the best kisses...

Are slobbery mouth-wide-open kisses from this girl!

Adeline's new thing is giving kisses. She especially loves to give them when you pick her up off the changing table.

How is it that she just gets more fun every day?!

Fitness Friday {week 7}

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I would say this week was a success simply because my husband commented on my "hot legs" throughout the week! ha! My legs have never been a personal asset of mine.  They have always been muscular, but have always been a bit larger than the rest of my body...and not as toned as I would like. (I like to think I can compare myself to the gorgeous Kardashian women with their legs and booties. ;) Anywho...my husband is always saying sweet things to me about my body, but that comment is a new one...and one that has definitely pushed me to continue this journey even on the more challenging days!

How did Week 6 go?

My goal this week was to not eat sweets.  I didn't do so hot with that.  Between hubby wanting chocolate chip cookies on Fat Tuesday and caving to try a new Pinterest "Dole Pineapple Whip Float" copycat recipe from Disney World, success was lacking! I did eat less sweets than normal though.  I have gotten out of the habit of having to add something sweet to my lunch each day when I pack it.

As far as this week in general, I did feel like we started to get more of our groove down with me going back to work.  We ate at home more than my first week back and I had energy to go to the grocery and plan out healthy purchases!  Slowly but surely we'll get back on track :)... and then summer will hit meaning we can go back to the way things were when I was home on maternity leave...whoo hoo!!

Was I active?

Well 3/7 days isn't my best record...but it's not bad considering we had a long, lazy 3 day weekend and it's my second week back to work.

Friday-
Saturday-
Sunday-
Monday-Circuit training (17 minutes); 15 minute walk pushing stroller; 37 push-ups; 1 min 15 sec plank
Tuesday-Circuit training (20 minutes); 48 push-ups; 2 min 15 sec plank
Wednesday-
Thursday-Circuit training (20 minutes); 53 push-ups

Weight Loss?

Yes...down 2.2 more pounds! (down 5.8 lbs from starting weight)

And since I only worked out 3 out of the 7 days and went over my calorie limit a few days, I'm contributing it mainly to the fact that Adeline is now eating two more times during the night right now.  Oh, and maybe running around my school like a crazy person up and down stairs, etc. trying to catch back up to being gone for 3 1/2 months! ;)

Measurements?

Waist: 30" (down 2" from starting measurement) -- same
Thigh: 21 1/2" (down 1 1/4" from starting measurement)

Week 8 Goal?

Do three sets of planks for 60 seconds each, each day.

(See my list of weekly goals here.)

Now grab the button and link-up your Fitness Friday posts to share about your fitness journey! And if you have a moment...take some time to visit the links below and spread the love by encouraging these other awesome ladies that are joining in!

picture post

Well I've found the blogger app where I can blog straight from my phone ( maybe I'm behind on this and y'all are saying "duh"). Anyway...since I can now do this while doing just about anything else (like nursing ;) I may actually get some posts written! So first things first with trying to get back into blogging...pictures. Lots of pictures. (Excuse the quality...they are from my phone.)

These days are so fun. Adeline is loving...

-sucking her thumb
-her taggie blanket
-smiling and laughing all the time
-finding her feet
-cuddles in the morning
-her puppy
-reading
-her Paci (pulling it out and putting it back in)
-her toys
-her recent beach trip

Every day is such a gift!

Fitness Friday! {week 6}

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Just as I imagined....this week threw me for a huge loop! I started back to work after about 14 weeks on maternity leave.  Wowzer! It's gone more smooth than I imagined as far as emotionally (thank you, Lord, for answered prayers!)  However, my body has felt it for sure! My diet has been messed up...quick lunches...quick, easy dinners.  I only worked out once this work week, I am sleep-deprived, and my stress level is up with all the new demands.

How did Week 6 go?

My goal this week was to not snack after 8 pm.  I did just okay with this goal.  I did snack a couple nights after 8 pm...not sure if it was stress-related or if I'm just a bit more hungry right now because Adeline has picked up her nighttime feedings again...she's added 2 feedings during the night.  (Something else we're working on!)

Was I active?

Ugh...somewhat, but definitely not like in previous weeks! I have upped my number of push-ups due to the challenge and my plank time is getting longer...so that was an accomplishment! (But honestly, now that I look at it...I worked out 4 out of 7 days this past week...I need to give myself more credit!)

How do you working mamas do it?! Please share!

Friday- Circuit training (30 minutes); 27 push-ups; 1 min 15 sec plank
Saturday-30 minute run training (20 minutes); 1 min 30 sec plank
Sunday-Rest day
Monday-30 minute run training (10 minutes); Circuit training (10 minutes); 28 push-ups; 1 min 45 sec plank
Tuesday-
Wednesday-
Thursday-Circuit training (20 minutes); 39 push-ups!!; 2 min 5 sec plank

Weight Loss?

Nope...gained a little less than a pound back this week.

Measurements?

Same as last week (no changes).

Waist: 30" (down 2" from starting measurement)
Thigh: 21 3/4" (down 3/4" from starting measurement)

Week 7 Goal?

No sweets. Yikes.

(See my list of weekly goals here.)

Now grab the button, and link-up your Fitness Friday posts to share about your fitness journey!

Fitness Friday {week 5}

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Well we are over a fourth of the way through the 19 weeks! Can you believe it? You all are really inspiring and encouraging me! I had another pretty good week, overall.

I am nervous because this upcoming week will be my first week back to work since maternity leave started back in early November.  It will be a tremendous transitional week for all of us here in our home...so we will see what it does to my activity level.  The great thing is that the rest of the Friday Fitnesses will take me up to my last full week of teaching before Summer...that should help keep me motivated.  Any advice on working with a baby and remaining active would be greatly appreciated!

How did Week 5 go?

My goal this week was to drink only water throughout the day after breakfast.  Um, I have to be honest and say that I failed miserably at this goal.  We had our first date night...we shared a coke zero at the movies.  Adeline and I had a play date and I caved and drank caffeine free Diet coke.  There are other times as well throughout the week that I caved too.  Boo.  Oh well.  I did stay away from caffeine besides the little bit in my morning hot black tea.  That seemed to really help out my sweet girl with her spitting up.  So I feel like I did accomplish something...staying almost completely away from caffeine.  I honestly can say I really don't need or crave caffeine at all anymore. That's so freeing being as I was a caffeine-addict about a year ago before I found out I was pregnant.

Was I active?

I am really getting into this workout thing! I am loving it.  It just makes me feel so great about myself and gives me so much energy.  I have had to get past the worry of making sure I get 30 minutes in...sometimes it's just not feasible with Adeline's napping these days.  I have learned this week that even if I just take 15 minutes, there are tremendous pay-offs.

I was starting to get a bit bored with the postnatal bootcamp and tried out quite a few of the Pinterest interval training finds that are floating around...loved them! (Find my Health and Fitness board here.)

Thanks to Natalie's encouragement and motivation, I have also started the 100 push-up challenge (I started being able to do 2 push-ups and have already worked up to 20!) and the 10 day plank challenge (which I am tweaking a bit) along with her.  Whew! :)

Friday-Postnatal Bootcamp (two intervals+core workout)
Saturday-Rest day
Sunday-Pinterest circuit training (30 minutes)
Monday-Push-ups (16) and Plank (15 seconds)
Tuesday-Pinterest cardio; Plank (1 minute 25 seconds)
Wednesday-Pinterest circuit training (15 minutes); Push-ups (20); Plank (1 minute)
Thursday-

Weight Loss?

I did lost weight again this week! (Um and I even went over my calorie goal on our date night by 700 calories...crazy!!) I am now at 125.4 (down 3.6 lbs. from my starting weight)!


Measurements?

Results here too...whoo hoo!!

Waist: 30" (down 2" from starting measurement)
Thigh: 21 3/4" (down 3/4" from starting measurement)

Week 6 Goal?

No snacking after 8 pm.  This will be tough since we often grab a snack while we are watching TV at night but I also know that's when I creep closer and closer to going over my calories for the day.

(See my list of weekly goals here.)

Now grab the button, and link-up your Fitness Friday posts to share about your fitness journey!

Three Months!

Dear Adeline Grace,

            Three months, baby girl.  Three months! You aren't considered our newborn anymore, and that's so odd (and sad) to say.  Wow how you have changed this past month! I know I will say this every month, but you are so much more full of personality and spunk this month.  You are just way too much fun and we want to kiss your sweet cheeks all the time!
 

So what have we learned about you this month and what have you been up to in your third month of life?

Once again, you have had many firsts

-On 1.10.12 you took your first road trip! You ventured to Ft. Myers, FL with your mommy, daddy, Grandma and Grandpa.  We met your Gee and Papaw there and had so much fun that week! You were great in the car and slept most of the time! While there, you went to the beach for the first time, to the pool for the first time (the water was too cold for you to get in), and we shopped gobs and ate out a lot! You were so content all week and slept great! We also visited Sanibel and Captiva islands.  During the trip you really started saying a hard G sound a lot.  You also started interacting a lot with your toys and hitting them to make them light up and make sounds!

-On 1.19.12 you let out your first loud shriek! You got your mommy and daddy's attention with that!

-On 2.3.12 your mommy and daddy went on their first date night since you were born.  Your Grandma and Grandpa came to the house and stayed with you.  They had so much fun with you and couldn't get over how much you talked to them!

-On 2.7.12 you had your first play date! We visited Page and Selah, had lunch together, and played.  You enjoyed taking it all in and talked to me a bunch about it later that day!

This month you also:

-Really found your thumb and are showing signs of enjoying that over your paci.  You will often knock your paci out of your mouth or grab it and pull it out to put your thumb in.  Sometimes you will even hold your paci while sucking your thumb on the same hand...you are so loud sometimes when you do this and it's adorable!

-Starting talking up a storm! Oh my, girl! You love to talk and carry on very important conversations with us!

-Started holding onto and grabbing toys.

-Started rolling to your side with ease...it doesn't matter if you're on your back or belly.

-Really increased your smiles! You love to smile at people and think they are so funny when they talk to you.  You especially smile huge all the time at your mommy and daddy--melts our hearts!

-Discovered your feet.  You aren't sure how to get them to your mouth, but you are very interested in them!

-Started this new thing where you put your hand over your face when you are getting sleepy.  It seems to help you self-soothe and get to sleep.  It's adorable.

-You became a TV junkie! No matter how we position you, your little eyes find the TV.  We really work hard to keep you from watching it...but sometimes it's so adorable how your get fixated on it, that we let you watch for a few minutes.  It cracks us up every time.

So what do you like and dislike?

You love…

-Being held looking out

-Being talked to but mainly talking back

-Reading books and listening to music (you now look at the pages and even touch them and move them when you can)
-Your bouncy seat

-Sucking your thumb and just about anything else you can get to your moth

-Moving (you love when we walk around with you)
-Morning time (you are such a little morning person still!)
-Your "taggie" blanket
-Looking at the mobile in your room and talking to it before taking your naps
-Being in the Moby wrap facing out
-Your changing table and being naked
-Your baths...you splash like crazy and get us and the bathroom soaked

You dislike…

You are such a happy-go-lucky, laid-back baby...it's hard to come up with this list!

-Swinging when you aren't drowsy.
-Being on your tummy for too long.
-Scratchy beards...when your grandpas kiss you or touch your face or hands to their beards, you get a really pouty lip look that turns into tears.
-Rocking if you aren't already sleepy.

What are your sizes?

You are completely out of newborn clothes...so sad! I have packed them away.  You are still in some 0-3 and 3 months (mainly) but you are starting to venture into 3-6 months.  I do have to roll your sleeves and pants quite often...it's your sweet little chunkiness that puts you up in size.  You are in size 1 and 2 diapers when in disposables and are in your one-size cloth diapers on the smallest snap settings.

You weigh 12.5 lbs. and are 22 inches in length.

What are your eating habits like?

Well you still enjoy your eating! :) You are very verbal when you get hungry.  You go quickly from a happy baby to a mad baby when you are ready to eat.  You get yourself so worked up sometimes so quickly that I have to walk around with you to get you to start eating and then sit down once you've started and you're settled.  You are an intense eater with gobs of noises! :) You are now stretching your daytime feedings to about three hours a piece.  We are just now starting a little "routine" to try to get your feedings closer to predictable times for when your mommy goes back to work.  So far this is working well.  You dropped your feeding that you wanted around 11 or 12 at night.  You were going from 8ish to 5ish without a feeding, but just in the last week or so you have started wanting to eat 2-3 more times during the night.  Maybe it's a growth spurt? You are still only breastfed and only take bottles when someone else is watching you. You eat about 8 times a day for about 10 minutes each time.

How is your sleeping?

This month you've been given the nickname "cat-napper" because you have started taking 30-45 minute naps at the most.  You wake up happy from them, so I'm not concerned.  You have grown leaps and bounds in your ability to self-soothe and get yourself to sleep.  For naps, you probably take about 4 or 5 naps a days which usually come after eating and some awake/play time.  You will occasionally drop a nap during the day and play through to your next feeding.  You now take all your naps in your crib--whoo hoo--and rarely nap in your bouncy seat or swing.  We turn your mobile on (without the music) and you watch that while listening to your sleep giraffe with safari sounds.  You talk for a little while and then go to sleep as along as we make sure to keep putting your pacifier back into your mouth.  You are absolutely adorable when going to sleep! At night, (knock on wood), you never cry when we lay you down.  You either instantly close your eyes or jabber for a bit and then go to sleep.  You sleep at night in your bassinet.  I feel like we really mastered a nighttime routine this month (it seemed to start working for you when we were in FL).  I think you are finally starting to realize when it's close to bedtime and the routine is now predictable for your little body.  You get your PJs on, get changed, I feed you, you take your vitamins and gas drops, we rock while reading a book (that you now pay attention to), and then we sing and pray while I rock you.  We put you down drowsy into your bassinet in our room and you go to sleep with your paci and sleep sheep.  You were sleeping through the night, but I guess due to your growth spurt, aren't right now.  That's okay.  And you still wake up so excited and happy...talking up a storm! (Although every minute is special...It's my favorite time of day with you because you are so, so excited and happy.)

So what makes you, you this month?

You are just so special to us.  We are having so much fun starting to "figure you out" and really get to know this sweet little girl that God blessed us with.  I end every day in our prayer thanking God for another day with you...because every day is truly a gift that we don't take for granted.  You are so sweet, make others feel like you just love them like crazy and you already have a gift of making others feel so special when they look at you and you smile and talk to them, and you are learning new things daily.  If we could stop the clock, we would freeze you here...but we know all the days ahead will be even more special than the days before.  You are so loved baby girl.  So loved!

                                                                                                    Love,

                                                                                                    Mommy and Daddy

Fitness Friday {week 4}

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How in the world is another week already behind us?! I had another great week of being active. I can tell my body is getting into better shape which really excites me.  I'm also excited to continue to follow along with you all and encourage so many of you on MFP, as well as get such encouragement myself! My mom and Justin have even decided to start using the app!

How did Week 4 go?

My goal this week was to not eat french fries.  Well I messed up the very first day of this week and ate fries.  I was putting one of the last ones in my mouth and said "oh no".  Of course, Justin was confused because I forgot to tell him my goal for the week at that point.  I finished the order and moved on. :) I am happy to report I didn't have any more this week.  I plan on continuing to limit my french fry intake.  They are my favorite and will only be consumed as a treat...not as a run-of-the-mill side!

Was I active?

I am so excited to report that I was active 6 out of the 7 days this week for 30 minutes a day for five of those and more on the other two!

Friday-Postnatal Bootcamp (two intervals--cardio + toning)
Saturday-Rest day
Sunday-Postnatal Bootcamp (two intervals--cardio + toning)
Monday-Postnatal Bootcamps (two intervals--just cardio); 90 minutes of cleaning
Tuesday-Postnatal Bootcamp (two intervals--cardio + toning)
Wednesday-Postnatal Bootcamp (two intervals--just cardio)
Thursday-Tami's home bootcamp; 30 minutes of walking with Adeline in the moby (she adds about 12 lbs. of resistence!)

I am so excited that working out is becoming a habit and something I look forward to! (Not the actual working out...but the feeling I get from it and the benefits I'm noticing with my body!) I also was successful in using working out as a mood-lifter and anger/anxiety eliminator this weekend.  What a freeing feeling to know that something so healthy for my body is also helping my mind and emotions become more healthy as well.  Another great thing to report is that I have upped my weights in my toning!

Weight Loss?

I did lose weight this week even though I went over my calories two days! I am now at 126.8 (down 2.2 lbs. from my starting weight)!


Measurements?

They stayed the same this week.

Waist: 31" (down 1" from starting measurement)
Thigh: 22" (down .5" from starting measurement)

Week 4 Goal?

Drink only water throughout the day after breakfast.  I'm looking forward to working hard on this goal...although I will miss the occasional Diet Coke for sure!

(See my list of weekly goals here.)

Now grab the button, and link-up your Fitness Friday posts to share about your fitness journey!

things i'm doing instead of blogging...

So I have been pretty MIA on the blog lately besides quick Adeline updates and Fitness Friday posts.  For some reason, as much as I adore writing and keeping up with my blog, my heart hasn't been in it lately.  I'm sure you all get it.  There are so many different seasons in life.  And right now, in this season, I'm soaking up every precious moment with my little girl.  When she does go down for a nap, there are so many other things that take priority over blogging.  So forgive me for not being around.  And for not visiting your blogs as much as I would like.  I'll get my groove back.  But for now, here are some things I'm doing instead of blogging (some are new in our lives and some are old)...

-meal planning
-falling in like with my crock pot
-pinning tons of things on Pinterest and then attempting some of them
-stuffing cloth diapers
-shopping
-watching too much reality tv
-working out (going on 4 weeks now...whoo hoo!)
-oohing and ahhing over our sweet Adeline (that's my favorite)
-working on having more quiet time with God
-dreading February 13th (the day I leave my little one to go back to work)
-goal-setting and deep conversations with Justin over quite a bit
-getting back into couponing
-cleaning layers of dust and dog hair that have seemed to accumulate since Adeline was a few weeks old
-slowly organizing our unfinished basement
-planning our first date night!

Just to name a few... :)