Saturday, September 28, 2013

Rowan’s first “interview” – age 3

I saw this idea on Pinterest awhile back. Every year starting at age 3, you ask them the same list of 20 questions and see what their different responses are. I’ve also seen some of you (friends, who also blog) do them on your own blogs. Love this idea! I had to ask half of them this morning, and half this evening.

1. What is your favorite color? Orange (later, I asked him again just for fun and he said blue and yellow…)

2. What is your favorite toy? Helicopter! (no surprise there!)

3. What is your favorite fruit? Carrots…strawberries! (??!)

4. What is your favorite show? Jake & The Neverland Pirates

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Bagel

6. What is your favorite outfit? Spiderman shirt

7. What is your favorite game? Fire engine puzzles

8. What is your favorite snack? Carrots, and “bar” (kids cliff bars)

9. What is your favorite animal? Bear

10. What is your favorite song? Deep and Wide (SO cute when he sings this)

11. What is your favorite book? No Dogs Allowed and Bible stories

12. Who is your best friend? Spiderman. and Brighton.

13. What is your favorite dinner? Broccoli

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Roll in the grass and play in the mud.

15. What is your favorite drink? Milk

16. Where is your favorite place to go? Library

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Tiger. (we then told him, he doesn’t even have a tiger??!) He said it’s Daddy instead. Daddy does lay with him until he falls asleep every night, lol.

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Bagel

19. What do you want on your birthday? Jake & the Neverland Pirates stuff. (He got it!)

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Ironworker (just like daddy!)

It’ll be fun to see how his answers change through the years!

Rowan is 3!!!!

I really can’t believe it. I don’t know what it is about 3, but it just seems so old. I will never ever forget looking at him the for the first time, in disbelief that he was really here, and really mine. I still stare at him a lot, and think the same thing, even though he’s not so little anymore.

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A lot of people talk about the “terrible twos.” I honestly loved Rowan being 2. His vocabulary has exploded more and more and he really didn’t throw too many fits. Trust me, I have my fair share of challenges (sleep, being a big one) but overall it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve seen so many changes in Rowan over the last couple of months. He has really mellowed out a lot. I feel like 3 months ago, he was the kid running laps around the library during story time, and I couldn't’ imagine taking him to Starbucks without having to chase after him, telling him to put stuff down. Now all of a sudden he’s really thoughtful, likes to sit at the table for almost an HOUR working on a puzzle, loves to help me cook or bake, and can even push the little cart around Trader Joe’s without trying to mow someone over. It’s so weird!

During Rowan’s 3 year old check up, the doc was asking him some questions. She asked him if he was a boy or girl (and the same about myself, and Isla). He answered correctly, and then she asked about Russ. He got really quiet…put his finger on his chin and said.. “What’s that word again…hmmm…Daddy’s a MAN!” It made us laugh. He is 39.2 inches (90th %) and 33 lbs 4 oz (50-75%). He is estimated to be 6’3” by 18. Healthy and doing great, thankfully!

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Last night, Russ and I stayed up late decorating the house and wrapping presents. I felt so excited anticipating his reaction in the morning. He especially loved the streamers and balloons hanging down from his doorway.

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We started his birthday morning out with our second annual tradition of heading to Starbucks for a hot cocoa and birthday cake pop. I sort of envision myself taking him when he’s a teenager before school. Hope he wants to! ha. We came back from Starbucks and Rowan opened his presents from just our family. His reaction was just so cute and sweet. He kept saying, “WOW!!!” and ripping off the paper, thanking us.

20130928_081308 20130928_082600 20130928_083403 20130928_083438Excavator from bestefar! My dad gave us some money, so we bought this digger we knew he wanted and wrapped it up. He was so excited!DSC_0062-001

DSC_0060DSC_0072Closing his eyes waiting for the big surprised from Mommy and Daddy!

DSC_0078DSC_0079Batcave!!!DSC_0080DSC_0083

I always said I would do a big party for each kid’s 1st birthday, and then wait until they are older for more parties. Last year we went to the zoo and just had a fun family day. There was no way I was getting away with that this year though! Rowan has been talking about his party for months…”and all my friends are gonna be there… and we’re gonna have cupcakes…etc..” So we took a gamble and planned a party at the park. Of course two days ago it was super sunny but today, the day of his actual birthday and party, it’s as stormy as could be. We had to pack our little place full. I was a little stressed at first, and running around like crazy trying to get everything ready, but it actually worked out great! All the kids played, we ate pizza, and cupcakes, and it was just casual and fun. Rowan had the best time, which matters the most to me. Everyone got such thoughtful gifts. Jake the pirate, duplos, and batman stuff… a little boy’s dream. :)

    DSC_0097I made these cupcakes using spiderman liners but they didn’t show up as well as I hoped. This was also my first attempt trying to make “fancy” frosting. I thought they turned out pretty good!DSC_0100    014-001 012011-001 013-001  019-001 020    DSC_0102DSC_0094 DSC_0095     DSC_0103 DSC_0105 DSC_0109024-001 026-001 DSC_0118 DSC_0140031-001 DSC_0142 DSC_0152  Rowan started asking when everyone was going to go home. I think he was pretty exhausted. He also wanted to play with his new duplo sets, and we told him he had to wait until everyone went home, so we didn't lose the pieces! :)DSC_0165 DSC_0166 DSC_0172  DSC_0174 DSC_0173

I know everyone says it, and I definitely have before…but being a mom has brought me more joy than I ever thought possible. Rowan is our crazy, smart, silly, athletic, and lovable little guy and a I am so blessed to be his mom.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Pumpkin Girl!

Right after I posted the last zulily photos, I got an email to bring Isla in for their Boo-tiful event. It went MUCH better this time. She didnt’ cry one bit and was smiling and laughing up a storm. It did take 1 1/2 hours to capture the photo they used, though. Mostly because she kept trying to walk off the set. It was also with another little baby boy who was crawling and it was so hard to get BOTH of them to look at the camera, show their outfits, and to stay put w/out ruining the display. Pretty funny, and fun morning.

This is the photo they ended up using on the site. Isla was trying to chase after a ball.53866_Bootiful Baby_0904_ED_202 53866_Bootiful Baby_0904_ED_237 53866_Bootiful Baby_0904_ED_240 - Copy 53866_Bootiful Baby_0904_ED_240 53866_Bootiful Baby_0904_ED_316  53866_Bootiful Baby_0904_ED_376

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

A tough post to write

I’ve been debating even writing this post (Mostly because of my pride), but I’m going to. I mean I guess this blog has turned into a bit of a journal for me, and if that’s the case, I better write this too! :)

Before getting married I was in the best shape of my life. I was running 3-6 miles, 5 days a week and spending an hour every other day lifting weights. I continued working out all through my pregnancy with Rowan, and although my body was definitely different, I bounced back pretty quick. My pregnancy with Isla was much harder. I ended up with pubic symphasis disfunction which is basically a really painful condition where your pubic bone separates, and it meant that chasing Rowan was the only real exercise I could accomplish (and I could barely do that). I was also really sick wit Isla. Not trying to make more excuses but basically I gained more weight. After having her I struggled dropping the lbs. I always heard that its harder after baby #2 but it was SO depressing. I was pushing the double BOB up the huge hill by my house, several times a week and my body was just stuck. I’ve always considered myself a healthy eater as well. Lots of organic veggies, fruit, and lean protein. I almost cringe while writing this but I didnt want to weigh myself, and finally figured out that from the time of my post partem appointment, until Isla was about 9 months, I hadn’t lost a pound. SO frustrating.

My friend Kelly had been doing advocare for awhile and had been asking me for months if I was interested in checking out the products. Let me first say.. I am not, and will never be a rep. This post has nothing to do with that, period. I am also still breastfeeding and have been a little nervous about doing anything extra. I finally decided that maybe I should just buy a starter packet (for breastfeeding moms) and that spending the $ would really keep me accountable. I was basically only able to take the energy drink (vitamins and the amount of caffeine in coffee- I only had one per day), the fiber drink, probiotics, and fish oil… so nothing crazy.

It’s been just a little over 3 months and I’ve lost 33 lbs!!! FINALLY back to myself. I’m usually super private about this stuff but wanted to share. The only advocare products I continued after the first month has been the energy drink but its honestly clean eating that made the transformation. No sugar, flour, alcohol, processed foods. It has been SO hard. but SO worth it. Ive watched my family and friends eat ice cream, and bbq food all summer long.

I’m not planning on ever going back. EVER. That’s the thing though. It’s not a diet, right? It’s a lifestyle. I feel so great and have had so much more energy. I have to say though.. because it’s a lifestyle and I’ve reached my goal, I will relax from time to time, like I did on my birthday, or our anniversary. I will have a drink with a friend or a bite of a cupcake but overall I stick to fairly strict eating habits. I eat a lot of the same things and I’m’ actually starting to enjoy it more. I’ve always been a total rule follower as well, so using food scales and measuring cups, works great for me. Russ has been great and will pretty much eat anything in front of him.

I’d like to lost 10 more lbs but I’m not in a huge rush. Isla just turned 1. I had two babies in 22 months, and Im’ still breastfeeding. I know I need to give myself some grace and I also know it’s not always about a # on the scale, but it sure does feel good to wear my skinny jeans again . :) So glad I decided to get serious though. It’’s been fun buying new clothes!

I took some before and after photos , so I could see the transformation..but it is VERY hard for me to post the before…

Below on left is before, and on right is after.

Downloads2   This is also after (well a month ago..so i’m about 5 lbs down from here) to show a better side view. 2013-08-30 10.27.14

There it is! ALL out there! :) I’m just taking it one day at a time! Thanks for reading!

I’m 29!

Crazy to think I’m almost 30 but here’s to the last year in my twenties!

Started the day out at church and then dropped the kids off with my mom and Brian so we could go out to lunch. We headed out to The Landing and decided on Terarros. (sp?) Since I’ve been into pretty much only clean eating now for 3 months (more on that later!) I decided to just eat and drink what I wanted. We split the fajitas and they were BOMB. We also got margaritas that were super strong, and delish. The guy who was our server used to work at the location by Russ’ old townhouse and remembered us from when we came in on Sunday nights when we were dating. It was kind of funny and he was really great. Said he put 2 2/1 shots in my drink. I tried to tell him to take it easy (especially since I’m still nursing) and I swear I felt tipsy before it even looked like I drank a drop! I was super full after our lunch and of course he had to bring out a special birthday dessert. I took about two bites and couldn’t have any more! So fun to have the time to just hang out, Russ and I. We have decided that we definitely need to do it at least once a month. Bring back date night!!

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My mom took the rest of the photos. Thanks Mom! Here’s Brian entertaining the kids while we were out. Flying the remote control helicopter. Rowan laughed so hard he peed his pants! :)011 My mom made a really delicious peach cobbler with fresh whipped cream. 014 018 019 023 025 032 033 Trying to get a family photo.037 044 045