Ho ho ho, all over now

The hustle and bustle of Christmas is finally over.

Well not fully, I still have all the cleaning up left to do! Bits of wrapping paper and Styrofoam still about the floor, boxes everywhere, dishes left over from the big family breakfast and I'm not even going to begin to describe Willow's room!

But one thing is good, I have my computer back! Technically it's a new one but my old hard drive has finally been installed onto it - thanks to my hubby, and I can start using it again. Including downloading photos from my camera which means ...da da da .... I am back to the blogging world! It's sad really, days feel like weeks without my computer lol.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. We did. No thanks to someone - if he's reading, he knows who he is! I got the new table Stephen promised me for my present. Want to see?

Isn't it nice? The other one we had for six years was a nice table too but so not me (so my mother in law who gave it to me!) I am grateful she passed it to us when she got her new one and we had something to eat our dinner on for all these years but it was getting to the point where I was going to scream if I didn't get rid of it! I was aching for a nice new, dark wood table with a little more contemporary style just like this one. Needless to say I am very happy and satisfied now! 

Stephen's parents and brothers came over for a big breakfast on Christmas morning and I was excited to get to decorate it so soon. My husband is the best breakfast-maker so it was all really nice. He made pancakes, sausage links/patties, maple bacon, hash and scrambled eggs ... what a guy!

The feast!

After breakfast Willow opened all her presents, although we did let her open her stocking beforehand. She got so many toys and books and games this year and was very happy.

Including a new big girl Bible.

I do say it every year, but this was the year she actually understood Christmas. She knew the meaning (and I'm not talking santa), she now understands the concept of giving and receiving and she knew to wake us up at 7.30 with, 'Mommy, Daddy ... it's Christmas!' lol yaaawn. I was happy to get up straight away though. I couldn't wait to see her face when she saw her presents.

This one was from Mommy and Daddy. I think the present she loved the most was her Ariel doll sent over from my Dad and his wife Heather in England. That one that got the biggest reaction for sure.

Ryder was not going to be excluded from the fun either. He had a great time playing with the toys and wrapping paper. And, of course, eating everything in sight. Including my couch!


A cute pic of him with a Christmas tree ornament ... mmm delicious!

Next up; both of their birthdays. Willow turns 4 in January and Ryder turns 1 in February. I am going to do a special princess party for Willow this year and invite all her friends. I think she's going to love it.                  

Goodbyn for $3!!!

I just found a great deal over on Shannon's blog for anyone who is interested in buying one of those cool Goodbyn lunch boxes that you get to decorate with stickers. Like Shannon, I don't normally post deals ... haven't ever infact, but this one is too good not to share!!

If you don't know what a Goodbyn is, here's a pic:


As you can see, they have lots of neat little compartments for filling up and a thermos too. I haven't been sure whether I wanted one for the longest time but with this deal you can get one for just under $3. Definitely worth that!

All you have to do is sign up for an account here: http://www.gilt.com/account/register?pkey=mtvmen2

For signing you will receive a $20 credit to your account. Check your account after 2-3 minutes for it to show up. Once it's there, click on the 'Children' tab and you will see the Goodbyn selection which are priced at $15. I'm pretty sure they are normally more than that so $15 is good as it is. Anyway, add one to your shopping cart (I got pink for Willow and Stephen is going to order one for Ryder!) and go to check out.

The shipping costs just under $8 and with your credit, all you will be paying is $3!!! Now run, get yours!

A Much Needed Vacation

This Sunday the hubby and I are leaving to go on a cruise with some friends and family for one whole week. I am so excited, I have always wanted to go on a cruise. We’re actually going to be leaving on Saturday night to stay at a hotel on the way in order to save on parking and to have a more relaxed time the morning of because we would have already packed and won’t have to get up so early, being closer to the airport (sorry for the huge sentence!)

So what’s happening with the kids, you wonder? They are going to be staying with their Grandma. I know Willow will be fine because she loves it at Grandma’s with the doggies and probably won’t even notice we’re gone! But going without my Ryder was a tough decision for me. He’s still so little. I didn’t even consider going at first because of this but they all almost convinced me he will still know me when I get back and nothing bad is going to happen.

It is going to be nice to have a week with my husband to feel young again and just relax. Uninterrupted nights (AND conversations) won’t be bad either. Neither will lying in bed in the morning. Imagine that!

BUT, I am sad to say, this will mean no bentos for one week. Again, Willow will be fine, but Mommy is going to miss making them! Can you believe I even had a dream I had a huge package of bento boxes and tools arrive at my door and was rummaging through them all excitedly? AND it wasn't the first time I have had this dream. 

Anyhow, I hope you all have a super duper week! Till next Sunday! Or until things are back to normal 'round here ....

Five Question Friday

I've decided to join in with five question friday because I think it'll be fun. Click here and you can too.


1.  Are you a neat sleeper or a messy sleeper?
I think I’m a neat sleeper. I often wake up and all I have to do is pull the blanket over where I slept and the bed is still made. Love that.

2.  Fill in the blank. I wish I was more ___? 

Thrifty. I know Stephen would agree with this one for sure!

3.  What is something that you wish you had been warned about?

My husband’s dislike of changing diapers before we had kids. Just kidding! Lol Although he will pretend he doesn’t notice until I pick the baby up! Hmm. The housing market dive would have been a nice thing to be warned about … chocolate peanut butter cups ....so many things!

4.  What was the best thing you ever found at a garage sale/flea market?

I’m one of those rare people who has never found anything at a garage sale, flea market etc besides some baby onesies or shoes. See number 3! Doesn’t help that I don’t often go to them I’m sure.

5. If you could have any meal brought to you right now, what would it be? 

My Mum’s chicken curry or roast potatoes.

Late July 4th Post

This weekend has been a busy one due to the holiday, as it has for most people I'm sure. We did our picnics and stuff at my Mother in laws yesterday in fact, because my husband had work on the 4th. Above are the chocolate-dipped, sprinkle-rolled marshmallow pops I made. What a nice day it was! Everyone had so much fun. Including my babies. Even I did, despite being thrown in the pool fully clothed, make-up/shoes on, with a whole can of hair spray in my hair that morning, by my rotten brother in law. Once I was saved from drowning, I was a good sport about it!

Here are a few pics!

Look how cute my little guy is! Here he is, all celebrated out!

Blog Awards

I am very honored to have received three blog awards these past couple of days by two really great blogs. Life with 4 boys who awarded me the versatile blogger award and the sugar doll award and Tales of a Domestic Goddess who also gave me the versatile blogger award. Thank you both for thinking of me!

The rules of this award are as follows:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award. 

2. Share seven things about yourself. 

3. Pass this award along to fifteen bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! 

4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the award.

 The rules of the Sugar Doll award are:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award. 

2. Share 10 things about yourself. 

3. Pass the award along to 10 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic! 

4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

Even though it's breaking the rules, it's probably going to be easier to combine the two by giving ten random facts about me and then both the two awards to fifteen blogs that I really enjoy. So here goes, ten random facts ...

1. I love to read and miss my pre-kid days of soaking in a good book whenever I wanted for however long I wanted. I enjoy biographies the most.

 

2. Even so, being a Mom is the best thing in the world and I am very thankful I get to be one. 

3. When I was little and growing up in England, I always wanted to move to America. Now I am 'big' and I live in America. Some dreams do come true!

4. I can't stop at one Oreo! I'm an all or nothing type of person for sure.

5. One thing that makes me crazy like nothing else is slow drivers in the fast lane. I sail behind them pulling my hair out. Grrrrr.

6. I am going to get a tummy tuck one day! (and belieeeve me, it's necessary!)

7. When I like a breakfast cereal, I eat it every morning for months and months. Right now it's chocolate cheerios.

8. When I was 17 I got a tattoo on my shoulder of a pink dolphin. One of the more stupidest things I ever did. I removed it partly with lazer surgery but didn't finish for several reasons. So right now I have a kind of sad washed out pink dolphin :( As if this wasn't bad enough, I also got my nose pierced the same day! Fortunately the hole is long gone.

9. I hate wearing socks. My feet feel suffocated lol. I leave them outside of the blanket when I'm in bed, no matter how cold they get!

10. There are two mice on counters in my house right now. One is in my hand and the other is having a munch of the blueberry muffins I made that no one else would eat. Enjoy mousey!

And now the fun part of giving these awards to fifteen great bloggies:

1. A Pocket full of Buttons

2. Another Lunch

3. Bento Lunch

4. Homemaker's Heart

5. I'm Not in Kalamazoo Anymore

6. Kitchen Koala

7. Tried and True Cooking With Heidi

8.Mommycrat

9. Muffin Tin Mom

10. The Ramblings of a Crazy Woman

11. The Mom Road

12. Totally Tots

13. Confessions of a Homeschooler

14. I Heart Nap Time with Chocolate Sundaes

15. Home Grown Families

Pinch Punch First Day of the Month

Did anyone else do this as a kid? And then the other person would follow it up with, 'punch kick for being so quick!' No? OK maybe it's just where I come from! I'm so glad we're finally in July. Not sure if it's just me but June dragged by so slow and I just wanted it over. I have lots planned to do with Willow in July that I'm excited about. Just small little activities to get her out of the house. Story times and crafts at the library, park and craft stores. Kidgets club at the mall. Kid museums including Kid City. Also, it's one month closer to Fall - which is my favorite season and I can't wait to take her and Ryder to all the fairs! She's gonna love it this year.

Today was another beautiful day. Me, Daddy and Grandma took Willow and Ryder to the Mystic aquarium as a treat. Here we are sitting outside at Macdonald's just before we went, eating the (bento) lunches I made for us. I know, lucky we didn't get kicked out. But we did get sodas!

The first thing we saw at the aquarium; the beluga whale, was the by far Willow’s most favorite thing to see I think.  This is Grandma holding her as she watched it shoot water out of it's blow hole. She was also thrilled to pet and feed sting ray fish. Directly in their slimy mouths! At one point she grabbed one at the back and it flipped out thrashing a bit lol. I thought we would get into trouble but no one saw. We sat through a sea-lion show which lost her attention after a few minutes, too educational.

We saw sharks, which she loved and didn’t want to leave (because they are baddies in The Little Mermaid TV series), and all kinds of fish and coral, including sea-horses, turtles, eels, lobsters, frogs and the biggest tadpoles ever. I thought they were meant to be smaller than the frogs??

Poor Ryder. He fell asleep shortly after we got there and then stayed asleep the whole time. It was all too much!

So glad we went. It was such a nice family afternoon out. And I will definitely take her back again. Only next time I think I will have to bring one of those kiddy harness things to keep hold of her better as she rushes to see everything.

Good girls get ice creams :)

Frustration

New layout but now my comment links aren't working grr...
Fixed, thanks to my hubby.

Five Years Baby!

My husband and I celebrated our fifth anniversary the day before yesterday. Even though technically it’s not until the fourth of June but my husband has to work on that day. Grandma had the babies and we took off for a night alone just being together and actually managed to avoid talking about the kids for the most part. For dinner, we went to The Cheesecake Factory (of course! It’s my fave. Stephen likes it too). I ordered delicious chicken teriyaki with rice and grilled fruit. So yum! Afterward, I got a pineapple upside-down cheesecake.

I am really thankful for my husband. He’s hardworking, honest, supportive and encouraging, extremely thoughtful, funny, and he’s a great Daddy. He’ll go out of his way, and often does, to help anyone. He’ll let me talk till I’m blue in the face if it’s what I need after a long day home with no adult company. I am blessed to have got this guy. But, unbelievably to me now, there was a time we couldn’t foresee being married for five years. In the beginning things were quite rough and stormy for us. Mostly due to my transition from the UK to the US and all the trouble adjusting can bring. I suffered from depression and loneliness which took it’s toll on us. But thanks to prayer and the counsel of our Pastor and his lovely wife, we came through it. Now we have a wonderful relationship and I’ve never been happier. It’s rare that we argue and when we do, it’s over within minutes because one of us will apologize. Would we have made it if we had both been from the same country and it would have been easier to walk away? I don’t know. I don’t care either. I’m just glad that the circumstances were what they were and we didn’t give up. When it comes down to it, faith in God is all the glue we needed, He is able to hold anything together but it can be hard to remember that in the midst of trials you go through when you’re wondering how you got in such a mess. Through it all, we believed He had put us together and knowing He doesn’t make mistakes, we trusted that. I know I’m right where I’m meant to be now and it’s a good feeling. I’m looking forward to the next five years and many more with my awesome guy :D

Finally

The Bouncy Chair

A great invention for Mommy’s who are glued to their babies like me. Since buying this, I have actually enjoyed some freedom to move on my own! He even sleeps in it.

My Little Ry Ry

It has been a while since I posted regularly here. Not by choice! I really miss blogging. It is mainly due to this little guy's arrival ....

Ryder Gabriel

And we all know the disruption to your routine that a baby can bring! No, he is an absolute joy to have. He was born Wednesday 17th Feb by C-section and I fell in love right away. He is the most laid back baby ever, except if your late with his food! (Wonder where he gets that from??)

I was in the hospital until Saturday and now I am home and trying to get things in order. Willow is great with him ... a little too much perhaps. She just wants to love him but it tends to come out smothering which means I have to keep a constant eye on her. I'm hoping the novelty will wear off shortly for her!

I am so thankful that God has blessed me with two beautiful, healthy children. Not to mention a truly wonderful husband who is so supportive and will do anything for me. I love my family :)

3 today!

Happy birthday to my beautiful precious baby girl, Willow. She is three years old today! I am three years old as a Mommy hah. I'm so proud of her. She brings sunshine to everyday for me.

She doesn't know it's her birthday actually because we're doing her a small party next Sunday and I didn't want her to be confused and ask where her cake was etc. Next Sunday seems to be the day everyone can manage to be there, especially the all important person; Grandma, who works odd days. We were going to do it at our house but I think it's going to end up at Grandma's just 'cause it's easier for everyone to get to right after church and that's where the usual get-togethers are.

I have decided I am going to make her a pony cake (since she can't make up her mind!), put around streamers everywhere and blow up lots of balloons for her to walk into when she wakes up. Plus, of course, the presents. Then after church we'll take the cake and whatever other food I have made over to Marie's and spend the afternoon there before heading back to church in the evening and then back to Marie's to watch the Superbowl in the evening. I'm sure there will be no nap that day!

Grace in Small Things

1. The cozy warm glow from our Christmas tree’s lights.
2. The comforting (though somewhat painful at times!) kicks in my tummy. Makes me feel like I have a little secret friend I carry around with me :)
3. Prayers from friends.
4. Making happy childhood memories for my little girl.
5. Hot chocolate with marshmallows.

Sausage, 'chips' and beans :)

This is Willow's dinner last night. Same as mine, only cut up :)

It may look like ordinary breakfast sausage, fries and baked beans but it’s so much more. It is the cure for my English food cravings! The closest replica I can make of the meal I, and I'm sure many other kiddies in England, grew up eating.

I used Jone's natural breakfast because I have found that they are the closest in taste to your average banger in England. Sausage in the US means something completely different. The fries are different too, so I made my own. The beans I bought from the international aisle at my local supermarket - English section. You can buy vegetarian beans here and they have a similar taste, they are made by Heinz too, but the sauce is a little runny and it's off-putting (same with the cans of spaghetti or ravioli) so I pay the extra few bucks to get them imported. Sometimes I even treat myself to an English chocolate bar at the same time :D

Willow cleaned off her bowl which is always nice to see.

Instead of baking my fries this time (and being healthy), I parboiled them in some salted water, dried them thoroughly and then shallow-fried them over medium-high heat in vegetable oil. Only took a few minutes and they were yummy and crispy. Not bad for a treat. Just need to get some malt vinegar.

Yesterday morning Tiffany (from church) and I took the kids to a little store just around the corner from me called Pottery something-or-other. It only opened about a month ago. The kids got to paint pottery with brushes and hand/foot prints and had fun doing that together. We made a plate for Grandma that said 'Merry Christmas Grandma, love Willow' and a plate for Grandad's birthday next year to give to him when he comes over.

We left the plates at the store and I guess they cook them up in the oven, or whatever they do to make them set, and we'll go back to pick them up next week. What a sweet thing for my little girl to do! She loves to paint. It was decently priced too so I will be going back to maybe make more Christmas presents with Willow. You can do little soap dishes, or mugs, or even little dogs and other animals. I might do one myself next time.

Been suffering from a really annoying cough/sore throat lately. Actually I’ve had it since just before my pregnancy, it’s been that long! But it comes and goes in severity. I’ve basically just learned to live with it. But recently it has become unbearable. My throat is raw! I’m not getting any sleep because I’m up coughing all night or visiting the bathroom thanks to how much I have to drink to avoid coughing (like you don’t go enough when you’re pregnant). I did mention it to my doctors – twice now, but there’s not much I can be given for it. Nothing is really safe for the baby. Siiigh. I’m going to try some lozenges and see how they work. Whining helps a little!

Going to have to swap menu days and have pizza for dinner tonight. The chicken I took out this morning is still frozen :0

Rock Cakes

I love rock cakes. Growing up, I remember my Mum, who was a great cook, making these in the kitchen - usually after endless begging from me! She used to make lots of delicious things but her rock cakes are what really remind me of the time I lived with her as a child. They're also the only thing I remember making with her and my first experience with cooking.

So when I had some medium eggs in the refrigerator to use up the other day, already a day or so past date actually, I thought it would be nice to make these. Quick and simple, I didn't feel like being in the kitchen for hours.  I made them with golden raisins (sultanas) as that's all I had in the cupboard and I put a little jam in some of them, just like Mum :D

They kept nice wrapped in plastic wrap on the counter for a couple of days. And, because they weren't overly sweet, I didn't feel bad about eating them for breakfast. Unfortunately, Stephen doesn't like raisins so he couldn't have any. I must have forgot! :b

Yesterday was a nice day. We went to church in the morning and while we were there our Pastor invited us over to his house for lunch with Jessica and Nevaeh (Jessica is Stephen's cousin and Nevaeh is her 8 year old little girl). We had a good time catching up with them.

It's so nice that Willow is finally at an age where she behaves at people's houses during meal times. I used to dread taking her so much as a baby that I had to decline lots of invitations or try to get a babysitter last minute.  It wasn't that she was a particularly bad baby, she wasn't at all. She was just a baby and at an age where you can't really relax and eat and enjoy company because she would want to get off my lap and go and grab at delicate ornaments.

But now my big girl is almost 3 and sat down to eat her meal at the children's table nice and quietly without too much mess. She did run around a little but she couldn't resist Pastor's cute chubby beagle called Bently who she kept calling Roxy for some reason. At one point she locked him in the bathroom and by the time I realized she was dangerously quiet and went to look around for her, she had given him a soap bath!! Funny. They also have a beautiful black cat. Willow loves cats even more but couldn't keep up with him enough to terrorize him.

In the evening we went to Stephen's Mom's to discuss the thanksgiving menu and who's going to be bringing what. My list includes: cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, roasted root vegetables, cider, and peanut butter pie. And I've been told (beaten over the head with) I can't be late with the food. 1 o'clock on the dot. Mmph ... you'd think they weren't late EVERY TIME when coming to our house for dinner. We stayed there until around 12, had Chinese and discussed Christmas and what we're doing, then I couldn't keep my eyes open much longer and knudged Stephen time to go. Willow went right to bed when we got home, as did Stephen and I.

That brings me today, which hasn't really started yet even. I've just organized the hallway closet which was getting in a bit of a state. Stuff falling out everywhere. Same with the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. I've done two loads of laundry with more to be dried and folded, picked up the usual toys everywhere, and have a big pile of dishes calling me from the sink.

Stephen will be home around 1.45 to watch Willow while I go to my 6th month's check up at the doctors. I'm going to bombard them with questions today that I've been saving up all month. Then I'm going to grab some chicken at the store, come home and make dinner: baked chicken and spanish rice. I've been meaning to make this for weeks but somehow it just keeps getting put off. Will try to get a pic.

Blog award for mee?

I have been given a blog award, my first, woot! Thank you Tea at Homemaker's Heart I love your blog!

The rules for accepting this award are to copy and change the answers below to suit you and pass it on. Answers can only be one word! Pass the award to your favorite bloggers and alert them they have been awarded.

1. Where is your cell phone? I don’t have any idea right now. It went missing about a month ago!

2. Your hair? On my head. Just kidding :b Brown - Too thick for my liking - Little past my shoulders.

3. Your mother? Gone but not forgotten. She passed away December last year. Time goes by so fast.

4. Your father? Very opinionated lol. I love my dad and miss him all the way over in England.

5. Your favorite food? Potatoes, rhubarb, chocolate. Since becoming pregnant I have also become quite partial to those little caramel custard yogurts. I have a crate of them in the fridge right now. Yes, a crate!

6. Your dream last night? I dreamt we found out that we were actually having a girl instead of a boy and I was devastated! I have already bonded so much with my little Ryder. I talk and sing to him all the time and really have my head around having a boy. Finding out we were having a girl now would be like losing my baby and having another. Weird, I know. I really do just want a healthy baby. I just don't want the confusion!

7. Your favorite drink? Dr Pepper. I try hard to ration how much I drink cause I can go crazy on this stuff.

8. Your dream/goal? To be a better Christian. To really honor God with my life and have a family that does the same. I fall short all the time. Fortunately what matters to God is that we get back up and keep trying :)

9. What room are you in? The ‘dining room’. Our kitchen, eating area and living room are all kind of in one.

10. Your hobby? Cooking – mostly baking. I also love photography, very ammatuer, and reading. I love talking on the phone, going to see friends and family, hanging out with Stephen and Willow, seeing shows with Stephen, internet surfing, baby clothes-buying :b

11. Your fear? Getting old and death. I have thoughts of these everyday. As long as I’m with my husband when I’m old, I’ll be OK but I can’t comprehend actually not existing anymore. That feels egotistical in a way but it’s just so final. Death of loved ones plagues me also and I think losing my Mum really has a part to play in that.

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Right where I am. Only living in a slightly bigger house with more noisy babies running around :D

13. Where were you last night? Mostly in the kitchen making food for my family and the in-laws who came over. Then we hung out and watched some TV, it was a good night.

14. Something you aren’t? Shamefully, I’m not very thoughtful without trying hard to be. I don’t mean to be inconsiderate, it just doesn’t come naturally to me to think of thoughtful things to do or say.

15. Muffins? Gimme! I love muffins ... especially blueberry. And they are so easy to make!

16. Wish list item? My wish list contains books after books. Cookbooks and children’s books. I need to add a camera to it though.

17. Where did you grow up? In London, England.

18. Last thing you did? Nodded off on the couch while Willow watched cartoons.

19. What are you wearing? My husband’s tshirt and my penguin PJ pants hehe. Not many things fit me these days I must say.

20. Your TV? Is muted in the background.

21. Your pets? None right now but just this morning I was trying to persuade my husband to let us get a dog. No chance. He does want goats though, one day. Hmm.

22. Your friends? I have one close close friend (again, far away in England :() and lots of friends at church.

23. Your life? Exciting right now. Thanksgiving is coming up, then Christmas, then my little girl’s third birthday, then Valentine’s day and, in the same month, my baby boy is going to arrive. Right after that is Stephen’s birthday, then mine and my dad’s, then Nick’s (Stephen’s little brother) and my dad and his wife will be over visiting, then we will be celebrating our fifth anniversary. Something going on every month for a while now. But in general life is good. I’m content.

24. Your mood? Content :D

25. Missing someone? Yes, I miss my Mum everyday. I miss my family and friends back home. I miss Stephen who is out working all night. I miss the cats we used to have.

26. Vehicle? Mine is green. Stephen’s (new car) is dark grey. Graphite? We have a blue one we are selling. Good riddens to it.

27. Something you’re not wearing? Sockies

28. Your favorite store? Any book store!

29. Your favorite color? I don’t have a set favorite color. It always depends on my mood. Right now I think green.

30. When was the last time you laughed? Today. Willow is getting such a little madam and keeps ordering Stephen to go to his room ‘cause he’s naughty. She’s so cute.

31. Last time you cried? Last night I got a little teary at the end of a sappy movie.

32. Your best friend? My best friend is Naomi. We have known each other since age 9 and been through so much together. We’ve fallen out in the past and sometimes it has gone on way longer than it ever should have but we’ve grown, patched things up and moved on. She’s the only one, besides my husband, who knows me and not just the me we present to people. I still see us being two old widowed ladies in our rocking chairs one day hah. She has just created a new food blog.

33. One place that I go over and over? Walmart (with you on that one Tea!)

34. One person who emails me regularly? Facebook lol. I don’t get many otherwise!

35. Favorite place to eat? Cheesecake Factory! Close second: Cracker Barrel.

I would like to give this award to:
Artystitches

and

Fullbellies

Although I don't think the last one is still active. If you are reading this, please please continue to post!!

Steak and pasta

I was craving chocolate yesterday (nothing out of the norm) so when I went grocery shopping for meat I came home with a box of brownie mix also.

In the evening Stephen's brothers came over to do some work on their laptops and I thought it would be the perfect time for me to bake them up. I added a few extra add-ins to the mix: vanilla, chocolate chips and a little hershey's chocolate powder. Then I spread the yummy chocolate frosting on top which, to me, is the best part and, they were so deliciously good. Fudgy and chocolatey and smelling great! Right now there's like five left and I've been picking at them on the counter for my breakfast. How is a pregnant lady to resist?

Yesterday's dinner was London broil which I'd marinated in our favorite teriyaki sauce with a simple pasta salad and corn. I grilled the steak outside and actually managed to not burn it to a crisp. Stephen said it was perfect. Unlike the NY strip steaks I did a few days back which I had to give to my mother in law to take home to her dogs hehe!

Busy but Fun

Well, today has been a busy day. Started off with some sweet potato pancakes which Willow and I had fun cutting into shapes with cookie cutters. I made the mixture the night before and refrigerated it. Then just poured it onto the griddle. The recipe is from Deceptively Delicious. She has quite a few good recipes for kids that include sneaky veggies and fruits. Willow really enjoyed these and I was happy that they didn't include any sugar. I also doubled the ingredients and wrapped some for the freezer.


After breakfast, I zoomed around tidying knowing I wasn't going to get much of a chance later because Wyatt was coming and I'd have to keep a close eye on them. He came for a few hours and they ran riot through the house together as I expected. Jumping on beds, jumping off beds, plastering the walls with baby wipes, play dough, blocks, cartoons, drink-spilling etc etc. Crazy kids.

At one point they both needed to go potty at the same time and rushed to the bathroom together. Somehow, in the time it took me to waddle in there after them, they'd both managed to remove half their clothes and were standing in the bath. I looked down and saw one of them had piddled in the bath and I couldn't figure out which so I just decided to give them both a bath (after washing the piddle out of course!). Now, if I thought Willow loved her bath time, it's nothing compared to Wyatt. The minute he saw water he went crahazy. Pouring buckets-full over his head, splashing forcefully and kicking at the water, throwing toys ... It took three dish towels and two bath towels to soak up all the water NOT in the bath and even then it remained wet. But the point is they had lots of fun sharing a bath together, playing with the toys and giggling. Everything dried off eventually.



Here are the little rugrats playing quietly for a moment :)
Wyatt's Mom came to pick him up around 3.30pm so Willow went down quite late for her nap. Usually she takes it at around 2-2.30. When Stephen came home she was still sleeping so I was thinking, yay! some quiet time together! But two minutes after getting home he was asleep too. So tired, bless.

I went to the outlets to do some maternity clothes shopping, with the main intention of getting a skirt. I currently have one that fits me and it's (literally) hanging on by a hair bobble wrapped around the button to give me an extra half inch or so to breathe. I think i'm ready to burst out of it soon so I really need a new one!

I ended up not finding one at the store but I did get two pairs of pants. One of them jeans, something I NEVER wear. I knew Stephen would be pleased; he has always wanted me to buy jeans. Usually I just think they look better on taller people who have more legs so I tend to stick with skirts. But right now I'm desperate for anything that will fit me. I also got two tops for me - one is a nursing top and very cute and the other will be nice to wear for an occasion, and then some *ahem* baby clothes. I'm ashamed of my weakness! I got Willow an adorable little dress also. How could I come back without something for my girly?

I was expecting a big lecture from the hubs and a request to see my receipts but instead he sweetly said he was glad I got some clothes I can feel comfortable in :) Oh and he was VERY pleased with the jeans, if not a little mad that I didn't listen to him sooner because he said they looked great.

Once I got home it was quite late, so I gave Willow some cuddles, put my stuff away, did dishes and then put Willow to bed.

Another update

Yesterday I was meant to take Willow to babygym but once I got us ready and in the car I knew I wasn’t going to make it on time. I blame it on my dad for calling when he did and slowing us down! So I decided to take her to the mall to make up for it and fortunately she didn’t seem to care.

When we got there, some children were just leaving and no more ended up coming. I let her play on the slide for a bit and then we went around the stores. Maybe I should have let her burn off some more energy because it was a real pain trying to keep her next to me. I bought some baby clothes (I try so hard not to!!), and some stocking fillers for Willow. Things like chapstick (so she can stop messing with my lipstick!), a glitter ball, ponies, wind-up toys, goldfish crackers, dangly Christmas tree decorations, puppets, silly putty and … I can’t remember what else! I got a lot of it cheap at Walmart and she was kept busy there playing with the toys on the shelves. My little girl is going to love Christmas this year!

I did some grocery shopping also and then we went home. Somewhere in there we stopped at Stephen’s job to say hi really quick because he was going to be working with Mike that evening and it’s just too long to go without seeing my hubby wubbys!

Stephen is out again tonight at school so another evening just me and Willow.

Grace in Small Things

1.Pregnancy making my nails grow faster. I bite them and they grow back, it’s so cool!
2.Being on top of the laundry rather than it being on top of me!
3.Cute baby clothes
4.Pretty flowers around my house
5.Leftovers in the fridge when I don’t feel like cooking