Life Letters (February): Cooking (Part Five)

For four weeks I have cooked 4 meals for dinner. I am proud of myself for sticking with it. For trying all new recipes. Some that I felt would be easy. Some that I felt would be difficult.

To be honest, when I first read the cooking letter I felt a bit overwhelmed. Mid-February to Mid-March was a busy time for us. Ryan traveling a lot. The kids & I traveling. Already a few activities planned and marked on the calendar. I wasn't sure how I was going to cook dinner more often than I normally do. Plus come up with a four course meal for Ryan and I. Plus make a new ethnic dish which is totally out of my comfort zone. But I did it! All of it!

daily reminder!

I sat down and wrote out all the nights I would be making dinner. Then I researched recipes and noted what I would make on what night. Twice a week I made a grocery list and bought groceries for the upcoming meals. Planning is key in my world and it helped make the tasks seem less overwhelming!

Most of my new recipes came from Pinterest but a few came from my Kitchen Diva cookbook that I absolutely love. (I have provided pictures and links where I can for your future reference if any of these tickle your fancy!)

Sweet Potato, Kale, & Shrimp Skillet

Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake with Mozzarella, Avocado, & Tomato Salad

Breakfast for Dinner: Eggs Benedict Casserole

Stuffed Green Peppers

Cranberry-Pear Salad with Salmon

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Lemon-Garlic Green Beans & Potatoes

so little clean up which was incredibly nice 

juicy, tender chicken with deliciously lemon coated green beans & potatoes

Spinach Tortellini Soup

Spinach, Avocado & Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese 

Caprese Grilled Chicken 

Baked Spanish Tortilla

Easy Chicken Pot Pie*

BBQ Shrimp*

Apple Pork Tenderloin*

Irish Beef Stew with Mashed Potatoes

Crab Quiche*

Aspen Michael: 10 Months

Dearest Aspen Michael,

Oh my sweet boy, this month started out pretty rough. All of a sudden you didn't want to lay in my arms to nap one afternoon. I figured it was just a one time thing but after several days in a row of no naps I knew something was going on. Coupled with bloody screams in the middle of the night for what seemed like hours, I began to get frantic. And worried. Especially since your daddy was leaving for an entire week. Nothing was working. Gas drops. Tylenol. Motrin. You were boycotting your paci. I felt helpless really as I hadn't experienced this as a mom before.

So on a Monday night, I decided to begin sleep training. We changed your routine. You drank your last bottle between 6:45pm and 7pm. Then we headed upstairs for bath time. I let Adelaide watch an episode of Sofia thinking your cries would be over by the time she headed to bed. I rocked you for a few minutes then laid you in bed with your sound machine on. You screamed. After 20 minutes I returned to comfort you. That only made things worse. 

I put Adelaide to sleep and you screamed some more. You screamed for 2 hours before you finally collapsed in to a deep sleep. But you didn't stir once throughout the night, and at 7:30am were as chipper as can be. 

The second night you cried for an hour. By the third night I didn't even get out of Adelaide's room before you were sound asleep. I truly believe it was a combination of sleep regression, separation anxiety, and severe teething. We weathered through it and are doing much  better now.

Speaking of teeth, another one popped through this month making the count up to 7. I see another one about to poke through and I anticipate at least 2 to 3 more in the coming weeks. I feel for you as the pain really gets to you. It shoots up your ears and brings a plethora of snot. But you seem to smile through the majority of it.

We went to visit Mimi & Papa in Naples this month. You had a great time in the sunshine. You swam in the pool. Took walks in the stroller. Napped on Mimi & mommy. Played with Giorgio. Smiled and laughed at Papa. And hammed it up with anyone and everyone.

You are saying bye bye and waving. You have said daddy a time or two. 

You bang your hands on your high chair when you want more food. You want all food especially anything that your big sis is eating. You have tried to drink my iced mocha from Starbucks and got very upset when I would not let you lick the whipped cream covered straw!

Every day with you is a gift. You brighten my life daily. 

I love you!

Love,

Mommy

St. Patty's Day Fun

On March 1st, a little leprechaun stopped by to deliver some green treats for the kids and Ryan...

Adelaide was so cute as soon as she noticed...and immediately found her brother's stuff first and took it to him! She kept saying "thank you mommy daddy."

A little lucky breakfast complete with green eggs, sprinkled mini chocolate donuts, and Lucky Charms...

Our Tuesday playgroup hostess, Whitney, had yummy green treats!

mint chocolate chip cookies

rainbow fruit

shamrock chips

green fruit skewers

And I made these lucky rainbows with a pot of gold for Adelaide's class ;)

Here's hoping the luck o' Irish has found you too!

Life Letters (February): Cooking (Part Four)

A four course meal is no joke. I love them at restaurants because its the perfect indulgence on someone else's time & talents ;) But it can also be a nice in-home date night. With a little preparation and planning, it is not as intimidating as it sounds. Trust me, I was terrified! Yet I managed to complete this *gourmet* meal with only a few small hiccups!

UK napkins a must to celebrate 31-0

On the menu:

Appetizer: Tuscany Bruschetta

Salad: Caprese Tomato

Main Course: Filet of Beef with broccoli

Dessert: Chocolate Meringue Pie

**Of course my meringue topping dripped off the top of the pie before I baked & chilled it. Despite its appearance, it was truly delicious...so much that we had two pieces ;)