Katie had a baby!

Ok, so I am way behind on this post. But that sure doesn't meant that I wasn't totally excited to welcome my first nephew into this world! Jack Michael James was born to Mike and Katie on July 19th and was 8 lbs, 13 oz (guess Katie is taking after me with big babies!).

And man... is he cute.

Katie and little Jack! (I stole these form Katie's facebook so the quality is junk, but you get the idea...)



Mike & Jack





Doesn't he look like the giant turtle from The Neverending Story right before he had to sneeze?



Now, the question is, when is the soonest I can get passports for Blake and Syd and make it to Canada to squeeze him! Not soon enough!

Grant and I got our passports this past week. Very exciting for some odd reason. It is the first passport I have ever had and I hope to make good use of it during my lifetime. Grant and I are trying to plan a week in Canada to visit my family in August. It will be a busy month with that, preparation for school starting and I have my first real wedding shoot coming up soon!

I have lost two more pounds and received my new training schedule. All I can say is OH MY WORD. It looks a little more like BOOT CAMP to me. I have no idea if I can do it but I am sure going to try!

More posts coming. I have another healthy recipe and hopefully some pics. But right now, I have to go wrangle some rugrats!

Yummy & Healthy

We had Southwest Pork Chops and Rice for dinner tonight. I have been searching for easy, healthy, low-fat recipes that I can make for my entire family so that I am not stuck eating something different. It is better for them too anyway!

This was a winner. A lot of low-fat recipes also tend to be low-flavor but this had great flavor and I will definitely make it again. Dave really loved it and the kids did pretty well although Syd didn't eat any of the tomatoes. I found it on Kraftfoods.com.

Southwest Pork Chops and Rice



1 cup each: chopped green peppers and onions (I used a red pepper because I didn't have green. I think I prefer it that way!)

4 bone-in pork chops (1-1/2 lb.), 1/2 inch thick (I used boneless, thin cut pork chops which brings the calories down even more)

1/2 tsp. each chili powder and garlic salt

1 can (16 oz.) kidney beans, drained, rinsed

1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained

3/4 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese (you could used reduced fat cheese to lower the calorie count even more)

2 cups hot cooked brown rice

Make It!

HEAT large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat. Add peppers and onions; cook 5 min. or until crisp-tender. Meanwhile, rub both sides of chops with combined seasonings.

ADD chops to skillet; cook 2 to 3 min. on each side or until browned. Add beans and tomatoes; cover. Cook on medium-low heat 5 min. or until chops are done (160ºF).

TOP with cheese; cook, covered, 2 to 3 min. or until melted. Serve over rice.

This makes enough to service two or three adults and a couple kids. Or two adults and three + kids

480 calories (or even less if you use thin cut pork chops and reduced fat cheese)
9 g. of fiber! Woohoo!
40 g. protein

Close to target!

Well, my total weight loss so far is now 16 lbs (more if you count when I originally started trying). This means I am only 2 lbs away from my first "Target". I have three targets. Where I was before Grant, where I was before Syd, and where I was before marriage - my ultimate goal.

And I feel SO great about it. Don't get me wrong, I still HATE working out, although I am starting to enjoy morning runs (with speed walking thrown in when I can't run anymore) more and more.

I definitely have more energy, and this week, have been starting to sleep better (when I first started, I found I couldn't sleep at night). And I am noticing great results already in how my clothes are fitting. And I am still so EXCITED!

Right now, my program consists of three strength training type workouts per week and then 2-3 morning runs/walks.

My diet, well... it is boring. I do allow myself an occasional treat. There is just no way I could cut everything out entirely. I am trying to limit the treats to once, twice (definitely no more than three) times a week, and cutting back on how MUCH of that I eat when I do.

Most days I eat the same things. A typical day would be something like this:

Breakfast: hard boiled egg or two
Snack: whole wheat toast w/ natural peanut butter (although sometimes I switch this first snack and breakfast)
Lunch: 1 turkey on whole wheat sandwich w/ low fat mayo and 1 slice reduced fat cheese
Snack: A luna bar or fruit and cottage cheese, or a banana w/ natural peanut butter
Dinner: This varies quite a bit. On great days it will be a piece of chicken and lots of veggies
Snack: I skip this one a lot. But when I do allow myself a treat it is usually now.

I do miss cooking and baking. A lot. But the thought of being able to shop for clothes and actually enjoy it, or feel that old friend confidence return, override my desire for chocolate. And bread. And cake. And... you get the point.

I still feel like I am addicted to great food. I am just learning to get addicted to results and accomplishment instead!

I believe in the Arts.

When I was a teenager, I was involved in an "Arts" program that I would attend at a different school half a day before I took a taxi back to my regular high school. I studied ballet, jazz, drama, and vocal music, both solo and chorale.

It was and forever will be, one of the best experiences of my life. I miss it. I miss preforming and the amazing feelings being immersed in all of those classes and being among such wonderfully creative people gave me.

Thanks Jenny for sending this. The Arts ARE needed so badly in our school system. I truly believe they can help kids build a confidence in themselves that is hard pressed to find at such a young age. These kids are living proof. I love this!

Killing my diet, one calorie at a time.

What is killing my diet you ask? (don't worry Lindsey, not killing it as in dead - just doing some major damage the last couple days).

HOLY FLIP. I have found my favorite dessert. Ok, that isn't true, there are too many to choose from but these babies are definitely in the top 5.

Frosted Banana Bars. Recipe originally from Allrecipes.com



Oh my word. They are just the perfect amount of sweetness, and cream cheesy-ness and utterly yumminess. And just when I thought they couldn't get better, I put them in the fridge overnight. OH MY WORD.

I don't want to get your hopes up too much. I mean, they might not be your thing, you might try them and go "What's the big deal?", but for me? They are utter perfection. How about this instead of a birthday cake next year Mum? (Don't anyone think of making anymore for me this year or you won't be my friend).

What about my diet? Well, I am still on it, in fact, I am trying to make up for my naughtiness by eating very light for the rest of the day. And perhaps doing double duty on the exercise. Maybe skipping dinner all together.

Frosted Banana Bars

½ cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (I used three ripe bananas)
Frosting (use store-bought cream cheese frosting or make your own from the version below) I would definitely make your own.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 10 x 15 inch jellyroll pan or one 9X13 pan and an additional 8X8 pan. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; stir into the batter. Finally, mix in the mashed banana. Spread evenly into the prepared pan(s). Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely before frosting.

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 cup white sugar (you can use either granulated sugar or confectioners' sugar - the confectioners' sugar tends to dissolve better and not be as grainy but either one works fine)
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream (I didn't have any so I used extra creamy coolwhip - probably only half of a small tub so the frosting was a little thicker and spread a little thinner but it sure was yummy that way!)

In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Set aside. In another medium bowl, beat whipped cream until stiff peaks form (it helps to use a chilled bowl and chilled beaters). OR again, just skip that step and add your half tub of extra creamy cool whip. Fold whipped cream (or cool whip) into cream cheese mixture. Spread frosting and try not to murder your diet! Share with your neighbors!



As if that wasn't enough sweetness...



Took these yesterday on the porch. Holy eyeballs batman!

What Could Be Cuter?

Than a baby and a kitten? Not much.

I had given my husband the husband-like task of cleaning all the sage-brush and trash out of our window wells. It is windy out here, and so all the neighborhoods trash and massive amounts of brush seem to accumulate in them.

Dave was bent over, pulling out a kiddy pool that must have made it's way down in there some windy night, and all the sudden "ROWRRRRRHEESHGHHISSSSSSSSSS", (trying to capture the sound in text is not easy), a cat jumped straight up out of that window well and nearly into Dave's face. Dave said he had never been so scared in his life. His exact words were "I almost pooped my pants".

Once he had recovered from his near heart attack, he started moving more garbage and Blake discovered as he moved it there was a kitten! No wait, 2 kittens! No THREE!

There was a litter of kittens that must have been born in our window well. And they didn't look much more than a week old. And sooo cute.

There was a little black one, a little orange one and a little tan one, which was the smallest and Syd's favorite.

We took them out and put them in a box. The mom was sitting across the street staring at us, so we sat away from the box so she could go to her babies and know that they were ok.

That mother was wild as wild can be. Definitely a cat born into the wild. We decided to bring the kittens into the animal shelter. I called and they said they would place them with a surrogate mother and then fix them and adopt them out.

There are SO many wild and stray cats out in Eagle Mountain. I didn't want them to end up as road kill or starve, and their mother looked like she had quite the hard life herself. I am a big animal lover and feel this need to rescue. Unfortunately, Dave is allergic to cats. And doesn't like them anyway, but even he was taken in by these little darlings.



So, we went out to get them and lo and behold Mommy cat had already moved the smallest one on to another home. I assume she was planning on coming back for the other two so we took them in the house and let the kids hold them for awhile before we took them in.

Grant thought they were cute... and yummy.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Syddy-Poo

A little while ago while grocery shopping in the baby section at Wally world, I came across a CD of lullaby's by Jewel. Knowing how much my kids like music, I bought it and brought it home. We dug out my little CD player from my single days and plugged it into Syd's room so she could listen to them while she falls asleep. Blake already has Dave's clock radio that we put on at night because he has also taken to falling asleep to music.

Well, she now turns it on every time she is in her room, shows all her friends her "Favorite music" when they come over and has begun singing along to all the songs.

I went in last night to kiss her goodnight and laid down beside her for a moment and she sang to me. It melted my heart. How I love this little girl.

She let me tape some of it. It is really dark and hard to see her but if you turn up the volume, she can sing to you too.

This is her favorite one on the CD. I think it is called "Raven". You can hear her sing "Raben" right in the beginning.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Yes, Even more pictures.

The sun was streaming through our living room windows making everything glow with dusk. Grant and I were rolling around the floor, playing with toys. Grant using me as a human jungle gym, and in return, I using him to pour out the affection in kisses and snuggles and nuzzles, that being around him always elicits.

My baby. He is growing so fast. And so I take photos. Trying in vain to slow time. Trying to capture ever single expression, every pudgy finger and budding tooth. Every fuzzy hair and chubby toe. Because I know, all too soon, all I will have are these photos. He will be grown into a gangly boy who smells like a wet dog when he comes in from play. I will love him just as much, but he will be different.

Gone will be the sweet smell. Gone will the those chubby little baby thighs that beckon for a squeeze. Gone will be the feathery hair that tickles my chin when I hold him. The wet, slobbery kisses, the wide eyed curiosity, they round little belly that calls for many a raspberry. Gone, gone, gone.

And so, I take photos.











(Don't worry, he thinks it is funny when I do this. Perhaps I relished in too much Twilight while preggo. His funny little vampire tooth came first at the top.)

















One day I will look at all of these photos. And they will make me sad (just like my Mum), but perhaps, I can close my eyes after looking at them, and bring back the memories of some of the sweetest days of my life. Filled with the wonder and bliss that comes with being a young mother playing with her baby in the early evening sun.

Slowly but surely.

Slowly but surely I am shrinking. Total weight loss down to 12 lbs so far! Thanks in large part to Lindsey's plan! I think it really helps to have to 'fess up' to someone and have them hold you accountable. If you need a boost in motivation, I would suggest checking out her site. You can do it online!

I definitely have more energy and feel better about myself already even though I have a way's to go. I WILL be a hot mama once again!

I have been sticking to my diet. Can you believe I haven't had any sugar since Sunday? And then, it was only a few pieces of jello popcorn. I stayed away from the peanut butter bars. This is huge for me. Me who loves all things peanut butter. Who loves all things sugary and sweet.

I also have had to stay away from all my favorite food blogs (especially food gawker). It is a complete addiction and so in order to not crave all of that utter deliciousness, I can't look at it either.

My motivations are: Self confidence. Enjoying to shop for myself again. Having people say "YOU have three kids?". Feeling physically better. Wanting to take a few dance classes and looking decent while doing it. NOT hating Sunday mornings trying to find something to wear that doesn't make me look pregnant, and last but not least... perhaps another baby? And a pregnancy that will be easier on me than Grant's was.

And let's not forget NOT having people ask me if I am expecting. Seriously. Grant had a CONDO to himself when I was pregnant and getting rid of it is the ultimate challenge.

I think I have just realized that I really CAN do it. It isn't something I DON'T have control over... I do, I just needed to grasp that. I am a total emotional eater. Addicted to carbs and sugar and fried food and well... you get the picture. And I enjoy baking and cooking. A lot.

But I am changing that. And allowing myself time to do it.

I will still enjoy foods that I love, just once and awhile instead of all the time. In fact, my birthday is coming up next Thursday. Don't think I haven't thought about that chocolate cake from Art City Trolley that I can going to savor. I have thought about it every day. But I can wait.

In the meantime, maybe I will get addicted to cleaning. My husband would sure appreciate it.

A Perfect Day.

I LOVE the fourth of July. I guess it is funny in a way, considering I am more Canadian than American, but I DO! I love the patriotism, the time spent with family, the community participation... and of course, FIREWORKS!

We set out bright and early for the parade in Provo. Last year I was massively pregnant and seriously uncomfortable. We didn't have camp chairs and so I was sitting on the asphalt with a sore tailbone and butt, in the scorching heat, and so completely uncomfortable that I couldn't enjoy it at all. I usually love parades.

But this year was perfect. A light rain shower and the fact that we had to sit a little behind the kids so we couldn't participate in their enjoyment as much, were the only negatives. It wasn't too hot, we had camp chairs with us, and best of all... I wasn't pregnant!

Blake had one minor meltdown when everyone around him got t-shirts that were being handed out but he didn't. Other than that, it was a blast and a perfect way to start our day!


Flavors from the Provo Parade.

I love marching bands!



This was the cutest wonder woman I have ever seen.



Jen & Larry brought the treats!



But I must say, he is yummier than any taffy...



Jen always thinks so!





This car looked like it was covered in copper... sooo cool!



I told you... I love marching bands. And shiny instruments!



And drums.



I love that Utah has such a big population of "Islanders"... Such a great culture!



And these guys had great rhythm. All while flashing "hang loose" gestures to the crowd!



And only in Provo will you see a parade with Mormon Missionaries from the training center! The crowds go wild when they come walking by!



You gotta love people. This was my favorite... the rather portly superhero; Captain America!





I was sad they didn't have the jets fly over in formation this year at the beginning... that is always our favorite part. I guess you have to cutback somehow with this economy!

After the parade we took the kids for burgers. That was a big mistake on my part. I have been eating really healthy lately as part of my nutrition and excersize program that I am doing with the help of my wonderful trainer and friend Lindsey.

So, greasy diner type food did NOT sit well with my system and that is a mistake I will not soon repeat! I guess you have to ease back into the unhealthy eating habits!

Later in the day we headed up Provo canyon to South Fork Park to have a picnic with Dave's parents and Jenny and Larry. It was so beautiful...

If we ever move, I truly will miss the amazing canyons that Utah has.



At the park!



Grant had his first wagon ride!





I think it is hilarious when Blake or Syd pick up Grant!



As usual, I took too many photos.

Dave looking stud-ly.



The kiddos



Sydney, the tongue biter. Especially when being affectionate.



And she actually let me take some pictures! CALL THE PRESS! Seriously, without pulling a face every moment. It is a 4th of July miracle!



This is the kind of face I usually get...



This one will be framed :)



And no, I didn't brush her hair. She was having too much fun to sit still for that! I see all these little girls with perfect ponytails and ribbons and think that can't be very much fun!



I was so sad this one was a little out of focus because I adore Blake's smile in it. Not for blowing up but definitely an album keeper!



He was showing me somthing... I don't know what it was... I was too busy trying to capture his eyes :)





Jenny looks so good with a baby, don't you all agree ;)





And Jenny did such a great job in netting us a fine new uncle... Larry!



After our picnic, we headed to Pleasant Grove for fireworks. We go every year as they definitely have one of the best firework displays in the valley in our opinion!

Dave's brother Adam and Aunt Lauren joined us.

Blake had made all of these little cards with smiley faces on them (seriously, he spent like an hour on them before we left that afternoon), to hand out to people. Sure enough, when we got there, he set out among the crowds (with Dave and I watching carefully), handing out these papers. He tried to get the first people to give him a dollar for them (HAHAHAH! We were dying at that one!), but then he decided to just give them out to make people happy. And it worked. At first people were a bit hesitant, thinking some horrible parents were sending their 6 year old soliciting for business, but when they realized what he was giving them, smiles and laughter ensued. It was the cutest thing to watch people get such a kick out of it.

He is such a sweet, thoughtful little boy. We all agreed that he would make an amazing politician someday. He has no fear of talking and connecting to anyone, no matter their age or what they look like. I love that about him.

The fireworks did not dissapoint and I left as I do every year, with a feeling of pure bliss and gratitude for the beautiful, free country that we live in. Grateful for those who fought, and those who are now fighting to preserve our freedoms. Grateful for our wonderful children and family, and for every day like this one; that is spent together.

How blessed we are!

HOUSE FOR SALE!

Well, we are sorry to have to say goodbye to this house and our wonderful neighborhood and friends. If you know of anyone who is looking...

It is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home (plumbed for three baths). Split level but not in the traditional way. Very open and lots of upgrades, granite and great tilework throughout. 2 car garage, and there is an unfinished family room in the basement.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop an email to dillydallyart@gmail.com and I can refer you to our realtor.






















Master Bedroom






Master bathroom



Hall Bath



1st bedroom



2nd bedroom



Basement bedroom