Last month the book club read Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman. (Anyone know how to get those slashy french things above the Es?) I don’t think the “French parenting wisdom” described in the book is anything more than common sense, but I enjoyed the book, nonetheless.

It was my turn to host, so I was more worried about the food than the book anyway. I love to cook and try new recipes, but preparing food for a large group stresses me a little. Ok, more than a little. It is impossible (for me) to cook and bake while watching two kids, clean the kitchen and be dressed when guests arrive. I can maybe do two of the four. No one wants to be greeted by a pj wearing, flour covered crazy lady. I decided to keep things simple and opted for recipes that could be (mostly) made the day before.

For the appetizer, we had a cheese platter. Cheese is such an easy and yummy appetizer. I decided on brie, blue cheese, muenster and a white stilton with blueberries. I added some grapes and crackers, and it was delish. (Just don’t forget to set the cheese out an hour or so before you eat it… it is much better at room temperature).

For cocktails, I mixed up a pitcher of French 75s. Get it? FRENCH 75s? I wanted to stay on theme with the book. Unfortunately, the only other thing I came up with was french fries.

French 75

Mix it all in a pitcher and serve immediately.

I made the following salads and soup and would recommend all the recipes.

Tomato Basil Bisque (this is so easy, I am embarrassed to share it)
Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans (served with croissants)
Roasted Shrimp and Orzo Salad (If you don’t make anything else, make this… so good!)

Roasted Shrimp and Orzo

Mawmaw Sarah’s Crunchy Romaine Toss

Mix the dressing ingredients well using a blender or mixer. Or, if you are like me and don’t want to pull out all that equipment, dump everything in a big mason jar and shake the mess out of it. Toss the veggies together and just before serving, add the dressing, walnuts and chow mein noodles. You don’t want to mix it up too early because it will get soggy. Nobody wants soggy salad. Thanks for sharing this recipe with me, Mawmaw!

Mawmaw's Crunchy Romaine Toss

For dessert, I tried to copy a delicious strawberry cake I had the week before at Parlor Market. It was served in tiny mason jars and was so delicious. I used this Martha Stewart Recipe, and then poured the batter into greased four ounce mason jars (only half full). I baked them in a pyrex dish with about an inch of water in the bottom. Since I made them the day before, I put the jar lids on and kept them in the fridge overnight. I iced them using this recipe the next day.

Pretty cute, eh?

You know you want to pin that shizz.

Have a great weekend, bebes…

Last week, we celebrated Wells’ sixth birthday. People always say, “They grow up too fast.” I never understood how fast until Wells came along. I also didn’t realize how heartbreaking it would be. It is not that I don’t want him to grow up… of course I do. I just wish he would slow down a bit, that’s all. But, that would be unlike Wells… he was in a hurry from the beginning.

Wells was due in June. On a Saturday in late April, my parents came to help get the nursery ready. Throughout the day, something wasn’t “right,” but I didn’t mention it to anyone. My dad and SK put the baby bed and a few other things together, and then we all had takeout and watched “Walk the Line.” Before bed, I told Stevie I was worried, and he thought I should call my doctor. I did, and the on call nurse said I didn’t need to come in. We got ready for bed, and then my phone rang. She had changed her mind.

We didn’t take anything with us, because we expected to be home within a few hours. When we got to the hospital, they did a few tests and found that my amniotic fluid was leaking. They admitted me for monitoring, but said I would likely be on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy (five weeks). During the night or early morning, the fetal monitor started beeping like crazy. A nurse came in and moved it around, but it continued to beep. She called another nurse in, and they both tried to silence it. I noticed the concern in their eyes and the urgency of their actions. I was scared. Within minutes, they notified the doctor. After what seemed like an eternity, the doctor came in and told me he would be doing an emergency caesarean because Wells was in distress. I immediately began shaking uncontrollably. I feared for my unborn child.

I will not torture you with the details of the delivery, but it definitely was not what we had expected. No contractions. No pushing. No family at the hospital. No camera. No hair and makeup. When they pulled him out, he didn’t cry. I thought the worst. The uncontrollable shaking returned, and a nurse assured me he was ok. I caught a glimpse of him as they took him from the room.

Although he was early, Wells weighed 5 lbs., 10 oz. I guess we grow them big around here. He was taken to the NICU and put on a ventilator. SK called our family and, even though she lives an hour and a half away, my sister was the first person at the hospital. I still don’t know how she made it so quickly. I was in recovery and couldn’t see anyone, including Wells. All I wanted was to be taken to my room so I could see him. I didn’t realize he would not be there.

It was late evening, and I still had not seen or held Wells. I could not go to the NICU, and he could not come to my room. He was off the ventilator and doing well, but still hooked up to monitors. Steve got to go back and see him, and he promised that Wells was going to be okay. My parents and sister had been in to see him too, and my sister had taken pictures of him for me. It wasn’t the same. I needed to see my baby. When the night shift came on, I begged my nurse to let me get up so I could be wheeled to him. She said if I could handle the pain she wouldn’t stop me. At that point, I could handle anything but being away from my baby for another minute.

Wells was in the NICU for ten days. I was released after four. Leaving him at the hospital that day was so incredibly hard. I cried and cried, but looking back I feel guilty because so many babies never get to leave the hospital. The night before Wells was discharged, Steve and I spent the night in a hospital room with him. He had been on monitors up until that point, so I was extremely nervous about him being “unplugged.” We stayed awake all night watching him breathe and poking him if we couldn’t tell. The next morning we took our precious, healthy baby boy home. I fell asleep on the way.

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t called or if the nurse hadn’t called me back. But then I realize that those things happened because that is the way God had it planned for us… for Wells. We were extremely blessed.

And now a few pictures of the birthday boy over the years…

Time really does fly. And a few from this year…

busted

Happy birthday, Wells. You are so loved.

A month or so ago, my uncle passed away. I wanted to get a sitter for Graham and NOT take him to the funeral. My mom, Dixie (aka Nan), insisted that I bring him so her side of the family could “see him.” When they gathered the family in the funeral parlor to say final goodbyes, Graham took one look at the casket and started shouting, “He’s dead! He’s Dead!” Apparently, big brother had filled him in on the situation. SK covered his mouth and removed him from the room.

He was allowed into the chapel for the funeral. I sang, and as I ended the last note of How Great Thou Art, he announced to the room that he needed to go to the bathroom. It was actually more like this…

“I really have to POO POO… I REALLY have to POO POO… I REALLY HAVE TO POO POO!”

SK covered his mouth and removed him from the room. As he was removing him from the room, he accidentally stepped on G’s foot and the wailing commenced.

He was allowed to attend the graveside portion of the service. He didn’t shout or cry once. We were so proud of him for somewhat redeeming himself. And then he knocked a tombstone over. Really. He. Knocked. A. Tombstone. Over.

Dixie’s family got to see him alright.

Photo via New Orleans artist Amanda Stone Talley

Yesterday was a good day. I went to work, had a great (long) lunch, went to the gym and chilled with my three favorite boys when I got home.

Then I looked at Pinterest, and my day seemed a little blah. I decided I needed a do over. So here goes…

I got up extra early and whipped up some homemade french toast in my white (spotless) kitchen.

Then, I cut the perfectly fine french toast into squares and skewered it with fruit… you know, because it is cuter that way. Juice? Fresh Squeezed, duh. Wells made place cards… isn’t he thoughtful?

Of course, I didn’t actually eat the french toast. I had this instead…

Because if I didn’t, my abs wouldn’t look like this…

Why are you laughing? I am ripped from reading all those circuit training pins. Next the boys and I did crafts…

Jack? Graham is such a jokester. After crafts we decided to take a dip in our grass-bordered pool to wash off all the ink, glue, finger paint (also homemade) and glitter.

Did I mention Ryan Gosling is our pool boy? I really don’t see what all the fuss is about.

The boys decided to jump on the in ground trampoline for a while…

Aren’t they getting big? They got into a little scuffle so I had to be all

Next, I went back to the kitchen (still spotless) and whipped up a yummy lowfat crockpot casserole and cocktails in mason jars. Don’t judge. It is always 5 o’clock in Pinterestville.

I decided I didn’t like my outfit, so I shopped in my super organized closet for another…

Do you like my dress? It’s vintage. The hair? It just happened when I took down my fishtail braid. I hated to be all dressed up with no place to go, so we hooked up the Airstream and took a little road trip…

It is good to unwind after a long day of cooking, crafting, swimming, drinking, camping and all around perfectness.
For the rest of the day, we all just lounged around on our king-sized hammock in the middle of nowhere.

All photos via Pinterest except the abs. Those are mine.