Have You Tried These?

When I was pregnant with Gabe, I became a little obsessed with desserts.  It didn't really matter what kind (although frosting was always a bonus), just as long as it was sweet.  I was pleased with this pregnancy that I didn't have that same craving.  (Although I did crave booze- better or worse?  I'll let you decide.)

But lo and behold, now that she's born and I'm in the breastfeeding season, I am once again in need of something sweet after just about every meal.

I will admit that whilst shopping for Easter basket treats for my littles, I stumbled across these:

They never made it into an Easter basket.  They simply became my after-lunch dessert.  For weeks, they were on sale, BOGO.  So each week at the store, I felt simply compelled to take advantage of the sale, lest I miss out on these seasonal treats. 

'Twas a sad day when Easter was over and the shelves were cleared in these delights.

And then I had an epiphany.  Just as Reese's puts out seasonally shaped chocolate peanut butter treats (which are FAR SUPERIOR to the original cup, by the way), perhaps Milky Way was doing the same thing?  Was there, perchance, a normal, everyday, run of the mill variety of this treat?

After searching the candy aisles at a few stores, I found that the answer is YES.

Milky Way Simply Caramel is the best thing to happen to candy since, well- regular Milky Way.

I have gone through more than one bag of the "Fun Size" confections.  I'm afraid I may be indulging this craving for quite some time.  And the best part?  I also get to indulge my craving for booze now, too.  Joy.

Things I Heart: The Southern Disposition

Have I mentioned lately how much I love living in the south?

Yesterday, at the grocery store, the nugget was LOUD.  He was riding in the cart, chewing on a teething toy, and yelling.  Happily yelling, but yelling nonetheless.  Loud and constant.

This bothered no one.  People were smiling at my boy and talking back to him as we passed them in the aisles.

Distracted by the yelling, I almost ran into one older man with my cart at one point.  I apologized, to which he responded "Don't you worry!  You two are having fun!"  And he meant it.

Then, in the parking lot, I had just finished loading my bags into the car, and was hauling my 25-pounder out of the cart.  Another older gentleman was walking past, and noticed that I had my hands full of baby.  He asked if I was through with my cart, and when I said that I was, he returned it to the corral for me.

I love it when people are kind to one another.  It just makes my day.  I heart southern manners.

30 Day Challenge | Day 29: Things I Could Never Get Tired of Doing

Playing with this sweet boy.

Cooking a delicious meal.

Looks just like me, no?

Reading great books.

Sleeping in.

Online shopping.

Date nights with J.

An oldie but a goodie- J and I on our way to The Melting Pot the night we got engaged.

Popcorn and a movie.

Drinking good beer.

30 Day Challenge | Day 21: Things That Make Me Happy

My baby's smiling face.

Don't you just want to pinch those precious cheeks?

Bread.

I'd like to eat this for breakfast.  All of this.

Holding hands.

Yes, I'm a sap.

Cute shoes.

I pretty much covet all of these.  Especially the top left.

People Magazine arriving in the mail.

Please note- People Magazine makes me happy.  Justin Bieber does not!

Finishing an excellent book.

I literally said the words "I'm so happy!" out loud to no one when I finished this book.

Epidurals.

I literally said the words "I'm so happy!" to J after I got an epidural.

Being in love.

Best. husband. ever.

Things I Heart: Babble

It is quite possible that I am extremely behind the times, and all the cool moms already knew about this.  But yesterday I stumbled across a website that I just loved, so I thought I'd share.

Babble.com is a parenting website "for a new generation of parents."  It has all kinds of info on pregnancy, babies, and kids, recipes, family fun, and even some celebrity dish (anyone else craving to see a picture of Harper Seven?). 

Yesterday I read about the 50 Best iPhone Apps for Moms, 10 Ways to Eat Ramen for Dinner, and Tips for Taking Photos of Baby.  And then I read some more.

Seriously great stuff, and some very entertaining motherhood funnies, as well.  Enjoy, mommies!

Things I Heart: Snack Food

While I was pregnant, I just wasn't all that hungry.  If I ever felt starved, it was rare.  And even then, a smaller-than-normal amount of food would fill me up.  I was hoping that this would continue after the babe was born, so that I could continue the weight loss trend that began during pregnancy (And yes, I am aware of how ridiculous that sounds.  But what can I say?  I'm a freak of nature.)

Turns out?  Not so much.  Making the milks makes this mama hungry. 

So, in addition to my three square meals, I've needed a morning and afternoon snack.  Here are a few of my faves.

Fruit Snacks

Yes, it's like I'm a kid again.  I rediscovered these while in the hospital.  When you give birth at 11:47 pm, after not eating since breakfast at 7 am, you're hungry!  And the vending machine is pretty much your only option at that hour.  So fruit snacks and peanut butter crackers it was.  I will admit- I buy the generic brand rather than the more expensive Welch's.  But they are equally as yummy.  And in my opinion, a little less gummy than the Welch's, which makes them even more delicious in my book.

Apple Cinnamon Nutri-Grain Bars

I've always been a fan of the strawberry flavor, but alas, they sell out quickly when on sale at the Teeter.  So at last sale, I was left with the choice of cherry (cherry flavored anything = blech) or apple cinnamon.  Apple cinnamon it was.  Turns out, YUMMO.  This has now replaced strawberry as my fave flavor.

Mister Salty Chocolate Covered Pretzels

My mom bought these when she last came for a visit, and left a box in my pantry.  Once I tried them, I was officially hooked.  They come in convenient 100-calorie packs.  Which, as it turns out, is completely irrelevant to me, as I need two packages to satisfy even the smallest of hunger pangs.  I mean, c'mon.  Who really thinks 8 tiny pretzels even qualifies as a snack? 

And, the snack to end all snacks...

Ranch Wheat Thins

I am O.B.S.E.S.S.E.D.  At first bite, I wasn't sure I was a big fan of the explosion of flavor in my mouth.  Then, after eating a couple more, I couldn't get enough.  Like, for really real couldn't get enough.  As in, they're on the shopping list every. single. week.  I may have an illness.

Fellow snackers, I highly recommend these new favorites!  What are your faves?  (You know, because I need another snack to obsess over like I need a hole in the head.)

Things I Heart: Celebrity News

Oh, People.  How do I love thee?  You are such an amazingly fantastic celebrity gossip monger.  And your crossword puzzles?  Yep, I can finish them.  In their entirety.  Without the use of a dictionary.  You make me happy.

 I do so love to keep up with the goings-on of celebrities.  Why I care so much about Katie taking Suri for some fro-yo (while wearing their matching stilettos, of course), or Brangelina globetrotting the world, adopting children willy-nilly as they go, I'm really not sure.  But I like to read about this crap!  Maybe it's just a nice, completely mindless distraction from reality.  Because let's face it, we ALL need a mindless break from reality from time to time. 

My favorite People headline of the day: Emma Watson proclaiming that "American Bagels Are The Best Thing Ever!"

While I wholeheartedly agree that bagels are indeed the best thing ever (what can I say?- I'm a bread lover), I find it utterly who-larious that this is a newsworthy event!  But did that stop me from reading this article in its entirety?  Absolutely not.

Again, mindless distraction from reality.  People, you have perfected this art form.

On a side note, what do we all think of Emma's new do?  I believe her face to be lovely, but I've never been a big fan of the pixie.

Things I Heart: Shoes

I refuse to give these up, just because I'm pregnant. I'm just sayin'.

Things I Heart: Digg

You know when you have those times when you're just not busy at work, or you're bored at home, and you just feel like playing around on the Internet?

J introduced me to a website that is perfect for just those occasions: Digg.

You just never know what little morsels you may find there.  Stories vary from the serious and newsworthy to the WTF? variety.  They find the best of the best from various websites and conveniently put them all in one place for your viewing pleasure!

Here are a few tidbits I found today:

Is King Tut's Penis Missing?
Wow- someone was really concerned that the world would find out that King Tut was less-than-well-endowed.

No Hope Left for Humanity: Twilight Now Destroying Marriages
I realize that the world is a little obsessed with the Twilight saga (for reasons absolutely unknown to me), but come on ladies...Jacob and Edward ARE NOT REAL!

The Funniest Sex Education Posters of All Time
My favorite:

20 Pale Ales to Help Quench Your Fourth of July

Beer = yum.

Okay, so as I look back at my favorites from today, maybe I don't so much read the serious and newsworthy articles on Digg.  But come on!  Those sex ed posters are FUNNY!

Things I Heart

After writing the post about how much I heart IHOP, I started thinking...it probably won't be uncommon for me to write about things that I just love, love, love.  Enter new feature: Things I Heart.

Today, let me just say how much I adore Target's Daily Deals.

In reality, I just love Target.  All the time.  Period.

But when I discovered their "Daily Deals," my heart practically melted on the spot.  Every day, Target features five or so items on their website that are on SUPER SALE.  PLUS, free shipping!  What more could a girl ask for?

For example, I ordered this bathing suit...normally $34.99, on sale (for one day only!)  for $19.99.  Excellent deal!

Check it out here if you are interested in getting in on the Target Daily Deal action!  Believe me, Target lovers...it won't take you long to realize why I love the "Daily Deals" so.

I Heart IHOP

Some days I just wanna go out for breakfast.  And when I go out to breakfast, I like to have one of everything.

That's why I heart IHOP.

What better place to be when one wants pancakes, and eggs, and bacon, and hash browns, and toast?

IHOP's menu was designed for a girl like me.  There must be eight or ten different menu items that include some variety of "one of everything."  Which makes the decision tough!

This morning, both J and I had our eyes on an omelette.  Which was a little sad, because you can't just go to IHOP and NOT have pancakes.  I mean, the place is a house of pancakes.  An international one at that!!  But our tears soon vanished when we realized that the omelettes were served with...you guessed it, pancakes.

Oh, happy morning.

I'm stuffed.