Yup thats all I have been doing this past week or so. Packing up, cleaning, and getting ready to move.
The house we are moving into had tenants living there previously and the place is PURE FILTH! I don't know how people could live in that! The stuff they used in their hair is everywhere and that crap is sticky! It is like some type of hair wax they used to keep their fro's down. Travis cleaned the shower last night. It was disgusting! The floor was brown and after he was done it was white that is how dirty it is!
I had the house treated for fireants on Monday. Well when we got there last night there was like a whole colony just inside the door. So Travis took Wyatt and ran to Home Depot and got some hardcore ant killer and sprayed the evil things.
We still have to clean in the cabinets, wipe down the walls and baseboards and stair spindles, clean the closet shelves, windowsills/windows, bathroom sinks, the show/tub, and fans. We will do this tonight and tomorrow. We are also getting carpets shampooed Thursday afternoon. And then Trav's family is coming down Saturday to help move! Soooo excited!
After we get this all said and done, I want to get the nursery painted and the dining room painted. The nursery will be yellow on the top half and green stripes on the bottom half! The dining room I am still debating what color to use. I am leaning towards a slate grey/blue, but I also really like Restoration Hardware's Silver Sage.

Brooke, teaching you to cook has been put on my back burner until we finish getting moved. Sorry!! I will make it up to you though. When I return I will teach you how to make an awesome birthday cake in the shape of a truck (hopefully).

Last night started out alright. Wyatt and I went to the JBF consignment sale in Sherman. There wasn't a whole lot there and most was overpriced (one toy I got him was $11, but there was another one for $20, 1 Onesie for $3-5, etc). But I got him a few toys for his birthday/Christmas and 5 rompers for $5. We had to park about a block away and so I had to carry a 20lb baby in my wrap, plus a bag full of toys and another toy that was too big for the bag.
Then we went home and on the way stopped by Braums for dinner and talked to Brookie on the phone about the two spoiled girls that had been standing in line in front of me at the sale. They were complaining about having to haul stuff home from their baby showers and how they are glad they are having one at their own homes so they wouldn't have to haul it all home. I just wanted to say Listen jerks, just be thankful someone is willing to buy things for you and your baby.
Then we get home and I put Wyatt to bed. Not long after he is in bed he wakes up. But I gave him a few minutes to see if he would go back to sleep and he did. Then about 20 minutes later he wakes again SCREAMING in terror. I go in and get him and nurse him and he calms down. When I go to put him back to bed there are FIRE ANTS all over his crib, at least 2 dozen. I felt soo bad that is why he had woken up in the first place and I just let him cry himself back to sleep.
So I go strip him down and there was 1 ant in his diaper! Luckily I didn't see any bites on anything too sensitive. But there was one on each foot, a leg, his eybrow, and on of his nipples. Then I spray his bed down with ant killer and put his bedding in the wash on HOT and wash it twice and follow up with a vinegar rinse. Then I spray the baseboards around the crib with killer and the doorway area.
Wyatt is now not allowed back in that room ever again. We move in a few weeks and until then he is going to be in our room in his pack n play or in bed with us. He is now terrified of being alone even for a minute. Needless to say, going to the bathroom has been difficult.
We went to Walmart about 10:30 to get some motrin and I was hoping he would fall asleep on the way there or home. Nope, he fell asleep about 12:30, but woke up again about 2. Asleep again around 3:30 sprawled out across me. And once I was able to slide him off onto the bed next to me we slept until 8 and now he is refusing to go back to sleep even though I know he is exhausted because I am too! Thank goodness I have Nos, and I think he will eventually give into his sleepyness (I hope anyway!)

So, first and foremost I have some SUPER EXCITING NEWS!!! Wyatt took his first steps yesterday! And he keeps walking little by little! We are soo excited!

Ok, now onto business. This week we are going gourmet. We are making Chicken Kiev.

Here is what you need:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 stick of butter chilled

1/2 T parsley

1 egg

1 clove garlic

1/2 T green onions

1 T water

1/4 c dry bread crumbs or crushed crackers

1 T cooking oil

In a small bowl, combine the parsley, crushed clove of garlic, green onions (make sure you slice them into small pieces). Set aside.

Now take your chicken breasts and place between two pieces of saran wrap or cling wrap. Take your handy dandy meat mallet (the smooth end not the pokey end) and pound the two pieces of chicken until the are about 1/4 inch thick and a square shape.

Then take your parsley mixture and sprinkle it evenly into the center of each piece of chicken. Then take your butter and slice it in half length wise, then slice that in half again. Put 1 stick of the sliced butter onto each chicken with the mixture. Now roll up each individual chicken and close the ends up.

(to make dried bread crumbs, take 3-4 slices of break, slice into squares and put in oven for 5-10 minutes at 350*. Take out and crumble into fine bits.)

Then take your egg stir it. Then coat both chicken pices well with it. Then take your flour and coat the chickens (you will get messy, be prepared!) Then coat your chicken again with the eggs and cover it with finely ground bread crumbs or crackers (I prefer the crackers). Then heat your fry pan to about 300* or 3-4. Brown the chicken rolls on all sides including the ends.

Then heat your oven to 350* and bake for 45 minutes to and hour. Walah! Bon Appetit!

I will add more pics later, my computer didn't like me right now.

I have been too busy this week and I forgot about teaching Brooke to Cook, so we will postpone it until next week. Sorry!
We had our inspection yesterday. It went pretty good. There is nothing majorly wrong with the house. There are about 3 planks of wood that have wood rot that we will have to replace, one is downstairs by the breakfast area outside, one is upstairs outside the bedroom window, and there are a couple up by the chimney. Easy enough just have to pull them off and paint and seal new ones. The hot water heater is reaching the end of its lifetime, but thats what they make home warranties for. The closet doors are missing in what will be the nursery. Well they aren't missing, they are in the garage with huge rips down the front of at least 1 door. The only big problem we found was there is a fire ant infestation all around the outside of the house. The exterminator said they offer a treatment that will kill the whole colony in one shot. Depending on the cost we will do that. He also told me that DFW is a hotzone for termites and offered us a 1 yr warranty on termites. Not sure if we will get it though. I think he was just wanting a sell.

While the inspectors were doing their thing, Wyatt and I hung around outside because the renters were home which was awkward. Well this lady drove up and asked if I was living there, I said no I was buying the house. As she got closer I saw her jacket said PAROLE OFFICER!!! She asked when they had to be out by I told her Oct 9. It wasn't the actual renter she was there to see, it was the person who appeared to be living on their futon. But either way creepy! I wonder what he did...auto theft or drugs maybe?
After the inspection was over, Wyatt and I went to Stonebriar mall for 4 hours. I was waiting around all day because the JBF Sale in McKinney was last night. We were both tired and cranky by the time it was time for the sale. I had changed Wyatt's diaper before we went in, and we were only there for 45 minutes. However after getting through the toys, i was checking out Halloween costumes and my entire side was warm and wet!!! I had him in the wrap and he peed all over me! So I quickly went through clothes, got him 2 overalls, a winter coat, 4 sleepers, a pair of black corduroys a white turtle neck and a red sweater, and a teddy bear Halloween costume (pictures to come!!!). Then we checked out. They took the bags back and instead gave me a huge freakin box. How am I supposed to carry a baby and a box? Answer I don't I got about as far as the doorway and these ladies go Oh Don't squish your baby! Let someone help you! I know they are all thinking what a horrible mother. So I waited for about 5 minutes for someone to come help. Finally this lady helped carry the box out to the truck, but it was too big to fit in the door (we were in Trav's truck). Oh and it was raining all day. So while she tried to squish the box in, I loaded the pee baby into his carseat, ran over just unpacked the box into the backseat and left. Yes, we drove the 35 miles home in pee covered clothes.
We got home I bathed and fed baby and put him to bed then I showered myself. I went to feed the dogs and Casey's lead was tangled up in a giant stick. So I had to untangle it and in the process got covered in mud, lost a flip flop, and again got soaked from the rain. After he was untangled I went back in and with me came a little gecko. So I try to catch it to return to outside but those little things are FAST! So now my kitchen is covered in mud there is a gecko between the cupboards and the wall and I am off to take my second shower of the night. Then go to bed!
It was a long long day. But I got Wyatt covered for the winter, plus some birthday and Christmas presents. I am still looking for a picnic table though.

Life has been so busy this past week. Husband is in Canada eh. He has been gone since Aug 30. So its just been me and the kiddo. Thursday my grandma and sister came down. I was so excited to see them, but really they just made everything more hectic. I had to get the house clean for them then I had to entertain them. Usually I wouldn't mind this, but being on my own and stressed out it was just a bit much. Plus my grandma goes into the whole you feed him what well I don't really approve of that. I think you should feed him this and blah blah blah. My kid I can feed him what I want thank you very much.

Now why am I sooo stressed you ask? Oh well because the house we have been waiting on since Memorial Day weekend finally got back to us. We are going to be homeowners! Yay! Except we close September 30, and husband won't be home until October 5. Which means I get to sign all the closing documents ON MY OWN! That means signing both lines on each page. My hand is going to be broken by the time this is over. Plus I have to pack up the house and get it ready for moving. Luckily my fantastically wonderful friend Brooke said she would come down and help! YAY!!! I super pink puffy heart her!

My friend Brooke on her 21st b-day! Haha good times that night!

I was supposed to take a certification test on Sept 26, but if I can I am going to try and cancel it if I can get a refund. If not then that is a whole other issue. Oy! I just want to go to bed and wake up and everything be done and be in our new home! Fairy Godmother? Yes please!

I am very excited about everything, I am just sooo stressed about it all. We need to find homeowners insurance, get the new home inspected within this week, notify our landlord we want to move out 1 month early, hope he doesn't screw us on our deposit because of 1 measley month, remove our names from this property's electric, sign up for new electric and gas (hopefully switch companies if husband didn't sign a 2 year agreement, which if he did I am going to have to kill him!), go to the courthouse with the new appraisal of our new house and get the taxes lowered, pack up and move an entire house just 35 miles away, clean old and new house, shampoo carpets in new house, the list goes on and on. Can you see why I am stressed?? But I am excited too.

Here is a picture of our new house! It is way more house than we need but it was a fantastic deal (it was a short sale). We figured we might as well buy as much house as we can afford and this is almost twice the size of all the other houses in our price range.

Its that time of week again people! It is time to teach Brooke to cook again. This week, Omelets!

Now, the ingredients you can adjust to suit your style and how big an omelet you want.

2-3 eggs
4 slices bacon
2 Tablespoons tomato
1 red potato
salt to taste
parsley to taste
garlic powder to taste
1/8 c onion
1-2 cheese slices

I used 4 eggs because 2 of the yolks are for the Muncher's breakfast. So adjust recipe as needed.

(He is placing his order)

Take 2 of the eggs and separate the yolks. Put the whites into a bowl and put the two yolks into your skillet. (They look like a set of eyes staring at you haha). Set skillet to low medium heat, or about 325* or settings 3 or 4 depending on your burners. Break open yolks and sprinkle some garlic powder on them (its good for your heart and its tastey!)

Once this is finished cooking thoroughly, toss it to the Muncher and watch out for your fingers! (Make sure you cut it into bite size pieces of course! Don't want anyone to choke!!)

Now onto the real omelet. Take your bacon and put it into your frying pan. Set the burner to low medium heat and cook. While it is cooking, go onto the next step.

Take your eggs and put them into a bowl. Now whisk whisk whisk until its pretty much egg drop soup looking.

Now add your salt, parsley, and garlic powder or whatever you want. And stir some more! Then pour it into your skillet.

While its cooking, take your potato and slice it. I use this cheese grater because its easier but you can use a knife, just cut them real thin (but don't cut your finger! No one wants Brooke's finger in their omelet! G-ross!!) If you want onion, cut some up at this time too. I was out sadly.

By now the bacon should be almost done, so add the potato and onion to it. Then swirl the omelet around to see how much is cooked and to get some of the egg on the sides of the pan, but not too high up!

Now take the bacon out of the pan and put it on a paper towel to catch up some of that grease. The potatoes and onion should be about done. To tell if its down, the onions should be translucent and the potatoes should be able to be cut in half easily. When they are done, add to the paper towel. Crumble some of the bacon up for your omelet.

Now the hard part. Flipping the omelet! I find sometimes it is easier if I slide up just a corner of the egg and allow some of the runny part to go underneath the already cooked egg. Then I give it a little bit to cook, not too long though. Then I slide my spatula underneath it and lift it up. Make sure the egg is always over the pan though, because sometimes the runny part runs off, but it doesn't go to far! Not like that refridgerator of yours!

Now while it is cooking that side, slice some cheese or open your little cheese packets. Place slices onto the egg in the skillet. Then layer the bacon potato and onion onto the cheese. Slide your spatula back underneath the egg and fold the top over. Carefully slide the omelet onto your plate. Voila! Yummy omelet! You can add some sour cream or salsa or whatever you like to the top of it. (My grandpa likes ketchup YUCK! Granted I hate ketchup no matter what so eh).
Enjoy! Because breakfast ya know is the most important meal of the day.

I am posting this because my friend Elle asked to see what my Moby wrap looked like. I got the jersey knit fabric from Joanns and the brocade from Walmart. I won't say it was easy to make because I added the front panel. If it weren't for that it would have been easy!

This isn't the best picture, but it is all I have for now, I will take more if you would like different angles.

Please forgive the fact that I look like a total dork! Lol!!

So, my friend Brooke, can't cook at all (anyone remember eggshell brownies ha)! Ok, maybe not at all, but not too well. So I have decided to help her out. I am going to put recipes and pictures of what I cook on here each Thursday (that I remember to). So, here is recipe #1: Meatloaf

This is the best meatloaf recipe EVER! Mmm. Its from my Aunt Elaine, this woman can make the side of a barn tastey! So, here is what you start out with:

1 pound of Hamburger (its best to use the leanest meat you can afford, 97/3 would be best)

1 cup of quick oats (you can also use 1 cup of bread crumbs if you'd prefer, my grandpa does. Don't know why though, I think its because he knows oatmeal is better for you ha!)

1/4 teaspoon Garlic Salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon Worschestershire Sauce

1 egg

6 oz evaporated skim milk (it doesn't have to be skim, but its better for you. When I was at the store though all they had was whole evaporated milk.)

1/4 cup fresh onion OR 1 Tablespoon of dried onion flakes

In a bowl combine all of your ingredients. Now, before we go on to the next step, TAKE OFF ALL YOUR HAND JEWELRY!!! Very important unless you want to pick out hamburger meat from the tiny spaces in your rings! Also, before you go to the next step, make sure your little helper has plenty of munchies, because you aren't gonna want to stop and come back to this step.

Ok, are you ready now?? No more rings? Munchied up helper? Good. Now take your ringless fingers and mush everything in that bowl together. And squish and squash and let out a sound of disgust as your fingers combine all those ingredients together to form this:

(Please note there are NO egg sheels in here! That is how it is supposed to be, very important Brooke)!

Mmm tastey huh?

Now, take your blob o' meat and put it in an 8x8 pan (you won't need to grease it). Now smooth it all out with your yucky hands. I like to add some onion to the top of the meatloaf, I think it looks prettier, kinda like confetti. Now wash those gross fingers of yours. And then put it in the oven for about 45 minutes.

While its cooking you can play with your helper because most of those munchies are gone by now. But before your 45 minutes are up, you are gonna need to make the topping. I already had some made, we use it for BBQ sauce. But, you take a cup of ketchup (catsup?) and 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt, and 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Mix until its all saucy looking. When the 45 minutes are up, take out the loaf and pour on the sauce and spread the love...er...sauce around. Put it back in the oven for 15 minutes.

Then, cut into this bad boy and enjoy. I added some red potatoes and some brocolli for sides. (Hello ya can't just have meat for dinner, ya gotta have some veggies too. Otherwise your grandma might get mad! Did she ever say: Brooke, eat your vegetables so you can grow up and be president? Did she? I bet she did! Happy cooking Brooke.

So what does a stay at home mom do all day while her baby naps? Aside from cleaning, I get creative!

Here are a few pictures of what I have been doing the past couple weeks (sorry the quality is kinda junky, I can't find my canon, so I had to use my sony handycam):

View from top:

My baby shower gift for my Sister in Law. Its a diaper cake. Underneath the tissue paper, its filled with diaper rings, that are filled with some baby essentials, like receiving blankets, toy keys, bibs, a couple onesies etc. Her shower is a week from Saturday!

Sweater:

Buttons up close:

Close up of flower on hat: Wrapping: Trav's cousin found out she is pregnant about a month ago. She is due...SEPTEMBER 11!!! Its a little girl, she is naming her Blakely. So, I decided to try out a new hobby for me, good ol' fashion crochet! I made a pair of baby booties, a hat, and a sweater! Since these turned out pretty good, I am going to try and create an inventory and start selling them on Etsy.

What is Etsy you ask? Its a website that allows people to sell handmade items. Etsy.com. Pretty much anything you can think of, this website has. Even stuff you can't think of. (Uterus pillow anyone? No I am not kidding)!

And tonight, I made some cake balls for Trav's coworkers for tomorrow. These are inspired by Bakerella. You take a cake mix, bake it like you would normally, let it cool, and crumble it up into tiny pieces into a bowl. Then you add a can of frosting and mix. After that you stick it in the fridge overnight. Then spoon some out, shape into balls, and dunk in almond bark. Add sprinkles if you want! Careful though, you gain like 20 lbs just looking at these things! (Hello, its cake and frosting covered in candy!) Definitely not for the person on a diet!

Wyatt had his 9 monthday appointment yesterday. He was 28 1/2 inches tall (57th percentile), his head was 18 inches around (50th percentile), but he was only 17 1/2 lbs, (5th percentile). He needs to gain some weight, so we are going to add protein to his diet now. The Dr was a bit concerned about his weight, but not too horribly much. He said that when you add solids this can sometimes happen, so just make sure he eats more.

The Dr tested Wyatt for anemia also. He was at a 10, and should be at 11. So Wyatt was Rx some iron drops he has to have 1/4 teaspoon a day until he turns 1, then they will check him again. Other than that, he is a happy healthy baby. I think introducing proteins to his diet will help him gain some of the weight he needs. He eats 2-3 servings of fruits and veggies a day. About 5 cubes of food for lunch and 5 for dinner. I am also going to add a breakfast to his schedule now too. I am thinking egg yolks or tofu with some fruits.

Wyatt, at 9 months, you can crawl like a pro. You can stand up on your own as long as you don't know you are standing! You love to walk around the furniture and think you are pretty big stuff when you do! I love the way your eyes light up when you see me or daddy come into the room. You say Dada all the time, and you are great at screaming Mama when you are angry. You are becoming an excellent climber, just like your Momma was. I was told this is called payback ha! You like to climb up the baby gates, and if you knew enough to throw your little legs over, I think you would be over those baby gates in a minute! You are a smart little boy and I think you are going to test your Daddy and me.

Now for more wedding pictures. Once again, I am participating in Kelly's Korner Show us Your Life Blog Carnival. This week its wedding pictures, save the reception.

I loved my wedding colors, they were Fuschia and Kiwi (BRIGHT pink and green)! They were so cheery.

Lighting our Unity Candle. I look so serious, I didn't was to drop wax on me or touch Trav's hand with the flame lol!Our Groomsmen and ringbearer. From Left to Right, Trav's dad Clint, my nephew Ethan, Trav's brother Adam, Travis, Travis' brother Josh, and my brother in law Jeff.Here is where we had our wedding/reception. The Chapel is on the far left, which is where the ceremoney was. And those big windows at the front of the Church, inside there is where our reception was, but we will get to that next week!
Here is a picture of our rings. I Love this picture!
My bridesmaids! L-R: My sister Regena, My best friend Corley, Travis, My maid of honor Brooke, my other sister Melissa.

This is my Great Grandma, Mrs. Alma Travis. She past away just over a year ago. I was so happy she was able to make it down from Nebraska for my wedding. I wished my Great Grandpa had been able too as well, but he was in a nursing home, he had advanced Alzheimers. He passed away 5 weeks after my Great Grandma. I miss them both dearly. They were such good people. 1915-2008, they had a great life and experienced so many things and got to see the rise of the 21st century! She is standing next to my Grandma (who is really more like my mom) Can you believe she was almost 70 in this picture!

My Guest Book and Pen. I searched 3 different Hobby Lobbies to find these. They matched my dress with the pearls and "diamonds" :)

The cutest flower girl and ring bearer EVER! The basket and pillow match the guest book and pen! My nephew insisted on having petals to throw too, so I stuck some under the ribbon on the pillow. I think they stole the show! They were almost 3 and 5 at the time.

I just love this picture!

My programs. I made each one of them...all 100! My fingers were soo tired of tying ribbon lol! I also decorated the basket. It too was from Hobby Lobby, it was light wood, i painted it white, and glued the ribbon on. Absolutely beautiful. If I ever have a daughter, this will be in her room!

My Grandpa giving me away! He was crying but he blamed it on the pink eye he had at the time. Too bad he had tears streaming down his face. He is such a silly man! I love him! You can also see how the church was decorated. The pews had pink and green tulle bows and white tulle along the ends of the pews, with candle holders on the tops.

Our flowers and closeups of the bridesmaid's dresses. The flowers were made by my mother in law's best friend Maggie. They turned out beautiful, even though it isn't exactly what I wanted. The dresses were bright pink with a darker green ribbon around the waist with a cute little bow on the front you can't really see here. They also had beautiful trains as well. That was kind of a theme for the dresses, they all had trains, including the flower girl!

I hoped you enjoyed, and come back next week for pictures of our reception, especially our awesome truck groom's cake!!

Today, Wyatt had his first playdate! Date is all capitalized in the title because it was him, and 3 girls, so it was kinda his first date lol. There was a 7 month old, Wyatt, who is 9 months today! (Happy Monthday little boy!), a 15 month old, and a 10 month old . They all had so much fun! We met up at the Wiggly Play Center. http://www.wigglyplaycenter.com/

Ever heard of the Wiggles? They are this Quartet from Australia that do all sorts of fun baby songs etc on TV and do performances and what not. Well, they also have a few Play Centers. Its is for little babies on up to probably 7 or 8 years old. This oversized McDonald's play place for the older kids. The baby room had padded floor, soft blocks, balls, some horsey rockers, and a table and benches. Wyatt LOVED the horsey rockers, I think we need to get him one!

After his playdate, we went to see Dr. Leffler about Wyatt's eye. It was just a follow up. It cost us $20 to hear the Dr say oh his eye looks good. I already knew that for free! Oh well, it gave me an excuse to drive down South which gave me an excuse to set up a playdate!

The girls were talking about this grocery store called Sprouts. I am super excited for it when we move down there! It has fresh produce, that is cheaper than Kroger, and is really good! Fresh Dairy, fresh fruits, good prices, that is exactly what I want in a grocery store! http://sprouts.com/home.php?goto=departments