Archive by Author
September 3rd, 2010 by Jen Hen under The Busy Life. No Comments.
Oh my goodness! Can I just say that today is absolutely beautiful here in Western KY? Because it is. It so totally is. This is the kind of fantastic weather that puts me in the best of moods and has me feeling energetic, ambitious, and motivated. Not necessarily to write in a timely fashion, or to stay on task for any extended period of time, but fantastic nonetheless.
My husband has been amazingly helpful this week. I mean, he’s always great, but I just really felt like this was the most laid back week I’ve had in a while as far as things around the house went. I wasn’t always in the best of moods, and Lil’ C and X-man brought some challenges to me. DH helped me get through the week with most of my hair still attached to my head though. He cooked dinner on Tuesday AND Wednesday night, then last night we got an unexpected (yet much needed) date night. Lil’ C left a night early for the weekend so that he could go to the fair in his grandparent’s hometown while X-man went to spend the night at his dad’s and got to croon over his new baby brother that was just born this week. Cam and I went out to eat, to Wal-Mart (because that’s about the only time-killer option in this one horse town), and to a late movie (“The Other Guys” with Will Ferrell, Samuel L. Jackson, and Mark Wahlburg… it was okay). Then we came home, tag teamed the cross stitch blanket we’ve been working on for Baby M, and played some Karaoke Revolutions (because we’re nerdy like that).
I actually slept in this morning until nearly 10am which felt refreshing. Then, I did my favorite thing to do these days… I took a shower in the middle of the day without anyone running in there and asking me a question or stomping through the house and leaving me rushing because I’m afraid of what I might find in shambles if I take to long. I even cleaned the garbage out of my car for the first time in… well, much longer than I probably should have gone. And tonight? We’re headed to my wonderful in-laws house to celebrate the marriage of one of my husband’s uncles and his fiance. I get to play shutter bug (photographer).
As stressful and hectic as the beginning of the week was, this ending to the week has really made up for it already. I feel the most relaxed I have, probably in weeks.
It’s just a fantastic Friday! I hope everyone else is having a good day.
What do you have planned for this Labor Day weekend? Leave a comment and fill me in! 
Oh, and next week I will be posting the give away for September!!
August 31st, 2010 by Jen Hen under Parenting, Pre-teen. No Comments.
Something dramatic is beginning. Changes are taking place and it seems like there has been a huge curve in the road overnight. My child, my sweet, precious, angelic, passive, compliant, sensitive, quiet son that I call X for short on here… he is transforming and I don’t know how to handle this stage of development. It seems that he is shedding his skin and morphing into a new model of himself. His personality is coming out in a whole new light and I’m not sure this isn’t some modified clone. That’s right. At times I feel like I’m interacting with a complete stranger.
For many years it was just X and me. I knew my child inside and out. Every little quirk in his personality. All the things that he loved. All the things that he loathed. All his favorite foods, and the things that made him scrunch up his nose. The clothes that he was most comfortable wearing, and the things he’d rather never see in the store, let alone in his closet.
Granted (although I try not to take-for-granted) some things don’t change. Video games for one. Not unlike many of the male in our species, I have a feeling he will always have a weakness for this technology. “It’s like an addiction Mom. Once you start playing you just want to keep going.” Yes dear, but as with everything, moderation is best so that you can enjoy those moments you get exposure all the more. (I should probably take my own advice here in regards to a few of my own vices… like books.)
So what are these changes that I’m freaking out over trying to accept, adapt and deal with properly? He has begun displaying his opinions, in that “roll-the-eyes” and huff out of the room kind of way. Suddenly the reserved child I knew just yesterday is bouncing around, talking in an accelerated tempo, and exhibiting minimal self control (at times). He no longer likes khaki colored pants which I only learned a few weeks ago when we were shopping for back-to-school clothes. There is a strong preference for hair stylist according to her ability to be speedy and cut his hair in such a way that he doesn’t worry about his cowlick (that insecurity hasn’t changed). And that thing I fooled myself into thinking I had avoided with him? A sassy mouth. He has a response for EVERYTHING.
I think it’s time for me to break out a couple of my trusty books for a refresher on ideas and guidance in coping with these changes. I’m not one of those people that treats information books as a cure-all or definitive source for how I must do anything and everything. However, I do really appreciate the varying perspectives so I can pick and choose then piece together the things that work for my kids and my own parenting style (however laughable that last phrase may seem at times).
Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph
Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson
I’ve been referring to both books when I hit a bumpy spot for the last several years. Both are available on Amazon.com or whichever book website or store you prefer to browse (you might even find them at your local library).
Tags:Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson, Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph, tween years.
August 30th, 2010 by Jen Hen under Book Review, Books for Pre-schoolers. No Comments.
My three and a half year old is obsessed with monsters. He LOVES anything to do with monsters. In fact, the trick to getting him to stay sitting at the table for meal time is to tell him that he needs to eat so he can be strong enough to beat the monsters he battles. He’ll eat all his food then flex his muscles, “I’m strong now. I can beat the monster!” So, when I found this book in the shelves of the Scholastic Book Fair at X-man’s school, I knew I had to buy it.
“I Need My Monster” is an absolutely adorable book about a little boy who finds a note from the monster under his bed saying that he’ll be gone fishing for a week. The little boy is really upset that his monster is gone because he’s afraid he’ll have trouble finding the motivation to stay in bed and go to sleep. To remedy his situation he knocks on the floor to summon a substitute monster. Four different monsters attempt to fill the vacant position, but the boy just isn’t happy with any of the fill-ins. He realizes that there is only one monster that effectively helps him sleep at night. Just as he is giving up hope, there is a familiar noise under his bed… his monster came back from vacation early because the fish were to easy to scare. In the end, the monster and the little boy are happy to be back together and bedtime is back to normal.
Lil’ C sat very attentively while I read him the book the first time through. He decided he needed to read it to me immediately after I finished (complete with voices for all the monsters). Then, I needed to read it one more time before he was ready for bed. “I Need My Monster” is definitely his new favorite book. As I was tucking him into bed he said, “But Mom, I need my monster!” (I kid you not.)
August 30th, 2010 by Jen Hen under Momma Monday, Toddler. No Comments.
Haven’t I just been a slacker? I’ve been so spacey it’s hard for me to sit down and write anything coherent. If you want to read a bunch of random stuff I could probably give you something to read. haha.
It’s to humid outside. We had a couple of beautiful days, but the heat sneaked back into the area. I’m really not a fan of this weather. I am, however, a huge fan of the Fall so I’m anxiously awaiting those cool temperatures arriving.
Lil’ C had his first soccer practice Saturday. It was entertaining to watch, to say the least. The kids on his team are all between the ages of 3 and 4, so their attention spans and grasping of techniques are not going to be in top form. The coach had good intentions, but I’m not sure the poor guy knew what he was signing up for when he volunteered to coach Pee-Wees. His own kiddo and two other kids were about the only ones who stayed attentive the whole time. Coach had opted for the full 45 minutes for first practice instead of the optional 30 minute practice length they propose for Pee Wees… I’m wondering if he’ll change that next Saturday. I don’t think Lil’ C is going to be up for 45 minutes of paying attention; at least not until the temps lower. He was so hot and sweaty by the time we left that he sucked down half a Gatorade, came in the house, took off his socks and shoes, and went to lay down on his bed for a good thirty minutes while he cooled off. I’ve probably written enough about him on here for you to know how strange it is for my child to voluntarily lay down quietly during the day.
X-man should be starting soccer this week. I still haven’t heard from his coach. I really hope they don’t wait until the day before they want to have a practice to call and let me know. He’s getting a little antsy to find out when he gets to start his season. He took a break during the Spring season so he’s more than ready to get back into the swing of things.
I baked bread Saturday. Lil’ C wanted to ask lots of questions about the process so I told him all about it as I put ingredients in, stirred the dough and prepared the pans. After I put the bread in the oven to bake, he would run into the kitchen to see if the timer was still going. Once the timer went off he came running into the kitchen, “It’s done! Can I eat some!?” I explained that it was really hot and needed to cool down. He periodically asked me if it was ready yet… for the next 30 minutes. We finally planted ourselves on the couch and both fell asleep for an afternoon nap, but sleep didn’t make him forget the bread. Fortunately it was definitely good and cool when we woke up so we both had a slice.
Last Thursday night was the “Family Reading Night” at X-man’s elementary school. Just X and I went as DH was sick with a sinus infection and Lil’ C was gone for the night to visit his grandparents. I picked up a couple of books for Lil’ C including the book, “I Need My Monster”. He absolutely LOVES the story. He’s all about monsters so I figured he’d at least like it, but I had no idea just how much he would get into the book. Lil’ C has carried it around with him ever since I read it to him. He’ll sit and “read” (reciting what he remembers from me reading it to him).
Today we finally went to get his soccer uniform (“ouch!” says my pocket) and off to the library to pick up some new reads (yay for free entertainment). I believe it is safe to say C obsesses about monsters. Almost every book he picked out had something to do with monsters… at least we’re getting closer to Halloween. I grabbed a couple of books with kid craft ideas. Hopefully I’ll have some pictures to post in the coming week or so of finished projects that Lil’ C has made.
Well folks, it’s off I go. I really need to finish some organization projects I started around here while Lil’ C is occupying himself.
Tags:free activities for young children, I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll, library, Pee Wee Soccer.
August 26th, 2010 by Jen Hen under The Busy Life, Travel Bug, Travels. No Comments.
I’m getting excited. I’m getting super duper excited! Why? Because I’m currently in the preliminary planning stages for one last “big” trip before Baby M arrives. It’s not just any trip, but a trip to my “second home” that I haven’t gotten to make in three years. Michigan! I lived in Michigan for 7 years and the only negative thing I had on that state were simply personal circumstances at various stages in my time there. Otherwise, I love all the cities I lived in and near, all the friends that I made, and the weather. Yes, even the winter. It has been 3 years since I’ve ventured to my “old stomping grounds”.
X-man’s Fall Break coincides with Michigan State University’s homecoming and as an Alumni that sends an extra rush of adrenaline. Sparty On! So long as everything pans out as I am hoping we will be at the Homecoming parade.
More importantly and much more exciting is the fact that I get to see so many dear friends. Some I’ve seen since my last trip because they have traveled the 10+ hours to KY to visit, while others I haven’t seen in quite a few years. X-man is excited because we’re working on touching base with his best friend in Michigan so that they can possibly hang out while we are in X’s birthplace of Hastings.
I was planning to take the trip with just X-man but DH mentioned that he is going to see what he can do to get some days off work so that he can go too. WOOT!
The trip to Michigan in October of 2007 was the first trip DH, X and I took together. At that time X’s dad was finishing his doctoral program at a college outside of Grand Rapids and we were taking X up to spend some time with him during his Fall Break that year. DH and I stayed with one of my best friends, K, in Hastings which is only about 45 minutes from Lansing and Kalamazoo and 30 minutes from Grand Rapids and Battle Creek. For all practical purposes this was the first vacation DH had ever taken. I’m pretty sure that week was just as enjoyable to him as it was for me. He got to meet several of the MI people I was always rambling about and we all took him around to some of our favorite places. He might not have been real thrilled with the snow flurries that decided to strike while we were standing outside on Grand River watching the Michigan State Homecoming parade… but he didn’t complain TOO much (he had a coffee in his hand). So… it makes sense that DH is itching to go up with us because this trip guarantees to bring more great memory building with those same great Michigander friends, plus some we didn’t get to see three years ago. HOPEFULLY we’ll be going up for long enough that we can make a jump over to the Detroit area so we can visit my cousin and her family. MAYBE if we get really ambitious we’ll take a drive across the bridge to Windsor, Canada.
Can you tell I’m excited? I just keep rambling.
I think that while I’ve been bouncing around with all these memories of Michigan in my head I’ve realized where we should take our family vacations while Baby M is little… I’m beyond comfortable with the surroundings in Michigan and there are so many things and people to see up there while still taking it easy. Yes indeedy… I don’t think DH would disagree with that idea either. I know that those special friends up there wouldn’t mind us visiting annually for a while.
I’m off to do some planning/browsing. Go Green! Go White!
Tags:Michigan State University, travel.
August 24th, 2010 by Jen Hen under Toddler. 2 Comments.
Lil’ C, my three and a half year old, is always full of surprises. He can make me laugh just as easily as he can tempt me to get a straight jacket (for myself, not him… it’d be duct tape for him). Our most recent episode that got me the most tickled I’ve been in a while definitely bears sharing. One day he’ll come across this post in the epic expanse of cyber land and be mortified that I’ve shared the details, but for the time being I shall do so with no remorse. I can apologize to him later. ha.
Frequently I use his play time in the bath time as a time for me to gather up dirty clothes in the house and get them thrown in the washer, or to clean up the bathroom some. He’s usually busy drawing on the tub and walls (with Crayola Washable tub crayons that he LOVES). A few nights ago, crayons weren’t his choice of distraction.
I was wiping down the bathroom counter and straightening things. I looked over at the tub as he had been abnormally quiet. I hadn’t heard “Momma, look…” followed by a description of his latest bath art. I hadn’t had to ask him not to splash water outside of the tub. He was so quiet I had almost forgotten he was a short three feet from me.
When I looked over, my eyes got as big as saucers and my jaw dropped to the floor in shock. I had to wait a moment to gather my thoughts and figure out the proper way to respond. Calmly, but with a smile stretching across my face (one of those “er-um… uh” nervous kind of smiles), “Carter. Honey. What are you doing?”
“I try to lick it, Mommy.” My child was tugging on his little wee-wee and bending over as far as he could at the waist with his tongue sticking out of his mouth. Yes… for some odd reason he decided it would be a good idea to try to lick his wee-wee…
“Carter… you aren’t supposed to lick your wee-wee….” and I began to giggle, then exited the bathroom to gain my composure.
Boys… I don’t know where they get the notion to attempt some of the things they do. I’m completely baffled at times, but this was by far the most awkward moment I’d ever experienced with either of my kids.
The only thing I could come up with that could explain where he got the idea other than out of the blue, was the lovely displays of grooming that the cat puts on in the middle of the living room floor (or where ever he decides to sit and clean himself). Isn’t it funny? We’re all so concerned with the things that our kids might see on television, but perhaps we sometimes take for granted the lessons that come from our own habitat… from the family pet. haha.
August 22nd, 2010 by Jen Hen under Give Away, Winner!. No Comments.
Alright ladies and gentlemen:
The time has arrived. Midnight passed and I put everyone’s names into a handy dandy spreadsheet in the order they entered, for each entry. I visited the website Random.org and entered the total number of lines used in that spreadsheet and I clicked the “Generate” button. The person whose name correlates with that number is the winner of a $25 Amazon.com e-gift certificate which they can use to purchase (or put towards a purchase for) whatever their heart desires (you know, as available on Amazons gigantic website).
Are you ready for me to quit dragging it out?
*drumroll please*
Congratulations are in order for Becca8100!
Thanks to all the readers who participated in the contest for this month. I can assure you that there will be a contest again in September, so be sure to stay tuned to see what might be up for grabs next.
Tags:Amazon.com, contest winner, free stuff, giveaway.
August 21st, 2010 by Jen Hen under Baby, Baby 3. 1 Comment.
Obviously with Baby M on the way, DH and I have been browsing through websites and baby items. When I was pregnant with the other two kiddos I didn’t use resources like the internet to find much stuff (actually, I didn’t do baby registries or anything with them really). DH Cam and I have been finding some really interesting things. Some of it has made us raise an eyebrow while others have left us laughing so hard my stomach starts hurting and tears come to my eyes.
My sister and I came across the following item when I was pregnant with Lil’ C. We didn’t end up purchasing any then, but I have a feeling they are going to show up for Baby M.
Have you ever changed a baby boy? If so, then you know how it goes. I still remember the first time Lil’ C “sprinkled” during a diaper change. It shot UP and over his head, beyond the couch (where I was changing him), and some went directly into his face. He shuddered in shock and I couldn’t help but crack up.
DH: “Extreme recycling. ‘Nope baby. You can’t have the real deal right now. Here, take some recycled product I have left over. We’re not wasting a drop.’”
Don’t get me wrong, I understand storing breast milk for use later. Say, when you’re out somewhere with no privacy, or in case you have a babysitter for a rare moment out, or even a super helpful significant other who offers to cover a feeding in the middle of the night for you. I just don’t think I’d be real keen on walking around with the milk catcher in my bra. Then again, it could really cut down on either the disposable nursing pads, or laundry for washable pads. Hmm.
Hooter Hiders Nursing Cover
I’m suddenly thinking of Shakespeare (specifically… Romeo and Juliet): “What’s in a Name?”
Yes I was super immature and started laughing when I saw the name of this product. “Hooter Hiders.” *shaking my head* I’ve seen “Nursing Covers” amongst other names. You know, names with some “tact.”
Okay, so it was entertainment for a sleep-deprived Momma Hen the other day.
DH Cam’s take on this: “I can see it now. I’ll take Baby M into the bathroom to change him. I’ll block the view of him laying on the table, pull out a staple gun and a diaper. Then I’ll take the staple gun and hit it against the changing table but the people around will think I used it to close the diaper.” Me: “And the way babies scream bloody murder during diaper changes anyway….” Uncontrollable laughter ensues. DH: “I want to put bungee cords in there too. So I can attach them to the diaper and make the bungee cords suspenders.”
Tags:Amazon.com, baby gear, baby items, Daddy's Little Project Diaper Bag, Hooter Hiders Nursing Cover, humor, Milkies Milk-Saver, nursing products, Peepee Teepee.
August 20th, 2010 by Jen Hen under Food Friday. No Comments.
I have a sweet tooth. My favorite things to make are desserts and have been for as long as I can remember. So it’s only appropriate that my first “Food Friday” is “Southern” Banana Pudding. This is the way several of the women in my family make their banana pudding and I finally made it for my first time a couple of weeks ago. It’s so incredibly easy to make and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients:
2 small boxes or 1 large box of Instant Vanilla Pudding
Milk (as called for on the pudding box)
3 bananas
Nilla Wafers
Thawed small tub of Cool Whip
- In a small mixing bowl: follow the preparation directions on to make your pudding. Allow to stand the suggested time to thicken.
- In a medium bowl: put a layer of about 1/3 of your pudding. Slice about 1 1/2 of your bananas in a layer on top of the pudding. Cover the layer of bananas with a layer of Nilla Wafers.
- Repeat the previous step, starting with a layer of pudding.
- Add the last of your pudding and evenly distribute.
- Cover the top the pudding with a layer of Cool Whip (about half the small tub).
If you want, you can add some more Nilla Wafers around the edge of the bowl for “decoration”. Be sure to cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve this as a snack or yummy dessert.
Super simple, right? For the bowl in the picture, I had actually doubled my recipe and was able to make a separate container with about 4-6 servings as a treat for extended family. You can also adjust the recipe to reflect your desire for bananas and Nilla Wafers. I am a big fan of Nilla Wafers, so I went a little heavier with them.
If you try out the recipe, come back and let me know how it turned out. Also, if you have a blog, feel free to leave a link to any posts you might make of your final creation. Enjoy!
Tags:Banana Pudding, bananas, dessert, easy to make, Nilla Wafers, no bake dessert, recipes, snack, Southern banana pudding, vanilla pudding.
August 20th, 2010 by Jen Hen under Bzz is the word for BzzAgents, Give Away. 29 Comments.
Do what??? A FREE $25 gift certificate? You betcha! I had spent so much time trying to figure out something to put together that my readers might be interested in when it finally occurred to me that if I did an Amazon.com gift certificate who ever wins can choose their own gifts. Duh, Jen!
Why am I giving away a $25 gift? Oh, I’ll tell you why… just in case you’ve forgotten since I’ve taken TWO months to get around to this:
It is thanks to my readers that I was able to win 1st Prize in the BzzAgent.com and Focus Features contest for BzzAgent BABIES Ambassadors. Remember all those posts that I flooded you all with during the months of March to May? The clicks you all made on the promotional material brought me up to the 1st place spot. That spot awarded me the Kate Spade Maclaren stroller!
Kate Spade Maclaren Ryder Stroller
Isn’t that adorable?! It will be perfect for Baby 3, Mister M. I can hardly wait for Baby M to arrive and a good excuse to take him out in the handy, lightweight (just 13 pounds!) stroller.
So, what are the rules for the giveaway? Read on, Dear Reader, read on. (I put all the important stuff in bold.)
- For one entry: Leave some chicken scratch (a comment) on this post telling me how you would use the $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com.
- For one additional entry: “Like” my Facebook page (see the side bar for a quick and easy link). Then, come back here and leave a comment letting me know that you “liked” Momma Hen: The Peckings of Jen Hen on Fb.
- Follow me on Twitter (click on the Twitter link in the side bar), post a Twitter update saying “I want to win on www.mommahen.com”, then come back here and leave a link to your Twitter status as a comment. You can do this up to twice a day, each day of the contest, to increase your odds of winning (that’s a possible 42 entries). I have to have a comment on here for EACH time that you post the twitter status so I can keep track.
I’m going to keep this giveaway up and running until midnight on Saturday, August 21st. That gives you THREE WEEKS to get in lots of entries! Depending on the response to this give away, there could be another give away next month, so spread the word! Get your chance!
Tags:Amazon.com, Babies, BABIES Ambassador, BzzAgent, contests, Focus Features, free stuff, giveaway, Kate Spade, Maclaren Ryder stroller.
