2.16.2011
Guest Posting
Hello Readers - I know posting has been pretty slim - still no mojo around these parts, hopefully soon! Anyways, I'm guest posting today on Ashley of The Domestic Wannabe's blog - A Day in the Life of Me being a mommy. Enjoy and hope everyone's week is going well!
2.11.2011
CrockPot Corn Chowder
So - I do not have any pictures of this - because it's all gone and I didn't think about it (I've been so bad with picture taking, I've barely picked up my camera for 2 weeks). Anyways - this is definitely one of family favorite's and it's simple and something I can throw in and forget about.
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 6-8 potatoes, peel and cube them - prefer red potatoes
- 2 cups of ham cubed, I usually just buy the hatfield ham slices
- a dollop of butter
- chicken broth - I buy the small boxed sizes
- salt & pepper
- veggies are optional: onion, carrots - my family is picky so we just use onion powder, no idea when using fresh veggies how much to use etc.
- 1 can of evap milk
- 1 can of undrained kernel corn
- 1 can of cream style corn
- couple tbsp of flour *optional*
Directions: Throw everything in the crockpot except for the evap milk and flour. Fill with chicken broth until just everything is covered. Cook on slow all day long. 30 mins before ready to serve pour in evap milk we prefer the a little bit of a thicker texture to it, so we add in some flour and keep mixing until all of the clumps are gone. Serve and enjoy!
Pintastic Swaptastic!!!
Mamarazzi decided to host one of your fantabulous swaps again - everything had to be pink. Who doesn't love receiving some pink-y goodness?! I know I do! I was paired up with Noelle from Lil Bits and Pieces of Me. We actually emailed a few times - which was nice, that's never happened with any other swap partner I've had.
Now for what was in my package - which arrived crazy fast on Monday. When I took everything out this is what I go to unwrap.
And in case you can't see what everything is here's the breakdown:
- Silicone Heart Shaped Pan
- Vday cake mix and icing
- A travel cupcake container - seriously, this is one of my favorite things!
- Cute small napkins & a tea towel
- Pretty glass votive holder with candle
- Pair of socks
- Bodywash
- Lotion
- Vday Dots, Bubblegum (which the Hubs promptly confiscated for work) and some pink hot chocolate mix, holding out on doing this until Vday with my girls, they are going to love it!
- Some sparkly glittery scrapbook paper, scrapbook hearts, and a cute wipe off board.
Noelle thank you for the super sweet package filled with awesome goodies! I enjoyed being your partner and thought it humorous how we both sent each other a lot of the same things! And thank you again Mamarazzi for hosting another fantastic swap!
2.07.2011
What I Learned This Weekend
What a week last week was - so glad we are starting a new one!!! Sorry for the cricket's chirping around the blog lately - I've sat down to write a couple times and nothing seems to ever come to mind - feeling a little lost on the blog writing mojo.
Back to our weekend
1. This was our first weekend with nothing planned, it's completely ok to say no to our normal weekly family dinners with my parents and the in-laws.
2. Avalynn woke up way too early Saturday morning but after having a bottle she slept in until 9:30. Thank you baby girl - we all needed the sleep!
3. Emma and I had a fun Saturday morning running errands in the rain. She got a watermelon slushie and bought herself a new Tangled book.
4. Every since Emma started talking she's always been a talker, but this past weekend it was brought to a new level.
5. Because of this I seriously am worried about my sanity over the next few years, especially when Avalynn starts in too.
6. Case in point even when she was watching her movie it was a constant dialogue with lots of Moms thrown in there!
7. After errands while everyone else napped I lost myself in a new book I treated myself too.
8. Thank you the Hubs sister for the gift card for Chili's as I didn't have to cook dinner that night.
9. Since we got hit with a yucky virus and crud last week I got thrown off my normal cleaning schedule.
10. Because I have the best Hubs around he helped me knock out the house cleaning in no time.
11. I might have also let the laundry pile up too?
12. He switched loads for me and brought them up so I could fold them.
13. I don't know why, but I'd much rather fold then switch?
14. Decided to make my yummy crockpot corn chowder and Avalynn devoured it! This makes me happy - another meal she loves!
15. I did what I said I'd never do - it's been a struggle getting her to drink milk from a sippy. Since she's still on 3 bottles of formula, per her Ped, I tried putting the milk in a bottle and she was happy as a clam.
16. I really hope we can be done with bottles soon and done completely transitioning her from formula to milk.
Hope everyone had a great weekend!!!
Back to our weekend
1. This was our first weekend with nothing planned, it's completely ok to say no to our normal weekly family dinners with my parents and the in-laws.
2. Avalynn woke up way too early Saturday morning but after having a bottle she slept in until 9:30. Thank you baby girl - we all needed the sleep!
3. Emma and I had a fun Saturday morning running errands in the rain. She got a watermelon slushie and bought herself a new Tangled book.
4. Every since Emma started talking she's always been a talker, but this past weekend it was brought to a new level.
5. Because of this I seriously am worried about my sanity over the next few years, especially when Avalynn starts in too.
6. Case in point even when she was watching her movie it was a constant dialogue with lots of Moms thrown in there!
7. After errands while everyone else napped I lost myself in a new book I treated myself too.
8. Thank you the Hubs sister for the gift card for Chili's as I didn't have to cook dinner that night.
9. Since we got hit with a yucky virus and crud last week I got thrown off my normal cleaning schedule.
10. Because I have the best Hubs around he helped me knock out the house cleaning in no time.
11. I might have also let the laundry pile up too?
12. He switched loads for me and brought them up so I could fold them.
13. I don't know why, but I'd much rather fold then switch?
14. Decided to make my yummy crockpot corn chowder and Avalynn devoured it! This makes me happy - another meal she loves!
15. I did what I said I'd never do - it's been a struggle getting her to drink milk from a sippy. Since she's still on 3 bottles of formula, per her Ped, I tried putting the milk in a bottle and she was happy as a clam.
16. I really hope we can be done with bottles soon and done completely transitioning her from formula to milk.
Hope everyone had a great weekend!!!
2.03.2011
1st Birthday Party
*Warning - post is picture heavy* I've been wanting to post for days, but the weekend was spent recouping from the party and then this week a yucky flu bug hit the family - so glad to see we're all feeling better!
Click here to look at my previous post of some of the items we got that were Monkey to go with her party. We held A's party in the church fellowship hall. Decorations were some paper chains, tissue paper flowers, and balloons all in pinks and green.
Here's the cupcake toppers that the Hubs & I made one evening. SO pleased with how they turned out. Those pink monkey's on the table are flash lights for each of the kids to go along with their goody bag they filled during their candy scramble.
Close up of the beautiful 1 year old! You can't tell but her barrette is a monkey too - needless to say she didn't leave it alone for long before it was yanked free.
Hat made by the Hubs which again didn't stay on for more than 30 seconds. And can you see your cute onsie that I used that iron on transfer on? She had a blast with the cake and towards the end she'd just dive her head in and wouldn't even use her hands.
To help entertain the kiddos we had this blow-up jumpy thing that was the oldests' when she was little. It was a BIG hit with all of the kids.
We also had pieces of paper sitting at ever spot and asked our guests to write something to Avalynn, whether advice, a memory, why we love her. Here's a few of our favorites:
- Avalynn, If you can read this, you win. If you can't read this, just grin. If you can't grin, just smile. For when you smile, we all smile, and you win!! Happy 1st Birthday From Pappy Bill
- Avalynn - You inspire so much joy in your family. Your smiles makes a bad day good and your laugh makes everyone laugh along with you. You are beautiful and special and so very, very loved. Keep your chin up and keep smiling and you can conquer the world! Love Sherri
- Happy 1st Birthday! Hope you and Emma become the best of friends. Sisters are able to get through anything when they have each other. From Jamie
Overall the party was a great success, so many of our friends and family were able to share in the day as we celebrated our little blessing from above turning 1. I hope she looks back fondly at the pictures knowing how loved she is!
*I plan to link to a couple of these fabulous parties!*
*I plan to link to a couple of these fabulous parties!*
1.27.2011
Happy 1st Birthday Avalynn!
Baby Girl -
Well it's official - as of yesterday (yeah, I'm a day late on this post) you are officially a toddler, but always my baby that's for sure! It's hard to believe this letter concludes your 1st year with us. You are what made us from a family of 3 to a family of 4. We have more love in our hearts for you and your sister than either of us thought possible to love. *Corny* I know, but incredibly true! I refer to you as my miracle. You are such a blessing, especially after our previous losses, your birth renewed hope in me again and made me feel whole again.
I feel like not much has changed this past month with you. You are still not standing by yourself or walking. You can tell that you really want to and are a pro barely holding onto our fingers, but you just can't seem to take that leap by yourself. I know it'll come when you are ready! You still only have 4 teeth, this past weekend you slept horribly for 3 nights, thought for sure some teeth were popping through and 1 is right there, but still not completely through. Nights like that are no fun for either of us.
I stopped nursing you completely at 11 1/2 months. I'm so happy that I was able to give you that gift and nurse as long as I did. When I decided to BF, I was just praying and hoping to make it through the first 2 weeks, the hardest ones "they" say - & yes, "they" are right. You had your first sippy of milk last night for dinner and you don't seem sure about it. Hopefully there's no problems switching you over to milk completely. As for table food, you love most of what we give you - especially your veggies!
We had our first significant snowfalls in the past month and you've been out to play twice. Mostly you just like to lay down in the snow and eat it off your mitten. We had you sled down the hill in our backyard a couple times with your Sissy and once with Daddy - you barely cracked a smile, am sure you're going to love it more next year!
We had our own private celebration with you yesterday. Emma got you a pounding shape block, Daddy & I got you the Lil' Zoomer's racetrack, pair of shoes, and some foam mats for in front of your toy area. You love everything. We sang Happy Birthday after dinner to you and you were clapping, smiling and swaying back and forth - it was the cutest thing! No surprise you loved your cupcake. Especially the whipped icing, we video taped you eating it and your face after the 1st taste is priceless and then you dive in for another taste. We're looking forward to seeing you Saturday with your smash cake.
Speaking of - we're having a BIG party for you Saturday with our family and close friends. We're holding it at the church and your theme is called a mod monkey. A girly monkey with a bow on her head and lime green and pink as your colors. I've been busy all week making decorations for the fellowship hall. Tomorrow will be spent baking and prepping all of the meals and then we're going to decorate the hall in the evening with Gramma & PopPop's help.
As your sister and I say - Love you to the rocket, to the moon and back!
The Mama
Well it's official - as of yesterday (yeah, I'm a day late on this post) you are officially a toddler, but always my baby that's for sure! It's hard to believe this letter concludes your 1st year with us. You are what made us from a family of 3 to a family of 4. We have more love in our hearts for you and your sister than either of us thought possible to love. *Corny* I know, but incredibly true! I refer to you as my miracle. You are such a blessing, especially after our previous losses, your birth renewed hope in me again and made me feel whole again.
I feel like not much has changed this past month with you. You are still not standing by yourself or walking. You can tell that you really want to and are a pro barely holding onto our fingers, but you just can't seem to take that leap by yourself. I know it'll come when you are ready! You still only have 4 teeth, this past weekend you slept horribly for 3 nights, thought for sure some teeth were popping through and 1 is right there, but still not completely through. Nights like that are no fun for either of us.
I stopped nursing you completely at 11 1/2 months. I'm so happy that I was able to give you that gift and nurse as long as I did. When I decided to BF, I was just praying and hoping to make it through the first 2 weeks, the hardest ones "they" say - & yes, "they" are right. You had your first sippy of milk last night for dinner and you don't seem sure about it. Hopefully there's no problems switching you over to milk completely. As for table food, you love most of what we give you - especially your veggies!
We had our first significant snowfalls in the past month and you've been out to play twice. Mostly you just like to lay down in the snow and eat it off your mitten. We had you sled down the hill in our backyard a couple times with your Sissy and once with Daddy - you barely cracked a smile, am sure you're going to love it more next year!
We had our own private celebration with you yesterday. Emma got you a pounding shape block, Daddy & I got you the Lil' Zoomer's racetrack, pair of shoes, and some foam mats for in front of your toy area. You love everything. We sang Happy Birthday after dinner to you and you were clapping, smiling and swaying back and forth - it was the cutest thing! No surprise you loved your cupcake. Especially the whipped icing, we video taped you eating it and your face after the 1st taste is priceless and then you dive in for another taste. We're looking forward to seeing you Saturday with your smash cake.
Speaking of - we're having a BIG party for you Saturday with our family and close friends. We're holding it at the church and your theme is called a mod monkey. A girly monkey with a bow on her head and lime green and pink as your colors. I've been busy all week making decorations for the fellowship hall. Tomorrow will be spent baking and prepping all of the meals and then we're going to decorate the hall in the evening with Gramma & PopPop's help.
As your sister and I say - Love you to the rocket, to the moon and back!
The Mama
1.25.2011
Preparing for 1st Birthday - Phase 1
I'm not going to lie, somehow I feel like her birthday has totally snuck up on me. It was like the Holidays came and then we were in the 1st week of January and I was like "Oh Crap, I better get some invites out!". I searched around on the web for invite wordings and paired parts of different ones together, my friend Lisa took my vision and put together this adorable invite! Have gotten so many great compliments from everyone who received these. Thanks again Lisa!
Next up, on my list was - what was my little girl going to wear? I kept seeing CafePress ads on websites showing this shirt below, it was official loved it. Still to make, a tutu for her to wear with it.
I decided I wanted her to have something to wear for the smash cake also. Went back to Etsy and ordered this iron on transfer from Baby Fables. Christine was great to work with customizing this for me. It arrived very quickly her envelope/packaging is just so cute. I highly suggest checking out her store.
I'm in a daze of pink/green/& monkey's...
Wow, can't believe I haven't been able to post for almost a week. Last week things that could go wrong just kept going wrong, things are finally looking up as of this afternoon. Hate having bummer days consecutively - no fun!
Now, I'm running around crazily getting ready to celebrate my baby's 1st birthday, hard to believe Wednesday she will be 1. We are celebrating with all of our loved ones. Have tons of birthday party prepping posts to share this week.
Hope everyone's week has started out well!
Now, I'm running around crazily getting ready to celebrate my baby's 1st birthday, hard to believe Wednesday she will be 1. We are celebrating with all of our loved ones. Have tons of birthday party prepping posts to share this week.
Hope everyone's week has started out well!
1.19.2011
1.18.2011
Valentine's Decor
Every year I want to decorate for Valentine's Day, but always find I hardly have anything to decorate with and don't want to spend a lot of money. This year I was determined to do do something in our dining room on the cheap, I went shopping at Dollar Tree, $1 spot at Target, and things around my home creating this below for the less than $12!
Here's a view of the whole dresser. Made apothecary jars from DT candle stick holders and cylinder vases. Subway art was a free printable from eighteen 25, found here.
The milk jugs were found in the Target $1 spot. Heart pics from dollar tree, they are soft and fuzzy.
The apothecary jars are filled with some red satin, glitter hearts, strand of white beads and some heart picks.
Close up of the book the Hubs book folded and some glittery love below.
Close-up of the love bunting I made out of burlap. Frame was an old one that was brass, picked up for FREE, painted it a glossy black.
I plan to link up to these parties and Beth's Linky party, here.
1.17.2011
What I Learned This Weekend
We had a very filled weekend with friends and family = a great weekend overall.
1. Friday was my mom's birthday and I can totally whip out an amazing cake in an hour. Putting your cake outside to cool so you can icing it is totally ok when your short on time!
2. Make sure to cover it, because you don't want any winter critters or birds snacking on it. No this didn't happen to me.
3. Friday night was the first time I've missed using my Cricut in months! Completely ok to print off letters, cut them out with an exacto knife and make my own stencils that way.
4. Slicing burlap in triangles completely stinks.
5. First time to Monkey Joes for a birthday party and it was over capacity! Poor Emma was scared when we got there and said she didn't want to try anything, thankfully she warmed up as it emptied out some and had a blast!
6. I really wish parents would pay attention/watch their kids when at a place like MJ's, instead of sitting in the parents area and completely ignoring them. It's not the job of other parents to watch your kids, especially when some of them are mean and keep tackling my kid for NO REASON!
7. It's always good to confirm plans with friends - and even better to probably confirm with a date instead of just saying weekend, had a little confusion this weekend when expecting company.
8. It all worked out well in the end.
9. It's always great to reconnect with lost friends.
10. It's official Miss A is not allowed to play with our remote anymore! I was watching Netflix/streaming through the playstation and when I clicked back to the tv, on the screen was please confirm to buy naughty nurses for $10.99. One more right button and she totally would have bought that!
11. Deep cleaning always makes me feel good about the house, I cleaned Saturday & Sunday = not much cleaning to do Monday, my cleaning day.
12. My hubby is pretty awesome especially with helping get ready for company, cooking up the meat while we have company and running last minute errands when needed this weekend.
13. I finally took the plunge and re-did some of the blog, still have some other things I need to finish like a new button and menu tabs, but was SO happy with what I got done.
14. Even though I have two kids, I still feel like a first-time mom with Miss A a lot of the time.
15. She's so incredibly different then her sister in every way and different things have come up that never did with Miss E.
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
1. Friday was my mom's birthday and I can totally whip out an amazing cake in an hour. Putting your cake outside to cool so you can icing it is totally ok when your short on time!
2. Make sure to cover it, because you don't want any winter critters or birds snacking on it. No this didn't happen to me.
3. Friday night was the first time I've missed using my Cricut in months! Completely ok to print off letters, cut them out with an exacto knife and make my own stencils that way.
4. Slicing burlap in triangles completely stinks.
5. First time to Monkey Joes for a birthday party and it was over capacity! Poor Emma was scared when we got there and said she didn't want to try anything, thankfully she warmed up as it emptied out some and had a blast!
6. I really wish parents would pay attention/watch their kids when at a place like MJ's, instead of sitting in the parents area and completely ignoring them. It's not the job of other parents to watch your kids, especially when some of them are mean and keep tackling my kid for NO REASON!
7. It's always good to confirm plans with friends - and even better to probably confirm with a date instead of just saying weekend, had a little confusion this weekend when expecting company.
8. It all worked out well in the end.
9. It's always great to reconnect with lost friends.
10. It's official Miss A is not allowed to play with our remote anymore! I was watching Netflix/streaming through the playstation and when I clicked back to the tv, on the screen was please confirm to buy naughty nurses for $10.99. One more right button and she totally would have bought that!
11. Deep cleaning always makes me feel good about the house, I cleaned Saturday & Sunday = not much cleaning to do Monday, my cleaning day.
12. My hubby is pretty awesome especially with helping get ready for company, cooking up the meat while we have company and running last minute errands when needed this weekend.
13. I finally took the plunge and re-did some of the blog, still have some other things I need to finish like a new button and menu tabs, but was SO happy with what I got done.
14. Even though I have two kids, I still feel like a first-time mom with Miss A a lot of the time.
15. She's so incredibly different then her sister in every way and different things have come up that never did with Miss E.
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
1.15.2011
Take a Moment Please
to watch this video. *Warning: You might need a tissue*
About 8 months ago I stumbled across Kelle's blog, Enjoying the Small Things. I couldn't stop reading it and instantly fell in love with her two daughter's Lainey and Nella. Nella was born 4 days before my Avalynn. I've enjoyed watching both of our babies grow, mine before my eyes and Nella through the pictures Kelle shares, which are beautiful!!! Nella has down syndrome, reading what Kelle shares about the disease has educated and opened my eyes to the community of down syndrome, over 400,000 in the US.
To celebrate Nella turning 1, they set up a fund called Nella's ONEder Fund through the National Down Syndrome Society. Donate here, every donation goes directly to NDSS. Even if you can donate $5, the cost of a magazine, every bit and person can make a difference!
Thank you!
About 8 months ago I stumbled across Kelle's blog, Enjoying the Small Things. I couldn't stop reading it and instantly fell in love with her two daughter's Lainey and Nella. Nella was born 4 days before my Avalynn. I've enjoyed watching both of our babies grow, mine before my eyes and Nella through the pictures Kelle shares, which are beautiful!!! Nella has down syndrome, reading what Kelle shares about the disease has educated and opened my eyes to the community of down syndrome, over 400,000 in the US.
To celebrate Nella turning 1, they set up a fund called Nella's ONEder Fund through the National Down Syndrome Society. Donate here, every donation goes directly to NDSS. Even if you can donate $5, the cost of a magazine, every bit and person can make a difference!
Thank you!
1.13.2011
Ashley over at The Domestic Wannabe shared this pretty amazing website called Pinterest. I don't know about you, but I have oodles of bookmarks, at least when I remember to bookmark something I want to go back and re-create or use as inspiration, and more times than not I can't find it again. Major bummers I'm telling you!!!
Here's a screen shot of some boards, which is a grouping of whatever you want to title it - books, home, diy, crafts, etc.
You can follow other people's boards and re-pin things that other people have pinned. Am loving this option so much more than regular old bookmarks and having to weed through items to find what I'm searching for. Best part - it's FREE! I'm able to invite 6 people, just need your email address, otherwise you sign-up and have to wait a few days. Either way - you'll definitely love this great little site.
**Added: Beth shares a pretty great tutorial, here.
Here's a screen shot of some boards, which is a grouping of whatever you want to title it - books, home, diy, crafts, etc.
You can follow other people's boards and re-pin things that other people have pinned. Am loving this option so much more than regular old bookmarks and having to weed through items to find what I'm searching for. Best part - it's FREE! I'm able to invite 6 people, just need your email address, otherwise you sign-up and have to wait a few days. Either way - you'll definitely love this great little site.
**Added: Beth shares a pretty great tutorial, here.
1.12.2011
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