Happy, Healthy mama!

One more day until Friday!  So that makes today Friday eve! Sure, we will go with that. Since, I have a new schedule at work and can't take the Wednesday morning spin class, I took the 5:15pm one last night.  I'm not going to lie, I was nervous.  This was my 4th week of taking spin classes and I was getting used to the way the morning teacher did things.  These were my thoughts ALL day yesterday.

What will the class be like?
Will it be hard?
Wonder what the instructor looks like(not that that matters, but we are going through my thoughts remember.)
Will she have good music?
How big is the class at night?
Will I be "stealing" someone'e bike?
Will the participants be friendly?

Crazy thoughts I know!  Answers to those questions.
What will the class be like?IT WAS DIFFERENT BUT HARD TOO!  THIS INSTRUCTOR DID QUITE A FEW UPHILL CLIMBS AND SPRINTS.  EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY 45 MIN LONG, MY LIGHT GREY SHIRT WAS NOT SO LIGHT GREY AT THE END.

Will it be hard? SPIN IS HARD IF YOU MAKE IT.  IF COURSE I MADE IT HARD.  MY GYM TIME IS TOO PRECIOUS TO LOLLY-GAG AROUND.  I GET IN AND GET IT DONE LADIES!
Wonder what the instructor looks like(not that that matters, but we are going through my thoughts remember.) SHE WAS A TALL BLOND. IN GOOD SHAPE.  ALTHOUGH, SHE HAD THESE SHORTS/SKIRT THINGY ON AND EVERYTIME SHE GOT UP OUT OF THE SEAT TO HOVER OR CLIMB, HER SKIRT GOT CAUGHT ON THE SEAT.  I CHUCKLED EACH TIME.
Will she have good music? GREAT MUSIC, THAT WAS A HUGE MOTIVATOR.
How big is the class at night? EH, ABOUT 10-12 OF US.
Will I be "stealing" someone'e bike? I WAS THE 2ND ONE THERE.  I HATE BEING LATE TO CLASSES LIKE THIS.  I FEEL LIKE I WOULD BE INTERUPPTING! (SIDE NOTE: DO YOU THINK THERE IS CLASS ETIQUETTE TO WHEN YOU SHOULD COME OR NOT IF YOU ARE RUNNING LATE???) I GOT A BIKE ON THE OUTSKIRTS AND THOUGHT I HAD A LADIES BIKE BUT SHE DIDN'T CARE WHICH ONE SHE HAD.
Will the participants be friendly? UM, THE 1ST GIRL, THERE ANSWERED SOME OF MY QUESTIONS, BUT WASN'T OVERLY FRIENDLY.  THE OTHER WOMEN KIND OF DID THEIR OWN THING.  I WILL DEFINITELY BE CHATTING THEM UP NEXT TIME.  NO NEED TO FEEL LEFT OUT!
Will I go back?  FOR SURE! WHY NOT?!?!

We leave for Gatlinburg tomorrow!  Whoo hoo.  It is time to get away in the mountains and be with friends!  Because of that we are working out tonight.  We will do some sort of hike (Ava in tow) in the Great Smoky Mtn National Park that I am thoroughly looking forward to.  This weekend has been a mini goal for me.  I wanted to eat as well as I could and workout as hard (only 3-4 days a week for 1 hour per day) and see how far I could come. 
I measured this morning. I think measurements are one of the true ways to see change.  The scale fluctuates so much that it has the ability to change my mood quite substantially.  Don't get me wrong I do weigh about once a week, but I take it with a grain of salt. The last time I measured was a couple of weeks ago, so I wanted to see if I had made any progress.
Well, I have!!!  I am down another 4 inches total!  It's so crazy to me that eating well and working hard in the gym 3-4 times a week is getting these results!  Pre-Ava, I was in the gym(granted I worked in one) but cardio at least an hour each day and then weights on a different body part each day.  I will take the 3-4 days with these results plus family time any day!!!

I feel fantastic.  I feel like the in shape Courtney.  I feel sexy, hehehe!  Clint helps in that dept very well!  I am getting stronger, faster, and mentally ok with how my body is improving.  I took for granted what my body could do before I got pregnant.  I appreciate my body in ways I never thought I would.

I am going to enjoy this weekend.  I am going to splurge some on some good food, treats, and *ahem alcohol!(don't worry, I will pump and dump so my daughter doesn't get a buzz haha!) Come Monday, I will return to the gym and continue to workout hard those days in the gym and relish that time that I can improve myself for me, for Clint(he deserves a healthy, in shape, and let's face it a hot wife), and for Ava(she deserves a mama that is happy and takes care of herself both mentally and physically!

I will be back on Monday refreshed and with some great times to share as well as pictures!  (*if I can swing it I will post my workout from tonight for your enjoyment or for whatever reason you have to look at my workouts haha!

Have a great Friday Eve!

New schedule

Hi y'all.  I hope that your weekend was fabulous and that you either got to relax or do some fun things or maybe even both. 

Yesterday, I started my new hours of 7am-3pm.  It is so weird! Clint works 6am-ish to 3-3:30ish everyday.  For our entire 2.5 year marriage so far I have NEVER gotten home before 5:45ish pm.  (Well, these for the past 2 months on Fridays I get off at 3pm , but I would go workout!) Anyway, it is so weird getting off in the afternoon and actually having an afternoon to enjoy with Clint and Ava.  Typically, before yesterday, I get home just in time for supper.  Now, we can go to the gym together and just be a family for more than a couple of hours.  Talk about exciting!!

I was nervous about my workout yesterday. Last Friday, I had a workout that kicked my tail and I loved it.  I was nervous because I wasn't sure if I could make yesterday's workout just as hard or harder.  DO NOT FEAR.  I did make it just as hard, but in a different way.

Cardio:
10 min "cardio" setting on Elliptical
20 min ladders 5.5mph-8.5mph on Dreadmill

Weights:
Alternating lunges 35#barbell, 2x12/leg
Pushups 2x30
Wall sits 2x1min
Squats 35#barbell, 2x20
DB OH extension 20# DB, 2x14
Burpees 2x10
*rest 1 min between each round

(because I am glutton for punishment)
Lateral jumps 2x20
Frog jumps 2x10
Alternating leg lifts crunches 2x10
5 min elliptical (killing time until Clint finished his cardio)

Put it this way, I shouldn't have worn a white t-shirt  I was that sweaty.

In mama news, the Fenugreek is working amazingly. I am able to feed Ava when I am with her as well as make plenty for my mom the next day and even freeze and extra. It is magic.  I would say it is worth a try, if you need to bump up your supply.  I am taking to pills (with food) 3x/day and it is increasing my supply by about 8oz give or take.  Speaking of which, I need to go pump!

Have a great Tuesday!

Holy CRAP!

Boy, (girl in this case, since I don't think I have any male readers) I am sore today!  It hurts so good!  haha. 
After work yesterday, I went to workout and kind of had in my head what I wanted to do, but most times these days my workouts just come to me when I start.  This one is for the books.  It was the best/worst workout I have had.  I was huffing and puffing, shaky all over from muscle fatigue and sweating like I was sitting on the sun.  In fact, Clint finished working out well, playing Wally-ball (volleyball in a raquetball court) and we were leaving and he looked at me and said, "we are going to have to hose you off with the pressure washer. haha  Ladies, I was a hot mess!!  Without further ado....
Cardio:
Elliptical: 20 min "fat burn" setting. (I didn't much like this.  It kept telling me to slow down! haha)
Dreadmill: Quick 10 min ladders from 5.5 to 8.5mph

*Barbell with 35lbs
Deep squats 2x10
Quick paces squats 2x10
Walking side squats 2x12
Jump squats 2x10
Burpies 2x12 (holy crap!)
-1 min rest in between

2 way pushups(incline on step, regular on floor, decline from  step) 2x10/each way
Dips 2x10
Chest press 2x10(35# barbell)
Bicep curl 2x10 (25# barbell)
-1 min rest in between
50 ab bicycles.

In other news, we went shopping last night and I got some of the Fenugreek that I posted about yesterday, and let me say I am already smelling SCRUMPTIOUS!  I also got an Alabama Football shirt, and a zebra accented with fuschia "diaper bag."  It is ridiculous to carry a purse AND a diaper bag.  So I would rather have the best of both worlds and "diaper bag be fabulous.  We arlready have a "daddy bag" that he takes to the gym with him and a "mama  one" that's an adorable pink paisley with "Ava" on it.  But this one was just too cute.
(CONFESSION, I THINK IN MY OTHER LIFE I GREW UP IN JERSEY.  "Oh yeaaaa"[my best Pauly D accent)  I do try to keep my love of animal prints as tasteful and classy as possible.  Is that possible?  haha

Well, enough for today.  Have a great weekend!!

One word: AMAZING

It is Friday!  I think Fridays are my favorite day of the week.  I think it is because it is the end of the week and holds the hope of fun and family time for the weekend. 

On a serious note, if you didn't know this already, we had a little difficulty get pregnant.  I had to go on hormone replacement therapy to get my non-existant hormones to a normal level as well as up my body fat percentage. We did two rounds of Clomid to help my ovulation.  One year ago today on October 22, 2009, I started my period and that cycle turned in to this

( HI from the background!  Look at those dimples on her elbows! I could slop her up with a biscuit.)

The funny thing is that I ovulate 2 weeks later at a couples church retreat!  haha  Hey what can I say...when the mood strikes!!  Plus timing is everything!

I know this might not seem neat to most people, but I am amazed everyday at the life Clint and I created. I usually don't talk about God on here, but I think he created the human body, especially a woman's to be so AMAZING and intriging.  How your body can start the menstrual cycle, release and egg, get it fertilized (by the love of my life in this case) and turn into a tiny perfect little human.  How so many things have to come together perfectly to fuse to make her bones, her skin, her eyelashes, her organs.  How I could carry this growing perfect being in my body and my body know when it was time the she was "cooked". (40 weeks, 2 days)  How my body can produce food for her to live off of and continue to grow and develop.

Speaking of Ava's food aka milk.  I have talked previously talked about using oatmeal to produce more milk supply and that does work for me because I can pump enough milk throughout the day for me to take to my parent's house for the next day.  My problem is, that I haven't been getting home until around 6ish or later at night, so Clint has been having to get into our freezer stash for the feeding after he picks her up at my parent's.  That stash is slowly deminishing.  I'm talking like 5 maybe 6 packs left.  EEEK!!  I had a little heartbreak and tear drops after I realized that my "liquid gold" is slowly running out.  I haven't been pumping enough milk to freeze extra, just enough to feed her when I am not with her.  Clint has no problem with supplementing formula every now and then and I know it wouldn't be a bad thing and PLENTY of parents use formula for their children. BUT, I would kind of feel like a failure.  I know that wouldn't be true, but I feel like as her mama it is my body's job to give her the food and nourishment that she needs.  I would like for her to be on breastmilk until she turns a year old and puttting her on formula even to supplement would mean that I couldn't do my job well enough to produce her food.  I have been thinking about this nonstop since last night and weighing all of the pros and cons as well as the mental fight I have been having with myself. 

When my schedule changes to 7am-3pm I will be able to pick her up and feed her myself at the 5:30pm-ish feeding.  But, to help boost my supply a little more so I can replenish our stash, I have decided to try the herb Fenugreek for a little while to see if that will increase my supply that little bit more.  Good thing Clint doesn't have a problem with maple syrup because on of he side effects of Fenugreek is that mama and possibly baby smells like maple syrup.  Hey, I won't need to put on smell good lotion and since it is about to be the start of baking season for the holidays, I will blend in to my surroundings.  haha.  Hey, you have to look at the bright side of things right?!?!  I will probably pick it up at a health food store this weekend and start taking it.  I will keep you updated on if it is working or not.

Moving right along, I plan on working out after work today and I will probably take borrow a little bit here and there of Natalie and Melissa's workouts to change up things up.  I love trying someone else's workouts or tweaking them to make them my own.  You can never learn or know enough.  I will let you know what my workout turns out to be.

Whew, sorry for the heartfelt novella.  It's crazy how when you sit down to type you really don't know where you want to go with a post, but then you look and you feel like carpal tunnel could set in any time. =)

Have a fantastic Friday!!

Organizing mama

Happy Hump Day chicas.  The week is down hill from here.  Hi-yoo!
I don't know about you, but I love days when I have already been oober productive by lunch.  Next week, my schedule is going to change from the random hours I have now to 7am-3pm Monday thru Thursday and 7am-1pm on Fridays.  I can spend more time with Clint and Ava and I can workout with Clint in the afternoons.  Well, we do our own thing, but we will be there at the same time. 

This also means I needed to get organized.  I don't know if you watch Grey's Anatomy but last week they decided on doing a "chore wheel" in the house where EVERY one of the doctors seems to be staying.  (that's for another day)  The chore wheel got my wheels spinning, so to speak.  Being that I will need to leave our house by 6am every morning to drop Ava off at my parent's house and get to work, that doesnt leave me a lot of time to get chores done around the house each morning like I usually do.  So, I made myself a chore sheet. Genius.  I made a spreadsheet and put it on the fridge so I will remember on what day what chore needs to be done.  This morning, I unloaded/loaded the dishwasher, thoroughly cleaned Clint and my bathroom, and swept and mopped the kitchen as well as got myself and Ava ready to go.  All before 8am.
There is something therapeutic to being productive and seeing the fruits of your labor i.e. a clean house.
(*Clint is a huge help around the house, but he also does the outside maintenance.  The spreadsheet is for my anul ways.)

Then, I was off to spin class.  I know you probably get tired of hearing about spin, but I love it!  I love how it will kick my butt and wear me out, but it is because I push myself to do it.  At the gym I workout at now, it is new to me.  He had worked out there before we signed up with a buddy of his, so he was familiar.  I wasn't!  I didn't know anyone there, especially not women.  This means I didn't/don't have a workout partner.  Now, I really like working out by myself, BUT even I need to be pushed.  I am very competitive and need that extra drive every now and then.  I think that is why I love spin so much.  I can be competitive with myself as well as the instructor(she is still kicking my butt though, haha) and the other people in class.  I need this right now to be successful at losing the leftover pregnancy weight.  I need this for my mentality.  I need this because I love it.

Are you an organized spreadsheet inventor, list making person??
Are you competitive? Or if not, what drives you?

Have a fab day!!

Bless her heart!

For your enjoyment.  Clint and I were making supper last night and had Ava on the counter and she was justa jabbering.  All of a sudden, it got quiet and I looked over and this is what she was doing.

Bless her heart!

She was exhausted.  Because she has had her late night parties the past couple of nights I asked my family to keep her up and stimulated as much as possible yesterday and she just couldn't make it any longer!

She did sleep last night, but we were up every two hours.  How could you be upset or complain about this child!  She is amazing.

Tomorrow is spin ladies.  I will inform you of the kick-butt class and see what the instructor has to say about me becoming an instructor myself!

Have a great Tuesday!

Need caffeine!

I hope your weekends were phenomenal!  Yesterday was gorgeous here in Nashville.  We had the doors open, did some heavy cleaning(one would have thought I was Spring cleaning I did so much), watched football, and Ava and I took a siesta on the swing outside while Clint took care of the leaves in the yard.  It was a picture perfect day.

I don't know what the deal with our daughter is, but the last 2 nights she has wanted to have college all-nighters.  Saturday night I got a total of 3 hours of sleep and today I have been up since 3:30am.  Yesterday, I was go go go until I literally crashed on the couch at 9pm.  I let my family know today when I dropped Ava off this morning to keep her up and stimulated today so we can get back to sleeping at night, well back to her normal routine.

Even though, I have been up for a long time, I still went and worked out this morning.  I think God somehow gives mamas an extra shot of adrenaline to use after having a baby.  Lord, knows I can't tell you how I do it!
My workout for today:
Cardio:
20 min on elliptical
10 min ladders on dreadmill
(I was sweatin this morning, whoo)
Legs: Giant sets
Squats 2x20 40lb barbell
Double lunges(ouch) 2x12 40lb barbell
Single lunges 2x12 40lb Barbell
Straight leg deadlifts 2x20 40lb Barbell
Ab exercise..I call them in, up, outs 2x10 (if curious, ask me)

Upper: Giant sets
Bicep curls 2x12 20lb barbell
Front Shoulder press 2x12 20lb barbell
Rows 2x12 20lb Barbell
Incline Chest press 2x12 20lb barbell
V ups 2x12

Tis a good workout, but not my best.  It will do though.

Had any good workouts this weekend or today.  I think (KNOW) there will be a caffeine run here shortly.  A mama has to do, what a mama has to do!
Have a great Monday!

Motivational day

Happy Saturday!  It is supposed to be a beautiful Fall day today, sunny and 72degrees..  I am sitting on the couch feeding Ava, blogging, and drinking a cup of coffee.  AHH, the little joys in life that start your day out on the right foot. 

I have to work 9-2 today so Clint and Ava get to have an DD day (daddy, daughter).  My schedule is about to change, so i will only work 1 Saturday a month.  YAY.  I will to participate in DD day turning it in to MDD day. 

We have a dinner party tonight and that should be a lot of fun.  Church in the morning, then out to lunch with Pops(Clint's daddy) and his girlfriend.  Pops sent Ava a Halloween card the other day, so cute! 

My post the other day talked about becoming a spin instructor or group fitness instructor and if my Personal Training certification accepts those certifications as acceptable CEU's.  Annnnd.....they are!  I can wipe about 10 CEUs out by taking either one!  SCORE!  Now, I just need to see which and when and maybe, possibly see if my boss would be willing to pay for it.  if not, no big deal, but it never hurt to ask, right?!

My workout was great yesterday.  I had some extra motivation for myself.  On the way to the gym, I realized we leave for a weekend trip to the mountains with 3 other couples and there will be a hot tub! eeekk!  Hot tub=bathing suit=motivation in the gym.
Cardio:
15 min on elliptical
20  min ladders on dreadmill
Weights:
(similar to Monday's workout, but more of speed workout)
Barbell 2-2.5kg weights/side
Speed squats 4x20
Speed split lunges 4x10
Straight leg deadlifts 4x20
Calf raises 4x20
V-ups 4x10
*30sec rest between group
Bicep curls 3x10
Flat bench close grip chest press/skull crusher 3x10
Bent over rows 3x12
Mountain climbers 3x50
*30 sec resr between groups

In other news, My goal was o fit into my fave jeans by Turkey day.  I was tired of wearing my maternity jeans.  Yes, I am wearing them beacause I don't want to buy new jeans when come hell or high water I am going to get back to my pre-preg clothes.  I tried my fave jeans on annnnndd I got them on and buttoned.  I still have some muffin top, but hey they are ON!  I am so proud of myself and that motivated me that much more.

What motivates you?
Have a great weekend!!

Spinning my wheels, trying to get somewhere.

Today was my favorite day so far this week!  I had spin class this morning!  I was already raring to go this morning.  I "slept in" until 5:45am and got up and got the dishwasher loaded, put together my food for the day, ate breakfast, checked my email, all before Ava got up at 6:30am.  I then fed her, put her back down(this usually doesn't happen.  She usually has the sleep, eat, play, repeat schedule down pat.  After I pu her back down, I put together a crockpot of turkey chili, so Clint could turn it on when he got home before him and Ava went to the gym.  I love the crockpot.  It is like magically made supper!

Like I said, I was super excited about spin and the hard workout I was about to recieve.  I was NOT disappointed.  Being this, is my second class EVER and my first teacher, I'm still not really sure what to expect each class.  Does this instructor do the same thing each time or different? Does she use the same music each time?  Well, she bases her class on her music.  She used a new mix of songs today and her class went with the songs.  If it was a slower temp song, we were "up in the clouds" if it was faster, we did up/downs or sprints.   I was so sweaty after class I could have wrung out my sports bra.  Gross, but I LOVE IT. The instructor knows I am a personal trainer and asked if I had taught group classes before and I told her yes.  She asked if I have ever taught spin or if I would want to.  She said you could do it no problem.  Um, please and thank you! That kills two birds with one.....bike. haha  My brain got to turning.  My personal training certification needs renewal next April and I need 20 CEU's(continued education units) for renewal.  I emailed ISSA and have asked if I received either my Group Fitness Cert or Spin cert if that could be accepted for the CEU's.  Fingers crossed.  That would be so great.  The Group Fitness is a home study and the Spin Cert is in Murfreesboro in December.  I can't wait to see what they say. 

I need a new educational goal.  I love to learn and take courses.  This would be my next goal.  I am such a goal oriented person.  I was thinking of all of the goals I set either each day or in life.
-Each day I like to have a goal of the milk amount I pump.
-I have a goal to fit into my favorite pair of jeans by Thanksgiving.
-I have a goal to get a blog post up at least every other day.
-Each time I workout, I have workout in my head or written down to accomplish.
-Leave the house at a certain time each morning.
I could go on and on.  Basically, I like goals and acheiving them.  But, if I don't necessarily leave the house at exactly the time I wanted, I do get a little stressed, but I deal with it.  Goals change. I will not reach every goal, but by george I will try.

Are you goal setters?  Are you ok with it, if you don't achieve that exact goal.

"bad day with Gram"

Hey there!  I hope your Monday was manageable yesterday.  I know some people had the day off because of good ole Columbus.  I did not.  It wasn't that big of a deal because Clint didn't have the say off either. 

I go to the gym to workout on Mondays and Wednesdays(spin, WHOO!) before work, Fridays after work and the occasion Saturday.  Although, in a couple of weeks Saturdays will happening more often and I am excited to get in a solid 4 x per week of sweaty workout sessions.

Yesterday, morning I dropped my sugar baby off at my parent's house and headed off to the gym.  Like I have said before, I only have about an hour to get in, kick my tail, and get out to get to work.  I did not dissapoint myself. 
Cardio: 
15 hard min on elliptical
2 miles of ladders on the treadmill
     (steady at 5.5mph working up to 8.5mph then back down, lather rinse repeat for 2.10miles or 20min)
Weights: I saw this break up of workouts on someone's blog and thought I would try it out.   I'm sorry I don't remember exactly whose blog but thank you.,  I tweaked it a smidge!
I did these exercises in a circuit form.
3x10 Front squats 20lb DBs
3x10 Split lunges 20lbs DBs
3x10 Straight leg deadlifts 20lbs DBs
3x10 calf raises 20lbs Dbs

Push exercises-chest, triceps, shoulders
3x10 chest press 20lbs Dbs
3x10 Standing Shoulder press 12lbs DBs
3x10 Dips on bench bodyweight
3x10 Swiss ball ab crunches

Really great workout.  I'm a little stiff this morning. I likey, likey.  Spin is tomorrow!  Heck yeah.  I am in love!

Speaking of loves, I have been dreading Ava having a "bad" day at my parent's house.  Her "bad" days are usually when she is going through a growth spurt.  This means she eats every 2 hours ALL DAY( my boobs do not like these days) and is a bit fussy unless held.  She hasn't had one in a few weeks.  We are blessed that this only happens on growth spurts.  She had her "let's just hang out on mama's boobs all day on Sunday and I thought she would sleep a lot yesterday.  Wrong.  She ate very 2 hours again and was fussy.  My mom told Clint when he picked Ava up that it was the "worst" day she had had (mom and Ava).  I feel bad that she had to deal with this.  I feel like we should be the ones to handle these days and everyone else gets the happy baby that Ava tends to be.  I couldn't be there.  I wanted to take away the stress from my mom and Clint.  Clint had to leave the gym before his cardio because she got fussy.  I feel bad!  I feel guilty.  I feel like I should have to deal with this.  Even though, Clint and I are a team, I don't want him to get frustrated or get to miss out on things.  I know he doesn't mind though.  He is an AMAZING daddy.  But this is how I felt yesterday.  I am ok now.  Today is a new day and happy Ava will return.  Anyone else feel like this??

** The funny thing is that this picture was taken when he was putting her in the truck after the fussy session at the gym.  The little snot just wanted to leave!

Lazy Sunday and oatmeal.

It is Sunday!  Which means the weekend is coming to an end.  Last weekend, I was spoiled being with Clint and Ava the entire weekend.  This weekend I had to work and Clint was at his yearly work seminar.  We did skip church(oops) this morning and go to breakfast together and Costco for a few odds and ends and have spent the day watching football.

I was able to get in a fast and furious workout yesterday of 30 min elliptical and Supersets of Bicep Barbell curls and Barbell shoulder press, then Supersets of Fire hydrants and Romanian lunges(whew a little burn here) in before I had to go pick Ava up at my parent's house. This was great since I hadn't been to the gym since my de-virginizing spin day on last Wednesday! (I can't wait until Wednesday morning spin!)

Yesterday, when I was at work, I was reading email and my sista in crime Melissa had asked if I had measured yet.  The last time I measured was 2.5 weeks ago. I felt for sure things hadn't changed, so I thought what the heck, why not.  It will give me some extra motivation in the gym. 
I am down 3 total inches!!
-.5in  in my hips/butt
-.5in in my waist(belly button area)
-.5in in my high waist area
-1.5in in my bust!! (not the boobs but underneath;the back fat area)
I am thrilled!  Even though, the scale is still hovering in the same vacinity, I am changing and that is super motivation for me.  Most days, I can't tell things are going ANYWHERE, this is proof that my hard work in the gym and with my nutrition is paying off.

***On to mama-boob talk.  If you are done reading, have a great rest of the day.  If you are interested, read on!

On another note, I wanted to talk about milk supply for a minute.  Before, I started working out post partum, I was worried that exercise and nutrition would lower my supply.  Through, my Ph.D in Google and talking to some exercise buds, I have learned that if I am eating balanced and getting plenty H20 I should be fine. 
(There are different remedies that have been known to boost supply.) http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_fenugreek.html.

Although, oatmeal hasn't been scientifically proven to boost milk supply, some women say it works.  I decided to do my own little experiment.  Well, techinically I didn't know I was I was doing this experiment until after I did it. haha. I love oatmeal and have it every morning, just because it is so versatile and it feels me up for a while.  In my oatmeal, I tend to add yogurt and cottage cheese for protein and I had run out of cottage cheese, I think it was on Tuesday of this week.  Anywho, I digress.  I decided I was going to have an egg and egg whites and some toast until I could get some more cottage cheesefor my oatmeal.  The two days I did this, my milk supply was way down. I wasn't sure why though.   I can usually get 4oz at a time every 3 hours. These two days I barely got 2oz at a time.  I started to freak out because the milk I pump at work is typically enough for me to take to my mom's house for Ava the next day.  (This means I don't have to dip in to frozen stash. Not only that, but I felt defeated.  I tooting my horn a bit, but I am very blessed to be good a producing a lot of milk!  Just call me ELSIE.  I felt like I was letting my precious girl down.  So, I started to guesstimate if I was getting enough calories and if I had had enough water these days and I had! What the heck is going on?  Then, I thought about the oatmeal phenomenon.  Friday morning I had some to see if it would help.  Lo and behold, ELSIE was back.  I have had it every morning since and I have been back to a milk producing machine!  Oatmeal=E.V.E.R.Y. D.A.Y. 
Now, I am not saying this works for everyone.  This is what works for me and keeps up my supply.  So,if you have low supply, try oatmeal.  It might work for you!

Have a great rest of the weekend!  Make it count!

"Just keep spinning"

Yesterday, I went to my 1st spin class ever.  Like I said yesterday, one would think being a personal trainer and working in gyms for years that I would have done this already, but my schedule or the gym I worked in didn't allow it or didn't have the class.

I had an idea of what to expect.  A cycle(duh), teacher, an hour long, and can burn a ton of calories!  Well, I was right on all fronts.  I got there at 9am and this sweet lady introduced herself and showed me how to adjust my bike.  (who knew?)  Some how it came up about Ava(I never talk about her, haha!)  and that I was a personal trainer.  She was so sweet and said I didn't look like I just had a baby 9 weeks ago and she could tell I was in good shape. Bless her!  (body squeezing workout pants are a blessing!)  Apparently Ms. Betty was the welcome wagon because she introduced me to everyone that came in (there were only 8 in class).  They were all very welcoming and I didn't feel out of place or uncomfortable. The teacher Susan was a lady in her 50's I guesstimate and she had the BEST LEGS I HAVE EVER SEEN.  She is about my height at 5'2 and I thought, "I want those!"  If she gets those spinning, I was already sold on the class!  I didn't know that Ms. Betty set me up on a bike RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE TEACHER!  Great.  The teacher, Susan, kind of walked me through a few things and said you control your own bike and you get what you put in.  Heck yeah.  Let's go!

50 minutes later and one soaking wet spinning newbie, I LOVED IT!  It was the hardest and best workout I have been put through and I was wore out, but I kicked tail!  During one of the "in the clouds" sessions, Susan asked if I was sure this was my first class because I had great form!  WHOOHOO!  I just might have to learn to teach one day!

I really thought I wouldn't be able to walk this morning.  I'm a little tight right now, but sore, eh not so much!  I might be in better shape than I thought I was at 9 weeks PP. 

Susan was right in that you get what you put in spin!  My competitive nature COULDN'T wimp out at all.  One lady said I did better than her and she has been taking spin for years.  YESSSS!  I always thought I wouldn't like to be yelled at while working out.  I am not that kind of trainer.  I will push you,  but I will not yell and cuss and Jillian you.  Susan would yell "push!!!" or "come on!" and I would get my butt in gear.

Will I be taking another class???  Yes, every Wednesday at 9am I will bounce my way into spin class.
 I am a spinner!

Have a great day!

2 month visit & workout

Happy Hump day!  Yesterday, my mom met us at the doc with Ava for her 2 month checkup.  It not only was convenient for my mom to bring her to meet us, but we wanted her to know where the doc office was and kind of be familiarized with things just in case she needs to being Ava anytime.

We go to checkin at the desk and the lady said that Dr. J wasn't there today and that we were called on 8/30.  The funny thing is that I never got a call.  What's more funny is that our records DO NOT have our phone number.  So, whoever "called" said they did and put that in the computer.  Wonder if they get in trouble???  The lady at the desk was awesome and said they would work us in immediately with one of the other docs.  It really wasn't a problem with us.  At least we would be able to meet another doc just in case doc J isn't there the next time. 

Clint and I guessed what her weight would be and I was off by 2oz. 
Stats:
Weight at Birth: 7lbs, 11oz
2 months: 11lbs 4oz (a little above 50th percentile)
Height at Birth: 19 3/4in
2 months: 21.5 in ( a little below 50th percentile)

She was great at the visit.  She let the new doc move her around and check her out with a content face.  The doc said she had strong muscles (that's my girl!)  The new doc was great and very personable.  Not a bad option when Dr. J isn't there. 

All in all she is a healthy baby and we couldn't be more happy.

Now to the shots......dun dun dunnnnnn
She had one oral one that she took like a champ.  Then she had to have 3 shots ( yes 3!) in her chunky little legs( I could just eat her chunky legs up!).  I held her hands while the very sweet nurse pricked her.  It was a 2 second delay each time, but she squeezed my hands so tight each time and did cry.  When I picked her up to soothe her she had the biggest crocodile tears I have ever seen.  After about a minute she was calm and fit as a fiddle again!  I did ok!  I teared a smidge, but I did better than I thought I would.  The nurse said if she got a fever we could give her baby tylenol and she might be fussy or tired.  She had a runny nose yesterday, so our parenting decision was to go ahead and give her some baby tylenol to prevent a fever and clear up her runny nose.

We decided to go ahead to the gym since she was doing ok, but were willing to leave depending on her temperament.  She lasted the entire time!

My workout:
Cardio:  Elliptical 35 min
Weights:
SS Incline Chest press 3x12 20lb DBs
      Rows 3x12 20lb DB
Plank-1 min
V-ups-10x
SS Deep squats 3x20 20lb DBs
      Leg Extension 3x20 drop sets
Crunch twists on ball 30x
Full situps on ball 30x

All in all it was a great workout.  I am going to my 1st spin class this morning.  It is funny that I have been so into health and fitness for so long and this is my first spin class.  With my schedule and the gyms I have worked, I just haven't been able to.  I know it will kick my tail, but that's what I enjoy.

Have a great day!

Honeysuckle Hill Farm

This weekend we went to the Honeysuckle Hill Farm.  It is such a great place for families.  There is so much to do from corn mazes to pig races.  even though Ava is too liitle to remember this, we thought why not!  Plus, it was M.D.D. weekend(Mama, Daddy, Daughter!)  Here is our adventure!!

This little piggy!

Real life piggies.

Here chicky chicky!

Baby cow!

1st family picture.

My 1st punkin!

 Kiddy pumpkin patch.

                                                                                        We couldn't resist!

                                                                                         Um...where do we go?

Pumpkin patch to pick from.

                                                                                           Family photo-op.

Make today a great one!

TGIF and award

Happy F.R.I.D.A.Y!!!!

I have the entire weekend off this weekend.  I can not wait.  I get to spend 2 whole days with my two favorite people in the world!  We are going to a pumplin patch tomorrow and I am so excited!

How could you not want to spend time with this face!!  (Ava and her daddy were let loose in TJ MAXX!)

I am working out today! Woot woot!  I am going to push it today, to see how far I have come and how far I need to go.  I am going to do Melissa's HITT routine today and see if I can.  I might need to have the ambulance on stand by OR I wil rock it! I will let you know!

The same Melissa, gave me this fabulous blog award.  Melissa and I have so much in common as we try to get our bodies back.  It is crazy how some days we post about the same things.
anywho.

Rules of this game:
Thank the person who sent it to you and link them in your post, tell 7 things about yourself and then pass it along to fellow bloggers who you think are awesome.
Um let me think.  Ok I have some.
1. I hate the color pink growing up.  Now, it is my favorite color, all shades! Our wedding colors were fuschia and bubble gum pink.

2. I have a phobia of velvet. The way it feels when you go back and forth gives me the HEEBIE JEEBIES.  Its hard to explain, but the feeling gets on my hands and I have to find a different texture and "wipe off" the feeling.  I'm probably the only one in the world who does this.

3.I have a thing for big engine sounds.  My heart starts a-flutter when I hear a deep rumbling engine!

4.I love to go camping.  I love how there is no clock and no schedule.  I guess I love it because I am so schedule oriented(to the point of neurotic) that I can get away. Although, my schedule now is Ava's schedule.

5. Clint and I were NOT attracted to each other and DID NOT like each other for a long time.  We were actually going to be roommates in the house he bought when I moved back from Chattanooga, TN.  Something switch though before we could move in together and now I can't get enough of the man!

6.I am scared of clowns!  They give me the creeps.

7. First let me say I am a complete man lover and in no way am demeaning lesbians!  To each her own, BUT if I were Clint and I have the same taste! haha

Now to some fellow bloggies!
Esperanza from Stumbling Gracefully.
Keely from Redefining Motherhood
Basebell6 from Country is a State of mind.

Y'all have a great weekend