Christmasy Things

Our first of many Christmas parties this month was our branch party. The kids got to participate in the little nativity program which was adorable to watch. Here is Shae (Shepherd) and Eppie (Mary), although I like to think they are Joseph and Mary, just because I like to think of them as a couple later in life some time and this makes it more fun.

"We need more cow bell!"

Shout out to my mama who threw this awesome little jumper together when we were visiting for Thanksgiving. I mentioned that Belen was going to be a cow and there just so happened to be some cow fabric laying around and voila!

Shae was so disappointed and confused at this point. When it was over I went over to him and he said, "But, it can't be over yet, I didn't say anything." (Someone just read the nativity story). I told him he could keep going and he turned to "Mary" and said, "Mary, I am here to see the baby Jesus." That seemed to satisfy him enough. 

We've done our Pizza-Picnic-Christmas-Movie night a few times now. During the one that I recorded below we actually had homemade chicken nuggets, potato wedges, carrots sticks, and cherry tomatoes. Still went with finger food, but felt like we had been eating pizza for days so I had to switch it up. 

We watched the classic Frosty the Snowman, but after moving on to Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, we lost Darin (and me too if we're being honest). Those old stop motion films are kind of hard to watch.

Let's be REALLY honest, Shae was the only one paying attention, Belén was busy burying herself in pillows (I wonder where she learned that).

My mom sent us these advent calendars that we always did as kids. Belén is a HUGE fan of this tradition.

I feel like we were so busy with parties those first two weeks of December, everyone trying to cram things in before leaving for the semester. We had our branch party, a friend threw a White Elephant Party, our RS Christmas party, and then I went to a Favorite Things party. They were all SO fun, but it made for a few busy weeks.

Last year, it was in the 50s in December. This year I think we are getting a better taste of what real Ithaca winter is like. It's been pretty snowy the past few weeks and we have loved it. Snow in December is so magical. And while I am perfectly content to enjoy the snow from the indoors, the kids much prefer to be outside, so I finally got us all bundled up last week and took them out one morning and we had a blast. (One of those times when I really wish we had a backyard that they could just go play in).

 We have read this book about a hundred times since we pulled it out a few weeks ago. It was the book that I bought on sale after Christmas last year and it has been a huge hit. Shae loves that it is OUR book and that we never have to return it to the library. For some reason there is something special about that to him. (We've also read Samurai Santa and Olivia Helps with Christmas dozens of times, both very fun reads as well).

 Because of the above book, we decided to make our own gingerbread men one evening. 

 I wasn't planning on making cookie plates for neighbors this year. There was just so much going on and I've been so good about holding back on baking the past few months (sooooo hard!) while trying to lose a bit of weight...but then we made the gingerbread cookies and I was like, well, if we're going to make these, I may as well make 20 other kinds of cookies too. So I did, and it was actually really lovely (Of course it was, baking is my happy place). Shae and I made a few during Belén’s nap time one day when I didn't feel like I needed to lock him away in a quiet time because I didn't have much work, and it was just so fun to cook with that boy. I love when we get some one on one time like that, especially when it is in the kitchen!

(These and these have been my go to Christmas cookies for a couple years now and I loved trying this recipe this year for fun too. It's a definite keeper. Also made the Food Nanny's pumpkin bread because I've been wanting to make it all fall but have held back until now. So that one was kind of random, just making up for lost time :).

Mmmmmm, those Christmas goodies.

I read on a blog last week that a few girls were doing a sugar-free holiday challenge and I am happy to say that that is a challenge that I would NEVER want to participate in. Bring on the chocolate peppermint EVERYTHING! I mean, New Years (resolutions!) is right after Christmas for a reason, am I right?

Decorating!

We had our first taste of Christmas the day after Thanksgiving when we pulled out the tree and all the decorations at my parents house. 

Belén was clearly very helpful.

Shae chose the pose for this one.

We had such a wonderful visit with my family. It's so nice to be able to spend time with Philip while home as well. He is such a great uncle to our kids. He follows Shae's every command and lights up Belén's face like no other. I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful little brother.

Shae's favorite part of Black Friday was playing Sorry. He made my dad play this game with him, like, 20 times in the 3 1/2 days we were there.

The day after getting home we pulled all of our Christmas decorations out and got to work again. I love when Thanksgiving is on the earlier side of things because it means we get to enjoy Christmas that much longer!

 The tree definitely does not look like that anymore. I don't know why I thought that Belén was over the "pull things off the tree" phase. Not at all. Our tree is now only decorated half way up and we keep finding random ornaments throughout the house. Life with a toddler always keeps you on your toes. Quite literally sometimes. 

The kids favorite part about pulling out the Christmas stuff was getting out our Little People nativity. Best 50% off after Christmas deal ever. 

 Monkey see, monkey do.

Thanksgiving and our Grateful Tree

I was planning to just stick with the construction paper grateful tree on the wall like we did last year, but then literally THE day that we were going to make the tree, I was watching an episodes of The Chew and they showed this super cute craft idea using sticks. I kept meaning to get a cute bow to tie around the vase and never got around it to it, oh well. I liked this fun alternative because it made for a fun afternoon for me and the kids outside looking for the best sticks for our grateful tree. 

 We're still not so great about actually stopping each day to add to the grateful tree. We have every intention to do so, and then don't, so again our tree was a little sparse this year. 

But just because all the things didn't make it on to the tree, that doesn't mean we have SO much to be grateful for. So many small things, and some pretty big ones too. We are extremely blessed.

 We went down to my parents for Thanksgiving, which is always nice because 1. We love them. 2. They entertain our kids for hours on end. 

We went down on Wednesday and brought a Blackberry Pie and an Apple Pie with us, along with some rolls. We ran our turkey trot in the morning and then watched bits and pieces of the parade while preparing food. Some people worked harder than others (ahem, Shae: "I AM helping mom.")

 One more, I'm just going to eat one more.

 Darin always says that he loves cooking until I actually ask him to cook...how does that work?

"Let the Super Hero Thanksgiving begin!!"

Belén’s facial expressions. They are the best.

 So grateful for these two padres who brought me into this world. For their never-ending love and care, not just for me but for my husband and kids now as well. It's true what they say, you really come to appreciate your parents once you become one. I will be forever indebted to them for all that they have sacrificed for me and my siblings and for all of the great lessons in love, kindness, and faith  (and so much more!) that they taught me along the way. Muah! Love you both!

 And then there's this guy. Seriously, how lucky am I? Darin REALLY is my better half. He keeps me sane when I'm feeling like an emotional crazy hot mess. He stays up late listening to me talk in bed about nonsense, even when he is so tired and has a test the next day. He helps me discover the beauty in the details of parenthood, religion, and just plain old life in general. He gets up with the kids and gets them ready for the day EVERY single weekday morning so that I can exercise and start out the day with some me time. I NEED him in my life, mostly because he believes in me WAY more than I have ever believed in myself. What would I do without you love.

 Okay, enough sappy for one post.... 

Food! This plate makes me want Thanksgiving to come back RIGHT. NOW.

 It seems impossible to keep this girl strapped down for dinner for more than two seconds. She may or may not touch anything, and if she does, it's usually to throw it on the floor and start screaming to be free. Then she proceeds to walk around the table begging food off of anyone she can as though she hasn't eaten in years...and it works. I mean, look at that little puppy dog begging tongue. 

 The rest of Thanksgiving day was nice and chill. Lot's of clean up and relaxing. We rented Finding Dory and watched it all together while relaxing and letting our bodies rest from all that hard work pounding food. Clearly Belén was SUPER in to the movie.

Loving this holiday season so much already!

Turkey Trot etc.

I gained 60 pounds during both my pregnancies. SIXTY. Needless to say, that weight has not been the easiest to shed. With both kids, I hit a zone between 150-160 lbs where I just felt stuck. I weighed 153 when we got back from our summer away. I had been working out pretty regularly, but my diet was all over the place (sort of happens when you spend 4 days straight in a car, and just when you're away from home in general).

As soon as we got home I set a goal, I wanted to weigh 145 by November 15th. On August 22nd I started using My Fitness Pal to keep track of the calories I was eating. Two weeks later I started using BBG (Bikini Body Girl workouts by Kayla Itstines). While I may not be going for a BIKINI body per say, I will say, I have LOVED this workout program. I just finished the 12 week program last week and have been feeling so proud of myself. First of all, I actually stuck to an exercise program for the first time in, ever (even while on vacation!) Second, it is such a fun program and even though I feel like death while I'm doing it, I always feel so good when I'm done. 

And while I only ended up using My Fitness Pal consistently for the first month, it really opened my eyes to what and how much I was eating which helped me make some lifestyle changes (that may or may not have been thrown out the window last week with all these Christmas parties going on...)

So my goal was for Nov 15th, I took the below picture on November 22nd. 

A week late, but I hit my goal weight! And I could not be happier. I weighed 147 when I got pregnant with Belén and 143 with Shae. I'd love to get down a few more pounds to where I was with him, but I'm sure that will take some time because #holidays. Oh those holidays goodies. I just can't say no. And I'm okay with that! I'm just in a good place right now and I feel strong and (mostly) healthy.  After struggling with weight and body image issues just about my entire life, I'm feeling really good right now. 

Thanksgiving morning Darin and I went down to Carlisle to run in the Turkey Trot. I thought I might be running it by myself this year because Darin's ankle looks like it is going to be messed up for life, but he loves me enough to sacrifice his ankle and said he would do it with me. I kept telling him just to walk it, but of course he didn't listen and after not running for a year and a half, he ran the whole thing! Wha???? I was pretty shocked, especially because my competitive side was so sure I would beat him :). Darin ran it in 26:54 and I came in at 28:12--which again, was huge for me. While I feel more in shape than I've been in a long time, running has never been my strong suit. I really really wanted to run in less than 30 minutes since the other two we ran were both over (granted, one of them I was 6 months pregnant and peeing my pants the whole way). I was so excited when I saw that I made it in under 30 minutes! And also kind of felt like I was going to puke, because, like I said, not a runner (and I started my final sprint a little--a lot--too soon). 

This is such a fun run and I hope we get to keep doing it. After running, I tend to start thinking, I could do a 10k, yeah, I could totally do that, then I remember that that is over 6 miles, SIX! Man, that is a lot of miles. I have never even ran close to that many miles in my life. How are there people who run half marathons and marathons!? Ya'll are crazy! (And awesome). Who knows, maybe someday I'll be brave enough to try it.

For now, I'll stick to my couple of mile runs and my BBG with my baby girl trying to copy everything I do.

Loving my body has been a roller coaster ride my entire life. It has been a learning process, and continues to be so. This quote that I've seen on a few blogs recently has really stuck with me. I'm not sure who originally said it, but I found it on Kayla Itstines instagram...

"Your diet, exercise routine and stress level lay the foundation for how you feel, so fuel your body with good nutrition, break a little sweat each day, and set aside time to unwind. Because it’s hard to feel bad about a body you’re taking great care of."

(And you guys, that is different for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US! I just got back from book club where I ate 2 pieces of delicious baklava and some chocolates...and life goes on! No need to beat ourselves up for little things. Our bodies are incredible and deserve a little sweat and love, but if we like cookies, there's nothing wrong with that either--at least that's what I keep telling myself... :).

Superheroes on Three!

Little did we know when we pulled this shirt out of his "next winter" drawer that Ryder (for action power!) would disappear from our lives and Super Sonic Dude would hop aboard the Self Family train. Here he is, the newest member of our family:

He does everything FAST FAST FAST because that is Super Sonic Dude's power! Apparently. 

And can we just talk about this little Super Sonic sidekick for a sec. She has been loving the super hero gig. She flies around with her arms up in the air or behind her like this saying "Ssshhooommm shoom!" 

But seriously. Super Heroes have taken over our lives. He has never even watched any shows or read any books about any of these Marvel superheroes, but nonetheless, they have made a way in to our family. It all happened right after Halloween, when quite a few of his friends were dressed up as little Avengers. That was just TOO cool for school. THEN, right after Halloween, he got a letter from his cousin Zoey with super hero stationary and that about BLEW HIS MIND. He kept asking over and over again, "Who is this one?" "What's his name again?"

So one day when we were drawing, I decided to draw a Superman and cut it out to play with. Shae was SO excited about it so I covered it in contact paper and stuck it on a Popsicle stick and we had ourselves our first paper doll (er, hero). Of course, Shae then wanted ALL the super heroes, so we got to work.

Here are Iron Man, Super Sonic Dude/Super Sonic Mom with their lightning bolts (apparently that has something to do with their power...), and Captain America.

Daddy drew Thor and like I said, I drew Superman. We have a Super Sonic Girl floating around somewhere too...

Why do we spend money on toys? Seriously, he has been entertained with these little guys for a few weeks now. AND...it has taken his drawing and cutting skills to a new level! That has been one of the coolest things for me to see in all this. He was just never patient enough when we would draw before and always just scribbled on the paper (even though it always WAS something to him, usually some made up word like a "farley" or "pak-na"). But now that he has found his passion in life, he takes the time to actually draw it. So interesting to watch that happen.

He has now given us all new names. I am Spiderman, Belén is Iron Man (or sometimes Super Sonic Girl), and Darin is Thor. And you better believe we had a full on Super Hero Thanksgiving. When we all sat down to eat on Thanksgiving, we said the prayer and Shae then stood on his chair, put his arms in the air and said, "Let the Super Hero Thanksgiving begin!" He made Grandma Cat Girl...which later turned in to Black Widow, I think?, Kuhn-ta is Super Man (because he has a Super Grandpa shirt) and Philip varies between Batman (he has Batman pajama bottoms) and Captain America (he has a Captain America shirt). I believe he also announced Amelia as Wonder Woman while skyping with her on Thanksgiving. Surely there will be many more super heroes to come...

He kept begging me to go to the Popsicle stick store so that we could make more...so we did (make more that is, not go to the Popsicle stick store). Spider-Man and Cat Girl. 

There was an evening before bed where me, Darin, my parents, and Philip all played Super Heroes at the same time with Shae. The way his eyes lit up. He was in heaven. Five adults all under his Super Sonic control. "Alright super heroes...our first mission...we must save the earth from the fire, let's go!" Cue all of us running around the house pretending to do something...to someone...to the earth...to a bad guy? Oh man, he just ATE IT UP. It was pretty special.

Then yesterday he about wet himself out of excitement when I showed him this video. We've watched it at least 10 times since then.

Having such a key role in turning everyday life into an imagination playground is easily one of my favorite things about parenthood thus far.