Who's A Big Girl?

Last night was Addison's first night in her crib. I know what you may be thinking.."that child is almost 5 months old and she's just now sleeping in her crib?" In my defense, going up and down the stairs from our master bedroom to her bedroom was something I was trying to prolong as long as possible but she just couldn't fit in her little bassinet anymore. She had a great night, only waking up once around 4:30 this morning then she went back to sleep until 7:00. I have to say that is was a bittersweet night for me and Marty. We were very excited that we had our room back, but we looked around at our seemingly empty room and realized that Addison had past her newborn stage...tear :( Hudson also had a better night. He's been having trouble falling asleep at night and lately has been yelling and crying for at least an hour before falling asleep. Last night we told him that he couldn't cry because Addison was right next door to him and he couldn't wake her up. We didn't hear a peep out of him after that....yay!! Marty and I enjoyed The Office in peace :)

Good morning sweet girl!

Hudson peeping over the side of the crib. Addison looks a little worried that he might try to join her in there :)

Oh Sweet Potty!!

He's actually doing it! Hudson is actually wanting to use the potty. I though I may have to pack diapers for his first day of kindergarten but we may have turned a corner :) I made Hudson a sticker chart yesterday and told him that if he went to the potty and filled his chart with 10 stickers that he could pick out a new dirt bike toy. I guess that's all the motivation he needed because he wore big boy undies all day with only 1 accident. Woo-hoo!! I put a diaper on him today for playgroup and he actually cried and told me that he wanted to be a "big boy." Good for you buddy :)

Rub A Dub Dub, The Little Ps In The Tub

Addison was watching big brother take his bath the other night and decided that she would join him. She can't sit up yet and the water was a little too deep, so I had to hold her down to keep her from floating away! I love her expressions in these pictures. It's as if she is asking Hudson, "so they put you in this thing every night?" Ahh...why are my kids so incredibly adorable?

My Snow Angels

Yay snow!! It doesn't makes its appearance very often around here, but when it does...good times! The city just shuts down for a day and it gives you the excuse to stay in your pjs, watch HGTV and eat like a hibernating bear. I do think us North Carolinians go a little overboard when it comes to a snow day. If it hadn't been for the inauguration, the news channels would surely have aired all day coverage and let's not even talk about the lines in Walmart Monday night; you would have thought it was the eve of the apocalypse!

Hudson and Marty had a great time. I woke up with a cold so the girls partied inside while the boys went snowboarding. Yes, snowboarding. Marty jumped on his and stood Hudson up between his legs and they boarded down our hill in the backyard. I could kick myself for not taking a picture but I do have it on video. If I ever figure out how to load it on the computer, I'll definitely have to post it. It was something to watch. Here are my favorite pics from the day.

A pink marshmallow.

My favorite shot of my snow angels.

The boys all geared up and ready for the elements.

Hudson looking all cute.

Hudson hates hats so the fact that we got him in one is reason enough to post this event!

Here's our house. All quiet and white.

Hudson's first snowman. Last night, Marty broke a 10" icicle that was hanging off his truck and stuck it in his head (the snowman's, not Hudson's) This morning we noticed that his nose and eyes had fallen out so all we saw on poor Mr. Snowman's face were dark holes and an icicle. He looked a little demonic :)

Confessions Of A "Real Mom"

I don't know about you, but I love reading other people's blogs. I could read them all day if I had the time but after a while you start to feel a little down on yourself. I read blogs of moms who feed their children nothing but organic homemade foods, shop on $35 a week and wake up each morning at 5:30 in order to have their quiet time and shower before their kids wake up. These women seem to do it all. They are crafty, economic, super spiritual super moms who make the rest of us think we're slackers for giving our kids bottled juice. I'm not knocking these women; I'm just saying that some of them give off this image of a woman that I think I may never live up to. For those of you "real moms" out there, here's a little bit about me. I'm not saying I'm proud of these things or condone them but it's me. With God's grace and a little self discipline, maybe one day I too can be a "super mom!"

I wake up when my kids wake up and not a minute before. Yes, I could get a lot of things done before 7:00 each morning, but I like to sleep.

I sometimes get dinner at a drive through. I know, put down your phones and please don't call social services on me. I think it's every kid's American right to experience a Happy Meal at least once in their little lives! I will say that I am proud of what I feed my family. I've started buying more organic foods and less processed "junk" but drive through dinners do happen around here, although, not as much as they use to.

I sometimes stay in my pjs until the kids go down for their afternoon naps.

I drink diet Mt Dews. Yes, I know diet drinks have all kinds of chemicals that one day may turn my skin green and cause my nose to melt off my face but I love 'um. Try and make me stop :)

I go over buget almost every week. Hey, at least I have a budget, right?

I have sporatic quiet times. This is something I really want to improve on. I know this should be the first thing I do each day and I constantly pray for consistancy it this area. Anyone else struggle with this?

I prefer tv over books. The last thing my brain can handle at the end of the day is reading. I need something mindless, like The Office :)

I give Marty my "left overs." You know, the rest of me that the kids haven't already taken that day. Now, when was the last time I shaved my legs.......??

I don't put nearly as much effort into my friendships as I should. This is something I want to improve ASAP. I want to be one of those ladies who talks to at least one of her girlfriends everyday and makes time to go out and do things with other women. Anyone have plans this weekend?

It takes me forever to put away laundry. It will sometimes sit, folded in the clothes basket, until it's time to do more laundry. Poor Marty sometimes has to fish out his socks in the dark at 5:30 am before work. Ugg...

Well, that's me. Any other "real moms" out there? If so, give me one "real mom" or if you don't have kids "real woman" fact about yourself. Let's get it out into the open. This one's for you!!

Kiddo Update

So...here's what the little P's have been up to in the past few weeks:

Hudson: On January 1st, week took away the beloved "pappy" aka his pacifier. The first night he cried as if we cut off his hand and ever since then, life for this little man has been rough. He is literally learning how to soothe himself without that nasty thing! Every night he cries, ask us to turn off certain lights, leave others on, turn on a certain cd, bring stuffed animals to bed, open the door, close the door, get him some hot milk...you name it, he asks for it. It's gotten to the point where we just have to leave the room and let him cry it out. It also take him hours to fall asleep and has been one cranky child! We put him down for a nap at 12:30 yesterday and he didn't fall asleep until 2:30. The picture below is how I found him at 4:30. He looks like a little homeless boy sleeping under his newspaper!

Addison: Addi had her 4 month checkup last week. She weighs 15lbs 5 oz. She's in the 80th percentile for weight but only 50th for height....still short and chubby :) She broke out in a rash after eating a banana so that's on hold for now. She's now pushed her feedings back to every 4 hours and I'm trying to transition her to taking 2 long naps everyday. So far it hasn't been too consistent but we're trying to stick to it. She's grabbing her toys and putting everything in her mouth that she can get a hold of. Lately, she's had a serious case of mommyitis. She throws her lip out at anyone who looks at her at the wrong time and cries when anyone holds her but me. Can we say drama queen?

Well.. I hear Hudson crying. I see a fun afternoon coming on :)

Simple Supper Recipes

Sorry for being a little late in posting the recipes. I threw my sweet friend, Stasha, a baby shower yesterday so things were a little busier than usual. Thanks for the great recipes ladies!! It looks like Harris Teeter is the place to do your shopping this week to get some great deals on your ingredients and remember to take your coupons!! Oh, and check out this great website for tons of meal ideas!! (http://orgjunkie.com/2009/01/menu-plan-monday-january-5th.html Thanks Andrea...I love this site!!) Happy shopping and meal making :)


Beer butt chicken(or soda pop if a nondrinker:)) Thanks Amber!!
1 whole chicken fryer without all the extras(giblet and neck) $.59/lb at Harris Teeter
Olive oil
A couple halved
Garlic cloves
Salt and pepper to taste
1 can of beer(the darker the better)
Wash and dry your chicken. Then rub olive oil all over it with your hands. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Take your can of beer and drink half:) then take the rest and put the garlic cloves inside. You then insert the can into the cavity of the chicken so that the chicken is 'sitting' on top of the can. Then sit the can on top of the grill and cook for about an hour or so(that's for about a 4#chicken). After it's done and the meat is no longer pink, let the bird rest for a few minutes before cutting it up. We love this chicken recipe b/c it makes the chicken so moist. We almost always have leftover meat that I can use later in the week for sandwiches, pasta, etc.

Shred the extra chicken and use to make this next recipe...

Chicken Enchiladas
2 cups shredded chicken
1 cup sour cream
1 cup salsa Harris Teeter brand: $1.97/jar
1 cup cheddar cheese buy one get one free at Harris Teeter (use this deal to get mozzarella cheese for next recipe!)
8 flour tortillas
seasoning (I use cumin and garlic powder but taco seasoning is also good)

Preheat oven to 350
Mix chicken, sour cream, salsa, and cheese and spoon about 1/4 cup of mixture into each tortilla. Roll tortilla and place in a baking dish. Spread a thin layer of salsa over rolled tortilla. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. During the last 5 minutes, uncover and sprinkle cheese on top and melt for remaining 5 minutes.

Stromboli Thanks Courtney!!
So, this at first doesn't look simple, but once you have done it you will realize how simple it is:
1 package refrigerated pizza dough
1 pack provolone cheese buy one get one free at Harris Teeter or 2/$5 at Lowes Food
1 pack pepperoni
1 bottle pizza sauce Lowes Food marinara sauce: $1.29/jar
Topping:1 tsp red pepper flake
1 tbs sesame seed
1 tbs parm cheese
1 tbs Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder* you can adjust any of the seasonings to taste
1. Preheat your oven according to pizza dough pack
2. spread out dough, top with cheese and pepperoni on one half
3. Fold over and seal
4. brush top with melted butter and top with seasoning
5. bake about 20 minutes
6. slice and serve with pizza sauce. You can also put other things inside if you like: green peppers, mushrooms, sausage, chicken. I have one friend you makes it with broccoli and chicken and LOVES it.

BEEF STROGANOFF Thanks Andrea!!
1 lb of steak tips Stew meat at Harris Teeter buy one get one free. (I've used this meat in place of beef tips before and it's good) Freeze one pack and use next week for a crock pot stew
1 tablespoon butter
One medium onion diced 3 lb bag of onion: $1.47 at Harris Teeter
Package of mushrooms, sliced(optional) 2/$4 at Harris Teeter or $1.60/pack at Lowes Food
8 oz.- 16 oz. sour cream use what's left from enchiladas
1 cup of beef broth Pacific Organic brand at Harris Teeter: buy one get one free
Sprinkle of garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (optional)
Egg noodles or rice Harris Teeter brand rice: $1.67/bag at Harris Teeter
1. Brown the meat on each side (2 or 3 min. total); drain meat juice into cup; set meat aside
2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in sauté pan and sauté onions and mushrooms, add garlic, onion and cayenne pepper here if you would like
3. Combine meat and vegetables into a crock pot with “meat juice” and beef broth (together need to equal 1 cup) and 8-16 oz. of sour cream (depends on how creamy you want the recipe)
4. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours, stirring occasionally
5. After stroganoff is done, cook egg noodles or rice and either mix together or serve separately.You can also do this recipe without the slow cooker and combine all ingredients into the sauté pan and cook on low for 10-20 min. I find that the meat is very tough this way, so I like to throw it all into a Crockpot.

MEXICAN CASSEROLE Thanks Chelsea!!

1 lb ground beef 2lb pack at Harris Teeter for $4.98 (use 1/2 this week and 1/2 next week for spaghetti or tacos)
1 can rotel
8 oz grated cheddar cheese use B1G1 deal at Harris Teeter
1 can cream of mushroom
1 bag Doritos
Brown ground beef and drain. Put back in skillet and add rotel, cheese, and cream of mushroom. Stir together until hot and blended, Take several handfuls of Doritos and crunch them together with your hands and then add them to skillet.Stir together until Doritos become soft. Serve with green beans/corn, and French bread


Chocolate Eclair This one's for you, Amber!!
1 box graham crackers
1 container of Cool Whip
1 large package of instant vanilla pudding
1 container chocolate icing

Mix pudding according to directions on the box.
Stir container of Cool Whip into pudding.
In a13x9 baking dish, place one layer of graham crackers on bottom of dish
Pour half of the pudding mixture on top of the graham crackers.
Place layer of graham crackers on top of pudding mixture
Pour second half of pudding mixture on graham crackers.
Place last layer of graham crackers on pudding.
Zap icing in the microwave for about 10 seconds (so it's thin enough to pour)
Spread icing on top of graham crackers
Refrigerate (best if over night)

Thanks to everyone who posted a recipe. Let me know how your dishes turned out :)

Super Simple Suppers

As I was making my grocery list today, I realized that I'm stuck in the rut of making the same few meals over and over again. I need some variety (and I think Marty would also appreciate it!) So, I need your help. For those of you who read this blog (all four of you), I need some help. Please click on the comments link below this posting and leave your simple supper recipe. I'll collect them throughout the week and post them all on Saturday so you'll have some fresh recipes for next week too. Check back then because I'll even post where you can find items in the recipes on sale. Don't leave me hanging. Don't make me cook spaghetti again next week! Keep the simple suppers coming :)

Addison: 4 months

Our sweet Addi Grace is 4 months today!! She's really done a lot of growing since last month, especially in the thigh area. Can we say "chunky!?" Shes' starting to reach out for toys and can sometimes grab hold of one. We're practicing rolling from tummy to back but she doesn't have the patience for it. She would much rather be standing in her exersaucer! I've started giving her solid food this week. I wanted to hold out a little longer but she was more than ready. She was wanting to eat every 2 hours and waking up every 4 hours at night. At dinner time she was sucking her little lips and drooling while watching the rest of us eat. She's a champ at spoon feeding and loves mashed organic bananas! Her schedule goes something like this:

7:00-wake and eat

8:00-10:00 morning nap

10-11:30 feeding and then run errands with mommy

11:30 mashed banana

12:30-3:30 feeding then afternoon nap

4:00 feeding

5-6:00 evening nap

6:00 rice cereal

7:00 bath

7:30 feeding thenbed

3am: feeding

We love our girl!!

A New Year

Well, another year has come and gone. The older I get, the faster time goes by. As I look back at 2008, I realize how much God has blessed my life. I know people throw out the word "blessed" a lot but I when I say it, I mean it! Just look at all he's given me...

1. The most amazing husband in the world. Marty works so hard outside the home for our family but still takes the time to do a lot of work at home. He'll come home after a 24 hour shift at the fire station and ask me what needs to be done around the house. He cleans our bathrooms, empties garbage cans, does yard work, laundry and anything else that needs to be done with a cheerful heart. He also thanks me for doing his laundry and cooking meals! He takes care of the kids without a second thought. He takes the time to do fun activities with Hudson, reads to him and teaches him about God. What more could a girl want?

2. My beautiful kids. Hudson has grown up so much this past year. He can carry on conversations with you (some very interesting ones) and even tells jokes! He is one of my greatest joys and I'm smiling right now at the thought of this little character. Addison was a precious addition to our family this year. She is the cutest, smiliest and most animated little girl. I can't wait to watch her grow this year and see all that God has purposed her to be.

3. A church that strives to serve the Lord by serving His people. I love our church and all they stand for. Did you know that they gave away over $800,000 this year and an extra $220,000 this Christmas to missions and other outreach programs? God continues to use this church and it's members to reach so many people in our community and I cherish the fact that my kids get to be involved in a body of believers that will help mold and shape the people they grow up to be.

I could go on and on about how great my life is. It's no testament to me but to God who has done "exceeding and abundantly more than all I could ask or imagine." The Bible verse at the top of the page has become a motto for the Pearce family. My prayer for 2009 is that my life, Marty's, Hudson's and Addison's will be living testaments to the goodness and grace of our amazing Father. Thank you Lord for displaying your blessings in my life. Let me use them to bring glory and honor to your name in the coming year. Amen!!