Wordless Wednesday: Watch Me Grow

Menu Menu Link Up

I'm really excited that Rachel from In Simple Language has formed a Menu Monday Link Up. I have meal planned sporadically since Brian and I got married but lately, I've been very good about sitting down on Sunday afternoons before we hit the grocery story and planning our meals for the week.




So here is what is on the menu for this week!
Monday: Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Balsamic Vinegar served with Rice and Green Beans

Tuesday: Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti served with salad and breadsticks
Wednesday: Oven Hot Dogs served with Sweet Potato Fries
Thursday: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup served with Grilled Cheese
Friday: Our traditional Friday night meal... Pizza!
Saturday: Crockpot Potato Soup served with side salad
Sunday: Breakfast night: Cheesy Bacon Biscuits with Grits
I hope to come back next week with more pictures of our meals. This is honestly an off week for us in terms of eating. I was struggling to find recipes that were healthy and looked appealing to me for this week. So I decided to go with more basic food. There is a good chance we will have a lot of leftovers and perhaps even a few meals we can carry over to next week. We are all about leftovers in this house and nothing goes to waste!
Are you a meal planner? What are your favorite websites or cookbooks for finding delicious recipes? I'm always looking for new ideas!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off To School He Goes

At the beginning of February, Mason started going to a two day/week mother's morning out "school". I was the most apprehensive about this. I can't even begin to explain all the thoughts that were going on inside of my head. I knew he needed the socialization. I knew it would be good for him. And for me too. But at the same time, my "job" is a stay at home mom. My job is to take care of him. I felt like a part of me was failing at my job because I was sending him off to "school" for a total of 6 hours/week. In the corporate world, no one gets 6 hours of free time during their work day. It was just a hard pill for me to swallow.

I get nervous in new situations. Always have and probably always will. I can't help it. So needless to say, I was very nervous for his first day. I tried not to show it and tried to be upbeat and happy about it towards Mason. The whole way there I said "YAY, you are going to get to play with some new friends". "You will get to see McKinley (his "girlfriend" happens to be the same class)". I did my best to put on a smile and not show that my heart was breaking inside. It was breaking because I knew what was to come. I knew there would be cry. I knew there would be reaching back for Mommy. I knew there would be me walking away while my child cried out for me. HEARTBREAKING!! 

Brian offered to take him. He knew I would be a mess. But I knew this was something I had to do as much for Mason as for myself. So when the day rolled around, we walked into school at 9am and did it. It wasn't easy. It wasn't fun. There were tears from both of us. But we did it. I promptly called Brian at work as soon as I got back into the car and cried. He reassured me that everything would be fine and they would call if Mason didn't settle down. I was 100% expecting a call within the hour asking me to come get him. But... that call never came!!! Brian and I met at pickup time and walked into the school together to pick up our little man from his first day of "school". We did it. We survived.  Both of us! And to celebrate... we headed to Chick-fil-A for lunch and then to visit Grammie!! Is there any other way to celebrate?? I think NOT!!

Since then Mason has gotten better and better each time. Last week they told me he had his best day yet and only cried for 30 seconds after I dropped him off. My little man is growing up. I love that he is getting this play time and socialization with other kids his age. I know how important it is for him and his growth and development. With #2 on the way, I want him to know that being around other kids is fun and enjoyable.

So we survived. Who knew the first day of "school" would be harder on mommy than on Mason? 

Where's your.....

Mason's newest trick... I'm asking him where is your mouth? 

I crack up every time he does this. It's too cute for words! Kids are so funny sometimes. 

Pinspired - Pepperoni Pizza Roll Ups

Today I'm linking up with Kodi from a brighter yellow for my pinspired post. 
It's no secret that I love pizza. I could eat it for every meal. Honestly, I love it. I love cheese. I love pepperoni so when I saw these on pinterest, I knew I had to give them a try - Pepperoni Pizza Roll Ups. 

Source: plainchicken.com via Lynsey on Pinterest

Why didn't I think of these sooner? Seriously, you only need THREE things to make these. Simple and Easy!

I was a big fan of these. Mason was a big fan of these. Poor Brian didn't get a chance to try them because we ate them all before he got home. Give them a try. You won't be disappointed.

Do you have meals you have made from pinterest? If so, please share. I'm always looking for new recipes to try!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day from our house to yours! 

Shirt from Pumpkin Butter Kids on Etsy

Valentine's Day cards we sent out to family and friends

Valentine's Day cards for Mason's classmates

Hope your day is filled with lots of love and happiness!

The 411 on Us

Today I am linking up with Neely from A Complete Waste of Makeup to give you the 411 on our blog.



1. Tell us why you blog. I originally started blogging as a way to keep family and friends up to date and in the loop on Brian and I's adventures while we were dating. Since Brian's parents live 8 hours away, I thought it would be a good way for them to see pictures, hear stories, etc. Now that we are married and forming our family, I blog as a way to document the important events in our lives. Keeping up with everything Mason has done and will continue to do is really important to me. It is fun to look back on the blog and see where we were a year ago. Now that we are adding a sweet little girl, Caroline, to the mix, the blog will certainly keep my mommy brain in tack when remembering milestones in their precious lives. While this is the main reason to blog, it isn't the only reason I blog. I love to share recipes, craft ideas, products I love and everything in between. 

2. Tell us about your blogI pretty much summoned this one up in the answer to #1. We are The Moore Family. We currently have a 17 month old son, Mason and will be expanding our family when we welcome a little girl, Caroline, into our lives in June. My due date is June 6 and we can't wait to meet her. We also have two dogs, Deacon and O'Malley.  They are crazy. They are nuts. But they certainly keep us entertained. 

Photography by Emily Elrod Photography

3. Tell us about you. I am a forever healthcare worker turned stay at home mom. I graduated with a B.S. in Health Promotions from Appalachian State University (Go Mountaineers!) then attended UNCC where I graduated with a MHA  (Master's in Healthcare Administration). I spent a year living and working for a healthcare practice in Washington DC before realizing my roots belonged back in NC. I returned back to my hometown and started working for one of our hospitals. It was during this time that I met Brian, whose office was across the hall from mine. We dated, got engaged, got married on a beautiful October day, had Mason and I am currently 23 weeks pregnant with a little girl. That about sums it up. 

Photography by Critsey Rowe

4. Tell us about your job. See the answer to #3. 
5. Tell us about your cityI was born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC. It is in this wonderful city that I found the love of my life. In my mind, it is the perfect city to raise a family. 
6. Tell us about your favorite activities, hobbies, things to doI have a huge love for sports. I grew up playing soccer and it will always be my true passion. I am a Duke fan who married an SEC (Go VOLS) man. We enjoy watching sports, being outside, spending time as a family and watching Mason grow. I have a huge heart for crafts, DIY projects and photography (even though I'm not a good one). Family, Faith, Friends... those are my core. 

That's us and our blog in a nutshell. Feel free to ask any questions!Also, Be sure to link your blog up so I can make sure I'm following you! 

Happiest of Birthdays Colleen!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLLEEN!!

I wanted to take time today to wish a very happy birthday to my bestest, Colleen! I wish we got to see each other more often but please know I love you and hope you have a fabulous day! Make sure Keith and Max spoil you!!!

You are a wonderful friend, a wonderful momma to a handsome little man, a loving Godmother to Mason and a sister I never had. Thank you for your many years of friendship! Here's to many more.

Love you girl!

Wordless Wednesday: Ready for "School"

Baby M #2: 20 & 21 weeks Survey & Belly Shot

I missed week 20 so I am combining 20 and 21 weeks into one post. I feel so far behind on these updates as I will turn 23 weeks on Wednesday!

How Far Along: For survey sake: 21 weeks. 

Size of baby: 20 weeks: A cantaloupe   21 weeks: spaghetti squash 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Not sure. I am actually going to my appointment today so we shall see. I dread seeing that number. 

Maternity Clothes: Everything is maternity these days except a few t-shirts that I just wear around the house or Brian's t-shirts that I "borrow" sometimes. 

Gender: A sweet baby GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Movement: Yes! She is certainly an active little thing! 

What I miss: I would do just about anything for a turkey sub - whole wheat bread, provolone cheese, lettuce, pickles and honey mustard from Subway. 

Sleep: Sleeping great when Caroline isn't kicking. 

Symptoms: I can feel some tightness in my lower abdomen but nothing painful.

Cravings: Candy. Anything fruity and gummy and SOUR. 

Best Moment this week: Taking Mason to his first swim lessons and he loved them! Also, watching Mason give hugs and kisses to his baby sister at night. It's so sweet that I had to include a picture of it. 

 Also, consignment sales have started and I was able to get great prices on some clothes for both Caroline and Mason. 

What we are looking forward to: Picking out the paint for the nursery and ordering crib bedding. 

Swim Little Fishy, Swim!

Last night was Mason's first swim lesson! We signed up for one month at the hospital pool and we attend once/ week. One great thing about the time is that Brian is able to make it after work! This was very helpful last night as I am still in my walking boot.

There are 5 other kids in the class, one being McKinley (Mason's girlfriend) . Last night was more of just getting use to the pool and splashing around. Mason and McKinley are the youngest in the group but they both did great!

Mason accomplished some doggie paddling, kicking his legs, went unde a few times, tried to blow bubbles and floated on his back! We were so proud of him! He was certainly worn out by tr end and fell asleep in the car on the way home and slept like a rock last night! We can't wait to go back next week.

We really want mason to be comfortable in the water and be a god swimmer as we both enjoy the water and love going to the beach. This was the first step to accomplish this goal!