Well That's a First

Tonight I feel like I deserve the worst mother award! Gwen is on Zantac for her reflux. Today I left the bottle on our remote control tray on the couch. Tonight  Nora was watching a movie and I was making dinner when she brought me the bottle and said "all gone". I immediately panicked! Had she drank it all or spilled it somewhere?? I examined the spot where she had been sitting and found no wet spots. However her favorite blanket surely had some of the medicine on it and so did her pants. I tried smelling her breath and didn't seem to smell the medicine but how official could my smell test really be? So I had to do something I've never had to do before and never want to do again. I had to call poison control and explain the situation. Although I am very grateful for the help on the line and how effective the call was I feel TERRIBLE! She had to get all my personal information. I'm sure it has to be reported unless it need be a case for CPS. I almost started crying when she was asking for my address and such. What kind of mom leaves a bottle of prescription medicine out where a toddler could easily get to it!? Although the situation wasn't serious it certainly could have been had it been something more dangerous. My poor baby Nora! This was such a reminder of just how careful I need to be as a toddler'a mother! I hope I never have to contact poison control again! .... Please lie to me and tell me you other moms have had similar situations. Thanks in advance. 

Nutella and Poop

This doesn't need much elaboration. Turns out the kid loves Nutella. 

She's not evil .. She's saying "Cheese!"

I had my little heart broken today. Stefan was performing a "routine diaper change" post nap. It turned out to be a lot more than he bargained for. It was the award-winning "weekly-stink" (the stinkiest diaper of the week). He kept gagging and coughing and talking about how bad and how messy it was. All of the sudden Nora broke into tears. And of course, I, like an emotional baby, started crying too. It must have really embarrassed her and I just couldn't stop thinking about how sad that situation was. Her parents, the people that she depends on for love and encouragement just reduced her to tears over a stinky diaper. My heart seriously hurt for her. I immediately did all I could to try and help her feel beautiful and happy. And I made a vow to not say anything that would make her feel inferior or embarrassed. Even at a young age children are sensitive to the things we say and the things they hear about themselves. I need to be better about making sure that the ONLY things she hears about herself are positive. The world is going to be hard enough on her as it is (stupid world). She needs to know that she is absolutely loved and appreciated at home and that she is an amazing daughter of god! .. Even if she has stinky diapers (;

Toddler Files

We've introduced a new form of punishment in our house ... This kid though .. She just giggled and babbled to me the whole time all the while using adult hand gestures as if we were having an actual conversation. She cracks me up. And even though she was in time out - I couldn't help but smile at how big she is getting and how darn sweet she is. 

Had to post this. Only because it rarely happens anymore. And sleeping toddlers are just the sweetest thing ever. 

I love my little big girl. She makes me smile more than I knew was possible. ... But what I love more is BOTH my girls together

That'll melt your heart right there. I'm so glad that Nora loves her "sissy" Gwen. Thank goodness we can keep her (;

Pioneer Day Celebrations

We had a lot of fun this weekend! And lucky for us, Pioneer Day lasted all weekend! Our first trip was to Spanish Fork for their Fiesta Days carnival and craft fair. I absolutely love carnivals and fairs. Nothing says summer to me more than funnel cakes and carnies! It is so fun to share holidays with Nora now that she is getting older and she'll start to have memories of these fun experiences. I loved carnivals growing up and my dad always made sure we had plenty of tickets to enjoy all the rides. He was great in that way. We got to take Nora on the few rides she was tall enough for!

On Friday we went on a family date to the Movies! We saw How to Train Your Dragon 2! I'm not much into kid's movies but watching Nora enjoy a movie at the theaters like a big kid is so fun. I can't put a price on these experiences. She's growing up so fast and although it's sad to see my baby grow up, it is so fun to watch her learn and experience and enjoy. She does pretty well in the theater ... Until her daddy eats all her popcorn and then she gets a little antsy (;

On Saturday we played with the Sage family down in Mona. We are glad they like us so much because they host one mean BBQ! Nora has so much fun with their teenagers .. Haha! They had a celebration in the park and then we did BBQing and fireworks in the evening. Nora also enjoyed running through the sprinklers and tormenting the alpacas haha. She also learned the hard way that the hot end of the sparkler WILL burn you. :( I absolutely hate seeing her get hurt. Obviously injury is inevitable but I so wish that I could keep her safe from all harm and pain. I could lose my mind worrying about all the things that might hurt her. I think that's one of the hardest things as a parent, knowing you can not keep your kids 100% safe. Even the little bumps and scratches make me sad. But I know it's all a part of this earthly experience and I can only do my best and have faith that everything else is in the Lord's hands!

My Pledge to Post!

Of all the things I think I may be good at - posting on my blog is NOT one of them! But Nora is getting older and learning new things every day! Not to mention just being the cutest toddler around! I take approximately 47 pictures of her a day and although I would love to post them all on my insta G .. Ain't nobody wanna see that! And since my iPhone can't hold them all I am goin to try to be better at posting small posts frequently! Starting with this one ... 😍

Baking with Mama

I was baking some banana bread and thought Nora might want to help so I pulled up a chair (super safe.. Don't call CPS) and she insisted on wearing her apron just like mommy. And she helped me stir allllll night long! If this isn't the cutest picture you've ever seen .. I don't know what is! 

This toddler is going to steal my heart! I seriously have the best little buddy around! Nora Grace, mommy loves you more than words can say and I am so thankful for such a sweet baby girl as my best friend and first born!

Also ... One of my laziest mothering moments happened. ... But hey, at least she ate dinner right? It just happened to be in the living room .. In front of Mickey Mouse. Rest assured that she ate every single morsel on her plate. (Can you tell I am trying to justify this legit TV dinner?) Sometimes when you're nursing the baby, you've just got to make it work .... Right?

But that ponytail! OMG - she's the best ☺️

Clean Eating Lettuce Wraps to DIE for.

We've been clean eating in our house.  That's right - we wash all our foods with soap and water before we eat them.  So fresh and so clean, clean.  Ok - but really.  We've been eating clean.  I love to cook - I love to NOT follow recipes so it's been a little bit of a challenge for me.  Tonight's dinner was definitely a success so despite the fact that nobody cares I am going to post this recipe. .. P.S. Leave a comment with your favorite Clean Eating  recipes.
Please.

Clean-Eating Lettuce Wraps
1lb ground turkey
3tbs EVOO
2 carrots, peeled and cut into small strips
2 parsnips, peeled and cut into small strips
1 tsp. ginger
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1/2 c. freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. beef broth
1 tbs honey
pepper, red chili flakes (optional)
1 head of iceberg lettuce, leaves peeled off whole if possible
4 cups cooked brown rice

In a large skillet cook up your ground turkey, drain any excess fat if there is any and then add your carrots and parsnips cover and cook on medium high for 5-8 minutes stirring occasionally. Once carrots are tender add your onions, garlic and ginger right into the pan, cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes until onions become translucent. Now add your orange juice, soy sauce, honey and beef broth, bring to boil, reduce heat and let simmer for 8-10 minutes until liquid becomes mostly thick and not so watery. Add pepper and red chili flakes to taste. No need to add salt there should be enough with the soy sauce that was added. Now serve with rice and lettuce.

Enjoy!

Basil Cream Chicken Pasta

I FAIL at posting yummy recipes that I "accidentally" concoct.  In fact, I usually forget how I made them and can never replicate!  It's a weakness!  Tonight - after I took the first bite of this pasta, I grabbed my phone and wrote down EXACTLY what I put into it so I could, one day, re-create.  Well .. Not exactly cause heaven knows I eyeball every measurement.  But without further ado, Basil Cream Chicken Pasta.

Chicken:
1 Chicken Breast (cut into small chunks)
1 Egg
1/4 cup milk
1 Cup Bread Crumbs
1 Tbs. Butter

Dip chicken chunks in egg and milk mixture, followed by bread crumbs.  Cook chicken pieces in melted butter over low/medium heat until cooked through.

Sauce:
2 Tbs. butter
3/4 Cup chicken broth
1/2 Cup heavy cream
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 Tomato - diced
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. sugar
1 Tbs. parmesan
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

Melt 2 Tbs. butter.  Add chicken broth, heavy cream, and pepper.  Cook for 1 minute.  Mix in tomato, basil, sugar and parmesan.  Cook for another minute.  Turn heat to low and add mozzarella.  If needed thicken with mixture of flour and water.  Remove from heat. Salt to taste.

Serve sauce over pasta and chicken and you can die a happy, fed person!

Baby Sister

We just found out that baby two is gonna be a sister!  We are so excited to meet her and see what she looks like!  I am so excited for Nora to have a sister so close in age.  My hopes are that they will be the best of friends!  I can't wait to have another baby to get "dolled up" with bows and frills!  Daddy is so excited to be surrounded by girls.  He's so good to us girls and we are lucky to have him!  Just 19 short weeks and we will be holding this precious baby girl in our arms.  We love her so much already!

I started a blog for her just as I did with Nora.  If anybody has any interest to read it, you can find it at

http://lovenotesforlittlesister.blogspot.com/

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

What is the meaning of Love anyway?

I've put off writing this post because I literally don't know how to put into words what I am feeling.  I've had such strong feelings on the matter lately, but it could be the pregnancy.  That has a funny way of getting to you.  This post is about love. 

The day I got married, I thought I knew love.  But on the day my little girl was born, I knew I knew love.  .. Fast forward a year and a half and I've decided I will never know love.  Love is always growing and is literally immeasurable.  I think back on that special day that I brought my baby into this world.  How was it possible to love somebody SO MUCH after just meeting?!  Talk about "love at first sight"!  But my love for her has grown so much I can't even express it.  My best attempts are late at night when I miss her after she's gone down for bed.  I sneak into her room and insist on picking her up from her peaceful sleep and rock her in my arms.  My heart swells and all her perfection captivates me to the point that tears stream down my face uncontrollably.  Sometimes I feel that my heart cannot hold all the love I will have for her in, say, one year.  Surely it will burst. 

I sometimes worry about something happening to Nora and devastation blinds me.  The thought is merely unfathomable.  My sweet husband reminds me that it's unhealthy to entertain these thoughts and of course he's right.  It wouldn't stop anything from happening.  And worrying definitely doesn't invite the Spirit.   So I try to push them away and cherish every moment even more.  My point is to say that Nora is my whole life and I would be beside myself if anything were to happen to her.  I tell everyone that Nora is my best friend.  Usually followed by a chuckle .. but that's not a joke.  I  spend almost every minute of the day with her and I can't imagine it any other way.  She brightens my day.  Her little gap-toothed slobbery smile lights up any room.  The sound of her pitter-pattering feet through our house makes my heart skip and I can't help but feel my face smiling.  She has so much personality bundled into her little self.  Her sweetness and tenderness amazes me.  She never ceases to amaze me.  The way she is so polite and helpful brings tears to my eyes.  A day without her in my life would be an eternity.  To not be hugged by her little body would be years without sunshine.  To not hear her say "ya-ya" (aka Mommy) would be numbing.  I need her more than I need to breathe.  My baby is my everything.  The one I look forward to shopping with and having "girls day" with.  I know she will not know the depth of my love for her until that one day that she brings her own baby into this world and experiences the miracle of motherhood. 

Being a mom has given me a deeper sense of self than I've ever received elsewhere.  It's my daily challenges and accomplishments.  It's my goals and triumphs.  I can't remember who I was without my daughter.  She makes me "me". She makes me whole.  I look forward to each and every day of mothering, nurturing, parenting, and raising.  I pray for the guidance and spiritual reassurance that I need to perform these tasks in a way that is pleasing to my Heavenly Father.  If there is one thing I want to be "perfect" at, it's being a Mom.  I know I will never get there - but I will never stop trying. It's my job.  And I love it day in and day out. 

To my baby Nora:  You are my first born.  You made me a Mommy - you made me "me".  I can never express the love I have for you - but I can tell you that you mean more to me than you will ever know.  You took a broken person and made her whole.  You gave meaning to an otherwise ordinary woman.  You taught me more about love than any song, sonnet, or "flick" could have attempted to.  You will never know the extent of my love and it will never stop growing.  You are so perfect in every single way.  I hope you always remember how much you mean to just one person:  your Mommy.  Never stop hugging me, never stop kissing me, never stop illuminating my life with your vibrant personality.  It's my daily dose of everything that keeps me going.  I love you forever and always.  Love, Mommy.