Sweet Potato Cauliflower Mash

Sweet Potato Cauliflower Mash

Sweet potatoes were one of the very first foods I introduced to Jax. He was a BIG fan...since he loves them so much I usually try to incorporate ( AKA SNEAK) other veggies in with them so that he will just gobble them right up! A lot of times when I do a combo meal I will add some protein like chicken or turkey to a veggie to disguise it and it seems to work really well:) 

I love that you can make cauliflower the consistency of potato so these two really mix well together!!!

Shopping List:

1 head of cauliflower cut into florets

2 sweet potatoes peeled and chunked

Procedure:

Steam ( or BOIL) both sets of veggies until soft and tender

add about 2 tablespoons of butter, a little S&P and blend in the baby bullet 

If you baby likes cheese or you have introduced dairy go ahead and add some organic skim mozzarella cheese

ENJOY! :)

Jax’s Favorite Applesauce

Every Baby loves applesauce..and whether it is store bought or made from scratch it will for sure make your little baby smile! I also love to freeze my applesauce in ice cube trays to make for a fun teething snack! 

Here is our recipe 

Jax’s Applesauce

2 Gala Apples ** Yellow bakes well too if you want to try another kind**

1 freshly squeezed lemon

a pinch of lemon zest

1/4 cup water

cinnamon

Procedure

Peel your apples and chunk them into small chunks

place them in a baking safe dish 

pour the water and lemon juice over the apples 

toss with cinnamon and the lemon zest

coat well

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes

let them cool for 15 minutes or until cool enough to handle and blend them in either a food processor or baby bullet.

freeze them for fun applesauce bites or save and serve cold!!!

ENJOY!

Springtime/Summer Fun ideas for Babies!!

Today is a typical Friday at our house..we have already done our early morning workout with Fit4mom ..gone to the grocery store, ate lunch, and now Jax is down for his nap. Here in Texas is has already reached a whopping 85 and 90 degrees during the days.. it is HOT and its only March. That is scary! I have been deciding how we are going to beat the heat this summer.. and with a baby in tow it can prove to be challenging. Today after Jax wakes up from his nap I have a fun little water play activity that he HOPEFULLY will like.. 

Below I have listed a few fun activities to do during the warmer months with your baby!!!

1. FROZEN APPLESAUCE BITES

These are not only a fun little snack for a hot day but GREAT for teething babes too! Simply make your applesauce ( my exact recipe ) and you can either freeze them in ice cube trays or find a fun little pop out cut out to make fun shapes with! 

2. TURTLE SANDBOX

Now my baby is to little for a sandbox ( I am not a fan of sand anyways) but I bought this at Wal-mart the other day and plan to use it for water play! I like that it has a cover ( so pollen and dirt can’t find its way inside and make it dusty) I filled it with a little bit of water and threw some bath toys in there. I blew bubbles and it was a MAJOR hit! I also like that I can put it where I want to ( like my shady porch) This can also be filled with a sensory object to mix it up a bit.

3. FUBBLES

My baby LOVES bubbles.. this is a NO SPILL can of bubbles. They come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, colors, some are battery operated and some you can blow yourself. This is just a simple activity that will entertain Jax. 

4. THIS sunblock is great. 

There are no tears involved while slathering it on, it is gentle on baby skin, and it rubs in really well. I have found that my child has VERY sensitive skin so I am careful what I try on him.. this stuff is great for outdoor play.

5. Home made Popsicles

Hot outside AND a teething baby.. this would be great. Sort of like the Applesauce bites except these come in neat little trays and you can  use a ton of different fruit combos. These would be fun! I ordered mine off Amazon HERE

Thats all.. just a few ideas.. there are tons out there but these are what I have tried thus far!!!

Life Lately!

Just a little bit of life lately over here.. we have had non stop bathroom renovations going which is a pain in the A&%!!!!! However it is completely necessary in order to sell our house so I am sucking it up ( along with all of the dust ) and dealing with it for another couple of days. We have been spending A TON of time out at the property .. it is so peaceful out there and most days Jax and I will find ourselves getting an extra workout in by running up and down the hills and enjoying the pretty scenery. 

Lots of Stroller Strides, outdoor play, long walks, snuggles, annoying bathroom renos, potting some plants for spring, and spending time with my family. Sounds pretty simple but as of 8 months ago I have found that sometimes the most simplistic of days are the most beautiful:)

Here is some of our life lately!

Sweet baby boy all clean in his NEW PJs from @Cecil&Lou Ya’ll..this website has THE cutest stuff!!! I am not so much into the seersucker monogram stuff for the boys ..but I have found some super cute swimsuits, Pajamas, and a few little rompers that Jax will be wearing this summer! Holy cuteness.. and if you have a girl :)! WHOO! ( don’t tell your husbands :))

UGH SO CUTE!

I am super into Gap’s new spring line right now.. lots of comfy distressed capris, cute layering T-shirts.. stuff that you can get down on the floor with your kids but also look cute and put together if you have to run somewhere. I live for Gap! 

Me before a Birthday Party!! We went to celebrate one of my sweet friend’s beautiful daughter’s fourth birthday and it was so much fun!

This was Sunday before Church in the cute Janie and Jack romper my mom got him. 

Truth: This was a Sunday that I was NOT feeling church.. I was tired and grumpy from Brandon being out of town all wknd at a tournament, I felt sleep deprived, frustrated, my house was a HUGE mess ( which I hate) and I overall just didn’t want to go. But I did...and I am SO glad I did because the message was exactly what I needed to hear and it refreshed my ENTIRE week and mindset. God knows exactly what you need to hear and when you need to hear it. I also felt pretty proud of myself that I solo mommed it to church with my little baby boy. 

This is a view from our gorgeous property where our new house will be! I decided that I wanted to run ALLLL the way down the hill ( it doesn’t look that bad but you can’t really see how far down it goes in the picture) and then all the way back up as part of my exercise. I am trying to get my body and mind ready for baby number two in the near future and the extra exercise is helping me get my body ready ( I want to shed the last bit of baby weight!) 

While I was running ..well walking and running and huffing and puffing.. I just realized how much this mirrored my life ( well all of our lives) and it gave me such motivation to make it to the top! In our lives we often have to walk through the valley..we have to climb up hills and go through things we don’t want to! Everybody’s circumstances are different but EVERYONE at some point will drag their feet through a dark time...and when you do keep going..keep trusting..and keep praying. You WILL make it to the top!

Our future back porch...and view :) Breathtaking

Trip to Local Coffee with my Main man

My Fit4Mom Group that I love!

I found this at walmart the other day! I had this same turtle sand box as a kid and LOVED IT. Jax is to  little for sand so I plan on putting water in it with some toys for water play. Um can we say glass of wine on the porch while playing in this fun little contraption. YES!

Gymboree with Mommy!!!!!

Always my shadow :)

A friend of mine shared this on Facebook and I love it. It is so true for my life at the moment.. I don’t look at my life and think “ Damn! I am one lucky girl!” I think wow.. I prayed for two years for a baby and God has blessed me, I prayed for my husband to have a wonderful career so that I can stay home with my son and God blessed me, We prayed for a direction in where to move next and god has blessed us with an immense amount of land to build our dream home on...God blessed me. I would not have anything that I have today without God and his goodness. I remember praying and praying and praying all my life for these things and HOPING God would  answer me. He has and still will... I just love this because its so true.

That is our life lately!!!

One Pot Broccoli Chicken & Cheese Rice

Happy Sunday!!!!

This weekend has been so much fun..we went to a big fun birthday party, spent time with my parents, went to church, and I got a whole lot of exercise in.. but real life I am EXHAUSTED! Brandon has been gone all weekend to his annual Green Beer Open golf tournament and I opted to stay behind mostly because I didn’t feel like hauling my daycare down to Conroe :) I know you moms feel me on that. Sometimes when Brandon is away on a work trip or a golf/hunting trip I secretly enjoy just the special Mommy/Jaxie memories. I did a few things this weekend that were special and I really enjoyed the simplicity of the weekend. 

 I knew that after today, which was quite eventful I might add, I would need something easy to stick in the oven and just eat.. something that could be made into leftovers and possibly a lunch and dinner for the baby. Did I mention my dog ate an entire batch of chocolate chip cookies?? Yes friends, I spent my sunday evening inducing my dog to vomit the chocolate chip cookies that he inhaled while I took one second to pee. *sigh*

So now the dog is in his kennel, the baby is fast asleep, and I am showered ( FINALLY!) and in my PJs. I am too tired to even have a glass of wine.. yeah I’m THAT tired! 

Here is my fabulous dinner that I know some of you tired mamas need on your menu this week!

Shopping List:

4 bone in chicken thighs -skin on

one small onion - chopped and set aside

one head of broccoli chopped into florets

1 1/2 cup of rice ( I used organic brown rice)

Freshly grated yellow cheddar cheese ( or buy the bagged cheddar if you like)

3 1/2 cups chicken broth 

salt and pepper

olive oil

Procedure: Preheat Oven 375

Start by throwing your broccoli in a deep skillet ( preferably with a lid)  with about 1/2 cup of water. Turn to medium high heat and place a lid on top. Cook for five minutes until tender. 

Drain and set aside. 

Next salt and pepper your chicken to taste, then add some oil in the pan and sear the chicken on both sides until browned - about 6-7 minutes on each side. 

Remove the chicken and add your onions. Cook until translucent and then add your rice. Cook your rice with the onions for about one minute then add the chicken back in the pot and pour in the chicken stock. 

Place the lid on top and pop it in the oven and cook for 35 minutes. 

Remove the chicken once again and add the broccoli in with the rice along with the shredded cheddar. Place back in the oven for five minutes until the cheese is good and melted. 

Serve along side the chicken! SO SIMPLE!

Here is a picture of my sweet pea because he looks beyond cute in his new jammies:) 

Mom Thoughts

I told myself once I had Jax I wouldn’t make this a “ Mom Blog” meaning I wouldn’t JUST post about Jax and his milestones.. however most of my posts are of my child :) And you know what I am not sorry one bit. I still go back to my July 2016 post and stare at his newborn pictures.. I wrote down what he was doing and how I felt.. pretty  much nothing but exhaustion..but I HAVE those memories jotted down on a little webpage and I love it:) When I started this blog in 2013 I literally had NO IDEA what to do with it.. I just wanted an outlet. This blog has been just THAT :) I have wrote about fashion, cooking, struggles, faith, nail polish, pregnancy, birth, babies, wine... pretty much everything and I LOVE that it is my own personal little scrapbook for me to look back on over the years. Tonight as I was rocking my baby to sleep I was thinking about all of the things I don’t want to forget to do with my children.. some of those things are these...

1. SMELL THAT HEAD MAMA!!! Whether your baby is freshly bathed with lavender scented lotion or messy and spitty from a day of fun.. smell his sweet little soft spot. Breathe that hair in and don’t forget what it smells like. That smell is yours :) Yours forever and it is absolutely breathtaking.

2. Take pictures of your baby’s feet.. I have like234342340982374 pictures of Jax’s feet... I just LOVE how they grow from wrinkly tiny newborn feet ( that were kicking you all of those months!) to chunky spunky baby toes that are wriggling with excitement!!! Photograph them and keep them ... kiss them too :)

3. Put your phone away when you are rocking the baby to sleep. I have a rule in my house.. during our bedtime routine ( story..night night nurse and bottle..rock to sleep) I leave my phone downstairs with my husband. There are only so many years that you will get to rock your little one to sleep.. and it is SO easy to just scroll through Facebook or instagram or Nordstrom online lol while your baby nods off. But mama, stare at his face while he sleeps.. look at those perfect little rolls that you and your husband made. Hold his dimpled hand and smell his sweet little lotion..kiss his fat cheeks and tell him you love him a million times in his ear. Nothing is as important as that sweet time with your baby.

4.  Play on the floor with baby.. most nights I pour  myself a glass of wine and get on the floor with Jax ( in the morning its coffee :)) but I get down and in the mix with his toys and watch him giggle.. I know there is laundry to be done and dishes to be put away but if your husband is home ASK HIM TO HELP! Face to face playtime is important.. allowing your baby to see that mommy interacts and wants to play is priceless. There is nothing more genuine than my son’s giggles over me shaking his favorite toy in the air like lunatic. He thinks I am the most amazing person on this planet and I praise God for that. I am for sure NOT the most amazing-have it all together - perfect mom, but to him I am. The fact that he lights UP like a little candle when I play with him makes me realize how important it is. DO it! 

5. LOVE YOUR HUSBAND This may sound silly like “ Who doesn’t love their husband?” But when I say love your husband I say LOVE HIM in front of your baby.. your baby doesn’t know much about communication quite yet but I guarantee your baby knows love. You LOVE your baby and snuggle them and kiss them and speak kind words to your baby.. so love your husband- the daddy to your baby. Most of you probably do, but I know that times can be difficult ( exhaustion, baby up all night, husband working late, feeling like you do it all yourself, husband traveling ECT) whatever the case may be.. but choose to love one another and show that love to your chid. 

Also moms.. 

DRINK WINE AND WORKOUT :) You will feel great I promise!!!!!

Just a few random pictures because I love my family 

8 Months Old!!! & A few Favorite Products!!

8 MONTHS!!!!!

The thief of time has come and stolen my sweet little newborn and replaced him with this spunky, giggly, curious 8 month old!!!! A few things about Jax this month is that he can; clap his hands!!!! he won’t do it on command quite yet so I am unsure if he knows the meaning behind the action, however when he gets really excited he gets into a clapping fit and it is pretty much the cutest ever!!!! Jax can “ Give Kiss” He will lean in for an open mouthed smooch and melts my heart. Sleep is great, officially crawling, LOVES food!!! His favorite foods this month are: Guava Banana, Cinnamon Applesauce, Turkey/Broccoli/Butt.sq combo, any sort of meat combo I make..and his newest favorite is yogurt. I am still making all of his food and I really enjoy making the different combinations to see what he will like :) I am about to start baby sign language with him ( per my moms request) I will see if I can remember haha!!! Jax still absolutely LIGHTS UP like a birthday candle anytime we go to our Gymboree classes- he absolutely LOVES the music and baby activities they offer. Stroller strides is another favorite ( not only for Jax but for mommy) it has been a great outlet and he enjoys his stroller. he wears 9 month clothing but still fits into some 6 month stuff. He is as cuddly as ever and always wants mama. I can’t imagine my life without him.. I know I say this constantly but he truly brought a part of me to life that I didn’t even know was dead. I am so grateful God answered our prayers on that halloween of 2015 when we got pregnant with him and then again on July 13 when I met him face to face...not a day goes by that I don’t get sentimental thinning about how lucky I have been to have this baby. Thank you God for my JOY in JAX!

We are continuing our #PROJECTHANDPRINT and this is our second canvas. I am absolutely LOVING doing this with Jax. In our new house we are going to have a big playroom for the kids and I envision all of his little artwork on the wall ..and once brother or sister comes, their artwork too :)

I think he looks like me here. :) 

On our way to breakfast on saturday morning

at breakfast on Saturday ...daddy is so silly

at our favorite...GYMBOREE!!!!

Working on some gross motor stuff

Daddy comes on Saturdays and its cute to see him do the baby workouts :)

another favorite this month is BUBBLES

Randomness thrown in here: my FAVORITE polish for spring has and always will be OPI mod about you! It looks so clean on your nails right?!

Saturday evening we sat on the porch and drank wine while playing with this little cutie

looking dapper as ever for church on Sunday

:)

The answer to our prayers

now for some favorite 8 month products!!!

1. Can I just say I am obsessed with everything GAP right now!!!

How cute is this stuff???? 

Follow the link to buy HERE

2.  Pottery Barn has the CUTEST Easter baskets right now.. I got Jax  this one but you can view all of the cute Easter stuff HERE

3.  WE LOOOVVEEE Oilogics bath and sleep time oils!!! I rub a little on his feet before he goes to sleep and then with his bath I pour a little bit of the sleep oil and let him play. it smells delicious!!! **Sidenote I don’t know if it ACTUALLY makes him SLEEP but I do know that it makes him calm and as part of his routine he knows its bedtime.  You can find this at Target or Amazon

Those are our favorites for month 8!!!!! I am going to add a link in my portfolio tab to add some of Jax’s favorite baby recipes!!!!

Happy Wednesday!