Meet our Everyday Mom for December 2009: Casey Cook

Full name: Casey Cook

Where did you grow up? Hope Mills

Did you have any siblings? A sister, Allison

Where do you live now? Hope Mills

Names and ages of your children: Kaylie Amelia, 2

What are your favorite activities with your kids? We like to color, make things with Play-Doh, go to the park, read books, watch "Dora the Explorer" and "Snow White" and play hide and seek.

What are your least favorite “mom chores”? Cleaning house

What kid-free activity do you enjoy in your free time? Catching up on my shows and exercising.

Tell us about your hobbies. I really don't have any but I do love taking pictures and going for walks.

Are you involved in any organizations? No.

Tell us about your typical day — from the morning wake up until you finally climb into bed. I wake up at 6 a.m. and get ready. Then if Kaylie isn't up by 7, I get her up and ready. We head out the door around 7:40 and drop her off at the babysitters. I am at work from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. After work, I pick her up and we head home to make dinner and spend some family time together. We play until 7:30, which is bath time. When she gets out, we watch a little TV until 8:30, then we lay down until she falls asleep. Then, I catch up on house work, my shows and get on the elliptical machine. Around 10:30 or 11, I shower get ready for bed.

What advice do you have for new moms? Enjoy every moment because it flies by, especially the first year.

Do you have a time-saving tip to share with other moms? When Kaylie was a baby, I would prepare everything the night before so I would have less to do in the mornings before work.

Share your favorite 30-minute (or less!) recipe. I like to make Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls. Ingredients: 2 packages crescent rolls, 2 packages (8 oz size) cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup sugar,1 teaspoon cinnamon Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Spray 9X12 pan with Pam. Spread 1 package crescent rolls on bottom of pan. Mix both cream cheeses, 1 c sugar and vanilla. Spread over crescent roll. Layer the other crescent roll package over cream cheese. Spread melted butter on top. Mix 1/2 c sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle on top. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool. Then refrigerate.

What is most challenging at your child's age? She is into everything and whatever she grabs she leaves on the floor. I am constantly picking up behind her. She is also getting into the "no" stage.

What is most rewarding at her age? She is my precious little girl and she is starting to say cute things that makes me laugh and she will just look at me and tell me she loves me, which just melts my heart. We can always find something to do.

What do you look forward to most as your daughter grows? Watching her grow into her own person.

What three words would your child say best describes you? She is just now starting to talk good.

What is your favorite children's book (title and author)? "Good Night Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown