My AMAZING Christmas gift ... (the video actually works now!)

In case you're looking for a Monday Minute, I wanted to let you guys know ... there won't be one this week.

In my mind, it's still Christmas.  I'm with my family. My husband and I are spending time with loved ones: family and friends alike.  Sorry if you guys are mad, but I needed the break and we've been enjoying our time together.  Look here next week though, cause I'll be back in full force.

NOW on to the reason I posted today...one of my husband's gifts to me this year was awesome and I wanted to share and brag a little.  Actually, both of his gifts were pretty kick ass. He got me the Wii Fit for our new Wii.  LOVE the thing.  So flippin fun.  He's a creative little sucker too.  We have a monetary limit on our gifts because quite frankly it's all we can afford.  The Wii Fit is much more than that, but leave it to him ... he got the Amazon discount and got a new one for $50.  Dang that's talent.

But in addition to that, Evan always likes doing something sweet and superbly romantic as well.  And I'm such a SWEET wife that I let him do that every time. ; ) 

Behold his gift to me.  

I LOVED this gift.  As you guys know, I'm not a bare belly fan.  As much as some might disagree with me, I don't find the pregnant belly very beautiful.  Maybe that's because mine WASN'T beautiful.  It was just big ... my belly got HUMONGOUS as you can see.   But, we took these pictures for us to remember how quickly our girl was cookin in my belly and cause I constantly searched you tube to see "what will my  belly look like in _____ weeks?"

And, oh yeah, you can get jealous cause I know my husband is amazing.  It took him hours to put it all together.  I will always treasure it.

My favorite part?  The music selection.  Carrie Underwood's "American Girl" was a song that we started listening to when we got pregnant.  Evan always said he wanted a girl first and would play this song on repeat.  Once we found out we were indeed having a girl, that was on nearly nonstop until Liliana was born!

Ok, time to get dressed and go have a million more people tell us Liliana is "gorgeous."  Brilliant people in my opinion.

Merry Christmas or as my niece says "Miss"!

apparently that's how you combine the two words if you're a two year old. haha.

Happy 7 Month Birthday Liliana!

Liliana,

You are SEVEN months old today.  I can't believe it.  It's amazing the strides you've made in the last month, and to be completely honest, out of every month so far, this has BY FAR been my favorite with you.

 One of my favorite pictures this month, heck, one of my favorite EVER.

This month has allowed for LOTS of time just between us two and for lots of time with the family.  Daddy was out of town for nearly a week this month and it was just us two.  I must admit that at first I was TERRIFIED.  What if you didn't sleep well?  What if Mommy got completely exhausted?  But, you were AMAZING.  You slept your typical 11 hours straight, you went down for naps without a single tear, and we played so much together.  On the time that Daddy wasn't traveling for residency interviews, we were able to get a lot of family time in.  We had over TWENTY hours on a roadtrip and you were amazing throughout the entire thing.  You added 20 minutes to each trip for a feeding and THAT IS IT.  Yeah, that's really special Liliana.

 You are SO cute with bows in your hair.

You've really started developing preferences for things this month.  For instance, you'll eat ANYTHING that's put in front of you, but gnawing on cell phones would probably be your biggest passion right about now.  You get pretty upset when I take them away from you.  It's kind of funny to see how quickly you stop your crying when I put the cell phone back in front of you, but sorry to say, I don't give in.  It's hard not to give in when you want something, but we've both agreed that you can't always get what you want or you're going to soon start becoming a difficult baby instead of the world's easiest baby ever.

 Daddy took this shot.  You are simply a STUNNING baby.  We can't go ANYWHERE without a million people swooning all over you.

You know the phrase "growing like a weed?"  Well, you put that phrase to shame.  Your 6 month outfits are funny looking on you: the pants are so tight that they show every glorious roll on your legs and the shirts are middrifts and expose your cute belly button.  Recently, thanks to a few generous Lacefield family members, you got a HUGE amount of new 9 month clothing items.  Thank goodness they decided to buy you some clothes because you would have been out!  You're wearing mainly size 2 shoes, however, in certain brands you're requiring a size 3.  You wear size 3 diapers.  As for food, you're getting 6 oz. of formula every 4 hours and get one helping of rice cereal and veggies each day.  In a couple weeks here, we'll introduce you to fruit, but your pediatrician didn't want us doing that too early because he feared you wouldn't eat your veggies if we introduced the deliciousness that are fruits first.  I can't wait to give you apples!  Seeing you adore squash, sweet potatoes, and peas has me convinced you'll love your fruits too.

 You play with these blocks ALL the time.  They're your favorite.

As for your developmental milestones, you always kick them in the butt and never have us worrying.  You started sitting on your own before your 6 month birthday.  You grab items ANYWHERE that they are.  You'll roll around on the floor (which has me thinking we'll need a full time pack and play in the livingroom full time) until you get whatever it is you want to get your hands on.  You do push ups on your belly and scoot forward or backwards.  You're getting ready to crawl and frustrate yourself when you're not able to hold yourself up on all fours for long.  You've started walking backwards AND forwards in your walker.  We have to keep turning you around every couple minutes because you just get moving and grooving in that thing.

 Look at the cellulite on those legs! ; )

The two things that I would remember from this month though are: (1) growling and (2) laughing.  You GROWL.  Yeah, all the darn time.  It's so funny.  People get a kick out of it.  Also, you laugh at just about anybody and it's so contagious.  This upcoming month will be so special because we get to share a Christmas with you.  That alone will make it the best Christmas I've ever had.  I am so fortunate to be your Mommy.  Thank you for being the perfect baby.  I love you.  I love you more than I ever thought possible.

 Merry Christmas a few days early Liliana, and Happy 7 Months!

Love,

Mommy

Monday Minute 12/20/2010

Well, as I warned you guys about last week, I wasn't doing the Monday Minute this week.  This last week has been SO ridiculously busy.  We were out of town the entire time, driving approximately 20 hours, and feel pretty darn exhausted.  Let's just say I'm grateful the hilarious Powdered Toast Man is hosting and thrilled to have slept in until nearly 10 in our own bed.  Thank goodness we have the worlds best baby and she realized she should sleep in late too.  Glorious.

To link up this week, click HERE and answer his questions.  Next week though, the questions will resume here on Is There a Doctor in the House.

Questions

(1)  If you could invent a new animal, what two animals would you combine to create a new one? And what would be it's name?

(2) What is your least favorite sexual position?

(3) If you could ask Abraham Lincoln one question, what would it be?

(4) Would you rather be allergic to bacon or not be able to bathe for 6 months?

(5) Which would you rather have as a pet: penguin or giraffe? and why?

Answers

(1) This is actually a HORRIBLE answer because the name combo sucks and the result isn't this crazy combination either.  HOWEVER, I would want a Tea Cup Beagle.  Before you say "lame" behold...

 A teacup pig. Cute little things.  However, they stink.  But imagine...

This adorable beagle puppy could STAY this cute and tiny.  

Yes, I choose the teacup beagle as my animal.  And, if I could breed them, I would.

(2) Geesh, this one is a bit personal for this lady.  But, since I normally host this thing, it would be pretty messed up if I didn't answer huh?  The honest answer is super complicated positions.  When it starts getting more difficult than enjoyable that position makes its way to the "least favorites" category for me.

(3) Wow, this would be an amazing opportunity huh?  I think I would ask him if he's content with the progress we've made or if he's still surprised by the amounts of racism that still exist.  I would ask him if this is what he envisioned in the future, or if we're doing a crappy job.  I would probably not say crappy in front of him though...maybe I would say dismal.  Yes, are we doing a formidable job fulfilling your dream Mr. Lincoln, or have the results actually been quite dismal?  There ya have it, my fancy Lincoln question.

(4) I can't go ONE DAY without taking a shower or bath.  I know they say to wash your hair every other day because it's healthier, but I wash it every single day.  It feels so gross if I don't!  Therefore, this one's an easy one...FOR SURE, I would just be allergic to bacon. 

(5) Penguin!  For starters, they're cuter.  SECOND, does anybody have a roof that could fit them?  That would be a really tall house.  I just think the penguin would be more manageable.  Am I overanalyzing this?

Behold Liliana's new pets: Larry, Mo, and Curly.

See you guys next week!  Go link up with Powdered Toast Man!

Answers

Monday Minute 12/13/10

Hey there!  Hope you guys are having a wonderful week and are getting all geared up for Christmas.  A few housekeeping matters before you get your questions this week:

The wonderful Powdered Toast Man will be hosting next week because I'll be out of town for a few days next week and his helping me out is awesome.  Second, as usual: if you ever want to host, email me and let me know.  Also, remember that you can answer the questions in the comments if you don't want to devote a blog post or don't have time.  My hubby leaves a comment every week because his blog is closed while he interviews for residency spots, so trust me, you won't be alone!

ALRIGHT...for the Monday Minute!  Grab the button and link up!




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Questions

(1) Who is your favorite actor?

(2) Do you collect anything?

(3) What's the biggest turn off in someone of the opposite sex?

(4) If you HAD to change your first name, what would you change it to and why?

(5) What virtue is better: forgiveness or justice?

Answer

(1) Not only is my favorite actor HOT, but he's also an amazing actor.  Also, he's totally taken and faithful, which I love.  His movies are fantastic: the Bourne series AND Good Will Hunting?  He obviously chooses the good ones.  Last, did I mention he was hot? ; )

 Ladies and Gentleman: Mr. Matt Damon

(2) I don't collect anything anymore, yet when I was a kid, I collected:

BOUNCY BALLS!

Weird right?  I had at least 70 of them and also wanted them when I was around one of those quarter machines.  Now, they have the coolest ones at kids toy stores and I can't help but play for a little while...they're HUGE and filled with glitter.  Do you know which ones I'm talking about?  

Looking back on it, I'm surprised my Mom let me collect them.  That seems like a collection that can break a ton of stuff. 

(3) A smoker.  Yuck.  I hate the smell.  I could NEVER date a guy that smokes.  Fortunately, my husband NEVER has even tried a cigarette or anything of that nature in his life.  Pretty lungs equals a pretty man in my opinion.

(4) This one was tough.  However, I think I'd change it to Gabriella.  We were in between Liliana and Gabriella for our daughter's name and ultimately chose Liliana because that name felt right for her.  However, I think I kinda look like a Gabriella.  My middle name is Isabel, which I adore, but that's a really common name right now, so I'd rather not have that.  I do like my name though, I think my parents did a pretty darn good job.

(5) Tough question right!  Someone asked my husband this during an interview and I told him I would have been stumped on my explanation.  My answer is EASY: justice.  But, that's the lawyer in me.  I was taught for 3 years that justice is such an important thing to value.  However, I can't really explain why I think that's more important than forgiveness, other than to say that I think forgiveness is often shallow.  I am not very good at forgiving people.  It's a big flaw of mine.  Therefore, justice is more concrete, which is easier for me to handle.  Told you...tough answer to explain huh?  P.S. My husband said forgiveness.  He's wrong though. JK!

Well that's it!  Link up now ok?  Do as I say!

Keeping OFF the Baby Weight

As you guys know, I chronicled my journey through losing the baby weight, and while it wasn't easy in the slightest, it wasn't the worst thing I've experienced either.  It mainly took a lot of determination and hard work.  However, as you guys have probably already gathered from reading my posts and getting to know me, I never say no to a challenge, and...I never fail at them either.

Personally, for ME, the biggest challenge wasn't losing the baby weight, but making myself KEEP it off.  I saw losing the original baby weight as a job.  Every single day after work, I would go and work out for at least an hour.  And yes, this meant Liliana was at daycare longer, but personally, for me, losing the weight was very important.  I felt better as a woman, mom, and especially as a wife.  I wanted my husband to think I was a hot Momma, and he tells me I am ALL the time, so it makes every single mile on that treadmill more than worth it.  This is going to sound sexist, but I think it's important to keep trying to look good for our spouses.  We need to keep each other interested right? 

Plus, I had that gorgeous goal dress to get in to...that I did get in to, thank you very much!

When we got back from New York, I was kinda burned out.  I had been working out 5 - 6 times a week, at least an hour each time.  I  had been eating less, purposefully, for the first time in my life.  Before getting pregnant, I had always kept my weight right around where I wanted it.  I've been a size 4 since I can remember!  But, after making my goal weight, my body needed a break.  And, within a week, something hit me:

Keeping off the weight POST baby is much harder than it was PRE baby.

I had to rearrange the way I THOUGHT about food.  When I was pregnant, I ate when I was hungry.  At first, this made the weight come on really slowly, but once I was well in to my pregnancy, I was hungry all the damn time. 

I mean, look at this belly!  It needed LOTS of food to keep it that big!

THIS mind set of "I need to eat constantly"...THIS is the reason women have a tough time losing the baby weight. 

You have to TRAIN yourself NOT to let this happen. 

Go back to thinking, "Do I NEED this?"

For me, this transition took AT LEAST a month.  I would find myself having snacks for no apparent reason, or drinking a soda simply because I had gotten addicted while studying for my bar exam.  I still eat whatever I want. I eat ice cream, pizza, etc.  And, I'm not just saying that.  I eat unhealthy. I always have.  I HATE veggies.  I just don't eat more than I need to.  I don't go back for seconds.  Really, do we ever NEED seconds?

Personally, I don't really believe in eating all the low-cal stuff.   Because in general, to me, it tastes like shit.  I just eat ONE cookie for dessert.  In my opinion, it's better than TWO of the diet ones.  But, that might be just me.

Now, I eat when I'm hungry.  I NEVER deprive myself of something when I'm truly hungry.  I still work out about 4 times a week, about 45 minutes each time.  I would love to do more, but by the time those 45 minutes are up, I'm ITCHING to go and pick up my baby girl.  So, I let myself do that.  As long as I keep that weight where it's supposed to be, then I'm ok and I give myself the flexibility and happiness to do what I want otherwise.

I have proudly kept off the baby weight and according to my husband, my body has never looked better.  One thing though, in case some of you were wondering...my linea negra?  It's still there, in FULL force.  I have LOTS and LOTS of that Hispanic blood in me, what can I say?  I mean, it's a give and take.  I get the linea negra, but I have a pretty superb ass. ; )

Another thing I want some women to know, other than the "retraining" yourself thing, is that the statement that your body will never go back to being the same does definitely hold some truth to it.  While I am in all my prepregnancy clothes (because I always said I would never let myself buy another wardrobe because then I was accepting defeat), my body does look a little different.  My curves are more accentuated, my boobs are bigger YET saggier, and like I said, that linea negra can be seen from a mile away.

I've tried my best to EMBRACE these changes.  As long as I keep truckin, keep working out, and keep telling myself to eat only what's necessary, I'm happy with my postbaby body. 

* Addendum to this post:  After reading this post, I make it sound EASY to lose the baby weight and that sounds INCREDIBLY insensitive to women that are having a tough time.  It is NOT easy to lose it.  I worked out like a MAD woman when I was at the gym.  I pushed myself A LOT.  The point of this post is only to help people that already HAVE lost it to KEEP IT OFF!

You Can Thank Me Later ...

Since I've started my blog I've always promised that I'd give some of my favorite recipes, and to date, I've only shared four I think.  I know, lame.

But finally I just told myself "they HAVE to know about these."  There are these cookies that have slowly but surely become my "go to."

It all started a couple months ago when I saw a blog post entitled "Smores Chocolate Chip Cookies."

Hmm...I was intrigued.

And then I saw the ingredients: four of em.  That's it.  Four stinkin ingredients?

I was further intrigued.  So I made 'em.  And I ate 'em.  Lots of 'em.  And Evan?  He ate even more of them.

We rejoiced, unbuttoned our pants from all we ate, and I knew I would have to share this recipe with you guys.

So, without further ado:

Let's make us some Smores Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Step 1:  Pre-heat your oven to 350.  

Step 2: In the mean time, pull out the following four ingredients:
(1) 1 standard sized roll of Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie dough.
(2) 1 king size bar of Hershey's Milk Chocolate
(3) 1 box of Graham Crackers (you'll need about 2 sheets of them)
(4) 1 bag of mini marshmallows (you'll need about 24 - 36 total)

Step 3:  Take a muffin pan and spray it with Pam really well.  


Step 4: cut the roll of cookie dough in to 12 slices and press each slice (with your hands) in to the muffin pan like so:

Step 5: Take a piece of chocolate and break it in to two.  Put them in to the pan and kinda squeeze them in to the dough.

Step 6: Take either two or three marshmallows and throw them in each muffin spot.  (note: I prefer two, my husband prefers 3, so take your pick)

Step 7: Break up the Graham crackers and drizzle some on top of each.

Step 8: Bake in the oven for 11 to 13 minutes.  Cool, and then TRY to enjoy!

Step 9: Yell at your dog for trying to eat the cookies!

Step 10: after dog is quarantined from the kitchen, for real enjoy.  And, if you want to, share, but I don't think it'll be very successful.

Can you say YUMMMMMY?

Monday Minute 12/6/10

Hi blog readers!  Hope everyone is getting in to the Christmas spirit and all done decorating their houses.  I LOVE the lights on everyone's homes.  They have a neighborhood here that times a light show to the Transsiberian Orchestra.  You can bet we'll be seeing that!   ANYWAY, on to the point of this post eh?




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I got EVEN MORE suggestions for questions this week: you guys are awesome.  But, if you guys ever want to host or have some more suggestions, just email  me.

Questions

(1) Who would play you in a movie?

(2) Are you a good speller?

(3) Have you/ do you smoke cigarettes?

(4) Have you ever won a trophy?

(5) Have you ever written (or started to write) a book?

Answers

(1) I don't know the answer to my own freakin question.  However, I'll tell you who people say are my dopplegangers.  One of them is a total and complete honor, but it's also complete bull crap because I'm not even a tenth of that pretty. My husband says I look kinda like: Mandy Moore.

Sorry honey, but you're crazy.  Mandy is flippin hot.

The other...well, my kiddos told me I look like...Idina Menzel (she was on Glee, in Wicked, and in Rent).

The truth of the matter, no offense to Idina, is that I think my eighth grade students are totally CRAZY.  I don't look anything like her!

So, in my opinion...I don't look like anybody, so can I play myself by chance?  I'll take acting lessons, I promise!

(2) In general, yes I am.  In fact, it drives me BONKERS when people misuse or misspell certain words.  For instance, to and too.  Use them correctly PLEASE.  Also, and this one gets me more than ANY OTHER one...your and you're.  This one shouldn't be difficult, but people mess it up all the time.  This sounds cruel, but when people mess these up, I automatically think they could use some elementary grammar lessons.

(3) Honest answer: NEVER even tried one.  I HATE the smell of cigarettes.  It's a horrible habit.

(4) In middle school I won quite a few for basketball and volleyball...not braggin, but you are reading the blog of your MVP people!  That's right, I competed with a whopping 14 other people. haha.

(5) No I haven't.  I wrote so damn much in law school that a blog is all the writing I could handle.  My husband, however, has started quite a few.  He has, what I consider (completely unbiased by the way) the best first 10 paragraphs I have ever seen. ; )

That's it for now!  

Now LINK UP and go read others answers.  

 Have a fabulous week!

It's CHRISTMAS CARD Time!

Since Evan and I became a "Mr. and Mrs." I've been big about sending Christmas cards.  I don't know why, but I LOVE sending them out.  I always write a letter updating people on our lives (as if they care right?) and we take a cutie picture.  Wanna see our pictures past?

Our first Christmas card:

 Our first Christmas card was your typical card...a new married couple with their cute puppy and a very sparse tree in the background.  We have since accumulated another 100 ornaments AT LEAST. 

Our second Christmas card:

 In our second year we got another dog: Maggie.  Unfortunately, we gave Maggie away after a year.  I'm so glad we took this picture for memories sake.  We took this picture at one of our favorite neighborhoods in the city.  Still though ... just the two of us!

Our third Christmas card:

Last year, we took the picture in the courtroom at our law school since I would be graduating a few short months later.  And Evan, the soon to be doctor, has his stethoscope on my pregnant belly!  I was about 15 weeks in this picture.  This was my favorite Christmas card of the three.

This year, I've already been roaming around the Shutterfly website for ideas.  I just ordered A BUNCH of stuff from them yesterday and plan on having them do our Christmas cards too.  The only problem?  I can't decide which photo card I want! I'm being ultra picky because this year because we have this amazing darling to add to the picture:

While perusing through the website, I found THESE.  Aren't they the cutest darn thing you've ever seen?  I might have to order some of these or make myself a Liliana calendar!

Back to the original point of this post: I LOVE Christmas card time!  I'm in between the following three...

Which is your favorite?  I can't choose!!  Just remember...this DARLING ANGEL will be in every single picture! ; )