I'm a big Kid now!

Sadie will be 3 soon and I figured that this is the best time for me to start potty training her. Even thought I have already potty trained Karma I was still very nervous of how it was going to go. The best method that seems to work for us is just going good turkey and not using any diaper(only at night when she sleeps) or pull ups. The first two days were rough, but I expected that and tried very hard not to get frustrated. By the third day we were doing a lot better and only had a few accidents. By the end of the week she had it down and had no accidents. Some things that worked with Sadie were, using a potty chair (it wasn't as scary as the big potty), keeping a jar of candy in the bathroom (like I did with Karma), and Karma was a huge help. Sadie likes to do whatever Karma is doing, so by Karma going potty the same time Sadie did, it helped Sadie try to be like her big sister. Now we still have an occasional accident, but other than everything is going great. Sadie you are a big kid now and we are so proud of you.

Sadie wearing panties for the first time.

Recipe Monday

Today's recipe for the perfect pie crust. As the holidays are approaching I have been looking for new recipes to try this year. Since pies are always a holiday favorite I wanted to find a great crust recipe to compliment the pie. The other day I was watching the Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network and she was making apple pie. I loved how easy her pie crust recipe was and thought that I would give it a try. I made a pie the other day and the crust was wonderful, if going to make a pie give this crust recipe a try.

Perfect Pie Crust

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) very cold unsalted butter
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/3 cup very cold vegetable shortening
6 to 8 tablespoons (about 1/2 cup) ice water

Dice the butter and return it to the refrigerator while you prepare the flour mixture. Place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and shortening. Pulse 8 to 12 times, until the butter is the size of peas. With the machine running, pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse the machine until the dough begins to form a ball. Dump out on a floured board and roll into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Cut the dough in half. Roll each piece on a well-floured board into a circle, rolling from the center to the edge, turning and flouring the dough to make sure it doesn't stick to the board. Fold the dough in half, place in a pie pan, and unfold to fit the pan. Repeat with the top crust.


Recipe Source:Barefoot Contessa

Recipe Monday

Today's recipe is for Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Pork. This recipe was very easy to make and not very spicy.

Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Pork
3 T olive oil
4 pork chops
Salt and pepper
1 large red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 red bell pepper cored, seeded, and chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed, finely chopped
1 8-oz can pineapple chunks in juice
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Directions
Preheat oven to 375.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat to high heat with cooking spray. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Place the chops in the skillet and sear for about 2 minutes on each side to caramelize. Transfer the chops to a rimmed cookie sheet and place in the oven to finish off, 8 to 10 minutes, until the meat is firm to the touch but not tough. Remove the oven and let them rest, covered with a piece of foil, for a few minutes.

While the chops are in the oven, return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the remaining olive oil. Add the onions, garlic, peppers, jalapenos, salt, and pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the veggies wilt. Add the pineapple and its juice and the chicken stock. Continue to cook the sauce for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the parsley and stir to combine, then pour the sauce over the chops and serve.

Recipe Source: Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats

9 Months

Xanyae turned 9 months a few days ago and I can't believe he will be a year soon. He can now pull himself up and walk while holding onto things. He also is pretty good at picking up food and feeding himself. He is so funny and keeps us laughing with all that he is now discovering. I took him in for his 9 month appointment and his weight is starting to slow down, he is not off the charts anymore. His height is almost off the charts, so me and Curbris are keeping our fingers crossed for a tall child.
His smile just melts my heart.

He is going to be a heart breaker!!

This my favorite picture of the whole bunch. It cracks me up every time I see it. Just look at all those teeth.