Happy 18 Months Avalynn!

Baby Girl -

So, earlier in the week, your 18 month, 1 1/2 yr birthday passed.  I honestly, didn't even realize it until 10pm that  night.  You are a fireball of energy these days keeping us all on our toes.  My Dr thinks you are part of the reason I'm having great weight gain this pregnancy.  Even though you tire me out, it's all worth it.  This week Daddy and I worked on your new joint room with Emma, last night was your first time sleeping in the same room.  You did very well, we still have you in your crib, but your big girl bed is all assembled, just have to pick up your mattress (we've been storing at Gramma's & Pop-Pop's), and put on your new bedding when it arrives next week.  Although you won't be making the switch to that bed anytime soon.

You still aren't saying that many words, hi/hello, buh-bye, tickle, tickle, tickle, night night, your own version of ready, set, go, Bella no!,  mama = Emma, Mom or MomMom is Daddy or I.  For some reason you've stopped saying Dada, and everyone is Mom.  Sometimes you'll repeat words, but nothing consistent that you continue saying.  You move your fingers like you are snapping but make the noise with your mouth, it's too cute.  You do understand though when we ask you to get something or put away a toy.  You also can go down the steps as well as up, with one of us behind/in front depending which direction you are going.  Daddy taught you how to go down last week, and with your room now 2 floors up from the main level, I'm thankful!

You are such a big helper on cleaning days.  I give you your own cloth, and you'll put your sippy cup upside down on the furniture and make the "shh" spraying noise the cleaner makes when I spray it for my own cloth.  It's so cute!  When anyone is crying, usually Emma, you'll go over and pat her and talk to her in your own words to her and give hugs and kisses.  You love coloring, being a monster and chasing Emma, dancing when any song comes on, and tickling anyone.  You've had lots of pool time this summer and enjoy being in your ducky raft playing with some floating pool toys.

We have your 18 month check-up in a couple weeks. Your feet have grown again and we just got you new sneakers in a size 7.  Your holding steady in the clothes dept at the 24 month size, now that you are so mobile you can tell that you are losing some of your baby-ness.  You are in size 5 diapers.  Your hair is long enough to be up in a 1/2 pony tail, pigtails, or swooped to the side with a couple barettes.  Your bottom 2 molars have popped through in the past couple weeks, you now have 10 teeth total. You eat pretty well overall, still picky about potatoes or noodles or any kind except for spaghetti or french fries.  You are always using a fork now and love to dip your meats in ketchup.  You love your veggies and you look fwd to having your nightly popsicle after dinner.

You are doing better when there are other babies around, especially when I'm holding them.  You are a *big* Mommy's girl, always climbing up in my lap, aka pouncing on the belly, all the time for snuggles or to just sit.  I was getting worried with Brynlee's arrival around the corner, but as more times passes, I have a feeling you are going to be a great big sister just like Emma.  So many fun things coming up, I can't wait to see your excitement with the coming holidays this fall and Brynlee's arrival.

You are such a bright light of pure JOY in our lives, I look fwd to the coming months.

Love you,
the Mama

Cell Phoneagraphy–Wk 2

Breakdown of the week:
1. Temps were seriously ridiculous in the 100’s, but the kiddo’s were driving me batty, some outdoor water table fun was called for!
2. Quilt front finished!
3. I convinced the Hubs (who is a very good sewer) to sew together the long panels I had already pieced together.
4. Youngest being silly with smiles.
5. Pool fun needed to cool off at the Great-Grandparents.
6. In the words of the oldest “Super Duper Yummy” dinner, pulled pork sandwiches (McCormick’s BBQ crockpot seasoning packet)  and loaded red potatoes.
7. Youngest had fun with the fwd facing camera on the cell.
8. Oldest had VBS all week, it was a sports theme, she did cheerleading, this is the last night.
9. The Bestie came over for a visit with her little man, Oldest is getting some practice in for when Baby B arrives.
10. They sit like this a lot, so cute.
11. Checking out her new kick’s.  Every 3 months we are having to buy bigger shoes.
12. Enjoying popcorn cake (popcorn, marshmallow, pretzels, and m&m’s) that the Bestie brought on her visit earlier in the week.
13. Sunday’s are cleaning day around here, and Oldest decided to clear out each shelf of toys and use the swiffer duster, when the Youngest woke from nap she wanted to join in the fun too.
14. Close-up.
15. Youngest saying “Ta-Da” after one of her dances.

Click here, to check out the other link-up’s for the week!

Week of Cell-Phoneagraphy–Wk 1

I’ve been seeing this meme around the blogosphere, and thought it’d be fun to start participating.  To visit all of the other link-ups, click here.



Re-cap of our week in photos.
1. Dinner time.
2. Avalynn showing off her ketchup cheese-y smile.
3. 29 1/2 weeks pregnant.
4. Final quilt layout.
5. Baby shower gift for one of my friends.
6. Dylann and I at her shower.
7. The girls’ painting with water outside.
8. Snack time, I walked into the living room and they were sitting like that.
9. Busy day with no nap, she was zonked out on the way home and didn’t wake up when we got home.
10. Daddy cutting Miss A’s nails.  Normally, she’s really good, but she was overtired.
11. One of the Miss E’s sunflowers are blooming, they are HUGE!
12. Sunday morning smiles with some actually decent looking bedhead.

Friday Confessions

I confess...that last night I decided to get up when the Hubs does for work, so I could take a shower and eat breakfast in quiet for at most 30-45 mins before the girls' normal wake up time.

No sooner did I get done making the bed and picking out my clothes and the youngest was up.

Plan for quiet time without kids = EPIC FAIL.

I confess...I'm feeling like an 80 year old woman during the night when it comes time to flip over to my other side.

It's slow moving from side to back then side (as I don't want that sharp uterus pain in the side and other times it feels like my hips could just pop out of their sockets), while bringing the pillow in between my legs along for the flip and making sure the belly wedge is situated before settling back into my pillow to go back to sleep.

I confess...I should really just record myself saying the same 5 sayings, as I'm feeling like a broken record with the oldest this week.

I confess...I'm glad she's sleeping over at Mimi's tonight, I'm at my wit's end of her not listening, plus add in the normal talking back/sassy-ness and whining/crying over nothing  this week.

I confess...there is seriously nothing better to watch then when the girls' are playing together.

They are constantly chasing one another, laughing like crazies, and sitting beside one another during snacks etc.

I love watching their bond and can't wait to see what will come once the 3rd Musketeer is added. T-R-O-U-B-L-E I'm sure!!! 


I confess...I'm making a quilt for Brynlee.

Prior to this endeavor burp rags has been the extent of my sewing.

It's coming along really well and can't wait to share my progress over the weekend.

I confess...I had my 2 hr glucose test this week and the latest they told me I'd hear back from them if I failed was yesterday.

I received no phone call.

I can't believe I don't have Gestational Diabetes this time around, as I had it with Emma & Avalynn.

I confess...Both girls' were big and they induced me with both, within the 39th week.

I really do NOT want to go over my due date, especially since the Emma's bday is 5 days after my due date.

Plus I'm afraid of having a 10 lb baby.

I confess...I finally looked into the Pinterest app, and am so bummed that it's only for the iPhone.

Seriously, why does iPhone get everything first, Android phones are more and more and very popular too.


*Click on the button above to go visit everyone else's confessions for the week!*  Hope you have a great Friday, start to the weekend! 

29 Weeks - Pregnancy Update

Pregnancy Review: How far along: 29 wks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: Am up 7lbs total.

Maternity clothes?: Yes please!

Strech marks?: Nothing new thank goodness.

Sleep: In the past week the horrible hip pain has started, plus sleep is interrupted 2-3 times to wake up and go to the bathroom.  Oh well, at least this time around, it didn't hit until the 3rd trimester, unlike Miss A's pregnancy.

Best moment this week: Had my appt yesterday, that Dr, unlike Dr. McDoucheNozzle last time, said that I was doing really well with my weight gain.  Plus, I had my 2 hr glucose yesterday and was able to keep it down, didn't hear anything today, so as long as I don't get a call tomorrow, that means I actually passed this pregnancy! 

Movement: She's becoming much more active.

Food cravings:  Baked sweets, bagels w/ strawberry cream cheese, corn are my major foods lately.

Gender: GIRL

What I miss: Knock out cold sleep.

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button in or out? No change, still an innie.

What I am looking forward to: Now that we have the rooms planned out, looking forward to putting it all into action and the finished product. 

Weekly Wisdom:
- Again about sneezing, but when getting ready to go to the bathroom and you have to sneeze, it's really really not a good mix. 

- 10 o'clock hour bedtimes are becoming a must. 

Milestones: Hello 3rd trimester!!! 

Banana Bread Recipe

A couple weeks ago while blog hopping through a linky party, I came across this banana bread recipe.  I’ve tried several different ones over the past years and think I’ve officially found my keeper.

Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 bananas
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 1/3 cup sour milk (1/2 tsp lemon juice & milk to 1/3 cup)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- *OPTIONAL: add in 1/2 cup of nuts or chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all ingredients.  Lightly grease pan.  Bake 50-60 mins. 

Have made this twice so far in a bundt pan and it has come out perfect both times.

Also, this is as much fun for the girls’ to help me make it.  I throw the bananas in a gallon bag and hand it over to them after I make sure it’s sealed real well and let them mash them up to their hearts content. 

DIY Fountain

A couple of weeks ago, the family and I headed into Joann’s so I could pick up some fabric for the baby.  Hubs was immediately drawn to the 70% off clearance sign over some big heavy flower pots.  After finding two different sized versions of the same coloring he threw out the idea of making a water fountain for our big flower bed, as it’s sparse and could use something like that in it. 

The big pot originally marked $80, came down to $23, and the smaller pot originally marked $50, came down to $15.  Our house is older and we have no outside electrical outlets.  So, the next day he headed to one of our local hardware stores and bought all of the electrical things needed and a pump to make the fountain a fountain. 

Before starting on the electrical, my Uncle (who is an electrician) stopped by so the Hubs could double check everything he had planned and make sure that it was the right way to do it and it’d be up to code.  As not only is the fountain an improvement to the garden, but the added outdoor outlets is an upgrade to our house.  He gave us some supplies so we were able to return over $100 to the hardware store.

Overall, shopping and working time it only took the Hubs 1 day to complete this project. Total Cost = under $200

Now for some pics:

Here’s a shot of the pots positioned next to the outlet the Hubs installed.  He also painted some Kilz Primer we had on hand on the insides of the pots. 

Containers of rocks I picked up at Target.  Still need to get one more jar.

Shot of the Hubs filling the pots for it’s test run below.

Overall, am so glad the Hubs thought this up.  We love hearing the fountain, especially during the many night time swing sessions the Hubs and I have in the yard.   And we finally got around to getting our mulch this past week, so it definitely looks more finished instead of the dirt look we have going on above.
Linking up to:

Weekend Re-Cap

Hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend celebrating America’s 235th Birthday!!!

Here’s a little re-cap of ours:

- The girls’ got hit with some strange 24 hour fever, extreme fatigue, Miss A on Thursday and Miss E’s Friday – Saturday.
- Friday afternoon consisted of some cooking/baking, mini cherry/peach/plain cheesecakes, pickled eggs, seasoned pretzels, cinnamon sugar pie dough cookies = EPIC fail of a recipe!
- Friday & Saturday, two friends had their little bundles of joy.  Congrats Amber (old school friend/bloggy friend) and Moe (on-line mom group).
- Saturday the 2nd, the Hubs & I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary!  Oh, and by celebrated I mean he worked until 7pm, where we then rushed off to my Aunt’s annual cookout and came home around 10pm, with 2 very tired little girls.  We have a date night planned for tomorrow night though!



- Sunday, I’ve officially entered the 3rd trimester.  Holy cow, the countdown is getting closer and closer!
- Sunday night we watched Hall Pass.  It was really funny and I’ll admit to completely covering my face at one part, haha!
- Today was spent poolside at the Hubs Gparents.  Love days like that!


- The Hubs picked up some fireworks this a.m. that we set off with the oldest.  She enjoyed them a lot!
- My Uncle bought the oldest some special extra long rainbow sparklers to bring home.  She was doing one tonight during our own little fireworks show in the back yard.  The Hubs & I were taking that picture above of us and the last inch in a half flew off her stick on our blanket!  So glad none of us got hurt and sad to see that blanket have to be trashed.





Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend as well!

Guest Posting

Happy Friday - hope everyone has some fun plans for this 4th of July weekend ahead.  Today I'm Guest Posting about being a SAHM, stay at home mom, over at Karen At Home. If you have a moment, please pop over and she's been running this series since last week, so there are tons of other great posters to read through as well.

Randomness

I don't even know what's been filling my days for the past couple weeks, but I do know that I have barely had time to sit down and catch up on stuff, so now for a catch-all post of what's swirling around my head...

- I finally checked my inbox tonight and had 219 emails...eeks!  Thankfully, it's empty again...

- Holy cow, July will be here in 1 day!  This means that we are getting down to the nitty gritty of our tri-bedroom remodel/switch-a-roo.

- Tonight after the girls' were in bed, Hubs & I sat in the yard on our swing and went through the list of everything that needs sold, built, bought...his poor head was spinning as he kept seeing his to-do list grow.

- The youngest is teething her molars hardcore this = absolutely no fun for me!  Night time sleeping, means that I get awoken to screaming, not fussiness or crying, but screaming.  Naps are the same.  I've resorted back to her newborn days and rock and rock and rock her.

- I can't wait to have some time and write up all of the blog posts running through my head, recipes I talked about last week, ideas for Baby B's nursery, ideas for the older girls' room, ideas for our bedroom, DIY fountain the Hubs whipped together for our garden, fabric picking & sewing baby items,  etc.

- Tantrums are a totally new thing that I'm slowly learning to deal with.

- Miss A is in for a very rude awakening when Baby B arrives, when holding my BFF's little guy tonight, she went nuts crying and what not to sit on my lap and have me all to herself.

- Figuring out a preschool for the oldest for the fall, so glad to have finally found the right place to look in for reasonable priced preschool that's not a daycare!

Friday Confessions

I confess...I was planning on sitting down all day to get this typed, and am now left with only 2 + hours to spare.

I confess...that I was extremely grumpy this morning, when I heard Miss A fussing at 5:30!!!  Seriously, this girl is putting me through the ringer with getting up so early and I'm lucky if her naps last an hour!

I confess...I really hope in a few years she flips her ways and sleeps a lot more.

I confess...It was one of those days where I couldn't even shut myself in the bathroom or in my room for a couple minutes as her whining and crying just continued wherever I went.

I confess...I've started sewing up burp cloths for Baby B and flannel is a curse!!!  The machine and flannel seriously, have a hate relationship, which in turns makes me want to throw away both.

I confess...I have 7 done and 3 1/2 more to finish, once I finally got in my sewing groove I ran out of thread.

I confess...I really wish the weather would pick how it wants to be.  1 week we are in scorching/extreme humid temps which means the air is on and any and all fans that I can find.  The next week temps drop and we have wonderful breezes which means windows can be opened and 1/2 the fans can be run - remember I'm pregnant.  :o)

I confess...I tried 2 new recipes this week and both are winners!  Will be sharing them soon.

I confess...I planned on posting some projects we've been working on around here this week, and somehow every day just got away from me.

I confess...that Emma is obsessed with doing jumping jacks and Avalynn does her own version of them, which just so happens to be the cutest/most adorable/funniest thing to watch.

I confess...frequent bathroom trips have seriously hit an all new meaning!  1/2 of those times I'm literally dashing to the bathroom, it just hits from no where.

Yard Sale Finds

This past Saturday we were heading over to my parents for the day and there happened to be a community yard sale in the neighborhood behind their house so we decided to check out it and see if we can find any goodies.

Here’s the loot:



Here’s what we got, 5 pairs of sleepers & 2 outfits for Brynlee, some cute wall plaques for the nursery and a bank for Brynlee, 2 outfits for Avalynn, 1 outfit for Emma, 3 wreath forms, glass jug, necklace kit, coloring book and a kid’s reading book, and a bamboo frame (anyone else notice how much bamboo is popping up over blogland?). 

All for a Grand Total: $20

Do you love to yard sale?  Find any deals this past weekend?

Happy Father’s Day

Who would have known over 10 years ago when I met you that I’d be lucky to spend the rest of my life with you and that you would be the best Daddy there is for our girls’ & family.

You are always there to hold their hands’ and encourage them when they are afraid or unsure of new experiences.  You help build their confidence and show them that there isn’t anything they can't do, even when it’s difficult.  It’s ok to fail but keep trying and they will succeed.

You find the fun in everyday things and are always coming up with new things to do with the girls’.  You have patience to teach them new skills and sports.  I have no doubt that as our girls’ get older and they continue learning by your side that they will be well rounded and able to do all, plus more, that a man can do around the house – with your shared expertise & knowledge.



You are very hands on, even styling their hair or painting their nails when the occasion arises.  They are treated like princesses and I know that by your example they will see how they deserve to be treated as they get older. 



You are the ying to my yang when it comes to parenting our girls and I’m ever so blessed to be sharing this wonderful and hard journey that we’ve embarked on and will continue through – for years to come.

Happy Father’s Day to the love of my life and all other Dad’s out there!

Friday Confessions

FRIDAY has come around again and with it comes time for confessing... *Click on the button above to head over to Mamarazzi's blog and check out the link-up of other bloggers confessions*

I confess... I had a check-up with the baby/preg. Dr and he made me feel oh SO wonderful by the time I had left.  I had my 1st gain of the pregnancy ,25 wks along, only a couple lbs and was told how I need to watch it, blah blah blah.  Then my uterus was measuring big.  My BP was OK.  My early glucose tests were OK.  And  then as we are walking out of the room he begins to tell me what creams I can use for my face, um - I have rosacea - so unless I'm on my antibiotic pill nothing helps me, this isn't my 1st rodeo in being pregnant, and I know that I can't take my meds, so therefore I just deal with it.

I confess...he had me schedule at my appts through the end and I gladly avoided being scheduled with him and another Dr in that practice.

I confess...he also told me to schedule out 1 week past my due date.  Which shocked me, they induced me with my oldest on my due date and my youngest a week early.  I have big babies oldest = 8lbs 14ozs and youngest = 9lbs 5.2ozs.  When I asked about being induced with this one he said only if I have gestational diabetes again.

I confess...I'm not going to lie, part of me wishes I have it, b/c I do NOT want to be waiting a week after my due date and be delivering an 11 lb baby!

I confess...I had the best time with the Hubs during his "weekend" this past week.  We got so much stuff done around the house/outside, plus spent tons of quality time as a family.  I love weekends like that.

I confess...the youngest was on a sleep strike yesterday, which made the day no fun for me.  Let's hope today is better.

I confess...One of the best things to watch is the girls' playing together, their friendship grows more and more each week and I love seeing that bond.

I confess...the Hubs grandparents just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past Tuesday and I hope that the Hubs and I get to see that #, living that long I mean.

New *Summer* Wreath

I love hanging wreaths and other such things on our front door.  Sadly, it’s been bare since Valentine’s Day.  I attempted to make something like this, but only got 1/3-1/2 way done.  It’s sitting in the basement right now in a pile of other things to be finished.

Am sure you’ve seen those felt rosettes floating around blog land, I instantly fell in love with the simplicity of them.  I knew I wanted to do something with them, so I rummaged around in the basement, found a straw wreath form, some leftover burlap from several previous projects, and picked white, yellow, and a very pretty bright blue felt.  30 minutes later this is what I ended up with. 

Total Cost: $0

I know it’s the little things, but this seriously just brightened my day now that something is hanging on our door again, plus I made it which just makes me feel good to be doing something crafty again.

I’ll be linking up to Not Just a Housewife, Blue Cricket Design, Someday Crafts, HoH, Somewhat Simple, Fireflies & Jellybeans, Creative Me Monday, Young & Crafty, The Girl Creative, 

25 Weeks–Pregnancy Update

Pregnancy Review:
How far along: 25 wks 1 day

Total weight gain/loss: I have a check-up tomorrow morning, but weighed myself end of last week and am officially up 2 lbs.

Maternity clothes?: Yes please!

Strech marks?: Nothing new.

Sleep: I now am using my wedge almost nightly, crazy dreams, and lots of tossing and turning.

Best moment this week: Emma giving lovings to the belly/aka Brynlee several times through the day. 

Movement: Daily, normally when I’m trying to rest.  Nothing as hard or crazy my last pregnancy with Avalynn, that girl could bring me to a stop in pain.

Food cravings:  To just name a few – chicken of any kind, junior mints, pickled eggs, nuts, bacon

Gender: GIRL

What I miss: Being able to just bend over/stand up from sitting, it’s now the scooch/slide/lift slowly with the legs.

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button in or out? No change, still an innie.

What I am looking forward to: Planning the nursery – still haven’t even thought about it.  I really need to get on that.

Weekly Wisdom:
- Believe it when some women say when they sneeze, you’ll pee some.  This happened to me tonight for the first time ever.
- Do not turn too fast in bed when switching sides, you’ll most likely end up frozen in searing pain.
- I love having kids already, so they can lay on their belly’s and clean under the tv console and other low items like that.

Milestones: Almost done with the 2nd trimester!

Now for two pics:

Friday Confessions

It's FRIDAY, that wonderful day where we get to confess and let it all out.  Click on the button above to hop over to Mamarazzi's blog and the link-up everyone's confessions.

I confess...I know I've talked about the website domain stuff a couple times over the past week, and this will be the LAST time!  I realized yesterday that my very original web address using blogspot.com, is now being used by a guy named Ted to talk about Dell stuff, yeah doesn't make sense as it's my actual name I used!  Thank you Ted!   And my .com address that got taken away is now some site about adult chat in Japan, none of it makes sense when you switch it over to translate to English.  Thank you to whoever took that one too.  I feel like I have this sign on websites I've created for strange weird men to take them - pisses me off!

I confess...Clover is the curse of my flower beds.  Last month when the Hubs and I weeded our 4 flower beds, we sprinkled some stuff to help "prevent" weeds - yeah I think instead it must have been made to only grow clover, which there was pretty much none previously.  It's been a real PITA, I finally am left with only about a 4x4 section to finish up in the next day or two.

I confess...I'm I've been part of an on-line group since my oldest was 3 months old, so for 4+ years, there are about 30 of us in total and they are some of the most amazing women.  About 1/2 of them are all meeting in Chicago this weekend, our one mom has actually flown over from Australia for a couple weeks to tour the whole US, too.  I'm sad we aren't able to go because of  DH's work schedule plus $.   I have been lucky enough to meet 3 of them over the years though.  I hope the next time one of these trips are planned we will be able to go.

I confess...I'm very thankful that DH finally got a job and is working.  I really hate that his work weeks are Thurs-Sun.  I'm finding myself a little down on the weekends.  And we are a one vehicle family, so it's not like I can just take the girls around to do stuff, unless our parents pick the 3 of us up, we're stuck at home.  Us only having one vehicle has never bothered me before, I think most of all I'm just missing spending our weekends at his grandparents pool.

I confess...this is the week where I will tell my oldest not to do something and she turns right around and does it.  Talk about frustrating.

I confess...I'm completely addicted to Bravo's Real Housewives shows.  Am so sad the OC one has ended already!

June’s Mission

 

We all have those things we want to learn, hobbies to pick up, habits to start, decorate that space you’ve been wanting to, those last 5lbs you’ve been wanting to lose etc, Kelle, Enjoying the Small Things,  is vowing to lace up her running shoes everday for the month of June and threw out the challenge to her reader’s as well.

I’ve been in a schlump of not crafting, organizing, doing house projects.  And while looking back on 2011 and comparing to all we had done already in 2010 I was feeling myself get down, as it hasn’t been much.  We have tons on our plate the next couple months, with major room re-do’s & switcheroo’s, among other things. 

So, I thought hard about what I wanted to tackle for June and I’m making myself do something extra around the house everyday.  So far, this is what I’ve accomplished, finally packing away the Easter decorations (say what? you don’t keep yours out until after Memorial day?!), gave my shelves and dining room buffets a summery update, have been de-cluttering/organizing the kitchen counters, junk drawers, bedroom closets, basement shelves, dining room buffets, staying on top of weeding the flower beds, coming up with new crafts for the oldest.  Even though it’s just one small thing a day – it feels good to have something accomplished be doing something that makes me feel good.  Can’t wait to see what else I accomplish around here through the rest of June. 

Are you going to tackle something you’ve been wanting to this month? 

Pickled Egg Recipe

This is one of the last recipe’s I got from Gramma, when she was still in the hospital around Easter.  And I’ve honestly, made a small batch of them almost every week since. 

Here’s the ingredients:  Sugar, Vinegar, Eggs, Beets, Red Dye (Optional), Jar



Directions:
- Strain the beet juice from the jar into a pan.
- Fill the jar back up half way and strain into the pan, leave beets in the jar.
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- Drop or two of red dye.

Heat ingredients until all are dissolved.  I personally, dump the eggs in first, then the beats and pour the mixture over everything.

I let mine pickle for 2 days before eating them, twice a day I flip the eggs around with a spoon.  Depending on your jar, you might be able to flip it upside down, I can’t with mine. 

*Edited to Add: as the question was asked, yes you keep these in the refrigerator until ready to serve. *

This will be the perfect addition to your summer cookouts this year, Enjoy!

I'm linking up to HoH, Somewhat Simple, Fireflies & Jellybeans, Craft Envy,

Friday Confessions

It’s that time of the week again, you know you want to get it all out there…

I confess…the Hubs is amazing in my eyes.  He ended up having an 18 1/2 hr work day, getting home past 1 am, got less than 4 hrs of sleep and is off to work for the day without so much as a complaint really. 

I confess…I could live off of only these foods lately: any kind of chicken dish and if there is leftover chicken it goes right into chicken salad, pickled eggs, cinnamon applesauce, whole wheat bagels with strawberry cream cheese, mini white powdered donuts, sweet potato fries, and lastly tomato & basil wheat thins, frozen dove dark chocolates, Martin's BBQ popcorn, and nuts - pistachio's/peanuts/sunflower seeds. 

I confess…I feel at a loss lately on how to parent my 4 year old, who honestly acts like she’s 14 (over the weekend I had 2 people say how her moods/emotions are like a teenager)!  We’ve entered a whole new phase of meltdowns over the littlest things.  And a very down attitude about doing things or rather that she’ll never be able to do such and such (things she’s too young for or just hasn’t tried/learned yet).

I confess…the down attitude about doing anything is what concerns me the most.  One thing I want my girls’ to grow up knowing about themselves is that they can do anything they want to, they are beautiful and smart, I want them to have confidence in themselves, their skills, and if they don’t know how to do something, they will set about to learn.  Yes I know their will be failures along they way, but in the end I know that they can succeed in anything they want to.

I confess…I hope Miss A is feeling better, she spiked a temp after nap yesterday and basically just wanted to snuggle all night, even though I must say the snuggle’s were so nice!

I confess…over the long weekend we went to the pool and when getting my new maternity swim suit I hadn’t really thought about where the straps were.  Lesson learned to not buy a suit that doesn’t have straps that go the same as bra straps.  I got burned and needless the say today is the 1st day I’m not in pain.

I confess...I'm afraid I really screwed up my blog, when my domain expired I made a blogspot address until I had the time to sit down and figure everything out and now many of my links are coming up with error's.  Anyone have experience with this or suggestions?  It says it takes up to 3 days, so am hoping all will go back to normal at the end of those 3 days.