broccoli cheese chicken roll ups

I changed a recipe to the ingredients I had on hand and it's pretty tasty so here you go!

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 oz softened light cream cheese
1 head of broccoli chopped and steamed
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 egg
1/3 cup cracker or bread crumbs
3 tbsp grated parmesan or cheddar

1)combine cream cheese, cooked broccoli and cheese in a bowl
2)pound chkn breasts to 1/4 inch thickness (I used a rubber mallet b/c I don't have the fancy meat tenderizer)
3)place cheese mixture on top of chkn breast, roll up starting at the skinnier end ( you may need a toothpick to keep it rolled up)
4)beat egg on shallow plate
5)combine cracker/bread crumbs and cheese on another plate
6)dip rolled chkn breast in egg and then crumb mixture, place seam side down in greased casserole dish
7)bake 375 degree oven until cooked through approx 30 minutes

pudding paints

I kept Aiden home from school today just to make sure he was really feeling better. I realized by 9:00 I would need something to keep us busy this morning or it would be a really long day! I found this idea on someone else's blog and thought it would be fun to try.
pudding paint:
1 package of vanilla pudding powder
1/2 cup very cold water
food coloring
mix powder and water until completely dissolved 1-2 minutes, pour pudding into muffin tins and add approx 5 drops of food coloring to each cup for desired colors. It's messy but easy to clean up and Amelia even joined in the fun. I wasn't too worried amount Amelia eating the paint either.

Aiden's first trip to the ER

Yesterday Aiden threw up around 10:00 in the morning. Unexpected and out of the blue. After he finished getting sick he started crying and said " I really wish my Dad was here to give me a hug". Sweet but what am I chopped liver? Rubbing your back, handing you kleenexes, making you a cozy 'nest' on the couch etc. He rested for a while and then got sick around noon again. This time he said his neck hurt and he was acting really lethargic and I started to be concerned. I called his doctor's office because they have an advice nurse and same day app't clinic. They were absolutely full and she told me to take hime to the ER. Our wonderful next door neighbors rushed over packed Amelia up and took her to their house. I drove to the ER (were I have never been before) they took our info and we had a seat. Aiden still looked really pale and wasn't moving around much and then after 20 minutes....as always happens when you to take your kids to the doctor/hospital he started to get better. At first I noticed he was starting to fidget and move around more then he started looking around the room and asking questions ( some of them embarrassing). I asked him if his neck still hurt and he moved it all around and said it didn't hurt anymore. I sat for a few more minutes and then decided I didn't want to go through unneccessary tests so I went up to the triage nurse (who I knew) and said I thought I would just take him home. He seemed to be doing a lot better. So that was a first trip to the ER not to be our last I'm sure!

statisitcs

Amelia had her one year check up yesterday. She weighed in at 20 pounds 13 ounces and is 32 inches. She is right at the 50th percentile for weight and off the charts for height. " Long and lean" they say and for once I held my tongue and didn't chime in "just like her Mama" because she really isn't.
Yesterday I was thinking of all the nicknames we use for Amelia and I wanted to write them down because I can't remember Aiden's baby nicknames. We call her Meelers, Miss Meelers, Meeley Meelerson, Sweetpea, Peanut, Little Monkey, and Puddles ( that one was used a lot the first month because every time we would take off her diaper she would leave a little puddle, thankfully that has stopped).
She continues her same words and likes to play peek a boo ( and has started hiding her own face), she likes itsy bitsy spider and will start moving her fingers together when she wants to hear it and likes to play whatever her big brother is playing.
She was gotten a little pickier about food and does not like baby food but does like anything dairy, bread and cut up fruit.
She's walking about 50% percent of the time and we are absolutely smitten with her!

teacher's pet

Today is a big day at preschool for Aiden. He gets to bring the "sharing basket" and he's close personal friends with the teacher! My friend Jodi is his substitute teacher today. She picked him up this morning and will bring him home from school. I could get use to someone else chauffeuring my kids around town. I'll definitely have to add that to the "if I become rich" list. Look what Aiden brought in the sharing basket!

a year ago today

I got a phone call from the hospital at 6:05 am that I could come in and be induced. After 6 days of cancellations the on call doctor was willing to induce me. I was showered and at the registration desk before 6:30am. I was having a baby today and no pregnant teen in active labor was going to bump me! The pitocin was started at 7:00am and we waited anxiously for the contractions to start ( I had a long induction with Aiden and got an epidural 24 hours into it just to sleep and never really felt the whole active labor part. Around 9:00 am I met the on call doctor who offered a c-section based on my history but I wanted to get this over with today and be on my way tomorrow, thanks. All morning I had mild contractions but then the baby didn't seem to like me moving around so I was ordered to bed to labor on my side. I think the worst part of induced labor is being attached to all the monitors and lines. At noon the doctor peeped in to see how I was doing and decided to break my water ( after another offer of a c section) to get things moving. The contractions started to pick up in intensity around 1:00pm but I wanted to wait another hour to find out how far along and to decide what I wanted to do about pain control ( I am a strong believer in pain medicine I just wanted to see how far I could go with out it). At 2:10p I was 5cm (are you kidding? ) after 7 hours that's it? I asked for something for pain. I remember looking at the clock and it was 2:20p and the nurse was giving me pain medicine and saying we would probably have a baby around 6 or 7 that night. With the next contraction I said I felt really "weird"... and next thing I know there are 10 nurses in the room and we are having a baby ( the doctor was in the middle of a c section, big surprise). After a few pushes the baby's shoulders got stuck and that's when the doctor walked in the room. Poor Amelia was tugged on until she came out and she was born at 2:45p. The most intense 20 minutes of my life. She was beautiful blue bruised face and all!

birthday party

Here are a few pictures of Amelia's big day captured by Rebecca!

Amelia's first year!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

pretty party prep

Just making some pink cupcakes for the big day. I didn't even know they made pink cake before I had Amelia!

new headboard

Dale finished our new headboard today and I love it! We bought a king size bed about a year and a half ago and we have not had a headboard since. Now it will be nice and cozy to read in bed ( one of my favorite things to do). Pay no attention to the actual bedding because I am in deep dislike of it but it was a very expensive ebay mistake. I am 18 months into a 36 month contract of no new bedding with Dale so time is running out on the ugly paisley!

bag tag

So here it goes:
1) take a picture of your purse/handbag/back pack/diaper bag whatever you use
2) list the entire contents (it's like a window into your soul or something)



list of contents:
wallet
checkbook
baggie of cheerios ( with a hole in the bag so there is a fine dust of cheerio powder on everything)
tide to go pen ( nothing says Mom like a stain removal product, right Tracy?)
Ms. Manicure set of emery boards
another emery board
keys
broken candy cane ( that I will use to bribe Aiden )
dryer sheet ( I'm not sure how that got in there)
sunglasses
2 pens
3 travel size hand creams
2 lip glosses
1 lipstick
1 chapstick
floral pick
superman figurine ( Amelia's not Aiden's)
Costco receipt for pictures
Now I tag Rebecca, Heather, Lyndie, Amy and Mom!

Quiz: Donald Judd, or Cheap Furniture?

take the quiz above (click on the post title). My score was 92% because I'm smart like that or I have expensive taste!

the many faces of Amelia

cottage cheese face

mandarin orange face

blueberry pancake face




biter biscuit face

easiest recipe ever!

I have to admit I've never actually tried it but Aiden and Dale rave about it. Are you ready for this...

put pork chops in the crock pot, squeeze approx 1 cup bbq sauce over top and cook all day.
I've made this a few times when I'm working at night and it's all gone when I get home. Always a bonus when hubby and child like the same thing!

found!

I lost my housekeeping master schedule when our computer crashed last November and today when I was frantically trying to rescue paper from Amelia's grasp and I found it! So here it is...
WEEKLY
MONDAY: laundry, dust surfaces on main floor, vacuum main floor
TESDAY: iron, water plants, empty garbages
WEDNESDAY: clean bathrooms, dust upstairs and vacuum upstairs, scrub kitchen sink
THURSDAY: wipe down appliances, wipe and disinfect counters in kitchen
FRIDAY: kids laundry
SATURDAY: change and launder sheets, vacuum

MONTHLY
FIRST MONDAY: vacuum upholstery, wash floors
SECOND THURSDAY : wipe out and disinfect garbage cans and diaper pail, disinfect doorknobs
THIRD TUESDAY: dust ceiling fans
FOURTH THURSDAY: wipe down front of kitchen cabinets

EVERY 3-6 MONTHS:
JANUARY, APRIL, JULY, OCTOBER: wash mattress pad in hot water, vacuum mattress
JANUARY & JULY: vacuum mattress
MARCH & SEPTEMBER: clean and condition leather furniture
JUNE & NOVEMBER: wash baseboards
APRIL & DECEMBER: wash windows inside and out
JANUARY & SEPTEMBER: clean and degrease stove hood
JANUARY, MAY, SEPTEMBER: clean and descale coffee maker

EVERY 6-12 MONTHS
JANUARY & JUNE: dust lampshades, wash upholstery and slipcovers, wash duvets and covers, empty cabinets and clean, vacuum coil under fridge
FEBRUARY & SEPTEMBER: clean oven and fridge

pork chops au gratin

3 tbsp butter
2 cups thinly sliced red onions (or white)
1/2 red pepper sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp dried thyme (optional)
4 pork chops
1 cup chkn stock
gratin
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup shredded mozza cheese (or whatever you have on hand - I used cheddar last time)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp butter, melted

In large skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter, cook onions, stirring frequently until tender and fragrant (about 15 minutes) stir in red pepper, salt, pepper and thyme. With slotted spoon transfer mixture to bowl and set aside.
In same skillet, spray with cooking oil/spray and brown pork chops over med high heat until golden on both sides.
In 8 cup gratin dish, spread half of onion mixture, top with chops, cover with remaining onion mixture, drizzle stock over casserole ( I put the chkn stock in the skillet and cook for a few minutes and get the crunchy bits out of the pan) Cover and bake 400 degrees for 40 minutes or until chops are tender
Gratin: combine bread crumbs, mozza and Parmesan, sprinkle over casserole. Bake for 10 minutes to form crisp topping!

fabulous mommy retreat

Saturday I headed up to Semiahmoo to spend sometime with 9 wonderful friends. I feel so incredibly blessed that I have that many really good friends in my life! We have shared our greatest joys and some really crummy times together and so I really feel connected to this group of women. Enough of the sappy stuff! This week end was about food, wine and scrapbooking. Just what we all needed in the middle of the January blahs. Thanks to Heather for offering up the in laws summer home and everyone else who made it such and enjoyable time!

Amelia's first steps

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

picture story ( morning edition)

I painstakingly uploaded the pictures in backwards order to tell the story and blogger has a mind of it's own! Oh well I have to get my day started.









yesterday I dragged my camera around trying to capture the day in pictures. I made it until lunchtime and then I put the camera away. This morning I played around on picnik to get the pictures to tell the story!

best things

* that first cup of coffee in the morning
* a clean house that stays that way for more than an hour
* kissing Amelia's soft chubby neck
* sniffing Aiden's freshly washed hair
* kissing Dale's freshly shaven face (hint,hint)
* a bubble bath at the end of the day
* a hard earned shower
* snuggling with Aiden before bed and hearing his version of the day
* the steam room at the Chrysalis followed by a massage
* reading a new magazine uninterrupted start to finish
* seeing joy on my kid's faces

chinese food

Aiden asked me this morning, " what do people in China eat and talk?"
Well... "they eat rice, vegetables, fish and chicken and they speak Mandarin and probably lots of other languages, too"
Then I asked Aiden what we eat in America and he paused and then said " we eat food from the grocery store and we eat ALOT of it!"
Very true buddy!

afternoon in the park

After preschool today we headed to Fairhaven Park to enjoy the fabulous weather. Aiden rode his scooter and Amelia and I cruised with the stroller. Got a few pictures of the kids. Had a good time until... one of the moms at the park said " I love your pants - are they snow pants? I felt like saying " NO, those are just my fat sausage legs" but I let it slide. Who would ask somebody if they were wearing snow pants??? (they were a pair of black "tearaway pants" from college that I know I need to get rid of but seriously??)

week end review

Last Friday Dale and I went out on a date! One of my New Years resolutions was date night each month. We went out for dinner this time but I'd like to try something different each month (not get stuck in the movie or dinner rut). I'd tell you guys what I want to do for February's date but I don't think Dale will go if he gets teased! Dinner was good we went to the new Anthony's grill restaurant down by the water and scored seats by the window without reservations!
Saturday morning I ran some errands and worked. Sunday we headed up to my parents for dinner. The kids had a great time and Grandma and Grandpa's! I'm sorry about the lame post I can't remember what I was going to say about the week end!
BTW Amelia has started taking a few steps at a time!
* big news we switched Amelia's car seat to forward facing on the drive up to Canada because the sun was in her eyes. 2 weeks early, aren't we naughty! Amelia was a lot happier about it than in the picture!

hotter than...

Yesterday I was trying to get Aiden to put a sweatshirt or coat on to leave the house. He kept saying he wasn't hot and I kept at him to choose something. Finally he said:
"Mom, I am sooo hot, do you know what I'm hotter than?"
"No, Aiden what are you hotter than?"
"Arizona!"
Because you've been to Arizona or we've ever talked about Arizona before, no.

FamilyFun: FamilyFun's Month of Meals for January 2008 - and More Family Fun

lots of people (present company included) have felt a little "stuck" in the dinner department. I found this online and I'm looking forward to trying some new kid friendly recipes!FamilyFun: FamilyFun's Month of Meals for January 2008 - and More Family Fun

Aiden's room

I like my little boys room. He has my bed and hope chest from college and Dale built the bookcase for him while I was still pregnant. I realized with both kids I have their namedisplayed all over their rooms. Amelia 5 and Aiden 7 times! I guess I really like their names.

Amelia's room

this morning I cleaned and organized the kids rooms. I love my kids rooms. They don't play in there but we read stories each night in there and I cherish that special time. I remember with each child sitting in their room pregnant, rocking in the glider, wondering if they were a boy or girl, what they would look like, what personality they would have. Their rooms reflect their personalities (or my perception of them).

monkeying around

I tried to get Amelia's picture taken in my childhood rocking chair but it was a little challenging!