Happy Easter

We took easter very low key at our house this year. Mostly because we decided not to go home for the weekend. We debated cooking a nice easter dinner of ham and hash brown casserole, but in the end we bought frozen chicken lasagne from Costco and cooked that up! We have been watching Scott's favourite Easter movie, The Ten Commandments. Still got another half hour or so left.

Boston did have the easter bunny stop by! He was pretty excited. Luckily the easter bunny left some footprints behind and Boston was able to find his basket hiding under the computer desk.

The easter bunny knew Boston isn't a huge fan of treats, so he packed his basket full of other fun stuff. He got sidewalk chalk, those things you put in water and they grow, bunny ears, spiderman tattoos, the very hungry caterpillar book and one chocolate treat.

The best part of the morning was when Boston was done looking at his basket, he put everything back inside and put the basket right back under the desk where he found it. Then he picked up all the bunny foot prints and threw them in the garbage.

Updated Necklace Holder

It's been awhile since I shared any home decor type posts, so today I thought I would share a project I did a while back.

I posted in January 2011 this post about my necklace holder. It worked for a while in the beginning but when Boston started being a "boy" it didn't function the way I wanted it too.

For starters, it needed to be higher, way higher. He would pull on the necklaces and then pop off the pins. Scary enough... in the mouth went the pins (luckily no pins were swallowed).

The next issue didn't have anything to do with Boston, but I found as I purchased more necklaces, I didn't have anymore room and the board started to look crowded.

Back to the drawing board I went. When my dad was here for Thanksgiving, I got him to help me fix up my frame. I added one double wire across the top and another one towards the bottom. Creating two different levels for my necklaces.

I am loving this way better! Now the issue with Boston isn't full fixed. He still loved my necklaces and and broken too many while I am wearing them. Maybe this year Boston will get me a few new ones for Mother's Day (hint hint).

If you are wondering what I do with my other jewellery, I found these cute bowls from West Elm about a year ago (and my lovely mother-in-law brought them back from Arizona for me). I don't own a lot of bracelets and earrings, and with that said, these bowls are perfect for me. One for bracelets and one for earrings. Boston loves to take down the bowl with the bracelets and try them all on. I really hope he never breaks the bowl, I would probably cry!

How do you organize your jewellery? A few ladies at work were asking me for ideas. There are tons on Pinterest, but which ones do you use and find susccessful?

Meal Planner

I thought I would share my favorite free meal planner I use and love. I have tried many... I have made my own and even purchased some. But in the end the one from The Project Girl is my favorite. It is a weekly meal plan with a grocery list at the bottom.

If your interested you can go here to download a free PDF copy for yourself.

For years I used this one on and off. I made it about 3 years ago. It is laminated, which allowed me to use dry erase markers on it. But in the end, I came to realized I am not a one month ahead meal planner type of girl (oddly enough I love to plan my schedule and life months and some times years in advance).

My goal for the future is to take my recipe binder I created 6 or so years ago and turn it into a Fullmer family favorite recipe binder instead of pages and pages of recipes I've never tried. I love Pinterest as many of your do too and I am proud of myself for actually trying almost one new recipe a week! Sometimes even two, if I make a dessert on the weekends!

What do you guys use for a meal planner?

How about when you find a favorite recipe, do you save it into a binder, type it up on your computer, write in on index cards??

There's a Baby in Mommy's Tummy

Thanks for all the wonderful comments on the last post and on facebook, we are very excited to be welcoming a new little baby to our family. I am due September 8 and 16 weeks along. We told my family in person right when we got back from Mexico in the exact same way as the video. The video I posted earlier we filmed a week later and texted it to Scott's family and that is how we told them.

This pregnancy has been better than the first and in some ways worse. Better because I didn't throw up once. With Boston I only did 3 times and 2 of the 3 were because I didn't clue into the fact I need to take my prenatal vitamin at nights and not in the morning. But I think I've been equally nauseated with both pregnancies.

And it has been worse because as a lot of you know, in the first trimester when you have no kids you can go to bed right when you get home from work, but with a crazy toddler at home, no early bed time and only a short nap on the weekends. Plus I've been getting really massive headaches! Another not so nice thing with this pregnancy is I have gained weight, with Boston, I lost weight in the first trimester.

We were pretty surprised to get pregnant the first month trying. But I guess we waited long enough that a little baby was waiting impatiently for the chance to come.

I don't look pregnant yet. Mostly in that phase when people wonder... is she gaining more weight?! This time around I have more fat on my belly, so I am assuming the round bump will show later than with Boston.

I have my ultrasounds booked for April 26th! Can't wait to find out what the little bean is. I am hoping for another boy. I just think it would be fun (and hard) to have two boys 2 years apart. BUT of course, I will be super happy if it is a girl!

We tell Boston there is a baby in Mommy's tummy but he doesn't get it. Just lifts up his shirt to show us his tummy. But he LOVES babies. I was surprised to watch him a few weeks ago when we went to Calgary interact with the babies he would see. He would bring them toys and bottles (even if it wasn't their bottle). He would also find blankets and put them on the babies and tuck them up. It was too cute.  Boston is going to be an amazing big brother (hopefully)!

Boston's Announcement

Boston got all dressed up in the outfit Mommy and Daddy bought him in Mexico to share this special announcement with all his family and friends!!

Daycare Update

Erin my daycare lady sent me these pictures today of Boston. I can't stop laughing at them. I love how much Boston loves to dress up and I also love the fact he is wearing girl clothes in 3 of the 4 pictures!

He definitly didnt go to daycare that day in a skirt!

Notice the green pok-a-dot pants Boston is wearing... have NO idea if those are pants, tights or a skirt of Eva's.

That isnt Boston's hat and those arent Boston's pink socks either!

I am so happy Boston loves it at Erin's. But sadly the time is coming to an end. She is moving to Quebec in April, so Boston's last day is April 20th. I have no idea where he is going to go after that. I am just hoping that Scott will get a job in Alberta and we wont have to worry about finding a new place, but who knows if that will happen. Next week I need to start looking for a new place for Boston here... wish me luck!

Life In Paradise

Scott and I had a blast in Mexico. When my sister pick us up from the airport and asked what our favourite parts were, I said, Reading (I read The Help and The Secret Daughter)! And Scott said, the Tours we went on. But there was many favorite parts. Another one of my favorite parts was the fact I had a nap every day! The sun started to set around 4:30 pm. At that point we went back to our room for a afternoon nap before dinner! Lovely!

We stayed at a really nice 5 star hotel called, Sunset Princess, in the Maya Riveria. It was a massive resort, which was nice because we were able to walk off the huge amounts of foods we consumed. I will be honest and say we didn't love all the food but a few things we could always count on being really good was the bread, ice cream and mango's!

We left the resort 2 times. The rest of the days we enjoyed the warm weather and the sun! The first time we left the resort we went into Playa de Carmen and walked the 5th avenue strip. Which had tons of little shops and restaurants. We bought Boston some Mexican dress up clothes. The other time we left we did a tour of Tulum and did a tour by a LDS company called Alma's Tours. 

The tour only took a few hours and after that we went to Xel Ha which is basically an outdoor water park. We went snorkelling, floated down a river and just enjoyed the water, wildlife and sun.

And of course, we missed Boston. We skyped him 3 times. He was excited to see us the first time but by the last time, we only got a few waved from a far.

My favourite story from my mom over the week was when she went into get him after a nap. Boston first showed her his socks, then his pants and then Boston pulled his diaper up from the play pin. Then he pointed to a spot in the bed where he had peed! Scott's mom said that he got this from Scott. Scott did that to his mom when he around Boston's age, but in his case poop was involved!

Boston was very sad to leave. He loved all the attention from my family. He had more fun in Edmonton in one week than he probably has in Regina in about 1 year!

My sister and mom took a few pictures to document his time in Sherwood Park.

Thanks Mom, Dad and Alyssa for watching Boston! We can't wait for the next time!

Staying In

January caused our little family to be very lazy. I think it is the weather and the blues. We tend to stay inside on the weekends and evenings. If only we were being productive as we stay inside, but honestly we aren't!

We keep ourselves entertained with tons of dance parties...

Dress up....

Sticky Note Parties...

Swimming...



I guess Scott and Boston did get out and go for a walk one day...



iPhone/iPad games and and books...



Scott has started applying for jobs. I think we both are excited to start the next chapter of our life. If anyone knows anyone that works in the Alberta government and can get Scott a job, please let me know. His masters is in Public Administration, basically a lot of policy. We both want to move back to Alberta! I had a huge cry last night because I get discouraged and think it will never happen...

BUT to lift our spirits, in less than 24 hours, Scott and I are on a plane headed for Mexico!! Boston gets to spend a week with Grandpa and Grandma Woolley and Aunt Alyssa! I'm unsure how he is going to take it considering it will be Boston and my very first night away from each other!

Down to Only One Blog

After much thought and debate, I realized WHAT WAS I THINKING, I cant handle two blogs, I barely write on one!

Then the debate came, well which one do I keep. The Striped Box gets way more reads than Scotty and Tara plus it looks way nicer, but Scotty and Tara has been with me since the beginning. In the end, I have decided to just blog on Scotty and Tara! I have added most of my posts from The Striped Box over and in the process of making it a little more user friendly. Just need to work on a header and a few other small items. If you enjoyed The Striped Box, please follow me here.

We have a busy year ahead of us. By spring we should be in a new place, way bigger place (we only have 850 sq ft right now) and with new places, mean tons and tons of home décor projects! I don't know about you, but I cant wait.


Maybe one day I will start up blogging on two blogs again, but right now with working full time and trying to find motivation to clean our apartment and feed my husband and child every night, it won't be any time soon...


**I'm trying to come up with a creating blog name... other than Scotty and Tara to put as my header. If you think of a good one, let me know :)

Autumn Chopped Salad - Weight Watchers

Have you seen this recipe going around Pinterest?? Honestly sooo yummy!! Scott and I have made in a bunch of times and could eat it every night if we wanted too.

The last time I made it, I decided to count weight watchers points and see how healthy I can make it without losing all the great flavours in every bite.

Here is my breakdown on how to make it a little more friendly to anyone trying to lose some weight.

Autumn Chopped Salad – Weight Watchers

		PointsPlus
	Romaine lettuce, chopped	0
1/2	Pear, chopped	0
1/4 cup	Dried cranberries	2
1/8 cup	Pecans, chopped	2
2	Turkey bacon slices, cooked crispy and sliced into pieces	2
3 cm cube	Feta cheese, crumbled	3
1 tbsp	Calorie-Wise Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing	1
	Total Points	10

Enjoy!

Christmas 2011

There is something extra special about Christmas when you have little ones around the house. Boston had a blast with all the family jam packed into one week. We arrived in Sherwood Park late Friday night and had a quick visit with my family before heading to bed. The next day we went to visit Santa (posted about that here) and then my brother and his family came over for Christmas Eve. 

Christmas Day was wonderful. Boston was very excited to open his stocking and all his presents. 

Christmas Eve and also Christmas night we watched movies, very traditional in our family. Scott begged up to watch his favourite christmas movie on Christmas Eve, A Family Stone.

Boxing day, my brother, Tami, Deb (Tami's mom), Scott and I went to the new Mission Impossible movie, after we went back to my parents house and we played a very friendly long game of rook. We also took a few minutes to teach Boston a few tips.

We didn't get to see everyone we wanted in Edmonton, but did get a chance to visit with a few really good friends. After our time in Sherwood Park came to an end, we headed to Calgary. Boston got to open presents once again and play with new toys and his cousins. He also got to go to his Grandpa's work and try out some heavy machinery.

Sadly Boston got sick on Saturday (New Years Eve) and threw up all day and continued to throw up for 5 days straight. He stayed right here in this position on the Fullmer's couch for 2 days before we loaded him into the car for a long drive home. Boston doesn't talk too much, but after he would throw up, he would start shaking his head no and say, "I Don't, I Don't", in the saddest little voice!

We arrived home in Regina around 12:30 in the morning and I had to work in the morning. Scott was especially worried about Boston since he was getting so skinny and hadn't kept anything down for 2 days. We ended up going to the hospital to get Boston some good medicine to help keep down some liquid! I'm not a good mother and thought he would be fine and didn't want to go. After my recent adventure to the hospital, I just didn't want to go through that again.

The hospital went good. They said he had really low blood sugar and wouldn't let us leave till it went up. He also weighed a few ounzes less than what he did on November 9, at his shots (24 lbs 12 oz). We weren't there too long and I was able to get in 1 hour of sleep before going to work. The next 3 days, Boston slowly made his recovery. 

Luckily Boston got better after the 5th day. He is eating so much, it's getting ridicules. Making up for 5 days of no food. 

One Word - Nourish

Have you heard of the one word goal for 2012? I have seen it all over the blog world (here is one example) and I heard a word that summed up my goals for the new year.

nour·ish
1. to sustain with food or nutriment; supply with what is necessary for life, health, and growth.

2. to cherish, foster, keep alive, etc.: He had long nourished the dream of living abroad.

3. to strengthen, build up, or promote: to nourish discontent among the workers; to nourish the arts in one's community.

(dictionary.com)

My goals for 2012.

Nourish my body - I started back on weight watchers in October and from my experience with weight loss/gain, i know i need to eat almost perfectly. I am starting this week working out on my lunch hour with a few people from work. Plus my work offers yoga every Tuesday right in my office.

Nourish relationships with friends and family - I love friends, I need friends. But I am too scared make friends. I'm hoping to move back to Edmonton in May and I'm looking forward to mending old friendships. It has been almost 8 years since I have lived in Edmonton (Sherwood Park). Luckily I get a long great with my family and when I am in town, we do things like movies, games, dinners, etc. and those are great friends to have.

Nourish me - I need to build myself up, I need to work on my happiness. I want to focus on doing things I love, like reading... over 2011 I think i maybe read... 1 book. I also love decorating, scrapbooking and doing crafts. I just need to make time and ask Scott for time so I can once again enjoy all the things that bring my a little bit of happiness.

Nourish my spirit and my families - I need to work on all spiritual aspects of my life. One small goal I have is to have Family Home Evening once a week.

Merry Christmas

A little late??

But MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Boston hated Santa. He loved him last year. This Santa was actually really nice, just a bad photo all together. But every child needs a crying with Santa picture!

New Chair

I noticed that Boston started to make his own "chairs" around the house lately with random objects and toys. I realized we are lacking good comfortable seating for Boston and went to the dollarstore and bought Boston his own chair. Now he carries it around with him where ever he goes. Our little dare devil decided that the best place for his chair is on the coffee table... not quite the location i had intended it to stay.

And yes the chair has fallen off the table with Boston tumbling after... but no lesson was learned!

Happy 5 Years

Scott and I had our 5 year wedding anniversary on Thursday! Wow, 5 years seems like a long time. But at the same time, it feels we have been together and through so much that I can't believe it has only been 5 years!

I chose this picture to post as a memory, kind of a cheese picture, but it's cute. You can see the professional photos here.

To celebrate, my friend from work came over to babysit and Scott and I went to a really nice restaurant called The Creek. After we went to chapters! Haha, real romantic I know! We weren't the only couple thinking Chapters. We ran into our bishop and his wife who were also celebrating their wedding anniversary of 12 years. 

We didn't plan to spend any money on gifts, but we both ended up getting each other something. Scott bought me earrings and nail polish, which lately i always seem to have my finger and toe nails painted something funky. So very fitting gift. I decided that I didn't want to spend any money (since we don't have any) and did an idea like this.

It was actually pretty fun to do. Since we have Boston to take care of (and little money), we do stay in a lot and really don't mind, but we are boring and when Boston goes to bed, we basically watch tv or play on our computers/phones. For this reason, I thought of 12 stay at home dates! I didn't go all out and include everything I needed for each date into the envelopes but I did wrote up 12 date nights and simple descriptions and placed in each monthly envelope.


I found a few dating websites, but The Dating Divas had the best ideas for what I was looking for. I'm not going to post the 12 date nights I picked, don't want to spoil the dates for Scott. I will try and remember to post about them after each month.

Happy Birthday Scott

Scott turned 28 on Wednesday. He requested pizza and home made Oreo cookies. All great choices. Boston went a little crazy over the pizza. After he finished his plate, he went into the kitchen, pulled the pizza box off the counter and once the pizza fell to the floor, picked up a piece and ran into the living room one happy guy.

Scott was surprised at his collection of gifts. I am assuming since we live far from our family he thought that he wasn't getting much. But my family and his parents would never have forgotten about him! It is fun having a little person in the house now, makes birthdays and opening gifts more special and entertaining.

Scott scored a new book to teach Boston Steve Jobs best quotes, a winter dress coat, $50 cash to spend on something special (like me), mini eggs, $50 iTunes gift card, A&F sweatpants and A&F cable knit sweater!

Happy Birthday Scott, we love you!

Gingerbread Apartment

Last night our little family made our first ever gingerbread house. I thought since Boston has never lived in a house, only apartments, that we should make a gingerbread apartment!

Boston like all kids, was more interested in eating the candy than anything. The marshmallows and smarties were his favorite.