I...

I feel...both refreshed and exhausted after my fun filled 3 day weekend.
I want...to buy some new bras, 40+ pounds later and these old ones just aren't cutting anymore.  Actually these boobs just aren't cutting it anymore, screw new bras, I want some new {non saggy} boobs!
I need...to work by butt off this week to counteract the love affair I had with a bowl of skittles Saturday night.
I wish(ed)... I didn't have to go back to work today.
I watched...Grey's Anatomy.  Holy crap.  Talk about a season finale!
I am...so excited for this summer.  Jamie is finally old enough to want to get out and do stuff.  I just know it's going to be great!
I love...that I haven't heard the bats in over a week.  Maybe they decided our house wasn't good enough and just left!  {I girl can dream!!}
I hate...how early my alarm went off this morning.
I hurt...that my mom didn't get to see Jamie "simmin'" this weekend.
I hope...all of life's uncertainties get figured out soon.

Happy Tuesday Friends!

Letting Go

Since the day Jamie was born he's been a pacifier baby.
My mom used to comment that he had it in his mouth all.the.time.
Like it was a bad thing.
So what.
It helped him sleep and generally made him a happier baby.  I wasn't going
to mess with it.
As time went on we started trying to wean him off of it and by his 1st
Birthday he really only used it at nap and night time.
{and sometimes in the car.....or when out in public and we needed a quick fix}
Once he turned 18 months I toyed with the idea of taking it away for good,
but chickened out.
I needed that pacifier as much as he did.
It had become my crutch almost as much as it was his.
It guaranteed me a full nights sleep and lessened the embarrassing moments in public.
Well a few weeks ago while we were in Ohio his attachment to it seemed to escalate and for the first time ever he actually started to ask whine for it during the day.
"Binky mama.....biiiinnnkkyyyy!!!!!!"
That's when I realized it was time.
When they're old enough to ask for it, they're TOO old to have it right??
Well I thought so.
The hubs wasn't really on board. 
He didn't think he was ready.
Translation:  The hubs wasn't ready to deal with public outings without our ace in
the hole.
Unfortunately for the hubs, when mama gets an idea in her head there's no
turning back.
I wasn't crazy enough to attempt it BEFORE our 11 hour road trip home.
I said I was determined, not asking for a death sentence.
And I certainly wasn't going to attempt it during the work week.
Mama needs some sleep.
But Friday was the day.
That gives us 3 nights and 2 naps before Monday.
I was in knots all week, anticipating that battle that was going to go down.
The whining, the crying, the sleepless nights. {Jamie would probably be
upset too.  I kid}
When I got home from work I cleared out the binky drawer and the stash in
the diaper bag.
I toyed with just throwing them away, but decided against it.  Just in case.
7:30 rolled around so we did our usual night time routine.
As I was putting on his PJ's he started pointing to the drawer and asking
for his binky.
I said they were all gone.
And that was it.  He said "all gone" and didn't ask again.
Huh.  That wasn't so bad.
Where's that epic meltdown I was waiting for?
We rocked in the chair, sang our good night songs and put him to bed.
He grabbed his blankie and put his head down, so I tiptoed out.
Not a peep.
Was it really going to be that easy?
A few minutes later the screaming began.
Here we go.  Now THIS is what I expected.
I gave it a little bit to see if he'd calm himself down but quickly
realized that wasn't happening.
I went back in, rocked him to sleep, then put him back to bed.
That was it.  We didn't hear from him again until morning.
Nap time?  Same thing.  I rubbed his back for like a minute and he was out
for the count.
Sometimes I don't think we give our kids enough credit.
We anticipate the worst.
We don't trust out mommy instincts that "it's time" and they're ready.
Sometimes I think it's me that has a hard time letting go.
Letting my baby grow up.
Three weeks later and it seems like a distant memory.
Sure at night time he still occasionally asks for it, but we tell him
we gave them to the babies and he's ok with it. 
Because as he says "babies cry, binkies for the babies."
And he's certainly no baby.
Just one more step closer to being a big boy.

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday

I'm guessing the authorities might not find Jamie's new favorite play pen as funny as I did......

Happy Wednesday Friends!

Tasty Tuesday ~ Beef Stroganoff

I've been holding out on you.  I found this recipe months ago on Pinterest courtesy of All Recipes.com and have made it countless times, but still hadn't shared it.  It's ridiculously easy and uses one of my favorite kitchen accessories -- the crock pot.  Serve it over some noodles with a veggie on the side and voila!  Instant dinner!  The hubs would it eat if every week if I made it and Jamie shoves it in by the fistful.  It's just that good.  Enjoy!

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

Beef Stroganoff

what you need:

1 pound cubed beef stew meat

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed golden mushroom soup

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (I always use a little more, like 2-3)

1/4 c water

4 ounces cream cheese (I always use the 1/3 less fat)

what you do:

In a slow cooker combine the meat, soup, onion, worcestershire sauce and water.

Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for about 5.  Stir in cream cheese just before serving.

That's it.  I told you it was ridiculously easy!
Bon Appetite!

The skeletons in my closet

Ever wanted to know 25 of the most random facts about me??  Well you're in luck cause I've seen this floating around the blogosphere and thought it would be fun!  Surprisingly I came up with 25 things I don't think you all know....which was pretty hard considering I've been airing out my dirty laundry on the interwebs for over 3 years.

21 one days before my 21st Birthday I broke my foot trying to sneak out of my sorority house.  I think I was the only sober person in the ER night.

21 days later, while studying for my final exams, my best friend forced me to hobble down to the bar, walking shoe and all, at midnight to have my first official {legal} drink.  I then proceeded to walk back to my sorority house and ring the doorbell 21 times.  It's a tradition I like to think still exists.  {probably not}

I've only smoked 1 cigarette my entire life.  It was disgusting.  I get that they are addicting, what I don't get is how you can actually smoke enough to get to that point.  One was MORE than enough for me.

I went to an all girls high school.  There were only 64 people in my graduating class.  Six of us were named Emily.

I took 4 years of french in high school.  Our school song was even in French.  I went to France for 6 weeks and lived with a host family.  Today, I couldn't carry on a conversation in french if my life depended on it.

The first concert I ever went to was Dave Matthews.

I hated New Kids on the Block.

When I was in middle school I found one of my brother's nudey magazines in the basement.  I took it to school and my friends and I all sat on the playground and giggled over the naked ladies.

I had a cell phone and a pager when I was in high school.  I only got the pager because my best friend had one.

I worked at Old Navy for 7 years.  Sometimes I actually miss it.  Mainly for the discount.

I still remember the names of all my childhood dolls and stuffed animals.

With the exception of the 4 years I was in college I have worn a uniform either for school or work my entire life.  I don't think I could dress myself on daily basis otherwise.

I'm a dental hygienist who doesn't floss.

In college, after one too many adult beverages, I proceeded to carry an orange cone I found in the street all the way across campus and back to my dorm.

The last time I weighed what's on my driver's license I was 17.

When I was 17 I backed out of the garage and tore the side mirror off my car.  I tried to to tell my parents it was a hit and run at work.  They didn't buy it.  The black marks on the side of the garage probably gave me away.  That and my mom heard the entire thing happen.

Nearly 2 years of being a mom and I have never purchased a single disposable diaper.  Yay cloth!

I've also never eaten funnel cake or seen the movie It's a Wonderful Life.  This always seems to shock people.

I use my left hand to put on eye makeup even though I'm right handed.

My freshman year of college I grew 1 inch and 1 shoe size.

I used to be claustrophobic and as a kid was afraid of getting trapped in elevators and public restroom stalls.

Early in my pregnancy the outer part of my right thigh went numb.  Not completely, more like that annoying pins and needles foot asleep feeling.  We assumed it was the baby pressing on a nerve and once he was born it would go away.  21 months later...still numb.  At this point I'm pretty sure it's for good.

I have this cheesy pair of sleep shorts I bought in high school with little cartoon crabs all over them.  Every time I wear them I announce, "Hey hun look!  I've got crabs!"  And then laugh for like 10 minutes straight at the stupidity of it.

I hate being wet.  Like that just out of the pool, wet hair, wet suit, waiting to dry off feeling.  Ugh.  Hate it.  And don't even get me started on being in wet clothes or shoes.  Those water rides at amusement parks are my worst nightmare.

I hate thong underwear.  I only wear them when absolutely necessary.

So did you learn something new?  Now it's your turn!!
I want to know ONE random fact about you.
Annnnnd GO!

To whom it may concern

Dear bats,

If I'm forced to let you occupy my home until August due to your endangered status,
least you could do is take care of the horrific mosquito problems we've got going
on in the backyard.  I have far too many bug bites for someone with bats as tenants.

xoxo
Your Disgruntled Landlord

Dear Jamie,

My name is MAMA not May-May. 

May-May is your teacher. 

I get that you spend more time with her during the week than me,

but let's not twist that mom guilt knife in any further ok?

xoxo

Your heartbroken MAMA

Dear Ben and Jerrys,

Your Greek Frozen yogurt is a sham. 
Shame on me for assuming you'd be healthy. 
If I'm going to spend that many points on a lousy half cup of fake ice cream....
I'm going for the real thing.

xoxo
Duped in the checkout line

Dear E.L. James,

Your books are delicious and definitely live up to the hype. 

My inner goddess thanks you. 

And so does my husband.

xoxo

Loving all 50 shades

Dear Friday,

You couldn't have come fast enough.

xoxo
Looking forward to a great weekend

Project MILF: Dressing a thinner me

Well it's taken me nearly 40 pounds to get here, but I've officially dropped one pant size.

Yep.  One.

People think I'm kidding when I say my weight can fluctuate vastly before I can really tell.

Sure my clothes might start to fit differently.  Be a little bit looser.  Lay a little nicer.

But when I try on a smaller size?  It's a no go.

I envy those of you who can drop 5 pounds and immediately squeeze into smaller jeans.

Just ain't happening for me.

So you can imagine my excitement when I started trying on some of my old "maybe one day these will fit again" pants only to discover they fit!

It's always fun to get to rediscover your own wardrobe.

Especially when some of the gems you find circa 2009 are adorable and surprisingly still in style.

What's not fun?  Realizing that the rest of your "new" wardrobe consists of some heinously out of fashion jeans and a bunch of skirts that haven't seen the light of day since BB {before baby}.  Translation?  You're too damn old to be wearing things you bought in your mid early 20's.  Plus no one needs to see your ass all over the playground while you chase around your crazy toddler.

Well my dad must have read my mind.

Or got tired of seeing me prance around in pants that practically fell off.

Because for mothers day he gave me a visa gift card.

My first thought?

Sweet!  I can use this to buy our summer pool pass!

My second thought?

Heck no...mama's going shopping!!

And shopping I did!

I didn't want to buy a ton....just enough staple pieces to get me through the summer.

Hopefully by fall I'll be another size down!

Here's what a whirlwind shopping trip to the Gap Outlet will get you.
{Please pardon the after work hair and goofy smiles.  I never know what you're supposed to do in these self pics!}

 {1 pair of questionably short shorts that I'm still not sure I'm confident enough to wear yet and the most comfortable coral colored tshirt I've ever worn.  The black top is actually from last summer, but fits now.  Also from Gap Outlet -- I love that store.  Way cuter than the acutal Gap for some reason.}

 {You can't tell in the pictures, but these shorts are a royal blue.  I love them!  My dad picked out the top on the left...I thought it was a bit wild at first, but now I love it!  And the striped tank has a fun pattern to it.}

{And a pair of fun bright colored shorts!  The cream top might be my new fave, it has a keyhole/tie opening in the back.  Super cute!  And I loved the coral T so much I picked one up in grey too.  I may be back for 20 more, seriously softest shirt ever.  The floral top was another pick by my dad, what can I say, the man has great taste!  I love it and it will be perfect for summer just maybe with different bottoms, not sure I'm digging it with the coral color}

I think I did pretty good!

It's amazing how just putting on clothes that fit can make you look thinner.

And feel 100 times better!

He Said/She Said

He Said: Dude I totally just saw two bats fly out.

She Said:  Like out of our house??!?!

He Said:  Yes!  Come look.

She Said:  No thanks, I'll pass. 

It's bad enough I have to hear them and

KNOW I live in bat cave. 

I don't also need visual confirmation.

He Said:  Oh come on.  It.was.awesome.

She Said:  Yeah....apparently your idea of awesome

and mine are vastly different.

In case you couldn't guess.  The bats are back.  {insert sarcastic YAY! here}
I'm not sure which is worse.  The fact that I get to listen to them again for the summer or the fact that my husband finds it AWESOME.

Tasty Tuesday: Southwestern Stuffed Peppers

I've been trying lots of new recipes and I thought it was time to share one of my new favorites!

This one came from Pinterest courtesy of the Simply Love Food blog.

It's easy.  Delicious.  AND good for you!

Not to mention it will be perfect for summer with all the fresh local peppers you can buy.

It also worked fabulously for leftovers.  I made the full batch of "filling" but only stuffed 2 peppers the first time.  Saved the rest and a few days later used the leftovers and stuffed 2 more fresh peppers.

Voila!  Easiest dinner ever!

The husband gave it 2 thumbs up and my littlest food critic even gobbled it up.

Definitely try it, you won't be sorry!

Southwestern Stuffed Peppers
what you need:
Olive Oil
1/2 lb lean ground turkey
1 cup chopped onions
1 heaping Tbsp taco seasoning
2 cups of cooked rice (I used brown)
3-4 organic bell peppers, halved and seeds removed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup frozen corn
1 15 oz jar of salsa
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (I used 2% Reduced Fat)

what you do:
Pre heat the oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly coat the peppers with olive oil and roast in a baking dish about 20-25 minutes just until cooked thru.  Remove peppers and allow to cool until you can handle them.

In a bowl add the taco seasoning, cooked ground turkey, chopped onions, black beans, corn and rice.  Add in the salsa and mix well.

Carefully spoon the turkey mixture in each half of the bell peppers and place back into the baking dish.  (I used about 1/2-3/4 cup per pepper and stuffed 8 halves all together)  Cook for another 15-20 minutes or until the peppers are cooked all the way thru.  Before removing from oven sprinkle the tops of each pepper with shredded cheddar cheese.  Place back in oven just until cheese is melted.

Remove from oven and top with fresh cilantro, avocado or sour cream.  Whatever your heart desires!
I figured the WW points to be 5 per pepper not including any addiontal toppings added.

Bon Appetite!

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope all the moms out there are enjoying their day!

Mr. EyeCanSee....you ARE the father

Except we don't have to go on Mo Po to figure that out.

The proof is in the pudding....errr pictures.

Nose?  Check.

Ears?  Check.

Hair?  Check.

Gap toothed grin?  Check.

If it weren't for his mama's squinty eyes {which are spot on the same exact color as the hubs} and pictures like this

{Yikes!}

I'd wonder if I had anything to do with making this kid.

Happy Friday Friends!

Choose your own adventure

Do you ever wish you could request a do-over?

Go back in time to the moment things started going wrong?

Kind of like a Choose your own Adventure book.

I don't like the way this turned out.....

So let's go back to Chapter 5 and choose a different route.

Pray for a better ending.

If only it were that easy.

Life lately has been a little crazy, filled with lots of uncertainty.

Things I can't really share. 

Not right now at least.

But one thing is for sure.

Lot's of big changes are headed our way whether we like it or not and sometimes I feel like we're standing at a fork in the road.

Part of me says we need to just roll with the punches, take life as it comes and just continue along on the same path.

The other part of me craves something new. 

Something different. 

A fresh start.

A new adventure.

I told the hubs the other day that we've exhausted the KC mojo....if it could go wrong, it did.

So let's move to the beach.

The Carolina's perhaps.

Or maybe Colorado.

Who doesn't love the mountains.

I always said I wanted to learn how to snow board.

If only it were that easy.

Or I was that brave.

I couldn't even throw caution to wind and uproot my life fresh out of college, so the chances of doing it now with my little family in tow?

Pretty slim.

I'm a creature of habit. 

When things go awry I seek comfort in the familiar.

So while I don't see us packing up and moving across the country, I could really use a breath of fresh air.

Barely Legal

It's been a big month!  From a solo weekend with daddy to yet another long road trip to Ohio.

We said goodbye to the binky with little resistance.  Apparently mom and dad were more attached to it than he was!
We've graduated from mama and dada to mommy {sometimes just mom} and daddy {or Hun just like mommy calls him, which will always crack me up}

And everyday he seems to learn something new.
I love watching him learn and explore!

Everyday we get closer to two though my baby becomes less and less baby.

More and more little boy.

While I embrace all the new found independence I find myself grasping on to what little baby is left.
Like the fact that he's still in his crib and uses a sleep sack which he fondly calls "sacky."  I'm afraid we may need to find one big enough to send with him to college.
Or that he still lets me rock with him right before bed every night ans snuggles on my shoulder just like when he was itty bitty.

He makes me so glad to be a mom!

Happy 21 months little man!

Enjoying the small things

Yesterday I raced home from work so I would have time to hit the grocery store before picking up Jamie.

I raced through the store.

I raced to daycare so he wouldn't be the last one there.

We raced home.

I hurried to carry all the groceries upstairs so I could get the dog out ASAP.
By the time we got outside I was exhausted from all the running around.
I was exhausted from the day.

All I wanted to do was go back inside and breath.

Take a time out before the madness of our evening routine began.

Just as the thought of putting my feet up put my mind at ease, I saw a little 25 pound toddler race by, headed right for the swing.

I sighed.

I didn't want to swing.

I wondered if I could bribe him back inside without a tantrum.

And then I realized how in the blink of an eye he's not going to want to play with his mama.

I should slow down.

Enjoy these little moments.
So we swang.

We laughed. 
I soaked it all in.
I felt all the stress of the day melt away.
I was reminded that sometimes, you need to just stop and smell the roses.