So it begins....

Jerome started tball last week and he LOVES it! It's a pretty big crowd with 4 three year olds and 4, 5 and 6 year old kids. It's pretty funny to watch the younger ones because they get so distracted (Jerome included) with the birds, butterflies and chasing their shadows. Those poor coaches really have their hands full, but they are so good with the kids and they do their best to make sure that all the kids are having fun.

Sickies, teething & allergies

What a windy day it was today! I thought I was Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and I thought I was going to end up in Kansas!

The kids are still sick and I think Lexi is teething on top of having a cold. That poor girl cannot catch a break! I did paint her toenails last night to make her feel better and of course her brother just had to have his nails painted as well. I convienced him to only paint his two big toes because I didn't know how daddy would react and boy Jerome sure was thrilled with his tangerine toenails, heehee!

We took Jerome to the doctor for a checkup yesterday that was unrelated to his cold. Sometime last month I noticed that he started blinking excessively and I thought over time he would just stop doing it, well he hasn't. As a parent I automatically start thinking the worst and thankfully the doctor thinks he is just suffering from allergies. We will be starting him on eye drops in the morning to see if that starts to give him some relief! I sure hope he doesn't develop severe allergies because I can see how bad my co-works suffer. However, we did learn that Jerome weighs 41 lbs! Holy moly, I think we have a future football player on our hands!

I hope everyone is having a great week so far! Until next time!

Easter

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! The weekend went by all too quickly! The kids colored eggs on Saturday and dorky me forgot to bring my camera. It was very messy and Lexi broke about four but the kids had tons of fun and that's all that matters!

We had a great Easter, spent the day with family and the weather was gorgeous!



Lexi in her Easter dress.



Jerome being silly!





Hope everyone is having a great day!

Battle of the bulge

Over the years I have always struggled with my weight. I would go on a crash diet and lose a couple of pounds only to gain them right back. I decided in January that I was once and for all finally going to conquer my battle with my weight.

Since then I have made small changes: from eliminating fast food and replacing it with whole grain sandwiches and vegetable chips for lunch, to cutting out sweets, counting calories and eliminating diet cokes (that was hard) I love me some diet Pepsi!

Marcos and I have started making it a priority to go the gym at least 3 times a week. I have found a new love for spinning and I can't get enough! I have tried everything and anything but nothing compares to the endorphin rush I get from spinning! I have also started limiting my portions and measuring everything I'm eating. It's a pain and it dirties more dishes than you can imagine, but I finally understand what "normal" portions are supposed to look like. I'm trying to lose 1 pound a week because I don't want to gain all my weight back and from everything I've read that seems to be the way to keep it off. To be honest though, sometimes it's a little discouraging because of how slowly the process is but I know I have to keep chugging along.

Today I went to a routine doctor's appointment and I'm so happy to report that I've lost 10 pounds since the middle of January! I have a long journey ahead of me and I know this is only the beginning, but every beginning has an ending and I'm so looking forward to my happy ending....and a new wardrobe! =)

Laura

Honey Chicken Stir-Fry

I just tried this yummy stir fry and boy was it delish! I believe this recipe came from the comfort food diet cookbook. Hope you all enjoy it as much as we did!

Honey Chicken Stir-Fry

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces or 1 pound shrimp
1 garlic clove, minced
3 teaspoons olive oil, divided
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 package (16 oz) frozen broccoli stir-fry vegetable bend
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water

In a large nonstick skillet, stir fry chicken and garlic in 2 teaspoons oil.
Add honey, soy sauce, salt & pepper, cook and stir until chicken is lightly browned and juices run clear.
Remove from pan and keep warm.

In same pan, stir fry veggies in remaining oil for 4-5 minutes or until tender.
Return chicken to the pan; stir to coat.
Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; gradually stir into chicken mixture.
Cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened.

Serve with brown rice or white rice.

Yield 4 servings

1 cup stir fry mixture (calculated w/out rice)

243 calories
5 grams fat
66 mg cholesterol
470 mg sodium
19 grams carbs
3 grams fiber
28 grams protein

Randoms

Is it spring yet? Seriously, I'm so sick of snow and the cold weather already. I'm ready to take the kids out and enjoy the nice warm sun on my face even if that means all the creepy crawlies come out with the warm weather.

We took the kids to the zoo yesterday, the poor things have been couped up in the house the entire week. We had a wonderful time - even with the cold weather. The kids enjoyed the fresh air and the freedom to run their little hearts out. I absolutely enjoy the time I spend with my family; I adore them and they are my world.

Have a wonderful Sunday Funday!

Parenting

I was reading a post in my mom's group about activities and our 3 year olds, i.e. how many activities they are involved in, what kind of activities. I came to realize that Jerome isn't involved with anything and I think it may contribute to his lack of maturity. I try talking to Jerome and I don't feel like he really understands what I'm saying. Yes, we can carry on a conversation but I don't think he really *gets* what I'm saying. For example if Jerome is having a meltdown and I try to talk to him about how he is feeling he really doesn't understand what I mean.

It makes me wonder if I'm the only one that feels this way and I tend to blame myself. I work full time and when I get home I still have to make dinner, wash dishes, laundry, pick up the house and give the kids their baths and it really takes away from time that I should be spending with them. Maybe because of that I spoil my kids too much and their lazy - I don't know. Some days I think I'm a great parent and other days I tend to second guess myself - this parenting thing is a lot harder than I thought.

Short post

I woke up to the sound of rain this morning and it absolutely made my morning. I love cloudy days and wish we had more of them.

We had someone take a look at our house yesterday. It was weird to know that someone was in our house without us. Now only time will tell if they actually liked it and will bid on it.

I hope everyone is having a great hump day!

Changes

First of all, sorry I haven't updated this blog in what seems like forever! We have been so busy with work, kids and keeping up the house. I swear, we are so busy with the kids now, I can't even imagine what it'll be like when they are in school!

Jerome will be starting pre-kindergaten next year and it has been on mind a lot lately. So much in fact that Marcos and I have made a huge decision and have bought a house in Santa Fe! We are so excited but very scared because that means we have to sell our current home. It's a great time to buy a house but not so great to be selling a house. With that said, we aren't getting our hopes up to much because we only have a six month span to sell our current home or our deal for the new house will fall through...so please pray for us that everything works out!

I will leave you with a couple of new pictures of the kids.

Take care,




Laura

Jerome potty trained?

Do I dare say it? I think my stubborn headed 2 1/2 year old son Jerome is potty trained....or so I think! We have been working with him very hard and I think our patience and persistence are starting to finally pay off. He has been staying dry all night for the past week and he hasn't had an accident in 2 days! I was really worried about teaching him to go "poo" in the potty but rest assured he did it 4 times on Tuesday! I can't be pleased with him anymore than I am right this very minute. My little baby isn't a baby anymore and in some ironic twist it makes me sad that I wont have to be buying him diapers ever again, but then again only having Lexi in diapers will be a good thing!

Much love to all!

Laura

pictures

Just wanted to share a few pictures.







My little Jerome, the poor thing has a really bad rash around is mouth. If anyone knows of any natural remedies please share. We've tried hydrocortazone and rosebud but they burned him so bad.

Here's a picture we took today of Elvis, he's getting so big and a pain in our rear, but we love the little guy and his crazy eyes :-)

Here I am messing around with my camera.

And of course our Princess Lexi Pooh, still no teeth! I think she's going to start kindergarten before she get her first tooth!

Quick update

Well the kids and I are sick AGAIN. I hate it when the kids are sick it makes me so sad because there's nothing I can do but to let it ride it's ugly course out. I have them on Tylenol and Motrin every four hours. Poor little Jerome has allergies on top of being sick so you can imagine how horrible he's feeling. It's hard taking care of sick kids when I'm sick as well, all I want to do is sleep and of course I can't, so tonight I have a date with the Nyquil bottle, LOL.

Nothing else is new with us just the same old. Well we did wake up to snow this morning. I'm so sick of snow and the cold weather. I think my toes are ready for the spring weather and some nice attention via a pedicure! Well goodnight to everyone!

Family updates

Time for some updates with the familia! I'll start with Miss Alexis. Still no teeth, I can't believe it! I thought for sure she'd have at least two teeth by now, but nope! She does look so cute when she smiles her little granny smile. She has been army crawling for about a month now and she is pulling up on all fours rocking back and forth so I think she'll be full on crawling in a couple of weeks. I do have to say she sure does get around via army crawl! She finally is going from a laying down position to a sitting position on her own so I'm happy about that. Thanks to her brother she also now growls like a dinosaur, if you can imagine that. I can't believe that in 3 1/2 months we'll be celebrating her first birthday!

Now on to my Jerome! Boy of boy he sure has been putting us through the ringer! He has been a temper tantrum throwing toddler and it is just driving me crazy! What happened to my sweet little boy? He growls at Lexi and scares the crap out of her and then laughs because he thinks it's funny. He throws toys at anything that moves, spits (where we learned that IDK) and screams at the top of his lungs. I really thought we were going to pass the terrible two's but I *thought* wrong! From everyone I have talked to they have all warned me that the terrible two's is nothing compared to the three's. Great so I guess it's only going to get worse before it gets better. However, the other night I was looking into Jerome's mouth and I noticed that his two year molars have finally decided to poke thru so I'm hoping that's way he's been such a terror lately!

As for the hubby and I, we are doing as good as can be, we are both happy and healthy. We did get a new addition to the family, Elvis, our bulldog! He is such wonderful dog andI couldn't be more happy with him. I'm very fortunate that my work is letting me bring him every day in order to housebreak him. He's doing quite good actually and I think in about two weeks he should be fully housebroken! Well I can't think of anything else so God bless until next time!

Here's Elvis

Grrrr!!!!

I just spent the last thirty minutes typing up a new blog and it somehow got deleted right when I hit the damn post button. Perfect end to a perfect day, aghhhhhh!!!!

Pinche laptop..... >:-(

Goodbye 2008

So I know it's been awhile since I've updated my blog, it's just been so crazy with all the holidays! I'm so glad it's the weekend and as of right now, we have NO plans, which is always good.

I'm so happy for 2009 to be here, but at the same time I'm sad to say goodbye to 2008. It was a really good year for our family. We welcomed our Alexis and what greater gift could we have gotten other than her?!

As the New Year rolled in we buckled down and finally got Jerome off of his pacifier! It was hard but it was something we really needed to do. We also finally got Lexi to start sleeping thru the night and it is so nice to finally get some much deserved sleep. Life couldn't get any better! I hope everyone has a great 2009! Until next time....

Lexi on New Years Day

My two favorite brats

It is in giving you receive!

Tis the season for giving and thinking of others! With that being said, I've been looking into some non-profit organizations to do my part in giving to those who are less fortunate or are unable to be with their families for the Holidays. As I was browsing the internet I stumbled upon a little website; http://www.adoptaussoldier.org please take a moment to check it out. This website matches you up with a US Solider who is on active duty anywhere in the US, it gives you their name, address and email so that you can contact them via email and address. It's completely up to you on how involved you want to be; i.e., by email, snail mail and/or sending care packages or all three.

I signed up right away and was given a 22 yr old young man that is serving for our country in Africa. I immediatley contacted him and he responded within that day and can you believe the only thing he requested me to send him was Crystal Light water flavorings and instant outmeal?! I was beyond humbled to say the least. Anyhow, I'm putting a care package together and will be sending it off soon. I hope if you read this blog you can take a few minutes out of your day to stop and check it out and hopefully register, these young men and women risk their lives every day so that we can live freely and they deserve to hear from the very people they are protecting.

It is in giving that you receive!

Until next time may Gob bless!
Laura

Oreo's

Have you ever watched a child eat an oreo cookie? If not, I highly recommend you do so. It has become a tradition that my little Jerome has to have a cookie right before he goes to bed and not just any cookie will do, it has to be an Oreo cookie. Every night we have a routine, get stuffed Mickey Mouse, dinos, juice and cookie and off to bed we go. For some reason I decided to watch Jerome as he proceeded to munch on his cookie. First, he twists off the top and oh so slowly he nibbles it until it's gone, then comes the good stuff....the cream. He takes his little pointer finger and carves it out little by little until it's all gone. Finally, when he's to the last piece of his oreo he shoves the whole thing into his mouth and closes his eyes and savors every last bite and then to finish it off he licks all five fingers just to make sure he gets every last taste. Give your child an oreo and watch them as they eat it....it'll make you want a cookie.