Love & Happiness

Show Us Your Life over at Kelly's Korner this week is about what you love or makes you happy. I love lots of things and my list could probably go on forever but I'll spare you guys the long list and give you a few.

There is no doubt that my baby and my love would top the list

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  Anything that's the color pink
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  Getting something accomplished, whether it be big or small

Gerbera daisies ♥

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  Music = Love. Music is definitely driven by emotion for me and depending on how I'm feeling or what I'm going through I find a song to help me through it or help me enjoy it
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  Cooking. I've only recently started to develop an interest in it but I've taken it on with fervor and have cooked things I would've normally looked at and thought that it was too hard.

Reading. I love reading and imagining I'm there or picturing it in my brain. It definitely takes you on a "trip".

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  Flip-flops!
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  The beach, even though I'm so pale I probably have no business going there but I still love it all the same!
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  Pictures, pictures, pictures!!
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  Celebrating holidays, birthdays, summer days, or just hanging out with my BFFs.

Those are just a few of my happy and lovely favorite things =)

Unofficial start of Summer

(photo courtesy of valentinegifts.com)

I love Gerbera Daisies. I love their boldness in color, I love their size, and I love when they're in my house. It reminds me of summer and so does this picture. With that said I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.

♥

Downsizing

Yes, we need to downsize the boxes of Logan's outgrown clothes, his closet was becoming a cramped mess instead of the wonderful walk-in it's supposed to be. As you can see there are SEVEN boxes!! I would be giving them to Goodwill but it was costly to arrive at 7 boxes and we're holding on to them in hopes that a future baby (if it's a boy) can use them (no we're not having another baby....Yet! Ha!)

So in order to contain the chaos of Pampers boxes that were taking over the closet we decided to try out those Original Space-Saver bags. They seemed to have worked, however, Chris read reviews where many people said they stopped working after a month or so (crud!) and a friend of ours said the same thing. I hope they hold up because I was able to fit 2 boxes in 1 large bag (3 large bags came in a box) and it definitely is better than bulky boxes!

(Shoes, booties, hats, pjs, clothes...they're all in there!)

Double Yum, Idol & Glee

OMG before I get to the double yum stuff I'm going to rave about TV shows going on tonight!! The season finale for Idol is tonight [Team Lee Dewyze] & Glee is going Gaga (doing songs by Lady Gaga)! I'm so excited!! Ha!

Okay now for the real purpose of this blog! Tonight I made these yummy stuffed shells, with a recipe taken from my favorite mag, Real Simple! The last time I made any sort of stuffed shells I was taught by someone who didn't believe in measurements and just threw in ingredients. Needless to say I didn't retain any of that so when I found this recipe I was excited! It was so pretty & delish! Enjoy! ♥

Spinach and Ricotta-Stuffed Shells

Ingredients

20 jumbo pasta shells (about half a 12-ounce box)
1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce
2 15-ounce containers ricotta
2 cups baby spinach, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan (2 ounces)
1/2 tsp. of kosher salt**
1/4 tsp. of black pepper
1/2 cup grated mozzarella (4 ounces)

Directions

1. Set an oven rack to the highest position and heat oven to 400° F. Cook the pasta according to the package directions; drain and run under cold water until cool.

2. Spread the marinara sauce in the bottom of a large broilerproof baking dish.

3. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Spoon the mixture into the shells and place them on top of the sauce. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and bake until the shells are heated through, 10 to 12 minutes.

4. Increase heat to broil. Broil the shells until the cheese begins to brown, 2 to 5 minutes. Serve with the salad, if desired.

**CHANGE UP: I like my shells extra cheesy so I added 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and reduced the salt to 1/4 tsp because of both cheeses, probably didn't even need the salt**
 
 

(photo courtesy of Real Simple)

Obviously not my photo but I'm telling you it looks just like that!!

And it must've been reallll good because my number one fan enjoyed it!!!

He's growing up

Or I've been holding back from doing this but I needed room for his big boy sippy cups and their gadgets. So tonight after I put my baby down for the night I went and packed up the last of his baby bottles. I didn't cry but I felt did feel sad because you only have a first born once. Now we're ready to completely take on toddlerhood...AH!

Yumm.

I made this tonight

It partnered up a rice and chicken plate

So delish, so colorful, so summer-y, did I mention really EASY!

Try it! Recipe is below! Enjoy!

Romaine Salad With Tomatoes and Bacon

Serves 4
Hands-on Time: 10m

Ingredients

4 slices bacon

1 head romaine lettuce, cut into strips (6 cups)

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

4 scallions, sliced

4 to 6 tablespoons Creamy Parmesan Dressing or bottled Caesar dressing

1. In a skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Break into pieces when cool. 2. In a large bowl, toss the lettuce, tomatoes, scallions, and bacon with the dressing.

14 Months

Saturday Logan turned 14 Months old! I really can't believe another month has gone by. I know I say the same thing each and every month but time goes by so much faster now, or so it seems. It feels like just yesterday I not only blogged about his 1st birthday but about him being 13 months old. Maybe it's because it's in the smack dab middle of the month. Whatever the case he's definitely evolving more and more towards toddlerhood and away from his infancy.  These are some of the things Logan is doing now:

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  He's running! Not walking fast, well he does that too, but he RUNS!
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  He recognizes objects and understands simple directions
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  He can sip out of a straw now!
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  He's officially off his bottle...I just have to pack them now =(
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  He still has his binky! I'm gonna start on that next =)
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  He babbles non-stop; Sometimes it sounds like he's saying some words or phrases.
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  He chases or runs from moving toys, Ha!
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  He stomps...I think he's dancing or trying to jump
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  He still hasn't had his first haircut.
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  He LOVES to pull stuff out of the garbage
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  He climbs stairs and not just stairs but anything that can be climbed up on or over!

♥

Memphis in May

Getting ready for his Memphis in May experience

Last night, Chris' job, hosted their client party at Tom Lee Park, for Memphis in May. Now Memphis in May is a month long series of events, hosted obviously in Memphis, each week focusing on a different aspect of culture (i.e. music, food).  If I'm wrong please tell me because this is how I understood what it was all about! This weekend is all about the BBQ contests going on! I really did love this and next year Logan is going to Grandma's so that Mommy and Daddy can enjoy this a little bit more!

Anyways before I experienced Memphis in May I really thought that 1) that it took place on Beale St., 2). that it was like a neighborhood party --you do need tickets and they do cost $$ (I don't know how much but I don't think it's much) & 3). it was small.  WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!! I'm glad I was too!

This is just a tiny part of what the park looked like. There were tents and tents and more tents! Some tents were home to BBQ contenders, who each had a creative name, very creative tents and delicious smelling BBQ, while other tents housed sponsers and reserved (private) parties. Each with their own music, food, drinks, people. Whoever catered for the station made some amazing BBQ, I probably could've eaten it all night! HA!

This is the Grizzlies tent. The Grizzlies are Memphis' NBA team!

 

Here's the stage where they had local artists competing to be "Queen of Memphis of May" and where they had awards!

The view from up top! Beautiful! We did have someone at the station take a family picture, so hopefully they'll send Chris an email with that photo in it because it was cute =) Lots of fun, if you read this and are in the area go and have fun, bring the umbrella though because I hear it's gonna rain!

Eight Squared Picture Game

This is cute.

Mrs.B over at FromOurPlaceToYours tagged me to join in on the fun! Thanks Mrs.B =)

The Rules are as follows:

1. Go to your photo files and select the 8th photo folder.
2. Select the 8th photo in that folder.
3. Post that photo along with the story behind it.
4. Then challenge 8 blogging friends to do the same.

Logan is 5 months old in this picture and his cousin, Leigha, is 1 1/2 years old. Leigha has been, since the day they met, taking Logan's "binkies" out of his mouth. So of course this day was no different. Leigha, however, does love her baby cousin, and he loves her and it's so much fun to see them interact. This photo was taken at the End of the Summer Party that Chris' family throws every August. It's so much fun and a chance for the entire family to get together.

Now it's my turn to tag 8 blogger friends but I only have a handful of followers so I'm taggin you guys!

1. Good Girl Gone Glad

2. Pefect Chaos

3. Mommy's

4. My Nashville Nest

5. One Fine Wire

wishlist

On my wishlist (and it's been on my wishlist for months now) is this e-reader: the Nook!

along with this cover to protect it

Oh how I want these so.

It would definitely save the trip to B & N

I'm about to take!

The trip's not so bad, but, owning one of these

would satisfy one's need to read at 12:30 AM

when there's no book to read and a single book can be

downloaded in 30 seconds!

Birthday maybe?

but that's in DECEMBER!!!

Hmmm, well we'll just have to wait.

Good things come to those who wait, right?

♥

**I was just informed (after writing about this) that I almost had it! Instead the jewelery box jumped out at him. It's a beautiful jewelery box, all of my jewelery fit in it. How I wish I hadn't been told this information. Thanks Chris.**

A Special Mother's Day

As the day is starting to end I hope everyone had a beautiful mother's day, I know I did. Last year of course was special because it was my first one, however, this year was also a special year because I got to spend it with my mom for the first time in 8 years! Yup you read that right. The why and how behind it is a long story and best be saved for another post. Being only 4 1/2 hours away helped bring us together! I love my mom and was happy that we could spend the weekend and part of today together.

Me with my mommy!

On Saturday we went to the Botanical Gardens in Memphis. It was a gorgeous day (not to hot and with a cool  breeze). It was so gorgeous out I got sunburn and didn't even feel it! Ha! My mom took some great pictures of the flowers and some awesome and memorable family pics! Logan had so much fun, especially playing in the section they call "My Big Backyard"! We had fun watching him take it all in, walking the gardens, and feeding the coy fish!

Today we spent Mother's Day at home relaxing and waiting for our new washer and dryer to be delivered. It was bittersweet because we weren't friends and family in NJ but we were with my mom and sister. Logan "got" his mommy a much needed jewelery box and Daddy picked up some of Giada's new line at Target. I was stoked because I love Giada De Laurentiis!

The best gift of all though, today, and everyday, since the day my baby was born is my baby. Without him I would not be celebrating this day as a mommy.  He makes my life so much brighter and fills my heart with so much joy. He said "Momma" first and his eyes light up whenever I walk through the room and that makes my day no matter how bad or good.  If I had to do it all over again I would and I wouldn't change a thing. Being on bedrest while I was pregnant made me appreciate life so much more and showed me the true meaning of a mother's love (even before her baby is born).  When I held him and looked into his eyes I knew unconditional love and that is the greatest gift a mother could ever get! I love him more than life (as I think every mother loves her child(ren). Thank you Logan for choosing me to be your mommy. I am very thankful! ♥ Mommy

Show Us Your Life -- Kids Names

I love Kelly's "Show Us Your Life" topics. This is probably the 2nd or 3rd one I've participated in and this week's is one of my favorite topics: BABY (KIDS) NAMES!! Since I can remember I've been thinking of baby names (without realizing that I may have to compromise! Really little girls don't think of naming their babies with boys (eek) involved! HA!) When I got pregnant with my baby I was excited really about naming him/her!

For a boy we chose Logan Christopher...actually Chris had no choice in the naming of his son because that's how adamant I was about the name Logan.  I've loved that name since I was 12 and met a little boy who's name was Logan (he was freaking cute). I loved how the name just flowed off my lips. I also have a soft spot for anything Irish which this fit the bill (I believe it's actually Gaelic) so initially Logan was going to be Logan Patrick.  I felt bad, though, that Chris' potential son would only have his last name so I adjusted the name (I make it seem put out huh? Ha!) and instead of Patrick went with Christopher! Together it sounds strong. Just an FYI, Logan is Celtic (sometimes I see Gaelic and Scottish) for From the hollow and Christopher is Greek for Bearer of Christ.  We (and I mean I) have another boy name picked out already but I'll save that for when we have another baby!

For a girl we had such a difficult time choosing and by the end of the pregnancy we didn't have one. Some of the ones we played with were: Madelyn, Madison, Hailey (Haileigh), Shannon, Jillian, Danica, Delaney, & Julie. We only had one paired up with a middle name and that was Marlena Victoria. Next pregnancy we'll probably start with a clean slate and try again. I can't wait to read everyone's who posted on Kelly's website!!

Lunch Date

One of the best things about living in TN is Chris working literally 20-25 minutes away!! We made a lunch date today and went to Cafe Ole in Memphis. Logan was so happy to see his daddy, as was I.

I'm thinking of maybe making this a weekly or bi-weekly event because it definitely brightened my day!!

My son these days is climbing EVERYTHING!! This is what I caught him climbing on today!! Again too cute for words!! I love him ♥

"You"

It's a beautiful day here in Memphis but I intend to stay inside for the most of the day, except for a quick trip to the post office, because my allergies have NOT acclimated to Memphis (outside). I also wanted to take a second to let the folks in Nashville know that they're in my prayers and thoughts. The flooding there is completely terrible and tragic! So keep them in your prayers too!

When I put Logan down for his nap I decided to get to work on my mini-book that I picked up at Eclectica yesterday! I've been itching to scrap and this satifies in less than an hour! I was hesitant on buying the kit because it was a little girlie but I think I was able to make it somewhat boyish.

I changed this up a little bit...Instead of going down vertically I did it horizontally.

"Handsome"

"Lovable"

(Mommy and Me)

The pink was ok because I was in the picture =)

"Happy"

The End

=)

Real Housewives of NJ premiered last night (my guilty pleasure)!! It made me miss NJ even though I lived nowhere near where they live! Ha! Glee's on tonight too!! I Love Love Love that show!! ♥

Homesick

We made it to Tennessee but I'm not gonna lie...I'm homesick! It took a total of 18 hours to get here in the car (we also had to go slow because the U-Haul could only go so fast). Logan was a trooper doing 13 hours in one day!

Logan in the backseat with his pal Scout!

I was at my wit's end, even though, I'm completely appreciative of the help! This is entire move did not go as I had planned in my head. When we got to the apartment it was dirty, smelled of smoke, and was even in some places broken (holes in the doors, etc.)! I was completely appalled, making the transition completely worse! I do have to say that I now know what Southern hospitality means. Even though the complex was quick to defend their workers and whatnot they set out to set things straight (carpets cleaned and place repainted in the same day and the linoleum replaced next day)! A door and new microwave were ordered but when we came back the kitchen light had blown out and the sink was leaking!! Could this get any worse?!

Logan climbing inside the fridge!

With the apartment taken care of and the bigger pieces moved in we called it a day and the next day finished the move. We had to take the U-Haul back which was fine until I missed my exit and GOT LOST!! Completely lost!! Keep in mind I had no cell phone and the GPS was with Chris who I was following...Long story short, I found someone to ask for directions, got back where I needed to be and miraculously found the U-Haul without even trying (I was already set on going back to the apt. to get my phone)! Still I was frazzled because this was only our 2nd day!

Boxes and toys in the sunroom

Boxes and boxes in the dining room!

Yesterday I decided to just stay home and unpack and gather my thoughts. I need to stop sulking but I'm sad but I also know that with time this place can become my home. I accomplished alot of unpacking and I think we finally got a handle on our kitchen! Today we're under a tornado watch...weird to even type that because I've never even had to worry about that. I think Chris and I are going to have to set up a plan for when stuff like this happens because we've been hearing sirens and thinking they're fire station sirens when in reality they've been tornado sirens.  Just another adjustment, which is fine, but I still miss home. I am thankful that the people down are here are extremely helpful, pleasant, polite, and will talk to just about anyone...I needed that! ♥

My finished (for now) closet!!