What's cooking this week + 1,000th Post + It's a Little Sis

A LOT to catch up on! First, we found out that Baby Sko Dos is a little SISTER! That makes 3 very happy Skoblickis! Ella seems to be loving the idea as far as I can tell, and Stephen and I are thrilled too. I'm getting used to saying things like "the girls"....crazy and exciting! It was super special because my mom was here for a bit earlier this past week when we all went for the ultrasound together. Soooo, now we know! Let the planning begin! We're working on Ella's *new* room and sprucing up the nursery. It's all very exciting around here!

As I sat down to create this post, I realized this is my 1,000th post! Isn't that nuts?! I've been doing this for a long time now, so let's get to my favorite part....

Sunday: Grandpa's Marinara
Tuesday: Baked Chicken and Veggies
Wednesday: Mediterranean Chicken Pizza
Thursday: Grilled Chicken Sausage & Sweet Potato Fries
Friday: BBQ with family

It's been quiet around here because my ultra crazy work week turned into Spring Break and we have been non-stop as usual! My mom was here, we went down south to visit the fam and pick out a wedding dress with my cousin. After Mamma Sco went home, we kicked potty training into full gear which has been a bit of a nightmare....I'm open to tips for my very stubborn little lady! We've had some success with #1 on the potty, but now we are in a weird pattern of her being afraid to sit on the potty but she's also doing the pee-pee dance and holding it in. I didn't expect this would be easy, but I also didn't expect that we'd be stuck in this strange rut. She's so cranky and upset because she is uncomfortable holding it in. How do you explain that she will feel better if she just goes?!? I don't want to force her on it and create a negative association! HELP! Luckily we have her 2.5 year check up tomorrow so we'll be chatting with our Pediatrician for sure!

Yesterday and today have been very relaxing. We are sprucing things up around here, outside and in. After we put away these groceries, I'll help Hubs plant the rest of our flowers. Our home is getting "Easter-ready" for our family that will be visiting us for the weekend. I'm planning a BBQ for Friday, dinner reservations (hibachi unless I change it) for Saturday, and a big Polish traditional Easter breakfast for Sunday! Good food and GOOD times! It's going to be great.

I'm trying not to focus on the fact that Spring Break is OVER...instead just going to enjoy the rest of my Sunday with my very headstrong little lady and my handsome Hubs! Happy Sunday!

Ooooooh, I almost forgot! Thursday night I'll be making these pierogies in preparation for this weekend's festivities!

What's cooking this week?

You know when you feel like you're cooking/eating the same thing over and over and over.....?! I'm definitely in a rut, because even when I prepare something different for Hubs, I have a bad habit of "not being in the mood for it" and eating something else. My appetite is coming back bit by bit...and I'm just sick of the same old foods.

Enter, pot roast. If anyone who knows me well is reading this, you KNOW that is not typically something I have in my weekly meal plans. It's just so hearty and heavy and for some reason, not my thing.  I'm not normally a home cooking kinda gal, but when I saw this "Cook Once, Eat Twice" episode of Five Ingredient Fix, back in the day....I thought it was an easy, "LightER-ish" way to make this hearty classic. Plus, I get another meal out of it?! Jackpot! It's a really good weekend meal, and then the panini is a SUPER easy weekday meal. I need more meals like this in my rotation! I've made it a few times years ago. In fact, I don't think I've made it since living in the new house. Maybe Ella will even like it?! More on Ella's picky eating another day!

(*Mom, if you're reading this....you know I do enjoy your pot roast, please don't take this personally! XO)

The plan....
Sunday: Sunday Pot Roast with Mushroom Gravy with Parsnip-Potato Mash
Tuesday: Pot Roast and Arugula Panini with Potato and Cheese Croquettes (no ham)
Wednesday: Baked Mediterranean Chicken
Thursday: Loaded Veggie Pizza
Friday: Not cooking...driving down to South Florida!

Yesterday, I photographed a beautiful wedding with my two friends, Lisa and Bobby. It was a blast, but exhausting! Today I'm in total recovery mode....minus the fact that I have a staff training to prepare for. This means there is an FSA testing manual with my name written ALL over it! I haven't decided if I'm going to do this from home or go into the office. My heart says home, but my brain says office. We'll see how the day goes. The truth is I miss my peanut like CRAZY!

Busy Weeks + Busy Weekends = Major Mama Guilt

She's at such a fun age...I don't want to miss a thing, but it's hard not to....especially during this time of year. Throw in the extra pregnancy emotions, and boy this is something I'm struggling with a little extra! 

I feel like the Little Engine That Could, at this point! I'm so grateful that Spring Break is only a week away! My mom is flying down to Florida, we are meeting her down by my Aunt and Uncle's house on Friday night. We're going to shop for a wedding dress with my cousin Jen, and then we're driving her back up here on Sunday. Monday we find out the gender of Baby Sko Dos! So many fun things are planned, but I'm just as equally looking forward to doing everyday things like taking walk/jogs and playing with Play Dough with Ella....and coloring! Oh please, let there be lots of coloring! Only 5 more work days! "I think I can, I think I can"!

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday, and a great week! 

I did manage to squeeze in a little walk/jog outing amongst this past week's craziness. An excuse for Ella to see her besties mid-week? How exciting! 

What's cooking this week?

Happy Sunday...and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Hubs! We're having a low-key day...and if you ask me, it's much needed! Yesterday we went to Epcot and had lunch at Teppan Edo with family. Great times! When we got home, I had to run out to get some last minute gifts for Stephen. It's been that kind of week! Today we are just relaxing, may go for a walk to the park....maybe Best Buy for a new bluetooth speaker and then I'll make him a yummy birthday meal (hopefully to the sound of some sick beats from Hubby's new speaker). I'm letting Hubs call the shots for the day, but honestly I'm glad he is opting for a "homey" day! 

Here's the plan....
Sunday: Stuffed Shells for the Birthday Boy!
Tuesday: Crockpot Turkey (maybe "Turkey-less") and Veggie Chili
Wednesday: Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes 
Thursday: Steak for Hubs and leftover potato quinoa soup (I have to post this recipe!)
Friday: Grilled Chicken and Puerto Rican Beans 

Pregnancy #2 Fun Fact: My meal plans are not as diverse as I usually try to make them. Most weeks I try to make an effort to really mix it up....not just throughout the week, but the goal is to also make it different from the week prior. Lately, meat does not really appeal to me. I have never been much of a steak person, but even chicken, pork and even on some occasions any kind of ground meat has been a stretch. It's not that I CAN'T do it, or even that it will make me feel sick. I would just be fine without it.

When I'm making the plan, I'm really struggling with this because right now at 10:40 in the morning it all sounds heavy and I don't want any of it. What DO I want? Or, what am I okay with? Salad is usually safe, soups, beans, and veggies....anything Mexican (duh), cereal, and sandwiches. Pasta is just okay, but not my favorite unless it's loaded with cheese. It sounds like a lot but it's been limiting me. You may have noticed some of these things are not the most healthy. Hopefully this phase of "pickiness" passes soon! Maybe it will be over with just in time for with my Pampered Chef order arrives. It's hard to explain, but I'm working through it.

This pic of these two cuties was from yesterday at Epcot! I'm going to get back to our day of spoiling this sweet man who we couldn't possibly love any more! Happy 32nd Birthday to my amazing Hubby! Ella Rose and I love you MUCHO! XOXO

A Pampered Chef Party

Last night I hosted a Pampered Chef party at my house. Thanks SO much to everyone that came over for some DELICIOUS food and especially for purchasing all of those wonderful Pampered Chef goodies! I wish I had some photos to share from the night, but you know how it is when you're in "hostess-mode". Seriously though, the chicken enchilada pizza and lava cake that was demonstrated were insane!

The party will remain open through tomorrow night...so get your orders in! 

HERE is the link to purchase from my show. 

If you spend $75 you get one of these free items as well...

I just love their products and can't wait to get all of my new stoneware! I've seen it all in action twice and I'm impressed! At the last party I went to, I ordered my MFP ("Manuel"...my manual food processor), the garlic press and this awesome utensil I "selfied" with last night.

It's called the "mix n' chop"....and it's my new addition to Taco Tuesday. It perfectly crumbles and grounds meat really fine without scratching my non-stick pans. LOVE! No more hacking at ground meat with a wooden spatula, because this bad boy gets the job done!

I haven't finalized my order from this party yet, but here are a few items that I have my sights set on...

White Large Round Stone

Large Baker

Deep Covered Baker

Citrus Press

Silicone Oven Mitts

I pretty much want it ALL, not going to lie! Browsing the catalog makes me want to stay home all day and COOK! For today though, we are heading over to Epcot for lunch with family....so tomorrow will be the cooking day! What will I make? Stay tuned! Happy Saturday! 

Ella hosted a party too last night....with my friend Rachel's beautiful girls!

What's cooking this week?

Wow, just glanced at the time and realized it's only 8:00 as I'm typing this! I usually like to procrastinate a bit before getting to my "to-do" list on a Sunday morning...but today I've got SO much to do in order to prepare for the week. Most importantly, part of my day will be spent putting the finishing touches on coordinating the ESOL testing we have happening all next week. The tricky part will be squeezing that all in during nap time! Challenge accepted! 

The plan is...
Sunday: In honor of ESOL testing, I'll be making my friend Elysia's Potato Quinoa Soup (she's our ESOL aide and her cooking is PHENOM!)
Monday: A playdate with Mal Smiles and Collins - I'm thinking tacos (shocking). This hasn't been discussed with her since she is out running all over Disney at the moment, something tells me my friend won't object!
Tuesday: Hasselback Chicken
Wednesday: Lentil Soup (I've got lentils for days in my pantry for some reason)
Thursday: Steak for Hubs and Greek Salad for me
Friday: Not planning any family meals because I'll be having a Pampered Chef party!

I feel like a huge weight has been lifted now that the BIG news of Baby #2 is out! My eating has been so off. I've been planning meals and either cooking them and not eating, or putting it off for days OR even into the next week. I guess that's why it's just a plan...but man, it has been a challenge! More on my totally wacked-out appetite another day. I need to get moving!

This pic was from last night, right before we went out to run some errands and then to dinner at Carrabba's with friends. It was the perfect Saturday night! 

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!