Peanut Butter Pumpkins

Thanksgiving for my family always consisted of going to my Aunt Anzie's house and having a nice big lunch.  There was turkey, BBQ, stuffing, sweet potato soufflé, green bean casserole, rolls, pumpkin pie...you name it and we had it.  One of my favorites is a beautiful little bite of heaven:  peanut butter pumpkins.  They are pleasing to both the eye and taste buds.  I cannot restrain myself around them.  They are just amazing.  What good is knowing a good recipe without sharing it, right?

1 box confectioners sugar
1 medium jar peanut butter
1/2 stick butter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
mini chocolate chips
red and yellow food coloring

Combine ingredients.  Roll out into small balls.  Use toothpicks to indent lines on sides and top w/chocolate chips.  Enjoy!

I hope you'll add these to your family meal.  Happy Thanksgiving!

With love,

Hannah Elise

Eat Your Way Slim---Seriously!

Sounds great, right?  I love to eat.  Who doesn't?  I also like to stay at a good weight.  Having two babies in a row with 3 months in between (plus weight gain trying to make milk) is not easy on the figure.  I gained a total of 50 lbs during this time and it has been very hard to get off.  I'm still 10 pounds above what I weighed before I got pregnant with Jeremiah.  It would be easy to workout and eat right if I didn't have two babies to take care of, but I do.  They take up most of my time and almost all of my energy.  I do have time to workout but when that time comes, I'm already so tired.

I have started a workout routine (using that term loosely) but haven't stayed on it like I planned.  Life gets in the way.  You fellow moms know how that goes!  It's so hard to take care of 2 mini-me's, have time for my marriage, have "me" time, have Bible study time...sadly, that is the order of my life right now.  I'm ashamed to admit it.  Just trying to keep it real.

All of that being said, the biggest change I have made and the key to my weight loss is my diet.  It's not a diet anymore; it's just how I eat.  I like the 80/20 rule (80% healthy food, 20% junk food) for my family but I try to keep it 90/10 for myself.  I am all for portion-control but will admit when it comes to fruits and veggies, I do not limit my serving at all.  I will sit and eat a whole bowl of blueberries and not feel bad about it.  Food isn't just about the calories...it's about the nutritional value.  This is the subject of my most current soapbox, in case you haven't been around me lately.  All of these processed foods that "fill you up" are incredibly bad.  They have little to no nutritional value.  Our bodies become the foods we eat.  It makes sense that Americans are more sick than they've ever been.  Look at our diets!  We eat fast food, pre-packaged and pre-cooked foods, snack packs, and the list goes on and on.  We need vitamins and minerals and anti-oxidants and proteins and that list goes on and on as well.

This has been on my heart especially for my children.  A few months ago, I found myself trying to cook things to fill them up.  I was coming from a good place because I don't want them to go hungry, but one day it just hit me in the face.  I am feeding them CRAP.  Absolute crap.  I'm setting them up for a lifetime of weight problems.  I have struggled with my weight my whole life and learned in college about all things nutrition.  I want to teach my kids what to eat, when to eat, and I want it to be a lifestyle for them so that they never had the problems I have had.  I don't want them to have health problems or be teased by their peers.  The time to start is the beginning of their life, wouldn't you say?  I say yes.  The time is now!

My life is busy and I like prepping for the week ahead on Sundays.  I like to cook a whole chicken and have that to eat on for the week.  Then with the carcass I make bone broth to freeze and use in soups.  If I am making veggies, I like to make a ton to just throw in the oven and reheat when I need them.  I also plan meals for the week on Sundays to stay organized and so I know what to expect for the week.  I make a few certain recipes on Sunday that I would like to share with you.

I've scoured the internet (mostly Pinterest) for recipes of easy-to-make, healthy foods I can just grab and go.  These 6 are my favorite:


1.  Kale Chips

If anyone is a salt-addict like me, kale chips are the snack for you.  I searched for recipes and decided to just try something on my own using one as a template.  The best way to make these I have found is this:

Buy regular-size kale stems from  your local grocery store (they come in big bunches like cilantro).  Strip the leaves off the stems and wash them.  Put them through the salad spinner and make sure they are really dry.  Break them into bite-size pieces and put them on a baking sheet.  Do not over-crowd your sheet because they won't all cook.  Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil, just enough to cover them.  You don't want to use too much because they will get soggy and who wants soggy chips?  Sprinkle with salt (however much you want but be careful with it) and bake in the oven for 10 minutes on 300 degrees.  After the 10 minutes, turn your pan the other way so they can cook evenly.  Cook 15 more minutes.  Take them out and eat them up!

2.  Cashews

This one is easy...go to the store and buy a pack of lightly salted cashews.  Open the bag and eat a handful.  I like this one a lot.  Cashews are full of good fats and protein and are the perfect snack!

3.  Frozen Blueberries

This is another easy one...freeze blueberries.  Eat as many as you want for a snack.  They are delicious.  I have gone through 4 quart-size bags of frozen blueberries in the past 2 months.  I can't get enough of them.  They are a power food and work great as a post-workout snack.  You can also freeze grapes if you prefer but I'd limit the number you at of those because they are higher in sugar than berries.

4.  BOGY Muffins  (Banana Oat Greek Yogurt)

I found this recipe on Pinterest from a blog.  You can find it here.  I like them because they are highly nutritious, highly delicious, and you just mix everything in a bowl and bake them.  I don't process my oats like she suggests because I like the texture of the whole oat.  I keep these in my fridge for up to a week and grab one for a quick healthy snack.

5.  Healthy Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Yes, you read it right.  DOUBLE CHOCOLATE.  Can you imagine why I clicked on them?  This is another Pinterest find.  These are absolutely delicious and have no added sugar.  The chocolate chips make them sweet enough.  I use semi-sweet chocolate chips but you can use dark chocolate to make them even healthier.  I make a batch of these and freeze them.  The BOGY muffins do not freeze well but these do so I try to eat those first and save these for after those are gone.  Did you get that?  My kids gobble these up and have no idea how good they are for them--score 1 for Mom!

6.  Energy Balls
Last, but certainly not least, we have energy balls.  I want to meet whoever came up with these and shake their hand.  These are so healthy and tasty it's hard to have just one.  I usually have two.  I can't find the recipe online so I will just list it.

1 C oatmeal
3/4 C unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 C natural peanut butter
1/4-1/3 C raw honey
1 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 C ground flax seed
1/3 C mini chocolate chips

Process the oats (or don't if you want the texture).  Grind the flax seed if it's not already ground.  Grinding it released the nice omega-3 fatty acids you want.  Combine all dry ingredients then add the peanut butter and honey.  Mix with your hands and roll into balls.  Place them on wax paper on a pan in the fridge for about 30 minutes to harden.  Then store in the freezer for ...a month?  I'm honestly not sure how long they last in the freezer because mine are gone after a week.  You can make them with or without coconut but honestly you can hardly taste it.  I love these because:

-Flax seeds have omega-3 fatty acids and fiber
-Raw honey helps with allergies and is a natural sweetener
-Chia seeds are full of protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, etc
-Oatmeal is good for you in many ways
-Peanut butter has good fats and protein and keeps you fuller for longer
-Chocolate chips just taste good

Beautiful, yummy, and nutritious

One other thing I have started is having a cup of decaf hot green tea at night with raw honey and lemon added.  It soothes me and is full of anti-oxidants.  It is nutrient-dense and very low-calorie.  A month or so ago I made these chocolate coffee truffles.  I plan on making them again this week as a little treat.  They are amazing, especially if you like dark chocolate.  We have all heard the benefits of dark chocolate but the most important one is that it tastes so good!  I am all for splurging a little here and there.  I wouldn't live any other way.  Also they have a coffee flavor and if you have met me at any point, you know I love coffee.  Such a fine treat!

I hope I have inspired you to contribute years to your life by eating healthy.  If not, at least try one of those muffin recipes.  I wouldn't recommend them if they weren't fantastic!  

Have a wonderful Sunday evening.

With love,

Hannah Elise

Well, Hello There!

It's been awhile, folks.  I would make up all kinds of awesome excuses on why I haven't blogged in awhile.  I'd say how it's hard doing life with two little babies-turned-toddlers but that would be a lie.

My life is awesome.

I'm just lazy.

Life here lately has been just wonderful.  I'm not sure if I ever posted about Brad going back to college but in case I haven't, Brad is in college.  He is at Aiken Tech doing the heating and cooling program.  He took two classes this semester with labs so he was gone every afternoon into the evening most nights.  It was not enjoyable, but we had a wonderful 2 1/2 week break before he starts back this fall.  After this semester, he only has 5 classes left!!!  (Insert the Hallelujah Chorus on replay)  Life with 2 kids and college and working retail is no easy task and Brad has been a trouper.  At least once a month we have the "this is hard, but it will be worth it" conversation.  He will take probably 3 classes in the spring, 1 next summer, and 1 next fall.  One class only offered in the spring is a prerequisite for the fall class only offered in the fall, which is why he only has the one fall class next year.  We are hoping he can get an AC job sometime in the summer and just take that one class next fall at night.  I am so proud of him for sticking it out and will cry so many tears of joy when he walks across that stage!  That is one good man I married.


The boys are doing great.  I love our little life at home playing, watching movies, going outside and playing in the pool.  We really haven't been out as much as I'd hoped to because Keegan decided he didn't like the pool even though he loves the bathtub.  I try to go out with Jeremiah at least once a week while Keegan is taking his morning nap.  It's pretty much unbearable in the South to be outside with no shade, wind, or water.  I'm very ready for cooler weather so we can spend most of the day outside and not get eaten up by mosquitos.

 JJ needs a haircut!

Sweet boys playing with Memaw!

We had the privilege of going to Charleston for a couple of nights last week.  The boys love the sand and the ocean (even Keegan, go figure).  Keegan was eating sand like it was his job.  Jeremiah loved getting tossed around in the waves.  That boy is just fearless.  Being a parent of little ones at the beach is a totally different experience.  There is absolutely no "I'll just lay on this towel and tan all day".  Or even "I'll just sit in this chair for 5 minutes".  It is a wonderful season in our lives and we had such fun just watching the boys experience the beach.  We are so thankful we got to go!

Yesterday I got to go on a "date" with one of my SILs, Lacy.  She is really a gem.  She will be a junior in college this year and is in nursing school.  We can't remember for sure but this might just be the first time we've ever spent time alone together!  It was so great.    She came over for breakfast and we had coffee and chatted for awhile.  Then we got ready and went shopping around town.  We stopped in for lunch at Chick Fil A, which was good as always.  She is such a happy lady and it is truly a joy to be around her.  We will have another date or two before she goes back to school for sure.

I have one brother and growing up I wanted a sister.  Don't get me wrong, I loved and still love my brother.  I just wanted to have that sisterly bond with a sister of my own.  I have two cousins that are sisters and I always admired their relationship.  Little did I know that God planned to give me not one, not two, not three, but FOUR sisters!  I just had to wait a little while to meet them.  They were worth the wait, trust me!  I love each and every one of them and am so blessed to call them sisters.


The whole point of this post is simply that life is good and God is good.  Goodnight everyone!

With love,

Hannah Elise

To (Not Just) All the Single Ladies

Now you'll be singing that song for the rest of the day.  "Wah oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh oh, wah oh oh..."


Ok this blog is not just for single ladies but it is directed at them.  I want to just go ahead and say I am writing this letter to encourage people.  That is my sole intent.  I am not the best with words so if you read this the wrong way you could be easily offended.  I am writing this with all of my almost four years of experience with marriage (that's a whole lot, right?) so I am not trying to say that I know what it's all about.  Four years isn't long at all but Brad and I have faced some challenges that it takes some couples many more than four years to encounter.  Honestly, sometimes it feels like a lot more than four years.  Other times it feels like just yesterday he was proposing to me on that beautiful night.  (pause to revel in the memory of that wonderful night...........................ok, back to reality).

So, to recap my intro:  I know a lot about marriage.  I don't know a lot about marriage.  I will forever be singing "Put A Ring On It".  Ok here we go...





An Open Letter to (Not Just) Single Ladies:


Dear (Person in whatever stage you are in),


Please read this entire letter before you make a judgment about it.

There is a super-cheesy quote I am seeing all over Pinterest that says, "wherever you are, be all there." or something of that nature.  I personally prefer "be where you are".  I have been giving this a lot of thought lately.  As cheesy as it is, it is really useful if you actually apply it to your life.

I have a few single friends, some young and some older, and I have a few things to say to y'all.  It's hard to see past being single if all you want is to be married, and I get that (I was single before I was married).  I just want to encourage you to enjoy life where you are right now.  Try to see the good side of being single.  I could make you a list if you want, starting with taking naps whenever you want.  I know you're thinking, "I want companionship and children so desperately bad, and this chick is telling me I should be glad I can take a nap??".  Yes, I am saying you should be glad you can take a nap.  You should also be thankful that you have no responsibility for anything other than yourself.  Marriage (and children) come with great responsibility and you don't know exactly how big of a deal that is till you actually get married.  I wish so badly that I had not taken for granted how "free" I was before I was married.

Let me stop right there to insert this disclaimer:  I am extremely, undoubtedly happy with my life.  I love being married, I love my husband, I love my children (and want lots more of them).  I would die for them in the blink of an eye.  They are my world.  Please don't take this letter as me saying wishing I was single again.  This is just to highlight the things that I do miss about being single and every once in awhile, I long for them again.  Get my drift?

That being said, I spent most to all of my time either taking care of my husband/children or thinking about my husband/children or thinking about what I would ever do without my husband/children.  There isn't a lot of "me" time.  It is fine because I know what I am doing is the best for my family and I love my family.  The reality is, though, that sometimes I would like to have a day without all of those responsibilities and cares.  If I was single, I could just pick up and go to the beach one day and not have to worry about when my kids are gonna nap and packing up half the house with me and how we're going to pay for the gas/food for the trip.  I am saying this to ENCOURAGE you who are single.  There's no way to describe life in the "next" stage without actually entering that "next" stage, but try to appreciate the stage you are in and make the most of it.

Brad and I had about a year and a half together before I got pregnant with Jeremiah and boy, did we enjoy ourselves.  I love to think back to our first year of marriage when we lived in our tiny 450-sq ft studio apartment in Charleston.  We had such a wonderful time together.  We also had a lot of arguments.  It's hard learning to live with someone who is (gasp!) completely different than you.  After you get married, reality sets in.  If you view marriage the way we do, divorce is not an option.  There were times when I thought (and I'm sure he did too):  "what in the world did I get myself into?  I can't undo this!"  I still have those thoughts from time to time.  Being married is hard and wonderful.  I just wish I knew how hard it was before I did it.  I would do it all over again if I had the chance, but I wish I were more prepared for it.

I would also like to encourage those couples who are childless.  I do not presume to know how heartbreaking it is to want children so badly and can't for some reason you may or may not know.  I feel great sympathy for those couples longing for children.  Obviously having children is a wonderful thing, else people wouldn't do it over and over again.  There are times though that I think back to life before children.  I could actually run an errand without loading and unloading my children.  It takes longer now to load and unload the kids than it does to actually run the errand!  As wonderful as children are (again, I would do it the exact same way if given the choice), they are a lot of work.  Not only the physical part of pretty much being a slave to them for the first year til they learn how to do some things for themselves, but the emotional side of it.  Having children hurts.  It feels like your heart is walking around outside of your body.  I could make myself cry just thinking about something happening to one of them.  Children bring joy unimaginable but also make you incredibly vulnerable.  I didn't even consider that before I had Jeremiah.  I just knew that I loved him and he would be the sweetest little baby in the world.  When I delivered him, I was overcome with emotion (as many women are).  I spent the first several months of his life in a hyper-emotional state.  Anything he did made me cry.  I loved him so much.  I still do.  I was a little less emotional with Keegan but still felt that great explosion of joy when he was born.  I understand wanting to experience that SO badly that it's all you can think about.  I just want to tell you couples who are trying for a baby (or will in the future) to appreciate your time alone with one another.  Don't miss out on your peaceful, sleep-filled nights together, your day-dates, your vacations, your quiet and romantic meal times.  You'll wish you didn't take them for granted.  Trust me.

I could be completely satirical and say that some single people wish they were married, married people wish they had children, and married people with children wish they were single.  I think if all of my friends in all of these different stages were completely honest with themselves, they would somewhat agree.  There are good and bad things about each stage and we tend to focus on the bad things in the stage we are in and look forward to the good in the "next" stage.

The whole point of this letter is to encourage you, in whatever stage you are in, to just enjoy life.  If you're single, be happy.  I'm not saying don't look for a spouse or that you should feel guilty for wanting that for your life, but enjoy this stage.  Enjoy only having yourself to answer to or take care of.  You can never have that back.  Don't take it for granted.  If you are married and wanting children, that is great. Children are such a blessing.  Just don't ignore the time you have alone with your spouse.  Enjoy it.  Be spontaneous.  Take advantage of your time together.  You'll wish you had.  If you are married with children, BE THERE with your family.  Enjoy those fleeting moments of late-night rocking your children, wiping their snotty noses, and reading to them.  There will be a day in your house (and mine) where the silence is deafening.  I complain all the time about having to wipe hand prints off of my white cabinets, all the while thinking that there will be a day when I never have to do that again and I will wish I had to.

I am saying all of this to myself as much as all of you.  I waste time like you wouldn't believe sitting around on Facebook.  I admit it.  I need to put the computer down and play with my kids more often. I don't want to take for granted my time as a mom of young children.

I hope that I got my point across.  Like I said, I'm not good with words.  I just wish someone had pounded in my head over and over again through each stage I have been through to just be happy where I was instead of always pining away for the next stage.  Again, I hope this doesn't sound like I'm just this miserable soul who feels stuck in life.  I assure you I am not.  I adore my stage in life.  I also know that it is just a season that will pass before I know it.  I want to be happy and appreciate it, just as I encourage you to do.


Sincerely,




Hannah


Psalm 90:12  "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Making Progress

Hello again!  I hope y'all are as warm as I am.  It is FREEZING outside (literally).  The boys and I are snuggled up watching Thomas and Friends while Brad goes to play basketball with a buddy out in the cold.  He's crazy, I know.  I already told him.  Whatever makes him happy.

Life has been a little crazy the past few days.  Both boys had some kind of stomach bug and I've spent my time cleaning, wiping, and washing everything in our house.  I lost count of the loads of laundry I've done.  I've never dealt with sick kids before so it was quite an experience and I am exhausted both physically and emotionally.  They seem to be fine today so I'm thankful for that!

Yesterday I had a check-up with my "woman" doctor...always a fun time.  I won't bore you/gross you out with the details but learned something really exciting...I have lost 2 more pounds!  It is a long journey but I am slowly and steadily making progress (hence the blog title...clever, I know).  I wanted to blog about this so I can look back and remember where I came from and also in case any of you need some encouragement or inspiration.

I want to say that weight issues have been a lifetime struggle for me.  In 7th grade I weighed 155 pounds.  That's 7 more than I weigh right now.  That's a lot of weight for a little girl.  I don't like to talk with many people or in large groups about my weight/food issues because so many people around me just look at me and think I have nothing to complain about.  Yes, compared to the average American I don't have anything to complain about, but I don't compare myself to the average American.  I have standards I've set for myself to be fit, healthy, and live a long happy life.  I don't want to just be average.  I hope this blog doesn't offend anyone but if it does, you certainly don't have to read it.

I'm just gonna come right out with the numbers because numbers don't lie.  Even if you want them to.

On my wedding day, I weighed 125 lbs.  I worked my behind off (literally) working out twice a day and watching what I ate to get to that weight.  I think my body's "set weight" is between 130 and 135.  Pregnancy has thrown me on a weight journey I never expected to be on, especially since I did it twice in a row.  When I was 8 weeks pregnant with Jeremiah, I weighed 127.  I count that as my start weight.  At my heaviest with Keegan, I weighed 176.  That's a 49 pound difference.  That's a lot of weight.  Broken down, I gained 32 pounds during my pregnancy with Jeremiah and only 25 pounds with Keegan but I started out way heavier than with Jeremiah.

About 5 days after Keegan was born when I took him to the pediatrician, I weighed myself.  165.  Far, far away from my beloved 130's.  Even further away from my more-beloved 120's.  Six weeks after I had Keegan, I went for my check up with my OBGYN and there I weighed 161.  At that point I knew I had lost all of the water weight from pregnancy.  161 was my official weight.  That day I left her office feeling so defeated.  Not depressed, because I have these two beautiful babies to show for it, but just defeated.  It felt like I had such a huge task before me.  I didn't know where to start.  I was the queen of working out before I got pregnant.  I ran on the treadmill up to the 24-week point when I was pregnant with Jeremiah.  I would've ran longer but that would've required an adult diaper.  I figured I'd switch to the elliptical.  After Jeremiah was born, I had tons of breastfeeding issues (see here for more info) so I ate everything in sight trying to make milk.  The only thing that did was make me gain weight back.  After his birth (biggest weight being 160) I got back down to 141 before I started eating like a pig.  Because of this, when we found out I was pregnant again I weighed 151.  During the first 22 weeks of my pregnancy with Keegan, I lost some weight and gained it back so I weighed 151 still at 22 weeks.  The next 19 weeks (yes, 19 not 18 because somebody wanted to stay in my belly over his due date) I gained 25 pounds.  I was eating healthy but didn't exercise.  All of my energy went into taking care of Jeremiah and growing a baby.  I knew I should, but honestly I just didn't want to.  I was so tired.

So that's the back story.  I made a deal with Brad that if I could get down to 135 by the time my sister-in-love and her family came home on home assignment (December 2015), he would treat both her and me to a massage at the spa we went to the last time she was home.  That's a pretty good incentive.  I love massages.  So there it was: my goal to lose 30 pounds (counting down from 165).

It has been a long, hard road but it is happening.  Using my knowledge of exercise and weight loss, I knew I only wanted to lose about 1/2 lb per week.  This is the best way to lose and keep it off (the steady slow turtle wins the race).  I could have easily gone on some crash diet and lost 20 pounds in a hurry, but I would've just gained it all back when I started eating normally again.  I didn't want to start anything I couldn't keep up.  I started eating less and cutting way down on my sweet intake.  Seems like everyone around me is doing low-carb, and that's fine if it works for them but I LOVE LOVE LOVE carbs and am not willing to part with them.  My philosophy is everything in moderation.  It works for me and I like it.  I can eat pretty much whatever I want, just a little bit.  I treat myself to sweets every now and then.  I hate feeling restricted so I feel like this is the right plan for me.

That being said, yesterday at the doctor I weighed 148.  That is 17 pounds down!  Only 13 to go to reach my goal.  I can't describe how I felt leaving her office compared to the last time I left.  I went from feeling completely defeated to feeling like I was winning this weight battle.  I treated myself to a hazelnut latte.  It tasted like success.  I am even more motivated now that I am really seeing results. I have been taking pictures of myself every 4-8 weeks-ish and posting them to a private Facebook album.  I won't post them because I'm not covered enough and now I wish I had covered up a little more so I could share my results with everyone.  I did manage to find some pictures that show some difference so far, so here we go:

When Brad and I met, around 140ish pounds

In March before our wedding, around 130 lbs

Wedding day May 7, 2011, 125 lbs 

4 weeks pregnant with Jeremiah

Biggest point with Jeremiah, 160 lbs

Even bigger biggest point with Keegan, 176 lbs

About a month after Keegan (holding baby Shiloh St. Clair), about 162 lbs

About a month ago, 150 lbs

I have a good bit to go but I am feeling better and better every day, physically and mentally.  It also helps that I see a support group every day.  I'd do it all again to have my boys, and I plan on doing it again!

My support group

Until next time,

Hannah Elise

#MomHacks

I'm sure all of you have heard by now of these neat things called "life hacks".  Life hacks are just tips and tidbits to help make your life easier.  I figured I would come up with my own life hacks specifically for moms.  Hence the name "mom hacks".  I'm so original.

I have been a mom for 19 months now and even though it is a short amount of time, living it every day feels like much longer.  I have two wonderful mothers that have guided me (sometimes holding my hand just because I needed it) and given me advice that I have taken.  It has been much to my advantage.  Knowledge isn't worth anything if it isn't shared, right?

This blog actually goes out to her royal highness, the Duchess of Cambridge herself, Kate Middleton.  She is about to have baby #2 and all I've seen on magazines in Target lately have been about how Kate is preparing for "2 under 2".  I figured I have 7 months of experience so I should be nice and share with her.  You're welcome, Duchess Kate.  Anytime.

So here are my #momhacks in no certain order:

1.  Keurig

Yes, coffee is #1 on my list.  Anyone who knows me knows I am a coffee fiend.  I love, I love, I love it.  If you could marry an appliance, the Keurig would be next in line after Brad.  Do you get my point?  Ok good.  We got ours as a wedding gift and it is by far my most favorite and most used gift.  I use it every day, more than once a day.  You just put the pod in, press go, and smell as the sweet wonderful aroma fills your kitchen.  I actually use a re-fillable pod because they are so ding dang expensive and bagged coffee is so much cheaper.  I have the first-edition "old" Keurig and I will use it til it dies (what a sad, sad day that will be).  You might try one of the new-fangled, has-lots-of-buttons, super duper multitasking Keurigs.  I like to keep it simple and keep it good.  Thank you, Keurig, for your service.  You are amazing.


2.  Crock Pot


This is a pretty obvious one IMO.  Everyone should have a crock pot.  They make life so easy.  All you have to do is find a good recipe, throw all the ingredients in, and presto! 4-8 hours later you have a wonderful meal hot and ready.  I actually have salsa and taco seasoning on chicken breasts cooking away in my crock pot right now.  I'm making Zannie's Black Eyed Pea Dip to go with it.  There are tons of good slow cooker recipes on the internet.  It is worth the time to prepare it while your kids are taking their morning nap.  That way you don't have little hungry ones under your feet begging for M&M's and crying while you cook.  Not that that's every happened to me...


3.  Sleep training


Sleep training.  Ahhh, sleep training.  Two of the most wonderful words ever uttered.  My in-law family recommended this to me and it is the best thing I have done as a mother.  Anyone who knows me also knows I love to sleep.  If I don't get sleep for a few days in a row, I get sick.  My body just doesn't handle it well.  Sleep training turns awake babies into sleeping babies (usually).  The process is simple:  lay your baby down to sleep.  Lay them down awake.  They learn how to go to sleep on their own. We started this late with Jeremiah because I sat around holding him while he slept.  I didn't have that luxury with Keegan, so we started him from birth.  Sleep training for me also involves letting their bodies figure out a sleep schedule.  I look for signs of sleepiness (red eyes, rubbing eyes, yawning, etc) and IMMEDIATELY snatch them up, give them some milk and lay them down.  Both of my boys have gotten on pretty regular sleep schedules this way.  My mother told me that she would rock me to sleep every night so then when she needed me to just go to sleep, I would scream and cry because I wanted to be rocked.  Yes, babies love to be cuddled and I do get a lot of snuggle time in with Keegan when he's awake.  Sleep training is good for both mommy and baby.  Baby learns how to sleep, therefore mommy gets sleep.  Mommies are better mommies when they are well-rested.  Attachment parenting says to sleep with your babies and that's fine if that's for you.  You enjoy getting kicked and poked all night.  I will enjoy my peaceful sleep.  :)

 Jeremiah @ 3 1/2 months old

Keegan @ 2 months old

4.  Afternoon crib time


To piggy-back the sleep training idea, another #momhack is the afternoon crib time.  This could also be morning crib time.  All this really means is laying your baby/toddler down for an afternoon (or morning) nap even after they have "dropped" to one nap a day.  I know most kids drop their morning naps but my Jeremiah has decided to keep his 10:30-1 nap and try to stay awake for the rest of the day.  This makes for a cranky, fussy little boy around 7pm.  Per the advice of my mother-in-law, he now goes down for an afternoon crib time around 3 or 3:30 whether he sleeps or not.  It's a beautiful thing.  I get a break, and he gets some time to get to know himself.  More times than not, he lays in there talking to himself or bouncing on the mattress.  That's fine by me.  It's an hour or so that I know he's safe and I don't have to deal with him.  It's especially useful when you have another (younger) baby to take care of.  There you go, Kate!


5.  Bounce-bounce

This is one of the best inventions ever.  Seriously.  They are called several different things but we call ours the bounce-bounce.  This one in particular has been wonderful because the bottom tray is suspended by little bungee cords.  Babies can bounce off it to build their little leg muscles.  There are several different toys on there for them to play with and they can turn in this one so with each positional shift, there is a new thing to crank/pull/chew on.  Both of my boys absolutely loved being in the bounce-bounce.  It makes life so easy when I need to cook, take a shower, run to the mailbox, use the bathroom, etc.  Trust me mommies, this is so worth getting.


6.  Diaper bookbag

I got this bag as a birthday gift last year (per my request).  I use it every time I go somewhere.  When Jeremiah was born, my lovely mother-in-law made me a diaper bag with the fabrics I picked out for his nursery.  It was great at first but as I need to put more and more stuff in there and the bag I had kept tipping over and everything would spill out.  I wanted something I could zip and put on my back for carrying while I carried my baby on my hip.  I just love being able to throw everything in there, zip, and go.  It makes for a quick exit should your baby have a public meltdown or a diaper explosion.  I've had it for 9 months and plan to use it til my boys are diaper-free.


7.  Swiffer Wet Jet

This is a more recent discovery.  I've only been using it for a couple of months and I'm wondering why I wasn't smart enough to have used it before now.  The Swiffer Wet Jet is a time-saver for sure.  You put the cleaning pad on the bottom, plug in a solution, and mop your little heart out.  There are several different types of solutions, including one for hard wood floors.  I don't have hard wood floors but a couple of the houses I clean do and I use it on them.  Sometimes when the kids are napping and I don't want to wake them with the vacuum, I just sweep the kitchen and "wet Swiffer-it".  The pads are disposable so no having to wring out a nasty mop and rinse out a bucket afterward.  It can be expensive if you pay full price, but my hubby gets a nice Target discount so I buy them there on sale. I believe in spending money on important things and things that make my life as a mom easier are important to me.  It's worth the money, trust me.

8.  Lysol All Purpose Cleaner

My mother-in-love introduced me to this and I've been using it ever since.  It's great for cleaning the kitchen and can be used on any surface.  I use it in the bathroom for a quick clean-up if someone is dropping by the house.  I love having a clean kitchen before bed.  My MIL calls it getting back down to ground zero.  After I wash dishes and my counters are clear, I spray everywhere with this stuff and give everything a good wipe-down.  It doesn't leave a filmy residue like a lot of cleaners do.  It smells awesome and gets things squeaky clean.  I like that.


9.  Thieve's oil

This is also a recently discovered #momhack.  For the past 6 months or so I've been getting sick on and off.  Nothing too major, just congestion, sinus stuff, and headache from all of it.  It's usually not enough to go to the doctor but enough to really get on my nerves and prevent me from enjoying life as I should.  It's easy to go get a Z-Pak from the doctor to kick it, but I don't like taking antibiotics because they throw off all of the good bacteria in your body.   My dear Abby suggested that I contact a family friend who is also a nurse about essential oils, especially Thieve's oil.  I've been using it for almost a week and I can't even describe the difference it has made.  You just spray it on your throat 2 or 3 times/day.  It is a blend of 5 essential oils that combined are anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-infectious.  It's pretty much a whopping boost to your immune system.  As far as I'm concerned, I'm going to use it every day for the rest of my life.


10.  This man

I saved the best for last.  This is one that I will NOT share.  He is my favorite on this list.  Bradley makes mom-life pretty easy for me.  He has been a HUGE help with the kids from the day they were born.  He always does whatever I need him to do and provides hours of entertainment for the boys.  He helps out around the house and makes sure all of my needs are met.  He even changes poopy diapers!  The most important thing for a mom IMO is a support system.  I'm so blessed to have him as mine.  I love you Brad.  Thanks for being such a great dad!





I hope this list will help all you moms out.  Maybe in a couple of years I will come up with a new list to see what I've learned.

Until next time,

Hannah Elise

Happy 6-Month Keegan

My super squishy sweet newborn is suddenly 6 months old!  Keegan is rolling all over the floor and will be crawling soon, I just know it.  He is so much more active than Jeremiah was at this stage.  He never stops moving unless he is sleeping, and even then he still moves.  Maybe it was all the coffee I drank while I was pregnant with him...oops!

Life for Keegan these days is filled with chewing on his toes, laughing, and watching the world around him.  He loves to watch movies, animals, and his big brother playing with his toys.  He has the quickest little hands; if you're eating something, you better watch out because he will snatch it from you!  He is very interested in food.  He has tried several baby foods and a few of the more liquid things that we eat.  I need to step it up and start feeding him at every meal instead of reaching for the bottle.

K is such a sweet boy.  He was fussy for the first few months of his life but at some point, he switched and has been happy ever since.  He loves to lay on his tummy propped up on his little elbows and look around.  He makes his way around the living room via rolling and scooching.  He enjoys being in the bounce-bounce:

We just celebrated his first Christmas.  Like all other babies, he liked the wrapping tissue much better than any of his toys.  It was a joy to watch him take it all in even though he had no idea what was actually going on.

I can't wait to see what the next six months has in store for my boy!  Crawling, sleeping through the night, possibly walking...the possibilities are endless!  We love you sweet baby Keegan!

-Hannah Elise