Busy, More Busy, and Gettin' Skinny

Life with three is tiring business, folks. Not that I am complaining because I don't mean to do so. I am just stating a fact, but there is nothing in the world that I would want to do differently. These three little people keep us on our toes, and I am thankful for them even though I am sure I have more gray hair because of them. Nothing that a little visit to the hair salon can't fix :)

Tucker is two months old! How DOES that happen??? It seems like yesterday I was in the hospital and then, BAM! 2 months old! But he sure is cute. And sweet. And oh, so snuggly. He is starting to "talk" and smile. His little giggles are my favorite.

Such a happy boy

He looks malnourished, doesn't he? haha

 On February 22, Connor turned 2! Once again, how does that happen??? I wish all of you could hear this child talk. I have never heard a two year old that speaks like this one does. He cracks me up with the way that he pronounces every syllable and speaks in sentences. You really forget that he JUST turned 2. We spent his birthday at Oatland Island looking at the animals and followed it up with some birthday cake that evening.

 Just in case anyone was wondering, that isn't Connor's slice. I just bought a little cake square for us all to share. Nothing fancy, but he enjoyed it all the same. I decided with Jake to wait until he was three to have a big party, and the tradition will continue with Connor. I don't think he cared one way or the other, so we will save our money until next year and do it up right :)

They boys still love to talk to Tucker and "pet" him as they say. I love watching them play, and I realize that it won't be long until I have three wild boys running around the house.

 



I decided to start Weight Watchers again since I have had success in the past after Jake and Connor were born. I had lost back down to pre-baby weight without doing anything. Well, without doing anything except taking care of a newborn and chasing two toddlers - haha. I decided that since we are officially done having babies that now is the time to kick it into high gear and get down to "fightin' size." Yeah, I have no idea what that really means, either. I just want to comfortably get back into clothes and feel cute again. I love WW because I like rules and guidelines and plans. I need a "map" of sorts, and this works for me. I never feel hungry, and I don't feel like I am dieting. It becomes more of a lifestyle change than a diet that I won't stick to doing. The worst or hardest part is the planning. It takes time, and I don't have a ton of extra time these days after taking care of the kids. And it works. If I did something where I didn't see results, I would stop doing it in a minute, but I lost 5 lbs the first week. That, of course, will drop to 2 or 3 lbs a week now, but that first week is always where you see a big drop.

 

I have tried some new recipes, and I try to find things that Jason and the boys will eat as well. Some recipes I make I make to stretch out over several lunches and dinners and eat in different ways (in wraps, over rice, etc). One new thing I have tried is crock pot chicken taco chili. It was pretty good. I ate it over rice, and then I made a wrap out of it with some cheese and salsa for a quick lunch. It is 5 points plus for a serving size of 1 1/4 cups. Not bad... I also tried gooey pork chops and garlic cauliflower mash. The pork chops were good. The cauliflower mash was a weird texture but it tasted like garlic mashed potatoes. I guess I like smoother mashed potatoes, so if you like your taters chunky maybe it won't be so weird. I love these wraps:

They are only 1 point a piece, and you can find them at WalMart. Another snack fave is the 2 point pumpkin muffin. My friend, Lauren, made some for us when we had Tucker. The boys love them, too. The recipe is a box of spice cake mix, a can of pure pumpkin puree, a little vanilla, and a 1/2 cup of water. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Yep, that's all. I usually bake for 20 minutes, turn off the oven, and let them stay in the oven for another 10 minutes or so. They are a great snack or breakfast item. We also throw in some butterscotch chips, too. As long as you keep it to about 1/2 cup, you don't change the points. My new favorite low point dessert are these:

2 Points Plus per muffin! They are yummy, too. It's the same concept as above except you use devil's food cake mix, 1 can pumpkin, 1/2 cup water, and about 10 T or 1/2 cup chocolate chips and bake for 20 min at 350. They really hit the spot for a chocolate craving. And at 2 points plus, I can have several throughout the afternoon and not feel bad about it.

 

I will share new recipes that I like since I have some new ones to try in the upcoming weeks. The boys are napping now, so I might join them. Jake just called me to his room to ask me to help him snap his pants. He proudly informed me that he had just gone to potty, and had pooped and wiped all by himself. Well, son, I am happy for your three year old, independent little self. I am not so happy for this Mama who has to discover later if you actually wiped well enough... On that TMI note, I will sign off for now.