This Casita

Mama's Mexican Salsas

2013-05-17T09:17:00.003-05:00

And by mama, I'm talking about my MIL. When the U and I got married there was only one request he had: learn to make his mom's rice. I, more or less, have that recipe down (at least enough to satisfy the U), but a couple of months ago I had an itch to learn to make her awesome Mexican salsas.

She started me off with an easy green sauce, then came over and taught me a delish red salsa as well. After posting pics on Instagram I received a ton of comments for the recipes, so here you go!

RED SALSA

Ingredients

10 Tomatillos

3 Dried Pasilla Peppers (California Peppers will work as well)

5 Dried Chiles de Arbol

7 Dried Piquin Peppers (she adds these for extra spice and gets them from Mexico, you can easily leave them out)

1 Clove Garlic

1/3 Bunch of Cilantro

Salt

Directions

Boil Tomatillos in Water for about 10-12 minutes.

Remove seeds from Pasilla Peppers and place in a separate pot to boil with Adobo Chiles (if making both green and red sauces, you can place the habaneros in this pot to boil as well) for 12-15 minutes.

Once the tomatillos have boiled, cut out the core of the tomatillos and place the rest into your blender.

Cut off the tops of the adobo chiles and place in blender with pasilla peppers.

Add remaining ingredients to the blender and blend until everything has thoroughly mixed.

GREEN SALSA

Ingredients

10 Tomatillos

3-5 Habanero Peppers

1 Clove Garlic

1/3 Bunch Cilantro

Salt

Directions

Boil Tomatillos in Water for about 10-12 minutes.
Boil habaneros in a separate pot for 12-15 minutes (if making the red salsa at the same time, just boil with the pasillas and adobos).
Once the tomatillos have boiled, cut out the core of the tomatillos and place the rest into your blender.
Cut off the tops of the habaneros and place in blender.
Add remaining ingredients to the blender and blend until everything has thoroughly mixed.

Your best bet is to visit a Hispanic store for the ingredients. Prices are cheaper and they will definitely have everything you need on hand. If you don't have one near, the Hispanic aisle at your local store should usually have these ingredients on hand as well. I also found this great site online that shows you what the peppers look like dried!

I seriously make these about once a week and we put them on just about every meal. They are delicious with chips, on top of meat, in your rice - basically on everything!

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

2013-05-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

I appreciate HUT's teachers more than they probably know. However, whoever decided to make teacher appreciation week only a few weeks before the end of the school year?

Not your brightest idea.

How about spreading out the wealth during the year sometime? (Although so far we've gifted HUT's teachers on every holiday as well. Is this the norm?) I want to show my appreciation for the teachers, but I also want to send them off with a nice farewell. My wallet would prefer these be more than three weeks apart. Just sayin'.

I forgot to take a final picture of their teacher appreciation gifts, but here's what I gave them:

Since HUT is a T/Th student, on Tuesday I sent a thank you card designed by yours truly with a heartfelt letter written as a family to show our appreciation.

On Thursday, I gifted his teachers each a Godiva chocolate bar and 10 thank you cards. Five of the cards were teacher-like in nature. The other five were more personal so they could use them at anytime for anything they might like. I also gave stationery only to one of the front office staff and HUT's music teacher.

{ All stationery designed by me*!}

Since I'm a member of the Advisory Board at HUT's school, I helped design all of the paper goods that went into creating this awesome luncheon to show our appreciation for the entire staff at his school:

{ The design is mine*, but the poem was provided by a parent.}

To save myself from the end of the year rush, I decided to take care of their end of year gifts already. I wanted to do a summer theme so this is what I came up with:

Inside each drink dispenser is a towel, sunscreen, aloe vera and a $20 gift card to Target. Because, well, who doesn't love Target?

I've yet to design their cards to say goodbye, but I fully intend to do so, and add a cute tulle bow to the top of each decanter.

What are some of your favorite teacher gifts?

* I'm happy to design any and all of these as a custom listing in my shop as well. Shameless plug, but just wanted to throw it out there! Just leave a comment below or shoot me an email.

Perez Photography #BeatsforBeckham Family Photo Shoot

2013-05-15T10:06:00.000-05:00

Well. Hello there.

I've been noticeably absent and, well, that's just life. Crazy, busy life.

But a couple of weekends ago we were fortunate to meet up with our favorite wedding photographers, Perez Photography, and have a little mini session benefitting Beats for Beckham. Beckham was born with HLHS and is currently at Children's Medical Center in Dallas (a hospital that holds a very special place in my own heart). I have been following Beckham's story for quite a while now, thanks to links that I've seen on Facebook from several people, including HUT's newborn photographer, Magaly at The Modern Image.

Maybe it's because Beckham is close to Ellie's age; maybe it's because he's part Hispanic like my own kids, I'm not sure, but this family has captured a special place in my heart. When Cesar + Tanya posted that they would be doing mini sessions to benefit the family, I jumped at the chance (and used Mother's Day as my excuse for the expense).

I'm so, so happy with my Mother's Day gift. And, as part of hers, we asked my mom to come along and get in some of the pictures.

The First Quarter

2013-04-23T15:15:00.001-05:00

They grow so fast!

In the first quarter, we've gone from helpless newborn to a baby that is almost sleeping through the night. Her hand is her favorite chew toy and she likes to giggle when we take off her clothes. Nothing makes her smile bigger than a diaper change and she's starting to think her brother is pretty interesting. Not so sure he thinks the same of her just yet. :)

I can't wait to see the awesome changes that will come in the next quarter!

Tired of Apologizing

2013-04-22T14:33:00.001-05:00

It took a weekend road trip for me to realize that I do my son a great injustice on a nearly daily basis. I feel guilty when he isn't a quiet, obedient child. I apologize for him if he is anything less than what I feel other people expect.

But, you see, he's two. And two can mean many things to many people. For us? It means that we don't know how to share yet. That we aren't quite using the potty. That communication, while much better than it used to be, is still a struggle at times.

It means that my child might tell yours no. Or take their toy. He might shove them now and again, or accidentally run right over them if they are in his path. He will play in circles with them and around them. He will share his potty mouth ("baby poop. baby toot. mommy toot.").

He won't know how to tell you that he's hungry or tired, but you'll see the signs. Stir crazy. Never satisfied. Overstimulated. His shirt is his preferred napkin, and if there a mess to be made, he will, ultimately, be right in the middle of it.

If you are lucky enough to get a child like mine, and I'm being serious here, then you'll also get one that fights his sleep and is an everlasting Energizer Bunny. He will test your patience and challenge you daily.

But he will also sit and watch a movie or show with you. He will dance with you in the car. He will point out to you every train, airplane and tow truck in existence. Each time with the same excitement as he had the very first time he saw one. He will sing you a song and speak in a British accent just like his teacher. He will come up and give you, or your child, a random hug or kiss - just because.

So, the next time I catch myself apologizing for his behavior - I'm going to think twice. Because he's two. Many people already know the chaos that this entails. And, for others, I only hope that you get to experience it yourself. Because even though he's a spitfire of a boy who wants to get down and run around (who can blame him - it's a huge world to explore), nothing can compare to those quiet moments at bedtime, when you are lying down together and you hear a, "goodnight mommy." Followed with a gentle kiss on your forehead.

You all just have to remember, he's only two.

I Washing Hands

2013-04-16T06:30:00.000-05:00

Two is a tough age. Everyday is a battle of emotions and wills, but, at the same time, it can be so much fun. It's amazing to see this child that you've brought into this world actually talk - not just words, but full on sentences. Maybe it is just me, but my mind is blown on a daily basis by the stuff that comes out of this kid's mouth.

When we had our garage sale a couple of weeks ago, HUT was a good sport and stayed outside with us the entire time. He got bored now and again, so we brought out some bubbles. Which he promptly spilled all over the driveway. This is what happened next - thankfully my brother captured it on his phone...

"I washing hands." Um, duh, Uncle J.

Double Stroller Review - UPPABaby Vista vs. Bumbleride Indie Twin

2013-04-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

We all know that I have a love for the UPPAbaby Vista. It's been our go-to stroller for quite a while now. I've also talked about our Bumbleride Indie Twin purchase that we made not long after I got pregnant with Ellie (Impatient much? I know. I know.).

Now that we are 3 months into the having two kids gig, I thought I'd write a little on my feelings on both strollers. At first, I loathed the Bumbleride and fell more in love with the UPPA. However, as time passes, I'm learning to love them both for very different reasons.

The Bumbleride Indie Twin is actually growing on me with each use, but it's a beast of a stroller to get in and out of the car. That's my main concern. It is insanely heavy and I never feel like it folds properly. Never. And every single time I forget how to close the damn thing, which leaves me hanging out by my car in the parking lot, YouTubing instructions. But that, I know, is user error and I'll remember in time and with more practice.

I love our UPPA, and I was SUPER pumped to receive the Rumble Seat as a gift after Ellie was born. However, once all was said and attached, I realized that HUT could only sit up super straight and his poor little head is practically in her carseat.

{ While it isn't always the greatest for hauling HUT around, the Rumble Seat does provide even MORE space for storage in the UPPA. }

I do think that this will get better as we use the regular seat instead of the carseat with the stroller, but it is still a bit awkward. It is much easier to maneuver around tight spaces and I fully intend to purchase the PiggyBack Ride Along Board when HUT gets a bit older. For now, I find the UPPA stroller handier for quick errands - both as a double stroller and as a snap and go. The storage compartment cannot be beat, even as a duo, compared to any other stroller that I have used.

We officially sold our old Snap N Go in our last garage sale because the UPPA just can't be beat in that department. Hooray for one less stroller in our garage!

All of that being said, the Indie is great for longer days when naps will be taken and stroller use will be for more than an hour with both of the kiddos in tow. It is also more practical for jogging/walking and exercise. If you use the cupholder, you have to remove just about every time to get through a tight space or doorway (learned this one the hard way and spilled my iced tea ALL over the floor at a store).

The big test, for us, will be travel. This summer we plan to go to California and make a trip to Disney, so I want to take the Bumbleride with us. There is no way that HUT will nap in the UPPA and if we want to make it a full day, we have to have napping space for both kiddos.

Since it is so large, we won't be able to take it into the airport with us, so I'm going to have to figure out how to coordinate carry ons along with our two biggest carry ons (I'm even thinking of bringing along the G-Luxe for Haiden and using the Beco for Ellie). I did email Bumbleride to ask about a bag for the twin, since they do not offer one. The recommended the Sasha's Kiddie Products bags for their stroller.

I have no other double strollers to compare to so, ultimately, I really enjoy having both strollers. The best of both insanely expensive stroller worlds.

Mommy Makeup

2013-04-12T07:44:00.000-05:00

One of the things that got put on the back burner once we had a baby was spending frivolously on beauty items. Although I have never really frequented the makeup counters and Sephora quite like some women (I can seriously make a $300 trip to the makeup counter last a good 2-3 years), I was always a bit of a snob when it came to the brands that I used.

So last summer I was determined, after seeing many a "buy this, not that" pins on Pinterest regarding makeup, to find lesser priced alternatives in the makeup department.

So here it goes...

1) Foundation - COVERGIRL and Olay Tonerehab 2-In-1 Foundation

You can read more about my experience with this product here. I actually received it for free as part of a BZZ Agent trial, but I totally fell in love with it. I've purchased it a couple of times since the trial and I have friends now using it too. Great coverage without feeling like there is a ton of makeup on my face. It's moisturizing as well.

2) Eye Shadows & Powder Foundation - NYX Eyeshadows & Powder Foundation

How did it take me so long to find NYX? To me, it's like an inexpensive version of MAC. It stays on really well, blends well and you can find some great shades. It's always on some sort of a deal at Ulta as well, which is a bonus for me.

3) Blush - Elf Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder

I bought this (in the St. Lucia color) based on some claims that it's similar to the NARS Orgasm blush. I've never used the NARS blush, but I like the color on this and you really can't beat the price.

4) Mascara - Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

This one was a no brainer since I've been using it since I was in high school. I read once that all of the makeup artists used it and so I had to have it. But I do love it and why mess with a good thing?

5) Lips - ELF Hypershine Gloss

Well, I'm horrible at applying lipstick, so I'm not your best bet in this department. I always forget and, when I do apply color, it's almost always a lip pencil and gloss. For everyday use, it's usually just my trusty old Kiehl's LipBalm or Rosebud Salve. But I did put on this extra glossy Elf gloss the other day and, while looking pretty natural, it does give a bit of color to my lips. And you really can't beat $1.

A few things about the products above...

Some of the I have linked to Amazon, but you can find them cheaper at Target or Ulta in the store. Ulta has a promotion running right now for 40% off their NYX products, which is a great deal.

And, finally, one thing I would recommend splurging on:

Urban Decay Naked Palette

A friend of mine gave this to me for my birthday, so I didn't take the personal hit to my wallet, but I can assure you that I will be replacing this palette when it's finally gone (which, at the rate I wear makeup these days will be sometime in 2015). The colors all work well together, stay on your eyelids well with or without the primer that is included, and it's just fund to mix and match based on your mood.

Stuck in a Rut

2013-04-10T08:42:00.001-05:00

I feel a bit like I'm stuck in a rut. I started Shred April, but have failed miserably. I have a plethora of excuses but, when it all comes down to it, I feel like I'm so busy with two kids that when I get a moment to myself, the last thing I want to be doing is sweating to Jillian Michaels.

I miss blogging - sure, I still pop up on here every few days, but I don't feel like I'm providing much substance. I miss taking pictures. Editing them. Posting them on here. Sharing fun things we've done and trials we've faced.

Don't get me wrong, seeing my kids each day and getting to share time with them is priceless, but I'm hoping that when Ellie turns 4 months, we will hit a new normal. Going from newborn to 2 months made a world of a difference, but now I'd like to figure out how to incorporate some of the things I love into my daily routine with two kids.

I've got some good posts with substance in my drafts folder. Once I find some time to shoot some pics and edit them, I'll share those. For now, I'm just trying to keep my head above water and figure out a routine.

Apparently I'm big on routines now.

So bear with me as I adjust. Sometimes that means that promises I make won't be kept. But I'm still here and I still want to be a part of this blogging community that has meant so much to me for over five years now.

Pinterest-ipes

2013-04-08T09:25:00.000-05:00

Whole Foods Spicy Chili

The U went to Whole Foods for lunch one day and ate this chili and he would not stop talking about it. As a person who prides herself in making a pretty decent chili, I was skeptical, but decided to give it a try.

It was just as amazing as he said.

I won't be making my other chili for a very. very. long. time. The only thing that I changed in their recipe was that I added two cans of beans to thicken it up a bit.

Honey Butter Rolls

I made these on Easter. It was my first attempt at making rolls and it did not disappoint. In fact, our whole spread this year was quite impressive so I'll probably write a very tardy review of our Easter feast this year.

Chubby Chicken Taquitos

These were super delicious and a HUGE hit with our family. I doubled the recipe and used bigger tortillas, so they were more like mini chimichangas. We thought about baking them to be healthier, but we didn't and I don't think that it would have been quite the same taste had we done it.

**Also, if the links don't work, I'll be fixing it. This new widget builder in Pinterest is not at all my favorite thing and has really thrown my weekly Pinterest-ipe post for a loop. Boo, Pinterest.

The End of an Era

2013-04-04T11:00:00.000-05:00

Today we signed off on selling our first home. Although we haven't lived there in months, it was still bittersweet.

Yesterday, we loaded up the kiddos, grabbed a late lunch and went to the old house for one last meal, to pick up the last of our belongings and to say goodbye to our first home.

{ Ellie's first, last and only visit to the house outside of the womb }

{ I'm sure that the U will thank me for this photo later ;) }

{ HUT's favorite meal in his first ever home }

The first home we built.

Where we were engaged.

Married.

Survived our first year of marriage.

Found out we were having our first baby.

Brought home our first child.

Survived our first year of parenthood.

Then found out we'd be having another (a girl!).

We had highs and lows, ups and downs in this home. We saw new life come, old life go and lots of other milestones in between. I know that I learned a lot while living in this house, and for that I will always be sentimental.

The next chapter has officially begun in our lives, but good old Collins Lane will hold a special place in my heart because it will always be where everything began for our little family.

{ one last snapshot as we pulled away }

DIY Baby Bow Barrettes

2013-04-01T06:47:00.000-05:00

I shared on here how I went about making the felt bows for Ellie, but I didn't really provide my own tutorial. However, I've moved on to the next thing and right now I'm obsessed with making small ribbon bows for her hair. I don't think I will ever get on board with the "bows as big as your head" look - I think it can be really adorable, but it's just not my style. These little bows are my perfect solution!

So here is a step-by-step tutorial of how I make my bows. Funny enough, it's the same process, more or less, to make the felt bows as well.

What you'll need...

Fabri-Tac adhesive, super glue (I prefer this squeeze bottle gel - it's easy to use and doesn't get all over the place), barrettes (I use small ones, but you can use larger if you prefer and alligator clips work as well), scissors, some sort of ruler and ribbon! My ribbon is from Hobby Lobby - I wait for the 50% off sale to purchase.

First you will cut your ribbon - I typically cut one piece 6" long and the other about 4.5" because that's how I prefer for my loops to look like. You can play around with these measurements to change the appearance of your bows.

Next, I take Fabri-Tac and glue right at the center of my longer piece. I fold each side to make loops.

I do the same thing with the smaller piece of ribbon. Once both piece are looped, I place the smaller one on top of the larger one. You can glue it down or leave it to be secured by the middle piece.

I take the barrette and put super glue all around to attach to an additional piece of ribbon. You could just attach directly to the bow, but I like to add this additional step.

Make sure that you glue it to the side of the ribbon with the design (if the ribbon isn't a solid) - because this will show when you attach it to the actual bow.

Back to the bow. I simply make a loop around the center and glue with the Fabri-Tac to the back. I tend to make mine pretty tight, but you could make it looser if you prefer. There's no exact science to these bows!

Finally, I take the Fabri-Tac and attach the barrette that you've already glued to ribbon onto the actual bow. I think that it helps to use these clips to make sure that everything adheres as it should.

Here's what the backside should look like when all is said and done.

The finished product!

Like I said, you can play around with ribbon widths and lengths. This ribbon above is about as wide as I'll go. Anything wider I think looks a bit odd, but that's just my own quirk. It's a lot of gluing, but once you get the hang of it you can whip these bad boys out pretty fast. And if you hit sale time at Hobby Lobby, they are pretty inexpensive as well. Better than the $12 bows that look exactly the same at CrewCuts.

Just sayin'.

Hoppy Easter!

2013-03-31T07:23:00.000-05:00

From our This Casita to yours!

Pinterest-ipes

2013-03-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

I'm getting to the point where I can't remember if I've pinned and posted a recipe, so please pardon any repetition!

Paul Deen's Chicken Spaghetti

Source: pauladeen.com viaStephanie on Pinterest

This recipe is large enough to bake one and freeze one, which we've really started to do a lot of around here. I had some zucchini lying around, so I chopped it up and added it raw into the mixture to cook as well. Also, I hate canned mushrooms, so I went ahead and sauteed my own with the celery and onion. If I wasn't super lazy, I would have found an alternative for the canned soups, but I didn't this time around. Always a super delish meal and definitely one to consider making if you're sending food to someone!

Slow Cooker Chicken Philly Sandwiches

Source: foodfamilyfinds.com viaStephanie on Pinterest

These sandwiches were delicious! My crockpot cooks super fast (am I the only one with this problem?) so I turned it off after about 5 hours. When we were ready to eat, I heated the buns a bit in the oven, took them back out, put the chicken mixture on each one, put cheese on top and then broiled. Such a simple meal and really, really tasty.

Stock the Bar Labels

2013-03-28T06:45:00.000-05:00

Remember when I made this cute gift for a stock the bar party?

Well, I decided on a whim to come up with a couple of labels and add them to my Etsy shop.

Didn't know I had an Etsy shop? I'm sure I've mentioned it on here before, but I do sell some of my designs. I don't like to use this blog to constantly plug my side gig, but I do think the labels, and gift idea, are super cute, so I thought I'd just share the info!

Shredding the Pounds

2013-03-27T06:30:00.000-05:00

I've had some major issues with my post baby body this time around. I guess deep down I had hoped that a more successful go at breastfeeding might help with an accelerated weight loss but, alas, I will never be that girl.

Last week I finally caved and splurged on some too large to admit my size jeans and shirts at the Gap to help me through this "transitional" body phase. And considering the fact that I was overweight with this last pregnancy to begin with, I have quite the journey ahead of me.

I've already started counting calories thanks to the My Fitness Pal app and that's helped me to shed about five pounds over a couple of weeks. I don't want to make this a fad diet - I want to eat healthier, but still splurge when I really want something.

I had started daily walks with the kiddos until mother nature decided that it wasn't quite time for spring and it got cold again outside.

So, onto the point of this post...

You'll rarely find me on Twitter anymore because I just can't keep up with the limited amount of phone time that I have these days. I'd much prefer to "like" pics on Instagram anywho. Early in the morning a few days ago I came across a tweet to participate in a challenge:

Complete Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred in April.
I attempted Jillian Michaels once before. She defeated me in just three days. Considering I'm having some major post-baby body issues, I decided to hold myself accountable and join in on the fun. Knowing that there are others out there finding only 20 minutes in their day to accomplish the same goal is somewhat motivating to me.

Here's to hoping that this time around I can push myself a little harder than before. Thinking of what results I could possibly have day one vs. day 30 has me pretty excited.

**If you want to follow along or join in on the journey, find me on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #shredapril **

My Favorite Dollar Tree Buys

2013-03-26T06:35:00.000-05:00

There's no denying the fact that I love a good deal. Sure, I'll spend a small fortune on a handbag, pair of shoes, or stroller, but on any given day you can also find me loading up my cart at the local Dollar Tree.

I've heard that there are things worth buying and things you shouldn't touch with a ten foot pole at these dollar stores. I have no clue which things are really not worth it, but I do have a few things that I think are worth your time. Here are my top five:

1) Hangers for Kids and Adults

As I'm filling up two kid closets and reorganizing my own, I now know that you can spend quite a bit of money on hangers. When HUT needed some new plastic ones, I decided to try my luck at the dollar store before I bought them elsewhere. I was pleasantly surprised to find the white plastic hangers at six for $1. Sold.

I recently switched all of the hangers in my closet to save space and also find that these two for a dollar swivel head hangers are a pretty great deal.

2) Activities for Kiddos

When HUT has an epic meltdown and not even a good movie on the tv will cure his woes, we've realized that painting seems to get him pretty excited. I found these paint kits, which include two cardboard masterpieces to paint, a brush and the actual paint, to be super handy. We just put a garbage bag down on the table or go outside to paint!

The dollar store is also full of so many other items that you can use with your kids - coloring books, crayons, pool toys, outdoor toys, etc. It's a great place to stock up on what I like to call "relief items" - the stuff that comes in handy when you really need a new distraction for your toddler.

3) Office Supplies

Tape, folders, packing supplies, pens, markers, glue, etc. You can really find some great deals on office supplies without breaking your bank.

4) Holiday Decor

Every month it seems like the Dollar Tree has their seasonal section stocked with fun items for whatever holiday is around. This month we stocked up on Easter eggs and bought a cheap basket for HUT to use at his school egg hunt. I also found two of the wreaths that I needed to make my Easter Bunny wreath there this year as well.

5) Organization Supplies

I already mentioned the hangers, but I also used these great storage boxes to organize our linen closet at our old house. I also have a ton of their $1 shoe boxes that I use for not only shoes, but toy storage, craft storage, etc.

So there's a brief version of what I think is worth your time at the dollar store. I'm partial to the Dollar Tree because we have one in our town and, unlike some dollar stores, everything in here is literally only $1. They didn't sponsor this post, I just wanted to show some love for their store.

I might have to share one of these posts again seeing as when I wrote this, a bunch of other stuff popped up in my head. Anyone else a dollar store fan? What's your favorite find?

Houston: We Have a Co-Sleeping Problem

2013-03-25T06:06:00.000-05:00

It seems like it happened overnight, yet it's been an 8-week process. Little by little, HUT made his way into our bed each night. At first, we would have to go calm his crying and, with a newborn, we had no fight in us, so into our bed he came. All was quiet. Sleep was golden.

Then, HUT learned to open doors.

He would only visit in the wee hours of the morning, busting through our door, whimpering with blankies in hand.

Then quickly he came in earlier and earlier in the evening.

{ HUT in one of his bed hogging positions }

Last night he just went to bed with us.

So I guess we are currently co-sleepers.

Ellie only wakes up one time per night, most of the time, so the lack of sleep thing is no longer a good excuse. Sure, I enjoy the warm snuggles with my boy, but I'm not exactly loving the rib jabs, accidental slaps in the face and random crying bouts in the middle of the night.

So, for us, the co-sleeping is set to end as quickly as it began. I'm determined to be the stern parent on this front. I've become tough at naptime (I can share more on this battle in another post), and so I volunteered myself to take a stab at retraining HUT to sleep in his room.

Wish me us luck!

Pinterest-ipes

2013-03-22T06:18:00.000-05:00

This weeks Pinterest-ipes are brought to you via Iowa Girl Eats. I love the recipes on her site. I have a ton of baby weight to lose (which, having the stick thin dentist with a boob job telling me that she is terrible for only going to the gym twice last weekend when she had a baby THREE DAYS before you did... yeah, not so great for the self esteem, but a bit motivating to get my ass moving - that was my wonderful morning yesterday).

Anywho, we are big fans fo Chinese food over here, but I hate the grease that seems to come with it. I found this post on Pinterest for some delicious stir fry and knew that I had to try it...

Source: iowagirleats.com viaStephanie on Pinterest

But I can't just have stir fry alone, so I looked on her site and she had a super easy egg roll recipe as well!

Source: iowagirleats.com viaStephanie on Pinterest

Mom and I divided and conquered. That's one of the perks to our living situation!

I took the stir fry, she took the egg rolls. Only I accidentally told her to get wonton wrappers instead of egg roll wrappers, so that would be where we veered differently on that recipe.

For my stirfry I used fresh veggies on hand, so we had carrots, red bell pepper, onion and snow peas along with our chicken. I did use brown rice, which I'm usually not a huge fan of, and it was delicious. I cooked the rice in chicken broth with a splash of soy to add some flavor to the dish.

I don't think we'll ever order take out again!

Add Your Own Ingredients Banana Cookies

2013-03-21T06:30:00.000-05:00

Ok, these are my new fav cookies to make in a pinch. They are delicious and healthy - great for a snack and/or breakfast. It all started when I found this on Pinterest...

Source: whatsnewtablet.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

I was completely skeptical. Only three ingredients? But they were so delicious and I didn't feel as guilty as I would have a real chocolate chip cookie.

Then my mom put it in my head to try these with other ingredients. So yesterday I made two batches. One we call Craisin Pecan Banana Cookies and the other Apricot Almond Banana Cookies.

Basically you follow the 2 banana, 1 cup of oats part of the recipe and then add in the fruit and nuts as much as you like.

Place on a greased cookie sheet (or on a silpad), cook on 350 for 15-20 minutes and, voila, your yummy banana cookies.

If you try, let me know what combos you come up with!

DIY Easter Bunny Wreath

2013-03-20T05:35:00.001-05:00

I'm beginning to wonder if any of my non-baby related posts would have even come to fruition if it weren't for Pinterest.

Probably not.

Anywho, I realized the other day that we had no Easter wreath for our door (I swear that a lot of my holiday decor somehow disappeared in our move). I did a quick search on Pinterest and found these that I liked, but they were only on sale on Etsy...

Source: etsy.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

So I did a little research and found this tutorial, which I followed almost to a T.

Here were my materials - all were from Hobby Lobby, unless otherwise noted:

1 Large Wreath
1 Medium Wreath
2 Small Wreaths (Dollar Tree)
3 Stems, White Rose Buds
2 Stems, Pink Rose Buds
Floral Wire
Floral Ribbon

My small wreaths for the ears actually broke when I bent them, so I just used additional floral wire to salvage them. Then I attached them to the medium wreath. And the medium to the large. You just take the floral wire and wrap around the two wreaths to attach them (you can see the green wire below if you look closely).

I didn't use any hot glue because I was too lazy to bring it out, so I cut off the individual stems from the large bunch that I bought and stuffed them into the wreath until I was satisfied with how they looked. I'm also not a bow maker at all, so I just wired a bunch of loops together and somehow came up with something that looked like a bow. I used the white rosebuds for the body and pink for the ears.

I think it turned out pretty decent for about $20 and 45 minutes of my time. It's pretty large, but we have a huge front door so it works perfectly. You could easily downsize it using smaller wreaths. I hope to go back to Hobby Lobby and grab some larger flower stems to add to each wreath, but that can always be done whenever.

Second Baby Six Weeks Survival Guide

2013-03-18T06:30:00.000-05:00

Six weeks in and we've got a few things that we are preferring over here. Well, really eight weeks because I started this post two weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to finishing and posting it.

The second time around with a newborn isn't quite as much of an eyeopener, but I can tell you this much... just because they are related does not necessarily mean they will be the same babies. My two are completely different in the first six weeks department.

For a look at what we preferred at six weeks with HUT (all of those items are still on my list, these are just additions), you can click here.

MAM Mini Air Pacifiers - HUT was not a pacifier baby. Ellie is definitely a paci baby. We have tried many kinds - the Natursutten, Tommee Tippee and Philips AVENT Soothie, but this is the one that she has decided that she likes best. They aren't currently available on Amazon, but we purchased ours in store at Target. I'm hoping to find all clear ones, but I've yet to do so.

Aden + Anais Burpy Bib - HUT spit up only a handful of times when he was a baby. Ellie spits up a handful of times after almost every feeding. I have a ton of awesome burp cloths that have been gifted to me, as well as some that my mom and I have made (more on those to come later), but these are by far my favorite. They double as bibs in the future and the curve of them fits perfect around your neck to provide front and back coverage (which sometimes you really do need)!

Relax Melodies Premium App - It's my favorite sound machine app for the iPhone. There are a bazillion options for sounds and I upgraded to the Premium for the ability to keep the sound going while I peruse other apps on my phone.

Baby Connect App - I used this for timing everything in the beginning. Diapers, feedings, sleep, etc. It was worth the money and I'll use it again should we have another baby. I highly recommend it.

Summer Infant SwaddleMe Blankets - With HUT all I used were our trusty A + A Swaddling Blankets, but this kiddo needed something a bit more hardcore. I was too cheap to pull the trigger on the oh so popular Woombie, so I opted to try these instead. $20 for two of them and we've slept soundly ever since.

4Moms Mamaroo Classic - We have this in our living room/kitchen area and it's been great. HUT will try to mess with Ellie in there now and again, but for the most part it's been a non-issue (knocking on wood). We love the different options for swinging and sounds - but, best of all, we can plug in the iPod or iPhone to it as well.

Bright Starts Sunnyside Safari Bouncer - We thought the Mamaroo would be enough, but since it stays in one place and I got rid of my little lamb bouncer after HUT had outgrown it, I ended up making a quick trip to Wally World to grab the cheapest bouncer they had. This one does the trick and allows me showers, time on the computer, etc.

UPPAbaby Rumble Seat and UPPAbaby Vista Graco Car Seat Adapter - We also splurged on the Bumbleride Indie Twin stroller, but I'm not a big fan of it just yet. I'm saving an entire post on the strollers for later, but we love the UPPAbaby Vista and all of the attachments. It has made going out in public with both kiddos alone very feasible for me.

And, because moms have to survive too, here are a few things that I've found incredible helpful...

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Naked - This polish lasted nearly two months on my ugly toes and, as gross as this is, wasn't noticeable when it grew out. Thus avoiding the ultimate ugly IjusthadakidandI'llnevergettohaveapedicureagain toes. I'm pretty sure it's now my go-to nail polish for good.

Gilligan O'Malley Nursing Tanks - You can get them at Target. They are my favorite - I have two from HUT and bought some new ones with Ellie. I love to wear them under nicer shirts, under cardigans, etc. Easy access and they are pretty discreet. I'm pretty loyal to the entire Gilligan O'Malley line at Target, though. I love their pajamas like none other.

Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump - I have the electric Medela Pump in Style from HUT, which I used a few times with Ellie, but I was getting tired of hauling it around, cleaning the parts, plugging it in, etc., so I bought this to keep by my bedside. With HUT I worked for six months after I had him, so the electric pump was a necessity. Now that I'm home, I pump much less often and I think that I am able to get a better amount of milk in a more efficient time with this, so it's my current fav. Plus I'll be able to travel with it a bit easier in the future.

Pinterest-ipes

2013-03-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

And I'm back to cooking! Well, I have been for a while now, but now I'm back to trying new things in the kitchen...

Crockpot Lasagna Soup

Source: familyfreshmeals.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Super delicious. Followed the recipe. Did not disappoint.

Crockin' Girls Cabbage Tamales

Source: crockingirls.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Bland. Bland. Bland. Season your meat, kids. Otherwise, this would have been delicious. We will probably shred some veggies into the meat next time as well to give it more nutrition for HUT.

Pioneer Woman's Bean and Beef Burritos

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Why had I not known of these before? I will never be the same again. They are that delicious. I highly recommend getting the Mexican brand of the tomato sauce for this recipe. Also, I added a can of diced green chiles into my beans. I also assembled these at once and placed in a baking dish, then I covered with foil and left in the oven on 250 until we were all ready to eat. It made so much that we froze some as well.

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Also, I'm going to keep shamelessly plugging my kiddos. Please go vote for their pic!

Shameless Post for a Contest Win

2013-03-10T14:49:00.002-05:00

I finally did it... I became one of those parents who entered a picture into a contest to win something.

So, if you feel so inclined, and would like to help me win (at this point it's less about the fruits of the labor and more about the ego boost that would come along with seeing my kiddos win, let's be honest), please click on the link and visit Snuggle Bugs Bowtique on Facebook!

And, if not, I'd still check out their Etsy site - we loved our headbands for our newborn session and will probably buy more in the future, regardless of the contest.

{And I know that I owe a lot of update posts, but life with two is crazy. I'll try to get to them at some point, but no more promises. As I type this I'm bouncing one in a bouncer at my feet in between visits to get the crying toddler back into his room for naptime - oh yeah and I've yet to shower or brush my teeth. Glamorous.}

This Casita

Mama's Mexican Salsas

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Perez Photography #BeatsforBeckham Family Photo Shoot

Sponsored Post - Graco FastAction™ Fold Jogger Click Connect™ D/FW Event!

The First Quarter

Tired of Apologizing

I Washing Hands

Double Stroller Review - UPPABaby Vista vs. Bumbleride Indie Twin

Mommy Makeup

Stuck in a Rut

Pinterest-ipes

The End of an Era

DIY Baby Bow Barrettes

Hoppy Easter!

Pinterest-ipes

Stock the Bar Labels

Shredding the Pounds

My Favorite Dollar Tree Buys

Houston: We Have a Co-Sleeping Problem

Pinterest-ipes

Add Your Own Ingredients Banana Cookies

DIY Easter Bunny Wreath

Second Baby Six Weeks Survival Guide

Pinterest-ipes

Shameless Post for a Contest Win