Kiddo update

Oh, I get so behind on blogging!

An update on the girls...
They are both doing good. Taylor had a cold about a week and a half ago, and then we all had it! It went from Tay to me and we quickly got better, but Ella and Scott are still fighting it. As much as we begged Tay to "keep your hands off your sister!!", it just didn't work! Tay just loves her too much! :)

Ella went in for her 4 month check up a couple of weeks ago & Tay had her 3 year check up. Tay is so funny because she loves to go to the doctor. She's always telling her baby dolls they have to go to the doctor. And, if she gets the tiniest scrape...you guessed it, she "needs to go to the doctor"!

So, the funniest part of the doctor visit was the weigh-in...generally, not a "funny" part of my doctor visits! But, Taylor weighed in a 26 lb. 6 oz. and my sweet Ella...15 lb. 13 oz.! Taylor is in the 5th percentile for weight and less than 5th percentile for height. Ella, on the other hand, is in the 90th percentile for height AND weight! What a contrast these two are! I get a kick out of Scott folding clothes and holding a shirt up and saying "Is this Taylor's or Ella's?!?". Truly, it's hard to tell sometimes! :) I took Ella to the doctor again last Friday because of her stuffy nose & she was already up to 16 lb. 3 or 6 oz....the girl gains fast! It had just been 9 days since she was weighed in previously.

We've gotten down the exersaucer from the attic for Ella and she LOVES playing in it. I'll have to post a picture this week. She sits up really well, with assistance of course, but she still hasn't rolled over! She's just not happy laying on her play mat for more than a few minutes.

I took Taylor to Cottage Hill Baptist last week to sign up for Mom's Day Out. I think she'll enjoy it, but it will take her going a few times before she feels comfortable. She enjoyed playing in the play area while I filled out paperwork and then we went to see her "classroom". The 2 teachers seemed great, but the kids in the class were so much bigger than Taylor. Really, they were a lot bigger & the teacher even mentioned something about Taylor being so petite! She'll be going to MDO on Thursdays from 10-2 and Meredith will be taking her there & I'll pick her up after work. Another concern of mine is that Tay typically goes down for a nap between 12-1...I'm just hoping Tay can hang out 'til 2 and then take a nap when we get home.

That's about it, for now. I think about blogging all the time, but just don't get around to doing it. But, some of the things that come out of Taylor's mouth just crack me up and I think "I need to put that in the blog!". But, now as I sit here typing, I just can't think of anything in particular! One thing she did do last week...She's always saying, "Watch, Mama. WATCH!" So, I look up and she's dancing (shaking her behind!) and I ask "Where did you learn those moves?!?" and she quickly replies, "I learned it in SUNDAY SCHOOL!!" Hmm...I don't think so!

Have a great week y'all!!

Menu Monday 07.06

Hi guys! Here is what we have on the menu for the next week or so.

Monday--Cheesy Chicken & Rice Bake, Peas & Carrots
Tuesday--Jambalaya, salad, garlic bread
Wednesday--Chicken Marsala, mashed potatoes, broccoli
Thursday--We'll be eating at mom & dad's house. :)
Friday--scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits
Saturday--ribs, corn on the cob, potato salad
Sunday--hot dogs, pasta salad, baby carrots & ranch dip
Monday--chicken spaghetti, green beans, garlic bread
Tuesday--Tater tot casserole, Sweet Peas

Here's a great recipe that we've tried before & I'm happy to pass along--
Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken (I've used just breasts before, too)
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1 (4 oz.) jar diced pimentos, drained
3 cups dry spaghetti, broken into 2 inch pieces
2 cups reserved chicken broth from the pot
1 teaspoon Lawry's seasoned salt
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt & pepper to taste
1 additional cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

Cook 1 cut up fryer and pick out the meat to make 2 cups. Cook spaghetti in same broth until al dente. Do not overcook. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients, except additional 1 cup grated cheese.

Place mixture in casserole pan and top with remaining sharp cheddar. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until bubbly. (If the cheese on top starts to get too cooked, cover with foil.)

Enjoy!

Because you won't come back to my blog if I never post anything...!

Ok, so I have a dozen (or more!) other things I need to be doing right now...but, it's been so long since I posted anything here! The month of June just had us going here & there...and staying "busy"!

I came across this on someone else's blog & thought I'd copy it! Because I know you want to know all of these things about me...and you have nothing better to do for the next 15 minutes! Haha! I know better than that, so if you stick with me...I promise to post something more interesting next time!! ...and I'll even post a couple of pictures of the girls! (Why do my pictures always appear at the beginning of my blog. Can anyone help me with this?!?)

FOOD-OLOGY
What is your salad dressing of choice? honey mustard
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? It's a toss up between San Miguel & Macaroni Grill
What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it? Mexican
What are your pizza toppings of choice? Ham & Pineapple..or just plain ole pepperoni
What do you like to put on your toast? I prefer a bagel with cream cheese, but on toast it's just butter & jelly

TECHNOLOGY
How many televisions are in your house? 3
What color cell phone do you have? crimson
What does the first text message in your inbox say and who sent it? "thanks" from my friend, Laura
Who was the last person to call you? A lady calling me back with her Southern Living at Home order :)

BIOLOGY
Are you right-handed or left-handed? right
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? adenoids, wisdom teeth & 2 babies! Ha!
What is the last heavy item you lifted? Ella in her carseat! Seriously, have you held her...she's a load!

CRAP-OLOGY
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? absolutely not.
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Nope, I like my name (thanks Mom & Dad).
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? Um...only if my children were starving & I needed the money that badly!

DUMB-OLOGY
How many pairs of flip flops do you own? I wear flip-flops more than anything else...so probably 5 or 6 pair.
Last time you had a run-in with the cops? Never
Last person you talked to in person ? Scott
Favorite Month? October...just all the months during Fall, actually...cooler weather, football season, the start of the holiday season, my anniversary ( 6 yrs. this October!), etc.

CURRENT-OLOGY
Missing someone? Yes...I'd love to live much closer to some good friends from college
Mood? relaxed
What are you listening to? Scott playing NCAA Football on xbox
Watching? The computer screen as I type
Worrying about? nothing really at the moment

RANDOM-OLOGY
What’s the last movie you watched? Curious Case of Benjamin Button...a very interesting movie
Do you smile often? Yes.
Do you always answer your phone? embarrassingly...not often. Either I can't get to it in time because I'm feeding someone, changing someone's diaper, giving someone a bath...well, you get the idea. But, I do try to return all my missed calls!
It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? I don't know anyone who would text me at 4 in the AM and if they did I wouldn't hear it anyways.
If you could change your eye color what would it be? I like my brown eyes.
What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? cherry
Do you own a digital camera? yes, we got one when Taylor was born.
Have you ever had a pet fish? yes, goldfish when I was a child & I had a beta fish in college
Favorite Christmas song? hmm...there's so many. I like "Mary, did you know"...is that the title?
What’s on your wish list for your birthday? I usually ask for money & then end up spending it on anything but myself. But, I'd really like a pedicure & could use some new clothes. There's some books & CDs I'd really like, too.
Can you do push-ups? I think so.
Can you do a chin up? No way!
Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Excited!
Do you have any saved texts? nope
Ever been in a car wreck? no
Do you have an accent? I don't think so.
What is the last song to make you cry? In Christ Alone by Travis Cottrell
Plans tonight? not much! we had tacos for dinner, I straightened up the house, but the girls to bed...I know...it's EXCITING around here!
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? I've had my moments
Name 2 things you bought yesterday. nothing! But, I went to Target the day before & bought plenty!
You ever been given roses? Yes
Current hate right now? Ooh...tough one...truly, I can't think of anything I "hate" at the moment....I hate black olives, does that count?
Met someone who changed your life? yes, most importantly...Jesus
What song represents you? Like I said...I really love "In Christ Alone" right now.
What were you doing 12 AM last night? just falling asleep
What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Why won't Ella sleep?!?!

Oh, wow...that was really long. I doubt anybody read this all the way through! :)

I hope everyone has a great 4th of July! God bless America!

A couple of recipes...

Hey guys!
I just wanted to share a couple of really good recipes I've come across recently--blueberry muffins & banana bread. I'm sure you can find dozens and dozens of recipes for these two...but, I think these recipes are pretty fantastic! I hope you'll try them.

Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, brown sugar & white sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top.
3. Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

**NOTE** I doubled this recipe to make big muffins. You just fill the muffin cup right to the very top. By doubling the recipe, it made 14 big delicious muffins! :)


Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
  
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla, mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt, stir into the butter mixture until smooth. Finally, fold in the sour cream, walnuts and bananas. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool loaf in the pan for 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

This is very, very good. I sometimes sprinkle in just a tiny bit of cinnamon & nutmeg, too.

Menu Monday 06.15.09

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since I posted here. Last week just flew by! Here's what we have on the menu until the end of the month. I'll be trying some new crockpot recipes--it's just way to hot to cook something in the over for more than a few minutes. We had a great dinner tonight in the crockpot & I'll share the recipe at the end of the post. And, as usual, you'll see some repeats from my previous meal plan because we didn't end up making them as planned before.

6.15--Crockpot Sante Fe Chicken over rice with refried beans
6.16--Leftover Sante Fe chicken served in flour tortillas, with chips & salsa
6.17--Beef, Cheddar, and Tomato Macaroni with broccoli
6.18--Broiled Tilapia Parmesan, with mashed potatoes & sweet peas (This recipe is really yummy, but Scott has requested no more tilapia for awhile after this...he's just not a tilapia fan!)
6.19--Beans & Cornbread
6.20--Vacation
6.21--Vacation
6.22--
6.23--Quiche, biscuits, bacon
6.24--Spaghetti, green beans, garlic bread
6.25--Barbecue chicken, pasta salad, sauteed zucchini
6.26--Barbecue chicken pizza made with leftover chicken
6.27--Steak, baked potato, salad
6.28--Taco Salad
6.29--
6.30--

Ok, so I've got some gaps in my menu...please post any great dinner ideas you'd like to share!
And, here's the recipe for our dinner tonight...

CROCKPOT EASY SANTA FE CHICKEN

1 15 oz can black beans -- rinsed and drained
2 15.25 oz cans whole kernel corn -- drained
1 cup bottled thick and chunky salsa
5 or 6 skinless boneless chicken breasts -- (can use frozen) (and I only used 3 large breasts)
1 8 oz brick cream cheese -- low fat is fine
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a slow cooker, mix together the beans, corn, and 1/2 cup salsa. Top with the chicken breasts, then pour the remaining salsa over the chicken.

Cover and cook on the high heat setting 2.5-3 hours (I cooked it on low for 5 hours), or until the chicken is tender and white throughout; do not overcook or the chicken will toughen.

Remove the chicken and cut into bite sized pieces (I shredded it...it seems to me that when you shred cooked chicken you have so much more than when you leave it whole...and I like to save a buck!). Add back to the slow cooker.

Add the cream cheese (cut into cubes to melt faster), and turn slow cooker to high heat. Heat until cream cheese melts and blends into sauce.

Serve over rice. Top with shredded cheese.

I really look forward to serving these leftovers in a tortilla--a yummy burrito!

Menu Monday 06.01

Here's what we have on the menu for the next 2 weeks. I'll also post our favorite recipe from my previous menu plan.

Monday--leftover spaghetti & garlic bread
Tuesday--scrambled eggs, bacon, & cheesy grits
Wednesday--Chicken Noodle Casserole, french bread
Thursday--Beans & Cornbread with salad
Friday--Taco Melt with refried beans
Saturday--we have a wedding to attend that night
Sunday--Chicken Bacon Crescent Ring (potluck dinner for Bible study)
Monday--Broiled tilapia parmesan, broccoli, stuffing
Tuesday--Santa Fe Chicken over rice with cheese
Wednesday--Chicken Spaghetti, salad
Thursday--leftovers
Friday-Sunday--out of town

Our favorite meal from the previous menu plan was Crockpot Creamy Italian Chicken. Not only do I love the simplicity & ability to cook it in the crockpot--the flavor is delish!! Oh, how I love the sauce! We've served it many different ways--over rice, pasta, even biscuits. I normally remove the chicken breasts and shred them up and return to the crockpot before serving. Here ya' go!

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 envelope italian salad dressing mix (I use the zesty italian mix)
1/4 cup water
1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened (I use reduced fat)
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 can (4 oz) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
hot cooked rice or noodles

Place chicken in slowcooker. Combine salad dressing mix and water; pour over chicken. cover and cook on low for 3 hours. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and soup until blended. Stir in mushrooms. Pour over chicken. Cook 1 hour longer or until chicken juices run clear. Serve over rice or noodles

Monday Monday

A fresh start to a new week...

This morning I attended training at the Watermelon Patch. I think I'll really enjoy working there--they have so many fun activities, events, and parties--from laser tag to "girls just want to have fun" to art & cooking, and many more! In fact, I have several business cards which I have been instructed to give out that entitle you to ONE FREE CLASS! Check out their website to see all the classes that are available. Leave me a comment and I'll be glad to get a card to you.

After the training Mom, Mimi, Taylor, Ella, and I went to eat lunch at one of our favorite places--San Miguel. We all love Mexican food--especially Mimi & Taylor. Two people who don't eat much but can really put away some chips, salsa, & tacos!! :) Taylor also loves the music there and was shaking her groove thang in our booth!! Oh, my sweet, quiet, & shy Taylor--what happened?!?! Well, she's still pretty sweet, but she has quite the energetic & funny personality now.

Tonight I headed back to they gym after missing what seems like an entire month from working out. It was good to get back on the elliptical machine, but here it is nearing 11:30 and I'm still WIDE AWAKE! That's what happens when I don't get home from the gym until 9.

Ella had 2 firsts today! I pulled out the doorway jumper that Taylor loved as a baby. Guess what..Ella loves it, too! She's always kicking her legs and seems really strong. She just grinned and smiled at Tay and I when I put her in the jumper. I'm glad to have something I can put her in for a few minutes to keep her happy! After the jumper, I gave her a few bites of rice cereal. I think she loved it! She was starting to fuss since the jumper wore her out & she fell asleep shortly after that so she didn't eat much. But, we'll try again tomorrow. I'll take some pics and post them.

Well, I guess I'll go lay down & hope that I fall asleep soon.
I hope everyone else had a great Monday!