American Idol and a Sad Baby

So here are my American Idol thoughts...In the beginning, I liked Brooke a lot, but I'm kind of over her now. Though I do think she's a sweet person. I believe Carly should not have been kicked off because she has a really good voice, but her tattooed husband kind of freaked me out! Syesha has a good voice too, but I'm just not that crazy about her. I liked Michael Johns a lot, to bad he got the boot. I don't think Jason Castro has a great voice, but I know the girls(uh hum Janna) love him, so I think he'll probably stay another week or so. I think David Archuletta has a good voice, but I can't really imagine him singing anything but Clay Aiken type music...nothing wrong with Clay Aiken music, it's just not my cup of tea. So, that leaves my favorite, David Cook. I think he's original and could sell albums. I like his voice as well. I think it will come down to the two David's. Sadly, Archuletta will probably win because all of the teeny boppers that are voting for him that are madly in love with him. I think Brooke will probably get kicked off this week.
And Paula has to be the craziest person in the entertainment industry. Every week, Arnold and I wonder what could possibly come out of her mouth next. :)

The Blahs

You ever wake up and feel really blah? Part of the reason is because I get the same amount of hours of sleep in one week as most people get in one night. The other reason is, I think, it's just one of those blah days. For a treat, I bought a mint oreo milkshake from the seminary cafe to help my mood. But you know the best thing is reading Scripture and remembering that our joy is found in the Lord! I've been reminding myself that all day.

I think Peyton has the blahs too. She has wanted to be held constantly the last two days. Every time I put her down, she cries and makes sputtering noises with her mouth. It's cute and pretty funny actually. Last night I decided that she could "help" me fold clothes. However, she would rather "help" unfold clothes instead. I think she misses her daddy! Tonight is American Idol, so I hope she behaves. :) I am not addicted to any tv show, but I do enjoy watching American Idol. Who do you want to win?

Alone with Peyton

The last few days have really been a blur in Arredondo World. Friday, we left at 4:30 am to go to the airport for Atlanta. We had a great time, but were both SO exhausted that night! We were interviewing for a "church planting missionary" position. Hopefully we will hear something back from them soon. We saw some million dollar homes and got to ride the subway, which was cool (though I'm sure it's not cool if you have to ride it every day of your life). Atlanta is such a HUGE city, but we love big cities!
For the next few days, I am alone with Peyton.....SCARY!!!! haha j/k Arnold flew to Nashville yesterday for a conference with work. I think she really missed Arnold because she's been a little whiney. I basically had to hold her the whole night last night, but I don't mind cause she's a cutie. :) And what really amazes me is that you can put her in the crib on the left side at the top, but if you look at her a few hours later, she will be at the bottom of the crib on the right side on her stomach. She can't crawl yet. How does she do that?

Hard Times in the Big Easy

Not to get all philosophical here, but life can really be hard and difficult at times! Of course, I know God allows things to happen sometimes to test us and stregthen our faith...not that anything terrible has happened...I don't mean to scare anyone! Monday we took Peyton to get more shots. Tuesday afternoon, she had a 103 degree fever. Now for any first time parents out there, you know that this will really freak you out! I didn't have anything but Tylenol (which was not working that well) so I ran to the store to get baby Motrin. That brought her fever down some, but then it would come back up hours later. We took her to the doctor today. She's doing better, but the doctor thinks it's a cold and not from the shots. Who knows! Work has been crazy for me because I've had so many appointments this week, so it's been hard for me to take off, and Arnold and I have basically had NO sleep. Friday, we have a job interview in Atlanta. Arnold and I are flying up there, doing three different interviews, and then flying back that night. Peyton is supposed to stay in New Orleans, but what do you do if your baby is sick and the interviewers are requiring the wife to come? I guess you pray that God would heal her! Please pray that God would heal Peyton before we have to leave. And pray that we would follow the Lord's will and direction.

New Poll

Who will you vote for as President of the United States? Take a quick poll on the sidebar.

Crawfish Boil

The seminary had a crawfish boil on the school grounds last week. We had a great time. The last photo is Arnold and the school president, Chuck Kelley. Below is a story I got from Jack's blog, our church planting professor, about Pierre the Dancing Crawfish...

Pierre the crawfish was in a ditch near Mamou, dancing. He loved to dance and the other crawfish loved to watch him. Suddenly, out of the sky, fell a big net. Because Pierre was a well-educated crawfish, he realized this meant one thing. He was going to Hollywood! All it really meant was that Sammy was out crawfishing, and scooped up Pierre and about 200 of his neighbors.

Sammy took his sack of crawfish home and starting a big pot of water to boil. Then he threw in spices. Then he threw in more spices. When the water was right, he threw in some crawfish. That’s when Pierre realized this was not Hollywood–this was hot water! So Pierre started dancing.

The other crawfish, being generally polite, moved out the way so Pierre could get more room to entertain Mr. Sammy.You can imagine Sammy’s astonishment when he realized what he had found. “Mama!,” he cried. “Turn up that radio. We got us a dancing crawfish!” Mrs. Sammy, who was unusually quick for her disposition, stood at the kitchen door amazed. “Oh Sammy, a dancin’ crawfish–he’s a gift from God! Children! Get in here right now. Your Papa found us a dancing crawfish!”

Sammy’s beautiful children fell all over each other getting through the back screen and into the kitchen. All four stood in wonder and amazement. The family watched as Pierre kept perfect rhythm to the Zydeco beat.After four songs, poor Pierre was worn out. He tried to keep up with the fifth tune, but he was failing. Sammy picked him up off the table and tossed him in the pot. The kids ran back outside, and eight minutes later, Pierre looked just like all the other crawfish.

Eating in New Orleans

Life is New Orleans revolves around food. The picture on top is from Voodoo BBQ on St. Charles. This was actually the first time Peyton sat in a high chair. As you can tell, she absolutely loved sitting with the big people. The strawberry pie was made by Joy after they went to the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival.

Recipe for Mississippi Mud Cookies

Here is the recipe for Mississippi Mud Cookies. They are SO good, especially warm. I think the recipe came from a Southern Living magazine.


Mississippi Mud Cookies
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
2 large eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. milk chocolate chips
1 c. plus 2 T. mini marshmallows

Microwave semisweet chips in a bowl on high for one minute or until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds.
Beat butter and sugar at medium speed with a mixer until creamy; add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Beat in vanilla and melted chocolate.
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to chocolate mixture until well blended. Stir in nuts and milk chocolate chips. Drop dough onto parchment paper lined baking sheet. Press 3 marshmallows into dough. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

(We forgot to get parchment paper, so we flattened out cupcake liners so the cookies wouldn't stick to the pan. It worked really well.)

Yummy

Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye never gets easier, but all good things must come to an end. My mom and sister are leaving today at 2:00 to catch their flight. We had a great time visiting, and I wish they could stay longer. I'm sure they're ready to not have to sleep on the couch and an air mattress, but I'm sure they would say it was worth it to see Peyton. We really did a lot while they were here. Friday we visited Mardi Gras World and took the ferry across the Mississippi back. Mardi Gras World is a tour featuring the makings of the parade floats. It was interesting (especially with a six month old), but a lot of fun. (Peyton peed on me while we were there). Saturday, we went to the Strawberry Festival in Ponchatoula, LA. (And Peyton peed on me again). We had crawfish pies, deep fried strawberries, chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry nut bread, and strawberry daiquiris, virgin of course. We also carried a "flat" of strawberries home with us for $10. I've already made a strawberry pie with them...delicious! Sunday we went to church, relaxed, went for a walk, and went to Sears to see Peyton's picture on the wall. (What can I say...we're proud parents! :)

They will be missed, especially by Peyton. She was so entertained while they were here. It's going to be very quiet at the house tonight.

"May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other." Genesis 31:49

...one of the girls

Here are a few pics of Peyton trying her best to get Joy's phone...

 
 
 
 

The girls are off to the Strawberry Festival today. Post more on that later.

Mississippi Mud Cookies

 
 
 
 


Last night Joy's mom decided to make some Mississippi Mud cookies... yum!! They were sooooo good ! It might rain, but the French Quarter Festival and the Strawberry Festival both start up this weekend. I think Joy and her mom will go and tour Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World this afternoon.

-arnold

 

French Quarter Fun

My mom and my sister flew in successfully Tuesday night and we've had a lot of fun, especially Peyton. She has hardly fussed at our apartment, I guess because we have guests, so she's constantly entertained. Yesterday we all went to the French Quarter. My mom and my sister always want to go to the French Market, so that was our first stop. Peyton sat up in her stroller the whole entire time and looked around at everything. She was loving it! Then we went down to Aunt Sally's Pralines. I ate so many of their free sample pieces of pralines that I felt a little sick. After that we went to a little tourist shop, and then went home. You know what's weird in New Orleans? Anytime you go anywhere, there is always birds (pigeons to be exact) walking around inside eating anything that drops on the ground. Even when I go to the grocery store there are birds flying overhead. I'm so scared they're going to poop on my head inside the store. Today I have to work (BOO!!!!) and tomorrow I have to work half a day (BOO again!!!), so I imagine we will go somewhere fun tomorrow after I get off.

PS- IF YOU HAVE A BLOG, PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR BLOG ADDRESS. WHEN WE CHANGED THE FORMAT OF OUR BLOG TODAY, IT LOST ALL OF THE LINKS TO OUR FRIENDS' BLOGS. SO PLEASE SEND ME YOUR LINK SO THAT I CAN READ YOUR BLOG IF YOU HAVE ONE!

Random Stuff

Today my mom and sister Keri are supposed to fly into New Orleans for a visit. It really stinks that I'm going to have to work some while they are here. I didn't realize that we were having registration at work the same week they are here. :( But I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun anyway.
Peyton has, I think we can say officially started teething, and boy is she a grumpy baby! All she does these days is drool, bite on anything she can get her chubby little hands onto, and fuss. Ha! She's just like her daddy! :)
You know what I'm really excited about in the month of April....the strawberry festival and crawfish boils! This Saturday is Ponchatoula's strawberry festival...you can get the best strawberry anything there. Then in a few weeks we're going to several crawfish boils...you know...a big pot, throw a few hundred live crawfish in, some potatoes, corn, sausage, anything else in your house, and some seasoning, and presto! It's the best. And on that note, I'm going to get a donut!

Oh What a Day

I should have known this day was going to be interesting when I first got up. I go to feed Peyton, and then she projectile vomits all over me and the couch. (And yes, I was already dressed for work....but you know, it dries quickly :) ). Then I lay her on the changing table, take off her night clothes, and change her diaper. Before I could get another one back on her, she pees all over the place. It's running down her back and almost to her neck. And of course, I had just used the last wipe! So I take her, dripping with pee, to the bathroom and rinse her off. I get to work and "pump" (instead of nursing) in my office a few hours later, and the little janitor lady walks in on me IN MY OFFICE! Next I'm just waiting on toilet paper to be hanging out of my pants, or my zipper to be down. Oh well! Thank goodness it's Friday!

PS-If you haven't checked out the video below, you need too. It's too cute!!! She's doing really well at sitting up.

Daddy's Girl

Here is a small video of Peyton and daddy playing with blocks. She is growing up so quick now.

-Arnold

The Ring Mystery

Monday night after our walk, I took Peyton to her room and changed her into her night clothes. As I was taking off her shirt, I noticed a red ring the size of a quarter on her lower back. This totally freaked me out because it looked like someone had taken something and burned her, but it was a perfectly round circle and the center was fine. Arnold was studying at his work, so I called him and asked him to come back home immediately. I felt sick because I thought someone had done something to her! After examining her, we decided that it was probably a scratch, though it was odd that something would scratch a perfect circle on her back. Tuesday when I dropped her off at daycare, in my lateness (and this has gotten better!) I forgot to mention this to them. So yesterday afternoon I get a call. I'm sure they were wondering what in the world happened to this child. It did seem kind of odd. Well after two days of having this on her back, you can defintely see that it's a scratch. The only thing we can figure is that I put a new shirt on her Monday, and the same night I discovered the scratch I also discovered the clear, plastic thing from the tag fell out of the shirt when I took it off. I guess this scratched her, but she never cried(there was no blood, and it didn't even penetrate the skin). I guess it's just one of those crazy things.