Jacob Ryan is here!

WHEW! We have been SO busy! But, couldn't be more thrilled of the arrival of Jacob. He is just a sweet little bundle of joy.

He came into our lives on December 3, 2009 at 4:27 PM

Weighed 8 lbs 6.5 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long, BIG BOY!

He is healthy and happy, and I am doing great. The labor was super easy and so fast! I am so thankful for all of your thoughts and prayers!

Grace just adores her little brother and is such a big helper! She helps feed and change him, and loves on him all the time. She is such a little mama. I love watching her with him.

Here are a few pictures of our past few days, sorry there aren't many, my computer is acting up and this is all I can get to for now, but, don't you worry, there will be more posted as soon as possible!

{Jacob Ryan Kucera}

{Grace loving on her new baby brother - precious}

{Mommy and Jacob with the FABULOUS nurse}

In other news, we just found out that Justin will be leaving me again, only this time, much longer :( He will be headed offshore for a DIP test (don't ask) December 28th (which means he will miss our 3 year anniversary on the 30th) and will not return until sometime late January. I am, to say the least, devestated that he will be gone so long so soon into Jacob's life. So any support, prayers, and company would be FAB!

Love to you all.

I will write again soon, after all, I have 2 TMTT to catch up on, and about 400 blog posts to read. Ha!!!

Blessings, XOXOXO

Christmas Wishlist....

Can you believe Thanksgiving is only 3 days away?!?
It is unbelievable to me how FAST time flys!

In the spirit of the holidays - and black Friday coming up after Thanksgiving, I want to hear what is on your wish list for Christmas! Also, what does your husband need?? :)

Looking forward to seeing your wishes for this Christmas!

Only 1 more week until sweet Jacob's debut, can't BELIEVE it!

Love,

New Siggie Test

Test Post for New Siggie

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday: Mexican Chicken Penne Pasta

Mexican Chicken Penne Pasta

1 package (16 oz) penne pasta

2 cups cubed cooked chicken (if you want to be super speedy, like me, pick up a rotissiere chicken from the grocery store)

1 1/4 cups salsa con queso dip

1/2 cup milk

1/4 tsp. salt (it actually needs a little more than this)

1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 large tomato, chopped

3 green onions, chopped

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I ALWAYS use more than this)

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the chicken, queso dip, milk and salt together.

3. Drain pasta; add to chicken mixure and toss to coat.

4. Top with black beans, tomato, onions and cheese

ENJOY! Let me know if you try it and love it!

Under Construction

Please bare with me!
A masterpiece is in the works!!!

XOXO

BIRTHDAY PARTY HELP!!!!!!!

Tomorrow will be the 1 month mark to Grace's 2nd birthday and I couldn't be anymore stressed! Of course Mr. Jacob Ryan will be making his debut between now and then, so planning must be down immediately so I don't have to stress (even more) about it when he is here.

Here are the oh-so-precious invitations.

Here's where you come in. What should I do? LOL since it will be the middle of December should I plan on fun things for indoors? What would you do/did you do for you little one's birthday party when they were 2? HELP!

Love.

Wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving.

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

all things, me...

You know so much more about Grace than you do about me, since us mamas tend to brag and chat about our babies than we do ourselves, so I decided to make this post about - all things me. That way, lovely readers I don't know can learn a little more about me, and those I do know may learn a little more.

my family = me.

I love and adore everything about my family, and I am convinced that there is no way I could have been any more blessed. My hubby amazes me with his appreciation with every day life and his hard work and dedication to make this family sore. Grace is the happiest child I know, she rarely has 'off days' and she's just adorable ( I am allowed to say that!). And, we can't even wait for sweet Jacob Ryan to arrive. He will complete our family of 5.

cooking = me.

Paula Deen is my food "idol". Anything tasty, southern, buttery, is considered goodness to me. I'm always experimenting with new dishes. Make sure you check out my series - Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays for a delicious, simple, and southern recipe that I share weekly.

wine = me.

Oh boy I can't wait to bring out the wine glasses again! I don't drink very much, but wine is my favorite thing to enjoy while cooking/relaxing, or with friends. Luckily, we have some of the best wineries here in Texas. One of my favorites is in good ole Aggie Land: Messina Hof.

pictures = me.

A new camera is on the top of my Christmas wish list this year. My camera is one of my most cherished possesions. I love being able to freeze precious moments in order to hold onto them forever. I don't want to forget a thing!

dogs = me.

Especially one in particular. Most of you don't know that we have a sweet lab/great dane named, Allie, she is Grace's bff. Allie is the absolute best dog, she puts up with terrors from Grace and handles Grace bouncing on her ('ride little horsey') like a champ. She is the poster dog for a family animal. We love her. She was Justin's wedding gift from me, and before Grace (sorry, Al) she was Justin's 'girl'. She still is, she's just 2nd in line now!

DVR = me.

Fall is the absolute best time of the year for TV viewing, in my opinion. It is also when my DVR is on overload. The shows I love include: House, So You Think You Can Dance, Greys Anatomy, The Office, Flash Forward, Super Nanny. I love my TV time with JK, we have frequent TV date nights.

lists = me.

I am obsessed with list making. If I don't write it down, I forget. That's how much I rely on lists. I also just love the feeling of getting things accomplished and being able to check them off. Some fabulous stationary/list making items you ask? I love finding cheap ones at Target or Michaels, and for stationary (like for christmas lists, etc.) I love this hop called Swoozies in our town center here in Sugar Land. It's perfect!

other things = me.

Jesus, country music, college football, mexican food, pedicures, sweet tea, diet coke, Target, Tyler candles, cold weather, fall, a great book, and travel...

Tell me about you!

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday: Loaded Baked Potato Soup

For this week I am sharing my all-time favorite soup recipe!

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

2/3 - cup butter

2/3 - cup flour

7 - cups milk

4 - large potatoes, baked,cooled, cubed (about 4 cups)

4 - green onions, thinly sliced

10 - strips of bacon, cooked, drained, and crumbled

1 1/4 - cups shredded cheese (I always use more, but we love cheese)

1 - cup sour cream

3/4 - teaspoon salt

1/2 - teaspoon pepper

In large stockpot, over low heat, melt butter. Stir in flour. Stir until smooth and bubbly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until sauce has thickened. Add potatoes and onions. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until soup begins to bubble. Reduce heat; simmer gently for 10 minutes. Add remaing ingredients, stir until cheese has melted.

Enjoy!

a sweet giveaway.

The precious mama-to-be (again!) Meredith is hosting a 'housewarming' giveaway to celebrate her new blog. Since they have found out there will be a new addition to their sweet family, she has created a new b-home.

Is this not the most darling thing?

It's a blessings jar. What a fabulous way to remind us every day of life's countless blessings.

Screaming child - check, solution - check.

A crayon wallet. 'Nough said. I have one, and I lurrrrrrve it. I whip it out just about anywhere!

Caramel Apple Spice, anyone?

Why not sip it out of this wonderful to-go cup?!

So, click on over to the sweet t family and enjoy this lovely family as well as this fab giveaway!

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday is up next!

Thanksgiving Tradition

This is my first time to participate in Kelly's - Show us your life. Since this weeks topic is about Thanksgiving, and I have a lot to be thankful for, I figured I would give it a shot! Enjoy!

I am Thankful for:

God

My wonderful Hubby

Grace and Jacob ;)

Family and Friends

Sweet Tea

Target Clearance Racks

My Home

Garage Sales

Starbuck's Coffee

Laughter

Naptime

Pedicures

Chocolate

Having more than enough

Blogworld

You

Our Tradition:

We are usually home for Thanksgiving.

On Thanksgiving Eve we have game night playing cards, and this year, WII!

Thanksgiving Morning we watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (this is my favorite parade and it is a huge family tradition to watch it every year) and I usually make Orange Cinnamon Rolls.

Our Turkey Day table consists of:

Turkey - of course

Granny's Dressing and Gravy

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

Deviled Eggs

Sweet Potato Bake

Cranberry Sauce

Homemade Rolls

Pumpkin Pie

Pecan Pie

Chocolate Cake

College Football is always enjoyed and after dinner we watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

The day after Thanksgiving is when we head out to cut down our Christmas tree. This year we are going to try Dewberry Farm's. We usually spend the rest of the day putting out decorations in the yard.

These are a few of my favorite things: Make-up

Hello lovely readers! I was in desperate need of a make up bag makeover, and thought I would share all of my favs with you! I think I might start a new series called 'these are a few of my favorite things' and feature different things each week, what do you think? Would you participate????

FACE

1. bareMinerals Foundation by Bare Escentuals in light. I love this stuff it is so light weight and the best part about it is, it has SPF15 in it. So my face is always protected from the sun. 2. Bare Escentuals face brush - works perfect. 3. ooh la lift by benefit - this is like panty hose in a bottle! it gives you an instant eyelift, perfect for my sleepless nights shown through the bags under my eyes. this stuff is a-mazing! 4. Clinique Superbalanced - works great, goes on smooth, isn't cakey at all, and it doesn't give me the 'make up look' it looks very natural, and it's oil free. 5. Too Faced Papa Don't Peach - the best blush I have ever used, it gives just enough pop to your cheeks.

EYES

6. Maybeline Colossal Mascara - I have probably used every mascara in the book, but this is by far my favorite. 7. Urban Decay Eyeshadow - in YDK (for daytime) and Oil Slick (for nighttime) I just love this stuff, it is so much fun and super sassy! 8. Almay Eye Pencil - I call this my ol' faithful, I have been using this same eyeliner since I was 14, it just works for me. I love it.

9. Cover Girl Wetslicks Lipgloss - in Honey Talks and Shimmershell, you know how most lip glosses are super sticky? Not these!! 10. Aquaphor - 'nough said, I never leave the house without it.

So what are your beauty secrets?!?! I would love to read about them!!!!

Do you think this would be a fun series?!?!

Happy Wednesday! XOXO

Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays : Parmesan Crusted Chicken

This week on TMTT is:

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Ingredients:

3/4 - cup butter

2 - teaspoons minced garlic

1 - cup bread crumbs

1/2 - cup parmesan cheese

1 - teaspoon thyme

1 - teaspoon basil

1 - teaspoon oregano

1/4 - teaspoon black pepper

1/2 - teaspoon salt

6 - boneless chicken breasts

Directions:

1. melt butter and stir in garlic. in a seperate bowl, combine bread crumbs, parmesan, and spices.

2. dip chicken in butter, and then into the bread crumb mixture. place in a baking dish greased with olive oil.

3. drizzle leftover butter over chicken in dish, and then press on leftover bread crumb mixture.

4. bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

5. if desired, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over chicken breasts during last 10 minutes of baking.

ENJOY!

Halloween was absolutely wonderful! The weather was perfect, and we just had a really great time. Earlier in the day, we went to a Bluegrass festival up in Bellville for some live music, yummy food, and trick-or-treating. Grace just loved it!

{At the Bluegrass festival}

When we got home (and after a much needed nap) we got Grace dressed in her 'Good Witch' costume to hit the streets for some local TOT-ing. She just looked SO cute in her costume. Thanks to her big noggin filled with a big brain, her hat would not stay on her head, so I was able to get a good shot of her fully dressed, then it was off with the hat!

{The sweetest witch there ever was!}

After we went to Mimi and Pawpaw's, and Gigi's, we met up with our sweet friend's, The Stamper's, to continue the night. Grace and Rylie had the time of their lives getting all of the candy. They are just the best of friends. Enjoy some pictures from their TOT-ing.

TRICK OR TREAT!

Hope everyone had a FABulous weekend!

Once again, thank you for all the prayers and messages you sweethearts left me.

You are all loved!

XOXO

We are OK!

Thank you all SOOOO much for your sweet comments and prayers.
We made it home this afternoon, and after a much needed nap, I am able to get on here to give you all an update!
Little Jacob is doing great. His heart rate was perfect when we left the hospital and everything is going to be fine. I did have 2 somewhat strong contractions while there, but nothing to get too excited about yet.
My doctor monitored me for quite sometime and sent me home with rest in order. She thinks that the non-movement could have been the position that he was in, or he might have just been sleeping out of pattern. But, she was able to 'wake him up' and get him moving for me. I am so thankful for God's answered prayers.
Please continue to pray that things stay this way! Only 4 more weeks! WHEW!!!

Love to you all! XOXO

I promise to write about our Halloween weekend, tomorrow. Love.

Prayers please.....

We are headed to the hospital this morning...
I have been monitoring Jacob's movement nightly since I was about 28 weeks pregnant through what they call 'fetal kick count' - if you have never been preggo here is a little on what it is:

Fetal kick count is an easy, non-invasive, harmless method you can use to monitor fetal well being during the third trimester. A fetus typically starts to make obvious movements which can be felt by the pregnant mother from around weeks 18-20 but it is only after week 28 of your pregnancy that you can actually count with some consistency. This is a reliable tool for assessing the well being of your fetus on your home grounds.

Well, I am In the middle of my 34th week, and have not felt Mr. Jacob move in over 10 hours. I have done all of the home remedies to 'wake him up' and have not been successful.

So we are on the way to the hospital to get everything checked out. I am sure everything is fine (PRAYERS PLEASE) but we have to go make sure.

Your prayers would be greatly appreciated.

LOVE TO YOU ALL. XOXO

Happiest Halloween....

Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween full of fun memories! Can't wait to see pictures!! XOXO

Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays

In honor of Halloween this weekend, I am sharing with you a 'Halloween Trail Mix'

Goblin Good Gorp

2 - cups salted peanuts

1 - cup mini oreos

1 - cup candy corn

1/2 - cup goldfish crackers

1/2 - cup raisins

Mix all ingredients in a 1 1/2 - to 2-quart covered container; cover tightly.

Store at room temperature! ENJOY!

time-out

We have had SO much fun these past few days!!!

Friday night J and I took Grace to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins.

We made it home with 4 of them - 1 for each of us. The pumpkin Grace picked out for Jacob was so tiny, and sweet. She's precious, and seems to be excited about her little brother's arrival.

_____________________________________________________________

Saturday we spent most of the day at MiMi and PawPaw's playing outside in the absolutely GORG weather! It was perfect. Saturday evening we met up with The Stamper's for a night of Fall Fun at their neighborhood park. Grace had a blast to say the least!

{A collage of our weekend fun!}

Hoping everyone had a wonderful weekend!

XOXO

You MUST check this out!

The oh-so-lovely Jacci @ Sprinkles of Scarlett is hosting her FIRST GIVEAWAY!

How exciting!!!

Her giveaway is just FABULOUS! I consider it 2 giveaways in 1, not only is this precious diaper bag by JJ Cole up for grabs.........

{Is this not the most darling bag?}

BUT......

Jacci has introduced her readers to the site allmodern.com who is actually doing the giveaway!

The website is A-MAZING! I must have the Log Rocker, it has now been added to Grace's Christmas list from Santa! Just look at how much fun this thing is!

LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!

You would be crazy not to check this out! And become a follower of Jacci and her sweet family!

XOXO Thank you Jacci for sharing such a wonderful site and giveaway!

HIP-slimmer...

This is probably the best kept secret I have EVER heard! Just look at this oh-so-awesome corset!

HipSlimmer™ is a post-pregnancy compression corset designed to help you return to your pre-pregnancy size. Hormones released during pregnancy cause your hips to expand for childbirth. These hormones remain elevated after delivery leaving the joints of your hips malleable. HipSlimmer™, when worn after pregnancy, applies pressure directly to your hips and may help your hips return to their pre-pregnancy size. HipSlimmer™ was developed exclusively by us and is the only post-pregnancy "hip-slimming" compression corset available.

Is this just not A-mazing!!! I am so in love, and have one ON the way to me so I can wear it as soon as little Jacob arrives! It's BRILLIANT! I wish I had known about it after I had Grace.

Ideally, HipSlimmer™ is worn over comfortable undergarments for a few hours a day during the first couple of months following delivery.

I think I will wear mine at night. I can't even wait to try this out!!!

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday Series

It's that time again! This week I am going to share with ya'll Chicken Taco Soup. It is in my crockpot right now, and it smells divine! Enjoy!

Chicken Taco Soup

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped
1 can Chili Beans (15 oz)
1 can Black Beans (15 oz)
1 can whole kernel corn (15 oz)
1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)
1 can/bottle (or you can use chicken stock) beer
2 cans Rotel
1 package Taco Seasoning (1.25 oz)
3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Directions:

Place onion, Chili Beans, Black Beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer (or chicken stock), and Rotel in your crockpot. Add the taco seasoning and stir together.

Add chicken breasts to mix, making sure that they are covered by other ingredients. Set the cooker to low and cook for 5 hours.

Remove the chicken breasts to another plate or cutting board and shred. Stir the shredded chicken back into the crock pot and continue cooking on low for another 2 hours.

Serve with all or any combination of: shredded cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, or corn bread (my FAV).

Let me know if you try it out!!!!

XOXOXOXOXO Loves.