Update!

Haven't posted in a while. Here is an update on the Waggoners.
Ryan is still in business for himself with RW Top Coat. Things are going pretty well, he is staying busy for the most part. If you need any painting or home improvement done, let him know!

I'm still working 4 days a week at Savannah Healthcare. My schedule has been crazy for the last month or so because we've had a few nurses leave and some out sick so everyone has been playing fruitbasket turnover with the schedule. I also have fallen off the Weight Watcher wagon. Don't know when I'll get back up on it. Just not motivated anymore, don't have time to think about it, and have NOT been in the mood to cook whatsoever.

Holt is still loving Love and Learn Preschool. There was an incident however last week while they were eating lunch. There was an uninvited guest under Holt's chair in the cafeteria: a (baby) garden snake! Needless to say, chaos ensued when it was discovered and we're still talking about snakes!

Lacey is sitting up and creeping around everywhere. She is getting up on all 4's and rocking, trying so hard to just full-out crawl. So sweet! We're still nursing. She's in that sweet phase where every so often, she'll pull off and look up at me and smile or giggle. I love it!

55 lbs to go!

Well, I bit the bullet this week and started Weight Watchers. I did it after Holt was born and lost about 35 pounds on it. It was easy, and I can actually say I enjoyed doing it. I like that it really makes you aware and accountable of everything you put in your mouth. You learn to fill up on satisfying foods, so unlike a lot of other diets, you're not always hungry.

Here are my goals: I want to lose a total of 55 pounds. I want to be on track so that I lose 10 lbs by Labor Day, 30 by Christmas, and 55 by next Easter. I don't know when Easter is, but I was afraid if I made it by our 5th wedding anniversary, which is March 5, that would be pushing it too much. I may adjust dates depending on how I do.

I am still exclusively breastfeeding Lacey, and plan to until she is at least a year old. They say that doing WW while breastfeeding really boosts your weightloss. I hope it does, and can't wait to weigh in next Monday night for the first time this go-around!

My Little Party Animal

Another funny Holt story:

Mom, the kids, and I were on a little afternoon shopping trip to Jackson, which was by definition, a fiasco, but anyway, we were talking about her taking care of my grandmother's healthcare affairs. She was talking about how difficult it was being the responsible party and then jokingly said that I had it to look forward to with her, my mother-in-law, and my aunt (whose only child died as a teen). I proceeded to protest that declaration by stating "I'll not be the responsible party for all of them!" To which Holt shrieked, "Yes mommy! We ARE going to the responsible party!" He doesn't miss a thing!

Pee pee in the potty!

I am in the throes of potty training my almost 3 and a half year old. I've literally tried everything except the white training pants because I haven't remembered to pick them up at Wal-Mart when I've been. Those trips are few and far between with 2 kids in tow these days. I have grilled anyone I know that has recently potty-trained their child for tips or tricks that worked for them. We've tried everything from cheerios in the potty to bribes and rewards to taking away treats. One day, I put underwear on him just to see what would happen and we went through 3 pairs in 45 minutes. After that I decided that it was not going to happen that day.

Today, I decided we would try again, with a different approach. We got up, had breakfast, and put underwear on. After about 30 minutes, I sat him down on the potty and told him to not get up until he pee peed. I put the potty in front of his tv in his room, turned on Cars, and started doing things around the house. Every few minutes, I went to check on his progress, and those every few minutes turned into an hour. At that point, I decided there was no turning back. I was in it for the long haul. He was going to pee pee in that potty, or else. I didn't know what "else" would be, but dang it I'm tired of changing what seems like a grown man's diapers!

Finally, after an hour and a half of checking and hoping, waiting and nail-biting, I heard those 6 miraculous words, "Mommy, I peed in the potty!" I went running in there, so excited! I couldn't believe it when I saw that precious tablespoon of yellow liquid in the training potty! He really did it! I scooped him up with those little Elmo underoos around his ankles and we danced and shouted and celebrated! Then the tears came, because I realized that this was the last little bit of baby left of him starting to leave. It was very bittersweet. But I was so proud of my boy!

His reward was a package of Colored Goldfish crackers he had had his eye on for a couple of days that I had been using as a bargaining chip. We called his daddy and grandmother to share the happy news. We did have one accident, and he is back on the potty (for about 45 min at this point I think) to try for it again before nap time. I don't think I'll tell him I'm waiting on him to pee pee before nap time or he won't go for sure this time!

How Quickly They Learn...

Lacey was finally asleep this morning. I was trying to tackle our catch-all closet and decide if I could muster up another yard sale or not in the small amount of time she would sleep. Holt was playing "The Spectacular (or as he pronounces it, the B-tacular; I don't know why he puts a "b" in front of everything; he also says b-mote for remote) Spiderman" and was practicing making webs over Lacey's swing. I dismissed him to his room in order to lengthen her nap, hopefully. A few minutes later I had made a sweep through the house and come across some loose change, which I always donate to Holt's Disney World fund. I took it to him in his room and watched as his little face lit up with surprise. I just knew he would belt out "Thanks Ma! Mickey Mouse Money!" But instead he said, "It this for me to be quiet while Lacey's asleep?" Oh how quicly they learn...

Easy Enchiladas

I made the best enchiladas the other night and it was so easy.

You will need:
1lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
4 large flour tortillas (9 inch maybe? they were big)
1 can enchilada sauce (the red kind)
1 (2-cup) package of mexican style shredded cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350*. Brown ground beef and season with taco seasoning according to the directions on the package.
2. Stir in about 1/2 the cheese into the warm meat.
3. Separate ground beef in the pan into 4 piles. Fill the flour tortillas and place them in a square baking dish seam side down.
4. Pour the enchilada sauce over the top of the filled tortillas, and top this with the rest of the shredded cheese.
5. Bake until cheese is bubbly.

It would probably be even better if you stirred a can of Rotel into the meat when you stir in the cheese. I'm going to try that next time. I served this with some Mexican Rice. It was easy, quick, and tasty, and Ryan really liked it!

Snakes!

Well, here's my first post. Mom has been on me to start blogging so here goes. Today, we went on a little adventure to the library. They have story time every Friday at 10am during the summer. I tried my best to feed Lacey before we left, but she wouldn't have it. She is getting a little mind of her own these days. We get to the library, and Holt looks to be the youngest one, besides Lacey. There's about 10 kids. And guess who the presenter is! The park ranger featuring his (non-poisonous) snake. Oh joy. I hate snakes. Holt goes and pushes his way between 2 kids on the front row. He is mesmerized! The poor park ranger looked to be about 21-22, and Holt just stands up in the middle of his presentation and announces that he is going to name the snake Lightning McQueen. Of course, everyone snickers because this is so cute, but I know there's more to come. He sits down after the first outburst, and the ranger starts talking again. After a few sentences, Holt stands up again and asks where the snake's mommy is. The ranger fumbles through some answer, like "Oh well, she is, uh well," and Holt interrupts again and starts talking about the snake nonsensically. I intervene by sitting down on the floor with him, with Lacey in my lap. That lasts for about 10 minutes, long enough for the ranger to get through his part of the spill and ask for questions. Holt is restless by this time, and guess who's hungry now! So, we left storytime early, but Holt said all the way to the car that he had fun. I wanted to stay and let him check out a book to bring home about snakes, but maybe it's a good thing Lacey got hungry!