Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Revamp for 2014

So I have decided that I am going to start blogging daily.  It may be weird sometimes as I search for topics, but it is going to happen.  Today will be easy enough because it is the first post I'll share what has been going on.

I am in the process of building a stuffed animal "cage" for Noah's toys.  I will post a step-by-step blog detailing the build process for those interested.  As well, I am debating a business venture to generate some income, more to come as that progresses.  And I am picking up the coupons again in order to save us some money (I can refer you to someone who teaches a class and runs a private group that I use).  I will be finishing the furniture for Noah's "big boy room" and painting the room in the coming weeks.  I am organizing the house and preparing myself for big lifestyle changes that I will talk about also.

2014 is the year my life will change.  I have high hopes and expectations for myself and my family.  I am going to be more vigilant with my household duties to prevent the stresses that frustrate me so.

For now, I need to log off and pack the kids lunches and get them up and ready for school today.


Sunday, June 10, 2012

Kale Chips

Kale completely surprised me in that it tasted very much like broccoli, therefore I found these
very enjoyable.

Kale
Olive Oil
Salt

Preheat oven to 275.  Remove leaves from stems and wash.  Drizzle leaves with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.  Toss until all leaves are coated.  Spread on baking pan and bake for 15 minutes.  Flip leaves and bake for another 15 minutes or until completely crispy.

Easy Thai Chicken

This recipe is an adapted version of a recipe found here: http://www.successrice.com/en-us/recipes/3321/easythaichickenandrice.aspx

1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut in small pieces
garlic powder (optional)
onion powder (optional)
black pepper (optional)
1 cup coconut milk
1Tbsp Thai red curry
2 tsp brown sugar packed firmly
1 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp salt
1 bag frozen Asian style vegetables (16 oz), thawed
1/2 cup peanuts (optional)

Combine coconut milk, curry, brown sugar, lime juice, and salt.  Set aside.

Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper lightly on cut up chicken and mix together.

Saute chicken until cooked through.  Mix in vegetables and add curry sauce. Cook until thoroughly heated.

Serve over rice and top with the peanuts.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Feeling better

All I needed was a day with an adult. It started with dropping Noah off to play while I went to a dentist appointment. Of course, they need consent to treat forms from Dr. Wiley. Why could no one tell me this before? UGH. Needless to say it was a quick appointment and I was back with Noah in 45 minutes. He didn't even miss me and that made me feel fantastic!

After I got back, we decided to take the boys to the zoo. It was TERRIFIC! I needed a day of interaction with an adult. It was a refresh for my soul. Funny think about it is, now I feel like doing housework, making dinner, and being the doting mommy/wife I normally tend to be. What a silly thing to realize that just 1 day can make such a difference in my mind, body, and soul... I need to do this more often.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Overwhelmed

Yup that is me, completely and utterly overwhelmed. I need my husband's support and I don't feel it. He is always busy with work and when he is home in the evenings I need to ask for help. Hello, I'm 25w 5d pregnant. I'm tired. I have an 18 month old who relies on mommy, its exhausting. I shouldn't have to ask for help you should offer some relief. Especially when you get to leave and go out of town and I am home to handle EVERYTHING. How many times in the last month have you done anything in the house without being pestered to do it? Dishes? Vacuum? Picking up/Organizing?

Our beautiful little girl is due in 14-ish weeks and I'm carrying the bag as always. We talk about it, you don't listen. I beg for it, I feel like you don't care.

To make matters worse, I feel completely and utterly friendless. I know I have friends who are busy with their families, however I need adults to talk to and interact with. A girls night out (or in) to play games, talk and unwind. I need to re-energize and I am just plain tapped out. I have Noah who clings on me for EVERYTHING and a husband whose idea of helping me is waiting until I beg for assistance (and even then its pulling teeth).

There isn't a lot that needs doing... We need to clean out our closet, bathroom, and bedroom to make room for baby. We need big boy furniture for Noah. We need to clear the dining room and clean up the kitchen. There are little messes in between (like my desk int eh living room), but they are not something that will take time and dedication. I beg you to help me get these areas to a sustainable and reasonable level of clean so I can run through the house with a vacuum, duster, and scrubbing a few items once a week and have it all done. Instead, more stuff is piled into the dining room making more work for me. I am tired of weekends upon weekends of putting shit off just because and it taking months or me to handle it all because I am the only one involved. It angers and depresses me. It makes me honestly want to cry.

I feel bad... I unnecessarily picked on my Jonnie. He was my focus of my overwhelming sensation only because he was readily available. Yes I need his help and yes I would appreciate more assistance, but I really should not blame him when all I really need is some adult interaction!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Things always change

So, last week I am told that I have 2 wonderful friends who want to throw me a baby shower (thanks Cheri and Tiffany) and this week I start getting so much accomplished that I am 2 weeks ahead on my to-do list.

Noah's room has now been converted to a big boy room. His crib is now set up as a toddler bed, his furniture is anchored, and all the stuff we stored in the room is ready to transition elsewhere. The dining room is mostly cleared of the stuff it has been storing and should be emptied next weekend after I get the donations out of our closet. Next week will bring a trip to goodwill and possibly the dump or all my boxes awaiting recycling. It feels good to get the house cleared out. It feels terrific that our little girl is closer to coming into an organized home. I am loving this.

Speaking of baby girl, she is an active little baby. I love feeling her kick and watching my whole belly move when she is excited. Noah seems to love his little sister to, but its hard to know. He definitely enjoys laying against her and feeling her kick his back and head, lol. He is going to make an awesome big brother. I feel so lucky and blessed with the family I have. I love my life (most of the time) and am excitedly waiting the 15 weeks until baby girl's due date making our family of 3 a family of 4.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

New Baby

As the weeks tick by I know we are closer and closer to having our baby girl. This time I want to do a few things differently. A big one is that I want to get into baby wearing. Not that I did not want to wear Noah, I just didn't need to. I had both arms available for him. With 2 little ones, I won't be as lucky (unless having a second baby means I automatically sprout a second set of arms). In deciding to baby wear, I think I want to make my one ring sling and wrap. It will give me flexibility to have the stroller or grocery cart for Noah while I am "carrying" my little girl. Plus it will make breastfeeding on the go easier.

There are a million projects to work on in our house right now, and I am fixated on baby wearing devices. Hopefully we can get Noah's room "secured" this weekend. He is so big that it is time to convert his crib to a toddler bed.

We also get to clean out mommy and daddy's room and closet to make room for our little girl and to store their bigger clothes. Finish clearing out the dining room, move the eat-in play yard gate, and just clean out the house in general... so much to do and all I can focus on is the wraps/slings. I need help, lol!