It's All About the Benji, Baby...

Benji update! Our sweet little 6lb 4oz peanut, is now a whopping 14.6lb OX, who is an absolute JOY!

Some photos...for fun!

Paper Mama Photo Challenge

I am entering the "Paper Mama" photo challenge...this week is "Mama and Me" photos. (It doesn't have to be taken BY me...but has to be OF me.)

So I am entering me and my buddy, Benji (taken by Benji's daddy, Adam)...he loves laying in there all snuggled up next to momma. And I think it's as calming for me (to know he's comfy and content) as it is for him (to be held and loved). Our Moby wrap makes our hearts happy!



Check out more adorable "mama and me" pics over at The Paper Mama blog!!

Ooooo Boy!!!

Does anyone remember last year around this time there was a "10 in 10" party out there in blog-land. It was a linky party for people on a mission to complete 10 projects on their too long to-do lists in 10 days. I gave it a go...here's my original post on it: http://motoxmomma.blogspot.com/2009/10/add.html

Sooooooooo...linky party or not, I'm doing it again this year. I seem to work better under pressure! LOL!

If anyone shows interest I can set up a linky party...but either way, I'm doing it...starting this coming Monday I think is my plan. Linky party anyone?? ANYONE?!?! (Bueller? Bueller???)

Sorry...it's been a long day already. I think I'm getting delusional.

10 in 10 this Monday folks...watch for it!

Project: Cookie Monster - Week 1

I tried this once before and failed miserably, but if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Right? Right!

I am embarking on a personal project to make a different cookie recipe every week for a year! How fun to have a cookie jar full of delicious cookies (and what a great way to add recipes to my arsenal)! My kids have named our experiment: PROJECT COOKIE MONSTER :)

We started off tonight...it was Mikey's week to help...with, quite literally, the BEST chocolate chip cookie I've EVER had. I am not exaggerating folks. These are perfect. They are soft all the way through...amazing flavor...just dense enough...ahhh...cookie bliss!

I started off with this base recipe: here.

I altered it though, per recommendations of reviewers on AllRecipes, and to fit our own personal tastes.

Without further ado...the one and only chocolate chip cookie recipe I will ever use for as long as I shall live. LOL!
BEST ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/4 c. white sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 stick salted butter
1/2 stick (1/2 cup) butter flavored Crisco shortening
1 (3.5 oz. box) vanilla instant pudding mix
2 eggs
1 and a half tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda
2 and a quarter c. all-purpose flour
1 pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Partially melt butter.
3. Cream butter, shortening and sugars together.



4. Add pudding mix and eggs.
5. Incorporate flour and baking soda...mix well.
6. Fold in chocolate chips.



7. Place by rounded tablespoon full onto cookie sheet. (These cookies shouldn't spread much so fill up your cookie sheet!)
8. Bake 10 minutes at 375...as soon as you start to see light brown on the edges, take them out. Remove to rack (or, like I did, a brown paper bag) to cool.



9. Enjoy the heck out of the best cookie you've ever had!

I am linking Project Cookie Monster up at the DIY Show Off Project Parade! Check them out: here for a TON of great projects!

And also at Skip to My Lou. Check the great stuff out here:

And at Tatertots and Jello! Go HERE...quick!

Stop back next week for Project Cookie Monster - Week 2...I think we're going with an Oreo knock-off! Yummy!

More Moby

I seriously cannot say enough good things about this. I hate that I never took the opportunity to "babywear" with my other boys...I've had my Moby for three days and it's been an amazing thing thus far!

Just wanted to share some more pics of me with my boy...he can be SO fussy and calms right down when placed in the cradle hold in the Moby. New moms...you must try it!!



Hands Free!!! I chopped veggies for our dinner today while wearing my buddy...




Comfy for me and for him...

Stuff and Things.

Well, I took the plunge...yesterday, I had my tubes tied! Yes...I know it's cheaper, easier, smoother recovery, etc. for the man just to get the snip, BUT, from what I know of guys and their balls...no way was I going to try to force the man to let someone near his with a scissors! LOL!

So, I did it. Surgery went okay, recovery is going smoothly I suppose. I'm sore...bruised and ready to feel back to normal, but enjoying my week off of work and getting to spend more time with the kids. OH, how I wish I could be a stay at home mom...some day!!

So I made beef stew today...yummy! (Recipe: here ), have been taking care of a sick Luc (poor buddy has a bad headache that has woken him up crying several times...I hope he isn't a migraine sufferer like my brother, mom and I...), and just making the most of my time at home. (As much as I can anyway...I'm pretty slow moving with the soreness.)

I got a MOBY wrap today though! I'm still learning how to wrap/tie it but even with my painful incisions, I could comfortably wear Benji...AMAZING! I wish I had one of these for all my kids...or even had one earlier with Benj. I've been having a really hard time lately coming to terms, not so much with the fact that I won't have any more kids, but more with the fact that I won't ever have an 8 week old again...or a 9 week old...or a 10 week old...if that makes sense? I am hating having to go back to work, so I am trying to cherish every second I can with Benj as a baby...and having the Moby wrap will allow me to still be productive while keeping him close to me when I am home. :)

Anywho...some quick pics to share...

Veggies ready for sauteing...and a bowl of beef stew! (Seriously, check out the recipe! So delish!)



And me snuggled up with my boy! <3



xoxo

Getting into the swing of things...and a recipe!

Slowly, but surely, we are getting back into the swing of things. The boys are enjoying school, and I am happy with their new teachers, so that's awesome. We're doing our annual "fall cleaning' (opposite our spring cleaning) and spent the last two days going through every item of clothing in the house and sorting things to throw away, put away and give away. It was a big undertaking but I'm glad it's done.

I'm back to work full time and although I will say I SO wish I could be home with my buddy, I am relieved to have my paycheck coming in again.

My photography season is winding down...a few more sessions I'm looking forward to and then I expect things will be pretty slow until Spring...so it goes. :)

My boys Luc and Mike go to their dads every other week. It's something new we started recently and it's going ok. There have been snags but I'm trying to give it time...we'll see what happens, I guess. This weekend was my weekend with them, and I have been trying to make them fun breakfasts on their weekends here...just because. :)

Yesterday we had delicious, gooey cinnamon rolls, and this morning I made easy-peasy "Half-Homemade Chocolate Croissants" !! I saw this idea HERE last week...check out her blog. It's awesome!

This was super easy and super delicious!!

All you need is a can of Pillsbury crescent rolls (I used the jumbo "Big and Flaky" version) and a jar of Nutella (mmm!!!)



Unroll the crescent rolls and spread a dollop of Nutella on each...



Roll 'em up loosely and place on your baking sheet. Bake per package directions.



Yummmmmmmy!!!!!!!!!!!



See? Mikey approves!! (Luc wasn't as impressed...)



Dirty Face=Job Well done on Mom's part!!


I have an actual croissant recipe I want to try eventually but until then, this is quick, easy and delicious! Works for me!!

xoxo