9 Months Young!

Lincoln is 9 months old!! I can't believe that in just 3 short months he will be 1 year old! Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant waiting for his arrival! I hate that my boys are growing up so fast. Anyway, here's what Lincoln's been up to...

- drinking out of his soppy cup
- walking behind his walk behind toys
- eating everything
- Favorite foods: sweet potatoes, corn, applesauce
- Favorite Snacks: Cheerios, crackers, yogurt bites
- crawling EVERYWHERE!! (Still our little ninja!)
- loves playing with big brother
- enjoys taking his big bro's cup away from him
- loves bath time and crawling out of his tub
- saying "momma & dada"
- likes Curious George & Mickey Mouse
- sleep patterns have been wayyyy off his past month
- loves to be held
- likes to listen to music when helping Mommy cook

Dear Lincoln, 

I can't believe how fast these past 9 months have gone by. You're growing up so fast- but luckily, you still need your Mommy. I love watching you and your brother play together. Sometimes h
Gabe gets mad when you take his cup away and pull his hair... But then he will come over and kiss you on the forehead and say "oh be be" and that just tells me that you boys are going to be the best of friends. You crawl everywhere... And you're super fast! You're definitely going to be a little athlete. This past month you have really gotten off track with your sleeping patterns. This has made for some very, very long nights. Although I'm exhausted and a little aggravated that you sometimes stay up until 4 a.m.- I do love those long nights that I get to spend cuddling with you. These are the moments that I'll never forget. You are definitely a Momma's boy until Daddy comes home. Then... It's all about daddy. That's ok- I like that too. You are so fun and full of life. I'm looking forward to watching you grow up and being able to see you and your brother become even closer. You and Gabe make me smile every single day. You both make the sleep deprivation worth it. I love you, dear son.

Love, 

Mommy 

Anniversary Dinner & Weekend Away

Well, last week Jesse and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary! Can you believe it? 3 years!!! I know for some that doesn't seem like very long at all, but for us and everything that we've gone through in the past years- this is an accomplishment & something to be proud of.

One song that comes to mind when I think about our anniversary is Shania Twain's "You're Still the One." You know- the opening lines... "Looks like we made it- look how far we've come my baby. We might have took the long way- we knew we'd get there someday. They said, I bet, they'll never make it but just look at us holding on. We're still together - still goin strong." .... And then there's the chorus..." You're still the one I run to- the one that I belong to- you're still the one I want for life. You're still the one that I love- the only one I dream of- you're still the one I kiss goodnight. You're still the one." (Is it bad that I just recited that out of memory?) Anyway, after everything that we've been through a lot of people would probably or have probably said that we didn't stand a chance. We had 2 choices: walk away from each other or fight like hell and come out better and stronger. And that is just what we did. It hasn't always been easy- heck, I'd be lying if I said it's been a fairy tale. But one things for sure... We've learned a lot and we've learned how to lean on each other. 

So, 3 years was definitely something to be celebrated. A premature birth, family issues, snake bite, job loss and another baby have only made us learn some tough lessons and have helped us to realize what truly matters most. How did we celebrate? 

Well our anniversary was on the 22nd- a Wednesday. So of course Jesse had to work. I planned a homemade meal for him for when he got home. I cleaned the house (i.e. I picked up the millions of toys) and sent the boys to Mama & Papa's- then I got to cooking. I had trouble deciding what to cook because Jesse absolutely LOVES steak and I don't. So I wanted to make something that we both really liked. I decided to make the first meal that I ever made him while we were dating: Chicken Parmesan. Along with the chicken I made  Red Lobster biscuits and of course you can't have chicken parm unless it's over a bed of noodles. So I made spaghetti noodles with garlic & olive oil sauce topped with toasted breadcrumbs. For dessert I made Red Velvet Cupcakes along with Homemade Red Velvet Ice cream ( recipe came from Kaitlyn at Wifessionals). 

Jesse got home late that night- so I kept the dinner warm until he got home. It was delicious. And the ice cream- oh my goodness- you have got to try it! 

This past weekend the real celebrating began. We were off for a night away- kid free! It was well needed and so relaxing! We left Saturday afternoon and made our first stop at Jimmy Johns! I mean, who doesn't love some JJ!? (I must confess- we ordered this wayyyy to much when we were in the hospital with both boys). Then we headed up to Fairview Heights for the evening. We checked into our hotel room (complete with a jacuzzi) and the headed out to shop. Now I love those thrift shops so of course we headed to Goodwill first. I was on strict instructions to not buy any toys. I know, depressing! However, I walked out with some pretty good deals. I got the kids some clothes, an ice cream maker for $4, and some new shoes. I got a pair of Gianni Binni shoes for $6 that I wore that evenig and a pair of Jessica Simpson heels for $3. I plan on doing a Pinterest project with the JS ones and glittering the bottoms. Jesse's not a fan of Goodwill so he went out to the car and took a little nap while I shopped. It's always better this way since he follows me around and makes me feel like I'm on a schedule. Haha. 

Next we were off to Savers! This store is like Goodwill on crack. Jesse needed some new clothes... Bad! He would disagree but trust me, he did. So, I of course went through the racks and grabbed things that I liked and that he might like and then I let him decide what he wanted. Surprisingly, he only decline one shirt. He also picked out some pajama pants and sock hats. Ok now here's the best part... All of the things he got were like brand new. Seriously they didn't look like they had ever been worn. Even better? This store gives a military discount of 30%!!! So, we ended up getting him a ton of things for $60! Seriously you can't beat that! Especially since we would have spent just that much at the mall on like 3 things. 

After shopping, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up and to go to dinner. We decided to go to Joe's Crab Shack since neither of us had been there in a while and seafood sounded really good! We sat at the bar for about 30 minutes waiting for a table. The food was delicious! Probably my new favorite place to go to up there.

We were going to go see a movie at a theater that serves you drinks and food at your leather reclining seats. However, the movie playing wasn't something that either of us really wanted to see. We were stuffed and decided to grab some wine and just head back to the hotel and relax. Around 11:30 we were hungry and didn't want to get out- so we had some pizza delivered to our room. One full night of sleep with no kids. Did I mention that it was amazing? I really needed to catch up on sleep. 

The next day we headed to the mall to do a little shopping and then we had lunch at Lottawatta Creek. As always, the food was delicious!! But I must say, I enjoyed

Joe's more this time! Then we headed home to see our boys. It was a fabulous, well needed weekend. 

Chicken Parmesan

1 large Chicken breast per person

1 can of spaghetti sauce

1 box of Angel Hair pasta 

1/4 cup olive oil

1 spoon minced garlic (use fresh garlic if you have it) 

1/2 bag of Mozzarella cheese

Breadcrumbs 

Grated Parmesan

Directions for chicken

Mix about 1 cup of breadcrumbs with 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan. Set aside. 

Beat chicken so it's thin and flat. 

Coat chicken on both sides with breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture.

Put in oven safe pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 30-45 minutes or until juices run clear. 

Take out and pour spaghetti sauce over chicken and top with mozzarella. Put back in oven until cheese is melted.

Directions for noodles

Cook noodles of choice according to directions on box.

Meanwhile, heat up 1/4 cup of olive oil with 1 spoonful of minced garlic in another pan. Once garlic is fragrant, pour oil over small strained into a bowl to get if of garlic pieces. 

Once noodles are cooked stir in infused olive oil.

Line baking sheet with aluminum foil and pour about 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs. Toast for about 3 minutes in 350 degree oven. Be sure not to burn. 

To serve:

Spoon noodles onto plate and top with toasted breadcrumbs. Place chicken on top of noodles. 

Serve with garlic bread. 

Coming up this week...

I've been MIA for the past few days. Jesse and I went out of town this weekend to celebrate our anniversary. We enjoyed a jacuzzi, great food and shopping. Very relaxing and well deserved! :) I have a lot to catch you all up on this week. Here's a glance at what you can expect: 

* Recipes from our homemade anniversary dinner & a family favorite

* Pictures from our weekend away

* More thrifty shopping trips

* Diet Cleanse which I'm starting tomorrow

* A look at one of my latest embroidery/sewing projects

* And of course, an update on our boys! :) 

I'm so excited to share all of this with you all! Until then, I'm going to bed since both boys are sound asleep! :) 

Potty Training Bootcamp: Day 3

Well, this is a day late. Yesterday was our 3 year anniversary and the boys went to mama and papa's for the day. So no potty training Bootcamp happened. We're going to give it another go next week.

Potty Training Bootcamp: Day 2

Well today was Day 2 of Potty Training Bootcamp. It's been a slow process. I'm beginning to think that this is going to take longer than 3 days. I keep reading that every child is different. So, I'm torn on what to do... Keep going or take a break after tmw. I know Gabe is old enough and I know he understands. The question is: "Is HE ready!?" If he's not ready then he's just not ready. I think I'll stick it out through the end of the week at least.

Anyway today- well today wasn't easy. Gabe did pee in the potty but that was only after he POOPED in the floor. To say I was disgusted and aggravated is an understatement. But, I kept my cool and took him straight to the potty and again, I explained how we go poop on the big boy potty and not in the floor. It was a lot of the same thing as yesterday. Hopefully we get there soon! Tomorrow's another day. Oh & it's also our 3 Year Anniversary! 

Potty Training Bootcamp: Day 1

This post is a little late due to the fact that both boys thought it'd be fun to stay up until 1 a.m. Seriously this has got to stop!

Anyway, today was Day 1 of Potty Training Bootcamp for Gabriel. We tried this a few months ago but only lasted a day. This time we're hitting it full force. I know there are a couple different approaches to this Bootcamp- but in my opinion you find what works for your child and you.

Here's our approach: Most say that the Bootcamp takes 3 days. I knew that I needed to do this at a time when I knew we could stay home all day for 3 straight days. No interruptions (i.e. Doctors appointments, errands...) So this week is perfect. 

I started by explaining to Gabe the night before that he was going to start going potty on the big boy potty. I also explained that if he started going In the big boy potty that at the end of our 3 days he could go pick out a new car. (It can be any toy but with Gabe a new car does the trick!) Today, I sat him down on the potty after we had woken up. We sit for about 10 minutes each time. I let him go diaper free after that. I took him back to the potty every 15-20 minutes. Each time encouraging him to go potty. I did put his big boy undies on him 2 times today in between trips. He peed in both I them. 

I prepared myself for accidents since I knew it was inevitable. My main goal for today was to get him used to sitting on the potty and to get him to realize when he needs to go so he wouldn't go on the floor. 

Now, there's a few important things that I find to be vital during this Bootcamp. 1) Always encourage him and praise him for at least trying. 2) Don't get discouraged when he doesn't go. 3) Do not get mad when he has accidents on the floor. That's a big one! Gabe only peed on the floor twice today. Each time he told me immediately after he did it. I explained to him why he needs to go in the potty instead of on the floor. I also praised him for at least telling me that he went. Then I took him back to the bathroom and sat him on the toilet and again I explained that he goes potty in the big boy potty. Nap time was the only time that he had a diaper on today. We also put a diaper on during supper and he had it on after that until bedtime. 

Gabe likes to watch Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. On the show the song a song "If you have to go potty- Stop and go right away! Flush and wash and be on your way!" We sing this song.... A Lot! It not only teaches him but also helps him to realize that when he feels that urge to go it's ok to stop playing and go to the potty. A few months ago he was actually watching that episode and asked if he could go potty! :) 

We also have a Potty Chart. I explained to Gabe that everytime he goes potty in the big boy potty he will get to put a sticker on his chart. I made the chart Mickey Mouse themed so he would like it. We have one star already- but that's from te first time we tried the Bootcamp. 

Overall, today was successful. I'm hoping that tomorrow will be even better and he will at least go in the potty. :) 

Checking out his potty chart! 

Lincoln joining in on the fun! 

Showing off his big boy undies! 

Potty Training Bootcamp

Today we are giving the "Potty Training Bootcamp" another try. Say a little prayer for us! I'll be updating nightly on our progress!