I am trying my hardest to get in as much parenting practice as possible before August comes around. Babysitting a 3, 6 and 9 year old is just like taking care of a newborn. It might take Janae Jr. just a few years before she is singing Gwen Stefani with the windows down like these little ones do with me…they now know how to spell bananas thanks to Gwen.
I like how car seats look in my car. Okay, I will stop with all the baby talk (at least for another paragraph) but you have to understand that this what goes through my brain all day long.
I took my nieces and nephew to get ice cream and play on the indoor play place at McDonalds. This play place was pretty advanced and had a large floor piano that you use your feet to play the different notes. All of the little kids gathered around me when I whipped out my floor piano skills.
Some people say that Curly and I have similar personalities but I just don’t see it:
I mentioned it before but the more and more pregnant I get the harder it is to eat big meals at night so I have to split things up a little bit. I started dinner off with toast, laughing cow and a fried egg.
A little while later I had some Costco pepperoni pizza for dinner part 2.
Later on last night I got the intense need to make my new favorite cookies for dinner part #3. This wasn’t a ‘yum, those sound good’ it was a ‘if I don’t have one of those cookies in my mouth within 12 minutes I might pass out’ feelings.
3 things about these cookies:
-Since I am not supposed to eat raw eggs while pregnant I have missed eating cookie dough a lot. These cookies don’t have eggs so therefore I can lick the pan clean but next time I will wait a minute so I don’t burn the roof of my mouth again.
-If you make these cookies it is a requirement to drink a tall cold glass of milk with them.
-Cleaning peanut butter off of measuring cups is in the top 8 most annoying things on the planet.
See you again cookie blobs at around 3 a.m. this morning.
————————————————————-
On average how many times a night do you wake up?
What is one of the things on your top 8 most annoying things to clean list?
Did your parents take you to McDonalds as a kid? Did you ever use the play place? Did you eat fast food growing up?
What would you say your FAVORITE cookie is right now? Are you more of a baked goods person or ice cream person?
-I have transformed into a baked goods girl.
76 comments
Khushboo
I don’t care what McDonalds puts in their ice cream- it just tastes so freakin’ delicious! Have you ever tried washing oatmeal off a pan? Yeah it’s pretty annoying! Although like your cookies, it’s definitely worth the effort :)!
Alyssa
Okay, Curly could NOT be any cuter. She’s your (mini) twin!!!!
Becky Przy
Haha, you and curly–no reseblence at all;-) I think McD’s has the best ice cream! We only had fast food maybe 4x/yr when going to visit my grandma up north.
I have to try making those cookies! I am an ice cream person! but I still make about 2 batches/week–the current family favorite is chocolate chip almond cookies or toasted coconut choc chip (I especially hate nuts in any baked good so it drives me ‘nuts’ when these are peoples favorite!)
How are you enjoying your AC?! P.S. I think the best part of preganancy was around the clock eating/night time eating;-)
molly
i will only agree that the measuring cup / peanut butter combo is in the top 8 of annoying if you can agree that washing mini muffin tins and COLANDERS is also in that top 8. i get irrationally irritated every time i have to wash a mini muffin tin…which results in mini muffin tins that are perpetually not as clean as they should be. hey, what no one knows won’t hurt em ;)
Michelle (Better with Berries)
We always went to McDonalds after church when I was growing up – I don’t really like it anymore (except for their ice cream. So good!) , but at the time I loved it!
Lisa
Spray your measuring cups with cooking spray oil before you measure any sticky food into them and you won’t have a problem. I do this whenever I measure out peanut butter, honey, molasses or maple syrup and clean up is a breeze.
I just sounded like a commercial. :)
Meghan
I just clicked through to comment the same thing! It’ll change your life.
Melissa @ runscootsrun.blogspot.com
Once I pass out, I’m out like a light, lol. An annoying thing to clean is my clothes…I hate laundry. When my hubby and I moved to NJ we had to get rid of our washer/dryer (our apt complex doesn’t allow them…communal laundry facility). Between not being able to leave the apt. if we needed/wanted to because our clothes are in a communal laundry thing and also hoping that the machines are free when you want to do it…it’s a pain in the ass. I rarely had fast food as a kid and I think the last time I had it was in middle school (I’m 28 now). My favorite cookie at the moment is pumpkin chocolate chip (I love cookies!). Your nieces and nephew are precious!
Erin @ The Grass Skirt
Your nieces and nephew are just so adorable! You already have the makings of a great mommy. :) I used to sleep through the night, but now that I am pregnant, I wake up about 3 times a night on average…usually to empty my bladder! Haha.
Holly
I remember we use to have our birthday parties at McDonalds. That was back in the day before they came up with all the cool places my kids have now. We didnt eat fast food alot, but I do remember McD’s and Arby’s. I always make my kids trade in their happy meal toys for a free ice cream cone and of course, I get to help my youngest eat his because he isnt fast enough!
My top annoying thing to clean is definetly grits out of a pan. I despise it, and I guess that is why I hardly ever make them. That and I was born up north so I am an oatmeal/cream of wheat type girl. My Alabama kids and spouse don’t like that at all.
Fave cookie is Honey Baked Hams chocolate chunk. Its so good!
Alyssa @ fit and fun in third
Number one most annoying thing to clean… my car! I hate it!
And little Ms. Curly is just the cutest thing ever!!
Meghan Rene @ Uncooked & UnWalked
I love sugar cookies!! You and Curly are clearly nothing a like ;)
The #1 thing I hate to clean – the entire bathroom! It just skeeves me out!
Heather @ Run Eat Play
Your nieces and nephew are so cute!! I love that curly hair!
I wake up about 100 times a night to pee. Okay, maybe closer to 4-5. It’s not fun.
We went to McDonalds as a special treat when I was a kid. I think people eat a lot more fast food these days. I take my kids as a special treat, but I’m paranoid about the play places. I crawled up there once and it was filthy!
Have a good day! :)
Cait @ Beyond Bananas
Curly’s big baby blues are killin’ me! Too cute!
I usually wake up 1-2 times a night. If I am SUPER exhausted.. I make it through the night. This pisses me off because it shows me that my bladder CAN make it through the night.
Abby @ Change of Pace
Sounds like a fun day! I bet they love hanging out with you and Billy!
Top annoying thing to clean- marshmallows from the pot when making rice krispie squares!
I’m definitely a baked goods girl, but I usually like the cookie dough better than the actual cookie!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries
oh man, curly just cracks me up! she is TOO cute! growing up we didn’t get fast food a ton, but every once in awhile we’d get taco bell or burger king. maybe once a week? and ohh my, i don’t think i could choose between ice cream and baked goods. i have an all around LARGE sweet tooth that loves it all! :)
Lindsey
Usually once a night to go pee :)
PB out of measuring cups for sure! Also, I am not a fan of scrubbing pans, usually my husband does it ;)
Yes, yes, and yes. My grandparents took me there more than my Mom. Ready for my (weird) fav meal? French fries and a hot fudge sundae, yup you dip the fries into the sundae!
Baked goods for sure, love a good old plain, chewy chocolate chip cookie.
Holly
Curly..oh my goodness! She is just too cute for words :) I have a feeling your little girl is going to be VERY similar to her!!
I’m LOVING the Olympic trials too..I CANNOT wait for the real thing!! Less than one month! WOOHOO!!!!!
Victoria (District Chocoholic)
Wait, are you telling me that you don’t make a regular habit of making cookie dough without eggs since you have no intention of baking it and every intention of eating it?
Just replace each egg with 2-3 tablespoons of greek yogurt for texture.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
Haha curly is too cute!! And search some vegan recipes for no-egg cookies, haha then you can just eat the dough!
Danica @ It's Progression
I absolutely hate cleaning the measuring cup after scooping peanut butter!! It’s always a pain and I typically estimate the pb just to avoid it haha
that picture of your niece is so so cute–if someone didn’t know she could definitely ‘pass’ as your own daughter!
Mark Matthews
Why is there nothing harder than ketchup on a plate?
Laura
I wake up at least once a night on my own. Kaitlyn (my daughter) might add some on there. She likes to sneak into my bed and beat me up.
I think the refrigerator is the worst thing to clean. I absolutely hate it. It’s SO cold and all the spilled condiments and stuff are a pain to scrub off.
I am a fro-yo person. Hands down.
Emily
I have to agree that cleaning PB out of a measuring cup is extremely annoying! I also hate cleaning out the crock pot after I’ve made a meal or dip in it. I mean it’s nice and convenient but I feel like it’s such a chore. I recently made a chili cheese dip in it for a party and waited until the last minute to clean it… no bueno.
I think McDonald’s play place is gross… it kind of smells like urine. But I totally played in it as a kid.
I love to bake! Last night I made homemade chocolate chip cookies and ate most of the cookie dough… and then felt miserable afterwards. Totally worth it, though! :)
Kathy
OH…your pregnant! Sorry just started reading….the first time is so much fun (experiencing it all for the first time that is)
1. Totally an ice cream person…any kind, any where, any time…its so sad.
2. We grew up in a smaller town and our only “fast food” was Hardee’s ….we didn’t go there often but on occasion. I took my kids to the McD. play land when they were younger though….eat loads of calories and play in a germy area…what can boost ones immune system better? ha!
3. I hate to dust…every thing~ always have.
4. I wake up once a night…always….its becoming awful and a horrible habit that I am trying to break with a little help from Tylenol PM or any other PM pill. ;-)
Jamie
I’ve also read that if you run HOT water into your measuring cups and then dump the water out (don’t dry the cup), measure your “sticky” ingredients and they will slide right out of the measuring cup… no mess!
Kari @ Running Ricig
We used to go to McDonalds after soccer games to celebrate or make us feel better if we lost.
I hate cleaning bathrooms, does that count?
I usually wake up a couple times a night because I drink so much water and tea before bed.
Anna @ fat-to-fast
Curly is a total mini-me of you!
missy
I hate cleaning the bathroom, yuck!
To make cleaning PB easier fill the measuring cup with water, dump it out but don’t dry it off and then measure your PB. Life Changing Information, right there!!
Lindsey
If you hate to measure peanut butter you need one of these!
http://www.amazon.com/KitchenArt-55210-Adjust-A-Cup-2-Cup-Measuring/dp/B000ATVOH4/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_c
I have the Pampered Chef version. There is a dry/solid end and a liquids end. With the dry/solid end, you just push the tube over the cup portion and it forces everything out. Totally confused?!? Just look at the thing. It is genius! Well worth the $10.
Angie @ Pint of Goals
The picture of Curly with the ice cream cone is adorable! Your smiles are identical :)
I am more of an ice cream girl; last week I had butter pecan at the Union (on University of Wisconsin Madison’s campus). Amazing stuff!
Jessica
Line your measuring cup with saran wrap before putting the PB, or shortening or whatever in it, then grab the edges of the saran wrap to pop it into the mix, and then just have to wipe the cup clean.
Sarah
Oh gosh I am definitely not a fan of laundry – it is the death of me!! Your family is so stinking precious – I love how much time you are able to spend with them!
Asya
Spray a bit of Pam into your measuring cup and the peanut butter will slide right out. Genius :)
Rachel
As long as it stays in the 100s here in Colorado, I am an ice cream person. The thought of turning on the oven to make cookies is horrifying. But come fall, I am all about baking cookies like every night!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League
I hate cleaning the blender!
I ate McDonald’s growing up (occasionally). Eek so unhealthy.
I’m a baked goods girl too. As for my favorite cookie, I tend not to discriminate. But I made peanut butter cookies with Oreo chunks and chocolate chips…they basically tasted like happiness.
Megan@ The Running Doc
Did you look like this while playing on the piano?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETT3UHEEc1A That’s one of the best movie scenes of all time, in my opinion.
I usually wake up 1 or 2 times to pee. I’m dreading when I get pregnant because I can only imagine how often I’ll have to get up to pee then!
Amy @Macncheesenpeas
oh my goodness, little curly is soooo cute! what a little ham. and p.s. I think you’re going to be a great mom!!
Kay
Looks like a fun day- you will be a wonderful mom for sure!
I love ice cream AND cookies, I can’t pick just one!
Theresa
i usually wake up once or twice throughout the night…usually to get up and pee since i drink a ridiculous amount of water :)
i have 3 animals in my apartment and a barely functioning vaccuum cleaner so i want to say PET HAIR IS THE MOST ANNOYING THING TO CLEAN! Nacho isnt so bad since he is so short haired but the cats drive me nuts…esp with the summer, hair is everywhere. Its ridiculously ridiculous.
my parents used to def take us to mcdonalds when we were little…we loved the playland and me and my mom used to go on filet o fish dates on fridays..it wasnt super often but i have fond memories of it!
favorite cookie right now is vienna fingers, yep i’m weird. but i was craving them over the weekend so we bought a package. i’m a total grandma :)
Lizzy
my boyfriend makes the best chocolate chips on the PLANET.
…once you are craving chocolate again, i stirred half a packet of hot chocolate into my oatmeal this morning and it was delicious.
i think dusting is the most annoying thing on the planet.
Erica
I just spent my first morning home from vacation catching up on your blog. Better then a good book.
Missed you my friend.
PS. Peru was awesome.
Sarah
Curly has totally stolen my heart. What a ham! And it looks like the kid were content and no one was bleeding: SUCCESS!
Sarah
http://www.thinfluenced.com
Lisa
What a fun day with the fam! You will be a great mama! I wake up so many times throughout the night, I’d say at least 4 or 5. I always have to pee. I am loving the olympic trials and swimming is my favourite sport to watch! I can’t wait for the olympics!
Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More
Usually I only wake up a couple times a night, very lightly, if at all.
What is one of the things on your top 8 most annoying things to clean list?
Did your parents take you to McDonalds as a kid? Yes. Did you ever use the play place? Yes! Did you eat fast food growing up? Not very often.
What would you say your FAVORITE cookie is right now? Coconut Dream Cookie Bar. So good!
Are you more of a baked goods person or ice cream person? Both, together. :-)
mallory
I hate cleaning out the straw of my smoothie cup!!!!
Cathryn @ Myheartscontentblog
I hate hate hate emptying the dishwasher. I would willingly do piles of washing up instead of empty it. Why? I have no idea. I just hate it. It’s the bane of each morning, just as putting the dishwasher on is the best bit of every evening. Ugh!!!
We never went to McDonalds as a kid and I have to be honest, I’m never taking my little one. I suppose realistically I will at some point but I can’t stand the place and don’t want it in my little boy’s body. Hmmm…’Supersize Me’ really got to me, didn’t it. I’m being a little hypocritical I know, as he eats loads of cakes so it’s not like I’m super healthy or anything. But OH McDonalds! Grrrr.
Hmmm…off to empty the dishwasher as penance for being grumpy.
Kailey
I can completely see the similarity between you and curly :)
…and now I am craving a hot fudge sundae from McDonalds…their hot fudge is crazy good.
Kelly
I don’t usually wake up in the middle of the night but if I do it’s only once and about a half hour after I had fallen asleep. I hate cleaning peanut butter off the spoon too but even worse is shortening! We used to go to McDonald’s only like once a year after much begging and it was usually for their ice cream cones. We rarely ate fast food (only on road trips as a last resort) so it was not often at all. Bakes good for me all the way. Brownies cannot be within a 50 ft radius, otherwise I will find them and eat them.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
Ha, whenever I write banana (because I do that so often apparently) I sing the Gwen Stefani song in my head to get the correct spelling. Yes, I am a college graduate. lol
Annette@FitnessPerks
Curly is SOOO cute. Actually, all of ’em are ;) You’ll be a great mom, my friend!!
Ahhhhh I love swimming. I need to rewatch some of those trials! thank you :)
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
I hate the deep cleaning. I hate having to pull furniture away from the wall and clean under it. I’m also not a fan of dusting!
Hayley
i ALWAYS get up to go to the bathroom, and im not even the slightest bit pregnant! it’s the worst when i wake my dog up while i’m stumbling down the hall, and then she whines at my bed the rest of the night (i’m 100% positive she is WAY more needy than any of my future kids ever will be)
the most annoying thing to clean?? OTHER PEOPLES DISHES! i live with 3 of my closest friends, which is great. but i swear they must think there’s a cleaning fairy who magically makes the dishes and counter spillings disappear by morning time.
and while i love love love baked goods and ice cream, i am on a serious popsicle kick right now, trader joes as the best fruit bars! :D
Hayley @ Running Down the Runway
I go to the bathroom at least 2 times a night since i drink SO much water throughout the day.One of the most annoying things to clean is definitely the cuisinart since thats what I make my smoothies in since it works better than the blender. Wayyy too many parts and nooks and crannies! I remember my favorite fast food as a kid was BK Chicken Fries and Wendys Chicken Nuggets. I’m also a baked goods girl 100%! Though I do love ice cream cookies and cupcakes and cake always prevail :)
Susanna
I have the same problem with waking up in the middle of the night! Sometimes I think I should just drink less water, but I’m so thirsty! And it pays to be hydrated :)
Susanna
I always used to go to McDonald’s and play in the play place! My favorite thing on the menu in a McFlurry hands down. With M&Ms :)
And even though ice cream is definitely one of my favorite foods, I love cookie dough so much!!! (I feel bad you can’t eat it right now!!! That will be hard when I’m pregnant, because I hear your original cravings get more intense).
For right now though, I eat cookie dough ice cream! Best of both worlds! :)
jenny
wake up around once each night.
hate cleaning the back yard ( sanitary reasons ). i have three dogs…..enough said.
i have to laugh at the play place question. growing up in the early 70’s, i don’t think the “play place” existed. we rarely ate out ever. my parents cooked all the time.
I like ice cream on baked goods.
Johanna B
Don’t know if anyone has suggested this yet but if you spray the measuring cup with a little nonstick spray before you measure the PB wipes right out.
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy
oh my gosh SO adorable! those cookies look delicious!
Deirdre @ Oh Well Whatever
Are you sure Curly isn’t yours?
I used to stare into my rearview mirror and imagine a car seat back there all the time! Anytime I would open the back of the car I would picture the stroller. Totally normal!
Courtney
I’m going to move to Utah and help your awesome nieces and nephews adjust after you move to Cali by taking them for ice cream and froyo! They just seem so fun! Sadly I’ve been waking up about 2-3 times each night to use the potty. Apparently even after not drinking anything an hour before bed, my body decides to retain all liquids and wake me from my slumber. I hate to clean pots and pans! Why can’t they just be as easy and as plates and glasses and go in the dishwasher! We loved searching in the ball pit for rings and others treasures (or gross things) that people lost/tossed in there! haha my mom would cringe!
Julie
The picture of Curly is hilarious. You could be twins…..sort of!
I hate cleaning the floor. Not sure why, maybe because it’s more time consuming or because it never stays clean for long with the kids.
Lauri
I wake up 1-2 times per night usually
I pretty much hate cleaning. Period! Cleaning everything! But I especially hate cleaning the mug my husband cooks his eggs in (microwaved) if he forgot to spray it with Pam or soak it after he used it! That and bathrooms. Hate.
We did go to McDonald’s occaisionally abnd I loved me a Happy Meal or Filet o Fish. we probably went ot Burger king moe often and i loved that bacon double cheeseburger! We had fast food in moderation growing up. I feel bad b/c I think my son is missing out, I have maybe taken him to McDonalds twice and that was only b/c we were on the road and it was the easiest to stop at!
I am an ice cream girl all the way – there are no portions when it comes to me and ice cream, hence why I never buy it :)
Curly is the cutest!
Alex @ Healthy Life Happy Wife
The worst thing to clean is anything oil based! I feel like no matter how much soap I use, it still feels oily!! I hate that!
Also, oatmeal if you don’t soak it. I’m guilty of doing that occasionally…
Jenn@ Run It My Way
Ok I know this is cheating.. but baked goods WITH ice cream = heaven. ie Chocolate chip cookies sandwiched with vanilla ice cream is amazing. Brownies are made 43% better by the addition of vanilla ice cream. Pie requires ice cream.
I have a suspicion that I do wake up a lot during the night, though i don’t know for sure because I remember nothing after I wake up! Within about 10 seconds after I wake, I lose all memory of what I dreamed about and everything else.
Um, your nieces and nephews are insanely cute. Haha I think Curly might be hanging out with you too much, she’s morphing into mini-Janae :)
Allison @ Running Through Red Lights
Ugh, I’m usually awake anywhere from 2:30-6:30 most nights of the week. It’s a crime losing that much sleep every night!
Kashi @ Cape Island Runners
Depends how much I drink before bed – can be 0-2 times but only if i have to pee. otherwise i am out like a light!
i can’t choose btw ice cream and baked goods and frankly i am surprised you asked! it’s like choosing between fav pets or kids! lol
Stephanie
Whenever I put bananas on my grocery list I sing the Gwen Stefani song…I’ve done it for so long I forget I even do it. The first time I did it in front of my boyfriend he couldn’t stop laughing…but seriously, without that song I don’t think I could spell it :)
Nevin
Janae – I’ve been following your blog for awhile now and am not a big commenter but thought I’d make your day and tell you that you are officially a CELEBRITY!!! Your clip of ‘pregnant women jogging’ on Inside Edition made TALK SOUP last night! Joel is always making fun of Inside Edition and their segways into the episodes and YOUR CLIP MADE IT! Check out last night’s new episode and enjoy! :)
Morgan
If you run hot water on the measuring cup before you put peanut butter in it, it won’t stick! Or, for the no-bakes, just eye-ing it is good enough.
Allison
I love it! I got you addicted to my cookies. They are the best!! Did you get my voicemail from yesterday??
Nicole
Try spraying cooking spray in the measuring cup and it comes out so easy and clean! The mixing bowl on the other hand just has to be finger swiped!
Losing Lindy
curly cracks me up
Floey
My parents didn’t take me to McDonalds until I was 6 :( Haha…
I am obsessed with eating a soft serve nearly every night this summer though. So refreshing and nice on the wallet :)
Rachelle B
This probably sounds really strange, but those McDonalds icecreams look like there is a chocolate syrup mustache on the side of them. I was hoping one of your neices or nephew would pick one up and pretend to have an icecream stache. I’m going to stop this weird tangent now…
MR DETERMINED
A floor piano in McDonalds? Like the one in the movie Big? So lucky!