tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24448175497869416392024-03-13T03:42:50.327-07:00Meat & Potatoes MamaA blog about things. Several things. Baby things, money things. Wife and husband things. Unicorns and sunshine things, rain and snow things. Me things, you things, everything in between things.
Welcome to my life.Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-6574540597551459352013-09-22T13:50:00.001-07:002013-09-22T13:50:40.202-07:00Pink! Love the polyvore app!<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='width:500px;margin:0 auto'><div style='position:relative;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/pink_love_polyvore_app/set?.embedder=2472663&.svc=blogger&id=98311981' target='_blank'><img force='1' border='0' height='795' title='Pink! Love the polyvore app!' src='http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/kAPFIaBC91bmjXPK0l0FQ/cid/98311981/id/IAK_o8gj4xGJ32p7Nxsv_g/size/c500x795.jpg' alt='Pink! Love the polyvore app!' width='500'/></a></div></div><br/><div style='text-align:center'><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/pink_love_polyvore_app/set?.embedder=2472663&.svc=blogger&id=98311981' target='_blank'>Pink! Love the polyvore app!</a> by <a href='http://nillawafers.polyvore.com/?.embedder=2472663&.svc=blogger' target='_blank'>nillawafers</a> featuring a <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/black_skimmer/shop?query=black+skimmer' target='_blank'>black skimmer</a></small></div><div style='width:500px;margin:0 auto'><br/><div style='text-align:left;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=2472663&.svc=blogger&id=92007127' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' title='Brown plaid shirt' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/92007127.jpg' hspace='4' width='50' vspace='4'/></a><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=2472663&.svc=blogger&id=88029820' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' title='H&amp;M jeans' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/88029820.jpg' hspace='4' width='50' vspace='4'/></a><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=2472663&.svc=blogger&id=88114877' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' title='Gap black skimmer' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/88114877.jpg' hspace='4' width='50' vspace='4'/></a><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=2472663&.svc=blogger&id=92065151' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' title='Aéropostale rose purse' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/92065151.jpg' hspace='4' width='50' vspace='4'/></a></div></div></div>Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-81366621953098621502013-07-26T18:41:00.002-07:002013-07-26T18:41:42.525-07:00So how have things been, slacker person?Yeah I've sucked at this blog thing recently. I think I really just need to suck it up and get A to change about my layout ect, because that's the real reason I've been avoiding this! I love expressing myself through the written word, and I'm not half bad at it!<br />
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So what's up with us?<br />
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Well it's been 8 months, since my last post. I know this because Owen is now almost 8 months old! Holy moly, how time has gone fast. It seems like yesterday I was taking my tiny little 4lb boy home, almost too scared to hold him. Now he is <i>almost</i> sitting on his own, shrieking his little head off, grabbing for toys, and starting solids. It's so crazy to me.<br />
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As a preemie he is a little behind, especially in the solids and sitting department but I really don't think this little guy has much to worry about. He is so determined and SO STRONG, I doubt much will slow him down.<br />
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Ethan is such a great brother, I couldn't have asked for a better helper. He is very sweet to Owen and has only *only* hit him 2 times since he came home! I'm sure there are many more scuffles to ensue as Owen gets older and more mobile. Ethan is very protective of Owen and will tell people "NO, my OWIE" when they get to close or he doesn't like them.<br />
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Ethan is on his way to potty training, it really is the hardest part of motherhood so far. He really cornered me into training him as he started to refuse to wear or take of his (poopy) diaper. Disgusting, this happened one too many times before I decided to train, and then it took much much longer to train him completely. Even then, he isn't 100% with pee - but he's a little guy and I try to be understanding and reinforce what he's learned when he has an accident.<br />
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That's all the time I have for now, but I will definitely be back! Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-52664486995649656432012-12-29T11:22:00.000-08:002012-12-29T11:34:20.014-08:00So things haven't gone exactly as planned...I know my last post I announced I was pregnant, that was quite a while ago! My pregnancy went rather well, or so I thought. I ended up delivering Owen William Duggan on the 17th of December, at 8:54pm. That's almost 40 days early. He arrived at 2lbs 12oz, and screaming thank god. Right now he is staying in the NICU until he is big enough to come home.<br />
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It all started on the 14th. We rushed around in the morning, I had both a dentist appointment and my bi-monthly OB appointment to go to. The dentist was 15 minutes late, and I sat outside freezing waiting for her. The appointment ran over, and I was busy trying to track down my mother in-law so that I could drop Austine and Ethan off to buy presents at the mall. Well, she wouldn't answer her phone - so we all had to go to my OB appointment. Everything is proceeding as normal besides the fact that I was 15 minutes late. They weighed me and took my blood pressure, nothing unusual. Until the doctor came in asking about headaches and swelling (plus a 5 lb weight gain!). The nurse didn't mention to me that my blood pressure was 160/90! My OB told me I needed to go to the hospital for observation, queue freaking out. I had SO MUCH stuff to do. Now, it really seems like I was stressing over really inconsequential stuff, but then I was so sure my blood pressure was high because of my very stressful morning. So we go to the hospital, Ethan in tow because I was so sure that they will release me after they take a few more pressures. Not the case, my blood pressure is seriously high 160-170/90-100 in most cases. They do a 24 hour urine collection, draw my blood, and put me on Labetalol. Austine goes home with Ethan at 9pm, I get to stay overnight by myself. I also get to see my blood pressure jump to 180/110 and see my nurse freak out and put an IV in to lower it - that was fun.<br />
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Just an aside - trying to sleep on the L&D floor is next to impossible. I had to ask for some Benadryl to even get a few hours of shut eye. Anyhow, the doctor comes in at 11am the next morning and lets me know that I can go home - on complete bedrest. Obviously this is not ideal with Christmas coming up, but at this point I am just thrilled to be going home - off monitors and blood pressure cuffs. So Austine takes me home, and I try to relax. My in-laws come over on Sunday and try to get things ready for the baby *if* anything were to happen. Just take my advice - do not wait on this shit! Haha, we are/were so unprepared because after all, we technically still had a month and a few weeks to go! They get a lot done, I'm feeling good about the bedrest until that night. I noticed my heart seems to be beating really hard and my breathing is a little labored and shortened. I call the on call OB and she tells me to come in. OH FUN, here we go again.<br />
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Well, the heartbeat and shortness of breath was anxiety, induced by my blood pressure meds. But, my urine proteins were super high so they decide to do another 24 hour collection/observation. My bloodwork came back fine, thank goodness. Austine's mom comes to the hospital and collects Ethan, they stay overnight at our house until we know more. Austine stayed overnight with me this time, which made it so much more tolerable. I was still hooked up to monitors everywhere, the most annoying part being that Owen would NOT stay in one place. It eventually got to the point where we would try and find the baby's heartbeat instead of calling a nurse to do it (even to the point of applying more gel) - the alarm was the most annoying sound on earth!<br />
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So the morning rolls around and my proteins are not looking good. Neither is my face (swollen) or legs (much more swollen). I was getting pitting edema (where my skin wouldn't bounce back after being pressed in). It was beginning to be evident that I couldn't stay pregnant much longer. My blood pressure was still high, but not super dangerously so. The doctor came in at 7am and basically said he felt that we needed to deliver that day, and we agreed. I originally wanted to just do a c-section. I really honestly just wanted the whole thing to be over. My OB disagreed and thought I should try for a induction because it would be much easier on me and the baby - so I agreed to that.<br />
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They induced with cytotec, I was pretty happy to not be hooked up to pitocin. It did induce contractions, but unfortunately my blood pressure was rising with each contraction. My body couldn't handle the stress. I decided to get an epidural in hopes that my blood pressure would lower along with the pain. The anesthesiologist failed the first time to get it in, but succeeded the second time on a vertebrae lower. It was heaven, but it didn't work to lower my blood pressure. I was consistently reading 180/100. They had no choice but to give me Magnesium Sulfate (which works to lower blood pressure, but ALSO slows down contractions). They gave me the "loading" dose, which was super high concentration and made me puke like 4 times. I started seeing double and felt like I was in a time warp. The doctor came in and broke my water, but there was meuconium in it. He felt that since the baby was stressed, we should do a c-section. I think it was almost 6 or 7pm by then. I totally agreed because the Magnesium was wiping me out - I had no energy, even if I had dilated I don't think I could have pushed at all.<br />
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So they prepped me for a C-Section, I remember feeling so nervous. By the time I got in the OR, I was so sick on the magnesium everything turned into a blur. I remember them telling me it was ok to sleep, since I was so obviously fighting staying awake. I was really scared to sleep though because I was worried I would never wake up. I have no idea what my BP was at at this point but I've been told it was still pretty high. So they started the operation and Austine was there holding my hand thank God. After a ton of pushing and tugging (which I later learned causes more pain than the incision itself), I hear Owen. Thank goodness I got the steroid shots as soon as we knew something was wrong. He came out screaming, but was only 2lb 12oz! I didn't even get to hear his other stats, I was so out of it. A normal 34 week old baby should have been somewhere around 4 lbs, so Owen was being growth restricted while in-utero. They showed him to me, I had to crane my neck to see him, but he looked red and very alive so I was relieved. Austine left at this point to follow Owen to the NICU, and they started sewing me back up. After it was all done, they wheeled me out to recovery. The shakes were the worst, I kept trying to go to sleep so they would stop. There were other mom's in recovery too that I could hear, and they all had their babies. It seemed so unfair.<br />
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So after I spent an hour in recovery they wheeled me to L&D, so they could keep a close eye on me. Apparently it was L&D or the ICU, so I was glad to be somewhere where I could have visitors at least. They hooked me up to ANOTHER bag of Magnesium. Gosh how I hate the stuff. Austine spent the night but I was so out of it - I felt like I was in a time warp. He left in the morning to go check up on Ethan. While he was gone it felt like everything was going fast and super slow at the same time. My OB came in and said I wasn't to get out of bed, and to only eat clear liquid. Of course, I had a nurse that tried to get me to stand up (haha, I damn near puked on her), and I didn't eat at all because the cafeteria had no clue I was there or something. I think I got to eat dinner...I can't quite remember. FINALLY, at 8pm I was taken off the magnesium and moved to a postpartum room. I felt instantly better, but holy cow did my stomach hurt. I didn't get out of bed for another day!<br />
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It was finally Wednesday before I got to see Owen, Austine had to help me to a wheel chair and I managed to stand to wash my hands for the required 3 minutes. He was soooo tiny and small, the pictures Austine had shown me didn't really convey his stature at all! But, he was breathing on his own, eating well (he had an IV in but he was nippling), and doing great. What a relief to have him out in an environment where he could thrive instead of being starved for nutrients. There must have been something wrong with the placenta - problems like that are both related to pre-eclampsia AND intrauterine growth restriction.<br />
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I went home Thursday, and we are still waiting on the little dude to come home. He is almost 3 lbs now, and needs to be a little more than 4 to come home. He is also off his IV and feeding wonderfully. It's such a nice thing to be able to hold him (even if I feel like he will break) to feed him. I'm feeling a lot better now, I'm able to get around and even drive to see Owen at the hospital. It is nice in a sense to have some time to recover, but of course I would rather have him home with us than extra time to ourselves. He will hopefully be coming home in a few more weeks! The only thing I'm not looking forward to is paying our deductible twice - ugh! I almost wish I had gotten pregnant a month later to avoid the financial complications. But, compared to losing Owen, or having a seizure or dying - it is worth the money. I'm trying not to worry about it too much.<br />
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So that's it, my extra crazy and super long birth story! Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-12990281430379098082012-07-18T09:42:00.000-07:002012-12-29T11:24:00.920-08:00I've been working on a special update:So yes, it's been a while since I've written. I have some great news to share that will be making my blog a little more interesting!<br />
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Yup! I'm pregnant! I'm totally excited, and due on January 27th. I'm 12 weeks right now, so barely into the 2nd trimester. I've had horrible morning sickness, way worse than I had with Ethan. I know it's silly of me but I'm hoping it means it's a girl!<br />
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I was originally going to get a "Big Brother" shirt for Ethan to announce on Facebook and my blog, but Babies R Us is pretty far away, with traffic. I didn't have enough time and I was super tired. My husband decided to Photoshop the words (which I stole from <a href="http://www.pbjstories.com/2012/06/come-see-little-side-project-im-working.html">this blog</a>) onto a shirt we already had, and he did an awesome job! Everyone loves it. I have to say his expression is totally priceless!<br />
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Anyhow...I'm looking forward to the updates to come. Especially the one where I get to share my new squish with all of you! Thanks for reading :-PNilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-7825830266918991872012-02-22T10:04:00.001-08:002012-12-29T11:24:29.022-08:00Addicted to FacebookSo I'm trying to limit Facebook duing Lent because I am a little bit addicted to it. I don't really think I realized HOW addicted I was until today. <br />
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So I've allowed myself to check it and play the game I love morning and night. However, I've found that as soon as I'm the slightest bit bored ieither tab onto it or if I'm on my phone I click on it - without even realizing! Holy smokes! They should have a program for this thing. <br />
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Wish me luck. Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-57393969643507247802012-02-21T12:28:00.000-08:002012-02-21T12:28:54.873-08:00It's that time again!Lent is around the corner (it's tomorrow, so really). For me, this means a lot of introspection and a LOT of sacrifices. Last year I gave up TV and it was really hard for me, so I've decided to take it a step further. I am giving up TV again, I am also giving up desserts and candy, along with limiting my FB time.<br />
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I think Lent is the perfect season to think about what really needs to change in your life - to make God the center of it. I know there is a lot of "noise" in this world today, things that distract us from religion and God. It is very hard to fight against the media and everything else, but I think once I cut it out I will have a larger sense of satisfaction than I do when I browse facebook for 2 hours.<br />
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A great article about Lent is <a href="http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/make">here</a>. You should read the article, but I'll post some of the ideas of things to sacrifice here:<br />
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<b>Ideas for Adults</b><br />
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<i>Fasting</i><br />
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Skip lunch one day a week.<br />
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Skip meat an extra day — or two — a week.<br />
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Give up alcoholic beverages — except in social situations where you would stand out otherwise; then have just one.<br />
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Give up soda — even diet soda.<br />
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Give up all desserts.<br />
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Don’t buy anything except groceries and absolute necessities.<br />
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Fast from listening to talk radio or music in the car.<br />
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<i>Prayer</i><br />
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Begin — or begin again — the daily Rosary.<br />
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Meditate for 10 minutes a day — <i>Magnificat</i> offers a wonderful daily meditation.<br />
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Attend Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy devotions or Eucharistic adoration.<br />
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Start a nightly habit of spiritual reading. For example, one of these new books: Pope Benedict’s <i>Jesus of Nazareth</i> and <i>Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week: From the Entrance Into Jerusalem to the Resurrection</i>, as well as Father Robert Barron’s <i>Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith</i>.<br />
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Read the Compendium of the Catechism (just four pages a day will allow you to finish it in Lent).<br />
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<i>Almsgiving/Charity</i><br />
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Volunteer to deliver food to the poor.<br />
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Join the social-concerns committee at your parish.<br />
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Make a significant donation to a deserving charity with each Lenten paycheck.<br />
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Forgive someone, and tell him or her you want to patch things up.<br />
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Say a kind word to everyone you meet.<br />
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Pay one significant compliment — or more! — to each of your children every day.<br />
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Offer to watch the children of a new mother one day a week throughout Lent.<br />
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Visit an elderly friend or relative.<br />
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<b>For Children and Teens</b><br />
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For younger folks, don’t be afraid of the adult ideas. But if none will work for you, try these:<br />
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Look for and address a need in your house every day. <br />
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Start asking, “Is there anything else I can do?” after you do what your parents ask.<br />
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Turn off your phone except for specific times at home.<br />
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Give up video games. Yes — entirely — throughout Lent (except Sundays!).<br />
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Send a note to each grandparent, aunt, uncle and godparent during Lent.<br />
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Make a new friend outside your “crowd.”<br />
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Be a friend to a shy person.<br />
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Give up that bad place, person or thing.<br />
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Choose a favorite toy, book or piece of clothing and put it away until Easter.<br />
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<br />Read more: <a href="http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/make#ixzz1n3ApwuCU" style="color: #003399;">http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/make#ixzz1n3ApwuCU</a></div>
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It's time to focus on what matters! Good luck to all of you :D</div>
<br />Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-82873228567455017732012-02-20T12:21:00.000-08:002012-02-21T12:22:18.639-08:00Meal Planning Monday 2/20Yum! I am making a few new recipes this week:<br />
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Monday: Easy Peasy Spaghetti and Salad<br />
Tuesday: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/refried-beans-without-the-refry/">Crockpot Refried Beans</a> (without the refry), and <a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1618,157187-224196,00.html">Chicken and Rice</a> (we're making burritos!)<br />
Wednesday: We are eating out with Austine's co-workers, I finally get to put some faces to names! It's also a no-meat day for us, so we get to see what the no-meat menu is like at Lazy Dog Cafe.<br />
Thursday: Crockpot Beef Pot Roast<br />
Friday: Skinny Macaroni and Spinach- I didn't make this last week so I just carried it over.<br />
Saturday: Whole Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Mixed Veggies<br />
Sunday: Either Chicken Soup, or some other variety of chicken something.Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-39317192493693690352012-02-17T10:09:00.000-08:002012-02-17T10:09:14.643-08:00Crockpot/Skillet Chicken EnchiladasThese are really awesome, but totally the lazy white person way of doing this! I took the recipe off a can of enchilada sauce, and tweaked it a bit for my own purposes.<br />
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What you will need:<br />
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1 can enchilada sauce<br />
2 or 3 chicken breasts<br />
12-16 corn tortillas<br />
1 tbsp olive oil<br />
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese<br />
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I used my crockpot for this, and it turned out great. First, I put the breasts in my crockpot and poured the enchilada sauce over it. I added tomato sauce too to reduce the amount of seasoning because my husband has a sensitive stomach.<br />
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Let it cook on high 5 hours, or low 8 hours. Once it's done, shred the chicken in the sauce (I just press the chicken breasts against the side and they shred so easily!). Tear up the corn tortillas into bite size pieces. Heat up a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet (you can reduce it a little if you wish), add the tortilla pieces and coat with oil.<br />
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Cook until they are floppy. Add to crockpot and mix in, sprinkle a layer of cheese on top. Cover and let sit about 5 minutes (so cheese is melted). Enjoy!<br />
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</div>Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-39907567048864209292012-02-15T12:19:00.000-08:002012-02-15T12:20:23.077-08:00Valentine's DaySo, I'm not really into it, which surprises a lot of people. Austine and I don't really exchange gifts. It really makes it easier in the long run- there's no frantic searching (cus really, isn't Christmas bad enough?!), no expectations, and no money spent (my favorite part). This year I did make a decent meal though. I figure if we were going to celebrate something, we would celebrate our relationship and spend some decent time together. I think I may have succumbed to going out, except I never want to pay for a babysitter. This probably explains why Austine and I haven't been out <i>by ourselves </i>in like 10 months. I digress, I made a really wonderful meal.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLCl-m-C858/TzwSMl_yqaI/AAAAAAAABnw/ClKaRjgtad0/s1600/422298_10150781089963852_832923851_12286075_1471747744_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLCl-m-C858/TzwSMl_yqaI/AAAAAAAABnw/ClKaRjgtad0/s320/422298_10150781089963852_832923851_12286075_1471747744_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It was pretty darn simple, but pretty darn good too! We had New York Strip, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Salad, along with some wine. I marinated the strips in Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and wine overnight. Then I added our all time favorite Porterhouse seasoning on it before I broiled it (I overcooked it a little, it was medium well instead of medium rare). The garlic mashed potatoes were super easy too! I just crushed a clove into cooked potatoes, added whole milk and sour cream and mashed. They turned out great! I'm really glad I put some time into a meal for this. Rarely do we sit down at the table and eat...and I think we should make it more of a tradition. Especially once Ethan gets older, I feel it's very important for us to share our meals as a family, like I did when I was growing up.<br /><br />Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-11502712152227550582012-02-13T13:32:00.000-08:002012-02-15T12:20:07.532-08:00What's for dinner? 2/13<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Monday: Chicken Soup with <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/dumplings/">Dumplings</a><br /> Tuesday: <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/marinated-grilled-new-york-strip-steaks-129403">New York Strip</a>, Salad, Potatoes (Lava cake as dessert)<br /> Wednesday: <a href="http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/1168/Chicken-Enchilada-Skillet124900.shtml">Chicken Enchilada Skillet</a><br /> Thursday: Beef Stir Fry<br /> Friday: <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/05/lighter-baked-macaroni-and-cheese.html">Macaroni & Cheese</a> with Spinach<br /> Saturday: <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/01/crock-pot-chicken-la-criolla.html">Crockpot Chicken Thighs</a><br /> Sunday: Chef Salad</span></span></h6>
I'm actually planning on doing a walkthrough on the dumplings, and skillet (which is super good and super easy!). Stay tuned!<br /><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> </span></span></h6>Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-80570929630584505882012-01-27T14:04:00.000-08:002012-01-27T14:15:33.577-08:00Are you a "one upper"?So before I became a mother, I rarely ran into this type of person. You know, the person who always has it worse than you. I think it is basic human nature to want to complain, and I totally admit to doing it myself. However, I think there is a line that can easily be crossed.<br />
<br />
Now that I'm a mom, I feel like I am running into this type of person ALL THE TIME. There seems to be some sort of need to "have it worse off" than the other person, and I'm really having a hard time wrapping my head around it. Let's look at some of the reasons we complain in the first place:<br />
<br />
Venting: Sometimes you just have to let it out! Complaining really doesn't make any situation better, but it sure feels good to tell someone else.<br />
Commiseration: Nobody wants to feel like they are alone in the world. <br />
Advice: Sometimes we can't figure out what to do just by our-self, and we need to ask someone to get different opinions. It makes sense!<br />
<br />
I really do think complaining, venting, seeking advice is really therapeutic, or I wouldn't have a blog! I feel that constantly "one upping" other moms though is very detrimental. We need to stick together, not make each other feel insignificant. Constantly having it worse than other people, especially when they are seeking advice or help just makes them feel like their complaints are needless when you "have it so bad."<br />
<br />
As mothers, I think we really need to try and be empathetic to others, especially other moms! We all have different situations in life and need to support each other as best we can. Nobody else will really understand where we are coming from, and it is really important to support each other!Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-5960940245165775762012-01-26T09:43:00.001-08:002012-01-26T09:45:12.873-08:00iPhone Pic Dump<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pEJrnk5IWiU/TyGQv-hQ5RI/AAAAAAAABl8/nsdJk0TnoEs/s640/blogger-image--1766153451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pEJrnk5IWiU/TyGQv-hQ5RI/AAAAAAAABl8/nsdJk0TnoEs/s640/blogger-image--1766153451.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C4O6U06oz-Y/TyGQwa4vHFI/AAAAAAAABmE/lHydwagnE80/s640/blogger-image-1687075532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C4O6U06oz-Y/TyGQwa4vHFI/AAAAAAAABmE/lHydwagnE80/s640/blogger-image-1687075532.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ae_IOOmbkq4/TyGQwib8iDI/AAAAAAAABmM/TheIwxsQoxI/s640/blogger-image-82382790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ae_IOOmbkq4/TyGQwib8iDI/AAAAAAAABmM/TheIwxsQoxI/s640/blogger-image-82382790.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PUM0Oz917VA/TyGQw4SUxGI/AAAAAAAABmU/ggHDYuRb7_U/s640/blogger-image-1920120117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PUM0Oz917VA/TyGQw4SUxGI/AAAAAAAABmU/ggHDYuRb7_U/s640/blogger-image-1920120117.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KKKO0tRqBSA/TyGQxK_higI/AAAAAAAABmc/yX5JPQLVI-k/s640/blogger-image--1337183362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KKKO0tRqBSA/TyGQxK_higI/AAAAAAAABmc/yX5JPQLVI-k/s640/blogger-image--1337183362.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BL_HtIDYPTk/TyGQxY65nZI/AAAAAAAABmk/7VKY3S2DlCc/s640/blogger-image-1127339420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BL_HtIDYPTk/TyGQxY65nZI/AAAAAAAABmk/7VKY3S2DlCc/s640/blogger-image-1127339420.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HoGOBotN83A/TyGQxrymV9I/AAAAAAAABms/o14pBaOiS0E/s640/blogger-image--1781883741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HoGOBotN83A/TyGQxrymV9I/AAAAAAAABms/o14pBaOiS0E/s640/blogger-image--1781883741.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vLfiscMDn48/TyGQxysZbII/AAAAAAAABm0/tNYWOcB3qww/s640/blogger-image-1582814290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vLfiscMDn48/TyGQxysZbII/AAAAAAAABm0/tNYWOcB3qww/s640/blogger-image-1582814290.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bwOlVIGKBlY/TyGQyKBHwtI/AAAAAAAABm8/_sFQL5Hc19U/s640/blogger-image--2070731673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bwOlVIGKBlY/TyGQyKBHwtI/AAAAAAAABm8/_sFQL5Hc19U/s640/blogger-image--2070731673.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pybGSw_WQx0/TyGQyeXlF5I/AAAAAAAABnE/7XI-s5k6vP4/s640/blogger-image--241342446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pybGSw_WQx0/TyGQyeXlF5I/AAAAAAAABnE/7XI-s5k6vP4/s640/blogger-image--241342446.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ROv3odX3yFk/TyGQyquc5qI/AAAAAAAABnM/SqhPJeB87H4/s640/blogger-image--1854060105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ROv3odX3yFk/TyGQyquc5qI/AAAAAAAABnM/SqhPJeB87H4/s640/blogger-image--1854060105.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iZY_6TbheUA/TyGQyyZyfVI/AAAAAAAABnU/9OeczRaZOkY/s640/blogger-image--835483143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iZY_6TbheUA/TyGQyyZyfVI/AAAAAAAABnU/9OeczRaZOkY/s640/blogger-image--835483143.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1-wF-MsaqrE/TyGQzIXKUSI/AAAAAAAABnc/xqq9to5F-nA/s640/blogger-image-1824875758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1-wF-MsaqrE/TyGQzIXKUSI/AAAAAAAABnc/xqq9to5F-nA/s640/blogger-image-1824875758.jpg" /></a></div>Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-27048819563087793362012-01-24T01:29:00.000-08:002012-01-26T09:44:01.749-08:00Cus' breaking up is hard to doI've had a sudden crash course in reality. Specifically, Facebook reality, which is actually more real than you might think. A friend de-friended me on Facebook. When, I don't know, why? I barely know! But this friend was someone who I happened to really respect and love, so of course it hurt my feelings. It is hard not to tie your real life to Facebook, I think we are becoming so ingrained!<br />
<br />
So yes, I have spent the majority of my day bawling my head off over Facebook. Then it became a lot more than just Facebook. When I asked my friend why, she said that I had written some derisive comment. I looked, and found it. Yes, it was belittling. Yes, I had had about two glasses of wine before I wrote it. Yes, I didn't really think about it when I wrote it.<br />
<br />
Does that make me a prime subject for de-friending? No.<br />
<br />
First, a lesson in de-friending. There are some requirements, or at least there should be for some common decency. Firstly, one should not de-friend on Facebook over petty arguments. Making an out of place comment is a good example. Secondly, one should not defriend unless there has been a face to face, exchange of words. Thirdly, one should not defriend someone who they might see in the near future, or has close contact with people you relate to on a regular basis.<br />
<br />
Prom Queen from HS you haven't talked to in 3 years? Yes.<br />
<br />
Stay at home mom who barely has any friends as it is, speaks to your friends on a regular basis, with a son who absolutely adores you? No.<br />
<br />
In short, over a text conversation I was told the comment was the last straw, and I have belittled and used this friend to the point where she no longer wants to be my friend. This makes me sad, because a) I never want my friends to feel belittled or used b) said friend didn't even talk to me about how she felt and c) somebody doesn't like me!!! (queue crying here). It hurts a lot more than I would expect, but it really is very similar to being dumped by your high school boyfriend. You're told you aren't valued, your faults are brought to the surface, and then bam, on your ass. I really wish it didn't have to be this way because I have some really awesome memories with this person (or you could say, not memories at times haha). Ethan really loved her and hasn't seen her in forever, and one of the toys she gave him for his birthday is his favorite!<br />
<br />
A lot of people have told me, oh well, good riddance, ect. I guess I can't say that because if I could I obviously wouldn't be crying. Sigh, I suppose this is part of life. Live on and move on.<br />
<br />
So yes, breaking up (with your friend) is hard to do. I'm going to go cry myself to sleep now. Night Ya'all.Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-91293872968934308682012-01-23T11:59:00.000-08:002012-01-26T09:43:51.759-08:00Menu Planning Monday 1/23Monday: <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/08/steak-and-cheese-sandwiches-with-onions.html">Steak and Cheese Sandwiches</a><br />
Tuesday: Fajitas and Frijoles<br />
Wednesday: <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/01/asian-turkey-meatballs-with-lime-sesame.html">Asian Turkey Meatballs and Rice</a> (which reminds me I need to get sesame oil!)<br />
Thursday: Spaghetti and Salad<br />
Friday: Vegetarian Chili<br />
Saturday: Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Veggies<br />
Sunday: Pea Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches<br />
<br />
Mmmmmm!Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-65108855926761406232012-01-20T15:38:00.000-08:002012-01-26T09:43:40.379-08:00I really am trying!I really am trying to post, but I feel like I've run out of things to post about, I guess. Maybe it's because I just feel so stuck recently. Ethan is 15 months old now, and is such a great little kid. But I really don't get any time at all for me. The last time I was by myself was a doctor appointment (read 30 minutes). I keep thinking longingly about when I was younger, and I could do what the heck I wanted, within constrictions of course.<br />
<br />
When we are kids, we believe that things will be awesome when we're grown up. We will eat all the ice cream in the world, stay up until 6am, and play video games all the time. Then you grow up and it hits you, this crap has consequences! Growing up is really just the realization that your actions affect others and yourself (it seems). If I eat all the ice cream I want, I will be fat and unhealthy. Same goes for playing video games all day, who has the time for that anyways! Staying up until 6 is no longer a possibility because you're out by 9. 9PM.<br />
<br />
That was a bit of a tangent but it's true. I hope Ethan enjoys his childhood and doesn't take it for granted like I did (who am I kidding, he will, like every child does). Right now, all I want is a great massage, a shopping day, a night on the town, heck a biology class would be welcome! I am starting to feel under stimulated and I need to find some solutions that are easy on the wallet, who has any ideas?! I'm going to do some major brainstorming about this blog. I want it to be my outlet, but everyone will probably agree that if nobody reads its it's nothing more than a horrible diary. I like feedback, and comments, and opinions. I don't want to be top mommy blogger of the year or anything like that. But I would like to stimulate the reader and me in the same throw. Any ideas on that either? Halp!Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-70410019361753088552012-01-11T12:53:00.000-08:002012-01-11T12:53:18.380-08:00Books I really want to read EthanSo, I grew up with books. I am the biggest book nerd on the planet (may be an hyperbole). My mom was an awesome mother who took us everywhere and read to us (my brother and I) every night. It really was something to look forward to. Ethan is such a hyper little guy, it is hard to get him to sit down and listen, but I try every night anyways- as part of our bedtime routine. He especially loves the books with animals, and loves it even more if you go through and make the noise each animal makes.<br />
<br />
When he gets older, I have a whole list of big books I want to read him. Some were read to me as a child, some weren't but are my favorites.<br />
<ul>
<li>The Hobbit (was read to me as a child)</li>
<li>The Laura Ingalls Wilder series (read to me as a child)</li>
<li>Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (a favorite)</li>
<li>Harry Potter (a favorite)</li>
<li>The Myst Series (was read to me as a child, we played the games as a family)</li>
<li>The Chronicles of Narnia (a favorite)</li>
<li>A Wrinkle in Time, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and A Wind in the Door</li>
<li>Westerly by Susan Cooper</li>
<li>The Boggart by Susan Cooper</li>
<li>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</li>
<li>Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (vermicious knids!)</li>
<li>The BFG</li>
<li>Matilda (I read this book to DEATH as a kid)</li>
<li>Lemony Snickets</li>
</ul>
These are all books I personally have read at least 20 times or more, and I cannot wait to share them with Ethan! Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-1373953090243973962012-01-11T12:43:00.000-08:002012-01-11T12:53:34.874-08:00Wow! and New Years Resolutions.Ok, I suck. I admit it. I really haven't been writing at all, and I have been feeling tons of guilt about it. Not because I feel like I have a reader base I'm disappointing (obviously, look at my followers haha), but because I feel like I've been cheating myself. I like having my little blog that I can look back on and go, wow! it was really like that! So, since it's the beginning of the year I am reinstating my resolution to write at least once a week. I think I actually did a really good job last year, I definitely wrote more than I did the year before- so I consider it a success. <br />
<br />
Looking back on that post, there were a few things I didn't do well with. Mostly weight, but I think everyone struggles with that! It is so easy to be motivated and really driven in the beginning, isn't it? Then it really just begins to be a bore. I'm lazy, I'll admit it. I would rather spend an hour on the couch than 15 minutes running. It needs to be done though, so I am constantly having an internal struggle with myself. I can do nothing but try again this year. I try not to put so much faith in myself when I manage to fail at this all the time! I do not want to be the "fat mom" at the playgroup, but it seems to be happening anyways. I will try, that is my new years resolution.<br />
<br />
I wasn't exactly on track with prayers, or remembering to pray. That's another thing I KNOW I need to do, but it is really easy to get caught up in life and forget about it. I've downloaded a few things on the iPhone that have helped me remember at least, so I think I am actually seeing an improvement in that.<br />
<br />
I have a few business goals too, since I've started my direct sale business with Scentsy. Mainly, I want to recruit three people this year! It is a small number compared to some of the other people who are big with Scentsy, but I am a small time gal. I have to really think about how Scentsy has blessed Austine and me; the extra money has really been a lifesaver and it is awesome to be able to stay home with Ethan. So, I have to keep thinking I am sharing a blessing with others, and not a burden.<br />
<br />
That's it! I will be posting about this again in another year! I'm glad I've made some improvements, and it is nice to see that. It is nice to be in a state where you seek constant improvement...and I feel good that I have made some. Yay!Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-83072512276513872602011-12-23T11:42:00.001-08:002011-12-23T11:50:29.200-08:00What does a cute hat look like?<br />
<br />
<center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/107782759390876430645/MeatPotatoesMama?authkey=Gv1sRgCIjws4X0kfqcFA#5689411145519770770'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UJibQ5XXCrE/TvTZSwXarJI/AAAAAAAABms/uL0xUPvXZiY/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />
He wouldn't keep it on (hence the bad photo) but it is seriously the cutest hat I have ever put on his head. I got it from my friend Allie, who crochet'd it herself! We had a really fun time hanging out with her and her son will yesterday: <br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/107782759390876430645/MeatPotatoesMama?authkey=Gv1sRgCIjws4X0kfqcFA#5689411156823793346'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E8oh_REj6pY/TvTZTaegXsI/AAAAAAAABm0/47XAJBHDuSk/s288/6.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />
Yes that is Twilight on in the background, total baby material! <br />
<br />
<center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/107782759390876430645/MeatPotatoesMama?authkey=Gv1sRgCIjws4X0kfqcFA#5689411524227717906'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7VqeqisXw_M/TvTZozKbWxI/AAAAAAAABnE/rtMvbjbjNE4/s288/7.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />
Ethan hasn't quite learned to share yet, he kept picking up this toy and walking away with it, so Will couldn't have it. <br />
<br />
Allie has so many cute hats for sale on her <a target="_blank" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beachgurlie80">Etsy shop</a>, you should all check it out! I certainly have a soft spot for moms who have their own businesses, I like knowing that my money is going towards a family who needs it, and not a huge company. <br />
<br />
Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-40119629622010246402011-12-22T10:37:00.000-08:002011-12-22T10:38:49.944-08:00Life as a 1 year oldIf you are one year old (and Ethan)-<br />
<br />
All things with four legs and a tail is a "doggeee", you should follow it around and woof at it, even if it's a cat.<br />
<br />
Music is for dancing- make sure to shake your butt and wave your hands around a lot.<br />
<br />
Anything that is out of your reach must be amazing, and YOU NEED IT NOW.<br />
<br />
Anything that is soft and on the floor is subject to a head dive.<br />
<br />
Climbing on chairs is awesome, getting down? Not so much.<br />
<br />
If it's a string, belt, earphones, wires, anything bendable and long- it goes around your neck.<br />
<br />
Anything that is in the general shape of a rectangle is a phone.<br />
<br />
Keyboards are for smashing.<br />
<br />
Ash from the fireplace is delicious.<br />
<br />
Rugs are for dragging around, and flipping over...right in front of a doorway.<br />
<br />
Coffee mugs are fun to carry around- the fuller the better.<br />
<br />
The word NO just means you should try again in a few minutes.<br />
<br />
Eyes are there to be poked. The same goes for nose, mouth, ears, and belly button.<br />
<br />
Naps are for babies.<br />
<br />
If you shake the baby gate enough, it just *might* open.<br />
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Day old food found in the couch is fair game.<br />
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End of the world constitutes- having to wait for food, someone leaving the room, getting left behind the baby gate, falling off the couch....<br />
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Highchairs are meant for standing in, not eating.<br />
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If you cry long enough at naptime/bedtime- someone will come get you! This means you can play more- and by playing you really mean walking around in circles and whining.<br />
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That bark stuff at playgrounds? Delicious!<br />
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Dogs are awesome until they bark at you. Then they really suck.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FcB-l2fXASQ/TvNvUAWqzwI/AAAAAAAABlw/A_Sv0EUFnMY/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FcB-l2fXASQ/TvNvUAWqzwI/AAAAAAAABlw/A_Sv0EUFnMY/s320/DSC_0079.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edible leaf?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-32307117147534198132011-12-20T13:14:00.000-08:002011-12-20T13:14:44.006-08:00Why being a mom makes you a social pariah...It's been a while, but it's time I get back on track! I've been wanting to write about this for a while, because it is definitely something I have been dealing with (and with no-one in particular, just in general). I've really noticed that while being a mom is the greatest gig in the world, it really does put a damper on your social life (who KNEW?!). There are several reasons why you may feel that your close friends are moving in the former friends category, and believe me, I totally relate.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li> <b>They don't relate to you anymore- </b>This is especially true for the party on the weekend types. I feel like a lot of friends just don't want to go out with me because they think I'm a wet blanket. Well, in the sense that I want to be home by 11, I worry about my kid constantly, and Ethan is the main subject of every conversation. While I know I should tone this down, it really is part of being a mom, which moms GET!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>They think you never have time- </b>Ok people, lets get this straight. We have kids but that doesn't necessarily mean that 100% of our time is taken up by changing poopy diapers. This actually makes me really mad. Ask me if I want to go out, if I can plan it, I will! Don't just assume that I can't do it, so you don't invite. It really makes me feel like a piece of shiz. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>It takes too much effort to plan- </b>A lot of friends are the "fly by the seat of your pants" friends, or so I've noticed. If they can't call you and make last minute plans, they aren't at all. I even have some friends who refuse to make plans ahead of time, forcing me to try and plan last minute- <i>which is not easy with a kid. </i></li>
</ul>
<br />
Truth be told, when it comes to me- I am just in a different category than all my former friends. I am married, they are dating around. I have a kid, they have a dog? I can barely stay up until 12, they stay up till 3 or 4 every weekend! I hope that eventually they will catch up to me, get married and have children. But for now, I have to be patient and bear it. At least I have some wonderful mommy friends, even if the depth of the relationship isn't near what I would like it to be. I would love to meet some more friends who are my age and are at the same stage in life as me. Unfortunately it seems that 27 is too young to have a kid anymore! Who knew?! *sigh*<br />
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<br />Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-87163464348562645662011-12-05T20:35:00.001-08:002011-12-05T20:47:17.043-08:00Mommy App: HomeroutinesI haven't done an app review in a while, so I figured I'd let you all in on this secret. Homeroutines is a great app that uses the FlyLady model to keep your house organized and clean. The app allows you to plan your daily routine, in conjunction with a rotating schedule that will help keep your house immaculate! Here are a few screenshots:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/107782759390876430645/MeatPotatoesMama?authkey=Gv1sRgCIjws4X0kfqcFA#5682869398776940210" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8VaG0zMg8WI/Tt2bm-sJhrI/AAAAAAAABmA/t9mdngks3Vo/s400/5.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Create your own routines, you can set a reminder or just play it by ear!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/107782759390876430645/MeatPotatoesMama?authkey=Gv1sRgCIjws4X0kfqcFA#5682869405459395058" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xGYdcNrjiUw/Tt2bnXlXsfI/AAAAAAAABmI/fwgbY1cox4M/s400/6.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a system similar to FlyLady, you only spend 15 minutes a day deep cleaning your house, but manage to get a lot done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/107782759390876430645/MeatPotatoesMama?authkey=Gv1sRgCIjws4X0kfqcFA#5682869415203687666" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x_zLCejpJEQ/Tt2bn74lzPI/AAAAAAAABmQ/d6ugyTewF8s/s400/7.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each zone rotates each week, and repeats each month.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/107782759390876430645/MeatPotatoesMama?authkey=Gv1sRgCIjws4X0kfqcFA#5682869426593831346" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y-XdIBZf_Rs/Tt2bomUNmbI/AAAAAAAABmY/sBk4VQaAcVE/s400/8.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Husband asking what you did today? Show him this list!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/107782759390876430645/MeatPotatoesMama?authkey=Gv1sRgCIjws4X0kfqcFA#5682869436893707362" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RCzRzJajlEM/Tt2bpMr5PGI/AAAAAAAABmg/OWlnJLKqF1E/s400/9.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can set certain routines to show up a certain day of the week. In my case, Mondays are grocery shopping and dusting day!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have really gotten a lot of use out of this app! I am not a naturally organized person, although with the many applications I have on hand I feel that I have become much more so. The worst part about cleaning a house is feeling overwhelmed with how much there is to do, and I feel Homeroutines really addressed this. Who doesn't have 15 minutes a day to spend cleaning?<br />
<br />
In addition to organizing your chores and routines, Homeroutines also features a to-do list, and a website that you can update from your desktop (www.my.homeroutines.com). It costs 3.99 from the apple app store, which is on the high end of the amount I'm willing to spend on a program. However, this is one of the few times I will say it is worth the money. I really couldn't live without this app.Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-39893691526302593392011-11-23T11:18:00.001-08:002011-12-22T10:39:21.090-08:00Hilarious things Ethan thinks about while eating<span style="font-size: small;">I am totally stealing this from a group of mine on facebook, but it really is too hilarious to not post. Here are some things we have decided babies must think whilst eating:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">While eating macaroni: </span><br />
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">"I want more macaroni!"<br /> "How DARE you move the macaroni I already have into a pile!?"<br /> "Ooo, macaroni."</span></span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">"Get this macaroni away from me NOW!"</span></span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">"ooooh, I bet I can use macaroni as conditioner" </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span></span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">"One for me, one for the dog, one for me, one for the dog--"</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span></span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">"If I hide this macaroni under my leg, she won't see it, then when she takes my tray away, I have a snack!"</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> </span></span></h6>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">"Uh oh! Macaroni fell out of my hand onto the floor. Accidentally, of course."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">::throws macaroni emphatically on the ground:: "UH-OH!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">"You eat this, Mommy. NO! It's mine."</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;"> "Let me chew it for a bit and then spit it out into my hand to look at and put it back in my mouth for consumption."</span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">"No, mom. I'm pretty sure the floor is hungry. NoDon'tPickThat----uhhhh. Sorry, floor. I got your back, buddy. Here's more."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">"Don't wipe my face. Never wipe my face!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">"Bring me my sippy cup,
woman!" **gulp gulp gulp ** "I tire of this sippy cup!" **throws
forcefully to the floor** "Now, give it back to me!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">So true! </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;"> </span>Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-57050363698479459232011-11-21T11:42:00.001-08:002011-11-23T08:17:17.791-08:00Thanksgiving Stuffing!So my family has about the best Thanksgiving stuffing recipe out there ever. I may be a slight bit biased, but I have tried looking for it online- and I can't find it anywhere! I really should post pictures of it, but since we really only make it during Thanksgiving I can't justify making it without a turkey! Our recipe has always been verbal, so writing it down will just make it last longer in my opinion. It truly is original.<br />
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<u>Nila's Family Stuffing:</u><br />
<br />
What you will need:<br />
1 lb sausage (breakfast kind)<br />
2 cans of unpitted olives (these can be hard to find, we use Graber olives here), drained<br />
Seasoned cornbread dressing according to size of turkey<br />
Celery according to dressing package, minced (leaves included)<br />
Onions according to package, minced<br />
1/2 cup butter, melted<br />
1 carton of chicken broth<br />
1-2 eggs<br />
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Instructions:<br />
Cook sausage, set aside and leave the drippings in the pan. Saute the minced onions and celery in the drippings, then drain. In a large bowl, add cornbread according to the size of your turkey, the cooked minced onions and celery, cooked sausage, 1-2 eggs (start with one, if it is not enough to spread evenly, add another), butter. Mix together, then add drained olives. Lastly, add chicken broth- but only enough to lightly (very lightly) moisten the stuffing. Adding too much broth will make it gooey. This recipe gets better with experience- my first attempt at it made it way too gooey, I will know better next time. Stuff the turkey with the dressing, making sure NOT to pack it. Packed dressing doesn't cook thoroughly, increasing risk of Salmonella (YUCK). <br />
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If you have leftover stuffing, you can put it in a casserole dish and place the turkey neck on it; then cook to the directions on the back of the stuffing. <br />
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If you attempt this, let me know! I'm excited to see other's results.Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-79884329588836493352011-11-15T09:23:00.001-08:002011-11-15T10:08:23.157-08:00Everybody should have a kid...When I say everybody, I mean some people. I really mean that having a kid changes you, and being a parent makes a huge difference in how you see the world. I really believe that if some people could experience life the way a parent sees it, they would improve their life for the better!<br />
<br />
For example, my birthday was this last Saturday. I didn't care! I was trying to figure out what had changed so much in the last year, and the answer was quite obvious. Ethan has changed me, completely and for the better. I used to get sad, depressed, and angry on my birthday. I think the main reason for this is because we grow up with this sense of anticipation. When it's my birthday I am going to get this, when it's my birthday I'm going to get to do this...and so on and so on. How selfish it really was! I was being totally self-centered and throwing a fit every year because my birthday wasn't what I wanted it to be. Then I had Ethan, and everything changed.<br />
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It's really not about me anymore. It's about this tiny little toddling kid I love from the deepest part of me. It's about if he's happy, if he's healthy. I'm so glad that I have a child who is happy and healthy when many parents don't. So this really leads me to the title of my post, everyone should have a kid. They should have a child so that they can see the world through someone else's eyes, so that they can realize it's not "about me".<br />
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I know there are many parents out there who have a child, and still are self centered. I know having a child is not a solution to anything. I have a really hard time understanding how a parent could ignore, beat, or otherwise impair their kid like that. I can't even imagine what I would have to be feeling in order to hit Ethan. So here's just a thought for those children's parents. Look outward, not inward. See life through your child's eyes and enjoy it.<br />
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And now...for a lighter subject. Pickle in a puppy costume!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wINTBK4eMcY/TsKkCIhex0I/AAAAAAAABks/mfZLA-VimKY/s1600/69af4b88042c11e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wINTBK4eMcY/TsKkCIhex0I/AAAAAAAABks/mfZLA-VimKY/s320/69af4b88042c11e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course he changed my life! Look at him!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444817549786941639.post-90669554864539850002011-11-04T10:15:00.000-07:002011-11-07T14:01:33.010-08:00Ethan's First Birthday Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So
Ethan's birthday came and went, and it was quite the blur! It has been
more than 2 weeks now, and I still can't believe I have a one year old! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P0Iwar-VQfM/TrQYF8wsSKI/AAAAAAAAAuM/VFSajickyqw/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P0Iwar-VQfM/TrQYF8wsSKI/AAAAAAAAAuM/VFSajickyqw/s400/DSC_0013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love how parks find the most grabable, delectable, substrate known to man. Here is a picture of him about to ingest some!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUjfvRFID5s/TrQYHUbbp1I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/FGJaVdG8X2A/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUjfvRFID5s/TrQYHUbbp1I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/FGJaVdG8X2A/s400/DSC_0014.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmm delicious substrate!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IsuCBonZxLw/TrQYJHd4x8I/AAAAAAAAAuU/o95X2FfpcEM/s1600/DSC_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IsuCBonZxLw/TrQYJHd4x8I/AAAAAAAAAuU/o95X2FfpcEM/s400/DSC_0020.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the funniest, most serious face I've ever seen him make!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't catch me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jVVsiakpleI/TrQYNO9_nHI/AAAAAAAAAuc/BVOMdb23B-U/s1600/DSC_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jVVsiakpleI/TrQYNO9_nHI/AAAAAAAAAuc/BVOMdb23B-U/s400/DSC_0030.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture is perfect!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan and Grandma D.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trash+Park=Fun</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uRUt6AgHRb0/TrQYSqzLZqI/AAAAAAAAAuo/RsF7jsrDuIA/s1600/DSC_0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uRUt6AgHRb0/TrQYSqzLZqI/AAAAAAAAAuo/RsF7jsrDuIA/s400/DSC_0035.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan and cousin Jackson. They are 3 months apart!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFMW0Qpp02Y/TrQYYg8H55I/AAAAAAAAAu4/d4_uSDet1jI/s1600/DSC_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFMW0Qpp02Y/TrQYYg8H55I/AAAAAAAAAu4/d4_uSDet1jI/s320/DSC_0039.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why does Jackson get all the fun?!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUFeiNuxibU/TrQYV9rhjEI/AAAAAAAAAuw/Emm65Qz3ugk/s1600/DSC_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUFeiNuxibU/TrQYV9rhjEI/AAAAAAAAAuw/Emm65Qz3ugk/s320/DSC_0037.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson is almost walking, soon they will be terrorizing the park together. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oiHuJwM9AAw/TrQYaBESLTI/AAAAAAAAAu8/8jVIGMYZ_5Y/s1600/DSC_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oiHuJwM9AAw/TrQYaBESLTI/AAAAAAAAAu8/8jVIGMYZ_5Y/s400/DSC_0041.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom would have yelled at me for doing this, haha. So I let him. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1eNrG_up5k/TrQYbYYBsBI/AAAAAAAAAvA/U7ihCZK2XnU/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1eNrG_up5k/TrQYbYYBsBI/AAAAAAAAAvA/U7ihCZK2XnU/s320/DSC_0044.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I want to be just like you when I growed up Patrick!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7tT3AIlxjg/TrQYcnfXKGI/AAAAAAAAAvE/-zzppfur3LQ/s1600/DSC_0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7tT3AIlxjg/TrQYcnfXKGI/AAAAAAAAAvE/-zzppfur3LQ/s400/DSC_0049.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiley Jackson!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlWHb9z635E/TrQYeKgZXKI/AAAAAAAAAvI/gDB4UlhjFj0/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlWHb9z635E/TrQYeKgZXKI/AAAAAAAAAvI/gDB4UlhjFj0/s320/DSC_0054.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson loves the swings, Ethan has yet to make up his mind.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xV_X-9IxKMg/TrQYfhzvzqI/AAAAAAAAAvM/6OGCfpEicYg/s1600/DSC_0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xV_X-9IxKMg/TrQYfhzvzqI/AAAAAAAAAvM/6OGCfpEicYg/s320/DSC_0058.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a smile!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fK_nQ3aHIKw/TrQYghG5ZlI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/x8qa0o_Dbqg/s1600/DSC_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fK_nQ3aHIKw/TrQYghG5ZlI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/x8qa0o_Dbqg/s400/DSC_0062.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a frown!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--qGz5LrAOsk/TrQYjHXh6QI/AAAAAAAAAvY/vXZKU3__IzY/s1600/DSC_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--qGz5LrAOsk/TrQYjHXh6QI/AAAAAAAAAvY/vXZKU3__IzY/s400/DSC_0070.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shanee got the cake made by her friend at Le Courdon Bleu. Although I was holding it on the way there, it managed to slip on the round and squish the FRONT. :'(</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HnUwERymAEs/TrQYkL8r6yI/AAAAAAAAAvc/I600IRSkyL0/s1600/DSC_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HnUwERymAEs/TrQYkL8r6yI/AAAAAAAAAvc/I600IRSkyL0/s320/DSC_0072.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She made puppy pops, which I managed to break while putting them in the Styrofoam. I'm pretty sure I ruined Ethan's birthday.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKS0GPsMMO8/TrQYmzDqr7I/AAAAAAAAAvk/Nl1sYjqqfCA/s1600/DSC_0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKS0GPsMMO8/TrQYmzDqr7I/AAAAAAAAAvk/Nl1sYjqqfCA/s400/DSC_0074.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://meatandpotatoesmama.blogspot.com/2011/01/noms.html">Puppy Chow</a>, the most easy, delicious, party mix ever,</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34P3dNTnnQU/TrQYoKDC3KI/AAAAAAAAAvo/FXDjfEgpDo4/s1600/DSC_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34P3dNTnnQU/TrQYoKDC3KI/AAAAAAAAAvo/FXDjfEgpDo4/s400/DSC_0076.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute little puppy cupcakes! They turned out great.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4CI1iycP0g/TrQYpDpjolI/AAAAAAAAAvs/-cSFW0Np748/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4CI1iycP0g/TrQYpDpjolI/AAAAAAAAAvs/-cSFW0Np748/s400/DSC_0077.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were red velvet and delicious! </td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BhR5s-fAR6E/TrQYqaWx9MI/AAAAAAAAAvw/ZsFYQUpaink/s1600/DSC_0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BhR5s-fAR6E/TrQYqaWx9MI/AAAAAAAAAvw/ZsFYQUpaink/s400/DSC_0081.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles the Moose.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaa3rBGRYcY/TrQYr0cunmI/AAAAAAAAAv0/QK84P5qWAXw/s1600/DSC_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaa3rBGRYcY/TrQYr0cunmI/AAAAAAAAAv0/QK84P5qWAXw/s400/DSC_0084.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great great Aunt Loranne, Great Aunt Diana, Great Grandma Caputo, Great Aunt Deena. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPkyYwT-Z0c/TrQYt5lIZRI/AAAAAAAAAv4/VNralCD1Mdw/s1600/DSC_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPkyYwT-Z0c/TrQYt5lIZRI/AAAAAAAAAv4/VNralCD1Mdw/s400/DSC_0086.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachael, Mady, Jillian, Ian, Me, Uncle Andrew, Gramma Ferguson, and Laurie.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj8C9mqxUK8/TrQYvkLocaI/AAAAAAAAAv8/gMD7MTQ7_jk/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj8C9mqxUK8/TrQYvkLocaI/AAAAAAAAAv8/gMD7MTQ7_jk/s400/DSC_0089.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brendon being....Brendon.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6-ke9VWQBE/TrQYxOhXYUI/AAAAAAAAAwA/SYozqMdeZlQ/s1600/DSC_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6-ke9VWQBE/TrQYxOhXYUI/AAAAAAAAAwA/SYozqMdeZlQ/s400/DSC_0090.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I see this picture I think of a dog, in car, ears flapping back in the wind. Don't ask.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XrUjO1WBrSs/TrQYywrp41I/AAAAAAAAAwE/MA_EJz1Kv-M/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XrUjO1WBrSs/TrQYywrp41I/AAAAAAAAAwE/MA_EJz1Kv-M/s400/DSC_0092.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The turnout.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9ZDj6aHquI/TrQY0epDpcI/AAAAAAAAAwI/S-d7ves9jjI/s1600/DSC_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9ZDj6aHquI/TrQY0epDpcI/AAAAAAAAAwI/S-d7ves9jjI/s400/DSC_0097.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mikey is a special agent. </td></tr>
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All in all, we had a really great time. Ethan got some wonderful presents, and we are thankful to each and every one of our guests who gave him something! He loves everything he got!<br />
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<br />Nilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962834188996154209noreply@blogger.com6