Another Late Night List.

I had fully intended to write a new blog post tonight but then 38 minutes ago I got sucked into reading all y'alls blogs and now I am almost too tired to think. So here are my three random thoughts that went through my mind today but I am too tired to elaborate on.

1. Someone should warn all new parents that they have unknowingly agreed to not only raise their little tykes but to be a 24 hour a day jungle gym.

2. I am pretty sure that I could NEVER work in the medical field because I get grossed out by stupid things (ants, warts, spores on the back of ferns, anything resembling small dots, etc.)...I may or may not be heaving right now as I typed those horrifying things...but today I did surgery on my ingrown and obscenely infected toenail that got stepped on by children seven times today (I am a jungle gym I tell ya) and IT. FELT. AWESOME. Well, really, it was excruciatingly painful and I probably should have seen a doctor but it was very empowering to get 'er done by myself. I'm not only a cheapskate but a DIY surgeon.

3. I had this moment today while I was feeding Mabel when we were not only connected tiny mouth to nipple but also giant booger trail to mama's t-shirt. It was perfect. I am so grateful to be able to nurse my littles. And if anyone is in need of a new blog to read during nap time check out Jill over at Goodnight Mush. I kind of have an "I don't know you but I feel like I do through social media and I think I love you" crush. She is a babywearing, breastfeeding momma who tells it like it is and her family and her are drop dead gorgeous. Give her a read.

I told myself I am going to start running this week (insert eye roll here) so I had better head to bed. Goodnight.

What We Eat.

I had some friends ask me for my go-to list of meal ideas. And since I finally typed it up instead of just trying to read my old, folded up, food covered handwritten menu list I thought I would seize the opportunity to get it out into the blogosphere for referring back to if I can't find the original. So with no further adieu:

Menu Ideas

Soups and Stews:

Beef Stew

Lentil Stew

Taco Soup

Potato Cheese Soup

Corn Chowder

Tomato Basil Soup

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Breakfast for Dinner:

Buttermilk Pancakes

Frittata

Coffee Cake

Sweet Rolls

Ebelskivers

French Toast

            Captain Crunch French Toast

            Cinnamon Bread French Toast

Biscuits and Gravy

Breakfast Quesadillas

Waffles

            Pumpkin Waffles

Other:

Baked BBQ Chicken

Mexican Chicken Casserole with Corn Tortillas

Fettuccini Alfredo

Vegetable and Cheese Fettuccini

French Dip Sandwiches

Grilled Cheese

Chicken Quesadillas

Stir Fry

Funeral Potatoes

Green Chile and Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Pot Pie

Vegetable Lasagna

Pizza

Cream Dried Beef on Toast

Classic Fajitas

Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Fajitas

Homemade Mac-n-cheese

Pasta with Sautéed Vegetables

7 Layer Dip

Chicken Pasta Salad

Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Casserole

Crock Pot Brown Sugar Chicken on Rice

Hawaiian Haystacks

Tacos

Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes

Tuna Melts

Grill (Weather permitting)

            Hot Dogs

            Hamburgers

            Chicken

            Turkey Burgers

            Veggies

Cheese Tortellini (Costco)

Notes:

I put myself on a grocery budget of $100 a week plus $100 a month for Costco (including diapers/toiletries/cleaning supplies). Most of these items get made only when ingredients are in season or on sale. I also have staple items that I only buy at Costco. And most of these items are made from scratch. So let me know if you need or want recipes.

-Waffles/Pancakes are usually accompanied by homemade coconut or cinnamon buttermilk syrup

-We make smoothies about every other day as a side dish for our meals. I throw in spinach/kale/avocado and my kids/hubby are none the wiser ;)

-Another go-to side dish is green beans. I buy the big bag of organic ones at Costco and sauté them with garlic, salt and pepper.

-On “pizza” days. It usually is one from Costco as well, the Kirkland Signature brand. I add dried basil and other toppings if we have them on hand.

-In cold weather I try to make our own honey whole wheat bread to accompany soups/pasta since it is way cheaper…and my little sister gave me her recipe that is surprisingly easy.

Costco Staples:

Frozen Chicken

Green Beans

Milk

Carnation Instant Breakfast

Frozen Fruit

Seasonal Fruits

            Berries

            Watermelon

            Cuties

Tortilla Chips

Seasonings

Canned Chicken

I'm sure there are items I am forgetting. But this is the current list. I usually ask my hubs and kids what they want that week and fill in the rest with what I feel like cooking. We also have one eat-out meal a week. We either pick up Dad for lunch or go out one night for dinner. (It usually ends up being Chick-fil-a per the kiddos request)

A List.

Things I hope to get done before baby Mabel comes:
1. Sew two new crib sheets for Stella. She has been using Nora's old ones that are covered in stains.
2. Find and paint an old bookshelf for the girls room. (If anyone has an old bookcase they are getting rid of let me know)
3. Sew curtains for both the girls' bedroom as well as ours.
4. Get the 5 remaining baby items I need.
5. Take the kids camping. (Not my idea of fun 7 months pregnant but Aaron promised Nora this a long time ago)
6. Get Stella's baby book complete so I can start on Mabel's.
7. Find Aaron a new job with better insurance. Praying for a miracle.
8. Sew the kids Halloween costumes. There is no way I am doing them with a 3 week old baby.
9. Get Stella sleeping through the night/weaned from bottles.
10. Get Mabel a "mommy bunny" of her own to match the other girls'.
11....And any other misc. items that may arise.

Hopefully task #1 will be completed today. Fingers crossed.

A Late Night List.

This is what my mind does at 1:30 a.m. while laying on the couch with toilet paper stuffed up my nose battling a nasty head cold and praying my kids will stop waking up all night and get some sleep so at least one of us will be rested in the morning.

Things I Took For Granted Before Birthing Babies:

1. Calling in to work when you are sick and being able to recover on the couch.
2. Taking showers with out a kid in with you or a hubby yelling through the bathroom door in search of baby wipes.
3. Being able to go to sleep at night without estimating how many hours it will be before you will get awakened with screams.
4. Being able to wear an outfit for an entire day without getting it dirty.
5. Only having to do laundry once a week.
6. Drinking Diet Coke for pleasure, not out of necessity.