Busy, Busy, Busy

We've been busy! I feel like there is always about 50 things I need to get done. As I go about my day I find myself mentally writing a blog entry. The problem is finding the time to actually get it all out.  So this post has a lot of different things going on. :)

Now that we're back from the vacay and don't have plans for more trips, I feel excited to get into a nice groove.  It is time for me to really get back on my health kick. I've been dabbling in it for the last few months, but after the recent trip to Kauai it has become very apparent that it is time. I was in a pretty good place with my weight until I decided to stop nursing Ava. I continued to eat like I was nursing, but bottle fed her. Mistake! Seven pounds crept up without my knowing it! There were some shirts that got a little snug, but I didn't think anything of it. Then, Randy and I weighed ourselves the day before we left for Kauai...surprise! By the time I got back from vacay, I was 10 pounds up. I can get back in shape, no doubt. I just have to stay committed. I lost 15 pounds and 6 inches around the waist after I had Dylan.



Christmas '09

 This is the picture that lit the fire last time. What was I thinking wearing a tight shirt?! I wanted to get to my fight weight, but got preggo with Ava. I'm in better shape now than with Dylan so by summer I should be kicking some ass!

I started this new focus on Tuesday. I'm kicking up the intensity of the cardio and adding lots of strength training. I've even changed the machines I'm using; more plates, free weights and cables. As I was going through my workouts this week, I got honest with myself. I know how to get in shape. I know a wide variety of workouts. I just need to do it! Well, here I go. The trick is scheduling with the kiddos, but I'm determined to make it work!

Along with working out, my other big exciting change is that we are shopping for a mini van. Yes, that's right...I'm going to be a mini van mom. I NEVER thought I would say this, but now the shoe is going in the mouth. We rented a mini in Kauai where both Randy and I fell in love with it. I NEED the space. So...now we're car shopping. I want an Odyssey and we can't get it brand new so here comes the work.

Ava and I went car shopping on Thursday. We test drove 2 different minis. I didn't love both of them, but did certify that this will be my next car. We're doing some more shopping this weekend. I'll keep you posted!

Last, but not least...my kiddos! Ava slept through the night for the first time last night! WOOHOO! This is huge because it brings a whole new possibility of sleep and energy. :) So with that energy today, we went to a playdate with a xmas cookie, stocking-making, jammie theme. We had such a great time! It was loud! Not a place for someone that doesn't like noise. :) We had 8 two/three-year olds, 3 almost toddlers and 3 babies.

There were more kiddos, but with all of the mommies taking pics I couldn't back up far enough. :)

I love this one!

Lots of kiddos, noise, fun and Christmas craft mess. It was awesome! What's so nice about this group, is that we all watch out for eachother so we help out with all of the kids. The kiddos are so used to getting together that most of them feel comfortable going up to any adult in the room. Ava just cruised around playing with whoever was around or chewing on whatever she could find.

Super easy! Dylan and I worked together cutting out Christmas cookies and designing a stocking.

I checked out some pictures from today on a friend's blog and learned something important. I need to invest in some crewneck shirts. While bending over helping Dylan with his crafts, everyone could see right down the shirt. Oops! Lesson learned. :)

So I know...everything sound great huh? Well, with a couple of hours of fun and sugar comes the dreaded drive home without the kids falling asleep. I failed! So instead of a 1:30pm nap for Dylan and 2:30 for Ava, it took an extra hour and Dylan had a tough time falling asleep. Once out though, he slept until 5:15pm! I started making noise at 4:45 then I flipped on the hall light at 5pm. Finally I sent Ava in and we both woke him up. He's a bit of a dragon when I have to do this. Ava wakes up as happy as can be...Dylan is a dragon. We must have wore him out though, he asked to go to bed at 7:30pm. Please oh please sleep until at least 6:30am!

It has been a busy week, but we're getting things done. Maybe there will come a day I feel caught up. Maybe not, but I can wish right? :) Wish me luck on the van shopping!

Loving the Music!

The theme today is music! I decided that while I was charging full-force on the elliptical this morning. Let me explain. :)

Dylan decided that this morning was going to start very early...5:30am. Despite his training of waking up quietly, this morning wasn't one of the model mornings. Needless to say everyone was out of bed by 6am even though I tried to prolong it. Maxim greeted this morning with a present...argh!!!! We are currently working with Dylan on how to love on Ava gently so that he doesn't knock her over, irritate her or squeeze the life out of her. He did all of these this morning so boy was I glad that today was a school day. :)

The gym was calling my name all morning!

Because of the early rise, I didn't make it to the gym until after Ava's morning nap. It ended up being perfect because she was so happy at Child Watch today. Yippee! The lunges did kick my butt yesterday and I was feeling it this morning. I can't let that stop me though, I'm going to be in a bathing suit in 11 days!

Poipu, Kauai!

So, I hopped on the elliptical,

set it to the random hill workout, hiked up the resistance then hit play on my shuffle. Yes...I charged it this time. :) Ceelo started singing and I found myself smiling. I just felt great that I was there. I was ready to work out the angst and listen to my music friends. I rocked it on the elliptical with a little Ceelo, Lady Gaga, Pink and LMFAO to mention a few! I had so much...umph in me that after the first two songs I had already hit 1 mile. At 15min, I was at 2 miles. Really? Well I guess when my speed is between 8.5 to 9 the whole time...you cover lots of distance. :)

As you may imagine, I felt quite good when I was finished. I then did an upper body workout and found that the energy was still there. I wish I had my watch! I burned so many calories today! I just know it! Rounded off the workout with some fantastic stretching. It reminded me of my dancing days. :) With the endorphins sprinting through me, I decided that today was going to be about music because it just makes me smile. Singing feels good even if it doesn't sound good...in my case anyway. ;) I also decided that I'm in need of a playlist entitled "Kicks A**". This is for those special times where your turbo kicks in and you find energy you didn't know you had. :)

I had 1 1/2 hours left before picking up the boy so I headed to Hobby Lobby for some ribbon.

So many choices! Ok...so it's not Xmas, but I love it. :)

On the way there I decided I wanted to chat with someone that makes me happy. I ended up catching up with my brother Nick

and one of my longtime friends Marissa.

Finished off the 1-child morning with a quick shower

I only had 20 min. and this is what Ava did during that time. :)

then off to pick up Dylan. Sang in the car. Remember...it's music day. :)

Now it's naptime and I'm watching Ellen because her dancing makes me happy. It's the little things. :) So...we'll see if I can convince Dylan to go to Child Watch tomorrow. I may not be walking very well by then because I'm already stiff from this morning. :) Soreness brings results...again, thinking of my dancing days.

What's your favorite workout song?

The Mommy Trap

I was dropping Dylan off at school yesterday morning and had kind of an "ah-ha" moment when I saw my reflection in the window. Now granted, it was about 7:30am but let me just share the mom look I had going on. I was wearing baggy comfy pants, a hoody, flip flops and hair in a pony. I looked lovely. Can you hear the sarcasm? ;)   I was rocking UA Wilcat gear so I should get some points for that one.

It's one thing to just have those days, but it is quite another for that look to become the norm. I always said that kids wouldn't take away my ability to dress myself and look like a normal person. When I was working, I just looked so put together...most days :)

So today I decided that I was taking back control. I dropped Dylan off this morning wearing a ponytail, but also in a cute gym outfit. I figured if I got up and dressed for the gym, I would have more of a chance of actually making it there. :) I came home had breakfast, coffee and got Ava all set to go. Yes...all of this did take about an hour, but I was checking her into child watch at 8:45am. Woohoo! I've been almost dreaming of the gym for the past couple of weeks now.

The funny thing is that along with the relief of finally getting to workout, I was also reminded of how long it has actually been since I showed up. My favorite workout accessory, the polar watch, had a dead battery!

This is obviously an old pic. :(

I'm addicted to that thing and it was not showing up for the workout. I get on the treadmill ready to run and guess what else is dead....my shuffle!

Are you kidding? Besides water, those are my staples for working out and neither are ready. That just showed me it had been too long, but I'm so glad that I'm back on the horse. :)

Now the workout itself was tough! This isn't because I did anything really difficult, it was more that my body got lazy. So after 30 min. on the treadmill and a lower body strength training workout that consisted of lunges holding 5 pound weights (ok, these were not fun), I picked up Ava and off we went to begin our day. It felt so good! I'm going back tomorrow!

We then hit Fry's for an awesome couponing trip where I saved $96...67%. Ava passed out in the bjorn so we were killing two birds with one stone...naptime and groceries. :)

Before picking up Dylan, I needed to get myself showered and looking normal. It felt so good showing up in an actual outfit with makeup on. I haven't used the blow dryer in a while so that should be my next goal. :) I've decided that in order to not fall into the mommy trap, I need to get myself ready in the morning even if I'm spending most of the day at home. I completely understand all those mommies on What Not to Wear.:)

Ava just got up from her nap so it is time to go. The plan tomorrow is similar to today, but instead of groceries, I want to go to Hobby Lobby for some ribbon. It's time for Xmas bows!

Change the Mindset

I had to workout today!  I really didn't have any plans/goals for my workout today...I just wanted to get to the gym. So...as I'm folding laundry, Ava wakes up. I drop what I'm doing, switch laundry loads and take off for the gym. I decided that the treadmill was calling my name today. I jumped on and just started running and of course lip syncing to my playlist of songs. This run was different than most. I didn't make a conscious decision to change my mindset, it just showed up. What I mean by this is, I usually feel like I need to run a certain distance within a certain time. I'm a very competitve person which can be good for a workout, but also be stressful. I usually find myself constantly checking my distance and the time to try control my run. Today I just ran to run. I didn't feel the pressure and I wanted to just enjoy my workout. I read in a friend's blog the other day that she wanted to workout for fun instead of training. You know who you are. ;) I didn't make this conscious decision, but I guess the comment hit home. I didn't feel like I was pushing myself the whole time. I also didn't feel like I wanted to die at the end. :) After 30 min. of running I had gone 2.5mi. Not bad for an easy run with a small walk break in the middle. I upped the speed when I felt like it and lowered it when I felt like it. Next up...the stair climer.

These are tough!! I only did 10 min. and I felt worked. :) After a 15min. ab routine I was done and look...

I did alright. :)

I get home and another load of laundry is dry. Now I have 3 loads to fold and 1 load to put away. I'm in the weeds at this point. After a shower and feeding Ava, it is time to get the boy. He went into school "in a bad mood" (Dylan's words), but was full of smiley energy when I picked him up. Whew! Now we just have to get home.

He came home in a decent mood, however, he was feeling a bit destructive. He dumped all of my laundry baskets out on the floor thankfully not touching my folded items. He then got working on his trains.




My scary room!!!


Now both kiddos are napping and it is time for me. I'm on my 2nd cup of coffee because I just like the taste.

As you can see, it is decaf. This is because I don't want Ava to think she gets to go to bed late tonight. :) So now I have to go tackle all of those clothes. Yikes!! Before signing off, let me share some fun pics of our playdate yesterday. With the temperature still over 100 degrees here, it is essential to keep the kiddos busy or they go a little wacky being housebound. :)



Ava was playing a little music then tried to eat the whole thing.



Dylan loved taking care of the baby!!

Katie and Colin

Katie told Neil to put his arm around Dylan. The boys didn't understand and we got this. :)