Well, here's what's new with us:
Jesse got two more teeth. Two more to go and we will be done until they start falling out.
Mike had a birthday...he's 25 now. We tried to get an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. I went in and asked if they made them. The lady looked at me and said, "You mean ice cream cones?" I said, "No, ice cream cakes...cakes made from ice cream." She gave me a you're-an-idiot look and said, "No." So, I don't know if just Canadian Dairy Queens make cakes, or if that store just didn't have them and she had never seen one before. So, instead of an ice cream cake, we bought some little tubs of ice cream. Not the same but still pretty yummy.
Rebecca isn't doing much new...still rolling around lots and wiggling on her tummy to get places. We did apply for her American passport though. She looked pretty cute in her passport photos.
I got to go to my second MOPS meeting. It was a blast.
We got to see our friends Josh, Krista, and Miriam (they moved to Mesquite last spring) on the weekend. It was a lot of fun. Their little girl has grown so much.
I guess that's about it. I had a funny story that I wanted to write about, but I forget it now. Sorry!
Tuesday, September 25
Thursday, September 20
"Trouble is my middle name..."
Some days I think we should have named Jesse "Jesse Trouble Coghlin". He has just been wild this week. Here are a few things that he has done.
1. Took a credit card from my wallet and hid it (two days later I found it...he had hidden it in another spot in my wallet).
2. Took cash from my wallet, a coin and dollar bill, and tried flushing them down the toilet.
3. Once I took the doorknob cover off Rebecca's room to put on the bathroom door, he threw all Rebecca's clothes off her cart and onto the floor. (I know, we should just buy more doorknob covers...)
4. He tried to pick Rebecca up by her feet (I managed to intervene before any injury occurred)
5. He climbed up on the shelf we keep the diapers in, and managed to put lotion, hand sanitizer and baby powder all over himself.
6. He discovered it's fun to climb up the recliner and hang/jump off the back.
7. He climbed up on the desk, found the box of staples and tried to eat some (they have since been put completely out of reach)
That's all I can think of right at this moment...Oh what fun it is to have a two year old boy!
1. Took a credit card from my wallet and hid it (two days later I found it...he had hidden it in another spot in my wallet).
2. Took cash from my wallet, a coin and dollar bill, and tried flushing them down the toilet.
3. Once I took the doorknob cover off Rebecca's room to put on the bathroom door, he threw all Rebecca's clothes off her cart and onto the floor. (I know, we should just buy more doorknob covers...)
4. He tried to pick Rebecca up by her feet (I managed to intervene before any injury occurred)
5. He climbed up on the shelf we keep the diapers in, and managed to put lotion, hand sanitizer and baby powder all over himself.
6. He discovered it's fun to climb up the recliner and hang/jump off the back.
7. He climbed up on the desk, found the box of staples and tried to eat some (they have since been put completely out of reach)
That's all I can think of right at this moment...Oh what fun it is to have a two year old boy!
Wednesday, September 19
Check it out!
So, I've been wanting to do this for quite some time...here are some comparison pictures of Jesse and Rebecca...
Jesse (left) and Rebecca (right) minutes after they were born.
Rebecca and Jesse, snuggled in Mike's yellow baby quilt.
Dan holding Rebecca and Jesse. He looks much more relaxed with Rebecca!
Asleep on the plane (Rebecca then Jesse)
Rebecca and Jesse making similar faces.
Jesse and Rebecca's first time in the high chair (Jesse was around 2 months, Rebecca 3 months).
Jesse (left) and Rebecca (right) minutes after they were born.
Rebecca and Jesse, snuggled in Mike's yellow baby quilt.
Dan holding Rebecca and Jesse. He looks much more relaxed with Rebecca!
Asleep on the plane (Rebecca then Jesse)
Rebecca and Jesse making similar faces.
Jesse and Rebecca's first time in the high chair (Jesse was around 2 months, Rebecca 3 months).
Monday, September 17
Wednesday, September 12
Guess those eyes!
Okay...I have a quiz for you. In the picture above you will find the eyes of Jesse, Rebecca, myself and Mike. Guess which belongs to who and write it in the comments section. After a week or so I will post the answers. Good luck...and a small hint - Jesse's eye pictures go back to when he was a baby!
Pomegranates
Did you know that Pomegranates grow in Texas? I had no idea until this past Sunday. But then again, I also didn't know that pears, pecans and cotton also grew here! See, I am getting an education too!! Anyway, this past Sunday we enjoyed lunch with the Rainwaters out in Benjamin. And they have a pomegranate tree in their backyard. So we came home with a couple pieces to try. Another interesting fact about pomegranates - their juice was originally used in Grenadine (today it's mostly made of high-fructose corn syrup, water, and citric acid base.) This is a picture of the tree we picked the fruit from.
Tuesday, September 11
Sunday School
For the past two Sunday's, Jesse has been going to Sunday school during the Bible Class time. He usually comes home with a paper from class that he has colored. Today he found the paper from last Sunday. It has a door pasted on it that opens to reveal Jesus. Jesus is knocking at Mary and Martha's door. Well, today he brought the paper to me and said, "Jesus. (as he opened the door) Door. Knock knock. Jesus." I couldn't believe it. I was so impressed.
And then he found a marker and drew on the wall. I wasn't too impressed by that! I just saw him out of the corner of my eye, and said, "Jesse!" sharply. I must have startled him, because he jumped back and just about fell over. He looked pretty sheepish, and put the cap back on his marker. Then he went down the hall to the linen closet, grabbed a dishcloth, came back out and tried wiping it off. I thought that part of it was cute.
And then he found a marker and drew on the wall. I wasn't too impressed by that! I just saw him out of the corner of my eye, and said, "Jesse!" sharply. I must have startled him, because he jumped back and just about fell over. He looked pretty sheepish, and put the cap back on his marker. Then he went down the hall to the linen closet, grabbed a dishcloth, came back out and tried wiping it off. I thought that part of it was cute.
Kids Wish Lists
I have created a couple of lists with gift ideas for the kids. I thought it might help anyone who wants to get Jesse a birthday present (or Christmas presents). You can look at the list, and order it online, or send us a cheque/money order and we can pick it up. Anyway, I just thought it might be helpful! And maybe someday I will get around to creating lists for Mike and myself too...
On Rebecca's list there is a Canadian Coin Baby Gift Set. Jesse got one when he was born, and I would really like to have one for Rebecca too. If you are interested in giving this to her, please let me know so I can take it off the list (so I don't get more than one set).
On Rebecca's list there is a Canadian Coin Baby Gift Set. Jesse got one when he was born, and I would really like to have one for Rebecca too. If you are interested in giving this to her, please let me know so I can take it off the list (so I don't get more than one set).
Sunday, September 9
Bugs, Bugs...Go Away, and Don't Come Back Another Day!
I am so tired of seeing cockroaches. Every day I do all the dishes, put all the food away, scrub the counters, vacuum the dining area, sweep the kitchen floor and yet we continue to see roaches. We aren't dirty people! Why do we have roaches?! Anyway, I really hope that we can get rid of them soon. This weekend we emptied all our cupboards, cleaned them with bleach, put some roach bait in the cracks, added some bay leaves (supposed to repel them) and some baking soda (supposed to explode their stomachs when ingested). So, here's hopin'! I killed one in Rebecca's room today. I have no idea what it was doing in there. Maybe it got tired of smelling the bay leaves in the kitchen and was looking for a more suitable home. Anyway, keep praying for us...we can use all the help we can get!
Rebecca keeps on doing all sorts of stuff these days. She continues to love rolling over and seeing the world from on her tummy. But, she just started laughing this week. And, she also discovered her feet. I often find her staring at them, or playing with her toes. She's so cute!
Jesse had fun at the park this weekend. He loves the park! He had a blast on the swing and loved it when Mike have him under-duck pushes (where does that word come from anyway...). He also petted a cat nicely today...several times. Usually he just grabs a handful of fur, but this cat was so soft...maybe that's why he petted her so nicely. Either way, it gives me hope!
And MOPS starts again tomorrow...I am so excited!!
Rebecca keeps on doing all sorts of stuff these days. She continues to love rolling over and seeing the world from on her tummy. But, she just started laughing this week. And, she also discovered her feet. I often find her staring at them, or playing with her toes. She's so cute!
Jesse had fun at the park this weekend. He loves the park! He had a blast on the swing and loved it when Mike have him under-duck pushes (where does that word come from anyway...). He also petted a cat nicely today...several times. Usually he just grabs a handful of fur, but this cat was so soft...maybe that's why he petted her so nicely. Either way, it gives me hope!
And MOPS starts again tomorrow...I am so excited!!
The 11th Thing We Learned (while traveling this summer)
I can't believe I forgot this when I did the post about the things we learned this summer while traveling. This was one of the coolest ones! Did you know that some Rest Area's in Texas have tornado shelters? I thought that was so cool!!
Thursday, September 6
Some?
Jesse talks more and more each day...which results in some funny moments. Yesterday we were eating some chicken nuggets with dipping sauce of course (Jesse had 4 different kinds on his plate). Well, he finished eating all his food and was eating the rest of his sauces by dipping his fingers in it and then licking his fingers. After dipping his fingers, he would hold them out to me and offer me some by saying, "Some? Bite?" which is often what we say to him. I declined each time, but he kept offering it to me.
One of the other things that cracks me up happens most evenings when Mike comes home. Jesse always gets really excited. He will say "Daddy!" which is quite often followed by "How are you?" Mike usually says, "I am good. How are you Jesse?" but Jesse has yet to reply to the question.
He's getting much better about communicating what he wants. He can consistently say "juice" or "drink", and if he's hungry and doesn't know the word for what he wants to eat he will just say "some." Or, he will start bringing me cans from the pantry and a little dish and use sign language to say "food".
But, he also parrots a lot of things we do. For example, the other day he was playing with my pots in the kitchen. He puts the lid on one, and carries it over to the table very carefully saying, "hot, hot, hot, hot..." just like I do when I want him to back away from me. He did this with each of our pots. Once they were placed on the table, he took the lids off and brought them back to the counter. It was so cute!
Rebecca isn't talking too much these days (at least in actual words...she does like to coo). But, she has started rolling from her back onto her tummy. She has been trying for a couple of weeks, but couldn't seem to get her arm out from under her. Then on Monday she just figured it out. Now I can't seem to keep her on her back. She can roll the other way too (from her tummy to her back), but I usually only see that happen about twice a day. She sure can get around though. She kind of kicks and pulls herself around, and can get right off the blanket. Once she managed to turn 180 degrees around, though I'm not really sure how she accomplished this and stayed on the blanket! I have a feeling that she will be mobile at an early age, kind of like Jesse was.
I'm doing pretty well these days. Just got back to Curves. I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight (pre-Rebecca, not pre-Jesse) and am hoping to get back to at least my pre-Jesse size and maybe more. It feels good to get back exercising though. I think I was in better shape when I was pregnant than I am now, which would make sense since I exercised until 2 weeks before Rebecca was born and then didn't do anything over the summer (other than chase Jesse around and go for a few walks). MOPS starts again on Monday, and I am super excited to see everyone again. I think Jesse will be excited to be in class again with the other kids.
Mike is busy, as to be expected. He is working really hard this semester, trying to juggle a full load of classes, working 2 jobs on campus, preaching on Sundays, and being a dad and husband. Here's hoping that we all survive the semester!
One of the other things that cracks me up happens most evenings when Mike comes home. Jesse always gets really excited. He will say "Daddy!" which is quite often followed by "How are you?" Mike usually says, "I am good. How are you Jesse?" but Jesse has yet to reply to the question.
He's getting much better about communicating what he wants. He can consistently say "juice" or "drink", and if he's hungry and doesn't know the word for what he wants to eat he will just say "some." Or, he will start bringing me cans from the pantry and a little dish and use sign language to say "food".
But, he also parrots a lot of things we do. For example, the other day he was playing with my pots in the kitchen. He puts the lid on one, and carries it over to the table very carefully saying, "hot, hot, hot, hot..." just like I do when I want him to back away from me. He did this with each of our pots. Once they were placed on the table, he took the lids off and brought them back to the counter. It was so cute!
Rebecca isn't talking too much these days (at least in actual words...she does like to coo). But, she has started rolling from her back onto her tummy. She has been trying for a couple of weeks, but couldn't seem to get her arm out from under her. Then on Monday she just figured it out. Now I can't seem to keep her on her back. She can roll the other way too (from her tummy to her back), but I usually only see that happen about twice a day. She sure can get around though. She kind of kicks and pulls herself around, and can get right off the blanket. Once she managed to turn 180 degrees around, though I'm not really sure how she accomplished this and stayed on the blanket! I have a feeling that she will be mobile at an early age, kind of like Jesse was.
I'm doing pretty well these days. Just got back to Curves. I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight (pre-Rebecca, not pre-Jesse) and am hoping to get back to at least my pre-Jesse size and maybe more. It feels good to get back exercising though. I think I was in better shape when I was pregnant than I am now, which would make sense since I exercised until 2 weeks before Rebecca was born and then didn't do anything over the summer (other than chase Jesse around and go for a few walks). MOPS starts again on Monday, and I am super excited to see everyone again. I think Jesse will be excited to be in class again with the other kids.
Mike is busy, as to be expected. He is working really hard this semester, trying to juggle a full load of classes, working 2 jobs on campus, preaching on Sundays, and being a dad and husband. Here's hoping that we all survive the semester!
Monday, September 3
Have a headache...come visit us!
Our house sure is relaxing these days...on Saturday we were doing some housecleaning which also included the bathrooms. Mike had taken everything off the counters and placed it in some boxes on the floor. You would think that after more than a year and a half of being parents we would realize that Jesse gets into everything. Well, we got a refresher course! Jesse took my lavender bath oil and dumped the whole bottle. Some in Rebecca's room, and some on the bathroom floor. Rebecca's room still smells quite strongly. I suppose out of all the things he could have gotten into and dumped, this was probably the best. At least I like the smell of it!
Sunday, September 2
Chicken Salad Sandwiches, BLT Salad and Quesidillas
So, we had potluck today...our sandwich potluck. I took chicken salad sandwiches, a BLT salad, and Pear Tartlets. The sandwiches and salad were a big hit. Both are super easy, but I thought I would share the recipes with you just in case you wanted to give it a try.
Chicken Salad Sandwiches (I think these are our favorite sandwich, and super easy too!)
Mix up:
cooked chicken breast, cut in chunks (I grill lots all at one time, and use it for stir fry, quesadillas...etc.)
grapes, cut in quarters
walnuts (or almonds, or whatever you have)
green onion, diced
Miracle Whip
Mix it all up, slap it on some bread, and voila! Deliciousness!!
BLT salad
Romaine lettuce (about 2 heads), cut in bite size pieces
1 package bacon, cooked and diced
3 roma tomatoes, diced
Miracle Whip (about 1 cup...adjust to suit your taste!)
1 tsp of salt-free seasoning (we have this stuff from Superstore called "Salad & Vegetable Mix" that's really good)
I had Mike guessing what the dressing was...and he had all sorts of guesses, but never thought it was mostly Miracle Whip. The salad was completely cleaned up, and we only came home with one sandwich (which was eaten before supper).
And, in case you have more left over chicken breast, give this a try:
Quesadillas
Heat margarine in a pan (over medium heat). Throw a flour tortilla in there. Sprinkle grated cheese on it. Add sliced or diced chicken, maybe some onions and green peppers, then some more cheese. Top it with another flour tortilla. Spread margarine on the top tortilla (kinda like you would for a grilled cheese sandwich...) When the bottom side is nice and golden, flip it over and cook the second side until golden. Mmmmm...be sure to serve when it's still nice, hot and crispy!
Chicken Salad Sandwiches (I think these are our favorite sandwich, and super easy too!)
Mix up:
cooked chicken breast, cut in chunks (I grill lots all at one time, and use it for stir fry, quesadillas...etc.)
grapes, cut in quarters
walnuts (or almonds, or whatever you have)
green onion, diced
Miracle Whip
Mix it all up, slap it on some bread, and voila! Deliciousness!!
BLT salad
Romaine lettuce (about 2 heads), cut in bite size pieces
1 package bacon, cooked and diced
3 roma tomatoes, diced
Miracle Whip (about 1 cup...adjust to suit your taste!)
1 tsp of salt-free seasoning (we have this stuff from Superstore called "Salad & Vegetable Mix" that's really good)
I had Mike guessing what the dressing was...and he had all sorts of guesses, but never thought it was mostly Miracle Whip. The salad was completely cleaned up, and we only came home with one sandwich (which was eaten before supper).
And, in case you have more left over chicken breast, give this a try:
Quesadillas
Heat margarine in a pan (over medium heat). Throw a flour tortilla in there. Sprinkle grated cheese on it. Add sliced or diced chicken, maybe some onions and green peppers, then some more cheese. Top it with another flour tortilla. Spread margarine on the top tortilla (kinda like you would for a grilled cheese sandwich...) When the bottom side is nice and golden, flip it over and cook the second side until golden. Mmmmm...be sure to serve when it's still nice, hot and crispy!
10 things we learned driving this summer
The title is pretty self explanatory...here we go:
1. Don't change a baby without a change pad underneath.
2. Pack a lot of diapers, and have them accessible. (aka...don't have them packed in some strange container buried under two suitcases)
3. McDonalds playplaces are a parents best friend - when they have a toddler who needs to burn energy at meal stops.
4. DVD players are a parents second best friend - when they have a toddler who gets bored.
5. Cool-a-tron's don't keep food cool when they are plugged in to the "warm" setting. Milk and cheese especially do not fair well.
6. "Complimentary, Hot Waffles" at the hotels are not all they are cracked up to be, especially when you have to wait 15 minutes for your turn to cook one. Although, they are better than no breakfast at all. (Yes, there are actually hotels out there that don't serve any breakfast)
7. Don't give a child macaroni salad to eat while in their carseat (at least without a bib on!)
8. Don't plan all your breaks at outdoor places. Sometimes it rains...a lot.
9. Don't believe the prices and directions you find on the internet. Sometimes, you may be disappointed. (One day our hotel was $40 more than we thought - so we found a different one - and the restaurant we wanted to eat supper at we couldn't find! A double wammy.)
10. A lot of people travel up and down I25 & I90. We saw plates from 32 different states and provinces (Saskatchewan, Alberta, Iowa, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Quebec, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, California, Colorado, Florida, North Dakota, Ontario, Wisconsin, Nevada, Utah, Ohio, Tennessee, Arizona, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, New York, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Illinois.)
1. Don't change a baby without a change pad underneath.
2. Pack a lot of diapers, and have them accessible. (aka...don't have them packed in some strange container buried under two suitcases)
3. McDonalds playplaces are a parents best friend - when they have a toddler who needs to burn energy at meal stops.
4. DVD players are a parents second best friend - when they have a toddler who gets bored.
5. Cool-a-tron's don't keep food cool when they are plugged in to the "warm" setting. Milk and cheese especially do not fair well.
6. "Complimentary, Hot Waffles" at the hotels are not all they are cracked up to be, especially when you have to wait 15 minutes for your turn to cook one. Although, they are better than no breakfast at all. (Yes, there are actually hotels out there that don't serve any breakfast)
7. Don't give a child macaroni salad to eat while in their carseat (at least without a bib on!)
8. Don't plan all your breaks at outdoor places. Sometimes it rains...a lot.
9. Don't believe the prices and directions you find on the internet. Sometimes, you may be disappointed. (One day our hotel was $40 more than we thought - so we found a different one - and the restaurant we wanted to eat supper at we couldn't find! A double wammy.)
10. A lot of people travel up and down I25 & I90. We saw plates from 32 different states and provinces (Saskatchewan, Alberta, Iowa, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Quebec, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, California, Colorado, Florida, North Dakota, Ontario, Wisconsin, Nevada, Utah, Ohio, Tennessee, Arizona, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, New York, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Illinois.)
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