Before-Baby Checklist

We've had plenty on our list in terms of "house" projects for quite some time, and there's nothing like a baby on the way to give us a kick in the pants to get some things done! Fortunately, we've been checking things off the list a little at a time over the last month or two...but of course, for every item checked, it seems like I add something else!

Here is my list of various things, not necessarily in the order of which they are to be completed...
(I'd love to put them in order but momma ain't got time for that)

1. Order crib & baby furniture ✓

Munire Furniture

2. Drywall repairs ✓

3. Interior house painting, including nursery ✓

4. HVAC work upstairs - humidifier, new duct work, install return vents ✓

Don't get me started on this. What idiot builder finishes a house with no return vents? Ours, evidently! This project should be finished up soon. They have a little work left to do in the attic,  but the humidifier and return vents are completed. This project was completed yesterday!

5. Remove existing furniture from guest bedroom, which will become nursery, thus moving the guest bedroom to what was previously known as the "junky room" ✓

We've moved the furniture, thankfully, and these furniture sliders from Lowes have been a Godsend! TJ lifts the furniture, I place the sliders beneath the feet, and then we just push-slide-n-guide the furniture to where we want it. This was the "junky room" on January 1st of this year...

from the post: Why do we make New Year's Resolutions?

...what an improvement!

(A new bedskirt & wall decor are on the list!)

6. Clean out closet in nursery-to-be
It's currently packed full of Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, and gift wrap, with a few random pieces of luggage thrown in for good measure!

7. Clean out closet in the newly relocated guest room
I've started on this task, but still have a LONG way to go!

8. Move items to attic to store (some Christmas items, etc.)

9. Clean carpet in nursery-to-be, following the completion of the HVAC/drywall/painting

10. Find and purchase bedding for nursery ✓
We selected the Harper bedding from Pottery Barn Kids.

11. Find and purchase a glider or rocking chair

Moms - Do you have one you recommend? It's really important to me that it comes up high enough in the back to support my entire neck and head when I lean back. However, I'd really prefer one that looks more like furniture and less "glider-like" if that makes sense...

The one on the left is from Babies R Us and the one on the right is by Dutalier.
I've sat in the chair from BRU and it does not provide enough neck support for my taste. The Dutalier chairs are super comfortable but I don't particularly love the look. I've sat in one chair that looked "my style" and it was really comfortable. It was from Pottery Barn Kids and costs an arm and leg, and I cannot really swallow the cost. I hope to find something I'm happy with SOON, comfort-wise and cost-wise.

12. Hang curtains in nursery
I have the curtains, but do not have a rod or other hardware. Buying that stuff should probably be another item on this checklist! Eek!

13. Outside - hang numbers on our porch

14. Change dining room light fixture
This is something I'd LIKE to do, but if it doesn't happen I'm not going to lose sleep over it!

15. Outside - install motion-sensing light on the side of the house

16. Clean out/organize kitchen cabinets to make room for baby products

Looking at this list makes me tired. TJ and I did a LOT of work this past weekend following the painting of our upstairs, and by Sunday night my bed had never felt so good! I was exchanging emails with my favorite pretty new-momma blogger Jess, and she told me to just get ready, because I'd be working up till the last day! Ahhh!

Recipe: Beef Stroganoff

Today's post is a scrumptious recipe for Beef Stroganoff! Be advised...this is not very healthy!

If you remember, I mentioned in my "March goals" post just a few days ago that I wanted to make a Beef Stroganoff recipe. Well, I ended up not making the Paula Dean recipe and instead, I made my mother-in-law's recipe! When TJ and I got married, my mom put together a cookbook for us that contained a few recipes each from my mom, my grandmother, my mother-in-law, cousins, etc. It was a wonderful gift and I still refer to it all the time (and try to add things to it rather than always looking up the recipe online).

As I'm sure you've guessed by now, one of the recipes inside this cookbook was my mother-in-law's Beef Stroganoff. TJ and I have been married for 9 years, and I had never made it! Honestly I should be ashamed. There are quite a few things in there I've never made. Perhaps that should be a new goal...

Sorry! Got a little off track there! This beef stroganoff was easy and also tasty. TJ's reaction, though, was better than anything else. He said it is one of his favorites. I didn't take any pictures along the way, but you have the final outcome above!

Here's what you'll need:

1 lb. ground beef

1 white onion

2 8-oz. cans of tomato sauce

6 oz. of sour cream

4 oz. cream cheese, room temp

8 oz. wide noodles

Shredded cheddar cheese

Chop your onion and brown with the ground beef. Add some pepper while cooking. Drain, then add the tomato sauce. Mix thoroughly and allow this to simmer.

In a separate pot, boil your wide noodles.

After the meat mixture has simmered and noodles are almost done, add the cream cheese and sour cream to the meat mixture. Mix thoroughly. Drain noodles once they are complete.

Layer meat mixture and noodles in a 9x13 glass pan. Top with shredded cheddar. Bake at 350* for approximately 25 minutes. 

Serve with vegetables.

Cook's Notes: Next time, I may sub Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream. I would also like to try this with mushrooms but I will likely let Mr. Teej decide. Either way, we'll be having this again!

Definitely let me know if you try this, and what you think!
Happy Hump Day, everyone!