Baby M

I am finally getting around to blogging about my projects for my new niece M!  She was born March 12, 2012.  I was excited to make a quilt for this sweet baby girl!  This was my first quilt project, and I have to admit I am hooked!  I love quilting.

"Little Bird Rag Quilt"

I used flannels for this rag quilt.  I wanted it to be soft and cuddly!  I also wanted it to get softer every time S washes it.  

The sewing process...

Overall I was pretty impressed by how easy it was!  The only problems I ran into were: time to sew ( with 2 mini's running around I can never find the time I need!)   and the binding process (totally screwed it up, but you can't really tell...)  I want to take a binding class at a local shop.

front, back, and binding

I am pretty proud!

I also made baby M a onesie dress and head band (which is 12 month size so it will be a while before I see it on her).  I really like including a little something for mommy too - it's nice to feel pampered as a mom!  So I made S a lemon sugar body scrub and stuck it in a custom jar :-)  

L acting as model

Perfectly purple

I up cycled of of L's old tiny onesies and used some left over flannel.  It did not turn out quite the way I wanted, but luckily I can always try again!  I have a feeling baby M will be receiving lots of handmade goodies from Aunt A!  

I have another quilt in process (for my sister) and it's been a fun one!  I am looking forward to our weekend get away to Crystal Beach!  

2 weeks down...

Yesterday marked my 2 weeks of "healthy" living!  I stepped on the scale and did not see a change.  I am not discouraged- I know it will more than likely take a month or more before I really start to see a big difference!

It is amazing how much better I feel!  I sleep great and am in a much better mood!  I feel less stressed about life as well.

I took today off to give my muscles a rest.  I have a headache and feel sick to my stomach from the Chick Fil A we ate for lunch!

I got in 2 trial runs this weekend.  Saturday I ran 35 minutes.  My legs were super heavy and it felt like I was hardly moving!  Sunday was better.  I did a loop, and it only took 20 minutes.  I kept a quick pace.  I could have pushed further, but wanted to take it easy.

We have been eating tons of veggies!  I have cut almost all carbs too.

My project for Sara's new baby is almost done too!  I will blog about it after she opens it (I want her to be surprised to I can't post about it yet!)

1 week

Ok, it's been a week!  Sunday marked my one week, and it's now Tuesday and I have not fallen off the wagon!  My run yesterday felt great- it was a good feeling knowing that I am sticking to my plan.  I even upped my time by 3 minutes, and did not die.  I also clocked my miles in the car.  I have been wondering how many miles I go.  My usual route in 2.2 miles.  I am going to go by timed runs though- it's hard for me to figure out miles, and adding extras, so upping my time works better.

According to the wii I have lost 2 pounds.  I am not going to get too excited though since weight naturally fluctuates.  I do notice a difference in my legs, they look toner.  It's nice to see the small changes- it helps keep me motivated!  

no more excuses

The last 6 months have been full of ups and downs.  We made a MAJOR move to Tx.  That has left me with mixed emotions.  I have good days and I have bad days.  I'm not going to lie, I miss Colorado.  I miss it more than I thought I would.  This makes me hate Texas somedays.  I miss Laura and the girls.  I feel like a high schooler who just had their heart broken for the first time.  Just like a broken heart, I know that it will take time to move on, and accept that I am not in CO anymore.  I can't discount all the great friends we have made here though, I have made some wonderful friends, who keep me smiling everyday.

The first 3 months after the move, I focused all my energy on finding a job.  Well, after 3 failed attempts at working a restaurant job again ( I had 3 different jobs lined up, but somehow never managed to make it to the first day), I gave up.  I was enjoying being able to stay at home.  It's great to sleep till 8 every morning, sip on my coffee ( which is normally tea), and enjoy the Today show uninterrupted.  I love being with my kids, they are amazing little people.  Laney has gone from baby to toddler overnight!  I am blessed because I have been able to watch this transformation.  I feel like a good wife when dinner is ready for James when he comes home every night.

Anyway, this brings me to the point of this post: NO MORE EXCUSES.  Along with all my feelings of joy about being able to stay at home, I also feel FAT.  This is most I have weighed non-pregnant EVER.  When I look in the mirror I feel disgusting.  I hate the way my body looks.  I have been trying to "get back into shape"  I have good weeks where I run and keep up with it for a week, and then I fall off the wagon.  Yesterday, as I was busy browsing pinterest, I realized that I have no excuse for the way I look and feel.  I am home all day long, and have every opportunity to get into shape and lose the weight that I need to.  My kids are finally old enough to self entertain for a few hours a day.

So today I am committing myself to dropping 15-20 pounds.  It's time to get in shape, feel good about the way I look, and be at a happy weight.   I am also going to eat better!  I feel like I have been eating ok, since we have no money for all the extra fattening foods!  I have no a soda in months, and plan on never having one ever again!  Here are my current stats:

Height: 5'6
Weight: 145-147 (fluctuates)
Bust: 36"
Waist: 33"
Hips: 40"

I'll take a picture and post it tonight.