Me and the Chickie

This is a picture of me and Chickie on Friday. Matt and I went out with some friends on Friday while Grandma and Grandpa Groves babysat. It was nice to go out with out a baby, and it was nice to actually get semi-dressed up...which means make-up and no sweatshirt. I took a picture before we left. I am usually the one with the camera (in this case as well!) so I don't have nearly enough pictures of Lily and myself. I must get Matt to take more pictures!

Indian Feast

Recently I have been making a lot of meals out of Weight Watchers cook books and Cooking Light magazine. They always seem to call for amounts of meat that don't match up with what my grocery store sells. For example, a recipe may call for 3/4 lb of chicken thighs, but the store only has 1 1/4 lb packages, so I am left with 1/2 lb of chicken thighs. I was going through my freezer and noticed I had 10 oz of ground turkey breast, 1/2 lb of chicken thighs and 1/2 lb of ground buffalo. I had been craving Indian lately, so I decided to tweak some of my tried and true recipes with the ingredients I had on hand. Oh what a feast! I made chicken khorma with the chicken thighs. I usually use breasts and my recipe calls for a pound. I made some dhal because I have some lentils that I have had forever that needed to be used. The turkey and buffalo went into my Kheema Aloo, which is usually beef and potatoes. I also had some potatoes that had reached their prime, a couple of tomatoes that needed to be used, some cilantro that was on its way out, and peppers out the wazoo because I harvested my garden before the frost the other night (just in time I might add...all my plants were dead when I checked them today!) We were out of curry paste, so I just used a little more of my dried spices in the kheema. And I had some remaining canned crushed tomatoes from yesterday's dinner that I added to the dhal. I searched the freezer and even came up with some frozen naan and we always have basmati rice on hand. I love to make Indian food but it can be time consuming...usually about two hours of cooking. But, I had a bad day, so it was nice to get all my anger out on the onions! And as usually, Chickie fussed in her high chair for a couple minutes and then fell sound asleep, leaving me to cook in peace. And since I used the ground buffalo and ground turkey breast, and didn't have use any curry paste, the kheema was healthier than normal. Everything turned out really well, and we have tons of left overs, which is always nice. Everytime my hubby takes left over Indian food to work, he always has a couple people as where he got take out from! Of course, my house will smell like curry for a couple days, but it is totally worth it!

The Feast
Ready to Eat
Leftovers for Hubby's Lunch

Mommy's Girl

Lily is totally a mommy's girl right now. I am sure this has something to do with the fact that I am with her pretty much 24/7. And the fact that I have the boobs. I am betting that in about a year, maybe less, she will be running to the door when daddy gets home, relieved that she has someone else to hang out with. I think she will eventually be a daddy's girl and I will fall by the wayside, unless she needs a snack. Or to be soothed in the middle of the night. And in later years, I will probably only be the preferred parent when she needs a ride to the mall, or to borrow my lipstick. Just guessing on this one, but the way her daddy adores her, and the fact that once we have to start telling her 'no', I will probably be doing the lion's share of it, leads me to believe that her heart will belong to her daddy. And I am mostly okay with this. But ask me when I am not the most important person in Lily's universe. I may change my mind.
But in the mean time, Lily is a total, 110% mommy's girl. I mostly love this. I secretly love the fact she constantly scans the room to make sure I am still there. I find it endearing and just so sweet that she will fight sleep and scream in her crib and the minute I pick her up, she will lay her sweet little blond head on my shoulder and fall fast asleep. Until I try to put her down. Then she wakes up and screams again. You see, she needs me. It is really very sweet. I am very important. At least that is what I tell myself so I don't lose my mind after the third or fourth round of this. Poor Matt. If she wakes up before we go to bed, he will sometimes go into her room and try to get her back to sleep. He fails like 99% of the time. It isn't for lack of trying. It is just that Lily doesn't really want me to have a moment of peace and quiet. But I really mean it when I say poor Matt. When he picks her up, Lily won't really look at him. She has to look around for me. And she doesn't smile for him as much as me. I tell him just wait. It won't be long before you are her king and my name is mud. I am right on this, aren't I? There is hope, isn't there? I mean, don't all little girls worship their daddies? I know I did.
In the mean time, I will just relish that fact that Lily needs me 24/7. There will come a time, and I am not really looking forward to this, when she is more independent. She will be able to feed herself. It won't be cool for mom to be hanging around. Because they just grow up too fast.

Just Me Rambling

You may have noticed that of the websites I frequent, half are about frugal living. This is something I have been obsessed with lately. Partly because the economy is in the crapper, partly because, well duh! everyone should save more and spend less. Ironically I am posting this after running to the grocery store for fruit and somehow spending $30 and then stopping at Starbucks on the way home for a $4.35 hot chocolate, and that wasn't even the large size. I am not a very frugal person. I go in spurts of buying generic, not spending a lot of money, cutting expenses, and then I will order a new diaper bag online. We will get rid of my gym membership because it wasn't being used and then go out to dinner. Yeah, I make a whole lot of dummy moves. But I read all kinds of personal finance blogs because they inspire me to think about being more frugal.
We have a decent amount of debt. I am not talking just mortgage, car and student loans. We also have some credit card debt. What can I say, I am of the plastic generation. And I also tend to feel a sense of entitlement sometimes. Like I deserve this because...well I just do. Therefore I have purchased many a trinket for no good reason knowing full well I shouldn't. I am also not very good of depriving myself or telling my husband no. Even when I really should. So really, I should be more frugal, save all I can and attack the credit card debt like a rabid badger. And I pay all my bills on time. And I always pay as much as I can towards my credit cards, which is usually at least double the minimum payment. I am not totally naive.
So where is all this coming from you may ask? I just got done talking to my sis. She is in her first year of her career and lives at home. I, with my abundent wisdom and experience, have told her to live at home and pay off as much debt and save as much as possible. Because I want good things for her.
I guess by posting this, all my friends and family can read it and then berate me for making stupid purchases I don't need (except the zoo membership we are going to purchase...it has already been decided). I need to be held accountable to someone. I think there is hope for me yet. My mom and I have decided to go super low key for Christmas this year. Pretty much no gifts will be exchanged with that side of the family. If people feel they must buy gifts, they can buy for Lily, though she doesn't need much. She will be nine months at Christmas. She will be happy with a box. This is the year to do this. Next year she will be old enough to sort of get Santa. I don't want to keep Santa from her. I am stoked about this because it takes half the stress out of the holidays. And it keeps some money in my pocket...as long as I stay away from Starbucks!
On that note, here is a story that I wish I kept in the front of my mind a little more often. When we were leaving for our honeymoon...the second time...long story...my grandparents were going to drive us to the airport. It was a Monday morning, and we needed to stop by the courthouse five minutes from their house to get my real birth certificate. My grandpa was at the senior center doing whatever it was he did...woodworking, socializing. He was running a little late and my grandma was starting to get agitated because he needed to eat lunch before we left. I said "Maybe he stopped at McDonald's." My grandma said "No, he would never stop at McDonald's if he knows there is food at home to eat." Different generation, different mindset. In my mind, it almost makes more sense to stop at McDonald's because it is quicker than fixing and cleaning up from lunch, especially if I am already out. But my grandpa knew there was food to eat at home, so he wouldn't pick up fast food. I don't know why, but that memory speaks volumes to me in terms of not spending money unnecessarily.

Okay, thanks for listening to my general rambling.

Adventures in Diaper Changes

Everyday is a new adventure in motherhood, right? Today's adventure - diaper changes. I went to change Lily and put some clothes on her...yes, I know it is 1:30 and she was still in her sleep sack. And to be honest, if I didn't want to put her into her exersaucer to play, she may have remained in her pjs all day. Just like yesterday. Admit it...there are days you don't get out of your pjs/get your kids out of their pjs. Well anyway, Lily has been, um, interested in her diaper region lately. As soon as the diaper comes undone, her hands go down. I am told this is normal. I try my best to keep her hands occupied, either with a toy or her favorite, the vitamin bottle. Probably not the best thing for her to play with, and we won't even get into the fact that I am teaching her vitamins are toys, but it usually keeps her interested so I can change the diaper. Today she dropped it off the table, so I grabbed her socks that I was going to put on her for her to play with. Apparently socks are only fun to play with when they are on your feet and you pull them off to chew on. Not nearly as exciting when you are handed them. When I undid her diaper, her hands instantly went to the diaper area and straight into POOP! I wasn't expecting this poopy diaper, and admittedly didn't really check ahead of completely undoing it. She has been having one poopy diaper a day, if that, lately and since I had already changed one this morning, I wasn't anticipating it. Rookie mistake I know, but technically I am only a little more than six months into motherhood, so while I should be an old pro at diapers, I am still entitled some rookie mistakes. Not only were her hands, her favorite thing to put in her mouth, covered with poop, but when I went to wipe her hands off, she managed to get her feet, and legs, into the messy diaper. Luckily the little girl I babysit was napping, so off to the tub we went. And since she was going to get a bath this evening anyway, well now I have some extra time this evening. Lily, of course,thought this was all a great game. She seems to derive great joy and amusement out of watching mommy freak out!

When Babies Attack!!

Five Years Already!!!

Sunday was our five year anniversary! Five years! Married for five years! I know, CRAZY! But then again, not so much. I don't mean to sound like a sap, but I can hardly remember my life with out Matt in it. We have been together for ten years, which is over a third of my life. Anyway, Matt had been telling me all week that he had a surprise planned, but wouldn't tell me what. I hate surprises. I still haven't forgiven my family and friends for the surprise wedding shower five years ago. Okay, I have forgiven them. But I still don't like surprises. They stress me out because I don't know what to be prepared for. I asked Matt questions all week trying to get an idea of what we would be doing. I was to dress like we were going to church, but wear shoes I could walk around in. Uh, okay. Lily was coming with, but I might want to bring a bottle of pumped milk just in case. Ok. We had to leave by about ten and would be gone until about 2. Ok. I threw out every scenario I could think of, but came up empty. So Sunday morning I got up and got myself and Lily ready. I was eating a granola bar (Kashi Pumpkin Spice Flax bar...have you had them? I am addicted...seriously...there needs to be an intervention...but I digress) and Matt stopped me and told me not to eat too much. Ok...finally...I know there will be food. The surprise turned out to be going to Cantigny for brunch. This was huge. I love going out to breakfast and Matt dislikes it intensely. When I was little my mom always told us not to say hate, hate is a strong word, to instead say dislike intensely. I digress again...The brunch buffet was awesome. Eggs Benedict (my fav!), little Belgian waffles, crab legs, and the crowning jewel...A CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN! My oh my it was heavenly! I ate a ton. And there was also smoked salmon on the buffet, which is Matt's addiction. The walking part came next. We went over to the park part of Cantigny (we were at the golf club part) and walked around and looked at all the beautiful flowers and trees. We had our wedding pictures taken there 5 years earlier! How romantic! The weather was almost exactly the same...near 80 and sunny. But I think the year we were married it may have been colder and then gotten warm again (check me Jackie...is that gramatically correct?) because five years ago the leaves had turned more. There were still some trees that hadn't started to change this year. And, much like five years ago, the Bears lost this Sunday. It was an overall great day (except those stinking Bears!) I am so lucky to have the best husband and partner in the world.

Oh yeah...the bottle part was in case Lily needed to eat while we were at breakfast. I would normally nurse her, but sometimes she fights the nursing cover and we didn't need the swanky brunch folk to catch a glimpse of my boob.

And Jackie, for those of you who don't know, is my sister. Also known as the Grammar Nazi.

Pumpkin Time

On Saturday we took Lily to the pumpkin patch to pick out some pumpkins for Halloween. Well, I should say we went to the pumpkin farm. To get to the actual pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkin, which is what we were planning on doing, it was going to cost $15.00 for Matt and myself. Lily would have been free. The pumpkin patch was included in the cost of all the other activities...haunted forest, petting zoo, etc. We decided to forgo the cost and just buy some ready picked pumpkins since Lily was so little and wouldn't really get anything out of the other activities. There was a hay ride I was interested in (I must be a total machocist because I am VERY allergic to hay!) but we decided maybe next year. Besides, the hay ride was an additional cost once you paid to get into the area where the activities were. They really get you at every turn. We did pick out some really nice pumpkins, but they were a bit pricey - way more than what we would have paid to buy them at the grocery store. We had a good time though. We also walked across the street to the apple orchard. You can pick your own apples, but again, it would have cost $15.00 to get into the orchard, and then the price of the apples. No thanks! It might be something we will do once Lily is older, but we decided to skip the expense this year for something only Matt and I would remember. Plus, there were tons of bees! We walked through the gift shop and thought about buying some apples, but they were way over-priced. I know, I know, they are fresh from the farm, but they aren't even organic! We did really consider buying half a peck that I would then make into applesauce for Lily, but the line was out of control! It was a lot of fun and we will most likely go back next year and in the years to come.

Growing Up

Lily is growing up so fast! She is still a baby, I realize this. But lately she has just been doing so many new things. She eats cereal once a day. We did a week of rice, a week of oatmeal, and this week we are trying out barley. She eats really well and so far has liked all the cereal. I can only imagine how enthusiastically she will eat once we start foods that actually have taste. Next week I will probably start some veggies and fruits.
Lily has also started babbling...really babbling. She has been "talking" for quite a while, but now she is constantly saying "bababababa, plmph!" It is so cute to hear. She also loves to lip smack. She is so funny and knows that her funny noises will get a smile out of us. Hopefully she will only use her magical powers over us for good!
She isn't crawling yet, thankfully, but Lily is starting to push up really high when on her tummy, and has even gotten up on her hands and knees for a second or two. And when she does push up, she rocks a little bit. Not that she needs crawling as a mode of transportation. Lily rolls all over the place and she has figured out how to get herself all turned around to get facing the direction she wants.
She also has a new funny face. I haven't been able to capture a picture of it yet, but she scrunches up her nose and smiles and you can see all three of her teeth. She has her two bottom middle ones and one of her eye teeth on the top. She just smiles all the time! And laughs! She can be quite ticklish!
And finally, we have moved Lily to her convertable car seat. She was just getting way too heavy for me to carry around in the infant carrier. Not to mention she started screaming when we would put her in it. She was just too squished in it. The infant seat was nice...we now have to put her in a high chair if we go out to eat, and in the cart at the grocery store. That means we have to be more respectful of her theoretical nap times and bed time. Case in point...the other night we went out to dinner with my in-laws. It was a Saturday night at 6:30, so the resturant was busy, and also slower than normal. Lily didn't last very long in the high chair so I ended up holding a squirmy, tired baby while attempting to eat my meal with one hand. We should have known better! However she did great at the grocery store yesteday. We have one of those cart cover thingies for her with some toys hanging off it and she just had a great time looking around and playing while we shopped!

A Trip to the Zoo

Last Monday Lily had her first trip to Brookfield Zoo. We went with my friend and her adorable kiddos and we had a great time. I can't even remember the last time I was at the zoo...it may have been in 6th grade when I ran in the Zoo Run Run! Since it was a Monday and the beginning of October, there was hardly anyone there. We were able to see a bunch of animals and we didn't have to fight any crowds. We brought our lunches and had a nice picnic lunch and had a really nice day. We saw a lion (sleeping),and tiger, which was roaring...way cool! Imagine hearing that in the jungle. Definitely scary! I am glad I brought my sling because, and this is a total duh that I didn't even think about, you can't bring strollers into the inside exhibits. The sling made it very easy to carry Lily around. Matt and I are definitely planning a trip to the zoo within the next week or so. We are most likely going to become members. The zoo isn't that far away, and by becoming members, we will save money and be able to go when ever we want. And since they let you bring whatever in, we can always pack a picnic lunch and it won't be a super expensive outing.