Wiggle Time

I've been trying to get into shape, but with the snow I can't get out with the double stroller to jog every day. I've been doing some exercise videos, but today I did cardio to one of Parker's favorite new videos: Wiggle Time. If you look at my photo, you can even see Anthony modeling high intensity.For those of you who don't have toddlers, The Wiggles are an Australian children's musical group. I had to skip scenes a couple times during the talking, but it's chapters are cued to the beginning of every song, so it ends up being fairly aerobic. It's nice to see Parker's enjoyment having his mommy dance with him to the Wiggles. I had to add my own ab and weight sets, but it was a pretty good cardio workout. Parker's favorite Wiggle is Jeff. He loves to pretend that he's asleep. Then he jumps up and does a summersault when we wake him up.

Déjà vu

Has this happened before? This feeling of déjà vu is probably inevitable with a second child. I'm sure it's compounded because I had another boy, so both babies have worn many of the same clothes. I haven't tried to recreate any of Parker's photos, but it seems to have happened. Check out the similarities.

Well, they Parker and Jason are certainly not twins. They each have their own look, but every once in a while I see something in Jason I remember from when Parker was a baby- or maybe it's just the clothes. What do you think?

At it again

So my little hooligan was into mischief again today. He was playing in his room and when I went to check on him I found this:

and this:

and this smiling face:

That lovely shiny decoration spread on his bed, the walls, the floor and certainly himself is about 8 oz. of Vaseline. It had been in his room because he'd needed some heavy duty diaper cream. It's my fault really; You see I had noticed it there last night and moved it to what I had considered to be sufficiently "up high". I forgot that my little boy has the agility and climbing skills of a monkey. He had been clothed as well, but I didn't decide to take the picture until just before I gave him a bath.

I'm not especially fond of cleaning up these little escapades, but it's a good thing that I am rather amused by my little 2 year-old's endeavors. He certainly is good at making messes. I don't blog them all, but there are plenty on here.

Does anyone else have a child with such mad skills in mess-making?

Silent Night? I think so!

So my angel baby Jason slept from 11:30 last night until 7:00 this morning. I'm pretty pleased about that. Jason only turned six weeks yesterday and he has already had four nights of more than 6 1/2 hours between feedings. The first time Parker did that he was three months old. I doubt that Jason will start sleeping that long regularly, but it's sweet when it happens. Last night wasn't exactly silent for me; I had to get up in the night and help Parker, but it didn't take too long. Here's to hoping that my children will sleep.

Jason is really such a good natured little guy. He doesn't cry much and even when he does it can almost always be "fixed" quickly. He spits up a lot more than Parker did, but otherwise he is an angel. Brad keeps worrying about what bad thing is in the horizon to balance out having such a wonderful babe. In the last couple days he just started smiling as a reaction to us. It has been so fun!

Giddy with excitement!

Kids are awesome! Parker becomes beside himself with glee several times a day. This five second video clip is of the fiftieth or so time he made the train go. He was just as thrilled then as the very first time. I was certainly excited recently about Baby Jason, but it would be nice to be more like my two year-old.
Last night Brad was playing catch with Parker. Parker would get so excited every time the ball came to him, whether he caught it or it smacked him in the face. Can I say it again? Kids are awesome!
Another thing that is pretty cool, is that Parker thinks I am hilarious. I wish I was a little more witty, but it's pretty rare when I have a really clever joke. Parker laughs at my humor every day. It's nice to have a fan.
I love that Parker is without guile or pride. When he was playing catch, he isn't embarrassed when he misses the ball. He isn't judgemental either. He is equally likely to tell me I look like a princess whether I have done my hair or not.
We can sure learn a lot from little kids. We could all stand to be a little less self-conscious and a little more unconditionally loving. The world would certainly be a much better (and more fun) place if we were happy as easily and laughed as readily as a two year old.

Easy Recipes

Most of you are like me and love a delicious recipe, especially if it is quick and easy. Here are a few recipes I have gathered that are favorites at our house:

SAVE AND FREEZE RECIPES Ever have a busy day and want to come home to a great home cooked meal, without having to do that home cooking? Ever have a recipe that makes a huge 9x13 pan of food and there is only 2 or 3 eating? That is why I use these Save and Freeze meals. I just buy the foil pans in 8x8 or the loaf pans and put the ingredients into 2 or 3 pans. Then I cover them with foil, label them with the dish, date and baking instructions. Then I put the extra(s) in the freezer. The night before we want to eat it, I just put it in the fridge to thaw.

Manicotti 1 pkg. manicotti (do not cook first) 1 1 lb. 10 oz. jar pasta sauce (I prefer Prego w/ mushrooms) 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes

Mix together: 1/4 c. parmesan cheese 2 c. mozzarella cheese, grated 1 15 oz. pkg. ricotta cheese 2 eggs 2 T. parsley 1 t. Italian Seasoning 1 t. basil 1/2 t. salt

Use a small spoon or pastry bag to stuff mixture into manicotti shells. Place in a single layer in 9x13 pan (or 2 8x8 pans). Pour tomatoes and sauce over stuffed pasta. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Chicken Tortilla Casserole 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1/2 c. chopped onion 1 4 oz. can chopped green chiles 2 cups sour cream 10 corn tortillas (the small size) 3 cups chopped chicken 2 cups shredded fiesta or Mexican blend cheese

Combine: soups, onion, chiles, sour cream, chicken and cheese. Cut tortillas in fourths. Layer: 1/2 tortillas, half chicken and cheese mixture and repeat. Cover with foil and bake 50 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover (top with more cheese if desired) and bake a additional 10 minutes.

I also save and freeze things like enchilladas and lasagna. The save and freeze saves me a ton of time by letting me make two or three meals at a time.

CROCKPOT RECIPES The crockpot is awesome! It's nice to put something in and then forget about it for the day.

Cream Cheese Chicken 1 lb. chicken breasts or tenders 1 pkg. Good Seasons Italian dressing mix 1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese 2 10 3/4 oz. cans cream of chicken soup

Place chicken in crockpot. Pour dressing mix on top. Bake on low for 5-6 hours. Put cream cheese in crockpot and stir until creamy. (This stirring shreds the chicken.) Stir in the soup. Serve over rice.

Slow-Cooker Barbeque Chicken 1 lb. chicken breasts or tenders 2 10 3/4 oz. cans tomato soup 3/4 c. onion, chopped 1/4 c. white vinegar 3 T. brown sugar 1 T. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 t. salt 1/4 t. basil

Place chicken in crockpot. Combine all remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Cover. Cook on low 6-8 hours.

I hope that someone else can benefit from these recipes. If any of you have favorite recipes, please share, even if they aren't quick or easy.