Here are some pics of Allison a few days ago.
Enjoy the afternoon.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Not Much Happening
I am still working on getting some pictures of the garden and other things I have planted around the house. I have also gone and bought all the Easter basket things but am not taking pictures of that because my sister and MIL both read this...HI GUYS...I want the baskets to be a surprise. Allison is sleeping, second nap today and I am just chillin' while Scott plays video games. It is nice, just wish I was in my jammies, but it's only 3:30 in the afternoon. I don't have to much more to say, I am making Tuscan Chicken Simmer with pasta and salad or broccoli.
Here are some pics of Allison a few days ago.
Enjoy the afternoon.
Here are some pics of Allison a few days ago.
Enjoy the afternoon.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Still Chomping Away
Precious Allison has started to get her second tooth. It just cut the surface this morning and she is miserable. I try everything to get her to calm down, but everything makes her cry. Her rattle falls, she cries. She skoots out of her chair to the floor, she cries. Her spaghetti noodle is on her chin, she cries. She sits up by herself, she cries. It is a little comical because there is really no reason for her to cry under normal circumstances.
I finally got her down for a nap, which probably won't last much longer but a little rest is better than none.
Early this morning, like 4 am, Allison started crying so I brought her back to bed with us so we could get some more sleep before the alarm went off. Let me tell you, sleeping between Scott and Allison is so noisy. I am the only one in the bunch that didn't fall back to sleep. On one side I have a nine month old sucking her thumb right in my face and on the other side I have Scott practically snoring. I went back to bed after Scott left and slept until 8 am, Allison slept until 8:30. I watched her for a while and she smiles in her sleep. She must be dreaming about something good...hehe.
Scott just walked through the door, home early, yeah!!! We are going for a walk, he doesn't know it yet, but we are.
I have alot to say about this weekend because we were so busy but family first.
Enjoy the day.
I finally got her down for a nap, which probably won't last much longer but a little rest is better than none.
Early this morning, like 4 am, Allison started crying so I brought her back to bed with us so we could get some more sleep before the alarm went off. Let me tell you, sleeping between Scott and Allison is so noisy. I am the only one in the bunch that didn't fall back to sleep. On one side I have a nine month old sucking her thumb right in my face and on the other side I have Scott practically snoring. I went back to bed after Scott left and slept until 8 am, Allison slept until 8:30. I watched her for a while and she smiles in her sleep. She must be dreaming about something good...hehe.
Scott just walked through the door, home early, yeah!!! We are going for a walk, he doesn't know it yet, but we are.
I have alot to say about this weekend because we were so busy but family first.
Enjoy the day.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Groceries on a Budget
I have been trying all morning to get a grocery list together and have it come out to around $40 for a weeks worth of food. We are cutting back on some spending and this is one way for me to try and help. We buy a lot of unnecessary stuff at the store and I am trying to weed those things out and prepare healthy meals on $40. I didn't relize it was so hard. I usually just go to the store and spend whatever I want, when it really comes down to it I spend alot. I have decided I am not giving up my new love, coffee, with caffine. I really don't know how I did it before, with out the coffee I mean, and Scott isn't giving up his cocktail hour so those are some things I will stock up on when they are in sale.
I have broken the week down like this:
Monday - Mexican
Tuesday - Italian
Wednesday - Skillet Meal
Thursday - Casserole Night
Friday - Homemade Fast Food
Saturday - New Recipe Night or Leftovers
Sunday - Crockpot Meal
Now I am trying to come up with economical meals that fit for each night and trying to buy the ingredients on sale in the weekly ads. So far I have added the sale items up and I am over by $20, but that is by Raley's ad, and they are one of the more exensive stores (Safeway is the most expensive so I don't even look at their ad).
I have created the list for the weeks meals, it looks like this.
Taco with Rice & bean salad
Ravioli with bagette & salad
Chicken skillet meal with broccoli
Lasagne with salad
Turkey burgers with Tots and grapes
Tuscan chicken, noodles and salad
crockpot chicken, potaotes, carrots & onions
Allison eats what we are having ground up or one of the jarred 3rd foods and cottage cheese for dinner.
Now I am making a list based on the meals and ads and what I have on hand and NOT shopping at Raley's, I am taking the list to Grocery Outlet. I have a coupon for them, $5 off $50 purchase, easy, I can spend that much. My usual store is Winco but I want to try a store closer to me and see how much I can really save when I am trying. This week is a test run. (NOTE: I have not given up eating clean...ok I have a little...I am just watching what I eat, with a family it is difficult to keep myself on track and we don't have the budget to buy different groceries for everyone)
Next week when I go shopping I am clipping coupons and shopping at a discount store or the 99 cent store or both depending on what we need.
If this little experiment works then conrgratulations to me and all the money I am going to save. I hope I have given you some ideas on saving money.
Enjoy the day!!
I have broken the week down like this:
Monday - Mexican
Tuesday - Italian
Wednesday - Skillet Meal
Thursday - Casserole Night
Friday - Homemade Fast Food
Saturday - New Recipe Night or Leftovers
Sunday - Crockpot Meal
Now I am trying to come up with economical meals that fit for each night and trying to buy the ingredients on sale in the weekly ads. So far I have added the sale items up and I am over by $20, but that is by Raley's ad, and they are one of the more exensive stores (Safeway is the most expensive so I don't even look at their ad).
I have created the list for the weeks meals, it looks like this.
Taco with Rice & bean salad
Ravioli with bagette & salad
Chicken skillet meal with broccoli
Lasagne with salad
Turkey burgers with Tots and grapes
Tuscan chicken, noodles and salad
crockpot chicken, potaotes, carrots & onions
Allison eats what we are having ground up or one of the jarred 3rd foods and cottage cheese for dinner.
Now I am making a list based on the meals and ads and what I have on hand and NOT shopping at Raley's, I am taking the list to Grocery Outlet. I have a coupon for them, $5 off $50 purchase, easy, I can spend that much. My usual store is Winco but I want to try a store closer to me and see how much I can really save when I am trying. This week is a test run. (NOTE: I have not given up eating clean...ok I have a little...I am just watching what I eat, with a family it is difficult to keep myself on track and we don't have the budget to buy different groceries for everyone)
Next week when I go shopping I am clipping coupons and shopping at a discount store or the 99 cent store or both depending on what we need.
If this little experiment works then conrgratulations to me and all the money I am going to save. I hope I have given you some ideas on saving money.
Enjoy the day!!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Walking Before Crawling, A Dangerous Milestone???
At a recent party my MIL was bragging about Allison and how she has skipped crawling in favor of walking. Everyone had their opinion about it, but the majority said that she would have speech problems and vision impairments and have a difficult time reading & writing…even a professor at the university agrees…Oh my!!
Being the over protective mother I am, I had to discuss it with my husband., no one is going to talk about our baby like that, she’s a genius. She babbles and laughs and rolls in her crib until she is stuck in a corner then cries so we can save her from the evil corner. She pulls her self up and can stand on her own while sucking her thumb. How could that be a bad thing???
So I decided to do a little research myself. First place I checked was the web because you know the web is always right. I found an article about the doctor who’s theory matches that of the “university crowd”. Glenn Doman (a physical therapist) founded the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential (IAHP), a non-profit organization providing teaching programs and books designed to improve and accelerate the mental and physical development of normal as well as brain-damaged children in 1955.(ok 1955, just a little old) He has also written a few books on development of babies the last one in 1988, then co wrote another book with his daughter Janet in 2006.
I continued reading the article and have to say that I am still a bit skeptical, you can accelerate the mental and physical development of any child just by playing, reading, singing, taking them outside and having mommy around (IMO). Crawling is not something that can forever alter the way the child will or will not develop mentally or physically.
The article goes on to express their opinions on the subject and in his words “the objective of his “gentle revolution” is “to give all parents the knowledge required to make highly intelligent, extremely capable, and delightful children, and, by so doing, to make a highly humane, sane and decent world.”
Right there…you see this… making a highly humane, sane and decent world. WOW!! No wonder the people at the party listened to this guy, he fits in with there ultra liberal thinking, not to mention that most of these people were probably having children back in the 70’s and 80’s when his theories were new.
We are now some twenty, thirty years later and I needed some more recent info on this theory.
I dug up some current info that might make it more clear, on the web of course. It is a few (15) pages on the Motor & physical development of locomotion, from NYU. It gave me some insight . What I took away from the excerpt was that crawling, like walking is a locomotion skill and "walking is the most recognized of infants’ locomotor achievements, but it is not infants’ final locomotor milestone."
Here is an excerpt from the site that I think sums it up pretty well
“The development of locomotion is one of infants’ greatest
achievements. It is accomplished little by little as infants
learn to cope with gravity, the constraints of their growing
bodies, and variations in the terrain.
Initially unique solutions in crawling and walking (and the myriad other
forms that infants invent to move themselves from place
to place) tend to converge on common patterns of interlimb
coordination. But, common patterns of movements
do not imply rigidity in the face of adversity. Infants take
each encounter with everyday obstacles as an opportunity
to employ a boundless repertoire of exploratory procedures,
to discover new ways of modifying ongoing movements,
and to construct alternative solutions when the
current method of locomotion is impossible.
Thus, the development of locomotion reflects important
changes across many domains of development –
physical growth and biomechanics, as well as perceptual
learning and cognitive development. For infants, carrying
objects involves developmental changes in the biomechanics
of balance. Navigation through a cluttered environment
involves perceptual exploration in the service of
prospective control. Finding a new sliding position to
descend a steep slope and using a handrail as a tool to
augment balance are dramatic examples of means-ends
problem solving.
Moreover, the development of locomotion facilitates
change across many domains of development. The ability
to go somewhere, to move and retrieve objects, and to
leave caregivers behind creates new sources of information
about the self in relation to places, surfaces, objects,
and other people. Independent mobility has system-wide
effects on psychological development. Indeed, as Campos
and colleagues remind us, travel broadens the mind.”
So whether your child walks before crawling or vise versa, I found there is no concrete evidence that would suggest that your child will have any developmental disabilities if they decide they like walking around and exploring rather than crawling. Babies are going to do what they want when they are ready and no one can stop them...he he.
(I am not a doctor or a professional and these are just my opinions I have made through research)
Being the over protective mother I am, I had to discuss it with my husband., no one is going to talk about our baby like that, she’s a genius. She babbles and laughs and rolls in her crib until she is stuck in a corner then cries so we can save her from the evil corner. She pulls her self up and can stand on her own while sucking her thumb. How could that be a bad thing???
So I decided to do a little research myself. First place I checked was the web because you know the web is always right. I found an article about the doctor who’s theory matches that of the “university crowd”. Glenn Doman (a physical therapist) founded the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential (IAHP), a non-profit organization providing teaching programs and books designed to improve and accelerate the mental and physical development of normal as well as brain-damaged children in 1955.(ok 1955, just a little old) He has also written a few books on development of babies the last one in 1988, then co wrote another book with his daughter Janet in 2006.
I continued reading the article and have to say that I am still a bit skeptical, you can accelerate the mental and physical development of any child just by playing, reading, singing, taking them outside and having mommy around (IMO). Crawling is not something that can forever alter the way the child will or will not develop mentally or physically.
The article goes on to express their opinions on the subject and in his words “the objective of his “gentle revolution” is “to give all parents the knowledge required to make highly intelligent, extremely capable, and delightful children, and, by so doing, to make a highly humane, sane and decent world.”
Right there…you see this… making a highly humane, sane and decent world. WOW!! No wonder the people at the party listened to this guy, he fits in with there ultra liberal thinking, not to mention that most of these people were probably having children back in the 70’s and 80’s when his theories were new.
We are now some twenty, thirty years later and I needed some more recent info on this theory.
I dug up some current info that might make it more clear, on the web of course. It is a few (15) pages on the Motor & physical development of locomotion, from NYU. It gave me some insight . What I took away from the excerpt was that crawling, like walking is a locomotion skill and "walking is the most recognized of infants’ locomotor achievements, but it is not infants’ final locomotor milestone."
Here is an excerpt from the site that I think sums it up pretty well
“The development of locomotion is one of infants’ greatest
achievements. It is accomplished little by little as infants
learn to cope with gravity, the constraints of their growing
bodies, and variations in the terrain.
Initially unique solutions in crawling and walking (and the myriad other
forms that infants invent to move themselves from place
to place) tend to converge on common patterns of interlimb
coordination. But, common patterns of movements
do not imply rigidity in the face of adversity. Infants take
each encounter with everyday obstacles as an opportunity
to employ a boundless repertoire of exploratory procedures,
to discover new ways of modifying ongoing movements,
and to construct alternative solutions when the
current method of locomotion is impossible.
Thus, the development of locomotion reflects important
changes across many domains of development –
physical growth and biomechanics, as well as perceptual
learning and cognitive development. For infants, carrying
objects involves developmental changes in the biomechanics
of balance. Navigation through a cluttered environment
involves perceptual exploration in the service of
prospective control. Finding a new sliding position to
descend a steep slope and using a handrail as a tool to
augment balance are dramatic examples of means-ends
problem solving.
Moreover, the development of locomotion facilitates
change across many domains of development. The ability
to go somewhere, to move and retrieve objects, and to
leave caregivers behind creates new sources of information
about the self in relation to places, surfaces, objects,
and other people. Independent mobility has system-wide
effects on psychological development. Indeed, as Campos
and colleagues remind us, travel broadens the mind.”
So whether your child walks before crawling or vise versa, I found there is no concrete evidence that would suggest that your child will have any developmental disabilities if they decide they like walking around and exploring rather than crawling. Babies are going to do what they want when they are ready and no one can stop them...he he.
(I am not a doctor or a professional and these are just my opinions I have made through research)
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Pooped Out
Well today I am just pooped. Allison & I worked out in the garden most of the day and I did all my regularly scheduled housework and laundry. When Scott got home I made him trim some trees in the back to make room for more sunlight. I haven't worked out there since last year when I was pregnant. It was nice, I got inspired and planned what we are planting. So far I am planting:
tomatoes beefsteak, cherry, roma (of course, can't wait to make fresh salsa and tomato sandwiches)
tomatillos (never planted before but thought they would go with the tomatoes)
jalapenos (for the salsa)
green beans (love them roasted with olive oil & sea salt)
beets (never planted these either but they sounded good)
kale (never planted or eaten this but wanted to try it)
sugar snap peas (love in stir fry)
cantaloupe (love it for breakfast and I want Allison to try it)
zucchini & summer squash (a must have for any garden, saute with garlic & olive oil and you have a great side dish)
We are going to plant some fruits too. I chose strawberries and a dwarf lemon tree. I want to do raspberries but haven't figured out where to put it, maybe next year.
And flowers are going in there too some where. Marigolds, zinnias & azaleas, some sunflowers and I want jasmine or honey suckle too.
I love California weather, you can grow practically anything !!
In other news, I actually slept all night last night, well almost, I did get up once to check on Allison, but I must have been really tired cause the alarm woke me at 5:30. I freaked a little, thinking she rolled over and wasn't breathing, she was fine, but she can lift her head now so I try to relax a bit after all she is a big girl now. But mommy can worry, he he.
I am off to make some tea and relax now I hope all of you had a great day.
One last thing, my store is almost complete, I will let you all know when it's done. You might actually find something you want and I might have free shipping for said item if you mention you heard about the store on my blog...I will post more on that later.
Here is a couple of baby pics to make you smile & brighten your evening.
.JPG)
tomatoes beefsteak, cherry, roma (of course, can't wait to make fresh salsa and tomato sandwiches)
tomatillos (never planted before but thought they would go with the tomatoes)
jalapenos (for the salsa)
green beans (love them roasted with olive oil & sea salt)
beets (never planted these either but they sounded good)
kale (never planted or eaten this but wanted to try it)
sugar snap peas (love in stir fry)
cantaloupe (love it for breakfast and I want Allison to try it)
zucchini & summer squash (a must have for any garden, saute with garlic & olive oil and you have a great side dish)
We are going to plant some fruits too. I chose strawberries and a dwarf lemon tree. I want to do raspberries but haven't figured out where to put it, maybe next year.
And flowers are going in there too some where. Marigolds, zinnias & azaleas, some sunflowers and I want jasmine or honey suckle too.
I love California weather, you can grow practically anything !!
In other news, I actually slept all night last night, well almost, I did get up once to check on Allison, but I must have been really tired cause the alarm woke me at 5:30. I freaked a little, thinking she rolled over and wasn't breathing, she was fine, but she can lift her head now so I try to relax a bit after all she is a big girl now. But mommy can worry, he he.
I am off to make some tea and relax now I hope all of you had a great day.
One last thing, my store is almost complete, I will let you all know when it's done. You might actually find something you want and I might have free shipping for said item if you mention you heard about the store on my blog...I will post more on that later.
Here is a couple of baby pics to make you smile & brighten your evening.
.JPG)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Beautiful Sleep
She is finally sleeping. Nap time around here is non existent, so when I finally get her down for a nap it is a wonderful 20 mins of quite. This weekend we lowered her crib and just in time. I put her down for a nap yesterday and she cried as usual, I checked on her and she had somehow sat up in her crib, BY HERSELF!!! I couldn't believe it. She rolls over all the time and I let her sleep on her tummy some of the time, but sitting up?? Next thing you know she will be standing up in the middle of the night trying to escape the confines of the crib and decide to go exploring around the house.
She has also decided to skip the crawling and go right into standing and wobbling around from table to dad. Another amazing thing she did yesterday was stand by herself for about 10 seconds while sucking her thumb. She just stood there, butt sticking out to balance the weight of her head, then flopped down on her tush. It was totally cute. She defiantly is growing up quickly. In four months she will be a year old, then she will want to borrow the car...go off to college...get married and have kids. I am cherishing every precious minute with her because they go so very fast, if I blink I will miss everything.
I hope you all had a great weekend.
Enjoy the day.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Where's Spring
We woke up this morning to sunshine and now it's cloudy & windy. What a drag, I wanted to go on a walk or a picnic or hike, something out in the warm sunshine. I was all ready to buy garden plants and work out there on Sunday. Oh well, we are all still lazing around in our jammies and it is soooo nice. Allison is napping and I have a pretty good caffine buzz going on, I think I will start planning my Easter menu and work on the baskets. Can't wait for Easter, my parents, sister and her boyfriend are coming up and Scott's mom is coming over so we will have a full house. I am already planning a meatball bar (meatballs stay heated in the crockpot, served with 2 different sauces and all kinds of toppings), antipasto, salad, veggie frittata, garlic bread, bruschetta and crostini. Think it will be enough? For dessert I am making apricot bars and I thought about making bishops bread.
I will be hiding some plastic eggs for Allison to find with the help of everyone. I just hope that the weather will be nice so I can set up the buffet outside so we can enjoy the sunshine and eachothers company and watch Allison play. Hopefully I will have the flowers planted and the garden cleaned up by then. Well I am off the check on the munchkin and to continue looking for more ideas for Easter.
Here are some pictures from yesterday, she had spaghetti for dinner last night and eating a freezy pop out on the patio (she really does take after her dad).
Enjoy the day.
I will be hiding some plastic eggs for Allison to find with the help of everyone. I just hope that the weather will be nice so I can set up the buffet outside so we can enjoy the sunshine and eachothers company and watch Allison play. Hopefully I will have the flowers planted and the garden cleaned up by then. Well I am off the check on the munchkin and to continue looking for more ideas for Easter.
Here are some pictures from yesterday, she had spaghetti for dinner last night and eating a freezy pop out on the patio (she really does take after her dad).
Enjoy the day.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Easy Pasta Recipe
Here is one of my families favorite and quick pasta recipes from none other than Kraft. It's called All-in-One Pot Saucy Pasta I usually adjust everything to our tastes, a different type of meat, add red wine (because red sauce just doesn't taste right without it), sometimes I add cheese other times I don't feel like it, I leave out the mushrooms and bell pepper and add what veggies I have on hand and I make the sauce from scratch. I use this recipe as a base, I take the general idea and make it fit for us.
Have fun experimenting.
Enjoy the weekend.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Being Greatful for the Things I Have
It has been beautiful here this whole week & we have been enjoying the weather and celebrating the coming of spring by wearing sun dresses and sun glasses, big sun hats and flip flops. We have been outside everyday pulling weeds, getting garden areas ready for spring planting, walking around the neighborhood looking at all the flowers in bloom and just loving life. While I have been loving life, I got to thinking about all that I am greatful for and thought I should give a shout out to all the things I am greatful for, so here goes.
1. my husband Scott, without him I could not be an at home with our daughter. He keeps a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and laughter in our hearts. He works hard to give me everything I want and need and spoils our daughter with love and praise. I love him, I couldn't do this without him.
2. Allison, our daughter, she is a handful but without her I would not be complete. There was a time in my life that I never wanted to have kids and noe I know that I was selfish and wrong. She is what life is all about and I love that. Given the oppertunity I would do it again in a heart beat. I love being her mom. It is the most rewarding thing I could ever ask for.
3. Family, without there support we would have a really tough time. They are loving, supportive and help us out when we need it. They give us guidence and will babysit when we need them to. They are wonderful and love their granddaughter with all their hearts.
4. There are a lot of petty things I am greatful for also, they don't seem like much but they are things I am glad we have. My 2 door Hyundai (paid off) it's crammped, no room for all of the baby stuff I have to hall around, but it gets us where we need to go. Freezy pops, without them Allison would be a nightmare (she is teething right now and the cold helps). Coffee with caffine, great pick me up, I haven't had caffine in years and recently started to drink coffee again - it is wonderful. My garden, growing your own food gives you a sense of well being. Baking cookies, relaxing and it's nice to give a loved one something yummy.
There are a lot more little things I am greatful for but it can go on and on.
What are some of the things you are greatful for? Write them down and keep adding to the list. It is so rewarding to look at it and know that these are constants in your life.
I am going to go enjoy the sunshine and give Allison a freezy pop out back.
Enjoy the day.
1. my husband Scott, without him I could not be an at home with our daughter. He keeps a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and laughter in our hearts. He works hard to give me everything I want and need and spoils our daughter with love and praise. I love him, I couldn't do this without him.
2. Allison, our daughter, she is a handful but without her I would not be complete. There was a time in my life that I never wanted to have kids and noe I know that I was selfish and wrong. She is what life is all about and I love that. Given the oppertunity I would do it again in a heart beat. I love being her mom. It is the most rewarding thing I could ever ask for.
3. Family, without there support we would have a really tough time. They are loving, supportive and help us out when we need it. They give us guidence and will babysit when we need them to. They are wonderful and love their granddaughter with all their hearts.
4. There are a lot of petty things I am greatful for also, they don't seem like much but they are things I am glad we have. My 2 door Hyundai (paid off) it's crammped, no room for all of the baby stuff I have to hall around, but it gets us where we need to go. Freezy pops, without them Allison would be a nightmare (she is teething right now and the cold helps). Coffee with caffine, great pick me up, I haven't had caffine in years and recently started to drink coffee again - it is wonderful. My garden, growing your own food gives you a sense of well being. Baking cookies, relaxing and it's nice to give a loved one something yummy.
There are a lot more little things I am greatful for but it can go on and on.
What are some of the things you are greatful for? Write them down and keep adding to the list. It is so rewarding to look at it and know that these are constants in your life.
I am going to go enjoy the sunshine and give Allison a freezy pop out back.
Enjoy the day.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
8 Months Old Today
Our precious angel is 8 months old today and neither of us can believe how fast she has grown from that 6 pound bundle of joy we brought home in July. It really is amazing. Here is a photo log of her past eight months enjoy.
.JPG)
And here she is today at eight months old. Time really flies when you are having fun. Enjoy the day.
HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!!!
.JPG)
And here she is today at eight months old. Time really flies when you are having fun. Enjoy the day.
HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!!!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Indoor Gardening
On Saturday we found an ivy vine growing. IN OUR HOUSE!!! I was cleaning up the dishes after dinner on saturday and noticed a green thing in the corner of the new moulding around the new windows. To our surprise it was a small ivy leaf growing proudly into the house. I can't believe we didn't even see it until Saturday. How did it get away with getting so big without us even noticing???
We have been busy lately, with Allison, and you know getting house stuff done like cleaning and getting in some naps because someone is teething and awake all the time if I don't lay down with her until she falls asleep.
So the ivy decided to sneek its way in through the window when we weren't looking. If you don't believe me check out the photos. You might see it in the tabloid under the title "HOUSE SWOLLOWED BY GIANT IVY PLANT, FAMILY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE".
I ended up taking care of the problem by cutting all the ivy out of the grate going under the house. Who knew it was capable of doing that??
Well hope all of you had a great weekend and as interesting as ours.
Enjoy the day.
We have been busy lately, with Allison, and you know getting house stuff done like cleaning and getting in some naps because someone is teething and awake all the time if I don't lay down with her until she falls asleep.
So the ivy decided to sneek its way in through the window when we weren't looking. If you don't believe me check out the photos. You might see it in the tabloid under the title "HOUSE SWOLLOWED BY GIANT IVY PLANT, FAMILY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE".
I ended up taking care of the problem by cutting all the ivy out of the grate going under the house. Who knew it was capable of doing that??
Well hope all of you had a great weekend and as interesting as ours.
Enjoy the day.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Fun in the Sun
The past couple of days I have been enjoying the beautiful days of 70 degree weather. Allison and I have been plying outback everyday and getting some sun (we are both very white, blinding white in fact).
Yesterday I got together all the picnic stuff and was hoping to go on a picnic today but it looks like rain is in the forcast. I mean it's only March and I am ready for summer. We are going to buy Allison a little pool to play in and a big beach towel for her birthday. I can't wait for that, I am already planning her birthday can you believe it??
Today my poor husband has to work so Allison and I are going to wash some sheets and do housework, very fun and exciting...I really now how to spend a saturday afternoon.
Not much else is going on, I told Scott that I am going to stop the Hard Body Challenge and concentrate on some other things like my store. He had given me some good advice the other day, he told me "It's not how many things you do, it's how good you do them." So the last post that I wrote about doing all that stuff, I am cutting down the list and concentrating one just a few of them.
Well I'm off to so some stuff, don't know what yet but something.
Enjoy the day, and I hope these pictures are an insparation for when the summer comes.
Yesterday I got together all the picnic stuff and was hoping to go on a picnic today but it looks like rain is in the forcast. I mean it's only March and I am ready for summer. We are going to buy Allison a little pool to play in and a big beach towel for her birthday. I can't wait for that, I am already planning her birthday can you believe it??
Today my poor husband has to work so Allison and I are going to wash some sheets and do housework, very fun and exciting...I really now how to spend a saturday afternoon.
Not much else is going on, I told Scott that I am going to stop the Hard Body Challenge and concentrate on some other things like my store. He had given me some good advice the other day, he told me "It's not how many things you do, it's how good you do them." So the last post that I wrote about doing all that stuff, I am cutting down the list and concentrating one just a few of them.
Well I'm off to so some stuff, don't know what yet but something.
Enjoy the day, and I hope these pictures are an insparation for when the summer comes.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Needing a Break
I took a day off yesterday to spend some time with Allison. I know i'm with her everyday but sometimes I feel I need to just do all the things she like to do like walk around the neighborhood, play blocks, watch the koi, play in the backyard, sleep in, etc. We did all that yesterday and it was fun, now i'm back and refreshed (that could be because i slept in until 9 this morning)...hehe...
Anyway, I have been having a hard time with staying on track, I haven't faltered, but I want to, I want to splurge on sugary goodness and bacon and Martha Sterwart hasn't been helping either. I just got alot of old MS from my mother in law and have been going through them. Well, everytime I do I get so inspired to do crafts, organize the house and cook.
I want to cook all the delicious cookies and food, and desserts, all of it. But if I do there goes the whole clean eat thing. I have to stay strong and not stray far from my good habits.
Alright I am going to take monkeybutt for a walk and then hopefully she will take a nap
Enjoy the day!!!
Anyway, I have been having a hard time with staying on track, I haven't faltered, but I want to, I want to splurge on sugary goodness and bacon and Martha Sterwart hasn't been helping either. I just got alot of old MS from my mother in law and have been going through them. Well, everytime I do I get so inspired to do crafts, organize the house and cook.
I want to cook all the delicious cookies and food, and desserts, all of it. But if I do there goes the whole clean eat thing. I have to stay strong and not stray far from my good habits.
Alright I am going to take monkeybutt for a walk and then hopefully she will take a nap
Enjoy the day!!!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Too Many Projects??
Well, I found out that the only time I get to sleep in is when I lose an hour. I was up at 6:oo am on Sunday with Allison, a whole half hour later, yeah!!! Poor thing is so miserable. The tooth is there but has barely shoved its way through.
So anyway, I talked about starting an online store and I have a great idea for one and i'm all pumped and ready to get it started but, Scott (husband) says i'm taking trying to do to many things. I don't think that I am, I think I can manage all the stuff I do. Let's review all the projects I am doing now.
1. Hardbody Challange - working out 45 mins a day and clean eating, doesn't seem to take that much time and the clean eating is a lifestyle change
2. Housework - this is schedule out for the week so I know what days I do what and everything gets done, I even do it for laundry.
3. Planning & planting the summer garden, weeding, taking care of and watering, also replanting some things in the shade and planting new stuff in the front yard
4. Running - want to run a 5k before I turn 32, so I run every day except the weekends
5. Blog - this is something I do when Allison is napping for the 20 minutes (if i'm lucky)
6. Organizing - I want to organize everything in the house eespecially the closets and I want to make the master bedroom a nice place for Scott and me to relax and have intimate time together (more about this in another post)
Only 6 things, I can fit in one more. The store is going to be project #7.
I love being busy, hehehe.
Enjoy your day,
So anyway, I talked about starting an online store and I have a great idea for one and i'm all pumped and ready to get it started but, Scott (husband) says i'm taking trying to do to many things. I don't think that I am, I think I can manage all the stuff I do. Let's review all the projects I am doing now.
1. Hardbody Challange - working out 45 mins a day and clean eating, doesn't seem to take that much time and the clean eating is a lifestyle change
2. Housework - this is schedule out for the week so I know what days I do what and everything gets done, I even do it for laundry.
3. Planning & planting the summer garden, weeding, taking care of and watering, also replanting some things in the shade and planting new stuff in the front yard
4. Running - want to run a 5k before I turn 32, so I run every day except the weekends
5. Blog - this is something I do when Allison is napping for the 20 minutes (if i'm lucky)
6. Organizing - I want to organize everything in the house eespecially the closets and I want to make the master bedroom a nice place for Scott and me to relax and have intimate time together (more about this in another post)
Only 6 things, I can fit in one more. The store is going to be project #7.
I love being busy, hehehe.
Enjoy your day,
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Quick Noodle Bowl
I was searching around and found this really quick noodle bowl recipe from Southern Living Magazine. It looks really good and inexpensive. Give it a try and let me know how it is.
Noodle Bowl
Stir together flavor packet from 1 (3-oz.) package Oriental-flavored ramen noodle soup mix, 2 cups water, 1 chopped green onion, and 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; add noodles and 1⁄2 cup fresh trimmed snow peas. Cook 1 minute, and stir in 6 peeled and deveined, medium-size raw shrimp (26/30 count). Cook 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, and top with 1⁄4 cup shredded napa cabbage and 1 to 2 Tbsp. chopped peanuts.
Makes 1 serving.
Prep: 10 min.
Cook: 5 min.
Note: You can substitute 1⁄2 cup chopped cooked chicken for the shrimp.
Noodle Bowl
Stir together flavor packet from 1 (3-oz.) package Oriental-flavored ramen noodle soup mix, 2 cups water, 1 chopped green onion, and 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; add noodles and 1⁄2 cup fresh trimmed snow peas. Cook 1 minute, and stir in 6 peeled and deveined, medium-size raw shrimp (26/30 count). Cook 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, and top with 1⁄4 cup shredded napa cabbage and 1 to 2 Tbsp. chopped peanuts.
Makes 1 serving.
Prep: 10 min.
Cook: 5 min.
Note: You can substitute 1⁄2 cup chopped cooked chicken for the shrimp.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Teething - No More Toothless Grin
Allison has started teething, she is sleeping right now so I have a few minutes to tell you that it is no fun for any of us right now. She is so miserable, I feel sorry for her. She is chewing on everything, but nothing seems to calm her except chewing on my hair and biting my nose. Last night she grabbed on to both sides of my head and then swooped in and bit my nose. She bit so hard that my eyes watered and I almost cried. She thought it was funny and started laughing out loud, and kept laughing ever time I looked at her. One of her teeth has already cut through so hopefully it is almost over.
In other news, I am thinking of starting a online store for thrifty mommys. I will write more about it tomorrow, Allison is awake now and crying, I need to go pamper her.
In other news, I am thinking of starting a online store for thrifty mommys. I will write more about it tomorrow, Allison is awake now and crying, I need to go pamper her.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Crocheted Baby Hats & Flowered Headbands
I have just received the most adorable princess crocheted baby hat & pink flower headband both of which I ordered from pinkbowtique.com. Pink Bowtique is owned and operated by two wonderful women from Turlock, California. Nancy Chartrand, a mother of three girls and one son (ages 15, 12, 10, and 8 months) and Penny Godwin, a mother of two girls (19 & 16).
Pink Bowtique is a fabulous place to purchase baby blooms crocheted hats, flowered baby headbands (I purchased one of each for Allison, she is wearing the Classic Pink Rose Baby Headband and the Glamour Princess Marabou Baby Crochet Hat in the pictures), custom & specialty bows, wedding & christening bows and they also carry themed bows & hair accessories. They have so many cute bows and hats and clips, I can’t list them all but please check out their website, pinkbowtique.com to see all the different styles and types. All are handmade - not mass produced, with products made in the USA (makes that a plus in my book).
Pink Bowtique is a fabulous place to purchase baby blooms crocheted hats, flowered baby headbands (I purchased one of each for Allison, she is wearing the Classic Pink Rose Baby Headband and the Glamour Princess Marabou Baby Crochet Hat in the pictures), custom & specialty bows, wedding & christening bows and they also carry themed bows & hair accessories. They have so many cute bows and hats and clips, I can’t list them all but please check out their website, pinkbowtique.com to see all the different styles and types. All are handmade - not mass produced, with products made in the USA (makes that a plus in my book).
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Family is #1
In order for you to make your family #1 is to take care of oneself first. There are a few things I do to make myself feel better ergo I can take better care of my family. My list isn't very long and a few I have just started to do but they make me feel better about myself, make me feel beautiful and feminine and sexy for my husband, give me energy and let me be on my A game since I am needed 24/7.
1. I love to have clean teeth and fresh breath, a pretty smile is beautiful. I brush as soon as I get up, lighten them once a week (I'm a tea drinker - non caffine), floss after dinner, chew gum after lunch or rinse with mouthwash, brush before bed. I do this every day, it keeps me fresh.
2. Workout every day. It gives me energy to keep me going when I am needed, be it day or night. I am usually up by 5:30 am and in bed by 11:00 pm so I need as much energy as possible.
3. I eat well, don't drink, smoke, or do drugs or drink sodas or sugary foods. I take care of my body. It feels great to be healthy, I can pass on my healthy habits to my husband and my daughter.
4. After my workout I take a hot shower. I treat it like I was at a spa. I do the normal shower things, wash hair - use good smelling shampoo & conditioner, shave, wash body - use good smelling soap, but after the shower, before I dry off, I use a good smelling lotion (fruit or vanilla scented)and rub all over my body while still wet, then towel off. Having great skin makes you look younger and soft skin feels so nice.
5. I dress nice. I love my jeans but when I wear them I pair it with a nice shirt, blouse or sweater. I even wear slacks with a nice shirt on some days and always wear nice shoes, heels if you like. Skirts and dresses are also nice but those a given for being nice.
6. Keep toes painted. It gives your feet a sexy look. I always have mine painted a feminine color; red or pink. Never shocking blue, green, black or purple. I am a woman and I like to keep it feminine.
7. Get a good haircut. I have naturally curly hair so it is easy to style. I keep it short (for right now), above my shoulders. After my shower I add moouse, scrunch and let it air dry. then lightly pull back the front to keep it out of my face and so Allison can't grab it.
These things really help me to keep going, keep me in a good mood, and lets me pamper myself. You really need to take care of your self and what's better than doing it for your family.
Have a wonderful day and go pamper yourself a little bit.
1. I love to have clean teeth and fresh breath, a pretty smile is beautiful. I brush as soon as I get up, lighten them once a week (I'm a tea drinker - non caffine), floss after dinner, chew gum after lunch or rinse with mouthwash, brush before bed. I do this every day, it keeps me fresh.
2. Workout every day. It gives me energy to keep me going when I am needed, be it day or night. I am usually up by 5:30 am and in bed by 11:00 pm so I need as much energy as possible.
3. I eat well, don't drink, smoke, or do drugs or drink sodas or sugary foods. I take care of my body. It feels great to be healthy, I can pass on my healthy habits to my husband and my daughter.
4. After my workout I take a hot shower. I treat it like I was at a spa. I do the normal shower things, wash hair - use good smelling shampoo & conditioner, shave, wash body - use good smelling soap, but after the shower, before I dry off, I use a good smelling lotion (fruit or vanilla scented)and rub all over my body while still wet, then towel off. Having great skin makes you look younger and soft skin feels so nice.
5. I dress nice. I love my jeans but when I wear them I pair it with a nice shirt, blouse or sweater. I even wear slacks with a nice shirt on some days and always wear nice shoes, heels if you like. Skirts and dresses are also nice but those a given for being nice.
6. Keep toes painted. It gives your feet a sexy look. I always have mine painted a feminine color; red or pink. Never shocking blue, green, black or purple. I am a woman and I like to keep it feminine.
7. Get a good haircut. I have naturally curly hair so it is easy to style. I keep it short (for right now), above my shoulders. After my shower I add moouse, scrunch and let it air dry. then lightly pull back the front to keep it out of my face and so Allison can't grab it.
These things really help me to keep going, keep me in a good mood, and lets me pamper myself. You really need to take care of your self and what's better than doing it for your family.
Have a wonderful day and go pamper yourself a little bit.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Clean eating & weight lifting on a budget
After I had my baby I told made a promise to myself that I would get back into shape after 6 months. So I have challenged myself to something I call "The Hardbody Challenge". I started it 2 weeks ago and so far so good. The rules of the challenge are very simple, 1) Eat Clean 80% of the time(I still use a brown sugar and some commercial spices, canned soups) 2)Lift Weights 4 days a week and 3)Do Cardio 5 days a week.
Now we are on a pretty tight budget since I am a stay at home mom so I plan 2 weeks worth of clean menus that I rotate. Groceries run me about $180 for 2 weeks and that includes formula/baby food, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner for me, my husband and daughter.
So lets break it down; Breakfast is usually Oatmeal (quick cook) with 1 1/2 Tbsp of ground flaxseed, 1 Tbsp of raisins and 1 Tbsp of brown sugar. I make 14 baggies of the stuff - lazy mans breakfast, grab and go stuff. If i'm feeling adventerous than I make an oatmeal pancake, moisten 1 baggie of oatmeal with hot water then add 1 egg white, cook like a pancake. Pretty good and you get some protein. Oatmeal and eggs are cheap so this is my main breakfast, also the yolks don't go to waste cause my daughter gets those for breakfast.
Lunch is usually a wrap 3 oz lean ham or turkey, mustard, lettuce and tomatoes in a tortilla or a pouch of tuna with a salad, or leftovers. Pretty simple to make ahead and take with you if need be.
Snack are Chocolate Raspberry Luna Bars (my favorite), lowfat yogurt with berries and/or mixed nuts, hummus (homemade) and either veggies sticks or whole wheat crackers. Also, all natural peanut butter or almond butter on whole wheat toast and 1/2 banana or strawberries sliced on top.
Dinner is a rotation of chicken fajitas, chicken breasts dredged in wheat germ and baked with veggie, 95% lean burger with whole wheat bun, 1 Tbsp ketchup, lettuce & tomato, veggie couscous with tofu, grilled chicken & quinoa with veggie, and crockpot chicken, potato & cottage cheese. All easy to make ahead and freeze or refrigerate ahead of time. I also keep cooked brown rice, asparagas and extra veggies in the freezer for quick sides. Beans and canned fruit in there own juice and canned chicken are in the cupboard for a quick change of pace if I get in a food rut.
Now for my workout, I cannot afford a gym membership so I have created a workout that I enjoy and I can get done in half an hour since the little one doesn't sleep very long after I get up at 5:30 am.
First thing, I have a gym bag packed that I keep next to my purse. I keep 2 pairs of workout clothes, a t-shirt, ipod, running shoes and a pair of socks. I change into my workout clothes as soon as my husband leaves for work and put on my sneakers, that way I can't climb back into bed. I fill my water, check on the sleeping (hopefully) baby and take my vitamins. Then the workout begins. I lift weights first thing because cardio is easy to do during the day with Allison in the jogger.
I am just starting out and I am not a professional so I am doing what I think is good enough for me. I always watch my form when lifting and lift slow and steady. So here is the breakdown.
Monday & Thursday - Upper Body. I do 3 sets of 10 reps each of the following with 10 lb dumbbells, Bicep curls, tricep extension, arnold press, flat bench flye, rear delt flye, dumbbell press, dumbbell lateral raise. I add 20 cruches and 10 reverse cruches after each set.
Tuesday & Friday - Lower Body. I do 3 sets of 10 reps each of the following with 10 lb dumbbells, dumbell squat, dumbbell dead lift, weighted calf raise, weighted lunges, rear leg lift, kneeling kick back, hip raise, lying leg raise. I add 20 cruches and 10 reverse crunches after each set.
Wednesday is rest from weights.
Monday through Friday I take Allison for a 3 mile walk/jog. I am also training to run my 1st 5k by the time I'm 32 - should be no problem.
So, there it is my diet and exercise plan that doesn't cost me more than $90 per week.
Workout credit goes to Oxygen Magazine, I get all my ideas from them and diet plan is based on the principals of Tosca Reno's
Eat Clean Diet book series
Now we are on a pretty tight budget since I am a stay at home mom so I plan 2 weeks worth of clean menus that I rotate. Groceries run me about $180 for 2 weeks and that includes formula/baby food, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner for me, my husband and daughter.
So lets break it down; Breakfast is usually Oatmeal (quick cook) with 1 1/2 Tbsp of ground flaxseed, 1 Tbsp of raisins and 1 Tbsp of brown sugar. I make 14 baggies of the stuff - lazy mans breakfast, grab and go stuff. If i'm feeling adventerous than I make an oatmeal pancake, moisten 1 baggie of oatmeal with hot water then add 1 egg white, cook like a pancake. Pretty good and you get some protein. Oatmeal and eggs are cheap so this is my main breakfast, also the yolks don't go to waste cause my daughter gets those for breakfast.
Lunch is usually a wrap 3 oz lean ham or turkey, mustard, lettuce and tomatoes in a tortilla or a pouch of tuna with a salad, or leftovers. Pretty simple to make ahead and take with you if need be.
Snack are Chocolate Raspberry Luna Bars (my favorite), lowfat yogurt with berries and/or mixed nuts, hummus (homemade) and either veggies sticks or whole wheat crackers. Also, all natural peanut butter or almond butter on whole wheat toast and 1/2 banana or strawberries sliced on top.
Dinner is a rotation of chicken fajitas, chicken breasts dredged in wheat germ and baked with veggie, 95% lean burger with whole wheat bun, 1 Tbsp ketchup, lettuce & tomato, veggie couscous with tofu, grilled chicken & quinoa with veggie, and crockpot chicken, potato & cottage cheese. All easy to make ahead and freeze or refrigerate ahead of time. I also keep cooked brown rice, asparagas and extra veggies in the freezer for quick sides. Beans and canned fruit in there own juice and canned chicken are in the cupboard for a quick change of pace if I get in a food rut.
Now for my workout, I cannot afford a gym membership so I have created a workout that I enjoy and I can get done in half an hour since the little one doesn't sleep very long after I get up at 5:30 am.
First thing, I have a gym bag packed that I keep next to my purse. I keep 2 pairs of workout clothes, a t-shirt, ipod, running shoes and a pair of socks. I change into my workout clothes as soon as my husband leaves for work and put on my sneakers, that way I can't climb back into bed. I fill my water, check on the sleeping (hopefully) baby and take my vitamins. Then the workout begins. I lift weights first thing because cardio is easy to do during the day with Allison in the jogger.
I am just starting out and I am not a professional so I am doing what I think is good enough for me. I always watch my form when lifting and lift slow and steady. So here is the breakdown.
Monday & Thursday - Upper Body. I do 3 sets of 10 reps each of the following with 10 lb dumbbells, Bicep curls, tricep extension, arnold press, flat bench flye, rear delt flye, dumbbell press, dumbbell lateral raise. I add 20 cruches and 10 reverse cruches after each set.
Tuesday & Friday - Lower Body. I do 3 sets of 10 reps each of the following with 10 lb dumbbells, dumbell squat, dumbbell dead lift, weighted calf raise, weighted lunges, rear leg lift, kneeling kick back, hip raise, lying leg raise. I add 20 cruches and 10 reverse crunches after each set.
Wednesday is rest from weights.
Monday through Friday I take Allison for a 3 mile walk/jog. I am also training to run my 1st 5k by the time I'm 32 - should be no problem.
So, there it is my diet and exercise plan that doesn't cost me more than $90 per week.
Workout credit goes to Oxygen Magazine, I get all my ideas from them and diet plan is based on the principals of Tosca Reno's
Eat Clean Diet book series
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Quick Recipe #1 - Burrito Skillet
Kraft Foods is one of my favorite websites for a quick meal idea. I usually have the stuff on hand and it doesn’t take long to prep there recipes. So in that thinking, I have resorted back to there site numerous times to find something good for dinner. Well the one thing I have made lots of times is the Burrito Skillet and I mean lots of times, like 2 - 3 times a week when Allison was first born. It tastes good, you can change the ingredients with what you have and leftovers are good. Now that she has gotten bigger I have expanded my cooking, but on those harried days I just thaw some turkey burger and make this yummy dish.
QUICK BURRITO SKILLET
1 lb. lean ground beef (I use ground turkey)
1 pkg. (1-1/4 oz.) TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Taco Seasoning Mix
1 can (19 oz.) kidney beans, drained, rinsed (any bean will do, I have used black and pinto)
1 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa (any salsa, I prefer hot)
1 cup water
4 flour tortillas (6 inch), cut into 1-1/2-inch squares (instead of tortillas I used crushed tortilla chips and serve extra on the side)
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese (I just use cheddar)
1/3 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1/3 cup chopped green onions (about 1 large) (I also garnish with cilantro & extra salsa)
Make It
BROWN meat in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat; drain.
ADD seasoning mix, beans, salsa and water; stir. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 min.
STIR in tortillas; top with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions.
QUICK BURRITO SKILLET
1 lb. lean ground beef (I use ground turkey)
1 pkg. (1-1/4 oz.) TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Taco Seasoning Mix
1 can (19 oz.) kidney beans, drained, rinsed (any bean will do, I have used black and pinto)
1 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa (any salsa, I prefer hot)
1 cup water
4 flour tortillas (6 inch), cut into 1-1/2-inch squares (instead of tortillas I used crushed tortilla chips and serve extra on the side)
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese (I just use cheddar)
1/3 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1/3 cup chopped green onions (about 1 large) (I also garnish with cilantro & extra salsa)
Make It
BROWN meat in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat; drain.
ADD seasoning mix, beans, salsa and water; stir. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 min.
STIR in tortillas; top with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)