Monday, August 30, 2010

Chef Brent

My dad is an amazing cook!
For as long as I can remember he was the one who did most of the cooking in our house growing up.
Unfortunately, I don't get the pleasure of tasting his food very often anymore.
The last time I was visiting I took notes of a few recipes he made while I was there.
This is a simple one, but it is just so delicious I had to share.

Shrimp Salad:
6-9 medium sized shrimp per person
pepper, seasoning salt, butter flavoured oil spray
mixed greens
Parmesan cheese
croutons
other toppings such as tomato, green onions mushrooms, cucumber, onion, anything you like.
Garlic Bread is a must to soak up all the extra dressing, YUM!

Dressing:
2 parts Olive Oil to 1 part White wine vinegar ( I ended up playing around with it trying to find the right amount for 4 people and I came up with 10 Tbsp Oil to 5 Tbsp Vinegar)
1-2 cloves of Garlic freshly pressed
1 Tsp Dijon Mustard
Salt and Pepper to taste

Put all ingredients in air tight container, shake well.


Thread shrimp on skewer and sprinkle with fresh pepper, seasoning salt and oil spray.

BBQ shrimp for 3-5 minutes on each side
Lay shrimp on greens
Add desired toppings
Serve with Garlic Bread






So easy, but so delicious and SUPER healthy!!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Sunday Show and Tell

Welcome to the second edition of Sunday Show and Tell.


Mama to a Sweet Thing




Post the Sunday Show and Tell button anywhere on your page, link up and follow as many people as you want, don't forget to leave a comment to let them know you were there!

Also, Please follow our hostesses in the first 3 linky spots! Jill from A Masters and a Mom, Meaghan from BellOrel Baby and Me, Sarah from Mama to a Sweet Thing.

Creating a Show and Tell post is not mandatory, but isn't it fun? Include a picture of anything you want(show) and write something fun about it(tell).

-----------------------------------------------




For as long as I can remember I always wanted to wear glasses.
When I went for my very first eye appointment when I was 19,  I got glasses.
I wore them for about 2 months.
I don't know where they are anymore.
I think I might need to start wearing them again though.
I get a headache whenever I lookat a screen for too long.



Friday, August 27, 2010

Emotional Find

I don't have a button for my blog. So I decided to go into Picnik where I already had an account, to make a button quickly. I haven't used Picnik all that much, but there were a few little projects in there.
I came across this one:






This was a 'postcard' I created to send into Post Secret



I looked at the date it was created....



Six days later...I found out I was pregnant!
It was very emotional for me to see this.

Two years might not sound like a long time to try for a baby, but for me it was heartbreaking every time I got my period. I think I have always been 'destined' if you will, to be a mom.


I love this little girl with all of my being!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Upcoming Giveaways

Sorry for the crap posts the last couple of days!

To make it up to you, check out my Reviews/Giveaways tab and check out the great giveaways I have coming up for you!

I'm hoping to get at least one out and ready for you to enter before I leave for Mexico(Sept 23rd-30th).
One I will be working on while IN Mexico!
So let your friends know.
Put me in your favourites. (HAH! I'm so vain!, I am one of your favourites though, right?)
And "Like" me on Facebook (right hand side--->), I will be announcing there as well when I put up a giveaway.
You wont want to miss these awesome giveaways, so stay tuned!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

I Signed Up for SocialSpark

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.


SocialSpark is a website that brings bloggers and companies together. It's super easy to sign up! It took under ten minutes and I was approved right away!


Socialspark_small


Here's how it works:
Sign up with SocialSpark and "Claim" your blog.
Create your profile, adding you interests, what your blog is about, and all that good stuff.
Add a picture.
Look through the opportunities.
Decide what you want to write about.
Most things require the post to be at least 200 words.
They all specify how much the post pays.
Write your post!

This a great system. Especially if these are products you use regularly, or subjects you would blog about anyway. Might as well make some money doing it. Being a SAHM, this is a great way to earn some extra money on the side, without having to leave home with your little ones.
Dont forget to check out their Code of Ethics.

My experience has been great so far and I can't wait to write more posts and earn some spending money in the process.

Sign up for SocialSpark! Take 10 minutes to enter your blog/website information and confirm your blog. Once the sign up process is complete, there are many unique opportunities awaiting your participation! Simply choose what you'd like to write about, read the criteria and go! Simple! That's how I like it!

If you Sign up for SocialSpark, let me know! I'd love to see what you write about!

Visit my sponsor: I Signed Up for SocialSpark!

Testing

123


Monday, August 23, 2010

Tuesday Tag-Along

Welcome to this week's Tuesday Tag-Along blog hop, hosted by Twee Poppets Review and Giveaway! This is a great way to discover new blogs while increasing the number of followers for your own blog.

Tuesday Tag-Along


Link up, check out some new blogs, and gain some new followers!
Have fun!

1 Year, Mexico etc. etc.

Yesterday was our 1 year wedding anniversary!
It's been one heck of a year that's for sure!
We didn't get eachother gifts or go out for a fancy dinner.
Instead we bought an All Inclusive 7-day trip to Peurto Vallarta, Mexico!!!!!!

WOOO-HOOO!!

This will be my very first trip outside of Canada!
Needless to say I am SO stoked for this trip! It is going to be so fun and I get to share it with my two most favourite people!
We are staying at the Holiday Inn in Peurto Vallarta, they have a gorgeous pool with a swim up bar. Beautiful ocean views from the rooms.

Can't wait!

We leave in a month and I've already started prepping, figuring out what we need to make things safe and happy for all of us.
We bought an Ergo Baby Carrier which we got for a steal at the consignment store. The carrier was absolutely brand new, never washed, never used. Perfect condition. And I love it!! It will be so nice for walking around Mexico. Yay for hands free!
I am also on the hunt for some safe (according to the EWG) sun block for Sweet Thing.

Unfortunately we will not be using cloth diapers while we are there, I still haven't perfected my wash routine and I don't want to deal with stinkies in the hot Mexico sun. I would however like to use maybe a hybrid system with disposable inserts. I still need to research it to find whether I could buy the inserts there, what are the chances of that? If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Sunday Show and Tell

Welcome to my very first LIVE Blog Hop!
Mama to a Sweet Thing




Post the Sunday Show and Tell button anywhere on your page, link up and follow as many people as you want, don't forget to leave a comment to let them know you were there!
Also, Please follow our hostesses in the first 3 linky spots! Jill from A Masters and a Mom, Meaghan from BellOrel Baby and Me, Sarah from Mama to a Sweet Thing
Creating a Show and Tell post is not mandatory, but isn't it fun? Include a picture of anything you want(show) and write something fun about it(tell).

--------------------------------------------------------------
My cell phone, my love!


I absolutely ♥ my cell phone!
It is so cute and girly, and I love the gold.
I just wish I got more phone calls and text messages.
The QWERTY keyboard is great, and I can text at lightning speed!
The sound is pretty good.
The screen is also huge and I have a sweet picture on it.
I ♥ Cleo!


Thursday, August 19, 2010

It's Friday again!

My Wee View


Adoption, The Next Generation

Sweet Husband and I were driving around last night when I saw a lady I had seen before with her 3 children. I said to Sweet Husband how adorable African children are, and remarked that I would adopt one. He brought up a very good point. Why don't we adopt the children in our own country before looking elsewhere? We are so focused on helping other countries and making ourselves look like heroes that we overlook the needs of our own country.

I'm not familiar with the adoption process or the requirements, but it should be a requirement to adopt in your own country before any other. I know it's all the rage to adopt from other countries, we see it all the time in the media, Angelina Jolie(although I do love her tattoo for her children), and Sandra Bullock. A child isn't a fashion statement. I don't doubt that people who adopt a child from a different race or country love those children. But it's become a much too popular thing to do.

We aren't done having children, and if we don't have a boy in the future we might think about adoption.
If you or anyone else are thinking about adoption please help your own country first! There are so many children in need right in front of our eyes, we are just too blinded by what the rest of the world is doing.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you know anyone who has adopted or have you adopted? I would love to hear your thoughts and stories.

EDIT:

I've been corrected, Sandra Bullock adopted within the country.
Also it was pointed out to me that this post may sound hurtful to some, and that is certainly not my intention. I just wanted to point out something that I think many people don't really think about when it comes to adoption. I just think we should help our own Country first and foremost.
I'm so glad I received the feedback I did. I didn't realize there were so many people who have adopted around me to give me some good insight into the process(including my mom and uncle which I only learned a few years ago) I want to thank you, for your feedback and just say keep doing what you're doing!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

My First Review - Sesame Street eBooks

Here goes my very first review!

Product: Sesame Street eBooks

Description: "An eBook is a digital version of a printed book. When you read a Sesame Street eBook with your child, you can make story time extra engaging with bright pages, audio narration, interactivity, animation, and more. Best of all, Sesame Street eBooks are ready to read right here, right now!"

Price: $39.99 per year



Sweet Thing and I got the chance to try out a FREE one month subscription to Sesame Street eBooks.
If you love Elmo and all his friends, you'll love these eBooks. They've got a few different types of books to choose from, and a whole list of subjects as well.

First we've got just the regular eBooks that you can click to turn the page and read to your child.
Second is Audio eBooks (this is the one we used the most) where the pages turn for you and someone reads the book to you.
Third is Animated eBooks where the pictures are moving and the story is read out. Each of these books are about a certain letter of the alphabet.
And fourth are the Interactive eBooks where the child would click and drag items to their designated spot.

Sweet Thing is a little young to quite grasp the concept of the eBook, she loves grabbing books and eating them, but she enjoyed watching the animated and audio eBooks. The eBooks are just like the classic Sesame Street books. Elmo and his antics, the teaching of morals and responsibility, as well as the plain old silliness and fun.

I love that there are over 100 eBooks to choose from and they are always adding more. Check out a demo of Sesame Street eBooks here.

This is a great system for reading if you have extremely limited space say in a small apartment, or maybe you travel a lot and would like to limit the amount of items you bring. It's also great at home every now and then if you are really busy and need a good way to entertain the kids for a few minutes.

Monday, August 16, 2010

A One Day Streak

I woke up on Saturday at about 6:30 am ready and rarin' to go. I put on my stretchy Nike pants and a summer Olympics tank that haven't touched me in AGES. Strapped the baby in the jogger, and took off!
It felt great for about the first 18 seconds.

Got home and put Sweet Thing on the floor to play and proceeded to lay on the couch clutching my stomach.
Intervals of walking and jogging for 20 minutes left me sick to my stomach.
Am I really that outta shape?
I had planned on jogging bright and early everyday, at least every other day. Well today was the other day and the jogging thing did not happen for me. Maybe because of the outcome of Sunday's jog, or because I woke up late and by that time it was just way too hot outside already to do anything. So instead I am stripping my diapers, trying to stay cool by barely moving and closing the blinds. Maybe I'll eat a popsicle today.

Next try...a two day streak!!

Any jogging tips? or motivational words? I seriously need to get rid of this baby fat, it's been 9 months already!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sunday Show and Tell

So today I will tell you a bit about Sunday Show and Tell.
It is something I made up and it isnt quite ready I suppose.

Here is what I want it to be:
Every Sunday we post the button I've created for Sunday Show and Tell in a blog post a long with anything we would like (or we could have a theme each week) to write a quick blurb about and include a picture(show and tell). I also want it to become a blog hop. I know I'm not a fan of blog hops that you need to write a post for, especially if there is nothing to write about. So I thought this might be a little more fun, you can share something fun about your favourite piece of clothing or your pet peeves, anything you can think of, really.

What are your thoughts on this? Would you participate in writing a post and linking up?

Here is what it would look like for me:



Mama to a Sweet Thing



Today's Show and Tell is about our favourite book.
Write a post including the Show and Tell button and a picture and blurb of this week's subject.
Don't forget to link up.


My favourite silly children's book

Anything by Sandra Boynton
This is one of my personal favourites



I haven't had the chance to read them all but the ones I have are just so darn cute.
They are definitely books that adults can enjoy.
And anyone can learn from them... I mean she uses the word 'cavort'.


(ENTER LINKY STUFF HERE!)

I'll try to post on Saturday night so you have a chance to post that night or Sunday morning.


OK. so what do you think? Too complicated? Too boring? Not interested? Could be better?

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Baby Eco Mart

Baby Eco Mart is having a Buy one Doopsy Insert get one FREE!
Go check it out here

Use code FREEDOOPSY upon check-out!

Friday, August 13, 2010

And So It Starts!

Get out the gates, get out the screwdriver!! Little Miss is crawling up the stairs!!

Little Miss at 8.5 months crawling up the stairs! Oy!


Trying to get to the kitty!
And as soon as she does, the kitty runs away!

Needless to say the kitty isn't very friendly!

And yes I know I already have a gate, but now we need one at the top and bottom. We also need to bolt the top one to the wall. Not supposed to use pressure gates at the top of stairs. Oops!

When did your little ones start crawling up the stairs?
Did they have any major falls?


Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Flashback

So I was going through all of my facebook photo albums and I want to share some of my pregnancy pictures and the photo shoot we had done. I absolutely loved being pregnant! Aside for the morning sickness. :)


14 weeks


18 weeks


22 weeks


29 weeks


37 weeks


40 weeks


40 weeks + 2 days
This picture was taken just before going in to get induced. That induction didnt work so we went in the next day to do it again. Let me just say NEVER AGAIN!

And here are the pictures from the photo shoot courtesy Tanya Wood Photography
This is at about 29-30 weeks if I remember correctly





















I really want to do it all over again!

♪Home home on the ran...UH.. Home Sweet Home♥

Yep, we made it home!
It was a long trip.
Sweet Thing was not happy on the flight, and I just about got ourselves lost in the airport.
But we got a nice welcoming at the airport from Sweet Husband.
As much as I love going to visit family, it is always nice to get home.

Home Sweet Home

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Simple Gift Stories

My breastfeeding story has been posted on http://www.simplegiftstories.blogspot.com/

Go follow and share your own breastfeeding stories.

I Just Knew

When did you first realize you were pregnant? Was it when your period was late and you took a test? Did you just know? Did you find out while trying to diagnose another symptom or illness?

I have to say with all my symptoms, I just KNEW I was pregnant.
I had sore boobs. I was getting dizzy and a little nauseous every now and then. I was in the bathroom frequently. I was late for my period.

Last night I remembered the excitement I felt as I waited a few extra days to take a test. Just to be absolutely sure. I had this overwhelming feeling that yes, I was pregnant. In bed I would hold my lower stomach all night knowing something amazing was happening in there, to keep everything warm. How could I not? After 2 years of nothing, something was finally happening!

OK you are looking at my age and the '2 years of nothing' and wondering WHY? Well technically we were never 'trying' (but not really preventing either) but in my mind it was a disappointment every time my period came around. I think I was destined to be a mommy! I don't really remember wanting much else.

After 8 days I convinced Sweet Fiance (yes we were engaged beforehand) to buy some tests. We headed to our regular grocery store and asked the lady what the best home pregnancy test was, and she told us to go to the Dollerama. Seriously?? The Dollerama?? OK! Off we went to the Dollerama, bought a couple tests.

Boy was I nervous. I really wanted a positive. I remember that day very well! I was wearing this cute flowy purple shirt and it was St. Patricks Day!

I took the test and came out of the bathroom....and waited.... OK does that not seem like the longest wait ever?

Sweet Fiance wanted to be the one to look at it first, and so he did. I peeked over his shoulder but couldn't really see anything. Then he turned around with a huge smile on his face and said "my baby's having a baby!"

I have never cried so hard because of something I was so happy about! This really was the best day of my life. It was so incredibly special to share that exact moment with him. We spent a long time hugging and laughing and crying (and jumping up and down). It was simply amazing!

What's your story?

Is there anything in particular that reminds you of the day you found out?
Mine is a song called Laughed Until We Cried by Jason Aldean ♥

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Sunday Show and Tell

My favourite cool-you-down summer treat!

Raspberry Sherbet


My dad made home-made raspberry sherbet with raspberries from my uncle's yard!
DE-LISH!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Just Two Weeks

It is amazing how much you can appreciate something so much more when you dont have it.
Its almost been two weeks since I've seen Sweet Husband.
All of a sudden, when I talk to him on the phone I dont want to say goodbye, I could just talk to him forever, and I find him a lot funnier too!

I know I've got a great guy!
He's offered me a huge chunk of his bonus next year to "do whatever" I want with. Seriously? Your gonna let me blow a thousand bucks!?
He tells me he loves me and most of all shows me.
He is an AMAZING father. He just loves Sweet Thing to pieces!
He is genuine and I know he wouldn't do anything to hurt us. Besides he's worked too hard to get his life where it is now, to just throw it away on something worthless.

And to Mrs. Trophy Wife and all the other Military Mamas I couldnt imagine being in your shoes. You ladies are strong beyond belief! You do it because you have to, but honestly I think I would go a little crazy! Props to you!

Sweet Husband, I love you!

Oops! I bought diapers again!

I know I mentioned being a cloth diaper addict. But this week just proved it! I seriously went nuts! Sweet Husband and I had an agreement when I first decided to use cloth diapers, I was only going to buy one diaper a month.

Well that has NOT been the case at all! Let's see, how many did I buy in the last 3 days?.... 1....2.....3,4....5.
That's right 5 diapers...that is 5x the amount I should have... 500% more than I was supposed to.  3 of them were from daily deal sites, another was an item added onto an order that I had won, and another at the local farmers market in Vanderhoof.

Maybe I'm just an online shopping addict! 'Cause diapers are not the only thing I've bought. The only good thing is, I am getting stuff we need....ok Sweet Thing doesnt NEED an amber necklace right now, but she might! And if I'm in pain, I can just wrap it around my wrist right?
I did win something so I'd say that kind of makes it ok....right?
And besides I'm saving money in the long run by using cloth...
Ok....please tell me I'm justified.!

And you know, I go through these phases, one day I've got a bunch of money in the bank and BAM! it's all gone from shopping online! And then as I recieve all my packages in the mail, I'm one happy camper. And as soon as I've gotten the last item and there is more money in the bank, the cycle starts all over again.

Ok serioiusly... is there a Diaper Addicts Anonymous, or a Shopping Online Anonymous???
I NEED IT!
Either that or take away my paypal. That is the source of all online shopping evil!!

help?

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

What is a Blog?

To me, a blog is a place for me to write whatever I feel like writing! I may be sunshine and rainbows one day, and I may hate the world and everything in it the next! I won't lie and I won't sugar coat anything!
Take what I say with a grain of salt!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

World Breastfeeding Week

This week I am celebrating World Breastfeeding Week!
What a wonderful thing to recognize breastfeeding!

When I was pregnant with Sweet Thing, I read all the books about pregnancy and birth and even a little bit of parenting! One thing I didn't give a second look was breastfeeding. I knew I was going to breastfeed, I wasn't worried about getting my newborn to latch. I thought it would be a piece of cake.

How wrong was I?

Breastfeeding was a challenge for us from the beginning.

After giving birth, we tried to latch about an hour later, with not much luck, we didn't worry about it. She wasn't hungry anyway. Later on in the day we tried again, and it was painful, and the nurses were trrying to help, telling me she's got it, she's doing well. But it was still painful, after unlatching and relatching, I was still in pain, finally I gave up and kept my mouth shut because the nurses weren't helping. Sweet Husband helped me hand express the colostrom to spoon feed our newborn.

We went home the next day.
That night was awful our beautiful newborn screamed for what seemed like an eternity, we tried everything, rocking, bouncing, singing. Anything but nursing. I didn't want to, I was hurt.

Finally we had a nurse come to our house, she then gave me a pump and told me to pump every two hours and 'finger feed' Sweet Thing so I could heal.

I healed and we tried nursing again. It was still painful, like someone pinching my nipple as hard as they could. We tried different positions. Nothing helped. We were told she had a tongue tie and may need to clip it.

A new nurse came a few days later and fitted me for a nipple shield.
Finally after 10 days of pumps and tiny cups and syringes full of mommy milk Sweet Thing was able to nurse, and I was pain free!!
I was ecstatic, I felt like a real mommy!

We nursed successfully from then on with the shield, and only recently have we both been completely weaned from it now at 8 months.

Although the beginning was tough and I had more than my fair share of doubts and not wanting to do it anymore. I stuck it out and I am so glad I did. I now love breastfeeding, it is a nice quiet time for me and Sweet Thing, I love that I am the only one who can do this for her. I love that she was a tiny 6lb 9oz baby girl and and now she is a healthy 18lb 8 month old, all thanks to mamas milk. I am sad that our breastfeeding is slowing down now that Sweet Thing is on more and more solid foods lately. I will not wean her, this is her decision.

I urge every mother to breastfeed, and though you may think you just can't do it anymore, you can! You really can!

Check out what World Breastfeeding Week is all about.