3 Times

Something to past the time. While I am waiting on some phone calls at work, I decided to do this little game. Repost with your own answers if you would like :)

3 names I go by:

1. Melissa

2. Mel

3. Missa

3 jobs I have had:

1. Osh Kosh

2. Lifetime Filter

3. Trevcon

3 places I have lived:

1. Waco, TX

2. Culver, IN

3. Katy, TX

3 drinks I love:

1. Iced Tea

2. Margaritas

3. Water

3 shows I love:

1. Bravo's, Real Housewives

2. The Hills

3. Top Chef

3 places I have visited:

1. Vegas

2. Maui

3. White House

3 places I would like to visit:

1. Grand Canyon

2. Bahamas

3. Europe

3 people that text me regularly:

1. James

2. Mom

3. Ginger

3 of my favorite old shows:

1. Friends

2. Full House

3. Family Matters

3 favorite dishes:

1. Spaghetti & Meatballs

2. Victor's enchiladas

3. Perry's anything

3 makeup products I cant live without:

1. Moisturizer

2. Lip Gloss

3. Powder

3 things I am looking forward to:

1. The long weekend ahead

2. Taking my son to the Zoo

3. Our San Antonio trip in July

Sweet Kisses Hello

Our morning was a bit rambunctious today. The normal routine was array because we had to take Daddy and Uncle Kris to work, which is typically not the case. Daddy usually gets up first, makes his coffee, gets little man's bottle & breakfast ready, lets the dog out to do his business, and then wakes Braden up and feeds him his bottle, all while I take a shower and do my hair. Since I dont get to greet little man 1st thing, James will bring him into the bathroom where I'm getting ready and lets me say good morning before they sit down for his bottle.

Well, this morning, seeing that our time was cut short by 45 minutes, I skipped the shower and went straight to hair, makeup and packing Braden's bag for the day. James started his routine, but instead of waking up Braden, I did just to keep things moving right along.

As I walk into his room softly speaking "get up my little one" and turning on his lamp, and grabbing things for his bag, he slowly stands up in his crib to watch me fiddle around at what I am doing. I finally get done with what was needed and headed over to officially greet him. Smiling through his pacifier as I pick him up, he spits it out (which is something he's really gotten the hang of lately) and goes in for a opened-mouth, slobbery kiss! I was so surprised that by the time I realized what had happened, he'd already grabbed his passy and popped it back into his mouth. He's just now learning what the whole giving kisses thing is, and we normally have to request it several times before he does it on his own, therefore this totally caught me off guard.

He made my morning AND my day for that matter! It was like he was saying, "Hi Mama, I love you!"

My heart literally melted to the floor.

Tuesday Ten

Ten Things I'd rather be doing:

10. Sitting on a white sanded beach, sunbathing.
9. Sipping on a yummy cocktail overlooking the Riverwalk.
8. I'd even rather be cleaning house & folding laundry, lol.
7. Enjoying a relaxing full-body massage.
6. Working out.
5. Getting a mani & pedi.
4. Shopping.
3. Eating a fabulous meal at Perry's Steakhouse.
2. At the movies with my husband.
1. Playing at the park with my son.

But, instead I'll just daydream about all the above! ;)

Diastasis Recti

"is the separation between the left and right side of the rectus abdominis muscle, which covers the front surface of the belly area. In pregnant women, increased tension on the abdominal wall may lead to diastasis recti. A diastasis recti looks like a ridge, which runs down the middle of the belly area"

(Crunch Position)

(the ridge is smushy, theres absolutely NO muscle there)

So, I have been wondering if I was just a weirdo and that my stomach was just different from everyone elses, but after finally researching it I have discovered that what I am experiencing is pretty common with pregnancies, especially when gaining a significant about of weight during your pregnancy, and with having large babies, or multiples, and just so happens I experienced 2 of these 3. I gained a total of 61 lbs, and Braden was 9 lbs 9 oz.

Finding out that this happens to many women didn't exactly make me feel any better and the question was still lingering in the back of my brain...

Will.I.Ever.Get.My.Body.Back?

It tells me that getting my pre-pregnancy stomach is attainable, but MUCH harder, and will take time and patience on my part. Lots of cardio. Lots of situps. Also, to be careful when exercising, not to overdo it because you can hurt your stomach more by tearing the muscles or stretching them out even more, rather than actually helping it reattach the left and right sides.

I am used to being a Size 2, so this takes a LOT of guts for me to post! Please leave me your comments, your postpartum body challenges, and assure me that I can do this, and that I'm not the only one that hasn't shrunk back down to her pre-pregnancy size overnight!

xoxo,

8 Months Old

My baby boy turned eight months old May 1st. I can't believe it, I literally cant wrap my brain around my baby being past the half year mark two months ago, and is sneaking up on a year way too fast!

B has gone through a lot of changes in the past three weeks, not only is he crawling now, he is pulling up on everything, and I really believe this kid will be walking by ten months old! Before when people said that their child walked by that age I just didn't believe it, but now seeing how quickly things have changed in the past few weeks and the look in his eye when he stands up, I can totally see it! He is a dare-devil and is already letting go of whatever he is holding on to when he pulls up to stand. We have had to put his bed to the lowest setting because in one weekend he went from sitting up and wobbling to sitting up on his very own and pulling up and rocking back and forth on all fours.

His words consist of mostly "Ba ba ba ba" some "Da da's" and a few "Mmmaa Ma's". He really emphasizes on the "Mmmm", and when calling out to me he typically just says "Mmmmmm" over and over because that's just easier to do than spitting out the complete word, I guess.

I've created my own little monster. My husband and mother already think I've spoiled him with holding him as much as I do. I can't help it though, when he cries/whines out for me with that pouty lip and hands in the air my heart melts, and I rush over. Is this totally horrible? Maybe, I should try better. LOL! If I need to do something and I've been holding him, I will hand him off to my husband, because normally if he sets him down he wont cry out, but as soon as I put him down the whining begins!

Hmm...what else is new with my little stinker?!?!

He is trying more solids now, Gerber Puffs, Cheerios, fresh bananas, gravy, and mashed potatoes. He loves fresh guacamole and re-fried beans from our favorite Mexican restaurant, but as for his breakfast, lunch and dinner, he is still strictly on his baby foods, which he loves! I wish I had the time or just the motivation to puree fresh veggies and fruits for him, but I just don't. I feel like a bad Mom sometimes, so every once in awhile I will try, and he enjoys it.

He is growing like a weed, and I am amazed that I had to buy a 12/18 month shirt from Old Navy the other week for my eight month old, but then again he still fits in to some 6-month clothing that he has, very strange that different clothing stores can be so far off from each other in sizing.

B's nine month check-up is fast approaching, once again...

I.Cant.Believe.It!

And, other than multiple ear infections from his teeth that just wont come in already and a little cold/allergies, he's doing just fine.

Braden is your typical all American boy Messy.Temper.Big Teddy Bear!

..............and I'm very proud to say, he's all mine! :)

'Til next time!

30.Day.Shred

Is.kicking.my.butt.

Day 1, Sunday May 2 -
I just started the 30.Day.Shred and by the end of Level 1, I was out of breath and feeling the burn in my legs and chest. My husband laughed, but I am terribly out of shape. I can't wait to recover enough to complete Day 2 of my 30-day challenge! I feel like I'm cheating by not doing it every day, but my legs just wont allow it! I'm walking around like a 90-year old woman! I think once I can get to the point where I can do it daily, then I will begin Level 2! Oh dear! LOL!

Not only do I just WANT to lose this remaining pregnancy weight, I have my 10-year reunion this Summer and also a mini-vaca to San Antonio that I'd like to buy some cute new clothes for!

So, stay tuned for more progress updates!