Since my 1st child was a girl and it would be the only child for 5 ½ years, I didn’t figure that I would be a mother of a boy. Or 2 boys for that matter! I was so used to pulling hair back every morning and picking out cute dresses and sandals that when the time came for me to start looking at boy clothes I didn’t know what to do. Not to mention that there just isn’t much cute stuff out there for boys.

 I was hoping that my 1st son was going to be a momma’s boy… That didn’t happen! He really didn’t like me at all for over a year!! He wanted his dad all the time. If he got hurt, didn’t want me. If he was tired, didn’t want me. I kept thinking “Why in the hell do you hate me so much?! I feed you all of your meals! I rock you to sleep when it’s bed time!” Then I realized that I did have quality time with him. And even though I was happy he got out of that phase, I was lucky to have the break lol

Then I found out we were having another boy! To be honest I was hoping for a girl since it had been so long since I had a little girl. Now I can’t imagine my 1 year old not being who he is. And let me tell you how much his loves his mommy! He loves Daddy too but I think he’ll be my Momma’s boy ;)

Now that the boys are our numbering us in the house there is a lot that will be a that will change and a lot that already has. For one, urine is more prevalent! Ok, lets be honest… There’s pee everywhere! I don’t think that will change no matter how long they have been potty trained. From what I hear from other mothers it isn’t something they will out grow soon or ever.

I wouldn't have it at other way and look forward to watching them change as the grow. Even if there will be pee everywhere!

In A Week's Time

  It's been a crazy week!  It's hard getting back into the swing of things, especially the morning routine.   Getting kids' clothes ready, bottles made, breakfast, lunches, teeth brushed and everyone dressed is enough to stress anyone out!  But we survived and no one was late for work.  I'm pretty sure everyone had matching socks too!

   The new job is great even if I have to get up early.  Although, I don't think the kids like the new way of life.  Carmen is okay with it but, I know she would rather just come home.  Carter likes having new friends, playing and doing crafts.  The baby HATES it!  He cries when we walk in the door, before anyone even puts him down.  It really breaks my heart!  When I get to work and start thinking about his little lip starting to stick out I just want to go get him.  I mean, he could stay in my cubical and play all day!  Right?!  Okay, okay, maybe not the best idea.  His cuteness would have everyone distracted Even though I miss them, I am glad to be back in the workforce.

   Weekend was super busy too.  We celebrated Carmen, Carson, Ryan and Ryan's grandmother's birthday's this weekend.  Kids had a blast opening gifts and spending time with family.  Here's a few pics :)

Ahhhhh Back to Work

   Today was the first day in 7 1/2 months that I took my 3 children to daycare and went to work.  That's right folks!  Went to work!  So bittersweet.  Don't get me wrong, I am soooo glad to be working again but getting back in the morning work grove is going to take some time.  I tried to have everything ready last night.  Everyone had their clothes picked out, papers filled out, bathes and I washed my hair! Yep, that happened too!
Then I overslept by 30 min….
That might not seem like a lot to ya'll, but boy is it a looooong time!  I am STILL getting up 2-3 times with an 11 month old that thinks he needs to eat all night and shit at 4:30am!  Did I forget to mention that I didn't make the bottles for the next day or even wash the bottles??!!??  Hmmm… Guess I wasn't as prepared as I thought.

   Now lets get to the dropping them off part.  Keep in mind that the baby only went to daycare from 6weeks old to 12weeks old.  After that he's been home cuddling and playing with me all day :'(
I had already woke up pretty emotional just the though of leaving them.  We get in the car and actually remembered everything!!  Not a total failure lol.  We drop the baby off 1st, he is 26+ lbs and carrying him around gets exhausting.  Hand him over to the teacher and he pokes that little lip out!!!!!! *don't cry, don't cry, don't look*  I finally look at him and he's better even though he has a confused look on his face.  I wonder what he thinks is happening.  Does he think we aren't coming back from him?  I know that I better get out of there before I really do start to cry.

   It's so weird because I wasn't like that with my older two when I dropped them off.  But they did go to daycare from 6weeks to until 7 months ago and Carson is the only one I stayed home with.  I never thought that I would actually like staying home for that long but I did enjoy it while it lasted.  Not that I want to stay home until they move out! LOL

Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Today I am going to post my 1st recipe!!

Preheat oven to 400º F

Grease the muffin pan or the muffin liners, whichever you choose to use.  I just use the muffin pan so I don't loose any goodness to the muffin liners  :)

2 Bananas 

2 cup Oats (any kind will work)

2 eggs

3/4 cup Brown Sugar

1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt

1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Baking Soda

2 tsp Cinnamon 

(you can add chocolate chips, raisins or nuts too)

Mix together all the ingredients in a blender or large food process.  I used a Ninja to mix together all the ingredients to make sure that the oats get good and chopped.  If you add chocolate chips or raisins you will want to add to badder after mixed in the blender.  Unless of course you like them to get butchered lol

These muffins aren't going to rise very much so it is okay to fill a little over 3/4 way full. 

Bake for 15-20 minutes. 

Calories= 1741 for the whole batch!  That's 145 calories for each one if you make a dozen.  Yeah, I did that math for you, I got your back :)  

Now keep in mind, these are no-flour so the carbs are from oats (I used old fashioned) and oats are whole grain!! 

Even this little guy was trying to get 2nds and 3rds 

That Scale Though

   Yesterday and today the scale had some very nice things to say about me!  It's been a long time since the scale told me sweet nothings.  It's been talking a lot of shit to me for the last 2 years.  I like it much better this way!!  I know that this doesn't mean that I can stop my hard work and that I have to keep pushing forward and working hard for what I want.  It's so easy to give up because the results are not instant.  It takes so much persistence!  Days like today is what gives me the motivation I need.

I can't wait to see what she has to say in the next couple of days!! :)

Oops...

  I know that everyone knows I am new to this blogging thing.  I guess I didn't really think about it but I hadn't gotten any comments yet.  Therefore, I didn't know what happened when I got one… I thought I would be notified by my Google+ acct or by email, maybe phone call or voice mail… Anything!

NOPE!

   The other day I was looking at some of the settings and selected to share comments with Google+.  I figured why not, my blogger acct had already been linked to my Google+ acct.  Little did I realize that there were ways that things had to be done in order for even ME to see the comment.  Not to mention that in order to comment you HAD to have a Google+ acct!  I want everyone to be able to comment on my blog!

   Here is the "About Google+ Comments" that I found:

Features of Google+ Comments

Google+ Comments look similar to traditional Blogger comments, but have some important differences. For example:

• When you leave a comment on a blog, you'll see the option, checked by default, to also share that comment to Google+.
• Google+ posts that link to blog posts will show up as a comment underneath those blog posts
• If original comment is shared to Google+, replies to the comment on the blog will show up in Google+ and vice versa, but only to the people that the original comment was shared with
• If a comment is not shared with the blog author, the blog author will not be able to see the comment in either location
• As the author of a post, you’ll receive Google+ notifications when readers comment on or share your blog post.

Uuuhhh What?!

Needless to say, my blogger acct is no longer linked to my Google+ & anyone is welcome to view and comment on my blog as they please!  Don't get me wrong, I still love Google+, I just know that everyone is on that ship with me.  I figured I needed to share this incase anyone else is thinking of clicking random boxes.

***Sorry to all of the people that commented on my blog today that didn't and will not be showing up. I still appreciate the thought even though I don't know who or what what said :)

Brows for Days

   Have you noticed all these full eyebrows everyone has these days?  I have had the same eyebrow shape for as long as I could remember.  I have tried to grow them out and it just doesn't happen.  Since I'm on this whole life change thing, I figure why not?  Plus, I'm pretty sure that the left one is thinner than the right.  Not sure how long that's been going on but that shit needs to be corrected.  I already have a huge scar on my left eyebrow and eye lid so I don't need my eye to look anymore wonky!

   Anyway, with me having plucked my eyes since the 4th grade I am having a hard time putting the tweezers down.  I mean, I have to still pluck a little bit.  I'm growing them out, not going au natural! This is hard!  Every time I look in the mirror I want to pluck, pluck & pluck some more!  Did I mention how bad I want to pluck 'em?  I fill them in a little with eyebrow powder thinking that will make it better…. NOPE!  They are still looking crazy!  It reminds me of a game my daughter has on her iPod where she is fixing their faces and giving them makeup.

   Okay, mine aren't that bad but still, you get my point.  By the way, when I looked up to find this game picture you wouldn't believe the crazy eyebrows that people actually think are going to work for them.  Now, I know everyone is wondering what mine look like!  Even if you aren't, here they are!

   Believe me they look crazier in person!  Maybe next time I'll actually use a real camera besides my phone :)  I'll keep you posted on how long I can keep up with letting them grow out!

One Day at a Time

   As I sit here typing this my family is enjoying Domino's… I ordered it, I picked the toppings.  I think that this is me living through them.  Now I sit and think about the beef stew I will be heating up and I smell the amazing aroma of 2 2 topping medium pizzas.

  I was putting my pajamas on before the pizza got here and saw a heart box of chocolates from Valentine's on the dresser.  I wanted to cry.  I wanted to cry because this is hard!  But I want to be thinner and healthier but I want that pizza and I want that chocolate.  I don't want to be this person anymore!  Like I said, I wanted to cry and believe me I tried…  However, my hair is too tight and it hurts to make my ugly cry face!  So then I just laughed (didn't hurt as much).

I have to keep remembering that this is what I want and that this will be worth it.  I haven't lost as much weight as I want because I keep cheating.  I had Mexican food last weekend.  I had chips, salsa & vodka on Friday and then I had a burger and fries from Ruby Tuesday's on Sun!! WTH is wrong with me?!  I know what I have to do to get what I want but I just can't control myself!

All I can do at this point is to do better and learn front the mistakes that I make.  Today I did amazing and after I finish this big bowl of beef stew I will be at 1100 calories for the day!  Not to shabby and I only almost "tried" to cry once!

Food Food Food

   I know that I have mentioned before that I am on a new life journey of being healthy and loosing weight.  I have never been happy with by body or the way that I fit into clothes.  And like every other woman, I DREAD trying on clothes.  It doesn't always end in me crying but there have definitely been times that it has.  It's really been a life long battle since about 3rd or 4th grade.  There have been ups and downs, successes and failures.  It seems like the last 7 years has just been uphill and I don't mean success!  I mean the scale!  I always said that by the time I was 30 I would be healthy and thin.  I'm 31 now and I can tell you that didn't happen!  I did however quit smoking about 5 years ago!  After having my 3rd and maybe last bundle of joy I've decided to take the plunge and a make the choice to change.

  Since I have been an independent distributer of AdvoCare for about a year now I thought it was time to do the 24- day Challenge!  It's something tangible to let the journey begin.  I finished the Challenge this last week and came down 11 lbs.  I know that is a step but I had hoped for much more.  Okay, well maybe only 5 lbs more.  Don't get me wrong, I love what I have accomplished and I can feel the difference.  I know that this isn't going to happen overnight and that this will take some time.  I have support from my family and I have motivation from other bloggers and other success stories that I follow. I think that my mindset is right and choice has been made!

And of course, I found motivation in a quote from Thomas:
     "I think I can, I think I can"

Dirty Hair Don't Care

   I know that I'm not the only person out there that hates washing their hair.  I happen to have thick wavy hair... that I hate washing.  Those of you that know me know this to be true!  It's not just because the act of washing, rinsing, repeating & conditioning take so long but then I have to actually dry, brush and straighten it!  Whaaaaaa    I wash probably every 2 days… okay who am I kidding, since I am not working I wash every 3 or 4 days.  So, when I have somewhere that I have to go (grocery shopping) and I haven't washed or straightened my hair, I might need to fix those oily roots.  Of course I'm going to grab my dry shampoo and re-do my flippydo (messy bun thing).  I have been using TRESemme dry for about 3 years now and I like he outcome but I hate how it smells!  I'm not a big fan of the Hawaiian smell.  I knew there were other options but I guess I was too lazy to look.

   Since moving to the Chicago area I have became a biiiig Meijer fan.  Who doesn't want to earn money off just for spending money?!  Anyway, I had a coupon for "buy 3 Pantene products get $5 off" SCORE.  We always need shampoo.  I figured that I would get a dry shampoo while I was at it.  Lo and behold, it's AMAZING!!!  I was going to wash my hair yesterday but I thought "hey, why wash my hair when I could try out my new dry shampoo" Perfect idea!  Did I mention that it's AMAZING?  It still smells a little like hairspray but the it sprays smooth and the texture is nicer.  It's not a sticky and smells a little fresher.  Now I won't have to wash my hair for another 3 days! LOL Just kidding I will wash tonight ;)

Here's a pic for the rest of ya that don't like washing your hair either

House of Illness

   We thought we would spending a nice weekend in Champaign for Valentine's weekend and spending time with family (we did get some good family time in).…  Everything was going well until Sunday night.  My 10 month old spent all night vomiting.  Then we get home on Monday and my 8 year old starting throwing up. Tuesday came and my Fiancé was throwing up!  I mean, can I get a break here!?  At least I didn't get sick (or least I haven't yet) and my 3 year old hasn't gotten sick either.  He is the worst sick person I know!  It doesn't matter if I have bowl right under his head for him to throw up in, he is running around puking all over the place like a mad man!  I think he just hasn't had enough practice yet.  If that's even what you call it. Practice LOL

   You would think a house full of sick people doesn't sound that bad but, now I feel like I walk around smelling like vomit and diarrhea!  Not to mention all the laundry!  At least everyone has clean bedding now.  And I don't mind the baby being extra needy for a couple of days.  I know that one day he won't want me as much as he does now and I will miss it!  I do have to say that he is the sweetest most cuddliest baby I've had.  See, staying at home has it's perks!

For now I will keep Bleach and Lysol handy and hope all the vitamins I take will keep me from getting sick!

The Addiction of Food

   I have been an independent distributer for AdvoCare for over a year and I am just now doing their main seller… the 24-Day Challenge!  Little behind I know but, better late than never right?  My 3rd child is almost 1 year old and I have yet to lose the baby weight from the 1st heathen that is almost 9!!!
Again, better late than never… right?  I'm on day 23 and I've lost 10 lbs!  Okay, so I had lost 10 lbs and then we went home to Champaign for the weekend… I can't go to Champaign and not have El Toro.  Gained a couple back but that's okay, I'll just have to crack down on a strict clean diet for the next couple of days.

  Food is such an addiction for me.  I know that I want to lose weight.  I know that I have clothes in the basement I want to get back out.  I know that I want to feel good about myself again. Yet, I am not wanting to eat healthy and I am not wanting to have to think about everything I put in my mouth.  I figured the best motivation for me to start this new journey is to start with the 24-day Challenge.  The idea of eating healthy and "clean" is easier to adjust to when it's a written out plan of what to eat when. I have one day left and I haven't exactly lost what I wanted to lose but I also plan on continuing on eating healthy, counting calories and thinking about everything I eat.  I have ordered more Spark because I don't think I can live without it and I plan on slowly trying new products.  If ya'll have any favorites list in the comments!  I'd also like to hear any success stories and anything to motivate me and others!!