One of those days

So this week this far has been so crazy. I have been so stressed but last night during our churches revival I realized it is all in Gods hand. I am so blessed, as a mother and wife. Praise The Lord for his blessings!!

On a side note. How stinking cute is this. I mean how can anyone be stressed with this smiley face !!

To add to the stress Jase had his 9 month check up today!! The doctor said he was doing fantastic and is right where he needs to be. In Lou of Jases doctors appointment this morning I want to take a second to talk about how to find a pediatrician. I Love our doctor. She is amazing !!!

All though she was not our first choice. Weird right. I'll tell you the story. 

When Jase was first born we lived in a different location and planned on going to the closest pediatrician in the area. We went there for his first app, when we got there they thought he had a little hint of jaundice. So we had to get that tested. Blah blah blah. Next thing lead to next thing and jase had to be hospitalized to treat it. 

The doctor wanted him to go to the closest hospital, which if could be compared to anything in this world, it would be a grave yard. People go there to die. Literally. And I didn't want to go there when the next closest hospital has the best pediatric unit in Florida

So there's thAt short little story. So we started looking for a new pediatrician and we have found the most fantastic one. EVER. 

Steps to decide on a pediatrician 

1.) Make a list of things you want from a pediatrician.  If location is a huge factor for you something on your list would be something like " close to home"  or maybe promotes AAP guidelines. Which was most definitely NOT on my list haha

2.) Research and decide about vaccines and treatment. Some parents are against vaccinations, which is okay. If that's the case try and look for a doctor or read reviews and see if they would be supportive of that decision or not 

3.) Talk to your friends. More than likely you friends will have somehow the same views about things. I literally asked ever lady in our church to find out what doctor they used. I asked questions and really dug deep. This helps you to see how a doctor is. 

4.) Try it out. If you think you find the right office, go and try it out. The worst thing that could happen is you don't like it. I tried our doctors office, and we loved it. 

Reasons I love our pediatrician. 

- She has always showed such love and care toward our son

- explains everything to us, why it happens, different treatments, and tells us what she thinks

- Remembers her patients, and makes us feel like a friend

- Great staff in the office 

- Stays up to date on medical treatments and studies. 

- Is more liberal or open to different ideas, which I love (:

Mommy time

So my husband was preaching this morning and this great idea hit me. Yes sometimes my mind wonders a little. Lol. But I do listen just get side tracked sometimes hahah. Chris was talking about the power of prayer and how important it is to have an individual prayer life, and study life

Seriously how I feel sometimes !!!!

As a mom I know how stinking hard it is to have time to go to the bathroom, much longer sit down to read your bible or pray. But you have to make the commitment. 

After me and Jase get up for the day and he takes his first nap, that is when I usually read and pray. If I haven't got my house work done by then I may wait till his second nap but usually only if we get a late start if you keep saying " ill do it later" it will never get done. I promise. 

Where to start. Good question 

Our schedule is super hectic sometimes and usually never th same but for the most days this is what I do. 

Once Jase gets a sleep I either sit on my couch or dining room table. 

Do not sit somewhere super comfy. You'll get tired and think you can't read. 

I usually read around 3 chapters. 

Reading around 3 chapters daily will get you through the bible pretty quick. If you have something that work better for you , awesome!

After I read I pray

I suggest bringing your prayer list home from church and praying then, don't forget those missionaries. 

Great bible reading plan!!!!

It's so important to stay devoted to God as a mother. It's hard. I will be the first to admit but it's necessary for your walk with The Lord. Also once your child gets old enough to realize what your doing what a example and witness you will be. 

Mommy and God time is super important !!! If your struggling with this I would suggest expressing this to your spouse. Sometimes when I feel I just need to pray Chris is more than happy to watch Jase for a little. 

Don't start to big. Saying your going to read 5 chapters a day may burn you out. 

MOST IMPORTANTLY. GIVE IT TO GOD. You will surely fail if you don't. 

Get ready for summer!!

So today was a awesome day !! The sun was out, I took Jase on a nice walk in his awesome little car he loves !!!

This is the little car Jase has !! Obviously not the exact one because I'm sitting in bed and too lazy to get up. But seriously today was a great day. Onward from this, my dear friend K inspired me to get to thinking about this up coming spring. The dreaded two words. SPRING CLEANING. 

But I'm ready and going to get on the grind. I've been looking a round for some good spring cleaning list and organizing skills. I've also stumbled upon the natural cleaner band wagon. Which I may just jump on. We still will have to see (: but here are a couple things y'all can look forward to seeing in the next couple of weeks !!

Also what comes after spring, SUMMER, SUMMER, summer, did I mention summer??? So with that said I can't wait to do a post on summer swimwear. Which I recently just found the most modest and cutest swimwear ever. From dainty jewels, so don't forget to keep looking for this summer swimwear !!!!

Things they don't tell pregnant women

I remember going to the hospital, being pregnant and thinking " when I leave I'm going to be the perfect mom". Well I think I'm a perfect mom. Lol. Just not the way I planned on it. Many things change for a women after giving birth. Physically and mentally. I'm going to be honest and tell you the things people don't tell you about after giving birth.

My labor was awesome, I really couldn't have dreamed for it to be any better. I was in labor for about 9 hours, I was induced which helped a lot with speed I guess. So your birth experience may alter a little due to your labor experience. So just feel it out.

• After you have your baby, your still fat. This may be different for some people but not for me. I still looked 6 months pregnant stomach wise. Plus they are pumping so much fluid in you that you sort of resemble a tomato. Don't worry. It will be fine. Tip: As soon as you feel comfortable to ,strap a girdle on. No joke. It helps the skin to tighten up faster and makes you feel better. I absolutely swear by this. It really helped me a lot. 
• Your body is beyond sore. I had a medicated birth, so some people say the epidural changes this, I'm not really sure. I'll let you know my next birth haha. I did not plan on being so sore. It's okay for you to need help to get out of bed or sit down. Do not !!! Be afraid to ask for help. That was one of my biggest mistakes 
• You bleed. Okay I guess this is obvious and a little gross but it's beyond true. Who knew you could bleed that much and long and still live. Lol. I bleed for about 6 weeks which is longer than usual but be prepared. It's okay though you can do it !!!
• Your leaky. This was an understatement for me. I had a rare problem, and really over produced. But even for normal producing moms you are gonna leak. Bring a couple bras, and don't be embarrassed. TV seems to make this whole experience seem like none of this happens, but they lie (: 

There are many tips and little tricks I picked up on after the whole post pardum experience.

1. Do not leave the hospital with out the squirt bottle. Seriously this thing will be your best friend when you have to go potty. It's awesome. You fill it with warm water and spray while you go potty. It helps soothe down there. 
2. Make your own pads. Not literally. But I took pads, misted them with water and witch hazel and froze them. They are great for the first couple of recovery days. 
3. Take stool softener. I know it sounds a little gross but you will be wishing you had if you didn't. I started taking it a long with Tylenol right after I gave birth. 

Winner winner chicken dinner

 we have this recipe that me and Chris absolutuley LOVE!!!! I did not come up with this recipe, I believe Chris's mom did !!!! I did make the name though haha

How to make Winner Winner Chicken Dinner: 

What you'll need: 

Chicken ( I used thighs because that's what we like, you can use any cut even a whole chicken)

Carrots

Rice

Chicken broth

Not pictured- Season salt

Garlic powder

Salt and pepper

First pre heat your oven to 350. Place your chicken in high wall backing pan. Add a half a cup of chicken broth. Season your chicken. I use season salt, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You are open to season with what ever you like. I then place my chicken in the oven for about 30 minutes to get the juices out and ready. 

After cooking for about 30 minutes. Take your chicken out and add your rice. I usually don't measure, but I make sure then bottom of pan is covered, covered good. Hah. Then you want to add equal parts water and chicken broth. I added 2 cups of both. 

Once you add your liquids add your carrots. Stir your rice a little to make sure it's even. I then season the rice and chicken again, be very giving with the seasoning. The more the merrier. Place your pan in the oven. Boom!! Your done (:

I usually let it cook for about and hour, and check to make sure the rice is moist. My husband hates dry rice. I usually add another cup of broth and water

Let this cook for an hour and half to two and a half more hours. The more it cooks the more the rice soak ups the juice!!

This is a recipe I usually make on Sunday or Wednesday night because of church. I can make it ahead of time and place it in the oven. I have a cook timer on my oven so it's awesome. I put it in, go to church, and it's done when you get home. 

A little dangerous?? Not really since the church is about 10 foot from our house. If you don't feel comfortable doing it that way cook before church and leave it in the oven , and warm it up when you get home !!!

Jase is turning one !!

So I can't believe jase is going to turn one year old in less than 4 months !!!

I know I'm a little ahead if the game , but I am starting to plan for his first birthday party!!

It's a little crazy but we are going to go all out. Why? He is only turning 1?? Because I want too!!!!! Right now I'm trying to decide what theme I should choose for his party right now these are the things I'm thinking..

Mickey Mouse. ( we are Disney fanatics )

Vegitales ( Chris is insisting )

General 'one' theme

That's a lot of categories. Right??  I know I can't think of any thing else. It's hard to pick something for a one year old, they really don't like anything.  So I think I have found a way to find a theme.

You must realize you have to decorate for it. Don't pick something that is going to be to hard to decorate for or something no body will get. The worst thing is people saying , why did you pick that ??

How big do you want to go? Know how many people you want to be at the party. Just family? Inviting everyone in the neighborhood? 

How much do you want to spend ? I would love to do vegitales for jase' party but I'm afraid it's going to get to expensive. I don't think it would be easy to do DIY things for that theme. 

I think there are any things a parent must consider while planning a party. What was your child's theme ??  Are you crazy psycho like me about planning?? Hahah

Teething miracle!!!

So jase has just cut two more teeth !!!!! So that's a total of 4 little toothies(: ( all are on the bottom. )

So he was eating lunch, we'll he is eat lunch. I'm writing this as he eats and I have found a brilliant idea. 

I bought these little guys...

Originally for a chicken meal I make often. But I decided to give them to jase. The are really skinny, and I gave one to him chilled, straight from the fridge 

He obviously loved it!!!  But he really wasn't eating it. He chewed on it more. I'm sure it felt great in his gums plus it wasn't a sugary cracker or cookie like so many teething biscuits. 

Once he was kind of done with that I heated a couple up in the microwave with a little water, steaming them. 

I just heated them for a minute, then rinsed with cool water stopping the cooking and cooling them for jase. Them I have a couple to him. 

Once again he lived them. And these , the steamed carrots, are a lot easier for him to actually eat but still crisp for him to chew. 

I thought it was pretty neat I discovered this. Do y'all have any tricks like these ?? Let me know I would love to hear !!!