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.
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.
