Chubby Cheekers

Ladies, Ladies, Ladies,

I was going to wait until I turned 8 months next week to update you, but there is so much I have been doing I had to break out and tell you now.  First off, I'm totally vertical.  I can pull myself up on anything.  My favorite local hangout is the Entertainment Lounge.  This is where Daddy stores his sound system.  There are so many fabulous buttons and knobs.  It's no wonder why he doesn't want to share with me.  He wants all those buttons to himself.  I get it.  For now I'll just stick with my own turn tables.

     
Besides getting up and around, I am also feeding myself.  I'm pretty good at it.  Good as in, I'm pretty good at making messes with my food.  I've always done well making a mess of food on my face.  Mainly because after each bite I like to suck my thumb.  It really helps me savor the flavor.  However, now that I can shovel Cheerios and other small bites in my mouth, I have become proficient at getting food all over the floor as well.  Food on my face.  Food on the floor.  It's all so messy and glorious and wonderful and it drives Mommy crazy.

You know, my bib says it all.  And with that Ladies, I'm heading to bed.

Love, 

Chubby Cheekers

   

Menu Monday

I know this cold front that blew through Oklahoma is a bit controversial, but let me say, I LOVED IT!!!  Little Man had a football game early Saturday morning.  I bundled up and watched that guy rip off 9 flags and score one touchdown.  He definitely excels in defense.  Just like his Daddy.  Thankfully, my mom came and stayed with Chubby Cheekers so I could enjoy his glory day.  It was a bit chilly for him.

Sunday we ate our weekend breakfast together in our warm pj's, bundled up to play outside, went for a family walk, and enjoyed chili at my mom's for dinner.  Fall has to be one of my favorite seasons.  It makes you want to cuddle with your husband and snuggle with your babies.  Magical.

I also love the comfort food.  I had to make a bit of an adjustment to our last week's menu to accommodate the cold front.  On Friday we had PW's Chicken Tortilla Soup.  Glorious.  Simply glorious. Since I'm going strictly on cash for our grocery/toiletry/baby supply budget, I wasn't able to throw in a lot of my favorite fall foods, but just know they are coming.

Monday-Oven Baked Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn
Tuesday-Spaghetti and Meatballs, Garlic Knots, Salad
Wednesday-Crescent Chicken Roll Ups, Broccoli Bake, Fresh Fruit Salad
Thursday-Pasta Bake (freezer meal), The Bread, Green Beans
Friday-Crispy Southwest Wraps, Raw Veggies and Dip
Saturday-Beer Crockpot Chicken, Crispy Potatoes, Salad
Sunday-Honey Garlic Pork Chops, Sweet Potatoes, Crescents

What Comes Out of Their Mouth

We spend a considerable amount of time in the car.  A lot of times we sing or play games, but sometimes I just listen to their conversations.  You never know what's going to come out of their mouths and it usually leaves me laughing.  Hysterically laughing.  Which leaves the other cars around us wondering what in the world is wrong with me.

The other day we were headed to story time and Chunky Monkey was super concerned about food.  Mind you it was 10 o'clock in the morning.  Mind you he had breakfast.  Mind you we had just had a snack before leaving for story time.  Yet, Chunky Monkey was still thinking about food.

CM (Chunky Monkey): Aunt Amanda?
Me:  Yes, honey.
CM:  I want fish sticks.
Me: Fish sticks?
CM: Yeah, fish sticks.  You can get me some?
Me:  Well, I don't have any of those.
CM:  You should take me to the lake and we can catch some.

STOP HERE...the conversation gets a bit long about filleting fish...just know it happened.

CM: I don't want fish sticks anymore.  I want Chinese food.

(Little Miss joins the conversation)

LM: (turns to CM)  Where does Chinese food come from?
CM: DUH!  From MEXICO!
ME: Mexico?  Sweetheart Chinese food comes from China.
CM:  Well, what kind of food does Mexico make?
ME:  Mexican food.
CM:  Okay.  I want fish sticks.

And that my friends is the day and life of Amanda Torres.  AND, we will be working on cultural studies in the very near future.

Pinterest Strikes Again: Fall

Let me just say this was not my idea.  This pumpkin landed on my front porch and who was I to let it go to waste.  Seriously, the pumpkin landed on my porch courtesy of my gal pal, Erica.  She first stuffed her daughter (a few weeks older than Chubby Cheekers) in this pumpkin, then she delivered to my front porch.  Only one problem, I had to cut out more of a booty space for Chubby Cheekers.  I couldn't get the little guy in there.  But (no pun intended), once I got him in he look so cute.  Right???

He even looked cute when he peed in it.  Yes, I put his full on naked booty in there.  He even looked cute when he ate the pumpkin.  He even looked cute when I pulled him out crying because he wasn't done eating the pumpkin.  Basically, he looked cute.  He always looks cute, and I'm not one of those parents who just says their kid is cute when they really aren't.  He really is. So there.

My Baby Cakes

Teething is striking again, and I kind of like it.  I do not like that I'll get him to bed and five minutes later he's up and crying from pain.  However, it's nothing a little Mommy and Advil can't cure.  What I do like about it is the cuddle time.  He's not getting any younger so I'll take as many chances as I can that allow me to feel his little baby breaths into my neck.  The little tiny sighs when he readjusts, and the sweat that forms on his forehead when he snuggles so closely into my neck.  This is the best moments of being a mom.  The complete vulnerability your child has when they are in your arms.  Allowing the full weight of their body to sink and melt into yours. I won't ever get enough of it.  Ever.

It honestly saddens me when I think about this stage passing.  There will be a time he won't have a crib.  The rocking chair will no longer be used, and I will have big kids.  No more babies.  Although I'm excited to see where the kids will go, and having time with just my husband again, my heart breaks to lose this baby stage.  I love this stage.  I love seeing my kids light up when they see us.  I love seeing them look for their sole comfort in us.  We are the center of their universe.  One day they will turn to their friends and eventually to their chosen spouse.  I'm just not ready for those stages.  So I'll just rock.  Rock my baby cakes.

Pinterest Hit~Ultra Crispy Potatoes

How many times have you excitedly pinned something on Pinterest thinking your life was going to improve tenfold, only to realize you've been bamboozled?  Well guess what?  I pinned a side dish on Pinterest, thought I was going to be bamboozled, but ended up being wow-ed.  Maybe that should be my new motto when making dishes.  Just think they'll stink and then be pleasantly surprised when I love it.

Sooooo, do you wanna know my big hit?  Good.  I'll tell you tomorrow.  I kid.

It's these lovely crunchy bites of deliciousness...

Ultra Crispy Potatoes

And with a 5 lb bag of Russet potatoes being on sale this week for $0.99, it looks like we'll be having these again soon. It also looks like my butt will be getting larger soon as well.  But, it's totally worth it!

(Erica, we're still running in the morning, riiiight???)

Menu Monday

I've totally fallen off the Menu Monday wagon.  I am so ashamed.  Not really.  I have these cutie pie little munchkins I like to play with more than I like Menu Monday.  Sorry.

Monday-Nacho Pie, Guacamole (can't beat those $.25 avocados) and Chips
Tuesday-Chicken Pot Pie Mini Muffins and Green Beans
Wednesday-Broccoli Rice Chicken Casserole, Buttered Bread
Thursday-Honey Garlic Pork Chops, Smashed Potatoes, Corn
Friday-Tortilla Soup and Salad
Saturday-Pork Tenderloin, Baked Potatoes, and Broccoli Bake
Sunday-Dinner @ Mom's

Off to play outside, and then a little Barbie time.  My Barbie is going to look bangin'.  I already have her outfit picked out and everything!  Don't be jealous...