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Food Prep

I thought staying at home would help me chose to eat healthier but having two kids a week apart in age was a hole different story. (Babysitting) I think I lived on PB&J's for a week. Last weekend I prepared ahead so I had plenty of food to grab to make a healthy choice. I worked out great! Here is what I came up with: 

Pre-cutting my fruits and veggies makes me eat them more. I know how lazy right but its true it would just sit in my fridge uncut. I made five breakfast fruit parfaits that was my favorite! Lots of hard boiled eggs that I would put pepper and some popcorn topping white cheddar on. Its was really good :) 

Now, if I could keep this up I would actually eat the food I buy. Half the time I forget what I bought and then it goes bad :(

Rain, Teething and Ear aches

For the past week Bryson's ear has been bothering him. It breaks my heart to have my happy baby so sad. He is also teething and going through a growth spurt all in the same week. We are heading to the Dr. today to check out his ear and make sure he will be ok to fly... Yup fly :) We need some Cousin and Auntie time!    Our nights are long, our days are rainy and our time together is snuggles with tears.   

 Its hard being this cute!
 
 

A Week of Sprouting

Holy August did you even happen this year? Its going by so fast! I just wanted to post our last week pretty much with this guy  

Eight and a half Months old and happy as ever (except at nights) This happened....  

 

This was also a first...

 

We went to look for salmon but the creek was to dry

One lucky Lady right here!  

Alright Kids, Ill be back in an hour... ;)
Loving being home to watch Bryson learn and to love on him.

Hinder or Helping?

The other night after my Husband gave our Son a bath I went into the bathroom and the water was still in the tub, the toys were still everywhere and the towel was on the floor. My first response was to get upset because it felt like he left them there for me to pick up. I felt like a maid. I bent down to start cleaning then took a breath and just walked out of the bathroom. Not because I was mad but because I wanted to give him a chance to pick things up before I said anything. But really, I set myself up to be the maid. Ever since Bryson was born I would stock the diapers, get the room ready for bed, do the laundry, ext. all the household chore a Mom would do. When B would give Bryson a bath I would get the bath water at the right temperature, lay the towel out then get the pj's/lotion & diaper ready. Once the bath time was over I would drain the bath water, pick up the toys, wash the towels, then organize the diaper station once they were all done.... Although in my mind I was just keeping the house clean, keeping things moving along and "helping" I truly was making it worse for myself. I have a hard time just being. Just sitting on the couch doing nothing is a long lost word in my dictionary. I was setting myself up to be the maid and a potential future argument with my Husband that was all started and finished by me. Poor guy didn't even get a change to help... So, even when I thought I was helping I was taking away B 's chance to help me. Then the conversation on not having enough help around the house probably would have been brought up.... Once again, I would be taking away his chance to help if I keep doing it all. I cant expect things from my Husband (Or Baby) if I don't step back and give them a chance to help me. B did clean up the bathroom without me stepping in. Its nice for me to know I have a Husband that does help when I step back. I need to learn to step back and know its ok to have help from those who love you.   

     

Exciting Finds

I love screens shopping...? Instead of window shopping?!? I only wish I had more money to spend HA! Besides Etsy that I have an addiction to here are a few Sites I am enjoy lately.

Very Jane  Ok, this website was introduced to me by Mandy at A Sorta Fairytale and I am soooo glad! They have some very cute fashion items. I am so glad she posted this site! Thanks Mandy!!

Imagination Kid Toys is from Etsy (My obsession FYI) that is all handmade Eco-friendly wooden toys for babys/kids. They use non-toxic paint and the polish is made from beeswax, jojoba oil, and essential oils! So great for our little ones health. Reminds me of some toys I had as a baby. 

 

ModCloth is a fun vintage clothing, decor and extra fun things. I love the clothing and apartment section. Fun '80 themed items that make me smile. The home decor is cute! I need a bigger house.

 Books by the foot has tons of books! Kids books for a whole box is $12. for 150+ books! Score!! There is lots more if you are redoing your home decor to get that awesome vintage looking book shelf. I can't wait to get my order. Although they are overwhelmed with everyone being so interested it takes up to five weeks before your order is shipped. I think its worth the wait.

 

Steep and Cheap This is an App on my phone that I am the most addicted to. I have got several coats and other exciting finds for SO cheap! I have to admit Bryson even has a coat for when he is 5years old.... Well that just said it all, I'm a little overboard with this App. My Husband hates it hehe.     

 

Have any exciting finds you want to share?

UPDATE: Sleepless in Southeast

Well..... This is one stubborn kido. Since my last post Sleepless in Southeast Bryson has been getting his night time sleeping down. Sleeping in his room and only waking up once a night. It was perfect! After a week of this he started teething. Boo, Poor baby :( Two teeth later and our nights went haywire. At Eight months old Bryson is waking two times a night and having trouble when it comes to going to bed. During the day naps he soothes himself to sleep just perfect but when it comes to night time sleep its usually a long battle of historically crying and restlessness. Its sad. B gives him a bath and our wind down time at night is pretty mellow. Its a long night around our house.    On the other hand my week/days/nights are so crazy. I started to read and I get so hooked on reading and the quite that I'm up till midnight. Since May I'v been watching another baby that is one week younger then Bryson. I just have to say I have no idea how parents with twins do it 24/7!?!?! Hats off to them! On my weekends I do photo shoots and work some hours at my old job. Crazy? YES! My poor Etsy shop, I will see you this winter. P.S. Sleep do you even exist anymore?         

Eight Months

Where Did My Baby Go?

 I can sit up!!
Likes the Lowes commercial, haha

Weight-19.6lbs

Height-28"

Clothes size 9-12months

Diaper size-3
Has TWO tooth!!

Outside pool time

Rolls after Zoe
Our little Gerber baby
Three naps a day

Still a bouncing maniac
Can make clicking sounds with tongue
Going to be quite a little talker
Learning the words No, Yucky & Hot
Curious little Man
Still SOOO Handsome
Night time is still rough :(
Wants to lick everything
Heart Him
Saying our bedtime prayers
Scared of loud sounds & Doby Dogs barks
Loves him Grandma & Grandpa
Working on the crawling wiggle
Mom wont stop kissing those cheeks!
Teething pains, Poor Baby

Why I take out the trash

{Reasons I Keep My House Clean}

When I was pregnant and people asked me if I was nesting, my answer was "I next 365 days a year." I love my house clean but bottom line organized. Everything has a place even if that place is on the floor for a day because I swear I just cleaned it. I am slightly obsessive with picking things (toys, blankets, shoes) up off the floor before I go to bed each night. Its sort of a clutter free mind thing...?!?
It may be considered odd but when I started to think about it, I realized there are some good reasons why I take the time to clean up the clutter from the day each night.

• I get more done when my house is clean. When my house is clean it motivates me to get more done outside the home. Taking out the trash is very releasing and of course less smell. Cleaning up the floors just makes a more inviting space. I have less on my mind and more time with my family before the next mess begins. 

• It just looks better. This is a givin. Clean floors, freshly washed bedding, sparkling dishes just makes the home feel bright and inviting. Our home isn't to big or to small (its just right :) so when items are in there place it gives it just the right amount of openness we are missing.

• It saves money.  Taking care of my home and my things means I am less likely to replace something that gets lost or broken.  When things are messy I want only to escape the clutter, which can often mean going to the store and mindlessly filling a cart with even more stuff we don’t need.  When things are clean, I have no desire to be any place but here.

• It makes my husband happy.  Who wants to come home after a hard day’s work to a house full of chaos? There are far too many days when B comes home and the dishes are piled in the sink, dinner isn’t made, I haven't showered and the rest of the house looks likes there was a 21st Birthday party the night before. But on the days the house is clean and dinner is made and Bryson is happy, there is an unspoken peace and thankfulness on his face.

• It’s my job.  When I choose to be a stay-at-home mom, I agreed to all the duties that came with it, including keeping the house clean.  It’s not B's responsibility to go to work all day then come home and pick up after Bryson & I too.  For the record, He never complains and will make dinner for us if the day has gotten away from me. I Love this Man! Yes, I work too, but my “work” is secondary to my primary job of Mom.

• I am more creative.  Instead of seeing nothing but a cluttered mess, my mind is clear to see the creative potential around me, and my table is open to spread out and complete a project.  Likewise, when my kitchen is clean, it makes me want to cook things! (not bake that's a whole other story) I know this doesn’t bother some people, but I have a really hard time creating anything–or enjoying the process–when I am surrounded by clutter.

• I get Me time.  This is so important. I need to think, read, pray and have a clear mind to rejuvenate so I can be the best Wife, Mom, Me as much as possible but also remember who I am as a person. Just like my post Time Out I need Me too. Most important!

There are plenty of days where my house is a complete and utter disaster.  In fact sometimes by the end of the day it is worse then when I started cleaning it that morning. And that’s life. When all is said and done, if my house is clean, the family is happy and I am rested I can just breathe a little easier.

{This Moment}

{this moment} –A single photo – no words – capturing a moment. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Mom, Whats for Dinner?

After living in Alaska my whole life I have become a seafood snob. True story! Going out and catching your own seafood and cooking it the same day doesn't even come close to a 5 Star restaurant. Tonight's dinner menu is yummy Halibut baby! Let me just say my cooking is a little of this and a lot of that, oops to much so just go with it. Oh, and your nutrition facts can take a hike.

I don't have a name for this so lets just say its called Kicking HaliBUT.

What you'll need:

• Halibut 
• Yellow Onion
• Lemon Pepper
• Minced Garlic
• Sun Dried Tomatoes
• Olive oil or Butter

Heat olive oil or butter (your choice, I use both) in a pan over medium heat. Cut your Halibut to desired serving size add to heated pan, shake on some lemon pepper for taste. Cut your onion, add Onion, minced garlic and sun dried tomatoes to your halibut and oil/butter. (Quantity is up to you. I like lots so I can also top it on rice or a salad with dinner).

 Cover with lid for about 8min. Stir and flip Halibut and cover for another 5min.(est. time) Always check to make sure meat is cooked thoroughly before serving.

 Just look at that yumminess!

So I'm kinda on this rice kick but you can serve this with whatever your taste buds love. 

Happy Thursday!