Kitchen Update

The remodel continues as we give the kitchen a little face lift to hold us over until it's time for a complete renovation. 

Two days before Jocko was born, we decided it was a good idea to move the cabinets that use to hang down from the ceiling to the other side of the existing cabinets on the ground. After my dad mounted the cabinets, he created a wooden top for an eating area. In addition, we also thought it would be a good idea remove all the linoleum from the kitchen. My dad spent two days (While I was in hospital having Jocko) removing 40 years of wear and tear and three layers of linoleum.

This past weekend, Anthony removed the rest of the linoleum from the laundry room and guest bathroom. Now, we have to hire someone to take off the leftover paper that would not come off of the cement. Once the paper is removed and the cement is cleaned, we will have stained cement floors in the kitchen, laundry room and guest bathroom.

I also started painting the cabinets in the kitchen and re-organizing for a more updated look. 

There is still a lot of work to complete, but here are some pictures of the ongoing process!

Sweet Chicken Thigh Marinade

Quick and Easy Chicken Thigh Marinade

6 Boneless/Skinless Chicken Thighs

4 Tbsp of Olive Oil

5 Tbsp of Soy Sauce

2 Tbsp Worcestershire 

2 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice

5 Tbsp Maple Syrup

5 Tbsp Honey

6 cloves of Gralic, minced

1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper

2 tsp salt

Combine and mix all ingredients together in mixing bowl. Pour marinade and chicken into large ziplock bag and let sit for minimum of 2 hours, up to 24 hours.

Anthony barbecued the thighs on the Webber and they were delicious!

Jocko James Serpa

Monday, May 2nd at 1:58 PM, we were blessed with a handsome baby boy! Jocko James was born at St. Agnes Hospital weighing 5lbs 1oz, 18 1/2 inches long and healthy.

That morning we arrived at 6:30 AM for a scheduled induction. Now that I have been induced twice, I enjoy not having to wait in triage. Instead we go straight to a deliver room and prep for the induction. My doctor arrived and began the labor process at 8:45... Without too much detail, Jocko was born just a few hours later!

Due to our knowledge of him being small, my doctor had the NICU staff ready in the room, but fortunately they were not needed. Overall, the staff at St Agnes was amazing and my nurses were beyond helpful!



Jocko is just a little over a week old and we are back to a strict feeding schedule. Even though it has only been 18 months since I began Baby Wise, it's amazing how much I forgot. Jocko is eating every 2 1/2 hours and only nursing at 3 AM and around 6AM. (I only give him a little snack at this feeding because I wake him at 7:30 to start the day.) Unlike Giada, I have already introduced the bottle and have started pumping. He goes back and forth between breastfeeding and bottle (with breast milk) without a problem.

We are so in love and look forward to the journey ahead!

 

Brother and Sister on the day they both went home from the hospital

Family Photos - Shina Welch

As my dad and I walked through Lowe's last week, we both had the same thought... "It's an interesting feeling to know, for the second time, the exact day my child was going to be born." I always imagined rushing to the hospital in a panic. Instead, I was set for an induction at 6:30 AM on May 2nd. (More about Jocko James in another post) As I crawled into bed the night before, I was beyond excited to know our family would grow the next day!

With that being said, we took family pictures just in time! Thank you Shina Welch for documenting yet another milestone in our lives. Even though the morning started off rough, with Giada getting car sick, we salvaged the day and had great pictures to document our growing family!

Please take a look at the beautiful work of Shina Welch.