Okay Now, Really?!!?

I just made this Chicken Salad for dinner. It is "Out-Of-This-World" delish!! I have never eaten a chicken salad that tastes anything like this.  Not gonna lie, as I was making it...I was a little skeptical.  It called for a few "strange" ingredients and asked me to poach my chicken breasts (which I had never done before...well, not like this anyway.)  It was a little time-consuming, but let me tell you! It. Was. Worth. It!  Every minute.  I ate mine on a hollowed-out whole wheat bolillio roll.  Then I had to have another. So, I wrapped it in some romaine lettuce.  Definitely a Graduation/Memorial Day/Ward Party/4th-of-July/....I think you get it.  Do it! It's so good.

http://www.tastingtable.com/entry_detail/national/8654/chefs_recipes/Chicken_salad_hold_the_mayo.htm

 This picture doesn't do it justice, really.  But I think you get the idea.

Going to The Pool, Reading Books, and A New Pair of Shades...

Last week was a HOT one.  We are totally okay with that, because that means we get to have some quality pool time.  It is such a blessing to have the pool right out our front door.  She LOVES the water and usually always makes a new friend while we are there.  Here she is, waiting for Momma to finish getting ready and stop taking pictures so we can leave!!

My Cousin, Tina, gave me the cutest diaper caddy when Sediva was born.  It now comes in handy for a BOOK caddy.  It fits all of Sedona's smaller books just perfect! She has this new thing where she tries to sit in EVERYTHING she thinks she can wiggle her little bottom into.  One of those is her book caddy.  I frequently look up from the kitchen sink to find her sitting in her little box, flipping through the pages of her books.  It is so cute. She is so funny.

We made a trip to the mall last week for a little "retail therapy."  We came home empty-handed, except for these cute little shades we found on sale at GYMBOREE.  Oh yeah, I also found a super cute swimsuit at Old Navy, which I "stole" for only $21.00.  I was so excited. So, I guess we didn't really leave empty-handed ;-)

Daddy's Little Shadow

I've said it before, so pardon me for the repeat, but: Sedona is a Daddy's Girl!!! She has him wrapped around her tiny little finger and she knows it.  The other day, she found his hat and put it on her head and just started walking around saying, "Papa. Papa. Papa."  It was so cute, so of course I took a million pics. Here are just a few:

She is also obsessed with shoes! Right now, I can count 4 pair of her shoes and 2 and 1/2 pair of Momma/Poppy's shoes right here in the living room.  Austin helped her stand in these and she thought she was somethin' else.

Another Good'n

Oh my goodness! Just posting this makes my mouth water....again.

This recipe was so easy and so delicious!! It tasted like summer. It really did. I put it on a bed of baby spinach, but I am certain it would be great on whatever greens you used for your regular salads! Enjoy.
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/03/coconut-chicken-salad-with-warm-honey.html

Dancing Is What She Does Best

This video is from the first camera I purchased. It didn't record audio. But I haven't been successful at getting a better video of her dancing since this one. So, pretend you are listening to LMFAO: Party Rock Anthem.

For your viewing pleasure:

No applause necessary. She can't hear you. If she could, I would expect it. Thank you for watching. Come again. Soon.

Mother's Day

I have to brag on my Husband.  I lost all my pics from Mothers' Day, which I am really sad about, but I still have the beautiful roses on my kitchen table.  He is such an amazing guy and I am so thankful to have him for eternity.  He treats me with respect and he spoils me rotten.  Key word: rotten ;-)  

He surprised me on Saturday afternoon with a completely new running outfit.  New shirt, new shorts, new shoes, even! It was awesome. Not to mention, super cute.  Then on Sunday, I woke up to the smells of homemade blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes.  I want more. Right now. oooooh, they were so delicious! He made the batter from scratch and everything.  He snuck out of the apartment on Saturday night after I went to bed and hit the grocery store for the few items we didn't have, that he needed, to make these delicious pancakes.  He wrote me a sweet little letter and served me a delicious breakfast.  He did the dishes and bathed Sedona for church! It was awesome!!!

We finished the day off with a nice walk on OU's campus and a delicious dinner of Italian sandwiches and ice cream.  It was a fabulous day. I think Mother's Day should be a semi-annual thing. Like General Conference. Yeah, that sounds good ;-)

Rainy Days and Baseball Games

Friday was a rainy day for us, which meant Austin didn't go to work.  A blessing in disguise, really.  It was so nice to have him around for the day.  We decided to make a trip to Sam's Club where I was going to finally get a video camera!! On the way in, I snapped this priceless photo:

On the way home, Sedona was being silly silly:

I have been wanting a cam-corder for a while now, and I was so excited to get one! I took some super cute video of my little 'Diva shaking her booty to some tunes and I tried to post it on my blog my new, super user-friendly camera!! .....dislike! Strongly dislike.  It had no instruction manual...just pictures with no words.  Come to find out, it didn't even record audio. Austin and I messed with it until about 11:30pm when I decided this was wayyyy more trouble than it was worth and I was just going to get my money back! Which I did, on Saturday.  So, sadly, I don't have that super cute video anymore, but I do have a super user-friendly camera that I used yesterday at a AAA Baseball game!! And yes, this camera is WAYYY more user-friendly.  It may not be the BEST one on the market, but right now, I can't afford the best, nor would I know what TO DO with the best. 

 Saturday brought more rain in the morning, but beautiful weather and perfect temperatures to go to a AAA baseball game! The OKC Redhawks were playing the Tucson Padres and so we took off to downtown OKC.  Their tickets are totally affordable and we got lawn seats, which was perfect for our little toddler.  That's right, Sediva is "toddle-ing" all over the place! 

The Flag Ceremony at the beginning was really neat:

One of the players in the pitching bull-pen said "Your baby is so cute." and threw us a ball.  Sedona was so excited!!

I will post video of Sedona shakin' what her Momma gave her when she wakes up and actually shakes it...

Another Trip to the Zoo!!

Our day started out really good because I was DETERMINED to not have another day like yesterday.  It was gonna be GOOD! How could it be bad with a trip to the Zoo on our schedule!?  Our friends, the Peterson's, were coming with us and we were totally excited about it.  

Our day started with Sediva kickin' around the house in her new shoes her Poppy brought her yesterday.  She LOVES them!  

I got to have a spinach, fruit, and yogurt smoothie, which was D-LISH and such a great way to start my day.  (No gym for me today, I had too many other more important things going on...I'm convincing myself it's okay...can ya tell?)

Then I did this little rug-rat's hair...she looks like Boo from Monster's Inc. Don't ya think? Except maybe cuter?  Yea, I think so...

We arrived at the Zoo with our friends JL and K and we were so excited to go see the Elephant Show!

Here we are, awaiting the Elephant show.  Sediva was all smiles and was dancing up a storm.  She was pointing at the elephants and saying "ooooohhh...."

JL and K really are excited to be there, I promise!!

SOOOOO happy! Just waiting for the elephants to come out from behind the big fence....

....and then they came closer.  Not so awesome now! Poor kid! She was so scared.  She just sobbed the entire show. Even when I moved to the very top of the ampitheater.  She didn't know if she should cry or clap so she was doing both. It was so sad.

She loved seeing the bears! She was making the bear noises and everything.  It was so cute.

We ended our day at the Zoo at the Splash Park.  Oh boy, was she in heaven?!  She LOVED it! I remembered a change of clothes and everything so that she could just play to her heart's content.  And play she did! It was so fun!

My baby girl was so tuckered-out that she fell asleep in the car.  Those of you who know Sediva, know that THAT NEVER happens!  She was so tired.  It was a great day! She slept all the way home.

And as soon as we got home, she was right back into the swing of things....being silly is what she does best!

Goal accomplished: It's been a great day!

Yesterday....

This week has been a little rough for the two of us...Sedona has been a little crankier than normal (i'm not sure why, but she's a baby so it's her prerogative, I guess?!) and I have been struggling with a few things that I'd rather not go on and on about on here. Let's just say, not every day is "blissful"  motherhood like so many young moms try to portray.  Anyway....yesterday I decided that Sedona and I needed to get out! We need to do something OTHER than run our regular errands and the other "regular" things we do everyday.

So, after a morning of a few failed nap attempts, I gave in.  I threw in the towel on the whole nap thing and we jumped in the car and drove to down-town Norman.  It's a really cute and fun college town with a lot of character and a fun atmosphere.  There just happens to be a Diner on Main St that was featured on Food Network's show "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives."  It is called: The Diner.  Clever, right? Anyway, it has really strange hours and we got there just in time for the last shift before closing time at 2pm.  

They are featured for their Chili and their Blueberry Pancakes.  It was 80F outside so I wasn't "feeling" chili, and I had to have something Sedona would share with me and she hates pancakes.  Go figure.  I chose the Mushroom Swiss Burger because she likes red meat and mushrooms and french fries.  The service was awesome and the people there were so friendly! They brought her a coloring sheet and crayons, a little toy car, and a basket of fries BEFORE the burger! She was in heaven...thus, so was I ;-)

 This burger was D-LISH!!

After lunch, we headed for Target and the shopping that is available around it.  Here she is, just moments before a random and totally strange sobbing fit in TJMaxx...I was "that" Mom.  uhg...next store, please.

We took off and went to ULTA, where she threw yet another uncontrollable fit, which she stopped quite promptly after walking out the doors of the store.  I had to go into Sally Beauty supply and grab a few necessary items for my hair and the fit-throwing began yet again as soon as we walked in.  I grabbed my few items, ignoring the stares and whispers, purchased my items and left the store. Totally frustrated. I just want to feel like a "normal" person for just one day!! Oh my goodness...

We got home and tried another nap...epic fail.  At this point, I really am wondering why some people have nothing but positive things to say about motherhood...I'm thinking, "they are all liars!"  

Instead of napping, we wrestled.  She loved it! Her giggle, her smile, her happy little twinkle in her eyes...she is just so cute.  And suddenly, everything was right in the world. 

I do love being a Mother, I really do.  I love that she loves me so much that she cries when I leave. I love that she needs me and sometimes prefers me over so many other things.  I love that she is all mine and that she calls ME "Mama".  It's just that sometimes I wish more moms were more honest about the things they REALLY go through in a day.  I wish I didn't feel guilty for confessing my frustrations.  I wish I didn't feel so alone when I see other Moms looking like they have it all together and I feel like such a mess.  

Even after all those wishes, I also wish other women knew what a blessing it is to be a Mom.  To give up mind, body, and soul to bring these little miracles into the world and teach them and love them and help them  to see their worth.  I wish other women knew how rewarding it can be to think about another little person before thinking about themselves. And most of all, my heart aches for women who have the same wishes I do and struggle to have the chance.  There are no words to comfort, strengthen, or help them know they are STILL "Mothers."   

On Sunday, to ALL women around the world: Happy Mother's Day!!

Apology

We have been kinda boring lately, which is why I haven't posted anything very fun. So, my apologies to my families who read this to get their Sediva "fix."  Here are a few pics of her doing some "fun" things this last week:

She climbs on the coffee table now.  She is also "officially" walking! 

This is her sad little face after kid-care at the gym...I'll post more about that in a minute. 

Just being adorable.  She's got that down to a science. 

 I am obsessed with bracelets and "stacking" them.  Pinterest helps me with this obsession by having fabulous tutorials and DIY jewelry posts quite regularly.  I made both of these bracelets, but the one in the middle is my latest. I LOVE it!

Lovin' the pool with her Poppy on a Saturday afternoon. 

I always think she is getting "so big" and then the other night, she was playing with Austin's shoes.  Either he has large feet, or Sedona is still just a little peanut... 

How could you not love this little ruffle bum?

She loves sunglasses...especially Momma and Poppy's. 

Every once-in-a-while, Austin gets the itch to cook again and I LOVE it!  This was dinner yesterday: Gourmet casadillas with grilled spicey chicken and cheese inside, home-made black bean and corn salsa on top with home-made guacamole and salsa on the side.  Amazing...really, it was; and not just because I didn't have to cook it!

The YMCA we go to has changed their drop-off "policy" at their kid-care.  I understand that it is to protect my child, so I am not upset about it in the least-bit! However, Sedona is.  The part of the new policy she hates is that they have to take her FROM my arms rather than me taking her in, getting her distracted by other kids and/or toys and quietly sneaking out.  Before the change, she did great! I got in a good 90-min. workout every time and she was happy at the kid care.  Now, she screams when they take her from my arms and she continues screaming until they come and get me...30 minutes later.  

With traffic, it takes me about 20 minutes to get to the gym.  I don't mind it. Really, I don't.  But the 20 minute drive is NOT worth my time if I only get a 30-minute work-out.  Not even a little bit. The Y is not a 24-hour facility and doesn't open until 6:30am daily.  This does not work for me.  Not if Austin and I are BOTH going to get our exercise done before he goes to work.  So, this week, I will be finding a solution to our "problem"....some of you will think the solution is easy: work-out at home.  So, don't mention it...I don't like it, it doesn't motivate me, and I need motivation to keep myself going here.

Anyway, that is the rather LONG explanation of Sediva's sad little face...

Some other new things Sedona is doing:

She says the words "tasty", "uh-oh", and "Pa-pa"(for Poppy).  She has learned a few new dance moves and can "drop it like it's hot"...yikes! She is walking all over the place and is now standing back up without any help.  She is a very picky eater and I never know what she will eat from day to day.  She is super-duper cute, which isn't new, but I thought I would mention it anyway ;-)