'Tis the Season

Our little guy  needs a stocking to call his own.  Not the one he is currently using that is a hand me down Christmas decoration.  I stumbled across these fantastic stockings from Allenbrite Studios on Etsy today and thank goodness I did.  I can't wait to order one...

(Photo from Allenbrite Studios)

...but which one to choose?

Tasty Tuesday - Chili

As promised, here is my top secret chili recipe. :)

Chili
Yield: 4 quarts

1 large can of diced tomatoes
1 onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 can of tomato paste
1/2 lb. ground beef
1 1/2 c. dry beans
2 T. chili seasoning
Salt & pepper to taste
Splash of Worcestershire sauce
Water
2 T. cornstarch


Cook the beans according to the packaging - I use the quick soak method.  Reserve the 2 T. of cornstarch.  Brown the onion, ground beef and garlic.  Add the chili seasoning to the browned beef mixture.  Throw it all into a Crock-Pot and cover it with water.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until beans are tender.  When chili is finished cooking, make a slurry with the cornstarch and a little water.  Add to the chili, cover and let it sit for 15 minutes.   Enjoy!
 

Have a Tasty Tuesday!

Monday Must Have

LEGGINGS!!!

Thank goodness that this trend is back from the 80's.  If you don't have a pair yet, you seriously need to check your pulse.  Let me begin by telling you, I hate skinny pants.  They look fabulous on other ladies but when I put them on, I look like a 2 piece drumstick meal from KFC.

Leggings on the other hand are a blessing in disguise.  They go great with this whole fitted flannel shirt trend and boots.

Old Navy Women's Stretch Leggings: $10.00

P.S.  No, I don't work for Old Navy, they just have a lot of cute, affordable and trendy items right now.

Suspended from Story Time

Today I was that mom.

The one who pulled her child out of story time at the local library.

No, it wasn't because he was throwing a tantrum.  He was having too much fun.  Squawking loudly, staring at the lady babies and running through the group of children who were listening oh so intently.  The straw that broke the camel's back was the little boy sitting in his path who he swatted in the "no no" place.  

What will next week's story time bring?

Tasty Tuesday - Chili Seasoning

I am so stinkin' tired of putting everything for my chili in the crock pot and THEN finding out I am all out of chili seasoning packets.  Plus, those little packets are kinda pricey at just under $2 a pop.

I have decided to take matters into my own hands and whip up a huge batch of chili seasoning that I won't be running out of anytime soon.

Chili Seasoning
6 T. chili powder
1 T. cayenne pepper
1 T. cumin
1 T. oregano
2 t. black pepper
2 t. salt
3/4 t. smoked paprika

Mix it all together and store in a sealed plastic container.  I usually add 2 heaping tablespoons of the seasoning mix to my 5 quart Crock Pot of chili.

**Note: regular paprika will work just fine - I just prefer smoked paprika if it is available.**

What?  Oh, you need a chili recipe?  Then whip up the seasoning mix and see you again next Tuesday! ;)

Monday Must Have: Baby Bible

If there is 1 book you are going to get to learn about babies and children, please make sure it is this one:

Penelope Leach doesn't just pick one way of doing things, she shows you several different ways and tells you to to try whichever ones you are comfortable with.  I can't tell you how many times my husband and I have literally ran for this book in desperate times of need.  The book can be found on Amazon by following this link: Your Baby & Child.

Frumpy Favs: Fall Cardis

One thing I HATE wearing especially now that I am chasing a child around is thick, chunky sweaters.  I always end up a hot, sweaty mess, covered in some unidentifiable sticky baby crud.  Get the picture?  Ok, good.

Cardigans on the other hand are fabulous.  I love the fact that you can mix and match them with different tops, pants and shoes - the outfit combos are endless!  And they are classic, so feel free to take them along to the next decade.

Here are my current favs from Old Navy:

1.  Button Front Cardi $19.99    2.  Button Front Cardi with Stretch $24.94    3.  Softest Boyfriend Cardi $26.94           

4. Rib Knit Open Front Cardi $29.94

Tasty Tuesday - YUM!

Do you love food?  Me too!

Since Tuesday's are kinda boring, I thought we should spice things up a bit with a little something called: Tasty Tuesday.  

Let me start by saying that we have a little rule in our house regarding groceries.  On the first day of each month I swing by the bank and take out our monthly grocery money.  It's always the same amount - no more, no less.  That is all I am allowed to spend on food, paper products and diapers.  It's tricky, but it has become a nerdy, yet fun game.  

So the recipes and food related tools and tips I am going to show you will be simple, won't break the bank and will not include hard to find ingredients - sorry all you pan seared quail fans!

(For more witty fun, go to: Someecards.com)

Monday Must Haves: The First Year

Now that we have all made it through the first year alive, here are the top 5 things we could not live without:

1.  A WubbaNub

I was VERY anti-pacifier from the beginning.  To me, it was just a habit that would need to be broken and I was breastfeeding.  We lasted 3 days without the pacifier.  Our son would scream for bath time, diaper changes, when he was hungry and the WubbaNub bought us 10 extra seconds of peace.  So while he might need to attend Pacifiers Anonymous, at least he's calm.

2.  Bibs

LOTS and LOTS of bibs.  I love the ones from Carter's that velcro on the side because they are easy to remove when your baby falls asleep and they won't scratch the back of their neck.

3.  Medela Pump In Style Advanced breastpump

I exclusively pumped, so a good one was a must.   The Pump In Style Advanced was recommended to me by quite a few people and it is still kickin' after a year of being used 6 times a day.  A good piece of advice given to me by a lactation consultant was: "Buy a pump from a company that specializes in pumps.  Not a company that also makes radios, cameras, etc."  Makes sense.

4.  Playtex Nursers 

We tried EVERY bottle under the sun - no joke.  In desperate times of spit-up and gas, someone gave us a Playtex Nurser.  I'm sorry but I don't need an ergonomic bottle that also holds my iPod, just give me something that works.

5. A Glider & Ottoman

You will be spending many long nights in this chair so get one that's comfy.  I know they look a little dated and basic, but the tall back, padding and ottoman that moves is a winning combo.

I couldn't have said it better myself...

Illustration by Melissa Balmain

Monday Must Have

After the last post, do I really need to explain? I speak for moms everywhere when I say this: 

THANK YOU DUNKIN' DONUTS!!! 

Don't Ask

It seems as though once you announce you are having a baby, people take that as their personal invitation to start asking you all kinds of questions and giving you all sorts of advice.  Some helpful, others not.  There is one question in particular that just makes my blood boil: 

Does your child sleep through the night? 

Excuse me while I slap you.  I mean come on, can't you tell by the bags under my eyes that my baby doesn't sleep? No.  No, my baby does not sleep.  Sometimes he gets a second wind while going to bed at night and stays up for hours.  Sometimes, I THINK he is asleep but really he is playing peek-a-boo.  Talk about a surprise.

What's even worse is when they say: "Oh they don't? My little angel sleeps 12 hours straight!  I can't believe yours doesn't sleep."

And if you want to top that, they will start rambling incessantly about how their child naps for 3 hours, at the same time, ever afternoon.  They love having this time to sip on lattes and catch up on the current issue of People Magazine AND if time permits, alphabetize everything in their pantry.

Now don't get me wrong, I love my baby but sometimes he seems to be a bit superhuman with the amount of sleep he thinks he needs.  

Speaking of superhuman...I wonder how Octomom stays awake?  It appears she gets some sleep because she was able to make it, alive, to see her babies turn 1.

Come on, it's confession time: What questions do you hate to get as a parent?

Monday Must Have

Pardon me but: This shit rocks!

I wish this Dove Dry Shampoo came in a bigger can because I use it EVERY SINGLE day - no joke.  Did I mention it's under $4 a pop?

Happy Halloween!!!

 

Monday Must Have

I must admit, before I had a child I NEVER understood the power of OxiClean.  This spray was sent straight from Heaven.  I recommend you invest in a few bottles - you will be addicted.

Hello, I'm Frumpy

So last week someone kindly asked me: "Are you off to an aerobics class?".

Huh?

It was 8:30 at night.

I had grocery bags in my hands.

Let me start out by saying I am not a slob.  Sure, I might look like a hot mess, but I have a baby - and that gives me the "get out of fashion free" card.

But with a desire to change and a budget of ZILCHO (come on, I'm a stay at home mom!), I set off to search the vast land of Google for stay at home mom styles.

First up: Style Bakery

Style Bakery offers to give you: "A daily "uniform" that is stylish, comfortable, quick to throw on and washable will make it easy to get dressed each day and prepare you for whatever is in store."

You sure about that? Because I'm pretty what's "in store" for my child is strangling me with all those lovely necklaces, then eating the beads - resulting in a surprise trip to the emergency room!  And seriously, J. Crew?  I can hardly afford one of their socks, let alone a whole pair.

Mmm k, thanks anyways.

Next on the list:

Lastly: Pleated Poppy

Thank you for a site I can actually do something with.  Layers, basics and flats - AMEN!  The outfit below is super cute, just nix the purse and grab the diaper bag and I am out the door!  Plus, I already have the cheetah flats - rock on!

Now, let me start by saying that some of these moms who do the whole "What I Wore Wednesday" are just overachievers.  For example:

Enough already, I could go on all day.  But seriously ladies, how are these styles practical?

Lastly, I feel like Wardrobe 911 was made for me. Never mind that the article was posted in 2007, the ideas are basic, affordable and chances are you already have most of the pieces.

Washable, no fuss, cheap, layers, and not your typical sweats and a t-shirt.  Nuff said.