Accountability

So it has been a long time since I have posted a blog regarding my weight loss that is much needed. I thought it was hard after having one kid, but it is even harder once the second one. I am down to my pre pregnancy weight, but I still want to drop more pounds, my first goal is 15 pounds to lose and right now I am like -3...I have been plateaued for quite some time now and instead of losing pounds I am losing inches which is good, I guess.
As a result of not really dropping pounds I have been feeling pretty down in the dumps, but I know that in time it will slowly but surely come off. It's been nice being back at the YMCA and I have been working out 3-4 times a week doing both Cardio and Weight Lifting and this steady routine has been going on for 2 weeks now, so I am hoping within the next couple weeks I will notice more changes in my weight loss. I am also keeping track of what I eat throughout the day (which really helps me not snack as much).
What I am asking for is prayer because I have always struggled a lot with self-image and so if you could just pray for that I would greatly appreciate it!

5 months already, time sure does fly!

Today our little boy is 5 months old! I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. He celebrated by turning over for the first time, although that was not his favorite thing to do...he finally did it!

Titus is such a joy in our lives and is such a happy baby. Even though right now he is stuffy nosed, coughing, and just not feeling well...he still smiles with those adorable dimples and laughs uncontrollably! He's already learning to choose joy even when he's not feeling the greatest.

What he is now doing:

*Rolling over

*Eating cereal - rice cereal and oatmeal

*Playing in his exersaucer

*Sucking on his toes (he's so flexible)

*Smiling and Laughing (as I said before)

*Babbling, non-stop...too cute

He still isn't sleeping through the night, and both mommy and daddy are praying that happens soon, but in the meantime I just wanted everyone to see how much Titus has grown and what he is doing now. Enjoy!

Happy Father's Day!

For Father's Day weekend we went to visit my parents in Hutchinson. Every year on Father's Day weekend is there big Water Carnival celebration with a bunch of events during the week and the parade on Sunday and fireworks to end the celebration. The weather was beautiful and we spent lots of time with Papa and Grandma, playing outside, swinging in the hammock (Aspen loved that), going on walks, Zac and I got to enjoy working out and going to "Prince Caspian", Aspen met a new friend at the parade, we all got sunburned but Aspen, and just simply enjoyed being together! Here are some pictures from our great weekend together!

We're going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo, how about you!

We went to the zoo last weekend to see the new Grizzly Coast exhibit and it was a blast! We had such a great time and the weather was perfect. Aspen could not get enough of running around, playing in the sand pit, and enjoying all the animals. She cannot wait to go back and see the animals again, and again, and again! Here are some photos from our fun day!

He never does this for me!

Zac and I have a setup where during the week I get up in the middle of the night for Titus and then on the weekends, Zac helps me out. Last night was his turn and how did Titus sleep? He slept very well. He went to sleep at about 9:30 and woke up at 4:30 to eat...4:30!!!!! Wow! Then he ate and went back to sleep until 8:00...that never happens to me. For me he usually goes to bed at around 10 and wakes up at 2 and then again at 5 or 6. Not fair! However, I am glad that he did sleep well and that he almost made it through sleeping through a whole night (I guess feeding him cereal and a small bottle before bedtime helped out, or maybe it was because he didn't take his late nap...who knows...all that I know is that Zac was lucky to have him sleep so well, we'll see if he does that again tonight.

*Just a note:it's been awhile since I have posted photos...I will post them at the end of our weekened....Yea!*

Success for one week! Yea!

Aspen and I have been working hard with the whole potty training this week. It has been hard, but she has been very successful! Yea, PRAISE THE LORD! We have a potty chart and so far everyday for a whole week Aspen has gone anywhere from once to three times a day. This morning when Aspen woke up she was dry, which was surprising, so we put her on her potty during the morning cartoons and she went and was so happy! Can you tell that I am excited (hence all of the exclamation points). The true test with be this weekend when we are at my parents house, will she continue this success? I'll post about it next week.

So far, So good!

So Zac and I are on the potty training journey and it has its ups and downs. It's definitely not my favorite thing to do, but I must admit that I am looking forward to the day when we will only have to buy diapers for Titus. She has been such a trooper these past few days. She has gone once in the potty for the past few days and she is finally getting to the point of being excited when going rather than being scared. It's so great to encourage her and to see the smile on her face when she does go to the potty and to hear her say "Bye Bye" as it flushes down the toilet. It's priceless!
I have a great story of what happened today. Aspen came to me and said "Mommy, I have to go potty." I said, "Ok Aspen, let's sit on the potty." Shortly then after she did go potty and she was so excited (so was mommy)! After we put her pull up on she then asked me if I needed to go potty, I told her that I did. While I was going potty Aspen said, "Mommy, I hear the tinkle...Great job...Give me a five!" That just brought another smile to my face because that's what we say to her to help her go potty.
So we have three days in a row where Aspen has used the potty and we are aiming for seven and I really hope that we can do it! I will definitely be blogging about this more throughout the week and I just pray that Aspen can continue throughout the week!
As for me, I currently read my friend Erica's blog and am very inspired by her. Lately she has been having accountability week by week to let everyone know (and herself) how she is doing with weightloss after having a baby. After being encouraged by her blog and also having the time to workout (thanks to my wonderful husband) I finally am on track to losing more weight because for awhile I was on a very long plateau. I have lost 5 pounds in the last week and am aiming to lose 15 pounds (or more), but my goal is 15 pounds and I know that I can do it! I am definitely a lover of both cardio and strength training and also am excited to go to some classes (today I went to my first yoga class and really loved it).
All in all this past week has been really great and I am looking forward to blogging more about Aspen's potty progress and my weight loss!

Finally...here are some pictures!

Aspen and I on the swing - this was her favorite activity over Memorial Day Weekend!
See what I mean?
Titus in the Exersaucer for the first time

Zac and Aspen on Memorial Day Weekend!

Brother and Sister Love!

Zac finally comes home!

Today is a great day! Not only did Titus sleep a little bit better last night, but my husband comes home today! Myself and the two kids are eager to see him. He will be home in just a few hours and then we will enjoy a nice meal with my mom and dad before they head home.
My parents, bless there hearts, have been so generous by coming to our place to stay and help me out with the kids. They helped out tremendously with the meals, keeping both kids entertained, and we have had lots of fun. They have definitely helped keep me sain these past few days, and for that I am so thankful.
Tonight I am looking forward to a wonderful meal with my husband, kids, and my parents...then my husband and I will take part in watching our favorite show of the summer "So You Think You Can Dance"! Can't wait!
I know the I promised some pictures, but I need to download more. Hopefully I will be able to do that for sure by the end of the week. In the meantime I am really enjoying in making my blog more exciting! Any tips on that would be great!

I gave in!

For awhile now many of you have told me that I should start a blog, well I finally gave in! I can't guarantee that my blogs will be very interesting, but I will sure try. At least this way I can post my pictures daily rather than send out mass e-mails all the time (even though I will do that from time to time).
Right now as I sit here and blog my parents are trying to entertain Titus so that he will not fuss, he has been fussy since yesterday. Why? Well yesterday he had his 4 month check up and so you know what that means...he got his shots. Not fun at all! However I am very thankful for Infant Motrin because that has helped out a lot. As for his 4 month check up stats...he is 15lbs 4oz...25 1/2 inches long...and his head is 17 inches (he's always had a big head). Right now is height and weight is in the 5oth percentile and his head is in the 75th percentile. So he is doing very well. We tried feeding him rice cereal from a spoon and he absolutely HATES it! For now he is just getting it in a bottle (we give him a rice cereal/formula bottle before he goes to bed...and yes, it's with the "Y" nipple). He still hasn't rolled over, but he is getting very close. Right now he is just enjoying getting used to his exersaucer while laughing and giggling. He is such a happy boy.
Aspen, I can't believe it, she will be 3 years old next month and cannot stop talking about her Dora party. She is getting to be such a young lady and learning so much. She definitely is a 3 year old, especially in the area of listening, but we are working on that. Is she potty trained? Not even close...so if anyone has any tips for me...PLEASE HELP ME OUT! I will try anything. She is such a joy though and makes us always laugh and smile. She loves to sing whether it is a song she knows, or one that she has created on her own. Outside is definitely for her, she loves to play outside...especially with her boyfriend next door (his name is Vincent and he is 2 1/2 years old). Too cute!
Zac and I are doing well...just keeping busy with both kids. While at the end of the day we are tired and want to go to bed, we also enjoy when both kids finally go to sleep so that we can enjoy the peace and quiet and enjoy time with each other.
So as I end this first blog entry I just wanted to send everyone an update on how things were going in our life. I will post some pictures hopefully tomorrow and I look forward to posting more blogs in the future!
I have entered the blog world and I think I will stay for awhile!