We've Moved

Life with the Lyngs is now a WordPress Blog.

Our new web address is

http://lifewiththelyngs.wordpress.com/

I'm still getting used to the format and how WordPress works, but I already like it much better.

Be sure to bookmark us over there, because there won't be any more updates over here, and in a few months it'll be gone altogether.

I'm pretty sure this disqualifies me from any "Mother of the Year" nods...

I must have spent at least a half hour deciding on the style of Bennett's birth announements. The photo was darn near perfect, if I do say so myself. I finally put it all together, ordered them from Tiny Prints - the same company that did Charlotte's announcements - and they came in last week.

I was in love with the look of them - I thought the capital letters along the bottom were very masculine - and did I mention how cute he looks in that photo? See for yourself:


So I got the envelopes addressed, stuffed them, and put return address labels and stamps on each one. I got them in the mailbox and marked that task off my to-do list.

My husband came home that evening, picked up one of the cards and told me how much he liked them. Then all of the sudden he says to me,

"Honey, when was our child born?"

"Excuse me?" I replied.

"When was our son born?"

"Why?" I asked.

"Because this says he was born on March 27th."

In case you didn't know, he was born on May 27th. I was there, drugged up as I may have been. You'd think I'd remember exactly when I pushed a 7 pound baby through my hoo-ha.

Now, if this had been the situation with Charlotte's announcements I probably would've panicked, driven like a mad woman to the post office, demanded the envelopes be returned or perhaps I would have ordered up a second batch of announcements to be sent out to correct the mistake.

But my response was something like, "Damn. Really? Oh well, they've already gone out and I doubt anyone will notice." I sure didn't. And I must have looked at that thing 200 times before even mailing a one. Of course, I was probably distracted by that very cute photo.

Well, such is the fate of the second child. I'm sure if we ever have another one there won't even be an announcement.

Sorry, little dude. Your momma didn't even get your birthday right. But I promise to at least try to always remember your name.

Menu Plan Monday: June 22-28

Instead of a weekly schedule for my meals, I post four meals for the week with no assigned dates. That gives me more flexibility and allows for three days worth of either eating out or having leftovers.

Last we ended up being treated to dinner two nights by friends, which allows me to carry over two meals from last week. On top of that, we were given two freezer meals from Super Suppers by some good friends of ours, so we'll be enjoying those this week as well. Wow, this was the easiest meal-planning week ever!

Meal 1: Chicken and Mushrooms in Garlic White Wine Sauce/Snap Peas

Meal 2: Spaghetti with Turkey Sausage/Salad

Meal 3: Super Suppers - Herb Salmon Fillets with Rice Pilaf/Broccoli

Meal 4: Super Suppers - Sesame Ginger BBQ Beef/Broccoli

For more Menu Plan Monday, visit Organizing Junkie!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my hubs, my Dad, and to all the other amazing men out there who love and care for their children.

Welcome, Baby Ely!

Yesterday, the kids and I packed up (whoa, way harder with two) and headed to meet Baby Ely. He was born on June 12th, just over two weeks after Bennett. Ely's momma is Crystal - who was a college roommate and is one of my best friends. Her firstborn, Carter, is just a few months younger than Charlotte, so it's always fun to get together and let the kids run around and play. I can't imagine how crazy it will be in another year with the babies are up and running too!

Ely,

You are such a cutie! You, Ethan and Bennett are sure to be best buds. Your mommy and I have shared many memories over many drinks over the years. So it only seems right to say "Cheers to you!" Welcome to the world, sweet boy.

Love,

Aunt Liz

Fat Burnin' Friday 6/19

This is so much more about healthy habits than it is about weight loss (though I did lose another pound this week - yay!). I do believe that slow and steady wins the race and that it's 9 months up, 9 months down. But I feel really good right now and I've been sticking to healthy foods and making sure I at least walk almost every day. I did splurge yesterday on sushi and ice cream since I was celebrating my anniversary - totally worth it, too!

I picked up some edamame at Trader Joe's and boiled some eggs to add to my salads at lunch and they are helping to keep me feeling full. I also switched to Silk soy milk with my cereal in the mornings and have been eating Kashi Vive that Jaime recommended - it was on sale at Publix so I thought I'd give it a try and found that I really like it!

Here's my exercise breakdown for the week:
Saturday: Two 15 minute walks around the neighborhood; 20 minutes of light weights
Sunday: REST
Monday: 15 minute walk around neighborhood; 30 minute indoor walking video; 15 minutes of light weights
Tuesday: 25 minute outdoor walk
Wednesday: 15 minute outdoor walk; 20 minute indoor walking video
Thursday: 30 minute outdoor walk
This morning: I'm headed out the door in a minute for a quick walk before the sun makes it unbearable outside!

Go check out Mommy Snacks for more Fat Burnin' Friday!


Fat Burnin' Pounds lost since 6/8/09: 3.2
Fat Burnin' Pounds to go: 23.2

Four years and two kids later...

...I'm still madly in love. Happy Anniversary, my love!

C is for...

Cantaloupe Crush.
This drink has very little sugar, lots of fruit and we froze the leftovers to make popsicles to have later - just perfect for these hot afternoons! It's very easy, just mix all the ingredients (see below) and enjoy!

1 cup cantaloupe cubes
1/3 cup pineapple chunks
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup frozen or canned peaches
1 teaspoon sugar
3 ice cubes

B is for...

Butterfly! I found this over at Just for Fun. She used footprints, which is actually cuter, but C was in no mood today for me to try footprints. I'm lucky I got her to do the handprints - just one of those mornings!

Draw me a Picture

I asked C to draw me a picture on her doodle-pro and this is what she drew:

She said it was (from left to right) her baby brother, Daddy, Mommy and herself. Hmmm...I am not sure why I was given such a big head. Anyhow, I just had to take a photo!

Menu Plan Monday: June 15-21

Instead of a weekly schedule for my meals, I post four meals for the week with no assigned dates. That gives me more flexibility and allows for three days worth of either eating out or having leftovers.

Meal 1: Spaghetti with Turkey Sausage/Salad

Meal 2: Chicken and Mushrooms in Garlic White Wine Sauce/Snap Peas

Meal 3: Slow Cooker Pot Roast/Carrots/Potatoes

Meal 4: BBQ Pork Chops/Rice/Broccoli

For more Menu Plan Monday, visit Organizing Junkie!

A is for...

I've been inspired by all the links over at the Crafty Crow. I thought I'd try to do something every other day or so with C until we complete the alphabet. We need the special mommy-daughter time, and I think this will keep me focused.

So where better to start than at the beginning with the letter A?


A is for Alligator (thanks to No Time for Flashcards!)
I thought this turned out so cute!

Friends

I just had to include this photo because it makes me smile and I want it to be in the scrapbook (whenever I get around to organizing and ordering it from Blurb someday).

These are some of C's playdate pals. The mommies are girls I used to work with at BCE and we meet every so often at one of the local parks. C doesn't go to daycare, so it's nice to offer her the chance to play with some girls her own age. Look at all those cuties!

Below is another photo - this is of C, B and their friend Ethan. I think this photo is hilarious, because it is so wrong. Ethan is bawling, C looks less than thrilled and B is trying to nurse the sofa! Ethan is April's son (my best friend from high school and college roommate). He's only a few weeks older than B - so our grand plan, of course, is that they will be college roommates one day too!

Fat Burnin' Friday

I pigged out on Mexican food Tuesday night - partly because the girls were over at the house and partly because I knew I was going to start my new diet the next day. Oh, and I enjoyed every morsel. But the next day I woke up with determination! At two weeks postpartum on Wednesday, I started focusing on diet and moderate exercise (walking). I did really well with watching my food intake - not necessarily dieting, but making sure I chose healthy options for my meals and snacks.

As far as exercise goes, I began walking, both outside and to a video indoors. I walked outside on Wednesday morning(very slowly) and also this morning (moderate pace). On Wednesday I did a 15 minute video during nap time, and on Thursday I did it twice (once at nap time and once late afternoon). I am hoping to do do the video later today, but I'm pretty tired from this morning's walk (followed by a playdate in humid, hot Georgia) so we will see.

As far as exercise goes, I feel good and don't feel like I'm pushing myself too much, which is fine for now. But I do find myself rather hungry in the late afternoon, so I probably need to up my calories at breakfast or lunch.

Go check out Mommy Snacks for her funny story about gaining 4 pounds this week. She keeps it real!


Fat Burnin' Pounds lost since 6/8/09: 1.8
Fat Burnin' Pounds to go: 24.6

Wordless Wednesday

C can't get enough of her new little brother!

For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.