Flashback Friday

One of my good friends welcomed her first baby into the world last week!  She texted me a picture of her new bundle of joy all tucked into his car seat ready to head home.  Seeing this itty bitty little baby being practically swallowed up by his huge car seat immediately made me think of this picture.

I remember how anxious we were to go home.  To get out of the hospital.  After 3 days I'd had enough!

I remember the nurse walking us out to the car.  That's when it hit me.  Oh my god.  We're really leaving.  And we have to take this thing precious baby home with us.  ALONE.  With no more nurses.  No more lactation consultants.  No more nursery to send him to when I wanted to sleep.  Holy shit.

I remember sitting in the back seat with him.  Watching him sleep the whole way home.  A calm coming over me.  Ok.  We can do this.  Look at him, he's perfect.

I remember coming home and putting him in his crib for the first time.  His first nap at home.  The hubs and I immediately collapsing into our own bed.  Exhausted.  We were totally going to "sleep when the baby slept."  Heck yeah!  This is awesome.

Then I remember not more that 2 minutes later that sleeping angel started to cry and my husband looked at me and said "This is going to be really hard isn't it...."

I don't think I'll ever forgot that day.  The day we came home as a family of 3.  It also makes me realize just how fast time really goes.  How in just 18 short months we've gone from that tiny little baby to Mr. Independent.

How's that for a sappy Flashback?
Happy Friday Friends!

He said/She said

He Said: Why didn't you buy

any ice cream?

She Said: I told you. 

We have Skinny Cows.

Eat those.

He said:  Ugh. 
I don't want a skinny cow.
I want a fat cow.

Oh the woes of being married to a dieter....who does all the grocery shopping.

Finding peace

After my mom died it seemed when people didn't know what to say, they went with the standard "she's always with you now."  I'd usually smile and nod, but on the inside I hated it.  Of all the things people said, that's what irked me the most.  No she's not.  She's not here.  I can't see her.  I can't talk to her.  It's not the same, so stop saying it.  It doesn't make me feel any better.

A little over a year later I was heartbroken to see one of my blog friends had recently lost her dad.  She talked about how upsetting it was he wouldn't be there for all those big moments she still had left to live.  And you know what I said?  Don't worry.  He'll be there.  He's always with you now.

Before you go all "kettle meet pot" on me, hear me out.

There was this stupid top 40 song that was popular right before my mom got sick.  You've probably all heard it.   It wasn't the worst song ever, but not one of my favorites.  Apparently my mom loved it.  She always was a sucker for crappy pop radio.  On one of our many drives to and from the hospital this song came on the radio and my dad mentioned how much she liked, how she'd sing along and put her hands up.  To be honest I don't even know what its called or who sings it, but from that moment on it became my mom's song. 

I heard it a lot right after she died and it always made me smile.  Like she was there, singing along.  I often thought to myself how sad it would be when the stations stopped playing it to replace it with the next big hit.  Oddly enough, I still hear that goofy song.  Usually right when I need to hear it most.  When we bought our new car last year...it was the first song we heard as we drove off the lot.  I took it as a sign she approved.  Even last month when we were at the Cotton Bowl, my dad and I were standing in line at the concession stands and wouldn't you know it started playing.  I should have known she'd be there to cheer on her favorite team.

It may have taken me a little while, but eventually I began to see the truth in what all those people were trying to tell me.  No she's not physically here anymore.  No I can't talk to her.  But she's still here in a different way.  Even if it is just some silly ole song.

Tasty Tuesday ~ Baked Ziti with Turkey Sausage

Since starting Weight Watchers I've definitely gotten my mojo back in the kitchen.
Thank goodness.  Feels so good to be back!

So far all the new recipes I've tried have been good, but this one definitely takes the cake as a new staple in the EyeCanSee household!  The hubs was still talking about it 2 days later.  Plus it's a pretty big serving and very filling, and the leftovers were just as good.

And at my meeting on Saturday I picked up a new WW cookbook, so it's safe to say there will be more where this came from!  Enjoy!

Baked Ziti with Turkey Sausage

what you need:

3/4 lb raw, spicy turkey sausage casing removed {I couldn't find turkey so substituted for an Italian Chicken sausage.  It was always fully cooked so I just diced it up}

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium green pepper, chopped

28 oz canned diced tomatoes

10 oz frozen green peas, thawed {I thought this was kinda weird, but went with it.  You don't really even taste/notice them and it was a good way to sneak in an extra veggie.  They could be omitted no problem though}

2 Tbsp canned tomato paste

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp fennel seed

1/2 tsp table salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

{I just did 3 tsp of Italian seasoning and threw in some extra garlic...cause who doesn't love garlic!}

12 oz uncooked Whole Wheat Ziti, cooked according to package {I couldn't find whole wheat ziti, so used a penne instead}

6 oz shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

what you do:

Preheat oven to 350

Crumble the sausage meat into a large saucepan and brown over medium heat, stirring often, about 4 minutes

Drain off any fat, then add the onion and bell pepper.  Cook until softened, about 3 minutes.

Stir in tomatoes, peas, tomato paste, and all seasonings.  Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook uncovered 5 minutes, stirring often.

Stir in the cooked pasta and half the cheese.  Spread evenly into a 9x13 inch baking pan. 

Top evenly with remaining cheese.

Bake until cheese has melted and the casserole is bubbling, about 20 minutes.

Let stand 10 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.

Serves 8.  WW: 8 points plus per serving

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Bon Appetite!

Just go with

No offense Rachael McAdams,

but I'm pretty sure if I woke up in hospital

and Channing Tatum was claming to be MY husband....

I wouldn't be asking any questions.

Just Sayin'

One more reason I'll be dragging the hubs to see The Vow!
Happy Friday Peeps!

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday

Perfecting his "duck face" since 2010

Happy Hump Day Friends!

Project MILF Returns

So now that I'm trying to bring the skinnies back,

I thought it only appropriate to revive Project MILF.

Not sure if it's going to be a weekly thing,

or just from time to time to check in, let you all keep me accountable

and of course to share some of the BIG milestones!

 I've officially completed my first week on Weight Watchers.

It may not win me any awards, but they always say the first week is the hardest and I passed with flying colors!

Down 6.2 pounds!

Yep, got my first 5 pound gold star.  The first of many to come!

Woo hoo!

It's always nice to put up some big numbers that first week.

I can honestly say it's been pretty easy so far.

I never feel hungry or like I'm not getting enough.

You know how you're usually starving at first on a diet?

I didn't have that.  I started getting nervous I was doing something wrong, or eating too much even though I was supposedly within my daily points.

I think my crutch was knowing I could always have fruits or veggies if I needed it.  But you know what?  I didn't need it.  I made sure to make smart choices with my meals so I would stay fuller longer.  And it worked!

I know this long journey is going to have lots of ups and downs, plenty of road blocks and challenges....but I feel like I'm off to a solid start and I'm feeling more confident everyday that I can {and will} do this!