Where have all the children gone??

WARNING: This blog post may insult some people...if you are one of the ones insulted...bring your kid out more!

So this is my third attempt in six months to write this post and I hope I actually follow through with it this time. I guess I am writing out of frustration. Where have all the children gone? I take my kids to one of the following everyday: playground, library, friend's house, indoor amusement park, mall play space (ok, those are usually packed). Anyways, you get my point. The sad thing is that sometimes, we are the only people there.

For example, a few weeks ago it was about eighty degrees out and it was perfect playground weather. Dan had off so we decided to go to this large playground by our house. There was probably three other families there, besides us. It was 4pm on a weekday...and beautiful out. Why aren't the playgrounds packed? Where are all the children?? What's funny is that my husband has heard me complain about this before but he turned to my while pushing Kayleigh on the swing and said: "Why aren't more kids here?" My head almost exploded!

So, maybe they are all playing in their backyard several-thousand dollar play sets I see around my neighborhood. Well, since we walk pretty much everywhere I can say...that unless they all just run indoors right when we are coming up the block, no no kids in the backyards either. THIS IS A PROBLEM. Everyone is very concerned about what their kids eat, I don't want my kid to get fat, etc. However, I see very few children actually out and about on a regular basis. People need to be moving constantly to stay in shape. I am not speaking from experience since I need to get out MORE and move more. I do think that there should be a healthy balance of exercise and diet in a child's life though and all I am seeing is the emphasis on diet. I know, its a different world even from when I was growing up. Fifty years ago kids were thrown out of their houses and told not to come back home until the street lights came on....you would be arrested for child abandonment nowadays...if a pedophile didn't scoop your kid up first. This doesn't mean they have to sit in the house all day though. Babies, toddlers, children and teenagers should get out everyday for hours at a time. It's good for them and for you!! Try it! Maybe you will be a happier person.

Forget happiness...how about skinny? Alright, it won't make you skinny but chasing your kid around a playground is a lot more work that putting that Elmo DVD in or handing your grade schooler their DS. I admit, I have my lazy days but Kayleigh can't stand being in the house and I think that's a great thing.

So there it is. Take your kid out more. It will make them healthier, happier and maybe they will even sleep better from all that fresh air! If you are so concerned about their diet then take them to a farmers market one day and help them pick out some fresh fruits and veggies. Park the car at the very end of the parking lot when you drive somewhere so you have that extra five minutes to walk and chat with your little ones...they have a lot to say! GO TO THE PLAYGROUND...YOU ARE PAYING TAXES FOR THEM!! Grab a book and read while your child runs off energy in the backyard...or on that several thousand dollar play set. Getting them active now will help them be active later. Think about it, are you raising a couch potato?

Meal Planner 5/20

So last weeks meal plan went ok. The first half of the week was a little rough since it takes twice as long to thaw food out from our deep freezer. I have to keep that in the back of my head. Anyways, here is what we are having this week:

Monday: Turkey Burgers!! Yum.

Tuesday:Spaghetti Dinner

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Chicken drumsticks, Rice and a veggie


Thanks again pinterest for the recipe: check it out!

Thursday: Crockpot Italian Chicken...Pinterest Recipe!!


4 Chicken Breasts, 1 Packet Zesty Italian Dressing Seasoning, 1 8 Oz. Cream Cheese (softened), 2 Cans Cream Of Chicken Soup; Cook On Low For 4 Hours. If Sauce Is Too Thick, Add A Little Milk. Serve Over Pasta


Friday - Pat McGann comes into town and what better way to celebrate than having Dan make her his famous....Double cut pork chops, Roasted sweet potatoes and roasted Parmesan cauliflower.


The Cauliflower recipe is actually a pinterest recipe that has become a favorite in our house. You can check it out here

Saturday - Cowboy Skillet Casserole - This is one of my moms favorite recipes! Check out the recipe below.

Sunday - My mom and I will probably eat out somewhere after church and then snack away the rest of the day. Poor Dan has to work...

Cowboy Skillet Casserole


- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 red bell peppers, cut into two inch pieces
- 1 (15 ounce) can of baked beans (I use bushes and get a really flavorful one)

- 1 package of fajita mix
- 1 (8.5 ounce) package of corn bread mix (I sometimes use two to cover the whole casserole better)
- 1 egg

-  1/3 cup milk


1). Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2). Crumble the ground beef into cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently until beef is evenly browned. Drain the grease and add the onion. Cook onion until translucent. Add the red pepper, beans and fajita seasoning. Cook and stir until heated through. Spread out in an even layer in the skillet.
3). Mix the package of cornbread mix according the directions on box and spoon over beef mixture
4). Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean
5). Let cool before serving.

Meal Planner 5/13/2012

So I do meal plan but then forget to post. Here is my meal plan for this week! I have most of this already which means shopping will be light this week. Yay!

Sunday: Spaghetti Dinner!

This is a favorite in our house. Kayleigh loves "adebbi"

Monday: Split Chicken Breasts (yay for being dirt cheap at Marcs), Roasted Potatoes with rosemary and thyme (the hubbie started this awesome tradition) and a veggie

Tuesday: Keilbasa (a family favorite, Kayleigh thinks we are having hot dogs), spanish rice and a veggie

Wednesday: Easy Chicken and Biscuits.

This recipe has been on my pinterest for a while and so far everything I have tried on there has been to die for! Here is the recipe, if you see me post this dinner again in the near future you know it was a hit!

http://www.campbellskitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=24190&ref=%2fMatchingRecipes.aspx%3fmaintab%3d1%26slider1%3d2%26slider2%3d0%26slider3%3d1%26fbid%3dLEZ66sqqH6V&fbid=LEZ66sqqH6V

Thursday: My awesome meaty chili!

Ahhh love you crockpot!!

Friday - Chicken Milano

I was so fortunate to receive meals right after I had Riley and this has become a family favorite. I am so excited to have my inlaws try it out since they will be visiting. Check out my friend Marie's blog for the recipe!

http://thelincbetweenus.blogspot.com/2012/01/whats-for-supper.html

Saturday - Baked Ziti

Riley: Two Months!!

WOW! Where has the time gone little one...you are two months old already!! I remember time going by very quickly with your big sister but I feel like I blinked and you grew up! Alright, you aren't quite grown up yet. You are growing though!

At your two month check up you were a whopping 12 pounds and 7 ounces!! Someone likes to eat. You are also 22.5 inches long. You are in the 85th percentile for weight. That is so weird for me because Kayleigh was always so small. I know, stop comparing you to your sister! Sorry, I'll try and stop that. You were little miss personality at the doctors office. You smiled and talked to your doctor the whole time! She said she thinks you are going to be a talker. Also, you have great head support according to her which makes me wonder if you will sit up early like your sister did. No pressure, you just ride out life at your own pace little girl.

You are such a happy baby! You smiled the day you turned six weeks old and it melted our hearts. I sometimes catch Kayleigh leaning over you on your mat saying: "Are you going to smile baby? Let's see a smile!" I think she gets the most excited when you smile at her. I know you will be great buddies.

So you are a happy and sleepy baby. In one week I had three nights of 10-11.5 hours of sleep! Luckily the doctor said it was fine since you are gaining by leaps and bounds! So sleep on my little sleepyhead.

Wait, I should let everyone know that although you sleep so well during the night, during the day is a different story. You are a cat napper on most days. You take 10-30 minute snoozes here and there. I think you have a serious case of FOMO (Fear of missing out). Your sister had the same thing, and still does. This does make you quite cranky right before you drift off to dreamland but you are such a great baby otherwise that a few minutes of a nervous breakdown doesn't really bother me.

I know you LOVE me but in all reality I think your best friend right now....is the "My Breast Friend." Every time you see it your little blue eyes light up. I admit I am a bit jealous but I know you will realize one day that it is just a pillow and your sister, daddy and myself are WAY cooler. 

So that is all for now little snugglebug. I love that you just curl up on the couch with me and fall right to sleep in my arms. You are happiest when you are in my arms and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here are a few snapshots from your 2 month photo shoot:

Riley: 1 month

So technically, Riley is now five weeks old but I figured I would post monthly to try and remember what this kiddo is up to. So what are you up to Miss Riley??

- You have been able to hold your head up since being in the hospital.
- You actually don't despise tummy time like your sister did but I don't do it nearly as much as they suggest. You can hold your head up though so I am not worried.
- You have started to coo
- You smile a lot in your sleep but have yet to smile at us awake
- You ADORE your big sister. Whenever you hear her you try and find her and focus on her
- You sleep an average of seven hours strait so far.
- You love to sleep in mommy and daddys bed! You do sleep in your bassinet in the beginning of the night though.
- You are starting to like your mat more and more. Your favorite toy is the chicken. You enjoy Kayleigh taking all the toys and going "nom nom nom" and pretending that the toys are eating you.
- You love to nurse. Seriously...if you are not asleep you are nursing.
- Last time you were weighed you weighed 10lbs 4oz. You have gained 2 pounds in five weeks. Can we say chunky monkey (that's what Kayleigh and Daddy call you).
- You actually enjoy your bath. I wish I had more time to give you them! lol.

Life with two has been great so far (besides the mastitis but lets not get into that). Kayleigh isn't a huge fan of Riley constantly nursing. Riley was nursing pretty much 24/7 after the mastitis depleted my milk supply but things are slowly getting better. I cannot wait for my girls to start interacting with each other. Of course, the lack of interaction is not due to Kayleighs lack of trying. I am constantly finding princesses, crayons and even roger with Riley when she is in her swing or on her mat. Kayleigh cannot wait for Riley to play with her! So here are a few pics of my darlings. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big sister Kayleigh loves playing with Riley on her mat.

First Bath!

Gee...I wonder who put that baby doll on your back

My sleeping babies.

Welcome baby Riley!

So I have been MIA again, but I have a very good reason! On February 16, we welcomed our second little girl to the MacLeod clan, Riley. She was a whopping 8 lbs. 4 ounces and was 20 inches long. She is a dream when it comes to babies. She sleeps 6-8 hours at a time at night and has been doing well with nursing. Although I would appreciate the biting to go away but I just keep telling myself in time.

So before little Riley came, I was very anxious about adding another to our brood. I mean, I want a ton of kids but it did occur to me that Kayleigh and I had a pretty good thing going and would bringing a baby into the equation ruin anything or....everything?? Well, let me just say I was wrong to worry.

First of all, my husband has been home for two weeks and spending a lot of time with Kayleigh. She has loved this and I think it helped our relationship because we got a break from each other. My husband has been great keeping her busy, taking her swimming, little gym, the library and the playground, among other things. I KNOW I am the luckiest wife out there because he is just amazing with our kids. He is also a pretty awesome husband and an amazing cook!!

Also, something happened when Riley came into our family. I was worried I would not have enough "love" for both my kids. Well Dan and I have become lovey, sappy dorks and the amount of love that I have for both of my kids is quite sickening, in a good way. Kayleigh also LOVES her little sister. Although she is very confused as to why she won't play princesses or eat any of her snacks that she tries to share. She also gives the baby one of her Rogers every night now before bed. How cute is that? I think they will be great friends one day!

So I may go dark for a little bit since I am just soaking up this time with my little ones! Kayleigh is a little clingy, which started before the baby came and she also wants me to do everything that she is doing. Independent play is a thing of the past. Luckily I get a break at playgroups and a few support groups that I attend sans Kayleigh which gives me some special time with Riley. I'll try and keep everyone updated on our little family!!

38 Weeks!

Wow I cannot believe I am already 38 weeks. At the same time, I can not believe I made it to 38 weeks. I am so ready for this little girl to make her appearance. At my doctors appointment this past week, I was 2cm dilated and 60% effaced. She didn't think I was going to go this week though. We will see! I am going for a pedicure today so hopefully that gets things moving!!

Nothing else is really new. Although the doctor said the baby is still pretty far up, I feel as though she has dropped since my breathing is so much better now a days. My appetite has gone way down, although I did eat a sleeve of oreos this morning. Oh well. My total weight gain is also only 20 lbs! Yay me. Trust me I was in no way trying to control myself unless 32 oreos in one day is completely normal for most people.

Kayleigh is very excited to "have a baby." Her friend from playgroup just had a baby brother and she is just in love with this little guy. He is pretty darn cute but she talks about him a lot and told me yesterday that she wanted a baby. I told her I would see what I could do. She was so excited! Hopefully she is just as excited when we bring the baby home. I think she will be a great big sister!

So here is a pic of me at 38 weeks. I look huge!! Don't worry, the doctor thinks this baby will be around seven pounds, which is what Kayleigh weighed. I guess we will just all have to wait and see!

Hopefully my next post will be a birth announcement!