I've Gone INSANE!

Yes, it's official!  I'm insane...metaphorically speaking. 

So, I had a baby and gained a lot of weight.  54 lbs to be exact.  7 weeks after having said baby I had lost 24 lbs of intial after birth weight and was miserable.  So I strapped on my sports bra and started working out.  I was doing my old Turbo Jam and Pilates combination.  I threw a few other things into the mix like running and riding my bike.  I decided I was tired of my old stuff and went to Target and got some Jillian Micheals dvd's.  They turned out to be pretty good actually.  I ended up losing about 10 pounds through all that.  But then Doug and I had a 'crazy' idea while watching the boob tube one night.  We were intrigued and drawn into the world of Insanity.  We watched the infomercial, which we had seen before, with a more serious desire.  We wanted to be one of the success stories.  We wanted to look like all those people and we wanted that tshirt!  I ordered it the next day.  And so our 60 days of madness began the following Monday.  Let me tell you that it's even harder than it looks on t.v.  Granted I wasn't in the best of shape when starting, but still.  It was evident that this was going to really push me...and then some. 

Before every workout there is a lengthy 'warning' about how intense this really is.  It basically says you should know that this might kill you, so don't do it if you're not ready.  That's not scary...

Unless you do this work out yourself, it's hard to understand what it is like.  I honestly have never sweat like this before.  The sweat wasn't dripping off of me, it was running off of me. The workouts had to be moved into the dinning room so the sweat could be mopped up instead of soaking into the family room carpet.  Shaun T (the instructor) would be yelled at on a daily basis and if I was a swearing person a few cuss words would have been directed at him.  But, I learned to love the man and appreciate all his dedication and 'dig deeper' comments...sort of!  Surprisingly enough, even with how hard and completely exhausting each day was, I felt totally energized and would follow most workouts with a quick 1 mile run!  Upon completing month 1 and a recovery week, I had lost 6 pounds and I felt like I had gotten much stronger and was optimistic about month 2.  Until I started month 2.  'Stupid' is the word I used to describe these torture filled DVDs.  There were brief moments when I wanted to quit.  But I had made a commitment, spent the money and didn't want to walk away and kick myself later.  And to be honest, it became a little addicting.  I needed to do this every day, 6 days a week.  I needed to be totally drenched in sweat for self evidence that I was working my tail off. 

Now, wanting the results I did, I knew that I would have to be a lot more careful with what I was eating.  I didn't perfect any special eating habits.  I just changed some things.  I can exercise until I am blue in the face, but eating healthy is where I totally fail!  I love donuts, candy, pastries!  JUNK FOOD JUNKIE right here!  But, I gave up sugars and white flour foods.  Started eating real butter instead of margarine, all natural Adams peanut butter instead of JIF.  I just tried to be more aware and make healthier choices.  Water has always been my drink of choice...so lots of that.  Eating less, eating smarter and eating slower.  Nothing crazy but enough to make a difference.  Baby steps people! 

After 60 days and a few near death experiences I finished!  I lost 13 pounds all together and didn't keep track of the inches lost (which I am wishing I would have now).  The results aren't mind blowing and frankly I have so much farther to go to be where I want to be.  But it's progress.  

You start with a fit test and then do one every 2 weeks to track your progress.  I can't really explain what the exercises are but I will tell you the name and the number of my first and last fit tests just so you can see the progress.

                                       

SWITCH KICKS: First Fit Test - 57  Last Fit Test - 64

POWER JACKS: First Fit Test - 26  Last Fit Test - 62 

POWER KNEES: First Fit Test - 80  Last Fit Test - 121

POWER JUMPS: First Fit Test - 17  Last Fit Test - 60

GLOBE JUMPS: First Fit Test - 6  Last Fit Test - 11

SUICIDE JUMPS: First Fit Test - 11  Last Fit Test - 16

PUSH-UP JACKS: First Fit Test - 8  Last Fit Test - 26

LOW PLANK OBLIQUE: First Fit Test - 40  Last Fit Test - 77

I am very nervously and reluctantly posting my before and after pics.  Be nice.  

                                           BEFORE
                      (Please excuse the white belly
                        that has not seen the sun)                                

                                         BEFORE

                                          BEFORE

Fortunately, I had a few little helpers during this.  All the kids (and of course Doug) pitched in to take care of Vivienne if she would wake up or need attention while I was working out.  Couldn't have done it without them.
Of the 54 pounds gained during my pregnancy, I have lost 47.  Only 7 more to go and a whole lot of toning!!  Wish me luck on round 2.  That's right.  I'm doing it again!

Here's to the next 60 days!!

Baseball Season...again!

This is the 6th year we have done baseball.  Feels like it was just last year that we signed Payton up for TBall.  This year, he made the Majors.  Of course the weather is always an issue and we had a lot of cancelled games.  But some nights, I was thankful for those cancelled games.  We complicated things more this go round by signing Savannah up too.  We had practice or games or both...every night of the week!! 

The cutest fan at every game!

Payton's cousin, Jarom got to play this year.  We thought it was an awesome chance for them to play on the same team together.  I think it really helped Payton to have someone so close to be able to practice (and complain about practicing) with! 

My little fast pitch cutie!

Since we waited so long for Vann to play she went straight to U8 Fast Pitch.  This girl is a natural.  And those little legs still impress me with how fast she can move them!!  She had a blast playing and can't wait for next season! 

Savannah's Ninth

Which happened on April 11th...yes, I'm that far behind on my blogging!

It's crazy that's it's already been a year since this little miss was baptized.  But as we all know, time just slips by sometimes. 

Her birthday was very low key this year.  She woke to waffles for breakfast, and during the day, Dad took in ice cream for her and her class.  She had really wanted to see Mirror Mirror, so as a special treat, I took her to see it right after school.  She loved it.  She loved even more that it was just her and I.

Ice cream and cake followed a dinner of chili dogs (her choice) and then the anticipated presents.  This year she got a new bike.  Which, of course she loves.

A few days later I took her for her very first mani/pedi.  Minus the pedi.  I discovered something new about Vann.  She doesn't like people touching her feet!  Fine by me...it was cheaper that way, and she was perfectly happy!

.a happy easter.

I can't remember an Easter when the weather was as beautiful as it was this year.  At the risk of sounding a little silly, I'd say it was glorious.  So it was a little frustrating waking up to the sunshine having had a fever filled night (me and Viv) and not knowing if I would make it to church.  But in the middle of night during my cold chills and shaking, I begged Heavenly Father to help me and Vivienne feel better so I could enjoy this spiritual holiday at church, with my family.  And glory be, it happened!  Wasn't 100 % but good enough. 

The girls had been waiting months to wear their dresses.  I picked them up at Costco for 17 bucks a while back and forbid the girls to put them on until Easter Sunday.  Because of the built anticipation they were even more excited to slip the lovely light blue dresses on. 

After a great morning at Church, we came home to just relax.  I decided to take advantage of the non raining day and snapped a few pictures of the kids.  Thankfully I got several good ones before they grew tired of it!

We had gotten together with the 'local' family the day before and did a fun brunch and egg hunt, so it was just us on Sunday.  Doug did a great job with dinner and we spent the rest of the evening just being together.  It was pretty quiet and laid back...and yes, glorious!

6 weeks

8 weeks

10 weeks

I started working on this post 4 weeks ago. 

To say that these past 10 weeks have gone by fast would be an understatement.  I honestly don't know where the time has gone.  If feels like I just brought this little miss home and already she is getting chubby, giving me smiles that make my day, and making my absolute favorite sound in the world...baby coo's.  Seriously, melts. my. heart!!

The first 6 weeks weren't the easiest for me and miss Viv. Besides taking forever to heal from the fabulous delivery, I had a few boob issues.  I got mastitis for the first time ever.  Don't recommend it to anyone.  Then just after I finished my antibiotics for that, Vivienne and I got thrush.  That was the first time for that too.  So, we both got put on drugs.  Boob pain in terrible.

I had my share of the baby blues.  I prepare myself for them, because I know they come.  I try really hard to work through them.  Some days are better than others, but I think I have done alright...Doug may disagree with me.  But the kids are still alive, I haven't gone totally crazy yet and he still loves me.  So, I consider that a success! 

{I have a lot more pictures, but am being lazy about loading them.  Maybe in another post}

 

The newness of Vivienne hasn't worn off yet.  She is still a rock star in this house.  She is certainly not attention deprived.  In fact, smothered is the word I would use.  Savannah and Payton are the ones usually fighting over who gets to hold her.  I will say that having older kids to help out this time around has been a.maz.ing!  And so far, they have been very willing to help as much as I need them to.  It's pretty sweet!

At her 2 month check up she weighed in at 12 lbs. 15 oz. and was 23 inches long.  Her first out right giggles came just the other night and at...of course...Jillian.  It was hilarious and infectious.  She also rolled over 4 times the night before that.  Oh goodness, it's all happening so fast. 

I have a very deep attachment to this girl. I don't mind others holding her at all...but I miss her when they do.  I could spend all day just holding her, listening to her talk, absorbing her full face smiles, and having her sleep on me.  It's hard to do anything else sometimes.  She is very distracting.  Now, it's not all peaches and cream.  She spits up a lot, is extremely fidgety and unsettled and has her inconsolable moments...but all that really doesn't matter.  I am putty in her hands.

I do need to talk about one other thing.  My amazing, fantabulous, phenomenal husband.  I don't know a better person than him and couldn't function without him.  He is my hero and has taken such good care of all of us.  He does so much and without complaining.  He only wants to make sure I am happy.  Love.  That.  Man!!

Something About Savannah

My sweet 8 year old plowed through the door a couple of weeks ago with a huge smile!  She was holding the sought after Student of the Month certificate.  She received the award for Honesty during the month of February.  I'm starting to think the teachers don't want me there because just like with Jillian, I wasn't told this was happening!  Nevertheless, I was proud and snapped a picture or two at home. 

(love those dimples!)

Another thing... Savannah banana asked for a sewing machine for Christmas.  (That sort of desire does not come from me.)  We got her one only after her grandmother said she would give her lessons.  Didn't want to spend the money for the thing to just sit there.  Heaven knows I wouldn't be teaching her. 

She completed her first project this week.  A little lap quilt for miss Vivienne.  She did an excellent job and insisted that we wrap Viv in it immediately.  We have received lots of blankets with this new baby and I put them in the closet upstairs.  Savannah asked..."Mom, can you actually leave this blanket with the baby instead of putting it in the closet?"  It now lays in the babes co-sleeper. 

I will probably be taking sewing lessons from her in the future!

**OSCAR WORTHY**

I have this thing with Hollywood and celebrities.  I'm not obsessed...just a little intrigued by the glitz and glamor of it all.  Maybe I still hold on to my childhood fantasy of becoming a famous singer/actress, (which I think most little girls have at some point in their lives).  Or maybe it's just because I'm a pretty typical 30-something year old housewife who longs to escape into the world of make believe every once in a while. 

I love movies.  When it comes to great movies,  I become attached to characters (same with books) and allow them to sink into my heart and usually don't want the story to end.  Unless of course it's a terrible movie.  Then I just pity the actors and wish them a better movie roll next time.

For the last few years I have wanted to throw an all out fancy shmancy Oscar party.  What better way to indulge my silly fantasy?  I picture having a red carpet leading to my house, fake paparazzi taking pictures of all my guests arriving in their killer (probably found at Good Will) dresses,  with their hair and make up done all purdy like!!  Eating hors d'oeuvers and sipping sparkling cider.  I'm smiling at how fun this all sounds to me and at how silly at the same time.

So...why haven't I thrown this fabulous Oscar party yet, you ask?  Last year...the awards show snuck up on me and I didn't have time to plan and this year, I popped out a kid.  But I was still able to celebrate with a little bit of class thanks to my fab friend, Traci.   

You see, Traci has the same obsession...I mean intrigue.  So she too wants to have an Oscar bash.  We will be doing it together next year!  To make up for not being able to bring my still healing self to get a party together, Traci put a little something together just for me and Doug (although his interest level is much much less than mine).  Sparkling cider, Lindor chocolates, champagne glasses.  She even had a ballot in there so I could vote before hand.  OH, I was giddy with excitement when she gave it to me.  Sadly, it ended up being Oscar party for one...Doug was gone at meetings.  I did have Viv but frankly she was bored with the whole thing!  I did enjoy the chocolates and cider and felt pretty fancy...and maybe just a little bit pathetic. 

I'm excited for next year though and know that Traci and I will throw a truly magnificent Oscar worthy party.  I can't wait to walk the red carpet!  

Grandma Iris...the Rock Star

My mom flew in a week after Vivienne was born.  The kids were doped up with anticipation.  We picked her up from the Portland airport and started her visit off with the delectable food of IHOP.  It's always fun trying to negotiate where to eat dinner that will satisfy the taste buds of 4 very different tongues.

My mom's time was fought over by some attention starved children.  They were all so excited to have Grandma Iris here!  She really was like a rock star.  She played legos, barbies, painted fingernails, giggled and snuggled.  The kids ate. it. up!

Besides going to town a few times, we really didn't do a whole lot.  I mean, I did just have a baby it's not like I was up for mall walking or sky diving.  So, we hung out at the house a lot and my mom did laundry.  Which I'm sure was just as thrilling to her as finding some amazing clothes on clearance or jumping out of a plane. 

But we did have a finale to her visit on her last night here.

What is there to do as a family in Chehalis/Centralia on a Friday night that doesn't cost a fortune?

BOWLING!

I'll have to tell you, it was so fun to see my mom bowling.  It was even more fun to watch the kids.  They had a blast and were so awesome with their enthusiasm and helping each other.  When we were leaving, the lady that works there said that I had a lovely family and my kids are very well behaved!  Thank goodness she saw them on a good night!  ;)

After our record breaking scoring at Centralia Bowl, we again, tried to satisfy everyones different appetites.  We settled on Happy Teriyaki.  And then ended our night at Baskin Robins!

Bowling, dinner and ice cream...enough excitement to make up for the rest of the week.

Saturday came quickly and it was time to make the trip back to the airport.  The kids did not want to see their grandma leave (of course, neither did I) and some tears were shed.  We all loved having our rock star here for the week. 

Thank you, mom for all your help!  We love you!