Mom Life

Being a mom is the hardest step I have taken in life, but with 100% confidence I can say I am a great mom to my babies. This has been, hands down, the hardest year of motherhood for me. Looking back on it, I put up a dang good fight! I am proud of the mom I have become, this year taught me a lot! I am proud to have proven to myself that I do have a little fight in me. I am proud to be my boys mom. 

And to my mom and sisters, you have no idea how thankful I am for all your support! You all help in my fight and I love you so very much! 

FIVE

We woke up to a FIVE year old! What a whirlwind of a year it has been! Many ups and downs, many great memories made, many hugs and kisses shared! 

I have loved watching Felix develop into a confident little person. He has gained a lot more independence and is more comfortable trying new things. This year was a lot of work, this year we all learned a lot, this year we all shed a lot more tears then the ones past, but this year I wouldn't trade in. Felix is my continual shining light, my happiness and my dimple face! 

Felix Rene,

You are resilient just like your daddy! You have taught us the true meaning of life! We are beyond proud of you and think you have such a special place in this world. We cannot wait to watch your journey in life. We love you more than all the stars in the sky. Keep shining Baby Beluga!

"My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to 

astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness." -Maya Angelou

Children should be seen and not heard?

People love babies, people love children that are calm and quiet, people do not love children who are opinionated, passionate and expressive (Oscar).

Try raising a child that most people in public roll their eyes at or judge because they think the parents aren't parenting correctly. 

This morning was rough. Oscar, is my child who is opinionated, passionate, very determined, yet so loving. He is my child that is judged because he yells, screams and says few words (he is 19months), he is LOUD! When I say loud, it's an understatement. He does embarrass us, he does make us feel uncomfortable, but just like the parents of the quiet children, he is perfect for us! 

This morning at indoor park, he screamed, he yelled and one mom muttered something under her breath. It took all of me not to say anything because we were around Felix's friends and their parents. It's a horrible feeling, but believe me, Walter and I are on our children. If we see behavior we do not like, we are there. Time outs happen, but they are only for a short period when dealing with a year and a half old. He is wild, but he is also just a baby himself. 

Thanks to the dad at indoor park that yells right along with Oscar, that is teaching his daughter that just like her, Oscar is practicing his voice also. That his voice is just a little louder. It is people like him that make this world go round! Oscar now will seek him out in the gym just to have a yelling match and in all honesty, it makes my heart smile! 

Oscar is completely different than Felix was at this age.  It took some adjusting for us, but my gosh his passion for life is something powerful! He is worth ever ounce of uncomfortableness we ever encounter. 

Oscar Vincent, you are so special. You make some days very hard, but we wouldn't trade them for the world! You have a strong personality, you have so much to give and we love you! 

So remember when you are judging that innocent little person with a loud voice, his/her parents are watching and his/her parents are also feeling judged. These are future adults we are raising, these are people that we are teaching to be tolerant and caring individuals. Please have compassion. 

Ok...and it starts

Five years ago, I was pregnant, I was puffy, I had sausage toes, I was exhausted, but still had 7.5 weeks left.  Music is a necessity in my life and is my comfort when I'm not in my healthy/happy place. 

Walter and I saw the most amazing video on the news one evening. Providence St Vincent made a cancer awareness video, employees and patients wore pink gloves and danced along to a popular song that was regularly played on the radio. We were hooked! Walter picked his favorite dancers, as did I. We even started figuring out who we would use for Legacy's video. We watched the video on repeat, I swear! I mean we learned every word to the song, every word to Lil Wayne's rap, we lived this! I was proud of St Vincent's to have thought of something so awesome, something that went viral and spread awareness! 

I was admitted to the hospital early and had an awesome nurse. Walter and I played the video for her, she LOVED it too! She had a great idea how to recreate this on 5West! At the hospital we listened to the song and watched the video, it made our stressful time so much more happy. 

Once Felix was born, it was the song that helped calm him down, it was the song that he loved to fall asleep too and to this day is the same song he will say is his favorite. The minute the song starts he is bobbing his head! Music is amazing! He was born loving music, loving this song and this just proves that music is universal and good for the soul! 

Enjoy the video, our family can't get enough! 

http://vimeo.com/69200264

Tis the season

It's always so hard for me when Christmas is over. I love this season, I love the lights, I love how festive everything seems and I love our family time.  I will be returning to work tomorrow after five unexpected days off! It was such a nice surprise. I have loved every minute of my time with the boys. We had a wonderful time together and built a million memories. I love the smiles on their faces, the twinkle in their eyes and the squeals of their excitement. Tomorrow will be hard to be away, but I'm ready to end this year back at work. 

We have packed a lot into my days off. Christmas was exciting this year for me (Walter says I say that every year). Watching Oscar learn our traditions filled me with joy! Oscar learning to say Santa was definitely one of my highlights. Felix has followed in my footsteps, embracing every part of this season, which makes me feel like I hit the jackpot! The other evening he asked for all of us to dance around the Christmas tree singing "Jingle Bells", just as I did as a child. I love how magical Christmas was for him this year and how he believed in Santa, with his entire being. 

I have hundreds of pictures to hold onto and to look back at. I can't wait to continue making Christmas magic next year, only 362 days away! 

Christmas at Mor Mor's

Walking Dino! 

Caterpillar Color Matching, he loves!

Peacock Lane!

This last year has been one of the hardest I have ever been through, looking forward to 2015! Happy New Year all! 

Thankful

I am always THANKFUL for my family! My  family is my rock, my favorite part of life! 

Mom, I am thankful for the unconditional love you show my family and especially the boys! They are so lucky to have such an amazing Mor Mor! You always go above and beyond to help and for that I thankful! I love you so much! 

Walter, I am thankful for the type of father and partner you are! I am so glad the boys have you to look up to. The love you show me is the kind of love I hope our boys find one day! We are a good team and for that I am so thankful! I love you! 

Felix, I am thankful for your sweet, caring nature. Your love of the world is heartwarming! In your almost five years of life you have an amazing understanding of what life is about! You have such a gentle soul and for that I am beyond thankful! I love you, Baby Beluga! 

Oscar, I am thankful for your happy nature! Your smile lights up any room you enter. You are such a fun babe, with a loud voice. I love your love for your family and pets, for that I am thankful! I love you, Oxy! 

Signe, Erika and Ada, I am thankful for your loving support. I have had some rough days this past year, but you three are always there! You shower my kids with love and for that I am thankful! I love you guys! 

Crock Pot Monday's

Monday's have been known to be rough around our house around dinner time. I am at work, Walter is home with both boys (also Archie) and it is usually about the time Oscar just wants to be held. Almost two months ago I decided I would help out where I could and that meant preparing a crock pot meal! We have had some good ones, some bland ones, but none that were absolutely horrible! I wanted to write this blog to share the ones we have tried! Also if any of you have recipes you love please share! 

We started with Taco Bean Soup! I didn't use quite as many beans, and we also had tortilla chips to eat with! http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/234498/slow-cooker-taco-bean-soup

Our second week was one I just googled. Walter really liked this one, it reminded him of something he grew up with. 

http://m.campbellskitchen.com/recipes/slow-cooker-chicken,-broccoli-rice-25994?utm_referrer=direct%2Fnot%20provided

Third week was one of my favorites! I'm sure not so healthy, but what's there not to like! 

http://easyrecipestodo.blogspot.com/2013/11/cheesy-chicken-tater-http://hallieandthehappylife.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-visit-from-my-brother.html?m=1-casserole-in.html?m=1

We love curry and we thought since there are pumpkins galore why not try to make a pumpkin curry! While I enjoyed the smell, it was bland! I followed the recipe, but it was missing something. It wasn't horrible, but if someone has another one they have made please let me know! 

https://snapguide.com/guides/make-pumpkin-curry-in-the-slow-cooker/

5th week was by far the BEST! We were both surprised how well it turned out! Parmesan Honey Pork Roast! I am not a big pork eater or someone that loves left overs, but this was great for lunch the next day! 

http://www.joyouslydomestic.com/2013/01/slow-cooker-parmesan-honey-pork-roast.html?m=1

Last week we tried chicken fajitas! It was good, but nothing to rave about. We like things spicy so we added Chalula, we had radishes and Walter added cilantro (not my thing)! 

http://hallieandthehappylife.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-visit-from-my-brother.html?m=1

Tomorrow we are trying Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches! Yum! We are excited, hopefully they turn out delish...I will let you know! 

http://www.momontimeout.com/2013/10/slow-cooker-philly-cheesesteaks/#_a5y_p=1014644

Here is an extra recipe to try!

One of my good friends shared her recipe of chicken soft tacos, but we haven't added it to our Monday's yet only because we wanted to try different things. Her recipe is super easy and everyone we have made it for LOVES it! 

Chicken breasts (we usually use about two lbs for our fam)

Container of fresh salsa

Package of taco seasoning

Cook for 6 hours on low

Shread chicken and dish up! 

It turns out great!