Recipe

I really have nothing to write about today, but I wanted to at least post something for the day. How about a recipe? This is for all you hardworking moms with very little time to prepare dinner-uhh..that just about covers everyone, right?!

This is an easy, delicious crock pot meal perfect for the winter (or whenever) and you can make it super healthy or just healthy!

Here goes:

Ingredients
1-2lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 box Uncle Ben's fast cooking long grain and wild rice original flavor

All you need to do is turn the crock pot on low, add the chicken and 2 soups, mix it up, then go to work! Let it cook all day (8hrs) and when you get home mix it up again and shred the chicken up with a fork. Now just cook the rice and spoon the chicken mixture on top. Add a veggie and some rolls and voila-yummy home cooked meal!

We ate this last night, and I forgot how much I enjoy it! Also, it makes enough to have two dinners (for two people anyway!).

Try it and see what you think!

Yummy Snack

While I am sitting here eating lunch, I thought I would mention this great new snack I am eating. Stacy's pita chips! I would highly recommend them, but they are a little on the expensive side. My favorite is the cinnamon sugar baked chips. Give them a try! There are several other flavors, too, but these are the only ones I have tried.

Sleeping with the Baby

How many people told us when we had Gabe to NEVER start the habit of co-sleeping? That it would be the hardest habit to break and we would regret the day we started? Too many to count. So here we are 2 years later and Gabe is right there in the bed with us. It didn't start out this way. Gabe was an excellent crib sleeper until he was 1 year old, with just an occasional transfer to our bed in the middle of the night. Then when he was teething so bad, he would wake nightly around the clock and end up in our bed. No problem. Then we introduced the choo choo bed around the 18 month mark. He still slept in his crib, but the toddler bed was also in his room waiting for the switch. By his 2nd birthday we had him napping and sleeping in his new bed which was a HUGE accomplishment.

So where did things go wrong? I don't know. Secretly I have to admit I liked having Gabe in the bed. He used to stay still in the middle and sleep, well, "like a baby". Lately, however, he is all over the place kicking and rolling and hitting us. Not cool. Gary and I are miserable in the morning. Also, up until the last two nights he had no problem going to bed in his room/bed, but would still wake in the night to climb into our bed. But these past two nights he has had to fall asleep in our bed!!! Noooooo

We are in trouble. How did we get so off course? It is hard at the end of the day when you are tired and have things to do (cleaning, cooking, school work, etc.) and then have to struggle with the whole bed situation. No wonder parents opt for the easy way out-like we have. I know Gary is hating this so much, so tonight we will really have to be firm about bedtime. I think what has happened the past two nights is that we fight so long about bedtime, that we start to worry he is up too late now and getting over tired. Then it's like lets just do whatever gets him to sleep. We will see what happens tonight. We have got to get back on track or Gary is going to have to build Gabe this "baby cage" in the picture!

Gift Idea

We attended a birthday party Sat. for Gabe's good buddy, Kaden. It was his 2nd and he and Gabe have sort of grown up together. Anyway, my friend Allison bought him this adorable washing machine that is hillarious. It has the wash cycle, spin cycle, and a drying cycle. Plus it is black and "stainless" so it is very gender neutral (not that it really matters since Gabe's favorite is a hot pink vaccuum!). Anyway, it actually goes through the cycles with noise and lights and everything. Allison called me the day she bought it and asked me if I wanted one for Gabe. Of course, it was only $7!!!! So he played with Kaden's at the birthday party (photo) then was super excited to see I had one for him as well. First item in the washer-his socks. Second item-his little men action figures. They go round and round and round, and Gabe loves it. I am curious what he will think to put in there next!

I forget the brand name, but the box was blue and pink-you can't miss it. I would highly recommend this for any child around this age, boy or girl! They also have a really cool coffee maker of the same brand, but we didn't get that one. It looked just as cute. Anyway, this is keeping Gabe occupied until the next new toy.

Silly Gabe

I finally have this whole video thing figured out! The problem is, it only holds 100 MB and most of ours are no less than 150. So here is a random video we filmed months ago, but it fits the time slot. I will try and keep that in mind if I post any more. This is just a typical silly Gabe video. We will consider this a "test".

Waterworks

Yes, I changed the template again, and I think I like this pink look (for now!)

Now you are wondering why I have this AMAZING picture of Patrick Dempsey posted here. Why not? Just Kidding. This is in reference to the most emotional episode I have seen of Grey's Anatomy last night! I think I was also in an emotional mood, but I started crying 20 min in until the end. Did anyone else see it? Next weeks show looks pretty good, too!

Snow Day!

Here are some fun pictures from our snow day on Tuesday!

The last one is my favorite.

Gary had just thrown a snowball at Gabe and it hit him right in the cheek. Luckily he was a pretty good sport about it. I can't believe how lucky we were to get this unexpected snowfall. Is it too much to ask for one more?

Inauguration Awe

You would not believe this unless you saw it with your own eyes:

Gabe loves his cartoons, and does not let me or Gary watch ANYTHING else if he is in the room with us. "to-toons to-toons" is what he will repeat over and over until we finally give in. So yesterday we were all home snowed in (which I was so excited about because I desperately wanted to watch the inauguration), and I had the TV on all day with the footage of the inauguration. We ventured outside to play in the snow twice, but other than that we were glued in front of the TV. Gabe layed on the couch with us silent as the events were unfolding. It was like he knew he was watching something memorable and historic (I know....quite a stretch). I don't know what came over him that he was content to just sit and watch this all day without even a mutter of the word "to-toon!" We kept joking about it as the day went on, and it just become more and more amazing to see. The funny part came at the end after President and First Lady Obama were ushered into the viewing/observing room. The clip faded out and Brian Williams came on to tell us that they would be back at 6:00 with the evening news and I look over at Gabe as he says just as loud and clear "the end"
It must have been something in the air because I, too, was in awe of everything I watched that afternoon. What a great way to spend the day!

Brrrrr....

I love the cold. I was raised mostly in the Northern states and had a great love and appreciation for those Northern winters. I complain all summer long (May-Oct. in Eastern NC), and get so excited when we finally reach freezing temps in the late fall. I love my sweaters, fleece, flannel sheets, hot coffee and tea, and all the comfort foods of winter. I actually get disappointed when spring arrives and that humid warmth of the spring/summertime is here to stay. I have short, fine hair that does not tolerate the humidity and very oily skin that shines all the time. Winter suits me just fine. I don't even complain about the small eczema patches that form on my arms, because I truly LOVE winter.

However, I went walking this afternoon and thought my mouth and nose had gone numb. I couldn't feel my thighs. My hands were freezing under gloves and under my coat. The air actually stung my eyes beneath my sun-glasses!! Now that is cold. It was a cool 23 degrees when I took this walk at 12 noon. I am interested to see how we will bear this "36 hours of straight sub-freezing temperatures". With our heat pumping all night long set at 70 (for Gabe's sake) and snuggled under flannel sheets and a quilt, I remember actually being cold last night. I guess the next few nights will be an adventure.

I still LOVE the cold, but when it is so cold that you can't even go outside, that is where I draw the line.

Mr. Potato Head

One more blog today, because this picture is worth sharing! We got Gabe Mr. Potato head for Christmas this year. For some reason he was petrified of it, and would always tell us "back" (as in put it back). The one day he got brave and decided to see what it was all about. Now he LOVES it (typical toddler!). He normally plays with it at least 30 min every day. This particular Sat. he put on his glasses when I wasn't looking, and proceeded to keep them on for quite a while. I grabbed my camera and took this shot, but didn't even realize until I saw the picture that he put them on upside down! What a goofball. It is like I have always said since he was about 9 months old. He loves his accessories, and he loves to wear anything that makes him look silly.

Gabe's Car (before and after)

I have been wanting to share these pictures for a while now, but I kept forgetting to bring in my camera. Gabe's cousin, Natalie, gave him her Barbie car for his birthday this year. It needed some minor work, (and a paint job according to Gary), so after its repairs, check out the top picture. The final product. I didn't mean for them to post out of order. He loves this car, and if it would ever warm up again maybe we could take it for a drive!

Life-Saving DVD

This is Caillou, (pronounced ki-you), and his cat, Gilbert. He has made life so much easier with a 2 year old!! Gabe discovered this cartoon about a year ago through Sprout TV, which is a network on DirecTV. He has always enjoyed this specific cartoon, but now it is borderline obsession! We are in the routine of watching Sprout every morning before school (while Gary and I get ready for work), and Gabe would get his Caillou fill from 7:15 to 7:45. So then we get him a DVD for his birthday, and he has become obsessed with this kid. One night we put it on in our bedroom so he could snuggle up under the covers and watch (and so Gary and I could watch our old friend Raymond on tv again!). I must also say that this DVD is 80 min. Anyway, he has come to expect the same thing every night. We have dinner, play for a while, take a bath, and then the Caillou talk starts. "Caillou bed...nuggle...mommy too.....one more...". It is so cute so we oblige every night. Like I said, it is not too bad because we can catch up on the news, watch Raymond, or just enjoy some normal tv time. Caillou, and Sprout for that matter, had become such a part of our lives that it was not unusual for Gary and I to watch cartoons from 6-8 every night! Talk about Gabe running the household!

But here is the funny part. I can hear Gabe laughing from the bedroom and at all the same funny parts. Then I started to hear him singing along with the songs. And just last night I could hear him talking along with the characters! So funny. Also, instead of wanting me to stay and snuggle with him, now he tells me "no mommy...go away". So we put on the DVD at 7 every night, check on him from time to time, and turn it off while he protests "one more" at 8. Very routine, which is why it is probably so comforting to him. We keep joking that we need to buy another Caillou DVD before he gets burnt out from this one, but I don't think we are in any danger of that happening any time soon! Yeah Caillou!

Homework

Ok, so here is what I forgot about going back to school. That awful feeling of knowing you have HOMEWORK every night. It is that nagging, guilty feeling you get when you want to watch the Golden Globes on TV, but you have to write your nightly essay on extremely complicated readings that you still haven't read. Welcome back to school!

This class is kicking my butt already. It is very reading/writing intensive which is completely different than what I experienced as a biology major. But, I am extremely organized and time savvy, so I should have no problem keeping up and staying ahead of things. Just a little rusty. Plus this time around I have Gabe who doesn't want his mommy on the computer all night when she could be playing "chase me". The tricky part is when he goes to bed at 8:00, the last thing I want to do is stay on the computer all night. Lucky for me I have a job that will allow me to get a head start each day for the night work at home!

Still, I am very excited about pursuing this degree and am totally committed to whatever it takes. Once I figure out the schedule I will be good to go. BUT.....American Idol is starting tomorrow, so I will really have to get motivated!

Quiz

Forgive me, here is one more list. It is not as easy as you might think! Now copy or forward,
change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It's really hard to use only one word answers. Be
sure to send back to the person you received it from!
> >
> > 1. Where is your cell phone? purse pocket
>
> > 2. Your significant other?Gary
> >
> > 3. Your hair? dark blonde
> >
> > 4. Your mother? brave

> > 5. Your father? distant
> >
> > 6. Your favorite thing? pedicures
> >
> > 7. Your dream last night? weird
> >
> > 8. Your favorite drink? Diet Coke

> >
> > 9 Your goal/dream? financial security
> >
> > 10. What room are you in? office

> > 11. Your hobby? crafts
>
> > 12. Your fear? child's death
> >
> > 13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? NC
>
> > 14. Where were you last night? Home
> >
> > 15. Something that you aren't? thin
> >
> > 16. Muffins? Blueberry
> >
> > 17. Wish list item? breast reduction
> >
> > 18. Where did you grow up? ?

> > 19. Last thing you did? email
> >
> > 20. What are you wearing? jeans, sweater
> >
> > 21. Your TV? off
>
> > 22. Your pets? Shebies
>
> > 23. Friends? missed
> >
> > 24. Your life? transitioning
> >
> > 25. Your mood? satisfied
> >
> > 26. Missing someone? no
> >
> > 27. Your car? dependable
> >
> > 28. Something you're not wearing? socks
>
> > 29. Your favorite store? Kohls
>
> > 30. Your favorite color? blue
>
> > 31. When is the last time you laughed? 7:00am
> >
> > 32. Last time you cried? yesterday
> >
> > 33. Who will resend this? Mom
> >
> > 34. One place that I go to over and over? Washing machine
> >
> > 35. One person who emails me regularly? Analee
> >
> > 36. My favorite place to eat? Moes
> >
> > 37. One place I would like to go right now? Utah!
> >
> > 38. One person I think will respond? Jill

> >
> > 39. One TV show I watch all the time? Friends
> >
> >
> >
> > Here's what you are supposed to do...and
> please
> > don't spoil the fun...
> > Hit 'forward,' delete my answers, type in
> your
> > answers and send it to a
> > bunch of people, including me.

First Day of School!

I don't know how many of you know this, but I am going back to school starting this semester (well, today really). It has been a long time coming and I have wanted to start on a new career path for some time now. Soooooooo, I was granted a full scholarship for a Masters in Library Science at ECU! So as I get all my notebooks organized today, I am like an excited kid on his first day of school! The program is anywhere from 1-3 years and totally online, so that will be completely new and foreign to me. Even in my 5 years (yes 5, plus one more!!) as an undergrad I never had to take anything online. It is very scary to me, but hopefully I will have no problem keeping up and joining discussion boards?!?

So, I have read the sylabus and am anxious to start my first class as a graduate student. Foundations of Library and Information Studies! I will keep everyone posted as it progresses. If all goes well, I will complete this program in 2 years and have both my Masters degree and coordinating license. This is going to be my first step into the school system, and then I will see where I can go from there. I love the idea of having some where to grow with this profession unlike my current job that is completely dead end.

I know this might be brand new information to some of you, but it is something that has been in the works for close to 2 years now. Unfortunately that is going to show how out of touch I am with you guys. Anyway, wish me luck as I get ready to take my first online quiz!!!!!

2nd Birthday

Gabe celebrated his second birthday Jan. 1st 2009, and had a great time at his birthday party. It was a chilly Jan. day so our menu of soups and sandwiches was perfect. I can't believe how different he is this year compared to last year. He is such a big boy now! It was a great day with great friends and family.

Also, we had his 2 year appt. yesterday, and I am happy to report everything looks great! He weighed 28 lbs (got to weigh on the big scale which was a huge deal!) and measured at 33 inches tall. This is 3 inches taller than his last appt. at 15 months, but still puts him in the 25% for both height and weight. This seems small to me, but then I thought of a very good point. I am so used to hearing about kids in the 80-90th % that I forget about the norm. Gabe has always worn clothing appropriate for his size. I mean, he was never ahead or behind sizing. Like now he is 24 months and is wearing 24 monhs size clothes. So, HE is the one that is normal, right? Not that it matters, I could care less as long as he is healthy, but unfortunately his father's side of the family is obsessed with height and size. Anyway, like the Dr. said, what's important is that he has maintained that same 25% status since birth. So he is growing at his same pace which is wonderful. I am just so glad that he is doing so well and has stayed healthy (knock on wood) for so long. That was actually our first time back since he was 15 months old! Not too bad.