Nana's Green Chile Casserole

One of the things I craved while pregnant was Nana's Green Chile Casserole (it's my Dad's favorite meal). I called her to see if she could give me the recipe and she didn't know what dish I was talking about. She called me back later and asked if it could be her Green Chile Enchiladas- it was, I grew up calling it Green Chile Casserole.

Ingredients

Corn tortillas
1 can green chilies
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup cheddar cheese + additional for top of casserole
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch pan. Line the base of the greased by with corn tortillas torn into pieces.  Mix the remaining ingredients together and spread on top of corn tortilla pieces. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake for 30 minutes.

Nana suggest serving this along side a taco salad consisting of 1pound of hamburger, lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion, salsa and chips.

Names We Considered For Bubba

I recently stumbled across a piece of paper that had a list of possible name options if Bubba was a boy. We really thought he was going to be a girl and had narrowed the girl name down to two. But we really struggled with boy names. I checked out books from the library, asked people what names they liked and browsed the internet for ideas. I wanted an old fashioned name that wasn't common. I liked the idea of the name either being earthy or literary. Here's what we came up with in no particular order:

Skyler - Reminds me of our adventure skydiving.
Mason - This has been a favorite of mine for a long time but it recently made the popular list.
Miles - Reminds me of all the miles we have hiked.
Rainier - Reminds me of home and my dreams.
Bubba's real name
Tucker
Toby
Edison
Raine
Renner
Adam
Addison - This is one of my favorite names.
Beau - I have always loved this name.
Beaumont
Bjorn - Love the way this name is spelled.
Blake
Corbin
Grayson - Made the list the night before I was induced. It popped into my head as we were laying in bed and we both liked it.
Everton
Bruce
Mahlon

When Bubba was born and we learned that he was a boy we had no idea what we were going to name him. We mulled over the decision for a few days. We narrowed down our choices down to two, his current name and Grayson.  We would look at Bubba and say both names out loud. Every time we said "his" name he smiled that is how we knew he wasn't supposed to be a Grayson. He really picked out his own name and it fits him oh so perfectly.

A Birthday, Illness & A Visit From Family

A lot went on this past week. Mommy had a birthday and caught a cold the same day, all she wanted to do was sleep but you had other things in mind Bubba. All you wanted to do was party every hour of the day for three days in a row, it was pretty brutal. You pretty much refused to sleep and just wanted to eat.

Bubba's first time smelling flowers.

I like to wear my pants on my head like Mom does.

We decide it was time to try to start introducing solid foods to you and so far you like everything you have tried: applesauce, rice cereal, avocado, puffy rice crackers and banana. Here's hoping the extra food will help you sleep better and night.

More family came to visit this weekend too! You met your Aunt Megan and Uncle Daniel, Cousin Hazel, Aunt Sadie and her fiance Joel. We went on a 4 mile walk together, ate food, went thrift shopping and enjoyed watching you two babies interact.

Hazel & Bubba.

Aunt Megan & Bubba.

Aside from a lack of sleep and a cold,  I'd say it was a pretty good week.

I like my bathtub.

I even like sitting in it when it doesn't have water.

Thoughts On Thirty

I'm thirty. It feels so weird to say that. I'm thirty. Yeah, still weird.

Growing up I always thought thirty was old and well now I'm thirty. I guess that makes me old.

I never really thought I'd turn thirty so it's kind of weird to think that I am thirty. I think maybe I am still in denial that I am thirty. Who am I kidding? I don't think, I know I am in denial.

I remember when I turned 18 I felt old and well since then each birthday has seemed to come quicker and quicker than the last birthday. Honestly, I don't feel old. I don't feel much older than my 18 year old self. I am more responsible, hard working and mature than my 18 year old self but I feel like I am very much that same person. Here's hoping I don't age too terribly much during the next ten years of life. I want to look as young and feel as young as I can for as long as I can.

Random thought- Maybe watching 13 Going On 30 will help me to not view thirty as old but as being at the peak and prime of my life.

Bubba At 4 Months

I can't even believe it has been four months since you joined our little family. I can't begin to imagine what life would be like without you. We waited so long for you and are so glad you are here. You have grown so much already. Where did my newborn go? It makes me sad to see how quickly you are growing. I know I should be excited about each milestone you reach, I am, it just makes me sad how quickly time is passing us by.

At four months old you love to take baths. You just love to kick and splash in the water. You have become quite the talker, you are by far the most talkative baby in our parenting group. You'll carry on a conversation with just about anyone and anything. You like to stand and walk (with Mommy or Daddy holding you up of course). I know we shouldn't encourage you to walk, but you enjoy being up and on your feet. You think sleep is overrated and prefer to be awake- you're going to cause us to age quickly- oh how I miss sleeping. You don't particularly like your car seat and you HATE stoplights. You scream nearly every time we get stopped at one. That scream of yours, it's ear piercing. You love to smile and your smile just melts my heart. Stay sweet forever my sweet little babe.

Grandparents & Pee Patrol

Your grandparents and your great grandparents (on Daddy's side) were here with us for a few days. The grandpas and Daddy worked really hard all week out in the garage putting in insulation, sheet rock and shelving. Mommy even helped a little bit, she learned how to use a skill saw and a drill. It was a very big undertaking but we were incredibly grateful for the help. It will be so nice to have a clean and organized garage.

Great Grandpa & Daddy.

While the men worked the grandmas held you, and held you and held you some more.

Daddy bought you a pony, but your not quite big enough for it yet.

After our company left you surprised us in the pee department. You decided it would be fun to pee on Mommy and Daddy's bed three times in one day. During one of your pee episodes you managed to pee in your own face. There was SO MUCH pee! The pee pooled in your eyes. All Mommy could do was laugh. Daddy asked Mommy to get something for your eyes and she brought him a cup full of water. He looked at her and said, "What did you bring me water for." Mommy replied, "To flush his eyes out." It was quite the adventure. The funny thing is it happened the next day too. Oh Bubba, what are we going to do with you?

Bubba's Baby Blessing

A lot of family came from Utah to see you this week. What was the occasion? Your baby blessing! Nana, Papa, Uncle Russell and Uncle Nathan came from Mommy's side of the family. And Grandma and Grandpa, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa and your Great Aunt Ilene came from Daddy's side of the family. It as a big trip for everyone, but we are so glad they made it.

Grandma, Bubba, Great Grandma and Great Aunt Ilene.

Great Grandpa and Grandpa.

On Saturday night we went out for dinner as a family to our favorite restaurant, Flashback Grill. The food was amazing! Everyone left with full bellies.

Sunday was your big day. You looked so cute in your white blessing outfit that Nana bought for you. Several of our friends from the Santa Clara 3rd Ward came to help Daddy and all of your grandpas give you a name and a blessing- Richard Robbins, Brent Barker, Josh Smith, Donny Bonine, Ian Cryer, Tony Luna, Kyle Enlow and Jonathan Hall. We were so glad everyone was will to come and support not only us, but you.

Uncle Russell, Uncle Nathan, Papa, Nana, Bubba, Daddy, Mommy, Great Grandpa, Great Grandma, Grandma, Grandpa and Great Aunt Ilene.

Daddy, Mommy & Bubba.

Look at that face.

Proud Parents.

It was neat to hear the things that Heavenly Father has in store for you! You are such a special spirit!

After your blessing we all came home to feast on taco soup and sloppy joes. It truly was a wonderful day!

A sleeping babe.

And Mommy was released from Primary and called to serve as the 2nd Counselor in Young Women's, she is really looking forward to it.

A Visit From Uncle Jacob

The highlight this past week was your Uncle Jacob and his girlfriend La'Rae came down from Washington to meet you. La'Rae loved holding you! It surprised me when your uncle held you too! We tried to get him to change your diapers but he declined. Then we tried to get him to watch us change your diapers and he declined to do that too. He isn't a fan of dirty diapers.

Uncle Jacob With Bubba.

We went thrift shopping for the first time since you were born, ate lots of yummy food and stayed up later than we should talking. 

Looking At The Ceiling Fan & Kicking His Legs.

All Bundled Up For A Walk.

Me & Andy a.k.a Mommy & Daddy.

One Of Our Favorite Trails To Walk On.