Emily's room

I finally finished Emily's room! Had we not moved, it might have been mostly done before she was born. However, we did move so, now, 8 months later, it's finished!!

Before:

After:

Obviously, by the look on Emily's face, she likes it too!

Dittos for Kiddos

Last year, we heard about a consignment sale that was just down the road from us. Phillip and I went together and found some great buys. When I heard about Dittos for Kiddos in Abilene, I knew I wanted to go. My original list included cloth diapers, but I'm not sure anyone in Abilene uses cloth. At least no one took any to the sale. So, we moved on.

Mom & I found this great walking toy (can be used walking or riding!) that was just too adorable to pass up. 

Then, it was time to look at clothes. And, clothes they had!! I think I looked through 3 racks that were 12 month and 4 that were 6-12 month. Emily's pretty set with 9 month clothes (which she's still not wearing!), but she needed a few 12 month items. I couldn't believe all that I found (including one 18 month dress I just couldn't pass up!). No item (other than the toy) was over $5! Needless to say, I'll be back at the sale in October!

37 weeks

Recently, as Emily has become more mobile, she's helped me with household chores. Such as, sorting laundry...

...and choosing books. (Notice the shirt...it's actually a newborn dress!)

She's getting around everywhere she wants to go. She's cruised the couch a couple of times, but is still fairly uncertain about that. (Good for us!) It's always an adventure, though, to see what she goes after.

The Pantry Challenge, day 7

(See here for more info about The Pantry Challenge.)

Again, Emily and I are out of town, but I had leftovers at my parents' house...garlic spaghetti with chicken, salad, garlic bread, strawberries. All so yummy that I never thought to get the camera out! Phillip (at home) had leftovers as well...meatballs from Thursday night. Emily had oatmeal & homemade squash & peas.

The Pantry Challenge, day 6

(See here for more info about The Pantry Challenge.)


Today was more difficult because we're out of town and going to a dinner tonight, but I managed to find a way around it. This morning for breakfast, we had leftover brunch casserole and poppyseed bread.

The Pantry Challenge, day 5

(See here for more info about The Pantry Challenge.)

Since we'll be out of town tonight, I'm posting my lunch. Phillip had to stay at school, so it was just me. I used soudrough bread I had bought for the Monte Cristos and made me a grilled cheese sandwich. Paired with sweet pickles (no dill pickles for me!) and strawberry yogurt, it was a pretty tasty lunch. Emily had apples (applesauce) and oatmeal.

The Pantry Challenge, day 4

(See here for more info about The Pantry Challenge.)

Tonight we had BBQ meatballs, corn, and leftover Italian Style Biscuits. (I've been told my biscuits are akin to Red Lobster biscuits!). Emily had rice cereal and homemade squash.

Recipes:

BBQ Meatballs

1 lb ground meat

2 t dry chopped onion

1/4 C evaporated milk

1/6 t garlic powder

1/3 C oatmeal

2/3 t salt

1/3 C (11) saltine cracker crumbs

1/6 t pepper

1 egg white

2/3 t chili powder

Combine all ingredients; mixture will be soft. Shape into 2 T-sized balls for dinner; 1 T-sized for appetizers.

Sauce:

1 C ketchup

1/4 t liquid smoke

1/2 C brown sugar

1 1/2 T dry chopped onion

1/4 t garlic powder

Combine and stir until sugar dissolves.

To cook: Place meatballs in 8x8 pan. Pour on sauce. Bake at 350° for 20-30 minutes until bubbly.

Makes 20 large or 35 small

Italian Style Biscuits

1 C bisquick

1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 C cold water

2 t butter, melted

1/4 t dried parsley

1/8 t garlic powder

1/8 t Italian seasoning

In a small bowl, combine the bisquick and cheese. Stir in water until a soft dough forms; stir 30 seconds more. Drop dough into six mounds 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 450E for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

In a small bowl, combine the butter, parsley, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Brush over warm biscuits. Serve warm. Makes 6.

The Pantry Challenge, day 3

(See here for more info about The Pantry Challenge.)

Tonight we had ham and cheese omelets (using leftover ham from the Monte Cristos!) and Applesauce Puffs. (Emily had rice and homemade squash).

Here's the recipe for the Applesauce Puffs (so easy!).

Combine:

2 C bisquick (may include 1/2 C oat bran as part of the 2 C)

1/4 C sugar

1 t cinnamon

Combine:

2 egg whites

1/2 C applesauce

1/4 C milk

Stir together. Fill greased muffin pans 1/2 to 2/3 full. (You can use muffin papers, but you'll lose some of the yummy topping to the paper.) Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes. Remove from pans and dip tops in melted butter then in cinnamon sugar. (Mini muffins give more yummy topping per muffin.) Makes 9-12 regular size muffins or about 36 minis.

36 weeks

Emily's starting to need distraction when we take pictures, so, today, it's her monkey from NYC. She babbles all the time and loves pulling off her socks!

The Pantry Challenge, day 2

(See here for more info about The Pantry Challenge.)

Tonight we had leftover corndogs I had made a couple weeks ago along with chips & peaches. (Emily had oatmeal and homemade peas.)

Here's the recipe for the corndogs.

1 C flour

1/2 t dry mustard, optional

3/4 C yellow corn meal

1/4 C sugar

1/2 t salt

4 t baking powder

1 egg (or 2 whites)

1/4 C oil

1/4 C milk (add a little at a time)

1 lb frankfurters

Combine dry ingredients. Add oil, egg, milk.  Stir well mixed and about like biscuit dough; roll out (between parchment or on cornmeal covered cabinet) to rectangles slightly longer than frankfurters and wide enough to go all the way around.  Lay frank on cough & roll up; seal ends and edge.  Lay on parchment-lined pan or stone. Bake at 425° for about 20 min. till golden.

The Pantry Challenge, day 1

(See here for more info about The Pantry Challenge.)

When I planned out meals, I thought we'd be in Abilene for a dinner tonight so I didn't plan dinner. Therefore, I really did have to find stuff in our pantry for dinner tonight! We had Low-Fat Monte Cristos. Yummy! (While we ate that, Emily had carrots and oatmeal.)

For all you Monte Cristo connoisseurs, this isn't fried, but sure does taste almost as good as the fried version. Besides, it's pretty easy.

Here's the recipe.

bread (french or sourdough)

egg white (2 per 2 sandwiches)

milk (1/2-5/8 C per 2 sandwiches)

vanilla (1/8-1/4 t per 2 sandwiches)

turkey ham

turkey

mozzarella cheese

red raspberry jam

Mix together egg, milk & vanilla. Soak both sides of bread. Put on lightly greased griddle until bubbles come through to top. Flip bread and cook till brown (~8 minutes).

Remove from grill and make sandwiches with turkey, ham & mozzarella.

Put back on griddle until chees melts (about 4-5 minutes per side). Top with red raspberry jam and/or powdered sugar and/or syrup.

Tune in tomorrow to see what's for dinner!

Precious

The Pantry Challenge

The Motherhood is hosting the Pantry Challenge giveaway coming up on MONDAY!

Here's the idea.  For one week, prepare meals using only the food you already have in your pantry, cabinets, fridge and freezer.   Tap your inner frugal girl, get creative -- and win prizes for yourself and your local food bank in the process. 

For the week, purchase only whatever perishables you NEED to get you through an ordinary week: milk, lunchmeat, etc. The point is to get creative with what you have. Not feeling creative? Check out Mealtime.org  for recipes.

Each night, post a picture of the meal you made in the Pantry Challenge Circle. If you can't post a picture, post the recipe or a description of what you cooked.

Then, next Monday, February 23, the first TEN people who participated all week who post in this circle that they completed the challenge will win a great prize from the Canned Food Alliance: a bunch of food to restock their now-trim pantries, a recipe collection, AND a donation of canned food to their local food bank! What a way to celebrate Canned Food Month (you didn't know it was canned food month, did you? Now you do!)  

The contest starts February 16. Post to The Pantry Challenge Circle that you're planning to participate. 

Get ready and tell your friends. There are ten prizes so there's a good chance of winning.  And even if you don't win, you still saved a bundle of money on groceries this week, and got your pantry cleaned out at the same time!

(from an email from The Motherhood)

35 weeks & 8 months

I haven't blogged well this week. I've had lots of posts running around in my head, but they've never made it to the computer. Oh well.

Today, I submit this beauty. She's learned lots of new things in the last few weeks, including pulling up to standing, crawling (on hands and knees) and saying "mama." Yes, that's right, last night she said, "mama" while we were sitting at the dinner table. I'm not sure she knows that "mama" is me, but she did clearly say it! Phillip and I were so excited!

Tonight was the Valentine dance at school. Emily and I went up for a while to visit Phillip and we got this picture.

Oh, and Aunt Jenni, thanks for the love bug!

34 weeks

While I did get a smiling picture, I liked this one better because it better reflects what we see so much! As you saw yesterday, Emily can now pull herself to standing (and kneeling, her preference most of the time). We have to be really careful now!

The ultimate if...then... statement

If...

Then...

(bumpers have been removed)

(No, this wasn't staged. This is how I found Emily when I went to check on her during her "nap" time. Yes, she's crying...she wasn't ready for her nap yet. She'd been down for about 30 minutes, but never went to sleep, so she took a little later nap. I wish she hadn't figured out how to move her nap time!)

Population: 1

Saturday, to get out of the house, Phillip took me on the bus route he usually drives. (He's a sub, but this is the only route he's subbed on.) It took about an hour and that was without dropping off kids or going down a couple of the roads to the driveways. Normally, it takes about an hour and a half. On the way, there is this sign:

Whether or not this is an "official" sign is up for debate, but it's interesting nonetheless.

And, lastly, we have our cutie sporting a mohawk and side curls. I'm going to have to work on getting a better picture of this, because it is so cute!!

Project

(Didn't get a chance to answer my questions? Click here to see them.)

When we moved in, the house had an interesting feature. (Ok, it has lots of interesting features, but I'm really focusing on one for now.) You can see on the left side of this picture (isn't Emily tiny and cute!) the "bar."

Once we figured out how to get the faucet off (since we weren't going to use it), I thought this would be the perfect place for my recipes and cookbooks. We put a piece of plywood over the sink and the recipes (and picnic basket) have been here since the beginning.

After measuring and several trips to Lowe's to figure out what would work best, we decided on adjustable track shelves. Sometime before Christmas, I had Phillip cut the shelves, but since the Christmas tree was in the way, I had to wait until later to put them up. That was one of my projects this week. I knew it wouldn't take long and, with the right help (see below), it didn't.

Here are the finished shelves with the cookbooks on them. I still need to go through them and organize the loose recipes, but that's for another day!

33 weeks

Don't have much time today...we're off to Abilene.

Questions

I'll admit it. I'm a question person. I like to know about things, about how other people do things, about the "best" whatever. So, here are my questions for you. Answer them, don't answer them, but if you have an answer, stop lurking and answer! :-)

• What's the best laundry stain removal product you've found? (and what didn't it get out?)
  
• Do you use coupons? Where do you find the best ones?
  
• How do you plan your meals? Around the store circulars? Around ingredients in your kitchen?
  
• When did you train your kids to use a sippy cup?
  
• Did/do you make your own baby food? What have you found that works well/doesn't work well?
  
• If you use cloth diapers, what kind do you use?
  
• How do you know how much/what to feed your baby? (especially if you're still nursing?)
  
• When did you wean your babies? (Or did they do it themselves?)
  
• If you could stock up on food, what would you stock up on?
  
• Do you keep a routine for cleaning your house? (i.e., mop every Tuesday, bathrooms every Wednesday, etc.)
  
• Are you overwhelmed by the number of cool blogs that are out in the blog-o-sphere?
  
• How do you keep your freezer organized?
  
• How do you keep your life organized?
  
• Do you have a household notebook?
  
• Do you remember to send birthday cards to your relatives?
  
• Do you feel like your life is organized?
  

Okay, I could keep going for a long time if I let myself, but then I'd never get any answers. And, isn't that the point (sometimes) of asking questions?

You never know what you'll find

I was labeling pictures that had been in the camera for a week or so and came across a few I'd like to share.

We've had a visitor around our house lately. I'll hear Oso barking and go out to check on him and find this in our front flowerbed. I guess there could be worse things!

Back here, I talked about reorganizing our Christmas decorations. I finally finished last week so here's what I came up with.

Before

After

Sometimes Emily is a messy eater. Sometimes not so much. This particular night...she was MESSY! It's all over her face, hands and bib!

I just love this face. This was the, "What did you just put in my mouth?" face we got when she tried carrots for the first time. We haven't tried them again because we were leaving town and needed a food that wouldn't keep her stopped up (we went with squash instead). We'll try carrots again when she's back to normal.

That's all of my randomness for today. Thanks for listening.

(And, in case you were wondering, Emily and I are both doing better, but neither of us is back to 100% yet. Hopefully soon!)

Better

Emily and I are both better today. Thanks for the prayers. We took Emily to the doctor last night and got medicine. We have to go back today because she had lost weight since her visit in December. They were a little concerned about that, but nothing else. Hopefully today's visit will go well. Continue keeping her in your prayers until this is all gone.

32 weeks and feeling puny

Emily & I (& my mom) have caught some kind of bug. All three of us have been sick since last night. I'll spare you the gory details, but it did involve changing the sheets twice on Emily's bed in the middle of the night. I think I'll go back to double-layering the sheets & mattress pads again!

Weekend

Family is wonderful! It's amazing how you can cram 5 adults and a baby into a 3-bedroom house and the house just comes to life! We spent the weekend with my sister in Dallas...no agenda really, just a few stores we wanted to go to. I got some things at Babies R Us (too bad Abilene doesn't have one!) and my sister and dad both bought new computers! I know this is a short post, but, really, it's all I have right now.

31 weeks

Usually, I have something to say when I write these posts. Today, however, nothing is coming. So, you just get a picture. (And see my post below for Works for Me Wednesday.)

Ornaments

As I've been putting away my Christmas ornaments (yes, I'm just getting to it), I realized that my family has done something that most people don't. Every year, my parents would let me and my sister pick out an ornament. We would also each get an ornament from our grandparents. I know that's not out of the ordinary. However, my mom (or grandmother) would always date them. Now, we can look back and see just when it was that we got each ornament.

What made me think about this (and how unusual it is), is that my cousin's wife had asked if we knew when we got each ornament. I didn't think too much about it, but made a list of the "grandparent" ornaments as I decorated the tree. When all was said and done, there were only four years (out of 30) that I couldn't account for. As I was putting away the ornaments today, I was on the look-out for ornaments for those years. I came across one that didn't have a date on it, but thought it might be from my grandparents. So, I asked my other cousin, Lauren, for her help. She said she remembered the ornament, but had no idea what year it was from. I guess we're the only ones who dated all our ornaments!

(For more WFMW posts, go to Shannon's blog here.)

7 months

As everyone says, where did the time go? Emily can now sit up for long periods of time, get where she wants to go by army crawling, eat rice & oatmeal cereals, be okay in the nursery at church and just generally be a happy baby. This week she's had a few fussy days, but for the most part, she's happy all the time (unless she's hungry or sleepy). I know, you all wish you had a kid like her!

Moby Wrap

If you have a small child (like under 35 pounds) and don't have one, go get one! I had been using a Baby Bjorn for the past 6 months and, while it does its duty (especially in NYC with Emily's snowbear outfit and over heavy coats!), the Moby Wrap is amazing. Phillip and I went on a walk tonight for about 35 minutes. We went approximately a mile and a half. When using the Baby Bjorn, I could never have gone that far. I know I was carrying 14.5 pounds more that my normal weight, but I could hardly tell! My shoulders never hurt, my back never hurt and Emily enjoyed it (though I think she'll be facing out from now on!).

P.S. Thanks to Granddaddy for this great Christmas gift!

30 weeks

Emily is now 30 weeks old. She can sit up very well, with no support, and even reach for toys while doing so. She's starting to scoot around, but isn't crawling all-out yet. She loves her Exersaucer and has started eating rice cereal, which she kind of likes. :-)

(Yes, that is our Christmas tree in the background. No, it (obviously) hasn't been taken down yet. However, I've moved most of our other Christmas stuff into plastic tubs! I just ran out before I got to the tree and ornaments!)