Parenting oh the joys!!

As you all know if you read my last post, we have just crossed the 4 months mark a parents. And I would say that over 90% of it has been amazing. Kyra is such a sweet little girl and she is getting more and more social. Which makes going places a lot more fun as she is far more willing to allow other people to play with her!!! It's also very amazing to me how much such a tiny little person can change in such a short time!!

She has hit a few milestones and before we know it will be doing a lot of other new things. Speaking of let me do a little bragging of what she has done recently before I get to the 10% of parenting I wanted to talk about.

First off she rolled tummy to back a while back, and just this afternoon she finally managed to roll the other way. Although it took her a lot of effort so I haven't gotten it on camera but before long. Also she has started blowing raspberries. We were over at our friends house chatting and she just started and since it made everyone laugh she got a kick out of it and has been doing it since. For a video of her doing it and splashing during bath time hit up this link. It really is one of the cutest thing!! Also she has started sitting up a bit more, granted she has to hold herself up with her arms, and only stays up a min or two and than loses balance and falls over lol. But in time she will get there!!

 

So now that we are up to date on what is going on with my beautiful little girl. To the whole point of this blog. In the past 4 months I have learned a lot of lessons on how to be a parent and feel like I have changed and grown up a lot. 

The main thing is that parenting is not a competition, it is very easy to compare where your child is, where other people's children are and even what books say. Specifically if you have other parents in your neighborhood with kids near the same age. But the main thing I have learned about this is doing this will only make you feel petty and silly because as long as your child is happy and healthy you are really doing what is right for you and them.

Along these same lines, you have to do what is right for your child whether it be all natural approaches to things like diapers, and baby wearing. Or even along the lines of when you decide to start your child on solids. Because if you don't just trust your momma instincts you are gonna be so overwhelmed with unsolicited advice, and maybe even criticism for how you are doing it. Decide what works and hold your ground. Everyone is going to have their own opinions and it seems like a lot of mothers think because you feel differently you must be wrong so avoid those who can't be understanding of different parenting styles and surround yourself with those who are willing to help you out not put you down!! Because trust me parenting is hard on its own with out the extra drama!

 

4 months where did the last month go?

Nicknames: Bug, Boo Boo, Cubbles, Honey Buns

Clothing Size: 3-6 months and a few 6-9 depends on the brand.

Personality: You still know that crying gets you handed back to mom, but are getting better at letting people you know well hold you for longer amounts of time.(like dad and Dani) You have just started talking more and boy are you chatty specially in the car. Also are getting more and more independent and know how to self sooth to sleep every night and at nap!

Things I Could Do Without: Explosive Diapers, and still being the only one you ALWAYS wanna be with.

Item/Toy We Love The Most: Amber Necklace it has helped a lot with your teeting.

Item/Toy You Love The Most: Turtle in the car, any book you can get your hand on right now, and anything that will feel good on your gums

Things I’m Loving Most Right Now: How much more social you are on Skype with all your family, how hard you try to roll over, and that your a good sleeper!

Things You’re Loving Most Right Now: Holding one leg up in the air. Grabbing your feet. Chewing on everything. Eating Bananas.Swimming with your friends. Bath time with Dad in the BIG GIRL BATH!!!

Couple recipes we tried and LOVED!!!

So today I thought I had nothing to write about but than I remembered I had some recipes that I wanted to share with some friends. There are more that I just can't seem to remember. But today I am going to write about the YUMMY chicken chili, and the easy banana bread that we have recently made. The chicken chili recipe we found on pinterest but it was a little to complex with all the fresh ingredients, I like simple meals. So we substituted things that included the seasonings (garlic, basil, and peppers)

So without anymore dismay:

Chicken Chili:

1 15 oz can black beans
1 15 oz can kidney beans
1 15 oz can fiesta corn
1 28 oz can of oregano, garlic, and basil diced tomatoes
1 15 oz can of tomato puree
2 tablespoons of garlic salt
1 tablespoon of oregano
1 tablespoon of chili powder
pepper to taste
and 4 chicken breasts (we bought pre marinated mexican flavored chicken to add more flavor)

The directions for this is very simple pour all ingredients except chicken into crock pot and mix them together. Place chicken on top, and turn crock pot to high. Cook on high for 4 hours. At 30 mins prior to serving use forks to shred the chicken up. Than serve with whatever toppings you would normally have with chili.  We like sour cream and cheese!

Banana Bread:

1 1/2 Cup(s) All Purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon (Optional)
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Cup(s) Sugar
1/2 Cup(s) Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
3 Large Ripe Bananas, Mashed
1/4 Cup (Half a Stick) Butter, Melted

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a bread pan or 2 meatloaf pans.
2) In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, sugars. Add in eggs and melted butter. Stir.
3) Mix in the bananas and put into the pan.
4) Drop it on the counter a few times to get it evened out on the pan.
5) Bake for 50-60 minutes, or the toothpick test comes out clean.
6) Take out of the oven, let it cool for around 30 minutes and enjoy

We made this drunk it was that easy!! And was tasty tasty tasty!! So enjoy, and happy cooking!!!

Topic of the day: What is your dream job, and why?

I'm not sure what my dream job is but I am more focused on what my current AMAZING job is. I don't want anything more than to continue being a mom!! I love spending my day teaching and playing with my sweet daughter!!

Happy Birthday mom!!

Today is my momma's birthday, I love her to death!! I miss living close to her she is one of my best friends. Sadly today hasn't been a good day for her as my grandma is in the hospital they are doing tests to find out what is wrong :(  Keep her in your prayers.

So update on my weight loss journey, I have only lost 5 lbs this month but you know what I feel like that is pretty good. And not only that I have kept it off. So my next goal for the next couple weeks is another 5 lbs I feel like if I can keep losing 5 lbs at a time it wont seem like such a daunting task. Especially since my initial goal was to lose 15-20 lbs if I keep it up I will be there in no time :)

creative organization....one room at a time I am deep cleaning and organizing. First was the bathroom and I needed to get my makeup organized. Turns out the spatula holder in the kitchen we never really used worked perfectly!

Ready for the 4 day weekend, hopefully we will be able to do something fun this weekend. Go somewhere new and explore :) Love living here and having this amazing chance.

Topic of the day: What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?

I think there are 2 parts to this, the hardest physically, and hardest emotionally.

1. Physically would be giving birth to Kyra it was a really long hard journey. I mean I was going through extreme pain for 21 hours. It was so hard, but I feel like I was strong and pushed through because I knew the reward was completely worth it.

2.Emotionally was when Dustin deployed. It was terrible seeing the love of your life get on a big bus in uniform, knowing I wasn't going to see him for 9 months before his R&R. It was so hard to get through. But I learned a lot in a year, and our relationship grew as we learned new ways to show our love from a distance.

Our travels lately

So we have been going out to some pretty interesting places since we got here, and thought you may find our stories interesting. I just have 4 main places that we have been, and actually went and walked around a lot.

1.Wurzburg: This was one of the first places we went out and saw. It was a little bit of a drive there and both kids were a bit unhappy with driving so much, but we made it up there and found the castle and parking easily. The castle was really cool, so big and beautiful. It was a gorgeous day and a great day for the views you get from the walls of the castle. Kyra was still a little young for this trip and slept almost the whole time.

2.Neroberg Mountain: This was a fun trip. Shorter than the others but was a fun little place to go. Dustin and I had been driving around town on day and came across this old train that went up this mountain and were intrigued so a couple weeks later we decided we wanted to find out what it lead to. It came up to the top of a mountain, where there was great views, and a huge Russian church. And it was right here in town!!

 

3.Koln: Just yesterday we went jumped in the car and drove. We saw a sign for Koln and thought "WHY NOT" and off we went. And it was completely worth it. What a beautiful place!! The cathedral was unbelievable. It was so huge it blows your mind! And we also enjoyed the river and the bridge we crossed. It was called the Locks of Love.

4.Rhine River cruise: A little over a week ago myself and a couple of my girlfriends out here went on a cruise up the Rhine River. It was a really fun trip, saw lots of castles, and got to walk around a couple really cool towns. Some highlights of the trip were probably getting off in St Goar where we came across an amazing wine store. It was a great experience got to try some amazing brandy, and met the owner who is very troop supportive. Than when we were waiting for the boat home, we got stuck out in the rain, and were soaked from head to foot and than were on the boat as the rain turned to monsoon CRAZY weather here. 

and just for the fun of it here is the Topic of the day: What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

1. Kyra
2. Dustin
3. Family
4. Friends
5. Going on adventures with the Hubby!!!

ANYONE KNOW HOW TO MAKE MY PICTURES STAY WHERE I PUT THEM?

I miss A/C!!!

I can't do my workouts inside or outside until like 9 when it has cooled down enough you can at least breathe. I don't know why German's don't believe in Air conditioning but It is so hot when there is no breeze or rain to cool the day down. And even the A/C in like the PX or Entertainment Center aren't all that effective.

Topic of the Day: List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

1. Study harder, you could have easily been straight a's instead of ab's!!
2. Don't worry so much about fitting in, being yourself is better in the long run, high school drama is just that.
3. Don't let boys control your life. It will surprise you who is really the important ones in the long run!
4. Be nicer to your parents, cuz when you become one you will feel like such a bad person for the way you acted.
5. Find your passion and follow it!!
6. Get more involved in 4-H its really good for your resume, and teaches you great leadership.
7. Don't cut your hair short, it looks good but long hair is more fun.
8. Go fishing, hunting, 4 wheeling, mudding, all the fun stuff while you can because you may not always live where you can do those things.
9. Enjoy being young while you can.
10. Make true friends and keep them around they are harder to come by the older you get.

This was pretty hard for me to come up with. But I really would love to do another one of these in 10 years from now see what more I have learned.

4th of July!!

We had a great day, we made sugar cookies with Kyra she covered her face in flour super cute!!! And she got to wear her tutu again I love her!! Gonna have to do my workout tomorrow tho cuz after walking 2+ miles in the heat I'm not feeling that great :(

Topic of the Day: Describe your relationship with your parents.

Well I have been living over an ocean away from them for quite some time now and so I only get to see them once a year. So it is always a nice time to hang out with them when we can. I try to Skype with them as often as possible. We Skype with my mom at least 2-3 times a week, and Kyra just loves to see grandma :) My dad works a lot, so we have a hard time catching him when he is home, and when Kyra is awake. I love them both a lot and wish we lived closer so I could see them more often.

3rd days the charm

Well I haven't done my workout yet, but as soon as the hubby gets back from buying some more beer, we are gonna do a quick workout TOGETHER!! Yay!! I love workout buddies!! Than we are gonna ruin the workout with a couple ice cold beers :) and making some red white and blue sugar cookies. Terrible I know but It's a holiday right!!!

Topic of the day: Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.

1. Snakes. This fear probably became a fear for me because we lived in the country during high school and during the spring and summer on my way home from school or work I would see at least one snake alive or dead on the road. Also the knowledge of the fact they can bite, and some can do some SERIOUS damage. Plus who likes slimy sneaky creatures just gross.

2. Tornadoes. I hate the sound of tornado sirens or seeing like funnel clouds they freak me out. I have a fear of them destroying things. Living in Nebraska there were tornadoes all the time, we had one take out a tree in our back yard, one took our the fence and barn where my sisters cow was, and my dad drove us right smack dab into the middle of one. Really freaking scary I seriously thought I was going to die.

3. Falling. Idk I feel like I'm pretty fearless and I will try just about anything. But I guess I am more scared of falling with nothing to catch me....more of the SMASHING into the ground part ya know lol. This one is probably just a built in one I think most people have it.

30 day shred and 30 day facts

So here I go trying another 30 day thing I think if I work out than blog I'll keep up with it. And if I can keep my face away from Pinterest. Started my 30 day shred yesterday. So we'll be off on the questions by a day.
Weight before shred 162.

First question: List 20 random facts about yourself.

1. I was born in Colorado.
2. I met my husband in High school.
3. I was born with a hole in my heart and had surgery at 1 year.
4. My family used to raise rabbits I'm talking full on breed, sell, and show them.
5. I was in 4-H almost my whole youth.
6. Horses and Dolphins are my favorite animals.
7. I am an Army wife.
8. I have lived in Colorado, Nebrasaka, Montana, Hawaii, and Germany.
9. I worked at a church camp as a horse wrangler/councilor for 4 years in High school.
10. I have the most beautiful daughter Kyra.
11. I have 1 older sister, 1 younger sister, and 1 baby brother(sadly he is 19 now).
12. I only get to go home to see family once a year.
13.My favorite colors are: Neon green, Blue, Teal and sometimes purple.
14.I love to read.
15. I am totally a dress person, but hate to shave my legs LOL.
16.Family and Friends are my whole world I love to be surrounded by people and will bend over backwards to help any F&F's that need help.
17.I try to be organized but suck at it.
18. I love to exercise even if I am really lazy.
19. I like change, like new hairstyles/colors, rearranging, and new clothes!
20.I am a foody who sucks at cooking not a fun combo, I try new recipes but tend to mess them up.

Hope you enjoyed learning a little more about me!!