Yesterday we called the vet’s to set up an appointment to get Chase his 2nd set of needles, and then to schedule the appointment to get him fixed at 6 months. When we called the vet informed us we’ll need to get him his 1st set of needles AGAIN as well because there is only a 6 week window between them, and he was due for his 2nd set of shots at the beginning of April. We got him April 20th… 2 1/2 weeks after his 2nd set was due. So now instead of paying the $46 plus tax for his 2nd set we need to take him in to get his 1st set $95 plus tax then wait, take him in at 6 months to get him fixed $240 plus tax and get his 2nd set of needles at that same time $42 plus tax. So, the people we bought him off of should have had his second set of shots done within the time frame otherwise they shouldn’t even have bothered to advertise “Dewormed, and 1st set of shots!” Ya know? Now instead of paying $282 + taxes we’ll be paying $377 + taxes! Not a huge deal I’ll pay the money obviously, that isn’t the issue… But now he has to get poked again to have the same needles he already got due to the other people being irresponsible!

Anyways, I chipped my tooth again this morning that was bugging me and I blogged about a while back. It doesn’t hurt right now or anything, just feels very sharp. I’m going to have to make a dentist appointment and they’ll have to figure something out. They won’t be able to take it out because its right at the side of my mouth and if they remove it then it would be very visible. So annoying. I doubt there will be any way around it besides taking it out but I can hope!

I made some yummy Mac and Cheese last night for dinner. The recipe I got off of Nancy’s site (although I alter it a bit!). My family just LOVES it. They won’t eat Kraft Dinner anymore, it has to be this Mac and Cheese… and believe me, they even request it for dinner! Jordan even takes some in his thermos for lunch at school. I went and bought M&M’s last night to make my chocolate chip cookies but instead of using chocolate chips I’m going to use M&M’s but I got too tired last night. Hopefully today I can find the energy.

Time to tidy up a bit and help the kids make some crafts. The girls want to make hand prints to hang up so I have to dig out all the craft supplies! I will probably be blogging again later on today, as I have a video I want to put up and will probably think of more random stuff to talk about too! Hope you all have a great Wednesday.

I’ve been looking up a lot of stuff on the internet lately. More specific recipes which I then in turn look up facts about how fat it is, how good for you it is/isn’t and all those things. Most meals I make are very good for us, or at least I always put veggies and stuff for my sides. I came across a conjugated linoleic acid article and I was surprised to read that it can help build muscle, fight cancer, burn fat, increase calorie burning, and acts as an antioxidant. Pretty neat huh? It’s found in Beef, and dairy products. I can’t eat beef, but its a neat to know it helps fight cancer, build muscle.. etc etc.

Do your research. You find out lots! :)

Well, you’d better believe I’ve learned! Last night I was feeling pretty awkward due to AF arriving a few days early. It is wearing me out this time around.. Anyways, when my hubby got home from work I suggested we order KFC for dinner. They have great meal deal’s, I’ve been craving it for a while and I forgot about my gallstones. Big mistake. I ate one little piece of chicken because I wasn’t too hungry when it got here and at 3a this morning I was up and in the middle of another gallbladder attack. How can I forget such a thing you are probably wondering? I do it all the time. The other day I bought a sub and it was meatball. Soon as I got home I realized I can’t eat meatball because Hamburger meat is what puts me into an attack every single time. I am always able to eat chicken so I must have just forgotten how much grease is in KFC chicken because boy did it end up really causing me pain.

I was sobbing in bed at 5a because the pain was just too horrible. My hubby woke up and suggested I go to the hospital. I didn’t want to go, what were they going to do because here they make you wait for surgeries like that and the list is long so I didn’t want to go to be drugged up alone at the hospital. So, I took the last pill half I had of my percocet from my last attack that the hospital prescribed me and I laid in bed trying to just occupy myself with my phone and twitter so I didn’t focus on the pain. Chase kept getting up coming to put his head on me to see if I was okay. My hubby kept telling me to go to the hospital.. then he realized what I had eaten and he’s like “OMG KFC!” yep. Yummy, mean KFC! I won’t be eating that again, ever. I’m feeling like crap now. My whole stomach is killing me I don’t know why. I took some advil, pepto and gravol so it seems to be under control right now. Thank goodness.

I really think I could use an Orlando vacation. Or some other place nice and hot. I’m so tired lately, and I’m not sure why. Sure I have 4 kids but I’m never as tired as I have been the past 2 weeks. It’s really horrible. By the time the kids bedtime rolls around I’m too tired myself to even enjoy any “quiet time” . . . I am making a doctors appointment soon so I want to see if they can check my iron and maybe see if that could be the cause. I’m not too sure, but I get enough sleep at night and I never over do things. I just really hate feeling tired all the time.

Don’t forget! My giveaway for TWO Starbucks gift cards ends tomorrow night at 11:59p EST. Get your entries in NOW!

Do you know what is heaven? The limited edition Cookie Dough Drumstick that’s what! Oh boy, I swear I could gain all my pregnancy weight back by eating those things! You’d think I was pregnant by how yummy they are, and the way I’ve been craving them. Oh well, With all the walking I’ve been doing lately with the dog and kids I can burn whatever I eat off… right? RIGHT! They are delicious though.. My hubby loves them too, and he isn’t a huge fan of sweets. If you can find them, give them a try.. You won’t be disappointed! I try to keep my sweets in moderation because truthfully if I ate the things I crave I don’t think any amount of walking or exercise would help me out. So, moderation is key! Let’s just hope I can stay strong and keep it going. HAHA. Wish me luck!

I’ve been to a lot of blog’s lately and a lot of them are all filled with food, recipes and things like that. I love it because I find great things to make all the time that I wouldn’t even think about making before I stumbled upon them. The only picky eater I have is Jordan. The girls and Jayden eat anything and everything. I think Jordan got his picky eating from me though. I am a very picky eater. If Jordan says he doesn’t like something, I’ll try it because if I eat it he will too in most cases. Even if I don’t like something I stomach it just to see if he’ll try it. Do any of you have picky eaters? if so, any tips or suggestions that could help with getting him to eat out of his comfort zone?

Now, before I end this I wanted to post this video from a couple of days ago. It’s very short, but very cute. It’s Ava skipping… Or at least what she thinks is skipping. I don’t have the heart to tell her otherwise, because she is so proud and she is so happy doing it this way.. so she can do it until her hearts content!

What do you think, cute eh? I have to get more videos of the kids doing cute things. They do all the time, but like usual I always forget to video it all. I will be better, I want to start making all my little videos into a DVD for when the kids are older! I say it all the time, but maybe if I keep saying it I’ll eventually learn to VIDEO things!

Well, don’t forget to enter my giveaway for 2 $15 starbucks gift cards! You have until Friday, April 30th to enter! Everyone can enter up to 4 times! Who doesn’t love free stuff? The more times you enter the better chances you have.. and hey, you may even win BOTH… So get to it!

My gallbladder hasn’t acted up since I found out what it was and I’ve been watching what I’ve been eating. However, I haven’t really been able to eat much. I find I have to make myself eat most days the past few days because I have very little appetite. People keep commenting that I’m losing the baby weight, and its going quickly but I don’t think this is exactly a healthy way to do it. What I miss most of all are sweets! I love everything Maynards! My favorite is the Sour Cherry Blasters and Sour Patch Kids! A little while ago I went to the store to buy a stamp to send Nancy her Starbucks gift card and I bought a box of Maynard’s sour patch kids. AHHH. I can eat them but I need to have a few at a time.. so the tiny little box will probably last me a month. I’m not about to go nuts, but I’ve been watching what I eat and seeing what aggravates my gallbladder and what doesn’t. So I’m sure my little sour patch kids will be okay.

Last night while watching “16 & Pregnant” I was a little irritated that every single episode the dad of these little babies is a jerk! I don’t know what it is.. Maybe its how the show only ever shows the bad, instead of all the good in these people’s lives or maybe these guys are really just dead beat jerks - I don’t know but it’s really starting to bother me. Having been a teen mom myself I always have a lot to say about this show… I hate the saying “Babies having babies” but in this show’s case most of these boys who father this babies are just that themselves… big babies. Not that Farrah or Jenelle was any better… Those two, I won’t even get started on!

So because this post is already so random…a friend of mine was yapping my ear off this afternoon about an auto insurance quote she got this morning! I have no idea about any of that kind of thing - I don’t own a vehicle myself so all I could do was sit there and listen. I’m dreading when we eventually do buy a vehicle.. we’ll have to get a van - and not a 2nd hand one unless its REALLY in great condition so it’s going to be a huge purchase for us.. Something I’m hoping to do VERY SOON. It’s something I’m very excited for although I’m not looking forward to all the budgeting and stuff that goes along with it. No wonder we haven’t done it sooner.. thinking about it already has me stressed out!

I have started to all recipes to the site. I put them in the “stuff” section. I will continue to add them I just wanted to get a few up so I could add the ones people commented on after my last post about cooking… So they are there, and I’ll continue to add recipes my family likes…

Yesterday was a PA so I had all the kiddos at home. I am really starting to wonder why there are so many PA days? This month there are 2. Not that I don’t love having Jordan home because I do, but he LOVES school and I just don’t get why they need SO many. If I counted on the school year calendar I’d bet there is close to 40…. Oh well, he is back at school today and Happy about it! He loves his friends, and shockingly loves doing school work so I can’t complain. In a few years I’ll probably be fighting with him to go to school!

Not much to blog about today… The girls are watching “Babie Presents Thumbelina” and Jayden is having a little snooze. I’m going to go get lunch ready in a few minutes then perhaps try to find a new recipe online for Pork Chops tonight! And like I said in my last post about cooking - if you have any recipes you’d like to share please feel free… I love making new and yummy things! :D

I have been doing a lot of cooking and baking for well for the past 8 years or so.. but just recently I’ve really got into the baking. I used to bake the odd time, I’d pick up pre-made cookie dough or cake and muffin mix and make those but recently I’ve decided why waste my money on those things when I usually have the things around the house to make my own from scratch!

So I’ve been doing just that. Not only baking things from scratch but I’ve really been on the hunt lately for new recipes to make for dinner for the family. I get sick and tired of the same things, so I’ve done really well finding new and yummy things to make! Yesterday I made this amazing Chicken bake. It was delicious, I never thought my girls would love it like they did… they both cleaned their plates. My hubby isn’t too big of a fan of stuffing which the recipe uses but he enjoyed it as well… I’ve decided to start taking pictures and sharing the new things I make with my facebook, so why not here as well? Here is a photo of Chicken Cacciatore I made from scratch, Mac n Cheese which I got the yummy recipe from Nancy and last nights Chicken Bake:

I will be adding a recipe section back again.. I don’t know why or how it disappeared but I figured it would be fun and that way if anyone else tries the recipes, or tweaks them or has any to share they can feel free to do so. I love making new things, and with a family of 6 different recipes and easy recipes are always welcome! :D

In other news Ava is doing amazing with her eyes. Her one eye is still a little red on the side but other than that they look fantastic. I can’t believe how straight they are and how much more confident she seems! It’s really a great great thing! I’m so glad she healed quickly, and really only had a rough day or two right after surgery. I’ll be posting before/after photos in the next few days… I just have a lot going on right now I haven’t had time. Tomorrow we are heading to my MIL’s for a turkey dinner as my hubbys older sister, husband and her 2 kids are coming into town.. we’ll be going there as well as his little brother, his girlfriend and their 2 kids so it will be a house full but will be nice to have all the kids together finally, for the 1st time…

Have a recipe you think I’d like, and my family would like? Please share it! Also, if you are in need of some auto insurance quotes take a looksie there! :D Have a great Friday night everyone!

Wow.. is it really December?? December 3rd??

The last month of the year. What a year it has been too. I can only hope that 2010 will bring a lot of happiness, health and smiles to all.

Yesterday marked 1 year since the body of my husband’s Step-Uncle was found hanging from a tree not too far from my house. Such a terrible story, I just hope his kids are doing okay.

Yesterday Ava had another eye appointment at the hospital with the pediatric eye doctor. They’ve cut her patch down to 6 hours a day now, not all day everyday. She was amazed at how well her eyes are, she said her one eye is “remarkably” better and her vision is almost the same in both eyes… Which, neither is perfect but at least the patching and glasses are helping.. right? YAAY AVA!! I’m so proud of her. She doesn’t put up a fight or a fuss to wear her patch or glasses, She’s a real trooper. I think she really notices a difference too because most kids would put up a bit of a fight.

We’ve had our house decorated for a month now for Christmas. I’ve done most of my Christmas shopping. I just have my hubby to buy for a few more things for the kids and I’ll be done. I went a little nuts this year, as I always do, but I love shopping and for other people.

I put together a little baby box with some goodies for Erin which I finally mailed off on Tuesday.. I hope she receives it soon.. Who knows with Christmas around the corner but they said she should get it within 6 days. I hope she likes it, its nothing too special but Erin has been great to me over the years and even back in 2006 when I was pregnant for Kyla she sent me a box of baby stuff too! So, it was great to be able to do that for her also! :)

Well, not much else to say. I’ve been on a real cooking/baking kick lately. I’m not sure why but I am really enjoying it, and I think my family is too! I always cook and bake but I went on the hunt the other day for NEW things to make and I found a ton! Monday night I made home made macaroni and cheese bake. Then Tuesday I made from scratch Chicken Cacciatore which was amazing! Tonight I’m making Cracker breaded pork chops, Stuffing and Mixed Veggies. YUM! I’m going to reopen my recipe section and I’ll add all these recipes and point you in the direction where I got the links so you can look and find some great things for your families too!

Well, thats about it for right now. I’m looking for some office furniture because I’d like to make the part of the basement where our PC is more into an office type thing instead of just a carpet, and computer. Hopefully I can do it after Christmas.. I also want to look into fixing up the basement.. Right now its the playroom with funky colored puzzle type flooring, but I’d like to redo the walls and lay some sort of tile or something on the floor.. Make it into a nice comfy family room/playroom…we’ll see though, considering we are renting this house I’m not sure how much of a good idea that would be!

Today I had my last prenatal appointment with my Family doctor. Starting April 2nd I’ll be seeing an OB at the hospital - like usual! All is well and fine, I went a week early for this appointment because of the fall and the fact I thought I had a UTI - I should have gone next Tuesday… But, I’ve gained 3lbs since my last appointment making my total weight gain thus far at 10lbs! Which is great considering the first 10 weeks I lost weight rather than gained it! I also asked him if he could pull up my ultrasound reports so we could clarify all my dates. My first ultrasound I was 13w,2d but baby was measuring 13w,5d… So he looked at my last ultrasound and baby was still measuring the same few days ahead so he went ahead and changed my due date from June 23rd to June 20th! Only a few days, and in reality the baby will come when he wants to and when hes good and ready! But, having 3 kids a full time working hubby and the need for grandma to come babysit while I’m in hospital we need to have a ball park… so within those few days we’ll be ready! I’ve never gone over my due dates so we’ll see how this goes! I’ve changed all my tickers, I’m not going to go back and change my belly pics… Just know from now on they will be 3 days ahead :)

Other than my doctors appointment today we had to go grocery shopping - again!!!! We dropped Jordan off at school and went on our way to the grocery store.. What an adventure - every time! We go about every two weeks and we spend a lot… I’m surprised that we manage to find places for all the food we have to buy.. It’s nuts. We came home I spent about 45 minutes trying to find places to put everything in the pantry, cupboards and freezer… and all is put away and good.. I tell ya we need another room for food! :)

Anyways, today is Peter’s day off. He’s making the kiddos some dinner.. him and I are going to eat a bit later. Date night for us tonight - dinner and a movie in the comfort of our own home.. Best dates ever! These days I don’t like going out to do much because I get some uncomfortable easily. I’d take watching a movie in my pillow top over going to a stuffy packed theater anyday! :)

Today marks 22 weeks in my pregnancy! Only 18 more to go.. :) How exciting! It still seems so far away though, but that’s ok I’m loving every minute of this!!!

WEEK 22:

Fetal development in pregnancy week 22: The grow must go on! No wonder you’re getting so big, you’re now housing a wonder-baby who weighs nearly a pound and measures nearly a foot in length. Their perfect little pancreas is now further developed and they’ve also started producing their own hormones! Their inner ear is now developed to the point that they have their own sense of balance. Lucky for your little explorer, balance also promotes physical dexterity, which has them actively feeling out their surroundings where skin, body parts, and the resident umbilical cord are the big sensory experiences. Your baby’s brain is growing daily. His senses are also starting develop. He can hear the sound of your heart along with your breathing. As he wiggles her fingers, he may touch her face or even suck his thumb. His lungs are becoming more mature, and he even goes through the motions of breathing. He can also swallow, although he won’t have her first real meal until delivery day.

We made a quick run to Costco today. Of course I had to take advantage and got some junk food goodies. Along with whats in the photo we also got a ton of fruit and veggies (they were in the fridge by the time I took the photo!) . We always go to the small store by our house and get the .5 cent candies in baggies because I crave those often, and chocolate so instead we bought it in bulk so hopefully no trips to the little store for a while! :D The crisp veggies and fruit they had too was wonderful. We got 2 bags of bananas, apples and tons of vegs. We didn’t need anything else really as we just got groceries this past Saturday, but it never fails we always leave Costco having spent $200-$300. That’s the price you pay to get in bulk, which to us is soo worth it!

I’m really exhausted. The kids are all fed, and we’re going to go bath them in a few minutes and get them in their jammies… Watch some tv, read some books and get them into bed around 730 tonight.. Then hubby and I are going to watch a movie, and eat some yummy Roast Beef he made with all the yummy trimmings (he even made lemon-dill roasted potatoes for me to try!) so that should be nice.. I’m hoping to get to bed at a decent time tonight, I’m overly exhausted.

I added today’s 22 week pregnancy pic - - which by the way I found out the hard way today just how big I’m getting - - I am having a very HARD time bending over to do up my shoes! HAHA… Already!!! Anyways, hope you all have a great Tuesday night.. I’m off.