Whole 30: Day 1

First- I LOVE when someone requests I blog about something. It makes me feel so damn important. So, after my hubby and friend Stephanie both requested for me to blog about this (like I wouldn't?) I now feel, like, majorly important.


Today, my wonderful husband and I are starting the... drum roll... WHOLE 30!!!

I won't go into exactly what it is... just click on the link to read all about it. To sum it up... for the next 30 days Sean and I will be eating only the best of the best foods for your body (no dairy, no added sugar, no grains) so as to reset our systems and get healthy!!

Right now, start of day 1, I'm writing this blog post while my baby is still asleep, and drinking a cup of coffee, black. So far... easy. Give me a day or two and I'm sure I'll be singing a new tune. Let me give you a little background...


Seven years ago I basically did the Whole 30... but for about six months straight. What spurred me to start eating like no one else I knew was feeling like crap every. single. day. Young and thin, yes I was. But, unhealthy eating catches up with everyone at some time in their life, I don't care who you are.

I had terrible bladder ulcers and felt like I had a constant lower belly pain and had lots of girl-type issues that were no fun. My attitude was pretty lousy and my relationship with my fiance was really suffering due to all of it. I was motivated to change my lifestyle when my doctor gave me the following "options:" basically cut out all food with flavor from my diet and take a medication that could possibly cause me to lose my hair. At 23 years old, there was no way in hell I'd risk hair loss, maybe a diet void of anything colorful would be OK, but not hair loss. I knew there had to be a way for my body to heal itself... and with a little research and a long conversation with a friend who honest to goodness cured himself of cancer by changing his diet... I became vegan for about six months.

It wasn't hard to actually change my habits... what was hard was feeling alone, because I was. Really. No one "got it." Sean was supportive, but still ate like crap whenever I wasn't around. I was really, really serious about it for six months... and then I started adding in a little grain and meat and dairy... and lasted about two whole years eating extremely healthfully all by myself.

Results??? Oh, yeah. I felt AMAZING. I lost all the excess fat from my body in a matter of weeks, which I honestly didn't expect. I had clothes falling off of me as a totally unexpected side effect. Crazy. Bladder issues went away. Gone. Totally. My mental health was more stable than ever, and I was so confident. It absolutely changed my life.

Why quit after two years??? Well... we all know how this story goes... add a few cheats here and there and get married and start a new phase in your life and soon enough I was pretty much not doing too hot. I never stopped "trying" to eat well, but I wasn't really "trying." Make sense? I mean, I put my juicer away. Yeah. And it's been away for years. Today, I'm taking out the juicer. (I'm doing this!! Again!!)

So then, fast forward to about two months ago... I've got a nearly one year old baby, and about 15 extra pounds attached to my ass. I feel terrible. No energy. No desire to get dressed since about two things in my entire closet fit me, and embarrassed to see people I know because I look so pitiful. Yikes. No good.

Sean literally pulled me out of bed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings to do some weight lifting in our garage. I was not a good partner. Like, I was a bitch. But, little by little that weight lifting really began to make a difference. After about 4 weeks, I decided I'd try a little running too. I picked up the book Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall, and that pretty much made me want to get up and run 100 miles through the wilderness... so running a few little miles around my neighborhood shouldn't be hard... well, it was at first! But I'm really getting pretty good at it now, and I love love love how I feel after a run.

So now, after about two months of working out regularly, I am finally ready to make some significant changes to my diet. Like before, I'm mostly excited because I know how amazing I'm going to look and feel, but unlike last time, I'm not alone now. Sean is doing this with me and apparently, there are a lot of people out there who are realizing how much a good diet improves your health. The Whole9 website is pretty inspiring (read some of the testimonials) and I've got a baby here at home who is pretty inspiring himself. Who wouldn't want to live a long, healthy life for their child... who is waking up now by the way. Love hearing that little man talking to himself over the baby monitor... sigh! I love him!

I'll keep you posted. :)

Top 5

A friend who is expecting her first baby recently posed this question on her blog: What five things could you not live without when you brought your newborn home?

I was really inspired by this question because there are SO many things you don't need. Like, it's ridiculous. When I found out I was expecting, I walked into Babies R Us, and proceeded to walk right back out. It's scary as hell. The sheer size of the building made me want to vomit. I knew nothing about taking care of a baby, what the hell did I know about choosing the right stuff? Nothing.

But now, I am ready to pass on my wisdom (ha) about baby gear- my top five favorites.


1. Swing

You gotta have a swing. I don't care if your grandmother tells you that in her day, a mother's arms were the best swing... whatever. GET A SWING. Don't feel bad about using it- that was the only way I got to sleep some nights, OK? Your week old baby isn't going to feel neglected by you if he swings for a little while so you can pee or eat some lunch.

Do you need the bells and whistles? Well, I did. The music did wonders as well as the dual direction thing. When the left to right motion of the swing stopped doing the trick- WHAMO- we would switch it to front to back and we were back in business!

The different speed settings didn't really matter for us. We had to have it on full speed, baby swaddled, and a pacifier in his mouth to get through many an evening until he grew out of his "crying all night" phase.

I could go on about a swing- just know it's number one on my list for a reason.


2. Baby Monitor

Don't cheap out here. We did and our lousy POS monitor won't even span the length of our house... and when it is out of range (like it is in our bedroom at night, apparently) it just starts this crazy beeping shit that won't stop until you get up out of your warm bed and shake it around a little.

I hate it. Hate it. Get a good monitor. One you'll be able to take outside in your backyard, or even just across your house. Video??? Not sure. I think it's probably pretty amusing to see just what they're doing in there especially as they get bigger... so why not? Just don't buy the cheap one.


3. Breast Pump

If you're going to breast feed, you gotta get a pump (I liked my Medela). I didn't love pumping and much preferred to just nurse my baby, but if you ever want to get out of the house without him- you gotta start pumping at some point. And don't worry so much about it at first... "building your supply blah blah blah"- doesn't matter. Just relax and nurse your baby. It will all come together naturally. At some point that little nugget will start sleeping a little longer and you'll still be waking up because your boobs will be hard as rocks. Then, you can just get up and pump. It will seem pretty sucky at first- your baby is asleep and you're up pumping- but when you're out for a nice dinner with your husband and baby is with a sitter, it will all be worth it.

Plus, if you're going back to work, obviously you'll need one. I liked breast feeding. Easy, natural, and cheap. I'll do it again, and I'll recommend it to anyone. Look, if my tiny boobies can do it- yours can too!

Oh- and a few small bottles, of course. I like Dr. Brown- only bought a few because I didn't know anything about anything and it turned out to be a good idea. You don't need that many at first if you're nursing, and they're not cheap. Buy more of the bigger size bottles- if your goal is to make it to six months (I nursed until 8 1/2) then you'll need at least 6 but 12 is better of the larger sized bottles. And don't bother buying the Dr. Brown dishwasher thingie- just buy the cheap one. The bottle parts come out cleaner.


4. Big, Square Swaddling Blankets

If they're rectangular- don't buy em. If you get them as gifts- use them as burp cloths because trust me, you want super-sized burp cloths and the cute little ones just don't do the trick.

Get big- really big- swaddling blankets. Like, at least a square yard. A great brand to try- Aden&Anais. A little pricey, so you can always do what I did- make them yourself. Just buy a yard and a half of a flannel or something not stretchy, and just sew around the outside edge to stop the fabric from fraying. I used a serger (it's nice if you've got it) or you can just zigzag around the edges... whatever you get the idea.

Swaddling helped our son sleep- just ask my mother who refused to do it, and when she finally did became the best and tightest swaddler around because IT WORKS. We swaddled until, gosh... 9 or 10 months??? It works. I don't understand when people don't do it. To each his own, but I'd give this a good shot before you give up on it, OK?


5. Pack n Play

If you travel- this is really handy. We never have used ours in our house as a bassinet as some people do (I'm not against it, I just couldn't sleep with him in our room so he graduated to his crib night 2) but we do like to get out of town and the Pack n Play has been really, really useful. Even if we're just going to visit family for the day, we'll take it with us because, hello, nap time. Gotta respect nap time. It's the difference between a happy baby and a little demon. I know lots of moms like to hold their baby while he sleeps, but if I did that then I never had any time for myself- so Carson sleeps in his crib- and he's a great sleeper, and a happy baby!!


OK. So that's my list of necessary baby items. At least, the big ticket necessary items. Of course you need clothes (don't buy lots- that's everyone's favorite gift to give) and diapers and wipes and butt paste and pacifiers... and a camera. Take lots of pictures. Its passes by so quickly.

Oh, yeah, and a Boppy Pillow. Get one of those.

The BOB

Yep. We finally bit the bullet and bought a jogging stroller. I find this pretty comical because A- I always hated jogging, and B- I hate pushing a stroller while jogging. But... it turns out that pushing a 24 pound baby in a non-jogging stroller sucks way worse and I have to get out and get some exercise... so jogging stroller it is.

I knew exactly what would happen before we even got to Babies R Us... we were going to be major stroller snobs and end up buying the way too expensive one from the running store instead. I was mostly right. With some fast thinking Sean used his phone to do a BOB stroller search and found the pricey model on big-time sale at REI. I guess that eased our guilt about being stroller snobs. At least we didn't pay full price. This stroller just put all the Babies R Us strollers to shame. It's pretty. It makes me feel like I'm a real runner. Even though I'm really not.

And look how cute Carson looks in it!





I've used the BOB a few times now and I think I like it. I'm nervous to say more... like I'm just starting to see a new guy and don't want to say he's "the ONE" yet. I'm afraid of commitment!! Especially to running since I've given up on it a few times already. All I know is: I like getting out of the house with the baby; Carson likes getting out of the house; and crazy enough... I've actually been enjoying running lately. I must be losing it.

My Valentines

Of course, this sweet, sweet, snuggly little man is one of my loves. He makes me smile. And, of course, start crying hysterically when I think about him growing up and finding another Valentine one day. Boo! Can I just keep him like this forever, please? Thanks.




And how I got so lucky to marry this man, I'll never know. His love is my greatest blessing.



He's all mine, ladies.





My furry baby. Such a sweet, loyal, and loving dog. He puts up with Carson climbing over him... and me forgetting him outside... and still wants to snuggle in my lap whenever he gets a chance.


I sure do love my three men.

29 going on 72

I turn 30 in 5 months. And I thought I had been handling it pretty well. I've been carded* a few times lately, and that was pretty cool.

Then yesterday happened. And now it's confirmed. I am old.

At the Origins counter at Macy's I was greeted in the following way:

Saleswoman 1: Hello! How are you today!

Me: Good, and you?

Saleswoman 1: Great! We just got in some new eye cream you'd probably be interested in trying.

Me: (Looking around to see if she was talking to me. Indeed she was.) Um, no actually I would like to buy more of your exfoliator. I just ran out and the weather is so dry my skin is peeling like crazy. Oh, and a heavy duty moisturizer too. Need to fight this winter skin.

Saleswoman 1: Of course. Do you know which moisturizer you'd like?

Me: No, what would you recommend. (Mistake)

Saleswoman 1: How about this one.

Reading the label it is AGE ERASING CREAM... REDUCE LINES AND WRINKLES... BEST FOR AGE FIGHTING PROTECTION.

Me: OK. I'm ready to check out (and go home and cry) now. I guess I need to get my skin back in shape.

Saleswoman 2: You have beautiful skin!


Thank you Saleswoman 2. May God bless you with many years of health and happiness.

I am still trying to recover from this encounter. I am not sure I can.


*Sean asked about me being carded, "Did you have the baby with you?" Yes, I did, don't worry I wasn't in a bar, but the grocery store buying wine. Surprise. I'm pretty sure I was carded because I wasn't wearing any make-up, was in sweats, and had my hair in a pony tail. The checker was probably looking around for the MTV camera, assuming someone who looked so pathetic with a small child was being filmed for Teen Mom.

Happy First Birthday, Carson!

Dear Carson,

Dear Biggie,

Dear Angel,


I can't believe it's already been a year since you came and made us a family of three. I marvel everyday how much you've grown into a little person over these 12 months and how much you've changed me for the better. Your Daddy and I love you more than life. We wouldn't trade a day with you for anything in this world.

You make every day special and we look forward to all the moments we'll get to spend with you in your future. You are the best thing that's ever happened to us. The BEST.

Thanks for all the smiles, tears, and giggles this year, sweet little man. What a happy lady you've made me.

With more LOVE than you can possibly imagine,

XO
(holding back the tears...)

Your Mommy







































































Thanks so much to all our family and friends who made Carson's first birthday party amazing. Thank you so much for helping celebrate our special little guy, and more than anything, thank you for loving him almost as much as we do! :) We are all so lucky to have you in our lives.

Much love...