Winning the war...for now.

Every day is a struggle, but I'm hangin in there. I weighed in today...I knew weighing in Tuesday was a waste since I ate like poo this weekend. I didn't do horrible, but I could have made better choices. I did get to try Fondue for the first time, so that was pretty sweet. Anyway. Here it is:

weight - 161 = down 3 lbs
L upper arm - 11.25" = same
R upper arm - 11.25" = down 1/4"
bust - 38" (you KNOW those are shrinkin) = same
waist - 30" = down 1"
hips - 37.5" = down 1/2"
I'm not sure what this is called, but I wrapped the tape measure around my butt and got - 40" = same
L thigh - 23.5" = same
R thigh - 23.5" = same
L calve - 14.5" = same
R calve - 14.5" = grew 1/2"

So, down 3 lbs and 2.25". I'm happy. I do wish I wouldn't have indulged so much Fri - Sun. I probably would have lost 2 more pounds and then I would be back in the 150's! Too bad, so sad.

Moving on...someone asked me a question the other day, and actually, people ask me this all of the time.

"So, can you even remember life before you had Hallie in it?"

Basically suggesting that before children life is pointless, and I'm supposed to just forget how much FUN it was. I can definitely remember what life was like before her, and when I say that, they look at me like I must not love my child.

Anyway, I just think it's a stupid question. I don't miss life before her and I certainly am much more fulfilled now, but you don't just forget a lifetime of memories because you became a parent.

So, speaking of baby...



My girl is sitting up all on her own now. For longer and longer periods of time. She's so sweet, she just sits there and squeals at her toys. She LOVES to talk, and I love to listen. I'm going to wait about another month or so, then take her to the agency, maybe sooner than that if she really gets the sitting up thing in check. She is absolutely the most beautiful baby I have ever seen! I know I'm bias but seriously, look at her. Hehehe, proud momma I am.

Craft business is coming along. I've been putting so much of myself into Hallie & working out & maintaining a home...I haven't really found a lot of time to complete all of my projects. I'm gettin there though, slow and steady wins the race.

I made an awesome dinner last night. Here's the recipe :)

Ham & Bean Soup with Creamed Cornbread
Serves: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

2 small onions (chopped)
6 fresh white mushrooms (sliced)
1 T parsley
1 t cayenne pepper
1 lb bag of dry great northern beans
1/2 pound of ham (cubed)
1/2 C brown sugar
dash of salt
dash of pepper

Instructions:

Soak beans in cold water for 8 hours. Drain and rinse. Combine all ingredients in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil for 15 minutes, turn to med-low heat and let simmer for 2 hours, stirring frequently. Add water when necessary.

Creamed Cornbread
Makes 12 Muffins
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 box Jiffy cornbread mix (you will need 1 egg and 1/4 cup milk - I modified the milk amount to less than the box directions call for. The creamed corn changes the consistency enough that you don't need so much milk.)
1 can creamed corn

Instructions:

Mix prepared Jiffy batter with the can of cream corn. Pour into greased muffin tin, distributing all the mix evenly until it's gone. Bake at oven temperature and time stated on the Jiffy box.

Truckin Along

So the title says it all. I'm just over here truckin along!

First and foremost, I did weigh in and measure on Tuesday. just haven't had the chance to sit down and blog. So here are my results:

weight - 164 = down 4 lbs
L upper arm - 11.25" = down 3/4"
R upper arm - 11.5" = down 1/2"
bust - 38" (you KNOW those are shrinkin) = down 2"
waist - 31" = down 2"
hips - 38" = down 1"
I'm not sure what this is called, but I wrapped the tape measure around my butt and got - 40" = same
L thigh - 23.5" = down 1/2"
R thigh - 23.5" = down 1/2"
L calve - 14.5" = grew 1/2"
R calve - 14" = same

So overall I am very happy!! It really helps to keep the motivation up when you see results like that. I've never felt better and I'm looking forward to shedding the rest of this baggage!

My food choices have been excellent and I've only had 3 sodas in almost 2 weeks!! That's big for me because I am addicted to sugary soda, I love that stuff. I don't care if it is fat in a can, it's good. I've stayed away from sweets, but I do have a great substitute recipe for a sweet treat without the calories! While it's been tough, it's well worth it.

I've found that taking classes are what works best for me. I enjoy going to them, there is someone to guide me, other people that motivate me to not give up, and I really feel like I'm getting a lot out of it physically! So far I've taken the following:

Turbo-Kick - Choreographed excersize routine...and it's hard!

Muscle Works - You work every part of your body in this class...I was the most sore from this one.

Mixed Level Yoga - I love this class...it's a great stretch and a relaxing environment.

Yogafit - This is a more intense yoga class...feels great to be working on my core strength again!!

Total Body Sculpt - this is a very muscle concentrated class based on slow controlled movements. You feel the BURN in this class.

Of all of them I enjoy yoga the most. I have a new love for it, mostly because its so relaxing! I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders when I leave. Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh...

So anyhow, I'm doing good.



My Creative mind...



That's the banner for my Esty store! I'm really moving forward with this craft business thing, and I'm very excited about it! It's a slow process, because I have sooooo much to cover. Not to mention the overload I have of ideas in my brain just waiting to be translated into pieces of cuteness!!

I need to sit down and make a list of everything I need to do. It's time to get organized! So, in the interem - check out my stuff!!

You can find me on Etsy here:

www.etsy.com/shop/dingmommy

Friend me on Facebook here:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001042945100&ref=profile


I'm also starting a blog where I will run specials and do giveaways and fun things like that!! Stay tuned in on the Jack & Jill Craft Mill!


Mommy Mode...

Hallie has been very clingy lately. Her naps are short, and not very often. Makes it difficult to get things done. I'm attributing this behavoir to teething...I hope it eases up soon. She's still very happy, but you literally have to be entertaining her every second. I'm hoping once she masters sitting up, she'll be a little more able to entertain herself with toys and such. Until then...I guess it's the Wacky Mommy Show :)

BabyRhyme and Sign class was...well...interesting. We sang two songs and learned how to sign them. Then had "reading time" where they threw a bucket of books in the middle of the floor and each parent read to their own child. Followed "toy" time, where you grab a toy and play with your child. Ending the class with a bubble blower and 20 kids running around going nuts trying to pop them.

I guess it was just less involved than I would have liked. Either way, they gave me an awesome packet with tons of signs so I can teach her on my own as well. Even if she doesn't get much out of it signing wise, she is at least catching a good amount of socialization.

Now that she is rolling both ways, sleeping has certainly been challenging. Well, she is still sleeping fine, but on her tummy! So I am a hot mess in the other room wondering if she's soffocating herself. I try to turn her over and as soon as I take my hands away...right back to the tummy. I haven't figured out a solution for this, and I'm not sure that there is one.

Oh, and she is the most beautiful thing on the planet!



Chocolatey Pumkin Treats
Makes about 2 dozen
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 29oz can of pumpkin
1 box devils food cake mix
light whipped cream

Preheat oven to 425* line a muffin tin - you can use non-stick spray but I reccommend muffin cups as these are a little sticky.

Mix can of pumpkin and devils food cake mix together and fill the muffin cups about 3/4 of the way full. Pop in the oven for 25-30 minutes.

When a toothpick comes out of the center of the muffin mostly clean, they are done. Let cool then top with a dollop of light whipped cream!! DELISH :)

Buh-bye baby blues!

I don't think that I had PPD by any means, but I was definitely down in the dumps for a month or so. Not so much about how I felt about Hallie, though there were a couple of days where I asked myself "what in the hell were you thinking?". I just felt like ick, blah, ugh, yuck...you know...GROSS.

Working out and crafting has absolutely helped lift my spirits and bring me back to my old peppy personality. I really feel like I'm getting my life back in order. While it will never be quite the same...it will be orderly again.

I think for anyone the following things are imperative.

1) Take care of yourself.

Try to shower first thing in the morning & get your "beauty" routine in. I found myself showering, but just pulling my hair back and not even looking at my makeup. Well, that's going to stop. It's important for me to feel good on the outside.

2) Find a release.

Whether it's working out, crafting, reading, walking, whatever...MAKE time for it. If you completely throw yourself into your child, you will totally forget about your needs.

3) Spend alone time with your partner

I know it's hard to leave your baby, but it's essential that you maintain a healthy relationship with your other half. SEX is especially crucial. It is so easy to just go to sleep at the end of the day and put it on the back burner, but men have needs...NEWS FLASH...so do we! It's pleasure and a workout all in one!

4) Don't over schedule yourself

No one is super mom, I don't care if you think you are...you're NOT. Take your time, slow down, enjoy the little things. If you miss a class or a group b/c you are running late, or you just don't feel like it...that's OK! Sometimes the best thing you can do is take a day off and let your hair down.

5) Take a mommy day

Leave the baby with dad and take a day to yourself. Do whatever you enjoy, and do just that...ENJOY yourself. Trust me, you need it.

6) Keep a clean home

I know that for me personally, if my house is a mess...my life is a mess. This may not be true for everyone, but for me a clean house and a clear mind go hand in hand.

I'm sure there are many more things that I will figure out along the way, but those are my suggestions from my five months of experience. Life can only get better from here, and I'm the only one who decides just how awesome it can be.

Bloggy Blah

Diet day #3 and so far all is a success. I did cave yesterday at the in-laws and have five M&M's. Totally worth it. Other than that my food choices have been good! My lunch today...



If it looks pretty it tastes better...or ummm, more entertaining to eat? I got about half way through with ease, then I was over it. I did manage to get it all down. Other meals have been: turkey burgers with asian sauce, pesto chicken pita pizza, chicken stir fry, english muffin w/ peanut butter, rasin bran, fruit and all that jazz. All in all it really hasn't been too bad! I still manage to make things tasty. Zach has been impressed...and usually he turns his nose up at healthy stuff.

I've been to the gym everyday, including Tuesday. Tomorrow I have a "turbo kick" class at 10:45 am, which I'm sure will "turbo kick" my hiney! My muscles are very sore, which means I'm doing it right! If it doesn't hurt, it's not working. I think it really helps that I have to reserve a spot for Hallie in the nursery. Then I am committed to a time to be there, so it's already planned into my day!

So, anyway. Enough about that.

On the mommy front...

Hallie is cutting her first tooth. Totally explains why she's been a drama queen lately. I can't believe it. I really didn't expect it so soon. She is changing so much and learning new things everyday! She's a pro at rolling over both ways now, she can push all the way up on her hands and lock her arms, she's started to try the army crawl, and now she has a tooth! My little girl is growing up. On the up side, she'll be able to wipe her own butt one day...that I can look forward to.

Tuesday brings the start of a new class, Baby Rhyme and Sign at the local public library. This should be interesting, I'm pretty stoked about it. Hopefully she will cooperate and enjoy it. She's so easily distracted by other babies. She finds them very intriguing. I wonder if they really do speak their own language...like in that one movie with John Travolta and Kirstie Ally.

BFing is just about done...one more month. I am ready to have my body back and Hallie isn't really into nursing anymore. She much prefers a bottle to the boob now, and I am totally ok with it. I will miss our "special bonding time", but since I spend every second of every day with her, I think we'll both be just fine. When she turns six months, maybe a little earlier, she'll start veggies. I can't wait to see the look on her face. I could, however, do without the mess.

Well, intended on writing more...but I am about to fall over on the keyboard. Goodnight.

Body By Baby

So today is d-day, as in diet day. I've been good so far, but it's only 5:05 pm...pray for me. Ha. So as I said I would, here are my before photos, weight & measurements.








weight - 168
L upper arm - 12"
R upper arm - 12"
bust - 40" (you KNOW those are shrinkin)
waist - 33"
hips - 39"
I'm not sure what this is called, but I wrapped the tape measure around my butt and got - 40"
L thigh - 24.5"
R thigh - 24.5"
L calve - 14"
R calve - 14"

My goal weight is 135...my plan is to weigh and measure once a week. If that frustrates me too much, then I'll just do every two weeks.

So this morning I went to the gym, then met up with mom for my birthday present...the new Reebok Easy Tone kicks! Yup, that's correct...I totally bought into the whole tone your legs and butt thing. The commercial got me...I used to have legs for days and a nice firm rump. I want it again, so congratulations Reebok marketing team, you roped me in with your sexy dancing girls advertisememnt.

I don't really have a plan, just to watch "what" & how much of "what" I put in my mouth, work out regularly, and make healthier decisions in general.

I'm craving pepsi and chocolate. This already sucks!