A Year in Review

I wanted to do this yesterday but didn't have a chance. It's been a year now since Gideon came into our family and we've been so blessed to have him. He has such a great sense of humor and makes us laugh everyday. He's curious and gets into everything. He's walking and starting to pick up a few words. We love seeing how he learns and grows and can't imagine our family without him.

We love you, Gideon!

First Real Haircut

These are some pictures of the before and after of the haircut. Birthday pictures to follow soon.


Gideon's pre-haircut hair. Getting a little long.

Trying to bribe him to sit still.

Doesn't he look like a big boy now?

He's so cute

A few pictures of the Baby because he's so cute

We love the slide!!

I'm watching TV. Purdue is playing, I'm thinking "Basketball season is just around the corner" Go Boilers!!!!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Am I in trouble???? No, I'm too cute to be in trouble!!!!

Hard day of playing, time to nap

A few minutes to myself

I finally found a few minutes to write while Gideon takes a nap and Nathan is out mowing the lawn. I wish I could keep up with this blog thing a little better. Then I wouldn't have to try and remember everything that we've had going on in the last little bit. I'll start with me since my days are pretty much the same. I've been working on getting the small projects done around the house. I'm almost finished painting in the master bathroom and the trim is coming along slowly. That's a big job and hard to get done when it won't stop raining. I did paint the trim in the guest room and it's made a huge difference. I think it looks better, anyway. Other than that I've been drying and canning some fruit. Grandma Dee got me a dehydrator and some canning supplies while she, Grandpa R and Uncle Shane were out here visiting (more on that a little later). I was able to make applesauce and some apple butter. It's a good feeling to see Nathan and Gideon gobbling up my homemade goods. I don't know that I'll have much applesauce to can. Sadly, that's about it for me. I think I'll move on to more interesting people. Oh, I did learn how to make some balloon animals the other day at Young Womens. A new talent for me.

Gideon is getting so big. He's already outgrowing some of his 12 month stuff and is wearing 18 month sleepers. He actually wore some 2T things the other day and they weren't that big on him. He is gaining more confidence in himself and will stand for quite a while. The other day he was even dancing and didn't fall. It won't be long until he's walking. He now has 4 teeth (2 bottom and top 2 eye teeth) and one front one on it's way in. No more vampire baby. He constantly has his thumb in his mouth playing with his teeth. He's starting to sleep a little better at night. He woke up a few nights ago with a cough that I though sounded like croup. Again. That would be 3 times in 3 months. We headed to the doctor and he thought Gideon might actually have a bit of asthma or reflux. We were prescribed breathing treatments and once or twice a day we turn on the machine and try to fight Gideon into breathing in the medicine. He does a pretty good job and has slept through the night ever since we started using it. I'm glad he didn't have croup again and am thankful for doctors that listen and are concerned and don't just prescribe medicine to mask the symptoms. Gideon is doing great and hopefully this won't be a long term thing.

Oh, I almost forgot, we have a whistling baby. I was playing around on the computer the other day while Gideon played beside me. I kept hearing a little whistling sound and finally realized it was Gideon. I have the video and really need to get it on here. Some mornings he'll just be playing with his toys and whistling. It's so cute. I know every parent thinks it but my child really is a genius. :)

Gideon is also turning into a daddy's boy. He gets super excited when he sees Nathan and it's fun to watch those two play around. Nathan loves it. It's also nice for me since I'm able to get things done around the house without worrying that Gideon is crying for me. He was mommy's boy for quite a long time and, although I miss it sometimes, it's great to see Gideon and daddy becoming best friends. He says Dada and mom and I think he's starting to actually differentiate. He talks like he's really saying something and if you don't listen he will put his little hand on your face and turn your face towards his or get right in your line of vision. I love it!! He has learned how to give high 5's and is close to clapping.

Nathan is still doing well at work. I don't really know what he's working on so if you want details you'll have to ask him. Grandma and Grandpa Reynolds (names used for reference only) and Uncle Shane were able to come visit us over Labor Day weekend. We had a lot of fun visiting, playing with Gideon and hanging out. We even talked the boys into going to the apple orchard and had a lot of fun picking apples. Pictures are available for viewing on Diana's facebook page. We made a couple of pies, ate a few apples and the rest were turned into the aforementioned applesauce and apple butter.

We don't have anything too exciting going on here at the Reynolds home. We're just having a good time watching Gideon grow into a little boy and seeing his personality come out. He's a little sneaky one and has the cutest smile when he's about to do or get into something he knows he shouldn't. It may still work on Nathan but I'm trying to become immune before it's too late.

Bread Recipe

I made some bread yesterday that was super easy to make and tasted great. I don't have a fancy Kitchen-aid or anything and it still turned out great. I used the rapid rise yeast method and included some of my own seasonings at the end. I posted it for my family in our recipe blog but told a few others I would also post it here. I included all the variations you can use. You can find more bread recipes at breadworld.com. I hope you enjoy making it and eating it as much as I did. Happy baking!!

This basic recipe can take on a life of its own. Many bread variations are possible from these easy first steps. Directions for using either Active Dry OR RapidRise Yeast are included.

Master Bread Dough

6 to 6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN'S RapidRise OR Active Dry Yeast  
2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter OR margarine

Directions

If using RapidRise Yeast:

In large bowl, combine 2-1/2 cups flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, and salt. Heat water, milk and butter until very warm (120° to 130°F). Gradually add mixture to dry ingredients; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally.

With spoon, stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Cover and let dough rest 10 minutes. Divide dough in half.

Roll each half into a 12 x 7-inch rectangle. Beginning at short end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll. Pinch seam and ends to seal. Place, side down in greased 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch loaf pan. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes or until thermometer. registers 190°F to 200°F in center of bread. If a thermometer is not available, bread is done when well browned and sounds hollow when top of loaf is tapped lightly with finger tip.

Makes 2 loaves.

If using Active Dry Yeast:

Combine water, milk and butter; heat until warm (100° to 110°F). Add sugar and yeast; let stand 5 minutes. Add 2-1/2 cups flour and salt; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally.

With spoon, stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Place kneaded dough in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover, let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours.

Punch dough down. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half.

Roll each half into a 12 x 7-inch rectangle. Beginning at short end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll. Pinch seam and ends to seal. Place, seam side down in greased 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch loaf pan. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes or until thermometer. registers 190°F to 200°F in center of bread. If a thermometer is not available, bread is done when well browned and sounds hollow when top of loaf is tapped lightly with finger tip.

Makes 2 loaves.

VARIATION:

WHOLE WHEAT BREAD: Replace 1 to 3 cups all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.

SOFT HERB BREADSTICKS (use 1/2 of dough): Divide dough into 12 equal pieces; roll each to 15-inch rope. Twist each rope several times, if desired. Place on 2 greased baking sheets. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until risen slightly, about 10 to 20 minutes. Lightly beat 1 egg white; brush over breadsticks. Sprinkle with herbs or herb blends such as oregano, dill weed, Italian herb seasoning, or fines herbs. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes or until done. Remove from sheets; let cool on wire racks. Makes 1 dozen rolls.

FOCACCIA (use 1/2 of dough): Grease 15- x 10-inch pan. Roll dough to rectangle and press evenly into pan. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until slightly risen, about 20 to 40 minutes. With handle of wooden spoon, make indentations in dough at 1-1/2-inch intervals. Brush dough with 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons SPICE ISLANDS Rosemary and 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes or until done. Let cool on wire rack. Cut into squares. Makes 1 focaccia.

DINNER ROLLS (use 1/2 of dough): Divide dough into 12 equal pieces; shape dough into smooth balls. Place balls, about 2 inches apart, on large greased baking sheet.

Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes. Beat 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water; brush over rolls. If desired, sprinkle with SPICE ISLANDS Sesame Seed or Poppy Seed. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes or until done. Remove from sheet; let cool on wire rack.

HEARTH BRAID (use 1/2 of dough): Divide dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece to 16-inch rope. On greased baking sheet, braid 3 ropes together; pinch ends to seal.

Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 to 90 minutes. Beat 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water; brush over braid. Sprinkle with SPICE ISLANDS® Sesame Seed or Poppy Seed. Bake at 400^oF for 25 minutes or until done. Remove from pan; let cool on wire rack. Makes 1 braid.

Some new pics

I don't have a ton of time to write but we wanted to let everyone know that we're alive and well. Gideon has been keeping us pretty busy. He's finally getting some teeth in and, of course, he has to do that his own way, also. His 2 front bottom ones are just about through and so are his 2 top eye teeth. Yes, we have a little vampire. Or hillbilly, whichever you like to think. The worst of the nights were just passing when he decided to get croup again. It's never fun to be woken up in the middle of the night with your baby sounding like a seal. He's just about over it but I think now he has a cold. Poor little guy just can't catch a break. The silver lining of sickness is that he wants to be cuddly.

Gideon has also discovered how to turn on and off the TV. This gets really annoying when we're trying to watch a show and all the sudden you see a little head appear in front of the TV and then the TV goes off. He turns off and on the light switches, too. He crawls right over all his toys to get to the things he likes to play with most. That being...anything else.
I thought I would go ahead and post a few pics of what he's been doing over the last month or so.

This is what Gideon does while I'm cooking, doing dishes or anything else in the kitchen. These are "his" 2 drawers and he goes for them first thing when he gets in the kitchen. I'm constantly picking up bottles and lids. Sometimes he'll even reach for the third shelf. As if he didn't have enough to pull out with the bottom two.

This is right before his first little haircut. We only cut his bangs because they were getting too long. I couldn't bring myself to give him a big boy cut yet.

I still almost cried because he looked older. Not the best job, I know, but little boys are very wiggly.

One day I was doing dishes and Gideon was playing with his drawers. When I turned around to put something in the dishwasher I found this. I had no idea he know how to climb up into the machine. Now whenever I do dishes he pulls all the silverware out. He thinks it's hilarious and laughs while he's doing it. Then when they're all out on the floor he looks at me with a big smile like he's so proud of himself. Maybe if I lay all the silverware on the floor he'll put them in the basket. I'll have to try that next time.

He is such a fun kid and is learning new things everyday. He's starting to stand by himself for about 5-10 seconds and will walk while only holding onto one of our hands. I don't think I'm ready for a walker yet but this kid isn't slowing down. He amazes me everyday and we have so much fun. Oh, he's also learned to "dance". Whenever he hears music he shakes his little booty and we have to laugh every time. His favorite it the MASH theme song, don't ask me why. I'll try to get a video of it on here soon.

What you've all been waiting for...

Everyday I sit down and think, "Now would be a good time to write on my blog. Then something comes up and I get distracted and before I know it a month or so has gone by. I love reading everyone else's blogs, I'm just not that great at keeping up with my own.

I do have new pics of Gideon that I need to put up and some updates on how he's doing. We visited Indiana about a month ago and had a wonderful time seeing family, going to the zoo and visiting Nauvoo for Kayla and John's wedding.

I guess that's our first official vacation with Gideon. Nathan and I were able to sneak in a session at the Nauvoo temple while Gideon "visited" with the Reynolds. I guess he pretty much cried the entire time once he realized mommy and daddy weren't around anymore. He was even taken for a ride in the car with a serinading of "ABC's". He did a great job with everyone when Nathan and I were around and he could see us. The wedding was wonderful and we had fun at the reception. Gideon got to dance and we even made it through the tornado sirens.

We were able to visit the Indianapolis zoo which Gideon really enjoyed. He especially liked the giraffes and rhinos. We even snuck in early to the dolphin show where Gideon decided to drop his pacifier so mommy could spend the entire time looking for it. We had a nice time with Ben, Nicky, Haley and Jerod looking at all the animals and listening to their silly stories. Those kids crack me up.

Gideon did wonderful on the car ride. He got a little fussy about half hour before we got home because he just couldn't get comfortable and just wanted out. While we were in Indiana he was starting to go from a laying down position to sitting. He mastered it as soon as we got home. Now naptimes are so much harder because he sits right up and by the time I turn around he's already standing at the side of the crib. He also started to throw his pacifier out of the crib in defiance of a nap. One day I went to lay him down and couldn't find a single pacifier. I searched his toy chest, the diaper bag and around his room. Just for fun I decided to check behind his crib. Jackpot!! There were all 5 pacifiers. That little stinker had been sticking them back there when he was mad. He's always doing something new. He is a crawler now and has figured out that there are more rooms to explore than just the living room. I have to be on my toes at all times to make sure he isn't pulling books off the bookcase or DVD's out of the entertainment center.

Gideon has also developed a new laugh. I'll have to get a video of it on here since I can't really describe it. We hear it alot during certain commercials he finds funny or when he watches the slideshow screen saver and sees his own pictures. He finds himself cute and loves to watch the pictures change. A new on comes on and the little laugh come out. I love it. He is getting to be a big boy and wants to walk so bad. He's starting to let go of things a little more and will try to stretch from the couch to other things. He has said mama and dada a few times and I've gotten him to wave. Of course, what does he wave at? The pictures of himself on the computer. Stinker!

Nathan is doing well at work. He's on call this month which means we get "the phone" and get to hear little dings all through the night as new email come in. Luckily nothing major has happened so the phone has been pretty silent. His calling is going well and he has two great councelors that really do a great job. For those of you who don't know, Nathan was called as the Elders Quorum President in our ward. We have a lot of med students which means a lot of moving in and out of families but it has been reletively quite lately.

As for me I'm just enjoying my time at home with Gideon. I've been trying to get little projects done around the house and keeping myself busy. Nathan thinks a lot of the things I do are silly but I enjoy being busy and learning how to do new things. I'm really excited for the time when we tile the master bath and the laundry room. I'll definitely have to post before pictures just so you can get an idea of just how hideous the carpet is. Yes, that's right, we have carpet in our bathroom. Not just any carpet, ugly carpet. Those of you who have seen it in person can attest to the fact that it needs to go.

I'm also getting ready to start physical therapy on my back. Carrying around this 23 lb baby has really done something to me. Luckily I worked for a physical therapy office and know some great people that can help me out. I can't remember what is was like to be pain free but I'm excited to find out.

We're doing well here in the Reynolds home. We're loving KC but miss everyone back in Indy.

A few updates

Well, Gideon is really starting to pull himself up on things. If we sit him down he's looking for something to grab a hold of and pull himself up. What a silly boy. I love watching those changes and am excited that he's starting to discover so many things. He's also loving his food and can't get enough. It's fun to watch him concentrate so hard on picking up some finger food and try to get it to his mouth. He knows where it goes but not quite how to get it in there. We've started letting him play with a sippy cup, also. Again, he knows where it goes but doesn't quite grasp the concept of how to get the juice in his mouth. He can drink from it OK when I hold it up for him. He is definitely a mommy's boy right now and cries whenever I leave the room, even if Nathan is holding him. It makes me feel good that he love me so much. Now if he could just need me a little less during the night. He's still waking up a couple of times but not to eat. He just wants me to put the pacifier back in his mouth and he's right back out. Last night I tried just handing it to him to do it himself and that was NOT a good idea. He was so hurt that I would just leave him to fend for himself. He gave me a look like, "What kind of mommy/monster do you think you are?" Maybe we'll work on that during the day. He is also talking quite a bit. He likes to say, "Ga, ga, ga" and "Bo, bo, bo" and a mixture of other sounds I can't even begin to figure out how to spell. He's a big boy with lots to say.

We're excited to see our family in just a few days. We're excited to see Kayla get married and to visit Nauvoo. Hopefully Nathan and I can find time to sneak in a session.

So, as I've said before, I'm addicted to blogs. One of my favorites has to be Make it and Love it. I'm on that blog all the time. She has some great tutorials for easy to make projects and giveaways. Right now she has a giveaway from Bloomz and it's the first one I've entered. We'll see what happens but everything was really cute. I know I don't have any little girls right now but you never know, someday I may have one. Even though Nathan says we will have boys only.

I'm so not ready for this

Well, for a few weeks now Gideon has been trying to move around the room. He is sitting up all my himself and has been rocking forward to his hands and knees. I thought he was trying to get to a crawling position but when I try to help him he tries to get on his feet. This morning I decided to have him play in his crib while I cleaned up his room and put away some of his clothes. He was doing a great job talking with me and playing with his toys. I was so focused on the clothes that I wasn't paying much attention to what he was doing. I turned to say something to him and this is what I saw.




I can't believe how big my little boy is getting. I called Nathan and let him know we should probably move the mattress down just in case. Last night Gideon pulled himself up to standing in his little duck bath. I was right there holding on to him so he wouldn't fall but he did all the work himself. I guess we'll have a stander before a crawler, maybe even a walker. Like the title of my post, I'm so not ready for this.

I'm also posting some pics we took of his new car seat. He passed the weight limit on his infant seat at 6 months. Doesn't he look like a big boy.


He also did a little swimming in his duck bathtub. I'm not sure he quite understood why his bath was outside.



And this one is just too cute. He loves his stacking cups and laughs so hard when we build the tower for him to knock over. Thank you, Grandma Theresa.


Sorry about some of the pictures being blurry. I don't know what's wrong with my camera but it's been doing this since he was born. Hopefully we'll be able to get a new camera soon and be able to see our baby clearly.

New Header

Nathan wanted me to write and let everyone know that it's because of his Purdue degree and knowing how to do these things that I now have a new header with pictures on it. I had been working on it all day and was getting very frustrated by the time Nathan got home. He looked at it and within a few seconds had it all figured out and looking pretty. I don't know what I would do without him and his degree from Purdue. I am one lucky lady.

6 months already!

Well, I can't believe that Gideon is already 6 months. It seems like time has really flown by and my little boy is growing up to quickly. He is already sitting up, rolling over and getting his first job. Alright, maybe not the job yet but that's how fast it feels the time is going. He is starting to get on all fours and rock a bit. I'm definitely NOT ready for a crawler. We had our 6 month doctor appointment last week and he is doing great. Dr. Grimes says he's developing great and he's very healthy. He weighed 20 lbs. 8 oz. and was 26 3/4" long. He's still in the 90th percentiles on both. We sure do have a big boy on our hands. Nathan and I also got him a new car seat last week. Our infant seat only holds up to 22 lbs and as you can see he is right about at the limit. Target had convertible car seats on sale so we went ahead and made the investment. Now he really looks like a little boy sitting in his big boy chair.
Gideon is also outgrowing everything we have. I ordered 320 size 3 diapers a couple weeks ago and, as I should have known, we now need size 4. Now I have to send the size 3's back and hope the 4's get here in time. I just can't seem to keep up with this kid. Clothing is another obstacle. I've had to graduate him up to 12 month clothes. He can still wear a bit of 6-9 months but it's hit and miss. I love that we have such a big, healthy baby.
He is doing pretty well at night. He wakes up maybe once a night because he needs his pacifier. Other than that I can usually sleep for at least 6 hours straight. I can't complain.
Nathan is doing well. He just got called as the Elder's Quorum President and I think he's looking forward to the challenge. He hasn't been in long enough to feel overwhelmed. I on the other hand am already starting to get nervous. I'm still in Young Womens. It has it's challenges but I'm trying to be patient and do what the Lord wants me to. I know I'm there for a reason I'm just not sure what it is yet.
We're all enjoying the spring weather we've been having and have been outside a bit. Gideon loves the outdoors. When he gets a little cranky at night I take him out on the deck and he calms right down. I can't wait until he starts discovering dirt and bugs and such.

Growing Fast

I've always been bad at keeping a journal and I thought a blog would be easier. As you can see from the date of my last post I was wrong. It's amazing how fast life can go by. Everyday I would think that I needed to update my blog and then that day would pass and I would think the same thing the next day. Well, the next day turned into 2 months.

We've had so much change these last couple of months I don't even know where to start. The other day Nathan and I were watching the videos we have of Gideon from Christmas and couldn't believe how much he has changed. He was so tiny and quiet. He is such a talker now, I can't even imagine what he'll be like when he actually knows words.

We've had 2 doctor's appointments since Christmas. He had to get shots at both of them and I was really nervous. He did great both times and was asleep before we left the office. I was happy before the second visit because I knew he only needed 2 shots. When we got there my doctor informed me that the nurse had given him the Hep A shot last time instead of the Hep B and he would, in fact, need 3 shots this time. I wasn't really happy with the nurse. I mean, what if her mistake was something really harmful? I would think they would pay more attention to what they're doing since that is their job.

Other than that we've been pretty healthy. Gideon had a touch of RSV but nothing serious. He was over it in just a few days and we're now back to normal. He has just about learned to roll over from his back to belly and is getting better at sitting up by himself. He has started making these cute raspberry sounds and has started to develop an attitude. At first he made the sound just because he could. Now he makes it when he doesn't want something, i.e. pacifier or food in his mouth. Unfortunately he let's me know about the food after I've already put some in there so we usually both end up with some rice cereal on us. We're just getting in to the cereal and it's been pretty fun to see his expression. At first he thought I was trying to torture him but he now realizes that it's actually food. I can't believe we're already to the point of him eating food. He has grown so fast and it amazes me to see all his changes. He is becoming such a big boy and is starting to be so independent. I already miss my little baby but I look forward to each new day and seeing what new thing he will discover today. Oh, by the way, today he discovered his feet. The first time he grabbed them he looked at his feet, then at me with a confused look on his face and then back at his feet. I think he thought I was doing it. I just love that kid.