Granolabar Update 2

    So in the last granolabar post I told you I would do coconut and almond extract. Well here is what I did.

    I wasnt happy with the way they were turning out, they were making more granola then bars, so I did what my gut told me and I boiled them.

    The concept behind this came from no-bake cookies, you make them in such a way that the sugar acts like a binding agent that hold everything together, here us how I did it.

    First put the butter in a pan that will be big enough to hold everything. Hea the butter at medium-low so you don't burn it, this is the key through the whole thing, do not burn or over cook.

    When the butter is almost melted and add the brown sugar, wait till the sugar is combined and is starting to bubble, never stop stirring. Add the honey and stir til it starts to bubble.

    Take off the heat and add the vanilla (I used almond) stir til combined

    Add the flour and baking soda, stir til combined

    Add mix ins, I put roasted coconut, craisins, raisins, and cut up walnuts. Add oats, mix.

    Press into cookie sheet and bake till golden on edges. Let stand, cut, let cool, and eat.

    These are by far my favorite! So yummy, not to sweet and are a wonderful snack.

Note: I cut mine into bit size pieces so that I can just pop them in without holding something for to long.

Easter bunny

    I was on pinterest and I sew a picture of a crocheted bunny, and I thought I would try my hand at it. It was the first time I have ever used a pattern so I was nervous about if I could read it or not.

    Thankfully this pattern was really easy and I was able to get it crocheted in almost one night. It took me quite awhile to choose the fabric for the ears, but I am happy how it turned out.

Here is the link to the pattern

http://www.allaboutami.com/post/80169231280/springbunniespattern

Granola update...

   So, I tried a couple different things with the granola bar recipe that I gave you.

   On my first batch I added craisins and almond slices, it was very sweet and you could only eat a bite at a time.

   Second batch I did coconut, marshmallows, and butterscotch chips, this one was my favorite, it want too sweet and they stayed together in bars.

   The last batch I made I put c cut up dehydrated apples and cinnamon, when I first ate them I didn't like them at all, but then they kinda grew on me. I won't make them again, but it was worth a try.

   The next one I want to do is roasted coconut with almond extract instead of the vanilla. I think it will taste amazing.

Stay tuned for what comes next.

Little James

Well guy's he is here!

He was born on January 5th, at 4:52am

Oh he us such a cute!

   He is now just over a month old and is doing wonderful. He is a true joy in our lives. 

   I wanted to just tell you a little bit of the time line flowering his birth story.

   On Thursday, January 1st, I was feeling very uncomfortable and my contractions were very close and the doctor told us at our last apt that he would be here any day, well I wanted to speed it up a bit so Matthew and I went out to get some errends done. And while out I was getting worse and worse when people ask when my labor started I say Thursday because that's when everything started to get moving. 

   By Saturday I was a mess and we went to the hospital, but they sent me home because I wasn't progressing like I should have. That night I slept very little, my contractions were very painful and very frequent. 

   When Matthew got home from work on Sunday he helped me manage the pain and helped me be a little more comfortable, but it didn't last long and soon I was calling my doula asking her what I should do, her response, go to the hospital. And in a flash we were there.

   I was in full labor, I had jumped from a 2 to a 5 over night, I was really excited because that ment I was going to be having a baby very soon, or so I thought.

   At 1am on Monday they broke my water and that's when we found out that something was wrong, my body was running on so little sleep and it was very stressed that it didn't know what to do, so it wasn't letting me have James. The doctor have me two options, get an epidural and maybe that will work, or get a c-section. So I got the epidural, they let me sleep for an hour, and 45 minutes later he was born.

   He came out at 7 lbs and 11 oz, 21 inches long. He was 39 weeks gestational.

   I was in hard labor for a total of 40+ hours, I was trying to do it all natural, but due to circumstances I wasn't able to. But I am happy with my birth, it was a wonderful experience for me and I am happy with the end result. 

   So it didn't go according to my birth plan, but it was what needed to happen and I am happy that everything was okay.

   My husband was such a trooper, he suffers from narcolepsy, but stayed awake for the whole birth. And my doula was wonderful, she was very supportive and was there when I needed her.

Here is a picture of James at two weeks

This was him right when he got home from the hospital and had his first sponge bath.

This was him on his one month mark.

And this was two days ago.

He is s very happy content baby.

I love my little family so much, and James it's such a wonderful blessing. I can't wait to see what the future will bring.

Baby Update:

     I am now 38 weeks pregnant, and I am just waiting for this little boy to decide to come. He dropped about 2 weeks ago, right after my last doctors apt. Which the heartburn hasn't been as bad and the morning sickness has all but gone, depending on what I have eaten the heartburn can be bad and I can spend my days in the bathroom.

     My in-laws came from Florida for Christmas, and she spoiled me, here are a coup;e pictures to show you what I mean.

These are a very large stack of diapers that she brought all the was from Florida, all are size 1's.

She also took me to Target and spent way to much money on my little man buying him clothes and anything else I might need.

Here are two of my favorite outfits that she got.

This one is a little suit, its a size 12months, that way he can grow into it. 

I am very excited to see him in it.

Of course I couldn't pass up the TMNT shirt, just to cute! 

I am happy to say that going shopping took a lot of stress off my shoulders, and I think made me realize that he will be here really soon.

Granola bars

     Last week my mom came to visit and while she was holding James I decided that I ess going to try out a granola bar recipe yay I had for awhile and see if I liked it at all.

     The first batch I did I put crasins and almonds, this batch I decided that I would put marshmallows, butterscotch chips, and roasted coconut. It turned out amazing.

Here is the recipe

4.5 cups oats
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Mix every thing together
Press into a foil lined cookie sheet, making sure it is flush with the edge (if it doesn't fill the whole pan that's fine)
Cook at 325 for 20 minutes (mine took 27 minutes, I have a eclectic oven)
Let cool 10 minutes before cutting into bars ( I found it best to use a pizza cutter)
Let cool completely before removing from pan