Body After Baby 2010

This year I'll be participating in Body After Baby 2010!

I'm excited to get to participate in this challenge in order to reach my weight loss goal!


My goal is to lose about 40 lbs before January 2011.  It is important to me to lose this weight because I would like to start trying to conceive our second child then & I know I won't be able to conceive or carry a baby in anything less than top physical condition.  I'd love to try for a VBAC (even though my c-section wasn't bad) and I know I'll need a lot of stomach/abdominal muscles in order to make that safe.


My plan is to start daily walks with Carolynn & Luke, get on my Wii Fit at least 3 times a week, and eat healthier while drinking more water.  


I still need to:

--Take my "before" pictures and measurements before the new year starts.
--Participate in the weekly Meme on Wednesdays.


Wish me luck!

Friend Making Monday

What are your New Year's Resolutions?


Hmm....what are my resolutions for the coming year.


Well, before I can answer that question I have to think about what 2010 will be bringing for us.


Jan 18-Luke will be 3 months old
Jan 23-Tim and I will have been together 6 years
Feb 18-Luke will be 4 months old
March 18-Luke will be 5 months old
April 4-Luke's first Easter
April 18-Luke will be 6 months old
May 18-Luke will be 7 months old
June 14-Tim's 28th birthday
June 18-Luke will be 8 months old
End of June-Chrissy & her kids are hopefully moving out
July 7-Carolynn's 3rd birthday
July 18-Luke will be 9 months old
Aug. 5-Our fourth anniversary
Aug. 18 Luke will be 10 months old
Sept. 18-Luke will be 11 months old
Sept. 25-My 27th birthday
Oct. 18-Luke's first birthday 
Nov. 18-Luke will be 13 months old
Nov. 25-Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania
Dec. 18-Luke will be 14 months old (talk to doctor about TTC)


So, I would like to get into shape before Jan 2011.  That's when we plan on starting to TTC our next baby.  Luke will be 15 months old & I need to be in top physical shape so I can have a successful VBAC.  I weight about 180 right now & my "ideal" weight is 140 so I've got 40 lbs to lose.  That's 1.25 lbs a week or 3.33 lbs a month.  It would be great if I lost it faster, but I don't want to set an unrealistic goal.  The ways I plan to achieve this goal are walking with Luke & Carolynn daily, getting on my Wii Fit as often as possible, and watching what I eat.  


I'd like to get our finances worked out a little better so that by Luke's birthday in October we can have a SMASHING first birthday party.  Mark your calendars Oct. 16, 2010--party day!  I want to get him a Thomas the Train table and lots of Thomas accessories.  The ways we plan to make this goal possible include paying off my car (with our tax return) or getting rid of it, managing our finances/budget even better, and cutting our grocery and gas bills.  


I think those are my only resolutions.  What are yours?  

Sunday Update- 7 & 8 & 9 Weeks Old

Week 7
Mon. Nov. 30
Another "smile" caught on camera!  It's hard to catch the actual smile--but I promise you, he has a nice big grin!

Luke and I spent most of the day getting Tim's oil changed at Priority Toyota.  I used my Bjorn carrier & was able to nurse him at the dealership.

Tues. Dec. 1
Melanie came over during the day.  She took care of Luke while I showered & then we went to Greenbrier Mall so she could buy ballet shoes for the girls.  Afterwards, I had my 6 week doctor's appointment.  


I got stuck in Virginia Beach because there was an accident that closed down one of the major bridges.  I went and visited with my old neighbor's on Lineberry Rd. and then went to Tom & Peggy's for a while.  


Luke even gave Peggy some smiles!

Weds. Dec. 2

I guess we did nothing important!!

Thurs. Dec. 3
Finally napping on a nest of pillows!

Tyler and Luke, snuggling before bed.  Tony is so cute--every night he asks to hold the baby at least 2 or 3 times!

Fri. Dec. 4
Laura drove down from Pennsylvania & came to visit around 4.  We spent a couple hours chit-chatting while she visited with Luke.  

Mom, Dad, and Frankie drove down from Pennsylvania.  They got in around 7.  I made hamburgers, gravy, French fries and something else for dinner.  We all ate dinner & Mom & Dad took turns visiting with Luke.  

Sat. Dec. 5
We had dinner at Amanda's house for Tony's birthday.

  

Sun. Dec. 6
Luke's baptism.  We had a great day!  We got up early to make it to church on time.  Luke's baptism went well, he didn't even cry!  He looked absolutely darling in his outfit!  Afterwards, we made breakfast for 16 people.  We had breakfast casserole, bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast.  Mom, Dad, Frankie, and Laura all had to leave right after breakfast.  Chrissy and Amanda headed out pretty early too.  James and Missy hung around and visited until about 3.  It was nice to get to spend some quiet alone time in our house, with our friends, just relaxing!  After they headed home, we started getting ready to go to Va Beach.  We went to dinner with Tom and Peggy at Max and Erma's.  It was so-so.  

Week 8

Mon. Dec. 7

Tim was off.  Tony was home too.  I did laundry & "sunned" my diapers.  Luke fits into small SBBs now.  It's sad, he's growing SO fast!  We went 16 hours without using any bottles!

Tues. Dec. 8

I had a huge day--it's easiest to just copy & paste from Diaperswappers, so here ya go:
Pump
Shower & get dressed
Go w/ my sister to get my nephew in school
Girl Scout Council to do paperwork & visit MIL
Subway (MIL took me out to lunch)
Water Store
Take fliers to school for Girl Scouts
Visit w/ Teacher friends
Get gas & nurse
Call Girl Scout parents (from car)
Food Lion for groceries
Home to unload it all & get ready for Scouts
Girl Scouts
Drive-thru at Wendy's
Dinner @ home

Weds. Dec. 9

We were up early (7 am) to get ready to go to an IEP (special ed.) meeting for my nephew's new school. He's going to school in my city now.

The meeting dtarted at 9 & I got there at 9:20. Oopsie!!

In my defense, I accidentally felted a cashmerino baby blanket & I spent a bit of time blocking it out on the drying rack to try to save it.

We both got washed & dressed early though which was nice.

The meeting went until almost 10:30. Afterwards, I straightened up my room while Luke napped. Around 12 my sister headed to work, leaving me to babysit Caro for the first time since Luke was born.

I fed Luke & then laid down to nap w/ him. I told Caro to either color (at the foot of my bed) or sleep w/ us.

I woke up @ 1 & she was still asleep! I mixed up brownie mix and then Luke woke up. 


Thurs. Dec. 10--See Post

Fri. Dec. 11-

Today was a good day, over all, I guess.  Since I was out of the house all day yesterday, I ate WAY too much stuff that had milk in it & I dealt w/ the consequences of my actions all morning.  Poor Luke was so sick and upset and cranky.  It was after 11 am before he crashed & I got a shower.  

He took a nice afternoon nap, while Tyler (suspended after a day & a half!!) Carolynn, and I took him grocery shopping.  We went to WM and got some groceries & 4 outfits for Luke.  (3 of the Carter's $8 fleece sets & 1 organic cotton jogging outfit)  

I made rice & gravy for dinner.  Chrissy, Mandy, Tony, Tim, Carolynn, and I all helped to decorate the Christmas tree.  It's so pretty!  We went with purple this year, so that I could use my pretty purple lights that Chrissy bought me a couple years back.  


After dinner Amanda & I took some pictures of Luke.

Sat. Dec. 12
The highlight of this day was our participation in "A Night in Bethlehem" at church.  

Sun. Dec. 13
I'm guessing we did nothing, since this is all I have from Diaperswappers:
OK so my normally happy-go-lucky never-ever-cries baby boy has started this weird thing where he cries for apparently NO reason & nothing soothes him. It lasts less than a minute & then goes away.

What's going on? Worth mentioning to his doc next week?

I am down to using only 1 or 2 bottles in a 24 hour period--always b/c of convenience though, Luke would totally nurse all the time...but I'm sometimes too tired or busy.

I am trying to get him OFF the bottle so that I can use that as the excuse for why I won't let anyone babysit. MIL is really starting to harp on me about not leaving him. I'm not ready. Why is it so hard to understand. I have PPD...I NEED to be with my baby. I cannot FATHOM leaving him.

I still sometimes just sit & marvel and cry just a little. He's 8 weeks old. I just can't get over the reality of having this little PERSON totally dependent on me to help him be the person I hope he can be.

We are broke. We aren't going to be getting gifts for anyone that I know of. I hope to try to make some crafts w/ Luke's hand/foot prints.


Week 9
Mon. Dec. 14
We had a counselling appointment for Tyler at 8 am.  We were late, but they saw him anyway.  I pumped in the car while the babies slept..then took them into the waiting room when I was done.  After the appointment we took Tyler to his school.  Chrissy had to go in with him because he was suspended on Friday.  I sat in the car with the babies.  After we dropped Tony off, we headed to Wal-Mart to get some groceries.  We spent over $80 and didn't even get enough to get past Wednesday.  
Chrissy didn't have to work so when we got home she entertained Carolynn & Luke & I took a nap.  I made spaghetti sauce for dinner and we ate when Tim got home.  Nothing exciting happened otherwise.


Tues. Dec. 15
Tony rode the bus to school and Chrissy and I had to get up and head over at 9 am for a parent/teacher conference with all of his core subject teachers & his principal.  The meeting was basically to determine what was expected of Tony & for his teachers to meet us and learn about Tony's situation.  I think it went well.  
After the meeting, I drove Chrissy to work.  Then I went to two different fire stations to get Luke's car seat adjusted.  Then I went to Rock a Bye Baby where I nursed Luke & bought him a pair of Carter's khaki pants.  Then I headed to Melanie's house for a photo shoot in his alpaca outfit.  It is PERFECT and to-die-for!  I love it!  

We ate a picnic lunch there & I fed Luke again and then we all headed home in order to get there before Tyler.  I made chili for dinner but Tim and I didn't get to eat any before we had to leave for church. 
We went to the church at 8 pm for our Olan Mills church directory pictures.  We planned on just getting our free 8x10 but couldn't resist that adorable smile Luke gave the photographer, so we bought the smallest package.  
Afterwards, Luke needed to eat again so we went to Tom & Peggy's for a while.  


Weds. Dec. 16
Today was a good day.  We are officially bottle free!  Yay!  I got up & got housework done after my computer time.  Luke and Carolynn napped well & so I got a lot done.  About 11:45 Chrissy called and said that Tyler needed lunch money, so I got Carolynn & Luke bathed & headed over there to give him some money.  After that we all rested for a while.  Around 2, both babies were asleep & I got busy on dinner & housework.  
I made soup for dinner & have just been doing my "stay-at-home-mom" thing all day/evening.
  

Wordless Wednesday!!

Here's a sneak peek into the cuteness I get to live with!!

Merry Christmas!

Diaper Tips Tuesdays!

I am once again participating in Diaper Tips Tuesday!

Week 3: 

What is your favorite Cloth Wipes solution and/or recipe?

Unfortunately, my post is going to be rather LAME.  

Luke is allergic to wipe solution!  Cry!  I had some wipe bits that I got from a WAHM on diaperswappers in a yummy flavor, and we tried them.  Poor Luke got an awful diaper rash.  SO, we switched back to sposie wipes (what a pain!).  

When we finish w/ the sposie wipes that we have in the house, we're going to go back to our cloth wipes, with just plain old water.  Luke gets a bath daily, so plain water is fine for his "clean ups".  

I also use cloth wipes ("family cloth") and I do not use any solution.  I keep a diaper pail (mini) in my bathroom for my wipes & for Luke's diapers when we change him in our room, so it all just goes into the diaper laundry!  

First Smile on Camera

Crazy Thursday!

(If this post sounds odd I'm sorry, it's a C & P from my diaperswappers chat group!) 


Yesterday, I was woken up @ 8:30 to find out my sis. (the one who lives w/ me) was pulled over & her license was suspended...could I please come pick her & her 2 yo up, all the way in Va Beach (40 mins away)...

ARGH. It took me 2 hours to get Luke up, dressed, and both of us ready to go out of the house...and neither of us showered!

We got to her at 11:00. She loaded her worldly possessions & kid into my truck.
We parked her van in a Food Lion parking lot.

Then we drove 35 minutes out to her work.

While at her work (a 3.5 mil $$ condo on the ocean front) I nursed Luke. Then we headed back into town.

We left there at 12:15--both babies were asleep. (Caro 2 1/2 & Luke)

We got to the Carters store around 1. I found a cute onesie (My Grandpa is the Best) and bib (I love my Grandpa) for less than $7 total! Yay!

I fed & changed Luke while we were there too.

Then we headed to Rock a Bye Baby (a consignment store). I ran into folks I knew so we were there a while. I also had to feed Luke there (don't you love feeding on demand EVERY.SINGLE.HOUR!) I bought Luke a sleep sack, a sleeper, and a fleece jogging outfit (all Carters) for $12.

After we left there (2:30!?!?!) I went to McDonald's and got Caro some lunch & then Subway to get some lunch for me & then to my friend Melanie's.

I had to drop off her broken hard-drive & you-guessed-it, feed Luke!

We ended up staying there until 5:30.

When we left there we headed to MIL's. I thought she was going to feed us dinner but she offered "sandwiches" as dinner. I can't eat their bread or cheese...and I'd had a sandwich from Subway for lunch. So, we passed.

Caro took a nap, Luke got loved on by his grandparents & I relaxed. Oh & I fed Luke.

Then about 6:45 it was time to head out to church. We stopped by Chic Fil A....and then got to church 15 minutes late.

Church was a safety seminar that was really good. I was there until 9:15. (I did feed Luke once during the program, Caro was in the nursery.)

Right when we got into the truck, Luke wanted to eat again, so we sat in the parking lot for 15 minutes while he ate.

Then we headed home. We made it less than 10 minutes down the road when I stopped b/c he was screaming bloody murder. I held him, nursed him, and got him all calmed down (almost asleep) and then put him back in his seat. He freaked again. So I held him some more.

Around 10 I gave up, loaded him up, and headed home. (Driving like a speeding bullet) He cried for a full 20 minutes. It took him 30 minutes at home to calm down. Poor guy. He HATES his car seat right now.

When I got home (10:20?) I had everyone else unload the truck while Luke & I stripped down to undies/diaper & had some skin-to-skin snuggle time.

After he was calm I got pjs on & put away all the stuff I'd brought home & then started laundry.

It was a LONG & tiring day!!

Diaper Tips Tuesdays!

The Cloth Diaper Report is hosting "Diaper Tips Tuesdays"...and I thought I'd play along.

This week's task is: Share your Thanksgiving travel stories and upcoming holiday travel plans. Cloth, hybrids (i.e. Grobaby or gdiapers) or 'sposies?


Well, we didn't "travel" for Thanksgiving, but we did spend the entire day at the in-laws house.  


I took with me: my breast pump, 12 preemie prefolds, 12 Katedanzer wipees (to use as doublers, 3 covers (2 preemie prowraps, one NB pull on), and about 8 sposies.  We didn't need the sposies or even all 12 diapers.  I also took a tote bag to put the dirty diapers in.  I don't have any wet bags or pail liners & I knew a ziploc bag wouldn't be big enough to get through the day.  


For Christmas, we'll be heading to Pennsylvania to see my family.  I'll bring my entire stash.  I'll also bring my 7th Generation Laundry detergent.  My parents don't mind me doing diaper laundry at their house & we'll try to keep things as normal as possible!  


That's my tip!  Keep it as routine as possible!

Friend Making Monday

1. Favorite website- Diaperswappers

2. Favorite color- Purple!

3. Facebook?  Nope...not into it

4. Favorite Christmas song?  meh, I don't really have one

5. Christmas tree: Real or fake?  Fake, I can't stand cleaning up after the needles & my brother is allergic

6. Hottest celebrity?  Johnny Depp

7. Favorite restaurant?  Texas Roadhouse

8. Favorite magazine? Parenting

9. Favorite thing to drink around the holidays?  hot chocolate

10. Favorite Christmas movie.  Miracle on 34th Street & Polar Express

To join in on Friend Makin' Monday hop over and visit Amber at {ae}Filkins!