8 Weeks to a Better You

Yesterday I got an 'invitation' for an event from a friend of mine on Facebook.  

She was challenging us all to take part in improving our lives in 8 weeks.  

It is based off of this blog.

I read through the details, and thought...I can do this.

It is the perfect motivation that I need.

It is NOT a weight loss plan, but if I try to do everything each day...most likely I will lose weight.

Most of all I think it will be a great thing for me to help develop some good habits, and have people supporting me along the way...doing exactly what it says...making me a better me!  

We started the challenge this morning. 

I am happy to say that I did everything!

I think the thing I will struggle most with is sugar. 

That is totally my weakness.

The other great thing is that because one of the aspects of the challenge is 'journaling'...I should be posting here in my space more often. 

I sure have missed it.

I look back at past posts, and am sad that I haven't kept up the blog like I would have liked.

So hopefully I will be able to catch up or atleast get in a better habit of updating.

Even though we did start today...I would love if anyone would like to do this with me.

I always say...the more the merrier!

Here is to the next 8 weeks!

The following are the 10 daily "tasks" to check off, each one counting as a point. The top point earner will win the pot. With a few runners up also. We are going on the honor code, so be honest!! If you decide to join, msg me your email address so I can send you a spreadsheet to print out and keep track of your points. Oh, and very important, you get one FREE day each week!! But you have to do all your slacking off on that ONE day. Sweets/no exercise/no journaling/etc. all have to be done (or not done) on the SAME day. Make sense? So without further ado, here are the daily tasks. Keep in mind that updating your family/personal blog counts as journaling!


1. Exercise at least 45 minutes a day. Make it fun and mix it up. Schedule it in so you're less likely to find excuses not to do it. Add up everything you do - walk the kids to the park, have a dance off in the house. It doesn't have to be hard-core exercising. 

2. Get at least 7 hours of sleep per day (naps are included). Yes, please!

3. Drink 64 ounces of water. 8 glasses, 8 oz. each. Easier than it sounds. Start off with drinking 2 glasses right when you wake up and you're 1/4 of the way there!

4. No sugar. I am interpreting this as no sweets. Things that you know have a lot of sugar in them. I am not eliminating every single thing that has any trace of sugar in it, like bread or spaghetti sauce. If you want to, go for it. 

5. No soda or junk food. This is subject to interpretation also, (kinda) but try and be as honest as you can. What is junk food to some might not be to someone else. Try and stay away from as many processed things as you can, let's put it that way. Things from a box or a can are generally not good for you. 

6. Eat at least 2 servings of fruits and 2 servings of vegetables. Really not as hard as it sounds. Include fruits and/or veggies with EVERY meal. This is the perfect time to enjoy lots of yummy fruits and veggies. 

7. No eating after 8 pm. Self explanatory.

8. Write in journal every day. Blogging counts as journaling. Or try writing in your journal after you read. The key is to have a system and use it! 

9. Complete at least 15 minutes of uplifting reading. No matter what your beliefs, this is to encourage a closer relationship with God. Or something greater than yourself. Read the scriptures, self-help books, religious magazines, something that makes you think about your place in this world and want to be BETTER. Getting up before everyone else and reading is probably the best time to get the most out of it. 

10. Do an act of service/kindness that is outside of your normal routine. This one will probably be the hardest one (for some people), if you think of major acts of service 6 days a week for 8 weeks. Think small. Let someone go ahead of you in line at the store. Say hi to as many people as you can in one day. Having a stranger smile and say hi really makes my day! If you think ahead and include your spouse, kids, neighbors as well as those larger acts, it won't seem as daunting. Service will really help us to grow the most. 

Moments in Time

Two months ago, I was so very uncomfortable. 

I was going in for weekly visits to the chiropractor.

I couldn't bend over.

Everything took so much effort.

I would spend my days caring for my other three children while wondering what the 4th would bring.

I think that is one of the things I love about being pregnant. 

The unknown.

Not knowing what he will look like.

Will he have dark or light hair...brown or blue eyes?

Not knowing weather he will have colic or be a 'good' baby.

Not knowing what his cry will sound like.

The mystery gives me so much to look forward to.

This very well could be my last pregnancy, so I had my dear friend Jamie take some pictures of my prego belly.  I love them.  Even though I am 37 weeks pregnant in them...and HUGE.  I am thankful I took the time to capture this moment in time.  A moment where I was able to help a miracle form, grow, and come into this world.  It truly is something that can't be described.  I am eternally grateful to be so blessed.  

One week and 3 days after Grayson was born we had another photoshoot with my dear friend Robin.  

I LOVE the newborn phase. 

When they are so small and squishy.

We had to make sure to do it before he started plumping up.

I wish that I did this will ALL my kids, but only did it for Thomas and Grayson! (What was I thinking?!) 

I love to be able to bottle up the innocence of this small little window....because really, it doesn't last long.

Looking at this picture helps me to remember the tenderness, and love I have for this little boy. 

How did I get so lucky?

Robin and I had the most fun with this one.  

I still laugh.out.loud EVERYTIME I see it.

Since then, our little Grayson has grown.

His cheeks are now a little fuller.

He is starting to smile, and coo.

The kids are learning to give him (and me) a little space.

(although some times I have to remind them ALOT)

I am just trying to soak in every moment.

I love being a mom...even if they do grow up too fast.

It is sooo worth it.

Grayson's 2 month stats.

11lbs 1oz - 35%

23.5 inches - 73%

He's Cute!

The past 2 weeks have been a blur.  I guess that is what happens when you adjust to having lots of interrupted sleep.  Overall, we are doing well.  Grayson has been a good baby so far, and that I am thankful for.  I am hoping he continues to be that way. 

I always wondered how it would be to add another little munchkin to the family.  Some say that the 3rd child threw them for a loop. While I had also heard that the 4th is the one who 'rocks your world.'  I think for me...the latter is the case.  I have found myself losing my patience much quicker, and being really snippy with my kids.   Alot of it has to do with how infatuated these kids are with the new little 'doll' we have in our house. 

Since coming home from the hospital I think I have heard "HE'S CUTE!"  a bazillion times each day.  They want to hug him, kiss him, touch him, ALL THE TIME!!  They are still working on learning about personal space.  Right now they think it is okay to be within an inch of someones face.  All this usually is happening while I am trying to nurse the 'little cutie', or when he is trying to sleep.  Which I think compounds why my patience runs thin (I bet my lack of sleep doesn't help much either). 

Although it seems I am complaining...I am so thankful that I have 3 children that love the 4th so much.  I am sure in a few weeks the novelty of the newness will wear off, and life will start to gain some normalcy.  Until then I will soak in the 'cuteness' of this handsome little boy.

And Then There Was Four...

The days leading up to my scheduled induction were spent in a flurry of activity.   They were spent doing all the last minute things to try to prepare, and be ready to welcome a new little addition to our family.  Since this was all close to Mother's day, I spent alot of time thinking about my role as a mother. 

As as child, I was the girl who loved kids. Any chance I got, I was doting over a baby or entertaining a child. I loved babysitting, and just making kids smile.  I always knew that one day I would want to have children.  I am just thankful that I have been blessed with this opportunity.

I FINALLY got these pictures framed, and hung them up in my dining room. It is now the first thing I see when I come down the stairs each morning.  Although they are 2 years old, and now need an additional picture...they are some of my favorite images of my kids.  Seeing them everyday the past 2 weeks leading up to the birth of my 4th child has really helped me appreciate the blessing I have of being their mother. 

I have been trusted by my Heavenly Father to love, care for, and guide these children to hopefully someday return to their Father in heaven.  Such a lofty task, but thankful for the burden.  I may not be perfect in all I do, but I am trying.  I am trying to be the mother that He would want me to be.  I just hope that I can help my kids reach their full potential, and have some fun along the way.

Thursday night came, and the 3 little tikes went across the street to Auntie Nancy's (have I mentioned how much I LOVE living next to my sister!).  Our induction was scheduled for 3am so we didn't want to have to wake anyone when we left.  Everything went just as planned and was uneventful.  It was slow going, but totally normal for someone who wasn't really in labor when I arrived.  I got my epidural early on, so the day was spent taking naps, hanging out talking, and just waiting for the little guy to arrive.  When he was finally ready, the doctor was called.  The doctor came about 15 minutes later and was there for all of 5 minutes when our little babe made his debut into the world surrounded by his Daddy, Auntie Nancy, Auntie Cathy, and his Grandma Duke.  I swear if all of my deliveries were this easy I would have a million kids. 

Introducing

Grayson Charles

May 13th, 2011

4:20pm

7lbs 14oz

19 3/4 inches

Birth is such an amazing thing.  I still can't get over the emotion that swirls as you watch your child come into the world.  In a blink of an eye, I went from a mother of 3 to a mother of 4.  I lay there with tears in my eyes as the most beautiful thing was put into my arms.  I spent the next few days at the hospital taking in this pure gift from heaven.  I love the little moments that I get to have one on one with my babies while I am there.  For just those 2 days he is all that matters.  I get a little pampering from the nurses, but I also get to bond with my baby.  On Sunday, my honey came and picked me up...and now I get to share him with the rest of the family.

He may have been born on Friday the 13th...and some may say that is UN-LUCKY....but to me I was/am the LUCKIEST person on earth!

Planning

My own mother had 8 children.  EIGHT!  Back then there was no ultrasounds to find out the gender, she had them all 'natural', and they came when they came.  I know there are still ones out there that choose to go that same route.  I even have friends that have home births.  I think that is awesome for them...just not for me.

I like my doctor.  I like hearing my babies heartbeat each visit.  I am thankful this time around to know that we are bringing a boy into our family.  I am thankful that I will be able to have this baby in a hospital surrounded with people that know how to care for my baby, and make sure things go smoothly.  I also like the fact that I have a doctor that is willing to work with me and my 'planning.'

We planned for this baby, but I never realized how incredibly hard this would be to have a baby in MAY!  May is chock full of field trips, piano recitals, dance recitals, EVMCO concert, graduations, and end of the year festivities. 

As the time has drawn closer, I continued to look at my calendar and hypervenhilate.  My due date was/is Friday, May 20th.  On Thursday, May 19th -  Sydney & Shawn have a night rehearsal with EVMCO.  On Friday, May 20th - Another night rehearsal with EVMCO.  Saturday, May 21st - Sydney has a dance recital in the morning, and then that afternoon Shawn and Sydney are headed to The MAC for their performance of The Amazing Grace with Collin Raye.  

Seriously the worst time to have a baby for me. So my lovely doctor has made my world brighter.  On Friday, May 13th...I get to have this baby!  It is so nice to know that I won't have to stress over the following weekend.  I still kinda laugh that I am able to 'plan' it, but I am thankful all at the same time.