So happy!

"My daddy gets to take the rest of his paternity leave this week!  I get to spend so much time with him, and I love it!"

The jogging stroller is here...

It's here.  I'm not going to lie, I got scared when I realized it was actually in my house and I have no more excuses.

I went for my first run/walk on the track yesterday.  Nick went along with me.  It really wasn't as bad as I was thinking it would be.  The weather was just a little hotter than perfect, but not terrible for 7:30am.  And Tanner seemed to enjoy the stroller and moving fast.  But it wasn't easy pushing the stroller in the wind.  

Today I woke up with terrible back pain, I think it may be my lung, or maybe a bruised rib ( I have no idea how it happened), so I didn't run today.  We walked a little over 2 miles instead.  But I think I will try the track again tomorrow morning.  

Weight Loss Journey

I'm going to bite the bullet and actually write this.  I feel embarrassed, scared, vulnerable, and just plain bad about this.  But maybe writing this will keep me motivated and held accountable.  

When I got pregnant with Tanner I was about 15-20 pounds heavier than I felt comfortable with.  Of course I had huge boobs (what I wouldn't give to have those small ones back now...) so I figured that tacked on a few pounds.  But during Tanner's pregnancy I gained roughly 60 pounds, most of it within the last few weeks, and most of it was water weight from so much swelling.  I was looking forward to losing the weight after he was born but life got in the way.  

My number one priority was to establish my milk supply for him.  I was afraid to work out too much or diet too hard and dry up.  Also living in Oklahoma and Texas during the hottest times of the year didn't help either.  And lucky for me I am one of the few who do NOT lose weight easy from nursing.  Yay.  Many women actually hold onto weight until they stop nursing.  But I'm not going to wean Tanner just because I want to lose weight.

But lately I've had the urge to do something about it.  It might be the fact I am in a weight loss group with friends on Facebook. Maybe it's the fact the weather is absolutely beautiful now.  Or maybe it's because I can see the track, and people running, from my living room.

I don't know what it is, but all of the things that motivate me came barreling down on me, hitting me like a ton of bricks.

• I'm missing out on taking pictures with my baby because I don't like the way I look.  He's not much of a baby anymore.  I'm running out of time.
• I want to be able to wear normal clothes.  Yes, I am still wearing maternity pants. I'm so embarrassed. My normal size won't button around my c-section pooch but larger sizes fall off my hips.  I can't win.
• I want to have a cute short hair cut that works with a skinny face.
• I don't want my life to revolve around eating.
• I want to enjoy working out.
• I don't want to start out my next pregnancy overweight.  There is so much I want to do to try to avoid the overeating and the swelling.
• I want to like the way I look.  I've never liked myself.  There was a 3 month window back before nursing school started where I lost some weight and loved the way I looked.  Nick and I went on a road trip, got engaged, and took hundreds of pictures.  I was so happy. I miss that girl.
• And the biggest motivator?  Tanner.  I want to be healthy to set a good example for him.  I want our family to be active.  And not rely on food the way I do.  

This was me 5 weeks pregnant AND bloated.  I absolutely hated myself then.  All I think to myself now is IDIOT!  I am so far away form that person.  I have a lot of work to do.  

I did a little experiment for a week while Nick was gone.  I watched what I ate, had healthy snacks available, and ran.  I can't run long distances yet (stupid boobs), but I ran/walked a mile a few times that week, along with a walk around base each day. I lost 3 pounds.  As much as I hate running (right now) it works for me.  But Tanner doesn't like being cooped up in the pack n play while I run on the treadmill.  So...I bought a jogging stroller.  I have no excuses now. I'm hoping I can run a lap, and walk a lap, for maybe 2 miles.  And once I get better at that I will drop the walking and add more running.  I want to enjoy running.  I use to, back in high school.  Maybe I can again.  If I start now, I will be able to fit into my normal clothes.  Wear normal jeans. Get my hair cut this winter.  Take pictures at Christmas.  The list goes on, and on...

I need to do this.  I HAVE to do this.  It's not just about me anymore.  I have to take care of myself to set a good example for my children.  I feel like I'm at a cross roads in my life.  If I don't do this I will be going down hill.  I have to do this.

I will be taking a "before" picture.  I can't share it now.  But maybe one day, I will have the courage to post it.  And hopefully I can take an awesome "after" picture at the same time.

Long overdue photo dump

Here is a waayyy overdue phone photo dump from, maybe, 3 months? Yikes.  

First ball cap!

He makes doing laundry very difficult.

Troublemaker ;)

He wanted to help with diaper laundry, too.

Best buds!

On Oovoo with Grandma!

This use to work while I showered.  Cue freakout when he realized he could open the cabinets. (Yes, the cleaner has been moved...)

Trying to grab the sunbeam 

The kitchen is now baby-proofed, as well.

So excited!

Nick has been gone for 3 weeks for training.  He finally comes home tomorrow.  We miss him so much.  Tanner has done the most changing ever in the past 3 weeks, and I feel terrible that Nick missed a lot of the firsts.  Tanner is going to be so happy when his daddy walks though the door! I can't wait!

"Say what? My daddy's coming home?"

Once Nick is home we can finally relax and settle in here.  The weather will be changing soon.  No more 105+ degree days, every day.  Football is getting ready to start.  Everything is great right now.  Well, once Nick is home. :)

8 Months Old!

(I was going to have this post up yesterday, but Mr. Cranky Pants didn't want to sleep. At all. So it had to wait for today during nap time. I wish those darned teeth would break through already)

How does 8 months fly by so fast?  I just don't understand!  

He has 2 teeth, and several more on the way. He says momma (it actually sounds like mom-ma, not mama), he does not want to say dada. No matter how hard I try to get him to say it.  I think he thinks it's a game. I'll start saying, "dadada" to him and he will smile and say, "mamama...MAMA". He is crawling (everywhere!), pulling up to stand, and easily walks holding our hands.  He also thinks sleep is overrated. Yawwwwnn.

He misses his daddy, too. Yesterday when I tried to get him to say "dada" he looked over at the picture of Nick that I have sitting out.  I've been showing it to him everyday since Nick left. We can't wait for Saturday!

Going to take after his daddy with soccer!

Someone would not smile for me.  He wasn't impressed with pictures today.

"SO cool! Hands!"

He's teething bad.

Love that face!

Before and After (main part of the house)

I love how the house is starting to look!  I have the before and after pictures of the main part of the house.  I will continue the before and after posts as the rooms are finished.  

Remember the "before" pictures I took were taken the day I moved in, so it's a mess and stuff is everywhere.

Dining room, before

Dining room, after

Nick's wall

Kitchen, before

Top of cabinets. I will post more kitchen pictures, when it's clean :)

Check out that cute little 4 month old! This is the left side of the main wall in the living room.

Right side of the main living room wall.

Right wall, before

And after.

We found this at Hobby Lobby.  It's the first thing you see when you walk into the house.  It ties everything together.  I love it!