Pimento Cheese Sandwhich, Mmmm!

Laundry2 (READ & VIEW "LAUNDRY" BELOW FIRST)

Genius.

Laundry Day

This first clip is much shorter than the original but my phone won't let me send the full version. Boo because it gets funny when he decides it is time to close the door to the washing machine, and it almost hits him in the head twice. Im also posting the next clip where he turns on the washing machine, turns the dial setting it to the proper wash cycle, and starts the wash for me. Presto! Top that Universe! My one year old does laundry, booyah! He gets it from his daddy.

We All Scream For Ice Cream!

Nothing beats a trip to Baskin Robbins during football season. This time of year they stock my fav, Quarterback Crunch flavor of ice cream. As you can see, Easton is also a fan of this yummy treat. I wonder if this little jaunt and sugar refill had anything to do with why he skipped his afternoon nap today? Hmm..

This evening we went for a bike ride to the park and played on the slide, an up and coming favorite of Easton's. He still isn't big enough to sit up right and slide on his own so we hold his hands and lift his heels off the slide so he teeters on his bohonkus, and weeeeeee! Down the slide he goes. He has gotten to where now he recognizes the park when we pull up in the car or on bikes and he squeels with delight before we even get parked! It's pretty funny!

Punkin' Patch

We were invited to a birthday party at a pumpkin patch last weekend. I jumped at the opportunity to take some great pictures of Easton because it was going to be beautiful outside and he is old enough now to toddle around and have some fun. He made short work of some s'mores. And we played on hay bales and in a small petting zoo, along with climbing on some pumpkins. There was more to do, play areas, a hay ride, and a pony ride. We skipped the ponies and accidentally missed the hay ride but had a great time. I got the lens I wanted for my camera but still dont have any editing software, and dont particularly care for the free stuff Ive found online so my pictures are un-edited or 'straight out of the camera' pretty much. Thank goodness my kid is cute! I added a photo stream on the blog at the bottom of the page so you can see all the pictures I was able to get. There are some really cute ones I need to print. I believe you have to double click on a picture and then go from the page that pops up to see the entire album. Clicking on the link that says 'view my album' doesn't work.

Morning Cartoons

This is sweet pea and his teddy bear watching cartoons this morning. He's frowning because the light was off and I flipped it on for the photo, I guess it was too bright. He must be working on some molars because he has been a fussy mess and occasionally chewing on his fingers a bit. We met Aunt Hayhay, or ''eye-yi" for breakfast at IHOP this morning. It was really not their best day. I will spare you the details and tell you that we only paid for one entree by the time it was all said and done. Nice people but what a bunch of dumb bunnies! Easton and I missed our first earthquake. We were in the car driving to IHOP i guess when it hit. I wish I would have been home to see what the dogs did-if anything. The grass and weed allergies are still high and both dogs are itchy and scratchy and driving me bonkers. I hate to let them itch, but I also hate to spend $75 a piece for a cortisone shot. I have a ton of chores to do and zero interest in leaving my comfy chair or hot chai tea. Weighing my options.....chair & tea win.

Dutch Baby

This is a Dutch Baby pancake, and it was delish! I made two at the same time, in iron skillets. Very easy recipe and I love them without syrup. I used just what the recipe calls for, powdered sugar, butter and fresh squeezed lemon. Mom, dad, and Kathy all came over and we enjoyed these and some sausage I purchased at the farmers market this weekend, along side scrambled eggs with cheese. YUM!

Guest Blogger!

Hello Friends of Lana!  Apparently the Andersons are having computer issues so I'm filling in today.  It's Rikki btw - Lana's original better half.  So I asked her earlier...what do I write about?  She suggested I write about what I do in my single time...I'm what you'd call a 'law school widow'.  JD works during the day and goes to school at night so I've got time to kill.  I considered it and thought that this topic would likely elicit either envy or pity.  Those of you busy with kids might kill for a night of no responsibility.  Others may think how sad and empty her evenings are!

A while back a friend (with 2 young kids) asked if I could do her a favor her b/c she had been so busy lately.  I'm like sure, no prob.  She said "I'm sure you're really busy too..." and I said "not really, I've got all the free time in the world."  She looks annoyed and asks "so what DO you do every night while JD is at school?"  The truth is that a few nights a week I do whatever I want and it's kinda awesome.  I can do the Kim Kardashian Butt workout dvd without anyone giggling in the background.  I can watch chick flicks without any comments from the peanut gallery about how dumb they are.  I can meet for a girls night  out and not feel guilty that my husband might starve at home if I'm not there to feed him!  But, this is only fun b/c someone still walks in that door before I go to bed.  It's not a permanent situation either, we're halfway to a law degree now!  So, don't cry for me Argentina...I'm cool with my abundance of free time and one day when I am racing around like a mad woman trying to get kids to soccer practice on time and a healthy dinner on the table I'll look back fondly on those nights when I had time to sit on my patio listening to Norah Jones and reading trashy magazines without a care in the world.

Lana said I had to include a picture and I am too lazy to search so here's the only one saved on my laptop...

The Highchair has Crevices

I like to have pictures with my posts. This time I will spare you the real picture of how I found out Easton's highchair has crevices. Let the details commence; Today at lunch I whipped up some chicken and prune juice, and a veggie medley for E. Both items he has regularly and enjoys. He has been having trouble with constipation so I have been giving him Miralax in his milk to help him along so to speak. So, lunch started with about a cup of chocolate milk with Miralax which he gulped down. I tried to feed him a couple bites of the chicken, no go. So I tried with the veggies. Again no. He's been teething and had a little fever so I chalked it up to just not wanting that stuff and got up to get him something else to eat. I got about 5 feet away when I heard a little cough, looked back at a scrunchy faced baby, and saw him turn into a human baby fountain of chocolate milk. Puke all over him, his highchair, and the floor. Anyone who knows Jersey knows she was already poised and ready at the base of his highchair waiting for manna to fall from heaven as it always does at Easton's meal times. She managed to not get puked on. I picked him up and promptly hosed him off in the kitchen sink, to his delight. I put him on the floor and went to work hosing and scrubbing the highchair cushion and trays. Then I found the crevices. Vomit ran down into places between plastic and in joints and hinges I never noticed before today. Awesome. Now we will get to either live with puke smell for a couple days til' it drys up and crusts over, or find a way to power spray our stupidly expensive highchair. Meanwhile, back at the ranch...Jersey is dutifully cleaning up the kitchen floor around the chair. I am grossed out enough to not put it together that the milk that Easton returned to me was laced with Miralax. Anyone?? Fabulous. Now the dog just took in who knows how much laxative and dairy product. Easton decided a lunch of Club crackers and dried Veggie crackers was quite pleasing. I on the other hand skipped lunch. There is a picture of Easton right after he got hosed off in the kitchen sink, it will post later when it wants to I suppose. He was very content indeed.

Airplane for Breakfast

He takes his coffee with cream and sugar. Thats a sugar packet he was shaking at his cup, because he saw me doing that for my coffee and he is a master at mime.

Having French toast for breakfast is a good thing. Having it next to a runway full of little airplanes coming & going is even better, especially if you are a 1 year old, or my husband! Easton knows what airplanes are now and when we are driving the car if he sees a plane out the window he makes his "nrrrrr" noise and flails his hand like a plane flying by. If we are outside he stops everything and looks to the sky if he hears one nearby. Chris says E will be a pilot, make me barf why don't you?! I say he's more mechanically minded so he will just design them and be a gajillionaire. Spell check it. It looks right to me!

Nap time

Its a rare occasion these days that I can rock Easton to sleep. He usually gets frustrated and hot and flip flops like a fish on a dock when I try to hold him until he finally dozes off. He just can't get comfy. I chalk it up to me not having enough real estate for him to lay comfortably in my arms. Today however, I must have added an lb or two because he did fall asleep quite happily while I held him for nap time. It feels so good to hold him and cuddle him and just watch him sleep. How lucky am I? I like to put him in his jammies for his naps. I think its more comfy when I can put on stretchy pants and a soft tee, so surely a baby would nap better in a giraffe infested onsie right?  I say yes. And so does E, as he slept a solid 2+ hours until we finally woke him up because we were starving and ready to head out for lunch and errands.

Baby Steps

We had pizza at Hideaway tonight and after we needed to walk off a few calories





Look at those teeth! He's got 4 now, a fifth is trying to make its way in. Pinch him somebody!

Cajun King

So it doesn't look like much from the outside-or the inside for that matter. When I first walked in the door I was assaulted by the thick aroma of pine sol and citronella. Doesn't exactly say 'lets eat'. BUT, let me tell you this place ain't messin' around! For $10 (a stretch for me to spend on a meal that doesn't include a red meat product) you get a buffet of salad, select soups like gumbo, rice, beans, blackened pork chops, fried chicken, and bread pudding. I was sure it was going to be a waste of money. But what I didn't understand was that the buffet wasn't the main course, it was the sides. Once seated we were served two piping hot platters of the best catfish I have ever eaten, hands down. These platters are bottomless, and so is the catfish- no dirt taste! The fish is cut into strips similar to chicken strips but slim and served with a sauce that was somewhere between honey mustard and heaven. The batter was crispy and flavorful. To compliment the catfish we were also served a basket full of beignets heavily dusted in powdered sugar-also on the 'eat to your hearts content' list. I'm dying. I could literally pop. Put it on your list of places to go. Very friendly people running the place too.

I forget...

A video for his people

Does anyone ever have weeks like this? I mean seriously! I have gone to work only to find that I left my locker keys at home, and my only pair- no make that my back up pair of work shoes (because my normal shoes got left in Ft.Worth) are locked in my locker. I am wearing flip flops at the time. Very professional with my scrubs. Once I get that fiasco ironed out, I am walking through the icy cold dental office only to discover (use your imaginations here) that I am pretty much not wearing a bra. For the second time this week. Its Wednesday. I say pretty much because I am wearing my sleep bra which neither lifts nor pads, and I am sans boobs. Today I filled in at another office, and before I could go in to work there I had to drive an extra 2 miles out of my way to go to that same stinking locker where my same stupid back up shoes are because, oh yeah, I would need those to work in today. Ive had this temp job lined up for over a month. Once at the office Im temping at I act like a total idiot, screw up xrays for myself and two of the dental assistants, and make one splashing failed attempt at numbing a patient for the doctor-shocker. Tomorrow I am making a pledge to myself to remember my bra, keys, shoes, how to take xrays, and give shots, in that order.

My City Slicker Cowboys

    Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday dear Hubbbbyyyyy, Happy bday to U!

Chris picked out a new pair of boots for his 31st birthday present. We went to Sheplers, where we stuck out like sore thumbs. Chris accused the front dest clerk of 'profiling' him because she knew exactly what brand and style of boot he was looking for when he drew a blank as to what the boots were called.

He's in Love needless to say. He probably woke up early this morning with anticipation, getting to wear them to work to show off to his buddy who also wears boots. Easton of course wanted to look like daddy, and it just so happens that I have the boots I wore when I was 2, and they fit him.

Easton thinks his friend is the bee's knees! He gives kisses to himself everytime he gets close to a mirror. Who can blame him though right?

Say Cheese

Inspired by my sister in law, and my model baby, I have decided to learn how to use our fancy digital camera. With a little guidance and encouragement from Jo, I have been studying away and decoding all the little pictures and numbers and symbols on the camera. Today, I purchased my very own extra cool camera lens (thanks mom for the birthday present!). As soon as I could get home I put it to use practicing some of the things I am learning. I've really got a long way to go, and from what I can tell, I need to invest in some editing software to really make my pictures neato-mosquito. I practiced on my garden today. Not all that exciting but pretty pictures considering I am working the settings instead of having it on automatic, don't cha' think?

This isnt the flower pic I meant to post, but its late and Im not doing it again! The flowers are supposed to be in focus and the rest the blur, oh well.

And here is a pretty pic of the edge of a big elephant ear leaf...

and one more of some potato vine..

lets see if she's reading this...

Last one for the people...

Who wants to be my next guinea pig?

Crying at Church for All the Wrong Reasons

I wanted a picture of the three of us this morning in our Sunday duds, but as usual the camera and E weren't in the mood. We casually handed E over the half door into the arms of a stranger at church and quietly slipped away. I paused at 10 paces and craned my ear to listen for him to protest. Which he did. I played it cool and headed for the coffee bar, telling myself "no one wants to see a mom and her 1yr old cry, so suck it up!" With a lump in my throat threatening to erupt like Krakatoa in the church lobby, I sent my dutiful husband back 3 times to see if E had stopped crying yet. He hadn't. At this point I was beginning to look like a lurker casing the coffee/donut stand, threatening to steal all the Krispy Cremes and styrofoam cups. I resigned myself to moving into the sanctuary. I knew I could squeeze one more pass out of Chris if I waited until we were seated and timed it between worship and church announcements. Why was I being such a baby?! I knew he was in perfectly capable hands, surrounded by kids his age and a plethora of toys. Fortunately for him he's always one of the cute ones in the room, lending him to guaranteed hold-time from the ladies in the nursery (its true).... Having a baby in the nursery is kind of like being entered into a high stakes raffle, watching, waiting for your winning number to be displayed on the large screen ahead of you. Each kid has a number assigned to them for security purposes and I waited anxiously (Krakatoa still threatening) for my number to finally pop up so I could go rescue my baby from the throws of the nursery. A girl about 10 rows ahead of me was one of the lucky ones. I cursed her silently and waited my turn. Which didn't come. Hmm, could he be playing happily and I'm sitting here suffering, agonizing over nothing? Well, not exactly. We slipped out of the sanctuary while they were finishing up the final prayer and I walked briskly to the nursery, to avoid the rush of the crowd of course. There E sat, being held by one of the nice ladies (duh, told you so) in a rocking chair. He was quiet but obviously had no intentions of moving from his perch to join the other children playing at her feet. I smiled at her and indicated that I was there to claim my prize. She stood and walked toward us, and as soon as E caught sight of us he launched into sobbing, sniffling, and gasping. The nice lady handed him over and said he did 'ok' but insisted on being held and kept squeaking out 'ma ma' the majority of the time he was in the clink. Kindergarten is shaping up to be a doozie. Maybe next week we will both do better.

Busy With a Capital B

My day started with Chris bringing E in straight from his crib, after a lightening fast diaper and wardrobe change. E was delivered to me in bed with a fresh OU outfit and jeans on. So cute. E is kind of a cuddle bug in the mornings if I'm lucky enough to catch him in that tiny window of time between waking and "get me a cup of magic milk pronto, mom".  So we cuddled for a few, called Mimi and made plans to go to breakfast at a local greasy spoon called Classen Grill. We were first timers today and let me tell you, the french toast was heavenly! Next we were off to a new high end furniture consignment shop to browse, then home for a nap. After a long battle and a short nap we went to the hospital to meet our new baby friend Charlie Morley. What a doll! Its so different holding an 8lb baby again, lugging around my little lunch box has really built up my biceps. Don't bother looking to verify this claim. So after the hospital we made a pit stop at Braums and Chris & I secretly shared a milk shake. We have to hide it from E or else Im stuck climbing in the back seat to play the middle man between the two boys while they take turns sucking down the tasty treat that was my idea in the first place. Next stop, dinner at Hideaway Pizza with J and Kara and their 3 adorable little girls.  Afterwards the guys kindly took the reigns and stayed back with the kiddos & hit the park (4 in total ages 6 and under) while Kara & I made a quick trip to the hospital to see baby Charlie. Home, bath for E, milk & bedtime stories with dad, and finally SLEEP! Whew. And poor Chris didn't get to see the OU game :(

Food Pyramid

     

So, can anyone tell me..are Fig Newtons considered a fruit? They were stand ins today for lunch and Easton loves them. He's been honing his fork skills and looks to be a righty in the making. I hope I luck out & he continues to be a big eater-discriminating to none! This kid can put food away like nobody's business. So far today he's enjoyed sweet potato pancakes, biscuits and gravy, an omelet with avocados, green onions, jack cheese, & sausage, cottage cheese (a staple in his diet), vienna sausages, chicken & veggie raviolis, 2 toddler size rice cakes, 2 Fig Newtons, a couple handfulls of puffies and a big cup of milk. I'm sure I'm forgetting something in there. We haven't even had dinner yet! I think I may make a daily menu posting out of it, who knew a 1 year old could and would eat so much?! Oh, and I bought him a half gallon of whole milk on Monday-he polished it off this morning only because I rationed it in order for him to have some when he woke up. Looks like we will be buying the gallon from now on, or buying a cow.

Taking her for a test drive

So, this is what it's like to blog. I've decided it's really an internet journal. I've wanted to do this for a while, but I keep thinking, "who wants to hear about my really normal life?" Normal being a positive thing of course. I suppose someone else will surely appreciate the silly little things that make up my days, and I'm POSITIVE all will appreciate the 2 most precious things that makes up my days, nights, and everything in between!