Teagan's Friday

Today was a great day at Teagan's Daycare. She is now big enough to sit up like a big girl when she is in a stroller (or on your lap or in the floor with a little bit of help) and they have one of those 6 baby strollers! I thought I'd share a couple of pictures I took after I fed her at lunch today! She's with the "big kids". Her bff Matilda wasn't there today because her daddy doesn't have to work on Fridays so she gets to stay at home with him!

Here she is with Jordyn (beside her), Mackinzie (behind her) and Kendall (behind Jordyn)!

Whitewater Date!

We went to the Whitewater Center with the Heavners last night! It was great! Teagan and Miles were wonderful as usual. Teagan did great in her stroller but we got her out and I walked around with her while Josh strolled with the empty stroller. They had the "rapids" going really fast last night and she loved looking at the water and the people maneuvering the course. They had a live band and the babies loved the music and the water!
Then we went and ate at the restaurant there and it was pretty good. I am really glad that there is a law against smoking inside the restaurants in NC because it would have been awful! The only problem was it was so loud inside because of all the people that had showed up for the band. We all had a good time though! We got to catch up (not like we don't see each other at least once a week! lol) and discuss what we're all going to pack and bring to the beach!! We can't wait for the beach with them! It will be our first official family vacation with the babies! I think we all could use a break!


Teagan and Miles before our walk around the center!

Teagan relaxing in her stroller with her two buddies, Butterfly and Puppy!

Teagan checking out the water!

Savings, savings, savings!

Now that I'm a mom I really appreicate a good bargain! I thought I'd share some recent ones that I have found!


http://www.canvaspeople.com/planningfamily?coupon=family55

*this one is for a free 8 X 10 canvas. All you do is pay shipping and handling. This is originally a $50 dollar purchase.*


http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/

*this site has a lot of printable coupons as well as free samples for a numerous amount of stores. They also tell you where to go to sign up for different coupons and free samples!*


http://www.carters.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Carters-Site/default/Home-Show?id=carters#

*if you register to become a member for Carters.com then they send you a coupon for $10 or 10% off either in store or online!*


These were given to me by a friend that I thought I'd share with you as well! Thanks Angela!!

www.babysteals.com
www.kidsteals.com
www.mamabargains.com
www.kids.woot.com

Decorating

I don't have the best sense of style in the world. When it comes to clothes or my house. I know what I like when I see something but for me to put items together and make it look good is not my forte. I did come across these today on etsy and I love them...I just don't know where I would put them...possibly one or two beside the kitchen sink (in front is a window and beside is just enough wall space for two of these words...).

http://www.etsy.com/listing/47273138/breathe-recycled-wooden-sign

Yummy & Easy Recipe!

I fix this really easy pasta recipe a lot. Josh loves it so I thought I'd share it with you. I'm not a big ham person so I usually substitute the ham for steak or sausage and usually add red peppers to it and it turns out great!

Penne and Ham Primavera

Leftover ham goes Italian in this 25-minute meal for four.

Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time:
Makes: 4 servings

2	cups uncooked penne or mostaccioli pasta (6 ounces)
1	cup sliced zucchini
1	cup sliced yellow summer squash
2	cups cubed fully cooked ham
1/2	cup reduced-fat Italian dressing *I think it takes more then 1/2 a cup so I just add to taste and texture*
1/4	cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/3	cup shredded Parmesan cheese *I also add a little bit of shredded mozzarella on the top just before serving and it's GREAT!*
	Coarsely ground pepper, if desired

1.	Cook pasta as directed on package, adding zucchini and yellow squash during last 3 to 4 minutes of cooking; drain.
2.	Return pasta mixture to saucepan; add ham and dressing. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot. Sprinkle with basil, cheese and pepper.

(Success Hint)

We recommend reduced-fat Italian dressing because it clings very well to the pasta, vegetables and ham. In regular Italian dressing, the herbs and spices often separate and sink to the bottom of the bottle.

Select small zucchini, which are younger, more tender and have thinner skins. Look for skins that are blemish free with a vibrant color.

Nutrition Information:

1 Serving: Calories 390 (Calories from Fat 125); Total Fat 14g (Saturated Fat 4g); Cholesterol 45mg; Sodium 1360mg; Total Carbohydrate 43g (Dietary Fiber 3g); Protein 26g Percent Daily Value*: Iron 18% Exchanges: 2 Starch; 3 Vegetable; 2 Lean Meat; 1 Fat
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nursing Strike...

Nursing strike. Those words make me cringe!! For those of you who chose to breastfeed you might have experienced this before. Let me just tell you that it is beyond frustrating for those of you who haven't.
A nursing strike is when your baby just doesn't want to nurse and will sometimes either not eat or won't eat from you. There are multiple reasons this can happen: teething, mother eating something spicy, a cold, an ear infection, etc.
Well, Teagan is going through this right now. It started on Sunday and is still going. Apparently it is normal in babies from 3-8 mths old. I will be the first to admit it is so frustrating. Last night was rough. Josh had to come rescue both me and Teagan. I was crying because she didn't want to eat and I knew I couldn't make her but she needed to eat and I felt so awful and rejected because she didn't want to eat. It was awful. She ended up being really sleepy and after the fussing I calmed her down and swaddled her and she went to sleep. I was waiting on her to wake up and want to eat around 11 or 1 because she hadn't eaten since 3:30!! She didn't wake up to eat. She got up this morning and ate like normal but then she ate early at daycare so I didn't get to feed her at lunch like normal so I'm not sure if this is over yet or not. I hope she's over it but they say it can last up to a week...yippee...

Just in case you or somebody you know is having this problem I'm posting some links with some information on it.

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/nursingstrike.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html#linksstrike
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/breast/AS-nursingstrike.htm

Dancing in the living room...

I just have to brag on Josh for a minute.
We had to house-sit/chicken-sit (Josh's dad owns a chicken farm) this weekend for Josh's parents while they went to visit Teagan's Aunt Livy at Carolina. We were sitting there watching the hockey game and Teagan got a little fussy and when she gets fussy (and is just bored) sometimes I dance with her. So, I got up from the couch and we started dancing. My adorable husband gets up and dances with us! I know it doesn't seem like much but we just danced around the living room with Teagan between us and it was wonderful. Then, the next day Josh picks a rose from the rose bush outside his parent's house and leaves it tucked in my pocketbook so I would find it before Teagan and I went to Hickory to pick up a few things. He told me it was because I was such a good Mom...I happily cried. He is just an incredible husband and an incredible Daddy. It really shows you how the simple things in life can just make all the difference in the world...that flower is still on the dash of my car. It's slightly wilted because of the heat but I stare at it like it's still the most beautiful flower ever picked.
I love you, Josh Reid.