Aubergine Eggplant Parmigiana

I read an article the other day that mentioned a restaurant Scalini's, that served Eggplant Parmigiana. After eating it many pregnant women go  into labor with in 48 hours. So of course being full term, I had to try it! :)

Jordyn and I took the recipe and did exactly like it said. I got the recipe here.
It was wonderful! I ate it for dinner Saturday night, had it again for lunch on Sunday and brought the rest to work for lunch on Monday.

It didn't work! :(

But it tasted great! I will definitely cook it again!

Yes, I will be using cloth diapers!

Yes, I will be using cloth diapers on my daughter.
No I don't care if you think it's gross, expensive, hard, stupid, or anything else.
It's my baby's butt and I'll cover it how I want.

I've been getting scrunched up noses, the jaw drop, the "Why would you do that?"
People think I'm crazy, they think it's gross. They tell me that they are not going to use cloth diapers when she is at their house. (well then I guess my daughter won't be staying at your house!)

I have a stash of cloth diapers at my house and that is what I will be using most of the time.
I can't say that I will never put on a disposable diaper, but I can say that for 90% of the time, my daughter will be wearing cloth diapers.




bumGenius- This is my favorite diaper.

The diapers look just like disposable diapers! They are All In Ones (AIO) They go on just like a disposable diaper and when soiled, you just take it off like a disposable diaper, the only difference is that instead of throwing it away, you wash it. What's so hard about that?




This is an Angel Bottom Diaper


The Angel Bottom diapers are purchased from a Stay-at-Home Mom who makes them.
They are $7.00 a piece! That's not expensive at all! And I'm helping another mother be able to stay at home with her children.



Aren't these a lot cuter than the ugly old disposable diapers?

Cloth diapers are made from organic materials such as cotton. On the other hand disposable diapers contain  sodium polyacrylate, this is the same material that was removed from tampons on the 1980's because of it's link to toxic shock syndrome. (hmmmmm, don't want that on my baby's butt!)

It is estimated that around 5 million tons of untreated waste is deposited into landfills via disposables every year. I really don't want to be a part of all that waste.

I could go on and on in this cloth diaper post. But I'll stop here.
My decision to use cloth diapers is one that I am proud of and one that I feel strongly about.
I'm not trying to convince you to switch, I'm just telling you some of the reasons of why I'm using them.

If you want to know more, or have questions there are lots of websites out there.

Joshua's Senior Pictures

My oldest nephew is graduating from high school this year.
I can't believe he has grown up so fast! I still remember the day he was born and how small he was holding him for the first time. Now I have to look up at him when we talk!
I am so proud of the smart, funny, handsome man he has become.

 

This is my favorite picture of Josh and his little sister Payton.

Congratulations Josh and all the seniors at Iowa High School!

Kindle

My wonderful husband bought me a Kindle for my birthday!

I love to read so this is now my new favorite thing!

But I am also cheap!
I read pretty fast and could see how the Kindle was going to get pretty expensive if I kept buying books.
But I soon found out that I could get free books!

Here's how.

 Go to Amazon. Under Kindle books Best Sellers, on the right side are a list of free e-books! Just select one and check out. But if you see one you want to read, download it, because the free ones change quickly and are not always available.
Amazon Free Books

Amazon is the easiest to get free books from, but there are other sites as well.
Many Books
Book Yards
Planet e-Book

Some of these sites require you to download it to your computer then upload it to your Kindle. It's really easy and they tell you how to do it on the sites.

If anyone knows of other sites for free e-books, please share!

Coupon Websites & Blogs

You all know I coupon, and a lot of times I'm asked which websites I use.
Well, here they are. A list of the websites I like to go to, the blogs I read and the forums I participate in.

A Full Cup  This is my favorite! It is a forum, so there are lots of people putting information in. Some of it is local and some is not, you just have to weed thru it. I love the coupon database here. You just search for the product you are buying and it tells you if there is a coupon for it.

Couponing101  This is a great blog. She posts recent deals. "Like" her on Facebook, she is always updating.

Coupon Queen  Another great blog. She updates frequently on Facebook also.

Coupons.com   A site to print coupons.

Smart Source  A site to print coupons. Smart Source is the same company that prints the coupons you get in your Sunday paper.

Coupon Cabin This site is good to print coupons to particular stores.

Coupon Mom  This is a good site also. I don't go to this one as much as the others, but it is a good one. Lots of people like it.

These are the sites that I use most.

I'm always online looking for something, so as I find more, I'll update the list.

Things You Shouldn't Say To A Pregnant Lady

There are some things that you really should not ask or say to a pregnant woman.

It seems like people forget all manners when speaking to a pregnant woman.

Remember that we are hormonal and tired and not responsible for things we may say back to you. We are also not responsible for throwing things at your head.

Here is a list of a few things that maybe you shouldn't say. And a few responses that I have either said, or really want to say!

What'd you do? Swallow a watermelon seed?
Really? Do you know how dumb that sounds?

You have a 17 year old and a 14 year old and you're pregnant again? Are you crazy?

I usually respond with "No, I just had to have my babysitters first."

You look like you are about to pop.

Gee, thanks.

Can I rub your stomach?

Sure, right after I rub yours!

Are you sure it's not twins? Maybe there's one hiding in there.

And maybe your brain is hiding somewhere! After 4 ultrasounds, I'm pretty sure it's not twins!

Was it planned?

Yes. 

Oh my gosh, I figured it was an accident.

Yea, I bet you were an accident.

How much weight have you gained?

How much weight have YOU gained?

Another girl? Well, you can always try again.

Why? Did I do it wrong this time?

What's wrong, can't you have boys?

Well, I'm not sure, let me ask God.

You look tired.

That's just a nice way of telling me I look like crap!

Do you have any stretch marks?

Sure do, wanna see? 

You haven't had that baby yet?

Does it look like I have?

Sleep now, because you won't be able to when the baby gets here.

What's that mean? Can I store up my sleep so I won't be so tired later?

After asking what the name is, "I don't like that"

Oh no! Guess I have to change it now!

This is just a list of some things you shouldn't say. 
Please think before you speak!

Alex's Junior Prom

Alex's Junior Prom was last night, and of course she was beautiful!
I was thinking after she left how crazy it was that I had a daughter going to her Junior Prom and was about to have a newborn! AAAHHHH!!!! I'm insane!

Anyway, just wanted to share a few pictures!

Isn't she beautiful!

Alex & Joel

How in the world did she grow up so fast????