I was so proud of myself for keeping up with this for a while, plus I had all our meals planned for about a month and was doing great with that - then pre-holiday season started and it just went downhill. Since I don't have my camera with me I'll just do a quick run down of the important stuff that happened in the past couple weeks.
Halloween - Last year when we went Trick or Treating Jacob was asleep by the third house and comfy as could be in his stroller. This year we went with his friend Claire again and they both had their own wagon. He was a little chef and freaking adorable. I have to admit I was a little unsure when I decided he'd be a chef, but I liked that it was unique and the costume came out just perfect. He even wore his hat the whole night. We'd pull the wagons up close to each house's front walk way then let the kids out and they had fun walking up to each door then standing there waiting for the candy. A few people would let them grab the candy and once you showed Jacob he could take it he went for piece after piece. I'm glad he found it so exciting considering he still isn't even sure what candy is.
Mosquito - This one you won't believe unless you see the picture. We've already learned that mosquitos are extremely attracted to Jacob and that he welts up pretty good, but because we recently got some rain a whole new type of mosquito showed up in our area. These mosquitos are bigger and much more agressive, I don't know what their real name is, but the news called them flood mosquitos (ironic we had them considering the drought we're in). We decided to take a family walk and let Scoot run out some of his pent up energy. I was pushing the stroller and we had made it maybe 100 feet from the house when Michael shooed a mosquito from Jacob's forehead. We made it to the street right next to our street and Michael was again shooing a mosquito from Jacob. I decided to call it a night and let Michael and Scoot finish their walk while I took Jacob back in. He got two bites, one on his left forehead and one on the right side of the bridge of his nose, near his eye. They both left pretty good welts, but we thought that was the worst of it. In the morning they looked about the same and Jacob went to school while Michael and I both went to work. About 9 AM Jacob's school called asking about the spots and I explained what happened and it wasn't anything to really worry about since I know they get dramatic some times. Then about 10 AM they called again to say that it was getting worse and he could barely open his eye. I did my best to keep my class going and started on their lab while calling Michael to make a plan of who would take off, or if we thought we could wait til 11:15 when I was supposed to get off and making a doctor appointment. This time they weren't worrying too much, I was shocked to see how swollen his little eye was, he looked disfigured. We went straight to the doctor's office and was then put on Benadryl, Motrin, and antibiotics. After a few days it went down and he was cute as a button. We definitely learned we're never leaving the house without our little bug wipes again.
Elevator - Jacob got stuck in his first elevator. It's not a milestone most people run to jot down in the baby book or anything, but I think it's pretty significant. After leaving the doctor's appointment from the above story we decided to take the elevator down even though it was only the second floor (he's not that light anymore). It was a new building since we couldn't get in to our normal doctor's office, and was very nice, so I didn't even think of my normal elevator fears. The screen showed we were on the second floor and as I watched to see it change to first an image popped up saying out of service. It took me about a minute to proccess that this sign wasn't to warn others not to come on because it wasn't going to work anymore, but that it really had just stopped. Note to all that this may happen to in the future - do not merely tap the help button, hold it down for as long as you want. If you tap it, all it does is make a little beep, if you hold it down it makes an impossible to ignore siren. Not even sure if it really alerts anyone, but at least you're making noise. Next was the call button, where they put you on hold. Once they decided to answer they tried some things from their side and had me push a few buttons, but nothing happened. The maitenance staff was called. It was nice hearing someone outside the door, but it was nerve wracking having them ask me if I knew what floor I was on. Then the technician was called in, and once he couldn't get it going he pulled us up from inbetween first and second to the second floor where we decided to take the stairs down.
Luckily it was just the two of us. We sang songs, played every game we knew, made faces, he never cried, and only pushed a button once. In fact they should have paid us because he cleaned the entire floor with baby wipes in the hour and a half we were in that little box.
Song and Dance - The Wheels on the Bus is the best song in the world according to Jacob. He knows how to follow along to two verses 1) the wheels go round and round and 2) the parents go shh, shh, shh. His round and round isn't very precise yet, but he gets a kick out of it.
His other favorite is when you sing, "shake your booty," he stops what he's doing and shakes.
I know there is a lot more, but that catches up on the main things that have happened. Hopefully I can get back into the routine of udating and getting our life back on schedule.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Bipolar Sweetheart
Yesterday Jacob took a 20 minute nap and we definitely felt the affects of that this evening. He cried and yelled and pretty much just threw fits for everything possible from the time he got home through after dinner. It was unbearable. Then Michael brought the bubbles out and not only did Jacob like poking them, but he thought watching Scoot snap at them was the greatest. Followed by playing tug a war and chasing Scoot. Lastly Jacob found a new game to play.
Seriously, I jokingly asked Scoot and Jacob if they wanted a pet fish (there's no possible way that I want a pet fish to take care of) and Jacob climbed into his plastic toy box. I have some great shots that I may post tomorrow, but this video is so cute. I can't figure out how to turn it, so just tilt your head - it's not that long you won't get a sore neck or anything.
*Note* You can't really tell, but when it looks like he's blowing me a kiss through his new aquarium, it's actually a raspberry.
Seriously, I jokingly asked Scoot and Jacob if they wanted a pet fish (there's no possible way that I want a pet fish to take care of) and Jacob climbed into his plastic toy box. I have some great shots that I may post tomorrow, but this video is so cute. I can't figure out how to turn it, so just tilt your head - it's not that long you won't get a sore neck or anything.
*Note* You can't really tell, but when it looks like he's blowing me a kiss through his new aquarium, it's actually a raspberry.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
We're Ready for Halloween
This weekend we went to a pumpkin patch, but Jacob was more interested in the activities than the pumpkins.
Then today we went to a local orchard to pick veggies and flowers, but when we got there we found out they're closing soon and didn't have a good crop so we decided on half price flower picking and pumpkins. Jacob wasn't sure about the flowers, but loved how I lifted him to jump over the rows when we'd hit a spot with bees. He did love the pumpkins, and the only way to make pumpkins better is to add wagons.
Then today we went to a local orchard to pick veggies and flowers, but when we got there we found out they're closing soon and didn't have a good crop so we decided on half price flower picking and pumpkins. Jacob wasn't sure about the flowers, but loved how I lifted him to jump over the rows when we'd hit a spot with bees. He did love the pumpkins, and the only way to make pumpkins better is to add wagons.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Weekly Menu
This week we cooked more for ourselves than for Jacob. Or at least we made some of our favorites and simply modified or made other meals for Jacob, so if you're looking for toddler meals, this may not be the right post.
Monday - Steak Sandwiches
I made this a couple years ago and Michael loved it, so I bring it out every now and then to suck up. All you do is cut up strips of steak, onions, mushrooms and bell peppers, put in the crock pot with some red wine, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder (and if you're not planning on serving any of it to a little one, red pepper flakes). Toast a roll, mix some mustard, little bit of mayo and horseradish sauce - then serve. We tried this about a month ago and I sliced my finger cutting the rolls so I never had any, but we made it through fine this time with some homemade sweet potato chips and pasta salad for sides.
Tuesday - Spaghetti with Pork Meatballs
Nothing really to it. Jacob wasn't as big of a fan as the normal meat sauce we make, but we served cheesy garlic bread too so the meal wasn't a complete fail to him.
Wednesday - Pot Roast and Whipped Potatoes
I placed dry onion soup mix and two cans of cream of mushroom soup in the slow cooker with some beef broth and it made the best gravy for the entire meal. We both loved it, and Jacob loved my whipped potatoes.
Thursday - Pumpkin Ravioli (Chicken Ravioli)
Back to pasta. I've been wanting to make the pumpkin ravioli for a while. You use won ton wrappers for the "pasta" and the filling is navy beans, garlic powder, pureed pumpkin, ricotta, and I added a little cinnamon. It was tasty and unique, but not worth all the effort for a week night of cutting out circles, stuffing, and sealing raviolis. Michael was glad I had the store bought chicken ravioli for back up because he knew he wouldn't like it from the start. Jacob didn't even give it a try.
Saturday - Chicken Fajita Salad
Crazy easy for me since the only thing that needed to be cooked was the chicken and Michael did that on the grill. I bought the pre marinated chicken and it was actually really good. We've gotten the frozen grilled chicken before and I'm not a fan at all, but I liked this. Then made a salad of everything we wanted on it - black beans, pico, salsa, ranch, cheese...
Jacob had a pre-made chicken and rice casserole, but as I heated it up I quickly saw it wasn't what the picture looked like and Jacob agreed deciding to eat only his grapes and milk really.
Monday - Steak Sandwiches
I made this a couple years ago and Michael loved it, so I bring it out every now and then to suck up. All you do is cut up strips of steak, onions, mushrooms and bell peppers, put in the crock pot with some red wine, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder (and if you're not planning on serving any of it to a little one, red pepper flakes). Toast a roll, mix some mustard, little bit of mayo and horseradish sauce - then serve. We tried this about a month ago and I sliced my finger cutting the rolls so I never had any, but we made it through fine this time with some homemade sweet potato chips and pasta salad for sides.
Tuesday - Spaghetti with Pork Meatballs
Nothing really to it. Jacob wasn't as big of a fan as the normal meat sauce we make, but we served cheesy garlic bread too so the meal wasn't a complete fail to him.
Wednesday - Pot Roast and Whipped Potatoes
I placed dry onion soup mix and two cans of cream of mushroom soup in the slow cooker with some beef broth and it made the best gravy for the entire meal. We both loved it, and Jacob loved my whipped potatoes.
Thursday - Pumpkin Ravioli (Chicken Ravioli)
Back to pasta. I've been wanting to make the pumpkin ravioli for a while. You use won ton wrappers for the "pasta" and the filling is navy beans, garlic powder, pureed pumpkin, ricotta, and I added a little cinnamon. It was tasty and unique, but not worth all the effort for a week night of cutting out circles, stuffing, and sealing raviolis. Michael was glad I had the store bought chicken ravioli for back up because he knew he wouldn't like it from the start. Jacob didn't even give it a try.
Saturday - Chicken Fajita Salad
Crazy easy for me since the only thing that needed to be cooked was the chicken and Michael did that on the grill. I bought the pre marinated chicken and it was actually really good. We've gotten the frozen grilled chicken before and I'm not a fan at all, but I liked this. Then made a salad of everything we wanted on it - black beans, pico, salsa, ranch, cheese...
Jacob had a pre-made chicken and rice casserole, but as I heated it up I quickly saw it wasn't what the picture looked like and Jacob agreed deciding to eat only his grapes and milk really.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Brotherly Love
Scoot and Jacob had their first fight today. They've been skirting around it for a few months now, but it escalated today. All over a piece of furniture.
Scoot has two spots in the living room - the left side of the couch and the recliner. Jacob has all the furniture, and has especially liked the recliner lately. He lays in the seat of it and rolls around laughing. It entertains him for about 15 minutes, which is quite the feat.
This afternoon Jacob was playing in the recliner when Scoot decided he wanted to sit in it too. Jacob stood his ground while yelling trying to push Scoot out, but Scoot countered with kisses. It was quite the battle until Michael yelled, "outside" and Scoot jumped up running for the door. We're going to call it a draw, but Jacob won the chair...which he then decided he didn't want.
Scoot has two spots in the living room - the left side of the couch and the recliner. Jacob has all the furniture, and has especially liked the recliner lately. He lays in the seat of it and rolls around laughing. It entertains him for about 15 minutes, which is quite the feat.
This afternoon Jacob was playing in the recliner when Scoot decided he wanted to sit in it too. Jacob stood his ground while yelling trying to push Scoot out, but Scoot countered with kisses. It was quite the battle until Michael yelled, "outside" and Scoot jumped up running for the door. We're going to call it a draw, but Jacob won the chair...which he then decided he didn't want.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Jacob the Builder
We play with blocks every day now. Seriously every day.
It's fun to to dump them out, throw them around, stack, knock down and even chew on them. Honestly, what can't you do with a block (don't answer that).
And now because this would be a silly all text post, for your viewing pleasure...Jacob building. At the very end he shows off why it's impossible to get videos of him if he notices you're holding the camera.
It's fun to to dump them out, throw them around, stack, knock down and even chew on them. Honestly, what can't you do with a block (don't answer that).
And now because this would be a silly all text post, for your viewing pleasure...Jacob building. At the very end he shows off why it's impossible to get videos of him if he notices you're holding the camera.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Weekly Menu
Last week we had a lot of winners for dinner, and only one was a repeat recipe.
Monday - Pork Lo Mein
I never thought about making lo mein before. We do stir fry every now and then, but never thought of this simple dish.
We used whole wheat spaghetti noodles, and made a sauce of pureed sweet potatoes, chicken broth, brown sugar, soy sauce and corn starch. I ended up doubling up the sauce since I added frozen stir fry veggies to our meal and it came out a little corn starchy, but they may have been my own error while doubling without measuring.
Turkey Sliders
This is a go to recipe here. I mix ground turkey with finely chopped carrots, green onions, celery, mushrooms, an egg and Worcestershire sauce. Serve on sweet Hawaiian rolls, and serve with pasta salad and roasted sweet potatoes. A favorite with everyone.
With the leftover patties I dice one up and put in my salad for the next day's lunch. It's a nice change to my normal grilled chicken in there.
Honey Chicken
Another slow cooker meal (we have one a week at least now). There is really nothing at all to this recipe and Michael loved it, asking to add this to the menu again soon. In the morning I placed chicken, 2 cups honey, some soy sauce and olive oil - cooked all day and served with the stir fry veggies (to finish up the bag of them) and brown rice.
Southwestern Lasagna
I got this one from Rachel Ray. The only change I made to the recipe is that I didn't add the jalapenos since we add all spice after cooking now with Jacob. I can't say it enough, this thing is freaking amazing.
All you do is layer corn tortillas, salsa, refried beans, cheese, pork taco meat and peas, then top with sour cream and cilantro when serving.
Michael saw me pulling it out of the oven and quickly asked me why there were peas on our dinner, but they add a refreshing taste to it and you don't even realize they're there.
On Saturday for snack time I pulled out a little plate of it while Jacob ate his fruit snack and after he finished his fruit he ate half of mine, and then another small plate that I heated up just for him. Definitely a winning recipe and one we will constantly repeat.
Friday was date night. Jacob stayed at Grandma and Grandpas while Mommy and Daddy went to Perry's Steak House for their amazing happy hour special of $6 martinis and mixed drinks, and half off appetizers (that are the size of meals). Our 4 drinks and 2 appetizers there ended up being less than the wine bar with one flight each.
Monday - Pork Lo Mein
I never thought about making lo mein before. We do stir fry every now and then, but never thought of this simple dish.
We used whole wheat spaghetti noodles, and made a sauce of pureed sweet potatoes, chicken broth, brown sugar, soy sauce and corn starch. I ended up doubling up the sauce since I added frozen stir fry veggies to our meal and it came out a little corn starchy, but they may have been my own error while doubling without measuring.
Turkey Sliders
This is a go to recipe here. I mix ground turkey with finely chopped carrots, green onions, celery, mushrooms, an egg and Worcestershire sauce. Serve on sweet Hawaiian rolls, and serve with pasta salad and roasted sweet potatoes. A favorite with everyone.
With the leftover patties I dice one up and put in my salad for the next day's lunch. It's a nice change to my normal grilled chicken in there.
Honey Chicken
Another slow cooker meal (we have one a week at least now). There is really nothing at all to this recipe and Michael loved it, asking to add this to the menu again soon. In the morning I placed chicken, 2 cups honey, some soy sauce and olive oil - cooked all day and served with the stir fry veggies (to finish up the bag of them) and brown rice.
Southwestern Lasagna
I got this one from Rachel Ray. The only change I made to the recipe is that I didn't add the jalapenos since we add all spice after cooking now with Jacob. I can't say it enough, this thing is freaking amazing.
All you do is layer corn tortillas, salsa, refried beans, cheese, pork taco meat and peas, then top with sour cream and cilantro when serving.
Michael saw me pulling it out of the oven and quickly asked me why there were peas on our dinner, but they add a refreshing taste to it and you don't even realize they're there.
On Saturday for snack time I pulled out a little plate of it while Jacob ate his fruit snack and after he finished his fruit he ate half of mine, and then another small plate that I heated up just for him. Definitely a winning recipe and one we will constantly repeat.
Friday was date night. Jacob stayed at Grandma and Grandpas while Mommy and Daddy went to Perry's Steak House for their amazing happy hour special of $6 martinis and mixed drinks, and half off appetizers (that are the size of meals). Our 4 drinks and 2 appetizers there ended up being less than the wine bar with one flight each.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wordless Thursday
As the title states this should be a wordless post. Simply a picture that shows Jacob. The personality, non-baby, big-boy he's becoming, and just how much he and the rest of family means to our lives.
And after all that of saying how this is supposed to be a picture that shows it all - I can say is isn't this little boy growing up too quickly?
And after all that of saying how this is supposed to be a picture that shows it all - I can say is isn't this little boy growing up too quickly?
Goldfish - Chocolate Chip
I was going to have a picture of my new favorite snack, but am now a little disappointed that I can't find a picture online anywhere, even on the the Pepperidge Farm web site. This makes me scared that they're going to disappear.
Earlier this week Jacob and I had an extremely long, but fun trip to the grocery store where we stocked up on all sorts of snacks. I got Cheez-Its for me and picked up some extreme cheddar and chocolate chip goldfish for Jacob. I knew the chocolate chip sounded good and couldn't wait very long after our trip to try them out together. They taste just like chocolate chip cookies, without the ooey gooey chocolate chips, more like the 100 calorie snack pack version of the cookie, but less flat.
Anyway, I've confiscated these as mine and take them in my lunch to school. However, now that I can't find them online I'm thinking I need to go to the store and buy them out.
Earlier this week Jacob and I had an extremely long, but fun trip to the grocery store where we stocked up on all sorts of snacks. I got Cheez-Its for me and picked up some extreme cheddar and chocolate chip goldfish for Jacob. I knew the chocolate chip sounded good and couldn't wait very long after our trip to try them out together. They taste just like chocolate chip cookies, without the ooey gooey chocolate chips, more like the 100 calorie snack pack version of the cookie, but less flat.
Anyway, I've confiscated these as mine and take them in my lunch to school. However, now that I can't find them online I'm thinking I need to go to the store and buy them out.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Nothing Will Stop Him Now
Jacob and I went back to our summer routine by going to Toddler Time today at the library.
I was surprised how packed it was, it was like everyone was off for summer again. The other surprise was that Jacob, who had started really warming up to the songs with everyone, reverted back to his stone face and shy as can be. I wasn't even allowed to wiggle his feet as we read "Mouse Paint" without a quick stiffening and a stare down. When we got up to do the Hokey Pokey he thought it was the perfect time to make an escape and tried leading me to the door. I felt like all the work from the summer was gone.
We walked through the picture books and I picked out two while Jacob picked out one. We tried reading them at the library, but Jacob had more fun going up and down in the chair than he did reading, so we checked them out instead. That's right - 18 months old and checking out books from the library.
Since the weather is getting so nice I thought about packing a picnic to take to the park near the library, but instead we just ate our snack on the way there. Little did we know that this is what half of the toddler time group does. The playground was packed, but because we had stuck around the library for a bit some were leaving making it a manageable crowd. He ran to the slide to start climbing up, but wasn't allowed to because of all the kids there wanting to go down it. He walked to the back to one of those half rainbow shaped ladders (I don't know how else to describe it) and he preceded to climb up it. No help except for me reminding him to use his feet instead of his knees and he made his way up. I couldn't take a picture because I was shocked and nervous his first trip up, but I did get one as he made his way up the ladder.
He also went down the rainbow ladder with no help until the very end.
Michael put it best when I told him of these accomplishments by saying, "nothing will stop him now."
I was surprised how packed it was, it was like everyone was off for summer again. The other surprise was that Jacob, who had started really warming up to the songs with everyone, reverted back to his stone face and shy as can be. I wasn't even allowed to wiggle his feet as we read "Mouse Paint" without a quick stiffening and a stare down. When we got up to do the Hokey Pokey he thought it was the perfect time to make an escape and tried leading me to the door. I felt like all the work from the summer was gone.
We walked through the picture books and I picked out two while Jacob picked out one. We tried reading them at the library, but Jacob had more fun going up and down in the chair than he did reading, so we checked them out instead. That's right - 18 months old and checking out books from the library.
Since the weather is getting so nice I thought about packing a picnic to take to the park near the library, but instead we just ate our snack on the way there. Little did we know that this is what half of the toddler time group does. The playground was packed, but because we had stuck around the library for a bit some were leaving making it a manageable crowd. He ran to the slide to start climbing up, but wasn't allowed to because of all the kids there wanting to go down it. He walked to the back to one of those half rainbow shaped ladders (I don't know how else to describe it) and he preceded to climb up it. No help except for me reminding him to use his feet instead of his knees and he made his way up. I couldn't take a picture because I was shocked and nervous his first trip up, but I did get one as he made his way up the ladder.
He also went down the rainbow ladder with no help until the very end.
Michael put it best when I told him of these accomplishments by saying, "nothing will stop him now."
"Thank You"
For the past few weeks Jacob has been working on the word, "thank you." When you hand him something or help him climb on to the chair he replies with a quick thank you. It gets such a smile and happy response from everyone that he has proven he isn't quite sure what it means and says it all the time to make people laugh.
While at the grocery store the other day he decided to start saying thank you instead of hi.
We'll work on the meaning, but I still think he's quite polite.
While at the grocery store the other day he decided to start saying thank you instead of hi.
We'll work on the meaning, but I still think he's quite polite.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Weekly Menu
I'm always searching through cookbooks, food magazines and web sites to find meals that are:
1) Healthy
2) Jacob friendly - pasta and fruit are always good, but everything else is a mystery
3) Michael friendly - your typical meat and potatoes guy who likes to stick with his favorite veggies
4) Doesn't require ingredients that I can't find - doesn't mean I won't try something new, but I'm not going to waste time hunting it down
5) Somewhat easy to make - whatever prep time it says on the recipe I know I almost always have to double it to deal with cooking ability and the million other things going on while I'm making dinner, so I don't want anything too complex
Anyway, I've been pretty proud of our menus lately and thought I'd start sharing them in case there is anyone like me out there looking for weekly menus for the whole family.
This week I got my Food Network Magazine in the mail (love, love, love this magazine) and picked up a Rachael Ray magazine so many of the recipes come from the October 2011 issue of there. Plus I got back into my Deceptively Delicious cookbooks by Jessica Seinfeld to make sure there were some veggies consumed.
* This is a short week since I won't be home to cook Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Sunday
Mini Kicked Up Meatloaf - made in muffin pans with chopped sweet potato, chipolte pepper, cilantro and adobo sauce in them (I put Jacob's in the pan before adding spicy ingredients). For the topping I mixed ketchup and adobo sauce for the adult version and ketchup and agave nectar for the kid version. Spicier than I expected, but really good with mashed potatoes as a side.
Cauliflower Whipped Potatoes - similar to your usual potatoes, but I mixed in some cauliflower puree. Jacob has been on a no potato kick lately, but gobbled these up, and Michael didn't know there was cauliflower in them.
Tangerine Glazed Carrots - sauteed carrots in a little bit of vinegar and tangerine juice. I thought they were delicious and would fool Jacob since he loves oranges. Jacob thought they still looked like carrots and wouldn't touch them.
Yogurt and Fruit Popsicles - plain yogurt mixed with pureed strawberries and blueberries. Plus a splash of agave nectar. Big crowd pleaser.
Monday
Chicken Parmesan - nothing hidden or anything here. Since Jacob doesn't like meat lately I shredded the chicken and he liked what he thought was spaghetti
Side Salad - salad mix kit.
Tuesday
Chicken and Mushrooms - made in the crock pot with chicken broth, mushrooms, green onions, red wine (was supposed to be white, but since I drink red we made do with what was available). Very simple and tasted amazing. There is also a gravy you make to top it with the juice from when it was cooking, corn starch and evaporated milk.
Brown rice - to place the chicken on and tempt Jacob
Fruit salad - This is a regular side for us and I just use whatever fruit we have on hand mixed with a little powdered pudding mix
Wednesday
Sloppy Joes - the recipe called for bison, but I had turkey in the freezer. It was really good, all three of us liked it, but I think it would be better with red meat.
Macaroni and Cheese - This was a Deceptively Delicious recipe with the marking that it is one of Jerry's favorites, and after trying it I do believe he has no taste. You mix up any type of white beans (we used chick peas) with milk and add to the noodles with cheese. Jacob loved it and ate the huge portion I put on his plate, but neither Michael nor I ate much of it. At least Jacob liked it and got some beans in him.
Cherry Jubilee Brownies - Another Deceptively Delicious recipe with better results. Hidden in the brownies is pureed spinach. You can taste that brownies aren't as oohy gooey chocolaty and decadent as most, but I think that's because there really isn't much sugar in it. Nobody knew there was spinach in it, and Jacob loved the cherries in it
1) Healthy
2) Jacob friendly - pasta and fruit are always good, but everything else is a mystery
3) Michael friendly - your typical meat and potatoes guy who likes to stick with his favorite veggies
4) Doesn't require ingredients that I can't find - doesn't mean I won't try something new, but I'm not going to waste time hunting it down
5) Somewhat easy to make - whatever prep time it says on the recipe I know I almost always have to double it to deal with cooking ability and the million other things going on while I'm making dinner, so I don't want anything too complex
Anyway, I've been pretty proud of our menus lately and thought I'd start sharing them in case there is anyone like me out there looking for weekly menus for the whole family.
This week I got my Food Network Magazine in the mail (love, love, love this magazine) and picked up a Rachael Ray magazine so many of the recipes come from the October 2011 issue of there. Plus I got back into my Deceptively Delicious cookbooks by Jessica Seinfeld to make sure there were some veggies consumed.
* This is a short week since I won't be home to cook Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Sunday
Mini Kicked Up Meatloaf - made in muffin pans with chopped sweet potato, chipolte pepper, cilantro and adobo sauce in them (I put Jacob's in the pan before adding spicy ingredients). For the topping I mixed ketchup and adobo sauce for the adult version and ketchup and agave nectar for the kid version. Spicier than I expected, but really good with mashed potatoes as a side.
Cauliflower Whipped Potatoes - similar to your usual potatoes, but I mixed in some cauliflower puree. Jacob has been on a no potato kick lately, but gobbled these up, and Michael didn't know there was cauliflower in them.
Tangerine Glazed Carrots - sauteed carrots in a little bit of vinegar and tangerine juice. I thought they were delicious and would fool Jacob since he loves oranges. Jacob thought they still looked like carrots and wouldn't touch them.
Yogurt and Fruit Popsicles - plain yogurt mixed with pureed strawberries and blueberries. Plus a splash of agave nectar. Big crowd pleaser.
Monday
Chicken Parmesan - nothing hidden or anything here. Since Jacob doesn't like meat lately I shredded the chicken and he liked what he thought was spaghetti
Side Salad - salad mix kit.
Tuesday
Chicken and Mushrooms - made in the crock pot with chicken broth, mushrooms, green onions, red wine (was supposed to be white, but since I drink red we made do with what was available). Very simple and tasted amazing. There is also a gravy you make to top it with the juice from when it was cooking, corn starch and evaporated milk.
Brown rice - to place the chicken on and tempt Jacob
Fruit salad - This is a regular side for us and I just use whatever fruit we have on hand mixed with a little powdered pudding mix
Wednesday
Sloppy Joes - the recipe called for bison, but I had turkey in the freezer. It was really good, all three of us liked it, but I think it would be better with red meat.
Macaroni and Cheese - This was a Deceptively Delicious recipe with the marking that it is one of Jerry's favorites, and after trying it I do believe he has no taste. You mix up any type of white beans (we used chick peas) with milk and add to the noodles with cheese. Jacob loved it and ate the huge portion I put on his plate, but neither Michael nor I ate much of it. At least Jacob liked it and got some beans in him.
Cherry Jubilee Brownies - Another Deceptively Delicious recipe with better results. Hidden in the brownies is pureed spinach. You can taste that brownies aren't as oohy gooey chocolaty and decadent as most, but I think that's because there really isn't much sugar in it. Nobody knew there was spinach in it, and Jacob loved the cherries in it
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Crac-ker
It's crazy the vocab Jacob is coming up with. I feel like every day there is something new, and since I've been working so much lately, having him home today brought tons of surprises.
1) When I get him up in the morning it's about the time that Scoot decides he urgently needs to go outside and there is no point waiting in Jacob's room for him to decide to stand up and stop playing with the stuffed animals in the crib. This morning Scoot was staring at me as I leaned over the crib and as Jacob stood up he saw Scoot and quickly called out and pointed...."Scoooooo."
2) There is a little blue puppy in Jacob's crib that he's been favoring lately. Every now and then I'll take it out of the crib and let him carry it around. This morning I brought it out to him as we fought about him not using the pacifier and as soon as he saw it he said, "dog." Glad he realizes every dog is not a Scoooo
3) Scoot taught Jacob how to beg. He's so bad with it and loves when I'm making fruit salad to go with dinner. He does laps around the house and every 10 seconds shows ups at my knees pointing to the counter (and now grabbing if it's too close to the edge) grunting that he wants what I have. Tonight I passed him a grape and I swore he said, "thank you." It made me laugh and 10 seconds later he was back for some more and another, thank you. It's amazing! He even said it when I brought him his dinner. Better manners than most adults.
...and lastly the cutest of the night.
4) Jacob was getting ready for bed and we were having some relaxing time on the couch as I flipped through a magazine. He likes looking at anything with pictures and we go over the names of it all as he points. This page had what every house should have packed in case of an emergency: flash light, sleeping bag, passport, crackers, batteries... We went over everything and then I pointed out the small packet of crackers and he repeated it. We were so amazed that I kept pointing at it and he kept repeating it, but then he started pointing at everything and saying cracker, so although he can say it, it doesn't really have complete meaning yet. The best was when he pointed to the cat in the ad on the next page and called it, "cracker." However, that really may be the cats name, so I can't say he's wrong.
1) When I get him up in the morning it's about the time that Scoot decides he urgently needs to go outside and there is no point waiting in Jacob's room for him to decide to stand up and stop playing with the stuffed animals in the crib. This morning Scoot was staring at me as I leaned over the crib and as Jacob stood up he saw Scoot and quickly called out and pointed...."Scoooooo."
2) There is a little blue puppy in Jacob's crib that he's been favoring lately. Every now and then I'll take it out of the crib and let him carry it around. This morning I brought it out to him as we fought about him not using the pacifier and as soon as he saw it he said, "dog." Glad he realizes every dog is not a Scoooo
3) Scoot taught Jacob how to beg. He's so bad with it and loves when I'm making fruit salad to go with dinner. He does laps around the house and every 10 seconds shows ups at my knees pointing to the counter (and now grabbing if it's too close to the edge) grunting that he wants what I have. Tonight I passed him a grape and I swore he said, "thank you." It made me laugh and 10 seconds later he was back for some more and another, thank you. It's amazing! He even said it when I brought him his dinner. Better manners than most adults.
...and lastly the cutest of the night.
4) Jacob was getting ready for bed and we were having some relaxing time on the couch as I flipped through a magazine. He likes looking at anything with pictures and we go over the names of it all as he points. This page had what every house should have packed in case of an emergency: flash light, sleeping bag, passport, crackers, batteries... We went over everything and then I pointed out the small packet of crackers and he repeated it. We were so amazed that I kept pointing at it and he kept repeating it, but then he started pointing at everything and saying cracker, so although he can say it, it doesn't really have complete meaning yet. The best was when he pointed to the cat in the ad on the next page and called it, "cracker." However, that really may be the cats name, so I can't say he's wrong.
Chores
When Charlie, my step-dad, came to stay with us for a month after Jacob came it was the best possible present anyone could ask for. I was up every couple hours with Jacob and at 7AM when I heard Charlie walking down the hall past our room I'd quickly gather our tiny baby and pass him off so I could get a little rest. We knew it was a gift during it, but now when we look back it we realize it was a HUGE gift.
The other part of this amazing help included home cooked dinners. Every day I'd be asked what I wanted and that night we had it for dinner. We went through all of my favorites from when I was growing up, including Chinese Chicken (which is now one of Michael's favorites too).
At night we'd go plop into bed and joke about how we've never done so many dishes. We were doing a load of dishes every night. This was a giant change to our normal routine of running the dishwasher once, maybe twice a week.
Now that Jacob eats the same thing we eat for dinner I really cook now. No more opening a can of something and heating it up. I use several skillets, pots, pans, food processor (to puree veggies to hide in food), a million utensils, pretty much anything we have in the kitchen I'm suddenly using for one meal. Our meals our healthier, but that dishwasher is running on a daily basis.
Last night as we finished the dishes and got ready to play for a bit before bedtime we reminisced on the amazing house guest we had. It's funny how such a boring chore can make you think of happy things.
The other part of this amazing help included home cooked dinners. Every day I'd be asked what I wanted and that night we had it for dinner. We went through all of my favorites from when I was growing up, including Chinese Chicken (which is now one of Michael's favorites too).
At night we'd go plop into bed and joke about how we've never done so many dishes. We were doing a load of dishes every night. This was a giant change to our normal routine of running the dishwasher once, maybe twice a week.
Now that Jacob eats the same thing we eat for dinner I really cook now. No more opening a can of something and heating it up. I use several skillets, pots, pans, food processor (to puree veggies to hide in food), a million utensils, pretty much anything we have in the kitchen I'm suddenly using for one meal. Our meals our healthier, but that dishwasher is running on a daily basis.
Last night as we finished the dishes and got ready to play for a bit before bedtime we reminisced on the amazing house guest we had. It's funny how such a boring chore can make you think of happy things.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Playgrounds
This past weekend was full of playgrounds. We invaded a neighborhood splash pad (which I felt kind of bad about with the complete lack of moisture in the area, but they still had it running), and later that day we went to our normal park mid-afternoon because of my mistake with the gym child care program's times and the equipment was way too hot to play on. On Sunday we kept the trend going and while Michael was tailgating Jacob and I met a couple grandparents at a county park before the sun got too hot. Later in the afternoon we went to watch the game at a friend's house with a few other kids and went to the neighborhood park after the game.
I can't wait for the weather to cool down a bit because he loves climbing around the equipment and knows how to go down the slide all by himself. He's getting so big. I love watching him explore at the park.
Getting used to the playground - hairstyle thanks to sunscreen
My little monkey climbing up the slide...with a helping hand
Water break
Shady spot to cool down and hide
The most handsome little man
Playing with his bowl after snack time in the pavillion
My gosh it's crazy to see how big he's gotten and all the personality that has come from that sleepy little baby we met just over a year ago.
I can't wait for the weather to cool down a bit because he loves climbing around the equipment and knows how to go down the slide all by himself. He's getting so big. I love watching him explore at the park.
Getting used to the playground - hairstyle thanks to sunscreen
My little monkey climbing up the slide...with a helping hand
Water break
Shady spot to cool down and hide
The most handsome little man
Playing with his bowl after snack time in the pavillion
My gosh it's crazy to see how big he's gotten and all the personality that has come from that sleepy little baby we met just over a year ago.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Classic Rock
His personality comes out every day, bu one thing is for sure...our little man loves to rock.
He does ok with the Top 40 stuff, but put on some classic rock and he can't sit still. His head starts to sway and then bounce with the beat. Then he drops whatever he's doing to get up, twirl, and do squats - his favorite dance moves.
My little boy loves to rock.
He does ok with the Top 40 stuff, but put on some classic rock and he can't sit still. His head starts to sway and then bounce with the beat. Then he drops whatever he's doing to get up, twirl, and do squats - his favorite dance moves.
My little boy loves to rock.
Wild Boy
This morning we made a last minute decision to go to the zoo. It's actually below 100 today and there was a great breeze and a cloudy sky, so we knew we had to do something outdoors with our crazy child.
He has a need to run and climb and cause trouble, which is just too much to deal with in the house.
As Jacob finished breakfast I packed our lunches, and soon we were ready to see the animals. He still doesn't really care for the animals, except for the Meerkats since they tackle each other and play, but he does enjoy riding in his wagon and watching the humans.
We skipped the birds, hoofed animals, and monkeys in hopes that the cooler weather had gotten the bears and cats to decide to play. No luck with the tigers and lions (which have been laying in the same spot every time we've gone this summer, so I'd like some proof they're alive), but the Andean Bear was rolling around and itching, and the smaller cats jumped around.
It felt like we circled around a million times, but we finally made it to the part Jacob knows means fun - the African Exhibit. It's the newest exhibit at the zoo and doesn't really host too much, but it's on the way to the children's section, and has a soft walk area with 3 Pygmy Huts for the kids to play in. That's seriously all it is and Jacob could spend hours there. When he first gets there he picks out a hut and stands in it watching everything while he gets comfortable with the situation, then he runs from hut to hut with a crazy scream while racing between them. In the large hut there were three older kids who I guess were pretending to be some sort of attack animal and they growled at Jacob, but he really couldn't care less.
He cried when we took him away.
Our next stop was his first ride in he carousel. As we stood in line I decide the Baboon would be the best one for us to ride. There were cuter animals, but he was on the outer edge and Michael wanted to video us as we came around. Waiting for everyone to get on was ok, and Jacob like sitting on the back of his monkey, but then we started to move and he wasn't sure what to think. On the back side of the carousel it was nice, but once you it the front half the wind was blowing like crazy and a new ride, plus the wind blowing through his hair was too much. By the end of our 4 times around the kid in front of us was off his ride and crying, Jacob was off the monkey and in my arms, and the kid behind us wailing.
Finally we made it to the playground for, in Jacob's opinion, the whole reason you go to the zoo. It was crowded, but he didn't care and still did his laps through all the equipment, up and down the stairs and several trips down the slide. Luckily we were able to woo him away from the playground with the promise of lunch. We found an isolated bench near the mini lake and had our sandwiches, then he was ready to go again, but getting cranky.
As we left the zoo we decided to let him get a little more energy out by running around the park, and feeding the ducks. By the time we got in the car he was out.
I let Michael drive home since he drives faster and we'd have more of nap time at home instead of in the car. Good idea in theory.
For two hours Jacob sat in his crib and talked while all mommy and daddy wanted to do was nap. Guess 30 minutes of nap is all that a wild boy needs.
He has a need to run and climb and cause trouble, which is just too much to deal with in the house.
As Jacob finished breakfast I packed our lunches, and soon we were ready to see the animals. He still doesn't really care for the animals, except for the Meerkats since they tackle each other and play, but he does enjoy riding in his wagon and watching the humans.
We skipped the birds, hoofed animals, and monkeys in hopes that the cooler weather had gotten the bears and cats to decide to play. No luck with the tigers and lions (which have been laying in the same spot every time we've gone this summer, so I'd like some proof they're alive), but the Andean Bear was rolling around and itching, and the smaller cats jumped around.
It felt like we circled around a million times, but we finally made it to the part Jacob knows means fun - the African Exhibit. It's the newest exhibit at the zoo and doesn't really host too much, but it's on the way to the children's section, and has a soft walk area with 3 Pygmy Huts for the kids to play in. That's seriously all it is and Jacob could spend hours there. When he first gets there he picks out a hut and stands in it watching everything while he gets comfortable with the situation, then he runs from hut to hut with a crazy scream while racing between them. In the large hut there were three older kids who I guess were pretending to be some sort of attack animal and they growled at Jacob, but he really couldn't care less.
He cried when we took him away.
Our next stop was his first ride in he carousel. As we stood in line I decide the Baboon would be the best one for us to ride. There were cuter animals, but he was on the outer edge and Michael wanted to video us as we came around. Waiting for everyone to get on was ok, and Jacob like sitting on the back of his monkey, but then we started to move and he wasn't sure what to think. On the back side of the carousel it was nice, but once you it the front half the wind was blowing like crazy and a new ride, plus the wind blowing through his hair was too much. By the end of our 4 times around the kid in front of us was off his ride and crying, Jacob was off the monkey and in my arms, and the kid behind us wailing.
Finally we made it to the playground for, in Jacob's opinion, the whole reason you go to the zoo. It was crowded, but he didn't care and still did his laps through all the equipment, up and down the stairs and several trips down the slide. Luckily we were able to woo him away from the playground with the promise of lunch. We found an isolated bench near the mini lake and had our sandwiches, then he was ready to go again, but getting cranky.
As we left the zoo we decided to let him get a little more energy out by running around the park, and feeding the ducks. By the time we got in the car he was out.
I let Michael drive home since he drives faster and we'd have more of nap time at home instead of in the car. Good idea in theory.
For two hours Jacob sat in his crib and talked while all mommy and daddy wanted to do was nap. Guess 30 minutes of nap is all that a wild boy needs.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
My Buddy and Me
Poor Scoot doesn't quite get the attention he used to. Instead of running laps around the house all the time with him he now has to leap over and dodge Jacob's toys and listen to us yell gentle as Jacob tries to run with him. He can't lay on the couch and rest anymore since Jacob can easily climb up there to lay on him and grab at his paws. This game always emits giggles and growls.
Poor Scoot simply can't catch a break and we like to think he walks around muttering, "stupid kid, stupid kid, stupid kid" throughout the day.
The one way Scoot does benefit however is in no way small. Scoot now has a constant supply to human food. The pup who never begged, is now one of the worst beggars I have ever seen. He's smart about begging at dinner and lays under the high chair with just a bit of his butt sticking out since not only does Jacob toss down food, but he also throws down his sippy cup with force.
We do our best to assure Scoot that Jacob is simply in his puppy phase and will soon be his best friend. I'm not sure he believe is and still spends most the morning staring Jacob down and muttering.
Poor Scoot simply can't catch a break and we like to think he walks around muttering, "stupid kid, stupid kid, stupid kid" throughout the day.
The one way Scoot does benefit however is in no way small. Scoot now has a constant supply to human food. The pup who never begged, is now one of the worst beggars I have ever seen. He's smart about begging at dinner and lays under the high chair with just a bit of his butt sticking out since not only does Jacob toss down food, but he also throws down his sippy cup with force.
We do our best to assure Scoot that Jacob is simply in his puppy phase and will soon be his best friend. I'm not sure he believe is and still spends most the morning staring Jacob down and muttering.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Oh ....
Yesterday morning I was changing Jacob and we were both happily getting ready for breakfast. He sang me songs and giggled while I got his clothes out and when we were all done I put him down to walk to the kitchen. He stumbled a bit, tossed the toy in his hand and as normal said, "uh oh" followed by a new one to my ears, it sounded a lot like, "oh shit." I didn't respond. It took me a couple minutes to decide if I heard him wrong or not, and I let it pass.
Then as I got him set up in his high chair he said it again, for no reason at all. This time I gave it no reply again since now I was trying to figure out where he got it from. I've cleaned up my mouth, but still have a slip up here and there so I thought back to anything I may have said recently. Then I decided that even though I slip, this wasn't my fault since that is not one of the words I say.
Now that I knew it wasn't my fault, and that I was hearing him correctly, I was ready for the many times he repeated it throughout the morning. I tried following every time he said it with, "ok" in hopes that would start saying that instead. He didn't get the point, but he did stop saying it; luckily before I took him to the YMCA where I would be an embarrassed parent.
Tonight he started it again. We're saying, "awesome" after each time and it seems to be working, sometimes it still sounds wrong and we snicker, but other times he just sounds like a kid of the 90's, maybe we'll teach him, "Sup Dawg" next.
Then as I got him set up in his high chair he said it again, for no reason at all. This time I gave it no reply again since now I was trying to figure out where he got it from. I've cleaned up my mouth, but still have a slip up here and there so I thought back to anything I may have said recently. Then I decided that even though I slip, this wasn't my fault since that is not one of the words I say.
Now that I knew it wasn't my fault, and that I was hearing him correctly, I was ready for the many times he repeated it throughout the morning. I tried following every time he said it with, "ok" in hopes that would start saying that instead. He didn't get the point, but he did stop saying it; luckily before I took him to the YMCA where I would be an embarrassed parent.
Tonight he started it again. We're saying, "awesome" after each time and it seems to be working, sometimes it still sounds wrong and we snicker, but other times he just sounds like a kid of the 90's, maybe we'll teach him, "Sup Dawg" next.