Wednesday, April 28, 2010


Brennan was in childcare at church today from 9:15-1:15, which is the longest he's ever been in there. I was a little nervous about it if I'm going to be completely honest. But when I walked in to pick him up, this is what I saw:


Out. Cold. Of course right after I write a post about him not being able to sleep well through noise- he falls asleep in a nursery where there's a child crying and six toddlers running around playing. He never ceases to amaze me. :)



Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Not much new on the homefront! Today was a normal Tuesday- met my friend, Laura for a walk around Matzke Park which we do every Tuesday, came home and put B down for a short morning nap. After his nap we went to Walgreens to get some FREE items, and then onto Kohl's because after visiting this website, I desperately want to find new furnishings for our house (too much blah in here, I need COLOR!). WARNING- don't go to that link- you will get sucked in. I am offically addicted. Too many cute DIY projects, stay away!!!
Anyways, back to our day. After Kohl's, came home, played outside with Brennan. A neighbor pulled up and started to trim their front bushes. Brennan yelled, "HEYYYYY, HEYYYYYYYYY" for about 5 minutes until the neighbor sheeplishly looked up and gave a half hearted wave. Oh my gosh, I was laughing so hard! Ok, put B down for an afternoon nap (forgot to feed him lunch, didn't notice THAT until dinner, whoopsy). During B's nap I worked on Jon's father's day present that's super secretive. :) And that was our day in a nutshell!

Day 9 of Medifast- still have yet to cheat. Bought (bought? they were free) Hershey Dark Chocolate candy bars from Walgreens today and SO almost ate some. I've started a list of everything I want to eat (which jon tells me I shouldn't focus on but what does he know??):
-hershey dark chocolate bar
-chocolate cake with chocolate frosting
-Meijer chocolate ice cream with peanut butter swirl (noticing a theme?)
-Mocha frapp
-cinnamon toast (because it was featured on the Pioneer Woman's blog and now I can't get it out of my head)




Toodles!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Our weekend:

I went to C3 last night at The Met- a women's night full of coffee, calories and conversation. Such good stories, gorgeous decorating, I loved it!

This morning we went to a local farmer's market and then Jon and Brennan washed the cars:



(please note Brennan in the driveway trying to take off down the sidewalk. There's a pinwheel about four houses down and every.single.time we go outside he wants to walk down to see it).


Anndd. . . Medifast! Thank you to everyone who called or texted to see how I was doing this week- I truly appreciate it! I would say that Monday by far has been the hardest day for me. I felt lightheaded and super hungry in the afternoon. But honestly, the rest of the week has been kind of easy! I hope it's working, (it BETTER be working). Our scale was a piece o' crap so when I weighed myself at the beginning of the week it wasn't really accurate. I'm not sure how much weight I've lost so far. Jon is the best husband in the WORLD and surprised me with a new scale yesterday after work. He said it was the only time in our lives he could buy me a scale and I'd be happy about it. Ha! Now I can actually keep track of my progress!

So some of you were asking about the program and whether or not I liked it. . . Here's my thoughts: I like the fact that I don't have to think about what I'm going to eat (except the one lean and green meal). I also like the fact that a lot of the food I ordered kind of tastes like chocolate (I mean, it's not the real thing, so let's be honest). But the chocolate shake and chocolate granola bars I think are good! I am worried that I'm going to get sick of the food- but I did order a large variety so maybe not? It does cost money, which honestly, I'm HAPPY about because knowing I made an investment makes me want to stick to it. Is it hard? Yes. I wanted a cupcake last night so bad. And peanut butter toast this morning. And a Mocha Frapp this afternoon (I love those wonderful chocolately/coffee deliciousness). So far I've yet to eat even one thing off the plan, so that's encouraging. I'll try to use my blog to update my (hopeful) progress.

It is GORGEOUS weather here right now- so we're off to a BBQ with some friends. You all have a great weekend!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Baby is sick and I have pictures!!

Well, the B man is officially sick. He has a fever and congestion. Poor kid. Strangely, I'm kind of enjoying this time with him- he will actually sit on my lap for more than .5 seconds- you know his sick! And he's snuggling and just so sweet right now. I'm pumping him with tylenol and the fever has broken- but he's still not feeling the best. I'm trying to decide on whether to take him to the Dr. or not. We'll see!!

But hooray- we have photos of my parents trip!! Here they are:


Dad and Brennan.
All of us on Galveston Island. It was windy near the ocean so we were all wearing fleeces!

On the train at Kemah Boardwalk

Jon and I rode Pharoah's Fury- basically like those big ships that swing up and down. So fun!! This is Jon pulling at my arm to get me to hold both arms up in the air. Crazy kid.

Dad watched Brennan while Mom and I got pedicures- on our way home we drove past them playing at the park. This is B at the park on his "new" tricycle. Loves it.



Traders Village


With our fake designer label purses.

Mom and Dad at the japanese gardens in Hermann Park

Monday, April 19, 2010

I Loveeeee This Kid

I stubbed my toe on a tennis racket this afternoon and yelled "owwww". I turned around and Brennan is laughing so hard he spit out the graham cracker he was chewing on and fell over. It was hilarious!! So all day I was faking getting hurt and yelling "owww" and this kid was cracking up. He's like me, I tend to laugh at stuff like that (kind of like America's Funniest Home Videos, it looks so painful but you can't help but laugh). Here's a video of Brennan laughing tonight- he's not as laugh-y as he was earlier but I can never catch the good stuff on video!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

I need your advice

Cousin Nathan with Brennan

We've had such a fun weekend!! Friday night was MOPS and POPS at The Met's student building. Saturday we signed up for a Y membership for the summer, which I'm really looking forward to when it's too hot to do anything outside. We also went to our neighbor's pizza party (grilled pizza on the grill, so yummy) and Jon's cousin Nathan came to stay the night with us.

But in order to not think about how hungry I am, I'm now blogging. Well, that's kind of an exaggeration. Today's just the first day and honestly, it hasn't been that bad at all. I just spoke to Joel, my health coach and he told me days 3-5 tend to be the worst. So if you would like to call, email, text, whatever Tuesday-Thursday, that'd be so sweet of you. :) And maybe send some loving to Jon those days too. Haha.

Anyways, I'd love to get some blog advice from you guys concerning two areas: Living room/TV storage ideas and Babies sleeping advice.

1) TV Solutions. We have a really old entertainment center- from the days of Jon working at Best Buy in college. And Brennan decided to start tearing the fake finish off. It looks terrible. Please see exhibit a:

We are thinking of buying something like this:


With shelving on either side like this:

Or this:


I'm wondering if it would look better to get some bookcases on both sides? Or maybe leave it plain? Thoughts? I'd love cute decorating ideas for TV storage solutions if you have some!!!

2)Baby's sleeping soundly.
I really cannot complain. Truly. Brennan has slept through the night from 6 months on (as soon as we put him on the prevacid, I love prevacid almost more than I love my life). But he's not a very sound sleeper when it comes to noise. I always thought I'd raise my babies to sleep through noise. But I've sucked at it. He slept in his bassinet the first six weeks and slept out in the living room just fine. But ever since we put him upstairs in his own nursery, he awakes anytime there is a loud noise (usually). For example, last night, Jon, Nathan and I were out on the patio grilling and hanging out late at night. We came inside and were talking and putting dishes away and Brennan woke up screaming! And I stress anytime we were home to Michigan because there is usually a lot more people around and door's slamming and kids laughing and he usually doesn't sleep that good.
So, any hints on how to teach your baby to sleep through noise?

Thank y'all so much ahead of time!! :)

Chaeli

Friday, April 16, 2010

Take Shape For Life

I can't believe I'm going to post this. Because normally, I don't post things that are really personal to me (or us). I just use this blog as a general update on our lives. But I decided to break the mold a little today. And this might not seem personal to you, but it is to me. Ok (deep breath), here it is: I'm going on a diet. Ugh, there it is. It's out there. Please do not judge me. Please don't write a comment about how I don't need to or how this is dumb or whatever. Please. Only encouraging comments today. :)

I've had like 5-10 lbs of pregnancy weight I cannot get rid of. I run and workout maybe twice a week and I try to eat healthy. But it's just not cutting it. And I really wanted to do something kind of extreme for a short period of time to get rid of it. Maintaining weight is so much easier than losing it (to me). A friend from college is a Take Shape for Life health coach. He is training to become a medical doctor (surgery) and his wife wanted to lose her baby weight. It worked GREAT for her. So I contacted her and asked her about it and he contacted me back with all the info. So I talked to Jon, we decided to make the investment and I start tomorrow (I HOPE I start tomorrow, that is if the food arrives today!).

Basically, Medifast is a weight loss program in which you purchase your meals through them pre-made. TSFL uses a health coach/mentor which you purchase the food through them rather than on your own. The health coach follows up with you and helps keep you accountable and answers questions you might have about the program. You eat 5 of the Medifast meals a day and one sensible meal on your own (lean and green, one lean meat and 3 veggies).

I kind of feel like I'm gearing up for a marathon. I'm a little nervous to be honest. Can I do this? Do I have this much self control? Will Jon die of starvation while I attempt this? (I'm on it for three to four weeks). What if I spent all this money and I suck at it and it doesn't work?

Seriously though, pray for Jon. Part of this program is detoxing your body from all the sugars I eat regularly. I'm going to try so hard to be patient and un-grouchy (if that's a word). Regardless, this shall be an interesting few weeks in the Ackerman household.

This morning I had MOPS (Oh how I love MOPS, seriously). There is always such a good breakfast at MOPS and today I ate whatever the heck I wanted. Tonight is MOPS and POPS at the church with Pappasitos being catered in. Oh yes, I am eating my last good meal for a while and it's going to be Texas's best Tex-Mex. I am pumped!

Anywhooooo, that's the update for me. I'm considering updating sometime this week a post of the spiritual nature. But I'm not sure I want to be that raw/honest/revealing on my blog so I'm still considering it. You all take care!!!!



Take Shape for Life

Monday, April 12, 2010

Ahhh!! I just dropped my parents and Steve off at the airport, stopped at Walmart for some much needed neccesities, and put B down for a nap. It has been such a fun and relaxing time with my parents, but I'm so sad to see them go! Brennan LOVED loved loved having them all here- it was so fun for me to see him so happy. I hope he isn't depressed and whiney this week. :) Sorry I didn't blog while they were here- it just wasn't a priority and I didn't have a ton of time! I took hardly any photos, hopefully my mom sends me some!

Wednesday morning, Mom and I went to the Beth Moore Bible Study I go to at The Met. Then we met up with the guys and went to the Memorial City Mall to meet up with a couple that used to go to my dad's church and now live in Houston. We ate at a Mexican Cantina and then took their grandson and Brennan to the children's play place- and let me tell you, it was AWESOME. awesome. I HAVE to take him back there. He clapped and laughed the entire time we were there. I also took him on a carousel ride just for fun.


Thursday was another gorgeous day so we went to Kemah Boardwalk and Galveston Island. Kemah had a little amusement park- we went to ride the train but it needed maintenance. So we rode a couple other rides for free.

Mom and Dad on the Kemah train.

Galveston is a gorgeous little island on the Gulf of Mexico. We walked up the beach and played frisbee and then walked along the touristy shopping section. They have rebuilt a lot of the island since Hurricane Ike- but it was still crazy to see some of the damage Ike had done.

On Friday, my parents and Steve went downtown to Rice Village to watch a college tennis tournament at Rice University. Jon and I met them afterwards at our favorite park, Hermann Park. We walked around the Japanese gardens, FINALLY rode the train (I missed it when the Ackermans/Zuberts were down because I was so sick) and went to get Tapas at a yummy Tapas restaurant.


Jon and Brennan watching the ducks at Hermann Park.

Saturday Mom and I went and got pedicures and did some shopping. Afterwards we all went putt putting and then Mom and Dad graciously watched Brennan for us so Jon and I could go on a date. Thanks guys!!

Sunday was church and then after B's nap we went to the Traders Village to do some flea market shopping. Traders Village is like a huge garage sale. You can find basically anything you want, from pets, to furniture, clothes, and food. Mom and I got AWESOME knock off purses- she got a Coach and I got an Armani- SO fun!! All in all, a GREAT week. The guys played a lot of tennis at the courts in our neighborhood, we ate a lot of food, played cards and watched Gran Torino. Thanks for coming down guys!

So I hope to get LOTS more photos on here once my mom sends hers to me :) I'm off to clean the bathroom and do loads of laundry!!


Sunday, April 4, 2010

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU!





We found this bunny outfit a long time ago on clearance at Babies R Us. We might have even before he was born- it is Sooooo cute! He's going to hate us when he's older. I put it on him on Friday to see how it fit and I was on the floor laughing- he was running around the house and the outfit has a little round tail on the butt that was flopping everywhere. Surprisingly he didn't mind wearing it!!

This week has been a lot of work for Jon- working til 1:00 am on Friday night, working from 3-10 on Saturday and working today. But I knew it would be a lot of single parenting this week, so as long as I'm mentally prepared, I'm okay. :) All three of us took naps this afternoon and then met some friends at Red Robin's for dinner. We took B to Red Robin's in his outfit because I am THAT mom, and he was so cute!!!

He is risen. He is risen indeed.

Chaeli

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Off the top of my head!

Currently: baking cheesecake and surfing the web.

Thinking: about how we have switched places with our parents. it's the weirdest thing. we talked to the ackermans last weekend and they were out late going on a coffee date. we were inside with a sleepy 1 year old. when did this happen?

Looking forward to: The Met's Easter service tomorrow. It's going to be God glorifying and encouraging. Cannot wait. Plus, can't wait til the hubby will be home more. The tech arts department has worked so much this week it's ridiculous. But it will be worth it. I wish people understood the effort and time it takes into good sound and lighting and videos. I didn't have a clue til I married Jon.

Loving: My little boy. I know I'm a little late in the game, but i have recently just totally fallen head over heels in love with my Brennan.

Going to: Check out the Cypress Creek YMCA today.

Listening to: Fee (thank you Rachelle!)

Wanting: Teavana's Youthberry and Orange tea.