Month 10 Must Haves!!

Here is what were loving this month!

Fisher Price Little People Classic Block Shapes

These blocks are the perfect size for little guy to start playing with, because they are still too big to fit into his mouth.  He tries to put them together, and can stack them on top of each other- but has yet to get them to click. He can seriously play with these for a good 30 minutes- which is amazing in Mommy time.

Three Foot Wading Pool

This pool is $7.99 at Toys R Us- and while its the perfect size for baby swimming, its useful for so much more.  Its the absolute perfect size to contain any messy play, and because its that super light plastic it can be cleaned easy and moved to wherever its needed. 

So far we have used it to paint in, play with moon sand, play with jello- all big hits.

Cars Upholstered Chair

This is Graysons current favorite spot to watch Super Why. Its his own chair, and the remote balances just perfect on the arm rest.  I like it because its wooden, so its sturdy. When he tries to pull himself up on it, it stays put- which is a plus because hes constantly using this as a jungle gym. Oy.

Innobaby Packin' Smart Stackable Snack Container

Best. thing. ever. I can bring along 5 different snacks- puffs, fruit, goldfish, pretzels, and Cheerios all in the space that the Puffs container used to fit. Each piece comes apart and has a little pour spout so they all stay in place. You can put formula, and pacifiers in the compartments as well and remove any part you don't wish to take along. Anytime I am out people always stop and ask where I got it, its just a really awesome diaper bag essential.

Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls

If you want the bowl to stay put, this is your answer. It prevents them from knocking the bowl over when they are attempting to get food out themselves, or from tossing it over the edge when they no longer want to eat. Plus, they have lids, which means you can save some for later and just pop it into the fridge. Also works well on the snack tray of the stroller, or the tables at restaurants where they don't always have kid friendly tableware.

Make sure to check out Months 1-9 Must Haves here!!

Someone bring me an adult beverage.

So way back a few weeks ago Grayson took his first baby steps from my friends couch to her coffee table. Yay!!

Since then, hes been getting better on those legs- but gravity and him are still not bff's by any means.  He will pull himself up on something, then take about 5-6 steps on his own before dropping to his knees and crawling the rest of the way.  He hasn't yet stood up from nothing and taken off, but he does literally run the length of our sectional. He just sticks his hand out when hes a little shaky, but he zooms.  I know hes just going to get up and start running some day, but I'm in no hurry for that day to come.

What we have been doing really well? Climbing on everything.

Yesterday I ran to the kitchen to answer the phone and when I walked back into the room he had pushed his little red arm chair behind the couch, climbed onto the back of that chair and was attempting to scale the back of the couch.

Later that day we went to the park to try and get some pictures for first birthday invites- but this bench looked way more fun.

As well as the 6 foot slide he scaled with no help from us.

Oh and how many babies can do chin ups at 10 months?

Apparently, this guy.

As you can see the hubs is right there, but in no way is he holding onto him at this point.

So here is what I don't get, he cant walk, but he can climb like a mad man? It doesn't make sense.

The only thing I know is that I'm going to have to start drinking wine, stat.  

Sunday Social- All about Fall!

Here I am again, linking up with the Sunday Social. I had such fun last week popping in on different people and reading the answers to their questions that I decided to do it again!


 
1. What is your favorite fall activity?

Im going to pretend it says activities- FOOTBALL!!,  pumpkin picking, celebrating the hubs and the Grayson boy's birthday, back to school excitement, seeing the leaves turn colors, warm apple cider, taking Grayson trick or treating and finding him the perfect costume, Homecoming at the school I teach at and seeing the kids get all into it and have fun, celebrating the day I married the hubs- I like fall, a lot.

Our First Anniversary Picture- it was game day.

2. Do you follow a football team? If so, which one and why?

I love Football, and there is no question- I bleed black and gold. I grew up in a family of Steeler fanatics, and married a Steeler fanatic.  We live literally 5 minutes from Heinz Field, and can hear the crowd roar from our back yard on game days. We try to go to at least 1 game a year, and have been on the waiting list for season tickets for 3 years now.  I absolutely love how crazy Steelers fans are for their team, and the following that they have all over.  They are hands down my favorite fall activity.  

 No lie, he was 12 hours old- but it was game day, and he needed to learn how to represent early. This photo made it onto the local news to announce his entrance into the world.

3. What is something fun about fall in your area?

The leaves turn pretty colors, tons of farms have pumpkin picking and hayrides, haunted houses galore, trick or treating in our neighborhood can yield 300 kids, and Steelers Games.

4. Fav Fall outfit staples?

Big chunky sweaters, jeans, warm hoodies, boots, fleecy sweats and football jerseys.

5. Things you are looking forward to most about this fall season?

Seeing Grayson turn 1 and enjoy his first Halloween where he can get a little into it and celebrating our second wedding anniversary.

6. Favorite Fall Holiday? Traditions?

I like Halloween just a bit better than Thanksgiving, but its close. Going pumpkin picking at the same farm, taking drives to see the leaves, carving pumpkins competitively, decorating for Halloween, Halloween parties at friends houses, writing what we're thankful for on our place mats and re-using them every year so we can see what changes year to year....Im big on traditions and holidays.

I will do this again this year- just need a bigger pumpkin.

Go Link Up With Neely and Ashley!! Now!!

If you REALLY knew me...

You would know that I put Heinz Ketchup on almost anything. Some things that gross the hubs out? Potato chips, mac n cheese, and green beans to name a few. I don't put it on pizza though- that's just weird.

You would know I love all things Wizard of Oz. I even have collectibles in my classroom and a special mug that I drink my caffeine from that says 'Dont make me get the flying monkeys" Yeah, I'm five. Its cool.

You would know that I would have 10 kids if I could a) afford to give them the life I think they deserve b) didn't have to get pregnant 11 times because, well, that sucked and c) if I had a live in maid/nanny so I could get stuff done.

You would know that due to my first job as a general slave in the K Cafe at Kmart I can not STAND to see a sink full of dirty dishes or crumbs on a table.

You would know that I started playing the violin in 3rd grade, and stopped on the last day of my senior year. I played every day for 10 years, and haven't played for nearly 10- but I can still name pieces and pick the violin out of almost any song. 

You would know that I have a deep seeded hatred for the dentist. I need bribed with presents to go, and I'm an adult. The only dentist I like is my friend Christine- because shes only in dental school and not completely evil yet.

You would know that every day when I walk into work, or wake up in the summer, I have to have a can of Coca Cola. I can feel the caffeine suck into my cheeks, and it makes me happy.

You would know that I over-think and over-worry about everything. I can drive myself crazy worrying, so I'm sure the teenage years are just going to be WONDERFUL over here. I may need to be sedated when Grayson learns to drive.

You would know that my husband was the very first person I met at college- in fact I almost ran him over. We started talking and clicked- we were instant best friends and close for about 1 1/2 years before we started dating. Meeting him was the best thing that ever happened to me, even if he drives me bonkers sometimes.

...so what would I know if I really knew YOU?

Wordless Wednesday

One happy kid.

Whats for Dinner Tonight? Crock Pot Mexican Chicken

This is one of my all time go-to meals, its seriously that good and completely customizable. It tastes exactly like chicken you get at good Mexican restaurants, and since its done in the crock pot it makes your whole house smell yummy too!

I found the original recipe over at Dinner With the Bickfords - but I have modified it to suit the picky, picky hubs.

Ingredients:

1 pound chicken breast

2 Tbsp of taco seasoning

1 clove garlic

1 jar Salsa (I use either Mild or Medium, whatever I have on hand)

1 small can corn

White or Brown Rice

Shredded cheddar cheese

(You can also add onions, red or green peppers, jalapenos, beans- whatever you would like)

First- line the crock pot with a Slow Cooker Liner. Seriously, the best thing ever because there is virtually no clean up after dinner. They always have coupons for them online, and I get a pack of 3 for around $2. Well worth me not having to scrub the crock pot out.

Next, cut the chicken into bite sized chunks. To make quick work of this, I just hold the breast up and use a pair of kitchen scissors to snip pieces off. It goes much quicker than if I were to use a knife, and since I'm usually throwing this in the crock pot at 5 am its much safer for the digits.

To the chicken add the jar of salsa, can of corn, and taco seasoning. Using a grater (or you can mince it if you prefer) grate in the garlic so you don't have big garlic chunks. Stir to combine.

Set the crock pot on high for 4 hours or low for 6 and you're all set.

Once you come home, stir up the chicken- it should be fall apart tender.  Make your rice, we use minute rice cause we're lazy like that. Plate up a scoop of rice and top with the chicken mix, then add some shredded cheddar cheese to the top. There you have it, instant happy tummy.

Enjoy!

Monday Randoms

Hello, Lovelies!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend- the weather was pretty great here. Meaning I could brush my teeth without breaking a sweat, and when I went outside my hair didn't go to instant q-tip because of the humidity. Love it!

This weekend I finally decided to jump full fledged into social media and joined Twitter. I'm learning how to use it, and so far its pretty fun! So do me a big favor and click the little Follow Me on Twitter button to the right here, so I'm not that girl who follows 1000 people but no one follows me.  You can find me @InThisCrzyLife and I promise I'll love you forever and ever.

So this weekend the hubs worked literally all weekend. He hasn't seen Grayson awake since Friday afternoon- its been crazy hard on both of them.  I spent hours hearing the little guy go "Dada? Dada? Dada, Momma, Dada? DAAAADDDDDAAA!!"  I took a video and sent it to hubs, who then came home at 10 PM and stood at Graysons crib for like 20 minutes secretly hoping he would wake up so they could play or snuggle.  I could just melt when I see those two together- but I told him that if he woke that baby I would rip his face off. Momma was tiiirred.

I tried to take the pictures for Grayson's birthday invitation this weekend as well- epic.fail. Taking pictures of this kid is seriously a two person job, otherwise you get this.

Uh, its my party and Ill pout if I want to? 

Im still taking questions either in the comments or by email for my Ask Me Anything Post- Ive gotten quite a few good ones and I promise Ill answer them all :)

Happy Monday!