Our little Star- Miss Hannah!

We started going to Fisher Price for pictures last June. We were lucky enough to be called for both kids a number of times. The thing about Fisher Price "modeling" is that once you have the pictures taken for a toy you have no idea if they use them or not. You just have to keep an eye out for your child at the store.
The first box was spotted by my husband, who bought 3 of them. Such a proud daddy!
The second box was found my me at Target! Imagine the look on my face when I flipped over a box and saw Miss Hannah looking all cute.
It's been such a fun experience and I hope Lucas makes a box too. Maybe one day they will also know that back a long long time ago, their Mama was on one too!

Finding ME time...

Well, haven't I just been a Big Blog Slacker... I started this post a couple weeks ago and just haven't had a chance to get back to it! So...
Now that the holidays are over and the new year has begun I have made it a point to finally make some time for ME. Since I had my first child I think I had forgotten how important it is. I started to feel like I was drowning in princesses, trucks, diapers, laundry and work. & I love my kids with ALL my heart but there comes a point where you want to scream and hide in the corner with a bottle of wine.
When my daughter was born I decided to work from home. I have an amazing office that lets me do so. Hannah was 3 months when I went back to work and my heart broke when I left her each day. About 3 months later I had settled into my home "office" and learned to juggle mommy-hood and the 8 hour work day combined into the same bundle. While I am so thankful for the ability to be here for all of the day to day activities, it is daunting. As you can imagine most days the only interaction I have is with a 3 year old and a 1 year old. I am really not complaining, but come on. To talk to an adult is an exciting thing after a Mon-Fri of that.
After I had my second child I could not/did not really try and lose all the weight. I was tired, busy and told myself I didn't have time and was ok with it. Self- You are a liar. You are soooo not ok with it. I saw pictures of myself recently and thought- Holy S%$T, who is that chick with 3 chins??? ::hand to head & faints::
One of my closest friends got engaged about a month ago. I thought, I WILL NOT HAVE MORE THAN ONE CHIN AT HER WEDDING! & she has decided to get married in 5 months. Say what?! I have her to thank for giving me the some darn good motivation. I have a long way to go but I am making myself find time to go to the gym and eating healthy and you know what? I thought I would hate it, make excuses and be crabby but I am NOT. I have had a great 5 weeks!! I have many more weeks to go but I have decided to find time for ME. & at the gym its just ME and the iPod & I think we have hit it off. The treadmill, eliptical or a spin class have because good friends. & the best part? Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I have lost 9 pounds. I still have some to go but I am feeling good about being 1/2 way to my goal.
So now I also have to hold myself accountable on this Blog. Yikes! But I think it will also help serve as a journal of my journey. So, 5 weeks down...

Packin' on the Holiday Pounds

Christmas Dinner included this-
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole.
OMG. Basically, mash the potatoes with cream cheese, butter and sour cream. Spread in a pan and top with crunchy bacon and cheese. One scoop and you will have to run around the block twice. But SO worth it.

Today, Brunch includes-
Mini Mac N Cheese & Broccoli Cheese Quiche. YUM.
Can you tell I like cheese???
Oh- and fruit and mimosas, too :)

I think a gym visit is needed...

Lemon Jumbles. YUM YUM YUM

My favorite Christmas Cookie.
A few years ago I took a Christmas Cookie Class. We made a ton of different cookies but this was my favorite and I make them every year now.

2 3/4 All purpose flour
1 tsp. cream of tarter
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 large egg
1 heaping tbsp. lemon zest
1 tbsp. lemon juice (i put in a little extra)

Mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt in a bowl and set aside.

In mixer beat butter, sugar, egg, lemon zest and lemon juice until fluffy and well blended. Add the dry ingredients slowly until mixed well.

Roll into 1 inch balls and place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 11-12 minutes or until the edges just turn golden brown. Place on cooling rack.

Once cooled dip in glaze and return to rack to dry.

For the Glaze-
Mix powder sugar and fresh lemon juice until you have a medium thickness.

HO HO HO-LY MOLY!

CHRISTMAS IS A WEEK AWAY!?
Luckily we (as in me, your are welcome dear husband...) are almost all set for Christmas. Gifts all bought & wrapped, cards mailed, tree decorated and cookies (almost) all baked.
Something about the holidays this year is making me feel like a kid again. I am so excited for Santa to come and I have a feeling that I will have a hard time sleeping Christmas Eve. I think it's because this year I AM Santa & I know Hannah is very excited for Santa to deliver all her wishes.
This year the holiday magic has sparkled in Hannah's eyes. Writing a letter to Santa, driving to see the Christmas lights, decorating the tree and having milk & cookies with the big guy himself have just amazed her. & IT IS SO MUCH FUN TO WATCH. When we went to see the Festival (or FestiBal, as Hannah calls it) of Lights this year I got- "Mama, this is SO cool!" When it was time to decorate the tree she was very proud of herself for putting up the ornaments. She is growing up. And while I hate that she isn't going to be my little baby forever, I LOVE watching her grow and seeing the excitement in her eyes this Christmas. It makes ME feel like a kid again. & that is the best present ever.

What are you thankful for?

Me? Well I am happy to say, many things.

November 9th my baby turned one. I can not believe this year went by so quickly. He was just a little baby yesterday, wasn't he? As he turned one, with a head full of dark curls, I wondered if the next time I blinked he was going to be all grown up. I truly hope not. As crazy as life gets I am trying to take all of this in. Each day seems to be a new milestone for both of my kids. I watch them learn something new each day and become much more independent than I am ready for. Every time I think I could not love them more or be more proud to be their mama they do something and "poof", I am. Motherhood has been such a blessing. Some days I have to remind myself of that, but I am so proud, happy and honored to be their mom.

Two weeks later we celebrated my Grandma's 90th birthday. I was overwhelmed with pride watching all of her friends and family gather to celebrate with her. She has always meant the world to me, but watching how she has impacted so many other, it took my breath away. She is an extraordinary woman. I pray that when I am 90 I have touched so many people the way she has. The best part was watching her as her friends sang the birthday song to her in Polish. It gave me a glimpse of the person she was when she was young, where she came from, and where she has arrived at. Also having her three great-grandchildren there to celebrate was wonderful. They all love her so much and I hope they always have the same great memories that I have with her.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I think partly because it makes you stop and be happy for what you have and the fact I LOVE the turkey dinner! As I have gotten older it has also made me appreciate the wonderful family I have. We have a small family and I cherish them all so much. This year, as always, I thought of my dad. Missing him and remembering past holidays with him. But I also had so much to be happy for- My Uncle who survived major heart surgery this year, My 90 year old Grandma, my husband & children who light my life, and my mom- who still takes care of me! I don't know how I would survive without her.

Fall is in the air!

I love Fall. I love the changing colors, the cool but still sunny days and the crunchy leaves. & I really, really love the baked goods. Apple Crisp, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Cookies, Pumpkin Anything (except pie, for some reason I hate pumpkin pie!). Pumpkin tastes much better once a year.
Now I have a new reason to Love Fall- My Baby's birthday!! I can not believe that I am planning Lucas' first birthday party. I am not sure where 11 months have gone. & he is changing SO much the past few weeks, he really has started to go from baby to toddler. He is walking (and running) all over. He laughs, claps and teases his sister. He has a head full of curls! & he is getting even more adorable by the minute. He is ALL boy & likes to go head first into everything (and has the battle scars to prove it).
So, I am trying to plan a great First Birthday Bash. Full of Hockey, of course! Buffalo Sabres to be exact. I am sure daddy would prefer Toronto, but hell, I am the one planning this party so he will have to suffer :) I have a great birthday banner and Super Adorable invitations from Etsy ( LOVE ETSY). Now, I have to find more fun ideas. & have to decide what to get my little guy for a present. I am pretty sure it should be something more manly than the glitter pink princesses he steals from his sister... Trucks or Tools or something like that... I am not sure, I am new to boy toys. I think that will have to be left up to daddy.