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!

Final Vacation 2013 Recap

I didn’t mention some of the highlights of my vacation last week.  I really did have a good time in between the sick baby moments.  I always enjoy Ben’s family and we get along great.  I know I frustrate some of them with the no sugar stuff but since she was sick we got away with it. 

On Monday, we had our pictures taken at the pier.  They turned out really good!  I can’t wait to have them in a couple of weeks to show you our first family photo!!!  I highly recommend having pictures taken at a pier versus just the beach.  Even though both can be beautiful, the pier adds depth and dimension making them gorgeous.

One of the days Ava had pooped in her swimsuit diaper so Ben and I washed her off and washed out the diaper.  I put the diaper in the washroom sink and turned on the water so the bottoms could soak.  Then I went upstairs to shower/relax.   When I came downstairs I noticed all the clean towels were on the laundry room floor soaked.  Stupid me never turned the water off when filling up the sink to soak her swim bottoms.  Yeah, at that point I realized I was exhausted.  It was a good joke for the rest of the week.

I had crab!  Oh I love crab so much.  I lived in Baltimore for a while after college and I could have lived on crab alone.  Yum.   Ben and I got 3-dozen medium-sized crabs and took it back to the house and indulged!  It was awesome.    Then the next day someone got fresh shrimp and cooked it.  It was heaven.  Oh, how I love fresh seafood!

I think the ultimate highlight is Ava started standing all by herself!!! Granted it was only for three seconds tops but she did it!  She is getting too big.  I think this past week all she did was practice standing all by her self and is now able to do for a decent amount of time. 

P.S.  On an awesome note, I have contacted Fitbit and they are replacing my machined wash Fitbit free of charge.  I should get it this week!!!