Best Email Ever.

here is to our first email of sophmore year. #cheers

here is to mary coming back in about a month. #hooray

here is to me watching swiss family robinson in my room. #classic

here is to me feeling like im going to throw up. #sick

here is to me acting like im on twitter. # imnot

here is to me driving in 203 days. #cantwait

here is to me making you smile. #hopeitwasbig

here is to me making this email look like one of elsies forwards. #bingo

here is to me having the best older sisters God could ever create #wouldntknowwhattodowithoutyou

here is to me loving you with my whole heart #<3

HAVE A GREAT TUESDAY AMERICA!!!

caroline burke.

7 Months!

I am just going to pretend that it hasn't been four months since I blogged!

7 Facts About My 7 Month Old:

7. She is in 9 month clothing, size 3 diapers.
6. She can get up on her hands and knees....and scoot backwords.
5. She loves to Skype.
4. She has been teething for the last four days, really bad, but....no teeth!
3. She loves to take baths, and loves to swim.
2. She is a very content and happy child.
1. She has just started looking for Darrin when he leaves the room, and getting out of control excited when he comes home from work!

birth announcement

made by my wonderful husband, Darrin!

Addy Joy's Birth.

Here is a condensed version of Adelynne's birth story!
Sunday - December 12th- My due date...
Mom and Elsie were following a winter storm to get here! Since I had no signs of labor whatsoever, they stopped overnight in TN. I was pretty sad that I didn't have any contractions, because I was so excited to meet the baby!
Monday - December 13th...
Went Christmas shopping with Mom and Elsie all day...ate spicy food for lunch, hoping that would help! Came home and made enchiladas for dinner...still no signs....until 1:30a, when my water started leaking! Started taking black and blue cohosh...which tastes just aweful!
Tuesday - December 14th...
Rested all morning, and then went shopping in Greenville...just trying to walk the baby out! Came home and played games.
Wednesday - December 15th...
Darrin and I wet to see Sandy, my midwife. Besides my water barely leaking, nothing was happening! Started drinking caster oil to get things moving. Did other natural labor stimulants too...which I had actually been doing for about a week, casually...but it never really seemed to help me.
At about 6pm, my water started leaking a lot more. Elsie and I went to get pedicures and had to leave as soon as we could! The fluid seemed to just come out in gushes!
That night my contractions started...they weren't super strong, but we started timing them and they were 2 minutes apart...and had been for over an hour! Called the midwife, and she thought I didn't sound like I was in enough pain...feel bad, because I think I was rude to her on the phone. She was right, I wasn't in enough pain, but they were on top of eachother! So at like 3a, we went to the birthing center (this is about a 40min. drive)....when we got there, the contractions pretty much started dying off. BY 8a they were gone. I was so embarassed, and felt bad for having all the midwives come in! But fortunately for me, another lady came in to have her baby! It was pretty much a bad night.
Thursday - December 16th...
Elsie's 12th birthday! We left the birthing center before 9a, and took mom and Elsie home. Then Darrin and I went to run a few errands...it was a little morning date! We celebrated Elsie that day...she was just great through this whole thing! My mom wasn't surprised that the labor was dragging on, but Elsie just went with the flow. Always smiling and doing whatever was needed of her! That night me and Darrin went back to see the midwife...I was only 1 cm dilated and the baby was at a zero. Even though my water had been broke for over 24 hrs I just absolutely didn't want to go to the doctor. I knew I would be c-sectioned, which I didn't want since everything was fine. Did more stimulants, but nothing seemed to be happening. I had more contractions that night, but when I would get tired, they just died off. I pretty much showered like every hour that night! The water and heat made my contraction pain minimal.
Friday - December 17th...
On Friday, Darrin had the day off, and all four of us just enjoyed the day! Shopped, went to the park to walk, went out to eat. That night my contractions were pretty bad! I thought it might happen then...but once again, by about 3a they had pretty much spread out, but never really stopped. I was pretty stressed about this baby, I seriously thought she was just going to stay in!
Saturday - December 18th...
Mom and Darrin got me up early and made me start walking! I walked outside our apartment, and up and down the stairs. Then me and mom went to target and walked around, my contractions were about 6/10 pain wise...I had to walk through them, and concentrate on breathing. We came home, and mom called her old midwife (mostly just wanting a second opinion on  if this was normal or not!) who told me to just relax, drink a glass of wine and take a bath. I really didn't want to stop my contractions, so I skipped the wine. Mom and Elsie talked about what there travel plans were, and decided to stay until this baby was here! I was so relieved, I thought they would have to leave. Well, I think just knowing I wasn't on a time schedule, and that I just needed to sit and relax really did the trick! Contractions got more intense and closer together. Darrin and Elsie went to get dinner, and by the time they got home I couldn't eat. When going through a contraction I really wanted to be alone. I mean, messaging just made it worse, music annoyed me, so I just closed my eyes and breathed on my own...and leaned on my dresser. Mom was super supportive, just casually doing the puzzle and timing my contractions. Soon after Darrin got home from getting dinner, he tried to help me walk through my contraction, and I couldn't even stand! I mean the pain was bad (for that one minute it lasts) but it was so intense in the whole middle of my body, that I just couldn't stand anymore! So we knew, it was time to go! For me, the 40min. car ride didn't seem that long, and it might have been less, but I pretty much slept in between contractions. When we got to the birthing center, my body was ready to deliver! I had naturally started pushing in the car, which surprisingly felt so good! So I got into the tub, and for the next hour, I pushed, but couldn't feel my contraction pain! I could tell that I was having one, but could not feel it. It was amazing! The pushing part was work, but really only painful right before she came out! I pushed her out in 2 consecutive pushes, instead of waiting for another contraction, just because I could...I couldn't feel anything so I just kept pushing.
8:10pm...
Adelynne Joy was born! She was so beautiful! I just held her in the tub until her umbelical cord was ready to be cut, and then Darrin took her. I then got out and moved to a bed to deliver the placenta, which by that time was so easy! We stayed at the birthing center while I fed her, then they weighed her, checked over my placenta, and I got all cleaned up. We were on our way home before midnight!!


My midwife advised me to stay in bed, wearing bed clothes for at least 2 weeks, letting my body heal! I was pretty sore a lot of days, so that was easy to do :)

Looking back, I am so glad I decided to not go to the hospital...I was so set on having this baby naturally, and I knew if I would have gone in, I would have been c-sectioned...probably back on Monday!! I could not have done it without the strength that the Lord gave me!
This was such an amazing experience to go through with Darrin...just learning about all of our different options, and deciding which route was best for us!
Thank you, Darrin for your constant love, support and knowledge! All that you learned just for me to have the best birth experience means the world to me.
Thank you to Mom, Anneliese and Elsie, too...each a major part of that week!!

Baby Girl

Here she is!
Adelynne Joy Dick
(4 weeks ago) Was born 7lbs 12 oz.
19.5 inches long
...want the birth story? Let me know and I will blog it!

Homemade - Part 3

One of my most favorite "seasonal foods that I eat all year round" is acorn squash! Seriously, it is so delish and easy to make! I add a little butter and brown sugar to mine, and am in heaven!

I think the seeds are just as good as the delightful fruit of the squash...I just rinse, dry, season and bake on high for about 20 minutes. Such a crunchy and yummy snack. Of course they are devoured in about .003 seconds...Darrin doesn't like squash, but he loves the seeds! For my seasoning I sprinkle salt, pepper, paprika, garlic and Lawry's...and then top with a light drizzle of oil.

 I don't have a picture of them when they are done, but they shrink up a bit and turn a nice golden brown. Enjoy!

Happy Weekend!

Just some thoughts...

- On Monday, one of my friends sisters was in a bad car accident and died. It was quite a shock, and really got me thinking about my friends and family...when someone dies, even if you aren't that close to them, it really messes up the normal, and gets you thinking...I hurt for the family, but am so happy to know that she is in the arms of her savior, in a place we all wish to be...heaven!
- On Tuesday, I reconnected with 2 of my friends from high school, that was fun...but I was sad to say I wouldn't be home until May! We won't make it home for Christmas because of baby making its debut, and my sister graduates in May, so that's when we are planning to go back! I cringed at the thought of not seeing most of my family till then, and missing my favorite weekend...Ponca. But I was ok! God has really blessed us,  I love living here with Darrin, and I know God will provide all our needs for baby.
- On Wednesday, Darrin came home and told me to check my email...in it, I found my flight itinerary for Wednesday, October 20th! I cried...because I am pregnant. Because I haven't for a long time. Because I get to see my family. Because I don't want to leave him for 9 days. Because I felt so happy!
-On Thursday, Anna told me about some last minute planning she, Dar and my moms had done. I couldn't be happier and feel more loved. And then I talked to Bentley and we already have lots of things planned together.
- Today Darrin got up early to play basketball, I slept in. We ate lunch and watched a really dumb movie (The Killers) and then did a little shopping...then we both made a huge dish of Apple Crisp for small group tonight...I am really starting to look forward to my pizza and pop on Friday nights!
- Tomorrow we will go to Simpsonville and Greenville...and then watch (hopefully) the Huskers dominate Texas. Ahhh...what a lovely week!

Homemade - Part 2

So you know I have been addicted to baking soda, right? Well, I have found many uses for it...brushing my teeth, unclogging the drain, washing off the stove, and my most recent...scrubbing my face! Thanks to my mom, I have a great stash of Mary - Kay face products...but nothing to exfoliate!  So I did a little home remedie and came up with this...

Mary's Homemade Face Scrub
Equal parts ( I did 1/4 cup) of:
- Baking Soda
- Sugar
- Honey
- Oatmeal
- Warm Water
Mix together and there you go! It separates over time, so just mix it up. I put a table spoon in one hand, and used the other to spread it over my face...let it sit for a few minutes and then message in and rinse off! I think it is gentle enough to use everyday...I have been, and my skin looks and feels great! It smells very natural...It may be my pregnancy smell, but the oats really remind me of my old farm days.
For some reason I feel like this outs me on having too much time on my hands...but seriously, it is magical...plus I know whats in it!

Homemade - Part 1

Ever since I moved away from Nebraska, I have been wanting to make one of my most favorite things in the whole world...Runza's! Now that I say the word out loud, the name sounds a little ridiculous...but these hot sandwiches are far from it! I found the recipe online, and you MUST make it! Even if you or someone says they don't like cabbage...they will love it in here! After all these years of thinking he wouldn't like these, my husband is in love. 

 

This isn't my made-up recipe, I found it online...I did season the meat more than it called for, and added cheese...these are the best! The bread is so delicious, I think I will now use it for pizza crust. These little guys are so diverse, you could literally put anything in them! Pizza fillings, ham and cheese, veggies, whatever! I froze over half of mine, and they were just as good microwaved for 2 minutes! I am super excited about that, because with baby coming, I am trying to find good recipes that I can make ahead of time and freeze.

Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided 1/2 cup sugar 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup milk 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup shortening

2 eggs FILLING: 1 pound lean ground beef 2 small onions, chopped 4 cups chopped cabbage 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

1.

In a large mixing bowl, place 1-3/4 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Heat milk, water and shortening to 120 degrees F-130 degrees F. Pour over flour mixture; add the eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low until blended. Beat 3 additional minutes on high. Stir in the remaining flour; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes Place dough in a greased bowl; cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

2.

Meanwhile, brown beef and onions in a skillet. Add the cabbage, salt and pepper; cook until cabbage is wilted. Punch dough down; roll into 12/6-in. squares. Top each square with 1/3 cup meat mixture. Fold into triangles. Pinch edges tightly to seal and place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot.

Baby D

Today we had our ultra sound...click here to find out what baby is!