tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post8543892293027612048..comments2023-10-31T07:08:49.742-07:00Comments on Taking the Statistical Bullet: Inquiring Minds. . .Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961948894847619115noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-59612217987732024482009-10-02T18:55:53.833-07:002009-10-02T18:55:53.833-07:00blanket- yep, fine now
shoes- we've always do...blanket- yep, fine now<br /><br />shoes- we've always done stride rite for the first pair or two right when they're learning to walk then switch to crocs... they may not be the most stylish shoes, but kids learn to put them on faster than normal shoes and if you catch them on sale (they're buy one, get one free on their site frequently) a more affordable option. also, easy cleaning and long-lasting!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-25780797531053059092009-09-28T16:47:19.190-07:002009-09-28T16:47:19.190-07:001) We travel with the pack and play - and even hau...1) We travel with the pack and play - and even haul it back and forth across the country from South Carolina to Seattle when we visit my folks. It is kind of cumbersome - but worth it to us to have a safe and contained place for whichever kid was the young one to be in it.<br /><br />2) We've put all three kids down with lightweight blankets from the time they were about 3 months old. I know, I know - we're probably breaking some horrible rule - but we put it lower on their bodies, only cover their legs/midriff really - and half the time it's kicked off to the bottom of the crib when we get them up in the morning. For warmth we really rely on heavier weight jammies - fleece or heavier material than the thin cotton they are usually in - and always have/had a plain white onesie underneath.<br /><br />3) Shoes - we've absolutely adored Robeez shoes. They're the best - they stay on - are somewhat hard to remove - are designed for new walkers (to the point that their feet are protected but able to still feel the ground.) Once they were sturdy walkers (closer to 18 months) we invested in Stride Rite shoes - better foot support than off brands and the Angel shoe line.<br /><br />4) I'm always on the hunt as well for good/fast/go to recipes. Working full time outside of the home with three under age 5 is challenging. I try to cook more on weekends (baked casserole dishes, lasagne, bake off a chicken or smoke a turkey breast) so that we can re-heat or bake off during the week. I'm learning how to use the crock-pot - altho some of those trials have been disasters. <br /><br />One of our family favorites I can put together the night before then bake it the next day and serve with egg noodles and a veggie:<br /><br />Swiss Chicken<br /><br />1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts<br />1 can cream of mushroom soup<br />1/2 can white wine<br />Deli sliced swiss cheese<br />2-3 Tbs. melted butter<br />1 cup herb blend stuffing mix.<br /><br />Place chicken in casserole dish. Season with salt and pepper. Layer swiss cheese over chicken.<br />Mix soup and wine, pour over chicken.<br />Sprinkle herb stuffing mix over, then drizzle with melted butter.<br /><br />(sometimes I'll saute' a few mushrooms and onions and throw over the chicken if I'm feeling fancy.)<br /><br />Bake at 350 degrees about 45 minutes until chicken is cooked through. <br /><br /><br /><br />I hope you get a few good links to the recipe question - so we can follow along!Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11521538010231861381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-60903213585080266812009-09-28T10:43:57.560-07:002009-09-28T10:43:57.560-07:00Aw, thanks, Tracy! I can't wait to try those ...Aw, thanks, Tracy! I can't wait to try those recipes. . . I love trying new things out. I make a similar recipe called spaghetti pie, and my girlfriend swears by one that is also very similar but you add a can of cream of mushroom soup to it?? Yeah, it sounds weird to me, but I really should try it sometime because she LOVES IT!<br /><br />This is fun to get everyone's answers. . . thanks you guys, keep 'em coming!Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08961948894847619115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-89278685732700138732009-09-28T10:27:13.686-07:002009-09-28T10:27:13.686-07:00Katie, I just tend to buy whatever meat is on sale...Katie, I just tend to buy whatever meat is on sale and find a recipe to suit it, but a couple of our recent favorites are spaghetti casserole and pork ribs in a crock pot. For the spaghetti, I just cook up a pound of spaghetti, drain, but keep back 1 cup of water. Cook 1 pound of meat (I've used ground turkey and ground sirloin, both work.) Add meat, one jar of sauce (I use a plain marinara), one can of tomatoes, one can of mushrooms, the water from the pasta, one pound of FRESH mozzarella in small cubes, to the pasta pot. Mix it all up together and put in a sprayed 13x9 casserole. Sprinkle with Italian bread crumbs and grated parmesan before cooking at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. I make this ahead sometimes and for some reason it's easier (and yummier) than regular spaghetti. <br /><br />For the ribs, add pork rib meat to a crockpot, add one can of no sugar added apple pie filling and a bit of BBQ sauce. Cook on low all day. YUMMY and it falls apart so easy for the babies to eat.<br /><br />We're also big grillers, so we eat chicken, steak, porkloin on the grill at least a couple times per week. I prepare hamburger patties in advance so if we're having something that isn't kid-friendly we can just throw a burger on the grill for them.<br /><br />Hope this helps. I also subscribe to a blog that you might like...<br />http://newlyweds.wordpress.com/Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02248665952867223815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-72103983068437732102009-09-28T09:54:45.364-07:002009-09-28T09:54:45.364-07:00Will eats whatever we are eating, too, but I am ju...Will eats whatever we are eating, too, but I am just getting tired of the same rotation and looking for some new dinner ideas! I am always looking for easy things that I can make ahead!Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08961948894847619115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-77782669222549029702009-09-28T09:35:58.849-07:002009-09-28T09:35:58.849-07:00Hmmm...can't help you on the other stuff (I ha...Hmmm...can't help you on the other stuff (I have the same issue with shoes, we've been using blankets for a couple months now, and the babies just eat whatever we're eating most of the time) but I love the idea of the Peapod! We've been lugging our PNPs and mattresses around with us, and I've been thinking they'll outgrow them soon. I'm participating in a Mom-2-mom sale in a few weeks and may just sell those PNPs and buy the Peapods! <br /><br />I'll be interested to hear what other people have to say about them, too.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02248665952867223815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-49766112767283451812009-09-28T09:24:25.068-07:002009-09-28T09:24:25.068-07:00Have the PeaPod in Camo. The boys LOVE IT!! J had ...Have the PeaPod in Camo. The boys LOVE IT!! J had some of his best night's sleeps in it!!<br /><br />As for boots...forget boots, just lke you said, they fall off and then you only have one and no pair ever. Try these instead!! I bought two pairs and I love them! I love that they will last from 6-18 months too!!<br /><br />www.stonzwear.comPrairie Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05074721362150442669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-29576098937025109612009-09-28T09:23:36.225-07:002009-09-28T09:23:36.225-07:00shoes - pedipeds, striderites or see kai run! i l...shoes - pedipeds, striderites or see kai run! i love themAwkwardMomentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11854477296635420810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-22506413363635139712009-09-28T09:22:52.381-07:002009-09-28T09:22:52.381-07:00You can always ask the inlaws ask their friends if...You can always ask the inlaws ask their friends if they have a pnp so you do not have to lug ..or send an email/fb to anyone you know in that area that may have access to a portible bed.<br /><br />I have given A a blanket since about 3-4 months. It's thin and he loves it - do what you are most comfortable with.<br /><br />i make black beans and rice, any pea or bean for him to eat while we are out .. squash?AwkwardMomentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11854477296635420810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-89768384573903359062009-09-28T08:21:56.187-07:002009-09-28T08:21:56.187-07:00Good questions - I would like to see the responses...Good questions - I would like to see the responses you get!<br /><br />Blanket - I broke the cardinal rule months ago and put the girls to sleep with blankets for naps and bedtime. They like to cuddle with them.<br /><br />Travel beds/ Meals - I wish I had something to say with these - anxious to hear what everyone says.<br /><br />Shoes - We love See Kai Run shoes. One of mine likes to remove shoes no matter the brand.Adrianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01522765399716764611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-71012920371866219692009-09-28T08:12:15.442-07:002009-09-28T08:12:15.442-07:00You know, I can't help with any of those quest...You know, I can't help with any of those questions. Well, except to say that I would just put him in two non-matching shoes that I already own. :)HereWeGoAJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17457680345376171720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-49864988594423701062009-09-28T07:44:54.573-07:002009-09-28T07:44:54.573-07:00B has been sleeping with a blanket his whole life,...B has been sleeping with a blanket his whole life, BUT we put the blanket under him and swaddle him as much as possible from his armpits down, so the blanket doesn't just get free to cover his head up. He also has one of those small square blanket-with-stuffed-animal-attached silkie blankies that he uses for comfort. <br /><br />My new favorite recipe, it's delish with egg noodles: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Different-Chicken-Cordon-Bleu/Detail.aspx<br /><br />Shoes... We've been finding tons of awesome shoe deals on ebay! Obviously Brecken isn't walking yet so I'm not super concerned with stability, so Robeez are my faves right now. I really like Stride Rite's for more support when they start walking. They're $30-$40 at the store, but you can find new ones for $10-$25 on ebay.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-34201813348683729672009-09-28T06:42:53.003-07:002009-09-28T06:42:53.003-07:00I, too, am wanting to know about the blanket thing...I, too, am wanting to know about the blanket thing. Here in AZ we are still running 100 during the day, but dropping into the 70's at night. Not exactly frigid temps.<br /><br />As for shoes, Andy is a pro at removing them too. A few weeks ago I bought him a pair of Stride Rite's and they are perfect. They have actual laces that I double tie and he simply can't remove them. They are super cute and really easy for ME to get on and off of him.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06347894813987993138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-23359826354482629582009-09-28T06:37:14.075-07:002009-09-28T06:37:14.075-07:00both my kids starting using a blanket just past on...both my kids starting using a blanket just past one. DS didn't until a bit later only because it was summer when he turned one. DD it was around 13 months.<br /><br />We love our Pedoodles for shoes!! LOVE themAllisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16936222214835396040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-25433461880860216632009-09-28T04:19:57.475-07:002009-09-28T04:19:57.475-07:00The boys have been sleeping with light blankets (r...The boys have been sleeping with light blankets (receiving blanket and waffle weave thermal blanket) for months. As soon as we realized that Trip preferred to have a "security blanket" and Jack preferred to have a stuffed animal to snuggle, they've each had one of both. Now at 9 1/2 months it's hard to put them to bed without them!<br /><br />My FAV recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Pot-Pie-IX/Detail.aspx I always make extra of the "sauce".<br /><br />Unfortunately I've got nothing for the other questions.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382865901845181550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490746375774981338.post-13261053429866227942009-09-27T23:40:25.560-07:002009-09-27T23:40:25.560-07:00I will be using a combo of a PeaPod Plus (a bit bi...I will be using a combo of a PeaPod Plus (a bit bigger than the PeaPod, so you can use it through the preschool years) and a Bjorn Travel Crib Light for my soon-to-arrive twins, but the PeaPod/PeaPod Plus is probably more appropriate for you since Will would grow out of any travel crib soon. I hear very good things about the PeaPods from the anti-Pack N Play crowd (of which I am certainly a member), and it also has utility at places like the beach. But, some kids don't like being closed in on all sides like that, which is why I'm getting two different kinds in the hopes that each twin will be happy with one of them.Baby Smiling In Back Seathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06483533946303787478noreply@blogger.com