mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

I love moments like this.

 
Nathan reading a Dr. Suess book to Will.  I didn't even realize they were reading until I noticed how quiet it was while I was in the kitchen.  I was just glad I had my camera handy and peeked around the corner without them seeing me. ♥

   

First picnic of the season.

For those of you in KC, you'll remember back to a couple of weekends ago when we had that SUPER-nice day outside.  Perfect picnic and kite-flying weather.  The kids and I headed to a local park and had our first picnic of the season.  Here's hoping there's tons more to come!  ♥

   

Weeks eleven & twelve.

 
Week twelve.  Nathan was out of town on Spring Break so I have no photo of my belly at eleven weeks.  Oh, well, not much difference, anyway.  I have no idea why the photo is so crooked!

Weeks eleven and twelve were definitely a bit better than previous weeks, though it's still a stretch to say that I am enjoying this pregnancy as much as I have enjoyed my previous two.  These past few weeks, the biggest change has been that I've come to rely on a drug to feel better - something I never thought I'd do!  I guess all pregnancies really are different!  Zofran has been my best friend, my confidant, my rock, my lover.  (Okay, that last one is a bit of a stretch.)  I've appropriately renamed it Zofriend. 

Anyhoo, seeing as how my insurance only covers twelve pills at $12, I have been rationing them in case I need them for our upcoming trip.  I do have two more refills left, but I am hoping to start feeling better any day now and actually NOT need to fork over the added $24.

I've been able to get back to the gym recently and am enjoying the elliptical as usual but not enjoying having to monitor my heart rate and stay at around 140 beats per minute.  Irritating.  I am used to just freely going about my cardio routine until I can feel myself in the fat burning zone.  I guess all of that is kinda pointless now anyway, huh?  I am however, liking the fact that I can ignore my abs and any exercises that go along with that part of my anatomy!  Looking forward to toning more of my arms and legs.

Still, I'm not 100% back to being me but I am hoping that I am turning a corner.  David has been an unbelievably helpful and supportive husband, though.  And I'm serious about that.  I've never loved him more than I do right now.  It feels nice to know he's got my back.  And he darn well better - this whole thing is partly his doing, right?  ♥

   

Dreamin' of Disney.

Our travel documents and goodies finally came in the mail this week and our Disney trip is drawing nearer.  This year, we're having an encore stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort, where we stayed last year because we LOVED it so darn much!  It has got to be hands-down the best resort for adults and kids who are traveling together.  This year we're most excited because their new pirate themed pool area is complete and I'm sure the kids are going to love it.

We'll be there celebrating Will's 3rd birthday - again!  Poor kid....gets a Disney vacation for his first three birthdays.  So sad, I know.  Nathan will get to celebrate his un-birthday too, which will be fun.

We're looking forward to visiting some of our favorite attractions and the all new Toy Story Mania, which wasn't yet finished when we went last year.  We've made reservations to celebrate Will's birthday with an early dinner at Crystal Palace, which we've never been to either.  It's supposed to be one of the best character dining experiences at Magic Kingdom so I'm sure we won't be disappointed.

Since we're staying a bit longer this year, I'm thinking of new ways I can pack all of our stuff and make for a more comfy stay while at the resort.  One of the things I am doing is taking an over-the-door shoe organizer to hang over our bathroom door.  I'll use it to store our toiletries and other items so I can keep the bathroom area as neat and clutter-free as possible.  If any of you have any other clever tips for traveling and being away from home for eight days, please fill me in!  ♥

   

It's BAAAAACK!

My appetite, that is.  Don't get me wrong, I am still getting the occasional nausea spells but it's getting better.  Since last week I've had a grand craving for homemade migas.  This past week while grocery shopping I made sure to pick up all of the necessary stuff to make 'em tasty.  This morning, I nearly jumped out of bed remembering it was my migas morning. 

 
Sauteeing a few onions and corn tortillas.

 
Mmmm....almost done!  My mouth was watering by this point!

  
I've died and gone to Texas!  My finishing touches of some pico de gallo and fresh avocado made this dish even better!  

My take on the best Tex-Mex Migas?  Here you go!

What you'll need:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or other favorite cooking oil - oh and I didn't measure this, just eyeballed it in the pan!)
• Corn tortillas (I used two) shredded/torn into bite size pieces
• 1/2 cup diced onion (I didn't really measure, just chopped till I thought it was enough)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• Store bought (from the produce section) - or homemade - pico de gallo OR your favorite salsa!
• Half an avocado (sliced and diced into small pieces)
• A big 'ol hefty fork!

How to get it:

Add oil to pan over medium heat.  Add onions and corn tortillas and begin a light simmer.  Once onions become soft and translucent and corn tortillas are softened,  add eggs to pan and cook thoroughly while mixing onions, tortillas, and eggs until firm.  Add salt and pepper, if desired.  Spoon the migas onto a plate and pile on the pico de gallo (or salsa) and fresh avocado.  Grab that hefty fork and dig in!

Variations on this:

Don't be afraid to experiement with your favorite ingredients!  That's what's great about migas....you can add just about anything!  Try mixing in bacon or using sour cream as a topping along with some fresh cilantro.  Either way, you can't go wrong!  ♥

   

What's the point, really?

I seriously hate that children's clothing retailers, including this one, have no shame in manufacturing boys shorts, pants and swim trunks with faux drawstrings!  Seriously!  Would it really kill them to make a functional piece of clothing?  My boys are not hippy so they definitely need drawstrings on pants or adjustable waists.  I mean why even have a drawstring on a pair of swim trunks if you can't even make them fit better?

This past weekend when I was shopping for them, I was going around taking things off hangers to test out the drawstrings on shorts since I never know if it actually is a functional tie or just for show.  I was not a happy shopper.  As such, I only ended up buying bottoms for them that featured an adjustable waist since literally ALL of the drawstring ties were fakes.  ♥

   

All's quiet on the Kansas front.

The boys drove off this morning with Grammy and Uncle Al on their way back down to Texas for some spring break fun.  Sure, I'll miss them, but I have a ton of work going on this week and could really use the downtime.

There's tons of fun in their future too, like the Fort Worth Zoo, a flight museum, going camping, a trip down to Austin to see Grandpa, and I am sure countless hours of playing at the park and eating whatever they want!

Some of the things I am hoping to get done (if I start feeling better!) and in order in time for them to come back include: cleaning my house, getting some packing going for our trip back to Disney in a few weeks, making sense of their spring wardrobes, getting a head start on their Easter basket goodies, and just taking some chill time for David and I.

On their way out, Nathan told me he'd call me everyday and Will said, "mom, I go to Texas, then come RIGHT back and see ya', mkay?!"  ♥

 

   

Spring violin recital.

 

Yesterday was Nathan's violin recital and he performed wonderfully.  He doesn't get nervous at the thought of performing or anything but I think he was a little distracted at the thought of his impending Spring Break Texas vacation.  By the way, I think he'd wear that shirt and tie everyday if he could.  He practically BEGGED me to wear it for the recital! 

♥

   

Week ten.

Week 10 bump, courtesy of Nathan.

I've gotten a little behind on posting these updates but nonetheless, my tenth week of this pregnancy is almost over and I can hardly wait to get through the next two weeks. 

I finally broke down and got on some meds to help with my morning all day sickness because I just have felt so helpless over the past few weeks - unable to work, eat, be a mom with energy, clean, cook, blog, and just about everything else.

What has been exciting is that earlier this week I finally got to hear baby's heartbeat.  The rate was strong (at about 180) and healthy.  I'm still pretty sure it's a boy and am quite at ease with that.  I've recently found myself daydreaming about what it would be like having my three boys running around this house, playing, fighting, playing sports.  It's fantastic!  I'll be happy no matter what, but it would be very cool to have four or five sons by the time my life is said and done.  ♥

   

Weeks eight + nine.

What a whirlwind this pregnancy has been and is continuing to be!  Hence, the no blogging for a couple of weeks.   Although I still have my own intuition that I'm carrying a boy, this pregnancy sure is VERY different from my others.  I've still had Nathan taking pics of my weekly belly but have just been feeling too sick to post much.  I am hoping to start feeling better very soon though, with the close of my first trimester.  Let's keep our fingers crossed!

 
Eight week bump.

 
Nine week bump.

The food aversion thing is really throwing me for a loop.  I am used to actually craving and wanting certain foods (think: Sonic onion rings) when I am pregnant.  Instead, I find myself turning my nose up at anything that I find in the fridge or pantry.  I normally love our Monday night baked spaghetti dinners at home but now when I make it I find myself gagging at the smells.

I know it will be all worth it in the end and that months from now these feelings will be just a faint memory.  Good thing I have the blog to set the record straight!  ♥