One of my favorite holiday traditions is definitely baking! During most of the year we try and eat healthy 5 days a week and then have 2 days where we will let ourselves indulge. We usually eat out for those 2 days, which means that most of my time in the kitchen is spent making the same butter-less, salt-less boring meals. I get so excited to get the chance to bake and play during the holidays, free of my butter-free cage at last! I have my favorite go-to treats to make for taste and I love to try new recipes, but we always make sure to make a batch of holiday sugar cookies since they are Santa’s favorite. =)

While baking was fun I wish I had given more of the end product away. I definitely ate for 2 (or maybe 5) this holiday season. I have also survived on mostly carbs and protein during this pregnancy which I feel pretty guilty about to be honest. I was so healthy with Zachary. I gave up coffee completely (gasp, I know!), ate healthy meals and walked 2 miles a day. This time around I have had way more cravings and aversions coupled with little self-control. Of course the cravings are all unhealthy (burritos, chocolate, burgers, etc.) and the aversions are to anything with vitamins and nutrients. Why couldn’t it just be the other way around!? I still manage to eat (err..choke down) some fruits and vegetables but it’s probably not as much as I should.  I also hardly have enough energy to run simple errands let alone walk 2 miles a day. Oh and if I didn’t have coffee there’s no way I would make it through the late night edits, early kiddo wake-ups and nap-less days (don’t worry I still stay in the doctor. approved limits).  Anyone else notice this with number 2? Please tell me I’m not alone.

I love that baby girl is in this picture twice <3

Yes, that’s my cell phone next to him. He put himself in charge of being the Christmas music DJ while we baked.

I was hesitant to take these pictures because we still haven’t had a chance to do anything to the kitchen but I’m really glad I did anyways. <3