Beachbody Birthday

One year ago, my world revolved solely around my son and getting him the things he needed. I was his advocate, because his voice needed to be heard. I was his baker since he couldn't have things from the store. I was his special meal packer for birthday parties and family functions to ensure that he got the things he needed.

One day I realized that I had stopped advocating for myself. I was spiralling deeper into a depression. I hadn't worked in 14 months. Had lost all sense of self-worth. I really didn't know who I was or why anybody should care about me. It seemed like there was nowhere to go, but further down.

Then, I started noticing my friend Sarah posting about Shakeology and Beachbody. I asked for a sample of that wonder stuff Shakeology. I really liked it. There was a change happening. It came to fruition on September 1, 2010 when Sarah was in labor with her daughter, Serena. Yes, posting from her hospital bed for someone to share her daughter's birthday and join her team as a coach.

I did it. I joined and became a Beachbody coach without even realizing what I was doing. Seriously. Looking back on it, I truly believe that God had a hand in bringing Sarah and Beachbody into my life. Through this year, I have discovered new depths and new interests. I have become daring and bold. Okay, only sometimes and it takes effort to work up to daring and bold, but I am doing it. I don't like to go a day without working out. My nutrition is mostly back on track, and I can feel the effects when I don't get my Shakeology for a day or two. I want to become a health counselor, and help others like me realize their full potential and maximize their wellness opportunities. I have purpose and meaning. They won't be taken from me again.

Thank you Beachbody!

Pre-pregnancy Weight Achieved

Can I get a few Hallelujahs here?! :)

A little back story: Flash back to 2003 when I was just in a low place and worried about my health. A friend (hi Jill) talked to me about Jazzercise, and I started going two to three times a week (hi Paige!). I, also, started weighing and measuring my food. I was determined to get healthy. Over the course of a year, I lost 25 pounds, which brought me down to 200 pounds. Then in March 2004 I got pregnant. Deliberately.

Did I go out of my mind with I can eat for two? Not a chance. I kept eating reasonably, and measuring my portions. I kept walking the dog, and going to Jazzercise. I gained exactly 25 pounds with my pregnancy. At my one week check up post birth, I weighed in at 192. I felt fabulous.

Present day: I have been stuck since April or May at the weight of 205. I have said that it was beginning to piss me off. And that the scale makes me crazy. I didn't want to weigh today, especially after last night's measurements showed an increase in certain locations. I was not ready for more disappointment. When I went to weigh, the Wii board's battery pack was dead. So I decided to try the regular scale. Imagine my surprise when I thought I was just over 200, and had my sister look....twice. Yep, 200 pounds. That is 5 pounds lost in this first phase of P90x (total of 33 in 11 months), and reaching my pre-pregnancy weight. I am over the moon.

Next up? My post-pregnancy weight!!

On Blog Hops and Birthdays

I am participating in a blog hop sponsored by Kari at Shining2Save. Go check out the great list over on her site and click on the icon below to visit my Facebook page!

My birthday was last week. I am now 38. This is the year of my 20 year high school reunion. I am feeling old. :P On a lighter note, my birthday day was great. The monkey sang to me over the phone. It made me weep. Sweet tears, but tears none-the-less. The day after my sister, some friends, and I went to see Rascal Flatts. It was in a word, AWESOME!!!!



This past Sunday my mother and aunt made my favorite meal of turkey meatloaf, mashed potatoes, hot pineapple salad, and pineapple cake. I got presents that I then used that afternoon with the monkey and boo (Just Dance 2). It was all lovely and made turning older just a bit easier.

What makes a birthday?

The monkey had a friend party on Saturday, November 20th. He counted down all week, and decided it was his birthday because of the party. He even sang Happy Birthday to himself. When I pointed out that he was born on the 24th, he decided that was his "real" birthday. We went to see Tangled on his birthday, and I gave him the first of his gifts. By bedtime, he decided that he didn't turn six until he had his family party, which isn't until this Sunday. I think it is very confusing to the young as to when birthday's actually happen since you can't celebrate with a party on a Tuesday night during school time. A bit easier for summer birthdays in that respect, but still difficult.

The day you are born?

Or the day that you celebrate?

What do you think makes the memory? Is it a fixed date or simply the celebration of any important event?

2 and 30

According to child safety advocates and the American Academy of Pediatrics, age 2 and 30 pounds is the new 1 year and 20 pounds. Did that confuse you? In the past, the general rule was that a child should be turned forward facing when they hit one year old and reached 20 pounds. Recent research has determined that children are safer if they rear face until at least two years and 30 pounds or to the full limits of their seats (Article: Stay Rear Facing). I turned the boy around when he was 18 months and just barely over 20 pounds. A couple months later I was in a car accident that totaled my car, and required getting a new seat. I went to some knowledgeable people on babycenter for advice. When I got our new Britax Marathon a month later, I put that puppy in rear facing and that is how the boy has been until this past Sunday when he truly was to close to the top of the shell to stay that way. So at 3 years, 4 months, 3 weeks, 6 days and 30 pounds I flipped his car seat. That night as I was buckling him in he asked if I was happy that he was facing forward. I had to reply that it made me sad, because it meant that he was growing up. He patted my head in sympathy.

Last day rear facing

First official day of forward facing

Inked

So after ten years of thinking on it, and two years after finding what I wanted I finally took the plunge and got inked. Arrived about ten minutes early for my appointment at the Spirit Gallery, filled out the paperwork while my artist got everything set up, and then went in to contort myself for the process that ended up taking about 30 minutes. May I say that it hurt? Goodness the outlining bit seemed to take ages, and felt like someone digging into the skin. Oh, wait they were! The shading part was a lot less painful. Would I do it again? You betcha, but not anytime soon.

Now for your viewing pleasure, some photos of the momentous event.

My Boy Turns 3!!

Can't really believe that it has been three years since he came out angry at the world, hollering for all he was worth. I love the little booger with all my heart and cherish each milestone he (and we) reaches. Even when they mark the end of something special (nursing) or mark one more safe day (still rear facing) or a new illness (yay we had croup for his birthday!). So a small photo essay of his birthday. Thanks for bearing with me.

Off on our special birthday adventure that included a haircut, lunch out & a trip to the park.














His birthday cake made by yours truly. My artistic skills, which are woeful, were greatly challenged by this endeavor. Did you know that they don't currently make a mickey mouse pan? And the ones on e-bay are way overpriced?














His table of gifts!













Doing what he does best, shoveling it in!













Playing with his new Mickey Mouse piano (from the Mickey Mouse Name that Tune toy!)



















And for memory lane purposes, a trip home from the hospital, at one and then at two. The time does fly.

His blue eyes still slay me, his sweet smile makes me want to grab him up and his sloppy kisses and hugs make me forget for awhile that he has turned into a mouthy three year old.

Weaning

When I was pregnant my hope was that breastfeeding would work & that we would make it to at least a year. He came out nursing like a champ, and I was a milk cow. We made it to one year, and I thought well let's just make it to two. At around 18 months, I stopped pumping and he did a switch over to regular milk during the days, and nursed at night & on weekends. By 20 months, we were down to only nighttime nursing. At 24 months, I decided that we would do child led weaning, and then I started taking Zoloft again. After a month, I went back for an evaluation and we decided the Zoloft really wasn't helping. Cue the need to wean as there are no other medications that can be taken while breastfeeding.

I started having nightmares in early January. They were horrible visions where I was being kept separate from Séamus. Someone or something was hiding him & preventing me from finding him. It was heartbreaking. Took me almost two weeks and a conversation with my friend in Texas to realize that they stemmed from having to wean the boy. I was afraid that this would separate us forever. It is a symbolic end to his babyhood. He is my great big boy, but this makes it more real in some way.

We have been working on it slowly with reducing the number of times a night he nurses and the duration of each session. It has been working. Tonight is the last night I will nurse my son. We are at a crossroads from which we can't turn back.

I have breastfed for 2 years, 3 months and 4 days. Au revoir my nursling.