A random update

        Sorry I haven't been around. The Hubs has been needing his computer to do school work and the internet isn't currently hooked up to my computer. Gotta love the shared internet on base. Not. Anywho, we are all doing good. I haven't been working out still and have been sort of eating healhty. I didn't try to do the 3 day diet this week and failed last week. But here are my current measurements:

             Weight - 189 lbs (Down 1 from last update - Down 6 lbs total)

             Measurements:
                       Neck: 13 in (same)
                       Arms: 13 in (Up 1 1/2 in from last update)
                      Chest: 42 1/2 (same)
                      Waist: 38 in (Down 1 in from last update - Down 3 1/2 in total)
                        Hips: 45 in (same)
                    Thighs: 24 in (same)

        So, not too bad. I had gotten back up to 192 over the last couple weeks though. I'm currently thinking about trying something else. Trying to get a work out in somehow other than nap time. I'll try to have a review this Saturday. It will be a short one though. And I will try to be back in the Manic Mommy Monday action as well as updating on Wednesday for my Weight Loss Wednesdays. Thanks for stopping by! =)

Weight Loss Wednesday - The fourth kind

        **Coming Soon**

 

 

Sorry guys, it's gonna have to wait. Gabriel had his 4 month well baby visit this morning and had to get shots. He did awesome at his appointment, he was all smiles and giggles. He is 24in(19th percentile) and 14 lbs 3 oz(34th percentile). So much smaller than his big brother! I'm kind of surprised. But it just goes to show how different kids are. The nurse and his pediatrican were both totally surprised with how advanced he is because he is already rolling(belly to back and back to belly), is trying to sit up, and can sit on his own for a few seconds at a time. Everything I was telling them they kept saying "Wow! He's not supposed to be doing that yet, that's supposed to be brought up at his 6 month appointment!". Quite a proud mommy moment, if I do say so myself. But then again, his big brother was the same way!

 

Well, after he got his shots he became quite sleepy and grumpy. But since we got home he has only wanted to be on me. So, I don't think much will get done today. And that is including me measuring myself. I will try to do it later today or tomorrow. I'm not sure which, it will depend on how my Mini Monkey is feeling.

 

 I can tell you that I am only at about 189 lbs as of this morning. I meant to try the 3 day diet again this week. But stress got the better of me and I cheated. I was actually doing alright yesterday(Day 2) but we ended up going to a going away party for someone who is in the Honor Guard with Hubs. And of course it was for dinner, which they usually are, and it was at a pizzaria. But, on the bright side the pizza was super tasty! hehe

 

 **My poor baby not feeling good =( **

 

 

**Big brother giving him some big kisses**

 

 

 

Oh my...

It's that time of the week again folks...Manic Mommy Monday time! We have a button now. How exciting! So, if you want to join in on the fun then go here.

 

 

        Temper tantrums and playing in the toilet. My dear sweet Daniel is about to drive me crazy. He goes to the bathroom by himself and will often get upset if you try to go with him or make him go. But this past week he plays in the toilet water almost every time he goes to the bathroom! I go in to find him wet, the floor wet, the toilet seat wet, and globs of wet toilet paper. I can't tell you how often we have to wash dish towels from cleaning up the bathroom and random accidents.

        And my sweet Gabriel was nice enough to sleep for 6+ hours last night again! He had started waking up every couple of hours wanting to nurse. Needless to say I was one worn out mama. But last night I let him nurse, gave him some oatmeal cereal mixed with bananas, gave him his bath, and then put him to bed. He got laid down around 9:30 and didn't wake up until 4!

        And today, more cleaning. We had done a bunch this weekend, but more needs to be done. So, I have a fun filled day ahead of me. I am thinking I will have to sit and read more of my book though. I'm reading the latest of the Mortal Instruments Series, . I absolutely love the series but haven't had near enough time to finish the last one! So, I think it's time to catch up :).

        Here are some pictures from our weekend. And no, none of them are of the messes I've had to clean up or of a poor temper tantrum face hehe.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                         

 

        I hope you all have a wonderful week and weekend. This mommy is going to go rest for a while!

 

 

 

Weight Loss Wednesday - Number 3

        Well, it's that time again folks. Time for me to post about my failures and progress again. I didn't work out this week. I know, bad me. But it wasn't that great of a week. I had headaches, tired/grumpy kids, you name it. But I did start to try out a new diet Monday. It is called the "3 Day Diet" aka "Military Diet". You do it for 3 days, eat normal for 4 days, do it for 3 days, etc etc. It's not complicated. Just have to follow the menu. And if you follow it spot on you are supposed to be able to lose up to 10 lbs in the 3 days. I failed a couple of times. But I actually lost weight. I am going to start doing it every Monday - Wednesday. Or at least try to. Here are my stats for this week:

             Weight(as of this morning) - 190 lbs (Down 4 lbs from last week - 5 lbs total)

             Measurements:
                            Neck: 13 in (Down 1/2 in from last week)
                           Arms: 11 1/2 in (Down 1/2 in from last week)
                           Chest: 42 1/2 in (Same)
                          Waist: 39 in (Down 1 1/2 in from last week - 2 1/2 in total)
                            Hips: 45 in (Down 1 1/2 in from last week)
                         Thighs: 24 in (Same)

        So, all in all, not too shabby. Hopefully I will have as good of news to report next week!

 

 

Cleaning, cooking, and laundry..OH MY!

        It's another Manic Mommy Monday folks. Don't forget, if you want to join us go HERE.

        That totally explains my life. Though, looking at my house you'd never know it. Tried to relax with the Hubs this weekend though. We had a pretty good weekend spent around the house watching football and enjoying each other's company.

        Daniel, the little stink, has decided to start saying all sorts of things! The Hubs had been kinda worried for a long time because he hasn't really said much. Yes, he has been saying a bunch of different words for a long time. But it wasn't as much as other kids his age. But the last week he has just been going non-stop! He started saying cow, moo, cat, dog, down, Shrek, bless you, I love you, and a bunch of others I can't even think of right now. Sure, they don't come out exactly like they should. But he is getting there and I'm so proud of him.
  
        Gabriel is growing like a weed. I decided to try giving him some baby food randomly. He has tried peas once, oatmeal cereal w/ breast milk once or twice, carrots once, bananas a couple of times, and peach a couple of times. He absolutely loved the bananas and peaches. He was okay with the carrots but didn't like the peas and oatmeal cereal. It was quite funny because this morning he saw the Hubs sit down with a cup of applesauce and a spoon and started going crazy! He was flinging his arms and legs about and yelling at him. He is also trying to sit up on his own and roll from back to belly. When he is laying down he will strain like he is trying to pull himself up to sit up and will sit a few seconds when I do sit him up. He rolled from back to belly for the first time this morning. It took him a bit to do it, but he did it!

        I have finally decided to go back to college. I have felt this nagging need to do it in the back of my gut and mind. But I have never done it or continued doing it because I just couldn't figure out what I wanted my major to be. I have finally decided, well sort of, what I will do. I am going to go to the local college and do my basics. I'm going to try and do as many of them as I can online. This coming January I am going to submit an application to an online degree college(through the Air Force) for a scholarship. The scholarship is for a full ride to said online college for whatever degree you want for military spouses. I won't find out until June or July of next year if I get it or not. If I get the scholarship I will do their criminal justice bachelor's degree. If I don't get it, I will continue going to the local college. I still haven't quite figured out what major I would pick if that happened. My "end game" plan, so to speak, is to finish out a bachelor's degree no matter what. Once I'm done with it Daniel should be getting ready to go to kindergarten(yes, this fact makes me want to cry haha). So, I will put him in public school part time and do homeschool part time. That way he can get some interaction with other kids and be able to do the neat little science and art stuff that I just couldn't do at home. But I can still teach him other things that we believe to be important. IE faith, more history, etc. And I will put Gabriel into daycare part time. That way, while they are in school, I can go have a job. If I end up not doing that, then so be it. But at least I will have the degree finished and the option to.

        Now, to look through the fluff mail and pictures I got in today! You have an absolutely wonderful day and don't forget...Sons of Anarchy starts tomorrow night! My rear will be firmly planted in front of the TV for it =)

                                   

Now, who doesn't like coming home to a mailbox full of fluff mail and pictures? =)



Turning into a 50's wife/mom

        So, as promised(via my personal Facebook page), I am posting a recipe today. Chili to be exact! It is to go along with my new apron that I won from PBKW Aprons' Facebook page. I love it! It is absolutely adorable. Now all I need is an amazing 50's/vintage style dress, some heels, and a martini to go along with it! hehe I could totally be a 50's wife/mom if only I had the right attire. Hmmm, something to talk the Hubs into perhaps? I think yes. =)

        Be sure to go check out either PBKW Aprons' Facebook page or her etsy page(linked above). She has adorable aprons. And she can do just about whatever theme/color combo you want! I told her "Patriotic and blue" and got this! I was so excited to get it in the mail yesterday.

Anywho, here it is. My adorable apron.

 

And now, what you've all been waiting for....the recipe! I originally got the recipe from my wonderful Dad. I'm not sure where he got it or if he came up with it all on his own. Knowing that man, you just never know hehe. I am going to post it here but it can also be found on my recipe's page HERE.

 

        It is seriously delicious. Don't let the appearance fool you. I thought that it looked like spaghetti sauce after it was finished. But one bite and we were all hooked! It even won the chili cookoff that the Hubs' shop had a year or two ago! It is to die for with some cheese and sour cream on top. Mmmm, I might just have to make it again soon! Good thing the weather is starting to turn cooler so that recipes like this will be made more often. Enjoy =)

 

 



 

No-Bean Chili

**Sorry, no picture at the moment**

****Thanks Dad for the recipe =) ****

3 lbs Ground meat lean
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp black pepper
2 tablespoons cumin
1 tsp ginger
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1 small can of tomato paste
1/2 cup boiling water
1 large tomato diced
4 ounce can of V8 juice
1 cup of onion diced
1 tablespoon salt
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon dried mustard
1 tsp dried oregano
1 large can tomato sauce
1/2 can of beer(or water)
1 jalapeno
4 tablespoons olive oil

Cook meat in a large pot and chop it with spoon or spatula until it is completely broken up. You don't want big chunks. Drain and remove. Saute onion and garlic in the left over oil from the meat. Add all of the spices. Pour in enough olive oil to make the mixture wet. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on med low heat to get the spices roasted. Add beef, all wet ingredients, and the whole jalapeno. Cover and bring to a simmer for about 1 hour. Chili will be thick at first. After 45 minute to an hour you can add more beer if it needs more liquid. Remove jalapeno before serving.

You can also add a little Valinteno's hot sauce to bring up the heat. Don't use Frank, Tobasco or Louisianna hot sauce. Those have too much vinegar.

NOTE: I mix all the spices together in a small bowl before putting it into the pot. That way it can all go in at once instead of having to measure each one out and worrying about any of it burning. I also cut slits in the jalapeno before putting it in to get more flavor and heat from it instead of adding hot sauce.

Weight Loss Wednesday - Part Deux

        So, the long weekend ended up not being good for my workouts. Who wants to workout when you could be spending time with your Hubs? Yeah, me either. So I didn't. But, I did do some Turbo Jam one day and I tried to do whatever I could to get moving. I was quite sore after the Turbo Jam. My new favorite workout is doing squats with Gabriel. I hold him on my chest(his knees bent and at my underarms so that he is actually sitting on my chest) and doing slow controlled squats. He thinks it's hilarious and gives big goober smiles and laughs the whole time.

        We also ate out more than we should have this weekend. But I tried my best not to over indulge. Except for the Coldstone Hubs stopped and let me get hehe. Of course I had to take advantage of that! I also tried the detox water and it tastes pretty good. If nothing else it has gotten me to drink more water and it's not just plain water. Hopefully this week will be better workout wise. I, again, am going to try and exercise during naptime. I also need Gabriel to be asleep or at least calm and not fussing. Otherwise, I don't get much of a workout trying to tend to him. But, here are my stats for this week. No picture because I didn't lose hardly anything. But hopefully a couple of Wednesdays from now I will be able to post one. =)

                   Weight: 194lbs (Down 1 lb from last week)

                   Measurements:
                               Neck: 13 1/2in
                              Arms: 12in
                              Chest: 42 1/2in  (Down 2in from last week)
                              Waist: 40 1/2in  (Down 1in from last week)
                                Hips: 46 1/2in
                            Thighs: 24in


        I think that my measurements are proof that weight lose isn't everything. And I think that is something everybody should keep in mind when trying to lose weight, get in shape, whatever. Just because you don't lose weight or you gain a few pounds doesn't mean that you aren't losing something. And it doesn't mean you aren't getting into shape.

        Please check back next week to see if I have better luck with exercise and if anything changes!

Where did my cleaning fairy go?

        Well folks, it's another Manic Mommy Monday! Don't forget to check out the other blogs listed below. And if you want to link your blog up and join in on the MMM fun, please go here.

        I really need to find my cleaning fairy. My house is a mess! But, I've been working on it all day after a nice laid back weekend with the Hubs. He got a 4 day weekend. It was quite nice. Today we decided to go eat lunch and then go to the park. He even stopped on the way home and let me get some Coldstone! Mmmm, cake batter ice cream. It was quite tasty. Now, back to cleaning. Nothing exciting, I know. But hey, I'd rather have nothing exciting than be busy in a bad way. It almost always(yeah, I know, oxymoron) seems to be that when something exciting or new happens it's something medically related and bad. Or at least that's how it is with my family. So, I'd rather just keep it calm unless it's a planned out good that is going to be happening. =)

        Check back next week for the next round of MMM to see what all the mommies are up to! =)

Weekly Review #4

Well folks, it's another beautiful Saturday. Which means it's time for another review! What's in store for today? Well, I'm glad you asked...

1. Goulash(My delicious version and my husband's slop lol)
2. Lactation Cookies

Yep, it's a short one this week. But that's alright. Perhaps we will have some more interesting things for next week! Both of the recipes for today can be found at my "Recipes" page. =)

 

        1) Goulash. Yep, that's it. The picture above is my husband's "slop" as I call it. He calls it Goulash. I make this whenever I make regular Goulash. His looks absolutely disgusting if I do say so myself. So, I'm not going to give an actual review of that hehe. But, the regular, real, Goulash is delicious! It is so super easy to make and doesn't take but a few minutes to throw together. Heck, I don't even actually have this recipe written down! And Daniel absolutely loved it. I thought I was going to go crazy from him saying "bite" every two seconds hehe. I highly recommend trying it at least once.

        2) Lactation cookies. I got this recipe from a friend(not sure where she found it) and it is amazing. It tastes so good. You would never guess it had yeast or anything like that in it. I don't really "need" help with my supply. But I don't want to have a sudden loss from working out and have to work my way back up. So, I thought I'd make these and make them part of my snack. Oh darn, whatever shall I do?! I'm so mistreated hehe. Sure, it takes a little time because you are making cookies from scratch. But it is SO worth it. I had about 4 or 5 after they came out of the oven and within an hour or so of eating the first one, I could feel that I was a little fuller than usual. I'm not sure if it was just a placebo effect or if it was the cookies doing their job. But either way, I am calling it a win. And I will definitely be making them again! Oh, and it makes a bunch if you make them on the smaller side. I used a small ice cream scoop and now I have a gallon size bag full and some sitting in a tub as well!