Weekending

Another Monday, another day that I am tired and a bit sad. I will get to why in a bit. But the good news is, I am feeling better each day and my cough is lessening. Thank goodness. This sickness has kicked me in the bootay.

Friday I worked late to make up some leave time from having Monday and Tuesday off work. After work, I picked up the girls and grabbed a java chip frap to-go from a favorite local coffee shop. Rory had a golf lesson, so the girls took a nap and hung out with me until he got home. Once he was home and the girls had dinner, we took a long walk.

After the girls went to bed, Rory picked up take-out food, we caught up on some dvr'd shows and went to bed.

Saturday morning we headed out to breakfast, the girls then took their nap and then we ran a bunch of errands. We needed to get the girls some new clothes (we got 40% off everything at Old Navy and came home with a ton of stuff), get some wine and scotch at Total Wine and some baby shower stuff at Babies R Us. While the girls took their afternoon nap, I went grocery shopping for the week. We took another long walk that evening and made a steak dinner.

Sunday we got up and actually made breakfast. It was really good and the girls loved my pancakes. They ate so much bacon too. Successful brunch. During their nap, we put together the girls cozy coupe that they got for their birthday and never set up. We know they love them because they have ridden in them before, but we just never got around to it. Also, during nap time, I tried to find some sunglasses. I had my eyes on these (Tahoe Timber Sunglasses), but they didn't have them at the store they used to. So the search is still on. I also tried to get the rest of the baby shower gift, but the store was closed. So I settled on some amazing smoothies from Rawbry and headed home.

 source

 Guilty Pleasure smoothie

 Learning to drive early.

 

After lunch, we headed out again to run a bunch more errands. We went to get Walter dog food, to the cheese shop, the garden shop for heirloom tomato plants, Home Depot and Walmart for a few other items we didn't get at the grocery store on Saturday. 

After errands, the girls took a nap while we had some of our cheese. I got some news from a friend that my old boss had died that morning in a motorcycle accident. She worked with him and her boss called her to let her know and she let me know. I really can't believe it. His 50th birthday is coming up in June and he was having a huge celebration which he invited me to. Plus he was trying to help me pursue new opportunities where he worked. I am really sad to hear he had passed and made me realize (once again) that life is too short, so hug your loved ones and always tell them you love them.

After that, to try to get my mind off of things, I did a small workout at home while Rory did some gardening outside. Then I started cooking dinner for the girls and dinner for Rory and I. The girls ate their dinner and then we took another long walk. It started raining on us when we were walking back and it was beautiful. The rain was warm and the girls were so happy. Then it was bath time for the girls and getting them ready for the week ahead. I finished cooking dinner after the girls were in bed and we watched some tv before crashing out early.

We finally raised the girls high chairs up and put them into chairs (strapped onto the chairs) since the girls were always trying to push themselves off the bench.

I put this picture up on IG last night and it got a great response with lots of recipe requests. While I can't take credit for this, it is one of our favorite family meals (recipe here). We always have lots of leftovers and it is the best comfort food. Enjoy!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

I am linking up with Biana today for Weekending.

Fri-Yay!

It's Friday (thank goodness) and I couldn't be more excited. I am hoping for a sick free weekend, lots of sunshine and relaxing.

I am linking up with Karli and April.

One. The need to spend. I don't want to spend the money, but I am in dire need (ok dire want) of some Spring and Summer clothes. Or maybe I just want a closet overhaul. Either way, I want to add these two shirts to my closet.

here

here (and so very true)

Two. Lasagna with Spicy Chicken Sausage. My mother-in-law made this dish last weekend and it was a huge hit. She subbed the turkey sausage with spicy chicken sausage and we loved it. So flavorful, filling and yummy. I usually don't like ricotta cheese, but it worked well in this dish. I can't wait to recreate it.

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Three. Someone this week posted this pasta salad that I can't wait to try out...Avocado Pasta Salad and it has no mayo in it. Total win. You know my love for avocados, so I can't wait to break this out for Memorial Day or a potluck. Sounds like heaven and a total change up from the normal pasta salad.

 source

Four. Groopdealz is having a $9.99 t-shirt sale and I couldn't help but scoop up this adorable pineapple shirt. Did I need it? Nope. But for $9.99 it was a steal. I can't wait to wear it this summer.

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Five. Father's Day is right around the corner and I need to figure out what I want to do. I need some suggestions. Ideas. Gift and something fun to do that day. It is the day before we leave to Graeagle for a week, so keep that in mind. 

Confessional Thursday

It's time for Confessional Thursday. So sit back, confess your heart out, grab the button below and link up at the bottom. Easy.

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I confess that this sickness has been the worst sickness I have experienced in years. I haven't been this sick since I had a bad bout with bronchitis in 2006. Go away sickness. You are not welcome here anymore.

I confess that I didn't get to enjoy my Mother's Day dinner as much as I would have liked since I was so sick. I had been craving sushi for DAYS and we went for it. My tastebuds were off, but the food was still delicious. Plus the girls were getting fussy, so I didn't even get to have their homemade ice cream. But on a high note, the girls loved edamame.

I confess that I have had to buy a bunch of my toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, foundation, eyeliner) online these last two weeks. Ain't nobody got time to go to the store when you are sick and you have two hyper toddlers.

I confess that I still haven't bought sunglasses and I am rocking my broken ones that I have to put the lens back in at least 3 times a day. I need to buy new sunglasses, but just won't pull the trigger.

I confess I almost cried when getting on the scale at the doctor's office this week. How can I have gained weight when my pants still fit from last year (at my lowest weight in ages and my lowest pant size since high school)? The doctor said my weight was great and that muscle weighs more than fat, but seriously, pregnancy changes your body in ways you can't imagine or see.

I confess I can still taste/smell the stuff I cough up each morning. The worst. TMI, I don't care.

I confess that I miss my best friend in Oklahoma. I am counting down the days until she visits for her sister's graduation.

I confess that there is nothing sweeter than hearing the squeals from my girls after we put them to bed. They will sit up in their cribs and look through the slates or stand up and babble at each other. They laugh at each other and play for about 10 minutes before settling in for the night. They truly love each other and there is nothing sweeter than that.

I confess that I can't stand when people chew loudly or smack their lips when they are eating. Eat quietly please.

And that's it for my confessions this week. Don't forget to link up below.  

Mother's Day Weekending

And I am back...back from the worst sickness I have experienced in a long time. I thought about blogging from my couch on Monday and Tuesday, but laziness, sleep and Gilmore Girls won out. I am still not feeling 100%, but I am working on it. So please excuse my absence the last couple days. And please excuse any mistakes, run-on sentences or anything that doesn't make sense here. I am still trying to clear my head.

Friday after work, we grabbed some lunch, dropped Avery off at home, so my in-laws could watch her while we took Sutton to the pediatrician. Sutton's cough was still pretty nasty and she developed a rash that morning. Turns out the cough was from post-nasal drip from a small cold and nothing to be concerned about. The rash was hives and we are not sure what it was from. We treated it with Benadryl for a couple days and it hasn't been back since. We hadn't tried any new foods, so we are trying to figure out what it was from or if it was a fluke. Avery had a bit of the hives later that day.

Sutton's hives at the pediatrician

Avery's hives

Friday evening we went to an early dinner and called it an early night. My cold was getting worse by then and I was regretting not going to the doctor myself that day. 

Saturday morning we headed to breakfast and I was feeling terrible. I was loaded up on DayQuil and hoped for the best. My parents came over to see the girls and hang out for a bit. It was pouring outside, so we built a fire and hung out at home most of the day. Around 4 pm, we headed over to my in-laws house to see my sister-in-law and family for an early birthday celebration. After dinner and dessert, we headed home to get some rest. I barely slept that night due to being so sick.

Sunday was Mother's Day and I was so bummed to be so sick. My throat hurt, I was coughing up a lot of nasty stuff, my sinuses hurt and I had a runny nose. But I took more DayQuil with my homemade latte and was treated like a queen by Rory and the girls. Then we headed to Mother's Day breakfast with family. Breakfast was so good and I was showered with a few gifts. A ring box from my in-laws. Wine, a special salami and truffle honey from my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Plus a Mom cookie from the restaurant. I felt really special and my girls were very well behaved.

 Mommy and Avery on Mother's Day

Mommy and Sutton (who wasn't wanting any pictures taken) on Mother's Day

A really tasty cookie

We took a long walk, watched some tv and then we headed to sushi for dinner. We made the most of the day and overall it was a great day even though I was terribly sick. The girls and Rory set me up an appointment to get a custom made bikini with Strange Bikinis! I am beyond excited and can't wait to show you all what we come up with. I felt very loved and spoiled on Mother's Day. 

Monday I stayed home from work because my sickness was getting the best of me. I headed to the doctor's office that day and found out that I had an ear infection in my right ear (the left was slightly red too) and a nasty sinus infection. I was prescribed a heavy dose of antibiotics and I am trying to kick this thing. I spent the day laying on the couch cuddling Walter and watching Gilmore Girls. 

Tuesday was more of the same thing, but Rory and the girls were home with me since none of us slept that night. I watched about half a season of Gilmore Girls in two days and it was awesome. 

I am back at work today and hoping this nasty cold goes away ASAP.

 Miss Avery at breakfast being cute as ever

How was your weekend? How was your Mother's Day?

Don't forget to link up tomorrow for Confessional Thursday!

Friday Favorites

It's Friday. Finally. Having the girls sick and then getting sick on top of that has made for a very long week. So thankful it is Friday.

I am linking up with Karli and April.

One. I am super excited for this weekend...but I need to kick this sore throat first. I am loading up on the lozenges, DayQuil, drinking lots of water and tea and hoping it leaves me alone. It gets better by the day, but it needs to go away. Go away cold, no one wants you. And Sutton's cough hasn't gotten much better so we are going to take her into her pediatrician to make sure she doesn't need antibiotics and that it isn't something more than a cold. She sounds like she is getting better and her breathing is better, but the cough is still there.

Two. A few of you have asked how my recovery from surgery is going and I can say that it has been pretty awesome. I did have a bit of a scare after flying home with Sutton from Mexico and her jumping around on my belly, but thankfully the pain has disappeared. Here is my progress so far...don't mind the selfies.

As you can see my scar is sooo much smaller, lighter and is healing so well. I do use the silicone strips on it daily (mine last for 6 weeks per strip), so that has helped. Along with massaging the scar. But the biggest change is my abs are flatter. It is hard to see in these photos, but prior to surgery I looked like I was 4 to 5 month pregnant because I had a 3 1/2 inch gap between my abs. Now they are sewn shut and look so much better. My belly button is finally in and looks closer to what it did prior to having the girls. And I am pain free. I have most of the feeling back in my stomach (cutting through nerves takes time to heal just like it did with a c-section) and would do this surgery over and over again. My doctor rocked this one and I would recommend him and this surgery to anyone.

Three. We got our family photos back and I am in love. They turned out amazing! Our outfits look good together, the girls smiled for some of the photos, the scenery was beautiful, I got a new blog picture out of it and the overcast weather made for the perfect lighting. I can't wait to share them with you next week. In the meantime, here is another sneak peak.

Four. I want to make these muffins this weekend. Lindsay over at Lindsay's Sweet World said she and her children made them and they loved them. My girls love muffins and it is an easy way for me to sneak fruits and veggies into them. I will not be adding the peanut butter this time as my girls have yet to try peanut butter. Why you ask? My father-in-law is extremely allergic and we worry that my girls could have inherited the peanut allergy. Most likely not, but we need to test it on their hand first, then let them try it for a few days and see what happens. So for now, we will skip the peanut butter which was just added for some extra protein.

Five. Mother's Day is Sunday and I can't wait for all the family time we have this weekend. The girls, Rory and I get to spend Saturday afternoon with my parents and then Saturday evening with my in-laws (including my sister-in-law and her husband and my aunt-in-law). Then Sunday we are having a family brunch with my in-laws and then time with just my family. What are your Mother's Day plans?

Have a good weekend and don't forget to link up.

Confessional Thursday is Back!

Ladies, I am so excited to be co-hosting my first Confessional Thursday with Lynn at Dispositive Motion. We really wanted to carry on the tradition that Leslie Sisti (A Blonde Ambition) started and Jess (The Newly) continued. And now it is our turn to take the reigns.

Wanna join in on the fun? It is super easy. Confess your heart out, grab the button (html) below and put it in your post and come back to link up with us (at the bottom of this page).

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Now that the business side is taken care of....onto the Confessions.

I confess that having two sick babies is like taking care of 20 babies. So much work, so many boogers, so many tears and way too many glasses of scotch. Yes, I have ended my nights with a generous glass of scotch. Don't judge.

I confess that I can't stop looking at these photos from the wedding we went to last weekend. They make me smile every time I see them.

I confess that I have a sore throat and I am quite mad about it. It HAS to go away before the weekend because I want to see family and enjoy Mother's Day.

I confess that this weather here is dumb. For a day or two it is in the low 70s and then bam, rain and winds with temps in the 50s. I enjoy our evening walks and we can't go on them when the weather is like this. Spring give me sunshine.

I confess that I am dying to see the movie Bad Moms. I watched the trailer yesterday and I couldn't stop laughing. I am sure I will never be the Pinterest perfect mom (even though I try to be), so this seems right up my alley. Are you going to see it?

I confess that I am not that crafty, so I borrowed an idea off Pinterest for the girls' teacher appreciation gift. I think it turned out just like the picture and I am happy with it. Plus I added a little note from the girls.

Yes, you can see my tape. I ran out of the invisible stuff.

I confess that I purposely didn't buy anything from the grocery store for dinner last night because I hate cooking after getting a massage and facial (I spoiled myself!). No one wants to cook after relaxing, so take out it was and I don't regret it at all.

I confess that I still went to the gym yesterday even with a sore throat. I didn't want to skip it (it re-energizes me for the rest of the workday) because I have made such great progress going 2 to 3 times a week since I was given the go to workout again.

I confess that I "forgot" my lunch yesterday so that I would have lunch today and not have to go to lunch with my co-workers today. It's not the co-workers, but the monster burritos they were getting. Sure, I love a good burrito, but after Mexico and its amazing food, I didn't want to be disappointed.

I confess that my momma heart bursts at the seams when I see how much Sutton is a mommy's girl. Avery may be a daddy's girl, but when he isn't around, she is all about her mommy and it melts my heart. I am beyond thankful and grateful to be the mother to my little ladies.

And those are my confessions. Don't forget to link up below.

Our Mexican Vacation Part 2

Time to finish up our Mexican vacation. If you missed Part 1, click here.

I left off on Monday morning. We went to breakfast at this little place that was half indoors and half outdoors, Coco's Kitchen and I had the best french toast there. It was almond crusted with a lemon curd and it was to die for. The girls played and entertained the waiters and guests.

After the usual naps, walks around the city and snacks, we headed up to the rooftop pool. We wanted to try the girls new floats and see how they liked the pool. It was a heated salt pool and since the girls love bath time, we figured it would be a no brainer. Boy were we wrong. The girls didn't like it at first.

Total meltdown

After we took them out of the floats, they started to like it more. We just passed the girls around between us and the grandparents and they started to like it.

After pool time and the girls nightly routine, we headed to Polo's for their red snapper. We also had these shrimp raviolis that were so good. Combine this with two margaritas each and we were in heaven.

This sunset also helped!

Tuesday we did a bunch of the same stuff...breakfast at Fredy's again, shopping for some gifts, walking the city, chats with Conrad (Rory's great uncle) and more pool time with the girls. This became our days and it was the best.

While walking around, we saw this power post and were blown away by how many wires were coming out of it. It can't be safe, can it?

That evening, Rory and I headed out to Bella Napoli for some pizza. We tried to find this place last time we were in PV, but we searched for hours, only to never find it and go to one of our usual spots. We used TripAdvisor for directions and everyone had it wrong. It was literally a quarter of a mile north of us when it sent us about a mile south of us last time. Needless to say, it did not disappoint. We started off with their burrata, asparagus and prosciutto appetizer and followed it up with a pizza each. The pizzas were huge, but thin crust. We filled ourselves up on that and wine and Rory said we needed the lime pie that everyone kept ordering. It was good, but I was beyond full. Basically how I felt after every meal in PV. The food is just THAT good.

After a fun conversation that evening with my mother-in-law, we went to bed.

Wednesday was more of the same thing. Breakfast, pool time, sunbathing and relaxation. My in-laws watched the girls while Rory and I got some sunbathing in and then they brought the girls up for some pool time. By this time, the girls were liking their floats and loved "swimming laps" aka mommy and daddy swimming while pulling the girls. We were all settled into our Mexico lifestyle and didn't want to leave.

I know it is hard to see, but my doctor killed it with my hernia surgery. I haven't felt this good, let alone in a bikini in a very long time. Plus look at how adorable my girls were/are!

That night we had another date night at Joe Jack's Fish Shack which has been a favorite of ours for years. We ate a ton of food that night...surprised? But what we enjoyed the most was the company and the sunset on the top patio. My fish tacos were so good!

Enjoying his El-Mex Jito (a mojito made with tequila)

Enjoying my strawberry mojito

We walked a lot after dinner and caught up with my in-laws after.

Thursday we did the same as usual, but this time we threw in a massage (at a nearby spa that had great reviews) for Rory and I. The massage room was on the rooftop, with canvas curtains all around us, so the breeze came through and it was the best. And it was $22 US Dollars including the tip. Killer deal and so worth it. We felt amazing after it and booked another one for the following day. Spoiled.

That evening we went back to Bella Napoli, but this time we ordered take-out, so we could share with my in-laws and have an evening in. The food was great, we watched the sunset and fireworks and just chatted all evening.

Friday was our last full day in Mexico, so we made the most of it. We went back to Coco's Kitchen for amazing omelet's, did some shopping on the way back to the condo before the girls' naps and had another massage. We had the massage in the same place with the same masseuses and came back to the condo refreshed. I had checked the weather earlier in the day for our connecting flight (to Denver) and found out there was supposed to be a massive snowstorm to hit there Friday night through Sunday night. But United still said our flights were on time. 

But after our massages, we got an email (which I luckily had checked within 5 minutes of it being sent) saying our flight to Denver was cancelled. We went to Conrad's condo next door and I spent an hour waiting on hold with United to make our changes since the mobile app ones wouldn't go through. We had some beer and nuts while waiting and chatted with Conrad while my in-laws took care of the girls. After I was able to get through to someone, I spent the next hour and a half trying to find other flights.

United thought they were doing us a favor and they rebooked us on a flight from PV to Chicago (with an overnight in the Chicago airport) to San Francisco to Reno to get us in on Sunday at 11:30 am instead of Saturday at 8:30 pm. I had a flight to catch to Israel on Sunday at 7:30 am so this wouldn't work. Since we booked our flights with points, they couldn't change us to another carrier...until I told them I had a flight with them on Sunday morning to Israel and Rory was a gold member. They would have lost out on a lot of money for a refundable ticket to Israel, so they found us an amazing flight on American getting us in at 6:30 pm instead of 8:30 pm and we got to spend an extra hour and a half in PV. Crisis adverted.

After all the dust settled, we went up to the pool with the family and enjoyed the pool one last time on our trip. 

That evening, Rory and I headed to No Way Jose! A restaurant super close to the condo that we had never been to. We ordered table side Caesar's (so good) along with a flank steak special for Rory and Mahi Mahi in a mango and mandarin sauce. I had a play off a Moscow Mule in a boot and Rory had a chili margarita. Both were amazing and we each had two. Our last night was our most expensive meal and it was still a killer deal.

 My Mexico version of the Moscow Mule

 Table side Caesar

Heavenly

Saturday morning was spent going to breakfast one last time at Fredy's, packing and saying our goodbyes to Mexico. Well not goodbye, but until next time because we will be back.

Avery eating crayons and super pumped for her pancakes

Sutton loved eating crayons as well and standing in her highchair

After we said our goodbyes, we made our way to the airport. When we landed in Phoenix, we got through Customs quickly, grabbed our bags and headed back through security. We did have to run to our gate to make our plan, but luckily there were about 15 people from our previous flight heading home with us. But we made it through, a little stressed and razzled, but we made it. We flew home and Walter was pretty pumped to see us.

 Sutton was none to pleased to be leaving Mexico.

I was only home for about 12 hours before heading off to Israel for work, but I will save that for another post. I will also save the flying with toddlers for another post as well.

Mexico treated us so well and I am so happy we got to share it with the girls. Can't wait to go back in another two or so years.