Sunday, February 27, 2011

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Cup Endorsement

 About a month ago we finally found a cup that Peyton would use, and we're still loving it!  We went through just about every sippy cup known to man, but all she wanted to do was chew on them.  She didn't care a thing about drinking out of one, she only wanted to drink out of "adult cups". 
 I noticed she was always amazed by my straws, so I started looking for a good cup with a straw.  I found this Playtex Straw Trainer cup and it worked wonders!  It took her a few days to really figure out how to suck the liquid up, but now she's a total pro with a straw.  Peyton absolutely LOVES water (we don't give her juice) so she constantly has a full cup with her.
Now that she can handle the straw, she doesn't have issues with other sippy cups.  But she still prefers her straw cups over all others!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie...Super Easy

Tonight I made the cheesy chicken pot pie, and it.was.delicious.  It was nothing special or difficult, but definitely a keeper!  I found the recipe when I searched for kid friendly/quick & easy recipes.  So here's the recipe....

3 Cups chopped cooked chicken
1 pkg (16oz) frozen vegetable blend*, thawed, drained

*I used the corn/carrots/peas/green beans frozen mixture and then I added broccoli in as well (I love my veggies!)1/2 lb (8oz) Velveeta cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can (8oz) refrigerated crescent rolls


Heat oven to 375

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a 13x9 baking dish
Unroll dough; place over the chicken mixture
Bake 20 - 25 mins or until crust is golden brown

See, I told you it was easy! 

Meal Time

Let me start by saying thank you Hannah for inspiring me to think about my food!  Not in the vegetarian/healthy way so much, but just helping me see that I need to make some changes. 

Recently I made the decision to get my act together when it comes to meals...namely dinner.  I've been so slack about cooking real dinners since Peyton was born.  I love to cook, but I just don't have the time like I used to.  Therefore I decided to become more organized and actually plan meals and do the shopping in advance..what a concept, I know. 

Now I know I won't be cooking every night, it's just ridiculous to think that will happen.  I work full time...40 hrs a week...5 days a week, pick up Peyton and take care of her until Edwin gets home and then I can start cooking on the weeks he works days.  But every other week I have no evening help and it's all I can do to get her fed, bathed, changed, and play with her for a little before it's bedtime.  Then I could care less about cooking dinner at 7:30pm for just 1 person.  But I digress....

Yesterday morning I went through and found 2 weeks worth of yummy (well yummy-sounding), healthy meals that Peyton can eat as well.  She rarely eats any baby food these days, so I try to fix things she can eat with us.  I went online and did my grocery shopping.... 
By the way, I absolutely L-O-V-E the online shopping at Lowe's Foods.  It has been my life saver several times since Peyton was born.  I can swing by on my way home from work, they load everything for me, and I can be home in time to pick her up.  It's well worth an extra $5 for this service, plus I actually save a lot more $ because I'm not roaming the aisles looking at all of the food making myself hungry.  Not to mention you can sort by sales and price, they have online coupons, and your Rewards card. 
got all of my ingredients for the meals, and Edwin picked them up when he got off work.  I have about 2 weeks worth of dinner (including leftovers) and the ingredients for them.  Tonight I'm trying out a cheesy chicken pot pie recipe!

I know I can't be Super Mom, and I'm in no way trying to be.  But I would like to be a little more prepared and organized.  I've given in to the fact that the laundry is going to pile up and the house is going to be a disaster sometimes, and that's OK. 

Friday, February 18, 2011

Changing Every Day

I know I say this a lot, but Peyton has been changing so much lately.  She's really starting to come in to her own and is bursting with personality!  It looks like she's going to be emotional like her Mommy.  She has my fiery temper and gets so excited to see me when I've been gone that she cries as she crawls to me...I love it!  I love her emotion and I love being able to see myself in her. 
I guess that means Edwin will have to deal with 1 more person sniffling every time those darn SPCA commercials come on!  

She's a talker as well.  She has times where she's quiet and thoughtful like her Daddy, concentrating on her task at hand....and then there's the rest of the time.  Yet another trait she undoubtedly got from her Mommy!  She talks and babbles and as of recently, squeals throughout the house.  Mama is the only real word she's saying right now so "Mama" is on constant repeat.  She tries to say Marshmallow (our cat's name), which is hilarious. 

She's still very clingy to me when others are around or she's in a new place with a lot going on, but when we're at home she has turned in to Miss Independent!  She crawls through the house like I'm not there and only does the occasional look around to see where I am, then she's right back at it.  She spends most of her time chasing the animals around, crawling from window to window and door to door to look outside, and basically just speed crawling from one end of the house to the other ( I seriously never knew how incredibly FAST they can crawl)!  She may take a brief intermission to check something out on TV or play with a toy for a second, then she's off again.  She's working hard on standing unsupported these days and her balance is getting better by the day (which terrifies me!). 

Now that we're getting some decent weather we can get back to going for walks, which we both love.  It's so nice to be able to get out of the house without having to bundle up in 20 layers of clothes!  I'm praying this weather lasts and we have finally seen the end of this bitterly cold winter. 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Peyton has started squealing...a lot.  It's like she just realized she could do it, and it's hilarious. 
Here's a little video of her tonight. 
 Please excuse the poor quality, I only had my cell phone by me and didn't have time to grab the real video camera.  


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Ooh and Aah, no more?!

Let me just apologize in advance to those of you who don't have kids or don't care a thing about the Disney Channel, but that's what this entire lame post is about. 

For all of you out there that have Dinsey babies like I do, I'm sure you know of the big switch over that happened yesterday.  Playhouse Disney is now Disney  Junior.  I was a little unsure when I saw that they were playing a movie at 7am yesterday...a good movie, yes...but a movie nonetheless.  Today it appears they're back to the normal shows; Special Agent Oso, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (of course!), Handy Manny, Imagination Movers...all the norms.  The commercial for the new show "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" has made Peyton stop in her tracks for weeks!  She finally got to watch* an episode yesterday with Nonnie and she apparently loved it. 
*Of course by watch I mean in 2 min spurts here and there between playing and crawling around the house! 

So what's the big deal with the switch...3 words, Ooh and Aah.  I absolutely loved Ooh and Aah, and yes I realize that I'm 28 years old but I am in no way embarrassed by that!  I keep hoping they'll bring them back, but it doesn't look very promising. 

Monday, February 14, 2011

Surprise!

Right after I finished my last post, I got a message that there was a box for me at the front desk. 
This is what was waiting for me....


My husband is absolutely amazing!

Happy Valentine's Day

Wow, so I haven't posted in over a week...sorry about that.  Basically I've just been insanely busy at work, the hubby has been working a lot, and all I want to do when I'm home is spend time with my munchkin.  I do have some super cute new pictures, but I haven't had the time or motivation to download and post them. 

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!  I hope you all have a wonderful day today!
My morning began with an insanely cute 9 month old snuggled up next to me in my bed repeating "Mama" and giving me kiss after kiss*. 

*By the way, she started doing that several weeks ago and I've been meaning to get a video of it because it's so darn cute!  Just say "Peyton, can Mama have a kiss?" and she opens up her mouth and gives a big juicy smacker right on the lips.  It's too cute for words! 

We don't have anything huge planned for today, in fact we never go out ON Valentine's Day.  I just can't get in to the huge crowds and long waits when I can just go a day earlier.  We did get each other a gift and of course Peyton has a present waiting at home for her.  I'm picking up a special dinner (I can't reveal what it is just yet since it's a secret) for us to enjoy after Peyton goes to sleep along with some wine and a nice fire in our fire pit.  I couldn't ask for much more than that! 

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Who's Ready for a Vacation?!

The past few weeks (this week especially) have taken a lot out of me.  I've been working my butt off all day, then coming home to take care of a 9 month old on my own most nights.  After she's in bed I scrounge up some dinner for myself, get some housework done, and then it's around 9pm and I'm exhausted. 

I'm so incrediby ready for our beach trip in May, I can hardly stand it! 

I'm ready to go here....


With him....

And stay here....

And eat here.....

And here...

Ocracoke Island, we'll be there soon!!!!


Thursday, February 3, 2011

So Glad He's Mine

Lately it seems like I haven't seen my husband in MONTHS!  He works days one week then evenings/nights the next week, and so on.  Last week when he was on a normal day shift, the s&*@ seemed to hit the fan every evening right as he was supposed to come home.  He was on nights 2 weeks ago, most of last week he didn't get home until late, then he had to go out of state for 3 days this week, and we're back on nights again now. 

Although it can really suck, times like these make me realize how incredibly much I.love.that.man!  He truly is my best friend and I can't imagine my life without him! 

Hopefully he'll get to take some time off this weekend, and we're planning on a movie/junk food/take out night curled up on the couch together.  It may not sound all that exciting, but when you rarely see each other and have a 9 month old...going out is usually the last thing we care about doing! 

Here are a few OLD pics of that wonderful hubby of mine (and me)!