EASY Baked Chicken Parmesan

I discovered this recipe  while Tony was away from me for those 5 weeks.  I knew I'd be doing a lot of cooking during the summer (I DIDN'T during school- I had three nights of night classes and when we were together, we'd rather go somewhere.  haha.  So yeah, I think I made dinnner like 5 times in spring semester.  ANYWAY, so I knew I needed some new recipes to try.  This one is SOOO super easy and really good.  Tony likes it with corn on the cob... but he'd want corn on the cob with every dinner (;  And by the way, the picture isn't from the same site- it comes out a little different- but it's all the same, essentially.

{picture via}

Scrumptious Sweet and Sour Pork

*Seriously* this is so delicious. And one of Tony’s favorite recipes. If I can make this, so can you. All you have to do is grab this bottle of Kikkoman Sweet and Sour Sauce and conveinently enough the directions are on the bottle!  For any other tips you can read the rest..

I'm what the French call les incompétent

So today?  Not my best day.  You can pretty much sum today up as a big fat failure coming from all angles.  I started the day thinking in my mind while driving westbound on the 60, "what's the deal with this sudden traffic?"  There was zero traffic at the start of the semester and now every morning without fail...traffic.  It was at about that time that I decided to get over a lane when a friend thought he didn't want that- so he sped up- forcing me back in my lane.  Little did I know the car in front of me was at a dead stop.  *CRUNCH.  No worries though!  It was like bumper cars... I was already going fairly sllllow....*cough.  And all that happened was my dead bugs transferred to her clean bumper.  Now I'm the reason for the traffic (sorry dudes)

Later I scurried my butt and Brody's over to the mall to redeem a buckle gift card I've had since Christmas.  I've had my eye on this particular shirt online but I was certain they wouldn't have it in the store.  Well they did!  But then I managed to lose my keys after a couple hours of meandering through the joint (entire mall).  Luckily though, they were FOUND!  (left them in a dressing room)

What next?

-didn't succeed in getting Brody to nap today
-was late for my evening Astronomy lecture
-got eaten alive by bugs while laying out yesterday and paid the price today.

But when you really think about it I

-am a little tanner (little bit)
-was fashionably late (oh yes)
-found that shirt I was dying to get
-DIDN'T have any damage to my car- or hers
-and spent more time with my little guy.

I guess it was a swell day after all.  Filled with normal everyday stuff but also blessings.

And as for my title... obviously kidding.  I'm not...  nor do I condone people thinking they are.  Love yourself, by golly! heh.  K, done now....

(no he wasn't happy there. haha)

Lucy, you got some s'plainin to do!

Ok ok.  Well I was gone for a day or two... sorry to go private for that long, I never do.  I had good intentions on giving this place a makeover... I always seem to get the itch to do that with every new approaching season.  Already feels like summer to me round here.  Nevertheless, by the time I got into the heart of it I realized I had no inspiration, motivation, time, or desire to do it.  Good thing I made a back up because it was like an html twister came up in heeere.  Thanks for being patient and not ditching me so quickly. (:  I've mentioned this before but I have no intention on going and staying private..I'd quit blogging before I ever went private. ha!  But really.  SO if you see that I have, it just means I'm bored of the look and I'm going to change it.  Sorry not this time though!  I probably should've guessed that with finals approaching I wouldn't have the time.  Soon enough, hopefully.
But anyway, an especial thanks to the sweet concerned emails and just emails in general.  Thanks friends! ♥

This is what you call a stinker

yes I know he looks harmless but don't let him fool you!

This entire week he has refused nap time.  He'd rather go "walk" or watch "t.b." or "puway".  So you know what that means for me.  No ME time.  And by "me time" I mean nap time... which lately is the only thing that gets me through the day.  

Today was no different... so I finally decided to accept the fact he'd never nap and move on.  I turned on Goofy Movie and decided I'd enjoy it with him.  I LOVED that movie as a kid.  Next thing I know he's nodding off and out like a light. (what, did one of my favorite childhood movies bore you B?)

but really..

*Cue hallelujah chorus.

What did I do to celebrate?  Shoved an entire strawberry fruit roll-up in my mouth at OnCE.  I could never do that as a kid although I so wanted to.  I just didn't want to be sad mine was gone when everyone else had theirs left.  Anyway.

It's pretty wild around here, as you can see.

Today's thoughts

1.At Brody's 2 year well visit with the doctor, I was told if Brody's growth rate remained constant, or close to, he'd be my height when he's 12 and end up about 210lbs and 6' 4'' when he's full grown. Oh my. It literally made me squirm with amusement at the thought of my little baby like that. 6' 4''!!!!?? Awww.

2. I still dab grease off my pizza with a napkin.  Everyone has always told me it makes no difference but I still feel better sparing my body that extra fat..

3. then there was another thing that made me delight... and it was this quote:

"Life is way too short to be anything but wonderfully happy and grateful."

My friend Alexa has gone through so much this past year yet you read what she writes and you wouldn't even know it. What a positive attitude, even though things are still hard.

I had the opportunity to do a photo shoot with her family and I witnessed a small taste of the struggles she faces on a daily basis. It was so humbling to me. She hit the nail right on the head of how to go about living your life.

I need some fresh air

this made my day:

now that's the way to love your conditioner.  

*sighhhh....

So I take back what I said about not being throw-up-sick.  I've been a mess.  Oh well.

Smells that make me especially sick:

-sunscreen

-lip gloss (especially if there's sunscreen in it)

-mixed berry fruit roll ups, strawberry is all good though

-ketchup (gag me)

-B.O. (I'm finding out there's a lot more smelly people in the world than I thought haha)

- my bodywash/shampoo/conditioner/any hair product/lotions

-brody (sorry Brody but even your shampoo makes me nauseous)

-Brody's veggie chips

-salad dressing
-Bad Romance & that one Bedrock song by who knows what group.. alls I know is they ruined a perfectly decent cartoon

-the list goes on

-and on

Everyone has been commenting: GIRL.

Don't get my hopes up!  I once thought to myself that I'm going to have four boys- try for another and get another boy.  SO I'll end up with 5 boys and no girls.  Probably won't happen (hoping it won't happen... all the cute names I want to use are for girls).  I think the more accurate prediction is to say I'll have boy, boy, girl, girl, than who knows.  Here's why I believe it that way..

my g-ma: boy, boy *stop

my mom: girl, girl, boy, boy, *stop

my sister: boy, boy, girl, (not done)

me: boy, I'm thinking to keep up the trend it'll have to be a boy.

Yet, I feel sick- and with Brody I didn't.  

What's your prediction?  Did you love the commercial with me today?  (Thank you yahoo for all the late breaking news otherwise I would've never stumbled upon it's greatness.)

Lay off I'm STARVING!

So far this pregnancy has been a little different than my first.  I would have to say my pregnancy with Brody was probably the most perfect pregnancy a girl could have (including labor).  I wasn't sick, I wasn't in pain, no stretch marks, no permanent weight gain (and actually I lost everything I gained and then some!), no swollen feet.  Not to mention, my doctor told me to eat eat eat- even eat a bowl of ice cream every night!  Seriously!  I gained 18 lbs total being pregnant with Brody.  My doctor said, "I don't say this often but you can literally eat whatever you want.  Eat a bowl of ice cream every night to get your weight up."  How perfect is that?  I ask you.
But this one.... whoaaa.  Maybe it's a girl.  I hear you can feel differently when you are carrying a boy vs girl.  I'm more hoping for a boy so Brody has a close buddy but either way I'll be extremely happy.  
Oh yeah... but yes, this pregnancy has been a little different... in that, I feel pretty sick to my stomach every morning till late afternoon (sometimes all day and I have a hard time falling asleep at night) and I'm TIRED.  Oh man, am I always tired.  I'm also freakishly hungry and I wasn't with Brody (i never had cravings with Brody... I'm still not and I hope it stays that way).  I already feel bloated.  I didn't start showing for a looong while with Brody so what gives?  Oh well.  I'm not... throw-up-sick, thank goodness, but I just feel kind of  blah.  It could be that now I'm going to school and running a bit of a business in addition to everything else- whereas, with Brody I sat for 8 hours in the front office at Mesa Pediatrics.  Actually it was more involved than that but at least I got to wear comfy scrubs my whole pregnancy.  That, I could get used to.
Anyway so I found out on Monday that I'm 7 weeks (I know for sure- I was just guessing before)- due November 26- black friday, woo woo!  So it either means I miss out on all the good shopping I usually do, and possibly Thanksgiving festivities, OR I'll still get to go shopping and it'll be an excellent way to try to induce labor.  I'd be good with any of that.  With Brody I went into labor on my own the day after my scheduled due date.  I should be pretty close this time.SO here's the sonogram picture.  Enjoy the snapshot of my uterus...

and that adorable little bean that will soon make me a sick monstrosity. (well not if I can help it)You'd still love me right?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------***UPDATED*** And the new winner of the La Monique Boutique headband is SHELBY!  (The other winner never contacted me and I had no way to contact her!)  You're not linked so email me within 48 hours and claim yo prize otherwise I will have to draw someone else!  Thanks!

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:23Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Easterz

..better late than never.  Easter this year was really nice.  I loved being with my family and enjoying conference.  I also made cinnamon rolls from scratch that were divine.... I just might share the recipe.... 

Brody coming out to see his basket...

"EGGO!"  He is especially obsessed with Diego right now.  The candy inside sucked but he didn't care, it was EGGO!

 This was all of the peeps that got eaten until I threw them out.  Brody was sickened.  haha!  Tony thought it was tradition but I say down with peeps!  I could've gotten a jbc for that much money (;

Brody getting ready for his egg hunt.  It was afternoon by the time we got to it... and hot!  So there was no chocolate.  Got to love warm ol AZ.

Brody kept chucking his eggs in his basket.  That way they'd explode and he could eat what was inside. It was candy for breakfast, candy for lunch, candy for snacks, and a pickle for dinner, for Brody.  I don't get what his love for pickles is all about... I like pickles but I wouldn't think a two year old would.  Actually, he's loved them since he was 9months.  Anyway.  

That picture of Brody cracks me up (Tony throwing him up).  

We got together with all the family, ate our weight in ham and candy, and yadda yadda yadda...As all good family gatherings should end, there was a grueling game of volleyball.  Only one bloody nose and chipped tooth this time.  (ok not really).  

And a Happy Easter it was.

for the grandmas/grandpas:

tell me something I don't know.

I was busy editing away when something else stole my attention.  I glanced down to notice my manicured fingers.  I thought, i knew they wouldn't last more than a day.  And what's the deal with them offering me wine after I told them I was prego and didn't drink?  Eh.  Then randomly I got to thinking there is one particularly nagging feature that never fails to spark attention to those that find themselves around me.  I never saw a problem with it- until people so kindly decide to make it known to me that I'm a mutant.  Don't you love when people are so kind to point out little things for you?  I chose to address this pressing issue today.  It's a BIG one. (insert heavy sarcasm)
Here's some background for you:
My little brother is a tough guy- plays lacrosse, doesn't cry, has 10 girl friends.  Actually, only one of those is true.  Anyway, despite his raging manliness, he would squeal, giggle, eeeeeee-  whenever he'd catch a glimpse of them...my ears.  My "tiny ears".  (and off go ten people to inspect pictures on my blog-don't go believin him.. I completely disagree:)  Before I continue I just want to make it clear that I do not think my ears are by any means "tiny" (besides he's the only one who's ever said that)- rather, I think they suit my head quite well.  In fact, I rather love my ears.  But...I never minded.  I'd much rather have dainty little ears than be at the other end of the spectrum.
SO on with it...
It just very well may be my microscopic ears that is why kind folks are noticing my ... "condition" (although you'd think they'd be harder spot).  Eh.  Maybe it was my obsession with gigantic earrings at age five that gave way for the points and stares....  Not two weeks ago this very thing made my stiff russian piano teacher snort and lose it.  Thanks.  I could go on.

My friends, I have low earring holes.. like dangerously low.  I'm pretty sure it had something to do with who pierced them back in 1990.  Get all your laughs out now... and for the love, you don't have to tell me my earring holes look like they are about to rip out.  They won't... they've been tugged on plenty and they've stayed the same since I can remember!  I'm WELL aware they are different than just about everyone else and you know what?  You're the freak!  (I'm telling myself)

*runs away wishing my earring holes were like yours.

Oh- and a happy 21st birthday to that lacrosse playin brother of mine.  Come home from Spain pllllease?!

La Monique Boutique - Giveaway

I thought we'd start the week off right with a little bit of free stuff... you kids are in luck!  It's my pleasure to host a giveaway for my lovely friend Monique (one of my sisters h.s. bff's).  She's giving you one of her cute headbands!  Something fun for YOU... however, La Monique Boutique has TONS of adorable stuff for kids that you should check out.

Head over to her blog and see for yourself.. she's having a SPRING FEVER SALE!

Here are just some of the cute items you will find in her shop:

So to enter the Giveaway:

1. Comment once..say hi, tell me about your Easter weekend, anything! (mandatory entry)

EXTRA ENTRIES: remember to comment once per entry or they don't count, don't say I didn't warn ya!

2 & 3. you get 2 extra entries for publicly following her site!

4. Go be a fan of La Monique Boutique on Facebook!

5. leave a comment at La Monique Boutique and come back and tell me you did so.

Giveaway ends Saturday April 10 at midnight Arizona time!
I will be choosing the winner via random.org so remember to get credit for more than one entry you must comment that many times!  Good luck (:
(open to all U.S. Residents)

a balloon and a discount

(not me, not yet, the one Brody is playing with)  Well, here's my Brody man lately (sorry I never have time to edit pictures for this blog)

Word on the street is Connie loves taking pictures. Ok, maybe not on the street maybe just around my house and on my blog.  Love taking pictures too?  Love cute things?  It's your lucky day! (how cliche of me)

Shey B, also known as the camera strap girl, is offering my readers a 10% discount on anything in her shop!  I just love her camera strap slipcovers- they are adorable.  Go check them out!  To redeem the discount just use the code SPRING.  Woot!