Not two of the healthiest recipes, but one of our guilty pleasure dinners! We're starting some new healthy recipes from a cookbook Shane just bought at Borders, so stay tuned!
I got both these recipes from an old friend of Shanes. Man, can that guy cook! His wife LUCKED out.
Salmon Patties:
2 Cans of pink salmon (or fresh salmon, if you are inclined)
2 Whole eggs
1 Large onion, chopped
1 Teaspoon garlic
1 Teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together, and cook in oil until brown. When I'm feeling guilty, I throw them in the oven, but they're not as good. Also, you can make these as big or as small as you want. The smaller ones are better for us, because Lily will actually eat some!
Squash Casserole
4 Squash, sliced
1 Medium onion, chopped
1 Pack Ritz Crackers
1/2 Cup Mayo
1 Bag sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 Tablespoons butter
1 Teaspoon garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Sautee squash, onions, butter in pan until cooked. Heat oven to 375. Mix squash, onions, mayo, and cheese and add garlic and salt and pepper. Cover top with crumbled crackers and maybe a little more cheese. Sometimes I mix crackers in with the squash, and sometimes I add a little milk if it seems dry. Bake for about 25-30 minutes in casserole dish.
Enjoy!
August 30, 2011
August 29, 2011
Manic Monday
I love my weekends. Shane is home (well, he works every other Saturday), Lily doesn't have school, it's amazing. Growing up, my mom and I always went out Saturday mornings for coffee, breakfast, shopping. Weekend fun was ingrained in me from an early age, as well as weekends on the go. When we're all together now, we are running errands, going to the ball park, eating out, swimming at the pool, attending church, and spending time with friends.
On the weekends, I really do try to take a break from the mundane habits of my weekdays. I let some of my household chores go. Thus, most of my Mondays are Manic Mondays! I am a self-confessed neat freak. I definitely have OCD. I also have a freakish amount of energy. I am go go go constantly. I have confessed to vacuuming almost daily at my home, as well as constantly cleaning smudges and fingerprints from glass. I may be slightly insane?
This morning, Parker and I have already unloaded the dishwasher, made all the beds, vacuumed the entire house, and detailed my car inside and out. And it's 10:30. I put Parker down at 9:30, and I made a double batch of homemade sauce, one for tonight and one to freeze.
I never really sit and watch TV. I spend my downtime checking Facebook and blogs of course, but I am always cleaning, organizing, or accomplishing something. As we speak, I'm about to fold and put away a massive load of laundry as well as stuff and put away Parker's diapers.
Am I alone? I really like to have things in order. I always feel better if my house and car are clean, the laundry is done, and there is food in my pantry with a planned out dinner.
People were always amazed that I was in school full time at Georgia State University (about 30 miles from home), working part time, and taking care of my daughter. I thrived on it though. Without having something to do, I am usually lost.
Type A, anal, OCD. That is me. Shane can't stand it sometimes, but at least he always has a stack of perfectly folded clean underwear.
On the weekends, I really do try to take a break from the mundane habits of my weekdays. I let some of my household chores go. Thus, most of my Mondays are Manic Mondays! I am a self-confessed neat freak. I definitely have OCD. I also have a freakish amount of energy. I am go go go constantly. I have confessed to vacuuming almost daily at my home, as well as constantly cleaning smudges and fingerprints from glass. I may be slightly insane?
This morning, Parker and I have already unloaded the dishwasher, made all the beds, vacuumed the entire house, and detailed my car inside and out. And it's 10:30. I put Parker down at 9:30, and I made a double batch of homemade sauce, one for tonight and one to freeze.
I never really sit and watch TV. I spend my downtime checking Facebook and blogs of course, but I am always cleaning, organizing, or accomplishing something. As we speak, I'm about to fold and put away a massive load of laundry as well as stuff and put away Parker's diapers.
Am I alone? I really like to have things in order. I always feel better if my house and car are clean, the laundry is done, and there is food in my pantry with a planned out dinner.
People were always amazed that I was in school full time at Georgia State University (about 30 miles from home), working part time, and taking care of my daughter. I thrived on it though. Without having something to do, I am usually lost.
Type A, anal, OCD. That is me. Shane can't stand it sometimes, but at least he always has a stack of perfectly folded clean underwear.
August 25, 2011
Baby Wearing Withdrawl
I have always wanted to wear Parker since before he was born. It is so much easier than a stroller, and I think it's a huge bonding experience. I always feel sad for little babies in their car seats in Target (now when Parker was tiny and asleep, don't think I'm that great of a mom that I took him out. I left him for my sanity and slight selfishness so I could sip my Starbucks!) I wore Lily in a little Snugli when she was born, but hated it. I even wore Parker in the same Snugli as a newborn. It's just not comfortable, and you don't really feel any sort of bonding. I got rid of the Snugli.
Here is one of the few times I wore the Snugli with Parker. I feel so bad...Parker looks like he is just dangling!
I got a Moby Wrap as a shower gift. I've tried and tried to get the hang of it. In the summer, it was way too hot. Parker and I were both about to faint. Another thing is, I'm not exactly stupid, but I could never get it as tight as I wanted. I saw others wearing their babies in Mobys and the babies look perfect and the moms look comfortable. I just can't figure out the darned Moby! Maybe it's too much fabric. I still have it, folded in the drawer, and I MAY pull it back out (if I have a newborn in the winter or something....)
This is the Moby wrap worn correctly:
When Parker was around 8 months, I bought a sling from Seven Slings. It has been ok. He's right next to me, he feels safe. I can't really do any housework in it, but it was great for when we are outside. He's enjoyed that sling and so have I, but now that he's big, it KILLS my back. Also, the thing about slings is that I am wary of them for newborns because I would be worried it would push the baby's chin to his or her chest and he or she might not be able to breathe.
Here is Parker enjoying his sling:
Usually his arm is out. He actually was more comfortable than he looks, I think he was just cold that day or something.
Parker has become a shopping terror. I have bribed with cookies from Publix, walked around the store with a screaming child in the buggy, you name it... I think returning to baby wearing might be the answer.
So now...even though Parker is 14 months, I am attempting something new. My mom and I are going to make a Mei Tai! Next week. If I put it in writing, we absolutely must do it.
Mei Tais are pretty expensive, but making one will be amazing. Here is a picture of what we are trying to make:
There are tons of free patterns. Wish us luck! I hope that our baby wearing relationship can be improved and extended!
Here is one of the few times I wore the Snugli with Parker. I feel so bad...Parker looks like he is just dangling!
I got a Moby Wrap as a shower gift. I've tried and tried to get the hang of it. In the summer, it was way too hot. Parker and I were both about to faint. Another thing is, I'm not exactly stupid, but I could never get it as tight as I wanted. I saw others wearing their babies in Mobys and the babies look perfect and the moms look comfortable. I just can't figure out the darned Moby! Maybe it's too much fabric. I still have it, folded in the drawer, and I MAY pull it back out (if I have a newborn in the winter or something....)
This is the Moby wrap worn correctly:
When Parker was around 8 months, I bought a sling from Seven Slings. It has been ok. He's right next to me, he feels safe. I can't really do any housework in it, but it was great for when we are outside. He's enjoyed that sling and so have I, but now that he's big, it KILLS my back. Also, the thing about slings is that I am wary of them for newborns because I would be worried it would push the baby's chin to his or her chest and he or she might not be able to breathe.
Here is Parker enjoying his sling:
Usually his arm is out. He actually was more comfortable than he looks, I think he was just cold that day or something.
Parker has become a shopping terror. I have bribed with cookies from Publix, walked around the store with a screaming child in the buggy, you name it... I think returning to baby wearing might be the answer.
So now...even though Parker is 14 months, I am attempting something new. My mom and I are going to make a Mei Tai! Next week. If I put it in writing, we absolutely must do it.
Mei Tais are pretty expensive, but making one will be amazing. Here is a picture of what we are trying to make:
There are tons of free patterns. Wish us luck! I hope that our baby wearing relationship can be improved and extended!
August 24, 2011
Baby Battles
Parker will be 14 months in 4 days. I'm sure I've said it about a gazillion times, but he is one tough cookie. He throws me for a loop every day. There are days he literally follows me around whining to be held or whining for no reason at all. He is VERY high maintenance.
I really don't mind it. I get most of my stuff done or have me time during his nap. I don't consider trying to change his behavior, because I figure, he'll grow out of it. I try to gently discipline when I can, but there's no way I'm going to try to MAKE him not want to be around me. That's just dumb.
And he's not miserable, we laugh and play most of the time. He even shocks me on occasion and will independently play for up to 20 minutes. He loves being outside, I can always calm him down by letting him play in the front yard or taking him for a walk. The cooler it gets, the happier I know he'll be. Sometimes it annoys me when people call him clingy and a Mama's boy, but I just ignore them. It's a dream that I get to stay home with him, and I kind of like that he's my little spoiled boy.
Parker STILL wakes up occasionally at night. I tried forever to help him sleep through the night...including topping him off with one more nursing session right before I went to sleep, attempting to night wean (fail, and too much work, I'm too tired), making sure he ate a big dinner, sound machines, dressing him differently, considering it teething and giving him Orajel, you name it. But I try to imagine, being one, waking up in the dark in a crib alone, I get it. So it's rare he'll wake at midnight or three, it's usually around 5 or 6 am. He knows what he wants too: he'll come snuggle and nurse in the bed for about 20 minutes while I doze, and then he'll start to fuss and want to go back to his crib. It's quite a spectacle, but we all sleep in such close quarters, that I cater to him in this way because I know it's important for Shane and Lily to get their sleep for the next day as well.
But there is one battle that I just have GOT to figure out how to win: food. Parker still nurses, so he does get a variety of what he needs from me. The doctor told me he needs to put weight on, and I think he's probably put a pound on. I just NEVER know what he wants. Yesterday, he ate an entire scrambled egg with some cheese, but today, he spit it out all over the floor and wouldn't swallow a bite. He ate almost a whole bowl of oatmeal though, go figure. Some days spaghetti is amazing, other days, the dog eats really well.
Sigh...that's the life of a mama. Always hoping you are doing your best and stressing over your fails... its tough!
I really don't mind it. I get most of my stuff done or have me time during his nap. I don't consider trying to change his behavior, because I figure, he'll grow out of it. I try to gently discipline when I can, but there's no way I'm going to try to MAKE him not want to be around me. That's just dumb.
And he's not miserable, we laugh and play most of the time. He even shocks me on occasion and will independently play for up to 20 minutes. He loves being outside, I can always calm him down by letting him play in the front yard or taking him for a walk. The cooler it gets, the happier I know he'll be. Sometimes it annoys me when people call him clingy and a Mama's boy, but I just ignore them. It's a dream that I get to stay home with him, and I kind of like that he's my little spoiled boy.
Parker STILL wakes up occasionally at night. I tried forever to help him sleep through the night...including topping him off with one more nursing session right before I went to sleep, attempting to night wean (fail, and too much work, I'm too tired), making sure he ate a big dinner, sound machines, dressing him differently, considering it teething and giving him Orajel, you name it. But I try to imagine, being one, waking up in the dark in a crib alone, I get it. So it's rare he'll wake at midnight or three, it's usually around 5 or 6 am. He knows what he wants too: he'll come snuggle and nurse in the bed for about 20 minutes while I doze, and then he'll start to fuss and want to go back to his crib. It's quite a spectacle, but we all sleep in such close quarters, that I cater to him in this way because I know it's important for Shane and Lily to get their sleep for the next day as well.
But there is one battle that I just have GOT to figure out how to win: food. Parker still nurses, so he does get a variety of what he needs from me. The doctor told me he needs to put weight on, and I think he's probably put a pound on. I just NEVER know what he wants. Yesterday, he ate an entire scrambled egg with some cheese, but today, he spit it out all over the floor and wouldn't swallow a bite. He ate almost a whole bowl of oatmeal though, go figure. Some days spaghetti is amazing, other days, the dog eats really well.
Sigh...that's the life of a mama. Always hoping you are doing your best and stressing over your fails... its tough!
August 23, 2011
Our Busy Little Lives
Update time on the Mahaffey Family!
We are busy as ever, and we're only getting busier. Does anyone else feel like Fall is wedding season? I've had two bridal showers back to back, and two wedding coming up in October. Lily is a flower girl in one, and nope, I haven't found her dress yet (or even thought about what the rest of us are going to wear and how Parker's going to behave at two different wedding...) And no, I haven't booked our flights to Boston for one of the weddings. Actually, I haven't even RSVPed to either, even though I plan on attending both. Every now and then, my former college procrastinating self emerges. The one that wrote papers last minute and studied in the hall right before the test. The one that said she was going to get up early and cram but hit the snooze button twice? You ever been there? But I really really digress...
Shane is great-he has been working, playing softball, and putting up with the rest of us. Gotta love him! I really don't brag on him enough-the fact that he works hard enough to provide for his family and that I am able to stay home and support the children and take care of everything is more amazing than I can describe, and I am so thankful that he does that!
Lily is doing SO great at school. She is reading like a champ, and she hasn't gotten in trouble at all. She had her first softball practice last night, and she got recruited by a coach last night! Major proud Mama moment. She is just the sweetest thing ever. Her birthday is next month-Mama has GOT to start planning. This evening, she had a neighborhood friend who is Chase's friend tell her she couldn't play. She grabs my phone, calls Mimi (Chase's mom) to speak to Chase, and was happy when Chase told her, "I'll handle it Lily." Then they told each other they loved each other and hung up. I love it. Mahaffey loyalty is something not to be messed with.
And sweet Parker...the one everyone calls handsome, beautiful, mamas boy, and clingy? Well, he is all of those things, and I wouldn't change it for anything. And I DO get away on occasion, once I sneak off, he'll play for up to four or so hours and be fine. He just seriously LOVES his mother. And why wouldn't he? He's almost 14 months. He almost runs everywhere. He loves saying gone gone about everything, and he still calls me Dada.
I'm just holding down the fort. Cleaning house, cleaning my car (I'm a bit obsessed), laundry, carpool line, couponing, playing with the kids, homework, taking care of Parker (talk about a full time job) keeping Shane's cousin two days a week after school, attending church, driving to everyone's different events, and not a whole lot of cooking lately (whoops). I even cleaned up the garage some today. I'm ready for a good book to read. And waiting on the weather to get cooler. I did make yummy BBQ shredded chicken sandwiches last night.
Well, let me get back to relaxing. I don't do it enough. The kids are asleep...silence is golden!
We are busy as ever, and we're only getting busier. Does anyone else feel like Fall is wedding season? I've had two bridal showers back to back, and two wedding coming up in October. Lily is a flower girl in one, and nope, I haven't found her dress yet (or even thought about what the rest of us are going to wear and how Parker's going to behave at two different wedding...) And no, I haven't booked our flights to Boston for one of the weddings. Actually, I haven't even RSVPed to either, even though I plan on attending both. Every now and then, my former college procrastinating self emerges. The one that wrote papers last minute and studied in the hall right before the test. The one that said she was going to get up early and cram but hit the snooze button twice? You ever been there? But I really really digress...
Shane is great-he has been working, playing softball, and putting up with the rest of us. Gotta love him! I really don't brag on him enough-the fact that he works hard enough to provide for his family and that I am able to stay home and support the children and take care of everything is more amazing than I can describe, and I am so thankful that he does that!
Lily is doing SO great at school. She is reading like a champ, and she hasn't gotten in trouble at all. She had her first softball practice last night, and she got recruited by a coach last night! Major proud Mama moment. She is just the sweetest thing ever. Her birthday is next month-Mama has GOT to start planning. This evening, she had a neighborhood friend who is Chase's friend tell her she couldn't play. She grabs my phone, calls Mimi (Chase's mom) to speak to Chase, and was happy when Chase told her, "I'll handle it Lily." Then they told each other they loved each other and hung up. I love it. Mahaffey loyalty is something not to be messed with.
And sweet Parker...the one everyone calls handsome, beautiful, mamas boy, and clingy? Well, he is all of those things, and I wouldn't change it for anything. And I DO get away on occasion, once I sneak off, he'll play for up to four or so hours and be fine. He just seriously LOVES his mother. And why wouldn't he? He's almost 14 months. He almost runs everywhere. He loves saying gone gone about everything, and he still calls me Dada.
I'm just holding down the fort. Cleaning house, cleaning my car (I'm a bit obsessed), laundry, carpool line, couponing, playing with the kids, homework, taking care of Parker (talk about a full time job) keeping Shane's cousin two days a week after school, attending church, driving to everyone's different events, and not a whole lot of cooking lately (whoops). I even cleaned up the garage some today. I'm ready for a good book to read. And waiting on the weather to get cooler. I did make yummy BBQ shredded chicken sandwiches last night.
Well, let me get back to relaxing. I don't do it enough. The kids are asleep...silence is golden!
August 17, 2011
It's been two weeks!
Whew, I'm back. I think I just now thought about my neglected blog today. Between two weeks of traveling, starting school, and some other big things going on with this family, it's safe to say we've been busy. So where were we?
We went to the Cape to visit my aunt and uncle the second day of school (yes, bad Mother, Lily missed three days of school. Yet had no makeup work? So, obviously, it wasn't too terribly awful!) We ate tons of food, went out on the boat to the ocean, went to the lake, and just chilled. I love being with my family more than anything. Plus, my cousin's fiance had a new baby girl Annabelle (it's safe to say I am in love and have even more of baby fever!)
Lily and Annabelle:
My kids with their great grandparents:
Boat fun:
At the lake (check out the brave ducks!)
The week after we got back, I threw Lily on the school bus and tried to make sense of everything. I hosted a bridal shower at the house on Sunday that went very very well. I served the best champagne punch I've ever tasted. The bride, Shane's cousin Aja, STOCKED UP, ok? I was super jealous.
Here are some shots that her mom took from the party. I was low key after Parker's insane party, but I made a cute centerpiece and did lots of purple and silver, which are her colors. I didn't get a shot of the mantel, but you can see it a little bit in the picture with the presents. I looove tealights. I made some really cute A's painted purple with little wedding rings on them too.
Now we're home. The house is quiet and clean. I started back couponing and getting into my and Parker's routine. Next is softball starting, Lily's birthday-she's going for an inflatable party, and I'm trying to encourage Build a Bear with a small number of kids, and some more stuff that I hope I can actually talk about soon on here (no, I'm not pregnant-YET anyways, bwah ha ha!)
xoxo, Callie
We went to the Cape to visit my aunt and uncle the second day of school (yes, bad Mother, Lily missed three days of school. Yet had no makeup work? So, obviously, it wasn't too terribly awful!) We ate tons of food, went out on the boat to the ocean, went to the lake, and just chilled. I love being with my family more than anything. Plus, my cousin's fiance had a new baby girl Annabelle (it's safe to say I am in love and have even more of baby fever!)
Lily and Annabelle:
My kids with their great grandparents:
Boat fun:
At the lake (check out the brave ducks!)
The week after we got back, I threw Lily on the school bus and tried to make sense of everything. I hosted a bridal shower at the house on Sunday that went very very well. I served the best champagne punch I've ever tasted. The bride, Shane's cousin Aja, STOCKED UP, ok? I was super jealous.
Here are some shots that her mom took from the party. I was low key after Parker's insane party, but I made a cute centerpiece and did lots of purple and silver, which are her colors. I didn't get a shot of the mantel, but you can see it a little bit in the picture with the presents. I looove tealights. I made some really cute A's painted purple with little wedding rings on them too.
Now we're home. The house is quiet and clean. I started back couponing and getting into my and Parker's routine. Next is softball starting, Lily's birthday-she's going for an inflatable party, and I'm trying to encourage Build a Bear with a small number of kids, and some more stuff that I hope I can actually talk about soon on here (no, I'm not pregnant-YET anyways, bwah ha ha!)
xoxo, Callie
August 3, 2011
First Day of First Grade
The big girl wouldn't let me walk her in. I dropped her off in the carpool line. But, I didn't cry this year like I did last time. Parker sure did though! He missed Sister all day. I actually just looked up my post from last year about Kindergarten, and now I actually am a little weepy that she keeps growing!
She bought a lunch today since we're going out of town tomorrow. She got a green today. She went to music class. She loves her teacher. That's all the info I got out of her.
Oh, and just for fun:
Leggings: Target
Shirt: Target
Shoes: Old Navy
Backpack: Children's Place
Bow: Handmade (by a friend, not me!)
Necklace: Forever 21
She bought a lunch today since we're going out of town tomorrow. She got a green today. She went to music class. She loves her teacher. That's all the info I got out of her.
Oh, and just for fun:
Leggings: Target
Shirt: Target
Shoes: Old Navy
Backpack: Children's Place
Bow: Handmade (by a friend, not me!)
Necklace: Forever 21
August 2, 2011
NJ Trip
We just got back from a three day trip to visit my dad, who lives about an hour from NYC. We flew into La Guardia airport, and then my dad drove us to his house in Morristown. He lives in a super cute town. It is very Beaver-Clever looking, lol.
We relaxed a ton. We visited the town pool, which was super fun for the kids-Parker loved the kiddie pool. We ordered lots of take out, and had a cookout with my dad's wife's family, and some of my dad's family too. We celebrated my, Parker, and my stepsister Victoria's birthdays with tons of yummy food and a delicious cake!
I will also add, Parker was a superstar on the flights-he slept the whole way there and the whole way back. We had a crappy two hour delay coming home, but the kids were so so good. This week we travel to the Cape, so crossing my fingers the children will be equally angelic. FYI-Ring Pops work! :)
Here are some shots of the kids at the pool: (the humidity fogged up the lens on my already crappy camera, so bear with me)
Here Parker is modeling his accessories that he is now obsessed with...and here they are enjoying the beautiful weather. My favorite is Lily's expression when she's holding a screaming brother.
And finally, here are some cookout shots. I almost forgot to mention-my sweet sister Lacey was there too! She had been visiting for three weeks, and we came on the tail end of her trip.
We relaxed a ton. We visited the town pool, which was super fun for the kids-Parker loved the kiddie pool. We ordered lots of take out, and had a cookout with my dad's wife's family, and some of my dad's family too. We celebrated my, Parker, and my stepsister Victoria's birthdays with tons of yummy food and a delicious cake!
I will also add, Parker was a superstar on the flights-he slept the whole way there and the whole way back. We had a crappy two hour delay coming home, but the kids were so so good. This week we travel to the Cape, so crossing my fingers the children will be equally angelic. FYI-Ring Pops work! :)
Here are some shots of the kids at the pool: (the humidity fogged up the lens on my already crappy camera, so bear with me)
Here Parker is modeling his accessories that he is now obsessed with...and here they are enjoying the beautiful weather. My favorite is Lily's expression when she's holding a screaming brother.
And finally, here are some cookout shots. I almost forgot to mention-my sweet sister Lacey was there too! She had been visiting for three weeks, and we came on the tail end of her trip.
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