Monday Madness

{The Weather}::: Last week we finally decided to venture out for a walk again even though it was cold. Christian didn't seem to mind since he was all bundled up in his snowsuit, hat, and blanket. He definitely couldn't move, though. I'm missing those cool days that are still warm enough to walk without freezing... Looks like rain might be keeping us inside this week. We did have a few snowflakes when we were carving pumpkins last Tuesday night... 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday -  Leftovers
• Tuesday - Steak Stirfry
• Wednesday - BBQ Ribs, Asparagus and Mac 'n' Cheese
• Thursday - Campbell's Crockpot Beef Roast, Steamed Carrots and Mashed Potatoes 
• Friday - Mystery Shopping
• Saturday -  Broccoli Soup with rolls
• Sunday - Kraft Fresh Take and Salads

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: 

1. Get ready for Christian's 1st Halloween! Maybe take some DIY photos! 
2. Start backing up all the photos on my computer...I realized every picture of Christian's now almost 5 months of life are all on my computer...so if it were to die we would lose them all! Minus the ones on this here blog and facebook and instagram of course

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupons and Grocery List Day 
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day
• Wednesday - Laundry day, Catalyst at Church at night, Daddy/Son night for Daddy and Christian and they are going to a Timberwolves Game! 
• Thursday - HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Cleaning Day and Trick or Treating! 
• Friday -  FUN DAY! Family Timberwolves Game at night 
• Saturday - Family Pictures and double date with my friend Amy and her hubby Alex
• Sunday - *Daylight Savings* Jim working at church, relaxing Sabbath Day! 

Hope your week is off to a great start! 
What are you doing to get ready to celebrate Halloween? 

HAPPY MONDAY!

Monday Madness

{The Weather}::: Okay. This isn't fall weather...this is nearly like winter!!! Brrrr!!! Do you see the snow showers forecasted for today??? 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday -  Chicken and Bisquits
• Tuesday - BBQ Ribs and Asparagus
• Wednesday - Crockpot BBQ Chicken and Carrots AuGratin 
• Thursday - Poop on a Snowbank
• Friday - Dinner out with friends
• Saturday - Broccoli Soup and rolls and then Dinner at a fall party! 
• Sunday - Spaghetti and meatballs and salads

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: 

1.  Christian's 4 month photos were ordered last week, so now for them to get to our house so I can hang them up! 
2. Start backing up all the photos on my computer...I realized every picture of Christian's now almost 5 months of life are all on my computer...so if it were to die we would lose them all! Minus the ones on this here blog and facebook and instagram of course

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupons and Grocery List Day
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day
• Wednesday - {NEW} Laundry day...trying to do this earlier in the week so Friday can be our {fun} day! Cleaning and laundry all in one day is a bit much too... Catalyst at Church at night, Daddy/Son night for Daddy and Christian! 
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group Night! 
• Friday -  FUN DAY!
• Saturday - Fall Party at Zoe and Jaden's house! 
• Sunday - Church and Baby Halloween Party at Amma! 

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY MONDAY!

Monday Madness

{The Weather}::: Fall has ARRIVED :) This mama is a happy camper! I could do without the rain, though...and 60s would be better than 50s! Never happy am I!?! ha ha Time to turn the heat on too! 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday -  Chicken Spiedis (I promised this recipe awhile ago...but it's coming next week!) 
• Tuesday - BBQ Ribs and Asparagus
• Wednesday - Kraft Fresh Take and Salads 
• Thursday - Crockpot Campbells Sauce with Pork 
• Friday - Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
• Saturday - Chicken, Mac and Cheese, and Veggies (for the kiddos coming to our house!)
• Sunday - Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps 

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: 

1. Order Christian's 4 month photos and hang them up! Want to get some display time out of them before I do his 6 month photos!

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupons and Grocery List Day
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day, Flu Shot day for this mama! 
• Wednesday - Catalyst at Church, Daddy/Son night for Daddy and Christian! 
• Thursday - Cleaning and Laundry Day and Small Group Movie Night! (I'm trying cleaning and laundry all in one day in an attempt to make our Fridays "Fun Days!" 
• Friday -  FUN DAY! Making pies with a friend/play date and Family Trip to Pumpkin Patch after Daddy gets home from work! 
• Saturday - Zoe and Jaden are coming to visit and we are going to Sever's Corn Maze! 
• Sunday - Church and Relaxing Family Time

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY MONDAY!

Monday Madness

{The Weather}::: I think fall is here!! :) And I couldn't be happier! Over the weekend I definitely rocked some boots and loved it! 

{What's Cooking?}:::

This week's menu basically sums up my hubby's latest meal requests! Still a few more to go...

• Monday -  "Mystery Shopping" at TGIFridays  
• Tuesday - Tacos
• Wednesday - Kraft Fresh Take Chicken and Salads
• Thursday - Sloppy Joes
• Friday - Chicken Fajitas
• Saturday - Pigs in a Blanket
• Sunday - Poop on a Snowbank and BBQ Crockpot Chicken 

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: 

1. Get rid of Christian's cold...

Like I mentioned last week, taking care of a baby and a house is a FULL time job. I know all of you out there with a paid full time job and more than 1 kid and a house are probably thinking, "Girl! You ain't seen nothing yet!" That's probably true! But for now, I'm enjoying being mommy and getting into a groove of how to manage this new life!

Eventually I will hopefully have this balance and routine thing figured out enough to tackle house projects and life projects during the day again...maybe!??! Or maybe its a dream.

Being the best mommy I can be is the main goal I hope to accomplish this week :) 

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupons and Grocery List Day
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day
• Wednesday - No real plans during the day...maybe we will attempt some outdoor 4 month photos? Maybe not... Catalyst at Church at night and Daddy/Son night for Daddy and Christian! 
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group Movie Night! 
• Friday -  Laundry Day and Football game at night!
• Saturday - I'm helping with Baptisms at church in the morning and we are also attending Baby Judson's Baptism and Reception! Possibly a fall family event in our area in the afternoon and then maybe a Timberwolves Pre-Season game at night! That's a lot for one day, so I'm sure we won't do it all!
• Sunday - Church and family time! 

Hope your week is off to a great start!
What do you have going on this week??? 

HAPPY MONDAY!

Monday Madness

{The Weather}::: The official "First Day of Fall" has come and gone...and our weather still is a little behind...or at least confused! Although, it is feeling much more fall like, we do keep having some random 80 degree days... I just want to wear boots and scarves already! The end of the week is looking pretty promising :) 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday -  "Mystery Shopping" at Buffalo Wild Wings  
• Tuesday - Tomato Pesto Sandwiches 
• Wednesday - "Mystery Shopping" at TGIFridays
• Friday - "Mystery Shopping" at Buffalo Wild Wings...again...can't pass up a free meal! 
• Saturday - Chicken and Biscuits
• Sunday - Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup/BBQ Ribs and Asparagus

WOW! I'm barely cooking this week!! Which also means our grocery bill is going to be low, low, low!

{Weight Loss}::: 

Life has been a little hectic and weight loss has been the last thing on my mind. Well, maybe that isn't true...I think about it a lot, but honestly, I'm kind of okay with my "new" body. I still have those 13 pounds to lose and would love to fit in my size 4 jeans again... But for now I'm just going to focus on being healthy. Christian now goes to the day care at Lifetime Fitness and Jim and I are trying to get more time in at the gym. Its just hard...the battle between working out and getting fit and spending time with your cutie patootie! Maybe I'll eventually find my rhythm and better balance and can really focus on losing weight. I know if I could just find time to track my points and follow weight watchers, the weight would come right off...oh the dilemma... But for now, this is my last weight loss update... :( 

Total lost so far: 31 pounds

Amount to goal: 13 pounds

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: 
I'm starting to think hoping to accomplish anything outside of playing with Christian and taking care of him, Baxter and the house is just too lofty of a goal...oh and then toss maintaining my blog in there and I have oh so much free time! I don't know how stay at home moms can ever be bored...if that's you...email me!!! I need tips!

For now, I''m also putting my photo books on hold....This week I will: 

1. Clean 
2. Laundry 
3. Grocery Shopping 
4. Play with Christian
5. Feed Christian
6. Change Christian
7. Snuggle with Christian
8. Go for walks 
9. Do the dishes
10. Make Dinners 
11. Maintain the blog 
12. Lead a couples small group 
13. Lead a high school girls small group 
14. Try to go to the gym
15. Spend time with my hubby and as a family

I think that's enough....

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupons and Grocery List Day, Christian's 4 Month Doctor appointment
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day
• Wednesday - Lunch with Amy, Catalyst at Church, Daddy/Son night for Daddy and Christian! 
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group Movie Night! 
• Friday -  Laundry Day 
• Saturday - I think we might have a double date bowling??!? Then Jim works at church
• Sunday - Church and Family Swim at Lifetime! 

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY MONDAY!

Monday Madness - VACATION!

We are heading to New York this week, so things are looking a little different and are pretty full with packing and getting ready to fly with a baby! So Monday Madness is truly {madness} this week and I won't be doing my regular post. 

Since we are going to be gone to New York for awhile (early Thursday morning - Monday night), I've decided that I'm also going to take a little blogging vacation and try to unplug a bit. I'll still likely be posting to twitter, so follow me there if you want to stay updated on our trip! (@mamafoote529). 

Have a great week! 

Be back soon, friends! :) 

I'll have lots of fun stuff to share when we get back! 

{You won't want to miss it!}

Monday Madness!

Christian looks so little in this picture! That was taken only 12 weeks ago! 

{The Weather}::: Heat and humidity have continued...when can it just be fall already!?! Looks like it should be cooling off by the end of the week! :) 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday -  Eat at Training at church  
• Tuesday - Crock pot Beer Chicken and Cooked Carrots (never got to make this last week)
• Wednesday - BBQ Ribs and Asparagus
• Friday - Turkey Burgers and Zucchini
• Saturday - Crock pot BBQ Chicken and Salads
• Sunday -  Tomato Pesto Sandwiches 

{Weight Loss}::: 

Soo....we haven't really been sticking to our weight loss competition...here's to better luck YET AGAIN this week! I'm just not really motivated to lose weight...Boo...

With that said, my stats continue to remain unchanged :( 

Total lost so far: 31 pounds

Amount to goal: 13 pounds

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: 

1. Continue to work on our Anniversary Photo Book 
2. Clean 
3. Laundry 
4. Grocery Shopping 

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupons and Grocery List Day, Leader Training at Church 
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day
• Wednesday - Work on Anniversary Photo Book, Student Ministries Training at Church...Daddy/Son night for Daddy and Christian! 
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group Guys and Girls Nights! 
• Friday -  Laundry Day and lunch with mentor 
• Saturday - Maybe going to a 4H Horse Show and then a Dessert Party! 
• Sunday - Church and church meeting, then family time! 

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY MONDAY!

WHERE IS FALL!?!?! 
If you find it, let me know :) 

P.S. Be Sure to check out my Halloween Post! 

Monday Madness - Happy Labor Day!

{The Weather}::: We barely left the house at all last week because it was SO hot! Now today we broke out the sweatshirts...not that I'm complaining! :) I'm so very ready for fall to be here to stay...but it looks like summer will be returning tomorrow...At least it should be cool enough to start walking again! 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday -  Mystery Shopping for dinner  
• Tuesday - Ground Turkey Sandwiches and Salads
• Wednesday -  Hamburger Helper and Salads (we never had this last week and STILL need to use it up...) 
• Thursday -  English Muffin Pizzas and Salads
• Friday - Lunch: Crock pot BBQ Chicken and Broccoli.    Dinner: Turkey Burgers and Asparagus
• Saturday -  Crock pot Beer Chicken and Cooked Carrots 
• Sunday -  Skinny Caprese Lasagna Roll Ups and Salads 

{Weight Loss}::: 

Soo....we haven't really been sticking to our weight loss competition...here's to better luck this week!

With that said, my stats continue to remain unchanged :( 

Total lost so far: 31 pounds

Amount to goal: 13 pounds

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: 

1. Continue to work on our Anniversary Photo Book 
2. Order prints of pictures for Christian's Baby Book and Calendar 
3. Clean 
4. Laundry 
5. Grocery Shopping 

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Family Day! Trip to Aamodt's Apple Farm in Stillwater and try to do Coupons and Grocery List
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day
• Wednesday - Work on blog and Anniversary Photo Book 
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group
• Friday -  Laundry Day and my friend Laura visits...Playdate with baby Heather! 
• Saturday - Baxter goes to the vet, Breakfast with my friend Rachel, and then Jim works at church
• Sunday - Jim works at church then Family Day! (Sabbath) We are working on having 1 day a week that is a Sabbath day of rest and have actually been doing pretty well with it! 

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY MONDAY!

and 

Happy Labor Day! 

Who is ready for fall!?!? I AM! 

Monday Madness

{The Weather}::: Holy Heat Wave! Heat and humidity have been here in full force the past few days and it doesn't look like it's going away any time soon! We are loving our AC and living in the 70s :) The plan is to stay inside as much as possible! 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday -  Hamburger Helper (NEED to use this stuff up that my hubby apparently stocked up) 
• Tuesday - Chicken Parmesan Wraps (recipe to come!)
• Wednesday -  Turkey Burgers and Zucchinis (Will post this recipe too!)
• Thursday -  Homemade Pizza with our small group
• Friday - BBQ with our New Mama Friends from the New Mama group Christian and I did
• Saturday -  Steaks, Sweet Potatoes, and Salads
• Sunday -  Ground Turkey Sandwiches and Salads (I'll share this recipe soon too!)

{Weight Loss}::: 

Ai, Ai, Ai!!! Losing weight in the summer with a baby has been so hard! First of all, I can't stop eating crap (aka cookies and yummy summer treats like fair food!). And exercising is hard to prioritize, especially when its like 100 degrees outside! My stats have remained the same, though, but I have been yo-yoing up and down in my weight loss/gain. I had lost 4 pounds more than listed in these stats, but I keep jumping back up.

Hubby and I have started a weight loss/ health lifestyle competition with one another. If there is one thing I have learned, it's that we both need to be on board in order for this to happen for either of us! (Hubby has some sympathy weight he wants to lose too...). The competition is mainly about who eats the healthiest each day and then their is a weight loss component. So I have been doing that but stopped tracking my points for weight watchers. Hoping to start that back up again this week!

So for now, here are my stats which remain unchanged :( 

Total lost so far: 31 pounds

Amount to goal: 13 pounds

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: 

1. Take Christian's 3 Month Sticker Pictures 
2. Christian's 3 Month Blog Post 
3. Family Picture attempt on Saturday
4. Make dessert for the BBQ we are going to on Friday 
5. Continue to work on our Anniversary Photo Book 
6. Clean 
7. Laundry 
8. Grocery Shopping 

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupon Day/Grocery List
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day, Go to Amma to weigh Christian, Lunch with Daddy
• Wednesday - Take Christian's 3 Month Sticker Pictures, Add footprint to nursery art 
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group, Make dessert for BBQ
• Friday -  Laundry Day and New Mama BBQ 
• Saturday - Family Pictures
• Sunday - Family Day! (Sabbath) We are working on having 1 day a week that is a Sabbath day of rest

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY MONDAY!

STAY COOL FRIENDS
and enjoy Labor Day Weekend! 

**I have recently been thinking about eliminating my weekly 'Monday Madness' posts. If you are reading this, would you like to see them continue? Or would you like to just see parts of it continue (for example, just the menu)? Please comment below and let me know!**

Monday Madness!

{The Weather}::: We haven't had too warm of a summer this year...only a few hot days reaching up to the 90s but that's nothing! Looks like this week should feel more like summer and less like early fall! Hopefully it doesn't last too long...I'm ready for fall!  

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday -  Leftovers 
• Tuesday - Tomato Pesto Sandwiches and Baked Zucchini 
• Wednesday - Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
• Thursday - Kraft Fresh Take Chicken and Salads
• Friday - English Muffin Pizzas
• Saturday - Fajitas and Crockpot BBQ Chicken
• Sunday - BBQ Ribs and salads

{Weight Loss}::: 

Seems to have been put on hold :( I really need to get back on track, but life has been WAY TOO BUSY lately. We have been on the go and having visitors for the past straight month. My dad is probably going to be visiting this week and then next week I will hopefully get back on track.

Here are my most recent stats but I haven't been on a scale in awhile...

Total lost so far: 31 pounds

Amount to goal: 13 pounds

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: 

1. Work on making photo book of our first year married! We celebrated our 1 year anniversary yesterday! More to come :) 
2. Clean 
3. Laundry 
4. Grocery Shopping 

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupon Day/Grocery List
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day, Lunch with friend Amy!! :) 
• Wednesday - Work on Blog, Project Day...Dad might come? 
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group, Make small group snack, Dad goes home? 
• Friday -  Laundry Day, Photography Class
• Saturday - Photography Class, Jim works at church at night
• Sunday - Photography Class, Jim works at church in the morning

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY MONDAY!
Stay cool! :) 

Belated Monday Madness

After our crazy full weekend,  Monday Madness is coming to you a little late this week! 

{The Weather}::: The weather has been much more stable here...highs in the mid 70s and sunny! Perfect weather for me! Still seems almost like early fall but it looks like its going to be getting hotter again. The weather on Sunday was PERFECT for the water park! Not too hot and not too cold! 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday -  TGI Fridays 
• Tuesday - Tacos
• Wednesday - Chicken Kabobs 
• Thursday - Grilled Chicken and Green Beans 
• Friday - BBQ at my dads
• Saturday - in Cornell 
• Sunday - Out to eat for our anniversary :) 

{Weight Loss}::: 

Well, I honestly haven't been on a scale since last week...so I'm hoping my stats are still the same and I haven't gained too much back! I also haven't been tracking my points since the end of July :( TIME TO GET BACK ON TRACK! 

Total lost so far: 31 pounds

Amount to goal: 13 pounds

This week's goal: Continue walking every day. MAKE THIS A PRIORITY. And start getting to the gym again!! At least 1x per week would be a good start.

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: 

1. Work on the blog...with the busy weekend we had, having been out of town last night and heading out of town on Friday, that isn't leaving much time for much out of the ordinary to-dos. 
2. Clean 
3. Laundry 
4. Grocery Shopping 

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupon Day/Grocery List, Overnight to hotel in Maple Grove
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day
• Wednesday - Breakfrast with a friend, work on blog
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group, Make small group snack, Pack for Cornell
• Friday -  Laundry Day and head to Cornell for the night! 
• Saturday - Head back home 
• Sunday - HAPPY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO US! :) 

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY TUESDAY! 

Monday Madness

{The Weather}::: The weather has been much more stable here...highs in the mid 70s and sunny! Perfect weather for me! Seems almost like early fall, though! I'm not complaining :) 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday -  Chicken Parmesan Wraps and zucchini
• Tuesday - Chicken and Green Beans
• Wednesday - Ground Turkey Sandwiches 
• Thursday - Grilled Chicken and BBQ Ribs, Salads and rolls
• Friday - Hot Dogs and Turkey Burgers
• Saturday - We will probably have to have Mac and Cheese at least once since we will have some little visitors... 
• Sunday - Deli Chicken

With my grandma in town the last few days, it seems we haven't really followed our menu from last week...

{Weight Loss}::: 

Amount lost this week: -1 pounds 

Total lost so far: 31 pounds

Amount to goal: 13 pounds

This week's goal: Getting to the gym twice a week is a real challenge. Not sure that it has happened much lately...I can sometimes make it at least once, but I usually don't want to leave Christian to go...or I'm just too tired. Need to work on this! I think hubby and I are going to the gym tonight while my grandma is here to babysit :)

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: 

1. Work on the blog...with grandma visiting today and having Zoe and Jaden over the weekend, the big projects are being put on hold...
2. Clean 
3. Laundry 
4. Grocery Shopping 

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupon Day, Grandma here
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day and take my grandma home
• Wednesday - Project Day
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group, friends over for dinner
• Friday -  Laundry Day and pick up Zoe and Jaden to visit for the weekend! 
• Saturday - I'm helping with Baptisms at church in the morning and then we are taking the kids to the fair! 
• Sunday - Jim works at church in the morning and then we are taking the kids to a water park before they head home

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY MONDAY! 

Monday Madness!

{The Weather}::: Lately you would think it was September! It has been pretty cool the past few days. We have some crazy weather here in Minnesota! From snow in May, to heat advisories in July and back to highs in the 60s in July again! Never know what to expect or how to dress! Feel like I'm in Australia again! ha ha 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday - Dinner out to Panera! Yummy! :) 
• Tuesday - Fajitas
• Wednesday - Hamburger Helper
• Thursday - Crock Pot BBQ Chicken...recipe to come!
• Friday - Out to eat at Doolittles
• Saturday - BBQ Ribs from Scratch! Going to try my own rendition of this recipe
• Sunday - Ground Turkey Sandwiches...recipe to come! 

{Weight Loss}::: 

Amount lost this week: -.8 pounds 

Total lost so far: 32 pounds

Amount to goal: 14 pounds

This week's goal: Lose 1 pound and go to the gym at least 2 times and walk at least 2 times - Last week's goal was to lose 1 pound and go to the gym twice and walk twice...With my mom in town we seemed to eat out a lot and not quite so healthy, but we did go for long walks EVERY day while she was here so that was a total of 5 walks last week! And only 1 trip to the gym...

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: 

1. Finish some baby thank yous and mail some birth announcements...a little late :) 
2. Finish Christian's 'Before You Were Here' Book
3. Clean 
4. Laundry 
5. Grocery Shopping 

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupon Day and take Christian's 2 month pictures
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day
• Wednesday - Project Day
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group
• Friday -  Laundry Day and finish 'Before You Were Here' Book
• Saturday - NO PLANS! :) 
• Sunday - Great Grandma Greta comes to visit? 

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY MONDAY! 

P.S. Christian is 2 MONTHS OLD today!!! 
Update coming soon :) 
with LOTS of pictures...

Monday Madness

{The Weather}::: Hopefully this week is going to be a bit cooler! It was hard getting out of the house last week with the extreme heat and humidity! We mainly stayed in our nice, cold AC :) 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday - Out to dinner with my mom
• Tuesday - DATE NIGHT! :) 
• Wednesday - BBQ Ribs and Asparagus (my hubby is getting spoiled this week with all his favorites!)
• Thursday - English Muffin Pizzas ... we swapped these out last week for Ribs again on my hubby's request
• Friday - Kraft Fresh Take Chicken and Salads
• Saturday - Veggie Pizza
• Sunday - Grill out with some friends...hot dogs and burgers!

{Weight Loss}::: 

Amount lost this week: -1.2 pounds 

Total lost so far: 31.2 pounds

Amount to goal: 14.8 pounds

This week's goal: Lose 1 pound and go to the gym at least 2 times and walk at least 2 times - Last week's goal was to lose 1 pound and go to the gym twice and walk twice...with the hot weather, I didn't exactly venture outside much...not even to the gym :( So...that meant only 1 walk and 0 trips to the gym....Better luck this week!? I hope!

• My headaches are pretty much non-existent now! I stopped tracking my water and just drank non-stop! I am now probably drinking 10-12 glasses of water a day instead of the 6-8 I was drinking before. I guess I just needed more water! However, I did put my contacts in the other day and immediately got a headache...so I may also need to get my eyes checked? We will see! 
• I also "splurged" a lot last week...at out at Buffalo Wild Wings and had chicken tenders and potato wedges and went to DQ another day. BUT I tracked all my points using my flex points and I still had a loss this week! Probably not going to be tracking much this week with my mom in town, so hopefully I can still stay somewhat on track :/

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}::: My mom is here for a few days this week, so hopefully I can knock out a few projects while she plays with Christian during his awake times :)

1. Clean out and organize our bedroom closet
2. Put away some flower bulbs from my perennials that I already killed...hopefully they will still grow next year? Anyone know if that works? Doesn't matter if they died does it?
3. Clean out and organize our bathroom cupboards
4. Clean 
5. Laundry 
6. Grocery Shopping 

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupon Day and project day while Grandma is here! 
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day and MOA with my mom! 
• Wednesday - Visit Daddy at work while I go to learn about a diaper testing we will be doing
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group
• Friday -  Laundry Day 
• Saturday - Daddy works at church at night
• Sunday - Daddy works at church then friends over for a cook out

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY MONDAY! 

Monday Madness!

{The Weather}::: It finally cooled off and the humidity went down for a few days, but it looks like hot and steamy is returning! If Christian, Bax and I are going to be doing any walking this week, looks like its going to have to be bright and early before it gets too hot every day. 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday - Tacos...plain and simple :) 
• Tuesday - Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas...on my Mommy in the Making Survey I got a request to see this on the menu more often...I wonder who could have done that survey???
• Wednesday - Turkey Burgers and Corn on the Cob
• Thursday - English Muffin Pizzas
• Friday - Mozzarella, Pesto, and Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
• Saturday - Crock pot BBQ chicken and Salads 
• Sunday - Out to dinner

{Weight Loss}::: 

Amount lost this week: -.8 pounds (lost the .8 pounds that I gained back last week)

Total lost so far: 30 pounds

Amount to goal: 16 pounds

This week's goal: Lose 1 pound and go to the gym at least 2 times and walk at least 2 times - Last week's goal was to lose 2 pounds and go to the gym twice and walk twice...well, I have been fighting a cold and let's just say I only made it to the gym once, but I did walk 3 times!

• I had my 6 week post partum follow up doctor appointment last Friday. I have been having headaches every day nearly all day ever since Christian was born. Some days they are worse than others and they are a different type of headache...feels more like my head is being squeeze than a pounding or anything like I usually have. Originally I was told my a nurse that it could be my blood pressure (but that was great!) so my doctor suggested it could be a tension headache (try putting heat on my neck) or it could be from not eating enough or drinking enough (I sometimes forget to have breakfast and then forget to have lunch until pretty late in the day and with nursing that just isn't good). So now, back to following Weight Watchers for Nursing moms and eating ALL my points...but remembering that just because I get 40 points doesn't mean I can eat 20 points in ice cream....  :) 
• FINALLY started to feel some results from my ab work outs last week! So that was exciting! Continuing on with my work outs as best I can

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}:::

1. Continue working on Christian's birth story...Chapters 5 plus! 
2. Work on putting the finishing touches on Christian's 'Before You Were Here' Book
3. Clean 
4. Laundry 
5. Grocery Shopping 

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupon Day
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day and lunch with a friend!
• Wednesday - No plans! 
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group
• Friday -  Laundry Day
• Saturday - Daddy works at church at night
• Sunday - Daddy works at church then relaxing family time in the afternoon and grandma comes to visit for a few days!

Since our New Mama Class has officially ended, things are slowing down a bit so this week is going to be pretty relaxing, hopefully! 

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY MONDAY! 

Monday Madness

{The Weather}::: Hot and steamy the past few days! But looks like it should be cooling off a bit. I was dripping in sweat just standing outside talking to our neighbor tonight! 

P.S. I'm done being in denial that it's summer :) 

{What's Cooking?}:::

• Monday - Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa and Chicken (we honestly weren't really fans of the cheesy broccoli quinoa and I won't be making it again... 
• Tuesday - Kraft Fresh Take Chicken Mix and Salads (we love these! Super easy and yummy! Find them in the dairy aisle)
• Wednesday - Hubby is finally getting his BBQ ribs again with corn on the cob! Coupons.com has had a coupon for $2 off Lloyd's BBQ Ribs and they are DELICIOUS! 
• Thursday - Pigs in a Blanket and Green Beans (something easy and quick before small group!)
• Friday - Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps (we LOVE these! Yummy! I use ground turkey, though)
• Saturday - Chicken Parmesan Wraps 
• Sunday - Turkey Burgers and Corn on the Cob

{Weight Loss}::: 

Amount lost this week: +.8 Yep...that's a GAIN :( But not bad for a holiday week so I'll take it! Back on track this week with Weight Watchers for Nursing moms

Total lost so far: 29.2 pounds

Amount to goal: 16.8 pounds

This week's goal: Lose 2 pounds and go to the gym at least 2 times and walk at least 2 times

• Back to following Weight Watchers for Nursing Moms. I could have technically stayed on plan last week even with my bad eating. Weight Watchers for Nursing Moms allows for flex points each week in addition to the ability to earn extra points for working out. However, between managing a baby and our extra crazy holiday schedule last week, I didn't really take the time to stay on plan :( Ooops! Back on track this week, though! 
• Still enjoying the gym and starting to feel like I'm finding my abs again! Love the ab machines at the gym! Still taking it slow, though, so I don't get injured...AND so I keep enjoying myself and therefore keep wanting to work out :) 

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}:::

1. Make final finishing touches on baby book. One month info is all filled in and just need to add some pictures! 
2. Continue working on Christian's birth story...Chapters 2 plus! Or maybe just continue with getting the new blog running!
3. Clean 
4. Laundry 
5. Grocery Shopping 

{Weekly Appointments}::: 

• Monday - Coupon Day
• Tuesday - Grocery Shopping Day
• Wednesday - Lunch with Daddy and then our LAST New Mama Class
• Thursday - Cleaning Day and Small Group
• Friday -  6 week follow up Doctor appointment for mommy! Laundry Day and Movie in the Park family night 
• Saturday - Daddy and Christian are headed to a New Dad's Class so...I get to sleep in!?! Then Jim works at church at night
• Sunday - Jim works at church then relaxing family time in the afternoon

Hope your week is off to a great start!

HAPPY MONDAY! 

Monday Madness

Christian isn't a fan of Mondays.... 

He says "Dad, are you sure you want to leave me with this lady all alone ALL day????" 

We have fun though! And he knows it :) 

For an update on Christian, check out his One Month Old post.  I'll be doing updates around the 29th of each month. But I'm sure you will be seeing lots of Christian in my other posts too! 

Here is our week ahead! 

{The Weather}::: Summer is officially here with sunny warm days! We need to get better at getting out to enjoy this beautiful weather, though! 

{What's Cooking?}::: I think I have been doing pretty well with actually cooking every night again! Hubby does have to help out some, though. Here is what's on the meal plan this week: 

• Monday - We are eating out tonight at Buffalo Wild Wings
• Tuesday - A not so healthy dinner of Hamburger Helper and Salads
• Wednesday - Turkey Burgers, Hot dogs, and salads 
• Thursday - BBQ Ribs and corn (hubby LOVED this last week and made a special request to have it right away again!) 
• Friday - Dinner out with Great Grandma 
• Saturday - BBQ 

Doesn't look like we will be eating super healthy this week...but its a holiday week, right? We will get back on track next week! 

{Weight Loss}:::

Amount lost this week : 2 pounds 

                       

Total lost so far: 30 pounds 

Amount to goal: 16 pounds...maybe will try to lose a bit more

This week's goal: Lose 2 more pounds and go to the gym at least twice

• Still following Weight Watchers for nursing moms and its great! 
• Last week I went to the gym twice for about an hour each time...felt great to finally get to work out and sweat again! Not sure how long that will last...ha ha Hoping to get to the gym at least twice again this week and go for some walks with the puppy and baby too! 

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}:::

1. Finish filling in baby book...specifically with Christian's 1 month info 
2. Christian's Birth Story on the blog...hopefully FINALLY...stay tuned! 
3. Clean 
4. Laundry 
5. Grocery Shopping...these last 3 are my givens every week...but I still like crossing them off :)

{Weekly Appointments}:::

• Monday - Grocery Shopping Day
• Tuesday - Lunch with our New Mama friends 
• Wednesday - Lunch with Daddy and then New Mama Class 
• Thursday - Happy 4th of July! Checking out some of the events going on around the cities!
• Friday - Laundry day...and Great Grandma comes to visit! 
• Saturday - Birthday cook out for Jeff's mom, Carol 
• Sunday - Taking it easy! Family time! 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK! 

Happy 4th of July! 

Monday Madness!

We are officially on WEEK 2 of Stay At Home Mommy Life! 

Since baby boy isn't even a month old yet (but almost!!! :/), he doesn't exactly have the most consistent or predictable routine... But we are getting into more of a groove! 

Feel free to check out my posts over at 'Mommy in the Making'  on how I filled my days "pre-baby" and what life was really like "back then". 

Honestly, things haven't changed a TON. Life does revolve around Christian now and what he needs, when he needs it! We really don't have a "schedule", but we do have some what of a "routine". 

Life with Christian

Sometime between 6:30am-8am Christian wakes up and is ready for a diaper change and to eat

After a little bit of snuggle time, Christian chills out in his bouncy seat or swing while mommy pumps

By about 8:45am/9am time for a little snack and then Christian hopefully/usually goes down for an hour to an hour and a half nap and mommy gets to have breakfast and shower (and today even blog!) 

Awake again and time to eat by about 10:30am and then usually back down for another hour and a half nap or so 

Afternoons are usually spent much more awake! Lots of rocking and cuddling with mommy! Sometimes we will read books or play on his play mat. No real "routine" in the afternoons yet....probably mainly because we have often been out and about a lot in the afternoons! 

Then daddy is usually home by around 4pm/5pm and we enjoy some family time before mommy starts making dinner. 

We sometimes go for an evening family walk and then bath time for baby boy sometime between 8pm/9:30pm and then time to eat before he goes down for the night! 

It will be interesting to see how this changes over the next few weeks and we get more of a "schedule"...hopefully :) If not, at least we have a bit of a "routine"

Looking to add some more stroller walks into our day, though! It just can be hard since baby boy doesn't always eat on a consistent schedule or at a consistent time and its not good to be in the middle of a walk when he decides he is hungry! :) 

So here is what we have on the agenda this week!

{The Weather}::: Minnesota has been having lots of storms lately! Luckily, Farmington has missed out on the brunt of them and we haven't gotten really any damage. Looks like about a 50% chance of storms again tomorrow and Wednesday but sun the rest of the week! Temps are going to be warm all week too! Highs in the upper 70s - low/upper 80s! Summer is officially here in Minnesota! With all of the humidity too! 

{What's Cooking?}::: It seems my hubby checks my blog to know what we are eating each week...so this section has become mainly for him :) ha ha Love you hubby! Here's what's on the Menu! 

• Monday - Chicken and Biscuits
• Tuesday - Fajitas
• Wednesday - BBQ Ribs and fresh green beans
• Thursday - BLTs
• Friday - Chicken and salads

{Weight Loss}::: Here's to being transparent and held accountable! I gained 48 pounds while pregnant with Christian...yes, that's 13 pounds more than the highest recommended for me having started at a healthy weight...oops! So far I have lost 30 pounds without any effort, so about 18 more to go! I made my first trip to the gym yesterday (with approval from my doctor) and am starting Weight Watchers for Nursing moms this week! I'll keep you posted :) They recommend losing about a pound a week so it could still be awhile before I'm fully back to my pre-pregnancy self, but slow and steady is good too! 

{Things I Hope to Accomplish}:::

1. Finish filling out the details of Christian's birth and labor story in my pregnancy journal...hopefully even write up his birth story to share on the blog too! 
2. 4 Week Baby Update on the blog...stay tuned! 
3. Clean the house
4. Do the laundry 
5. Grocery Shopping and couponing

{Weekly Appointments}:::

• Monday - Prepping food for snacks/etc for Weight Watchers
• Tuesday - Get together with my 'New Mama Class' 
• Wednesday - Lunch with Daddy at work and then New Mama Class from 1-3pm
• Thursday - Small Group night!
• Friday - Grocery Shopping and laundry day...we will see if we can get that much accomplished in one day... 
• Saturday - Daddy works at church at night and maybe going to Apple Valley Freedom Days during the day
• Sunday - Daddy works at church in the morning and then family time in the afternoon 

Have a Great Week!! 

Baby boy will be a month old on Saturday already! Check back for an update...our last 'weekly' update before starting monthly updates! :)