We are on a ROLL....

Literally! Mac rolled over for the first time Saturday night (1/29/11)!! Morris and I took him to the bedroom floor for tummy time. Taylor was right behind us b/c she wanted to see what tricks he could do. Morris laid him on his tummy and Taylor started talking to him. Mac looked up at her and before we knew it he was on his back! It happened so fast that it caught Taylor off guard and Morris and I totally missed how he did it. We tried to get him to do it again and he just got mad at us. LOL!

Then Sunday night (1/30/11) we took him to his bedroom floor so that maybe we could show MamaZan his new trick. To my surprise Mac performed. He rolled over pretty quickly and easily. Both times he had done it were from left to right, front to back. We then put him back on his tummy and he rolled over almost immediately...but this time was from right to left! YEAH!

I love these little milestones! They are so much fun!

Just 3 days later....

Mac got his second tooth already. The bottom Right tooth has just barely broken through but you can feel it and see it. I have still been unsuccessful at a picture b/c of his great desire to chew on my finger! Not much chewing is going to be happening any more! I used to let him chew on my hands but now those teeth hurt!

I love this little boy!

WE HAVE A TOOTH!!!

I suspected that Mac would have teeth early! Taylor got her first tooth at 4 months 1 week and then her second tooth 2 days later. I figured Mac wouldn't be too far off from that. His first tooth, bottom left, broke through today at 4 months and 4 weeks! I am so excited! Not really sure why it is that exciting but it just is!

Side thought...I am really going to miss his gummy smile!

I tried desperately to get a picture of the tooth but all Mac wanted to do was stick his tongue out and lick my finger! Silly Boy!

4 Month Check Up

Even though Mac is really 4 and half months! Our original appointment was on the Monday that snowed, so they had to reschedule for almost 2 weeks later!

Dr. P said that Mac looked great! He said we could start him on solid foods now if we wanted but I told him I was going to wait. He seemed pretty excited about that. After his thorough inspection, which included picking Mac up, playing superman, etc. he said Mac was right on Track. (that rhymed!) His ears are clear and breathing sounded good. Developmentally Mac is doing good as well. He still hasn't rolled over but Dr. P said that was normal for boys.

Here are his Stats:
Weight: 16# 5oz (75%)
Height: 26.5 inches (90%)
Head: 17.5 inches (90%)

Needless to say, He is a big boy! I could just eat him up!

Despite the Busy Life....

I am still managing to check things off my LIST!!

First and a personal most important....on 12/3/2010 I officially provided 3 months of breast milk to Mac (#7). With a combination of nursing and pumping he has had exclusively breast milk. I have decided to try to continue to provide for him for as long as I can. I have about 2 or 3 weeks worth in the freezer as well as I am still producing enough every day for him and sometimes extra. We will see how long I can go.

On 11/29/10 My baby girl turned 3! I can't believe she is already 3 or that I am the Mother to a 3 year old, but none the less I am a very proud Mother to a very special 3 year old girl! You can read all about her birthday day and her party (#40)!

Taylor has had her big Girl bed for several months now and I have been on a search to find the perfect bedding that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg. 2 weeks ago my mom emailed me a picture of the most adorable bedding but it was expensive and discontinued. I was a little bummed until my mom told me that a friend of hers was selling it b/c they were redoing her daughters room! I am all about that! So mom was able to get the comforter, 2 pillow shams, bed skirt, and 2 decorative pillows for $30!!! The set is in great condition and looks awesome in her room (#45)! Don't you think?





#72 was something special just for me. I love to get my hair colored and most of you know I change the color all the time. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving I was able to get in with Shawna at Salon M Squared! She trimmed and layered my mane...which it desperately needed and then she colored it! I love the new color! How does red look on me?

Before Straight:

 Before Curly:

 After Curly:

 After Straight: 

The last couple of months have been good Willow House and Stella & Dot sales months. That brings me to #89. As of 12/13/10 I have sold 4488.30 in Stella & Dot. If you have not checked out S&D yet, visit my Boutique! I have also had a total of 5 trunk shows (#30)...some in homes and some just catalog shows.

#38 was to buy a digital food scale. Since I have decided to do more cooking I needed wanted a digital kitchen scale. It is great for measuring out meat, veggies, fruit for smoothies, etc.

The Tuesday before new years (12/28) Lauren came over to my Moms house to take some pictures of the kids and to take a family picture (#75)! She did such a great job!

3 years & 3 Month Pictures

Here are Taylor's 3 year pictures, Mac's 3 month pictures (even though he was 3mo 3wk) and 2 family pictures. I am really pleased with how these turned out! Taylor was hoot through out the entire shoot. She was putting on a show for Mrs. Lauren!

These were taken on 12/28/2010. We got them a few weeks later in the mail! I hope you enjoy them!

Tasty Chicken Dinner under 550 calories!

Morris and I have been monitoring the foods we are eating...specifically calories.

Last night I cooked chicken, veggies and a salad for only 541 calories and it was very tasty, filling and healthy!

Here goes...

Items you will need:

2 8oz chicken breasts

baby spinach

Green Giant Steamers

Peanuts-dry roasted with sea salt

Craisins

Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing (a personal favorite!)

and Paula's House seasoning

First turn the oven on 350 and place a pan on the stove with a small amount of extra virgin olive oil on med-high heat. While that is heating prep your chicken. Remove as much fat as possible and cut out any areas that look less than desirable. Be sure to only use one hand to touch the chicken and leave the other to work the knife.

With your knife/clean hand sprinkle approximately 1 teaspoon on each side of each chicken. Using your Chicken/dirty hand rub the seasoning on, coating good. (don't wash your hands yet...but also don't touch anything)

Your pan should be hot now. Using your dirty hand place the chicken in the pan. You want to hear a strong sizzle. Now wash your hands.

When the chicken begins to look white around the edges check to see if you have a nice golden brown sear, if so, flip. Leave on the stove until both sides are golden brown (see pic). This should take about 3 minutes on each side. (if you use a fork to flip you will need to use one to check, one to flip and one to check again. The chicken is still raw on the inside)

Now that you have pan seared the chicken you are going to place in your 350 oven for about 15 minutes.
  

After seven minutes of being in the over start your steamers veggies in the microwave for 8 minutes.

At this point in time I checked my meat temp to see how we were doing. Using my trusty Taylor meat thermometer I pierced the thickest portion of the largest breast, it was only 119 degrees. It needs more time as I suspected. (now you much clean your thermometer so that you can use it at the end)

When the steamers finish, you need to allow one minute in the microwave to finish cooking. While you are doing this you can prep your plates with a baby spinach salad, peanuts and craisins. Since it has now been 15 minutes since you put your meat in the oven you will need to check the temp again. My temp was 169...Good to Go! (For chicken you want an internal temp of 165 to 175)

I chose to slice my chicken long ways and serve next to the salad in case Morris wanted to eat it as a chicken salad. Doesn't it look perfect on the inside...nice and white!

I plated the veggies...dividing the package between the 2 plates then served!

We used exactly 10 peanuts and about that amount of craisins..maybe a few more :). Dress the salad using 1 to 2 tablespoons of Brianna's Poppy seed dressing. (the calorie count allows for 2)
 

Then enjoy without the guilt!