The Aquarium

We went to the Aquarium with our friend, Jaime, a few days ago. It was a quick trip through because Blake started to get cranky and just wanted to walk. I think he enjoyed the bright colors, though. He started to fall asleep watching the fish and the divers. He liked the otter that kept swimming around. I just happened to look down and caught his shoe before he had a chance to let the otter wear it. Jaime took off his other shoe and he began scooting on the rock, as if to say "I'm ready now. Let me in there to go play!" He did like the penguins. I had to pick him up to see above the water, but he liked it when they swam next to his head. I'm so glad that he enjoys doing all of these new things!

The new baby penguin is in there, too. He's in the plexiglass thing with his mommy and daddy. So cute! He hasn't had his innagural swim yet because he doesn't have his feathers.

Jaime and Blake looking at the otter and Blake wanting to hand the otter his shoe.

The Otters:

A little help, please!

We have hit the tantrum stage. I thought it was supposed to hit at age 2, but that is apparently not the case with us. Thank to my parents and all of my mommy's that I used to babysit their kids, I have learned the importance of consistency and discipline. However, I'm not for sure what to do 1)when they throw them in public and 2)at this age. We do believe in spanking and time outs. I know lots of people don't believe in spanking, but we feel that we are not abusing our child and it's not a bad thing. We never do it out of anger and we never spank him more than once or twice at a time. I'm sure I'll hear about how horrible of a person I am for admitting this, which is why I normally never mention it because I don't want to start any arguments. When we're home, I've started dragging out a blanket and letting him sit on it until he stops throwing a fit. Once he stops, he's allowed to get off of it. This is just what works for our family and it worked for Raun and I growing up. With that said, can anyone recommend any good books to read on disciplining at this age (even if it's creative disciplines) and/or any tips that you've learned along the way as a mommy yourself? Please leave me comments!!!

Recipe Sunday

Chicken Deluxe Serves: 4

• 4 uncooked chicken breasts (boneless)
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 8 oz. sour cream
• 4 slices of uncooked bacon

1. Wrap each chicken breast with one piece of bacon. Mix together soup and sour cream. Place chicken breasts in baking dish and cover with soup mixture. Bake for 4 hours at 250 hours uncovered. Serve over rice or with mashed potatoes, using the liquid as a gravy.

Given by: Allison (my cousin)

Visit with Uncle John and Aunt Molly

We had a great visit with John and Molly a few weekends ago. We met them for lunch at a hot dog place that was really good. Not the healthiest, by far, but very good. At this hot dog place, you could order deep fried twinkies, among many other deep fried things. I opted out of that, as did the rest of the family, but I'll admit that was the best hot dog I've had in a long time. And yes, I've heard about all that goes in a hot dog. I just chose not to think about it!

The boys went to the park to play frisbee and to play on the playground while we had a Mary Kay party that afternoon. I really miss seeing them so often. I wish there was a way for us to live closer to each other. Hear that, bro? I think you need to move a bit closer! Or at least visit more often!

Outside their door, it opens up into a huge courtyard. It's very pretty out there. The temperature was nice and cool and perfect for running around outside so we let Blake play out there so he wouldn't destroy their house. John brought out a soccer ball and they had fun kicking it around. Blake laughed so hard when Raun would pick him up to kick it. He thought it was the best thing.

Curious...

Some might say that since Blake is now 13 months old we are about to experience the best part. On some days, we might agree! We love having him walk with us everywhere or hold things or laugh at us or talk to us. We hate having to say "no" and discipline, but they are musts. There are some days I feel like all we do is correct him or help keep him out of trouble. It's exhausting!

Raun has been wonderful this past week. I have been playing with the East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra. I absolutely love it. If you want to see their website, click on the logo underneath.

We have had rehearsals three nights this past week until 9:30 or so and Raun has had the chance to keep Blake and put him to bed. He has survived this week with only a few incidents. I had been telling Raun how curious Blake is and how you can't really leave him in a room by himself. He's just so fast and gets into anything and everything. I don't think Raun really believed me, but he learned quick.

I came home from rehearsal yesterday night and Raun greeted me at the door with a funny look. I went to the sink to get some water and he pointed down at the dog dish. I could have sworn that there used to be 2 dog dishes sitting there when I left. I asked him if Blake had broken one and he said, "Here's what happened. After me telling him "no" and punishing him 10 times for getting in the dog dish, I picked it up and put it on the table. I wasn't looking and I didn't think he could do this. He climbed up on the foot rail of the chair, reached up on top of the table, and dragged it to the floor. He got in big trouble for that!" Thus, that was the end of my dog dish that I had painted at the pottery place just for Ellie. Bummer, huh? That's okay, though! Since Raun didn't heed my warning, I get to paint pottery again!

The next thing out of his mouth was, "Oh...and he kept throwing his balls in the toilet." Hmmmm.....

FSU or Florida

Sure, you see our son doing the Gator chomp. What you don't see is the man behind the scenes forcing his little tiny hands to do the chomp. What you don't hear is him actually singing the FSU chant. Since it's all syllables, it's a bit easier to do. Plus, it's in a song, so I have an advantage. What I want to know is, what team do you think he'll go for? Florida or FSU? Take notice that he is in fact wearing his FSU outfit that Susan bought him. Thanks Susan! Any other FSU wear you can find send it this way! Nevermind the fact that FSU lost to Miami, of all teams. That's okay. By the time Blake can understand football and which team is the best, FSU will be whipping Florida all over again and will be National Champs! High hopes? Maybe! But you can't stop my imagination!

Recipe Sunday

Clean Chicken Divan

Calories: 260

Ingredients:

• 2 cups low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth


• 1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (3 to 4 medium breasts)


• 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil


• 2 leeks, sliced very thin and cleaned (we left it out)


• 1/2 pound cremini or buttom mushrooms (8 oz.; about 15), sliced and roughly chopped (left out as well because we don't like mushrooms)


• 3 cloves garlic, sliced


• 1 pound broccoli, florets and stems cut into small bite-size pieces


• 1 cup cooked cannellini beans, or one 15-oz. can, drained and rinsed


• 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese


• 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated


• 2 tbsp. fresh chives, finely chopped


• 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves, chopped


• 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1/2 lemon)


• 1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper


• 2 oz. reduced-fat cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


2. In a wide, medium saucepan with a tightly fitting lid, bring broth to a boil. Add chicken, cover pan and reduce heat so broth and chicken simmer for 5 minutes. Then remove pan from heat (do not uncover) and poach chicken in hot broth for 12 to 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.


3. While chicken poaches, heat oil in a large saute' pan over medium-high heat. Add leeks and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender and liquid has cooked out, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds before removing pan from heat and setting aside.


4. When chicken is done, lift it from the broth and transfer to a cutting board. Cover saucepan and return broth to a boil. Cut chicken into 1/2-inch cubes and set aside, keeping warm. Add broccoli to boiling broth, cover pan again and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook broccoli until it is fork tender, not mushy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Lift broccoli from broth with a slotted spoon and distribute it onto the bottom of a 13x9-inch baking dish. Set aside. Reserve broth.


5. Add beans, cottage cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano, chives and thyme to a blender or food processor. Add cooked leeks, mushrooms and garlic. Carefully pour broth into blender or food processor and puree mixture until very smooth, taking care to avoid escaping steam or hot liquid splashes.


6. In a bowl, mix lemon juice and pepper together with hcicken. Pour half of the puree over chicken and stir to combine. Spread chicken across broccoli in baking pan and then pour remaning puree over top. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and transfer to oven. Bake for 15 minutes and then, if desired, broil for 5 additional minutes to brown the top of the casserole.


7. Serve a heaping spoonful of casserole on top of steamed grains, like brown rice or barley pilaf. Be sure to ladle the flavorful juice from the bottom of the pan onto hot cooked grains.

Taken from: Clean Eating Magazine (May/June 2009)

Helping Daddy

The other day, Raun got the notion to wash his car. Since we had been inside all day and it was getting close to his bedtime and an increase in irritability, I decided that I would take him outside to watch Raun. He is in the stage now where he wants to try to do whatever it is that you are doing. Fun, at times. Kinda annoying, at others. But that's okay. I put him up on the top of Raun's truck so he could help wash the windows and he loved it! I made Raun stay put until I could run inside to grab the camera. Maybe I can teach him to wash my car. And maybe my tires...

How to celebrate a birthday?

Since it's been a month since his birthday, I figured I should finally post the rest of his birthday pictures. We had a great time. Once he woke up from his morning nap, we went to meet Raun for his birthday lunch at Jimmy John's. He proceeded to eat an entire 4-inch sub with cheese. Where he packed it, I'll never know. We left Raun to go to work and I took Blake to the zoo. He loved the gorillas. He would sit there and watch them forever, I think. He would laugh at them and never moved his eyes except to blink.
________
Birthday mornings are rough....especially when Mommy makes you wear this hat just for a silly old picture! Moms!


But they get better when as soon as Cheerios come into the picture.

Lunch at Jimmy John's

The gorillas at the zoo:

He also enjoyed the goat that had it's head stuck in the fence because it almost touched his foot. Lots of laughs then!

Off to Build-a-Bear, Chick-fil-A, and Baskin Robbins:

Presents!!!

Nanny made him a crochet hat that he loves. He carries it around when he's sleepy. So she made another one so he can wear it this winter. It's adorable!

Happy 1st Birthday, beautiful boy! We love you lots and are so proud of all you have learned in the past year. You have grown so much. We feel so blessed to be your mommy and daddy.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Delays

I have greatly delayed in writing on this blog. Not because I don't want to write and share what's on my mind. Not because I was afraid that no one would read it (sometimes I do it just for me). It's because, believe it or not, I haven't had a chance to sit still for longer than 2 seconds. I didn't even get on the computer for two days straight this past week. Unheard of for me! I have lots of pictures to put up, but that requires sitting still for longer than 2 minutes. I think I'll just put pictures up in a single post so I don't have to do all of the clicking and dragging. We'll see, but I will try to do it soon for those family members and friends that live so incredibly far away!

We were hit by the stomach virus this past weekend. Raun had to work out of town, so I rode with him to work and then took the car to meet my friend Heather and to go to the zoo, since I am a zoo member now. We had a wonderful time and saw lots of animals. It was a pretty big zoo and we learned lots since there weren't too many kids around because of it being a school day. Oh...and it was also raining. That helped our situation a bit, too. We went to the mall to eat and I got a call from Raun begging me to come pick him up because he was sick. After a stop for gas, medicine, 2 stops off the side of the interstate, and a 45-minute stand still because of a wreck, we finally made it home close to 3 hours later. I started to have nausea while we were waiting for the wreck, but I thought it was just indigestion. I was wrong. Not long after we made it home, the vomiting started. Yuck! However, on the up side, it was the best ab workout. It was a great way to help tone up my leftover babywear. Apparently Blake had it too, but he never had the vomiting part. I was thankful for that because I don't think I could see him go through that. It would have been awful. Raun's mom came on Saturday to take Blake for a few hours so we could rest and get a little better. We were thankful because we couldn't stand up, let alone chase a baby through the house. She ended up getting sick on Sunday, so we have since learned that it was a stomach virus and not food poisoning, like we had originally thought. We were sad that we didn't get to go to Dollywood with our friends like we had originally planned. Looks like we'll try again this month, hopefully.

We have also learned this week that Blake has allergies. He is on Zyrtec to help stop his horrible coughing and runny nose. We were hoping he wouldn't get Raun's allergies, but it looks like he may have. This has made for a much more whiny and crabby baby, but that's okay. He likes to cuddle with me and he at least sits still for 30 seconds when he's not feeling well. Hopefully this is all it is. When we went to the doctor, our pediatician's office made us stay outside because the swine flu had been hitting the babies hard. She said that they had seen a bunch of that and the regular flu already so they didn't want Blake to get it. We weren't there long, so hopefully he won't get that.

I can't believe that we're already into the month of September. Where June, July, and August went to, I'm not for sure. I feel like it was a whirlwind with something happening every single weekend. I think I'm in the homestretch now with nothing but football (FSU first and then Raun gets his Florida game) and a consignment sale this weekend. I love consignment sales! And the fall weather that has hit. Oh...and the best part? My pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks!