A good friend allowed me to take pics of her gorgeous little ones this weekend…her little boy got a "booboo" though 🙁 so we had to cut shoot short but I think pics are still adorable 🙂

….here's hoping kyle feels better soon

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When I first lost Logan sometimes it would hurt so much I would feel physically ill… The emotions would get so much I couldn't contain it.

Now when I look at Aidan I have a similar feeling, an over surge of emotions… I can't believe how much I love him, I can actually physically feel it in my heart, I feel so happy its dizzying..(even though he really. puts me through my paces)

It doesn't mean Aidan replaces Logan, by no means! Logan will always have a place in my heart,he will always be my son and I still get sad thinking of what could have been, but these new found emotions do prove something, something significant… It just proves a broken heart can love again and that there is a day after even the darkest night . .

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Since I can't seem to stop snacking I thought its time I found a compromise in the form of low calorie snacks like these 'cinnamon and brown sugar apple slices' which I like to think I came up with by myself…(just 150 calories for two small apples-I checked)

INGREDIENTS:

one large apple or two small ones

2 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp brown sugar mixed with 1/2 tsp cinnamon (or more if you prefer)

HOW TO:

Core and cut apples into wedges then sprinkle on lemon juice and cinnamon sugar and enjoy 🙂

Great for when you need something guilt free to snack on.

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I had two small photos left after making key chains and thought they were just too cute not to utilize so I decided to turn them into fridge magnets…
(each of the magnets on our fridge has a special meaning so it was only fitting to add these,actually I intend to gift one)

MATERIALS:
Small photographs
Scissors
Buttons (I know Im slightly obsessed,lol)
Magnet sheet
Double sided tape

HOW TO:
Using double sided tape attach small buttons in shape of a border (I made a second version with bigger buttons in opposite corners of picture)
Then use more double sided tape on the back of the photo to attach a piece of magnetic sheet which you have cut to size.
Easy Peasy 🙂

*My fridge magnets clockwise from bottom left. . .
– Black and white circles with the words, “play,hugs,love,laugh,joy,smile,wish and hope” (bought it when we bought our first fridge)
– Decoupaged wooden block with the word, “love” stamped on (made by a good friend as part of a new mom gift)
– Three ladies with the words, “live well, laugh often, love always” (part of a gift from a long time friend)
– Double heart that reads, “Robin eu to amo Eleanor” (made for me at a market in Brazil)
– Square that reads, “cherish yesterday, dream of tomorrow,live for today” (from my ex boss, friend and mentor as part of a new mom care pack)
– A little dog with verse, “You are God’s special treasure – Deuteronomy 14:2” (as part of a Easter gift basket from a good friend)
– Large magnet with poem entitled “baby boy” (as part of a baby shower gift)
– The little magnets in the middle arranged in a crude heart are valentines themed words and phrases I received from my sister as a Valentine’s day gift
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Yesterday I realised just how much my life has changed…when exactly did this occur to me? Was it after I checked that my accessories not only matched my outfit but were baby safe too (he tugs on things and has a habit of rubbing his face on my chest regardless of what I'm wearing) or maybe when we were at the beachfront and he put up such a fuss that people were staring at me with either looks of "shame I remember that" or "control your child!" plastered on their faces (his cries also made me lactate all over my top-oh joy!) or maybe it was when I was breast feeding a half naked baby in a parking lot because the expressed milk was too little and he was making his hunger known along with the fact that he didn't appreciate the warmth of his fleece onsie…

I think it actually occurred to me after we got home and what felt like hours of kicking and screaming and scratching (fighting sleep). It happened after his nap (a long blink really) when I heard cooing coming from his crib and he looked at me with biggest smile on his face, that is when I realised my life has certainly changed, but I didn't mind one bit, I would appreciate a shower that lasts longer than time it takes to get water 'just right' and for once not eat a meal like I was taking part in a competition also maybe some time to do my nails… but truth be told I wouldn't trade "right now" for the world 🙂

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I decided to try something new for Meatless Monday… Pea Soup! which I found in this month's Women's Health magazine… I made some adjustments based on the "whatever I have in the cupboard" rule and it turned out super yum…I even plan on having for lunch today 😀

INGREDIENTS:
3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed (I used a heaped teaspoon of crushed garlic and ginger)
1 green chilli, deseeded and chopped (half spoon of crushed chilli)
1kg frozen petit pois (I used regular frozen peas)
800–900ml chicken or vegetable stock
30g fresh coriander (I used 5g flash dried coriander)
pinch of sugar
sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper (I used regular garden variety salt and pepper)

HOW TO:
1. Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based pot over a medium-low heat. Sweat the onion, garlic and chilli with the lid on until softened.
2. Add peas and sweat with the lid on for 15 minutes.
3. Add most of the coriander (reserve a few good-looking leaves for garnish) and the stock. Bring to a simmer.
4. Add the sugar and blitz with a hand-held blender until smooth.
5. Season well and serve immediately, garnished with some coriander leaves and with a fresh loaf of wholewheat bread and butter on the side.
(I added a cup of water to thin it out a bit)
 
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