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Friday, December 24, 2010

Anna Pearl Ratliff

We've been busy settling in, but wanted to share a couple pictures. Anna Pearl was born on December19, 2010 at 8:40pm. She weighed 6 lb 3 oz and was 19" long. We're all doing good and are learning to deal with Anna's reflux. Hopefully we can resolve that in short order.


Have a merry Christmas. I'm sure we'll be back after the holidays!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Updated Prayer Request

A couple days ago, I requested prayers that the baby would come before the 26th. Well, after our doctor visit today, the baby will definitely be here by the 20th! If it hasn't come before then, we'll go in for an induction at 5am on December 20 and have a baby sometime that day. Yea!!!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Prayer Request

As many of you know, my due date is December 21. While we certainly don't want to have to induce labor, timing is an issue for us. My doctor is out of town until Wednesday, so we don't really want the baby to come before that. However, if the baby hasn't come before Christmas, we have another issue. Phillip's main helper at work will not be there the week after Christmas, so Phillip will not be able to take off work. If we had to schedule an induction for the week after Christmas, we'd have to close Bogie's for a day.

So, all that to say, we really want this baby to come before Christmas. If you could say a prayer about that, we'd really appreciate it.

On another note, if you want to help send a Christmas book to a very sick little boy, please go here. You could win a copy too!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Christmas Traditions

Today was a fun day of Christmas traditions for our little family. Last year, we began the tradition of making Christmas cookies. While I won't say that it was a failure, last year was not especially fun. So, we took cues from last year and did things a little differently this year. Isn't that the point of traditions? You make them better each year?

Yesterday, I made the cookie dough (it has to refrigerate for at least 2 hours anyway so overnight wasn't a problem) and the icing...a tried and true recipe, unlike last year where I tried a new recipe.

This morning, Emily and I rolled out the cookie dough and she helped decide which cookie cutter I should use each time. (We only gave her 4 choices so it wasn't too hard! And, Phillip was videoing the whole thing so that's why he wasn't helping here. I'd put it on here, but it's almost 20 minutes and no one wants to watch that!) Baked the cookies and waited for them to cool. Then, Phillip and I iced the cookies while Emily shook sugars on them. She had a ball and, I must say, the cookies turned out pretty good.


We went out for lunch, courtesy of Phillip's grandparents. They often slip him some cash when they see him and this week was no exception. :-)

Supper was a December traditional meal...sausage balls and poached eggs (with runny yolks!). We only get it in December because we only make sausage balls for our Christmas party. And, it's so yummy!!

After supper, we drove through Christmas Lane and Emily oohed and aahed over the lights then wanted more. So, we wound through some neighborhoods on our way home to look at more lights.

It was really an enjoyable day and it could be the last Saturday we have as a family of three. I just hope that next year is as enjoyable, with a three and a half year old and a one year old. It will certainly be different, but probably no less enjoyable.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Meal Plan Monday


With baby coming soon, I'm starting to either double or not half recipes in order to have some meals already in the freezer. Yes, I know people will probably bring food, but if I'm cooking now anyway, why not stock the freezer at the same time?

Thursday-eat out...no real reason, just a treat for all of us
Friday-I have a Christmas party to go to, Emily will be at my parents' house and Phillip will be enjoying some much-needed and deserved alone time. I have a feeling pizza will be involved. :-)
Monday-Chicken Spaghetti, green beans, garlic bread
Tuesday-Tater Tot Casserole, broccoli, rolls
Wednesday-spaghetti

On another note, I mentioned here that our adventure in potty training was beginning. I am proud to say that Emily is in big girl panties all the time and hasn't had an accident in a week! She's even gotten to the point where she'll go in the bathroom by herself and close the door and not let us in until she's finished! Such a big girl!!