Interesting and scary that I have all five things in my kitchen right now ! Food for thought I guess.
For lots of useful tips visit Joy's blog.
5 Foods to ditch from your kitchen !
Say What.....The Terrible Two's
Well I have to say I think we have fully entered the "Terrible Two's" with Laila. I have tried to deny this is happening to my once sweet, adorable and more importantly "mild" manner little girl. But sadly over the last few weeks it is just getting progressively worst with the temper tantrums and screaming fits.
Some have asked if it is a product of Sophie coming on the scene a month ago but honestly I don't really believe that to be the main factor. I think it is Laila just trying to vocalize how she knows best what her likes and dislikes are. Both my kids have been really late talkers so when Laila becomes frustrated with something she doesn't have words to scream at us so she just basically screams.
It is by far one of the loudest screams I have ever heard and it will surely break an eardrum if you happen to be holding her when she lets loose. As added bonuses ...with this scream comes the arched back and then followed by the whaling on the floor until she is picked up. I'm at a loss as we never really went through this stage with Hayden. I know it will pass but man it can be very trying on ones patience's that are all ready a little raw.
I read an interesting article tonight dealing with Tantrums and can't wait to give some of the techniques a try. Anyone have any great tips on how they handled or are handling the Terrible Two's ?
Something that made me feel
both very happy and little sad ! Reading that two sweet babies have been born to parents that so need this joy in their lives but knowing that they would loving nothing more then to bring them home to their beautiful siblings that are no longer with us here on earth. If you are not familiar with theirs stories take a moment to read about them - Both blogs are so touching and real !
Maddie's Lovely Family
and
Cora's Lovely Family
Welcome to the world little ones !! You will experience great love from your families !
We are still alive (barely)...
Sorry I haven't been blogging much lately or even been on the computer. Laila started to get sick last Monday and it just got worse from there. I literally spent two days in the washroom ('nuff said) and it seems a virus has found the way to the rest of the family as well.
Our GP figures it is a virus very similar to the Norwalk virus going around and that it takes 2 to 3 weeks to actually present itself - So potentially it's something I could have picked up in the hospital when I was in having Sophie. Not like there isn't lots of germs and disease there right.
Anyway, I guess it can go one of two ways either you get better faster or worse and thankfully for our family I got the worse of it while the kids got minor variations and Faruq has yet to present any visible signs of sickness although he is extremely tired from pulling double duty while I was otherwise indisposed for those few days.
We are really watching Sophie the closest because of how little she is but honestly she has probably been the best but only time will tell. On a positive note (if there is one) I managed to drop 10 pounds in just over 3 days - I would not suggest it but it was slightly effective in shedding a little more "baby" weight.
On a sad note we have finished the 3rd Season of Dexter now and I have to say I'm having a little "Dexter" withdrawal now. I so badly want to see Season 4. :{ Anyone watch either Californication or Damages? We have watched neither and just wondering if they are any good.
Really loving Top Chef Masters..... the host not so much but loving the format and really enjoying watching the "professionals" sweat for a little while.
Not even interest in The Bachelor this time round...I still have it PVR'ing and will scan through it during the early feed sessions but I could really care less about Jake and who he ends up with.
We are finally getting another season of Flipping Out and I have to say I have a slight crush on Jeff Lewis - He is crazy but in a very cute kind of way.
As well the "Real Housewives of OC and Atlanta" have premiered their next seasons here in Canada and it rather amuses me watching some of these ladies fall just a little of the pedestals they have perched themselves up on of. Some of had their houses foreclosed on, others have lost jobs and some are getting divorces. None of which are anything that find funny or would make fun of but it's just the way in which these women (or at least the show) as presented them. I would have thought they would have been "recession" proof. So secretly, I say they are pretty much like you and I but have a little farther to fall.
I will be back in a few days as I have been saving a few other topics that I've been chopping to chat about.
Chow for now !!
A few of my favorite things...
Even though Faruq and I decided we would not exchange gifts this year for Christmas he still managed to surprise me with gifts that were perfect.
First he managed to snag a Kindle when they became available in Canada....Before 3 kids I was known to go through a dozen books in a month so I would say it was definitely a favorite past time of mine. Now with life a little busier I have found it tough to even get through one book in a month and honestly I have had to become a little more selective about what I read. With the Kindle I can download a sample of a book that might interest me and if I do in fact want to purchase it I can do so later. The prices are reasonable for the books and downloads take just minutes.
I downloaded 4 books and took the Kindle to the hospital when I had Sophie. It was awesome as I was on my own for quite a bit of the stay so it was nice to have it there. It is lightweight and very user friendly. While I still do miss the feel of a good paperback in my hands I'm quickly getting used to my new friend called Kindle.
My next favorite thing is actually two things but serve the same purpose....Cookbooks !!! I love cookbooks and actually think I may need some intervention in that department. But as long as I keep serving hubby new and delicious meals he doesn't usually complain about my obsessive compulsive nature when it comes to cookbooks.
The first cookbook he bought me was The Pioneer Women Cooks....I'm a fan of Ree Drummond and a frequent visitor to her blog The Pioneer Woman. So when I found a copy of her cookbook under the tree I was so excited. It is quickly becoming a favorite as it is very well done. There are pictures, pictures and more picture to illustrate step by step instructions on each recipe (love that about cookbooks). I have tried a few of her recipes and all have been hits with the family thus far. I can't wait to try more in the coming weeks.
The other cookbook I got was by another favorite of mine...Martha Stewart ! I'm not Martha nor do I ever think I will be but I have found with past cookbooks they are usually really done well as well. I purchased her Cupcakes Cookbook a few months ago and have been pining for her Cookies Cookbook. So after a few hundred hints Faruq finally figured out that this one would make another great gift.
I have yet to make any of the recipes but have already bookmarked a few that I want to try in the coming weeks.
So for someone not expecting anything for Christmas my wonderful and thoughtful hubby managed to still make it a very nice surprise for me. Thank you Faruq for making it a special day for me after all !!
Kid Approved Recipe
A friend posted this recipe link the other day on Facebook and I thought my kids would probably eat it so I gave it a try last night. Boy was I right as both had two helpings of it and the bonus is it is super easy to make.
Spaghetti Squares - Serves 8
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Total Time: 40 Minutes
What you will need:
300g (1/3 of 900g pkg.) spaghetti, uncooked
1lb. (450g) lean ground beef
1 red pepper, chopped
1 jar (700ml) pasta sauce
1/3 cup Kraft 100% Parmesan Grated Cheese
2 Tbsp non-hydrogenated margarine
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup of cottage cheese (I actually omitted because my family doesn't like it)
1/2 cup Kraft Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
How you make it:
- Heat oven to 350'F. Cook Spaghetti as directed on package.
- Brown meat in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat; drain. Add peppers; cook until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in pasta sauce.
- Drain spaghetti; toss with Parmesan cheese, margarine and eggs. Place in greased 13x9 pan; top with layers of cottage cheese, meat mixture and mozzerella cheese.
- Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.
It is busy...
Well we are going into week 2 with Miss Sophie and life is still very good !
She is doing wonderfully and we adjusting nicely to this new routine. Daddy actually managed to get a break and go into work for a few days last week (he has come to realize that "Stay at home moms" have a very tough job). But it was good for Laila, Sophie and I to try to figure out our routine and I have to say it wasn't too bad.
Sophie is a happy, happy baby that really just wakes for feeding and diaper changes right now which I find a little boring actually. I can't wait until she is awake longer and interacting with us more.
I'm recovering a little more slowly this time from the c-section but getting there. I'm finding I get tired fairly easy so I'm trying to limit activities to a minimum for now. We managed to get to our favorite mall yesterday but honestly after an hour I was ready to come home. It was still nice to get back out in the land of the living at least for a few hours.
Hayden is back in school and I think we are all a little glad for that routine again - keeps him busy during the day and he is happy to see his friends again.
Well.....I finally broke down and made the purchase of on iPhone yesterday. I have to say that I'm loving it so far. Who has one? & Do you have any favorite apps that you love ? It's all new to me as I have had the same old cell phone for 6 years. It was time to upgrade and come into this century with technology.
Our other latest find and guilty pleasure is the TV series Dexter...because hubby and I are pretty much home all the time now we decided to take the plunge over Christmas and start watching this series. O.M.G. it is so good...we have a ton of friends that have watched it from the beginning but we never joined the bandwagon until now. We are currently starting Season 3 and but have to say we have really enjoyed it thus far. Anyone watch it ?
As well, the latest installment of Top Chef, The Bachelor and The Biggest Loser all started last week so that's a few more good viewing TV hours during those late night feedings that are part of my reality for the next while !
We are a family of Five....
Sorry it has taken me so long to update my blog with some info and pictures of our beautiful little new daughter !!
Everything went as scheduled on December 29th and at 14:46 lovely Sophie Rhys Suleman entered the world screaming. She weighted in at 8 lbs 2 oz and was 21.5 inch long.
Hayden and Laila are in total love with her as are we !! Now we are just trying to adjust to our new "normal" as a lovely family of five !!
So Thankful....
It seems lately I have heard so many people complaining about what they don't have that it would only being fitting to share what I'm most thankful for this year.
I'm thankful for life.
I'm thankful for my husband.
I'm thankful for my son.
I'm thankful for my two daughters.
I'm thankful that my family is in excellent health.
I'm thankful that my husband is employed and able to provide for his family.
I'm thankful for a roof over our heads.
I'm thankful for food on our table.
I'm thankful that I live in a country as good as Canada.
I'm thankful for the good friends that have loved, supported, sheltered me when I have needed.
I'm thankful for the new friends that have entered my life during the last year.
I'm just so very thankful for it all !
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