So I know that some people are all anti-Valentine's Day but in all reality I love it. I'm a firm believer that you should show and give love everyday of the year but it's nice to take one day a year and really focus on it. And while I don't ever expect anything on Valentine's Day {except a kiss or two} here are a few things I think are just darn adorable for the lovey dovey holiday:

 Wherever You Are l Valentine's Bib l Floral Scarf l Candle l Prince Charming Shirt

 Essie-Cascade Cool l Lace Babydoll l Red Velvet Cake Body Wash l The Ballad of Valentine

I ordered Garrett a pile of books for the holiday, per usual. But was looking for one that was a little more special. I picked up "Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You" one day in Target and started reading it and broke down there right in the middle of the book aisle. It's such a sweet book and sums up a momma's love for her children perfectly. I'm waiting for the others to arrive any day & can't wait to read his new books to him! 

As for the other things? Well...just a few things to spoil mommy! I'm dying over that scarf and am pretty sure it's going to end up in my closet for this spring! And really what momma can ever say no to pink nail polish, a good smelling candle & yummy body wash? 

And the lace babydoll? Well that just might be for daddy...

Valentine's Day has to have a little perk for him too right?! ;) 

One Pan Chicken Alfredo

 I've been on the hunt lately for some delicious but simple dinner recipes. Cooking dinner with a attention hog five month old in the house is not always an easy thing to accomplish so simple & easy are key. This recipe is super easy, uses only one pan {hello minimal dishes!} and is SO tasty!

 

You'll Need:

3 tablespoon of olive oil
1¼ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 14 oz can of low sodium chicken broth
1 cup of heavy cream
½ a pound of penne pasta, or any bite-sized shape pasta, uncooked
2 cups of freshly shredded real parmesan cheese {I cheated & used grated}
Salt and pepper
Flat leaf parsley for garnish

 

Follow These Steps:

Start by cutting chicken breasts into 1 inch pieces. 

Season with ½ a teaspoon of kosher salt and a few turns of pepper.
Brown chicken in olive oil over medium high heat. 

Once chicken is browned, add minced garlic and saute for about one minute.
Add chicken broth, cream, and uncooked pasta to pan and stir.
Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer.
Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until pasta is tender.
Remove from heat and stir in shredded parmesan cheese.
Season with salt and pepper as needed.

A Photo An Hour

I saw this floating around blog land last week & really thought it was kind of a fun idea. I would love to show you how crazy a work day is but due to HIPPA laws I'm sure my patient's wouldn't love me snapping photos of them all day long ;) Plus, I'm not sure my readers would enjoy photos of blood pressure machines, call lights & inserting catheters. Your welcome for sparing you dear friends, your welcome. So, I picked to do a typical day at home with the babe...my very favorite type of days!

Our day starts about 6:30am today. Hubs is just leaving for work & baby ended up in our bed after being up at 12:02am, 2:44am & 4:19am. Momma is tired & too crabby to snap a photo.

7am rolls around & we finally drag our tushes out of bed. Baby chugs a 9oz bottle while momma chugs her cappi.

 Baby finally falls asleep around 8:31am or so & it's a total "throw your hands in the air" sorta nap. Momma debates taking a nap too.

But decides a shower would feel better. Cue country tunes, burning hot water, and finally shaving off the 1/2 inch long leg hair. What?! It's winter & I have a 5 month {consume all my time} old in the house.

 After a nice hot shower it's time for "momma's happy juice" aka the only thing keeping me alive today. There can never be enough Spark! Baby is still sleeping so momma plays catch up with some emails!

Baby wakes around 10:15am or so & after a quick diaper change is on the floor playing. Momma's tummy starts to rumble & she realizes she hasn't eaten all day. Toast with cinnamon sugar it is!

The floor is keeping baby entertained so it's quick sort laundry & wash a load around 10:31am. Anyone else addicted to the smell of this Tide?

 11am brings a fussy, nap refusing baby & yet another diaper change. After a 5oz bottle Momma lets baby play nudie {with diaper on, of course} to keep him happy!

Noon means it's time for oatmeal!


Belly is full & 1:30pm brings another nap for the day! Momma chugs a few more sips of Spark & gets to cleaning!

Nap time doesn't last long {surprise, surprise} and baby is up at 2pm. Diaper change & into the bouncer he goes! Momma uses this time to check emails & texts that are piling up!

 Due to a short nap earlier & lots of bouncing baby is ready for another nap around 3:20pm! He falls asleep in momma's arms and once again momma debates napping with him. The Spark induced energy wins though & baby goes up to his crib. In total stinker fashion he's awake a mere 20mins later {grrr}. Into the swing he goes! I kindly remind him that he should be napping & get a total glare. Daddy gets done with work at this time & heads straight to the gym.


An Advocare order arrives and momma spends some time sorting it out & writing out receipts. Baby is just swingin'

Around 4:25pm daddy gets home and entertains baby while momma whips up a homemade lemon pepper glaze for dinner. Next its injected into the chicken & goes into the fridge to marinade.

That marinades for around one hour & into the oven it goes! Daddy feeds babe a bottle & momma scrubs dirty. Onto the grass they go to dry!

6:25pm and dinner is ready! Finally! Garlic lemon pepper chicken, whiskey glazed carrots & parmesan crusted potato wedges. Yum!


 7pm means bath time for babes! His favorite time of the day!

8pm means momma is getting baby into his jammies & ready to read some books. It also means baby is probably more into chewing on his toys. 

After a final bottle, around 9pm he's out for the count. Momma lays him down in his crib. And finally changes into her jammies. Then it's time to cuddle with the hubs & catch up on a little tv. 

{And yes, I wear my husband's shirts for pj's...total comfort!}

By 10pm momma in yawning and beyond ready for bed. Teeth are brushed, alarms are set & baby monitor is placed bedside...

all ready for another sleepless night ;)

And there you have it friends. A typical day in the life of me. Exciting huh? Good thing I have some adorable, fun company during my days!