my pb+j

{a cleft journey} surgery day!

2012-02-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

okay, let me first start off that this post has an extreme picture/story overload. i need to update the grandparents and of course document how my sweet little boy's cleft lip and nose repair went yesterday. the day started off great, jim brought me a bottle at 4:45 am brady ate and then fell back asleep. we woke-up around 6 am while daddy was in the shower and got ready for our day. we made a pit stop at starbucks for a protein box and a green tea and made our way down the 15 freeway to zion hospital. as we were exiting admitting called us at 8:07 to see if we had forgotten, um no! there is a thing called morning traffic so we arrived fifteen minutes late. the sweet boy had fallen asleep and slept for a few minutes while we waited for admitting to call us in.

he must have been excited for the day because he popped those pretty blues open wide and kept smiling. his whole demeanour over all was perfect, a smiley happy baby.

we went into the admitting office and did all the necessary paperwork and then a nurse soon escorted us back to the OR waiting room. we were given a cute teal gown and over sized peach MC Hammer style pants.

he just kinda hung out while we dotted all those necessary i's and crossed those t's with the nurse.

and then he got to wear the over sized baby pajamas. he told me that they didn't fit like baby gap and that pastels are not his color. because he is our son, he wore the pastels and took it for what it is.

we took as many pictures as we could of his "first" face. the nurse probably thought we were coo-coo but hey, his face was changing forever. i never want to forget the first face i fell in love with. so mommy and daddy were the paparazzi found in room number seven.

sigh. my two boys, the two twins. i love this picture.

he got all linked up as did i. what is he here for? over and over.

about 9:15 he finally got a little impatient and hungry. so what else could mommy do but shove the pacifier in his mouth. this is the last time he can use it, we're hoping it's a permanent thing.

love him.

our plastic surgeon, dr. david sinow, came on in and marked his face for hospital protocol. brayden wasn't having it. he finally knew what was happening. he heard us talking, the nursing talking and knew this happy moment was soon about to change. so he cried. wouldn't you?

dr. christine briefly told us about her tour with operation smile to over twenty different countries since the 80's. she was on the first tour to vietnam, amazing! i knew he was in great hands. dr. sinow finished his last notes in the computer and then it was game time. christine asked to take him, i of course, paparazzi mommy, asked to take a picture and this is the face he leaves me with. i would keep turning on my camera to look at this picture and then just cry. why the boo-boo lip, kid? don't you know your mommy is a sucker for sappy faces, especially when she knows you will be away from her for hours? geesh. a wreck i tell you.

as they walked away from us towards the OR. check this guy out! christine is saying, look how cute this baby is, the blonde is ooh'ing and ahh'ing and dude takes a photo op. i have a word for this type of guy.

we soon found our spot in the surgery waiting corridor. we skipped sitting in the waiting room because there was a snoring man. we made a brief trip down to the great outdoors to consume my protein box and tea. jim decided to run over to vons for a crudite platter and trashy gossip mag for me and a bag of rice cakes and smoothie for himself. we made our way back up to the third floor and made best friends with the bench.

i read, i laid down, i paced, i kept checking the screen to see if his status from blue (still in OR) would ever change. it didn't. we waited for almost four hours. we decided to go into the actual waiting room to charge our phones. the room was empty for a split second until obnoxious tevas with sock wearing woman and her sick three-year-old who was clearly a lonely woman and befriended the other poway woman to her left. oh, and the kid threw herself all over us...did you catch she was sick? annoying. jim decided to run over to vons again. we were bored. of course, after ten minutes dr. sinow came in, just as that kid was climbing my leg. i had to reassure him that wasn't our payton. he told me that the surgery went ahh-mazingly well and that our little dude was a champ. jim came back, the doc wrote the prescription and then the phone rang. atkinson? one of you can go back to recovery. first, why do hospitals do this? one parent? i jumped, i didn't even give jim a chance. i walked back with my phone and camera. i saw the nurse and my groggy boy laying in the crib. the nurse immediately handed him to me. i started balling. it was just like meeting him for the first time. he was whiny but as soon as i started talking to him he calmed right down. he had his mama. i sat in the rocker i spoke quietly to him, taking in his new face and how well he was handling the trauma he just endured. they soon moved us over to the PACU and jim could finally come back.

he was so calm. he didn't need any pain meds yet, he was still calm from the anesthesia. the possibility of having to stay overnight was ruled out because he was doing so well. the nurse removed his IV. i then took his clothes off and got him ready to head home. he didn't like being out of my arms too much.

so he was attempting to cry it was so soft and groggy. as sad as it was to watch and hear him freak-out i knew he would be fine soon.

once he had his monkey jammies and his too-cool for school magic school bus "welcome" bands on we walked out of the hospital. brayden slept and made some silent moans. we met my mom, payton, sister and niece at chilis for an early dinner and then headed home. we gave him a bath, 1.5 ounces of formula and his first dose of codeine. he slept like a champ. i woke him up around 10:30 pm for another feeding and more medicine. around 12:45 am i took him into bed with me and held him, he woke-up again at 2:30 crying a little out of pain so we repeated formula/meds again. he was a little more awake this time. a few coo's and a smile for me. when we all woke-up this morning he was his normal happy self. coo'ing, kicking his legs like crazy, smiling and basically melting my heart.

i know kids bounce back really fast and for that i am grateful. this son of mine truly is my angel baby, he shows me everyday how to be a stronger person. he has already experienced so much in his short three months then most experience in a lifetime. brayden, you truly are a calm soul. i love you and thank you for choosing me as your mom. all the fears that set in on June 23, 2011 are over. the page has been turned and our new journey can begin.

and like the new jersey folks are sayin', you really are a true californian now, plastic surgery before your first birthday. ;)

it's a weekly thang {weigh-in wednesday}

2012-02-02T01:06:00.000-08:00

again, late. my sweet baby boy had his cleft surgery repair yesterday so i did weigh-in prior to leaving for the hospital i just didn't get a chance to post until, well, now! it's short and sweet this week folks.

my starting weight: 170 today's weight: 159total weight loss for week one: 6 poundstotal weight loss for week two: 3 poundstotal weight loss for week three: 1 poundtotal weight loss for week four: 1 poundpounds away from goal #1: 19pounds away from goal #2: 29
i feel great, my jeans are falling off yet i am in that awkward stage of the next size down not fitting yet. i guess i will be living in my juicy and abercrombie sweats until the denim fits again. my legs are noticeably slimmer (thank you spin) and my twenty chins have reduced to one. i need to re-energize, i follow the plan for the most part i am just in a rut. it's all good though, eleven pounds in one month is a fantastic number!
how are your numbers?

sup babe

2012-01-31T13:53:00.000-08:00

do you love valentines day? love crafts? love anything lovey dovey?

i am linking up with hollie for love fest for all us lovein girls out there.

a few weeks ago, kim, of dish baby posted a conversation heart wreath on her facebook page. i just about died when i saw it. first, how stinkin' cute and second, why didn't i think of that? i set out that next day to pick-up the supplies and got 3/4 of the way done but hearing, mommy try, candy puuhhleeese, more and huh? why? over and over again made me stop. i had the wreath on my dining room table staring at me for over a week and a half. yesterday i bit the bullet and finished it during nap time. it was kinda fun, the house was dead silent accept for the conversation playing on in my head from the chalky pastel hearts. i am so pleased how it came out, well, until you look closely and see small nooks of styrofoam peeping through.

here's what you need:

1 styrofoam wreath - $2.99
2 bags of conversation hearts - $3 for 2
1 spool of ribbon - $2.50
10-15 sticks of hot glue (this is what surprised me the most!)

directions:

line your workspace with newspaper. turn on your hot glue gun. once the glue is nice and hot make a line of glue and start sticking away. you can start a pattern but it gets tricky, just think of good 'ole tetris while laying the hearts in the glue. when all the hearts are adhered to the wreath take a piece of ribbon around the wreath and tie a few knots and then a bow. voila! you now have a conversation heart wreath!

you need to hang it from a place where you know it will not fall because it is really heavy!

now, i need to figure out how to store it for next year.

shouting out

2012-01-30T16:45:00.000-08:00

about my etsy shop, evi luna boutique. i know, i know. total attention whore but honestly, a girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do. I am offering buy two bow sets get a set of spring boutique bows free. that's six bows for the price of four.

last day to order for valentines day delivery is february 6th.

if you are looking for something in particular message me, i would love to make a custom piece for you.

you bedazzled your key?

2012-01-30T07:10:00.000-08:00

well, that's what my hubby said and then laughed at me when i showed him my new sparkly house key. i can never find my house key amidst the other four or five, i don't even know what one of them goes to. i have two house keys because while we were out of our house one of the contractors busted our top lock so we had to replace our front door lock system making it different than our back door and side garage door. so, my new sparkly key matches perfectly with my other sd chargers house key my mom had made. it's funny that my key to parents house is a pink jeweled princess key. ha ha. i also have my old la fitness barcode scanner on there, don't know why i haven't taken it off after a year of being with 24-hour fitness. i also have my good 'ole albertsons reward card and my coach key chain which i bought like six or seven years ago. it always housed a japanese coin hubby brought back from japan to bring me good luck. it fell out last year. maybe that's why our 2011 was so rocky? who knows. i should probably part with it or wash it. ha!

here's what i did:

you're going to need some: modge podge, a paint brush, glitter (i love the martha stewart fine pretty colored glitters but this .99 cent tube fit my budget), clear nail polish and a key.

take your brush and dip it into the modge podge and put a good coat on one side of your key.

dump glitter onto the glued key.

shake off the excess. let dry for a few minutes and repeat with the backside.

it already looks so puurrrty.

once both side are glittered up take your clear nail polish and paint a few coats onto each side to ensure the glitter won't come off.

let the key dry and place it back onto your key ring. i have to say i do love my sparkly key. it also makes it easy to find the key in the dark because i can now feel which key is my house key and it sparkles with the light of the moon.

dude. why does my thumb looks so fat!?

Trop50 True Resolutions

2012-01-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

the end of the month is drawing near, you only have one more day to score from the Trop50 True Resolutions page where you can earn yourself a $1 off coupon plus 50¢ off coupon for up to fifty of your friends. When you're there make sure to enter for your chance at one of four $1,000 gift cards they are giving away. make your true resolution by january 31st! this is a high value coupon and it's a fun way to keep your resolution real!

Trop50 True Resolutions Facebook

to see my post on Trop50 go here

stuffed zucchini

2012-01-29T16:24:00.000-08:00

i stumbled upon the recipe for stuffed zucchini from good 'ole pinterest. all the ingredients fell right into the 17-day diet guidelines so i whipped it up for an easy weekend meal. i was so giddy while eating the first bite, it was so damn good. i actually took the filling out and mixed it into my rice and it was to.die.for. thank you kayotic kitchen for this yummy recipe!

ingredients:

1 TB fat-free sour cream

1/4 - 1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp curry powder

10 grape tomatoes finely diced

1 tsp italian seasoning

2 zucchini

1 onion

cheese

pepper

directions:

preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

rinse your zucchini. slice in half length-ways. spoon out the guts until you have an empty boat.

dice your zucchini pulp, tomatoes and onions.

in a skillet saute the onions with 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter until translucent. add in curry and mix for 30 seconds. spoon onions into the bowl with zucchini and tomato. add in seasonings and sour cream. mix until combined.

take your zucchini boat and spoon filling in. top with your cheese of choice. i used reduced fat parmesan and a sprinkle of cheddar.

bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. turn the broiler on and cook for another 5 minutes until the cheese starts to get brown and bubbly.

i served the stuffed zucchini with a 1/4 cup of brown rice. next time i make this i plan on adding quinoa into the filling mix. DELISH!

love

2012-01-26T16:31:00.001-08:00

ugh.
i love this kid.
i love his smile.
i love his now chubby cheeks.
i love his side smile when he looks at me.
i love the glimmer in his eyes when he sees me staring at him.
i love the way he stretches after a long sleep.
i love the way he kicks me while eating.
i love his long eyelashes.
i love his chunky thighs.
but.
i love his giggle more.
it fills my heart with even more love.

It's a weekly thang {weigh-in wednesday}

2012-01-26T16:15:00.000-08:00

i am posting this a day late. i was at the hospital all day yesterday to watch two of our best friends give birth to their first child. it was magical. more on that later!

this past week wasn't too bad. i am finally feeling a little lighter, clothes are feeling a little less snug and i can see the fat me going away. thank god. and like my friend janelle said this morning, you're not looking as wide anymore. thanks! i knew the numbers from this past week were going to be off. spin is helping in other ways not with the numbers dropping. i started my happy girly time yesterday which is the first since giving birth so there's some water retention. i am hoping for better numbers next week. i actually dipped out of the 160's but gained the few ounces back and have sat at 160 for the last few days. the plan is clearly working and a little plateau isn't that bad considering it's only week three.

my starting weight: 170 today's weight: 160total weight loss for week one: 6 poundstotal weight loss for week two: 3 poundstotal weight loss for week three: 1 poundpounds away from goal #1: 20pounds away from goal #2: 30
i can't say that i am sad about only losing ten pounds in three weeks, i just want it to keep coming off. ha! i have five months to hit goal #1, totally possible!
how's your goal going? staying on track?

chicken "taco" lettuce wraps

2012-01-23T15:26:00.000-08:00

another recipe i made up for the 17-day diet. it really curbed my craving for mexican and i was full after two wraps. i had roasted a chicken one day and used the shredded meat for two recipes. honestly, it was the perfect amount for three wraps each and a little chicken, olives, avo and cheese for payton.

ingredients:

1/2 of a roasted chicken, shredded
1 packet taco seasoning
3/4 cup hot water
1/2 can sliced black olives
10 grape tomatoes, sliced
1/2 avocado (again not on cycles 1 or 2 but we splurged for some healthy fat)
6-8 pieces of boston lettuce
2TB fat-free cheddar cheese
2 TB fat-free sour cream + 1/2 tsp tapatio

directions:

combine hot water and taco seasoning in a small bowl. mix until combined. in a skillet, add in shredded chicken and taco seasoning, bring to simmer and reduce heat until most of the liquid is gone. remember, you're just reheating the chicken and letting the flavors soak into the chicken.

to assemble: lay lettuce on plates, add chicken and remaining ingredients. top with sour cream/hot sauce mixture. enjoy!

super easy and fast weeknight meal. you won't even notice the taco shell is missing. . .promise! serve with black beans if you wish. :)

the meal plan

2012-01-22T17:18:00.000-08:00

i have been asked several times, what exactly are you eating? so i figured i would share my weekly meal plan. since i am starting week three tomorrow i finally mapped out what i am eating for the entire week. yeah, it might change that day but at least i have it nailed down based on the foods i have purchased or already have on hand. this should make for an easier week and for less temptation to jump ship. if you have any questions about recipes or anything let me know and i will be happy to share them. you're going to notice the green tea after every meal, it's to help burn fat. on top of the tea i am drinking a minimum of eight glasses of water.

Week 3 of 17-Day Diet:

Meal Plan

Even Days: Accelerate Plan (Cycle 1 Plan)

Odd Days: Activate Plan (Cycle 2 Plan)

Monday 1/23:

Breakfast: oatmeal / egg whites / orange / green tea

Lunch: chicken salad / ½ cup brown rice / yogurt / green tea

Dinner: ½ cup split pea soup / yogurt / green tea

Snack: veggies / homemade hummus

Tuesday 1/24:

Breakfast: egg whites w. turkey sausage / grapefruit / green tea

Lunch: super salad w. chicken & hard boiled egg / green tea

Dinner: sesame tilapia / roasted cabbage / yogurt / green tea

Snack: smoothie

Wednesday 1/25:

Breakfast: Dr. Mike’s power cookie / pear / green tea

Lunch: chicken / black bean & corn salad / green tea

Dinner: grilled steak / baked potato / roasted asparagus / green tea

Snack: 1 cup raspberries w. yogurt

Thursday 1/26:

Breakfast: Kefir smoothie w. blueberries & blackberries / green tea

Lunch: tuna lettuce wrap / green tea

Dinner: baked zucchini parm / Spaghetti Squash / green tea

Snack: orange / yogurt

Friday 1/27:

Breakfast: Dr. Mikes power cookie / grapefruit / green tea

Lunch: hamburger / tomato slices / cottage cheese / green tea

Dinner: grilled pork chops / sweet potato / green tea

Snack: pear

Saturday 1/28:

Breakfast: greek omelet / orange / green tea

Lunch: salad / yogurt / green tea

Dinner: BBQ chicken / veggies / green tea

Snack: fruit & cottage cheese

Sunday 1/29:

Breakfast: oatmeal / egg whites / grapefruit / green tea

Lunch: fruit salad (cottage cheese & fruit on lettuce) / green tea

Dinner: turkey chili / salad / green tea

Snack: smoothie

the versatile blogger

2012-01-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

when amira from shades of gray gave me the versatile blogger award i giggled out loud. btw, have you gone over to her blog yet? i have mentioned her a few times, we grew-up in the same town, we were on yearbook together, i baked her wedding desserts. she is such a cute person. go visit her site. you'll be checking back daily. . .promise!

i haven't gotten one of these in a while, but this one fits me. i am a versatile blogger. i need a focus for this blog besides me rambling about the kids. do i craft? yes, do i cook? yes. am i a mommy blogger? yes. i guess that's where my versatility comes in.

anyway- this award requires me to share 7 facts about myself, here i go:

i am a bow/clippie and cupcake liner hoarder. good thing for my daughter who has an amazing collection of hair adornments and good for anyone i know that gets gorgeously lined little cakes.
i have to fill in my eyebrows. MAC "wedge" is what i have been using since i was eighteen to fill-in my blonde eyebrows.
i have an obsession with cake/dessert plates.
my grandma was in the wizard of oz.
i used to be a bowler. first two years of school were paid for thanks to bowling scholarships. just say it, you're a dork melissa.
i battled severe post partum depression after my daughter was born and still get some anxiety over certain people/events/occasions.
i could eat crusty bread with slightly melted butter everyday.

and now, i get to see what a few other bloggers will say. problem is, who will see this and will they actually do it.

since i am trying to get janelle some lovin' on her blog and she's pretty funny i choose her. click here.

danielle at simmworks family blog.

amanda at the life so sweet blog.

walk, walk, walkedy, walk

2012-01-19T18:26:00.000-08:00

it all started when hubby bought me new shoes for our post Christmas gift exchange. my feet grew half a size with this pregnancy so my previous shoes hurt like crazy. such a sweet hubby, in all reality he wants a skinny wife back so i see right through him. but it's okay. i want to be a skinny wifey too.

the shoes are super comfy so i load the kiddos up and we embark on our 3.4 mile walk to starbucks. this happens once or twice a week.

pay gets her usual mini "dough-no" and chocolate milk. they were out of pink today so she happily settled for the fudge variety despite the missing "canies" (sprinkles). brayden looks on perplexed as to why he is stuck with formula. in time sweet boy.

she makes sure not to miss a crumb of chocolaty goodness, thank god, otherwise i might have bit her fingers off.

afterwards the mini-me insists on walking home. stopping to pick-up leaves, push crosswalk buttons and countdown as we race across the street. mommy needs to work on her not showing her underoo's.

and she has to stop and tell mommy, "woah! big truck mama, LOUD!"

we make it home safe and sound and eat our reward of a subway salad. fun, huh? aren't you glad you stayed to read that?!?

a Letter To Brayden - 3 Months

2012-01-18T21:06:00.000-08:00

Dear Brayden-

Today you are three months! You are growing into a little boy and it is so fun to watch how fast it is happening. I am in awe of you on a daily basis and I continue to smother you with my kisses. I cannot help myself. You are such a happy baby, so happy to the point where I am worried once you have your surgery in two weeks that the restrictions will put a damper on my baby's happy demeanour. You are so your daddy. Speaking of your daddy, it is funny looking at you two side-by-side. I now understand what he and everyone else see in your sister and I. You have really started cooing, and just the other day you started to giggle. It truly warms my heart. You follow objects really well, especially me. Your daddy says you only love me, I know this is not true, you're just my little boy. You have found your hands and yesterday you discovered your legs. You love to sleep with your hands on your face or on top of your head. You are a little snuggler which I love. You started sleeping through the night last month and now you go down around 9 PM and wake-up around 5 AM. Thank you. Even though, I am holding you, I don't mind. I sleep better with you in my arms. You were also given rice cereal because you started sticking your tongue out...a lot! We tried with a few spoonfuls and you loved it. Today you at about fifteen spoonfuls. You still act like you aren't getting enough to eat but you're constantly eating. You drink 4-8 ounces every few hours. We're going through formula like crazy over here so we are hoping that the addition of cereal will help curb your appetite a little. This is your last month with your cleft. We are two weeks away from the big day and tomorrow we meet with your pediatrician to get the clearance of health so we will be on a lock down for the next few weeks. I get anxiety over what your new face will look like. You are such a handsome baby and the repaired lip is only going to make things better. I just pray that you can start sucking on the pacifier afterwards, your suction now has it days.

three-month stats:

13 pounds 3 ounces, again up just about three pounds since last month. Keep it up!
Size 2 diapers
3-6 month clothing
sleeping 8+ hours at night, we wake-up change your diaper and get a bottle and then you are back down for another 3-4 hours, giving us just about 12 hours total. Plus you take a good 3+ hour nap in the late afternoon.
you have rolled over on our bed and made it 98% of the way on your mat.
still lovin' your swing. You sleep in there from 5 am until 9 am or whenever your sister gets up.
the activity mat is getting a lot of use, too! you can now grab the toys above you and coo at yourself in the mirror.

love you brady-boy!

it's a weekly thang {weigh-in wednesday}

2012-01-18T08:24:00.000-08:00

this week was little harder for me. my cold that has lingered finally kicked my butt so there were a few days where the sound of broccoli or heaven forbid eating another spoonful of yogurt that was burning the crap out of my throat was totally out of the question. so, I ate what sounded good. i didn't go off the plan that much but while sick it's a pita to diet. i made it to spin only once because of a fever so i did not expect to lose major weight this week. i still have three days left of the first 17-day cycle so i need to lose a pound per day to get to my twelve pound goal. doable? let's hope.

my starting weight: 170 today's weight: 161total weight loss for week one: 6 poundstotal weight loss for week two: 3 poundspounds away from goal #1: 21pounds away from goal #2: 31
how were your numbers? i'll come back on friday and report my 17-day total.

Black Forest Cupcakes

2012-01-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

This post was taken from my cupcake blog, Le Petite Kŭp’kāk. I hardly ever post there anymore because when I get orders they are usually for the same flavors but there are some creative flavor combos over there. I think I might start sharing a recipe every Tuesday for a "Too-Sweet Tuesday". What do you all think? This recipe was first published in 2010 a week after my Grandma passed. Since I first hit that orange publish button it has been the #1 recipe viewed on that blog, like over 2,000 views. Who would've thought?

Black Forest Cake, also known in Germany as Schwarzwälder Kirsch torte is one of my personal favorites. I am a sucker for cake filled with any type of fresh fruit and custard filling but this one takes that over the top. In order to bake this cake correctly the way they do in Germany you have to soak the cake with Cherry Brandy or Kirsch. In America we commonly see this cake soaked with maraschino cherry juice ,which in my opinion, loses it's flavor in the chocolate cake. The Kirsch has a smooth, robust kick that pairs nicely with the cherries and chocolate. When baking this cake you have several options for cherries; if you take the canned route you will find black cherries in syrup (think cherry pie filling) or you will find tart cherries in water. If time is not an issue you can make your own with a few simple ingredients: a pound of fresh pitted black cherries, a cup of sugar and cornstarch. I wanted to bake a traditional German Schwarzwälder Kirsch torte so I purchased the tart cherries. In my opinion the tart cherries are more pleasant with the sweetness of the cake, brandy and hyped up whipped cream.

For the recipe I used my go-to dark chocolate cake recipe, don't have one? E-mail me and I will share mine. You could even jazz up some box mix, too! I lined the tins with greaseproof red glassine wrappers from Sweet Cuppin' Cakes Bakery and Supplies. Glassine wrappers are nice because they do not show the grease from the butter through the paper.

Tip: Though most cupcake wrappers say, "greaseproof" they aren't. Trust me. If you have a gorgeous wrapper, double line it with a plain wrapper to make sure it isn't ruined by that baked in butter! Unless you use a glassine wrapper.

Whipped Cream:

Whip 1 cup heavy whipping cream until you have soft peaks.
Add in 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 Tablespoon of Kirsch. Continue whipping until you have stiff peaks. Do not over beat, it will separate.

Once you bake the cupcakes and they are cooled cut out the centers. Sprinkle a little kirsch or juice into each cupcake, do not over soak, it will go through your wrapper and then you'll have a soggy cupcake and nobody like a soggy cupcake. Place 1 teaspoon of whipped cream in the center and top with roughly 3-5 cherries. Cut the cone part of the cake tops off and place tops back onto the cupcakes. Pipe whipped cream on with desired tip (I used a round tip). Garnish with chocolate shavings or sprinkles and a chocolate covered cherry.

Perfect for Valentines day, holiday dinners or just for that someone special!

crunchy barbeque chicken salad

2012-01-17T10:07:00.000-08:00

if you've known me for a while (in real life) then you know that i have a niche for flavors and telling the spices/ingredients used in a dish. i like to believe that this is one of my god-given talents but helped along by my daddy growing up. when dieting this comes in handy because i can literally take items on the list and make something that is damn tasty. like this crunchy barbeque chicken salad. i guess my restaurant background also helps me think of yummy salads, too!

the ingredients:

1 head of romaine lettuce, chunky shred

1 jicama, peeled and sliced into sticks

1 pasilla pepper, seeded and julienned

1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into sticks

1 avocado, diced (this is not approved on cycle 1 of the 17-day diet, but we used it anyway)

1/4 cup fat-free cheese

4 baked chicken tenders

barbeque sauce (see recipe below)

cilantro dressing (see recipe below)

here's how:

in a bowl add in the lettuce and dressing. with the dressing, a little goes a long way so use your best judgement. toss the lettuce to coat.

place lettuce onto a plate. layer the veggies, then cheese, and chicken. top the salad with a drizzle of the barbeque for some extra sweetness.

enjoy. super easy and quick for a week night meal, especially if you pre-slice the veggies and cook the chicken!

barbeque sauce:

(17-day diet adapted recipe)

1/4 cup low-sugar ketchup

a few dashes worchestershire sauce

1/2 tsp agave

1 tsp chili powder

mix all the ingredients together. you can marinate the chicken tenders with the sauce like i did and then bake them at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until they are cooked all the way through.

cilantro vinaigrette:

(my recipe)

1/2 cup packed cilantro

1 garlic clove

1-2 TB minced pasilla pepper

1 TB agave

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (you could use white)

1-2 TB flax seed oil

1/2 tsp cumin

salt & pepper to taste

in a small food processor combine all ingredients and pulsate until you have a creamy, emulsified blend. you can adjust the agave/vinegar ratio depending on your taste. my dressing was slightly sweet, with a big cilantro kick and subtle kick of spice from the pepper.

a case of the mondays.

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

so, it's monday. it feels like a monday. rainy, cold and i am still living with a cold i have had since Christmas. speaking of which, i finally (ahem. the hubby finally called the doctor for me on saturday) got a prescription for antibiotics. i am sure y'all are sick about hearing about my diet-schmiet so it's throwback myspace monday survey time! thanks to amira over at the shades of gray for the questions (though, they weren't intended for me, i am high jacking them. ;) i know amira won't mind).

My questions from Amira

one : Share the last item that you pinned on Pinterest:

I pinned this bedroom. We are currently looking at new houses so I am dreaming of new bedrooms.

desire to inspire

two: If you could snap your fingers and be qualified for any career in the world, what would you be?

tough one. i am a jack of all trades. deep down, if i woke up fully qualified; own a bakery or be a photographer.

three: What would you do with a million dollars?

buy my dream house, have a clean slate, money for the kids for college.

four: What are the first 3 blogs you look at each day?

As the forest{e} grows / dish baby / shades of gray

five: Show us a picture of your dream house.

something a little like this.

six: Tell us what you do for a living.

as of right now, a full-time mommy. before brayden i was a restaurant manager.

seven: Tell us about your dream vacation.
i love going anywhere but italy is top on my list.

eight: What is your #1 pet peeve?
the sound of food being chomped on. if you ask my hubby, everything is my pet peeve.

nine: What is your favorite book?

while i have a degree in english i am not one to just pick-up a book and read. i love buying books though. since graduating college the twilight series would have to be my fav. however, i do love cookbooks more!

ten: Are you a Mac of PC girl?

mac

eleven: If you could have one superpower what would it be?

to have my house clean with the twitch of my nose, toys and all!

how about you?

Trop50 True Resolutions

2012-01-15T17:31:00.000-08:00

have you gone over to the Trop50 True Resolutions Facebook page where you can earn yourself a $1 off coupon plus 50¢ off coupon for up to fifty of your friends? When you're there make sure to enter for your chance at one of four $1,000 gift cards they are giving away. make sure to head over to make your true resolution by january 31st.

Have you entered the $50 Spa Week gift card giveaway below? Go now. It ends on Friday!

VCUG & rant

2012-01-13T11:30:00.000-08:00

first, i need to make a statement: this is my blog! my opinions, my feelings. i share about my family and how we deal with events on a daily basis. yes, my son was born with a cleft lip. before he was born i was scared shitless. the doctors told us he would be born with a cleft lip and palate, parents worry. the feelings i expressed on my blog are honest. my son was born with only half of the original diagnosis, we feel more than blessed. so, to the snarky comments stay away. until you are in my shoes you have no idea what i am going through as a parent, or what my son is going through. i so want to call out the anonymous comments that have been left for me, but you know who are you. if you were once a friend, a complete stranger, i don't care for you to read my blog. you must be a miserable soul.

now, that i have gotten that off my chest i can now go on to write about my son whom i have not written about besides his monthly letters because i was scared of a virtual bully.

when i was pregnant my ob/gyn had informed me that his left kidney was more dilated than the right. when he was a few weeks old we took him to the hospital to have an ultrasound of his kidneys now that he was an outside baby. dr. martinez called a few hours later and said that the left was still in fact a little larger and said radiology would be calling to schedule a vcug. we finally got the call a month later and went in last friday. i was a nervous mess! i just kept smiling at him and he would coo and smile back not knowing what small procedure he was about to endure. i know these things are so routine but it's just sad to watch them cry out of pain.

beforehand, while we waited for the doctor he was happy as can be.

i thought he looked so cute in the oversized gown.

i had the maturity level of a fourteen-year-old, i had to snap a picture of the gonad shields, they made me giggle.

looking at his bladder filling up

we got the results right away. he does not have kidney reflux which is great news! but, his left kidney dilatation is still larger than the right. we should be hearing from his pedi on the next step. probably another ultrasound in a few months to check on it again.

my fav picture of the day. i love his eyes, just like his sisters they just speak to me. he is such a happy baby!

it's a weekly thang {weigh-in wednesday}

2012-01-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

it's that time of week where we drop the pants and throw the shirt to the side. no! i am not talking about a soap scene with your significant other! it's time to see how much weight we've shed.
did you do okay?
did you stick to your plan?
i sure know i have except for a few itty bitty bites of P's mac 'n cheese and maybe a bite or two of an oreo mcflurry. i have had a few moments where i was done mentally and to the point physically where i felt i could not consume another bite of chicken or yogurt. i have realized in the past week that we as a family do not consume that much meat, we tend to get our protein from beans. after my second spin class i came out wanting a bean & cheese burrito but instead i went home and ate a chicken breast. boring, but it's working. let's see my numbers.

again, if you want to get into the action, copy the the weigh-in wednesday button and link-up!

my starting weight: 170 today's weight: 164total weight loss for week one: 6 poundspounds away from goal #1: 24pounds away from goal #2: 34
i am super happy with the results. with doing spin two days this past week that stopped weight loss for the next day, which is expected. at this rate i will be at my goal weight in about two months but i expect to hit a potential plateau. but, i should definitely lose my goal weight by my birthday.
if you don't link up, i would still love to hear about your weight loss journey!

make sure to enter the $50 spa week gift card giveaway HERE.

balsamic roasted brussels & cauliflower

2012-01-09T13:30:00.000-08:00

i have never been a real veggie fan but when they're roasted vs. steamed i can consume a lot! i love when the natural sugars come out and caramelize the veggies, add in some balsamic vinegar and you get a punch of flavor with extra sweetness. i cannot wait until i can add in walnuts or heaven forbid some bacon because let's be honest, brussel sprouts are so much better with bacon. But, then again, what isn't better with bacon? this recipe isn't from the 17-day diet cookbook, it just follows the guidelines. great for an afternoon snack or paired alongside lean protein.

here's what you need:

1 head of cauliflower, trimmed and cut into bit sized pieces

1/2 pound of brussel sprouts, trimmed and cut in half

3 TB balsamic vinegar

2 garlic cloves, finely minced

1 TB flax seed oil (EVOO will work fine, too)

salt & pepper to taste

Here's how:

preheat the oven to 350 degrees. in a medium sized pot bring water to a boil. once the water is boiling add the cauliflower florets and blanche them. this usually take 2 minutes at the most, you are not cooking them all the way through just softening them enough to speed the cooking process and to absorb the vinegar.

remove the cauliflower from the pot with a mesh strainer and place in bowl. next, blanche the sprouts for two minutes.

remove the sprouts with a mesh strainer and add into the bowl with the cauliflower. drizzle the veggies with vinegar, oil, garlic, salt and pepper. toss to coat.

transfer to a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 20 minutes, remove from oven and toss. return to the oven for an additional 10-12 minutes.

remove from the oven, place in container and enjoy immediately or place in the refrigerator.

so yummy! if you want to make them extra delicious add in some cooked bacon pieces and walnuts! this dish is great anytime of year but even better as a side to your Thanksgiving dinner!

eggplant parm {17-day diet recipe}

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

okay, let me first start off by saying this was by far the best recipe / meal we have eaten on this diet. jim even went as far as stating it was the best eggplant parm he has ever had and that's coming from a new jersey boy. it was simple, relatively quick and curbed by cheese craving! here's what you need:

ingredients:

1 eggplant - i used a Japanese eggplant because i don't like the regular variety.

1/2 cup reduced fat parm

4 egg whites or 1/4 cup liquid egg whites

garlic powder to taste

pepper to taste

reduced fat marinara sauce - i used prego light smart

vegetable spray

here's how:

preheat oven to 400 degrees. peel the eggplant and cut into 1/4 inch slices. in two dishes place parm and egg whites. dip the eggplant into the egg whites and then dredged in the parm. spray a baking sheet with vegetable spray and place slices evenly on baking sheet and then sprinkle with garlic powder and pepper.

bake the slices at 400 degrees for 20 minutes and then flip them over and bake an additional 10 minutes. i wanted my slices crispy so just judge your eggplant.

remove from the oven. stack a few slices and add 1-2 tablespoons of marinara on top. sprinkle with reduced fat mozzarella, if desired, and place back into the oven for a few minutes.

i am not even kidding you that you will not miss the bread crumbs and fried yumminess. i ate the extras just as eggplant parm chips. to.die.for! and i am not even an eggplant lover. i paired the eggplant with roasted zucchini and tomatoes.

you do not need to be on this diet to enjoy this light meal.

don't forget to enter to the Trop50 giveaway below for a $50 spa & wellness gift card that can be used almost anywhere!

tropicana Trop50 True Resolutions and $50 spa & wellness gift card giveaway

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

if you've been reading my blog over the past week you know how serious i am about sticking to my secret motivation. this was the first year that i did not make a resolution list, rather, a goal of losing weight and keeping it off. i have a lot to look forward to this year with my 30th birthday ahead that i do not want to be laying poolside in vegas with a flabby tummy and cottage cheesed thighs. we all know that we are the ones that control our fate so let's just be honest with ourselves! Trop50 is taking a twist on the typical resolutions list and making 2012 a true resolutions where you can play along and possibly win!

Trop50 will be celebrating the real reasons behind New Year’s resolutions with their True Resolutions Facebook application. Fans can earn a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for themselves and 50¢ off coupons for up to 50 of their friends as well as enter a sweepstakes to win a $1000 gift card.

I love Trop50 and have been drinking it since I was pregnant with B because I couldn't get enough of the lemonade and the no-pulp orange juice. I personally love that it has 50% less sugar and calories of traditional juice, yet it doesn't have that yucky aftertaste that most reduced sugar juices have because it's made with zero artificial sweeteners. huge plus in this household!

i cannot tell you enough how much i enjoy Trop50 and the variety that is available. i swear to you that there is always at least one bottle in my refrigerator! my new personal fav is the pineapple mango, i have made a mocktail out of this with green tea to give me that sweet afternoon refreshment i am always craving. a few of these a week over my usual diabetics nightmare espresso drink and i will be sitting poolside in no time!

TROPICAL CHILLER

1/2 cup Trop50 Pineapple Mango

1/2 cup iced green tea

Mix Trop50 and green tea. Serve over ice and garnish with fresh pineapple (optional). Makes 1 cup (8 ounces). To make green tea, pour 1/2 cup (4 ounces) almost boiling water over 1 tea bag and steep for 4 minutes. 1.5 ounces of rum optional

Nutrition Highlights: Each Trop50 Tropical Chiller has 3 times fewer calories and 16 grams less sugar (about 4 teaspoons!) than Lipton Iced Tea with Citrus. Additionally, our version is an excellent source of vitamin C.

Nutrition Info (8-ounce chiller): 25 calories, 0g fat, 0g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 0mg cholesterol, 0mg sodium, 7g carbohydrates, 0g fiber, 5g sugar, 0g protein, 50% vitamin C, 212mg potassium, 1.5mg vitamin E.

Lipton Iced Green Tea with Citrus (8-ounce): 80 calories, 0g fat, 0g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 0mg cholesterol, 70mg sodium, 21g carbohydrates, 0g fiber, 21g sugar, 0g protein.

In addition to the regular orange juice, Trop50 is available in: lemonade, raspberry lemonade, pineapple mango, pomegranate blueberry and farm stand apple.

okay, now stop lying to yourself and reveal the truth behind your new year's resolution and receive a $1 off coupon for yourself and 50¢ off coupons for 50 of your friends. you can also enter a sweepstakes to win a $1000 gift card (there are four total!). Trop50 true resolutions sweepstakes ends on january 31, 2012. make sure you head on over to tell them about your juicy resolutions, get your coupon and enter to win!

the giveaway:

one my pb+j reader will win one $50 spa & wellness gift card

To Enter: Use the rafflecopter form. Click 'Read More'

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with a sample of Trop50 for review purposes only.

b's nursery

2012-01-04T15:14:00.000-08:00

i am finally taking the time to post about b's nursery. from the moment i found out i was pregnant i knew the room would be gray it just depended on if it was going to be gray/yellow or gray/aqua. once we found out he was a he, i found michael miller's zoology fabric and knew where the inspiration was headed. it just took us until a few weeks ago to finally (semi)finish his room because of being displaced, reorganizing and the biggest furniture painting fail, ever. bless my husbands heart. since it's the second kid, and we're cheap we decided we would re-finish my nieces crib and changing table and then my childhood dresser. the dresser and changing table were a breeze but the crib was a huge pain in the ass. my perfectionist of a husband was not happy with the finished product so we utilized the room for diaper changes and to place all of his clothing. it's not like the newborn is actually sleeping in there anyhow, which you cannot tell a first time mom, but being the second time i was not worried at all. my deadline for the complete room was by four months when he is actually sleeping in there and we got there at two-and-a-half months. i do have to thank my mother-in-law for saving my husbands sanity by purchasing b a new crib for christmas. i am okay with how it turned out but we still need a new closet door. i am waiting for his six-month photos to place a large canvas print in that voided space in the photo below. and, i totally dislike having two doors in this room, but opening my garage door to do laundry is way out of the question. anyhow, it's done for now, it's functional which is all that truly matters.

the lamp shade will change, it was in p's nursery which doesn't match any longer but i cannot part with it because i love it too much. we will eventually add a small tv.

p's elephant passed on to her brother that was given by auntie.

the center artwork was a gift from janelle. not sure of the vendor but i love it.

abc/123 artwork: ink tree press
custom crib bedding: katrina creations
raining elephant artwork: galerie anais

it's a weekly thang {weigh-in wednesday}

2012-01-04T09:42:00.000-08:00

so, i am really hoping at least one person links up today. if not, i will be crushed and won't be able to go on. okay, maybe not but i would really love to build a circle of strength. i made a handy dandy "wiw" button if you want to add it to your blog or even just your post (the code is on the sidebar under "grab it")

well, today is the first weigh-in. i personally started my diet yesterday, remember i am following the 17-day diet but any plan can join on in, afterall, we're all just trying to lose pounds.
my starting weight: 170 today's weight: 168 pounds away from goal: 28
yesterday i stuck to the suggested day #1 and I walked three miles with the rugrats.
for breakfast: two eggs w/ peppers & onions, 1/2 a ruby red grapefruit, 1 cup of green tea & a bottle of lemon water
for lunch: a spinach salad with cucumbers, red onion, tomato, black olives with plenty of red wine vinegar and a venti green tea from starbucks
snack: 1/4 cup sauerkraut (doubles as a probiotic) and one cherry carbmaster yogurt (found at ralphs)
for dinner: one barbeque chicken breast, 1/2 cup steamed broccoli and 1 cup of chicken vegetable soup (recipe later)
snack: one yokultnow, it's time for you to link-up. see you next week.

new page {17-day diet & link-up}

2012-01-03T11:41:00.000-08:00

i am turning a new page. this year i will be thirty, actually in 171 days to be exact. in the past three years i have been pregnant for twenty of those thirty-six months. my body has gone through hell and back and then back to hell again. while i love my children more than life itself i am not happy where my body has gone and i think this is a legitimate statement for any mom. i know i will never get my smokin' hot twenty-five-year-old bod back but i want to feel good about myself. after i had payton i shared my journey on the jillian diet, it worked, i lost the weight and had all but fifteen pounds left to my goal and then i got knocked up again. i only gained thirty pounds this time around which was half of what i gained with payton. i have only lost ten post-partum which is depressing but i am not worried about it. i gave myself until the new year to start my journey, the journey to a new me.

i am never one to stick to a diet, i often laugh at myself because before kids i could eat whatever i wanted. i went to the gym three to five days a week and i was working full-time. now, i am not working (for the time being) and i haven't made it to the gym yet because spending an extra hour with the babes is more precious to me, but who am i kidding? i still have to protect my body if i want to live long enough to see my great-grand babies.

everyone from your neighbor to the little old lady you run into at the grocery store has made a resolution for weight loss. so, why am i any different? why should you keep reading? because i am asking for virtual support. i would love if you would come back every week and tell me how you are doing. today starts my first day on dr. mike moreno's, the 17 day diet. i have never been excited about a crash diet, because let's be honest they never last and by day two you are a hot mess wanting to jump feet first into a jar of hot fudge. this diet seems to be the "right" one for me. i can eat whatever i want as long as if fits into the guidelines for cycle one. last night i went to the grocery store with my handy-dandy list which wasn't any different from my regular grocery list, it just had items with fat-free in front of it and there were no crispy-fried potato chips. which we might or might not have polished off an entire bag of ruffles with onion dip and a cheese pizza in preparation to empty our pantry and freezer. don't judge, you know you've done the same at least once in your life.

so, here's the deal. today i started the 17-day diet. i have eaten half of my grapefruit, my lemon water and my scrambled eggs with onions and peppers. i am getting ready to peel myself off of my couch to enjoy the 80 degree january weather us so-cal residents are blessed with to walk to target to purchase a new scale. i am going to share recipes, my journey and my numbers with you. because let's be real, you all love making yourself feel better by reading how fat someone else is. that is, unless you want to come back each week and link up to share your own numbers! which, i would love and you would make me feel uber special by sharing your journey with me.

each wednesday we are going to link-up to my weigh-in wednesday, sound good? so get your stories ready, your real numbers typed in and come back tomorrow for our first weigh-in wednesday. i hope there are a few of you who are with me on this! puuurrttyy-please!?

see ya manana!

my haul last night. everything from: agave, flax seed oil, ruby red grapefruit, fat-free feta, eggs, veggies and I mean a ton of veggies, apples, green tea, turkey burgers, water, truvia, sauerkraut and some chicken. sounds okay, right?!

breakfast day one. two scrambled eggs with kroger brand peppers & onion mix and half a ruby red.

even payton got in on the action but she wanted lots of cheese, which i am okay with. she even ate one segment of the grapefruit. it's doable people!

the end of a year.

2012-01-02T22:09:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to spend the last night of the new year with these women. I love them, seriously. After being in the same circle of friends for over five years I am thankful for all the mornings we had play dates with enough venti chai's, venti green tea lattes and venti black teas to line the California coastline this past year. They are my rock.

of course our husbands were there, sipping on craft beer and wearing plastic top hats to humor us (can't you tell how happy joel & jim are?)

janelle made yummy to.die.for artisan pizzas and tessa might have made some serious crack dip.

i made the kiddos countdown bags and we had fun hats for the wee ones.

the kids opened up their Christmas presents, ate muddy buddies, played with glow sticks and tore apart their countdown bags all over the saldua household.

charlie showing his pure and utter excitement for 2012, gigi giving us her gorgeous smile and payton acting like she doesn't care to pose.

did i mention how much i love their kids, too?

after our scrumptious dinner we ate my high caloric kahlua cheesecake and sipped on some dom for our east coast countdown which turned into us listening to gaga and creating our own countdown to entertain the kiddos.

we called it a night at ten, headed home, put our wee-ones to bed and fell asleep holding hands across payton's body right before eleven. i wouldn't change it for the world.

and just because this sums our relationship up to a tee!

(all pictures high jacked from tessa at www.grinandshareitphoto.com)

happy 2012!

oh! and did i mention that janelle started a blog? go read her two posts, become a follower and stay to see what she writes about, she's pretty funny. plus, we have a goal to go to blogher '12 in nyc.

{goodbye & hello}

2011-12-31T11:21:00.000-08:00

I have heard many friends say they cannot wait to bid farewell to 2011. I even tried encouraging my always positive husband to find the good that the year brought. While the year did bring several struggles for us (house flood = four months living in a hotel) we did bring one amazing gift into this world, our son. This year has been hard for friends who have struggled with the loss of a loved one, I hope the new year finds them learning how to balance this feeling of loneliness. Friends that have struggled to get pregnant after three years are now are pregnant and while each day has been trying in terms of feeling well I know that 2012 will be their best year yet. I am more than thankful for the relationships I have built and I look forward to more amazing memories to be shared. While I was trying to find the positive in this year I am more than happy to welcome in twenty-twelve!

“Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here's to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold.”

Christmas {2011}

2011-12-30T20:51:00.000-08:00

I think I learned a major lesson this year, stop holding such high expectations on everything. This should really hold true everyday for me but this year's Christmas was the biggest sign. After we celebrated Payton's birthday one week prior I was so excited over her enthusiasm and excitement that I could.not.wait for Christmas morning. A few days before Christmas I was baking cookies, cinnamon rolls, a cheesecake, attempting to wrap packages, etc. while Jim was having to lay with Payton because she waking up screaming all throughout the night, not to mention we do have a newborn to watch over as well. The early hours of Christmas Eve we were both working into the wee hours to make sure we had everything ready to head up to my parents house. I had just wanted to take a nap for two hours before packing our belongings and the car, but as things always go, we both overslept. It was a mad dash to get the car packed to get to my parents in time to head to my aunt's in Irvine for lunch. After a stressful two hours we did it and we made it to my parents and we were soon on our way back down the mountain after only being there for 15 minutes. It was when we arrived that we realized that the stocking stuffer bag had been left at our house, I was devastated and I entered into one of my moods. I felt like her Christmas was ruined and it wasn't until I woke-up from a mini nap on the 55 freeway that I realized I was acting silly. My exhaustion took the best of me and I made the most of the lunch with my entire family with my aunt whom I had not seen since the day before I knew I was preggo with Payton. This is what the holidays are supposed to be, while it was hectic and a bit stressful with all the kids Christmas Eve was the Holiday we always spent with my Grandma Barr and being in her home made the holiday that more magical. We were soon on our way back to grandma and papa's house and as soon as we walked through the door Payton threw-up all over the floor and herself. I moved her quickly to the bathtub and then let her open a gift which was her Christmas pj's. She wanted to go ni-night so I took her to my old room and we fell into a deep slumber until the Christmas sun warmed the room. Payton seemed so excited, trying to wake me up by yelling "up! mama, up!" I moved my hiney as fast as I could up the stairs and then the attitude started. Everything I envisioned for Christmas morning was shot, the stocking was not taken down from the mantel and it took a lot of coercing for her to open presents. She would open one and want it opened to play with and once she saw it out of the box she was ready for the next gift. We ate breakfast and once she got some eggies in her tummy she got a little more into it but her face was turning beat red and snot was dripping from her nose! We played with her new train set and then she wanted to take a nap which ended up lasting three hours. Once her and daddy awoke from their morning nap she was ready for her day, she played and we got dressed to head to auntie's house. The rest of the evening was great because she was with her cousins in the chaos that always goes on. In the end, the day wasn't that bad, I just have learned to let everything go with the flow. Hiccups are always going to happen when you have children, they get sick, they throw temper tantrums, and let's face it, they sense the stress. Next year, I am starting in July and will have everything done by black Friday. I am holding myself to this!

I truly hope you all had a great holiday, as much as it may seem like we didn't, we did. Being with family, relaxing and enjoying one another's company is what it's all about! Plus, give me my fav Yorkshire pudding, a nice slice of prime rib with fluffy horseradish cream and I am one happy woman!

playing at their great grandma's house.

my daddy and my aunt.

p opening her jammies

when she really started to go downhill.

all ready to head to aunties

our 14 pound prime rib

me and Brady boy on his 1st Christmas

All smiles the next morning eating waffles & apples.

We took P to the pediatrician on Tuesday after she asked us to take her to the doctor. She cut three of the four two-year molars and she has an ear infection. No wonder she was a mess!

A Letter to Brayden - 2 Months

2011-12-28T08:31:00.000-08:00

Dearest Brayden-
Today marks your second month and your sister's second birthday. I know I have said it once and I will continue to say this until the day I die, but time is flying by. Maybe now that holidays are upon us and are soon to pass, time will slow down. I am slightly sad that it is going by so fast because you are my last baby and I don't want to miss anything. While our days are crazy from the moment we wake I have found it a lot harder to document your life because I am constantly chasing after your sister. I am more than thankful that you are such a calm baby. When friends and family meet you they often say that they have yet to hear you cry because you only cry when you are hungry or have a wet diaper. You also slept for over nine hours without me dream feeding you. I am very grateful and not getting excited because I know once you have your surgery your small world will be turned upside down until you heal. On the subject of your surgery it has been scheduled for February 1st at 7:30 am. I am more than excited because I know this will turn a new leaf as it will be behind us. While I still have mixed emotions about your wide smile leaving your sweet face I know it is the best decision for your future. Speaking of smiles, we have finally gotten real non-gassy smiles and it melts my heart. You are really watching your surroundings and follow my movements throughout the room. You are holding your head up and it's getting more stable with each passing day. I love waking up to you cooing and smiling at me, I cherish our quiet moments together. I just stare at you and your gorgeous baby blues and your too long to handle brown lashes, they make me kiss your face uncontrollably. Your sister adores you and I mean adores you. When she wakes up and sees you for the first time she greets you with, "ahhh! baby, I love you". I might have to remind you both about these moments in a few years when the bickering begins but for now I am savoring your innocent love for one another. We all love you buddy, buddy.

Two-Month Stats & Facts:

Weighing in at 10 pounds 9.3 ounces - up 3.5 pounds in one month. You are catching your sister 's numbers and making great progress! This might have something to do with giving you AR formula. I don't have percentages because we had a screaming sister in the room for her two-year appointment as well.
21.85 inches - up and 1.5 inches in a month.
You received your shots and you handled it like a champ. Once I could put you in my arms you were golden. You were a little fussy that afternoon and then slept the entire next day.
Size 1 diapers
Size 3-6 clothing
Drinking 4-6 ounces at a feeding.
You love your activity mat, swing and watching our everyday chaos.
You found your hands and love your fingers. I am sad that you find comfort in them because once you have surgery they will constrained for two weeks.
You are a total mama's boy :)

♥

Fa-La-La'ing with Cinnamon Rolls

2011-12-27T22:14:00.000-08:00

I am a long time follower of The Pioneer Woman so when I was watching her Christmas special on the Food Network I knew I wanted to add her cinnamon rolls to our Christmas breakfast. I have only used yeast a few times, and while I am a baker I am not one to bake bread, ever. I have failed miserably but I blame my lack of patience. If I had a bread machine, maybe, since it does all the work for you. When you are placing the dough in bowls and praying for the temperature gods to be on your side, as it sits to rise it is way too much for me, too much of a commitment wasted if it fails. I decided to give PW's recipe a go because she is so likeable and she's the real deal. I set out the night before Christmas Eve, tears swelling my eyes (totally having a Like Water from Chocolate experience) from being over tired and the pressure of baking a red velvet cheesecake at the same time (that recipe is up next). Have you caught on that I take on too much at one time yet? Oh! and did I mention it was already 11:30 PM? Yeah, well it was and I am nuts. Luckily for me, the yeast gods were in my favor and Santa must have thought I was a good girl this year because I was able to add these soft, gooey buns to our Christmas breakfast table along to our neighbors as well. They were a hit and will become a holiday staple for year's to come. I plan on making them again for New Year's morning but a slight variation so stay tuned for that recipe as well!

Recipe Directly From: Pioneer Woman

(My notes are in Pink, excuse the photo lighting, remember it was late!)

Ingredients

1 quart Whole Milk
1 cup Vegetable Oil
1 cup Sugar
2 packages Active Dry Yeast, 0.25 Ounce Packets
8 cups (Plus 1 Cup Extra, Separated) All-purpose Flour *It took 2 additional cups of APF as I turned it out to roll.
1 teaspoon (heaping) Baking Powder
1 teaspoon (scant) Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon (heaping) Salt
Plenty Of Melted Butter
2 cups Sugar
Generous Sprinkling Of Cinnamon
_____
MAPLE FROSTING:
1 bag Powdered Sugar One pound or four cups
2 teaspoons Maple Flavoring *I used Maple Syrup
1/2 cup Milk
1/4 cup Melted Butter
1/4 cup Brewed Coffee *I used Starbucks Caramel Via
1/8 teaspoon Salt

Preparation Instructions

For the dough, heat the milk, vegetable oil, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat to just below a boil. Set aside and cool to warm. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit on the milk for 1 minute.

Add 8 cups of the flour. Stir until just combined, then cover with a clean kitchen towel, and set aside in a relatively warm place for 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove the towel and add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the remaining 1 cup flour (if your dough is still really sticky add in additional flour, it took me two additional cups) Stir thoroughly to combine. Use the dough right away, or place in a mixing bowl and refrigerate for up to 3 days, punching down the dough if it rises to the top of the bowl. (Note: dough is easier to work with if it’s been chilled for at least an hour or so beforehand.)

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

To assemble the rolls, remove half the dough from the pan/bowl. On a floured baking surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 30 x 10 inches. The dough should be rolled very thin.

To make the filling, pour 3/4 cup to 1 cup of the melted butter over the surface of the dough. Use your fingers to spread the butter evenly. Generously sprinkle half of the ground cinnamon and 1 cup of the sugar over the butter. Don’t be afraid to drizzle on more butter or more sugar! Gooey is the goal.

Now, beginning at the end farthest from you, roll the rectangle tightly towards you. Use both hands and work slowly, being careful to keep the roll tight. Don’t worry if the filling oozes as you work; that just means the rolls are going to be divine. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face down. When you’re finished, you’ll wind up with one long buttery, cinnamony, sugary, gooey log.

Slip a cutting board underneath the roll and with a sharp knife, make 1/2-inch slices. One “log “will produce 20 to 25 rolls. Pour a couple of teaspoons of melted butter into disposable foil cake pans and swirl to coat. Place the sliced rolls in the pans, being careful not to overcrowd. (Each pan will hold 7 to 9 rolls.) i cut directly on the foil, it did not tear. If you don't want your rolls to look squeezed see her notes in Cinnamon Roll 101 on chilling the log first. I was working against time as I looked at unwrapped gifts.

Repeat the rolling/sugar/butter process with the other half of the dough and more pans. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cover all the pans with a kitchen towel and set aside to rise on the countertop for at least 20 minutes before baking. Remove the towel and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden brown. Don’t allow the rolls to become overly brown.

Remove pans from the oven. Immediately drizzle icing over the top. Be sure to get it all around the edges and over the top. As they sit, the rolls will absorb some of the icing’s moisture and flavor. They only get better with time… not that they last for more than a few seconds. Make them for a friend today! It’ll seal the relationship for life. I promise. She isn't lying folks. We gave these to all our immediate neighbors, even the ones directly next door that we dislike and the young man's eyes lit up and overjoyed he gave Jim a, "thanks man!" our other neighbor said if we saw him walking up and down the street it was because of my baking. This is a new tradition and something I will bake for our neighbors and family year after year!

Yum! I am a new cinnamon roll baking addict. Beware friends. waaaa-ha-ha!

A Letter to Brayden - 1 Month

2011-12-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

Dearest Brayden-
I cannot believe you are already a month, it seems like we just brought you home yesterday. Time is surely flying by a lot faster with you being home with us now. You are such a sweet and calm baby boy. You definitely get this from your daddy, because we know I am anything but calm. I do have to say that since you have arrived I have been a lot more calm, maybe not so much when you and your sister cry at the same time or choose to have opposite nap times but this will all get better with time. Your eating habits have gotten much better and you are now taking two to four ounces with ease. The days in the hospital where I thought we would have a really difficult time feeding because of the cleft (taking in too much air and spitting everything out) have all gone away now that you have figured out how to suck. While I tried to breastfeed you it did not work because we really needed to see how much you were consuming since you lost 1+ pound after birth. This time around I am okay with this outcome unlike with your sister. I know you are thriving and honestly, that's all that matters in the end. Dr. Martinez was also watching you for jaundice, you had several bilirubin tests to rule it out and after two weeks you have been cleared. You also had your first ultrasound on your kidneys to check them now that you're an outside baby. The results concluded that your right kidney is still dilated and you have to go in for a small procedure. We also met with your surgeon, Dr. Sinow, for your surgery consultation. He completely ruled out the cleft palate now that he could see all the way down your throat unlike in the hospital when you just screamed at him. We went over the procedure and he said that we can expect the surgery to be performed around the three to four month mark instead of two to three since you were technically a preemie. You need to gain some additional weight and stay healthy and then it's a go! This first month has been full of appointments, excitement and joy; you truly fit right in to our crazy little family. Daddy and I truly don't know what life was like without you in it, because it seems like you have always been here. You complete my heart and our family. I love you sweet, sweet boy.

One-Month Stats:

7 pounds 4.4 ounces - finally catching up to your almost birth weight
20.3 inches, up 1.3 since you were born.
Still in newborn diapers and size 0-3 month clothing. You are a skinny little one!
You love the swing which is amazing for mommy.
You sleep in two to three hour intervals and the longest you have gone is five hours.
Nicknames: baby brady (sissy), buddy buddy, turtle, b, brady, boo-boo and love bug.

Maple Walnut Fudge

2011-12-23T16:02:00.000-08:00

Do you have that one holiday treat that brings back memories from your childhood? I know I sure do. For me it was always my Grandma's chocolaty fudge and her peanut butter burst cookies. I can still hear her thumbing through the large round silver tins, the candy wrappers nudging one another as she found that perfect piece to give us in the "cookie room". Well, she didn't have an actual cookie room it was her spare room which was lined in tins because she always said that room was the perfect temp to store such items. I miss that room, I miss her baked goods. So, at the holidays my sister and I always bake our favs from our dear Grandma Barr, I always do at least the Norwegian shortbread and tea cakes. Never do they taste the same but we try.

Back to the fudge. I have only tried making true handmade fudge once or twice, I am successful at quick fudge but "real" fudge has always been a challenge. I always find great looking recipes but using a candy therm can be challenging. Last night I decided to give this recipe a go, but of course I ended up talking to my sister from 205 degrees until 235 and I was worried when I did the water test. In the end this was way easy and truly is the best fudge ever. I was shooting for a true shore fudge for the hubby to savor since he hasn't been back home in years and he approves!

MAPLE WALNUT FUDGE

recipe directly from the last wonton

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon sea or Kosher salt
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 1/2 cups chopped Callebaut or other good quality white chocolate
1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped and toasted
2 teaspoons vanilla

Add the two sugars, cream, butter, salt and maple syrup to large-ish pot over medium heat. Stir while bringing to a boil. Lower the heat and continue to stir slowly while the mixture cooks. After about 7 minutes, test by pouring a small amount into cold water. You want it to form a soft ball. Or use candy thermometer to 235F - 238F - soft ball stage. When it reaches the soft ball stage remove from heat and let rest for 10 minutes.

After 10-15 minutes add the white chocolate and vanilla and stir until chocolate melts. You will notice the fudge start to thicken immediately. Stir another couple of minutes until the fudge starts to lose it's shine. Quickly add the walnuts and pour into a buttered double loaf pan or dish. Let cool at room temperature. Chill.

Best served chilled. Now you have the best fudge recipe in the world.

Santa's wap?

2011-12-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

Like the saying goes, third times a charm, right? Well, not completely but it wasn't a total fail for big sis' third Santa visit. I have been building this visit up for weeks. Watching movies, through song, books, lights, you name it, I've tried it. If either of us asked her, do you want to go see Santa? We'd get a huge "yaay!" but if you then asked, are you going to sit on his lap? We'd get a loud, definite, "NO! Stop it!" I really tried the morning of and she was pretty convinced, she was curious while waiting in line and when were next she kept exclaiming, "my turn!" But, once I placed 'lil brother on his lap and then her she just wanted mommy. I can't blame her though, this is the same Santa she saw last year but this year someone must have eaten his cookies because he was cranky. Oh well. After the photo she happily ate her "canny cane" and kept saying, "Santa's wap". Next year she'll jump the fearing Santa hump and he'll fall right into fearing him.

Don't you love B's lumberjack look? I just wanted to squeeze him all day.

Riding the train afterwards.

And for fun...

Payton's Birthday

2011-12-22T21:43:00.000-08:00

We surprised P this year by decorating her bedroom for her to wake up to. I had a different vision but as I was shopping at Target into the 11 PM hour I spaced and only grabbed one bag of balloons. Jim and I wished the entire floor was covered but honestly that bag of $1.99 balloons was the best gift and form of entertainment. I love the way it turned out and she was so excited! It really got her to understand that it was her birthday and how special she is. The video below is long but it's more for the grandparents & family in New Jersey :::waves hi:::

While she played with the balloons I whipped up her fav eggies with cheese and she got a yummy pink sprinkled donut from Peterson's. We put in a candle, again, to make it more special and for her to understand the birthday concept. We sang happy birthday and then she went to town on that scrumptious piece of fried dough.

I don't know what's going on with her newly found cheesy grin

After we took on more than the daily caloric intake we headed to Seaworld where we spent a few hours. We braved the dark skies and the little bit of drizzle. After Seaworld we went home for naptime and I made some cupcakes and cleaned the house.

After naptime we gave her another gift (new sparkle shoes) and headed down to Corvette Diner. We met Geoff, Jinger and welcomed Papa, Grandma, Rosemarie and Ken home from their cruise. I wasn't sure if P would be interested in all the hoopla but she did and got a little jelly of the birthday girl next to us who got her crazy straw hairdo. She kept saying, "try" and watching all the girls. I guess our server assumed that a two-year-old wouldn't enjoy a balloon animal or a fun 'do.

After dinner we headed home for her to open the remaining presents, sang happy birthday for the third time and ate some cuppies. This little girl is so spoiled: a kitchen, multiple pairs of shoes, a wagon, a radio flyer 500, clothes, uggs, and a movie.

happy 2nd birthday, sweet p

2011-12-18T23:35:00.000-08:00

Oh, my sweet little Payton, today you turned two. It is absolutely insane to say out loud that you are officially a two-year-old. While I still look at you like my little baby girl you are anything but a baby. You have blossomed into a little girl who has an opinion (a pretty heavy one already), we can converse and hold a little conversation. Though typically when you get annoyed with your mommy and daddy you just keep giving us the "no" statements but as of last week you started "stop it" when we try to sing or you plain just don't like what we have to say. You have also taken on Cartman "whateva" replies. When you aren't giving us a funny negative statement we can find you exclaiming, "awesome, I love it" for just about anything these days. You love giving us major squeezes and we find you coming up to us several times a day with a cutesy chagrin saying, "hug. puhhlease" and following it up with a "I love you mommy or daddy". You have a kind heart and you love your little brother to pieces. You are so worried about him if he starts to cry, if you are at the dining room table and he is in his swing crying you yell out, "baby, okay?!?!?. . .coming!" You are a goofball and know you are funny. You love to color, play with blocks, trucks and trains. You have to watch Wonder Pets before nap time and bedtime but Little Einsteins is still your fav. You recognize about everything now and know what it is by name. You love singing along to your many shows and you love to wiggle-wiggle, wiggle-wiggle (yeah) along to mommy's music. You love swinging from structures, jumping off steps and free falling. You're still our daredevil. Earlier this week we had your two-year well baby checkup. Dr. Martinez always love seeing you and was surprised to hear about everything you are doing. Of course, we couldn't be any happier to know that we aren't doing that bad of a job raising you despite a few curse words that have slipped out of your mouth as of late. You bring such joy to our lives and we love watching you grow everyday. Happy Birthday, Sweet P!

Two Year Stats:

3' .417" Feet - no percentage, officially off of the charts.
28 pounds 10.6 ounces - 75th percentile, long and lean
Size 7.5/8 shoe
Size 5 diapers - hopefully we won't get to size 6
Hand/Eye coordination is advanced according to your Pedi, says you are going to be a great athlete.
You can count from 1-12 in English & 1-3 in Spanish
Know all your animals and their sounds
Know all your colors
Can sing along with the ABC's
Understand emotions
Understand the possessive "I", "me" and "mine"
Has gotten into the "why?" stage
Shows interest in the potty but not pushing it until you are fully ready
Knows right from left, big from small and short and tall

I know there is a ton more and will think of it once I hit the orange button. Happy Birthday little girl, there isn't a day you do not amaze us.

pictures to come from your birthday tomorrow. . .

Butternut Squash & Apple Bisque

2011-12-15T17:35:00.000-08:00

Butternut squash bisque is one of my favorite soups. I have made it once before but it didn't hold up to my expectations. As a foodie I try to recreate recipes of food I eat out in restaurants, this inspiration comes from Boudin Bakery. I have searched for a recipe that comes close to their velvety soup and I think I found it! This warm bowl of hearty bisque was paired with tart dried cranberries, crispy brown buttered sage, cinnamon candied pecans and a cool swirl of sour cream. If you love this winter squash as much as I do I urge you to give it a try! Pair it with some yummy savory scones or buttery biscuits for that perfect cold weather meal.

ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup diced white onion
3/4 cup cubed apple pieces
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup apple juice
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
salt to taste
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/4 cup heavy cream or half and half

toppings:

cinnamon candied pecans
browned butter sage
dried cranberries
sour cream

directions:

In a dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil until it is shimmering. Add the butternut squash and saute over low heat for about 20 minutes. Keep stirring and if it starts to brown turn the heat even lower.

Add the onions and apples to the pan with the squash. Saute for about 10 minutes.

Cover the mixture with the broth and juice. Simmer for about thirty minutes until the mixture is very tender.

Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and puree until you have reached a velvety texture. Return to pan and add in the cream, maple syrup, salt and curry.

Serve immediately. Garnish with any of the toppings I suggested or enjoy it all on it's own.

holiday lights

2011-12-12T23:08:00.000-08:00

I am obsessed with holiday lights. Ever since I was a young child I have loved hanging Christmas lights, I looked forward to spending the frigid afternoons with my Dad and now I look forward to seeing our house twinkling in the evenings leading up to Christmas. This year has been especially fun with Payton! We started driving the neighborhoods close by that go all out right after Thanksgiving and have done so a couple nights a week to see the progress and that little bit of joy that gets Payton all excited before bedtime. Last year we were introduced to Christmas Card lane and Candy Cane Courts that are literally in our backyard. While they do not compare to some of the nationally acclaimed "tacky" streets they definitely go all out and make the list for our family to visit year after year. We always discuss how our next house has to be in one of these neighborhoods, I would die to have a house like those pictured below, maybe not their electric bill but, oh! the lights! Our close friend has a friend that lives on Candy Cane Court and there is an ordinance that you cannot use your microwave from 5 to 8 PM. NUTS! Do you have a favorite neighborhood you visit? What kind of lights do you decorate with/prefer? LED, classic, crazy colored? I am a classic girl, love the whites and reds. Next year we are adding more, taking on our huge palms and additional elements to create a tastefully tacky holiday house. If you in live in the San Diego area I highly urge you to head on over to any of these North County neighborhoods
for some holiday fun.

Holiday of Lights in Del Mar

We visited the Holiday of Lights at the Del Mar Racetrack, it costs $14 at the gate or $12 at your local Albertson's. While you can go around the track as many times as you would like the $14 for this attraction is a little steep. Not to mention the free Santa photos at the end or rather their attempt to sell you on the newly remodeled Welk Resort isn't worth the time with the scary Santa or the ditzy not-to-nice Santa's ~~bimbo~~ helper. Pay still loved the lights but we joked that when their older they'll tell us how boring it really is.

Candy Cane Courts in Poway
grab a mug of cocoa, the kiddos and your best karaoke voice. I love that this street is just a few over from ours.
- visit this site for galleries -

Christmas Card Lane in Rancho Penasquitos

There are about 200 families that participate in this yearly tradition that began in 1985. Take a sleigh ride, drink some cocoa, listen to Mt. Carmel High School students sings carols and take in the beautiful Christmas "cards" that are displayed on every lawn.

Point Loma's Garrison Street

Point Loma's Garrison Street is fun for Christmas and even Halloween. I loved when I worked down by the bay because this street is amazing! Jim took the kids along with our friend Geoff a few weeks ago while I was out to dinner with my girlfriends. Payton loved it, like we knew she would! Check out her jump at 32 seconds, she is constantly doing this in her boots, I guess she is practicing for her snowboarding jumps!

and our house. Probably should've done this first so it didn't look so boring but there are a lot of small things you cannot see in the photo. More next year!

jingle bells, ismis tree and skittles

2011-12-12T17:24:00.000-08:00

Trying to keep a certain toddler entertained these days is a lot of work. We made a trip to Lowes yesterday to pick-up a new vanity for our guest bathroom, this is Jim's latest project and he is so happy it's almost over. Well, the majors are out of the way: new tile, toilet is back in place, vanity and mirror purchased. Now, he gets to sand the walls down where our pre-existing vanity and medicine cabinet were, paint and hang new hardware. The whole fam went into the store so I could look at the vanities and to search for the waterless snow globe P fell in love with at my sisters house. After that was all said in done we played in the car while daddy went back in. This kid cracks me up, see for yourself.

don't judge for me letting her eat the skittle. I think she has put worse things in her mouth at the park. :)

Play Felt Christmas Tree {DIY}

2011-12-11T06:29:00.000-08:00

When I saw this play felt tree on Pinterest I knew I had to make it for sweet P. I had shown it to the hubby and forgot about it until he was dropping me off at Joann's and he so kindly reminded me that I needed to purchase the felt. Remind me again why felt is so.damn.cheap? Not only was it already half off but the bolt I picked up only had two yards left and I only wanted one so the worker said she would give me the second yard for 40% off only paying 10%. Needless to say I have enough green felt to make a felt tree every year until P turns twelve (or, if any SD friends want some let me know). Not only was this a fast DIY and when I say fast, I mean like I threw it up on the wall in a matter of ten minutes, no joke. Yeah, I could spent some nit picky time on it but it works for now and maybe the one for next year will have a little more detail put into it. P loves decorating her "ismis tree" over and over again.

Here's what I did:
- I held the felt up to the wall where I wanted it to go, made a mark and threw it on the floor and eye-balled a triangle or something that sorta resembled one. I then made small triangular cuts to give the tree some dimension. Should've ironed the tree...
- Took some felt squares in various colors and cut circles, squares, ovals. The presents were done the same way and then hot glue adhered the "ribbon".
-I used permanent glue dots to stick it to the wall, they won't take the paint off but if it does I am not worried because this wall needs to be touched up anyhow.
- I then placed the ornaments, presents and star on the tree. I originally purchased Velcro circles to make sure they really stuck but the felt has no problem staying up.
- Introduced P to her tree and now she decorates it and un-decorates it over and over. Success.

Cost-
Green Felt - Originally $4.99/yard, on sale for $2.50. - one yard for the width is needed
Felt Squares - $.39 each x 6

= Cheap

we can now return to our regularly scheduled programming...

2011-12-06T09:02:00.000-08:00

gesh! did you miss me?! I sure missed writing an actual blog post and y'all of course. While doing giveaways are great and I am so thankful for all of my new readers :::waves hi::: it's just nice to get back to what I really love, writing (and gushing on a time or two). Life has been normal here, we had a great low-key Thanksgiving which I am uber thankful for since I got in some much needed sleep and spent Black Friday with my Mom and Sissy. Last week my Mom came and stayed with me while Jim was away on business, we had an ultrasound for B's kidneys (more on that later) and I had my six-week post-partum appointment. Now, we are on the countdown to sweet P's second birthday which is in twelve days! We haven't made any plans which saddens me in a way but I am planning on doing some fun decorations to surprise her when she wakes up that morning, probably a trip to Seaworld that day since our passes expire on NYE and then my parents arrive home that evening from their cruise. I am even trying to organize a small get together with her friends at Kidding Around so she can play and have some of mommy's cupcakes! Time seems to be slipping away now that we have two kids, I mean time flew before but I cannot believe how fast time is passing. I really wish I could slow this season down a tad, we are trying to pack in enough but it's like each day fast forwards to 4 PM and then we start all over. On another note, Jim has been working on our bathroom remodel. The tile has been laid, the toilet is ready to go back into place and we just need to purchase our new vanity. We decided to keep the marble that was in the shower, it doesn't necessarily match the floor tile but neither of us want to know what lies behind that wall, so it will stay for the next owner to deal with. I am going to leave you with a few pictures since my last post and I promise things will get back to our regularly scheduled programming by next week!

my little turkey

lots of cousin playtime!

the dessert bar I made for our best friends baby shower.

and this little beaut. . .

A Merry Fluffy Christmas Mommy-To-Be $85 Giveaway Package {#fluffyxmas}

2011-11-30T20:37:00.000-08:00

A Merry Fluffy Christmas CLOTH DIAPER **GIVEAWAY** (Rafflecopter)

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*Please understand that MY PB+J along with the "Merry Fluffy Christmas" bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. However, we are responsible for contacting our sponsors regarding the winner's prize at the close of the giveaway. We expect that our sponsors will fulfill their prize agreement and ship them to the winners in a timely manner.

A Winner Wonderland Giveaway Event {#winnerwonderland}

2011-11-26T21:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Winner Wonderland Giveaway Event. This event is hosted by:

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Are you ready for My PB+J's amazing holiday giveaway package valued at over $125?!? Please make sure to visit all our sponsor's pages and show them some love. Here's what we're giving away to one lucky reader:

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*Please understand that Put A Little Umbrella In Your Drink, Seeds of Life, And The Little Ones Too and Taking Time For Mommy, along with the "Winner Wonderland Event" bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. However, we are responsible for contacting our sponsors regarding the winner's prize at the close of the giveaway. We expect that our sponsors will fulfill their prize agreement and ship them to the winners in a timely manner.

Stationery card

2011-11-26T17:01:00.000-08:00

Triple Vine Blue Birth Announcement

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Black Friday Cash Giveaway! {11/25-11/30}

2011-11-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Start the biggest shopping weekend of the year off with $80 cash!

Enter to WIN $80 CASH during the Black Friday Cash Giveaway,

hosted by And Then There Were 4...!

Easy entry. Just follow the easy instructions and you are entered to win! But please be honest. I will check to make sure winner has not been cheating. You may only enter on ONE blog.

Giveaway is open to anyone Worldwide and ends November 30th at 11:59 EST.

Participating bloggers:

And Then There Were 4...

Diva Locks

The Pistachio Project

What Mama Wants

Being Frugal and Making It Work

First Time Mom

My PB&J

Nona's Pearls of Wisdom

Mommy 2 Nanny 3 Doggy 1

Birdy Bird Boutique {#WinnerWonderland Sponsor Spotlight}

2011-11-24T19:06:00.000-08:00

Do you love giving handmade items to your loved ones for the holidays? Do you know someone that is expecting a new bundle of joy in the upcoming months? Then I urge you to check out Kelly's Birdy Bird Boutique on Etsy. Birdy Bird Boutique specializes in unique hand-made props with the photographer in mind. Whether its perfecting an outfit or adding a personal touch to photo shoots, BBB strives to provide quality made products using a variety of colors, fibers and designs.

I first stumbled upon BBB when I was looking for unique hats for my sweet Brayden's newborn pictures. I had "liked" her facebook page and watched for that "right" hat during her many comment auctions that go on. It wasn't until the beginning of October when I saw the whimsey woodland gnome hat listed for the auction and knew I had to be the first comment! A few days later my hat arrived and I was so thrilled with the quality of the yarn and workmanship. Plus, the shipping was so fast which was great seeing as though the little man arrived three weeks early. Any of BBB's hats or headbands will add that special touch to any photo shoot and keep your loved one's head nice and cozy during the winter months (plus, super cute to boot!)

Christmas Ornament Hat

Whimsey Woodland Gnome Hat

Newborn Shelly Hat

Birdy Bird Boutique has so generously added one newborn sized Shelly hat to my Winner Wonderland giveaway package. Make sure to come back from November 27th through December 4th for your chance to win.

Shop Birdy Bird Boutique | Find On Facebook

un.wreathed. {#WinnerWonderland Sponsor Spotlight}

2011-11-24T18:19:00.000-08:00

Have you seen those too cute for words yarn wreaths that are circulating pinterest? Have you pinned one but cannot find the time to make one with the holidays fast approaching? Then you need to check out un.wreathed. on Etsy. Jamie's wreaths are so darn cute and perfect to add some holiday cheer to any front door!

About the Designer:

One day I saw a yarn wreath tutorial online and said aloud to my husband (who is a pain in the butt) that I was going to make one. I am not crafty AT ALL, so of course he said in so many words that I would start but not finish the wreath. I bought the supplies for a Halloween wreath as my first run and 3 hours later....voila! He didn't have a whole lot to say at that point except it looked good. He now claims he never doubted me after selling several to friends and online customers. I still love him though, and am almost thankful he put me up to the challenge because I get in these weird moods where I zone out thinking of fun color and texture combos that I can now put to use. I think besides the monetary benefit of opening an etsy shop and selling something you work hard to make is the feeling of accomplishment and flattery that someone appreciates what you have created. Its very satisfying and I recommend everybody try it sometime. I love yarn wreaths because they are so customizable and adorable, plus they are thoughtful gifts (especially when you have those relatives who seem to have EVERYTHING...like my granny). Right now I am using any proceeds from selling my wreaths to save for a luxating patella surgery for my oldest pug, Leeroy Brown. It's a win-win for him because he loves the watch the yarn as I work on the wreaths!

Leeroy Brown - isn't he precious?

Un.Wreathed. has so generously added one multi-colored yarn wreath to my Winner Wonderland giveaway package. Make sure to come back from November 27th through December 4th for your chance to win. Can't wait? Check out Un.Wreathed on Etsy for the additional 15% off her all ready great prices to help the puppy out!

Shop Un.Wreathed | Follow on Twitter

thankful mornings

2011-11-23T12:13:00.000-08:00

Most of my mornings are spent snuggling with one babe in each arm. I love this and I am thankful that I am able to stay home with them right now. I love Payton's big squeezes and endless kisses as she is waking up. This morning was not any different than any other morning except Payton was trying to catch dust that was flying through the air. We were up extra early and the sun was shining brightly through my blinds. I had been feeding the baby and as she was clapping through the air he threw-up and Wonder Pets kept singing their song. It's mornings like this that God made me a mommy. It doesn't get any better than this and I am thankful.

Payton loves her baby brother Brady. She continues to tell him how cute he is and gives him plenty of kisses.

Rockin' Green Soap {#fluffyxmas sponsor spotlight}

2011-11-22T15:50:00.000-08:00

Are you dealing with relentless diaper stains? Does your babes sweet tooshie keep breaking out in a rash? Are you struggling to find the right detergent for your needs? Then look no further! Rockin' Green's Eco-friendly cleaning products will turn the funk going on in your laundry and home around! Not only is Rockin' Green great for your cloth diapers it also kicks butt on your regular laundry, dog beds, your child's toys and de-funks your washing machine!

What originally caught my attention about Rockin' Green was it's modern and trendy logo and name. While I am not cleaning cloth diapers I was instantly impressed when my sample arrived with it's bold packaging and scratch and sniff sticker attached. I wanted to get started on laundry right away but wanted to try it out on some really soiled clothes so I waited for our newest bundle to arrive so I could try it out on the effects of a blow-out, sorry for the visual but it's the closest thing I've got! Plus, with any new baby we tend to use a hyper-allergenic detergent free of dyes to ensure our wee one's skin isn't affected. The cool thing about Rockin' Green is that I didn't have to use the scent free blah detergent, I could use the yummy scent of smashing watermelons to freshen up the load! Once the load was complete I was instantly surprised how great everything smelled and how clean everything was including the washer! My next load I tackled our doggies bed, which any dog owner understands how yucky their beds get and voila! It was like brand new!

A little bit about Rockin' Green Soap:

Rockin’ Green is an award-winning manufacturer of Eco-friendly cleaning products designed to make cleaning easier and greener. Most well-known for their clean-rinsing laundry detergent formulated for use on all fabrics and especially useful on cloth diapers, Rockin’ Green produces detergents for hard, soft and normal water conditions (known as Hard, Soft and Classic Rock varieties).

Rockin’ Green also carries Funk Rock, a first-of-its kind natural ammonia bouncer, and Melody, an odor-neutralizer and air freshener home spray. With the exception of Funk Rock, all products come in seven natural scents, such as Mighty Mighty Marshmallow, Earth Wind & Orchids, Rage Against the Raspberry, and Bare Naked Babies (unscented).

Rockin’ Green was founded in 2009 by Kim Webb, an avid cloth diapering mom who desired a better way to clean cloth diapers and treat her kid’s sensitive skin.

Dye & perfume free

No fillers

No enzymes or optical brighteners

100% Phosphate Free

Vegan

Great for sensitive skin

Easy rinsing formula

Works wonders on microfiber stink!

Perfect for cloth diapers

HE Compatible

Reusable packaging

Great for all water types

Economical at .13 cents a load!

Curious about what formula to use?

Purchase the Book and Giveaway Information:

If you want to rid the funk then I urge you to try Rockin' Green Eco-friendly detergent for all your family's needs. Kim Webb has so generously added a 45/90 load bag of detergent in the winner's choice of scent/formula to my Merry Fluffy Christmas giveaway event package! Make sure to come back to my blog from December 1st through 5th for your chance to win!

Buy Here | Rockin Green on Twitter | Rockin Green on Facebook

* I was provided with a three samples of Rockin Green for review purposes only. All opinions are 100% my own and I only recommend products that I truly believe in. I have also included links leading you to Rockin Green's Website.

Changing Diapers by Kelly Wels {#fluffyxmas sponsor spotlight}

2011-11-21T17:32:00.000-08:00

When I was pregnant with Payton it had crossed my mind to cloth diaper, especially since most of my mommy friends were already knee deep in fluff. However, once we had our three baby showers and hundreds upon hundreds of Pampers stored away I never looked back. When I found out I was pregnant with baby number two I started to think about cloth diapering again but when I proposed the idea to the hubby he wasn't all that excited about it. I, on the other hand wanted to learn a little bit more to make the right decision for our family but I had no idea where to start. I looked online for some research but with all the acronyms and the different types of systems I was pushed into a fluff overload. I wanted to see everything in one place, I didn't want to spend hours upon hours clicking on different websites about cloth diapering 101. Right when I was throwing the research towel in a friend told me about a great new cloth diapering book, Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom's Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering by Kelly Wels.

A little bit about Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom's Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering by Kelly Wels:

Many women who plan to be mothers one day as well as expecting mommies may not have even considered this option. As you know, however, the cloth diaper market is alive and booming, and many women feel strongly about the subject, defending it as a greener and more cost-effective choice. Kelly Wels’ new book, “Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom’s Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering” answers all of your questions about cloth diapering (even the questions you didn’t know you had), from the most basic of questions – why you should choose cloth diapers over disposables, explaining the cost saving and eco-friendly living benefits, as well as clearing up those pesky misconceptions that cloth diapers are
an outdated way to raise your baby.

About the Author, Kelly Wels:

While Kelly is an advocate for diapering change, she has dedicated a lot of her energy supporting causes important to her cloth diaper passion and to her personal life. She champions awareness for organizations like the Cloth Diaper Foundation, Real Diaper Association, Cloth for the Coast, and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. She has personally been honored with a Congressional Award from Maine Senator, Olympia Snowe for her success as a leading entrepreneur in Maine. Kelly also founded TheClothDiaperWhisperer.com blog, which was recognized as a “finalist” for “Blog of the Year” by the Stevie Awards for Women in Business in 2010. Most importantly, Kelly is a mom to three children, Olivia, Hanz and Riley and a dedicated military wife. She currently lives in Waterford, Maine, and spends her free time working on several cloth diapering advocacy projects.

I cannot even begin to tell you how awesome the book Changing Diapers truly is. Kelly has broken the book down into useful and informative chapters like: why to choose cloth diapers, the skinny on diaper talk and the brands, daddies and diapers, how to handle dirty diapers and the extra stuff you will need to along the cloth diapering road. All of the questions I had were right in front of me and with illustrations to help me get a visual of how a cloth diaper system really works. While in the end my family chose to stick to what we know, I think this book is an amazing tool to help you make the decision and to answer all your questions along the way. I am so happy to have read this book and now I can pass it along to friends who are considering adding some fluff into their lives!

Purchase the Book and Giveaway Information:

If you are like me or know someone who is considering making the switch to cloth diapering I highly encourage you to pick-up a copy of Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom's Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering. You really will become an expert about all things fluff! Visit Changing Diapers on Facebook and Twitter for additional information. You can also find Kelly Wels on Facebook and Twitter.

Kelly has so generously contributed one FuzziBunz cloth diaper to my Merry Fluffy Christmas giveaway package along with a cute eco-friendly "I'm a hip mom and love cloth diapers" temporary tattoo. Make sure to come back to my blog from December 1st through 5th for your chance to win this amazingly fluffy giveaway!

* I was provided with a copy of Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom's Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering for review purposes only. All opinions are 100% my own and I only recommend products that I truly believe in. I have also included affiliate links leading you to author Kelly Wels' website.

holding up okay?

2011-11-16T22:41:00.000-08:00

is the question I have been asked a lot of lately. I guess with the run in I had post-partum with Payton would fuel the ever so dreaded question from family and friends that are aware of my dark past. I am, however, happy to report that this time around I am so much happier. I am not dealing with the looming event of my Grandmothers death, I got to experience an organic childbirth fully awake, I am a little more knowledgeable this time around and I have a ton and I mean a ton of support. The hubby has made several comments over the past four weeks that I am noticeably more calm and that he is so happy I got my little boy to protect me forever. And honestly, I think that's just it. My handsome, wide smiled little man warms my heart and when he flails his arms like he is praising Jesus I am right there with him thanking him for giving me one of the greatest gifts of all, a son. While my little Peanut Butter, Payton, is still my whole world I am just so much happier with two kids. I don't mind waking up in the middle of the night, I kiss his cheeks so much that the skin is bound to start coming off and my heart is complete. My debbie downer posts about not knowing how I would love another child is and was pure shenanigans of the unknown. So, for those of you who have been around the past two years reading this little blog 'o mine, yes! I am holding up okay and thank you for sticking around!

Staying Connected {A Tokii Review}

2011-11-15T15:49:00.000-08:00

tokii makes the world go 'round.
play. learn. love.

Tokii is the worlds first website to help improve relationships through the everyday struggles we all face: work, other commitments and the lack of communication. With the help of tokii you can play and learn to love your significant other all over again with their secure and private site. . .plus it's free!

I was first introduced to tokii on one of my mommy boards and since we just had a baby I played a few games on the newborn board. For those of you who have a baby you fully understand how your relationship can slip away. You start to go into survival mode: switching off on feeding shifts, changing a bazillion dirty diapers each day, staring at your new bundle of joy all day and if you're lucky enough to slip away on a date night all you talk about is the baby. While there is nothing wrong with oohing and ahhing over your new bundle of joy a couple needs to bring it back to where it all began; with one another! Our lives get so busy where we forget about one another and that's why tokii is so amazing.

My hubby and I played almost all of the newborn games but the most fun for us were, "a healthy mommy" and the "newborn and finances". Since we have two children my hubby had gone to lay down with Payton, I was left on the couch so I visited the first game and right away you are asked if you want to play solo or invite your partner. I played the first game by myself and as I was selecting my answers I kept thinking how the hubby would answer.

One of my favorite questions was, "what post pregnancy surgery would be great for a new mom if covered by health insurance?" When I first saw this I just laughed because I talk about this all the time. The answers to choose from are:
a) tummy tuck b) breast lift c) a little...ahem! remodeling d) none of the above
I, of course was hoping for an option e) all of the above, but since that was not an option I chose a) tummy tuck because of having a c-section with my daughter and then with my second pregnancy the saggy skin is just "there". The cool thing about tokii it tells you how other's voted on this question, which 50% of men and women both voted equally on 'a' the 50% of women chose 'd' and the remaining men chose 'b'.

This little glimpse of how tokii works wants me to keep exploring the other boards they offer like: lifestyle, friends & family, holidays & travel, entertainment, travel, military, parenting, environment and the ever so dreaded topic of politics! We love it and we just got started! Head on over to tokii.com now to get started on this free, fun site that will help bring the communication back into your relationship!

Get started today, remember it's free!
www.tokii.com

*this is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of tokii. all opinions are based on my own experience with the product.

my little bruiser

2011-11-14T14:23:00.000-08:00

I have to say that I (we) have one bad ass kid. She is not really scared of much and she will pretty much do anything. With this being said she is typically saying, "boo-boo mama, kiss, please?"This past week we had a little playdate with our friends Danielle and Amanda and their wee ones. I had just changed Payton's diaper and as we were coming out of her brother's room she looked back at me and hit the door jam straight on her left eye. At first, I only thought she hit her head but as the afternoon progressed her light skinned eye became noticeably black. Mother of the year here folks! All I gotta say is thank God we took our pictures before this because it's going to take a while to completely heal. Since getting her first black eye we have been out in public numerous times and I keep getting that, "are you beating your child?"look. Some people have asked how she got it and others just say she will make one hell of an athlete. Man! The joys of having a toddler.

A Delivery from the North Pole {Merry Mailbox Review}

2011-11-11T14:56:00.000-08:00

Do you love receiving mail? Do your kids love receiving mail? If you answered yes to either then you need to keep reading! If you are looking for something extra special to light up your child's eyes this holiday season then you need to visit the Merry Mailbox. The Merry Mailbox specializes in letters from the holly jolly man himself sent all the way from the North Pole! Each letter is beautifully written and includes special details about your child, because as we all know Santa watches us all year long to make sure we have been good little boys and girls. Each letter comes addressed to your child, post marked from the North Pole and includes a holiday bookmark or stickers. Your childs eyes are sure to light up when they start to read their personalized letter!

Once you have ordered your letter and given all the details you will have an envelope sitting in your mailbox addressed to you. Within the envelope is another envelope addressed to your child.

Inside the envelope is the letter on beautiful holiday paper. I loved reading Payton her letter from Santa, with special details about her development in her second year like: learning the alphabet, her numbers, shapes and introducing Team Umizoomi to her new baby brother. Payton was so happy to see her letter and made ooh's and ahh's as we explained it was from Santa.

As I read Brayden's letter tears fell from my eyes as soon as, "Every time a new baby comes into the world, a new snowflake appears". The special details in this letter make me so excited for this season and while he will not remember his first Christmas this letter will serve as a keepsake memory.

See how happy she is? If a letter from Santa made her this happy I cannot wait for all of the other holiday cheer that will fill her heart with joy this holiday season!

To purchase a letter for your little one visit: Merry Mailbox on Etsy

Find Merry Mailbox on:

Facebook | Twitter

* I was provided with two letters to review. All thoughts are based on my own opinions about this product.