fitness friday

My advice for you today is: Sign Up for a Race!

Do you have to win? No! 

Do you have to run the whole way? No! 

Do you have to run at all? No!

Do you have to finish? YES!

By looking up a race in your area and signing up to walk or run, you will hold yourself accountable for getting in shape!  Especially right after having a baby, there is not much motivation because all of your focus is off you! But if you have a set date for a 5k or even a 10k or longer... you may get motivated to work out before that date arrives.  I used to be able to run about 5 miles a day and actually ran a half marathon 3 years ago!  Since getting pregnant,  I have not been able to hold a good pace running, but I recently started walking more often.

Photos from the half marathon in Dallas, Texas:

Before the race (I was nervous!)

During the race (around mile 4):

Mu husband cheering me on:

After the race (so glad to be done!):

Seeing these pictures again definitely sparks some motivation in me!

I completed the Cooper River Bridge Run (10k) at the end of March, and I will be running/walking in a 5k for GBS/CIPD tomorrow!  I plan on walking the whole thing (and pushing Baby W in my new jogging stroller).  My goal is to finish under 45 minutes!

Have a great Friday and wonderful weekend!

Great Giveaway Alert!

If you have not visited Fashion Meets Food's blog, now is the time! She is giving away these adorable Miss Trish sandals! They will be great for summertime!

She posts frequently and her blog is great to read! Happy Thursday!

thankful thursday

I know I have said this before, but I am so thankful for my family!  My husband had another week long spiritual formation retreat this week, and I am home with Baby W!  I can't imagine what it would have been like if my mother-in-law had not been able to come and stay with me!  She came early Tuesday morning and is staying until I get home today.  I would have had to wake up extra early to get Baby W to daycare, but Mrs. K has been wonderful!  We are fortunate she has been willing and able to help us out.  Baby W just loves her!

I am also thankful that I will be able to see most of my immediate family this weekend! My parents and three of my five sisters will be getting together for my birthday and the GBS 5k! I love spending time with my parents and sisters.  I'm sure we will play lots of board games and watch Jeopardy together!  Here is a picture of all of us (and my oldest sister's husband) from Christmas 2005.  This was the "funny" Chrismas Card take:

Family means everything to me and I thank God everyday for blessing me with such a fabulous one!

wordless wednesday

tuesday's tip for new mamas: make time for yourself!

When Baby W was born, I did not want to do anything but spend every second with him!  I took 12 weeks off of work, and never left his side.  (Maybe for an hour or less twice a month!)  Now I know that might sound crazy, but I didn't want to miss anything, and I felt like I was the only one who could soothe him if something was wrong (he was a colicky baby!)

I did have to leave his side when I went back to work in January.  But, whenever I wasn't at work... I was with my sweet son.  Then, on March 13, Baby W was invited to a birthday party! I was not going to be able to go because I had to take a test for my recertification.  My husband, however, was able to take him (the party was an hour away!)  I was so sad. When they had only been gone for 20 minutes, I called my husband!  What was I going to do for the hours after my test?!

Well... it turns out I got to relax at home and went on an hour long walk!  When I finished that... I thought, "It has been too long since I have taken time for myself!"  Yes of course I missed being with my son, but I think everyone in the family would benefit from me getting some time to myself every once in awhile. 

Since then, I have taken an hour once or twice a week to go on a walk alone!  I think it is crucial to take time to gather your thoughts and have this alone time when you are a new mama!  It will help maintain your sanity and give you more patience with those around you!  In fact, if you are able to get out by yourself more than once or twice a week...I would encourage you to do that!

I don't think it really matters what stage of "mommyhood" you are in, or even if you aren't a mama at all: take time for yourself each day!

Monday Message: The Hokey Pokey!

Have you ever thought of your faith as a dance?

The sermon yesterday made a connection between faith and the hokey pokey.

"You put your right foot in

You put your right foot out

You put your right foot in

And you shake it all about..."

Many times, we are all about living on faith!  We have our "right foot" completely in and we are shaking it all about! We are involved in the church, brightening the lives of those around us, and we experience daily closeness with God.

There are other times though when we have our "right foot" out.  We are not focused on the right things.  We let our worldly life takeover.  We know that we will put our foot back in soon, but maybe we aren't ready or don't want to at the moment.

"You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around..."

This is the moment in the song where you have some freedom.  My hokey pokey might be different from your hokey pokey.  We can dance a little differently.  The talents that God has given us are unique to us, and we need to discover the best ways to use those talents to serve and praise God!

"That's what it's all about!"

Truely, our life is all about serving our Creator! We owe him all of our talents and time.  Remember to live your life for Him every second of the day!

"Commit your way to the Lord" Psalm 37:5

This message was inspired by the sermon given at my church yesterday

(which just so happened to have been preached by my husband!)

New Toys for Baby W!

Baby W is growing by the second!  I cannot believe how big he is.  I just got in a photo book that I made on snapfish of his life so far, and he has changed immensely! I am cherishing every hold, snuggle, and kiss that I get!

Today, I got to make a stop by Babies 'R Us! We picked up some things that I had really been wanting!  First, we got travel tops for our Dr. Brown's bottles.  We had been using Medela tops, but they aren't quite the right fit, so we have had some unnecessary leaks!

Dr. Brown's Travel Lids

We also got a white toy chest that will go perfectly in his nursery and our house might appear clean for a few seconds when we pile all of his toys in there!

Bergamo White Toy Chest

We also got a 5-in-1 adjustable gym.  This is what we have really been looking for because Baby W loves to sit up and needs something that will keep him entertained while he is sitting up... and later it can turn into a desk! It says he can use it til he's 3! Definitely worth the money.

5-in-1 Adjustable Gym

Our last purchase (which is really a birthday gift from my parents) was a jogging stroller! I am so excited about it! It is the Baby Trend Expedition LX.  I have been using one that a coworker gave to me that she used to use.  Her youngest son is in my class this year which means he's 12...so that stroller is a little outdated! This one has an IPod hook-up and a turning front wheel!  I hope it will motivate me to get out there and work out more often!

Baby Trend Jogging Stroller

Hope you have a wonderful, restful, rest of the weekend! 

fitness friday

Luckily for me, most of my post pregnancy weight came off quickly because I was nursing my son. But, now that I’m done with that, I need the extra activity to keep the weight off and tone up everywhere!

My fitness suggestion today is working out at home! A couple of weekends ago, when my sisters were visiting, I wasn’t able to get out of the house or go to the gym to work out. So, I popped in a 25 minute DVD (Slim in 6) that I hadn’t used in a few years! One of the sisters joined in…along with her 22 month old (so cute seeing her copy us)! Baby W had been a little fussy but when he saw us doing all kinds of funny moves, he calmed down and stared at us like we were crazy!

If you don’t have a DVD, you can always just put on some good music and dance! That will keep your baby entertained and you could even use him (or her) as extra weight!  My mama says that I used to love dancing around the coffee table to "Hey Mickey You're So Fine!" when I was a toddler.

Dancing at my #4 sister's wedding: January 31, 2009 (1 month pregnant)

Have a great weekend!

thankful thursday

I am so thankful today for my health.  We often take our health for granted.  We don't realize how fortunate we are to be able to wake up everyday and simply walk!  I would encourage you (and me) to try to keep yourself as healthy as possible.  Eat great, work out, and feel great! 

Lately, I have had many friends and coworkers that are going through rough times with health issues.  

Please say a prayer for the following:

• a guidance counselor at my school who always has a great attitude and really cares about the students just found out she has stage 4 pancreatic cancer; she is in her sixties (young!); she plans to continue working and is in good spirits
• a fellow teacher at my school has just had surgery on her spine; she is in her fifties; one of the best teachers at our school; teaches special ed and cares so much for each of her students and always gives 110%
• a friend from high school who is having his thyroid gland removed today due to a cancerous nodule

Thanks for the prayers.  Have a great Thursday! The weekend is almost here! :)

wordless wednesday: birth through 7 months

Tuesday's Tip for New Mamas: Triple Paste

No matter how many people try to prepare you for a baby, you will never understand until you experience it for yourself!  And while you are experiencing the joys and trials of being a new parent, people will continue to try and tell you the "right" way to do things.  I enjoy hearing people's thoughts and tips, but when it comes down to decision time, you do what you think is best.

When Baby W got his first diaper rash, we tried Desitin, Butt Paste and other baby creams, but none of them seemed to work as fast as we wanted them to!  Fortunately, some of my neighbors recommended Triple Paste.  We had never heard of it, but they swore that it works the fastest and cures the rash in a flash! While a tub is around $18, we decided to go ahead and empty our pockets.

We applied the very thick cream immediately, and by the next diaper change a couple of hours later, there was no rash to be seen!  Baby W has since had minor rashes and Triple Paste always works like a charm.  If you already have something that works for you, then great! But if not, give Triple Paste a try!

I know that I sound like an ad for this stuff, but it's true!  If you have other creams that work, mention them! Thanks!

Great Giveaway Alert!

Sweet Southern Prep is having her first giveaway! She is giving away three great items:

Lilly playing cards with cute case

Cute earrings

and OPI nail polish!

Click here or on the Sweet Southern Prep button on my sidebar to enter!

Good luck!

Monday Message: What are you waiting for?!

How many times have you wanted something to change and people tell you, "Just wait! It will happen!" 

Or you are going through a hard time and someone says, "Just wait! Things will get better!"

Well, just waiting isn't going to solve anything! You have to take action for things to change and hard times to end!  

This was the message of the sermon yesterday at my church.  It was very inspiring.  I think it hit home the most when he said we always wait until we are in a crisis or a hard time before we call on God.  When everything is going great and life is good, we don't access God's power.  But, even in the good times God is the most wonderful source of joy and well-being.  When you are not in the midst of a hardship (and sometimes even when you are), you can use God's love and light to help others.  

So, if you have been thinking to yourself, I'll just start working on this project tomorrow; or I will wait until next week to begin my diet; or I will start volunteering for service projects in the summer...what are you waiting for?! Start now! 

One of the things that I have been waiting on is saying prayers at night with my son.  I keep telling myself that I will do that when he gets older and can understand, but I changed my mind!  While I am feeding him his bottle before bed, I am going to pray out loud with Baby W.  It will strengthen both my relationship with God and my son!

I took a picture of Baby W tonight after he went to sleep.  I haven't done this before because I was too scared I would wake him, but he didn't move a muscle!

Have a wonderful and blessed week!

March for Babies!

March of Dimes Information

So, I posted about walking yesterday, and this morning I did just that! (I would have said something about this yesterday, but I wasn't positive that I was going to make it to the walk) The Beta Club at my school got together and joined the walk for healthy babies! I decided that I would join the walk if Baby W was up for it in the morning.  We both woke around 8 and were at the walk at 8:40.  I thought that it was a 5K, but it turned out to be 4 miles!  I pushed Baby W in the stroller and walked at a brisk pace with about 6 girls from the Beta club.  There was a great turnout and beautiful weather! I am so thankful that I am able to walk and that I have a healthy baby! So many people lose their babies prematurely and all of the money (over $100,000 in Greenwood) is going to fund research to help keep babies healthy and full term!

Fitness Friday

Each Friday, I will try to post a fitness tip for new mamas that are trying to get back their old body.  These tips will pretty much apply to everyone that wants to shape up!  The first tip I have is WALK! It is the easiest exercise I can think of, and something that almost everyone can do!

Proper Walking Techniques

I often tell myself that I am going to try and walk 3-4 miles whenever I get out to exercise, but the truth is sometimes I am too lazy or just do not have the time.  But, if you even get out there and get one mile in-that's better than nothing! And it shouldn't take too long:  15 minutes at a fast pace, or 20 if you like to take the leisurely route.  My new goal is to get one mile in a day.  I can make the time for that and if I get a chance to do more, then good for me!

Thankful Thursday!

Today, I am thankful for safe travels!  

My husband has the day off on Thursdays, and he took Baby W on a short road trip to Columbia to meet up with one of his friends from grad school.  They had a wonderful time eating lunch and hanging out.  They also stopped by Target to do some shopping that we are unable to do here in small-town-ville.  B picked up some formula, diapers, wipes, and an extra high chair/shopping cart cover.  Baby W just started using high chairs in restaurants and the covers are great from keeping him from getting too germy! We already had one, but decided to get an extra so we can keep one in each vehicle.  

This is the one we have:
Eddie Bauer Shopping Cart Cover in Blue

It really comes in handy.  It keeps W from trying to eat the actual high chair, but also provides extra cushioning to keep him more stable!

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the weekend! This will be one of the only weekends in the past few weekends and the next few upcoming weekends that we will be able to just hang out at home.  I'm really looking forward to spending some quality time with my husband and son! Hope you enjoy yours!