Girls weekend in Charleston, SC

As I mentioned here, I recently spent a girls weekend in Charleston, SC celebrating one of my longest and dearest friends who is getting married soon!  We rented an adorable house a couple blocks from King St. and sadly I didn't get a single picture of it!  This was my first time ever away from either kiddo so it was more than overdue.  My trip began at 2:00am Friday morning driving to the Syracuse airport for a 6:00am departure.  Why leave so early?  It was snowing and I had to drive 30-35mph the first half of the trip.  When I got to the airport I was SO happy to take off the snowboots, put on my Tom's and run into the airport leaving the snow behind me.  I had a 4 hour layover at Laguardia so I got coffee and a pedicure.  Yes, in the airport!  The shop wasn't busy so I was told I could sit and enjoy the massage chair as long as I wanted.  I didn't object.

I finally landed in Charlotte at 2:30pm where I met up with Em and we shared a rental car for the drive to Charleston.  It was a long trip but SO worth it.  The food, oh the food!  Chris and I honeymooned in Charleston many years ago and I think our entire trip was planned around each meal. 

The first night we ordered pizza and relaxed as everyone arrived.  Cheers to the bride!

 

Did I mention the three of us have been friends for 27 years?  I love these girls!  There were 10 of us total on the trip but I failed to get a picture of us all together.

Now on to the food and beautiful Charleston. Breakfast was at Poogan's Porch. Mimosa's and Crabcake Benedict...

 

 

Here are a couple pictures down by the battery and Rainbow Row.

 

 

It was much colder than any of us were expecting and even rained a little but we had a wonderful time.  I thought I would be much more worried being away from the kids, but I was surprisingly relaxed.  It was nice to be able to walk at my own pace and actually take time to get ready! 

 

To start our night out we had dinner at Virginia's on King.  Fried ocra and She crab soup.  It had been FAR too long since I've enjoyed She Crab soup.  I have to admit that was my first time eating fried ocra - I was a bit of a picky eater as a kid, but YUM!

 

For dinner?  Southern Fried Chicken, Mac n Cheese, and Sweet Potato fries.  Yes, yes I did.

 

 

My journey home was nearly as long as my trip there but I had a wonderful time celebrating a great friend with a fun group of girls!  If you ever get the chance to visit Charleston...GO!  And prepare to have a tummy ache from all of the delicious food!

 

It's not a bad day. It's parenthood.

I just want to go to the grocery store.  Hop in the car, in and out, easy peasy grocery shopping. 

I woke up yesterday morning with those plans.  I gave up on going to the gym first since the past two nights Emmilyn had slept (or not slept) like a newborn, up every hour or two and I seemed to be getting some sort of crud...again.  I don't have a grocery list because the day before went a little bit like this.

  So I get the kids dressed and go outside to start the truck, excited because we finally cleared out the garage enough to put the truck in it!  I forgot truck in garage means more driveway covered in snow.  Bummer!  We only got a couple of inches overnight but the wind blows all of the nicely shoveled/plowed snow back onto the driveway, sometimes with a 1-2 foot drifts. Sooo I start shoveling and shoveled just enough to get out of the driveway because it's 9 degrees. my fingers were about to fall off, and I was huffing like I had just run 3 miles. (Who needs the gym anyways?)
 

 In what feels like 2 hours later, I get the kids in the car and drive to the commissary.  I do the usual - put Emmilyn in the Ergo and in one swift motion get Landon out of the car and put his coat on.  I get to the checkout just as Landon is reaching his 2 year old limit and when we get to the truck he does the body drop (ohhh how I hate the body drop) right in the middle of the parking lot snow/mud/salt mixture.  I get him in the car and take his boots off so he's not kicking mud everywhere, decide to deal with the muddy pants when we get home, and feed Emmilyn before we head home.  I leave the car running while I unload groceries and let Tucker out (except he won't come because, well, it's 9 degrees.)  I get the kids in the house and start taking off our layers and find this:

...which I can only assume means Tucker ate an ENTIRE LOAF of bread.  Plastic and all.

 While I clean up Tucker's mess, Landon is 'helping' me by putting cereal boxes, lotion, and plastic bags in the refridgerator, and I realize I forgot a Brita filter for the fifth time in a row.  The more I try to clean things up the messier they seem to become.  I'm thinking about the realtor coming in a few hours, how exhausted and sick I feel, and
                                                                                                                                  
     I. Feel. Defeated.

I stand in the kitchen for a couple minutes staring at the groceries, willing them to put themselves away.  I'm ready to throw in the towel, curl up on the couch and sleep the day away. 

And then I hear Emmilyn blowing bubbles (aka glorified fart noises), I laugh, and remind myself that people have much worse days then this.  I'VE even had much worse days than this.  Why am I letting myself get defeated by such small, normal things that are probably occuring in many households everyday. 

It's not a bad day.  It's parenthood.

I'm a Mom.  I can handle this.  It's just snow.  It's just muddy boots.  It's just a loaf of bread.  And Landon is just trying to help.

So I put on my big girl pants, put the groceries away letting Landon 'help' me, and got chili cooking for dinner.  I hiked outside in a knee deep snow drift to retrieve our trashcan that blew away last night, come back inside and have to chuckle at Landon cleaning with an entire pack of wipes...sans pants because, well, they're still muddy...

 

...hurry Tucker into his crate because one of his toenails is slightly bleeding, and cross my fingers that the loaf of bread doesn't it show itself until after the realtor has left.

When you're home with your kids all day everyday, it's easy to get caught up in the little things and long for your former life where you could come and go as you please. 

I just wanted to go to the grocery store, easy peasy.  But I want to be a good Mom  even more.  And being a good Mom means realizing I can't wake up and control every detail of how the day will progress.  That evening after Chris got home, the realtor had left, and I put Emmilyn down for the night I came downstairs to this...

Ahhhh, I love this kid! 

And today?  I woke up more congested and sick feeling than yesterday but I know it will pass.  How can I feel but so bad when I have the most beautiful babies in the world to take care of. (Because all Mommies have the most beautiful babies in the world.  It's true, just ask them!)  And they happen to be napping right now...at the same time.

This Mommy Brain is on fire

The good news is that my kids are fed, clothed, and happy.

The bad news...I clearly can't function in society beyond those basics.

We had a low-key weekend as we waited for Nemo to come and leave up trapped in our house with 6 feet of snow (kidding) but the snow was no more than usual.  Since we were planning to hibernate all weekend we did just that.  We watched lots of Word World and Chris & I caught up on Scandal (O.M.G!)  We ate lots of way-too-indulgent food, shoveled snow, drank hot chocolate, then we even brought the snow indoors! 

After a long weekend of hibernation and not an ounce of working out, I was anxious to get to the gym Monday.  As I was getting ready to leave the house Chris asked if I could bring his fleece to him at work.  Sure!  So I packed up the diaper bag, kids, hopped in the car and drove up to his office. 

- Enter Mommy Brain -

Our text conversation went a little like this...

Me - I seriously have issues, I don't have you fleece!!!  I'll go back home and get it then text you when I'm back.

Chris - Lol, don't worry I'll drive home and get it so you can go to the gym.

Me - Don't bother I forgot my gym shoes too!!

** There may have been a few expletitives in there. :)


Mind you it's 30ish minutes one way to Chris's office so my morning was spent driving for over 2 hours trying to accomplish what should have taken 30 minutes tops. And I still didn't make it to the gym. A couple weeks ago I drove 45 minutes one way to the gym just to realize I didn't have my sneakers. Sigh, do I get an A for effort? Do other Mom's have this problem?  I feel like if it involves something other than changing a diaper, fixing a bottle, or nursing a booboo I just. can't. do it. 

So far today I haven't forgotten anything but Mother Nature has me trapped in the house once again.  Maybe that's my problem...cabin fever? Lack of vitamin D?  Perhaps my girls bachelorette get-away this weekend will help.  I haven't spent a single night without feedings or changing diapers in over two years.  The thought of hanging out with just adults for 3 whole days has me equally excited and terrified!   I'll get to go to the bathroom by myself, shower when I want, sleep in, maybe even shop?!  Hopefully I don't start a conversation about poop.  That would be awkward.  I'm sure this first time (ever) away from my babies will provide plenty to to write about so stay tuned! 

In the mean time I'll be here trying to locate my brain so I can pack and prepare for the weekend.  Share your Mommy Brain blunders!

Operation Get Fit - one week check-in

I meant to write this post yesterday but I was so zonked from the Superbowl party we hosted that even after 3 cups of coffee I took a two hour nap.  That's a small miracle because 1) I never take naps and 2) my 2 year old and 3 month old were napping too!  Honestly I felt worse when I woke up but obviously I needed it, so yes...I did nothing yesterday.  As for the rest of the week I feel like I did pretty good.

Monday - this DVD workout I bought after I had Landon but hadn't yet embraced home workouts.
Wednesday - ran 2 miles outside! (it was oddly warm enough) and tried to tag along with a friend for  a functional fitness class.
Friday - oh, whoops?!  I forgot to workout.
Saturday - I started a February Burpee Challenge -

 

Monday - like I said.  Nothing.
Tuesday - I just did my 20 burpees and this workout posted on youngmarriedchic.com today.

I'm pretty sure if similar workouts are posted every week, youngmarriedchic.com will be my go-to for Tuesday workouts.

I mentioned above learning to embrace working out at home.  Honestly I've always hated working out at home.  This past week has reminded me that is why it took me until Spring to start working after Landon was born.  Now with two little ones and these frigid temps it's VERY likely that at least one day a week sickness or mother nature are going to prevent me from going to the gym.  Darn you North Country Weather!  Sooo...I'm learning to embrace home workouts.  I think if I can try something new then I don't mind so much where before I tried to do the same DVD workout over and over.  BOR-ING!  I haven't weighed in yet because right now the focus is getting myself to workout.  Period. 

Here's to many positive workouts for the rest of the week!

Virginia Tech dining - London Broil

I'm drooling just thinking about last night's dinner.  I received this book

 

as a gift for Christmas.  Why I didn't buy last Fall when it came out I don't know.  Perhaps I was busy having a baby or something! ;)  For those of you who have heard of Virginia Tech for some other reason, let me give you one of the best reasons.  The food!  Virginia Tech has THE best dining facilities among colleges in the US, not to mention the restaurants surrounding the campus.  With offerings like delicious burgers & steaks, lobster (yes, lobster) and the biggest rice crispie treats I've ever seen what's not to love?  Chris & I flipped through the pages of this cookbook with our mouth watering at nearly every page.

 

Our favorite dish of all was West End Market's London Broil with Mushroom Sauce and the Roasted Garlic Whipped Potatoes. 

 

 

Mmmmmmm.  Chris & I probably ate this 3 or more time per week.  I'm pretty sure if we lived in Blacksburg we would take our kids there for a family dinner.  No seriously!  Well it turns out this dish is one of the most popular at Virginia Tech.  About 750 students eat it each and every day!  Who knew?  I would have included a picture of the dish after I made it but Chris and I were so freaking excited to eat it that I completely forgot.  Not only did this take us right back to our college days, it made me feel like quite the chef pulling it all together.  Even my toddler asked for seconds!  The recipe was spot on and we will definitely be fixing it again.  Maybe even once a week.  Or day.  Is that too much?

 

Anyways, you don't have to be a Virginia Tech alum or fan to appreciate this dish or the cookbook for that matter.  Find the cookbook here. 

 

Now onto Superbowl party prep and a cake trial run for a cake auction I volunteered for!

 

Happy Hump Day everyone!

Operation Get Fit (& Clean Out the Closet!)

The brackets holding up the bar in my closet broke.  Normally this would be a sign that I have an awesome closet full of clothes.  In reality it is filled with pre-baby, post-baby, and maternity clothes - 90% of I can't fit into.  Before I became pregnant with my first born I ran my first half-marathon, was in the best shape of my life, and weighted between 130-135lbs.  I gain 50lbs total during that pregnancy and held onto 15lbs afterwards.  When my first born, Landon, was just over a year old I found out I was pregnant with number two.  I gained 50lbs again, weighing in at exactly 200lbs the day I checked in to the hospital to deliver.  At 3 months post-partum I am stuck with another 25lbs to go.  While I am proud of the 35lbs I HAVE lost so far, I have a way to go to still to reach my goals. 

Why am I sharing this with you?

Losing weight after a baby is not easy.  Losing weight at ANY time is not easy!  I am determined to shed a few more pounds and to get back in shape (and clean out this closet!)  By blogging about my progress I hope to keep myself accountable and share that while it may not be easy, it IS possible.  Living in upstate NY poses some challenges as I can't run outside and sometimes it's just so cold (high of -5 anyone?) I don't want to leave the house.  Although I'm pretty sure I could find excuses if I lived in Georgia or Florida too.  I'm not a diet person (never have been) but I am going to work on portion control and sweets.  Ice cream is a pregnancy addiction that has carried over.  Annnddd...I can not exist here on earth without chocolate. And peanut butter.  Daily.  Yummmm. 

Ok, I got distracted.  See the challenge?  I'm ready to set some goals.  My goals will focus mostly on working out because for me it's a domino effect.  When I am working out regularly I eat better and drink more water, thus losing weight more easily.  When I'm not working out, I sit around and eat ice cream for lunch.

Liz's 2013 Get Fit Goals:

- Run 3 miles without stopping. (I've gotta start somewhere!)
- Drink a glass of water BEFORE coffee in the morning. (This may sound silly and small, but it actually is a challenge for me and I feel it will start me on the right foot each morning.)
-Do some form of cardio at least 3x's per week - even if one of the kids are sick and I can't make it to the gym.
-Weight goal #1 - 150
-Drink 50oz of water per day.
-Run 3 miles at minimum 10 minute pace.
-Complete 100 pushups challenge
-Weight goal #2 - 140
-Run 5 miles
-Run 10 miles
-Train for this race in September. The 18 miler, not the 12. 

*My method is several small goals so I can have small victories along the way!

That's all I've got for now but it will get me started.  Notice there are no 'food' goals.  I may add those in along the way but for now I think I may just do a food journal so I have a clue what I am eating.

So who's with me?  Whether you want to get fit/lose a few pounds or just want to be my motivation I hope you will follow my journey and cheer me on!  I plan to check in on the blog once every week or two but I won't be posting on facebook so if you would like to follow my progress please follow my blog! 

Now to get started on this Monday.  One of the kiddos is just sick enough that I shouldn't go to the gym so a workout DVD at naptime with have to do!  What are you doing today?

Organization - A Work in Progress

I like to think of being organized as a work in progress (in other words...I'm never fully there.)  Especially with two little ones running around.  At any time there MAY be a part of the house that is organized but it is constantly evolving.  Moving every few years doesn't help either because it takes a couple of years in a new house to figure out how everything flows, no?  Then it's time to move again!  Since we returned from our Christmas vacation to Virginia I've been on a mission to organize SOME parts of our house, mostly toys since we just had Christmas & Landon's birthday in the same week, and wanted to share what works for me.

For some reason I've not really been crazy about the idea of hanging a TV on the wall, but when Landon started climbing on our TV stand and in general getting WAY to close to the TV we purchased a wall mount...and then let it sit in a closet for 6 month.  Just about a week ago we (or should I say Chris) mounted the TV on the wall and removed the hutch that usually sits on the TV stand. Here is a before and after:

 Wow!  I couldn't believe how much it opened the space AND it's impossible for Landon to get too close.  Win-win!  I went to my favorite (T.J. Maxx) and found some great wicker baskets for toys in an attempt to not feel overrun by toys.  We still need to hide the wires.  Like I said, organization is a work in progress.

 Here is an evolution of Landon's play area downstairs from this Summer to now:

As you can see, we've not really known what to do with the area.  Our downstairs is all one open area so I needed our adult space & toys to co-exist in a way that I still felt like I could invite people over.  We found a good deal on this bookcase at Big Lots (I also don't like to spend money) and it is working for us so far!  I still need to add some pictures & books on the top shelves.  Someday we'll replace our leaning table lamps that a certain toddler has knocked over (again & again.)

My favorite organization tip began a year ago and has proved to REALLY help me in organizing bills and important paperwork.  I got the idea from Pinterest:

The Pinterest version was a lot prettier and labeled, but mine serves it's purpose.  At the beginning of the year set up a file box for your bills and an extra file or two for misc., tax info, and important documents.  (Before I could never find a copy of orders when I need them!) After we file our taxes I'll consolidate all of the 2012 files and start fresh with 2013 files! The best part is the filebox is still stored out of sight on the bottom shelf of my pantry.

Please ignore the REST of the pantry as it is not organized.  A work in progress.  If you are someone who claims to be fully organized...please show me evidence.  Then send me your tips!


Happy Wednesday everyone!