Jett

Jett Dallin Turner - October 22, 2011

5 lbs. 10 oz.

17 in.

Halloween preview...

 Jaiden is so excited for Halloween. He's Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates... it's a cute show on the Disney channel. He was so willing to let me try his costume on him. He even asked, "Where's my Jake hair??" So, just because, who knows how easy it will be the next time we have to dress up, I sprayed his hair and colored his eyebrows too. This costume turned out better than I thought and I'm so happy he's happy! I love my little pirate!!

 

Happy Birthday Jaiderbug!

Happy birthday to our little peanut!! Jaiden turns 3 on the 26th but we decided to celebrate a little early. He has been so much fun! We love him so much!!

His favorite things:
Playing with his trains
Watching movies
Playing basketball, baseball, football, and soccer
Puzzles
Cocoa milk
Soda
Reading
Helping Dad fix things
Teasing the dog
Playing with friends
Tractors
Playing in the dirt
Riding his tricycle
Thomas the tank engine
Giving kisses and hugs
Singing and dancing
Making people laugh

We started Jaiden's party off with a couple rounds of pinata bashing. After a couple hits, Jaiden just sat in the back of Mimi's car and had fun watching everyone else take their turns.

Thanks to his buff cousins, the candy finally flew.

 My cute friend, Kristy, made all of the decorations. They turned out so cute. Many thanks!!

I think I got in too deep with Jaiden's cake. If I could do this one over, I would. It did turn out pretty cute once it was finished. If anyone wants cake, I have a ton left over ;)

 This picture says enough. Hopefully no one got any spit on their piece.

Jaiden got so many fun things. Mostly a ton of train stuff... which was perfect. Maybe now he'll stop asking if we can go to Walmart to look at the "shake, shake bridge."

 He was very excited to finally get his own basketball hoop.

Dal loved helping him open his presents. It was cute to see him with Jaiden.

We had such a fun night! Everything was perfect and we finshed off the party with treats and homemade rootbeer. Thanks to all of you who helped! I know Jaiden had the time of his life!! We did too.

Phase 1 complete: A preview

I'm am happy to say, I have now finished the hard parts of Jett's room. It was a ton of work but well worth it. This is just two finished projects. I'll put more pics up when his room is complete. I'm just happy I didn't have to buy a $40 stencil to get this wall the way I wanted it!

 My first glaze. It was harder, or I guess, more frustrating than I thought it would be. I used up a whole bed sheet and an old t-shirt. I have to say I don't think I'll ever use spray paint again. I'm in love with my mini foam roller and paint brush! I didn't have to worry about dripping and it basically took one coat. At least I know what to do now for future projects. Hopefully I won't have to re-do something this big again.

So Indecisive

I'm seriously struggling with the colors and decor for my little Jett's room. I think I've changed from black furniture to espresso. I like the yellow and blue better with the dark brown. Then I can use this cute rug I've had since we moved in(thanks Jamie!) and I'll only have to paint one wall. I'm pretty sure the wall will look something like the yellow part in this pic. I feel like I'm always changing my mind. Hopefully, I'll decided on something soon since I only have a few months left.

The Best Pasta Sauce Ever!

My mom had us over for dinner a couple weeks ago and made this to-die-for pasta. The sauce was seriously better than any other I had ever tried... So good, in fact, that I had to find the recipe to add to my collection. It's super healthy and fresh. I don't think I'll ever go back to store bought sauce. She found it in the May 2011 Bon Appetit magazine (I need to subscribe to it! Also, found at www.epicurious.com). Anyway, because of this recipe I have had pasta five times in the last week and bottled some. I have to share it. So, enjoy!

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, minced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes or ground red pepper 

1 28 ounce can peeled tomatoes, puréed in a food processor

Kosher salt

3 large fresh basil sprigs

12 ounces bucatini or spaghetti

2 tablespoons cubed unsalted butter

1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan or Pecorino

Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a 12" skillet over medium-low heat. Add minced onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 12 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 2-4 minutes. Add crushed red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute more. Increase heat to medium, add puréed tomatoes and season lightly with kosher salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld, about 20 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir in basil sprigs, and set aside.

Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a 5-quart pot. Season with salt; add spaghetti or bucatini and cook, stirring occasionally, until about 2 minutes before tender. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Discard basil and heat skillet over high heat. Stir in reserved pasta water to loosen sauce; bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook, stirring, until sauce coats pasta and pasta is al dente, about 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat; add butter and cheese; toss until cheese melts. Transfer to warm bowls; serve with more cheese, if desired.

I swear it's because I'm pregnant...

I think I'm starting to nest. I feel like I am cleaning constantly and completing tasks that I've needed to do for a long time. Thank goodness for that second trimester energy renewal. I feel like I can think again. I'm getting close to my last three months. Hopefully, I feel this great throughout the remainder of my pregnancy. I finally got the frames back up in our family room. I still need some more decorative frames. That one in the middle seems a little lonely. But, it's a heck of a lot better than before and I made sure I did it right... with two nails to a frame.

I still feel like I have a ton to do. I need to start getting the nursery going. I have nothing... no crib, no decorations, nothing. I have ideas of what I want to do though.

This is just a "super rough draft" of my thoughts. I like these colors and I really want to stencil the wall his crib would be up against. I just need to find/make a stencil. It really kills me that stencils are like $30-$40 online. It's a piece of plastic for crying out loud!! Is wallpaper easier??

Anyways, I'm thankful to have a lot on my plate right now. It keeps things interesting and when you're at home everyday, you just need that.