Disappointment

I don't handle disappointment well. Not at all. I have a tendency to expect greatness from everyone and everything and when that doesn't happen, I am bummed. I need to get over this! I need to appreciate what I have and not worry about the "little things" in life. I am letting you, my loyal readers, know that I am setting this goal for myself. Unfortunately I doubt you will hold me accountable since nobody reads this blog. Ha!

I Used to Have Hobbies

My mama taught me well... I used to cook and bake, sew and craft, create and decorate and I used to shop. Boy did I shop! Then Baby W came along and I no longer had time for these things. My craft room now resembles a storage room, my sewing machine is buried under stuff. My cookbooks are covered in a layer of dust and my cabinets are full of *gasp* covenience foods. Poor Mr. Fantastic had to eat a can of Chef Boyardee for lunch today because I was too busy to cook for him. What with a sick baby and all...

Good thing Baby W is such an amazing little creature! He makes it all okay!

Someday I will have time to do the things that *I* want to do. Someday I will once again cook a meal from scratch. One day I will have HOBBIES again! And maybe, just maybe, one day I will get to sleep through the night again!!!

I leave you with a picture of my little bebe...

Teething and Snot

You would never know it by looking at him but baby W is getting not one, but two teeth right now! He also is sick for the first time in his life. The poor thing has a cold. His only symptoms are a bit of a runny nose and a cough. He is still the sweetest, happiest little guy even though he has all of this ickiness going on. I heart him!

I'm Back!

I am back from vacation. Back to everyday life. AZ was fantastic and I hated to leave! We have many things going on in the next month-starting my Discovery Toys business, garage sale, first communions, birthdays, parties, etc. I am so excited for summer to get under way!

New Look!

Check out my new blog look! Leslie over at Sweey Baby's Custom Blog Design created it. She does fabulous work! Go check out her site http://www.sweetiebabysblogdesign.com/.

I Need to go on a Diet...

This is me now:This is my new best friend:

"Professional" Easter Pictures

Since we spent our entire life savings a lot of money on a new camera, we are now taking all of Baby W's milestone pictures ourselves. Here is a cute Easter picture that we took last weekend. I know it isn't perfect but I don't think we did too shabby of a job, being the novices that we are!

I must be crazy

Now that Baby W has hit the 6 month mark, I find myself thinking more and more about having another baby. I. must. be. insane. Baby W still doesn't sleep through the night. I rarely go anywhere without my mom along for back-up. Baby W takes up 97% of my time (and 46% of my sleep). Seriously, I need to have my head examined. But just look at how sweet he was as a newborn...

I miss that delicious newborn smell. I miss being able to sit and cuddle him for hours and stare at his adorable little face. I miss those teesy tiny little clothes.

(Just have to say... He is sweet as a 6 month old too.)

Also, don't tell Mr. Fantastic about this. It can be our little secret for now... Good thing he doesn't read this blog!

Huggies & Pampers Rewards

Did you know that both Huggies and Pampers offer rewards for buying their products? Even if you don't have a baby, you may want to sign up for these programs. They often have codes available to anyone. You can use google to find free codes or a deal blog (like I do) such as Coupons, Deals and More. The prizes are not just baby items, you can get all kinds of cool things!

• Pampers


• Huggies

Arizona Here I Come!

Baby W and I are hittin' the road and heading to AZ in a few days. I am SO DANG EXCITED!!! My mom is joining us and we are going out there to visit my aunt and uncle. They live close to us during the summer but head for warmer weather during the winter. I have never been there so I am way pumped! It will be 8 whole days of (less) responsibility=no cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, etc. Woohoo! Baby W gets to go swimming in a pool for the first time and mommy gets to go shopping at a real mall! HEAVEN!

A (Hopefully) Grand Adventure!

I have embarked on a new adventure. I am now a Discovery Toys consultant! I am SO excited to be able to share these wonderful toys with other moms/kids. I grew up with these toys-my mom sold them once upon a time so I know how awesome they really are! If you are interested in seeing what I am talking about, visit my website: www.discoverytoyslink.com/jennystier or email me for more info.

Do you coupon?

I am a HUGE couponer! I have had to scale it back some since little guy was born but I still have a toolbox of coupons :-) I use some good deal blogs and internet and newspaper coupons to get the best deals I can. I firmly believe in stretching our money as far as possible. I do have to be careful though because I tend to go overboard and can be cheap at times. Unfortunately the stores in my town are very limited. I shop at Target weekly, Hy-Vee bi-weekly and Walmart monthly. The only drug store in my town is Walgreens and I don't shop there very often. I am planning some future posts regarding couponing and saving money. Hopefully I can help some of you same some of your hard earned money too!

Yummy PB Chocolate No Bake Cookies

These cookies are so, so good! AND you don't have to heat up your oven which saves time and $$$!

Peanut Butter Chocolate No Bake Cookies
2 cups sugar
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 stick butter
1/2 cup evaporated milk (I used fat free and it worked fine)
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup peanut butter (I used chunky)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Heat sugar, cocoa powder, butter, evap. milk and salt over medium high heat. Stir until butter is melted and ingredients are well combined. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until completely melted. Add vanilla and oatmeal, mix well. Drop onto wax paper. Let cool. Try to eat just one. I dare you. Really, I bet you can't!

My New Toy

I have so much to learn!

6 months old

My precious little newborn baby is now a laughing, rolling, solid food eating 6 month old!

Baked Ziti

1 box of Ziti (I actually used rotini because I had it on hand and it was great!)
1 24 oz jar of spaghetti sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1 1/2-2 cups of ricotta (I like a lot of ricotta so I do 2 cups)
3/4 cup of grated parmesan
1 egg
Salt & Pepper
Bread crumbs
Butter

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cook the pasta to al dente and then drain. In a bowl, combine sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, egg, S&P and pasta. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Top with bread crumbs, extra parmesan and dot with butter. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden.

You can even double this recipe and freeze half for later! This is one of our new family faves!!!

Inspiration Idea: Framed Letter

An easy project that I did a while back was a framed letter. I used the letter "S" since that is what our last name begins with. I bought the letter at Hobby Lobby for a couple dollars. I also picked up some scrapbook paper at Hob Lob in a design that matches my decor. I paid around a dollar for the paper. The frame is from Walmart and was $5. Altogether this project cost me about $8 and has awarded me many compliments from visitors!

5 Months Old

Bakers Rack Re-Do

I loved this bakers rack in the kitchen of my old house. The original cream color looked great against the yellow and blue walls. Now in our new house, the walls are beige. The rack blended in and looked drab. So what's a girl to do? Spray paint it black!!!


Before (the counter top and drawer have already been removed in preparation for painting):


After:
It still needs a new knob but I think the after picture is MUCH better!

Strawberry Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

Strawberry Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

1 pkg strawberry cake mix

1/2 Cup butter

4 large eggs, divided

1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened

2 Cups powdered sugar

3/4 Cup chopped fresh (or frozen) strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 9x13 baking pan. In large
bowl, combine cake mix, butter and 1 egg. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan.In a separate large bowl, beat cream cheese and 3 eggs on medium speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Stir in strawberries. Spoon mixture over cake mixture. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until center is set. Garnish with whipped cream and strawberries if desired. Super easy and sooo yummy!

4 Months Old

My little guy is growing so quickly!