A Healthy Snack

I'm a snacker.  I've always liked eating frequent smaller meals rather than 3 large meals.  I hate the overly full feeling and I seem to get hungry before the next meal no matter how full I was right after eating!  I try to eat somewhat healthy snacks so when I saw a cute idea on Pinterest I had to try it out!  This was pinned as "breakfast sushi" but I made it for an after dinner snack.

What You Need: 

Banana(s)

Peanut Butter

Rice Krispies cereal

How to Make:

Peel your banana and slather it with peanut butter.  I'm not as cool as Katie and I still use regular peanut butter, not that powdered PB2 stuff.  Maybe someday I'll convert but I'm still a little nervous...

Spreading peanut butter on a banana is a lot trickier than you'd expect.  Bananas are flipping slippery!  

Once you get your banana covered in peanut butter, roll it in rice krispies!  Once again, a lot easier said than done.  I ended up pouring the cereal on my banana and kind of spreading it on.  

I know mine look nothing like the Pinterest version but I wasn't in this for the presentation!  They were pretty messy so I ate them with a fork.  I'm classy like that!  Please ignore the fact that my thumb looks super long, it must be an illusion.

I'm linking up today:

Here is the original pin:

Source: pin2fun29.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Pizzalicious Pins!

This week I'm sharing pins from one of my food boards!  These are all foods that I've made (and enjoyed)!  I decided a while ago that whenever I made a Pinterest recipe, I would re-pin it to a separate board so I could remember that it was a good recipe.  If I try a Pinterest recipe and it's not so great, I don't re-pin it to this board!  If you want to follow me on Pinterest, click the button in my sidebar!  ---->

These are all pizza recipes I've made.  Pizza is a food group in our house, ok?  Don't judge.

Source: sixsistersstuff.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: allrecipes.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: kim-thislittlelifeofmine.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: simplesuburbia.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com via Emily on Pinterest

Oreo Cupcakes!

If you know me at all, you know I love anything to do with Oreos.  I like them plain, dipped in [chocolate almond] milk, in my fro-yo, in cakes, in cookies, in cupcakes, you name it!  When I saw these cupcakes on Six Sister's Stuff, I knew I had to try them out.  Brownies + Oreos + Cupcakes?  It's impossible to be disappointed!  Please take a moment to appreciate that I actually took the time to use my big girl camera for this post!!  

Brownie Cupcakes:

1 box of brownie mix
1/3 cup of vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sour cream (I use reduced fat)
3 eggs (I use Egg Beaters)
half a banana mashed (not pictured)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup flour

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix all ingredients together.  Put them in cupcake papers and bake.  Bake for 18-20 minutes.  (The original recipe also gives the baking time for mini cupcakes: 10 minutes.)  
Note: I'm not sure the purpose of the banana in this recipe.  You can definitely taste it after baking and while I don't mind it, my husband kept saying there was some "weird" flavor in the cupcakes.  I didn't confess that I put banana in because he probably wouldn't eat any more of the cupcakes.  Yes, he's picky like that!

The original recipe did not call for filling but since I was acting like I was on Cupcake Wars, filling was a must!  Plus my awesome husband got me a little gadget to help fill cupcakes for Christmas and I hadn't been able to use it yet!  

Oreo Filling: 

1 box Jello Oreo instant pudding 
1 container Cool Whip (I used fat free), softened

Using an electric mixer, blend your pudding with the Cool Whip.  Once your ingredients are completely combined, fill your cooled cupcakes.  This can be done with a pastry bag or your own preferred method.  The filling is pretty thick since it's made with pudding so if you'd like to thin it out at all I would suggest adding some milk.  Keep in mind it will thicken as it sits since it's made with pudding mix!

Cookies n' Cream Frosting:

1 cup of butter (I used I Can't Believe It's Not Butter)
1/2 cup of shortening
1.5 lbs powdered sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons milk (I used skim)
about 10 finely crushed oreos

Cream together butter and shortening.  Add in sugars and flour, then add vanilla and milk, then add the oreos.  I used my food processor to make sure my oreos were very finely crushed so they would fit through my pastry tip!

This makes a TON of frosting!  I actually had enough leftover to ice a little 2-layer cake!  Feel free to half the recipe for your cupcakes unless you plan on loading them up with icing!

Note: I am usually pretty OCD about following recipes so it concerned me when this recipe called for 1.5 pounds of powdered sugar and powdered sugar only comes in 1lb bags!  Then I remembered I had this adorable little pink kitchen scale so I was able to measure a 1/2 pound out of my 2nd bag!  Also, let's not talk about the amount of sugar and butter in this recipe...I promise it's worth it!

Tell me this doesn't make your mouth water?  I'm not typically a cake snob and I do make box cakes from time to time but these are totally worth your extra time!

I'm linking up with these parties:

Here is the original pin:

Source: sixsistersstuff.com via Emily on Pinterest

Saying Hello!

I saw this on Shannon's blog and decided it looked fun.  I know, two posts in one day.  Watch out!

1. What blogs do you visit daily? Please list 1-3 of your favorites.

Living in Yellow
Don't Quote the Raven
From Mrs. to Mama

I'm sure you already know them, but if not, check them out now!

2. Are you on Instagram? If so, what is your user name?

Of course!  I'm EmilyP103.  I also have a little button in my sidebar ---->

3. Can we find you on Pinterest? What's your Pinterest address, and what can we expect to see you pinning most? (recipes, DIY projects, home decor, etc.)

Duh, most of my crafts and recipes on this blog come from Pinterest!  You can find me here or click the button in my sidebar! ---> 

4. What are your favorite blog link-ups to participate in? (weekly link-ups other bloggers have...any number will do...please link us to them!)

I love Stephanie & Katie's Saw It, Pinned It, Did it on Thursdays!  Lately, I'm also loving The Nail Files hosted by Tara and Vicki!

5. Why do you blog?

I blog to preserve my memories and to share ideas with others.  I love recording Carson's milestones and developments because I know I'll forget about the little things SO soon!  (sad face)  I also love to share recipes, crafts, and other random ideas (usually Pinterest inspired) with all of my blog friends!

6. Tell us one random fact about yourself.

I still shop in the junior's section at most stores because I can get more clothes for my money.  Cheapskate right here!!  

Carson Anthony: 8 Months! (and a blogger milestone)

First of all, I want to say thank you to all of my readers!  I appreciate each and every one of you!  I started this new blog 3 months ago and I'm so happy 50 of you all have decided that it's interesting enough to follow me!  If you do not get a response to a comment you leave on my blog, check your settings!  I make sure to take the time to reply to EVERY comment so please have your email linked to your comments!  (Get directions on how to fix your problem HERE!)

Carson is 8 months (well..turned 8 months on the 18th) and I'm in denial!  4 months until he is a YEAR?!  That's crazy.  Every day I'm more and more amazed with how fast Carson is growing and how much he is learning!  

Too cool for school.  This kid loves Target as much as his Mommy! :)

Weight: Hovering right around 20lbs.  We weighed him at home and he was 20lbs 6oz but then when I took him to the doctor (for his first little cold), he was 19lbs15oz!  

Height: 28.5"

Hair: Carson's hair is getting thicker and thicker!  He got his 2nd haircut last month and did SUCH a good job.  He even got to sit in the big boy "chair". 

 

Before & After!

Eyes: Carson's eyes still change color, I love it!  They're normally a golden honey color but sometimes look green and sometimes a deep gray!  Here's an example and while you're at it, check out those LIPS!  I die.

Diapers: Carson has moved up to size 4's...where is my baby?!

Clothes: Carson has moved up once again!  He's now wearing 12 month clothes and they pretty much fit him perfectly.  Moving up in sizes is so bittersweet.  Packing up the too-small tiny clothes is way too sad, but having an entirely new wardrobe for my little man really helps to make up for it.  Don't even get me started about the newborn sleeper I found in his closet.  TEENY TINY.  I miss it.

Eating: Carson nurses about 4-5 times a day and gets 2 solid meals.  We've started incorporating some easy "finger foods" with his meals now.  So far, our finger foods consist of things like puffs, bananas, grapes, yogurt melts, "wagon wheels", etc.  He still loves to eat his Baby Mum Mums, too!  Also, big step in our house...Carson tried CHICKEN!  I've been terrified to give him meat just because the thought of pureeing it grosses me out and I don't even like to prep the meat for the adults here!  I shredded some chicken breasts for our dinner one night and decided to share with Carson.  He LOVED it! 

Sleeping: We're pretty lucky and Carson has been a great sleeper, even through getting his first tooth (!).  He sometimes is hard to get down at night but he really does well with his bedtime routine every night (lullaby CD and rocking/cuddles for a few minutes).  My husband claims he doesn't always need that cuddle time in the glider but I'm in denial and I'll rock him until he fights me on it!  Naps are good and bad.  He typically takes 2 naps.  His morning nap is usually longer and the afternoon nap is almost always 30-45 minutes (sometimes shorter).  If he skips a nap it really throws his whole day off!  Now that he's in his big boy carseat it's harder to run around town during his naptime.  I really miss being able to bring the infant seat inside and let him finish his nap!  I've actually become that Mom that parks somewhere and let's him finish napping before heading home.  Thank goodness for the Nook app on my phone!  

Nicknames: Cars, C, buddy, Snickers, Snickerdoodle, Stinker, Sir, Little Man, Sugar <--- same as last month PLUS Sugarpie and Boogie.  Mostly Snickerdoodle and Cars probably.

Favorite Toys: Carson's favorite thing to do is STAND so any toy he can use while standing is great.  He loves his Vtech activity cube that he got for Christmas from one of his grandpas.  He also loves his walker and is getting a little too good about walking with it!  I used a gift card to pick up some squishy blocks which he loves!   

Milestones: I honestly cant't believe how fast this kid is growing and developing!  Make. It. Stop!  At 8 months he has already been crawling for a month!  He is getting SUPER fast at crawling and is practicing climbing up and over obstacles that get in his way!  He pulls up to stand on ANYTHING.  Last month he was pulling up to stand on toys and things with places to grab.  Now he can literally pull himself to stand on a wall.  Slow down!!  He also cruises around the room grabbing onto whatever furniture is close.  He has also started letting go when standing.  I'm not sure if he is doing this on purpose or just getting too distracted by his toys.  Either way, it's giving me a heart attack every time!  We're also practicing waving and he hasn't mastered it yet, but definitely understands the concept!  Big news: Carson has his first tooth!  It's still not all the way through but it's about 1/2-way and definitely sharp, ha!  He crawls everywhere and gets himself stuck in places sometimes:

Carson's speech is also continuing to develop.  It's so hard to decide whether or not he has said his "first word".  He'll babble "da-da-da-da" all day, but any time Nick walks in the room, Carson lights up and says "Da!".  He loves talking (and screaming) all day and says a lot of his consonant sounds: B's, D's, G's (not very often), H's (he has this hilarious laugh that's so non-chalent!), and M's.  He says "ommm" whenever he is crawling to me and it's so adorable.  I'm hoping he's trying for Momma but either way, the only time he says it is when he's coming for me so it makes my heart melt!  

Carson has always been a water baby (except for his first bath the night we got home from the hospital, poor guy peed all over himself)!  He still LOVES baths and also started swimming lessons.  He had SO much fun!  Some of these pictures were taken when poor C was trying to get that first tooth to pop through so he wasn't the happiest camper.