Ive only shared a few recipies here but this one I couldnt pass up on handing over... easy, delish and healthy...
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/sloppy-turkey-joes-recipe/index.html
Saturday, August 20, 2011
above the couch...
Im sure that no one other than myself cares about what hangs above our couch in the family room but I have changed what has been hanging up there about 5 times in the 10 months we have lived here...
I think I have settled on something... for now...
Yesterday at Michael's I found these frames for $1.99 (usually $10.00 each)... I was STOKED!!
In each frame is a different peice of scrapbook paper... each $.19... making it afforable enough to change out the papers accorinding to the season/holiday.... I see pumpkins and candy corn in the new future :)
I think I have settled on something... for now...
Yesterday at Michael's I found these frames for $1.99 (usually $10.00 each)... I was STOKED!!
In each frame is a different peice of scrapbook paper... each $.19... making it afforable enough to change out the papers accorinding to the season/holiday.... I see pumpkins and candy corn in the new future :)
Thursday, August 18, 2011
night-time routine.
Kenley has been sleeping SO well lately and Im loving it... so much so that I figured I would share our night-time routine. She has been sleeping through the night with no problem since she was 6 weeks but lately she has been going down with out so much as a PEEP, wakes up in a happy mood and is getting a full 12 hours at a time!
Bed-time routine has always been my favorite part of the day... and not because Kenley is going to sleep.. but simply because it is so relaxing, for both Kenley and mama. By this point in the day she is a little sleepy which = extra cuddly.
Our habitual order of night time duties (sounds so official!) begins with dinner....
I have always referred to this book for Kenley's nutrition... and still do! She is such a good eater so I am loving trying all of the new recipies approved for one year olds :)
Next is bath time...
Kenley loves the bath... although she has recently picked up a bad habit of standing up in the tub. This is a dangerous combination for a soapy, slippery, wobbly baby. We have found a quick solution to this problem by distracting her with toys... however! the best bath distraction isnt really a toy...
One of her gifts from her second birthday party was these little rubber circles with suction cups on the bottom, meant to keep babies from slipping in the tub. You can place the little colored circles wherever you want in the tub and they actually turn WHITE when the water is too hot!!
Kenley spends the better part of bath time trying to pull the circles off the bottom of the tub... fine by me! Whatever keeps her on her buns!
After the bath I wrap her up like a sweaky clean little burrito with a hooded towel (cutest thing ever) and dry her off on her changing table. She finally has enough hair that I actually DO have to comb it and get the knots out :)
I then give her a little baby massage with our FAVORITE Burt's Bee's Baby Bee lotion. We have used this lotion since the very first bath we gave her so I have a feeling that smell will forver remind me of these days...
She then gets wrapped up in some magical concoction/combination of a cloth diaper and into her adorable little jammies. Right now my go-to night time diaper is the BestBottom diaper with a hemp insert.
Since it has been SO hot... her jammies have usually just been a little nighty-dress of some kind. (maybe I should take a picture of that... its pretty cute :)
The windows in her room stay closed all day along with the blinds to keep the heat out. After her bath we open all four windows in her room... WIDE open... (we make sure to close them first thing again in the morning).
Let me back up for a moment and say that when we come in her room after bath time, I turn on her iHome that has the iPod "touch" on it and play the Elizabath Mitchell Pandora station... if you dont know Elizabath Mitchell, she sings children music- very lullaby-ish... and so cute.
With our music still on low... we have daddy bring in three books (which have to be different than the three books from the night before). Either Gavin or I sit in the glider and read to Kenley.... which is MY favorite part.
So you can picture... the windows are all open, there is usually a little breeze moving through the room, the crickets are chirping and we are gliding back and forth to the tunes of Elizabath Mitchell. There is a newly cleaned and lotioned baby on my lap who is ready to get lost in a good book with me. Like I said... favorite moment of the day.
Kenley is finally to the point where she will sit quietly, listen, follow along (without trying to turn the pages with her feet).
Kenley has been given SO many amazing books... Im not sure she has a favorite yet but Im sure she will.
After the third book, we turn off the light (and music)... I grab the little square "napkin" as Gavin calls it (that she cant sleep without and covers her face with)... put it on my chest so she relaxes on me while we are still sitting in the glider...
We say our prayers and then I place her in her crib with her "napkin." ....She brings it up to her cheek rolls over on her side.
I quietly leave the room and turn her fan on.
At that point I wont see her again until morning... which makes me miss her already (so sad, I know.)
sweet dreams little one.
Bed-time routine has always been my favorite part of the day... and not because Kenley is going to sleep.. but simply because it is so relaxing, for both Kenley and mama. By this point in the day she is a little sleepy which = extra cuddly.
Our habitual order of night time duties (sounds so official!) begins with dinner....
I have always referred to this book for Kenley's nutrition... and still do! She is such a good eater so I am loving trying all of the new recipies approved for one year olds :)
Next is bath time...
Kenley loves the bath... although she has recently picked up a bad habit of standing up in the tub. This is a dangerous combination for a soapy, slippery, wobbly baby. We have found a quick solution to this problem by distracting her with toys... however! the best bath distraction isnt really a toy...
One of her gifts from her second birthday party was these little rubber circles with suction cups on the bottom, meant to keep babies from slipping in the tub. You can place the little colored circles wherever you want in the tub and they actually turn WHITE when the water is too hot!!
Kenley spends the better part of bath time trying to pull the circles off the bottom of the tub... fine by me! Whatever keeps her on her buns!
After the bath I wrap her up like a sweaky clean little burrito with a hooded towel (cutest thing ever) and dry her off on her changing table. She finally has enough hair that I actually DO have to comb it and get the knots out :)
I then give her a little baby massage with our FAVORITE Burt's Bee's Baby Bee lotion. We have used this lotion since the very first bath we gave her so I have a feeling that smell will forver remind me of these days...
She then gets wrapped up in some magical concoction/combination of a cloth diaper and into her adorable little jammies. Right now my go-to night time diaper is the BestBottom diaper with a hemp insert.
Since it has been SO hot... her jammies have usually just been a little nighty-dress of some kind. (maybe I should take a picture of that... its pretty cute :)
The windows in her room stay closed all day along with the blinds to keep the heat out. After her bath we open all four windows in her room... WIDE open... (we make sure to close them first thing again in the morning).
Let me back up for a moment and say that when we come in her room after bath time, I turn on her iHome that has the iPod "touch" on it and play the Elizabath Mitchell Pandora station... if you dont know Elizabath Mitchell, she sings children music- very lullaby-ish... and so cute.
With our music still on low... we have daddy bring in three books (which have to be different than the three books from the night before). Either Gavin or I sit in the glider and read to Kenley.... which is MY favorite part.
So you can picture... the windows are all open, there is usually a little breeze moving through the room, the crickets are chirping and we are gliding back and forth to the tunes of Elizabath Mitchell. There is a newly cleaned and lotioned baby on my lap who is ready to get lost in a good book with me. Like I said... favorite moment of the day.
Kenley is finally to the point where she will sit quietly, listen, follow along (without trying to turn the pages with her feet).
Kenley has been given SO many amazing books... Im not sure she has a favorite yet but Im sure she will.
After the third book, we turn off the light (and music)... I grab the little square "napkin" as Gavin calls it (that she cant sleep without and covers her face with)... put it on my chest so she relaxes on me while we are still sitting in the glider...
We say our prayers and then I place her in her crib with her "napkin." ....She brings it up to her cheek rolls over on her side.
I quietly leave the room and turn her fan on.
At that point I wont see her again until morning... which makes me miss her already (so sad, I know.)
sweet dreams little one.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
in this together...
More than once, and I feel more frequentlly, I have gotten the question, "why do you blog?"
Before these past couple of weeks, my answer would have been along the lines of... "its a way for me to jot down memories, keep track of things Kenley is doing while keeping our friends and family at home updated."
Our family has been put to the test recently and some might critize me for sharing the following but I have a new reason to add to my list of why I blog.
You know when you think you have someone completely figured out?... even a complete stranger? Im guilty of this myself but Ive had a recent revelation about my quickness to judge. In summary, you NEVER know what is going on in someones life... so give the crabby bank-teller a break and let the person who flipped you off on the freeway feel like they got away with something.
In the last two weeks, I have been a crankier, more irritable, tired, short-fused version of myself. I have heard myself say things and thought... "really Jess?!? that must be the exhaustion talking." All in all, Ive been a real peach... which I feel terrible about. The stress of our finances have officially gotten the best of me.
To give you a little background on the situation at hand... our Cal-Grant is usually in charge of our rent but for whatever reason decided not to cover the month of August. Long story short... we were expected to live off of $1,200 for the entire summer which did not include rent (which it usually does). Thats basically $600 for a family for three for THREE MONTHS. While we should have set the rent money aside to begin with, that would have put us at trying to budget HALF of that for the past two months. I dont know on what planet that is possible????
Anyway... rent is due tomorrow and after paying the months bills, we have literally SCRAMBLED to get this money togther. Needless to say I have been working NON-STOP to make this happen, pulling all nighters and trying to get as much work on my billing sheet which was due on the 10th. It truly has put things into perspective for me and for that, Im thankful.
So this is the part of the whole scenario that I feel so proud to share....
After continually bugging my dear friend Makayla to send me more transcription work... I had to explain to her the situation and that all the work that she could send me would be MUCH appreciated. I half-jokingly told her about how that night I had a cupcake and a cucumber for dinner since we literally had no food in the house and the nurtrious food we DID have was obviously going to Kenley. In the background, Makayla heard Gavin say, "what?!? you ate the whole cucumber?!?" ......HAHAHA!!!! We had such a good laugh over that one.
so... that very night, Makayla (WHO IS ON HER HONEYMOON IN HAWAII!!!!) sat down at her computer with her new husband and together they ordered us groceries and had them sent to us from Vons the next morning.
I was working from home when I saw a Vons truck pull up and saw a gentlemen walking TEN bags of groceries up to my front door. I lost it.
He must have thought I was a complete fool, crying over groceries. "my friend who is on her HONEYMOON sent these to me!".... He just nodded like I was a complete nut haha!!
I still cant believe she did that for us. Ive had a really hard time asking for help since we have been on our own. Its similar instances that make me realize that we will never be truly alone in this. Amazing friends, I have. AMAZING!!!!
So I sit here... realizing all the things I have and yet how quickly they can be taken away. which I was quickly reminded of this week when I THOUGHT I was getting some type of break, to no avail. but guess what else?? "no one OWES you anything." and aint-that-the-truth! Im not the best at asking for help, and maybe to a fault but lets just call it being very "determined."
But you want to know the best part of it all... and a reason to check the attitude at the door?? we CHOSE this, and its up to US (and only us) to make it work. Gavin has been given the opportunity to finish school and keeping in mind that these tough days will benifit us in the end, makes the struggle right now worth while.
Continually being humbled,
Jess
Before these past couple of weeks, my answer would have been along the lines of... "its a way for me to jot down memories, keep track of things Kenley is doing while keeping our friends and family at home updated."
Our family has been put to the test recently and some might critize me for sharing the following but I have a new reason to add to my list of why I blog.
You know when you think you have someone completely figured out?... even a complete stranger? Im guilty of this myself but Ive had a recent revelation about my quickness to judge. In summary, you NEVER know what is going on in someones life... so give the crabby bank-teller a break and let the person who flipped you off on the freeway feel like they got away with something.
In the last two weeks, I have been a crankier, more irritable, tired, short-fused version of myself. I have heard myself say things and thought... "really Jess?!? that must be the exhaustion talking." All in all, Ive been a real peach... which I feel terrible about. The stress of our finances have officially gotten the best of me.
To give you a little background on the situation at hand... our Cal-Grant is usually in charge of our rent but for whatever reason decided not to cover the month of August. Long story short... we were expected to live off of $1,200 for the entire summer which did not include rent (which it usually does). Thats basically $600 for a family for three for THREE MONTHS. While we should have set the rent money aside to begin with, that would have put us at trying to budget HALF of that for the past two months. I dont know on what planet that is possible????
Anyway... rent is due tomorrow and after paying the months bills, we have literally SCRAMBLED to get this money togther. Needless to say I have been working NON-STOP to make this happen, pulling all nighters and trying to get as much work on my billing sheet which was due on the 10th. It truly has put things into perspective for me and for that, Im thankful.
So this is the part of the whole scenario that I feel so proud to share....
After continually bugging my dear friend Makayla to send me more transcription work... I had to explain to her the situation and that all the work that she could send me would be MUCH appreciated. I half-jokingly told her about how that night I had a cupcake and a cucumber for dinner since we literally had no food in the house and the nurtrious food we DID have was obviously going to Kenley. In the background, Makayla heard Gavin say, "what?!? you ate the whole cucumber?!?" ......HAHAHA!!!! We had such a good laugh over that one.
so... that very night, Makayla (WHO IS ON HER HONEYMOON IN HAWAII!!!!) sat down at her computer with her new husband and together they ordered us groceries and had them sent to us from Vons the next morning.
I was working from home when I saw a Vons truck pull up and saw a gentlemen walking TEN bags of groceries up to my front door. I lost it.
He must have thought I was a complete fool, crying over groceries. "my friend who is on her HONEYMOON sent these to me!".... He just nodded like I was a complete nut haha!!
I still cant believe she did that for us. Ive had a really hard time asking for help since we have been on our own. Its similar instances that make me realize that we will never be truly alone in this. Amazing friends, I have. AMAZING!!!!
So I sit here... realizing all the things I have and yet how quickly they can be taken away. which I was quickly reminded of this week when I THOUGHT I was getting some type of break, to no avail. but guess what else?? "no one OWES you anything." and aint-that-the-truth! Im not the best at asking for help, and maybe to a fault but lets just call it being very "determined."
But you want to know the best part of it all... and a reason to check the attitude at the door?? we CHOSE this, and its up to US (and only us) to make it work. Gavin has been given the opportunity to finish school and keeping in mind that these tough days will benifit us in the end, makes the struggle right now worth while.
Continually being humbled,
Jess
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Jon Michael Martin Foundation
First, let me introduce Jon Michael Martin... a sweet little boy that I cant even say that I have met yet! However, I do know his amazingly brave mother Amanda Martin. I met Amanda through my dear friend Molly Hamblin about two years ago. Jon Michael was born while we have been living in southern California and as you will soon find out, he has been a busy guy since his birth and our paths simply havent crossed yet. I feel like I know him though thanks to technology aka facebook. His pictures seem to brighten my day. I hope to meet him someday soon but until then I want to help him and his little family in any way possible. And thats where you come in!
Jon Michael Martin was born with a rare heart condition known as tricuspid atresia with a ventricular septal defect, which is explained on their blog (link below)
http://jmmfoundation.blogspot.com/
After making a donation myself, with Amandas permission, I wanted to share Jon Michael's story and make their blog and donation outlets available to even just a COUPLE more people. As you will see, Amanda and Jeff are a very grateful, honest and brave couple who have made it clear that EVERY-LITTLE-BIT helps.
On their blog that Amanda's husband Jeff runs you will find an icon thats says "donate." The rest is very self explanitory. On their blog you can read Jon Michael's story and stay updated with their little family.
God Bless!
Jon Michael Martin was born with a rare heart condition known as tricuspid atresia with a ventricular septal defect, which is explained on their blog (link below)
http://jmmfoundation.blogspot.com/
After making a donation myself, with Amandas permission, I wanted to share Jon Michael's story and make their blog and donation outlets available to even just a COUPLE more people. As you will see, Amanda and Jeff are a very grateful, honest and brave couple who have made it clear that EVERY-LITTLE-BIT helps.
On their blog that Amanda's husband Jeff runs you will find an icon thats says "donate." The rest is very self explanitory. On their blog you can read Jon Michael's story and stay updated with their little family.
God Bless!
 |
| meet the Martins! |
 |
Here is Amanda meeting my Kenley for the first time last June... she had just found out that she was pregnant! |
 |
| sweet little Jon Michael just days old... |
Monday, August 8, 2011
cupcakes galore
With a crazy busy work week ahead of me I figured I would do a quick post about Kenley's birthday party over the weekend. Between both jobs Im basically working full-time right now... and loving it might I add. Being this busy and being able to make some money is a great feeling!
So I had mentioned earlier that Gavins team and their families were doing a birthday party for Kenley this past Saturday... it was over the top!!! The team moms put so much work into the day, preparing food, decorations and my oh my the PRESENTS... Kenley seriously collected... again. It was all SO generuous and the company was even better.
I was so happy that my mom could be there and that could finally put names to faces of people I have been telling her about for almost a year now. And I think she was happy to meet the people I spend every waking moment with during baseball season. It brought me to tears when she thanked everyone at once for everything they have done for Gavin and I, how they have taken us in and made us feel so at home here and really have been like second parents/grandparents since they cant be down here. I actually felt like I was fighting tears all night, just overwhelmed with the generousity of a group of people. Simply put, we love them.
I only took a few pictures on my iPhone but I know of at least two other cameras that were snapping photos all night so Im sure I will have more photos of the day soon.
Thank you again everyone... It was far more than I had imagined, seeing how we were celebrating her birthday in a big way for the second time. ::::feeling loved::::
On another note... we are going to have a walking baby by the end of the week. Kenley took four consecutive steps last night. AHH! I dont know if I am ready for this but ready or not here we go!!!
This week: My Goddaughter Addie and her Mama are coming to visit!! They are staying at the GORGEOUS Mission Inn... I cant wait to see them... I also get to have a little college roomie reunion with Chelsey Hilts and Megan McLellan... AND on friday we are going to the San Diego zoo with some friends!
just trying to fit it all in,
Jess
So I had mentioned earlier that Gavins team and their families were doing a birthday party for Kenley this past Saturday... it was over the top!!! The team moms put so much work into the day, preparing food, decorations and my oh my the PRESENTS... Kenley seriously collected... again. It was all SO generuous and the company was even better.
I was so happy that my mom could be there and that could finally put names to faces of people I have been telling her about for almost a year now. And I think she was happy to meet the people I spend every waking moment with during baseball season. It brought me to tears when she thanked everyone at once for everything they have done for Gavin and I, how they have taken us in and made us feel so at home here and really have been like second parents/grandparents since they cant be down here. I actually felt like I was fighting tears all night, just overwhelmed with the generousity of a group of people. Simply put, we love them.
I only took a few pictures on my iPhone but I know of at least two other cameras that were snapping photos all night so Im sure I will have more photos of the day soon.
Thank you again everyone... It was far more than I had imagined, seeing how we were celebrating her birthday in a big way for the second time. ::::feeling loved::::
On another note... we are going to have a walking baby by the end of the week. Kenley took four consecutive steps last night. AHH! I dont know if I am ready for this but ready or not here we go!!!
This week: My Goddaughter Addie and her Mama are coming to visit!! They are staying at the GORGEOUS Mission Inn... I cant wait to see them... I also get to have a little college roomie reunion with Chelsey Hilts and Megan McLellan... AND on friday we are going to the San Diego zoo with some friends!
just trying to fit it all in,
Jess
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
signing at breakfast
I have recently stumbled upon several AMAZING blogs... inspiring me to stay on top of mine a little bit more. I have found some with awesome recipes and kitchen ideas, some with crafts and mostly fun baby stuff. My mother-in-law and I have some exciting projects in the works so stay tuned.
Yesterday Kenley decided to pull out all the stops. At one point she was standing WHILE drinking from a regular cup... it only happened for a split second and when I whipped out the Flip camera of course she got shy. She also decided that the new sign for the day was "hot".... very appropriate with our weather the past couple days. She does the sign for hot while whispering "HA" (hot). toooooo funny. AND yesterday as a customer was leaving the store and she was sitting behind the counter with me in her little red chair, she waved and SAID "bye bye!"
Yesterday our new Tea Collection shipment arrived. I was in charge of going through it all and what a task that was... not because there was so much stuff but because it was SO cute, and especially the BOYS stuff. I could have grabbed one of everything for Koa... cant wait to spoil him for his birthday :)
Here is a link for their Fall '11 stuff... TOO-MUCH-CUTENESS HAPPENING!
www.teacollection.com
May I make a few other suggestions while I'm at it? ...
If you arent reading/have not read "The Help"... can you please do it?!? Im about half way through and DYING to get to the end. Its a long book but such an easy read. The movie comes out the 10th and I already know it wont do the book justice but Im still excited to see it anyway.
Next suggestion... I have a new favorite cloth diaper... Kawaii Baby 100% bamboo diaper. With all of this heat, its hard to keep a cloth diapered baby cool, but this diaper definitely does the job. Its so breathable! While I have been totally sold on the "pocket style" diaper, this one totally works for us. Combined with a "Bummis" biodegradable/flushable liner, these things are magic and Im definitely in the market for a few more.
Well today we are headed over to Orange County to escape the heat a little... and we have some party planning to do for Kenley's birthday party with all of her so-cal friends. Gavins teammates and families are nice enough to put together a little (cupcake themed per request of Mama Boudreau) celebration for her at our friend the Boudreau's GORGEOUS home out in beautiful Tustin. Pictures to come :)
stay cool!
Yesterday Kenley decided to pull out all the stops. At one point she was standing WHILE drinking from a regular cup... it only happened for a split second and when I whipped out the Flip camera of course she got shy. She also decided that the new sign for the day was "hot".... very appropriate with our weather the past couple days. She does the sign for hot while whispering "HA" (hot). toooooo funny. AND yesterday as a customer was leaving the store and she was sitting behind the counter with me in her little red chair, she waved and SAID "bye bye!"
Yesterday our new Tea Collection shipment arrived. I was in charge of going through it all and what a task that was... not because there was so much stuff but because it was SO cute, and especially the BOYS stuff. I could have grabbed one of everything for Koa... cant wait to spoil him for his birthday :)
Here is a link for their Fall '11 stuff... TOO-MUCH-CUTENESS HAPPENING!
www.teacollection.com
May I make a few other suggestions while I'm at it? ...
If you arent reading/have not read "The Help"... can you please do it?!? Im about half way through and DYING to get to the end. Its a long book but such an easy read. The movie comes out the 10th and I already know it wont do the book justice but Im still excited to see it anyway.
Next suggestion... I have a new favorite cloth diaper... Kawaii Baby 100% bamboo diaper. With all of this heat, its hard to keep a cloth diapered baby cool, but this diaper definitely does the job. Its so breathable! While I have been totally sold on the "pocket style" diaper, this one totally works for us. Combined with a "Bummis" biodegradable/flushable liner, these things are magic and Im definitely in the market for a few more.
Well today we are headed over to Orange County to escape the heat a little... and we have some party planning to do for Kenley's birthday party with all of her so-cal friends. Gavins teammates and families are nice enough to put together a little (cupcake themed per request of Mama Boudreau) celebration for her at our friend the Boudreau's GORGEOUS home out in beautiful Tustin. Pictures to come :)
stay cool!
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