Menu Friday

NOVEMBER MENU

So...how have your weekly dinners been going? Ours have turned out pretty well. I really like the chile rellenos casserole. However, I prefer the diced chiles to the whole, but Dan prefers just the opposite. Oh well. Here comes November's Menu....

• Monday: Chili (the recipe on the back of the seasoning packet), Bagged Salad (we prefer the Lite Ceasar mix), and Jiffy Cornbread
• Tuesday: Weight Watcher's Teriyaki Turkey Burgers, CousCous, and Broiled Asparagus with Soy Sauce
• Wednesday: Weight Watcher's Pancakes, Turkey Bacon, and Fresh Fruit
• Thursday: Red Beans and Turkey Sausage (From Martha Stewart Everyday Food Mag, November 2009), Bagged Salad, and Jiffy Cornbread
• Friday: TAKE OUT!
• Saturday: Weight Watchers Spaghetti, Garlic Toast, Bagged Salad
• Sunday: Meatloaf Muffins, Steamed Broccoli, Instant Mashed Potatoes

As Maggie would say.....Yummy Yummy in my Tummy Tummy!

Tip Thursday

www.MyTotClock.com

Does your toddler have sleep issues?

My friend Lisa has discovered this clock. Within a few weeks her little girl went from getting up at 5am **gasp** to sleeping in until 7am **squeeel**. If you are in need of a sleep solution, she would recommend this to you. I haven't used it myself, but with her glowing recommendations, I totally wouldn't hesitate to invest in it if necessary.

Wednesday....not wordless

This post will be more for me than for you. I need to get it down on "paper" in order to try to figure out where I want to go. I am at a crossroads.

Jacob turned 6 months old yesterday. He doesn't have a check up until November 4th, so stats will be a little delayed. I can tell you that his is about 20 pounds or more! BIG GUY for sure.

We started cereal last night and we got melancholy results. He was interested in it at first and then thought..."hmmm, not sure this is what I was expecting" We will continue to try it and maybe he will be the eater that Maggie is one day.

We have also been bottle feeding since 3pm yesterday. I have had a medical setback that requires medicine that isn't approved for nursing mothers. At this point his bottles have been half breast milk, from my stored supply, and half formula. He doesn't like taking the bottle from me and I generally think he doesn't like the bottle. I know this is something he's just going to have to get over if he wants to eat; there are no other options. Why bottle feeding you ask?

I went to the hematologist yesterday to have my platelets checked. Like I said on Monday, I had a weird spot show up on my leg and it concerned me. Rightfully so....my platelets were at 18. If they drop below 10 I will have to have a platelet transfusion. Because they are below 30 I have had to go on steroids. We are doing a 4 day blast of steroids. I take 10 pills first thing in the morning for four days and then my platelets will be checked on Friday morning. I hope they will have improved by then. I will then go off the steroids for one week. If necessary I go back on for another 4 days. We will continue the process for 4 treatments. If these treatments don't work, then the treatments will get a ton more aggressive and nursing will no longer be an option at all. Right now, I can't nurse while on the steroids, or for 2 days after my last dose, but I could nurse on my week off the drugs. No issue really, you say. Just a break from nursing.

This condition, ITP, is something that came about randomly as a complication from pregnancy. There is a chance that the hormones coursing through my body as a result of breastfeeding could be continuing the platelet complication. A chance. There are thousands of reasons that my platelets could be low. It's easier just to try to fix then find.

Pumping and dumping and bottle feeding with a 2 year old running around is a lot of work. Because Jacob really hasn't ever had many bottles it takes him FOREVER to eat. Do I really want to invest the time and energy to keep my supply up, when there is a remote chance that there may be residual drugs in my breast milk. It's not like they test these drugs on nursing moms. Is the risk worth it?

My dad brought up another thought. Jacob's a big kid and he requires a lot of nutrition. It has been said that the breast feeding baby or the gestational baby get what ever they need from mom. EVEN TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE MOTHER. The body will steal from mom to provide. Is there a chance that I can't heal because my body is working so hard to keep up with Jacob's nutritional needs?

I know in my head, for my own health, that I need to stop nursing and give myself time to heal and get better, for both of my children. If there is a remote chance that all of this will go away with a few cans of formula for 6 months, I can't see that I have a choice. Jacob got 6 months of exclusive nursing. I gave him a great start. I have to be proud of that and stop feeling like I am letting him down.

I know in my heart, that I am not ready to stop. I love the bonding time and the closeness that nursing provides. There is just something special during that time. But is it worth the risks.

So Dearest Readers.....what are your thoughts. Give me the good, the bad, and the ugly! Bring it on........

Tutorial Tuesday

Christmas Crafts?! Really?!?! YEP! It is never to soon to get going on the Christmas Crafts. I am trying to stockpile my ideas for what to do with the kids when it gets cold and yucky outside.

Head on over to NOTNIGELLA.COM for a great tutorial on how to whip up these little guys!

I think these are too cute!!!!! What other designs can you think up?

Love Monday

• LOVE that we were able to get together with Family and Friends this weekend and celebrate a Buckeye WIN!

• LOVE that Maggie was able to take care of herself during that gathering and didn't need direct supervision from Mommy or Daddy the whole time. She was very happy circulating among the adults.

• LOVE that Jacob did one night of 7pm-7am. Yes, it was just one night, but I was thankful. Hopefully, we will see that again soon.

• LOVE that Maggie has transitioned to her Big Girl Bed so easily. She stays in it and sleeps great. Naps are still only happening about every other day, but that would have happened in the crib.

• LOVE my husband. I can't say that enough. He is so supportive and encouraging. I know he seems over bearing and egotistical and a know it all, but I love him. I wouldn't trade him for anything. He allows me the freedom to be me and I am so thankful for the opportunity.

• LOVE junk food. But unfortunately, I think I am noticing a trend. Every time I binge on crap I end up feeling really yucky for a few days. And sometimes, like this time, I find myself heading to the Hematologist to have my platelets checked. I have a weird spot on my leg....bummer
  

• LOVE the family photos we have on the way. I had a great time at the photo shoot and think we got some really great shots. I should have them back in a week or so and I will be sure to post pictures. If you are in the Columbus area and are look for a FaBuLoUs photographer, check out Tammy at TDSnapshots.com

• LOVE my readers. Thanks for checking in. I appreciate your interest. Now tell me....what do YOU love today????

Wordless Wednesday

Tutorial Tuesday

We went apple picking today and boy, did we have fun!!!!!

I came home with 15 pounds of apples, 1 gallon of cider, and a jar of apple butter. I guess I got a little excited about the outing. I think we will be eating apples for breakfast, lunch and dinner for then next few eons. I am going to start with this site to get some recipe ideas....

http://www.bestapples.com/Recipes/

Love Monday

• LOVE that life has settled down after 3 trips to urgent cares, one trip to the pediatricians office, one xray, and one bright orange cast.

"3 TRIPS TO THE URGENT CARE? WHAT THE HELL?"

Yeah, I can read your mind. Here's the synopsis:

Trip 1: I went to bed one night a couple of weeks ago and I just couldn't fall asleep. I tossed and turned for 2 hours or more. My arms felt incredibly restless. I don't have restless leg syndrome, but my arms felt like what I imagine that condition to feel like. Boy, that was annoying! The next morning my arms still felt weird. My body was just totally out of energy. I felt as though I hadn't eaten in days, you know all weak and shaky. But, I had eaten. So I called the hematologist to see if this could be related to my ITP. The hematologist didn't think so and urged me to head to the ER. I told Dan that I didn't want to go to the ER because that's where people who just lost limbs go. I just felt weak. We decided to go to the Urgent Care. They ran a ton of blood tests and urine tests and came up with ZIP. All of my tests came back normal. Oh well.

Trip 2: On Friday, a week ago, I got Maggie up from her nap. Like I usually do I set Jacob on the floor while I got Maggie out of her crib. I usually put Maggie on the floor with Jacob while I fold Maggie's blanket and put all of her stuff in its place. While I was folding her blanket, I heard Jacob let out a yelp. I looked down and he was on his back with his arm pinned behind him. Maggie was "helping" him roll over. OH CRAP. When I swooped down to pick him up his left arm just hung limp by his side. Off to Children's Hospital we went. Wow, that ER was one crappy place to be. I am so surprised that none of us got sick from being there. The nurse diagnosed Jacob with Nursemaid's Elbow. A doctor came in and did a quick movement with his arm. He cried for about 30 seconds and then all was good and fine again. Crisis averted.

Trip 3: On Tuesday of last week, I was on my way upstairs to get Maggie from her nap when suddenly she started to cry. When I opened her door, she was standing in the middle of her room. I had left her in her crib. Yep, she jumped out. Or better said, she fell out. She kept telling me she went boom and hurt her arm. I took her downstairs to calm down. You know, a little Elmo and a frozen GoGurt usually does the trick. After calming down, her arm still hurt. I called Dan and we decided to head off to Children's once again. Better safe than sorry right? We went to the Westerville. We waited 2 hours and weren't even so much as called to register. We decided to cut our losses and head on home and go to the pediatrician in the morning. We headed off the next morning to the doctor. They sent us to the Dublin children's for an xray. It was BrOkEn!! We then headed downtown to have a Children's orthopedist put her cast on. He told me she had a buckle break in her arm that would cleanly heal in 4 weeks. Week one will be complete on Wednesday. She does pretty well with it though. She really doesn't even let it slow her down.

Now....here's to no more doctor/ER/urgent care/xray/orthopedist visit's this week!!

Menu Friday

The following comes to me courtesy of

Skip to My Lou

and

You've Got Supper!

YUMM-O!!

Five Family Faves

1. Easy Enchiladas

Saute a swirl of olive oil and ½ cup chopped yellow onion in skillet. Add 1 lb cooked and chopped chicken, ½ tsp cumin, 3 T cream cheese, and 2 cups of salsa and cook until smooth. Place mixture down the center of 6 flour tortillas. Roll and place in greased baking pan. Top with green taco sauce and shredded Mexican cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

2. Pizza Roll Ups

Roll out Pillsbury pizza dough to a rectangle. Top with favorite toppings (mozzarella, pepperoni, spinach). Tightly roll like a long cylinder, keeping the filling inside. Tuck in ends. Coat with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Place cylinder, seam side down, on baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 12 – 14 minutes. Let rest. Slice on the diagonal and serve with pizza sauce on side.

3. Meatloaf Muffins

Mash 3 slices of torn bread, 2 eggs, ¾ cup milk. Add 2 lb ground meat, 2 T Worcestershire, 1 T minced garlic and ¼ cup chopped yellow onion. Spoon into greased muffin tins and bake for 25 – 30 min. at 400 degrees. Mix together equal parts brown sugar, yellow mustard, and ketchup, Top each muffin with tsp of sauce.

4. Easy Meatballs

Sprinkle 1 lb ground meat with Italian seasoning and add 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1 egg. Mix and form into golf ball sized meatballs. Place in sauce pan with 1 jar of sauce. Let bubble and simmer for 1 – 1 ½ hours. Serve over pasta (or on sub rolls with provolone the next night).

5. Ritzy Cracker Chicken

Pound chicken and marinate in Italian dressing for at least a few hours. Combine equal parts crushed Ritz crackers with Parmesan cheese. Remove chicken from dressing and dredge in cracker mixture. Bake chicken on lightly greased cookie sheet for 20 – 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Richmond moms, Michelle Jenkins and Susan Aprahamian, founded YouveGotSupper.com to provide an online recipe resource for busy moms and others stuck in a recipe rut. For more recipes and a dynamic, categorized grocery list, please go to www.youvegotsuppper.com.

New Link Thursday!

Yep...I found another new site. I have just started to dig around in this site, but initial appearances look very promising. Check it out and let me know if you find anything good!

You Can Make This!!!

Have fun adding things to your project list!

Wordless Wednesday

Tutorial Tuesday

Head on over to SWAKembroidery.com to check out the pdf instructions
on how to make these little bean bags. SO CUTE!!



And I will be headed here this afternoon with Maggie. Remember these from elementary school? SO FUN!

Love Monday

• LOVE that it's Pumpkin season and Maggie loves it as much as Dan and I do. We went to pick pumpkins (in the POURING rain) last week and boy was she excited!

• LOVE that Jacob might be closing in on sleeping through the night. On a good night he makes it until almost 6am before he peeps. I usually can get him to go back to sleep, until 7am or later, by just applying a pacifier and a lovey. On a bad night he starts to stir around 2am and Dan and I are up every hour trying to get him to fall back to sleep.

• LOVE my life. I know I complain a lot and I bellyache over the simple things, but all in all, I really appreciate what I have. My kids are wonderful, my husband rocks, and things could be so much worse. One of my favorite blogger moms always reminds us to "Think about the people with NO LEGS" when the going gets tough.

• LOVE My new 2 year old and she love her new bike!

• LOVE that my camera has 309 photos on it! If you want to spend a few hours reminiscing with me, head on over to www.TeamStamm.com
  

Next Weeks Menu

For those planners out there who fail to plan, I thought this might be useful. I try to have a monthly menu to eliminate the dinner stress.

Here is October's Menu.

Things change sometimes but this makes things easier!

Monday: Beef Tips in Mushroom Sauce over No Yolk Noodles with Broiled Broccoli

Tuesday: Beefy Mac n' Cheese with Brussel Sprouts and Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls
(Mac n' Chesse Recipe from WW cookbook and then I add 6 oz browned lean beef)

Wednesday: WW Pancakes with Fresh Fruit Salad and Turkey Bacon

Thursday: Chili with Lite Cesear Salad (in a bag) and Jiffy Cornbread

Friday: TAKE OUT!!!!!!

Saturday: Grilled Turkey Brats with Light Buns, Cous Cous, and Roasted (frozen) Asparagus

Sunday: Chili Rellenos Casserole with Spanish Rice



Happy Eating!



PS- I will try to post reviews of the linked recipes, as they are new ones for me to try. Also, do you have any good, family friendly recipes that I should have in November?

New Place to Spend Some Time

I think Thursdays are a great day to share a new website with you. I have found

www.ETSY.com

to be a wonderful site to waste lots of time. There are so many things to look at and get ideas from. If you see anything that you think might be an inspiration to you or me...lemme know!

ETSY.com

Your place to buy and sell all things handmade

So internet....any great sites or blogs you want to share with me???

Wordless Wednesday

Tutorial Tuesday!

I AM BACK!

I just completed my first craft show this weekend and sold lots of stuff! I now am completely self sufficient in my business!!! YAY!!! One of my most popular products was this one. I can make you one if you want....or you can make your own!!

Go Check out Crap I've Made for the tutorial on the FaBuLoUs onesie!!

So easy and SOOOOOOO cute!!!!!!!!!!!!