Where did my baby go?

I took this picture because I thought...how cute is it that my little baby wants to wear her rolling carry-on bag as a backpack? But little did I know that the moment I took that picture, Kiera went from my little baby to my little girl. Where did the time go? Where did the little bundle I rolled out of the hospital with, go? Her little chubby cheeks are long gone and the toddler face has taken its place. Her dependence on me is history and independence now waves its flag. *sigh* I knew it was going to happen sooner or later, but honestly, I was hoping for later. Somehow I feel like 16 is right around the corner.

**WARNING** Not for the faint of heart

This was one rough day. Kiera spent her entire "nap time", either crying for me to come back and get her out of the prison that I had put her in.....trust me, that is what she would say if she could speak full sentences....or playing in her crib. After about 2 hours of listening to her cry and play she finally got quiet. Whew! Finally.....or so I thought, 10 minutes later she was back to her coo'ing and playing. I figured, oh well, I will just go and get her and we will just play together. So, I roll into the room and see on the floor all of her clothes....okay, she has been trying to do master taking off clothes and put them on, no biggie. Then I saw the diaper. Okay, no biggie again....When I was a wee little one, I was known to take of my diaper from time to time. I like to think that I was a free spirit.....hee hee. Then - I saw it. **Insert Psycho shower scene music here** POOP all over her and her bed! After I took a moment to gather myself, take a deep breath, mini-vomit into my mouth, I stepped over to her crib. There was a large chunk of poop and then all the rest of the poop smears were her PLAYING with her poop like it was finger paint. *gag* Needless to say, that girl was instantly in bath city! I don't think that I have ever scrubbed her more than I had scrubbed her that day. And as for the sheet, yeah, it is now in a dump somewhere fading into the circle of life.

Enjoy the "finger paintings" Kiera did for us!

Easter

It was an absolutely gorgeous day on Easter. We spent it over a delicious brunch, time with the beautiful cherry trees and finished up with a walk around the Shirlington area. Here are just a few pictures of our day and a video of Kiera...doing what? Well, nothing other than just being her cute self!

Enjoy!

Rock on Kiera!

Photoshop Fun

I've been having fun with my photos and trying to learn photoshop. Although, I have been posting most of my photos on Facebook, I have also been uploading them to deviantART.com. For those of you who do not have facebook, I thought that I would share my fun little adventure....right along with my new recipe fun...which, sadly, has taken a back seat to work since Clinique is currrently in bonus mode. *whew* 40 hours a week with late nights and no weekends is wearing a girl out!
Anyway, here is the link to my profile if you would like to check it out. Enjoy! :D

http://ripsiara.deviantart.com/

Favorite Sunglasses

So, Kiera has officially made these her favorite sunglasses. She loves to walk around with these on her little face and if she is not wearing them, and sees them lying on the ground......straight onto her face. Is she ready for Disneyland or what?

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

2 1/2 pounds of boneless, skinless, chicken thighs

1/2 chopped onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup BBQ sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

1 Tbsp cider vinegar

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp hot pepper flakes

1 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar

Put everything in a crock pot, cover, and cook on low for about 7-8 hours. Ours was finished in 7 hours. It will seem soupy, but don't worry-take out the chicken and shred with two forks, then add juices and mix until it seems well coated and moistened. I had some sauce left over which was fine.

Serve with toasted buns to pile the meat into at the table.

Serves 4-6.

Kiera Reading

I think that the video speaks for itself.

A lazy Sunday

After this church this past Sunday, we decided to go out for a nice breakfast and a walk around Georgetown. It was just a beautiful day and Kiera had a ton of fun.

Video of Kiera jumping!

Our little bug learning to jump! Too cute!

Spicy Bean & Cheese Burritos

This weeks yummy recipe! The only bummer is the wasted beer since both Paul and I dislike beer....so when you make this bad boy invite over a beer lover to drink the remaining beer. :D

Spicy Bean & Cheese Burritos
Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

One 15.5-ounce can black beans, rinsed

1/3 cup pickled jalapeño chiles, drained and chopped

1/2 cup Mexican beer, such as Corona

One 15.25-ounce can corn kernels, rinsed

One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, rinsed

Juice of 1/2 lime

4 large flour tortillas

1-1/2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until golden, about 1 minute. Stir in the black beans and jalapeños and cook, lightly mashing the mixture against the side of the pan, for 2 minutes.
2. Stir the beer into the black bean mixture and bring to a boil. Cook, continuing to mash, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the corn and tomatoes and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice; set aside.
3. Lay the tortillas on a work surface. Sprinkle the cheese in the center and spoon about 1/4 cup bean mixture on top. Fold the tortilla burrito-style.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the burritos folded side down in the skillet and cook until browned, about 1 minute on each side.

The day the videos wouldn't download

Well, I had some pretty cute videos of baby K but for some reason Blogger wouldn't upload them, so Blogger is not my best friend right now. Anyway......I decided to upload some cute pictures of my baby girl and her visit with Nana, Pop-Pop and Auntie Mi-Mi.

Kiera was in ABSOLUTE HEAVEN. Whatever baby k wanted, she got, which is the land of grand-babies isn't it? :D So, she got to lay around with her video player and watch the movie UP as much as she wanted, played with cell phones, eat CHEETOS!!!! (*sigh*), a million-bazillion hugs, and so many bubbles our carpet is very clean where all the bubbles landed.

So, needless to say, Kiera was one happy bug for a week. It was so nice to have family around. Here a few photos of their together time....wish I had the videos to accompany them.

Shrimp is the fruit of the sea......

As best said by Bubba......."You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it."
So, what better way to memorialize good ol' Bubba....well, give him his own shrimp dish. Voila! Bubba Gump Chipotle Shrimp.
I had the treat of not having to make this week's NEW DISH OF THE WEEK (I feel like this should be said by those Monster Truck Announcers......"Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!") *ahem* Anyway.....my mom and sister were in town to play with Kiera and my treat was sleeping in and having some one else do the cookin'. YEE HAW! Now THAT is a vacation - can I get a "what-what" from all the mommys out there!?
So, we had this dish over rice, but I sure it would be great over any pasta or even raviolis. But it was deeee-lish! This is one to put on next weeks menu list! Enjoy!

Yummo four stars for this one and a little bonus star for not having to cook. Tee hee. P.S. You will need to throw out the diet for this meal!

Serves 4

2 cups white rice
2 oz butter
3 large cloves of garlic, chopped
40 raw shrimp, deveines and deshelled (no tails)
1 pint heave cream
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese ( I use A LOT more for creaminess)
2 Tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, pureed in blender
1 bunch green onion, chopped

Prep. rice and set aside.
In large saute pan over MED heat, melt butter. Add garlic and shrimp, saute for about 1 min. Add cream, salt,
parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers, more can be added for extra spice. Bring to soft boil. Remove from heat when cream begins to stick to spoon. Spread cooked rice in plate and cover with chipotle shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with green onions. Diced roma tomatoes can be used as well to garnish.