Busy...

Life has been a little crazy lately.  Having a newborn and an 18 month old is a bit tough especially when the newborn doesn't like to sleep at night.  It's totally worth it though.  The past few days I have been stuck in a house full of sickos.  No fun.  Poor little G can't breath with his nose so congested.  It's been a little scary at times.

So my best friend is about to have baby #2.  I am so excited because me and two other girls are going to be doing her baby shower!  It's going to be an Alice in Wonderland tea party!  I have so many adorable ideas and have taken some other really cute ideas from other blogs.  I can not wait to post pictures of everything we make!  It's going to be elegant and whimsical.  First of all I want to buy these to put these in them.  Look how cute these idea are!  If you have any great crafts of ideas for me let me know!

He's Here!!

 Sweet baby boy #2 is here.  He was born at 37 weeks and very healthy!  Lucky for me he came very quickly and with the epidural not too painfully!  What did people do before modern medicine? 

Summer Time

It is really starting to get hot here in AZ.  Our poor ac units are on none stop meaning out electric bill is going to be scary.  I need to start making things not in the oven.  It is way too hot to try and use the oven.  I came across some tasty popsicle recipes on A Cup Of Jo today.  How amazing do these sound?  SO refreshing! 

My sister sent me a strawberry lemonade cupcake recipe that I am dying to try.  Again its so hot I do not feel like baking or going to the store.  The recipe is a bit different but she said they turned out amazing!  A friends birthday is on Wednesday so maybe that is my excuse to make them!

I have about 5 weeks to go till our next little on arrives.  I have so much to do still!  We did finally figure out a name.  I was getting a little worried I wasn't going to find a name that I liked.  Right now I am trying to find a bring home that baby outfit and am having no luck.  This whole summer things is throwing me off too.  Does a baby need long sleeves even though its 106 out?  I'm scared the poor kid will melt!  Any help would be appreciated!

ZZZZzzz....

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!  Clearly this guy did!  I can't help but laugh every time I see this picture.

A nap is seriously calling my name right now.  Probably isn't helping that I am listening to Cheeks snore while I am paying bills. 

I went to the doctor today and I am 33 weeks along and everything is going well!  I can not wait to have this little one out of my belly and in my arms.  I am a very impatient person.  We still have a lot to get ready before the little peanut gets here.  I need to buy him a coming home outfit as well as a few new onesies.  These are so impractical in AZ in the summer but how cute are these! 

So heart burn has been coming at me like crazy.  If you know of any good cures please let me know!  Right now I am living off Sprite and Ginger Ale. 

Last Thursday we went down to Sierra Vista for a high school graduation.  Doesn't Cheeks look just like my husband and his father?

The weather in SV wasn't cooler than in Tempe so I was a little sad.  We had a nice time though because we got to see Sean's family and also a friend of his.  I was excited because not many people know but about 20 minutes outside of Sierra Vista there are some wine vineyards and Sean bottle me a bottle of bubbly for after I have this baby! http://www.sonoitavineyards.com/  If you ever are in Southern Arizona you should check it out.  It's no Napa but I thought the wine was pretty good!

My little man growing up so fast!  On Saturday he went to his second big birthday party.  It was at a place called Pump It Up.  Basically its like a big indoor warehouse with a bunch of different inflatables.  As an adult I thought eh of the place the kids however loved it!  Last time Luke was in a bouncy he refused to stand and clung on to Sean for dear life.  This time he jumped a little.  He was still scared but had fun.  On Sunday we went over and joined some friends at the Camelback Inn.  They have a beautiful pool and ever a splash pad for kids!  Thank god for the splash pad because some kid did a #2 in the pool so we couldn't swim while I was there.  The weather was amazing so I didn't mind just sitting in the shade drinking ice cold water with lemon. 

Well I better get back to paying my bills before Cheeks wakes up!

Broiled burger

Is what I am currently trying to make.  I am normally a grilled burger gal but since my husband is working I thought I'd broil (because I have no idea how to use the grill).  We'll see how they pan out. 

I am 32 weeks preggo today.  This pregnancy has flown by!  I have so much to do before this baby boy comes.  We still need to pick a name.  So far Jake is the only name that we can both agree on.  I still need to pull out all of Cheeks old clothes and wash them and get them ready.  I also need to buy more clothes considering Cheeks was born in January and this one will be born in July and if you have ever been to Arizona in the summer you know that as little clothing as possible is best!

Sorry this is such a lame post but I can't get pictures or anything to work right now.

San Diego

Here are the pictures I never posted from our trip!  Ahh...I want to go back.  I love it there!

Forever and a day

I know it's been forever since I last posted.  Life's been a little crazy.  I am now a stay at home mom so I hope I will be able to post a little more once I get a bit more organized.  It's crazy how fast the day goes by now that I am home all the time. 

I have been cooking like crazy since I have been home.  Def not a good way to keep off too many lbs.  I made these turkey burgers last week.  They were amazing!  Shine from Yahoo has some pretty good recipes I want to get into a little more.  Sewing is going to be the next thing I really want to get into.  I have so many cool ideas and I just need to do them!

Cheeks is growing like a weed...a not very tall weed :)  We are actually going to the ear, nose and throat doctor today because he has been having a lot of ear infections since he began teething when he was 6 months old.  Normal antibiotics aren't really helping to get rid of the infection either so poor baby has been in pain for a while.  The doctor was shocked at what a tough kid he is.  :(  SO sad!  I feel awful because we can't really do anything except for what the doctor tells us.  Have you had to deal with this?  Did your kid get tubes?  Let me know because I am a little nervous if he has to get tubes.

I actually mean it now when I say you will be hearing from me more often!

Beach Baby

I still need to download all of the pictures off of my camera from our trip to San Diego this weekend.  We had such a great time.  I was so sad we had to come home!  Cheeks loved the ocean except for when he fell in the freezing cold water.  Ha!  Poor kid. 

Zzzz....

I am beyond beat today!  Early morning started with two Dr's appointments.  First we went and saw Dr. Eddy who said I am doing great and seem to have no problems!  Heart rate of the baby sounds great and I am 25 weeks to be exact!  Next we went to Cheeks doctor for his 15 month well visit.  He is such a peanut.  He is in the 20 percentile for weight and 15 for height. 

This photo btw should give you a good indication as to why I call him Cheeks.

 

I am starving and can't wait to get home to make dinner.  I am trying to decide what to make.  I can go Mexican http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chicken_tacos_with_charred_tomatoes.html  or something like this http://chicken.betterrecipes.com/chicken-mignon.html.  This seems super easy as well http://chicken.betterrecipes.com/lemon-chicken-with-roasted-garlic.html.  I like when I am trying to find recipes I look up "healthy" and end up with recipes that require 1 cup of mayo.  Really?  How is 1 cup of mayo healthy in anyway? 

Wish Ball is coming up.  I need to find a dress to squeeze into.  Thank goodness I do not need a gown since I am working.  I just need to find a cute black dress (not skanky)  Not that anyone wants to see a preggo in some hoochie dress.  I also need to find a swimsuit for a trip to San Diego that's coming up.  I love this one but can not find it ANYWHERE! 

I really have not had any luck finding any cute ones so far.  Apparently all preggos should look frumpy.  If you happen to find a cute one someone please let me know!  I live in Tempe, AZ for goodness sake I need a cute suit!  I am going to have to live in the pool while I am pregnant to avoid being grouchy.  Hopefully I get a nice tan :)

Easy/ Healthy Pasta

I made this for dinner last night.  It was so good and so easy!  I just kind of throw stuff together.

Boil some water and add salt and wheat pasta.  Cook according to directions. 

In a separate pan I throw some chopped up garlic with some olive oil.  I saute that for a bit and then I through some cut up Bella mushrooms.  Cook those for about 3 minutes and throw in 3 diced Roma tomatoes and cook for a minute add a little sea salt for flavor.  I add chopped up broccoli and put a lid on the pan for about 5 minutes stirring occasionally.  The last minute I throw in some chopped up spinach.

When the pasta is finished drain the water and put it back in the pot.  Toss with truffle oil and parmesan cheese shavings.  Separate out on your plates and add a big scoop of the veggies on top.  Add more cheese :)

Beautiful Arizona

So on Friday I was asked to go to Sedona for a meeting.  Of course I did not say no.  A day not in the office is aways welcomed!  Friday was a bit of a bust.  We had some issues with our hotel.  Once we found a new hotel and got settled we had a great rest of the trip.  Sean and I LOVE road trips.  We went from Sedona to Jerome then down thru Strawberry then thru Payson and finally home.  The weather was fantastic.  Here are a few more photos of Sedona and Jerome.

 Me at 24 weeks.  When I was preggo with cheeks I wasn't this big until I was almost 30 weeks.  I am already dying and have so much longer to go!

On Sunday I took Cheeks to meet my two favorites.  We went to Mojo at Tempe Marketplace and let the kiddos play in the water.  They were so excited.  Luke at first wanted nothing to do with the water.  He was standing off to the side screaming in excitement just watching the kids.  It was so cute!



Chicken meatballs

I made some chicken meatballs yesterday and they turned out delish!  So I feel bad though because I totally took this recipe from somewhere but I can not for the life of me remember the website!  Sorry to whoever I took this from!

Chicken Meatballs

Ingredient:
1 lb ground chicken
small onion
garlic (I like the kind that comes in a jar or Trader Joe's has some that is in the freezer section and anytime you need it you just pop a little bit out of the container.  They both taste good!)
Parsley (about half a cup)
Sea Salt
Pepper
Tomato Paste
Olive Oil
Italian bread crumbs
1 egg

Preheat the oven to 400.  Chop up the onion small and cook it in a pan with the garlic until its clear.  Set it aside to cool.  Place chicken in a bowl and add parsley, salt, pepper, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, 1 egg, 1 cup of bread crumbs and the onion/ garlic mixture.  Mix together.  Form your meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.  I did find my meatballs to be a little sticky and not so firm so I added a bit more breadcrumbs until I liked the consistency.  Mix together 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and olive oil.  Brush on top of the meatballs.  DO not worry if the paste and oil do not mix together.  Cook meatballs for about 20 minutes.

I served these over wheat pasta with some quickly sauteed tomatoes, garlic, bella mushrooms and spinach leaves.  I drizzled some truffle oil on top and topped with Parmesan shavings.  So good and pretty healthy!

Catching Up...well trying to.

Ready for picture overload?  Here goes.

Christmas morning.  I'm sure Sean is thrilled that photo is up for people to see.

Cheeks b-day at the park!  We went to the train park for his actual birthday and had the party the following weekend.

His party turned out great!  Thank you to everyone that could make it!  It was a lot of fun.

Luke in his new chair.  He loves it.  He actually loves to climb all over it.

I was so happy Dani (my sister) was in town.  I would never have been able to get everything done without her! 

And...this is why her needed a haircut.  Out of control!

 We actually are going to be taking him to get his third haircut this weekend.  His hair grows like a weed!

The zoo and my preggo belly!

Yelling at the goat and then he headbutt the poor animal.

 Tim Hightower from the Arizona Cardinals.  I like how Sean and Tim are smiling but little man has his game face on.  Hahaha!

 He loves to swing.

Well there is the past few months in some photos.  Sorry this was a bit of a boring post.  I am trying to think of a good way to keep this interesting so if you have any ideas lemme know!