All You Need is Love...

New Blog

2014-03-13T15:14:00.001-07:00

This blog has moved to a new location...

All You Need is Love

The Mommy I Didn't Intend To Be

2014-02-09T16:35:00.000-08:00

i always wanted to be a mommy. But not only a mommy, a supermommy. i wanted to be the mommy who held her baby just enough. Who had my baby sleep trained and sleeping through the night at 10 weeks. A mommy who had the kitchen always clean, the laundry always caught up, and dinner always homemade and ready when hubby got home. i thought that i would be the mommy who had a perfect schedule, who kept everything organized, and who had a happy baby.

Well, i have a happy baby! Which i think is the most important thing on that list! He is happy. He squeals with delight all throughout the day, gives me lots and lots of smiles and giggles and loves to cuddle. and i love to cuddle him.

During pregnancy i read all the "right books" and had it all planned out. But God had another plan in mind. He knew that i needed to finally be broken of my "control" - something that i've been trying to do myself for years (you see? controlling). He knew that i needed this little baby, my baby C! He knew that he wouldn't be a baby that could be put on a perfect little schedule. He knew that baby C would be a big eater and one that would need to eat more often on mommy's milk. And He knew that this mommy's heart couldn't take the "cry it out" method. But i didn't. i planned for a textbook baby...one that would do what "the books" said. One that would do what was on the above list....

Now this isn't about judging anyone. This isn't about saying which mommies are right and which are wrong. This is about doing what is right for you. If my mommy's heart can't take the cries then i know that i must pick up my baby, hold him, snuggle him, and let him know that everything is alright. i also feed him when he is hungry. i don't watch the clock, i watch him. i listen to his cues and i do what i need to do. This was a learning curve for me, but i have learned that this is what works for us. i may not get much done some days, but i get a lot of cuddles and smiles and that is what matters to me at the end of my day.

~*~

i have been reading a lot about "attachment parenting". It is a type of parenting that i wanted to avoid. Why? Well, i had read it would spoil my baby. All the "right books" said that i would be creating a monster....one that would be dependent on others and need me too much.

Well, that ended quickly. i slowly started becoming one of these parents i was trying to avoid being.

When we brought baby home he was on a demand-feeding schedule. i fought so hard to get baby C out of his bad habits that were created in the NICU that i wanted to feed him as much as i could. It was frustrating at first, but i realized how much this was important to do and i wanted what was best for us.

Another thing i began doing was co-sleeping. It was for my sanity! Once baby was strong enough to eat while i slept, i let him! i would put him next to me in bed, let him eat, and i would fall back asleep. Before i knew it, it was morning and we were both in bed - together. Today we still end up co-sleeping throughout the night. He starts out in his own bassinet, next to our bed, and then i pick him up when he is hungry and if we both fall asleep, we both sleep!

i discovered that i was doing what other parents do who follow "attachment parenting". i was so quick to judge before i had baby C and now i have realized that it is the parent that i've become. it is what works for us. And what i have created is a happy baby and a happy mommy. i feel good about our days. i feel close to my baby. And i'm not regretting anything.

Like i said, this isn't at all to judge others. But i want to get the message out that as mommy's we should never feel guilty about how we parent our children. We all have that maternal instinct. We all have that mommy's heart as soon as we know that we are carrying our baby. We become the mommy that God intended us to be - and this is not something that we should ever feel guilty for. My instincts told me to parent my child in a certain way. i listened to my heart. i listened to my baby. As long as i feel good about the way i'm raising my baby i know that it is what is best for the both of us.

i hope that all mommies can find their comfy momma styles. i hope that we can uplift one another and understand that our mommy hearts are all united. We all have the same purpose - to raise our babies to be happy!

Project 52: 5 HARD WORK (and week 6...)

2014-02-09T09:07:00.000-08:00

~*~

So this is a little late....

i was so on top of things last week and had this saved in a folder and then never got to it! So i'm not going to beat myself up about it....i'm using this for week 5 and 6! Because motherhood is hard work and it can take up two weeks for sure!!

~*~

This was me...last week. i decided that if i couldn't get baby C down for a nap to get my stuff done that he would just have to do it with me! He hasn't been a big fan of the baby carrier, but seemed to enjoy it that day. Thank God! We got a lot done...swept the house, vacuumed and even dusted a bit! Yay for us!

~*~

Lately i've been reading many articles about motherhood and how stay at home moms "don't get anything done". They have almost all brought me to tears because of the hard truth they tell. But it is so worth it! That's the moral every time! It is all so worth it. All the hard work, all the moments that i don't get things done. All the moments when baby C just wants to be held - i know these moments will end. And then i'll be sad. So i will soak them all up while i can!

Project 52:4 COLORFUL

2014-01-28T17:07:00.000-08:00

~*~

baby C and i went to visit family for almost a whole week...got a little behind on my blog and want to catch up.

Here is week 4....seems like time is going by so slowly when i think of it only being week 4 of the year but i know that time is going to fly and i will be wondering how it went by so fast!

~*~

i love this photo of baby C. Love the colors and all his toys around him. He is loving his independent play time these days - which is wonderful for mommy! i can try to get things done around the house while he plays. i love getting down on the floor and playing with him. Today daddy was on the floor doing tummy time with him - it was so cute! i wish i could have captured a photo of that but i didn't get the camera in time.

Life is moving forward. Just 18 weeks ago i couldn't imagine being here - 4 months old! WOW! My baby is growing up fast and keeping up with him is such a joy!

Project 52:3 A LEARNING CURVE

2014-01-17T13:00:00.001-08:00

~*~

We have officially started cloth diapers! i am loving them! Was worried at first with the time commitment and the extra laundry but have found that they are so much simpler than i had imagined!

We started using them on Sunday (a big thank you to sis-in-law for helping me with the whole prepping process) and we have only had to do one load of laundry so far. It is going great!

~*~

Mommyhood is so much fun! i am loving my little man and his personality. It is starting to show more and more and it is so cute! His smiles are contagious and he is starting to find his laugh - adorable! i am learning more and more every day and have come to the conclusion that me and baby C don't work on a schedule. We go with the flow and that is just fine! As long as i have one happy baby and a rested, happy momma we are good to go!

He is definitely an extension of me these days. i love the fact that i can give him what he needs and nothing can hold us back from getting things done. That was a learning process, but we have figured it out and life is much easier!

i find that i am learning things every day. It is exciting, but also stressful at times.

Just this week, hubby and i began having date night. Baby C's aunties came to watch him! It is so nice having family close and willing to help! And it was definitely nice getting out of the house and spending some one on one time together. Much needed and appreciated!

Challenges - Weekly Weigh-In

2014-01-15T13:11:00.002-08:00

Something that i decided to spend some Christmas money on was a FitBit. A few of my friends had one and i wanted to join in on the fun of trying to get the most steps...a great motivator!

This is a screenshot of my account as of 1pm today. My goal is to get the next badge - the first one is 5,000 steps/day, the next is 10k! i'm well on my way but have a ways to go...

~*~

i am feeling great! i have been working out twice a day and trying to squeeze in a walk with baby C in the afternoon. I feel smaller even though the scale doesn't say so yet. i'm thinking it is just muscle right now - after all, muscle does weigh more!

i am doing something called "Bikini Body Mommy Challenge". This is a challenge i found on Instagram. i am loving the work-outs that are geared towards new moms, but anyone can do them! i just love how it is set up for the convenience and intensity for women who have just had babies and not so much time on our hands. i recommend it to anyone, but especially new mommies who want to start getting back into shape! It is a 90 day challenge and we just finished Day 10!

Hubby and i are still plugging away at Insanity. We are well into our 2nd week and we are definitely working for these results. The intensity of the program is CRAZY but the payoff is amazing. And you feel great afterwards - always a bonus!

i love that we are doing this together - not only is it time well spent, but we are motivating each other and any journey together is a bonding one!

~*~

i'm thinking i' may post some update photos next week...we will see. i keep saying that i still have a lot of work to do but i am seeing the results which is the best motivation to keep going!

Until next time...ta ta for now!

PROJECT 52:2 HEARTWARMING

2014-01-10T11:59:00.000-08:00

~*~

i captured this picture during our family worship time last Friday evening. Every night we bathe baby C and then he sits on daddy's lap as he reads him a story. This is one of my favorite times of the day! Not only because baby C enjoys it, but also because i get to witness this!

i can't begin to describe how my heart feels when i get to see how much baby C loves his daddy! Moments like these are so priceless!

~*~

Becoming a mommy has been many things, but heartwarming is one of the best! Every day i am feeling more love for baby C. i can't wait to see just how many more moments this year had to offer! Here we are, only week 2, and i am loving 2014 already!

Resolutions...

2014-01-08T13:59:00.000-08:00

Hubby and i began our New Year's workout plan...Insanity. We are doing the workout in the evenings and it totally lives up to its name - insane.

We began the program on Sunday because i wanted our rest day to be Sabbath - one more reason to look forward to this day! We have completed 3 days already and are on our 4th day tonight. We are definitely feeling the burn! i swear my calves haven't ever been this sore! Walking seems to take more effort these days!

~*~

i told hubby that i wouldn't post his "before" picture up on the Internet, but i did get him to agree to take one for comparison later. But i did promise not to share. i want to keep my "before" picture hidden until i have a great "after" picture to share! i will make sure that i post the pictures after the 60 days.

~*~

It is hard to believe that in just ~~60 days~~ 57 days we will be able to see great results. i am hoping to lost a good 20lbs, but more would be awesome! i have read success stories of other woman who have lost 30! i would love to lost the rest of the baby weight but i know everyone is different and 20lbs would be just as awesome!

~*~

i am also doing a workout program that a mom of 3 wrote herself. Every day she posts a workout video onto YouTube and i follow along with her journey. She has done this challenge before and looked GREAT after she was done! This challenge is 90 days and i am looking forward to those results as well!

~*~

Here's to hoping for more energy and great results! i hope that you are all sticking with your resolutions!

Until next time...ta ta for now!

PROJECT 52:1 A FULL TIME JOB

2014-01-03T15:49:00.000-08:00

~*~

This little guy keeps me busy! i am up at 7:30am and am going all day long until about 9:30pm when he goes down for the night. Sure, i have some breaks throughout the day (when he is napping) but other things take priority at that time. My "me time" becomes time to pay bills, clean up messes, and finish laundry.

i'm definitely not complaining. i love it! i have chosen this as my career. i want to face it every day as my job and make sure that i have intention and am doing things on purpose. i have chosen to treat this opportunity like a full time job. i have been reading a book called "Steady Days" by Jamie C. Martin. She says,

Our jobs as mothers have more long-lasting impact, even on future generations, than almost any business meeting could. By doing my job with intention, I help others redefine what motherhood can and should be.

Now i am in no way judging anyone!! i believe that we all have our own right to define motherhood for ourselves. i was raised by a working mom - a wonderful, selfless woman who gave her everything. And i know other wonderful working moms! For me, motherhood is the chance to stay home with my babies. i've worked the "working life". i've had a job and loved it! But now it is time for me to place my time and energy on being a mom and raising my child.

~*~

My days are all about figuring out baby C. i know that there will come a time (sooner than later) that life will calm a bit down. But for now, i am kept on my toes pretty much all day. i love exploring new things with him and watching him learn more and more about life. He is such a happy baby and a joy to have in my life!

i once read that a job as a stay-at-home-mom is one that never stops. It should be treated like a "real" job - not only from others but from within as well. i need to have a plan for my day and keep myself organized. Without these things life becomes hectic and unintentional. i don't want to be the SAHM who never gets our of her PJ's, who sits around the house while her kids play, or one who lives up to any other negative stereotype there is. Like the quote from Martin says, i want to do this job with intention.

Project 52: FIFTY TWO

2013-12-30T16:50:00.001-08:00

{A tribute to my future babies - the things I want them to know}

Life is full of...

SPLENDOR

WONDERFUL MOMENTS THAT FILL YOUR HEART.
EXCITEMENT THAT LIGHTS UP YOUR BEING
AND MAKES YOU FEEL AMAZING.
A BRILLIANCE THAT CAN'T BE RELIVED OR RECREATED.

~*~

Looking back on 2013 is exciting. Lots of amazing things happened in our life!

We found out we were having a baby was the best thing ever! Until we had baby C....then of course that was the best! Becoming of family of three was the best gift ever! 2013 has been the best year so far! Loving being a mommy to this precious boy! He truly fills my heart.

~*~

i am really looking forward to 2014! It will not only be another year of first for us, but will be a year of many firsts for baby C! i can't wait to see the many new things that baby C will encounter in his first full year of life! i am excited to see him grow and learn more and more everyday!

i am especially excited about my new Project 52! i have been thinking of new ideas to theme my next project and have decided to go with one that my favorite blogger did a couple years back. She themed her Project 52 "Motherhood". This will be a year of firsts for both me and baby C. It will be my only time doing this. i will one day have more babies so this time is precious. It will pass quickly and i want to capture these moments of motherhood now. i want to remember these times always. So my Project for the year 2014 is entitled "Motherhood" and it is a documentary about my life. i hope you follow me on this journey!

Until next time...ta ta for now!

PROJECT 52: FIFTY ONE

2013-12-24T12:04:00.003-08:00

{A tribute to my future babies - the things I want them to know}

Life is full of...

LESSONS

THERE WILL BE MANY THINGS IN LIFE YOU WILL HAVE TO LEARN.
PLENTY OF TEACHERS AND TEACHABLE MOMENTS.
REMEMBER THAT EACH EXPERIENCE IS A CHANCE TO GROW
AND LESSONS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES.

~*~

The first lesson we are teaching baby C is how to sleep. It is the first thing as parents that we have struggled with. It is so hard to hear him cry and express a need to us but know that in the end he will have learned the gift of sleep and his life will be better for it. i guess that is what parenting is all about. Teaching your children lessons that will help them...even if the lesson is hard to learn.

Hubby and i had this conversation last night. We felt so bad for baby C as he cried in the other room. Maybe he was scared? Or perhaps he just wanted to be cuddled, rocked, or held. Whatever it was we were both having a hard time and couldn't wait for sleep to come. And it did. It didn't take long. i knew he was one tired boy and needed to sleep - badly. Once he did he slept the entire night!

~*~

i know that as parents we will have to teach baby C plenty of lessons. i know that some of these lessons will be hard ones, for us and for baby C, but his life will be better for it! i can't wait to see this little man grow up and to experience all of life with him! We love him so much!

Until next time...ta ta for now!

Routines, To-Do's, and a Quick Weigh-In

2013-12-18T13:24:00.002-08:00

Between trying to get baby C on some type of routine and getting things done around the house, there had been hardly any time to blog! i miss it.

baby C is growing so quickly and i think we've figured out what works best for the both of us. He is on a 3 hour routine during the day (meaning he eats every 3 hours). He is a very happy baby, as long as he gets his food and sleep, and he is full of energy! i love getting to know him better every day. And his smiles are adorable! i love seeing his face light up when he sees me after a nap. Or how he locks eyes with me now. This new development, keeping eye contact, is one this mommy adores! i can't soak up enough of this little boy!

Just today i cleaned his drawers. They were a mess! i had to get rid of a few things and kept a lot of things just because i think he might be able to squeeze into them a little longer. i hardly doubt it - but this mommy couldn't bear to pack away too many things yet!

He's sound asleep right now...this nap is the 2 hour one! It is nice to be able to get things done around the house. This time is my chance to check-off things from my to-do list. It is nice to have this time. But i will say that i look forward to him waking up and us getting to play a little more!

~*~

So it has been awhile since i did my Wednesday Weigh-In. i will admit that i haven't really wanted to because i've been feeling a little overwhelmed with the extra weight, and frustrated that it hasn't kept falling off like before. But this morning i stepped on the scale (something i hadn't done for awhile) and i did lose another 5 pounds! i still have 25 to go...but, i'm happy to say that hubby and i are starting "Insanity" in January and i've read that other women (even other mommy's who were trying to lose baby weight) have lost 30 pounds in 60 days! That's what i'm hoping for!!! 25 pounds would put me back to a happy weight, but 30 would get me to my best, ideal weight! Here's to hoping...

i've also been continuing a couple challenges with some friends on a Facebook group. We just finished a squat challenge (worked up to doing 250 squats) and are continuing an Ab challenge. Today we began a new one called the Thigh Challenge! i'm looking forward to the results from this one!

i can tell that my stomach is flattening with the Ab challenge and my jeans have been loser and a little baggy! All good signs! Can't wait to get back into my pre-pregnancy clothes!

~*~

i am looking forward to this next year so much! it is going to be am exciting one, full of first for baby C! We are also adding 2 members to our family (officially...they are already family) with weddings in the summer and hubby starts his last year of dental school!!! i can't wait to launch Project 52 for next year - i have a great new theme! And i also plan to start my devotional blog back up! Everything is looking up for 2014! Can't wait to see what is to come!

Until next time...ta ta for now!

Project 52: FIFTY

2013-12-15T14:09:00.002-08:00

{A tribute to my future babies - the things I want them to know}

Life is full of...

DEDICATION

MANY THINGS IN LIFE TAKE LOTS OF DEDICATION.
DON'T GIVE UP EASILY AND HAVE FAITH.
KNOW THAT YOU WERE MADE FOR A PURPOSE
AND DEDICATE YOUR LIFE WHOLEHEARTEDLY TO GOD.

~*~

We dedicated baby C the Sabbath after Thanksgiving. It was a beautiful service and our whole family was there! i was so glad that all his aunties and uncles got to be there (we were surprised that they were all able to come since three of them live out of state). Knowing that God is in charge of this little life gives me a peace that i cannot express. i know that His plans are much bigger and better than mine and i trust Him with all my heart!

~*~

i want baby C to know that many, many things in life take dedication. You can't get anywhere in life without it and it is so important to learn. i want him to learn this at a young age.

This is already beginning to be true in his little life. He hates tummy time. He screams and buries his face in the blanket and cries. But until he use those little arms to push himself up, he won't master rolling over or crawling. Determination. He must stick with it!

~*~

i hope that one day baby C will understand what it means to be dedicated - spiritually, physically and mentally. His dedication will be so important and will create his integrity and a lot of himself. i hope that we can teach him these ways and pray that we as parents stay just as dedicated to do so!

Until next time...ta ta for now!

Project 52: FORTY NINE

2013-12-11T12:09:00.003-08:00

{A tribute to my future babies - the things I want them to know}

Life is full of...

MYSTERY

THERE WILL BE MANY THINGS IN LIFE THAT ARE HARD TO UNDERSTAND
THAT DON'T MAKE SENSE AND WILL LEAVE YOU IN AWE.
THESE MYSTERIES ARE A PART OF LIFE
AND SOMETIMES THE MYSTERY IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING.

~*~

This little boy is a mystery. He leaves me in awe every day. The love i have for him is mysterious as well. i don't understand how full my heart can get. It is indescribable. It is a puzzle. It is a mystery.

~*~

Everyone has heard how much having a child will change you. It really captures your heart and the grasp it has on you is overwhelming. Unexplainable. i love it! It is an experience that i can't explain but that i would never want to. Explaining it, i think, would ruin it a little. The mystery of it all is what makes it all worth it. Sometimes, the best things in life are things that we can't really understand; we can't wrap our heads around them.

~*~

i read a quote the day i found out i was pregnant. It has stayed with me and really makes sense now....

“Making the decision to have a child - it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ” Elizabeth Stone

i love this quote! i love how you don't understand until you can. It doesn't make sense until you can live it. That's what mystery is all about.

Until next time...ta ta for now!

Photo Book

2013-12-07T10:01:00.001-08:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Build your own high-quality photo books at Shutterfly.com.

Dreaming of the Past...

2013-12-06T11:53:00.002-08:00

i love that when i dream of the past i am still dreaming of you!

~*~

i had a dream last night. The dream took place in my hometown, at the academy i attended, with my classmates that i had for so many years. i dreamed about the first time i said "i love you". The dream was made up - i don't really remember the first time (sad, i know, but that is because it was probably written in a letter somewhere or came so naturally over a conversation one day). i dreamed that i looked into his eyes, hugged him gently and said with an absolute assurance "i love you".

~*~

Here we are.

21 years after meeting one another.

12 years after becoming a couple.

3 years of marriage.

1 adorable baby boy.

And many, many more years ahead of us.

i can't wait to see what the future holds for us. i can't wait to meet our future children. i can't wait to grow old with him. And i can't wait to dream more dreams of a past that always has him in it!

Project 52: FORTY EIGHT

2013-12-04T15:54:00.001-08:00

{A tribute to my future babies - the things I want them to know}

Life is full of...

JOY

MANY THINGS IN LIFE WILL MAKE YOU SMILE.
YOU WILL FIND HAPPINESS ALL OVER.
BUT TRUE JOY IS RARELY FOUND.
IT IS PURE, SIMPLE, AND WORTH THE WORLD.

~*~

This is my joy!

Both these boys mean the world to me! My life is happiest when they are with me! i can't imagine life without them. They are my everything!

~*~

It is the perfect season to talk about joy! Christmas is all about joy and the happiness we've experienced all year long. Most of us reminisce about the happy times in our lives and the past year that is about to end.

Have i mentioned i love this time of year? i love the colors, the food, the clothes. i love the family time and the giving spirit. i love the lights and the trees and the happy people! It really brings me joy!

i want baby C to experience this! i want him to know the good in this world and to find his joy. i want him to know pure joy and i will make sure that i do whatever i can to help him discover it!

Until next time...ta ta for now!

Project 52: FORTY SEVEN

2013-11-24T20:35:00.001-08:00

{A tribute to my future babies - the things I want them to know}

Life is full of...

PURPOSE

WE ALL HAVE A PURPOSE IN THIS LIFE,
A DESTINY THAT IS WAITING TO BE FILLED.
GOD CREATED EACH OF US FOR A REASON.
THE GREAT ADVENTURE IS DISCOVERING IT.

~*~

My purpose was to love him.

To absolutely adore him.

To make sure that he grows, learns, loves.

i am in love with this purpose!

~*~

This is baby C's one month photo. Thank you so much to Callie Rose for capturing this precious face. i adore this photo! It is unbelievable how in an instance your life changes - that's what this baby did to me! i'm changed and my purpose in life is now different. Good different!

~*~

i want baby C to always know that he was created for a purpose. That God's promise to give him a path to follow and a destiny in store for him. A great one. God has big plans for him and wants him to prosper! And i want baby C to always know that!

Until next time...ta ta for now!

Staying Motivated

2013-11-20T13:54:00.003-08:00

A couple of friends and i started a squat challenge this week! We are only on Day 3 but are all going strong and motivating each other! They have also joined me in the "no sugar" challenge. It is nice to have some support and the communication between each of us has been keeping us motivated!

~*~

i have been working on small goals for this losing weight business. Instead of thinking BIG i'm thinking small term goals. So this week i've been focusing on just getting my work-out in for 5 days straight. Then next week i will change the focus a bit. But being focused on too big of a picture is overwhelming to me and this "small step" goal is doable.

So, my work-out this week has been a 30 minute walk, 10 minutes on my stationary bike, and the squat challenge. i've been off of sugar since Monday and i am feeling great! Not to mention that baby C and i have figured out a little routine in our lives and i have the time to do this! It feels so good to have a little structure in our lives again! Not taking it for granted but also not getting too used to it either.

i am hoping that next week i can introduce one more thing to my work-out - perhaps an ab or jumping jack challenge.

~*~

i haven't talked too much about the emotional side of the weight-gain. It is tough! i look at ole pictures and kick myself in the butt for ever complaining about weight....when you gain a good 60+ pounds for baby you really appreciate what your body was before! If anything, this was the lesson i needed to learn!

Yesterday i went to Target to buy some groceries and wandered into the clearance clothing section. i need a new outfit for church - one that fits. i wasn't exactly sure of my pant size, so i guessed a little and brought them home. i was very discouraged when the pants didn't fit (i'm not one to try on clothing at the store) and have to go back to get the next size up. Not sure what i'll do if those don't fit me either! Here is to hoping they will.

i've got a lot of work to do and a long way to go in the "losing weight" journey. But feeling healthy and seeing the scale read lower numbers is what i need to stay motivated! i will get back to where i started and i will do it in the healthiest way i can!

Until next time...ta ta for now!

Project 52: FORTY SIX

2013-11-18T11:38:00.001-08:00

{A tribute to my future babies - the things I want them to know}

Life is full of...

POSSIBILITIES

THE WORLD IS AT YOUR FINGER TIPS.
GRASP ONTO ALL THE UNKNOWNS,
LEARN EVERYTHING YOU CAN ABOUT LIFE
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT IT IS AN ADVENTURE!

~*~

Here is our big, strong boy! He is already holding his head up, and even standing with help! i am already so proud of him and his accomplished little self. Every time we help him stand he gets this look on his face like he is so proud of himself! He already knows that this is a big accomplishment!

~*~

Oh, the possibilities of this little one. i can see so much determination in his face already. He is alert, active, and ready to explore the world! i can't wait to see what else his personality is all about.

Until next time...ta ta for now!

No Time and No Energy

2013-11-13T14:58:00.003-08:00

Today i ran...

Not very long, or very hard. But i did it.

i weighed in this morning and lost another 2 pounds. Feeling good about my progress, considering that my program is to lose 1.5lbs/week and i've been losing 2. i know that every one tells me that the weight will come off, especially for BFing moms, but i'm trying to get healthy as well. Need to focus on what i'm putting in my body as well as how i'm taking care of it.

i've been avoiding sugary drinks this past week! i did have one can of soda over the weekend on a lunch date with family. There has been plenty of times when i wanted to give-up but i know that this is what i need to do. Baby steps...

So, the holidays are approaching!!! i can not wait to visit family again and enjoy our first Thanksgiving and Christmas with baby C! And with the holidays come lots of goodies...and lots of goodies are hard to say "no" to. i'm not going to torture myself and say that i can't have any sugar, especially during the holidays. But i am going to limit myself. i am going to avoid sugars/goodies most of the time. When there is pie i will have a piece. When auntie makes her fudge i will enjoy. But it won't be all the time and it won't be a whole bunch. It will be enough to not make myself go crazy but it will only be enough to keep myself on track.

~*~

The next step of my plan to get healthy and lose the weight is to start doing my pilates video. The problem is time. i don't seem to have any! My day consists of feeding baby and myself, sleeping, cleaning house, or taking care of other things while baby sleeps, and the little bit of "me" time i get isn't long enough for pilates....

Once i get this little man a little more figured out i will be able to start exercising more. It is hard to do the things i want when time doesn't allow it. And when there is time (when baby is asleep) i want to be sleeping right along with him. My energy is gone...sleep doesn't come often enough. Looking forward to when baby C is on a more predictable routine and when this momma gets to sleep through the night! Until then, i will soak up every little bit of his being and enjoy it while i can. It will not last forever - that is the beauty and the beast of it all!

~*~

This was taken a few weeks back...baby was only 3 weeks old and i was feeling up for a walk. This was the first one we took as a family, and the first one i got to take after my section. It felt so good to get out!

Until next time...ta ta for now!

PROJECT 52: FORTY FIVE

2013-11-11T19:08:00.001-08:00

{A tribute to my future babies - the things I want them to know}

Life is full of...

LEARNING

DISCOVERING NEW THINGS IN LIFE IS EXCITING.
WE LEARN BY TAKING CHANCES AND TRYING WITHOUT FEAR.
WE SOMETIMES LEARN THINGS BY TRIAL AND ERROR.
BUT ALL THE TIME WE LEARN THROUGH EXPERIENCES.

~*~

baby C has learned to smile! And it absolutely melts my heart every single time!

It is crazy how much he is learning and growing every day. This past weekend was spent with my family up north and when baby C and i got back home daddy couldn't believe how much older he was acting! He is growing and learning so much every day. i am learning so much every day!

~*~

A friend of mine posted up an article that i found was a very good read. If you would like to read it for yourself i have linked it here.

One of the things that i found so touching - definitely hit home for me - was this,

There is no greater task than the nothing you did yesterday, the nothing you are doing today, and the nothing you will do tomorrow. Caring for a baby is all about the immediate experience, yet the first two years are all about investment. It’s give, give, give, and give some more.

As much as you need and want a break now no mother has ever looked back on this time and thought, “I wish I had held my baby less.” You will not remember the dishes that didn’t get done, the vacuuming that you just couldn’t make happen, or the dirty clothes you wore more often than you’d like to admit. You will remember the first smile, the first belly laugh, the first words, the first steps. You will remember the way you looked at your baby, and the way your baby looked at you.

i absolutely love this! It really hit home while reading this. i felt reached out to, answered, and significant.

Something i have learned in these last 7 weeks (can you believe he's 7 weeks old?!?) is that there isn't a lot of help for new momma's. Emphasis being "new". There is much help for momma's of 3 month olds, and plenty of reading material on toddlers. But what about the first few weeks? What about the most vital time of baby's life? What about weeks 1-12?

i ordered two more books...ones that i'm a little upset that i didn't know about before! Ones that i've discovered are a big help for new mommas! i knew i had discovered a gem in the first couple pages. Here is what hit home for me,

Today's parents have less experience caring for babies than any previous generation. That's not to say that inexperienced moms and dads are abandoned. On the contrary, they're bombarded with suggestions. In my experience, America's favorite pastime is not baseball but giving unasked-for advice to new parents.

In the first few pages of Dr. Harvey Karp's book, "The Happiest Baby on the Block", i found so much comfort in knowing that there are answers out there and that i'm not the only one who felt lost in the first few days/weeks of baby C's life. i recommend this book to every mom-to-be or new mom out there! There is help out there and you are not alone!!

~*~

Learning all about baby is a must. It is a process that i love doing and will continue to do for the rest of his life! i can not wait to continue learning with baby C. i just know that there is so much in his little head and body just waiting to be discovered!

Until next time...ta ta for now!

hating the things i need

2013-11-06T16:01:00.001-08:00

i'm not quite sure how i was born into the family i was...let me explain.

My dad was a major athlete! Fast runner, loved all sports, great athlete..

My mom was a runner and also an athlete. She used to run multiple miles every day and had great endurance...

Both my sisters are work-out fanatics. They both love the gym and they both love to run. (They are also great athletes as well.) Both of them have completed multiple marathons and other runs...

Me - well, let's just say i hate exercise. The gym is a place i'd like to avoid. i think i'd die running any type of marathon or marathon-like thing. i just don't quite fit in.

~*~

So, i know that in order to lose the baby weight i need to do a lot of things i hate doing:

i need to eat healthy.

i need to enter the gym.

i need to run - and run longer than for 5 minutes.

Why, oh why do i have to do all things that i hate in order to get something i really, really want?!?

i guess that's what life is all about. We all have to get our hands dirty. We all have to experience a little "yuck" in order to get what we want. Like "they" say, life isn't all roses and pretty things...

~*~

So, for this week's "weigh-in" i'm changing my habits. i'm officially cutting out soda/sugary drinks from my diet. i have to start small in order to be successful. So starting today no sugary drinks for me. And for those of you who know me know that this is a tall order! But i know i can do it and i'm going to stick with it! i need to stay on track for my own health and for baby C as well!

Until next time...ta ta for now!

Project 52: FORTY FOUR

2013-11-04T20:41:00.000-08:00

{A tribute to my future babies - the things I want them to know}

Life is full of...

BEAUTY

FIND THE THINGS IN LIFE THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL.
CHERISH THEM AND KNOW THEY ARE SPECIAL.
REMEMBER THAT BEAUTY IS IN THE SMALL THINGS IN LIFE
AND THAT INNER BEAUTY IS THE GREATEST.

~*~

i find this picture beautiful! It captures my sweet baby and his sweetness.

Gramma shot this picture when they visited last weekend. It was a great moment to capture.

~*~

He really is a good baby! He has been sleeping longer through the nights and is constantly going through growth spurts! i'm not sure how heavy he is now, but i wouldn't be surprised if he was already 14lbs! His next appointment is on the 25th...we will see just how much he has grown!

~*~

baby C is very hungry...all.the.time! Have to cut this short to go feed the crying, beautiful baby boy! LOL

Until next time...ta ta for now!

Insomnia

2013-11-01T05:49:00.000-07:00

i've been up since 2:51am...

Woke up to feed baby C. He ate for 30min and went right back down. That is a good night! Compared to last night (him being up at 1:30am and not going back down until 4:30am) tonight was a beauty. But then i couldn't sleep! i tossed and turned for a good hour and then decided to just get up. i am exhausted but not tired - what does that even mean? My mind won't shut off and baby C is struggling to breathe with his bronchiolitis and that makes this momma nervous and unable to sleep soundly.

So i got out of bed at 4:40am...so what do i do with myself?

washed the dishes
pumped
called little sissy (she's 2 hours ahead and thought she'd might be up)
blog!

i know that i'm going to regret this later today...but what's the point of laying in bed frustrated? Any ideas on how to sleep? Or how to go back to sleep after feeding baby?

"They" say (whoever they is) that BF moms (BF stands for breastfeeding for those of you who aren't momma-talk savvy) have melatonin in their milk supply during the night. Since babies don't produce melatonin, this helps them go back to sleep. Not only that, but supposedly melatonin is realized into momma as well....i guess i didn't get my supply tonight!

So, i guess i'll just enjoy these next few hours of "by myself" time. i don't get that too often these days.