Alsup Updates

So apparantly there are 2 things I am not very good at. Blogging, and keeping New Years Resolutions. I had intended on updating this on a regular basis as a New Years resolution, but it turns out blogging isn't really my thing :/ I wish it was, b/c I love reading other peoples ( 2 new favorites are TomKatStudio, and P is for Party), but I have not been very good at keeping up with mine. Here it is almost Spring, and I think I have 2, maybe 3 entries?? haha. Go me! That being said, my sweet sister Kristen (and possibly the sole reader of this blog) asked me to update, and so here it goes...

JANUARY

Zoe's Birthday

In January, Zoe Juliana turned 3 years old! Wow, time flies! I absolutely love planning parties and such, so I really had a good time doing hers this year now that she is old enough to enjoy it. The one thing I like even more than planning the party, is doing it for really cheap! Kids birthday parties these days can really get out of hand, so I am proud to say I had a FABULOUS birthday party for Zoe for $150!! My goal was $100, but I got a little carried away with the food.

The theme was "Disney Princess Tea Party."  Here is a picture of the tea party table I had for the kiddo's:

and another...

The birthday girl in an adorable dress up princess costume I got at TJMaxx for about $12

Full view (This chick would wear TUTU's all day every day if she could~ and actually I would say she does about 75% of the time... )

Can you believe I got this fantastic cake at Target for $20???

There were 5 little girls (and one boy) in all at the party, and I think they all had a really great time... over all it was a great success!  Now, with just 2 months to go, I am busy working on Reese's first birthday!  I have a few ideas I am tossing around (and driving Jay nuts talking about it).  :)

Weight Watchers

So speaking of New Years Resolutions... usually my "old faithful" (lose weight) is one that never gets done... so this year I didn't even bother to resolve to lose weight!  Of course, that would be the one thing that has actually gotten done this year!  Right after Zoe's birthday, I decided I was sooo sick of not being able to fit in my clothes.  I was uncomftorable, and unhappy... and I was pretty much living in sweat pants, and a couple of pairs of my "fat jeans."  So one random weekday I googled "weight watchers" and figured out how to calculate my "points" and follow the diet.  I just wanted to give it a try for a week or two to see if I could follow it (and lose weight), before actually paying for it.  Jay was man enough to try it with me.  2 weeks later I could not believe how loose my pants fit!!  I felt so great!  Now it has been nearly 2 months, and Jay looks fantastic (has easily lost 15 pounds), and I can not believe that I am actually starting to wear "pre Zoe" clothes again!! I feel so great.  We also bought a treadmill, and have really enjoyed being able to work out at the house after the girls go to bed.  I refuse to allow a scale in the house, so I don't know how much weight I have actually lost, but I do know I am not scared of bathing suit season (Yeah!!!).  I absolutely LOVE this diet and would reccomend to everyone!  The first couple of weeks was hard, and I felt like I was starving to death, but once you start eating the right foods, and losing weight it gets so much easier!  Thank you WW!!! (and I apologize for not paying for you!) ;)  AND, thank you Jay for doing this with me... I honestly don't think I could have done it on my own.  Love you!  When I get a chance, I am going to post some of my favorite recipes on here for anyone else following WW, or just wants to eat healthier.  

FEBURARY

Reese's 9 month check up:

Well, Reese is following in Zoe's foot steps and at about 6 months pretty much decided to stop growing.  At her 9 month appt she was a little over 16 pounds (9th %tile).  I am hoping she is at least 20 pounds by the end of  May so when we head to Port Aransas she can sit forward facing!  I think the trip will be much more pleasant that way... other than her small size she is developing just fine.  She is crawling and eating solids a little bit better.  I can't take my eye off her for a minute b/c she can get from one side of the room to the next in about half a second!  Right now Reese is literally getting 4 top teeth in all at once. 2 have broken the skin, and 2 are about too.  She is miserable, and so am I! 

This picture makes me laugh.  She is so funny.



San Marcos

In February we went to visit my sister Nicole and her husband Zach in San Marcos and had an amazing time!  We were supposed to see Jay's sister Tori too, who lives in Round Rock (and go to our nephew Cam's bday party), but he got the flu!  Flu shots next year Tori!! (just teasing) ;)  So, we spent a long weekend in San Marcos instead.

Here is Reese playing upstairs at Nikki's house

We went to Aquarina Springs and took a glass bottom boat ride!  Reese LOVED it... look how funny she is!

Zoe had a blast helping Aunt Nikki pick fresh carrots from her vegetable garden

On our last night there, we went into Austin and ate at "The Oasis..." it was quite the adventure as Reese screamed the whole ride there and back (I think her ears were popping in the Texas hill country)

Here is Jay and Zoe at The Oasis

On our way back Sunday we stopped in Waco to see one of my best friends from college (Stacie) and her husband and twins.  Reese is just 6 months younger than Caden and Ainsley, and I know they will all be best friends!