"Who's in charge here?!"

Hello all!

 I have been slightly MIA this week because I am back at work now! Bye bye mat leave :( It was very very hard saying goodbye to you (and I am still not okay with it). But my first week back at work has been going pretty good. I am back at the same company I was with before, but as a branch manager, so I got promoted! Go me! I had a lot of negativity and resentment about losing out on a month of maternity leave, but I have decided to try and be more positive. I just didn't want to leave my babies! Can't afford daycare right now, but we found a woman doing home care who has a little guy that is the same age as Max. The kids like her and so far she seems like she will do a good job. They start there tomorrow. What they don't tell you about having kids is that this stuff is the hardest part! Yeah you lose a lot of sleep and there's a lot of poop and crying, but leaving them in the care of someone else? I'll take no sleep a hundred times over! It is so nerve wracking! I know everything will be all good, it is just getting into the swing.

So somebody put me in charge of this place! Yikes! haha - thankfully all of the day to day stuff came flooding back to me once I began working on Monday, so it has been a pretty easy transition. I have been slowly learning my new stuff (but due to unforeseen circumstances my boss hasn't been able to spend much time training me) - Steve has actually been in my branch helping me out (he is the branch manager of the other location) so that has been pretty interesting :P 

All in all I am alright with getting back to life and getting out of the house, earning the "big" bucks :P

Only problem I did not expect is the serious lack of work clothes that I have left... looks like I know what I will be spending any Christmas money on!

High Five for Friday! (what a week!)

Well I have had a week. I had all of these blog ideas coming to me this weekend (and I think most of them are sticking around in there lol so hopefully I can spew them out before they go away!) but life just got in the way!

My little guy came down with a nasty cough last Friday/Saturday, and it just kept getting worse. I assumed it was a cold and that he would wake up the next day with it loosening up, but it never did. It just got stronger and deeper. I started getting really concerned on Tuesday. We were in London visiting and that morning it seemed like he was doing better, but through the day the cough was relentless. So frequent and often resulting in bringing up mucus. Once we got home that night, I fed him and he fell asleep. I started packing up for the hospital having decided to take off once he woke up (assuming it would be any moment). I was convinced at that point that it was bronchitis or some other chest infection. Well he never woke up (which is something he never does lol) so he clearly needed the rest, and I brought him to emergency the next morning. We were there for over 8 hours! His oxygen levels were low so they put him on the mask with liquid ventolin (which was something he just loved lol) - but it wasn't clearing him up like they would like. The Dr. decided last minute to do a chest x-ray (ugh) and she said that she saw a little "fluffyness" so she wanted to treat it like pneumonia! Which is something I really wanted to hear, especially with Hannah starting to cough at home. The next day they sent me to the hospital in Oakville for a pediatric clinic to follow up. The Dr. there further examined his x-ray (far more thoroughally than the ER doc) and said he wouldn't call it pneumonia (yay!) - but he did find that Max was displaying signs that he was at risk of developing asthma (as life-long chronic asthmatic, my kids getting it was one of my biggest fears). It seems like he will be one of those kids that will need some extra help when he gets sick, and could potentially develop asthma from it. But it could also clear up by around age 6. So we will just have to see what happens! At least I am the mom for the job! I am quite the asthma pro (and so is my mom!). All I care about is today he was finally acting more like his old self.

But anyways, it's Friday and I do not want the day to end without linking up with Lauren for "High Five for Friday" - even though it was a rough week with Max having all of his problems, and now Hannah catching it, there is ALWAYS positives :)



1. Girls night! As I mentioned on Monday, I got out of the house without kids in tow for the first time in ten months :P It was refreshing and a blast :)

2. We (the kids and I.. Steve had to work) hit up London town for some visits on Tuesday. Got to meet my lovely Stephie's new princess Sydney. What a little doll she is! And we got to spend some time at my dad's with him, my step mom, my sister, her kids and Steph and Syd. It was loads of fun (except for Max's increasingly worse cough) 

3. So I am officially starting work on Monday. I met with the regional manager this week and she wants me to take over a branch. So we rushed and scored ourselves a babysitter. While I am not too happy to be going back to work and ending my mat leave early, and having someone else hang out with my preciouses all day and not me, I know it is a positive thing. ...now to find my work clothes...

4. Did some Christmas shopping online this weekend. I discovered that I enjoy online shopping because then all of the packages arrive it is like mini Christmas for me :P (do you think the blur tool helped? ;) lol)

5. Lastly, the HIGHEST 5 is that my little boy is on the mend, and even though his sister is sick, she was already showing signs of improvement tonight before bed. I am so thankful to have a couple of healthy and happy little ones. And while it is one of my fears come to life that Max is now at risk for asthma, I am thankful that I have so much knowledge on it and I live in a country where healthcare is free and easy to come by :)

We should all take a cue from these guys and learn to smile even if we are sickies :)

Thanks for stopping by today :) Let's hope next week is a good week.... 

This weekend I

"Happy" Monday! Thought I would sneak a quick post in before I go to bed (it is technically Tuesday right now, but since I haven't gone to bed yet, it is Monday to me)

I thought I would link up with Syndal again for her "This weekend I" party


 
This weekend was alright - I did some great Christmas shopping online on Black Friday (which has only recently become a "thing" here in Canada since our Thanksgiving was a month and a half ago.... I think our retailers are hella-smart for starting BF sales... keeps us shopping here!) - I spent less than $200 and I got 7 people finished, plus a few things for my kids. I'm even more impressed now that I did the math! :)

I won't show the items I got as gifts because I think certain people may read this, but I WILL share a shirt I scored for Max - I was originally browsing for my nephews and I saw this.. I LOVE navy and stripes! I couldn't resist, I had to add it to the cart! (and at $5, I couldn't NOT do it)

/link

Saturday night I got to go out with my girlfriends :) It was the first time I went out without Max in tow since he was born (in January!) and before that I was pregnant, so going out wasn't as thrilling. It was so great! We didn't do anything wild, just went to Boston Pizza for some drinks and apps and catching up :) Two of these girls I have known since 9th grade, and the other since senior kindergarten! It really refreshed me so have some time for myself and to get some good laughs out! Steve however didn't have the best first night alone with Max, but he was developing a nasty cold we have discovered, so can't blame the little guy!

Somehow I managed to only get one shot that night, and it was a funny looking bathroom mirror pic haha, but oh well, love that girl! 

And then Sunday was just low key... caring for my sick little man

Only babies are this happy to be sick :) 

Hopefully he is starting to get better tomorrow - I am hoping to make the treck to London for some visits before I go back to work :)

How was your weekend?

Ten Months

So my little baby boy is ten months old today. Ten! I know the gushing usually happens on the first birthday (and it will!) but I am just sitting here blown away by this! Ten seems like such a bigger number than nine. Double digits! This year is just flying by, I don't understand it at all.

This is me about a year ago. I was a mommy to one, getting excited to be a mommy to two. I had no idea what a ride it would be! :)

Now all of a sudden I have this giant, 90th percentile (+) in everything, 25lb baby boy who is thriving and making us laugh and smile each day. I love you little boy. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us :)

High Five for Friday!

That was quick! For a week with absolutely nothing going on, it sure went by nicely! It was a little hard picking out the five notable things today, but there is always something :) No Thanksgiving this week here in Canada! We had ours over a month ago :P But I am always a little jealous because I enjoy a nice turkey dinner :) Maybe we will have to have one one day soon, just because!

 I have some fun things to look forward to this weekend/upcoming week so I am actually already looking forward to next week's H54F post :)

Linking up with Lauren as usual! Check her out and link up too!

#1 - Christmas fun! Put up the tree and got to watch the Santa Claus parade with the kids! Our shopping is nearly complete which is a nice relief... But I have found an unexpected problem with shopping early.... We seem to just buy more things. Not good on our bank account! (But it's going to be one hell of a Christmas!) We also did Hannah's Magic Santa video! We did one last year too and she watched it over and over! No different this year! She HAS to have watched it 50 times by now! (If you have never been there, it allows you to create a video message from Santa for a child or any loved one :) )

(Hannah's Video from Santa)

#2 - Max is a superstar. I don't know why I was so worried! He started taking a bottle like a pro in no time! To celebrate, I am going out on Saturday for the FIRST time (without him in tow) since he has been born! Steve's going to hang out here and tend to his many wakings (which are improving - my little champion!), and I am going to spend some quality time with girlfriends and a beer!

#3 - Old photos! My mom and I went on a little kick of looking through photos of our first few years as kiddies this week (while the dishes remained piled up... we were procrastinating huuge) - I kept texting pictures to my brother and making fun of him - like this one "Look how much Mom cared about you!!" (haha as he sleeps alone on the couch with Mom's back to him :P )

Yes, I am the creepy child in the front corner haha

#4 - Some mid-week family time. Steve had to close at work on Thursday - while it sucks because I like having him home in the evenings, it was neat hanging around in the morning in our jammies :)

#5 - Enjoying what might be the last beautiful day of the year! +13º Thursday. It so was nice to get outside and let Hannah run around with her friend Zachary while Mom and I raked and bagged leaves that BADLY needed to be done! Nothing perks you up like a beautiful day!

It's always nice looking back on the week and picking out the great moments :) 

While I have you here, I need some creative ideas..

I have a couple of these formula canisters (the lids pop open but don't come off - like on a hinge) - they are pretty sturdy and I would like to re-purpose them somehow but I am at a bit of a loss creatively... so any suggestions are welcome!

Have a great weekend! :)

Chicken and Spinach Casserole

Hello! So it has been a while since I shared a recipe with you guys, so I thought I would document Tuesday night's dinner!

I mentioned this recipe on one of my High 5 for Friday posts, and I did share the pin I got the recipe from, but I always have my changes and I would like to share it with you.

This is the latest recipe to make it into my regular rotation. I try lots of different recipes (usually from good ole Pinterest, I use that place like a cook book) and even though they are usually pretty tasty, for whatever reason (be it the amount of time it takes, expensive ingredients, ingredients I don't generally buy) I don't make them more than once or twice. But this one made the cut. Simple to put together, no ingredients that I don't often pick up anyways, and spinach! I love spinach and everything it stands for! :P And this is a great way to get my daughter to eat the stuff (since it doesn't look like 'leaves')

This blog is where my original pin takes you for the recipe. If made exactly like this, it is amazing. The first time I made it I followed exactly (except for the pasta, I used penne) and it was delicious. But I always make my little changes.

You Need!

8 oz Penne (I think any shape pasta would do, except for 'noodley' ones like linguini)
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 cup Chopped Onions
3 cloves crushed garlic
1 package Frozen Spinach (thawed)
3 cups cubed chicken breasts (I just take two regular size breasts, I don't really measure in cups)
1 8oz container of Chive and Onion cream cheese
1 can of italian-style diced tomatoes (I like the 'herbs and garlic' kind for some flavour)
Pinches of Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 cup of shredded Mozzarella cheese (I don't often buy mozzarella cheese unless there is a good sale, so I have also used marble with this recipe and it works fiiine just fine)

Preheat oven to 375º

1. Brown your chicken in a frying pan, and throw into your casserole dish.

2. In same pan add your olive oil and cook your onions until soft and becoming transparent. While you are doing this, cook your pasta in boiling water until al dente.

3. Add your garlic and cook with the onions for about 3 minutes, add to your chicken.

4. Stir in your cream cheese, tomatoes, spinach and salt and pepper to your dish.

5. Drain your pasta and stir in to ensure everything is incorporated.

6. Spread your cheese over top of your mixture.

7. Pop in your oven and cook about 30 minutes. Your cheese should be melted and turning golden. To brown your cheese further after the cook time, throw the broiler on for a couple of minutes (but keep an eye!)

Let sit for a few minutes and serve after drooling :)

It is one of those meals that you want to keep eating even though you are completely stuffed, just to keep tasting it. And OH EM GEE all of the spinach! :)

Hannah still fought me, but this guy liked it :P (Ignore the mess on his shirt, he hates wearing a bib and at some point it is just easier to stop fighting with him haha)

More Crushes

I've been at it again... online window shopping. It is literally torture, but I can't stop!

So I thought I would share on here so it feels productive ;)

This gorgeous top from Addition Elle - I love the colour so much and I LOVE a shiny top :P I could justify the price if I had many holiday events, or a New Years party to go to, but I don't. So I will continue to drool.

Sequins! But again, nowhere to really wear it... I think I just love New Years eve so much, I am always planning an outfit for it :P

This hoodie for my princess! She loves Hello Kitty!

This necklace from Aldo Accessories! I like it because it is a bit of a statement necklace, but it isn't so big and bulky like a lot of the ones in style right now are. It would really help dress up my usual casual look.

I am most definitely in the market to colour my hair (case in point: grey roots are taking over!!). I normally like to go bright red, but I am leaning more towards a more muted brown-ish shade for the winter. I use Garnier when I want to go REALLY red, and it is awesome. I also tried and reviewed L'oreal Subline Mousse hair colour this year and loved it, but I felt that 2 boxes was pushing it for my hair. It has been growing and growing since then, so I think it would be more cost-effective to go for the Feria this time around as I used it the last time my hair was this long. What do you think of that shade? I like it a lot - it will be a little redder because I have such a red base, but it will be nice I think.

I fantasize of a home office often. I don't know why, I don't conduct business or anything. But if I had the space, I would be all over it! And I would want this desk!! It isn't too fancy, but I LOVE the cubby hole storage :) I think I would be torn between this dark wood and the white though. I would probably go for the dark due to my intense clumsiness.. I can picture coffee stains.

Okay, that feels better. Now I am not too depressed about not being able to run out and purchase all of these things that I covet! ... Oh wait... I still am... le sigh... ;)