Weigh In Wednesday

Weight loss to date: 30.8 pounds

BMI: 25.61 ~ overweight range :(

Weight left to lose: 14.2 pounds 

First Goal: 25 pounds {Reached: 9.14.11} 

• Reward: Coach Baby Bag {got it and love it!} 

Second Goal: 35 pounds 

• Reward: tbd  

Final Goal: 45 pounds 

• Reward: some new clothes 

Success: Still under that number that I hate. :)  Got into a pair of my old jeans, even if they are a size or two bigger than I ultimately want to be at the end of this journey.

Set-Backs: Not making time for the gym means the weight is just sticking around. I also had a "stress-eat" day which just made me feel worse. 

Exercise: Ugh, haven't been to the gym this week and I'm mad. I did do a 12 minute bellydancing video from OnDemand while I was holding Abby to put her to sleep though. I'm thinking of trying spin...any opinions? Maybe it'll kick start my toning and weight loss. Really all I need is a foot up my behind to get me to the gym, I think. 

I've still got about 15 pounds to lose. I'm thrilled to still be under that yucky number, but with the weight fluctuating by the hour, I occasionally see it. must stay off scale I really need to get to the gym. Abby's baptism is November 20th and I'd really like to be down another five pounds by then. So, what are your suggestions to getting this weight off faster? I don't want to diet too much since I am still eating for two. 

My thoughts on life right now:

I've got a two month old baby! Sheesh. 

I am my own worst enemy. 

2 months old

Beautiful Abby girl, it has been two wonderful months with you in our lives. We love you so much baby girl. You are growing so fast. Here's a snapshot into your little world:

• Weight: 11lbs. 5 oz. {64th percentile}
• 22.5 inches {56th percentile}
• 39cm head circumference {57th percentile}
• Perfectly healthy
• Wearing size 1 diapers, size 3 months clothes
• Swaddled at night, sometimes with left arm out
• Love to be cuddled, or snuggled in the Rock and Play with a blanket
• Soothed by a pacifier, but generally spits it out after falling asleep 
• Love morning cuddles with Aidan in Mommy and Daddy's bed...smiles, giggles, coos, and watch the fan
• Love your brother so much, and he loves you just as much
• Can roll to your side 
• Enjoy laying on the floor to stretch and kick your legs
• Good head control, can lift it when on your belly or being held upright
• Sometimes you get so happy and excited that you spit up or get the hiccups
• Lots of smiles, and the ones with your tongue out make us laugh
• Generally happy unless it is time to eat or you have the hiccups
• Two months of breastfeeding and still going strong
• You always clench the fist of whatever side you are laying on and put it near your eye and the other hand is usually grabbing hold of my shirt or opening and closing
• Enjoy the fresh air, whether it's a walk outside or at Aunt Cait's soccer games

Wow. Two whole months already. That also means it's two whole months until Christmas, and closer to when I have to go back to work which is a major bummer. I love the time I get to spend with you and Aidan. But I know that you'll be taken care of when I go back, which gives me some peace.

{Morning cuddles with Aidan} 

{Silly Abby}

{Can't believe how big she's gotten!}

My thoughts on life right now:

I can't believe she's two months old already! 

Where has the time gone?

She's perfect. Just perfect. 

10 on Tuesday

1. What is the worst compliment you have ever received?
no idea, I try to forget about not so nice things

2. Did you/would you tell everyone the name of your baby before they were born, keep it a secret, or not choose until after they were born?
With Aidan we didn't tell anyone his name just that he was a boy. We did, however, tell everyone what our girl name would have been, so when we found out we were having a girl this time around a few people remembered our girl choice and we I decided it didn't need to be a secret. Oh, and the rumor that we'd end up with everything personalized and with her name on it is wrong. I don't have a single thing with her name on it. Not one single thing. 

3. What is your favorite candle smell?
Right now it's Iced Caramel Macchiato. 

4. What is the best birthday/Christmas gift you received when you were pregnant or the best birthday/Christmas gift you gave a pregnant person that was really appreciated?
I had Aidan the day before my 26th birthday, so that is probably the best gift. I also got a gift certificate for a massage and pedicure when I was pregnant with Aidan and that was amazing. I found out I was pregnant with Abby on Christmas Eve and that was the best Christmas gift ever especially since we had a loss in October. 

5. Who was your favorite teacher?
Mrs. Sheppard when I was in grade school. I had her for K, 1st, and 2nd grade. She looped with the class each year. I remember things being so fun and her being a mother-like figure. 

6. What is the best game/activity you have ever played at a baby shower?
It's usually baby bingo, I guess. A good game to play though is setting the timer and whoever's gift is being opened when the time is up gets a gift. Keeps everyone involved and watching the gifts being opened. 

7. What was your major in college and did you end up using it in your career?
My associate's is in Human Development-Early Childhood; Bachelor's in Early Childhood & Elementary Education; Master's in Special Ed. I'm a special ed teacher at the k-3 level, so yes, I use it. Now if only I didn't have loans!!! 

8. What is a beauty product you swear by?
Cover Girl mascara and more importantly, Chapstick!   

9. What is the kindest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
Hold doors open, give up their seat on the shuttle in Disney, that's all I can think of. 

10. If you could recommend one new baby necessity, what would it be?
I'd say the bouncy seat for the first couple of months and then the Jumperoo...both lifesavers if I ever want(ed) to get anything done! Oh, and the SwaddleMe!!! Aidan was swaddled for his first 9 months, yup, 9! Abby will be too if it means she'll sleep through the night.

bears and blankie

{Oh Bears and Blankie, what would we do without you?}

Bears and blankie. Aidan's most prized possessions. He loves those things so much. He's had them since he was first born. They used to be soft and squishy, now they are well worn loved. The bears are all Ty brand and the blanket is Carter's; and none of them can be found so we protect those buggers. Their names are quite unique: Brown Bear and Blue Bears. Yup, the blue ones share a name. One blue bear used to stay at Mom-mom Kathy's house since that's where Aidan was napping during the day while I was at work, but eventually Blue Bear joined the other Blue Bear and Brown Bear and now they're inseparable. 

Aidan has to have them to sleep at night, and if he happens to lose one in bed he will come wake one of us to help him find it. When he drinks his milk in the morning or before bed he has to have Brown Bear. And Brown Bear has to be situated in a way that he is standing on all four legs on Aidan's lap so Aidan can hold the tag in one hand and milk cup in another. At least once a day you'll hear him say "I love you Brown Bear" and he will give it a hug. Before Abby was born he even said that she needed to have a pink bear like his blue bears. And maybe a purple one too. His bears were the one thing he refused to share. 

I'm glad he has something like that to comfort him. They don't usually leave the house, except to go for a car ride or if Aidan will be staying with someone for a few hours. Which is a good thing and gives them less of a chance to be lost. I don't know what we'd do if they went missing...it would be a sad day in this house. Heck, I'm worried they're going to get worn out and get a hole that I won't be able to fix. 

So continue to love your bears and blankie little guy. You are only young for so long.

{posing with his favorites after a nap}

My thoughts on life right now:

If Abby gets attached to something, I'm buying 4 of them "just in case". 

We love bears and blankie. 

Weigh In Wednesday

Weight loss to date: 30.2 pounds

BMI: 25.71 ~ overweight range :(

Weight left to lose: 14.8 pounds 

First Goal: 25 pounds {Reached: 9.14.11} 

• Reward: Coach Baby Bag {got it and love it!} 

Second Goal: 35 pounds 

• Reward: tbd  

Final Goal: 45 pounds 

• Reward: some new clothes 

Success: Got under a number that I hate. :)  And I'm less than 5 pounds away from my second reward...any suggestions? It's got to be much cheaper than a Coach bag. 

Set-Backs: Eating out. Sean admitted to being the worst thing for someone who wants to lose weight. This was shortly after I declared him the take-out/eat-out king. Seriously, if he could eat out five days a week he would...and it's not because I can't cook  but might be due to the lack of cooking. 

Exercise: Last week I made it to the gym twice, this week I haven't been once and it makes me mad. There's just not enough time in the day and it's really hard to get out of the house with an 8 week old.  

So now I've got about 15 pounds to lose. Which while it doesn't sound like a lot, it is. And it's going to be tough. I've got to kick it up a notch, especially since none of my pants fit still and maternity pants just slide down and bug me. I did have to break down and buy a pair of regular jeans in a size that disgusts me, but I had to. My weight still fluctuates, but I'm attributing that to the timing of when I weigh myself and when I feed Abby. I was pretty darn happy when I saw the number this week and hope that motivates me to keep going stronger. 

My thoughts on life right now:

It'd be really nice to lose the weight before heading back to work in January. 

10 on Tuesday

1. You’re packing for a week long vacation, do you pack ahead of time or wait until the last possible minute to pack?
I make a list way ahead of time but don't pack until three days before, at the most.  

2. Are you a light or heavy packer?
I am a very heavy packer. Always bring more, you never know what you'll need.

3. What are your favorite road trip snacks?
Water, something sweet and something salty.

4. Do you take any reading material along?
Always. I usually read at least one book during our annual NWW vacations, and if it's just a short trip I'll bring magazines usually. 

5. Do you prefer to drive or fly to your vacation destination?
Definitely fly, but we don't go far enough to fly to most of the places we go, so we drive. 

6. What is your favorite time of the year to take your vacation?
We always go to NWW in the summer, which I love. We went to Disney in May and it was hot. I'd prefer Spring or Fall probably.   

7. Where is your favorite place to vacation?
I love the beach. Punta Cana was fun, Riviera Maya was amazing, and even though there was no beach our trip to Europe was something I want to do again. Hands down my favorite vacation to date was to Disney though. I can't wait to do that again. 

8. You are vacationing in the mountains, what is your favorite thing to do while there?
Sit by a fireplace and watch the snow fall outside. I'd like to ski and could, just not with Sean. I'll never make him ski again. Let's just say he's better at other things.  

9. You are at the beach for your vacation,  do you like to take it easy on the beach or play all day in the water? 

Take it easy!

10. While your on vacation do you prefer to eat out every night or cook some of your own meals?
I'd prefer to eat out all the time, but that gets expensive unless it's all inclusive or part of a meal plan that's already been paid for. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

{delicious}

Recipe:

Ingredients:
1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
15 oz. pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
12-16 oz chocolate chips

1. Cream butter & sugar with mixer.
2. Add egg, pumpkin, and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, & nutmeg in separate bowl. 
4. Slowly add to pumpkin mixture. 
5. Fold in chocolate chips
6. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet 
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes. Makes 2-4 dozen depending on size of spoonfuls.

**I used rounded tablespoons to scoop and put it onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets. I probably could have left mine in for 20 minutes, but only because I like a little crunch to my cookies and these were soft all around. They were delicious and a perfect Fall cookie, and pumpkin is high in fiber so it made me feel less guilty about the 2 5 cookies I indulged in had to taste test. I also had to put my batter in the fridge for a little while due to Abby needing me and Aidan needing a nap. They turned out pretty darn good though and I probably could eat all of them on my own.**  

My thoughts on life right now:
There used to be a time when it didn't take 4 hours to make one batch of cookies, but this time is much better because now I have a helper in my kitchen.