Free Sample!

Head over to Wal-Mart.com and get a free sample of Pampers Extra Protection.

We use cloth diapers for the most part, but lately Olive has been soaking through them at night. So we have been using disposable diapers at night. But some nights even those aren't cutting it.  Several moms I know have recommended Huggies Overnights or Pampers Extra Protection. What better way to try them out than with a free sample!

A weekend full of fall

This weekend, Chris' sister Emily made the drive north for a visit. As always, we had a great time and enjoyed Emily's company immensely. We spent the weekend playing, reading, walking, singing, sleeping and laughing. (and getting a cold, blah. *sniffle sniffle cough*)

Oh and eating.

We tried four new recipes this weekend and made some old standbys that are always a hit. A little bit of this and a little bit of that and they were all fabulous. I will post recipes over the next day or two as I feeling better.

And once again, I forgot to take pictures before we ate everything. 

Here was our menu for the weekend:


Friday night
Peel and Eat Shrimp
Stuffed Mushroom Caps
Cheese and Crackers
Pumpkin Dip with Graham Crackers

Saturday
Herbed Baked Eggs
Pizza Luce
Hot Apple Cider
Popcorn with butter, S&P and Chili Powder

Sunday
Pumpkin Pancakes
Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup
Baked Brie with Apples, Honey, Rosemary and Walnuts.

And lots of tea.

To tide you over until I am up for posting more, here is the pumpkin dip recipe. I found this on one of my favorite foodie/cooking blogs, Annie's Eats. Three of the four recipes we tried this weekend came from Annie's Eats.  I have yet to find a recipe of hers I don't like! Go check her out.

Pumpkin Dip
(adapted from Annie's Eats)

1/2 c. Pumpkin puree
1 (8oz) package Cream Cheese
2 c. powdered sugar (I used 1.25 cups)
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (I used a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Heavy on the cinnamon because that's how I roll)

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
2. Transfer to a festive pumpkin bowl.
3. Lick mixing bowl and wooden spoon.
4. Enjoy!

We dipped graham crackers and apple slices in the dip. Highly recommend both.

(Ok, step 2 is optional. But really, doesn't everything taste better in a festive pumpkin bowl?)

Off to a hot cup of tea, some Nyquil and my pillow. Ta-ta for now.

Love at First Bite

One of my favorite blogs, Bless Their Hearts Mom, is giving away an amazing cookbook....

Are you ready for this? Are you sure?

Maybe you should sit down, I'll wait.

Ok, ready?


A. CHOCOLATE. COOKBOOK. I am not joking. Seriously. I don't joke about chocolate.


Chocolate: A Love Story

 I couldn't have said it better myself! There are 65 original recipes in this bad boy. That's 65 ways to wrap yourself if the warm embrace of chocolate love. Hello, lover.

Want a copy for yourself? Head over to Bless Their Hearts Mom and try your luck. Because couldn't we all use a little more love in our lives?

7 Days, 11 hours and 30 minutes.

Since the last time Olive nursed. But who's counting, right?

Oh yeah, me.

It all started with my departure to the sunny state of Arizona last Wednesday. I had a feeling it would be the end to our breastfeeding adventure, but it still kind of caught me by surprise. Just like that *snaps fingers*, it's over.  No tears were shed; well, not by Olive any way. I may or may not have shed a few. Or cried while rocking her before her nap realizing that she doesn't need me anymore. She is fully thriving toddler, not my itty bitty baby who depends on me for every little thing.

Yes, I could offer and push it on her and I am sure she would pick it right back up. But I've decided not to. The past 16 months have been amazing, but I am taking my cues from her and moving on.

My heart hurts.

And so do my breasts to be honest.

Given time, they will both heal. And I will always have the memories of all of our time together nursing.

And I can stop wearing nursing bras. Which, I think, most people in my life will agree, is a good thing.

But for right now, I am going to take my hurting heart and breasts and go cuddle my baby. Because no matter how big or old she gets or what kind of milk she drinks, she will always be my baby. 

*sigh*

Lasagna Rolls from Weelicious.com

Here is another great (and easy) recipe. I made this last night and all three of us gobbled it up. Even Olive, who hasn't been so big on eating anything other than oatmeal and cheese lately. She ate an entire roll. So they must be good! 


I found this recipe, along with many others, at Weelicious. It's a great website/blog that has lots of ideas for quick and easy baby/toddler/family meals. I visit frequently for dinner ideas. Here is the recipe, my adaptations are in blue. 

Lasagna Rolls
(adapted from weelicious.com)

9 Lasagna Noodles (I cook 1 extra in case they tear while boiling)
1 Egg
16 Oz. Ricotta Cheese (my container was 15oz)
1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese, divided
1 Tsp Italian Herbs (I used oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder and a dash of cloves)
1 Tsp Salt 
Dash or two Pepper
1 Cup Spinach or Broccoli, cooked and finely chopped (I used frozen, thawed and drained well) (I use about 3/4 cup of frozen spinach and that made a very flavorful filling. I think any more than that would have been too much)
1 1/2 Cups Marinara Sauce (or 1 1/2 cups Weelicious Tomato Sauce)
1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided



1. Cook lasagna noodles in salted water 2 minutes less than package directions call for and rinse with cold water.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
3. In a bowl whisk the egg, ricotta, 1/4 cup parmesan, italian herbs, salt 1/2 cup mozzarella and broccoli or spinach to combine.
4. Place 1/4 cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×11 inch baking dish.
5. Spread 1/3 cup of the ricotta mixture on each lasagna noodle, covering the sheet and roll up jelly roll style. (I used a heaping spoon full-not quite a 1/3 cup-and that was plenty)
6. Place the lasagna rolls seam side down in the baking dish and top with remaining marinara sauce and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Uncover and continue to cook an additional 15 minutes.
9. Serve.
* You can also prepare the dish through step 6, cover and freeze. When ready to eat, bake for 45 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered.

Enjoy!

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety. Two little harmless words with BIG impact. Any parent who has dealt with a child with separation issues knows what I am talking about. Up until today, those two little words weren't that scary to me. But today they became something more than two little words. They became thoughts and feelings. They became heart break. And not for Olive. 


For me.

Olive had some major separation anxiety at ECFE today. Racking sobs, crumpled up face and big alligator tears. But soon after Chris and I left the room she settled in and enjoyed herself. (Especially once the snack came out. The girl will follow you to the moon and back for a saltine cracker.) (Yes, it's ok to enter an "Oli want a cracker?" joke here.) (And the answer to that question is always "yes")

And what really set this post in motion?


I am leaving Wednesday for four days away from my Stinky Little Lou Lou Bear. My Itty Bitty Peanut. Jo Jo. Oli Poo. Peanut Butter Pants. Lyle. Stinky Butt. I could go on, but I won't embarrass myself. (yes I do call Olive by her given name...occasionally)


I know. It will be good for both of us. Really, I know this. And honestly, I am not sad or nervous or scared to leave her. She will be in loving, capable hands. And I am really excited for this getaway. 


But, plain and simple, I am going to miss her. 


Olive is my sidekick. My partner in crime. The blink to my wink. For the last 16 months we've spent the better part of (almost) every day together. And yes, there have been moments when I wish it weren't that way. But 99.9% of the time I love it. It's been as natural to me as breathing. So I think it's understandable that I will miss her. 


But, I will pack my big girl undies (not to be confused with my granny panties) and have a great time. I will go so far as to say that I will have a fabulous time. And so will Olive. She will get lots of Daddy time which, let's face it, is what she is always asking for; "Da da! Da da? DA DA?!". So really, it's a win-win situation, right? 


Right. 






Moral of this really long winded and rambling post? 


Sometimes life sucks and it's ok to cry. But don't worry, some lady with crackers will come along and cheer you up. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Two words: Yum. Yum.

Pumpking Chocolate Chip Muffins

(adapted from recipe found on allrecipes.com)

Makes 12 muffins

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 1 can pumpkin puree
  
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease muffin pan or use paper liners.
2. Mix sugar, applesauce and eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl, mix together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt. Add pumpkin mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. 

Delicious!