Welcome to the world little one!

We have a new niece and just had to share with everyone!

Emma Koryn Bartholomew
Friday, February 6. 2009
12:23am
6lbs 10oz
19 inches

You've Got Mail(boxes)!

I found these cute little mailboxes in the Target Dollar Spot and they were just screaming for a makeover. Here are the the finished products.






I love ladybugs, so of course the red mailbox was destined to became a ladybug. When Madelynne saw it she wanted one in pink with white buttons. So much fun!

private. authorized persons only!

The day is quickly approaching when our little blog world will be going private. If you wish to still read please leave us a comment so we can add you to the list. If you have already e-mailed or left a comment you are in the club!

Something Sweet for Your Sweetie

Devil's Food Bundt Cake with Chocolate Ganache
1 package Devil's Food Cake Mix
1 package chocolate instant pudding mix(4 serving size)
1/2 cup water
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease and then flour pan. Blend all ingredients together in a large bowl; beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Cake is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Chocolate Ganache
2/3 cup heavy cream
6 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate, chopped

Heat cream in saucepan over low heat until hot but not boiling; remove from heat. Stir in chocolate until melted. Let stand about 5 minutes. Ganache is ready to use when it mounds slightly when dropped from a spoon. It will become firm the longer it cools. Pour ganache carefully onto top of cake; spread with large spatula so it flows evenly over top and down to cover side of cake.

Efficiency or Laziness?

When I got the jelly out to make Madelynne a sandwich I found this. The spoon was already in the jar. So, is this efficiency or laziness? What is your take on the matter?

Where in the Blog World Have We Been?

As many of you have noticed we have been absent from the blog world of late. The following pictures say it all. We have been sick!

The pharmacy had made a killing off of us in the last few weeks. I am convinced we could start our own pharmacy!


The "bug" started with Madelynne. She had a fever of 104 degrees, a runny nose and a cough that sounded more like a bark. Jackson caught the "bug" from her and it settled in while we were out of town. By the time we came home he was wheezing really bad. I gave him an albuterol nebulizer treatment and it didn't even touch the wheezing. We took him into the doctor and he had another nebulizer treatment with the same results. They tried a different medicine and that finally worked. As it turned out both Madelynne and Jackson had ear infections in their right ears. We ended up having to take Jackson to the pediatric emergency room to get him stabilized (we were glad he didn't have to be admitted)and were so happy we got to bring him home. By the time we got things stabilized with Jackson I had caught the gunk and ended up with double ear infections, a sinus infection, and bronchitis. And to round out the experience Matt got the "bug" too. Luckily, he had the mildest case of us all, but he was still really sick. A week after we had all returned to health, Madelynne fell out of the shopping cart and got a concussion. So, she too got to have a trip to the emergency room! After a CAT scan that came back clear and a dose of Zofran to stop the vomitting she was able to come home. We are glad she is OK! The end to this sickness saga is that we are all healthy now and glad to be returning to the world of blogging!

Madelynne having her nebulizer treatment.


Jackson hated having the nebulizer treatments because he had to wear this mask. Doesn't he look pathetic?

A Season of Firsts

We have had a lot of "firsts" around our house lately. Most of them have occurred with Jackson.

Jackson has learned how to hold his own bottle. This is a picture of the first time he did it!


Jackson putting himself to sleep in his own bed.


Jackson's first baby food.




Madelynne's first primary activity was a pancake breakfast and pajama party. She was nervous to be there by herself, so I ended up staying with her. I can't believe she is old enough to be a Sunbeam!!!


Madelynne's first dance class.


Mommy made this Chocolate Bundt Cake with Ganache for the first time for her friend Kristen's birthday.

Dancing Queen

Madelynne started dance in the middle of January and it is so adorable to hear her going around the house saying "plie, plie". We have our own little dancing queen!

MLK Day

In Cleveland on Martin Luther King Day several of the local museums will have free admission for the day. We decided to take advantage of the offer and go to the Natural History Museum. Madelynne especially liked seeing the animals, but didn't care so much for the dinosaur bones. They scared her. Afterwards, we went to our favorite bakery in Little Italy, Presti's, to see if they had any Peanut Butter Brownies (they are to die for!). Unfortunately, for the second visit in a row they were all out! Good thing the brownies are so good-licious or we might write them off...no we couldn't do that we love it there too much!!!

Hosting Lunch Bunch

I hosted lunch bunch in January. Lunch was a simple affair of Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Raspberry Streusel Muffins and Apple Cake for dessert. The table setting was a classic black and white with silver.

Candyland

At the beginning of January we went to the life-size Candyland at Penitentiary Glen. Madelynne loved it. At the end of the game there is a gingerbread playhouse that has a slide. This was Madelynne's favorite part.




Before we went inside to the Candyland exhibit we walked around outside and visited the birds. It was so cold the falcon was trying to hide it's head in his wings.
















Madelynne making her own gingerbread man to take home.

Growing Up

Madelynne and Jackson both had check-ups in December. Here are the stats:


Madelynne at age 3:
Weight: 32 lbs. 50th percentile
Height: 39 inches 95th percentile


Jackson at four months:
Weight: 15 lbs 13 oz 75th percentile
Height: 25 3/4 inches 90th percentile
Head circumference: 16 5/8 50th percentile

A Very Merry Christmas

We celebrated Christmas at home this year with our little family of four. After opening presents we enjoyed yummy cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Yes, the picture is an actual sample of the goodness of Christmas morning!


Santa's little helper. All tuckered out from a busy first Christmas!



We enjoyed sharing Christmas dinner with our friends Tom and Melissa. When you don't get to spend Christmas with your extended family it is nice to share it with your friends; your chosen family. I cooked a turkey and we had all the trimmings to go along with it: mashed potatoes, stuffing, salad and rolls. Yum! This is the first turkey I have ever cooked for Matt. Every other occasion that calls for cooking a turkey we have actually spent with family and someone else cooked the turkey. I can't believe I got away with not making a turkey for seven and a half years!