Connor has been making great strides in his vocabulary over the past couple of months. Some of his words/phrases are:
What's that? - Those were actually his first words, no kidding.
Thank you
Please - he does the sign for this one as well.
No
Oh wow!
Yes
Good-bye
Daddy
Shoes
Nose
Mouth
Eye
Door
Down
Up
Meow
No way
Out
Ow
And he's adding more day by day. It's pretty cool to watch!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Radom Thought
I love it when things like this happen! Yesterday the kids and I met my friend Julie and her kids at Dig Park. We were there for 3 1/2 hours! I don't think I've ever stayed at a park that long before. The kids had a really great time. Sean was able to make some new 'guy' friends and I got to have some mommy time.
Anyway, we got there around 9:30 and didn't leave until close to 1:00. So Connor didn't go down for his nap until almost 2:30. That's when he's usually waking up from his nap! He ended up sleeping til after 5 and was then up until 10ish. Sometimes it's hard to stick him in bed, even when he should be there, bc he's so darn cute when he's tired! He was being very cuddly with mommy and daddy.
Well, for some reason he decided to wake up at his normal time this morning, which was before 7:00. He was pretty tired still, and a little cranky. So around 8:30 the kids and I took a half hour walk down the street. It was already almost too hot to do so (but we're having company tonight so it was the only time to get a walk done). Well, I had to take care of a few things when we got home and Connor was playing nicely with Reagan and Sean. So I grabbed his blanket and walked up to him and said, "Ok, Connor, it's time for your nap." And he picked up the toys he was playing with and walked right into his room and to his crib. No fussing, crying or anything.
I took off his shoes, gave him his blanket, water and toys that had fallen out, and left the room. Not a peep from him. He'll be out like a light soon enough, if not already. I am always thankful when naptime goes that smoothly! He doesn't usually whine or fuss too much anyway, but he certainly doesn't always walk in when I tell him it's naptime. The other cool thing is he so clearly knew exactly what I was saying to him.
Anyway, we got there around 9:30 and didn't leave until close to 1:00. So Connor didn't go down for his nap until almost 2:30. That's when he's usually waking up from his nap! He ended up sleeping til after 5 and was then up until 10ish. Sometimes it's hard to stick him in bed, even when he should be there, bc he's so darn cute when he's tired! He was being very cuddly with mommy and daddy.
Well, for some reason he decided to wake up at his normal time this morning, which was before 7:00. He was pretty tired still, and a little cranky. So around 8:30 the kids and I took a half hour walk down the street. It was already almost too hot to do so (but we're having company tonight so it was the only time to get a walk done). Well, I had to take care of a few things when we got home and Connor was playing nicely with Reagan and Sean. So I grabbed his blanket and walked up to him and said, "Ok, Connor, it's time for your nap." And he picked up the toys he was playing with and walked right into his room and to his crib. No fussing, crying or anything.
I took off his shoes, gave him his blanket, water and toys that had fallen out, and left the room. Not a peep from him. He'll be out like a light soon enough, if not already. I am always thankful when naptime goes that smoothly! He doesn't usually whine or fuss too much anyway, but he certainly doesn't always walk in when I tell him it's naptime. The other cool thing is he so clearly knew exactly what I was saying to him.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Awesome Flank Steak!
Last night I made a new South Beach recipe called Pan-Roasted Steak and Onions. This recipe is good for all phases of the diet. I couldn't believe how much I liked it. Damian thought it was good too.
My cut of meat was actually a pound and a half so I tripled everything. It turned out perfect!
Here it is:
Pan-Roasted Steak and Onions
1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 pound flank steak
1/2 tablespoon cracked black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup fat-free chicken broth
1/2 medium onion, cut into 1⁄4" thick rings
In a large nonaluminum baking dish, combine the oil, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and garlic. Add the steak; turn to coat. Cover; refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight, turning once.
Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Place over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the steak with the pepper and salt. Brown for 2 minutes per side. Add 1⁄4 cup of the broth; cook, turning once, for 5–6 minutes per side (for medium-rare). Remove the steak from the skillet; cover the steak loosely to keep it warm. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion slices to the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 4–5 minutes per side. Add the remaining broth as needed to prevent the onions from sticking.
Thinly slice the steak across the grain; serve with the onions.
My cut of meat was actually a pound and a half so I tripled everything. It turned out perfect!
Here it is:
Pan-Roasted Steak and Onions
1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 pound flank steak
1/2 tablespoon cracked black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup fat-free chicken broth
1/2 medium onion, cut into 1⁄4" thick rings
In a large nonaluminum baking dish, combine the oil, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and garlic. Add the steak; turn to coat. Cover; refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight, turning once.
Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Place over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the steak with the pepper and salt. Brown for 2 minutes per side. Add 1⁄4 cup of the broth; cook, turning once, for 5–6 minutes per side (for medium-rare). Remove the steak from the skillet; cover the steak loosely to keep it warm. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion slices to the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 4–5 minutes per side. Add the remaining broth as needed to prevent the onions from sticking.
Thinly slice the steak across the grain; serve with the onions.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Flickr Photostream
Well, I'm finally joining the ranks of those using Flickr. Here's a link to my photostream. There's a new link with all the others on the right hand side of the blog as well. I will still post pictures directly in the blog. But if you want to see more, then visit Flickr.
Right now I only have 3 sets there. Soccer, Cakes and the current visit with Aunt Katherine. I'll be adding more as time allows, so check back every now and then.
Right now I only have 3 sets there. Soccer, Cakes and the current visit with Aunt Katherine. I'll be adding more as time allows, so check back every now and then.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
My Computer
Speaking of my computer...
Sadly it died a little over a week ago. Damian is working on getting it back up and running. Until then I won't be posting anymore pictures as I have no access to them. But once it's functional again, I'll have to take a day and catch up with some good picture posting.
Rebecca, Matt and Anastasia were in town recently and I got some good pictures of them with the kids at Dig Park.
Plus there are plenty more to post.
Until then, patience please!
Sadly it died a little over a week ago. Damian is working on getting it back up and running. Until then I won't be posting anymore pictures as I have no access to them. But once it's functional again, I'll have to take a day and catch up with some good picture posting.
Rebecca, Matt and Anastasia were in town recently and I got some good pictures of them with the kids at Dig Park.
Plus there are plenty more to post.
Until then, patience please!
Connor Hits the Ground!
Well, I suppose it was bound to happen. Neither Reagan nor Sean ever did it. But Connor is his own man and must take matters into his own hands at times.
This time I believe it was a matter of retrieving the matchbox cars that he undoubtedly threw out of his crib! I had put him down for his nap and he was playing happily (which he usually does before falling asleep). All of a sudden I hear a thud and then crying. I was pretty sure I knew exactly what happened, and when I opened the door to his room my suspicions were confirmed.
My little man was standing in the middle of his room, crying, and looking quite bewildered. It took a few minutes to calm him down. I think he scared himself more than anything. This is one of those times when I really wish I knew what was going on inside that head of his. I mean, what did he think was going to happen? And what were his plans to get back in?
Anyway, the day is fast approaching when he'll be moving in with Sean (just have to get that other twin mattress for the bunk bed first...pictures of that to follow when my computer is back up and running). Until then I suppose I should make sure the crib mattress is on the lowest rung.
This time I believe it was a matter of retrieving the matchbox cars that he undoubtedly threw out of his crib! I had put him down for his nap and he was playing happily (which he usually does before falling asleep). All of a sudden I hear a thud and then crying. I was pretty sure I knew exactly what happened, and when I opened the door to his room my suspicions were confirmed.
My little man was standing in the middle of his room, crying, and looking quite bewildered. It took a few minutes to calm him down. I think he scared himself more than anything. This is one of those times when I really wish I knew what was going on inside that head of his. I mean, what did he think was going to happen? And what were his plans to get back in?
Anyway, the day is fast approaching when he'll be moving in with Sean (just have to get that other twin mattress for the bunk bed first...pictures of that to follow when my computer is back up and running). Until then I suppose I should make sure the crib mattress is on the lowest rung.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Banana Bread...Again
So I've had a few requests for my banana bread recipe. It's from Southern Living, January 2005. I've tried a different recipe maybe once or twice since finding this one, but I always come back to it. It is definitely my favorite.
Cream Cheese-Banana Nut Bread
3/4 C butter, softened
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
2 C sugar
2 large eggs
3 C all-purpose flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 C mashed bananas (about 4 medium)
1 C chopped pecans, toasted (optional, I never use them)
1/2 t. vanilla extract
Cinnamon Crisp Topping - Optional (I always use this)
1/2 C firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 C chopped, toasted pecans
1 T. all-purpose flour
1 T. melted butter
1/8 t. ground cinnamon
Stir together until blended.
1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 2 8x4-inch loaf pans.
2. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
3. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in bananas, pecans, and vanilla. Spoon batter into prepared pans. Sprinkle with topping, if using.
4. Bake for 1 hour or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil last 15 minutes to prevent browning, if necessary. Cool bread in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool 30 minutes on wire racks before slicing.
t. = teaspoon
T. = tablespoon
C = cup
Cream Cheese-Banana Nut Bread
3/4 C butter, softened
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
2 C sugar
2 large eggs
3 C all-purpose flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 C mashed bananas (about 4 medium)
1 C chopped pecans, toasted (optional, I never use them)
1/2 t. vanilla extract
Cinnamon Crisp Topping - Optional (I always use this)
1/2 C firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 C chopped, toasted pecans
1 T. all-purpose flour
1 T. melted butter
1/8 t. ground cinnamon
Stir together until blended.
1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 2 8x4-inch loaf pans.
2. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
3. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in bananas, pecans, and vanilla. Spoon batter into prepared pans. Sprinkle with topping, if using.
4. Bake for 1 hour or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil last 15 minutes to prevent browning, if necessary. Cool bread in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool 30 minutes on wire racks before slicing.
t. = teaspoon
T. = tablespoon
C = cup
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