This is my mother-in-law's go-to recipe and I can devour it! It's super easy and my picky 23 month old even eats it! With 2 kids under the age of 2...I need recipes like this in my rotation...simple, quick and delicious!
1 lb ground beef
8 oz spaghetti noodles
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 jar spaghetti sauce
shredded mozzarella and monterrey jack cheeses
Brown beef and cook spaghetti. In a large bowl, mix cooked beef, pasta, soup and sauce. Spray 9 x 13 dish with cooking spray and layer half of pasta mixture in dish. Put a layer of mozzarella and monterrey jack cheese. Repeat. Cook on 350 for 30 mins.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Taco Soup
I loooove Mexican Food and now that I live in NC I have learned how to make my own (although it still doesn't compare to The Mexican Inn). Anyway, a few years back, I came across this recipe for Taco Soup. I must say, that even in the Summer months I will sometimes make this because I love it so much! Also, it can be easily altered for every familys tastes...if your kids love corn...double the corn! If you like black beans instead of pinto...change it up! If you prefer Mild Rotel over Original (like me!), then switch it!
1 lb ground beef
1 chopped onion
2 cans Rotel
2 cans Pinto Beans
1 can kernal corn, drained
1 package taco seasoning
1 package ranch dressing mix
tortilla chips
sour cream
shredded cheese
Cook ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet. Drain. Add beef, onion, Rotel, beans, corn, taco seasoning and ranch dressing packet into a large crockpot. Cook on low for 3 hours or high for 1 hour. Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream and shredded cheese.
1 lb ground beef
1 chopped onion
2 cans Rotel
2 cans Pinto Beans
1 can kernal corn, drained
1 package taco seasoning
1 package ranch dressing mix
tortilla chips
sour cream
shredded cheese
Cook ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet. Drain. Add beef, onion, Rotel, beans, corn, taco seasoning and ranch dressing packet into a large crockpot. Cook on low for 3 hours or high for 1 hour. Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream and shredded cheese.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
3 Months Old...Already??
Our sweet baby girl is 3 months old today! Here are some things that we've noted about her this month:
~She weighs 13 lbs 14.5 oz...that's 1.5 lbs heavier than her sister at the same age!
~She eats 5 to 6 times a day
~She is sleeping so much better than last month! She has made leaps and bounds this month. She is napping much better (last month she was waking about 1 hour into EVERY nap and I was having to settle her down). Her nighttime sleep has stretched to 7-8 hours! Sometimes she'll wake earlier but I started noticing that she wasn't really eating when she woke so we started going in to settle her by putting the paci in her mouth and then she'll sleep for another 1-2 hours! What a champ!
~She's a Morning Person!!! This is SO clear to us! Not only is she happy and smiling in the mornings and afternoons, but in the evenings she's grumpy and rarely smiles. She even scowls!!HA! I'm interested to see how this plays out as she gets older...
~ She's not moving around much yet when she's awake. No rolling over and no scooting around on the floor. She'll twist her head around to watch Claire play and that's about it. However, while she's sleeping she moves ALL over the bed...turning in circles and scooting to the other end of the crib.
~She's a drooler! So much so that I've even checked for teeth a couple of times. I know, it's very rare to have a child pop out a tooth this early, but it's not unheard of! And I'm telling you, this child drools A LOT!
~Poor thing has her first cold. It was bound to happen at a young age since she was born right in the middle of the flu season. I'm just thankful that it happened AFTER she had her first round of shots. This cold has definitely disturbed her in her sleep, but we're praying that she'll be over it quickly and that it won't develop into an ear infection.
Lauren, words cannot express how deeply your dad and I love you. You are such an added blessing to our family and we are so thankful for you. We pray for you every day and are committed to bringing you up in the ways of the Lord. Love you punkin'.
Our big girl! Literally! These are 6 month clothes. :)
I can rarely capture her beautiful smile on camera. As soon as I hold up the camera she stares it down.
Even though she's making a funny face, I just had to include this picture. Notice the roll of fat around her midsection?!? I love it!
~She weighs 13 lbs 14.5 oz...that's 1.5 lbs heavier than her sister at the same age!
~She eats 5 to 6 times a day
~She is sleeping so much better than last month! She has made leaps and bounds this month. She is napping much better (last month she was waking about 1 hour into EVERY nap and I was having to settle her down). Her nighttime sleep has stretched to 7-8 hours! Sometimes she'll wake earlier but I started noticing that she wasn't really eating when she woke so we started going in to settle her by putting the paci in her mouth and then she'll sleep for another 1-2 hours! What a champ!
~She's a Morning Person!!! This is SO clear to us! Not only is she happy and smiling in the mornings and afternoons, but in the evenings she's grumpy and rarely smiles. She even scowls!!HA! I'm interested to see how this plays out as she gets older...
~ She's not moving around much yet when she's awake. No rolling over and no scooting around on the floor. She'll twist her head around to watch Claire play and that's about it. However, while she's sleeping she moves ALL over the bed...turning in circles and scooting to the other end of the crib.
~She's a drooler! So much so that I've even checked for teeth a couple of times. I know, it's very rare to have a child pop out a tooth this early, but it's not unheard of! And I'm telling you, this child drools A LOT!
~Poor thing has her first cold. It was bound to happen at a young age since she was born right in the middle of the flu season. I'm just thankful that it happened AFTER she had her first round of shots. This cold has definitely disturbed her in her sleep, but we're praying that she'll be over it quickly and that it won't develop into an ear infection.
Lauren, words cannot express how deeply your dad and I love you. You are such an added blessing to our family and we are so thankful for you. We pray for you every day and are committed to bringing you up in the ways of the Lord. Love you punkin'.
Our big girl! Literally! These are 6 month clothes. :)
I can rarely capture her beautiful smile on camera. As soon as I hold up the camera she stares it down.
Even though she's making a funny face, I just had to include this picture. Notice the roll of fat around her midsection?!? I love it!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Snot Sucker
I just purchased The Snot Sucker based on the recommendation from a friend. I've always used a traditional nasal aspirator and had to literally hold down Claire while I was using it. It is a dreadful part of mommy-hood. Since both of my girls (22 months and almost 3 months) have nasal congestion right now, we decided to bite the bullet and spend the whopping $12 (*insert sarcasm here*) to purchase one. Now that I've used it...I would've spent DOUBLE the amount. Seriously. This morning I used a traditional nasal aspirator on Claire and she literally screamed, cried and got red-faced. Then we piled the girls in the car, drove 20 mins to a specific drug store that carries them and purchased one. When I got home, I tried it out and we sat in the floor and she LAUGHED when I used it. Yep! Laughed. Check it out mommy friends! It's worth it!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A Wilkie's World
Our lives lately:
Claire has been putting her dolls and her stuffed animals in all of Lauren's "baby" gear. Here is a doll in the headrest to Lauren's swing. The headrest is a makeshift Boppy. :)
Claire likes to put her Leapfrog Pet Pal in Lauren's car seat.
When I took the blanket off, I noticed that she'd fastened the buckle.
Bear is in the baby swing.
Bear is in the Boppy!
My little helper loaded the dryer for me today. I put all of the wet clothes in the basket and she took them out of the basket and put them in the dryer. She loves to say that she is "helping".
My little helper.
More "tot school". Here she is putting different shaped blocks into the appropriate holes in the bucket.
She loves to color. She decided this morning that she wanted to sit on her "beep-beep" (aka car) and color. I have also learned to not give her but one crayon at a time. Otherwise, she likes to just play with the crayons instead of color with them. :)
I could just eat this one up. She is such a sweet, sweet girl. She is so snuggly. She gives her Mama smiles all day long. She is eager to watch her sister play. I love this precious baby so, so much!
We finally got out in the double jogger all at the same time. It was great! Although, it was a little cold for the girls. I was only able to stay outside about 20 minutes with them. Hopefully the weather will continue to get warmer and by this Spring, we'll be out every morning!
Claire has been putting her dolls and her stuffed animals in all of Lauren's "baby" gear. Here is a doll in the headrest to Lauren's swing. The headrest is a makeshift Boppy. :)
Claire likes to put her Leapfrog Pet Pal in Lauren's car seat.
When I took the blanket off, I noticed that she'd fastened the buckle.
Bear is in the baby swing.
Bear is in the Boppy!
My little helper loaded the dryer for me today. I put all of the wet clothes in the basket and she took them out of the basket and put them in the dryer. She loves to say that she is "helping".
My little helper.
More "tot school". Here she is putting different shaped blocks into the appropriate holes in the bucket.
She loves to color. She decided this morning that she wanted to sit on her "beep-beep" (aka car) and color. I have also learned to not give her but one crayon at a time. Otherwise, she likes to just play with the crayons instead of color with them. :)
I could just eat this one up. She is such a sweet, sweet girl. She is so snuggly. She gives her Mama smiles all day long. She is eager to watch her sister play. I love this precious baby so, so much!
We finally got out in the double jogger all at the same time. It was great! Although, it was a little cold for the girls. I was only able to stay outside about 20 minutes with them. Hopefully the weather will continue to get warmer and by this Spring, we'll be out every morning!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Can I get a smile, puleeze?
Thinking that the girls looked so cute in their Valentine's outfits this morning, AND we had a few minutes to spare before leaving for church, I told Bradley I wanted to get a few pictures. That, of course, is always dependant on if 2 little girls are in the mood to have their pictures taken. This morning...they were not in the mood. :) No matter how much mom and dad made silly faces, goo'd, said, "CHEESE" and acted goofy...we could not get these girls to smile. Oh well, they're beautiful anyway. :)
The closest thing to a smile I got during this experience.
"Mom, when are you going to stop?"
Lauren's looking intensely at Dad while Claire is interested in Lauren.
Fun time is over. Sorry, pumpkin!
The closest thing to a smile I got during this experience.
"Can we go to church, please?"
"Mom, when are you going to stop?"
Lauren's looking intensely at Dad while Claire is interested in Lauren.
Fun time is over. Sorry, pumpkin!
Happy Valentine's Day from the Wilkie's!!!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Tot School
The past several months I have been trying to "teach" Claire some basic learning concepts: counting, colors, animals and animal sounds. But our teachable moments have been random and inconsistent. Plus, I don't feel as though I am a "teacher" at heart, so I'm just going over things over and over again, and I feel as though she gets bored at times. I almost feel a little silly writing this post because I know so many of you out there are already doing things like this with your tots. But, there may be someone out there (like me) who was unaware of things they can do with a child under the age of two...so I'm going to swallow my pride and write this post! Well, in the last week I have come across Confessions of a Homeschooler and 1+1+1=1 (thanks to my friend Heather for doing a similar post on her blog!) that have very detailed plans on teaching small children. Specifically, 1+1+1=1 has a "Tot School" link where she shares her ideas on what she's done to teach her tots. One thing that I got from these blogs is that I don't have to spend "formal" training time each day with Claire to teach her basic learning concepts. Just working on fine motor skills are helping her to learn. And while we "play" I can integrate colors and numbers and counting. So, today, I put practice into play. I went into her room with her and found toys that I could use as a learning tool and Claire LOVED having me "play" with her in her room. Here are some things that we did:
These little stackable cups were a gift from my mom last summer. She got them at Dollar General for just a few bucks! They are great because they are different colors so I can teach her about her colors. They also only fit into each other one specific way. Claire loved dumping them and stacking them and dumping them and stacking them.
I have put all of Claire's Little People into a gallon sized ziploc bag. We have been using Little People for a looooong time as a learning tool (we go over different animals, animal sounds, boys, girls, she has an angel, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus etc). But, today, we practiced taking them out of the bag and putting them back in the bag along with who they are and if they make a sound.
We have a TON of baby rings. You know the ones. They are small, plastic, and colored. You attach baby toys to them and dangle them over an infant for them to look at. Well, Claire uses them as "bracelets" and we have a ton of them. I have this tupperware container that I keep them in. She practices opening the tupperware and closing it (which takes a lot of practice), she puts the bracelets in the container and pours them out. Loving every second of it.
So, I have learned to just take it easy. No, I didn't get a degree in teaching like so many of my mom friends did. But, I can still teach my little girl basic concepts of learning other than what I'm doing now (primarily reading). Things that will give her a foundation to the schooling that she will start in just a few years. I hope to try some new things with her very soon. Things like stringing beads on a wooden stick, picking up beads and putting them in little ice cube trays, puzzles, etc. I plan on devouring the above links to find out more age appropriate examples of things to do with her. And I plan on loving every minute I have with this little toddler.
These little stackable cups were a gift from my mom last summer. She got them at Dollar General for just a few bucks! They are great because they are different colors so I can teach her about her colors. They also only fit into each other one specific way. Claire loved dumping them and stacking them and dumping them and stacking them.
I have put all of Claire's Little People into a gallon sized ziploc bag. We have been using Little People for a looooong time as a learning tool (we go over different animals, animal sounds, boys, girls, she has an angel, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus etc). But, today, we practiced taking them out of the bag and putting them back in the bag along with who they are and if they make a sound.
We have a TON of baby rings. You know the ones. They are small, plastic, and colored. You attach baby toys to them and dangle them over an infant for them to look at. Well, Claire uses them as "bracelets" and we have a ton of them. I have this tupperware container that I keep them in. She practices opening the tupperware and closing it (which takes a lot of practice), she puts the bracelets in the container and pours them out. Loving every second of it.
So, I have learned to just take it easy. No, I didn't get a degree in teaching like so many of my mom friends did. But, I can still teach my little girl basic concepts of learning other than what I'm doing now (primarily reading). Things that will give her a foundation to the schooling that she will start in just a few years. I hope to try some new things with her very soon. Things like stringing beads on a wooden stick, picking up beads and putting them in little ice cube trays, puzzles, etc. I plan on devouring the above links to find out more age appropriate examples of things to do with her. And I plan on loving every minute I have with this little toddler.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Comparisons
A lot of people have asked me lately if I think that Lauren looks like Claire. I really, really think that my girls resemble each other. Although, it's difficult to tell because they DO have some differences. Lauren is MUCH bigger than Claire was at the same age and the amount and color of their hair is different (Claire's was strawberry and Lauren's is brown with some strawberry tones). Those two things alone can make it seem as though they look different. Today, I pulled out some pictures for comparisons:
Lauren's first day at church. Claire's first day at church.
*BOTH girls were just over 2 months old when they went to church for the first time. For the life of us, we could NOT get Lauren to smile. And, if I remember correctly, this picture of Claire was the first time that we got a smile on camera.
Lauren at 11 weeks. Claire at 23 weeks, wearing the SAME onesie.
*That's right! Lauren is just 2 1/2 months old and I'm already pulling out the 6 month clothes. The picture of Claire was when we took her camping for the first time. She was about 5 1/2 months old.
Lauren's first day at church. Claire's first day at church.
*BOTH girls were just over 2 months old when they went to church for the first time. For the life of us, we could NOT get Lauren to smile. And, if I remember correctly, this picture of Claire was the first time that we got a smile on camera.
Lauren at 11 weeks. Claire at 23 weeks, wearing the SAME onesie.
*That's right! Lauren is just 2 1/2 months old and I'm already pulling out the 6 month clothes. The picture of Claire was when we took her camping for the first time. She was about 5 1/2 months old.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Our Beautiful Girls
Here are some photos of our lives lately:
One day this week, I went to get Claire up from her nap and this is what I found...sitting up, feet under the bed rail, socks off and hair in disarray. Love this girl!
Apparently my 25 pound 22 month old can sit in the Bumbo. She is so crazy!
So excited about our 'new to us' double jogger. Before I even got pregnant with Lauren, Bradley's parents spotted this at a yard sale for $20 and I told them to get it! (I just KNEW we were gonna have another kiddo someday). We finally have a reason to use it. Claire and I took it out for a test drive earlier this week.
Her hair is getting so long now and it's just gorgeous! I couldn't help taking this snapshot of her beautiful hair.
Lauren had lunch one day with Claire and I (she just sat in her Bumbo on the table while we ate), although she doesn't look too happy about it. She was ready for a nap!
Claire loves to go 'see the horses' with Granddaddy! If you walk through the woods behind our house there is a horse farm not too far from us. There is a huge pond and horses that they love to walk to if the weather permits.
Claire wants to hold Lauren as much as possible now. She will even walk up to us when I'm feeding Lauren and put her hands on her and say, "I hold you?". Sweet girl.
Several weeks ago, a sweet family from church gave us a bundle of hand-me-downs. In it was this cute little headband. Claire calls it her 'necklace' and wears it around her neck all the time. The night this photo was taken, her Daddy put it on her like this and called her Jane Fonda. We laughed and laughed and she had a great time.
My girls L.O.V.E their Daddy! And he just ADORES them. I love this picture of the 3 loves of my life.
One day this week, I went to get Claire up from her nap and this is what I found...sitting up, feet under the bed rail, socks off and hair in disarray. Love this girl!
Apparently my 25 pound 22 month old can sit in the Bumbo. She is so crazy!
So excited about our 'new to us' double jogger. Before I even got pregnant with Lauren, Bradley's parents spotted this at a yard sale for $20 and I told them to get it! (I just KNEW we were gonna have another kiddo someday). We finally have a reason to use it. Claire and I took it out for a test drive earlier this week.
Her hair is getting so long now and it's just gorgeous! I couldn't help taking this snapshot of her beautiful hair.
Lauren had lunch one day with Claire and I (she just sat in her Bumbo on the table while we ate), although she doesn't look too happy about it. She was ready for a nap!
Claire loves to go 'see the horses' with Granddaddy! If you walk through the woods behind our house there is a horse farm not too far from us. There is a huge pond and horses that they love to walk to if the weather permits.
Claire wants to hold Lauren as much as possible now. She will even walk up to us when I'm feeding Lauren and put her hands on her and say, "I hold you?". Sweet girl.
Several weeks ago, a sweet family from church gave us a bundle of hand-me-downs. In it was this cute little headband. Claire calls it her 'necklace' and wears it around her neck all the time. The night this photo was taken, her Daddy put it on her like this and called her Jane Fonda. We laughed and laughed and she had a great time.
My girls L.O.V.E their Daddy! And he just ADORES them. I love this picture of the 3 loves of my life.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Little Chatterbox
This morning I was feeding Lauren when Bradley went to get Claire out of bed. I heard about 10 minutes of random comments to him from her. I couldn't help but laugh at all of her randomness. She gets so excited when she wakes up from her nap that she just starts talking to talk. Hmmm...I wonder who she takes after? Uh, certainly not my "chooses his words wisely" husband. :) Here are some things that I overheard this morning:
*"Daddy!"...with excitement that he came and woke her
*"I sit"...sometimes she sits up in bed when we come and get her
*"A nap"...she thinks that when she wakes up in the morning she's just woken from a nap
*"Book!"...she must've seen a book
*"Dora Seat"...she has a little couch in her room that has Dora the Explorer on it
*"Bear"...she was playing with a little bear last night before going to bed...she must've seen it
*"Neckie"...i.e. necklace...she was playing with it last night before going to bed...same as above
*"Diaper"...she gets her diaper changed
*"Mama, Lauren"...Bradley just told her that Mama was in with Lauren
*"Eat?"...even if she's not hungry...she asks to eat after waking up in the morning.
*"Dog goes 'ruff ruff'"...who knows why this was said!! :)
And of course...I overheard Bradley cracking up at our sweet little girl. She is so funny to us. Now that she's learning so many new words each day...she wants to "practice" saying them constantly. We love it and we love her!
*"Daddy!"...with excitement that he came and woke her
*"I sit"...sometimes she sits up in bed when we come and get her
*"A nap"...she thinks that when she wakes up in the morning she's just woken from a nap
*"Book!"...she must've seen a book
*"Dora Seat"...she has a little couch in her room that has Dora the Explorer on it
*"Bear"...she was playing with a little bear last night before going to bed...she must've seen it
*"Neckie"...i.e. necklace...she was playing with it last night before going to bed...same as above
*"Diaper"...she gets her diaper changed
*"Mama, Lauren"...Bradley just told her that Mama was in with Lauren
*"Eat?"...even if she's not hungry...she asks to eat after waking up in the morning.
*"Dog goes 'ruff ruff'"...who knows why this was said!! :)
And of course...I overheard Bradley cracking up at our sweet little girl. She is so funny to us. Now that she's learning so many new words each day...she wants to "practice" saying them constantly. We love it and we love her!
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