Yummmmm....
Monday, January 31, 2011
This is NOT a diet blog...
Wait a sec... I thought working out was supposed to release those feel goo hormones. I thought when you worked out you didn't really have the desire to eat junk. These have been my previous experiences with working out, but today has totally changed that. 30 mins on my elliptical this morning totally ruined my day! I have been sooooo moody and just plain depressed and I don't understand why. I have been craving ice cream or cupcakes or anything sweet and I have had NO motivation to do anything. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?! I was sitting on the couch... minding my own business when a ice cream bar with devil horns pops onto my shoulder. What did I do? I gave in. But we don't have any ice cream... What's the next best thing...? HOT CHOCOLATE! Yes ladies and gentleman, I made hot chocolate, with a dash of cream and whole milk. "But what is hot chocolate without whipped cream or marshmallows?" I thought to myself, both of which we don't have. Then it hit me. I had bought some marshmallow cream for Sterling the other day! Yahoooooo! Heaven in a cup! Now my tummy hurts... but I think it was worth it?
Yummmmm....
Yummmmm....
Yesterday
We had such a wonderful Sunday. Church was great and we got there on time, even early! Booyaw. We then went to dinner at our friends Shanna and Adam's house and had delicious food and good conversation. Lolo saw her first kitty cat and Shanna took beautiful pictures with her new camera which I am so jealous of! We had a fun fun day. Ster and I finished off our night with some chocolate cupcakes and lots of pillow talk. I love my husband.
As we were talking I was complaining to him about how I don't have a car during the day, cause he takes it to work, and I was comparing our life to the lifestyles of family and the people in our ward etc. All I'm going to say is that he helped me put things into perspective. "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven." My husband always has words of wisdom and comfort at the ready when I'm feeling depressed. All I have to do is think about what our lives will be like when we're out of this "temporary, transitory" period in our lives. We will be leaps and bounds ahead of our peers when it comes to debt and life experience. My husband is perfect for me.
Now I'm going to brag about him a lil'. Last winter he did some freelance/volunteer work for a start up company called Get Found First. He initially went in for an interview but they didn't hire him and he asked them if he could do a sort of free internship to just learn about what they do and how they run since Internet Marketing/ Web Business is what he want's to go into for a career and it would be a good experience. He worked for them for a few months and built some really wonderful relationships with the owner and employees. Well, every successful new company grows, and a few weeks ago they asked him to come back and work for them, and get paid for doing it! He is now the manager of several companies' online advertising accounts. He gets to do SEM (search engine marketing) work and lot's of other cool things that I know nothing about... BUT, another HUGE thing is that he is now Google Ad Words Certified! If you want to know what that is, check it out here, or here. It's a really really big deal and the tests cost a lot of money and are really really hard. But he did it! And I am so so very proud of my Honey Bee!!!!! He is my sunshine and my strength. I have such a wonderful life! But basically what this means is that when he graduates from college he is going to be a pretty hot commodity since he will have had previous experience in his field and he is Google Ad Words Certified. I am so proud of my hubby! Even though we are sacrificing so much right now, I know that it will all pay off! I feel like I never get to see my husband, since he's gone from 9am-1:15pm at Get Found First, then gone again from 4:45-11pm working his tush off a Wlamart, but I know that all the time he's putting in right now, is just time that we get to spend together later when he's making $1,000,000/hr and only has to work 1 hr a year. Juuusssst Kidding. But that would be cool, yeah?
I LOVE MY LIFE!
PS When Ster is making $1,000,000/hr, I am going to buy all my clothing from here and here.
As we were talking I was complaining to him about how I don't have a car during the day, cause he takes it to work, and I was comparing our life to the lifestyles of family and the people in our ward etc. All I'm going to say is that he helped me put things into perspective. "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven." My husband always has words of wisdom and comfort at the ready when I'm feeling depressed. All I have to do is think about what our lives will be like when we're out of this "temporary, transitory" period in our lives. We will be leaps and bounds ahead of our peers when it comes to debt and life experience. My husband is perfect for me.
Now I'm going to brag about him a lil'. Last winter he did some freelance/volunteer work for a start up company called Get Found First. He initially went in for an interview but they didn't hire him and he asked them if he could do a sort of free internship to just learn about what they do and how they run since Internet Marketing/ Web Business is what he want's to go into for a career and it would be a good experience. He worked for them for a few months and built some really wonderful relationships with the owner and employees. Well, every successful new company grows, and a few weeks ago they asked him to come back and work for them, and get paid for doing it! He is now the manager of several companies' online advertising accounts. He gets to do SEM (search engine marketing) work and lot's of other cool things that I know nothing about... BUT, another HUGE thing is that he is now Google Ad Words Certified! If you want to know what that is, check it out here, or here. It's a really really big deal and the tests cost a lot of money and are really really hard. But he did it! And I am so so very proud of my Honey Bee!!!!! He is my sunshine and my strength. I have such a wonderful life! But basically what this means is that when he graduates from college he is going to be a pretty hot commodity since he will have had previous experience in his field and he is Google Ad Words Certified. I am so proud of my hubby! Even though we are sacrificing so much right now, I know that it will all pay off! I feel like I never get to see my husband, since he's gone from 9am-1:15pm at Get Found First, then gone again from 4:45-11pm working his tush off a Wlamart, but I know that all the time he's putting in right now, is just time that we get to spend together later when he's making $1,000,000/hr and only has to work 1 hr a year. Juuusssst Kidding. But that would be cool, yeah?
I LOVE MY LIFE!
PS When Ster is making $1,000,000/hr, I am going to buy all my clothing from here and here.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Cousin Time
Today we took such cute pictures with cousin Rae. I absolutely love them and we had lots of fun doing it. We also picked up our new CALIFORNIA KING bed :) Sterling's feet don't hang off the end. I love my tall hubby. I'm super tired, but here is a teaser from our photo shoot.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Life Lessons...
Today, we learned the hard way that our student insurance deductible starts over in September and not the beginning of the year.
This past year has been a hard one for Sterling. He got carbon monoxide poisoning in late August and then what we thought was a cold turned into pneumonia in December. When he was hit with pneumonia we thought it would be no problem since we had just payed the deductible for his CO poisoning. WRONG! Once again, our finances have been screwed over by the lovely school we attend. YAY!
Even though we are financially stretched to the limit right now, all I have to do is think of the wonderful blessings I have in my life, and it makes it all better :)
I'm going to go beat my husband at Yahtzee now and I'm sure that will make me feel better too.
Loves!
-Ari
Thursday, January 27, 2011
My Beautiful Daughter
Basically, I'm not even exaggerating when I talk about my perfect little girl. She's not only physically beautiful and perfect in every way, but her little spirit just astounds me every day. She is so chillax about everything and she absolutely loves her mommy and daddy. She understands when I need to be doing something and she's totally content with just sitting by herself playing with her feet or a water bottle or her numerous toys. On the other hand, when I'm doing something unproductive like sitting on the computer or watching a show, she knows that I'm not doing anything important and then she'll demand my attention. She is the sweetest little girl ever made! She loves her doggies and loves kisses form Junie. She has fun talking to her monkey stuffed animal and bouncing in her bouncer. She loves reading books with mommy and playing with daddy There isn't a day that goes by where I am astounded by her intelligence and also her calm, loving spirit. She is my comfort. I love her so much and I know she was given to me for a reason. I have so many blessings in my life, but the two that are closest to my heart are my wonderful husband and my amazing little girl. I love them with all my heart.
Today I decided to make cupcakes instead of work out on my elliptical that I got for Christmas. It's like a never ending battle for me! Why can't I work up the motivation to do what I know needs to get done? I don't want to keep these 20-30 extra pounds that lingered after pregnancy... and I certainly don't want an extra 20-30 after each of my next pregnancies... I just need to buck up and get it done.
Jalapeno popper are in the oven and asparagus is done and waiting to be eaten. Love my life and the people in it.
Today I decided to make cupcakes instead of work out on my elliptical that I got for Christmas. It's like a never ending battle for me! Why can't I work up the motivation to do what I know needs to get done? I don't want to keep these 20-30 extra pounds that lingered after pregnancy... and I certainly don't want an extra 20-30 after each of my next pregnancies... I just need to buck up and get it done.
Jalapeno popper are in the oven and asparagus is done and waiting to be eaten. Love my life and the people in it.
"To become a mother is one of life’s greatest blessings. It is a lifelong event that forever changes you. Becoming a mother changes your heart, your thoughts, and your actions."
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Nursing and Sitting
I have just realized exactly how much I actually love nursing. Today, my WIC appointment was a class on infant feeding and when/how to start feeding solids. As I was sitting there thinking about baby Lolo being weaned off the boob, I got really really sad! Yeah I always complain about having to stop whatever I'm doing and sit down and be still for 15-30 mins 5-9 times a day, but the thought of losing that alone time with my little sweetie breaks my heart! Nursing has created such a strong bond between my daughter and I, and I pray that that bond will continue to strengthen as she gets older, even though we won't always get that one on one contact as much as we have been since she was born. Nursing is all I've ever known, and I don't know how I'll be able to give it up! NO, I'm not going to nurse my babe until the age of 8, like this cray cray lady! But I know I'll miss it. And another thing is that when I have my next baby I'll be able to do that same with her :) (Lolo needs a little sis first, then I'm good with boys.)
On another note, I got to babysit my adorable niece today! Baby Rae is such a sweetie! We had lots of fun playing with the puppies, watching Lolo get her bedtime bath, eating applesauce and playing with the ladies that came over for my meeting. Rae is so much fun and I loved having her over!
The reason I was babysitting Rae is because my spoiled rotten hubby got to go snowboarding with his brother Bean, Rae's daddy. He broke his binding going off a sick nasty jump, but other than that had a really great time!
For dinner tonight I made Polenta Lasagna, which is DELICIOUS! I always like things the second time I make them a lot more because I get to add and subtract the flavors I do or don't like. Tonight's was yummmmmmmmmyyyyyyy!
June, or boxer, affectionately known as Junie has started the bad habit of stealing our Shar Pie, Luna's, collar. It's pretty funny to watch her run around the yard with it in her mouth. The only down side is that I'm afraid it's going to get lost in the snow! Hopefully we can keep track of it.
Anyways... I love my hubby! My daughter is gorgeous (and so is her cousin Rae). And I love my life! PS Lolo is going to be crawling soon! LOOK OUT WORLD!
On another note, I got to babysit my adorable niece today! Baby Rae is such a sweetie! We had lots of fun playing with the puppies, watching Lolo get her bedtime bath, eating applesauce and playing with the ladies that came over for my meeting. Rae is so much fun and I loved having her over!
The reason I was babysitting Rae is because my spoiled rotten hubby got to go snowboarding with his brother Bean, Rae's daddy. He broke his binding going off a sick nasty jump, but other than that had a really great time!
For dinner tonight I made Polenta Lasagna, which is DELICIOUS! I always like things the second time I make them a lot more because I get to add and subtract the flavors I do or don't like. Tonight's was yummmmmmmmmyyyyyyy!
June, or boxer, affectionately known as Junie has started the bad habit of stealing our Shar Pie, Luna's, collar. It's pretty funny to watch her run around the yard with it in her mouth. The only down side is that I'm afraid it's going to get lost in the snow! Hopefully we can keep track of it.
Anyways... I love my hubby! My daughter is gorgeous (and so is her cousin Rae). And I love my life! PS Lolo is going to be crawling soon! LOOK OUT WORLD!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Beginning to blog.... AGAIN!
Sooooooooooooooooooooo.... I'm starting a new blog, with a new URL and hopefully it will inspire me to post regularly :) I really enjoy bragging about my daughter, so since I sit at home all day and mostly brag to my mom, I figured this would be a great outlet for me and that way other people can listen to me rant and rave about how wonderfully beautiful and amazingly advanced my sweet sweet girl is!
I am officially naming this blog the "Brag Blog"! Woohoo! I may also brag about myself, my husband, my dogs, my ferret, my family members, my house, my mad baking skills (which would fit under the category of myself I guess) etc., etc. Also, I must warn you that I will probably complain or whine a lot.
Basically, you'll have to excuse the bragging, complaining and probably a few typos.
So (I will also say "so" a whole lot), let's start this off with a bang:
I HAVE THE MOST AMAZING LIFE! I love my husband who is currently working TWO jobs and going to school to help support our family and educate himself so that he can be equipped to better support our family as it grows. I love my beautiful daughter who is so advanced and gorgeous in EVERY way. I love my extended family who support me and love me even though we are so far distant from most of them. And I love love love my beautiful puppies and ferret! My life is full of blessings and friends and love and happiness! Ahhhh! I just LOVE IT!
Now, I'm going to brag about my labor :)
I am officially naming this blog the "Brag Blog"! Woohoo! I may also brag about myself, my husband, my dogs, my ferret, my family members, my house, my mad baking skills (which would fit under the category of myself I guess) etc., etc. Also, I must warn you that I will probably complain or whine a lot.
Basically, you'll have to excuse the bragging, complaining and probably a few typos.
So (I will also say "so" a whole lot), let's start this off with a bang:
I HAVE THE MOST AMAZING LIFE! I love my husband who is currently working TWO jobs and going to school to help support our family and educate himself so that he can be equipped to better support our family as it grows. I love my beautiful daughter who is so advanced and gorgeous in EVERY way. I love my extended family who support me and love me even though we are so far distant from most of them. And I love love love my beautiful puppies and ferret! My life is full of blessings and friends and love and happiness! Ahhhh! I just LOVE IT!
Now, I'm going to brag about my labor :)
On August 21st 2010, 6 very long days after my due date, at 6am I was going to go pee for the 1309498482nd time since going to bed the night before. As I lay back down and schnuggled up to my body pillow in the front and hubbster on the back I noticed some weird crampy feelings in my menstrual area. Then exhaustion overcame me and I was out like a light.
Since I was 6 days overdue I had an appointment for an ultrasound at 10am to check and see if baby Alora was under any stress from not coming out “on time.” I got up and showered, which may I add was very rare for me since I had just showered the day before (no I don't shower every day, don't judge me). My mommy, who had flown in on baby Alora’s due date, french braided my hair and I slipped into some of the hubbers athletic shorts and a baggy t-shirt.
As we were in the doctors office the crampy feelings came back, but when I was checked by Karen, the midwife on call that day, I was only dilated to a 2, which I had been since I was 37 weeks along. My midwife told me that the crampy feelings were probably contractions so she hooked me up to the monitor to track them and see how severe they were. They were really irregular and very light so she told me not to get very excited and that it was probably not the "real thing." As I walked out to the parking lot I had to stop several times because of my "surges" (or contractions). I was still not convinced that I was in labor.
We went to Mommy n' Me, a second hand baby store in town, and I tried to distract myself by looking at baby clothes that I would soon have a baby to put in :) (ahhhh! soooooo exciting!!!) The whole time, I was still having contractions, that kept getting more and more intense.
We went back home and I promptly undressed, except for a sports bra (I hate clothes) and got on my bed and we started timing my contractions. By this time it was about 11:30 am and I still wasn't convinced I was really in labor. My surges were uncomfortable but I wouldn't exactly call them "painful." If I were to call it pain it would be described as a very natural kind of pain that was very manageable and it came in waves, so I got little breaks in between :) From 11:30 to about 5:00 I was back and forth between the bathtub and the bed. (Side note: Our bathtub is realllllllyyyyy tiny, and does not accommodate a pregnant lady very well.) By 5:00 pm I was fed up with our bathtub and the over sized jacuzzi tub at the hospital was calling my name, so I called and had my midwife meet us there and have the tub waiting for me.
On our way to the hospital I would get mad at my mom for not driving "softly" over the bumps and lumps in the road (lol sorry mommy!). Being admitted in the hospital was a pain in the butt! It took so long and all I wanted to do was get in the tub, but when I got there, after 5 hours of labor I was dilated to a 5 and 100% effaced! All my relaxation was paying off and I was progressing was faster than I had expected. I was finally allowed to get in the tub and spent the next 2 hours deep breathing and relaxing and enjoying the ride :) It is amazing what the body can do if we trust in it's Divine design and allow it to do it's job. By 7pm I was dilated to an 8 and at 7:45 was at a 10! My water hadn't broken yet but I decided to start pushing anyway. By 8:42 pm baby Alora was born with the cord wrapped around her neck. Because our midwife wanted her out ASAP she didn't wait for a contraction for me to push her shoulders out, she just pulled her out, and because of this I tore a little on the inside of my labia. She came out purple and blue but healthy as can be. A hefty 9lbs 2oz and 21 1/2in.
Throughout the whole process I was not completely opposed to the idea of an epidural, but I never felt like I got to the point where I needed one. I just relaxed my body and let it do it's job. Looking back on my all natural labor and delivery, I wanted to share a message with all expectant mothers and expectant mothers to be: My message is that YOU CAN DO IT! I don't want to offend anyone, but people who say that labor was excruciatingly painful and horrible are a bunch of babies. Yes, labor is challenging, but do you think God would make the most reverent, wondrous moment in a woman's life something that they never want to do again? I don't think so. I absolutely LOVED my labor and birthing experience and I look forward to doing it again. If anyone has any questions to natural birthing techniques just ask, I would be more than happy to share any information I have.
Since I was 6 days overdue I had an appointment for an ultrasound at 10am to check and see if baby Alora was under any stress from not coming out “on time.” I got up and showered, which may I add was very rare for me since I had just showered the day before (no I don't shower every day, don't judge me). My mommy, who had flown in on baby Alora’s due date, french braided my hair and I slipped into some of the hubbers athletic shorts and a baggy t-shirt.
As we were in the doctors office the crampy feelings came back, but when I was checked by Karen, the midwife on call that day, I was only dilated to a 2, which I had been since I was 37 weeks along. My midwife told me that the crampy feelings were probably contractions so she hooked me up to the monitor to track them and see how severe they were. They were really irregular and very light so she told me not to get very excited and that it was probably not the "real thing." As I walked out to the parking lot I had to stop several times because of my "surges" (or contractions). I was still not convinced that I was in labor.
We went to Mommy n' Me, a second hand baby store in town, and I tried to distract myself by looking at baby clothes that I would soon have a baby to put in :) (ahhhh! soooooo exciting!!!) The whole time, I was still having contractions, that kept getting more and more intense.
We went back home and I promptly undressed, except for a sports bra (I hate clothes) and got on my bed and we started timing my contractions. By this time it was about 11:30 am and I still wasn't convinced I was really in labor. My surges were uncomfortable but I wouldn't exactly call them "painful." If I were to call it pain it would be described as a very natural kind of pain that was very manageable and it came in waves, so I got little breaks in between :) From 11:30 to about 5:00 I was back and forth between the bathtub and the bed. (Side note: Our bathtub is realllllllyyyyy tiny, and does not accommodate a pregnant lady very well.) By 5:00 pm I was fed up with our bathtub and the over sized jacuzzi tub at the hospital was calling my name, so I called and had my midwife meet us there and have the tub waiting for me.
On our way to the hospital I would get mad at my mom for not driving "softly" over the bumps and lumps in the road (lol sorry mommy!). Being admitted in the hospital was a pain in the butt! It took so long and all I wanted to do was get in the tub, but when I got there, after 5 hours of labor I was dilated to a 5 and 100% effaced! All my relaxation was paying off and I was progressing was faster than I had expected. I was finally allowed to get in the tub and spent the next 2 hours deep breathing and relaxing and enjoying the ride :) It is amazing what the body can do if we trust in it's Divine design and allow it to do it's job. By 7pm I was dilated to an 8 and at 7:45 was at a 10! My water hadn't broken yet but I decided to start pushing anyway. By 8:42 pm baby Alora was born with the cord wrapped around her neck. Because our midwife wanted her out ASAP she didn't wait for a contraction for me to push her shoulders out, she just pulled her out, and because of this I tore a little on the inside of my labia. She came out purple and blue but healthy as can be. A hefty 9lbs 2oz and 21 1/2in.
Throughout the whole process I was not completely opposed to the idea of an epidural, but I never felt like I got to the point where I needed one. I just relaxed my body and let it do it's job. Looking back on my all natural labor and delivery, I wanted to share a message with all expectant mothers and expectant mothers to be: My message is that YOU CAN DO IT! I don't want to offend anyone, but people who say that labor was excruciatingly painful and horrible are a bunch of babies. Yes, labor is challenging, but do you think God would make the most reverent, wondrous moment in a woman's life something that they never want to do again? I don't think so. I absolutely LOVED my labor and birthing experience and I look forward to doing it again. If anyone has any questions to natural birthing techniques just ask, I would be more than happy to share any information I have.
"Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle."
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