Who's Going With Me?

I recently wrote my 150th blog post! When I started blogging, I really just thought it would be something I would do for my family to see pictures of Davis from time to time. Little did I know what I would be getting myself into. I have always LOVED writing, and this turned out to be a new outlet for me. I was the kid in school that actually liked doing book reports and papers. Don't ask, I have no idea. It's better than math.



As I kept writing more, I started to get a few followers here and there, and would get so excited. I was thrilled when I got my first! (I have a new goal I'm trying to reach, but I can't jinx it) I love knowing that what ever it may be that I am writing, someone out there can relate to me. Whether it's issues or friends, or deflating boobs after breastfeeding. Gotta love that, right?!?



But I want to thank everyone that reads my blog, makes comments, give me feedback, and lets me know what you like or what I could work on. I love that I've actually gotten to know some people out there through the blog world.



Which brings me to my next random topic of the day. BLOGGY BOOT CAMP!

Bloggy Boot Camp will be in Austin, Tx in October of this year. Who's going with me??? I read so many great things about these from learning to drinks. (Cocktail hour after) Come on. You can make it happen! On the SITS website, there was a long list of people that were going, but I'm afraid I don't know these people.

So...what do you think?

Things I Used To Do Before The Little Monkey.....

Things I Used to Do Before I Had Children (without Giving Them a Second Thought)
1) Look longingly at babies

2) Cuss like a sailor-ette

3) Go shopping for myself quite often

4) Have nicely painted nails

5) Wear dry clean only clothing

6) Stay up past midnight (to have fun with friends before diaper land)

7) Have sex at night

8) Long, hot bubble baths!!!

9) Did I mention have sex, period?

10) Look at the screaming babies mother in the grocery store, thinking, please make it stop!

11) Have spontaneous outings

12) Didn't think about keeping a clean house all the time! (I mean, yes I cleaned...but now you can't just let it go! UG)

13) Sleep in if I want to.

14) Have just "me" time

15) Laugh a lot less. Being a parent is just too much fun!!

Knowing now I wouldn't trade this for the world!!! What are your "use to dos?"

Spiced Mini Burgers with Couscous Salad

1 10 ounce box couscous

1 pound ground beef

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

Kosher salt and black pepper

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

6 scallions, sliced

4 plum tomatoes, quartered

1 cucumber, cut into half moons

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 8 ounce container hummus (opt)

-Place the couscous in a large bowl and pour 1 1/2 cups hot tap water over the top. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes; fluff with fork

-Form the beef into 12 small 1/2 inch thick patties. Sprinkle with cumin, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

-Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook to desired doneness, 4 minutes per side for medium.

-toss the couscous with the scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, lemon juice, the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil, 1 1/4 salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Serve with the burgers and hummus, if using.

***Since so many people post recipes from time to time, feel free to link up and share with more people!!

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Wordless Wednesday....Would You Send Your Kid Here?!?

I COULD NOT help myself and absolutely HAD to post this. We were walking in the park the other day and of course this car stuck out like a sore thumb. I mean, REALLY?!?

I know it's really hard to read. Especially with my kick ass photo editing skills. It says " Little Angels Daycare 24 Hours"

24 Hours?? I don't even want to know! I could go in about 100 different directions with this, but to be safe, I'll zip it.

I mean, looks totally legit, right?

Post It Note Tuesday....Cleanin' House

Desperately Seeking Mommies!

So, today was perfect. Weather: Check. Michael off and home with us: Check. Davis in a good mood: Check, check. So, what shall we do today? Picnic? Yes, please. We pack up our picnic basket, (yes, we have an old school picnic basket. Don't hate.) and head to the park for some rays and relaxation. My husband made the lunch today, so I knew it had to be delicious. (I am blessed with a gifted husband in the kitchen. Maybe I should rent him out)

Delicious salad, homemade tortilla chips, yummmy sandwiches, and a little vino. Yes, ma'am. You know this! Davis absolutely loves being outside. If I could, I would put his crib in the backyard. I don't think he has ever been in a bad mood outside!
As Davis started looking at all of the other people playing, of course we had to go join in. Then we get this look, begging us to hurry and finish our food. Take me to play now, please! As we are all on the swings, this really nice family starts making small talk with us. These people seem so nice and normal. Oh, they have a son Davis' age! This is so great!! New friend. You know how it is. Sadly, in my head, I'm thinking how excited I am that I am meeting someone new. Maybe we can gets the kids together for a playdate soon. Making new mommy friends can be so hard! Almost impossible it seems. Even if you're in a mom's group, or involved in things in your area, maybe you don't "click" with anyone. Maybe they talk too much. Maybe they don't talk at all. Or you have absolutely nothing in common.


So, maybe I should write a mom ad. Desperately Seeking Mommies. In search of: Someone relatively close to my age. Lives near! Has children preferably close to my son. Likes going to parks, being outdoors, and still can dump the kids off with the hubby and grab a glass of wine from time to time and have girl talk. Only in a perfect world...or a crazy world...would I actually do this. I have friends that I can talk to, friends that have children. But not many that have the same thoughts of raising children, can honestly share your issues with, especially without getting ridiculed from others and what they do is right or better.


Well, what did happen to that really nice family that we met at the park? Come to find out they didn't even live in our area. Wouldn't it happen that way! So, Davis and I kept swinging and having a good ol time. Maybe another day and another time. Until then, I'll keep writing my fictitious want ad.

I Love Awards!!!

Seriously...I LOVE them. It makes me so happy to know that someone out there likes my blog! And that someone that awarded this to me is Kerri at I'm Just Sayin... Thank you so much ;)



You should check out her blog. She is just as sweet as can be and always has such great things to write about.

1. Post the award....check

2. Thank the person that gave it to you....check

3. Pass the award on to seven blogs who you think embody the spirit of the Kreativ Blogger Award: http://www.mommymonologues.com/; http://mcclintockb.blogspot.com/; http://notquitesusiehomemaker.blogspot.com/; http://www.mannland5.com/; http://lettersfromcrazyville.blogspot.com/; http://alikeleestory.blogspot.com/; www.kitchenbellicious.blogspot.com

4. Name 7 things about yourself others don't know.

1. I have a large, brown birth mark on my left arm. People use to call it a coffee stain. Really?!?

2. I am in love with 'Modern Family' and 'Brothers and Sisters'

3. Before my husband and I started dating, I had NEVER had a piece of cake or pie. I always had a cookie cake for my birthday.

4. Now, because of my husband, I'm addicted to chocolate and Tuxedo Truffle cake is to die for!

5. Even though I would never keep my house decorated 24/7 (I'm not that hardcore...or just crazy!) I LOVE Christmas anything!!!

6. I love Target. Yes, love it. I can't go get one thing and not come home with a bunch of stuff. I should be banned.

7. I would own a really cute stationary/paper shop if I had my way. With really cute gifts and crafts....wait....maybe a vineyard. Maybe I should combine the two. Oh no!

Do Your Bags Hang Low??

Do they wobble to and fro? Okay, thank God I can't tie them in a knot, but I'm sure they will be down to my knees someday. Some days, I just wake and think I need an IV of coffee. Maybe there just isn't enough coffee for me in this world. Hmm...



So, the esthetician in me wanted to write a post about everyones baggage. I know it's no fun. And who wants to rely on the needle to fix your problem? UGGGGG!! and OUCH! If you are like me, you may be a little puffy around the eyes, so I wanted to give everyone some quick at home tips you can do to try and help alleviate some of it.



1) Cucumbers: Have you ever seen the relaxing spa ads where cucumbers are placed on the eyes? This actually works. Cucumbers are a well-known remedy for puffy eyes, and this home remedy is still considered one of the most effective ways to make tired eyes appear awake and bright. Cucumbers have a high water content, and an ice-cold cucumber can greatly reduce under eye swelling. Cut cold cucumbers into thick slices. Find a place to relax, put your head back, and unwind with a slice over each eye for about ten minutes, or until the cucumber becomes warm. You can just pretend you are in a spa. 2) Hemorrhoid Cream: Yes, that's right. You may have heard of this one before, but I swear by this one. I use it at night around the bottom and tops of the lids and have noticed a massive difference. If I need to explain hemorrhoid cream, you may want to google it. It is completely safe and not harmful at all. Just make sure you get cream and not gel.3) Like a Virgin Cream: Have you ever been to one of those toy parties before? They sell a cream in a little tube that is like heaven...for you eyes I mean. I wouldn't know about what it's actually used for! If your eyes are excessively baggy or puffy, you may want to try this. I have known people who have seen massive results in just 3 days! (It tightens things...wink, wink)

4) Strawberries: strawberries naturally contain alpha-hydroxy, and this naturally occurring ingredient is great for making skin smoother and younger looking. Alpha-hydroxy is found in many expensive facial creams, but you can get the benefits without the expense by using this home remedy for reducing under eye puffiness. To reduce under eye puffiness and make tired eyes appear brighter, remove the tops from large, fresh, refrigerated strawberries, and slice them about 1/8 of an inch thick. While relaxing with your head back, place the cold strawberry slices under your eyes, and allow them to remain there for several minutes. After removing the strawberries, wash and moisturize your face as usual.

5) Milk: Milk does the body good, right? Well, it's also great for your skin! Cold milk tastes great with a big slice of rich chocolate cake, but cold milk is also great for tired, puffy eyes. If you're looking exceptionally tired these days, try a milk treatment that will soothe and relax your eyes. Pour ice cold milk into a shallow bowl, and toss in a couple of large cotton balls. Find a place to lie down, place a towel beneath your head, and with eyes tightly closed, place milk-soaked cotton balls over your eyes. After ten or fifteen minutes, wash, dry, and moisturize your face as usual.

6) Ahhh Coffee: Dip a cotton pad in brewed espresso (or any extra strong coffee) and press it beneath your eyes. It will eliminate all the darkness and puff. This works because caffeine is a vasoconstrictor which means that is shrinks blood vessels and minimizes dark circles. Its diuretic effect also helps reduce swelling. Some eye creams have this as an ingredient because of it.

7) Tea: Traditionally, people have used black tea bags or green tea bags. These teas contain tannins, a natural astringent which constricts blood vessels and pulls the skin taut. However, some sources recommend using herbal teas. Herbal teas that do not contain tannins may not constrict blood vessels or reduce swelling, but they can soothe redness and irritation, reducing inflammation. (Just don't do like I did and use a raspberry tea. My face was pink for several hours and of course we had plans!)

Honest Scrap Award

I am so excited to say, I got the 'Honest Scrap Award.' Yes...super excited. Is is sad that I have been wanting this award so I am super happy about it? No, of course it's not sad!! Annette awarded me with it, and you should check out her blog. It's super cute!!

So, here's the deal. I have to share 10 random things about myself and then pass this award on to 10 of my favorite bloggers. 10 things about me?
Okay....
1) I'm addicted to blogging. Even if, tear..tear...I've lost a couple of followers, I'm gonna keep on truckin. Don't like what I say? That's okay. There are millions of others out there!
2) Since I don't always have adult talk during the day, blogging is the PERFECT outlet for me. I can talk your ear off if you let me. Seriously, I can talk a LOT.
3) In Jr. High I broke my leg tripping over a curb right when I was starting a new school. I actually was called 'Curb' for 3 years because people thought that was my last name!?
4) I seriously want to go to Ireland. Donations??
5) I would give anything to have a full day at the spa alone and not have anyone there...unless you are massaging.
6) I HAVE to meet Ellen someday. This would be the most perfect valentine's, birthday, Christmas, everything. Shoot, combine them all together. That would just make my year!
7) I want to be better at baking. Yuummmm....but then it can't stay in the house.
8) I was always the rebellious one in the family. Yes, sweet little me.
9) I'm excited and bracing myself for when Davis starts really crawling and walking. I'll need massive energy boosters.
10) Wish I had a green thumb. My plants don't stay alive long and plus my dog tramples the ones in the backyard. Good times.

And I pass this on to:
1). www.adailyscoopofchaos.com
2) www.cookinlean.com
3) www.jdhumes.blogspot.com
4) http://kerrims.blogspot.com/
5) www.iwaitforthatday.blogspot.com
6) www.mommymonolouges.com
7) www.thisandthatday.blogspot.com
8) www.wineymommy.com
9) http://margaritabloom-glamourville.blogspot.com/
10) http://veronking2003.blogspot.com/

Post It Note Tuesday: A Pet Peeve

Davis Is 8 Months!

Once again, this past month has flown by in warp speed. I swear, my life has never gone by so fast. And still I get sad and excited all at the same time as he is getting bigger and learning new things. Davis still isn't exactly crawling, but is moving around. He has the whole army crawl down, but only manages it in circles. He does a lot of circles over and over on the ground. He will even move backwards and every direction, except for forward. Go figure!

He LOVES all food still, except green beans. The kid even likes cauliflower. Odd, right? I'm still making his food and stock up a ton in the freezer. I've been making his meat now and mixing it with different veggies, which he loves. He's now also eating cheerios, little puff cereals, and I also give him chunks of bananas.

Davis is saying baba and dada a lot and babbling all of the time. We have some pretty in depth conversations. He's a great listener. Thank goodness he can't respond yet!! Lord!

His schedule is still going great, thank goodness. He is on a 4 hour schedule starting at 8 am and then goes to bed around 8pm without waking during the night. Now, if only I could sleep as good as him, we would both be doing great! Davis is taking two naps during the day, each two hours, and then a power nap for about 45 minutes at the end of the day. I only wish some people in my family would understand my whole nap time schedule with him, but who am I kidding?!
I am still wondering when his red birth mark is ever going to go away. I think the poor kid is stuck with it for a while. When he gets upset and starts screaming, it is beyond beet red.

Of course to others, this is a boring post. For me, I am trying to keep track of what he is doing in case I decide to go on this roller coaster again. There is so much more and I am drawing a blank. Do I still have Mommy Brain?! That's what we will go with.

CafePress Earth Day Photo Contest/Tote Giveaway

This year will be the 40th anniversary of Earth Day!! Help CafePress and iVillage celebrate all things green with their Earth Day Photo Contest. Enter you photo and share you green dreams and hopes. It can even be a simple one liner! You could win an Eco Vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands! (If you win, please pack me in your suitcase. That's all I ask! You can even leave me there!) Also, you can also receive a FREE special edition eco-tote, designed by Studio Number One. The special edition tote is made from three plastic bottles spun int o 100% polyester! Pretty amazing, right?!? You only have to pay a $1.25 for shipping. (I have mine on the way!)

All information about the FREE tote and photo contest can be found HERE.

Don't forget about all the great stuff CafePress has to offer! CafePress is the perfect place to find unique and personalized gifts, for any person and any topic!

This is a top I got for Davis! CafePress has some hysterical stuff!

Step Into The Ring!

Being a mom isn't always easy. Lord, sometimes it's not even fun. You know those days. And sometimes, you just need to vent or need support from people and it's not always that simple. That's where the judgement can set in. You know you're guilty of it, too. What mom doesn't want to raise smart, healthy, independent children? It can be hard not to compare your child to the next, and get criticism back in return. Oh, your child isn't crawling yet? Your child isn't saying your name yet? Umm...no. Why are we so hard on each other when we really need the pat on the back every once in a while?

So you don't do everything the same as your mommy friend. Thank goodness for that or we would be living in a pretty boring 'Stepford Wives' kind of world.

If you're like me, you probably bought a ton of books while you were pregnant, trying to figure everything out. For anyone who is considering the same, let me sum it up for you a bit:
Sleeping with your baby is good. Sleeping with you baby is bad.
Schedules, yes. Schedules, no.
Lay them on their stomachs. Lay them on their backs.
Bottle. Breast.
Cloth diaper. Disposable diaper.
Wean. Don't wean.
Toilet train. Don't toilet train.
Pick them up when they cry. Never pick up a crying baby.
Public school. Home school. Montessori school.
Competitive sports are good. Competitive sports are bad.
Fluoride. No fluoride.
Vaccines. No vaccines.
You're Welcome.
Moms get so fired up about these issues you would think you are in a political debate. Sometimes you don't even ask opinions and you get their unsolicited advice. Even from people you don't know. Try ordering a coffee while you're pregnant and don't think you won't be getting any strange looks. Not doing a keg stand over here, people!
So what do you do? Suck it up! Grow thick skin! Absolutely nothing and brush it off. Let you take care of you, while I take care of me.
Pretty soon our topics are going to expand a lot more, including ones that don't include baby. Your child telling you they hate you. (Not looking forward to that one) Slamming of the doors. (Maybe I should take them off) And of course, the rolling of the eyes. (I invented that. They can't do that)
Time to take the judgement in stride or we'll never survive the mommy-hood ride.

What's For Dinner Wednesday?

(Hands on Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes)

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 bell peppers, cut into 1/2 -inch pieces
Kosher salt and black pepper
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 pound cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan (2 ounces)

-Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the eggplant, bell peppers, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, 6 to 8 minutes
-Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Add the broth and tortellini. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the tortellini are cooked through and most of the broth is absorbed, 12 to 15 minutes
-Stir in the parsley and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan. Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan.

HAPPY EATING!

Wordless Wednesday

My favorite men! We had our family pictures done at the rose garden...and I'll be waiting (im)patiently until I see them.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ten Tips on Managing & Organizing Your Family

Since being a mom doesn't come with a full time assistant, maid, cook, and a personal coach to help keep your sanity (depending on who you are, of course) I would like to share a few quick tips that help me keep my head on straight.

Right now, TwitterMoms and Icon Apps have put together a blog contest to get tips on family organization.

1) Chore List-Yes, that's right. I give myself a chore list. It is so much easier when broken down into small bits each day. I pretty much give myself Friday-Sunday off except for straightening up the house. I break it down into daily tasks, weekly, and daily agenda.
2) Laundry...Every Day- I know, laundry sucks and I swear I loathe the loads. It's the magic act that keeps reappearing over and over that I hate. I do one load a day, including washing, drying, folding, and putting away. If only it would stay gone!
3) Menu- I plan out a menu every week of what we are going to be having for dinner. This saves time and money and avoiding buying things at the store that you end up not using or going bad.
4)Cleaning the Bathroom- Did you know that Alka Seltzer is a great toilet bowl cleaner? Yeah, that's right! Plop, plop, fizz, fizz...it's a cleanin away. Just plop those suckers in your toilet and avoid all of the scrubbing! Let them sit for five minutes and flush away. (If it cleans your toilet so well, makes you wonder what it does to your body, huh?!)
5)Calendar-- I have a dry erase board on the wall of everything that is going on. Doctor's Appointment, Mom Group Meetings, weekend activities, etc. I also have an area on the board to write down the next month's upcoming events. We also write things to remember at the grocery store.
6) The 'Mom's Intuition' App (above- This is actually amazing. You can input your grocery list into your phone and never forget anything. (If only it did the laundry)
7) Prep Dinner in the Morning- I try to get everything out for dinner in the morning, to have ready to go when I start cooking. If anything needs to be defrosted, this gives me plenty of time and I don't have to worry about it later. I also make enough dinner for 4 people to have leftovers for Michael to take to work with him. This also saves money when not buying lunch everyday.
8) Bills- I like to separate the bills, coupons, and all other mail in an organizer which is next to the computer.
9) Baby Food- I still make all of Davis' baby food, which really does not take a lot of time. I make it all at once and freeze everything so he has plenty for a week or more. I label of all his fruits, veggies, and meats with the date on them.
10) Don't Forget YOU!!- Unwind at the end of the day and try and drop all of the chores, bills, etc. After Davis goes to bed every night, it is me and Michael time. We have dinner, glass of vino, watch a movie, or just talk. I need my time, even if it's just a little bit, to unwind from the day.

Disclosure
This post is part of a blogging contest from the TwitterMoms community. There is a chance this post could be randomly selected to win a $50 Target GiftCard, so wish me luck! For more details, you can view the contest page here (http://icomp.ly/IconApps).

To learn more about Icon Apps, a creator of cool iPhone applications that help people manage and simplify their lives, click here!

Do you have any tips or tricks?