Stone Fire Pizza

About a month ago, Darrick and I were walking around the grocery store trying to figure out what I could make for dinner. We walked past the bakery section and found Stonefire Flatbread Pizza Crust (pictured below)...OMG we instantly fell in love!! 

I haven't purchased pizza for my house since finding Stonefire Pizza Crust!! We had pizza sauce at home, so the first pizza's I made were basic pepperoni pizza because I wanted to keep it simple. 

The second time I made the pizza's I got a little creative! I made one with Turkey Pepperoni, Spinach, Italian Mix of Cheeses, and Prosciutto . 

Prep Picture...

After it was cooked...

Oh My Word...it was Delicious!!! 

 The second pizza was Turkey Pepperoni, Italian Cheese Mix, and Prosciutto

I tried Prosciutto because I knew it would give that bacon taste. Usually when we order pizza we order Bacon and Pepperoni. If you aren't familiar with prosciutto, it is salted ham that has been cured by drying, always sliced paper-thin for serving.

Do you like homemade pizza, if so what toppings do you use, and how do you cook yours???

What other toppings should I try next time??

**All items were purchased with my own money**

A Few Changes...

Well a lot has changed since the last time I blogged...

I went to the salon and I decided to do this...

Which led to this...

 And then she kept going...

 And going

 And going...

When she finished this is how I looked...

 I did it...I did the big chop!!!

Honestly, I surprised myself!!! I have NEVER been this short! I have never had my hair shorter than my ears! 

I love it!!! I like it like this now, but my plan is to grow it all back natural! I haven't had a perm since last October/November I cant remember. It was around my 6th month of pregnancy, and the perm didn't take at all due to my hormones. So it was like I never had a perm while I was pregnant! My sister convinced me to go natural, because she was natural but with the wedding coming up I was unsure if I wanted to do this or not. Well after deciding how I would wear my hair, I decided that I could go natural and it all work together on my wedding day. Well I ended up wearing a bun, so it didn't matter if I had a perm or not. After the wedding I was still wearing my faithful bun at the top of my head, I decided its time to either cut it or perm it. It had grown so much but I was dealing with two types of hair, which was a MAJOR PAIN in my you know what! LOL! 

I told everyone I was cutting it except my dad, he loves my hair long and I couldn't face his feelings until after it was done, because I knew if I told him I probably wouldn't have gotten it cut. Darrick was very good about the transition and me cutting it. He loves it the way it is but he wants it to grow back! But surprisingly Darrick likes my natural hair more than me having it straight, so really this transition has been VERY easy since he ask me to make my hair curly from time to time! 

So what do you think?? Short or Long??

Personally I think I am a fan of it longer...so I will be growing it back!!! 

THANK YOU JESUS!!!

(pic)

THANK YOU JESUS!!! 

I just can't say THANK YOU enough!!! 

Emma's surgery was a success! I'm sure you all already know this if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram!! Surgery on Tuesday was about 5 hours or so, Emma had tubes put in her ears and her lip and nose repaired. I'm not going to post pictures just yet, but believe me I will soon! I have to show everyone how good God has been to me and my family!! She did excellent with being under anesthesia again, she actually had the same Anesthesiologist as she had when she had her g-tube put in (which put my mind at ease)! Her plastic surgeon was SUPER pumped about his job on her nose and lip, he said her lip may need some extra work down the line...however, it looks perfect to Darrick and I! 

Just wanted to give you all an update!!  

Emma's Surgery is Today...

I am writing this a little early because I know I wont be writing a blog on the day Emma has surgery or any of the days after that. I will be taking a break to make sure everything is good with her.  But I just wanted to leave my readers with my plan of action for today...Pray, Trust, and Praise God for Emma!!! I know He is in Control today, and even though I am SCARED...I know that He put Darrick, myself, and Emma in this situation because He knew we could handle it...

One thing I am requesting is to stop and say a small prayer for my family today!!! And one especially for Emma (her surgery, and recovery)!!! 

Blogger 411: Some Things You Need to Know About Me

I'm linking up with Becky over at From Mrs.To Mama to give you guys the 411 on ME! I saw this on another blog and decided to participate! A lot of the other bloggers did this post earlier in the week but I decided to do it now since the linkup was still available! 

Here are the original questions, answer as many or as few as you'd like!

1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed?

I started blogging in 2008, before blogging I worked for an Online Plus Size Fashion Magazine, SKORCH Magazine. I was in college at the time and eventually I was unable to devote the time to SKORCH but I wanted to continue with the fashion and my thoughts. So I started a blog! A lot has changed since then; I graduated, moved home, had a baby, got married and the list goes on. I have changed this blog into more of a lifestyle blog rather than fashion only! I still try to get fashion posts in every now and then but its mostly about my life. 

2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?

I majored in Communications and minored in Textiles and Clothing

3. Where have you traveled?
Here and there...mostly East Coast places. I have been to California once, but I was very young! Everywhere else is either on the South and Midwest. 

4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?
First I would pay off my student loans...then I would buy a house! Actually I would pay off all  our debt! 

5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?
Liars
Someone who always tries to have "one-up" on you
 White shoes with dark stockings! 


6. What is your favorite movie?
Brown Sugar

7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?
I drink a lot of water, however, if its not water I like fruit juice

If it has alcohol in it I would prefer wine

8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?
Blogging, Getting my nails done or doing them myself, Reading Blogs, Shopping, Napping

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?

I would shop at Eloquii...its the plus size branch of  the Limited

10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.

11. What day would you love to relive again?
I have two...the day we met Emma all over again!!! When I think about meeting her for the first time that was the best day of my life! The second day is the day I got engaged! I felt like I was floating on clouds!!! Darrick planned everything perfectly for us!!! 

12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?

Definitely Raven Symone! 
Our personalities are very similar!! 

13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?
Tops Grocery Store and Target

14. Show us a picture from high school or college.

12th Grade

Sometime in College (I think)

15. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?

Somewhere in Hawaii

16. Show us the most current picture of you or you, or your family, or anything of meaning to you. 

These two people mean the WORLD to me!!! 

I just wanted to throw in another pic of Emma (she's so darn cute)!!! 

17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?


Hopefully in a new home, 1 or 2 more kids, working in my career field...still happily married, living happy ever after!! 

eShakti Coupon Code

Hello Everyone...eShakti contacted me and asked me to send out a coupon code for readers of The Green Eyed Lady Blog! The code is  GR27TTS

The code was created especially for my readers to get 10% off when they shop at eShakti - its valid till 31st July, 2012. This code can be used in addition to the existing 'up to 40% OFF Sale (ladies we cant beat an extra 10% a 40% off sale)...so lets get to SHOPPING!!! 

Eating Right...

This week I am proud to say that Darrick and I gave up meat for a week (starting slow). I had this idea to try the Daniel Fast after seeing someones picture on Instagram. I talked to Darrick about it and he thought it would be good idea as well. Sunday we prepped for our fast that we were going to start this week, but once we got in the store and realized everything we would be giving up we decided to start slow and just go without the meat in our diet for a week. We are doing pretty good, I have cooked everyday this week so I am done for the week because we have plenty of left overs...

• Monday: Spaghetti with Sauce, Black Beans, Corn, Mushrooms, and Zucchini
• Tuesday: Sweet Potato Fries and Panko Covered Asparagus (All Baked)
• Wednesday: Sweet Potato Fries (only because I grabbed the wrong thing at the store) and Veggie Burgers...I also made a small casserole of Veggie Crumbles (like ground meat but its meatless), mixed vegetables, potatoes, and cream of mushroom soup
• Thursday and Friday: I'm not cooking because we have a lot of leftovers, and Friday I usually pick dinner up

This week I cooked basic stuff, next week I plan to try to work with Eggplant, and a few more recipes. I know this week we had a lot of potatoes so they wont be in next weeks menu.  My plan is to be more creative next week with my menu and have us try a few things that we don't eat on a normal basis! I don't think this is a permanent plan for Darrick and I, it was really to kick start us to eating healthier. However, I have realized that it gives us more options for us during the week. And instead of cooking meals that all have meat in them I can switch up with some meatless meals! 

Fashion Do or Don't?!?!?!

So I found some pictures online of celebs that have been caught wearing the same clothes as someone else. However, I am going to assume that they don't know that there may have been someone else that has already worn that same dress, or outfit before! At least I hope they haven't seen that dress on someone then said I am going to go get that same dress! And with celebs they have a totally different lifestyle than regular people (LOL)...they are sized up in magazine sections to say "who wore it better." And they are fine with it, at least if they come out on top! LOL! 

How does it make you feel if someone asked you where you purchased something, then they go and buy the same thing? Do you take it as a compliment or do you feel they should get their own style?!?! Now I know in many cities if you purchase items at like an "Gap or Express" you are bound to have someone with the same item at one point in your life, but what about when someone ask you where you got something then they go and purposly purchase the same exact item?!?! Does it make you think twice about telling people where you purchase your clothes?!?! Do you have one person that is constantly comparing their style to you and they go and purchase the same items on a regular basis...do you start buying more expensive clothing because you know they wont purchase expensive clothes?? 

(images: here and here)

What are your thoughts? Do you go and buy something just like someone else if you like it but you all travel in the same circles (work, church, school, or socially)? Or do you tell that person you like it, and that's it??? Is this considered a fashion No, No?? 

Cleft Awareness Month...

(Banner from the Group for July-Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month)

Yesterday, was the 6 month anniversary of a Mommy Group that I am in. When Emma was first born and we were having trouble with her eating, I looked all over for information to help her with her feedings. I looked at information from hospitals, moms, random research...I searched everywhere! LITERALLY! One day I was on Facebook, and I search Cleft Lip/Palate or something to that effect, and found a group called "A Cleft Mommy's bond of Friendship"...this group was a God Send to Darrick and I! I was able to connect with these moms on a different level because they knew exactly what I was going through (my thoughts, feelings, concerns) they had been in my shoes literally and they were there to help! 

Back to Yesterday...since the anniversary was yesterday the creator of the group had a surprise for the members. She kept telling us she had something for us but it was a surprise...well at 9:00am yesterday the surprise was revealed. It was a slide show of all the babies! It was AMAZING!!! I cried the first time watching it as I sat with Emma in my arms, and I showed my mom and nephew last night and cried through it a second time. I am getting ready to cry again just writing about it. It had quotes, testimonials, and pictures...and it showed not only the children but the parents as well! I felt so HONORED to be a part of this group! When I found these ladies Emma was in the hospital and they were giving me support, now I am able to give other moms support because I made it through that obstacle, and now we are on to surgery on July 24!

Being a mom to a Cleft Lip/Palate baby has been an experience like no other! I knew I was taking on a lot when I found out I was pregnant. I knew being a mom was SERIOUS BUSINESS...but when we found out she had a cleft lip I didnt know what to expect! I heard that she would have surgery and then she would go on with life like any other child...WRONG! 

No one ever told Darrick and I that we along with the rest of the family would have to be advocates for Emma! When she had feeding problems in the hospital the Occupational Therapist kept telling us don't worry she will catch on, do go out spending a lot of money on bottles...well what do you know we tried a few based off suggestions of other moms and one of them worked!!! Although, there are no other problems with Emma and her development, she goes to see an Occupational Therapist every other week so they can monitor her development! Emma has to have tubes put in her ears during this first surgery to prevent further problems with her ears...Thank God we haven't had ANY ear infections!! Emma had to have a feeding tube in order for them to let her go home from the hospital, because she wasn't eating 100% of all her feeds by mouth! Well once we got home Mommy, Daddy became the nurse and the occupational therapist and today Emma is eating 100% by mouth, and eating solids!!! Whoop Whoop!!! We also go see a dentist on a weekly basis due to the mouth piece that she is using and to monitor the growth of the lip and palate and prep it for surgery! Its an ongoing experience...it doesnt end with surgery! And Darrick and I would do it ALL OVER again if we had to, to ensure our child is getting the proper care she needs. 

Since its Cleft  and Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month...everyday there are statuses the creator of the group post with Cleft Facts...I have re-posted a few on my status. 

Today's status hit HOME...so I will share it with you! 

Below is the status from today...I changed it a bit to fit my personal experience...

Patience - Love - Comfort - Support -

As a cleft mommy, I had to have a whole different sense of patience with Emma which came very easily for me. When a cleft baby is born, most mommies blame themselves and I for one did alot of blaming even after I learned I did nothing wrong. As a mommy, it's hard not to. 

Patience - Love - Comfort - Support -

We learn how to feed our babies with special bottles in special positions and constantly worry if they're gaining weight. 

Patience - Love - Comfort - Support -

Some of our babies need taping/NAM's to prepare them for surgery then we go through pre - op, surgery, waiting room, post - op and recovery. At this point, we become nurses too! 

Patience - Love - Comfort - Support

Our babies go through many evaluations and therapies. At this point, we become their guidance counselors, teachers, and therapists. 

Patience - Love - Comfort - Support

Our babies get older and wonder about their scars and speech. 

Patience - Love - Comfort - Support - 

A Cleft Mommy has an amazingly hard emotional, physical and mental job but I'd do it over and over and over again because the love I have for Emma is unconditional and the greatest gift in the world!

Don't let the World Change Your Smile; 

Let Your Smile Change the World! 

Independence Day and Emma 5 Month Birthday (Day Late)!!!

Happy Independence  Day!!! 

I spent most of my holiday at home, until Darrick and I went to my parents house! We ran a couple of errands and left the little munchkin with the grandparents. Our holiday was very laid back...which I enjoyed! I didn't want to be running all around then have to come into work the next day. We drove to Akron to see the fireworks but it ended up raining so no fireworks for my munchkin on her first 4th of July! 

I found her an Independence Day outfit at Kohl's the day before so it was actually on clearance! Score for Mommy!!! It says "Mommy's Little Sparkler"...its romper! I personally love the rompers, they are cute and easy for her and for myself when it comes to changing diapers and stuff!!! 

Happy 5 Month Birthday Emma!!! 

Weight:

At Emma's last appointment she was 13 lbs and 1.9 oz. That was as of June 22, 2012...I'm sure she weighs more now.

Clothes:

We are in a solid 6 months for clothes now. She can still fit some of her 3 month old onesies but we use those to sleep in:) If the clothes are on the bigger side like a 6/9 month outfit, they are usually too big. She is pretty short so with her summer clothes some of the shorts are 3 months because she is short. 

Diapers:

We are in a size 2 comfortably!

Eating:

My little munchkin's appetite has picked up. We are eating about 6 1/2 ounces every 2 1/2-3 hours. I usually put cereal in her first bottle in the morning and the last bottle before bedtime. She is getting 1 1/2-2 teaspoons of cereal in those two bottles. If I notice she is having a super hungry day I will usually put a 1/2 teaspoon in one of the mid-day feedings. 

We have also introduced solid foods. The first week I started with carrots, then bananas, then bananas and cereal in a bowl together...the next food is sweet potatoes. She is doing extremely well with them considering the cleft.  

Naps:

Emma is completely on her own schedule when it comes to naps! Some days she can sleep for a couple of hours, then other days she is the "cat-nap" queen!!! Most days she is the "cat-nap" queen...then every now and then you will get her to nap for 45-2 hours! Its completely up to Emma and how she feels! LOL! 

Night time:

Emma is usually sleep between 8:30-9:15! I usually start prepping that last bottle by 8:00-8:15, I warm it and put cereal in it...and after that bottle she is usually OUT! That is when Mommy can really get things done that she needs to! HA!! If she is up any later than about 9:30-9:45 she is usually very whiny and crying!

Likes:

Emma likes the music and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! 

She is also a Daddy's girl...if he is in the room she is sitting there looking at him! 

She thinks because she has tasted a few Popsicles if you are eating one then she should be too! LOL! 

She likes watching the ceiling fans, playing with her different toys, and eating her fingers! 

She loves to talk! Can we say motor mouth...LOL...but I love to hear her talk! 

Watching her cousin Solana (who is 5) put on a show for her (singing, dancing, and talking to her) she follows her around the room. 

Dislikes:

Sitting in a car that is not moving...if she is in the car you better keep moving! 

She only likes Tummy time for a few minutes...and I mean a few minutes then its like get me OFF my stomach!!!

She wont poop if her diaper is already wet, she will wait until you change her then poops! 

She doesnt like her face wiped in the morning, but she is usually super crusty so I do it anyways! 

She expects us to have a bottle waiting for her if she wakes up in the middle of the night...she usually screams until its ready! 

Milestones:

She is now full on laughing out 

She has more hand and eye coordination

Reaching and Grabbing everything (and puts it in her mouth)

Scooting a little bit when you put her on her stomach

Shows signs that she wants to hold her bottle (but when you let it go she does too) LOL! 

She was beat when we got home...

this is her on the bed while I was changing her into her pj's!! 

Random Thoughts...

(quotes)