Bottled Water

For the person who found the 24 pack of water I left at the bottom of my cart in the Ream's parking lot....

Enjoy it. It was paid for.

Pedoodles!

I love these shoes! These are designed for new walkers, with a soft sole which is better for their forming feet. Check out the website:http://www.pedoodles.com/section.php/11/0/These two are my favorites. You can enter to win a pair by going to:http://nowenteringmomville.blogspot.com/2008/09/pedoodles-shoes-giveaway.htmlAnd if you have a girl... there are a ton of cute girly shoes too!

Cleaning

I don't know if you are like me, but as much as I want a sparkling clean house.. I tend to get overwhelmed when I get started. I found this list of things to do that that are easy and will help get me a little bit closer to the clean home of my dreams:

Fresh ways to get your home to sparkle.

If you’re overwhelmed by the thought of going through your entire house – dusting, scrubbing, organizing and throwing things away – we’ve got the inspiration you need to de-clutter, de-germ and de-stress. Start with these little tips and your house will be spotless in no time.

• Freshen and sharpen your garbage disposal by grinding lemon peel, baking soda and pieces of ice while running the water.

• Dust your vents and fans to keep your air clean and reduce allergens.

• Clean your dishwasher by running it empty with vinegar or baking soda in place of the soap.

• Vacuum your mattress to get rid of dust. Then flip it to keep it from sinking in on one side.

• Sort through your containers of makeup, hair products and lotions. Throw out anything that’s expired, separated or out of style. Be especially careful with products you use around your eyes and mouth like lipstick and mascara.

• Dip cotton swabs in bleach to clean the tight spaces in and around sinks, ovens and refrigerators.

One last thing – start with a room you know you can clean in an hour or less. That way, your accomplishment will keep you motivated!

Something Your Mother May Not Have Told You

Once you have children, you have to cross your legs prior to sneezing.

I am trying to develop this into something that looks graceful, like a plie. We could make it a ladylike standard to cross your legs when you feel a sneeze coming on and begin teaching it to our daughters at a very young age. Then, nobody would look at us weird or realize we are trying to prevent peeing our pants.

Excuse This Home

Excuse This Home

Some homes try to hide the fact
that children shelter there

Ours boasts of it quite openly
the signs are everywhere

For smears are on the windows
Little smudges on the door,

I should apologize I guess
for the toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with the children,
we played and laughed and read.

And if the doorbell doesn't shine
Their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I am forced to choose
the one job or the other,

I want to be a homemaker
but first I'll be a mother

My mom's friend Sharon made me a beautiful glass portrait with that poem etched on it. It brings tears to my eyes.... But look at those big eyes and you can see why I don't always get all the things done that I want in a day. I would rather make those eyes light up!

The 5 in 10 Chicken Breast Cookbook

Last week Carson and I went to the library and I happened to pick this book up from the cookbook section. Amazing!
I highly recommend this book if you don't like to spend a lot of time on dinner or a lot of money at the grocery store. All the recipes have 5 ingredients or less and they are quick to make (hence the title). --I have always wanted to use the word 'hence'. I feel so medieval.
Anyway, I am becoming more organized and wrote out my dinners for the next ten days along with picking up all the ingredients. I have promised Justin that we will not eat chicken more than two days in a row... luckily his dad has supplied us with quantities of buffalo. If only I could find a 5 in 10 buffalo cookbook I would be set.
Here is the recipe I tried so far and it was surprisingly tasty... very German tasting:

SAUTEED CHICKEN WITH CARAWAY SEED AND ONIONS

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 large onion
3 Tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon caraway seed
1 cup dry white wine

Pound chicken breasts slightly to flatten evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Thinly slice onion.

Heat butter in large frying pan. Add chicken and cook over medium-high heat, turning once, until browned, about 2 mins per side. Push the chicken to one side of the pan, add onion and caraway seed and stir to coat with butter. Cover and cook over medium heat until onion is softened, 2 to 3 mins.

Add the wine and cook over medium heat, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through and liquid is slightly reduced, 2 to 3 mins longer. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Yummy and VERY QUICK!

Eight Months

Carson turned 8 months old the other day and I thought I should put on some updates. Wow, time really flies when you are having fun. Lately, all my days are fun.

• He sits up straight and tall now--this really has made his and my life easier. I can pretty much sit him anywhere... counter, table, chairs and he is happy.


• Although not crawling yet (thank goodness) he gets in the crawl position and if very motivated he will army crawl to get what he wants. The spoiled kid does not do that often though because mommy gives in and reaches it for him. I know, bad mommy.


• He is eating baby food but still struggling with anything with too thick of a consistency. I gave him a baby food from someone at church today after being reassured it dissolves in his mouth quickly...he choked, then threw up during Sunday School. I was lectured by daddy on my spontaneity with trying new things.


• He pretty much always has his feet crossed (see below). I think it is SO CUTE.
  

"mommy" is still not a popular part of his vocabulary. He can say it alright but it is more funny to him to say "dada dada" when I try to coax him into saying "mama"

He loves 5 Little Speckled Frogs, Kumbayah to fall asleep to, and any songs sang directly to him

His new favorite music appears to be Carrie Underwood, when she comes on he pays FULL ATTENTION...sorry Daddy Metallica just doesn't cut it

He thinks coughing and laughing are the same thing. If you cough, he laughs. If you laugh, he coughs. Or maybe he just thinks the best medicine is laughter... hey he could be a genius.

He had his first ear infection. We caught it early because he looked right at me, starting crying and pulling his left ear. Great communication skills.

If there is a wet washcloth around, watch out.... he will scratch, climb, pinch, twist and turn, and even attempt flying to get to it and put in his mouth. We bring two washcloths to bath time or else the entire event becomes a tugging contest and not much cleaning occurs.

• Current weight: 15 lbs Current height: 26.5 inches


• Money spent at Children's Place on outfits he just had to have: let's hope my husband never asks


• Times those big blue eyes have melted my heart: zillions
• The smile on his face when he has yet another blow out at church and it is dripping down his leg and onto my lap: PRICELESS