Wednesday, April 29, 2015

What's Up Wednesday


Today I am linking up with Mix and Match Family to bring you a What's Up Wednesday!




1. What We're Eating This Week:
John is working a ton of overtime, so I am focusing on super easy meals!  Tonight we are making my Crockpot Pulled Pork Tacos!  



2. What I'm Reminiscing About:
School!  Yesterday I took Lacie and Blakely to check out a school - the same preschool that I went to ways back in 1989 - 1990!  The fact that Lacie will go to preschool in September is crazy!  We're thinking of sending Blakely too!
It was really windy when we left the house - so this was the best I got! 

3. What I'm Loving:
Lacie's Dance Recital Pictures!  I mean it doesn't really get any cuter! 


4. What We've Been Up To:
We've been doing a ton of Family Walks and spending time outside after a very long winter indoors! 


5. What I'm Dreading:
Just this morning, I was telling John how both Blakely and Paisley have a doctor's appointment next month.  Blakely for her 30 month well visit and Paisley for a round of shots.  I am dreading, absolutely dreading, the fact that both girls will need shots!  

6. What I'm Working On:
A few weeks ago I shared that we booked our first family vacation to Disney World!  In 19 days, I get to book all of our Dining Reservations!!!  So I am currently working on where we want to eat on which days!  The Hiloskys Love to Eat!

7. What I'm Excited About:
Summer Summer Summertime!!!!

8. What I'm Watching/Reading:
I am currently reading nothing - but getting back into reading for fun is a huge goal of mine this summer!  When you have a brand new baby, it's hard to find time to do any reading because if you do have free time you tend to spend it sleeping!  I am currently watching The Real Housewives of New York - thank goodness Bethany is Back!   

9. What I'm Listening To:
Currently I am listening to the sweet sounds that Paisley makes when she sleeps in the swing!  She was already up (at 4:30am) for her early morning feeding.  Now she is back to sleep in her swing (which is right behind my desk).  I'm also listening to Blakely on the monitor.  She's talking to Lacie (who is still sleeping) and trying to get her up! 

10. What I'm Wearing:
Pajamas!  But in general I am wearing a lot of workout clothes these days so that I can fit in exercise whenever I get the chance!

11. What I'm Doing This Weekend:
Going to Sesame Place!  It opens on Friday for Season Pass Members and then on Saturday for the general public!  This will be the third summer that we have passes, and my girls just love love love going there.  I'm sure we will go at least once if not twice this weekend! 




12. What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month:
Oh May is such a good month!  I am looking forward to celebrating Mother's Day and our 6 Year Anniversary!  I am also looking forward to Memorial Day Weekend!  

13. What Else Is New:
Paisley Jean is officially sleeping through the night in her own crib!!!!  She's still waking up super early but I will take that over waking in the middle of the night!  She was probably the most challenging to get in her crib out of all my babies so this was a big accomplishment!


14. What I'm Giving/Receiving for Mother's Day:
Of course I can't share what I'm giving for Mother's Day but I am receiving a necklace with all three girls names on it!  I am so so so excited for this piece of jewelry! 

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Transformation Tuesday: the 21 Day Fix and Shakeology


So a few weeks ago, I shared with you that I had decided to make some very important time for myself!  As a Mommy to three kids all three and younger, I don't get any free time - so I needed to actually make an effort to schedule that time!  I wanted to start eating healthier and exercising and get back to (or close to) my pre-baby body!  In addition to selfishly wanting to look good, I also wanted to feel good.  I needed more energy!  I want to be the mom who is running around and playing with her kids!  I owe them a healthy and happy Mommy!

That's when I decided to try a program that I've been hearing about - Shakeology and the 21 Day Fix!  I committed to making changes in my nutrition and exercising for 21 Days straight!

Here's What I Love About Shakeology:
*it's easy - mix in a shaker cup or whip up in the blender
*it tastes good!  Not like a chocolate milkshake but still good enough that I enjoy drinking it!
*I can drink it with one hand - that's important because I usually have a baby in the other hand
*it gives me energy - and I need all the energy I can get
*it helped me cut way down on coffee (now I only have one cup per day)
*it's full of nutrients!  Shakeology is so much more than just protein...it's packed with super foods!  I'm not the healthiest eater so being able to get that much nutrition in a shake, first thing in the morning, is wonderful

Here's What I Love About the 21 Day Fix:
*you get an exercise program plus a nutrition program - it's the whole package
*the workouts have a nice variety - yoga, pilates, weights, cardio
*the workouts are 30 minutes - this fits perfectly in my schedule
*the nutrition plan focuses on portion control and gives you containers to help you portion out food 

I took some very honest before and after pictures!  In 21 Days (that's only 3 weeks people), I was able to lose 9 pounds and 4 inches off my tummy and hips.  I know a lot of people don't believe the before and after pictures that are online and the commercials, but these are real and unedited.  I didn't photoshop or filter my pictures.  I didn't even apply self tanner lol.  They're about as honest as it gets!



I still have a long fitness journey ahead of me, but I am off to a wonderful start!  I believe in Shakeology and the beachbody programs so much that I decided to become a coach!  And now John is on board too!  He's drinking Shakeology and doing T25!  Now that I have completed one round of the 21 Day Fix, I am doing T25 with John!  And I already love it!  That program goes for 10 weeks!  In about two months, I will have another set of before and after pictures!  

If I can help you on your health and fitness journey, please feel free to contact me!  You can visit my beachbody website here: 

And you can always contact me on social media with any questions:

Like My Facebook Page - Click Here

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Find Me On Twitter - Click Here 


Monday, April 20, 2015

Mommy Mondays: Paisley Jean is Four Months Old


On April 11th, my sweet Paisley Jean hit the four month mark!  Crazy!  Four months is when I officially consider my children to be out of the "newborn" stage!  SO much happens after four months.  This is the age where they start rolling around like crazy.  They also work on sitting up.  You can begin to feed them little tastes of food!  Lots of good times and developmental milestones ahead! 



At Four Months Old Paisley:
*smiles when she recognizes faces
*is transitioning out of her swaddle
*is starting to sleep in her crib
*holds a bottle
*sits up in the bumbo seat or with assistance
*puts all of her weight on her legs if you hold her standing up
*rolls from her stomach to her back
*tries to roll from her back to her stomach (but tends to get stuck)

Paisley Loves:
*walks outside
*soft toys
*standing in her walker
*watching her sisters play
*kicking the water during bath time 
*anything that plays music and lights up

Paisley Hates:
*getting out of the bath
*getting dressed
*getting shots


We had Paisley's four month well visit at the pediatrician's office this morning!  She got a clean bill of health!  Our doctor was impressed with how much weight she puts on her legs when standing.  She was also very happy with her level of head control!  Then Paisley had to get two shots - ugh watching them get vaccines is just awful!  Paisley is still the most petite of the Hilosky girls! 

Paisley's Four Month Stats:
12 pounds (10th percentile)
23 1/2 inches (25th percentile)
Head Circumference - 15 3/4 inches (25th percentile)

Lacie's Four Month Stats:
15lbs, 1oz
24 3/4 inches

Blakely's Four Month Stats:
15lbs, 9.5oz
26 inches

Lacie/Blakely/Paisley 
at FOUR months


Friday, April 17, 2015

Shades of Pink: Baby Must Haves



A few months ago, I shared my Newborn Necessities!  This was a very very popular post!  Now that Paisley is four months old (more about that on Mommy Monday), I've been thinking about all of the Baby Must Haves that I love.  These are things that have been essential as we move out of the newborn stage and into the baby stage!

1. A Highchair 
When your baby was a newborn, there was no need for a highchair!  But at some point between four and six months, you are going to start feeding your baby food!  Real food!  Not just breastmilk or formula!  And for that you really need a highchair.  We have two highchairs and I like both for different reasons.  The first one we had was a simple one that secured onto a regular kitchen chair!  This is great if you don't have a ton of space.  The downside of it is that it takes up one of your regular kitchen chairs (one less seat for when you have company).  The second highchair we got when we found out we were having a second baby was a freestanding highchair because I didn't want to take up another kitchen seat!  Lacie went into the big freestanding chair and Blakely got the little space saver one!  Once you have decided what kind you want based on your kitchen set up, pick one that is easy to clean with a big tray for baby to learn to feed themselves and also play on!

We have this freestanding highchair - in PINK of course!
We have this highchair that hooks onto a kitchen chair:
2. A Baby Carrier
I included this in my Newborn Necessities as well!  When my girls were newborns I love the Moby Wrap and the Ring Sling.  As they get older, the Ergo becomes my favorite.  It's really comfy to wear for long periods of time, and I always felt like the babies were really secure in it.  Plus it's super easy to use!  John wears it too!  We currently have a hand-me-down Ergo but how cute is this Pink and Gray Chevron One - I think it's time for a new Ergo!!!


3. A Play Mat
We have two play mats - one upstairs and one downstairs.  To be fair you can use them when your babies are newborns - we did - our girls were always on these mats.  But the baby won't start really rolling around and playing with the toys until three months and older.  So to me they aren't a necessity right away!  We have an older version of this mat:


4. Walkers/Jumperoos
Sometime between four and six months your baby will have the head control to be able to play in a jumperoo or a similar type of entertainer!  These come in handy because they contain your baby and entertain them for a decent amount of time - allowing you to take a shower or cook dinner!  We have a walker that the girls loved!  I loved it because it could also be used as a stationary toy before they are walking!



  5. A Baby Monitor
This could also be considered a Newborn Necessity but for us it wasn't until the girls were older.  Some people come right home from the hospital and put the baby in the crib, but we didn't do that.  Our girls slept all over the house - the swing, the rock and play, the bouncy seat, the moses basket - but never in their crib right away.  Lacie started transitioning to the crib around three months and we are currently working on getting Paisley to sleep in there as well.  Blakely was our earliest and went into the crib at 2 months!  I like to have a video monitor because I always wanted to be able to see the girls.  I also think the video monitor helps allow your babies to be better sleepers because you don't rush in there the second they start fussing.  Instead, you can look on the monitor and see why they are fussing - sometimes they just need to adjust their position.  The video monitor offers nice peace of mind!  If you are planning to have more than one child, get a monitor that has two cameras or at least has the option to buy additional cameras!  We have this one:


I could have probably kept going and added more items (like strollers - I could probably do an entire post on strollers), but these are the things I used for all of my babies every single day!  

What are your Baby Must Haves?



Today I am linking up with:
and 


Thursday, April 16, 2015

#hiloskyeveryday2015 Weeks 13, 14, and 15

Day 85 - Blakely has such a funny personality! 

Day 86 - Getting my 21 Day Fix on with Paisley first thing in the morning!  You can read more about this program here and always feel free to ask my any questions! 

Day 87 - So happy to be able to get outside for walks! 

Day 88 - Lacie got to take her dance recital pictures!  I can't get over how sweet she looks in her costume! 

Day 89 - Mommy's helper at the food store!  No I didn't realize I took this picture in the wine section lol.

Day 90 - crazy hair don't care! 

Day 91 - Paisley is getting so big!  She's really starting to play with her toys!  

Day 92 - How is she 3 1/2 already!?! 

Day 93 - a much needed date with my love!  We always try to sneak out at naptime for day dates so that we don't miss out on spending time with the kids!

Day 94 - a successful Easter Bunny picture where no one cried! 

Day 95 - Happy Easter!

Day 96 - We are officially booked for our very first Disney World Vacation!!!

Day 97 - I just love love love watching how much Blakely adores her baby sister! 

Day 98 - these two are the very best of friends! 

Day 99 - Mommy's Helper!  

Day 100 - Happy National Sibling Day from the Hilosky Girls! 

Day 101 - Ummm how is she Four Months old already! 

Day 102 - Praise the Lord for beautiful weather!  I can't wait to spend lots of time outside this summer!

Day 103 - park with Nana!

Day 104 - this little four month old held her bottle the entire time she ate!

Day 105 - Cinderella is Blakely's favorite Disney Princess, so she was super excited to wear this shirt!  I can't wait for this girl to meet Cinderella in Disney World! 


Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Lemon Coconut Bars


It's been a long time since I blogged a CAKE MIX RECIPE!  So here is a new recipe that I whipped up for Easter Sunday.  Like all of my cake mix recipes, this one is quick and easy and most importantly delicious!

It's also Cake Mix Recipe #50!  Woohoo!


Your Shopping List:

  • one box lemon cake mix
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 stick butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut (the sweetened kind)
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips

Now Let's Make the Lemon Coconut Bars:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking pan
  2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cake mix, beaten eggs, and melted butter until a soft dough forms
  3. Stir in the shredded coconut and the white chocolate chips
  4. Bake in prepared pan for 25 minutes - until the edges are lightly browned
  5. Remove from oven and use the back of a spatula to press down on the surface of the bars, making it flat
  6. Allow to cool completely in pan before cutting into squares

Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy!  These are the perfect spring and summer dessert! 

Friday, April 10, 2015

Friday Favorites

This week has felt very long, and I am so grateful to have made it to Friday!  The big girls passed their cough to Paisley, and that has been the worst!  But even in the face of these colds, I know better weather and health is coming!  And I still had a few favorites from this week!

1. The Start of Baseball Season
How sweet do my girls look in this sweet little pink tee?!?  I bought this tee and gave it to John after we found out that we were expecting a girl (Lacie Jane) in 2011!  Now all three Hilosky girls have gotten to wear it!  You can read about our family's love of the New York Yankees by checking out my opening day post from last year!  It's going to take a long time for us to get used to watching them play without Derek Jeter, but we will still be cheering them on all season!  
And if you are looking for some girly and kid inspired Yankees gear - check these out!  


2. Mommy's Helper
I've started a tradition where every week one of the big girls gets to come to Wegmans with me and be a big helper!  I started this because I felt that with the addition of Paisley, it was super important that they each get some one on one time with me!  This week, it was Lacie's turn to go.  She may drive me a bit crazy at home with her current state of "threenager" behavior but when we are out she is an angel (always).  She loves going to the food store with me.  She could spend the entire time in the produce section, smelling all of the herbs and picking out fruits and veggies!  She is my mini-me!


3.  My Cadbury Egg Bunny Mix
I shared this new Easter recipe using my very favorite candy - Cadbury Mini Eggs - earlier in the week!  This may be my very favorite thing that I have made using these eggs to date!  It was the perfect combination of salty and sweet!  Go get those eggs before the stores sell out and they are gone until next Easter!


4. Disney World
We have officially booked our very first Family of Five Vacation to Disney World!  I couldn't be more excited to plan everything - especially all of the character meals for the girls!  It is going to be a super princess vacation for my princesses!  I'm starting my countdown now! 


5. Shakeology
More specifically the fact that I've converted John to a Shakeology lover!  This has been his breakfast every single day for two weeks now!  When I first started my journey of drinking Shakeology to replace breakfast everyday, John was very very skeptical!  Now he is a believer too!  I cannot say enough about how much this drink has changed my day.  I get a really dense amount of nutrition first thing in the morning, and it gives me the energy I need to get through my day.  It gives me more energy than coffee - and those are words that I never thought would come out of my mouth.  If you want to chat about Shakeology feel free to message me or check out my beachbody website by clicking here!


Today I am linking up with:
and 
and 
and 


Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Cadbury Egg Bunny Mix


So when I was planning our Easter weekend, I had a wonderful idea to get the kids into the kitchen and have them help prepare one of our Easter Brunch foods!  So I came up with an Easter snack mix that the girls could prepare on their own with only a bit of help melting the chocolate.  And then everyone got sick...so it was just me and my clean hands in the kitchen preparing this simple little Cadbury Bunny Mix!

If you have kiddos who love to spend time in the kitchen, this is the perfect little treat they can make almost all on their own!

Your Shopping List for the Cadbury Egg Bunny Mix:

  • 4 cups popcorn
  • 1 cup mini pretzel sticks, broken in half 
  • 1 cup vanilla wafer cookies, broken into pieces
  • 1 large bag (about 1 1/2 cups) Cadbury Mini Eggs
  • 1 4oz bar white chocolate 
  • holiday sprinkles


Now Let's Make the Cadbury Egg Bunny Mix:

  1. In a large bowl combine the popcorn, mini pretzels, vanilla cookies, and cadbury mini eggs
  2. In a microwave safe bowl, melt your white chocolate according to package directions
  3. Drizzle white chocolate over the Cadbury Bunny Mix and stir gently to coat everything
  4. Spread into a single layer onto cookie sheets covered in wax paper
  5. Sprinkle with holiday colored sprinkles immediately to ensure that the sprinkles stick
  6. Allow mixture to sit until the chocolate is cooled and dried
  7. Store in airtight contianers 

The amount of each ingredient used is totally up to you!  These were estimated measurements (other than the bar of white chocolate).  You could definitely use more or less of any one ingredient, and that is what makes this recipe so much fun!

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