Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry

Who doesn't love a good recipe? Especially when it's super easy, fast, and yummy!
This is something that I threw together one night and it turned out DELICIOUS!
The pineapples add a burst of flavor and the water chestnuts and cashews add some crunch!
Here's what you'll need:

2 or 3 chicken breast, cut into strips (depending on how many people you're serving)
3 bell peppers (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green) cut into strips
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup baby portabello mushrooms, sliced (more, if you like)
1 can water chestnuts
1 can diced pineapple
1 cup halved cashews
Kikkoman Stir-Fry Sauce (approx 1/2 bottle)

In a skillet, cook chicken. In another skillet, combine bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms and saute until soft. In a pot or large skillet, combine chicken and vegetables and stir fry sauce. Add in water chestnuts, pineapple and cashews and let simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes. Serve. You can also serve over noodles or rice, if you prefer.  Enjoy!

This or That: Diaper Genie vs. Munchkin Diaper Pail

There are SO many decisions to be made when you are preparing for the arrival of a baby. How should you decorate the nursery? What brands should you use? What items are worth splurging on and which items can I afford to spend less on?
After going through this, I have come across some products that I've had to switch out or replace, which means spending more money so, I've decided to start doing this type of post called 'This or That' where I will compare two or more brands of the same type of item and give you a review of both, ultimately giving my opinion of which is better and hopefully saving you some time, hassle, and money.

Our first match- Diaper Disposal

You spend hour upon hours, and most likely quite a bit of money, on setting up your babies nursery. It's beautiful and perfect, just like your sweet new baby, but if you don't have a good way to dispose of diapers, that perfectly designed room that you worked so hard on can become a room that you'll avoid at all costs because it smells like baby poo. Even if you don't dispose of your diapers in the nursery, wherever you do dispose of them, the smell is sure to linger.


DIAPER GENIE ($ 34.99): When preparing for Dakota's arrival, we got a gently used Diaper Genie from a consignment sale (We probably paid about $10.00). It was in perfect condition and had no 'smell' to it. However, after Dakota arrived and it was put to use, it quickly became a problem. It held in the 'smell' when it was closed, but the moment you opened it to throw away a new diaper, the room was filled with stench. I couldn't figure out what the problem was. It was emptied (which was a nightmare because those liners are a huge pain in the but to work with) and cleaned out on a regular basis. I tried using baking soda to help absorb some of the smell but nothing worked. The smell was getting unbearable and I got to the point where I would rather just throw the diaper in a plastic bag, tie it up, and throw it in the regular trash bin just to avoid opening the Diaper Genie.

Finally, enough was enough and my husband and I agreed that it was time to give in and get a different diaper disposal system.

Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Pail ($29.99): This diaper pail is a DREAM. It is so easy  to use and when you throw away a diaper, the liner twists so that no smell escapes from the bag. There is also a cartridge of baking soda in the lid that releases a sprinkle every time it shuts so it keeps the pail even fresher and when it's empty, you just pop off the lid and refill it! No expensive cartridges you have to buy.. The liners are SO easy to deal with, too. Instead of all the turning, and cutting that comes with the diaper genie, when you are ready to empty this diaper pail, the top of the bag pops out, snaps together and becomes a handle, and a closure for the bag. GENIUS! I couldn't be happier we made the switch. I just wish we hadn't waited so long!

If you'd like, you can click here to watch a video and see just how the Munchkin Diaper Pail works.

The winner of this match up is clear- Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Pail.

If you'd like to see more posts like this, or have a request on a type of baby item that you'd like to see compared, just comment below!

Pinterest Experience: Butterbeer

I've been a huge fan of Pinterest for a while now. One huge problem with it is that I see so many great ideas and just PIN, PIN, PIN and never actually give them a try (Other than the occasional dinner recipe) My husband, however, pins things, actually gets the supplies and tries them. His latest pin that he wanted to try: Butterbeer. If you're a Harry Potter fan (he is, I'm not really that into it) then you've heard of this. It is not an actual beer, just a sweet treat kind of drink. Maybe the Hogwarts hot chocolate?

The recipe we used consisted of :
1 cup (8 oz) club soda or cream soda (We used cream soda)
1/2 cup (4 oz) butterscotch syrup (ice cream topping)
and
1/2 tablespoon butter

Basically, you warm the syrup and butter and stir in the soda.

The result?
For us, we each took a sip, looked at each other like "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" BLEGH!! SO over the top sweet, thick, and just downright disappointing. We each took a couple more sips- willing the flavor to grow on us but, no such luck, and with that, down the kitchen sink it went.

Butterbeer was beery disappointing.
I should've just drank the cream soda. It never lets me down.

I'd love to hear of any 'Pinterest Fails' you've encountered. Comment below!

The Mommy-to-be Handbook

Ok, so the title of this post might be a little far-fetched. I am by no means an expert in pregnancy or all of the emotions etc. that come after the birth BUT I have been through it and I think I have a few worth-while tips to offer moms-to-be or even new moms. Keep in mind that I am still a 'new mom' myself but, the New Mom I'll be referring to is the one up to around 2 months post partum. With that, I'll get started.

1. Get as much sleep as you can.- You will hear over and over how 'You will never have a peaceful nights sleep again' or something to that affect. Let me be the one  to tell you, it's the truth! Even if you're blessed with a perfect child who sleeps through the night from day one (fyi-That will never, ever happen. They will need to eat) you will be peering into their bassinet/crib/whatevertheysleepin to make sure the blanket hasn't worked it's way into their face and holding your finger under their nose to make sure they are breathing. Once they've grown past the stage of needing to eat during the night, even if they sleep through the entire night chances are you won't, and if you do, it won't be that peaceful slumber that you once had. The  'mommy' in you is still 100% awake and ready to jump out of bed at the slightest whimper that rings through the baby monitor.

2. Spend quality time with your significant other. - Enjoy the time that you have left as a 'couple' before you become a 'family'. Go on dates often, cuddle, TALK- and not just about the baby. These are the last moments you will have with just you and him. When the baby arrives it will be difficult to spend quality time together and impossible to do so without interruptions. You are probably ACHING to meet your baby, but really, just take some time to enjoy each other.

3. Don't be in a hurry.- I wish I would have listened when people were telling me this. Your pregnancy WILL fly by and your baby will be here before you know it. Enjoy your pregnancy and the experiences you have with each stage of it. You won't miss the heartburn, feet in your ribs, or waddling around like an out of breath penguin but you will miss those little flutters and kicks in your belly all too soon.

4. Prepare yourself mentally. - Birth is a beautiful thing, but labor certainly is not. It is highly uncomfortable painful, there are parts of it that are downright gross, and by the end of it, modesty will be a thing of the past, believe me, but the truth of the matter is that once your baby is placed in your arms, you will completely forget about all of it. Why else would women go through this more than once?!

5. Don't cut the tags off of their clothes! - I should've listened to my mother in law. There are so many outfits that my son never got to wear but I just HAD to wash and put away his clothes before he even got here. DON'T DO IT because later you will be going "What am I supposed to do with this now? He never even wore it!" Keep the tags on the clothes until you've put them on and made sure they fit. If they're too small, take them back for a new outfit that will fit!

New Mom

6. Dealing with mommy guilt.- I felt guilty when my son was first born because I thought that I would just have this instantaneous 'bond' with him, and I did, but it wasn't what I thought it would be.  From the moment I first laid eyes on him yes, I loved him more than anything in the entire world, but later, after the initial high of 'the birth' wore off, I felt.....detatched. (That's the only world I could think to explain it. I felt like "I don't know this person, all I know is I love him more than life itself" Frankly, I was SCARED and confused. I had never cared for a newborn before! I had most certainly never had a LIFE solely dependant on ME! I was so very in love, and so very overwhelmed. My point is, if you don't feel that immediate 'connection' don't feel bad! My mom felt the same way when I was born. It is natural. As long as you are loving, caring, and nurturing, the bond and connection will develop naturally. and before you know it this teeny tiny person will be the very reason you breath.

7. 'Breast is best' blah blah blah- Yes, I do agree that breast is best. Yes, I think that everyone should try it and if it works out, stick with it. The first two weeks are the hardest but after that, it's easy peasy. HOWEVER- sometimes it just doesn't work out. Sometimes you don't make enough milk, sometimes the baby won't latch in which case you could pump but sometimes the pump doesn't work either. There are SO many situations in which breastfeeding just isn't going to happen. In my case, Dakota was a naturally good latcher. I made plenty of milk, everything was going well, but there was one BIG problem. My milk was FAR too lean. By lean, I mean almost no fat whatsoever. My baby was hardly gaining any weight! I didn't realize this was the problem and I was so against formula feeding that I just kept breastfeeding and wondering why my son wanted to nurse LITERALLY ALL DAY EVERY DAY. I was exhausted, he was cranky and far too small for his age. I finally broke down and gave him formula and it kept him full! I decided to breastfeed most of the time and give him the occasional bottle of formula. Eventually he went to more bottles and less breast and then around 6 months, switched completely to formula. And you know what? We're all a lot better off! Dakota is fat and happy and mommy isn't exhausted and on the verge of tears because she can't do anything but nurse all day! I saw some sort of logo or picture the other day that was a mother with the baby on the breast and another with the baby on a bottle. Beneath it, it said, "I am fed. You are a good mommy." I couldn't agree more.

8. You will look like crap.- I used to be the 'wouldn't leave the house without a full face of makeup and perfect hair' kind of girl. After I had Koda? Psh! Forget about it! I tried that for a while but I've come to realize, I have a baby to take care of and a house to run. So what if at the end of the day I'm still in my pajama's, my hair is tied  up in a messy bun and my eyes have bags under them? My baby is happy and well cared for, my house is (hopefully) clean, and dinner is made. If I happen to find time to put on jeans and a bra...well...that just means I get extra points because I am SUPERMOM!

9  Don't worry.- I am known for worrying. It is what I do and I do it well. With babies, it's especially easy to drive yourself crazy with worry. Is he eating enough? Is he sleeping too much? Should he have hit this milestone by now? STOP IT! As long as your baby is healthy and interactive EVERYTHING IS FINE! As far as milestones go, every baby is different. Some do things very early, some skip certain things all together. Let them do their thing and sit back and enjoy watching them learn and grow.

10. Don't neglect your significant other.-It is extremely easy for this baby to occupy every place in your heart and your head but, make sure you are making time for Daddy. Not only is he overwhelmed by the new addition, he's most likely feeling left out and probably a little jealous. He is used to having you all to himself and all of the sudden this baby is taking up your every waking moment. Just as you are trying to acclimate yourself to motherhood, he is trying to acclimate himself to fatherhood. He may not feel that 'bond' as quickly as you do. Give him time, soon he will be wrapped around that babies finger. This isn't what I was getting at though- Your husband is your 'forever relationship'. Yes, you will be tied to your child forever, but one day, that child will grow up and start having a life of their own and you and your husband will be left with each other. This is why there is a thing called 'Empty Nest Syndrome'. Parents forget that, in the end, it is their relationship that they will be left with for life, so DON'T let the fire die out!! Get a babysitter once a month for a date night. Say 'I love you' with conviction, be flirtatious!! Do whatever you have to do to keep your love alive! Besides, that's the reason you have a baby anyway, right?  ;) 

11. MOST IMPORTANTLY, Be confident and Trust yourself!- I've spent a lot of my life trying to be a certain way for certain people and always falling short. Because of it, I have a lack of confidence in almost everything, except when it comes to being a mom. If there is one thing I am proud of and one thing I know I'm good at in this life, it's being a mommy. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that my child KNOWS how much I love him. He is cherished, well cared for, and healthy. I may ask for advice and have questions from time to time but at the end of the day, no matter what advice I'm given, no matter what anyone says, I am going to go with my instinct. Motherly instinct is a fascinating gift from God and it is how you learn to become the best mother you can be. As long as you know in your heart of hearts that every decision you make, and everything you do is in the best interest of your child, you are a fantastic mother. Be confident in that! If you find yourself lacking confidence, or if you just don't know what to do in any given situation, The Man Upstairs has always led me down the right path. <3

6 & 7 month recap

Dakota is nearing 8 months old! In these past months my teeny tiny, preemie wearing baby boy has turned into a sitting, talking growling, crawling scooting machine! He also has such a big personality and the cutest smile in the entire world! (if you ask me)

6 & 7 Month Stats:
Weight: 6 months - 15.5 lbs
Height: 27 in
Relationship Status: Mommy has my...looks at baby girl...."oh hey cutie, I'm liking your diaper cover *wink*"
Living Arrangements: I still live with my parents *wink*
Favorites:
Food: pears, apples, blueberries, and BANANA POPCICLES!
Activities: Bath time, playing in the bouncer, and looking at pictures-of himself.
Accomplishments: Sits unassisted, scoots to get around, much more vocal, and hold his own bottle!

A couple favorites from these months:

My First Green Toys Stacker
AH-mazing! Koda will sit and play with this toy for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day. He absolutely loves it- and the sound it makes when he smacks the pieces together- and I do too. It helps encourage him to SIT UP and play annnddd it keeps him occupied! WIN-WIN!
We got this in our most recent citrus lane box. If you missed my post on them you can check it out here

 

Chan Teether by Vulli
We got him this in December but within the past couple of months it has become a favorite.
It's easy for him to hold, feels good on his gums, and squeaks when squeezed or chewed on. It gets an instant smile any time I give it to him.

Koda also does this growl thing now. It's hilarious and him and my husband will go back and forth with it. Here's a picture I got mid-growl.



My little moster =]