2 new big pieces

I'm really excited about some new LARGE things at our house. (No, this isn't another blog about chunky Reed.)  First, my in-laws remembered when I mentioned years ago that I've been on the hunt for a china cabinet.  Troy's grandparents gave us beautiful china for our wedding; we've used it, but store it in the boxes that it came in (keeping it classy!) and I've wanted to be able to store it somewhere a little more grown-upishlike.  But a) china cabinets are expensive and b) I'm picky - I needed just the right kind.  Well, I've searched for 6 years and never bought one.  So, I was tha-RILLed when Troy's parents called to ask us if we wanted theirs (they are moving and downsizing).  Uh, YES!  I do!  I didn't even remember what it looked like, but who says no to FREE!?!?  [certainly not a Bunt - its not in our DNA] So, within a few days, they brought it up.  It was larger than I remembered (we have a small dining room), and had some funky hardware on it....but it was SO awesome to have something that belonged to his parents...beautiful...in great shape...and did I mention FREE?

Well, my Mom-in-law said she didn't mind if I made a few minor alterations so...poof!  Switched out the hardware (which of course can never be as easy as it should - required drilling and all kinds of measuring-blech).  And then I put in some fabric panels in the lower portion because a) I don't have THAT much pretty stuff to display and b) I DO have a ton of junk that I want to hide.  Traded the brass for some smokey black to match the rest of our dining furniture....and here it is!

(Please ignore the stuff inside - I just put it in for effect, not organized yet.)

And theeeeeeen, our snazzy neighbors make all kinds of wooden outdoor stuff.  I'm not usually a buy-wooden-stuff-to-display-in-your-yard type of gal, but I couldn't pass up this sweet picnic table.  Fits 4 little kids (perhaps 3 boys and a girl?  hmmmmm...?) They wanted only $35 for this - great quality (it's a lot bigger than it appears in this picture) and since we brought it home, the boys have eaten Every. Single. Meal at it.  Fine with me and Reed!

("Mom, we are making silly faces, can you tell?  I'm doing this silly face!!!!")

What fun!  What major scores!  Yippee!

Oh, and random picture of the day.  I don't think it was a coincidence that as soon as I started my shower this morning, I heard feet jump out of bed, head downstairs and get very quiet.  Here's what I found:

Yes - that is two practically naked boys hiding under the table (they were hiding in the dark, but the camera flash made it appear light) with a bag of Twizzlers.  But.....could you be angry at these faces?

 Now, to all of you who are judging me about showering while the kids were up - I usually do get ready before they wake up.  But this particular day I was awake at 5 AM and worked for 2.5 hours, while hanging out with Reed for 2 of those hours, THEN put Reed down, THEN made breakfast, then tried to sneak in a shower before they got up.  But apparently, those naughty buggers were waiting for me to get in the bathroom...and then they executed a rather well-thought out plan.

 Don't judge. :P And yes, I gave them a stern lecture...and then crawled under the table and asked them to share with me :) Oops, hope they remember that lecture tomorrow morning!

Reeder Pete

Don't ask me why, that's just what I've started calling him.  Troy thinks that is stupid.  He thinks Reedo-buh-deedo is MUCH cooler. (He'd KILL me if he knew I shared that.)  But you know how you say things and they just stick?  Yep, he's "Pete" for short.  I've gotta stop that. 

But, my little sweet guy is 3 months old.  A quarter of a year.  91 days.  And he's about doubled his weight.  Imagine if YOU doubled your weight in 3 months.  I'd weigh like 200 pounds.  Wow.  (Ha ha ha, did you catch that fancy math?!)

Anyway, I love that little guy.  Yes, he USED to be little.  Like when he was a week old:

But today he is 3 months.  Can you tell Ryan is showing you "3"?

He's such a sweet baby.  Sleeps like a baby (ha ha), smiles, coos...yep, a pretty normal baby :)  But, he has some things that make him "Reed" - He smashes his face against his bed for 30 seconds before falling asleep. He instantly relaxes when he goes outside. He has a huge spread between his big toes and the rest of his piggies.  His biggest smiles are for Ryan.  He squints his eyes when Seth comes near. (Seth is a great brother, just a *smidge* loud...why is it that the kid who is scared to death of loud noises IS the loudest noise?!?!)  He has certain toys he likes.  Others he will only yell at.  He has had only 1 diaper blow out.  He's bigger than 96% of the other babies his age.  (Dad is thrilled...me....yeah, I just have to carry him every.where.) He LOVES having his face rubbed lightly.  He is mucho ticklish.  He likes bananas.  (I'm guessing - it's not like Troy gave him an eensie teensie bite and he loved it.  Nope, that didn't happen...)  He loves to snuggle and take baths.  He's a Mommy's boy. He's just just a gift to our family...and I can't stop kissing those chubby cheeks...and rather spacious forehead. (It's a Bunt thing.)  Sooooo many people were hoping for a girl for us.  And a girl would be fun. BUT, I can't imagine anyone other than little Reedo-buh-deedo.

THRILLED to be One (and only one) Girl Among Boys.

There is a season

Seems like we've just watched summer fly by...

Well, I say "summer", but really we have different seasons here at casa de Rider:  Off-season, Pre-season and Football season.  So, where normal people are talking about 'back to school', 'fall', 'beginning of the year', etc....I've been enjoying the last 3 months at home and am now gearing up for "The. Season."  Yeah, I know, it is just a sport....it is only a game...a favorite pastime.....but to my husband (and therefore, me!) it is a mission, a passion, a hobby, a job, a game, and about an 18 hour a day "pastime".  So I'm gearing up, re-energizing, getting my game face on, refusing to complain (about eating dinner alone, about never seeing my husband, about being a secretary for hours a day, wait...no, I'm not supposed to be complaining) and realizing that this is the first time the boys really GET what is going on.  So.....here's what it looks like around here:

Helmets?  Check.

Football Guys? Check.

Black and Gold Shoes? Check.

So, I'm ready for ya, football season. Wait, hold on....gotta sort and alphabetize plays.  Ok, I'm back.  Oh, just a sec, gotta warm up the laminator.  Alright, I'm here again.  Ah, excuse me a minute...need to order a few more items.  No, really, I've got a few spare minutes now - I'm focused on finishing this.  What, Troy?  Suuuuuure, I'm ready to proofread.  Let me just finish this post.  Oh, laminator is ready....

Ah forget it....I'll blog later ;)

I am sooooooooooo One Girl Among B.O.Y.S. 

Read-Writer or Reed Rider

SO much has been said about the "big boys" that I wanted to dedicate an entire post to our newest little addition. Well, he WAS little. For about a week. And then he grew....a lot....like a pound a week since birth. Don't get me wrong - Reed is still ridiculously snuggly-precious-cute, but he just seems to want to grow FAST! He's such a sweet kid. A few thoughts and some newborn pictures of the little monkey that just made our lives even more complete:

• He. Is. Good. We don't deserve such a good kid. He's easy-cheesy! *Maybe* it's the fact that my current level of normal is already chaotic, busy, and loud and I just don't really notice a difference with a newborn around. Maybe. But, he's also just a good little guy. Doesn't cry much and when he does, he has a reason. Solve the problem, and he's happy as can be.
• The kid LOVES his sleep. Tonight, for instance, the big kids are at my feet having a "campout" in the family room (sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor, watching movies and staying up late is THE COOOOLEST thing ever for them. Please note, Troy is already asleep, Seth is talking a mile a minute and Ryan is reminding him, "Seth, if you don't want to be quiet and watch the movie, you can go sleep upstairs, little buddy.")....I fed Reed at 9:15, rocked him (just because I wanted to) and put him in his crib...drowsy, but not asleep. Haven't heard a peep. He's slept through the night the last few nights. (I'm sure I'm jinxing myself here.) Like his Daddy someone else I know, he is just low-key and laid back.
• His brothers LOVE him.  Wondered if we would have jealousy problems...nope.  Seth The Wildcard can be a little intense, but he says at least a dozen times a day...."Oh Reedy, you're so CUTIE!".  They get his paci, they burp him, they throw away his diapers, they talk to him, they sing to him....brothers are just awesome.
• My Mom was right.  She always told me that just when you think you can't love your kids any more than you already do, and a new baby comes along, you still have immeasurable love for the new one.  My heart isn't divided by 3 (well, 4 counting Troy), it feels like it is 3 times BIGGER than before.  Is that possible?  I guess my Mom WOULD know these things, huh?
• Having 3 kids isn't nearly as bad as everyone warned us.  Yep, I'm sure I'll laugh at that sentence sometime soon.  Reed can't move/talk/throw fits/sin too noticibly YET. But for now, it is just wonderful.
• He's going to have that flat, wide smile.  Melts my heart.
• He looks pretty snazzy in a tie.
• He LOVES being outside.  Instant happiness.
• He sleeps best on his tummy (yes, that's not allowed, I know, I know...)
• I kissed him at least 100 times today.  Those cheeks - I can't help it.

Here's the little prince that allowed me to keep my blog name the same....for now..... :)

Credit for these sweet newborn pictures goes to:  Megan Blunk & Capri Photography

Insert Catchy Comeback Title Here

I'm making a blog-comeback. Yeah, I've been a little busy. First, I was wishing I had some grand crazy reason that I've been gone for so long....you know, a 6 month cruise, working overseas, battling and winning an incurable disease, starring in a Hollywood blockbuster...but, honestly, I've been busy with something a lot more important and special than those "reasons".

Here's one reason: Here's another reason (yes, he's on the potty):

And yet a third reason:

Yes, these three kiddos (and their daddy) have been keeping my hands full. But I can't think of anything more fun to be busy with :) [Wow, I've even lost my grammar abilities - I just ended a sentence with a preposition...ouch, I'm rusty]

Can't wait to bore you all with stories, antics, and ramblings from our household. After all, I'm STILL One Girl Among Boys :)

Off the top of my head - silly reasons I love my boys

I just paused for about 3 minutes and watched the boys in their absolute silly-crazy-hectic-right-before-dinner madness.  And this is the only thing that came to my mind:  silly reasons I love these crazy boys...


Ryan... 

• Tells Seth “I’m too much for you!” when playing, wrestling, or just randomly yells it out (like when we were getting groceries)
• Tells me at least once a day, “the way of the sinner is hard.”
• Wants to have every moment of his day documented in pictures.
• Is dying to have another baby so he can “sit in the back by myself”
• Thinks learning is actually fun and tells me "you're so sweet as chocolate pie."  Who can resist that?

Seth....

• Thinks he MUST "duck, duck, goose!" himself on the head before finding the hidden ryan during Hide and Seek.
• His chipmunk patch of black hair among dark blonde
• Has no fear and ends all his stunts with “You see that????”
• Like a squirrel (or maybe a chipmunk again) hides things everywhere...always a mystery around here.
• Loves to “nuggle on your lap” at bedtime and says “carry me like a baby"

What silly little things made you smile today?

Yummy meal on the grill

Before summer is over, you MUST make this chicken on the grill.  Simply deeee-lish.

• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1 cup teriyaki sauce
• 3-4 cloves garlic
• 3 T olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 T sugar
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 lime

Combine all ingredients.  (clean garlic, smash and incorporate into marinade.  Wash and dry cilantro, remove stems, finely chop and incorporate into marinade). Add a few cleaned chicken breasts and let marinade at least 30 minutes (or overnight).  Cook over open flame and baste with remaining marinade.

Great sides on the grill:

Pouch-grilled Potatoes and Garlic 

• 1 1/2 pounds new potatoes, halved (or cut into wedges - cooks faster)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1-2 TBS extra-virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• lime

Place potatoes and garlic on large double layer of foil, drizzle with oil, and season with salt and pepper, lime spray and cilantro.  Fold foil around potatoes and crimp edges to form a packet.  Grill directly over heat source, rotating packet often, until potatoes are tender, 20-25 minutes.  After grilling, toss with additional cilantro, salt and pepper and any remaining lime juice...to taste.

Grilled corn with sour cream and cotija cheese

• 4 ears corn, husks left attached
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese (1 ounce)
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• course salt and ground pepper

Wrap each ear corn with a 2 inch band of foil to keep husks in place.  Soak corn in a large bowl or cold water for 10 minutes.  Remove from water and shake off excess.  Grill corn directly over heat, turning often, until husks are charred and kernels are tender...8-12 minutes.

Transfer corn to a platter.  Peel back husks and spread sour cream over cobs with a butter knife.  Sprinkle evenly with cheese and paprika.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

And for dessert?  Grilled (over indirect heat) S'MORES.  And BONUS - try using a peanut butter cup in place of a Hershey bar.  Wow.  Wow.  WOW.