Biggest Loser

I joined another installment of The Biggest Loser family edition, which we have been doing on-and-off for about a year now.  I think I came in 2nd the very first time, but have yet to win since then.  It was a pretty sweet deal, lost a couple pounds and ended up with about $150 burning a hole in my pocket! This time I'm already behind... Today was the 3rd weigh-in and I completely forgot last week.  On top of that, G's birthday fell on the 2nd weigh-in day (which is why I completely forgot), and I have been surrounding myself with not-so-healthy food choices lately.  From G's bday weekend there were the cupcakes I made as practice for the princess skirts (see 13 Going on 30 post) which are still being preserved in Ziploc on my counter in plain sight, the Panda Express lunch and Chick-Fil-A dinner I treated her to, sushi and drinks for my brother-in-law's bday dinner Saturday, and the actual cake at and after the party.  Then of course I had leftover ice cream cones from making the castle cake so I had to buy ice cream (which was on a BOGO free special at Rite Aid)... This week I went with some friends to this awesome spot nearby called Hightopps, which features a outdoor patio area next to a sand playground, and if you're like me you can't say no to a good drink special on a hot day!

My friend and I both agreed we didn't need the calories but we still want it just because we can.  The food I got there, combined with the southwest eggrolls my husband ended up surprising me with didn't help my diet today either.  Ugh just writing this all down makes me feel like I need to get down and do some more crunches! FAIL.
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Today I didn't end up with a lot of time for a workout since I thought I got both kids down for an overlap nap and was high-fiving myself until I came downstairs and heard Cruz talking/cooing on the monitor.  So I decided to redo these ab and booty boost workouts from the other day since I felt so good after them (and am still sore!!) but most importantly because it took under 20 mins, combined.
Cruz was still making some noise as I finished but laying in his crib, so I took the opportunity to jump in the shower since I wasn't going to get a chance to try out Jessica's new dances today (she added a couple new dance routines including one for Beyonce's Partition, which I can't wait to check out).

Of course once I got out of the shower he had fallen asleep, which would have given me enough time to dance my way to lookin like this:

<sigh> There's always tomorrow!

Conspiracy Theory

This article, The SAHM Conspiracy Theory does a good job explaining the issues surrounding being a SAHM and both the internal and external struggles that we face day-to-day.  I would have to add on the constant battle with myself about returning to work and elaborate on the internal struggle of losing who you were before kids/learning the balance of being 'Mommy' but still keeping Lia intact.

"Tired... Because they had fixed breakfast, then snack, then lunch, then more snacks, then dinner, only to be left at 9 p.m. with a dirty kitchen that smelled like a combination of spoiled milk and stale diapers. Because they had been picking up toys, dirty clothes and dog crap all day, but the house was still a mess."  I feel like my workday never ends.  When I used to work I had lunch breaks, bathroom breaks, driving alone in the car... gone are those days.

This whole loss of self issue is really hitting me hard with the prospect of getting a minivan.  I mean, my first "nice" car in my life and it will be a van?!  I will forever just be lumped into that "van-mom/soccer mom" category... and even though I like soccer and have played most of my life, I'm not sure I'm ready for that.  

Because this is what I imagine:

Now some hot soccer moms to make me feel better:

Victoria Beckham

Britney Spears

Random hotties

Heidi Klum

Not that I'm celebrity or on their level, but makes me feel like you don't have to be a complete sell-out!!

End of an era

My car is officially dead and we are not resuscitating it this time.  It will cost us more than it's probably worth at this point... so instead of saying "we'll pay just this last time..." and then throwing our money away once again, we're done.
I got it towed back to our house and it's just sadly sitting out there in its regular spot acting like I can hop in and head off like usual.  That Bitch.
I started looking up used cars... or should I say minivans.  I am still not 100% convinced I want to be a "van mom," but the more I've been thinking about it, the more reasons I think it makes sense to get one. Before, I was adamant that I needed an SUV and would not be caught dead in a van, but now I just keep telling myself how the set-up is better, and it's the most practical solution, better mileage and s**t like that... this must be a sign that I'm growing up.

With this no car situation, and it being rainy out, we were stuck in the house today.  We did manage to get in a quick walk in between showers, and the kids played on the porch for a little while (G got 2 tea sets for her Bday, which have been a big hit, but are very messy when Cruz is involved).  I'll need to come up with some creative ideas since the next couple days look like rain too... when are we getting that new car??


In other news, I was able to get in a pretty good workout during Cruz's morning nap (and thanks to Sophia the First on Disney Jr.).
These are 2 other girls I like on YouTube:
1) Dance Fitness with Jessica

 I starting liking her when I saw her "Dark Horse" workout video through a FB post.  I usually chose 3-4 dances to fulfill my cardio and then dance my ass off!  (hopefully not literally..).  Today I did Don't Drop That Thun, Wiggle,  Limbo and my personal fav, Drop It Low.  I actually just love those last two songs and like to blast them while cooking.  G also loves them and comes to try and do the workouts with me, which is super cute but usually ends in me accidentally stepping on her or having to yell at her to move from under me as she tries to use my legs as a bridge.

2) Vicky Justiz

Today I did this booty boost workout and these abs.  Love this ab workout because it's quick but very efficient.  Def feels a little cardio-esque, working your whole body and got me sweating!

Check em out!

3 going on 13

Our "Baby G" is 3!  Crazy how times flies.
Kid's birthdays are so funny too because you really could get away with not celebrating or acknowledging it at all, and they wouldn't even know.  No, I didn't do that!  But I kept wondering if there are parents out there who do...
Ever since her brother's bday in March she has been asking when it's going to be her turn, but I did hype up the day, kept talking about it, and even helped her make a paper chain "countdown" (D's idea).  The morning of her birthday I was all extra about it, and kept reminding her throughout the day.  We did get to do a couple special things: She sang her ABCs in front of an audience at the mall and got a gift, a friend's mom made cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday to her after lunch and gave her their gifts, and we went out for dinner (ChickFilA), got ice cream and opened her new VTech tablet!  Sunday was the party though, and all day Friday she kept asking "Can we go to my party now?"  LOL.  Kids.
G is a super girly-girl, even though she wrestles like a 10-year-old boy (thanks to her cousin).  She wants to wear her pink tutu about 80% of the time, loves lipgloss, nail polish, and twirling (no, I haven't let her watch RHWofATL).  So naturally, she wants a pink, Princess party.  We decided to host it this year at a Bounce House, but to upgrade their paper products to "princess" was about $40... since she's not going to care if her plate has a princess face on it or not when there's cake on it, I decided that was not worth the money and I would pour my energy into her outfit and cake.
G is quite the opinionated lil girl and can love something one day and hate it the next (i.e. clothes), so I didn't get very far with the outfit.  I bought her a tiara/sash set, which she wore for one pic but refused to wear on her bday, or at her party.  Luckily she does have this one princess dress that she's been wearing for 2 days that I'm sure will stay in rotation (or lack there of) for a little while, so I'm sure that will be the winner.
The cake: I found some inspiration photos and got a little creative.  While I was looking at cakes, G saw the Barbie-dress cakes and liked that idea.  I didn't plan on doing that, but then I found these cupcakes and thought of the little princesses she has from Target whose dresses come off and thought I could pull this off.  I tried it.. and success!

(my cupcake pic here)

My next dilemna was then did I try and make a bunch more in my time crunch and have those be the take-home gifts, or go ahead with my plan for a castle cake?  And if I did do the princess cupcakes, what would the boys take home? Since G is still young, the party list actually included more boys than girls.  In the end, I decided to use this cake as my first inspiration and combine it with the simplicity of this style.  Another one I liked a lot was this purple one, but I only really used the 3-tier idea and the same candles from this pic.

(final cake pics)

The party was an overall success and we are now bombarded with all things pink and Disney princess at our house.

Banding

Tried out banding for the first time tonight with Gs hair, which I learned from one of the sites I like, Beads Braids & Beyond.    Or here is her link on facebook.

Miss A's amazing hair!

The kids got playing in a sandbox at the playground today, which is a nightmare for Gs hair!  Luckily her braids weren't too fresh so I didn't mind the fact that I was going to have to scrub her scalp, and it gave me a chance to try out this natural, heat-free, stretching technique.  This is also a great solution to going to bed with wet hair, or if it's too late to style it that night and you just want to prevent it from getting re-tangled in her sleep.  Since her hair is so thin I only did four sections and used a total of 16 bands, which was the exact number I could locate!  My plan was to try 2-4 french/dutch style braids with the stretched hair to give it more "hang-time" in the back, although I'm not sure if that's the most efficient use of the stretch or not.  She keeps saying how she wants Rapunzel's hair, which I told her is a bad idea because it's magic hair and if she had that then bad guys will want to come after her!  If that doesn't work I'll just buy her this hat.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!
At my house growing up, we were always encouraged to make homeade cards instead of buying them, which my parents thought was a waste of money.  This is really true, since how many people actually keep their cards? (raises hand...)  My parents were down visiting us this year, but left very early on Sunday morning so I didn't actually see my mom on Mother's Day.  Luckily I planned ahead (sort of, but I was ready!) and had her little gift packed up so she'd get it before she left in the a.m.  I had my daughter make these cute cards for her gmas last week (because a homeade a card from a kid is much cuter than from your 30-year-old daughter).  I gave G foam letter stickers I already had in my craft drawer to stick their nicknames ("Honey" and "Mimi") along the tops, and she scribbled little messages at the bottom, which gave them a more personal look.  She was really proud of her work and gave my mom hers on Thursday when they arrived.
Mother's Day is a very "Hallmark holiday," as my father likes to say.  This is true, especially since the origins of Mother's Day started out as more of a banding together of mothers to help eachother, or create a unifying force (credit to the History Channel), which the creator later tried to have removed from the calendar.  Lil knowledge for yo ass.  Luckily we all got smart and turned that s**t around to give us a much needed day of rest and pampering!  All the same, it is SO important to be thankful for our moms and show them how much we appreciate them, so I don't think it hurts to have a day dedicated to it.  Of course you should show this love everyday, but we all know how we get caught in the day-to-day bustle of daily life, moms included, and sometimes we need to slow it down and think how thankful we are for all she does for us.  It takes becoming a mom to fully understand how much work really goes in to running a family!  I know we def took our mom for granted growing up, and she was an amazing mother who would do anything for us.
My mom is the type of person who would give up her last bite or the only brownie for her children.  I like to secretly nibble on my desserts when I think the kids are asleep, or at least upstairs... and then shove the last bite in my mouth and chew as fast as I can when I hear their little footsteps, denying my guilty pleasure when G accuses me of smelling like chocolate.

One day I hope to be more like you- LOVE you Mom!!! <3

Keaira LaShae Day!

For those SAHMs or people without gym memberships or a lot of time, who need quick workouts from home, I'm on it! YouTube all day.  I have a couple favorites.  I tend to lose focus and motivation if I know what's coming in my workouts, so I like to mix it up!

Keaira LaShae Day (https://www.youtube.com/user/superherofitnesstv)

5 1/2 min booty boost
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kl47oEkwGU

8 min ab workout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5ZnxD2ekRo
(remember to keep back flat and try to "suck belly button in toward spine" - gross description but it makes sense).

Cardio/dance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf0nEpG8tno
So glad I do this at home where no one can see me!  She breaks down each step so it's still doable for any level, even if you look like a fool.  I like to think I'm going to absorb some rhythm when I do her workouts lol.

These are quick and easy but you feel them!  Plus she's fun to workout with- lots of energy!  She has lots of videos, so just pick a few based on time and what looks interesting to you/targets a specific area you want to work.
I did this whole routine while my son was taking his morning nap and my daughter is watching Mulan for the 500th time (thank you NetFlix).  I also walked the kids and dog to the park later which will give me some more light cardio...  (2.5 miles pushing a double).  If I get lucky enough to have a "tv break" later today (which happens when there is a glorious overlap and both kids are napping), I will do some squats and lunges while catching up on trashy tv :)  I find that if I workout while I'm watching tv then I can't EAT while I'm watching tv...

Operation Blast This Gut!

Ok.  I am serious about getting serious!!  Summer is going to be here any minute (seriously, tomorrow it may be 90 degrees even though it's 50 today...).  Not that I will be donning a bikini much, since most of my swimming trips will be with 2 little kids at the city pool (not exactly a fashion-scene), but I am not loving how my clothes fit, specifically around my mid-section.  This has always been my problem area, as is most people's.  And let me tell you how I could care less about the numbers on the scale... I will still weigh-in to track progress, but keep in mind that muscle weighs more than fat!  I am weighing less than I did before my first pregnancy, but don't feel as fit.  One of my fav apps to use for tracking is http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ which you can use on your phone, and iPhones allow you to scan barcodes which makes inputting food even easier.  It's kind of annoying in the beginning, but gets easier since you tend to eat a lot of the same stuff and you can copy from previous days rather than input from scratch every time.  If you have never recorded what you are eating, you will be AMAzed at how it helps you decide what's "not worth it" because you know you will have to write it down, or when you learn how many calories something is that you didn't think was that bad and decide to cut it out!  These simple adjustments can make a big difference.
I started this morning off with an oatmeal creation from The Abs Diet, which focuses on "superfoods" and conveniently utilizes the microwave for most breakfast options.  I made one with ginger this am, which I did NOT love, but it's a lot of food and I was unable to finish it, so I'm hoping it will keep me full longer than my usual cereal.  I remember making some using frozen berries (fresh are always better but frozen don't go bad), cinnamon and vanilla yogurt that I liked, so I will try that tomorrow.
www.theabsdiet.com This site doesn't seem to post the recipes (probably because they want you to buy the book), but this was something my husband had from before we got together and I still use recipes from it pretty regularly, even when I'm not "dieting."  An $8 book, easy read and full of great recipes!

Wait- today is Cinco de Mayo?  Maybe I should start again tomorrow... I <3 margaritas.

Fix It!

So my washer stopped working the other day... just to add the fun of our dishwasher also being out. Serious first world problems over here.
After troubleshooting (aka Google) we figured out it was the lid switch, which is the most common issue when your washer won't spin or drain (but it will fill).  It's actually a fairly easy fix.. especially if you use a quick-fix method rather than replacing the whole piece, which is also not supposed to be that hard but seems to require taking the machine apart, which was not our first choice.

Anyway- if you have a washer issue, play with that switch that is supposed to be depressed when the lid is shut, because it may be a quick fix!  Below is the youtube video "we" used (my husband did this one).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqeEf2IveSQ


Hopefully we can figure out something for this dishwasher soon... washing everything by hand is getting old fast!

Kid Corner

Fun kids lunch/dinner:  Pita pizzas!
I know I am not the inventor of these, but when G asked me for pizza I searched the fridge and this has been a favorite all week!  I will need to remember to buy more pitas...
I pour on some sauce and let her spread it, and then she likes to sprinkle the cheese (her favorite job of any meal).  Last night I encouraged her add some broccoli and cauliflower that was pre-steamed in the microwave before her cheese and she loved it!  Great way to sneak in some veggies.  Another tip I saw on skinnytaste.com was grinding up the cauliflower to add in with baked potatoes, which could work in this case as well... what a clever idea since you can barely taste it and the kids won't know to complain since they can't see green!
I was talking with another mom about how funny it is that eating is such an issue with kids: they either eat non-stop all day, or hate eating and mealtime is a fight.  You just think, "I'll put them in a high chair and feed them," no big deal, right?  But truth is, "eating" is one of the biggest deals from the minute you have that baby, and when your kid finishes their plate (including veggies), you feel like you have superpowers!

MY hair

I have never been good at doing my hair.  In high school, I didn't even realize I had curly hair, which is why I brushed it out wet and ended up with a frizzball.  The first time I decided I wanted to dye my hair, I opted for an at-home "highlight" kit and enlisted my mom to help.  BIG mistake.  We were both clueless and decided (of course) that it would be easier to just do my whole head... which resulted in senior portraits where my hair is half orange and a poofy frizz. Cute.

Fast forward 10+ years, I am still opting for that at-home dye job (mostly because I am "thrifty," and try to think of myself as a handy-woman, haha), but I am much improved, and do not try to highlight.  I also (mostly) don't cut my own bangs (but in a pinch...).  To be honest, the last time I had a haircut was on my birthday last August, which is frowned upon, and may be the reason I do not have a regular stylist who would remind me of this... So obviously my hair is still not very healthy.

I am pretty basic with my maintenance, although some of my friends like to frown at my (in)frequency of washing, but since I have very dry hair, I do not feel it needs to be washed as often as some people feel the need.  I also believe that everyone's hair is different, and you (should) eventually know what your hair needs (hopefully, I swear I'm getting closer everyday!).  I have friends who say they cannot wash their hair at night because it would be too greasy when they woke up on it in the morning - I am thankful I do not have this problem since I am NOT a morning person and certainly do not have any time to be washing my hair before I leave the house! I like to go as long as possible without re-washing because a) showering is so much quicker when you don't have to do your hair, and b) I figure the natural greases are good for (dry) hair.  This is usually 3-4 days, especially if I straighten it.  I am trying to get away from this since heat is bad for your hair, and I have a daughter who wants to copy all my beauty habits and I am trying to encourage to love her natural curls.  It is also hot in the summer, and when you swim, get it wet, or sweat a lot and it curls back up, that time you invested is just a waste.

In my journey to love MY "curls" (they are more like waves I suppose), I have been searching for simple ways to let it dry that will leave a desirable end result.  The first solution I found for solving the wet hair overnight/simple curl solution involved a twisted bun on the top of my head.  (couldn't find the link)  I tried this several times, and told a couple friends about it, but we never got the results we desired.  But just the other day I found a new solution which so far I like!  Tried it for the the first time two nights ago and am pleased with how my curls look today!  It was from this chick's blog:
http://www.ducklingsinarow.com/p/hair-di.html
but for some reason the exact tutorial I did is not opening up.  It was called "Have I Ever Told You I Can Curl My Hair While Drinking a Pina Colada?"  My kind of girl.  And my kind of hair care.  Homegirl does not enjoy washing her hair very often either, and has tricks to hide your unwashed hair look (although I don't think anyone ever notices mine, I only feel I need to when I can tell it's greasy).
Basically I twist two pigtails up and around a scarf, which I then fasten on my forehead heidi-style and sleep!  I had to heat a couple odd curls, but other than that- love!

Hope this helps someone... still working on my blogging efficiency and making sure credit is given!  Photo-proof is another goal...

Rant

Who, in this day and age, does not have access to a smart phone/tablet?  As I was driving home today, I was stalled by a car who was asking a security guard for directions (it was a narrow, winding backroad on a college campus, so I was unable to pass).  There were 2 people that I could see in the car, and neither one of them had a smartphone??  My first thought, as I heard the security guard telling them that she didn't know how to get to 95 from there, was of my parents, who are still semi-anti-cellphones, and certainly do not have smartphones, and I thought maybe I should offer to lead them up the road and start them in the right direction.

Then I started thinking some more about how I know there are still some people out there who do not carry one for whatever reason, my parents included; and my cousin also downgraded her phone as one of the ways to save for her wedding, which I think she is finding technologically refreshing.  I know that my parents carry their iPad with them, which can be used for GPS, and before I had a phone with those capabilities I had an actual GPS device.  Even before that we were able to get around by pre-printing MapQuest directions or <gasp> using a map!  If you are, in fact, traveling without a GPS device, wouldn't you have a map in your car? Sidenote: I (not-so-secretly) LOVE maps, and pull mine up on my phone just to see where we are in relation to other places<3. Worst case scenario (because you knew at some point you were going to miss a MapQuest turn between driving and trying to read the next direction), you called up a friend or Dad who you knew would be sitting at the computer and had them look up the new route for you! (or is that just me?  Thanks guys!)

So in the end I decided I did not need to brandish the 'S' on my chest today and these people would be ok.  Besides, we were late getting home for nap time and I have no desire to stay up until 1:30am again because G is wide awake due to her extremely late nap schedule.

Little Milestones

I promise that all most posts will NOT be about my children, although to be honest with myself and you, a lot of my life revolves around these little guys, which means I do have a lot to share about them on a daily basis.

Today was a milestone, kind of.  I converted the double stroller into the sit-n-stand, by removing the back seat and letting G choose her ride and hop off when she wanted to.  I know that this could have happened a long time ago, and she is more than capable of walking along next to me, but I have been liking the fact that I can put her in the seat and go.  No stopping to pick up rocks and smell the flowers... Plus we do live in the city and have to cross some busy streets to get to the "good" walking neighborhoods (ours NOT included).  Usually my purpose of these walks are a) to get fresh air (turn the tv off), b) walk the dog (who I tie to the side of the stroller since it's a small Cadillac and I need two hands to steer), and c) get some cardio in.  While some days this IS the activity, usually it is a filler between activities, or before lunch and naptime and I am trying to tire the dog out and I need to keep it moving!  So today I relaxed a little and when we went a slightly different route and ended up by a small reservoir on top of a hill, I let EVerybody out!  Crawling, running around, rolling down the hill and picking flowers.  It was a beautiful day- finally- and even though I maybe didn't get the workout I would have, it felt good.  And I was still sweaty by the end of it.  This is of course how I qualify that I got a workout, which I need, because tonight is wine night!

Speaking of milestones, Cruz has started walking around the house a lot more.  He started yesterday where he leaves the support of the couch, puts his hands in the air, and screams all the way through the house til he gets to the bathroom in the back.  He wants to be heard!  And he better get loud around here to compete with G and I!  They say boys take more time to learn things than girls, and with walking this has been the case.  G started at 10.5 months and never looked back, while Cruz seems to still enjoy crawling a lot of the time.  Another difference is that he seems to get into EVerything!  I thought G did, but we never needed toilet safety locks or drawer locks in the kitchen (just the cabinets), but I think with the combo of him seeing G get into these things and his height (95th percentile last visit), has made these things an issue!  I saw yesterday that he had figured out how to open and close the toilet, and threw his toothbrush in.  This morning I caught him "wet-handed." GROSS.  I suppose I should move the scissors from that handy kitchen drawer...

Why Blog

My name is Lia, welcome to my blog!  Right now my life consists of: library storytimes, playgrounds and naptime; diapers, snacks, dirty knees and tutus.  Football (yes, year round), cornrows and Frozen; grocery trips, Chick-Fil-A and playdates.  In-house cardio, squats and yoga pants; lunchtime, dinnertime and laundry.  Yes, it all sounds so glamorous.  Oh, wait, I forgot a few:  On-Demand, Netflix and Scandel.  Date nights, margaritas and wine/beer.  That's better!

A little more about me and my family: I am VT born and raised!  People I meet are usually surprised by that... guess I'm not your typical farmer/hippie-type that they expect (but I have my moments).  Earned my degree in CT but educated in the mean streets of Bmore.  I got laid off from my job at a non-profit almost a year ago, which has been a blessing in disguise, even though I miss my work.  I now get to try my skills at being a "Trophy Wife" who also doubles as a nanny... aka I am currently a SAHM to two beautiful little monsters (but I like the reactions I get out of the other title instead :P)  I have gained so much respect for SAHM's, and feel like I have even less downtime and "off" time than I did when I worked FT.  While some days I want to scream, cry and/or pull my hair out, the thought of going back to work makes me feel thankful for all this kiddie time I've been soaking up. We have a daughter who will be 3 in May, and our son just turned 1.
I am lucky to have an amazing and caring husband who works really hard all day with SpecEd kids in school and then helps run an after school program.  We've been making it work by saving on daycare while I'm home, even though this was never in the plans.  He is also a HS football coach, so I've been learning to accept that is a daily way of life and deal with his greater absence in the fall.
While I've been busy running a personal daycare for my kids (and perfecting whatever skills Trophy Wives must possess), I've also decided to try and work on some personal goals I have neglected over the years (most likely since I've had kids).  YouTube is seriously magic, and I have developed a great appreciation for blogs. I have been perfecting my various skills one video/blog at a time!!  From at-home workouts and fitness dances to photography, fashion and hairstyle tips, I am feeling more confident each day.
My reason for starting my own blog is to share my journey as a growing individual, wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend.  I feel like I have a lot to share, and can be an inspiration to any women out there who may feel like I do sometimes, "a Jack of all trades but a master of none."  This is my story of turning an interest into a passion that I can master and share with the world.  Learn along with me, as I'm sure there will be many bumps along the road!