Meat & Potatoes Mama

Addicted to Facebook

2012-02-22T10:04:00.001-08:00

So I'm trying to limit Facebook duing Lent because I am a little bit addicted to it. I don't really think I realized HOW addicted I was until today.

So I've allowed myself to check it and play the game I love morning and night. However, I've found that as soon as I'm the slightest bit bored ieither tab onto it or if I'm on my phone I click on it - without even realizing! Holy smokes! They should have a program for this thing.

Wish me luck.

It's that time again!

2012-02-21T12:28:00.000-08:00

Lent is around the corner (it's tomorrow, so really). For me, this means a lot of introspection and a LOT of sacrifices. Last year I gave up TV and it was really hard for me, so I've decided to take it a step further. I am giving up TV again, I am also giving up desserts and candy, along with limiting my FB time.

I think Lent is the perfect season to think about what really needs to change in your life - to make God the center of it. I know there is a lot of "noise" in this world today, things that distract us from religion and God. It is very hard to fight against the media and everything else, but I think once I cut it out I will have a larger sense of satisfaction than I do when I browse facebook for 2 hours.

A great article about Lent is here. You should read the article, but I'll post some of the ideas of things to sacrifice here:

Ideas for Adults

Fasting

Skip lunch one day a week.

Skip meat an extra day — or two — a week.

Give up alcoholic beverages — except in social situations where you would stand out otherwise; then have just one.

Give up soda — even diet soda.

Give up all desserts.

Don’t buy anything except groceries and absolute necessities.

Fast from listening to talk radio or music in the car.

Prayer

Begin — or begin again — the daily Rosary.

Meditate for 10 minutes a day — Magnificat offers a wonderful daily meditation.

Attend Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy devotions or Eucharistic adoration.

Start a nightly habit of spiritual reading. For example, one of these new books: Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week: From the Entrance Into Jerusalem to the Resurrection, as well as Father Robert Barron’s Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith.

Read the Compendium of the Catechism (just four pages a day will allow you to finish it in Lent).

Almsgiving/Charity

Volunteer to deliver food to the poor.

Join the social-concerns committee at your parish.

Make a significant donation to a deserving charity with each Lenten paycheck.

Forgive someone, and tell him or her you want to patch things up.

Say a kind word to everyone you meet.

Pay one significant compliment — or more! — to each of your children every day.

Offer to watch the children of a new mother one day a week throughout Lent.

Visit an elderly friend or relative.

For Children and Teens

For younger folks, don’t be afraid of the adult ideas. But if none will work for you, try these:

Look for and address a need in your house every day.

Start asking, “Is there anything else I can do?” after you do what your parents ask.

Turn off your phone except for specific times at home.

Give up video games. Yes — entirely — throughout Lent (except Sundays!).

Send a note to each grandparent, aunt, uncle and godparent during Lent.

Make a new friend outside your “crowd.”

Be a friend to a shy person.

Give up that bad place, person or thing.

Choose a favorite toy, book or piece of clothing and put it away until Easter.

It's time to focus on what matters! Good luck to all of you :D

Meal Planning Monday 2/20

2012-02-20T12:21:00.000-08:00

Yum! I am making a few new recipes this week:

Monday: Easy Peasy Spaghetti and Salad
Tuesday: Crockpot Refried Beans (without the refry), and Chicken and Rice (we're making burritos!)
Wednesday: We are eating out with Austine's co-workers, I finally get to put some faces to names! It's also a no-meat day for us, so we get to see what the no-meat menu is like at Lazy Dog Cafe.
Thursday: Crockpot Beef Pot Roast
Friday: Skinny Macaroni and Spinach- I didn't make this last week so I just carried it over.
Saturday: Whole Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Mixed Veggies
Sunday: Either Chicken Soup, or some other variety of chicken something.

Crockpot/Skillet Chicken Enchiladas

2012-02-17T10:09:00.000-08:00

These are really awesome, but totally the lazy white person way of doing this! I took the recipe off a can of enchilada sauce, and tweaked it a bit for my own purposes.

What you will need:

1 can enchilada sauce
2 or 3 chicken breasts
12-16 corn tortillas
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

I used my crockpot for this, and it turned out great. First, I put the breasts in my crockpot and poured the enchilada sauce over it. I added tomato sauce too to reduce the amount of seasoning because my husband has a sensitive stomach.

Let it cook on high 5 hours, or low 8 hours. Once it's done, shred the chicken in the sauce (I just press the chicken breasts against the side and they shred so easily!). Tear up the corn tortillas into bite size pieces. Heat up a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet (you can reduce it a little if you wish), add the tortilla pieces and coat with oil.

Cook until they are floppy. Add to crockpot and mix in, sprinkle a layer of cheese on top. Cover and let sit about 5 minutes (so cheese is melted). Enjoy!

Valentine's Day

2012-02-15T12:19:00.000-08:00

So, I'm not really into it, which surprises a lot of people. Austine and I don't really exchange gifts. It really makes it easier in the long run- there's no frantic searching (cus really, isn't Christmas bad enough?!), no expectations, and no money spent (my favorite part). This year I did make a decent meal though. I figure if we were going to celebrate something, we would celebrate our relationship and spend some decent time together. I think I may have succumbed to going out, except I never want to pay for a babysitter. This probably explains why Austine and I haven't been out by ourselves in like 10 months. I digress, I made a really wonderful meal.

It was pretty darn simple, but pretty darn good too! We had New York Strip, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Salad, along with some wine. I marinated the strips in Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and wine overnight. Then I added our all time favorite Porterhouse seasoning on it before I broiled it (I overcooked it a little, it was medium well instead of medium rare). The garlic mashed potatoes were super easy too! I just crushed a clove into cooked potatoes, added whole milk and sour cream and mashed. They turned out great! I'm really glad I put some time into a meal for this. Rarely do we sit down at the table and eat...and I think we should make it more of a tradition. Especially once Ethan gets older, I feel it's very important for us to share our meals as a family, like I did when I was growing up.

What's for dinner? 2/13

2012-02-13T13:32:00.000-08:00

Monday: Chicken Soup with Dumplings
Tuesday: New York Strip, Salad, Potatoes (Lava cake as dessert)
Wednesday: Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Thursday: Beef Stir Fry
Friday: Macaroni & Cheese with Spinach
Saturday: Crockpot Chicken Thighs
Sunday: Chef Salad

I'm actually planning on doing a walkthrough on the dumplings, and skillet (which is super good and super easy!). Stay tuned!

Are you a "one upper"?

2012-01-27T14:04:00.000-08:00

So before I became a mother, I rarely ran into this type of person. You know, the person who always has it worse than you. I think it is basic human nature to want to complain, and I totally admit to doing it myself. However, I think there is a line that can easily be crossed.

Now that I'm a mom, I feel like I am running into this type of person ALL THE TIME. There seems to be some sort of need to "have it worse off" than the other person, and I'm really having a hard time wrapping my head around it. Let's look at some of the reasons we complain in the first place:

Venting: Sometimes you just have to let it out! Complaining really doesn't make any situation better, but it sure feels good to tell someone else.
Commiseration: Nobody wants to feel like they are alone in the world.
Advice: Sometimes we can't figure out what to do just by our-self, and we need to ask someone to get different opinions. It makes sense!

I really do think complaining, venting, seeking advice is really therapeutic, or I wouldn't have a blog! I feel that constantly "one upping" other moms though is very detrimental. We need to stick together, not make each other feel insignificant. Constantly having it worse than other people, especially when they are seeking advice or help just makes them feel like their complaints are needless when you "have it so bad."

As mothers, I think we really need to try and be empathetic to others, especially other moms! We all have different situations in life and need to support each other as best we can. Nobody else will really understand where we are coming from, and it is really important to support each other!

iPhone Pic Dump

2012-01-26T09:43:00.001-08:00

Cus' breaking up is hard to do

2012-01-24T01:29:00.000-08:00

I've had a sudden crash course in reality. Specifically, Facebook reality, which is actually more real than you might think. A friend de-friended me on Facebook. When, I don't know, why? I barely know! But this friend was someone who I happened to really respect and love, so of course it hurt my feelings. It is hard not to tie your real life to Facebook, I think we are becoming so ingrained!

So yes, I have spent the majority of my day bawling my head off over Facebook. Then it became a lot more than just Facebook. When I asked my friend why, she said that I had written some derisive comment. I looked, and found it. Yes, it was belittling. Yes, I had had about two glasses of wine before I wrote it. Yes, I didn't really think about it when I wrote it.

Does that make me a prime subject for de-friending? No.

First, a lesson in de-friending. There are some requirements, or at least there should be for some common decency. Firstly, one should not de-friend on Facebook over petty arguments. Making an out of place comment is a good example. Secondly, one should not defriend unless there has been a face to face, exchange of words. Thirdly, one should not defriend someone who they might see in the near future, or has close contact with people you relate to on a regular basis.

Prom Queen from HS you haven't talked to in 3 years? Yes.

Stay at home mom who barely has any friends as it is, speaks to your friends on a regular basis, with a son who absolutely adores you? No.

In short, over a text conversation I was told the comment was the last straw, and I have belittled and used this friend to the point where she no longer wants to be my friend. This makes me sad, because a) I never want my friends to feel belittled or used b) said friend didn't even talk to me about how she felt and c) somebody doesn't like me!!! (queue crying here). It hurts a lot more than I would expect, but it really is very similar to being dumped by your high school boyfriend. You're told you aren't valued, your faults are brought to the surface, and then bam, on your ass. I really wish it didn't have to be this way because I have some really awesome memories with this person (or you could say, not memories at times haha). Ethan really loved her and hasn't seen her in forever, and one of the toys she gave him for his birthday is his favorite!

A lot of people have told me, oh well, good riddance, ect. I guess I can't say that because if I could I obviously wouldn't be crying. Sigh, I suppose this is part of life. Live on and move on.

So yes, breaking up (with your friend) is hard to do. I'm going to go cry myself to sleep now. Night Ya'all.

Menu Planning Monday 1/23

2012-01-23T11:59:00.000-08:00

Monday: Steak and Cheese Sandwiches
Tuesday: Fajitas and Frijoles
Wednesday: Asian Turkey Meatballs and Rice (which reminds me I need to get sesame oil!)
Thursday: Spaghetti and Salad
Friday: Vegetarian Chili
Saturday: Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Veggies
Sunday: Pea Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Mmmmmm!

I really am trying!

2012-01-20T15:38:00.000-08:00

I really am trying to post, but I feel like I've run out of things to post about, I guess. Maybe it's because I just feel so stuck recently. Ethan is 15 months old now, and is such a great little kid. But I really don't get any time at all for me. The last time I was by myself was a doctor appointment (read 30 minutes). I keep thinking longingly about when I was younger, and I could do what the heck I wanted, within constrictions of course.

When we are kids, we believe that things will be awesome when we're grown up. We will eat all the ice cream in the world, stay up until 6am, and play video games all the time. Then you grow up and it hits you, this crap has consequences! Growing up is really just the realization that your actions affect others and yourself (it seems). If I eat all the ice cream I want, I will be fat and unhealthy. Same goes for playing video games all day, who has the time for that anyways! Staying up until 6 is no longer a possibility because you're out by 9. 9PM.

That was a bit of a tangent but it's true. I hope Ethan enjoys his childhood and doesn't take it for granted like I did (who am I kidding, he will, like every child does). Right now, all I want is a great massage, a shopping day, a night on the town, heck a biology class would be welcome! I am starting to feel under stimulated and I need to find some solutions that are easy on the wallet, who has any ideas?! I'm going to do some major brainstorming about this blog. I want it to be my outlet, but everyone will probably agree that if nobody reads its it's nothing more than a horrible diary. I like feedback, and comments, and opinions. I don't want to be top mommy blogger of the year or anything like that. But I would like to stimulate the reader and me in the same throw. Any ideas on that either? Halp!

Books I really want to read Ethan

2012-01-11T12:53:00.000-08:00

So, I grew up with books. I am the biggest book nerd on the planet (may be an hyperbole). My mom was an awesome mother who took us everywhere and read to us (my brother and I) every night. It really was something to look forward to. Ethan is such a hyper little guy, it is hard to get him to sit down and listen, but I try every night anyways- as part of our bedtime routine. He especially loves the books with animals, and loves it even more if you go through and make the noise each animal makes.

When he gets older, I have a whole list of big books I want to read him. Some were read to me as a child, some weren't but are my favorites.

The Hobbit (was read to me as a child)
The Laura Ingalls Wilder series (read to me as a child)
Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (a favorite)
Harry Potter (a favorite)
The Myst Series (was read to me as a child, we played the games as a family)
The Chronicles of Narnia (a favorite)
A Wrinkle in Time, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and A Wind in the Door
Westerly by Susan Cooper
The Boggart by Susan Cooper
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (vermicious knids!)
The BFG
Matilda (I read this book to DEATH as a kid)
Lemony Snickets

These are all books I personally have read at least 20 times or more, and I cannot wait to share them with Ethan!

Wow! and New Years Resolutions.

2012-01-11T12:43:00.000-08:00

Ok, I suck. I admit it. I really haven't been writing at all, and I have been feeling tons of guilt about it. Not because I feel like I have a reader base I'm disappointing (obviously, look at my followers haha), but because I feel like I've been cheating myself. I like having my little blog that I can look back on and go, wow! it was really like that! So, since it's the beginning of the year I am reinstating my resolution to write at least once a week. I think I actually did a really good job last year, I definitely wrote more than I did the year before- so I consider it a success.

Looking back on that post, there were a few things I didn't do well with. Mostly weight, but I think everyone struggles with that! It is so easy to be motivated and really driven in the beginning, isn't it? Then it really just begins to be a bore. I'm lazy, I'll admit it. I would rather spend an hour on the couch than 15 minutes running. It needs to be done though, so I am constantly having an internal struggle with myself. I can do nothing but try again this year. I try not to put so much faith in myself when I manage to fail at this all the time! I do not want to be the "fat mom" at the playgroup, but it seems to be happening anyways. I will try, that is my new years resolution.

I wasn't exactly on track with prayers, or remembering to pray. That's another thing I KNOW I need to do, but it is really easy to get caught up in life and forget about it. I've downloaded a few things on the iPhone that have helped me remember at least, so I think I am actually seeing an improvement in that.

I have a few business goals too, since I've started my direct sale business with Scentsy. Mainly, I want to recruit three people this year! It is a small number compared to some of the other people who are big with Scentsy, but I am a small time gal. I have to really think about how Scentsy has blessed Austine and me; the extra money has really been a lifesaver and it is awesome to be able to stay home with Ethan. So, I have to keep thinking I am sharing a blessing with others, and not a burden.

That's it! I will be posting about this again in another year! I'm glad I've made some improvements, and it is nice to see that. It is nice to be in a state where you seek constant improvement...and I feel good that I have made some. Yay!

What does a cute hat look like?

2011-12-23T11:42:00.001-08:00

He wouldn't keep it on (hence the bad photo) but it is seriously the cutest hat I have ever put on his head. I got it from my friend Allie, who crochet'd it herself! We had a really fun time hanging out with her and her son will yesterday:

Yes that is Twilight on in the background, total baby material!

Ethan hasn't quite learned to share yet, he kept picking up this toy and walking away with it, so Will couldn't have it.

Allie has so many cute hats for sale on her Etsy shop, you should all check it out! I certainly have a soft spot for moms who have their own businesses, I like knowing that my money is going towards a family who needs it, and not a huge company.

Life as a 1 year old

2011-12-22T10:37:00.000-08:00

If you are one year old (and Ethan)-

All things with four legs and a tail is a "doggeee", you should follow it around and woof at it, even if it's a cat.

Music is for dancing- make sure to shake your butt and wave your hands around a lot.

Anything that is out of your reach must be amazing, and YOU NEED IT NOW.

Anything that is soft and on the floor is subject to a head dive.

Climbing on chairs is awesome, getting down? Not so much.

If it's a string, belt, earphones, wires, anything bendable and long- it goes around your neck.

Anything that is in the general shape of a rectangle is a phone.

Keyboards are for smashing.

Ash from the fireplace is delicious.

Rugs are for dragging around, and flipping over...right in front of a doorway.

Coffee mugs are fun to carry around- the fuller the better.

The word NO just means you should try again in a few minutes.

Eyes are there to be poked. The same goes for nose, mouth, ears, and belly button.

Naps are for babies.

If you shake the baby gate enough, it just *might* open.

Day old food found in the couch is fair game.

End of the world constitutes- having to wait for food, someone leaving the room, getting left behind the baby gate, falling off the couch....

Highchairs are meant for standing in, not eating.

If you cry long enough at naptime/bedtime- someone will come get you! This means you can play more- and by playing you really mean walking around in circles and whining.

That bark stuff at playgrounds? Delicious!

Dogs are awesome until they bark at you. Then they really suck.

Edible leaf?!

Why being a mom makes you a social pariah...

2011-12-20T13:14:00.000-08:00

It's been a while, but it's time I get back on track! I've been wanting to write about this for a while, because it is definitely something I have been dealing with (and with no-one in particular, just in general). I've really noticed that while being a mom is the greatest gig in the world, it really does put a damper on your social life (who KNEW?!). There are several reasons why you may feel that your close friends are moving in the former friends category, and believe me, I totally relate.

They don't relate to you anymore- This is especially true for the party on the weekend types. I feel like a lot of friends just don't want to go out with me because they think I'm a wet blanket. Well, in the sense that I want to be home by 11, I worry about my kid constantly, and Ethan is the main subject of every conversation. While I know I should tone this down, it really is part of being a mom, which moms GET!

They think you never have time- Ok people, lets get this straight. We have kids but that doesn't necessarily mean that 100% of our time is taken up by changing poopy diapers. This actually makes me really mad. Ask me if I want to go out, if I can plan it, I will! Don't just assume that I can't do it, so you don't invite. It really makes me feel like a piece of shiz.

It takes too much effort to plan- A lot of friends are the "fly by the seat of your pants" friends, or so I've noticed. If they can't call you and make last minute plans, they aren't at all. I even have some friends who refuse to make plans ahead of time, forcing me to try and plan last minute- which is not easy with a kid.

Truth be told, when it comes to me- I am just in a different category than all my former friends. I am married, they are dating around. I have a kid, they have a dog? I can barely stay up until 12, they stay up till 3 or 4 every weekend! I hope that eventually they will catch up to me, get married and have children. But for now, I have to be patient and bear it. At least I have some wonderful mommy friends, even if the depth of the relationship isn't near what I would like it to be. I would love to meet some more friends who are my age and are at the same stage in life as me. Unfortunately it seems that 27 is too young to have a kid anymore! Who knew?! *sigh*

Mommy App: Homeroutines

2011-12-05T20:35:00.001-08:00

I haven't done an app review in a while, so I figured I'd let you all in on this secret. Homeroutines is a great app that uses the FlyLady model to keep your house organized and clean. The app allows you to plan your daily routine, in conjunction with a rotating schedule that will help keep your house immaculate! Here are a few screenshots:

Create your own routines, you can set a reminder or just play it by ear!

Using a system similar to FlyLady, you only spend 15 minutes a day deep cleaning your house, but manage to get a lot done!

Each zone rotates each week, and repeats each month.

Husband asking what you did today? Show him this list!


You can set certain routines to show up a certain day of the week. In my case, Mondays are grocery shopping and dusting day!

I have really gotten a lot of use out of this app! I am not a naturally organized person, although with the many applications I have on hand I feel that I have become much more so. The worst part about cleaning a house is feeling overwhelmed with how much there is to do, and I feel Homeroutines really addressed this. Who doesn't have 15 minutes a day to spend cleaning?

In addition to organizing your chores and routines, Homeroutines also features a to-do list, and a website that you can update from your desktop (www.my.homeroutines.com). It costs 3.99 from the apple app store, which is on the high end of the amount I'm willing to spend on a program. However, this is one of the few times I will say it is worth the money. I really couldn't live without this app.

Hilarious things Ethan thinks about while eating

2011-11-23T11:18:00.001-08:00

I am totally stealing this from a group of mine on facebook, but it really is too hilarious to not post. Here are some things we have decided babies must think whilst eating:

While eating macaroni:

"I want more macaroni!"
"How DARE you move the macaroni I already have into a pile!?"
"Ooo, macaroni."

"Get this macaroni away from me NOW!"

"ooooh, I bet I can use macaroni as conditioner"

"One for me, one for the dog, one for me, one for the dog--"

‎"If I hide this macaroni under my leg, she won't see it, then when she takes my tray away, I have a snack!"

‎"Uh oh! Macaroni fell out of my hand onto the floor. Accidentally, of course."

‎::throws macaroni emphatically on the ground:: "UH-OH!"

"You eat this, Mommy. NO! It's mine."
‎

"Let me chew it for a bit and then spit it out into my hand to look at and put it back in my mouth for consumption."

"No, mom. I'm pretty sure the floor is hungry. NoDon'tPickThat----uhhhh. Sorry, floor. I got your back, buddy. Here's more."

"Don't wipe my face. Never wipe my face!"

"Bring me my sippy cup, woman!" **gulp gulp gulp ** "I tire of this sippy cup!" **throws forcefully to the floor** "Now, give it back to me!"

So true!

Thanksgiving Stuffing!

2011-11-21T11:42:00.001-08:00

So my family has about the best Thanksgiving stuffing recipe out there ever. I may be a slight bit biased, but I have tried looking for it online- and I can't find it anywhere! I really should post pictures of it, but since we really only make it during Thanksgiving I can't justify making it without a turkey! Our recipe has always been verbal, so writing it down will just make it last longer in my opinion. It truly is original.

Nila's Family Stuffing:

What you will need:
1 lb sausage (breakfast kind)
2 cans of unpitted olives (these can be hard to find, we use Graber olives here), drained
Seasoned cornbread dressing according to size of turkey
Celery according to dressing package, minced (leaves included)
Onions according to package, minced
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 carton of chicken broth
1-2 eggs

Instructions:
Cook sausage, set aside and leave the drippings in the pan. Saute the minced onions and celery in the drippings, then drain. In a large bowl, add cornbread according to the size of your turkey, the cooked minced onions and celery, cooked sausage, 1-2 eggs (start with one, if it is not enough to spread evenly, add another), butter. Mix together, then add drained olives. Lastly, add chicken broth- but only enough to lightly (very lightly) moisten the stuffing. Adding too much broth will make it gooey. This recipe gets better with experience- my first attempt at it made it way too gooey, I will know better next time. Stuff the turkey with the dressing, making sure NOT to pack it. Packed dressing doesn't cook thoroughly, increasing risk of Salmonella (YUCK).

If you have leftover stuffing, you can put it in a casserole dish and place the turkey neck on it; then cook to the directions on the back of the stuffing.

If you attempt this, let me know! I'm excited to see other's results.

Everybody should have a kid...

2011-11-15T09:23:00.001-08:00

When I say everybody, I mean some people. I really mean that having a kid changes you, and being a parent makes a huge difference in how you see the world. I really believe that if some people could experience life the way a parent sees it, they would improve their life for the better!

For example, my birthday was this last Saturday. I didn't care! I was trying to figure out what had changed so much in the last year, and the answer was quite obvious. Ethan has changed me, completely and for the better. I used to get sad, depressed, and angry on my birthday. I think the main reason for this is because we grow up with this sense of anticipation. When it's my birthday I am going to get this, when it's my birthday I'm going to get to do this...and so on and so on. How selfish it really was! I was being totally self-centered and throwing a fit every year because my birthday wasn't what I wanted it to be. Then I had Ethan, and everything changed.

It's really not about me anymore. It's about this tiny little toddling kid I love from the deepest part of me. It's about if he's happy, if he's healthy. I'm so glad that I have a child who is happy and healthy when many parents don't. So this really leads me to the title of my post, everyone should have a kid. They should have a child so that they can see the world through someone else's eyes, so that they can realize it's not "about me".

I know there are many parents out there who have a child, and still are self centered. I know having a child is not a solution to anything. I have a really hard time understanding how a parent could ignore, beat, or otherwise impair their kid like that. I can't even imagine what I would have to be feeling in order to hit Ethan. So here's just a thought for those children's parents. Look outward, not inward. See life through your child's eyes and enjoy it.

And now...for a lighter subject. Pickle in a puppy costume!

Of course he changed my life! Look at him!

Ethan's First Birthday Pictures

2011-11-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

So Ethan's birthday came and went, and it was quite the blur! It has been more than 2 weeks now, and I still can't believe I have a one year old!

I love how parks find the most grabable, delectable, substrate known to man. Here is a picture of him about to ingest some!

Mmmmm delicious substrate!

This is the funniest, most serious face I've ever seen him make!

Can't catch me!

This picture is perfect!

Ethan and Grandma D.

Trash+Park=Fun

Ethan and cousin Jackson. They are 3 months apart!

Why does Jackson get all the fun?!

Jackson is almost walking, soon they will be terrorizing the park together.

My mom would have yelled at me for doing this, haha. So I let him.

I want to be just like you when I growed up Patrick!

Smiley Jackson!

Jackson loves the swings, Ethan has yet to make up his mind.

There's a smile!

There's a frown!

Shanee got the cake made by her friend at Le Courdon Bleu. Although I was holding it on the way there, it managed to slip on the round and squish the FRONT. :'(

She made puppy pops, which I managed to break while putting them in the Styrofoam. I'm pretty sure I ruined Ethan's birthday.

Puppy Chow, the most easy, delicious, party mix ever,

Cute little puppy cupcakes! They turned out great.

They were red velvet and delicious!

Miles the Moose.

Great great Aunt Loranne, Great Aunt Diana, Great Grandma Caputo, Great Aunt Deena.

Rachael, Mady, Jillian, Ian, Me, Uncle Andrew, Gramma Ferguson, and Laurie.

Brendon being....Brendon.

When I see this picture I think of a dog, in car, ears flapping back in the wind. Don't ask.

The turnout.

Mikey is a special agent.

All in all, we had a really great time. Ethan got some wonderful presents, and we are thankful to each and every one of our guests who gave him something! He loves everything he got!

Teething will be the end of me..really!

2011-11-03T22:43:00.000-07:00

Today has been a tough one. Ethan really wasn't his normal happy self and spent the entire day whining and crying. I feel really bad, the poor kid is teething so his mouth hurts like the dickens. Then, the teething makes him have some "loose" (that's putting it mildly) poops. Nobody wants to hear about my kids bowel movements so I will spare you the horrible details. Lets just say his poor behind looks like a skinned rabbit :( I have been coating it with abnormal amounts of butt paste, triple paste, whatever I can get my hands on! I know this isn't going to last forever, he will stop teething eventually. For now, I just wish both ends of him weren't in pain (and as a result, making my head be in pain also).

In other news, Ethan said Mama finally! It feels like it took forever, but these last few days he has really been spouting it out. He is so proud of himself, you can tell. When you ask him to say it, you can see him thinking about it; he will purse his lips together and try to remember how to make the "m" sound. I really am blessed to have such a adorable son!

Austine made me my business card finally, and I have to say it looks amazing! I have never had a business card before, being a nanny really doesn't require one. Having one suddenly makes me feel legit and professional, it is amazing what the little things can do to boost your self-esteem. I really cannot wait for my first party on the 19th, I have some really fun stuff planned and I have been working really hard on the information I give to my hostesses. The whole Scentsy thing is starting to feel real, and I am really enjoying it! I think I enjoy it the most because I get to network and talk to people I haven't seen in a really long time. I got to see on of my really good friends from highschool last night on Scentsy business and it was a total blast.

I'm feeling really guilty about not posting pictures of Ethan all that much, so I'm going to be trying a lot harder to include some every week! He is such a cutie, how can I not?! I would really love to work on my photography skills too, I know that my iPhone isn't perfect, and I see some other folks's pictures that put mine to shame (not surprisingly). I promise my next post will be Ethan's First Birthday pictures! I will get to it right now :D

I'm thankful for...

2011-11-01T22:53:00.000-07:00

My good friends at GlitzGM have started a trend on twitter: 24 days of gratitude. I have to say, this is an absolutely great idea, especially with Thanksgiving on the way (of course this was their inspiration). But really, I think everyone complains a bit too much at times. We all get sucked up with the negative parts of life. I know I am certainly guilty. It seems like if ti's not one thing I'm worried about it's another. So this month, I am going along with the 24 days of gratitude and posting on my twitter something I am grateful for! I encourage all of you to join me, all the way up till' Thanksgiving.

My first giveaway!

2011-10-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

So, in light of becoming a Scentsy Consultant, I thought I'd do a little giveaway! I've always planned on doing one, and I was even thinking of doing one with candles (my most favorite item in the world!). Now that I'm partial to a candle company, I must do a Scentsy Giveaway! One lucky winner will recieve this warmer, and 2 bars of Scentsy Scent (Welcome Home and Vanilla Cream).

Chianti!

Mmm Vanilla and Cream!

I got this scent with my starter kit and it is a fav!

Now here comes the nitty gritty. Here are ways for you to enter!

1. Comment here, on my blog, and tell me your favorite thing about the holidays.
2. Visit my Scentsy Shop and comment on this blog, telling me which warmer is your favorite.
3. RT this message on twitter: "RT @meattatersmama I just entered to win a Scentsy warmer and 2 bars of scent! Check it out:http://bit.ly/twBi6a" Comment here, telling me you have done so.
4. Like my Facebook page, and comment here telling me you have done so.
5. Follow me on Twitter, and comment here telling me you have done so.
6. Follow my blog! Comment telling me you have done so.

Don't forget to leave your email address on at least one of your entries so I can track you down if you win!

That's it! The winner will be drawn on November 11th, 2011 at 9PM PST. Good luck!

18 years and only, USA only please :D

ETA: I noticed some of the entrants have condensed their entries into one comment. I will be using random.org to pick a winner, so I would make each entry separately if I were you! Also, no multiple entries please. Thank you!

11/11/11: Our winner has been chosen via Random.Org!

Congrats Lea! Sending you an e-mail right now. Stay tuned to my FB page for some more giveaway goodness in the coming weeks!

2011-10-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

E and I got the chance to visit the local pumpkin patch with the mom's group in the area. It was really a lot of fun and I got some great pictures. Here's my entry for wordless Wednesday.