Midweek Confessions

-I tend to lose my mind and go crazy over small insignificant problems.  If we have some really serious problem, such as emergency surgery or loss of job, I'm cool as a cucumber.  But if Brent loses his wallet or the Internet is malfunctioning, I will go crazy.  I HATE this about myself.  Last week our air conditioner was acting up and wouldn't kick on.  Well, it been getting into the mid 70's around here and I can't sleep in the heat.  I was so mad about the whole situation.  Poor Brent really took the brunt of my seriously crazy bad mood.  Thank goodness he loves me and just puts up with these moments when I lose my mind for a little bit.     

-I really like kid snacks like fruit roll ups, gushers, gold fish, animal crackers.  Thank goodness I have kids now so when I buy these things for myself it doesn't seem weird. 

-Jackson (7months) has already tried quite a few bits of grown up foods.  I know some moms are really strict about not introducing table food until a certain age, which I totally respect.  I have given Jackson tiny mushed up bits of Ritz crackers, a tiny piece of the white middle part of an Oreo (which he loved),  he has licked a sucker, and had some tiny mushed up pieces of a brownie.  I think I worried more about following all the baby rules with my first two babies, thinking I might break them or something, but with Jackson I am much more relaxed.  Of course he is very supervised while trying these things and we do not do any peanut products(in case of allergies) or honey(I can't remember why, but I remember people saying not to give babies honey before a certain age).

-I bought girl scout cookies, even though I am trying to lose way.  Samoas are my fav.

American Idol Top 13

Did I call it or what?  If you read my previous American Idol post, you would know that all of my top 5 picks made it into the final 13.  Yay!!!

Of course, i am most excited about our hometown American Idol, Josh Ledet!!! 

He was amazing this week.  He didn't even seem nervous or out of his element.  Josh's hometown is very proud and can't wait to see how far he goes. (all the way)

Heejun, the comedian, made it through as well.  He is my next favorite after Josh.  He can definitely entertain.  I loved the fact that he put so much thought into his song, Angels Among Us.  He is funny, but I believe he is taking this competition very seriously.

Easy on the eyes-Philip Phillips also made it through.  I really love the way he sings.  I don't just like him because of his looks. 

Tall Shannon made it through.  I really like her, but I don't know how far she will go.  She is very young. 

Jessica was sick, but still rocked her performance.  She is probably one of  the most talented in the whole group.

I am adding Hollie to my favorites.  I didn't really even remember her, but I thought she did great last night and could really go far in this competition.

I predict these to be in the final 6.  We shall see and of course I will post updates. 

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR JOSHUA LEDET AFTER THE SHOW ON WEDNESDAY!

All the itty bitty toys!

Jackson is all over the place. He is scooting along really fast and almost crawling.  He will get up on all fours and rock back and forth or move his knees, but can't quite coordinate everything just right yet.  A week or so ago he figured out he doesn't have to stay in the same room as everybody else.  I will be watching TV or on my laptop and all of a sudden I look up and he's gone. 

(Hey Mom, just checkin on the trash can!)

Now my problem is all the itty bitty toys that my two older kids have strewn across the house.  I didn't have this issue with Abigail being the first, or Austin, because Abigail was barely two years old and didn't have itty bitty toys yet.  I am a nervous wreck that he will swallow something or get something stuck in his throat.  My eyes are always scanning the floors for little things, but I can't be everywhere all the time.  Abigail is getting better about remembering to pick up little things, but she is still only 6 years old.  Kids minds just don't remember things like that.   

(look at that innocent face)

I'm not quite sure what to do about this.  Maybe there isn't anything I can do.  I could put a baby gate up, but those are so annoying.  This post is probably the first of many where I can't figure out how to keep Jackson out of household danger.  He is so curious and excited to get into everything.  I don't remember my other two being this way so EARLY (6.5 months old).  I think I will start planning some baby proofing this weekend. 

Cutest little thing ever!!!

Wii remotes and farmer girls

Believe it or not one of Jackson's favorite teethers is a Wii remote.  We have the rubber covers over the top and he will gnaw and chew on those things like there's no tomorrow.  We (mostly Austin and Brent) love playing our Wii, but I am glad to know we are getting our money's worth out of your forty dollar Wii remotes.  Talk about multi-purpose. 

I was fixing Abigail's hair yesterday and she asked me to do two braids.  Here is the conversation that followed.

Me: Do you want two big braids with all your hair?

Abigail: Yeah two big ones. Not two little ones in the front cause that reminds me of a two year old.

Me: But two big braids doesn't remind you of a two year old?

Abigail: (with a thick country girl accent) No two big braids reminds me of a farmer girl, helping her Uncle Billy milk the cows and take care of the chickens.   

Me: laughing

She really put a lot of thought into her hair that day. 

farmer girl with a snaggletooth

Here are some funny pictures of Abigail and Jackson.  We are working on getting him to sit alone, but he's such a busybody. He won't sit still long enough to get very good at it.

I couldn't get him to smile for anything.

 He looks scared to death in this picture.

 

Bath Time Failure!

I thought I had this really great idea.  I thought wrong.  Let me go back in time a little and explain what led up to this big idea. 

Jackson has always loved taking a bath.  He never screamed or cried during bath time, even as a newborn.  Around six weeks I got tired of using the little baby bathtub.  Jackson liked to move around and he kept sliding down or sliding to the side and bumping his head.  So I started bathing him in the big tub with a tiny bit of water and a towel under him.  He absolutely loved it.  He kicked his feet and splashed and smiled.  It was fun times back then.

(Jackson chillin in his little tub at 1 month old)

Well then around 3 months he started rolling over.  At first he didn’t roll over in the tub, but it didn’t take long for him to figure out he could.  For the past couple of months it’s been like wrestling an alligator to bath him.  He flips over and wiggles around and I was getting soaked.  He was pretty good at keeping his face out of the water, although he would forget sometimes and get a nose full. 

 (Jackson at 4 months in the big tub splashin away)

So my first big idea was to buy one of those bathtub seats.  You know where they sit in like a little ring that attaches to the side of the tub.  That would have worked except that two Wal-Marts and one Target later, I couldn’t fine one.

So last night while my kids were at Church for Awanas, I got my big idea.  I’m starting to sound like Pinky Dinky Doo.  It’s a kid’s show.  Anyways, I thought aha, why not bath him in the kitchen sink.  He’ll be able to sit up better in the sink since it’s smaller, and that way I can wash him easier. 

So I washed out the sink, filled it up about half way.  I got all the bathing supplies –washcloth, soap, and towel.  I was so proud of myself.  I thought I had solved this whole bathing issue. 

I was wrong.

It did not work out as planned.  He wouldn’t sit up straight.  He kept trying to lean back and lay down.  It was just awkward.  When he chews on his toys, he has a tendency to throw his head back and that is exactly what he was doing.  I had to hold on to him the whole time to keep him from knocking himself out on the side of the sink.   He still enjoyed himself, but I didn’t

(Please excuse the dark pictures.  Our kitchen light stopped working.)

I guess I will continue my search for the elusive bathtub seat. 

Pinterest Challenge:Yummy!!

I found this pin for Baked Crispy Cheddar Chicken.  It looked so yummy and easy.  I had to give it a try as part of my weekly pinterest challenge. I am not a great cook, so easy and delicious are absolutely necessary in order for me to cook anything!!

Crispy Cheddar Chicken

Time: 15 minute prep + 35 minutes baking

Yield: 7 servings

Recipe adapted from What's Cookin' Chicago via Pinterest

Chicken:

4 large chicken breasts

2 sleeves Ritz crackers

1/4 t salt

1/8 t pepper

1/2 C milk

3 C cheddar cheese, grated

1 t dried parsley

Sauce:

1   10 ounce can cream of chicken soup

2 T sour cream

2 T butter

Cut each chicken breasts in two or three pieces.

 Crush your ritz crackers add the salt and pepper to the ritz and put in a bowl.  Put Cheese and milk in bowls.

Dip your chicken in the milk, then the cheese, and last the ritz crumbs.  Things will start to get messy but it's all good. I sprinkled a little extra cheese on top before I put them in the oven.  Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes.  Uncover and cook for 10 more minutes.  (I only needed to cook mine for about 6 more minutes)

Sauce: mix all ingredients in sauce pan and heat up.  Poor a little over the chicken before you eat.

My finished product!!!

Yummy, Yummy!!!

We ended the night with mouthwatering dutch apple crumb pie. It was easy too!  Straight from the frozen section at our local grocery store.  

 I would love to know what recipes you tried that are delicious and most importantly fast and easy? 

Why can't losing weight be easy?

Trying to lose weight sucks!!  I was very motivated after Christmas and it lasted until about two weeks ago.  I was working out every morning and logging every calorie on Myfittnesspal app on my phone.  I was hardly eating any junk food and I stopped drinking Diet Dr. Pepper completely.

 I WAS doing all of that for about two months, and then BAM I lost it.  I can't get out of bed until the last minute.  I am eating almost all of what I want, good or bad.  Diet Dr. Pepper is  my best friend again.  Ugghhh!!!  I have lost about 10 pounds in two months which is really great, so it's not like I was hitting a plateau and in a fit of frustration I just gave up.  I don't really know what happened.

 I think it just got old.  I need to find a new way to motivate myself.  Kelsie's wedding will be here before I know it and I will not be happy with my chubby matron of honor pics.  Gaining weight is sooooo easy!  Why can't losing it be easy too?

 I would still like to lose at least 15 pounds before the Wedding.  Anybody have any suggestions?  I will take whatever advice I can get!!