four) from Dr. Dale regarding the proper way to introduce veggies and fruits to Ava along with some encouragement regarding the principle of putting in the work now to reap a harvest later. We covered topics ranging from eating organic (he views the cost as too high) to strengthening Ava's abs, to parenting a child's heart to the outrageous things people feed their kids. I love that Dr. Dale is so passionate about his job (our kids reap the benefits of his dedication), but sometimes I do get tir...

Ava said her first word this week, "Da-Da"! I've been coaching her to say "Mama" ever since, but it hasn't taken so far. I love watching the relationship grow between Ava and Matt. Because Lucas is so close to his daddy, of course, I want the same for our girl. I am so blessed to have a hubby who is so invested in our children's lives. He always makes time for them; eager to play trains with Lucas or tickle Ava with his nose. My Dad passed away when I was 20. It was unexpected and life-altering for all of us. I am so thankful for a Daddy who loved me dearly and showed that in his own special way. My prayer is that Ava will be a "daddy's girl"; not that she can get anything she wants from Daddy (because Matt would so not put up with that), but a sweet adoration and devotion to her Dad. I love, love, love watching Lucas and Ava spend time with their Daddy. The other day, Matt was chilling on the couch after I forced him to take a sick day. He...