Month 1 of the challenge done!!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I started the Bikini Body Mommy Challenge. I just finished month 1!!! I am loving it. I have not missed a day. I have worked out 6 days a week. I feel so much stronger and I have more energy. I lost 8 pounds. YAY!!! I still have a lot to go, but it's a good start. I have also lost quite a few inches. Especially in my belly. It's hard to tell in my clothed pictures, but I have been taking personal ones without my shirt and its quite the difference. Obviously, I still have a far way to go on it but I am very proud of the progress I have made.  I have also changed my eating a lot. I haven't been perfect but we haven't been eating out or eating hardly any processed food. I try to eat something every three hours. Breastfeeding makes you starving all the time, so it works well for me. The majority of my food is fruits and veggies. Thank goodness for the farmers market!! I have cut back on sugar and I have noticed I have started liking my foods without it because I can taste there natural sugars and flavors. It's nice :) I am so excited to see what changes the next 2 months of the challenge will bring me!! I want to be the healthiest and happiest me yet this year. I think I am headed in the right direction. It's never too late to join the challenge either. You can look it up on facebook or youtube.

I got my wall splits down!!!



Beginning of week 2

Beginning of week 2

Month 1

Month 1

Month 1

Month 1

Wild Birthday

My little brother just turned 22. I am not sure how it happened since I am pretty sure I am still 21 ;) sigh... wishful thinking. To celebrate we went to the Phoenix zoo. We had a blast and the girls did great!!!

Pretty sure I have the cutest girls ever!!!

Happy Birthday Christian!!

New Year. New Me.

The Holidays have come and gone. I don't quite know how it happened. It went by so fast. I am a horrible blogger. That's one of my resolutions this year, to be a better blogger. The girls are growing so fast. Belle is doing good in her therapies. I am praying that she will learn to walk this year. Her eating has gotten worse since an illness a few weeks ago and that is worrisome. I feel like getting a G-tube ( A surgery where a little incision is made in the stomach to insert a tube to the outside where you feed her) is becoming necessary. I worry that she isn't getting the right nutrients. All she will eat is pediasure(chemical soup) and yogurt. Not a healthy diet. I guess we will have to wait and see. The idea of a g-tube terrifies me, and I feel like we would be giving up on her ever being able to eat real food and live a normal life. We have to do what is best for her though. At least she is as happy and sweet as ever though.

Gracie is something else!! Having a delayed child, my idea of what is normal in the area of developmental milestones is not good. According to therapists and doctors as well as friends she is very advanced. She started army crawling about 3 months and was full blown crawling at 4 1/2 months. At 51/2 months she started pulling herself up and a week or so after that she started cruising while standing and holding things. She said Momma at 3-4 mo and she started saying Dadda finally a couple weeks ago (Ben is thrilled). We love this little girl. She really helps push Belle to do more. They are buddies, They crawl around and play with each other. It melts this Momma's heart!! On the other hand she is very much her Mother's daughter. She is an attention hog and wants to be held and cuddled all the time. She is also the biggest eater. I feel like we are feeding her constantly and she wont take a bottle or pacifier whatsoever. She will drink some water out of a sippy cup though which is nice.


In other news Ben and I have started gardening. We want to grow the bulk of our fruits and vegetables eventually. I can't wait to try everything and be able to make the girls food with produce that I know is as pure as can be.


One of my biggest resolutions this year was to become healthy. I want to change the way I eat and be an example to my girls. I want to be strong physically and mentally, and I feel that comes from eating right and exercising. Our bodies are temples and we need to treat them as such. I have been dealing with really bad post partum depression as most people who read this blog knows. I haven't been able to take anything since I am breastfeeding. I also don't want to have to rely on any medication. I have noticed a difference since starting my program last week. It is still hard and it will take time, but I am hoping this will be able to heal my depression as well as get me in shape.  I have started the http://www.bikinibodymommy.com/ challenge. It is 100% free. She posts a new workout to her you tube channel every day. It is usually only 20 minutes max. As a mom this is one of the biggest things. Everyone can find 20 extra minutes. If anyone wants to start the challenge, its not to late. It is a 90 day challenge. After only 1 week I have already lost a few inches. Its encouraging. I am also eating healthier and cutting my portion sizes which is my biggest challenge. I have decided to start posting pictures to keep myself accountable. It is humiliating and scary, but I want to show that if I can do it anyone can. If you have any questions let me know :)

Our aeroponic system.

                                    



Our rose bush is doing wonderfully.

That face ha ha.

Big smiles!!

Pretty girl <3

Cheese!!

Big standing girl

Beginning of week 2.

She crawled up here all by herself. She is literally into everything ha ha!!

Swings and Walks

It's almost Thanksgiving!!! Can you believe it?! I know I can't. I am so excited for the food and family time! I love the Fall. It's almost getting to be the perfect weather. It's been a bit warm for this time of year lately. I can't wait until its cold. Curling up with fuzzy blankets and good book while sipping some hot chocolate is my favorite :). We haven't been up to too much lately. We did get two new tiny (like fit in the palm of my small hand tiny) African Spurred tortoises. We Have one already that we got when we were first married. We love them!! They really are the easiest pets! They do get up to a couple hundred pounds and live a looong time. so they are for life pets and  most likely willed pets! I have been trying to get out with the girls more. I found a great little park nearby and have been taking the girls there. They love the swings! I also love walking to Target. Its a bit far for my taste, but my love of Target and not having a car during the day to get there makes it worth the walk. Plus, walking is so good for your health. Tonight I get to see the Hunger Games!!! I am crazy excited!! Have you seen it? What did you think?

She just loves laying on her baby and giving her loves.. Gracie doesn't seem to mind ha ha.



Luke and Leia!




They fit perfect together





Freeeeeee!!!





Ben made me the cute planter box and gave me a love pine :)