The Secret

I have found the secret to weight loss... There is NO secret! Eat veggies, protein, and grains, and exercise with both cardio and weights, and STOP worrying about it! I truly did not know that losing "baby weight" would be so difficult. And it was worse because I was constantly focusing on the weight I hadn't lost, instead of being excited that I am a hot momma with a beautiful, healthy baby girl, and that if I keep working out and actually, truly, following the word of wisdom it would come off, and it is! Yay! Since I changed my thinking I've lost 7lbs and 1% body fat. To me that's progress. Of course I haven't done it by myself. I got a trainer at Gold's Gym, and it has been the best thing I've done for myself and my health. I'm a huge supporter of getting a personal trainer if only for 2x a month (what I could afford). I'm getting the most out of my workouts, and free weights no longer intimidate me! So hoorah for stretch marks, baby fat and proving that you can get your body back!

Thoughts

Why are there so many different flavors of ice cream?!? I may be in the mood for cookies and cream tonight, but then strawberry the next....I settled on Moose Tracks. Haven't had it in a while. Also, not sure how I feel about Taylor Swift's new song "Today is a Fairytale"

Giraffes and Coughs

I worked so hard to make this little giraffe (instructions found here) for Ava Kate thinking that she would love the ribbons (she likes to suck on) and the soft minky fabric. Plus let's be honest it's cute! But for some reason why is it that babies like to play with the most common household items, such as the potato/in-our-case-banana masher, so much more than the toys that we think would be much more fun.Perhaps deep down they already know that we're throwing money down for diapers, food, clothes, did I mention diapers so they're just trying to help us be more frugal. Ah well, not complaining really, but the irony is funny. An update on the sleeping issue, which I'm sure everyone was on their seats waiting to see how it's going for us, well we were doing really well...until the "common cold" decided to visit our house. Poor baby has had a runny nose, watery eyes, and coughs for almost a week now. She's such a trooper though and it hasn't been so bad, except that I had it too, and unfortunately there's nobody to take care of mom when she's sick. So many things you learn later in life that I wish I would've done, like take care of my own mom when she was sick! Sorry mom!

Bronson

One of my friends linked the story of little Bronson to her blog and I think that everybody should have the chance to read it. You can find it here and start from February 1, 2010 post. You can find it at the top of the page after clicking "older posts" and then read to the present. This little boy is proof that miracles still occur today, and that God does hear and answer the prayers of his children. I'm so grateful for the strength and testimony of this boy's mommy, and the reminder to remember what's most important in life. I love my own baby girl, and I love being Mom. Please pray for this family and for mommies everywhere.

Heaven

The closest to heaven on earth is holding your sleeping baby girl with her head against your chest, sucking on her favorite pink binky, rocking her back and forth in the squeaky old rocking chair. With Primary songs playing softly in the background and the lights still turned low because the Sun isn't quite out yet. All while in the midst of the casualties on the battlefield of the morning routine: bottles, towel, diapers, burp rags, toys and pajamas lying on the floor waiting to be picked up and put away. Well they can wait a little longer because I'm holding my angel.

LaUndRY!

I'm not quite sure anybody has ever been so excited to do laundry as I am right now! We were finally able to get a washer and dryer that will reside in our very own laundry closet. We've been so lucky to have my parent's laundromat open to us 24/7 for the past 3 years, but c'mon who isn't excited about their own set? Now we don't have to spend hours upon hours hogging up the machine from Van on Sunday, and we don't have to make sure we have quarters like at Alta Pines. Hip Hip Hooray!

one of Bama's newest fans!

I know it was a while ago, but there still has to be mention of the BCS Championship Game. Yay BAMA! We watched the game with our twilight, Real, and now Bama friends, the Hortons. Ava Kate had so much fun, but we're pretty sure it was because of Alex. So far, all of our teams have been champions in their respective sports. First Real Salt Lake MLS Champs, then Alabama Crimson Tide BCS National Champs, now we're waiting for Bingham High Basketball 5a State Champs. Good luck Shad! We love you!