Lunch Rut

Happy Monday Friends!!!!

Today’s post is mostly centering around our ( or at least mine)  LEAST thought out meal of the day. Many times Lunch is just ...inconvenient?? For me anyways lunchtime falls around the baby’s nap time so as I am finishing feeding him, changing his diaper, fixing a bottle, and getting ready for our nap time routine MY LUNCH is literally the last thing on my mind. Most days I will shovel something in my mouth just so I can spend more of the time doing something productive ( like write on this blog :)) rather then fix myself something nutritious. For many of you moms I am sure a NAP or cleaning the house is more on the priority list rather than making a mess in the kitchen...am I right?? I spent this weekend meal prepping a few meals so that even on the busiest of days when I am strapped for time.. I can eat something.. fueling. 

Here are some EASY ideas that can be prepped before hand 

 Brandon’s Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

1 rotisserie chicken off the bone and chunked

1 apple, peeled and chunked

2 stalks of celery chopped

3 boiled eggs chopped or sliced

8 oz of dill relish

s&p

Mayo to your liking

Stir and refrigerate!!!

This chicken salad is great on Ezequiel Toast or just plain by itself:)

Tuna Stuffed Avocados

Make exactly like the above chicken salad except substitute the chicken with Tuna. Stuff in an Avocado and you have yourself a protein packed easy lunch

Turkey Roll ups

I buy Boar’s head Turkey and roll it up with light baby swiss cheese.. Sometimes I stuff it in a lettuce wrap and call it a day. EASY!

Pasta Salad 

This takes some prep work..

Usually on a Sunday I will make this but it lasts ALL WEEK!!! It is simple, easy, and delicious..your kids will eat it too :)

1 package of whole wheat bow tie pasta.. cooked and drained

1 bunch of basil, torn into small pieces or chopped fine

shredded mozzarella cheese

2 grilled chicken breasts cut into chunks

1 small bottle of pesto 

1 box of cheery tomatoes sliced

olive oil 

salt and pepper

toss all of the ingredients together and enjoy!!! 

xoxxoo

Turkey/Beef Taco Bowl

Hey Friends!!!!

Happy Thursday or as I like to call it “ Friday Eve”

I wanted to share a recipe with you that was pretty much planned last minute but turned out to be amazing and so SIMPLE!!!!

Simplicity is the key word I’m going for these days when I am grabbing my pots and pans and washing up for dinner. 

You could make this with either lean turkey meat or 90 percent lean ground beef its up to you!!!! 

Here we go!

Shopping List:

1 lb ground lean turkey or beef

1/2 chopped yellow onion

1 can black beans rinsed and drained

one cup of diced tomatoes ( or rotel if you have that on hand)

1 avocado cubed

1 cup shredded yellow cheddar or monterray Jack 

one bunch of cilantro chopped and rinsed

one packet of low sodium taco seasoning

one package of brown rice or quinoa ( cooked)

1 orange or yellow bell pepper chopped, seeded, and rinsed

Procedure:

Start by browning your meat with the yellow onion until nice and crumbly. Add the taco seasoning and cook as the package instructs. Next drain and place back in your pot. Add the black beans, tomatoes, avocado, about 1/2 of the cilantro, and the bell pepper. Stir and cook until the bell pepper is nice and soft and the flavors marry together for a while. 

Once veggies are tender ( about 15 minutes)

add your cheese, cooked rice or quinoa and avocado!!

HOLY YUM!!!

** disclaimer**

I made this for my nine month old however all I did differently was NOT season his. I basically just took a small portion of ground meat, beans, avocado, bell pepper, and cheddar and cooked his in a separate pot. If you are not worried about the sodium ( hence why I opted for low) then it will be great for your kids too!!!!

ENJOY!

Hey Monday!

“ Who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?”- Matthew 6:27 If we do all we can and then entrust the outcome to God, worrying is pointless. 

This verse was on my daily bible app and it just resonated with me today! I am by nature a worrier, like may of us are. There just always seems to be SOMETHING to worry about. I relish in the days when I can control my thoughts and spiritually feel at ease. Those days are few and far between but I am starting to experience more and more of those days while practicing the process of giving all of my thoughts to God. My husband on the other hand NEVER worries.. his trust in God is bigger than the rocky mountains. Seriously. HE NEVER WORRIES. I envy people who never worry...how calm cool and collected they must feel right? 

I have been working on a three week bible study that is strengthening me to NOT worry.. it’s helping so much. The study is Priscilla Shirer’s Armor of God

Ya’ll its awesome. 

Goodbye anxious thoughts, worry, and chaos. 

Hello peace. 

grab it if you think it may help!!!

* Linked above*

So that was just a tidbit into the start of this week..

Monday started off great! I had an amazing workout despite the rain.. Jax is STILL napping :) Going on 2.5 hours. Meals are prepped for the week and we are having dinner tonight with my family at Lupe Tortilla my favorite!!! 

I have a great easy peasy chicken taco recipe that I am going to share with y’all ..

seriously it is so easy you could probably do it in your sleep. If you are watching your carb or gluten content simply replace the corn tortillas with jicama tortillas. 

SHOPPING LIST:

1 package of organic skinless chicken breasts

1 jar of verde salsa

1 package of small corn tortillas ( think street taco size) or jicama tortillas

1/4 chopped yellow onion optional

1 cup shredded monterray jack cheese

1 avocado cubed separated

1 lime juiced

1 small bunch of cilantro chopped 

Procedure:

S & P your chicken 

pour the verde salsa over it and cook on low for 6 hours.

* add in onion if you want 

shred once cooked

add in the monterray jack cheese 

about half of the cubed avocado

sprinkle some cilantro and pour in the lime juice and let simmer for about 15 minutes

assemble tacos :)

SO EASY!

HE IS RISEN!!!

“ For he is not here, HE HAS RISEN!”

This Easter has been so incredibly special to us. THIS year we are blessed with our sweet Jax Holden to join us in all of our joy! 

This morning started out crazy... the baby was up multiple times last night, I lost my shit mind around 4 AM and told my husband to just “ deal with it.” which he sweetly did.. and always does. He walked into the baby’s room and rocked him for about an hour. I didn’t even sleep the entire time he did that either.. I just watched them on the monitor feeling so lucky that I have a husband to help me out. I should have been smart and just fallen asleep but I was just truly grateful. 

 Teething is for real not a joke. Those poor babies and those mean teeth! Haha! Needless to say Brandon and I were exhausted this morning and MISSED our 8 AM alarm. We flew out of -bed home alone style- at 8:30 ( Jax is also still asleep) and immediately started getting ready ( we were supposed to leave by 9:20 ( HA!) Brandon scrambled to grab J , change, feed, and get him ready while I showered..then we switched. I packed the diaper bag, slapped on some makeup while J was at my feet...then we rushed out the door. PHEW. 

in the car by 9:30...only 5 minutes late. Ill take it.

We arrived to Church on time which was a blessing in itself ( moms you hear me!) grabbed some coffee and took our seats.

Church was beautiful today...I flashed back to last year

Easter 2016 

Beautiful and six months pregnant

and remembered how AMAZING our God is. Just the year prior I was crying and whining for God to give me a baby.. for him to hurry it up and answer my prayer. As I look back on that difficult time in  my life I am so encouraged by faith and patience, prayer, and hope. 

Christ died for US.

He died on the cross and washed away our sins. We are made perfect in his image. 

I am so grateful to owe it all to HIM. He is my loving savior and I am so happy to know Christ.. to know that he loved me SO much that he would bless me in his perfect timing. 

He always does friends. Even if you are in the midst of a struggle.. or clawing your way through the valley, his cheek is never turned away from you. Draw near to him and you will find peace and comfort. 

I promise.

Easter 2017 

was just the three of us, a beautiful blessing even though I was sort of put out by my parents deciding to travel last minute on Jaxie’s first Easter ( Bratty I know :)) but it was a BEAUTIFUL day. Today God gifted me the blessing I have been craving.. my family. The three of us make a beautiful family and today I spent it with just them. From Church, to brunch, a family walk, a small fight in the kitchen :), and an easy crock pot supper...oh and a HUGE mid day nap. It was the three of us and it was everything I could have wanted. I feel like today was perfect. My past Easters have been full of heartache.. I had many split easters due to my parents divorce, I lost a baby on Easter, I’m pretty sure I got my period on an Easter when I was trying to have a baby haha..just not the greatest. Today I felt completely fulfilled, joyous, and grateful. 

I owe it all to HIM.

The Frankhouser Family Easter 2017

Jaxie and Daddy!!! After our service at Oak Hills Church ( Clapping his hands for Jesus)

My heart could not be anymore full

At Easter Brunch at River Crossing

Mommy and Jax ( with his mouth full of PUFF!)

I pray he always follows his daddy’s footsteps. My faith would be weak if it wasn’t for my husband ..he strengthens me daily and my rock.

My love bunny 

Jax Holden

May you be richly blessed in Christ’s everlasting love. 

Today was a great day.. not every day is a great day or even a good day but what I do know is that I serve a BIG God and he will hold me in his arms forever.

xoxox

Callie Paige

Nine Months old and Product review!

NINE MONTHS!!

He has been out as long as he was in. * Insert me crying big fat tears here*

Y’all I cannot believe my baby boy is three months away from being ONE! ONE!!!!! ONE!!!!!! 

Lately I have been having MAJOR baby fever.. or I guess * pregnancy fever* if that even exists.. I absolutely cannot wait to be pregnant and I don’t think its too far off in the future for us :):) 

This older baby stage is SO MUCH FUN! I say that about every stage but really and truly when they gather up a little personality and let it shine.. your heart.will.melt.

Month Nine has us:

Clapping our hands. THE sweetest ever.. when Mickey Mouse Clubhouse comes on he will clap his little hands in excitement, when we arrive at circle time for our Gymboree weekly playdaytes.. the hands start clapping, when I ask him to clap his hands..he will bashfully do so and it is SO CUTE.

He also has started walking with his push cart UNASSISTED! One day he started pulling up ( I think around month 8) which obviously had us lower his crib immediately. Anyways he has become quite the dare devil and is into anything and everything.. walking along the coffee tables, TV console, push cart, Bath tub edge..you name it he GRABS IT! He is fun.. but soooo quick :)!

Pointing to familiar objects. Each afternoon after his nap, I walk to our hallway mirror and ask him “ Where is the baby?” “ Where is the mommy?” and he will dutifully wave or point to the correct one. Love it!

Eating Table foods. Right as I was kicking off my baby food portion of the blog he started demanding table foods.. Baby Led Weaning is our newest endeavor on the mommy menu and honestly.. its pretty simple. He eats what we eat. With that said, I cook wholesome and MOSTLY healthy meals for Brandon and I. I choose to NOT season Jax’s portions of meats or veggies with a bunch of different seasonings and instead focus on minute amounts of olive oil S&P. I make a variety of things ranging from Turkey Meatloaf, Sweet potato wedges, Fruit salads, Pulled Pork, Chicken/ Avocado/ Strawberry medleys and more.. easy peasy just make sure it is quite small!!!!

Tummy Sleeper. For whatever reason my baby has found his tummy. Like his momma in so many ways ( except looks :)) he sleeps EXACTLY like me. One leg up, arm under face, and on the tummy. It really is amazing to watch how your children take after you in so many different ways. 

Some nine month photos:

Here we are at Target.. sometimes nothing is better than a little Starbucks and a little Target

A fun soccer playdate after our Stroller Strides workout

A playdate with friends!!! I love and cherish this picture! A sweet friend took this and i just adore it.

Jaxie and daddy at his FIRST crawfish boil Notice the fishing shirt :)!!!! 

you can find a TON of cute fishing apparel for babies, toddlers and kids, HERE at the Prodoh website

My beautiful family. I remember last season when we were at the crawfish boil and J was in my belly.. I was SO excited to do all of these amazing things with him. I can honestly say that while each “ Adventure” didn’t go as planned, or as smoothly as I thought, I have never smiled more in my entire life while having this baby boy on my hip for every single event we attend. 

Kids are worth it.

So worth it.

Now for the product review!!!




Einsteins Aquatic Soother

BUY HERE





Honestly I should have purchased this earlier!! I bought one for both my God daughter who is only 2.5 months and my son and BOTH kids use and LOVE them.  The aquarium is comes with a ton of different features, has different sound noises ( much like a sound spa) , and looks like an actual aquarium with the fish moving around and a nice muted light which gives baby something to look at while drifting off to sleep. Jax even whacks the button so he can continue watching it!!!


2. Baby Bum Diaper cream

BUY HERE

I think this would have been great in the earlier months.. I got a little used to just getting my  hands dirty in Boudreauxs Butt Paste. However when I was gifted this by a very special friend I have used it every night and never looked back. Your fingers don’t get gross while putting butt cream on your kid. YES this is one of those silly little ventures that you DONT HAVE TO HAVE... BUTT ( no pun intended :)) if you do decide to buy one.. you will love it :) Your welcome!





3. Baby push toy


Buy HERE



This is what is helping Jax learn to walk!!! He pulls himself up and will take a few steps!!! It also has great and fun learning features for crawling babies to press and play on. These are available in a variety of different push toys but this seems to be the best one on Amazon and Jax loves it!


These are a small few of our favorites!!!

Happy Weekend!

A few photos and a few random others

How true this rings.

I am wishing everyone a very blessed Easter this year! This is our first Easter that we will spend as a family of THREE!!!!  Usually I host Easter every year however this year my parents are out of town so just spending Easter with my two favorite people makes it all the more special.
I remember the days praying for a sweet family of my own and God has immensely blessed me and I am enjoying every single Holiday and special moment with MY very own family. I feel so blessed!!


We have a fun little weekend planned just the three of us - Saturday we have planned to go to Morgans Wonderland with some family friends!!! If you are ever in the San Antonio area I highly recommend this park for kids of all ages and for children with disabilities. It is a wonderful concept, very safe, and family friendly!

This past week has been TOUGH. Jax had his nine month appointment.. stats on that next post, I am thinking we are on the brink of teething hence the clingy behavior, tantrums, chewing on his fist ect. We shall see! #JUSTBREAKTHROUGHTOOTHALREADY!

In other news

We had our first meeting with our builder and I AM SO EXCITED!!!! I cannot wait to document our building process. We finally got our revised plans back from the designer and I am extremely happy with our concept. we opted for an open floor plan with the kitchen being the heart of the home. I have inspiration pictures and design ideas that I will post another day! 

I plan on working out twice a day to lose the last bit of baby weight before baby number two this summer!! AHHH :) That and also bikini season is basically like now...

speaking of bikinis... I have found some CUTE bathing suits that are online right now

Nordstrom has SO many cute options for bathing suits right now.. especially these Jcrew ones. I just actually ordered THIS exact one. Super cute!

These Flip flops would pair SO well with this I think...I ordered the fun purple ones but look at the polka dots on these!! So cute right?!

LOVE!

Summer is right around the corner!!!


Happy Friday Friends!!

Easter Basket Ideas for Baby!!!

IS COMING!!!

Easter is the one holiday that my mom and grandmothers have graciously given me.. apparently I have to wait awhile before I receive the honor of hosting Christmas :) This will be Jax’s very FIRST Easter and I am so excited and grateful for this special and sacred holiday with my baby boy. We are actually going to be keeping it pretty simple this year since my family has an out of town commitment. We plan to have a small breakfast at home while our sweet sugar hunts ( crawls around shaking) his eggs.  Then off to Church and the club for an Easter Brunch. Normally I get WAY excited and prepare everything from scratch, bust out the china and pour the mimosas in crystal but since it is just the three of us we are keeping it low key and simple. Sounds good to me!!!

I have been gathering items for Jax’s easter basket for a few weeks at little here and there places. I have found some great steals at Home Goods, Target, and Walmart! I did get excited and ordered him a PRECIOUS monogrammed Easter basket from Pottery Barn Kids but some of the other stuff I just wanted to be for functional play and things he would enjoy at nine months old. 

You can view a ton of cute Easter baskets HERE

1.  Infantino Sensory Balls 

These are so much fun and easy to hold for little babies. They come in all of these fun colors and are GREAT for sensory development! I found mine at Home Goods but the exact version is linked above!

2. Munchkin Sippy 

My child wants nothing to do with any sort of Sippy cup..this one has a straw so I am thinking it may be something different since he is always trying to take sips from my straws. Also I was reading from some SLP’s that they encourage straw sippy cup use for speech development.

3. The Teething Egg

This is SO cute for Easter for obvious reasons..( hello shaped like an egg!!) and its perfect for a tiny little hand to hold on to and chew. It comes with a clip to clip easily to baby’s shirt, and a variety of fun colors!!

4. Pat the Bunny Book

Does anyone remember this sweet book?? I had it as a child and reading it to Jax still brings back memories. It is so funny what the mind chooses to hold onto. I love seeing his fat chubby fingers touch each picture ( and then chew on it afterwords...board books are the way to go!) 

So thats that! Just a few simple ideas to toss out there.. I can’t wait for our first Easter together!

Grocery * Pantry* Staples for your Baby

Happy Tuesday!!!!

When does everyone do their weekly shopping trips?? I have yet to get a perfect system down- Normally I shop on Satrudays with Brandon
Sometimes on Sundays after Church ( always a bad idea)

and then a lot of times I will shop on a random Tuesday but then find myself going back on a Saturday because we need an extra item or two..

I digress. I ll get it right one day

Anyways I was going through my pantry and found some of the MAIN items that I pretty much buy weekly for baby Jax and decided to share. These are the times that he eats either daily or weekly. Also some fun little tidbits on some homemade fun snacks!!



1. BANANAS - easy to mashup, blend, or cut into chunks. Pairs well with other fruits and is easy to disguise veggies with :) WE LOVE BANANA

2. SWEET POTATO-  Great for mashing, whipping, adding other proteins with.

3. Mini Mangos-  loves this for breakfast, frozen chunks for teething, and for blending with a banana

4. AVOCADO GREAT FOR EVERYTHING!!!

5. HEB BABY APPLEJUICE- I have started giving Jax two five oz diluted bottles of apple juice water to introduce water into his system per Pedi recommendation. I add 1 oz of pure baby organic apple juice and then four oz of water and let him sip on it while we are outside on a run, or playing in the pool, or when he wakes up from his nap and I pair it with some puffs and he will seem to take it. He hates plain water.. so this was about as good as I could get for him.

6. APPLES- for making applesauce and frozen applesauce bites- HIS FAVORITE!

7.  PUFFS- We love the happy baby organic brand and we LOVE ALL OF THE FLAVORS! I love these because they are not only yummy for Jax ( taste like a little soft cheerio) but they are awesome for fine motor skills ( pincer grip) and they entertain him!

8. Organic Rotisserie Chicken- I am all about cooking our own chicken so that I can control the salt content, ingredients and ect. HOWEVER when I am in a pinch and need to make baby food or casserole or whatever that may call for large quantities of chicken I buy the organic rotisserie chicken and it works great! I can shred it easily and pair it with avocado for an easy lunch for J.  I can blend it and add a ton of veggies and serve it for dinner.. the sky is the limit and we love these.

9. Veggies of choice right now- Asparagus, Spinach, Zuchinni, and Butternut Squash. These are all of our favorites right now and ALL OF them cook easily and soft. The spinach I do have to mix in with something sneaky because he won’t tolerate it on its own.

10. Berries- Blueberries, Rasberries, and Strawberries are all fun easy to cut up ( for finger foods) and also make great purees. Alone they are very tart but mixed with a banana they are fantastic!

** EGG MUFFIN RECIPE**
Shopping List:
4 eggs, 2 bananas, and a handful of fresh blackberries ( blueberries or raspberries will work too)
mash everything together and pour in to a greased muffin pan. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.
These make GREAT breakfasts for baby.. soft and easy to chew. They can hold the little muffins in their hands too!