DanaSchmoyer.com » family

Got any good meal ideas?

Dana Schmoyer — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:48:36 +0000

I loved the idea a friend had of preparing meals ahead of time and freezing them before her baby was due. I am hoping in the next couple of weeks I’ll be able to do that and get a good week’s worth of food in the freezer so we’ll all have something delicious and healthy to eat. My problem though is I don’t know what kind of meals, or foods will freeze well, and how to go about freezing them. So if you have any recipes or even meal ideas and tips on how to freeze them I’d greatly appreciate the help. Like, do I need to go buy foil pans to freeze stuff in, or use plastic freezer bags or can I use my tupperware?

Then when I get all the meals planned out that we’ll do I’ll have to start calling up some youth girls to come help watch Hannah so I can go grocery shopping and do the cooking without having Hannah hanging on to me the whole time I’m in the kitchen.

Tomorrow is the 1st, which means time to do our budget, and I have all sorts of stuff in my head that we need to put in the budget to prepare for our little boy coming. I can’t believe we’ll be holding our new little bundle of joy in maybe less than a month!

Candy Coated Ice Cream Cones

Girl Time

One Sick Family

Love – A Great Middle Name

Dana Schmoyer — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 03:31:20 +0000

Hannah turned one year old, two weeks ago tomorrow. We had a nice party with good friends and family. She is such a joy to be around, constantly making me laugh and wearing me out. (Oh! And Hannah finally got her first tooth! A day after she turned one, and then tooth 2 and 3 came in later that week. So far we’re still at 3, but her teeth are a little too sharp for me to spend much time searching anymore.)

So after turning one, Hannah’s schedule has kept me guessing. Some days she is more than ready for a morning and afternoon nap. Other times she is exhausted and wanting nothing but a nap right before lunch, but then sleeps very little to wake up hungry and think she doesn’t need another nap even though she is totally exhausted. And then there are days like today when I have Tim at home to help me deal with a fussy baby in the morning just to stretch her until after lunch time so she can at least get one good nap, which made a happier baby the rest of the day (for the most part) as long as we were outside or in public.

I have to confess, that I’m one of those people who uses middle names when they get frustrated with someone. It’s hard to stay frustrated or get angry at something Hannah does when I say her middle name, Love. As soon as I say “Love” I stop, think about why we gave her that name based on God’s love and one of the fruits of the Spirit. Then I’m able to put myself in check.

For a while now I’ve liked the idea of using the fruits of the Spirit for middle names if God blessed me with a daughter or more. I’ve thought of using patience for a name. Tim and I have joked about how hard that would be when getting on to our kids. But after Love has actually stopped me in my tracks and made me think of why I’m actually getting worked up, I’m thinking patience wouldn’t be too bad for a middle name.

But now we’re having a boy, and I don’t think the fruits of the Spirit really fit well for a middle name for a boy. We’re 5.5 weeks out from the due date, and have yet to think of a good middle name for Ezekiel. I want something “normal” that he could use if he really ends up disliking Ezekiel or Zeke. I’d like to use a boy name that means “joy” but so far of what I’ve found those names are even more different than Zeke. Oh well, eventually we’ll figure something out right?

Hannah Love at 4 weeks of age!

What Hannah Love does best

Hannah is a Big Sister!

Prayer Please

Dana Schmoyer — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:17:01 +0000

Baby Boy Schmoyer is due in 6 weeks. I can’t remember the last time I’ve ever been so stressed. Maybe when I was pregnant with Hannah and I had anxiety about becoming a mom. But I was also super excited and not totally stressed out. This time I really haven’t had time to think about being a mom of 2, we’ve had plenty other events going on that are keeping me stressed and my mind off of how life is going to be after this baby is born.

But with that stress I fear that I am going to hurt the health of Baby Boy, and that makes me feel even worst. Today I wasn’t hungry at all for dinner with so much worry on my mind. I know the baby needs nourishment, but I just don’t feel like eating when I’m truly upset. I have luckily slept really well the last 2 nights, which I’ve needed ’cause I haven’t been able to nap well, which I also need. I actually went a full 5 hours last night with uninterrupted sleep with either getting uncomfortable and tossing and turning, or needing to tend to my full bladder. I was surprised to notice I hadn’t moved since I laid down. I still woke up with a headache from lack of sleep and everything else. I just need to relax.

On top of worrying about how Baby Boy is developing with my emotional state not stable right now, I have been hard on myself with parenting Hannah. She is luckily such a good baby, and loves to sleep well into the morning, but I feel bad starting our mornings around 9 ’cause I need the rest, and mornings are just slow around here right now at the end of this pregnancy. I’ve also found myself to be a huge softy when Hannah gets upset. I don’t want her to be upset while I’m struggling with stuff, so she has been getting away with way more than she normally would if I was feeling up to par.

I’ve tried to hold strong for Tim so he doesn’t have me to uphold also as he gets things ready for youth group small groups to kick off in the fall. He has a lot on his plate, I don’t want to be an added item. I do have to say that I am very blessed to be his wife. He is so good at comforting and uplifting me during this wacky pregnancy hormone driven, stress induced time.

My dad has been a huge help the last couple weeks with things too. It’s nice to have him to talk to. And spending time reading my Bible has helped a lot also. I keep my Bible in plain site so I see it several times a day to make sure I spend some time reading. Honestly though, the last few days it’s been more of a discipline to read. I don’t feel like picking it up and reading, but am glad I did when I’m through.

Please keep me, Tim, Hannah and Baby Boy in your prayers. I’m really hoping things will calm down and I’ll be able to relax sometime soon through the rest of this pregnancy. Baby Boy is feeling really big and isn’t so comfortable when he moves, and I have over a month left. I can’t stop thinking how much better things would be with this pregnancy if all this stress would just go away.

A line that I wrote in our follow-up letter after our Mexico missions trip keeps on coming back to me in all of this. I wrote it talking about a totally different subject, but God keeps on reminding me that it applies to life right now …

“It’s so awesome to see God’s hand in everything, knowing what will happen before we even have a thought.”

I don’t know what the outcome is going to be, and that’s okay. I’m very glad that God is God, and not me. And knowing that God is in control and not me is way more reassuring than if I was supposed to be the one in control.

Update on Hannah and Baby Boy Schmoyer

Bringing Hannah to SYMC didn’t work for us

Back pains are no fun

Candy Coated Ice Cream Cones

Dana Schmoyer — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:17:59 +0000

Friday Tim and I had a day long date in Minneapolis while waiting for Hannah and my mom to fly in for the week. We ended our date with a trip to an ice cream shop recommended by Tim’s friend. They had special cones covered in chocolate rolled in candy bars, which were delicious! We told mom about it and she said she’s never seen cones done like that, so when Tim and I went grocery shopping I decided to pick up stuff to make some special cones for our ice cream. I think we may have one cone left in our freezer, they sure went fast, and were fun to make!

Here’s what you do:

Buy waffle cones, chocolate dipping sauce that you would use for making chocolate covered strawberries or whatever, and whatever candy bars or nuts, or whatever you’d like to roll your cones in.

Go ahead and crush whatever treats you want before melting your chocolate, then dip the cone in your chocolate, covering about half the cone, roll the cone in your candy, then sit it on a wax paper covered pan to put in your freezer to harden the cones. Eat and enjoy!

Lots of clips of Hannah at 7 weeks old

Easter Cookies with a Lesson

What do you long for?

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

Dana Schmoyer — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:40:10 +0000

We had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend with family!

On Sunday Dan, Maggie, Ruby, Ti and Eli were able to come up and spend the night. We spent the day out on the lake. It was a chilly day, but the only one that would work. I was impressed with how easy it was to get up on the knee board with Baby Boy Schmoyer riding along. Tim, Dan and Maggie enjoyed some time wake boarding and wake surfing.

The kids enjoyed the boat ride too. Hannah never got bored watching everyone play in the water.

And Eli took a good snooze on the boat. He really couldn’t move much anyways in the life jacket.

Then Monday morning Adrienne woke up early and decided to go ahead and bring the kids up in time to go to the parade with us.

Someone handed out flags for the parade which became a favorite toy for the day.

The afternoon was spent enjoying the lake, kiddie pool and playground at a near by school.

And we ended the day with baths for all the kiddos. Hannah loved having all of her cousins around. She spent most of the day up on her knees to crawl and move around instead of on her belly. We need to get her around her cousins more often so she has more motivation to keep up!

These are just a few pictures of the weekend, I’ll post more on facebook later.

What do you long for?

Back pains are no fun

It’s Gonna be a Long Winter

Update on Hannah and Baby Boy Schmoyer

Dana Schmoyer — Wed, 26 May 2010 03:04:11 +0000

I’m kinda frazzled right now. I think it’s a mix between pregnancy hormones and not getting a very good sleep last night. Hannah has been waking up a few times at 2am in the last week and eating about 12oz of her bottle before going back to bed. I didn’t realize how worn out I’ve been until these nights when Tim will get up with Hannah and sometimes I don’t even notice that she has been screaming at the top of her lungs, or not notice until Tim is already settling her down. Last night I got up in a hurry when I finally heard Hannah, and Tim was already down stairs in the kitchen getting her a bottle.

So this morning I’ve been reading a couple books trying to figure out why Hannah is getting up at 2am, and she’s just hungry. We need to increase the amount of food she is eating during the day. And I’m nervous about this. I haven’t cooked much since Hannah was born, it’s been almost 10 months and I just haven’t gotten back into my old routine. I’ve been reluctant to start ’cause our kitchen gets messed up enough as is without me cooking a nice meal every day, which I totally miss, but am kind of scared to start up again. I know I’d be proud of myself to get my act together and cook and let Hannah eat what we’re eating, ’cause she needs to. She is old enough to be done with pureed food, and I’m just too chicken to quit giving it to her. But yesterday at dinner was a total mess with her spitting almost every bite of her pureed veggies out, after doing so well with lunch, which was all finger foods. She’s ready to move on. I’m not.

On a very happy and exciting note….

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJOKneIczyo

Hannah started crawling! Sunday night after I got off the phone with my mom Hannah really wanted my cell phone, enough to actually army crawl to it for the first time. I called Tim in and we watched for a little bit, then got the camera out to capture her great achievement. Also, Yesterday morning Tim and I got to feel Baby Boy move for the first time with our hands! Last doctor’s visit we found out that my placenta is on the top, which is why I hadn’t been able to feel him move yet, except for internally. I’ve been kinda bummed about not being able to feel him with my hand, and not be able to share the excitement. So that was a perfect way to start our day off.

Hannah Love at 4 weeks of age!

Welcome our little baby boy!

Photos of Hannah

Welcome our little baby boy!

Dana Schmoyer — Mon, 17 May 2010 21:26:11 +0000

Today has been such a fun day! First Hannah had her 9 month check-up. She is in the 84th percentile on height, measuring in at 28.75 inches, 57th percentile for weight at 19lbs 6oz, and 89th percentile with head circumference at 18 inches. The doctor said she looks completely healthy and is on track developmentally. Yay for Hannah!

And then half an hour later we got to go see Hannah’s little brother! I even wore blue ’cause I had a hunch God is giving us a boy this time. I had no clue with Hannah, which made it easier with keeping her a surprise. Baby boy was very active for us on the ultrasound moving around like crazy while the tech tried to measure everything. And then when she was going to let us have fun looking at him he decided to take a nap and wouldn’t move no matter which way I laid. So far it sounds like we’ll have another good baby like Hannah. Our doctor said that my placenta is on the top, so that would explain why I’ve had a hard time feeling Baby Boy move with my hand. He is an active baby, and I enjoy the movements I can feel internally, but it’s so fun to share the movement.

I am super excited that we’re having a boy! I wanted a girl first ’cause I was a little nervous about trying to raise a boy first, and felt comfortable with a girl since I kinda had practice with having Katelin as my little “real life doll” growing up. I’m still a little nervous, but am excited about all the fun a boy will bring to our little family. Now I just want to spend the rest of the evening getting things ready for Baby Boy! Only 20 more weeks!

Hannah is a Big Sister!

Thank you Baby Wise!

Hannah Love at 4 weeks of age!

Play Time with Hannah

Dana Schmoyer — Sun, 09 May 2010 04:52:46 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F-V-g2hHrM

What Hannah Love does best

Photos of Hannah

Hannah Growing Up

Hannah Growing Up

Dana Schmoyer — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:44:26 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a video of Hannah and I found some videos from 3 months ago to add on to the one I wanted to add today. So the video is a little longer than I was planning. Enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaBo-bZIhgk

Lots of clips of Hannah at 7 weeks old

Hannah Love at 5 weeks

Hannah Love’s cute cry

Easter Cookies with a Lesson

Dana Schmoyer — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:31:47 +0000

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what traditions we are going to do on Easter. Growing up I loved waking up and seeing an Easter basket full of fun stuff for me. I’m not sure what I understood about Easter as a little kid. I remember being excited about my basket and my new dress and shoes I would get every year. I also loved getting to walk up to the front of the sanctuary with others who brought flowers to stick on to the cross, then go back and sit and stare at the beauty of the cross. I knew the story of Jesus and why we celebrated Easter, but I don’t think I really appreciated it until I was older. So I really don’t know what we’ll do with Hannah and Schmoyer Baby. While in line to check out at Wal-Mart the other day I overheard a conversation of two women saying that instead of giving candy in their kid’s Easter baskets they just buy a favorite video game or movie, or summer toys or whatever. The last thing I want Easter to turn in to is a holiday where my kids expect to receive gifts and then miss the meaning and purpose of Easter.

My grandmother saw this recipe in the newspaper yesterday. I love the lesson they put with it. It’ll be great to do with Hannah when she is older and can understand. I may try it before then though to see how it turns out for myself. Or just try it with our niece and nephew and Hannah when they come up this weekend. This might be a fun and meaningful tradition to start. I also put this recipe on my recipe page so it’ll be easier to find in years to come.

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients: 1 cup shelled pecan halves, Plastic zipper bag, Wooden spoon, 1tsp vinegar, 3 egg whites, Pinch of salt, 1 cup sugar, Tape, Bible

Directions: In the beginning, preheat oven to 300 degrees. (It is important to do this in advance. Don’t wait until you’re half finished with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper bag and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with electric mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn off the oven. You must not open the oven door until the next morning. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

Go to bed! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

DanaSchmoyer.com » family

Got any good meal ideas?

Related posts:

Candy Coated Ice Cream Cones

Girl Time

One Sick Family

Love – A Great Middle Name

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Hannah Love at 4 weeks of age!

What Hannah Love does best

Hannah is a Big Sister!

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Update on Hannah and Baby Boy Schmoyer

Bringing Hannah to SYMC didn’t work for us

Back pains are no fun

Candy Coated Ice Cream Cones

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Lots of clips of Hannah at 7 weeks old

Easter Cookies with a Lesson

What do you long for?

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What do you long for?

Back pains are no fun

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Update on Hannah and Baby Boy Schmoyer

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Hannah Love at 4 weeks of age!

Welcome our little baby boy!

Photos of Hannah

Welcome our little baby boy!

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Hannah is a Big Sister!

Thank you Baby Wise!

Hannah Love at 4 weeks of age!

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What Hannah Love does best

Photos of Hannah

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Lots of clips of Hannah at 7 weeks old

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