Can you hear me now?

I am pretty sure for most of the day I talk to myself. Although why would I say-" no, stop, don't pull her hair, get down, you need time out" to myself? I am pretty sure I am not pulling anyone's hair. I know that Hannah is fully aware of what I say. She is good at looking me right in the eye and doing the opposite. Lucas, while he doesn't talk much, understands as well. He laughs like I am doing a funny dance when I say "no, no!" Even with a mean face on he thinks I am pretty darn funny.
My cousin asked me if Lucas was being a bit of a handful like her 18 month old little girl. It reminded me that I was not alone and this is normal. Although, I have a hard time remembering that when it is happening!
So, What do I do?? What can I do? I will try and remember that this stage will pass. I may blink and they will be all grown up. And that the cute, loving things they do outweigh the bad. (even though there are days when it's a close tie...)
And then I have a BIG glass of wine.

Oh My Yum

Feeling inspired after finishing her book today I made this from the Pioneer Woman Cooks. Love, Love, Love. (her blog, book & this dish)
You need to try it. I did it without the olives because I am not a fan of them. I also used cooked chicken and did not boil mine to save time.
Not on the Weight Watchers Plan but I will give myself a pass today because it was SO worth it.

Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

• 1 whole Cut Up Fryer Chicken
• 1 stick 1/2 Cup Butter
• 16 ounces, weight White Mushrooms, Sliced
• ¼ cups Dry White Wine
• Kosher Salt And Pepper
• ¼ cups Flour
• 2 cups Chicken Broth (reserved From Chicken Or Canned)
• 1-½ cup Whole Milk
• ¼ cups (additional) Dry White Wine
• 1 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 cup Whole Black Olives, Chopped
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt, Or To Taste
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• Extra Cheese, For Sprinkling
• 1 pound Thin Spaghetti

Preparation Instructions

Place chicken in a pot of water and boil on medium-low heat for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove chicken from pot and allow to cool slightly. Keep broth in pot.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet. Throw in mushrooms, add 1/4 cup white wine, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until liquid has totally evaporated. Remove mushrooms from skillet. Set aside.

Bring broth to a boil. Break spaghetti into thirds (shorter pieces). Add spaghetti pieces to boiling broth and cook. Drain when al dente. Remove meat from bones and shred until you have 2-plus cups of shredded chicken.

Return large skillet to medium-low heat. Add 6 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle flour over butter, whisking to combine. Cook for 1 or 2 minutes. Pour in 2 cups broth and whisk to combine. Pour in milk, additional 1/4 cup wine, salt and pepper to taste, then cook and bubble until thick. Turn off heat, add Parmesan cheese, and stir.

Add mushrooms, chicken, and chopped olives. Stir to combine and check seasonings. Add cooked spaghetti and stir.

Turn into a 9 x 13 casserole pan. Bake at 350 degrees or until golden brown and bubbly.

Versatile Blogger award

My sweet cousin was kind enough to give me this award. Sadly, I don't have 7 people to pass this on to. I am still kind of new to the Blog thing don't know enough people to pass this on.
But, I will post my 10 things you may not know about me...

1- I talk in my sleep. & if you are lucky enough to catch an episode, I will answer your questions. This freaks me out. My mom said she used to talk to me. I am scared to know what she asked...

2- I am very type A. I want things planned and I want it done yesterday. I don't like change, surprises or things I didn't plan & organize. I have issues "winging it". I blame the first born thing.

3- I went to school to be an athletic trainer. I finished 2 years and decided I was better at the business end of things and ended up with a degree in Marketing. How I ended up working in Law for the past (almost) 8 years. I am still not sure... But it turns out I am good at it so I guess it worked out o.k.!

4- I am extremely shy when I meet new people. I think it's because I am very self-conscious. I have a hard time feeling like I fit in. I always feel like the awkward kid who will be picked last for dodgeball.

5- I am (pretty sure forever) a N.K.O.T.B. fan (stalker). I loved then when I was 12 and love them now. I saw them 4 times since they started touring again and would see them over and over again. But, since my kids need to eat and its darn expensive, I have contained myself and will limit my addiction. I don't miss an episode of Blue Bloods so I can get my "Donnie Fix"

6- I do wish my son would sleep through the night. I want to sleep too. BUT I love the fact that I get to cuddle with him when he cries at night. He holds onto my shirt and puts his face in my shoulder. I will love the sleep but will miss my cuddles when he finally sleeps.

7- I worked for the Buffalo Blizzard Soccer team for a couple years in college. It was one of my most fun jobs and I am sad that we lost the team. I also played soccer, I sucked, but I loved it.

8- I sing in the car and pretend I am on stage. Well, I did. Hannah tells me to shhh a lot. Which says a lot about my singing ability.

9- I have a horrible fear of spiders. I scream like a little kid and make someone else get rid of it. & if no one else is around and I have to do it my heart pounds and I sweat. That's how much I do not like those little critters.

10- I wish I could be more "stylish". I am not good at picking clothes and shoes. Usually my husband does a better job than I do. If I ever win the lottery I will hire a personal shopper to just do it for me.

Happy Valentine's Day

Dear Hannah and Lucas,
You are the most precious Valentines I could ever wish for. Happy Valentine's Day, my loves. I love you more than you will ever know.

Love,
Mommy

Our little Star- Miss Hannah!

We started going to Fisher Price for pictures last June. We were lucky enough to be called for both kids a number of times. The thing about Fisher Price "modeling" is that once you have the pictures taken for a toy you have no idea if they use them or not. You just have to keep an eye out for your child at the store.
The first box was spotted by my husband, who bought 3 of them. Such a proud daddy!
The second box was found my me at Target! Imagine the look on my face when I flipped over a box and saw Miss Hannah looking all cute.
It's been such a fun experience and I hope Lucas makes a box too. Maybe one day they will also know that back a long long time ago, their Mama was on one too!

Finding ME time...

Well, haven't I just been a Big Blog Slacker... I started this post a couple weeks ago and just haven't had a chance to get back to it! So...
Now that the holidays are over and the new year has begun I have made it a point to finally make some time for ME. Since I had my first child I think I had forgotten how important it is. I started to feel like I was drowning in princesses, trucks, diapers, laundry and work. & I love my kids with ALL my heart but there comes a point where you want to scream and hide in the corner with a bottle of wine.
When my daughter was born I decided to work from home. I have an amazing office that lets me do so. Hannah was 3 months when I went back to work and my heart broke when I left her each day. About 3 months later I had settled into my home "office" and learned to juggle mommy-hood and the 8 hour work day combined into the same bundle. While I am so thankful for the ability to be here for all of the day to day activities, it is daunting. As you can imagine most days the only interaction I have is with a 3 year old and a 1 year old. I am really not complaining, but come on. To talk to an adult is an exciting thing after a Mon-Fri of that.
After I had my second child I could not/did not really try and lose all the weight. I was tired, busy and told myself I didn't have time and was ok with it. Self- You are a liar. You are soooo not ok with it. I saw pictures of myself recently and thought- Holy S%$T, who is that chick with 3 chins??? ::hand to head & faints::
One of my closest friends got engaged about a month ago. I thought, I WILL NOT HAVE MORE THAN ONE CHIN AT HER WEDDING! & she has decided to get married in 5 months. Say what?! I have her to thank for giving me the some darn good motivation. I have a long way to go but I am making myself find time to go to the gym and eating healthy and you know what? I thought I would hate it, make excuses and be crabby but I am NOT. I have had a great 5 weeks!! I have many more weeks to go but I have decided to find time for ME. & at the gym its just ME and the iPod & I think we have hit it off. The treadmill, eliptical or a spin class have because good friends. & the best part? Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I have lost 9 pounds. I still have some to go but I am feeling good about being 1/2 way to my goal.
So now I also have to hold myself accountable on this Blog. Yikes! But I think it will also help serve as a journal of my journey. So, 5 weeks down...

Packin' on the Holiday Pounds

Christmas Dinner included this-
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole.
OMG. Basically, mash the potatoes with cream cheese, butter and sour cream. Spread in a pan and top with crunchy bacon and cheese. One scoop and you will have to run around the block twice. But SO worth it.

Today, Brunch includes-
Mini Mac N Cheese & Broccoli Cheese Quiche. YUM.
Can you tell I like cheese???
Oh- and fruit and mimosas, too :)

I think a gym visit is needed...