World Prematurity Day, November 17th 2011

On a non-crafty note.  Today is the first official World Prematurity Awareness Day.  For those of you that do not know me personally, my triplets were born 9 weeks before their due date.  They weighed 3lb7ounces, 3lbs6ounces, and 3lbs3ounces at birth. I am so happy that the technology is available today to take such good care of premature babies and give them a fighting chance.  My children have no lasting effects from being born at 31 weeks gestation.  I attribute that to the amazing care they got from the get go.  Please check out the March of Dimes website.  There is still so much to be learned to help babies that are born too early. It was grant money from the March of Dimes that helped in the discovery of Surfactant therapy.  Since surfactant therapy became widespread, infant deaths due to respiratory distress syndrome have dropped by over two-thirds.  My littlest guy got Surfactant therapy at birth, so I am especially grateful for this.

Baby A- 24 hours old (I still get choked up looking at this picture)

This picture is the triplets at 2 weeks old.  First time we all got to hang out together in the outside world :)

We have come along way in 3 years.  Somedays it is difficult to remember what those weeks in the NICU were like, especially when I see 3 healthy, funny, strong and smart toddlers trying to draw on my walls.

Making pizzas

We have been having alot of fun around here. Making our own pizza is a favorite around here.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from the "Iron Chef". I am so happy with my super easy costume!

Big Bird and Elmo Pumpkins

I am so excited about our Pumpkins. They turned out excellent. All I did was buy the Sesame Street pumpkin carving kit at Target for $5. It came with the stencil and all the tools. I just followed the stencil and carved. My only complaint would bet arm and wrist got pretty cramped up from all the carving. We still have one more pumpkin ..... So I may make one more....

Clean out the fridge Stromboli

If your house is anything like ours, you might find in your fridge various half used packets of shredded cheese, deli meat packages with 2 slices left, and jars of sauce with not enough sauce to justify making pasta.  Well, let me introduce you to "clean out the Fridge Stromboli".  The only thing you really NEED for this recipe is a french bread dough loaf.  Then, just well, clean out the fridge.

Set the oven for 400 degrees.

Next roll out the dough onto a greased (I used Pam) tin foil lined cookie sheet.  Next pull and stretch the dough to meet the ends of a small cookie sheet.  

Now, the fun part. Put the meat, cheese, sauce (go easy on the sauce), extra veggies, sure, why not.  Really anything goes.

Next, you want to start at one end and roll it jelly roll style.  

Now, seal the edges and pick it up and turn it to center it on the cookie sheet.  Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with some Italian spices and parmigiana cheese.

Bake at 400 for about 25 to 30 minutes.

Slice and enjoy.