Blackberry Simple Syrup

I love flavored iced teas and lemonades.   Maybe too much...  I started the search for a good berry syrup recipe so that I could make my own flavored iced tea at home and save some money.  This syrup hit the spot.  It's sweet, smooth, and easy to make.

3 cups blackberries

1 cup sugar

Place in saucepan on medium for 20-30 minutes, or until blackberries are soft.  Strain through cheesecloth or a fine mesh metal strainer.  Discard berries and keep the syrup. Serve with iced tea or lemonade.  

FYI, you can keep the berries to use for smoothies or pie filling!

A Day In Photos

Home.

Well we did it.  We brought our baby girl home.  Linus is totally in love with her.  He wants to be by her side at all times and make sure she's happy.  When she cries he coos "it's ok Lydia, it's no big deal." 😂😍  He tells her he loves her and is so excited that we are all home together.  From the mouths of babes.  Jon is more than a little smitten too.  Lydia is simply amazing and I'm so glad these two get to see her every day and experience her.  We traversed. the NICU and made it out on the other side.  I am so grateful to the nurses and doctors that cared for Lydia and made the last two months bareable. They are angels.  These next few months will be some of the hardest and busiest months we will face yet, but with each other, we will make it through.  My wonderful, crazy, beautiful family.  

Two Months Old. Aka this post was supposed to go up days ago but I forgot to publish it...

I'm Lydia Odette is two months old!  I can't believe it has already been two months.  Life flies in the NICU.  Lydia continues to make amazing progress and weighs 10 lb 13 oz and is 22 in long.  She is breathing entirely on her own and just needs to get oral feedings down.  

On an amazing note, we are slated to bring this little squish home...TOMORROW!!!!!!  I can't believe that we are coming back home at eight weeks old.  When I was pregnant, we were told we would be facing new a minimum stay of 4-6 months.  We are leaving after two.  This little girl is truly a warrior and has surpassed everyone's expectations.  I can't wait to get you home baby girl!  

Just another day

M

My Daughter

I find myself wishing the time to go faster.  To get to a point where we are home and you are older, no longer needing a feeding tube, no longer being without me at night, no longer fighting.  I feel guilty for wishing your first months would hurry up.  I hope one day you'll forgive me for that.  I know I won't have as many memories of your beginning as I do your brothers.  Your baby book may be a bit lacking in your first months. I hope you'll understand.  I was a little busy.  I was by your side watching you fight for your life.  I was by your side, sick with worry as you fought your way back from ECMO and surgery.  I was there as you grew and gave a middle finger to the doctors predictions and did better than anyone could have predicted.  I was there, where I hope you never have to be.  With you, watching you, hurting for you, with you.  So forgive me for wishing these times would pass more quickly.  But I do.  Because I love you.  

Sushi Date Night

Jon and I decided to get a date night in before we bring Lydia home.  We went out for sushi, which is pretty much every date night we have. I had to spend three hours in traffic to get here, but it was worth it.   It was nice to spend some time just the two of us.