The Happiness Project: Chapters Three & Four

Posted on | March 12, 2012 | No Comments

We took a different, more open-ended question approach this time and I think we’re going back to more specific questions like we did in the first two chapters. Either way… here’s my take on Chapters Three & Four, which focus on work & parenthood.

Chapter Three is Aim Higher: Work

The points are:

Launch a blog.
Enjoy the fun of failure.
Ask for help.
Work smart.
Enjoy now.

Discussion Questions:

1. Does keeping busy make you happy or drain you?

As a general rule, keeping busy makes me happy. By nature, I’m not the type of person who can just sit around… I have to be “doing” something at all times. That being said, I definitely have problems crossing the line into doing too much & I get overwhelmed & drained. I don’t know when to stop. Cleaning is my biggest adversary. I’ll start with vacuuming, notice that tables need to be dusted, suddenly realize that my closet should be reorganized and before we know it and I’m exhausted & not being as good of a mom as I should be.

2. Does trying new things make you happier?

I have a lot of issues going out of my comfort zone. I’m usually hesitant about trying new things and as a result I think I miss out on things

3. Any points you disagree with in this chapter?

Not necessarily. This chapter sort of “hit me where it hurts.” It made me realize how much happier I think I could be if I was back to working in a job or profession that I love. I hope to get there soon.

Chapter Four is Lighten Up: Parenthood

The points are:

Sing in the morning.
Acknowledge the reality of people’s feelings.
Be a treasure house of happy memories.
Take time for projects.

Discussion Questions:

1. Are there any things that Gretchen tried in this chapter that you hope to put to use?

Acknowledging the reality of people’s feelings (namely Madison). Without even realizing it I have been constantly doing what Gretchen was doing by contradicting Madison’s assertions. I have been making a real effort to effort to rephrase myself with Madison. When she tells me she doesn’t want to do something in particular. I’ve started saying “I know you don’t want to take a nap because you’re having fun playing but you need to take a nap and when you wake up we’ll get to do ___insert fun activity__.” I’m not going to say I’ve seen mind blowing results (she is still only 2.5) but I have noticed she seems a lot more inclined to go along with what I’m requesting if I acknowledge her feelings.

2. Do you have any unusual traditions in your family that make you happy?

I’m not going to say we necessarily have any unusual traditions but we definitely have rituals that make me happy and I hope to make the girls happy. Right now we’re in the really fun stage of having a young family because we have the opportunity to create any traditions we want. Up until now we’ve still pretty much followed what our own families did and this is the year we’re really starting to develop our own.

It’s silly but we’ve recently begun the “I love you more than…” game with Madison. It’s so fun to see what she’ll come up with. Just today she told me she loves me more than Dora & Boots. That’s big y’all… REALLY big.

Other rituals we have is turning the TV off when Clint gets home. I’m not going to lie, the TV is on a lot in the house. Sometimes it’s cartoons, sometimes its just ambient noise but I grew up with it and it’s just the way it is. We make a point every night to turn the TV off when Clint gets home and it is usually off until bedtime. We put on music, cook & eat dinner, dance, play in the toy room, take baths, etc. It’s a really special time and we love that few hours that we spend devoted to each other.

3. Any points you disagree with in this chapter?

No. I read an article once that talked about how it’s okay to say yes to our children & goes along with what is going on in this chapter. Our kids are only young once and while it is our job to discipline them, teach them right from wrong, set boundaries, etc… it’s also our jobs to help them become confident, independent thinkers that are allowed to expressed themselves. If we’re constantly on them when they ask for something when we don’t think they should be asking for it, not letting them express their feelings about an instruction that they don’t like then we are stifling them. I agree with this to a certain extent.

The example that always sticks out in my mind was the article’s author talked about a child asking for a cookie before dinner. 9 times out of 10 you say no, usually annoyed because you’ve already told them 75 times that you are cooking dinner and you just tell them they need to be patient. But every once in a while… it’s okay to let them spoil their dinner with that one cookie before hand. They are children, things like that often make their day and it’s okay to bend your own rules for that.

I think this Chapter is a lot like that article and it really resonates with how I parent Madison and how I want to parent Hannah when she understands more.

Category: The Happiness Project

That Moment v.3

Posted on | March 7, 2012 | 2 Comments

That moment when you question your ability for rational thought because realize you’ve spent 45 minutes sharpening crayons for your daughter when the box of 64 costs about $7 at Walmart.

Image Source.

Category: That Moment

10 (11?) Things

Posted on | March 1, 2012 | 7 Comments

I’m so confused because there have been two memes going along that seem exactly the same yet one is 10 things & the other is 11 things? One you post a picture, one you don’t?

It’s really throwing me I tell ya.

Either way, I’ve been tagged by Kristi…. so here goes

That’s me… I look skinny in that picture. It’s totally an optical illusion, I swear.

11 Random Things About Me:

1. Leftover cold eggplant parmesan on a toasted english muffin is my favorite thing ever to eat.

2. I was on a jump roping team in Elementary School called the Jumping Jammers. We were on the Mr. Peppermint Show which was a local children’s show. Basically, I’m like a local celebrity.

3. I love seafood and sushi but I can NOT eat crawfish. They look like giant Roaches & the fact that you suck their head makes me want to spew.

4. I was in the Longhorn Band at UT in college & was in President Bush’s inaugural parade in 2001.

5. I never think I want to watch a movie until I put one on and then I become enthralled. It’s because of this that I only own like 10 DVDs.

6. I didn’t start watching How I Met Your Mother until a year ago and I feel like a giant fool. I now watch it almost every day on reruns.

7. I’m not into electronics. Don’t get me wrong, I love my iPhone but I was just fine before it and didn’t even use an mp3 player.

8. I HATE talking on the phone. The only people I don’t mind talking with is my immediate family & Clint. You will rarely catch me answering my phone.

9. I know all the states in alphabetical order because of that silly song you learn in Middle School (Fifty Nifty United States or something).

10. In my head I’m super outgoing & friendly and personable and in reality I am that with people I know well but I’m totally socially awkward if I don’t you… to the point where I usually just say really dumb things or start talking uncontrollably.

11. I would rather listen to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Michael Buble & Harry Connick Jr. than anything on “popular radio” today.

Kristi’s Questions for me:

Is it soda or pop? And what is your favorite?

Soda! Diet Coke is my favorite although it’s only a treat because I never buy it for the house.

What is your go to outfit when you need one?

Currently it’s my skinny jeans, boots and something flowy/blousy on top. Flattering & comfy!

Tell me what you are reading and why?

I’m reading The Happiness Project. My girlfriends and I started an “online book club” so that we could talk more and as something fun to do. This book is our first pick and it is changing my life. There is something so refreshing about taking an introspective look at yourself.

Name a reality TV show you would like to go on?

The Voice or Project Runway, but I’m neither a singer or a fashion designer so there goes that dream.

Tell me the best blog you read that you think I should start reading.

I love Mom 101 an unhealthy amount. Just read her bio and you’ll be hooked.

If you had to move out of your current state where would you go?

Single without kids Joanna would have gone straight to New York & lived in Manhattan. Married with kids Joanna would think living in the Carolinas would be cool.

Tell me one rule you had growing up that you will never impose on your own kids.

My parents were really pretty cool. I don’t remember any rules that seemed outrageous.

What is one thing you could not live without? (It can’t be a person)

Red Wine.

What’s the first thing you do in the morning?

Ask myself why Hannah can’t seem to sleep in past 5 a.m. EVER.

What would your final meal consist of?

First Course: A salad with lettuce, apples, blue cheese, walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette

Second Course: Warm artisan bread with spinach and artichoke dip

Third Course: My mom’s eggplant parmesan with side of garlic roasted asparagus

Fourth Course: Filet Mignon – medium rare – basted in truffle butter

Fifth Course: Plain NY Cheesecake

Hot damn I’m a fatty!

If you had to pick a song as the “soundtrack of your life what would it be?”

“That’s Life”

That’s life, that’s what people say.
You’re riding high in April,
Shot down in May.
But I know I’m gonna change their tune,
When I’m right back on top in June.

That’s life, funny as it seems.
Some people get their kicks,
Steppin’ on dreams
But I just can’t let it get me down,
Cause this big old world keeps spinnin’ around.

I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate,
A poet, a pawn and a king.
I’ve been up and down and over and out
But I know one thing:
Each time I find myself flat on my face,
I pick myself up and get back in the race.

That’s life, I can’t deny it,
I thought of quitting,
But my heart just won’t buy it.
Cause if I didn’t think it was worth a try,
I’d have to roll myself up in a big ball and die.

Okay… I tag…. (please feel NO obligation to complete this!)

Heather at Life with the Ardies

Vicki at Crowning Victoria

Christina at So Mellifluous

Allison at O My Family

Tiffany at Mom-Nom

Category: Uncategorized

Baby Meals

Posted on | February 29, 2012 | 6 Comments

One of my favorite bloggers, Brandy of Mannlymama, hosts a weekly series that she calls #toddlerdinners. She posts pictures and descriptions of her son’s dinners and whether or not they were a hit. It’s genius I tell you. She has inspired me to broaden our horizons when feeding Madison. Truth be told Madison has always been a pretty good eater (she doesn’t wear 3T/4T clothing for no reason) but like any toddlers she goes through phases of picky-ness & I found myself always struggling with what new foods to offer her.

Because of Brandy, I have found out that Madison likes salad with ranch dressing (most days), loves broccoli, is OBSESSED with dried fruit & yogurt covered raisins, could eat hummus day & night and many other new foods.

I’m not here to replicate Brandy’s efforts in any ways. We all know that I do not have the commitment to post any “series” and keep up with it but I would like to expand on her series and share with y’all what we feed Hannah.

Hannah is currently 8.5 months and has been on solid food since 4 months old. We started offering her options that weren’t purees around 6.5 months and once she mastered her pincer grasp & feeding herself around 7.5 months we’ve basically given her 100% regular food. I definitely always make sure to keep jars of Earth’s Best baby food on hand for days we’re running late or if she’s hurting from teething and needs some but for the most part she eats all solid foods.

With Madison I found myself almost always preparing a second meal when she was an older infant/younger toddler. This time around I decided Hannah eats a modified version of what we eat. For instance last night we had grilled chicken that had been marinated in Light Italian Dressing, some garlic & olive oil vermicelli, corn & green beans. Hannah had everything but the vermicelli. I just diced it all into really small pieces and she went to town.

I’m pretty sure you all can handle the whole feed the child whatever you’re eating for dinner thing without me, so that’s not the point of this post. What I want to share with you is some of our go-to breakfast & lunch foods as well as snacks that make feeding a toddler AND a baby easy for me.

Main components of meals:

1. Frozen vegetables (the steamer bags) - At any given time I have at least 3 bags of frozen veggies in my freezer. While I do make fresh vegetables when I can the fact of the matter is it is just easier & usually a lot less wasteful for us to use frozen. Our “go-to” veggies are:

Green Beans
Peas & Carrots
Corn
Cauliflower, Broccoli & Carrot Mix

2. String Cheese & Wedges of Colby Jack Cheese – Hannah is OBSESSED with cheese. She usually gets some form of cheese everyday either with a meal or as a snack. They are a staple in this house.

3. Natural Lunch Meats – I shop at our local Kroger because I’m obsessed with Boars Head cold cuts. Boars Head has an All Natural Line that has no added nitrates or nitrites, no added preservatives, etc. I usually request a half inch thick slice and I use that to dice into really small pieces. For a quick lunch I give her some of the lunch meat, cheese & veggies and she’s a happy camper.

4. Scrambled Eggs - this one is easy. Hannah is obsessed. I gave both of my girls eggs fairly early and we’ve had no allergy problems. Throw in some shredded sharp cheddar cheese & she’ll eat them before you blink your eyes.

5. Flash frozen thin chicken cutlet breasts – These can be cooked frozen and I can make one and feed both girls for lunch.

6. Frozen blueberry waffles – a big favorite cut into tiny pieces with a bit of syrup.

7. Already cooked Turkey Breakfast Sausauge

8. Hot Dogs – I know that both the nitrates & the shape of hotdogs is scary for some moms but I buy the Oscar Mayer Select Beef & Hardwood Smoked Dogs with no added Nitrates or Nitrates. I slice them lengthwise twice & then into tiny pieces. Again- loved by both of my girls.

9. Jar Fruit & Apple Sauce – Just like the veggies, I do buy fresh fruit but I can’t tell you how many times I’ll buy grapes or some other fruit & end up throwing half of it away because we don’t finish. The Dole jarred fruits in natural fruit juice help me cut down on throwing out food. Peaches, pineapple & mandarin oranges are ALWAYS in our fridge.

Apple Sauce is another one that is big in our house. I always buy natural apple sauce but I’ve recently discovered the Mott’s Healthy Harvest Medleys. They are naturally flavored with vegetable juices and a lot less sugar than regular apple sauce.

Snacks:

1. Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar Puffs – a favorite among all of us… especially Hannah.

2. Goldfish baby crackers – I just can’t quit them. They’re easy & delicious and I can steal them off her high chair tray!

3. Puffs – I’m almost to the point where I will stop buying them because I swear she just shoves them all in her mouth at once and they dissolve in .3 seconds but for now she still loves them.

4. Cinnamon Burst Cheerios – These things will change your life. I crush them up and coat half a banana cut into tiny pieces for Hannah.

5. Low Sodium Ritz Crackers with Apple Butter – messy but a favorite.

6. Plum Organics Mish Mash snacks – They are the easiest thing in the world to throw in the diaper bag. Hannah loves the Apple Cinnamon with Oats & Quinoa.

So there you have it folks. The staples in our house that make feeding an infant a breeze! Now if someone could teach me how to feed my picky meat & potatoes husband we’d be golden!!!

How about you… what are your go to infant foods?