Happy 5th birthday, Karoline

 

Sweet Karoline, up until now every birthday you've had has been exciting for me. I was thrilled when you turned one. Dazed when you were two (I had just had your sister). Three, you were precious as could be. Four was a blessing, you were such a big helper. Here we are sitting at five. I can't hardly take it and today I'm having a hard time. Because, you see, five is a whole hand. Five is a legitimate kid. I have a five year old kid. Now more than ever I'm wishing I could turn back the time and experience your first few years again. I know that all the years to come will only increase that feeling. I love you so much my sweet Karoline Christelle. Knowing that I'm a better mom now than when you were born eases this pain. Now I know to soak up these years to come. "They go fast," is an understatement. 

The last year has brought so much change for you. I could brag on you all day to anyone who would listen. You, my darling, are exceptional. I have no doubt that you could run our house and keep everything in order all the while infusing your own flair and fun into the mix. 

Most notably this year you went to school, pre-K. I cried when I dropped you off the first four times. I thought seriously about not making you go when you cried. We made it through and my did you grow. You learned more than I could have imagined, you enjoyed a variety of snacks you hadn't had before and you made friends. My favorite review from your end of the year conference was that you are a good friend to all. Oh sweet girl, how I love that about you.

First day of school and last day of school, eight months apart.

Your Pre-K graduation

This year you and you sister played, really played. There were moments that I uttered that you both didn't need me. The bond the two of you share is one of my favorite things to watch. 

We took countless trips to the butterfly pavilion this year.

Your fifth birthday party was at the park, you didn't want to leave!

My prayer for you, in this fifth year, is that you may continue to learn, grow and share your gentle spirit with all you encounter. 

I love you more with each passing day.

Love, 

Mama

  

Shopping

Today I took the girls shopping. This is super rare for us. Even more uncommon is a trip just for the girls, and hardly ever for "frivolous" shopping. 

They had saved their money for a few months and decided they wanted little purses. The little purses will allow for them to take their money for the church offering. This way they don't have to have pockets or try to hold onto it for an hour. 

Watching them shop was downright fun for me. Having girls I looked forward to these days and today did not disappoint. They knew we were there just for purses and were ok to look, touch (after asking) and put things back other things. 

Imagine their surprise when they found out they could pick another two things (darn buy 3, get 3 free). 

  

      Karoline told me thank you for taking them shopping and that she really loved me. Alexandra followed her example. I won't be caught buying their love, but today was a good day. 

To Be Good at Something

This is something that has bothered me before. I might have even blogged about it in the past. Right now it's fresh and on my mind.

I want to be successful. I want to be good at something.

For some reason it's not there. I don't have one thing that I do that I want to get better at or grow into. I'm comforted when I see the memes out there that state that a lot of commonly known names didn't get their start of first break until later in life. Maybe I'll have better luck in my 30s figuring out what it is I want to do and be good at. More than just decluttering and organizing my house.

I want more for myself but what is the more? I don't know.

I have a "fancy" camera and I haven't taken the time to figure out how to use it. I have a sewing machine that I can use but I haven't used it for more than simple projects. I have a blog but I don't promote it.

Figuring out what it is I want to do and putting effort into that something is heavy on my heart.

A lot of my energy goes into my girls and being a good mom. I am not always successful in my parenting but I give it a good shot. However, I know it is possible to be a good parent and have a focus that I enjoy as well.

Mom, am I three?

My joyful Alexandra,

This morning I heard your door open and out you walked asking, "Mom, am I three?" Yes, you are THREE.

As I went to bed last night I remembered around that time when I was in labor with you I got an epidural because you were showing NO signs of making your appearance. As fate would have it you were born the following day, via C-section at 8:52 in the morning.

Here we are, three years later. Our lives are more than blessed by your addition to our family.

In the last year you've gown so much, your hair hasn't (I'm sorry you got my extremely slow growing hair). You did get your dads "tan for the whole stinking summer" in 20 minutes of being outside in the spring, you lucky girl you.

• You still love your blanket but know it has to stay in your room
• Your favorite foods are almond flour pancakes, cutie oranges (some days) and ice cream
• You get yourself completely ready every day (you have been known to leave the house without socks under your tennis shoes)
• You know a few letters
• You know most your colors but do not like to perform them
• You can count to 14
• Just a few minutes ago you proclaimed to me that you're three so you can now have coffee (your taste buds are far beyond your years)

My darling girl in this last year you have become such a compassionate child. You will willingly give the last of your snack to anyone who looks like they might need it. If there's only one color of a treat left you will offer it to your sister before taking it. You have a kind heart. We are so proud of you. 

This photo is one that I thought I lost or didn't get taken about 10 times. So I'm putting it here to make extra sure that doesn't happen... again!

 I think you look so much like your Papa Joe here... it might be the lack of hair ;)

Birthday morning!

    

Birthday dress!

Family Time

The girls and I haven't been to Cañon City in over 4 months. I am so thankful for nice weather that made the trip just wonderful! I love my home town but I almost refuse to go visit unless it is warm enough for us to be outside. Thankfully in Southern Colorado the weather is more mild. The last few days were exceptionally nice and we had lots of adventures! Tim and I even got to go out on a sushi date. Having grandparents around to watch the girls is a true blessing.

 

Karolines likes the golf cart more than her golf clubs. She liked the donut that Ricky Day, the pro shop manager I've known since I was Karoline's age, gave her even more ...

 

 

 

I can't hit my brothers new clubs. He's pretty amazing though.

 

I got to go meet new baby Brady Baughman (I was too busy holding him to take pictures) while super Papa watched the girls.

 

The girls got to do Yoga at Nana's school. I love watching my mom with the kids at her school. She has a place in her heart for all of them.

 

My parents watched the girls so I could go get my hair done. This is my first "cut" -not just a trim- in 20 years (I hate that I'm old enough to say 20 years)! This wasn't my plan, I LOVE my long hair but apparently you have to get it done more than once a year to avoid split ends for up to 6" of hair. Thank you, Jan for taking care of me!

After getting my hair done I went next door to our CPA's office. While waiting I knew I recognized the voice on the other side of the door. When it opened, sure enough, it was the mom of a friend that I grew up golfing with. She gave me such a genuine and sweet hug, I haven't seen her in over 10 years. I loved it. These are the small town moments that make me miss "home" and make me even more thankful that we are only a two and a half hour drive away. 

Whole30 Recap

On January 3rd, Tim and I started the Whole30 program. In short, the diet is 30 days long and you do not eat any of the following:

• Processed foods
• Sugar or sweeteners (including honey)
• Soy
• Legumes
• Dairy
• Grains
• Peanuts
• Alcohol

Before starting the program we had really cut down on our processed food and dairy consumption. As a family we really don't eat a lot of added sugar outside of special occasions. We thought we would do pretty well with the diet but didn't have any major expectations. 

 

Our results ...

Tim lost 15 pounds over the course of the 30 days, I lost seven. Around day 14 he felt really good and definitely noticed a difference in his body's ability to fight off cold/flu symptoms (he does not have a spleen so usually a cold ends with antibiotics). During the program he was able to fight two colds on his own. Both of us felt like our best days were days 10-20. In that time frame we had quite a bit of energy and were happy to continue on the program. I noticed that I no longer had any bumps on the back of my arms at this time, a pretty tell tale sign of allergies. 

On any given day we would mention something that sounded good to eat. We never gave in though. I did not realize how many times I take a bite of what I'm preparing for the girls or finish off their food for them. Honestly, I think those calories were probably enough to equal a full size snack on a daily basis. Days 20-30 we both started to feel like we would rather not eat than come up with things that we could eat. Meal planning was pretty vital and when I didn't take the time to do so it became a bit frustrating. 

I missed rice the most, Tim missed bread. 

Prior to the program Tim knew he had a confirmed milk allergy. However, he would still have milk from time to time. A few mornings after finishing the Whole30 he wanted to try a small bit of milk in his coffee. I added maybe two tablespoons to his coffee and with the first sip he was able to feel his throat getting itchy. By not having any milk for 30 days it really seemed to amplify the allergy.

As for me post Whole30, I haven't noticed when things effect me negatively. But, I haven't consumed a large amount of anything not Whole30 in one setting either. I also ended up with a sinus infection right after the program and have just felt kinda crummy over all. That's made it hard to tell if my low energy days are from adding in foods to my diet or from fighting the infection. One thing I know for sure, I feel really guilty when I do eat things that aren't Whole30 approved now. Mostly sugars and processed foods. I don't think that's a bad thing but, I do need to find a balance in what I think is ok for me. I have three pounds to go to get to my goal (pre-kid) weight. Once my sinus infection clears up I'm hoping that three pounds will drop off with the addition of exercise. Ashamedly I did not exercise at all while on the Whole30. Meal planning took all of the extra energy I had and unfortunately it takes A LOT to motivate me to work out. Even though I always feel great after and I'm glad I did it when I do. 

Would I do the Whole30 again? No, I would do a Whole20. At 20 days I felt good and had lost all the weight that I would loose in the 30 days. Tim would not do it again. He says he now knows what he needs to cut out and would just stick to eating more protein and less processed foods to loose extra weight. Apparently I need a goal and a reason to avoid the roll of IKEA cookies that are in my pantry.  Not sure how those ended up in my house, a weak moment before the program I suppose. 

I think this is a great way for people to realize how food effects them on the physical and emotional side. I'm definitely an emotional and bored eater. I'm trying to focus in on that now and not eat when I am not hungry. 

Have you done a Whole30? How did you "come off" the diet? Share your tips in the comments! 

Warm Winter Days

I needed today. I don't think I realized just how much I missed that warm summer sun. My soul has been beyond happy with two extremely warm winter days in a row.

Tim and I often joke about selling everything we own and moving to Hawaii. On several occasions we have come really close to making that happen. I'm pretty sure we are confusing the tar out of Karoline with our constant talk about moving. We love our house and neighborhood so we will stay put for a while. Ask me again how I feel next time it snows. Chances are I'll be looking at my daily email from Zillow showcasing houses in Hawaii.

Growing up in Southern Colorado, I'm became accustomed to mild winter weather. Since moving to North/West Denver I feel like winters have a real chill to them. It tends to stick around well into late spring. Who would have thought a two and a half hour drive north could make such a big difference?! I feel like this is the perfect place for Game of Thrones joke but it's not coming to me ...

 

For now I will take all the warm days I get. So will the girls, it's currently 75° and I'm dreading going inside to make dinner. 

 

So, I'll take a shameless messy (extremely dry and brittle) hair selfie. Loving my new Juicy sunglasses: $9.99, courtesy of TJ Maxx.