7 months

Owen is seven months old today.  Here's a rundown of what he's into:

• His favorite book is called See Through Safari
• He loves bananas and oatmeal.  He loves them both so much that I can't tell which he likes best.
• Sitting is his favorite.  But, don't expect him to roll over.  He won't do it. :)
• He's almost up on all fours, and can push himself backward.  I anticipate crawling very soon!
• He loves watching his big brother do anything.  In fact, if he's almost asleep for a nap and he even hears a peep from his brother, the nap is history!
• He's still our little cuddlebug
• Pulling hair, and sucking on mommy's cheek/chin are fun ways for him to pass the time
• Still no teeth yet!

Have I mentioned that we just love him sooooo much?  Because we do!  He's the best! :)

 

Swim

Not that I ever really go swimming {do you?  I feel like I stopped swimming after college!}, but that doesn't stop me from really liking these two swimsuits. :)  Maybe I just need a good suit to encourage me to splash around?

#1

#2

Smoothie

My new fave snack:

A couple granola bites and this strawberry/raspberry smoothie:

1/3 c. milk
1/3 c. frozen strawberries
1/3 c. frozen raspberries
1 T. sugar
1/3 c. ice cubes

Blend milk, berries, and sugar.  Add ice and blend until smooth.  It actually makes a decent serving, and I use less sugar.  Yum!

Thursday Deals - 3/24/2011

1.  I love Gifts to Grow points!  You can get 10 more with code FollowPampers10.

2. Okay color catcher lovers - get your FREE sample of a Shout Color Catcher here.

3. FREE sample of Purex Complete with Zout here.

4. FREE Waffle at the Waffle House with this coupon.  I think I say this every time I post a deal for Waffle House, but they could really use one around here! :)  Expires April 15, 2011

5.  Get a FREE pouch of Uncle Ben's Ready Rice here.

6. Head to the Sephora counter at your local JCPenney and you can get a FREE 10-day sample of Bare Escentuals foundation and a baby Buki brush.  Print and bring this in to claim your sample.

7. Sign up for the Beech Nut Newsletter and get a FREE starter kit.  It includes a box of baby cereal and two jars of baby food.

8.  Buy one entree, get one FREE at T.G.I.Fridays with the purchase of two beverages.  Get your coupon here!

9. March 25-26 only, get $10 off a $25 purchase at JCPenney with this coupon, or online code SALEDAZE.

10. FREE sample of MiraLAX here.  You know, in case you need it!

Lasagna Soup

This recipe just received overall winner in one of your local newspapers.  I thought I'd give it a whirl.  I liked it, and it was very warming on this cold, rainy day.  But, so far, my favorite Lasagna recipe is still the Lasagna Cupcakes!

Husband rating: B



Lasagna Soup

1 lb. ground Italian sausage or ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. thyme
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
30 oz. diced tomatoes
15 oz. tomato sauce
32 oz. chicken broth
2 c. extra wide noodles or lasagna noodles broken into pieces, uncooked
2/3 c. Parmesan cheese
Shredded mozzerellacheese

Brown meat and add onion and pepper.  Saute until tender.  Add seasonings, chicken broth, tomatoes, and tomato sauce and boil for 20 minutes.  Add noodles and simmer until the noodles are tender {8-10 minutes}.  Stir in Parmesan cheese.  Serve in bowls and sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese.

Lenten Journey

Part of my Lenten resolution this year is to learn more about my Faith, and I'm not just talking about the religion that I practice, but my own faithfulness.  Currently, I'm reading Rediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelly {very good, motivational, inspiring, and thought-provoking.  I'm having a lot of..."I never thought of it like that before" moments.}.  I think I just added another book to my queue  after seeing this video.  Next up, Heaven is for Real  by Todd Burpo:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Just because....

I just love this kid!

Thursday Deals - 3/17/11

Happy St. Patrick's Day.  I'm not even the tiniest bit Irish, but I still wore green today. :)

1.  GAP's Give and Get campaign is back.  March 17-20, get 30% off with this coupon and 5% goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 

2. March 21st is Perkins Pancake Day.  Guests dining in can enjoy a FREE short stack of buttermilk pancakes.  Call ahead to make sure your Perkins is participating!

3. Here's a coupon for $5 off a Playskool Sit-n-spin, Busy Ball Popper {We have this, it's loud, but a hit among almost all the kids that visit...thanks Aunt Jennifer!}. or the Step Start Walk-n-Ride.

4. Gifts to Grow Points!  Get 10 with code T9PDXPKKGA3M4GK.

5. 25% off your entire order at T.G.I.Fridays with this coupon.

6.  Need some fancy paper dinnerware?  How about the Waverly Collection from Hefty at Walmart!  You can use this coupon to buy 2, get 1 FREE.

7.  From 3/17- 3/24, get 30% off your entire purchase at Old Navy with this coupon.  In stores only, and if you go before the 20th, take advantage of the GAP Give and Get deal instead {that coupon works at Old Navy too, and benefits a great cause!}.

8.  FREE sample of Benny Bully's cat or dog treats here.

Beautiful

This is just beautiful.  It makes me feel absolutely terrible about all of the complaining I used to do when my mom told me to go practice the piano!

Practicum, Real Estate, Oh My!

Just an update on all those BIG things in my life:

1. Today is the first day of my Kindermusik practicum!  I'm super excited.  Almost done!

2. My Real Estate license is officially dusted off.  Just waiting for approval from the local Board of REALTORS that I have been accepted.  I've already done a couple of open houses in the meantime.  Pretty snazzy!

Come May, I think there will be a few more changes, finally closing up a chapter that has just kind of been strung along as of late, as long as everything continues to go smoothly.

And another update:  Owen finally had his 6 month appointment on Monday.  He's not as chubalubs as he used to be.  In fact, he's starting to be tall and skinny like his brother!  He checked in at 17 lbs. 14.5 oz {50%} and 28.5 {95%}. 

Raspberry Truffle Blizzard

Where have I been?  I recently discovered this flavor of Blizzard at DQ, and I'm pretty sure it's my new favorite.  I always used to just get Oreo, Snickers, or some other simple stand-by, with the exception of the occasional Banana Cream Pie, but this is PERFECT.  It satisfies my fruit and chocolate craving all at once.  What's your favorite blizzard flavor?

Thankful

Just need to say this.  I love my family and friends.  Every little piece of them.  I love my two little boys with every ounce of my soul.  I love my husband to the moon and back.  My parents and siblings are the most wonderful people I know.  They are my foundation.  My friends bless me with the pleasure of their company and the joy of their friendship.  And for all of them, I am grateful.  May God Bless all of you, watch over you, and for those who are suffering, may God hold you up as you find your strength. 

The reason for this post...here.   And here.

Thursday Deals - 3/10/2011

1.  Get 25% off your entire order at T.G.I.Fridays with this coupon.   Expires 3/21.

2. Great deal from GAP!  Get $50 to the GAP for only $25 and your cell phone number.  Details here.  Expires 3/16.

3. Buy a Hasbro game, get a FREE Tombstone Pizza.  Details here.

4. From March 17-20, get 30% off your entire in-store Old Navy purchase when you say the word, "booty."  Details here.

5. FREE e-cookbook download from Mr. Food of 23 Easy Blue Ribbon Casseroles here.  I'm a huge casserole fan, so I'm on board with this! :)

6. FREE sample of Flint River Ranch dog or cat food here.  You have to add it to your cart, and when you go through the checkout process, just fill out the billing info.  There are spaces for credit card information, but you don't need to fill that in!  I didn't, and my order was still confirmed.

Baby Food

There is just something so satisfying about making baby food for my kiddos.  I'm so proud to do it, and it's so easy.  But even as much as I love it, I'll still buy the foods for any long trips we take out of the house -- I do appreciate that convenience!

Giveaway #3 - Kandoo Coupon WINNERS

Thanks for Random.org, the winners are:

#2 - Janelle

#7 - Jennifer

I'll be getting your coupons to you shortly!  Thanks to all of you for playing.  Your odds of winning at some point are pretty great!

Banana Ice Cream

As Blake pointed out, it's not really ice cream, but it is super easy, and really delicious.  Isaac ate it by the spoonfuls, and Blake and I enjoyed it on graham crackers.  It's a great way to keep those bananas from spoiling!

Banana Ice Cream
Peel, slice, and freeze 1 small banana.  Place frozen banana pieces in a blender with 3 tablespoons low-fat milk and blend until thick. Top with 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts.

**I didn't measure the milk, just guessed.  I think the walnuts would definitely be a tasty addition, but since I was enjoying it with a 2-year-old, we skipped that step!

6 months

Owen is 6 months old today {I think.  How does that work when their birthday is actually on the 30th?}.   He has rediscovered his obsession with his tongue, still doesn't roll much, bounces like CRAZY in his bouncy chair, has almost mastered sitting up, loves his rice and sweet potatoes {besides mommy milk, that's all he's had!}, enjoys playing peek-a-boo with his big brother, hamming it up, rattles, grabbing everything, and is still our little love bug.  We just love him sooooooo much.

Happy 6 months to our little cuddle bug.

 

PS - 6 month stats will come soon.  His appointment isn't for a couple more weeks.  I guarantee he's bigger than Isaac was at this point!

Update 3-16-2011 :  His appointment was on Monday, the 14th.   He checked in at 17 lbs. 14.5 oz {50%} and 28.5 {95%}. 

Yes, please

Love this top.  Love.  However, I have no reason to wear it {and tops at Maurices sometimes fit me funny}.  But, one of you should!

I do have this shirt.  The image on their website doesn't really do it justice.  It's one of those that I picked up and thought, "Interesting.  Not sure how it will look, but I'll try it on."  I wore it to an awards banquet last week and got oodles of compliments on it!