The Children

In our very small world, we have a lot of great stuff going on. The children, both Sam and Carolina, started a preschool version of homeschooling in late August. That has kept us pretty busy most mornings, depending on their interest and involvement.

Carolina has phased out of her Early Intervention therapies and I am trying to continue an environment where she can grow and learn and eventually catch up to children her age. In some ways she is already caught up, in other ways she has a ways to grow.

She is learning her colors, letters and numbers during her schooling time. She is also learning fine motor skills by working with puzzles and Play Doh, as well as enjoying dance and music time with her brother.

Sam is a ravenous learner. I often can't keep up with the numerous questions he has for me, or his desire for reading. He is reading at a 2nd or 3rd grade level right now and doing fairly well at math. He has learned to write his letters and numbers as well, so I am trying to refine that skill in him.

Being nine months pregnant, it is often a challenge to find the energy to school them every day and STILL have the energy I need to feed us all and complete the end of our days...but somehow it always works out.

Speaking of the pregnancy, it is going very well. I really couldn't have asked for a better pregnancy than this one. Baby Hudson seems to be active and doing well.

As for his health, we do not know yet if he has Brugada Syndrome. There is a 50% chance that he does have it, but that also means there's a 50% chance that he doesn't have it. Once he is born, he will have a 12-lead ECG to check, but it may not show anything even if he does have it. If it is negative, we will have another one done at one month of age, then three months, then six months and the first time he is sick. Sickness often exacerbates the condition and it may show better on an ECG.

If none of that makes sense, don't worry. We are taking every precaution possible in knowing whether or not he has this life threatening heart condition that his older brother has. We are also continuing to pray for his good health. The doctors are working closely with us through this process as well, so I know Hudson will be monitored and watched.

In the meantime, we are all awaiting the arrival of Hudson James.

Parmesan Chicken Bake!

During the last week we have had a lot of rainy days in Boone. Despite the fact that they've not been very cool, the rain and the changing colors of the leaves have really gotten our household into the Fall spirit. Combine that with Fall Festivals, Fall desserts that I can't stop myself from making (even though I'm nine months pregnant!) and the darkness that prevails until 7 in the morning, and I'm all geared up to make my best comfort foods.

One of my favorites is this Parmesan chicken bake my brother taught me how to make. I made up a little recipe card for it, so it is easier to print up. It takes such little preparation, fills the house with a delicious roasted chicken smell and fills our bellies to the full - so it is completely worth the effort.

If you want tender chicken, which is exactly what I desire in all my chicken breasts, try a brine. Dissolve two tablespoons of Kosher salt, one tablespoon of sugar in four cups of water and then put the breasts in to soak for a minimum of four hours. This works great to thaw frozen breasts as well. Rinse and pat dry before using them in any recipe, but I think you'll be surprised at how tender the chicken turns out by using a brine.

Enjoy!