10 on Tuesday

1. What is your dream vacation?

Probably spending time on an island somewhere at an all-inclusive...that or Disney in the fanciest hotel they've got.

2. What has been your favorite trip so far in your life?
I LOVED LOVED LOVED our trip to Disney this past Spring with Aidan. Sean and I had a blast but seeing the look on Aidan's face was priceless. 

3. If you and one of your best friends could go anywhere in the world for one week, where would it be and why?
Again, an island...but maybe somewhere like Tahiti or Australia.

 

4. Have you ever booked a trip using an online deal? How did it go?

I have not. I'm not that brave, yet.

5. What’s your favorite thing to do while you’re on vacation?

Eat. LOL. Someone else is cooking and cleaning and I don't have to worry about a thing. 

6. Have you ever missed an opportunity to take a trip that you regret?

I don't think so, however I wish Aidan was more than 4 months old at the time of the summer olympics in China in 2008 so we could have gone with Sean's family. 

7. You travel far away from home and get stranded with no way to buy anything, what’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Chapstick.

8. What’s one of your favorite traveling memories?

Seeing Aidan's face light up at the parade at Magic Kingdom the first day we were in Disney. 

9. All included resort or backpacking? Why?

Oh please, all inclusive for sure. All the food, drinks, and entertainment my heart desires...and probably a beautiful pool, beach, and room to go with it. :)

10. Are you more of a lie on the beach kind of person on vacation, or do you prefer to see the sights?

Hmmm...I really love the beach, but also don't mind seeing some sights as long as there's time to just hang out too. 

1 month old

I can't believe it! Our little Abby girl is one month old already. This has been one of the fastest months of my life. I thought time went fast with Aidan, now it seems like it's stuck in fast forward. SLOW down!

Abby is just wonderful. She's filled out a good amount-especially in her cheeks, but is still so tiny.

Here's a peek into her world:

• Had her first diaper rash already, not cool. We're trying out Pampers Sensitive diapers in hopes those clear it up. Little Miss just got into size 1s, what a peanut. 
• Wears size 3 months clothes and has quite an adorable wardrobe that seems to be much smaller than Aidan's when he was this little--time to shop I guess. ;-) 
• Great sleeper with the occasional night where she just wants to stare at me for an hour or so before going back to sleep.
• Nurses around 9pm, then again around 2am and 5am (or at least that's the way the past two nights have been). We both attempt to get back to sleep and wake around 7:30am. Usually she eats around every 3 hours. 
• Social smiles started today! She doesn't do it too often yet, but it's adorable.   
• Loves to cuddle 
• Losing some of the hair from the front of her head...still a decent amount in the back which makes her look like a middle-aged man
• Loves holding on to things-burp rag, blanket, inside of Swaddle-Me, my t-shirt/tank/bra strap while nursing
• Seems to like her baths now, which Aidan loves to help with
• Generally a really great perfect baby with the occasional gassy fussy time 
• Some nicknames: Abby, Abby-girl, Ab, Happy Girl, Little Miss, Beautiful

My thoughts on life right now:

one month...wow

I love being home with the kids, and wish I could be until they are both in school

Aidan is a great big brother

I need to lose weight, specifically at the belly

I really need a double stroller

10 on Tuesday-ABC's

10 on Tuesday was provided in a different format this week...so here goes: 


A. Age: 29
B. Bed Size: Queen
C. Chore that you hate: Most of them, but definitely cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms. 
D. Dogs: Toby, the 11 year old lhasa apso
E. Essential start to your day: a shower, I'm in lazy mode until then
F. Favorite Color: blue
G. Gold or Silver: Silver, or white gold.
H. Height: 5’4
I. Instruments you play: nada, though I took piano and clarinet lessons at one point in my younger life
J. Job Title: special education teacher
K. Kids: Aidan, 3, and Abby, 3 1/2 weeks :)
L. Live: South Jersey
M. Mother’s Name: Barbara Ann, like the Beach Boys song
N. Nicknames: "Stac" to most, "Staci-bo-baci" to my sis
O. Overnight hospital stays: Twice now for c-sections and one three night stay for a virus I had 3 months after having Aidan. 
P. Pet peeve: hmm...I've got a few...smoking is probably #1 though. 
Q. Quote from a movie: yeah, I'm bad at that whereas Sean could quote you several movies
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: Sister that's 3 years younger, and brother that's 7 years younger
T. Time you wake up: Currently whenever Abby starts fussing to eat 
U. Underwear: I wear it.
V. Vegetable you hate: not sure
W. What makes you run late: My husband and kids :)
X. X-Rays you’ve had: My hand, foot, teeth, head...I think that's all. 
Y. Yummy food that you make: Most food I make is good.
Z. Zoo Animal: Elephants then either the giraffes or primates

And we're out!

So this past weekend was our first time taking Abby out anywhere besides the doctor. I had a terrible case of cabin fever, but not being able to drive for four weeks after surgery will do that to you I guess. {Thursday can't come soon enough for me}

Friday I really wanted to check out Old Navy's Baby Sale since both Aidan and Abby needed a few things for the cooler weather. By the time Sean and I were both presentable for the public, Abby ate, and Aidan was ready, it was later than I had hoped and we still hadn't eaten dinner. After tossing around the idea of just going to the local Applebee's, we decided to trek to Deptford and eat there then hopefully have even just a little time to shop. Well shopping never happened. We had dinner at Uno's and service was s-l-o-w. Thank goodness Abby slept the entire time...literally from a mile from our house all the way until we got home. What an angel. {now if only her brother would get out of the "selective listening" phase}

Since I was disappointed we didn't get to the stores Friday, we headed there on Saturday, of course not until much later than expected. Who knew it would take twice as long to get out the door with two kids and Abby always wants to eat the moment we're all ready to go? We made out with a lot of great deals at Old Navy for Abby, and a few things for Aidan. We were all hungry so the mall food court seemed like the best place to go, especially since once we got there Little Miss was due to eat. {Yay for nursing in public! lol} Thank goodness for a patient Aidan, accepting Sean, and cooperative Abby. Hey, we all have to eat somehow, right? I wasn't sure how I would do, but I did it, and I'm proud of myself. And for all those wondering, I was fully covered and all anyone could see was Abby's feet poking out. Unlike the woman who just pulled up her sweatshirt at a nearby booth at Uno's last night.  After filling our bellies, we picked up a few more things for the kids {so crazy to say that} and headed home...or so we thought. Quiet little Abby soon turned to the screamer forcing us to make a pitstop at my mom's so she could eat. And, Aidan was thrilled to be able to play with mom-mom and pop-pop. Once at home I was happy to see we got both kiddos a good amount of stuff to hold them off until the next great sale for quite a while.

My thoughts on life right now:
Cutest thing heard this weekend: Aidan said Abby looked beautiful in her outfit. Melted.My.Heart.
I seriously can't wait to drive again.
Is it really time for cold weather clothes already??? :(  

Firsts

Abby's cord finally fell off which means she could get a much needed real bath. So with the help of big brother Aidan, and the fabulous photography skills by Sean, we set off to give Little Miss a bath. She wasn't so sure about it at all and would switch between crying and staring at us wondering what was going to happen next. She graciously thanked me for giving her a bath by promptly pooping when she was all snuggled in her warm towel. Lovely.

{help!}

{so tiny}

{Aidan loves to help}

{not so clean anymore, mommy}

{I can only hope they'll continue to love each other this much}

Aidan had his first day back to school on Tuesday. He's in the 3s class now. Unbelievable how fast time went. He was super excited to get back, but a little bummed that his best buddy from last year was in the other class. He seemed to enjoy his first day and I'm already getting the brief answers of what he did in school. Later we found out that he made a self-portrait when he was telling Aunt Cait all about his day. Funny kid.

{too sunny outside}

{he made me take the pic of Mickey}

{all ready to go}

My thoughts on life right now:

I forgot just how much a baby poops. 

My little man is 3. wow. He continues to amaze me. 

Weigh-in Wednesday

So this is just a pilot post because 1~I'm not really cleared for working out just yet and 2~I'm not sure how I want to set this up/for it to go.  I'm hoping by posting about my weight loss woes success it will keep me on track and accountable.

Tomorrow marks 3 weeks since having Abby. Today I weighed in at my pre-pregnancy weight. :-) WOOHOO!!! That means I've lost 25 pounds in 3 weeks, amazing. I still have 10 pounds to lose to get to what I weighed a year ago at my pre-miscarriage (Oct. 2010) weight. And then ideally I'd like to lose an additional 10 pounds on top of that. So that brings my grand total of pounds needing to be shed to 20. That'll bring me to a weight that I probably haven't been since before I got married (may have hit it once since then). It's a healthy weight that I feel like I should be able to attain as long as I exercise and eat fairly well. 

Weight loss this week: 5 pounds 

BMI: 26.6 ~ overweight range :(

Weight loss to date: 25 pounds of baby weight!!!

Weight left to lose: 20 pounds 

First Goal: 25 pounds {Reached: 9.14.11} 

• Reward: Coach Baby Bag {will get before 10.2 when my $100 off coupon expires} 

Second Goal: 35 pounds 

• Reward: tbd  

Final Goal: 45 pounds 

• Reward: some new clothes 

Success: Lost all the baby weight...though things are pretty jiggly still in the midsection. Sean saying "your legs look really skinny" (thanks babe)

Set-Backs: Trying to snack on healthy stuff since breastfeeding causes me to suddenly feel starved at random times during the day.  

Exercise: Took a walk around the block today with Aidan and Abby...not really supposed to work out until 4 weeks after the c-section, but I think walks are okay. Felt fabulous! 
{Thank you jennifromtheblog for letting me borrow your "take it off" format}

So, 20 pounds. I can do this. I can. I will. I will before my 30th birthday in April. I would love to say I will before that, but I can also imagine that while the next 10 might not be too hard but the last 10 will. Wish me luck (and pass suggestions/encouragement along)! 

My thoughts on life right now:

I can't tell you how thrilled I'd be to weigh 20 pounds less. Like, skip around the block happy.  

3 weeks old, already??? :( Time is flying. 

10 on Tuesday

WOULD YOU RATHER:
1. eat chocolate covered grasshoppers or this freaky squid thing?
chocolate covered grasshoppers but just the thought of it makes me sick 

2. never see another movie or never watch TV again?
never see another movie again, and at the current cost and lack of date time it might come true

3. be a superhero with a lame power or a supervillain with an awesome power?
superhero with a lame power because at least I'd have some kind of power, right?

4. eat only salty snacks for the rest of you life, or only sweet snacks?
definitely eat only sweet snacks, yum

5. never read another book or never hear another song?
that's tough, but I'd have to go with never read another book because I'll have the option of listening to one instead :) 

6. be a whale carcass remover or a sewer inspector?
ew to both, but whale carcass remover 

7. have no electricity or no running water?
no electricity, how romantic...lol

8. be a dog or a cat?
dog, especially my dog, he has the life

9. always be hot or always be cold?
cold, I'm miserable when I'm hot

10. be forced to watch all 3 High School Musicals on an endless loop, or the Twilight movies?
High School Musicals, vampires freak me out and do not interest me at all

My thoughts on life right now:

Aidan started his first day of preschool in the 3 year old class today...he's growing up so fast!