Hello and TGIF! Why I can't seem to blog unless Kelly has a linkup, I'll never know. Blogging FOMO I guess!
1)
Andrew turned TWELVE! My second baby will be a teenager next year. Excuse me while I mop the puddle of myself up off the floor.
Ok, I'm back, but still weepy, because look at this cutie patootie! Can I just freeze him and his handsome little face? Please?
Andrew wanted a Fitbit for his birthday, but I looked at the prices and didn't think a 12 year old who plays three different sports (and would constantly have to take it off for each game) would be able to keep it in his possession. So the much more affordable Garman Vivofit it was! He was thrilled! In fact, Eamon used his birthday money to buy one for himself and they compete with each other every day to see who gets the most steps. They totally put shame in my step game, no wonder they're so thin!
On his birthday, after track practice and soccer practice, we celebrated with ice cream sundaes and some cousins. Andrew loves to be celebrated (unlike some of my other shyer kids) and we had already had a birthday cake for him a few days before at Brendan's Baptism party (because that's where all the people were) hence the easy sundae choice :)
Being the sports nut that he is, all his gifts were sports related...
He got "slides" which Phil and I remember being big when we were in high school, but we called them "sandals". My my, how times change.
He also got an Under Armour sports bag. He loves it so much that he doesn't want to use it and get it dirty. Ha!
And of course, a Dude Perfect shirt because obsessed is his current state. He's also getting this book once it's released.
We love you Andrew with the funny middle name!
2) My babiest of babies is 8 weeks old today! He enjoys nursing, pooping, burping, sleeping, and keeping his parents up at night. Hey when you've got 6 siblings, when else are you gonna get some quality parent time?
His smiles are a nice addition to his otherwise stunned or crying faces. It was touch and go there for a while, but we decided we'll keep him ;)
3)
Phil turned 36 this week! We went out to dinner at a local bar and took BB with us, cause he loves to get tipsy on milksy. I always feel like Phil gets the lamest birthdays because it's the third birthday in our family within two weeks. And we added a Baptism in that time period this year! I did bake him a lemon cake and gave him one gift, and he got one from his parents too. Thank goodness being showered in gifts is not this guy's receptive love language!! Can you guess which love language he prefers?
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| He's holding his Thanksgiving gift ;) |
The kids did make him cards!
4)
My friend sent me this as a possible Halloween costume this year. So easy and clever!
5)
Phil's sister who is a Sister came to visit us all the way from Texas. She got to meet her newest nephew and spend time with her goddaughter, whom she lavished in jewelry :)
Declan decided to streak in honor of her visit, just to make her feel more at home.
6)
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| 2005 with only two kids! |
We have totally skipped apple picking this year, which makes it the first time ever that I can remember since having kids. What a sin to live in beautiful New England and not go apple picking. Maybe there will be some pumpkins left somewhere this weekend if we can find time to squeeze it in amongst the 6 soccer games, two variety show rehearsals, and a funeral! Eeek!
7)
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| Fabletics leggings and Saucony shoes - love both! |
Let's talk baby weight. Not Brendan's weight, but the weight he left behind. Due to the gestational diabetes, I was dieting for his pregnancy and only gained 14 pounds total. A week after he was born, I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight (not my goal weight, but what I weighed when I got pregnant). However, as soon as he was born, I started eating all the carbs and sugars I had been restricting, and now have gained weight. This needs to go. It's not really baby weight, it's just weight, and I'm not making healthy choices. Plus, I would like to be able to wear my clothes again. I have a physical coming up in less than a month, and I would like to have lost at least 5 pounds by then. I've been running again during kids' soccer practices which feels so good, and I've started eating healthier (modified THM diet) and not devouring chocolate and chips at night.
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| New evening activity: Running not eating :) |
If anyone has any tips on trying to lose weight without affecting milk supply, I would love to hear them!
Have a happy Soccer Playing, Pumpkin Picking, Football Watching kind of weekend everybody!
I'm doing a modified THM as well because I definitely have baby weight to lose. I use a lot of their recipes and have cut out sugar, heavy carbs, etc. I don't worry so much about mixing fuels and probably do a lot of crossover, but I stick to the lower carbs and do lots of protein and veggies. I eat more fruit than they say to. I also am dairy-free, because it seems to help my baby with her reflux, so my S meals are definitely not super S heavy because cutting out dairy cuts out all the good stuff like cheese, cream, etc.
ReplyDeleteBeing dairy free is probably a great diet on its own!
DeleteHappy Birthday to Andrew and Phil!! I absolutely love that Halloween Costume! It had me LOL'ing! :) And now I've got that song stuck in my head....
ReplyDeleteSo clever!
DeleteYou only gained 14 pounds?!? That's impressive! I don't know though, early postpartum is a tough time. You're not sleeping and you're so hungry all the dang time. And darn it! I need a glass of wine every single night after 9 months of nothing! So yeah, that's when I really don't watch what I'm eating at. all. I did have success with cutting out sugar for a month when I was 6 months postpartum last time; that knocked the last 5 pounds off for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd happy birthday to Andrew! Your kid would want a fitbit for his brithday! Sheesh!
And happy birthday to Phil! Doh!
DeleteIt's been way too easy to overindulge with the excuse of not being able to have it for the last months!! I really should just eat how I did when I was pregnant...just gotta be mentally prepared to do it! But yeah even losing weight while nursing is so hard for me. I don't even want to do it for vanity this time, purely to feel better and fit in my clothes :)
DeleteChew mint gum is my go to. I never want the sweet stuff when I've got minty breath plus it helps curb cravings.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one. Or I could brush my teeth!
DeleteWow, you have been busy! I love your leggings and new shoes!
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie! You should give me some weight loss tips, you thin mama!!
DeleteI've found that running doesn't make baby weight drop off the scales - which is super annoying. I've done half marathons after pregnancy and I still don't get down to my PPW - so I suppose a change in diet would be in order BUT.... that's never any fun : )
ReplyDeleteI agree, dieting is sadly a must :(
DeleteI've never lost weight by running. Totally a bummer.
ReplyDeleteThose leggings look great. Do you subscribe to Fabletics?
I did the $25 outfit then I unsubscribed. Worth it!!
DeleteIf you're looking for other linkups to motivate the blogging, you can check out the Zelie Group's weekly linkup on Thursdays. Just answer 3 quick questions and link up! Here are the questions for the 20th:
ReplyDeleteOctober 20 Pets
Did you have a favorite pet when you were younger?
Do you have pets now? If so, what?
Have your kids eaten dog or cat food (either at your house or someone else’s)?
www.sweepingupjoy.com
I'll have to check that link! Thanks!
DeleteHappy birthday to Andrew and Phil! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteWow, slides are back? Wonders never do cease.
ReplyDeleteI know, right??
DeleteI think you are doing amazing even thinking about losing any weight with everything else you are in charge of! And you look really great in all your photos post baby. I also gain weight while nursing because then I eat all the carbs and sugar :/ :/--running on empty and making bad choices. I stabilise at a weight while nursing and can't lose any more without being HANGRY!! I will say though, that aside from trying to cut sugar for health, doing Barre workouts helps me tone and change my shape i.e. slims my legs, defines my waist again, and if done properly helps my disastis recti which slims my tummy. I think for a lot of postpartum moms who are pretty healthy, it's also the shape of your body rather than the weight only that needs to change again, and for me that doesn't happen until baby is getting older. Doing targeted exercise like that instead of running only has been really a great thing for me and gets me closer to clothes fitting better. You're doing great Colleen!
ReplyDeleteGood advice! Is the Barre workout a class at a gym or a video at home? I'm very interested :)
DeleteOops sorry, I was anon. that last time! I do Barre 3 which has locations over the country and also a really good online video program. You can subscribe for 15 bucks a month, they have workouts you can pick any length 10 minutes or varying lengths up to one hour, and you can even pick postpartum workouts to get your strength back steadily first. It burns hard but you work smart even in little sessions and build strength quick, and it is totally addictive for me, I don't burn out like on Jillian Michaels or anything. They're very woman friendly and encouraging.
DeleteI'm gonna send you a link to a free trial.
Delete