Love Hates

Joining Hallie over here for some quick takes and keeping Jen in my prayers today.

1) Hate: as recently mentioned my 3 year old figured out how to escape from her room which has been a source of much frustration and fear this past week and has generally been causing more sleep loss than my pregnant little big body can handle. Most nights it was sleep loss due to sheer fear of seeing her in the doorway with her blanket draped over her head like a ghost, which is her preferred way to exit the room. Great. I am working on the irrational fear.

2) Love: that last night was a vast improvement and found me waking this morning without being on the verge of tears because of how tired I was. Thank you over-the-counter sleep aid that made me too tired to think.

3) Hate: my new pregnancy diet. I think fat and happy is the way to be, but since I am sure my doctor will disagree, I will push through.

nasty and nasty's brother

4) Love: my recent reception if these:

from my sweet mother-in-law

and a starbucks gift card from my mom for mother's day. Best moms ever.

5) Hate: that while I began a super fun sewing project this week, my brand spanking new sewing machine is already not working. I JUST took it out of the box. Grrrr.

6) Love: that I figured out how to block my troll this week, thanks to all who helped me out on the old FB, always a faithful help in times of need.

7) Love/dislike (because it just didn't seem right to start and end with a hate): I am super duper excited that I can feel new baby nubbins moving all around, and there is ALOT of moving going on. This brings me to my dislike, which is that the kick boxing session was the only thing that actually kept me up last night despite my medicated efforts to sleep. It is worth it, for now.

That is all for now, have a splendid Friday!!

Monumentals

Yesterday marked some rather ground breaking things in a few different, sort of related, arenas.

1) I went to the doc for my 16 week appointment and found out that, since Christmas, I have already gained back HALF of the weight that I lost last year (if you read the post where I mentioned how much I lost you can do the math, if you didn't I will not divulge it now). Isn't that amazing!?!?! Personally, I am impressed with myself- also a little disgusted- but mostly impressed. If you read this post a while back you know about my preoccupation.

before

after

And back again. Bad lighting+awkward smile=typical ana pregnancy picture

and

2) I participated in the first form of exercise since being about 6 weeks pregnant- a 10 week break from working out and I went from having this as my daily workout routine 4 short months ago:

to barely being able to jog 1/4 mile. Also impressive.

Now I will give myself some credit here and say I had NEVER been that skinny/in shape ever in my life before, so I was bound to regress at some point AND I am actually ahead of the game in terms of where I was weight wise when I was pregnant with Bernadette- so I am feeling good.

But with all that said, I am beginning my pregnancy diet/workout regiment to attempt to not gain an average of 8 pounds every doctor's appointment. This plan really just means:

• no more daily fast food, for every meal
• no more mid-morning hot dog snacks
• no more nightly reeses cups (sniff)
• not more middle of the night confetti cake 
• do anything at all by way of physical activity. I think I will try some of Dwija's tricks.
• maybe try to eat every 3 hours instead of every 2

It's gonna be rough people, I am not gonna lie, but I think I can do it.

3) Unrelated, but watch out, I am sewing again.

And it is going to rock your world

4) And the last monumental thing that's been happening recently worth noting:

The girls are finally deciding to both smile for pictures together (yes that is a smile for Bernadette there) and it is making for some better pictures. 

Here's to changes on many fronts!

The Super Skinny Mocha

Hahaha,
I don't know why I think that is a funny name for a coffee drink. I mean I think if I wanted to be "Super" skinny, I would not be spending a chunk of nap time making/drink/typing out recipe for my new delicious coffee drink, I would be grunting and sweating nap time away to the tune of Jillian Michaels.

Anyways, here is a little recipe I threw together for a low calorie, low/no sugar, high caffeine skinny mocha:

Ingredients:
1) non-fat milk- about 6 oz, or more or less based on how big your coffee mug is
2) coffee- ideally espresso made in an espresso machine, but if your more ghetto like me just use regular coffee and make it double strength.
3) splenda- if you are of the more granola-ish brand you may choose to use natural sugar or even sugar in the raw, but I always prioritize weight management to actual health, whatev.
4) cocoa powder 1-2 teaspoons
4) a dash of cinnamon

If you have a milk steamer, steam your milk, or if you don't (I don't) just microwave it for about 1 1/2 minutes

If you're using an espresso machine, make your 1-2 shots of espresso based on the size coffee drink. I used my French press and put 4 scoops of coffee in it but only added about 1/2 cups worth of boiling water. Let it steep for 3 minutes (this is the appropriate time, I know this from my Barista training).
If you only have a coffee pot, just make about 1/2 of coffee but put at least 3 scoops of coffee in, if you're anxious as to whether there will be enough caffeine add as much as you need to ease that anxiety- this is my method.

Once your milk is hot, add cinnamon, splenda (of whatever sugar type you'll be using), and cocoa powder- stir vigorously :)
Add coffee, stir again and enjoy. Repeat.

Happy nap time!
Ana