Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Sight Word Parking Lot
I got this idea from Pinterest, but I added the words to the cars. My four year old I nanny just LOVES cars!! So anytime I can make something educational relate to cars I do it! My only suggestion would be to make sure you don't have the words on the parking lot the same color as the ones on the cars. They will only look at the colors and not the actual words. I used words we are working on and made the words on the cars black. If you don't use words on the cars you can just say, "Can you park this car on the word THE?" And so on... Have fun!!
Some Valentine crafts...more to come!
I love Valentine's Day! Not because of date night, flowers, or gifts...but for all the reasons I loved it when I was young. Making valentines, doing crafts, and all the rest that goes with it! I think the colors and hearts just make me happy...
Anyway!!! Here are some of the crafts we did today...
Hats out of paper plates. The four year old I nanny decorated his, but I made the babies'. So cute!
Toilet paper roll heart art...
I love baby footprints!! These are the twins' prints...boy is red, girl is pink.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Loving my post-baby body! Seriously!
As I got on the scale this morning I was excited to be down a couple pounds. With this Minnesota weather it seems all there is to do is eat comfort food and watch series on Netflix. (We are in season 6 of Dexter...almost over- we better start deciding what's next!) I had been trying to be cautious of what I ate the past couple days so I was happy it actually did something.
Right now I am pretty happy with my body. I am 2 pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight and only about 10 pounds from my lowest ever. Before Mckenna I still wouldn't be satisfied right now, but for the first time in a long time I am perfectly happy with my body. Maybe it's because I've gained 40 pounds, been miserable and uncomfortable and then lost it all...or maybe it's because it doesn't seem to be such a big deal anymore.
Now don't get me wrong I'm not a person who can say she doesn't care about my appearance. I'm most comfortable in sweats, but still believe when I get ready and dressed for the day I feel a lot better about myself. When I don't feel good about myself I am crabbier and a lot more irritable. (Hopefully I'm not the only one) I think it's important to work out and take care of yourself. I am not a mom who could just "let myself go" either. (People might have thought I did during Mckenna's first few months...because who has the time to put make-up on, or sometimes even get in a quick shower!) But I do feel it's important for us moms to take care of ourselves, even with our crazy busy lives.
But let's get back to why I'm actually happy with my body. To understand that I unfortunately have to share a little bit about my past. I have had issues with body image since about 7th grade. I was always tall for my age and never a size zero like all my middle school aged friends. I had wider hips and a little extra meat on my bones. But the worst part is what I SAW was an obese teenage girl in the mirror. There is no doubt in my mind I had a warped idea of what I actually looked like. I was bigger built, but not many would even consider me fat or unhealthy looking. Despite my parents telling me only positive things about my body I believed it needed a lot of work. I was always on some kind of diet from 7th grade all through high school. For a year in high school I even had an eating disorder to go along with all this. Talk about a nightmare for my parents (especially my mom). I already have been praying Mckenna doesn't go through this when she's older.
Right now my body is not toned, not perfect, and I still don't wear my goal dress size. BUT what I've realized is my body was not made to look perfect in a form fitted dress, or to walk any type of runway in a bathing suit. My body was made by God to be strong, to play sports, and most importantly right now to get down on my hands and knees and play with my 10 month old daughter. I want to stay healthy so I can keep up with her this spring when she's running around outside (if it ever warms up!) I don't lift weights right now, but I lug around a 30 pound car seat every day and it keeps me strong. I play with Kenna all day long and am exhausted at night. She is the reason I want to take care of myself.
When I got pregnant my goal was to be able to wear a two-piece this summer. Well, I might be able to do it, and I might buy one...but I do know I will be buying a one-piece, too. Because it's going to be a lot more comfortable when I'm playing at the beach with the most special girl I've ever known. And that is a whole lot more important!
Right now I am pretty happy with my body. I am 2 pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight and only about 10 pounds from my lowest ever. Before Mckenna I still wouldn't be satisfied right now, but for the first time in a long time I am perfectly happy with my body. Maybe it's because I've gained 40 pounds, been miserable and uncomfortable and then lost it all...or maybe it's because it doesn't seem to be such a big deal anymore.
Now don't get me wrong I'm not a person who can say she doesn't care about my appearance. I'm most comfortable in sweats, but still believe when I get ready and dressed for the day I feel a lot better about myself. When I don't feel good about myself I am crabbier and a lot more irritable. (Hopefully I'm not the only one) I think it's important to work out and take care of yourself. I am not a mom who could just "let myself go" either. (People might have thought I did during Mckenna's first few months...because who has the time to put make-up on, or sometimes even get in a quick shower!) But I do feel it's important for us moms to take care of ourselves, even with our crazy busy lives.
But let's get back to why I'm actually happy with my body. To understand that I unfortunately have to share a little bit about my past. I have had issues with body image since about 7th grade. I was always tall for my age and never a size zero like all my middle school aged friends. I had wider hips and a little extra meat on my bones. But the worst part is what I SAW was an obese teenage girl in the mirror. There is no doubt in my mind I had a warped idea of what I actually looked like. I was bigger built, but not many would even consider me fat or unhealthy looking. Despite my parents telling me only positive things about my body I believed it needed a lot of work. I was always on some kind of diet from 7th grade all through high school. For a year in high school I even had an eating disorder to go along with all this. Talk about a nightmare for my parents (especially my mom). I already have been praying Mckenna doesn't go through this when she's older.
Right now my body is not toned, not perfect, and I still don't wear my goal dress size. BUT what I've realized is my body was not made to look perfect in a form fitted dress, or to walk any type of runway in a bathing suit. My body was made by God to be strong, to play sports, and most importantly right now to get down on my hands and knees and play with my 10 month old daughter. I want to stay healthy so I can keep up with her this spring when she's running around outside (if it ever warms up!) I don't lift weights right now, but I lug around a 30 pound car seat every day and it keeps me strong. I play with Kenna all day long and am exhausted at night. She is the reason I want to take care of myself.
When I got pregnant my goal was to be able to wear a two-piece this summer. Well, I might be able to do it, and I might buy one...but I do know I will be buying a one-piece, too. Because it's going to be a lot more comfortable when I'm playing at the beach with the most special girl I've ever known. And that is a whole lot more important!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Too fast!!!
Kenna turned 10 months old this month and I'm not usually one to get emotional over birthdays, especially my own, but the more I think about her turning one the sadder I get. Yes, I am loving all the milestones and seeing her personality develop, but I can't believe how fast it goes! It's so cliche, but so true!! She started walking this month and she is so proud. It's amazing how exciting every little thing is for us as parents. She loves finger food and turns her nose to most puréed food (that was SOOO yesterday, right Mckenna?!) She understands words like, dadda, clap, dance, ball, baby, and so many more I'm sure. It's so fun to communicate with her more every week. But, God willing, when we have a second baby I will love having an infant around again. Tonight we gave her spaghetti and let her just get after it...I think her cake smash will be fun in just a few more weeks!
Saturday, January 4, 2014
I didn't take any pictures! On purpose :)
We took Mckenna to Underwater World at Mall of America last week and I purposely didn't take one picture. I realized I caught more than usual because I got to study her and see her completely intrigued by the fish swimming all around her for the first time. I noticed the simple wonder that was going on in that little brain of hers. She was as cute as ever and I know I will never forget that first trip. I don't have a picture to remember it by, but I know the memory was clearer than ever!
We all try to capture the firsts. We whip out our smart phones and put a screen between us and the little miracle. I've started realizing that a lot can be missed with that little gadget interfering. I fall into the trap of feeling like I need to document every little thing, as we all do, (especially with firstborns I've heard) but I am really trying to work on this. First enjoy the moment. Mckenna also just started learning to pass a ball back and forth. She holds it above her head and "bounce passes" her mini basketball to me. (Something I am SOOO proud of being a former basketball player myself) The first time she did it I told Mark to quickly grab his phone. He said, "just enjoy it." And so I did. A couple days later she did it again and we videotaped it for us to send it to some family and friends. It just makes way more sense. We have it to show her someday, but it was so fun to just have a family moment the first time. So if someday in the next month I post Kenna's first steps just know they might be the second...or third...but I think that's just fine. :)
We all try to capture the firsts. We whip out our smart phones and put a screen between us and the little miracle. I've started realizing that a lot can be missed with that little gadget interfering. I fall into the trap of feeling like I need to document every little thing, as we all do, (especially with firstborns I've heard) but I am really trying to work on this. First enjoy the moment. Mckenna also just started learning to pass a ball back and forth. She holds it above her head and "bounce passes" her mini basketball to me. (Something I am SOOO proud of being a former basketball player myself) The first time she did it I told Mark to quickly grab his phone. He said, "just enjoy it." And so I did. A couple days later she did it again and we videotaped it for us to send it to some family and friends. It just makes way more sense. We have it to show her someday, but it was so fun to just have a family moment the first time. So if someday in the next month I post Kenna's first steps just know they might be the second...or third...but I think that's just fine. :)
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!!
As usual Christmas was wonderful! It's my favorite season and I always try to focus on the important things. First- the reason for the season Jesus Christ! One of my favorite traditions is going to the Christmas Eve night service and being reminded of the amazing story of baby Jesus. There's something about singing Christmas songs in the dark surrounded by candle light that just puts life in perspective and somehow makes me feel so small...in a good way. Mckenna was asleep for most of the sermon (as usual) but woke up at the end. As most Christmas services do, we ended singing Silent Night. Ever since my grandma died a few years ago I always get very emotional during this song. I picture her sitting next to me in church and for some reason picture her holding my hand like she used to. With one hand on top and one underneath mine. Well I started getting teary-eyed when Mckenna (as if she knew it's what I needed) stood up on my lap and started clapping. (Yes- to Silent Night) It was one of those good distractions that caused me to smile and helped me stop crying.
We celebrate Christmas on my side at my parents house on Christmas Eve and then on my husband's side Christmas Day. Both are less than ten minutes from our house which makes it very nice! We get to spend a lot of quality time with family! Here are a few pictures from my side of the family and of Mckenna at home playing with her many new toys! She is very loved indeed!
As usual Christmas was wonderful! It's my favorite season and I always try to focus on the important things. First- the reason for the season Jesus Christ! One of my favorite traditions is going to the Christmas Eve night service and being reminded of the amazing story of baby Jesus. There's something about singing Christmas songs in the dark surrounded by candle light that just puts life in perspective and somehow makes me feel so small...in a good way. Mckenna was asleep for most of the sermon (as usual) but woke up at the end. As most Christmas services do, we ended singing Silent Night. Ever since my grandma died a few years ago I always get very emotional during this song. I picture her sitting next to me in church and for some reason picture her holding my hand like she used to. With one hand on top and one underneath mine. Well I started getting teary-eyed when Mckenna (as if she knew it's what I needed) stood up on my lap and started clapping. (Yes- to Silent Night) It was one of those good distractions that caused me to smile and helped me stop crying.
We celebrate Christmas on my side at my parents house on Christmas Eve and then on my husband's side Christmas Day. Both are less than ten minutes from our house which makes it very nice! We get to spend a lot of quality time with family! Here are a few pictures from my side of the family and of Mckenna at home playing with her many new toys! She is very loved indeed!
Cookie decorating
She likes frosting! There's more where that came from in a couple months!
Our little family
Schultz side
And to all a good night!
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