This weekend, sweet Norah decided to help mommy by moving some furniture around...specifically, the play table and her chair.
Later, she enjoyed a nice chicken taco for daddy's birthday (note to DFACS- the margarita belongs to dad, not Norah).
My fellow mamas will agree. Your life gets infinitely more complicated once the beautiful little bundle of poop arrives. Throw a career into the mix and you have the makings of the perfect storm of drive-thrus and domestic dis-harmony (I know that's not really a word, but I like alliteration).
I keep a mental list of things that I think are pretty great ideas. Especially those that make my life easier and I keep all of these great things in my head, where they do good only to me. And occasionally Brad, when my cerebral file 13 reaches a level of overflow and I need to expunge these little tid bits of knowledge.
So moms and moms-to-be, here are my top five time savings kitchen helpers.
Single Serve Wine Bottles
The best invention since sliced bread. Seriously. These are invaluable to anyone who loves to cook. Finally, there is no need to ruin and entire bottle of wine just to make dinner. And by ruin, I mean frantically down the better part of a bottle of Cabernet just to keep from wasting wine (which is akin to one of Dante's deadly sins). The single serve bottles are available in all of the standard types and provide just enough for your recipes, with a swig or two left over. Genius.
Amy's Kitchen Organic Meals
If you have been keeping up with me as of late, you know that I am trying to be more eco-friendly (GREEN TEAM!) and eat more natural foods. So imagine my giddiness when I discovered microwaveable organic meals in my grocer's freezer case. Fresh meets fast. Perfect. What's missing? Preservatives, chemicals, etc. But despite the lack of additives, the taste is still great. My recommendations include the enchiladas Verde and the ravioli. Many of the entrees are also gluten and dairy free. However, I need to pay better attention because I keep accidentally getting the dairy-free meals. I need my cheese!
Kitchen Sheers
Yes, baby food is fun. Watching your baby learn to love (OR hate) those pureed green beans and squash has given many a parent a sense of satisfaction and excitement. When they move to table food, many of those same parents find themselves racked with fear that their child will choke on a too large chunk of food. Enter the kitchen sheers. These handy sheers should be a staple in every mom's kitchen. No more struggling with cutting table food in to small bites for your little babe- kitchen sheers make short work of whatever the family is eating. My kitchen sheers from Cutco make providing table food to a baby a breeze and they come apart for easy cleaning. Regardless of what brand you select, make sure that you are buying them from a store where you buy knives. Normal scissors just don't cut it (pun intended).
Kitchen sheers at work on a cheeseburger...
The Crock Pot
Five years ago, you were opening a large present at your bridal shower, giddy as to what this big heavy token of generosity might be. A blender for margaritas? A toaster to start your day off right with some warm pop-tarts whole grain waffles? Espresso maker? Nope. It's a crock pot. Yipee. But ladies, the crock pot is one of your most valuable players in the kitchen line-up. Learn it. Live it. Love it. I know I do. Roasts, stews and stroganoffs all reach the peak of tenderness while you toil away strapped to your computer. And when you walk in your front door you are bowled over by a wave of beefy/porky goodness. Mmmmm. There are a variety of websites and cookbooks dedicated to slow cooker meals, a family could go for quite a while without a repeat.
Soups
The great thing about soups is that you can make a huge batch, enjoy a meal and freeze two to three additional meals from one pot of soup. So easy! Soups can be poured into ziplock baggies and fit into nooks and crannies of even the most packed freezer. When it's time to defrost, stick the baggie in the fridge the night before you wish to serve...or you can immerse in it warm water until it looses from the container and heat until warm. Some of my FAVES: Mexican Pork and Rice (try it with chunks of fresh avocado added just before serving), Beef Stew with Red Wine (see "Single Serve Wine Bottles, above) and Smokey Slow Cooker Chili (the tomatillas as just a bit of tart).
Norah spent part of Sunday afternoon checking out the fish pond, now that Chris (our lone remaining Koi) has come out of hiding.
It's pretty convenient that we set up the fence to keep the dogs and cranes from fishing in our pond it pulls double duty keeping a little girl out as well.
She's not wild about the way the dirty patio feels on her feet..
But with Lila's enouragement, she gets used to it.
"Hi Mommy!"
And for those of you who care, the 10 month stats are:
19.8 lbs
28 inches
We've been given the go-ahead to move away from baby food and on to just table food. This weekend, Norah enjoyed a chicken and cheese quesadilla, grilled asapargus with lemon, olive oil and cracked pepper, a cheese burger, a turkey and cheddar sandwich and grilled chicken, potates and bell pepper. Not in the same sitting, obviously.
Just in time for her 10 month birthday, and after several months of assuming the crawling position only to collapse into a heap of whining, Norah has finally started crawling. Yay Norah!
She has been scooting around on her tummy (usually backwards) for a week or so, fascinated that she can move, but frustrated that she wasn't getting where she wanted.
Her first official crawl was Friday afternoon. We were at Beba and Papa's, waiting for Papa to be moved to the regular cardiac floor from the CVICU and the girl finally decided that it was time to be on the move. Too bad Brad missed it.
She has gotten pretty proficient in moving around. The latest object of her affection is the dog bowl in our room.
She's mastered standing
Up next, cruising and walking....she's growing up too fast.
I know that I do. But I am very particular about what I put on my child- clothes, accessories, etc. So for me, it isn't a great deal unless it is something I will actually use and love. Below are a few of my favorite sites to get high quality stuff for less than retail:
Flying Giggles and Lollipops- this momma reviews fun stuff and offers a new give-away regularly! Current give-aways include SmartiPants diapers (be still, my heart), 7th Generation cleaning products and more.
BabySteals- This site offers some of the most popular and "coolest" kid and baby swag at ridiculously cheap prices. I am currently waiting on an Ergo baby carrier that I scored for $75- half the price of retail. But I totally missed out on the Katydid diaper special- Doh! When the site runs out, you are out of luck, so get on early in the day!
Baby Half Off- Similar concept as BabySteals- you get great products for a fraction of the price. Recent offers have included Grandma El baby products, Cantaloupe Corner baby wear, iPlay snack cups and more.
Jillian's Drawers- Jillian's regularly has some of the most popular cloth diapering items gently used at a discounted price. I know, used diapers sounds gross, but I can tell you first hand that I have ordered several FuzziBuns, Thirsties, BGs and Dream-Eze AIOs from them and they have all arrived in brand-spanking new condition.
Carver's Creation- While not "cheap" in the sense of quality by any means, this Hyena Cart momma makes AMAZING wool longies and shorties for a great price. I recently ordered a pair of capris from her and the workmanship is outstanding and she was very communicative when I had questions. Plus, who doesn't love to support a WAHM?
Gymboree Gymbucks Program- OK, if you know me, you know that I am a SUCKER for Gymboree. Especially when they are running the Gymbucks promotion, which seems to be all the time. For every $50 spent, you receive a $25 gift certificate redeemable at a later date. And you can apply it to anything in the store- even sale and clearance merchandise. Game on!
The princess has given her seal of approval for this post.
Seriously. I am going to tell you all about cloth diapering.
A couple of months ago, when I mentioned to friends and family that I was going to cloth diaper Norah, I was met with a myriad of comments, such as "Ew", "We'll see how long that lasts", "You are a brave woman", and from Brad: "I am NOT playing with poop." Five weeks into it, I am hooked.
A few observations.
1) I don't even think about it anymore. Before I even put a piece of cloth on my baby, I was scared. Why, I have no idea. I mean, it's a piece of fabric going on a baby's butt. What was the worst that could happen? A leak? I won't like it? I won't follow through on my commitment?
The first few weeks, I was keenly aware of each time I changed Norah's diaper. I was very careful to accurately snap it on. When I had a soiled diaper, I had to remember my logical steps. First, put the wipes in a plastic bag. Second, rinse the waste into the toilet. Squirt more water. Put diaper into wetbag.
Now, I operate on autopilot. Plus, I am using cloth wipes, which eliminates a step. But dealing with cloth diapers doesn't even phase me.
2) Cute dipes are like crack. Not that I know what crack is like, but I can guess that it is highly addicting. Any cloth diapering momma will tell you that there is a certain magical draw to new "fluff". Even though you KNOW that you have enough diapers to last you two weeks, you are not above stalking the BSRB website on Fridays at 5 and 7 pm EST.
Add in the possibility of cute wool longies, shorties and capris, the possibilities are endless.
3) There has been a marked decrease in the amount of trash we take out each week.
4) Even Brad doesn't think that they are as bad as he originally thought they would. And THATS a huge admission. But he still doesn't do number twos. Wuss.
The bottom (he he he) line- it is way easier that I thought it would be. And super cute to boot. Here's the proof:
Road trip!
This weekend, we loaded up for a trip to Kentucky for the wedding for my college girlfriend, Emily's, wedding. Friday we drove to Lexington to stay with Steph and Jason.
Saturday, we headed to Louisville for Emily and Randy's wedding and meet up with several other girls and their boyfriends/fiancees/husbands.
AGD girls- Whitney, Dawn (and Baby Boy McKowen), Beth, Emily, Steph, Me
Jason (Norah's new BFF), Norah and Steph
Is that facial hair? Can I pet you, Mr. Brent?
Norah and the beautiful bride, Em.
Daddy and Norah
We spent Saturday evening and Sunday morning hanging out with Steph and Jason.
Miss Steph, why are you sticking yogurt puffs on my face?
Norah is smiling at either her new bud, Jason or the "pu pah" (puppy)...
Watching the rain.
My new UK cheerleader dolly
Seriously, mom. Stop taking my picture...
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