Must Try Recipes!

I've been working my way through some recipes on Pintrest/Bloglovin; and although I had a few busts I must say I found a few recipes that are fabulous.  I know you are going to enjoy them as much as my family and I have.

First and foremost, you have to try CKT White Bean, Kale & Sausage Soup!  I have made this soup 3 times already and my parents have made it twice. It is a hearty, tasty and easy to make recipe that my entire family enjoys.  There are no words to describe this soup, just trust me and try it.  I know Caroline personally and she is a great chef with great recipes; you might want to think about following her blog.  

Next,  Fish Bowl Tacos; we love tilapia so I substituted it for the cod.  This dish is great because it includes a starch, veggies and a protein.  Plus, I was able to sure the rice and veggies with Mason.   Next time I make this dish I would play around with the seasoning or maybe add some black bean/corn salsa (my new obsession) to add some different flavors to the dish.   Oh, and black bean/corn salsa works great as a salad dressing or on top of eggs.  

Last but not least the Ultimate Grilled Cheese! This sandwich is AMAZING it is bursting with flavor and is super yummy.  The ingredients are a little surprising but they work so well together.  Just thinking about the sandwich makes me hungry and I will without a doubt be making it again.  

Happy Cooking and Happy Eating!

18 month sleep regression....

The 18 month sleep regression hit our household....the one all my mommy friends have been telling (crying to) me about. I had my fingers crossed it will bypass us all together or not be as bad as I have heard (4-6 weeks without sleep sounds painful). Well, as we all know you don't always get what you wish for!!!  Mason turned 17 months and the regression began (leave it to him to be slightly ahead of the game). At first we were experiencing waking up in the middle of the night to him screaming (brutal but we can handle this) it has now morphed into Mason refusing to go to bed, nap or lay down for that matter. He is doing most of his sleeping sitting up and the other portion laying next to me (gasp, so creating a bad habit with this one but we have to get some sleep). This morning he got up at 4:30am and Mason was ready to rock in roll. He is a mess (it isn't even 8am yet) and we are trying to be as patient as possible on such little sleep. I have to say I'm exhausted but it's like my body knows how to handle the lack of sleep and is allowing me to function a bit. Even with the ability to function (somewhat) I am finding this so frustrating! Mason has always been a good night sleep and easy to put down. He knows the drill and totally understands what we are saying which makes this different from his infant days. We are all doing the best we can! We know our little guy needs his sleep but we also know the 18 month sleep regression is very much real and there is little we can do but muddle through. 

Here are a couple pics of Mason sleeping sitting up. Wish us luck:

{Mommy Love}

Wow, Mason has been sick for FOREVER (or at least that is what it feels like to us).  Thankfully our little man is slowly becoming himself again (giggling, playing, eating & running) what a relief.  His average cold/fever turned into Roseola; a virus that strikes 24 hours after the fever breaks resulting in a rash.  The past week has been spent holding Mason and watching countless hours of Dora and Bubble Guppies.  As a mom it was heartbreaking to watch Mason be so lethargic, all I wanted to do was take away his pain.  We are so thankful the end is near and that you can only get Roseola once (per the doc).

Now for some Mommy Love:
Being a mom is a 24 hour job; personally I think it is the best job I have ever had!  Being a mother comes natural to me and I am so blessed to be able to stay home with Mason everyday.  I'm so lucky and I know that.  As Mason gets older I have started carving out time for myself (something my mom has been encouraging me to do from day one) if it is heading to a workout class, grabbing drinks with friends, making crafty ornaments etc.  This past month I have done a couple of things that have made me so happy, which in turn makes everyone around me happy (happy mommy = happy baby & happy husband).

1) I purchased a monthly unlimited package at The Dailey Method! I absolutely love their classes (try one if you live near one of their studios).  I was able to get the new member package and have been able to take full advantage of it.  I've attended 15 class and still have 4 days left in my unlimited month.  Attending these classes has challenged my body, yet allowed me to clear my mind for 60 minutes.  I already feel stronger and more fit in such a sort period of time!  I'm thankful for Matt for holding down the fort while I sneak out for some "me time."

2) I had a sitter come to watch Mason during the day.  Remember how I said I love being a mom?!?!?! Well, I do and since my "job" is to stay home I didn't/don't feel like paying a babysit to watch Mason during the day is necessary.  However, Matt was out of the country for a full week and will be traveling more for work in the next couple of months.  My mom has been out of pocket (with a broken shoulder) so I  knew I was going to need a "break." Or a couple hours to run some errands.  The few hours the sitter was at home made my week!  I was able to do several different errands (aka get in and out of the car like 5 times without having to deal with the car seat) and get a workout it in.  I had totally forgotten how quickly tasks could get done.  Mase was a rock star with the sitter which only made me more happy.  The sitter was 100% worth it and I will be taking another 3 hour mommy break in the future.

So, my mom was right you need to make time for yourself.  Even with a week long sick Mase these simple time outs have made me a better mom.