A Trip to Huntsville

Ugh...over a week since my last post. I've got a lot to catch up on...most importantly, Hudson's room is painted, his crib is set up and his bedding is in it! We love how it is coming together and I'll share soon what we have so far.

Last weekend we went to Huntsville to visit Ethan. Oh and his parents Patrick and Courtney. I didn't take many pictures but did get a few worth sharing.

How adorable is this little boy. I can't believe he is 3 months old now! He has grown and changed so much since we saw him in the hospital after he was born.

Of course a weekend with Patrick and Courtney would not be complete without a game of Settlers. Ethan had to be a part.


And a terrible picture of me, but a picture of me, John and Ethan.


And this one makes my heart melt. I cannot wait to see John holding Hudson. Can't wait.


We were out of town during RAD weekend. (RAD is our church's Disciple Now.) Some friends were watching Oliver for us and had a key to our house. Well, their son was in town as a RAD leader and got the key and I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves. This is what we came home to Saturday night...











Yeah, so they pretty much plastic wrapped several things, and toilet papered the whole house. I'm very thankful there were some adults here to supervise keep them from doing too much. Like plastic wrapping the toilets. They were going to but a very sweet friend reminded them that I was pregnant and would be going straight to the bathroom when we got home.

It could have been much worse and it was a lot easier to clean up inside (took less than 5 minutes) than it would have been outside with our trees that are over 60 years old.

Oh and you got a little sneak peak of our house...I promise a picture tour is coming soon!

My Alma Mater...Baylor University

I'm linking up to Kelly's Korner's "Show Us Your Alma Mater" today.

I graduated from Baylor University...the oldest university in the state of Texas and the largest Baptist university in the world.




I absolutely love Baylor...I met some of my best friends there, and most importantly...I met my husband there.

We were in Waco for a total of 8 years! After we got married in 2005 my husband started working on 2 master's degrees from Truett Seminary and Baylor School of Music.


I even worked at Baylor for a couple of years while John was in grad school. I worked in this building in the Student Activites department and LOVED it!

We loved our time in Waco so much...more than we ever thought possible. I still consider Waco and Baylor home.

This year when we went back for Homecoming we piced up a couple of things for Hudson. Although at the time he was just Baby Woods and we had only known about him for a week! The book was written and illustrated by 2 Baylor alum.




At Homecoming this year...6 weeks pregnant with Hudson!


Baylor's Homecoming parade is the largest collegiate parade!


Homecoming 2009...

French Onion Soup

Hi, my name is Lindsay and I am a French Onion Soup snob. I love it and recently was craving it. John was out of town one weekend (well, he was out of town for 3 out of 4 weekends of January!) and I went to work in the kitchen. To make it perfect it will take a couple of hours but it is so worth it.

French Onion Soup


4 large sweet onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
1 stick butter
1 cup dry red wine
3 tablespoons flour
2 quarts beef broth
kosher salt
pepper
1 baguette
2 cups grated Gruyere cheese

Thinly slice the onions but not too thin. They are going to cook for a long time. In a large dutch oven melt the stick of butter over medium low heat. Add the onions, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, about 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cover and cook for about an hour, stirring occasionally.

Take the lid off the pot and continue to cook for about 15-20 minutes. Once the onions are caramelized, remove the bay leaves. Turn the heat to medium high and add the red wine. Cook until all the wine is evaporated. This will take about 15 minutes.

Slice the baguette and spread each piece of bread with butter. Broil the bread slices until golden brown. Flip them so the other side gets toasted also. Set aside.

Add the flour and stir. Cook for about 10 minutes. Add the beef broth and bring to a boil. Check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed.

Ladle the soup into oven proof bowls, top with a few of the toasted bread slices and then the cheese. Place under the broiler to let the cheese melt and get a little toasty.

HSW

We have a name. Well, let me rephrase, we've had a name...we just had to make sure it fit. Choosing a name for our son is such a big deal. It is such a permanent decision that we will make and it had to be just right.

Let me tell you the story of naming our son.

I have loved this name for our son for several years. In fact, I recently came across a list of names that I probably wrote out 5 or 6 years ago when we first got married/were engaged. Both our boy name and girl name were on that list.

Once we found out that Baby Woods was a boy we wanted to wait a few days before making his name official and telling everyone. We knew that we loved the name but we wanted to be 100% sure and in love with the name.

We have been calling him by his name, saying things like "_______'s room" and things like that.

And Saturday night as we were going to bed we knew it was his name.

Now, a little background info. John is John Spencer Woods and his dad's name is Herbert Spencer Woods but he goes by Spencer. John's dad is like the 4th or 5th Herbert Spencer Woods or something like that. But when John was born he knew that he didn't want to pass the name Herbert on. No offense to anyone named Herbert.

But they kept the Spencer and so John became John Spencer Woods.

When we were trying to pick out a name for our son we knew that we would use Spencer for the middle name. It just so happened that our top 2 boys names began with a J and an H. We were thrilled with the idea of keeping family initials.

So we finally decided that the name that began with the H would be our son's name. We love this name and today I have started writing it out like I did when I would practice writing my married name.

In June we cannot wait to meet...

Hudson Spencer Woods

meal planning monday

After taking a few weeks off (John was out of town A LOT in January) I'm back and it feels good to be prepared for the week.

monday - Risotto with Italian Sausage, Caramelized Onions and Greens

tuesday - White Bean and Chicken Enchiladas

wednesday - church

thursday - I have bunco so John's on his own.

friday - We are having a Sunday School party at our house

saturday - Roasted Chicken and Veggies

sunday - leftovers

Meeting Ethan Joseph!

The Wednesday morning before Thanksgiving (yes, I am way behind on posting this) we got a text from Patrick and Courtney that they were headed to the hospital and they were going to have a baby by that night! We were so excited because it was the day before Thanksgiving and I only had to work a half day. We had always talked with Patrick and Courtney that we would be at the hospital when their sweet babe was born but the timing was perfect and it was so easy to be there.


John with Patrick's parents in the waiting room


Courtney's parents in the waiting room


Looking at Ethan in the nursery






Proud Daddy






Ethan Joseph...the sweetest little face!


Getting practice!


Seeing John hold a baby absolutely melts my heart...I cannot wait for June!

We could not have been more excited to meet Ethan. He was born at 10:42 pm weighing a healthy 8 pounds 7 ounces and he was 21 1/2 inches long.

Ethan and Baby Woods are going to be BFF. We joke but really they will have no choice.

We love you Patrick, Courtney and Ethan!

Stuff for Baby

We have already received so many sweet things for this baby. He is already SO loved!


Books from John's mom and my parents


We got this book while we were in Waco for Homecoming


And it is signed by the author and illustrator


Baby Cook from my parents


Freezer trays for the Baby Cook


We got these from a friend at church after we found out Baby Woods is a boy. The horse on the left is a little rattle and the one on the right is a lovie


An outfit from that same friend at church


And another sweet outfit from our friend


A WubbaNub and bear lovie from my parents


And these are from my dad. For my first Christmas he gave me my first pair of Nikes so it was appropriate that Baby Woods got a pair also. They are sooooo adorable!










of course a rubber ducky


John and I bought these in Waco at Homecoming


How adorable is this onesie!?!?!


A sweet lady at church quilted this for Baby Woods. It will be a perfect blanket to play on.



The only things we have bought our son are the Baylor onesies and the 'B is for Baylor' book. This baby is already so blessed!

Lasagna

Classic lasagna...there's nothing like it. And this version jazzes it up while keeping it real. It's easy to prepare and can be made ahead. I love lasagna and this is my favorite way to make it.

Lasagna


8 ounces ground beef
8 ounces Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
salt
pepper
2 jars marinara sauce
8 ounces ricotta cheese
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup lightly packed fresh basil, chopped
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 package no boil lasagna noodles
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Brown the ground beef and sausage in a large pan, season with salt and pepper. Add the marinara sauce to the meat and set aside.

Mix the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, Parmesan, pepper and basil in a bowl. Set aside.

Cover the bottom of the baking dish with 1 cup of the meat sauce. Arrange a single layer (3 sheets) of the uncooked lasagna noodles on the sauce. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce evenly on top. Add half of the cheese mixture by spoonfuls evenly over the meat sauce and spread carefully. Top with a layer of noodles, 1 1/2 cups of the sauce, and the remaining cheese mixture. Top with a layer of noodles, 1 1/2 cups of the sauce, and the final layer of noodles. Spread the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, 10-15 more minutes. Let stand about 15 minutes before serving.

Oh Boy!!!

We are having a sweet baby boy!!!

To say we are excited is a complete understatement.

We had our 20 week appointment today. The ultrasound showed a perfectly healthy boy. And yes, it was VERY obvious he is a proud boy! :)

He is measuring 21 weeks (I'm 20 weeks 4 days today) so just a little ahead of schedule. My doctor said size wise, I'm due June 11 but he wants to keep my original June 17 due date. So hopefully this little guy will come early.

And for what you all have been asking for....



I am feeling him move more and more every day. This morning he was really active while I was at work. I am loving it. Sweet little reminders that he is growing!

We are thrilled and cannot wait to meet him. And we will be sharing his name....just as soon as we are 100% sure.