New Week, Please

The last seven days have been an interesting first week (of the 3rd round) of Weight Watchers and seventh week (of the 2nd round) of Couch to 5k. Each of us were sick at various times, though I'm not 100% I can pinpoint where it began. I suspect Asher, who was sick first (and for the 1st time in his life with the flu), got it from one of the other children at MOPS last week. Thankfully, his bout lasted less than 24 hours. Here he his with his barf pail.

Isn't he sweet? He was happy because he was watching the Veggie Tales Jonah movie. Pronounced "doe-bye", Jonah makes everything better.

Then Michael got sick. Like bad. Was in bed all day on Friday. Then I got sick after eating my curry dish, which you may remember, for dinner. I'm not convinced that's what caused it. I mean, I've made this dish before and had no problem. But let's just say I won't be making curry for a while.

The bright side of all of this - for me anyway - is that I lost a few pounds in the process. I've since gained the sickness weight-loss back, unfortunately. I'm hoping I'm still down a couple pounds from last week though. We'll see in the morning.

Week 7 of the Couch to 5k program has me running 25 minutes straight. Well, I actually made it today. I was feeling fantastic, and confused as to why I didn't have a more difficult time with it. I had a sneaking suspicion that the treadmill was at a decline. Michael confirmed it. Makes me nervous for my next run, now that the machine has been adjusted.

Can't I just go back to eating whatever I want and not running? Who's dumb idea was it to do start eating and exercise plan anyway?

The Last Supper

Ours was last night. At Olive Garden. And it was D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S. Like, so so so good. 

And how was this our last supper? Well, we've starting Weight Watchers today. (again.) (for the 3rd time.) So I'm considering it our last overindulgent supper. It's interesting, I have gone through this process twice since Asher was born, and both times have lost a good amount of weight. And I think, at the time, that I'm on such a good trajectory and can quit the official program to just do it on my own. Well, it hasn't worked out that way. I don't know what I'm going to do at the end of the 4 months (there was a special - buy 3 months online, get the 4th free). But I'm going to remain dedicated through the time I'm committed.

Since we're talking about food here, let me share some recent dishes I've prepared.

I enjoy cooking. I have for a long time. What I don't enjoy is the dishes that need to be washed after. Specifically, the pots and pans that I don't put in the dishwasher because they take up too much room and maybe I'm not supposed to? But that's not what this post is about. You've read enough about my abhorrence dislike of cleaning.

Here's some fantastic homemade whole wheat sandwich bread. I'd been using a different recipe for a while, but this is far superior in taste and texture.

And here is the most amazing BBQ Chicken Pizza. I used Bob's Red Mill gluten-free pizza crust, which is scrumptious, as well as Bulls Eye brand barbecue sauce. Original flavor I think. So good. I also added bacon, though the recipe didn't call for it.

And for tonight's meal, I made a Chicken Vegetable Curry in the crockpot, served with brown rice. Also tried homemade naan for the first time. It was VERY good. Though this meal maybe wasn't the best choice for our first Weight Watchers dinner since coconut milk is about a thousand points.

(If you were wondering, I ordered the Braised Beef and Tortelloni at OG. It was divine.)

Easter Fun

Asher and his basket

From my basket :)

After a wonderful meal at the Wilsons, the kids had an Easter egg hunt.

The best photo taken during an attempt at a nice family picture

Mail Time

I received lots of fun things in the mail last week.

First, my April Birchbox.

I haven't tried any of the products yet, but I'm most excited for the nail polish and face oil.

The same day, I received a package from my sister, including a soft North Face zip up, pretty orange J. Crew dress, and bright orange-red lipstick (all hand-me-downs). So fun! I love getting things from her.

Then on Friday, this baby came in the mail:

I totally copied these people and made sure I got the same deal. There are 550+ photos from 2011 packed into this puppy! I am going to round up my 2010 pictures as well and make another one when My Publisher has another 70% off sale.

I love getting mail. And I especially love getting packages in the mail. If anyone is in the mood to send a package (of goodies) somewhere, feel free to send it my way.

Germination is Freaky

Look what I noticed popping up Saturday night:

It's my arugula! Here it is yesterday afternoon:

And as of today, all my veggies have sprouted. I've decided that this is all very strange. These things started from seeds - the same kind of seeds I have sitting on my kitchen table in packets (because they pack, like, thousands of seeds into one package and I'll never run out in my lifetime). All that I did was put them in some potting soil in a greenhouse-style tray in front of a window and sprayed some water on them. It freaks me out a little. Maybe I have a teeny thought in the back of my mind that they might take us over? I don't know. I don't really think that. But they're living. Ew. That's just weird.

Speaking of living, here's something that is no longer: 

Asher brought the tulip to me when he came in from playing outside with Michael yesterday. I laid it on the bookshelf, meaning to put it in a little vase, but I forgot. Isn't it sweet? My first flower from my little boy.

Couch, Please

I'm in week 4 of the Couch to 5k program. I still hate running. But not as much as I hate cleaning, but more than I like steaming. Here is a list of some things that I do daily and/or weekly from most to least hated:

5. Cleaning almost anything

4. Running/exercise/5k

3. Picking up toys

2. Steaming the floor

1. Couch

Is it bad that I ate a packet of m&m's while I walked during my walk/jog? Does it help that it was a fun size?

To-dos, Fabric, and Seeds

I've buckled down recently and have been making a daily to-do list. This is my 4th day, and it's going pretty well, I have to say. My list typically includes a cleaning to-do, a financial to-do, an exercise to-do, and a couple other things. For example, today my list is:

• Complete estimated tax payments
• Respond to Sara about IRA rollover
• Yoga
• Clean kitchen
• Blog (almost done)
• Edit photos for photobook

I've been attempting to get up early (like 6:30am). Today went well. I was actually up by 6 for some reason. I love having that time in the morning before Asher wakes up.

Something on my list for the week is to make a clutch (purse). I purchased the fabric, but got the wrong interfacing, so that'll have to wait until this weekend when I can get back to Hobby Lobby. 

From HL

From fabric.com

All in a pretty little pile on my bookshelf

I also finally planted most of my vegetable seeds. (was on my to-do list yesterday)

Anxious to see what happens with these things. I obviously have way more seedling containers than I need. My veggie seeds are taking up just a third of the entire tray. And my labeling method is very high tech. (a mini post-it wrapped around a toothpick) The tray is in the bathroom next to the sunniest window in our place. I'm skeptical and hopeful at the same time. I really hope these things sprout.

Things Loved in March

Thought I'd copy this blog, and recap each month, though I'm already behind on March. 

1. My Birchbox membership.

Yes, we have extremely cut back on our budget. However, we both still get "blow money" each week. (If you don't know what that is, ask Dave Ramsey.) And some of mine goes to Birchbox every month. Essentially, Birchbox is a company that sends you a box of beauty samples each month. Typically, one of the five or so samples is nearly full-size. Often a little sample of food is included as well. It's so fun to try out different hair, skin, body, and nail products. I've not ended up purchasing any full size product as a result of trying it through Birchbox yet, although there are one or two things I might be interested in.

2. HAAN SI-60 Multi-Level Steamer

This steamer is fantastic. While I despise cleaning in general, I hate "mopping" floors the least. (The first run through with the vacuum is still far down on my list, however.) Anyway, I hesitate to say it, but I almost look forward to steaming the floor with this bad boy. What I love is that it not only cleans, it sterilizes. So far I've used it on the kitchen and bathroom tile floors. It has a lower steam level that is supposed to work on hard wood as well, but I'm a little nervous to use it on our hardwood, as I don't think it's completely sealed. There's also an attachment for use on carpet. And I'm looking forward to cleaning our rugs also.

3. This book...

...is so good. I've mentioned it several times on the blog already. Everyone should read it. It has made me re-think so much about all of the excess in my life. I'd like to go back and read it again, and make a real plan for simplifying these seven areas in my own life.

4.  Going to Iowa for my sister's wedding.

(Rehearsal dinner with sister Callie and brother Jesse)

We had such a fun (and very busy) trip to Des Moines for Callie and Dustin's wedding. Everything was lovely, and it was such a joy to celebrate with them. We also got to meet our nephew Isaac for the first time!

5. This blog.

This girl is so creative and passionate. Love her style and sincerity.

#2

Um, not Baby #2. Come on.

The other #2. The kind you push out. Wait.

Let's just say it. Poop.

When we got back from Iowa in the mid-March, we bought potty seat (to go on top of our toilet seat), as well as a book called Potty, because Asher had been showing signs that he knew he needed his diaper changed. Like he would give me a clean diaper, bring me his changing pad, unfold it, and lay down.

I am happy to report that today was Asher's 5th consecutive day of going #2 on the potty before his nap!

He sits on the potty other times throughout the day, as well. But no other time is as consistent as his 1:00 poop. He knows that we're very proud of him. We cheer and clap when we hear a plop. He's gotten to be pretty proud of himself as well. Each time he hears it, he yells "POTTY!!!!" And grins ear to ear.