Thoughts on Motherhood

So lately Casey and I have been talking about baby #2. Of course Casey says he is ready (well he isn't the one who is still breastfeeding and has to be pregnant for almost a year…again). I keep going back and forth if I want to have them super close together or maybe a couple years apart. Plus we don't know how long it will take for me to get pregnant. With Chase it took 1.5 years! So many things to consider!

This may sound selfish, but I am also just looking forward to having my body back to myself once I stop breastfeeding. I heard that you have so much more energy! I still need to lose a few pounds to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight as well. But ever since breastfeeding I can't limit my calories or I won't make enough milk! And I would really like to taste that freedom of not having a baby dependent on my body even if just for a few months. Chase is still breastfeeding and going strong! I'm going to start weaning him so I can completely stop when he turns one (which is in a little over a month). 

I feel like it will be hard with baby #2 no matter how close or far apart they are. I love being a mom and I know that is the most important thing we can do while here on earth. I was just thinking how crazy it is when you go from 0 to 1 baby. The thoughts that enter your mind when you first see your baby and how much love you have for them. Seriously I can't even describe what that's like. You think you have life figured out and that you are so happy and then you have a baby and everything changes. For me I just realized that this is what life is all about. It's not about me. It's about raising children, watching them grow, and teaching them everything you know. It's true, that you really do feel what it means to "have joy in your posterity". So here is to having more babies! Not sure when, but hopefully soon :)

Lately...

-My friend from college Maegan and her husband and little boy came over to visit! Chase met his new friend Miles! too bad he lives in North Carolina :(

-We've been trying to entertain ourselves this winter- the cold is not very fun with a baby!

-We make frequent trips to the mall- Chick-fil-a?

-Chase got a new carseat! It's so much easier to buckle him in. I love it!

-Chase is seriously getting into everything lately--he loves the tupperware drawers in the kitchen

-I have been loving this new juice place called MEND. but I'm pretty sure I got the 24 hr stomach flu from them. SO now I'm saving lots of money by not going anymore haha

-Chase has been loving bath time lately- he wants to get in even when there is no water

-We went up to the Ice Castles in Midway but didn't go in cause the line was too long, at least we got a picture!

-We got together with some of Casey's old co-workers and their wives down at river woods for the Google Fiber Party

-We had the best date night on Saturday: Pizzeria 712 and Waffle love. I think mom's appreciate date nights 100 more times than dads….

Wellness Wednesday: Food Prep 101

Casey and I were inspired to do this the other day. He has a friend at work that does this every Sunday night for the whole week and I found THIS blog post about this crazy fit mom of three who has the same method. 

Basically as the saying goes "Fail to plan, plan to fail"--this is clean eating that's all about planning. 

We did a trial run of how much food to prep because we are not exactly sure how much we will need for a week of easy breakfasts and lunches. 

Here are some of the things we prepped:

-2lbs of Chicken tenders seasoned with s/p and olive oil baked for 20 minutes @ 375- flip half way then chop up when they cool down

-Veggie Bags- celery, snap peas, carrots- ready to go snacks or salad toppings

-Fruit- mangoes, strawberries, pineapple chopped and ready for salad toppings or smoothies/parfaits/oatmeal in the morning. 

-Hard-boiled Eggs-I did a dozen. These are the best for a quick snack or salad topping. I did it by placing eggs in pot of cold water-let them get a little past boiling then cover and turn off stove for 15-18 minutes- then place in ice cold water to cool down. Store in fridge-best in carton-last one week. 

-Chopped Lettuce- I hate chopping lettuce and cleaning it with the salad spinner. But if you do this ahead of time your lettuce should last you a couple of days. I also buy bagged lettuce (it's just more expensive). 

-Protein Balls: I ran out of time yesterday but these would be a great thing to make as well so you have a quick protein-filled snack when you get hungry

HERE is my recipe for these. 

- Other quick and easy snacks that we like to have are: mozzarella string cheese, Angie's popcorn snack  bags, Luna Bars, Kind Coconut and Almond bars, Apples (honey crisp!), Bananas, cocoa almonds, and roasted pumpkin seeds. 

I hope this helps! We will see how well we do this week :)

New Year's in California

(WARNING: Picture Overload)

Since we couldn't get to California for Christmas we headed down two days later to spend a week with my family. All my siblings were already there for Christmas so it was a big party! Casey always jokes that my parents house is like a hostel. My little brother always has friends sleeping over and this Christmas my other brother Trent had his foreign exchange student friend from from Finland staying for a couple weeks. It was full house!

The weather was unreal! It seriously is not ever that warm in January. We spent lots of time outside going surfing, going on walks and hikes, shopping and just spending time at the beach. We went to a Clippers game, a BYU game and a Lakers game. Plus Casey got to golf a few times. He was in heaven.  One day we were able to get down to Long Beach to spend a day with Casey's Grandma and Aunts. We went paddle boarding and took Chase to the park then had dinner with the family. We sure know how to pack in a lot of activities in a week! I feel like every time I go home I have a list of things I want to do/see/eat and I never seem to get through it even if I am there for a week! Oh well….there is always next time!

 after our flight….we just needed some food from the Habit!

 Chase's Christmas round two!

Ventura!

 We met up with Rachel Robbins and her husband Zeke for dinner on the way to the BYU vs. Pepperdine game. 

 Girls lunch at Americana!

 love Chase in this picture!

Grammy and Chase in Long Beach!

 Chase with his great-grandma Alma. It's getting harder to get a good picture of this kids- always on the move. 

 We met up with my bestie Sara and her husband Dillon for some dinner in Pasadena. 

 Sara, can you please move closer to me! I miss you!!!!

 Sano beach day!

 Our family friends the O'briens invited us to their box at the Laker vs. Jazz game! It was so nice with Chase. 

 I like to try out new hikes in La Canada whenever I go home. This one was up Cherry Canyon and we loved it. Chase slept the whole time in his baby carrier :)

La Canada had a float every year in the Rose Parade. The next day they put it on Foothill (the main road) for everyone to see!