newborn photos - take 1 -

Practicing Newborn photos!!

We didn't want to pay a couple hundred dollars for newborn photos so my sister offered to take some for us. This is the ~TAKE 1 ~. more to come. 

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,    I know that full well."

Psalm 139:13-14

Cypress meets Dominik

Cypress and Dominik are already best of friends 

We  had my parents take a blanket that Dominik was wrapped in from the hospital and give it to Cypress so he knew the scent before we brought Dominik home. 

When we got home and introduced the two Cypress was so gentle and very good with Dominik. 

When Dominik is crying Cypress will go running up to wherever he is to make sure he is okay. 

Our first outing with Cypress and Dominik was a trip to the bird sanctuary. We went for a slow walk and swim for Cypress. 

Dominik seemed to like the walk...which would make sense as a I walked 1-2 hours a day during pregnancy so he is used to the feeling! 

Dominik Daniel Gray !!

On October 16th I was getting a blog ready on DIY chalkboards when I started feeling contractions. I ended up going into labour that night and into the next day - Thursday October 17th. 

We went to the hospital at 8pm and Dominik was born at 10:40pm. The Doctor said it was better than a text book labour / birth. We are very grateful and happy everything went so well. 

Today's blog will be a picture blog of our beautiful son Dominik. 

We are so blessed to bring into the world our beautiful son
Dominik Daniel Gray

7 lbs 2 oz

October 17th, 2013 at 10:40pm

19.5 inches 

born at Peace Arch Hospital ~ White Rock BC

Proud mommy (thinking - we did it!!) Very exhausted and tired but filled with so many emotions and excitement at this point. We can't believe he is ours! 

We are SO in love with him. 

A very proud Daddy 

The proud grandparents (Nonna, Babba, Nana, Papa) 

Auntie Emily 

Dominik came out with a full head of hair and beautiful bright blue eyes looking around. The doctors couldn't believe how strong he was when he was kicking and squirming around. 

We left the hospital at 10am on Saturday, October 19th. Dominik weighed 6lbs 11oz when we left the hospital. 

We drove home very SLOW. 

~ thanksgiving dinner ~

My contributions for this Thanksgiving dinner is homemade buns and caramel popcorn:

Homemade buns:  I've experimented with lots of different recipes, but I've managed to come up with one that is easy and delicious. 

• 1 cup water 
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 1/4 cup white flour
• 1 egg
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 1 Tbsp yeast

Place all ingredients into bread machine and select dough cycle.

Once dough cycle is completed, remove dough and need for 2 minutes. Divide dough into 12 rolls and place in 9x13 greased pan. 

Place a tea towel over the buns and let rice in a warm place for 30-45 minutes or until doubled in size.

Melt 3 tsp butter and brush over the buns.

Place in preheated 375 degree oven for 12-15 minutes until the tops are golden brown. 

Caramel white chocolate popcorn -thought I would make this as a treat for while we played games. I've never made it before so I found a recipe as a guideline and then changed the amounts so the popcorn is not completely covered, therefore less sweet. The popcorn turned out great and the white chocolate was a good touch.

• 2 bags of microwave popcorn popped, remove unpopped kernals 
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 3/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 5 oz chopped white chocolate or white chocolate chips

Directions

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees. 
• Pop both bags of popcorn and place in 2 large bowls.

Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, corn  syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and salt. Bring mixture to a boil and allow to boil 4 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and add in vanilla and baking soda and stir mixture until it thick and glossy. 

Pour quarter of the caramel sauce over each bowl of popcorn then toss several times, add remaining caramel sauce and toss popcorn until evenly coated. 

Spread popcorn onto a large rimmed cookie sheet and bake in pre-heated oven 1 hour, stirring popcorn every 15 minutes. Cool completely.

Melt white chocolate on 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted. Pour melted chocolate into ziplock bag, cut a very small tip from the corner, drizzle onto popcorn.

Place cookie sheets in the fridge for white chocolate to harden. Ready to serve

39 weeks... patiently waiting

How far along? 39 Weeks

Total weight gain: hit the 30lb mark.  hopefully i lose it as fast as i seem to gain it
Maternity clothes? leggins and shirts! officially at the point of feeling huge and not attractive at all... therefore, not wanting to venture out anywhere 
Stretch marks? still no...fingers crossed it stays like that this last bit
Sleep: so hard to get these days cause I'm so uncomfortable with lots of back pain
Best moment this week: our doctors appointment, finding out we will be forsure meeting baby in less than 2 weeks 
Miss Anything? being comfortable and having good sleeps 
Movement: going to be an active baby i think with all this movement.  
Food cravings: nothing this week, not too much of an appetite
Anything making you queasy or sick: no
Labor Signs: some subtle signs that I'm headed in the right direction. that being said, could still be 2 weeks away (at MOST)
Symptoms: uncomfortable, lots of back pain and well pain everywhere
Belly Button in or out? out 
Wedding rings on or off? yayyy still on !!

Exercise: still getting my hour or 2 walks in a day. yesterday we went for a 3.5 hour walk (by accident), thought that might encourage baby to come out....but not yet 

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy...but very READY 
Looking forward to:  thanksgiving dinner tonight (blog to follow with what i'm making).

There is only so many times I can clean my house....hopefully we will be meeting baby SOON :)! we are so excited. 

Dutch Soup

This recipe has been passed on from my Mom and Oma. A classic 'dutch soup' recipe.... perfect for a cold day.  My FAVOURITE soup recipe!! So delicious. 
I tend to add as much vegetables as I can!! Add any type of vegetable you want. I don't like my soups with too much broth, but f you want more broth, just add more water in the beginning. 

Ingredients:
500 grams extra lean beef made into meatballs
8 chopped carrots
10 chopped celery sticks
1 can diced tomatoes
1 onion
3 cups corn
egg noodles
1 package knor tomato vegetable soup mix

1. Make meatballs using the beef and place in a extra large saucepan, fill half full of water. Bring to a boil then let simmer for 20 minutes.

2. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, simmer for another 30 minutes.

3. Add salt & pepper and serve warm with crackers. 

~ fall is here ~ 38wks

Easy fall decorations

Fall Granola 

a great healthy granola recipe with little sugar & lots of dried fruit.

Ingredients:

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)

1/2 cup chopped unsalted almonds

1/2 cup chopped unsalted cashews

1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds

1/2 cup flaxseed 

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1 tbsp natural brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup coconut butter or oil melted

2 tsp real vanilla

1/2 tsp sea salt

1-2 cups of your favourite unsweetened dried fruit (i used raisins, currants, cranberries, blueberries) 

1. Preheat oven to 250' F

2. In large bowl mix together oats, nuts, seeds, coconut and brown sugar.

3. In a small bowl combine honey, coconut oil, vanilla and salt. 

4. combine the two bowls

5. Spread onto baking sheets and bake in the oven for 75-90 minutes. Stir 2-3 times so granola browns evenly.

6. Remove from oven and mix in dried fruit.

7. Let cool and store in airtight container. 

38 weeks pregnancy chalkboard

How far along? 38 Weeks

Total weight gain: up 29 lbs... (even with all the exercise and a healthy diet) 
Maternity clothes? leggins and shirts! loving Fall weather
Stretch marks? none yet!
Sleep: not terrible, hasn't been bad this week
Best moment this week: we got a tour of the maternity ward. It really made things feel real. The ward looks amazing, really nice rooms with ocean view and soaker tubs... hopefully that will help make the experience better. 
Miss Anything? not this week, I know I will miss my big tummy & feeling all the movement once baby is out. 
Movement: another active week... lots of movement. So curious to know what baby looks like. 
Food cravings: sweets (surprise!)
Anything making you queasy or sick: not that I can think of
Labor Signs: Nope. Just the braxton hicks, however I think baby is quite content and cozy in there and will take his/her time getting out. 
Symptoms: none really, felt pretty good this week, just usually uncomfortable & exhausted
Belly Button in or out? out!
Wedding rings on or off? on

Exercise: lots of walking, 1-2 hours a day. Completed a stair workout a few days in a row as well. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy & EXCITED to say the least!
Looking forward to: baby's arrival....anyday!!!