Our New Normal

Wow have we been busy around here lately! Natalia started first grade a few weeks ago and Noelle started preschool last week. After last years ridiculous kindergarten experience (I will save that for another post!), we applied to a few charter schools and we were lucky enough to get a spot at one. The only downfall is that it is a 25 minute drive each way. So basically we are in the car most of the day M-F.

Here is Buggy on her first day of preschool!

I don't know what it was about the first two weeks of school but it was a huge adjustment for us all. Natalia went from being homeschooled all day to almost 7 hours of school a day. Not to mention my nightowl was now needing to be up and ready earlier than she was used to. What was most surprising was that it really affected Noelle and I. We both started napping with the baby in the afternoons!

Yep. Here is where I spent my afternoons for a few weeks!

So now we are getting in to more of a routine and I am getting used to being tired every day and less dependent on a daily nap. Noelle, however, still very much needs one! I am hoping not to get too burnt out on the daily drive, because Natalia's new school is amazing and we are all so happy with it.

I start working again next week and I can't wait! It is only 2 days a week but I will be happy to have a houseful of kids again. I know once that starts and I begin volunteering in both of the girls classrooms in the next few weeks we will need to adjust again. I really am someone who thrives on being busy, so hopefully the transition will be smooth!

In other news at the G house, Natalia has her first loose tooth and baby Ryder had his first half birthday!

 It is getting harder each month to get him to hold still long enough to take a photo!

Mommies on a Mission: Week 7

<center> <a href="http://lifeasalake.blogspot.com/2012/07/mommies-on-mission-week-1.html"><img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z7/Abbeylake07/weight-loss_after-baby1.jpg" /></a></center>   I apologize for being so behind on updating! Both of my girls started fulltime school and it has been a huge adjustment! You think I would have more time to blog but it just isn't so. I have been doing good as far as not eating out and cooking at home. We did order out from Chili's once and my husband and I both got sick from eating such rich food! I definitely notice a huge difference in the way I feel when I eat healthier. I also signed up for an organic produce delivery program. So we receive a box of organic locally grown produce every 3 weeks. It has been fun to experiment with produce I normally wouldn't cook with or eat. I haven't done any formal exercising yet but I have been trying to walk more and just be more active in general. So here is what this week looks like:   Prepregnancy weight: 121 End of pregnancy weight: 180 3 weeks ago weight: 127 Today's weight: 124     Don't forget to check on Mama Lake's progress!

Mommies on a Mission: Week 4

<center> <a href="http://lifeasalake.blogspot.com/2012/07/mommies-on-mission-week-1.html"><img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z7/Abbeylake07/weight-loss_after-baby1.jpg" /></a></center> I can't believe it is week 4 already! I have finally made some progress. I lost 3 pounds this week and can finally button my pre-pregnancy jeans! I swear, I owe it all to the Special K. I haven't yet found (made) the time to exercise so I still have the pregnancy belly pouch that won't go anywhere until I get my butt off the couch! I think I need something to motivate me this week. Maybe a trip to a local beach, pool, or lake as a reward...somewhere that means a bikini. I am really excited about my progress but I really want to start exercising for so many reasons, not just to lose the last of the weight. If you are following along each week, how are you doing with your progress? Any advice for motivation?   Pregnancy weight: 180 Pre-pregnancy weight: 121  Last weeks weight: 130 Today's weight: 127   Please venture over to Life as a Lake to check on Mama Lake's progress this week!

Mommies on a mission: Week 3

<center> <a href="http://lifeasalake.blogspot.com/2012/07/mommies-on-mission-week-1.html"><img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z7/Abbeylake07/weight-loss_after-baby1.jpg" /></a></center>


I had a feeling I wouldn't make much progress this week and I was right. I have been making better food choices but I haven't fit in any exercise yet. The problem is that I am still nursing the baby a lot, (he is 19 lbs now!) and I am always hungry! I have started eating special k for breakfast each morning and I know once I start working out, I will see a difference.
My oldest starts school next week so I am hoping that once we get into a routine I can schedule some exercise in somewhere!
Weeks postpartum: 22
Pregnancy weight: 180
Last weeks weight: 130
This weeks weight: 130
GOAL: 120

Be sure to check out Life as a Lake to see Mama Lake's progress and if you are interested in joining in the weight loss challenge, send me an email.

Wish me luck this week!

Wordless Wednesday

Mommies on a Mission: Week 2

Week 1 was pretty much a fail! We decided to go camping last weekend so between the tri-tip, bread and artichoke dip, guacamole, beer and smores, I definitely didn't start my diet! The only exercise I got was walking up and down the hills between the pool and our campsite. The good news is I didn't gain any weight. I am headed out of town again this weekend to see family and my goal is to pack healthy snacks and not overindulge. Oh, and Special K is on sale at my local store so I plan to stock up!
Here is the lowdown:

Pregnancy weight: 180 (EEK! I know...)
Pre-pregnancy weight: 121
Current weight: 130
Goal weight: 120

Check in next week to see if I make any progress!

Second Anniversary

Yesterday was our second wedding anniversary. Since we hadn't been out since before baby boy was born, I thought it was about time for a date night. I called him in the morning and asked him to be home by 5, ready by 5:30 and to wear something nice because we were heading downtown. In the five years we have lived here, we have probably been downtown less than a handful of times so I know he was very curious.

We dropped off the kids at their awesome babysitters house then headed downtown. When we got there and walked in, I said to hubby, "Look, there's Hans!" Hans is the extremely talented musician who played at our wedding. Check out Hans' music here.When I found out he was playing on our anniversary, I knew we had to go! Hubby was super surprised and we had an amazing time.

Here we are two years later: