Mexican Fiesta

We had a Mexican Fiesta Potluck today as a goodbye party for Kellee. We even had a pinata! I am so excited about 2 new recipes I had today. My colleagues are on the ball - they emailed them to me tonight so I thought I would share! It cracks me up because they are both so Midwest-ish...but very good! I'm not a bacon fan, but it makes the spanish rice (the lady who shared this is from Wisconsin) and the enchiladas are probably on the bland-side, but so very good! The enchiladas are promised to be very easy as well! My contribution was Rico's Guacamole -- almost as good as my homemade and way easier!!!

Super Easy Chicken Enchiladas

3-4 chicken breasts (I like to get rotisserie chicken from Costco) cooked and cubed
2 cups sour cream (fat free works)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can chopped green chilies (I use Hatch mild chilies)
tortillas
2 cups cheddar cheese

Mix chicken, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and green chilies and heat on stove. Put 3-4 T. sauce in each tortilla and roll up in 9x13in pan. Pour remaining sauce over the enchiladas. Top with cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Baked Spanish Rice

4 bacon slices
1 c. chopped onions
1/2 c. chopped green peppers
1-16 oz. can tomatoes
1-8 oz. can tomato sauce
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 1/3 c. regular long-grain rice
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 1 & 1/2 quart casserole. In large skillet over medium heat, fry bacon strips crisp; drain on paper towel; crumble and set aside. (I save time by cutting up the bacon before I cook it.) Pour off all but 2 tbsp. bacon fat. In hot fat, cook onions and green pepper until tender, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
Into measuring cup, drain tomatoes; add enough water to make 1 & 3/4 c. liquid; cut up tomatoes. To onion mixture, add liquid, tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar and salt; heat to boiling. Remove from heat and stir in rice; pour into casserole.
Cover casserole and bake 35 minutes or until rice is tender. (Sometimes it takes almost an hour.) Fluff rice with fork; sprinkle with cheese and bake 5 minutes. Garnish with bacon.

Magazine gift?

I recieved Martha Stewart Living today. Did anyone gift this to me? I know I didn't buy it and it isn't one of the "free magazines" we subscribed to with airline miles recently. Joe has banned me from magazines since I have several piles of unread magazines in our pantry (seriously, it's a library in there). Just wondering where it came from.....

I am excited about the craft projects and recipes though --- just have to find some time to read it!

Update: I just remembered -- it was free with my last Dream Dinner purchase....

I can hardly wait!!

I am so excited for Alyssa to arrive tomorrow. I just have to make it through some errands in the morning, then I'm picking up Cheesecake Factory for lunch (I promised Andrea lunch from anywhere since she is watching Ella for us AGAIN because Joe has an evening meeting). 10 hours of work and then to the airport. I really miss my sister and I think this is the most excited I have ever been to see her. It is so kind of her to use her very limited vacation to come see us - we feel loved! I know how happy Ella makes her and I like to show off my little munchkin. I hope she's ready to show Auntie Alyssa all her fun tricks and I know when she flashes that full face smile Alyssa's heart will just melt. We don't have anything super special planned - just catching up, laughter, and enjoying eachother. Expect many fun pictures!!!!

Swine Flu

I'll be honest -- I am not very up-to-date on anything in the world. If the TV is on at my house it's something I'm behind on from the DVR and my internet time is few and far between especially since I am "monitored" at work.

It hit me hard today when we got an email from administration at work. We are not allowed to come to work if we have flu symptoms and we are to report to employee health if the symptoms begin while we are at work.

We have a strong restriction on the medications that would be used to treat the swine flu and we ordered all we could get from our supplier today.

Be careful!! Handwashing and avoiding large groups of people is key! I pray we don't see an outbreak.

Link to CDC

Too Cute!

Ella and I stopped by Marlow's house to deliver bagels and some other things I had for her and baby Mason. Marlow's Mom, Sister, and Nephew are staying with her this week. Carter is 5 months old and he and Ella had a blast together. I wish I lived closer to my friends with kiddos Ella's age. Mason slept through the big action and we all were just mesmorized by these two! It was the cutest when they opted to "hold hands". Watch out Daddy -- Ella found her first boy!

Anniversary Dinner

We had dinner at Yamasaki with Grandma Dorothy and Ella and then Grandma watched Ella while Joe and I went to see Marcus (he took 2nd in last season's Last Comic Standing) at the new WiseGuys. We are so excited that our favorite comedy club (well, the only one in Salt Lake) has added a new location close to our house!

A big thanks to Grandma for watching Ella. The show was fabulous and I am so excited to see more shows so close to our house. A new restaurant took over the old Hardrock Cafe and the comedy club uses a room upstairs. We look forward to more great shows there!

Welcome Baby!

Welcome Mason Ben! Marlow had a healthy baby boy on Earth Day (btw - has anyone seen any cute earthday onesies or t-shirts - he needs one). I went to visit Mom, Dad, and Mason on Thursday. He is just precious!

Mom's Best Friend

I love the Bebe Pod. Babies R Us didn't have any Bumbo's when we registered and it all worked out for the best. It comes with a tray that has a toy that snaps in. It is so nice because she can't throw it down and lose it - this usually results in tears and I love anything that prevents tears! This is how I get anything done -- I move Ella around in this while I do laundry, make dinner, shower.....it is fabulous! A big thanks to the Kaiser's!

Ella can sit up really well. We have started leaving her in her pack-n-play and she can keep herself entertained for a while. As you can see....she really doesn't have many toys! :-)

Happy Anniversary!

It's been four wonderful years! We will be celebrating tomorrow night when we will go out for dinner and Grandma Dorothy has offered to watch Miss Ella!

Twitter?

Does anyone twitter??

Frustrated...

I am frustrated with my administration at work. I thankfully missed the meetings where they informed us a consulting company will be coming in the fall to analyze our productivity (I was working weekends). The most likely plan will be to keep all of the pharmacists, but cut us back to 72 hrs (a 10% paycut). We will just be working harder to cover the other people who are off if we all move to 72 hrs. Where were the office people on Saturday night when I was stressing to get all the medications and fluids ready for the heart transplant that occured Saturday night?? There is no way we can work with less staff on weekends and evenings.

The lastest is: No cakes for people's last day (maybe they know many of my colleagues are looking for new jobs) and no flowers sent for happy or sad occasions (new baby or funeral). Seriously?? They say it is considered a "gift" and against IRS regulations because there is no way to tax it. Are any other companies enforcing this??

The latest is that I am not allowed to have even a pen at work with a drug company name on it. I think I am intelligent enough to realize that it is just a pen and still choose the best medication for a patient instead of always choosing the name on my pen!! I guess we have to remove the drug company clock in our office as well! Ridiculous!!

I think they are using "the economy" as an excuse and in this very sad financial time I think it is ridiculous!!! I am disappointed in my corporation!

Happy Earth Day!

Love the Earth today and everyday. I hear President Obama will be in Iowa -- what is going on in Newton?

Add to my To Do List

I will brush Nicky's' teeth weekly (at least monthly)! He did great yesterday and they were able to save the teeth - I guess they sealed them. He is on antibiotics that taste like treats and doing well. The vet recommended mixing some tartar contol food with his regular food.

Nicky's at the Dentist

Really, it's the vet, but he is going under today for a big teeth cleaning and likely an extraction or 2. He used to eat rocks before we rescued him and it took a toll on his teeth. I don't think he knew what he was in for when I dropped him off this morning. It is always so sad to see him so out of it when you pick him up.

Ella already does have a cold --- I'm ready for spring and summer. Does it get better for the poor kiddos?? I knew daycare would be bad, but not this bad!!! She was a grump for Joe yesterday at times and up several times at night the last few nights -- poor kid and parents!! She's in fairly good spirits this morning.

The Sticky Note

What was life like before sticky notes?? I hardly remember life before sticky notes and I couldn't work without them!!!

History from Wikepedia

In 1968, Dr. Spencer Silver, a scientist at 3M in the United States, with the help of Jesse Kops, a fellow scientist, accidentally developed a "low-tack", reusable pressure sensitive adhesive . For five years, Silver promoted his invention within 3M, both informally and through seminars, but without much success. In 1974, a colleague of his, Art Fry, who had attended one of Silver's seminars, came up with the idea of using the adhesive to anchor his bookmark in his hymnbook.[1][2] Fry then developed the idea by taking advantage of 3M's officially sanctioned "permitted bootlegging" policy.[2] 3M launched the product in 1977, but it failed as consumers had not tried the product[3]. A year later 3M issued free samples to residents of Boise, Idaho, United States. 90% of people who tried them said that they would buy the product. By 1980 the product was being sold nationwide in the US;[3] a year later Post-its were launched in Canada and Europe.

The Post-It was born the same year as me -- no wonder I don't remember living without them!

The weekend

My weekend was spent at work and I don't have much to share....so here is a glimpse at Ella's weekend with Joe and Grandma Dorothy!

Grandma Dorothy bought new toys for her house and it sounds like Ella loves them!

The movie star at home with her audience of 1 (Nicky) - I guess she stops everything to hear Nicky "talk". Our dog doesn't bark, but rather talks and she is entertained by it! We joked when I was pregnant that she would know Nicky when she came home because he was so "chatty" - I guess she likes him!

Ella in her Jumper

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for the Jump and Go! I gave up on ordering the baby bungee jumper and ordered this which was my original first choice with the gift card from my Dad and Barb. It works perfectly in our doorway between the living room and kitchen. I think she likes it. Joe raises it and uses it as a swing and then lowers it and she can "jump" -- not quite yet, but it will come! It has some fun toys on it as well.

Ella is growing up!

Here is Ella in her high chair and playing with her puppy. Her smile faded with the first bite of oatmeal! Thanks to Aunt Denise for the cute outfit!

Vegas Hotel?

Joe is trying to decide where we should stay in Vegas in June when he is presenting at the call center conference. The conference is at Bellagio and I don't want to stay there. We are bringing Ella and my Mom is coming along as a babysitter and someone to help me with Ella during the day. Joe says his top choices are: Ceasar's, Wynn, Planet Hollywood, or a suite at Hilton Grand Vacations which is in the Flamingo.

I don't like Bellagio because I know their pools are COLD and there is no where for an affordable, easy meal (I can't eat 5-star with Ella or for 4 days). Ceasar's is nice because of location and the Forum Mall...but not much for affordable, kid friendly restaurants. I am leaning toward Planet Hollywood. Does anyone know anything about either of their pools? I also think the Hilton is a great option because it has a private pool (I figure the hilton can't have that many rooms at the Flamingo), full kitchen (nice for Ella) and more space. I think Wynn is not kid friendly, again rather 5-star with restaurants and far away.

Any opinions???

Back to Work

Tonight I'm dreading going to work tomorrow. I made a huge batch of spaghetti and cooked up some chicken enchiladas and put everything into individual containers ready to go for my dinner for the next 7 days. It was worth the week off to go to NY, but I just hate the dreaded long stretch of 7 days on!

Ella doesn't have any congestion for the first time since January. She has only been in daycare for 4 hours in the last 3 weeks and I'm guessing she'll have a raging cold by Tuesday! Back to the petri dish tomorrow for her.

The Judges Save

Is anyone watching American Idol this season? We've been keeping up on it sort of....we fast forward thru most of it on DVR. I think the coaches save is cool....but I can't believe they used it last night. I'm not a fan of Matt and I think he'll go home next week as Simon predicted! What a waste of the single save for the season!

Moms - How do you do it?

I can't imagine having more than one child! Today while I was feeding Ella, Nicky (the dog) was crying. He wanted attention as well. I had to throw his toy for him between bites of pears for Ella! Is there some super power you attain when additional children are born?

Happy 6 Months Ella!

Ella spent her 6 month birthday visiting Joe at work, going out for lunch and doing errands with me. She got a high chair, blocks, summer shoes, hats and glasses. She's ready for summer!!!

Ella Stats at 6 months (she had her appt last week and has to go for shots tomorrow)

Height 25 1/4 inches (that's 2 feet 1 & 1/4)
Weight 14 pounds 10 oz

She is doing well! I can't believe she is 6 months already!

Kenny

Kenny Chesney was on Oprah today and I caught some of it. He looks like a turtle to me, especially in a baseball cap. It took me back to my favorite concert with my friend Tiffani at the Greeley Stampede where were front and center with huge signs and he truly smiled and winked at us! He's quite an entertainer and I love his music, but I still think he looks like a turtle! Stick with the cowboy hat, Kenny.

Shoes....

I have been wearing Dansko's since my pharmacy residency, I buy at least one new pair every year. I learned it was important to have comfortable shoes when I worked many 16 hour days. I still love comfort. I found these shoes that are even more comfortable than my danskos. I think they are cuter too!

Ariat - they have made riding boots for years and recently expanded their shoe line. I love them! I found them at The Walking Company where I am always guaranteed to find a great pair of shoes.

FYI: I did have to buy them a 1/2 size bigger than my usual size, maybe they run a bit small

Bento Box

I had my first Bento Box for lunch today. I like sushi, but I'm not the best at ordering it and my friend was describing a bento box to me at work last weekend. She suggested it for Joe since he isn't a real sushi fan. Ella and I visited Joe's office today and then we went for lunch. There was a big sign for Bento Boxes and it caught my eye and we each had one for lunch.

BENTO BOX: It has four compartments. Tempura Shrimp, Tempura Vegetables, Chicken Teriaki, and Calfornia rolls. Perfect lunch!!!!

** picture is not my lunch, my lunch looked much better, but this was the best I could do on google

Words to live by

People may not remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel!

Who's the boss?

Laurie, "why is Ella sleeping without pants?"

Joe, "she didn't want to wear any."

She slept fine without pants, without PJ's......

Ella had a great Easter! Joe, Dorothy and Ella went to church and then out to lunch. She is one spoiled little girl (or very loved as I like to say) and she got a load of gifts from Grandma, Aunt Meredith, and Aunt Karol! It was hard for me to be at work and missing all of this, but I am thankful Ella has a great daddy and grandma to be with!

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone has a great day! I will be working and Joe, Dorothy and Ella are going to late church and then having lunch together. I hate that I have to work, but it's nice to be off during the week and it's been nice to keep Ella out of daycare. I hope today is less busy at work -- yesterday was super crazy!

Wedding Woes

Timing is not working out for me with weddings!!! My cousin Ross is getting married August 8th and we will be on an Alaskan cruise with Dorothy and Meredith. My great friend Leslie is getting married September 19th in Denver the same day my cousin Jill is getting married in Des Moines. We also missed Joe's cousin Darlene's wedding last year because we were waiting for Miss Ella to arrive! Why must I miss all these fabulous occasions??? I love weddings! Does anyone know how I can be in two places at once?

Super Congrats to Jill and Leslie (leslie is my blond bridesmaid on the right). I am so excited to see Jill in June while we are in Iowa. We can meet Aaron and they can finally meet Ella! Girls - let me know if I can help with anything or offer an advice!

Joe is a coach at heart!

Joe was coaching Ella to stand and walk last night -- it is hilarious. He thinks she will walk before she can crawl and he has big plans for her to ice skate and ski as soon as she can walk. I keep telling him it won't happen until she is a year old or so and he thinks she is ready! She stood on her own for a second or so.

He also fed her last night - he does a real song and dance to get her to eat and he lets her "help" which means she is full of food EVERYWHERE!!! When I asked him why he was ruining her clothes, he replied, "you can get out poo, you can get out sweet potatoes". I guess I'll buy some stock in oxyclean!