Logan Can – Page 72 – A Lifestyle Blog about Marriage, Parenting, Fashion and Fitness

Postpartum Weight Loss + Giveaway

July 30, 2015

This post is sponsored by Yoplait but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Be sure to make your #SweetSummer by checking out the latest Yoplait Yogurt and coupon!

I’m so excited to tell you that I am now only 5 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight! I am so thankful, but I must admit that I have been working my tail off and it has not been easy. People have been asking me if I’ve been “wrapping” or doing Advocare, etc. but I am SO not a gimmick girl. I am a firm believer that the only way you will lose weight and keep it off is if you change your lifestyle.

Exercise – I have been exercising (almost) every day. Whether it’s a 3 mile jog or a 10 minute yoga video, I am making sure to move every day. When I plateaued about six weeks ago, I noticed a huge difference once I started exercising again. The weight finally started coming off.

Diet – I have started watching what I eat again. I am not going to sit here and tell you I’ve been perfect, because there is a slice of cookie cake from last week that will tell you I haven’t been. I am trying to eat healthier but I won’t be so strict to where I can’t enjoy life’s pleasures. One way I do this without totally ruining my diet is by eating yogurt. Yoplait has a new yogurt that has 25% less sugar in it! I have loved eating these and I even feel good about giving them to my son without worrying that he will be super hyper.

Determination – My husband will be the first to tell you that when I get an idea in my head, I won’t be satisfied until I do it. Some may call me stubborn, but I call it determination and dedication. 😉

Scheduling – I am a natural planner, but I have started making sure that I have written in my calendar when I will work out from day to day. Most of the time it happens at night or late afternoon when Ryan can watch the kids. Sometimes I take Hampton on my runs and leave SR with Ryan while she is taking a nap. Planning ahead will make it seem more important and you won’t have an excuse to not do it.

Giveaway Time!!!

Don’t forget to print your Yoplait Coupon and enter to win $15 by visiting their website HERE and leaving me a comment telling me which flavor and recipe you would like to try!

Weekend Shenanigans

July 29, 2015

This past weekend was so busy, but a fun kind of busy. Friday afternoon, I bought Hamp a little pool for our backyard for $5 on clearance at Walmart! I just couldn’t pass up that price or the chance at making my son’s day! Sure enough, I spent the rest pf the afternoon and Saturday morning in the pool with him! We even got fancy and put his little slide in the pool! I’m a cool mom! haha

Saturday afternoon we enjoyed time at Target…and when I say “we” I mean me. Ryan always dreads going to Target because he claims we can never leave without buying things we don’t really need. I have no idea what he is talking about! I needed those 2 new books that I bought!

After our Target run, we headed to my nephew’s 3rd birthday party! It was so much fun! Everything was decorated so cute. He is very into Paw Patrols right now. I am new to this because it is apparently a little over Hampton’s head right now, but he loved playing with the Paw Patrol toys, so it may not belong before we are in that phase, too. I wouldn’t mind a break from Thomas the Train.

Sunday, after church, I went to one of my childhood friend’s baby shower! She is having a little girl this October and I couldn’t be happier for her! She is going to be a wonderful mommy! It seems like so many friends are getting pregnant again! I can’t wait to meet all of these precious babies!

My best friend is finding out the gender of her baby this morning and I am going to lunch with her today after her appointment! I Can Not Wait. She has a little boy that is a few months older than Hampton and they are kind of adorable together! Now I just can’t wait to find out if SR will have a BFF or a boyfriend!

So many exciting things are happening right now. I’m so excited for all of my friends and I love celebrating and rejoicing in their happy news!

What did you do last weekend? Have you noticed a lot of preggers lately?

Literary Junkies Book Club – July 2015

July 28, 2015

Here are this month’s questions:

1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it.

The Royal We by Heather Cocks – It is SO good! Of course, I’m a sucker for all things “royal.” It really is so interesting and really makes you look at the paparazzi a lot differently. I am enjoying this book a lot and would be finished with it by now if it weren’t for two certain babies around here! haha

2. What book reminds you of summertime as a kid?

The Secret Garden is one of my favorite classics of all time because I read it all the time when I was growing up. I also watched the movie at my grandmother’s house every summer. Also, The Babysitter’s Club, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys were always on my summer reading lists!

3. What book did you have on your summer reading list that truly nailed it as a summer reading favorite?

Eight-Hundred Grapes has been my favorite so far this summer. I LOVED it! I was really excited to read it, but it definitely did not disappoint. Review coming soon!!

4. Who is your favorite author and why? Give us your top recommendation by them.

Kate Morton is probably my favorite. She hits it on the head every time and always surprises me. Just when I think I have one of her mysteries figured out, she shocks me. I love her books and she even has a new novel coming out in October!! I would honestly recommend any of her books, but my favorite was The Forgotten Garden.

5. Fall Book Reading lists are starting to make their appearances. What are you excited to read that’s being released this fall?

I’m excited for Nicholas Sparks’ new book – See Me coming out in October as well as Kate Morton’s new book – The Lake House also coming out in October! They will both be on my list along with Nora Robert’s Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy!

What is on your fall reading list? What was your favorite Summer read?

Travel Activity Bucket for Kids

July 27, 2015

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TwizzlersSummer #CollectiveBias

We are officially 14 days away from our cruise! We are actually leaving a couple of days earlier to visit my grandmother in Florida where I will be spending my birthday! I can’t tell you how excited I am to have this week long vacation. It is so needed.

I have been sort of dreading making the 7 hour drive to my grandmother’s house with our two babies. Mostly Hampton, because we can’t keep him still. I’m so scared he will be miserable that long in the car. After thinking about it, I decided to put together a travel activity bucket to keep him busy while we are on the road.

My friend and I ran to Walmart after our lunch date last week and grabbed some fun things I thought would keep Hamp busy in the car. In addition to a coloring book, stickers, and games, I also thought it would be fun to add one of our favorite family snacks – Twizzlers Twists. I also threw in some rainbow twists for fun!

Here is what to put in an activity bucket for your summer road trips:

Coloring Book – This will keep them busy for a while. All kids love to color!

Games – We love to play all sorts of games in the car. Including some little hand held games for your toddler will help keep him occupied.

Snacks – I threw in one of my favorite snacks that we can all enjoy as a family! Twizzlers Twists have been my road trip choice for years and I can’t wait to share that tradition with my son. Snacks are always a great thing to have on hand with children. They get hungry and it’s not fun when you aren’t prepared for that.

Books – My son loves to read, and for that I am thankful. Reading books can keep him occupied for a few minutes at a time and they can also be educational, so it’s a win/win!

Your bucket doesn’t have to be complicated. Just think of things that will keep your child occupied and try to get several different things so that when they get bored with one, they can easily move on to another. Having an activity bucket will also help limit their screen time, which is something badly needed this day in time! Don’t forget to sing songs and make pit stops so the kids can stretch their legs for a bit. That will also help break up the trip.

Twizzlers Twists remind me of my childhood summers. We used to eat them all the time. I remember always stopping on our road trips to grab some snacks and they would always be my go-to.

What would you include in your activity bucket? Twizzlers Twists remind me of my childhood, do they bring back memories for you, too?

A New Mother’s Formula For Happiness

July 24, 2015

This post is sponsored by Gerber® Good Start® Gentle but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Before we had our daughter, I was very nervous about going from one child to two. Their age difference intimidated me (18 months), but I was also feeling all the emotions. Hampton would no longer be my only child. He wouldn’t be my baby. It was so emotional for me because he WAS still a baby. Let me just tell you, it is tough trying to explain to your baby that you are having another baby. He just didn’t get it at all.

Everyone told me to try to relax and enjoy my time with him and that he would be the best big brother once he got used to it. It took about 8 weeks before Hampton really did well with SR. We still can’t leave them in a room together without one of us watching them, but it has gotten so much better.

The best piece of advice anyone gave me was to just relax and take it all in. Hold my baby girl. Play with my son as much as possible. Read to the both of them and enjoy every minute. I have definitely been trying to focus on my kids a lot more and take this advice. I’ve been enjoying the little moments. The ones that most people miss. Only because I was told to focus on that time more, and I have.

With Hampton, we lost a lot of sleep. He was my baby that didn’t sleep. At all. His doctor even shook her head at him. As a newborn he slept 6 or 7 hours in a 24 hour period. He just never slept. Luckily, SR has slept great! It has been like night and day, and for that, we are all thankful, rested and happy! After I had Hamp, I wish I had known about the Gerber Sleep Consultants and the free appointments they offer! That would have been so nice. Sleeping more this time around has made all the difference.

If I had any advice for a new mother, it would be to rest as much as you can, hold your baby as much as possible and soak up every moment. If you do this, you will have created the perfect #formulaforhappiness for you and your baby.

Photos by Allison Hilyer Photography

What is your Formula for Happiness?

How To Decorate Your Home For Summer

July 23, 2015

My mother is extremely gifted in all things design and decor. She has an eye for it that constantly amazes me. My sister is fortunate to have received this trait as well, but the gene skipped me. I have, however, learned a few tips from watching them over the years on how to decorate, things not to do, etc. One of them is how to change your decor around to make it appropriate for each season without completely redoing your entire home. I recently bought new living room furniture and chose very neutral shades for our chairs, sofa and rug. Our walls are all very neutral – beiges, grays, and my chocolate dining room – so that I can easily change up accent pieces to make my home appropriate for the changing seasons. Here is how I do it:

Add color – I love to add touches of color throughout the home – yellow for summer, red for Christmas, pastels for spring etc.

Change out pillows – I change out my throw pillows on the couch to go with the seasons. I have red pillows for winter and floral pillows for spring and summer. They make a huge difference in the way our living room looks and feels.

Add colorful artwork – I haven’t done a good job of this recently. I LOVE art. I am not talented in this area, but I have a huge appreciation for it. I love architecture as well, but I am very picky about what I want in my house. Because of this, I have almost none. Oi.

Fresh flowers – Adding seasonal flowers to a home will always make a house feel warm and inviting while also adding fragrance and color. Everyone loves flowers! They are a great way to decorate for the changing seasons.

How do you decorate your home for the summer?

On Trend: Pineapples

July 22, 2015

My favorite trend this summer has been Flamingos by far, however, pineapples are definitely my second favorite trend. I snagged a pineapple necklace a while back from one of my favorite Etsy shops and I wear it all the time! I love small accents of pineapple! I also happened upon some #LilyforTarget pineapple sandals one day which was super exciting! I included a couple of items for babies as well because I love dressing SR in pineapples. One of my favorite rompers that she owns is from H&M and is covered in pineapples which was my inspiration for this post.

Here are a few of my other pineapple favorites:

Scarf
Swimsuit
Bucketfeet Sneakers
Straws
Bangle
Ice Cube Tray
Headband
Pillow
Garland
Tumbler
Dope Tee
Onesie
Gray Tee
Shorts
Earrings
Monogrammed Sticker
Necklace
Banner

What are some of your favorite summer trends?

Free Summer Date Ideas

July 21, 2015

I am always looking for date ideas that don’t cost a lot of money. We love to go on dates, but they can be so expensive. Especially if we go often (who am I kidding). I’ve been trying to get a little creative this summer with our dates in order to save money. With the holidays approaching and all of our summer birthdays, we are starting to budget a little tighter and don’t have as much to spend on “fun” things. Here is a list of a few Summer date ideas that won’t cost you a dime!

Picnic
Free City Concert
Movie Night
Cook a Romantic Meal Together
Feed the Ducks at a Local Pond
Go to a Free Museum
Scavenger Hunt
Build a Sand Castle (make it a contest!)
Fly a Kite
Learn to Surf
Go Swimming
Play your Favorite Card or Board Game
Make Homemade Ice Cream
Tour Your Hometown
Lay on the Beach
Make S’mores around the Firepit
Bike Ride
Get Lost in a Flea Market

What do you like to do on date nights?

How To Clean Your Home In A Hurry

July 20, 2015

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #savewithbubbles #CollectiveBias

It is no secret that we are trying to sell our house. In fact, it has been on the market for 16 months and counting. Over the last month, we have shown it at least twice a week. People do not always give us a lot of notice which can be tough since we both work primarily from our house and we have two small children. During the day, our house gets pretty messy. My (almost) 21 month old is into everything. If there is a liquid that he can pour out all over the floor, he will do it. Over and over again.

The other day, we got a phone call that someone wanted to see our house in 20 minutes. We looked at each other in a panic. We quickly jumped up and performed the 3 tasks we always make sure to do before a showing:

1. We picked up all of our son’s toys and everything else laying out.

2. Vacuum

3. Clean the Bathrooms

I always make sure that our bathrooms are clean no matter how rushed we are. I know from experience that the last thing a buyer wants to see is a nasty bathroom when looking at a house. It would absolutely gross me out to stumble on a dirty bathroom.

I start by cleaning all of the surfaces including our counter, sinks, bathtub and shower with Scrubbing Bubbles® Multi Surface Bathroom Cleaner because it disinfects everything and leaves the room smelling fresh. I also found that I could save a lot of time by using the Scrubbing Bubbles® Toilet Cleaning Gel. All you have to do is stick a new gel in the toilet every 7 days and, since it is flush activated, just flush like normal and voila! The toilet is clean and fresh. It is time efficient and touch free!

We live really close to a brand new Dollar General and I love to stop in there about once a week to pick up my Scrubbing Bubbles® Bathroom Cleaner and other supplies that we go through all too quickly. From July 7th – August 2nd, Dollar General will offer these coupons:

$0.50 off any Scrubbing Bubbles® Bath Product
$1 off any Scrubbing Bubbles® Toilet Gel Product
$0.50 off any Scrubbing Bubbles® All Purpose Cleaner

Check out these ways to make cleaning more fun with Scrubbing Bubbles®! Which is your favorite?

15 Ice Cream Recipes

July 17, 2015

With National Ice Cream Day being Sunday, I thought it would be fun to do a round up of my favorite dessert! I love ice cream so much…even in the winter. I know, I’m weird. I found a few of my favorite recipes from some of my favorite bloggers and put them all in one place for you guys! I hope you enjoy these recipes and try some of them this weekend. I know I will!

Homemade Ice Cream // Hall Around Texas
Peach and Vanilla Ice Cream // Whole Food Bellies
Triple Peanut Butter Ice Cream // Little Dove Creations
Sugar Cookie Ice Cream // Chocolate Covered Katie
Cold Stone Creamery Cake Batter Ice Cream // CopyKat Recipes
No Churn Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream // Like Mother, Like Daughter
Toasted Almond Ice Cream // Little Dove Creations
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream // Spoonful of Flavor
Wine Ice Cream // My Big Fat Happy Life
Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream // A Happy Food Dance
Peach Ice Cream // The Dean’s List
Chai Chocolate Chip Ice Cream // Nourishing Simplicity
Cookie Dough Ice Cream // Nourishing Simplicity
Banana M&M’s Peanut Sundae // At Home With Sweet T
Java Chip Ice Cream // Oak and Oats
Lemonade Ice Cream // I Heart Naptime

What is your favorite flavor of Ice Cream?

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