Getting Ready For Baby #2

I feel like the weeks are just flying by now! I can't believe next week is the beginning of July already! The count down is officially on till we bring home baby #2. 

I have started pulling out all Makenna's old clothes and organizing them. I took out all the newborn and  0-3 month sizes and can't believe we'll have a little baby to wear them all soon! I love looking back and remembering when Makenna wore each item. She was holding them up to herself and saying, "We can give these to Gummy Bear. They no fit me anymore." As I was going through all the clothes, I noticed yellow stains on a lot of the newborn stuff. I remembered seeing something on Pinterest a while ago about getting stains out of baby clothes. I went back on and did some research. I decided to take a few peoples suggestions and combine them. I was amazed at how well it worked! Almost all the stains are gone or hardly noticeable anymore! I'm sorry I never took before and after pics! Blogger fail! But here is the recipe I used to get the stains out. 

• OxyClean powder detergent
• Hydrogen peroxide 
• Gain dish soap
• Hot water
• A small spray bottle

1. I combined about 3 tablespoons of OxyClean and about 3-4 tablespoons of hot water.   
2. Added 2 1/2 tablespoons of Hydrogen peroxide
3. Added a good sized squirt of Gain dish soap, a tablespoon maybe
4. Shook it al up and let all the bubbles settle so I could put the lid on the spray bottle.
5. I laid out all the clothes with stains and sprayed them all generously rubbing the solution in with my fingers. 
6. I let them all sit for around 20 mins
7. Put them all in the washing machine set on the stain wash setting and used OxyClean detergent 
8. When the cycle was done I laid them all outside to dry in the sun

The results were pretty amazing. There were some heavily stained onesies and now they look brand new! Some still have really faint stains and if I really cared I would probably just redo the process on them. But they don't bother me since baby #2 will be adding her own stains in no time. I'm kicking myself for not taking before and after pictures so I could show you how well this really worked.

Now I just need to find somewhere to put all these clean clothes. My husband and I decided that although we have a third bedroom, we want the girls to share a room for as long as possible. Makenna has been really great saying she's going to share her stuff with her baby sister. As soon as I mentioned sharing her room she looked at me like I was crazy and said, "But this is MY room." She's finally coming around to the idea when I showed her some cool bunk beds they can get eventually. Baby will be in our room for the first year anyway since I plan of breast feeding and it will be easier to have her right next to me.

I feel like I have so much I need to do to get myself organized. If you are a parent of 2 or more and have any good advice for me, feel free to share!!

-K 

A Great Summer Recipe

I feel like this week just flew by! Maybe it's because we have been super busy. So when I saw this recipe for a veggie pasta salad from Better Homes & Garden, I knew it would be a fast and yummy addition to our dinner. I changed the recipe up a bit so I'll write it out for all of you. 

My husband went to dish up some and I yelled "STOP! I need to take a picture first!" lol

Grilled Veggie Pasta Salad

You need:

• 1 zucchini
• 1 red sweet pepper 
• 1 small red onion
• 1/2 pound of asparagus
• a can of halved artichoke hearts 
• 3 Tbs of olive oil
• 3-4 Tbs balsamic vinegar
• 4 cups of cooked pasta (I used zucchini & spinach pasta by Barilla)
• salt 
• pepper
• garlic powder

Directions:

1. Cut up all veggies and mix with 1tbs of the olive oil. Add a little bit of salt, pepper and garlic powder
2. Grill veggies ( I used this QVC grilling sheet! AMAZING!! The absolute best way to cook veggies on the grill) 
3. Cook until veggies are tender
4. Add cooked pasta and veggies into a bowl with the remaining 2tbs of olive oil and balsamic vinegar
5. Salt and pepper to taste

It was SO good! The original recipe only called for 1tbs of balsamic vinegar. I added 2tbs and my husband and I both agree it could have used more. So play around with how much vinegar you like. I also added the artichoke hearts and left out the fresh oregano. I'm just not a fan of oregano in pasta salads, but I'm sure most other people are. 

This would be a great recipe for parents that use baby lead weening. Just make sure pieces are cut big enough for baby to hold and chomp on. I would cut veggies into large strips instead of chunks. I'll get more into baby lead weening for those who don't know what it is in another post soon. I swear though, baby lead weening is why Makenna will eat ANYTHING you put in front of her.  

So there you have it! A fast and delicious recipe for those busy summer nights. What recipes are you all loving?? Feel free to share below! 

-K

THiRSTY THURSDAY

Now that summer is officially here one of my favorite past times is making a simple and YUMMY batch of WHITE PEACH SANGRIA and grilling with my family & friends on the weekends. Unfortunately this summer my lovely best friend is out for the count due to being PREGO! Sorry Keri!! LOL.

Picture found from Pinterest.

1. Two peaches, sliced.
2. 3/4 Cup Peach Schnapps.
3. One bottle chilled Moscato (Get a cheap one. Barefoot is always good!)
4. One liter Peach Seltzer Water

This may be the easiest and yummiest recipe! Matching seltzer flavors can also be paired with Raspberries, Blackberries or Strawberries! So feel free to do what ever tickles your fancy and OBVIOUSLY since theres fruit in this who says it isn't healthy?!? ;) P.S. If you really want to get creative then pour this sangria mixture (fruit included) into a popsicle mold for your very own "Adult Popsicle." HOW FUN!!

I hope you enjoy this light, refreshing drink just as much as I do! Feel free to comment and share some of your favorite summer drinks! I am always looking for new drinks to sample!... Clearly. :)

-D