I should have heeded the warning signs

After tiring of the ride on the cart game, Riley was placed inside the grocery cart for the last 3 1/2 minutes of our shopping trip. First I look up to see him sucking on the bottle of dawn. Thankfully, the cap was still closed. Crisis averted.
Then I had to take away the cereal bar he got after ripping open the package. It was chewed and gross.
I then here BITE. This is what he bit:


Y'all, seriously.


BARF. That's raw meat, people. Raw freaking meat. He didn't swallow any. He just took a bite and spit it back out. I can imagine why(the spitting out part, not the wanting to take a bite), though I'd rather not think too long on it.

I called the pediatrician and as long as he doesn't start puking, he should be alright. But I did hear the words, "stool sample" if the vomiting does show up. JOY.

He has mouthed plenty of animal hair and the occasional dog poo from outside. Plenty of bugs and rocks and whatnot.

What disgusting thing has your rug rat put in his/her mouth?

I'm so excited!

But I can't tell you why. Because it's embarrassing. And it shows you just how mundane my life has gotten.
I will tell you that it has to do with Kellogg and Keebler products and a Kroger mail out. Plans have been made.

I am SUCH a dork now.

He was so happy

He was all giggly and smiley.





And then I didn't pick him up. And he wasn't happy anymore.

He's cute and all

But look how pretty my wood floors look in this picture.





They're in no way clean, but they look so shiny.

Visitors

My brother and nephew came through on their way back to Dallas after visiting my parents. Riley really REALLY likes his cousin Alex. Which is fortunate considering it's the only cousin he has. Both my boys have a weird fascination with Dan, my brother. Maybe it's the family resemblance to Mama?


Alex and Riley had a fun time in the playroom.

Look at the adoration pouring from Riley.

Dan joined in for a little while.

There was a delay in leaving since Riley took Alex's shoes.














It was a wonderful, though brief, visit. Alex is amazing with the boys. He has three little sisters and is great with younguns. I can't believe how big he's gotten. I only get to see Alex and Dan twice a year. I wish we could spend more time with them but traveling anywhere with 2 kids is beyond my abilities.





We're heading to Virginia in September for a week. Hold me.

I love it here

Riley no longer even cares if we're in the bed or in the room with him. He just wants to run in, climb up, snuggle under the covers and watch Coo Coo(Monkey--Curious George). It's pretty funny when The Guy comes out, looking for hugs and adoration from his baby boy, and Riley runs right past him.

Teehee

My mission

He doesn't crawl yet but it was past time to drop the crib down from the top level.


I dropped Brock off at the diapers because I knew he'd have a good time organizing them.


Riley just ran around trying to find dropped pacis or screws or whatever he could find to get me to say NO for.


I hurt myself with some unforeseen technical difficulties caused by doing this by myself. But the kids had some fun for a while.
It's a slide!




What? I'm almost done with the sorting phase.


Hewo? Bebe?


Halfway through.


The diapers lost their appeal. A bottle helped calm his outrage.


I did it! I was very proud of myself. I felt all, I am Woman. Raaaaarrrrrrrr

It started out alright

Lots of sweetness and light was spewing forth from the floor and I actually managed to get a picture of it.




It didn't take long for Riley to yell MINE and take off with the toy, but not too far away.




Brock wasn't too concerned.


Until he was.

ChooChoo

Riley really wanted Gordon to have his picture taken. Thanks to Thomas, the child, not the train, for loaning Riley a bunch of choo choos to obsess over.

Chicken Parmesan

I took two recipes for chicken parmesan in the cooking light cookbook and kinda combined them to make my own.


Starting with the sauce:
Pour 1C of boiling water over a handful of dry sundried tomatoes. Let sit for 20 minutes to rehydrate.


Finely chop the rehydrated tomatoes and one small onion.


Saute in 1 tsp of olive oil for 5-7 minutes, until onions are soft.


Add in 2 cans of diced tomatoes, juice and all.


Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.


Meet my impediment. He was alll up in my way. But the cutest little nuisance I've had to deal with in a.....well, that hour.


Add in:
2tsp dried parsely
2 tsp dried basil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4tsp black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced


Stir it all up and take it off the heat until you get everything else ready.
Cook 8oz of spaghetti with a little oil and keep it ready for putting everything together.

Now for the chicken. You'll need 4 chicken breast flattened to an even thickness. They say 1/4inch but who measures?
Your assembly line:
One plate of flour
A plate/bowl with 2 egg whites, beaten
A dish with 1/2C italian bread crumbs, 1/4C grated parmesan, and a few shakes of pepper

Dip your chicken in the flour

Dip in the egg whites

End in the crumb mixture. Can you find the chicken? This made me think of a sting ray camouflaging itself in sand. I even wonder about me sometimes.


Saute chicken in 1 tbsp of olive oil. It took about 5 minutes a side to get it done and with a nice crispy outside


Now for final construction. I apologize for the horrible lighting, it was night and my kitchen lighting, while beautiful for regular use, does nothing for pictures.

Put the spaghetti in the bottom of 13x9 in baking dish.


Top with half+ of the tomato sauce.


Put your chicken on top of that.


Top each piece with tomato sauce.


Top all that with a cup(or two) of mozzeralla cheese.


Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until the cheese melts.


The Guy loved it. I loved the chicken but since I'm not a big fan of tomatoes anyway, I didn't love the sauce.