A Week in Review

This week has flown by!  It's hard to believe that it is finally summer break.  Well, Mackaylan is supposed to go to school on Monday for a 1/2 day, but since I am still on maternity leave we are taking advantage of the fact that I'm still home and she is not going!  Yesterday we went to her Awards Day and she did a great job speaking in front of the student body and parents.  She was on Student Council this year as a Homeroom Representative so she was responsible for explaining their service projects for the year and introducing their sponsor.  She also received 3 academic awards:  The Board of Trustees Academic Excellence Award, Duke TIP Award, and the Principal's Award for scoring Exemplary in all 4 areas of PASS last year.  We were all very proud of her! 

It's crazy to look at the difference from the first and last day of school.  She has grown up so much!

Lydia also started her "summer break" this week.  She has had a fun week at home helping me clean off the back porch, blowing bubbles, and playing basketball.  What can I say? It's a hard life when you're 4!

Ace had his 2 month appointment on Wednesday.  He is growing beautifully and eating and sleeping like a champ.  He had his first round of vaccinations so he needed some extra cuddles and a long, afternoon nap.  I didn't object at all! ;) 

On Thursday we celebrated my dad's 68th birthday with my parents and Pop O.  My sister and her family were supposed to come too, but my nephew has been sick so we had to just FaceTime then in during part of the celebration!  There are no words to express how much I love this man!  He is the walking definition of love, support, and encouragement!  He always tells me, "Nobody loves you like your daddy" and he is so right!  

 Here are a few other pics that I just love from this week:

 Happy 1st Weekend of Summer 2015!

Two Months!

It's hard to believe that Ace is 2 months old!  He is such a sweet baby and really completes our family.  Just a few years ago we were finally content and at peace with the idea that Mackaylan would be our one and only.  However, God had other plans and we became pregnant with Lydia.  Little did we know that He would blow our mind again when we found out we were expecting another baby last summer.  Now that Baby Ace is here we are so thankful and continually reminded that we serve a God who can do "infinitely more than all we can ask or imagine!"  (Ephesian 3:20)

This month we have begun to settle into a nice little routine (eat, wake, sleep.)  He has been to my school a few times for various reasons and "assisted" me as I started to work on our staff development plan for next year, 

 

spent lots of time playing with his biggest sissy, Mackaylan,

cheered on his cousin, Eli, at his baseball game,

went on lots of walks with mommy,

 tried to enjoy tummy time,

and has learned to give out SMILES daily! 

He is such a good baby and we can't imagine life without him!  I'm looking forward to this summer and watching him grow and accomplish many more milestones.  I expect in the next month or so he will begin to roll over and we will get to experience his first real laugh, and it won't be too long until he will master that head control and will be sitting up. Until then, I will take the sleepless episodes at night and the occassional fussy afternoons because I know that this season will be over in a blink of an eye.  The girls are living proof! ;) 

Here are a few more pics from the past month that I just love...

Weight Watchers Wednesday

Now that Ace is 2 months old, I know it is time to get serious about losing all of this baby weight.  I decided to sign up for WW Online because I know that it is a plan that allows you to eat anything, but in moderation. I have been successful with the low carb/low sugar diet in the past, but it is not something that I can stick with longterm.  I have kids.  I have a family.  We like to eat and celebrate.  If I want this to truly be a way of life then I have to follow a plan that allows me to bake the cake and eat a slice too!

This past week was my first week on the WW plan and I lost a little over 5 pounds.  Woo hoo! Needless to say, I was thrilled!  I know that my loss will not be that big every week, but I will take it while I can.  Since I am exclusively breastfeeding I am allowed extra points so there are many days that I don't use all of my points or am able to enjoy a bowl of cereal before bed because I have some points left over.  It was important for me to find something that took into account the fact that I was breastfeeding because it really does make me hungrier than normal and I need food to nourish my body and my baby boy!

I am loving the accountability that I have found on Instagram and all of the food ideas as well.  It is social media at it's best.  Trust me!  Right now I am posting this journey on my regular Instagram account, but most people have a different account for WW.  For me, it is too difficult to have to worry about logging in and out several times a day.  My Instagram account is a way to document my life and right now that includes WW.  :)

One thing that I need to improve upon is my exercise.  Ace and I have been walking a few mornings each week and I tried out a new Zumba class last Thursday, but I need to set a schedule and stick to it.         I would love to try a new exercise DVD so if you have one that you love please leave me a comment and let me know.  It is easy to walk when it is just Ace, but school is almost out for the summer and that means I will have all 3 kiddos at home most days so walking outdoors will be out of the question.

With this post each week, I would like to share some of my favorite recipes and progress from the week before.  And hopefully, between my accountability on Instagram and here on the blog, by the time school starts back I will be able to fit back into (at least some) of my pre-pregnancy pants.

This week, one of our favorite treats were these fake ice cream sandwiches.  All you do is take 2 chocolate graham crackers, spread with 2 Tbs of FF Cool Whip, wrap in Saran Wrap and freeze.  They really do taste like an ice cream sandwich, and for only 5 points!  SCORE.  It's a nice little treat on a hot, summer day.

I also tried out a batch of cupcakes made with the Funfetti cake mix and Sprite zero.  They were so moist and delicious.  All you do is mix the dry cake mix with 12 oz. of diet soda, pour 1/4 c. of the batter into each cupcake liner, and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  I had intentions of topping them with Cool Whip, but they were so moist and delicious they didn't need any doctoring up! 

After the Memorial Day holiday and our anniversary dinner, I need to make sure that the rest of the days this week are spot on.  I am excited about this journey and look forward to seeing less and less of me each week! :)

One Marvelous Mother's Day

I had a very special Mother's Day!  We spent the weekend celebrating with family.  On Saturday, we traveled to Newberry for a cookout with Mickey's aunt and family.  The girls had a great time swimming in the pool, and it was nice for the adults to sit and catch up on life.  This was Ace's first road trip and despite one unexpected stop to calm him down he was a trooper.  We timed it right between feedings and once he fell asleep he was a-okay!

On Sunday, we went to church and then went out to eat lunch with Mickey's mom.  After lunch, Mickey, Ace, and I came home for a nap while the girls stayed with Grams and Pop-O.  We went back later in the afternoon to hang out before we headed to my sister's house to celebrate my mom.

At my sister's house, we ate pizza and the kiddos all played and enjoyed being together.  I just love this picture of my mom with all 5 of her grands!

As far as gifts are concerned, I was spoiled as usual.  My daddy sent me a beautiful bouquet on behalf of the three kiddos that made me a mother.  My dear husband gave me a frame (complete with pictures) that was so thoughtful and I just love.  I am wonderful at taking pictures, but the pictures just hang out in my phone, on my camera, or here on the blog!  I have frames all over my house that need pictures added so it was wonderful to get a frame that was already complete!  Mackaylan gave me a tin that had little slips of paper of reasons why she loves me.  Yes, I teared up while reading the reasons... so special!  And, last but not least, Lydia gave me a card and a set of coasters that she made at church. 

 

Yes, the gifts were wonderful (since that is my love language), but what I love most is getting to do life with these little people who call me mom (and wife.)  It's hard work, but there is nothing else I would rather do.  I thank God daily that he entrusted me to be their mom.  It's the best job ever!

What's Been Happening??

Just a few pics to sum up life lately...

I'm not very good at the pumping business, but Ace has had a few bottles in the past few weeks just to get him used to them. I know I really need to get more stockpiled, but I'm just not ready to think about that...

Granny got an iPhone! This is BIG, my friends!!

Ace's Baby Dedication was very special as we committed to raise him up in Christ in front of our family and friends.

Mackaylan was the star of the show in her church musical, and she was ecstatic that Mrs.Parsons was able to come! She continues to go to LFBC for GAs and Children's Choir. I felt awkward about it at first since we attend The Well now, but she has grown so much in her walk with Christ this year and I attribute it in part to these two programs!

Granny and her 5 grands on Mother's Day!

I was spoiled on Mother's Day with lots of goodies! I am so blessed.

Ace went to his first baseball game on Monday night. Im sure he will be Eli's #1 fan for many years to come!

Yesterday Ace and I were able to go on Mackaylan's field trip to the zoo. We had a great time and it was even more special when Mackaylan told me she had a really fun time and she thought it was because I was there. :)

This morning I'm all snuggled up with this cutie even though I need to be doing laundry and geting ready for my doctor's appointment. I just have a hard time putting him down. Being #3 I am easily reminded that the days may seem long at times, but the years are short! I am cherishing every minute! 

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Life Lately

The past few weeks have been full of family time. Nursing a newborn makes getting out and doing much difficult. However, we are beginning to settle into a routine  (esp in the mornings) which makes running errands and getting out into the world a bit easier. It's still surreal that we have another member of our family,  and it's a boy!!

Ace turned a month old last week.  He is such a sweet baby. He pretty much just rays and sleeps,  but he does have a fussy time in the late afternoon.  He had gained 2 lbs at his one month doctor visit and had grown one inch.  That puts him at 10.28 lbs and 22.25 inches. He still eats about every 2 hours at night, but he is beginning to stretch that out this week. And, of course, he gets more kisses than any other male on the planet! This Sunday will be baby dedication and that is always a special time.

The girls enjoyed helping me give him his first real bath. I was amazed because he didn't cry at all. I was a little worried about doing it without Mickey being home, but he was a champ and just sat there and looked at us girls like we were crazy!

He also made his first trip to Target last Friday. He slept the entire time which made me one happy mama. My mom and I were able to peruse the aisles and get what we needed (and a few things that we didn't need!) It was fantastic!

I must admit I had a big mom fail when it came to Easter baskets, but I think I redeemed myself on Saturday with "Saturday Surprises." The girls got a few things they needed like socks and PJs and a few fun items as well. Ace got some burp cloths and a mirror to put on the seat in the car. They were definitely surprised and I loved seeing the smiles on their faces as they discovered what was in their baskets. Fun!

So, that about sums it up.  We are busy loving on a new baby and counting the days until school is out for the summer. I hope you are all having a great week. :)

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