Blue or Damask? That is the question ...

Last week we had the chance to once again see our beautiful baby, and from the looks of things, I'm going to be one busy momma! The baby was moving around so much in there, that the ultrasound tech actually had a hard time getting pictures at points!

I was hoping for creative pictures of my tummy to post this week, for the ultimate reveal ... but with the Last Run premiere coming up (if you don't have you tickets yet, get them NOW! www.lastrunthemovie.com) and a super crazy weekend, we just didn't have time. So I thought I'd post a video of how I told my dad.

Disclaimer: This video is NOT a High Rise Studio production - haha. I just wanted to clarify, as the quality  is 100% sub par :)

Needless to say ... it looks like there will be lots of blue in our future!

We're especially excited, as the Cyr family hasn't had a boy in the family for almost 15 years!

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't completely freaking out at the moment, as I have absolutely NO idea what to do with boys, but I know I'll figure it out as I go!

What was some of the best advice you received/can give about having a boy??

What's for Dinner Wednesday - Manhattan Clam Chowder

I'm always on the look out for new recipes, so I was super excited when the girls over at Shaw Media gave me Chef Michael Smith's Kitchen - 100 of my Favourite Easy Recipes cookbook as a going away gift on my last day.

Chef Michael has some awesome recipes, that taste delicious and are super easy to make. Tonight I made my first attempt at clam chowder, and it turned out great!! This one is a little different than the usual clam chowder, as it has a tomato base instead of cream, making it a much lighter dish. You can use it as a starter, but because it's so hearty, you can eat it as a main course too.

I thought I would share the recipe in case you wanted something nice and easy to make on these super dreary & cold days we've been having lately!

MANHATTAN CLAM CHOWDER


Serves 4 to 6

2 tablespoons (30 mL) of olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped (I only had a red onion in my cupboard, so I used that instead of yellow)
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 baking potato, peeled and diced
2 cans (each 5 ounces/142 g) of clams
1 can (28 ounces/796 mL) of chopped tomatoes
2 cups (500 mL) of tomato juice
1 teaspoon (5 mL) of dried thyme
A sprinkle or two of salt and lots of freshly ground pepper
1 cup (250 mL) of chopped fresh parsley (about 1 bunch)


Splash the olive oil into your favourite soup pot and heat it over meadium-high heat. Sauté the onions, garlic, celery and bell pepper until they're bright and tender but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add the potato, clams and their liquid, tomatoes, tomato juice and thyme and bring everything to a boil.  Reduce the heat so the liquid is just barely simmering and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. (It took about 30 minutes for me, so just test the potato as you go!)


Just before serving, season the soup to your taste with salt and pepper.  Stir in the parsley at the last second to preserve its fresh aromatic flavour. Serve and share!

KITCHEN TIP
Fresh parsley is often overlooked as a herb and tends to be thought of as just a pretty garnish. In fact it's packed with aromatic flavours that brighten this soup and many other dishes. Because its flavours are delicate, parsley is best when it's added last - too much heat will damage and diminish its brightness.


I hope it's as delicious for you as it was for me! As always, I love your feedback. Feel free to comment in the comment section below and let me know how yours turned out!

Bigger & Bigger - Week 17

Not much to say this week! Although, I do feel like my belly grew over night. And people are noticing!

So excited for January 23rd when we can find out what this little munchkin is going to be!

Here are a few pics of the belly! The cool lights in the background are the CN Tower. We thought it was a nice touch!

Post Christmas Wrap-Up (or Un-Wrap!)

Well, it is December 28th and another Christmas has come and gone. It always amazes me how quickly Christmas can sneak up on you, and then all of a sudden we are at the start of a new year.

This Christmas was such a wonderful time for me, as I was able to finally connect with my family again, after being away for two months. Man, have I ever missed them.

I was reminded this past week just how blessed I am to have the family that I have. I was blown away by their love and generosity and willing hearts this Christmas. I don't know about you, but this year I had nothing on my Christmas list. NOTHING. I couldn't think of a single thing of what I needed/wanted this year, and because of that, I really didn't give anyone any ideas whatsoever. I figured there probably wouldn't be much under the tree for me this year, but I was 100% okay with that. There are others out there that are way more in need than I am.

Needless to say, without even having a list, my family blessed my socks off with their thoughtfulness and love. I now have a (partially) full wardrobe of beautiful maternity clothes that I would have never bought for myself (mainly because I'm cheap and maternity clothes well... aren't). I think Matt was the happiest because he won't be hearing me complain for a while that I have nothing to wear!

I have to share with you though, one of the most special gifts I received this year. It just went to show me that sometimes gifts from the heart make the most unique and special gifts.

There was a bag under the tree marked "To Mommy & Baby, From Grandma." I already had a gift waiting to be opened, so my mom (Grandma) decided to let Matt open it, explaining that I would understand the significance once I saw it. I couldn't imagine what my mom could be giving me already for the baby, but when Matt opened it, tears immediately sprung to my eyes. It was my first ever Christmas stocking. I had actually thought she had found one at a store and picked it up, because it was in such pristine condition. Then I realized it was the original and my mom had kept it in safe keeping for 24 years. She smiled at me and said, "Now you can use this as your baby's first stocking." Just the idea that my mom had kept this for so long, and then decided to hand it down to our baby blew me away. I'm so excited to be able to use this for our "Ninababy" and then have him/her be able to pass it down to their child, 20-some odd years from now.

The picture doesn't really do it justice (makes it look kind of creepy, actually), but I promise you it's the cutest! His little overalls open, so you can stuff them with loads of gifts! And if you really wanted, you could use it as a teddy bear. Hard to believe that next Christmas we'll have a 6 month old baby to spend it with!

I hope that your Christmas was filled with family, fun and food. I know mine was. And that you were reminded about the true meaning of Christmas.

I'd love to hear about what were you blessed with this Christmas season!

25 Before 25 UPDATE

25

With the news of our new little “Ninababy” on the way, I figured a few of my 25 before 25 goals were going to have to change slightly. So below I’ve added my new goals, with the originals in brackets beside it. Here’s to new goals, aspirations and stepping out of my comfort zone!


1. Learn how to sew
2. Make a quilt - once I know how to sew :)
3. Get in shape
4. Attend a triathlon to cheer on someone else (Train for (and hopefully complete) a triathlon - Thank you Susan Dunk for inspiring me!) - I realize I could probably still do this, but I know that I won't. Don't want to work with false expectations!
5. Go on a tropical vacation (Visit Australia)
6. Host a successful event (Bungee jump somewhere exotic ie. Australia)
7. Knit a unique baby blanket for our new baby! (Travel to Ireland)
8. Knit & finish a baby blanket - No, no, no ... not for myself. For a friend!
9. Be featured in the media - ie. magazine, newspaper, TV, etc.
10. Make my own pie crust
11. Make damask pillow covers
12. Get a "Big Person's" job ie. a full time PR/Communications job
13. Get rid of my debt
14. Get 1000 followers on Twitter
15. Train Hank to become a nursing home dog - or at least have him in the process of becoming one
16. Travel somewhere cool bLearn how to ride a motorcycle)
17. Spend New Years doing something interesting & fun! (NYC for New Years!)
18. Buy a new car (Surf - while in Australia)
19. Have two+ of my press releases published
20. Learn how to make pesto
21. Create a fabulous, culinary meal with a crazy, fancy name
22. Reupholster our kitchen chairs
23. Finish watching all of the seasons of LOST (Go snowboarding at least five times this winter - and become really good at it)
24. Go on a spontaneous, yet semi-planned, road trip
25. See a Cirque de Soleil performance

What are some of the goals on YOUR bucket list/New Years Resolutions for 2012?

14 Weeks Down, 26 to go!

Week 14


People always say to enjoy your pregnancy because time goes by so fast, and I'm starting to realize just how fast it does go.

It seriously feels like yesterday that I went running in to the bedroom with a positive pee stick to tell Matt that he was going to be a dad. I feel like it was just the other day that I was only at 4 weeks, just waiting for another two months to go by so that we could share our little secret. Now, I'm at 14 weeks and my tummy has officially popped.

Just last week, it grew two centimeters. Pretty insane if you ask me. But that just means my little muffin is growing and growing, and inside I have a healthy baby developing. Thankfully I am starting to get out of the "I look/feel fat stage" and am starting to actually look pregnant!

I've already experienced so many changes, it's hard to think that there's only more waiting for me just around the corner. But it all comes with the territory! And I know that in the end, all the stretch marks and the wider hips will be worth it when I get to hold our Ninababy for the first time :)

[Nicole, these are for you :)]

Beauty Products I Can't Live Without

This post comes as a response to my friend Jessica's blog Beauty Products I Can't Live Without from flatsareforquitters.com.

Jessica is a self-proclaimed beauty product addict/connoisseur. And while I do not claim to be a beauty product professional or connoisseur, or addict by any means whatsoever, I know what I like and I know what works for me.

I'll be honest though, many of the things that I have come to love have come from Jessica's collections and experience with products.  Once they have the "Jess Denomme stamp of approval", I decide to take the plunge for myself!  (Thanks, Jess!!)

So I thought I'd create my own list of beauty products that I simply can't go a day (or two) without using. If I didn't have them, I seriously think I would be lost. Some of them are a bit of a splurge (but so worth it), while others are things you can simply pick up at your local Shoppers, Walmart or Zehrs.

My hope is that something that I have found to love will somehow end up in your collection (or maybe under your Christmas tree!)

Sephora Prestige Brush Set

$125 ($325 value)

Includes 12 full-size Sephora Professional Platinum Quality Brushes:

1. Fan  2. Powder  3. Blush  4.  Foundation  5.  Concealer  6. Eyeshadow

7. Crease  8. Smudge  9. Angled Liner  10. Brow  11. Lip  12. Brow/Lash Comb

Available at Sephora

Smashbox Photofinish Primer to Go

$16

Available at Sephora & Shoppers Drug Mart

Murad Live Clear Acne Starter Kit**

$33 ($56 value)

Includes: Clarifying Cleanser, Clarifying Toner, Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel

Acne Spot Treatment, Skin Perfecting Lotion

Available at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, & Murad Canada

M.A.C Eyeshadow in Naked Lunch
$17

Available at M.A.C

Maybelline Falsies Volum' Express Mascara

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, PharmaPlus, Walmart, etc.

M.A.C Technakohl Liner in GraphBlack

$17

Available at M.A.C

True Blue Spa Super-Softening Hand Lotion

$12 or Buy 2, Get 1 free

Available at Bath & Body Works

Aveeno Intense Relief Therapy Lip Balm

$4-5

Available wherever lip balm is sold

Sephora Sun Disk**

$20

Available at Sephora

Sephora Makeup Studio Blockbuster**

$49.50 ($440 value)

Available at Sephora

You will never run out of a colour again!

Sephora by OPI

Glimmer Wonderland 18 Piece Mini Nail Colour Set

$48 ($81 value)

Available at Sephora

As I write this, I realize I kind of have a thing for Sephora... and combo packs. Who knew?!

Which ones are your favourite?

** Jessica Denomme Stamp of Approval