Rockers

My girls rocked out. Check 'em out! We went hiking on Mt. Diablo in its 'city' called "Rock City."

I only almost had a heart attack a couple of times. They were pros and I was so proud!

Love/Hate Link up

I'm linking up this week once again for my free therapy session with Noel at Beautiful Life. Want to join, visit her. It will make you happy!

I LOVE the naptime after a long playdate at the park with great friends.
I HATE that the girls will be up late because of said nap.

I LOVE my friends.
I HATE that we can't see each other everyday.

I LOVE that my girls get to have a lot of toys.
I HATE that it creates such a mess ... In seconds.

Tots

I'm much more cheesy nowadays. My girls' birthday is a month away. They are growing up. They are getting big. And will be in school before I know it. I am reminded how much this time is important with them now because of these things.

The cuddling. The hugs. The pleas for "just mommy."

I'm loving it.

But what tests my nerves is the whining. The fussiness of of an almost 4 year old. The stubborn almost 3 year old.

Is it just me? Or do I have zero patience? Do my neighbors think I'm crazy?!

My note to myself is to enjoy these days. Enjoy the frustrating and joyous moments with my girls.

Love/Hate link up

Hiya! It's another post in the love/hate link up with Noel at Beautiful Life. If you would like to join, visit her here.

I LOVE a clean house.
I HATE cleaning it in hot weather (sweating at 9:30 a.m., no thanks.)

I LOVE taking the girls to the public pool in their new cute suits, with new pink googles, to cool off.
I HATE the big, splashy kids in the kiddie area.

I LOVE days off with my husband.
I HATE the eve of his first day back.

I LOVE my dog.
I HATE that she won't stop shedding.

Where's the Love? Wednesday

The LOVE is in my home. In the backyard. In the water. And in......summer, summer, summertime!!!

Happy summer, everyone!

Want to share the love with Abby at Akers of Love, click here!

Guest post: Healthy Nutrition Tips for Pregnant Mothers

I am pleased to announce my very first guest post from Katie who blogs at Moore From Katie. She's written a great post about nutrition while being pregnant. But these are great tips for anyone! Enjoy!

Healthy Nutrition Tips for Pregnant Mothers

If you’re an expecting mother, you know that what you eat during pregnancy helps your baby grow and develop; committing to a balanced and nutritious diet goes with the territory. However, what constitutes a healthy diet for women in general is not sufficient during pregnancy.

When it comes to your diet, maintaining a healthy weight only means to add approximately 300 calories daily during the final two trimesters to accommadate your growing child. Before making too many changes to your diet, consult with your doctor. Not only will your doctor provide helpful information about your delivery options, like pain management and umbilical cord blood banking, but he or she should be apprised of all your small changes to your diet.

Dietary Needs During Pregnancy

Grains: Many women experience a drop in energy as they progress into their second and third trimesters. Getting the carbohydrates you need to keep your energy level normal is more important than ever during this time. Grains are a primary nutritional source of carbs, and whole grains are the most complete source for mid-pregnancy energy. Replacing white bread with whole wheat, white rice with brown and plain pasta with whole wheat varieties are healthy choices.

Vegetables: Pregnancy is a prime time to make your peace with leafy green vegetables. Red lettuce, broccoli and spinach provide folate, an essential nutrient in pregnancy. Even if you are taking folic acid, make sure to include these greens.

Fruits: Fruits provide a variety of vitamins that are important during pregnancy. To be sure that you get a well-rounded supply, eat a variety of your favorites and try new ones too. Remember that eating the fruit rather than drinking fruit juice provides more dietary fiber for digestion and fewer calories.

Protein: Your baby needs a constant source of protein to grow. Meat, chicken, seafood, eggs and legumes will deliver vitamins and iron to your baby.

Dairy: Your baby's bone and teeth development depends on your intake of calcium. Drinking low-fat milk with meals is a good habit. If you are lactose intolerant, try calcium fortified soy milk, yogurt and some cheeses (just make sure they are pasturized).

Water: Water helps the nutrients you eat reach your developing baby. It can also prevent or ease any constipation and swelling caused by pregnancy. A pregnant woman should drink about 10 cups of water or fluids a day.

By paying attention to good nutrition during pregnancy, you can give your baby what he or she needs to grow and develop. You can make some healthy changes to your diet that will not only be good for your baby, but good for your body as well.

Katie Moore has written and submitted this article. Katie is an active blogger who discusses the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26.

Happy Father's Day!

My girls are so lucky to have their father as their daddy. He is loving, sweet, funny, playful and considerate. He loves fully from his heart of gold and he looks forward to his days off when he gets to spend it with his girls.

He has always, always taken care of his girls when I had to go to work. With a smile and with a full heart of love. He would look forward to his daddy-only days. He would deal with projectile spit up, crying, and moody toddlers. And with the primarily breastfed baby who would scream while given a bottle. And he even handled having two babies at once better than I.

From day one, he has loved being a daddy. Every stage. Every milestone. He has cherished it all. And I am so thankful and happy that he is the daddy of my children and my husband.

We love you and can't wait to celebrate tomorrow (retail sales doesn't care what day a holiday is, the show must go on!).

Happy Father's Day to all!

Love/Hate Link up

Follow or play along with No..el at Beautiful Life. It's fun and free therapy!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE ice cream.
I HATE the calories it contains.

I LOVE taking my girls to the park.
I HATE the bullies at the park.

I LOVE my whole entire family.
I HATE family drama.

I LOVE babies. The way they smell, coo, sound, etc.
I HATE that we cannot have anymore.

I LOVE picnics in the backyard.
I HATE the bugs that join you on your beautiful picnic.

*gimme a caption to that photo. :)

Funny Friday

Smoothies, take four.

Recipe (all eye balled):

1 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup frozen strawberries
2 bananas
Handful of spinach
5 splashes of milk

Love/Hate Link Up

If you would like a tiny therapy session, head over to Noel's Beautiful Life and join in on this fun and simple Love/Hate link up!

I LOVE spring time, almost summer time here in California.
I HATE the hot weather. 90+ is too too hot for late May, early June.

I LOVE morning time snuggles.
I HATE the 6:30 a.m. wake-up call.

I LOVE my garden and all that we've kept alive and what's still growing (tomatoes, asparagus, pumpkins, strawberries, red bell peppers,onions).
I HATE the mystery animal that keeps plucking off the almost ripe strawberries. (You are disappointing my girls!)

I LOVED seeing my baby/my oldest/my miracle on stage at her recital.
I HATED that the dance co dipped deep into my wallet for everything. I've name it, "take all your money time."

10-4 Good Buddy Answers

1. When is your birthday?

December 12

2. What's the best advice your mom ever gave you?

Besides teaching me about leaving things at God's feet, these words have always stuck with me..... "Money is just paper."

3. What's your number one weakness when it comes to food?

Ice cream. I love it.

4. What's the latest recipe you've tried and loved?

Pioneer Woman's Chicken Florentine Pasta

5. What is your favorite post from last month?

To My Girls

6. What's your drink of choice in the summer?

Iced tea or iced coffee from home

7. What's the best advice your dad ever gave you?

Work hard and be a good business person by not ripping off your customers. He works his tail off, and gives from his heart.

8. What is God teaching you right now?

Strength and patience. Always patience.

9. What are you looking forward to most about the summer?

Swimming!!!!!!

10. What is your favorite picture from last month? (May)

First trip to Disneyland with the girls!!!!

Letter to My Pet, Lucy

If you want to play along with a letter to you pet(s), visit Noel st her blog, Noel's Beautiful Life here.

Dear Lucy,

You were my first baby, my fur baby. You are the best dog in the entire world. It makes me sad everyday knowing what has made you sick.

Recently we found the reason why your toenail fell off is because you have cancer. It hurts my heart to know that we cannot afford to put you through whatever it will take to *try* and cure it. Nor would we put you through that because it would you make you so sick and unhappy.

You are taking the cone around your head and the medicine to get rid of the toe infection like a rockstar.

You still continue to love us just like you always have. Pick up your toys in your mouth, despite the cone. Wag your tail like a puppy when we get home. Embrace the girls and the love, pets, pats and dress-up time they give you. And you lay on our laps when we cry for the absence that will be when you are in heaven.

I love you so much, my Lucy Lou. You have been such an amazing dog that I could of never dreamed of when we had the girls. I am treasuring every moment with you and will allow the girls to give you the fifty million biscuits they want to give you.

Love,
Your human mama