Birthday Birthday...

We celebrated Thomas' second birthday with some beach and Bull Taco. He was so happy that night when we put him to bed...all smiles about being celebrated. Hooray for family, fun, and food! Let the wonderful world of 2 begin! xo -ag

2

Can you believe that I have been hiding for all this time...and now my baby boy is nearly TWO!

Oh Thomas...you are starting to talk ALOT! You still love your sister and your daddy (and your mommy, best). You also like to cry at breakfast...apparently I put the butter on the wrong side of the bread (maybe you should ask auntie Greta about this). You try to be a big boy and use your potty, but at the same time you want to be a baby and suck on your paci. You have strong opinions about what you wear and it makes me crazy at times! You are still a good napper and an overall good sleeper, you love to be in your bed! Even though you can climb out, you only do if you really really want to! You have watched and learned so many things...some of our favorites include - heel, toe, heel, toe, heel, toe, yew! from Party at Mickey's! and the crocodile snap! You love Lalo...you call yourself Momas...and your white white hair is amazing! I think we hear comments on your hair daily! We are so lucky to have you in our lives, you make us all better people! Go Tom Tom...blow it up baby boy!

Nine!

Today, Thomas is nine months old. It is amazing how quickly the time has gone and how much he has grown. Each day brings something new...and usually it involves a bit of trouble. He still loves his sister, his blankeys, and his pacifier. He is great in the pool and loves to go underwater...today he was even paddling his arms while he was "swimming." He also stood up alone today at the YMCA...after we swam, we played in the splash pad for a bit. Thomas loves the running water...it's fascinating. I stood him in the middle of a fountain and let go, he was holding the streams of water so he thought he was being supported...but he wasn't and alone he stood, until he realized. It's just a matter of time before he is walking (no shit, right?)...He still isn't the best sleeper, but I guess I am not the strongest parent and will go to him as needed. Plus, he is cute and sweet and gives me snuggles and kisses...we are surviving happily.

Today was also a bit sad...we sad a final goodbye to our favorite pediatrician, Dr. Ng. She is moving up north to be with her husband. She cried (which made me cry) saying goodbye, she is awesome and I am so glad that she was our doctor...Lillian was one of her first babies...being a dork, I brought the camera in and took some photos...we sure are going to miss Dr. Ng!

Otherwise, we've just been living the dream here in South O...a little adventure mixed with a lot of routine...but that's how we like it...xo -ag

It's okay...

go night-nighty...you're ok...go to sleep...

hum, I wonder if I will ever sleep through the night again...

Am I happy? actually, yes I am. I wouldn't change it for the world and regardless of how many moments I spend complaining about this, that or the other...in the big picture, in this lifetime, I am happy. I love being at home with my kids, I love my kids, and more importantly, I love my husband. As I learned in my book club reading of "...Bliss...", I can keep the good and discard the bad...I can be genuine and a fraud all at the same time...and I always ask myself does it really matter? and really who cares? often.

And in the end...I am happy, only certain parts of it really matter, and I try to put 1000% of myself there...and the other parts...well maybe it's just me pretending...being in the moment but somewhere else at the same time...maybe I should move to India...now I need to get back on track with recipes...I have been slacking for the last few weeks, lacking inspiration...but I will persevere...see you soon..xo-ag

Poor Posting Habits...

I am currently suffering form PPH, I will apologise to my two readers in advance. I have been completely into my routine, it is a busy one at times, and I am still very focused on trying to be fit and maintain my weight loss...I have lost 20 pounds since January and I am wanting to lose about 10 more before summer. I am feeling great and I am completely amazed at the fact that my clothes are too big, it blows my mind each time I put something on.

I am also happy to say that my TNR Tuesdays are going exceptionally well. I have exposed my family to new foods and learned a bit about cooking. Sometimes, I do struggle for inspiration, but I love that on one night a week, it's something new for all of us.

I think that is all I am giving you tonight...I have a post about happiness brewing in my mind, but I still need to finish my book club book (even though we already meet to discuss it)...The Geography of Bliss; One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World. Until then...I hope you are all well...can't believe it is already March...xo -ag

Double Up

Apparently, I am not so good at this blogging thing...I guess Exercise TV has been distracting me...at least I hope it has...so I missed a few weeks...Here's a recap

Chicken and Bean Chilaquiles (or Silly Lilly's as we were calling them)

Cooking spray
1 cup thinly sliced onion (SKIPPED)
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups shredded cooked chicken - I was feeling lazy so I bought a rotisserie chicken...
1 (15-ounce) can beans (recipe calls for black, I used pinto)
1 cup chicken broth
1 (7 3/4-ounce) can salsa de chile fresco (I didn't have this so I used some salsa)
15 (6-inch) corn tortillas, cut into 1-inch strips
1 cup shredded queso blanco

Directions - Preheat oven to 450. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat with cooking spray (I used olive oil). Add onions, saute for 5 minutes (or until lightly browned). Add garlic, saute 1 minute. Add chicken, cook 30 seconds. Transfer mixture to medium bowl, stir in beans. Add broth and salsa to pan, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Place half of the tortilla strips in bottom of an 11 x 7-inch bakign dish coated with cooking spray. Layer half of the chicken mixture over tortillas, top with remaining tortillas and chicken mixture. Pour broth mixture evenly over chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 450 for 10 minutes or until tortillas are lightly browned and cheese is melted.

-->Good dish, super easy. Jeff didn't like the green things from the salsa and I used the wrong cheese so it didn't get meltly. I enjoyed as leftover lunch, too. I served it with salad and called it a night. I will make this again and I see how easy throwing this together with leftovers from a taco night could be.

Hearty Frittata
4 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
8 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
8 oz artichoke hearts
1 cup thinly sliced leek
3/4 cup grated fontina cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions: Preheat oven to 450. Cook bacon over medium-high heat in a 10-inch oven-proof nonstick frying pan or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet until crisp. Transfer bacon to paper towels, reserve 2 tbsp. dripping in pan (discard the rest) and set aside.

Whisk together eggs, milk, chives, salt and pepper. Stir in bacon and artichoke hearts and set aside.

Return skillet to medium-high heat. Add leeks and saute in reserved bacon drippings until softened, 1-2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add egg mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minutes, then gently stir in 1/2 cup of fontina cheese and the parmesan. Cook without stirring until deges of frittata are set and the center is still a bit soft, approximately 2 minutes. Edges should appear firm when the pan is gently shaken, the top layer should appear wet.

Sprinkly remaining 1/4 cup fontina over top and transfer skillet to oven. Bake until eggs are fully set and the top is golden brown., 5 - 7 minutes. If top is not browned, broil for about a minute or so.

--> YUMMO! I loved this. We had this frittata, salad, and oven roasted potatoes...so good. I did modify the recipe since the only oven-proof nonstick skillet I had was smaller than what was called for I made this with 6 eggs (I also felt like 8 eggs was a lot of my family), changed the milk to 6 tbsp...left the rest the same...which made it a bit heavy with artichokes, which I like, Jeff and Lillian, not so much. I will definitely made a frittata again...it will be our version of breakfast for dinner, since I have never been able to let myself just make scrambled eggs for dinner...

Happy cooking -agatha

T.N.R Tuesday Menu...

Spice Rubbed Flank Steak...
mix 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon thyme (didn't have any) pat onto flank steak. Broil 6 to 7 minutes per side. Thinly slice...

I served it with some rice pilaf, brussel sprouts, and salad. Lillian ate all her meat and salad, but did not like the brussel sprouts or rice. Jeff loved and ate it all...but I am pretty sure he would eat anything meaty...he did mention that he liked that the steak was thinly sliced, he was able to eat it easily, no knife necessary. For me, I enjoyed to seasoning on the steak, which is always a challenge for me...what to put on my meat to make it yummy, so this worked nicely and was super easy. The flank steak was on sale at Ralph's making this meal fairly cheap! Definitely something I will do again...happy cooking -ag