our little green thumbs

May 29, 2014

The girls have both taken such an interest in gardening this spring, and we are having fun with it.  They have each potted little flowers, and slowly watched them grow and bloom in the sun.  The funny thing is, Brandy and I are about as far opposite of gardeners as they come- as badly as we would like to be,plants just don’t seem to to stand a chance in our care.  Maybe these little girls can teach us a thing or two!

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Here are some fun tools that we love, to get your little ones started in the garden this summer!
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1. Sassafrass Ceramic Pots, that you can paint! Paining your flower pots makes them extra special- and a fun craft you can do together! You could use just about any pot, and acrylic paint- but this set is fun, especially for gifting.  2. We love this fun watering can that looks a bit like a monster! 3. A few great little essenial tools, along with a tote to store and carry them in! Another perfect gift idea! 4. A sweet little book about flowering seeds, Oh Say Can You Seed!  5. These themed seed boxes would be great for both boys and girls, but we love the butterfly garden box! 6. Some bigger tools for helping in the yard or garden, that are just their size and come in bright fun colors!

I hope that these finds get you and your little ones out in the yard!  Gardening can be fun at any age!

XO,

shansig

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the best rice crispy treats…ever

May 28, 2014

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These little wonders hold a special spot in my heart (and my stomach).  The first time I had them they were in a box that welcomed Josh and I home from Hawaii- our very first celebration of our new engagement.  When I taste them I go straight back to laying on my living room floor with Josh, sad to be home from vacation and in a stale haven’t-been-lived-in-in-two-weeks house, but so, so, so, excited to be engaged.  That season of lovely bliss.

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Time and time again I have made these and they absolutely never dissapoint.  (Even the time I accidently doubled the butter.  Which, now that I think about it may not have been a mistake at all.  Can you ever have too much butter?) A quick and effortless treat.  Brandy and I refer to them as crack, because you seriously will probably not be able to eat just one.  (Swimsuit season, I know.  Sure, you would like to tell me and my rice crispies to shove it, but common… live a little!)  Last week my baking was on a bit of a hiatus, I just needed a break.  When I was ready to feel like myself again, I knew I needed to whip up something simple, something happy.  They will make you happy too, I promise.

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the best rice crispy treats…ever
 
Print
Ingredients
  • 1½ sticks butter
  • 1 10oz bag mini marshmallows
  • 6 cups Rice Crispies
  • 1 tsp corse sea salt
Instructions
  1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium/low heat. We are browning the butter, so you want it to cook low and slow, and you'll need to stir it frequently and watch it closely.
  2. As its cooking, butter a large bowl, and measure your crispies and salt into the bowl. Also butter an 8x8 pan that your crispies will set in.
  3. As soon as your butter is nutty brown, turn off the heat and stir in the marshmallows. Once combined and the mallows are melted bowl, pour right into the bowl of cripies and salt.
  4. Mix until combined, and then pour into prepared pan.
  5. At this point I like to give them a few minutes before pressing them down because around here we like our crispies thick and gooey.
  6. Now, grab a piece of wax paper and press them into the pan.
  7. Wait until completely cooled, cut and enjoy!!

Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen.

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XO,
shansig

Posted in recipes, something sweet | Tagged | 2 Comments

{22 weeks} A name for you, my sweet.

May 28, 2014

Saturday marked 22 weeks.

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Yesterday I saw our OB for the first time since our initial ultrasound.  I was anxious to see her because I knew that her personal experience with these sort of pregnancies would be of much greater value to me than the stories you can find online.  Confidently, I can tell you that we trust and feel comfortable with her- she is an incredible woman and an incredible doctor.  As she shared her experiences my perspective, again, changed.  With compassion in her eyes, she told me that with her Trisomy 13 cases she has never had a patient carry to term, and she has never had a live birth.  These babies simply “run out of steam” somewhere along the way, as she put it.

I wish that right now, you and I could sit down with big mugs of coffee and I could tell you where my heart is.  It’s hard to type out, the words don’t seem like enough.  Why am I writing all of this?  Why am I sharing?  It’s not because I am strong, or collecting prayers in hope of a miracle.  To me, the miracle of his life is already here, it’s already living among us.  I’m sharing him with you because I want you to feel him in your life.  I want you to hug your babies tighter, and know that tomorrow is not promised.  I want you to search for the beauty in the heartbreak, to see God’s hands working all around us.  I want you to know that that one “thing” that you thought you could never do, your heart couldn’t possibly handle… you can.   It hurts, but you can.  My heart has been emptied out, but it is being refilled with grace every single day. 

Josh and I have had so many conversations since those heartbreaking ultrasounds.  We are trying to wrap our hearts and our heads around all possible outcomes.  Of course we are hopeful that he will beat the statistics, but we are also accepting that we can not change the outcome of this.  We are trusting that this will all unfold the way it is suppose to, and that slowly, beauty will bloom from all of this pain.

Meeting with our doctor made one thing clear.  My days of carrying him may very well be numbered.  I am searching for ways to really soak up every second of my time with him, to figure out who he is through every kick and roll.  A huge part of this for us was naming this little boy.  Something strong, because we know he is.  Something beautiful.  Something with meaning.  Something we will forever cherish.  Timeless, endless, heart-filled.

A little boy, forever locked in our hearts.

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shansig

 

 

To read about our journey from the beginning, see here.

Posted in Baby Maxey Updates | Tagged | 9 Comments

at home allergy relief

May 27, 2014

Shan and I have been in allergy misery and from the looks of social media we are not alone.  Sinus pressure, itchy eyes/throat and congestion – absolutely zero fun no matter how nice it is outdoors.  Over the counter antihistamines provide great relief but they come with a dose of drowsiness (something a pregnant woman already has more than enough of).  After doing some research I have discovered a few at home tricks to battling allergies this season.  Whether or not they work is debatable but at this point I am willing to try anything.

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1 Local Honey eating honey produced by bees in your region can help relieve some of the discomfort. The bees transfer pollen from flower blossoms to honey, so if you eat a little honey every day you’ll gradually become immune against the effects of pollen.  Unfortunately there is not a lot of scientific proof out there but almost every study does conclude that consuming local honey is best for your health overall.

2 Supplements Butterbur is best known to reduce airway inflammation and headaches (many claim it’s better than over the counter antihistamines).  Bromelain, which is found in pineapple, reduces swelling and improves breathing.

3 Showering sounds simple enough but a quick rinse after being outdoors removes allergens from skin and prevents them from being tracked into the home.  The steam can also provide relieve to a clogged airway.

4 Eucalyptus Oil with it’s strong, piney odor this oil helps amplify steam inhalation which clears the nasal passages and sinuses.  Add a few drops to the floor of your shower or tub before taking a steam.

5 Spicy Foods a good kick start to clearing stubborn mucus.  Wasabi in particular works well.

6 Peppermint Tea the menthol found in this tea works as a decongestant and expectorant.  I have also found headache relief by sipping on a yummy cup of this.

Do you have any natural at home remedies to combating allergy season?  We would love to hear about them!

 

brandyjsig

 

 

 

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memorial day 2014

May 26, 2014

memorial_day_2014Thank you to all the men and women who have served or are serving our country, making sweet simple moments like these possible.  We are free because you are brave.  Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.  We are forever grateful to you and your families.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day everyone!

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