Christmas at our home

The rumors are all true...

I've been gone for about 1.5 weeks.

Give or take a day...

Blogland, Twitter, and Facebook are all crying in remembrance of me.

Ok, so maybe I'm exaggerating a tiny bit.

BUT....

Even though you've been missed...

This break was much, much needed my friends.

It was a time that I took aside to spend with my family...

And enjoy this Christmas season and all the craziness it involves (and can I say there has been a lot of craziness), to the maximum.

The only thing I regret is not having a camera to help me document it all.

Speaking of which...

Have you any idea how blood boiling it is to not own a functioning camera around this time of year?

I need a cold shower every time I think about it...

'Nway... Here are a few snapshots of our Christmas.

There was family, and food, and singing, and present opening...

.... And pure excitement and squeals of joy at the sight of multiple boxes of puffs....

'Is it a Christmas miracle?'

.....As well as good 'ol times, and many a laughters.

Dude... It was like

Living Life and Loving it!

I hope your Christmas was beyond fabulous!

Can't wait to catchup with you.

Happy last week of the year!

Her Story: Courtney

I'm so happy to have Courtney here today.

This sweet girl resides at "From here to eternity", however, today she's gracing me with her presence, and I'm way excited to share 'Her Story'.

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I am so excited to be taking over Tatiana's blog today, although I'd rather read what she has to say. I love this girl, she cracks me up every time I read her blog :) I was so nervous when Tatiana asked me to guest post... I just want to get it right, you know? Because I have no doubt that this series is going to change lives. Tatiana is a genius!

Last year I went through one of the most horrible experiences of my life. Some of you will think this is no big deal, others may judge me and think I'm the most vain woman ever, and the rest of you probably won't care. I've been through ups and downs in my marriage, we've experienced the money stresses and being laid off from work, but this experience was the hardest for me because I lost faith in myself and everything I knew.
Last year my face broke out in some crazy serious acne because of hormone issues. (Birth control... I HATE that shiz.) This was the most physically (ouchie, acne hurts!) and emotionally painful experience I've ever had. My husband and I had just moved across the state and I was convinced that I wouldn't be able to make any friends because I looked so ugly. Random strangers would make "helpful" comments about my face, and I would get the urge to punch them in their face. (I'm really not a violent girl, ha!) I would sit in front of a mirror, stare at my face, and just cry and cry. One time my husband caught me doing that... and I was horrified. Horrified because I finally realized I had a problem. I loathed myself; I loathed myself because of some acne. How ridiculous, right? But it took me a couple months to snap out of it and change my mind set.
You see, I have so much to be thankful for. I am a daughter of God, who loves me so very much. And He was suffering right along with me. I have the best family and friends, and I was bringing them down with my negativity. I have the most loving husband a girl could ask for, and I broke his heart each day with my self loathing.
As my face started to heal I bounced right back to that happy, cheerful, out-going girl that I was before. But I realized that I failed horribly during my trial. I have been blessed with all the ingredients to create a happy, wonderful life.... and I forgot all of that when hard times came my way. I learned a hard lesson one year ago, but I think it will make me a better person from here on out.

Each day I am striving to be more faithful, a better daughter/sister, a loyal friend, and a loving wife. I would not be the person I am today if I didn't have to learn these lessons the hard way sometimes :)

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Love this girl!

And how open and sweet she is.

I'm so glad you've 'rediscovered' yourself Courtney, because you're beautiful inside and out!

I think self image is something every single one of us women have dealt with at one point or another.

Somedays, it's hard to look at our interior when we don't feel comfortable in our own skin.

So thank you so much for the great 'loving yourself the way you are' reminder sweet friend.

Today I choose to say...

" I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalms 139:14.

Ladies, I hope today, you know that to be true as well...

PS: If YOU would like to share your story, shoot me an email at myblog.tatiana@gmail.com. I would love to have you.

Miscellaneous Monday

• Christmas time has been an exhausting time this year. I wish this month would last longer so I can actually truly enjoy the season, instead of running around like a chicken with her head cut off.

• Have I mentioned how much I sill love this time of year? A LOT! And all the decor that comes with it. And the food! And when you combine it, it equals perfection. My dinning room table is all set and ready for Christmas day.

• My camera has taken a turn for the worse a couple of months ago, and I am beyond sad. It may have something to do with the fact that both Giada and I have dropped it a few (dozen?) times. I have to take 25 different shots of the same object, in order to get one that does not have a rainbow running across it. Not being able to take pictures is kind of, well, depressing.

• Dear Santa, fix my camera. Please.

• Speaking of Santa, people have been asking how we'll address this subject with Giada. I think we're not addressing it either way. At this point in time I don't tell her about Santa, but I also don't avoid it. For example, I don't encourage her to go sit in his lap, bc to me that's just creepy, but if we see him around the mall and he's saying 'hi' I do tell her "Say hi to Santa." I love the creativity and imagination that kids get to experience, I am just not crazy about lying to her. When I was growing up, my family was telling me about Santa, but I remember being 3yrs old and knowing he was not real bc I kept on seeing his beard coming off. I kind of hope my kids will be smart enough to put two and two together as well.

• I got a KitchenAid mixer for my birthday from one set of my in-laws, and I feel like I'm developing an inappropriate relationship with this machine. I am in LOVE with it. It may even cure my very bad case of the 'worst-baker-in-the-whole-wide-world syndrome.' Ok, so maybe it's not a miracle worker, but I'm still in love with it.

• We're almost approaching the eve of Christmas, and I'm still not even half way done buying presents. This family is hard to shop for yo! Oy.

• And of course I couldn't leave without a picture of my favorite child. This kid turns into a total zombie when 'Olivia' the pig comes on. It's about the only show she'll watch too. Let me tell you, if I never had to see another swine in my life, it wouldn't be too soon. At the same time, I'm happy that there is something that can keep her distracted long enough so I can run and pee in peace.

And that concluded my randomness.

Happy case of the Mondays!

Linking up with Carissa

Bye-bye Boobies

"Say Bye-Bye Boobies"

Those are the words that came out of my mouth right after Giada had her 'last meal' bright and early on the morning of her birthday, exactly one week ago today.

You may be saying...

"Umm.... no one needs to know about your boob business Tatiana."

And you would be right. No one needs to know.

I'm just very willing to share.

So if you're not interested, turn around now.

Fair warning, yeah?

But I gotta document it.

For more than one reason.

You see, when we started our breastfeeding journey, the pain I experienced put my agonizing labor pains to shame.

Lack of milk in the first few days post labor, a baby who was very unwilling to breastfeed, sore-bleeding nipples, and excruciating pain from multiple plugged ducts, made this very 'natural' process way less than enjoyable for me.

There were many a days when I was wishing I would give birth to triplets rather than do this breastfeeding gig another minute.

It took us a couple of months to get a good hold of it and for me not to cry every time Giada came near my twin friends.

I never thought I was going to last a month, let alone a whole entire year to the day.

Therefore, my humble opinion tells me, such a huge accomplishment has to be both documented as well as celebrated.

Because I did it!

I survived a whole year of breastfeeding.

Even though over the last couples of months my boobs were so empty, they were there more for 'decor' rather than feeding purposes.

I still did it! And dang it, I'm proud of myself. And of my girl. And of my hard working boobies.

Yay boobies!

(Lets see how many times I can say boobies in one post.)

And now I miss it dearly.

Apart from pushing her out of my hoo-ha, this was the thing that only I could have provided for her.

The bond we've created during those special times is unbelievable.

So, yes, I'm a bit over emotional about this whole thing.

I may have even shed a tear or two.

And Giada? Well she could care less either way.

I don't know if I should be hurt or proud of how easy she moved on.

This was a huge milestone that we have completed, and it only reminds me even more that my baby is a kid nowadays.

A kid who is walking like a rockstar helping herself to her bottle.

With some wobbling and some falling thrown in...

{Ok, so she may be a drunk rockstar, but holy flying batman, she is getting fast.}

So you new mommas out there who wish to breastfeed, but feel like you would much rather walk barefooted on hot coal right through the gates of hell...

I'm here to tell ya to hang in there.

Give this breastfeeding thing a chance before throwing in the towel.

It will be well worth your time in the end.

And those bonds you'll create with your baby?

They'll last a life time.

Giada's 1st Birthday Party: Round Two

In case you missed the first part of Giada's Winter Wonderland party, go here.

We had to do the winter photo-booth fiasco.

It was an absolute must!

Our guests had fun with it too. I promise.

Rudolf here didn't get the memo that she was not supposed to chew on her nose...

Yer... on the stick holding her nose.

And then the cake came.

Do you see what she's doing here friends?

She is blowing her candle!

Yes, we've been practicing for at least a good month now.

We're very persevering people, you know.

And she did it! Twice. With no results... But still, I'm beyond proud of her!

Mommy helped her out.

I thought it was only appropriate since it was actually my birthday.

Sure, I was missing a few candles, but who's counting?

She's testing her waters....

Once she found out it was safe, she got in it all the way!

'Did someone say cake?'

Final results are up...

We stopped her while she was still recognizable.

Thanks for sharing in our fun!

Giada's 1st Birthday Party: Round One

The day I've been waiting for this entire year has come and gone.

And it was B-UTIFUL.

This last Sunday, on the very day of my birth, we celebrated Giada's first big birthday.

You see...

For an entire year I had a pink-lemonade theme in mind...

And then, just so happens that about a month ago I completely changed my mind...

And embraced the fact that my daughter was born in December.

So I went with a Hot Chocolate/ Winter Wonderland theme.

I've been working for a couple of weeks on this.

But it was all worth it in the end.

And guess what?

I don't even care that she won't remember any of it.

I'll remember it. And she had a great time now.

And I know she'll look at pictures of it later and love it.

I won't lie though. There was a lot of work involved.

Good news? All of it was easy. Just very time consuming.

But that's the only way this party could come to life when you're on a budget.

I made most things, from all the blackboard signs, the happy birthday banner, the 200 picture banner, the paper pompoms and most of the food.

Also, I have to thank God for a few elves who came to my rescue...

They are known as pinterest, my friend Kristine who helped me cook, my handy husband, and my SIL who rocks at desert decorating.

The Hot Coco bar included four different types of coco, marshmallows, Hazelnut and Mint pirouettes that were dipped in white chocolate and crushed candy cane.

Another issue with having a baby in the winter time?

All your guests are stuck inside.

We had twenty something people in our house, and nowhere near enough 'table space' for all of them.

So going with mini appetizers sounded like a great idea.

And it was.

Especially for making kids friendly foods.

Oh, and le'me tell you?

A lot less messy as far as cleaning foods out of your carpet category goes.

Giada was happy as can be with all the foods and sweets around her.

Not to mention the attention from all the older kids.

Come back for round two of her party.

You just have to see this gorgeous face covered in cake.

Have a great Monday!

Linking up with According to Nina, Life made Lovely,

PS: Please don't use any of the pictures without my permission yo. It's highly frowned upon.

Letter to my One Year Old

My sweetest Giada Joliet,

Today you are one.

As I’m writing this letter, my mind can’t help but take me back in time exactly one year ago today. It was the night before your big arrival, and I was watching Paula Dean bake Christmas cookies, thinking that the next day would be the biggest day of my life. And it was. That day and every day since. You have made my whole life ‘the biggest day of my life.’

The next morning, you arrived in this world with a head full of hair, a beautiful round face… and struggling to breathe from the viral pneumonia that I had passed on to you a couple of weeks prior to your arrival. I got to see you for 10 short seconds before they scooped you up and took you to NICU. Hours passed before I was even able to really see or hold you. The situation you came in was nowhere near perfect. But you were. And I knew it from the moment I laid eyes on you.

You were mine. And my heart has never in it’s life felt such joy. Ever.

You my baby, made me a mommy.

And that’s by far, the biggest gift God has entrusted me with.

Since that day, we’ve shared many hugs. And kisses. And lessons.

We’ve taught you about Jesus, and words, and music, and play, and Olivia the pig, and what love and happy means, and about important things such as where you can find your stinky diaper (as you eagerly lift your skirt to show us).

In return, you have taught us how to be stronger, more patient, laugh more than our stomach muscles can take, survive on minimal sleep, love deeper than we ever thought possible and pray harder than our knees can feel. You’ve opened our eyes to what real beauty and real happiness means. And our hearts are bursting because you’re in our lives.

We have ecstatically celebrated every single one of your milestones. Big or small, our chest could just burst with joy and pride over you. We are now, and will always be your biggest fans; your strongest supporters. The ones you can count on during your shiniest days; the ones you can lean on when life and people will let you down.

Your daddy and I will keep on teaching you about boundaries: that Jesus’ love has none, that you need to have some, and that sometimes you’ll need to cross them for a worthy cause, because sweet girl, you won’t make a difference until you step on some toes. And lets face it. If you’re anything like your mother, you’ll be stepping on plenty of toes. Especially your daddy’s.

Yes, we’ll always guide you. However, the rest is in God’s hands. So my prayer is that he blesses you with the wisdom to make the right choices; the courage to standup for what you believe; with love that will pour out on everyone you meet; with happiness that overwhelms your soul, with faith that moves mountains.

Because if anyone deserves it, it's you, my sweet baby.

And don’t you ever forget.

We love you to the moon and back (and forth times infinity).

Happy First Birthday Giada!

Forever yours,

Mommy and Daddy.

PS: We'll be busy celebrating Giada's birthday as well as mine this weekend, and I can't wait to share some pictures with you. Say a prayer that I don't lose my mind by Sunday, will you? I thank you all in advance!

Have a happy weekend!

Her Story: Hanna

You guys.

I'm beyond excited to have Hanna here for today's "Her Story".

This gorgeous momma of two can compete with Martha's baking skill, and probably win.

But that's not why she's here.

Today she's here to inspire.

And le'me tell you...

Her story inspires.

Regardless if you're a mom or just a regular woman, you will relate with at least some part of this story.

Hanna's story and determination blows my mind away...

I have a strong feeling you'll feel the same way.

Meet Hanna

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Is there life after having 2 babies and gaining 100 pounds????

ABSOLUTELY!!!

I'm living proof!

Hi there, My name is Hanna and I am so honored to be here guest blogging today. You can find me anytime over on my blog {bouffe e bambini} where I post lots of fun recipes, some cute pictures of my babes, and some fun fashion stuff.

This is me!

It's so nice to meet you. Today I am going to share my weight loss journey with you.

I hope I can help inspire some of you who have had a baby or two and found yourself stuck in a rut, struggling with weight and just not feeling like your self anymore. I have been there my friends. I have lost 105 pounds and am so excited to share my story and inspiration with you.

Here I am with my little loves. My son little Milton is 2 and Ginger is 9 months. I'm a busy lady!

Meet my husband, big Milton!!!

So this is how my story begins.......

First, we were a happy couple!!!!

Then we fell in love and got married.

Then I got pregnant........

Gained 100 + pounds........

And had a beautiful baby boy.

My life was forever changed in more ways than one.

First of all let me say that I honestly feel like my life had truly just begun with the birth of my children. I have love for them like I never knew existed. I often feel like my heart might burst with joy when look at their shining little faces. You can read more about me and my transition into motherhood {here}

This is the condition I was left in after my first born. Then I got preganant again 4 month later. WOW! I was pregnant for 2 years straight.

The wonderful news was I was a mom and had given birth to a healthy baby boy and girl. The not so wonderful news was that I had become obese! Yes, obese. Not exactly how I wanted to describe myeself but the truth.

Honestly, when I was pregnant I thought I was so big because of the baby not realizing that when the baby came out I was going to be just as big. I was completely shocked at my size. When I looked in the mirror I had no idea what I was even looking at. I felt like I was trapped in someones else's body; a very uncomfortable body.

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  My thighs rubbed together and I would develop a rash if I didn't have pants between my legs at all times.


• 
  I had little bumps in my armpits where I would shave because they would rub against my upper arm and chafe.
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  I couldn't cross my legs
  
  
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  My back ached; I could barley lift my new born baby without throwing my back out


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  I was always sweaty, especially under my breasts


• 
  I felt disgusting; I have never been so uncomfortable in my life.
• 
  

  I was embarrassed. I would run into an old friend and they would kind of look at me like "oh that poor girl used to be so cute but now she had kids and look at her" I HATED THAT!!
• 
  

  I had stretch marks ALL over my abdomen, thighs, upper arms and even down to the back of my shins because I had gotten so big.
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  Nothing fit. I wore pajamas and plus size maternity clothes for a VERY LONG TIME!
  
  
• I stopped caring totally about my appearance; Never making an effort to look nice.


• My wedding rings didn't fit and I had gained so much weight some of my shoes wouldn't even fit.

• Basically, I just felt horrible inside and out. I felt very unattractive. I would hardly let my husband touch me becasue I felt so ashamed of my body. I stopped wearing make up all together. I wore my hair pulled back every single day and always was in old ratty PJ's. It was so depressing. I was really unhappy.

It wasn't long before I knew I had to loose the weight and not just a few pounds, I knew I needed to loose A LOT, and so my journey began.........

I was motivated and darn right DETERMINED to loose this weight. I wanted to be healthy and happy for me, my husband and my kids, It wasn't just about me. I have heard over and over again in my life that "you should just love who you are no matter what size". I love that and I think it's a great sentiment but the honest truth is for me I couldn't love myself in that condition. What's there to love about not feeling good? When I am thinner, I feel healthy, sexy, accomplished and it radiates to all areas of my life.

Here are a couple before and after pictures that I hope you find inspiring.

Starting out is the hardest part of the whole journey. Lossing 100+ pounds is a very daunting task to say the least but I am just an average, everyday woman and I did it. That means you can too!

I did it completely on my own. I never joined Jenny Craig or weighth watchers. I didn't take diet pills, have surgery or starve myself. I just had a vision of who I wanted to be and I made that vision come to life, Again, you find my detailed plan {HERE}.

I think it is important to think about it long and hard before committing to something like this becasue it is a long journey but it is VERY attainable. If you have a little will power and a little dicipline you can make it happen. It's important to set a reasonable, realistic goal and you can read more about that in my {GUIDE}

I wanted to talk a little bit about common pit falls. Many women who desperately want to loose weight will come up with a list of reasons why they don't think they can acheive thier goals so I just wanted to let you know that there is always a way. Here is how I dealt with many typical obsicles while trying to loose weight.

Common Obsticles:

• NO CHILDCARE. I am a full time mom. I have no childcare whatsoever. I made time to exercise anyway. I bought a double stroller and a baby carrier and I walked everyday. You don't need to go to a gym to loose weight. I did while taking care of 2 babies under the age of 2.


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  FULL TIME WORK. I also work full time as a nurse, 12 hour night shifts to top it off. You must make time to prepare food for yourself to bring with you to work so youtr not tempted to eat the junk in the cafeteria.
  
  


• A SPOUSE WHO WON'T FOLLOW THE SAME MEAL PLAN AS YOU. My husband eats pretty much everything I don't eat. He eats sweets, breads, potatoes, pastas. He eats whatever he wants. So no big deal. Prepare meals that can be shared by both like prepare chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli. You eat the chicken and broccoli and let him eat everything else. You'll be surprised how easy it is to make it work.


• NO TIME. I worked full time and was a full time mom during my entire weight loss plan. My best advice is to be prepared. ALWAYS, keep snack friendly food around the house and carry it with you wherever you go, fruit, almonds, cottage cheese are great examples. This way you won't be tempted to binge on whatever food is lying around the house.

I have dieted many times in the past and this is the first time in my life I have lost this amount of weight in the healthiest way I know how. I never felt hungry or deprived.

My best advice is BE KIND. BE GENTLE. FORGIVE YOURSELF and then jump right back on that wagon and try agin. Concictency was my greatest tool.

A few more tips:

• Be grateful everyday


• Just let it go


• Remind yourself how amazing you are, this is hard work


• Talk about it, accept praise from others, if you work hard, you deserve praise. It feels so good

I just have to say that I feel better now after having 2 babies than I have ever felt in my life. Not only am I in love with being a mother but now I can truly enjoy my kids and feel great about myslelf. What a great example for my kids as well. They see their mom as healthy, happy and radiant. That is a wonderful thing my friends.

I truly hope that I have helped to inspire at least one of you to give it a try. It is possible. It is doable even with kids and work and every other crazy thing life throws at you. I am passionate about this and I would truly be happy to answer any questions or just chat about how difficuilt weight loss can be. Please feel free to email me anytime at "www.bouffeebambini@hotmail.com"

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Is she honestly not amazing for going through this journey and kicking some major booty? Love her determination and strong will. Go on. Get to know her. You know you want to.
PS: If YOU would like to share your story, shoot me an email at myblog.tatiana@gmail.com. I would love to have you.

A few things on a Friday

• This month is going to be busy. As in 'I don't know if I'll find time to eat, sleep, pee, or even breathe' kind of busy. Let's see. I've got Giada's birthday to finish up next week, my parents and some of our friends are coming over the week after that, Christmas and all the shopping, work, and the worst of it all? I've got work homework out the butt that has to be done by the end of december. I'm at lesson two. There are 8more to go. Each lesson takes about 5hrs. You do the math.

• You know that toy that your kid takes along everywhere with her? The one that ends up cleaning all the dust bunnies from being dragged on your floors and furniture so much? Well, my kid has two. This cat is one of them. Here they just be chillin' under the tree- lights, eating puffs and doing yoga.

• Speaking of Giada and her birthday. This party has been on my mind every moment I'm awake, and sometimes even when I'm not. I just cross my fingers, and pray to the high heavens that it turns out the way it's playing in my head, and that I don't lose my mind along the way.

• Brandon and I go on dates as often as hermits. Last month however, we've been better at finding a babysitter so we can go and have some time alone. Just him and I. It's been nice. And refreshing. And much, much, needed. You busy mommas out there, should try it once in a while. It's so good for the soul.

• My daughter loves decapitating things. Let it be known that she did NOT get that gene from me. It must be from her father. Or a distal paternal relative. Tigers, hippos, elephants. Nothing can stay in the way of her fast fat finger. The poor bastards never saw it coming.

• I strongly believe coffee was sent over by God for cold mornings, busy bodies, and mothers who are running around with their heads barely hanging on, doing their best to keep their crap together and only succeeding 1/2 of the time.

Stay warm and have a happy weekend loves!

It's that crafty time of the year

Well hello there December.

I can't believe you're here. Again.

Regardless, I welcome you with open arms. Again!

This is without a doubt my most favorite time of the year.

There's no question about it....

I go nuts.

Not only is it my birthday in 10 short days...

But now I have a little girl who will be celebrating her big day just TWO days before me.

Not to mention, the air is sprayed with some kind of pheromones, slash, magic fairy dust that makes everyone all lovie-dovie...

In case you were wondering, that's why you see couples playing tonsil hokey overtime everywhere you look around this time of year.

If I didn't like all this mushy stuff so much, I would probably puke.

Anyway...

My point is...

Christmas time is the best time!

I get all kinds of crafty, excitement crazy, and hipped up on coffee to make me keep up with it all.

Funny thing is, I probably wouldn't have it any other way.

So let's talk crafts and decor now, shall we?

Every year, the day after Thanksgiving this 12foot beast of a tree goes up.

It takes about 6hours to get it all assembled...

But isn't he gorgeous!

Meet Louis.

I love him.

He's all blinged out and prettified, lighting up our life and taking over about half of my living room.

Our stockings are also hung with care, with an extra one tucked neatly in a box, anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new family member so he could join in the fun.

Those of you who are thinking I'm announcing something or other, don't.

Because that extra stocking may be collecting some dust for a while before that happens.

Not only have I been decorating, I've been a crafting machine the last few weeks, too.

See them paper trees up there? Yep. That was me.

Oh, and this ornament/yarn wreath down here that has taken a 1/3 of the skin off my fingers that Jesus has personally given me the day I was born?

Yep. That was me too.

And for those of you who are interested in this pretty thing?

I was planning on doing a wreath with yarn ornaments ONLY.

BUT I very soon realized that I would reach menopause sooner than finishing that project.

So I just did a couple of yarn ones.

Also, usually you would use the styrofoam balls to wrap the yarn around.

However, those bad boys are expensive (as in $6 for a pack of 6), so I just used cheap ornament for it instead.

It does the job and are just as pretty.

Bam!

Bite on that styrofoam.

On that note, I hope all of you are having a wonderful first day of December.

Oh, and get your craft on!