8 Months....ish

Oh February, you're such a slacker month. I remember when my OB & I were talking about c-section dates last year. He was going on vacation on July 1st and would not be back until past my due date. So I knew it would have to be the 30th {because I was not going to have anyone else perform my c/s.}  And the first thing that honestly popped in my head was "The 30th....hmmm....Wait! What about February's month picture?!?"

So Emily Kay, considering this is the last day of the month, Happy 8th Monthday...ish!

Look at you, pretty girl. So big, so beautiful. You bring so much joy to our lives. Your most recent gift to us? Sleeping through the night! Praise Ferber! It took 2 nights of my heart literally breaking by the minute you crying it out, but to look back on it now, it was definately worth it. You've become such a great sleeper with a great schedule. Your tushie wakes you up anywhere from 630-730a, first nap is from 10-11a, second nap from 1230-330p, then bedtime is at 730p. Once in awhile you'll wake up around 1130p or 130a for a snack, but you mostly sleeps right on through chow time :) Mommy's human again!!

Meal wise, well it's obvious you never miss a meal :) Three meals a day, with your favorite fruit being pears and bananas and your favorite veggies are squash, peas, and sweet corn. But still with those 3 meals, you sometimes are jonesin for a lil snack....MmM yummy piggies :)

We're still nursing, but we're soon going to supplement with formula during the day and then save our nursing time for night {my favorite time is nursing you to sleep in the rocker in your room.} I weaned Brooklyn completely at 7.5 months, but with this *possibly* being our last child, I'm trying to savor every bonding second for as long as I can.

Your hair is getting darker {which is suprising to me. I thought for sure you'd have Brookie's blonde hair} and is getting so long on the top...but not in the back. I'm not quite sure what to do with all that hair, so we usually sweep it to the side a la Ron Burgandy.

You absolutely love Yo Gabba Gabba. Everytime it comes on, you wiggle & dance and clap your hands. You, like always, still aren't a big fan of being on your belly. But when you lay on your back, you aren't in one place for long because you scoot & wiggle yourself back and in a circle. You still sleep with your beloved womb bear & have taking a liking to Sissy's Violet puppy. You love to be in the kitchen when Momma's cooking and bang on pots & pans and chew on rubber spoonulas. Nothing makes you giggle more than when Brooklyn jumps on Mommy & Daddy's bed while you're sitting there bouncing.

In addition to your 2 adorable bottom teeth, these guys started making their way through (excuse the extreeeeme shnoz shot, but trying to get a picture of such a squiggle worm is a tad difficult :)  Dustin & I keep joking about her "Busey" teeth lol

I truly could not ask for a sweeter baby girl. Always smiling with her "happy hands" going 100 mph, always reaching up to be picked up & held, always loving on you in the perfect snuggle spot on your shoulder. I love the sound of her sweet voice, especially when she's saying Mama & Dada. I love, as always, seeing her & Brooklyn together.

8 months. I just cannot believe it, sweet girl. I can't believe we'll soon be singing Happy Birthday to you. And speaking of birthdays (lame intro, I know), I've got the ball started on this ones 1st birthday {and Brooklyn's 3rd if I'm being honest haha!} I cannot wait to show you all some of the details for her big day!

But for now, let's take a lil stroll down memory lane.....who is that cuddly squishy one week old down there?!?

Week 4 Weigh In

First of all, sorry for my lack of posts this week. But I've been busy bringing sexy back....

I made it to my first goal. 10 pounds in February.
WOO HOO!
I honestly did not believe I was going to achieve this goal. After feeling bummed out last week, I really tried to re-prioritize and cut out the crap.

I had a pretty good week, stuck to my allowed 39 points a day. Friday I actually only used 22 points & wasn't starving {thanks in huge part to apples, cauliflower, whole wheat bread, jello, Smart Ones chocolate chip cookie dough sundaes, and Progressive light soup.} During the girls nap last week on my 2 days off, I did level 1 of the 30 day shred with Satan Jillian Michaels. That earned me 8 activity points back along with the 49 weekly cheat points. It also earned me burning thighs and the realization that I'm really out of shape.

So, like I said, it was a good week.

 Yesterday, however, was an indulge day. 53 points to be exact. We spent the entire day in Mansfield shopping, so we had lunch there & brought dinner home. Did you know 1 ridiculously delicious warm buttery yeast roll from Logans is 6 points and 250 calories?!? That a Chipotle chicken burrito bowl without any yummy cheese or sour cream and with extra lettuce is 15?!? Holy (tasty) hell.

And speaking of shopping.....I'm down a size in jeans (squee!!). Remember these jeans? And how I was in limbo between these & one size down? Well, yesterday at Old Navy, I tried on a smaller pair.
 Over the thighs, check!
 Up on the hips, check!

Zipped, check!
Buttoned, check!
Exhalation & still able to breathe, check!!!

=) =) =)

Now, with Great Wolf Lodge, Dustin's birthday, and a baby shower this coming week, I am a bit nervous of all the temptations. Everything in moderation though, right?

Week 3 Weigh In

6.5 down, 18.5 to go, 10 more weeks.

*Cue the dun dun duuuuuuuuuuun music*

Okay you guys, I'm gonna have an honest moment. I feel like this weight isn't falling off like it should. Yes, I see that my pants are getting loose, but now I'm in limbo. These sized jeans are too baggy, but the next size down are too snug. I'm getting aggrivated with these stupid .5's. I wanna be even stevens, not have a lingering half pound on me. I want my scale to quit playing mind games with me. First thing this morning, it said 181.5. I fist pumped Situation style, went and nursed Emily, then for some asinine reason hopped back onto the scale {weigh-in-aholic here.} 

183.5. Seriously?

How does one gain weight in the 15 minutes it took me to empty my boulders? And now which weight do I use for my weekly weigh in? I went with the higher one because I know I had a few bad days last week and I'm not convinced I could've lost 4 lbs.

Can you tell it's been a rough week?

It started off with a potluck at work Monday for Valentine's Day. Mushroom & swiss sloppy joes, fire in the hole dip, spinach dip, cheese ball, pasta salad, cupcakes, chocolates, veggie pizza, all dangerous. I managed to stear clear of the sweets at least. Tuesday, leftovers at work. I'm drowning in guilt & calories. The rest of the week went pretty well, I managed to not use any *more* cheat points.

Fellow WW-ers, I have found a couple things I'm currently loving. I've said before that Lean Cuisine Steambags are tasty, but the chicken potstickers are deeeeeelish. Trust. I currently have 5 bags in my freezer. And they're only 5 points. Also I had a pound of chicken I had no clue what to do with the other day. I put it in the crockpot, covered it with a jar of salsa, and let it go on low for 6-7 hours. I shredded it with a fork and made soft chicken tacos with it. Add some lettuce, a little bit of cheese, some pinto (or black) beans, and you're set. One big (we're talking Chipotle big) taco was 8 points. Brookie & Dustin loved them!

I also found something that made me want to gag. Greek yogurt { VOM!}. I tried some with a little honey & vanilla, and it was not good. Super thick. Left a weird film on my tongue. Ew.

So basically, I know I should be grateful that I lost another pound & haven't gained. That I'm making enough of an impact that my daily points was lowered to 39. But considering this is the first time I'm actually trying to lose weight the healthy way, and not the operation starvation fast/works until you look at an Arby's way, I need to realize that it's going to take some time. That I DO deserve to lose this weight, I deserve to not feel frumpy and lumpy, I deserve this.

I do.

Now someone slap me...and pry the tin of Funfetti frosting out of my hands.

It's Working

Oh these jeans?

These were the jeans I cursed out when they wouldn't go over my hips at 8 weeks post partum from Emily.

The jeans I squeezed into, but could only zip and not button in October.

The jeans that when finally were able to be buttoned suffocated the good ol' muffin top.

The jeans that needed a good 2 or 3 wears to finally feel comfortable. {And Lord be with Dustin if he threw them into the laundry too soon!}

And now these jeans make me do a lil jig. They sag around the tush (in the jeans defense, there isn't much back there to cling onto), they fall off my hips, and all of this fresh from the washer & dryer!

I still have a ways to go fo sho. But I can tell this diet lifestyle change is working =)

Happy Valentine's Day

Love,

A beautiful & cooperative Emily

and an equally beautiful, yet somewhat hyper & non cooperative Brooklyn

 xoxo Happy Valentine's Day xoxo

Week 2 Weigh In

First 5 down, 20 to go.

This week was a bit harder. I don't know about you, but when I start something new, I get all excited and jung ho about it. And to see 4.5 lbs just literally fall off last week was a huge boost. Now that it's all starting to set in {and slow down}, I did have a couple struggles. Yesterday Dustin & I celebrated Valetine's Day and we had dinner at the Outback. I went onto my newest favorite person, Dotti's, website yesterday afternoon and picked out ahead of time what I wanted. Filet with wild mushroom sauce (11 points), broccoli and green beans (0 points without the butter & seasoning). No bread & butter for me, no Aussie Fries, no Blooming Onion....but I could not resist the Wallaby Darns. I thought I'd just have one, which of course turned into two. I guesstimated them at 6 points each. And I was wrong. 10 points each. 20 points, half of my entire day. Ugh, I felt so...large. Thank goodness for the 49 cheat points a week and the fact I had saved them up for this special occasion.

Today Brookie & I made mini funfetti cupcakes for Valetine's Day. One lick of the spoon turned into about 10 licks from the bowl...and then 3 cupcakes with frosting and sprinkles. OH THE GUILT! Sure they were mini, but still. 1 regular sized cupcake with frosting=4 points (which really is not bad at all.) So I figured 3 mini's=1.5 regular, so 6 points. Pair that with a sensible breakfast of oatmeal, yogurt, & scrambled eggs, a lunch of chips and salsa, dinner of salad with hard boiled eggs and chicken, and I still have 5 points left today.

There has been one glitch with WW. It has affected my milk supply some. I have noticed that I'm not getting the good thick hind milk as much as I used too. And while I used to be able to pump 10 ounces every 2 hours, I get maybe 15 in 6 hour period. Although I will be starting to wean Emily in March (hard to believe it's almost time!), I'd still like to give her as much as I can until then.

Today starts a new week. My fridge is stocked with healthy goodies, even though the pantry is stocked with mini cupcakes lol Seriouslly though, I'm quite proud of myself (and my PIWWC Kendra) for losing 5 lbs in 13 days. I noticed my jeans last night didn't feel quite as snug around the muffin top area as they used too. They were fresh from the laundry too, so they weren't even broken in yet. That felt good :)

Ca-Ca-Ca-Cravings

 I'm human...I'm a woman. We have cravings. A Diet Pepsi doesn't quite make you go "Ahhhhh" after the first chug as much as a regular one does. And I've behaved rather well on my diet so far, so I thought I'd rile up my metabolism a bit for lunch today. And I was jonesin for a McStauffin {those of you who remember my pregnancy posts remember what a McStauffin is. English muffin, 2 fried eggs, cheese, bacon, Miracle Whip, pure euphoria, nothing McDonalds can compare with} and when I went to get online to see how many points it would add up to, my computer started doing some configurations.

So there I sit and wait, salivating at the thought of the crispy bacon, perhaps a third egg, when this screen pops up. I'm pretty sure it was directed towards me....

I sat there offended. How dare you?! Sure, I've sat in front of you for years and you've seen me mow down on some greasetastic shit at 2 in the morning, but that don't mean you know me! So there went my craving. Total buzz kill. I opted for a banana and bowl of Cheerios instead. Just as good? Hell no. But I'm not gonna let some Gateway doucher call me fat and get the pleasure of watching me give into temptation. So there {bitch}. I win.

And by the by, I know it's not weigh in time yet....but according to the scale this morning I'm down another pound. Aces!

Week 1 Weigh in

Do you know how absolutely amazing it feels to see this?!?

4.5 pounds in 1 week---and because I'm more of a visual person, imagine 18 sticks of butter. {ew, right?}

This feels great. There's no better motivation than seeing progress. And it's all been just portion control and staying under the 40 allowed points a day, no exercise {as of yet.} These have been my main go-to's this week....

Salsa=0 points. Carrots, apples, salad=0 points. For my sweet tooth, I've got the chocolate granola thins I mentioned in my last post and sherbet icecream, which is only 5 points for a cup. Cottage cheese, 5 points for a cup. When you add it all up, it's honestly really easy to stay within the point limit. Now, when I wean Emily & with the more weight I lose, my points will drop....so ask me again then if I'm starving yet.

Now, onto more important things---my girls <3 They were being super silly the other day making faces at one another & for Mommy.

Emmy's off center cheesey carnie grin.

Her "why I autta" face.

And her infamous stink face.

Brookie's grrr rawr face.

And her silly face.

And lastly, her strike a pose sassyness.

here we go...

Okay you guys. It's time for the before shots. I'm not usually a pusscakes {okay, that's a lie because I totally am}, but I've been uber nervous to hit the publish post button. Once launched into cyber world, things stay in cyber world. Am I ready to be so brave?

I've had my brave days in the past, but it's just a smidgen different when the bloat isn't pregnancy induced. It's Taco Bell, Sprite, Gardettos, Oreos, and french fries.

But it's time to be woman up because I hope to be taking these pictures & putting them side by side with after shots in May. And who knows, with this being an open blog, maybe I could be an inspiration to someone.

So without further ado....

 Someone had to sneak in this shot. Whatta ham <3

So this is me.

*Side note---I really want everyone to know that there is nothing wrong with being this size if you are comfortable with yourself & feel healthy. For myself, I'm just not comfortable. I don't feel as healthy as I know I could.*

*Side note dos---It's snowpocolypse outside which means it's been a pajama day..err week. So please excuse the attire*

Day 1 is about over and this is actually going really well. Since I'm breastfeeding, I'm allowed 40 points a day on Weight Watchers and 49 cheat points a week. When I was searching some of my favorite foods online, I realized how many friggin points that is. Every morning I usually have bowl of Multigrain cheerios and milk--it's only 6 points! Coffee with Splenda--0 points. Zero. My beloved Zuppa Toscana at the Olive Garden--4 points. Salad with dressing--5 points. I could eat there for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and for a snack and STILL have 4 points leftover {mmm lemon cream cake.}

For breakfast today, I had my usual cheerios with milk--6 points.

Snack was some cinnamon applesauce--2 points.

Lunch was my newest obsession (thanks to my friend Laura)

I tried the asiago cheese tortellini. It had tomatos, green and yellow zucchini & yellow carrots in a tasty sauce. And it filled me up. Best of all, it was 5 points. There's 7 other flavors, so these will definately be my go to lunch or dinner. I also had a diet pepsi--0 points.

For a snack, I had a honeycrisp apple--0 points. And water--0 points.

Dinner was pizza. 2 slices=10 points. I also had cauliflower with dill dip--nada for the veggies, 4 points for 2 tbsp of dill dip.

Tonight I was jonesin for some chocolate. Dustin had bought these at the store last week

and they are delicious. And only 2 points...4 for me because I had 2. Brookie loves these so much, she calls them 'candy bars'.

So it's 10 at night & I'm only at 31 points. I'm not starving like I was on other diets. I don't feel deprived, I don't feel guilty. I'm feelin good...gettin my J.Hud on :)

Operation Bom Chicka Wah Wah

I'm ready.

Ready to redeem myself & get my pre-baby body back. For my milkshake to bring all the boys to the yard {or ya know, just Dustin of course.}

Even though I weigh less than I did pre-pregnancy with both girls (thank you breastfeeding!), I don't look the same. I don't feel the same. I'm sure 2 c-sections 22 months apart doesn't help the fact, but I'm not going to let that be my excuse. I want to FEEL better about myself, more so than I care about how other people see me.

So it's out with the old

and in with the new

What brought this on? We leave for Las Vegas in the beginning of May, where we plan on spending alot of time lounging pool side. I want to feel comfortable in my skin. Let's face it. I'm 5'11" {and 3/4"....okay, I'm 6 foot. I prefer the term Glamazon over Amazon though. Lurch works too I spose}, so I'm never going to be labeled as skinny. I just want to be labeled as HEALTHY. {Sexy works too. Rawr.} And in order to do so, I feel like I need to lose 25 lbs. In 3 months. I think that's do-able.

So I'm not holding back, ya'll. Tomorrow I will take my before picture, I'll track my weight (losses & gains) to share with you weekly for the next 12-13 weeks, any set backs, bragging, tips, recipes, all of it.

Today is a new beginning.

Psh, who says a Momma of 2 can't be sexy (have you SEEN Heidi Klum? And she has 4! There's gotta be a glimmer of hope for me too.)