Charlotte's Big Girl Room

We are coming up on the one month mark of being in our new home and I am finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Last week we got new carpet, which was awesome, but all of the bedrooms had to be disassembled and then put back together, so that set us back a little. Moving has definitely gotten harder each time. Probably because we have more stuff and also a toddler who likes to undo all the progress that we make!

One of the first rooms I focused on was Charlotte's room, because of course, she is the princess! But, in all seriousness, I wanted her to feel settled and I knew she would adjust better once her room was complete.

If you remember my post back in March over on Jax Moms Blog, we transitioned Charlotte from her crib to big girl bed. It was a rough adjustment, but it was so fun putting together her new room and she loved the freedom of getting in and out her bed.

Between staying with grandparents and living in a hotel for a week, her sleep schedule was off and we weren't sure how it was going to go in her new room. Overall, she is doing really well and really loves her room. We occasionally get a visitor in the morning between 5 and 6, but if we are lucky, she will lay back down for a little bit.

Now onto the details of her room! I just love it so much! Charlotte is a lucky girl, too, because she has TWO closets! Now, they are on the smaller side, but I put princess dresses in one and her regular clothes in another!

Charlotte's Room!

The Flamingo print was my first purchase for her room and by far one of my favorite things!

Love how this shelf turned out with the print and photos from Thistle Photo Co. 

Bed: IKEA Hemnes Day Bed 

Duvet Cover: Pottery Barn Kids Pearl Dot Duvet Cover, Bright Pink 

Euro Shams: PB Teen Crinkle Puff Euro Sham, Bright Pink 

Standard Shams: Etsy, Love of Lilly Custom Order 

Throw Pillows: Southern Tide from Home Goods 

Monogram: Pottery Barn Kids Harper Monogram, Pink

Curtains: Pillowfort for Target Tassel Lightblocking Curtain Panel

Flamingo Art, Shelf and Lamp: Home Goods

I'm hoping to share more of our house soon! It is an interesting layout and has been a little bit challenging to decorate, but I am happy with the progress we are making! Until next time!

The Skinny on my 5 Day Clean Eating Challenge

Ok, so I'm fresh off of the 5 Day Clean Eating Challenge and I don't want to go back! My sweet friend and Beachbody Coach, Ashleigh, motivated me to do the challenge and I am so glad I accepted! Leading up to the challenge, I was provided a meal plan and shopping list for the week. The good news- there were LOTS of options for each meal of the day and variety was key to me! We were just coming back into town from a weekend away, but thankfully my amazing hubby stepped up, grocery shopped and meal prepped while I did laundry and cared for Charlotte! Honestly, for me the hardest part of this challenge was not indulging in a glass of wine every night. Other than that, I felt completely satisfied and full after every single meal! It is amazing what good, clean food tastes like and how your body actually craves it when it is rid of all the junk! Due to my work schedule, I was only able to get i 2 workouts that week, so I feel like your results could be even better if you did a workout (as suggested) every day. The challenge was hosted in a Facebook group and the support was amazing! I would highly encourage this to anyone who is looking to jumpstart their fitness/health journey!

Kyle also joined me and was so glad he did. He lost 9 lbs! The basis of the challenge was 3 meals, 2 snacks and then lots of water!

 My Results. I couldn't be happier. I see change and I feel amazing.
I lost a total of 5lbs and 1.5 inches off of my waist! 

Here is a recap of my week, including a few of the recipes I made.

Getting my 100oz. in after a workout! I drank over 100 oz. of water every day during the challenge! 

Lunch on the Run! One thing the challenge taught me is to be prepared! Take a lunchbox with you!
You'll be so glad you did! 

My colorful cart! I love clean eating!

Flank Steak & Summer Chick Pea Salad 

Want to be in the next challenge group? I can connect you with Ashleigh and get you set of the next one! We are actually following the challenge again this week! We are hooked!

I'll Never Make a 30 under 30 List

When I was in college, well even in high school, I thought it would be so cool to be on one of those lists. You know, the ones put out by the local magazine or networking group? "Top 30 Professionals under 30" or "40 Entrepreneurs under 40" come to mind. A list you only make after lots of schooling and hard work; a true accomplishment.

Just the other day, I was in the bathroom doing a quick touch up to my hair and makeup in between a dance class and our weekly bible study. As I looked at myself in the mirror, a few thoughts came to mind. I began to quickly realize that no matter how hard I work, I would never make one of these lists. You see, because of my husband's career we are lucky to stay in one place for 2 years, maybe 3 years max. The longevity and ability to make connections happens just as we are on our way out to our next duty station.

As we got in the car that evening, I mentioned this revelation I just had to my husband. His immediate response was, "Why do you need to be on a list to feel successful?" And of course, I immediately felt like a HORRIBLE person for even wanting to be on a list! I don't need a list. I am successful and feel blessed beyond words, but sometimes it is nice to be recognized, to be on that list, to feel like you have done something good.

To be honest, I wouldn't change a thing about the life we live. I am forced to adapt to new environments (and get new licenses wherever we go) and make the best of the cards we've been dealt. Through it all, God has always provided for us no matter where the Navy sent us and I am truly grateful for that.

At the end of the day, I don't need a list. But like many of my fellow military spouses/moms/parents, sometimes we just need a pat on the back to know that we are doing "OK". I have and always will be a working military spouse. I take great pride in my work and career and although their may be bumps in the road, I will make it past. My best advice is to follow your dreams and take that leap of faith to do what you have always dreamed of, regardless of the time or how long you may be stationed in XYZ. Live every day to the fullest and you will not be disappointed!

The Daniel Fast: Part 2

Today is Day 17 of the Daniel Fast and I am definitely ready to celebrate the end of the fast! If I have another brown rice bowl with black beans, I may get sick, lol! We've had a veggie bowl from Chipotle a couple of times and I vow that I probably won't eat there again for MONTHS! I found another great option at Zoe's Kitchen! Their Veggie Kabobs with Greek Salad (no feta) and their potato salad (no mayo) is Vegan!

I have lost 9 lbs and my clothes are definitely looser so that is definitely an added plus! I still haven't experienced increased energy or clarity. I have been going to bed pretty early though, which has definitely been a good thing and trying to wake up earlier so that I can workout before Charlotte wakes up. My prayer life has definitely increased and become more meaningful so I am very grateful for that! Overall, it has been a great experience and I would highly recommend it! It has definitely helped having Kyle and I do it together!

Anyways, a couple of new recipes to share for those who have been asking!

Roasted Chickpeas

These are a great staple to have on hand for when people come over, so easy and so healthy! 

-Preheat oven to 450 degrees 

- Drain, rinse and pat chickpeas dry. 

-Toss with olive oil and salt, pepper and your favorite seasonings. 

- Roast in oven for 20-25 minutes until desired crispiness. 

A friend wasn't using some of her Green Chef meals that she ordered, so she let me try them out. This is a similar meal service like Blue Apron, but all of the ingredients are organic. The ingredients also come in these little containers and most everything is chopped. We made this delicious Thai Green Curry and just omitted the chicken to fall in line with the fast! So easy and really yummy! Thanks again, Beth!

Green Chef Thai Green Chile Curry with Mango 

I made Sweet Potato Burritos on Tuesday night and they were great! Sweet Potatoes are so delicious and their texture really makes up for the lack of meat! You can view the recipe here!

Kyle made Sweet Potato Curry last week and by far that has been my favorite recipe! Not surprised because he is an amazing chef (who also makes a MESS in the kitchen when he cooks)! We had a friend over who is also doing the Daniel Fast and I think it was the best meal he had on the fast! :) Kyle tweaked the recipe a bit, but you can find the recipe here! Kyle didn't use lemongrass (couldn't find it at the grocery) and chopped his own San Marzano tomatoes instead of crushed tomatoes. 

A couple of more days! Say a prayer we can survive the last few days!

The Daniel Fast: Part 1

We are almost one week into the Daniel Fast and definitely taking it one day at a time! The fast has definitely been interesting- very challenging on some days and easier on others. I am grateful for the easy days, but also embracing the challenging days as I know that's when I need to lean in most and turn to God to help me through. I have prayed way more than I ever would if I wasn't doing the fast!

 I will admit, I thought I would experience more "side effects" like mental clarity, an energy boost and weight loss. I've lost 3 lbs since starting the fast. You would think I would have lost 10 lbs by now with all the things I have eliminated (of course, Kyle has)!  I think for me that is partly because of the high carb nature of the fast. I will say, I have NEVER been able to stick to a diet of any sort or abstain from wine (except for when I was pregnant) for more than a few days. This fast has been great because it has revealed to me that I can and the funny thing is I KNOW that I can't cheat. It just isn't an option!

Every day I try to write down a few words to sum up my day. Here is my journey so far:

Day 1- Struggled. Thought about food or lack thereof most of the day. Had to grab internet at Dunkin Donuts and I got to smell the donuts! Torture! 

Day 2- Woke up feeling lighter and refreshed

Day 3- Struggled in the morning with getting out of the house. Made it to work out. Headache in afternoon. On edge

Day 4- Felt good most of day. Kind of bored, which just showed us our weekends revolved around eating and drinking. Whoops! Napped when Charlotte napped. Went to see a movie and brought our approved snacks with us! 

Day 5- Felt rather defeated! Went to an event that had lots of yummy food and wine! That was a challenge. 

Day 6- Woke up with major stomach issues! Not sure what it could be as everything i am eating is fresh. Took the day off from working out and tried to feel better. 

Day 7-Today was much better! I was busy and didn’t have much time to think about being hungry or missing things. Didn’t eat lunch until 2pm, but felt very satisfied with my hummus and veggies 

Here are some of my go to snacks:
-  Bare Cinnamon Banana Chips 
-  Way Better Sweet Potato Chips
- Skinny Pop Popcorn 
- Hummus with Carrots, Celery and Cucumbers
- Cashews, Sunflower Seeds, Salt & Pepper Pistachios
- Brown Rice Cakes (plain or with natural peanut butter or guacamole)
- Cotton Candy Grapes (these are amazing and worth the $10 I spent on them today at Publix)
- Honey Crisp Apples

Some of my go to snacks! Jury is still out on Brad's Crunchy Kale!

As I mentioned earlier, Kyle and I quickly realized that our weekends involve going out to eat and indulging. So, we were happy to find some restaurants that were Daniel fast friendly and also available in a quick pinch if we didn't have something to eat at home.

Chipotle- Brown Rice, Black Beans, Veggies, Salsa, Guacamole. Their corn tortillas are also "safe". 

Toss Green- We had their Mango and Grain Bowl. Their dressings are home-made and their Cashew Dressing and Avocado Vinaigrette are approved! 

Grain & Mango Bowl with Avocado Vinaigrette

Fresh Jax- We actually haven't had their food yet, but they have many vegan options, including a sweet potato curry. You can follow them on instagram for their weekly features. 

I made a delicious salad on Saturday night! I would definitely make it again. You can find the recipe here. I substituted Spring Mix for the Spinach and used my Vitamix Blender to make the dressing! 

Roasted Chickpea, Quinoa and Tomato Salad with Avocado Basil Dressing 

Tomorrow I am trying a Vegan Hearty Slow Cooker Chili  for our Disciple Group meeting tomorrow night. I'll let you know how it goes! I chopped all the ingredients tonight and then will throw in the crockpot in the morning to simmer all day. Sounds yummy! 

That's all for now! Will be back with another update soon! Praying we survive the Labor Day weekend! No hotdogs or hamburgers for us! :) 

Charlotte's 2nd Birthday at Bay & Bee

When the time rolled around to plan Charlotte's 2nd birthday there was one thing that came to mind... It would be the middle of summer and INCREDIBLY HOT! Last year, we celebrated Charlotte's 1st Birthday at my mom's house in Orlando since we were in transition from Hawaii to Jax. This year, I knew she would have more friends to invite, so I wanted to have the party somewhere that kids could have fun indoors (and not have toddlers destroy my house, lol) The easy choice was Bay & Bee! Bay & Bee is a locally-owned small business, inspired by Montessori and Waldorf educational principles to create a stimulating eco-friendly play environment. On top of that, it is air-conditioned and their amazing staff makes sure every detail is accounted for!

Once we knew the date and location, it was time to start working on a theme! Charlotte is fairly obsessed with Frozen right now, so I debated a Frozen party, but then was made aware by other moms that there would be plenty of time for a Frozen-themed party in future years! So, we decided on Flamingo theme and it turned out so cute!

I couldn't have done it without my sweet friend, Stephanie with Boogie & Bear. Just when we started planning the party, her sweet and beautiful daughter, Addison, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. When I heard the news, I told Stephanie that there is no way I could expect anything from her during this incredibly challenging time for her family. Stephanie totally went above and beyond with the invitation and decorations and her husband even delivered items to my doorstep! I seriously could not have asked for anything more and I would highly recommend her to anyone planning a shower, birthday party or if you are just looking for some monogrammed goods. Stephanie is so sweet and creative. Please lift her family up in prayer and that Addison may be cured of cancer and get back to being a little girl instead of dealing with this horrible illness.

Charlotte's adorable invite by Boogie & Bear 

Birthday Stats Poster by by Dandelion Design on Etsy

Cookie Favors by Jenn Rorstrom 

Flamingos from Pottery Barn Kids

Fabric banner by Boogie & Bear 

Cake by the always-amazing Publix and topper by Boogie & Bear! 

Monogram and "2" Cupcake Toppers by Boogie & Bear

We had Chick-fil-A cater and it was so easy! 

Of course, I had to match Char and found a Flamingo Romper for me online at Target!

Char's adorable Flamingo Romper by Bitty Bundles of Joy on Etsy

Happy Birthday to our big 2 year old!

Charlotte: 2 Years

I cannot believe our little girl is turning "2" today! I remember the day that she was born like it was yesterday, even though it was actually 731 days ago (yes, I counted the leap day Kyle)! I can't believe she has been a part of our lives for THAT long! She truly is a blessing and 99.9% of the time the sweetest girl ever! If I had to sum Charlotte up in a couple of words I would describe her as determined, loving, fiesty and compassionate (maybe a little sassy too). Just today at the doctor's office, she said, "How are you?" to the nurse. How sweet is that? She also says, "Good Morning" to the cars and trucks on the road and wants to hug them! She is such a sweet and loving girl! Here are some photos I snapped of her this morning to commemorate her turning 2! Another post on her Flamingo birthday party soon! 

She loved getting her "check up" and was such a good patient!

Birthday Lunch at Chicken Salad Chick!

Weight: 30lbs 6.4oz (90%) (she stood on the scale today! No more baby scale)
Height: 34 3/4 inches (80%)
Diaper Size:  Size 6!!!!
Clothing Size: Big girl in a 3T

Eye Color: The prettiest blue eyes ever!
Favorite Toy:  A baby doll, blanket and stroller are never far away from this little monkey. She is such a good momma to her dolls and loves to swaddle them and give them pacis. 
Hair: We hit a milestone! Just last week, I was finally able to do a top knot in her hair!! It was a very proud mom moment! Her hair is so curly and has the prettiest little highlights. She is slowly getting blonder and blonder. 
Teeth:  She has 15 pearly whites!!
Sleeping Habits: With summer time and us frequenting the playground most nights, her bedtime has been pushed back. I aim for a 7pm bedtime but sometimes it gets closer to 8pm. She wakes up around 7am and usually just starts talking or singing! Once awake she is ready to get the day started! She is very excited to go in the car, now that she is in her "big girl car seat". She still takes a great nap from about 1pp-3/4pm
Milestones: She is now forward facing in the car! We had a little accident (projectile vomiting) in the carseat, so after taking it apart and washing it, we decided to go ahead and turn her around last month. She absolutely loves it! Potty training has digressed a bit. She can feel that she needs to go to the bathroom, but she won't sit on the potty to go. I'm trying not to force, but I really think she is ready! Next week she starts her transition to her 2 year old classroom. It is so bittersweet. She really is growing up so fast! 
Words: I told the doctor today that she literally can say 300 words! She has an amazing vocabulary. Kyle chimed in saying that was a little optimistic and it is probably more like 100, but I am a proud momma! She is learning so much and copying all the things we say. I love the way she says "elffant" for elephant and "Go Gators". She definitely over pronounces things which is so cute! She puts 3-4 words together for statements and questions. Some times it is hard to understand what she is saying, but most of the time I know exactly what she is saying or what she wants me to do!
Looking forward to: a few more trips to round out the year, Football season and of course Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Adventures this Month: Since her 18 month update, we visited Canada for a trip with my family and we also went to Jekyll Island with Kyle's family. We went with some friends to their beach house in St. Augustine and that was lots of fun, too! Charlotte also loves our trips to the beach, Target, the Jacksonville Zoo, and our community pool and playground. She is so happy when we are out and about. Just recently she started saying "turn around" when we pull into the neighborhood. She isn't ready to come home yet, she wants to keep exploring! 

We don't go back to the doctor for a well-check until she turns 3! Another update to come at 2 1/2 years!