Kaelin 6 months

Miss Kaelin turned 6 months old on March 13th.  It's clear that I am a few weeks behind.  It was my intentions to be a few weeks behind.  See on Monday she finally had her 6 month well check.  We've been a bit behind on our check ups since the move and we are finally all caught up.  I didn't want to post her 6 month blog post with out any stats or adorable pictures.  That reminds me, we had our pictures taken on Sunday by Laura of Laura Elliott Photography.  They are so good! I couldn't be happier!  They session was a little hectic because of my crazy, sometimes defiant toddler, but I am very pleased with the outcome. 
Because this is Kaelin's post, I will just post of few of her from the session with more to come of all of us soon!!

Kaelin Deborah
6.5 month Stats

Weight:  18lbs 7oz
Height:  28 inches (tall girl)
Head- don't remember! sorry!

Kaelin can now sit up very well and is so close to crawling.  I think within the next month or so we'll have a very mobile little girl. 
She finally stopped spitting up for the most part.  I guess the doctor was right when he said she'd grow out of it.  6 months old, it's about time.  Occasionally we still may have a tiny bit, but hey, I won't complain considering there were days of 7 outfits changes. 
Kaelin does not have any teeth yet.  I'm hoping she'll wait to get her teeth once her sister is done getting hers.  I don't think that will be my luck.  Kaelin's entire shirt was soaked with drool this evening...teething? Probably so.  Ugh. 
Kaelin is super vocal, especially when she is hungry.  I'd have to say that she is a bit more whiney than Lauren ever was.  It's so true when they say "no two babies are the same."  She is a mamma's girl..that's for sure.  It's kind of nice since my 19month old doesn't want much to do with me some days. 

Enjoy the next few pictures of my Kbug! We love you, sweet Kaelin!! xoxoxo

Not long after I wrote the previous post about being let down, I received the call I had been up all night waiting for.  I'll admit, when it finally came, I didn't act as cheery or excited when I answered the phone. When I heard the words, "Guess how many days?!" - My heart started racing.  (*Due to security reasons, I cannot post days, times or any information regarding flights, travel, etc.) 
I have so much to do to get ready.  I have waited to get stuff ready hoping that it will all keep me busy until he gets here. 

I am thankful for a friend I met at the gym.  She does home daycare and has offered to watch the girls when needed as I prepare myself and get all groomed up for Kevin's arrival.  Not only do I have to get myself ready, but I have to bring up Kevin's clothes from his box in the basement and wash and get them all hung up.  I also need to start organizing and getting suitcases ready for our trip to Minnesota.  And I need to start organizing what outfits I will wear for our weekend trip to Chicago!  Kevin and I are going there for our little honeymoon/getting reacquainted time. 
Does anyone have an MUST-DO/SEE/EAT places in Chicago.  It can be a little diner to a fancy restaurant.  Doesn't matter, we're gonna splurge folks...and I can't wait!  We've gotta make the most out of the few short weeks we will have together before he goes back. 

Only to be let down....

Do you ever get so excited, so worked up and wait and wait and wait for something, only to be let down?  I feel that way right now. I have tears in my eyes, a knot in my stomach.    Honestly, it may seem petty, but what I'm talking about is a phone call from Kevin.  I know I shouldn't let it get to me, but I waited up all night long for it.  Waking up at 12am, 2am, 3am, 4am, finally for good at 5:30am to check my phone.  I'm not mad, just disappointed.  I know something probably came up, but this is news I've been so anxious to hear for weeks now. 
I'm so tired of waiting, is it November yet?!

A moment of silence...

Tonight, after my Zumba class, I was talking to the owner of the gym I go to.  She has been so helpful and encouraging to me.  The gym is my place to go and unwind after a long day with the kids, and I am so thankful that I found Fitness Connexion.  The owner, Eren, was chatting with me as I punched my contest card and she said that her 4th grader and 2nd grader had asked her earlier in the week what a moment of silence was.  She explained to them, that a moment of silence is when we sit quietly and think of someone or something in remembrance or to honor them.  She asked her sons why they were asking this question.  They told her that everyday at school, they have a moment of silence for our  troops that are serving overseas.  She told her sons that she knew of two ladies from the gym whose husband (mine) and son were currently serving in Iraq.  She then asked her sons if there was something specific that they could do for my husband and her son during that time of silence and they said they would like to pray for them.   Eren then asked me for my husbands name so that her sons and her family could pray for Kevin.
At this point, I was standing at the front desk, wiping away tears.  An 8 year old and a 6 year old little boy have taken the time this week to pray specifically for my husband.  I can't even explain how amazing it was to hear her say that her family prays for us.  They don't even know Kevin, or really me for that matter except for checking in at the desk and an occasional conversation and yet, we are a part of their everyday lives in thought and prayer. 

The second time around...

Baby #2 - Kaelin Deborah - Is already over 6 months old.  I can't believe it.  Over the last few months, I have realized there are new and different things we used for her that we didn't for Lauren...here are a few that we LOVED.  I wonder why we didn't use them in the first place!?!!

1.  Swaddle blankets.

Seriously, whoever decided they'd make these was a genius.  I know some people think it's a waste of money and that they can just use a normal blanket.  Not I.  I was such a dork when it came to swaddling.  I had the nurses give me instructions more than once when I had Lauren...for a month I struggled to swaddle her, only for her to get her arms loose, fuss or kick clear out of it.  I gave up.  Little miss Kaelin was swaddled in her special swaddle blankets and they were so handy for changing diapers especially in the middle of the night.  I could just un-velcro the mid section and slip her feet out, change the diaper and slip her back into it.  No unwrapping, no wrapping back up.  In out, fed and back to sleep. 

2.  Mobile
Now with Lauren..she had a little glow seahorse that would play several tunes and seemed to work okay for awhile.  It has been 4 months now and Kaelin is still not tired of her mobile.  It is the best thing.
Kevin and I would hold and rock Lauren to sleep every night until she was about 10 months old.  That made for a very hard transition for all of us when it was time for sleep training.  I started off Kaelin at 2 months old, letting her soothe herself and fall asleep on her own with the help of the music and mobile.

3.  Mustela Facial Cleansing Cloths

 Let's face it, we don't bathe our kids EVERY single day.  Well some of you may do this.  I find it quite pointless unless they've been rolling around in the dirt or rubbing mac and cheese in their hair.  I just don't find it necessary to give the girls a bath everyday.  God made dirt. Dirt don't hurt is my motto.  On those days when bath time is not on the list of things to do, I love to use these Mustela Facial Cleansing wipes and give the girls a swift wipe down.  They smell great too!! At first the smell is a little "old lady perfumish" but once on the body smells much better.  I feel like the girls smell clean, are actually clean and we didn't have to go through the hassle of bathtime.  Win. 


4. Cool Mist Vaporizer

We had a warm mist and it began to grow mold.  YUCK!  It started to grow a blackish colored mold on the motor part, underneath the vents where the water shot out.  Seriously, that can't be healthy.  I use the vaporizer to try and clear up my kids congestion, not make them more sick because of mold.  Not to mention, the risk of burn.  Lauren burned her hands the other day by walking up to it putting her hands over the hot steam.  Not fun. 
So after dealing with Kaelin's congestion for the last week, I decided to splurge on a Vick's Ultrasonic Cool Mist Vaporizer.  Kaelin seems to be doing much better already.  I love it and I don't die of heat and feel like I'm sleeping in a sauna every night!

That is about all I can think of right now. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Chicken Gyro

I don't know about you, but I LOVE gyros.  They aren't exactly one of the healthiest things I could love either. :S This is a recipe that I put together myself.  It is a quick and easy go to meal for those busy nights.  It resembles (to me) a taste of a gyro, without all of the calories and fat and grease. You can dress it up however you like and because the chicken burgers come already pre-cooked you can have your dinner prepared and ready to eat in less than 15 minutes!
 First the meat.  I used Kaybee Foods "Green Pepper & Mozzerella Chicken Burgers"
They come already pre cooked, so all you have to do is warm them up.  I prefer to cook them on the George Foreman grill.  I love the crisp crust and grill lines that come from cooking it that way instead of a microwave oven.

Next I used a 1/2 of pita pocket.  There are all sorts of brands and flavors, mine was just a plain white pita pocket.  Nothin' fancy. 
For the sauce, I used 1 Tbsp. of light sour cream, mixed with minced garlic, chives and ground pepper. 
I dressed up my pita with red onion, cucumbers and tomatoes. 

Calories: 245 cal. (includes everything I mentioned above)
Fat: 8.5 grams

Thank you!

Thanks so much to everyone for their praise and words of encouragement.  I need that encouragement for motivation and that is precisely why I decided to blog about it and hold myself accountable. 
For now though, I am beat.  I did my first Spin class.  Holy smokes is my butt sore.  They "conveniently" didn't mention that there was a box of seat cushions in the corner.  Also, all of the regulars had the fans pointing directly at themselves.  Fan Hogs!  I had sweat dripping off my nose, chin, eyelids, and even my elbows.  I was torn because my legs were so tired from the major resistance and climbing parts but my butt hurt when I sat back down.  I was told to give it a few more times.   I tried to sign up for a class on Saturday but it was already full.  I guess I'll have to try for another time next week.  I need a bigger water bottle too...just for that class. 

I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone for their kind words.  I'm so tired though, I'm gonna take my sore butt and jello legs to bed. Goodnight!

Weight loss update

Well...sorry I haven't update my ticker to the right.  The site has been messed up and it won't let me edit my current ticker and I've been too lazy to make a completely new one.  I will give you my stats right here in this post. 

Starting weight 11/14/2010:  250lbs
Current weight 3/9/2011:       222.4lbs
Total weight lost:  27.6lbs

Total weight lost since Kaelin's birth on September 13- 47.6lbs

I have been in a slump lately.  I still continue to go to Zumba and Kickboxing.  I have added a strength training class once a week.  I really enjoy it.  I am definitely sore the next few days after I do it.  I might give up one of my Cardio classes once a week to add the strength training for another night.  We'll see.  I really want to do a circuit training class but right now there are not any openings in the class that is at my fitness level.  I burn between 500-700 calories per 60-90 minute workout and I keep my daily caloric intake between 1200-1500. 
I did buy a Jillian Michaels Detox and Cleanse thing at Walgreens because it was on sale for $8.99, orig. $39.99...however, I don't feel like it really is doing anything.  Oh well. 

I had to empty the 403 pictures from my phone to my computer because it was being really slow and glitchy.  When I did that, I found some pictures that I had taken of myself on November 21.  I then put on the same pants and sports bra and took some current pictures of my weight loss.  It's amazing to see the side by side and it gives me motivation to keep going.  I promise I am not sucking in...proof is in the back fat picture.  No way to suck in back fat!!  :)
I have been debating whether or not to post them for the last few days and I thought, "what the heck, people wear less than this at the gym or at the beach"  I'm proud of what I have accomplished and you can bet that when I lose the full  50lbs there will be another set of pictures.  My only regret is that I didn't take measurements to see how many inches lost. 

I thought I was missing Kansas...

Lately I have been saying that I really miss Kansas.  I would be asked why and my answers made me really think.  It was not Kansas that I was missing but everything that Kansas symbolized to me. 

Kansas was where Kevin, Lauren and I became a family.  Kansas was home.  

"Home is where the Army sends us." 

Kansas was where I had the deepest, darkest saddest time of my life to date.  

Kansas is where my husband held my hand as I told the doctor I needed to talk to someone about how I was feeling.  

Kansas is where I got better and learned to love life and love myself and explore new adventures with my family.  

Kansas is where I fell in love with Kevin all over again.  It is where I really took note of the amazing husband and father and soldier that he really is.  

Kansas is where I met some amazing friends.  There is nothing quite like your fellow military wives.  As the saying goes "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold"

My Battle Buddies were women that I could go to that had, between them all, experienced pretty much everything that I was worried, scared, nervous about. 

Kansas is where we welcome our sweet, Kaelin to our family. 

 Kansas was where Kevin and I first relied completely on each other to make this marriage, family life, army life, work.  We only had each other.  Our love grew stronger and stronger.  

It is still growing stronger and strong every single day that we are apart.  

So I really didn't miss Kansas...well I shouldn't say that.  The Flint Hills are so beautiful.  

I just really miss our whole family unit being together.  I miss hearing the car door shutting and the sound of the keys in the door and Lauren running towards the door for her dad.  I miss the sound of my blackberry messenger on the phone.  I always knew it was Kevin texting, he was the only one who would bbm me.  I miss making dinner together, getting excited to eat at our favorite places, weekend road trips to Kansas City, good night kisses, good morning kisses.  I just miss Kevin.

Not Kansas....

Lauren 18 months

Big, beautiful brown eyes and a smile to make your heart melt. 

 

An uncanny sense of humor for such a little girl. 

 

A sweetness about her you cannot resist.  

My sweet Lauren Grace is 18 months old.  It hit me at her last well check when they said that I didn't have to bring her back for 6 months for her 2 year well check.  No way...6 months isn't that far away.  18 months.  It seriously seems like yesterday that she was born, and yet I have another little bug that is growing just as fast.  I just can't believe it sometimes.  Some of Lauren's favorite activities this month are coloring and playing outside.  I purchased Crayola Color Wonder markers but she loses interest very quickly.  They take a few seconds to to actually show up and by the time they do, she's lost interest and either thrown them on the ground or tries to put them in her mouth.  So, needless to say we are done with those for a while.  She actually prefers to draw with a plain ol' pencil.  I'm just fine with that.  

Another activity is playing outside.  The weather has been warming up (I say that and now it's snowing..ugh) ...The weather WAS warmer the last few weeks and Lauren was able to go outside for a few days.  One day, her uncle Jordan took her for a wagon ride, and yesterday I took both of the girls for a ride and to the park.  She gets so excited when I say we are going outside that she will run and get her shoes and hand them to me saying "Shoe, shoe".  She'll then stand in her room and point up to the coat rack and say "coat"...then she'll run around saying "side, side" (outside).   She just LOVES it!  I don't blame her.  Last year I was so pregnant and it was so HOT in Kansas that we rarely went outside.  I look forward to our daily walks and trips to the local park this summer.  It's only a few blocks away!! 

Experimentation

With weight loss and a healthier lifestyle comes experimentation.  I absolutely love food.  Food is one thing that Kevin and I really, and I mean really really enjoy.  Not just to eat, but to cook, watch shows, read about etc.  I feel like we are a food critic couple.  We just love to try out all things culinary!  I have been doing a lot of research and looking up healthier recipes for some of our favorite foods.  I have mentioned in my posts before about my new found love of Cooking Light .  There are so many recipes to choose from with all of the nutritional information right at your fingertips. 
Recently, my cousin Annette and her husband have been on a journey of a healthier lifestyle as well.  They have introduced Spaghetti Squash as a subsitute for pasta, rice etc.  I thought I would give it a try.  I have been craving chinese/asian cuisine.  Going out wasn't an option because I'd probably throw will power out the window and splurge on the fried orange chicken and an egg roll.  I opted to browse Cooking Light for a Lo Mein recipe.  I came across a recipe for Beef Broccoli Lo Mein. The recipe itself was very simple and very healthy.  Some of the seasonings/sauces I did have to go out and purchase but I had 80% of the ingredients in my cupboards or refridgerator.  I did tweak a few things to lower the calorie/fat content and one of those things was to use Spaghetti Squash instead of pasta.  That in itself cuts the calorie count WAY down.  1 cup of cooked spaghetti squash has 40 calories and 1 cup of cooked pasta spaghetti has 200 cal. 
The squash was quite simple to cook.  Just cut in half, scoop out the seeds and guts, and bake, cut side down for 1 hour at 350degrees.  Season to taste.  I really enjoyed it.  I am not a squash fan, but this did not taste squashy :)

I am going to post the recipe from Cooking Light below along with their nutrtional information.   Pasta or squash this recipe is AMAZING...a bit spicey but very very delicious!  It's always so fun to experiment.  That's what makes cooking and baking so fun.  Next Challenge:  My famously delectible chocolate chip cookies with splenda and egg beaters....I hope they turn out!

Credit

BEEF BROCCOLI  LO MEIN

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 1/3 cups)


Ingredients

4 cups hot cooked spaghetti (used 2 medium sized spaghetti squash)
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1 tablespoon peanut oil (used olive oil)
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups chopped broccoli
1 1/2 cups vertically sliced onion
1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed and cut across the grain into long, thin strips
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar (I used 1 Tbsp of Splenda, 1 Tbsp of brown sugar)
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon chile paste with garlic (This made it super spicey, I may cut this in half next time)

Preparation

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain. Combine pasta and sesame oil, tossing well to coat.

While pasta cooks, heat peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Add broccoli and onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add steak, and sauté 5 minutes or until done. Add pasta mixture, soy sauce, and remaining ingredients; cook 1 minute or until lo mein is thoroughly heated, stirring constantly.

Nutritional Information (using pasta.  if using squash, assume that the calories and fat will be lower)

Calories  :327 (26% from fat)
Fat:  9.3g (sat 3g,mono 3.6g,poly 1.6g)
Protein:  21.7g
Carbohydrate:  39.1g
Fiber:  2.9g
Cholesterol:  36mg
Iron:  3.6mg
Sodium:  382mg
Calcium:  47mg