Some nights, I just have to go to my baby's crib and just have to take all of his beauty in... It may just be for a few moments but I have to just remind myself of how fortunate I am to have him.
I creep in, stare for a few seconds, and just put my hand on his chest. I feel his breathing and I just think to myself how lucky I am to be his mother.
Life is hectic and crazy... Things never seem to make sense. Until that moment that I feel my sleeping son breath, I know for that moment, that everything will be alright!
I watch him, and he knows I'm there, he stirs and kicks his legs.... I leave just in time to not wake him... He is my baby... He grew inside of me, yet continues to grow without me!!
I hope I never forget these days... These are the days that I know we are OK!!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Take the time to LISTEN...
As we were heading to the car this morning we heard one of the first signs that Spring is around the corner!! Several types of birds were singing, and singing loudly.
Alex and I are usually rushing out the door to get to day care! But for some odd reason, the past couple of days we have been leaving early (or what should be on time).
This morning we just had to stop and listen to the different birds. It was a little chilly but Alex really seemed to enjoy hearing the different bird sounds! I'm sure we looked so silly standing in driveway and pointing into the sky, but, I really think Alex was able to realize that the different sounds were coming from different birds. He definitely knew they were birds because he attempted to sign "bird" when he heard a new one pass over us.
Today was a great reminder to take time out of your busy day and just LISTEN!!!
Alex and I are usually rushing out the door to get to day care! But for some odd reason, the past couple of days we have been leaving early (or what should be on time).
This morning we just had to stop and listen to the different birds. It was a little chilly but Alex really seemed to enjoy hearing the different bird sounds! I'm sure we looked so silly standing in driveway and pointing into the sky, but, I really think Alex was able to realize that the different sounds were coming from different birds. He definitely knew they were birds because he attempted to sign "bird" when he heard a new one pass over us.
Today was a great reminder to take time out of your busy day and just LISTEN!!!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Staying Busy...
We have been staying busy the past few weeks... Would definitely say that we have had some winter blahs and just can't wait for it to warm up so we can be outside more often! Valentine's Day week was a fun one. Alex completed many crafts at school and he shared them with us at home. He is such a sweet little boy, it made me so happy to get our first Valentine from him this year! I arranged the candy around the picture they took at school.
Around that same time Alex's grandfather (PaPa) made us a Learning Tower/Kitchen Helper. Whew, never thought I would see Alex have such a great temper tantrum until I took him out of this tower!! He seriously stayed in the tower for almost an hour - and was just non stop. Not only did he enjoy being on our level with conversation, he just loved the new view. Probably gave him a different perspective on life haha. He was able to help me with some counter activities, and of course play in the sink and help with dishes. The weekend was full of playing in the tower. Will definitely have to get it back out this weekend so we can keep him entertained.
We also have started dabbling in homemade crafts/activities. One Sunday we were once again stuck in the house because of the weather so I decided to keep Alex busy with making some finger paint. Really easy to do. Alex was actually able to get up in his tower and help mix the paints. He really enjoyed it. The paint turned out a little clumpy but I guess it was the right texture. After it smeared on the paper it was good to go. I'm glad that I decided to make the paint because of course, several times, Alex put it in his mouth. He gagged one time because of the taste but, I knew he would try and eat it!
Around that same time Alex's grandfather (PaPa) made us a Learning Tower/Kitchen Helper. Whew, never thought I would see Alex have such a great temper tantrum until I took him out of this tower!! He seriously stayed in the tower for almost an hour - and was just non stop. Not only did he enjoy being on our level with conversation, he just loved the new view. Probably gave him a different perspective on life haha. He was able to help me with some counter activities, and of course play in the sink and help with dishes. The weekend was full of playing in the tower. Will definitely have to get it back out this weekend so we can keep him entertained.
We also have started dabbling in homemade crafts/activities. One Sunday we were once again stuck in the house because of the weather so I decided to keep Alex busy with making some finger paint. Really easy to do. Alex was actually able to get up in his tower and help mix the paints. He really enjoyed it. The paint turned out a little clumpy but I guess it was the right texture. After it smeared on the paper it was good to go. I'm glad that I decided to make the paint because of course, several times, Alex put it in his mouth. He gagged one time because of the taste but, I knew he would try and eat it!
Baked Parmesan Paprika Chicken
Baked Parmesan Paprika Chicken
This recipe intimidated me at first glance. Anytime I see that an egg is needed to cook with, I just get discouraged. Not really sure why, maybe it's just the extra steps that will be involved with using breading!
I wanted to try something new - and something similar to chicken nuggets, since that is something that I know my son will eat!! This recipe sounded easy enough so we gave it a try!! It was a great Sunday dinner!! Quick and pretty darn good!! Served with Roasted Ranch Potatoes (recipe below in a previous post) and green beans. Don't be fooled by the "BAKED" title. It tasted close to fried chicken and even had the texture of it (minus the crunchy skin).
INGREDIENTS:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baked-paprika-parmesan-chicken/detail.aspx
This recipe intimidated me at first glance. Anytime I see that an egg is needed to cook with, I just get discouraged. Not really sure why, maybe it's just the extra steps that will be involved with using breading!
I wanted to try something new - and something similar to chicken nuggets, since that is something that I know my son will eat!! This recipe sounded easy enough so we gave it a try!! It was a great Sunday dinner!! Quick and pretty darn good!! Served with Roasted Ranch Potatoes (recipe below in a previous post) and green beans. Don't be fooled by the "BAKED" title. It tasted close to fried chicken and even had the texture of it (minus the crunchy skin).
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (I used tenderloins because that's all I had)
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a shallow baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine flour, Parmesan, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Dip the chicken in the egg, then dredge in the flour mixture. Place in the baking dish, and pour the melted butter evenly over the chicken.
- Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the cheese has browned, and the chicken has cooked.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baked-paprika-parmesan-chicken/detail.aspx
Crock Pot - or not - Terriyaki Chicken
This was an easy to prepare Saturday Dinner!
INGREDIENTS:
* 1 LB chicken (sliced, cubed, or however you would like. I even through my chicken in crock pot frozen)
* 1 cup Terriyaki or Soy Sauce (I had a little bit of soy sauce left and then added Terriyaki sauce in to make the 1 cup)
* 1/3 cup brown sugar
* 3 minced garlic cloves (I didn't have fresh garlic so I used the stuff out the jar. We like garlic so I didn't really measure it out)
* Onions - wasn't in the original recipe but we had some sliced up already so I just added it!
DIRECTIONS:
* Combine all ingredients into crock pot. Stir a little bit and then add chicken. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or Low for 4-6 hours.
** I had this dish in the crock pot for an hour and my chicken was not cooking fast enough - chicken was frozen when I put it in crock pot. I ended up transferring everything into a baking dish and putting in the oven. Cooked on 375 for about an hour. If you use the oven, you won't need this much liquid.
* Serve over rice and add a vegetable (steamed broccoli)
Monday, March 4, 2013
Mama=0; Throbbing Headache=2
Day # 2 of not feeling well. Just not sure what is going on. I have had 2 major headaches since Alex has been born. Haven't done the research on migraines but I would think that the symptoms are the similar to what I have experienced. Luckily I have only had 2 of these headaches in 18 months but, whew they can really drain you.
The pain started yesterday morning. I was doing a presentation and I just started feeling dizzy, and a little weak. Figured it was because I hadn't eaten a big breakfast, or had my morning snack. As the presentation goes on I feel the need to lean up against something. Now, I have never passed out before, and I didn't feel "faint," but I knew something wasn't right.
Presentation was over and I went back to my desk. Got a protein bar out and it did nothing for me. It actually gave me a bit of an upset stomach. After that it was just downhill. My head started pounding, the light was bothering me, and I just felt sick to my stomach. I decided to cancel my afternoon appointment because I really felt like I needed to go home! It just got worse and worse throughout the afternoon. I was able to keep at it for the rest of the afternoon and then I totally crashed when I got home.
Gave my baby a hug and kiss and I headed to the couch!! I really wanted to head to the bed but, I did miss Alex so much during the day, I figured I better spend some time with him.
He did very well. He must have sensed that I wasn't feeling better. I kept telling him that "Mama is hurt. Mama's head OUCH." He repeated what I said, and would lean in to give me hugs!!
I turned out the overhead light and Alex sat on the couch with me and we colored in his coloring book. We watched some "movies" which are really just home videos I take on my phone of him. It has just been in the past month that he has realized (most of the time) that it is him in the movies!
It got to the point where I just couldn't take it. Jason had to take over and I fell asleep on the couch. Alex was watching nursery rhymes on youtube with his Dad.
But before I fell asleep, Alex helped his sick Mama and got her comfortable on the couch. He brought over his Elmo and Cookie Monster stuffed animal, then got his blanket to cover me up. Such a kind little boy, helping his Mama out.
The pain started yesterday morning. I was doing a presentation and I just started feeling dizzy, and a little weak. Figured it was because I hadn't eaten a big breakfast, or had my morning snack. As the presentation goes on I feel the need to lean up against something. Now, I have never passed out before, and I didn't feel "faint," but I knew something wasn't right.
Presentation was over and I went back to my desk. Got a protein bar out and it did nothing for me. It actually gave me a bit of an upset stomach. After that it was just downhill. My head started pounding, the light was bothering me, and I just felt sick to my stomach. I decided to cancel my afternoon appointment because I really felt like I needed to go home! It just got worse and worse throughout the afternoon. I was able to keep at it for the rest of the afternoon and then I totally crashed when I got home.
Gave my baby a hug and kiss and I headed to the couch!! I really wanted to head to the bed but, I did miss Alex so much during the day, I figured I better spend some time with him.
He did very well. He must have sensed that I wasn't feeling better. I kept telling him that "Mama is hurt. Mama's head OUCH." He repeated what I said, and would lean in to give me hugs!!
I turned out the overhead light and Alex sat on the couch with me and we colored in his coloring book. We watched some "movies" which are really just home videos I take on my phone of him. It has just been in the past month that he has realized (most of the time) that it is him in the movies!
It got to the point where I just couldn't take it. Jason had to take over and I fell asleep on the couch. Alex was watching nursery rhymes on youtube with his Dad.
But before I fell asleep, Alex helped his sick Mama and got her comfortable on the couch. He brought over his Elmo and Cookie Monster stuffed animal, then got his blanket to cover me up. Such a kind little boy, helping his Mama out.
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