Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween!!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Halloween Camping Trip
After dark Mark, Bob, Justina and I hit the haunted corn maze down the road. First time I have ever done that and it scared the crap out of me!
Some picks from the weekend...there are many more on our photo site.
Not sure what she saw but it totally looks like she is waving at someone.
The kids weren't the only ones that got their face painted...Bob looks like a crazy pumpkin head.
Kiera and Grace.
I love this little girl so much!!!
Kiera, Grace and Abbey with their carved pumpkins.
I was so excited that Uncle Randy, Aunt Nancy and Cousin Magnus were able to join us at the pumpkin patch!
Sky's first Halloween costume! Our cute little Ladybug!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Oh Balls...
I made spice cake with butter cream frosting cake balls and gluten free chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting. Dipped in orange candy melts and decorated with black sparkle gel.
I LOVE to cook, I really don't like to bake. Have you ever tried to make perfect cake balls? I don't think it can be done. I will not be making cake balls again. They are really good but really too much of a pain in the butt. I will leave the baking to those that enjoy it!
Now off to make the chili for tomorrow nights dinner around the camp fire.
BTW - the ball in the third row down, second from the right DOES NOT say "screw"...it says scream. :)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Such A Big Girl
doing dishes and cooking dinner is so much more fun when I can talk to her and make her laugh. Plus she is learning about gravity and how it works with her toys. :)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Corner Turned
I've been waiting for it, and it finally happened! I have found that when I start a new physical activity/work out program it kind of sucks for the first few weeks. But, I know if I stick with it long enough eventually it won't suck. I will still be sore, and some days will still feel like I would rather take a break, but it will eventually get to the point that I will feel strong and able to get through it.
I will be honest I have doubted the wisdom of Stroller Fitness and running and only taking a day off on Sunday. It has been tough, I have hated it some days, but today I finally felt like my body is strong enough to handle whatever I throw at it.
Don't get me wrong...I'm still really sore, and some days I hate (in a good way) stroller fitness/'running, but I have turned the corner from being miserably sore to being good sore. The kind of sore that means I'm getting good workouts in, the kind of sore that means I know I can take on any physical challenge I decide to take on, the kind of sore that means yep I'm sore...but I'm strong too and my body is a fine tuned machine that will not fail me!
Ok, so maybe there is still some fine tuning to do, but I really feel pretty great!!!
And, while I hate scales and fight becoming obsessed with weighing myself 5 times a day, I have decided that weighing once a week is ok and so far have lost 3 pounds since starting the 6 week challenge.
I want to be clear though, this is not about numbers for me. I don't care how much I weigh and I don't care what size I am. I care that my husband enjoys how I look and that I'm able to keep up with my babe as she grows, able to keep up with Mark on hikes/activities, and really care about being able to be active into my 90's. That is what this is about for me, but I also need some way to track if I'm making any progress, so the weekly weigh in.
I will be honest I have doubted the wisdom of Stroller Fitness and running and only taking a day off on Sunday. It has been tough, I have hated it some days, but today I finally felt like my body is strong enough to handle whatever I throw at it.
Don't get me wrong...I'm still really sore, and some days I hate (in a good way) stroller fitness/'running, but I have turned the corner from being miserably sore to being good sore. The kind of sore that means I'm getting good workouts in, the kind of sore that means I know I can take on any physical challenge I decide to take on, the kind of sore that means yep I'm sore...but I'm strong too and my body is a fine tuned machine that will not fail me!
Ok, so maybe there is still some fine tuning to do, but I really feel pretty great!!!
And, while I hate scales and fight becoming obsessed with weighing myself 5 times a day, I have decided that weighing once a week is ok and so far have lost 3 pounds since starting the 6 week challenge.
I want to be clear though, this is not about numbers for me. I don't care how much I weigh and I don't care what size I am. I care that my husband enjoys how I look and that I'm able to keep up with my babe as she grows, able to keep up with Mark on hikes/activities, and really care about being able to be active into my 90's. That is what this is about for me, but I also need some way to track if I'm making any progress, so the weekly weigh in.
Monday, October 24, 2011
No I'm NOT Worried
I get that question a lot, in relation to am I worried about finding a job when it's time to go back to work.
First of all I have a job. It's called being a Mom and it's 24/7, 365 days a year.
Second, there are jobs out there to be had. I may not land my dream job (because I already have my dream job being Sky's Mom and Mark's Wife) but, if we need the money and I really need to get out there working there are jobs I can and will do if I have to.
I can always keep looking for that dream job while working at a less than dreamy job.
Third, I have a lot of great skills from working in HR/Recruiting and all my volunteer work with the ACS.
Fourth, Mark has a great job that pays well. We can totally make it work on a single income if we want to. We may not be able to travel like we would like, or move into the next "bigger/better" house as soon as we would like, but that's ok if that's how it goes.
So, no I'm not worried finding work when it's time to do so.
What I am worried about is that one of these days I'm going to punch someone in the face for asking me crazy questions/suggesting being a stay at home Mom is the equivalent of watching TV and eating bon-bons all day.
I find it interesting that most of these conversations/comments take place with perfect strangers. I think people who know me know the truth and/or know better than to make anger inducing comments to me. :)
First of all I have a job. It's called being a Mom and it's 24/7, 365 days a year.
Second, there are jobs out there to be had. I may not land my dream job (because I already have my dream job being Sky's Mom and Mark's Wife) but, if we need the money and I really need to get out there working there are jobs I can and will do if I have to.
I can always keep looking for that dream job while working at a less than dreamy job.
Third, I have a lot of great skills from working in HR/Recruiting and all my volunteer work with the ACS.
Fourth, Mark has a great job that pays well. We can totally make it work on a single income if we want to. We may not be able to travel like we would like, or move into the next "bigger/better" house as soon as we would like, but that's ok if that's how it goes.
So, no I'm not worried finding work when it's time to do so.
What I am worried about is that one of these days I'm going to punch someone in the face for asking me crazy questions/suggesting being a stay at home Mom is the equivalent of watching TV and eating bon-bons all day.
I find it interesting that most of these conversations/comments take place with perfect strangers. I think people who know me know the truth and/or know better than to make anger inducing comments to me. :)
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Race Report
We had the perfect day for a run! No rain, yet cool, and a great course.
According to my GPS it was a 3.26 5K, so there was a little extra in there for us. We finished in 32:57 (however I started my tracking around 20 seconds before the gun, so we finished a little quicker than that), and our average pace was 10:06 a mile.
Our usual average is around 11:33, so we have sped up! I thank a year of running and stroller fitness for the improved pace. And, the best part was I felt great. It felt easier to run, I can't wait for the next race and can't wait to start running some longer distances. I'm totally ready!!!
I will have official times tomorrow and maybe a pic.
According to my GPS it was a 3.26 5K, so there was a little extra in there for us. We finished in 32:57 (however I started my tracking around 20 seconds before the gun, so we finished a little quicker than that), and our average pace was 10:06 a mile.
Our usual average is around 11:33, so we have sped up! I thank a year of running and stroller fitness for the improved pace. And, the best part was I felt great. It felt easier to run, I can't wait for the next race and can't wait to start running some longer distances. I'm totally ready!!!
I will have official times tomorrow and maybe a pic.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
General Tso's Chicken
This was really good, but a lot of work and considering we can get enough for the two of us down the street for $7.99 and it taste good...I probably won't make this at home again.
1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1 large egg white
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon Chinese chile-garlic sauce
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for frying
2 tablespoons very finely chopped fresh ginger
2 large garlic cloves, minced
4 scallions, thinly sliced
Steamed broccoli and white rice, for serving
1. In medium bowl, combine the toasted sesame oil with the egg white, 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch. Add the chicken, stirring to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the chicken broth with the chile-garlic sauce, sugar and the remaining 1/4 cup of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
3. In a large saucepan, heat the 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the ginger and garlic and cook over high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir the broth mixture, add it to the pan and cook until thickened and glossy, about 3 minutes. Keep the sauce warm over low heat.
4. In a large, deep skillet, heat 1/2 inch of oil until shimmering. Carefully add the chicken, one piece at a time, and fry over high heat, turning once or twice, until very browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain the chicken on paper towels and immediately add to the sauce along with the scallions. Cook just until coated, about 30 seconds. Serve right away, with steamed broccoli and rice.
1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1 large egg white
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon Chinese chile-garlic sauce
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for frying
2 tablespoons very finely chopped fresh ginger
2 large garlic cloves, minced
4 scallions, thinly sliced
Steamed broccoli and white rice, for serving
1. In medium bowl, combine the toasted sesame oil with the egg white, 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch. Add the chicken, stirring to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the chicken broth with the chile-garlic sauce, sugar and the remaining 1/4 cup of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
3. In a large saucepan, heat the 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the ginger and garlic and cook over high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir the broth mixture, add it to the pan and cook until thickened and glossy, about 3 minutes. Keep the sauce warm over low heat.
4. In a large, deep skillet, heat 1/2 inch of oil until shimmering. Carefully add the chicken, one piece at a time, and fry over high heat, turning once or twice, until very browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain the chicken on paper towels and immediately add to the sauce along with the scallions. Cook just until coated, about 30 seconds. Serve right away, with steamed broccoli and rice.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Friday Randoms
-A post a day for a month - last time I did this I didn't have a mini human in the house and spending time with her/taking care of her (and spending time with Mark/family) is more important than maintaining a blogging streak.
-Just in case everyone hasn't heard, Mark won the free eye surgery! For those that voted for his video THANK YOU!!! Surgery is scheduled for 12/1/11.
-Receiving Sky's birth certificate in the mail with our names on it was pretty cool!
-Apple bits mixed in with scrambled eggs, onion, and potato = not very good.
-I'm adding beer to the 6 week challenge. Cheese is proving to be too easy and I want a challenge, so no beer or cheese until the end of the 6 weeks.
-I really don't see the problem in wearing pj's All Day during the week. The UPS driver must think I'm the laziest stay at home mom ever!
-Dear baby sock makers....please make a sock that stays on little tiny baby feet.
-So, so excited for Sunday's race!!! So ready to hit the trails, and it's going to rain! I like trail running in the rain!
-Thinks that snuggling with Sky on the couch ALL DAY is perfectly productive!
-Would like it if Sky would find Aerosmith as soothing in the car as she does Eminem. I like me a little angry white boy rap, but it's really not appropriate for a 5 month old.
-OMG - she is going to be 5 months old Saturday!!! I can't believe it!
-I LOVE the new jogging stroller...it is amazing! I love running with it and feel like it gives me supper running power. Can't wait to run a race with her in the new stroller!
And now for a few pics....
Sky, in the new jogging stroller with the net zipped and harness fitted.
Without the net covering.
I needed new trail shoes (pictured below) but there was such a great sale on running shoes that I got new road shoes and new trail shoes. Road shoes above...trail shoes below.
 |
| I needed new trail shoes because my old ones are still filled with sand, imbedded in the foot-bed of the shoe, from my Rampage at the RAC race. It is the kind of supper fine sand that I just can't get rid of it. Every time I have worn the old once since that race my socks are full of sand when I take them off. I'm going to hold onto the old ones though and make those my official mud-run racing shoes. |
Sky, sleeping on our bed, with her hands clasped and ankles crossed...this is a standard sleep position for her.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Too Sore to Type
That's my story as to why I didn't post yesterday, and I'm sticking to it. :)
Let's just say I'm 36, not 26 and doing Stroller Fitness in the morning and playing dodgeball in the evening, after running around having fun all day, was a bit more than my body should really have to deal with.
I was counting on us having a full dodgeball team last night, which means with the rotation we get to rest and play every-other game, but that was not to be. We had exactly 6 people for our toughest match up of the season, no rest for any of us.
Let's just say that doing 100 squats, 50 lunges on each leg, sprints, 100 push ups, 100 sit-ups then trying (key word being TRYING) to play dodgeball doesn't work very well. I felt like I was trudging through concrete, I couldn't move, and my arms were so sore I couldn't throw or catch anything. By the last three games I was having muscle cramps in my legs...it just wasn't a fun night at all.
I feel an obligation to the team, but I also feel an obligation to myself to get a good workout and hit my fitness goals. Not sure what/if I will do anything different next week. I just hope we have a full team next week.
Let's just say I'm 36, not 26 and doing Stroller Fitness in the morning and playing dodgeball in the evening, after running around having fun all day, was a bit more than my body should really have to deal with.
I was counting on us having a full dodgeball team last night, which means with the rotation we get to rest and play every-other game, but that was not to be. We had exactly 6 people for our toughest match up of the season, no rest for any of us.
Let's just say that doing 100 squats, 50 lunges on each leg, sprints, 100 push ups, 100 sit-ups then trying (key word being TRYING) to play dodgeball doesn't work very well. I felt like I was trudging through concrete, I couldn't move, and my arms were so sore I couldn't throw or catch anything. By the last three games I was having muscle cramps in my legs...it just wasn't a fun night at all.
I feel an obligation to the team, but I also feel an obligation to myself to get a good workout and hit my fitness goals. Not sure what/if I will do anything different next week. I just hope we have a full team next week.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Sky Pics
And this is why there are safety belts! (FYI - I was sitting right next to her the whole time and saw what she was doing...she was never in danger of falling out. If I'm not right next to her, with my hand on the swing, she is belted in.)
First pair of shoes. Little high tops. The thinking was they would help keep her socks on, it didn't work.
I have more pics, but it's late and I'm tired. Will get more up later this week.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Next Race
This is my next race and I'm SO EXCITED!!!
Ft. Steilacoom 5k, 10k, Half-Marathon and 50km
Ft. Steilacoom 5k, 10k, Half-Marathon and 50km
October 23rd, 2011, Lakewood, WA
4th demention racing organizes their trails runs very well, and since this Sunday is the last race of the season all the sponsors will there with booths. Michelle and I are so looking forward to it. Plus, Ft. Steilacoom is like running in my back yard...I know this park, I know the trails and I'm ready to RUN!!!
Oops
There goes the blogging streak. I can't even say I forgot, because I didn't. I just got caught up spending time with Mark, and felt like that was more important than blogging.
Sky's bed time has been between 10 and 10:30, which is after Mark goes to bed, and because she is up with us in the evenings, it has prevented us from watching movies together, snuggled up on the couch.
While her late bed time kept us from watching not baby ok TV, it did mean she would sleep through the night until 8 or 9 the next morning, so was totally worth it.
Now that Sky is rolling over in her sleep and getting stuck on her tummy, crying until I get up and flip her back over onto her back, I have been putting her to bed earlier since she isn't sleeping through the night anyway.
Sky was in bed at 8'ish last night and that meant Mark and I were able to watch the season premier of one of our favorite shows last night, snuggled on the couch with wine, without computers.
Sky's bed time has been between 10 and 10:30, which is after Mark goes to bed, and because she is up with us in the evenings, it has prevented us from watching movies together, snuggled up on the couch.
While her late bed time kept us from watching not baby ok TV, it did mean she would sleep through the night until 8 or 9 the next morning, so was totally worth it.
Now that Sky is rolling over in her sleep and getting stuck on her tummy, crying until I get up and flip her back over onto her back, I have been putting her to bed earlier since she isn't sleeping through the night anyway.
Sky was in bed at 8'ish last night and that meant Mark and I were able to watch the season premier of one of our favorite shows last night, snuggled on the couch with wine, without computers.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Window Shopping
Window shopping is a basic difference between Mark and I.
My idea of window shopping: I have some $$ may not be sure what I want, but will go check out a few of my favorite stores and see if there is anything I can't pass up.
Mark's idea of window shopping: Don't have the $$ but lets test drive cars anyway, so we know what we want 3 to 4 years from now. (It doesn't just apply to cars...most big items that you have to think twice about he likes to window shop for years if he has to.)
I can appreciate the fact that he likes to have a goal as to what our money is being saved for. (For me it's enough to know we are saving for a car, for Mark he wants to know exactly which car.) We need to replace my car for many, many reasons, but we also know that since I'm not working it is going to take a while. But, Mark really wants to visualize what the savings is going towards.
The difference is this strategy motivates him and gives him time to be 100% confident in the purchase. While for me it is just frustrating. Why tease myself with something I really want, in some cases really need, to only be reminded daily for years that we/I can't have it?!
It makes me crazy. I would rather wait until we have the money saved and then start looking/test driving then when we find the perfect car we get it.
On the flip side Mark's strategy has always turned out to be in our/my best interest. He will make sure I get the car I/we want when we are ready, so that is the up side I guess.
In the meantime I will be dreaming about the Subaru Forester2.5X Limited, with All-Weather Package, in Pearl White with Platinum Leather interior that we test drove the other night. It had a sun roof too, I have always wanted a sun roof, I had fun opening and closing it while Mark was taking his turn driving it.
You know how nice it was to test drive a car that Sky's car seat actually fits in? It was 20 minutes of bliss!
The good thing is by the time we can afford it we will be able to get it used and save money on it.
My idea of window shopping: I have some $$ may not be sure what I want, but will go check out a few of my favorite stores and see if there is anything I can't pass up.
Mark's idea of window shopping: Don't have the $$ but lets test drive cars anyway, so we know what we want 3 to 4 years from now. (It doesn't just apply to cars...most big items that you have to think twice about he likes to window shop for years if he has to.)
I can appreciate the fact that he likes to have a goal as to what our money is being saved for. (For me it's enough to know we are saving for a car, for Mark he wants to know exactly which car.) We need to replace my car for many, many reasons, but we also know that since I'm not working it is going to take a while. But, Mark really wants to visualize what the savings is going towards.
The difference is this strategy motivates him and gives him time to be 100% confident in the purchase. While for me it is just frustrating. Why tease myself with something I really want, in some cases really need, to only be reminded daily for years that we/I can't have it?!
It makes me crazy. I would rather wait until we have the money saved and then start looking/test driving then when we find the perfect car we get it.
On the flip side Mark's strategy has always turned out to be in our/my best interest. He will make sure I get the car I/we want when we are ready, so that is the up side I guess.
In the meantime I will be dreaming about the Subaru Forester2.5X Limited, with All-Weather Package, in Pearl White with Platinum Leather interior that we test drove the other night. It had a sun roof too, I have always wanted a sun roof, I had fun opening and closing it while Mark was taking his turn driving it.
You know how nice it was to test drive a car that Sky's car seat actually fits in? It was 20 minutes of bliss!
The good thing is by the time we can afford it we will be able to get it used and save money on it.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Streak Update
I will be honest...I have been much better with my blogging streak than my workout streak.
First of all, the week before a race I don't do any exercise after Wednesday (for a Saturday Race) and I have two races this month.
Second, stroller fitness class is kicking my a$$! By the end of the day after a morning class I'm so tired I can't stand it. Not sleepy tired, but physically exhausted. I'm so sore the next day I can hardly lift my arms enough to wash my hair.
On top of being sore I have a 14 plus pound baby that has decided she wants to be held, standing, All. The. Time. She wants to see what's going on and wants to be with me (or Mark when he is home) all the time.
So I spend my off days with a baby Moby wrapped to me which means instead of bending over to pick stuff up/take dishes out of the dishwasher or put them in/put laundry away in the bottom dresser drawers I have to squat down to do it. If I bend over Sky thinks she is going to fall out and losses it. Plus when I'm folding cloths/doing dishes I have to hold my arms way out in front of me to accommodate Sky being strapped to my chest.
On top of that she likes constant motion, so I'm walking, dancing, swaying the whole time I'm wearing her.
I sort of decided that wearing her is just as much of a work out as working out.
My last issue was I didn't have the infant insert for the "real" jogging stroller, and while my regular stroller is a jogging stroller it doesn't have any bad weather protection. The "real" jogging stroller has bad weather flaps, but without the infant insert I can't put Sky in it, so my running has been suffering as well.
(Thankfully there is a lot of running and speed work in stroller fitness, so I'm still getting some great run training in.)
So, there was a big old kink in my workout plan. But, like I said the stroller fitness class is more like boot camp so I wasn't sweating the non-streak I had going on.
The good news is I installed the infant insert in the "real" jogging stroller and I have to say the whole set up looks pretty bad a$$!! I put Sky in it this evening to fit the harness, made sure the weather protection flaps work and I am good to go for my 5 mile drive run tomorrow morning.
I'm not the only one in class taking the 6 week challenge seriously. There is a group organizing runs on our days off. So tomorrow morning is my first run with some of the ladies from stroller fitness. I can't wait to get the real jogging stroller out there and see how we do!
I have not had any cheese and have lost 2lbs this week!
First of all, the week before a race I don't do any exercise after Wednesday (for a Saturday Race) and I have two races this month.
Second, stroller fitness class is kicking my a$$! By the end of the day after a morning class I'm so tired I can't stand it. Not sleepy tired, but physically exhausted. I'm so sore the next day I can hardly lift my arms enough to wash my hair.
On top of being sore I have a 14 plus pound baby that has decided she wants to be held, standing, All. The. Time. She wants to see what's going on and wants to be with me (or Mark when he is home) all the time.
So I spend my off days with a baby Moby wrapped to me which means instead of bending over to pick stuff up/take dishes out of the dishwasher or put them in/put laundry away in the bottom dresser drawers I have to squat down to do it. If I bend over Sky thinks she is going to fall out and losses it. Plus when I'm folding cloths/doing dishes I have to hold my arms way out in front of me to accommodate Sky being strapped to my chest.
On top of that she likes constant motion, so I'm walking, dancing, swaying the whole time I'm wearing her.
I sort of decided that wearing her is just as much of a work out as working out.
My last issue was I didn't have the infant insert for the "real" jogging stroller, and while my regular stroller is a jogging stroller it doesn't have any bad weather protection. The "real" jogging stroller has bad weather flaps, but without the infant insert I can't put Sky in it, so my running has been suffering as well.
(Thankfully there is a lot of running and speed work in stroller fitness, so I'm still getting some great run training in.)
So, there was a big old kink in my workout plan. But, like I said the stroller fitness class is more like boot camp so I wasn't sweating the non-streak I had going on.
The good news is I installed the infant insert in the "real" jogging stroller and I have to say the whole set up looks pretty bad a$$!! I put Sky in it this evening to fit the harness, made sure the weather protection flaps work and I am good to go for my 5 mile drive run tomorrow morning.
I'm not the only one in class taking the 6 week challenge seriously. There is a group organizing runs on our days off. So tomorrow morning is my first run with some of the ladies from stroller fitness. I can't wait to get the real jogging stroller out there and see how we do!
I have not had any cheese and have lost 2lbs this week!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Growing Like a Weed
It seems like Sky was in NB/0-3 month cloths for a really long time, really only about 4 months, but it seemed like a long time.
Then she was in 3 month/ 3-6 month stuff for about 3 weeks and is now moving on to 6 month.
Thankfully 99.9% of her clothes have been given to us and we have boxes and boxes of all different sizes, so when she is ready to move up I don't have to go shopping. It does making dressing her in the morning a challenge because there is so much cute stuff to choose from. It takes me longer to pick her outfit out than it does mine! That a good problem to have though. :)
She is kind of like an accordion in that she will plump up and be chunky baby for a while then she gets all long and lean on us. She is in a long and lean phase at the moment. Hardly any baby belly on her and only one or two leg rolls.
Look at how long she is!!!
Then she was in 3 month/ 3-6 month stuff for about 3 weeks and is now moving on to 6 month.
Thankfully 99.9% of her clothes have been given to us and we have boxes and boxes of all different sizes, so when she is ready to move up I don't have to go shopping. It does making dressing her in the morning a challenge because there is so much cute stuff to choose from. It takes me longer to pick her outfit out than it does mine! That a good problem to have though. :)
She is kind of like an accordion in that she will plump up and be chunky baby for a while then she gets all long and lean on us. She is in a long and lean phase at the moment. Hardly any baby belly on her and only one or two leg rolls.
Look at how long she is!!!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Start at Home
I really, really wish people would spend as much time being concerned about what is going on in their own homes as they do being concerned about what is going on outside of it.
It's called living by example, and goes along well with "actions speak louder than words."
It seems to me that the time spent protesting the corner bikini coffee stand, Rap album, TV show, strip club, etc...would be much better spent instilling the values you are so vocal about in your children.
I can't help but feel like those speaking out the loudest are the ones that have the least control over their children and therefor feel the need to impose their ideas on society so that society can do the parenting for them.
Really, if you don't like a certain TV show then don't watch it. Don't want your kids watching a certain show...then be a parent and pay attention to what they are watching on TV.
Don't like the bikini coffee stand then go to Starbucks, there's one on EVERY corner!
Don't like certain music or artists, don't by the CD's.
I'm pretty confident that indifferent, uninvolved, lazy parents have more of an impact on society than bikini coffee stands etc.
I don't mean to offend anyone and this is not directed at anybody I know personally. Just an observation.
It's called living by example, and goes along well with "actions speak louder than words."
It seems to me that the time spent protesting the corner bikini coffee stand, Rap album, TV show, strip club, etc...would be much better spent instilling the values you are so vocal about in your children.
I can't help but feel like those speaking out the loudest are the ones that have the least control over their children and therefor feel the need to impose their ideas on society so that society can do the parenting for them.
Really, if you don't like a certain TV show then don't watch it. Don't want your kids watching a certain show...then be a parent and pay attention to what they are watching on TV.
Don't like the bikini coffee stand then go to Starbucks, there's one on EVERY corner!
Don't like certain music or artists, don't by the CD's.
I'm pretty confident that indifferent, uninvolved, lazy parents have more of an impact on society than bikini coffee stands etc.
I don't mean to offend anyone and this is not directed at anybody I know personally. Just an observation.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Recipe of the Week
Smokey Buffalo-Style Chicken or Turkey Chili Bowls
(Thank you to Rachael Ray magazine "EveryDay")
Serves 4
2 Tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
2 lbs ground chicken or turkey breast (I used turkey)
2 carrots, chopped
3 to 4 celery with leafy tops, finely chopped
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped or grated
Salt and pepper
1 small can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
2 cups chicken stock
Couple of handfuls thin blue-corn tortilla chips lightly crushed
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
3/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
About a palmful pickled jalapeno chile pepper-rings
Heath the olive oil, in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the meat and cook to brown, stirring to crumble. Add the carrots, celery, onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 10 minutes or so.
Place the chipotles and adobo sauce in a food processor or blender and puree. Spoon 2 rounded tablespoons into a small bowl and combine with the tomato sauce to make a chipotle-infused tomato sauce. (Scoop the remaining pureed chipotle into a small, resealable plastic bag, then mark the bag and freeze - the next time you need chipotle, just cut off a piece.)
When the vegetables are tender, stir in the chile-tomato sauce and chicken stock. simmer for a few minutes to thicken and combine the flavors.
Meanwhile, switch on the broiler and position a rack in the center of the oven. Arrange 4 bowls on a baking sheet and fill with the buffalo chili. Top with an even layer of the tortilla chips, cheeses and jalapeno rings. Broil for a couple of minutes to brown the cheese and crisp the chips.
Mark had his with just the chips, no cheese or jalapeno's, I had the works and we both loved it. He has decided this is his new favorite thing I make.
Enjoy!
(Thank you to Rachael Ray magazine "EveryDay")
Serves 4
2 Tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
2 lbs ground chicken or turkey breast (I used turkey)
2 carrots, chopped
3 to 4 celery with leafy tops, finely chopped
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped or grated
Salt and pepper
1 small can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
2 cups chicken stock
Couple of handfuls thin blue-corn tortilla chips lightly crushed
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
3/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
About a palmful pickled jalapeno chile pepper-rings
Heath the olive oil, in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the meat and cook to brown, stirring to crumble. Add the carrots, celery, onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 10 minutes or so.
Place the chipotles and adobo sauce in a food processor or blender and puree. Spoon 2 rounded tablespoons into a small bowl and combine with the tomato sauce to make a chipotle-infused tomato sauce. (Scoop the remaining pureed chipotle into a small, resealable plastic bag, then mark the bag and freeze - the next time you need chipotle, just cut off a piece.)
When the vegetables are tender, stir in the chile-tomato sauce and chicken stock. simmer for a few minutes to thicken and combine the flavors.
Meanwhile, switch on the broiler and position a rack in the center of the oven. Arrange 4 bowls on a baking sheet and fill with the buffalo chili. Top with an even layer of the tortilla chips, cheeses and jalapeno rings. Broil for a couple of minutes to brown the cheese and crisp the chips.
Mark had his with just the chips, no cheese or jalapeno's, I had the works and we both loved it. He has decided this is his new favorite thing I make.
Enjoy!
Monday, October 10, 2011
6 Week Challenge
It starts today...Stroller Fitness is doing a 6 week challenge. I'm equally looking forward to it and dreading it...this class is really hard, and I will be going 3 times a week.
We took measurements today and weighed in. I don't remember all the numbers, but here is what I do remember:
Weight - 154 - goal is 140, but would be happy to hit 145. I'm really comfortable at 145.
Body Fat % - 26
Pull ups - 0
Sit ups in a minute - 16 (hands over head, not behind, sit up and hands all the way to the floor in front.)
Push ups - I think was 9 (real push ups not on my knees, and chest had to touch the ground on the way down)
Squats in 1 minute - around 25 - I lost count so sort of guessed. (When I say squat I mean but down to the ankles and all the way up)
8 laps around the track - don't remember the time, but I was happy with it.
We also took bicep, hip, thigh, waist and bust measurements but I do not recall what mine were.
The instructor wrote them all down and is keeping them. The goal by the end of the 6 weeks is for all the measurements to go down and running time to go down, but everything else to go up.
We also have to give something up for 6 weeks and I picked cheese. I love cheese and eat it every day so this is going to be a tough one for me...that's why I picked it. I want something challenging and cheese has a lot of fat in it, so it seemed like a good choice.
I will admit I'm a little scared. The classes I went to last week were HARD, and we were told today the next 6 weeks is going to be more intense to help us reach our goals.
I'm sore, and tired and sore again, but I LOVE it. I know I'm working my body to the max for an hour 3 times a week and it feels good.
We took measurements today and weighed in. I don't remember all the numbers, but here is what I do remember:
Weight - 154 - goal is 140, but would be happy to hit 145. I'm really comfortable at 145.
Body Fat % - 26
Pull ups - 0
Sit ups in a minute - 16 (hands over head, not behind, sit up and hands all the way to the floor in front.)
Push ups - I think was 9 (real push ups not on my knees, and chest had to touch the ground on the way down)
Squats in 1 minute - around 25 - I lost count so sort of guessed. (When I say squat I mean but down to the ankles and all the way up)
8 laps around the track - don't remember the time, but I was happy with it.
We also took bicep, hip, thigh, waist and bust measurements but I do not recall what mine were.
The instructor wrote them all down and is keeping them. The goal by the end of the 6 weeks is for all the measurements to go down and running time to go down, but everything else to go up.
We also have to give something up for 6 weeks and I picked cheese. I love cheese and eat it every day so this is going to be a tough one for me...that's why I picked it. I want something challenging and cheese has a lot of fat in it, so it seemed like a good choice.
I will admit I'm a little scared. The classes I went to last week were HARD, and we were told today the next 6 weeks is going to be more intense to help us reach our goals.
I'm sore, and tired and sore again, but I LOVE it. I know I'm working my body to the max for an hour 3 times a week and it feels good.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Week in Pics
A few pictures from this week. I know they are mostly all of Sky, but this is what my days are like. :)
Here eyes really are that big!
So much for the headband staying in place.
Not sure how she feels about the new toy.
This is an example of why I love Sounders Fans. There were the banners the "official" fan club unfurled before the game started.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Rampage Race
Ruined trail shoes = $150
Ruined Sports Bra = $60
Ruined T-Shirt = $7.99
Scraped and banged up knees = lots of pain
Memories and fun = PRICELESS!!!
Michelle and I ran our first mud run/obstacle course race today and we had a BLAST!!! My running gear suffered and I will have to scramble to get new trail shoes/break them in before my next trail run the end of this month, but it was totally worth it!!!
The race was not chip timed as the mission of the race was to get people off the couch and just finish, but they did have a clock at the finish line for each wave and we crossed the line in just under 40 minutes.
Pics of the fun below...they are out of order, sorry!
After crossing the finish line. We had mud in places you don't want it!!!
Just before our wave takes off...nice and clean still.
Killing time on the playground waiting for our wave to start.
At this point we were trying to convince ourselves the tunnel wouldn't be a big deal.
Fire jumping...I was determined not to catch any heat here.
We made it to the top, now we have to get down!
Mud pit...if you enlarge the pic you can see my tongue sticking out. There were a ton of rocks in the mud which is part of the reason my knees are a mess.
Time to get wet...that's me at the top on my belly and Michelle is standing at the very top ready to jump and slide.
We learned that running in wet clothes and shoes is really, really hard!
There were over 1,200 participants and one of the best organized races we have done! I can't wait to do this again next year!!!
Friday, October 7, 2011
It's Final!
Thank you to Mark's parents and the Beckham's for being there to celebrate with us!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Dear Sky
You are so much fun! You wake up in the morning with the biggest smile on your face. I love starting my day with your smile!
The first thing we do every morning is to change your diaper. I don't know what it is about being on the changing table, but you LOVE it! You laugh like crazy, make faces at me, blow raspberries and laugh again. It's very helpful now that you suck on your toes, because you pull your feet up to your head and hold them there until I'm done changing you. That, more than anything else you do, cracks me up!
You have started belly laughing at the strangest things. Sometimes kissing your cheek does it, sometimes nibbling on your toes, sometimes sprinkling Monkey Butt on your booty does it. The one thing that for sure does it every time is tossing you in the air and catching you.
Your neck and head are just now stable enough for us to be able to do that, and while I worry about a face full of spit up, it's totally worth it. (And, just to reassure everyone when I say toss, I really mean bench pressing her over my head and she barely looses contact with my hands...just enough to make her laugh.)
I love it that you have become such a great workout partner. Stroller fitness would be much less fun if you cried the whole time. You seem to love the music, the sprinting, and the other kids that want to play with you. I have to admit pushing you in the stroller while sprinting is not easy, but it's like a double workout, so thank you for that.
The only thing that makes me sad is that I can tell you are already breaking away from all the holding and cuddling. You so badly want to be mobile and I can tell you have had it with laying in our arms. While I'm so excited to see you crawl for the first time, I hate feeling you slip away a little bit as your grow. You are going to be a very self-sufficient little girl, I can tell already. I know I have very little time left to "force" you to sit in my lap and cuddle with me.
The last 4 1/2 months have been the best months of my life. I love spending my days with you and seeing the new little things you do daily and watching you learn and discover new things.
I love you little girl!
The first thing we do every morning is to change your diaper. I don't know what it is about being on the changing table, but you LOVE it! You laugh like crazy, make faces at me, blow raspberries and laugh again. It's very helpful now that you suck on your toes, because you pull your feet up to your head and hold them there until I'm done changing you. That, more than anything else you do, cracks me up!
You have started belly laughing at the strangest things. Sometimes kissing your cheek does it, sometimes nibbling on your toes, sometimes sprinkling Monkey Butt on your booty does it. The one thing that for sure does it every time is tossing you in the air and catching you.
Your neck and head are just now stable enough for us to be able to do that, and while I worry about a face full of spit up, it's totally worth it. (And, just to reassure everyone when I say toss, I really mean bench pressing her over my head and she barely looses contact with my hands...just enough to make her laugh.)
I love it that you have become such a great workout partner. Stroller fitness would be much less fun if you cried the whole time. You seem to love the music, the sprinting, and the other kids that want to play with you. I have to admit pushing you in the stroller while sprinting is not easy, but it's like a double workout, so thank you for that.
The only thing that makes me sad is that I can tell you are already breaking away from all the holding and cuddling. You so badly want to be mobile and I can tell you have had it with laying in our arms. While I'm so excited to see you crawl for the first time, I hate feeling you slip away a little bit as your grow. You are going to be a very self-sufficient little girl, I can tell already. I know I have very little time left to "force" you to sit in my lap and cuddle with me.
The last 4 1/2 months have been the best months of my life. I love spending my days with you and seeing the new little things you do daily and watching you learn and discover new things.
I love you little girl!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Sounders win the US Open Cup!
These are out of order. Top picture is the beginning of the game and the bottom picture is warm up prior to game time. We had nice seats!
And, for the third year in a row the Sounders have won the US Open Cup!!! What an experience seeing them play at Century Link field with over 36,000 fans! Once again Sounders fans are unlike any sports fans I have ever seen! Cheering, clapping, singing, booing, jumping up and down the entire time.
Final score was 2-0, both goals being scored at the end of the match. I have said it before and I say it again...soccer players may be the most athletic athletes out there. They cover a ton of ground very quickly and it's pretty much non-stop running for 90 plus minutes.
Great team, perfect weather, better friends, and a win! Was a great evening!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Stroller Fitness
I tried a new class at the Y yesterday with my friend El, Stroller Fitness. We went into it thinking it may be a little too easy for us.
I was still sceptical after the instructor came up and told us it's a "brutal" class and to make sure and pace ourselves.
After the 10 minute warm up I knew we were in trouble! It was by far the hardest class I have EVER taken at the Y period. We made it though, it was hard, but we did it. Call me crazy, but I'm looking forward to going again tomorrow!
Tons of sprinting and running lines while pushing the stroller, planks, sit ups, push ups, knee ups, and a bunch of other stuff. I am so sore today I don't really know what to do with myself.
Some of the class we push the strollers, some of it we leave them parked and you know what Sky didn't cry the whole hour. She did great interacting with all the other kids and adults. I think this is just what I need to not only get in shape, but socialize her so she won't be so afraid of other people.
Next Monday starts a 6 week fitness challenge. Monday we weigh in, have measurements taken, and time our work out (how many sit ups/push ups/pull ups/lines we can run in a certain amount of time) and then at the 6 week class we take all the measurements and times again and see how much we improved. I will for sure have to go to class three times a week to hit my goals, but I'm looking forward to it!
I also have to give something up for the 6 weeks and I think I have decided it will be beer.
Mostly I'm looking forward to getting Sky used to other people so she doesn't freak out as much if Mark and I aren't the ones holding her.
I was still sceptical after the instructor came up and told us it's a "brutal" class and to make sure and pace ourselves.
After the 10 minute warm up I knew we were in trouble! It was by far the hardest class I have EVER taken at the Y period. We made it though, it was hard, but we did it. Call me crazy, but I'm looking forward to going again tomorrow!
Tons of sprinting and running lines while pushing the stroller, planks, sit ups, push ups, knee ups, and a bunch of other stuff. I am so sore today I don't really know what to do with myself.
Some of the class we push the strollers, some of it we leave them parked and you know what Sky didn't cry the whole hour. She did great interacting with all the other kids and adults. I think this is just what I need to not only get in shape, but socialize her so she won't be so afraid of other people.
Next Monday starts a 6 week fitness challenge. Monday we weigh in, have measurements taken, and time our work out (how many sit ups/push ups/pull ups/lines we can run in a certain amount of time) and then at the 6 week class we take all the measurements and times again and see how much we improved. I will for sure have to go to class three times a week to hit my goals, but I'm looking forward to it!
I also have to give something up for the 6 weeks and I think I have decided it will be beer.
Mostly I'm looking forward to getting Sky used to other people so she doesn't freak out as much if Mark and I aren't the ones holding her.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Weekend Round Up
This weekend was a little crazy, because our power was turned off Friday afternoon. Mark was working on re-wiring the house, so the city turned off the power. That meant Sky and I packed up and spent the night with Bob and Michelle. Always fun spending time with them, and Sky LOVES Grace and Kiers.
The more attention they pay her the bigger her smile!
Sky and I want to a martial arts competition, shopped a little and spent Saturday afternoon watching college football with the Beckham's. I cooked taco's and Mark was able to join us after he was done.
The best part was that the city turned our power back on Saturday evening, and we didn't have to wait until Monday afternoon like we thought we would.
I was thankful Sky and I got to come home, sleep in our own beds and chill on the couch all day watching football with Mark.
I have discovered that I need about 3 more Steelers onesies to get through a whole Sunday of football. Sky spits up on them faster than I can wash them!
I have also discovered that I do know how to watch the Steelers lose and not yell my head off...Sky doesn't like the yelling so much.
The more attention they pay her the bigger her smile!
Sky and I want to a martial arts competition, shopped a little and spent Saturday afternoon watching college football with the Beckham's. I cooked taco's and Mark was able to join us after he was done.
The best part was that the city turned our power back on Saturday evening, and we didn't have to wait until Monday afternoon like we thought we would.
I was thankful Sky and I got to come home, sleep in our own beds and chill on the couch all day watching football with Mark.
I have discovered that I need about 3 more Steelers onesies to get through a whole Sunday of football. Sky spits up on them faster than I can wash them!
I have also discovered that I do know how to watch the Steelers lose and not yell my head off...Sky doesn't like the yelling so much.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Perfect Sunday
BTW - Power was back on Saturday night! The guy from the city came out and turned it back on after the re-wiring was done. So we are happy at home watching football all day!
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