This weekend Ichiro and I searched and searched for some sandals for Noby.  We had checked all the stores in our little shopping plaza so we headed out to the mall.  Because of Noby’s wide feet, and we found out two different size feet, we ended up having to get him shoes at Stride Rite.  They are a little expensive but they’re the only shoes that really fit him right.  He loves his new sandals and ended up wearing them out of the store!!

We go shopping!

So Noby started “school” last week.  Overall I thought it was great and I knew Noby was going to benefit from going.  However I also knew it was going to be some work.  He has never really been asked to follow rules.  He’s never been asked to participate in a circle time or sit for an art project.  He had a hard time doing all of these!  I think the hardest was transitioning from activity to activity.  When asked to washed his hands before snack, all he wanted to do was play in the water.  He threw himself on the floor to let everyone know he wasn’t happy.  The same thing happened when he was asked to sit at the table for snack or an art project.  He didn’t want to sit and let everyone know about it.

Also once a week Molly, from Early Intervention, comes to the house.  We’ve been talking about Noby’s difficulty with the group and she first told me to remember it’s only been two weeks (haha) and secondly that Noby has never been asked to do these things before.  She said the more he does them the easier it will get.  Makes perfect sense, I guess someone just needs to remind you!  She told me to work on simple things at home, like having him just wash his hands before meals.  Just washing, not letting him play in the water like I’ve been doing.  Also changing activities as we play, maybe stopping an activity before he’s actually done with it, telling him “Two more minutes till clean up.”

We have been doing these simple things at home and will see how it works next Tuesday at group.  I’ve also been thinking more about what Molly and I talked about.  And I have been trying to come up with more ways of doing things at home that will benefit him at school.  It dawned on me that of course he wouldn’t want to sit at the little table for snack or play dough or art projects because he has never been asked to sit at a little table before.  So today Noby and I ran down to Ikea to try out all the little tables.  He was so cute trying to climb into the chairs.  We picked one and after I put him to bed tonight I put it together!  (Ichiro should be proud!)  I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow! AND how long till I find him standing on top of it! hahaha

Last nights dinner was so easy and came out perfect, it will definitely be put in the rotation.  Which is great because I was starting to get tired of the same old meals we’ve been cooking.  So because last nights dinner was so great I thought we should push our luck and try another new Japanese recipe!!  While in NY I was also instructed on how to make Sukiyaki.  Actually we had this for dinner one night so I had a full demo.

One of the main reason I enjoy this dinner, beside the yummy taste, is the idea of cooking right on the table.  I love how someone isn’t stuck in the kitchen cooking all night.  All I had to do was cut the raw veggies and get everything out to the table.  At that point Ichiro started “cooking.”  Tonight was bowling night so who better to test a new recipe on then Keith! haha He didn’t seem to mind!  And actually it turned out great.  Ichiro figured out the perfect amount of soy sauce, sugar and water.  I didn’t take many pictures because there wasn’t much to show.  Most of the ingredients are just raw veggies and beef that you cook at the table.  Check it out…

The ingredients!

As you can see everything is just tossed in the sauce mixture. As the beef and veggies cook you just pick out what you want and eat it over your rice.

Maybe next time you visit, I’ll make this for you!

Well we all know the outcome of yesterday’s game; what a sad ending to a perfect season.  Although we didn’t have anyone over, we wanted to make Noby’s first Super Bowl a great one.  All I can say is that Ichiro’s TV is ridiculous!  It felt like you were at the game!  The colors and clearness of the game were really amazing!  So I didn’t have the excuse of company to make yummy nachos or chip and dip, so I tried my hardest to make some fun stuff that was still on my diet.  I think I did pretty good and even Ichiro ate them!!

Noby was ready for the game in his Patriots gear!

This picture doesn’t do it justice!

Oh you didn’t know, Noby was actually playing in the game!

Daddy and Noby!

I decided that I would make Buffalo Chicken Chili again.

So I found a recipe for roasted chick peas.  They were actually really good, crunchy like peanuts.

Before baking them I added a little garlic powder, crushed red pepper and a little salt.

I also made some sweet potato chips.

Before baking I just added a little salt.  One potato made all these chips!

Well Noby and I have been in the house all week and we needed to get out. After our play date with the Brascos got canceled, do to a bug going through their house, I just knew we couldn’t stay in the house again. Joanna to the rescue!! She picked us up and we headed to the mall to make a return and have a little lunch. After we met up with Joanna’s friend Emily and her daughter Sophia at Together in Motion, in Arlington. Every day the center has a free play time where children can release all their energy by running around and playing with all these soft blocks, stairs, slides, and tunnels. The floor is even padded for no booboos! Noby is still a little young but had a great time doing his tummy time. He also enjoyed having his mommy pose him for tons of pictures!

I’m swimming!

Sophia and Avery playing ball.

Noby’s favorite look, “What the hell?”

Avery showing us how she can walk all around.

But she didn’t get very far up this.

Emily and Sophia.

Avery going through the tunnel.

Sophia’s turn!

Don’t forget me!

Ouch my head!

Dinner tonight was one we have made before but I thought I would share the recipe. We had Spicy Thai Shrimp and like always it was a huge hit!

Now served over brown rice, this time I added green beans.

After all that playing Noby was well over due for a bath. Here are a few shots from bath time.

Noby and Mr. Hippo.

All clean and ready for bed!

Today while Noby and I were trying to figure out how to clean the kitchen while we continued to play, I came up with a great idea. Actually I kind of took it from Joanna and Shawn. They have their pack n’ play in the tv room so Avery can play in it when they can’t have her on the floor. They call it baby prison. So I moved the pack n’ play into the kitchen. Noby can now play while I put the dishes away or start dinner.

Help me….

Oh… Hi!!!

From today, Noby in his blue chair.

Are you asking, “But Becky, what’s for dinner?” Well tonight I tried another new recipe. All I can say is I LOVE this one. It’s called Inside-out Egg Roll and it tastes exactly like that. I made ate it over brown rice and made white rice for Ichiro and Keith. As the “add in” I used ground turkey. YUMM…

The picture doesn’t do it justice, it was Very Yummy!

PS. I almost forgot to tell you that Noby took 2 one hour naps IN THIS CRIB today!!! And I’m trying to use the pacifier so he can get himself to sleep. Go Noby!!!

So tonight Noby was showing off his new skill. He hasn’t mastered it yet but he’s almost sitting up by himself. There were so many great shots of him tonight, here are a few…

Look at me!

OOPS!

What is this?

I love this foot!

Can I eat it?

I’ll just eat my hand.

I also made a new recipe tonight. I must be on a buffalo kick because tonight I made Buffalo Chicken Lasagna. I would make it again, however next time I would omit the Veggie Slices Cheese on top. “Veggie slices cheese?” you ask. The website says, “You won’t find this soy-based product in the dairy section because it has a logical home in produce. Veggie is an excellent source of calcium without cholesterol, saturated and trans fat or lactose. Veggie is available in slices, shreds, spreads and more and is a delicious and easy way to eat smarter sandwiches, salads and meals!” Yes as you would think it SUCKED! I think I would just crumble a little blue cheese on top and count the extra points for it. I also think I would use ground chicken instead of the cubed chicken it called for. But overall it was pretty good and I plan to make it again, with the few changes.

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna.

Veggie Slices. Check out the close up of the labels. One says “Lactose Free” and the other says “May contain trace amounts of lactose.” WHAT?

We headed to Joanna and Shawn’s to watch the games on their enormous TV. We had a great time and are so excited that the Pats kept their undefeated record alive. Noby and I were a little sad about the second game, we were cheering for the Packers all night. Ichiro, however is happy that a NY team to be in the Superbowl. So I didn’t mess up my diet, I cut up some veggies and made a Buffalo Chicken Chili to bring along. I forgot to take a picture but it was a hit, so when I make it again, you’ll see it.

Noby was very excited to get all dressed up in his Pats outfit, THANKS GRANDPA!! He even had a “costume” change between games (Thanks Aunt Karen and Uncle Pete!).

Noby and Daddy watching the game.

Noby was all excited after the game! GO PAT!

Avery and Noby had a little play time between the games.

Noby got into his Green Bay outfit before the second game started.

He was so excited for the start of the game!

Mommies and kids!

The Dads!