Snapshot Saturday & Weight loss crap

While looking at this photograph, my daughter announced, "There Daddy! Hi!" What a way to boost a 

self-conscious mom's self esteem. It shouldn't have bugged me, considering she calls both Tom and I daddy now..

I am at 25 lbs lost. Before I get the "way to go"s and "your doing great", wait a minute. That means I've only lost 5 lbs since December 6th. I need to step up to the plate. Thursday night I ran a 5k on the treadmill making another personal best.

37 minutes 20 seconds

Average speed: 4.9  mph

Average mile: 12 minutes 14 seconds

2 minute cool down at the end, making it 39 minutes, 20 seconds

Burned 750 calories

I started out struggling to do 50 crunches. I am not averaging around 375 each time I do them, I try for 500
My only problem is over the past 2-3 months my servings sizes crept back to where they used to be. And I've gone from hitting the gym 5-6 days a week to 1-3. Not good. Not good at all.

But when I look at a photo like that one up there, I can actually see some progress. Now, I know I really need to work harder on my legs, upper arms, and tummy.

No more snow please!

This has been one hell of a snowy Winter in the North East, with record totals for the month of January. I am beyond sick of it. Especially since I've yet to get my photo of the snow coming down. Just can't seem to capture it. Really ticks me off...

Anyway, this last storm that hit (18 inches here, on top of the few feet of snow already on the ground....) had brought me entire street closer together. I do not have neighbors who talk to each other unless it's to complain about noise or parked cars. Or children. Yesterday, not a car or foot print had even touched the snow at 9:45 am. Shocking, right? Then when the plow did come he got stuck. 10 or so of my neighbors were outside digging out cars. Sidewalks. Even the street. Hell, even the plow! Then for the first time in my life, I saw a plow driver get out and shovel! The neighbors and the plow dude came together, moving the snow that has taken over the cul-de-sac this past couple of weeks, and moving the cars that prevented the plow from doing it's job to the fullest. Unfortunately they didn't pay such close attention to the rest of the street and now my dead end, narrow road is one lane only. With no where to pull over. I'm waiting for a disaster here..

Anyway, like I said neighbors pulled together. Talking, laughing, and of course, bitching about the snow. People helped each other move cars and snow. I swear, nothing brings people closer than a big storm. I took a walk, with camera slung around my neck to the corner. A normally 5 minute walk took an 30 minutes. Yep, it took me an hour to get to the corner and back! I talked to so many people. People assumed because I had my telephoto lens, that I knew what I was doing. People, who are usually rude and bitchy, actually moved out of my way so I could get the shots I was aiming for. Wow. Even more shocking!

The coolest part of the whole day has to be the mountains of snow, some as high as street signs, some even higher. And then the sun came out and we saw blue skies! And, even more exciting about the giant piles of snow, it was perfect for making slides out of it, and sliding down. All without a sled. Oh yes, my boys loved this! And, lastly, this was the first snow that Bailey actually enjoyed, at least now that she finally figured out walking in her snowsuit.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

365 Week Three Recap!-Snapshot Saturday

Snapshot Saturday

Been a while since I did a Snapshot Sat. post!

The little lady chose her outfit for the very first time. 

Didn't she do a great job? Hehe!

365 Week One Recap!

I've mentioned starting a 365 Project, on my new blog, and so far I've stuck with it!
I thought I'd share with you all my first week of 365 photo's!

(Please Click to Enlarge!)

14 months.

Happy 14 monthday to my sweet Bailey-boo. 

Bailey you still seem so much more like a baby to me, than a toddler. Maybe it's just mommy's way of keeping a baby around. Mommy is feeling so bittersweet of you getting older. Though I look forward to see each new milestone reached, and seeing you grow into a beautiful little girl, I am not ready. You are at such a fun age. You are walking and so much more independent, yet still need your mommy. You still look like a baby, and sound like a baby. You can play on your own, with your brothers, or with Mommy and Daddy. But you still love to have us hold you and comfort you. Maybe, the fact that you are still nursing is what makes me still look at you like an itty bitty baby.. Who knows.. Bailey, you are such a fun little girl to watch. The way you fight so hard to do whatever you want and get whatever you want. The way your lip quivers and eyes tear up when you can't do or get whatever it is you are wanting. The way you will sit and listen to stories so with such concentration. The way you play so contently with your brothers cars and action figured. The way you clap and get so excited when you see food, a cup, or Mommy's breasts. The way you say "hi", "bye", "boo"(b), here you go. The way you smile and babble when you get ahold of a phone. All of these things and more, Bailey, I love them. I love everything about you. As much as I want you to stay this little forever, I know you I will truly enjoy watching you grow and become a beautiful, intelligent, kind young lady.

I love you sweet baby girl.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday-Pretty in Purple

Thirteen Months

Yesterday marked the thirteenth month she has been apart of our whole family.

Thirteen months ago, I fell so deeply in love with my sweet Bailey.

Thirteen months ago, I had no clue what she'd be like at this age.

Thirteen months ago, I had no clue how much I'd change.

Thirteen months ago, I looked into her eyes for the very time. 

Thirteen months ago, she was really mine.

Mine to nurture. 

Mine to care for.

Mine to hold.

Mine to live for.

All mine. 

For the past 13 months, Bailey has done nothing but light up my life. 

She is one of the 3 reasons I wake each day. She is my reason for not screwing up my life again.

She is one of the greatest reasons I have stayed clean the past 25.5 months. 

She is the only girl who holds my heart. 

She is my heart and soul.

My baby girl.

She is my Daughter.

Trick or Treat!

Or as Bailey says, "Eeh! Eeh! Eeh!"

Or Collin, "Wic Oh Eeh!"

Despite heading out later than usual, 

Bags and Buckets were filled to the top.

Despite having to stop early,

And as always Mommy hated to stop! 

Boys had a blast,

Bailey loved it too.

Mommy and Daddy had fun,

And got along too!

"Trick or Treat"

"Thank you & Happy Halloween"

Is what the big kids said ,

with each house we had seen.

Chocolates, Taffies,

Lollipops and gum.

If you don't want Mommy to get them,

Grab the Reese's & run.

More manners seen, 

than any Christmas season.

Something about free candy,

gives everyone reason.

Treats are all sorted,

Kids are in their beds.

Visions of candy

are dancing in their heads.

Now it's Mommy's turn,

And Daddy's turn too.

To go through the candy,

And pick a piece or a few.

  Happy Halloween!  

Wordless Wednesday-Sweetness

Bailey's Birthday Bash-Finally!

I know I know... I put this off a whole week. I have not spent much time at all on the computer. I will tell you why in another post. Whenever I get to writing it! Oops... I am so sorry, I should be back to my regularly scheduled posting soon... As soon as the hubs is back at work, which should be tomorrow. It's a pretty big pay cut, but more than nothing. As long as we cut back on luxury's we should be good.


Bailey's party went without a hitch. Well there was one. Not many of the kids showed up. Eight of the fifteen I was counting on came. Five of those had to cancel last minute, and two of them-their father completely forgot and made other plans.

Bailey looked amazing in the outfit a dear Justmommies.com friend made. Due to wind and slightly chilly temps, I added a long sleeve shirt under her birthday onsie and a pair of leggings under her tutu, but she still looked great! Especially with the bow I had just found one day before her party.

My amazing cake decorator friend Katie and her sweet niece helped me decorate, which we did the best with the wind blowing everything down as fast as we could get it up. We made sure all the kids that showed had their name on a goody bag for when that time came.

Not having a meal worked out perfectly! We always have a lot of food, (burger and dogs with all the usual salads in the summer; baked ziti, meatballs, cold cuts, etc in the cooler months) but this time we stuck with snacks. Veggie platters, fruit platters, pepperoni cheese and crackers platter, jalapeno poppers, chips and dip, nacho's and salsa, was all that covered the table. I am very, very grateful to my parents for supplying the fruit, veggie, and cheese platters, and my aunt for bringing the poppers.

While everyone ate, I made my rounds socializing and the kids all played with the toys at my parents house. Bailey and Katie's son (just a few months older) fought over the purple car that we found months ago on the side of the road.

When the cakes were set up everyone ooh'ed and ahh'ed, exactly like I hoped for. I was so proud of the cake, cupcakes, and smash cake. My visions were brought to life perfectly. And while I did not do the icing, I did keep my tradition of making my children's 1st birthday cakes. I baked everything and added the candy bits, tiara's, and candle's. Katie took my wish of putting a "letter block" on the smash cake and totally rocked it. 

Because my niece's 3rd birthday was on the 6th and my in laws do nothing to celebrate birthday's, I had Katie ice one cupcake especially for Lizzie. Liz was given the only purple cupcake. Sadly, just like with my nephew, my sister in law did not show to see her daughter blow out candles for the 1st time or actually rip open wrapping paper for the 2nd time ever. (1st time was Christmas with the one gift we got her.) Breaks my heart.. Anyway, because I found Bailey's bow last minute, I let Lizzie wear Bailey's birthday hat. It matched her, and the cakes wonderfully. It did bug me that my daughter didn't wear the hat I bought her, but it made me so happy to see my niece's face light up when I gave her the "shiny" hat.

Tom held Bailey while we sang Happy Birthday to our princess and 'helped' her blow out her candles. It was so sweet watching them. I love those two so much.

Of my three children, Bailey was definitely the neatest with the smash cake. It took her a while to even touch it. She just sat there staring at it as if to say, "What am I supposed to do with this?" She eventually dug in, mainly eating the "B, 1 block" on top and just digging off the top of the main cake. She was so sweet! Only got a few spots of frosting on her actual outfit! I was originally going to undress her but it was too chilly and I didn't have anything cute other than her other birthday outfit she was supposed to wear after cake. (Didn't happen) Now the smash cake pictures I know we are all waiting for! 

First tastes.

Only two real messes; her hands and face.

My big girl using a spoon.

(Clear shot of her 1st tooth, the top right.)

My favorite; digging in.

After the cake mess was cleaned up we did presents as the few guests we had were starting to leave. Lizzie opened her two presents 1st and her face lit up when she opened the Snow White dress up doll set Tom and I got her. The only photo I have though is her opening the present my parents got her. Not even my in laws brought her (or Bailey, or anyone ever, unless you count hand me downs and good will finds in a plastic shopping bag) a gift to open on what we tried to make her day as well. I am not usually this angry about people not bringing gifts. In fact I usually ask people to bring a dish in lieu of gifts. It just bothers me that my in laws always ask us to purchase gifts and other needs for these two kids, but only ever give my kids old clothes, that they never had new to begin with, including old used toddler underwear with actual poop still attached. Yes, call me materialistic but if you are going to ask someone to buy a gift for your kid/grandkid, at least give that kid a gift instead of wasting all your money on Wendy's and booze.

Bailey could care less about the gifts, although she did enjoy the bows and paper. I am so grateful for all the clothes my daughter received! This poor girl had almost nothing in her correct size! I can finally pack away all the 3-6 month stuff that she is still wearing! (She can still fit in a lot of it..) The three toys she did get, she loved. Stacking rings, a musical butterfly she already had in a different color with working batteries, a play cell phone, and this leapfrog reading thing, that plays music, reads a story as you press the buttons, and names, shapes, colors, numbers, and letters. She was also given two pairs of sneakers. One she can wear now, from us, and one she will be wearing in a few weeks from my Aunt-the surrogate Nana I've mentioned in previous posts. And her favorite gifts of all were the 2 books she was given, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (collection of nursery rhymes and lullabies) and Brown Bear, Brown Bear; a new family favorite.

 

After presents Bailey just sat, relaxed, and then climbed on a chair while Mommy packed up everything that had to go into the van.

At this time all that was remaining were the two sets of grandparents, and maybe two other people, with out kids. So we finished the clean up, hung out with our parents for a bit, and left. We arrived home at 7 pm, and Bailey was out cold. Would not wake to eat whatsoever, didn't even wake when we changed her diaper. She even slept through the night! She was pooped! 

Mommy was pooped as well! Between not going to bed until almost 4 am on Saturday night (Sunday Morning?) and getting up early for the party, I was exhausted. I ended up in bed by 11 pm Sunday night (early for me) and sleeping straight until just after 11 the next morning. So glad for Columbus Day and for Tom being home and getting up with the kids.

I do wish I spent more time with the kids enjoying myself, or at least taking pictures, but everyone was in a rush from the moment they got there that I just tried to keep food/cake/presents flowing to get it all done. This was our shortest birthday party ever and I do not remember much of the in between food parts at all. And while this is common with me, I do not have many pictures to look back at. They are all of decorations, cakes, and Bailey eating.. I hope in the future this good enough for her to look back on. I know she definitely enjoyed herself, and, well, that is all that matters. 

Long, Long Day!!

First of all, I am exhausted! In the wee hours of Saturday morning, Thomas had a really bad nightmare, waking me up by screaming bloody murder from his bed. My heart stopped. What a scary moment to hear your child scream, "Mommy! Help me!" on the top of his lungs while crying hysterically. Thomas only ended up sleeping another 30 or so minutes, around 6:30 am, which means mommy barely got any sleep. Especially considering I hadn't gone to bed the night before until almost 2 am....

Then Saturday we ran around all day getting the last few things for Bailey's party. After dinner and bedtime, I baked cakes and cupcakes. Katie came over after work and showed me up by decorating Bailey's cakes like a pro! (Still sorry, I messed up the icing on some spots packing everything to get to my parents....) Katie didn't finish until 3 am..

I got up late this morning, 9 am, but was still exhausted! But sleep was not an option. I made sure the van was loaded with everything we needed. All three kids were dressed and in the van by 12:30. I had to decorate my parents backyard before the party began at 2!

We didn't get back home until 7 pm. Bailey fell asleep in the van and is currently in bed. Morning is going to come way too soon with her going to bed this early!

I have to thank an amazing JM mommy for Bailey's adorable, perfect birthday outfit. Katie for Bailey's amazing cakes, and making my smash cake dream a reality! Katie again for providing the goodies for the goody bags, my Daddy for the local, platters, and helping with the clean up. Thank you Auntie Julie for brining a dish. And thank you so much for those who came to celebrate my sweet princess on her special day.

I am too tired to do it now, and this is already taking forever, but Bailey's Birthday Bash and Pictures from our day will be shared soon! Be on the look out!!

And I will leave you with one little teaser:

Finally....Bailey's Birthday

On Saturday (Or was is Sunday??) I said within the next day or so I'd post about Bailey's birthday. It's been almost a week and I have yet to post. And with her party coming this Sunday, I thought I'd get on the ball.

Bailey woke at the butt-crack of dawn on her birthday. As she nursed, I laid with my eyes closed treasuring her still baby smell. I caressed her back, arms, and legs. I ran my fingers through her little bit of hair. Periodically I bent my neck to kiss her head. It was a moment I want to remember always. I did it. I have officially nursed my daughter for one whole year.

While laying there, I remembered her very first feeding. I remembered the moments when she was first placed upon my belly, into my arms. I've realized little bits and pieces of her 1st week, which was spent in the hospital, are starting to fade. The whole labor and delivery is still there, but the next day.. I don't remember that 1st full day of her life at all. Not one bit. I only remember little bits and pieces from those 5 days in the small room for mom's who have been discharged before their new baby. I don't remember much of anything from those 1.5 days in my actual room, except my lobster dinner. All I can remember is being anxious and worried about not having my pump when I was discharged, and nursing and sleeping with Bailey.

Sadly, I had a repeat with Bailey. When Collin reached his 1st year and I realized I couldn't recall anything except what was written down or in pictures before his 8th month, which is when I got clean. And now Bailey I feel I let her down as well. Only with her, I have very few pictures, nothing written down for months 2-6. I suffered quietly with P.P.D. again. It hurts me to know Thomas' 1st year is the only one I have plenty of happy memories of. So Saturday morning, I took my time getting up. I let Bailey crawl all over me after she was done nursing. We sat in bed and sang songs. I tickled her sweet chub. I held her tight. I want to remember Saturday morning forever.

Finally when Tom got up we were able to open Bailey's presents. Bailey received the most adorable pink and black outfit from my (mom's) cousin Dee. I loved it! Totally my colors, which happen to look amazing on Miss Bailey. Dee also sent along the cutest little doll. Which Collin has made into his baby. The boys, hubs, and I gave her a little musical tea set and a book that reads the words and plays music. Bailey loves books.

Thomas was supposed to have soccer at 10:30 so I took Bailey with us, only to find out it was cancelled. Since the playground we love is in the same local as the fields, I took my youngest and oldest to play. Bailey loved the swings and slides. As always. 

Over the course of the past couple of weeks I have been tucking away any loose cash Tom leaves around. He knew I was doing it, and what it was going for so I think that is why I ended up with just enough for my needs wants. Thomas, Bailey, and I went to the party store and got the decorations I have been wanting for 4 years. Ha ha! 

When we arrived Tom had snacks, water, and the diaper bag packed, as well as Collin and himself ready to go. We heading to a local park to go hiking. Bailey hadn't napped yet and it was well passed her nap time so as soon as she was placed in the Moby wrap she fell right to sleep. She didn't even mind the blaring sun. It had been months since she had napped while in it. 

Bailey slept until the last stretch up the mountain.

 When she woke, every one we had passed was talking to her and her big brothers. Commenting on how adorable she is. Commenting on what beautiful children we have. Commenting on how we finally got a girl. Commenting on how we had our hands full. 

Usually when someone says that, which happens a lot once you have more than 2 I have noticed, usually I just laugh and smile, and say "yeah" or something. Finally, one year and nine months of hearing about my full hands I had the perfect reply. "Yes, full of love." I know so mushy.. but apparently I said it. I don't remember saying it, but I am told I did.

Finally we reached castle at the top, enjoyed some healthy snacks, climbed to the top of the castle, drew in the dirt. Just played around. The boys loved it. Bailey enjoyed being able to walk around. Of course we received many more comments about her walking and how cute she was. Basically we just enjoyed the crisp fall air. It was beautiful out.

 As we were about to hike to the bottom, Bailey began to fuss a bit. Back in the Moby she went, where she then nursed the whole hike down. We even were graced with the presents of a Spanish family. The father was fascinated by finally seeing a women nursing her child in the States. Apparently neither he or his wife I have seen anyone breastfeed in public since moving to the states.

Once we arrived home, Tom took the kids in while I ran to by a small, inexpensive cake for Bailey after dinner. My closest friend and her daughter came by to sing to Bailey and help us get rid of the cake.
Bailey loved her cake. I cut her a pretty large slice which she demolished! As soon as I placed it on her high chair tray, she picked the whole thing up in both hands and began chowing down!

Now we are prepping for Bailey's Birthday Bash. Special thanks to my parents, and my dearest friend Katie for helping us give our daughter the best birthday we can give. Bailey and I thank you from the bottom of our heart.


Well, I finally shared! I know I have been posting a lot about Bailey's Birthday, but after Sunday's festivities I will be done. At least until January when I can reminisce Collin's past (almost) three years.

Hope you enjoyed! 

Hosted by Cecily and Mary