4 years and one day ago....and lesson learned

Yesterday was our 4 year anniversary. 4 years! Wow-time flies when your having fun:) I remember on our last anniversary I was doing my lupron shots, and this year we have our little Eleni with us, I feel so lucky and blessed.

My parents, who are also our baby sitters, are out of town, so Eleni came on our date with us. We decided to just have a fun Salt Lake day and hit our favorite spots. First lunch at Trios. We got the rosemary flat bread which is my favorite! For my meal I got the butternut squash ravioli and Micah got the carbonara. They were both delicious.

Next we went to Hatch Family Chocolates where I got my favorite vanilla creams along with some raspberry cream chocolates and their coconut caramel. Now, I had heard that chocolate can make babies fussy if you eat it while breast feeding, but I thought "oh no it will be fine", so we then took off to minis cupcakes to grab some of my favorite cupcakes.

We got the Diva and Twisted Sister. Both full of chocolate and I ate them up. Hey it was my anniversary I could eat anything I wanted! We hung out in their Retro Cafe for a bit. It was so much fun, Eleni was in the best mood.

We then went to Orson Gygi and I grabbed a few things, then on our way home. So maybe not the most romantic annivesary but it was sure fun with our little peanut. Well...it was fun up to that point.

About 7:30 rolled around and Eleni started getting fussy so I started rocking her to sleep. She would fall asleep but fight it-start arching her back and kicking her legs, after an hour of this I just set her on the floor and she freaked out. And that's where it all began. Constant, horrible crying and screaming. It was awful. She has been so good, she has actually started to sleep through the night the past few nights and haven't had one freak out, so I knew it was the chocolate, darn it! I could tell she was in pain, that her tummy hurt. Then my tummy hurt cause I was sick to see my baby like this. I tried everything. She was screaming like I had never heard before, it was heart wrenching, finally at 11:30 (3 hours of straight crying/screaming) I told Micah he should give her a blessing, I couldn't think of anything else to do, so we said a prayer and he gave her a blessing.

He asked that her tummy would feel better and that she would calm down. I then laid with her in our bed and cuddled her up. After about 10 minutes she fell asleep. I don't know what I would do without the power of prayer and the miracle of priesthood blessings. I fell asleep too and Micah woke me up at 1:00 am because I was still in my clothes and everything. I put her in her crib and she slept till 6:30, and right now she is happily playing on her play mat.

So lesson learned, no more chocolate! That will definitely be an anniversary to remember. I'm hoping that the chocolate is out of my system and that we wont have another repeat today.

So I was meaning to post all about our anniversary yesterday but when Eleni started freaking out I just didn't have any time. But I'd like to give a quick shout out to my Hubby to tell him how much I love him:) I remember the day of our wedding like it was yesterday, one of the best days of my life. I'll never forget dancing the night away at our reception, and then later having people tell me after we left the DJ stayed because everyone still wanted to dance! I've heard stories of my dad (who is 6 foot 10) who started break dancing on the floor...wish I could have seen that:)

We've been through a lot the past 4 years, have traveled the world and have had many fun and amazing experiences, but I don't think anything we have ever done will compete with what lies ahead for us. Having a baby has been challenging and hard but also amazing. All we did yesterday was constantly take pictures of Eleni on our phone and camera, we couldn't take our eyes off of her, and when she would smile or make a cute face we would nudge eachother and say "hurry, look! She's making the most precious face!". She has brought both of us so much more joy than I think either of us could have imagined. I'm glad we got to spend our annivesary day with our little Eleni, I would have liked the later portion of the day to turn out a little differently but trust more, I've learned my lesson, no more chocolate!

Love you Micah and Happy Annivesary (yesterday:) ) Can't wait to celebrate many, many more with you!

some of my favorite pictures of our special day:)

Hey! I'm back! And with a great enchilada recipe:)

Well I can't believe it's been almost a month ago since my last post! I bet most of you are sure sick of seeing my birth story every time you stop by:) There are a couple other blogs I check out and the girls running them have had babies about the same time as me, and they all have like 15 posts up! Why can't I keep up on my posting? Or keep my house from looking like a disaster? I often think what's wrong with me that I don't have energy like these other women or why don't I have order in my life like they do. I have been feeling like I've been in survival mode these pasts couple months, it's been difficult with a colicky baby who demands all of my time. She is getting better though. I think one day my house will be spotless, and one day I will post every single day, and one day I will have time to blow dry my hair and make it look pretty:)

Eleni had to get some shots today. I still have a knot in my stomach from seeing her so upset. I gave her some infant Tylenol and she loved it. She is snoozing right now-but I know not for long, but hopefully long enough for me to share with you guys this amazing recipe...

A few weeks ago I saw Tyler Florence make enchiladas. I have been obsessing over them ever since and finally got a chance to make them. They are delish. The roasted tomatillo sauce is so yummy and really makes these enchiladas special. They are on my make again list. Go here for the recipe.

Wow! I can't believe I was able to get a post up! Finally! I'm back! Hopefully I can get back into the swing of things and you will be seeing a lot more recipes on here:)

And just cause I can't help it, here are a few pics of the little one..
Eleni loves being in this sling!

and I caught this precious photo of Eleni and her daddy-these are the moments
that make living off of no sleep ok:)

birth story

Exactly a month ago I gave birth to Eleni, and as promised here is her birth story:) It's only taken me a month to get it up! I do what I can these days and when I can:) It's kinda long, but here it is.

Eleni’s Birth Story

As my due date of May 2^nd past I grew anxious to meet my baby. On May 3^rd I decided to have my membranes stripped, I was already 4 cm dilated and the Dr said it would most likely put me into labor within 72 hours. I went to my moms house after the stripping and walked around. A couple hours after I got my membranes striped I started getting mild and irregular contractions. I was hopeful something would happen that night but it didn’t. The next day came and I was still having mild and irregular contractions. My mom came over that night to watch American Idol with me. We began watching and my irregular contractions became a bit more regular and closer together. We decided to go for a walk. As I started walking the contractions sarted coming every 5 min. I was in complete denial. My mom insisted I go to the hospital and I kept telling her “this isn’t it, they are just going to send me home”. My mom talked to my husband and the two of them forced me to go to the hospital. So off we went.

We got our bag and I put on my I Pod listening to my hypnobabies birth guide track in the car on the way to the hospital. I was very relaxed, and excited, hoping this was it. Once we got there they brought me in a room where they would determine if I was in active labor-and I was. I wasn’t feeling any pain though from the contractions, just pressure and tightening. Sometimes the tightening and pressure took my breath away a bit, but still no pain. They got me settled in my room and I kept listening to my hypnobabies tracks. I lied there and reseted a while, almost napped working through my contractions. I walked the halls of the hospital for a few hours alternating with my mom and husband. It was such a special experience having my mom and husband there while I was laboring. I was very peaceful. I was the only one there doing a natural child birth so it was very quiet and I had the halls to the hospital all to myself:)

After hours of walking I had them check me. I didn’t want to know how dilated I was but they told my mom I was about 6 ½ cm. I walked again. After a couple more hours I was checked again, no progress. I decided to have my water broken. Right after it was broken my contractions picked up. Much more intense this time. It was so comforting to have Micah right by my side, holding my hand. It gave me great strength. I’ll never forget one contraction that kept building and building and right when I though it couldn’t get more intense it built even more. I used my peace cue that I was taught in hypnobabies and it kept me focused. During these intense contractions I kept repeating in my head “I’m that much closer to seeing my baby”, over and over. It kept me focused and calm.

I finally felt like I had to push, but I still had a lip of my cervix left. The nurse told me to lie down with the next contraction while she pushed the lip of the cervix out of the way. That could have been the most intense moment of my whole birthing process. I still knew I could do it, because I was doing it.

working through a contraction during transition

After I was fully dilated I was ready to push. The most intense urge to push came over me, I couldn’t believe I was there, I was almost ready to meet my baby. I pushed for 20 minutes, the pushing was intense, I don’t think I have ever exerted that much energy into anything, ever in my life and I don’t ever think I will ever again, unless it is at my next birthing time. I was so surprised at the strength I had. During those 20 minutes the nurse said “the sooner we get this baby out the better, her heart rate is dropping”. I don’t think I have ever been more scared in my life. The Dr ended up putting a monitor on her head, after that her heart rate looked fine.

After 20 minutes I asked the Dr how much longer, I didn’t know how much longer I could do it. He told me I had a choice, I would probably have another hour of pushing or else he could do something, I instantly yelled “just cut me!” And so it was. A few contractions latter I gave the biggest push, and then the biggest relief came over me, and I heard a cry. My baby was out, I couldn’t believe it! She was immediately put onto my chest, skin to skin. I grabbed her, wrapped my arms around her, it was the best moment of my life up to that point. It was so surreal, I couldn’t believe what I was experiencing. I looked up at my husband and the look on his face was just as special to see as seeing my baby for the first time. He leaned down and whispered to me how proud he was of me, and how he will do anything for me for the rest of our lives because of what I just did. I’ll keep reminding him that he said that:)

I look back at my Eleni’s birth and I can’t believe that I was able to do it, naturally, with no drugs. It was such and is such an empowering feeling to know that I did it. I had such an adrenaline rush after the birth, it was an amazing feeling. My Eleni was so alert, I am really proud of myself that I followed through with bringing her into this world how I wanted to. I feel through birthing my baby I am so much closer to my husband, and it was very special to have him help me through the birh. I definitely don’t regret doing it natural, and I will absolutely do it again.

Anyone interested in hypnobabies in Utah, and I would highly recommend it, go here

Amazing Lemon Fusili Pasta and Key Lime Tart

Yesterday was such a fun day. We went up to my moms and had dinner. She made Ina's lemon fusilli pasta. It was delicious! So yummy, I can't wait to make it again. For dessert I made a key lime tart (however, I just used limes). I love this tart recipe, it's so delicious and so easy. We threw some whipped cream over the top and some raspberries. I think the raspberries really took it to another level, we are making this tart again for Sunday dinner tomorrow:) You can find the recipe for it here. Pasta recipe is bellow.

I have some great news! Eleni slept from 12-5:15 last night! It was a miracle! Her sleeping increments at night have only been about 2-2 1/2 hours, and then when she gets up I have to feed her then try to get her back down for 45 minutes or so. I've felt like I've been running on fumes, but I know it comes with being a new mommy. But she was such a good girl last night and gave me a decent nights rest! I feel like a new person today, much more rested:) I had energy today to clean my house so it no longer looks like a war zone. Cross your fingers that she will do it again tonight! :)

Lemon Fusilli with Arugula

Ingredients

nocoupons

• 1 tablespoon good olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (2 cloves)
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 3 lemons
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 bunch broccoli
• 1 pound dried fusilli pasta
• 1/2 pound baby arugula (or 2 bunches of common arugula, leaves cut in thirds)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the garlic, and cook for 60 seconds. Add the cream, the zest from 2 lemons, the juice of 2 lemons, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until it starts to thicken.

Meanwhile, cut the broccoli in florets and discard the stem. Cook the florets in a pot of boiling salted water for 3 to 5 minutes, until tender but still firm. Drain the broccoli and run under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt and the pasta, and cook according to the directions on the package, about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain the pasta in a colander and place it back into the pot. Immediately add the cream mixture and cook it over medium-low heat for 3 minutes, until most of the sauce has been absorbed in the pasta. Pour the hot pasta into a large bowl, add the arugula, Parmesan, tomatoes, and cooked broccoli. Cut the last lemon in half lengthwise, slice it 1/4-inch thick crosswise, and add it to the pasta. Toss well, season to taste, and serve hot.

O little Eleni, please sleep like an angel tonight! :)

A chicken pot pie recipe that will solve anything...

I wish I could post more, I was hoping to have Eleni's birth story up by now with pictures and everything, but my recovery has been harder than I thought it would be. I'm hoping things will turn up soon. Micah is taking a huge load at school so it's been a bit stressful, but luckily I am blessed with the best mom ever-she has been taking such good care of me. She has slept over and allowed me to sleep through the night and she would stay up with Eleni. She get her when she cried, bring her to me when she needed to eat, then I could go back to sleep and she would take care of Eleni. I am so grateful to her I don't know how I could make it through these times without her.

My mom has also been making us dinner, and one night she made us Ina Garten's chicken pot pie. Talk about amazing! With each bite I took out of this amazing dish, it lifted my spirits and made me forget my stresses and the pain I was in. I can't wait till I am feeling better so I can make this myself. So here's the recipe, and be patient with me, I promise I will be blogging more soon:)

O...and just cause I can't help it, here are some pics of Eleni's first bath, which she hated by the way. She screamed bloody murder the whole way through, I don't think she will be getting too many baths:)

Ina Garten Chicken Pot Pie

my mom made this into two regular sized pie pans

Ingredients

• 3 whole (6 split) chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 5 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 2 cups yellow onions, chopped (2 onions)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups medium-diced carrots, blanched for 2 minutes
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas (2 cups)
  
• 1 1/2 cups frozen small whole onions
• 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley leaves

For the pastry:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1/4 pound cold unsalted butter, diced
• 1/2 to 2/3 cup ice water
• 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
• Flaked sea salt and cracked black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cooked through. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then remove the meat from the bones and discard the skin. Cut the chicken into large dice. You will have 4 to 6 cups of cubed chicken.

In a small saucepan, heat the chicken stock and dissolve the bouillon cubes in the stock. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the onions over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the hot chicken stock to the sauce. Simmer over low heat for 1 more minute, stirring, until thick. Add 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and heavy cream. Add the cubed chicken, carrots, peas, onions and parsley. Mix well.

For the pastry, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the shortening and butter and mix quickly with your fingers until each piece is coated with flour. Pulse 10 times, or until the fat is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water; process only enough to moisten the dough and have it just come together. Dump the dough out onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Divide the filling equally among 4 ovenproof bowls. Divide the dough into quarters and roll each piece into an 8-inch circle. Brush the outside edges of each bowl with the egg wash, then place the dough on top. Trim the circle to 1/2-inch larger than the top of the bowl. Crimp the dough to fold over the side, pressing it to make it stick. Brush the dough with egg wash and make 3 slits in the top. Sprinkle with sea salt and cracked pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot

Happy Mothers Day to all you Wonderful mothers-especially mine:)

I can't believe that this mothers day I am actually a mom! It's so sureal I can't get over it. Now that I'm a mom I am realizing everything that mothers do for their children. I am very new to this mom thing, I've only been a mom for 4 days but am already realizing the sacrifices mothers make for their children. I am so grateful to have a mom who has always put her children first. I am amazed at how much she does and has done for me. I'll never forget her walking up and down the hospital floors with me while I was in labor. I'll never forget her staying up all night with me while I was laboring and telling me I could do it and how I was doing amazing. I'll never forget her helping me push my baby out, and just looking at her gave me the strength to know I could do it. Since I've had my baby she has already made my husband and I dinner, did my laundry, and slept over to take care of our little Eleni so Micah and I could get some sleep. She is sleeping over again tonight so we can catch some shut eye. Isn't she amazing? Anyways, just had to express my love and gratitude for my mom on this mothers day. I love you so much mom! I appreciate everything you do for me.

There's someone I want you to meet...

She has the most precious hands

the cutest little tootsies

the sweetest head

and the most alert, beautiful eyes,

her name is Eleni Mae Lisonbee, and she decided to come
May 5th, Cinco de Mayo!

She is perfect, last night was her first night home and she
even slept through the whole night! I love
my little girl so much. Full birth story coming soon:)

Hello due date...and operation get baby out!

So today is my due date, I can't believe it's here! I remember first finding out when I was pregnant and finding out my due date would be May 2nd...I never thought it would come! But it's here, and I can't believe it:) Still no baby, but hopefully anytime:)

Yesterday I went to Salt Lake with my mom, dad, and little sis to grab some lunch. But not just any lunch, my most favorite meal ever! Fish Tacos from the Red Butte Cafe, I figured I should eat something a little spicy to try to get her out:) After fish tacos we went to Hatch Family Chocolates to grab something sweet, I don't think chocolate has anything to do with natural induction, but it was yummy:) I've been watching "The Little Chocolatiers" on TLC, and it's fun to be able to go to the actual chocolate shop and see the people on TV in the shop. Both Steve and Katie were there working yesterday and they both are so sweet. My favorite chocolates there are the coconut caramels and peanut butter truffles. I also had a raspberry truffle that was delish!

Fish Tacos from Red Butte: these are seriously the most amazing fish tacos
ever. I have yet to find any other fish tacos that can even compare.

I've been going on lots of long walks, eating lots of pineapple, pretty much doing anything in the book to try to get her here. Hopefully she will decide to come soon:)

Still Pregnant...and Reflecting:)

Ok-so don't hate me. This is yet another post having nothing to do with food and with no recipe. Sorry! Maybe if I am up to it today I will make something to keep my mind off of having this baby!

So only 3 days away from my due date, still pregnant, although all signs point to this little girl wants outa there considering how dilated I am and how low she is (according to my Dr she is REALLY low). I keep telling her it's ok she can come out already, but guess she wants some more time in my belly. Guess I am just going to have to practice motherly patience for the first time:)

As I am nearing my due date, and getting so close to holding my precious baby girl, I am looking back at the road it has taken to get her. I look back to the first lupron shot I had to take, the many moments of emotional break downs cause my hormonies were outa wack, the many moments of "what if" thinking which nearly drove me crazy, and the very special moment when I was given pictures of the two ebryos they were going to implant. I remember looking at those pictures thinking one or both of those embryos could make a pregnancy and eventually be my child. It was such a crazy moment, I was blown away by both science and my Father in Heaven, I truly felt like this was such a miracle. I remember after the implantation lying there just hoping and praying this would work. I am so grateful that my Father in Heaven felt it was the right time for me to become a mommy. I know everyone's time in life is different for everything, and I am so grateful that this is my time, and I can soon hold this little girl who has been kicking up a storm in my belly:)

right after implantation
(for my whole IVF story you can go here)

A quick funny story:)
Yesterday, this was a little conversation I had with my sweet heart, it went like this:
Me: "Micah, do you want to see our baby's coming home from the hospital outfit?"
Micah: "She can wear clothes already?"
Me: "What do you mean? What do you think she'll come home from the hospital in?"
Micah: "just naked in a diaper cause won't she still be all gooshey?"

My sweetheart was dead serious as these words were coming out of his mouth. I still don't know what he meant by "gooshey". Anyways, I thought it was pretty funny:) I think he's pretty nervous to meet her and I can see why if he thinks she is going to be all "gooshey" :)

6 days till due date...

I am 6 days away from my due date! I am so anxious to meet this little girl, and I would really appreciate it if she came on time:) I kinda feel like I am walking around today like a zombie even though I have so much I could still do. I am getting to the point where I am tired of preparing and planning, I just want to do this already! So no recipe for now, just some random thoughts:) I haven't been cooking or baking a lot lately, take out has become my new friend, tonight we are going to In-n-Out, I can hardly wait!