Amber Waves of Grain

I'm on the hunt for low-calorie meals for myself. Here's my new favorite lunch for right around 235 calories. It looks good, doesn't it? Turkey sandwich: -Sandwich Round (100 calories). You could also do low-cal bread for less but I feel like those dry out quickly..... or, use a wrap. -Turkey (6 slices = 45 calories) -1/2 tbsp light miracle whip (10 calories) -1 slice fat free American cheese slice (25 calories) -Veggies-- green peppers, spinach, cucumbers I'm trying out some of those low-calorie (Lays with Olestra) chips so that I don't feel completely left out. They are 38 calories for 1/2 ounce (that's half a serving size) which is what you see in the photo. I'm sure the chemicals are killing me slowly but a girl has to have her chips now and then. And, a sugar-free bread n' butter pickle spear at zero calories. For 235ish calories, it looks to me like a "normal" lunch! Feel free to share your low cal meal ideas or substitutions with...

All three kids in the same picture!! That's a lot of love!!

Now you see it, now you don't! That's right, I gained SIXTY pounds with my last pregnancy (and I'm not proud of that...) and I think I've just about lost it all . And, just in time for Savannah's first birthday! I can't believe I'm sharing this before picture. This was meant to go into that dark place where bad photos are never, ever to be seen. Here I was in my final days of pregnancy. Some of you thought I was having triplets. This photo makes me cringe. BEFORE : Here I was after giving birth. You can see just by looking at my face that I was carrying a lot of extra weight. I was disappointed that Savannah did not actually weigh 60 lbs and that the weight was purely mine. Then, I set my goal to lose all 60ish pounds before Savannah turned 1. And, with 2-3 weeks to spare, here I am today! Lookout, Jillian! AFTER : I even put on a belt for this one. Who knew I could wear a belt? You should know I'm not done . While I'm back to my appr...

You know how in every swim class there is one child who cries the whole time? Well, this time .... it's not our child!! That's right, I think we have a swimmer! We signed Kennedy up for the preschool swim class (ages 3-5) at the YMCA. She loves it! She just turned 3 in December and she's small for her age.... which makes her tiny compared to the other kids: She willingly jumps in the water and gets her face wet: There's an observatory room which is mostly Kennedy's own audience. Grandma & Grandpa even come to watch: Next, on Baywatch: I'm so proud of her! I think we have a little Olympic swimmer on our hands!

Nathan & I had the privilege of visiting Super Bowl Village l ast night. More importantly, without kids! That's right, my hometown is hosting this year's Super Bowl! They have set up a 'village' in the streets of downtown with concerts, ziplines, food, performers, and expensive parking, of course! Monument Circle has the giant roman numerals with music and lights. It was a great scene. And, the weather has been gorgeous for February so it made a beautiful night. Here I am! The IPL (Indy Power & Light) building had cool lights: They set up the largest temporary zipline in the United States which looked so fun!: I didn't see any celebrities (unless you count the local weather guy...) , but this crowd was supposedly waiting for Donald Trump to come out of this restaurant. The Marriott Hotel looked great: Here's a look at the Village. Once in a lifetime opportunity to get this 'close' to the Super Bowl probably! Let the fun begin!

Here are my top Valentine dream dates that I won't really get to go on because a) My life has been sucked dry since having 3 small children and b) I'm not starring on The Bachelorette anytime soon. I can dream though, right? Here they are. 1. Stay at the Giraffe Manor/Hotel in South Africa ( LINK ). The "country side is at your doorstep." How fun does this look!?!? 2. Zipline through a jungle or rainforest. 3. S tay in a lodge/hotel where your room is open to the outside. This photo is from the Peru Jungle Lodge ( LINK ). Pack the bugspray . I like the ones over water too. This is actually a Hilton. I love this. 4. Stay in a treehouse hotel (with full bath). This is a resort in India. Or, one closer in the Ozarks: 5. Stay in a castle . ( LINK ) 6. Lay on a shaded bed on a beach and do nothing. Jamaica sounds nice right about now. 7. Visit Inca Ruins in South America. (I was fascinated by the Mayan ones we saw in Cancun) . Here is Machu P...

Savannah is officially 11 months old! Wow . I kid you not........ she is still the sweetest, most happy baby . Ever . Since our last update...... -She has 2 teeth now, finally! -She cruises along the couch -She stands for up to 10 seconds without holding onto anything (no steps yet!) -She is wanting more and more table food. She has out-eaten her siblings from time to time. Here she is stuffed in a teacup. Well, just because. She loves to look out the back door: Happy, happy, happy. Loving that table food. Hummus on crackers. She's even cute when she's disgusting: She's even still sweet when she cries.... which isn't often. LOVE THIS GIRL. Happy 11 months.