Wordless Wednesday

My poor sweet blog has taken a backseat to all things basement remodel. I spend most nights scouring over the Internet for just the right decor. Anyway here is the little man looking to cute...and now he's 20months old!

 

Please slow down little one mama can't handle all this growing up stuff.  

Off to Kinder we go…again

We spend lots and lots of time at Kinder Park…but really if you lived a mile from this place I’m sure you would too. Cole knows where every animal is and runs around shouting animal noises as he moves quickly from one farm animal to the next. He’s new thing is saying his scared. He says it when he sees cookie monster, bugs and now sheep. While at Kinder we got a chance to see a mama Sheep with her three day old lambs. They were so stinking cute. But Cole was not a fan. I think it had something to with them being out in the open. He dramatically put his hand on his chest and said scared. Poor kid.

 

 

 

 

As you can see my lil sis was in town, it’s always so much fun to have her here, I so wish she lived right around the corner. Life would really be complete for me. Anyway, Cole had a blast with his Aunt Coco. Its adorable really… in Cole’s eyes Aunt Coco trumps everyone…he wants only her to read him books or chase him or skip for him. Actually he’s pretty demanding when it comes to skipping. Poor Court did lots of skipping during her visit. Ha.

 

I love watching them together. It brings me such happiness to see the joy in both their faces when there spending time together.

 

Cole has also decided that he’s a big boy now and must go down the big slide and try climbing the rope. He did great on the slide…however the rope seemed to cause him a little trouble.

 

 

Like a good mama I stood there laughing and taking pictures of the predicament he put himself in. Ha.

 

 

It was a great time and best part is were off to Richmond tomorrow ….which means more Aunt CoCo time and one awesome visit to here!  

Being Cole's Mama

Recently I had an older family member tell me what an amazing job I have done with Cole. I smiled at him and said I don’t think I can take full credit ,Cole just has an innately sweet and fun personality. To myself all I could think was… Ha I don’t know what I’m doing as a parent if anything I’m sure I’m not doing enough for Cole.

 

I kept thinking about what he had said to me as the days passed. Being a parent is one of the hardest things you will ever do. I don’t think I’m doing the right things all the time. I have raised my voice one to many times when Cole has yet again thrown he’s Sippy cup across the room. I have allowed him to watch one to many episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse because Mama needed a minute of peace and quiet. I've given him chocolate at breakfast because that’s all he would eat .

It made me realize how hard I can be on myself for not being the “perfect” parent to Cole. Why couldn’t I proudly take the pat on the back ? There is no such thing as a perfect parent. There is no such thing as a perfect child. Parenting is hard some days and I don’t have it all figured out . As Cole watches, listens and learns from me I hope on most days I’m providing him a good role model. One that shows him compassion, love, patience and nurturing. To remember that the days I don’t that it’s OK. That’s what tomorrow is for right? To have another chance to make it better.  

WW...

that stands for Weight Watchers. Yep I have decided it’s time to really get my ass in gear. Most days I’m lucky if I look in the mirror more than once…this isn’t a good thing folks. This past weekend I took a look…and I wasn’t to happy with what I saw. The image looking back at me was a frumpy mama. I have fooled myself to long…saying I’m busy or after baby number 2 . Excuses. Baby number 2 isn’t happening right now (that’s a whole other post) and of course I’m busy …I work full time and have a toddler! But that doesn’t mean I can’t take care of myself. And really pay attention to what I put into my mouth.

After looking into Weight Watchers I was seriously amazed at how many awesome recipes they have out there! You can pretty much find anything to fit your fancy. When I showed Hubs this he was on board too! I do believe he’s sole purpose to joining me on this diet is just to support me in this journey. God love him he really is the best.

So for the past week we have been taking turns every night making different recipes. It’s actually been pretty fun. I’m not a cook be choice. But there something fun about finding a healthy recipe that tastes good that we both like it inspires me to do want to do it again! Yes it’s more work but anything good in life always is. Here is one we loved…even if you’re not on weight watchers you should try it!  Turkey Enchilada Pie (5 Points Plus)

Ingredients
1 spray(s) cooking spray
3/4 pound(s) uncooked ground turkey breast
1 medium uncooked onion(s), chopped
1 tsp chili powder 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
4 oz canned jalapeno peppers, drained and chopped
1/2 tsp Durkee ground cumin, or other brand
3 large burrito-size wheat flour tortilla(s) 3 cup(s) fresh tomato(es), chopped
10 Tbsp low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium heat. Place turkey, onion and chili powder in skillet and cook until turkey is browned, stirring occasionally to break up meat, about 8 minutes. Remove turkey mixture from skillet and set aside.
• Place skillet over medium-high heat and add flour. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium; simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat; stir in turkey mixture, jalapenos and cumin.
• Wrap tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave on HIGH until softened, about 15 seconds. Place 1 tortilla in bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Spread 1/3 of turkey mixture over tortilla. Spoon 1 cup of tomato on top and sprinkle with 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) of cheese. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients ending up with 2 tablespoons of cheese.
• Cover pie plate with aluminum foil and cook until cheese melts and filling is warmed through, about 15 minutes. Let stand, covered, 2 minutes before cutting into 6 wedges.

I don’t think I’m confident enough to post my actual starting weight on the Internet but my goal is to lose 12lbs. Today I’m 2.5 pounds lighter. I know it doesn’t sound like much but 5 lbs on a girl my height is huge. It’s a whole pant size difference! Now I just need to get back to running… then I might just might be ready for bathing suit season in 3 short months. Yay!  

Happy Valentine's Day!

Little Man's Valentine's Day Surprise!

 

And this morning when he saw it...LOVE! He loved it all especially the M&M's I let him have with his morning milk. Happy Valentine's Day!  

Random Thursday

1.I’m sure one day when he’s older he will be mortified that I have a picture of him on the potty. And I put it on the Internet. It’s totally PG so no harm right?!

Now don’t be fooled we are not potty training just yet, I decided it was time to familiarize him with the potty. He just turned 19 months so I know it’s early, but he does tell me when he has gone number 2 most days so why not try it out. It’s been a week and he seems to understand that the potty is for him. He runs into the bathroom and says potty. He’s not very thrilled with the idea of sitting on the potty but I’m thinking a little incentive may help…maybe candy? I don’t have high expectations, so if this takes 6 months or longer…that’s OK.

2. I’m totally digging the Black Keys new CD El Camino. Especially Gold on the Ceiling. If you haven’t heard it you should.

3. Our basement project is in full swing…drywall was delivered yesterday. It’s crazy how it’s all coming together so fast. Next up is the fire place installment! I really need to take some pictures of the space …maybe this weekend? It will be one large great room, with a TV space, a playroom area and a bar. It will also have a full bathroom and some unfinished storage space as well. I really get so overwhelmed when thinking about decorating this space. I dwell on things like the color of the hardwoods…how will it look with a certain paint color…or couch color. I have an idea of what I would like it to look like I just can’t seem to pull the trigger. This reason alone is why there are rooms in my house that aren’t really decorated.

4. Cole has started saying “Bless You” after he sneezes or anyone else does. He says it in the sweetest way it just melts my heart.

5. One awesome benefit of working where I do is your birthday is considered a Holiday. This year my birthday falls on a Friday which totally rocks. It makes me really want to go somewhere…even if it’s just Baltimore for the night.

 6. I don’t ever really do my nails mostly because they don’t grow very long. Never have. Anyway I get so annoyed that like two days after getting my nails done the paint starts to chip! Why do people even bother? Or is it just me with this issue.

I do love the color.

7. I don’t care to much for reality tv…I know lots of people do it’s just not my thing. I have never watched American Idol. So when I saw the previews for The Voice …I wasn’t exactly so sold…oh another singing show I thought. Then I watched it. I’m so hooked. And so is Hubs.

8. I saw previews for the movie The Vows. Umm man I would love I mean LOVE to see this move. I can’t seem to resist a love story and this one looks to be pretty interesting. Now I just got to convince Hubs to see it.




9. Is it Friday yet. This week is dragging ….that’s all.  

Our Love Story

Today I'm linking up with From Mrs. to Mama, in the sprit of Valentine's Day I'm sharing Our Love Story! I had a fun time answering these questions and thinking back about Hubs and me. Enjoy!

 

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

 We have been together since December 2005.

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

We met when we were 12 years old in middle school. Cam sat behind me in math class and loved to joke around and call me names. All in good fun of course but that was the extent of our relationship. We went through high school as mere acquaintances and ran in different circles. Cam likes to say I was a swimmer so all I did was swim...truth is I was kinda of a good girl and Cam was more outgoing and had a good time. :)Fast forward seven years later, older and wiser about life, love and everything else we find ourselves on Eve to Christmas Eve together at a bar in Baltimore talking into the wee hours. No idea what we talked about...Reconnecting and catching up I suppose, whatever it was it would be the start of us. We have been together ever since that day and I can't imagine life without him!

 

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}

We will be married for 4 years this October.

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding? If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?

We got married Oct. 4th 2008 at the 1840’s Ballroom in Baltimore. It couldn’t have been a more perfect fall day…we said I do in quaint outside garden then dinned and danced in the night away in the Ballroom. One of my most favorite days ever.

 

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

Babe and Cami (oh he hates that one.ha)

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey. Huge Heart, Makes me laugh and he is my rock and would do ANYTHING for Cole or me.

 

 

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?

It was Nov 3rd, 2007..we were living in downtown Baltimore at the time and I had kept saying to him that I really wanted to go to the Aquarium because I had not been since I was like 12 yrs old. Finally he seemed to take my hints and said lets go the Aquarium. It was ridiculously packed that day and I was really just not feeling the crowds so it was a pretty quick trip. As we walked back to our car Cam kept diverting me on a different path remarking on how awesome the weather was and all. We started to walk toward the car when I suggested that we go somewhere else. This is when I should have caught on…he was like oh we can come back after we go to the car. Huh?! I told him that makes no sense but kept on walking with him, as we crossed this wooden bridge he remarked on how old it was and telling me to look at how the wood looks like it’s going to fall apart. Just I was remarking about it  (looking up not down)we were on the brick pier near the water he stopped walking. He looked down…what is he looking at? And then I saw it…written on the brick “Sarah will you Marry Me?” He pulled out the ring and of course I said yes! Best part…he had gotten our parents to right the message on the brick and they were hiding taking pictures of the whole thing. That’s when I started to cry.

 

 

 

 

***Also while my mom was writing the will you marry me message an old married couple was passing who thought it was just so sweet and decided sit on a nearby bench and wait to watch the proposal. Ahh love it.***

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

I guess if I had to pick one of these it would be Flowers. But really it’s all about the Card for him. Like I said huge heart!

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch? Before becoming a mam I would say sunset dinner on the beach kinda girl…don’t get me wrong still pretty nice…but man I have become such a homebody movie, wine and relaxing on the couch sound awesome.

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere? Top of our list right now is San Francisco/ Napa Valley. We have plan on going for our 5th wedding anniversary, and we can’t wait!

 

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day. Do people still actually go out on Valentine’s day?! It’s always so overpriced. We usually do something around that day but not on actual Vday. This year we are going on a double dinner date on the 17th.

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

 Not really asking for anything…really a card and an extra I love you is good for me.

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love. Communication. Sometimes I get upset over the smallest things because I feel he should understand or know how or what I’m thinking. He doesn’t. I have learned that communicating how I feel or how he feels is so important. It brings us closer and makes life so much easier.

14. Show us a picture of what love means to you.

 

 

Max

Poor Max didn’t fare very well last week during the stomach bug. He stayed by Cole’s side through most of it which meant he also had to be washed about 5 times. And since my child is beyond obsessed with that soft cuddly dog we felt it was our duty to make sure we had a backup in case something like this happened again. So off to Ikea we went, let’s just say my kid lost his sh*t when he saw a tub of Max’s in front of him. He grabbed for as many as he could hold and kept yelling “More Max”. It was priceless and people around us couldn’t help but laugh at what they were witnessing. We were able to pry some of them away from Cole and ended up only having to buy 2 Max’s. I’m so happy we have backups now….catastrophe avoided.

 

Were back in business!

So we are finally getting back to normal life after what can only be described as one of the grossest few days I have had in my life. Not to be to dramatic or anything. Ha. But a 19th month old has zero ability to tell you he’s about to projectile vomit across the room, or in his crib or on you. Thank goodness my dad was with him when it started and really stepped up. Cole handled it like a champ and enjoyed lots of Mickey Mouse and Popsicles. And of course just when he was starting to feel better it hit me. And then hubs. We are all a few pounds lighter and carefully introducing ourselves back to food.

God love the kid …he’s resilient. He handled it better than me.

The kid loves playing peek a boo. He yells hidding and just laughs like crazy when you find him. Love it.

 

Wordless Wednesday

A stomach virus has invaded our home. The last two days have been just awful. I'm so over it.