It's All Fun & Games Until....

I beat my dog!  I didn't really beat her.  You see, when Elise eats, the dogs hover around waiting for her to feed them or drop something on the floor.  Well, this morning I tore up some little pieces of waffle for Elise to eat and had my back turned.  When I turned back around, Riley, my Golden Retriever had her two front paws up on Elise's high chair and ate all of her waffles!  Anyway, here's some photos and a video from breakfast...

Things to take note of:
1. Elise likes to prop her feet up on the bottom of the high chair tray
2. Riley regularly checks Elise's lap for food she has dropped
3. Elise says "yum, yum, yum,"
4. Riley licks Elise's hand and I let her eat with the licked on hand.. Don't judge me.

Work & Marriage Go Together Like A Horse and Carriage

You know they say "if you do something you love, you will never work a day in your life."  That quote could apply to marriage too.

I frequent a Mommy Board and came across a post discussing how marriage takes hard work.  Agreed, it's not always sunshine and rainbows and it takes a lot of patience, understanding, and work on both partners' behalf.  These are a few quotes from the discussion that I really felt I could relate to and felt particularly strong about passing on.

"Absolutely, marriage is hard work, but it's intermittent hard work (like labor). There are times when it's a dream, filled with tender moments and romance. When he picks flowers from the garden after mowing the lawn, when he opens a bottle of wine because he knows I had a rough faculty meeting, and when I listen to his ideas and think he's the smartest man alive. At those times, I feel so much stronger as a person because I have this amazing partner to share my life with. It is a fairy tale.

Then there are times when it takes energy just to talk to my husband about my week, when I feel offended by his very presence in the living room, when we are snapping at each other over who has taken the most 4am feedings, and when I feel lonely as I fall asleep at night because I can't remember the last time we had time (and/or desire) to kiss. Sometimes its a day, sometimes its longer. I think the key is working through the low points and riding the high points like a wave." 

"I think sometimes it's more than about love - it's about not being selfish and putting the other's needs first (which, in my opinion is love - the doing, not the feeling).  So, yes, sometimes that is hard work.  That being said, when you are in love and are married to your best friend, for the most part it can seem like it's not work at all.  You want to do whatever you can to see the other person happy and hopefully they do it in return!"

"Marriage is not only hard work that you have to consciously put effort into, but it is also far from romantic, at least for me. It takes time, effort, understanding, etc. And honestly sometimes all I want is a good glass of wine, a bath, a comfy bed and a good nights sleep. You have to be patient with each other when you feel that way but it is the hardest thing ever to be married, even more so then to be a parent!"


I don't think it could have been better said.  These are all valid and important statements that we could all probably relate to and take to heart.

11 Month Letter to Elise

Dear Elise,

You are such a big girl these days.  Your third tooth is starting to see the light of day, you are a speedy crawling machine, pulling up, pushing your walking toys, opening all my drawers and cabinets, opening and closing all the doors... you are an unstoppable force!  Standing on your own and walking are on the horizon for sure!  You are obsessed with BUTTONS!  The TV Remote, the computer, and the phones.  Nothing is safe!

In 2 short weeks we will be celebrating your 1st birthday!  I can't believe how fast these 11 months have flown by.  You amaze me everyday.  The love I have for you is something that nothing could compete with.  I love that you are a Momma's girl (for now).  While laying in our bed, you can tenaciously fight your way from your Daddy's arms to crawl to me and lay your head on my chest.  I hope that you will always have that tenacity and will fight for what you want.  As long as it's not with me, of course.

You and I are trying to settle into a new routine, as I thought I would start weaning you from breastfeeding.  You had other ideas, though.  Ones that didn't include weaning.  I thought it would be pretty easy since you dropped down to nursing three times a day on your own.  It's not.  When I know that's what you want, I can't help but give in.  Maybe we'll wait just a little while longer and try again.

We have folded up the walker because you aren't interested in using it much, and the bouncer that you lived in as newborn is back in its box in the attic.  Next thing to pack up will be the swing.  You are moving on to bigger and better things...  I have folded and packed up your summer clothes that you have outgrown much to my dismay. 

I have to keep reminding myself that although I feel sad that you are growing up so fast and aren't my tiny newborn baby anymore, the best is yet to come.  When one door closes, another one opens and I can't wait to see what our future will bring.  Actually, I can wait.  I don't want time passing any faster than it has to.  I know I have caught myself saying "I can't wait until she crawls, I can't wait until she walks, I can't wait until she's more independent" but I don't really mean that.  I want to cherish all these moments while I can.  Even if that means cherishing diaper changes, messes, carrying you everywhere, and lugging that heavy car seat all over God's green earth. 

Elise, I have so many hopes and dreams for your future, but you have already made all mine come true.  I know you are going to do many great things, but to me you are perfect and already make me the proudest mom I could be.

Love Always,

Momma

Mayonnaise

You know what I hate equally as much as snoring?  Mayonnaise.

I do not eat anything that has or looks like it has mayonnaise on it.  And stuff like potato salad or chicken salad...  well, I try to stay away from it if I think it could be poisoned with mayonnaise.  Except, if I am at someone else's house or someone has prepared a meal for me, I obviously don't want to be rude.  I get my fork all saddled with the product and prepare myself before sticking it in my mouth:  "it's not mayo, it's ranch.... it's ranch."  After all, Ranch is the new Ketchup.  Please do not tell me what Ranch is made out of.  I don't think it has mayonnaise in it and I'd like to keep it that way.

So, every time we go to a fast food place to get a burger I emphasize very clearly that I don't want my burger even sitting next to the mayonnaise.  Because, usually I'll eat whatever they give me instead of sending it back UNLESS they put that freaking white crap on there.  Then I have a total freak out.  This is how I feel about Mayonnaise...

And I think I can speak for everyone when I say, No one wants to see that face EVER.AGAIN.

A few weeks ago after the football game, Jason and I wanted something to eat.  I wanted Taco Bell (they don't even have mayo in that entire building) and Jason wanted Wendy's.  I ordered my number one with cheese, no onions, and NO MAYONNAISE.  We got home and my burger had no cheese and a gallon of mayonnaise on it.  I flipped out and threatened to call them, but Jason (the peacemaker) offered to give me his chicken sandwich.

"Here, just eat mine."

"NOOO!  It has mayonnaise on it TOO and I paid thirty cents for my piece of cheese!"

So, he went back up there and got me a new one.

So, last night Jason texted after he was done with drill and asked me what I wanted to eat.

Jason:  Wendy's or Taco Bell?

Me:  Better go to TB because Wendys will put $%*@# mayo on my #%&*$ burger and then I'll have to go up there and cut someone's #@!*&$ throat.


Taco Bell it was.

But, you see... it happens to me ALL.THE.TIME.  Every place I go screws up my order.  I mean, really?  Is it that hard to freaking read that little screen before and while you are making the order?

One time I actually cried because Braums covered my burger in mayonnaise.  Jason offered to give me the bottom half of his bun, but that wasn't good enough.

"I don't want two ass ends........." I sobbed.

SO.  I'm kind of at the junction where I have two options.  Only go to Whataburger because they put mustard on their burgers by default.  They don't even mess with that mayonnaise crap.

OR...

Take my crayons up to Wendy's or Braum's and write:

Substitute Training

I had substitute training today.  It was, um... ummm... interesting.

Let me tell you one thing I learned FOR. SURE.  The parents of the children in this school district should be afraid.  Very afraid.

The email that was sent to me (and I'm sure everyone else in that room) specified that the dress code for today's training was "business casual."  I wore some flats with my trouser pants and a rouched purple shirt.

The girl next to me wore jeans, flip flops, and a T-shirt.  And a nose ring.

The guy in the Mustang that parked next to me wore jeans, flip flops, a backwards hat, and (my favorite) a little bitty T-shirt that came up his back about 8 inches to expose his underwear when he stood up to introduce himself.

These are the people that are molding the minds of our youth.  People that obviously can't READ an email.  Either that, or they aren't responsible enough to check their email.  Luckily, everyone in that room had to pass a criminal background check before being admitted. 

Upon further examination of my peers, I came to conclude that the requirements for a substitute teacher include the following:

1. no sense of fashion or trends
2. plain, straight hair with no type of style
3. no make up
4. homely appearance

I don't know if I'm going to be able to fulfill these job requirements because, frankly ya'll.... I am just too cute.  If I ever needed a self esteem boost, that was the perfect one.

Cheesy Chicken & Veggie Pasta

I have been trying to find some new ideas for what to feed Elise.  I'm trying to move on to more chunky stuff, but she's kind of "lazy" when it comes to having to "chew" up food.  She only has 2 teeth so she still prefers purees.  I also wanted a kind of "one dish meal" so I came up with this...

 The Ingredients include:

• 1 boiled chicken breast
• Broth from boiled chicken
• 1/4 pkg. of wide egg noodles
• 1/4-1/2 pkg of mixed veggies
• Cheese (optional)

I cooked the chicken, noodles, and vegetables and threw everything in the food processor.  I added some broth to get the right consistency. 

I also decided to grate up some Colby Jack cheese.... just because everything's better with cheese!!

So all in one meal you have: protein, veggies, dairy, and carbohydrates.

Elise LOVED it!  It freezes well too.  I filled up an ice cube tray with everything out of the food processor.  So, now I can just pull out a couple cubes when I'm ready to feed her and toss it in the microwave.  I microwave all of my homemade food cubes thirty seconds per cube.

Maybe I will start sharing more of my homemade baby food success stories if I have anyone that's interested in learning more.

Photos From Elise's 1st Airplane Ride

 On The Way Home