Potty Training!!!

This is my warning there is yucky picture and you might think I am disgusting. But I am one proud Mama so I have to share so you have been warned!!! Yesterday Zoe told me she wanted to sit on the potty so I took her diaper off and sat her on her potty and she actually went!!! I was so surprised and  happy at the same time!!! She was went a total of four times and had one accident before her nap time. I was thrilled that she just went the one time but when she went four time i knew it was time to buckle down on this potty training thing. After her nap she was not interested at all. I made her sit on the potty and stuck to my guns and she was whining and pretending crying. I have to admit I was getting a little frustrated but I kept telling myself to take deep breaths. Zoe did go a tiny bit so I told her she could go outside with daddy for a couple minutes but she had to come back in after a couple minutes to go potty. Well that was my mistake daddy ended up bring her back in after two minutes outside. Zoe was soaked. I was not very happy. It was time to get ready for church so I put a pull up on her and I was planning on after I had to play the piano to go down to the nursery and put her on the piano. But I totally forgot all about potty training. But when we got home she was only a little wet. So I put her on the potty and she tried telling me "no" but I made her and after a couple minutes she went!!! Daddy was even there and was so proud of her!!! This morning She threw a fit because she wanted her diaper on and I told her no that she is a big girl and needs to go on the potty. Zoe was not happy with me, She kept telling me "no" and was trying to put her diaper on by herself. I told her diapers are for babies and she is a big girl. That seemed to help a little but she still was not happy about it. So I left her bear bottom and stuck with it and she was dry all day!!! I was thrilled at least we are making progress!!! I was expecting more accidents but she did a great job staying dry all morning!!! I did put a diaper on her at nap time and I am so glad I did because she did a B.M.  But I cleaned her up and just reminded her where she goes potty.  And she even told me she goes "pee in the potty". I kept her bear bottom all afternoon so far and she has been running over to the potty all by herself and sitting and going all by herself!! And She actually went over to her potty and did a B.M in it!!! I was expecting her to do a B.M I have been just focusing on the pee so she totally surprised me when I heard her going. The picture below is first B.M in her potty!!!!

Zoe can't believe she did it herself!!!

 My happy potty trainer!!!

While writing this Zoe actually went pee 3 times and had another B.M in the potty!!! 

Zoe was dry all day!!! She didn't have any accidents all day!!! I am such a proud Mama!!!

Our 2 year old!!!

Zoe's birthday fell on Easter this year. I can't believe I am a mother of a 2 year old. I remember having a baby and then I blinked and now that baby is 2. Where did the time go??? Zoe is full of personality and when she smiles its so hard not to smile.She is a very happy girl. She is also very bossy but so sweet at the same time. She is very loving and loves to snuggle and gives hug and kisses. She knows a lot of animal sounds and she also know must of her body parts. We are working on colors right now. Of coarse she knows what color pink is. She is a girly girl. She always asks me to put a bow in her hair and she loves shoes like her Mama. She is my mini me. Even Alex says so. Zoe trys to be so independent. Zoe also loves playing outside. We have to go outside every night and look at the stars and moon. 

Our 2 year old!!

 I love her smile

 I love her so much

 Zoe wearing her necklace and bracelet and sweater. I forgot to get a picture of her wearing her Easter hat 

 Our little family

 Zoe and Mama

 Daddy and Zoe

Playing At The Playground!!!

It was a beautiful day on Monday so we thought we would take advantage of the day and bring Zoe to the park. Zoe did so much better this year on the play ground . She still didn't want to go on the swings. And the slides are still not her favorite. But she loved climbing, crawling, and running. She had a blast!! The tunnels are her favorite.

There is so much to do. What to do first???

She loved the tunnels

We are working on how to get out of tunnel but this is the way she did it

 Zoe waving to daddy and saying "bye". She was ready for another turn

 Zoe quickly found little girls that she can boss around.

Zoe grabbed the girls hand and told her to "sit" and then Zoe sat on her lap and they went down the slide together

 So the girls decided to help Zoe with the whole playground

at the end of the tunnels there was a platform and for some reason Zoe thought it was for jumping 

 The girls were helping Zoe with the telescope 

 Having so much fun!!!

 Zoe did go down the bigger slide all by herself finally!!! But after she did that once that was enough

After the playground we took a walk around the park

 Zoe ran the whole way around the park. But we had to stop and roll up her sleeves and she wasn't happy that she had to stop running for a second

 She always had to be in front of us. We tried to walk next to her but she didn't like that

 She wasn't happy to  leave. She must have had too much fun!!!

Zoe's 2 year old checkup!!!

I know its been forever since I have updated this blog but the past month and a half has been a blur to me. We have been soooooooo busy and with me and Zoe's medical issues we have been at the hospital and doctors appointments too. I will post more about that later.....Back to Zoe's 2 year old checkup

I can't believe my baby is 2!!! Zoe height is 32 and 1/2 inches and she weighs 22 pounds and 12 ounces. Her Pediatrician was very encouraged with her height. We know she is still tiny but she her weight and height is going up and not strait lining like it was last year. If you know Zoe she is full of personality and her nurse and Pediatrician said that to me.    

Zoe feels so at home at the doctors office that every time someone comes in or out of the office she will say hi and bye to them. 

 Zoe telling me her arm hurt. (we had to do a lead test) The band-aid didn't last long on her arm.

 As a reward for her being so good we stopped at McDonald's and Zoe got some fries. She ate the whole medium fry. But the fries didn't get mind off of her boo boo. She was whining still when we got home so i ended up giving her Ibuprofen. 

 She is my cuddle bug when she is hurt or not feeling good

 She loves her mommy

She can be very dramatic but I still felt bad. I hate needles so I was sympathetic even though it was a small spot.

Mac and Cashew Cheese

I cant remember if I have ever posted on my blog Zoe's favorite Vegan meal. she loves mac and cashew cheese. Its pretty easy to make too. So its a win-win for the both of us. But its very expensive. I paid almost $15.00 for a pound of raw cashews. That is why I don't eat very much of it. But its very yummy.....

First I soaked 1/2 of a pound of raw cashew in water till its just covered. For two hours at least. (I have left it soaking over night and I got the same results)

Then I cook a 1/2 of a pound of pasta fully

 While the pasta is cooking I make the "cheese"

I drain the cashews and put the water that they were soaking in a side in a cup. And then I put my cashews in my food processor and add...

2 squeezes of lemon juice

1/3 of the cashew soaked water

1 teaspoons of minced garlic

1 Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar  

Salt and pepper to taste. 

I love salty cheese so if it was for me I would have added more then what I make for Zoe

 Then I puree till smooth

Then put the "cheese" in a mixing bowl

Then pour the macaroni in with the "cheese"  and fold it in

And your done!!!

 I put most of it in freezable containers but if you are going to freeze it you have to add 2 tablespoons of milk to it (I use almond milk for Zoe) and it helps it not to be so dry when you reheat it.

Zoe so excited about her mac and cashew cheese. 

This is serious....

 "Momma leave me alone I am trying to eat"

Family <3

I went out and visited my family for a couple days and here are a few pictures I have of our time together. We got to visit my Grannie who is 99 years old. I love her so much and every time I get out there I always want to see her. Zoe is usually scared (because my Grannie likes her room dark) and she usually cries and clings to me. But this time she was did great!!! 

I don't like this picture of me but I think its cute of Zoe and Grannie

Still not a good picture of me but I will always cherish this picture

My Aunt Debbie and Zoe. Zoe really warms up to Aunt Debbie very quickly. I love spending time with her.

My Mom and Grannie (Grannie is her Grandmother)

 My Mom, Zoe and My niece Jena ( Zoe and Jena match)

Zoe saying good bye to Grannie and giving her a hug

After we left Grannie's we went out to lunch and Aunt Beckie (my sister) was sharing her sprite with Zoe . Zoe's nose would crinkle up every time. It was so funny and cute!

Zoe and Grandma in their matching jackets 

Country Sweet Calzone.......Yummmmmmmmmmmm!!!

Doesn't this look so yummy????

My Sister Tracie got me addicted to Country sweet calzone's  from Avanti's years ago. And very time I came in to visit my family I always want to stop and get one. But that only happened twice. But the last time I came in for a visit. I went grocery shopping with my mom and found the sauce!!! I was so excited!!!! And my Walmart actually sells the sauce too!!! (that is amazing) So I taught I would give it a try and I did and it was amazing!!! My hubby even loved it!!! This makes two large calzones .This is what I did....

I made my calzone dough which is 

1 cup of water

3 cups of bread flour

2 tbsp of olive oil

1 tsp of salt

2 tsp of dry active yeast

And while that was stirring and rising in my bread machine. I cooked 4 chicken tenders all the way done.

When everything was done I cut the dough in half and rolled it out. And then I placed 1/4 of cup of the Country sweet sauce in the center of the dough and I spread it all around the dough 2 inches away from the edge. Then I cut up 2 chicken tenders and placed them all over in the sauce and then I put 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken tenders. And then I folded the dough over.  I also put a little olive oil on top with Italian seasonings and Parmesan cheese. And then I placed it on my cookie sheet stone and cooked in on 400 for 20 minutes. Make sure you have the sauce with you while your eating it. I love to dip my extra bread in the sauce...yummmmmmmmmm