Blogging Blitz

As you can see I'm pretty ridiculous when it comes to blogging, either I post every day for a week, or 5 posts in one day or I go an entire month with out posting anything! So just laugh at me because that's just the way I do it. Right now I'm on a blogging blitz:) I was just on a recipe kick for a while too, so now you pretty much have all the meals I make, right here on this blog! Next up, refinishing my armoire and dressers- this has been on my "To Do List" for way too long!

Carseat Controversy

Everyone I talk to seems to be pretty frustrated with the new Carseat Reccomendation:

"REAR-FACING UNIL TWO-YEARS OLD"

It's a touchy subject with some... my husband really wants to turn Rockwell around at 1 for various reasons (he can't see, he'll be a better traveler, get's car sick, legs uncomfortable, etc)... but after researching it out, I'm pretty sure we'll keep him Rear-Facing until 2. For this fact alone: "children under 2 are 75% less likely to die or sustain serious injury when rear-facing."

NHTSA now recommends: "Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer."

(Average limits are 35-40 pounds and 49 inches... anyone know any 2 year olds that big? Not me! Pretty sure Rock will turn 2 before he hits those limits)

I found a good website here that goes over reasons to turn keep kids rear0facing, even if you've already turn your child forward, and even if they are 20 months old and out grow there carseat, to buy an accommodating carseat until they are 2... it's pretty adamant on keeping your child safe, not taking any chances, because it's just not worth it.

Rockwell is 11 months old, let's hope he can last another 13 months!

Southwestern Chicken Soup (Easy and delicious!)

Ingredients:

1 12-ounce jar salsa verde

3 cups cooked chicken (I use 2 Costco canned chicken if I'm lazy:)

1 15-ounce can cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained (I add a can of kidney beans too)

3 cups chicken broth

1 tsp ground cumin (optional)

2 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup sour cream

tortilla chips

(I add avocado, lime, tomato, and shredded cheese for a super yum soup!)

Directions:

Empty the salsa into a large saucepan. Cook 2 minutes over medium-high heat, then add the chicken, beans, broth, and cumin. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Top each bowl with a sprinkling of onions, a dollop of sour cream, and some tortilla chips. For a soupier dish, use 4 cups of broth.

Winter Green Salad (My FAVORITE:)

Ingredients:

1/4 C chopped pecans, 1 TBS sugar, mix on stove untiled glazed (med/high)

2 bags of romaine lettuce

2 cups celery

2 cups green grapes halved

3 kiwi (sliced or cubed)

dried cranberries

Dressing: *(Make plenty early before serving and refrigerate)*

1/4 C olive oil

2 TBS sugar

2 TBS Raspberry vinegar (Kozlowski Farms brand is best)

1/2 tsp salt

(I double the dressing and pecans. Put dressing on just before serving... Super yum!)

Taco Soup (easy, fast, healthy, cheap, on hand ingredients)

I love this soup, because I can use it in a crunch and know I usually always have everything on hand:

2 C canned tomato sauce

1-1/2 C Water

1 C frozen corn

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

2 C free range chicken broth

2 cans of beans, rinsed and drained (I use kidney and black beans)

1 garlic clove, minced

1-1/2 C shredded share cheese

tortilla chips

Combine frist 9 ingredients in a large saucepan, bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 12 minutes. Taste and add any extra seasoning. (Can add salt and Chili powder for extra kick.) Crumble chips and cheese and enjoy! (Also good to add sour cream and avocado)

Hershey's Doubly Chocolate Cookies (super yum!)

We love these cookies for a good change up from our oatmeal chocolate chip cookies... super delish!

2 cups flour

2/3 cup Hershies Cocoa

3/4 tsp. Baking Soda

1/4 tsp. Salt

1 cup butter (softened) **THE TRICK TO GREAT COOKIES IS TO LET YOUR BUTTER SOFTEN AT ROOM TEMPERATURE (NOT TO MELT IN THE MICROWAVE, IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD! so just get it out the morning of and it should be great!)

1-1/2 cups Sugar

2 Eggs

2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

2 cups Chocolate Chips

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350

2. Stir together flour, cocoa, soda, and salt.

3. Beat butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large bowl until fluffy.

4. Gradually add flour mixture, beat well and then stir in chips.

Bake 8-10 min

Makes approx. 4-1.2 dozen cookies

Free Fun!

Hike, Hike, Hike, we love to Hike! This summer we have loved going hiking in the mountains, now that it's cooling down in the afternoons, we will go even more after his 2nd nap. Rockwell loves hanging out in the backpack and when Taylor comes with us, he'll usually fly fish while we walk around and we'll bring a little something to eat and have a picnic. We love it, and it's a great way to have fun for free:) We are still trying to find more good trails, so if you have any you recommend, let us know!

Diapers.com-Best way to buy Diapers!

Ever since I discovered Diapers.com I have never bought diapers from a store again. It's my favorite way to buy diapers. Here's why:

• free 1-2 day shipping right to your door
• they send you prepaid envelopes so you can send them your manufacturers coupons
• they always have some promo going on (30% off, $5 off, etc)

However, last month there was a really good deal going on with pampers at target. First sign up at pampers.com and they will send you emails with deals. So they had a deal, buy 2 boxes of pampers and get a $20 target gift card, plus in the local paper there was the same deal but for a $5 gift card, plus the paper had a $2 off coupon for pampers and I had one from a magazine so I bought Two Boxes of Pampers and got $25 in target gift cards plus $4 off with coupons. Not too shabby!

*Diapers.com's current promo for is $10 off first order PLUS $5 off every case of diapers, use promo code: GR8DEALG

*For non first time orders there is $7 off Huggies, use promo codes: HUGSAVE2 and TAKEFIVER

PROJECT {Birthday Balloon Wreath}

I'm in love with this adorable Birthday Balloon Wreath! So I'm going to try and make it, looks simple enough right? Plus my little nephew is having a Balloon Party, so we might as well hang a Balloon Wreath on the door right? I think it will be a fun thing to bring out for everyone's birthdays, We've got quite a few coming up in the next few months... which by the way, I feel like I need to get an event planner now, Birthday's are getting super intense, super fun and beautiful, but intense... my biggest wow factor for our birthdays might just be this wreath- lol!

Check out the website on how to make it here!

Signing DVD's

We just started using these DVD's and I really like them! The format is very simple and they use good classical music and teach the basics for signing.

Rockwell will actually watch it for 15 min or so, he's still a little young for it, but I really want to teach him at least the basic signs for "please, thank you, more, all done, hungry, thirsty, tired, etc" that way he can learn to communicate before he talks and avoid getting frustrated.

We just check these DVD's out from the library and get new ones each week. It's a great FREE way to have a little dosage of entertainment/education:)

We love the Library!

Who knew all the things libraries offer? Not me, until now that is. We go to the library at least once a week. One of our favorites it the "Wiggle Worm" classes. They sing songs, and use scarfs and shakers, Rock loves banging the shakers and bouncing while they sing. They read books, play with parachutes, and it's fun for Rockwell to play with all the other kids.

Check out there youtube video- I thought it was funny, but cute!

Autumn Soup (Taylor & Rock's Favorite)

Autumn Soup

Serves 6

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 C. chopped onion

1 C chopped carrots

1 C diced celery

1 C cuped potatoes

3 C water

2 tsp. salt

1 bay leaf

1 tsp. worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/8 tsp. basil

28 oz. can diced tomatoes (with liquid)

Directions:

In a large saucepan cook and stir meat and onions. Drain off fat. Stir in remaining ingredients, heat to boiling, cover and simmer for 20 min. Enjoy!

We love to dip warm buttered rolls in it, very filling and healthy meal! I use a baby grinder so Rockwell can eat it too, he can't get enough of it!

Top Five Favorite Things

1- Baby Bjorn: I use this all the time, on walks, hikes, grocery shopping, cooking, you name it- Rock loves it!

2- Bob Revolution Stroller: This stroller glides like a dream and turns like a dream and is an all-terrian, running, walking, everyday use stroller. It's actually fun to push! Rockwell loves it and we bought the car seat adapter that converts into a tray that Rock also loves to hang on to or rest he's feet on. The other must have for this is the cup holder attachment that goes around the handle bars.

3- Binki Clip: a definite must, with how much my little man loves his bink this is the saving grace from having to pick it up every few seconds that he drops it (and preventing it from dropping and getting germs). The best use for this is Bedtime, now he can't loose it and he always knows how to find it in the middle of the night. Life Saver!

4- Canon Camera: I have loved learning to use my camera... I still have so much to learn and would like to upgrade, but love the quality of pictures it takes. We bust this guy out almost everyday!

5- Ipad: love, love, love! We use this for almost everything (it was my best friend in the first few months of nursing, when feeding would take over an hour) and we love all the different apps (top ones are *icam (works as a baby monitor, sends me notification if there is any movement and then I can watch and hear Rockwell live at any time) *white noise pro (has 15 or so options for white noise... we use in Rock's room every night) *LDS scriptures (makes scripture study much easier, we have it read aloud to us while we eat breakfast every morning) *Videos (great for long trips and has awesome battery life).

Salmon Patties

{this is one of my favorites, I can always count on it last minute to usually have all the ingredients and be delicious and healthy- add a squeeze or two or three of lemon before eating}

SALMON PATTIES

Makes: 4 servings, Start to Finish: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1
 beaten egg

1/4 
cup milk

1/4 
cup chopped green onions (2)

1
 tablespoon snipped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill

1/4 
teaspoon black pepper

1 
14-3/4-ounce can salmon, drained, flaked, and skin and bones removed

1/4
 cup fine dry bread crumbs

1
 tablespoon cooking oil

1
 recipe Honey Mustard Sauce (see recipe below) (optional)

Directions: In a medium bowl combine the egg, milk, green onion, dill, and pepper. Add salmon and bread crumbs; mix well. Form mixture into eight 1/2-inch-thick patties. In a large skillet cook patties in hot oil over medium-low heat about 6 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. If desired, serve with Honey Mustard Sauce. Makes about 4 servings.

Honey Mustard Sauce: In a small bowl stir together 1/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing and 1 tablespoon honey mustard. Cover and chill until serving time.

GREAT BOOK: Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood

I am love, LOVE, loving this book! I just started and am half way through and absolutely love the advice given on how to raise your kiddos, and how to be stress free and avoid getting angry and yelling. It teaches you how to speak to your kids and discipline in such a kind, loving, teaching way! The book talks about giving your kids choices, a sense of control, self- concept, and overall a healthier relationship with you! I need to finish reading it, but was too excited to share- you'll love it! A Must Read!

Yummy Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas

Rated: Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Servings: 8

"Rolled tortillas brimming with chicken and a creamy, cheesy tomato sauce, and surprisingly quick to assemble."

INGREDIENTS:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 1 onion, chopped 1/2 pint sour cream 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1 tablespoon dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce 1/2 cup water 1 tablespoon chili powder 1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper 1 clove garlic, minced 8 (10 inch) flour tortillas 1 (12 ounce) jar taco sauce 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.	In a medium, non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear. Drain excess fat. Cube the chicken and return it to the skillet. Add the onion, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, parsley, oregano and ground black pepper. Heat until cheese melts. Stir in salt, tomato sauce, water, chili powder, green pepper and garlic.
3.	Roll even amounts of the mixture in the tortillas. Arrange in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover with taco sauce and 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving. ***I add fresh lime juice and fresh diced tomatoes on top and love the extra flavor!

My new vacuum!

The Shark Navigator Vacuum! Oh how I love thee... I sang today as I tried you out for the first time... who would have thought I could get so excited about a vacuum?? Well it's mainly because my last one was so horrible the contrast was unreal! I live in a 2 bedroom apartment, and my first time vacuuming I had to empty the dirt out before I even finished. *It's light weight, never looses suction, 7 year warranty, never needs parts replaces, easy empty system, and works great! I had my mind set on a Dyson, but luckily I talked to a guy at target who had done all his research and told me about the Shark. I bought mine at Costco for $129 and it is worth every cent (reasonably priced considering the $489 Dyson!) So there you go, the joy a great vacuum can bring a clean freak mom, I highly recommend it!

Conquering Bedtime & Nap time...

Month 7 to 8 has been a month of so much change for baby Rockwell... namely sleeping has become the root of all our trials. Ever since we lowered his crib and he learned to stand up, he was no longer my dreamy sleeper... getting two teeth in the process probably didn't help much either.

Therefore you have the picture to the left. I hit the library up and got every book I could find on how to get your baby to sleep. Bedtime became an exhausting chore, I didn't quite have a plan of action, he caught me off guard, I thought I had been blessed with the best baby sleeper but then it all changed in a matter of days. He loved practicing his new tricks, standing up, sitting down, and up again, then throwing his binki, crawling, rolling, etc... most all the advice we received was to let him "Cry it out" 5 minutes then 10 minutes etc... we tried it and I loathed it, and he hated it, and it just didn't feel good. I couldn't stay consistent or let him cry very long... needless to say it just didn't work for us.

So from what I read there were some common guidelines and here is what I have ended up implementing and now works wonders!

HELP 1: Bedtime Routine

• every book I read talked about the importance of a consistent bedtime routine and exact time they go to bed. (Here's what we do: 7 pm bath, nurse, book, prayer and kisses, song, and then start Help 3: My Version.. see below)

HELP 2: Set the Mood

• every book also talked about setting the tone for a good sleep environment. We bought dark curtains that keep out the sun and have made all the difference.
• Turn on white noise on ipad (best app "white noise pro") (a fan would work great too)
• clip on his binki clip (*important: now he can't throw it and be desperate for it and he can find it in the middle of the night if he needs it)
• Clean crib out, so just his comfy blankets and a few stuffed animals are there to keep him company;)

HELP 3: My Version...

• The main emphasis for me was to help Rockwell learn to fall asleep on his own in his crib, to know that he's not alone and he's safe and to show/teach him how to sleep.
• (Night 1 & 2) after I lay him down, I lay by the crib until he falls asleep. This way he sees me and knows I'm there and he doesn't feel abandoned, but he knows I'm not going to pick him up (*important*) or get him out. The first night Rockwell cried pretty hard, so I would sing him a few lullabies and whisper "shh, shh shh" until he calmed down, it took Rockwell 1 hr 30 mins the first night, second night only took 15!
• (Nights 3 & 4) Eventually move close and closer to the door. I stayed by the crib and sang a song or two, then moved to the middle of the room and laid down, after a while I moved to the door, as soon as he was laying down, I quietly left the room, even if he wasn't asleep. Rockwell would sometimes get up again and notice I was gone, cry for less than a min and would fall asleep on his own.
• (Night 5 & 6) By this time after I laid him down I would go straight to the door and lay down (I would lay half way out so I could just kneel up and shut the door in a quick second) the first time he laid down I would quietly leave the room and he was good, no crying! I was in his room less than 5 mins.
• (Night 7 & beyond) Now after I lay him down I can walk out the door, he'll even watch me, and he's okay, (before we started this process, if I left the room he would start screaming and crying so hard- it's amazing how quick this worked!) he'll usually play in his crib for a bit and then fall asleep with out a problem! Sometimes I'll stay laying by the door for a min if he fusses, but literally a minute and then he's fine. This has worked so well for us and I hope it will work for you! Let me know how it goes and if you have any questions! Good luck!

OTHER HELPS:

• Move to an Earlier Bedtime
• Sleep begets sleep (the more they sleep, the better they sleep... good naps=good bedtime) Honor your babies nap times and bed times, it's good to revolve your life around there schedule for at least the first week that you start a new routine. It will pay off!
• Put baby down at first signs of tiredness... or even before (AVOID baby getting overtired)
• For my baby (8 Months) we aim for a 9 AM morning nap, 2 PM afternoon nap (dropped evening nap and transitioned to earlier bed time) and 7:30 Bedtime.
• If he does get up in the middle of the night, thats when I just have to leave him... one of the books I read talks about the difference between our "awake brains" and "sleep brains"and basically states the importance of letting them learn to fall back asleep on there own for the middle of the night awakenings.

*I know every baby is different and you just have to do what works best for you! Most everyone I know does the cry out method and has success, so no judgement if that's what you do- if it works- go for it! This way was just so much easier on both me and my baby! Oh ya, the other major help... I did a lot of praying.... I know it seems silly to pray so intently for help getting your baby to sleep, but if it's important to you, it's important to God... so I prayed.... and it helped:) Best of luck!