6 month round up!

I've been totally neglecting my goal of one post a month...so here is an update and some recipes that everyone is asking for!

It's been about 6 months since I've posted, and so much has happened I hardly know where to begin.

Haiden finally started walking around 15 months, so it took him a bit longer than we thought it would, he was a champ once he started!



He now has 4 teeth! Which we are super excited about, and which he got one month after his first birthday. He now has 6 more teeth on their way, three on both sides of his top two front teeth. He's not too grumpy this go round, but he has begun to sleep again like a dragon, which is awesome because that means I get to get things done.

In May, I went home for about three weeks, and had a blast. Declyn turned one!! And we had a swim party for him. He even took several steps while he was in my care, and Morgan missed out on. I was able to catch him one time on video to send her while she was working. Kelsie was also home, in between her Arizona internship and her New York internship. So we celebrated birthdays for her and me early.





I made some home-made mosquito repellent from the herbs in the garden and tried it out on Haiden after we got back in town and the bugs were atrocious. I ended up keeping the bugs off of him, but used a way too concentrated dose on him, that Haiden broke out into a rash all over his body the next day, lasting a few days. So it's been a little trial and error, but I'm using my concoction as a concentrated form and diluting it it water and it's working like a charm!

We've also switched to cloth diapers, to save money and begin potty training time. I didn't realize how fun cloth diapering can be. We use a 'wet pail', which for those that don't know, is basically a bucket with water and baking soda (we add in some vinegar and essential oils to avoid odor) where you place the dirty cloth diapers and covers in to save on laundry usage. When the pail is full, you just wring out the diapers and wash them, like any other load of laundry, and then dry them either in the dryer or out in the sun. There is a lady on base that makes covers, which we've had her make a few for us, and they are all so cute! She also made us a 'wet bag' for disposing of diapers while we are out and about until we can get home and wash them. My friend and I went to the thrift store the other day to find wool/cashmere sweaters to make night-time covers/pants since Haiden is an intense night-time pottier. These will help absorb any leakage and cut down on us having to wash his sheets every night. The wool/cashmere material is absorbent and also breathable. She's going to show me how to spray Lanolin in the wool covers to make them water resistant. We ended up buying about 12 or more sweaters, getting 2 or more covers/pants from each for only $24, whereas if you try and buy wool covers new it would have been $30 for one pair!!! She had to stop me from getting any gem sweaters, but we still came away with a great deal and a fun at home activity for us to do.

Zach had PRK surgery, which is an intense form of LASIK. Where instead of cutting a flap in your cornea, they 'drill' holes in it. The recovery time for this is 1 year, vs the one month with LASIK. We went to Biloxi for three days, he had a pre-op appointment, the next day had the surgery (which took maybe 15-20 minutes) and then we went to the suite and he passed out for the day/night. The next day he had a 10 minute post-op checkup and we headed home. He has to use moisturizing eye drops and steroid eye drops, and wear sun glasses for a year whenever outside (even if its rainy or overcast; any time he is outside during day light hours). He is doing great though, and never has to wear glasses again!! By the second month he went from 20/400 to 20/15! His vision was so bad, they said he had "20 fingers" where from an arms length away he saw 20 fingers lol.



At the beginning of May, Neckacco, our Jeep stopped running :( This was so sad for me. Zach had already sold his truck, his first vehicle a few months ago. And now we lost my car of 10 years to old age. The Jeep stopped working and we frantically tried to find a replacement. In one day, we found our new car, and we fell in love instantly! It took some convincing to Zach to get another Jeep instead of something else...and it payed off! We came home with a 2012 Jeep Patriot Latitude "Mel Gibson"! We couldn't be happier. We have Blue-Tooth, Satellite radio, power outlets, extra trunk space, better gas mileage, and an overall sexy vehicle!


In June, Briana and Ann-Marie came to visit and celebrate my birthday, which was awesome!! We showed them the sights, and they got to hang out with their god-son, which made his day. He started calling Briana 'nana' and Ann-Marie 'aaahee', which made their day! They also taught Haiden some pretty interesting things that he still does to this day. This birthday made up for the last two birthdays being sad and stressful. We also met some nice British, Doctor Who, fans that made our night down town an insane amount of fun!!

Then in July, Austin, Zach's best friend, came to town and got to meet Haiden for the first time. We basically repeated Bri and Ann-Marie's trip with Austin. It was, again, a blast! And we got to show our friends the dueling barges fireworks along the levee across from down town NOLA, and the boys loved it. Haiden would say "cool" and "boom" and after the first half of the fire works show he was over it, haha. But we had an awesome 4th, with some kiddie pool time for Haiden and the boys, and some grilling for us, along with some daiquiris.

We have started to get a pretty nice yield from our community garden as well. I've taken over the school plot I had for my kids, and share a double plot with another family on base. We've gotten some zucchini, watermelon and cantaloupes...that are all huge and delicious!



Now as we enter the end of summer, I found out I will be teaching again, which is awesome. Zach is taking another rank exam in September that he's studying for like a mad man. Haiden is signing up a storm, picking up new signs every day and using them correctly. He is "talking" with major speech impediments that remind me of home videos of myself. I'm working on my at home business and have been looking up new and awesome green-living recipes. I've also gotten pretty good at bowling! The host of the league only beat my first game by 2 points last time!! A friend and I are planning to do a once-a-week educational play date for the boys, where we will do fun things and home-made crafts that encompass things they are all interested in. Basically a day of home schooling for the kiddos, which is looking more and more appealing for us to get into and try out with Haiden.  Plus one of my besties got engaged so hopefully soon we will have one of our besties married and can hang out as married couples together :) I'm so excited!!!

Italian Date Night

Spinach Garlic Bread

1 loaf French or Italian Bread (I used the refrigerated loaf in a tube)

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 TBS canola oil

1 pkg frozen spinach, thawed and drained

1 TBS parmesan cheese

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp fennel seed, crushed (I don't like fennel and so I left it out)

1 large tomato, chopped and seeded

1-1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

1 TBS dried basil

chopped parsley

Cut bread in half lengthwise. Place cut side up on a baking sheet; set aside. In a skillet, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Add spinach and stir until heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning and fennel seed; mix wel. Spread evenly over bread halves. Sprinkle with tomato, mozzarella and basil. Bake 400 for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with parsley if desired. Cut into slices and serve immediately. 

It's Ready Already Alfredo

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 TBS of butter

1-2 cloves garlic

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

3 sprigs parsley

salt/pepper

Add all ingredients in order in a blender/food processor/magic bullet. Blend until smooth. Heat 1-2 minutes in microwave and then blend again. Serve over pasta. 

Pulled Pork Sandwich

1/2 cup Ketchup

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 TBS chili powder

1/4 cup + 2 TBS cider vinegar

salt/pepper

1-1 1/2 pound pork butt or shoulder trimmed, cut into 3 inch pieces

4 rolls, split

1. In 5-6 qt slow cooker, whisk together ketchup, sugar, chili and 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 tsp each salt/pepper.

2. Add pork and toss to coat. Cook covered 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high. 

3. Using 2 forks, shred pork into large pieces; gently toss into cooking liquid. Fill rolls.

Pork Chop Suey

1 cup long grain rice

8 oz pork tenderloin cut 1/4 inch

salt/pepper

2 TBS oil

1 bunch broccoli, chopped

1 medium onion, cut 1/4 inch wedges

2 stalks celery, cut diagnally

8 oz small mushrooms

1/3 cup soy sauce

2 TBS packed brown sugar

2 tsp corn starch

1. Cook rice. Season pork with salt/pepper. Heat 1 TBS oil in large skillet over med-high heat. Add pork and cook. Stir once, transfer to large bowl. 

2. Add broccoli and 2 TBS water to skillet and cook, covered, until tender. Put in bowl with pork.

3. Add remaining TBS oil to skillet and heat over med-high heat, add onion and cook, stir occasionally ~ 2 min. Add celery and mushrooms and cook, stir until tender ~ 2 min. 

4. Whisk soy sauce, sugar and corn starch in small bowl. Add to skillet with pork and broccoli and cook ~ 30 seconds. Serve with rice.

Chicken and Cheese Panini

I used leftover chicken for this. If you use fresh chicken, slice thinly and cook. Butter one side of bread (two slices) Layer provolone cheese with chicken and sliced tomatoes, cover with second slice of bread.  If you have a panini press, use that, if you don't you can use a grill skillet or just a skillet. Have this heated fully, on high heat. Use a spatula to press, hard, while heating the sandwich. Toast both sides and melt the cheese. Cut in half immediately and enjoy!

Red Beans and Rice

1 cup long grain rice

2 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 small onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, sliced

1 green pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 tsp cajun seasoning

1/2 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp salt

2-1/2 cups red beans, plus 1-1/2 cup bean water

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper sauce

1. Prepare rice as directed.

2. Meanwhile, in 12-in non-stick skillet, cook bacon on medium heat until browned, with slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. 

3. To bacon fat in skillet, add onion, celery, green pepper, garlic, cajun seasoning, thyme, and salt. Cook 10-12 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in beans and reserve bean cooking water, bacon and cayenne pepper sauce. Cook 3 to 5 minutes longer to blend flavors.

4. Serve bean mixture over rice.

Mashed Cauliflower and Scallops

Steam cauliflower and corn until very tender. Place in mixing bowl, add heavy cream, butter, garlic, red pepper flakes and chives. Mash the cauliflower corn mix. If needed add back to stove on high heat letting cream boil while mashing. In mixing bowl, blend on high until mashed potato consistency achieved. Meanwhile, cook turkey bacon until crispy. Place on paper towels to drain. Cut with cooking scissors into little pieces. Heat a pan on med-high, add oil and drop in scallops. Add 1 TBS butter and sprinkle with garlic. Cook until seared on both sides, sprinkle with paprika to serve. Serve scallops over mashed cauliflower and corn, topped with turkey bacon.

Makeover Greek Pasta

1 pkg (16 oz) spaghetti, broken into 2 inch pieces

4 cups cubed cooked chicken breast (optional)

2 pkg (10 oz each) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 can (10.75 oz) reduced-fat reduced-sodium, condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

3/4 cup reduced fat mayonnaise

3/4 cup reduced fat sour cream

3 celery ribs, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1 jar (2 oz) diced pimentos, drained (I used black olives because we don't like pimentos)

1/2 tsp salt-free lemon pepper seasoning (I didn't use this)

3 TBS all-purpose flour

1-1/3 cup fat-free milk

1 tsp chicken bouillon granules (I didn't use this and added garlic and red pepper flakes instead)

1 cup (4oz) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup soft bread crumbs

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Cook spaghetti according to package; drain. Return spaghetti to saucepan. Stir in the chicken, spinach, soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, celery, onion, green pepper, olives and lemon-pepper. 

2. In small saucepan, whisk flour and milk until smooth. Bring to boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in bouillon. Pour over spaghetti mixture and mix well. 

3. Transfer to 13X9 in baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with mozzarella cheese, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 25-30 min or until heated through. 

Baked Pasta E Fagoili

8 oz mini penne or elbow pasta

1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes in puree

1 TBS oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed with press

2 cans (15-19 oz) navy or other small white bean, rinsed and drained

1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

1-1/4 tsp black pepper

1 package (10 oz) frozen spinach, thawed and drained

1/2 cup grated romano cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400. Heat large covered saucepot of water to boiling over med heat. Add pasta and cook 2 minutes less than directed. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup cooking water. Return pasta to saucepot. 

2. Meanwhile, drain tomatoes, reserving puree. Coarsely chop tomatoes. 

3. In 4 qt saucepan, heat oil over med heat until hot. Add onion and celery, and cook 9-10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, cook 1 min.

4. Stir in tomatoes with their puree, beans, broth, and pepper; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium; stir in spinach. 

5. Add bean mixture, reserved pasta water and 1/4 cup romano to pasta in saucepot and toss until well mixed. Transfer pasta mixture to 3 qt glass or ceramic baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup romano. Bake 15 mixture or until center is hot and top is golden. 

Haiden's FIRST Birthday Party!!

The week of Haiden's birthday was one crazy week...
We went to a baby shower Friday for our neighbor, who is now gone :( and Haiden had his first encounter with a balloon. After we came home, and he took a much needed nap, he woke up saying "baa-oo" "baa-oo" and I thought he was talking about the lantern I had turned on. I go on to tell him it's a light, blah blah blah. And he starts pointing at the ceiling, still saying "baa-oo", and usually if we tell him something, he will say it back, and usually it sounds pretty legit. So I am very perplexed with this lack of understanding, obviously on my part, because he is pretty adamant about this "baa-oo" thing. So I try something else, and ask if he's trying to say "peek-a-boo" and I start trying to play with him. At this point, I have finished changing his diaper and am walking him out of the room to go eat, and all of a sudden he freaks out! He starts jumping up and down in my arms, squealing  pointing and saying "BAA-OO"!!  And I look to where he is pointing...lo and behold, there is the pink balloon from the baby shower, floating on the ceiling. I was astonished!! The entire time we were at the shower, I kept him entertained with that balloon, telling him "it's a balloon"...then after a few hours of napping he wakes up with BALLOON on his mind! And not only that, he's saying "baa-oo", which finally dawns on me is Haiden for "balloon"....DUH! So now, needless to say, he is obsessed with balloons :)

Friday night, we head to the airport to pick up Zach's mom and Bob, who are in town to hang out with some of Bob's college friends. They also thought the party was this weekend, and not next weekend...which was okay, since that weekend is also Super Bowl Sunday and there was no way for them to get a hotel and inconvenient for us to house them for the weekend, since traffic would be horrible. After dropping them off down town, we made plans to meet up the following morning for breakfast.
We ended up picking Debbie up, at the ferry, that way we didn't have to drive down town and wait in traffic for hours. While we waited, we walked the levee with Haiden in tow, he had fun pointing out all the dogs, and waving "bye-bye" to all the people walking around. Around 10:30 we made it to Parrot Pete's our favorite place to take friends and family when they come to town. The food, as always was delicious, and Debbie gave Haiden his birthday presents: four books! Which he loves!! And then as we went to drop Debbie back off at the ferry, she suggested we go to the Aquarium! Which was even more awesome, because I had just mentioned that to Zach a few days before, how, now that Haiden was one, I think he is old enough to go to the Aquarium; plus he loves fish! So we ride the ferry and pop out right at the Aquarium, so convenient and awesome, and it's a block away from the hotel Debbie and Bob are staying at!

Haiden had a blast, and he didn't fall asleep!! He was wide-eyed the whole time, and even a little scared! There are a few tanks with outrageously large fish, sharks and gators, that when we tried to take Haiden's picture next to them, he would hold onto our shirts for dear life...it was adorable!!

They also have this awesome atrium full of little birdies! We spent quite a lot of time there, because the birds were so interactive. Debbie had some form of bird crack in her purse, because all the birds kept trying to get in there! They also loved the stroller and Zach, as for me...I said all they would do was poop in my hair...and that's all they did, pooped in my hair!! Zach and Debbie were holding the birds and everything! It was pretty spectacular.
After the Aquarium, we went to grab a bite to eat at a little restaurant on the river, said bye to Debbie, and Zach and I grabbed some daiquiris and walked around the Riverwalk Mall.

After walking around for a bit, and riding four elevators, we ended up in a hippie store...of course. Zach bought a poncho, he hasn't stopped talking about, and I bought some incense, the good kind that is dipped in sap!! Then we headed home to get ready for a bonfire.

Sunday was a day of much needed rest. And Monday brought on a doctors appointment for me and my mysterious bite/staph infection.
Then Thursday brought on another doctors appointment for them to drain my 'abscess' and while Zach did security for an NFL Salute to Soldiers, autograph deal, Haiden and I waited in line to be the first ones in and out.

Haiden was photographed while we walked through the line, getting autographs! At the end of the line reporters swarmed me and Tori, and asked "What's the name of the high-five baby?" I was super confused..."huh?" "What's the name of your baby?" "Oh, Haiden Angello. H-A-I-D-E-N, Angello...with two L's". And after we left the blocked off area, another reporter came up and asked "How old is he? And are you all from here?" "He just turned one, and no we are from Texas, just stationed here." And then I realized...I never asked what thing they were reporting for. So a few days later I googled "Haiden Angello NFL" and this popped up! I thought it was pretty cool, plus my hand is in one of the other photos! 

After we left from that, Haiden took a nap, and Zach finally got done with security about 2 hours after the even was supposed to close. Zach was able to come home, and he dropped me off at the doctors for my procedure. I was more terrified than I have ever been, I have never undergone any surgery...and as much as I was dreadfully scared of childbirth...this was so different. And I was alone. They numbed me up, which they said wouldn't hurt, and it did. They cut me open, which they said wouldn't hurt, and it didn't. They pushed and drained me, which they said wouldn't hurt, but hurt like none other. Then they packed it, which they said wouldn't hurt, but stung and burned like nobody's business! I cried, and got the nervous shakes and laughter out of pure pain, and adrenaline rush. 

So here is the before and after picture, I think it's pretty gruesome, so don't look if you have a weak stomach. 

 And while they were out of the room, I checked out what was in store for me, hiding under the sheet...I wish I hadn't looked. all it did was make me want to run away and say, never mind to the whole thing.  

Then I was told to go get my pain meds, and stay on my anti-biotics and my cream that I was prescribed Monday. I was also told to schedule an ultrasound, and a visit to a general surgeon. This was all due to the fact that the doctor had never seen a hole this deep, 3 inches or more. And because the base did not have the proper equipment to deal with something so deep. The doctor said about 3 ounces of yuck came out, and after she packed it, she wanted to make sure 1. everything was out and 2. that the infection hadn't spread to my lymph nodes, since I was experiencing spreading tenderness. Also with it being so deep, there are nerves and veins and things she didn't want to rummage around in...plus I had already covered the paper covering on the table with my tears, sweat, and a  little drool, out of excruciating pain. 

All the while, having to run around to be seen by all these other doctors, I had more important things I could be doing, such as finishing up baking and making decorations for Haiden's first birthday.

Friday came, and we went to get my ultrasound...sounds easy enough. Well I have a gaping hole in my arm with a shoe lace thing hanging out and they want to put goop on me and press this probe all around my extremely painful boo-boo. Yeah, I was white knuckled and teary eyed after that as well. After I had gone in that morning to the doctor on base, to have it numbed (never works) and repacked. 

And Friday night was a game night at our friends house, and we went to that, and stayed way passed our original 2 hour limit. Getting home around 1am and having to ice Haiden's cake and put the finishing touches on it, as well as pick up a ball pit for the party and take the cake over to the freezer at the Community Center where the party would take place in a few hours! 

And when Zach went to change my gauze for my boo-boo, the packing was stuck to it and almost all of it painfully was pulled out. Zach saved it before all of it came out...but by Saturday morning, it was all out chillin in the gauze when Zach changed it in the morning.

 

Haiden's birthday wreath I made that we will hang up every January!! 

Saturday rolls around, and at 8 am I am out of bed, dressed and out the door to meet up with my friend, who was lending us her bouncy house. Then it was time to set up, get Zach up and get Haiden up and ready for his party!! 

                                                            

The rice-crispy ducks were ready :) and I iced them the day before.....and they turned out like this: 

I made Haiden a name banner, which I have seen at several parties and always thought it was so cute!! This is the before and after shot!

This table shot of the set up, also shows the little jello duck ponds I made, and put some baby marshmallows in and little rubber duckies on top! I also had a few glass jars sitting out with blue rocks at the bottom and ducks inside. 

I made icing covered marshmallows as marsh bubbles, as well as a duck shaped pinata :)  

                      

I also had out some 'duck feed' that was Rolos with little duck stickers on the bottom.

For the cake, I made pretzel grass and reeds to make it really look like a pond. And I used a few rice crispy ducks to add to the cake, as well as blue icing for the pond and green for the grass. 

The whole table finished:

I made a little game of questions about Haiden for the kids at his party to answer and guess on, the one with the most right answers got to eat the huge rice crispy duck. I also made two little lanterns that I put on both ends of the table to add a finishing touch.

As people came and brought food, I encouraged them to come up with a 'Duck Themed' name for their food and write it on a card and put with their dish: 

                                      

We had a ball pit for the younger kids, a bouncy house for the older kids and balloons on the floor for everyone!

Then we had a baby racing game for all the kids under the age of one, since Haiden can't walk yet. The babies raced to get to the pinata duck first!! 

Haiden won!! But it was a very close race! Right at the end after Haiden was in the lead, he stopped crawling and sat down inches away from the duck, while Christan kept on moving!! I was cheering Haiden on to just touch the duck, and finally he reached out and touched it, seconds before Christan! 

Since we didn't have a string to hang up the duck and there were so few kids, I gave Zach the honors of smashing the duck on the floor. After the first smash didn't yield any candy, I jokingly said, "The number of times you throw it and it doesn't break, is how many more kids we'll have!" After two more smashes the duck pinata was finito. 

 Then came happy birthday, after I showed everyone how to sign 'Happy Birthday', everyone pitched in to sign and sing Haiden a very happy First Birthday!!

And now having a little more practice at this whole cake thing, Haiden went to TOWN on this cake!!

And he started getting silly ideas, and having way too much fun!!

Then he starts looking around for balloon...which only means he is hallucinating from all that fun and sugar!

And within 10 minutes...Haiden is finito...

And then the whole family napped for a good 5 hours!
Sunday was the Super Bowl, where we stayed in our pjs until 30 minutes before kick off, and got some daiquiris and headed to our friends house to eat, eat jello shots, and eat some more!

Monday Zach got to go into work early, which was great because I had to go back to the doctor to get my boo-boo repacked. In the end, she decided not to pack it, because it looked like it was healing and had already closed up half way, with no problems.

Tuesday I went to the general surgeon and was told to just let it heal, finish my anti-biotics and then come back for a follow up the next week...so on Valentine's Day I will be back at the surgeon's office to see how everything is healing. I'm a bit leery as I have finished my anti-biotics, and I feel like it's coming back...then again I could just be paranoid...we shall see in a few days.

As for now, I will enjoy the almost painless boo-boo, Haiden turning one and changing so fast right in front of our eyes, Zach's four day weekend for Mardi Gras starting tomorrow, and a very exciting future for the Angello Clan!