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!