Cook books

Okay lets face it, certain things in this world should be left the hell alone.

Kool aid that come in those bad ass little bottles? Leave that shit alone. Kraft singles are another. I like my crap cheese to taste like wax. If I'm going to eat crap I want it to be real crap!

But more refined things should also be left alone. Cook Books is what I'm getting at, I mean, yeah you can find just about any recipe you could ever want just googling it. But some things there are tried and true methods. I have book shelves full of cookbooks that I thumb through, but some of my favorites are the old ones, the ones my mama used, the ones my grandmama used, but my absolute favorite is one my Great Granny had. I'm not totally sure of the story, but she gave it to me for my wedding. I love it.

Chris and I were recently on the coast at this awesome used book store and I was thumbing through some of these really old (read: expensive) cook books and I realized, yeah I can find almost all these recipes (with updates, and all that jazz) online but some things should be left alone. Nothing beats my mothers cook books that are scribbled in and you can still see flower thumb prints and marks from her sitting her coffee on it. I hope to someday have a daughter, or daughter in law to share my cookbook collection with. I hope to never see cook books die out. 

Some things in life need to be left the hell alone 

Diaper Bag for two review

I recently ordered the Skip Hop Bento Diaper bag. I got it as a "Christmas" gift from the boys. But really I realize that even though Carson is potty trained now. I almost have more stuff for him to take with us. At least when he was in diapers a day out might include 4 diapers and a small thing of "just in case" wipes.

However, potty trained/ing? I have to put at least one extra pair of pants, extra undies, his Potty Seat which takes up some space. Not as much as those not folding ones, and way better than those non folding ones.

So far (I've only taken it out once with Carson) but, it was for an entire day. Which we do NOT do very often. If we go out its usually just for an hour or so. It worked great, I had that puppy stocked FULL with both of our things, mine and his.

Here is a list of things I was able to put in this bag with more than enough room for more

• Carson
• Potty Seat
• 2 Pull ups
• Columbia Jacket
• Hat
• Lunch + snacks (I totally used the snack containers and ice pack that it came with, LOVE this feature! 
• 2 sippys (1 water, 1 milk) 
• Blanket
• Bunny
• Myself
• Nikon D3000
• Wallet
• iPhone
• Chapstick
• Hat
• Snacks
• Sani-wipes for us after bathroom breaks

I easily had a ton of space for Oliver's things as well. We'd have to rearrange since I packed the bag in a hurry things didn't all go in the best places for what they are. Also this is NOT a day to day bag. I am going to keep my Coco Lapin bag stocked as well. The only thing I was a bit disappointed with, with my purchase was the changing pad. It is totally cheap and pretty much sucks. I won't be using it at all. 

I can't wait to fill this bag with cute little tiny baby diapers and Carson's stuff! 

Maternity/Christmas Photos

My best friend Emily who is an awesome photographer took our maternity photos at the beginning of the month. Oh yeah I'm lame, its been over 3 weeks since I finished editing these photos and I never shared them.

But here are a few of my favorites

Mama, CB, and Daddy

CB and Daddy

<3 

Mamma and her boy

walking

My love

My loves

My arm was so tired we "flew" for like 10 minutes 

Woosh! 

I love these of Mr.C and I 

My favorite shot 

This face is SO CB

Tree Climbing

Leaves EVERYWHERE

My baby and his bunny

Christmas Photos

As promised! 

Nothing like the love of a boy and his dog

Pat Pat

<3

Look at my grown up boy!?!

After santa came....oh yeah he's OCD too

Christmas Morning was a total hit

<3 these stockings, we all have them courtesy of Gramma (Mr.C's mom)

The "Big" Gift 

Was a huge HIT! 

Time really flies. First Christmas, This Christmas

Happy Holidays!!!

I've sucked at blogging recently, I'm going to catch ya up really quick and then get on to the holidays. I have a bunch of pictures to share and I want to brag about some awesome gifts I gave and received.

Mr.C and I potty trained CB! He's still having random accidents, but otherwise he is potty trained. It actually wasn't that hard. We started day one while Mr.C was at work, tons of accidents + he peed off the couch onto the dog. Day 2-3 went great, and day 4 was like day 1. But we stuck with it, and by day 5 he was accident free. He's even staying dry at nap.

Then Mr.C went on his business trip, I was sad. I cried, CB cried, Mr.C teared up. But we all survived. Mr.C had an amazing time in NYC receiving his award! CB and I painted while he was gone, I painted CB's room, Mr.C and my bathroom and the boys rooms. Pictures and an update to come. 

Now its Christmas time, today was amazing, it was the first time CB has really LOVED the holiday! and understood the idea of opening presents to get to the fun stuff inside. Earlier this week we spent the "holiday" with my family, CB is going to grow up thinking holidays happen over and over.

CB got a ton of really nice stuff from my parents and my brother and his friend gave him these really cute M&D trucks to complete his set. We gave him a ton of Cars stuff (his favorite thing ever) and a T-rex that roars and moves, he got an actual digital camera as well cultivating his love for photography at a young age! Also 900 pairs of jammies.

Mr.C got a really awesome gardening book, this cool heated planter for his garden starts for next spring! (Holy crap thats RIGHT around the corner)  He also got a really awesome sweatshirt (which I may or may not steal)  I gave him 2 Craftsmen tool boxes, and a pocket knife. My dad made Mr.C hooks for our deck, since my dad is an artist they are AMAZING. I can't wait for Mr.C to put them up so I can get some nice pictures of them.

My mommy and daddy spoiled me (like always) But I think my favorite thing my parents gave me was a pink fishing pole and the reel lights up with you reel it in! I know, how fucking cool is that? Next weekend I'm going to take Carson out to work on our casting. We have Steele head to catch this winter! My husband gave me a Cast Iron Skillet, and some other awesome cooking supplies. He knows where my heart is, thats for sure. I am so in love with my skillet though, I told him he should get me a new one for every gift giving holiday. I'm going to take one of our old skillets to goodwill every time I get a new cast iron one. Same with our pots, I think the boys will be getting mama some dutch oven ware. I want to have a total and complete set of cast and dutch cookware by the time we move to our forever home. Carson gave me the most beautiful necklace its simple little heart. I love it, and him. He's always my favorite present. 

I have more to post, and pictures to come. But I really need to pick up my house a bit, Mr.C's mom and sister are on their way in the AM and I would like to have a semi decent home when they get here....pictures in the AM....PROMISE! 

Well here we go again....

Attempt three of potty training. We started trying when he started showing interest in his potty seat at 18 months old. I figured some kids do it, might as well try. He just wasn't physically ready yet and after 2 days of cleaning up pee and poo I gave up.

Then we tried the week before his 2nd birthday. He was getting it, but then we got sick. Potty training + diarrhea = Not happening. When you can't even keep shit in your diaper, you sure aren't going to keep it in your butt long enough to get to the potty.

Today was Day 1! He is already doing so much better and trying so much harder than the last two times we tried. He had a lot of accidents, but thats to be expected. It was just day one.
HUGE success, he stayed dry during his nap. From 2:10-4:00 and peed in his potty almost as soon as I got him up! IT was awesome and it made me so proud.