Saturday, February 9, 2008

I'm a big boy now!!

So this is Ryans new carseat!! I can't believe how big he is getting so fast. Since my sister is my baby product scout she found this carseat for me. It has the highest crash ratings in europe (who's standards are way higher then ours) and it folds down to seven inches, so it will be good to travel with, and it will hold up to 80 pounds. To get our money's worth he will ride in this carseat until he is in 5th grade. "come on sweetheart, come get in your carseat" It was a little expensive but luckily I saved some of my gift cards from when Ryan was born so that took a little of the heat off the purchase price. If anyone watches Jon and Kate plus 8(I really like the show, could you imagine 8 kids...i love watching other peoples lives, and there's NO new shows ugh!!) this is the carseat they use. It's kind of funny to see Ryan in this big ol' seat now because his other one was WAY too small, head sticking over the top and feet hanging over the edge. Also it's kind of nice not to lug him and his carseat up three flights of stairs.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

SUPER BOWL!!!!

What a priceless picture!! My two favorite guys smiling at the SAME time. We had a great day at church then at some friends house to watch the superbowl. I think Ryan is back to his normal happy self because he was smiles all day. I guess that means back to the gym for me.

Tired little boy!


Now that he is not swaddled anymore it's funny to see all the different postions that Ryan can sleep in. Just tonight he rolled over from back to belly for the first time, which I didn't see but went into his room because he was screeming bloody murder and I flipped him back over.
I can't believe how big he is getting! He's really starting to squirm and wiggle. We have his 6 month check up on Tuesday. It's a little late but his ped. is SO wonderful I will wait. I'll give you an update on length and weight on Tuesday.


Saturday, February 2, 2008

R-O-D-E-O

Today we went to the stockshow and rodeo!! It was such a beautiful day it was so nice to get out and do something fun.
The bucking bronc

All the action wore him out!! As usual Ryan was wonderful. They did fireworks at the begining of the show and he didn't even jump, and all the other noise didn't seem to phase him either. What a little trooper!

We've been sick!

I think he is having a little heart to heart with his dog!! Ryan has been sick all week with his first real cold-I think this week was harder on me then him! He wasn't comfortable where ever he was or how he was held, but I think we are on the mend now. Except now dad doesn't feel good, from on baby to another.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Can you wave BYE-BYE??

This is Ryan learning to wave bye-bye!! It's so sweet even if I do say so myself. It's so fun to watch him learn new things and get excited

I've been bag tagged x2 since I carry a diaper bag and a wristlet
I tag Karen, Katelyn, Steph and Mel

This is my diaper bag and I LOVE IT!!
Let it flow...
Okay, we can play I SPY...

I spy something dirty...

I spy one little black shoe(don't ask how there's only one and where the other one might be.)

I spy chipotle(mmmm my favorite)

I spy thank you cards I need to mail from Christmas.

And my camera is always in my bag but I had to use it to take pic's



This was a great opportunity to clean out my bag which it needed badly!Good thing I didn't get this tag on Sunday, this bag becomes like Mary Poppins never ending bag.



I have to say I"m so thankful that Jen sent this to me because I went to take pictures and I couldn't find my wristlet--okay so panic set in and I looked everywhere. Still I couldn't find ikes!! I called my friend who I had run errands with earlier in the day and she didn't have it. I called Marshalls to see if by sheer luck and chance someone had turned it in...to my luck and amazement someone had!! I was so thankful and glad that I had gotten this email to make me look for my purse! Anyways thanks Jen!


This is my wristlet-Jared got it for me for Christmas and I love it!! It's so awesome because it fit's great in my diaper bag and I can take it with me if I go somewhere without the baby(which isn't very often.)


I'm to embarrassed to included ALL of my receipts

Babystyle-Love their clothes; but only on sale very expensive

Potterybarn-Receipt from my new dishes for Christmas

Target-I save ALL my receipts from Target because their return policy sucks!

Walmart-Everyday stuff

MAC lip gloss-I love it!!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

I love to laugh, loud and long and clear, Ilove to laugh so everybody can hear.

This is the first time he has really belly laughed, and he did it for a really long time-we were both dying-I love it when he has these first when Jareds home so that he can experiance that joy too! Jared kept bouncing that soft little ball off of him and he just loved it!!

I love to bounce!!

In just the last day or so Ryan has really figured out how to bounce, and he loves it. It is great in the morning or early afternoon when I'm getting ready to leave the house and I can put this in the door way and he can see me. Sorry the video is side ways I forgot that it was a video!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Brie Burger!


I guess lately I've really tried to cook different things, especially since I've tried to use all my goodies from the farmers market. So today I was using sweet potatoes and zucchini. I made zucchini bread which was delicious, and then I made the picture above. Jared isn't fond of sweet potatoes so I was attempting to make something other then baked or mashed so I made match stick sweet potatoes fries. I baked them with olive oil, sea salt, and a little chili powder.(Jared like them.) The burger was made with melted brie cheese and sauteed mushrooms. I think we might get fatter if I keep cooking like this. They say to keep a food dairy to keep track of all the calories that you have eaten- but I don't think this is helping-now I'm trying to create the prettiest meals possible.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Living the American dream!!

I LOVE AMERICAN IDOL!!! Jared and I were so excited for American Idol to start. He started reminding me last week that it was coming on. Also with the writers strike it really make seeing new tv fun!! This guy was my favorite! I couldn't believe that Simon didn't let him sing even after he went and got it all waxed!!! Only in America!! I think this year will be fun! Ryan even really enjoyed watching and hearing all the people sing, I had a hard time feeding him his peas and cereal.

Chicken Cacciatore-This was to die for!!



6 red bell peppers

Extra-virgin olive oil

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 egg

2 cups milk

1 (3 1/2-pound) whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces

6 garlic cloves, halved lengthwise

1 onion, sliced thin

2 ripe tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1/2 lemon, sliced in paper-thin circles

3 anchovy fillets

1 tablespoon capers

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 bunch fresh basil, hand-torn (1/4 bunch to flavor the base, 1/4 bunch to finish the dish)

1 cup dry white wine
Start by preparing the peppers because they will take the longest. Preheat the broiler. Pull out the cores of the red peppers; then halve them lengthwise and remove the ribs and seeds. Toss the peppers with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place them on a cookie sheet, skin side up, and broil for 10 minutes, until really charred and blistered. Put the peppers into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and steam for about 10 minutes to loosen the skins. Peel the peppers and roughly chop into chunks; set aside.

Season the flour with the garlic powder, dried oregano, and a fair amount of salt and pepper. Whisk the egg and milk together in a shallow bowl. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour and tap off the excess. Dip each piece in the egg wash to coat and then dredge with the flour again. Place a Dutch oven over medium heat and pour in about 1/4-inch of oil. Pan-fry the chicken in batches, skin side down, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Turn the chicken over and brown the other side about 10 minutes longer. Remove the chicken to a side plate, pour out the oil, and clean out the pot.

Put the pot back on the stove and coat with 1/4 cup of oil. Add the garlic, onion, tomatoes, lemon slices, anchovies, capers, red pepper flakes, half the roasted red peppers, and half the basil. Season with salt and pepper. This part of the recipe is going to be your base. What we are looking for is a fragrant vegetable pulp, so simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring often, until everything breaks down.


Add the remaining roasted peppers and the remaining basil. Tuck the chicken into the stewed peppers and pour in the wine. Turn the heat down to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked.
This was a little time consuming, but it was delicious!! I think this is Jared's new favorite meal. I used chicken breast instead of chicken pieces and it was so tender it just fell apart on your fork.

Crunchy Carmel Corn That You Can't Put Down

I made this Carmel corn for enrichment and everyone loved it!! So here is the simple recipe.

I pop 3 bags of microwave popcorn-you can pop your own corn if you like. 3-4 quarts of popped corn

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup karo syrup


1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

Spray a brown grocery bag with Pam-cover the whole bag. Pour in popped corn.

Boil sugar, butter and Karo for 3-4 minutes in medium sauce pan. Add baking soda and let bubble up and add vanilla-STIR QUICKLY-Pour over popcorn and fold bag over and shake vigorously until corn is covered. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO GET THIS ON YOUR HANDS IT WILL BURN. Microwave for 30 seconds take out of microwave and shake from end to end with the top still folded. Microwave and shake 2 more times. Remove to greased cookie sheet and let cool.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

He's getting so big!!!

Sporting his Gonzaga outfit!!
Chilling with Ruby! She makes a great chair! She is very gentle and willng to let Ryan hang all over her.