Sonic

Kids and I enjoyed some Sonic for dinner the other night.  That's what happens when you pack stuff up all day and don't have any plates!

Menu Monday

The hubs went to the grocery store.  So it looks like I will be having a side of ibuprofen with some of our dinners.  I guess when I said "I can't eat cheese" he missed that memo.  

Anywho, it was a great weekend.  I was off this past Saturday so we spent some time at the church bazaar.  The girls enjoyed some rides including a train ride, spinning swings, and pony rides.  

The boy isn't pictured because I was wearing him the entire time.  I was asked a lot if he was going to ride the rides.   "Um, no?"  He's 14 months, and I'm already paying $2-6 per ride for two other kids.  I think he will be ok.

Sunday was spent with me working.  It's technically my weekend to work but they were short staffed for Friday, so they switched my days around.  This coming weekend will be similar, I will be off on Saturday, but working Sunday.  THAT, however, is because I swapped days with someone to have Monday (29th) off, so we can... wait for it.... CLOSE ON OUR HOUSE!!!

I have no desire to pack, but I know it needs to get done.  So since I don't care much about anything else, I'll deal with the cheesy dinners.   Here's what we will/already have/had:

Saturday- Raspberry Chipotle Chicken with brown rice and salad

Sunday- Bacon wrapped Steak Filets with salad

Monday- Stouffer's lasagna (hubby's pick :/) with green beans

Tuesday- Vegetarian Tostadas

Wednesday- 15 bean soup with sausage

Thursday- Breakfast for dinner (eggs, breakfast sausage, and fruit)

Friday- Cheese Pizza (with a side of ibuprofen) 

Saturday- Stuffed bell peppers

Sunday- Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Monday- Chicken with rice and beans

Tuesday- Pasta with marinara sauce

And that's what happens when the hubby goes grocery shopping and spends $200 on food for a week and a half.  

It's official...

It is official.  I can't eat cheese.  I will get a migraine.  I tried with caffeine one day last week and that too was confirmed.  So freaking upsetting!  I LOVE coffee and cheese!  

This past weekend we had one of the 8 y.o. friend stay over.  Before she came I asked Sophia what she eats, doesn't eat, etc.  I quickly made my way to HEB because lo and behold, the kid eats like every other child in this world.  I wasn't surprised, that child is normal.  My kids are weird and request stir fry tofu and veggies or salad with grilled chicken for dinner.  That said, I enjoy weird ;)

So I bought typical kid things: white bread (OK OK, I bought the white wheat, that was the extent of what I could do), hot dogs/buns, cheez-its, and strawberries (cause I heard she eats that fruit!).

The weekend was spent at the children's museum with an outdoor picnic.  We were quickly scolded by the manager of the museum that no outside food was allowed.  I just stared at her like I didn't understand her.  Sorry, but if I bought a membership then I'm not paying for your $2 16oz. bottled water, or $8 grilled cheese I can't even enjoy.   The kids ate PB&J, Lorna Doone crackers and cutie clementines.  Our visitor didn't eat the crust, I hesitated being annoyed.  The hubs and I enjoyed turkey (sans cheese for me) on whole wheat.  

The evening was spent at GattiTown.  So pizza, with cheese, is what I ate.  Our visitor didn't eat the crust on the pizza, I was annoyed.  I was already feeling cruddy that night.  Sunday we had cinnamon rolls, bacon, eggs, and strawberries.  Our visitor managed to find the crust on the cinnamon rolls and not eat it (what??).  I was uber annoyed.  Hot dogs and pirate booty followed for lunch. Then she went home after tons of outside play.  

Yesterday, the hubs worked late so I just made grilled cheese for dinner.  I ate it too.  It was so good, but I seriously had the biggest headache by 8pm.  I was miserable and know it's from the crap we ate over the weekend.  I should have known better.  

Today I still feel yuck.  I've got a UTI I'm on macrobid for, and some upset stomach probably from the weekend and nothing sounds good to eat.  Nothing except a grilled cheese sounds good.  So I made a run by Krogers (since my local HEB doesn't sell this) to pick up my favorite non-cheese cheese!  

Daiya, I love you.  You're not cheese, but I love how you melt and trick my mind into thinking you are cheese.  

Best grilled cheese ever, ya'll.  Happy non-migrained woman here!

Vegetarian chili

I thought I would share a recipe I adapted from another blogger that I found on Pinterest.  I know, I know... but this wasn't a Pinterest fail!  It was good.  I made it, the kids LOVED it, the hubby LOVED it, so what more is there to love??

So here goes my first "how to recipe".  A concise recipe will follow at the end, so feel free to scroll down there the way I normally do with most blogs.

I diced up 3 cloves of garlic, 1/2 yellow onion, and 2 bell peppers (I did one yellow and one red).

Sauté all the veggies together in a good sized pot (mine holds 3 quarts) in approximately 1 tbsp of olive oil.

Meanwhile, I dicing up about a cup of carrots...

and then added those to the veggies already cooking.  (Some S&P went on top of that too at this time.  I once heard that the salt helps the veggies "sweat" so I just do that when I cook now)

Season the veggies with your "chili" seasonings.  1 tbsp cumin, chili powder, oregano, and unsweetened cocoa all gets added to the mix of veggies.  Again, I heard you should sauté your seasonings because it brings out their real flavor.... Also again, not sure if it's true but I do it! 

Dump in a bunch of canned beans (drained except for the chili beans) and tomatoes.

Simmer for about 45 minutes and enjoy!  We had our chili with some cornbread waffles, the kids had theirs topped with cheese!

Vegetarian Chili

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced 

2 bell peppers, chopped 

1/2 onion, chopped

1 cup carrots, chopped

Salt and Pepper

1 tablespoon cumin

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder1 tablespoon oregano

1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can of white kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can of chili beans (DON'T DRAIN)

1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz), with juice

1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium. Add in garlic, carrots, peppers, and onion, stirring frequently.  After 5 minutes add S&P, and all seasonings.  After another 5 minutes, add drained beans, chili beans, and tomatoes.  Stir and allow to simmer for 45 minutes.  Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from A Bitchin' Kitchen

Menu Monday, a few days late

What a week it's been so far.  I worked the past weekend (6-7).  It was steady, no ridiculous influx of babies at the hospital thankfully.  I am precepting a new intern, and she rocks!  She is on week 8 and doing so well.  I kind of attribute it to myself since I'm the one training her, but it does help that she is sharp and on track where she should be as a new nurse recently graduated from school.  

Last Thursday I decided it was due time to cut out the coffee and cheese from my diet.  The headaches were getting ridiculous.  By the weekend I was packing fruits and veggies again for work.  By Wednesday morning I woke up for work without a headache.  What an amazing feeling, ya'll!  I have come to grips that I just can't eat any crap in my diet or I feel so shitty.  Caffeine seems to be a big trigger, which is ironic since people tend to say their headaches are cured by a nice cup o' joe.  

So since this is Menu Monday (a few days late), I'll just post what we have had and will have the remainder of the week. 

Sunday- We ended up having the chorizo and potato tacos this day.  They were really tasty, but greasy. The kids ate it up, including the 4 y.o. (who hates potatoes!) 

Monday- Penne pasta with marinara sauce

Tuesday- Hamburgers with steamed broccoli and cauliflower

Wednesday- Turkey sausage sautéed with bell peppers and fruit (grapes)

Thursday- Meatless chili with cornbread waffles 

Friday- Pork tenderloin chops with peas and fruit

Saturday- going out to eat, probably pizza to celebrate with 8 y.o. and her BFF staying the night

We are really just eating a lot of fruits, veggies, and lean meats.  Although I am trying to still make a few meatless meals (Monday and today for example).  Our fridge is stocked full of tons of healthy stuff.  We buy a lot of cow's milk for the kids (1% for the girls, whole for the boy).  The hubby and I drink Almond Milk, although I recently went out on a limb and bought coconut milk.  Almond butter, Odwalla Superfood (for my quick breakfasts), and loads of colorful fruits and veggies (easily accessible for little hands to reach for a snack).  There is a Hershey bar in there, but it's the 8 y.o.'s!  Something she got with her birthday card from the hubs and me :)

We really have done well this week eating wise.  That said, I CAN NOT wait to make the cornbread waffles!  Thanks to the evil pinterest, I have figured out other ways to use my waffle maker!  Our favorite?  On Saturday or Sunday mornings every couple of weeks I will make cinnamon rolls in the waffle maker. So good!  Recently I saw you could put your hash browns in there.  Um, yum!  

So besides the few times we make something interesting in the waffle maker, dinners officially got a little more boring.  Boring in that there will probably be no more cheese products, and will probably not be some ridiculous cream of _____ laden pinterest recipe.  Enjoy the dinner ideas!

The internet: Love/Hate Relationship

Oh, internet.  I love you.

I love how you have brought so many fascinating things into my life.  I love pinterest for all it's evil time sucking ways.  All the ideas, recipes, home renovation possibilities... all that with mod podge!  I love how facebook brought me closer to friends I lost touch with or allowed me to keep up with after moving.

I love that you have provided a little corner where I can keep in touch with who wants to read up on my lame life.  (It's really just you BFG).  I love that I have a place where I can vent, post pictures, right memories of the kids.  My very own personal online journal.  Not personal though since it is posted all over you, internet.

But I hate you.

I hate how you steal my husband away from me.  I hate that his job revolves around you, and that you are connected to his phone 24 hours a day.  I hate how I can't just sit next to him without you sending an email that something broke.  I hate how every time he gets a tweet or a FB post/like/comment he is checking it right away.  I hate how my attention, my kids attention, has been put to the side because you are alerting him to something else, yet again.  And who the hell are these random women you are talking to on twitter?  Can I please have your attention, when you are at home, NOT HER?  Fuck her tweet, and fuck her.  Yes, it's just innocent tweeting, but I'm RIGHT NEXT TO YOU.  Can I have your attention, not her?  Why do you have to take the time to find a picture and tweet it to them?  How about your wife, who has repeatedly told you she wants attention?

Maybe it's his phone I hate more than hating you.  But ultimately it comes down to the internet.  I get so fed up with it, that I even say I'm going to quit the internet forever!  Maybe in hopes that I'll set an example in hopes that he will not be attached to the internet's hip.  But in reality, I can be guilty of it too.  I need an idea of something to make for dinner tonight.  And then OH!  Look at that cute kitchen.  I could totally do that to my kitchen too.

You and your blood sucking ways, internet!  Damn you!  I just want you to let go of my husband.  Maybe from 8-10pm?  I'm not asking much.  He can't quit you, you are his job, his source of income.  He's made that quite clear to me, that you will always be around 24/7.  But could you just leave him alone for a couple hours so I could have just a little bit of attention?  Please.

Menu "Monday"

It's Monday, right?

Anywho, here is our menu for the week.  Last week's menu didn't all get cooked up.  Hubby did not like the Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches.  It was too "chicken salad texture" for his taste, and he couldn't get over the fact that it was Caesar Dressing, so never again on that one.  On Saturday we went to my mom's house and she grilled Turkey Burgers.  Sunday I changed up the menu and made a ham, southern style green beans and 7UP Biscuits. So that left 2 meals uncooked: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole and Potato Soup.

Monday- Chicken Spaghetti 

Tuesday- Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Wednesday- Chorizo and Potato Tacos

Thursday- Potato Soup

Friday- Sausage and Pepper Sammys

Saturday- Tortellini "Soup"- I'm inventing this up, I found this recipe and thought it said velveeta cheese, but as it turns out it's cream cheese.... so we will see how it turns out.   

Sunday- Grilled chicken and salad?  Still not sure on this day!

Enjoy!

Bluebonnets 2013

The bluebonnets are in full force this year!  We went for a little drive just to get the pictures.  It's kind of a Texas tradition, ya'll.  It took some coaxing, but the girls finally sat down on the dirt and got over their fear of bugs.  The boy was more fixated on the flower I gave him to hold and only smiled when I made weird noises behind daddy's back.  I was that lady by the side of the road.   I think they turned out pretty good, at least the ones I'm posting.  A few of them are of my butt (thanks hubby!) and some have at least one of the children making some weird face in some form or fashion, so just the good ones for the blog... you know, so we at least "look" like a normal family.  

A Migraine Sufferer's Dilemna

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20306955_2,00.html

That right there my friends is what I should not be eating.  Ever.  I suffer from migraines.  I have had them since childhood.  I can remember coming home in 4th grade with a horrible migraine.  I was wearing these awesome forest green jeans and a cardigan that I think reached my knees and just laying on the bed, a pillow over my face, wishing the pain to stop.

My headaches have always been that bad when I have them.  I have to lay in a dark room, with something over my head, no noise, and lots of ibuprofen to help it go away.  It wasn't until I was much older in life (hah, going through nursing school) that I realized they were migraines.  I just figured this is how other people experience headaches as well.

Today I woke up with a headache.  I popped 2 ibuprofen and drank a cup of coffee.  My noon I had to take 3 more ibuprofen.  I laid down for a nap and hoped it would go away.  I got up at 3:30 pm and still felt it nagging, so I took 2 more.  Still now at this time it's pounding.  I took 2 Excedrin migraine and a Benadryl.  So now I find myself looking at preventative measures.  Soon my kids will be home (in about 30 minutes) and it will start pounding again, I can assure you.

A while back I cut out so much from my diet for the migraines.  Cheese and chocolate were a big one.  Those were also the hardest to cut out.  Oh, and coffee.... I love having my daily cup of joe.  I guess I'm going to have to revert back to teas and Daiya "cheese" again.  <sigh> I love most of the foods on that list!

The added stress of buying a house and family drama (more on that later this week, yippee!) doesn't help.  We had the housing inspection today, which went surprisingly well!  It's a "clean" house as the inspector said.  Thank freaking Gawd!  I could use something in my favor every now and then.  I turned in the loan application today, and have to get updated check stubs/bank accounts to them.  I'm going to worry about that tomorrow at work though.  That headache is still there after all.

Forever A Patient

The boy had minor surgery today.  Tubes in his ears.  Been there, done that with the 8 y.o.  It was a weird experience today though.  Yes, I'm a nurse.  Yes, I know it's minor surgery.  But I'm a nurse and a mother.  My mind started running last night.  I only thought of the worst that could happen.  What if he reacts bad to the anesthesia?  Do they have a pedi crash cart?  Will they do everything they can?

I couldn't sleep.

Of course, I got there at 0615.  They said to be there at 0600, but sadly I knew the MD wouldn't be there until 0700 at the earliest (he actually got there at 0715) so I had a bit of an arrogant attitude.  The boy flirted with the nurses, and wanted to be put down.  I refused so he writhed in my arms until surgery time.  Then the anesthesiologist came in, did her deal, and before I knew it he was taken out of my arms.  The nurses commented how he didn't cry, but how could he?  She took him before either one
of us could say good bye.

I went to the waiting room, fixed some coffee from their Keureg, sat down and waited.  I waited long enough to drink 1/4 of my coffee only to see the MD coming out to say "All done!"

Seriously?  I lost sleep for nothing!  In all seriousness, I think what it all comes down to though is that I may be a nurse and know the ins and outs, but ultimately I'm a mother.  Being a nurse and a mother?  It's a curse.  You have too much knowledge about what could go wrong, and that's your baby someone else is watching over.

He did fine though, he's running all over the place as we speak.  My bag of mismatched socks is always tons of fun for him.  Here's hoping this cuts down on the ear infections.

A very pinterest dinner

I'm a pretty frugal person.  My husband says "miser", but I say frugal.  With us preparing to buy a house, I'm trying to get us out of the habit of buying food out.  We don't do it often, but enough where it makes a difference financially if we just cut it out all together.  So last week I came up with a menu for the week.  It consisted of:

Breakfast for dinner (scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit)

Spaghetti with meatballs (this is a staple in our house, we use frozen meatballs because we're rushed for time)

Root beer pulled pork sandwiches

Shredded chicken tacos

Corned beef hash casserole

Stir fry tofu and veggies with ginger brown rice (also another staple)

Philly cheesesteak stuffed peppers

Quick "paninis" with salads

I think that's everything?  We tend to cook just enough food for our family of 5, and I eat off the leftovers for lunches.  The husbands work provides lunch everyday, kids in the daycare have all food provided, so it's pretty much all for me to finish.  Usually nothing goes to waste since, like I said, we cook enough for our family for dinner.  This week we have as follows:

Spicy beans with turkey sausage 

Bubble up pizza 

Slow cooker chicken caesar sandwiches

Chicken cordon bleu cassserole - kids LOVE this one for some reason!

Enchiladas

Baked potato soup - uses cauliflower to reduce the calories/carbs

Chicken spaghetti - another old recipe that the kids ate up

Obviously, I've been on pinterest.  Clearly you can tell that from the recipes.  If it's got cheese and cream of _____ soup, it's probably on pinterest.  Not the healthiest of things for dinner, but the kids eat a lot and I can only handle so many different versions of steamed veggies/ sauteed veggies with baked chicken.  I do try and rotate something (or two) in the crock pot for dinners.  We usually have pizza and/or spaghetti once during the week.  Also we tend to have one soup or stew during the week.  We are a dual working parent so our meals tend to be quick, or crock pot, without a lot of variety.  Hoping by posting this I'll have a little more variety.  I am going to take a cue from one of the links above, and cook a ton of chicken in the crock pot to shred and freeze.  That would probably help make some more quick dinners (the enchiladas for example).  

So there you go, enjoy.  I know I will... my stomach is rumbling thinking about dinner now.

Return from an extended vacation...

Perhaps I should try this again. Make something of this blog? I got into blogging from a friend of mine who is so good at posting on her blog at least once a week. Tuesday Ten? Freaking clever! When I started my first blog, I did it thinking... well, maybe people will look at it and I can make money off it. nope.

That's hilarity at it's finest! BWHAhahahahahaha.

 Then I was immature, got pissed at some people in my life and was all "F--k it! I'm starting a new blog bitches!" So I started a second blog. I think my goal with that one (this one actually), was to openly post my weight in hopes that I would be motivated to lose some of it. I mean, I think I posted other stuff, but I've forgotten since then. Shit, it's been a whole f--king year since I posted on here.

Life is different. I've changed. A lot in fact. So maybe I should try this again. Use it. Like, for real. Maybe an outlet to share my sadness and happiness? Document my kids growing up? So much time has passed and I've made so many memories so far, but nothing is written down. I want the kids to look back on it and think "Oh, life didn't suck as much as I thought." Cause yeah, I'm pretty sure my 8 y.o. thinks her life is suck, but it's not... I swear.

 So where am I at now in life. 31 years old. I tend to forget how old I am. Yes, seriously. Yesterday in the car I asked the hubby if I was 31 or 32. I guess I've lost track? Those grey hairs I colored for the 30th birthday? Eh, I could careless about them. They are coming in FULL FORCE people, so I'm just coming to grips with reality. I'm going grey, there's nothing I can do about it!

    
AHHH!  Can you see the greys??  Probably not.

Anywho, almost 2 years as a nurse. I did my stint in Labor and Delivery. Went to work every morning anxiety stricken of what to come that day. So I transferred. Just a hop, skip and a jump to the Level I nursery. I like it, I'm good at it. So much so I'm training new nurses in their new careers. Kinda cool to see how far I've come. Come July, I'll have been an RN for 2 years, and I'll apply for the RNC certification. Kind of like saying, "Yes, I'm a nurse, but here I have validated that I'm a GOOD f--king nurse."

 I think I cuss more, but I'll try and keep it out the blog for your viewing pleasure. Eh, fuck it. I don't really give a shit, do I? NOPE. Being nurse has jaded me. I do care about people, but now I'm so quick to just say "fuck it" now a days. More so than before. I've come to a point in my life where I just don't give a crap about what other people think about me. And I'm ok with that.

 I've been married now 8 years, together for a decade. He's not tired of my crap yet! He's a good man. Unbelievably good. Puts up with my shit. Takes care of the kids when I'm working every other weekend. Such a good, genuine, man. I love him. A lot. So much so I decided to buy a house with him. Huge step for us.

 We started from nothing, with nothing, and have worked our way up to a house. FINALLY. Now I find myself stalking pinterest for ideas on Frugal Kitchen Re-Do (slim pickin's, hah).

Let's mull over that one more time.... We're buying a house. A HOUSE... wow.

 I've changed so much. I'm a mom of 3. I'm impatient. I'm strict. I expect things from them that other parents probably don't demand. They are good kids though. And I love all of them. They are so different. I can't wait for them to all have their own bedrooms. A fucking house.  I can't belive it.

Rambling now. Maybe I'll make something of this blog now. Since I'm at the point where I don't really give a shit what people think, thoughts should hopefully come easily now.

Happy February!

It's officially February which means quite a few things around here.

1. I turn 30 on the 9th. In honor of this special occasion I dyed my grey hairs today. Can't look old even though I'm getting older. w00t!

2. Ground hog's day is tomorrow. I'm pretty sure he will not only say no more winter, but that spring began last November here in Texas.

3. The wee 1 will be 3 on the 17th.

and..................

drum roll please.........................

4. Another child will be joining our family this month!

AHHH! The last one frightens and excites me at the same time. I'm not ready to be a mom to 3 kiddos. I'm not ready for the sleepless nights. I'm definitely not ready to deal with diapers all over again. However, I'm excited about getting to see him/her and find out what they finally look like. I'm excited to fall in love all over again with another child. I'm excited to go through all the "firsts" all over again... first smile, first laugh, first "mama".

On a completely unrelated note, I need to add something to my resolutions. That would be to renew my memberships for AWHONN and CAPPA and to complete my lactation educator certification. I hoped to finish that LAST Aug. Thankfully my director has said nothing. Whoops.

3.5 weeks will my due date! 195 pounds total, good Lord that is a lot of baby.

Geez-us... did I just post that on the interwebs for the world to see? I think so. Oh well.

Almost a year... hello 2012!

I always enjoy reading my friends' blogs. Can I just say they are so good about updating them... regularly!? Unlike me. I noticed the last time I blogged was LAST February. It's been almost a year. And that's sad. But here is a sum up of 2011 from where I left off.

March-May- nursing school. Duh. Need I say anything else on this? It consumed my life, but guess what? I graduated, I got my BSN, and I was inducted as a member of STTI, which is our nursing honor society.

May- Me and the hubby made our way on our first vaca together in a long time! We went on a short cruise, only 4 days, to Cozumel. It may have been short, but it was definitely sweet and we can't wait to go on another trip soon!

June- Went to San Antonio with one of my BFs that dates back all the way from high school. Had a blast. I also accepted my first nursing job after many interviews and even more applications. Mid month we visited my in-laws, that was a nice little trip. It was also at the end of this month I found out I have a bun in the oven. Whoops. IUD fail. I found out June 30 with a positive home pregnancy test and was at the dr. office the next day.

July- Started my job! Orientation began July 5th. There was high risk with the pregnancy since the IUD was in place still. The girls enjoyed their summer at a new day care and adjusted to both mama and daddy working. Big adjustment, but they seemed to handle it well.

July-now- work. Working a lot. And getting bigger thanks to a healthy baby the drs. didn't think I would be able to carry safely since they never could get the pesky IUD out. I love my job in labor in delivery, but it is exhausting. I will be happy to NOT be pregnant and working. The is my first time doing that. Never again. Hopefully. The girls are growing like weeds, they have grown out their bangs and want long hair a la Rapunzel.

October they dressed up for Halloween as ballerinas. The girls trick or treated, I met up with them late since I worked that day.

November- Thanksgiving was spent at my sister's house, although I was not there since as an RN you end up working some holidays. I heard it was good though, and got a doggy plate sent home to me, which was delish.

December was beyond busy with work on both the hubby and I. But all that work paid off as we bought our first new/used car together! Christmas was good, the family agreed to do a secret santa gift exchange which saved a ton of money. I got some bath and body works lotion/soap, the hubby got some think geek shirts. The girls loaded up with a wii, baby malibu doll house, an art easel, and a pop up tent from Santa left at various homes. The girls got mermaid barbie's from daddy, and I sewed them some scarves from me. A new tradition we will try to repeat is homemade gifts for each other. The big girl pretty happy to have made something to give to us, and I loved my picture she made me. Oh, the hubby did good this year, got me a bathrobe I had asked for along with some yummy perfume I am in LOVE with. Pink Sugar. Get yourself some.

So the rest of my time in the past year has been spent (besides working believe it or not) growing a healthy baby. My current weight is 192.4. I started the pregnancy at 171. The hardest thing about this pregnancy is the weight gain. It's inevitable, but so difficult when you worked so hard to lose it in the first place. I can't wait for the pregnancy to be done, I'm sick of people saying I look so big, and that this will "be a big baby!" I have 7 weeks and 3 days left. I'll be 33 weeks on Saturday. Blah.

Besides growing a baby, I have found a new addiction in Pinterest. Which lead me to my next topic.... the dreaded New Year's resolutions.

Let's call them goals instead. Sounds so much better.

1. Make 3 craft things on Pinterest. I should be able to accomplish this in a year, right?
2. Read more.... I'm looking into a e-ink reader like a kindle or nook. Leaning towards the kindle at the moment.
3. Get back to my pre-pregnancy weight by the end of the year. I just want to wear my jeans again. If more comes off along the way, awesome.
4. Breastfeed. I had a difficult time with the first two, but I am armed with a wealth of knowledge and tools to help me out this time. Everything from an SNS feeder that I have, knowledge that feeding every 2-3 hours is a minimum i.e. that baby will be on me all the time, and some assistance from some new meds I am trying this time.
5. Sew two outfits for the girls each. This is outside my pinterest craft goal. 4 things. We shall see.
6. See growth in my career, getting more CEU's, and working on my portfolio.
7. Blog more often. Not making promises on how often. Once a week sound good? It sounds good to me, lol.

So there is 2011 in a nutshell, and what my goals are for 2012.

Not studying....

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

2 9 2 9 2 9 2 9 2 9 2 9

2/9- Today's my birthday and I'm 29! Fitting, huh? :)

It's my last year on my twenties, and can I just start out by saying I never thought I would be excited about my thirties? Yes, seriously!

Let take a look back in time....

The twenties brought a lot of difficulties, but along with that came many joys to my life. I finished college, I had two beautiful babies, married the man of my dreams, and grew to like myself a little. The bad times seemed to outnumber the good, but what good we have had outPOWERS the bad. Bad relationships, lost jobs, moving, bad hair, and stretch marks I could have done without. You gotta take the bad with the good I guess.

The hubby and I were reflecting on the eve of my birthday about his past year being 29 (turns 30 7/11!). He looked at me and said, "I've found a great job, we moved into a great place, I can't complain too much." So here's to hoping 29 brings me a great job :) and moving onto bigger and better things :)

I can't get over how much I am looking forward to my 30's. I think it will be a great decade and can't wait to bid my 20's good riddance :)

Monthly Monday Weigh-In

Being that today is the first Monday of the month, I thought this would be a good time to update my weight status. I see so many different things on blogs that I stalk, er... follow, such as Weigh-In Wednesday, Friday Fatloss, and Supersizeme Sunday. Wait, not the last one. Anywho, I don't want the complete focus of my blog to be my weight loss, that's why I only want to do a weigh-in once a month. Yes, it is a part of me, and I am proud of it, but it's not what makes me, well, me. I'm more that just another diet success story, I'm a mom, student, wife, cook, all around awesome lady ;). It's not like I've been super consistent with it either, I'm just buckling down more here lately. So I'm going to make an attempt to weigh in monthly. I try to keep that scale hidden, I don't want to make standing on it a ritual. If so, I become obsessed and beat myself up. So that said... here it is:

Last month: 178.5 (The holidays happened!)
This month: 172.8 w00t!

I secretely had a goal to make 170 for my birthday coming up here on Wednesday, but 172.8 is good too and I'll take it! I do need to incorporate exercise into my routine. Working back to back 12s at the hospital has probably contributed (in an unhealthy way) to my weight loss this past month.

Goal for next month: Get some exercise in every week. Surely I can afford 30 minutes a day for 3 days out of the week. ?? Maybe not. We'll see!

A new do

The hubby and I trekked it out to the mall on Sunday since I needed a trim. I came out with some side-swept bangs. The waves are from my blowdryer this morning, it's not like that on it's own. Disreagard the poor quality of the pic, it's with my webcam and I'm trying to be incognito in the library.

My Itali-Rican Girl

This week is cultural week at big girl's school. She has had an opportunity to share Puerto Rican snacks, Puerto Rican instruments (palitos), and yesterday she drew a PR, Italian and American flag. PR for mama's side, Italy for daddy's side, and the US flag for herself, since she was born here and is American. Tomorrow is their cultural week parade. They are suppose to wear something that represents their country, so I whipped up this shirt with some fabric paint. Hopefully she appreciates it!

The Dream!!!!

Spotted today...

The Dream himself! Getting some photocopies at FedEx Kinko's :)



He was getting bombarded with the workers there, so I decided against asking for an autograph. I figure he's a normal person like me.... just 7' tall.