Getting Fit: Diary Two

I fell off the weight loss wagon, well, I hate to say "wagon" because I'm not trying to lose weight to fit into a dress or to look good for the holidays. I really want to be healthy and set a good example for Liam (and any future children) and things were going okay. Then Will came home. He's definitely a fast food type of guy. He doesn't have to watch calories or even worry about what he eats. Lucky him, right?

Okay, I won't use Will as an excuse for my setback. I just don't have any self control or motivation. That will change soon. I know that I won't be able to reach my goal without putting forth the time and effort. I plan to continue using MyFitnessPal as well as Ripped in 30 and the workouts on Fit 2 Fat 2 Fit (if you haven't heard Drew's story, you should definitely check out his website).

Wish me luck (again)!

11 Months Old!!! Ahhh!!!

Liam is (almost one) 11 months old! I can't believe it. It's gone so fast.
I took his measurements today and he's coming in at 22.6 lbs and 30 inches tall. Liam is working on his SEVENTH tooth (which just seems like a lot of teeth to me). He's a walking pro now and actually walks 85-90% of the time. He's still co-sleeping and breastfeeding. The word, "weaning", has been floating around a lot when I tell people I'm breastfeeding an 11 month old. Even though nursing a "toddler" is a lot different than nursing an infant, I don't think we'll be weaning for awhile.

He's starting to babble a lot more. He says something that sounds like "peek-a-boo" but right now his favorite word is "bah". Not sure what it means but he says it all the time. He has started to show and verbalize when he is frustrated. He doesn't like to be told "no" but understands what it means. When he feels frustrated, he tends to grunt, scream and sometimes hit. I fully understand that it is a sign of him maturing and that it's completely normal  for him to attempt to express himself

Even with the grunting and screaming, Liam is a loving boy. He loves his Mommy and Daddy although he is still trying to figure out Daddy. He's a joy to be around and usually has a smile on his face. Speaking of that sweet little face, it's picture time!

Fun with Will and Jaye

Top Five Things Jaye Can't Live Without:
5: DVR
4: Internet
3: Cell phone
2: Puppies
1: My family

Top Five Things Will Thinks Jaye Can't Live Without:
5: ID Discovery Channel
4: Artemus
3: Chai Tea Lattes
2: Internet
1: Family

Top Five Things Will Can't Live Without:
5: Toilet
4: Furry slippers
3: X-Box 360
2: Liam
1: Jaye

Top Five Things Jaye Thinks Will Can't Live Without:
5: Video Games
4: Showers
3: Some form of entertainment
2: His family
1: Mac 'n Cheese

Christmas Meme!!

It's almost time for my favorite holiday so to get in the spirit of Christmas, I decided to participate in this meme. If you decide to do it, let me know and I'll check yours out!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wraps them!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I like white lights but now that we have Liam, I'm thinking about giving colored lights a chance.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I've never hung mistletoe but I think I may this year.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Day after Thanksgiving (or sometimes after Thanksgiving dinner)

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Receiving our presents from my aunt in Chicago.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I never believed in Santa...I feel like I missed out though.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Usually just lights, tinsel and bulbs. I really want to have a standard Christmas tree decoration as Liam gets older.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I love the snow until I have to go outside.

12. Can you ice skate? I've never gone. Maybe this will be the year for a trip to the rink.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Liam. He made his entrance nine days before Christmas :)

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with family and eating lots of food.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Usually peach cobbler.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? My family doesn't really have any traditions. I hope to make plenty of them with Liam and Will though.

17. What tops your tree? Ribbon.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? I prefer giving gifts.

19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Yum.

20. Favorite Christmas show? How the Grinch Stole Christmas

21. Saddest Christmas Song? Merry Christmas Darling - The Carpenters

22. What is your favorite Christmas song? Christmastime is Here - The New Frontiers

Ahhh...I almost have a One Year Old!!

In a couple of days, Liam will be 11 months old. OMG! I can't even believe it. I will be planning a birthday party for my son (crazy!).
We'll be back on the 16th to talk about measurements and milestones but I did want to share a milestone with you guys today. We have a semi-professional walker on our hands!

See you guys in a few days!

Will's Home (End of Operation New Dawn)!!!

Early (early) yesterday morning, Liam and I went to pick up Will who just finished his second year-long deployment in Iraq. We were super excited and more than ready to see the end of this deployment. We arrived at the ceremony site an hour early and got to chat with other wives. Finally the time came for the soldiers to file into the room and stand in formation. Once the soldiers were dismissed from their formation, Will made his way to the bleachers where we were standing. After greeting each other, I handed Liam over to Will and to my surprise, he didn't cry.

Over the last day, we've been working getting to know each other. Will and Liam have been getting along great (Liam even lets Will put him to sleep when I'm not around). Liam still prefers me which I didn't expect to change (he's a mama's boy) but I love seeing the boys together.

I know that it will take awhile before things are "normal" in our household again but it definitely feels good to have our little family together again.

Getting Fit: Diary One

I did a previous post about weight loss, getting in shape and starting Ripped in 30. Well, yeah, that didn't happen. I just could not get motivated enough to even start the videos (and I feel so bad about it). I have continued watching my calories and using MyFitnessPal (feel free to add me, I need the motivation).
I haven't taken my measurements since my last weight loss blog post in September but I'm guessing they have changed a little. I have lost weight since then as well.

I may have said all this stuff in that post but I'll just repeat myself anyways. When I found out I was pregnant with Liam, I weighed 124 lbs (although I was usually between 115-120 that previous year). I gained 45 lbs and ended up weighing 169 lbs when I went into labor with Liam. My weight loss plateaued at 146 lbs until I started using MyFitnessPal in August. Since then I've lost 25.5 lbs (I weighed in at 120.5 lbs this morning).

My original weight loss goal was 120 lbs but I decided that 118 lbs sounded a little better. I know that you should look at how your body looks and not the scale but I must admit, I like seeing a certain number on the scale (wow, I kind of sound like someone with a hidden eating disorder). While I am still deciding on whether I want to try to maintain my weight or go for the 118 goal, I know that I am going to need to start exercising. Since Will will be returning soon (and he's currently on an exercise kick), he'll definitely be a source of motivation. We plan to go running together although that is definitely one of my weak areas.

Anyways, I'm going to stop rambling now. I hope that I can find a workout plan that works for me and stick with it (and as soon as I do, I'm sure I'll want to ramble about it).

Liam's First Halloween!!

I had so many plans for Halloween but procrastination got the best of me. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I had expected Will to be home for Halloween and once we realized that wasn't going to happen, it just didn't feel the same. So, like a bad mommy, I waited until the last minute to get Liam a costume (he was Robin and I was a bunny). We met up with family and attended a Trunk or Treat event. I had never heard of this before but it was at a local church and was a safe way to entertain children with games and candy. After the event, we met up with more family to do a little more trick or treating. Liam fell asleep on the way there so he slept through all of the house to house candy gathering.
I am really glad that I decided to get him a costume and take him out. We spend a lot of time at home so it was nice to be able to get out and spend time with other kids. Liam seemed to have fun (during the part he was awake for) and I even got a chance to sneak his mask on while he was napping.
And now to the fun part: A few pictures!