I swear I'm not one of those parents. You know, the one who will get their child everything and anything they ask for. I actually don't buy AJ much at all. I think I've bought maybe 15 outfits for her, and although I am one to give in to an impulse buy at the store here and there, it's never for a big ticket item. Those are reserved for Christmas and birthdays. So how did I get in the predicament that I have no idea what to get my child for her upcoming birthday?
She seriously lacks for nothing. She has toys galore, bags of clothes, a bookshelf stuffed full. She has a bike, a scooter, a laptop, a camera, heck the dog has even basically become hers. What else could this little person need?
Thanks to the enormous generosity of some great friends and family we have been able to get hand-me-downs from four different families. I am so truly blessed to have these people and these things as it has been such a help. However, I feel like I should give my daughter something for her birthday. But what? I have been racking my brain trying to think of what to do, but have not been able to come up with one good idea.
So, those few who read this... any thoughts?
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
When "we" means "me"
M had a thought a while ago to host a cookout at our house for his Reservist buddies. We live really close to where they meet up, and no one else does. They spend Saturday night in a hotel, so it sounded like a great idea. When he brought up this plan, he was all about how we could make this, or have that. As it got closer, he said people were offering to help by bringing things. Fantastic!
Just before leaving for work yesterday morning I get the list from M, finally, after pestering him about it for a week at least, and we have 11 people saying they're coming. Of those 11, 4 have offered to help by bringing something. Person 1: drinks, Person 2: drinks, Person 3: drinks, Person 4: drinks. ?!?!? Hmmm, okay. Well at least I don't have to deal with figuring out what people like to drink.
Last night M tells me he is going to do what he can to help out. Thank you M, that is great. I head to the grocery store to pick up some fixings and he is going to help out at home. I get home and the gas tank on the grill has been refilled. Yay! Unfortunately the lawn isn't mowed. Hmmm, I get inside and he's watching TV. Okay. I bring in the groceries and he is still watching TV. I ask if he's going to help out, and he assures me he will. I get things together to make up the salad sides, and he continues to watch TV. Eh, it's hot, I don't feel like making up the sides either. There's always tomorrow.
So the cookout is today. M gets up early and heads off to drill. I stare at the house. 11 people will be showing up this afternoon. I get to make up 5 pounds of potato salad, 2 pounds of pasta salad, clean up the house, and try to keep it clean with AJ "helping". Set up the backyard for company. Since it's just AJ and me, no lawn mowing will be done today. Oh well, it's not that bad, really. M texts me saying that every one wants to change at our house, so now I get to make sure the bedrooms are at least change worthy clean, as well as scrubbing down the bathroom.
So, M has the idea for the cookout and I get to do the work for it. Yep, I love when "we" means "me". Oh well, at least I know who will be manning the grill, and I can guaranty it won't be me.
Just before leaving for work yesterday morning I get the list from M, finally, after pestering him about it for a week at least, and we have 11 people saying they're coming. Of those 11, 4 have offered to help by bringing something. Person 1: drinks, Person 2: drinks, Person 3: drinks, Person 4: drinks. ?!?!? Hmmm, okay. Well at least I don't have to deal with figuring out what people like to drink.
Last night M tells me he is going to do what he can to help out. Thank you M, that is great. I head to the grocery store to pick up some fixings and he is going to help out at home. I get home and the gas tank on the grill has been refilled. Yay! Unfortunately the lawn isn't mowed. Hmmm, I get inside and he's watching TV. Okay. I bring in the groceries and he is still watching TV. I ask if he's going to help out, and he assures me he will. I get things together to make up the salad sides, and he continues to watch TV. Eh, it's hot, I don't feel like making up the sides either. There's always tomorrow.
So the cookout is today. M gets up early and heads off to drill. I stare at the house. 11 people will be showing up this afternoon. I get to make up 5 pounds of potato salad, 2 pounds of pasta salad, clean up the house, and try to keep it clean with AJ "helping". Set up the backyard for company. Since it's just AJ and me, no lawn mowing will be done today. Oh well, it's not that bad, really. M texts me saying that every one wants to change at our house, so now I get to make sure the bedrooms are at least change worthy clean, as well as scrubbing down the bathroom.
So, M has the idea for the cookout and I get to do the work for it. Yep, I love when "we" means "me". Oh well, at least I know who will be manning the grill, and I can guaranty it won't be me.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Hump Day Bump Day
How Far Along: 16w
Total Weight Gain: I find out tomorrow. Yikes!
Maternity Clothes: I am mostly in maternity now. Some tops/dresses still look huge, but they are comfortable, so whatever.
Sleep: The back pain went away, mainly due to AJ needing me to sleep on her floor for the past few days. Hopefully that will end soon though, even if the back pain comes back.
Cravings or Aversions: Nothing at the moment. I am very impressionable when watching food on TV though.
Best Moment This Week: Second OB appointment tomorrow
Movement: Still nothing definite, but there have been more moments of Hmmm, maybe
Gender: I'm going to take my guess out of this until the end of the month. I had a strong feeling last week that I knew the name of this baby, so of course I got a feeling on the sex. I haven't talked names with M at all though, so we'll see what he says once we know which way we're going.
Labor Signs: Please no.
Belly Button in or out: In
What I miss: Nothing right now. I'm pretty happy at the moment
What I'm Looking Forward to: So antsy for the anatomy scan
Weekly Wisdom: I am aware of the chance of having a Christmas baby. I don't need it pointed out everytime someone else hears the date.
Milestones: 4 months
What the baby is up to:
Baby's now the size of an avocado!Watch what you say...tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean she can now pick up your voice. A few more minuscule changes: Eyebrows, lashes, and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming.
Total Weight Gain: I find out tomorrow. Yikes!
Maternity Clothes: I am mostly in maternity now. Some tops/dresses still look huge, but they are comfortable, so whatever.
Sleep: The back pain went away, mainly due to AJ needing me to sleep on her floor for the past few days. Hopefully that will end soon though, even if the back pain comes back.
Cravings or Aversions: Nothing at the moment. I am very impressionable when watching food on TV though.
Best Moment This Week: Second OB appointment tomorrow
Movement: Still nothing definite, but there have been more moments of Hmmm, maybe
Gender: I'm going to take my guess out of this until the end of the month. I had a strong feeling last week that I knew the name of this baby, so of course I got a feeling on the sex. I haven't talked names with M at all though, so we'll see what he says once we know which way we're going.
Labor Signs: Please no.
Belly Button in or out: In
What I miss: Nothing right now. I'm pretty happy at the moment
What I'm Looking Forward to: So antsy for the anatomy scan
Weekly Wisdom: I am aware of the chance of having a Christmas baby. I don't need it pointed out everytime someone else hears the date.
Milestones: 4 months
What the baby is up to:
Baby's now the size of an avocado!Watch what you say...tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean she can now pick up your voice. A few more minuscule changes: Eyebrows, lashes, and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Hump Day Bump Day
Wednesday is my week change and I keep forgetting on Mondays, so this is the new plan.
How Far Along: 15w
Total Weight Gain: ?
Maternity Clothes: All snaps/zippers/buttons have been retired until 2012. Not quite into maternity shirts completely, but some are working out okay.
Sleep: Head cold + back pain = sleeping on the couch when I can
Cravings or Aversions: I went on a pizza making spree this weekend. Thankfully I found recipes to make my own crust and sauce, so that helps both the wallet and the scale.
Best Moment This Week: Monday I got my first comment from a stranger. Guess I'm looking more pregnant than I thought
Movement: I'm starting to feel antsy about feeling movement. I keep thinking Is this it? Then I always pass it off to gas. I'm guessing some of those bubbles aren't really gas though.
Gender: Still thinking girl, now that's based on the fact that M and I have come to agreement on two possible boy names, and can't even narrow down our list of over 100 possible girl names.
Labor Signs: Please no.
Belly Button in or out: In
What I miss: Not looking fat in photographs. I just saw lots of pics taken over Father's Day. Ugh!
What I'm Looking Forward to: Going through AJ's clothes, if it is in fact a girl.
Weekly Wisdom: I'm pregnant, not disabled.
Milestones: Nothing major this week, just chugging along.
What the baby is up to:
Baby's now the size of a naval orange!Continuing the march toward normal proportions, baby's legs now out-measure his arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably can't feel the movements just yet.
How Far Along: 15w
Total Weight Gain: ?
Maternity Clothes: All snaps/zippers/buttons have been retired until 2012. Not quite into maternity shirts completely, but some are working out okay.
Sleep: Head cold + back pain = sleeping on the couch when I can
Cravings or Aversions: I went on a pizza making spree this weekend. Thankfully I found recipes to make my own crust and sauce, so that helps both the wallet and the scale.
Best Moment This Week: Monday I got my first comment from a stranger. Guess I'm looking more pregnant than I thought
Movement: I'm starting to feel antsy about feeling movement. I keep thinking Is this it? Then I always pass it off to gas. I'm guessing some of those bubbles aren't really gas though.
Gender: Still thinking girl, now that's based on the fact that M and I have come to agreement on two possible boy names, and can't even narrow down our list of over 100 possible girl names.
Labor Signs: Please no.
Belly Button in or out: In
What I miss: Not looking fat in photographs. I just saw lots of pics taken over Father's Day. Ugh!
What I'm Looking Forward to: Going through AJ's clothes, if it is in fact a girl.
Weekly Wisdom: I'm pregnant, not disabled.
Milestones: Nothing major this week, just chugging along.
What the baby is up to:
Baby's now the size of a naval orange!Continuing the march toward normal proportions, baby's legs now out-measure his arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably can't feel the movements just yet.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Prove me wrong
I posted earlier about turning AJ's crib into a toddler bed. M and I decided to do it on Friday so we'd have a few days free from obligations requiring high funtioning. We were both counting on some rough nights, and probably figured I'd be sleeping on her floor again. I asked some friends before the switch for advice, I wanted to be fully prepared for what we were about to go through.
Background: AJ is a horrible sleeper. Since the day she came home from the hospital she has fought sleep. Getting her to sleep in a crib was rough. Having her take naps was insane. Every person we came into contact with who had a kid has tried to help with advice or the one I love "give her to me, I'll get her to sleep" and all have failed. She just hates to sleep.
So, M and I were ready for a long haul. We changed over her bed. She played in there for maybe half an hour and moved on. We did the bedtime routine just like normal. However for us, the bedtime routine is quiet time in the living room with her favorite comfort things until she falls asleep or 9PM. Which ever comes first. She fell asleep, and M moved her into her room. I was up most of the night anticipating her.
At 3:30AM I hear a thud and then a cry. I rush into her room ready for her to fight me to put her back to bed. I pick her up, get her tucked in again, and she's out. Yay! Beginners luck though, it has to be.
Nope. The next night, she wakes up once because her beloved Doggie fell out of bed and she couldn't find it. I go in, give her Doggie back and she's out again. This is even with a rough night of coughing due to a lovely summer cold.
Since that second night, we haven't had to go in at all. I'm so excited.
Background: AJ is a horrible sleeper. Since the day she came home from the hospital she has fought sleep. Getting her to sleep in a crib was rough. Having her take naps was insane. Every person we came into contact with who had a kid has tried to help with advice or the one I love "give her to me, I'll get her to sleep" and all have failed. She just hates to sleep.
So, M and I were ready for a long haul. We changed over her bed. She played in there for maybe half an hour and moved on. We did the bedtime routine just like normal. However for us, the bedtime routine is quiet time in the living room with her favorite comfort things until she falls asleep or 9PM. Which ever comes first. She fell asleep, and M moved her into her room. I was up most of the night anticipating her.
At 3:30AM I hear a thud and then a cry. I rush into her room ready for her to fight me to put her back to bed. I pick her up, get her tucked in again, and she's out. Yay! Beginners luck though, it has to be.
Nope. The next night, she wakes up once because her beloved Doggie fell out of bed and she couldn't find it. I go in, give her Doggie back and she's out again. This is even with a rough night of coughing due to a lovely summer cold.
Since that second night, we haven't had to go in at all. I'm so excited.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Are we ready for this?
This is what M and I did to AJ's bed tonight. We have decided it's time for another challenge. Bedtime was getting too easy, so we figured we'd take the kid that hates to sleep and remove the cage. Oh, this should be fun.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Food Fun Part 2
So, Sunday was Father's Day. I asked M earlier in the week what he would like for a meal. Since we had plans for the evening, that left breakfast. He said "well, I have an idea, but I know you'd never make it". Okay, now I knew this was one of two things, either sausage gravy and biscuits or SOS. Both of which make my stomach turn just watching him eat, let alone thinking of eating it myself. Anyway, he (thankfully) goes with the gravy and biscuits. I can deal with that, I think. Off to the internet to figure out how to make such things as I have never in my life made biscuits or white gravy.
Saturday night we were vising with M's family and M mentions what I'm making for him for Father's Day. Everyone is really excited and the invite themselves over for breakfast. Ummm fantastic. Okay, so now I need to hit up the grocery store when they open at 7AM, pick up what I need for the extra 6-9 people who will be showing up, then get home and attempt a first ever meal with an audience. Joy.
Well, I figured, biscuits = southern; southern = Paula Deen; so Paula Deen biscuit recipe should = perfection. Ah, no. I'm not sure where the error occurred, but I'm fairly positive that if I had attempted to make these biscuits anywhere south of Virginia I would be tarred, feathered and catapulted back to New England. They weren't hockey pucks, but they sure weren't fluffy Cracker Barrell goodness either. Guess I need a lot more work on biscuit making should we ever get the urge to move south. Thankfully no one complained, they just added more gravy.
I found a recipe for sausage gravy and the picture looked similar to what I remember M being served when we'd go out for breakfast, at least before I put my menu up to block the sight of him actually eating the stuff. I was amazed at how easy it was. The only issue I had was at the end when I needed to know if the seasoning was correct. I had to enlist M's help to taste test. I don't know what the taste is supposed to be, and even knowing the ingredients, I still couldn't bring myself to actually taste that stuff.
So, one good one bad, but here are the recipes I used for M's big meal. Not sure if I'll be getting a second request for this one though.
Paula Deen's Biscuits (from foodnetwork.com) I should have known there would be an issue when no cook temp was set. Online reviews gave me an idea.
Butter bottom of skillet and place biscuits in pan. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Super Sausage Gravy from Allrecipes/Bob Evans
Ingredients
Saturday night we were vising with M's family and M mentions what I'm making for him for Father's Day. Everyone is really excited and the invite themselves over for breakfast. Ummm fantastic. Okay, so now I need to hit up the grocery store when they open at 7AM, pick up what I need for the extra 6-9 people who will be showing up, then get home and attempt a first ever meal with an audience. Joy.
Well, I figured, biscuits = southern; southern = Paula Deen; so Paula Deen biscuit recipe should = perfection. Ah, no. I'm not sure where the error occurred, but I'm fairly positive that if I had attempted to make these biscuits anywhere south of Virginia I would be tarred, feathered and catapulted back to New England. They weren't hockey pucks, but they sure weren't fluffy Cracker Barrell goodness either. Guess I need a lot more work on biscuit making should we ever get the urge to move south. Thankfully no one complained, they just added more gravy.
I found a recipe for sausage gravy and the picture looked similar to what I remember M being served when we'd go out for breakfast, at least before I put my menu up to block the sight of him actually eating the stuff. I was amazed at how easy it was. The only issue I had was at the end when I needed to know if the seasoning was correct. I had to enlist M's help to taste test. I don't know what the taste is supposed to be, and even knowing the ingredients, I still couldn't bring myself to actually taste that stuff.
So, one good one bad, but here are the recipes I used for M's big meal. Not sure if I'll be getting a second request for this one though.
Paula Deen's Biscuits (from foodnetwork.com) I should have known there would be an issue when no cook temp was set. Online reviews gave me an idea.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons butter, cubed
- 3/4 cup milk
Directions
In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together. Cut butter into mixture until it begins to look like cornmeal.
Make a well with flour mixture and slowly add milk into the middle. Knead dough with your fingers and add milk when necessary. Roll out dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to desired thickness. Cut with small biscuit cutter.Butter bottom of skillet and place biscuits in pan. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Super Sausage Gravy from Allrecipes/Bob Evans
Ingredients
- 1 pound Bob Evans® Original Recipe Sausage Roll
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 8 prepared biscuits
Directions
- Crumble and cook sausage in large skillet over medium heat until browned. Stir in flour until dissolved. Gradually stir in milk. Cook gravy until thick and bubbly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot over biscuits. Refrigerate leftovers.
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