New Year

Remember my new year's resolution post last year? Of course you don't because I don't remember what you posted a year ago either.

Like every year, I forgot about my resolutions by March. But when I looked back at that post and reflected on the past year, I realized that I did some of the things I resolved to do:

I have tried to eat healthier. I now consume considerably less sugar than I used to. (Well, not counting the past week...)

I exercise more regularly and plan to continue to do that. (Thank you, Shape Up NYC for your free zumba class 2 times a week.)

My calling has allowed me to serve people.

I don't always have a book I'm reading, but I am reading more than I used to. I love curling up with a book while Blake naps. When I start a book I usually don't get anything else done until I finish it.

I'd say it's been a pretty good year for me! This year as far as resolutions go, I'm going to focus more on my family. This year our family will:

pray together each night
have family home evening each week
laugh more together

That's it. Sounds simple, but I know it will be a challenge because it's been a challenge this year. And even though I'll forget come March, hopefully by next December I'll be happy with how much our family has grown together.

Happy New Year!

unfortunate change

A few weeks ago I was finally able to comfortably wear a pair of jeans I could wear before I was pregnant. I've been going to zumba classes a few times a week and trying to cut down on the amount of sugar I eat.

I'm not really a diet person. I don't like having to measure out my food, count calories, or put certain foods off limits. If I tell myself I can't eat something, then that's all I want to eat. I figure if I stay active and eat healthy foods then I'll be ok.

What I haven't really thought about is how my body has changed since having a baby. I kept blaming it on just being overweight before I was pregnant, being pregnant, and then not losing the weight after I had Blake.

But now that I've lost a few pounds, I've realized my body has changed. Unfortunately. So now I get to play "This fits me here, but not here. Oh and let's not bring attention there. Or there."

I already hate shopping so this "new" body I've discovered is not really helping. At all.

I'm totally in favor of this (7:57-8:30...or the whole thing if you need a good laugh):

I think I could rock a one piece silver suit with the V stripe and boots...

evolution of dance

Yes. He dropped it like it was hot.

Seeing New York-Transit Museum Train Show

It's nice having friends who know the not-so-well-known fun things to do in the city. On Saturday we headed to Grand Central Station to visit the Transit Museum Annex to see their train display.

The ceiling at Grand Central is really neat!

After wandering around for a few minutes, we asked for directions. And if we ever go again I'll probably have to ask for directions again. I was thinking it was going to be museum-esque, so that's what I was looking for. Instead, it was more museum gift shop-esque. But in the end, it didn't matter what it looked like, their train display was pretty cool! And free!

Blake had a great time watching the trains. And if we had let him, he would have climbed right in and destroyed the whole thing!

Even though their train display was fun to see, Blake found something he was more interested in.

 Possible Christmas gift?

Seeing New York-Holiday Window Displays and Santa!

I'm going to be honest. We could have just seen Santa and our night would have been perfect. But I feel a sense of urgency when it comes to experiencing all things NYC because I don't know how long we'll be here to experience them. If I had my way this would be our last Christmas in New York. So I bundled Blake up, forced him into his stroller, wondered who I was really doing this for, and headed to the city.

We strolled along 5th Avenue, stopping briefly to look at the window displays.

By the time we hit Rockefeller Center, Blake was about done. I kind of felt like I was just rushing around, trying to take a quick picture, mentally checking off things from my bucket list.

The best window display in my opinion was at Lord and Taylor. The others were neat, but Blake didn't seem too interested in them. He cried when we left Lord and Taylor's!

In order to cheer Blake up, we stopped for a New York slice...hahahahaha! (You should've seen the looks I got as I tried to take a picture of this.)

Our final stop was at Macy's. After looking at their window display we headed inside to see Santa. We weaved our way through the store to find the elevator...the elevator just for strollers and wheelchairs being operated by an employee. Shocker!

We stepped onto the 8th floor and walked to Santaland.

singin' tree...kind of creepy

It was there we experienced several miracles: no line, happy Santaland workers who were excited to see us, and a 20 month old who actually sat on Santa's lap sans protesting and tears.

All in all, it was a chilly, but fun night. We even saw a free concert in the subway! It was some of the best music I've heard in the subway. So good that we missed our train!

This will go down as one of the best NYC experiences we've had as a family!

Adventures with a 1 year old- Bathtub art

I saw this idea on pinterest, perhaps one of the most addicting websites ever. I was hesitant at first because I didn't want Blake to put any of this stuff in his mouth. But I think we are finally past that stage, except for the occasional acorn.

To make these bath paints, just mix shaving cream and food coloring together. I mix mine in little plastic containers. You can also use a muffin tin. Blake loves doing this before bath time. And I have to say it gives me a good ten minutes to just sit and relax. I'm in the bathroom with him, but I don't sit on the edge of the tub because the tub is dry and not slippery.

Just a little warning: The food coloring has stained the grout on our shower wall, but it tends to fade after a while. And I have noticed that Blake's hands and wherever else he gets the paint are stained as well. It usually fades or is totally gone by the end of his bath. Totally worth it to me for all the fun he has with it.

Apartment Search: NYC edition

If you put the same effort into remodeling this apartment that you did capitalizing every other letter in your post title, then maybe I'd want to rent your apartment. Also, cats aren't that exciting.



Don't you dare classify a studio apartment as a 2 bedroom apartment. A studio apartment means there is a room. One.

 WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME?!

 Wow! Only $1450 a month and it comes with a talking closet!

Wow, it's near allllllllllllllll? That's grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat! 

Here's a little advice: the creepier the pictures look, the less likely I am to rent your apartment. Oh, and put the toilet lid down.

 Looks more like somewhere they'd film an episode of Law and Order:SVU

 Cabinets in the kitchen? Why, that's unheard of!

Hey this looks nice! A 2 bedroom for $1395?

Nice kitchen. Ohhh a dishwasher! 

 And look at the outside of the building! 

Maybe I've found somethi...oh. Wait. You said this is what the building looks like, but google maps street view shows me this:

 Scam.

laundry day

Can you tell?