Reminder to self: Always tie diaper genie bags!

Well friends, I have a confession. I forgot to tie the bottom of the bag to our diaper genie this last time. Here's what happened...

Yesterday, I went to get some groceries leaving Gabe and Jesse at home. I came home, food for Jesse in hand, only to find him in Gabe's room... staring at me as I entered. "Come here, I want to show you something" is what he said. I could tell by the sound of his voice... this wasn't going to be good. He then said... "When you empty the diaper genie and put in a new bag, you tie it, right?" That's when it hit me... I knew exactly where he was going with this. I couldn't help but laugh. "Oops... did I really forget that part?" Yes, in fact I did. Jesse said that when he noticed it was full, he took the bag out, only to have about 100 diapers fall out onto the floor and about an inch of pee sitting in the bottom of the genie. "MY BAD" I said...laughing just a little. He said that he worked on cleaning it all up for a long time. "I was literally knee deep in poo, Ami!" I responded by saying..."oh, it couldn't have been knee deep...maybe toe or shin deep!" hahahahha. 

So, note to self and to all those mama's out there: Always, Always tie the diaper genie bag when replacing it! hahah. I'm glad that Jesse was the one cleaning it up! I probably would have gotten sick by all of it! :) 

Have a good one folks! 

Bikini Body Time

Well, it's not secret to any of you all that I've been dieting since the first of the year. Though I am 10 pounds lighter than I was then... it's still not enough. Now, with our Florida Vaca right around the corner, along with my best friend's wedding, and let's not forget summer... It's time to get down to some SERIOUS business! 

I would very much like that body back that I had in Highschool. I was thinking today about those days and how funny it is that I was trying so hard to be thinner back then, and now... I'd kill to have that body back. So, what am I doing about this? I'm going on a strict Fruit & Veggie diet! Trust me, I know it's going to be hard... because I'm a carb-loving girl. I love my breads, cheeses, and caffeine. However, I am aware that in order to get results, some of the things that I love most are going to have to go. I spent an hour or so tonight cutting up some fresh fruit and veggies. I also whipped up some green beans to have on hand for the rest of the week. Now, my fridge is stocked with some green beans, fresh strawberries, grapes, grapefruit, apples, and broccoli. I'm limiting myself to one coffee a day and then it's water, water, water! I am also going to start running/walking everyday. And... to get myself a little more motivated, I'm going to tan. Why? Because tanning will get me more motivated to lose weight. I know, it sounds crazy, but it's a self-motivation for me! I have no doubt that it's going to be tough, but I'm determined to get into a bikini in Florida! 

Some pictures for motivation... 

I want to have that cute body back. I want to be a fun, energetic mother for Gabe. And most of all, I want some self-confidence back. So, to add to my motivation I am hanging up one of my bikinis in our bedroom... for a constant reminder of what I am working towards! I'm soooo ready for summer. The beach, pool, tanning.... ahhhh, it just doesn't get better than that. I hate to admit, but I didn't make it out to the pool or beach one time last summer. With Gabe being in the hospital, tanning by the pool just wasn't a priority. However, this year, my favorite little boy will get to enjoy the summer with me! :) 

I want to share a recipe that I found on Pinterest. It's a sweet twist to a healthy snack. They're called... "Sour Patch Grapes." I made these the other night, put them in a Pyrex bowl, and popped them in the fridge so they're always on hand. Jesse even liked them too... I'm positive these are a new staple food in our home now. So, here's what you do: 

Rinse your grapes off really well and make sure they're still a bit wet. 

Then, roll them in your choice of Jello powder! 

And, VOILA! You now have Sour Patch Grapes. 

I used green grapes and rolled them in Strawberry Jello. So delicious... and it's a nice twist to a healthy snack! I hope you get the chance to try these... I'm sure you'll be hooked the first time you try them! :) 

Alright, that's about all for tonight. I'm going to clean the house up and then head to bed. Have a good one folks! :) 

Forget crawling, I'd rather walk!

Hello friends! 

Just wanted to give a quick update.... 

Here's what The Schiff Family has been up to lately: 

• Gabriel got dedicated at our church this past Sunday. 
• Of course, being the forgetful person I am, I forgot my camera! 
• Have no worries though, our Church records every service, so this Momma will definitely be getting a copy of it! 
• We're getting settled into our new home. 
• I've found a new love for the Shark Steam Mop. 
• My mom let me borrow hers... and let me tell you, I'm loving how clean my floors feel. 
• I'm on a fruit and veggie diet now... 
• Gotta lose some more weight before our Florida vaca. 
• Did I tell you that Jesse might be able to go with us? 
• We're super excited... 
• Just trying to figure out some little details of schedules! 
• Speaking of schedules... 
• I registered for Fall Classes today at SIU! 
• I'm super excited! 
• Now, to get serious about the assistantship! 
• I'm hoping and praying that something will work out! 
• We got a new car! :) 
• It's a Ford Explorer! 
• Soooo much more room for all our things... 
• You know, with a baby, there's a lot of stuff to bring along! haha. 
• Gabe is scooting all over the place! 
• I'm starting to wonder if that boy is ever going to crawl... 
• I'm beginning to think that he might just skip the crawling and go straight to walking... 
• Since he does love standing up all the time! haha.
• Gabe is also laughing all the time.. 
• It's the cutest thing ever! 
• He's ticklish! 
• Even cuter! :) 
• Well, that's our week in a nutshell! 
• Hope you all are having a fabulous week! :) 

Happy Parents of Preemies Day!

Well, today, March 23, is Parents of Preemies Day! I'm happy to join in this celebration! 

Just over 9 months ago, we welcomed Gabriel Lee into this world... into our lives. We couldn't have been more blessed with a more handsome, healthy, baby boy. It's amazing how far he's come. I encourage you all to recognize this day with me...because like us, there are many families that have a preemie baby in their lives and have been just as blessed as us. If you want to know more, just go visit the official website --> http://www.parentsofpreemiesday.org

So today, I'm going to celebrate that I have a beautiful baby boy that I get to wake up to everyday (though, sometimes a bit early! ;)) and I'm going to take a few moments to enjoy just how blessed he has made my life. 

Happy Parents of Preemies Day!! 

We're MOVING!!!

We're MOVING!!

We have just rented a new house today!!

It's much, MUCH bigger than the house we are currently in.

Which means that Gabe will get a lot more room to play!

We are so blessed to have found such a nice place!

God is GOOD!

And...

I now have a stainless steel side by side fridge/freezer with an ice maker and water fountain.

A DISHWASHER!! that right there... sold me.

We have a full basement and a garage!!

HUGE, HUGE closets!

An enclosed cute little front porch!

AND a fenced in backyard with a little patio area...

perfect for Rylee to run around all she wants...

and for bonfires/get togethers!!

We couldn't be more thrilled!

We're wanting to get completely moved in the next couple of days...

I'm stressing a little...

There's sooooo much to pack.

Seriously, I don't know how a family of 3 has soo much stuff.

On a brighter note, I now have tons of room for all of my clothes!

Jesse has no more excuses as to why I can't buy more! haha!

Now, I have to get to packing.

My best friend is coming over tonight with a bunch of boxes to help me!

Hopefully, we can get it all done tonight!

Gabe is having a sleepover with Mama & Papa so Mommy can get all of this done!

Keep your fingers crossed.

I'll post pics soon of our new place once we get settled in!

Have a great week friends!! :)