Meals planned

Today I sat down and went through my food board on interest and I picked four healthy-ish meals to make this week. I happened to already have some of the ingredients in my fridge. So we are gonna give these a try. I plan to make these this week!

On the Menu:

Pasta with Zucchini Lemon Sauce


Baked Chicken and Spinach Flautas

Breadless Tuna Melt

Turkey Ranch Club Wrap (with turkey bacon)

Back in the Saddle

Since January and February had left the family sick most of the time,  I decided it was time to jump back on the exercise train. I took the lead from Jessica, and put together a work out calendar for the month as motivation. I actually do better when I have things scheduled out. I stuck with it for about half of the month. I think I over estimated my energy levels, but I did make it to the gym two to three times a week. 

To change up the workouts at the gym I tried a Spin class. Although it hurt the first time, I'm hooked! I love it!  The hour goes by pretty fast, and the calorie burn is pretty awesome too!

I know this seems silly, but I'm finally starting to see my self as thinner. Maybe it's more apparent to me because all of my clothes are a little too big now. But I also see it in photos of me, sometimes I do a double take, not sure who the girl in the photo is. It feels amazing, and I'm not gonna lie, I do like the compliments. Keep 'em coming people, it's motivation to keep working out.

In March I did something I never do, I don't even enjoy it. I went swim suit shopping. I didn't hate what I saw. I just wasn't completely comfortable in it. I'm still pretty self conscious. I probably looked better in it than I thought.( We are our own worst critics) But I see little imperfections and think to my self, what if someone else see me in this and thinks it's gross. So I left without buying anything. A couple days later I bought one online from a specialty shop. I also bought a cute dress from them too! And then I went shopping with Annaleese and bought another summer dress. 

So here's to a Happy Healthy April! I'm ready to get my body even more bikini ready.

(Sorry if this is all over the place.)

Here's what I bought:

Baby Bode!

Monday, January 21, 2013 our good friends, Derek and Alana, welcomed their first child into the world.

Scott and I, along with many of our friends, are simply thrilled for them! They opted not to find out the sex of the baby during the pregnancy, waiting until birth for the big reveal. I couldn't wrap my mind around the concept. Part of me was even upset that they chose to wait, I wanted to know so I could pick out some cute outfits for the kiddo. It hit me though, waiting to hear boy or girl. Not only was it a surprise for the parents but everyone else was just as anxious. What a surprise that must have been!

Welcome to World BODE!

PS: Alana is doing well!

Going Away Party

Last night was Cortney's going away party. She's set to leave for Washington with Andrew,her boyfriend, come December 27th or 28th. It was a pretty good party, low key, with family and friends there to see her off. I'm not going to lie, I was the first to cry. I don't know exactly what spurred it, but I was the first one to shed a tear. And before I knew it, Cortney, Nana, Mom, and eventually Pam joined in too. 

Its not goodbye, I know that. It's just that she's not going to be here to hang out with. I'm losing my mall partner, and do nothing with friend. It's like losing my best friend all over again. I haven't felt like this since 2003. It hurts, but I know it will get better. 

Gifts and Cards

It's funny what giving and receiving makes you realize. 

The other day I was putting together a photo gift for my in-laws. My sister in-law had been kind enough to spend some time compiling an album of her family's photos to share with me so I could complete my project. Of course I looked through them all before I selected the ones I would use. While going through them it hit me, that when compared to my photos one thing was missing. Family shots. In the photos she shared with me there was at least half a dozen photos with all four of them together. I had zero. Not one. In fact the last time all four of us took a photo together was the day Peyton was born. I don't even have professional family portraits.

I love pictures. I take lots of them. I take photos everyday. Usually of my children. Scott and I are rarely in any of them, and almost never are there photos of all four of us. I'm really irked by this. I plan on fixing this. It's not that I need proof in the form of pictures that I have a family, it would just be nice too look through albums and see the four of us together.

The other thing that's been brought to my attention via christmas cards and yearly letters, Is that we don't go anywhere. I mean, we take the occasional drive to monterey for the day. But we don't take many weekends away to explore something new, or day trips to the beach. Next year - I hope to change that, and take pictures of all of us!

This Time of Year

I usually feel stressed, strapped for cash, and a little out of the spirit of the season. This year and last that is definitely not the case. Yes, I still have the same anxieties, and worries, but they are quieted by my efforts to make Christmas feel magical and fun for my daughter(s). I try very hard to keep my stressing out of sight of Annaleese. 

This year I'm trying hard to just have fun. Have fun shopping for their gifts from Santa. Have fun baking with Annaleese. Have fun watching Peyton steal the ornaments off the tree. So far I'm succeeding. 

Last year we adopted our Elf on the shelf. Annaleese name her Lily. I have fun with her, or at least I try too. I have her bring Annaleese 4-5 little gifts, like a cookie, an ornament to paint or put together, a new Christmas tree ornament. Just little trinkets. Last year she decorated the tree with toilet paper. That's the one she still talks about - I'm thinking of getting some tinsel to put on the tree and we'll say lily did it. I'd like to dye the milk with food coloring- but I'm not sure she would drink it if it were green or pink.

It's just nice to start enjoying the season for once. I'm looking forward to taking her to Vasona Park to see the light display. Sadly in our neighbor hood their aren't any really good light displays.

Well I hope everyone is enjoying the season too!

Motherhood is

Hard.

I had a lot written here. I erased it, I wasn't sure I should post it. I've just been feeling like a failure as a mom lately. I've been struggling with temper tantrums, and a baby who still doesn't sleep through the night. I'm tired of asking for advice on what to do, I'm tired of people giving their opinions, especially unsolicited. What's worked for them, I've tried. I hate hearing " YOU NEED TO..." Thanks Know-it-all, I don't need to do something just because you think that's how it should be.

Motherhood was a breeze for me until lately.