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Friday, February 28, 2014

5 on Friday

So this is my first official "5 on Friday" post.  I must say it was actually a little tricky to come up with 5 different exciting events over the past week (yes, my life is that dull).

So here they are (in no particular order):

1.  This by far has to be the most exciting piece of news this week...we just booked a trip to the Azores for June. If you're unfamiliar with this group of Islands (I was too) let me sum it up...they are a small group of 9 volcanic Portuguese Islands somewhere in the atlantic ocean between Portugal and New Jersey.  My girlfriend and her family booked the trip a while back and had an extra room available in their condo for the week...so we jumped on the chance!!!  This will be our first overseas trip with the boys (wish us luck:)



2. Bennett had his 2 month check-up yesterday.  Obviously he hated the needles, but was super easy to comfort afterwards (hello boobs!)  He weighed 14 lbs 7 ounces (hello chunker) which is in the 95th percentile.  His head circumference was in the 50th percentile and his height was in the 66th.




3. I've somehow managed to keep up with working out for the 4th straight week in a row (yipee) and I'm finally seeing some results.  Oh, and it helps that I got these super cute sneakers this week as some motivation.




4. The big brother got a super cute "big boy" haircut this week.  He's just loving telling everyone all about it.  He looks like such a little kid in this pic (where is my baby??)


5. Last but not least I finally finished Divergent this week.  And when I say finally, I really mean that I couldn't put it down so I actually started it and finished it this week.  Oh, and please ignore the wine bottle on top of my book please.  


That's it for now!!!!  

Monday, February 24, 2014

2 month update - Bennett

Another month has gone by and I swear, Benny you have almost doubled in size.  This month has been just as enjoyable as the last and it's so much fun getting to know you.  It's amazing how fast your little personality is changing.






So here are some updates:

Sleeping:
This month has been amazing, and Bennett, mommy thanks you for it!!!  Most nights you only wake up once, usually between 3 and 4:00, for a quick feed and you sleep again until sometime between 7:00-8:00.  I'm hoping not to jinx myself here but it's been amazing.  You are still sleeping in the pack and play next to mommy and daddy which I have no intention of changing anytime soon.

You still nap quite a bit during the day.  Usually staying awake for only an hour at a time before you start getting a little fussy.  We have quickly realized that you love being swaddled.  For the most part you won't really fall asleep on your own; you like to be "put to sleep" in either your swing or pack and play.



Eating:

Still eating like a champ.  Usually every 2-3 hours, but your feeding times have shortened over the past month.

You're still a puker.  Your mommy constantly smells like sour milk and she's become very efficient at doing laundry:)  This month you've been a little wishy-washy with taking bottles (since 95% of the time you are breastfed).  We had the opposite problem with your brother (hello nursing strike) so this is new territory for your mommy.

Firsts:

This month has been all about the smiles:)  Around 6 weeks you started showing us the biggest and gummiest smile.  And your daddy and I have been enjoying every single one of them.




Other firsts:

Your mommy started work again this month (boooooooo).  But only for a day and a half per week, so it's not so bad.  Luckily we have terrific grandparents who have agreed to babysit for a few months while we all make the transition.  





Likes and Dislikes:

You love your swing, staring at lights, smiling, eating, and diaper changes.

You still hate the evening.  Your fussy time starts around 7:00 every night.  I use the word "fussy" lightly because mosts evenings it's not even really fussing.  You just hate napping at that time.

You also hate being hungry and over tired.

I said to your daddy the other day that you "almost" make me want to have another baby.  But then I think about the part where I have to carry another 10lb baby in my tiny 5"2 frame and I quickly snap out of it!!!

We love you Benny! XO




Monday, February 3, 2014

Favorites right now

I'm a major product junkie.  My husband keeps telling everyone that our top drawer in our bathroom looks like sephora.  And the sad part is, he's not completely exaggerating.  I'm by no means an expert in the area but I am a sucker for anything that promises to make me look better.

So, since I'm back on the blog-writing-train, I thought it would be fun to start posting about some products that I'm trying.



my favs




Naked 2 palette by Urban Decay:  Yes, you read that number right (#2 not #3).  I was a little hesitant to even buy this product.  It has a hefty price tag and I'm not a major eyeshadow gal.  Usually with any kind of palette I stick to 1 or 2 neutral colors and the rest barely will get touched.  But everyone kept raving about these particular sets so I thought I would give them a try.  I chose the 2 based on my skin tone and color preferences.  The #3 just looked a little too "rosy" for what I'm used to.  And this product does not disappoint.  I'm making an effort to try different combinations and get the most use out if as I can.  And I'm really in love.

EOS Lip balm:  This was actually a stocking stuffer that my husband gave me for xmas.  I can tell I'm wearing off on him because he actually picked it himself based on seeing this stuff around and other ladies using it (Yup, he's a keeper:!!!!)  I love the flavors and you can't beat the price tag!!!!

Ole Henriksen Oil:  I was kinda talked into this product by some lady at Sephora.  The truth was that I was a little hesitant to even try this product since I'm prone to hormonal breakouts each month.  However, she assured me that oils actually do the opposite and among other things will help with this issue.  I've been using this now for about a month and I've had multiple comments lately on how good my skin looks!!!!  I'm telling you, this stuff is amazing!!!!  Some of the reviews complain about the smell but I actually don't mind it all; in fact, I kinda like it!!!!  This one is going down as a new "cult favorite" for me.

Julep nailpolish:  I've only tried one color but so far I'm really liking this stuff.  It's fairly thick and the color lasts.  It's supposed to strengthen nails which is another major plus.  

Caudalie Beauty Elixir:  I bought this product because I've been reading a lot about it on some of my favorite beauty blogs.  Then when I saw it on Jillian Harris' blog I practically ran out to buy it (She was my favorite bachelorette and she's a total Canadian beauty).  I've been using it as a toner and as a finish once my make-up routine is done.  I also really like a mid-day spritz to freshen up my look.  I'm not sure if it's doing anything to my skin but I really like how refreshing it feels.

What's your fav???

Recipe: Thai Quinoa Salad

What better way to start a Monday than with a healthy new recipe to keep you motivated through the week.

Recently the hubs and I have been on a little health-kick.  We've jumped on the clean eating band wagon and we're really trying to stick with it.  However, we also stick to the 80/20 rule (you know, 80% of the time we eat healthy and the other 20% we indulge a little).  That way, we still allow some room for wine (always room for wine), chips, ice cream etc.  It's also great timing since I'm trying to lose some of that extra baby weight in time for our beach vacay in April.

So while stalking pinterest for some clean eating recipes I found this little gem.....Thai Quinoa salad (from Tastes better from Scratch).

And let me tell you this one is amazing.  The hubs couldn't keep his hands off it.

Ingredients: 

1  cup  red cabbage ( shredded ) 
1  bell peppers ( red, diced ) 
3/4  cup quinoa, uncooked
1/2  red onion ( diced ) 
1  cup carrots ( shredded ) 
1  cup edamame   <--------I used chick peas
1/2  cup cashews ( halved (or roasted peanuts) ) 
1/2  cup cilantro ( chopped ) <-------- I didn't have this
1/4  cup green onion ( diced ) <------I didn't have this













Dressing:

1/4 cup peanut butter ( creamy or crunchy ) <------I used all natural smooth PB
2  teaspoons ginger ( freshly grated )
3  tablespoons soy sauce <------I used the low sodium kind
1  tablespoon honey
1  tablespoon red wine vinegar
1  teaspoon sesame oil
1  teaspoon olive oil
1  teaspoon sriracha
water ( to thin if necessary )

Directions:

Cook the quinoa according to the package directions.  Let cool for 10+ minutes.  Warm the peanut butter and honey for 20 seconds and stir.  Add the remaining ingredients for the dressing.  I had to use a little water to make it thinner.

Add about half the dressing to the quinoa.  Add remaining ingredients and fold in.  Then add the desired amount of dressing (I used about 3/4 of it).





Unfortunately my photography skills are crap and this picture doesn't do it justice.  But take my word that this is a must try.