James

James has been busy these days getting into anything and everything. I never knew how quickly a house could be destroyed until he came along. Ha! This week we have been busy getting into the kitchen cabinets. Let's just say the crockpot didn't make it...

He also loves climbing! However, he hasn't figured out the getting down process.  I thought it was pretty clever of him to open his train table drawer and use it has a foot step!

We have been practicing our shapes and colors this week too! He thinks every shape is "OOOh-val" and the color "BU-oo" but hey I'm just happy he can put the pieces back where they go. :)

A BIG thanks to our friend Jennifer who got this Thomas the Train tent for him. He loves climbing inside, knocking it over, and basically sitting on it. Ha!

I love that in every picture he's in mismatched outfits. Clothes never last long with toddlers (his or mine). One of those things you give up on at this stage.  I love my little red headed boy!!! He's at such a fun stage right now. He keeps me on my toes but I wouldn't trade it for anything. :)

Our Weekend

We had another low key weekend here in Cape.  We received a couple inches of ice Friday night/Saturday morning so we stayed in until Sunday.  When is spring again!? :)

Me and my boy Sunday morning before church. My good friend Anna Grace sent James the cutest penguin overalls for his birthday.  We got lots of compliments on them.  

We've been working hard learning how to hold and use our utensils.  He's got the fork down pretty good but the spoon is another story.  I just go in knowing he's going to have more on his clothes than in his tummy.  I swear I spend 75% of my day in the kitchen (prepping, cooking, and cleaning).  

I've been trying to make some semi healthy meals for my picky eater.  He LOVES hot dogs (what kid doesn't?) but I do buy him the all beef fat free hot dogs by Hebrew National.  I decided to make some mini corn dogs that would be baby and Weight Watcher friendly for mommy.  I swapped eggs with egg whites, yogurt for oil, and milk for almond milk since James can't do regular milk.  Here's the recipe...

Ingredients:

2/3 cup flour

1/2 cup yellow cornmeal

3 Tbsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

4 hot dogs (cut each into 6 equal pieces)

1 egg white

1/3 cup almond milk

2 Tbsp. plain yogurt

Directions:

Mix all your dry ingredients. Then, add in your wet ingredients.  Use a cookie scoop and scoop into 24 mini muffin cups.  Lastly, insert hot dogs.  Bake at 400 for 7-9 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Servings: 24 mini corn dogs 

WW Points Plus: 1

These were a hit with my little boy! I feel better giving him these rather than frozen store bought alternatives.  Plus, this was a great recipe for me and staying on track with my points.  

I am surprised how well it has been to stay on track using Weight Watchers.  I don't feel deprived of anything because you can basically have anything but within moderation.  This Sunday will mark 4 weeks since I've started and I have lost ALMOST 20 pounds.  I am really trying hard to stay on track and workout this week to hit that 20 pound goal for the month.  

Chocolate Peanut Butter Frozen Cups

Ingredients:

1 tub fat free cool whip

2 Tbsp. PB2 

2 Tbsp. Lite Chocolate Syrup

Directions:

Thaw cool whip. Mix together cool whip and PB2 (prepared according to package). Scoop into 6 muffin tins. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Freeze.

Servings: 6

WW Points Plus: 2 

I usually need one sweet treat for the week when I'm feeling a moment of weakness. I normally buy those Weight Watcher Smart Ones in Peanut Butter Sundae. Well let me to you...these are just as good (if not better)!!! I saw these on Pinterest and tweaked the recipe slightly. 

It's been a while...

Why is it that every time I commit to blog weekly I then disappear for months? 

I am going to blame having an almost 13 month old that keeps me busy 24/7.

Last post I mentioned I had a new website. AND I do. But I am not as computer savvy as I thought. I am just going to keep blogging on here for the time being.

Anyways, a lot has happened since OCTOBER. Holidays, James 1st birthday, and many other great things to share. We have a big year in store for us and I can't wait to share all the details with our family and friends.  I have been taking a little (or maybe long) social media break and I think I'm going to continue. I cannot tell you how uplifting, encouraging, and convicting it has been to not log onto facebook and instagram first thing every morning and last thing every night.  It has caused quite a stir with lots of questions and grumbling.  The best answer I can tell everyone is that I needed a break. A break from mean words, jealousy, envy, daily comparison, and bragging. I love keeping up with family and friends but if it's going to cause me to stumble in my personal relationship with God then it's just not worth it.  SO I will use my blog to post updates, pictures of James, and the events going on in our life. 

This week has been uneventful to say the least.  We received maybe 15 inches of snow in our town Sunday night and Monday morning.  James and I are ready to play outside.

We've discovered his love of popcorn this week...

Daddy stayed home Monday and Tuesday and was able to play with us for FOUR days straight (I think he was ready to go back to work yesterday ha!)...

Someone really wants to go out and check out that white stuff...

 Hoping this will be the last snow for the year.

 Me and my boy this past Sunday before church...

In other news, I'm doing Weight Watchers (again). I'll probably post some recipes and tips in the upcoming days.  I also log everything onto myfitnesspal if anyone wants to follow me my username is MrsArnold609.  It always keep me accountable by logging my food and my friends being able to see what I eat (the good, bad, and ugly haha).