"Diapers, Dishes, and a Glass of Cabernet"

Compare on Birth-days

2012-02-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Makayla on her birth-day

Jackson on his birth-day

Makayla

Jackson

Makayla 31/2years Jackson 31/2weeks

Makayla

2012-02-11T14:42:00.000-05:00

Makayla at 3 1/2

Makayla at 3 1/2 you are so sweet! But can be such a sassy pants. You are so smart! You know all of your colors, numbers, letters and you are learning to spell and read. You can write your name (you still need help with the K) and you are learning Jackson's. You love to count EVERYTHING!!! You enjoy watching Mickey Mouse and Strawberry shortcake. The Fresh Beat Band is your absolute Favorite and you ask to watch them daily! You know all the songs and most of the dances!

You like to dress yourself and you always pick out a dress or fancy skirt, and you can't forget the matching headband! You like to be the center of attention and you LOVE to talk & sing! You can hoola-hoop for a really long time and bounce on your trampoline for hours.

You are very thoughtful of others and you always make sure to include everyone. You like when you have your whole family around you. You are a total daddies girl and always thoughtful of your little brother. Since the first time you met him you can't get enough of him. You always want to kiss and hug him or sing to him. He loves to hold your finger and calms down when he hears your voice.

You are a good eater. You love Steak and Chicken…or any kind of meat! You eat all vegetables except lettuce and strawberries and blueberries are your favorite fruits. You are a great helper in the kitchen and at setting the table. You clean up your own play room and you always make sure your shoes are put away!

You are doing great in school and always the leader. You jump all the time which drives me crazy! You like to play with matchbox cars, baby dolls and puzzles. You draw all the time and are getting great at drawing people! Camping at Disney is your favorite place to vacation! You play your leappad (you think its called an ipad) and try to play mine (but I don't like to share). You make your dad and I laugh all the time. We always wonder how you come up with the things you do. You are an amazing girl and I am so proud of who you are becoming. You are so much like me and we butt heads all the time, but I wouldn't change a thing about you! You are perfect just the way you are!

Jackson

2012-02-11T13:16:00.002-05:00

4 weeks old

Jackson yesterday you turned 4 weeks old! You are such a sweet boy! You love your mom and you love to eat. You are still in newborn size clothes, and you hate hats. You like being swaddled at night but you get your hands free as soon as possible. You like tummy time in small amounts of time and you are starting to coo. You can focus on things now and you recognize your mom. You can almost hold your head on your own. You get really mad when you get mad and you remind me of an angry bird!!!! You are not a fan of the paci. You smile all the time.
You love to be held and the sound of your sisters voice. You smile when she sings to you and you always hold her finger! She adores you more then you will ever know and always thinks about you.

We are starting to get into a nice routine and schedule. You still sleep alot but are awake much more through out the day. You only wake up one time at night. Usually between 3:00-4:00am. You HATE the car seat more then anything! But we are working on that. You enjoy your bath until it's time to get out, but you love all the kisses I give you when you smell so delicious I could eat you.

Jackson you have so many people in your life that love and adore you! You are a very special boy, and I can't imagine our life without you! Being your Mom is so special, thank you for completing our family!!!

Jackson's birth story

2012-02-10T13:17:00.001-05:00

The morning of Friday January 13th 2012 I woke up around 4:00am with some pretty strong contractions but went back to sleep until about 6:00am. I told Steve he may not be going to work that day but to start getting Makayla ready for school and I was going to rest for a few minutes. When I stood up all I could do was grab the wall I was in so much pain.

Steve couldn't find the right shirt for Makayla so he called me in her room where he jumped out of the closet and scared me! As he walked out I felt a flush of fluid and knew it was time to go to the hospital. We called my sister to take Makayla to school and on to the hospital we went.

We checked in around 9:30am. I was 3cm and my contractions were 3-5 minutes apart.

They got me into a room and Kasie, my Mom and I started walking the hallway to strengthen the contractions. Throughout the day I moved around the room from the bed to the yoga ball and back to the bed. We had music playing in the back ground as we breathed and focused through the day. Around 3:00 they started pitocin to get things moving. I was about 5cm. The contractions were getting really strong but I was focused on fighting through them.

Around 5:00pm I was 7cm and having a very hard time dealing the pain of the contractions. At around 6:00pm I finally decided it was time for an epidural! It seems like it took them forever to get there and get it in but at 6:45pm I was finally relaxed and only feeling a slight tightness every 30 seconds to a minute.

Michele my amazing midwife came in at 7:30 to check me. When she did he was ready to come out. She turned the lights on got on her scrubs and 3 pushes later Jackson Thomas Bower was born at 7:54pm. He weight in at 6lbs 10.8oz and 19inches long. He had a good amount of dark hair and a very tiny cry!

I remember thinking how tiny he was and how much he looked like Makayla when she was born only smaller.

I could not have gotten through the day without some very special people! Steve was amazing doing whatever I needed. Kasie kept me focused and comfortable. She was an awesome coach and I am proud to call her my Best Friend! My Mom was my silent strength that day! I think all day we both wanted to cry every time we looked at each other but instead drew strength from one another. She got to see Jackson born and that is a memory neither of us will every forget! My Sister who made sure my other precious baby was taken care of, and ready to meet her baby brother. Knowing Makayla was taken care of and involved that day was just as important as knowing Jackson was ok! I am so blessed to have so many amazing people in my life!

Since the day Jackson was born I feel so complete! I never felt that way after Makayla was born…I guess in my heart I knew we would have one more. Steve and I could not be more thankful that we have 2 healthy children and a strong marriage. Here are a few photos from Jackson's birth-day

Steve Cutting the cord

Jackson Thomas

Seeing mommy and daddy for the first time

What a beautiful boy

Proud parents

Weighing in at 6lbs 10.8oz

Foot Prints

Proud GrandMom

When Makayla first came in a saw her brother I cried and had a feeling in my heart like never before. Seeing my 2 children together for the first time was a feeling I cannot describe. The love they have for each other from the very first moment is amazing. I hope it last a lifetime!

Our first picture as a family of 4

Surrounded by so much love

Nenny holding him for first time

Makayla got a special BIG SISTER bracelet!

Thanks for sharing in our story!

Jackson Thomas

2012-01-24T16:50:00.000-05:00

Our sweet boy is finally here. Jackson arrived on Friday January 13th 2012 at 7:54pm weighing in at 6lbs 11oz and 19 inches long. I plan on sharing his birth story but for now here are a few pictures from our first few days.

Jackson's baby shower

2011-12-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Early November My mom, Sister and best friend threw me the most beautiful fall baby shower. We all enjoyed a very delicious brunch, & good company. I was blessed with so many wonderful gifts for baby Jackson's arrival. The day was perfect and got me even more excited for him to get here. Unfortunately we were all having to much fun to take pictures but my sister did get some details that I wanted to share.

Table Decorations

Center pieces

we all enjoyed mimosas when we arrived

Personalized M&M's for a find the paci game

Beautiful and delicious brunch

cheese tray

quiche

Food Table center pieces

Fruit and cheese tray

Bagels

Favors

Gifts for game winners

Cupcakes

Chocolates

cheesecakes and chocolates

Take home treat boxes

All of my wonderful gifts! I am so blessed

beautiful burp clothes my mom made

I am so thankful for everyone who was able to make it to my shower to celebrate the arrival of Jackson. Having another baby was not something I was quit ready for but now I can't wait to meet him and kiss his sweet face. Having a boy is such a joy to me, I can't wait to see how different they are and how much they are alike. He is going to be here before we know it!!!!

Freddie on the Shelf….

2011-12-13T12:42:00.000-05:00

That is what Makayla calls her "Elf on the Shelf"

Freddie is a scout elf that arrives when we come home from Thanksgiving vacation and watches Makayla throughout the month of December and reports back to Santa nightly to give him a report of her behavior. He always lands in a different spot in the house each morning. Watching her find him is always so much fun in the morning. He sometimes brings notes, and gift, and this year he even brought of a Breakfast from Santa. He has also found himself in some trouble this year, he got into the Candy dish and enjoyed some of Mommies Chocolates!!! I love having kids and being able to bring joy to there faces.

Freddie when we first got back from Thanksgiving Vacation

Freddie got into the candy bowl

Freddie brought a breakfast from Santa.
Powdered doughnuts, Chocolate milk, a puzzle, and a coloring book.
He even brought cupcakes and plates to eat and drink on!!!

Makayla so excited about her breakfast

Yummm!!!

We are having a boy!

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

As most of you know will be expanding our family very soon. Jackson Thomas is due in January!

Over the last few months I have not taken many pictures but I do have a few to share.

About 5 month is Puerto Rico

7 months on our family vacation to Disney

7 months

Our 5 year wedding anniversary

4d of Jackson

I think he is going to look just like Makayla did when she was born

already showing off his big feet

Elbows

Sucking his thumb

We are so excited and proud to be growing our family by 1 more! I am not about 8 months and things are finally starting to get done. His room is painted blue and his crib and dresser are up. Decorations are starting to be hung and it's starting to look like a real nursery. My baby shower was last weekend (photos to come) and I only have a few more Dr. appointment left. time is flying by and with the holidays fast approaching he will be here before we know it! I can't wait!

A day at the Farm

2011-11-13T22:25:00.000-05:00

Today we got to enjoy a beautiful fall day on a farm. Makayla's friend Alex had his 4th birthday at Noah's Ark Farm. We got to enjoy goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys, turtles, bunnies, swans, chickens, and even a pony ride. It was a beautiful day and even better company. Makayla loved it and was very into all the animals, she is usually a little timid.

The sheep

careful at first

Then she got more comfortable

look at all those sheep and goats

Brushing the animals

She was the first one in line for the pig! She wants a pig of her own so badly

Waiting for the Chicken

Holding the white Chicken

She did so good

with Ben and the geese

Her favorite part….the pony ride!

It was a perfect party and all the kids really enjoyed themselves!

April showers bring May flowers….

2011-08-11T10:00:00.000-04:00

…and June, July and August flowers.

Back in April at school Makayla planted a tiny seed in a little cup and as it sprouted she was able to bring it home. She asked if we could start a garden. That day on the way home we stopped at Wal-mart bought a few pots, some packs of seeds, potting soil, and a watering can.

She put in all the dirt, the seeds, and waters them everyday!

I have been taking pictures along the way!

April 4th The first day!

April 28th the first growth

May 10th. Plants are doing well. See the little one at the bottom that is the one from school

Here it is the one that started it all!

May 31st the first bloom

June 12th all the plants are doing well and growing nicely

July 3rd! The first flowers with cut and put in a vase as the center piece of the table.

Makayla is so proud of her plants. They are all growing nicely despite the heat, we get the cut flowers every few days! What a fun and easy project to do with kids! I don't think they will survive the winter but it give us something to look forward to next Spring!

Who doesn't LOVE quiche???

2011-08-10T10:00:00.001-04:00

This recipe is so quick and easy and you can make it the day before and just reheat when you are ready for it!

Chicken, Broccoli, and Mushroom quiche

Ingredients

2 frozen pie crust (or homemade but who has time for that?)

1 pack of chicken breast cut into very small pieces

1 small onion chopped

1 8oz pack of mushrooms sliced

1 small bag of frozen broccoli

12 eggs

and LOTS of freshly shredded cheese (what ever kind you like)

You can add or change any of these ingredients to what you and your family like.

Heat the olive oil

Saute the onion and chicken (season Salt and Pepper)

when the chicken is cooked add the mushrooms and cook to release the water 2-4 minutes

add the frozen broccoli (I just put it on top and cover so it just slightly steams, I do not like my broccoli overcooked)

I use 6 full eggs and 6 egg whites just to make it a little healthy (LOL)

I whisk in some goat cheese (some people use heavy cream but I am watching the calories)

Poke and heat the room temperature pie crust for 4 minutes

Spoon the chicken and veggie mixture into the pie shell (not the liquid)

Pour the egg mixture over the chicken, veggie until the crust is full

Top heavily with your favorite shredded cheese (i just used little pieces from what was in the fridge)

Bake for 35-45 minutes in a 400-425 oven

until its golden brown and firm through the middle!

I will serve this tomorrow night for dinner. Just reheat at 350 for about 20 minutes

We will have fruit and a simple salad on the side!

I even made one for my Mom!!!

This is a perfect meal for a get together or brunch! It's quick and easy and you can make it ahead of time! Let me know if you make it and what you stuffed yours with!

You can also make this crustless in an oven safe pan!

Cotton Candy!

2011-08-09T22:28:00.000-04:00

Last week Makayla had Zoo/Circus day day at school and had to dress up like something from either the zoo or the circus. I knew everyone would be things like a monkey or elephant, or tight rope walker and I wanted her to be something different…I came up with COTTON CANDY! I am pretty impressed with my self. I made this costume for under $15! The tule was on sale for $1 a yard I need 4 yards of each. I found the pink shirt on sale for $3 at navy and my mom embroidered it so it said "cotton candy 25cents and we already had the tights (for the stick that hold the cotton candy) and shoes. I even found kid perfume that smelled like cotton candy for $1.

I cut and tied the tule around elastic and glued some to barrettes. Sprayed it with the perfume, gave her little pink glittery cheeks and this it what she looked liked.

I think she looked perfect and she was the only one dressed like cotton candy among a circus full of elephants, popcorn, monkeys, and lions!

What's for dinner?

2011-08-09T09:00:00.001-04:00

Blacked fish Tacos

Ingredients:

Slaw:

1/4 green onion with the green part --sliced

1 handfull of cilantro (about 1/3 to half of the bunch) chopped

juice from 1 lime

1 tablespoon veg. oil

1 garlic clove finely chopped or pressed

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon Blackened seasoning

1/2 small bag of broccoli slaw

Fish:

2 tilapia fillets about 1 lb

same blackened seasoning

1 avocado sliced

6-8 corn tortillas warmed

a little shredded cheese I use a mix of yellow and white you only need maybe 1/2 a cup

Directions

Preheat oven to 400

for the slaw, combine green onions, cilantro, lime juice, oil, garlic clove, sugar, and seasoning. mix together add in slaw and toss until all coated. Cover and put in the fridge until ready to eat.

Rince the fish and place on your baking pan, sprinkle with the blacking seasoning bake until flakey about 12-18 min.

While the fish is cooking slice the avocado, warm the tortillas and grate the cheese. When the fish is ready plate it all up and serve. We ate 3 small tortillas each. Steve and I both really really like these. They were light, fresh, and filling. I didn't even make any sides

This weeks Menu

2011-08-07T22:49:00.001-04:00

Making a weekly menu on Sundays by whats on sale and coupons is saving us a TON of money! And is saving me a lot of headache and a ton of time! We have been putting in some long days and the last thing I want to think about is what's for dinner. This week I saved over $50 on Groceries and I bought everything I needed for the week!

Monday Lunch -Fruit salad, cheese and crackers, and greek yogurt.
Dinner- our weekly visit to Sweet Tomatoes

Tuesday -Blacked fish tacos ( I love this recipe and it very healthy)

Wednesday- Chicken pot Stickers and cabbage salad (a lot of carry over ingredients from Tuesday)

Thursday- Chicken and mushroom Quiche! I have been craving this!

Friday- would normally be date night but this week we are going to save money since we went out with friends this past saturday and do an antipasti plate! Yumm

I only spent $120 at Publix and got all I need for these meals, and lunches for the week for Makayla and us.

I have a small head cold and have been wanting hot tea but shouldn't be drinking some of the herbs in natural loose leave teas so I made my own tonight! Orange and lemon peels, apples, peaches and honey let them seep in hot water and waalaa homemade all natural tea. I used the rest of the fruits in my fruit salad. It's delish!

Hope you all have a great week!

A week in a day

2011-07-25T22:25:00.000-04:00

I hate to admit it but I have been so bad about cooking lately. When I get home I am tired and not really up to cooking or figuring out what's for dinner. So we have been eating out or mix and matching from the freezer. I however am tired of eating out not to mention the cost. This morning I made a menu for the week all with meals I could "get started" today and just had to add little things on the day we were eating them. I also planned the meals so Steve could take it to work for lunch the next day. So today I made 4 dinner meals and enough for lunches.

Monday: Parmesan crusted chicken, Lime and Cilantro roasted corn, and bib lettuce with EVOO and parmesan cheese

Tuesday: we will be eating out for my Mom and Sisters birthday

Wednesday: Butternut squash soup (I made it today) with little sandwiches I will make that day

Thursday: Spicy shrimp sauce over gluten free pasta ( I made the sauce today but didn't add the shrimp when I reheat it I will add them then, and also cook the pasta that night)

Friday: we will eat left overs or have a date night since we have missed it the last 5 weeks.

I also made my sister a HUGE pot of chicken soup from scratch and all. (I make my own broth and everything) It's the best

I also got 6 loads of laundry done and cleaned the house. I feel so accomplished. GO ME!!!

Wishful Wednesday!

2011-07-20T09:00:00.001-04:00

I am wishful for this dress to wear with….

These shoes!

on a trip I am taking to Puerto Rico in 2 months! I can't wait!

Summer time

2011-07-18T23:53:00.000-04:00

We have been so busy this summer with the cupcake shop, the beach, birthday parties, and just being a family. Steve, Makayla and I have been getting some much need just the 3 of us time. But also lots of time with the rest of the family. We are so fortunate to have so much family close to us. Here are a few pictures to sum up our summer thus far.

My 30th Birthday

Makayla's 3rd birthday party

Splash Mat is the back yard

Island time

M, my mom and I at the beach

Riding Bikes

Swinging on Swings

Hannah's Graduation

The 4th of July with the Steadham family

Jenn, Kindra, and I on the 4th

M waking up on her 3rd birthday to a room FULL of balloons

Opening Gifts on her birthday

So excited to have a bracelet like, Gom, Nenny, and I

Happy 3rd birthday Makayla

What a wonderful time we have been having. So much to Celebrate these last few months. We are all doing well and enjoying the long days and hot summer nights. Makayla got a trampoline for her birthday from Gom and Crappa that she spends hours on each evening. Happy Summer time!

Happy 3rd Birthday Makayla

2011-07-06T08:18:00.000-04:00

A very cultured Makayla

2011-04-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

Owning a business, having a 2 year old, and daily life does not give us the opportunity to travel very much but thankfully enough my Dad has to travel ALOT for business and he always sends Makayla the most special items from the cool places he gets to travel too. She loves when there is a package at the door and she gets to open it!!! She always looks up and says is this from Paw Paw??? For me??? She loves it!!! His last package was a kimono and matching FlipFlops. She wears her Kimono as a robe almost every night before bed.

Here are a few pictures of her opening them

How cute are those flip-flops???

Trying it on for the first time

The other night we had a little fashion show with some of the cool outfits she has from around the world.

Posing

Her VERY cool outfit from India

With Matching bracelets that she play dress up with all the time

So Cute

My fired Melissa got her this little red dress from Korea last year when her husband was stationed over seas.

Though we don't get to visit these places in person, it's nice for Makayla to be able to experience different things from around the world…. We may live in a small town but we have a cultured lifestyle!!!! HAHA

Easter 2011

2011-04-27T07:00:00.001-04:00

We had a wonderful Easter…Saturday night we colored our eggs, Sunday we enjoyed brunch with the family, M got to open her easter Basket and hunt down lots of Easter eggs. It was so nice to have a day to relax with the family and just enjoy each other. I hope your Easter was has relaxing and enjoyable as ours.

Opening her Easter gift from "ReRe" Maria a very dear friend of our families

It was filled with all kinds of fun things…sunglasses, a harmonica, silly string, homemade egg bread that Makayla adores, and lots of other fun stuff!!!

Makayla was very intense about coloring her eggs…she did a great job and was very proud

"Daddy I'm busy I don't have time for a picture"

Concentrating very hard

Look at all of her beautiful eggs

Easter morning find all the wonderful things the Easter bunny left for her

Cookies, and lollipops, Sidewalk chalk, bubbles, a bathing suit,

Cotton candy, Tangled, goggles, jelly beans, Hair bows,

a bouncy ball, toothbrush, money, and chocolate bars

Time for the egg hunt

looking for eggs

Found one

Posing with all of her eggs

Shea and Makayla with there eggs

The 2nd hunt is on

I hope your Easter was filled with Joy and Happiness. Thanks for checking in!

A birthday Suprise

2011-04-25T21:36:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday my Sister and my Mom kidnapped me and whisked me away for a girls day at the Spa to celebrate my turning 30 a little early. Little did I know they also invited all of my closet friends to help celebrate the day. I was treated with a warm herbal wrap, a facial, bright pink toes, an afternoon by the pool including a few drinks, all followed up with a sea salt glow and glass of champagne. It was a wonderful day to just be ME. And to enjoy most of my favorite people!!!! Thanks again for everyone who was able to come, I enjoyed my day more then you will ever know.

Me arriving at the Spa

All the ladies before our treatments

Relaxing by the pool

Bridget and I

Jen, Jenn, and Me

They even decorated my locker

Leaving…it was so very sad i could have stayed for a few days

After the spa Steve, Makayla and I went to listen to a band play It was a nice ending to a perfect day

No more cheese….

2011-04-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

Thank goodness Makayla is a lover of fruit & veggies and she can always go for a good steak. So now that she is Dairy free feeding her really isn't that bad but we all have our favorite foods and for M cheese is big one. Thankfully we have found a rice cheese that she really likes. A milk and a selection of yogurts and ice cream treats that she has really enjoyed. She knows now she is not allowed to have "milk" only special "milk" that won't hurt her belly.
To be honest I thought this no dairy transition would have been much harder but she is doing really well and back to eating like a champ. I do however feel like I have become more giving with the "junk" or "snacks" to make up for the dairy free, but to tell the truth I don't think it's been that much of a drastic change in her world.

Almost all chicken nuggets are coated in a milk bath before there breading. I was lucky enough to find these that are really tasty, MILK FREE, and Makayla loves them. No Mc Donald's, or chick- fl- a for us anymore.

I searched high and low for a mac & cheese that was dairy free and I FINALLY found one! Its good and Makayla likes it not as much as Kraft of course but its a good substitute.

Words to live by!

2011-04-16T07:57:00.000-04:00

Life is too short. Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness. Laugh when you can, apologize when you should and let go of what you can't change. Love deeply and forgive quickly. Take chances. Give everything and have no regrets. Life is to short to be unhappy. ~ Author Unknown

I can't wait….

2011-04-15T09:34:00.000-04:00

To fill Makayla's Easter basket with these adorable Hair clips I got from a new site I found on Etsy. Little Hailey

The Easter bunny will also be bring her Tangled, bubbles, a bathing suit and few eggs filled with jelly beans, lip gloss, goggles, fruit snacks, cotton Candy, chalk, a lots of other fun Bunny stuff!!! What's inside your Easter Basket??? Ohhh and don't forget to leave out the carrots next saturday night!

Thankful Thursday

2011-04-14T08:08:00.002-04:00

Today I am thankful that this girl is feeling so much better

I am thankful that it is almost Friday and date night where I will be enjoying one of these!

I am thankful that this should be here TODAY!!!

I am thankful our yard is looking nice a green and I get to cut it again soon

I am also thankful I am back to blogging and really enjoying it!!!

What are you thankful for today???

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-13T09:00:00.001-04:00

and what a wonderful world it is!

Wishful Wednesday!

2011-04-12T22:22:00.001-04:00

I love this dress, and would love to have it for my birthday brunch in a few weeks but do I really need it?

To buy or not to buy???

Healthy cooking for 2011

2011-04-12T15:00:00.002-04:00

I know I haven't shared a recipe in a REALLY long time but I am trying to get back to blogging. It is something I really enjoy and a great way to keep a journal of life!! Since I realized I only have a month (well now 15 days) until I am the big 30 I decided to get myself in better shape. We have been eating healthy and working out more. My mom came up with this great recipe for ...

Chicken Veggie burgers

So easy and really good. Steve and I eat them over shredded lettuce with a homemade salsa on top but Makayla enjoys hers on a bun with melted "cheese".

3 stalks of celery

1 small onion

2 garlic cloves

1 bell pepper

1 jalapeno seeded (optional)

2lbs of lean organic ground chicken

salt and pepper to season

Puree the first 5 ingredients until finely chopped

mix in with the chicken and season to taste.

Once the mixture in mixed it will be a little loose so you have to work with it a bit. Form it into small patties and heat a skillet with a little chicken broth.

You can use oil but I am trying not to use any extra fats!

Cook on both sides until pretty brown and cooked through. Serve as a burger with a bun or a healthy protein to a salad.

This recipe makes a lot of burgers so as they finished cooking I put them on a pan in a warm oven to make sure they were cooked and to keep warm.

We had a lot of left overs. I just wrapped them individually in plastic wrap and stored them in the fridge. They are easy to take to work for a quick lunch and they are even good cold.

Let me know if you like them and if you make them!!

Trust your "MOM" instincts

2011-04-11T22:36:00.007-04:00

For almost a month now Makayla has not been feeling well. It started with a small cough, High fever and grew from there. After 2 late night dr. visits it was determined that she had bronchitis. Finally we had an answer!! We went home with antibiotics and breathing treatments… things were looking better until they got worse. Makayla started antibiotics on a Tuesday evening that friday she seemed to be feeling better so it was her Friday night to sleep over at my Mom's house. I went out for a wonderful girls night and Steve had to work late. We were both home by 11:00pm and in bed soon after. Around 12:30am the phone rings and my poor baby girl was crying for her Mommy. She had thrown up all over her poor Gom.

We made the late night trip over to my Mom's and scooped up our very pitiful girl, only for her to loose her cookies 3 times on the short trip home. I slept with her that night as she woke me every hour on the hour to be "sick" again. Finally we got to the Dr. at 9:00am Saturday morning. He said it looks like a stomach bug keep her belly empty and she will get better…We went home and rested and washed ALOT of towels…

That same afternoon she started complaining her ear hurt really bad, she was coughing terribly, and still not able to eat.

The next morning she woke with all kinds of goo all over her ear and crying in horrible pain but not able to keep pain meds down. So back to the Dr. we went on Sunday morning. Yep you guessed it horrible ear infection. We changed antibiotics and started ear drops. Makayla was still not interested in eating so every time we gave her the antibiotic we saw it again just a short time later. At this point I start keeping a journal of EVERYTHING…when and what she eats, when she pees, when and what meds she takes…I mean EVERYTHING.

She wasn't getting better because she wasn't able to keep any thing down. We went back to the Dr. on Monday to get an antibiotic shot! WOW was that painful for a 2 1/2 year old. Steve stayed home with her that day and I came home early it wasn't until about 3:00pm that she was able to move around without being in too much pain so we went to my Mom's house to walk around and try to play at the park…We were out side for about 20 mins when M started screaming she couldn't move her arm…she had been stung by a wasp on her elbow and ribs.

Really could this get any worse? That's what I kept asking my self… How much more can this poor girl handle? We applied a little ice, vinegar, and love and the bites were better within an hour. She was feeling much better Tuesday morning so we sent her back to school. Tuesday at Nap she throws up again and her cough is getting SO MUCH WORSE. That night she starts throwing up AGAIN.(At this point I knew this was more then a stomach bug) We kept her home from school and just gave her a break from EVERYTHING! No meds, let her eat whatever she wanted and just relax. One of Makayla's favorite foods are cheese, yogurt, and Icecream, so she was eating bit of that here and their. She was doing fine with the coughing at home but what still having belly pain and throwing up.

On Thursday I asked she school what they cleaned with? Pine-sol. Ahhh well at Christmas Makayla gets so sick whenever around real Pine. They clean at Nap time which explains why her afternoons she was so grumpy and wasn't sleeping through nap time. She was getting sick from the Pine-sol!!! Her cough and nose went away within 2 days after they stopped using it but she was still having belly aches and throwing up.

I looked over my journal very closely with her Dr. and we determined dairy might be the cause of the stomach problems.

Friday afternoon Makayla and I went to the Health food store and picked out all dairy free snacks, yogurts, cheeses, cookies. As of Thursday and being dairy free Makayla is back to her old self. She's eating again (dairy free) and keeping everything down!!! Her cough is almost totally gone and she is back to her good spirits!!!

So after a Pine-sol induced cough, fever, and ear infection, 2 wasp stings, a very painful antibiotic shot, lots of throwing up, & giving up dairy!

MAKAYLA IS FINALLY FEELING BETTER

Our plan for now is to take her off Dairy for the next two weeks, and then give her a lactose free milk to determine if it's a milk allergy or a lactose allergy.

All I know is that I am happy to have a well child for the first time on over a month!!!

Thanks for listing to my "vent" I will keep you updated!!

For now I leave you with this picture of a very happy Makayla after enjoying her breakfast.

2 years ago today!

2011-04-07T23:40:00.002-04:00

Do you remember what you were doing 2 years today? I don't but I ran across this picture tonight that was taken exactly 2 years ago today! My how she has grown.

My precious 9 month old

My precious 2 year and 9 month old!!!

Love her!!!

1st night

2011-04-01T23:41:00.002-04:00

My first night of my last 30 days of my 20's was wonderful! I worked a full day then I got to enjoy a wonderful evening out with 2 of my good friends. We talked a lot about being Mom's, wife's, and a women and enjoyed a nice bottle of wine and sushi. Being who we are isn't easy but no one would change a thing!!! Happy to be who we are and where we are!!! Tonight, Life is good but ask me tomorrow and you might get a different answer!!! This is going to be a month full of ups and downs, are you ready for the ride???

30 days and counting

2011-03-31T23:43:00.002-04:00

I only have 30 days left of my 20's!!!

I am 30 days away from turning 30!!!

How did this happen???

30 to me always seemed like a life time away…I know age is just a number and your only as old as you feel and all that crap. But still where did the time go? I am proud of what I have become over my last 30 years and I know that the next 30 will only hold more excitement, love, new chapters, and achievement! But still 30 really? 30? I still can't quit wrap my head around it.

There are so many things I want for my next 30 years but for now I am going to live up the last 30 days of my 20's before its time to step into the 30's. I am so proud to have so many good friends turning 30 with me it makes it that much easier. Cheers to the next 30 days!!!

Dinner set for a princess

2011-03-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

This last trip we took to disney was extra special. We got the opportunity to eat dinner at Cinderella's table! If you have ever been to Disney you might have seen the little girls dress as princess with there hair and makeup done. They have a place called the Bibbidi bobbidi boutique where little girl can do and get the full princess experience ….well Makayla is still a little young for that and I think its WAY to expensive for some hair spray and lip gloss… we decided to have our own little boutique in the RV. Makayla loved being all dress up and looking like a princess!

With daddy

Riding the boat to dinner with Mommy

With Cinderella

Dancing

They give all the kids magic wands to make a wish with…Makayla decided to beat her mother with hers.

The little mermaid

Snow white is her favorite… she was absolutely speechless when Snow white came to her table. They talked about the dwarfs, and goose berry pie, and how beautiful Makayla was and how her dressed matched Snow white's. She must have spent over 10 minutes chatting with Makayla and she was in aww the entire time! It was an experience we will never forget.

Belle

It all wrapped up with a make your own Ice cream sunday.

They all lived happily ever after!!!!

Face painting

2011-03-18T14:34:00.003-04:00

We recently took a weekend trip to Disney and much to our surprise Makayla wanted to get her face painted. We have tried to get her face painted many time before and she always freaks out but this time she was insistent about it. She sat so still and was a perfect angel while she got a glittery butterfly painted on her face!

Sitting so perfect

The details

Sitting VERY still

She was so proud and she didn't mess it up all day!

What's a better place to get your face painted for the first time then Disney? In Makayla opinion KNOW WHERE!

A day of Fun and exploration

2011-01-23T21:06:00.006-05:00

A few saturdays ago Steve was out of town and I had to the day off so Makayla and I ventured downtown to the Glazer Children's Museum. What an awesome place. Makayla and I had a wonderful day that was all about her. She could touch, play, and explore with everything. It was all child's size and she it at the perfect age for this place. We are thinking about buying year passes. There are lots of pictures!!!

Playing in the water with boats

Making waves

Figuring out electricity

Using air to move balls

The balls hovered with air she was amazed

planting flowers

Construction site

building Downtown Tampa

Shopping at Publix

She had a cart full!! I think by far this was her favorite part

Building a body puzzle

Driving a fire truck

Making colorful art with tubes

She did great

Climbing a rock wall notice how high up she is! I was impressed

Cooking and bringing me lunch

Sharing lunch with me

Climbing the leaves

We ended where we started playing in the water with boats

The weather was perfect that day so after the museum we enjoy a picnic lunch outside at the park. This was my favorite part!! Just M and I enjoying time together with no one else around.

Then we played at the park for a little bit before heading home.

with all the exploring and fun she had she didn't make it out of the parking garage before she was out!

It was a perfect day!!! I love watching Makayla explore and figure things out on her own. She is one independent girl. Having a place where it was all about her was nice, there was nothing she couldn't touch or do. They need more places like that around here!!! Hope you enjoyed all the pictures there was to many to pick just a few, and to think I didn't even put them all up!

The best package of all

2010-12-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Out of all I received this Christmas this was the best package of them all

Magical Madness

2010-12-28T01:08:00.003-05:00

A few sundays ago we decided to take advantage of our Disney passes and go to see the lights and holiday decorations at Disney. We also went to see some family that we haven't seen in years that was down from Louisiana. It started to rain on the way over but we traveled on in hopes it would stop. Makayla's nose started to run and she was feeling a little crummy. Turns out she is cutting her 2 year old molars!!! Who would have thought!

We made the best of the cold and rainy day with a grumpy toddler and just enjoyed the season and christmas spirit. We didn't take many but here are a few pictures from the day!

Riding the Carousel with Daddy

She LOVES the roller coaster. Every time we get off she says "Mommy I want to go again!"

Meeting Tink for the first time!

Staying warm

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2010-12-23T20:39:00.001-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!!!!

First Hair Cut

2010-12-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

I have trimmed Makayla's hair a few times my self but I have never given her a REAL haircut. Her hair was out of control. She looked ragged and a mess all the time. The ends of her hair were fine and then little wispy, fuzzy, out of controls madness. So I finally decided it was time to get her first hair cut!!!

Before

The back

Getting Started…She was not vary happy

The first cut

Saying Cheese

All done!!!!

Her hair looks SO SO SO much better! Its a little short but super cute and a lot less messy. We both LOVE it!!!

Holiday Family Fun

2010-12-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

I found this adorable gingerbread house at Wal-mart so Steve, Makayla and I enjoyed out Taco Tuesday dinner and then spent some family time building a gingerbread house. What a fun and easy project for a family. We never really made these as kids but it was a lot of fun and I think it will become a new Tradition here in the Bower house. As long as they keep making these east kits. LOL

The Layout

The construction

All the pretty details

The finished Project!

We all had a great time. Now if we could just find time to put up our tree!!!

Animals, Campfires, Thanksgiving and Way to many pictures!!!

2010-11-29T23:48:00.007-05:00

As we do every year we went away again for Thanksgiving. It's so great to just be able to spend time as a family with the hassle of cooking and cleaning. This year we went to River Ranch RV resort. What a great place. Last time I was there I was 3 months pregnant with Makayla so this time was much more fun and exciting. There is a lot to do there. We spent most of our days at the petting farm, riding ponies, picking up acorns, riding bikes and just enjoying the outdoors with no rules or time limits. Enjoy ALL the pictures. I know there is a lot but as you've noticed I don't have time for to many post anymore!

At the petting ZooThanksgiving day

Hello Buffalo

She loved getting in the tree

Makayla and Shea at Thanksgiving dinner

Relaxing my the campfire

Aunt Sara and Makayla by the campfire

Swinging on the "tiger" swing

Resting after a long day!

Riding her bike!!! She did that all day!

Helping Daddy "fix" the golf cart

Being silly with Gom

Hanging out with Mommy

Ready for the Rodeo

Posing at the tree again

We fed the goat ALOT

It was an awesome trip with lots of family time and relaxing. Makayla was however ready to get back into her own bed when we got home!!!

I hope your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as ours!!!

A halloween weekend full of fun and fright!

2010-11-01T00:01:00.006-04:00

We had a great time this Halloween weekend. It started Thursday with a parade at Makayla's school. She has come home with so many cute Halloween themed art works that I just love hanging around the house and that she is so proud of. She was really excited to FINALLY wear her Snow White costume!

On Saturday we went to my Brother and Sister in laws for one of the most fabulous kids Halloween parties ever. She planned tons of fun games and had lots of spooky food.

Sunday was Halloween, for the last few years I have friends and family over here for Grilled cheese, Butternut squash soup and tomato soup with goat cheese, Cookies and pumpkin ice cream, and a few other goodies. We take the kids Trick or Treating early and then sit outside and pass out the candy the kids love giving just has much as getting which is always nice. We ad a wonderful weekend full of fun. Now let the holiday season officially begin.

There are a lot of pictures below to enjoy from our weekend!!

Getting ready for her school parade.

So excited to Finally wear her dress

Walking the wrong way in the parade.

Her class all dress up

The next few pictures are from Shea's Halloween party on Saturday

The spooky food

Boo

~~Hannah~~ Ariel and ~~Makayla~~ Snow White swinging at the party

Playing games

Shea playing scoop the ghost

Waiting

All the princesses

Trick or Treat

"Come on Mom I have candy to get"

Such a fun and wonderful weekend. Makayla is fast asleep from all the excitement.

Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I love having the windows open on cool nights, sitting outside with friends over a yummy Pumpkin head, and just knowing the holidays are just around the corner and so is the start of a new year!!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!!!

Fall festival at school

2010-10-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

This past weekend Makayla and I went to the fall festival at her school. It was great. They had plenty of games for 2-4 age kids and they won a prize every time! Makayla had a great time. It warms my heart to see how happy and proud she is of her school and for me to meet her friends. ( I know that might not last forever lol) She got to enjoy a hot dog, play games, and get face painting with her friends but hands down her favorite part was the pony ride!

Yeah we are at the "Festable"

Waiting her turn

Fishing for prizes

Bowling

She REFUSED to her face painted so she got her hand instead

Riding the pony the 3rd time.

School is going great for Makayla. She can almost spell her name, she recognizes most of her letters, she learns new songs all of the time. She can count to 20, she knows all of her colors and shapes and her social and sharing skills are getting better also. She gets excited on Tuesdays and Thursdays when it's school time!!! Having her go to school at 2 was a hard decision but I am so glad I did. She truly loves it and so I.

Are these funky or what?

2010-10-25T23:26:00.002-04:00

All the pumpkins this year are just a little different wouldn't you say?

Adoption/ baby shower

2010-10-25T22:28:00.003-04:00

Recently I had a adoption/ baby shower here at my house. I wanted to share with you a few of the cute things we did.

These were the favors! We did Chicago style Pop Corn and chocolate covered pretzels.

Thanks to Devine Doodles for making the tags!

Aren't the precious!

We filled little pumpkins with bright colored flowers.

Lots of fun treats.

Along with Chicken chile, apple Carmel dip, "Ryan's mom's Dip" (the best dip ever)

mini quiche, veggie tray, apple cider, and a few other goodies!!!

Lots and Lots of Cupcakes!!!

All the kids colored mini white pumpkins for the guest of honor to take home with her.

Everyone had a ton of fun. My friend Jen and I pulled off a great shower and the guests of honor really enjoyed them selves!!!

Take my picture Mommy

2010-10-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

We went to lunch last weekend and Makayla couldn't wait to go outside. When we got outside she leaned against this rock and said "Mommy take my picture" and then decided to pose all the way to the car!

Playing in the boat

What a fun, crazy, loving, little girl!!!! I love her so much!

Zoo Boo

2010-10-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

We have been so busy lately and have not had much family time, so last Friday night we decided to go to Zoo Boo with some friends. The weather was perfect and we had a great time. They turn the zoo into a not so scary halloween festival for kids. All the rides were free which Makayla took full advantage of. She rode the ponies 5 times!!! The girls got to run around and have fun and the parents got to laugh and enjoy some grown up time! I love fall and all the fun stuff there is to do.

The Girls posing with the pumpkins

Riding the carousal

Jen, Dawn, and I

Hannah and Makayla wait to ride the ponies (the first time)

I think this is time #4. She just couldn't get enough

We had a great family fun night.

My Princess

2010-10-07T00:06:00.004-04:00

Makayla has decided to be Snow White for Halloween. Her Grandpa bought her the costume on our recent trip to Disney. Makayla is so excited to wear her dress, she wakes up every morning and asks" Is today Halloween?" I have to say No but soon. So she opts out for Cinderella instead. She is such a girly girl now. She wants to wear necklaces and bracelets all the time, she has to have a bow in her hair and her nails painted. And she LOVES to dress up!!!

5 adults, 1 toddler, 4dogs and 1 RV

2010-09-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

As most of you know these days we take most of our family trips in the RV. For us it is a very cost effect way to travel. All together we have 4 dogs, which can be alot to travel with, A toddler which requires alot of things and 5 adults would need more then 1 car to get from point A to point B. RV travel suits us well. I thought I would share how we all travel.

It's a good trip when Makayla naps!

The puppies love to travel in there crate

Steve always gets to Drive

Granda is a great co-pilot

Mom sits at the table with...

Jenn

and I share the couch with Makayla

Occupying Makayla by taking pictures

We have had great adventures in the RV. It is a fabulous way for a large family to travel. It can be a little tight once everyone pulls out all there stuff, but we have a great time not only in the destination but also the adventure it takes to get there. Maybe next time i'll photograph our sleeping arrangements!!!

1st school performance

2010-09-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

Last week Makayla had her 1st school performance. She is liking school a little better now. She only tears up when we leave but no real tears fall. They had to get dress up and we all got to go and meet her teachers and other parents and all of her class mates. It was really fun and super cute.

Makayla all dressed up

Singing " I've got a blue circle in my hands"

They also sang 2 other songs and we learned all about there days.

It was a great night. Makayla is still a little shy in performing but she did great and I know she will only get better.

Meeting her Idol

2010-09-19T21:20:00.003-04:00

Our last trip to Disney Makayla got to meet her idol! She only got 5 minutes with her but she talked about everything she could in that 5 minutes. It was so sweet. I guess her meeting Snow white would be like us meeting our favorite actor or actress. Watching Makayla's face light up every time she meets the Princesses at Disney will never get old!

More pictures to come soon

Makayla also got to ride a horse! It had to be a white one just the Snow White and Cinderella Ride. Ohh to be 2 again

A visit with PawPaw

2010-08-31T20:57:00.004-04:00

Earlier this month my dad came for a visit. It had been awhile since he was able to get away to see Makayla so needless to say she had grown up ALOT since the last time he saw her. He brought her and AWESOME red radio flyer bike and matching sunglasses. It took her a little while to hop but once she did she fell in love. She is still learning to pedal so we have left it inside until she get the hang of it!

Being Silly with PawPaw

Cheese

On her bike again

Makayla became obsessed with her PawPaw while he was here. When he would walk out the room she would run after him saying "PawPaw PawPaw" when he showered she sat outside the bathroom knocking saying "PawPaw come play with me" She helped him do everything! He loved every minute of it. We are so happy he was able to come and visit and hope to see him again soon!!

Saying goodbye

My Dad also took Steve, my sister and I out to dinner at Bern's. We had a wonderful night chatting over a great meal! Thanks again Dad!

A kid needs to work!

2010-08-23T13:00:00.003-04:00

In this house we run a tight ship! Now that Makayla is 2 it's time for her to start earning her keep around here!

We started by making her wash the dishes!

Clean the floors

Scrub Scrub Scrub

She was working on the laundry and this happened!

But now she is in charge of all the laundry

We make her clean the counters

and cook dinner! She is making creamed spinach

She even roasted a Chicken!

She is such a good cook and I love not having to do the dishes or laundry anymore!!! I think we should have more kids just to have more help!

*No Makayla's were harmed or overworked for this blog post*

First day of PreSchool

2010-08-10T11:32:00.002-04:00

Makayla went to bed early last night and woke up this morning in a great mood. She had a good breakfast and I packed her lunch. She smiled BIG for the camera, and into the car we went!!!

She sang Snow white songs on the way there and pointed out all the colors she saw on the way.

Then we got to school!!!! I think this face tells it all! LOL
She was crying when I left but I am sure she stopped soon after. I cried a little too but stopped after about 10 minutes. I ran some errands and baked a couple batches of Cupcakes for an order this week. I will say baking the cupcakes is much easier without her. I leave soon to go get her. I miss her so much and it's only been 2 1/2 hours. I keep reminding myself this is good for both of us!!!

Twinkle Twinkle

2010-08-09T23:26:00.001-04:00

I love this...

2010-08-03T08:00:00.001-04:00

I love this picture of my mom, sister, Makayla and I and I wanted to share it with all of you!!!

The many faces of Makayla

2010-08-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

Helping Daddy

2010-07-30T00:20:00.004-04:00

Every Friday night we have been going for a long walk around the neighborhood and finishing it with some yard work, sidewalk chalk, and a Popsicle. Makayla looks very forward to her Friday night popsicle, but we make her work for it!! (just kidding) She is a great helper and loves to work outside in the yard. We trimmed the bushes and she helped to get it all put away in the trash can.

She and her Daddy are the best (and cutest) lawn service you could ask for.

Helping Daddy rake the leaves

Popsicle face

picking up the branches to throw in the trash

"help Daddy"

These 2 are so cute

Good Bye Baby, Hello Big Girl

2010-07-24T00:52:00.003-04:00

For the last few weeks Makayla has had a really hard time sleeping. She was coming into our room all through out the night and waking up super early. She was grumpy all day and seemed tired all the time. At first I though maybe she was having a growth spurt. Then I realized she wasn't sleeping well. She has been in a toddler bed since about 20 months. So since I just redid her room 4 months ago I wanted to stick with the same theme.

One day I called Steve and said "I can't take it anymore she is getting a big girl bed TONIGHT" So now Makayla is all comfy and cozy in a full size bed. Since night 1 she has slept through the night and is even back to sleeping in, in the morning. It's so nice! It took us a while to figure out how to fit everything in her room but it fits and looks great. Above all Makayla LOVES her room and her new bed!
I stayed with the same Owl theme just moved some things around. And bought the bright colored quilt so I am hoping it will stay even if we change the theme later on down the road.
This is her book shelf that holds some of her books but she only wants to read Fancy Nancy right now. She is Obsessed with those books!!!

" I hope you like my new room! I sure do! Thanks Mom and Dad. Love Makayla"

2 year Dr. Appointment

2010-07-23T00:34:00.003-04:00

Can you believe this girl is 2??? I still can't. We go for her 2 year Dr. Appointment tomorrow. Any guesses on her hight and weight???? Back in January when she was 18 months she was

22.6 lbs and 34 inches long. I will say the last few days she has been cranky and eating NON stop. So I am guessing she is going through a growth spurt. Or at least I hope so because if she keeps eating like this not only is she going to out grow this house but we won't be able to feed her for to long. We wanted to make Makayla's birthday as special as possible. We blew up balloons and filled her room so when she woke up on her birthday morning she had a birthday surprise.
She LOVED it!!! She played in them for days, until I couldn't take them all over the house and 1 by 1 they started to pop! Oppps. We will defiantly be making this a tradition. It was fun and she is still talking about it.
Leave your guesses in the comments below!!! Happy Guessing

Veggie Frittata

2010-07-11T22:58:00.005-04:00

So for the last 6 weeks or more Steve and I have been eating No or Very low carb. We are both doing very well. My sister and Mom have also been eat low carb as well and together we have lost the amount of Teeny Bopper Teenager who wears her shorts to short and her shirt to low cut! Away back to eating low carb. My sister and I invested in the South Beach Diet Cookbook to get ideas, and Wow there are some good ones!

I took the Asparagus and red pepper Frittata with Goat Cheese and made it my own the other night. It was so good, I will be making this one again for sure. Remember you can change to whatever veggies you want!

1/2 can of artichoke hearts (in water) sliced

2-3 roasted re peppers (in the jar) sliced

1/2 green bell pepper diced

Mushrooms I would say half a small pack (take the stems off and slice thin)

1 onion chopped

Garlic chopped

Goat Cheese

Egg Substitute (or you can use real eggs but it was quicker for me this way)

Melt a little smart balance butter in a non stick oven safe skillet Saute the onions and garlic

add the mushrooms and cook just until soft.

add in the artichokes and roasted red peppers cook just until warm

add in the green bell pepper and cook for a minute or two

Poor in the egg substitute until in covers just to the top of veggies, dot with little pieces of goat cheese on top.

Cook over medium heat without stirring until the egg sets about 12 -14 minutes

and then put in the oven on a high heat(450) for about 3-5 minutes and then under the broiler until the top is set and the cheese is browning and bubbly. Take it out of the oven and let it sit for a minute or two and then divide into 4 big slices.

We ate ours over plain baby mixed greens. It was delicious and filling and even better left over.

I hope you try it. It was really good and super easy.

Remember to change it out to whatever veggies your like. You could even add Canadian bacon or cooked chicken if you like.

Here is a picture I took with my phone. It's not a very good picture but at least you can get the idea.

Hope you enjoy!

Professional Photos

2010-07-10T15:52:00.003-04:00

Now that Makayla is 2 and never lets me take her picture anymore we decided to take her to get them professionally done. She didn't do great but we did get a few good ones! Hope you enjoy.

Being silly

This one is my favorite

Happy Birthday my sweet girl

2010-07-05T23:21:00.008-04:00

2 years ago today at 8:10 pm our lives changed in a way I never thought it could. We were blessed with a perfect 7 lb 12 oz 21inch baby girl. Life has not stopped since, and I wouldn't ask for anything different. Makayla was great as a baby. She ate well, and slept well. She was an easy baby. I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures from the last 2 years.

32 weeks pregnant

6 days old

Miss M just a few days old.

Her first baseball game

Her first road trip to my Dads

almost 1 learning how to walk

what a sweet angle

at her 1st birthday party

Family photo at her 1 birthday

First plane ride

Playing at the beach (about 16 months)

First Bucs game

Toys for Tots drive (18 months)

One of my favorite pictures (20 months)

Eating an apple in the car (24months)

4th of July (2 days away from being 2)

2 years old

Wow has 2 years flow by. Makayla is so active and talkative. She is more then I ever thought she would be. She is super smart and so much fun. I could not imagine my life without her. For a long before I got pregnant I always thought about what my child would be like or how it would be to be a Mom. Its nothing like I thought and everything I could ever want. Life gets crazy and some days are hard but the last 2 years my dreams of being a Mom have come true. I am so blessed to have a daughter and to be celebrating her 2nd birthday.

My baby is no longer a baby but now a very active toddler with her own opinions, thoughts, likes and dislikes. I am amazed at her everyday. She is a true light in my life. Happy Birthday my sweet angle. I love you more then you will ever know. You are a blessing and a dream come true. I love you to the moon and back!!!

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-05T01:00:00.004-04:00

Can you Believe this was a year ago? Every time I think of July 4th now I think Wow Makayla is almost another year older. Her birthday is just 2 days away and my baby is going to be 2. The first 2 pictures are from last 4th of july.

Such a baby face

The next 3 are from this year. Wow has she grown! She is such a kid now, and so much fun. I just wish I had half of her energy so I could keep up!!!

Playing in the rain

Sparklers

Yes we spent most of our 4th in the rain. It has been raining here all week and we need to get out of the house. So yes we played in the rain for about 45 min and even went in the pool! Don't worry there was no thunder or lighting. We grilled good food and just relaxed. The rain finally stopped around 8:30 just in time to do a few sparklers and watch some fireworks. Hope you all enjoyed your 4th with family and friends!

Father's day/Toy Story 3

2010-06-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

On Father's day we decided to take Makayla to her first movie in the movie theater and what else did we see but Toy Story 3. Toy story 2 is her favorite movie so we have been so excited for her to see this movie. We made it a family event.

Makayla with Daddy and Grandpa

Walking in

Holding her ticket

Picking out her snack

Sitting in her own seat

eating her popcorn

and a pretzel.

I think she had a great time. She was not as interested in the movie as I thought she would but I have to say I don't think it was as good as Toy Story 2 though it did make me tear up a little! Makayla was a little squirmy but for her first time she did pretty good.

After the movie we went back to my mom's and enjoyed a smoked chicken and pork shoulder that they cooked on Grandpa's new smoker. We relaxed an enjoyed our day together. Though I did miss seeing my Dad at least we got to Skype that morning!

Hope you all enjoyed your Father's day.

Busch Gardens

2010-06-21T20:18:00.002-04:00

Last Friday we went with my Sister and the Kids she Nanny's for to Busch Gardens. If you buy a day you can go back all year! How awesome is that! Makayla loved it. We stayed all day and had a great time. They have a new Kid area just for toddlers and it was perfect. She is so independent now that it was great to be able to let her do things on her own. She went jumping on a huge bounce thing!

Saw some of these crazy animal characters

Rode the swings TWICE!!! That was her favorite part

Drove the cars

And just had a great time. She was really good that day and we can't wait to back. Glad we get to go back all year for FREE!!!

Introducing Princess

2010-05-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

I cannot believe I forgot to post this!!! Back in February we went to the Strawberry festival one Sunday. It was hot and crowed and no one really had much fun. Makayla was not feeling well and we didn't stay long. We did however stay long enough for me to play a game of "toss the ball" and guess what I won????

Yep a Goldfish!!! Can you believe it, I couldn't. Makayla was so excited when she saw it and couldn't stop talking to it. On the way home we started talking about a name for our fish and I wanted Strawberry or Nemo but Makayla insisted on Princess! We stopped on the way home and Steve ran into pet smart for a fish bowl (she couldn't live in the bag forever) I said just get the cheapest bowl they have this thing is never going to live very long. He comes out with this Macdaddy fish take costing $30.00.
We got home filled it with water and put Princess in her new home. We have taught Makayla how to feed the fish and she tries to help with cleaning the tank. Princess is doing very well and to my surprise still alive! She has more then doubled in size and has become a very pretty bright orange.
Makayla wakes up every morning and says hello to her and gives her a pinch of food. She says good night and I love you before bed. Princess always swims right up to the glass when she see Makayla it's really cute.
So 3 months later Princess is still kicking and doing well. She has really become a part of the family or at least a part of our daily routine. I even had to have our friend come and feed her when we were out of town earlier this month. Welcome to the family Princess! We are glad to have you!!!

My super Chef

2010-05-28T15:48:00.004-04:00

Making dinner time has always been a hard time for Makayla. Even as a baby when I would get up to make dinner it always seemed to be her fussiest hour of the day. When she became a walker she was always emptying the Tupperware cabinet or getting into trouble right when I was in the middle of cooking. These days she stands around my whining and crying that she wants cheese or she is ready to eat. My solution...get her involved!!!

Though our 30 minute meal took 45 minutes it was so much fun and Makayla loved it. We made beef and Broccoli. I let Miss M whisk and stir, break up all the broccoli and mix everything together. She did everything but the cutting and the hot stuff.

stir stir stir

Tasting a raw onion she though was an apple

Here is the finished project

Eating her meal, She ate a lot that night!!!

I even let her help clean the dishes which she had a grand time doing. Anything that involves water she likes to be a part of. I put soap on the rag and she scrubbed. It might take an extra 20 minutes to get dinner cooked or the kitchen cleaned but we had a great time together and made lots of fun memories. I would trade for the world!!!

I love that Makayla loves to help. I was folding laundry the other night and she helped put it all away and even returned the laundry basket to the laundry room by herself. She helps unload the groceries when we get home from the store, and helps to put the dishes away when I unload the dishwasher! All I can hope for is that her helpfulness carries on to her teen years.

Random things and a Makayla update

2010-05-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

I feel like we have been so busy lately. We spend most of our days either at the pool or the splash park, or picnicking with friends. Some days we spend at home playing Babies or with her new castle but I feel like the time is flying by. We spend our evenings enjoying the late sunset and cool air. Every evening we have been going for a bike ride or a walk and then coming home and playing outside until well after dark. I remember these evenings as child just playing outside until you just couldn't go anymore. I love that in the days of so much TV and Computers she is still experiencing this and loving it.

I am also starting to plan Miss M's 2nd birthday party! Can you believe she is going to be 2? It feels like just yesterday I was swaddling a new born up and watching her sleep! Time is flying by way to quickly and doesn't show signs of stopping. We have something on the calendar every weekend for the next 2 months I guess thats what summer is all about.

Makayla is talking like crazy. There is not much she doesn't say and many things I wish she wouldn't say, but she is learning quickly what she can and ~~can't~~ shouldn't say. She is doing great at potty training I would say she is about 95% there and is doing wonderful in her big girl bed. Her bottom eye teeth have FINALLY popped through and now we are just waiting on the top ones and we should be done with teeth for a while! I HOPE! Her and Molly are not getting along any better in fact there relationship is growing further apart as Makayla gets faster and more adamant about "loving" on her. But I did walk into the living room to find this the other day.

I had to get a picture because this is highly unusual. Deep down I think Molly really loves her she is just afraid to admit it.

As for Steve and I we have just been busy with work. I am working a few more hours a week and he is working all the time but sales are up a little so what more can you ask for. We are really enjoying Makayla at this age...at least most days. Did I mention the terrible two's have started? We are hoping they leave soon! When she is in a good mood she is wonderful!!!

That's all for now. I promise to try to make an effort to update more often it's just a little hard when we don't come in from outside until 8:30! But heck it's summer here in Florida!!!!

Birthday weekend at Disney

2010-05-15T00:57:00.004-04:00

As most of you know Birthdays are a big thing in this family. And me turning 29 was no different. However this year I was not excited about getting another year older. We decided to go to Disney and get use out of of passes since they are about to be blocked out for a few months. We left late on a Friday evening and drove up in the RV and got settled in. For my actual birthday May 1st we decided to go to Magic Kingdom. It was so hot that we went and let Makayla ride a few rides and see the princesses and we left to go back and relax. That night we went to the Hoop-dee-doo Revue. It is a dinner show they put on at the camp ground. It was fun but a little long for Makayla interest but it was a good time. Sunday Steve, Grandpa, Makayla and I relaxed at the pool and played at the beach, while Grandmom, and Nenny enjoyed the roller coasters at Epcot.

One of the nice things about going to a place like Disney is there is something to make everyone happy! We grilled out Sunday night and then went to see Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios If you get the chance you have to see this show! It is one of there best productions, Makayla loved it because it has all the Villains and those her are favorite right now. It was a great weekend. I can't thank my family enough for spending the weekend with me and making turning 29 not so bad!

Enjoy all the pictures!

The Birthday Girl

Heading to Magic Kingdom

Waiting in line for the princesses

She loved them this time!

Sleeping Beauty

Saying "CHEEESSSEEE" with Rella

I think she was most excited to see Belle

but she kept asking where the Beast was.

She got to meet her all time favorite Snow White.

She asked her all about the Witch and Dorfs and where the apple was. She was so excited and happy to see Snow White. That is her favorite movie right now and she can tell you the whole story which I am trying to get on video, but she is a little camera shy.

I have never seen her so shocked and excited all at the same time. it brings me such joy to be able to give her these experiences.

Waiting for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue to start

Playing with the spoons on the wash board was her favorite part of the show!

Diving right in to her cupcake

Family picture enjoying my birthday evening.

Makayla REALLY wanted to pose with her new Snow White and Witch doll!

Thank you for checking in.... until next time!

I know I know

2010-05-04T13:29:00.002-04:00

I have been so bad about blogging lately. I'm sorry we have just been so busy enjoying the Spring weather. We have been spending Sundays on the boat and when I am not working we have been doing things like picnics in the park with friends, running in the sprinkler, popping water balloons and enjoying life.

We have had lots of friends in from out of town and we went out of town this past weekend for my birthday!!! Those pictures will come soon I promise. But for now here are a few from the last few weeks.

Makayla and Cooper picnicking

Cason and Colton

"The babies" as Miss M calls them She LOVES these 2

Steve and I have even been spending more time just the 2 of us. We had a charity event for the American Cancer society last weekend. The theme was boots to ball gowns, so we dressed in our best western wear put on our hats and enjoyed a wonderful evening out. I have to say it was really nice to have some time as just the 2 of us. We talked about so much. I really miss that kind of time with my husband and we made plans to do it again soon!

Here is a picture of us all dressed in our western best!

We hope all is well with everyone! Thanks for checking in. I promise to post about this last weekend soon. I was really dreading turning 29 but it turned out to be one of the best birthdays yet!

Trying new things...

2010-04-26T21:55:00.002-04:00

Last Sunday was very wet and rainy and we needed to get out of the house. Steve was away at his annual Guys Weekend Out so my friend Jen and her daughter Hannah and Makayla and I met at the mall for lunch and some inside fun. We did the carousal and a few of the quarter games and then the girls wanted to try something NEW...

Have you seen these at the malls lately??? You pay $7 for your kid to JUMP for 3 minutes. As insanely priced as I think it is the girls wanted to do it....Makayla was super excited. she jumped up on the trampoline and got all strapped in and ready to go...

She looked a little unsure so I bounced her a few times reassuring her she was OK...

Then came the tears and the screaming NO so I took her out

(they gave me my money back by the way)

and we watched Hannah fly in the air....

screaming Higher, Higher...

She is still a little young for this I think but she wanted to try it, so who am I to hold her back. oh -well maybe next time. At least she tried something new!

Sundays if Florida

2010-04-10T23:02:00.002-04:00

This is where we plan on spending our Sunday! What about you what are you doing this Sunday???

Supermodel? trouble maker?

2010-04-08T21:53:00.001-04:00

Her Dad found her like this the other day

So I ask trouble maker or super model?

hunting and pocking

2010-04-06T16:59:00.004-04:00

On Easter we have a few traditions, dyeing eggs of course, receiving a nest from the Easter bunny filled with lots of goodies, hunting eggs, and pocking! What is pocking you ask? Well I explained it last year but for those of you new to the blog you can read about here and also see how much Makayla has changed in a year!

We had a great day filled with lots of hunts and hours of pocking. Makayla was great at it this year. She would pick her egg and pock yours even if you weren't ready! She even won a few times.

Posing with Halie

Pocking with Grandmom (Gom)

With Daddy

With Mommy

With Nenny

Then it was time for the hunt...

So excited to see all of the eggs!!!

on the search for more eggs

Checking out her loot!

Posing with Grandmom

We had a really nice with the family and Makayla is still enjoying all of her candy she found in her eggs. We hope you enjoyed your holiday as much as we did!

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T22:32:00.003-04:00

Makayla woke up this morning to a beautiful Easter basket filled with lots of goodies and eggs hidden around the living room! The Easter bunny MORE then spoiled her. We had great day with the family, and missed the ones we weren't with. We did a craw fish boil the night before and dyed our eggs. I will post those pictures tomorrow. I feel so blessed to have such a fun and full of life child. Besides the sugar over load she had a great day!!! I love my girl!

Her Basket all set up

Opening her basket

Her mouth FULL of Jelly Beans first thing this morning.

Smile (this doesn't happen often towards the camera)

Hanging with Nenny

She locked her self in the dog cage and was going to take a nap.

Crazy girl

Enjoying a very LARGE cupcake egg

Eating freshly popped popcorn...

...and doing the pop corn dance

posing with her favorite dog Halie! Notice Woody riding Halie!

That poor dog puts up with so much!

We also did lots of egg hunting but that deserves it own post, so it will come soon. We hope you all had a very blessed and Happy Easter!

Name that recipe?!?!?!?!?

2010-03-30T21:53:00.004-04:00

I was in the mood for something different for dinner tonight, so I combined 2 very yummy dishes and made my own recipe. I am not sure what to call it though. What do you think?

Here is the recipe!

1 bag of broccoli slaw

2 packages of ramen noodles but I only used 1 tonight and I will add more to the left overs

1 can each of: low sodium: Pinto Beans, Black beans, Garbanzo Beans, and corn

1 avocado cubed

1/2 each of a red and orange bell peppers cubed *optional or whatever color you have

green onions*optional

I used cashews but any kind of nut would be fine or you can leave them out but just make sure to add them on top as they get really soggy.

Dressing: 2 ramen noodle packets

juice from 1 lime

sesame oil about 1tsp

regular cooking oil I use smart balance about 2-3 TBS

spoonful of sugar

a couple TBS of vinegar (i used rice wine because I had it but you can use regular)

I didn't really measure I just poured in so use your best judgement.

Whisk all together until the sugar and seasoning packet are dissolved.

Dice and slice all the ingredients and toss together. pour over the dressing and toss again.

I let it sit for 5-10 minutes before I served it but if its going to be longer then that before you serve it I would wait to put the dressing on as the noodles get soggy.

And this is what it looked like!!!

Yummy huh? I thought so and so did Steve, Makayla, and my sister.

You could put your own twist on this salad. It is going to be perfect for summer BBQ's and friendly get togethers!

I wanted to add cilantro but the store was out of it. You could also add tomatoes, grilled chicken, any other kind of bean or veggie. You could even add red pepper flake to the dressing for a spicy touch. Or taco seasoning for a kick! Give it a try and let me know what you think and what you change.

But first lets give this salad a NAME!!!!

Name that recipe I dare you!!!!!