Quick and Easy Toddler Food

I love that E is now eating real food.  I hate that I still have to cut it super tiny, but it's much better than spoon-feeding her.  She loves to feed herself, and I wanted to make sure she has a variety of food at Ryan's house (and April's while Ryan is recovering).

Here are two really quick and easy recipes I found that E loves (disclosure - Josh and I love them too).

Pizza Muffins - found on Once a Month Mom
Ingredients:

• Package of refrigerated biscuits (I prefer Pillsbury Grands Jr)
• 8 oz of pizza sauce
• 2 oz of shredded mozzarella cheese
• Meat and veggies to taste
• Garlic and Italian spices to taste

Preheat your oven to 375.  Using a non-stick muffin pan (or a greased muffin pan), press a biscuit into each muffin cup, creating a bowl.  Spoon a couple of tablespoons of pizza sauce (veggies/meats premixed into sauce) into each biscuit bowl.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Remove from the oven and top with shredded mozzarella.  Bake for 5 minutes.  Allow the biscuits to cool before you remove them from the pan.  

Ham and Cheese Crescent Rolls - found on Big Oven

Ingredients:

• Package of crescent rolls (8)
• 4 slices of ham
• 4 slices of cheese

Preheat your oven based on the package of crescent rolls.  Using a cutting board or other flat surface, unroll each crescent roll.  Tear or cut 1/2 piece of cheese to fit inside of the unrolled crescent.  Top with 1/2 slice of ham.  Roll into crescent shape.  Place on nonstick or greased pan.  Repeat process until all crescents are rolled.  Allow the crescents to cool before you remove them from the pan and serve.

The really great thing about these recipes is that they can be frozen for up to 14 days.  I like to use Glad containers to freeze in individual servings so that I can grab one on the go for E and not worry about the entire batch going bad.  

Time to Renew

It's been quite some time since my last post and I think it's high time I get back into the blogging world. It's a great outlet for me and I miss it.  So, here's a recap of the last year or so of life (this may get a little long).

October 2011 - Put on bedrest with a period of 5 minutes per hour to get up to use the bathroom, shower, make food, etc.

November 2011 - Put on strict bedrest after a crazy hospital stay.  Went off my strict bedrest at 37 weeks and saw Breaking Dawn Part 1.

December 2011 - Welcomed the most precious little girl, Emily, into the world on the 1st.  Celebrated our first Christmas as a family of 3.

February 2012 - Returned to work and left Emily in the capable hands of my good friend, Ryan.

April 2012 - Upgraded my old Chevy Prizm to a Subaru Forester.  Love love love my new car!

July 2012 - Our first family vacation!  We drove to Minoqua, Wisconsin for a family reunion and it was awesome!  Emily went on her first boat ride and loved the lake and the fireworks.  Josh also took on a new career as a Firefighter/EMT for HFPD.

September 2012 - I started a new job and love it!

So those are the major highlights of the past year.  I can't wait to begin blogging again and (hopefully) entertaining you!

Spell Out The Details Please

There is nothing more frustrating than going through a major life change and having those who are supposed to be helping you through, give you vague instructions.  Okay - that was a lot to process.  So, let's get into the whole story.

About a month ago, I suspected that the hubs and I would no longer be a two-some.  So I went to the good ole girlie doctor and they confirmed - a small bundle of joy will join our family just in time for Christmas (or a bit later if he or she takes after me).  It was at this point that the nurse explained my practice no longer delivers and she gave me a list of referrals.  Told me to get my ultrasound at 8 weeks then to call back to discuss my first pre-natal visit. 

So, today I'm 9 weeks.  I have been super sick, so I wasn't able to get on the phone right away to call my doc back.  So, I take a few minutes this afternoon to call - and guess what?!  They don't see me again until after the baby.  Apparently, I was supposed to choose my new OB, call and request my records be sent to the new office, then schedule an appointment with the new doc.  Huh - then why did the nurse tell me to CALL BACK (meaning, call them, right?).  Because of this lack of detail (and by the way, I did ask to make sure I needed to call the current doc and she confirmed), I'll be into my second trimester before even seeing an OB because my first appointment at the new office is just a consultation with a nurse.  So forget getting the "first trimester tests".  I'll be at least 15 weeks before I even meet the doctor that could potentially deliver my baby.

Ugh - so please, if you are reading this - make sure you give detailed instructions - especially to a first-timer.

Botox and Children

Did anyone else catch this segment this morning on Good Morning America?  In case you haven't, and don't have the time to watch or read the article - let me sum it up for you.

A beauty pageant contestant went on-air about Botox treatments.  Nothing too out of the ordinary about that, right?  Well, you would be right if the contestant was an adult.  Or, close to an adult.  But no - this contestant is 8 years old!  8!  This is all sorts of wrong.

First - good going giving your kid a complex lady.  First, I don't think I necessarily agree with beauty pageants for children.  I don't think they raise kids with the understanding of the real world and I do think they teach kids to rely on their looks to get them places.  Now your kid will grow up thinking she needs to have the perfect face and figure to accomplish anything in life.  Botox! Seriously - she is going to fear wrinkles and likely go into debt trying to remain youthful - while STILL IN HER YOUTH. 

Second - one reason this so-called mother took her 8 year old to get Botox - other parents were taking their kids.  This takes me back to the age-old question - if your friend jumped off a bridge, would you?  Seriously lady - use your brain.  Just because other people do it doesn't mean it's a good idea.  Idiot.

Third - Botox hasn't been studied in children yet.  Who knows the long term effects this will have on your daughter - and this time I don't mean mentally.   I mean physically.

This woman is just plain nuts - but what about the doctor who actually administered the treatments?  Isn't treating a child with Botox (a cosmetic procedure) considered malpractice if it's not a corrective action needed by some sort of massive accident?  If not - it should be.

We have to stop this growing obsession with vanity.  Shows like Toddlers and Tiaras are becoming more and more popular and our poor children think this is normal behavior.  It's not - I assure you.  Please - for anyone reading this - if I ever do something this abhorring to any of my future children - shoot me.  I give you permission.  You will save me from myself and ensure my children have a chance to be productive members of society.

My Apologies

I have some apologies to make. 

1 - To Neighbor's Daugher:  I am very sorry that your mother didn't teach you better manners or driving skills.  It is NOT okay to park in front of my house, day after day, blocking my mailbox.  Park in her driveway.  Thanks.

2 - To My Neighbor - I am soooo sorry that your dogs think they own the neighborhood.  They are less than three pounds each and mean little terrors.  If they bite me, a neighbor kid or anyone else again (or if I find more of their poop in my yard - especially my FENCED IN backyard), I will be sure to let my 70 pound dog loose.  -K

3 - To Our Builder - I am truly sorry that you didn't read the portion of our contract that guaranteed us a 72 hour window to pick up any rocks/stones in the yard before you laid seed for grass.  Now, we get to pick up an ENTIRE yard of rock and destroy our yard for the second year in a row because you suck.

Those are my three big ones today.  I'm sure I'll have more in the future.

Is He Or Isn't He?

I am not the person who keeps quiet on the political front.  I am normally up for the fight, debate and debacle that come with being involved in politics.  After writing and defending a thesis about first-time voters in presidential elections, I took a break from the political scene.  Not ready to jump back in just yet, I turned on the news last night to hear that Osama Bin Laden is dead, and now my head is spinning. 

First - why are people making this a party-thing?  It's not about who was in charge, it's about taking action.  All people have the right to celebrate/mourn the way they see fit, but let's not turn this into a political thing.  Let's keep it as a "keep people safe" thing.  Okay?!  Okay.

Second - part of me thinks it's very convenient that his body has already been dumped into the ocean.  Hmmm... while I have faith in people, I'm not sure I have that kind of faith in our government.  PROVE to people that you captured the #1 America Hater.  Without a body or photographs, it's very hard to believe.  Just sayin'.

Third - while I don't want to rescind the rights of the American people - why are you celebrating this man's death.  Depending on your belief, he either went to his version of heaven (which I doubt) or has been damned to hell.  Sure, his actions are dispicable and inhumane, but celebrating the eternal damnation of another human being just seems wrong to me.  Sure, I feel like some people have received the closure they need - but be careful how you judge.  Let's just take solace in the fact that maybe the world is one step closer to being a better place.

Fourth - time to be on high alert.  Before heading to bed last night, Josh brought up a good point.  While the general public is out celebrating, guard down - this is the opportune time for attacks to happen.  Stay on guard people.  If Osama really has been killed by American forces, it's time to be more vigilant than ever as revenge seems to be high on terrorists' priority list.

So, as you can see, my mind is racing with all sorts of different thoughts regarding this news.  I'm not sure where I fall into this whole thing.  I don't mind a terrorist being a threat no longer, but I am not sure it's appropriate to celebrate the death of anyone (the way that the world is suddenly celebrating Osama's).

Life Shaped by Thoughts

'Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts' Proverbs 4:23. 

This is obviously where this blog title came from.  This is not my first blog, nor is it likely to be my last.  I have a few others, but all very focused.  I want to use this to post my random thoughts, daily interactions, things that touched my life and those things I hope will touch yours. Life can be crazy, and it's so true how your state of mind (your thoughts) can alter your reality. 

So, what is the thought that is most eating at me today?  Well, like the rest of the world, I woke up and when I turned on the news, I was bombarded with news on the Royal Wedding.  Am I a huge Prince William fan?  No.  Am I a huge Kate Middleton fan?  No.  Am I a huge royal family fan?  No.  However, I do think they are important to worldly interactions and society.  And, while I do not think it is necessary that EVERY station be broadcasting the wedding and the events of the day, I welcome it.  Why?  The world is filled with such tragedy, trial, turmoil and overall negative news, that it was nice to have a morning full of hopeful and joyous news. 

I'll leave you with this to marinate on - all of the bad news will still be there tomorrow, so why not take a few hours and just celebrate the good that is left in the world?