Freezer Meals

It's a lot of work to bring myself to make dinner on any given day.  I hate to cook.  So I'm thinking when Owen is born, my family might just starve.  That would be a bad thing, right?

Given my aversion to cooking I should really be doing this mass cooking regularly so I don't have to make my way grudgingly the stove every day. If I could focus my energy into a weekend cooking spree every once in a while I'd be all set.

A google search brought me HERE and I thought I'd share.  Here's whay I plan on trying out- they seem so easy, how can I screw this up? 
Cranberry Chicken
Cornflake Potato Casserole
Dr. Pepper Spaghetti
Anyone else have any freezer recipes to share?  In a few months I'll be looking for baby food recipes so get ready to share those too.

Saving Face

Before running out to Oliver's 18 month checkup I want to take a minute to save face...a little damage control if you will.  I think I painted a really bad picture of myself with last nights post.  BDNP couldn't believe I actually posted that (I usually have to OK a picture of myself and am hypercritical).  Well, I don't take it back.  Real is real.  But every once in a while there are days like today.  Feel free to compare (the bed's even made this time!).  This is an example of what I look like when there are places to be and people to see.  See, I can pull it together sometimes ;) 

...and check out the earrings! http://www.rockstarhairfeathers.com/

I'm Just THAT Fabulous

I make no pretenses- I am a bum.  If I have no plans to go out...I don't get dressed.  My hair has been TERRIBLE since about 4 months postpartum with Oliver when it started falling out around my hairline and grew back in like a friggin circus clown. 

I admit there's truth to the "look good, feel good" train of thought.  Sometimes I need to get dressed to force myself to think up some errand to run.  But today I looked like hell and still felt good. 

I thought my belly looked fabulous in my husbands BoSox tee (from the 2004 ALCS, the series during which we met).  And my frizzy hair was perfect for spending the day uncluttering the bedroom and doing some laundry... I even washed the morning and afternoon dishes at lunch time instead of waiting to pile dinner dishes in my ridiculously shallow sink and forcing myself to get to it before bed. 

I spent today barefoot and pregnant and loving every second of it.

It doesn't get any REAL-er than this! 

I decided to cheese it up and take some selfies like any good pregnant lady would do. 

32 weeks...Don't I look great!? (no answer necessary)

Chef Oliver

I want to do more with Oliver as he grows and learns and is able to do more and more.  So I thought today we'd "bake" some cookies for daddy.  The plan was to make Nutella cookies that a friend shared with me from pinterest.com (thanks Missi!) but I had no flour.  Seriously? There are 4 ingredients and of the 4 the one I don't have is flour.  OK.  I mean how often do you have nutella around.  That's not an always on hand item around here.  O well. Plan B: Pillsbury Funfetti cookies.

Oliver "baked" his own version.  He pretty much poured sugar and sprinkles between two bowls, a tray...and the floor.  He enjoyed the measuring spoons and tools.  He didn't even try to eat any sugar.  OK once he brought his hand to his mouth, but mommy said Uh-uh and he actually listened.  So when I was dropping cookies onto the sheet I gave him a piece of dough to roll into a ball like me.  He ate it.  Go ahead and mail me the Worst Mother of the Year Award.  Darn.  But who doesnt enjoy raw dough and batter right?

The Not-Quite-As-Glamorous Life of a REAL Real Housewife.

Much to my husband's dismay, I am a fan of Bravo's Real Housewives series.  I love the glimpse into high society life and the drama that comes with having big bucks, (not an issue I need to be worrying about).  But I find myself questioning the title of the show.  "Real?" Oh, I don't think so.  Even "Housewife" is an inaccurate portrayal for quite a number of the women filmed in the various cities.  As far as I am concerned, a REAL housewife doesn't lead the glamorous life these ladies lead.

I, on the other hand, am a REAL housewife.  I am with my child 24 hours a day without the help of a nanny, au pair, or baby nurse.  If I don't cook dinner there sure as hell is no chef picking up my slack.  My closet is entirely devoid of designer labels, which isn't much of an issue as I am not attending any of THE social events of the year.

My home is messy, but filled with love.  I have been known to spend the entire day in my pajamas.  On the days I do get dressed I cannot guarantee it includes doing my hair and makeup.  I hate cleaning and I hate cooking which makes my role as homemaker just a little bit difficult.  I'm not perfect- not nearly.  Yes, I can go days at a time without leaving the house, and yes, we probably watch too much TV.  There are days I doubt myself and whether I am a good enough wife and mother, but I must be doing something right.

My son is just beautiful, and his eyes SHINE when he smiles, (and he smiles a lot).  His laugh is music and nearly breaks my heart with its perfection.  He is smart and happy and confident.  My husband loves me, and I never question that.  He laughs at me in a way that makes me happy.  He thanks me for little things like doing the dishes and he's not being snide or sarcastic.  We are comfortable with silence and comforted by each other's presence.  Sometimes we dance to no music, (and neither of us can dance).

I know that there are women far more together and energetic than I am.  My best friend is a mother of 3 under age 4 and is always dressed, made up, running errands, and all with dinner cooked by lunch time.  But I am pretty positive that there are just as many out there who can relate to my life. 

There is no shame to living the life that works for you.  We all have our insecurities, and we all have room for improvement.  Step back for a minute and take stock of the overall picture.  Your home is a mess, but is your family happy?  Your child is running around in a diaper, but are you chasing and laughing with him? You're tired and disheveled, but does your husband make you feel beautiful?

Consider this my introduction.  Nice to meet you.  This blog is my attempt at exercising my brain and writing something longer that a Facebook status update.  Follow along and share your own opinions and experiences as I share some of my own thoughts, experiences and challenges.