Well, it has been a long time since I have had the chance to sit down and blog!
The summer started off with me being very pregnant, moving into a new house, and starting maternity leave! To say that it was hectic is an understatement!
Thankfully we had a lot of family and friends helping us with the move! They helped so much that I didn't really do much of anything except sit with my swollen feet propped up! They even came back a few days later to continue to help unpacking -- which more than 3 months later we are still living out of boxes and tubs!
Shortly after we moved, I went into the hospital to have our third son! I can't say how this delivery was so much different than my first one! It was such a more positive and less stressful experience. Although when you are scheduled for a c-section, I think you are more prepared for the big day. Although I was prepared for the surgery, I was still very nervous and emotional! All went well and we welcomed D into our growing family in July!
My leave from work of course went by too fast! The days flew by, and my boys kept me very busy! I enjoyed being home with them, even on those days that were crazy and chaotic! I miss them like crazy now that I am back at work!
There wasn't much time for cooking this summer but that's ok because we did a lot of grilling. No recipes to share because most of the time we just threw a whole bunch of different liquids in a zip-loc bag with some chicken -- and marinated for a few hours. We didn't measure or really look at the bottles... Everything always turned out tasting so good!!
I hope to be able to get some more posts out once I get back into a routine. Coming back to work as a mother of 2 has been taking some adjustments. So far no big snags, but it has only been 2 weeks!! Keeping my fingers crossed that things continue to run smoothly!
I have tried some new recipes, and hope to get back to meal planning again soon.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
My Birth Plan
It's time to start thinking about making my birth plan! This time around it will be such a different experience! I am more aware, informed, educated, and well confident in my wishes. It will not only be a test for myself to create, it will be interesting to see how my new OB will receive it. I don't feel like I am being overly demmanding in my requests. I actually think that my wishes are quite minor compared to the examples that I am pulling up online. I am focusing on a "family centered cesarean section" yet I understand that some practices/hospitals are not willing to accomodate a less medical surgery. Since I feel that my requests are very minimual, I feel that since I am very new to this practice (have had maybe 4 prenatal appointments) that if they can't accomodate then I will find a practice that can. More than likely it will be a much smaller practice - one not affiliated directly with the hospital.
Looking forward to starting this birth plan and hoping that we will have the support of family and friends to make it all happen.
Looking forward to starting this birth plan and hoping that we will have the support of family and friends to make it all happen.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Sharing Your Birth Story
Recently I was introduced to some new websites that have been giving me such courage and inspiration when it comes to the upcoming birth of my second son. Like with so many things in life, I wasn't prepared to handle the unknown, the uncertainties, and the emotional roller coaster of giving birth. Sure, I read a lot of articles, books, subscribed to daily newsletters, and even took some classes to help prepare me. I created a birth plan that fit my needs, expectations, and desires of giving birth. But, of course as we know, things do not always go according to our plans. When it came down to it, I was completely unprepared for this life event. Looking back it seems like I did everything wrong, and nothing went as planned. I am grateful to have a positive outcome of healthy mother and healthy baby, but this time around, things will be planned much differently.
So many things that contribute to me believing that my experience was a traumatic one. From my last week of pregnancy being on bed rest, to my labor & delivery which ended in a c-section, to my first week home. All of these events caused so much trauma and pain, when all I wanted to do was take care of my first baby. Not only was my body in shock, but my whole mind and emotional well being was completely thrown off from the events that occurred. Although it was never diagnosed, there is no doubt in my mind that I didn't experience mild post partum/postnatal depression. I wasn't prepared, educated, or in control of many things that caused such pain and heartache in the weeks, months, and even years to come.
With the help of supportive Mommy Friends, internet support groups/blogs, and just continuously talking about my first birthing experience, I hope to come out of this next labor/delivery with a completely different perspective and outlook on how I brought my second child into this world. Talking to others and even just listening to other women's experiences has made such a huge difference already. Surrounding myself with others who are willing to listen, and give support is key. Those who don't want to hear my story, or give support, then I quickly just change the subject because I'd rather hear nothing from them, then anything negative. I may sound like I'm "snippy" or even unreasonable with my requests for my next birth, but this time around, I want it MY way (MY more aware, more confident, and more educated way!).
Resources/Websites:
http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/
http://ican-online.org/
So many things that contribute to me believing that my experience was a traumatic one. From my last week of pregnancy being on bed rest, to my labor & delivery which ended in a c-section, to my first week home. All of these events caused so much trauma and pain, when all I wanted to do was take care of my first baby. Not only was my body in shock, but my whole mind and emotional well being was completely thrown off from the events that occurred. Although it was never diagnosed, there is no doubt in my mind that I didn't experience mild post partum/postnatal depression. I wasn't prepared, educated, or in control of many things that caused such pain and heartache in the weeks, months, and even years to come.
With the help of supportive Mommy Friends, internet support groups/blogs, and just continuously talking about my first birthing experience, I hope to come out of this next labor/delivery with a completely different perspective and outlook on how I brought my second child into this world. Talking to others and even just listening to other women's experiences has made such a huge difference already. Surrounding myself with others who are willing to listen, and give support is key. Those who don't want to hear my story, or give support, then I quickly just change the subject because I'd rather hear nothing from them, then anything negative. I may sound like I'm "snippy" or even unreasonable with my requests for my next birth, but this time around, I want it MY way (MY more aware, more confident, and more educated way!).
Resources/Websites:
http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/
http://ican-online.org/
Crockpot Honey Chicken
This recipe was so good, and so easy to make!! I think I have made it before - when I first started my adventures in cooking. Since we had a snow day from work, I decided to take advantage of being home by using the crock pot for dinner! This was so easy, even my 2.5 year old was able to help me out!
INGREDIENTS:
* 4-6 Chicken Breasts (The original recipe called for 2 lbs of chicken. I used chicken cutlets -- and they were still frozen)
* 3 garlic cloves - chopped (I used minced garlic out of the jar. I didn't measure, I just added what looked right)
* 1/2 cup soy sauce (I used kroger brand - the lite soy sauce)
* 1/2 cup ketchup (yes ketchup, who would have known?? But, I hear lots of Chinese restaurants use ketchup for the sesame chicken)
* 1/3 Honey (My dad is a bee keeper so I used some of his delicious/local honey)
* 1 tsp dried basil or fresh basil (I had never cooked with basil so I used a little over 1/2 a tsp because I didn't know what it would taste like, or if I even liked it)
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl, pour over chicken breasts in the crock pot.
Original recipe said to cook on HIGH for 4 hours. I cooked on LOW for 4-5 hours and everything was fine. Many times when I cook chicken in the crock pot on low, the meat just falls apart with a fork. Not with this recipe (or any recipe that I used soy/terriyaki). I'm thinking the sodium/salt in the soy sauce dries the chicken out!! So personally, I would cook this one (on LOW!! Unless my crock pot is just super powerful and gets extra hot, even on low!!)
I steamed some fresh broccoli and made some rice to go with the meal. Everyone was satisfied and I heard some "yummms" in the background!
INGREDIENTS:
* 4-6 Chicken Breasts (The original recipe called for 2 lbs of chicken. I used chicken cutlets -- and they were still frozen)
* 3 garlic cloves - chopped (I used minced garlic out of the jar. I didn't measure, I just added what looked right)
* 1/2 cup soy sauce (I used kroger brand - the lite soy sauce)
* 1/2 cup ketchup (yes ketchup, who would have known?? But, I hear lots of Chinese restaurants use ketchup for the sesame chicken)
* 1/3 Honey (My dad is a bee keeper so I used some of his delicious/local honey)
* 1 tsp dried basil or fresh basil (I had never cooked with basil so I used a little over 1/2 a tsp because I didn't know what it would taste like, or if I even liked it)
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl, pour over chicken breasts in the crock pot.
Original recipe said to cook on HIGH for 4 hours. I cooked on LOW for 4-5 hours and everything was fine. Many times when I cook chicken in the crock pot on low, the meat just falls apart with a fork. Not with this recipe (or any recipe that I used soy/terriyaki). I'm thinking the sodium/salt in the soy sauce dries the chicken out!! So personally, I would cook this one (on LOW!! Unless my crock pot is just super powerful and gets extra hot, even on low!!)
I steamed some fresh broccoli and made some rice to go with the meal. Everyone was satisfied and I heard some "yummms" in the background!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Second Pregnancy, Just Not Like the First
Twenty-One weeks and counting down...
I know, or at least I have read, that second pregnancies are just not the same as the first. Kind of like a snowflake.... No one pregnancy is the same as the other...
This one has worn me down. Not only am I working full time, coming home and taking care of a two and a half year old, but, I'm just not really into this whole pregnancy thing...
Don't get me wrong, I'm ecastic and feeling very blessed that we are having another baby!! I'm looking forward to the end result of being able to hold my baby boy but, geesshh!!! I'm really not feeling this being pregnant thing!
I read an article saying that the excitement isn't always present with the second pregnancy! Well, "they" were right. It's true how the joy of having a child erases all of the "bad" or less desirable things about pregnancy & labor/delivery. I completely forgot about how uncomfortable, exhausting, and just some times frustrating being pregnant can be!! It's not until al new symptom pops up that I just feel like screaming!! GREAT, my nose is filled with boogers and blood again today -- better get some more tissues for that!! AWESOME, I was midsentence talking to my husband and I just drooled -- that's just so sexy!! YEAH, I just love getting up in the middle of the night to pee and then having crazy insomnia for the next 3 hours -- I didn't need to function at 100% at work today anyway!!
Besides those pregnancy inconveniences, I am struggling with Anger this time around. First pregnancy I cried a lot. Forget those horribly sad ASPCA commercials with Sarah McLaughlin singing in the background... I learned how to immediately change the channel if I even sensed an abused animal was going to appear on the tv screen. The commercials that made me cry hysterically last pregnancy was the oscar myer hot dog commercial & the fancy feast commercial when the cat takes the engagement ring to the unsuspecting woman. This time I'm still very tearful and weepy, but I have a lot of anger and frustration this time around. The bad thing is, I don't mind showing it.
Typically, I'm one to handle anger appropriately. I actually don't consider myself to have many anger issues -- I can usually get over things without resorting to anger. Well, this pregnancy has brought a new person out of me. It's frustrating, disappointing, and just a drag. I can dwell on something that has made me mad for hours, even over night into the next day. And it builds up to the ponit of I just want to resort to the bedroom and be left along. Which would probably equal to a whole lot of pouting!!!
Here's just a couple of examples:
I accidently hit a parked car at the mall a couple of weeks ago. i was so mad at myself I could barely get through the evening. After I talked to the insurance company, I ate dinner (forget about cooking, it was a fast food night for sure) and then told my husband that I needed to go to my room! I was that upset that I felt the need to isolate! I stomped to my room, closed the door (which I never do because there's no point with a toddler), turned out the lights, and got into bed. I was just so upset with myself that I just couldn't let it go!! Even with my husband being supportive and reassuring me that it's just a car, don't worry about it... I was fuming with anger....
Then the following week, I forgot to lock my car door and of course it gets broken into. Nothing serious was taken but I felt so anger with myself I just couldn't let it go. I went into a rant about my personal space being violated and just blew it completely out of proportion. Typically I would have handled it with some anger but, would have gotten over it.... Now I've developed some OCD and have to make sure my car doors are locked every night before bed!!
If I don't get to eat on time, it's a problem for everyone -- I have no shame of getting huffy, puffy, and grumpy about it. Will blame everyone for not being able to make a decision and just get completely and dangerously cranky!!
I know this is just a stage, and it will pass with everything else, but wow... This Second Pregnancy is just not like the first!
I know, or at least I have read, that second pregnancies are just not the same as the first. Kind of like a snowflake.... No one pregnancy is the same as the other...
This one has worn me down. Not only am I working full time, coming home and taking care of a two and a half year old, but, I'm just not really into this whole pregnancy thing...
Don't get me wrong, I'm ecastic and feeling very blessed that we are having another baby!! I'm looking forward to the end result of being able to hold my baby boy but, geesshh!!! I'm really not feeling this being pregnant thing!
I read an article saying that the excitement isn't always present with the second pregnancy! Well, "they" were right. It's true how the joy of having a child erases all of the "bad" or less desirable things about pregnancy & labor/delivery. I completely forgot about how uncomfortable, exhausting, and just some times frustrating being pregnant can be!! It's not until al new symptom pops up that I just feel like screaming!! GREAT, my nose is filled with boogers and blood again today -- better get some more tissues for that!! AWESOME, I was midsentence talking to my husband and I just drooled -- that's just so sexy!! YEAH, I just love getting up in the middle of the night to pee and then having crazy insomnia for the next 3 hours -- I didn't need to function at 100% at work today anyway!!
Besides those pregnancy inconveniences, I am struggling with Anger this time around. First pregnancy I cried a lot. Forget those horribly sad ASPCA commercials with Sarah McLaughlin singing in the background... I learned how to immediately change the channel if I even sensed an abused animal was going to appear on the tv screen. The commercials that made me cry hysterically last pregnancy was the oscar myer hot dog commercial & the fancy feast commercial when the cat takes the engagement ring to the unsuspecting woman. This time I'm still very tearful and weepy, but I have a lot of anger and frustration this time around. The bad thing is, I don't mind showing it.
Typically, I'm one to handle anger appropriately. I actually don't consider myself to have many anger issues -- I can usually get over things without resorting to anger. Well, this pregnancy has brought a new person out of me. It's frustrating, disappointing, and just a drag. I can dwell on something that has made me mad for hours, even over night into the next day. And it builds up to the ponit of I just want to resort to the bedroom and be left along. Which would probably equal to a whole lot of pouting!!!
Here's just a couple of examples:
I accidently hit a parked car at the mall a couple of weeks ago. i was so mad at myself I could barely get through the evening. After I talked to the insurance company, I ate dinner (forget about cooking, it was a fast food night for sure) and then told my husband that I needed to go to my room! I was that upset that I felt the need to isolate! I stomped to my room, closed the door (which I never do because there's no point with a toddler), turned out the lights, and got into bed. I was just so upset with myself that I just couldn't let it go!! Even with my husband being supportive and reassuring me that it's just a car, don't worry about it... I was fuming with anger....
Then the following week, I forgot to lock my car door and of course it gets broken into. Nothing serious was taken but I felt so anger with myself I just couldn't let it go. I went into a rant about my personal space being violated and just blew it completely out of proportion. Typically I would have handled it with some anger but, would have gotten over it.... Now I've developed some OCD and have to make sure my car doors are locked every night before bed!!
If I don't get to eat on time, it's a problem for everyone -- I have no shame of getting huffy, puffy, and grumpy about it. Will blame everyone for not being able to make a decision and just get completely and dangerously cranky!!
I know this is just a stage, and it will pass with everything else, but wow... This Second Pregnancy is just not like the first!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Crock Pot Chicken Strogonoff
Chicken Strogonoff
INGREDIENTS:- 4 or 5 frozen chicken breasts
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 package of cream cheese
- 1 container of sour cream (16 ounces)
- Egg Noodles
- Salt and pepper to taste
I stirred it a few times during the day just to mix up all of the ingredients. At first it didn't look like the cream cheese was melting -- it looked clumpy! But it eventually thinned out and the clumps disappeared.
About half an hour before we were ready to eat I cooked the egg noodles. While the noodles are cooking add the sour cream to the chicken and mix things up good! I cut up the chicken into chunks. Drain the noodles and then add them into the mixture. Let the noodles stay in for about 5 minutes (or less) and then serve!!
**** During the last half hour I also added canned green beans into the crock pot --- was trying to hide veggies from my son but, it didn't work! Corn would have been pretty good in there too.
**** Next time we make this I would add some chopped onions and maybe even some garlic. The meal turned out good, but it just needed some more flavor!! It was a little on the bland side.
Original Recipe is from:
http://coersfamily.com/2013/03/26/chicken-strogonoff-in-the-crock-pot/
Crescent Roll "Pocket Tacos"
This was such an easy dinner -- perfect for a Monday night!!
Everyone loved it and it was cool because you could kind of add anything you wanted to the top of your rolled up taco! We have changed the recipe around a few times so pick and choose how you would like to prepare your easy taco meal.
INGREDIENTS:
* 2 cans Pillsbury refigerated crescent dinner rolls (the original kind)
* 1 lb of lean ground beef (I used the 90/10% but you can use what you have)
* 3/4 cup Old El Paso Thick and Chunky Salsa (I used Chi Chi's salsa because it was on sale and I had a coupon)
* 2 tablespoons of Old El Paso taco seasoning mix (I used the kroger brand MILD)
* 1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese (I didn't really meausre this at all)
DIRECTIONS:
* Heat oven to 375°F
* Unroll the dough into rectangles on a baking sheet (I put aluminum foil on baking sheet for eash clean up - just be careful that the foil doesn't stick!)
* In skillet, cook beef over medium heat 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in salsa and taco seasoning; simmer for 5 minutes. Spoon mixture on half of the crescnet roll rectangle. Sprinkle desired amount of cheese on top of meat mixture. Fold the rectangle over to make a kind of taco pocket!
* Bake 14 to 17 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown and cheese is melted. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.
***The second time I made these I added black beans and corn to the meat mixture. Personally, I would keep the black beans and then maybe serve the corn on the side.
Another time we made them we had corn on the side and "Ranch Style Beans" (located in the bean section at your grocery store).
Original recipe is for EASY CRESCENT TACO BAKE (I accidently didn't read the directions and just made it my own recipe)
http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/easy-crescent-taco-bake/9c2bd5f7-63f7-4a6c-afa3-56baeedbc35a?p=1
Everyone loved it and it was cool because you could kind of add anything you wanted to the top of your rolled up taco! We have changed the recipe around a few times so pick and choose how you would like to prepare your easy taco meal.
INGREDIENTS:
* 2 cans Pillsbury refigerated crescent dinner rolls (the original kind)
* 1 lb of lean ground beef (I used the 90/10% but you can use what you have)
* 3/4 cup Old El Paso Thick and Chunky Salsa (I used Chi Chi's salsa because it was on sale and I had a coupon)
* 2 tablespoons of Old El Paso taco seasoning mix (I used the kroger brand MILD)
* 1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese (I didn't really meausre this at all)
DIRECTIONS:
* Heat oven to 375°F
* Unroll the dough into rectangles on a baking sheet (I put aluminum foil on baking sheet for eash clean up - just be careful that the foil doesn't stick!)
* In skillet, cook beef over medium heat 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in salsa and taco seasoning; simmer for 5 minutes. Spoon mixture on half of the crescnet roll rectangle. Sprinkle desired amount of cheese on top of meat mixture. Fold the rectangle over to make a kind of taco pocket!
* Bake 14 to 17 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown and cheese is melted. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.
***The second time I made these I added black beans and corn to the meat mixture. Personally, I would keep the black beans and then maybe serve the corn on the side.
Another time we made them we had corn on the side and "Ranch Style Beans" (located in the bean section at your grocery store).
Original recipe is for EASY CRESCENT TACO BAKE (I accidently didn't read the directions and just made it my own recipe)
http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/easy-crescent-taco-bake/9c2bd5f7-63f7-4a6c-afa3-56baeedbc35a?p=1
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