The Nerd's Wife

When a Nerd Becomes a Daddy…

thenerdswife — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:00:01 +0000

Multi-tasking takes on a whole new meaning.

Happy Friday!

Szechuan Beef Stir-Fry – Healthy Meals to Fuel the Family: Week One

thenerdswife — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:00:34 +0000

A few months ago, I participated in a campaign with the Texas Beef Council featuring a group of recipes designed for the winter holidays. Well, we are BACK with some more fun recipes to FUEL your FAMILY.

This week, we’re featuring Nutrient-Rich Sunday Suppers. And boy, do I have an awesome recipe for you! This meal is SO EASY… it would be perfect for a quick-and-easy week-night dinner. It seriously took me like 20 minutes to throw this together!

The focus this week is on nutrient-rich foods, which are a delicious way to maximize your nutrient intake while minimizing excess intake of fat and sugar calories. With tasty options, you can fill your nutrient gaps and get the nutrition power your family needs to feel better and be stronger!

Follow this cheat sheet next time you visit the grocery store to ensure that you’re choosing nutritious foods to fuel your family through an active day:

Whole grains for fiber, folate and energy. Your local supermarket is full of flavorful options like whole wheat bread, oatmeal, multi-grain pastas, brown rice and “light” microwave popcorn. Look for products marked “100 percent whole grains”.
Fruits and vegetables for vitamins A, C and potassium for healing and fighting illness. The most nutrient-rich produce is brightly colored: blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, spinach and sweet potatoes.
Dairy for calcium, vitamin D and potassium for strong bones. Today’s dairy case has lots of lower-fat alternatives, like fat-free and reduced-fat milk, yogurt and cheese.
Lean beef for zinc, iron and protein to help keep you lean and strong. Lean beef is a satisfying source of many nutrients, including B-vitamins and selenium. A 3-ounce serving of one of the lean cuts (like top sirloin, brisket, and T-bone) has fewer than 200 calories and 10 grams of fat per serving.

Be sure to check out even more nutrient-rich information and tips on the Texas Beef Council’s website!

And now, for the yummy goodness!

Szechuan Beef Stir-Fry
Source: Texas Beef Council

Ingredients:
2 beef shoulder center steaks (Ranch Steaks), cut 3/4 inch thick (about 8 oz each)
1 pkg (10 oz) fresh vegetable stir-fry blend
3 Tbsp water
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 c prepared sesame-ginger stir-fry sauce
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
2 c hot cooked rice or brown rice, prepared without butter or salt
1/4 c dry-roasted peanuts

Directions:

Combine vegetables and water in large nonstick skillet; cover and cook over medium-high heat 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove and drain vegetables. Set aside.

Meanwhile cut beef steaks into 1/4-inch thick strips.

Heat same skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1/2 of beef and 1/2 of garlic; stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes or until outside surface of beef is no longer pink. Remove from skillet; keep warm. Repeat with remaining beef and garlic.

Return all beef and vegetables to skillet. Add stir-fry sauce and red pepper; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Spoon over rice. Sprinkle with peanuts and serve.

Enjoy!

Be sure to follow the other nine Texas Beef Bloggers to see the other fun recipes they’re sharing!

And mark your calendar! We’re having a Texas Beef Twitter Party on Tuesday, March 6 from 8 to 9 am! Join us using the #TXBeef hashtag for tips on creating healthy meals to fuel your family!

Disclosure: I am participating in a four week campaign with the Texas Beef Council and am being compensated. All opinions and photos are my own. Recipes are courtesy the Texas Beef Council.

Droid RAZR from Verizon Wireless: Navigation ROCKS!

thenerdswife — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:39 +0000

I have absolutely NO sense of direction. Seriously, I would never make it anywhere without my GPS. But the one I have in my car is four years old and SO outdated. And I’m not a big fan of Google Maps on my iPhone… it’s difficult to use while driving.

So when The Nerd and I decided to go visit his parents in Corpus Christi last weekend, we took the opportunity to try out the Navigation app on the Motorola Droid RAZR.

Oh my goodness, Google really outdid themselves on this app!

The app includes a step-by-step list of directions for your trip, including the distance and travel time.

Here’s a map overview of our trip. We had a long way to go!

Unlike Google Maps on the iPhone, these directions are rendered in 3D, which makes it easier to visualize as you click through each direction.

This is probably my favorite thing about the Navigation app. Just look at the traffic info! My car GPS doesn’t have this. And Google Maps on my iPhone isn’t nearly this sophisticated. LOVE it!

And how cool is this feature? Google Street View in 3D!

Needless to say, we made it safely to Corpus Christi. The Nerd’s parents were glad to get to spend some time with Andrew, and we were glad for the seamless directions, thanks to the Motorola Droid RAZR, courtesy of Verizon Wireless!

Do you use a GPS to find your way around?

**Disclaimer** I am a Verizon Wireless Ambassador. I received a wireless device and phone/data plan free of charge to use for review and evaluation of Verizon Wireless products and services. As part of the program, I was asked to share my opinions with others, however, my opinions are my own. Please contact vzw@comblu.com with any questions about the Verizon Wireless Ambassadors’ Program.

Everyday Moments

thenerdswife — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:00:27 +0000

I’ve been trying very hard to start capturing more everyday moments with Andrew.

I know that time will fly by so quickly and I’ll wish I had documented more of these moments.

He has the cutest expressions sometimes.

He’s such a good and happy baby.

He’s even cute when he’s throwing a fit.

I mean, seriously. Just look at that face!

What are your favorite moments to capture with your little ones?

3 months!

thenerdswife — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:13:29 +0000

Dear Andrew,

You turned three months old yesterday! I can’t believe it. It seems like I was just visiting you in the NICU. I am so happy with how you’re growing!

You are eating like a champ — downing 4 to 5 oz at every feeding. You are a VERY noisy eating, but that just means you’re loving it, right? It’s so cute to hear your gurgles and your grunts while you down your bottle. You’re such a doll.

At our visit to the pediatrician last week, you weighed 10 lbs, 12.5 oz. You are getting to be such a BIG BOY! You can grip my finger and lift your head off the ground for brief periods of time. You HATE tummy time. And you are a KICKER. You are constantly kicking your feet: when you eat, when I change your diaper, when you’re sleeping. Sometimes, when you lay in the cradle, you kick and kick and kick until you turn yourself sideways and stick your feet through the bars. You silly little man.

You’ve gotten really good at sleeping at night. You’ll go for 5 or 6 hours most nights. I’m almost ashamed to say it, but you sleep with us every night in the bed. I just love snuggling with you at night. Last night, you spent the night at Nanna’s house so Mommy and Daddy could get some rest. I cried when it was time to go to sleep and you weren’t in my arms. I missed you so much it hurt. It will be a while before you get to go stay with Nanna again, haha!

Oh, but you HATE to go to bed! You fight sleep like no body’s business! You do EVERYTHING you can to stay awake. Sometimes it takes an hour for Mommy to get you to go to sleep. I sing to you and pat your bottom and that will help sometimes. You really like it when Mommy sings “Ours” by Taylor Swift and “Thinking of You” by Dierks Bentley. You’re going to be a country music boy for sure!

You LOVE the puppies. And they LOVE you! Georgie loves to lick your toes, and you smile really big. You like it, too! And Kaylee HAS to sleep right under you at night. Sometimes you kick her and she just snuggles closer to you. It is so cute!

You’ve started to recognize my voice and Daddy’s voice. The other night, Daddy started talking like The Hulk and you thought that was SO INTERESTING. He kept going until his throat hurt so bad but it made you so happy!

When I come home from work, you hear my voice and look around for me. It makes me feel so good to know that you recognize me! You smile really big and laugh occasionally. I can’t wait until you laugh more often. That sound just warms my heart. You are such a happy baby. I love you so much!

Love,

Your Momma

Droid RAZR from Verizon Wireless: It’s so THIN!

thenerdswife — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:00:44 +0000

I am an Apple girl. All the way. My world revolves around the Mac — my iPhone 4 is connected to my iPad, which feeds off my Macbook Pro. It’s seamless. And it works.

I’ve used AT&T for the past four years and have had an iPhone for the past three. Dropped calls are a part of my life, but I knew no other way.

That is, until I was asked to be a Verizon Wireless Ambassador. I was really excited to try out their network (I’d always heard great things) and couldn’t wait to see what device they’d send me to test.

So when a fun package arrived containing a Droid RAZR, I tore into that thing like it was Christmas morning.

The first thing I noticed was how HUGE the screen is. It’s beautiful and large. Definitely bigger than my iPhone 4.

But it’s THIN. It’s thinner than my iPhone 4.

It’s so thin, in fact, that it slips easily into the wristlet that I use as a purse. When I put my iPhone 4 in the wristlet, it fills it completely.

Part of that is because of the case I use to protect my iPhone… no case required with the RAZR, though! The Gorilla Glass protects it… how awesome is that?

But when I put the RAZR in the wristlet, it’s like nothing is there. This is WITHOUT the RAZR in the front pocket.

This is WITH the RAZR in the front pocket.

I could wax on and on about how much I love the thinness of the RAZR. But you get the idea.

Oh, and right now, if you buy a Droid RAZR from Verizon Wireless for $199, you get one FREE. Sweet, right?

Is there anything you’re dying to know about the RAZR? Let me know in the comments and I’ll test it out!

Happy Friday!

Sometimes it’s hard…

thenerdswife — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:00:21 +0000

I used to think that when I had a baby, I would spend all day taking photos of my new child. I would have DOZENS of pictures documenting his every moment in this world.

Since having a baby, however, I’ve come to realize how very hard it is to pull out the big camera and catch the baby in the right moment.

I mean, first of all, the baby has to be still. And he has to look normal. And not stick out his tongue.

You have to have good aim. Which is really hard with a wiggly baby.

But sometimes, you are able to capture that little guy at just the right moment.

And it’s magic.

PS – If you want to see every day pictures of the Little Dude, you should consider following me on Instagram or Twitter.

{DFW Mom} The BEST Calendar for Mommys: PlumLife!

thenerdswife — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:17:50 +0000

As a new mommy, one of the hardest things for me is keeping organized.

There are so many things to keep up with: doctor’s appointments, our sitter’s schedule, my work appointments, blog events, The Nerd’s schedule… it’s just SO MUCH!

So when PlumLife contacted me and asked me to review their product, I had to give it a try. And I’m so glad I did!

PlumLife is an online calendar/event scheduler for busy parents, or really, just busy people! I’ve always used iCal on my computer/phone/iPad to keep up with work appointments and other scheduling events, but it was just MY stuff.

With PlumLife, you can add calendars for different people (or even different THINGS) and SHARE those calendars with others!

Just enter their first name, then add their email address for reminders, pick a color and you’re all set! You’ll see above that I set up a calendar for myself, The Nerd, our sitter, Andrew and the Minions. How cool is that?

If you were doing home renovations, you could set up a “Home” calendar and add appointments with the contractor, builder schedules, etc to it. It’s awesome!

When you add an event, you can choose what Calendar it appears on. Then, you can select who else this event relates to. For example, on Andrew’s doctor appointment, I added myself, The Nerd and our sitter.

You can choose Related Tasks for an event and enter Driver Information or Sitter Information. Above, I’ve entered that our sitter will take Andrew to and from his appointment.

Then, you can choose whether to send Reminders about the event and when the reminder should be sent.

Here’s a look at my calendar for February 2012:

I’ve created a calendar for my work appointments, blog schedule, Andrew and The Nerd. And it’s all accessible from one screen.

See how easy it is?

There are even instructions for adding your PlumLife calendar to your iPhone home screen so you can use it on the go.

The best part? It’s FREE! If you decide to give it a try, be sure to enter my promo code when you sign up!

The Nerd’s Wife Promo Code: PlumLife8

PlumLife is having a contest among DFW-area bloggers to see who can add the most subscribers. If The Nerd’s Wife is among the top 20, one of my readers who signs up for PlumLife will win a $25 gift card to the Container Store! How awesome is that? Oh, and you don’t HAVE to be in DFW to be eligible!

Here’s what you have to do:

Head over to the PlumLife website and sign up for FREE (remember to use the Promo Code: PlumLife8)!
Follow PlumLife on Twitter.
LIKE PlumLife on Facebook.
Write about why you like PlumLife on their Facebook wall!

Good luck, and stay organized!

366 Photo Challenge: {January}

thenerdswife — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:00:38 +0000

When the New Year began, I knew I wanted to try to take more photos of our daily life.

Sometimes, it’s just so hard to lug out the big girl camera and equipment. Luckily, my iPhone 4 takes some pretty good photos. And it’s always within arms’ reach.

I’ve decided to try to take a photo a day for the entire year. That’s 366 photos!

I’ve been sharing my photos on Instagram each day, and I plan to write a wrap-up post for each month on the blog to share the photos with you. I know it’s already mid-February, but I wanted to take a moment and show you all the photos I took during January!

It was a fun, busy month!

Be sure to follow along with me on Instagram to see the photos as they happen.

Are you doing a photo challenge this year? Tell me about it!

Sending LOVE Your Way…

thenerdswife — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:46:40 +0000

It’s a little late in the day, but I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day!

I’m hoping to start posting again regularly really soon… but of course, since I said that, I probably just jinxed myself.

In the meantime, you can follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram… I post to those almost every day!

XOXOXO!