Help! My Menu is in a Rut

Do you ever feel like you are in a rut with your meal planning? I am feeling that way right now. I am wondering if anyone has any ideas to get me going again. I am especially interested in any great ideas that are toddler friendly. I have been really trying to provide healthier meals and expose Cody to a variety of foods instead of just sticking with his basics...even if it means he just tries one bite, which is a huge step. In my children's nutrition class I had to read a book about feeding children and it said that children-especially toddlers-are neophobic (scared of new things) and that it takes being exposed to a particular food sometimes as much as 14 times before they will try the food or be comfortable eating it. So I am really working on exposing Cody to the world of food. A year ago we could get him to eat anything and now even the things he loved then are turned down. His new phrase is, "that grosses me out." Oops. I think he got that from me (being pregnant makes me gross out easier). Do you have any ideas for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner? What are some of the ways that you incorporate vegetables throughout the day? What are some dishes that are budget friendly? What are some ideas of what to pack in a lunch for Steve on school days where there is no microwave or fridge? As you can see, any ideas you might have are welcome and greatly needed. Help!

USA Today's Youngest Reader

The other day while Cody was eating his toast he asked me if he could read the mail. I thought that was a funny little request from a two year old, but I couldn’t see any mail in sight. Then I figured he must be talking about the newspaper. Sure enough—that’s what he meant so I handed him USA Today and waited to see what he would do. Amazed, I watched him flip and fold the pages like a pro. He really looked like an interested reader just catching the latest news with his toast and juice.

Growing Things

We like growing things (things like plants, not mold or warts or tumors). Steve has been dying to get his hands on some seeds and start growing herbs. We’ve been checking the stores since early January and finally found some Rosemary, Parsley, and Mint seeds at Home Depot last week. Cody has fun helping dad water them with the squirt bottle. We really like growing our own food and we dream of the day when we can grow a lot more in a yard of our own, but for now we will have to stick with the mini flower pot version on our balcony. Starting seeds and warmer days are making me anxious for spring!

Valentine's Party

We had a fun Valentine's Day. We went to the library when Steve got home (which is nothing out of the ordinary--if we aren't home that means we are at the library) and then the Cramer's brought over dinner from Jimmy John's and some Valentine treats. Steve, Raquel, and Lacey played racquetball while Cody, Tammy, and I hung out at home. Cody got a little stuffed puppy (pictured) and blanket with balls on it from Cramer's and Duncan's gave Cody a little Elmo backpack so that he can be like dad when he goes to school.

Even though Steve and I didn't go out to dinner or anything for Valentine's, Steve did a whole bunch of sweet things for me throughout the week (which isn't out of the ordinary--that's my normal wonderful life being married to Steve). We went to the temple together a few days before, he washed and vacuumed the car, and cleaned the toilet. You may not think that that is very romantic, but it's the little things he does everyday that make him the person that I love!

Shower Buddies

Cody has started taking showers and loving it. After he gets himself undressed (mostly) he starts running around the house with the neck of his shirt around his chest. No diaper, no pants...just living free. When he gets in the shower he just dances around the whole time and then doesn't want to get out until the water is cold. Usually Steve just sits next to the shower and helps Cody, but this time he got in (fully dressed) for the picture.

Playing in the Snow at Grandma's

Today we went down to Steve's parents and packed in a whole day of fun. Tammy and I went to the Worldwide Leadership Meeting (which was awesome) while Steve hung out with Cody at the Cramer's. Then Steve and I went to the temple while Cody played with Grandma and Lacey in the mountains of snow. They made an arch. I also got a much needed haircut from Tammy. Time is always fun at the Cramer's and we're glad we could hang out! We will miss them when they go to Japan!

IT'S A GIRL!

Good news everyone! We had our ultrasound on Tuesday and we are having a girl! We are very excited and love talking up the "baby sister" thing with Cody. Hopefully the more we talk about it the more it will become real to Cody (and us!). I have my ultrasound pictures but I won't be posting them yet. Our internet connection has pooped out on us and so I am doing a quick update here from my parents house. I am sorry for the sudden drop in posts. I was doing so good at keeping us up to date. Darn! Despite the internet/holiday set backs I will keep trying to keep things rolling. Anyway, I just had to pass on the good news about our baby girl. I hope she likes wearing navy blue and playing with monster trucks! :)

Steve's Birthday

Yesterday was Steve's birthday. Tammy, Raquel, and Lacey brought dinner, Superman balloons, and birthday cake (homemade ice cream crammed with chocolate) up to our house to celebrate. We played games and ate on the new table we got for Christmas, which we LOVE! Everyone can actually fit around our table now.

Happy Birthday Steve! I Love Ya!

The Thomas the Train Trend

Christmas and winter are so much fun with kids. Cody has really gotten into the spirit of things this year and it makes Steve and I even more excited for Christmas and actually sort of OK with the snow thing. Cody can't wait to put on his gloves, hat, and coat every time we leave the house and every time we bundle up to go outside he tells me, "snow boots, mom" and each time I would tell him that we don't have any and then he would say, "store" (what a problem-solver). I knew that my inspired mother-in-law bought Cody some Thomas the Train boots for Christmas (which just happen to match his Thomas the Train hat and gloves) and figured he would just have to wait a few more weeks. When I told her about Cody being very adamant about getting some snow boots she let him open the present early (she was just as eager to have someone to play in the snow with). Cody put the boots on and Grandma and Cody went out to build a snow man. That was Sunday and Cody has worn them ever since. When Steve was a little boy he would wear his snow boots all summer (in Arizona) and so I can only imagine what we are in for :) I am so glad that Cody loves playing in the snow and that he is loving his boots. Last night we took off his pants while we were getting ready for bed and before I knew it, he had his boots back on. If there is anything cuter than a little boy with boots on, it's a boy wearing boots and no pants!!

What's wrong with this family picture??

Two posts ago I shared our story of unsuccessfully getting a complete family picture and mentioned that we are still in need of a picture for my parents mantle that includes all members of our growing family. While looking through some pictures on my parents' computer I came across this one that was taken on Sara and Bob's wedding day in May by their photographer. There are five great reasons why I think we should use this picture instead of getting a new one.

1. I was amazed to realize that EVERYONE looked absolutely fabulous in this picture which is almost unheard of for a family picture. True, Cody isn't showing his cute smile BUT he is 2 years old and he is looking at the camera at the same time that everyone else is.

2. My hair looks normal! I don't know what it is about picture days, but it always seems that no matter how great my hair turns out on a normal day it will completely freak out on picture days. I have pictures dating clear back to kindergarten to prove it.

3. I am getting fatter by the day. My little pregnancy muffin top is alive and well and time is running out for looking good in much of anything.

4. Why pay a photographer to do something that you have already paid a photographer to do?

5. Our outfits coordinate. This is a must for my mother.

I am interested to hear your thoughts about this issue. I have brought this up with my parents but I am not sure they are totally convinced yet. If you would like to express your opinion about this picture please comment here. If you agree with me please email my dad at dduncan@premiercpas.net and let him know how you feel in addition to leaving your comments here. If you disagree you need not email, but feel free to comment :) Ha ha!