Fitness Freak

So I've been very fortunate in losing most of my baby weight pretty quickly and I'm pretty sure I owe that to genes and nursing. However, my muscle tone is something to be desired. Even though I may look like I'm back to where I was pre-pregnancy, clothes hide areas where muscle once was. Now there is loose skin, yuck! My goal over the next month is to start running again and strength training my core, arm, and leg muscles, in an attempt to get back to where I was. 

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Reasons behind this desire?

First of all, Victoria is getting heavier by the day! I'm finding it harder to get her into her crib at night when she's limp in my arms and don't even get me started about how heavy that baby carrier is. My arms are getting weaker now that I'm not holding her all day. I also want to get back to living a healthy life style and taking care of myself. Being busy with work, home, and V can make me forget about that. I know that if I let it go for too long, I'll lose sight of my health goals, making it more and more difficult to get back in the saddle. I LOVE exercising, not only because it gets your body in shape, but because of those endorphins that take over! I'm always so happy after a workout. It helps release all the stress that builds up. And last, but not least, I want to stay attractive for my sweet Trey. I'm baring it all here, so might as well be honest! Even though we're into the "having kids" phase of our lives, I want to make sure I'm still wanted by my man (I know I'm not the only woman thinking thoughts like this). 

Why am I sharing such personal information, you ask? I'm sharing all this in hopes that because I've put it out there in the public eye, I will do a better job at sticking to my goal. I'm much better at getting things done and holding myself accountable when I've got people watching. So don't be afraid to say, "Hey Liz! How's your exercising going? Have you been going to the gym?", because that helps me! 

So on that note, better head to the gym while I've got the time. Adios!

xoxo,

Happy 4 months, Victoria!

Four months ago, today, Victoria was born! She's technically 17 weeks, 3 days, and she is getting to be such a big girl. Fortunately, I'm off work (due to threats from Sandy), and I had time to do a photo shoot. Our usual photo chair is at Tiffany's so we made due with her swing...not as great of an angle, but still cute! You can check her out at 3 months, 2 months, and 1 month to compare.

Those legs are lookin' long!

Victoria's "I don't like this!" face

Pure sweetness

We LOVE these toes

Victoria's favorite activity

Trying so hard to roll over

xoxo,

Pumpkin Patch

Victoria had her first trip to the pumpkin patch earlier this month! Unfortunately it was super crowded and quite hot, so we didn't go on the hayride out into the field to pick out our pumpkin. We did enjoy picking one out from the "already picked" pumpkins and being able to say "V went to the pumpkin patch!". It's all about firsts with our little one :) She was also kind of grumpy while we were there, so we waited until we got home and then set her up with the pumpkins to get pictures.  Here's our photo shoot....

xoxo,

Better late than never...3 month check up!

So I never posted V's stats from her 3 month check-up and in a couple weeks she's going for her next visit!
Here she was at her 3 month check-up:

She weighed in at 13 lbs, 9 oz, was 24 inches long, and her head circumference was 16 inches. 

Her next appointment is November 14th which is actually quite a bit past 16 weeks (she's already 17 weeks, 1 day, now!) but it will be interesting to see how much she's grown. 

Here are photos from her 3 month photo shoot:

xoxo,

Everything is OK...wait no, it's GREAT!

To my regulars, I apologize for my absence. My excuse for the last 4 weeks is that I've been a working mom again...and before that, I was just depressed about being a working mom again. As I expressed in my last entry, I was freaked out about working and being a good mommy. Now that I'm back in the saddle, I'm freaked out no more. Things are going much better than I could have ever thought possible. Victoria loves her time with her sitter (Tiffany) and the other little girls she sees there. She's learning so much from being around them and I love listening to her babble and coo when I pick her up everyday. She's sleeping well at night, which I'm certainly grateful for! And nights that are not so great...well, there's coffee for that. I've never enjoyed coffee until now. It's SO good - especially Dunkin' Donuts Pumpkin coffee! YUM!

Work is going well too. I'm co-teaching with a special ed. teacher, Michelle, and she's awesome. I love having her to talk to about V and everything else in life, and she's really great to teach with. We both love writing and seem to have the same attitude toward teaching and helping students, so that is nice. I also have a sweet class, and although there are a few in every bunch that love to test me, I'm handling it ok so far. The work has been very doable and it's nice being in the same grade for the 3rd year in a row. I'm finding that I'm not having to do so much outside work and I'm able to leave work when I want and still have the afternoon to spend with my sweet girl. 

I'm still breastfeeding - surprise! (at least it's a surprise to me, anyway). Originally, my goal was to make it to 6 weeks. It was really hard in the beginning. Then, once six weeks rolled around, I felt like I was finally getting used to it and not minding it so much. So then, my goal was to make it until work started. Once work started, I figured I'd try pumping and if it was too hard, I'd let it go. Four weeks at work and I'm still going! Yay! My new goal is to make it to six months (Christmas time). I enjoy it because I feel like I'm still able to take care of Victoria by providing my milk for her, even though I can't physically  be there during the day. There's something special about nursing and the bond it creates with your baby...at least there is between me and V and I'm just not ready to let that go yet! :)

Always so happy!

Loves play time

So, I'm OK, V's OK, Trey's OK, and all is well. Victoria will be 4 months on Tuesday - holy cow! She's talking up a storm and can almost roll over. And she's just so darn happy. It's wonderful :)

xoxo,