Thursday, July 26, 2012

Perfect


Don't you just love this! I am super sensitive when it comes to people judging me. The first thing you learn as a parent is that no one is perfect, and until you actually have children you can't judge someone for how they raise there kids. I was the BIGGEST culprit of this. "I would never let my child ________. I would never parent that way". oh the list goes on and on. I feel horrible that I acted that way.

Parenting is hard work, being a working mother is hard work. Hell, being a women is hard work.

I would also like to add... don't judge my parenting until you have a child with disabilities. Please walk a day in my shoes and then we can chat.

P.S. Come to think of it. I don't know ANYONE that is perfect, so I guess I shouldn't take to heart all the judging going around.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Happy Birthday!!!!!

Happy 6th Birthday to Momma Dunaway #2.
 Lucy is the best lady ever. She is protective over the kids, the best snuggling partner and our team wouldn't be complete with out her. I love her so much I can't even put it into words.

She has aged so much in the last year. Look at how grey she is, and her hip is so bad that our doctor has talked to us about full hip replacement surgery. The girl can hardly chase after a ball. Sighhhhhh
But one this is certain. She loves her little puppies. She was the first to recognize the difference in Cooper and would protect him to the death. It's amazing how perceptive dags really are.
{All three waiting for Grammie and Papa.}

 To celebrate the birthday girl we will open gifts... the same ever year. a new collar, new toy and wet dog food.

Monday, July 23, 2012

WATCH THIS






I can not begin to tell you how moved I was by this video. I was sobbing... like in the middle of my work day. Sweet Stephanie put perfectly into works how I feel as a mom and the fight that Cooper goes through and will go through his entire life. I challenge you to watch this without shedding a tear.

This Week for Dinner

Can you believe how much these two look alike?!? It's creepy right, and they also act alike. Amazing! Allie is the best and Taylor's best buddy. We are so lucky to have Allie live to close. She is the most reliable person in my life. She will drop everything to help out our family and is our constant supporter. This past weekend, when everyone flaked on helping Dusty and I with the new swing set Allie dropped everything ( and let me tell you this girl has a lot on her plate) to lend a helping hand. LOVE her to the moon. More pictures of the new swing set tomorrow. Can't wait to share!!!!


Monday: Spaghetti and Meatballs, green salad and garlic bread
Tuesday: Roasted Lemon and Garlic Shrimp, Cos Cos and butternut squash
Wednesday: Mushroom Smothered Pork Chops, egg noodles and peas
Thursday: Stir fry and jasmine rice.
Friday: Left Overs!


Friday, July 20, 2012

one more!

I love this picture because it shows exactly the markers that Cooper is missing. Have a great weekend, we are looking forward to having Daddy back home. It's been a LONG week. can't wait to get the new play structure built.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Giggle

This makes me giggle.

This is a picture of what it looks like to have Williams Syndrome. Amazing that something so small could have such and amazing impact.

Confession -- Just some of my dirty little secrets

1. I love Big Brother and was thrilled when it started again last week... I also love Days of our Lives. I know could I be any more trashy?
2. I strongly dislike eating Fruit
3. Not really into clothing or shoes. I would much rather buy goodies for the house and kids.
4. ( and this is the BIG one)  I really like being a working mom. Even with everything I have have to juggle. ( and I juggle more then most) and I am super stressed... I like I have been this week. I feel like work gives me purpous other then the kids. Team Dunaway is my life but I really like to have something that is for me only. A lot of people think that makes me selfish. But homestly I think it makes me a better wife and mother.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Check it out!


We are beyond humbled that Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Williams Syndrome Initiatives featured us on there facebook page!
Vanderbilt Researchers work together to solve the mysteries of developmental disabilities and human development. There approach to research is interdisciplinary, forming partnerships between researchers and clinicians in behavior, education, genetics and neuroscience in order to make breakthroughs in prevention and treatment.
They are working to help children like Cooper and I am thrilled that they took the time to spotlight The Pickled Bean. The feedback that I have had from the Williams Syndrome community has been so lovely and it keeps me motivate to update our journey beyond diagnosis.

Picture above was taken at the Academy of Country Music Awards Show
Darius Rucker and members of the ACM Lifting Lives music camp ( a program put togeather with Vanderbilt Kennedy Cinter)  performed at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) AP -- If this wonderful picture doesn't pull at your heart strings I'm not sure what would

Please check out there facebook page!

"CHILLAXIN"

Chill and savor the good moments! It's what we do! It's summer, for Heaven's sake!

Our latest Pinterest activity comes from The Hippie Housewife's Blog. Please check out the link to her awesome crafts! We took finger paint and put good size amounts of each color into a freezer sized ziplock bag. I made sure most of the air was out and sealed it tightly. After taping it to the table, I let Cooper and Taylor go at it! You can practice numbers, letters, or just swirl it around! The best part of course is how easy it is to clean up! Just take it off the table and toss! For next time, Taylor suggested adding glitter to the mix. FUN!

 Friday Icecream date with Lily. Just the girls. Taylor loves it.
 Working on our matching outfits. How cute! Cooper is so darling in this picture. Chillin with his
favorite girl.

Monday, July 16, 2012

This week for dinner


No surprise here! I have been in a little of a cooking rut. I have been so busy with work and Coopers school/doctor apt that I default to the easy Dunaway "go to's" Dusty is also traveling a lot so it's hard to get motivated to make an elaborate meal. In an effort to switch things up and keep expanding the kids flavor experiences. I am going to try a completely new recipe every week. Wish us luck, this should be fun for the whole family. 

** Side note: These all seem like very cozy meals during the height of summer but our area only has a high of 70 for the entire week.

Sunday: Roasted Chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and steamed green beans.... and for Sunday desert: the perfect chocolate chip cookies  { recipe to follow later this week}
Monday: Hard Shell Taco's. Roasted corn and heirloom tomato salad and black beans
Tuesday: Chicken and Broccoli casserole, whole grain rice and a side salad
Wednesday: Left Overs
Thursday: Spicy chicken southwest salad
Friday: French Dip Sandwiches and french fries

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Before & After


After quite a bit of back and forth we finally decided to say goodbye to over 7 inches of Taylor's hair. This has been a long time coming as it has been so unmanageable and frankly, way to hot during summer. She has been asking for a new hair style for a while to I took the leap and I must say....WE LOVE IT!!! What on earth took us so long? This hair style frames her face, you can actually see her beautiful blue eyes and most importantly it is age appropriate. What do you think?



Friday, July 13, 2012

Summer so far

Those people who know me best know that summer is least favorite time of year. I know right?!? I go against the grain. EVERYONE loves summer! But alas it's just not for me, truth me told Summer is just a gate way to my favorite time of year ( insert sigh...) Fall. Any how. We have had a fab summer to far... and here are a few pictures to prove it. 
 Our favorite T-Mar's came to visit for a short trip to the Reds/Giants game. Taylor has a baby crush on her man Tanner. They held hands while they walked to the ball part. It was dreamy
 Sharing a seat on the BART
 Dusty and Chris are life long best friends. This is the two of them carrying Taylor and Cane outside of the ballpark. Pretty awesome.
 Taylor and I have started our " Just the girls" days. Here is a picture of our girls lunch followed by a movie and mani pedis
 Cooper loves watermelon
 Taylor headed to her first sleepover with Allie and Brad
Date night! Top of the mark

Look what I stumbled upon

This morning I stumbled upon these amazing pictures that Sarah Hemmert took of Cooper. She took these right before his first birthday and they are AMAZING. She caught his personality perfectly.
 Remember when we thought he was never going to have teeth!
Perfect shot of the kaleidoscope effect that happens with WS children

Thursday, July 5, 2012

{BEST} White cake.... EVER


This is the best moist, white cake EVER. I mean EVER. Ask anyone who has tried it. Yum Yum in your Tum Tum. It's a bit like a science expereince and the first time I made it I thought it looked runny and wouldn't work out but low and behold it was AMAZING. I took 4 diffrent reciepes and molded them togeather to get it right. Enjoy.

I suggest filling the middle and topping it with homemade whipcream and berries.


Ingredients:

5 egg whites
1 cup whole milk  
2 1/4 teaspoons good vanilla
3 cups sifted cake flour
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
12 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup boiling water

Directions:

1.       Preheat oven to 350F

2.       Grease, line, grease again and flour 2 9 in by 2 in cake pans.

3.       In a small bowl combine the milk and vinegar. Allow to sit for a minute, and then add the baking soda.

4.       In a medium bowl lightly combine the egg whites, a quarter cup milk, and the vanilla (and any other flavorings you are using).

5.       In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients and mix them together on low to blend.

6.       Add the butter/margarine and remaining 3/4 cup milk. Mix on low speed until dry ingredients are moistened. Increase to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes to aerate.

7.       Scrape down the sides and add a small amount of the egg mixture, beating for 20 seconds to incorporate. Continue in the same method twice more until all the egg mixture has been incorporated.

8.       Add the boiling water. Scrape down the sides of the bowl AND scrape the bottom of the bowl to loosen anything stuck to it. Beat on low to incorporate then increase too high for 30 seconds

9.       Pour in to the prepared pans. The batter should fill half way in each.

10.   Bake for 35 minutes in the top half of the oven if possible.

Allie and I like to eat it warm out of the oven without anything on it. Plain Jane. Sooooo Good.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Little Memories


{ Yes, I am aware that I have the best nanny in the world! Please see below for an update from our Mary Poppins, Lily }

Man, have we been busy! So to make up for lost time, I've thrown together a collage of memories filled with joy, love and laughter! To name a few, Taylor has been enjoying the occasional afternoon summer treat at Loard's Ice Cream. Cooper now copies his favorite person in the world, Dusty, and works from home on the ipad. And that middle picture there, captures the sweetest affection between those two. Just adorable!



Our latest craft adventure has been to create paintings for our faces using old cardboard. Taylor helped paint what she thought would be perfect characters- a prince and princess. We used stick on jewels and ribbon to create texture. It was a blast!


Monday, July 2, 2012

This week for Dinner



Happy July!! I love the start of a new month. Sundays are my favorite day of the week because I love to get everyone set up for a successful week. A nice clean slate for everyone! I have a great feeling about this week/ month.


{Slow Cooker Chicken: Find a link to the recipe below}
Sunday: Spaghetti

Monday: Ham, Twice Baked Potatoes and asparagus

Tuesday: Sour Cream and bacon slow cooker chicken, Egg Noodles and Peas

Wednesday: BBQ for the 4th!!!

Thursday: Left Overs

Friday: Homemade Pizza


You can find the recipe for this weeks Slow Cooker Chicken HERE