It's a journey

It's been a week since I posted last. Not too much has gone on... we celebrated my 22nd birthday on Wednesday. It was special since it was my first one with Lucy. I had a wonderful day. I've always loved birthdays and this one was no exception. I did eat WAY too much cake and ice cream though... but calories don't count on birthdays ;)

Speaking of calories- Since about mid-January Thom and I have been trying to live a healthier lifestyle. I'm not going to say we are on a diet because we eat normal food... just smarter portions of it. I think that's the way to go anyways. We all know I'd be crazy to say that I'm going to pass up a cookie or some icecream for the rest of my life. Since the morning my water broke I have lost around 55 lbs. Now, now, before anyone starts going crazy you have to remember that I HAD A BABY! HA! Now that's a sure-fire way to lose a good 10 lbs. or so. Lucy weighed 7lb 12 oz. PLUS think of the water weight. By the time we came home from the hospital I already weighed about 20 lbs. less...so I guess I shouldn't take credit for those. (I'm going to anyways :P )

What are you doing? You may be asking. Well, I am providing food for another human being. I think this is probably the reason that weight loss hasn't been nearly as hard this time around. I guess it's my reward for all the trouble we had in the beginning and for STILL having to get up atleast 2 times during the night. I also watch my portions and a little bit of what I eat. I can get away with eating more right now because of nursing Lucy but, I plan on weaning her in about 2 months so I'm trying to train myself to eat better things...(and to realize that I do not have to finish ALL the cookies in 24 hrs.) I've also been exercising lately. I'll go ahead and say it- I'm really proud of myself for this one. I have made goals for myself. My goal for the month of march is to do atleast 1 mile a day and on most days I've done 3-5 miles! I can really tell that it's made a difference and it's not THAT bad. I actually really enjoy it sometimes. Next month I'm going to try 30 day shred...here's hoping I can get through it!

For the first time, weight loss isn't just about looking good. Sure, I want that as a result. Who doesn't? But, I have a little girl now. I will be her primary model of how to view her body. I don't want her to grow up seeing me comment on my 'muffin top' or how I wish I could lose weight. I think when girls see their moms making comments about their own weight it makes them self conscious of their own bodies. I hear so many girls in our small groups comment on how they feel pressure to look a certain way and I'm going to do everything I can to help alleviate that pressure for my little sweetie. I want to show her how to be healthy (not skinny, or how to look good in your jeans) and show her what it's like to feel confident in your body so she can feel confident in her body. She's my motivation. But, this journey is still so hard somedays. A lot of the time I feel too tired to get up and exercise but, I just try to remember how good I feel afterwards and what the end result will be.

In other news, I'm starting back to school on the 22nd. Dare I say I'm excited? I'm glad that God has shown me what I should study after I felt like I shouldn't be pursuing Elementary Ed. Psychology it is. I should be finished with my Bachelors in about a year. I plan to get my masters in childhood development. This is what I'm excited about (aside from leaving Lucy...that will KILL me and I dread it already) I'm passionate about helping 'that kid' and finding learning plans for their teachers and families to help them. I really feel torn about leaving Lucy, though. I can't stand the thought of it. But, we'll jump that hurdle when we get to it. Right now I'm just thankful that I'm able to spend all day with her while completing my undergrad!

So, this is what has been going on with us lately. Lucy has been just as precious as always. She is such a joy. Everything she does amazes us. Tomorrow will make one year since we found out that she was going to be a part of our family. I think back to that day and how scared I felt and then I look to where God has brought me to today: A growingly confident mother enjoying each day with this little family. God has certainly provided all we need AND MORE in this past year. Aren't we so foolish for feeling so scared? Oh we of little faith! I'm so glad He has the patience to not only put up with me but grow me in His love (:

Well, I'm off to go enjoy this great "weather" (storm) we are having. Don't you just love a good storm?

Lot's of firsts!

We've been experiencing quite a few 'firsts' in our house over the past few days. Lucy has been raising her head up when sitting and laying down for quite sometime now. She's also been rolling up on her side. We'd been watching closely for the past week or so because we knew it was coming and on Wednesday night she finally did it!...Lucy rolled over!

After Thom came home from church on Wednesday night we layed her down and she started getting REALLY close. One time she was ALMOST there and then rolled all the way back on her back. Then she lifted that head up, grabbed onto her little pants and rolled all the way over! Thom and I were so excited and we cheered so loud that she started crying! We were so proud of our little girl. It's amazing how we'd been laying her down earlier in the day and she couldn't do it-and then, all of the sudden, she could. She did it one more time that night and hasn't since. She did go to have her shots on Thursday and I think that has left her pretty lethargic and moody :(

Speaking of the doctor, we have one very healthy little girl! She weighs 15 lbs 5 oz. ( fully clothed) and is 25 inches long. The doctor commented on how alert, interactive and strong she is ( I knew we had a super baby on our hands ;) ) HA! She took her shots like a champ. I held her hand and closed me eyes with her. I seriously think shots are harder on the parents than the babies! The doctor said Lucy was growing just fine with exclusively breastfeeding but, He said if we wanted to try out some cereal/babyfood we could...it was up to us. Well, I have been so excited about trying cereal. I'm hoping it will be my magic weapon for sleeping through the night. After her appointment we headed to Target and got a couple cute outfits and some cereal.

We tried it and I don't think she swallowed any of it. She doesn't understand how to eat without pushing her tongue out. But, that's okay, we will just keep working with her. I'm going to try again in a week and see how it goes. I have high hopes. Lucy is still waking up every 3 hours most nights and I think we would both LOVE a full nights sleep.

Today was a first for me. I decided it was time for me to get out by myself for a few minutes while Thom watched Lucy. I've said I was going to a lot of times but I always find an excuse so I won't have to go. We needed a few things at Walmart and I decided to brave it alone. I almost talked myself out of it but I'm happy I didn't. I called when I got there to check on Lucy ( overbearing maybe? :P ) I heard her little voice in the background and cried. This was the first time I've been alone since she's been born. It was weird. But, I should do it more often. Everyone needs to be by themselves sometimes and I know it will get easier the more I do it. I was so happy to be back home and hug and kiss her... Oh that little girl controls me. I'm serious...it's bad! HA!

So after all these busy firsts, Thom and I had a date night-in planned for tonight. I made buffalo chicken pizza and we got a movie for the Redbox (our best friend) It's been a really nice night with my little family.

Tim, Jenny, Reese and Harper are in so we plan to go over for a visit tomorrow. I also plan on making a few bows for my little cutie tomorrow. We got some new headbands this week and well, you can't have a headband without a bow.

One more thing before I go-Today is my big/little sister's birthday! Happy Birthday Chasity! We love you!

Also, Emily landed in Guatemala today for a mission trip so we'll be sure to keep her in our prayers this week!

Have a good night!

This is the start of something new. I've been wanting to start a blog for a while now to try and "scrapbook" some memories and to help our families keep up with what is going on. I finally got up the courage to start one and hopefully I'll keep it up. I would love to think that I would scrapbook every detail of our lives but there is NO extra time for all of that. Right now I feel good if I get around to getting the dishes done (:

Today was a fun day filled with my favorite thing SHOPPING! First, we headed to Kroger for some much needed grocery shopping. I love coming home and having everything I need to make the meals I want. I'm planning to try a few new recipes that I've gotten from some other blogs-I'm really excited about them. After supper we headed to Walmart to get a few things. I enjoy getting out of the house and I think Lucy does, too!

Since this is my first post, I'll keep it short. But, before I go I'll share this sweet video I took of Lucy tonight. We were having some tummy time and she started pulling her legs up underneath her like an inchworm! She is changing so fast!