11.5 weeks

Yes, I realize we've been lax with the pictures lately.  I'm on winter break (yeah!) and have some time now to post a few pictures.  Be sure to check out the gallery for new shots...including Jack smiling!  We visited Santa at the mall today and Jack slept through this first encounter.  We wish we could be back home for Christmas or that somehow we could see everyone...it's just not in the cards this year.  Grandma, we love you and are praying for you.

Jack's first meeting with Santa.

2 months

Jack turned 2 months old yesterday and we celebrated by going to the doctor and getting 3 shots!  Jack (and I) handled it pretty well I thought.  He cried for a short time and was sleepy and a little fussy for the rest of the day.  We also survived my first week back at work.  It was long and difficult, and there were some tears (from me, not Jack), but overall I think we all did a good job!

Jack's first day at the babysitter's.

Jack at 2 months old.

Sweet Potatoes with Apples

A wonderful side dish found in our The Taste of Home Cookbook.

Ingredients

• 3 to 3½ pounds sweet potatoes


• 2 tart apples, peeled, cored and cut into ¼ inch rings.


• ½ cup orange juice


• ¼ cup packed brown sugar


• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger


• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon


• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

1. Place sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 30 minutes or until just tender. Drain and cool slightly. Peel and cut into ¼ inch slices.


2. In a greased 13x9x2 baking dish, alternately layer potatoes and apples. Pour orange juice over top. Combine the brown sugar, ginger and cinnamon; sprinkle over potatoes and apples. Dot with butter.


3. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until apples are tender and heated through.

8 Weeks

Today Mr Baby Jack turns 8 weeks old. Its also Mommys first day back to work and Daddys first whole day alone with the little man.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving despite the Lions and Cardinals losing. Dan came over and we had a turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and rolls, with pumpkin pie and homemade banket for dessert.

Saturday we went and got Jacks first Christmas tree. Hudson hasnt figured out that theres a secret bowl of water under it for him yet this year so this tree might make it all the way through the holiday.

We continue to add pictures to the gallery and the cookbook now has 40 recipies in it and were adding more and more every week.

Most of you have probably heard already, weve decided to move back to Michigan after Jaime finishes this school year and our lease is up. This means that by June 4th we should be back in Grand Rapids. (Just in time for Jacks first festival.)

Smoked Sausage in Tomato Sauce

Slightly modified version of a recipe found on allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 1 pound package smoked sausage, sliced


• 1 cup water


• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour


• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes


• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce


• 1 cube beef bouillon


• 2 zucchini, sliced

Directions    

1. Place the sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Cook 5 minutes, until evenly brown.


2. Mix the water and flour in a small bowl, until flour is dissolved. Stir into the skillet. Mix in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef bouillon, and zucchini. Cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and zucchini is tender. 


3. Serve over rice or noodles.

7 weeks

He's getting so big and it's our last week together.  Next Monday, when he's 8 weeks, I'll be back at work for 12 hours.  I have a class the very first night back!  Jack gets to spend that day with Daddy.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

6 weeks (on 11/17)

Here are pictures of Jack at 6 weeks and during a visit from Great Grandma DeBruin, Aunt Diane, and Aunt Darlene.

Baked Pork Chops

Jack's great grandma DeBruin made this for us when she came to visit us in Phoenix.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup brown sugar


• ½ cup ketchup


• ¾ cup water


• pork chops


• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Salt and pepper pork chops and place in a shallow baking pan.


2. Combine sugar, ketchup and water. Spoon over pork chops.


3. Bake at 350° 30 minutes covered. Remove cover and bake 30 more minutes. (For thicker chops add 30 minutes to covered time.)

Cheddar Broccoli Chicken

Another soup can recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil


• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts


• 1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell's® Condensed Broccoli Cheese Soup or Campbell's® Condensed 98% Fat Free Broccoli Cheese Soup


• 1/3 cup milk


• 2 cups fresh broccoli flowerets or frozen broccoli flowerets


• 4 cups hot mashed potatoes

Directions

1. Heat oil in skillet. Add chicken and cook until browned.


2. Add soup, milk and broccoli. Heat to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat 5 minutes or until done. Serve over potatoes.

Aunt Fannie's Dinner

I don't know who aunt Fannie is but she has an awesome goulash here. Jaime found this recipe on allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• ½ cup uncooked elbow macaroni


• 1 pound ground beef


• ½ onion, chopped


• 1 teaspoon garlic powder


• salt and pepper to taste


• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce


• 1 cup stewed, diced tomatoes


• 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.


2. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the ground beef for 5 minutes. Add the onion and saute for 5 to 10 more minutes. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. Add the tomato sauce, stewed OR diced tomatoes, corn and cooked macaroni. Stir well and allow to heat through, about 5 to 7 minutes.


3. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. Add the tomato sauce, stewed OR diced tomatoes, corn and cooked macaroni. Stir well and allow to heat through, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Grandpa Tozer's Chicken

Dave's stepdad, Bruce, made this deliscious grilled chicken for us when they came to Phoenix to see Jack.

Ingredients

• 1tbsp soy sauce


• 1tbsp Worcestershire sauce


• 2tbsp lemon juice


• 1 stick butter


• Lawry's season salt


• garlic salt


• onion salt


• chicken

Directions

1. Melt butter and add sauces and juice


2. Grill washed chicken.


3. While chicken is cooking, baste with butter mix and season with salts.

5 weeks

I can't believe he's 5 weeks already!  Time is going so fast...soon I'll be back at work and won't get to spend all day with him.  Hopefully my days will go fast, then he'll be just across the street!  By the way, he's already outgrown a few outfits...Dave's been diligent in making sure we have photos of the clothes before we retire them!

4 weeks old!

When do we say he's a month old?  On November 6?

Big Update!

Wow...I can't believe how fast time is going!  So, you saw a 2 week picture, but no 1 week picture.  Here are a bunch of random pictures that I've been meaning to post!

One week old.

Two weeks old.

Three weeks old.

Grandma and Grandpa DeBruin come to visit.

Grandma and Grandpa Merchant come to visit.

Cute Halloween outfits!

Key Lime Pie

Dave's mom found this delicious and easy pie recipe from Keebler.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup water


• 1 package (4-serving size) sugar free lime flavor gelatin


• 2 containers (6 oz.) fat-free key lime pie yogurt


• 1 tub (8 oz.) frozen reduced-fat non-dairy whipped topping, thawed


• 1 Keebler® Ready Crust® Reduced Fat Graham Pie Crust

Directions

1. In microwave-safe measuring cup heat water on high (100% power) for 45 seconds to 1 1/2 minutes or until boiling. Whisk in gelatin until dissolved.


2. In large bowl whisk together gelatin mixture and yogurt. Fold in whipped topping. Carefully spread in crust. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or until set.


3. Garnish as desired. Store in refrigerator.

2 Weeks Old

Best Guacamole

Another recipe we use from allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 2 avocados


• ½ lemon, juiced


• 2 tablespoons chopped onion


• ½ teaspoon salt


• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Cut the avocados into halves. Remove the seeds, and scoop out the pulp into a small bowl.


2. Use a fork to mash the avocado. Stir in lemon juice, onion, salt, and olive oil.


3. Cover the bowl, and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Homecoming

We brought Jack home today. Here are a couple more pictures and dont forget to check the gallery for more.

Day 2

Today was another big day for little Mr Baby Jack. He did some poopin, some eating and some sleepin. On top of all that he met his doctor who then proceeded to circumcise him. Not the best way to meet someone but I think he'll get over it. As promised here are a few more pictures and again more can be found in the gallery.

Day 1

Everyone always says that their best day was the day that their child was born. I always accepted this, but now I feel it. Jack Henry DeVries was born yesterday at 3:08pm pacific standard time. We went to the hospital a little before 9 to have Jaime induced. By 12 she was 5 cm dilated and the doctor came and broke her water. Jaime hadn't been having much pain from the contractions yet but decided to ask for the epidural at that point. About half an hour later the anesthesiologist came and gave her the epidural. The was very happy about that because the previous few contractions really started to hurt. By 2:00 she was fully dilated and she started pushing around 2:30.

Jack is very healthy and weighs 7 pounds 9 ounces. He is 20½ inches long and has some dark hair on the top of his head. Here are some pictures (there are more in the gallery) from yesterday and Ill be posting more tonight or tomorrow from today.

39 weeks

The last belly picture...how do I know?  I am being induced at 9am tomorrow (Monday).  So, by the time many of you see this post, Jack will be here!  We are SO excited and just can't wait to meet him.  Soon, we'll be posting baby Jack pictures instead of belly pictures!

38 weeks

No news from the last appointment, no change.  We're still just waiting!  In the meantime, things keep marching along at work and I'm ready say "I'm done, going on leave now!"  But, I'll wait.  I'm still feeling pretty good, just exhausted.  My doctor still thinks I won't make my due date, but I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever have this baby!  They should just lie to me and tell me I'm not dilated at all, then I'd be fine.  Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers, we'll do our best to let you all know when it happens!

37 weeks

A very full 37 weeks...today I'm actually just 38 weeks.  We had an appointment on Friday at which they said I was 3-4 cm dilated and 80% effaced.  I have another appointment tomorrow, of course they have no way of knowing if little Jack is coming sooner than expected.  If there is any new news I'll try to update tomorrow!  Thanks to everyone who's sent good thoughts and prayers!

36 weeks

Getting close...we have doctor appointments every week now.  On Friday I was 2-3 cm dilated...she said it could still be a couple weeks, but that I probably wouldn't make my due date, and that it could be any day.  Just trying to make as many preparations as possible at home and at school now.  We'll do our best to let everyone know if/when anything happens!

34 weeks

It's a little late, but we've been having some internet problems.  I had a lovely three day weekend and this week, so far, has been non-stop action.  Things are not going to slow down anytime soon!  I do have a sub and she's able to come in for a couple days to observe and get familiar with the kids and the school.  It won't be long now!

Restaurant Style Artichoke & Spinach Dip

A tasty dip found on All Recipes.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp garlic powder


• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained


• 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped


• 1 (10 ounce) container Alfredo-style pasta sauce


• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese


• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese


• ½ (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).


2. Chop spinach and artichoke hearts.


3. Mix all ingredients in a 8x8 inch baking pan.


4. Cover and bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until cheeses are melted and bubbly. Serve warm.

33 weeks

Peachy Ham

Ingredients

• Thick sliced ham


• 1 can sliced peaches


• ½ cup orange juice


• ½ cup Sprite


• ¼ cup lemon juice


• 1 shot Peach Tree peach schnapps


• cornstarch

Directions

1. Brown ham


2. While ham is browning, mix oj, Sprite, lemon juice, schnapps and juice from peaches


3. Remove ham from pan, add juice mix, bring to boil, lower heat, add cornstarch to thicken


4. Return ham and add peaches, cook on low for 10 minutes

One Dish Chicken & Rice Bake

Another delicious Campbell's Soup recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 can Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup


• 1 cup water


• ¾ cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice


• ¼ tsp. paprika


• ¼ tsp. ground black pepper


• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Directions

1. Mix soup, water, rice, paprika and black pepper in 2-qt. shallow baking dish.


2. Top with chicken. Season with additional paprika and pepper. Cover.


3. Bake at 375°F. 45 min. or until done.

We like to put the pepper and paprika right on the chicken while it bakes.

32 weeks

Yes, I missed week 31...it's been busy. I started back at school with students last Monday. It was a very long week. Hopefully this year's group won't be as challenging. Things have gone well so far, except I have one little boy who cries when he has to draw or write or over anything that goes wrong, and one little (very little, like 3 feet tall) boy who just "can't take it" sometimes, like when his nose is running or his eyes are watering. After we get over those little bumps I think things will go smoothly.

Sweet & Tangy Pork BBQ

This is one of Jaime's cousin Jenny's recipes from the family cook book.

Ingredients

• 1.5-2lbs pork steaks


• 1 cup BBQ sauce


• 2T brown sugar


• 1tsp soy sauce


• 1tsp Worcestershire sauce


• ½ tsp liquid smoke


• 1 big squeeze honey


• 1/3 cup chopped sweet onion

Directions

1. Mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke and honey. Stir well.


2. Place pork in crock pot and cover with onion.


3. Spoon BBQ mixture over pork and onions.


4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until pork is falling apart.

30 weeks

Grandma Crane's Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 6 large potatoes, cooked, cooled and sliced


• ½ medium green pepper, diced


• 2 hard boiled eggs, sliced


• 1 small onion, diced


• salt


• pepper


• ½lb bacon


• ½ cup vinegar


• ½ cup water


• ½ cup sugar

Directions:

1. Mix potatoes, peppers, eggs and onion. Salt and pepper to taste.


2. Fry bacon, cut into pieces and add to potato mix.


3. Add sugar, water and vinegar to bacon grease. Cook until sugar dissolves. Mix in a little sugar to thicken if necessary.


4. Mix bacon grease mix into potato mix.