Little Napping Baby

I am sitting here watching my sweet baby take a nap in his swing. I absolutely love these sweet moments when he looks so peaceful and is dreaming. He loves being cuddled up in his brown, "fluffy" blanket. He loves having his lullabies playing in the background. I love my baby sooo much.
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O-Town Bound

Ryder and mommy are going to visit Grammy and Grandpa in 1 WEEK!!! We are so excited. It was originally supposed to be a surprise, but Grammy was so sad about leaving us in Birmingham, that we had to tell her we were coming to visit. Then, Grammy surprised us and bought different flight dates so we could come earlier and extended our trip so we could have a chance to visit everyone and spend time with everyone without being stressed.
My friend from high school, that I use to dance with, also had a baby girl yesterday. I am so excited for her and her husband. Little Kailey Rose was 8lbs 1 oz (I believe) and is healthy and beautiful! Here is a picture of her:

Look how beautiful she is!!!!

I am so excited to get to O-Town and see her and get my hands on her. The last time I saw Cristina, she was still very much pregnant and Ryder was 3 weeks. Things have changed so much in the past 4 months. I can't wait for her to see how Ryder has grown and what she has to look forward to!

Ryder got in the bed with me, yesterday. I was sitting and talking to him and trying to take pictures. He looked at me and brought his finger in front of his mouth as if he was telling me to hush--TOO FUNNY

What's New Pussy Cat...

It's been awhile since I've posted something other than a recipe. Ryder has grown so much in the past month. Just ONE month! I cannot believe how alert he is now and how much he is learning every day. He has found his feet, started to roll over again (he started at about 2 1/2 months and then quit), he's swatting at things and actually grabbing at his toys (and bringing them to his mouth haha).
He is still going through the beginning of the teething process. Lots and lots of drool. I cannot keep his outfits dry and I am constantly changing his bibs. He also always has his hands in his mouth, chewing on them. Of all the teething rings/toys we have bought him, he would still rather have his hand.
We recently cut his hair. It was getting so long and the top half of his hair was that black/dark brown color and the bottom was blonde. (It was like the hair of the teenagers ten years ago who had the blonde on top and black underneath-o so natural-but in reverse) Now, he has the cutest little cut ( thanks to hubby) and his hair is blonde!!! Everyone was so surprised when two blonde parents gave birth to a BLACK headed baby. Well, ladies and gentlemen, my baby is definitely his mommy's baby. When I was born, I had black hair, too. At about 3 months, mine fell out and began coming back in blonde. That is EXACTLY what happened to Ryder...

My mom holding me in 1987

Me holding Ryder in 2011.

Tell me he doesn't look like me. haha. That little boy in the picture right above this is so much smaller than the baby that is sleeping in his swing right now. 

Here are some pictures of late. I can't believe how much bigger he is. He is in the 75 percentile in every measurement. At his last doctor appointment, on the 8th of this month, he weighed 15 lbs and was 25.5 inches long. That is a little under double his birth weight and 5.5 inches longer than his birth length.

Get back your pre-baby body...

Click on the link for this free give away

Knit Knacks Giveaway Day 21

Noi's Custom Wall Decor & More!!! SOOOO Cute...go check it out

http://knitknackseptember.blogspot.com/2011/09/september-21-nois-custom-wall-decor-and.html#comment-form

Shepherd's Pie

YUMMMMMOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Shepherd's Pie

5 large potatoes

1/2 an onion-chopped

1/2 c shredded cheddar (I used 1 c)

6 oz frozen peas and carrots-thawed

1lb ground beef

1 T olive oil

2 T Ketchup

2 T Worcestershire sauce

2 T flour

3/4c beef broth (or water)

salt and pepper to taste

-use potatoes to make mashed potatoes (mixing butter, salt, cream or milk, and pepper)

-cook peas/carrots until tender

-preheat oven to 375 degrees

-saute chopped onion in olive oil

-add beef to onion and cook through-drain the fat

-put beef and onion mix back in pan and add 2T flour and stir

-add ketchup, Worcestershire, and broth (or water) and bring the mixture to a boil

-turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes

-grease baking dish

-layer ground beef and onions on the bottom of the baking dish. Follow by peas and carrots and end with the last layer of mashed potatoes.

-Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top

-bake 25-30 minutes

TEAS and Taco Night

Don't get too excited...it's "Taco Hell" not homemade. But I am tired today and feeling a little nauseous so I don't want to have to cook and then clean up afterwards. Don't judge me;)
I took the TEAS nursing entrance exam on Saturday morning. I passed...YAY...Now it is time to wait. The official deadline is November 5th, so I won't hear anything until closer to the end of that week. AGH...a month and a half away. When I find out if I pass, let's not be too cocky...IF I pass... I have a lot of work to do. Not only do I have to find a day care for Ryder, but I also have to get certified in CPR by the AHA, get a background check, take a drug test, get a physical, AND get my shots all up to date. I am so excited. I am praying I get accepted. If you feel like taking a quick moment and sending a little prayer up to God, I would really appreciate it.
Stay tuned and I'll let you know how all of this goes.