iPhone rewind {september}

Once again this month, I wasn't able to keep up with my Photo A Day for September.  I've just decided to quit because I'm tired of trying to play catch up.  Ugh, I hate being a quitter.  Oh well, it's really not a big deal.  The first few Instagram pictures were my Photo A Day pictures but I'm just posting them here with my iPhone Rewind!! Enjoy!!

Our last swim of the summer.

 Crockpot beef and broccoli

 Just hanging out in the kitchen sharing his snack with Izzie.

 Mmmmmm....black beans!!

 MOPS made him so sleepy.

 This kid is obsessed with drawing.

 Family walk.

 Crazy kid found his old bottles and put them in the back of his car.

Crackers are his new obsession. 

 I swear he is going to be left-handed.

 I babysat Landry one day last week while his Mommy had to take his Daddy to the ER.

Little ambidextrous kiddo. 

 Playing at Collin Creek Mall.

 Pearson couldn't take his eyes off the trash truck when we went for a walk the other day.

I cut open my honeycrisp apple and this little critter crawled out of it.  I was devastated that I had to throw it away.  These apples aren't cheap. 

 Playing with Daddy's shoes.

matt's 30th birthday

Last night my MIL came in town to babysit Pearson so I could take Matt out for his birthday.  We went to Texas de Brazil for dinner and then went to see Trouble with the Curve.  Dinner was delicious, the movie was cute and the company was the best! We had such a fun night celebrating his 30th birthday!!

And because Matt just turned 30 today, here are 30 things I love about my hubby......

{in no particular order}

1. He loves Jesus.

2. He works hard to provide for our family.

3. He lets me stay at home with our sweet boy.

4. He is ambitious.

5. He is an incredible Dad.

6. He is super good looking.

7. He will eat anything I cook.

8. He is athletic and loves sports.

9. He listens to me.......a lot.......because ya know, I talk a lot.

10. He puts up with me!!

11. He is a leader....in our home, our church & at work.

12. He give the best hugs. They always make me feel better.

13. He is good at things I'm not.  We compliment each other well.

14. He takes care of all of our finances. We would be broke if I was in charge!!

15. He is helpful. 

16. He's knows one of my love languages is doing the dishes!

17. He loves spending time with family.

18. He is my best friend.

19. He is responsible.

20. He gives the best back rubs.

21. He makes me the happiest girl in the world.

22. He's not afraid to change a dirty diaper.

23. He's a good dresser.

24. He is the man of my dreams.

25. He's thoughtful.

26. He is wise.

27. He is kind.

28. He still gives me butterflies.

29. He loves me for me.

30. He is perfect for me!

car tent

I went up in the attic this week and got some of my old Kindergarten center activities that were age appropriate for Pearson.  It was like Christmas in September for Pearson because he has quite a few new toys including some puppets, a doctor kit, a tool kit, lots of puzzle and this little car tent!!

I think it's probably safe to say that all kids love building tents.  I remember making them with my brothers when we were little all the time!!  

Pearson had a ball playing in this little car tent.  I happened to pick mine up at a garage sale for $1, but I looked up Playhut online and it looks like you can get them at Target, Walmart, Amazon, Toys R Us and a few other places.  

We will definitely be getting this tent out daily for a while.  We had a blast with it yesterday!!  And the think I love most about it is that it folds up completely flat and fits perfectly behind his changing table.  

birthday lunch with daddy

Pearson and I met up with Matt for an early birthday lunch at Grimaldi's today. Pearson was pretty excited to see his Daddy!!

Last night we both used our free burger birthday coupons at Red Robin for dinner.  Pearson is always so good when we go out to eat, however he had only taken a 10 minute nap in the car so he was a fussy mess at dinner last night.  We were a little desperate to keep him quiet last night so we resorted to setting up a little Baby Einstein video on my iPhone.

Please hear me out.....I am in no way judging those who let their kids watch videos at restaurants.  I totally think it's fine on occasion.  It's so nice to have a sure fire option to calm them down when you are desperate.  I just don't want Pearson to get into a habit of thinking this is what we always do when we go out to eat. 

So today at lunch when Pearson was not at all interested in anything I had brought him, we got a little creative.  

Cheerios on a fork!!

 It worked like a charm.  He kept asking for more.  I would load his fork up with Cheerios then he would eat them all off!!

 When the Cheerios on the fork got old we just gave him an entire piece of pizza crust.  He stayed entertained for quite a while gnawing on his pizza crust.  

Our caesar salad and pizza for lunch was soooooo delicious and it was so nice to go on a little family date in the middle of the day!!  

Now, my questions for all you Mommies out there is......

How do you keep your toddler entertained when you go out to eat??

pumpkin oatmeal cookies

Pearson and I went to a Fisher Price House Party at a friends house the other day and the host served these delicious cookies.  I asked her for the recipe, and she said he had found it on Pinterest.  As soon as I got home, I found it on one of her boards, went to the grocery store to pick up the white chocolate chips (which happened to be the only ingredient I didn't have on hand), and made them that afternoon.  I am no food photographer, so my pictures don't even do these cookies justice.  They are so soft and delicious!!  You must go make these today!!

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

{yields 48 cookies}

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter; softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup pure pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries

{Directions}

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line your baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.

2. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy.

3. Add pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract; mix well. Add flour mixture; combine until all ingredients are incorporated. Fold in white chocolate chips and dried cherries.

4. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets.

5. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Enjoy!!

when i'm 80....

Tonight my grandma (who just turned 80 in May) babysat Pearson for two hours while we went to a dinner with three other couples.

I hope that when I'm 80, I can do all the things she does.  She doesn't look like she's 80, she doesn't move around like she 80, and she sure doesn't act like she 80.  I don't think I know too many 80 years old that could keep up with my crazy busy 15 month old!

When I'm 80, I hope I can be just like Nonnie!!

meal planning monday

Monday: Italian Sausage & Tortellini Soup and French Bread

Tuesday: Dinner @ The Havard's

Wednesday: Chicken Squares, Zucchini & Squash, and Salad

Thursday: Red Robin Birthday Coupons

Friday: Texas de Brazil for Matt's Birthday

Saturday Breakfast: Sausage Gravy & Biscuits

Saturday Lunch: Homemade Gut-Pak (per Matt's request)

Saturday Dinner: Katy: Wedding Boys: Chick-fil-A

Sunday Lunch: State Fair of Texas

Sunday Dinner: Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Chips, & Fruit

birthday fun

I had such a great birthday yesterday!! Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes yesterday.  

I pretty much spent my entire day eating.  Ha!  You might not know this, but you can get alot of free food for your birthday, and that's just what I did.  I ate a lot of free food!!

I started off my morning with a sweet gift from my hubby.  He bought me the What a Difference a Mom Makes book by Dr. Kevin Leman and a Sonic giftcard! I got my "real" birthday present about a month ago when Matt bought me a new Macbook Pro when my old Macbook crashed.  Pearson and I got out early and started our morning off at Denny's.  I wouldn't normally eat at Denny's but you get a free Grand Slam (2 pancakes, 2 eggs, 2 sausage links, 2 pieces of bacon) on your birthday. 

After breakfast we went to the mall and walked around and window shopped.....literally because the mall was not opened.....and then I let Pearson play in the play area for a little while.  After we played for a bit, I met my Mom at Ross and she let me pick out a few things for my birthday to go along with my new cookie sheets she also got me.  We love shopping at Ross!! After shopping we ate lunch at Einstein's and used a B1G1 free coupon!

Pearson and I then headed home so he could take a nap.  After his nap we went to Yogurtville for a little yogurt date.  You can get $5 of free yogurt on your birthday.  Then, we walked next door and got a free sub at Firehouse Subs.  Don't worry I didn't eat a second lunch, I just got a sandwich to put in Matt's lunch the next day.  I just can't pass up free food!!

For dinner, my whole family went to Babe's.  It was sooooo good, but sadly I wasn't able to eat all that much because I'd been eating all day!!!  Don't judge!!

I'm still treating myself to a few more free lunches with birthday coupons this week, but sometime next week I will share all the place that give great birthday coupons!!

happy birthday to me!!

Yes, it true, I share my birthday with my little brother. Most people get toys for their birthday as a four year old, but I got a little brother instead. I'm sure I got presents too, but all I remember is Nonnie and Papaw taking me to the hospital to meet my baby brother on my birthday!!

Today I plan on enjoying a free breakfast at Denny's with my little man, shopping and lunch with my Mom, a delicious dinner at Babe's with my family, and then a nice quiet evening on the couch with my hubby! Sounds like a perfect day to me!!

NoseFrida

This product is not so much Pearson approved, but rather Mommy approved.  

With the seasons changing little man has gotten a little bit of a stuffy nose.  I absolutely hate those little snot suckers that the hospital sends you home with.  I feel like they get absolutely nothing out of his nose, and if it does it just stays inside inside the little thingy.  Gross!!

My friend Kristin recommended the NoseFrieda to us last fall and I have been so pleased with it. 

I didn't actually know what I was buying when I bought it.  Pearson's nose was just so snotty that I was desperate and just grabbed it at the store.  It's a good thing that I didn't know how it worked because I probably wouldn't have bought it if I had known.  As you can see, your mouth actually sucks the snot out of his nose.  I know, I know, it sounds absolutely disgusting, but no fear, there is a filter at the end of the tube and the snot doesn't go past the filter.

 It is absolutely amazing.  It gets all of the snot out so easily.  Although Pearson isn't ever smiling like the pictures shown above, it gets the job done and in a weird way it's kind of rewarding to see all the snot I sucked out.  Eww...did I really just write that?  It's true when they say you would do anything for your children.  Even if it means sucking their snot out of their nose.

Sorry if I have totally grossed you out, but Pearson and his Mommy approve the NoseFrida and we just wanted to share it with you.  

15 month check up

Matt took off a little early to go to Pearson's 15 month appointment with me yesterday.  I am SO glad that he did.  Pearson was such a wiggle worm and all over the place, so it was nice to have an extra set of hands to wrangle him. 

Our little man is a healthy growing boy.  He now weighs 24 pounds 5 ounces (50th percentile), he is 31 1/2 inches long (50th percentile) and his head circumference is 18 3/4 inches (50th percentile).  He's a pretty average guy, although look at that big belly!!

 Pearson had his iron levels checked again because last time he was borderline anemic.  I made sure to give him lots of iron rich foods and thankfully his levels were back up to normal! The band-aid on his toe from the prick was driving him crazy!

I knew Pearson would be getting some immunizations along with his flu shot at his appointment, but I didn't know that I would be getting a shot too.  Our doctor offered to give me a flu shot so I went ahead and got it so I didn't have to go somewhere else.  

Every time we go to a well visit and get a good report, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness that our little boy is so healthy!!

meal planning monday

Monday: Grilled Cheese, Chips & Fruit

Tuesday: Meatloaf Meatballs, Macaroni & Cheese, Rolls, & Broccoli

Wednesday: Taco Salad

Thursday: Birthday Dinner @ Babe's

Friday: Chicken Spaghetti, Salad, & Rolls

Saturday Breakfast: Chiloso $1 Breakfast Burritos (if WHS, WEHS OR SHS wins)

Saturday Lunch: Out to Eat

Saturday Dinner: Fried Rice & Egg Rolls

Sunday Lunch: Tortilla Soup

Sunday Dinner: Sonny Bryan's

pearson {15 months}

Pearson, this has been such a fun month! We see you learning new things and growing each day.  You always make us laugh and you make us so proud.  We can't wait to see you blossom and grown even more this month!! We love you sweet boy!

Measurements: 24 pounds 5 ounces (50%), 31 1/2 inches (50%), 18 3/4 inches (50%)

Clothes: 

• shirts/onesies: 12-18 shirts 
• shorts: 12-18 month 
• pjs: 18 months
• diaper: size 4 
• shoe: size 5

Sleeping: You nap most days from 10-12pm and 3-5pm, but if you miss your morning nap you usually nap from 1-3pm, although this past week you didn't take any morning naps and you napped more around 11-1:30ish.  I think morning naps are coming to an end.  You still sleep at night from 7:30-7:30.  

Eating: I nursed you for the last time on September 1st.  I had planned on nursing you for the last time today, but you had different plans.  I sat down in the glider to nurse you and all you wanted to do was get out of the chair.  I knew that it was over.  You are now drinking 3 sippy cups of milk, one at breakfast, lunch and dinner.  You pretty much eat whatever we eat and you eat alot.  You have such a big appetite. Your favorite foods are bananas, pineapples, mandarin oranges, peaches, quesadillas, beans, broccoli, edamame, and goldfish.

New Tricks: You are running. You have a cute little hop run!!  You know some new words.  You point a lot to what you want.  Climbing up and down stairs.

Words: Dada (Daddy), Go (when he waves), Doh (dog), Da("dat"), Woah (hello), MaMa, Muh (milk), Duh(Duck), Doh (dog) Wah (Water) and LOTS of babbling. 

Teeth: 9 (six top/three bottom) Your top right molar and bottom left molar came in this month.  Your bottom right molar is going to pop through any day now.  Thankfully teething hasn't bothered your one bit lately!!

Likes: Making messes, playing with big kids, coloring, reading books, stacking toys, wheels, playing at Chick-fil-A, playing at the gym

Dislikes: When we close doors, getting poopy diapers changed, getting in and out of the carseat multiple times when we run errands, 

Other Random Things:

• You say "DoWhyDoWhyDoWhy" all the time.  We have no idea what you mean when you say it!
• You always have your feed resting on your bumper and in between the slates when you sleep.
• When you first started saying Mama you would say "Bah-Um".  I think you were trying to tell me I am the bomb!!
• When the phone rings you run into the kitchen and just look at it until I answer it. 
• You are not really interested in TV at all, which I am totally okay with.  I turn on a Baby Einstein video for you occasionally, but TV for you is not in our daily routine.
• You are so good at church.   Last week you were taking a ride on the 6 person stroller.  You were the only one not screaming.  Your teachers always tell us how chill you are and what a good little boy you are.
• You have a set of flashcards and you like to find the one that has a duck on it and walk around with it saying "Doh".  

Look how you've changed....

baby shower brunch

This morning I helped host a fun little baby shower for my friend Michelle.

Parker is one loved little guy!! We had a great time celebrating him and his Mommy, eating and chatting!!

We had a delicious spread of food at our shower including......

 Yogurt Parfaits

Sausage Balls

 Banana Bread

 Cupcakes

 And not pictured: Egg Casserole, Coffee, Iced Mochas, and Izze Sodas

 

 I know I always say this after each baby shower, but I really do love these gals.  It's so fun to celebrate with each of them as they get ready to welcome their sweet little bundle of joy.  

 Michelle is the only pregnant gal left in our class.  

Now, really.......who's next?