Our Week in a Nut Shell

Big girl holding her bottle

Sleeping with Daddy

On a walk!

Poppop and Lilypie

I loveeeeee my baths mama!

Put me back in :(

Lily will ONLY sleep on her side now-a-days.

I love to swing!

Grandpa and me

My first hiking trip!

Grandma and Grandpa came (me and grandpa have the same smirk)

The Waterfall was soo cool!

Goodnight!

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Adventure Race's

Hero Rush is an obstacle race and experience created my firefighters. It's similar to a mud race but instead... water! There is a lot of climbing, water and fun to be had! (Plus food drink and entertainment).

We are just starting to get into obstacle/adventure races but they speak for themselves. You must be tough, strong and motivated to finish them! Have you ever done an obstacle race? We are also doing the tough mudder this year! Join us? Pin It Now!

A Night Out On The Town

Having a five month old, I don't get out that often. So for the first time since we had Lily, I went out without a baby attached to my hip. First my sister and I went to a Mexican Restaurant.

(A year and a month late) I had my first legal drink! (Not pictured, but my drink of choice is the lovely Cosmopolitan)

Brantley Gilbert

Eric Church

Eric Church Rockin Out

Then we went to an Eric Church and Brantley Gilbert concert. If you know me, you know I LOVE Eric Church. I have to say, it was the best concert I have ever been to. He is an amazing performer, as is Brantley Gilbert.

Sitting in front of us was a not-so-sober guy named Bryce. He made the night just a bit more fun with his constant high fives, fist bumps and serenading us. There were some crazy people there, one really young guy was wearing overalls with pride. Another wore the only orange hat in the place.

Random Orange Hat

Overalls and Proud

Bryce is on the right...

It was a good night, but I missed my Lily and Barry a ton! I don't know if you can tell, but we had awesome seats right next to the stage! What concert was your favorite? :) Pin It Now!

The definition of cute:

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A weeks worth of workouts

This week I started a new training routine with my lovely sister in law. In May my husband and I will be doing the Warrior Dash so we are preparing! The following was this weeks workouts.

Monday
Bench Press - 3x12
Bent Over Row - 3x12
DB Shoulder Press - 3x12
Lying Tricep Extension - 3x12
DB Curl - 3x12

Tuesday
Weighted Squat - 3x12
Stiff Leg Deadlift - 3x12
Weighted Standing Calf Raise - 3x12
Lying Leg Raise - 3x15
Swiss Ball Crunch - 3x15

Wednesday
Cardio - Interval training

Thursday
Tricep Dips - 3x12
Decline Push Up's - 3x12
DB Side Lateral - 3x12
Decline Tricep Push Up - 3x12
Curl - 3x12

Friday
Deadlift - 3x12
Leg Press - 3x12
Weighted Lunges - 3x12
Weighted Seated Calf Raise - 3x12
DB Shrugs - 3x12
Incline Crunch - 3x15
Back Extension - 3x15

Saturday
Cardio - Interval training

Sunday
-Off-

:) Join me in our quest for ultimate fitness? Pin It Now!

Our Week in a Nut Shell

Going to the park

Everything is food, football included!

Baby Bear(y) playing football

You want me to do what?! Ok, -rolls over-

Strong, fearless Lily

She zonked out on me while we were cooking!

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Daily Dish: Maple Salmon

I am a huge fan of fish. It's healthy, it's tasty, it's (relatively) easy to make! So the daily dish of today is maple salmon. It takes about ten minutes to prepare, marinate for a half hour and cook for 20 minutes! This was a big hit with thus husband, he actually asked me  to make it again a couple days later!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound salmon

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, garlic salt, and pepper.
2. Place salmon in a shallow glass baking dish, and coat with the maple syrup mixture. Cover the dish, and marinate salmon in the refrigerator 30 minutes, turn once.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
4. Place the baking dish in the oven, and bake salmon uncovered 20 minutes, or until easily flaked with a fork.

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Video Updates

Lily likes to talk, a lot. She has found her voice!

Lily rolled over for the first time last week, this is her practicing!

Lily also sits, sometimes.

She has gotten much more mobile in the last couple of weeks. She also will walk when you hold her hands, but we'll save that video for a rainy day. Pin It Now!

How natural is birth?

In the movies and on television shows birth is shown as an emergency, a painful traumatic event in which the mother can't handle what is going on and the doctor MUST step in and 'fix' (for lack of a better word) what is going on. If you have ever witnessed a normal birth, you know that this is absolutely ridiculous. Birth is natural. A woman's body is made to do this. As women who are strong, we need to be empowered by our birthing experience. There are many good reads out there, here are a few!

We need to 'listen to the sophisticated rhythms of the body and acknowledging that you don’t always need technological support. The body is highly sophisticated and undergoes a host of processes to bring forth a baby.' -Slow Birth

If you have not watched 'The Business of Being Born', I would recommend it. This documentary reveals many practices that are common in modern medicine which are unneeded. 

Have you ever heard 'nothing matters except a healthy baby'? This article breaks down that statement and why there is so much more to birth. Birth matters.

These statistics show the medical practices involving birth around the world vs in the US. Will you stand up for your wishes?

I had amazing midwives and nurses who supported my wishes to the tee and who helped me through our experience. Things don't always go as planned, but if we remember that birth is a natural process it will be easier to understand what is going on and get through the hardest of times. Ladies, you are strong, you can do this! Pin It Now!

Labor isn't painful

Just kidding! It kinda really is. Truth is, everything will be okay! (Refer to post on Slow Birth) You are about to do the hardest thing you will ever accomplish. Labor is hard, long and painful but afterwards, you feel accomplished and strong. You get this gorgeous baby to call your own.Okay, okay, maybe a little. The 38 weeks and 1 day I was pregnant, I eagerly awaited going into labor. I was anxious to meet my baby but scared of the pain. I think secretly, we all fear labor. We wonder, Am I going to be able to do it? Will I be able to handle the pain?

Here are a few tips that may help you get through the hours (or days) prior to meeting baby:

• Consider a doula.  Doula's are lovely support people who stick with you no matter what.
• Yes, it is painful. BUT If you put your mind to it you WILL get through it and it won’t be as bad as you think. Fear is what will mess you up. Don’t be scared, it is natural!
• Ask for hot packs. They relieve so much pain.
• Ask for cold packs so you don’t over heat.
• Try to get as much sleep before hand. It is very tiring and you need that energy when it comes time to push.
• If you have back labor counter pressure is your friend!
• If you have a midwife she will work you through everything and it will be less scary and painful.
• The birth ball is a great natural pain reliever. You can change positions and get comfortable while lessening the pain. Stay out of bed!!!!!!!
• As said above, STAY OUT OF BED! In bed the contractions are 100x worse, literally. If you keep moving, whether in the shower, on a birth ball or walking it WILL feel better and time will pass faster.
• Know that being mentally ready to push and feeling the urge to push are two different things. If you don’t feel the overwhelming urge you wont get anywhere.
• You probably will poop, I did. It really doesn’t matter at that time OR afterwards. Actually, I’m glad I did. It was much easier to go once it was all said and done since I wasn’t backed up. It surprisingly didn’t hurt at all and I think it’s because I pooped during labor. If you are scared to poop just take an enema in early labor.
• Know that when your water breaks things will get harder but you are that much closer to having a beautiful baby. 
• Breathe. Shower. Move. Humm. (Yes humm, humming helps relax your body which makes the pain lessen.) All of these things help the pain. You probably wont need pain medicine because YOU are STRONG. You can do this. 

After labor you may feel the ‘baby blues’ or post partum depression. It happens to a lot of women. You may want to consider acupuncture. This surprisingly can help. :)  Good luck ladies and remember, relax! It will be ok.

As for the family, husband, or anyone else who will be in the birthing room... this is the most amazing and wonderful experience the mama will ever have. Support her in what she wants. If she opens up and welcomes you in, you are so lucky to be there! Cherish every moment. Pin It Now!

Daily Dish; Green Chicken Enchilada

I am a big fan of Mexican food, but in my experience the delicious Mexican food from authentic restaurants are greasy. So with that thought in mind, I decided to try out a (relatively) grease-less recipe. It was very simple and delicious!

Ingredients:

• 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 12 flour tortillas
• 2, 8 ounce package shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1, 19 ounce can green enchilada sauce

Directions:

1. In a pot with enough water to cover, boil the chicken for 25 minutes
2. Drain, cool, and shred.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking dish. 
4. Fill each tortilla with equal amounts of chicken and cheese, keeping 1/2 cup cheese out for topping. Roll tortillas to form enchiladas. Arrange enchiladas in the prepared baking dish. Cover with the enchilada sauce.
5. Bake enchiladas 30 minutes in preheated oven. Top with reserved cheese, and continue baking 5 minutes, until cheese is melted. 
6. Enjoy :)

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Sweet is the memory of past troubles.

Marcus Tullius Cicero once said "Sweet is the memory of past troubles." I have found this to be of the utmost truth. I have come to the point where I look back and see so many wonderful memories then realize that I haven't enjoyed them as much as I could. Here's to reminiscing.

My old Bible Study group used to go camping every year in the Fall. All the kids would bring their bikes and we would ride over these two huge ditches for hours. It was like our own personal roller coaster, but without the safety harness. The second ditch had a tree growing at the top of the riding path. It had huge roots that would send you flying, if you hit them the wrong way.  It was so scary but so invigorating. Next time I go back, I will be taking my bike. If I fall on my face at least it's with good memories. 

Then there was my best friend, Leah. There are so many memories with this girl it is hard to pick just one. Master Hill. Master Hill was Leah's dog. Not really, that's just what we told people when they asked who it was. Really Master Hill was a boy we thought was ridiculously cute and had a crazy crush on.  We had to have a code name, or our childhood wouldn't have been complete!

Leah and I took Clogging lessons together. That's right, clogging. Every Wednesday night our group (including my young at heart mama and sister) would meet at Ms. Nancy's house and dance the night away. We did shows too! We wore these adorable, large blue skirts with bright pink petticoats underneath! Ms. Nancy was brilliant and always kept everything together. Once my mom even got featured in a news article. She was kicking and her leg was above her head. Every year my sister and I would enter the county fair talent show. We actually won a couple times. Once, dancing to Mama Mia by Abba. 

My dad used to 'kidnap' us on Sunday's and make us take these long boring rides as a family. My sister and I always hated it so much. It felt like he was forcing us to give up our child hood. In reality, they were only about a half hour long and were supposed to be nice. My sister and I would always complain and end up being punished with silence.

 
Olivia and Caitlin used to have the best sleep overs. We could stay up until whenever we wanted and we always played practical jokes on each other. At Caitlin's house we would stay on the trampoline eating unlimited amounts of candy from the candy drawer and playing truth or dare. Once, they were chasing me around the house trying to tickle me, but I had to go to the bathroom so bad that when they caught me, I wet myself. I'll refrain from telling the many other 'pee' stories as to save their reputation. Two memories for them though, "McDonalds" and "Hose". 

Then I got  job. I was working as a lifeguard at the local pool. I was SO awkward. Between my huge frizzy hair and my not-so-social skills I somehow managed to have a fun summer working with some wacky people. That's the summer I learned what a gyro was, the summer I started listening to rock music, the summer I started liking boys. I am pleased to say that since then I have learned to (mostly) tame my hair and socialize normally. 

 

Ah, boys. Boys are bad. If you are under 15, boys are bad. Somehow, my sister and I were invited to go to a Trace Adkins concert with a group of friends. I wasn't close to any of them at the time, and I don't remember my sister being close to them either. Alas, we went. When I got there, I was cold. So a boy gave me his jacket. I don't know why, but when a boy gives you his jacket, it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside! 

Fast forward a couple years and I am meeting 'a boy' who lives three hours away. He and his sister met me half way just so we could have lunch. He brought me flowers, my first flowers! Now lets go back to that warm, fuzzy feeling and multiply it by 50. :) I'm proud to say that boy is now my husband.
 

Memories are sweet. It's nice to dig them up and smile about them every now and again. So Now it's your turn. I challenge you to give me a memory of your childhood. Comment below and reminisce. Don't forget, "Sweet is the memory of past troubles." Pin It Now!

4 month Growth Picture

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Co-Sleeping

I can't believe Lily has grown so much since this picture was taken. This is when we couldn't get more than two hours at a time. Now she is sleeping around 12 hours at a time. We are so fortunate!

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Learning to say 'No'

The moment Lily greeted the world, I changed my ways, thoughts and plans... concerning food of course! Before I became pregnant I was losing weight like a mad lady. Watching everything I ate, working out 3-5 times a week, saying 'No'. At about 21 weeks pregnant, I changed. I welcomed all foods, I dropped my gym membership and I decided THIS is the time to indulge. I gained a total of 23 lbs while pregnant, which is in the healthy range. I do, however, regret changing my thoughts. I no longer had motivation to work out, I didn't feel well. Could it be that not working out made me feel worse? I think so. Through a combination of 'Couch Potato Sydrome' and 'I Can Eat However Much I Want syndrome', I lost my self control. I now struggle, with many others, to say 'No'.

What am I saying 'No' to? An excess of anything. I don't care if I eat a cupcake or a cookie every now and then. A little sugar is good for the soul! My point is, everything in moderation.  Since I have had Lily, I constantly work on staying on track. If I'm tired, I still get up and go for a walk. If I have the sitter, I will go for a run. If there is a package of Newmans Own Cookies (My favorite at the moment), I will eat one or two; Not indulge, leaving only crumbs. I need to stay healthy for my little girl and show her how to life a healthy lifestyle.

What helps me to do this?

First, I use a family organizer Cozi. Cozi is a family planner with a calendar, list tool, meal planner, recipes and articles with tips for the home. It helps me to plan my dinners for the week. I can easily make a grocery list from the recipes I choose, I can easily choose healthy recipes. This planner helps our family to eat healthy dinners daily.

Second, I use My Fitness Pal. My Fitness Pal is an online community of people who aspire to lose weight, get fit or maintain their current course and a food journal. It is easy to get motivated when reading through the forums. There is never a lack of encouragement when you need it. The food journal is my favorite part. Keeping track of what and how much you eat is the best way to realize exactly what you need to do. Sometimes we undershoot how much we are actually consuming. Sometimes we aren't eating enough. This breaks down the protein, sugar, fat, calories, etc of everything you eat so you can see the true nutritional information of your intake.

For those of you who have a weight loss or fitness goal, I would recommend these two web sites. For myself, I will sum up my fitness path.

• Eat maintenance calories daily
• Continue to run, as often as possible
• Start lifting heavy
• Say 'No' to indulging in every food I see
• Encourage those around me to maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Teach (by example) my daughter moderation and an active lifestyle

The biggest thing of all is to be happy with who you are.It is not always easy to feel confident with the way you look, but it is important to believe that you are beautiful. Pin It Now!

Lily's First Snow Day

It may be cold outside, but it's warm in here!

All bundled up!

Playing catch with Mama and Daddy

Lily's First Snow Angel

She then froze in that position for the rest of the night...

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