Tubes

Since February Maddox has had 6 ear infections, and he has just felt awful.  Everytime we went to the doctor he would get a rocephin shot and antibiotics which neither helped.  The ear infections would cause Maddox to wake up some nights every hour screaming at the top of his lungs.  When he was a few months old, his pedi, Dr. Bodron, said he was a major wax producer.   Sometimes his ears were so full of wax that the doctor could not even see in his ear.

I started noticing that Maddox would pull on his right ear constantly.  I thought this meant his right ear was hurting.  Right?  After the sixth ear infection, I asked Dr. Ricks (new pedi since Dr. Bodron retired) to refer us to an ENT.  I just couldn't stand seeing Maddox sick all the time.  It seems that he has had a runny nose and cough since May, and he cannot get rid of it.

We saw Dr. Barham a month ago, and he said both of Maddox's ears had fluid on them and he needed tubes ASAP.  We scheduled the surgery for last Wednesday, but he couldn't have it then because he developed a viral infection the beginning of last week.  Dang daycare!

Maddox had his tubes put in yesterday, and he did great!  We had to be there at 6 a.m., and he couldn't have anything to eat or drink after midnight.   I thought this would be so hard because Maddox always takes a bottle around 2 a.m., but he woke up at 2:45, and we put him in the bed with us and he slept until our alarm went off.  No fussing at all!

We got to the surgical center at 6 a.m., and they took Maddox back around 7:45 a.m.  They gave him tylenol right after we got there so he took a 30 minute nap while we were waiting and played the rest of the time.  I thought he looked so cute in his gown so I snapped a few pics!

The procedure took literally 10 minutes, and he was in a recovery room.  The nurse told me that he would be groggy when he comes out and to just love on him and hug on him.  I had his bottle waiting for him because I knew he would be hungry.  When Maddox came in the room, he grabbed the bottle from my hands and laid on the bed.  I got no loving at all!  After his bottle he was ready to laugh, play and scream!  He was going ninety to nothing ALL.DAY.LONG.

Dr. Barham said Maddox's left ear was his bad ear, and that he had puss pockets in it.  Poor baby!  He also had a lot of fluid on his right ear.  I thought since he was pulling on his right ear all the time that it was his problem ear, but I was wrong.

Maddox slept all night last night for the second time since February!  PTL!  I felt like a new woman this morning after getting 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep!  

When we picked him up from school, he was all smiles.  They said he had a really good day so I hope and pray Maddox will not have any more problems with his ears.  I love having my happy baby back!

Happy Birthday, Maddox!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, MADDOX! 

I wrote you a letter when you were a week old that I hope to have posted within the next few days. 

This past year has flown by and makes me really sad.   Yes, I am down in the dumps at work today.  I didn't think I would be this sad, but I am.  The hubby bringing me a sweet tea from Mickey D's helped out a lot!

Maddox, you are the greatest blessing to your daddy and me.  We love you little buddy! 

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday

Maddox will be one tomorrow!!!  Yikes!!!  Where did my baby boy go?

Beach 2011

 First off, I am so glad it's the weekend, and on top of that--- a three day weekend!  I couldn't be more excited to have an extra day to spend with Maddox.  I am WAY behind on blogging, so I will be catching up in the next or so.

We are in the process of building a house, and it will be finished the end of this month or beginning of August.  I cannot wait to move in our new home and really feel like grown ups!  While Wade was in law school in Baton Rouge, we rented a townhouse for three years.  When we moved back to our hometown, we stayed with my in-laws which was a good hour from our jobs.  We drove back and forth for 9 months, but we finally moved on Mother's Day to our current duplex.  I am so ready to decorate Maddox's room, and to actually have a place to call our own! 

Back to the reason for this post, we left for Perdido Key, FL on Father's Day, and we had a blast!  It was our first vacation with Maddox.  I was so excited to see if Maddox would like the beach.  Sadly, it took him two days to get used to the sand.  He would scream everytime we put down.  He hated the ocean also, which I didn't mind at all because swimming with sharks is not my thing!  He loved the pool and cried everytime we got out.  I look forward to going to the beach every summer with Maddox and creating lots of great memories!

 

Yogurt

 Happy Tuesday everyone!  Hope ya'll are having a good week so far! 

Last night I decided to give Maddox yogurt for the first time, and he loved it!  I bought the strawberry-banana even though they say to wait until at least a year old to try strawberries because of the allergy issue, but he is 11 months, so I figured that was close enough.  Maddox made a big mess...all over himself, the floor, myself and all in my hair!  Then, off to the bathtub he went! 

My big boy!

Much easier using my hand than a spoon! Yum!!!

Looks like a cup...

It must be a cup! 

Love the look on his face!

We are so blessed to have this monkey in our lives! :)

 

Out with the Old, In with the New!

 I feel as if I have been in a rut lately.  Not just blogging, but life in general.  I know it sounds like I am complaining, but I just feel I need to vent, and it's my blog, so I can do that! 

I am extremely blessed to have such a loving husband and wonderful son along with great friends and family.  It seems like I am pulled in every direction on a daily basis, and I NEVER do anything for myself.  Well, this weekend was it for me.  I got a new haircut (much shorter I might ad), new clothes and new nail polish!  Go me!  I will post a pic of the new 'do later.

Since I am in a blogging rut, and that my life most consists of cleaning cheese puffs off my almost ONE year old and filling his sippy cups with apple juice, it is only fitting to change the name of my blog that best fits my life.  So, Cheese Puffs and Sippy Cups it is!  

Since we moved into our temporary home while our home is being built, I feel as if I can finally slow down and blog some again, which I am very excited about! 

Enough with this post.  Now on to type bubba's TEN MONTH post!  Ah.....let the party planning begin!

9 MONTHS

Wowzer!  Maddox, you are 9 months old (well, a month ago...you will be 10 months old in 5 days!!!).  I am almost in tears as I am typing this!  What have you been up to this past month? 

First of all, you have 3 teeth!  Yay!  You cut three teeth within a 3 week span.  You cut your first tooth on March 30, and they have been coming in like crazy since!  You have two on the bottom and one on top.  It is not your top front tooth, but a side tooth.  Weird, I know!  For a while there, we were concerned that it was your front tooth, and that you would have a HUGE gap, but you are now about to cut your front tooth.  What a huge relief!  ;)

You have been pulling up and crawling since a few days after you turned 8 months old.  It is just a matter of time before you start walking, and then the real fun begins!  Haha!  Since you started crawling, you are into everything, and we cannot keep up with you.  You are one fast little boy!  You love playing with newspapers, pots and pans, measuring spoons and spatulas.  In fact, you LOVE spatulas! 

You went to the doctor on April 1, and it was determined you had an oral yeast infection which was caused by the month-long dosage of antibiotics you were on for your ear infections.  It was awful!  You did not want your bottle or even baby food.  You were treated for that, and now you are 100% better.  It is wonderful to see you playing and laughing again!   You weighed 20 lbs. 8 oz and 28" long.  You only gained an ounce in a month, but that is because you started crawling.  You are one healthy little boy!

You are really attached to me, which I love!  I love that you always want your momma, but sometimes it is frustrating when I need to do laundry or cook.  You don't like being in your highchair or with anyone.  You want me!  I think someone is a momma's boy!  ;)

You sleep with us every night now.  I always said I would never start that, but after your second ear infection, you will not sleep in your bed any longer.  You love to cuddle with your daddy in the bed, and it is so sweet.  No matter where you start off in the bed, you always end up next to him.  I think we will be getting a king size bed pretty soon!  This queen is not working anymore! ;)

On a sad note, we are moving in a week or so, and you have to start daycare! :(   Your Meme (my mom) has been watching you since I started back working, and I think she will handle this new daycare situation worse than you.  Haha!  She loves her some Maddox!

Happy 9 months, my sweet angel!  We love you to the moon and back!

8 MONTHS

 I cannot believe I keep forgetting to publish Maddox's monthly posts!  I type them ahead of time with the intention of going back to edit them, but I always forget!  I guess better late than ever, even though he will be 10 months old!

My dear sweet Maddox, you turned 8 months on March 21!  You are such a sweetheart!  Within the past month you have realized who your mommy and daddy are, and it melts my heart!  You started crawling a few weeks ago, and we cannot keep up with you!  You are into everything.  I cannot believe you are old enough to crawl. 

I started back to work on March 7 after staying at home with you for 7 1/2 months.  I will forever cherish those months being at home but with you, and it broke my heart to go back to work.  I know it is best for our family that I work, but Maddox, I sure miss cuddling with you during the mornings and at naptime! 

I celebrated my first birthday as a mommy this month, and it was the best birthday I've ever had!  I never imagined I would celebrate my 26th birthday as a mom!  I am so blessed to have you as my son!  You went to your first wedding (reception) this month in honor of Joey and Lexi, and from what I hear, you were a perfect angel!  Your daddy took me out to eat for my birthday, so you went with Nana to the reception.

You have been really fussy lately, I think it is due to teething.  Still no teeth yet.  You had two ear infections the past month, and you have just felt awful.  You were on antibiotics for almost a month, and I think you are starting to feel better other than teething.

Happy 8 months my love!  We love you little buddy! 

Your 8 month pictures are on your daddy's computer at work, so I will post more when I can.

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

 First off, let me say that if you are not a chocolate lover, do not try this recipe!  It is loaded with chocolate- devil's food cake mix, chocolate pudding and yep, you guessed it, chocolate chips!  This is the most moist chocolate cake I have ever tasted.  There is nothing I hate more than a dry chocolate cake. 

You can also make many variations of this cake.  For instance, lemon cake mix with lemon pudding but omit the chocolate chips and yellow cake mix with vanilla pudding plus the chocolate chips.  You are only limited by your imagination.  I will definitely make this cake again. 

I have seen many versions of this recipe all over the internet, but my favorite is from Kelly's Recipes, and it is perfection!  Your tummy will be thanking me! :)

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

 

1 pkg. dark chocolate cake mix

1 pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix

1 16 oz sour cream

3 eggs

1/3 c. vegetable oil

2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Preaheat oven to 350*. Grease a bundt pan. Mix together ingredients and pour in pan. Bake for one hour and then cool. Top with powdered sugar!

Happy 7 Months!

 Maddox, you are 7 Months Old!  I cannot believe that in five SHORT months we will be celebrating your FIRST birthday!  Crazy, I know!  I love you at this age even though I say that every month! ;) To see you learn and experience new things just makes my heart sing. 

So, what have you been up to?

• You have been sitting up for a month now, and that is all you want to do.
• BIG NEWS- you are almost crawling!!!!  You get on all fours and rock.  Even though this makes me a little sad, I am looking forward to this next stage. 
• You can now roll from tummy to back and back to tummy.  When you nap during the day, you have started rolling over to your tummy in the crib.  I think you sleep better this way.  You haven't done this during the night yet.
• You wear a size 4 diaper
• At your appiontment last month, you weighed 18 lbs. 1 oz. and 27 1/2" long.  You are such a healthy little boy!
• You wear 6-9 month shirts/onesies and 9 month pants.  You have really long legs.  You did not get them from me! 
• You wear a size 3 shoe
• You do not like your play mat anymore, and I think the swing is next.
• You love your jumper and activity station.  I seriously think you can jump and watch your Baby Einstein videos all day!
• You love every baby food we've tried except for corn casserole, green beans and green peas.  You take 5 six ounce bottles a day.  You have bananas or applesauce for breakfast, fruit for lunch and a veggie for supper. 
• You still love bath time.  You still cry when we get you out.
• You say "mama" and "dada" and "nana" all the time!  I know for a fact you've said "mamaaaaaaaa"!
• You adore your daddy!  He can walk into the house after work, and your face lights up!  It is so sweet, and it makes your daddy's day to see the big smile on your face!
• You still nap after playtime when you finish your bottle.  You will not nap in the swing anymore.  You must be in your crib wrapped in your minky blanket.
• On Valentine's Day you got sick, and we took you to the doctor.  This has been the first and only time you've been sick.  You had/still have bronchiolitis and an ear infection for which we are giving you eardrops, cough syrup and antibiotics for.  You also got a shot of Rocephin which helped.  We knew you were sick because you wanted someone to hold you ALL.DAY.LONG.  You are so not the little cuddler. :(

Happy 6 Months...a little late!

Maddox, you are 6 Months Old!  Well, you were on the day I wrote this (one month ago), but I forgot to publish it!  Oops...I am such a bad mommy, I know!  Actually, you will be 7 months old on Monday, so at least I am posting it before then!  

Where to begin?  You have changed so much over the past month.  This is such a fun age!  You started sitting up on January 5, and that is all you want to do.  You do not play on your play mat anymore, nor do you like me changing your diaper.  You strain so hard to pick your head and body up when I lay you on your back.   

You still drink five 6 oz. bottles a day with oatmeal for breakfast, fruit for lunch and a fruit/veggie for supper.  You love to eat!  I think you have your mama's appetite! 

You still love bathtime, and you cry when we take you out.

You wear 3-6 months clothes and 6 months pants, but those seem to be getting too short.  You have really long legs.  You definitely do not get that from me! :)  You also wear a size 3 diaper and size 4 at night.

I am not sure how much you weigh, but we go to the doctor in a few days, so I am sure you have gained a few pounds since your last visit.  I know you are one chunky monkey, and I just love your rolls! :)

You love Mickey Mouse!  If we turn it on and you are not looking at the tv

, you will keep wiggling until you finally spot the TV because you love the theme song!  Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog...  Gah, I cannot tell you how many times a day mommy and daddy sing that song.  We wish we can get it out of our heads, but that is just about all we watch on tv!

You are one drooling machine!  I wish you would cut a tooth because some days you just want to naw my finger off!  Everything goes in your mouth even your cute little feet!

You love to sit in the floor and play with your toys while watching Baby Einstein.  I think you could do this all day.  One of your favorite things is your Raz-Berry teether.  You LOVE this thing!

You are not napping as much as you used do, mainly due to the teething issue again.  You will doze off and then wake up crying until I put Orajel on your gums, and then off to sleep again you go.  You have starting going to bed around 9 or 9:30 and up at 4:00 for a bottle, with a few times waking up wanting your paci.  I am starting to feel like I have a newborn again! 

We celebrated our first Christmas as a family of three, and it was everything I imagined it would be!  We had so much fun watching you "open" presents!  Well, actually just playing with the tissue paper! 

Maddox, you are such a joy in our lives, and we cannot imagine the past 6 months without you!  We love you so much, little buddy!

5 Months

I can't believe I forgot to post this!  I guess I got wrapped up in the holiday season and forgot!  Oh well, better a week late than never!

Maddox, I cannot believe you are five months old!  Each and every day you are growing into a little boy.  This makes mommy really sad.  You are starting to develop a temper.  When you are not happy, you kick your legs and shake your hands.  It is so funny (for now)!  This month has been the best yet!  You are so much fun to play with.  You get so excited about the smallest things.  I love you at this age.  

So, what have you been up to?

• You have rolled over a few times.  Only a few because you are rarely on your tummy because you scream at the top of your lungs, and I pick you up because I can't stand for you to be upset.  Oops! :)
• You wear a size 3 diaper
• Three weeks ago you weighed 16 lbs. 1 oz, so I am anxious to see how much you have gained when we go back next month
• You wear 3-6 month clothing and some 6 months, depending on the brand
• You wear a size 2 in shoes
• You have a baby giraffe now and you chew on his legs like there is no tomorrow.  Your daddy actually has to drain your slobber of the giraffe's legs!
• You are starting to not like your swing so much.  I guess it bores you.
• You love your jumper and activity station.  I seriously think you can jump and watch your Baby Einstein videos all day!
• You love baby food and oatmeal.  Rice cereal- not so much!  You eat prunes, peaches, pears, bananas, green beans, carrots, squash and sweet potatoes.  
• You still love bath time.  You actually cry now when I take you out.  You used to cry when I put you in the tub, but now you love it!
• You "talk" all the time!  I can be in the back putting up laundry, and I hear you jabbering all the way in the living room!  It is the sweetest sound!  You look at us with such a serious face as if we are carrying on a conversation.
• You adore your daddy!  He can walk into the house after work, and your face lights up!  It is so sweet, and it makes your daddy's day to see the big smile on your face!
• You still take about 3 naps during the day and still sleep all night.  You are usually down for the night around 8 and wake up around 7.  
• My favorite part of the day is getting you out of your bed in the mornings because you have the biggest smile on your face and you start kicking up a storm.  I think you are very excited to see me or you know you are about to get a bottle!  I like to think it's me! ;)

Maddox, we are blessed to have you in our lives!  We cannot imagine our lives without you, and we love you very much!  Happy 5 Months, Buddy!

Maddox's First Christmas

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!  We sure did...a busy one!  We started our Christmas festivities on Wednesday night at my FIL and MIL's house for all the grandkids.  We had good company, good food and lots of presents!  Maddox got a Bright Starts Activity Station, sock monkey, race car steering wheel and some clothes.

We had Christmas at our house early Saturday morning so Maddox can open the gifts that Santa brought him.  I have to say this is the best Christmas Wade and I have ever had together.  It was so much fun seeing Maddox getting excited about wrapping paper, bows and tissue paper.  He couldn't have cared less about the gifts, he just wanted to eat the paper!  Santa brought him some books, sippy cup, burp cloths (really for mommy), rattles, Fisher Price Piano, stackable rings and some other little toys. 

After we cleaned up, we went to my parents so we could all open gifts.  I have a new nephew, Jackson, who was born on December 15, so we enjoyed getting to spend time with him, Jared and my sister, Casey.  Maddox wasn't so sure what to think of Jackson, but I think they will be best friends!

My parents spoiled Maddox!  He got so many gifts that I can even remember what all he got.  I know he got a Baby Einstein jumper, sock monkey, space saver high chair and lots of other toys.  We have to get him a bigger toy box just to hold the stuff his Mimi and Pappy got him!  Maddox is one blessed little boy!

We are so grateful to God for blessing us with Maddox.  He is such a joy in our lives!

2010 has been the best year for us yet as we celebrated the birth of our first child.  We can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for the House's!   Hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!

LOOK WHO'S...

 ...ROLLING OVER!!!!  

What happened to my little baby?

Maddox rolled over for the first time this past Friday, December 10.  Usually, I am off on Fridays, but I chose to work so me and the hubs can go Christmas shopping afterwards.  Keep in mind, our jobs are 1 1/2 hours away from home, as is the mall.  I got a call around 4:30 from my dad (my mom babysits when I work) saying he put Maddox on his tummy for 10 seconds, and he rolled over!  

I kept denying it for the fact that I wanted to be the one who first witnessed him rolling over, but was happy my parents got to see it.  My dad was ecstatic.  He loves Maddox probably more than his own kids! Ha!  Seriously, he is crazy about him!  I fought back the tears on the way home, but he rolled over for us the next morning!  So, all is well!

It really seems like I just gave birth to him last month.  How can it be that he is already rolling over??  

Sometimes, I just want to squeeze him and hold him tight hoping the world can stand still just for a little bit.  

First Ever Christmas Card!!!

With Love Chartreuse Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

4 Months!

 Happy 4 Months my sweet baby boy!  I cannot believe it has been four months since you were born.  I also cannot believe that just four short months ago our lives changed forever. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and your daddy.  We love you to the moon and back. :)  Here is what you've been up to the past month...

• You still wear Size 2 diapers
• You wear 3-6 months in clothes and some 6-9 months
• You drink 5-6 6 oz. bottles a day with cereal
• You still love your swing, and you take most of your daytime naps in it.
• You love to sit in your rocking chair while you watch Baby Einstein.
• You can turn complete circles on your play mat.
• You have to wear bibs all day long because you drool so much!  I think you are starting to teethe because you chew on the bottle nipple instead of drinking out of it.  You also love to chew on your teethers.
• You love watching football on TV.  I think the motion intrigues you.  You can watch TV in your swing for a while.  
• You love your bumbo.  We just bought you the tray today, and you love to sit and play with your ball.  This is your favorite toy.  You grab the ball with both hands and hit yourself upside the head.  The first time it scared you, but now you laugh at yourself.  You have such a fun personality (except when you're wet or hungry! ha!).
• You still have not rolled over.  You will be 18 weeks on Wednesday, and I am starting to wonder if  you ever will.  I can sit you up on your play mat, and you will sit up by yourself for about 2 seconds, and you lean to the side.  
• You had your first bite of cereal today from a spoon.  I couldn't help but laugh at the silly faces you were making.  I mixed it with bananas, and you seem to like it.  I think you got more on me and the bib than you did in your mouth, but we will work on that.
• You are such an angel during church.  You still have not gone to the nursery yet.  You got fussy this morning, but only because you were sleepy. 
• You love to "talk".  You jabber 24/7.  You recently learned how to "motorboat" and it is hilarious!  You are one loud baby!  
• You know me and your daddy.  When we walk into a room your face lights up, and it is the sweetest thing!
• Since the recent time change, you have been sleeping from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., and we are so thankful for this!  

We will celebrate our first major holiday as a family of three this week!  I am extremely grateful this Thanksgiving and holiday season for the Lord has blessed us with Maddox who is healthy and happy!  Thanksgiving will also be one year since I found out I was pregnant! 

We love you little turkey! ;)

 

 

Christmas Cards!

First of all, I want to apologize for my lack of blogging lately.  I received a few emails from a few sweet readers checking on me.  I am still here!  I have been working part-time at my husband's office two days a week.  His office is 1 1/2 hours away from our house, so we leave at the crack of dawn and get home around 8 or 9 p.m. after we pick Maddox up from my moms.  Anywho, just wanted to assure everyone I am still alive and well! :)

Can you believe Thanksgiving is one week away?!  Crazy!  I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas this year with our little one.  Maddox is such a blessing to our family, and I can't wait to experience the upcoming holidays with him.  

Speaking of Christmas, it is almost time to send out Christmas Cards!  Being a SAHM and with my husband's student loans (law school) knocking on our door, it is really important that I not go overboard on cards this year.  I have been looking at a few websites, and they have cards for approx $2.00 each.  Yikes!  Thanks to my friend, Sarah, I found out Shutterfly is giving away 50 free cards to bloggers!  How awesome is that?!  You can check out the details here.  I have always been a fan of Shutterfly, as I have ordered a few items in the past.  I have never been disappointed.  They have fantastic products, and the prices are great too!  

We have never sent out photo holiday cards with it being just Wade and I, but this year since we have Maddox, I want to showcase our little munchkin! ;)  There are so many cards to choose from, and here are a few of my faves:

With Love- so cute!  I would love to showcase my favorite pics of Maddox throughout the past 4 months.

Bright and Merry- love this one!  Since having Maddox, I am suddenly drawn to all things blue!  I just love the red and blue together!  Modern and chic! 

Oh What Fun- how cute is this?!  I love the single picture...very dramatic!

Sweet Potato Pie and I Shut My Mouth...

Gone, gone with the wind...there ain't nobody looking back again.  I love that song by Alabama.  Songs like this make me miss the good ol' days.  Days when things were simple.  No one was at war.  Housing market was good.  Jobs were abundant.  

When I was growing up, we didn't "want" for anything.  Daddy worked on the farm, and mama worked in the house.  We knew not to ask for much, but we had everything we needed.  Daddy worked hard for everything he got.  He would leave early in the morning before we got up, and he would not come home sometimes until midnight just to sleep a few hours before going back to the field.  I hope to instill this hard work ethic in my son.  It will get him everything he will ever need in life.

Now, back to the reason I wrote this post...Sweet Potato Pie!  Who doesn't love Sweet Potato Pie in the South?  It is a must-have at Thanksgiving and Christmas for me.  Sometimes instead of making the larger pie, I will make a dozen miniature pies.  You can find the mini pie shells in the tin foil pans mostly around this time of the year.  I think at my local Wal-Mart, they are where the baked goodies are.  You know, the doughnuts, cakes, and pies that were NOT freshly made at your local Wal-Mart?  Look there.  I will be making a few large pies and a dozen mini pies this year.  I like to top my slice with fresh whipping cream.  Yum!  Here is the recipe I have been using for the past few years.  I can't remember where I found it, but a big "Thank You" to whomever this recipe belongs to! =)

Sweet Potato Pie

1 pound sweet potatoes

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 c. white sugar

1/2 c. milk

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust 

Boil sweet potatoes whole (with skin on) for about 45 minutes, or until done. Run cold water over the sweet potatoes, and remove the skin. 

 With a mixer, mix the sweet potatoes and butter in a bowl.  Stir in sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.  Enjoy!

Menu Monday: 11/8

 I have been seeing Menu Mondays on a lot of blogs lately, so I figured this is a great way to plan out my meals for the week.  It has really come in handy because I make a list beforehand, and I only buy what is on the list.  This cut out probably $40 worth of items junk food I do not need.  Plus, with me working 2 days a week now, I feel like I don't have to stress during the week on what to cook for dinner.  I plan everything on Saturday and grocery shop Sunday, usually after church.  I can't wait to try a few of these recipes!  Oh, and I am planning on eating leftovers which is the reason I don't have 5 meals planned this week!

1.  Chicken and Red Potatoes - Taste of Home

2.  Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin- Paula Deen

3.  Green Bean Bundles- Kelly's Recipes  (these are soooo good!)

4.  Cheesy Garlic Bread- Simple Recipes

5.  Parmesan Chicken Strips- make this up as I go

6.  Sweet Potato Fries- Paula Deen (I love her!)

7.  Sopapilla Cheesecake- Allrecipes  **you will thank me for this**