Easy Mode

Last weekend, we were able to arrange a nice little "vacation" for Bean.  I met my mom in a town along the way between our houses and passed Bean off to my mom for 5 days of kid-free bliss - ha! We didn't go anywhere while Bean was gone, we just caught up on a lot of things around the house, rested (and slept in!) a lot and just enjoyed some well needed Steve/me time to talk and prep for the new baby!  We took advantage of being able to go out to eat and not have to entertain her in the process; and watch long movies that we could start earlier because we didn't have to wait for bedtime.

Steve has taken on a big house project - remodeling a bathroom. He started about a month ago, and has been working on it any free weekend we have.  He's making good progress, it's just slow.  I'll do a full blog post on it when it's done (or at least partly done, ha).  I wouldn't admit this to him, but I'm guessing this will be a summer long project (sorry dear).

He was able to work on the bathroom around the clock on the weekend (usually he has to stop and take a break during Bean's nap time).  I was able to work on random things that needed done (and I didn't want to work on with Bean in tow).  While she was gone I was able to get the upstairs guest/storage room all organized and cleaned up.  It had become quite the catchall and a huge mess with the change over of baby items and clothes going on in the house.

I also cleaned the entire house - and it stayed that way for 4 days! It was marvelous.  We didn't have to dodge toys around the clock, no food and crumbs to sweep up daily, and let me tell you how QUIET the house was.  It was strange, but quite the blessing. I was able to go out and mow the yard at my own pace (and not have to try to cram it all into a short nap window). And yes -- at 36 weeks pregnant, I'm STILL mowing.  My choice!

I felt so productive while she was gone.  It's amazing how much physical rest I need when she's here because of all the mental energy I exert on her.  Maybe I didn't need as much rest because I could do things at my pace and not cramming it into nap time.  I even took some time to clean out the car and get it ready for 2 kids! So weird to think that we'll be a family of 4 in less than a month.  We can now count the time in WEEKS.

Bean's vacation consisted of a a weekend of cousin sleepovers, going bowling, being the constant center of attention, making new friends at my parents' church, and lots and lots of family love.  I'm thankful for the opportunity for Bean to go and spend some quality time with her cousins, aunts/uncles, and grandparents.  Now the big question is, when can she go back?!

Snapshots of Summer

This summer has flown by.  I'm still scratching my head how it is the end of July already and I'm still a month behind on the blog!  Quickest way to catch up is just to share snapshots from our month:

(This has been the wettest summer I can ever remember.  Our backyard has turned into a swamp multiple times.  There have been roads shut down and several cars stuck in water multiple times -- not ours, of course!)

(So how's our basement held up?! Surprisingly well!  We had one night where our basement flooded in the middle of the night, but receeded by morning.  We only knew it had flood by the water line and items being wet -- all the way into the laundry room this time!  We lost nothing, and are thankful that we now only have issues when the city's system is inundated with water.)

(That "pond" between the trees is our neighbors yard.  We are high enough that we only had issues in our backyard. This has been the first straight week of no rain and their yard is still a little on the squishy side!)

(The rain finally stopped and we were able to join Sara & James at the pool!)

( Bean was hesitant to get in at first.  I finally just had to force her to go in.  I put her on my lap and did a bouncy game until she was fully in the water.  She then realized she could just walk around on her own and had fun the rest of the afternoon.  She slipped and went under a couple times, but I was right there to pull her up whenever that happened.)

(Just checking out a magazine while eating a banana.)

(Mmmmm, more icing??  More coookie??)

(Selfie with Momma!)

(Our neighbor's granddaughters come over to play with Bean (and now James) and oftentimes bring their old toys over for Bean.  Her new favorite hand-me-down is a Dora doll.)

(Teaching James how to properly play the Kazoo.)

(For my birthday/father's day, we did a join gift and got an ice cream maker attachment for my stand mixer!  I've only made 1 batch of ice cream -- strawberry.  The ice cream was delicious, but I learned that next time, I'd blend the strawberries into more of a puree than just being chunks.  It made the texture weird and was hard to scoop.  I just got ingredients to make a snickerdoodle concoction from an ice cream book from Sara.)

(Steve got some virtual reality Conan phone viewer online for free.  He got to tour Versailles from the comforts from our own home.  I was skeptical about it until I used it.  It's actually very cool technology.  You can "look" all around the room and see all around.  It messes with my eyes, but is still neat!)

(Bean is now discovering the importance of sunglasses... Or maybe she just likes the fashion??)

(Exploring outside)

(Confession: We go to BWW's A LOT. I'm ashamed to admit the amount.  In reality, it's not that much, but for us who never eat out, it's a lot. Anyway, we love that Bean can be completely crazy and it doesn't interrupt anyone's dinner because it's already noisy and full of tv distractions.  We've recently made the decision to take Bean to Disney this fall.  Only issue is that she is afraid to ride things like animals on a carousel or the little mechanical horse at the store.  She kept asking to ride this machine in the corner, so her and Steve hopped on it.  We'll call that a small win!)

(A couple of weeks ago, I noticed some bumps on Bean's legs.  I thought maybe they were mosquito bites, but there were a lot of bumps all over - even in diaper area -- and some where small like a pimple while others were big like a hive.  Then I realized she had a fever 101.9.  I called the doctor and there happened to be a cancellation within the hour.  So I took her.  She wasn't diagnosed with anything official -- maybe a UTI that is revealed as a rash or maybe some reaction to something?  She was put on a heavy duty antibiotic.  The bumps went away in a few days, but the fever stuck around for almost a week.  She's done with the antibiotics now, bumps are gone, and fever is gone.  She's been really sleepy and having some tummy issues now, but I'm thinking it is just from the medicine wearing out of her system.  Sheesh kids!)

Plated

Steve and I enjoy watching Shark Tank and love learning more about some of the ideas that are presented.  One of those Shark Tank successes is a company called Plated.  You pay a subscription fee for them to have meals delivered to your home on a weekly basis.  You can get a discount when you first sign up, so we tried it out.  For less than $30, we got 3 meals (Steve got to pick them out). The regular price is around $70.  We cancelled our subscription right after our first delivery just so we could try it out.

The food all arrived together in a box via FedEx.  The box was wrapped in a plastic bag.  When I opened the plastic, then the box, I found a sealed refrigerated bag. I tore it open and started to unpack the food.  Bread, noodles, spices, and veggies were all up on top.  Each meal was packaged together and any items that were separate had a sticker on it that corresponded to the correct meal.  The last layer was the meat and 3 huge frozen packs.

Each meal had step by step instructions (with pictures). Everything was included in the box (not counting olive oil/salt/basic pantry items) and in the correct portions.  You just had to slice veggies, mix sauces, and cook!

Chicken Shawarma

We made this meal first.  It was delicious! Only complaint was that we wished there was a little more chicken and Lavash (bread).  We worked on making this meal together.  Steve mixed the dry ingredients with the oil and marinated the chicken while I got to slicing veggies.  It was really fun making dinner together in this manner! Steve could look at the next step and get to work (which if he was trying to help me cook, I typically can't explain what help I need and he just ends up standing there).

(Slicing up the veggies and following the step-by-step instructions.)

(Dinner is served! Lavash bread, the chicken, cucumber/tomato salad, and tahini sauce!)

(Yum! This did taste very fresh.  I also indulged in hummus and pita bread, not included in meal, haha.)

Pork Pad See Ew

This one was probably my favorite.  It was very flavorful! You got to decide how hot to make it by how much chili you included in it.  Other than the spices (which I could probably figure out), I'll be able to make this meal again pretty easy!

(Here you can see how a meal was packed.  In the bag was the peppers, soy sauce & fish sauce, and chili.  The noodles, thai basil, and meat were packed separately, but each item had the label that named the meal.)

(One of the peppers was bad, so I just tossed it.  I thought this was a crazy amount of peppers, but I trusted their judgement.)

(Delicious! Only mistake I made was not stirring the rice noodles in the water enough, so they got a little clumpy.  Lesson learned.)

Steak & Collard Greens

I was least excited about this meal when it arrived, but it actually wasn't as bad as I feared! I am not a fan of rarer meat and also feared the collard greens.  You cooked the greens in a lot of garlic which made them taste really good.  I did end up cooking my portion of meat a little longer (like I sliced them then laid the slices on the pan for some quick heat) just because I get crazy about the meat being red. Steve's only complaint was that there wasn't enough meat.

(Pretend like this is the meal I cooked and on my own plate.  This is the front side of the instruction sheet.  Each sheet told a little blurb about the history of the meal. We ate our dinner before I realized that I didn't take a picture.  I also didn't document the prep stage.  This meal was pretty straight forward, slice garlic and prep greens; put a rub on the steak and pan seer; butter the bread and fry it, add some sprinkle cheese.  Simple, yet a nice change of pace from the meals I normally make!)

All in all, I'd say we enjoyed the meals for the discount price but couldn't justify continuing the service at the regular price.  It was very nice to have all the ingredients portioned out and present (I'm one to forget one measly item at the store).  It was also really fun to make the meals together and it to be fool proof.  I could totally see using this service if we lived in an apartment in some busy city (where it's hard to plan out meals and shop in advance) but for now I will stick to my shopping at Meijer and cramming my brain for what to make for dinner.

Snow fun!

I don't mind winter (I hate it when it drags on, though).  In fact, I like it when it's cold and I get to burn candles and snuggle under blankets.  However, I only like the cold when there is snow outside! It's just so pretty and clean looking, haha.

I really want to say we've had our last snow for the year, but unfortunately, I've heard the dreaded S word brought up again.  For now, I'll choose to ignore it and instead look outside at the sun shining in the 60+ degree weather outside!

On one of our last big snows, Bean and I bundled up to play outside while daddy used the snow blower! Unfortunately, it was one of those heavy dense snows that was tougher to plow than shovel. It took a little longer than normal, but Steve was finally able to clear off the driveway.  Bean loved trying to help and even played with the shovel (and car scraper).  She ate some, laid in it, and overall squealed with joy. Her cheeks got super rosy and I had to make her come inside

(Checking out daddy's shoveling/plowing)

(Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!)

(Are you sure I can just walk around on this?!)

(Here's some snow for you! She's laughing, not crying - ha.  She thought it was funny having snow all over her mittens.)

(Look guys -- I can do this myself!)

(Daddy showing her how to do it with the shovel)

(Look at those rosy cheeks!  She also just discovered the Bumbo seat in the corner -- I use it when I watch Baby J a couple times a week -- and thought it was hilarious to sit in it.  But then, she got stuck and it wasn't so funny -- but I was sure laughing!)

New Year, New Us

There's a week left in January, and I just released the Christmas post I wrote 2 weeks ago, and there's been no mention of the new year or a Bean update.  I haven't been neglecting the blog because nothing is going on, the reality is life is crazy right now and the blog is a complete after thought.  So instead of trying to do multiple posts trying to catch up, a quick bullet point list is more like it!

• No real new year resolutions for us besides the typical "let's be better this year than last year!".  We have goals to be healthier, putting Christ first in our lives, being focused and hands-on parents, and making wise choices with our finances.
• I've been blessed with the opportunity to make some money while staying home with Bean.  I became a Jamberry consultant a couple months ago and just had goals of breaking even.  After a very successful launch and great sales this month; I have to set new goals for the year! This is a very exciting, yet time consuming opportunity.  When you love something, you want to talk about it all the time -- and poor Steve is sick of hearing about "Jam-beep".  
• I've also been blessed with another opportunity -- babysitting!  2x a week, I get the opportunity to hang out with my friend Sara's sweet boy James!  He's 2 months old and quite the cutie! I wasn't sure how it would go with Bean and a baby in the house at the same time, but it's going great! I'm still trying to work out the logistics of getting James to sleep in the pack'n'play and how to meet the needs of both of them at the same time. Bean LOVES James.  She wants to touch him, hold him, and kiss him constantly.  She's probably sending us subliminal messages about wanting a sibling. . . 
• I'm still running but I'll have to admit the winter cold is winning out.  I've only logged 3 runs this month (and a solid 2 week break of no running!).  I was finally able to get out this week and pull out a 4 mile run after that 2 week hiatus.  I survived the run and my times were just about what they were last month.  I'm not worried about mini-training yet; but when I realized that mini is 3 months away, I had a minor freakout.  What am I thinking?!
• On a negative side - I've been dealing with a pretty stressful situation with someone. I won't go into details, but it's been a big part of my month and affects my thoughts and actions in certain situations.  I am definitely learning a lot about myself, how actions can be perceived, and how by God's grace I am free!
• Steve's role has changed at work.  The new role came with a promotion and new responsibilities.  After having him home and access to him 24/7 for those 2 weeks of break; I had a hard reality of him returning to work at the beginning of the month.  I forgot how hard it was to make contact with him while he works and just overall miss his presence in the house during the day.  
• Over Christmas, all 4 of Bean's molars came in.  That left us with a very cranky and sleep-hating child.  In 3 weeks, she'd only slept through the night 3 times.  All those other nights consisted of her waking up every.other.hour. Seriously kid - you are killing your Momma!  Her sleep was worse than James - the 2 month old baby I watch! We had a turning point this week and got 3 nights of sleep in a row; and then she got shots.  Now we're back to the multiple wakings. Ugh.
• Now the update you've all been waiting for -- Bean is a WALKER! How exciting! A couple of weekends ago, it just clicked with her.  She took a couple steps on her own, but once she realized Momma/Daddy wanted her to do it; she stopped. She'd randomly take a few steps, but definitely preferred her "knee shuffle" as we so lovingly call it.  She's not 100% walking, but each day she takes more and more steps.  I'd say she's up to 65% walking in her day.  Let's face it -- her knee shuffle is way more efficient than walking, but it won't be long when she'll stop the knee shuffle all together.  
• Other Bean accomplishments:
• "Signs" for "more" when she needs milk or a snack
• Blows bubbles
• Can say -- Momma, Daddy, ball, duck, cracker, baby, "chhhh" for lunch, go!, "go goooo" for Let it Go/Frozen, dog, Mommom, Poppop, Ahm, Abo, "cheese" whenever you pull out your phone, Hi/Bye
• Gives kisses with a "mmmmmm"
• Loves to play with -- Zebra ride toy, Little People playsets, blocks, wooden puzzle pieces, toting toys around in a bag, climbs on chairs, babydolls, & Sock Monkey in a box, and ducks in the bathtub 
• Loves to watch -- Frozen, Curious George, Sesame Street, Clifford
• Loves to eat -- strawberries, mac'n'cheese, noodles in general, cottage cheese, fruit/veggie pouches, Momma's bagels, milk 
• She knows when it is time to leave by us putting coats on.
• She constantly is getting in trouble over dropping food, standing on chair, and touching the lamp.
• Has discovered the game of "Peek-a-Boo"

(Bean's chair is back in the living room! She is able to get in and out of it on her own and we don't have to worry about her getting hurt on it. However, she does get crazy sometimes and decides to stand in it.  We give her a couple chances to sit.  After number 3, she usually loses chair privilege and it exits the room.)

(Catching her character in its prime.  She really is a hilarious child.  Problem is, she knows she is funny and uses that hilarity against us.)

("Just putting my snack in the crevice of my milk cup.")

(We don't let Bean have paci's when she is playing.  Although, every once in awhile, one does get lost in the toys or she'll be having a rough day with teeth and I let her suck on it.  However, here, she's sucking on her baby doll's paci.  Although, it's just a tiny little post that she really has to suck on to keep it in her mouth.)

(I like this photo for the sheer the reminder that this kid does in fact sleep.  And I'm pretty sure I took this photo after her fighting nap for over an hour.  In the midst of a phase of no sleeping and bad naps, I need this reminder! Some days are better than others.  We'll have a day of a 3+ hour nap, and then a day like today where she didn't even get an hour.  She'll have nights where she's up every other hour, or maybe for a couple hours straight, or maybe randomly sleeps through the night.  If only she would let me know what her sleeping mood would be in advance!)

(Sitting in daddy's chair!)

(Laying on James!)

(Holding his hand)

(She wasn't happy until she got to actually hold him!)

(Playing Peek-A-Boo with the drapes.)

(While taking down Christmas decor, I heard her playing in the corner and turned around to see her inside the Jumper! I hadn't put her in there!  I have no idea how she did it, but she climbed in by herself.  Notice her missing leg? It was pinned under her bum, haha.)

(Bean eating her favorite meal - mac'n'cheese, cottage cheese, strawberries & raspberries. And yes, she still eats in "the rain jacket".)

(I've been waiting for this day -- for Bean to realize she can escape the play area by crawling under the couch.  Good thing the she didn't fully commit and freaked out halfway.  She was scarred by the experience of getting stuck, Momma laughing and taking a picture to never want to try the escape ever again.)

Daddy's Going to China?

All year long, Steve has been telling us he's going to have to go to China on a business trip.  It was originally slated for May, but then got delayed until end of summer, and then it got delayed until fall.  Finally a date was set, tickets were purchased, and Visa was approved for trip in the middle of October.

The trip was going to fall right over Bean's real birthday.  So we had to delay her birthday party to the end of the month.  I had set up plans to go visit friends, stay with my parents for a few days, and even set up to host  a baby shower (with Steve gone, he wouldn't have to figure out where to go all afternoon).

With less than 2 weeks away from departure day, Steve got notified from his boss of a change in the project he was working on and to cancel the trip because what he was going for is no longer needed. Steve was frustrated that what he had been working on all year was sort of pointless and sad he wouldn't get to go experience China; however, he is thankful to not have to leave his family. Boy are we thankful too! Although, now I've had to cancel my plans (which I was really looking forward to some visits).  I'll just have to sneak away for a few days!

Before knowing that his trip was cancelled, we went out to eat at a Chinese restaurant to educate Steve on how to use chopsticks and get ready for the cuisine (because American Chinese and real Chinese are totally the same, right?). So now we are all chopstick masters (even Bean helped us!).

(What good technique daddy!  Bean loved eating the rice from the chopsticks.  And for the record, she ate ravioli that I brought from home with her hands, haha.)

Name that Baby!

It's that time again. . . Who does Bean look like??  

(Steve)

(Bean -- apparently dad and daughter were both hams while eating)

(Steve - notice how he's playing with a measuring cup??)

(Despite the look of hatred on Bean's face, she loves playing with measuring cups! It's one of her favorite toys)

(Steve monkeying around)

(Bean monkeying around, also known as all mealtimes)

(Steve with his dad)

(So I thought it would be neat to recreate the above picture; however, Bean would not cooperate and thought it more hilarious to ignore us.)

(Lindsey chilling)

(Bean chilling, just with a little more diva in her) 

(Lindsey crawling)

(Bean crawling)

(Lindsey laying with pacifier)

(Bean hanging out with hers)

(Lindsey)

(Bean)

 Okay, so really there's no contest.  Bean is 100% her daddy!  The more she grows, the less I see of myself in her.  Here's hoping her personality is more like me :)

(She's 100% Bean and we love her like crazy!)