Weekend Recap / AdvoCare update

What a fun-filled weekend! I wanted to recap the weekend and also give a little update/share information on my 24 day challenge that started on Friday instead of Saturday since my products showed up earlier than expected J

Friday I started my regimen at work. I had

-a spark energy drink,

-fiber drink (better than I expected – still kind of unpleasant),

-hard-boiled eggs and mixed fruit,

-leftovers from Thursday night dinner when I made this,

- nuts and berries snack from my lunch trip to Trader Joe’s,

-another spark energy drink,

-lots and lots and lots of water (80 plus ounces)

-for dinner: brown rice and Grilled Eggplant & Zucchini Melange frozen thingy from TJ’s,

-OmegaPlex packet,

-Herbal cleanse packets,

-and again lots of water.

Bailey and I went for a 3 mile walk that turned into a jogging sprint once Chris called to tell me that 24 was a repeat on TV (we failed to record the first episode last Monday night).

Saturday I woke up feeling good. Chris had left around 5:30AM to go to a job, so it was just Bailey and I. She woke up around 7, so we got up and played and got ourselves ready for the day.

I had my spark energy drink,

-fiber drink,

-banana/strawberry/almond milk/protein smoothie,

-brown rice cake with almond butter,

-leftovers from Thursday (again),

-another spark energy drink,

-OmegaPlex packet

-leftovers from Friday’s dinner,

-TJ’s cheddar popcorn (small portion)

-Herbal cleanse packets,

-and again lots of water throughout the day (roughly 100 oz total)

My day consisted of cleaning around the house, doing 4 loads of laundry, going through my closet and organizing every.single.drawer, gathering items for the garage sale we’re having this week, running to the grocery store, Home Depot and Costco and entertaining a toddler. Chris and I also watched the first half of the 24 episode – so, so good! We used to binge on this show before it went off air.

Sunday morning started out around 7 again. I got up and made some fresh egg muffins to have for breakfast and for the workweek. Around 8, Bailey woke up so I ran up and grabbed her out of the crib. Being Mother’s Day, I wanted to snuggle my little peanut as much as possible (not much different than any other day). Bailey gifted me beautiful flowers, a certificate for a 1 hour massage with someone my husband swears by (I’ve never been), and a loving card. So sweet of Bailey J

I had my spark energy drink,

-fiber drink,

-egg muffin (egg whites, peppers, spinach and basil/tomato feta),

-leftovers from Thursday (again),

-a slam energy drink,

-OmegaPlex packet

-buffalo chicken lettuce wraps,

-Herbal cleanse packets,

-and lots of water throughout the day (roughly 100 oz total)

Before leaving for my parents’ house, I asked Chris to take some pics of Bailey and I in our backyard. We are fortunate enough to have a huge open field behind our house, so it makes for a good backdrop for pictures.

Afterwards, we went to my parents’ house and hung out with them. It was really fun watching my mom and Bailey playing and running around outside. Chris and my dad meandered around the cul-de-sac my parents live in. My dad is the “president” of their association (of about 10 townhomes) and has some landscape work for Chris to do up there. We were up there for about 2 hours and then headed home. When we got home, Bailey had some lunch and then went down for a nap.

 

While Bailey was napping – I got 2 crockpot meals started (buffalo chicken for wraps and Thai peanut chicken for lunches), did 2 more loads of laundry, husband mowed the lawn, I worked on a DIY craft for Millie’s birthday (pretty excited about it!), then I had my slam energy drink (first time trying it, I got it for signing up to be a distributor – energy overload!) and left to go on a jog. I had my first solo run of the spring - another Mother’s Day gift, in my book. My jog was not pretty, easy or fast. For starters – my equipment was lacking. I had headphones, but only 1 ear worked. I had an armband, but it’s for my old phone so half of my phone was hanging out. And last but not least, I am completely out of shape – woof! I went just over 4 miles. I did a pretty good job of tackling the dreaded hill on the way home – I even passed a guy that was walking! Needless to say, there is a huge amount of room for improvement.

When I got home, Bailey was awake. We got dinner ready and enjoyed our wraps on the deck – perfection! After dinner, I cleaned up the kitchen and got lunch/dinners ready for the week. Then I put pigtails in Bailey’s hair and decided we should go in the backyard to let her run around while mom took adorable pictures of the little peanut. Last weekend, I broke out the DSLR camera and I’m not looking back with regrets. The quality is so much better than my iPhone. I rarely do any editing – the pictures speak for themselves. Note to self: use the DSLR – it’s worth the extra baggage!

  

This weekend was a great weekend. I am feeling really good and energized - something I’ve missed tremendously! I feel like I have fewer cravings now. I used to think every meal deserved a dessert afterwards. It’s not completely gone. I do still think “I need something sweet” and then 2 seconds later I realize that I don’t and I’m actually full. I used to snack on chips or crackers in the evenings, but I really have little or no urge for snacking anymore. I have my dinner when I get home and don’t feel hungry afterwards. I used to hate having repeat meals (the same foods for lunch/dinner every day). I’ve been making bulk meals for the last week and I’m not hating it, but instead loving that I have meals ready to go so I’m not starving and make bad impulse snacking decisions.

I haven’t stepped on the scale since I started...I can’t decide if and when I want to during this challenge. I don’t want to get discouraged if “the number” hasn’t changed or god forbid, it’s gone up. I will have some pretty big challenges coming up. We’re already slated for dinner at Millie’s on Wednesday for her birthday/Mother’s Day. I’m going to have to pass on pizza and cupcakes L Memorial Day weekend will also be difficult – cabin food generally is not health food. It will take a LOT of will power to get through that weekend. I also usually have my fair share of drinks while up there – I don’t plan on indulging. I hope this will show me that I can have a good time without unhealthy food and drinks galore. I already realize this, but sometimes it’s just easier to grab a handful of chips or candy and a beer or glass of wine!

Just some tips that I’ve picked up so far: split everything out and make individual Ziploc baggies for each day. This is so helpful!! I just grab my baggie for the day and use my AdvoCare 24 day challenge app to track my food, water and products that I’m using. I’ve made a handful or recipes from this site they’ve all been pretty good. Take pictures of yourself before, weigh and measure yourself. This is part of the app, but I’ve read people regret not measuring themselves before. It’s not all about the scale! Have an assortment of healthy snacks (nuts, dry fruits, fresh veggies and fruit, popcorn (no butter, low sodium), rice cakes, nut butter) to grab on the go.

Anyways, sorry for the long-winded recap! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! And thanks to the people that commented on my original post – I really appreciate any and all of the support I get

6 months

Here's what Bailey Rose got up to this month:

You started off the month a little rough and mommy got a call at work that you were puking at daycare. Nothing a little mommy TLC couldn't resolve. Not gonna lie,  pretty happy that you didn't continue puking while with me :) PS for you new mommies, you're not supposed to give babies formula if they are pukey sick (it dehydrates them) - go with pedialyte (or call your doctor). We went with slightly watered down pedialyte and she was fine. 

You don't really look too sick here, but I could tell you weren't your normal Bailey self

Your cousins Claire and Max LOVE to give you lots of kisses!

You celebrated cousin Claire's 4th birthday! I can't believe she's already 4, seems like just yesterday we got the amazingly great news that she was going to be joining our lives!

Claire is the one in the pink (she has a lot of help from her friends/cousins)

 Your new thing is to sneak your little hands out of the swaddle and sleep with them behind your head, I think this is so adorable!

 We helped Nana and Grandpa Brad at the flip house. You were so helpful! 

You also love the new bouncy toy we got you! You have the exact same one at daycare :)

 Daddy, Mommy and you went out to dinner at Old Chicago and we were SO happy to see they have brought back the nachos that they took off the menu in December. Probably the best news ever!

Cheers for Nachos!

 You drew mommy and daddy some pics on the iPad - you're so talented!

Hi mama, I'm so BIG

 I tried to get you to crawl to my nacho plate, just cuz that would be really cool but we're not quite crawling yet. So, so close!

 You are so silly sometimes when we put you down for a nap. You were staring up at us smiling and giggling here and we didn't want you to go to sleep

 We went on quite a few walks this month. The weather is finally getting much nicer. I love jogging and walking with you!

 You had your 6 month check-up on May 9. You look a little concerned about what the scale would say, but you're still a little peanut :)

 Nana loves to spend time with you and snuggle with you. You take some pretty cute pics together!

 I put you in your big girl chair that mommy recovered from the trash last summer. It's still not completely finished, but you look pretty cute (and grown up!) in it

 I got to celebrate my first Mother's Day with you. It was such a wonderful day and definitely puts a whole new meaning to the day

 You got to visit Nana and Grandpa Brad's baby geese. You weren't quite sure what to think...don't worry, you're not the only one ;)

You celebrated your Nana's 5- birthday this month!

That's cousin Max and Nana with her yummy cake! Photo courtesy of s-i-l Whit :)

Other things to note

Height: 26"

Weight: 15lbs

Head: 17"
Places you've been: Still no zoo (worst parents ever!), a few garage sales, a trip to the mall without a stroller (that was interesting)
Doctor's Appointments: 6 month appt was on May 9. You did sooo good. You got 4 shots and only cried for about a minute.
Daycare: They love you there! We got some pretty bad news this month. Our daycare lady is moving at the end of May. It's a great step for her and her family, but really stinks for the daycare situation. We are going to continue to bring you to her new place in Elko (25 min from our house). We're planning to do this until the winter as long as it works for everyone. She felt so bad when she told us and didn't expect us to bring you down there, but we want you to be in her care, so we'll make it work-somehow!
Sleeping: you've slept in your crib every single night. I can't believe how well this transition went for you. You're amazing! Sometimes we even have to wake you up in the morning!
Eating: 6oz every 3-4 hours. You've still been getting rice cereal about once/day. We took a break after you got sick this month. You also started some bananas this month and you seem to like them so far!
Clothing: Mostly wearing 3 and 3-6 month clothes

Diapers: You are wearing size 2 diapers when you wear regular diapers and cloth is still going great!

Things you like: watching your puppies (you think they're hilarious), Kirby gets excited to get you up in the morning, the song "I got you"(I feel good) by James Brown - it's our go-to if you're upset (rare), swinging, splashing in the pool, watching the kids at daycare blow bubbles, your exersaucer/bouncer toy, getting attention from strangers (makes you a little shy, but you always smile), your hands are amazing to you - you just stare at them, you are so much more interactive with us - you know your name, you are more mobile and you like to grab at things/chew on things

Mommy likes: you love it when mommy sings, dances and talks, when you see mommy pick you up at daycare - you get so excited
Daddy likes: still loving when daddy comes home from work or when we call him. Most of the time you try to eat/kiss the phone and end up hanging up on him. 

Bailey Bear (from Daddy this month)~

You are the most amazing little sweetheart we could ever ask for!  The love/joy/fun/excitement you have brought to our lives is beyond our greatest expectations!  You have the sweetest personality and are a genuinely happy little girl, and for that we are so thankful.  You are such an easy baby to care for - you rarely cry, you are always smiling and you sleep so well.  We can tell your little heart is happy and at peace.  You are growing up so quickly and we never imagined watching you change could be so fun and impact us like it has!  Thank you for being the biggest blessing of our lives.  We love you Bailey Rose!  Love, Daddy

You've grown into such a beautiful, happy baby!

I'd like to note that while I wrote the majority of this post over a week ago, it was very difficult to finish it last night knowing that there are so many families who lost their kids/babies yesterday. I'm so sorry for the people in Moore, OK for the terrible storm that passed through yesterday. Hearing the news playing last night was torture to think what it would be like to be in their shoes. Praying for the families that were affected!!

Mother's Day Recap

Here's a short little recap of my First Mother's Day (with lots of pics!)

Little Miss Bailey decided she wanted to spend a lot of time with me yesterday (how sweet!) so she woke up at 7am, opposed to her usual 8/9am. I was awake anyways, so not a big deal.

Chris got her out of the crib and we did family time in the bed where we sit and stare at her, try to make her laugh and smile (easy task) and Chris plays a few videos of her on his phone so she can watch and giggle at herself. After doing this for about 20 minutes, Chris went downstairs and got a bottle ready for her and said that I could either stay in bed and come down in 25 minutes or I could feed Bailey in her nursery, but couldn't come downstairs! I chose to feed Bailey so that I could cuddle with my sweet little girl. We went to her nursery, she ate and then we read the book "Mothers and Daughters". Shortly after that we got the word that we could come downstairs.

CT had whipped up a delicious breakfast for me (I took a picture and then decided that it looked super unhealthy and decided not to post it). It was so good (and unhealthy)! I had flowers on the table, a card, a white box and a cooler all waiting for me! So loved!



Not impressed with flowers, I guess

Chris had to go in to work for a few hours. So Bailey and I went for a jog/walk, did laundry and some light cleaning around the house. 

Sooo helpful with her laundry!

Later that afternoon, we headed over to Millie's house to drop off her present and see the baby geese that had hatched. I joked to Chris that we were going to see Gosling as in Ryan Gosling and that was my Mother's Day present...he wasn't too impressed ;)

Bailey with one of the babies - not too sure what to think!



Me and Bailey at Nana's house



Bailey and her Nana

Then we got home and Chris got ready to go out to dinner. We went to Teresa's Mexican restaurant in Prior Lake. We used to go to the one in Lakeville all the time when we lived there and now one just opened up down the street from us! Sooooo yummy! I decided to treat myself to large mango margarita. Well, actually we shared - I'm not that mom...most of the time :)

I don't know what my deal was, I couldn't get a normal smile - this is 1 of about 10 crappy pics!

Then, I took a pic of Bailey and Chris. She has been blowing some raspberries lately and wouldn't stop for this pic. I can't look at this pic without laughing. She's a goofball...can't imagine where she gets that from!



silly girl

When we got home, I asked Chris to take some pics of me and Bailey. She's is just so darn precious - I love her to pieces. I now have these streaming on my desktop background at work.

CT didn't want to have his pic taken, Bailey did!



Big girl standing with mommy!


 We capped off the weekend/night by watching The Voice (Bailey's favorite!). For some reason, we're both just not into it as much this season - anyone else? Bailey is so close to sitting on her own! She can for a short period of time. It's just so unbelievable to me how much she has grown and developed in the past month!

Adam Levine - you're so dreamy!

A little disclaimer on Bailey's outfit...I was looking for an outfit for her to wear yesterday morning. I got the dress in a box of hand-me-downs from a friend of mine and honestly thought she would never wear it. I'm not normally a pink and zebra print kind of girl (no offense if you are, just not my thing) but saw it and saw that it said I Love Mom...Mother's Day seemed like the perfect opportunity! The leggings are knee-high socks from Target that I cut the feet off of (poor lady's baby legs) and she had the hair bow from before. I think she looked ridiculously cute and some day in the future she will probably hate me for it!

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

My First Mother's Day

We've celebrated Mother's Day before with our fur babies and last year we kind of celebrated the sweet little girl growing in my belly (Chris got me some pretty flowers). Last year's Mother's Day was  amazing. We finally got to tell the rest of our family and announce it to the world via Facebook that we were pregnant.

us with Millie - Mother's Day 2012

This year, I'm so thankful to have the sweetest little baby girl to hold and cuddle. Truly unbelievable how much pure joy I feel for her. She melts my heart, brings tears to my eyes and makes my heart skip a beat when I see her...and then she smiles or giggles and I lose it because I just can wrap my head around how gosh darn much I love her!

Bailey Rose - May 11, 2013

We don't have much planned tomorrow. Chris is working for a few hours during the day, I might swing by Millie's house to check out the new baby geese that have hatched and then Chris has something planned for tomorrow night. I don't care what I do tomorrow, as long as I get to be with my little peanut because she means the world to me!

I hope you moms, grandmas, moms-to-be, moms praying for a child have an amazing day tomorrow! 

Cookie Flower Bouquet

As part of my Mother's Day present to my mom and mother-in-law, I made cookie flower bouquets. This was my first time making them and I think they turned out pretty great! If you are related to me or friends with me, you may receive one of these in the future...just a warning!

I made the cookie dough with that HUGE bag of sugar cookie mix in the back ($.79 at Costco a month ago, unbelievable!). Roll the dough out and cut with cookie cutter. Put a stick (found at Michael's) in the bottom and I had to patch the back with extra dough.

I made the cookie glaze by following a recipe I found in a clipping for coupons, added some food coloring and sprinkles. I found the center of the flowers at Target in the bulk candy section. Some sort of sugar coated lemon gummy candy.

I frosted the cookies, sprinkled them and pushed the candy in the middle. I had to let them sit out overnight for the frosting to dry. The next morning I used plastic wrap to wrap them up and used some ribbon I found at Michaels to tie little bows at the bottom. FYI, I really suck at tying little bows!

I got these cute little flower pots at Michaels and stuffed them with floral foam.

Here is the finished product! The green grass is some shredded paper that is used for a gift bag or basket.

By no means am I claiming to be good at this! I know some of you that may read this are awesome bakers, and I am at best a novice. Just having some fun in the kitchen!

We had a good weekend and enjoyed hanging out with our Mothers. Now back to the grind at work :(