Goodbye for now!

I am such a tease! Hello. Goodbye. Hello. Once again....Goodbye!

After rejoining the blogging world, I realized that I am quite uninteresting to read about. While most of you enjoy the photo updates and little blurbs about Bailey, the intent of the blog was not to focus on her adorableness. It originated as an outlet, a source of accountability, and a place to share with those that I am close with. It was after the creation and random musings that I realized I didn't want any of that. I am boring, yes, ....but the interesting parts; the parts that are funny, interesting or "juicy"....well, they are few and far between. Certainly not interesting enough to write about. I might be back, someday, maybe. However, this is me signing off. :)

Thanks to the 5 of you who followed my sporadic and uninteresting blurbs!

Song of the Week

Here is yet another AMAZING cover by Walk off the Earth!




Are you not in love??

Skillet Gnocchi with Spinach and White Beans

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 16-ounce package gnocchi,
1 onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup water
6 cups chopped spinach
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings
1 15-ounce can rinsed white beans
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheesehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add gnocchi and cook, stirring often, until plumped and starting to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
2. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and onion to the pan and cook, stirring, over medium heat, for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and water. Cover and cook until the onion is soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Add or spinach and cook, stirring, until starting to wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, beans and pepper and bring to a simmer. Stir in the gnocchi and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 3 minutes. A variation could include adding chicken in addition to the beans or in substitution of. I love using this site for quick meal planning ideas!

Delicious flavor and very easy weeknight meal! A must make again!

Song of the Week!

Currently listening/watching to this every second I can!! :) Somebody That I Used to Know, covered by Walk Off the Earth! Love. Love. Love!!!




AMAZING!!!

Pacy Down

As some of you know, we began to reduce Bailey's reliance on her pacifier shortly after Christmas time. Prior to the Holiday season she used it to chew on, hold, suck or just carry around whenever she pleased. Our goal was to rid usage before the end of January. So once life resumed to normal, we only allowed the pacifier for nap-time and bedtime. The adjustment went really well, minor if any resistance on Bailey's part. However, she was still very reliant on the pacifier during these nap/bed times. After some discussion with some friends who have gone before me, we started to debate if she was truly ready to part with it. So I teetered back and forth a bit as to whether or not the timing was best. Last week, I had decided that we could wait, and she could continue using it during her resting time.

Side track to our current toddler battle....throwing things. We have struggled with Bailey throwing toys, books, forks..... you name it. Our course of action, other than verbal instruction, has been to take the item away for 24 hours. Very effective...usually. However, I had not been doing that with her pacifier. She would throw it. I would give it back. She would throw it.I would give it back. (I Know.....it took me how long to figure this out?)

So, in the midst of Bailey's frustrated outrage (exaggerating a little), it dawned on me (as I was picking it up for the 3rd time) that she was using her pacifier to manipulate me. (Again, I.KNOW.) At that moment I decided we were done (at least for naps). So Bailey napped without her pacifier for 3 days. I mean really, if she is smart enough to pull one up on her mother, she is smart enough to find a way to get to sleep, right?! Due to my desire for sleep, I wasn't quite ready to part with it a night time, so we were still holding out.

Thursday night's Bedtime: Only one pacifier could be found. I am home alone with Bailey. Night time routine going really well. Carry Bailey in her room, reach to turn on the monitor, and it falls. The pacifier falls....and rolls....and rolls....and stops. In the midst of a pile of dust bunnies, under the crib, way in the back, behind a few things. OH. NO. Are you kidding?? Thursday night, home alone, tired. I don't want to army crawl under the crib, I don't want to get dirty, I don't want to move the crib and the rug, and the desk.....blah, blah, blah. So Bailey, who is really quite quick to process the probable outcome, "Bye Bye, Pacy." That is it, we are done. Prayers said, kisses given, light out. Pacifier is gone. Forever.

Nap and Bedtimes are still a bit rough. Crying every hour and a halfish, some calls for "Pacy." Overall, a surprisingly easy adjustment. I am excited for a normal nights rest. I am also hopeful she wants to resume cuddling soon, for some reason cuddling now begins a visit to Pout City?? But, after 18 months of using a pacifier for comfort, we are now Pacy free!! :) Yay, Bailey!

So our next "skill" to acquire is independent/alone time play. We have started with 10 minutes of play time in her room.... maybe more updates on this to come. :)

Snow Day!!

Our very first SNOW DAY!!!




Due to my lack of preparation, she has on 7 different articles of mismatched clothing, a size 7 boot (3 sizes too big), and can barely walk.....but boy was it fun!!

ENOUGH

Expectations. The very word can evoke a sense of failure, disappointment, and insecurity. I often set expectations, knowingly or unknowingly. Then more often than not they are unmet, unreachable, or inconceivable based on the situation. Sometimes my expectations are based on the norm, based on dreams, or on convictions. Lately I have found myself in this funk of personal disappointment. Be it my prayer life isn't "long enough," my daughter isn't physically strong enough, by marriage isn't fun enough, my friendships aren't deep enough.... but who is to measure.

I have been so focused on measuring "enough" that I haven't counted the many blessings that God has given me. I am striving to shift my focus. What has God done to bless me beyond my worth? He has given me the most wonderful man to grow old with, to challenge my faith, to complement my weaknesses, to partner in parenthood. He has blessed us with a beautiful, fun-loving daughter. I have family and friends who love me more than I deserve. Ultimately, he desires a relationship with me. The creator of the universe, the God who saved me from myself, wants me. ME. Shouldn't that be ENOUGH!

So I am challenging myself to be thankful in all I do, and put things into perspective. Everything I have, every relationship, each new day day, every material possession is an undeserved blessing. God is enough.