Almost May??

Seriously where is this year going?? I can not believe it's almost May, and in 3 1/2 months the newest member of our family will be here!! I really need to get going on things. Since it's almost a new month, I just wanted to remind you on this lovely Sunday to go check out my fabulous sponsors. If you are looking for some new blogs to read you wont be sorry checking out these girls. I hope you are all enjoying your weekend =)

Sarah @ Nurse Loves Farmer

Susan @ Ava Graces Closet

Brittany @ Typically Torin

Kami @ The Momma Diaries

Alyson @ Eisley Rae Clothing

Mary @ It's a Sun Kissed Life

Jamie @ For Love of Cupcakes

Shannon @ Baby Shmizz

Kristin @ Our Growing Garden

Recipe Overload

The other night my mom called me to ask me how to make something and I hoped on the blog to look for it and I realized just how un organized my recipes are. This got me thinking. I'm trying really hard to stay off my feet when the kids nap so I decided to make a post with links to all the recipes I have posted in the past year. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Chicken Soup

Chicken Spaghetti 

 Crock Pot Chicken

 Escarole Soup

 Crockpot Pot Roast

 Potato Soup

 Pumpkin Cake

 Sausage and Peppers with Pasta

Sunday Gravy

Sgaghetti with Tomatoes and Mozzarella

Crock Pot Ranch Pork Chops

I got this YUMMY recipe from a friend last week and it seemed so easy I had to give it a try! OMG it was so good even Frankie my extremely picky eater gobbled it down. Here's the recipe for you, Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 package of pork chops (I used thin ones)

1 packet of Ranch Dressing Mix

2 cans of Cream of Chicken soup

Directions:

I sprinkled a little bit of the packet over the chops before dropping them in the crock pot

Then I added 1 and 1/2 cans of the soup and rest of ranch packet

Mixed it all up

Cooked on low for about 5 to 6 hours.

1/2 way threw I added some water to it.

When it was finished I served it with rice, the sauce was yummy!!!

(Thank you Jordan =) )

Wordless Wednesday

 This is probably the BEST photo I have captured of them recently. Seriously could pass for twins now, Don't you think?

and umm for all my fellow Blogger Friends out there, a little yummy treat!

Linking up with Live & Love Outloud, A Beautiful Mess, &jenni from the blog

Packing for Walt Disney World

Well it's that time of year again, Frank and I are getting ready for our upcoming WDW vacation. As Ive mentioned here before we are Disney Vacation Club Member's and go a few times a year. I thought I would share with you how I pack for a WDW vacation. I'm not going to list for you my regular packing lists which would include: clothes, sunscreen, camera, toiletries etc, becae I think you can figure all that out, but I going to share with you some stuff that's specific for our WDW vacations.
(please excuse how awkward I am in this video, I hate vlogs!)

I had planned to take some pictures for this post, but the kiddos are still napping and I want to get this post done so I will just tell you!
Besides all the stuff I mentioned in the video here are some things I like to bring as well:

• Already bought Disney Character clothes for the kids. Yes I know we will buy them shirts there, we usually get matching family shirts (with the year on them!) but I'm not buying them a shirt for everyday we are there. Lots of places sell these so be on the look out.

These are the 2011 ones we bought!

• Water shoes- My kids are still little so we don't hit up the water parks, but the pool at our resort has a splash pad and it can get pretty slippery so I always like to have these for there feet. There are also splash pads in Epcot and Downtown Disney.
• I mentioned in the video (but it wasn't pictured) Swim Diapers, make sure you bring from home. Even if your child is potty trained, you might want to put one anyway, you don't want your kid to be the reason the whole pool has to be emptied.
• Comfortable walking shoes. You will be doing A LOT of walking, I love my flip flops but I can not (especially pregnant) wear them all day. Make sure you bring your sneakers from home.
• Your own stroller. You can rent them at the parks, but they are NOT comfy and can get expensive (Don't forget your stroller cover!)
• Ponchos- It tends to rain daily in Disney so you will want to be prepared for when that rainstorm pops up!
• For during the day I always like to make sure I have a complete change of clothes in a ziploc bag for the kids (accidents happen)
• Extra memory cards, I tend to go picture crazy in WDW =)
• A small insulated bag to keep cold drinks in. You are allowed to bring drinks and food into the parks.

We like to have food back at our room for the kids (and us) to snack on. I found this service provided by Garden Grocer and I seriously can not rave about them enough. The food is delivered right to bell services and held for you until you arrive. I always make sure to order milk, apple juice, bottled water, snacks , fruit, etc for the room. 

I hope you found my tips tips helpful, I will add more on as I think about them. Please share any tips you might have in the comments!

23 Weeks

You guys already saw this outfit yesterday, lol, but here are the pregnancy details!

23 weeks

How big is baby:  Baby is the size of a Papaya

Total weight gain: Up another pound! hehe 8 pounds total

Sleep: I really miss it

Best moment of the week: Getting multiple showings on our house, I want to move!!

Food Cravings: Baked Lays!

Food Aversions: Still ground meat, ewww, yuck!

Symptom's: Back ache (especially by my tailbone), sore boobs, and Baby kicks! (oh yea and frequent bathroom trips!)

Gender: GIRL!

What I'm looking forward too: Disney World this week =)

What I miss: Not having to inject needles into my belly =( (STILL)

Next Appointment: May 2 with my peri

Steppin Out 4.21.12

This weekend we got to celebrate an adorable little boys first birthday!! I knew I would be chasing my 2 kiddos around so I wanted to be comfy yet still look a little more decent then my normal everyday comfy wear!

 Deets

Shirt- Motherhood

Leggings- NY&CO

Sunglasses- Dior

 Watch- Michele

Bracelet- Beach in San Juan, PR

Flip Flops- Kenneth Cole

Easy, Yummy, Pasta Recipe!!

We have been eating a lot of meat in this house lately and I just needed a break!! But I didn't want the same boring old spaghetti with sauce that we usually have. I remember that the hubby loves this pasta dish and I decided to make it. It also worked out good because I was super tired last night and this is simply SO easy to make. There are endless opportunities to this recipe, but since this was for us and the kiddos I kept it simple.


Ingredients-
1 box of spaghetti (or pasta of your choice, penne is great too)
1 package of grape tomatoes (I chop these up)
 3/4 pound of salted fresh mozzarella cut into cubes
4 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Olive Oil
3 cloves garlic, minced

In a large pot of salted boiling water cook spaghetti until just done.
In a large bowl combine the chopped tomatoes, mozz, balsamic and salt.
When pasta is done cooking, drain and add the ingredients from the bowl and toss.
Heat the Olive Oil in a pan over low heat and add the garlic, cook for about a minute, remove from heat and add to pasta and toss.
Serve immediately.
We topped ours with some grated Parmesan cheese and had garlic bread on the side.

Other good things you could add are:
onions
olives
basil

Pleas try and I hope you enjoy! Let me know how you like it =)

Wordless Wednesday

85 degree weather on April 16th in NYC?! Say What?!!

Park day indeed!!

Linking up with Live & Love Outloud, A Beautiful Mess, &jenni from the blog

Our Daily Routine

I have been meaning to do one of these posts forever and just never seem to get around to it. What I'm going to post today is our current routine. I'm not exactly in love with it, so I foresee it changing in the future hopefully the near future! This is what a typical Tuesday- Thursday looks like for us (days Frankie has nursery school)

6:30- Frank wakes me up, he gets in shower and I do my daily injection. If either of the kiddos are awake (usually it would only be Ava, our terrible sleeper, Frank sets them up on the couch with their morning milk/juice and nick jr.

7:00 - I hop in shower, (I need to wait a 1/2 hour before showering per Dr's orders) and get dressed for the day.

7:20ish- By this time usually both kiddos are awake, so I head downstairs and start breakfast, empty the dishwasher and make my coffee. Breakfast usually consists of waffles, Cheerios, yogurt and bananas.

 (clearly you can see Frankie is NOT a morning person just like Momma!)

8:00 - I start getting Frankie ready for school. Usually around 8:15 my amazing mother comes over to help me out (because of my current situation regarding the pregnancy). Next Ava gets ready.

8:30- Out the door for school. Some days mom and Ava come with us other days they stay home (usually if it's raining or something)

8:45- 11:15- Frankie is in school. This is the time I usually make my Target and Grocery Store run. If I don't need anything from these places, I'm usually home doing laundry and cleaning the house up.

11:15- Pick Frankie up from school. If it is a Tuesday we head right home for speech from 11:30- 12:00, if not we will usually head out somewhere. Whether it be the mall, Costco or the park, lunch is always around this time too. We eat lunch out alot during the week with my mom =)

2:00- Nap time! =) This is usually my rest time too, if I wasn't pregnant I would normally be doing more laundry and cleaning, but I really try to rest during this time. Usually when I catch up on my favorite blogs, Internet shop and facebook!

4:00- Usually both of the kiddos are up from nap now. I will give them a snack and let them play or watch TV. Afternoon favorites are Max and Ruby and Franklin.

6:00- Frank usually calls to say hes on his way home anytime after 6. I will usually start dinner now, after dinner is started or finished, we head out front (if its nice) and play bubbles and sidewalk chalk.

7:00ish- Frank gets home and changes and we eat dinner.

7:45- After dinner is cleaned up its bath and pajama time!

8:00-8:15- Ava goes to bed!!

8:15-9:00- Daddy / Frankie time, Frankie is in bed by 9 (way too late in my opinion and we will be changing this very soon!)

9:00- Finally some Mommy/ Daddy time, catch up our shows etc. Play on our ipads etc.

10:00- I'm usually in BED. I get dead tired these days. Frank is a night owl and stays up late.

That's pretty much it, so to sleep, wake up and repeat!! (please take into account that our routine is getting off track A LOT lately with all my OB appointments, Perinatal appointments and Blood work, all I have to say is once again THANK GOD for my MOM, she is my rock during the day and I'd be LOST without her help!)

Now the parts of this routine that need to change are the following:
As much as I LOVE eating dinner as a family, I think I need to cook and feed the kids much earlier, they seem to eat much better on night when Daddy isn't home. I think they just get so excited to see him all they want to do is play and NOT eat.
I'd also like to push bedtime up to more like 7:45 ish for Ava and 8:00ish for Frankie. I know my husband  does NOT like this idea at all. but with a new baby coming and pre school starting in the Fall, I really feel that they need MORE sleep. Sure they may be awake an not say they are tired, but they are!!
The main reason I'm not pushing this issue more right now is I really need Frank's help at night with the bath/showers and pajamas. I'm just wiped out by that hour.

What is your daily routine? I love seeing how other families manage their time!

22 Weeks

I feel like my belly is even bigger then it was yesterday!

22 Weeks

How big is baby:  Baby is the size of a Spaghetti Squash

Total weight gain: Up 3 pounds this week =) so 7 total!

Sleep: Sleep, whats that?

Best moment of the week: Frank felt the baby for the first time last night!

Food Cravings: Still chocolate milk and Italian Ices!

Food Aversions: Still ground meat, ewww, yuck!

Symptom's: Back ache, sore boobs, and Baby kicks! (oh yea and frequent bathroom trips!)

( I had my first "bleeder today " from my injection, I cried like a baby and had to have Frank put pressure on it so its stopped!)

Gender: GIRL!

What I'm looking forward too: The beautiful 80 degree weather this week, lots of playtime outside!

What I miss: Not having to inject needles into my belly =(

Next Appointment: Tuesday with my perinatal Dr.

Sunday Events!

We had an open house so after we woke up, showered and had Mickey D's for breakfast we sent the kiddos to church with Nana and Papa and I got to last minute cleaning. I really hate open house and showing but the 1 positive is our house is mostly spotless these days (everyday all day, because I will NEVER say no to a showing! I'm the crumb Nazi!)

We didn't want to stick around during the open house because I hate seeing people trace threw my home opening my closets. So we took the truck to get inspected and headed to Toys R Us to get a gift for a party Frankie had later on.  After we got home and locked up we headed to my parents for a BBQ!

 I caught Noel mid yawn, she has a tough life! lol

 Girlfriend struck a pose so I would take her picture!

 Daisy and Noel resting together. Daisy wasn't feeling too well today and it kinda pulled at my heart, she's is my first dog, the dog I begged my parents my whole life for, the one they gave me for my 18th birthday because it killed them to realize their "baby: wasn't a baby anymore. She was NOT allowed to leave with me when I got married and moved out, hence why we got Noel!

 Frankie watching Uncle DonDon Start up the BBQ

and one of Bella just because!

After we ate Frank took Frankie off to the birthday party and Nana, Papa and I took Ava for Italian Ices (remember I'm craving them! lol) and back to our house to play outside till Daddy and Frankie got home!

It was a great day, actually a great weekend!

This week is back to business, spring break is over and Frankie's services and nursery school start up again and he's not to happy lol! He will get over it!

Hope you all had a great weekend too =)

Steppin Out 4.14.12

Deets!

Belly 21weeks 5 Days!

Shirt- Target

Jeans- Motherhood

Sandals- Jessica Simpson

Sunglasses- Gucci

What a great Saturday today way. We woke up and just relaxed around the house for a little bit, ate breakfast, cleaned etc. Then I had to go for blood work at 11am, it has to be exactly 4 hours after my injection which I give myself every day at 7am. Lucky for me the lab was empty! So as soon I got back we headed over to Target and Home Depot and got the the kiddos some presents for being super good during Mommy's many Dr appointments this week.

After this we headed home and I gave the kids lunch and naps while Frank went to visit his grandmother in the hospital. On his way home he stopped to pick up some food to BBQ because it was beautiful!

When Frankie woke up we played in the yard for a bit then headed over to our community park once Ava woke up. 

 It was a wagon ride to the park!

 Where Ava enjoyed her Horsey!

 Nothing sexier then a man playing with his kids!

 When it was time to come home Frankie wanted to push his sis =)

But then decided to run with Daddy instead, I just love this shot of my twins!

Once home it was back to the yard for our yummy BBQ, followed by bath time and jammies.

Now the kiddos are off to bed and we are checking the movie "horrible Bosses"out, and as I finish this post I'm deciding what yummy fattening snack I want to eat, I'm think Ice Creme =)

Hope you all had a great Saturday too!

April Birch Box

I was so excited when I got my special little delivery this week in the mail. So let's talk about this months goodies!

From left to right

Yes To Blueberries- Brightening Facial Towelettes

I was super excited for these because lately at night I just cant wait to hop into bed and go to sleep. Being pregnant with a 2 and 3 year old is hard work yo!! These babies wipe away all the yuckyness of the day and feel of refreshing!

*Zoya Nail Polish

This color is called Farah and I'm loving it, I just sampled a lil bit but a few main of it is coming this weekend so be prepared to see a picture next week!

Atelier Cologne- Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue

I'm not a huge perfume girl but I have to be honest this Orange scent is amazing, I'm loving it

Weleda- Pomegranate Firming Night Cream

I have no tried this yet and if I'm honest I probably wont until after baby is born because I'm nervous about skin scare products right now.

Marula The Leakey Collection- Omega Rich Pure Marula Oil

This too is something I'm not quite ready to try but it claims to fight premature signs of again, so we shall see!

So there you have it, what did you get this month in your Birch Box?? 

What's making me happy this week!

You didn't honestly think it could be something other then these 2, did you?  The current state of my pregnancy has had me down in the dumps lately, but boy do these 2 cutie know how to snap me out of it. I am so excited I will be getting another to join the mix come this summer. Other things making me happy this week is all the therapy I have been getting, Retail Therapy that is!! My momma sure knows how to cheer me up lots of new clothes for my kiddos and some rocking sandals for me! I also received my birch box and I'm excited to try out all my new goodies and let you guys know what I think of them. So, whats bringing you happiness this week?

Why I started Watermarking my photos!

Some of you may of noticed that the past few days I have begun to watermark my photos. I really wish I had started sooner but we cant change the past. Here is why I decided to do it. When checking my stats I noticed some really weird referring urls and it freaked me out. The were leading back to mostly sites from Russia and they were definitely not family friendly if you get my drift. It really bothered me, but my husband told me not to worry about it, these thins happen. Then a few weeks ago I was reading one of my favorite blogs from Mrs. to Mama and Becky wrote a whole post as to why she started to watermark her photos. Her story creeped me out even more and I decided this was something I NEEDED to start doing ASAP. A few days later Becky did a great tutorial on how she she watermarks her photos. She mentions two programs one being Lightroom (which I don't own yet but NEED!) and the other being Paintbrush, which I do have but I seriously can not figure it out. So whats a girl to do now that the beloved picnik is going bye bye. I decided to use a new site called picmonkey ! I seriously love it! So here are my easy steps for watermarking if you decide its something you would like to do as well.


1. Head over to http://www.picmonkey.com/
2. Upload your picture

3. Click on the P
4. Type whatever it is you want to watermark with, I use my blog url some people do their name.
I always use the font "Shadows Into Light Two"

5. Make sure you place the text in the center of your photo so it can not be cropped out. Also make sure to adjust the fade so its nice and light and focus is brought to your photo and not the text.

 6. When you are happy with your photo click Save!

7. And there you have a nice watermarked photo!

Also picMonkey is awesome for a ton of other stuff to and its free! Until I decided whether to buy Lightroom or Photoshop Elements, this will be the program I will using. It's slightly annoying because you need to do each picture separate, but it gets the job done (for free) and your photos are safe!

( by the way, this is Noel, our Maltese! She wasn't to crazy about the kiddos so shes been living with Nana and papa but we hope to bring her home in May and give her a try with the kiddos again, since she seems to slightly be warming up to them, I miss her cuddled into me in bed badly, and since getting a puppy isn't the the most wise thing to do considering my current health issues

Wordless Wednesday

I realize these are a month late, but hey, better late then never!!! My Irish mother lovin on her Italian grand babies!

That's as good as it was going to get with Frankie! He wanted to hurry up and go to the circus!

Linking up with Live & Love Outloud, A Beautiful Mess, &jenni from the blog