baby, baby, baby

i just got an iphone and downloaded a very cool “artsy” photo app – so expect a little more artistic vision from me!

AND…..Miss E said her first “real” word yesterday – BABY!  Big surprise!  “baby, baby, baby, baby…”

growin’ up

We (Katie) finally got Jack a bike helmet and I am SHOCKED that he actually will wear it.  That $60 bike was a great purchase – the kid loves the thing and will actually ride it everywhere and for a long time!

This = normally longer naptimes, which = a happier Katie and Mommy.  :-)

Oh, and we did finally get Jack-The-90’s-Mullet-Guy a sharpie-do haircut this weekend.  The curls did not make “the cut,” but at least he doesn’t look like he is in a bad Duran Duran video.

 

“Mommy’s Little Shadow,” Miss Emma Grace feeding “Baby.”  She freaking loves this baby doll, it is pretty amazing.  Looks for her right when she wakes up and just lugs her around all day even though baby is almost as big as she is! 

Anyone looking for bday ideas for Emma – anything “baby” related – bottles, stroller, etc…she is crazy about it!

And HOW ADORABLE is this placemat?  I am becoming semi-obsessed with owls for Emma and am self-making it her little animal mascot.  she looks like a little blue-eyed owl to me and says “whoo, whoo” all the time, so it fits!!!! 

knees and toes

Can't wait to show this at his wedding someday!

:-)

a lovely, lovely weekend

We baked donuts – YUMMY! (and YES, they are on the diet plan – whole wheat and yogurt!)

We played grocery store – both of my kids LOVE playing in the fridge – i may need to find a fridge-lock

Soccer Saturday – Jack moved up to the 3-4 yr class and did great (even though he isn’t the “fastest” anymore.) Coach Gomez moved up also, which Jack is thrilled about!

Sister moved to the table with the rest of us! BIG GIRL! She is obsessed with sitting in her new seat and it was SO FUN to all eat dinner together at one table last night. I took the center leaf out, which made it smaller, but so much more cozy. I almost cried looking around and seeing our little family of four saying Grace. (do you like my ghetto binder clips on the placemat? Any other ideas?) Emma also learned and perfected the “please” sign last night, which may be the cutest thing ever!

We got cozy on a rainy afternoon – I love this shot as it shows how much Jack adores all of his Lovies– the team is all there – blue blankin, big blankin, brown blankin, and Squeeze.

We just played – while wearing a tutu, of course.

We went to Fantasy Kingdom (indoor make-believe play-space that Jack adores) and out to lunch to Noodles & Co. on a Mommy date while Daddy worked

And Emma starts "using" a spoon! We have a very similar video of Jack on his first tries; so precious.

Despite Scott working all weekend (the end IS in sight!), we had a nice weekend of fun. I actually got a TON of batch cooking done this weekend and got to try out some great new recipes for the week – I feel so prepared and less-stressed having it all done to just assemble the night of!

Side note….This past month has been very busy with Scott working and I literally have been passing out at 9pm a lot of nights. We have taken this month to spend time together and focus on our little family with any free time, which has been great, but I am WAY BEHIND on phone calls, emails, catching up, etc. So – SORRY to everyone that I need to get back to – I actually have phone calls in my calendar for this week and hopefully some skyping with the Grandparents!

Taking a pasta-making class this week with a friend – Excited!

Spring has SPRUNG!

FINALLY it has warmed up in the Midwest!  The kids have been TUCKERED OUT every night this week with all the outdoor play time they have gotten – it has been great!

Katie has been taking them out every morning this week for long park trips – Jack rides his bike, so he is getting great exercise and Emma is really liking walking around and exploring the parks!  We are so lucky to live walking distance to 3-4 wonderful playground parks, all with different features and fun things to do.  I know that Katie is super-excited about spring/summer – trips to the beach, picnics, water play, art activities on the deck…

I came home early and surprised my little leprechauns with a walk to Oz Park and a trip to DQ!  An embarrassing (but great) thing happened while we were there – we ordered our cones (with Jack stepping right up and saying “May I have a vanilla cone with sprinkles, please?”  { so proud} ), and then I realized that I had forgotten my credit card in my work bag!  A very nice gentlemen stood up from a nearby seat and said “I’ve got it…no problem.”  It was a great lesson in kindness for Jack and I was so glad that he was able to see the genuineness of being a helpful and nice person.

 

Looking forward to a nice weekend of outdoor play, soccer (Jack moves up to the next level this week and has a new coach – should be interesting!), cooking (making homemade granola bars, homemade ravioli, and roasting a chicken!) and getting some spring cleaning checked off my list!

** And…..Tax Season is almost over!!!!  WOO HOO!!!  Daddy’s back! **

30 day shred

Let me start by saying this – YES, I am aware that we still have a big, heavy tube TV.  There really is no reason or excuse other than it takes my husband 2 years (or longer) to make any sort of major (and he counts this as major)purchase decision.  So===still rockin’ the 1998 TV!  :-) 

Love ya, Babe.

My healthful plan has been going well!  I have successfully found the time to exercise 4x in the past 5 days – with a little help from my “trainer” Jack.

Jack was SUPER PUMPED when I asked if he wanted to do an exercise video with me.  He actually did a lot of the moves and was great at encouraging me with “Awesome, Mom,” “Keep doing it Mommy,” and “That’s not how she is doing it, Mom.”

That is until he got a little tired about halfway through the DVD (it was  7:30pm) and said “Mom, how about we just relax and have a snack.”

It was de-motivating.  Yet adorable.

After we completed the DVD, he actually “made up” a couple of additional moves for me on his own which was super cute.  He has told me every night since then “Mommy, time for our exercise!,” which is great as I feel good about teaching him about healthy lifestyles!

in 30 days…

Our beautiful Emma Grace will be 1 year old – EEK!

Things Emma LOVES at 11 months:

1. Her American Girl bitty baby doll – she is obsessed with carrying her around, sitting next to her, kissing her. (I am going to get her a new outfit for her bday so that I can play dress up with her – I SERIOUSLY CANNOT WAIT TO PLAY DOLLS – is that pathetic?) I really hope she stays this girly, because I wasn’t growing up. Other favorite toys include her walking puppy from G-Gma, any car of Jacks, and her Laugh and Learn Kitchen.

2. The little Elmo couch - Emma loves to stand on top the the ottoman and slide off onto the couch and then she just lays back and relaxes. I might need to look into another one as it is getting pretty grummy! Princess? :-)

3. Food / Eating – her current faves include avocado (just like her brother and momma!), cheese, strawberries, pancakes, broccoli, eggs, and pasta! Emma really prefers solid food that she can pick up and it is actually a great distraction/entertainment when I am making dinner – give her some cheese and she is good! I am going to use up the remainder of our baby food then all done – last night it was SO NICE to just make one meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, and zucchini and we all ate the SAME THING!

4. Sippy Cup – OBSESSED! Emma has a new fascination with water and I am happy that she has done so well with her sippy, as it took Jack a long time to master it. Should make the transition to cow’s milk next month much easier. I actually gave her a little milk to try this weekend and she did pretty well. We have been weaning her off of her bedtime bottle, so I do not foresee it being a big issue

4. Walking/Running – she is walking about 95% of the time and is now trying to get faster and faster – it is hilarious and so adorable to hear her trotting down the hall after me and falling about 6 times along the way.

5. Wagon – Pappaw & Nana Knowling got Emma a big red Step 2 wagon for Christmas and she LOVE LOVE LOVEs it! Giggles the entire time – I think she feels very grown up and also loves watching/playing with Jack along the ride.

As you can maybe see in the above picture – Em has 2 little bottom teeth sprouting up! She has 3 more on top that are pushing their way through. She was late to get her tooth buds, but now I don’t want her to have them at all – We love that little gummy smile!

Emma had a great month and is really developing – she has signs for “more,” “all done,” “want,” and “no.” Next on the list are “milk,” “please,” and “thank you.” Just this weekend she started giving high fives and is starting to really listen and follow basic instructions such as “give it to Daddy” or “Go see Jack.” When we say “Love You,” Emmy opens her mouth and gives you a kiss and she waves goodbye when Scott leaves. She definitely knows what “No Thank You” and “Yucky” mean and shakes her head in response. She says “Momma,” “Dadda,” “Pop,” “Dado” (Gma Walti’s dog, Shadow), “Bub” (Brother), and “Pup” (for her walking puppy).

The girl is a climber! Always climbing on everything, wanting to sit on top of the ottoman, stools, etc. We have to make sure we always close the bathroom doors now, too as we have discovered her way to many times on top of Jack’s stool and trying to play in the toilet! She is pretty physical and can withstand a lot of rough-housing from Jack. As you can tell in the big yellow bruiser on her forehead, she gets knocked down some, too!

SQUAWKY LITTLE OWL – She is a girl who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it! Emma does NOT like it when someone is eating in front of her and doesn’t share, or when she feels like she should get some attention – she shrieks (loudly) until we do it. Emma plays wonderfully – she just walks around, picking things up, and carrying them around for a long time. She and Jack are interacting/trying to share and it is really cute to watch them play “tag” or when he reads to her and tries to carry her around (his new thing.)

Emma’s sleeping has drastically improved this month! She is sleeping from 6:30pm (so early, I hate this) until about 6am with occasional awakenings around 5am to snuggle/bottle in bed with us, which we don't mind a bit! She and Jack still enjoy sharing a room and he never wakes up when she cries out, which is great. She is on a 2 nap a day routine that is also going pretty well, with about a 1 / 1.5 hour nap in the am and then an hour (this could be longer) in the afternoon.

I just started planning Emmy’s little bday gathering – just very low-key day in a neighborhood park with a cute Owl theme for our little squawker! And then a cousin’s April bday party in Indy with Sam and Lily.

Happy 11 month birthday, Emmy Gracie-Girl!!!!

accountable

I realize that most of what I write on this blog is in reference to our family, family events, family happenings, etc.

But this post is ALL ABOUT ME.  And we’re all friends here, right?

In my dreams, I would blog about everything – what i cook, what i wear, what i read, my daily activities, etc.  I’m probably not that exciting.  I am so jealous of those bloggers out there, like Lisa Leonard, Mama Pea, and Kristin – how they share their lives, their passions (photography, healthy living, and cooking) with the world and have everything so well documented – it is probably such a release, too.  I am a very open person (Scott would probably comment that I am too forthcoming and “without filter” at times), but that is how I “connect” with people – sharing stories, passions, likes/dislikes, etc.

I digress…

The reason I want to write this post is to keep me ACCOUNTABLE.  Accountable to a more healthful lifestyle.  Accountable to exercising more.  Accountable for eating well.  Accountable to shedding those last 5 lbs of baby weight, those 10 lbs I gained in college (damn you dining hall mac n’ cheese!), (and maybe even 5 more.)  I have 4+ weddings this summer and the thought of putting on a little strapless dress is terrifying right now!

My issue:

I LOVE FOOD.  I love to eat, mainly for the flavors, the experience, and the JOY that preparing food brings me.  My long term plan is to work at a catering company (or start one!) when my kids are all in school…that would be my ULTIMATE JOB.  My favorite days are days that my kids and Scott and are playing in front of me (we have an open lay-out home with the kitchen and living space in one area) and I am busy in the kitchen for HOURS prepping for the week ahead (I am anal like that, but when you get home at 5:30 and have 2 hungry kids and refuse to feed them nasty nuggets, that is what you have to do).    I truly do cook very healthfully, but I tend to go way overboard on my portions – we eat fresh, organic food (about 60%), and I cook homemade, from scratch dinners 4-5 nights a week. I buy VERY LITTLE processed food (have you all seen Food, Inc? – SCARY), and we don’t eat out that often.   But, life is busy, and sometimes it takes all i have to make myself a bowl of cheesy grits with 2 girl scout cookies for dinner at 9:30pm.

Our busy life also leaves little time for ME - for exercising, for working on my outer self.  I KNOW i need to just FIND THE TIME to do this, even if it is at 5:00am (UGH) or 9:00 at night, but my motivation is VERY LOW to get out the door when my perky, squishy-cute daughter would rather me snuggle with her.  I probably have run/exercised 15 times in the past 2 years.  TERRIBLE.  I want my children to realize how important physical activity is, and they learn from us!  SO COME ON, SPRING!!!

So,  I figure if I blog about my goals here, everyone who reads this post (including you, Dustin!) can help keep me accountable to the following:

End Goal

To lose 15 lbs by September (about 2 lbs a month = do-able?)

Smaller, Closer Goals – starting TODAY!

1.  Exercise (run, walk, DVD, etc) 5 times per week for 45min-1 hour  (preferably something to get my heart rate up!) 

2.  Spend more time on Sundays planning & prepping healthy meals (including my bkfst and lunch which is where i tend to eat poorly)

3.  Prepare and eat “Meatless Meals” (this is going to be the easy part) 3x per week – get creative and have FUN!  (But this doesn’t mean pasta every night)

4.  Limit 2 cups of coffee a day – stop at 9:30am (I could literally drink coffee all day, its a problem when a Sbux is in my building), and switch to H2O – goal is 10 glasses of water a day.

5.  Really watch portion sizes.  If still hungry, drink a big glass of water!

6.  Complete 5K in May (already signed up!) with a respectable time

7.  Ask for more help so that I can find the time to do all of these things!!!

I kind of feel silly now writing this post, so I am going to press ‘publish’ before I chicken out.  BUT….if you could all check in with me to see how I am doing on this, keep me motivated, and send any work-out advice my way (or ideas on how to find an extra hour in the day!), I would REALLY appreciate it!  Ask me how I am doing, Knock over that bowl of cheesy pasta, and then encourage me to go buy a killer pair of jeans when i have reached my goal  :-)

Happy Weekend – I’m off to make an amazing, healthy, gorgeous grocery list!

XOXOXO

look-a-likes?

Jack Walti – 10 months

Emma Walti – 10 months

 

What do you think?

Jack – 10 months

 

Emma – 10 months

So fun to look through old pictures…

Happy Bday to our Daddy-Man

My husband is the most patient, kind, and selfless man I know.  The kids literally sprint to the door when he gets home, which is one of my favorite parts of being a mom…the feeling is mutual from him, and the look on their face of pure joy is indescribable.

We celebrated yesterday with Scott’s parents and tonight we will feast on Daddy’s favorite dinner – pork tacos and a special “white cake” assisted by my Sous Chef Jack followed by a “real” celebration and date night this coming Saturday!  (Thanks, Auntie Courtney for babysitting!)

Happy Birthday, Hon – we love you bunches!!!

just some cute shots

Friday night movie night – Daddy always falls asleep 

We ALL look forward to this night every week.

One TIRED little girl 

Don’t you wish you could pass out like this?

just a brother and sister hanging out, having snack, watching Curious George… Love it.

Jack’s hair is OUT OF CONTROL again – i cannot keep up with the thickness!

Happy Weekend! 

We have a playdate and soccer tomorrow and nothing else but hanging out and cleaning on the books!!!

climber girl and soccer boy

it’s pretty interesting to me that both of our kids starting walking at the exact same time – 10 months.  they both have unbelievable balance – don’t know what it is…i am taking credit for it of course, as we all know what an amazing athlete i am (scott, stop laughing).  all those years of gymnastics, tumbling, and cheering must have paid off and been passed down to my kiddos!

anyway, our little girl is SUCH A CLIMBER.  I really don’t remember Jack being this bad – we cannot turn our backs or she has finagled her way up on top of something and then likes to jump off!

 

and big brother still LOVES his Saturday soccer…he is totally in the mode where “Coach is King” and i think he is a little bit of a kiss-up, always volunteering, racing to the front, and sitting next to Coach Gomez and Coach Eric (I wonder where he gets that trait from?  :-) ).  He “moves up” into the 3/4 year old class in a couple of weeks, and I am anxious to see how he does in a little bit more advanced class.  Jack loves to drop-kick and is doing much better at remember not to pick up the ball with his hands! 

he races with the little boy to the right EVERY CLASS

fuzzy pic, but this is his favorite, Coach Gomez

Every week I tell him “Athlete’s tuck in their shirts – don’t look sloppy on the field”  and now he reminds me at the start of class

stacking the cones – one of the class highlights

a winter respite

Getting away during this dreadful weather the Midwest has had all winter was beyond refreshing.  The kids had a BLAST and some color on my pale face is SO GOOD TO SEE (i’m sure Scott agrees!).  It was probably the best weather we have EVER had – 82 and SUNNY every day! 

We had a fabulous time swimming (for several hours every day), beaching it, eating out, playing in the fort (AKA closet – where Jack took his nap every day), sunning, and going to bed early!  I got some pretty good rest and came back fairly refreshed.

The kids did great traveling – Jack and Pappaw sat together and watched “Cars” (shocking, i know) on the way down and then we had a very late night flight where he slept – Emma slept both flights, which was one of my favorite parts of trip as I got to hold her sleeping for 2 hours each way!  :-) 

our sweet little squish { notice the curl? }– we woke up every morning together (after she slept with me all night – bliss – and had our coffee and cereal on the lenai, which is one of my fave parts of our trips down there

the boy loves to pee in nature 

emma has plenty of time to work on that six-pack…and you will recognize this squishy face in several more pics…i keep telling her it is going to stick like that!

fun burying aunt kitten 

…and then jack (i was SHOCKED that he let us do this) 

{ love my daughter } 

cool dudes with their matching glasses

i swear emmy smiles!  but she looks so adorable here. my big girl.

Pappaw found a new nascar sleeping buddy – this was the only thing on his “to-do list” for the week.  :-)

we had “ladies night out” one night and took a painting class – it was so fun!!!  (you all paint the same thing with direction from an instructor)

the final product 

my water babies

  a trip to the naples zoo

this is em’s new “sign” meaning “want” – she does it all the time when she wants something/someone…I guess it is her version of pointing? 

this chair is a GODSEND down there – Emma is such a little walker/climber/mover, we just strap her in, give her some snacks/toys and she watches us swim and do our thing!  :-)

Is that mean?

i love this shot  --- em loved the waves

is there anything better than a PB&J on the beach?  Doesn’t everyone have this memory growing up? 

and doesn’t jack look like such a TEENAGER here – AHHHH!

we take this “final” photo every time we go to my dad’s…we are always so sad to get on the plane! 

 

A BIG THANKS to Pappaw, Nana, and Aunt Kitten – it was a little harder doing this on my own and I don’t think I couldn’t have done it without their help!   And for dinners, lunches, drinks, etc….

Kensi was seriously amazing – she is the COOLEST little tween 11 year old ever – she was so great with the kids, helping me out, entertaining Jack when he got tired/cranky (uh, swimming 5 hours a day will do that to a 3 year old!), helping during dinners out, swimming all day, and she even slept with him every night!  THANK YOU – we love our Aunt Kitten SOOOOO much!