Messy fun

This week's theme is "Messy" and with Sweetpea's second birthday fast approaching, I thought a cake picture would fit the bill. With the start of a new month I can't help but feel that spring is just around the corner...however it was just last year on Sweetpea's first birthday that we got a blizzard! That blizzard postponed her party a week, so she got to do a test run on the original birthday cake I'd made her - a little sweet potato pound cake in the shape of a birthday bear. She appears to have enjoyed it, don't you think?

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Menu planning for a busy week

This is another one of those weeks where EmDee is working late and Sweetpea and I will be doing the solo thing. I did two big batch cooking sessions over the weekend to get most of the cooking out of the way. Thanks to everyone's suggestions last week, I think part of my problem was waiting and trying to cook right before dinner - if I wasn't already queasy, the smell of cooking would get me that way by the time I was done. Hopefully this advanced planning will also help!

I'm planning to make some overnight crockpot oatmeal by midweek...(read - didn't happen this weekend, sigh) I've been drooling over the sound of it for some time now, and finally have all the ingredients. Last week I was miserable at planning breakfast and snacks, this week I have several baggies of cut carrots and celery along with yogurt and fiber bars ready for those mid morning and mid afternoon munchies.

Here's what's on the menu for dinner this week -

Monday: spaghetti casserole and garlic bread
Tuesday: chicken with pasta and vegetables
Wednesday: three cheese tortellini with cheesy vegetables
Thursday: leftovers
Friday: family dinner out to celebrate Sweetpea's birthday

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Grateful for the little things and little people

Last Friday night and Saturday I got another taste of the stomach flu. After a trip to the doctor for a shot, I took a long nap and felt a bit better. While I was so grateful to be feeling better, I was just too worn out to write a gratitude post last week. It took about a week for the nausea to completely go away, but I think I'm finally feeling pretty normal. Here is a bit from the past two weeks from my gratitude journal!

*getting a peak at sweet baby and listening to the heartbeat - turns out we are a month further along than previously estimated*

*my mom was willing and able to watch Sweetpea while I slept the shot off last Saturday, I don't know what I would have done without her*

*building blanket tents and playing in them with my favorite not quite two year old*

*a 2 day taste of spring this week before the cold air returned*

*curled up on the couch under a blanket with Sweetpea, listening to the sound of birds singing and watching the sun rise*

*crayon, marker, and sticker creations, made with enthusiasm*

*we are so blessed to have such a wonderful pediatrician*

What are you grateful for this week?