So Here's The Deal.

A little more than a week ago, Ross informed me that if I get down to my target weight, he'll take me shopping. Who could ask for better motivation?! I did the Look Better Naked thing and I loved it. The only problem: Because my caloric intake was so low, and I'm in charge of the cooking, Ross ended up losing weight too, which is so not what he needs right now. I took a week or so off and focused on making good dinners to keep my hubby happy. As a result, I gained a tiny bit of that weight back.

But there is a silver lining. I got a pass to Orem Fitness Center. And I LOVE it. I get to go every morning for an hour and have someone else watch Claire while I become the sweatiest person in the room. No joke, my shirt is ALWAYS two-toned after that hour. I am SO grateful I'm married, and even more grateful Ross isn't there to "check me out". I also discovered the SlimFast shake mix and this 3 2 1 idea, and I'm giving that a try. The idea is that you get 3 snacks (fruits, veggies, or a 100 calorie snack bar), 2 shakes (actually super filling and tasty), and 1 500 calorie meal. Perfect. Ross is gone all day anyway, so he doesn't really care what I eat during the day. We can still eat dinner together and Ross doesn't have to suffer from my "diet".

I don't have any results from this SlimFast thing since it's only really Day 1 1/2, but from the last couple weeks I'm down 13 and only have 14 more to go! Which is great because last weekend we went to the Outlet Mall in Park City and Claire got a ton of new clothes, and Ross got a few shirts. I'll admit, I was super jealous. It was good to give my motivation a refresher. Get ready Park City, I'm comin' for ya!

Motherhood. Again.

It's funny how our "family blog" actually turned into my personal journal about my struggles with being a mom. I probably should occasionally update everyone with the happenings of our wee family, and not just Claire, but I never seem to find the time.

Right now I think I'm still struggling with this whole "just a mom" bit. Take a girl, barely 20, out of a school and work environment and tell her to stay home all day sustaining and entertaining another human being and you'll probably end up with a crazy girl. At least, that's what I feel like. I can't count how many times people ask if I'm in school, if I'll ever go back to school, or my favorite after getting those two questions: So, if you're not in school, do you work?. No, probably, but now is not the time, and no, I don't. Honestly, I've never felt like such a loser in all my life. I'm not sure if it's just because we're in college town Provo, or what. The dumbest question anyone could possibly ask a mother is: So, what do you do all day? Or my other favorite: So, you just sit at home all day? The months without sleep add to the crazy, and you gotta admit, mothers have pretty strong arms. I haul around 17 pounds of child all day long. Not a smart move to ask if I "just" sit at home all day.

I spent the last couple weeks sending out resumes, only to not respond when I got calls for interviews. I guess the truth is, I'm grateful and happy that I don't have to work outside my home, and I really don't want to. I just have a hard time feeling like what I do doesn't really matter. However; I don't know how I could miss out on all of those smiles and laughs. But I will admit, I NEED my morning workout and mid day sonic run to refrain from going insane. Honestly, I'm so in love with that baby girl and wouldn't trade being a mom for anything. Sometimes I just forget that what I'm doing right now is probably the most important thing I could do.

Oh, And Claire is 4 Months Old.

Claire turned 4 months old on Sunday. She still eats like she's never seen food before, leading her to push out of her 6 month clothes. She is now in 9 month tops and 12 month pants. This last weekend we went to the outlet mall in Park City and scored at the Carter's store. I can't believe how big she is. She is still trying to crawl, but can't quite get up on her hands, so she just scoots her legs under her and pushes. It doesn't really work, and she gets frustrated. This little girl wants to move so bad.

Her appointment was yesterday and she's still going strong in the 97th percentile. She's 17 pounds and 25 1/2 inches long now. She's a super tough girl. After her shots, she cried for maybe 7 seconds and that was it. She loves to drool and often has a waterfall flowing from the corner of her mouth and we are constantly wiping her face. She also is starting to put EVERYthing in her mouth so I guess I'll have to start vacuuming more often.

I love her smiles and laughs and every single one of her rolls. She's the perfect addition to our little family and we love her to pieces. She's so spoiled. I am also loving the fact that she's sleeping 12-13 hours a night AND getting in 3 naps a day. I've really learned a lot from her these last few months, and I am so so grateful we get to have her in our family.

I always post all the pics and videos on facebook, so I probably won't put up the same ones here, but it's fun to look at how much she's grown!

Mom Up!

We've all heard the saying, "man up". However, I believe no living creature is tougher than a mom. No, not even our beloved Chuck Norris. I used to believe that a woman in labor was the most fearsome creature. At that point, I had never had to pin down my daughter while someone injected medicine into her legs, or shoved a catheter 3 inches up each nostril. I now believe a mom going into 'mama bear' mode is truly the most fearsome creature.

Imagine it. A mom turning into mama bear. As if the extra upper body strength from hauling around her young (which probably hulks out during the mama bear transformation) and the crazy eyes from months of sleep deprivation aren't enough. Add in a pair of high heels and a diaper bag and you best be running in the opposite direction as fast as you can.

There are so many experiences a mom has to watch, while helpless, unable to do anything. Guess how much fun that is. I'm actually really grateful though. This little lady is prepping me for a couple trouble making boys. I'm feeling so tough, I might just kill my own spiders and everything!

P90-What?

I finished the first phase of P90X, and decided I really wasn't getting the kind of results I really wanted. That, and I had a hard time finding the energy and time to commit to the workouts.

But it's ok. Ross got me an incredible Valentine's present.

Don't worry, I ASKED for it, so it's not a secret message from Ross or anything. The book is truly inspiring and comes with a fitness plan that's 30 minutes, 4 days a week, for 6 weeks. THAT I can commit to, and I can use the 2 extra days to run for fun, and do something for ME. What I really love about this book, is that is teaches self confidence. It teaches you to love your body in whatever shape it is right now, and helps you feel even sexier RIGHT NOW. The lessons in the diet (which really isn't a diet at all), fitness, and beauty sections are all just an added bonus on how to fine tune and take care of yourself. The title is a little embarrassing, but so far, I am loving it!

Also, Claire and I just got back from a week and a half trip to Oregon for my brother's wedding! I'll update with another post later this week.

Ode to Size 6 Jeans

Since having a baby, I feel like the more I workout, the rounder I look. I know, I know, I need to be patient and I'm not going to be skinny and fit in one day or even one week, but seriously? SOME results or even a smidge of a hint that all my efforts are working would be great.

If you recall, my 2nd trimester MUST HAVE or I'm going to DIE craving, was burgers. And Fries. No wonder I put on weight. I really hope with the next baby, my craving is more like water, and celery or something.

Last night our home teacher came over. His wife is 8 months pregnant. And she is STILL doing P90X with him. At least, she does what she can. I was talking to Ross about that later and he goes, "So how do you feel about that babe?" -Fat. That's how I feel. Thanks.

I suppose he was thinking he was going to hear that I found a new heightened motivation and "Can Do" attitude. His motivational pep talk backfired.

I love going places with Claire. Strangers stop me to comment on how cute she is and ask how old she is. When I say to months, they look shocked and tell me I look great for having a baby. But you see, that's the thing. I don't want to look great- for having a baby. I want to look great for looking great. I'd even settle for looking good. I almost feel like I HAVE to have Claire with me to justify my extra baggage.

Ode to Size 6 Jeans

Oh Jeans, how I adore thee.

Some day I will be able to squeeze into

Without the added muffin top.

Without the elastic around the button.

Some day I will zip the zippers on my skirts

And were the skirts without the elastic.

Some day

But not today!

At least Claire still thinks I'm beautiful.

2 Months

Almost a week ago, Claire turned 2 months. First things first, here are her stats.

weight: 13.01 pounds-95th percentile

height: 24.25 inches- 97th percentile.

We pride ourselves on our little fat girl. For Claire, eating is not only her favorite hobby, it's serious business. A nurse showed Ross and I an eating chart a month ago. Apparently at 1 month, Claire was eating as much as an 8 month old. Yikes.

Claire has discovered her tongue. She loves to roll it around her mouth and stick it out. Especially when she smiles. Recently, she's discovered her hands. It's pretty funny to watch her sit and stare at her hand, slowly moving her fingers.

Claire likes to spend the day

-eating

-watching mom clean and workout

-talk to dad when he gets home

-play on her playmat

-stare at the Family Home Evening board.

-tooting in the bath tub and drinking as much bath water as she can get

She doesn't like:

-tummy time

-naps well, sleeping at all really.

-being tickled.

Claire is really ticklish, and it's really funny. She's not really sure what is going on so she makes a really funny face while her body is flailing around.

That's pretty much it. She's a really good happy baby, except when she's hungry. It's really fun watching her see and experience all these new things. She's so much fun to have around and we're so grateful for her. I can't believe how fast she's growing! Most of you are probably on facebook, and I'm always putting pictures up there, so I won't worry about posting pictures you've probably already seen on here. She doesn't go back to the doctor till 4 months, so I'll see how fat I can get her in 2 months!