Happy Friday, friends!
This week went by fast! This weekend, we've got several play dates, a birthday party for KJ's bestie (and they even invited KK, which was so nice!), and the life catch-up to play. Man, having a toddler is like having two full-time jobs. Baby girl is in full swing toddler mode, too. This week, she climbed into the tub with all her clothes on with her brother. (I was right there,I just wasn't fast enough while trying to wipe the preschooler.)
The thing that gets me at this age is the way they rearrange the house. Unlike the boys who just have toys everywhere because it's their toys, toddlers at this age just love to carry random stuff around. So if I find tampons all over the floor in the gym and plastic dishware in the bathroom, then Lord knows what else. The mess makes me feel chaotic and unfocused. I've honestly been trying to work anywhere but home recently. The sitter gets here, and if possible, I take off and head to Lifetime to work. If I'm not here, I feel less like I'm drowning in a mess, haha. Also, lots of procrastination happened over here, which led to a lot of feeling of doing things at the last second. It helps to know it's just the stage we are at, and since I'm not planning on restarting again with another baby, I take a deep breath and tell myself it's temporary, and I'm so grateful. That helps, but having a toddler is hard because it is hard, too, ya know? Just like having a baby is hard because it is hard at any stage, I guess. Although I have to say we're in a sweet spot with KJ, I couldn't be more grateful. Six is a great age ha ha Still needs Mama, but can wipe his own butt and not about to pop off at any second about something random. I can see why people call 5-10 the sweet spot. It certainly feels like it could be.
There is also A LOT going on behind the scenes with the blog redesign. It has been a lot more work than anticipated (sort of - I've been doing this long enough to expect technical problems. haha). So, like anyone, lots is going on over here!
Before we do the Friday's Favorite thing, don't forget a new meal plan is now live in the Library of Resources! (If you are an HH subscriber and have trouble accessing it, please watch this video.)
What You Might Have Missed This Week:
- Smoothiebox Updated Review
- 3X4 Genetics Test Results
- What happens if you skip breakfast.
- When they say don't eat anything with ingredients you can't pronounce.
- Secret to life.
- Top 4 Weight Loss Items At TJ's
- Filing up on water.
- Starbucks Feta Wraps Copycat Recipe
- Coffee on an empty stomach.
High Protein Breakfast
This simple breakfast has been keeping me full and helping me hit my protein goal every day! You can see my maintenance targets (which I rarely hit) below, and it's actually been pretty challenging to eat that much and get enough carbs vs fats. I think this breakfast would be a great staple in maintenance or fat loss, though! I loved the simplicity of it.
Onyx Storm - No exact spoilers, but general feelings about the ending are discussed below.
Okay, so Onyx Storm is book 3 in the massively popular Fourth Wing series. The series features dragons, magic, and an MMC character known as everyone's favorite Shadow Daddy (not in the book, just a social media nickname.) The first two books are my third favorite series ever (the first being ACOTAR and Wolf Hotel Series.)
Most of the series I've read have had all the books released, or at least most of them. This is the first time I've read a book on release, and I can't say I loved that experience. I loved reading it with a friend of mine, who read it much faster than I did. I didn't love all the hype around the book. I think it created expectations that took away from the reading experience for me. I felt like I HAD TO finish it quickly so I could be in the know with everyone.
Then, when I finished it, I literally texted my friend, "I just finished it - WTF?" Then I went to Reddit to figure out exactly wtf. I realized the wtf feeling was the desired outcome for the reader, in other words, cliffhanger - but the cliffhanger was so unclear you had to fill in a lot of blanks yourself. Fourth-wing readers LOVE to theorize, and Yarros (author) gave them so much to theorize on. (Genius from a marketing perspective.) At first, I HATED THAT, but then, after an hour of texting my friend, I realized I still love Xaden and Violet (the main characters) and the general theme of the book. It's just a lot of specific details and people to keep up with, and I'm not that detailed. (My friend brought up character names, and I then had to google to figure out who she was talking about. Haha) Reading is supposed to be relaxation, not homework, so ya. I'll for sure read the next one, but I'll read all three books before the fourth release so I'm crystal clear on the characters, etc, versus relying on a podcast recap. Reading the first two again would be enjoyable, Onyx storm will be more difficult.
Did you finish it? What did you think?
Fort Worth Zoo
We love the Fort Worth Zoo! I can't get over how well this zoo is designed and how close the animals are! I'm so glad I got us a year pass when we first moved here.
Leggings (old Lorna Jane style) | Socks | Ninja Turtle Sweaters (they run small PS)
New Costco Favorites
Here are a few things we've loved from Costco! (Don't forget you can get my Costco shopping list in my Library of Resources!
KJ loves these RIND dried fruits, which is surprising because he usually hates the peel on his fruits.
KK and Baby Girl love these freeze-dried strawberries.
Mama has been loving these unreal candies, like almond joys, but with better ingredients and no almonds (mounds?).
This Minnie outfit has me dying to take baby girl to Disneyland, but we will wait till she gets more into the princess phase. I told Mr. Hungry he needs to have Disneyland on his radar for 2027 (about the time baby girl is 4.) I have a couple of friends who actually take one kid at a time to Disney, and I think it's kind of genius. I would totally take KJ only to Disney right now as he is the perfect age, doesn't need a nap, and can ride some of the rides, but he is still little.
I got both boys these sleepers, and they are obsessed, although I bought KJ's too big. Ha ha, Perfect after swim lesson clothes!
Fitness
I mentioned before I've been doing an SI joint program for my randomly stabbing SI joint. I was doing really well- no stabbing ya! But then I had a major regression this past week. Reassessment from the chiro has him thinking that it could be actually mid back related, we will see. It's incredibly frustrating and makes me think that I should probably have paid more attention to the stabbing pain in the last few years. I just assumed it was pregnancy-related and would resolve. Oh well. Right now, I'll have to avoid any split leg exercises, such as lung exercises.
But on the positive, the 30-minute ab circuit I've been doing every day has created some visible definition! Luckily, my chiro said he would change it up to make it under 10 minutes, but that 30 minutes almost daily really worked, especially for my obliques.
Last week's workouts:
- Friday - rest day
- Saturday - ab circuit and went to zoo (I'll forever count this as a workout with kids)
- Sunday - ab circuit plus legs
- Monday - ab circuit and upper body
- Tues - ab circuit
- Wed - chiropractor
- Thurs - ab circuit plus short run
Sarah says
The blogger pbfingers who has three younger kids (a bit older than yours) has had a few posts about their Disney world trips in the last year or two.
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Yes! I still follow her after all these years but haven't checked in recently I'll search her archives when I'm ready!