Wordless Wednesday

Little Guys Update

There have been big changes in Jake's life over the past 3 months. He now has to share all his time and attention with his little brother Sam. The first few months were rough, but over the last month or so I have seen a BIG change in Jake. He is always asking were Sam is, if he's not around. He wants to go play with him in the crib. He wants to check on him when he's sleeping. He will go and lay by him to hug him or hold him. He likes to play with him now. It is fun to see how they will start to interact once Sam can interact a little better.

Sam is also mesmerized with Jake. He watches him closely. Follows him with his eyes as Jake wonders around the room, just waiting for Jake to make eye contact with him. As soon as he does, Sam gets the BIGGEST smile on his face. He loves to have his big brother pay attention to him.

The interactions I see between them make me really excited for the next few years when I know they will be great playmates!

Here are a few pictures of them from the last month.

Sam LOVES to get in the big tub and be held.  He kicks around, floats and splashes at Jake.  He thinks its fun to be a big boy like his brother.

Morning fun.  Every morning when Jake wakes up, he asks were baby Sam is.  We grab Sam from the crib and they watch a morning cartoon together while I'm getting ready for work.  Jake likes to hold Sam (this is how he holds him) but only for a minute or two...then he is done with him.

Sam loves playing in his jungle gym and he has recently started playing in his pod.  He is getting so big.  Holding his head up, rolled over once (right after this picture) and tries to do it again and again, but hasn't made it over the hurdle again.  He loves grabbing onto things and puts everything in his mouth.

Can't believe how time flies!

Menu Mondays

Mike threw me for a loop last week by deciding to go with the no carb diet mid week.....but we made it work.  You'll notice that trend continue this week.

Monday - Grilled Chicken w/ spinach salad
Tuesday - Tacos
Wednesday - Cesar Salad w/shrimp
Thursday- Salsa Chicken
Friday - Steak and Salad
Saturday - eggs/bacon

Projects and such

Now with a semi clean room I am able to get a few things started/finished.  I finished an Aster Manor quilt I've been working on.  I like how it turned out.

Started another quilt using some old fabrics I had in this same pattern.  Don't love it as much as the one above.  I think I might just stop with the squares in the middle and sell it as a baby quilt.  I do love the fabrics, but not loving the pattern I choose to do them in.  I've had it laid out so I can figure out what to do next with it.

I have also been able to keep up on my quilting!  I finally got this quilt completed after I have held onto it since before SAM was born!  I bet Judy will be glad to finally get her quilt back.  I have actually done 2 more since, and have another to do tonight.  My goal is to complete each quilt before I get the next one.  That is easy when business is slow right now!  But that is the way I like it with my hectic life these days.  I loved quilting this and LOVE The fabrics.  It makes me want to make my own copy of it!

Found this blog and love her style.  I decided to join her in my first quilt along online.  It is so much fun to complete these blocks.  Starting a bit late (they are into it 5 weeks) but I had to do it after seeing how Rachel's is turning out.  Love the Simple Abundance line she choose, so of course I had to have one just like it.  Finally found a layer cake and just got started this week.  I have completed 5 of the 10 blocks so far.  Trust me, that is excellent for me when it comes to blocks type quilts.  I have 3 block of the month projects and 1 mystery project sitting in bags currently untouched!  I am loving this one and can't wait to get it completed.  I also love doing a few blocks every few nights.  Feels like I'm actually accomplishing something.

I'm hoping to keep up the momentum and keep it going this week.  I'll keep you posted! 

Quilt Room Clean up

I've spent the last few weeks trying to clean up my sewing room.  I should have taken before pictures so I can remember to NEVER let it get this crazy again.  I had bags of fabric all over my floor.  It is still a bit of a mess, but at least I got almost everything put into bins and put away in the closet.

Everytime Mike walks into my room he asks me what I can sell.  He's an ebayer.  Anything in our house that isn't used within a 6 month period goes on "the bay" has he calls it.  So he is horrified everytime he walks into my room to see my stash.  He also feels I have a serious fabric addiction that I laugh about and he doesn't think is funny.

So in an effort to make him happy and help me clean up a bit, I found a few items (2 bags full) of fabric that I would be willing to sell.  Reluctantly, I have listed them on my etsy store for some great deals.  Everything listed is at least 50% off the retail price if not more. 

Head on over and check it out. 

They Grow Up So Fast

We've been pulling out some baby toys for Sam.  Jake is feeling a little nostalgic for a few of his old things.  Here he is trying to recreate his first high chair experience.  Can't believe how big he looks in this pod!

Applesauce

The first part of January my cousin Heidi invited all us cousins over with our kids for a play date.  She is a great host and made us the best little lunch.  We snacked on a fruit and feta salad, bread and butter, and homemade applesauce. 

I have been making the applesauce at least once a month if not more since trying hers.  It is so easy and delicious.  I thought I'd share the quick recipe.

Crockpot Applesauce
recipe by Heidi Ballou

8 - 10 big apples any variety
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar (I usually use less)
Lots of cinnamon

Peel and cut apples into bite sized pieces.  Put all ingredients in crackpot and cook on low for 6 - 8 hours.  Mash to the consistency you enjoy.  Serve with a little dollop of whip cream....can't beat it!

 
Thanks Heidi, this is our current family favorite!

Menu Mondays - a day late

I completely spaced my menu yesterday...but I do have it written and ready to go.  Here it is.

Monday - Chicken Enchiladas
Tuesday - Spinach Salad and Yams
Wednesday - Spaghetti and meatballs
Thursday - Cinnamon French Toast and bacon
Friday - Tacos (either fish or beef haven't decided yet)
Saturday - Hamburgers
Sunday - Pulled Pork

Conversations with Jake

This morning we were all laying in bed.  I had just brought Sam in from his crib.  Jake and Sam were laying between Mike and I.  All the sudden we hear Jake passing some gas.

Mike: Jake, what was that?
Jake: I think baby Sam did it...

Funny how he already knows to deny it.  I'm so glad Jake is already bonding with Sam by blaming him for everything!

Menu Monday

I stuck to last weeks menu pretty good.  I've lost 5 pounds in two weeks.  Most of it being in the first week.  So I need to step it up this week and do better with my workouts. 


Monday - Shrimp pasta
Tuesday - Chicken and Rice Soup and salad - I've found soups to be low in calories.  I figured this one at 178 per serving
Wednesday - Tangy Taco Salad
Thursday - Marinated chicken w/spinach salad
Friday - Oatmeal Pancakes - had these last week so good!  189 calories a pancake with butter and syrup!
Saturday - spaghetti and meatballs - I figured about 470 per serving
Sunday - Chicken Enchiladas

Saturdays Song

Hallelujah - written by Leonard Cohen

This song has been remade over and over again.  Recently seen here performed by the Canadian Tenors on Oprah. 



Also seen performed on American Idol last week.  The reason I picked this song is as we were watching American Idol on Wednesday Jake was sitting on my lap.  I was singing along and he was quietly listening.  About 20 minutes later he was in the hall playing and I heard him singing "Hallelujah" over and over again.  Even with a similar tune.  I was so impressed he could pick up on a song so quickly.  The rest of the show he kept saying to me, "this isn't the hallelujah song mom".  It was very cute.  So, its been our new song of choice this week in the house.  It even calms Sam right down when I play it on my ipod. 


"Hallelujah"

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah

St George Trip

We went to visit Mike's parents in St George a few weeks ago.  It was so much fun to see them.  And as always so much fun to see our kids with them.  They spoiled us rotten.  Jake and Sam both came home with toys, games, stuffed animals.  I came home with a whole new centerpiece for my table.  (Thanks Sharon!) 

 

 

We had such a fun relaxing weekend.  Mike and I got out to visit a few homes in the homeshow.  It was so nice to get away and be together.  We had great food and fun!

Thank you so much for the great weekend!

Menu Mondays

So last week after posting my menu. I decided to start a diet. Not really a diet, I can eat whatever I want. I just have to stay under x amount of calories. We are going on a trip in April, and I'd really like to drop a few pounds before then. That being said, I changed my menu up last week and a few carried over to this weekend. You'll notice that my options are lighter and lower in calories. I've been trying a few new recipes so I'll post links to them as they come up. So far everything new I've tried has been delicious!

Monday - Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps
Tuesday - Fruit and Feta Salad
Wednesday - Chicken Noodle Soup
Thursday - leftovers
Friday- shrimp pasta

Hopefully I'll loose at least 2 pounds this week!  I'll add the calories to the meals as I figure it out. 

Been Busy

I've been very busy this week getting some of my sewing projects done and cleaning out my craft room.  Pictures to come soon!

Etsy Store Update

I've just added some fat quarter bundles into the store that are a steal! Head on over and take a look here.

Thirty-three

I spent a few minutes on Sunday pulling out the grey strands of hair from my head.

Doesn't 33 sound old?

At least I'm alive and healthy. Here's to another year.

Blog and Business Workshop

Head on over to Martas website this week to learn all about blogging and business.  She always has the best of the best tips.  She is my go to person when I need advice about my etsy shop or have blogging questions.  She is posting a workshop this whole week to help us all become pros like her.

Menu Mondays

Over the last few weeks I've stayed pretty close to my menus.  I usually miss at least 1 day, but I've been pretty good at cooking and I love it!  I'm trying out a few new recipes this week.  I try to only do 1 new recipe a week, but these are all pretty simple so I'm giving it a go! 

Monday - Baked Ziti
Tuesday - Eat out
Wednesday - Asian Chicken Salad w/garlic bread
Thursday - Slow cooker Southwest Chicken stacks
Friday - Spaghetti and meatballs w/garlic bread and cesar salad
Saturday - Pancakes