Thursday, June 30, 2011

Losing the Baby Weight

I'll admit it, I have never like exercising. I actually rarely exercise. This may seem confusing since I'm in the National Guard but in all actuality, our yearly Physical Training test was also my yearly exercise session.

While in high school, I weighed 128-130 lbs. I started to lose some weight during my senior year and when I joined the Guard in 2004, I lost quite a bit of weight in basic training (I left weighing 114 lbs). Over the next few years, my weight stayed pretty steady.

That is until I got pregnant. At my first appointment, I weighed 124 lbs. At the end of my pregnancy, I weighed 169 lbs. I gained waaayyy too much, especially for my small frame. I'm not sure what I expected to happen after having Liam. I knew that I would lose a little weight afterwards but I don't think I fully understood that I would have to actually exercise to lose the rest. Well, I understand that now.

It's not that I'm lazy, I just hate exercising and I have gotten used to eating whatever I want (which is a horrible combination if you don't like being fat). I definitely have lots of motivation to lose the weight: an upcoming PT test, looking amazing for Will's homecoming but most importantly, being fit for Liam.

I really hope I can do it. I want to get back down to at least 115 lbs. I haven't weighed myself recently once I do, I will definitely start to update on my weight loss progress.

Wish me luck!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Project 31: Day 31

Day 31. Your favorite quote

(At little late)
“Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would I'd never leave.”
Winnie the Pooh

Day 1. I have a three month old and already I'm thinking, I'm going to miss him at this age. Have you felt that way, and what age do you miss the most?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. A photo that makes you happy
Day 4. Do you believe in the "cry until he sleeps" method?

Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Your most embarrassing moment
Day 7. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What are some of your favorite MAC products, and what foundation/powder do you wear?
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. A YouTube video
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. What do you wish for?
Day 16. How old was Liam when he started sleeping through the night and how did you do this?
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. If you could, what would you tell yourself before you had your baby?
Day 19. Write about your significant other
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write about your most vivid childhood memory. Post a picture of you taken over ten years ago.
Day 22. What did you do today?
Day 23. Who's your celebrity look alike?
Day 24. What is God teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Who are your favorite bloggers?
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Your day, in great detail
Day 30. What do you think is going to happen to you after you die?
Day 31. Your favorite quote

Monday, June 27, 2011

Project 31: Day 30

Day 30. What do you think is going to happen to you after you die?

I'm not sure. I've had this conversation with my mother many times and we have many different theories. We've wondered if we continuously relive our lives or if we go to a different dimension. Of course, the concept of heaven and hell.

I have no clue but I hope that, no matter the outcome, we are reunited with the ones we love (Mitzi, my Yorkie, passed away this morning and I hope that Will and I will be able to see her again). I also hope that unsolved murders/disappearances are solved (I'm obsessed with missing person shows).

Day 1. I have a three month old and already I'm thinking, I'm going to miss him at this age. Have you felt that way, and what age do you miss the most?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. A photo that makes you happy
Day 4. Do you believe in the "cry until he sleeps" method?

Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Your most embarrassing moment
Day 7. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What are some of your favorite MAC products, and what foundation/powder do you wear?
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. A YouTube video
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. What do you wish for?
Day 16. How old was Liam when he started sleeping through the night and how did you do this?
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. If you could, what would you tell yourself before you had your baby?
Day 19. Write about your significant other
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write about your most vivid childhood memory. Post a picture of you taken over ten years ago.
Day 22. What did you do today?
Day 23. Who's your celebrity look alike?
Day 24. What is God teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Who are your favorite bloggers?
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Your day, in great detail
Day 30. What do you think is going to happen to you after you die?
Day 31. Your favorite quote

Today's a sad day...

This morning, Mitzi, our little bitty Yorkie passed away. I've been crying since around 3am and still haven't fully accepted that she's gone. I'm not going to go into details of her death because we aren't really sure what was wrong with her. Thinking back on her short life, I realize that she's been sick for awhile. Her behavior had grown increasingly bizarre until things became blatantly obvious this morning.
She was in so much pain after talking things over with the doctors and Will, we decided that the best decision for her would be to put her down. I was with her at the end and although I am truly heartbroken, I also realize that she is no longer in pain and knowing Mitzi's personality, she definitely would not want me to be sad right now.

I just wish that we had been able to help her and that all those times I thought that she was just a troublemaker, I had realized that there was something wrong although I know the outcome wouldn't have changed. So, I will continue to mourn the loss of my little girl, my birthday present from my loving husband, and then I will pick myself up and continue to live, just like Mitzi would want.

Mitzi Bell 11/23/09 - 06/27/2011

Daddy Wishes He Could See You One Last Time

Always My Little Baby

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Project 31: Day 29

Day 29. Your day, in great detail

0700: Woke up, washed face/brushed teeth and got dressed while Liam was still sleeping. My phone was dead so I was convinced that I had slept in a little only to realize that it was 0730 when the dogs and I made it downstairs.

0730: Planned a trip to the grocery store for something for breakfast; sat on the floor for about 30 minutes.

0800: Liam woke up and my younger sister brought him downstairs.

0830: My mom watched Liam while I headed to the grocery store but actually ended up at McDonald's. Picked up a Fruit and Nut Oatmeal and small cup of coffee.

0900: Made it home; Fed Liam while my mom got ready to head to work. Played and watched tv.

1000-1200: Talked to Will on Skype. Liam took a nap.

1230: My mom came home from work. Since Liam was napping, I made a quick trip to Walmart (for Will's birthday care package, post to come soon) and Sally's.

1300: Returned home. Liam was still napping until he heard my voice. Fed Liam.

1400-1515: Played, fed Liam, more playing.

1515-1605: Talked to Daddy on Skype.

1605-1800: Played with Liam and the puppies; Liam took a 15 min nap.

1800-1900: Liam hung out with Grandma while I surfed the net and spent time with the dogs (they're starting to get jealous of all the Mommy/Liam time). Grandma put Liam down for a nap.

1900-2000: While Liam napped, I ate dinner then continued to surf the net and research Will's birthday present.

2000-Bedtime: Liam woke up from his nap. More Mommy/Liam/Grandma time. Followed by bathtime then bedtime (and of course, taking the trash to the curb since it's trash day). Another lazy Sunday comes to a close.

Day 1. I have a three month old and already I'm thinking, I'm going to miss him at this age. Have you felt that way, and what age do you miss the most?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. A photo that makes you happy
Day 4. Do you believe in the "cry until he sleeps" method?

Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Your most embarrassing moment
Day 7. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What are some of your favorite MAC products, and what foundation/powder do you wear?
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. A YouTube video
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. What do you wish for?
Day 16. How old was Liam when he started sleeping through the night and how did you do this?
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. If you could, what would you tell yourself before you had your baby?
Day 19. Write about your significant other
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write about your most vivid childhood memory. Post a picture of you taken over ten years ago.
Day 22. What did you do today?
Day 23. Who's your celebrity look alike?
Day 24. What is God teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Who are your favorite bloggers?
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Your day, in great detail
Day 30. What do you think is going to happen to you after you die?
Day 31. Your favorite quote

Saturday, June 25, 2011

It's Almost Time For A Big Boy Car Seat

Every time I turn around, Liam is getting bigger. He is constantly growing out of clothing, shoes and pretty soon, his car seat. Technically, he could stay in his Chicco Key Fit 30 until he reaches either 30 inches long and/or 30 pounds (he currently 26.5 inches long and a little over 19 pounds), however, I'm not sure my arms can take carrying him around much longer. He's sooo heavy!!
So, I've decided to start researching convertible car seats. Here are my favorites so far:

Safety 1st Alpha Omega Convertible Car Seat in Nitron
"The Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite provides 3 different car seats in one single product. The Alpha Omega Elite can be used rear-facing for infants from 5 to 35 pounds, then forward-facing with the harness for toddlers from 22 to 40 pounds. It then converts to a belt-positioning booster from 40 to 100 pounds. The QuickFit harness system allows the harness to be adjusted from the front, without rethreading the harness or uninstalling the car seat from the vehicle."

Britax Marathon 70 Convertible Car Seat in Cowmooflage

"The Britax Marathon 70 convertible car seat is designed for children rear facing from 5 to 40 pounds and forward facing from 1 year and 20 lbs up to 70 pounds. The Marathon 70 achieves revolutionary head safety through the use of Britax SafeCell Technology, Integrated Steel Bars, and Versa-Tether that work together to minimize head excursion and reduce the risk of head injury during a frontal impact. The Marathon 70 also incorporates Britax Side Impact Protection, offers a no re-thread and quick-adjust, five-point harness, multiple buckle and recline adjustments, and an easy access cover and access to belt paths from the front of the seat."
 I am definitely going to keep looking around although the Britax Marathon 70 seems to be one of the top rated convertible car seats on all the review websites I've viewed. So, what car seat are you using and how long did your little one stay in their infant car seat (if you used one)?