Lovins for her baby sister.......

----A beautiful salad for dinner and the pushup----

I love salad's !! I have certain requirements for a healthy salad however. One of them is no ice berg lettuce, that is the kind that is shaped like a ball, absolutely no nutritional value, just cellulose. When choosing salad greens, the greener the better (green equals vitamins). I use a little romaine, a little red leaf lettuce and some spinach for a base. Another requirement is that the dressing is on the side, even if it is fat free. By dipping your fork in the dressing, then getting a bite of salad you will use a lot less and lower the calories. Dressings are full of sugar and fat, so a little should go a long way. One of my favorite dressing's is Brianna's Saucy Ginger Mandarin. It very high in calories, so again you just need a little. I also really like the new spray dressings!! The Asian one is yummy. If you are a Ranch or Blue Cheese person, just try to find a fat free one.
Toppings are a must, strawberries, apple cubes, fat free cheese, craisins (dried cranberries), sliced almonds, cucumbers, avocado you name it !!! If you have small children, let them choose what goes in the salad, they might want to try it themselves. Be creative and don't be afraid to mix odd things together, you would be surprised what tastes good together. I am vegetarian, but I still eat eggs, so I use a hard boiled egg and black beans for protein. Diced chicken works very well, however if you are trying to cut calories you really don't need it. Also crackers, chips and croutons add a nice crunch, just try and choose something low in calories or baked not fried. I have found that just having a nice salad for dinner is a great way to bring the scale down in the morning. You might even wake up hungry, which is good thing !!

Now to that upper body and strengthening those arms. Please do not attempt if you have any wrist, arm, shoulder problems. If not, then try a push-up. Start out on your knees with ankles crossed, hands below your shoulders about shoulder width apart. When starting out, do not go all the way down, any movement downward is good, you have to work up to it. Try 10 at first. Remember not to put your bum in the air, that's cheating !!! Also I have discovered a store called 5 below, it's like the dollar store. They have a fitness section that carries dumbbells. 1-5 pounders. Go get yourself a pair of 5 pound weights and do some bicep curls. Good luck and try something new this week !!! Take some time for yourself, you deserve it !! Namaste....

What makes a man sexy ??

I am sure you are all dying to know my opinion on most things !! Ha ha. However when it comes to what makes a man sexiest, I think I know. Lets not forget, there are many things in combination that are attractive, eyes, hair, muscles, voice and shoulders etc. However the sexiest thing for me is to watch my husband play and interact with our daughter !! Watching Jason and Maddison play in the ocean on Sunday was so great. He played with her, and for a long moment in time she was the only one in the world. It is in these little moments in time that you realize the important role the father has in the family. As I watched them it became so clear to me, I am so proud that I chose this man to have babies with !! He is so patient and so kind, and he is all ours !!! We love you Jason.....

Blogging about Nutrition and Exercise !!

Disclaimer : I am not a licensed nutritionist or a personal trainer. I am just a Mother and a Wife who knows quite a lot when it comes to trying to stay healthy and feel good. Exercise is good for the body and the soul, we know this. Having a bad day, put the ice cream down and go for a walk, you will feel better. That being said I am going to blog about diet and exercise, however I am not responsible for how the information is used. My goal is to be helpful, not harmful. Please do not hurt yourself and if I help you let me know, also if you have a question, please ask (Just leave a comment). Namaste......

I have this plan to begin posting about diet and exercise. We shall see how well this goes after the new little girl Rolfe is born !! For now, I just was thinking about how easy it is to loose a few pounds (when not pregnant of course) by simply changing a few of our daily habits. One idea is to just not eat all that you put on your plate!! Simply cut what you would normally eat in half for a week, and you will be surprised at the fact you will survive from a smaller amount of food and you might even feel better by not being so full. Another bad habit many of us get into is eating just because food it's there and not because we are actually hungry. Listen to your body, are you hungry? Or are you bored?? If you are bored, try an apple !!!

As for exercise ideas, I have tons. My main one right now is to try something new !! Get out of your comfort zone and go to an exercise class that you have never tried before !!! Do not be scared or feel embarrassed, everyone else in that room is probably feeling that way too. Why should you deny yourself the benefit of exercise, be selfish please when it comes to doing something that is so good for you !!!!!
Our family belongs to the local YMCA and I love it !! We pay a very small amount per month for membership and child care is FREE !!!! They offer many classes and have nice people that just walk around to help you if you need it. What more do you need ?? Just remember your water !!!

"Pain is just weakness leaving the body"

Dreaming of the Caribbean water......so turquoise, so warm...

After living on the tropical island of Saba for almost 2 years, the island just becomes part of you. You are never the same. Snorkeling in the warm blue-green waters was so peaceful. Life was so amazing and difficult there, I really miss the simplicity of most things.

Jason and I have made a promise to ourselves to go back to the islands for a well needed vacation, just the two of us. The idea of this trip is so exciting to me, a place to just be, relax and soak up the serenity that only the Caribbean can offer. I am dreaming of the sun, the sand, the water, a very yummy cocktail or two, and my husbands uninterrupted conversation and company. Don't get me wrong, we love our daughter and we love our unborn little baby girl, however there is a selfish side to us that longs for some time for just us. Someday....... a girl can dream.

Maddie is such a crafty girl !

We have had 2 trips now to the Paint and Play store at the mall. Maddie loves painting the ceramics and it keeps her busy for hours !! Our last project is a cute little doggy dish for our dog. We pick it up next week when they are done cooking it in the oven. It will be a great looking bowl, with every color imaginable on it, lots of layering of the colors and Tuesday's name on it. As we were there she was picking out other projects !!!!

Almost 29 weeks (7 months) !!!

Ok, so we are 1 day shy of 29 Weeks !! I am starting to think about labor pains, and caring for a newborn again, very excited. I am hoping to have this baby without an epidural just like I did with Maddison, but we shall see. Jason thinks I should try it with, just to compare. Maddie is also excited, she talks about "what a great big sister she is going to be to her lovely new little baby !!!"

Happy Birthday Papa ......

Today would have been my Father's 74th Birthday. You will be in my thoughts today papa, as you are everyday. We miss you and we love you.

The funny side of having a huge belly

O.k., so gaining weight again has not been fun for me. As I still completely REFUSE to wear maternity clothes because they are designed by very mean men, I am proud to say I am still in my normal clothes. With that being said I have noticed that my belly is getting very round and big. This comes in very handy for resting a bowl of ice cream or a bowl of cereal (that Jason is eating Ha Ha). Also I can no longer see my feet let alone reach them, which means I need to go for a pedicure more often.
My belly now touches everything before I do, no real advantage to this, and I am sure the little baby girl is getting tired of the bonks on the head. I also have become even more clutsy than I usually am. I contribute this to my balance being way off.

So just a few funny things about having a big belly. Have a great day !!!

She waits for this all day !!

Maddie waits all day for Daddy to come home because it is time to wrestle with him and she gets to jump on the couch. We are so glad our 10 year old couch can take all the jumping. Playing with her Daddy is the best part of both her and Jason's day. I see a trampoline in the backyard someday !!

Just being her "Cheeky" little self

You might think this picture is posed, however our little girl is very girly and this is one of her standard stances. She has those hands on her hips quite a bit. She just loves her rose bud swimming suit. I am actually happy I have a picture of her in the backyard with something covering her body. She usually is running around naked.

The fourth of July !!

We made blue berry pancakes for Daddy and we

let him sleep in. Then we packed up and it was off to the beach for the day.

Taking a break from swimming and eating a peach.

Maddie and Daddy waiting for the fireworks to start. She loved the fireworks. This was the first year she stayed up late enough to enjoy them. She said "Mommy they are so amazing and beautiful, can I touch them?" "I am so happy to celebrate Merica's birthday !!" So neat to see the world through her eyes.
We hope you all had a great 4th of July.

Family trip to Busch Gardens

We spent Father's Day at Busch Gardens. What a fun day!! Maddison got to see all the Sesame Street Character's she loves, Daddy got to ride really big coasters and drink beer !! Maddison has also decided that she loves to go fast and roller coasters are the greatest thing ever. We are scared, she is only 3 and a half. Mommy had fun too just watching, but once baby is born, watch out it's my turn !!! Oh and the best part of the day was getting in for free, thanks to Jason and his service to the U.S. Air Force.

Happy Father's Day Jason !!

To an amazing husband and father. Thanks for just being you. We love you so much. You are still Maddie's favorite snuggler (and mine too). We hope you have a great day.
Love you ...... And just think this time next year there will be another little girl for you to cuddle with !!

Jason is "officially" done with being a lowly intern !!!!

We now have more reason to celebrate some changes coming our way, like a new baby daughter. Jason is no longer an intern !!! He is now a CA-1. This may not sound like much to you, but for us it's a big deal. The first year of medical residency for a new doctor is the hardest one and we made it !!! It was a very, very, very challenging and hard year for all of us, especially Jason. Once again we made it through, and it feels really good. Now he is able to do strictly anesthesia in the operating room. His hours will be normal, 5 am to 3 ish everyday and NO WEEKENDS !!

I am so proud of him (I know I say that a lot)!!! He just never gives up and just keeps going. He tells me that Maddison and I keep him going. His desire is to create a safe and secure future for our family, which makes my heart melt. It makes me so proud to be his wife and to be the one standing by his side through this journey we are on.

25 and a half weeks !!

Little baby "Minty" is growing.

Family Pictures

Funny how pictures can tell a story. It was so good to see our family despite the reason we all were together. It was a day of mixed emotions. Remembering my Father with tears and laughter. I know he was there with us......

For those of us that need a smile-- Vintage Maddie

My Father's Passing

This picture was taken the day we brought Maddie home from the hospital, she was a day old. My Dad was so excited to see her and kept saying she was "so pretty, so pretty." My Dad always loved babies and he really loved holding Maddie and kissing on her. This is one of my favorite pictures and memories of him.

My Dad passed away on May 20th, he was 73 years old. I am grateful to have so many memories of him that make me laugh out loud. He always had something to say !!! You are missed Dad, and we will always love you !!!

(Give everyone you love a hug today, just for me !!)

Strawberries on Mother's Day

My Rowdy Mom's group told us about this great Strawberry Farm, so we drove out on Mother's Day. We had so much fun. Maddison had a pony ride and a hay ride to go pick strawberries !! She was in heaven and the strawberries were so yummy.

Baby Girl in 3D

I hope you can see these o.k. These were taken today. She is so cute !! That is her little hand under her chin. Maddison was there with me and it was so sweet to hear her talk to "her baby" as she was seeing her move. We may have had a breakthrough on the naming of this baby, today she decided that "lollypop" was better than "minty" !!! That is progress.

Today was amazing, I could actually see this little baby taking breaths (gulps) of fluid, and as I was watching her I could not get over how much she looks like Maddie !!

Happy Mother's Day !!

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing Mom's that we know. We hope you remember on this special day how important the role of a Mother is. Being a mother is an "all the time" job of full of many ups and downs. Thank you to all the wonderful Mom's that have sacrificed so much of themselves to raise amazing children. And a special thank you to the Mom's that have touched our lives and taught us how to be better parents !! We were always listening and learning. Thank you to our Mom's who sacrificed to raise Jason and I both, you did an excellent job and we would not be the people we are today without you !!!! We wish you an amazing day and we hope you know how much you are loved !!!

Spring flowers make me smile

After days and days of rain, the sun came out today and the flowers in our yard were amazing.
Maddie and I had the worst night ever. She was crying for her Daddy all night and was in terrible pain from an ear infection that I thought was gone. After trying every trick I knew and getting frustrated at not being able to make my daughter feel better, I finally just held her tight and let her cry, then she fell asleep from exhaustion at 4:30 in the morning. A trip to the pediatrician today proved it is a bad infection so we are on our 2nd round of antibiotics !!!
She just wanted her Daddy and it broke my heart. So sad to hear her cry for him. This 2 weeks of him being gone has been very hard, but he comes home Saturday night and I know she will not let him out of her sight !!! WE MISS YOU DADDY, COME HOME TO YOUR GIRLS......

Belly is growing !!

The picture in pink was taken at 11 weeks at the park, the sports bra photo is at 19 weeks. Baby is growing as is my belly. I am going to try to stay in better shape this time. Hopefully it will make labor easier and I can bounce back faster.

Hug your babies for me !!!!

Today Maddison and I walked 5 miles for the March of Dimes, march for babies. It was so great to be part of something so big. So many people have had their lives take drastic turns when their babies are born with health problems and some of them do not make it. I just hope that all of you with healthy beautiful children give them an extra kiss and hug for me today. We take it for granted when our babies are born so perfect and healthy.

Missing Daddy sooo much !!

I really do not like to be away from my husband. I would imagine some people would think differently after 12 years of marriage, but not me. I am just not complete or myself when he is not with us. He is the other half of me. Maddison told me last night, through her little teary eyes how much she misses her "special best friend Daddy". So then we both were crying.

Jason is on a 2 week Officer's training for the military and is not happy. We thought about going with him but so far he has not had any free time.

11 more days to go !! That statement makes my heart sink. We miss you so much Jason, thank you for always working so hard and being so dedicated to doing what is best for our family !! Come home to your girls !!!
Love, the 3 of us !!

Who took the Easter eggs ??

Someone took Maddie's Easter eggs !!! Don't worry, she found them.

That's not my name !!!

Maddison just loves dancing to this song by the Ting Tings !! Unfortunately Tuesday our dog does not. Enjoy !!

Baby Girl #2 !!!!!!

This is Maddison's baby sister "Minty" !!!! Let's hope the name does not stick. She knew before we did that a baby was in Mommy's tummy and that is was a girl !!! We are all very excited. Another girl, poor Jason is really going to be outnumbered !!!

She is due on September 26th, which also happens to be Mommy's Birthday !!