Ce La Vie to Stay-at-Home (Part 2) Mother’s Day Special

Posted by Simply Tatum Adelaid on May 14, 2012
Posted in: Life, Marriage, More Adventurous, Parenthood. | Tagged: , , , , , , , .

What a week!!! It’s Monday morning and I’m up before the usual, getting ready for a new day and a new chapter in my life. But before I go there, a little recap of the rest of our get-a-way and Mother’s Day.

 

The rest of the week played out like the beginning. Lot’s of fun in the sun in the pool and on the River side. In 115 degree weather an 80 degree pool doesn’t get much better.

 

It seems like Tatum grew SO MUCH just in the past 7 days!! She’s taller, making a huge point to try to walk on her own, loves swimming and venturing off of the steps by herself, and so much more. Our little ones grow so fast! It just feels like right now she’s hitting some big markers and I’m thankful that I got to have this time with her. Going back to work means that changes can happen in the few hours a day that I’m gone. Miss T being by my side for 15 months…it’s rough.

When Friday came I was getting anxious. Ian was coming out after work. Although I hadn’t planned on seeming him well after 9pm, I was super excited to see him and wished the day would go by quickly.

 My jaw hit the floor when this guy walked into the back yard a little before half past 3!! Not two hours before he was on the phone telling me he was going to be late, yada yada yada. It was the best surprise!!

One thing that I hadn’t considered about going back to work was the changes it may have on my relationship with my husband. It wasn’t until I was away from him this past week that I started to ponder it. We get into our routines, get distracted with life, and sometimes loose those special moments right in front of our faces. It was so clear to me once he arrived. We connected in a way that we hadn’t since before Tatum. We were 16 again.

 

 

 

By the time Sunday rolled around we both felt much older than 26 though, I will tell you that. That’s not what matters. The important thing is something happened this past week that gave me such an appreciation for what is now behind me, as well as an anxiousness for what is waiting for me.

At the end of the day I will be cuddled up with Ian and Tatum, growing old, making memories, and celebrating life. That realization is the best Mother’s Day gift one can receive!!

It’s Monday morning. I want to grab Tatum and squeeze her tight and never let go. “Mommy guilt is not a myth”, a wonderful friend told me that. I cling to that knowledge now. I know that this change is going to be the best for everyone in the long run. Shoot, Tatum is going to an amazing child care wear she is going to play and do crafts and learn with friends. How cool is that!?! And me, well I get to be around adults, while doing something I have always really enjoyed. I also get to walk in the door and see Tatums face light up when I go to pick her up. Most importantly, I get to slow down and appreciate life with my family a little bit more.

On that note, it’s time for me to get ready for my first day! Wish me luck?

 

 

Turkey Stuffed Bell Pepper

Posted by Simply Tatum Adelaid on May 10, 2012
Posted in: Food Diaries Friday. | Tagged: , , , , , .

What’cha Need:

  • 4 bell peppers (I prefer orange or yellow, myself)
  • 1 package Jennie O extra lean ground turkey
  • 1 can black beans
  • 1/2 bag of frozen corn
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 2′ish table spoons seasoning salt
  • 1′ish table spoon garlic powder
  • Black pepper to taste

What’cha Need to Do:

In a large mixing bowl add turkey, cheese, beans, corn, and seasoning. Mix it up REAL GOOD!!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut the tops off bell peppers and gut the inside. Take a paper bowl, pour olive oil on it and coat bell peppers.

Turn on oven burner to medium/high and heat up large skillet.

Add meat to skillet, turning and mixing it constantly so that the cheese melts into meat, beans, and corn.

Bake bell peppers in oven for 20 minutes. *KEEP OVEN ON*

When the meat is finished, stuff bell peppers, top with cheese and stick back in the oven for 5/10 minutes.

VIOLA, you are finished!!!!

*If you like things a little more spicy add some tapitio OR jalapeño to the turkey, beans, and corn before you throw it on the skillet.

YUMMY. 

I threw a little sour cream on mine and was set.

Happy eating, friends!!

 

Ce La Vie to Stay-at-Home (Part 1)

Posted by Simply Tatum Adelaid on May 9, 2012
Posted in: More Adventurous, Parenthood. | Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Yup, that’s right. This mama got a job. How am I coping you might be wondering…Well I did what I love to do, went on a mini-vaca to Grandma C’s for a week, just me and my lil’ girl. We had the week planned already because Mother’s Day is this upcoming Sunday and this Mama wanted to celebrate it with her Mama.

So far we’ve been keeping real busy, pool side style…

 

When we arrived late Sunday afternoon Tatum hit the floor crawling through the house and out to the pool. She made it clear what she wanted to do…

It didn’t take long for her to become fearless, letting go of my hand and slowly making her way to her cousins side. Apparently Tatum can walk in water on her own, just not on dry land. She is some kind of special!!

 

Monday was celebrated in a similar fashion. Grandma C sure did a great job designing the pool for her grandkids. Little Miss Tatum wasn’t blessed with her Mama’s skin, rather condemned with her Daddy’s whiteness. But not a problem!! We hung out in the kiddie part of the pool under the big umbrella. Genius if you ask me, who inserts umbrella plugs in a pool?! LOVE IT!!

After a day of fun and sun, she was pooped out! There is something about the River way of life that has Tatum thinking one nap a day is enough. At first I was a skeptic, but I couldn’t be more thrilled. Come 8 or 9 o’clock I am ready for bed and so is she. Better yet, we both sleep through the night and on into late morning. Ah, vacation means sleeping in. So thankful Tatum got that memo :)

Tuesday we switched things up a little. My waterlogged baby wanted to stay closer to shore…

 

YUP!! Miss Pretty in Pink Polka Dots spent a good portion of her day lounging in the grass.

Until the afternoon heat got to be too much to bare. Do you see this face?!? She was ready to set up shop like Mommy, so I pulled out a lounge chair, hooked in an umbrella and we enjoyed the 80 degree pool heated by the beautiful Arizona sun!

All smiles and sunshine for the princess now!!!

I’ve been rather enjoying myself as well…

 

 

Some Mommy time during Tatums naps!! Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed floating around the pool with an ice cold beer in my hand. But nothing is funner then splashing around with my little munchkin.

I’m so thankful that I get to have all of this special time with her before going back to work. I realize people think a few hours is no big deal but for me it is. I’ve been 100% dedicated to her for the past 14+ months and that doesn’t include the 10 she spent developing inside me. It’s a huge deal that I am going to leave her in someone else’s care. HOWEVER, I am also aware that a little separation is HEALTHY and both Tatum and myself will benefit from this. After all, she is going to be going to the best childcare provider that’s out there!! And that is enough to give me some comfort.

Now it’s time to get my swim suit on and go play!! After all, it’s only Wednesday. Adios my friends!!

Mothers Day Part 2 – Oooooh La Lavender, Wild Rose, and Sweet Almond

Posted by Simply Tatum Adelaid on May 2, 2012
Posted in: In-Between. | Tagged: , , , , , .

Nothing but the best for my mom, step-mom, and T’s grandma!!

Part two of my Mothers Day goodies; home made bath salts.

You better believe that I set a jar aside for me and as soon as this post is done, my fanny is in the tub.

The perfect blend of Lavender and Sweet Almond as well as Wild Rose and Sweet Almond.

As the salt melts away, so will the stresses of the day.

 

 

A Bend in the Road | Nicholas Sparks

Posted by Simply Tatum Adelaid on April 30, 2012
Posted in: In-Between. | Tagged: , , , , .

 

Another two thumbs up for Nick!! It always amazes me the way he is able to trigger every emotion and bring you into the story. The characters become your friends and your are routing for their outcome. And when the last page is near, your heart begins to pound because you don’t want it to ever be over. THAT, my friends, is good writing, if I might say so.

A Bend in the Road deals with loss; death and divorce. As well as making hard choices, learning to cope, grow, start over, and second chances. Ah, and everyones favorite, forgiveness. Miles Ryan as been a single father and widower, to his only love and high school sweet heart,  for two years. Sarah Andrews, an elementary school teacher and newly divorcee, finds herself leaving the big city and settling down in the small town of New Bern, where Miles is the deputy sheriff. What happens from there not only will leave you holding your breath, it will make you want to stay up way past your bed time to get to the end.

But it’s not all smiles and sunshine. There is a moment somewhere in the middle where everything shifts. Just as you think you have figured it all out, nothing is the same. Life for Miles and Sarah will never be the same. Is there really such a thing as second chances or is that just naive, wishful thinking?

Fate’s a page turner.

ENJOY IT!! I sure did.

 

Mothers Day Part 1 – Simple and Sweet

Posted by Simply Tatum Adelaid on April 29, 2012
Posted in: Life. | Tagged: , , , .

With Mothers Day around the corner, I have been brain storming as to what to get my mom. As I share often, I am VERY close with my mom. So nothing normal or ordinary will do. This is a two part blog. Part 2 is still in the works, but as of now, here is what I have…

A jar of my ever so fabulous (and popular) strawberry jam. I know my mom is going to enjoy this one!!

PHO YO, YEAH?!

Posted by Simply Tatum Adelaid on April 27, 2012
Posted in: Food Diaries Friday. | Tagged: , , , .

Mmm, Mmm, I was recently introduced to Pho. AMAZING! My Vietnamese radar is insane these days. Always keeping my eye out for places in the area. I was grocery shopping the other day and this place  caught my attention.
I wasn’t feeling all that well the other day and my very perfect husband went and picked this up for me…

Pho Noodle Soup with chicken breast, extra jalepino and lime

The solution to the flu, cold, and hang over. Mmm Hmm!! Check them out on Yelp, you will see I’m not kidding.

Happy Eating!!

The Lucky One

Posted by Simply Tatum Adelaid on April 24, 2012
Posted in: Life. | Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Nothing beats a good book! One of my favorite authors is Nicholas Sparks. His writing draws you in and leaves you completely captivated the entire read. I picked up The Lucky One, making sure to read it before the movie was released. It had me holding my breath, feeling every emotion.

My oh my, when am I going to learn?

Dear John. The Last Song.

AMAZING books. HORRIBLE movies.

I’m not a movie or book critic. But I know what I like. I love the books but the movies totally butcher them. YIKES.

A few girlfriends and myself went to see The Lucky One last Sunday. Two of us had read the book. The entire time, we sat there biting our nails, talking amongst one another, enraged at the direction the movie went. Key characters and events, eliminated.

  VS.  

The love story between Elizabeth and Logan is a unique and beautiful one, with an end that will leave your heart pounding. Pick up your copy and prepare yourself for a tale unlike any other!!

 

 

Sunless Sunday-Funday

Posted by Simply Tatum Adelaid on April 22, 2012
Posted in: More Adventurous. | Tagged: , , , .

I love how the weather has been sunny and high 70′s for the past week. Especially since, for the most part, I’ve been cooped up in the house. Ian and I make plans to take advantage of this amazing weather and go hiking on Sunday (today). So I wake up and low and behold, it’s over cast and cold. We didn’t let that slow us down!! Hitting the Laguna trails off Laguna Canyon Road, we enjoyed a beautiful day of hiking and family time.

To be honest, it’s been awhile since we went hiking. Our last crazy adventure was Catalina 2009. Oh my word we were so ill prepared!! 14 miles in two days. The weather wasn’t in our favor then either. It started to pour. We had 50+ pounds of snorkel gear on our backs that we didn’t get to use. PLUS we forgot to pack food. HA!!! So lame. But really it made the trip that much more fun.

Anyhow, so here we are!! We are really excited to get back into hiking and are planning for another, more prepared Catalina trip. This time with the LOVELY Miss Tatum.

Four-ish miles and I was feeling great. The hike up was MUCH easier, believe it or not, then coming down. Ah, nerve racking to say the least. There were some BIG hills and I kept getting these horrible visions of Ian falling and eating complete poop. But we made it down and are looking forward to doing it again next week!!

If you know of any great trails in Southern California, let me know!!

 

HAPPY HIKING!!!