Continuing on my quest to be a better wife and mommy by honing my skills in the kitchen. I have discovered a couple of things during my time cooking:
1. I really like cooking. It's time in the kitchen, just being by myself (for the most part). Sometimes, I do have a clingy toddler grabbing at my legs, but I still enjoy it. It's almost like a stress reliever. Why on earth did I stop cooking?
2. Coming up with a menu plan every two weeks has made me realize how few recipes I actually have. My Pinterest board is surprisingly lacking on recipes I actually want to make for dinner. Thinking maybe I should invest in actual real-life cookbooks.
3. Cooking in my kitchen makes me long for the day when we do our fabulous kitchen remodel. But more on that later....
Menu plan!
Monday--Roast beef/ham and cheese sandwiches (I've recently discovered the Pioneer Woman and I'm OBSESSED)
Tuesday--Bible Study. No dinner
Wednesday--Cheesy Taco Shell Pasta
Thursday--Mini Meatloves and Mashed Potato Cups
Friday--Manicotti
Saturday--Mini Meatball Sandwiches
Sunday--Ranch Chicken
Monday--Ham and pineapple pizza
Tuesday--Relay for Life meeting
Wednesday--Lasagna Roll Ups
Thursday--BBQ chicken sandwiches
I over-plan. I know that I'm not going to cook every single night. Things come up, I get tired, whatever. But whatever I don't use, I can stick in next week's menu plan and use the ingredients I purchased.
Enjoy your week all :)
Showing posts with label cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cooking. Show all posts
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Stupid-Proof Stir-Fry
I've been doing really well on my quest to be a better wife and mom by spending more time in the kitchen. As a result, I will have more recipes to share! This post: Chicken Stir Fry.
I LOVE Chinese food. Seeing as there was a freakishly amazing Chinese to-go place just steps from my college apartment, I practically lived on Chinese food as a late teen/young adult. But I've always been afraid to try Chinese recipes at home. Maybe because I have such a high expectation of what it should taste like and I'm afraid to screw it up. Whatever the reason, this is the only Chinese food recipe in my repertoire. Enjoy :)
Needed:
- 1 lb. thawed boneless chicken (you could also do beef or pork), cut into cubes (or strips, whatever you prefer).
- 2 tbsp oil
- Veggies....I'm leaving this wide open for you to choose whatever veggies float your boat.
1 red bell pepper, 1 green pepper, 1 can of sliced bamboo shoots, 1 can of sliced water chesnuts and snow peas (I just eye how many I want in there).
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/3 cup of water
- 1 packet of stir fry seasoning mix (found in the Ethnic foods aisle)
2. Add whatever meat you chose to pan and stir fry until brown.
{lazy mommy tip: Sometimes, I'm forgetful and don't put my chicken out to thaw beforehand. In those instances, I put my frozen chicken straight on my George Foreman grill and pre-cook it. Then, I cut it into cubes, add it to my pan and finish cooking}.
3. Add veggies and stir fry. I always add my peppers first because they take longer to soften than the other veggies.
5. Add liquid mixture to skillet and stir fry until sauce has thickened.
I serve my stir fry over a bed of rice.
6. Enjoy :)
Anyone have any fail-proof Chinese recipes they wanna throw my way?
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Pizza Blahs.
I promised recipes, and I'm going to deliver....good, bad and ugly.
I found this recipe on Pinterest--French Bread Pizza--and thought it looked yummy and easy (two things that make a recipe a winning one in my book). I thought I'd modify it a little and make it my own. Instead of the French bread loaf from the deli, I picked up a loaf of garlic bread from the freezer section. Not a wise decision, friends.
I brought the garlic bread home, unwrapped it and popped it in a 350 degree pre-heating oven just so it could unthaw a little. After it wasn't so frozen, I took it out and added my toppings: pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, green pepper and diced tomatoes.
I cooked it for about 15 minutes on 350.
Verdict? It was just okay. The garlic bread was a little overpowering, to the point that it was all I could taste on some bites. I should have gone with the French bread loaf from the deli. It tasted okay and was fairly easy, but I think if I have a craving for pizza, I'm going to be calling up my local Dominos (who has FANTASTIC gluten free pizza BTW) or go another route. Definitely won't be saving this one to my list of favorite recipes!
Do you have any fails in the kitchen? Or recipes that didn't live up to your expectations? Share!
Update: this pizza is MUCH better the next day when warmed up in my toaster oven. Still think I'd go the Dominos-frozen pizza-delivery boy route.
I found this recipe on Pinterest--French Bread Pizza--and thought it looked yummy and easy (two things that make a recipe a winning one in my book). I thought I'd modify it a little and make it my own. Instead of the French bread loaf from the deli, I picked up a loaf of garlic bread from the freezer section. Not a wise decision, friends.
I brought the garlic bread home, unwrapped it and popped it in a 350 degree pre-heating oven just so it could unthaw a little. After it wasn't so frozen, I took it out and added my toppings: pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, green pepper and diced tomatoes.
I cooked it for about 15 minutes on 350.
Verdict? It was just okay. The garlic bread was a little overpowering, to the point that it was all I could taste on some bites. I should have gone with the French bread loaf from the deli. It tasted okay and was fairly easy, but I think if I have a craving for pizza, I'm going to be calling up my local Dominos (who has FANTASTIC gluten free pizza BTW) or go another route. Definitely won't be saving this one to my list of favorite recipes!
Do you have any fails in the kitchen? Or recipes that didn't live up to your expectations? Share!
Update: this pizza is MUCH better the next day when warmed up in my toaster oven. Still think I'd go the Dominos-frozen pizza-delivery boy route.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman....Step 1
Last week, I made the conscious decision to be the best "Proverbs 31" woman I could be. I am going to strive to be better in my relationships with my family, provide food, wisdom and love for my husband and daughter and become closer in my walk with Christ through this project. Before I start this project though, there's something that needs to be done. Before I can tie on my apron strings or start praising my husband and bring him good, not harm, I have one step I need to take that's pretty crucial. I first need to work on loving myself.
I've always struggled with low self-esteem...pretty much my entire life actually. I've never felt pretty enough, cool enough, fashionable enough, funny enough. Basically, I just have never felt like I'm good enough. Because of that, I am constantly comparing myself to everyone around me.
I've always struggled with low self-esteem...pretty much my entire life actually. I've never felt pretty enough, cool enough, fashionable enough, funny enough. Basically, I just have never felt like I'm good enough. Because of that, I am constantly comparing myself to everyone around me.
"Gosh, she's so witty. Why can't I think of funny things to say like that?"
"Her child is so well-behaved. What have I done wrong that Avery isn't perfect like her little girl?"
"Man. Her blog has 150 followers. What am I doing wrong that I can't get that many?"
And on and on and on the cycle continues. Instead of thanking my Heavenly Father for giving me friends that are funny or great moms or good bloggers, I envy their life. I compare them to me and always come up with the conclusion that I fall short. But who's to say that their life is the standard for how things should be? Why does my friend with the perfect child embody a perfect mom to me? So my kid cries when she's hungry and has learned how to stomp her foot when things don't go her way....does that make me a bad mom? So what if my friend's blog has more followers than mine? I should be excited for her successes and thankful for the readers I do have. Instead of always comparing myself to others, I need to be thankful for what I've been given. Judging myself compared to the people around me is always going to make me feel inadequate. This quote has now become my life motto. I'm writing it down and carrying it in my car, pocket, wallet, purse so I can see it wherever I go. "Someone will always be prettier. Someone
will always be smarter. Someone
will always be younger.
But they will never be you."
How true is this?? She may have better clothes or a more successful blog, but she isn't ME! She isn't a 5'4" brunette married to Marty, mother of Avery, daughter of Dennis and Lisa. She can't spout out Disney quotes like it's her personal information and she didn't grow up with the best cousins a girl could ask for. She doesn't have a small scar on her left hand from a curling iron burn right before her ballet recital. She isn't the big sister of Dayna and Kristen. She's never had my Granny's fried chicken or watched golf with my Papaw. She doesn't know what it's like to be rocked by my Meemaw or have memories of my Peepaw. She isn't me. I'm me...and I'm the only me there is. God made me special...and HE loves me. So what if I don't have her life or her looks or her cooking skills? I do have a plethora of skills and abilities that God DID bless me with. While I was brainstorming about this post, I was trying to think of my best features. Sadly, it took me awhile to come up with more than 5 things that I currently like about myself. There's something so wrong with that! How can I ever expect Avery to respect me or Marty to love the unique things about me if I can't be confident and love myself? How can I ever teach my daughter to have self-respect and self-worth if I don't embody that belief myself? So, every morning (and hopefully multiple times a day), I'm going to start giving myself praises. During my lather, rinse, repeat routine, I'm going to name 5 things that I like about myself. And they can't be the same every day. Five DIFFERENT things that I like about myself or think that I do well. Or maybe I'll just repeat the mantra from The Help daily:
"You is kind. You is smart. You is important."
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The Proverbs 31 Project
Recently, I finished reading a book called "My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 wife" for a church book club (nevermind that the club met back last winter and I'm just now finishing the book....that's completely irrelevant) and it had a profound impact on my view of my status as a wife and mother.
Basically, the book is about one woman's journey to be the perfect "Proverbs 31" wife. In the book of Proverbs in the Bible, in chapter 31, is a description of a wife of noble character--the wife we are all supposed to strive to be on a daily basis:
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Seriously? Who are you kidding, book of Proverbs?? "She gets up while it is still night and provides food for her family"?? "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands"?? Where's the verse about the husband rising up at night to see to the affairs of the household? Or the husband doing his part to raise a family? Why is it all about the woman's duties and things she should be doing? When I first analyzed this verse, I was really miffed...to be completely honest. I didn't see why it all fell on the woman's shoulders to keep the family fed, clothed, clean and happy. This is the 21st century, for goodness sake!! But after my self-rightous thoughts subsided, I was ashamed. Does my husband "rise up and call me blessed and praise me?" Do I always "speak with wisdom with faithful instruction on my tongue?" Unfortunately, I know the answer without having to dig very deep. So that inspired me to start my own "Proverbs 31 Project" to become the wife, mother, homemaker and daughter of God that I am supposed to be--that I NEED to be. I have got to get out of this lazy mindset that the wash can wait until tomorrow and that it won't kill us to eat fast food just one more day this week until I can make it to the grocery. Today, I'm going to start striving to be a "Proverbs 31" wife of the 21st century and I'm going to show you how you can too. It doesn't mean that we have to make our family's clothing from scratch or wake up in the morning before the sun rises to ensure we get everything done. It is about taking responsibility and realizing that the home and our family's happiness does depend on us--like it or not. I don't expect to become June Cleaver by the end of this project, but I do expect to be a darn good wife, mother and Christian when it's over. So......day 1 initiated.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Menu! Printables! Supper Clubbing!
As promised, this week's "Super Messy Supper Club" menu:
Monday-- Rotel Chicken Skillet
Tuesday-- Ranch Chicken (Combine 3/4 cup crushed cornflakes. 3/4 cup parmesan cheese. 1 packet of hidden valley ranch dressing mix. Dip 8 chicken halves in melted butter and then roll in cornflake mix. Place in greased 9x13 pan. Bake @ 350 for 45 min)
Wednesday-- Forgotten Chicken
Thursday-- Baked Fajitas
Friday-Sunday, I'll be in Gatlinburg for my cousin's bachelorette party, so Marty and Avery are on their own. :)
And since we know that you should menu plan before you go shopping for all your dinner ingredients, I've made up your very own "Super Messy Supper Club" menu and grocery list planner for you to save to your computer and print off any time you make your weekly menu and shop accordingly. Happy menu planning. :)
Monday-- Rotel Chicken Skillet
Tuesday-- Ranch Chicken (Combine 3/4 cup crushed cornflakes. 3/4 cup parmesan cheese. 1 packet of hidden valley ranch dressing mix. Dip 8 chicken halves in melted butter and then roll in cornflake mix. Place in greased 9x13 pan. Bake @ 350 for 45 min)
Wednesday-- Forgotten Chicken
Thursday-- Baked Fajitas
Friday-Sunday, I'll be in Gatlinburg for my cousin's bachelorette party, so Marty and Avery are on their own. :)
And since we know that you should menu plan before you go shopping for all your dinner ingredients, I've made up your very own "Super Messy Supper Club" menu and grocery list planner for you to save to your computer and print off any time you make your weekly menu and shop accordingly. Happy menu planning. :)
Friday, June 1, 2012
Penny Pinching Tips....from a pro.
I feel like an official blogger now...I've asked a guest poster to give you some tips on how to save some money. Lucky for you, she gets paid to tell people how to save money as the Nelson County FCS agent....and she's my sister! We are nothing alike--Dayna is a saver, I'm a spender. Dayna is outgoing, I'm super shy. Dayna is modern and color, I'm vintage and black and white. Despite all this, the boys in our family can't tell us apart when they're learning names. I'm "black hair," she's "red hair." So, without further ado, Red Hair and her "Penny Pinching" tips.
Hey Penny Pinchers!
I hope that Devan has been giving you some helpful tips this summer about how she saves money and that you’ve been able to apply them to your own life. Dev asked me to “guest post” on her blog because her “Penny Pinching Summer” idea is exactly what I do in my job. I am the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent at the Nelson County Extension Office. (Every county has an extension office and most have an FCS agent- check out your county office here: www.ca.uky.edu/county). Basically, it’s my job to deliver UK information to the community about financial management, nutrition, food preservation, food safety, child development and much more. It’s kind of hard to explain to people but I love it.
Fortunately for you, the information I give out about financial management is all research based and backed by the one and only University of Kentucky. So, I figured I’d compile all of my favorite money saving tips into one and then give you the links to a few publications on saving money.
First: Couponing 101
Couponing 101 is just a lesson for basic coupon etiquette and use for those individuals who want to use coupons to save a little dough. Basically, it’s for those smart folks who take the free money stores send out in the paper every week.
When couponing, don’t make your list around the coupons. Make your grocery list, then browse the coupons to see if you can use any. If you hunt through coupons first you’ll end up buying things you don’t need just because you have a coupon for it, which ultimately, just cost you more money.
When you coupon, sort them out in some way that makes sense to you. Some people like to separate into food and non-food, some put them in order of the grocery store aisles, and others paper clip the ones they know they’re going to use onto their list. Regardless of how you do it, find a way that works best for you. It may take you a few tries but you’ll figure something out.
The first rule of couponing is this: only try to use the coupons for what they are intended. If it says buy three, save $3.00, no you may not buy one and save $1.00. Buy what it says you need to buy for the coupon to be honored.
Second, don’t try to use expired coupons. They have an expiration date on them for a reason. If you have some recently expired coupons, visit www.coupsfortroops.com to find an address to someone you can send them to who will send them overseas to our military families who have access to commissaries. They can use them up to 6 months expired there. (only manufacturer’s coupons!)
Last, don’t get angry at the cashier if one of your coupons doesn’t work. First, make sure you bought the correct item and amount (don’t try to buy a 16 oz Coke and use a coupon for a 20 oz). Then, if you have the correct items and it still won’t scan, check the expiration date and check that it isn’t a coupon for another store. Using a Dollar General coupon at Kroger aint gonna fly. If all of this is correct, calmly ask for the manager. No big deal.
I think couponing is a wonderful thing- I honestly see coupons as free money. If you have to buy toilet paper and it would have cost you 5.89 without a coupon, but you have a coupon for .40 cents off, imagine that you paid your normal 5.89 and they just handed you back .40 cents. For free. It helps.
I just skimmed the very basics of this publication. Check it out to learn about sale cycles (typically 12 weeks) and more. It’s worth the read: http://www.ca.uky.edu/hes/FCS/FACTSHTS/FRM-AP-087.pdf
Next, we have these awesome “Add Up the Savings” cards. They’re quick tips to saving money different ways. Let me re-cap for you:
Add Up the Savings When Eating Out: http://www.ca.uky.edu/HES/FCS/FACTSHTS/AUTS_When_eating_out.pdf
1. The obvious one- try to limit the number of times you go out to eat.
2. Don’t order super size meals. They only add calories and money. Order smaller, save money.
3. Drink water. Sodas shouldn’t cost 2+ dollars but they usually do. So again, save money, save calories. If you don’t like the taste of water, take a flavor packet into the restaurant with you.
4. Bring your lunch to work. Sometimes this isn’t feasible if we’re on the road or we have a lunch meeting, but when possible, you can save up to $1,000 a year. And I know there aren’t too many people out there who couldn’t use an extra $1,000 a year. Lunches is one of the fastest ways we blow our money. Spend an extra ten minutes at night or in the morning to pack yourself one, or better yet, eat your leftovers from the night before.
5. Eat earlier in the day when you’re going out for dinner. Many places up the prices of their meals later in the evening. Get there while they’re still offering the early prices.
6. Order off the lunch menu if you go during the day. They’re usually smaller portions and cost less, again saving money and calories (anyone else see a theme here?)
7. Avoid vending machines or stopping at a gas station for snacks. They’re usually packed with fat and cost more than they should. Keep a drawer of healthy snacks in your office or at home.
Add Up the Savings On Clothing: http://www.ca.uky.edu/HES/FCS/FACTSHTS/AUTS_on_clothing.pdf
1. Avoid fads that are probably going to be unfashionable next season. Those flamingo pants may be cool today, but they probably won’t be in a month, and you just dropped $50 for something you can only wear a few times. Purchase classic pieces that you’ll be able to re-wear season after season.
2. Don’t buy lots of bright colors. These can usually only be worn in spring. Darker colors can be worn all year.
3. Follow care instructions when washing and drying your clothes. Meaning, if it says dry clean only- dry clean it. Don’t risk tearing it up, then you’ll just have to go buy another one. (Personal opinion: don’t buy things that are dry clean only in the first place!)
4. Buy solid colored pieces so you can mix and match and re-wear more often without people noticing. If you start to show up in that start studded pink zebra shirt more than once a month, people will talk.
5. Use accessories at a minimum. Yes, they are nice and can add to an outfit, but they also cost quite a bit of money. Find classic earrings you can wear with anything and a good watch and bracelet or necklace. Use extravagant accessories for special occasions.
6. Shop at consignments stores. Yes, I said it and I mean it. Consignments stores can offer you the same thing a store offers you for a much cheaper price. Who cares that someone wore it a few times already? It’s half the price and technically, people have tried on the clothes in the store, so they’ve been worn too.
7. Don’t buy clothes you don’t need. If you already have a black shirt in good condition, don’t buy another one.
8. Learn how to sew to make minor repairs. (You can all come to my beginner’s sewing class at the Nelson County Extension Office if you need to learn. July 25th at 5:30 p.m. and it only costs $5.00)
There are also “Add Up The Savings” cards when shopping for food, at home, on energy, and on food preparation. See those here:
At Home: http://www.ca.uky.edu/HES/FCS/FACTSHTS/AUTS_at_home.pdf
On Food Preparation: http://www.ca.uky.edu/HES/FCS/FACTSHTS/AUTS_at_home.pdf
When Shopping For Food: http://www.ca.uky.edu/HES/FCS/FACTSHTS/AUTS_at_home.pdf
On Energy: http://www.ca.uky.edu/HES/FCS/FACTSHTS/AUTS_on_energy.pdf
My last money saving tid-bit is this: host a swap party! Get some snacks, call up your girls and get together for a night of fun! Have everyone bring their purses, shoes, clothes, books, whatever that are in good condition, lay them out and swap! Then, have the party the next month (or rotate it to someone else’s house) and do it again! Bring the same items (friend A may have borrowed friend B’s purse that you really wanted to get) and/or bring some new things! You’ll always have new things without spending a dime! Plus you get girl time!
Basically, just be aware of how much you’re spending and what you’re spending your money on. I recently went through my bank statements and saw that I had bought 12 McDonalds Sweet Teas in one month. TWELVE. I justified it to myself each time that it was only a dollar. ONE DOLLAR! Who can pass up a large delicious sweet tea when it’s so cheap? Well I can when I figure out I’d spent twelve dollars over the course of the month. Needless to say, I’ve banned myself. I grab a cup and fill it up with water instead. No money, no calories. I really don’t see a down side to it!
I hope you all find this helpful, I know it was long but I hope it was worth it! And please don’t hesitate to call me (our office number is 502-348-9204), email me (dayna.parrett@uky.edu) , or check out my work blog (www.nelsonfcs.wordpress.com) if you want more information! I also try to tweet financial tips every now and then (@NelsonCountyFCS). You’re also welcome to call the FCS agent in your own county. That’s what we’re here for!
Additional publications you might find interesting:
How To Keep Money In Your Pocket: http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/fcs5/fcs5102/fcs5102.pdf
Supermarket Savvy: http://www.ca.uky.edu/HES/fcs/FACTSHTS/FRM-RHF-131.pdf
The Power of Ten: http://www.ca.uky.edu/HES/fcs/FACTSHTS/frm-ssb-76.pdf
There are tons more! Visit http://www.ca.uky.edu/hes/index.php?p=206 to see all of the financial management publications. From estate planning, to retirement planning, to which bread machine to buy, we’ve got you covered.
Happy Penny Pinching! :)
Friday, April 27, 2012
Nine months and finally getting the hang of it.
9 months. That's how long it took Avery to fully grow and develop inside my belly before it was safe for her to come out and join her mommy, daddy and world full of people that love her. And that's exactly how long it's taken me to adjust to life with her. Don't get me wrong, I accepted the fact that I'm responsible for another human being the second they laid her on my chest, but after 9 months, I have finally gotten to the point that I can not only live with a baby, but can actually function while doing so. We've found our "groove." I know what works with her, for the most part, and I've figured out what I can accomplish on days we're together. I know that in the mornings, she's pretty clingy and fussy and I won't be able to get much done until she's woken up from her morning nap. I know when she should take naps (10 and 2). I know how long those naps should approximately be (an hour and a half to two). I know which toys are her favorite (Violet the talking puppy and Minnie Mouse). I know how she acts when she gets sleepy (randomly laying down and patting the floor) and what I should do when she starts getting sleepy (find a pacifier and turn on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse). I know when I can start to do laundry while she's sleeping (after 20 minutes, she's really asleep and is oblivious to noise). I know what to do if she's uncontrollably screaming (turn on Elvis). This feels good. In November, I was feeling like I would NEVER get to this point. I was drowning. My house was disgusting, my kid wasn't on a sleeping schedule and never, ever slept and I felt so out of control. That seems like so long ago. No, my house isn't spotless, but I do keep it picked up. I do several loads of laundry during the week and catch up on the weekends. I put things away after I use them. I pick up Avery's toys at the end of the night. Lately, I've begun to focus on the design of my house again. I rearranged my living room furniture, switched out tables and lamps and have several home projects on the horizon. No, my baby still doesn't sleep, but we're working on it. After trying almost everything else, we're going with something new. Avery's sleeplessness and waking up around 12:30 am every morning was making Marty and I both exhausted....and was making me crazy. Somehow, we discovered that Avery slept really great with Marty on the couch. So for awhile, we did that. She started out in her crib every night and when she woke between 12:30 and 2, she'd go to sleep in the living. It wasn't ideal, but it was working....and more importantly, everyone was sleeping. Recently, she started getting really restless at night and she and Marty weren't getting a good night's sleep. So we've started a 4 step process. First stage, go in to her when she wakes and is crying, pick her up and rock her until she's settled and sleepy and then lay her back in bed while she's still awake. If she cries, repeat the process. Do this for several nights until Avery "gets used to it." Second stage, go to her when she wakes and don't pick her up. Just talk to her, pat her, rub her back, but don't pick her up. Third stage, go to her and talk to her by using calming words, but don't touch her or pick her up. Fourth stage, go to her and talk to her from the doorway, but don't go in the room to her. After 4 nights, it seems to be working. Last night, she slept from 9 to 5. EIGHT HOURS. Completely unheard of in the Gaddie household. I don't want to talk much more about it because I'm afraid I'll jinx it. Just cross your fingers that it wasn't a fluke. Since we're getting on a regular schedule, I'm feeling more crafty again and I have SEVERAL things planned as far as house projects go. I hope to start a new series on this blog, along with the the supper club. Stay tuned. :)
I'm doing something different for this week's menu. Instead of going out and buying ingredients, I'm utilizing different things that are in my pantry. Seems stupid to buy all new food when I have a semi-stocked pantry full of food that needs to be used. This week's Super Messy Supper Club menu:
Monday: Lasagna roll ups (due to unforseen circumstances last week, this was never made).
Tuesday: Shake and bake chicken, green beans and biscuits.
Wednesday: Beef with broccoli
Thursday: Spaghetti and meatballs
Friday: BBQ chicken sandwich (chicken breasts in the crock-pot, bbq sauce, low for 6 hours)
Saturday: Derby party! I need to find a good side dish or appetizer recipe to take to the host. Suggestions?
Here's to looking forward to getting the hang of this mommy business as Avery gets older!
I'm doing something different for this week's menu. Instead of going out and buying ingredients, I'm utilizing different things that are in my pantry. Seems stupid to buy all new food when I have a semi-stocked pantry full of food that needs to be used. This week's Super Messy Supper Club menu:
Monday: Lasagna roll ups (due to unforseen circumstances last week, this was never made).
Tuesday: Shake and bake chicken, green beans and biscuits.
Wednesday: Beef with broccoli
Thursday: Spaghetti and meatballs
Friday: BBQ chicken sandwich (chicken breasts in the crock-pot, bbq sauce, low for 6 hours)
Saturday: Derby party! I need to find a good side dish or appetizer recipe to take to the host. Suggestions?
Here's to looking forward to getting the hang of this mommy business as Avery gets older!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
My cooking journey....sort of.
Well, I hoped to have better news on the cooking front. Like everything in life, I've had to be flexible and unseen things that came up this week prevented my "6 out of 7 day cooking project." Friday, I published my blog post, went to the grocery and was fired up for my newest quest to be a super mommy. Friday, I made Chicken Bacon Pasta. It. Was. Fabulous. Naturally, I took the recipe and changed a few things. We don't have a grill (yet....I hope to have a grill one day soon) other than the dinky countertop, fat-reducing grill that doesn't ever cook my chicken completely or evenly enough. So I decided to pan sear my chicken. Salt, pepper, olive oil and a skillet. Couldn't be easier.
As I was pan searing chicken, boiling water and making a white sauce, I was so excited. For too long, I've had the attitude that the cleaning, cooking and baby raising shouldn't be all my responsibility. I shouldn't be the one to provide meals, clean clothes and a happy baby every single day. I'm not sure what happened, but a light bulb has gone off and I've realized that taking care of my home and making sure my family is happy and well-fed shouldn't be a chore, but a priviledge. Yes, I still strongly believe that my husband should help out around the house, but it's my responsibility. When someone walks in my house and sees that it's filthy and I have an empty pantry, who does that reflect on--me or Marty? As unfair as it may be, it's me that would look bad if we didn't live in a well-run home. And I'm accepting that. I was looking at cooking as an exciting activity and not a chore.....finally.
So back to the cooking. The sauce in this dish is fantastic. I didn't have red pepper flakes, so I would recommend a little more salt in the dish if you choose to leave that seasoning out. Since we're huge fans of broccoli in this household, I decided to throw some in to give us our veggie serving for the day. Successful dish. Marty gave it his stamp of approval and said he'd eat it again (always how I measure my success).
Saturday night, I found this awesome recipe for gluten-free crust-less pizza. I was PUMPED. For about two years, I've been watching my gluten intake due to a gluten "intolerance" that was diagnosed after some pretty intense stomach pain. For the most part, I'm okay to eat breads and pastas, although I can't have a whole lot of wheat breads. But pizza is 100% off-limits. One slice will send me crawling right to my heating pad. So when I found this recipe, I was excited to try it. I chose to make my pizza with sausage, pepperoni and green peppers. While the taste of this pizza was pretty great....it wasn't really a pizza. The crust is made mostly of cream cheese that I baked before adding the pizza toppings. Even after baking first and leaving it out to cool, the "crust" wasn't firm enough to pick up and eat. The dish basically ended up being more like a pizza casserole. Forks were needed, but the taste was great. Even though it wasn't what I was expecting, I definitely recommend the recipe for anyone trying to live the gluten-free lifestyle.
And unfortunately, this is where my cooking story has ended. Sunday night, we exercised the "see-food" night and fended for ourselves. Monday, I was ready to fix my chicken nuggets and mac and cheese. When I got home, I realized that I didn't put out any chicken to thaw out. Oops. So Marty ended up eating the leftover chicken bacon pasta (another plus to making dinner...leftovers....and saving money!) and I made myself a grilled ham and cheese. I cut my losses and swore to get back to cooking the next night. Tuesday night, Marty and I ended up going to my parent's house to visit and ate over there. No biggie, go with the flow, try again Wednesday......until I woke up this morning with a massive migraine and Marty ate at his sister's house so I don't have to make dinner tonight. I'm disappointed that I'm not getting to hone my cooking skills, but isn't that what life is all about? Being flexible and rolling with the punches? Cooking 6 nights a week sounds amazing on paper, but you don't factor in those nights that Avery needs to spend just a few more hours playing peek-a-boo with Granddaddy and Grandma's house or illnesses that make walking from the bed to the bathroom painful, much less pulling out pots and pans to make a homemade dinner. It doesn't make me a terrible mom that we had some dinners away from home or that I might have to make a McDonald's run later to feed myself. I know my family is still happy and I promise to return to cooking tomorrow night....no unforseen circumstance provided.
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| Mmmmm... |
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| Holy pots and pans Batman. |
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| Why is it that my dish is never as pretty as the picture?? |
Saturday night, I found this awesome recipe for gluten-free crust-less pizza. I was PUMPED. For about two years, I've been watching my gluten intake due to a gluten "intolerance" that was diagnosed after some pretty intense stomach pain. For the most part, I'm okay to eat breads and pastas, although I can't have a whole lot of wheat breads. But pizza is 100% off-limits. One slice will send me crawling right to my heating pad. So when I found this recipe, I was excited to try it. I chose to make my pizza with sausage, pepperoni and green peppers. While the taste of this pizza was pretty great....it wasn't really a pizza. The crust is made mostly of cream cheese that I baked before adding the pizza toppings. Even after baking first and leaving it out to cool, the "crust" wasn't firm enough to pick up and eat. The dish basically ended up being more like a pizza casserole. Forks were needed, but the taste was great. Even though it wasn't what I was expecting, I definitely recommend the recipe for anyone trying to live the gluten-free lifestyle. |
| My little kitchen helper :) |
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The beginning of my super messy adventures
Well, welcome to my NEW blog. Don't worry, all the old "Audrey" posts are still here, I just felt like the blog had outgrown it's "Life Inspired by Audrey" name. Yes, I'm still obsessed with Audrey Hepburn. But life (and my blog posts) seem to be more about being the best mommy I can be and less about finding the perfect Audrey-like outfit to wear everyday. Hence, my new blog name. I couldn't think of a better name to describe my current path in life. I want so badly to reach that elusive "supermommy" status that I dreamt of for so long. But mostly I end up being super messy in my quest for perfection. And voila! The Super Messy Super Mommy was created. I hope you enjoy my new blog name, new look and new "supermommy" inspired posts. So onto my latest quest towards mommy greatness.....
Lately, I've been looking for any possible way to save a little bit of money. It might be the addition of Avery and all the things that keep her clothed, fed and happy (and the expense of each). Maybe it's the fact that I've fallen in love with a house plan and want to build ASAP, but I know without putting aside money each paycheck, I know that's not going to happen. Or maybe it's just because saving money feels good and makes me feel accomplished. It's not like I'm going to start extreme couponing any time soon, but I welcome any opportunity to save a little green.....especially at the grocery. It would amaze me how much I could spend at the grocery on just two adults and a baby. I would buy what I thought we needed for a week or two and get up to the check out line, thinking I was being frugal. I would have the total cost figured in my head that I thought my recent shopping escapade would cost. I was always wrong. Not a drastic difference from what I was thinking, but I would always be $30-40 off. How is that possible?!?! I've learned from experience that I should shop alone. If my husband and I shop together, we always spend more money--the same principle applied when I was growing up...go shopping with dad=bigger grocery bill. I've also learned from experience that I am an impulse buyer. I know I don't need the Wild Berry PopTarts or the sandwich thin bread that costs $2 more, but I can't help but be sucked into the cute packaging or the promise of convenience. My grocery trips always result in convenient, pre-packed foods that I know isn't the healthiest for myself or my husband (but it's so darn EASY). I fall into the habit of making out a weekly menu, buying the items and then never getting around to making the recipe I had picked out--resulting in a pantry full of food that only went with that specific recipe I had picked out. What on earth am I going to do with quick-cooking tapioca or a can of green chiles?? My sister in law and I were having a conversation about mommyhood and things that frustrate us about our lives. I mentioned that I don't cook anymore. I really enjoy cooking. I love finding recipes that sound appealing and easy. When I told my SIL that I don't cook, she looked surprised and said "What do you guys eat??" I was embarrassed. Well, no more. I will no longer be the mom that cooks convenience food simply because it's faster. Do I want to have the obese child at three years old because her mom only fixes frozen pizzas and chicken nuggets? Do I want to be the mom that Avery tells her friends about that never cooks dinner for her family? I GREATLY admire homemakers and stay-at-home-moms. Some critize them for not holding any "real job." Bull. Raising children, keeping a clean or well-run home and cooking one, if not two meals a day is harder than any "real" job I've ever had. I want Avery to remember me as a fun mommy that cooked good meals for her family and kept a happy home. I understand that things can't always be perfect. I cannot always have the clean house or the homemade dinner or the spectacular crafts that knock people socks off. But I can try to be the best mommy/wife/homemaker I can be. And to be that person, I'm going to start making dinner for my family. I've found recipes that are just as easy as opening a blue box and pouring noodles into a boiling pot of water--and a lot healthier too. Because you all keep me sane and this blog holds me accountable for things that I want to do (remember my crazy cluttered office??? It's almost done!!! Pictures to come this weekend---all because I promised you guys I would!), I'm posting my weekly menu on my blog. I hope to share recipes with all of you and hopefully share my successes! I'm much more motivated to do something when I know that other people know about it. So, today starts my first (of what I hope is many!!) what we'll call the "Super Messy Super Mommy Supper Club." I'll post my menu for the week, along with links of where I found the recipes. In return, I hope you'll share your favorite tried and true recipes with me so I can try them in my own home. This week's menu looks a little something like this:
Friday--Chicken Bacon Pasta
Saturday--No Crust Pizza and salad (due to my recent gluten intolerance, I'm crazy excited about this one)
Sunday-- "See"food night....whatever you see that looks good, you fix it yourself. A Sunday night staple in my house growing up.
Monday--Chicken Nuggets and mac and cheese
Tuesday--Lasagna Roll Ups
Wednesday--breakfast for dinner (I'm thinking eggs and french toast)
Thursday--Enchilada Pockets
Friday--Zatarain's Jambalaya with Cheese (inspired by our recent New Orleans trip!)
Wish me luck!
Lately, I've been looking for any possible way to save a little bit of money. It might be the addition of Avery and all the things that keep her clothed, fed and happy (and the expense of each). Maybe it's the fact that I've fallen in love with a house plan and want to build ASAP, but I know without putting aside money each paycheck, I know that's not going to happen. Or maybe it's just because saving money feels good and makes me feel accomplished. It's not like I'm going to start extreme couponing any time soon, but I welcome any opportunity to save a little green.....especially at the grocery. It would amaze me how much I could spend at the grocery on just two adults and a baby. I would buy what I thought we needed for a week or two and get up to the check out line, thinking I was being frugal. I would have the total cost figured in my head that I thought my recent shopping escapade would cost. I was always wrong. Not a drastic difference from what I was thinking, but I would always be $30-40 off. How is that possible?!?! I've learned from experience that I should shop alone. If my husband and I shop together, we always spend more money--the same principle applied when I was growing up...go shopping with dad=bigger grocery bill. I've also learned from experience that I am an impulse buyer. I know I don't need the Wild Berry PopTarts or the sandwich thin bread that costs $2 more, but I can't help but be sucked into the cute packaging or the promise of convenience. My grocery trips always result in convenient, pre-packed foods that I know isn't the healthiest for myself or my husband (but it's so darn EASY). I fall into the habit of making out a weekly menu, buying the items and then never getting around to making the recipe I had picked out--resulting in a pantry full of food that only went with that specific recipe I had picked out. What on earth am I going to do with quick-cooking tapioca or a can of green chiles?? My sister in law and I were having a conversation about mommyhood and things that frustrate us about our lives. I mentioned that I don't cook anymore. I really enjoy cooking. I love finding recipes that sound appealing and easy. When I told my SIL that I don't cook, she looked surprised and said "What do you guys eat??" I was embarrassed. Well, no more. I will no longer be the mom that cooks convenience food simply because it's faster. Do I want to have the obese child at three years old because her mom only fixes frozen pizzas and chicken nuggets? Do I want to be the mom that Avery tells her friends about that never cooks dinner for her family? I GREATLY admire homemakers and stay-at-home-moms. Some critize them for not holding any "real job." Bull. Raising children, keeping a clean or well-run home and cooking one, if not two meals a day is harder than any "real" job I've ever had. I want Avery to remember me as a fun mommy that cooked good meals for her family and kept a happy home. I understand that things can't always be perfect. I cannot always have the clean house or the homemade dinner or the spectacular crafts that knock people socks off. But I can try to be the best mommy/wife/homemaker I can be. And to be that person, I'm going to start making dinner for my family. I've found recipes that are just as easy as opening a blue box and pouring noodles into a boiling pot of water--and a lot healthier too. Because you all keep me sane and this blog holds me accountable for things that I want to do (remember my crazy cluttered office??? It's almost done!!! Pictures to come this weekend---all because I promised you guys I would!), I'm posting my weekly menu on my blog. I hope to share recipes with all of you and hopefully share my successes! I'm much more motivated to do something when I know that other people know about it. So, today starts my first (of what I hope is many!!) what we'll call the "Super Messy Super Mommy Supper Club." I'll post my menu for the week, along with links of where I found the recipes. In return, I hope you'll share your favorite tried and true recipes with me so I can try them in my own home. This week's menu looks a little something like this:
Friday--Chicken Bacon Pasta
Saturday--No Crust Pizza and salad (due to my recent gluten intolerance, I'm crazy excited about this one)
Sunday-- "See"food night....whatever you see that looks good, you fix it yourself. A Sunday night staple in my house growing up.
Monday--Chicken Nuggets and mac and cheese
Tuesday--Lasagna Roll Ups
Wednesday--breakfast for dinner (I'm thinking eggs and french toast)
Thursday--Enchilada Pockets
Friday--Zatarain's Jambalaya with Cheese (inspired by our recent New Orleans trip!)
Wish me luck!
Monday, January 16, 2012
It's my baby and I'll cry if I want to.
If you follow me on facebook, you might have seen my status from a few days ago: "Devan Gaddie attemped to let Avery cry it out last night. It will NEVER happen again. I may be a wuss, but I couldn't listen to my baby crying for more than 10 minutes before I was crying myself. Guess I just have to accept my fate as a mommy of a 5 month old that gets up multiple times a night!"
I guess I can call myself a liar. I did it again. After many hours of research and talking to other mommies (including my own), I embarked on night 2 of "Letting Avery Cry it Out" a.k.a. "Trying to Distract Myself with the iPad While Sitting in Avery's Floor Listening to Her Cry it Out." Horrible. For the first two nights, Avery cried for an hour and a half....I cried for an hour. I tried everything to distract myself: playing on Pinterest (I DID find some great organizational ideas), listening to music, writing letters (I re-read them the next morning and tossed them when they were filled with sleep-deprived gibberish). I would sit in the floor, wondering why I was doing this to my child and scolding myself for being a horrible parent. And then she would stop. And we would both get a couple of hours of sleep. The next morning, I would have hope that things would get better. I am happy to announce that, on day 4 of "L.A.C.I.O," she slept through the night. I am aware that this might be a fluke, since it's the first night she actually slept through, but I'm thankful nonetheless. I, on the other hand, have been up since 4:30 am. During this peaceful time when my baby was sleeping quietly, I was up every hour checking on her to make sure she was breathing. Apparently, the secret to getting Avery to sleep is letting her sleep on her stomach....with her face buried in the mattress. I've tried moving her face to the side, but to no avail. As soon as I let go, she'll move it right back. My pediatrician and nurse have assured me that, while panic-inducing for mommy, this is normal for baby and it's how Avery prefers to sleep. If she becomes too hot or can't breathe, she'll automatically move her face. I don't know if I believe it yet, so I'll probably still be up multiple times in the night checking on her. Baby steps people.....
In other news! I am on my way to fulfilling 3 of my "2012 Resolutions!" Yay, me!
1. Since I was up at 4:30, I was able to pack my lunch. This helps me check off 2 resolutions in one: lose weight and save money. No more McDonald's fries. No more $1 menu adding up to $15 a week. 
{please don't judge my nasty sink....those are dishes from our corner cabinet that was cleaned out last night (post to come later)}
Doesn't it look yummy?! I'm actually looking forward to lunch today...something I normally dread. What's better than a balanced meal and a 3 Musketeer Truffle Crisp bar to reward myself?
2. I'm making dinner as we speak! How so? My Crock-Pot. A few days ago, I asked for some recipes for my long-neglected slow cooker and I was amazed at the responses and amazing recipes that followed. Last night, I cleared off some counter space and pulled out my Crock-Pot. Tonight, we'll be having Italian Chicken (thanks Ali Scott). It couldn't be easier...3 chicken breasts, bottle of Italian dressing, 6 hours. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Yay Crock Pots! Yay for resolutions! Yay for babies sleeping through the night!!! {if I could make that a thousand font in super bold, I totally would.} Happy Monday everyone!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
In 2012, I resolve to drive myself crazy.
I know there's still a few days until the new year and the time for making resolutions for 2012 is a couple of days away, but I thought I would get a head start on making my (rather lengthy) list of resolutions. Here goes.
1. I WILL make dinner again. I love to cook. I don't have the skill to be able to whip something together from 5 ingredients in my pantry, but I can follow a recipe. And actually like doing it. There's nothing like the feeling of accomplishment when you sit down to a home cooked meal each night, knowing that your hands put together this meal (along with Pillsbury and Sara Lee--every cook needs a little help). I'm tired of eating out, I'm tired of seeing money disappear due to eating out. If I make dinner again six out of the seven nights a week, going out to a restaurant will become a treat again, not just a couple of times a week occurance like it is now. Cook dinner. No excuses.
2. This one's a little trickier.....lose weight. Now, I'm not naive enough to think that I'm going to get my fairly skinny pre-baby body back, but I would like to drop one more jean size and a few inches around the waist. Right now, I'm two sizes bigger than what I was before Avery. I would enjoy wiggling back into a size 6 jean and be perfectly content. This will be achieved through exercise. A tough one for me. I do not, in any way shape or form, have motivation to exercise. Even as a UK student, when the campus gym membership was FREE, I could not bring myself to put on work out clothes, drive to the gym, walk from the parking garage and work out. Not to mention how inadequate I felt being around those health nuts. Here I would be, huffing and puffing and close to death on the treadmill, while they barely broke a sweat running their third mile. No thank you. But I can do some form of a work out at home. Lift light weights with Marty. Do sit ups. Walk around our neighborhood. Too bad doing laundry and changing diapers doesn't burn more calories.....
3. Organize and clean my disgusting house. Listen. I'm a new mom. I'm exhausted 80% of the time. Currently, my attitude about cleaning house is that I don't have the energy to do it on a daily basis. I HAVE to get out of this mindframe. Instead of walking in the door and dumping everything on the kitchen table, I need to make the effort to put things away. Right now, when Avery goes to sleep around 8:30, I'm faced with the dilemma of chosing to accomplish things around the house that don't get done during the day or sleeping. 3 out of 4 times, sleeping wins. I know that my baby will be awake in a few hours (no, at 5 months old, we do not have a sleeping schedule figured out yet) and I want every precious hour of sleep that I can get. Instead, I need to accept the fact that I am not supposed to sleep during this period of Avery's life and start keeping my house neater. I'm not saying that I have to be an obsessive, oh-my-Lord-there's-dirt-on-my-floor-and-I'm-going-to-freak kind of person, but at least having my stuff put away would be a start. Then my 2013 goal can be to have a "Pinterest-esque" organized home.
4. Save money. This kind of goes hand-in-hand with the "cook more, eat out less" goal, but I need to stop buying things for myself. When I walk into Target, I usually peruse the clearance section of the women's clothes and shoes. Why? I have PLENTY of both. I don't need another black shirt or pair of flats. Make do with what I have. And I have some pretty great pieces in my closet that I haven't worn in awhile. And while I'm not buying clothes for myself, I need to stop randomly buying clothes for Avery. Believe it or not, this one will be harder to do. Baby girl clothes are sooooooo adorable. And so hard to pass up. But she's going to outgrow that onesie in 3 months...no matter how cute it is. She has two entire drawers full of onesies and a closet jam-packed of cute clothes. Stop. Buying. Baby clothes. Spend that money instead on formula and diapers. Or, better yet, put that money in Avery's college fund.
5. Be a better wife. Sometimes, I feel like with the crazy whirlwind that is my life of a mother with a 5 month old, my husband gets lost in the shuffle. We get up, we talk to Avery, we go to work, I pick up Avery, we get home, we play with Avery, we feed Avery, we put Avery to bed, I go to bed. I see very little "us" time in our current schedule. My husband has asked me several times to sit and watch a DVR'ed episode of "Mike and Molly" with him. I usually decline, opting instead to wash bottles or go to bed. What would thirty minutes of watching TV hurt? Especially when it means that I'm actually getting to spend uninterrupted time with Marty? I feel so frazzled most of the time with my new mom status and my inability to keep a clean house or do anything remotely domesticated anymore, that usually my frustrations come out on the target that's nearest....usually Marty. And I don't understand why. I'm so lucky to have a husband like I do. I hear stories of friends with babies whose husbands don't change diapers or clean up after themselves or do any type of housework in general. I have a husband that will change a diaper (although we're struggling with the dirty diapers right now), does his own laundry and will help me with housework when I'm feeling overwhelmed. Why don't I thank him more? This resolution should probably be moved up to the number 1 spot in importance.
6. Do more with Avery. I browse Pinterest probably once a week and find a million good ideas to do with or for your children. And I immediately pin it to my "Avery stuff" board and resolve that I will do those things for my little girl. Just like everything else, it gets lost in the hustle of our lives and the idea is quickly forgotten. Stop. Make moments count with Avery because she's only little once and I want her childhood to be as memorable as mine.
7. Figure out a way to balance this new-and-improved, domesticated, supermommy me, while also keeping time for myself. Since having Avery, I haven't been able to paint much. Mostly because I don't have the time, but also because my craft room/the office has officially become "the junk room." Don't judge me, I know you have one too. Avery in all her baby adorableness, arrived with a lot of stuff. In our house, that means very little place to keep it. We have a fairly small house with not much storage...few closets, no attic, no basement, no garage. This results in things being thrown in the office, because there is absolutely nowhere else for it to go. When I would walk into the office to relax and paint, I would become so overwhelmed by the clutter that I would immediately hyperventilate and walk back out. I will get this office cleaned, I will paint more, and I WILL find that "me" time that I've lost.
Okay. I'm done for now. There's a million other things that I'd love to list (organize our back porch, keep up with our landscaping, clean the front porch and put out chairs, start collecting antiques and incorporating them with the modern-ish pieces in our house, become a trend-setter and stop worrying what everyone thinks about my clothes and wear what makes me feel good (a.k.a. hats and dresses), make photo books, finish my dad's scrapbook, blog more) but I know that's not being realistic. Heck, out of the seven things I have listed, I'll probably be lucky to keep more than two of them for a few months. But I'm going to give it the old college try. Wish me luck. (and good luck to you in all your 2012 endeavors)
1. I WILL make dinner again. I love to cook. I don't have the skill to be able to whip something together from 5 ingredients in my pantry, but I can follow a recipe. And actually like doing it. There's nothing like the feeling of accomplishment when you sit down to a home cooked meal each night, knowing that your hands put together this meal (along with Pillsbury and Sara Lee--every cook needs a little help). I'm tired of eating out, I'm tired of seeing money disappear due to eating out. If I make dinner again six out of the seven nights a week, going out to a restaurant will become a treat again, not just a couple of times a week occurance like it is now. Cook dinner. No excuses.
2. This one's a little trickier.....lose weight. Now, I'm not naive enough to think that I'm going to get my fairly skinny pre-baby body back, but I would like to drop one more jean size and a few inches around the waist. Right now, I'm two sizes bigger than what I was before Avery. I would enjoy wiggling back into a size 6 jean and be perfectly content. This will be achieved through exercise. A tough one for me. I do not, in any way shape or form, have motivation to exercise. Even as a UK student, when the campus gym membership was FREE, I could not bring myself to put on work out clothes, drive to the gym, walk from the parking garage and work out. Not to mention how inadequate I felt being around those health nuts. Here I would be, huffing and puffing and close to death on the treadmill, while they barely broke a sweat running their third mile. No thank you. But I can do some form of a work out at home. Lift light weights with Marty. Do sit ups. Walk around our neighborhood. Too bad doing laundry and changing diapers doesn't burn more calories.....
3. Organize and clean my disgusting house. Listen. I'm a new mom. I'm exhausted 80% of the time. Currently, my attitude about cleaning house is that I don't have the energy to do it on a daily basis. I HAVE to get out of this mindframe. Instead of walking in the door and dumping everything on the kitchen table, I need to make the effort to put things away. Right now, when Avery goes to sleep around 8:30, I'm faced with the dilemma of chosing to accomplish things around the house that don't get done during the day or sleeping. 3 out of 4 times, sleeping wins. I know that my baby will be awake in a few hours (no, at 5 months old, we do not have a sleeping schedule figured out yet) and I want every precious hour of sleep that I can get. Instead, I need to accept the fact that I am not supposed to sleep during this period of Avery's life and start keeping my house neater. I'm not saying that I have to be an obsessive, oh-my-Lord-there's-dirt-on-my-floor-and-I'm-going-to-freak kind of person, but at least having my stuff put away would be a start. Then my 2013 goal can be to have a "Pinterest-esque" organized home.
4. Save money. This kind of goes hand-in-hand with the "cook more, eat out less" goal, but I need to stop buying things for myself. When I walk into Target, I usually peruse the clearance section of the women's clothes and shoes. Why? I have PLENTY of both. I don't need another black shirt or pair of flats. Make do with what I have. And I have some pretty great pieces in my closet that I haven't worn in awhile. And while I'm not buying clothes for myself, I need to stop randomly buying clothes for Avery. Believe it or not, this one will be harder to do. Baby girl clothes are sooooooo adorable. And so hard to pass up. But she's going to outgrow that onesie in 3 months...no matter how cute it is. She has two entire drawers full of onesies and a closet jam-packed of cute clothes. Stop. Buying. Baby clothes. Spend that money instead on formula and diapers. Or, better yet, put that money in Avery's college fund.
5. Be a better wife. Sometimes, I feel like with the crazy whirlwind that is my life of a mother with a 5 month old, my husband gets lost in the shuffle. We get up, we talk to Avery, we go to work, I pick up Avery, we get home, we play with Avery, we feed Avery, we put Avery to bed, I go to bed. I see very little "us" time in our current schedule. My husband has asked me several times to sit and watch a DVR'ed episode of "Mike and Molly" with him. I usually decline, opting instead to wash bottles or go to bed. What would thirty minutes of watching TV hurt? Especially when it means that I'm actually getting to spend uninterrupted time with Marty? I feel so frazzled most of the time with my new mom status and my inability to keep a clean house or do anything remotely domesticated anymore, that usually my frustrations come out on the target that's nearest....usually Marty. And I don't understand why. I'm so lucky to have a husband like I do. I hear stories of friends with babies whose husbands don't change diapers or clean up after themselves or do any type of housework in general. I have a husband that will change a diaper (although we're struggling with the dirty diapers right now), does his own laundry and will help me with housework when I'm feeling overwhelmed. Why don't I thank him more? This resolution should probably be moved up to the number 1 spot in importance.
6. Do more with Avery. I browse Pinterest probably once a week and find a million good ideas to do with or for your children. And I immediately pin it to my "Avery stuff" board and resolve that I will do those things for my little girl. Just like everything else, it gets lost in the hustle of our lives and the idea is quickly forgotten. Stop. Make moments count with Avery because she's only little once and I want her childhood to be as memorable as mine.
7. Figure out a way to balance this new-and-improved, domesticated, supermommy me, while also keeping time for myself. Since having Avery, I haven't been able to paint much. Mostly because I don't have the time, but also because my craft room/the office has officially become "the junk room." Don't judge me, I know you have one too. Avery in all her baby adorableness, arrived with a lot of stuff. In our house, that means very little place to keep it. We have a fairly small house with not much storage...few closets, no attic, no basement, no garage. This results in things being thrown in the office, because there is absolutely nowhere else for it to go. When I would walk into the office to relax and paint, I would become so overwhelmed by the clutter that I would immediately hyperventilate and walk back out. I will get this office cleaned, I will paint more, and I WILL find that "me" time that I've lost.
Okay. I'm done for now. There's a million other things that I'd love to list (organize our back porch, keep up with our landscaping, clean the front porch and put out chairs, start collecting antiques and incorporating them with the modern-ish pieces in our house, become a trend-setter and stop worrying what everyone thinks about my clothes and wear what makes me feel good (a.k.a. hats and dresses), make photo books, finish my dad's scrapbook, blog more) but I know that's not being realistic. Heck, out of the seven things I have listed, I'll probably be lucky to keep more than two of them for a few months. But I'm going to give it the old college try. Wish me luck. (and good luck to you in all your 2012 endeavors)
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