My life..

Lila and I went shopping for shoes for a wedding this morning.. I was on a mission and heading home as soon as possible (I like being home and not catching any illnesses!) Well I found the shoes right away, and looked over at Lila who had her sippy cup upside down. I went over to take it from her and realized the cup was halfway gone-Apple juice. All over her pants, jacket, onsie. Thankfully she loves being out and didn't make a peep. 

We are finally home. 

-LS

Ranting...

I really do think moms are superheroes.

Last week when I started my workout I realized that it is exhausting to try to stay fit and be a mom! I think it was easier when lila was a baby and took a million naps.. But now that she is one I think her and I both know, she only needs one. One nap?! She is not tired in the morning anymore :( Where did that come from? I am not ready for one nap. I HAVE A SCHEDULE! How am I supposed to clean, prep dinner and exercise with lila taking one nap? I guess I am going to have to adjust! 

.. And now that lila is in her crib for her ONE nap.. I need to go workout.

XO

-LS

(Tired mom to a one napped child)

Recipes!

These past two weeks I have been trying out some new recipes. Lets get to it!!

Dave LOVES mexican food. We need to eat it "at least 3 days a week". So I looked up a healthy recipe and decided to make Chimichangas. I also had three ripe plantains decided to make some fried plantains. THEN I went CRAZY! Made some mexican rice with beans. IT WAS AMAZING. David just about died. He said it was just like Costa Rica...but theirs was better..I am not going to disagree. 

2 cups chicken (shredded or chopped)
1 cup salsa
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 cup shredded cheddar
2 green onions
6 flour tortillas
2 tbsp butter (melted)
Toppings: Whatever you like..sour cream,guacamole,salsa, cheese.

1. preheat oven 400 degrees
2. mix chicken, salsa, cumin, oregano, cheese and onions. put 1/3 cup of mixture in center of tortillas.
3. roll up and place seam down in baking dish.
4. brush melted butter on tortillas and bake for 25 min
5. add toppings!

Now onto tonights dinner...my mom gave me instructions and I totally messed up. I was supposed to sear the pork tenderloin in the stove, not on the stove..it ended up with me getting splashed with hot oil EXTREMELY close to my eye! 

So I found some cold wine and started drinking and icing my face...then used it as my pork base (haha). 

Since I messed up my pork from the beginning, I started my own thing. 

I took my pork tenderloin and seasoned it with salt, pepper, fresh rosemary, and fresh thyme. I seared all four sides in HOT HOT olive oil and added a cup or two of white wine (I estimated). I lowered the heat and let it cook (covered) for 30-40 min. 

While the pork was cooking, I started on the veggies. I cut carrots and potatoes and mixed them around with olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme and rosemary. I threw them in the oven at 400 degrees for 35ish min? I just watched them.

Before

After!

I also cooked up some broccoli...I need to use it up!

Lila loved the meal. Ate up every bite....and came back when I ate my dinner.

Days like today..

Sometimes.. There are days like today when I think to myself "how did we make it through?". I AM EXHAUSTED. From the moment I woke up all I wanted to do was exercise and shower during Lila's first nap... Well it's 8:00 pm and I am just getting into the shower. I did get to exercise... During Lila's second nap. However, it took me a good hour to finish because I was so tired from the morning. Lila cried during her entire morning 2 hour nap. Yes, she is a baby (well now toddler) but I am pretty tough with her. I know a lot of people parent differently, but I definitely go for the tough love method. Yes, it is hard hearing her scream and cry, but I am not going to have a spoiled first child. Eventually she will cry until she is tired enough to fall asleep. Well.. Today I did cut her a little slack. Lila received two shots yesterday at the doctor and has been teething like crazy. So I gave her Motrin and thought she would be fine. After 45 min-60 min of crying I went in to give her a binky and some more milk. She was not having it! I put her back down and listened to her cry for another 45 min. So I decided she was not going to bed. We ate lunch and she went to sleep shortly after.(Thank God!).. Not so fast. Only for an hour. I wanted to cry when I heard her. I had just finished working out and wanted to take a shower. 

Sorry, I am babbling. 

I know I have probably said this before (or written it in her baby journal), but every time we go to a doctor checkup, I notice a change in Lila instantly. The obvious being she was terrified of the doctor. This was never an issue before. The nurse told me once they hit 1 all babies "know". It was weird! Anyway, the doctor was a little concerned Lila is not speaking yet. Well.. Shortly after, I noticed she was saying more sounds! She even was trying to mimick me saying "mama" today. I think she thinks the "r" sound is "m". I have noticed that for a while now and she always says "rarara" after I saw "mama". Today she also stood up on her own about 20 times?! Maybe even more. 

So now I am in the bath and Lila is asleep. All is well.. 

 

I am now going to do something I enjoy doing or relax! Maybe scrapbook?! Who knows. 

Tomorrow I will try to get on to share some recipes I have made the last couple of days! 

 

Here are some photos from today! Enjoy!

Zzzzzzz,

-LS

Thank You!

Well..we did it! We survived the first year! It's a big deal for me. Yes, I know everyone who has kids are happy to have made it through the first year.. But I am proud of us! David and I are young parents, and I think we are doing a pretty good job (Again-I think). It is hard! Not to mention the first 3 weeks in the hospital were brutal. Being in the NICU is not what you imagine when you go to deliver your baby. 

On Lila's birthday we celebrated just us three by going out to Friendly's for lunch and sundaes! Lila ate half of her sundae. David helped her finish it :)

We just had a fun relaxing day together! 

Lila's Raggedy Ann Birthday Party!

However, the next day was intense! Friday was prepping all day and party planning! I had every decoration set up the night before the party, so that on the party day I just had to cook and get ready. Everything went so smooth. Even Lila took her nap at the perfect time. I kept saying "this is too easy, something is going to go wrong". I woke up, finalized a few things and slowly got ready until I had to start cooking. 

The menu:

artichoke dip

cheese/crackers

onion dip/chips

Italian shells

Chicken caesar salad

Italian bread

Lots and Lots of cake!

chocolate rose lollipops

chocolate pretzels

Here are the decorations!

What to do at a 1st birthday party!?! WELL...I had everyone write a word for each letter of the alphabet for Lila. Later one in life she can look back and laugh at what everyone wrote...and yes..she will laugh. 

"Photo Prop" area!

Lila's Raggedy Ann Outfit..

We made the whole outfit (besides leg warmers!)

I just want to thank everyone who came out for the party. We love you all! You all have been by our sides through this journey and you mean so much to my family!

Lila received the most beautiful gifts and we seriously cannot thank you enough. 

XO,

-LS

P.S. I have a million photos from the party and I will try to post them on facebook or send them to anyone who wants them! 

So Long Holidays, Hello 1st Birthday!

So the holidays are over and all is calm...yeah right. Lila's birthday/birthday party is in a week and I have been planning and making all of the decorations. Here's the thing with Lila's birthday party. I knew the theme of Lila's birthday party since I found out I was having a girl. I have been obsessed! My friends and family are probably going to cry of joy when I finally stop talking about it. It's exciting, okay!?!? We are having a somewhat small birthday for Lila. It's her first and I want it to be as intimate as it can be (immediate family and very close friends). Also..I do not have the room to invite everyone I wanted. Ok..so enough of me rambling..let's see the birthday girl! 

This is what the backdrop looked like..

I took all of these photos maybe a month ago? I needed to put them in her invitation. Let's just say Lila is the only kid who did not want to put her hands right into the frosting. My sister in law and I had to literally stick her hand in. She did not like getting messy!!! My one tip if doing your own photos....Wake the baby up from the nap and start taking photos as soon as possible. Even though she was very quiet, she was so sweet! Sometimes I am not aiming for the "big Lila smile". I love when she looks calm. 

I will do her real 1st birthday pictures this week! She will be decked out in her birthday theme! Can't wait!

So there have been a lot events since Christmas Eve. I am not going to overload everyone with pictures..so here ya go!

Christmas Eve

 Christmas

(I love how Lila is eating Santa's cookies Christmas morning haha)

 "The Face"

Lila got her first car from the Class fam!

New Years Eve

Lila's first bridal shower!

With the lovely bride-to-be!

Lila attended her friends, Ben and Kate, birthday party!

Yesterday in the snow!!!

...And lastly, Lila and I were asked to be in David's cousins wedding! 

We are super excited!

Well I am going to go enjoy myself for the next hour or so of Lila's nap!

Tonight I will be making meatloaf, mashed potatoes and peas! Dave is working crazy shifts the next couple of days and I want him to have something yummy! I might be able to post the recipe tomorrow! 

Oh by the way..if I do not write before Saturday...

GO RAVENS!

Kisses!

-LS