I HATE Square One

I promised myself I would document my "weight loss journey" and I guess part of that journey will be let downs...

I have been going at this for 2 whole weeks now. Two weeks of vitamins, two weeks of eating right, and two weeks of working out. Up until last night I felt great! I felt like I had more energy! I was actually excited to get on the elliptical every day. I felt a change that I haven't felt in a very long time. Until last night...I was happy with how things were going...

Well, last night I had my husband take my measurements. I was convinced that even though I didn't really SEE a difference in my body yet, the numbers would prove me wrong. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. While comparing numbers, I felt every ounce of motivation leave my body. One swift blow to the face...My measurements were exactly the same...

HOW COULD THAT BE?!?!

Two weeks of busting my ass and not a single thing to show for it!! Even just typing those words brings me to tears...

Mentally I am back to square one. And I guess technically, physically, I never left square one...

M.I.L.F Status ;)

Okay...maybe I'm not a milf YET...But I will be!!

Operation Hot Mama is in full effect!

As I mentioned before, part of my resolution was to get healthy. I used the word "healthy" for a reason. I don't just want to be skinny, I want to be fit! I want my outside to look and feel just as great as my inside! That means exercising AND eating right!

For the last two weeks or so, I have been on a supplement program to help jump start my body on the inside and get it cleaned out. In addition to that, I have been working out on our elliptical for 20 mins almost every day. I weighed myself, took measurements AND took "before" pictures on Day 1 but have not had a chance to take a new set of numbers since then. I must say, though, I do FEEL better! I still don't think I look like I have lost weight and I don't really see a difference in how my clothes fit yet but feeling great is just as important as looking great :) (especially when your self esteem is as low as mine...boo)

On top of my supplement program and my elliptical work outs, I started the Bikini Body Mommy Challenge (again). It is a 90 day program and all exercises are done in the home using mostly just your own body weight. 

Today was day 1...the Fit Test!

This is BY FAR the hardest part of the challenge. It is a series of 8 exercises in 8 minutes. You have to do as many of each as you can and you record your number. Throughout the 90 days, the Fit Test pops up a few more times, and each time you record your numbers and HOPEFULLY you've improved!

It doesn't seem difficult on paper, but holy mother of all that is holy....THIS KILLS ME!!!! By the end of the 8 minutes, I have just enough energy in me to make it to the toilet to throw up. I'm not sure why this happens to me, but every time I do this Fit Test, I end up with my face over the bowl. It is just that wicked! Luckily, the other days of the challenge are a little nicer :)

Here are my results....Don't laugh...

Speed Squats: 30

High Knees: 65

Push Ups: 20

Squat Jumps: 13

Tricep Dips: 12

Burpees: 8

Alternating Lunges: 30

Elbow Plank: 50seconds

Anyways, since today was the first day of this challenge, I will be taking a new set of measurement and pictures. I don't like doing it, but when I am complete with the full 90 days, I want to be able to see how far I've come :)

Yay for fitness!

Did I just say that?!

2014 Welcome back to blogging, Ashleigh!

It has been quite some time since my last post. Being a new mom has pretty much sucked up any free time I used to have! (not that I'm complaining!)

As part of my 2014 New Year Resolution, I decided to get back to blogging. I loved having a place to just spill my thoughts, big or small. Clear my head. Get it all down on paper...er...computer?

2014 is my year! I made a few resolutions for myself....

Number 1: Get healthy!! I've used being a new mom as an excuse for my weight for a year now, and I don't think anyone is buying it anymore! I don't have an excuse. Working out and eating right was just not something I was ready for yet. I was not in the right mind set and it didn't matter what I did, if my mind wasn't going to change, my body wasn't going to either. But the excuses are done with. I vow to be the healthiest version of myself! That means not only am I getting my body healthy, but my mid too!

Number 2: Control the controllables! This is something that my dad has said to me for years now. I just sort of brushed it off as "dad advice". But I have come to realize that it is THE BEST piece of advice I have ever been given. I spend too much time worrying about the "what ifs", the "maybes", and not enough time focusing on the positives I have sitting right in front of me.

Number 3: Just go with it! Stop wasting time being afraid! This is by far the hardest part of my resolution. I am afraid of a lot of things. Spiders, drowning, breaking a bone, snakes (okay, pretty much any creepy, crawly, hairy, slimy, non-domestic creature known to man), falling, dying...But above all, I am afraid of change. Any kind of change, big or small, scares the sh*t out of me! Why? I have absolutely NO IDEA!!!! I hate uncertainty. I hate not knowing what that change will do in my life. I like routine. I like structure. You would think after almost 6 years of living on Marine Corps time, I would be used to not knowing how anything will turn out, but I'm not. I need to stop being afraid, and just go with it!

And finally, Number 4: Be happy! This one may seem silly to some of you. You're probably thinking "Duh, why wouldn't you be happy?" Well, I am... I have a great husband who works his ASS off to keep this family together! I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food in my belly. I have two dogs who keep me company every day and show me unconditional love even when I am at my breaking point. But most importantly, I have to most wonderful kid anyone could ask for! He is my whole world, my shining star, my reason to wake up every morning with a smile on my face and the reason I go to bed every night with that same beaming smile! He is my baby and I love him more than words could ever express. So this part of the resolution is not necessarily to "be happy" but to appreciate the happiness and express gratitude! Smile more, Ashleigh...You have a lot to smile about!

Okay, enough of my ramblings... It is time to get back into Mommy Mode, nap time is almost over!

Hello, 2014! I am ready for you!

3rd Trimester Catch Up and LOTS of Pictures!

Well, I am a little late on this post, but we have reached the third trimester!! Yes, it officially started about a month ago but we have just been so busy I didn't have the time to write.

Things have been great! We had our baby shower and everything went off without a hitch! It was a western/cowboy theme just like the baby's room. It was so nice having everyone there and Baby made out like a bandit! He is one spoiled little munchkin. The days leading up to the shower were a little crazy. We were so busy trying to get food and decorations taken care of, but by the time it came, there were no problems to speak of! Everyone had a great time and a full belly :)

We currently have this hanging on Baby's door.

The Hubby and me <3

Four generations...The peanut is the only boy!

The AMAZING diaper cake my mom made!

The next weekend after the shower, we went in for a 3d/4d ultrasound. Hubby, my mom, dad, two sisters and my BFF were all able to make it! IT WAS FANTASTIC! I couldn't believe how clear the images were and how big he has gotten. He has the cutest cheeks and we are almost positive that he has Hubby's dimple chin. The technician was also able to see that he has some hair! We can't wait to see how much or what color it will be! He was being a little shy. We have learned over the last few months that he does not like things touching mama's belly! He tends to move himself away from whatever it is. So while she was trying to get some pictures he was turning his head away. We were still able to get some awesome shots! We were also informed that he was sucking on his umbilical cord nearly the whole time. It was hard for us to tell, but we could see his mouth moving. GROSS! haha We cannot wait for this little guy to get here!!!

Just look at that face! So in love with him already!! 

I call this his "Grump Face". He kept furrowing his brow.

See those little spikes?! That's his hair!

Thanks to a few of my besties, we were able to take some really cute maternity pictures! We saved up for a fancy new camera when we found out we were pregnant because we knew we would be taking wayyyy too many pictures. I'm glad we did, it came in super handy for the maternity pictures. And thanks to some posing research we did, it looked like we actually knew what we were doing! I edited the pictures on my computer and had them enlarged and printed them at the store. SO much cheaper than hiring a professional. I think we did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself! :)

Tried getting Baby's cowboy boot in some of them.

We found such a beautiful open space.

I just love that we were able to get Jaxson in a few!

This is one of my favorites!!

To follow up on some good news from my last post...WE GOT THE HOUSE! Everything is all moved in, we have just been taking things a day at a time trying to finish up some of the smaller stuff. We were able to paint the baby's room and get his furniture put together. His room is almost done! I have been working on his name letters to go above his crib and I am almost finished! Everyone has been dying to know his name but neither one of us has slipped...yet! It gets hard because we are so excited about it, but we have waited this long already...Hopefully we're able to make it to the end! I will post pictures of his room once it's all done...same with the house. All I have are pictures of it completely empty haha It is slowly coming together though. We even have some pictures on the walls! We were never able to hang anything in our apartment because they made you pay for any holes in the walls. Well, guess what stupid apartment! We own this house and we are putting as many holes in the walls as we want! So suck it! :) I just can't wait until everything is completely done. It is a lot of work and being 7 months pregnant does not make it any easier. I have been doing way too much and keep getting yelled at by my DR and the Hubs. I'm not very good at sitting still and when I see all of the work that still needs to be done, I can't just sit back and watch everyone else. I do need to start listening to them though. My back is killing me and I definitely don't want to put myself into premature labor! That wouldn't be good for me OR Baby!

As of yesterday, we have exactly two months until my due date! I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by! Luckily, we are pretty close to being all ready for him. Just a few more small purchases and getting our hospital bags put together. I am getting very anxious. The fact that I am extremely large and uncomfortable isn't helping. Part of me just wants him out so I can have my body back, the other part would leave him in there a few extra months so we have a little more time to prepare mentally. It is hard to think that in just two months there will be a little person around here...one that we created! We're nervous about how the dog will react. He is currently the baby in the house and pretty much gets everything he wants. Our attention is always focused on him, and when this baby comes, that will change. I just hope that we can still give him the love and attention he needs. If we can't, I know a lot of our friends and family will. Everyone loves our little Jaxson Pup! It's hard not to! Let's just hope this baby loves him too. They are brothers, after all! ;)

As I have been typing all this out, it scares me to realize that all of this has happened in only a month! ONE MONTH!

Excited to see what the next two have in store for us!

Warning: Emotional pregnant lady explodes in 3...2...

I must say that for the majority of this pregnancy, the hormonal break-downs have been minimal. I feel as though my hormones, instead of making me cry and act a fool, have gone in the other direction. I find myself fall down laughing at least once a day! The smallest things just tickle that funny bone and once I start laughing, there is no turning back!

That being said, there has definitely been a lot going on lately and I am feeling quite overwhelmed. Our baby shower is quickly approaching and tons of preparations have been made. Decorations have been purchased, game gifts have been made, and people are little by little RSVPing. No matter how much we get done, though, there always seems to be 100 more things to do! It is never ending!!

We FINALLY purchased Baby's furniture! It wasn't easy, but I am so relieved! The crib, dresser, changer and mattress...Everything has been delivered and is just waiting to be assembled. We are also receiving other gifts from family who, unfortunately, won't be able to join us at the shower. The stroller and car seat have been two large purchases that we are extremely grateful for!

BIG NEWS! For the last month or so, we have been trying to buy a house. We put an offer in and it was accepted by the seller. That part was easy, but we had to get the property appraised and it took waayyyyy too long! It was supposed to be done in 10 business days, but wasn't completed for almost 15 (not including weekends). It felt like a lifetime to us! But after all that waiting, we got the news today that the appraisal went as it should have and that we are free to move forward with inspections and closing escrow! We should be able to move in by the end of the month! That means, by October we will have our own home again! The boy will have his own room, we will be able to paint and set up his furniture. This is a very exciting and hectic time for us! It seems like everything is happening all at once.

Not to mention, my birthday is tomorrow. 24 years OLD! I'm not ready and have serious anxiety about getting older. I haven't even given it much thought until today because I have been so preoccupied with baby stuff. I just feel like 24 has come too soon! Within just a few short months, I have turned another year older, we're buying a house, and having a baby!

When did I grow up?!

Mid-Pregnancy Updates

I am currently 24 weeks pregnant. Boy, time is flyin!

To put my size into perspective...Baby boy is currently the size of a cantaloupe, living in a uterus the size of a soccer ball. No matter what I do, there is no hiding this "Baby Bump" of mine! It happens quickly, too! One day a shirt fits, the next...There is NO WAY I can squeeze into that thing! I haven't been putting on as much weight as I thought I would, which makes me BEYOND happy! I thought for sure I would blow up like a balloon and be miserable! (Insert happy dance here)

Things have been going really well! I went and saw the Endocrinologist. He ran some tests and decided to put me on a thyroid medication. Now, I just have to be monitored to make sure everything stays on track.

Baby Boy is growing and getting much stronger! I feel him kicking for a good portion of my day. He has definitely set a routine for himself...He's up at about 10:30am, again around 3 or 4pm, and again at around 11pm when I'm settling into bed. I don't get woken up during the night, but that doesn't mean he isn't just as active, it just means I am not bothered by it...YET! Due to the Husband's schedule, he had not been able to feel these kicks but on August 27th, he finally got to feel this wonderful gift! Baby was kicking like crazy on this particular night and my stomach was visibly jumping around. Hubby placed his hand on my belly, and within seconds, this boy kicked with all is might! Hubby's face was PRICELESS! Watching this go down just made my heart melt! It is one emotion when I feel this myself, but a whole different emotion witnessing this pre-birth connection between baby and daddy. The image will never leave my mind :)

We have been tossing around some names for quite some time now, but haven't decided on one yet. We have settled on his middle name, but the first is not coming to us quite as easily! Hubby and I have different styles and trying to mesh those two styles is difficult. I'm hoping that one of these days, a name will come to us and we will just know! We'll get that feeling that just speaks to us and says "Yes, this is the one." Until then, I will continue to refer to this little one as "Baby Boy". We won't be telling anyone the name until he's born anyways! I want it to be a surprise for everyone and am trying avoid any negative feedback we may receive.

Aside from names, we are currently in the market for some nursery furniture. There have been a few we like, but prices are crazy! I knew having a baby was expensive, I just didn't realize HOW expensive!

Our baby shower is coming up, so I'm looking forward to having our friends and family around to celebrate and take our minds off of everything for a little while! YAY! :)

Happy Half Way to meeee!

I have made it to the half way point in my pregnancy! WOOP WOOP!

Okay, technically I am 21 weeks pregnant...but same same!

The first half could not have gone more smoothly! Aside from a week or two of morning sickness, I really had very little to complain about. Yes, I gained weight and that made me sad. Mainly because I didn't have that cute little pregnant belly and I felt like people thought I was just fat! But other than that, I feel like I was a trooper for the first 20 weeks.

I wish I could say the same about the beginning of this second half! Nothing is wrong with the little boy, which is great! But, I can't say the same for his Mama...I have spent two separate nights in the ER for heart palpitations and chest pain. After the second visit, they decided (according to some blood work) that the problem was because of a thyroid issue. I had an appointment with my OB today and they are sending me to endocrinology for some blood work to figure out what exactly is going on. Yay?

Everything else seems to be going well. I have only gained 7lbs since the beginning of all this, and I am FINALLY starting to look pregnant. Enough, that people can actually tell the difference. I've gotten a few unexpected belly rubs but have learned to embrace it. I thought it would be weird to have random people touch me but I kind of like it! It makes me realize more and more that I really am pregnant. Not that I forget, of course! It's hard to deny this belly and those constant little kicks but sometimes the idea of being pregnant escapes me. I sometimes feel like this isn't real!

Oh, but it is!
We had another ultrasound a few days ago, and I am undeniably pregnant! This little man is getting soooo big already! Watching his little arms and legs moving around and even seeing him put his tiny hand in his mouth is just amazing! It melts my heart every time we see his handsome little face on that screen!

There is so much to be done but I am just trying to take each day as it comes! Besides...I've got plenty of time...right????