MM Snapshot-A little happiness in my crazy world

Work has been tough lately.  I am finishing projects, assisting in training new staff, and the normal end of the year unexpected project that usually comes the last week before Christmas came the week before Thanksgiving.  Needless to say I am swamped!  

But this little one year old (birthday post coming soon) keeps the smile on may face. At least when she does not wake me up at 4:00 am like last night.  Thank goodness for Star.bucks gift cards!!

The snowsuit is 0-6 months.  We have one petite little girl!  Also, the dogs crack me up in this picture!

MM Snapshot-The Most Adorable Award Goes to....

I know I am very bias but I think she is the cutest, most adorable little girl ever!!!

Yucky Bug

Both Ava and I are battling a yucky bug in our household!  We even had to ask Daddy to come home from work early yesterday to take care of us.   But we still managed to have a little silly time over the weekend.  

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween from our little ballerina!

Ava had a Halloween party at daycare where she had way too much fun because she did not sleep well at daycare!  Then we stop at our neighbers and played with her old thread spools.  

Pailbloggers - Birth Stories

This post is apart of Pailbloggers monthly theme – birth stories!

How did the birth experience of your child affect your parenting of this child? 

I first started typing that I didn’t think it affected me as much as it did my husband but then a flood gate open and I realized it affected my parenting a lot.  I had the run of the mill hospital birth with Ava with some placenta complications.  Basically, the placenta broke apart causing me to loss a lot of blood fast.  I was coming in and out from either the blood loss or the meds they were giving me but I remember thinking: 1) I just had this great vaginal birth and now I am going to have to go to the OR (the doctor was asking if the OR was available.) and 2) Ben is going to be a great dad.  I was watching him with Ava while they were working on me and he was the most gently, loving, caring father.  

I think I realized at that moment they would survive without me and Ben would be great taking care of her.  I do think I listen to his feelings when it comes to parenting more than I would have.  I realize the teamwork with parenting vs. my way or the highway.  

How did the birth/adoption experience affect your future plans? Would you do it all again the exact same way? Change things? Decide to not have more children?

 If we have more children I would like to try Hypnobabies.  There are a couple of bloggers that I know that loved it.  I would definitely like to try.  My goal for Ava’s birth was make it 4-5 cms without drugs and I achieved the goal.  Next time (hopefully), I would like to deliver without drugs at all.  

Last time I was induced and I would definitely like to have that ‘your water broke’ excitement at home vs. at the hospital when they did it for me. 

What sticks out in your birth/adoption experience that you still carry with you? (good or bad)

I had a great doctor.  I love him.  He was very calming and soothing during the whole process from failed IUIs to sending me to a RE to throughout my pregnancy to the birth.

Have you felt “judged” about your birth(adoption) experience, and has that affected your parenting or future plans?

I have never felt judged for my birth experience…now breastfeeding, yes but that is for another day.  I do think Ben might struggle with hypnobabies and laboring longer at home but he will adjust if he has to.  

Overall, I had a good experience.  I went into it blank.  I didn’t really have a birth plan but I never felt pressured one way or the other from the nurses/doctor.  I know the doctor felt strongly about not letting me go past 40 weeks due to IVF and knowing the exact conception date.   I was fine with this.  It made sense to me.  Rather it is right or wrong it worked for me.   The most important thing to me is that Ava is here and healthy and so am I. 

Monday Snapshot-Pumpkin patch edition

We went to a pumpkin patch a couple weeks ago with some girlfriends!  We slide down slides, played with goats, and did a hay ride!  We had a blast!  We even had a taste of apple cider and LOVED it!  

Happy Halloween!!! 

Weekly weighin - 10/23

Starting Weight: 160# 

Current Weight: 164.4# (As of 10/2213)

My goals and how to achieve
See my first Wednesday Weigh in here!

What happened this week:
I don't even know... Monday I committed to use the My Fitness Pal app.  You ladies kept recommending and recommending and I finally realized this is what I have to do.  Just after doing 2 days, I realize I eat like crap! :) So this week I am slowly making adjustments.

Goal(s) for the last week results:

1. Walk on weekends and at least non bath nights at home.  Enjoy this fall weather that I love so much! - I walked on weekends but not a traditional walk - we went to a pumpkin patch!  So much fun!!

2. Limit sweet intake! - I feel like I did cut back on some sweet intake but it was a baby step!

3.Stock up on healthy snacks - research and try at least one new healthy recipe this week. - Yeah that didn't happen. 

4.  We have a charity event this weekend - Relax and enjoy myself there. Ava will be in a great hands with the babysitter.  Dress up and make myself feel pretty vs. like a mommy or like a kid in adult clothes!- This happened.  It was so much fun to get prettied up!  We had a blast!

Goal(s) for this week:
1. I had a consult with a Chiropractor yesterday and have my next appointment on Friday.  I hope this helps with the pain I have in my arms/shoulders after lifting/holding Ava.  The Chiropractor said my back was all screwed up! My right shoulders high, my left hip is high, my neck goes to the right, my head goes to the left, etc.  I have been very stiff lately in the morning.  I hope this helps.

 

2.  I have had low energy lately too.  I have been anemic in the past so I want to start taking vitamins/iron supplements.

 

3. I have been debating on doing the half marathon in my area at the end of March.  I need to decide if this is what I am going to do and commit to training. When do I have the time? Do I have the energy to pull off training properly, studying, Ava, and household activities? Plus, added pressures/responsibilities at work.  Help!  How do you balance life; yet still maintain sanity?!?!

Weekly Weigh-in #4

Starting Weight: 160# 

Current Weight: 162.61#

My goals and how to achieve
See my first Wednesday Weigh in here!

What happened this week: 
 I am not sure what truly happened.  A lot of poor eating and sweets mostly and beer.  It has been a rough week after dealing with a friend having mental health issues and changes at work it was a little stressful. 

I am relieving my stress with baking cookies (I love to bake!) and then having a beer or two or three every night. 

Also, sleep.  I haven't been sleeping well at all and then on top of it Ava is going through this "lets wake up at 5:00 am" cycle.  No bueno! 

Goal(s) for the last week results:

1. Get back into my daily routine. - I am back into the routine but not studying for CPA like I should be.

2. Caught back on sweets. - I find myself eating some sweetness every day.  I need it, ok! :)  I need to check myself with proportion of that sweet or limit to one sweet a day!

3. Take a moment every day just for me. - Does playing candy crush count?

4. Walk! - I haven't been going for walks but I have been getting high numbers on my fitbit and averaging approx 5,500 steps per day.  Plus, that is with forgetting to put my fitbit on at least once a week.

Goal(s) for this week:
1. Walk on weekends and at least non bath nights at home.  Enjoy this fall weather that I love so much!
2. Limit sweet intake!
3.Stock up on healthy snacks - research and try at least one new healthy recipe this week.
4.  We have a charity event this weekend - Relax and enjoy myself there. Ava will be in a great hands with the babysitter.  Dress up and make myself feel pretty vs. like a mommy or like a kid in adult clothes!

Monday Morning Snapshot

This weekend Ava and I participated in our local Breast Cancer 5k!  My grandmother past away in April after battle breast cancer the past few years.  It was slightly emotional for me but I kept it together.   Ava started out loving all the people and looking around but midwalk she was out for the count!  

Weekly Weigh-in #3

Starting Weight: 160# 

Current Weight: 163.1#

My goal: 

I felt the best I have ever felt when I was mid to low 140s.  I could fit in a size 6 but felt better in size 8.  At that point in my life I was doing a very strict high protein diet and working out daily.  A 5’7” I was about 21 BMI. I had muscles.  It was awesome.  I had never been toned before but they were there! 

I believe in setting small goals, working hard on meeting goals, and then re-evaluating goals periodically.  Therefore, my goal right now is to get to 150# and have my size 10 cloths fit better!

How I am going to do to achieve my goals: 

Right now I am not ready to start the strict diet mentioned.  I would like to just focus on moderation, portion control, healthy snacks, healthier meals, etc.   

My workouts are going to have to be walking with Ava and keeping track of my steps using my Fitbit!  I would like to reach at least 4,000 steps/work day right now.  I know it isn’t much but it is a starting point.  On weekends I would like to surpass 10,000/day.  

I want to start logging my meals using my fitness pal (MFP).  I have never logged meals so this is going to be interesting.  

 

What is happened this week:

Sweets and over eating!  That is what happen!  Since this is a summary for the last two weeks I will start with week 1.  I went away to a conference.  Which the conference had fairly healthy food, the problem was when I ate out and the desserts... it is like I had dessert every meal!  Which was fabulous but not so good for my waistline.   The great thing about the conference though is all the walking I did.  I am scared to know how much I would have gain if it wasn't for all the walking.  I think I was averaging >7,000 steps at conference.

 

Week 2 - stress.  My best friend was admitted to the hospital and it has just been a high stress week.  I have been getting caught up on stuff at home including Ava time (I missed her so much being gone!) and then taking care of my friend's home too. Good news is she should be back home soon.  

Goal(s) for the week:

1. Get back into my daily routine.

2. Caught back on sweets.

3. Take a moment every day just for me. 

4. Walk!

Weekly Weigh-in: Week 2

My apologies for not having a true weigh-in today.  I am away from home at a conference.  The plus side is I am walking all over the place which means ridiculous high number of steps on my Fitbit.  The downside is food-desserts more specifically!  I had blue crab last night-amazing!

I will return home later this week and hope to have my weigh-in then.

Ava is with grandma and doing great.  So far, I am doing good being away from her. My days are pretty busy so that helps.  

2 Tons equals 4,000lbs

I had hoped to take Ava for a walk last night before bed but that didn't happen.  But what did happan after she went to sleep was Ben and I moved 2 tons (that's 4,000#) of bird feed from the trailer to the garage!  I think that was a way better work out than walking!

We started with this:

 

And this:

Oh yeah, and don't forget about this:

 

And ended up with this:

 

 Needless to say, I think we have happy feed consumers! 

Weekly Weigh-in - The beginning

Since I was pumping at work, I hadn’t been wearing dresses.  I was chose to wear easy access type shirts.  I haven’t pumped at work since July and I finally realized I could wear my dresses again!  Today, I put on a black dress that is structured and somewhat fitting.  It fit fine.  A little snug around my hips but nothing crazy…. Until I tried to put Ava in her car seat!    As soon as I even tried to sit in the car to put Ava in her seat in the middle I heard it. RRRRIIIIIPPPPPPEEEEEE! Oy Vey!  Luckily it happened while we were at home instead of already at daycare.  I quickly ran inside, changed, and continued on with our day.  

I am going to start doing the Weekly Wednesday Weigh-ins (idea stolen borrowed from Josey).  So here goes nothing:

Starting Weight: 42 weeks postpartum: 160#

My goal: 

I felt the best I have ever felt when I was mid to low 140s.  I could fit in a size 6 but felt better in size 8.  At that point in my life I was doing a very strict high protein diet and working out daily.  A 5’7” I was about 21 BMI. I had muscles.  It was awesome.  I had never been toned before but they were there! 

I believe in setting small goals, working hard on meeting goals, and then re-evaluating goals periodically.  Therefore, my goal right now is to get to 150# and have my size 10 cloths fit better!

How I am going to do to achieve my goals: 

Right now I am not ready to start the strict diet mentioned.  I would like to just focus on moderation, portion control, healthy snacks, healthier meals, etc.   

My workouts are going to have to be walking with Ava and keeping track of my steps using my Fitbit!  I would like to reach at least 4,000 steps/work day right now.  I know it isn’t much but it is a starting point.  On weekends I would like to surpass 10,000/day.  

I want to start logging my meals using my fitness pal (MFP).  I have never logged meals so this is going to be interesting. 

Monday Morning Snapshot - Retro

Prior to Ava's birth, my mom gave me a tote with some of my baby clothes.  I have been excited for Ava to wear some of the clothes.  So this Sunday morning, we had a baby fashion show! 

I just love this poncho!

It may be just a little to small though. 

But I think she can rock it still!

Since it is finally turning fall here, her daily sweater is this one of mine!

Budget crushers

Since having Ava, we can safely say our budget is tight, very tight.   One of the many ways I feel we can save is on our groceries.  We pay way too much for only three of us.  For the past month, I feel like we have spent on average $150/week on groceries.  Now this does include paper products, toiletries, diapers, and formula.  But still $150/week is crazy high right?

A friend from high school has a blog, Holly Helps.  Holly takes questions from her readers and answers them.  Recently, I asked her how does she save on groceries.  Luckily for me, Holly is not an extreme couponer.  I do not have the time/patience/organization to manage extreme couponing. Miss Holly recommends:

1. Meal planning
2. Meatless meal
3. Aldi, Aldi, Aldi
4. Bulk shopping
5. Meal planning

(For Holly’s full blog, click here)

So for I have done bulk shopping, I saved the Sam’s Club membership and more in just one trip.  I also learned that you can order things online and have them shipped to you!  Since our Sam’s is 30 minutes away, it might not be a bad idea when I am just stocking up on diapers/formula.  I will have to research shipping costs. 

Meatless meals – That is not easy since we grew up on meat potato kind of meals.  Ben is complete against it.  I am going to try more when it is just Ava and I eating.  However, we raise our own beef cattle and have them butchered.  Additionally, we are purchasing a pig to have butchered and it is bow season has started too.  Hopefully, that will help cover meat costs.

Aldi – we have an Aldi 30 minutes away also but I haven’t ventured there yet.  I hope to within the next month to check it out.

Meal planning – sounds like a fabulous idea!  I do meal plan from time to time and do feel like it helps our budget some.  My goal is to consistently meal plan.

So how do you save money on groceries?  Taking any and all ideas!

MM Snapshout: Blowout

Sunday, I went to the movies with friends.  We saw The Butler.  I enjoyed the movie.  Anyways, well I got a "free" afternoon, Ben and Ava hung out at the house.  I did get a text message with the above picture after the movie that said "We had a major blow out and had to take a bath." 

Good girl! Keep those major blowouts for when Daddy is around!  In all seriousness, he has been feeding her applesauce like crazy!  I had warn Ben about the seriousness of a diaper that would be coming our way with all that applesauce.  He replied, "but she likes it!"   Lesson learned, Daddy, lesson learned!