Update: New Years Resolution

Remember my resolution post about making some economic and eco-friendly changes to our lifestyle?  I thought I'd post an update for everyone.  If you remember correctly, I had twelve goals.  I'm sure I won't meet all twelve goals, but I feel like we're making excellent progress!

Completed:
1. Install a programmable thermostat.

2. Buy a steam mop.  Ok, so this one is sort of give and take in the eco-friendly department.  It will eliminate the use of chemicals, but it runs on electricity.  Ultimately, my floors are not getting clean enough so I'm biting the bullet on this one.

In Progress:
1. Be more proactive about recycling.  We already recycle quite a bit and have really cut back on our trash each week, but I think there are still plenty of things winding up in the garbage that could easily be recycled.
- I am the recycling Nazi.

2. Make re-usable refills for my Swiffer duster and sweeper.
- So far I've made one Swiffer duster refill, and I've purchased the microfiber to make sweeper refills.


3. Cut back on paper towels and napkins by converting to "un-paper" towels and cloth napkins.
- We have some un-paper towels on their way!

Coming up:
1. Plant a vegetable/herb garden.
- Our main issue here is figuring out where to plant it. We don't want to take up room inside the fence, but our annoying neighbors let their dogs roam free and we don't want them to disturb it.  We also need to figure out the best spot for light and irrigation.  I also want to do a raised garden bed, so Clint will need to build that for me. 

I feel like we're on our way to a healthier, more frugal life.  :)

Menu

Nope, I didn't forget about Menu Monday.  I really don't have much to post!  Clint was gone last night, and will be gone tonight and tomorrow night (work, work, class).  I am a little ashamed at how unhealthy Isabella nd I are eating: last night was frozen pizza tonight will likely be Kraft mac & cheese (the kind in the bag), tomorrow will likely be randomness from the freezer.  I just don't have the motivation to do anything too complicated when Isabella and I are home during the week.  It takes so much longer to do anything when I'm alone with her, and it's already 5:30 by the time we get home.  She starts to beg for food around 6:00.  Not to mention she's a picky eater and while Clint is fine with leftovers I hate to go to a lot of trouble for a meal for it to be eaten re-heated.  The first taste should be fresh, you know what I mean?

When I do get around to cooking again chicken alfredo and chicken pot pie are on deck.  The chicken pot pie keeps getting pushed back; it just never sounds appetizing when it comes time to actually prepare it.

18 month checkup

We had Isabella's 18 month checkup today and it went really well.  It seems like she was always sick with either a sinus infection or an ear infection for her past few checkups and this time she was in perfect health!  She was very brave and did very well.  Proud mama right here!  In the past she has screamed anytime a staff member came into the exam room and clung to me with all her might.  She was a little iffy about the medical assistant, but did very well with the NP we saw and the nurse who administered her vaccine.  The only thing she didn't like was lyng down on the exam table.  She cried very briefly from the shot, but other than that she did very well!  I told Clint we hit the Elmo trifect today: Elmo poster in the exam room, and Elmo sticker from the front desk, and watching Sesame Street as a reward for being such a big, brave girl!  She loves Elmo right now.

Weight: 21lbs 7oz- 10th% 
Height: 32 inches- 50th%
Head: 47.4 cm- 75th% (Big brain I tell ya, big brain!)

Menu Monday

I'll include last weeks as well since I never got around to posting it.

Last Week:
Sunday- I honestly don't remember
Monday- leftovers
Tuesday- Pot roast with veggies
Wednesday- Homemade mac & cheese
Thursday- leftovers (I had a hair appointment)
Friday- beef and noodles
Saturday- stuffed shells

This week:
Sunday- Chili
Monday- leftovers (We have A LOT!)
Tuesday- parm crusted pork chops
Wednesday- leftovers, or grilled cheese & tomato soup
Thursday- tacos
Friday- pizza
Saturday- meatloaf

18 Months!

Isabella is now 18 months old.  A year and a half!  Wow.  Many of my blogging friends have started using an easy-to-read format for their monthly updates.  I think I'll try it out.

Age: 18 months

Weight: Not sure, but we'll find out at her check-up this week
Length: Again, not sure
Size: 18-24 months, mostly and I think she's about ready for size 5 shoes
Hair: Getting longer
Teeth: 14 and counting
Sleeping: Eh.  She's not a terrible sleeper, but the teething has caused some disruption.

Eating: She's all about pasta, bananas, cheese, crackers, and mandarin oranges.  She still prefers ground meats over all others.  She hasn't been eating her veggies as well lately.  She's getting better about drinking milk.  She is also getting better at using utensils, although sometimes they just slow her down. ;)

Movement: Cuh-razy!  Seriously, she is all over the place.

Milestones:  First peanut butter sandwich!  She loved it.  

Favorite toys/activities: Kitchen, magnets, coloring, reading books, "helping" Mommy, playing ball

Dislikes: Being put down?  She's very clingy lately.  

Words/sounds: A lot.  Cheese, cracker, poo-poo (associates it with the potty and diapers, but doesn't tell me when she's gone yet), bear, banana, chair, Elmo, Mouse (as in Mickey), Peanut (PP), and several more that I'm forgetting.  I swear she uses a new word each day.

I've been awful about taking photos, as usual.  Here are a few I was able scrounge up.


First peanut butter sandwich

 Having a snack at her new table.  We're very serious about nutrition, apparently.

Having a tea party with Peanut.

"Isabella, say cheese."

"CHEESE!"

Such a silly girl!

Menu Monday

Well, I didn't cook much at all last week since I was sick.  Some dinners were  pushed back again. 

Monday- Clint has class.  Isabella and I will scrounge something together.
Tuesday- Lemon pepper chicken
Wednesday- Another class night.  Isabella and I will have something quick and easy.
Thursday- Tacos
Friday- pizza
Saturday- Chicken Parmesan
Sunday- Chicken pot pie

Menu Monday

We have a house full of sickies today.  I'm pretty sure I have the flu.  I felt horrible yesterday- headache, body aches, stuffy nose, and chills.  Today I feel a little better, but now I have a little cough.  Awesome.  Way to spend my day off.

Clint is home today too.  He went to work and came straight home.  He says she has a stomach bug.  Sigh.  Isabella is teething, but otherwise good.  Cross your fingers that it stays that way!

Onto the menu.  We made some last night changes last week, so you'll see a couple of repeats that got pushed back.

Monday: leftover chili
Tuesday: Shepherd's pie
Wednesday: leftovers or grilled cheese
Thursday: pizza pockets

Friday: lemon pepper chicken

Saturday: tacos
Sunday: chicken pot pie