Long Time No Talk

In case anyone has noticed, I haven't blogged since May. Partly because I have been trying not to bake and to instead focus on eating and acting healthy. Plus, anything with 2 kids is twice as crazy as it was with 1, especially when number 2 starts to climb the furniture. To blame it all on life, sounds like a cop out, but I am. Life got in the way of my blog, good for me.

I am really only blogging now in order to keep up my motivation for this whole healthy lifestyle crap. It has been about 4 months since I really started eating right and exercising regularly for the first time in my life. This is longer than I thought I would make it and I am not even asking myself when can I stop. I know they answer, never. This is a lifestyle change, not a diet or a program. My questions are: When does it get easier? When will I stop craving all the bad stuff to eat? When will I start enjoying working out?

I have heard it take 21 days to make or break a habit. Well, in 4 months I do believe I have broken a few bad habits, not all of them, not even most of them, but some. More importantly, I have made a good habit, exercising and have even started running. (Who knew it wouldn't actually kill me?) But just because it is a habit now to tie on my tennis shoes and head out the door after kissing Claire good night three times a week, doesn't mean I like it.

I don't like skipping the chips and bread at restaurants. I don't like eating a FiberOne granola bar after fixing cinnamon rolls for the kids. I don't like skim milk or water. I don't like sugar free low fat anything. I don't like to sweat. I don't like walking out the door for the gym and missing time to hang out with Brent. I don't feel a "high" when I am finished sweating like a pig. On top of all that, the almost the whole time I am jogging, on the bike or the elliptical, I am thinking, "How much longer?"

What I do like: loosing weight (19 lbs so far), going down 2 pant sizes, compliments from friends and family.

I guess those three little "likes" outweigh the long list of "don't likes" because here I am, looking to stay motivated and to continue to work on those bad habits I can't seem to shake. (most importantly cutting out soda). And lastly, to realize that I am half way to my goal of loosing 40 pounds and the first half is always easier and goes faster than the second half. I just have to keep going because there isn't a finish line.

Me on a Diet

If you know me, and if you are reading my blog you probably do, you know that I am not a dieter. I am not one of those girls who watches what they eat, counts calories or even chooses food based on anything but taste. Until now. I have decided to go back and try the South Beach diet again. The last time I tried to really diet was in early 2005. I did South Beach for 3 weeks and lost 13 pounds. Then I found out I was pregnant with Claire and out it went. That was over 6 years (and 2 kids) ago.

I guess my big downfall is my ego. I don't think I need to be thin to be pretty or have friends. I don't think that is bad. However, I have also thought that I don't have to be thin to be heathy. Not so true. I am 2 months away from 35, I have had all the kids I am going to have, now is the time. Even though I say "my downfall is my ego" my motivation is appearance. I want to be thin and sexy. I want to eat right and exercise so people will notice. I don't usually put a lot of effort into my appearance. I don't spend a lot of money on clothes, makeup, etc, but that doesn't mean I don't think it matters.

On Monday, May 9th, I started the South Beach Diet. Then on Wednesday, May 11th, I gave Brent P90X for his birthday and plan to do it with him. It will probably kill me. There is an eating plan, which seems very similar to South Beach. The whole good carb part is the same, just P90x has more restrictions. I know Brent will kick my butt in loosing weight faster and getting fit quicker. But I have to try to not be the Thompsons. (Thompsons were this family I knew growing up, Jimmy was this buff dad who had a whole gym in his garage and Adeena was his huge messy wife)

Start date: May 14th (I started South Beach May 9th, but the P90x start date)
My goal weight: 145

If I am brave enough I will post "before" pictures/stats this weekend.

More Party Pics

The cake, red velvet. I made a special star shaped cake for Gage to smash, but Jake (the dog)ate it. It was hard, but I let him live.

You can't really see it, but inside the luggage are party favors. They are "Gage Air" peanuts and plane shaped chocolates for the adults. Then in the blue plane are planes that have light up propellers. The sign above it says, "Babbage Claim"

The run way and "air space"

Next to the globe is a frame with Claire and Gage the day he came home from the hospital.

My last, 1st Birthday party! It was a lot of fun with family.

Flash Back Friday

One year ago, last week. I can't believe it! It seems like it happened in the twilight zone.

Airplane Party

Lots of fun. I will post more pictures of the decorations and things, but here are the good ones of the birthday boy!

So cute! Even when he is upset!Playing with my new sand/water table Opening gifts, with help from the girls I know what that is!

Caaaakkkkeee!Making it count

A Tip in Randomness

I just got done reading my blogs for the day and was so excited to see a friend update her blog. Then I felt guilty. Her first lines said, " but the funny part is that I sit down everyday and go through my own list of blogs and get bummed when others don't update. Then I hop up from my computer and forget to update my own blog!" That was a little familiar, so I decided to follow her lead and at least give a little update.

Thing 1: She is still taking ballet and we just picked up her tutu for her recital in June. They are working on the tap and ballet routine. She is so ready for kindergarten! She is reading pretty well and can add/subtract. Unfortunately, we are also dealing with a little bit of bossiness and "know-it-all" attitude, but we are getting that in check. She loves to watch Olivia and begs to have more and more books read to her each night. She is learning to roller blade and we are trying to encourage her to start learning to ride her bike without training wheels. We have told her we are going camping this summer for vacation and I was surprised, but she is really excited!

Thing 2: Wow! He is all over the place. He is crawling like crazy and getting close to walking. The last week has been rough. He is just now getting over RSV and an ear infection, plus he is teething! He is very different than thing 1 at this age. I don't know how much of it is the boy/girl difference and how much of it is just they are different. I am really enjoying watching as his personality starts to really show. I can see him watching and observing before he smiles or takes off crawling. Once he gets going though, watch out! Like many stories I have heard from other families, it is his big sister who can make him laugh faster and louder than anyone else! Most of the time I love watching the 2 of them interact.

Valentine Mantel

After taking down all my Christmas decorations in early January, I always think my house is a little blah. I have bought and decorated especially for fall and then Christmas, but then by January 1st, I just put my normal every day stuff back up. Finally this year though I have something just for Valentine's Day. I don't think it is too cheesy. Brent says it is too cluttered, but I has given in to my style, as long as it is just for the weeks between now and February 14th.

We'll have to wait and see what Brent and I can agree on for spring! :)