Tuesday, February 28, 2012

It's the truth...

I have tried to change this fact over and over, but it still remains that Daddy is Landry's favorite parent. :) Honestly, this girl lives to hang out with Micah. Besides Collier, he is the first thing she asks for in the morning if I am the one who gets her out of bed. I hear about a hundred times a day, "daddy at erk?" She gets jealous of Micah and I hugging, kissing, or snuggling and will whine and cry, "MY daddy!!" Micah gets this little grin on his face as we try to explain to her that he IS her daddy, but he is mommy's best friend and husband...he is just eating it up!!

Recently, Micah got a new toy. He has taught her to come ask me if she can go "vroom vroom" with Daddy while I fix dinner. She has started asking as soon as he gets home every night.

Normally Landry wakes up early enough that Micah is able to get her out of bed and see her before he leaves for work. He makes her a "moothie" and they have breakfast together a lot of the time.  When he tried to leave for work the other morning, she latched on to him and didn't want to be put down. It was so sweet!

This is the little grin I am talking about! She has him wrapped TWICE around her finger!

I absolutely love watching these two interact. Their relationship is so special to me. I saw a lot of friends posting on Facebook over the past few weeks about fathers taking their daughters to sweetheart dances at school...I can only imagine how much of a princess Landry will feel like when those days come! I am thankful that Landry has a Daddy that is going to guard her heart and show her how she deserves to be treated by a future spouse. So many years away, but he is off to a good start! :)

Friday, February 24, 2012

Yummy yummy in my tummy!

In our family, we are huge fans of breakfast for dinner. Breakfast is absolutely one of my favorite meals of the day, but I rarely have time to make a big meal in the mornings except for on the weekends. When we were in Dallas several years ago, my cousin introduced us to the best breakfast in the entire world...Migas. Imagine the best "loaded" scrambled eggs ever....now add cheese, tortilla strips, sour cream, and salsa. YUM!! We came home from that trip, and I have tried to re-create that dish several times, but it never turned out just right. I would scramble yummy eggs and then add crumbled tortilla chips and cheese at the end. It was good, don't get me wrong, BUT it was no Dallas Migas!
Well, at Christmas, my soon-to-be-sister-in-law, Emily, got me the Pioneer Woman cookbook (signed just for me!). I have never read her blog much, but every recipe of hers I have tried has been fantastic. The night I received the cookbook, I read the entire thing cover to cover. You wouldn't believe what recipe was in there...MIGAS!! I quickly discovered I was making them the wrong way, and was so anxious to try this recipe. I don't know why I hadn't ever searched the internet for a recipe...I guess I just like to make things up! :) Thankful I have the right recipe now, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Two disclaimers before the recipe:
1. I am going to provide the REAL recipe, and then I will give you the changes we made.
2. I am NOT linking up to pioneer woman's website because her pictures were much prettier than mine. :)

4 whole Corn Tortillas
Canola Oil for frying
1 whole Jalapeno, Seeds And Membranes Removed, Finely Diced
4 whole Plum Tomatoes, Roughly Chopped
1 whole Green Pepper, Roughly Chopped
1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Roughly Chopped
1 whole Medium Onion, Chopped
12 whole Large Eggs
1/4 liter Cotija Cheese, Grated (may Use Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Etc.)
1/3 cup Cilantro, Chopped
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1/4 cup Half-and-half

Preparation Instructions

In a bowl, whisk together eggs and half & half. Salt and pepper eggs, then set aside.
In a small skillet over medium heat, heat oil and fry each corn tortilla just until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Chop tortillas and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the olive oil with the butter. Add onions and bell peppers and cook until starting to turn brown/black, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add in diced jalapenos and stir to combine. Add tomatoes to the skillet and stir around, then add tortilla pieces, stirring gently to combine.
Reduce heat to low.
When the heat has decreased, pour egg mixture into skillet. Stir gently to cook with the peppers, folding mixture very gently as it cooks. Add in grated cheese and chopped cilantro, and stir to combine.

Here are our pictures and the changes we made...
I chop all my veggies and cook longer than the recipe calls for. I like for the veggies to be really tender. The original Migas we had were made with onions and zucchini, so I make them that way sometimes. Micah likes his with a little meat, so you could add chorizo, sausage, or ham to one serving or all...

Instead of corn tortillas, I use flour. I like the texture of them better, and my goodness this makes a HUGE difference compared to crumbled tortilla chips. I crisp them in the oil and then sprinkle a little salt on top.

Dice them up and put them to the side. I always make an extra tortilla because Landry LOVES them, and I like to have some to put on the top of the eggs.


I like to wait and add the tortillas after I add the eggs. They seem to hold up better that way.

I totally cook the eggs and don't mix the cheese in. I have found that I can use half the amount of cheese if I just put it on top!

YUM! :)

Landry is a fan!
A few other changes:
I never use cilantro.
I only use red bell pepper instead of a mixture of red/green.
I normally use whole milk instead of half-and-half.
I have used cheddar or monterey jack cheese...they are both great.
The whole recipe is supposed to feed 6, but I doesn't at our house. :)
To feed the three of us, I normally use 8-9 eggs, 2-3 tortillas, and the whole amount of veggies. 

Make this soon...you will thank me!!


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Thankful Thursday...

I know I say it all the time, but I am so thankful that I get to be a mama. Landry is away staying with my in-laws for a few nights, and I miss her like crazy! Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying getting several things marked off my "to-do" list while she is away, but I miss her sweet kisses, silly laugh, and constant entertainment! Collier and I have been having some special time together, and that has been really nice. Today, I am extremely thankful for the time that we get to spend as a family. I am so thankful that I am able to be home with the kids, so thankful that Micah doesn't have to work 9,000 hours a week, and so thankful that we all seem to enjoy just hanging out and staring at eachother. :)

Now, in honor of my precious baby girl being gone...
Can you believe how big she is getting??? She does not even seem like a baby to me anymore!

Landry cracks us up when she goes to bed at night. She loves to have all of her stuffed animals around her, at least one baby in her arms, her "Moo-Baa" projector going on the ceiling, her ladybug light on in her bed, and a snuggly blanket to cover up with.

Aunt Emily got this picture of her the other night while she was playing with the kids. I just think it is sweet. :)
And, I am not sure how she learned this, but she has started doing somersaults all by herself! Cracks me up!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Wednesdays

I know I have posted about our Wednesday visits before, but we haven't had one in a while! My mom watches my brother, Drew's, babies a lot of Wednesdays, and the kids and I always try to make it by to see them and visit for a while. My grandparents always try to visit too, and it is special for me to see Landry and Collier getting to spend time with all of their great-grandparents!
I got a sweet picture of "Gigi and Grandpa" with all four of their great-grandbabies...so perfect!

Laurel and Collier are 2 months apart in age, and they are really starting to interact with each other. Laurel is moving EVERYWHERE! Collier can roll and scoot a little, but he isn't fast enough to get away...yet!


So much fun. I know my mom is worn out on these days, but it is SO worth it to see the kiddos play and interact.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Baby love!

We had Collier's 6 month check-up on Thursday, and he is a healthy little stinker! He has slowed down growing (shocked me!) a little bit since his 4 month visit. He is now right at 20 pounds and in the 84th percentile. While we were there, we visited with our doctor about Collier possibly being tongue tied. We had noticed that he didn't have much movement with his tongue, and there was also a little place on the end where it almost looked like it was developing like a little snake (you know, like a split in the middle!). Anyway, the doctor looked, and his tongue was almost totally connected to the bottom of his mouth. He said it was an easy procedure, dabbed a little anesthetic in there, and snipped it with some scissors. Collier screamed like crazy! I think mainly because he was being held down by his daddy! As if that wasn't enough, the sweetest nurse ever came in a few minutes later and gave him 3 mean ole shots.
One kind of funny thing from the day was that when Landry saw the nurse bringing in the shots, she said "Owie Colliers!" She didn't even seem to think for a second that they might be for her. We have her 2 year appointment in April and several shots to come...not sure how she is going to handle that! :)
Me with my sweet boy before the "procedure."

We came home that afternoon, and Mr. Collier took some much needed Tylenol. I haven't been able to take Landry to Mother's Day Out the last two weeks because she has had a few different illnesses passing through, so I had scheduled our babysitter to come that afternoon and watch the kids while they napped and I ran some errands. I hated to leave him after the surprise snipping and all, but I am so thankful that we are blessed with the best babysitter ever who I know takes perfect care of the little ones while I am away!

That evening, Collier was still a little fussy from the events of the day. When he was waking up from his nap, Micah put Landry in his pack-n-play with him. I am absolutely in love with the picture below...Landry is head-over-heels crazy about Collier! She got right down beside him, threw her arm around him, and was telling him, "It okay brothers." These two don't only make my day, they make my life! :) 

I love that these two love each other. I have brothers, and I know that there is a special bond there. Collier has even started to reach for Landry and pull her towards him any chance he can. He loves for her to get down in his face and entertain him with her singing, dancing, and laughing. It will be so fun to watch them as they get older and see how they interact.
 I have polar opposite relationships with both of my brothers. My older brother, Drew, has a no hug policy. :) For those of you who know me (Camille, I know you are probably laughing out loud right now!), you know that is tough! He isn't serious, but he is the type that we have told each other we loved one another probably once or twice ever. On the other hand, my baby brother, Tyler, and I are a little over-the-top close (according to my husband...lol!). We hug, we giggle, we talk on the phone and say "I love you" each and every time. I don't have a sister, so maybe he is just the closest thing to it! :) (Not that you are girly, Tyler...promise!)
Anyway, I can't wait to see what kind of relationship my babies have. I pray that they are the best of friends. I hope they stick up for each other and share secrets. I hope they fight like crazy, but make up quickly. I hope they make each other laugh, and I hope they always hug (their mama and each other!)

Friday, February 17, 2012

Road Trip!

Well, it was long overdue, but we finally made a road trip to Eastern Arkansas to visit family and celebrate some new family! Micah has 3 aunts and his grandmother that live in Jonesboro, and my little brother is marrying a girl from there too! There was a big engagement party for Tyler and Emily scheduled for Saturday night, so we took the opportunity to make a weekend trip to visit Micah's family as well. Micah has honestly not made the trip in about 2 years, so it was WAY overdue for him! We had SUCH a great time seeing all the aunts and visiting with Memaw.
Micah has a cousin with a little girl that is 5 months older than Landry. They came in town the same weekend so that we could see each other and the girls could play.
Landry and Madelyn had a big time playing in the pack-n-play. The daddies helped them build a fort, and they thought that was great!

Sweet girls!

Landry and Memaw reading a book...

Collier and Aunt Melinda (who we stayed with)
 Like I said, Saturday night was the engagement party for Tyler and Emily. Micah and I got to get dressed up and head out for a few hours while Aunt Melinda, Aunt Michelle, and Aunt Margo played with the babies. They got extra love that night! :)

Tyler and Emily got their engagement pictures back right before the party, and they turned out SO great! They are a precious couple...inside and out! 

It was a wonderful weekend, and so much fun to get to see everyone. It is funny how both sides of our famlies are starting to have so many connections. Micah's aunt, Melinda, was Emily's second grade teacher! :)

Monday, February 13, 2012

6 precious months

My favorite little man turned 6 months old yesterday! He is honestly the sweetest little snuggle bug EVER. He is so easygoing (except for the whole bottle thing) and nothing seems to get him fired up unless he gets overly tired. He loves to sit and watch everything that is going on...especially his crazy sister running around!
Starting to sit up on his own, so we have to make sure he is buckled in his toys!!

Has the biggest smile and the sweetest little laugh!

Loves to cuddle, but WILL NOT go to sleep on my chest. He wants to be put in his bed and left alone!

Has the biggest blue eyes that just melt my heart. He is a little clone of his daddy!

Loves taking showers with Micah and rolling around and playing on the bed afterwards.
Here are some other things going on at 6 months:
  • Collier has 2 teeth coming in on the bottom. They are sharp little boogers!
  • He continues to roll both ways and scoot when he is on his belly. If he sees something he wants, he is able to roll (even across the room) to get it!
  • Sits up on his own for about 10-20 seconds at a time. He is really getting strong, and I know it won't be long before he is really moving!
  • Eating lots of solid foods...I haven't found anything he doesn't like yet!
  • Still not taking a bottle, but also not making me lay down all the time anymore. :) Yesterday on our way back from Jonesboro, he drank some water from a straw! We are trying a new straw sippy cup tonight, so we will see how that goes!
  • He has already said "Mama," and he really seems to know what he is saying! Landry didn't say mama for a long time (I need to look back and see when), but it is so clear when Collier says it! Micah was amazed when he heard him crying out for me in the night. I kind of like being the favorite! :)
  • He is a BIG boy! We go to the doctor on Thursday, and I will update with his weight and length then. Everyone who sees him can't believe his size. He has little fat rolls on the tops of his hands that are my favorite!!
Really, I cannot imagine our lives without this little hunk of love! He is the first thing Landry asks for in the mornings, and the last one that she seems to talk about before bed. He has brought more happiness to our family than I ever could have imagined!!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Sweet little bellies!

My poor babies, they are both prone to "muffin tops." They come by it honestly. :) When Collier was sitting on the couch like this the other night, it reminded me so much of the picture below of Landry.
They make me laugh!  
Collier- 5 1/2 months
Landry- 7 1/2 months

I thought this picture was too sweet not to share... 
We went to Sam's the other night to stock up on diapers. Micah helped Collier sit up in the cart while we shopped. He was so happy the entire trip, and Landry kept giving him hugs and seemed to really enjoy him sitting with her. These babies love each other!!


We went to the doctor this morning, and sweet Landry has a little bacterial infection in her throat and a yeast diaper rash on her booty. She seems to be feeling decent, just pretty clingy. The last few times we have changed her diaper, she has started crying and saying "I sorry mama! I sorry daddy!!" It honestly breaks my heart! I don't know why she is apologizing!? Poor girl. The doctor thinks she will be back to her normal self within a day or so!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

It's always a party around here!

I have been MIA for a little while, so I have tons to catch up on! Beware, there will probably be several updates over the next few days...including a 6 MONTH post on baby Collier. Can you believe he will be 6 months old on the 12th? Craziness...madness!! 

Almost every night before bed, we snuggle and play with the kids in our room. They love this time as a family (so do I!), and most of the time it helps them wind down a bit. Sometimes we say our prayers as a family instead of doing them individually with each baby. Landry has started praying over us as we pray and just saying "Mommy, Daddy, Colliers!" In my mind, I think she is thanking God for us. :) The other night, Micah got a picture of the babies and me in our striped pj's. Aren't we precious? :) Ha!
Check out Landry's "excited" smile. We cannot get this girl to make a straight face in a picture!!
 Gigi called over the weekend and asked if she could come up on Monday to visit and play with the kids. Yes, please! Landry had the best time baking cookies with Gigi while Collier napped. She wore her apron, but she wanted Gigi to wear the chef's hat.
 Daddy was very impressed with Landry's baking skills, and I am pretty sure we finished off the entire batch that day. Oops.

Today, we are all slightly under the weather. Landry, a little more than slightly. She woke up this morning with a pretty good fever and even had some bright green snot. Collier has his first cough.
 It is almost noon, and I am just finishing my first cup of coffee and haven't attempted to comb my hair yet. We visit the doctor tomorrow morning at 8 to see what is going on with little missy. Hoping for healthy babies and a productive mommy very soon! :)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Sassy Pants Gibson

Well, it is one of those days, and my brain is all over the place. This post is going to be random provide variety. :)

We have been working with Landry on saying her name. She does not like to say Landry for some reason, but she really is getting the Elise Gibson part down. My mom was working with her on it the other night when she was watching the kids. Now, when we ask Landry what her name is, she says "E-E's" (aka: Elise). We may have a name change in our future...who knows!

Landry is such a mess these days. I think she is absolutely hilarious, and she has us laughing all the time. She is a sassy little thing for sure, but at the same time she is so sweet! She is confident in the things she wants, but she is quick to say "I sorry" if she thinks she has done anything wrong. She gives the sweetest kisses and hugs and when she says "I lu yoooou!" it makes me want to cry. :)

Last week before we went to church Landry was walking around the house drinking her juice, loving on her baby, and checking herself out in the mirror. She was dancing around singing at the top of her lungs...
"I lu babies, I lu juice, I lu boots, I lu babies, I lu juice, I lu boooooots!"

She always has her little head tilted to one side or the other and normally has a hand (or two) on her hips. Her pigtails are normally a little crooked because I can't get her to hold her head straight! :)

We got Landry some new sunglasses this week, and she loves them. When we get in the car, she immediately makes it known that she NEEDS her glasses! While we were in Hobby Lobby the other day, the little mess did not want to them off. She was entertaining everyone that we passed.

I didn't get a picture, but this morning she demanded that she wear her pink cowboy hat to school. I almost had her out the door without it, and then the meltdown began as she noticed she didn't have it when we were getting in the car. I left Collier for a little while at Mother's Day Out today too. The few times that I stopped back in to feed him, she was still wearing it. She is getting very opinionated on what she wants to wear! Also at MDO today, she taught the teachers where their boobies were. :) Niiiice.
And, just incase you were trying to picture that sweet little face being demanding or opinionated....here she was not getting her way on Wednesday.
It must be a hard life!
I am SO glad that Micah and I never acted this way for our parents. :)