The House is Painted!

It has taken about 10 months, and a little bit of outside help, but our house is painted! All 2,000 square feet of ceilings, trim, doors, and walls; as well as outside trim, garage door, and shutters! WHEW! My husband is a rockstar! 

To begin the process we had to decide on colors...Scott likes golden colors and I like grays (of course)- so we agreed on khaki based colors, because they are a mixture of grays and golds. 

On our main floor we chose Benjamin Moore colors:

Dining room- Dried Basil

Hallways- Navajo White

Living Room- Manchester Tan

1/2 bath- Buttered Yam

Kitchen/eat in/family room- Barley

Upstairs we used mainly Valspar colors:

Kids Bathroom- Woodlawn Blue Angel

Allie's Room- Sea Lilly & Pink Taffy

Boys Room- Gravity

Master bath- Barley

Master bedroom- Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan (we had leftovers)

Hallways- same as lower level

Exterior colors:

Shutters- Valspar Black Raisin

Door- Valspar Posh Red 

Allie is 3!

My sweet little girl, how are you already 3?! My how the time has flown. Everyday is a new adventure and everyday you surprise us more and more. You are so smart and you are piecing so much of this "world" together. Your new favorite question is Why? And it boggles my mind at times when I don't have an answer for you. 

Your 3 year stats are pretty easy to remember, 3 ft 3 inches and 33 pounds. But your personality is off the charts.

You LOVE watching TV, as long as you can pick the show. Your favorites include Cailou, Bubble Guppies, Daniel Tiger, and Sponge Bob- yes, we let you watch Sponge Bob, it's not as bad as some of those other tv shows out there. I have to make sure to limit TV to about an hour a day total. You also love to sing and listen to music, again, as long as you choose exactly what you are listening to. Sophia the First CD is on constant replay in the car these days, and you DO NOT let me or daddy sing along! 

You do have a little temper and you love to get your way. You can have a tantrum like no other, especially when you are tired or hungry. I try to keep a good schedule with food/sleep to avoid these types of things, but at times they are unavoidable, and really they don't get you anywhere. But I understand you are trying to figure things out and sometimes this world is overwhelming. 

You do a good a good job playing pretend with your toys and you are LOVING the sand box you got for your birthday. Any messy play is fun for you. You also really like to jump on the mini trampoline and swing at the park. Speaking of the park, you are getting pretty brave these days, climbing ladders taller than I can reach. You like to be busy most hours of the day, so lounging around isn't really on your agenda. You keep me BUSY little one. 

Lately you have been LOVING to see babies. If there is ever a baby around you will ask me if you can see them, and you are pretty gentle with them. You give them gentle kisses on their heads, and play gently with their fingers. You are going to be a wonderful big sister in a few months. You are pretty certain you will have a baby sister, though we will find out in just a few days if you are correct!

I've been trying to remember some of the cute things you say to blow my mind, but I can't seem to come up with a any in particular. There are so many each day! 

You are growing so fast these days seem hard to hold on to, and before I know it you will be going off to school. I'm trying to cherish all the time I get to spend with you while you are still little and I can be home. The summers fly by, and soon we will be a family of 4. But I am sure you will take it all in stride. You are a leader little one and don't let anyone hold you back. But please make sure to share and use your polite words as much as possible. 

I am so lucky to be your mama. 

4 months!

Wow! How am I already 4 months pregnant? I had these wild dreams of blogging weekly pregnancy updates (because I follow bloggers who do). But after writing weekly updates I decided not to post them. I have a weekly book that I update (by hand- old fashioned like), but I decided not to put my whole life out there right now. However, here are some of my random happening the past 16 weeks!

I felt great in the beginning, used exercise to curb morning sickness- still running, lifting heavy, and doing some Insanity. Around 7 weeks my morning sickness ramped up big time- 24 hours a day bad! 8 weeks- we saw and heart the baby's heart beat! 9 weeks-  I was told not to run/lift, but I continued to walk fast ;-). 12 weeks- another ultrasound and saw the baby's heart beat, but I was not to exercise, lift over 5 pounds (including Allie) and take it VERY easy. Week 14- ultrasound showed things getting better, still not to exercise or lift anything over 5 pounds. 

I'm feeling a little "soft" but following doctors orders! I begged them to let me walk slowly a few weeks ago, so I have been doing that to keep a little active. My goal this pregnancy is to keep the baby and myself healthy. I'm also embracing the "bump". Yes, I already have a little bump, and I am going to show it off! Watch out Instagram! Here come a slew of selfies! 

My next appt is later this week, and we maybe able to find out the baby's sex! I'm also hoping for a better ultrasound this week, so cross your fingers and say your prayers for baby #2! Allie is convinced it is a baby sister- which is interesting because this pregnancy has been 100% different than with her. Time will tell! I've gained a little more energy lately and have begun nesting/cleaning/decorating a little more. Watch out house (poor husband)! Here are some pics of house updates, bumps, and baby #2!

Collage wall/pulling weeds/new back door

16 week bump and 12 week baby

Hi!

Remember that one time I used to blog..then I got pregnant and really sick and slept all the time? 

Yup...true story...maybe I'll update ya'll soon on my "happenings" but for now let's say I'm laying low and not doing much of anything. 

And here is your daily Allie"ism"- "mommy Rose is an old grandma kitty, she doesn't talk like me because she doesn't have a talking kind of mouth." 😂

Until next time...

April Foodie Pen Pal

I did another Foodie Pen Pal this month with Lindsay at the Lean Green Bean (www.theleangreenbean.com). You sign up at the beginning of the month, and Lindsay pairs you with someone else who signed up. You are responsible for emailing them, exchanging info, and shipping them a box with $15 worth of goodies. 

This month I was paired with Chrystina from L.A. She lives near Warner Brother studios, and send me an AWESOME box stuffed full of yummy snacks! She even included a nice reusable shopping bag, a keychain birth a "V" on it, and a few cookie recipies (she used to work for Mrs. Fields!) Now, let's get started with the list of goodies! 

See's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: a whole pound! The chips themselves are large, size of a nickle, and so far I just like to snack on them plain :-) I would like to try the recipe for See's origional chocolate chip cookies listed on the back of the package. 

Domino Bar: it is a candy bar with all different layers, Bourbon, Espresso, caramel, peanut butter, with. Short bread cookie at the bottom covered in chocolate.  I had a bite or two, but it was a flavor explosion! So much that I couldn't figure it out and gave it to my husband :-) of course he didn't like the peanut butter (how can you NOT like peanut butter!)

Lenny & Larry's Complete Breakfast Bar- cranberry almond: omg this was good! So moist, and kind of like a cookie.  I had it for a mid day snack and it filled me up until dinner time! I will say with almost 300 calories it better keep me full until dinner time :-) I don't know if I will be able to find any more of those in my area, but it will keep my eye out for them! 

Seapoint Farms Edamame: I have not had edamame, I usually stay away from it because of the soy/estrogen/cancer thing, but I gave these a try. Ehh...not my favorite. I had Spicy Wasabi and lightly salted- is it weird that I had a difficult time breathing while eating these? Like I had an allergy to them or something...

Kopali- organic dark chocolate covered espresso beans: I mean really, fair trade chocolate and healthy soil with my coffee beans! Sign me up! I can only handle a few at a time (5), but YUM! Great find!

Potter's Crackers- carrot ginger crisps: these were interesting. I didn't know whether they would be sweet, spicy, or salty when I tried them and that's exactly what they are. Haha! They were even a little chewy in certain spots. Very interesting cracker and a great change from an everyday Ritz ;-) The main ingredients were carrots and candied ginger. Very cool indeed. 

Bunches & Bunches- hand crafted Green Fire Roasted Chile Sauce: I have not tried this yet, but it looks yummy! I will be adding it to my Mexican dinner this week!

KIND- Protein Bar and a Fruit & Nut bar: I seriously can not say enough good things about these. KIND in General is an awesome brand of food that I found when I went gluten free. The Protein Bar really helped to fill me up, didn't contain any whey or soy proteins, and had a layer of chocolate on the bottom. The Peanut Butter & Strawberry bar was AMAZING! It tasted like a PB&J sandwich, and it is gluten free! I will be adding these to my weekly shopping list. 

What a great Foodie Pen Pal I had! I'll be sure to sign up to do another!

Shakeology Challenge Winner!!

Remember that month where I blew up your Facebook news feed everyday with pictures and recipies of my daily Vegan Chocolate Shakeology (http://www.shakeology.com/). It is seriously the best protein/superfood shake I have ever had. I've tried all the flavors, and nothing is as good at the Vegan Chocolate. I chose the Vegan Chocolate due to a diary intolerance.  

Well...the reason I posted a picture every day was because I was doing a 1 month challenge group to win some awesome prizes! So, sorry if you de-friended me, or chose to hide my posts, but I WON! 

First, let me say Jess at Operation Skinny Jeans is my Beach Body Coach. She has become one of my best online blogging friends over the past few months. I'm pretty sure I started following her blog on day 1, and her journey is inspiring for everyone! She is so real, and friendly, just an all around awesome person.  Check out her blog here: http://www.operationskinnyjeans.com/

I won a Ruffles With Love tank (http://ruffleswithlove.com/) that is so super cozy and fun! I love the little bow! I was able to pick out whichever one I wanted. I already own the "meet me at the bar" tank, so I chose the "I don't sweat, I sparkle" tank in pink! I bought the first tank when I lost my first 40 pounds, I highly recommend reinforcing your progress by upgrading your workout wardrobe if you are meeting your goals! Who doesn't love a cute workout tank? 

I also won a pair of Sol Repubilc Relay earbuds (http://www.solrepublic.com/relays) I chose blue (duh!) Seriously, I always just wore the earbuds that come with my iPhone, and never thought much about it. Until I tried these. They come with different sized earbud attachments, because not everyone had the same size ears. I fitted mine until they were comfortable, and they DO NOT SLIP OUT EVER! I mean EVER! They don't even think about slipping anywhere, they stay right in place during my workouts.  I wish I would have known how important a good pair of earbuds is when I started working out! So much wasted energy on adjusting my earbuds, when I could have been running faster! The sound quality is also very good, I'm no expert, but the bass sounds deeper than on my iPhone earbuds. I HIGHLY recommend checking them out and getting a pair for yourself (good motivation to loose that next 5# or get into the next size pants, right?) And the colors are fun! 

I worked hard, completed the Alpha level of T-25, drank Vegan Chocolate Shakeology everyday for 30 days, and  posted a picture of my shake as well as a new recipe each day for the entire 30 days.  Jess made me take before and after measurements and pictures. I personally didn't notice much of a difference after the month, but my before/after pics and measurements tell a different story.  I only lost 3 pounds, but 5.5 inches overall- one inch from my chest, and one from my thigh, and one from my hips! A 1/2 inch from my arm! I have before and after pics, but I'm not confident sharing them yet...maybe someday... (I even put them side by side like I was going to post them) well...if you really want to see you can follow me on Instagram (LeMoNBaBy777)- I've been known to post a few #selfies over there. 

Well that's it friends! I did it! I blew up your Facebook newsfeed for a month, but I WON the challenge! My body has become stronger and healthier because of it! And I have a few new workout accessories to use! 

Also- if your not following Jess at Operation Skinny Jeans, you should. http://www.operationskinnyjeans.com/

Thanks Jess! You're the best!!

Quick hi!

It's been a while, and I've been busy. Therefore I haven't been around a lot. I've been busy with catching up at work, working and playing outside quite a bit, and spending my online time ordering things; seriously we have like 30 packages coming to our house this week. Online shopping is awesome! 

We have so many fun events coming up and so many blogs I have planned to write! I'm hoping to do a few reviews, and updates to keep you all in the loop. I know you love to hear what is going on in my life ;-) 

The final count down for the school year has begun and we are T-25 days! Which reminds me, I've been doing T25 with a coworker after work on Tuesdays, it has been so much fun. We put it up on the smart board,  is a quick calorie burn, and my coworker has been a rockstar!  She is modifying when needed, but not too much, my heart rate monitor usually reads about 300 calories for 30 minutes (25 cardio and 2:30 stretch). We have been doing mostly the Beta cardio DVD. I'm looking forward to Jillian next week. I love my Shaun T, but I, looking forward to a slow burn with light weights for a change. 

We also took away Allie pacifier. Tonight is night 2, and she was more angry tonight. Yesterday I just told her the "binki fairy" took her binki for a new toy. She went down fine, and slept great! This morning when she got up there was a Littlest Pet Shop toy for her. However, as soon as we got in the car to go to school Allie found her binki in my purse. MOMMYFAIL!! Therefore she had this idea that she needed to make a binki bear at build a bear- we had been talking about it, but when she did so well without it, I thought we could avoid all that. So, I took her today after school to Build-a-Bear, I had never been before, and it was pretty cute. She picked a pink sparkly kitty cat and put her binki inside. Everything was good until she started to get tired right before bed. She was MAD! And wanted her binki out of the kitty. The only way I got out of her room was by telling her that I was going to go look for a "spare binki"... Guess we will see how day 3 goes tomorrow. Wish us luck! 

Well, that's all for now! I'm off to bed- yes it is only 10:00pm, but I have a big morning at the gym tomorrow! (Going for a 600 calorie burn in 60 minutes)