What's cooking this week?

Good morning friends! This week has been rough because our princess has been dealing with a pretty nasty diaper rash! She gets them from time to time but not usually as bad as this one. We're at the point now where the rash itself is gone but she has some raw skin still. Poor thing! My heart just breaks for her! Ouch! Hopefully we are finally in the clear. On top of the rash, she is in hardcore teething mode. She is gnawing off the paint on some of her puzzle pieces (took those away), biting on the handle to her stroller/walker thing, not to mention she's drooling like a beast. Still no new teeth, but surely they've got to be coming soon! I had to plan this week's meals fast because she is only going to be distracted by Mickey Mouse for so long. 

Tonight: Grandpa's Marinara with whole wheat pasta and salad
Tuesday: Chicken Avocado Lime Soup
Wednesday: Buffalo Chicken and Bean Chili
Thursday: Healthy Peach BBQ Pulled Chicken with roasted sweet potatoes

I've only made sauce ONCE since we moved into our new house (two months ago)...unacceptable! I can't wait to make Grandpa's sauce today. I'm going to take my time and let the onions caramelize REAL good. YUM! 

Yesterday I went out shopping for some 12-18 month clothes for the babes. As you can see, it was a major success! I remember having a hard time finding long sleeve onesies last year so I stocked up. There's a chance I may have gone overboard (twelve are probably more than enough). 

Today we are just lounging around. I think a Disney movie marathon is in order. If the rain holds out we may go for a walk to the park a little later. We also may attempt to break in Ella's new crayons - surely she will just try to eat them. That's about it over here. I think we all need a day to rest,  Baby Girl included! 

Happy Sunday!

All Twelve

Our monthly photo sessions were something I looked forward to (although I didn't want to rush anything). Some months were easier to capture than others. Of course once she became mobile it became much more difficult! And somewhere around month 6 all she wanted to do was eat the sticker. Here are all twelve months of cuteness. It's so crazy to me how much she changed from month to month! How do I already have a one year old?!

What's cooking this week?

Back to the weekly meal plan after being off for a bit. I hit up Pinterest for some inspiration in order to get back into the swing of things. Last night's meal was so good that it was definitely still worth mentioning! It's almost like writing something on your to-do list just so you could cross it off. 

Last Night: Salsa Verde Honey Lime Pepper Jack Chicken Enchiladas
Tuesday: Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Wild Rice Soup (and steak for Hubs)
Wednesday: Spicy Hawaiian Turkey Burgers and sweet potato fries
Thursday: Skinny Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

My KitchenAid mixer was finally broken in for the first time last week by my aunt when she was finishing Ella's birthday cake, but I used it for the first time myself today and made this yummy pumpkin bread. It came out delicious despite the fact that I didn't have any baking powder. Imagine how good it would have been if I did use all the ingredients! 

This weekend was nice, I'm as relaxed as I could be and ready to start another week. We got the entire house back to normal AND fit in lots of playtime with our girl. She is so fun these days as she does something new every day to amaze us! Aren't these two just the cutest together?

Goodnight, have a great week!

Dolce Far Ninte

{via}

Yes. It means "the sweetness of doing nothing". I think I see a new printable in my future. I'm feeling extremely content today. It's our first day in a while to be home and just do nothing. There's absolutely nothing on my agenda for today besides making a grocery list for the week (done). I've got a clear head, and now a clean home! 

Our little family has been incredibly busy over the past week. We've been spending quality time with tons of loved ones and celebrating our girl's first birthday. It's been a whirlwind of excitement and fun! Having both sets of grandparents here visiting us in our new home was just the BEST! We miss everyone already since they've all gone home by Wednesday.  The remainder of the week was spent getting the house back in order and ourselves back into a routine. Now that the weekend is finally here, I plan to spend the day doing nothing but playing with my girl and getting as many snuggles in as I can. Happy Weekend Friends! 

What's cooking this week?

We are a week away from Ella's first birthday party, there is still so much to do! There will be anywhere from 35-45 people (plus about 8-10 kids)! Stephen's parents arrive from NY tomorrow and mine will be here on Thursday. I've got the meals planned for the week but as far as the food for the party....I have not a clue. Okay, I have an idea but nothing has been finalized. I guess I better get on that NOW!

Tonight: Taco Sunday!
Monday: Pasta with leftover Sunday Sauce and salad
Tuesday: Apricot Chicken and green beans
Wednesday: Margherita Pizza and salad
Thursday: Pulled Pork with corn bread, sweet potatoes and cole slaw

We've had a busy, busy day so far. This morning we got up and out early so we could go down to Orlando for Ella's birthday photo shoot. She did great, as soon as I have the photos you know I'll be posting them. We can not wait to see them! She wanted absolutely nothing to do with smashing cake! I was surprised she wasn't at least a little curious about it, whether she wanted to eat it or not. We could hardly get her to be near the cake let alone sit and smash it. Regardless, I'm sure our photographer got plenty of good shots! Ella had a blast running around the park especially when she was barefoot. I think it tired her out a bit...

We just took this sleepy, dirty girl home, gave her a bath and she's snoozing away. I'd like to join her for a nap but there is too much party planning and house cleaning that must be done! One week to go!

A Wedding & The Zoo

I typed this out on Tuesday and never posted it amongst all the birthday festivities. Last weekend was a great one and certainly worth sharing!

Luckily we had Monday off to recoup because looking back, boy was this a busy weekend! Saturday after doing some major party planning for our girl (it's not until the 14th, we have some time) we went to a wedding. Stephen works with the sweetest girl Kristie who I adore! She got married a few weeks back in Colorado and they invited us to their celebration here in FL at her in-law's gorgeous lake house. This was quite the shindig, every detail was beautiful! The house on the lake was incredible and all of the decor was straight out of Pinterest! We had so much fun celebrating the start of Kristie and Jared's new life together! Ella had a great time too - from the golf cart ride up to the house, tearing up the dance floor, and of course hamming it up for the camera! Here are a few photos of us that I took and a few "Pinteresty" shots that I borrowed from Kristie's FB page.

On Sunday we took her to the Central Florida Zoo. Despite the "inferno-like" heat, it was a fantastic time! Ella loved the giraffes but was very leery of the llama! This whole "watching the wonder through a child's eyes thing" is legit! I could literally (said like Chris Traeger) watch Ella watch a goat for hours! I didn't get many pics but here are a few with Dada.

Great weekend, I hope this one stacks up!

Ella Recaps Her First Birthday!

Hello Blogland, Ella Rose here! I turned ONE today! Since today was a very special day for me, I figured I would post some of my favorite parts about it. Everyone keeps saying how this year went by so fast, but I feel like I've been around and rocking this whole "baby thing" forever. I'm already growing up into a big girl, I even got some big girl toys today! 

I'll make this update quick so I can go get some rest. Being the Birthday Girl is exhausting!

My day started with Dada dressing me in my birthday shirt and Momma trying to pose for pictures with me. I made sure to move a lot so she didn't get any good ones. 

I had a great day at school, took a three hour nap, played and ate lots of yummy snacks. When I got home I "talked" to lots of friends and family on the phone and on the iPad. Everyone kept singing songs to me and it made me giggle. 

 Mommy taught me how to say I was one year old....she also taught me where my nose is and sometimes I mix those up!

Look at this cool new toy I got from Uncle Peter...it's a Little Mermaid Little People set! Flounder is already missing. Oopsie, could he be under the couch?  Speaking of cool presents, my little friend CKW was born late last night! Mamma showed me pictures of her and I can't wait to play with her soon!

 Today was even extra special because I discovered my new favorite food - mac 'n' cheese! More please!

How fun is it to use the letter 'L'!? I started using it a lot today and even learned to say my name "Lella". Close enough. 

Wrapping paper is some seriously fun stuff! Mommy and Daddy says I will get to rip more of it when lots of people who love me come to celebrate soon at my mermaid party! 

Thanks for letting me share my day with you, and thank you everyone for the "Happy Birthdays"!

XO, "Lella Rose"

What's cooking this week?

Happy Labor Day! I remember Labor Day last year hoping I'd actually go into labor! How was that already a year ago? This three day weekend feels extra sweet, possibly because we're spending it celebrating pre-birthday festivities with our little one. Unfortunately Hubs is working later on her actual birthday.....boooooo work stuff. We used this weekend as an excuse to take Ella on her first trip to the zoo. Obviously we didn't need an excuse though. We all know Ella turning one (omg) will be the highlight throughout the entire month of September! Because I didn't have the heart to take her for her one year shots on her birthday, I switched the appointment until the day after AND I'm taking the entire day off for a Mamma/Ella day! It's going to be a great week, just check out the yuminess I've got planned...

Tonight: Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken
Tuesday: Pulled Pork with Crispy Baked Onion Rings
Wednesday: Not cooking
Thursday: Black Bean Soup and steak for Hubs
Friday: Pulled Pork and Peach Pizza

Saturday we ran to Target for a just a "few" things for her party (which isn't until the 14th). It's as if she knew it's all for her big day! I'm trying real hard not to stress over planning this thing but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad bit overwhelmed. I know it will all come together and it's going to be great having so many people we love here to celebrate. In the meantime I'm going to just enjoy this sweet face while I do my best not to sweat the small stuff!

I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead. Can we talk about how excited I am that Mal and DLW will be welcoming their little sweetie into the world ANY day now?!?!?!?! I'm on major baby watch!