April

Oh, little face. You got me on the April Fools day. You were a screaming banshee. I think you knew what day it was and wanted to prank me. You were crazy. But then you smile at me like this, and I melt.

Lil' Irish

Green, Green Everywhere!
I am playing a little bit of catch up. After having my blog completely down for redesign and finding out that I had to have a biopsy and then recover from it left me a little  no a lot lax in the blogging department.

While I was healing from my biopsy, we decided to get a little festive with some items from the Target dollar bins and our chalkboard. Here are a few pictures of my lil' Irishman.

Everything goes in the mouth right now! 

Losing It! The Last 6 Months

Ignore the mess in the background!

By losing it I mean the BABY WEIGHT! I was technically considered underweight when I got pregnant with Korbin. At 5'6 111 lbs, I have a small frame. I was always a little concerned with getting pregnant in regards to what it might do to my body. Would I have stretchmarks? Would I have a muffin top? Would my stomach look different? I realize now, looking at my little boy that if I did then it would still be worth it. But fortunately, I don't. But, I have a SECRET! A secret that I would like to share with you!

First of all, I only gained 21 lbs of the 25-30 recommended by my doctor. He only fussed at me once when I didn't gain anything in one month-I still maintain that it was two different times of the day when he weighed me! Early in the morning you do weigh a little less than later in the day. When Korbin was born, he weighed 7 lbs. When I left the hospital I was only carrying about 5-8 lbs of what I had gained left.


First step Happens in the pre-pregnancy stage. Make sure you are in your best shape! I know that I wasn't exactly where I wanted to be. I wish that I had more muscle tone at the time, but I wasn't too shabby.

Second step happens during pregnancy.

Number one-Eat right. Now is not the time to go out and eat whatever you want. I hate when people would always say to me that I don't eat enough,and that I needed to eat for two. I would always counter with "I eat healthy, and I am not eating for two. I only need an extra 300 calories or so to be were I need to be to make sure my baby gets the proper nutrition." So, I could add in an extra boiled egg in my salad, have a pear or apple, and munch on some whole almonds and easily pick up the extra calories that I needed. I wanted them to be healthy calories, not sugary or full of fat. I knew what a lot of people (most of who are saying eat more or eat for two) might not think about. I am feeding my baby with the choices that I make. 

If I don't want my baby to be drowning in oil laddened foods or tons of chocolate then I didn't put it in my body. I didn't need that doughnut because my baby didn't need that doughnut. Reminding myself that I was not only feeding myself but also my baby made it so much easier to eat the way that I wanted to. 

Now, don't get me wrong, I did have some splurges. I did have 2 or 3 doughnuts during my pregnancy. I had a couple of fries or onion rings. I went to Margaritaville and had a big burger (with most of the bun picked off because that was just too much). I had an ice cream on occasion. But I really ate by the 80/20 rule. I ate great 80 percent of the time and the other 20, I used for splurge. Mine though was probably more like 90/10 though because I love a good crisp salad, greek yogurt and fresh fruit, and just naturally eat small meals throughout the day.

Number 2- Take care of your skin. Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil was applied every night during my pregnancy. That was a chore for my husband, but he did it lovingly every night while doing prayers with the little guy growing in my belly.

Number 3-MOVE IT. Don't sit around all the time. I was running on the Treadclimber 3-5 miles at least 4-5 times a week up until the last 2-3 weeks of my pregnancy.


Step 3:
The final step happens after pregnancy. Immediately after they let me get up and take a shower, I put on my BELLY BANDIT! This is the greatest thing. I had always heard about binding after a pregnancy. Then, I read about this little miracle worker right here. You will not be disappointed if you buy this product, I promise.(and no this is not a sponsored post-I purchased this product on my own)!

 Then, came in the Mama Mio Belly Bootcamp. I purchased this about a 1 and a half after Korbin was born. I love the lotions and the 2 exercises are so easy that you can do them anywhere. It is quick and simple and I feel it deep in my core when done correctly. This product was almost 100 dollars but I would buy it again in a heart beat.


So this has been my bounce back routine. I have not really been exercising except trecking up and down the stairs to change little man, doing a little bit of exercises while playing with Korbin like planks or crunches or leg lift type things. Add an 18 pound baby and you have weight lifting lol. I have been doing at least 1 mile on the treadclimber.

Unfortunately, I don't get to eat like I know that I should all the time. This was especially true during the first four months. Homemade freezer meals have been a God send for us. Unless Jeff is home, little man gave me little time to make scrambled eggs let alone cook a whole meal in those first few months. Lately though, I will spread out a play area beside the kitchen to were he can see me, and I can still interact with him while I am cooking. My meals have consisted of mostly Shredded Wheat, hard boiled eggs, Yogurts, soups, salads, which are not unhealthy eating mind you, just small whatever I can grab in the moment type of things. Even when big meals are presented, I find myself not being able to stuff myself silly because I have to feed little man or go change a diaper. Trust, cold or luke warm meals will not be appealing. I'd rather not eat it, lol. Weight loss 101.

Finally, do something that is good for you and the baby. Feed that baby! Mommy's milk is so great for a growing baby and so good for a shrinking waist line!

 Of course, you can still see that darn line, but it isn't too bad. I do need to tone it up. My belly button looks a little funny in the postpartum picture but oh well. I'll chalk it up to battle scars.

11 weeks pregnant

4 weeks Postpartum

4 months postpartum

Barefoot in the Kitchen-Gets a new Look!

My little blog has been busy getting a makeover this last month or so. Jessica over at etsy came up with this awesome looking blog for me. I had trouble decided between the chalkboard which the teacher in me loves, a burlap look in which I just love, or a pegboard background like I have in my son's room over the changing table. In the end, the chalkboard design won out. I have recently returned to the working force, had a small cancer scare (which turned out to be nothing after the biopsy-praise God), and have been watching my son grow up way to fast. I am ready to get back into my blogging groove. It is BAREFOOT time!

Red Velvet Cheeseball

Unfortunately, this is not an original idea. I first saw this idea on surprise, surprise: Pinterest. The idea of a Red Velvet Cheeseball made my sweet tooth ache.(My recipe was adapted from this one and has only a couple of additions). I recently had a Clothing Swap party I was going to attend where every one was to bring an appetizer of some sort. 

Well, it isn't so easy to run out to the store anymore without toting a almost 17 pound baby in a car seat and a heavy diaper bag. So, I began searching my fridge and pantry for items that I did have. I saw a box of the red velvet cake mix (that I had purchased at Christmas time for Red Velvet Cake Balls that I never had time to make-I wonder why) and just knew that I had to make this recipe.

Red Velvet Cheeseball
4 oz fat free cream cheese (softened)
1/4 cup butter (softened)
3/4 c red velvet cake mix
1/4 c powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I hate the taste of box cake mix and vanilla extract helps take away that "from the box" taste)
1 tablespoon Splenda brown sugar
1/2 c mini chocolate chips
2 tablespoons of white chocolate chips (chopped)
Assorted cookies and wafers -graham crackers, Vanilla Wafers, ect

Beat the cream cheese and butter til smooth. Add in the red velvet cake mix, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and brown sugar and beat til smooth. Then, add 1/8 c of mini chocolate chips and the white chocolate chips into and mix until well blended in. Line a small bowl with plastic wrap. Pour the red velvet mixture out into the bowl and then wrap it up. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or even overnight (which is what I do). 

Put chocolate chips on a shallow dish and unwrap the red velvet ball. Roll the red velvet ball in the chocolate chips. Place on your serving plate and surround with your assorted cookies and wafers. 

Note: The original recipe was double this one. I didn't need a huge cheeseball and felt that this size was absolutely perfect. I even made a different cheeseball from the other 4 oz.

A New Photo Cover

I can't wait to be able to get my lil' chef in the kitchen in his bare feet cooking up a storm. I am sure his first request will be for something SWEET! He is my child after all.

Lace Boot Cuffs

Pardon my frizzy hair, wind and rain doesn't do curls justice.

I am currently obsessed with boot cuffs. I purchased these Boot cuffs from ETSY. I love them and have wore them so many times already. I also love the gray leggings. The sweater is an off white (I hate that you can see my cami but you mommas out there know those built in bra camis are the shizzz!) but it is one of those oversized sweaters that are so soft, cozy, and comfy. I added a scarf from Old Navy because I needed some color. I don't like these pictures at all because I feel a little frumpy after sitting at the doctor what seems all day with my little guy (who has RSV) :( which is heartbreak to this momma.