Kid in a kennel

There are some days when I welcome her being confined in the dog crate.


Is it wrong to wish it were sound-proofed too?!?


;)

Concert series

After getting a call that bootcamp class was cancelled tonight, the Hubster, myself and Brownies went to a local concert series. We've gone a few times, but haven't been able to go regularly because of class. But we're glad we went today. The kids had fun rockin' and boppin' to the music, and we had fun watching other people make complete fools of themselves dance. Plus, our familia came, as well as our friends Pat, Rach and Matthew.

Anyway, here's some pics from tonight:


Fun times... even if we did get home at 8:45 pm. Um yeah, tomorrow should be a really fun day with two tired, cranky kidlets.

::eyeroll::

This boy of mine...

makes me want to eat him up. Seriously. He's adorable, cuddly and gives a mean "oooh oooh!" noise when you ask him what a monkey says. We think he's a pretty cool dude around here...


and apparently so does he.

But we've discovered Jacob has a new love interest in his life. Yes, his beloved fingers are still of utmost importance to him, but he has a lady friend....


This lady friend isn't bothered by the fact that she ends up covered in drool when Jacob is done with her. She sits there and takes it while he smothers her in kisses...


At one point I asked him if he and his lady friend wanted some privacy, but he opted to show off his talents in front of the camera.

I guess he's just shy like that.


And after all that kissing making out, our little lover boy worked up an appetite. So I gave him a peach and watched as he practically covered every square inch of the kitchen in peach juice. As you can imagine, this made my day. The down side of having your kitchen doused with peach parts is that you stick to every surface; walls, counter tops, and flooring. The plus side of having peach-laden walls is that the Brownies can pull themselves off a chunk whenever they get hungry. No momma necessary!! ;)


Ohhh, and one more thing; guess who took 3 steps today with no encouragement to do so? Uh huh, lover boy himself!

This girl of mine...

cracks me up. She's a funny 'lil thang, full of silliness, with a pinch handful of attitude thrown in. Some days I want to eat her up, other days I'm ready to post a free "Cute little girl to free home" ad.

Anyway, yesterday two of my fears came true, both pertaining to my Fancy Pants. In the morning as we're on our way to the mall, Lauren was dawdling and s-l-o-w-l-y putting on her shoes (because ya know, she has to do everything herself these days). So I told her I was just going to go in the (attached) garage and get Jacob strapped into his carseat. She doesn't scream or throw herself on the floor or anything this time, so I assume I'm in the clear. I'm "gone" 3 seconds, and all of a sudden I hear "Momma, I lockeded da door!". Sure enough, I was completely locked out. It sucked, and so today we have tape covering the locks. Because we're classy like that.

Then after we get home from the mall, Lauren is spent. Like, needed a nap 2 hours ago, spent. It was baaaaaaaad. As I'm about to lay her in bed, it occurs to us both that her "white b" isn't with her like it always is. So then the tears come. "I waaaant white b!" over and over again until everyone within a 10 mile radius heard her. I go searching for "white b"; he's not in the playroom, swinging in the swing, hiding in the stroller or "pwetending to sleep under mommy's bed"; he's nowhere. Seriously, I have sweat dripping down my head at this point. I'm exhausted from dealing with Crabby Abby all morning, and all I want to do is get her to conk out. So I come up with what seems like a good idea and tell her that doh!, mommy forget and "white b" is getting his bath in the washer. She thinks about it for a minute and then wails "I wanna touch himmmmm!". Oh. my. goodness.


So the hunt was on again. Out of bed she comes and both of us are now searching for the elusive notso white bear. I even called the Hubster to ask for him to pray that we find the escape artist. But after a good 30 minutes of searching, seriously, I found him. He was at the very bottom of the laundry basket. It was laundry day and he apparently found his way there when I emptied out the basket.


WHEW!


And then this morning, all in a matter of thirty minutes, I hear this:

"Ohhhhh, white b is crying for Laurnen!" and then she runs to soothe his poor soul. After he is alive and well, she tells me in the most dramatic tone, "I need someping to wipe his tears!!"

Give this child an Oscar.

And finally, my favorite of the day: "you needa go away mommy. I don't like to share".

Lovely.

She's sleeping right now, so all is well. But look for that free ad sometime this afternoon ;)

In the past week...

Today I hit the 75 lb. weight loss mark.

Yesterday I made a consult with a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon to go forth with getting a Breast Augmentation (and lift!) and tummy tuck.

And a week ago, I bought my first pair of SINGLE digit jeans.

I'm likin' this weight loss thang. Well, except the exercise part ;)

This is what's for dinner tonight...

This recipe comes to you courtesy of Cook's Country. It is simple yet tasty :)

Quick Tomato-Basil Pasta with Fresh Mozzarella
Serves 4 (this can serve far more than 4!)

Look for fresh mini mozzarella balls in the gourmet cheese section of your supermarket.

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic , minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
5 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Table salt
1 pound campanelle or fusilli pasta
8 ounces fresh mini mozzarella balls , drained and cut in half
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot.

2. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil, garlic, and pepper flakes in medium saucepan over medium heat until fragrant but not brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in crushed and diced tomatoes, bring to simmer, and cook until slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons basil, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

3. Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta to boiling water. Cook until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, drain pasta, and transfer back to pot. Stir in sauce and remaining tablespoon oil, and cook over medium heat until heated through (adding reserved water if pasta seems dry), about 1 minute. Stir in mozzarella and season with salt. Serve, sprinkling with remaining 2 tablespoons basil and Parmesan.

Enjoy!

Daddy's girl

Today wasn't my day. Lauren only wanted her daddy. No amount of me bribing, begging and pleading would work. She just couldn't get enough of him today and as such, spent the majority of her day hugging and kissing and loving on him...


He's pretty awesome though, so I can't blame her. I just wished she wanted him all day today... like when she yelled, "mommmmmy, come here! I needa go poop!"

Why couldn't she have wanted him then?!?!?

I love me some playing...

So the playroom looks like this,


a complete and utter mess,


but we've been busy today. After a stroller ride, a trip to Tar-jay, library time, lunch date with the Hubster and some Birthday cake eating for Justin's secretary Tami, the Brownies and I came home to do a bit of playing before nap time. And that's when both of my Toddler Tornadoes destroyed the playroom.

But it's allll good. Because 20 minutes after said demolition derby, this is what I got:


Ahhhh, quiet. I'm listening to nothing. Absolutely nothing right now and it's sheer Heaven. Thank you nap Gods :)

Garlic Shrimp with Basil

This was tonight's dinner, another quick, easy, tasty main course. :o) We used the peeled, deveined shrimp and dinner came together in no time. Once again, from Cook's Country:


Garlic Shrimp with Basil

1 lb. extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Salt and pepper
2 T. EVOO
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 c. white wine
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1/2 c. chopped fresh basil
2 T. butter, cut into pieces (I didn't add this and it was still good)
1 T. capers drained and minced
1/2 t. lemon juice

1. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add shrimp and cook until lightly browned, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to plate.

2. Add remaining oil, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to empty skillet and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in wine and tomatoes and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Off heat, whisk in basil, butter, capers, and lemon juice. Add shrimp and any accumulated juices to skillet. Cover and let sit until shrimp are heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

I served this with white rice and thick slices of french bread in order to sop up all the tasty goodness. I'm thinkin' next time I'll serve with with linguine to mix it up a bit. Oh, and I'll skip the capers... those weren't a hit with anyone here ;)

Dear boobs,

I have put you through a lot these past two years, with almost back-to-back pregnancies, round-the-clock exclusive lactation, a thrush infection thrown in and some really hideous nursing bras. Throughout it all, you have been comfort and joy to the new little beings I introduced to the world. You have fed them, nourished them, and nursed them to sleep without complaint, even when you were positively drooping with fatigue.

Thank you for entering my life (the second time) 14 months ago. Not only did you provide food for the kidlets and help for me in the weight loss department, you made my shirts look dang good. Sure, I felt like Dolly Parton in the beginning but once things evened out a bit, your cleavage and curves were fantastic. I will never forget how you made the Hubsters eyes ogle... or how you made a v-neck look stunning. Heck, you gave me the chance to actually buy panties and bras that match!

But it is now time to go. Pack up your milk ducts and head on out. Jacob has refused you a few times this weekend, so go and be free and grant some other momma the great times you have given me. I will look back at the pictures of you and I together and smile. So long old friend. I will miss you... until I head to the Plastic Surgeon that is ;)

Pigeon Wants a Puppy

This is one of Laurens favorite books. She could have cared less about this book a few weeks ago, but now all of a sudden it's a must for her bedtime routine. I read this to her tonight and she practically read every line in the book. So I grabbed the camcorder and we read it a second time...

This girl loooooooooooooves to read.

Aquarium of the Pacific

I got a little camera happy and took 80+ pictures today. It was probably because both kids were well-behaved and well, it made me like them more, hence the ridiculous amount of pictures ;) Anyway, I narrowed them down to mainly pics of the kids, since I didn't think you all would want to see the 900+ species of fish I caught of film.

Highlights of the day included "lots of Nemo fishies, mommy!" and per the norm, Jacob's beloved fingers:


We had a blast! The 5 o'clock traffic on our way home wasn't so much of a blast, but really, we had a great time..... as did Jacob's fingers.