As a Mom I....will never agian Pee alone!

I am linking up with Samantha and her Co-Host Melissa to bring you a new weekly blog called As a Mom I....

As moms, a lot of us are introduced to new, awesome (and sometimes, not so awesome) experiences.

We experience mishap and wonder and embarrassing mommy moments. 

Us moms and dads? We've got some mad skills too. Talent, if you will.

Hence the NEW weekly link-up. Time to brag, ladies and gents!

So As a mom I have learned that I will never in my life get to go to the bathroom alone! Whether it is to pee, to shower, or just to wash my hands the second I step in the bathroom I have at least one if not two or three people in there with me. FOR REAL!!!

Just this past week I went in the bathroom and shut the door. Two seconds later the door busts open and in comes little man bringing me a truck to play with. Following right on his heels is Levi (the chocolate lab) and coming to see what the noise was (from the slamming door) is my BF right behind them. 

Really you guys can I pee in peace?? NOPE not as a mom!

Mouthwatering Monday: Beef & Vegetable Stew

I know I know it's Tuesday...but hey a day late is better than not at all right? Between work, my little man, a 12 week old puppy, and my boyfriend my evenings are a little hectic.

Want to hear some good news?? The boyfriend got a new job so now instead of working two jobs ad NEVER being home with us he is working 1 and will be home with us every afternoon!! Exciting right?? Well at least for a little while :) Just Kidding Honey I love you!

Actually this week has been filled with good news from every where I turn...Some I can't share yet and some does not need to be shares, but the Lord has really been good to my family and friends AS USUAL!

Anyway you came here to talk about food, so lets get to it....

If you aren't yet aware me and my family absolutely despise left overs!! My boyfriend wont eat them AT ALL and I will only take them in my lunch if it was something just too good to throw out...SOOOO here is my fix to that left over Pot Roast (be sure to check out the recipe on the blog!!) you made the night before :)

Beef & Vegetable Stew

Ingredients

left over pot roast :)
1 bag of frozen vegetables
1 small box of beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes
Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

Shred the pot roast (or if yours is anything like mine it will juts fall to pieces :))  and put in a large pot with the beef broth. Bring to a boil. Add the frozen vegetables and tomatoes and cover. Let simmer on medium heat about 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.  Add salt & Pepper if desired.

And Voila...that's it!! My family LOVED it and I hope yours does too!

I have since gotten a new phone (iPhone 5 review on the blog in the very near future people) and the pictures are all gone :( But I will update the post next time I make it...More than likely that will be this week! I am telling you it is than good! And throw in some corn bread..you just can't beat it!!

That is all for now.. Catch ya later :)

Co-Host Give Away! Check this out!!

So I am teaming up with Samantha from Hooah and Hiccups to giveaway a free Keurig/Verismo or the cash!! Be sure to enter I mean who doesn't need some extra cash??

Here is Samantha's deal...

I absolutely love celebrating birthdays; I love getting all dolled up and celebrating the day loved ones, family, and friends made their way into the world. 

Well ladies, at the end of the week, yours truly will be 26! I know what you're thinking,   I'm one year closer to 30. But to me, it's only going up hill from here! I've been so blessed and these past few years have truly reminded me of that. 

So to celebrate my birthday, I've teamed up with 28 other amazing girls to bring you one of my favorite things.

If there's one thing I CAN'T live without, it's my Keurig. Ask my husband, if I don't have my coffee in the morning, it's not pretty. So now one of YOU will be winning one! 

I haven't tried the new Starbucks Verismo but if you would like to choose that instead, your wish is my command.

Not only can you drink coffee with these babies, but you can drink tea, hot chocolate, etc. So even if you're not a coffee junkie, there's something for everyone!

Still not interested? How about winning the CASH instead? Excited now?!

Just enter the rafflecopter below and cross your fingers! Contest will remain open until Friday, February 1st at 12:00 a.m. EST and the winner will be announced once all entries are verified. 

Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

H54F: Friday my Faithful Friend

Okay so this was totally supposed to post on Friday...My scheduled release did not work (obviously right)...well here it is anyway!!

Friday again! Linking up with From My Grey Desk Blog to recap the week in a couple of pictures!

 

1. My baby will be here in less than 6 million heartbeats. (As of Wednesday)

2. I have had 2 of the 4 showers planned for baby and she already has more than enough to last her until she is 6 months old! I love my family and friends! You guys are so good to me and my babies :)

3. This seems to be my favorite breakfast menu selection...yea I know weird combination for 7 AM but hey I am pregnant I can have a couple weird cravings every now and then!

 

 4. I love this little man and this crazy face he makes when he thinks he is fixing to get in trouble! I cannot help but smile looking at him. (I also love that this pic looks like its from the 70's)

5. Little Man now has a big boy bed!! And he loves it. Now if we could just get him to sleep all night in it!!

That's all for this week! How was your week?

Attention all Mom bloggers: Motherly Advice needed!

I NEED HELP! My due date is getting VERY close and I am getting SUPER nervous!

If you have read (or even looked at) my blog you will notice that I have a 1 1/2 year old little boy that is the light of my life. Although he is my son I did not give birth to him.

My little man @ 6 weeks old

Enter mommy's cause for concern...

 I can handle all the normal mommy duties from dirty diapers, to spit-ups, and sleepless nights. That is not what has me worried.....I am worried about all the fun stuff!

My sleeping Beauty @ 31 weeks

1. How in the heck am I supposed to deal with LABOR?? 
2. What do I take to the Hospital?? 
3. What do I need to expect when I get there?? 
4. How do I make sure my baby is only Breastfed and that she will even want to?? 
5. How will I know if it is really a contraction??
6. Who do I need to make sure is there when I am in labor??

Any advice would be helpful!

Signed,

Nervous mommy!

And the excitement builds....

So as of this week I am 34 weeks pregnant. That leaves 6 weeks (or less) until our beautiful baby girl makes her grand entrance into this world! We are all so excited and this momma is starting to feel the gitters!

My mom on the other hand has been all about baby! She bought us the AMAZING crib set we picked out as a surprise for her baby shower! And today had me order some CUUUTTEEE accessories for baby Em.

 

Here is the crib bedding for her room! I absolutely love it! I cannot wait to get the crib setup and the bedding on it...in fact I am doing this tonight!!

 

Then there is this ADORABLE hat she ordered from Etsy. It is seriously going to make the cutest Easter newborn pictures ever!! and just in case you might want to order one for someone you know here is the link to the store :)

 

Last but not least are these GORGEOUS white booties! I am so excited to let her wear these to Church and maybe even just to the grocery store. Ia m seriously a little obsessed with the cuteness! These booties can be found here :)

So I guess even though momma and daddy (like he would ever admit it!) are getting a little nervous the grandparents excitement continues to build! 

I have to say as much as I love my little man...shopping for a little girl is so much more fun!!!

Mouthwatering Mondays: Mexican Casserole

It's Monday once again and although I have been super busy preparing for baby and having two wonderful baby showers (pics to come soon) it is now time to get back to reality.  

As you can tell by most of recipe posts, my family really enjoys Mexican and Italian dishes. Here is one that has been a lifesaver when I need something quick and easy! 

 

Mexican Casserole

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs. hamburger
1 c. mushroom soup
1 c. cream of chicken soup
1 c. milk
1 sm. can green chilies (jalapenos) OPTIONAL
1 can enchilada sauce (hot)
1 pkg. (medium) taco flavored Doritos

Brown meat and drain. Mix in all the above. Crumble chips and put in bottom of pan. Pour the above over and top with grated cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

Be sure and let me know what you think if you try this out!! 

Lots of Love,

Christin

 

Mouthwatering Mondays: Chicken Casserole

Here we go again with another segment of Mouthwatering Mondays! This weeks quick and easy recipe is brought to you courtesy of my grandmothers recipe :)

Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

1lb Chicken Breasts

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of celery soup

1 pkg  cornbread stuffing

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil chicken until tender enough to shred (about 30 minutes). Shred the chicken and place in the bottom of a casserole dish. Stir 2 cans of soup in a pot over medium heat until creamy. Pour soup mixture over chicken. Add stuffing mix to the top of the casserole and bake for approximately 30 minutes.

I made this last night for my boys and they both LOVED IT!!! Hope you all have a great week and be sure to let me know what you think if you try this recipe :)

FRIDAY! The best day of the week :)

It is once again Friday (thank Goodness!!) and I am super excited about this weekend and the coming weeks! I have 3 baby showers lined up and I cannot wait....Emory is spoiled already!!

Here are some highlights from my week....


Levi is a handful! But we love him anyway..



This little ham can make mommy smile no matter what is going on. Who needs clothes? All he needs is his hat and his jeep!



Thanks to my wonderful mother I now am the proud owner of a set of Paula Deen pots y'all!



Baby bump at 32 weeks! She is definitely growing!



My baby's nursery is coming together!! Obviously this is no her nursery, but this is what it will look like (or something close)

Here is to a long and fun filled weekend!

32 Weeks:The countdown begins!

Emory Elizabeth <3

How far along? 32 weeks

Total weight gain: Are you ready for this.....23 pounds (That is 8 pounds in two weeks!!)

Maternity clothes?I am down now to 1 pair of normal pants that still fit...even with my Bella bands! SO yes Maternity bottoms are a new item in my closet...and leggings LOTS of leggings

Stretch marks? Nope not yet, THANK GOODNESS! Palmer's Cocoa Butter is applied 3 times a day lol



My little Sleepy baby!

Sleep: is a treasure these days...Tossing and Turning has become the new norm.

Best moment this week: Nothing too exciting..Emory has decided that her favorite spot is under my right rib cage so watching my stomach roll and twist is very entertaining..

Miss anything? Still just Being able to put on my shoes without gasping for air!

 

Food cravings: Chocolate (very weird since it has made me sick up until now.) and cooked carrots

Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of this crazy dog!! I bathe him daily..

Gender: Still a sweet little girl!

 

Labor signs: Not yet...back pain is about it. 

Eyes Wide Open

 

Symptoms: back Pain and swollen legs/ankles

Belly button in or out? It is safe to say I am now an outey :/

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy..

Looking forward to: my baby showers coming up over the next several weeks!!!



Grumpy baby...Has daddy's frown!



Mouthwatering Monday (On Wednesday): Pot Roast

Okay so I am a little behind! Ever since Christmas at least one person in my house has been sick!! I was in the ER on Christmas morning..baby bot was sick all through New Years..BF was sick in between that time and then again this weekend!! FINALLY everyone is healthy (for a day or two at least) and I can get back to the normal routine :)

So I woke up a few minutes early this morning and decided that I would throw something in the crock pot for dinner tonight. Here is what I did:

Beef Round Roast
1 onion
Salt & Pepper

Long Horn Steak Seasoning

Garlic Powder
Water


Carrots
Potatoes

I rubbed the roast down with all the seasonings and placed in the crock pot. Then I chopped up the onion into petals and placed in the crock pot as well. I added water just enough to cover the roast and turned the crock pot on low.

When I get home from work this afternoon I will add the carrots and potatoes to the crock pot and let them cook for another 2-3 hours. And that's it!

I have done this several times in the past and it is always amazing, but I will be sure to let you know how this one turns out :)

Thanks to my amazing mom who bought me a new set of Paul Deen pots and pans y'all..I can now cook until my heart is content!! Check out Instagram to see !

Heavy Hearted..

As I start this new year and look forward to all the exciting things in store for me and my growing family I cannot help but feel saddened by the people that are no longer here to enjoy it with me.

7 years ago I lost the most important role model in my life. My sweet grandmother was strong for soo long in her battle with cancer, but even the strong cannot outlive such a violent condition. She was my rock, my inspiration, and the one true person I knew I could go to with anything. I was just going into my senior year of High School when this tragedy struck. I was a 16 year old girl lost without direction or hope.

Now as a 23 year old mother to be I often wonder what she would think of me. How would she feel about the decisions I have made and would she be proud of the person I have become? To see her beaming face the day they called my name as Valedictorian of my senior class. To watch her pride as I walked across the stage in that stadium full of people the day I graduated college. To hear her tell me how proud of me she was when I got the keys to our new home. I would give anything to see her hold my babies and tell me how beautiful they are. Just to spend one day or even an hour to get her opinion of my life.

As I get ready to bring another life into this world I cannot help but wish she was here to hold her great-granddaughter and see her radiating with joy at the newborns face. My heart breaks in longing, but I know she is in a better place away from all of her pain and suffering. I know she is looking down on us always and smiling at all the accomplishments in our lives. I know she would be proud.

Shortly after loosing my grandmother in 2006 I lost my aunt as well. And not longer after my aunt passed my cousin was involved in a horrible car wreck that took his life. Loosing so many close family members in such a short period took a toll on my family. I wonder how things would be different if they were all here today? Would mine and my cousins kids grow up together and spend every weekend at mamaws like we used to? Would every holiday be a week long trip to mamaws so we could spend extra time with family? I know God has a plan for each of our lives and I will let him lead the way. I am trying to keep my head up and remember all the good memories to share with my children when they are older.

Let's embrace the New Year and all the new things coming our way and remember the good times with those who are no longer here.