Friday, January 24, 2014

Five on Friday!

{one}

The kids went to their first ever concert last night, Fresh Beat Band! It was soooo much fun, Gianna had a blast! It was one of the coldest days we have had, but we made the best of it. We had great seats and she danced and was able to sing and scream as loud as her little heart desired. glow stick that she broke within an hourr= $15 down the drain, experience seeing her enjoy herself= priceless!!



{two}

I made my first t-shirt on my silhoette cameo and it turned out great! So much fun being a mommy and super proud that I am a full time working mommy and still do fun crafts for my kids and attend all their school parties. I have actually co-hosted every party at G's school this year. Go me! hahah, sorry, had to brag.


{three}

This sweet dude gets his helmet Monday! Keep him in your prayers!


{four}

My mother in law comes in town Sunday to meet Miles! I am looking forward to her visit!

{five}

Gianna had pre-school registration this week and next year she will be going 3 days a week. Oh. my. My baby is growing up. Miles will start in January of next year.


Happy Friday Everyone!!!




Thursday, January 23, 2014

DIY Photo Canvas

I recently hosted our monthly pinterest club project and decided to do a DIY canvas photo. Inspired by my husband who made one for me for my birthday. It is super cheap & easy and really looks cute. Such a fun, personalized gift for family or friends too! All you need is a canvas of any size, a laser printed (right off your printer) image either in color or black and white, matte gel (which will make several canvases), a spray bottle of water and some sort of brush, I used super cheap ones.

Keep in mind- Print your image in mirror if you want it to look the way you currently see it.

To start, apply a nice coat of gel matte to your canvas, make it thick and even, but not too thick, just make sure the whole canvas is covered.  Then, put your image face down onto the canvas, press evenly across to make sure your image is pressed down all over. Then, leave it overnight.

Come back and saturate it with water from your spray bottle, a nice misting spray. You want it pretty wet, but no puddles, wipe those off, then you just start rubbing in circles and rub the paper right off. You want your rub to be firm, but not too firm. At first the pieces will come off easily, but then you may need more water, it's ok, you can spray away, but don't get it too too wet once the paper starts coming off, because as long as you are patient with your circles, the paper will continue to come off. You will start to see a clear, crisp image and the picture will start to feel rubber like once you are done. After you are satisfied with the way the picture looks DRY (this is important, because as it dries you can really see the left over pieces of paper). Then, paint a final coat of matte gel on top and then you are finished.

Be very careful on faces, you don't want to rub them off and you can see in the corner of one of my images where it got too wet and rubbed right off.

gel matte

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Friendships: Some are silver, the other gold

Friends.  They are all unique and they are all so very special. My motto is friends are the family you chose.  If you have a great family, like I do, consider yourself lucky, not everyone has this, but friends are different.  Friends are chosen, and yes friendships come and go, sometimes you lose a good one and look back and wish you would have put more into that friendship, sometimes you lose a bad one and there is no love lost.  Friendships are like any other relationship, you have to nurture them for them to flourish.

I have many friendships that I cherish. I do not have a ton of friends, but the ones I do have I try to maintain.  There are my 2 best friends, Taylor and Shelley.  Shelley is my friend who I can talk to about anything and she will bring me down to earth when needed, or encourage me if needed.  Fights with the husband, pregnancy or mommy issues, you name it, we can discuss it.  Shelley and I met in middle school, but really started becoming close in high school. We were college room mates and our friendship is tried and true. I call her almost daily on my way home from work and although it has been several years since we lived super close, for about a year now she has lived states away in New Jersey. We don't get to see each other often, but our friendship does not miss a beat.  Then, there is Taylor, my other besty who I have been very tight with since Kindergarden. Her, Shelley and I used to call ourselves, "3 deep in the jeep". Yes, I drove a jeep. We got in trouble together, we played sports together, we did everything together. Taylor has always been the care free one, the funny one who will lift you up when you need it.  She always see's the glass half full and although opposite schedules have kept us from visiting and chatting as much as we should, our friendship will last forever without a doubt.

Then, there are new friends.  Friends I have met as neighbors, friends I have met through work and those friendships are growing leaps and bounds.  There are the ones who you can trust with anything. Who do not judge you, who you know do not speak ill of you, who would do anything for you.  Those are the ones you hope your kids grow up together, who you want to grow with as adults, as couples, as parents.  There are the other friends who you have fun with, who may like to gossip so you have to watch your tongue, but who you know don't mean anything by it and that is just them.  There are other friends who your relationship hasn't taken those big steps yet, but you enjoy your time together and sometimes may even wish you could build them deeper.  Friendship comes in all shapes and sizes.

Friendship takes work and to be honest, time is limited. Very limited. You have to pick and chose your friendships carefully. As a wife and mommy who works full time, my time is extremely valuable. My family is close by and a lot of free time is spent with them as well, so the time I do have to spend with my friends is limited.  I try to make it to the important things and even step out of my comfort zone to attend things I am not really looking forward to attending.  Sometimes there are friendships you would like to grow deeper and you just don't make the time or have the time, but for those friendships that have already proven to be valuable, maintain them, nurture them and they will never stop growing.

I am so grateful for the friendships I have.  For the friendships that go years back and have so much history.  For the friendships that are just starting and you know you will make history with.  For the friendships that you will keep in touch with throughout the years, but never truly grow into.  For the friendships that are made through blogging :) and instagram pictures.  For the friendships with my family, my husband and my children which are by far my most important friendships.

As the old song goes...

Make new friends, but keep the old, some are silver, the other gold.



Friday, January 17, 2014

5 on Friday!

Happy Friday Ya'll!

{one}

My legs are sore and I love it! My first time doing legs was rough and it was awesome, my 2nd time I really didn't get sore, so I decided I needed to work a little harder and it worked.

{two}

My diet. It needs work. Rome wasn't built in a day and this year is about the small changes, so I am excited to say we ate dinner at home Monday through Thursday this week AND I brought my lunch 1 day (lol, hey, it is a start). I am going to try and make a few healthy snacks, homemade, this weekend!

{three}

My baby boy turns 7 months old tomorrow. Wow! Oh. My. Gosh. The love I have for my kids. It is amazing!

{four}

I'm off on Monday, can I get a Heck yeah! Man, I love any and every holidays that calls for a day off work. Poor husband doesn't have the day off.

{five}

Tomorrow I have a guest post on one of my very favorite momma's sites, go check it out....pleeeease!!!


Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Workout Wednesday- Gym Etiquette

So I am not a fitness freak or expert by any means, but I have always been a gym go-er and always done my fair share of running, completing my first 2 half marathons late in 2013, so I decided to incorporate some more of my fitness routine/life into my blog. I am not a "newbie" in the gym by any means, but I am somewhat new to the weight area as I have neglected it for quite some time. I am trying to keep a postive attitude about the gym crowds and hoping people will stick with their goals for this year, but sometimes I do find myself getting frustrated with people at the gym, new gym go-ers and veterans, which brings me to today's post... Gym Etiquette, this is straight from my head, no list from google here.

Please do not sit on the machines between reps and chit chat or rest. Other people may need them, I have kids to get home to, dinner to cook, etc. etc. etc. I want to get in and out and not spend my life waiting on you. If you need a long rest, fine, but get off the machine!!!

Be aware of your surroundings. It is packed and some people drop their weights or move around like they are the only people there, I do not want 45lbs falling on my toes please.

Wipe off your funk! I don't expect you to spray down every machine, but carry a towel and wipe down your funk after using it.

If your new in a class, hop in and just do your best. Don't come, take a spot and leave half way. You don't have to do what everyone else is doing, but it also isn't going to be a private lesson, join in and go at your own speed. 

Re- Rack your weights. I don't want to have to put your weights up.

Wear deodorant. Again with the funk people, less is more!

Don't steal. haha, this has happened to me before. If I leave my phone, turn it in people. Karma is a {beep}!

Treadmills aren't for talking on the phone or singing out loud. No one wants to here either and if you are having a conversation on your phone while other people are waiting to actually sweat, ANNOYING!!!

Wipe down your cardio equipment. MOST gyms have spray or wipes, or towels, or something. 

WORK HARD!  Enjoy. Encourage and Inspire. 

Friday, January 10, 2014

5 on Friday!

{one}

We found out this week that Miles will have to wear a helmet for plagiocephaly. Poor guy, when will all the Dr. Appointments end for him?! I am still emotional about this and trying to get over that it will cost us $3k and if we would have done it 10 days ago it would have been FREE!! But, it is my parental duty. More on this to come.

{two}

We were planning to go to Europe- an all adult trip-- in April, but my heart has been tugging and telling me I am just not ready to leave Miles yet for that long, so we are post poning that trip until next year for our 5 year anniversary and we are going to plan something else in it's place, we are also planning on now going to Jamaica as a family in June to see Allan's parents since they live in Trinidad and there aren't any direct flights from Atlanta there anymore. Crazy I know considering Atlanta is the largest airport, but 2 kids 2 & under, an international flight, a lay over, 2 car seats, 2 pack and plays a stroller, oh lord I want to vomit just thinking about it, lol.

{three}

I have completed 2 leg workouts, 2 pull workouts and 1 push workout so far this year and am on track to do my 3 weight training days each week and damn it. I feel good about it. It is a big change in my workout routine and I have gotten home a few days a little later than I would like, but hoping to speed it up as I become more familiar with the workouts and as the gym clears out with the new years crowd.- Although, if you are one of the newvbies, keep it up, most won't so be one of the ones who will!
Need to be motivated to get moving? These will help :)

{four}

Clean Sheets. Aren't they the greatest! I just changed mine last night and every time I do it I love it!

{five}

Birthday planning. Yep for Mr. Miles first birthday. I have started, I want to try and do all of it myself on my silhouette and in my kitchen, lol, so it will take the full 5 months to make this happen.


Happy Friday All!!


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

New Year, New Me?!

So the new year is upon us, it is now officially 2014 and I am not a New Year's resolutioner- ok I don't think resolutioner is a word, but you get the just of this. I am usually not one to make so called "resolutions", but this year I do want to make some goals. Why? I don't know. Maybe it is because this is the year I turn the big 3-0! Or maybe it is because our family is now complete, I am done having kids (I think) and I am ready to focus on my marriage, kids, career, health etc.  Maybe it is all of the above. Yes, I think so, all of the above.

So this year I want to focus on the things I can control.  If I have a bad day at work, I can go to the gym and work it out, I can control this, I can push hard or go easy on my run, all up to me.  I also plan to show the weights some love this year. I have always pretty much stuck to cardio and hot yoga. Maybe a few weights here and there, but now I am taking on a full 3 day a week push, pull and legs weight routine. I am only 1 week in and feeling extremely sore and loving it! I want to see what it can do to my body. I am making this weight regimen a Q1 goal and will evaluate from there. As anyone who reads knows, I am not the healthiest of eaters, so we will have to see what it will do without the diet part, but I am feeling extremely weak at the weights, so I am pumped to get into this new routine. Quite the change for me!!

I want to pray and praise. I feel so very blessed for the beautiful life I have been given, I want to praise God for all of his blessings and pray daily. I want to enjoy my family more, nurture my friendships and have a positive attitude. Also, someone recently reminded me, after the kids grow up and go to college, it is back to just me and the husband. I want to nurture my marriage. This is a lot easier said than done, we love each other, but over the past 3 years of IVF, getting pregnant, doctor's appointments, pregnancies, doctor appointments, newborns, doctors appointments (haha) our love has definitely taken a loss in the spark department and this is something that is hard to kick back up. We have gotten into a routine that does not include cuddles, hand holding and kissing and we need to turn it around. Maybe more date nights and trying to focus on all the amazing qualities I value so deeply about my husband. It's a work in progress, but as long as we are working, so is our marriage.

Cooking. I SUCK at meal planning. Terrible. Picking out a week of recipes, making the list, actually remembering to bring the list to the store, then actually getting everything on the list? Not my thing! I did great when I was on maternity leave and could grab the kids and run to the store a couple days a week if needed, but now, I am back to sucking at it. But...I have always wanted to cook more meals at home and now I am more serious about it than ever, so we are trying this awesome meal service called Dream Dinners. Basically we pick our menu out from their choices once a month. They have about 20 choices and you pick 12, so 3 dinners a week are planned out. It is all fresh ingredients, you go to their facility once a month and prepare everything, then you bring it home and follow the cook instructions when ready to cook it. Each meal is cooked in about 20 minutes. We have done a sample week and I enjoyed it. It averages about $15 a meal for a 3 serving meal, but it is healthy, it keeps us at home, cheaper than eating out, fresh, gives us a chance to try new stuff and takes the planning out of 3 of our meals, then we still have time to throw in an easy recipe and a Sunday meal that takes a little more planning. I am pumped about this and hope we love it as much as I think we will.

2014 is a year of small changes. I hope and pray it is a great year (for all of us)!

Monday, January 6, 2014

3-6 Month Favorites

3 to 6 months is such an amazing age. Baby starts getting their personality, laughing, babbling, rolling, sitting up, etc. It starts the age of exploration and so much learning and observation.  Here are some of Miles 3-6 month favorites, other than his sister and 2 boston terriers, lol.

1. Bumbo Seat - the greatest, we now put him in the bath with his big sister, you can take it with you to go visit people's houses and have the baby sit at the table, on the floor, etc.

2. Sophie - the most expensive teething toy you will ever see, but totally worth it. He LOVES it and now he is official, rocking 2 bottom teeth!

3. Baby Links - can't get enough of these, you can use them to attach the pacis, hang toys from play mat, car seat, stroller, etc. Miles loves to chew on them as well.

4. Lovie - Miles has 2 and loves them. He cuddles with them and covers his eyes with them while napping

5. Exersaucer - Fun, Fun and more fun!  Both our babies are relatively small, so this one was great, because they both loved to be upright and it has a nice base that can be moved up and down to grow with them.




Please take a moment and LIKE the actual Photo of my babies! Thank you!!!

Friday, January 3, 2014

5 on Friday {2014 Here I come}

Happy Friday Ya'll!



{one}

It's 2014 and I am pumped. This year I want it to be a great year. I want to focus on the things in life I can control and enjoy my family.

{two}

One of my goals this year is to continue to work on my fitness. Diet has never been my thing and probably never will. Last year I ran my first half marathon 4 months after having my son, and another a month later. I killed it and it was a great personal achievement for me and to be able to do it with my husband is the icing on the cake. This year I am showing the weights some love and did my first fill leg workout ever last night. Yes walking is becoming increasingly difficult right now.

{three}

Gianna and Miles started taking baths together. He sits in his bumbo and they both just love being in there with each other. Gianna is finally loving bath time again and asks to take baths now.  So. Fun.

{four}

Another one of my goals for this year is to cook more. I work full time, have 2 kids a husband and a house to take care of, not to mention I manage our finances and enjoy getting my workouts in. I signed up for this Dream Dinners program where we go once a month and prepare 12 fresh meals that you freeze and cook up within 20 minutes.

{five}

Cheers to the weekend Ya'll, let's make 2014 a great year!



Thursday, January 2, 2014

Christmas Re-cap

Well, well, hello 2014! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, mine was amazing! It was so nice to be at home spending quality time with my family. We started with Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa's house including church, dinner and presents! Miles played baby Jesus in the Christmas show at church and totally rocked it. Best. Baby. Jesus. Ever!!! About 10 minutes before church started he started screaming crying and wouldn't really stop, but I finally got him to calm down and he stole the show. Love him!! Then, we ate a yummy dinner and opened presents. Gianna was loving it, she got a few things and loved all of them!

That night we came home way passed bed time, but let Gianna put out milk and cookies for Santa. Then, as she went to bed we made MANY trips down the steps putting everything around the tree. The next morning we woke her up, fixed her hair and I walked her downstairs with Miles as Allan recorded her reaction. She started opening presents and was so happy. At times she was overwhelmed, at times she acted like a spoiled brat saying "more presents", but MOST of the time she acted like a very loving, blessed, excited child on Christmas morning and it was FABULOUS!  Yes, each toy we opened she wanted to take out of the box, put it together and play, so around 9 am we took a breakfast break and then continued until around 11 am to when she took a nap, then continued some more. It was exhausting, there are still toys everywhere and we are trying to come up with some more storage and organizational solutions as we do not have a dedicated play area other than the living room right now. Which come on, my kids are babies they always need to be in my sight right now anyways, so I am good with it, it just sometimes gives me anxiety.


The whole family came over at lunch and we ate chicken pot pie, mac and cheese, sausage balls, cookies and pie. It was delish! Then, we relaxed around the house for the remainder of the evening, still in our PJ's and finally curled into bed after a very successful Christmas. Miles got a whole lot of teething toys, an awesome pottery barn chair, a few bigger toys for later and some clothes. The teething toys were by far his favorite items. Duh.


Gianna got several Dora toys, several Sofia toys, a Mike the Knight castle set, a microwave (which is a hit), a food set, a new Red Pottery Barn chair, a lot of clothes, a lot of books, some awesome bath toys, a new Dora robe which she now has to wear during nap time, a remote control car, a little mermaid doll and some new DVDs. Definitely spoiled!





My Christmas was filled with some awesome gifts as well and yes I know Christmas is not about gifts, but we are blessed to make this an extra part of our festivities and work very hard to do so. Our Christmas was amazing, it was filled with love, laughter, cheer, family and friends. I love the spirit that fills the air around the holidays and I am sad to see it pass, but I am very much excited about a new year, I hope and pray that each one continues to amaze me the way this one has.  I hope you all had the merriest of merry Christmas's as well.