boy: a noise with dirt on it

a mommy-friend of mine invited the boys and i to toddler story time at a local library recently.  actually, she invited us weeks ago but i finally got it together enough on my end so that we could attend. it was a morning event so i got up super-duper early just to ensure we'd make it. a lil late, but we made it.  i feel like i have to start getting everybody ready like 3 hours before we have to be somewhere, seriously.  and when we are rarely making good time, Chiso suddenly has to go go to the restroom as i am loading up the car or Dego throws up on us.  never fails!  but hey, we made it AND we even got a nice breakfast in!

i had egg whites with black pepper, mozzarella almond cheese, a little homemade guacamole, low-fat turkey sausage, and french toast with strawberries!  big breakfast to support my activity levels these days which includes hitting the weights again, nursing around the clock, and keeping up with my 3 yr old. among other things.

Chiso has requested pancakes for like 2 weeks straight now. maybe even longer than that.  so made him some sprinkled with mini chocolate chips, sugar-free syrup, and a little fat-free Redi Whip.

our boys warmed right on up to each other and enjoyed the crafting, songs, and puppet show.

 Maranda is a mom of 3 boys herself so i know she feels my pain can relate to life with these little knuckleheads!

 our first official outing together.  we did it!! we're pros now. i actually avoided leaving the house with both boys for the longest...but the saying is true. 'ain't nothin' to it but to do it.' after that? piece of cake! for the most part. thinking, i.e. worrying, about every single thing that could go wrong is no way to live. i've learned to be prepared, prayerful, and cautious, not crazy.  Chiso's independence could not have come at a better time though. for him to be able to get in and out of the car himself, clean up his toys and messes, retrieve and/or throw away Dego's diapers, and turn on the bathroom light so i don't have to get up lol helps out big time. sigh...no more baby Chiso!

just another one of those bittersweet mommy moments.

well all that fun didn't result in a nap at our house, but Chiso enjoyed himself and has asked to go back countless times now. Maranda is a pro at finding free & fun stuff to do around our city, and i recently came across Houston on the Cheap with even more ideas galore.  check it!

i got to bed way too late so my early gym date was definitely out this morning. i hit the streets for some sprints once Sonny got home instead. i haven't run full speed in almost a year and i'm sure i'll pay for it tomorrow and the next day!  i did ladders:

i started slow and only went 'down' the ladder from 5 to 1.  that was all i had, woof.  also, here are two foodie items being adding back into my diet that i've posted about before: almond cheese (gotta cut down on the dairy cause of bloating) and calorie-free Grey Poupon mild & creamy mustard. i got great feedback via Instagram about Daiya vegan cheese so i'm gonna step out and try that brand next.

Q: what have you tripped over that wasn't even worth tripping over once you did it?

le

4 weeks pp + Dego's 1 month mark

last night i said i was going to get up at the crack of dawn this morning and not just get my treadmill interval workout in, but to pop up on my 5:30am class to say hi while i was at it! i made me some hot coffee and headed out, Beats and ipod in tow.

i kinda forgot to factor in feeding my newborn before leaving though so i arrived way after class started.  it was SO good to see old and new faces all across the studio when i peeked my head in the door!  i caught up with some of my regulars after class finished and they only made me more anxious to put that mic on again.

cardio killaaaaa. i was hoping to be cleared to lift this week, but my OB's schedule is jam packed!!! huge bummer. still crossing my fingers to be worked in somehow. else i'll just wait 'til next week.

Chiso woke up and requested pancakes, so he got'em.  i made him a stack of my WW Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Birthday Cakes complete with dolphin sprinkles and he almost finished the stack by himself!  i gladly killed the rest. remember, you can also sub blueberries for the chocolate chips.

who's 1 month today? that guy! i asked Sonny does 4 weeks make it one month, or will July 17th make it one month... idk and too lazy to Google. close enough.  also up until today, smiles from Dego were only reserved for Chiso. i finally got mine :)

our God is an awesome God.  i make an effort to praise Him for all things, both great and especially small.  after receiving and reviewing Dego's newborn screening results in the mail a few days ago i began to thank Him repeatedly.  i was instantly reminded of the time in my life when my thoughts consumed me and convinced me that i was unable to bear any children, ever.  God has blessed us with healthy baby boy #2, and for that we give Him all the glory.

this is so funny because i actually remember doing this to my mom.  putting my face on the floor to see her feet while calling her name over and over again and everything.  well it's payback time!  who am i kidding... once Chiso doesn't give a flying hoot about my whereabouts i'm gonna have a mommy moment...

grilled sirloin steak and taters for dinner tonight.  we've been outta sweet taters and they are exactly what i need to keep me feeling fuller longer between meals.  the steak was marinated in some Annie's balsamic vinaigrette, pinch of sea salt and black pepper before i tossed it in my grill pan.  that delicious sauce is just Grey Poupon mild and creamy mustard (which is calorie free, sugar free, and fat free) sauteed with white mushrooms. it's bananas!

Q: how do you like your steak cooked?  

blood = no bueno. can't do it. well done, please.

le

3rd triggity-tri update

 it's happening again :shock: . food aversions have returned and all i want for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is Subway!!!  so i had some last night for dinner.  yes, the entire thing in one sitting. don't worry, it fit my macros, lol.  i've been randomly putting my meals in MyFitnessPal just to make sure i'm somewhere in the ball park of my daily requirements.  anyway, thanks Sonny, you're awesome.

it's a turkey breast sammich on honey oat bread with all the veggies except onions and jalapeños with honey mustard.  hadn't had one since the 1st trimester and boy was it as tasty as i remember.

uncomfy , eh? understatement. i enjoy the constant reminder that Odego is awake, moving around and doing his thing in here. however, i feel every single twist, turn, kick, punch, head butt, and cartwheel. all of it.  just like Chiso, he gets wired up as soon as i get settled in the bed at night.  but thankfully it doesn't hinder my sleep one bit.

let's talk about these energy levels though!  this baby is siphoning mine off day by day and i knew that was coming...just not so dang soon.  so most mornings,

i wake up like that.

but this morning before teaching my 5:30am weights class i felt good. like really good again. maybe i should eat foot long Subway sammiches before bed more often.

10 weeks left yall!!! :shock: WAT. i'll explain more about that #pregnantNOTpowerless hashtag in a bit.

ironically, i'm most uncomfortable when i'm dormant or at home cleaning and picking up random stuff off the floor.  i do all this working out at the gym but when i see something on the floor at home that's not where it's supposed to be most times i just leave it there LOL. why is it so much more of a challenge then?!  idk.  i've been sleeping with one of those body pillows from Target for the past 4 months now and i highly recommend one.  you can splurge and get the real thing too.

still not caring for sweets, just all things dairy, mainly cheese.  but every now and then i'll make this guy instead of going to get fro-yo, soft serve at BK, or a McFlurry - a low-dairy chocolate milkshake at home.  i'm totally satisfied after slurping this guilt-free concoction down.  try it! throw this in your blender:

• 3/4 cup cookies and cream or vanilla maple Arctic Zero ice cream
• 1/4 cup + (2 tbsp or so if needed) unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 2 tbsp Hershey's sugar-free chocolate syrup + more swirled in your glass ;)

before i made coconut whipped cream (which is dairy-free) for the first time a few days ago, i just used fat-free Reddi Whip and chocolate sprinkles for my topping.  legit yumminess for a total of:

that's it.

this little boy here. he has his 'Odego Time' every single day, multiple times a day.  he GETS it now.  his little brother is on the way and he can't wait to slide down the slide with him at the park.  his words, lol. i was worried about how he would be affected (and still somewhat am after he arrives) and i'm reading up on how to make this transition easiest for him.  heck, all of us.  any tips moms, please share!

[wpvideo M9FRyDbw]

you have a bigger influence on your kiddos than you think!  i just knew the park would be way more exciting than lil ol' me, but as soon as we got there he asked, 'mama can we make a video?  i want to exercise with you.' floored. so that's how our 30 week playground workout came about.

check out this adorable article via babycenter.com that shows you how big your fetus is using fruits and veggies, love it.  Odego is the size of a cabbage this week!

le

food faces #toddlerfood

having a little fun with healthy breakfasts these days!  it's whatever works and gets Chiso's plate clean, and these have proven to do just that. he thinks it's hilarious (telling a funny story along with it helps too) and i enjoy creating them. just some ideas for your picky eater(s) fueled by Pinterest.

banana bear faces using Sara Lee whole wheat bread, natural peanut butter, and chocolate chips.

 the original 'recipe' actually used blueberries for the eyes and nose, but they were a no-go.

this morning we had whole wheat pancakes and i'd love to share this easy recipe with ya as promised.

easy whole wheat pancakes

the stuff:

• 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk + 2 tbsp
• 1 packet stevia
• 1 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
• 1 whole egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp baking powder

do this:

1. heat your griddle or pan to med heat and coat it with no-stick cooking spray.
2. mix all ingredients well in a large mixing bowl.
3. drop 2 tbsp worth of batter onto your griddle and cook 2-3 minutes on each side (flip when you see bubbles form)
4. top however you'd like and eat warm!

makes 15 (or more) silver dollar sized pancakes. for 1:

i added natural pb and chocolate chips to Ralph too. happy friday :)

le

weekend + peanut butter oatmeal carob chip cookie balls

i mean i just wanted to take a selfie of my new top from my sweet coworker, Monica!  apparently everybody needed to use the bathroom at the same time.doing his daily ritual.

love it!  workout gear is one of my fave ever gifts to receive.   it's Nike, very light weight, has a cool design, and most important, racerback.

we hit the gym and i decided to take a Total Conditioning class instead of my normal weights and cardio routine.  taking classes and teaching them are completely different for me concerning the workout part!  i do 80%+of the workout with my class, and the rest is coaching, motivating, and walking around checking for great form.  before i began teaching, seeing the instructor struggling with me provided some of THE best motivation to keep me going! so i definitely try to provide that for my members. when i'm up there on that podium, it's like i feel NO burn, seriously!  my adrenaline goes crazy the entire time. talk about an endorphin high :shock:

where's waldo?

 when i take a class, i feel the burn waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay sooner, LOL.  i feel every thing!  it's now me vs me and  i go to war with that voice inside my head telling me the burn is too much and to STOP.  but i refuse!

i did the class, then 30 min of fat burning cardio and got up outta there.

but not before a progress selfie lol.  Chiso and i had a day of Christmas and grocery shopping to get to, and i neglected to pack our lunches.  i knew we'd pass by that death trap of a food court at the mall and the smell of fries just might win me over after that workout! so, we had lunch at the gym.

 

and i'm glad we did! ok more like a snack.  i got a smoothie for the first time in MONTHS.  i've enjoyed eating my fruit instead of drinking it..that's my only reason.  anyway i was super surprised to see that Lifetime now has almond milk substitutions!! what!? they are always one step ahead!

i got an almond delight which did not hit all my macros for meal 2, but it held me over juuuuust enough until we got home.  don't worry, i made up for it.

i chose blueberry and banana for my fruits of choice; the best smoothie combo ever, i know!

cold and creamy.

Chiso loves the chocolate flavor of this milk too, lol! (me too)  

'if it's here, it's healthy.'

100% clean menu.

on to the mall!

i spotted this while we were out shopping and did the most obnoxious double take ever.  miracle slimming system.  no diet and exercise required. 10 minute method. 3.99. it's called a WORKOUT for a reason, yall!  it requires an effort.  it's still on the shelf because unfortunately someone will buy this thing.  only real, lasting results come from good nutrition and exercise. that's it. that's the secret.

i spent longer grocery shopping than Christmas shopping lol. i  saw these in the bulk isle at HEB and gave them a taste...score.  they are low in sugar, grain sweetened, carob chips and they taste just like semi sweet chocolate chips!  grain sweetened chocolate covered raisins from Whole Foods have been my guilty pleasure for YEARS.  it was the only place i could find them for a while, but carob has definitely gotten more popular lately!  you'll see these guys again shortly.

TODAY was leg day and i had a grilled turkey and almond cheese sandwich on Ezekiel bread, a small red delicious apple, and some tomato & cucumber salad from Central Market before hitting the gym. 

tryin to shred these puppies!!

had just finished doing my heavy squats here.  i went heavy and did 4 sets of 10 of the following: barbel squats, single leg seated presses, hack squats, alternating dumbbell lunges, deadlifts, leg extensions & curls.

then i followed that up with about 10 min of abs.

nice burn!

 

i've been thinking about the kind of cookie i wanted to leave out for Santa, and i tried my hand at some no-bake peanut butter cookie balls that turned out darn good!

No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Carob Chip Cookie Balls

the stuff:

• 10 tbsp quick oats
• 2 tbsp carob chips (can totally use any kind of chocolate chips)
• 2 tbsp agave nectar (can sub honey)
• 2 tsp pure vanilla
• 2 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 4 tbsp chocolate PB2

do this:

MIX! form into 10 balls and pop them into the fridge until you're ready to devour.  give them at least 30 min though.  if they are too sticky for you, add more oats in increments of 1 table-spoon.  they were just right for us though!  recipe makes 10 balls.

serving size = 1 cookie

low sugar, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free (long as your oats are gluten-free) and YUM-MY.

Chiso looooooooooooved them!

him and his faces.

more, more, more!  

ok we ate this entire batch, but we will make plenty more.

Santa will wash them down with a big glass of almond milk!

what kinda cookies will you be leaving out for Santa this year?

le