Home is where the heart is...

So I arrived in Kentucky this past Thursday to bring Hallie home for her first visit!

She did excellent on the flight, so I was pretty stoked about that. I've always been the one to roll my eyes and be overly annoyed at a screaming baby on an air plane, so I just assumed I was going to be taught a lesson for my previous impatience. I must have been in God's good graces, because she was a flying pro!

Most everyone was anxious to get their hands on my little squirt, so almost as soon as I turned my phone on I was bombarded with phone calls and text messages. I made it very clear that I wouldn't be making any plans, other than the family get together. All of this upheaval can be hard on an infant and I only want to drag her out and about when she seems ready and willing! So far everyone has been very understanding and for that I'm thankful!

Being here really makes me want to move back. I love Florida but Hallie has tons of family here! There we only have my mom, his dad and step-mom and his grandma. Mom moved out to the beach which is a pretty good drive for us, so we won't be seeing her as often. Zach's father just retired and they will be buying a camper and traveling most of the time, and his grandma is elderly and also lives a good distance away from us...so we don't see her on a regular basis either. I don't know, just sort of makes my heart hurt keeping her away from all of the love my family has to offer.

Doesn't matter anyhow, Zach's career is what keeps us going and it's in Florida. I'll just have to make frequent trips up this way so she can always know a part of her mother's roots.

My Mommy Must Haves

**In No Particular Order**

1. Comfy & Inexpensive Nursing Bras

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bestform-Sport-Nursing-Bra-Style-B388/5026122

I used the cheapies from Wally World and they have been great to me.

2. Lansinoh Diaper Rash Cream

http://www.babiestravellite.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=LDRO&Category_Code=DCL-Toddler-Bundle-Diaper-Cream&Store_Code=BTL

Hallie has never had more than one tiny bump on her bottom and as soon as I put this cream on, it's gone! I like how it goes on smooth and not like a paste.

3. Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2574820

I tried using Gerber reusables but they just didn't work for me. I've never leaked through these pads, and trust me...my milk is quite abundant.

4. Moby Wrap

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3627715

I started using my wrap when her head control was good. She loves it and so do I. The Moby molds to both you and your baby for perfect comfort.

5. Microwave Bottle Sterilizer

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2970576

Add 7oz of water and pop in the microwave for 8 minutes. BAM you're done, bottles are sterile and ready to go!

6. Pampers Diapers & Sensitive Wipes

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pampers-Swaddlers-Diapers-with-DRY-MAX-sizes-Newborn-1-1-2-and-Bonus-Travel-Pouch/14053198

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pampers-Sensitive-Baby-Wipes-Tub-and-Refill-Bundle/12380432

I am a huge fan of pampers, they work for us. Hallie is long and skinny and they accommodate her shape very well. She still has blow outs, but I think that would happen from time to time in any diaper. When you move into size 2 it's a better deal to buy the large box of Baby Dry (96ct) rather than Swaddlers (84ct).

7. Pacifier Wipes

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3504391

These are awesome, just wipe and then the paci is sanitized!

8. Quality Diaper Bag

http://cgi.ebay.com/COLE-HAAN-KYLE-BLACK-NYLON-DIAPER-BABY-BAG-NWT-350-/370358855216?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item563b1ba630

I chose a Cole Haan Bag. It has tons of space and came with a changing pad. It's basic black and goes with everything. Money spent on a good diaper bag is well invested.

9. OxiClean Free

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=195604&catid=157185&aid=337953&aparam=oxiclean_versatile_stain&CAWELAID=220130589

I keep a bucket with oxiclean and water sitting on top of my dryer, and I change the water every 3/4 days. Hallie has no stains!

10. Zip Up Sleep Sacks

https://www.halosleep.com/products/detail/19/100_organic_cotton_sleepsack_wearable_blanket/39/100_organic_cotton_sleepsack_wearable_blanket_/

These are great! You know the baby is warm and they make for an easy diaper change in the middle of the night!

11. Milk Bank Bottles

http://milkbank.com/

Same concept as Dr. Brown, but less expensive, easier to clean, and they're cute! They also make a vacuum storage system for BFing moms!

12. Lansinoh Milk Storage Bags

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2967914

These are convenient when you are at work, or on the go and need to pump.

13. Munchkin Suction Bowls

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=95239&catid=154451&aid=337953&aparam=munchkin_stay_put_suctio&CAWELAID=61283424

You do have to push them down pretty often, but it reduces the chances that cereal & veggies will be plastered all over you wall!

14. Formula Dispenser

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3898868

Keeps it pre-measured and saves space in your bag!

15. LARGE Bibs!

http://www.mum2mum.us/wonderbibs_plain.htm

Babies are messy when they first start solids...tarps are preferable.

16. Good Breast Pump

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2409078

I bought a Medela Manual Pump and it worked great for me. If you have to go back to work, I recommend an electric pump.

17. Nursing Gowns

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bestform-Maternity-Nursing-Gown/10843545

Great for the hospital and home. LOVE these!

18. Organic Crib Mattress Pad

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2304185

The mattresses are all pretty hard and this gives it a nice soft feeling!

19. Boppy Pillow

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2584005

These things are lifesavers. For many reasons.

20. Dishwasher Basket

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2969609

Keeps all your bottle parts in one spot through the wash!

The "heavy" on baby weight...

It sucks! So, yeah, losing baby weight is tough.

Even if you lose the weight quickly, your body is still out of whack. I've felt like I've been in a foreign body for the past four months, and I'm not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

I need some serious motivation, so I am going to do possibly the boldest thing I have ever done. I am going to take a picture of myself in a bikini and post it here, for all of you to see. I'll be taking all of my measurements and weighing in weekly. If I feel like I have "someone" to answer to, I'm much more likely to stick to my diet and exercise plan.

I'm going on vacation at the end of this week. I'd blow it the first day if I even attempted dieting while vacationing. You don't go to Kentucky and not stuff yourself with yummy southern cookin' done by family! The sweet tea is calling my name!

So, when I get back it's time to get serious! I want to be 135/140lbs by my three year wedding anniversary on October 20, 2010. I think I can, I think I can...

The Rice Cereal Diaries

It's official! My baby has started "solids". We did our first go round with rice cereal yesterday! She didn't do so great the first time, after a couple of bites she was completely annoyed and over it. Later on in the evening I decided to try again. This time was much different! She was slurping it down like a pro! She still didn't make it through the entire bowl, but she made progress.



The weekend was full of fun events...

Friday we finished pictures. Unfortunately, again she wasn't exactly cooperative. We got most of what we needed, so I was pleased. I'm a little concerned with how this "baby modeling" is going to fly with her. I fully intend on taking her to an agency as soon as she's old enough. Can't hurt to try!

Saturday was the first "Chili Cook Off" I've ever been to. It was ummm, ok. The cost was $10 per person which was for charity, so I was ok with it. Half of the stands were empty because they "didn't expect so many people" and had run out of chili. The booth's that did still have chili, I wasn't impressed with. I definitely expected to be wowed by the variety of flavors, but instead was let down. I think I'll start working on my on my own chili recipe now and enter myself next year...

Sunday was a do absolutely nothing and enjoy every second of it day. Did make a yummy dinner inspired by my Step-Mom-In-Law Pat! Here's the recipe for the taking. You could do this with any meat, I chose ground sirloin.

BBQ Beef Croissants
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1 can of your favorite croissants
1 lb ground sirloin
2 T garlic
1 medium chopped onion
1 C favorite BBQ sauce
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
dash of salt
dash of pepper
1 T hot sauce
1 C shredded cheddar cheese
non-stick spray/butter

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to temperature listed on the croissant can (typically 375*-400*). Spray/grease 12ct muffin tin and set aside.

In a medium pan brown ground beef with the chopped onion, garlic, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Strain off excess grease once the meat is done browning. Return to pan and turn heat to low. Add bbq sauce and let simmer for 10 minutes.

While the meat is browning and simmering in bbq sauce, you will line your muffin tins with the croissants. There's no art to it, just try to fold, stretch and mold until the cup is covered and there is a little "crust" coming out of the top. Once your croissants are in place, evenly distribute 1/2 C of the shredded cheese in the bottom of each one. When the meat is done simmering in the bbq sauce, fill up each of the croissants. Top with remaining cheese and bake for 15 minutes or until croissant crust is a golden brown. Enjoy!

Some unmotivated motivaton...

So, I often get into this way of thinking. Probably doesn't make much sense, unmotivated motivation. For me, it's my Mt. Everest. I have the desire to do soooooo much, but I it's tough to find the time, or the will. So I've found that by taking baby steps, I am slowly becoming the wife/mother/person that I want to be. I know I'll never be perfect, but it doesn't hurt to try to be the best at the things I can do.

1.God

My family would be very disappointed in me for this one. I have really let my relationship with God fall short for several years now. This is currently the biggest thing that we as a family (Z & I) have to work on. While we have never stopped believing or praying, we need to put more time and effort into church and loving the Lord.

2. Finances

This matter, I believe is very important in the success of any marriage. I know that personally, in our marriage; money is the cause of quite few arguments. It's important to stay on a budget and work on saving for the long term and setting your life up to succeed. I have grown multitudes in my financial responsibility, it hit me when I got pregnant that it wasn't just about me anymore. Since then I've strive to not over spend and save on the things we do buy. We're not quite where we'd like to be, but we're close and I'm so thankful for that.

3. The Person

Who do I want to be? Me. The greatest version of ME that I can be.

I want to be the wife that a husband can come home to and hold in his arms and thank God for.

I want to be the homemaker that is an amazing cook, who is incredibly crafty and keeps her home spotless and perfectly decorated.

I want to be the mother that packs her child's lunch everyday and leaves a sweet note inside. The mom who takes her kids to school and picks them up ever day. Who hosts loads of children for a sleepover and plans a fun night of games and crafts and yummy food. Who goes to every practice, game, recital, talent show. Who's children will always feel like they can come to her, trust her, rely on her...for anything at anytime.

I want to be the friend that is always completely supportive and non-judgemental. Who you know that no matter the time, will answer the phone or open the door. Someone that you can count on, through good or bad, thick and thin.

Most importantly, I want to be a woman of God. Who radiates His spirit and thinks with his mind, loves with his heart, listens with his ear and sees through his eyes.

3. Philanthropist

We don't my any means have a lot of money. I do however feel that we have enough to give a little back. I want to make the effort to tithe properly and find other organizations that are close to our hearts. To give our time as well as our money, to help where it's needed.

4. Image

I love to feel put together, at all times. Somehow it triggers contentment, and I absolutely radiate confidence. I will devise a plan that somehow includes:

- A mani and pedi weekly, done by myself.

- My own take on a facial should also be a weekly occurrence.

- Hair done every 8 weeks, no exceptions.

- Gym five days a week (haha, yeah right...maybe 3).

I must pull through this post pregnancy "yuck" phase and get back to my old self.

5. Success

I want to be something. A wife and mother, always and first. Eventually though, I will have to work again, so it would be nice to have a plan. I really have to do some soul searching here. For now I will work on mastering my crafts and try to sell those.


Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

The Picture Saga Continues...

We will attempt to complete the photo shoot in a few short hours! We don't have very many more shots to capture, so hopefully she will be a little peach and stick it out. I mean, I would probably be annoyed too if someone stuck bunny ears on me and shoved me in a basket! Not to mention the tutu, constant outfit and hairbow changes. I can only hope that in years to come she will thank me for this. Here is a shot of us from last week's shoot...



Photo taken by Jeni Rzonca at Vanity Studios. Check out her website at www.vanitypics.com, or her blog at vanitypics.blogspot.com :)

Title Schmitle!

I don't have a title for this blog, yo! Just too many things to cover to give it a specific name! I'm trying to be better about this whole blogging effort...my computer is really a POS and making it hard! Alas, I have finally logged on and the time to update has come!

Family pictures took place this past Saturday. Yay. Ummmm, not. The first half of the shoot was fantastic. Hallie was perfect and relaxed, then she went into a major melt down from which she never recovered. Partially my fault, because I couldn't handle the stress and I totally let it get to me. I love our photographer, she is so patient and understood. We will be finishing the remainder of the shoot sometime soon. Her web site is www.vanitypics.com, check her out, she rocks and has great prices!

Easter has passed, and it was a wonderful Sunday. I am very disappointed in myself, we didn't go to church. We slept until 11:30 a.m., Hallie included. I really wish Hallie would have spent her first Easter Sunday in a religious environment...but what are you gonna do? I'll just make sure next year she is in a church! Here is a photo of us on the beach taking her first "beach walk", she LOVED it!!



We spent the morning with Z. When he had to go to work, we headed off to my mom's new place on the beach. It's very cute! Small, but perfect for her. I'm a little sad that she is over an hour away now, but it's what she wants...and if it makes her a happier person, I'm all about it.

Halli had her four month check up on Monday. She weighed in at 13lbs 9oz and was 25in tall. Doc says all is well, so I'm with him. She was a trooper with her shots! Fussed pretty fiercely for a few minutes, then once I calmed her and nursed her, all was well in the world of Hallie. She didn't run a fever and no Tylenol was necessary. Just three small bruises at the injection sites.

I attend a "mommy & baby group" on Wednesdays at the hospital where I gave birth. I REALLY enjoy it. I have only met one person who I feel I have a lot in common with, so hopefully that relationship will grow. She also has a little girl who is roughly a month older than Hallie. They "played" together is week and it was soooooo cute! It's nice to be able to get out of the house and socialize with other women who are experiencing the same things that I am. Thank you, Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Oh, how could I have forgotten...PUKE a.k.a DUKE won the NCAA National Championship title. How horrible, I was routing for Butler. Oh well, hope they enjoy it cause KENTUCKY is taking it next year!

Dinner tonight is Chicken Tortilla Soup...I'll leave you with the recipe!

Chicken Tortilla Soup
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 1 Hour
Cook Time: 1 Hour

2 lbs chicken (I use bone-in, skin-on, as usual)
1 green bell pepper (medium chop)
1 red bell pepper (medium chop)
2 medium onions (chopped)
4.5 T chopped garlic
5 C chicken broth
1 t red pepper flakes
vegetable oil (I measure by eye)
1/2 t cumin (ground)
6 white corn tortillas (cut into strips)
1/4 cup cilantro
2 t oregano
2 t white pepper
Shredded Cheese (amount is to your liking)

Directions:

First begin with the chicken. Place chicken in large pot and cover with water. Add 3 T chopped garlic, oregano, white pepper, cilantro, 1/4 of chopped onions, 1/4 red bell pepper and 1/4 green bell pepper.

While chicken is cooking, saute remaining onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper with red pepper flakes in vegetable oil, until veggies become limp. Set aside.

Once chicken is cooked, remove chicken and transfer to cutting board. Strain the veggies from the broth and shred chicken.

In the pot which you cooked the chicken, return shredded chicken, strained veggies, sauteed veggies, cumin, chicken broth and remainder of chopped garlic. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then turn to simmer.

While this is simmering and the flavors are melding, you will fry the tortilla strips. Pour oil into a separate pan and bring to appropriate heat (I know it's ready when I flick water into the oil and it pops). Fry tortilla strips to a golden brown.

Pour soup into a bowl, top with shredded cheese and fried tortilla strip and ENJOY :)