The Good Stuff

Haiden

Haiden is 4 months now, and as adventurous as ever! He is still holds some reserve when it comes to tummy time, but we are able to do it for longer and longer stints. Since he loves to be up-right, we have decided to get him a jumperoo/bouncer early (he is still a good 2 inches from the floor, even on the lowest setting). And he loves it!! 

He is so advanced for his age! Everyone, including doctors, are amazed at how well he holds his head up and looks around. We are trying to get through this growth spurt along with the agonizing months of teething we have already endured. But all of his advancement has created a problem...he head is becoming flat, and this happens to babies often, and is easily corrected. However, in Haiden's case, his plates have already begun to fuse because he is growing so fast. Babies have two soft spots in their head where the plates eventually fuse together, and Haiden still has the one on top of his head, though it is smaller than it should be for infants in his age group, and the one in the back of his head was almost completely fused at his 2 month check up. So this week he will be going in for his 4 month vaccines, along with hopefully getting fitted for a helmet, in order to correct this problem. Like I said, normally this would fix itself, and not be an issue, but his case is severe enough to potentially cause malformations of the brain if not corrected and if it gets any worse.

Zach

Tomorrow the entire family is going to Biloxi, Mississippi to be with Zach for tooth surgery. About two years ago he broke his jaw, and where it broke was right at the bottom right canine tooth. When he went to boot camp they looked at the tooth and saw that it had in fact broken off at the tip and was dying. So it was removed, and he has been missing that tooth for over a year now. We have been going to Biloxi for the passed few months to get consultations for a tooth implant. Tomorrow he will be getting the first installment of that implant, the screw that the implant will connect to. Luckily he doesn't have to have a bone graft first where the jaw broke. After this step we wait 6 months for him to heal, and then the implant; finally!! He will be off work for a few days and on a liquid diet for a week, which gives me time to brush up on my smoothie making skills.

The Good Stuff

This recipe is brought to you via me, by Theresa Morrison, from my bridal shower

Yields: 10 servings

1-1/2 lbs Hamburger (* I used turkey)

1 small onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

2 (15oz) cans Ranch Style Beans

1 can diced tomatoes (* I used original rotel)

1 (8oz) can tomato sauce

2 cups dry elbow pasta (cook for later) (* I used the entire box, it makes it dryer, so add extra tomato sauce if you still want the consistency)

1 cup cheddar cheese; optional (* I used about 2 cups and sprinkled Parmesan cheese also)

Brown hamburger, onion and bell pepper together. Once hamburger is cooked, drain off any grease. Cook elbow pasta and set aside. In skillet, mix hamburger mixture with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Ranch Style beans. Then add cooked pasta. Cook mixture for about 15 minutes until bubbly. Sprinkle cheese on top. 

**This was a huge hit! It was fast and easy! We will most defiantly make this dish again. Next time I think I'm going to add some more veggies, like corn and broccoli, even more onion. Possibly more herbs and maaaaybe an extra can of diced tomatoes. We love our veggies and we love rotel! Enjoy :D