Wednesday 12 October 2016

Blah Blah Blah

I've been feeling sorry for myself lately. Don't you hate that? Sometimes I wish I were a super happy, bubbly, energetic person all the time, but for most of us that's not the case. Although, there are a few people out there that I wonder if they are human or not. HOW DO THEY DO IT? Do they have the most spectacular life ever? Or are they just that kind of person. Sometimes its hard to tell these days, considering everyone has a spectacular life on social media. Just in a bit of a funk and hoping to come out of it soon. I have been actually quite excited about a book I've been reading about keeping a tidy home. I've been slowly chopping away at the house ridding it of all unnecessary STUFF. I am kind of in the thick of things right now so I don't feel like I can fully enjoy the benefits until this process is done. I will write about it soon. Other than that I am looking forward to going to the Pinners Conference in Utah for my birthday with my cousin Sharee and getting out of the house for a weekend by myself. A little United States air/food does the soul good sometimes. A couple bubble baths and some Chicago Fire are on the agenda for this week. Maybe a little me-time will help me find a little perspective!

Wednesday 31 August 2016

Busy mom freezer meals (mexican edition)

We're all busy. Whether you stay at home, or you work. It's all madness and sometimes dinner is the last thing I want to do at the end of the day. I did some serious prep this weekend getting ready for work and Rory starting daycare and some portion control for Nick and I. I try and do meals with similar groceries so I can save some money that way. We will be eating mexican for a couple weeks haha, good thing everything mexican is delicious!! I bought a huge grocery haul on Friday and then prepped these 4 meals over the weekend when I had a little time. Let me know if you try any of these and enjoy them as much as we do!

For the enchiladas I assemble and freeze them before cooking. I do a couple family sized ones and then some individual ones for Nick and I to take for lunch. I freeze them in tupperware or tinfoil freezer dishes



These ones I cook completely then let cool and pack into individual tupperware or tinfoil freezer dishes





Friday 5 August 2016

Snowbird 2016

Our annual Orr family Utah trip! Last year we missed out due to the fact Rory's due date was smack dab in the middle of the trip and surprise!! He decided to come while my whole family was away. We were extra excited to go this year, its been a while since we've done a family vacation. Just a little highlight video of the trip



Friday 29 July 2016

I'm back at work - the cliff notes edition


Back to work. The days crept closer and closer and I completely ignored the reality of it. We were in Utah for a week, then it was my sister Darby's wedding, then all of a sudden the day was here. To sum it up simply there was a lot of crying, like A LOT. For the rest of the summer Nick is working Mon/Tues and I work Wed/Thurs/Fri until he goes back to school in the fall. So far Nick has proven himself to be a great "fommy" as he likes to be called. Here's a little recap:


My first morning back to work


All the stay-at-home moms words of comfort


Getting home and realizing I still get to spend 2.5-3 hours with Rory before bed


at work after being up half the night with Rory


Being reunited with my friends from work

Still got it even after being away for a year



Realizing it's already Friday and I get to be home for 4 days!


If I didn't love my job, and love what I do I'm sure this would be a lot harder. Some days are better than others, but I'm learning to settle into this new routine and trying to stay positive about it. I had a patient say to me yesterday "you're going to cure my cancer" with this sure look in their eyes and I was proud of the work we do and helping (hopefully) to make that possible. 

Tuesday 7 June 2016

Are You My Mother?



Hello blog world, it has been a while. I've felt kind of blah the last little bit with nothing really to write about. In honour of eating like a triple king size kit kat cookies and cream chocolate bar (wow thats a mouthful) today lets sit down and get real.

My plan in life has always been to be a stay-at-home mom. My mom was a stay-at-home mom to 7 kids and I loved having her home anytime I needed her. I walked home every lunch hour from school and ate lunch with my brothers and sisters. At the end of the day my mom was always at home to greet us. That's what I've wanted for my kids too,  At this point in time (financially) I will not be able to stay home with Rory. I will be returning to work for 3 days of the week which will be enough income for us to get by with Nick still finishing school. It has actually been an amazing blessing to cut my hours down at work. I work in a very small clinic and part-time positions are extremely hard to come by. I'm so grateful that everything has worked out the way it has, I really feel like God is watching over me and listens to my prayers.

The mom world is a small world, especially now with social media. Sometimes it's a little too competitive or judgemental for my liking but maybe it's all in my head. Being a mom is hard enough without having to defend your choices to work outside the home, how you parent, your kid's bedtime, nutrition and the list goes on for dayssss.

I don't know if I'm sensitive about going back to work, or worried people are going to think I'm a bad mom for sending my kid to daycare... or that they're a better mom than me because they stay home 7 days a week. Truth is, I don't feel guilty one bit. I don't have an option to stay home full-time so I have decided to accept and enjoy what our situation is. I will get to see my friends ahem, coworkers, a couple times a week, see patients that I love and get some adult time in. I think Rory will enjoy it too! He loves playing with other kids and he will get to do fun crafts, play outside, and get some special attention.

All of these things going around and around in my mind day after day has had me trying really hard to focus on my family and stop judging whats going on around me. I know we don't mean to make silent judgments about other peoples' lives or families but lets get real, we do. I know I do. I've been really trying these last couple weeks to be sensitive to what I'm thinking or saying to people (and might I add SOOOO not perfect at this). If a mom decides to work outside the home good for her, if a mom decides to stay home good for her. If you put your kid to bed early good for you, if your kid stays up later good for you. If you let your kid eat sugar good for you, if your kid doesn't good for you.

Nick and I know what works for our family, for our kids and for our marriage. And you know what? other parents know what works for their family. So anytime I catch myself making silent judgments or silent suggestions I try and remember I'm not their mother. Shocking to think that their mother (and father) would actually know them better than me (insert hysterical laughter here). We are all different and we are all doing the best we can. So cheers to all you hard working parents out there! Just do you! I hope I'm one of your cheerleaders and not a spectator barking you orders or whispering criticism to others on the sidelines.

Monday 11 April 2016

Bedtime Routines... and how I know that they work.



I have had Rory on a bedtime routine from the time he was probably a month old. It's helped him establish what "bedtime" is apart from just another nap. It helps wind him down from playing and calm down for bedtime. We start with a bath, put on jammies and lotion, read a couple of books, hugs and kisses, then fuzzy blankie and put him in the crib.

I suffered from some post-partum anxiety when Rory was very colicky, I would get extremely worked up to go anywhere in case he started crying, every time he woke up from a short nap I felt like I wanted to cry and give up, I felt like I had no control over my life. I would lay awake at night panicking about how I would get through another day. Would he cry all day tomorrow? Would I get to shower? Would I get to eat lunch? Would I find time to get dressed? Once I got Rory on a schedule and I was able to anticipate how my day was going to go I started coping a lot better. My anxiety level during the day was much better, but my insomnia was getting worse.

One month I took Nyquil almost every night to go to sleep. It took me on average 2 hours to fall asleep no matter what time I went to bed. My mind would race and jump to all kinds of places, not necessarily worrying, but just THINKING about stupid stuff. The longer I tossed and turned the worse my anxiety got. Eventually I would be in such a full blown panic I would crack open the Nyquil. Once I finally fell asleep Rory would wake up to eat and I would have to fall asleep all over again, another hour or two. After a month of that I decided I couldn't do that anymore. No more Nyquil for me. Plus I had run out haha. After another couple of months with nothing changing and feeling like a total crazy person I decided I needed to do something to help me fall asleep. I didn't want to take anxiety medication, or sleeping pills, so I researched ways to help insomnia via the good old internet. I needed to shut my mind down and wind myself down and prepare my body for bed.

1. I put my phone away at least an hour before bed. No more cruising instagram before bed, no more texting conversations late at night. I found that stupid things I'd read or seen on social media would pop into my mind while I was tossing and turning at night.

2. I take a bath every night. Legit. I use Bath & Body Works essential oils aromatherapy blend SLEEP or STRESS RELIEF to help me wind down and calm my mind.

3. Last but not least I watch Full House on netflix during my bath, and before bed. Started in Season 1 you guys. This is no joke. For whatever reason Full House completely shuts my mind down and helps me feel totally calm. It is such a nice "feel-good" show!! Once I'm done my 2 episodes I close down the lap top, roll over and go to sleep

It's not an exact science. Some nights I still have insomia, but having a bedtime routine has definitely helped!!!! I was soaking in the tub one night when it dawned on me that essentially Rory and I have the same bedtime routine hahaha. I am like a little baby who needs structure and routine. But I'm telling you you guys... bedtime routines work. Rory and I will vouch for them anyday! Now I gotta get off of here, it's time for my bath! Night all!

Thursday 31 March 2016

Spring Rolls for Spring!


What you'll need:
Rice Paper
Vermicelli Rice Noodles
Seasonal vegetables
Cilantro
Shrimp


I was introduced to these delicious morsels at work by Gillian alias: "Gilly" (shout out to you Gilly if you ever read my blog hehe) In fact, everyone at work became obsessed with them and we would take turns making them and bringing them in to work to share. They never made it past 10am. Poor suckers never had a chance...  They are actually quite easy to make and I usually make about a dozen or so and then stick them in the fridge and eat them for lunch for a few days.  You'll have to excuse my awesome phone pictures, I need to step up my photo game.

**I might add that you can find the rice paper and vermicelli noodles in your international foods section of the grocery store. I buy mine at Save On Foods or Superstore

Step 1
Cook your vermicelli noodles, I put them in a pot of boiling water they cook FAST so keep an eye on them, 2-3 minutes and they are soft and ready to go. Strain and cool.


Step 2
Chop your vegetables. Options are endless, sweet peppers, avocado, cucumbers, shredded carrot, cilantro is a MUST, however, for people who don't like cilantro.. (are you crazy?!).. parsley or mint is another option.

Step 3
Soften your rice paper. I keep a plate of hot water on the table and put one in to soften while I wrap the one I'm working on. Softens in about a minute make sure its nice and pliable. Every 2 or 3 papers I replace the water so it stays hot.




Step 4
Wrap! I start with the rice noodles on the bottom then layer my vegetables, cilantro and shrimp. I fold down the top, right side, left side, then bottom. I don't like to make the wraps too long and skinny or else sometimes they are hard to dip!
  







Step 5
Dip! This is my favorite peanut sauce, it will bite you back its got some kick to it! You can buy peanut sauce at the store, or make your own at home. Without the peanut sauce these rice wraps are BLEH. Everyone knows their only purpose is to serve as a vehicle to the peanut sauce. It's like salad without dressing... you gotta dip em people!




Thursday 28 January 2016

Lately


Making: vintage Dr Pepper signs
Drinking: homemade dirty diet cokes
Reading: Blog posts
Wanting: Joanna Gaines to come knock every wall down in my house
Looking: For a buffalo plaid Tshirt scarf
Savoring: coconut macadamia nut chocolates  
Wasting: time watching TV
Enjoying: all this free time I have with Rory actually taking naps and sleeping at night
Waiting: for the new episode of the Bachelor... I cannot even handle waiting a week
Craving: Sushi
Wondering: how I'm going to parent my kids in this crazy world
Loving: Cheesecake
Hoping: for some nice weather to go on some walks
Needing: some serious one-on-one time with Nick
Marvelling: At how slow some days go by, but how fast the months do

Smelling: cupcake candles
Wearing: Some weird in between maternity and pre-pregnancy clothes
Watching: The Bachelor, Ellen, GMA, FABlife, Modern Family
Following: Justin Bieber again on Instagram. Him and Selena are meant to be together
Noticing: how long my hair is getting
Knowing: everything will work out
Thinking: way too much at bedtime
Feeling: anxious about going back to work in the summer
Pinning: weight watchers recipes
Giggling: at everything Rory does

Baby its Cold Outside - A Baby Shower

I feel like it has been baby showers galore in my life recently! Most of them being mine (haha), but this special baby shower was for my sister-in-law Alanna who is due in a couple weeks! We are so excited for Rory to have a boy cousin to grow up with! Can't wait to welcome Baby Lutz into the world we could not be happier for Nate and Lana! Since baby is coming in the middle of Winter Alisha and I threw her a "Baby its Cold Outside" shower. It turned out pretty fun :) I got to practice my handlettering too!





























Wednesday 6 January 2016

Confessions of a not-so-good-with-babies person



These last 2 months have been hard. I know you're all probably sick of hearing me talk about my struggles, especially since I know a lot of people would trade me places in a heartbeat. To be fair I wouldn't want to trade places with anyone. I am happy with where we are in life and starting our family and the joy that comes with being a mother. This is more just about my personality, and how me and babies... sometimes we just don't do well together.

I've never been a baby person. Kid person, yes! Baby person, no. I think mostly because I've always felt babies have had the upper hand on me. They're so finicky and I have never known enough about them to feel confident. (Double edged sword). I was terrified to hold other people's babies, and although they are tiny and cute, I liked enjoying them from a distance.

I became an Aunt when I was a teenager, and slowly (11 nieces and nephews later...) babies have crept their way into my heart. Albeit they went right back to mom and dad when they started to cry. I was told I would love my own babies, and that I would know what to do with my own baby. Which is partially true... but these last 6 months have proven that to be somewhat of a lie.

Maybe you're reading this and cannot relate in the slightest. You're probably a baby whisperer, aren't ya. Well if you're more like me (controlling, scheduled, never try anything new unless you're good at it right away, Type A, predictable...) then maybe it took you a little while to sort this baby thing out too. This is what I had to learn the hard way...

1. Know your stuff. 
If you want to be successful at something, don't just wing it. Don't just assume you'll know what to do, especially if you're not around babies much. There's no shame in needing to do research and make up a game plan. Ask your mom, your friends, your sisters, be vulnerable, ask questions. A couple of my friends suggested this book to me. I should have read it BEFORE Rory was born. Reading it while you try and sort out life and problems is not ideal. Once I put Rory on some sort of routine I was able to anticipate his needs and feel more confident with what I was doing. We did the EASY routine. Eat, Activity, Sleep, You-time. Good gracious how much easier it was to know what the heck he was crying about

That was all well and great, you feel confident and then we hit his tummy trouble, then we hit 4 month sleep regression, then we hit the holidays.... etc etc. It's hard not to feel overwhelmed with everything you can find on the internet, but picking a few resources you trust and others have found successful was what helped me weed out what to use. Another amazing resource in regards to sleep training, bedtime, schedules for difference ages, and any curveballs that show up as your baby grows was this blog (she is a Certified Infant & Child Sleep Consultant).

2. You don't need to prove anything to anyone.
Once I got Rory onto a routine I felt confident, he was sleeping GREAT, I was sleeping great. But what about going out with friends and doing things socially? I felt nervous about doing things out of routine, going places, having Rory stay up late, but I tried to tell myself I could be an easy-going mom. What a good mom I was (looked) that I could drag Rory around as I pleased, and we could still function and sleep great. I started making it all about me. And slowly but surely over the last 2 months his routine was flushed down the toilet, and so has our family's sleep. So here we are, 6 months old, sleep training my poor sad baby who is literally tired ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT because his poor little body has been living an adult lifestyle. Listen to your baby. Rory needs a routine to get in good naps, to get a good nights sleep, to be happy. It's time I started working around HIM and not the other way around. And if that makes me a crazy Type A mom, so be it!