Thursday, February 28, 2013

Pinterest Thursday - Dryer Sheet Baseboard Cleaning



I've seen this pinned so many times. The pin claims that if you clean your baseboard with fabric softener sheets that they will stay cleaner longer. The premise is that the dryer sheet repels pet hair, dust and other debris that gets tracked into your home.


I decided to try this out in my bathroom since this is the one room that I notice dirty baseboards in. I cleaned off the baseboards using a cloth and some water. Then I wiped them down with the fabric softener sheets and after a few days, the baseboards are still clean!


This is amazing since usually the baseboards are dusty and covered in cat fur just hours after I clean them. I'll be wiping down all my baseboards with dryer sheets from now on. This is a great cleaning tip!




Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Wednesday Links from Around The Web 2.27.13 Edition

Cloud #fmsphotoaday

alt-J (∆) Breezeblocks I'm still trying to figure out exactly what happens in the video. The song is caught in my head.

The extraordinary science of addictive junk food Fascinating read!

Tis the season for Egg Salad

Iron out carpet stains I have a few carpet stains that I might test this out on!

Books for the baby's first year wonderful suggestions and these are also great shower/birthday gifts

Working from home with kids and making it work Best tip: Nap time is work time  The comments are great but show how unrealistic the world can be to WAHMs. But I agree that you can't parent and work full-time at the same time, then everyone gets the short end of the stick.

I am in love with ALL of Amy Herzog designs. I'm super excited about her new one that will be released soon. The sneak peek is gorgeous.

Vegetable mapping A good way to find some new veggies to add to your diet!

A memo to a new employee about parking 



Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Car Emergency Kit for Baby

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As every new parent has discovered, babies need a lot of stuff when you leave the house. Before you become a parent, you swear that you will be a minimalist (or at least I did) but then you quickly discover why the diaper bag exists. Inside that HUGE bag are your child's diapers, a change of clothing or two, a few toys, formula (if they need it) and/or food, etc. I remember trying to get Molly ready to leave the house a few weeks after she was born and I was overwhelmed. I left some really important things at home (ermm diapers!) and that was when I decided to make a car emergency kit for her. I also learned how to better stock my diaper bag (but that is a post for another day). Today I will be showing you how I made a quick and simple car emergency kit for baby. 

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I got a plastic shoe box and labeled it because I like my label maker. Next I put a change of clothing, a spare diaper, some wipes, a bottle of formula, a pouch of food (when she was eating real food) and a thin receiving blanket inside of it. I made sure to put a changing pad with the kit. 

ToddlerKit

I do make sure to update the box every few months. When I took photos of it today, I switched out the pants to ones that actually fit (the ones in the box were 6-9 mo and Molly is wearing 18 mo clothing now). I also took out the old bottle of formula and put in a toddler bottle of milk. I checked the pouch of food to make sure it hadn't expired and then put it back in the car. If we were using disposable diapers, I'd check that those were the appropriate size too. All of that took 5 minutes. 

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I keep the shoe box behind the passenger seat in the car so it is easy to find and since Molly doesn't need the floor space, it fits perfectly. It is also in an easy to reach location which is important when you are holding a wiggly child. 

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I also keep a bottle of tap water in the back seat just in case. I try to replace the water every week or so to keep it drinkable. 

I've only had to use my kit once or twice but it was invaluable! Sometimes you need a third or fourth change of clothing because your child has once again spit up or smeared pear sauce all over themselves and while you packed extra clothing, you still need more. Sometimes you think you packed the diapers but then you didn't or you didn't pack enough.   Those are the times that the kit comes in handy. What do you keep in yours? 
Monday, February 25, 2013

15 Months with Molly Pop

Molly 15 Months

Molly, you are 200% a toddler now. You shake your head, "NO!" a lot and giggle everywhere you go. Last week you learned how to climb onto things which means you spend a lot of time climbing on and off the couch, climbing into your high chair and getting in and out of your toy car. Sometimes you get stuck and your little pathetic cry is both hilarious and sad.

Toot! Toot!

You are becoming very independent which is both a good thing and a bad thing. You like to get your own stuff out of the fridge but you are not quite tall enough to reach it so you spend a lot of time with the door open pointing at your favorite food, CHEESE.

Oaxaca Baby

Your vocabulary is exploding! You started saying, CHEESE! Cracker, Molly, Doll, Baby, Sock along with Mommy and Daddy. It's is adorable. You are also trying out new sounds. For days you have been saying Dop! Dop! I have no clue what you are trying to say unless you want to talk about the Doppler Radar which I highly doubt. I mean the Doppler Radar is a great tool for weather prediction but I'm sure that a 15-month-old is that into weather prediction.

Sweet Potato Tots from @tacotime make for a yummy lunch!

We had your 15 month doctor's appointment today and you are growing like a weed! 24.5 lbs, 32 inches long with an almost 19 inch head circumference. Once again you are in the 95th percentile for your head and length and the 75th for weight. I took you to Top Pot Doughnuts after your booster shots. I feel that shots are good but deserve a little treat for the effort. You heartily approved of this plan.

Post Doctor Donut Run!

You are a great eater! I keep waiting for you to become a picky eater and I'm sure you will but until then I will continue to offer you fantastic food and watch you gobble it up! And seriously you eat more than most adults. I sometimes feel like I spend all day just feeding you.

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We had you baptized yesterday at my childhood church. I was a bit ambivalent about it which is part of the reason we waited so long to do it. However, I am really glad that we had you baptized and while I will certainly allow you to explore religion in your own way, I hope to be a guide for you as you grow. I guess this means that I'll need to start taking you to church soon.

Baptism Knit Dress

You had a great time at church. You danced to the hymns, dug through the pew holders, checked out the bible and when it was time to have water poured onto your head, you were totally into it. In fact, it was hard to keep you from diving into the baptismal bowl and splashing water everywhere. The ministers told me that they were impressed with how well you did. There was no crying. Just excitement. 

Baptism

EntireFamilyBaptism

I knit your gown for the baptism and it came out so cute! It meant more to me that I made you a dress than to buy one off the store shelf. Also the store ones were really expensive and for a one-time deal, I felt they were too much.

Baptism Dress

Oh  Molly Pop! We love having you in our lives even if they are messier, louder and more tiresome. You are the very best daughter I could have asked for. In fact, we got a better daughter that we could have asked for. We are the luckiest people alive. We Love You, Molly POP!
Saturday, February 23, 2013

Dancing Toddler



Molly has been a dancing fool lately! She has also learned how to climb! Which is what led to the hilarious video of her dancing in her high chair. I would like to note that she had a dress over her all white outfit that she had taken off because she is a toddler and likes to do what she wants (like the honey badger). Ahhh toddlers, never a dull moment!
Friday, February 22, 2013

Eggy Frittata Muffins

Breakfasts need to be quick around my house. Molly wakes up hungry and for a house that does not move quickly in the morning, there is an urgency in the air. I try to combat this by prepping the coffee machine the night before, making sure the cat food bowls are clean and ready to be filled and having make-ahead breakfasts at the ready.

EggMuffins

When I first started eating low carb, I would make eggs and bacon every morning but that got tiresome and messy. I felt like I was always cooking eggs and scrubbing pots. When I found Nom Nom Paleo's Mini Frittata Muffins, I was inspired to make my own version.

Egg Muffins in Pan

These have been perfect for my rushed mornings. I make a big batch, freeze half of them and warm each one up in the microwave when I'm ready to eat them. One is usually enough to fill me up but sometimes when I'm extra hungry, I eat two of them. I've also made these for Molly in the mini muffin tin and she thinks they are delicious! I usually cut the veggies and meat into smaller pieces when I make them for Molly. The great thing about this recipe is how easily adaptable it is for your tastes. Don't like meat, take it out! Prefer asparagus to sun dried tomatoes, sub them in! Want to skip the dairy? Sub coconut milk for the yogurt and leave out the cheese. They will still be delicious!

Egg Muffins on Plate

Eggy Frittata Muffins
(adapted from Nom Nom Paleo's Mini Frittata Muffins)
Makes 12 muffins 

Ingredients
4 Tablespoons coconut oil (or olive oil) + extra for greasing the pan
1/2 medium onion, finely diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 lb of cremini mushrooms, sliced
1/2 lb of frozen spinach
10 eggs
1/4 cup whole fat plain Greek yogurt
2 Tablespoons coconut flour
1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes
4 oz smoked cheddar cheese
1 lb cooked chicken sausage links, sliced

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375F and grease a regular 12 cup muffin tin with coconut oil.

2. Saute the onion with the coconut oil until it is soft and translucent.
3. Add the garlic, mushrooms and spinach and saute until soft, approximately 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the yogurt and coconut flour before adding the sun dried tomatoes, cheese and sausage.
5. Add the spinach mixture to the egg mixture and stir to combine.
6. Add about a 1/4 of a cup of the mixture to muffin tin and top with sun dried tomatoes.
7. Place the muffin tin in the oven for 20 minutes. Flip the tray about halfway through.
8. Cool in the pan before transferring to freezer bags. I usually freeze half the muffins so one batch will last me about two weeks.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Pinterest Thursday - Painted Plastic Toys

This pin caught my eye this week because it looked so simple and fun. The 'simplicity' of the blog post should have been a warning that it would not be simple for me! In the end, I like the look but it was a lot more work than I anticipated.

Source: natalme.com via Rebecca on Pinterest


The first step to this simple project was shopping since the only items I had at home was the spray paint. I visited Archie McPhee's for some fun plastic animal toys and found a laughing hippo and a monkey doing a hand stand. I also looked at a few other stores for a wider selection of animals but these were the only ones I could find.

HippoReadyforPaint

MonkeyAlert

I didn't have any scrap wood lying around so I stopped by JoAnn's and bought some wood plaques. They were cheap and perfect for this project! The plastic animals were $1.50 each and the wood plaques were $.79 and $1.39.

PaintedHippo

I then super glued the hippo and monkey to their appropriate plaque before taking them outside for spray painting. I might suggest that one does not spray paint outside on a 45F day. It takes a looooooong time for the paint to dry. I would also suggest roughing up the plastic toys with some sandpaper before painting. I did not and the paint had a hard time adhering.

PaintedAnimals

I spray painted the animals and let them dry for an hour before hitting them with some more spray paint since the first coat didn't cover as well as I would have liked.

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I also have a heavy hand when it comes to paint so there might have been too much paint on these guys. I would suggest using a lighter touch and more coats of paint to achieve a tidier look.

This was a fun project even though it had some struggles. I would certainly do this again and these little guys are going to look great in the basement craft/play room once that HUGE project is done.

FinishedHippoMonkey

FinishedBlueHippo





Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Sunday Afternoons



On Sunday mornings, I run with my running group while Scott and Molly play at home. I usually arrive back at home during Molly's first nap which gives me time to shower and drink some coffee before the toddler whirlwind begins again.


 
I have to say, I LOVE Sundays at my house. I get to go out and run (walk/run) in beautiful Seattle before coming home to spend the entire day with my family. We like to head out for brunch after Molly's nap and then we usually just lay around the house. I knit, Scott pokes around on the computer, Molly rampages and naps. If we feel restless, we'll head into downtown Ballard for exploration.


Sometimes we perk up with a Fro-Yo indulgence, a stroll through the Sunday Farmer's Market (which I really need to shop at more often), a visit to the library or some Pho (Scott dearly loves Pho).


Molly is a social kid so she enjoys getting out of the house to check out her city. Scott and I like that she is easily entertained by watching people going about their everyday business.


What are your Sunday rituals? Do you have anything special that you like to do? 

Monday, February 18, 2013

Heart Attack!

When I was 30 weeks pregnant, my Mother had a heart attack. The symptoms of a heart attack in women differ from one in men. 


The night my Mother had her heart attack, she told me that she was having a panic attack. She had thrown up at the gym and felt feverish. I told her that she was having a heart attack. She convinced me I was wrong and while I can't change the past, I sometimes wish I could. Because if I could, I would have forced her to go to the ER that night. But since I can't, I like to spread the word that heart attacks in women are different than ones in men. Way different. 
My friend, Meg recently wrote about the symptoms of a heart attack in women and since this is a topic dear to my heart, I wanted to share the video she shared with you.  





Take care of yourselves and your heart. Don't be a hero. I learned that in childbirth. Take your doctor's advice. Go to the ER if you feel sicker than you have ever been. 


Saturday, February 16, 2013

Running + Safety

My Lake

There have been four attempted abductions/attacks in my area in the past week. All have been on women walking or running alone late at night or in the early morning. One was at Molly and I's favorite lake to go running at. This kind of stuff makes me so nervous. 

Scenes from Greenlake

I already worry about what I would do if I was attacked while running with Molly in the stroller. I'm not a fast runner and I know I couldn't outrun an attacker. I worry that I wouldn't be able to get Molly out of her stroller fast enough (especially with how bundled she is in it). And then I get mad, I shouldn't have to worry about this kind of stuff. I should be able to go for a run with my child and feel good about it. I should feel safe in my neighborhood. And usually I do but the actions of one man in the past week has made me feel vulnerable and I really don't like it. 

Momma! I no ride in stroller while you run. I run too!

This worry made me skip our usual run around Greenlake. It's silly because I like to run there because it is crowded and because it is the perfect 3 mile loop from my car, around the lake and back again. I like that we see the same faces as we go around the lake. It is usually crowded with Moms and their babies. I even see people from my running group which I love!

Something I Saw - Boaters on Greenlake #fmsphotoaday

And it isn't just me that is worried. My facebook page and Mom's email list has been littered with warnings. One of my Momma running friends emailed me after her run and told it me it was the scariest runs but fastest runs she had ever done due to the fear. 

Out of this fear has come some good things though. I usually run with music and while I still am, I have lowered the volume so that I can be more aware of my surroundings. I am taking note of where I am running and keeping an eye on people around me. I always carry my ID when I go out running. I am moving to the other side of the street or taking a different route if someone makes me feel uncomfortable and I DO NOT CARE IF I HURT THEIR FEELINGS. You wig me out, I will change my direction. 

My Mom's email list forwarded the following email from the local Seattle Police Crime Prevention coordinator and I feel like it is FULL of great tips that I want to share with you. 


  • Awareness and avoidance: Keep alert and tuned in to your surroundings. 
  • Do you know your location? Do you know the street names, hundred block? East, South, West, North? Could you tell the 9-1-1 call taker to where they need to dispatch responders?
  • Trust your instincts! If you have an uncomfortable feeling-honor it! Leave, cross the street, double-back. Forget “being nice”. If you feel uncomfortable, move! Don’t hesitate to make a scene or scream if necessary.
  • Try to get good descriptions of anyone acting suspiciously or threatening. Start from the head and work down. Most likely you know your height, so use this to gauge theirs.
  • Try and stay on streets where you can be easily seen by others. Well-lighted streets are best.
  • If traveling alone, take a charged up cell phone with you if possible. Know what is available to you along your route. What time does that store open or close? Does that apt.bldg. have a security guard? Is there a payphone?
  • Ipod earphones, etc. may prevent you from hearing someone approaching. As does texting while you are walking, waiting for the bus, etc. You need to be aware when out if public spaces.
  • Traveling with another person, is tried and true in reducing street crime. Going with two others reduces the risk even more. 
  • Carrying a minimum amount of possessions is advised when out and about. It isn’t necessary to carry all your credit cards, check book, cash, and so on, every time you go out. Take what you need for this trip. Keep valuables close to the body, in inside pockets. This frees up your hands and does not invite pickpocketing.
  • Body Language: Stand tall, walk confidently with your head up, eyes open and constantly scanning the surroundings.
  • Try not to show fear. Keep a neutral face that shows you are “in charge”.
  • Wear appropriate clothing for the street. Shoes that are comfortable and allow you to run if necessary. Choose clothing that allows you to move, and does not block your vision.
  • And as always, please call 9-1-1 for anything suspicious or to report a crime in progress.

Stay safe out there! Not everyone is as nice as we'd like for them to be. 



Friday, February 15, 2013

Green Smoothies!

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Friends have told me about the deliciousness and wonder of the Green Smoothie for YEARS but let's be honest, it DOES NOT SOUND YUMMY! Blogs rave about this green drink. Nutritionalists say drink your green smoothie, it will be good for you. I decided to bite the bullet this last week and try the darn things. 

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I found an awesome recipe on Iowa Girl and decided to start from there. I went grocery shopping and gathered all the necessary ingredients. The recipe notes that you should use a frozen sliced banana so I sliced up some bananas and froze them overnight. That was about all the prep work that was needed for this smoothie. 

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The first time I made it, I followed her instructions very closely. I did add some extra peanut butter but that was because my jar had about 1 1/2 Tablespoons left and it seemed silly to throw it away. The second time I made this, I added blueberries because I bought a huge bag at Costco and we really need to use them up so that I have some more space in the freezer which means, BLUEBERRIES ON EVERYTHING! 

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This is an amazingly delicious smoothie. Even Scott and Molly enjoyed the green smoothie. Molly was sick last week with a chest cold and therefore was not interested in eating. I decided to see if she would drink a green smoothie and she gulped it down. I was happy to get some good healthy food in her tummy since living on air and angst makes one very grumpy. This recipe makes enough for about 1.5 people which is perfect for Molly and me. 

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Green Smoothie
makes 1 very large serving or 1.5 servings

Ingredients
1 medium frozen, sliced banana
2 Tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup greek yogurt
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond breeze milk (or your milk of choice)
1 cup frozen blueberries
4 cups baby spinach

Directions

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend until you have reached the desired consistency. 

Note: Experiment with adding different fruits and nut butters. I'm thinking of trying to make this a bit more Paleo friendly by using almond butter and coconut milk yogurt. 
Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!


Pinterest Thursday is on hold this week so we can celebrate Valentine's Day!

May your Valentine's Day be filled with love, snuggles and candy. Molly sends everyone a BIG BEAR HUG (her current favorite thing) and slobber filled kisses. Happy Valentine's Day!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The Wednesday Links from Around The Web 2.13.13 Edition

Foggy 7 miler through the Arboretum

Lazy Girl Fitness - I LOVE this! Fit in exercise throughout your day.

Grilled Kale Salad - YUM!

Where is Matt Damon? Hilariously Funny

My Fake College Syllabus I believe if I were a college professor that my syllabus would look exactly like this one.

Circles + Dots I want to make everything in this look book
 
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