Pampers and UNICEF 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine *giveaway*

There are some things you should know. Watch the video to learn more about this great program from Pampers...you will be rewarded.



*Why did Blogger feel the need to freeze the video on a random dorky face instead of the nice smiling one I have at the beginning of the video? Not exactly what I would call "flattering."

5 Little Things I learned This Week- Tiger Woods Edition

Sundays...I love Sundays. If only there could be a few of them every week.

Since I am enjoying my Sunday so much I just wanted to take a few minutes and fill you in on 5 little things I have learned this week.

I have learned this week that...

1. no matter how much time I have under my belt as a mom I will always dislike having my decisions and choices questioned and disregarded. I'll just leave it at that.

2. no matter my intentions if Luke is involved with the food preparation and planning it is bound to cost more. A prime example are the granola bars I am baking right now. If they are good I'll be sure to pass the recipe along. His high standards for protein in his granola bars is really upping the cost! Luckily I have been able to keep him under control this time.

3. my love of Tiger Woods is undying. I find myself holding my breath when he is about to take his shots. Luke and I were talking about how awesome he is and how you don't question Tiger Woods, Luke's conclusion: "Tiger Woods is the Chuck Norris of our generation." Yep, we think he is that much of a badass.

4. I love snow days. Okay technically I didn't learn this in the last seven days but I was reminded of it this week. March snow storms are awesome. I love getting 10 inches of snow and having it melt off the roads, sidewalks, and some of the grass the next day.

5. the Scramble game on Facebook is bad news. I don't even want to share with you how much time I have spent playing that game in the last since I found out about it a few days ago. Oh man, once I start I just cannot stop and then it is 11:30 and I was planning to be in bed around 10:00. If you Like Boggle you'll like this game, but play at your own risk!

More Than Words Can Say - A Thousand Words Thursday

Love.




For More ATWT visit Jen.

Orange You Glad I'm Awesome

First of all, yes I know my title for this post is pretty sweet. I hope you guys don't think I am showing off or anything, but I can peel an orange keeping the skin in one piece. These sorts of completely useless talents are my specialty.

I guess it would not be too far off if you were to think I am easily excited and entertained, and also that I am a dork.

The Line I Have Drawn

When I started this little corner of the web six months ago it seemed like a no brainer that I would use a nickname for my daughter in place of her name. I actually started off by using a nickname for Luke too, but I gave up on that after a bit because it just did not feel right, (which is odd because I think I call Luke by his nickname in real life more that I do his actual name.) Those of you that are familiar with things around here know that I call my daughter Monkey.

So why am I bringing this up? Well, there has been a lot of talk lately about Internet safety and privacy. I have thought about this subject numerous times since starting Evolving Mommy. How much information is too much information? How much information is enough information to make connections with the people who stop by? How do I keep the information private that I want private?

The decision to use a nickname for my daughter on this blog was easy. The decision to continue to use the nickname has not always been an easy one. It would certainly make things easier if I did not have to backspace to delete her name and replace it with Monkey when I have brain farts while typing. It would be easier to make videos without having to constantly watch my tongue. I am also sure that it would be easier for our family members and real life friends that visit Evolving Mommy when leaving comments. Also as Monkey is growing up and I do wonder if "Monkey," is really the appropriate nickname.

Even with all that I keep on typing Monkey into my posts. There are reasons for using an alias for her. Reasons that I am sure every mom can understand. As a Mommy I just want to keep my sweet little girl safe. It is my job to keep her safe. Maybe I am a worry wort but I just do not trust the intentions of some people on the web. Also, because Monkey is still so young she has had no say in whether or not I include her in my blogging. I am very aware that what I post on the Internet will never ever go away and so I try to be mindful of that fact and keep her somewhat anonymous. I mean what person wants (possibly unflattering) stories from their childhood easily accessible on the Internet and following them around forever.

There are of course other things that I try t0 keep private. Our hometown, exact birth dates and last name are all things that I work to keep under wraps. There are just too many "bad" people out there in my opinion.

So what are your thoughts on privacy. Do you share the names of your children or do you use nicknames and/or aliases? Do you openly blog about your hometown or do you keep things general and vague? Where do you draw your lines between okay to share and not okay to share?

Over on my sidebar I have a NewBaby video with my thoughts on this subject as well.

Baked Apple Cranberry Pancakes

We Love Breakfast in our house. Love it. So much so that we also eat it for dinner almost every week. What can I say breakfast is fairly simple and quick yet I still get to be creative with my food. Oh, and did I mention that breakfast for dinner is generally pretty inexpensive too? Yep, there are so many reasons to have breakfast for dinner. Luke is a protein fiend so a meal of jsut baked pancakes would never fly...unless it were just me and Monkey, so we also did a veggie scramble with garlic, spinach, bell pepper and onion too.

These pancakes are quick and easy. Feel free to play around and add more apple, try pear, add in some toasted nuts, or whatever strikes your fancy. The possibilities are limitless.

Ingredients
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) melted unsalted butter
2 large apples, peeled, cored, and cut into about 1/4-inch-wide wedges
1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup quick cooking oats
2 tablespoons ground flax seed meal (optional)
Confectioners sugar for dusting


Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saute pan. Add apple wedges, cranberries, cinnamon and 1 teaspoon sugar to skillet and cook, until the apples start to soften, about 5 minutes.

While apple is cooking, add milk, flour, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt, remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter, and flax seed meal (if using) together in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly.

Butter a 11x7 inch pan. Spread softened apple mixture evenly in bottom of buttered pan. Pour oats over apple mixture. Pour pancake batter over apple mixture and transfer pan to oven. Bake until pancake is puffed and golden and soft yet springy to the touch, about 15-20 minutes depending on your oven. Dust with confectioners sugar and serve warm.

We ate these simply dusted with the confectioners sugar but it would be great with any number of things on top; warm maple syrup, apple compote, caramel sauce, vanilla yogurt...

This recipe can be doubled.

As always Let me know what you think.

Other Evolving Mommy recipes you might like:

• Honey Whole Wheat Bread
  
• Pumpkin Pancakes
• Carrot Zucchini Muffins

My Molly Maids - A Thousand Words Thursday

Excuse Me, Ladies? You seemed to have missed a spot. Oh, and when you are done there I would like you to make sure to clean the toilets, dust and take out the trash.

Okay but really, I know they are going to grow out of the "it's fun to clean because mom does" phase. So here is my question: is there anyway to at least delay it a bit?

For more ATWT visit, Jen at Cheaper Than Therapy.

I am so going to win...

So I just finished up my NCAA Men's Basketball bracket.

I bet you didn't know I was a big college basketball fan.

Well, I'm not. But I am a fan of friendly competition and money.

Every year my family holds a little pool and my grandparents run the show. Some years I do well. Some years, like last year, I don't...at all.

You want to know my secret for picking teams. Names. With a name like Gonzaga how can you loose. Siena that's a pretty name. Binghamton has a happy ring to it. Robert Morris, now that sounds like a dentist and I'm not a big fan of visiting the dentist so that one will have to go towards the bottom of the ranks. You get the idea.

So did any of you layout your own bracket? Who did you choose to win?

Bambu Cutlery Review

My Mommy

It is a great thing to grow up knowing you are loved.

It is also a great thing to grow up and know that there are people in the world that would do anything for you.

I am a lucky lady to be able to call this beautiful woman, Mom.

I could not list the sacrifices Mom has made for me, my sister, and brother because as a new mom I am learning that there are so many things that you put aside for your children. I have learned that even though there are things that she gave up for us that she will never hold it against us.

My mom has always worked hard to help provide for us, and expected us to work hard as well. I appreciate the work ethic my parents have taught me. Even now she works full time and goes to school full time.

Even through our sometimes rocky teen years she always tried to let us make our own decisions and have our own minds. This could be frustrating when all I wanted to know was what my parents thought I should do, but it was also comforting to know that my mom trusted me to make the right choice.

My mom has always encouraged us to be accepting of others and open to new ideas. A prime example of her accepting nature is how quickly she accepted Luke into the family. (He's a weird one, you guys have all seen his table manners and his centaur bike right?) But really all joking aside, Mom has always made it a point to learn things about different peoples cultures and religions and to show respect to other peoples ways of life. I appreciate the example she has set for us. I am grateful that I was shown as a child that all people are good regardless of political affiliations, sexual orientation, religious preferences or skin color among other things.

I know I got my sarcastic attitude from my dad (Thanks, Daddy), and I am pretty sure I got my ability to laugh at myself from my mom. Along with this ability Mom taught me that being silly is a good thing. (I think I prove this by being more than willing to shove myself into a cupboard and post pictures of it here).

Over the years we have made lists of funny words she has made up in the middle of conversations, teased her endlessly about her habit of passing the phone off to other people for no reason and her tendency to walk off and forget about whatever she started cooking. And over the years she has continued to shower us all with hugs and kisses, words of encouragement and understanding, and love, lots and lots of love.

Through becoming a mom I feel like I am learning more and more about my mom. There is so much that I can look back on and see clearly now. Those friends I had that she didn't approve of...she was right, she wasn't being over-protective...she was being smart, and the hugs weren't just for me they were for her too. I know I am a good mom because of the example my Mommy set for me.

There is so much to say about her, yet there are not enough words to say it all. I'm so proud of my Mom and all she has done. I am so proud to say that I came from her.

10 Minute Tuna, Tomato, and Spinach Pasta

What wife and mother wouldn't love to have a 10 minute meal in their repertoire that isn't grilled cheese and canned soup? I love to hang out in my kitchen cooking, but there are days that a quick and healthy meal are nice. Everyone needs a break sometime right? Well this pasta sauce is quick, easy, and inexpensive. Not to mention that you can most likely find all of these ingredients already in your kitchen any day of the week.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup diced red onion
2 cloves garlic
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 cup diced tomato (or 1 can chopped tomato drained)
1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach
6 oz can tuna, drained
1 tablespoon lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Warm olive oil in saute pan. Saute onion, garlic and red pepper until onion is tender. Add dried basil, tomato, spinach, and tuna and simmer on low heat for 3-5 minutes. Add lemon juice and simmer for about 2 minutes. Serve warm over whole wheat pasta, garnish with tomato, Parmesan, or fresh basil.

Other Evolving Mommy recipes you might like:

• Shepherds Pie
  
• Spicy Chicken
  
• Pumpkin Ravioli with Sausage and Spinach
  

Shots

Yesterday Monkey had her 18 month check up. She had to get... dun dun dun... shots.

Interesting thing was she didn't care at all when it can to actually getting the shot. Can you guess what she did care about though? The band aid.

Seriously she did not care about the shot one bit, but when the she realized the band aid was on her she freaked out and started crying and scrambling to pull it off.

Crazy kid.

It was a silver holographic, sparkly band aid and she did not want it. What kind of girl is she?

EarCheck Middle Ear Monitor Review

When I was a kid I can remember having plenty of ear infections and to this day I know when I am getting sick based on how my ears feel. Luke had so many ear infections as a baby that he had to have tubes put into his ears. So when The makers of EarCheck approached me about reviewing the EarCheck Middle Ear Monitor I thought it sounded like a good thing to try out with Monkey considering her parents ear issues.

Here is the is what the makers of EarCheck have to say. :

EarCheck Middle Ear Monitor is a first-of-its kind, clinically proven and physician-recommended, home- use device that accurately detects middle ear fluid, a key sign of an ear infection. The device helps parents identify when a child might have an ear infection, when it is necessary to seek medical attention and when the fluid is going away or gone.

What Evolving Mommy thinks:

Luckily Monkey has not had any ear infections to date, but I know that just because it has not happened does not mean it will not happen in the future.

After testing out the EarCheck with Monkey I have some thoughts. With one button I can honestly say that the EarCheck was easy to use. The display is easy to read and the results are straight forward and easy to understand, either fluid is unlikely, you should continue to monitor your child or you should consult a doctor. I like that the EarCheck is simple and does not require me as a parent to evaluate more information than I have to. Because we all know that when your child is sick or hurting you don't have time to chart out numbers and compare graphs.

I was a little worried that it would be hard to keep Monkey still enough to try out the EarCheck, but she thought it was great fun. Mostly because the EarCheck makes a light chirping and beeping sound while it is scanning which she though was very entertaining.

Because we have not had to suffer through the dreaded ear infection yet buying a product like this never crossed my mind. The only worry that I have about the EarCheck is that it is battery operated. I never realized before we had Monkey how many things require batteries.

I do think this product would be a nice addition to any first aide or "sick kit" for your kids, especially if any of your children have trouble with ear aches. Having the EarCheck around would help you evaluate your child's ear pain and help you decide if a doctors visit is needed and possibly saving you time and money.

Please feel free to visit EarCheck Middle Ear Monitor's website for more information.

My Gangsta - A Thousand Words Thursday

When I gave birth to a girl I thought I would never have to deal with sagging pants and such. Apparently I was wrong. Oh, well at least her little pink diaper is cute.

For more ATWT visit Jen.

That's What Friends Are For.

Today is a bit of a sad day for me. One of my best friends is moving across the country. To Maryland. What a bummer.

Some of you may know my friend Michelle from There Must Be More To Life Than Dishes and Laundry. I have know Michelle since I was 8 years old. I joke that our friendship is almost old enough to vote and buy porn and join the army. Although I am not sure that our friendship would join the army, but that is beside the point.

The other night as I was driving away from the coffee shop where we were having our last "Girls Get Together" a song come on the radio that couldn't have been more perfect for the way I was feeling.

I love Michelle like a sister and I will miss her so so much but, I know that this move will go great and that although Maryland is no Colorado it will be a great place for her, her husband and their kids.

So in honor of Michelle and her move across the country I would like to share that song I heard on the radio, that perfect song. It's a little bit of a throw back but I think it just might get you singing along.




Michelle, if you read this I love you, and you can always count on me...always.

Small Batch Brownies

Okay so I have a sweet tooth, and there are times when I just need a yummy baked good. In order to not end up with 6 dozen cookies or a full pan of brownies I have been playing around with the idea of small batches and I love it. 2 or 3 brownies is perfect to satisfy my craving and when Luke only eats one of them it's not as bad if I end up eating the rest because the rest is not 17 brownies it is 1 or 2. Yum.

Small Batch Brownies


This recipe makes 2 or 3 individual sized brownies. I use a 5x3 inch mini loaf pan, but I think a muffin tin could work as well.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 oz unsweetened chocolate chopped, (about 3 tablespoons)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons beaten egg or egg substitute
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cup chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a mini loaf pan, about 5x3 inches in size.

Melt chocolate and butter together. This can be done by either using a double boiler or by microwaving the chocolate and butter together on medium heat for about 45 seconds to 1 minute in a microwave safe bowl. Add the sugar, egg and vanilla to the melted chocolate and mix well. Mix in the flour and salt. Fold in the nuts and pour batter into greased pan.

Bake brownies for 25-27 minutes or until the edges of the brownies start to pull away from the sides of the pan a bit.

Without Monkey

Well, Monkey had a sleep over with her Nana last night so Luke and I are off to enjoy a bit of our Saturday without chasing Monkey around.

In the mean time head over to Moms Without Blogs, Lee has written a great post about being alone...or I guess not being alone, which is very touching to me today since I am without my little Monkey.

What We Are Lacking Here in Colorado

I live in Colorado, as I am sure some of you know.

When you think of Colorado in winter what so you think of? My guess is snow and cold. Well, your wrong, at least for this year. It has been in the high 60's to mid 70's all week. We spend so much time taking walks and going to the park this week. Sounds great right? Well, it has been but something just does not feel right. Honestly I can't remember the last time it snowed. I can't remember. I really really can't.

Now let me set the record straight, I am not a fan of winter, I don't like to be cold. I don't really love summer either though, I don't like to be overly hot either. But, this no snow down right warm weather in March is a bit much for me to handle.

Like a young child I find myself wishing and hoping for a huge snow storm. I just want to be stuck in my house with Monkey and Luke with nothing to do but bake things and cook things, hang out in my pj's and rotate between books, movies and blogs. After which I am sure I will be more than ready for my favorite season to some along and grace me with tulips and daffodils.

It's going to have to snow sometime right? Am I crazy to want this? It seems like the weather around here has been a little off lately. I am sure some of you are down right tired of the white stuff outside your door.

Come on Mother Nature I don't think I am asking for too much. All I am asking for is a good 8 to 10 inches, in one night, that's all.

Bonding - A Thousand Words Thursday

"Well Papa, I have been thinking about your investment portfolio and I think that maybe you should look into lower risk funds with the way the market is looking. I'm just not sure emerging markets are the way to go right now. Oh, and hey, what did you think about Tiger's first game back? I think his swing still needs some work."

For more ATWT visit Jen at Cheaper Than Therapy .

Coffee Time

If you read my last post you already know that I am have issues with the technology in my life right now. I am hoping that someday I will be smart enough to fix them and that Comcast will somehow decide to pull its head out of its ass and come fix my internet. Yeah, I am a little frustrated. I know I am a little late for to join in on Tuesday's Tribute, but the blog ate my homework, and my alarm didn't go off and I got a flat tire and traffic was bad and I got lost and...and...and did I mention Comcast sucks?

So today I would like to pay tribute to coffee time. Coffee time is what I am having right now as I sit in a local coffee shop decaf latte in hand. No caffeine after 2:00pm for me or I am a crazy sleep walker/talker/ dreamer, just ask my poor husband. Coffee time is also the password to the free wireless internet this particular local coffee spot provides for its patrons.

You see coffee time has not only brought me a lovely latte complete with pretty leaf design in the foam (and a gooey brownie, don't tell Luke) but also high speed wireless internet. I brought my little laptop in and logged on and like a gift from the gods high speed internet is pumping through my handy little Dell's veins. This makes it sound like internet is a drug. An addictive drug. And it is, don't try to tell me you don't go through withdrawals if yo can't get your fix.

So tonight I salute not only Coffee Time, but the owner of the fine establishment because I needed a fix...the brownie and latte were honestly just a fantastic bonus. I am sure that Luke is thankful to Dell, this coffee shop and our car for making it possible to get me out of his hair and stop the whining, complaining and moaning from me.

It hasn't seemed to faze me at all that that the table is wobbly and all the comfy seats are taken, and there is a table of un-showered college guys loudly watching YouTube about 15 feet from where I sit, it is probably my internet high, and the David Gray and Coldplay playing in my earbuds.

Also, yes that is a picture of my coffee cup and yes people looked at me funny when I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures of my coffee cup. Whatever they can think what they want, I don't care... I'm online.

Baby Bjorn Bib Review

This Days Down Hill Slide

When I woke up this morning I thought today was going to be good, our internet troubles were supposed to be fixed by a Comcast technician between 8:00am and12:00pm this morning.

When I checked my bank account this morning I thought today was going to be great, hello federal tax refund check.

When Monkey woke up in a good mood I thought I was set for an awesome day.

When I remembered that it was only supposed to take a max of 3 days for my blogspot address to change to my .com I thought today was going to be just plain awesome.

After a few reality checks I have decided that maybe today isn't going to be so good, great, awesome or wonderful.

It is 11:48 am and the Comcast Technician has yet to show up. My internet is only half working.

That tax refund is there in my bank account but not a penny is destined to be spent on anything like shoes, cooking items, books or clothes.

Monkey's good mood was an early morning fluke. She has spent the rest of the morning crying, hanging all over me and fussing for no reason.

When I tried to check my blog to make sure the domain name switch had finally gone through I was more than a little upset to find that the only thing coming up was that my blog was not found. Hmmm, that's interesting since blogger is telling me that my switch to my .com was successful and complete. So now I am back to my .blogspot address and needless to say, feeling very frustrated.

I guess it is just one of those days where mediocre is the best I can hope for.

The Week in Review- 5 Little Things

My week in Random Review.

Monkey and I visited and had lunch with some our family yesterday. It was nice. My Great Grandma has a little dog, it's fluffy and yippy and Monkey is never quite sure how to react to it. Well, apparently this dog has decided he likes Monkey. So much so that he humped her leg. No joke. My Grandma's little dog thought that hopping on little girls leg was totally appropriate and okay, I had to step in and interrupt his little party to let him know that I wasn't digging that idea. Monkey was a little confused to say the least.

Our Internet went out on Thursday evening. I was pissed. By Saturday morning when the Comcast Technician came I was twitching and experiencing cold sweats. Turns out all we had to do was push the standby button on the top of our modem. We are brilliant.

After being sick and loading up on bagels and orange juice I am feeling a bit gigantic and bloated. Who knew that eating practically nothing but bagels, toast and crackers could make a person feel so slow and dough boy like. So now that my digestive system is behaving once again it's back to workouts and balanced eating. Hopefully. If I can stay motivated for more than 2 days.

This morning when checking out at the grocery store we decided to go into the line next to the mean grocery store ladies line even though there was no one in her line and we could have breezed right through and been on our merry way. She saw us standing there and didn't want to say anything about being available to help us but her boss was right there looking at her obviously wondering why she wasn't providing good customer service to us and letting us stand in line while she helped no one. Is it bad that I enjoyed watching her struggle with what to do..."I don't want to help them but my boss is watching me, what do I do?"

Every 3 months or so I get a huge urge to shop and spend money. Right now I am trying my hardest to stay away from Banana Republic, and any kitchen store, shoe store or book store. Hopefully I'll be able to avoid these stores until this extreme urge to spend passes, but I am worried that I might just break down and start spending money at other stores instead.