My Angel Baby

Life is never easy... but when it comes with a smile like this... every minute is worth it.

My little one has had quite the rough start. She started as a triplet, but was the lone survivor. We thought her troubles were over when she was delivered, but She's a fighter and is more than willing to fight the good fight.

I've always known my little Angel was well ... an angel. She is always happy and has a smile on her face, so it was heart breaking to hear her life isn't going to be easy for her. 

Compared to her sister, she's been little slower at crawling and walking. (anyone would be slower compared to her sister) So it wasn't a surprise that at her first year appointment, he doctor sent us to a specialist. So off to Salt Lake we went. The specialist was all we could have hoped for, the diagnosis however was a little scary. 

My little Angel has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. I know you're thinking the worst. But there really is a lot of hope. An MRI showed us that she had a stroke in the womb, affecting the right side of her brain. This affects the movement in her left limbs, and her vision a little too. At the appointment with the Neurologist, he said, "Cerebral Palsy sounds scary, but all it really means is that there was trauma to the brain affecting her movement." I was so grateful to this man. I now know what to say when people look at me with fear in their eyes and sorrow for my Angel. 

One of the greatest examples to me, and to be honest I wish we were better friends, I secretly bonded with when we both found out we were having twins. She delivered both of hers close to when I lost one of mine. However, one of her "angels" has had a rough start too. He's been in and out of hospitals since he was born, but she has the best outlook on life. I've always thought, if she's not complaining, why should I? I know we are each dealt our own hand in life. And we ALWAYS get through it.  

To be honest with you, the hardest thing for me in this ordeal is how the Drs think I'm going to worry about her physical appearance. To me, glasses and braces on her hand and leg are going to be worth it. Besides we all go through that awkward phase. And Babies are always cute!!! So she might as well get it over with now. 

My little Angel has a long road ahead of her. We've already been to Salt Lake City to see pediatric specialist, and occupational therapist, had an MRI and hip x-ray, back to SLC to a neurologist,  and the Ophthalmologist. We know it's going to be a long road, a lot of Occupational and Physical therapy, a brace on her hand, the probability of glasses, Botox injections (don't be jealous Gammy), and who knows what else. But I am surrounded by love and support, even though we live far from family. We will get through this, and my little Angel will never know she has a disability.  

Starting the Garden

IT'S ALREADY MAY! Can you believe it. It was just Christmas, and a lot of snow on the ground, and now, school is almost out and the tulips are blooming! I'm not complaining... not one bit, but still I wonder how the time gets away from me so quickly. But with spring in full bloom, and Summer right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about the garden.
Here in Idaho, we're a lot colder, so we usually don't plant until after Memorial Day. This is great when it comes to my procrastination, but it also means we have a really short growing season. I'm bound and determined to get a great harvest this year, and I want to have my 3 year old help. (it's never to early to teach life lessons, right?)
So we decided to plant seeds this year. This way Noli can learn how plants grow, giving them water and light.

I had some extra egg cartons lying around.... so I trimmed off the lid and side,

and laid them side by side on a cookie sheet.












Brought in a bucket of dirt..... it was raining outside or else we would have done this out on the picnic table.




Don't these girls look so excited!!

 Then I filled the egg cartons with dirt using a large spoon.

(Yes, this is the only time Noli was patient with me, she listened so good too!)

 Then the FUN begins! I poured the seeds into a ramekin, (you could use a small bowl) so that the wouldn't get mixed up or spilt all over the floor.

I placed the seed in the center of the egg cup, and had Noli push them in.

We planted 4 cups of each seed, if it matters.









Then I stuck a label in the center.

Now we just have to water.... and watch our plants grow!

(I've also been placing the cookie sheet out on the patio when the sun is out... but they still get to sleep inside at night... it's just still cold!)

*and if all else fails... we're heading to the nursary to buy some plants ;) Happy Planting!

I'll be home for Christmas hats

Tis the season to start stressing,or at least start to stress about the stress.

Don't get me wrong I love this time of year, because it means I get to see family and friends! It also means a lot of shopping, and spending a lot of money.

My husband and I have been very lucky to get to see all of our loved ones for the holiday. My family always does stuff on Christmas Eve, while the Coats do everything on Christmas Day. Big whoop you might say, a lot of families split their holiday, but our families live in two different states. When we were rich ( or a lot less poor) we would fly to California on Christmas morning. Well the only flying we'll be doing this year is our minivan flying down the interstate!

So what's the point of this story? I'm selling hats so we can afford to get there this year.

There are a lot to choose from, size newborn to 10 year old (adults could probably fit) $15.

Comment letting me know what you would like, or you can purchase them at Salon Mousse in Murray Utah.

Eggplant Parmesan

The weather is already getting cold... Freezing temperatures mean it's the end of our garden. We had a lot of success this year, thanks to my parents. I have the best timing when it comes to having my kids, so my parents bought us starter plants, and my dad planted them for us. We've had zucchini and tomatoes coming out of our ears. We also did peppers this year both green and jalapeños. Nola's favorite part of the day is going out to the garden and seeing if she can carry it all back to the house.
Don't worry, some of the zucchini has been as big as her! (You have to have at least one monster.)

While we've benefited from our garden, we've also been lucky to be the recipients of some of my parents harvest too. They have a HUGE garden this year. They've planted spaghetti squash, beets, green beans, pumpkins, carrots, and eggplant just to name a few.

So I was really excited to get some eggplant from our last trip "home". Of course I had to make eggplant Parmesan! YUM!

First I pealed and cut the eggplant into rings about 1/2 inch thick.

Then I coated them in an egg wash and bread crumbs, and fried them until lightly brown in a little bit of oil.

Then I put a little bit of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a greased 10x10 pan and layered the eggplant inside. Then I topped with shredded motzerella cheese, and repeated.

I then baked it at 350 for about 30 minutes, or until all the cheese was melted and bubbly! I served it with spaghetti (of course) and a green salad.

I received raved reviews! Both my husband and Nola slurped it right up! 

I hope you can enjoy your garden as much as we have!

Enjoy! 

Happy Halloween Costumes

I love Halloween! My family has always been into the holiday... There is always a big party and everyone always comes up with the best costumes. So this year I decided to get our costumes ready early.

My two year old decided that she wanted to be Tinkerbell... Dad would be Captain Hook, mom would be Peter Pan, and her baby sister would be a crocodile. ( I guess you can tell what we've been watching.)

So... Here I go. We bought a Tink costume at the store, but it just wasn't enough. And it was quite short, even with tights.
Then i couldn't quite talk myself into having my baby be a crocodile, and Wendy was missing from the mix. So we bought a little blue sleeper.
My mom helped me make some little skirts to go with them.

What do you think?

Next on the docket, Hook and Peter. I just hope I don't leave it to the last minute and we end up wearing garbage bags... Again!

Good luck with your costumes.

Bread Stick Sticks

Everyone loves bread.... and when you make it into sticks it's even better right? So how much do you love when your bread stick is well on a stick?

 I have to admit this isn't an idea I pulled out of my head, all by myself. There's a pizza shop in Utah called "The Pizza Factory" who serves these... and honestly probably fed me throughout my last two years of college in Cedar City. I had to create my own version of these... and I think it was a success.

So one week when my FAVORITE niece came to help me with my girls, we made these for dinner. I thought it would be more fun for the kids, and maybe Nola would sit still long enough to actually eat one. The first batch I made with whole wheat flour. They were good. Then for a family party I was asked to bring rolls, but I thought these would be a lot more fun! I mad those with just white flour... delicious was the reaction I received.

1 Tbsp Yeast
2Tbsp Sugar
1 1/2 C. Warm Water
1 Tbsp Oil
1 tsp Salt
3 1/2 C. Flour
1/2 C. Melted Butter (you'll need some for now, and some later)

Garlic Bread Seasoning:
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp dried rosemary
1 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese

8-12 Skewers (depending on how thick and long you make the bread stick)

Start by mixing the yeast, sugar and water together and let sit until it foams. (2-3 mins)
Mix in oil, salt, and flour and knead for 5 mins or until dough combines.
Remove dough from bowl, coat with oil, and return dough to bowl. Cover and let rise until double. (about 1 hour)
Divide dough and roll into 14-16 inch snake.
Soak the skewer in water, then wrap the dough around, leaving about a quarter of an inch at the top, and half of an inch at the bottom.
* you can do this next step however fits your fancy* I hung the skewer on a 9x13 cake pan and let double again. (the dough seems to droop, so you could probably just use a cookie sheet if you want to.)
Brush the dough with 1/2 of the melted butter. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Mix the garlic bread seasoning with the remaining melted butter, brush onto the hot bread stick... sticks and enjoy!

If you wonder how I keep my toddler busy while I'm cooking.... this is  not how it usually is. But I was lucky this day.

My "lil pumpkins" Hats

We're not even halfway through September yet but there is already a nip in the air. Fall is on its way!
I love this time of year! I don't know exactly why, but there's just something homey about it. My mothers kitchen is decorated with pumpkins, and I have some of the best memories sitting up to her counter, drinking hot cider out of pumpkin mugs, and eating Navaho tacos with my family.
It's probably the nostalgia of it all. Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and bundling up to rake leaves... All great settings for those family photos.
Now while the idea may always be amazing in you're head, sometimes you can't capture the feelings on camera. One year when my husband and I were engaged, my mother MADE us all go to the pumpkin patch for a family photo. Not a big deal you might say. I forgot to say WHILE IT WAS POURING RAIN and even started to snow! My husband didn't find this amusing at all, especially being a weather man, and was grumpy the entire time. So much for a "happy family." On a side note: he married me anyways.
Now that I have my own family, I try to keep some of the family traditions I grew up with alive.
When my first daughter was born, I made her the cutest pumpkin hat. I loved it so much that I made sure we made it to the pumpkin patch (don't worry it wasn't raining) and took a family photo! Then after I had my second little one, my aunt gave me one for her. So we'll be heading back to the patch for more picture taking!

So... If you're feeling the need for your "little pumpkin" to have a hat of their own I'll make you one. They're $15. Please email me with you're order cucoats@gmail.com. Make sure you include what type of brim you would like (ribbed or rolled.) and I'll get it to you before the Jack-O-Lanterns are carved!
Happy Harvest!