Things Fall Apart

Whew!

I knew the wheels would fall off the bus at some point.

MK and I had a lovely day - just the two of us.  My mother, who was staying with us to help since MK's birth a week ago, left yesterday afternoon.  And, to be honest, while I knew I'd miss all her help (she really was incredibly helpful), I also looked forward to some alone time with my baby.  After AG went to school and B went to work, the house was quiet.  At this stage in the game, MK is a perfect angel during the day - eating and sleeping almost on what seems like a schedule (hers, not mine).  But, starting around dinner time, the story is much different.

So sets the stage for our evening.  All was quite and pleasant on the home front when AG and B arrive home around 4 pm.  I should mention that - coincidentally - B has had one of his busiest work weeks in memory.  So, in addition to having a new baby and his MIL staying at his home (which, to be honest, I think he didn't mind at all), he's had a stressful work week.  So, they come in, and he immediately opens his laptop to get back to work (he left work early to pick up AG).

AG has had such a great reaction so MK's birth; she's incredibly loving toward her sister.  But, just in the past two days, she's begun to exhibit some (typical) behavior of a child who has a new sibling.  So, it was no surprise that she immediate decided to "get naked" and run around the house.  Okay, whatever.  I managed to calm her down with an episode of "Diego."  Meanwhile, B still working with stressed look on his face.  Because we don't have a home office, he's working at the dining room table; basically, we're all in the same space (hence need for new home).

Then, MK decides to start her "witching hour" ritual of wailing for about 30-45 minutes.  This is a child who is quite and content all day long.  And, all of a sudden, she's demanding to nurse every hour.  Uh, okay.  I can do that.

Then, B says he's hungry and what are we having for dinner?  This isn't quite as insensitive as it sounds (although, because I'm a "get up and go" type of person, I don't think he realizes that I still have significant pain and am supposed to take it easy) since we have some food I've pre-ordered and just needs to be heated.  But, I still have to make some side items.  But, no worries...EXCEPT my baby is demanding to be nursed (so I'm nursing her in the crook of my left arm and fixing dinner with my right hand) and AG is pulling at my leg wanting to be with me every step of the way.

B makes feeble attempt to help.  Baby isn't having it; neither is AG.  All want mommy.  B is incredibly frustrated.  He steps outside, sighing.  He come comes back in and announces we need to get hired help (note: we are hiring a nanny, but only for my work hours and after I return from maternity leave); we just can't do this.  My jaw drops open - is he kidding me?  I kindly remind him MK is only a week old and that we'll get the hang of this.  Have I mentioned that I've been doing all the getting up in the middle of the night?

Oh, so we sit down for dinner - MK in my arms, because that's the only way she'll be quiet.  After dinner, MK demands to be nursed again, so I sit down.  B clears the table but upon realizing the dishwasher is full of clean dishes, announces he "can't do it" and will clean the kitchen tomorrow.  Uh - again - are you kidding me?  Oh - and then AG - who insisted of wearing "big girl panties" when I said she couldn't eat dinner without any clothes on - peed on the sofa.  Not the leather one.

B takes Anna up to take a bath (score).  I attempt - with no success - to soothe MK asleep, and she's wailing as AG comes down to get me to read stories to her (what she calls "special mommy time").

It's at this point when B simply can't take anymore.  He exits the scene.  Oh - did I mention (I think not) that I suggested earlier today the he get out of the house this evening since he's had such a stressful week at work?  I could tell he was about to lose it.  So, he chooses to exit the scene right when I probably need him most.

Am I angry?  No.  Honestly, there must be more than one reason the doctors prescribe the painkillers after a C-section.  In addition to helping with pain, they do take the edge off.  So, whatever.

We'll get it down.  I think.

And Baby MK Makes Four

Baby MK is one week old today.  And, the birth of a new baby isn't included in the common list of lifetime "milestones" for no reason.  Having done this twice now, I can attest that welcoming a child (biological or adopted, I would imagine) into your family generates such an incredible bevy of emotions.  In other words, the whole thing is an emotional roller coaster ride.

The past week has been no exception.  At several points (ok - many), I've thought to myself, "I should blog about this so I don't forget it."  And, then my next thought is, "Uh - who am I kidding?  If I have one free moment, I'm sleeping."  So, I now force myself to sit down (MK is napping; her big sister AG is at preschool; my husband is at work) and record some of this journey so I can look back one day and recall the reality.  Because, truly, while you can remember generalities, very few of the visceral details stick around very long (otherwise, the human race would be extinct).  Now, I can't possibly recall and/or record everything that transpired over the past week, but here are a few nuggets:

Setting the stage:  

The past few months have been crazy, crazy, crazy at our house.  Not "bad" crazy, but just nuts.  Or, as some would day, "just life."  I'm a working mother.  Honestly, I waffle about whether this is the right thing for my family and for me - I've even tried "part-time" on for size since my first daughter, AG, was born in 2008.  But, in the end, I determined that the benefits of working full-time outweighed any negative on our lives.  But - if I'm going to spend some of my time away from my children - it needs to be worthwhile, both financially and from a career growth perspective.  It's not okay with me to leave them for "a job."  And, I also require some level of flexibility.  Without those things, I'm out.  After four years in the same job (a job I do really like at a University for which I'm passionate), I was feeling the need for growth (okay - I've been feeling that need for the past year).  So, I began to try to create new opportunities for myself.  In short, the stars aligned, and I began a new role about 3-4 months ago.

Why do I mention this?  Well...be careful what you ask for, kids, because this new role is incredibly demanding, and I was continuing to carry on with my old job (new hires take months in a University setting).  And, I never had a typical 40 hr/wk job anyway (remember my "career" comment?)...so my typical schedule the past few months has been something like this:  7:00-8:30 get household ready and take AG to school; 8:30-3:00 office (I do leave everyday at 3 to pick up AG from school) which is generally comprised of back-to-back meetings; 3:30-8:00 spend time with AG, fix dinner, any household errands, bathe and put AG to bed; 8:00-11:00 work some more.  Sprinkle in a bit of work-related travel and some nights/weekends events, and there you have it.

We also have our house on the market, as we hope to find a place with more space.  And, to top it all off, we bought a new car (which wouldn't be worth mentioning except it was more of a process that it should've been).  So, just when I would think I'd have a Saturday morning to relax, our realtor would call and say we had a showing...which is great, right?

The net net:  I've been pretty tired.  And, toward the end of my pregnancy, I don't think I was sleeping more than an average of 5 hrs per night, between been mentally charged and physically uncomfortable.  Basically, I was too tired to sleep.

It wouldn't be fair if I didn't mention that I wasn't alone in this.  My husband is incredibly supportive and makes possible all that we do.  He also works hard and is an incredible father.  That said, women (at least in my household) still bear the burden of most of the domestic duties (note: I do have a bi-weekly cleaning service, without which I would be nuts).

Labor/Delivery/Hospital Stay/Etc:

I delivered AG at 37 weeks after my water broke.  Long labor story I won't recount (you'll note every woman has a "story").  By 37 weeks with MK, I was DONE.  So, when at 39 weeks I was still pregnant, I couldn't go into labor fast enough!  On 2.10.11, I woke up at 5 a.m. feeling "different."  But, I wasn't sure, so I went in to work; I left a noon.  I then high-tailed it to the car dealership where I was scheduled to pick up my new car at 4 p.m. that day; it wasn't ready any earlier. GRRRR....but I didn't have time; at this point, I knew "different" was likely labor.  

Next stop:  Quizno's to get a sub.  Here's a tip for all you pregnant ladies:  The hospital will not give you any food until after you deliver.  And, if you have a long labor (which I did with AG), you will be HUNGRY and have very little energy (other than adrenaline) to complete the task at hand. So, inbetween contractions, I took bites of my sandwich.  There are some negative consequences of said actions, but still a good decision, I think.

I got home just in time for my water to break.  Uh, sweet.  I called my husband and then my OB, who suggested I come into the office.  We did so; doctor sent us to the hospital.  Here's where I had deja vu.  I guess my body's MO is to break water and then do very little else.  Very slow to dilate.  So, nurse Bonnie (bless her) suggested I get an epidural followed by a round of pitocin to speed things along.  Sounded good to me; I wanted to meet this baby!

The next few hours were great.  Husband was at my side; I had the drugs and was watching some TV.  Much, much different experience than with AG (thought I'd die in pain with that one).  Note to self:  If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.  After about 8 hrs of this, I start feeling very different; lots of back pain, chills, etc.,  And, feeling ready to "push."  Nurse called in - she checks things out to confirm I'm ready to push (I am) - and her face falls.  She says, "I think this baby's breech (feet first)."  Uh - nobody has every mentioned this very important fact to me before.  Doctor called in.  Face falls.  Same conclusion, only he looks very concerned.  We must get baby out now ('cause baby is coming OUT, and in the wrong direction) via C-section.  I look at husband:  he now looks concerned.  But - let's do this.

To the OR - about 10 people there - why does it take so many?  Anesthesia team can't seem to get me "numb," so they try a crazy cocktail of drugs, which finally work.  Of course, the result is I can't get comfy, feel like I'm going to puke the whole time (which is hard to do, by the way, when you're flat on your back and strapped down), am shaking and at one point, feel like I have an elephant sitting on my chest.  I didn't say I was going to spare details.

The hardest thing about a C-section, I've decided:  You don't get to hold your baby when she arrives into this world.  They whisk her away after a quick glance; I didn't see her again for some time (20 min?).  During that time, I was in and out...but something else was going on.  There were some afterbirth complications (I'll spare you the details) that made things pretty hairy and will impact any future decision to have children.  Let's just say that it was a blessing in disguise that I had to have a C-section, because I would've had emergency surgery anyway.  Poor husband was trying to divide time between OR (where I was beginning to get freaked out) and nursery (to check on his new daughter).  Such a bizarre experience.

In the end, MK is worth all of this, and we're both doing incredibly well.  But, my husband and I are still annoyed that through 9 mos of prenatal care - and nearly 12 hrs of labor in the hospital - no doctor or nurse ever realized MK was breech until she was almost out.  Subsequent doctors visits have confirmed she was breech all along.  Let's just say this makes my analytical lawyer husband very, very annoyed.

First Few Days:

Totally bizarre.  I fell in love instantaneously.  No need to say anything more about that.  It's just a feeling like no other.  I was honestly worried about having the same feelings for MK that I did for AG.  No problem. I'd lay down my life for both of them, and I feel like that isn't a strong enough statement.

Because C-section is surgery, a pretty different after-birth experience.  More hookups (code for:  didn't get out of bed for more than 24 hrs after birth); more meds (code for:  loopy).  What was the same:  visitors.  Now, let me be clear:  I love my family (I include my husband's family in this statement), and I know I need the help and support (especially with AG at home).  But, I'm a fairly private person in many ways (you wouldn't know it from this post), and I really value the alone time I have with my new baby (and my husband).  My family doesn't see it that way.  So - I pretty much has around-the-clock visitors while I was in the hospital.  The good news is that I was able to keep it down to those closest to me (grandparents of MK; my sister; etc.), but I don't know that I had more than a couple of hours alone.  I missed that.  Again - I love and appreciate all of my family - but I'm just being honest about what I missed.  My sister, on the other hand, delivered her second child in Charlotte several days later (crazy, huh?) and - coincidentally - had a good bit of alone time.  And, she would've much preferred it the other way around; different strokes...

Anytime family is brought into the equation, stress is also introduced.  So, without going into detail, let's just say during the first few days, there was some minor family "drama," as we were all sleep-deprived and on edge.  And, people's feelings are easily hurt.  But, between the painkillers to take the edge off and the historical knowledge that "this too shall pass," I was able to shrug most of it off.

Emotional Roller Coaster

I referenced this earlier.  So, over the past week, I have felt all of the following:

• Extreme love.  Love for my children.  Love for my husband.  Love for my mother for staying to help in any way she could.  Love for my father and husbands parents for wanting to help however they could.  
• Gratitude.  Could I be any more blessed?  Forget all the stressors of everyday life; the only thing that matters is this family that my husband and I have created.  I couldn't ever ask for anything more.  In fact, what did I ever do to deserve this?
• Pure joy.  I've cried tears of pure joy as I look at my baby's face.
• Sheer exhaustion.  My child things it's cool to sleep all day and stay awake all night.  My husband has to go to work, and I'm nursing, so guess who's up all night?
• Defensive.  One evening, in particular, my husband and I got into a pretty big argument after he made a comment that I took the wrong way.  Took 24 hrs for us to really talk to one another again.  That leads me to...
• Medicated.  Pain-killers are no joke.  Started taking Percocet in the hospital, which I'm pretty sure contributed to 99% (additional 1% thanks to hormones) of my defensive mode in said argument.  Developed what I think was an allergic reaction to it, so switched to Vicodin.  Also no joke, but feel much more "normal."  I've tried to stop taking, but pain is also no joke, so I'll likely finish out the prescription (a couple more days).  This, of course, means no wine that I've been wanting so badly.  I'm sort of over it, but again, the pain...
• Annoyed.  Annoyed that people don't understand I just want to have some alone time with my baby.  Annoyed that I'm up all night.  Annoyed that I have a house showing tomorrow that I need to prep for. Just annoyed.  

The good news?  All those negative feelings are so small compared to the love and gratitude and joy.  This is an experience I wouldn't trade for the world.

I hear MK waking up.  AG will be home from school in an hour (by the way - I can't drive for two weeks - pretty interesting), so I have a little time to dote on my baby before the circus begin-:)

I'm sure this post was mundane and long to those of you reading it.  But, it's really for me.  I want to look back and read about this experience.  I'm going to try to document the first few weeks of this baby's life (in terms of my perspective and experience).   

More Vancouver

I'm dog-tired, so I hope this post is coherent!  I don't think I mentioned why I'm in Vancouver; I'm here for an annual meeting of the members of the Executive MBA Council (basically, business school administrators who run EMBA programs).  It's a great conference - truly one of the most useful trips I take all year - but I am always completely zonked by the end.  Sessions all day (although, I didn't have to present anything this year, which was a nice break), networking for all meals, and then in-between and at night, I have to catch up on "real work."  Add to that mix that I'm 6 mos pregnant, and you have a recipe for exhaustion by day 3 or 4.  So, there's the context.

I head home tomorrow - after one more meeting in the morning - and I'm ready!  But, the meetings have gone very well, and I've picked up some great information from my colleagues at other business schools.  This afternoon, one of my colleagues and I did have an opportunity to get out in Vancouver.  We walked about a mile to a ferry dock and took a short ferry to Granville Island, a great island filled with a public market and more shops than you can imagine...and surrounded by water.  Really pretty.  The public market reminded me of one of the things I miss not living in a big city (although I wouldn't trade my small-town Chapel Hill life for anything, save perhaps a little beach-living!).  The market was inside a huge warehouse type of structure, and comprised of stall after staff of food vendors.  Produce, meats, cheeses, gourmet foods, etc.  The closest places I can think of like it (that I've been) are the market in East London and a huge market in Decatur, GA.  It was a foodie's paradise. I had to treat myself to a crepe at the crepe stand.

In addition to the market, it was nice to just walk around in this beautiful city, enjoy the scenery and leisurely shop.  I'm not a big shopper, but I did pick up a couple small gifts for my daughter; hope she'll like them.  The was a huge "Kids Market," which included 20+ vendors selling children's wares.

I then completed the evening w/ a dinner (this one organized by the conference) at a restaurant on the island.  This is about the point when I realized I may fall asleep standing up, so now here I am, back in my hotel room and ready for a good night's sleep.

So, I didn't get an incredible amount of time to sightsee, but I what I did experience whetted my appetite to return to Vancouver for more.  Beautiful, beautiful city; I know I only scraped the surface of what it has to offer.

Vancouver: first impressions

As my flight was taking off from RDU yesterday (en route to Vancouver, BC via a layover in Toronto), I thought to myself, "Wow, this has really been a great travel year for me."  My husband always reminds me to look at the "glass half full," and I think I generally do, but I'd spent much of yesterday lamenting the impending long flight (about 7-8 hrs in total, and I.hate.flying.) and being away from my husband and daughter. I think I've commented on this blog before how difficult it is for me to leave them when I have to travel; I wouldn't have ever guessed I'd feel that way (BC (before children), I figured I'd welcome breaks!).  Back to my original point:  it occurred to me that - in 2010 - I've traveled to more places for the first time than I've done in over a decade.  Earlier this year, I went to Amsterdam & Istanbul, and now I was on my way to Vancouver (not to mention some great trips in between to oldies - but favorites - like Chicago and Pawley's Island, SC).  And, I would be remiss if I left Vidalia, GA off the "first time" list.

So, while the flight was just as bad as I thought it would be (should I remind you that I.hate.flying?), and I know I'll miss my family just as much as I anticipated, I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to explore a part of North America I've never been to:  the Pacific Northwest.  I suppose, like many adults, it's been awhile since I last studied with any level of scrutiny a N. American map.  I mention this, because, upon study yesterday, I was somewhat surprised at just how far north Vancouver is to, say, Northern California...and, how relatively close the city is to Seattle, WA (a couple hours drive).

I woke up this morning (I easily slept until 8:30 a.m. PT, which makes sense since I didn't arrive in my hotel room until 2 a.m. PT), checked some email, called home to check in with A & B, and then I determined I needed to make the most of my morning before my noon meeting.  It's Sunday morning, so me for, that meant breakfast!  Now, I'm not the "go down and eat hotel food" kind of gal.  When I'm in a new place, I want to find a good spot where locals eat (or at least tourists who know good food!).  So, I turned to one of my favorites sites:  Yelp.  I easily found some recommended breakfast spots near my hotel (Hyatt Regency Vancouver, which - by the way - is only a couple blocks from Vancouver Harbour.  Hotel is pretty typical Hyatt, but the location is fabulous!).  So - after a quick 10 minute walk - I strode into Scoozi's Eatery for its "famous" Eggs Benedict.  It was perfect - the place and the food.  Small place, clearly filled with locals, but not too busy to immediate be served.  Do you ever have something so good on your plate that you want to take small bites to make it last longer?  That was my breakfast.  And, I washed it down with a hot apple cider.  On a cold rainy day (about 45 degrees and raining), it was magical.  Great, great breakfast.

I then walked about a block (no joke) down to the Vancouver Harbour.  Wow.  Again, keep in mind I've never been anywhere in the Pacific Northwest (unless you count San Francisco, which I don't think counts), but even in the foggy rain, the view of the Harbour and mountains on the other side was incredible.  I stayed there for awhile, and then I walked back up to my hotel.  On the way, I stopped at Christ Church Cathedral, which is located across the street from my hotel, to listen to some of the Eucharist music.  Beautiful.

In short:  this city is great.  It's probably one of the prettiest cities I've been to (prettiest downtown areas, anyway, since I haven't yet seen much of the city); it does remind me of San Francisco a bit - hilly, by the water, foggy, rainy...

Oh - and random observation - but shouldn't be surprised based on geographic location - I've seen more people here of Asian descent than I think I've ever seen anywhere.  Just an observation.

I'm off to get ready for my meeting; rest of the day is "business," but will still hope to enjoy:)

A mommy's mini-rant

In general, I subscribe to the self-policing practice of not putting any potentially controversial opinions anywhere online.  As we all know, this stuff will "live forever," and as a marketing professional, I'm probably more sensitive than average about how anything I put out may reflect on my professional life.

But - every once in awhile (if you read through my blog, you'll see a few instances of this) - we all need to vent - in a constructive manner, of course:).  I choose not to take to Facebook or Twitter to do so; I generally write a few words on my blog.  It's cathartic.

So, here's the deal:  I'm a mom.  Yes, we've established that.  But, that's not the only thing that defines me.  That this point in my life, my identity as a mother is arguably the most sacred and important way in which I define myself, however,  I mean, we're talking about my responsibility for raising a child.  This is no small thing.  Does this make me "more important" or "busier" than a woman my age who does not have children?  No.  We all are unique in our life experiences, and I certainly don't feel like my life is "worth more" than it was before I had a child, for instance.  I feel a greater sense of responsibility, but that's something completely different.  Anyway, I'm rambling...back to my point:  In addition to being a mother, I also work full time in a relatively demanding professional role.  My work requires me to be flexible - working some nights and weekends - and sometimes traveling away from my family.  I also assume the primary role at home for working meals, cleaning, lining up childcare, etc.  You know the drill.  Now, don't misunderstand me - I have an incredibly supportive husband without whom I could never do what I do (nor would I want to), but in short, life is full and busy.  And, I love it. I'm happy, and I've generally figured out how to balance things such that I feel like each part of my life is getting a fair part of me.

You'll notice I didn't mention friends.  It's not that they're not important - because I have and have always had wonderful friends.  I count myself as one of those truly blessed women who has long-lasting, true friendships.  And, I have a good number of them.  I take the time to let my friends know I care; I take the time to do "girls" weekends - sometimes with children and sometimes without.  I take the time to go to dinner on a regular basis, etc.  But - I'll be honest - in rare instances in which I'm forced to prioritize things in my life - my family comes out on top.  On top of work, on top of fun, on top of friends.  And, I'm okay with that.  I'm responsible for ensuring I provide a loving, stable, safe, enriching childhood for my child(ren), and that will always win when push comes to shove.  Again - let me be clear - this doesn't mean my friends,  my work, myself aren't important or that I don't make time for them.  It just means that - when forced to choose - the choice is easy for me.  And, frankly, not always a fun choice, just the one I feel like I must make.  Only I have to wake up with  myself every morning.

Every once in a blue moon - and obviously now is one of those times - one of my friends who does not yet have children (and you can't understand the juggling act until you do; I certainly did not attempt to) is offended by these choices.  And, sometimes these friends suggest that perhaps I don't understand that they also have lives but are willing to put friends first, etc.  And, what I struggle to try to explain is the following:  Wrong.  I do get it.  I know you're busy (in fact, I remember working so hard before I had Anna that I would literally get sick from running myself ragged). I know you have full lives doing incredible things I can't even imagine:  running marathons, conducting valuable charity work, etc.  I would never in a million years suggest my life is more important, or even busier, because I am a mother.

But - I have one more factor in my life (soon to be two) that does force me to prioritize in a different way sometimes.  And, that's just a fact.  I love my friends. But - rather than being cynical or pointing fingers, I'd like to ask that you be supportive such that one day - if you're also in my situation - you'll perhaps be able to expect and ask the same of me.

I'd also ask that you read this article that has been around the block quite sometime, but is still true.  It depicts the day in the life of a stay-at-home mom, but it's relevant to all moms.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/22/AR2007052201554.html?referrer=facebook

Again, let me be clear, I'm not suggesting I'm more important or busier.  We are unique.  We have different challenges.  These are mine.  Please be supportive instead of snarky.

Zucchini overload!

We've planted a garden the past few summers.  Ahem - I should clarify - Brian plants a garden.  I just pick the veggies once they're ready!  Trust me, it's best this way.

This year, I think we planted one too many zucchini plants.  I've had more zucchini than I've known what to do with; unfortunately, it's not my favorite vegetable, either.

What to do?  Zucchini bread!  I got this recipe from the Wood Family Cookbook, a collection of recipes from Brian's paternal grandmother's family.  If I'm ever looking for a southern staple, this is my first stop.  It's delicious!

Zucchini Bread
Notes:  1) This makes too much batter for one loaf pan; the recipes doesn't indicate so, but I think it's probably a double recipe.  2) I found this to take more than the suggested 35 minutes.  I suggest setting your timer for 35, then checking using the "clean toothpick" test.  If not done, keep trying at 10 minute increments.  I ended up cooking mine closer to an hour, and it was still incredibly moist.

3 c. all-purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1/2 t. baking powder
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
3/4 c. finely chopped nuts (I leave these out, because Anna doesn't dig them)
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 c. vegetable oil (clearly eliminates any suggestion that this is a health food)
2 t. vanilla
2 c. coarsely shredded zucchini (I just used a manual grater, but you could certainly use your food processor)
8 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained well

Combine dry ingredients, set aside.  Beat eggs, add sugar, oil and vanilla.  Beat until creamy. Stir in zucchini and pineapple.  Add dry ingredients, stirring until just moist.  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes until done.

Enjoy!

Chicken Tostadas

Little Bit's now two years old (okay, she has been for a few months), and I don't feel like I can continue to get away with the "feed her early and then B and I eat after she goes to bed" routine.  Plus, she essentially eats no veggies (just doesn't like them?), so I figured we all needed to sit down and eat the same thing.  I should mention that she's begun to "cook" with me while I'm preparing dinner, and this activity really seems to improve what she's eating, because she wants to eat what she cooks.  I was stunned last week when she readily ate broccoli, which she previously wouldn't touch.

So - that's a long-winded intro to say that I'm trying some new recipes - family-friendly ones, that is.  Here's one that I like a lot.  It's quick, simple, not too heavy (it's still so hot outside) and tasty.  Credit goes to Robin Miller (who has a show on the Food Network).  

Notes:  I obviously didn't put pickled jalapeños on Little Bit's.  And, I garnished with avocado, salsa and sour cream.  She loves sour cream.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 4 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 4 cups shredded lettuce
• 4 cooked chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup diced pickled jalapenos
• Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, to garnish
• Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

Arrange tortillas on prepared baking sheet and spray tortillas with cooking spray. Brush in cooking spray to coat. Bake 5 to 6 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer tortillas to individual plates and top with lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, corn, black beans, and jalapenos. Sprinkle cilantro over top to garnish, if desired. Drizzle with Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette.

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette:

1/3 cup chicken broth

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons honey mustard

1 teaspoon lime zest

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped

Salt and ground black pepper

In a container or jar, place chicken broth, olive oil, honey mustard, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper. Cover with lid. Shake to combine. To serve, drizzle over Chicken Tostada.