&*%$#@**!^%@$#^&*

The title describes how I feel about Kentucky losing to West Virginia last night. I don't want to talk about it anymore. That was my big vent. Next season guys, next season.

Onto bigger and better things! Hallie had her first trip to the fair last night. You know, growing up in Kentucky I attended the county fair every year. It was the most exciting thing that came to our town. Somehow, I don't seem to recall it overflowing with the most disgusting people you could possibly encounter in one place. Ummmm, gross. I don't mean to sound stuck up, because I really don't live on a high horse or think that I am better than anyone. But I do shower daily, and I don't let my rolls hang out everywhere, and I have all of my teeth.

I think my favorite part about the fair is the FOOD! I probably ate about 5,000 calories last night, and I don't care! I indulged in a cheese steak sandwich, fried mushrooms, a deep fried SNICKERS (possibly the best thing I've ever put in my mouth) and a large coke! Oh yuuuummmmmm it was all soooooo good! Here is our family fair picture!



Time to wake the husband up and cook some breakfast! This is the first time he's had an entire weekend off in ages, and I love it!!

Time to Catch Up!

So I just realized I have have been straight slackin in my blog pimpin!! This is what happened the first time I started a blog and I just let it go! No, not this time Mr. Procrastination! I shall defeat you!

So, lets see here...what have I missed...

St. Patricks Day! I have a "mommy & baby" group that I attend on Wednesday's and it just so happened to be St. Patty's day, so we got all dolled up in our green and went to show off our cuteness..that's right. I said it "our" cuteness. I am starting to feel like my old self again, even if my body is completely wrecked. It's slowly going back to it's former shape...though it will never be quite the same. Anyway, here is a picture of us in all of our festive glory!



We also stopped by my mother's office so all the women could oooooooo and awwwwwwww over Hallie. I just love that.

Next was to Nana and Pappy's (Zach's dad and step-mom), it was Pat's birthday and she cooked US corned beef and cabbage! It sure was yummy and fitting for the day! Here is a picture of Nana Pat and Hallie!



Hallie got her ears pierced! I did it now so she doesn't ever have to remember the pain and there is no hair to get all twisted up in the posts and infected (like mine did when I had them done at 8 years old). She was a trooper let me tell you - very few tears! Me, uhhhh - not so much. I cried like the big weenie I am. They look adorable! I just love this picture! "Ummmm, what is goin on here?"



I've been channeling my inner creativity and been putting it to use. I gotta say, I'm feeling it!! I've made about 25 bows and crafted a UK onesie for Hallie! I have tons of ribbon I still haven't used, so lots more unique bows to come. As soon as I find time, I'm planning on listing on Etsy! I'll post the link once I've got everything up and running. Even if it's just a little extra income, it will help! Here is preview shot.



My husband is never home. I can't complain because this is what I wanted, to stay home with my baby girl. He is doing what he has to do, to make his career flourish. I miss him, but I look to the future when we have more children and are still able to live the lifestyle we want, without having to worry about money! I am proud of him, he is such a good man, husband and father. God has been good to me.

Easter is near and we are having Hallie's photo's done in her Easter dress and various other outfits! I can't wait, she is so beautiful...how did I ever get so lucky? One year ago today, I found out that I was pregnant. I can still remember the joy that flowed through my body and the tears running down my cheeks as I stared at the test. I thank God for her constantly, she is such a blessing.

I suppose that's all for now! I'll leave you with my recipe for "chicken-n-dumplins", since I have been munching on a bowl while updating this blog!

Chicken-N-Dumplins
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1.5 hours

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts (I use 2 split, bone in, skin on to save money and add flavor to the stock)
2 medium onions (roughly chopped) Tip - organic onions are not much more expensive and stay good longer, taste yummy, and are better for you!
3 carrots (peeled and sliced)
4 celery stocks (slice at preferred thickness)
2 T garlic
2 chicken bouillon cubes
2 T poultry seasoning
2 bay leaves
dash of salt
dash of pepper
1/2 t crushed red pepper (more if you like it spicy)
1 can of your favorite biscuits (I like to use Pillsbury Honey Layers)

Directions:

Place chicken in large pot and cover with water (chicken can be frozen or thawed). Bring to a boil and stir in garlic, bouillon cubes, poultry seasoning, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Turn to medium heat and let cook for 45 minutes.

Remove chicken from pot and transfer to cutting board, shred or chop chicken (your preference). If you are using split breast with bone in, skin on - remove skin and bones. Place chicken back into pot and add with it, the carrots, celery and onion. Turn heat to medium-high and let cook for 25 minutes.

Using kitchen shears (or whatever scissors you have on hand) cut biscuits into bite size pieces, letting them fall into the pot as you cut them. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes then turn down to the low and let simmer for 15 minutes! Enjoy!

The tales of the BOOBY MONSTER

What exactly is a booby monster you say?!



That my friends, is a booby monster at her finest! God bless her little heart, all she wants is the boob. How am I ever going to ween this child? Let's be honest here, breastfeeding SUCKS. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the bonding experience, but I am a prisoner to my hooters! It also doesn't help that they are completely manic. They can't decide if they want to be overly full or completely empty. I'm three point five months in and I'm planning on going until six months when she starts solids. That's acceptable, right? I mean, it would be different if I could pump, but because I have over-supply issues, I simply can't! Whenever I pump I'm in constant pain and my tata's get hard enough to crack an egg on (for real). Haha, I just re-read the line about over-supply "issues", even my boobs have issues. Story of my life.

I will say that it has become much easier as she's gotten older. I no longer have to time how long she nurses on each side, she's done when she's done! I'm much more comfortable nursing in public, so long as I have my cover. I use fewer nursing pads now that my supply has evened out. Side note - don't ever invest in reusable pads, Lansinoh disposables rock my world! Moving on, my nipples aren't sore and I've learned to quickly unsnap my nursing bras. Another side note - Wal-Mart has great, cheap nursing bras!

All in all what's good for the goose is good for the gander, I lose weight faster and my baby gets the best thing she can nutrition wise! End of story.

This is me - take it or leave it!

Hmmmm, guess I'll try out this blog thing one more time. I thought I'd be super productive while I was pregnant and blog daily to keep my family and friends updated. Yeah, that didn't work out so well. Turns out pregnancy just isn't that interesting, well not mine anyway. So now that I have a newborn and a million more things to squeeze into my day...might as well give myself something else to do.

I'm Jillien, I'm 25 (soon to be 26) and I live in the great sunshine state of Florida. Originally from Kentucky, I moved here at 18 with my mother who had recently retired. Imagine that, a retiree moving to Florida to live out her "golden years", HA. I met a great guy shortly after moving here, and the last 7 or so years have been filled with our "on again & off again" relationship adventures. Turns out he loved me the whole time, and finally proposed after dragging me along for roughly five years of drama. We've been married for almost three years now and we have a beautiful baby girl, and I've noticed, the drama never ends...just can't run away from it anymore. So, here I am, this is me - take it or leave it!