Our Little Lincoln

Our baby was born on April 10! Baby came right on time, that was our due date. We weren't sure if we were having a boy or a girl...turns out, Baby was a boy! We named him Lincoln Avery...

Check out Lincoln's very own blog Lincoln's Log

1 + 1 = 3

We were so excited to tell our friends and family about Baby and I wanted a fun, unique way to tell them. I have a friend who has a photography business, so I contacted her and asked her if she would take some photos for us. This is the photo we used to tell our families...

We put them in an 8 x 10 frame, wrapped them in a box and handed it to our family to open. It was so fun, and nerve wracking, to see their faces. We knew everyone would be beyond happy and excited for us, but I was still so nervous I could have screamed...especially with my parents. My mom was actually hilarious and kind of didn't understand it at first, haha. She was looking at it for a minute and then my dad looked up at us and said, "So you're pregnant?" Once I said, "yep" my mom freaked out...in a good way! It was just too funny that she didn't really get it at first : ) She has been waiting so long for us to decide to have kids that she kind of thought we were messing with her and joking at first...like I would ever be THAT mean?!

Must Have Monday: Cloth Diapers

We are planning on cloth diapering Baby so a Must Have Monday: Cloth Diapers is fitting : )

I can't wait to pick some of these up!

Owls one size pocket diaper by BabyRooSlings

cloth diaper cover by ZooKiecrafts

Newborn organic cloth diaper by browncowcotton

Fitted organic cloth diaper by PoppyFields Shop

One size AI2 by WeePeaOriginals

Small fitted diaper by henandchickcloth

Snap or velcro one size by GreenBeansDiapers

Fitted flannel by handsewnbyme

It's been too long...

So much has happened since the last time I wrote! I have been so busy lately with both jobs and the new house...not even the one we were originally planning to buy...long story there. I'll leave that one for another day! The BIG announcement I want to make today is...

WE ARE 

We are actually VERY pregnant...due April 10th actually! SO EXCITED!! 

Not long after getting that WONDERFUL result on the test we went out to eat and Bob and I both got this in our fortune cookies: 

How perfect?!?! 

We are not finding out if Baby is a boy or girl. I love the idea of being surprised : ) We have picked out names for both genders in preparation...

Boy: Lincoln Avery, calling him Linc for short

Girl: Lumen Nova, calling her LuLu or Lu for short

I can't wait to find out if we'll have a little baby LuLu or a little Linc around the house! 

I'll have more to share later, but I just wanted to write quick and share our exciting news!

Spinach Walnut Penne Pasta

Spinach Walnut Penne Pasta

INGREDIENTS

2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1 can (14.5 oz each) Hunt's® Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano-No Salt Added, undrained
2 cups dry multigrain penne pasta, uncooked
2 tablespoons Fleischmann's® Made with Olive Oil Spread
1 pkg (6 oz each) baby spinach leaves
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

Combine broth, undrained tomatoes, pasta and Fleischmann's in large skillet. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Cover skillet, reduce heat to medium and cook 15 minutes or just until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
Stir in spinach and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until spinach is wilted, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with walnuts and cheese just before serving.

**AMAZING! I actually make it without the walnuts and I didn't have Parm cheese and it was really good with colby jack cheese**

Hunger Games Series...

My current book obsession...

I am on the third book at the moment. 

I can't wait for the movie to come out too!

New obsession...

I have jumped on the bandwagon and become obsessed with Pinterest!

It's just so much fun to look at everyone's pins and one can find so many GREAT ideas!

Eat Your Veggies: Broccoli Trees With Creamy White-Bean Dip

Ingredients:
2 pounds broccoli, cut into 1 1/2 inch-wide spears
1 garlic clove
1 (19oz) can white beans such as cannellini, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup silken tofu (6 1/2oz), drained and gently rinsed
2 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp EVOO
1/4 tsp ground cumin
pinch of cayenne


Blanch broccoli in a pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, 2 minutes, then drain in a colander. Immediately plunge colander with broccoli into an ice bath to stop cooking, then drain again. Spread broccoli out on a kitchen towl to dry. Broccoli will still be crisp.


With motor of a food processor running, drop garlic through feed tube and process until finely choppe. Add remaining ingredients (except broccoli) and 1/2 tsp salt and puree until smooth. Force dip through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids. Serve broccoli with dip.


Recipe from www.epicurious.com

Eat Your Veggies: Caramelized Shallot & Sage Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients: 


Batch of "perfect mashed potatoes" (recipe at bottom)

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 cups thinly sliced shallots

1 tsp chopped fresh sage
1 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar
2 tsp sugar
Salt

Prepare perfect mashed potatoes. Meanwhile, heat oil in heavy medium skillet over high heat. Add shallots; saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; stir until shallots are golden, about 5 minutes longer. Add fresh sage, white balsamic vinegar, and sugar; stir until caramelized, about 2 minutes. Stir shallot-sage mixture into potatoes. Season with salt.

Perfect Mashed Potatoes


Ingredients: 


2 pounds Yukon Gold or russet potatoes (unpeeled)
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)


Place potatoes in large saucepan; cover with cold water. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well; cool slightly. Peel and mash potatoes; place in large saucepan. Over medium heat, dry out potatoes for 2 minutes, stirring  occasionally.


Meanwhile, heat milk in small saucepan until warm. Stir butter into potatoes. Add wamr milk and stir until completely absorbed. Season with salt.