The Best Day of Her Life

I was SO bummed out when I found out a BIG CELEBRITY was going to be in town on the day Joe and I were scheduled to go to the horse races with his work group.

And if you live in our house?  You know we eat, sleep, and breathe this big name...

That's right, Llama Llama came to our local library!  We've been reading those books to Morgan for as long as I can remember and she is obsessed with them.  We like them too, the catchy rhythmic lines, the lessons learned, the happy endings.  However, my husband has voiced his dismay several times over the absence of a father in the storyline.  Ah well...you can't have it all.

Anyway, back to Llama Llama:  Since we were going to be out of town, I made arrangements for my MIL to take Morgan to the big event at the library.  She got one of Joe's younger cousins to tag along and help out with the kids.

We were uncertain how Morgan would react.  I predicted she would be scared....but she LOVED Llama Llama.  I'm told she was the FIRST kid up there to take pictures and hug him.  She wouldn't budge, to allow the other kids a chance at him, haha!

And when it was time for Llama Llama to leave?  My little girl threw herself onto the floor, crying giant crocodile tears.  My MIL said it was the cutest, most heartbreaking thing to watch, haha!

I wish I could've been there with her, to meet her favorite famous Llama.  I'm so happy she got to do something that made HER so happy; that's what it's all about.

Fitness Updates - if you wanna call it that

I sent my trainer/friend/cousin's-wife-by-marriage (got all that?) these pictures via text with a message saying "I need to look good in these":

Victoria's Secret

 "and these too":

And then 2 days later I sent her this pic with a text that said "I have a sickness" ha!:

Their pizza is AMAZING.  And I can't just quit our Friday night tradition of pizza & beer night, now can I?

I've been eating pretty clean (fruit, veggies, lean protein, etc.) & trying to cut back my beer/pizza addiction.  But it's hard when the little monsters drive me to drink by 4pm most days.  I usually put out an SOS text around 5:30 to the Hubs, knowing it will still be a while til he gets home from work. Once I discovered there are 250 calories in EACH bottle of my new favorite beer, I decided the calories weren't worth it and to only have one occasionally now.  Womp Womp.

I realized a few days ago I've been trying to lose 10 pounds.  SINCE JANUARY.  Whining out loud to my husband was rather pathetic, because I realized I wasn't really "trying".  Going to Pilates 2x per week is something, but not enough.  Especially when I'm eating clean only maybe 40% of the time if I'm being honest?

Part of my dilemma is WHEN to work out.  This season in life offers me two choices:  Either before the kids wake up (so it would have to be 5:30am) or after they go to bed at 8pm, and by then - I'm totally spent.  I guess I have to get up earlier if I want it bad enough?

I've been trying to get in more cardio on my elliptical, aiming for a minimum of 45 minutes, 3x/per week.  I started watching Parenthood as a series to get into to forget about the fact that I'm working out ; )  I've also been switching it up with my Pilates -- and joining in some strength/sculpting classes, incorporating some TRX stuff, tried a Barrelates class (hello sore thighs!), and did Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred.  Lifting heavier weights...  I guess I'm looking for a way to stay motivated and keep it interesting so I don't get bored.

I also started texting a friend that is in the same boat as me - she wants to be held accountable.  We both have 2 little kids and we felt like if one of us was exercising, that should make the other person feel like they don't have an excuse not to get moving that day ; )

One thing that's no longer working for me is putting the kids in the stroller and going for long walks because the mobile one ALWAYS wants out to walk on her own now.  And pick up every stick, leaf & dandelion in our path, lol.  It's nice to get out of the house, but can't really count it as working out (I used to push them up and around the hills in our neighborhood - it's about 80 pounds altogether, so that has to be burning a few calories?)

So what are you doing these days to stay motivated & moving while still keeping it interesting?

Our Weekend

We had no big plans this weekend and it was kinda nice.  I was bummed we didn't get out more, because that seems to be the only time we can get out of the house, when I have an extra set of hands to help/hold/chase/carry.  It was still a good weekend, nonetheless!

We took the kids to the park Saturday morning and Joey got to go in the swings for the first time!  He loved it.

I was pushing Morgan and she was giggling and kept saying 'I LOOOOVE it!  I LOOOOVE it Mommy!" haha!

Saturday night we changed our plans - we originally were going to take my MIL out to dinner for her birthday, but decided the kids wouldn't tolerate sitting in a restaurant for more than 10 minutes, so why stress ourselves out over it?  We ended up cooking dinner at our house and having a nice bottle of wine.  We gave her a pot of flowers that Morgan helped me pick out, some birthday cards, and a pro photo session with her & the grandkids for later this summer.

Today we just hung out at home.

Sunday morning snuggles & reading

He' s loving the piano now

We watched Daddy wash his car, and all had to take cover in the garage when it started to rain.  I was making fun of him because I saw the clouds rolling in as he was starting to get his foamer thingy out, haha!  Anyway, the rain passed quickly and he was able to finish washing it.  Heaven forbid we go a week without washing that car!!

Supervising from the garage

She didn't care that it was raining and refused to come stand in the garage with us. 

 All in all, it was a nice low-key weekend.  Trying to remain positive as we enter another 12-day work stretch for Daddy... I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

Things that make me smile

MoJo is on a roll this week...they are cracking me up.  

I walked in to Joey's room this morning to find this:

Oh HEEEY Ma....just wondering when you were coming to get me...

I guess that means I"ll be lowering the crib mattress ASAP.  He'll be 10 months old on Saturday.  I knew it was coming soon, and suddenly today, he is pulling himself up on everything!

He also started clapping just yesterday:

 And she's started making everything a HAT:

Cute, but not when there's food still in the bowl!  She's even saying "Mommy Look!  It's a HAT!"

I sent the Hubs on a Kroger run Sunday night for a couple things.  He came home with tulips.  For me!

I put them right in front of the kitchen sink so when I'm grumpy doing dishes for the billionth time, I have something pretty to look at!

 I Macgyver-d a straw cup that would allow the straw to reach all the way to the bottom for our morning smoothie.  Mo LOVES it! (Spinach+strawberries+blueberries+banana+greek yogurt+flax seed today)

This one had me slightly irritated:  Yesterday I bought baby boy wrapping paper for a gift for my sister I'd planned to wrap & mail.  Well...these two got a hold of it and DESTROYED it.  But it kept them entertained and giggling for a solid 20 minutes.  I just had to laugh...and grab the camera.

Since little Mister was pulling up everywhere, I told him to get in the kitchen and make Mama a sammich:

Annnnd now I have another little helper in my kitchen...good thing he's cute!  And at least he's not bulldozing me over with his "walker of death".

I found her curled up in the corner, with her beloved blankies and the newest Pottery Barn catalog saying "Oooh, pwetty....NIIIICE."  That's my girl!

Last week, we went out to my SIL's Horse farm again and while Morgan couldn't sit on any of the horses (they were in the middle of riding lessons), she did get to ride this 4-wheeler RTV thing.  She took right over, shifting & steering and did NOT want to get off!!

And lastly....this.  She knows she's too big for the walker...I just had to laugh!

My Sorta Day Alone and Keeneland

I mentioned before that Joe offered to give me a day ALL TO MYSELF last Friday.

Well...it didn't exactly turn out the way I'd envisioned, but it was still good.   It was more like a few hours alone.  (He had a 7am work meeting that he couldn't get out of on his day off.  What's a girl to do?)

I spent the free hours I had working out, showering, gathering donation/sale clothes and driving up to drop off said clothes.  I then ventured over to the Outlet Mall that's about a half hour away from here and wandered around, alone.  Uninterrupted.  Not worrying about who needs to eat or nap or have their diaper changed next ; )  It's weird, but some things from JCrew had to come home with me ; )  Like the jacket I wore to Keeneland the next day, scored for ultra-mega-cheap.  I love a good deal!  A few hours of alone time is always glorious.  Unless you're going to your Gyn appointment.  Then?  Not so much.

I also picked up a few summer things & PJs for the kids.  They are ALWAYS outgrowing their PJs lately.

I promised I'd be home in time for dinner, and that I was.

On Saturday morning, we boarded a bus with Joe's work peeps and drove down to Keeneland (the horse races).  It was my first time there.  It was a fun experience, although I could have done without one of his drunk employees making a total spectacle of herself the whole ride down & back.  Also, the track was FULL of college kids.  It was kinda funny because it was chilly that day (sunny, but 50's and breezy).  I had 3 layers on.  There were girls there in tiny sundresses and heels and you just KNEW they were freezing.

The group met at a bar at 10am for departure.  We ordered coffee.  What, you don't drink your coffee in dingy wine glasses?

We didn't really bet any money on the horses (have you ever read one of the programs?  We got a tutorial and I still don't know if it's more than a crapshoot.)  But we did indulge in nachos, hot dogs, popcorn, a pretzel and oh yeah, beer.  (Hello there salt weightgain!)  

Random factoid:  Did you know that it takes 4 days for excess salt to get flushed out of your body?  So I won't be stepping on a scale again til never Wednesday.  #perksofbeingmarriedtoanephrologist

Anyway, as a side note, I wish I'd been better prepared because the food for the day would not have been my choice.  We couldn't find ANYTHING else to eat.  Oh, did I mention we had donuts for breakfast?  

It was fun to get out of town for the day.  When we returned to Cinci, the Hubs and I chose to go have dinner alone together at one of our favorite restaurants downtown instead of staying with the group & eating dinner at the bar.  It was a perfect end to the day.  

Oh Hey Monday

Wondering where to start with my blog on this Monday morning.  Joe was off for 4 days over the weekend, so we did a lot!  I feel like I have lots of pictures to share, but don't want my post to be 2 miles long, haha!

Wednesday night, we were anxiously awaiting Daddy to get home and start his days off.  It was about to storm and the babies were going nuts (5:30/6:00 is their "Bewitching Hour".  EVERY DAY.), so I threw them in the stroller and we went for a walk.

How are they almost the same size???

Thursday we took the kids to the zoo.  The tulips were spectacular!

 No pictures of the animals, lol.  Morgan LOVED watching the polar bear swim around and the giraffes.  It was hard for her to see many of the animals, but we had so much fun.  The weather was amazing.

Thursday night, this little guy got his first hair cut.  Yep, we cut the "swoop", haha!  He's already starting to look like so much more little boy and less like my baby :(

That's enough for this post.  More to come.  Gotta get the nuggets ready for a big trip to Target, hopefully I can make that happen yet this morning.  

I also finally got myself registered for a summer class that I need to continue on with my schooling.  This is a course I've been avoiding for...oh...forever.  Ugggh.  I hope the class isn't as painful as the registration process!  I'm freaking out about actually becoming a student AGAIN.  But super excited to be moving toward my goal and I want to be a good example for Morgan & Joey.

So What Wednesday

Linking up with Shannon at Life After I Dew for another So What Wednesday...

This week, I'm saying "So What" to:

• I can barely walk from my workout that was on MONDAY.  My muscles are very very angry at me. My legs better look decent in shorts for all this pain!
• We went to my MIL's house for dinner 2 nights in a row.  The night before that, we went out for Pizza.  The night before that?  I made frozen Pizza.  Sometimes Mama needs a break from the whole "21 Meals Cooked at Home Per Week" show.
• I've finally been working on getting into Grad School like it's my full-time job.  It's time.
• My dear husband is off on Friday and offered to stay home with the kids for an entire day so I can get away.  (Awesome, I know, right?!?!)  I don't know what I'm doing yet (besides working out if I'm able), but I'm sure I"ll have no trouble filling my day.
• Tax day made me want to gouge my eyes out. MAJOR Buzzkill this year.
• Every morning I wake up (by my little alarm clocks that NEVER sleep in it seems) and my first thought is "Only 5.5 hours til naptime.  I can do this."
• The Hubs asked me when we were gonna get going on Baby #3 the other night and my reaction was borderline spastic.  Let's just say we are on different ends of the time spectrum right now.  But he's right...my eggs & oven aren't getting any younger.  I'm anxious to see if his thoughts on the matter change after he spends an entire day alone with MoJo ; )

What are you saying So What to this week?

Better Days

Things in Tammyfantasyland are much better these days... Morgan's little "issue" last week finally resolved.  I hate seeing my babies in pain.  Although the communication barrier is extremely frustrating between Toddlers and grownups, I'm grateful she could at least verbalize she was hurting.

Back to happy pictures of our weekend!

I think I've shared that when my husband is on call on weekends, it means he works 12 days straight and they are LONG days.  Sometimes the kids don't get to see him.  I feel like I always whine when it's his weekend.  But when that Friday of Day #12 rolls around, we are MORE THAN READY TO HAVE DADA HOME!!!

To get me through the weeks, I've deemed Friday nights in our house "Pizza & Beer Night".  It makes me happy.

Me & My Boo, waiting for Daddy!

She was literally watching out the window for 30 minutes for Daddy to come driving down our street!

 Our weekend consisted of Food, Working Out and of course, the BEST part: getting out of the house!!  After a trip to Lowe's (we are thrill-seekers, what can I say...) we took the kids down to the Levee for an advertised "Acrobatics Show" I'd read about.

Looking skeptical...for good reason

 Well.  It was 3 teenagers juggling and dancing.  One even rode a unicycle.  It was...something to do ; )

 We took Morgan to one of those Build-A-Bear type workshops, (only it's called something else) and she picked out a White Bunny.  She also got a free hat for giving the jugglers a tip.  Which she refused to take off ; )

Joey, clearly unimpressed by the "Acrobatic Show" Mama hyped up...

Of course we had to stop at Dewey's because I needed more pizza in my life.  We were brave and ordered the seasonal special, "The Ballpark Pizza".  Spicy mustard, onions, saurkraut, sausage, cheese...sounded weird enough to be good - and it was tasty!!

 I then felt foodguilty and whipped up these NO Sugar NO Flour Banana muffins I found on Pinterest.  They were good, but they definitely tasted like NO Sugar.  Clearly, I'm addicted.  But Morgan & Joe liked them, so I'll definitely be making them again.  I hate throwing out over-ripe bananas.

Recipe VIA HERE

 This little man's top two teeth are really coming down now.  He looks so different!  Less baby-ish.  Sadface.

We rounded out the weekend with a trip out to my MIL's.  We got to see our Greyhound, Dakota.  Morgan was kissing her through the glass and was giggling so hard.  She really wanted to play with her but Dakota is SO big & quite clumsy, so we thought it best to keep her outside while the kiddos were around.  I do hope one day they grow up to love that dog as much as we do.  I'm still grateful my MIL "adopted" her for us so we could still keep her in the family after the incident with Morgan's eye last summer.  Dakota really is the sweetest dog I've ever known.

 After playing with the hose, a certain little toddler had to let Nana throw her clothes in the dryer.

 It doesn't get much cuter than that!!