The Girls

So I realize its been awhile since I've posted about the family and what we are up to. And this is because its been a boring 2 weeks for us. We've been slumming it at home because of this snow and I really haven't wanted to get Alaina out in this weather. She hasn't gotten sick yet, and I am hoping to keep it that way.

In the past couple of weeks, Alaina has gotten bigger. She's filling out her 0-3 mos clothes very well now. They are still roomy, but she is able to wear them. She's sleeping through the night consistently now. She's always been a good sleeper, but occasionally after she was born, she would wake up around 3am to eat. But now she sleeps from around 11pm to 6am. Its wonderful. Of course, Sophie did this too, and then decided when she was about 5 mos old that she would wake up twice during the night. That lasted until she was 7 or 8 mos old. So I am fairly certain that Alaina won't always sleep through the night from now on, but I am definately enjoying it for now, while it lasts. Alaina is also smiling now. Not the "oh I'm about to fart or poop" kinda smile. But the "oh, you look foolish talking baby talk to me and I find you amusing" kinda smile. Its VERY cute. I might post a picture at the end of this post for all of you faithful readers.

So now onto Sophie. I think she's giving us a taste of what the "terrible twos" are going to be like. She used to lay down at night and go right to sleep. We'd hug and kiss her goodnight and she was perfectly content to go to bed. But now, she fights it tooth and nail. Also, she gets into everything. Now I know she's a 19 month old and they just naturally are curious and will get into things. But she's getting into things that she knows are off-limits and then when we count to 3, she still doesn't put it down. We can spank her and it doesn't phase her. Putting her in the corner works for about 5 minutes, but then she's back into everything. Don't get me wrong- I'm not at my wits end or anything. She's still a happy, good little girl about 1/2 the day. Its the other half that is hard to get through. But we deal with it, with lots of discipline, frustration, and love. Boy, that sounded corny. Sorry folks. Anyway, Sophie also has a new obsession with the TV. She is ALWAYS wanting to watch it. I can see this being a problem. My little brother, David, had a TV obsession when he was little, so my mom ended up taking the TV all week and on Friday nights, she would bring it out to the living room (we had a rolling TV stand, so it was easy to move it) and we could watch a movie. And then the TV went away til the next Friday. I can see Michael and I having to take the TV away. Although, I can't see Michael giving up the TV either. He has an obsession with videogames.

I start school on Thursday, Jan 12th. I have classes on Tues, Wed, and Thurs this semester, with only 2 night classes on Tuesday nights and Wednesday nights. I am looking forward to going back, but I have alot to do this semester to prepare myself to get into the nursing program. Gotta take the NET, and study for it before I take it. I've also got to complete the nursing program application and mail it in before the deadline hits in June (which gives me plenty of time, I think). Also, the FAFSA has to be filled out by March so that I still qualify for grants and certain scholarships. So I'm going to do that and I have to work REALLY hard this semester to make all A's. I want to bring my GPA back up. It went down to a 3.54 after last semester.

Theres really nothing new with Michael. Still working at JCMC. Still playing videogames on his days off (and helping with the girls, of course).

So thats whats going on right now. The end.

Day 6

Day 6- Yay!

My muscles aren't as sore anymore. And while I'm working out, I can tell a difference already when I'm doing cardio. I'm building up my endurance. That's good. I have to tell you, it is HARD to make yourself workout everyday. Which is why I am thankful for Richelle. We used to work at the same place and recently have started getting together and working out. If it weren't for her coming over everyday, then to be honest- I probably would have skipped yesterday. Yesterday was a VERY lazy day for me, not sure why. But she and Rob (her fiance) came over and while she and I worked out, Michael and Rob kept each other company in the dining room (they aren't allowed to watch us workout. haha).

So I have consistently worked out everyday, and its going great. Also, the portion control and 1 soda per day thing is going really well too. I'm not going to allow "real" sodas in the house anymore. Only diet drinks. And yesterday I bought a ton of bottled water, so it should last me for a couple of weeks.

So I am raising my water bottle to toast to Day 6. May it bring happiness, healthy choices and a good, hard, fat-burning workout.

Day 3

Day 3 of the 30 Day Shred.
Am I feeling it? Heck yes.

My legs have been screaming at me since yesterday. But that's good, right? my arms aren't too sore, but that's because I haven't gone to walmart to get weights yet, which is on my "to-do" list today. The past 2 days I haven't been using weights because I haven't had any. But filled water bottles will do in a pinch, right? haha. I tried, anyway. So I'm going to start with 3 lb weights.

So the video is really great. Hopefully I will see results at the end of the 30 days. Although, like I said in my last post...I'm not stopping after 30 days. After the 30 days are up, I'm going to start Level 2 and do that for another 30 days. I highly recommend the video.

I am also only allowing myself one soda per day. I am choosing to drink only diet sodas for those that I do drink. Other than that 1 soda, and half a glass of orange juice in the morning, its water for me- all day, every day. Sodas are my downfall, my weakness.

I'm cracking down on myself. KUDOS, Becky Edens, KUDOS.

P.S. The girls are great. They are both taking naps right now. Alaina is growing like a weed and I swear- Sophie says a new word everyday. They are my sweet little cupcakes. Sophie tries to work out with me at home. Its really cute. I'd get a picture, but that means I would have to stop working out to do so- which I can't let myself do. So...just imagine a 19 month old little girl doing squats and attempting pushups. Its pretty darn funny.

30-Day Shred

So for anyone that knows me very well, you know that I have a hard time doing things and sticking with it constantly...so I decided to start doing a work-out routine everyday. I have heard good things about Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred workout DvD (she's one of the trainers on The Biggest Loser). So I decided to give it a shot. I started it yesterday, and I am very sore today from doing it. Its not "hard". They aren't hard workouts, but its very intense. Its only a 20-25 minute workout (theres a warm-up and cool-down included), but its constant moving. She does great though. There are 2 levels- level 1 for the beginner and level 2 for the more advanced exerciser. I'm going level 1. I'm planning on doing level 2 when I finish the 30 days of level 1.

So I am going to be posting my progress regularly on this blog. Its my way of being "accountable", so that I'll stick with it and not quit. This year it is my goal to lose 40-50lbs. I need to get healthier. Not just for me, but for the girls. I don't want to be a Mom who can't do certain things with my kids because of my weight and physical condition. I want to do things with them and not be gasping for air. I also want to be a good example. I have the tendency to be overweight, as does Michael, so its going to be easier for the girls to put on weight as well. So i want them to grow up with exercise and establishing good eating habits.

So from now on, this isn't just our family blog. It is also my weight loss/getting back to a healthy lifestyle blog. If anyone wants to join me in doing this, I'll be working out every night for 30 minutes. Even if you just get the DvD and start it, I am more than happy to be anyone "accountability" partner and make sure that we do it daily and don't slack on it. This is for ANYONE, not just us overweight people. Its also for people who are interested in being more healthy and toning up their body.

have a happy evening! wish me luck!

Gentle Reminders

...we all need reminders of how blessed we are sometimes. Its easy to forget when it seems like there is so much that overwhelms me and so much that I can complain and worry about. However, when it all comes down to it- God has blessed me with 2 healthy little girls, a faithful and helpful husband who is a wonderful father and I am healthy and happy. Life isn't smiles and sunshine all the time- but whose is? Most of my days are full of smiles and my house is filled with the sound of a toddler's laughter and a healthy baby's cries. Some people don't have that. I am definately beyond blessed and have alot to thank God for.

We had a great Christmas. Sophie got a ton of gifts (the girls are blessed with Grandparents that buy them TOO much! haha), so I went through all the old toys and we got rid of more than half of them that Sophie never plays with, but I did keep a few small toys for when Alaina reaches about 4 or 5 mos. I'm not going to be one of those Moms who lets the kids toys take over the house.
On Tuesday (Dec 22nd), we went to our friends house and had a non-traditional Christmas dinner with Anthony, Audrey, Skylar, Haley, J, Melane, Jada, and Jacob. We ate a ton of food (Audrey made twice baked potatoes, fried chicken, rolls, deviled eggs, and a couple other things that I can't remember right now. Melane made Asian food, and I made a vegetable appetizer pizza, fudge, and haystacks). The food was delicious. I probably gained 5 lbs that night alone. After we ate, we opened gifts and did karaoke. We had so much fun. It was a wonderful fun filled night. We got home around 11:45pm.
On Christmas Eve, we went to my Gramma's house and had dinner- Roast beef with Au Jus, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, ColeSlaw, Jello Mold, and iced tea. Very very good. Gramma outdid herself once again. The we went to my parents house and made cookies and chocolate dipped pretzel logs with sprinkles. mmm mmm mmmm....good stuff. Mom and Dad kept Sophie that night (We opened gifts with Sophie earlier that day because Michael had to work on Christmas Day). Michael, Alaina, and I got home around 11pm.
On Christmas Day, I woke up and got Alaina and I ready to go and we went to visit Michael at work and take a basket filled with cookies, fudge, and chocolatedipped pretzels to him and his coworkers. So we did that and then went to Erwin. Sophie, Alaina, and I all took about a 2 1/2 hour nap from 11:00am-1:30pm. It was so nice! We went to my Grammas for Christmas dinner at around 3 and ate around 4. We then cleaned up and played games. At 7pm, I left Erwin and went to my Mother-in-laws house for another Christmas dinner. Michael met us there about 8pm. We ate and then exchanged gifts and played dirty Santa. We got home around 10:30pm and put the girls to bed and then got in bed ourselves.
So we had a busy holiday, but it was so much fun.
This week is going to be busy as well. Michael is working Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. And while he is working tomorrow, I've gotta take the girls to the store and buy some groceries to make the stuff for our New Years Eve party with Anthony, Audrey, Melane, J, Richelle, Rob, TJ, Amber, and all the kids. Its going to be so much fun. I'm excited about it. Then on Tuesday I'm going to put away all the Christmas decor. On Wednesday, I'm going to clean the apartment really well and then cook a little on Thursday. Everyone is supposed to be over around 8pm, so Michael will have a few minutes after he gets home from work to take a shower before people start getting here.

So I've written quite a bit already and really haven't written too much about the girls and how they are doing- Sophie is wonderful. She just started saying all of her uncles' names- Josh, David, and Adam. She says "Mom-Mom" and "love" and "Happy" also. She still points and grunts alot though. She recently had her 18 month check-up. She weighed 27lbs 60z and was 33 1/2 inches tall. And although her head circumference was only in the 50th percentile, she still looks like her head is about 2 sizes too large for her body :).
And now Alaina- she's great. Growing and finally starting to fill out a little. She's a month old now and still in newborn clothes, but I have a feeling that she'll outgrow them within another week. She sleeps through the night most nights already. That's definately nice. But she goes to bed pretty late and gets up early...but I'm used to it now.

So we are all pretty well adjusted to Alaina's presence in the family and we are enjoying life.

Time to feed Alaina before she goes down for the night...Goodnight faithful blog readers. Sorry I haven't been so faithful in updating!

My baby story (and more).

Its 5:15 am. And I'm not very tired anymore. I'm getting used to being up early already. I guess thats good that I'm adjusting quickly to the baby.

Okay, so I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on November 25th (which makes her almost 2 1/2 weeks old now, by the way). Let me give you a run-down of my labor and delivery experience:

I arrived at the hospital on 11/25 at 6am. They checked me into my room and got my chart together and I had to sign a ton of papers and all that good stuff. About 7am, they started an IV in my hand (yay for the nurse who got it on the first try!), and hooked me up to the fetal monitor. At 7:45am, they started the Petocin. Everything was fine and dandy until about 10am. Mom and Dad arrived with Scrabble at 9am and we all sat around talking. About 10am, my contractions started to hurt. By 10:30am, they were horrible and I wanted the drugs. Actually, let me be more specific- I wanted the EPIDURAL- STAT. So I asked for it (I was 4cms dialated at this point). After about 45 minutes of waiting and some crying and anger, I was finally given the epidural (SWEET RELIEF). When the nurse checked my cervix at 11:15am, I was 6 cms dialated. So after the epidural took effect, my parents and michael and I played Scrabble until about 12:15pm. At that time, I was getting tired and so was Michael. We figured we had at LEAST 4 hours left to rest, so we did. Michael fell asleep and I just sat and talked to my parents as they continued to play Scrabble. Now this is when things got a little exciting.
About 12:45pm, the baby's heartrate went from the 150's all the way down to the 70's. It continued to do this for 15 minutes and Mom & I were getting worried. The nurse came in at 1pm to see what was going on. She checked my cervix and looked up at me and said "You're going to have a baby". Um...DUH. I KNOW I'm going to have a baby. I have a belly that sticks out a mile and I'm in the hospital being induced. I think I know that I'm going to have a baby. Little did I know that she meant RIGHT then. She told me that she could see the baby's head and all I would have to do is give one good push and she'd be out. I could hardly believe it. In less than 2 hours, I dialated 4 cms?? I was a little skeptical. Well she called my doctor and he arrived at about 1:10pm. As he was getting his gloves on and the nurses were coming in, he looks down (my legs had just been placed in the stir-ups) and his eyes got huge and he says "Uh uh uh uh uh uh....CONNIE! The head!" So I'm thinking "whats going on" and Michael looks down and his eyes got huge and I asked him what was wrong. He told me the baby was halfway out. Dr. Hinton looks at me and says "don't push". Well...I hadnt pushed...she just kinda continued to slip out. It was the EASIEST delivery ever. Piece of cake.
So Alaina Julianne Edens arrived at 1:17pm, weighing 7lbs 2 oz and was 20 inches long. So tiny compared to Sophie (8lbs 6 oz).
We went home on Black Friday, Nov 27th.

So, 2 1/2 weeks later....Alaina is doing great. Still itty bitty in my opinion. She weighed 7lbs 10 oz on Wednesday at her 2 week check-up. She's a great little baby though. Already sleeps through the night most nights (although sometimes she gets up once, around 3am). I'm exclusively breastfeeding (well...when I'm in school, Michael gives her a bottle, but its still breastmilk) and I love it. It didn't go well with Sophie, so I'm just SO glad and thankful that its going well and that Alaina and I are both enjoying it.

And Sophie? She's adjusting very well to her sister being here. She likes to give Alaina hugs and "love" on her. Its really cute. We just have to watch her really closely...she's used to playing with older kids and she can be a little too rough. She does well being "gentle" though. I'm so proud of her. The only thing that she's having a hard time with is sleep. I have no idea how many times she wakes up during the night total, but I hear her rustling around in her crib often. She went from having 1 nap a day, to now having 2 or 3 naps because she's so tired. Thank goodness, this week she seems to be doing better. Its just taking her a little while to adjust and get back on schedule.

Wish me luck and say a prayer or two for me this next week! I have finals on Monday, Tues, and Thursday next week. I'm excited to get this semester over with!

Well, I will post pictures soon, but I really don't feel like it now. I'm going to go lay back down with Alaina and enjoy the quiet before Sophie wakes up.

The Countdown Begins

15 days to go until induction day!

Everything is going great and I am so looking forward to having baby girl in my arms soon. It'll be nice not being pregnant again. Although the postpartum emotions and soreness aren't a wonderful thought right now. We have decided against the name Hannah. Too common right now. So we have FINALLY decided on another name but we aren't telling people just yet....not until she's born. But I will tell you this-- its a great name!

We finally have a plan as far as where Sophie is going to be and all that jazz. Michael's parents are going to keep her on Wednesday, and on Wednesday evening when they come to the hospital, my parents are going to get her and keep her overnight. They'll have her until we get home from the hospital. Then we aren't sure if Sophie is going to come home right away for the first night home with the baby or if she will stay with her Grandparents again...that's still up for discussion. I want her to be home. She's part of the experience. But with having a new baby and the crazy hours that we'll be up during the night, I don't know if she'll sleep well or how that first night is going to go. And I know that Michael and I will be exhausted...so we just aren't sure whats going to happen yet. Life with 2 kids will definately take some adjusting to.

Got the nursery completely finished. Will post pictures soon....hopefully. But don't be suprised if I don't post until the end of the month after Baby girl has arrived.