Recipes: Pancakes & Biscuits

I'm going to post two simple recipes that we have been enjoying the past few weeks. I love breakfast and all breakfast foods so I'm constantly looking for new recipes to try out. I used to just make pancakes and biscuits from the Trader Joes Pancake Mix, and while we loved it, I thought I'd try my hand at making both from scratch.

I found this recipe for powder biscuits and I love it! They're so easy to make and nice and light.

2 cups of flour
2teasponns baking powder
4 tablespoons of butter
4 tablespoons of melted butter
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3/4 cups of milk

• Set oven to 375. Powder a bread board/counter with flour.
  
• Sift flour, then add baking powder & salt, and sift again. Cut butter into mix. Add milk gradually, until dough is formed.
• Knead for 30 seconds. Powder a round cookie cutter and cut out biscuits.
  
• Brush butter on bottoms and tops of biscuits before putting them in the oven.
• Bake for about 20 minutes.
  makes between 8-10 biscuits

Now here is a recipe for buttermilk pancakes. They're amazing. I will never ever use pancake mix or any other recipe again, haha.

1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 egg
3 tablespoons of melted butter
4 -5 teaspoons of vanilla
1 cup of flour
3 tablespoons of sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

• Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Combine wet ingredients in smaller bowl. Then add the wet ingredients to the dry. Mix well:)
  
• When heating up your skillet/pan, add olive oil.
  
• Make your pancakes!

Enjoy!

Weekend Update.

Its already Tuesday! I really can't get over how fast the days are going by.

It was a good weekend!

On Saturday I started the morning with a walk/run. I'm doing this running program from Womens Health. I'm on day #6 & I'm loving it. I've never been a runner so this is pretty exciting for me. The goal is to be able to run at least 30 minutes by the end of the program. I walk/run every other day, do strength training the others and get a day of rest. So far I'm already seeing a difference. Doing this program is also a good way for me to get out of the house and spend time alone. Saturday also consisted of me visiting the hospital to photograph a friends newborn baby, and was then followed by a trip to the park with the Mullens.

Sunday I did another photo session. This was the second time I did photos of Aiden. The first time was of his 1st Birthday Party. It was fun seeing how much he's changed since then. After the photo session Summer and I ventured to Salinas just to go to Cinnabon and Forever 21. It was worth the trip, plus I love spending time with Summer. Leif was nice enough to watch the kids and clean up a bit while I was away. I was a little sad when Monday rolled around but excited because that meant one day closer to going down to LA for Easter!

I'm behind on posting pictures so I think this means a picture post soon. Also, I have a few recipes that I've tried out and love. That means a recipe post is due!

Welcome Weekend!

Happy its Friday!

Gratitude Thursday: My Babies!

Riley girl is 16 months today.

It blows my mind.

I'm so thankful my son and daughter.
Can I please boast about them for a minute or two?

My daughter. She amazes me. I think she's the sweetest most adorable toddler I know. She's always showering us with hugs and kisses. Especially Beck. I love how she is with her brother. Whenever I lay him on the ground for a diaper change, she grabs a diaper and a wipe for me. If I lay him in his bouncer she finds a blanket and covers him. And if I need to feed him, she helps me hold the bottle.

I think she's pretty smart too. She spends most of her days "reading" and putting puzzles together. The other day she sat down next to Beck and started "reading" to him while holding his hand. It was cute. Riley thinks she can talk more than she really can... We love it. It always makes us laugh when she turns to us and starts babbling with a serious face. Everyday she says a new word and it never ceases to catch me off guard. Even when she says words I know she is capable of saying, I just can't believe it. Lately she's been walking up to Beck, waving and saying "Hi baby". And she's almost succeeded at putting on her own jacket. We're working on it, haha.

Someones starting to smile!

My son. I adore him. I always wanted a boy and now I've been blessed with one. Although its only been a month since Beck moved in and what not, we've already learned a thing or two about him. Baby boy hates sleeping anywhere other than our chests, even the carseat sometimes. He loves cuddling, and while it makes cleaning hard, I'm enjoying it. I find myself kissing his little cheeks constantly and holding his tiny hands.

Leif and I had it really easy with Riley so we just knew that the second time around would be super difficult... So far its been almost easier than it was with Riley. Beck is not a fussy baby, and he enjoys sleeping at night almost as much we do. I love the way he watches Riley when shes talking to him and kissing him. I'm so excited to watch their relationship unfold as they both get older. Last night he cooed for the first time and Leif was like "Did you hear that?!" Of course I heard it. I love his little sounds and I can't wait for more:)

I love my children so much. Everyday I love them more and more. And everyday they remind me that God is amazing and so good to us! Children are blessings in so many ways.

My husband

loves me so very much!

Not only did he buy me a new 50mm (goodbye 1.8, hello 1.4!) but he also bought me an L lens.
A beautiful L lens!
That zooms. No more kit lens!

I really don't need any birthday or Christmas presents this year.
Seriously!
I'm a very happy girl right now:)

Adjusting.

I love love love this picture.

I'm adjusting to life with two children. Its definitely a challenge. I think I've given up on getting places early or even on time. It doesn't matter how many times I pack the diaper bag two hours before we're suppose to leave or pack up the car early, there's always a diaper that needs to be changed or milk that needs to be wiped up. I've also come to terms with the fact that my house isn't going to get cleaned as fast as it once did. Some days, Leif will simply come home to a messy house and maybe even an empty table:)

I'm working on finding a new routine. The new one wasn't working so well anymore. At first I had a hard time with that. I didn't want to let go of the perfect schedule I had worked out for Riley and I. Yet, I had to. There was no way around it. I've now embraced the change and I'm loving trying to find a new way of running the house and taking care of the kids. So far I've learned that preparation is the key right now. I tend to be forgetful so I have to do a lot of my preparing the night before. I have to set out clothes for the babise, cut up veggies and fruits for Riley's breakfast and lunch. I have to make sure I restock the diaper bag or else we'll be out and there will be no diapers or snacks for Riley. And for me.

There are times when I feel like everything is getting out of my control and I panic a little. A quick prayer usually calms my nerves, and suddenly the situation isn't as terrible as it seemed a minute ago. God's good like that.

Happy One Month!

My baby boy is one month old.

He turned one month last Friday.
Normally I would have blogged but I had two of my best friends staying with me
and so who has time to blog when theres catching up to do?

I have fallen behind on blogging so I'm hoping to catch up this week!

Happy Saint Patricks Day.

Two years ago today I found out I was pregnant with Riley:)

So thankful!

I need a babysitter!

The hard thing about living somewhere with no family means no babysitter when you just want to go out with your husband. No afternoon trips to the movies, or grocery shopping without the kids. And a weekend trip without kids? Ha!

Its hard on a marriage when you don't get to go out alone or just time alone period. Its hard being in mommy & daddy mode constantly. Leif and I have been learning this these past few months, especially these past three weeks. I love my babies, but I love my husband also. I miss him. I miss us. When I called my mom the other day she told me: "I've been praying for you. Is everything okay?" I told her "No, its not!" My parents have been teaching a class on marriage for years so I'm always more than happy to hear what their thoughts are on things (except sex). Apparently its normal what Leif and I are going through. My mom basically said we have to make an effort to go on dates, and sit down and talk. Before we could just decide right on the spot that we were going out... I knew this but its gotten even harder now that we're in Monterey and plus we don't really have anyone to watch Riley and Beck.

I wish a babysitter would just show up on my doorstep. (Or my mom::hint::) That would be great! Where do people even find babysitters? Church? In their neighborhoods? Through friends? Pray I find one soon because I think we might go a little crazy over here.

All of you mothers that live close to family I am jealous. Never take that for granted!

We actually got to go out to dinner this past week with friends
while my mother in law and Jan were down here visiting:)

Right now...

...I'm holding my sleeping son in my arms. Riley and Leif aren't here. Its just me and Beck. The two of us.

I love it. We're bonding.

All keep thinking is "how wonderful and perfect is he?! I can't believe he's going to call me: mommy" I love him more and more each day. Its impossible for me to look at him and not thank God for His goodness. I want to remember this moment, him in his striped hat, snoring softly and I, wrapped in a blanket, kissing his soft cheeks over and over.

I love you more today than yesterday
But not as much as tomorrow

Gratitude Thursday

I'm thankful for these babies.
They remind me that God is good and gracious.

Yesterday started out well but by late morning/early afternoon things were out of control. My control. It stressed me out! I actually sat in a parking lot and cried for a minute or two. I called Leif after and told him about how my morning/afternoon had gone, after telling him though I realized it really wasn't that bad. I drove home thanking God that He was in control and not me:)

When I came home both of the kids were sleeping. At one point Riley wanted out of her crib and ended up sleeping in the living room next to Beck( I posted a picture yesterday). I sat on the couch and watched them sleep. They looked so peaceful. It was so precious and I wanted to remember that moment forever. It was a reminder of how good God is to Leif and I. No matter how bad my day has gone, He is still faithful and He is still in control.

My babies.

At the doctors.

Naptime.

At the Aquarium

A smile for mommy.

This will make you smile.

How can you not adore Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward is just so cool without even trying.

Becks First Bath

Loving bathtime.

Grandma Jacobsen gave Beck his first real bath today. Last week Leif gave Beck a quick sponge bath but we didn't really count that as his first bath:) He loved it. He wasn't very happy when bathtime came to an end. Once he got wrapped up though he was content again.

Upset that bathtime is over.

All clean
Notice the curls starting to form? So excited!

After his bath.

I was happy I was able to get pictures of his first bath. I love these moments... The "firsts". That's the best thing about having a new baby again. Being able to watch and participate with my child as he experiences different and new things. It was so much fun with Riley, and in a way, its even more fun with Beck. I know what to expect, and when to expect certain milestones and events. I'm loving it.

It almost makes me want to have another baby... Almost;)

Please Don't Go.

This is a picture that was taken tonight. These two girls are my best friends here in Monterey and the military is taking them away from me. Ashley, the one on my right is moving to Georgia this coming Friday. Summer, the one on my left will be moving to Hawaii come August. I'm having a really hard time with this. I try to avoid the subject but its not really something that can be avoided.

Its hard for me to grasp the fact that someone I cherish and love so much is going to be gone within a week. Its very unfair if you ask me. But life has never been fair. This makes me upset. Its hard for me to write this without crying because when we first moved here I really struggled with loneliness. Then I met Ashley and we bonded right away. It was such a blessing that she too had a daughter Riley's age and was a young mother like me. We spent many days at the park and at each others houses. We watched our daughters go from crawling babies to walking toddlers together. We did photo shoots together and spent most of the money we made on food:) We would go to the gym and then go to Jack in the Box for curly fries, ha! Her friendship has been something I haven't taken for granted.

Remembering the things we did together and knowing that its all coming to an end is depressing. I hate it. I have a hard time saying goodbye. I hate when change involves people leaving and not being close anymore. I know its not the end of our friendship, I just wish she was going to keep living in the house down the street. I wish that Riley and I could continue to walk down there to go play with Kyleigh. I wish that we could still have good conversations in the car.

Friday is still a few days away and I'm going to enjoy the last few days we have together. I'm thankful that I met Ashley and I'm thankful for all the fun times we shared. She's a person I definitely thank God for. My life wouldn't be the same without her. I may be having a hard time with her leaving, but I'm more than happy I met her and her friendship means the world to me. I'm excited for what awaits her in Georgia!

[Thankfully I won't have to write a post like this for Summer for a little while!]

My children.

Trying to pick Beck up.

I love being able to say
"My children"
or
"the kids"
I can't believe I'm that mom that has more than one baby.
I'm loving it.

Two Weeks Old

My baby boy is 2 weeks old.

Already.
Time is flying by.

So blessed!

Happy 2 weeks to my favorite little man.

Week 2!

We're halfway done with our second week at home with both kids. Its been fun. I'm really enjoying having two children. I also never get tired of Riley giving her brother kisses and bringing him blankets. Nights are going even better than they were last week. Riley is back to sleeping through the night in her own bed, and Beck gets up at 12am and 4am to eat. I'm hoping these good nights continue for a long time:)

This week my wonderful friends have been bringing us dinner every night. That's such a blessing. Even though I've been itching to get back in the kitchen and try out some recipes I found last week. I have been able to cook breakfast and bake a little at least! Leif has been at home this week as well. He's suppose to be "helping out" but I think its turned more into a vacation for him than anything, haha. He's getting breakfast made for him every morning and dinner delivered. And naps during the day? What a lucky man:) Riley is loving having him at home though so I don't mind him messing up my routines too much.

On a happy-happy note: I fit into my old jeans and I don't feel as if I had surgery a week and a half ago. Oh and my husband bought me a steam-mop! I just tried it out and I love it. Throwing out the old mop and bucket tomorrow.