So we finished our Palio diet for January.  I didn't lose any weight but lost 3% body fat.  I'm a woman...I want to see the scale move...I realize you can't watch the scale but that is in my mind and it bugs me! 

I busted my large butt and didn't feel any different except for the fact that I MUST have some starch in the week...like 3 sweet potatos at least. 

Blah..
Carrie

We are cruising through January just like we did in 2012...it is already going by way fast!

Here are some highlights:
1.  Hazel is pretty much potty trained on #1...#2 is going to be the death of me.  I catch her at the beginning and then when I put her on the potty it disappears.  One night I came out all frustrated and whispered to Ryan "I saw it at the gate and then she sucked it back up".  About 5 minutes later I heard Hagen tell Hazel, "Hazel, when it is at the gate don't suck it back up!"  I need to watch my mouth...

2.  Hagen was so excited yesterday to present Hazel a gift.  He made us all come to the living room and put her on the ottoman (her tuffett).  He then gave her his bead bracelet he got at school.  He gets a bead for doing good and once he gets 20 he can take it home and pick a prize out of the  treasure chest.  He gave it to her and she didn't want it.  I think he was disappointed as he was so excited to give it to her.  We played some reverse psychology on her and put it on her baby doll...she wanted it then.

3.  The kids started Emler Swim school this week.  I like it because it is once a week, the pool is 90 degrees, and it is for 20 weeks.  hazel hated her first class...Hagen loved it.  I'm sure once Hazel is more comfortable she will love it.

4.  Hazel = Mama's girl lately.  Ryan picks them up from Daycare while I'm getting dinner ready because God forbid their food is not prepared the moment they walk in the door.  Well, Hazel didn't want Ryan to get her out of the truck...so she sat in her car seat until I came out to get her.  Also, She finished swimming lessons first so I changed her and then she sat on the opposite side of the glass so I could get Hagen.  Ryan finally came out and said I had to take her because people are looking at him like he is trying to kidnap her...she would FREAK if he picked her up or even stood by her.  She is a pill.

5.  Also, who is the only one that can put her to bed?  ME!  This is getting old...really old...

6.  Ryan is the homework master.  He can get Hagen to focus and do his homework like no other.  I am usually cleaning dishes from dinner while Hazel is crapping her pants in the corner or coloring...those two switch on a daily basis.

7.  Dapper is getting old...his greys are really showing and he is just slowing down.  He grunts when he lays down, gets up, anything.  he drives me nuts but I love that dog...

8.  Paleo diet is doing good!  One more week left.  I can tell that my energy is really low unless I throw a few sweet potatoes in a week.  I am eating my weight in fruits and veggies.  I made paleo chocolate chip cookies last week and they are the BEST cookies I have ever had...and I don't say things like that usually.

9.  Hagen and Ryan went on a hunting trip.  They saw 11 deer!  I got to have girls weekend with Hazel and it was nice.  She behaves alot better when she gets one on one attention.

That's about all for now!!
Carrie

Day one was pretty good!  She had 2 accidents at school with wet clothes.  BUT she woke up from her nap dry!  Also, last night she was seen trying to go #2 so Ryan got her and sat her on the potty and she went!  Go Hazel!  Her reward was 3 jelly bellys...Hagen as her helpful sidekick gets some too.

So Hagen has been out of school for 2 weeks but has been going to Daycare.  They have been taking him on field trips!  Yesterday they went to the movies, today he is going ice skating, and tomorrow laser tag! needless to say I am glad that he is having fun because let's be honest...who wants to go to daycare when you are off for Christmas break?!

Tata,
Carrie

Where the HELL did 2012 go?  Honestly it was the fastest year in history!

For NYE we had Tommy and Jacki over with their girls and also Ryan's trainer and his wife and little boy.

We had everyone over around 4:30 for dinner and some poppers and the party was over around 8:30.  It was really nice! 

The kids had alot of fun playing together.  Hagen was so excited for Katie (4) and Tori (about 7?) to come so they could play his xBox...we set up his man cave upstairs.  Well, they don't like video games so his plan was ruined.  BUT they still had a great time playing.

Hazel also enjoyed Isaac...he is 1 1/2 years old and DARLING!! 

So this year my plan is:
1.  Healthy living - Ryan and I are going to focus on eating healthier.  We are eating Paleo for the month of January.  I have been working my ass off at the gym and think that this will help me take some more love handles off.

2.  Hazel will be potty trained - she went to school today in panties!  Minnie panties to be exact.  She was very proud.  She is ready...we just have to make it the new norm.  LLC does a great job at guiding parents on potty training.  They just tell you what to do and that's it!

3.  Budget - I am going to start taking my lunch to work.  I have been spending about $6-7/day downstairs at the deli.  They have great food but it is adding up.  Ryan is doing the same thing.  Between us we can save up towards $300/month...just on lunch!!

4.  Pictures - I need to make sure to get pictures of the kids...candid ones.  They were having a picnic last night watching Brave and there was a scary part and Hagen reached over and grabbed Hazel's hand...then she laid her head on his shoulder.  I mean, those are the moments I want to capture on film!!!

5.  Work - I LOVE MY JOB.  I want it to be just as rewarding as this past year has been. 

My main focus this year is to just enjoy life...that's pretty much it.  I want to look back and think, "man, I'm glad I started eating healthier or else I would have diabetes right now." etc.  Now is the time for healthy changes so by the time I'm 40 (which is in 2 years...what?!?) I will have it set in stone and routine.

Carrie

What a wonderful Christmas holiday 2012 was!  I love my family...they are just fun!

This year Hagen is really into computer games, etc. so he got a Nintendo DS XL 3D and the xBox Kinect.  He loves them both!  It is so weird that he will just escape to another room and it is quiet...BUT I need to set some time limits even though the silence is golden!

Hazel is into Dolls, etc. so she got a little dollhouse, a cradle with a baby and some blankets, a ride on Minnie toy, and kitchen!  She is really into being a Mommy lately.  She just loves her babies and often is seen taking them for a walk around the house in the stroller...well, pushing the empty stroller while holding her babies.  She is octomom...she has like 8.

Christmas was cold and after the kids took their naps they woke up to a blanket of SNOW!  It was perfect!!!  It was way too cold to play in...plus it was pretty snow, but not the sticky snow for snowmen.

We spent Christmas Eve at Nana's this year and my newly single sister in law joined us (the girls were with their Dad).  It was going really well and then something was said (nothing major) and memories flooded back and she couldn't help but lose it.  She left earlier than she thought...she just needed to be alone and sad on the first holiday single.

We spent Christmas Day at my parents with Adam's family.  It was so fun but man...was it CRAZY!  Loud kids...nuts.  It will be nice when the girls catch up to playing quietly...we have a few years left of that!!

My Dad got Hazel a Mercedes sports car.  She loves it!  It is the cutest thing!  Silver...just like Pia's but hers is Black. 

We felt rushed on Christmas Day because the roads were pretty bad...but during dinner it was so pretty looking out the window at the new snow!!!

I'm so thankful for everything...it's been a hell of a good year!!

Carrie