Taylor's One Year Stats

Before the month is almost over, I thought I would finally get around to posting Taylor's 1 year stats. I took her to the doctor last week. Adam was supposed to meet me there, but he is very busy with work and couldn't make it. Fortunately, both kids were angels. I have to admit that I was more worried about Mason. He isn't a fan of doctors, but as of recently likes to "play" doctor. I used that to my advantage and also fastened him into Taylor's single stroller. That way I didn't have to worry about him playing all over the place, while I spoke to her doctor.

Dr. Shah was very pleased with how she is doing and she only had to get two shots. There were tears on her part, but quickly went away once I got out her blanket and held her tight. We go back in June for her 15 month checkup.

Height: 29.5 inches (75th percentile)
Weight: 20lbs 7 oz (25th percentile)
Head Size: 43 cm (5-10th percentile)

So basically, she is long and lean. She still has some chunk on her thighs but it has greatly diminished once she started crawling. She isn't walking yet, but she holds unto the furniture and cruises slowly around. She loves to bear crawl, it reminds me of Mowgli from the Jungle Book.

She loves to cover her eyes with her hands or blanket and play hide and go seek with everyone. Yesterday, I noticed that she will lay on the ground with her legs in the air waiting for you to come over and tickle her. It cracks me up. Her laugh is from the belly and when she smiles, you see all the different lengths of her top teeth. We call her snaggletooth. She has six teeth, four on top and two on the bottom.I miss the days of feeding her baby food, but I love her independence too. She eats anything I make and isn't really picky. Let's hope that never changes.

Ten on Tuesday

I really look forward to Chelsea's Ten on Tuesday questions each week. Thanks Chelsea for coming up with this idea.

1. What television character do you identify with?
Monica on Friends. Not only is it my favorite all time show, but we share a lot of similarities. We both have OCD tendencies. We both love to cook and eat. Her husband on the show is hilarious and I think my husband is pretty funny.

2. Describe your morning routine.
Wake up around 6:30am unless Mason decides to work up extra early, which happens on occasion.
Brush teeth and apply chapstick.
(Coffee is already brewing because I have it programmed to be ready by the time I wake up)
Change Mason, get his milk, while he watches Handy Manny.
Prepare breakfast. Usually Mason wants waffles or biscuits with a banana. Taylor will either have a waffle or whatever I eat.
Get Taylor up and changed.
Give her bottle. She is finally switched to milk, but weaning her from the bottle is proving harder than I thought. She loves the sippy but doesn't want to let go of the bottle.
Eat breakfast.
Clean kitchen, while kids play in the living room.
Play with kids, read books.
Put Taylor down for her morning nap around 8:30am.
Do my biblestudy while Mason plays in his room.
Get ready for the day.
Get Taylor up for her nap around 10:30am
Run errands

3. How do you do lunch? Bring from home or dine out? Same thing every day or mix it up?
Lunch usually involves feeding the kids first. They usually eat anytime between 11am to noon. We usually make sandwiches or eat left overs. If we are out running errands, sometimes I'll pick something up, but I prefer to eat lunch at home.

4. What is one moment that, although seemingly trivial at the time, changed your life?
Adam & I were on our second date, which is funny because our second date was planned before we even went on our first date. Our second date, we went to Houston Livestock Show Rodeo Cookoff. Adam's Uncle has a tent each year, and we went with his brother and sister. It was that night that I knew that he was "the one."

5. Name your top three beauty products.
Bare Mineral - Love their makeup and my skin has never been better.
Loreal Black Liquid Eyeliner - I don't use pencil because it smudges too much and I like the clean line
Dermablend - I have been using this concealer for almost 7 years now. It has the best coverage of anything out there.

6. What do you do when you are alone in the car?
Put on the music I want to listen to and sing.

7. What is the ideal city for you to live in? If you can, take this survey (
Houston, TX and when I took the survey it said Augusta, Georgia followed by Houston.

8. Are you waiting for something?
Yes. Waiting is really hard for me, but God is showing me great things during this season of waiting and I am thankful for everything that I'm learning.

9. What was the last shocking news that you heard?
I can't honestly think of anything that has shocked me lately. It's hard to shock me.

10. What are three things you wouldn't do for a million dollars?
Hold a snake
Let a roach crawl on me
Basically anything they would do on the Fear Factor

Friday Favorites

It's been a long week, so therefore I decided that this weeks Friday Favorites would revolve around my top 5 favorite photos from this week.

5. Taylor playing


4. Mason stopping for a picture.

3. Taylor & I at the park

2. Adam with Mason & Taylor on his birthday

1. Adam & Mason swinging. Could they be any more alike?

Adam's 30th Birthday Party

Adam celebrated his 30th birthday this weekend. Although his actual birthday wasn't until Sunday, we celebrated with our friends that Friday. I asked Adam a long time ago what his ideal birthday plans would be and of course it centered around watching March Madness.

I love entertaining and I love making my husband happy. I made a few of his favorite dishes and few new ones. The BBQ Jalapeno Poppers were on the list to make, because he couldn't get enough of them the last time. I also had cream cheese topped with Blueberry Chipolte Sauce. I normally prefer Raspberry, but it was gift and I had it in my pantry. I also made my Smore's Mix. It's a mix that tastes like you are eating smores, but without the mess. Tortilla wraps with cream cheese and picante sauce spread, and artichoke dip. I added a few fruits and veggies for those that weren't interested in everything else. I didn't realize that almost all of my dishes revolved around cream cheese until after I placed them on the table.

I also made my Adam's favorite dessert, my dad's Banana Blueberry Cream Pie. We ate, chatted, watched basketball and had a great time. Thanks to all of our friends for making the party so special.

The Food

Singing happy Birthday to Adam

The Birthday boy

Our friends

My Dad's famous Banana Blueberry Cream Pie. I made two pies, and I'm glad I did. The first one went really fast. Some even took an extra slice home for later.

With the Birthday Boy

Sangria

For Adam's birthday party, I also attempted homemade Sangria out of The Pioneer Woman Cooks. I've never made anything like this, but I was up for a challenge and I learned really you can't go wrong with it. Just make sure to warn everyone that it's packs a punch and if you have a drink, to make sure to have a designated driver.

First cut up all the fruit. You can put as much or as little fruit you want into the glass pitcher.

All of the fruit in the glass pitcher. I cut apples, oranges, grapes, lemons, pineapple chunks, and lime.

Then add the wine. I chose a White Merlot. It's a little bit sweeter.

I then added the flavored rum and vodka to the wine and fruit. I kept thinking that I needed to place a warning label on the pitcher.

Topped off the Sangria with sugar dissolved in a cup of water. I added an extra cup of water just to take the edge off.

Mix it all together and place in the fridge to chill for several hours. The longer the better. The fruit absorbs the flavor.

Ready to serve. It was almost all gone by the time I got around to having a glass. Definitely worth making again, maybe our next girls night.

Challenge: Cooking my way thru "The Pioneer Woman Cooks"

Recipes completed: 5

Recipes left: 58

Hot Artichoke Dip

I completed two more recipes for my challenge of cooking my way thru The Pioneer Woman Cooks. I haven't cooked out of this book since the end of January. So I was eager to get back at it and what better timing then cooking for Adam's 30th Birthday Party. It's probably the easiest Artichoke Dip recipe I have ever made and now my favorite.


I don't have a Kitchenaid Mixer, so I had to mix everything the old fashioned way. Even without the mixer, it was super easy. First, I diced up my softened cream cheese to make it easier to mix.

I diced the green onions. In the picture it looks like I cut them on my tile counter top, but it's really on the clear cutting board.

Mixed the mayo, cream cheese, onions, spices, and Parmesan together in a large bowl. The Cayenne pepper gave the dip a lot of flavor, without it being to spicy. I don't mind the spice, but I was trying to think of my guests.

Chopped the additional artichoke hearts and added them to the mix. This is the second can of artichoke hearts.

I added additional shredded Parmesan to the top of the dip before putting it in the oven.

The finished product. I couldn't even it get a picture of it before our friend Bernardo had already taken a bite. I served it with fresh french bread. It was so delicious, that it was gone in the first 5 minutes. I plan on making it again for Easter.

Challenge: Cooking my way thru "The Pioneer Woman Cooks"

Recipes completed: 4

Recipes left: 59

Ten on Tuesday

After a hiatus last week from the questions, I'm back at it. Thanks Chelsea, whoever submitted these questions, did a great job.

1. When you were a senior in High School, what career did you think you'd choose? Did you? Why or why not?
I planned on becoming an Elementary Teacher. No, I changed my mind in college. Mostly because I don't agree with teaching for the system. I think the best teachers are those that think outside the box and really reach the students. That could involve so many different styles of teaching and unfortunately, teachers are now taught to teach so the kids can pass the standardized tests. That's not for me.

2. What one thing about the "real world" did you find most surprising once you were on your own?
I was surprised that I could be independent and enjoy it. I was very dependent on my parents, more emotionally than anything. It was refreshing to grow up, and even learn the toughest lessons on my own.

3. Name three things that you think your closest friends DON'T like about you.
Wow, this question had me thinking for awhile. I would say my OCD at times, that I narrow down dinner decisions by what I don't want to eat, that it's hard to surprise me, but yet I love to be surprised.

4. In order to sleep, do you need background noise or absolute silence?
If Adam is with me, then I want complete silence. When he is traveling, then I have to have background noise. I usually turn the TV on and program it to turn off while I fall asleep.

5. Why do you choose to reside in your current city? Yes, you have a choice:)
Adam was offered a job, but it required us to relocate for awhile. I had never been to Bakersfield until the day I moved here.

6. Are you close to your parents?
Very! I respect them tremendously and admire their relationships with God, and how much they still love each other. I miss meeting them for dinner or going out for snow cones. I just miss them.

7. What is your favorite fiction book? Poem? Blog?
Fiction book - The Little Women
Poem - The Giving Tree
Blog - The Pioneer Woman

8. Do you enjoy cooking or is it a chore?
Most of the time I enjoy cooking, especially when I'm entertaining or making a dish for a friend. It brings me such joy. But there are times when it feels like chore, like the end of the day and the kids are tired and the last thing I want to do is cook a meal.

9. Be honest, what one thing would (the majority of) your blog readers be shocked to find out about you?
When a TV show, Reality Show, movie or book moves me, I cry. I get all wrapped up in it.

10. If you were given your own national holiday, what would you require people to eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner on the Day of You? Would there be a parade? Greeting Cards?
Breakfast - French Toast
Lunch - Chicken Ceaser Wraps
Dinner - Steak and Baked Potato
Dessert(It's not mentioned above, but if it's my National Holiday, then dessert is required) - Tiramisu.
No parade and no greeting cards.

Friday Favorites

We had a fabulous week! So here are my Friday Favorites:



5. Best Friends


We left very early for our trip to Disneyland & California Adventure. Ray & Marissa were kind enough to drive, so we had Mason, Luke, & Braden in the back row. Madison, Taylor & I sat in the middle row. At one point I looked back and saw Luke & Mason holding friends. I just couldn't pass up the chance to get a picture of the best friends holding hands.

4. Seeing Tori Spelling & Dean McDermott on our way into the park.

The second day, we went to California Adventure. It is directly across the entrance from Disneyland. As we were walking in, I thought I recognized someone in front of me. Sure enough, it was Tori Spelling and her husband Dean McDermott. They were taking their children to Disneyland. Shortly after I realized this, I rushed back to tell the rest of the group. I didn't want to ask for a picture with them, only because they were with their kids and having a family day. So I decided to get a picture of them from behind. By the time I snapped the photo, Tori had already made her way thru the entrance.

3. The rides.

I highly recommend Disneyland and California Adventure to anyone, even adults. The lines weren't bad at all and we used Fast Passes a lot and got Stroller Passes for the adult that stayed behind with whoever didn't want to ride or was watching some of the kids. Even Taylor sat on my lap and rode a few rides. We could have spent an entire week at the parks, there is that much to do and see. My favorite ride had to be the Tower of Terror at California Adventure and The Matterhorn at Disneyland.

2. Celebrating Taylor's 1st Birthday

It's hard to believe Taylor is 1 yr old. We woke up that morning and immediately started singing Happy Birthday to Taylor. She loved it and started clapping. Such a happy little girl.

1. Taylor falling asleep on Mason.

The kids were up at 5:30am Tuesday and didn't go to sleep for the night until about 9:30pm. Taylor & Mason did a couple of naps in the stroller, but for the most part, they were too busy taking in the park. As we were walking to our car Tuesday evening, I looked down and saw that Taylor had leaned over and fell asleep on Mason. Mason didn't even mind. He told me "shh, baby sleeping, Mama." We had to get a picture.

Taylor's Candyland 1st Birthday Party

Back in November, I was watching an episode of the Cake Boss on TLC and it centered around them creating a cake for Dylan's Candy Bar. She needed a cake that represented Candyland. They did an amazing job with the cake and I was so inspired. I looked over to Adam and said I think the theme for Taylor's first birthday should be Candyland. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was thinking of the possibilities for her party.

I decided that I wanted to hand make all of the decor for her party. Sure it would be much easier to go buy it, but where is the fun in that? Being creative with my hands is something I love to do, so I was especially eager for the challenge. A child only gets one first birthday and I wanted to make Taylor's very first birthday party a memorable one.

I created a DVD for her first year and played it continually throughout the party. If I can figure out how to post it, I will, but it's a rather long video and a large file.

The Birthday Banner on our new, empty entertainment center.

The Candy Buffet

I took painting classes as a child and it was the first time I lifted a paint brush in 20 years

The table is all set and ready for the party

The Invitation Table. I had each guest at the party guess how many pieces of candy were in each jar. Whoever was closest without going over, took the jar home.

Taylor's Invitation

We also asked each guest to leave Taylor a sweet message on her picture collage.

Picture Collage

Lolly Pop Ball. I stuck Dum-Dum suckers into a styrofoam ball. This was Mason's dream and I had to keep an eye on him the entire time. At one moment I caught him taking the suckers out one by one, licking them and putting it back in. Good thing it was just for decoration.

The drinks.

Taylor's smash cake.

The Birthday Cake.

The front of the goodie bags.

I had to include a toothbrush inside the bags, so that the parents didn't kill me for giving their kids all that candy.

The goodie bags.

Lolly Pop Pathway

Follow the colors

Mason loved the pathway and kept running outside to check it out.

Cheese! One of the few pictures we got of him at the party. He didn't sit still the entire time.

The birthday girl.

Pulling out all of her books. One of her favorite things to do.

Sitting pretty.

Singing Happy Birthday

We let Mason blow out the candle for Taylor.

Eating like a lady.

This is more like it.

Yummy!

Do I have something on my face, Mommy?

I found icing in her armpit.

Sweetness. Amazingly, she didn't get a single bit of cake or icing on her dress. A girl after my heart.

Mommy & Taylor with Nicole and Ruby. Ruby loves babies and had fun following Taylor around the house.

I looked over and some of the kids were sitting on Ray watching Taylor's 1st Year Video.

Too cute.

Playing Candyland

Even Taylor wanted to play, it was her party after all.

Jayme & Madison making their guesses.

Taylor with her "husband" Luke.

Husband & Wife.

Opening presents.

Uncle Ray and the birthday girl.

Aunt Rissa and the birthday girl.

Daddy & his baby girl.

Mommy & Taylor

I love her face in this picture. She smiles with her eyes.

Mommy & Daddy with their Pinkalicious girl.