Cyn asked about nursing. I am COMPLETELY done pumping-YIPPEE!!! I haven’t pumped in almost 2 weeks-WOO HOO for that! I am still nursing her morning and evening, but I think that my milk is pretty much gone. My boobs never feel full anymore and I tried to hand express this morning and got maybe a dot of milk. Shaun’s going to try to put Lu down this evening with no nursing. We’ll see how that goes. She still really LIKES to nurse in the mornings and gets mad if I stop the nursing session but if I offer her some string cheese she’s okay. She’s taking whole milk out of a sippy cup at daycare but refuses it at home-or will only take a few sips. She was acting REALLY hungry this morning even after a 30 minute nursing session (I bring her to bed and sleep while she nurses) and after her string cheese, so I gave her a sippy of milk. She was more interested in playing with it than drinking it.

My 10-year reunion is in 2 weeks and we’re staying with my Aunt and Uncle and leaving her with my them while we’re at the reunion. I need her to be able to go down without the boob (or bottle-she hasn’t had a bottle in over a week), so I think it’s a good idea to start that now. She eats A TON before going to bed at dinner so I think nursing is just for comfort right now. Once she’s able to go down without the boob, I’ll then work on the mornings. I think I’ll still bring her into bed with us (I get back into bed after I work out to nurse her) because it’s a time that we’re together as a family. I’ll just give her a sippy of milk that hopefully she’ll take.

It’s all so complicated and confusing. And of course now that I’m ready to wean she’s all about the boob. She’s always been a good nurser but never one of those babies that LOVED nursing. Well now she it…

We’ll get it figured out.

Yesterday was a bit of a disaster eating wise. It was all healthy but I at too much. Oh well today is a new day, right?

It’s going well so far other than the fact that I’m so tired it hurts.

Things are still going well-YAY! I started P90X yesterday which means waking up at 5:30 and I am one tired Mommy!!! I was very used to getting 8 hours of sleep or more (maybe I’m still making up for when Lu was younger?). Now I’m getting about 7-which used to be my magic number-now I’m not so sure. It feels good to be exercising again though. Yesterday was Chest and Back and Ab Ripper X (X X X). Today was Plyo and tomorrow is Shoulders and Arms and Ab Ripper X (said in your most cheese voice).

I haven’t gotten that initial jump down on the scale that I normally get when I start eating well again. It’s gone down to 163 (from 164) but I was hoping for a big jump-especially since I weighed 160 3 weeks ago. Oh well, I’m not going to obsess about numbers. I FEEL so much better (albeit tired) and that’s what counts!

Today was another great day!  I made a great dinner that Shaun really liked too (he gave it a 4 out of 5 stars which is high praise from Mr. Titus).  Here’s what today looked like:

B: Oatmeal with banana, barney butter, bee pollen (interesting), and wheat germ

S1: One of those “cookies” from last night (oats, dates, currants, honey, cocao nibs)

L: Chicken “Pot Pie” leftovers.  Lu had some too and LOVED it!

That’s a whole wheat biscuit in her mouth (she LOVES whole wheat which makes her Mommy happy):

S2: String Cheese and freeze dried pears

D: Adobo Rubbed Pork with black bean salsa over Arugula-YOM

Dessert: A Green Smoothie:

In that I put:

-1 cup Milk
-1 cup Ice
-1/2 cup Raspberries
-1 Banana
-1 packet of Protein Powder
-2 handfuls of Spinach

I have enough for my pre-workout snack tomorrow. I can’t taste the spinach at all. It’s actually really good and much better than the kale smoothie I had in Hawaii.

All my food is packed for tomorrow.

From left to right: Chicken and White Bean Soup, Ezekiel Bread with Avocado to smush on top to go with the soup, banana, pear, figs, apple, “cookies”, peppers, hummus, and bee pollen and wheat germ to go on my oatmeal that isn’t pictured.

I won’t eat all the fruit but I like to have options 🙂

Here’s the recipe for the Adobo Rubbed Pork:

-24 oz pork tenderloin cut into 8 pieces
-6 TBSP paprika
-2 TBSP fresh ground black pepper
-2 TBSP coarse salt
-1 TBSP chili powder
-1 TBSP cayenne pepper

Heat oven to 350*. Mix all the spices, thoroughly coat pork pieces. Heat an oven-safe skillet over med-high and pan-sear pork on both sides. Transfer to oven and cook until done (6-8 minuted for each inch of thickness)

Pico De Gallo to go with it:
-2 cups black beans
-4 medium tomatoes, diced
-1/2 cup red onion, diced
-1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
-1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
-2 TBSP fresh lemon juice
-1 TBSP chili powder
-1/2 tsp salt

Mix that all together. I ate mine over some arugula and I served Shaun’s with brown rice. The Nutritional Info (not including rice): 246 Calories, 26 g protein, 9 g fat, 17 g carbs.

Seriously yummy!

Breakfasts: Oatmeal with Banana

Snacks: Ezekiel Bread with Almond Butter or preserves, string cheese, freeze dried fruit, pears, figs, apples, persimmons, cottage cheese, yogurt, protein shakes

Lunch: Chicken and White Bean Soup, Salad, Pork Adobo on top of salad, Leftover Burritos or Wraps

Dinner: Pork Adobo with Black Bean Salsa, Chicken Marsala with Brussel Sprouts, Ground Beef Burritos, Spaghetti

Off to make my Chicken and White Bean Soup.  I think I’m going to try a “Green” Smoothie later today.  I had one in Hawaii that was okay.  It was made with kale -I’m going to try spinach this afternoon-it doesn’t seem as “earthy” as kale.

Here’s what I ate yesterday (I went to a baby shower and had a dinner party and I think I did really well!):
B: Ezekieal Bread with a banana and almond butter on top
S1: String Cheese and Fuji Apple Crips (freeze dried apple)
L: Leftovers of Chicken, brussel sprouts, and spelt
S2: (at shower): 1 slice of cheese, 1 fruit skewer, cauliflower salad (really good-made with raw cauliflower)
S3: (I probably didn’t need this): Lara bar (protein bar) and apple
D: Chicken “pot pie”-made totally healthy with a whole wheat biscuit on top. Shaun didn’t like it but I thought it was good. My guests liked it too. Oh 2 ounces of wine.
Dessert: This no bake cookie thing that my friend made with oats, honey, currants, dates, and cocao nibs.

For a day with 2 functions this was pretty good. I probably shouldn’t have eaten my third snack BUT it kept me from eating the Kettle Chips and the chips and salsa that were here. I also turned down one of my most absolute favorite things-a Margarita!!!! I’m calling it a success!

I meant to take a picture of my Costco and Whole Foods haul.  It was quite impressive.  Even more impressive was the fact that I got it to fit in my house.  I wish we had a garage-it would make Costco so much more enjoyable!  Oh well.  I made it work.  My “SCORE!” discovery was single servings of Sabra hummus-totally awesome.  Since Shaun doesn’t eat it, hummus usually goes bad before I can finish it.  Not now!

All I have to do today is pay bills and make food for the week. YIPEE! The house is clean, the laundry is done (well it does need to be folded), the errands are run.  I’m feeling really good about things. 🙂

While my husband watches poor women and girls dance to “Single Ladies” on You Tube, I’ll write about my third good day 🙂

Here’s what I had (aren’t you riveted):

B: Oatmeal with Banana (I forgot how sweet the banana makes it-no need for sweetener), barney butter

S: Apple Fruit Crisps , String Cheese

L: Shaun and I went out to lunch and I passed on the cream based soup, and my next 2 choices for salad because one had mayo and the other you couldn’t get without the dressing. I got a salad with prawns, cucs, corn, and parmesan.  No dressing.  I had very little carbs and I knew it would bite me in the butt later.

S: Persimmon (Love the FALL!), String Cheese

S (No carbs biting me in the butt): Ezekiel bread, barney butter, and honey

D: Beef stir fry with carrots, mushrooms, onions, garlic, and peppers with brown rice.

Dessert: Dark Chocolate

I did well today-YAY!  I am EXHAUSTED tonight though.  I don’t know what that’s about.  Thank god I get to sleep in tomorrow.

I have big plans tomorrow to go to Costco and Whole Foods-WOO HOO…I’m having a dinner party tomorrow night.  I’m making us individual chicken pot pies with whole wheat flour-they should be good.  The friends that I”m having over like dessert so I don’t know what I’m going to make.  Any ideas?

I had a very good day today eating wise.

My lunch looked disgusting but it was delish and filling! I even ate an apple!  I kind of burned myself out on apples but I know that they are a really good thing to eat.  I ate an organic fuji and it was tasty but the skin was so thick and tough.

For dinner I did chicken, brussel sprouts, and spelt all mixed together.  I spiced it up with a little salt, pepper, and Sambar Curry (a curry powder that I got from Whole Foods).  Before I put the curry in I took a little out for Lucy’s dinner.  I gave it to her and she wanted noting to do with it.  I gave her some of mine and she wouldn’t stop eating it!  It wasn’t spicy it was just spiced and she LOVED it.  She even ate spelt!  Shaun liked it too.

I’m full 🙂

Poor Lu had a reaction to the vaccinations she got last week.  The doctor mentioned that she could get a rash and a fever in a week and to be aware.  I forgot and so when daycare called to tell me that she had a rash and a fever I freaked out.  As soon as I called the doctor and described her symptoms the lightbulb went off.  I gave her some baby Ibuprofen and by the time I put her to sleep her fever was down to 98.6 from 101.6.  I’m going to work from home tomorrow just to make sure she is okay.

I stepped on the scale this morning.  It’s the first time since I had Lucy that I’ve legitimately gained weight.  I basically went on an eating binge the last three weeks and I was rewarded with a 4 pound gain.  I’m sure I didn’t really gain 4 full pounds but it just reconfirmed my commitment to be healthy.  I don’t want my daughter to see me struggle with this.  I want her to see a healthy and happy Mommy.

I’m posting my weight on the internet for everyone to see.  I’m 5’2 and think that I look best right around 135.  When I’m 135 I’m a size 4 and look really great.  The scale this morning said 164.

I was 153.5 when I got pregnant with Lucy so that is my first goal.  I want to be below my pre-pregnancy weight and then I’ll set another goal.  11 pounds to go!

Here’s the food plan for today:
-Whole Wheat toast with almond butter and a banana (already ate)
-Oatmeal with figs and milk
-butternut squash, black eyed peas, and some grilled steak (I’m using some baby food (the squash) from the freezer since I haven’t had time to go to the store this week )
-String cheese, apple, ryvita cracker
-Nuts and dried fruit (if needed)
-Chicken, brussel sprouts, and spelt for dinner

That’s a TON of food and really good food too. YOM.

I already put the spelt in the rice cooker and set the timer so it should be ready around 6.

I think my daughter is going to be one of those people that can eat whatever she wants and not gain weight.  I don’t want her to stuff herself full of junk food just because she can.  I want her to eat real, whole, good for you foods.  It’ll make her a healthier person, no matter her size.  It starts with me.

And ready to get serious! I’m all our of excuses and who likes excuses anyway?

I literally have NO MORE EXCUSES:

-The “I just had a baby” excuse expired when she turned 1
-The “I’m tired” excuse expired when she started sleeping 12-13 hours a night
-The “I’m nursing” excuse is rapidly going away

IT’S TIME! I’m getting this weight off. 7 years ago I went from 200 pounds to 124 pounds. I did it sensibly and steadily. I did it by cutting out the sugar, eating whole foods every 2-3 hours, writing down what I ate, and exercising.

It technically starts tomorrow for me (October 1st) but I’m ready to basically start TODAY. I packed my food today, I’ve already had my breakfast, snack, and lunch. I AM having a not as healthy as I want it to be dinner tonight but that’s to get it out of the house and not waste the food and it’s actually not that bad. Tomorrow-it’s ON!

I’m also restarting P90X on Monday morning.

I put together a dinner menu for the month of October last night and think I’ll plan my lunches every week

A good friend sent me a great lunch bag yesterday that will be fun to pack every night after Lucy goes to bed.

I also bought a new crock pot last night because my current crock pot cooks WAY too hot and dries out all my meat. I looked at reviews for crock pots and that was common complaint. My new one has great reviews and 2 friends have it and agree. It should get her on Friday. A crock pot is the working Moms best friend 😉

Oh oh oh! Guess what else I’ve been doing? Knitting! I almost have a sweater done for Lucy. I went to knit night last Wednesday and will be going again tonight.

I guess Lucy turning 1 really gave me the kick in the butt I needed.

BTW-Hawii was AWESOME. Here are some pictures:

Our Hotel is off in the distance:

Lucy our first day there:

The start of our 8 mile hike:

Super Dad:

Nursing Mom!:

What we hiked to see:

Family Portrait:

My hiking buddies:

An example of the craziness that we hiked up and down (Shaun really is Super Dad!):

I mean really:

Lucy and her friend Jessica:

Lucy decided to feed herself:

Poipu Beach (We forgot our camera for our favorite beach):

Mommy really wanted a picture with Lu and Lu wanted NOTHING to do with it:

Then we got a cute one but evidently my husband only thinks Lu is worth taking pictures of (notice my face on the left side of the picture):

The view at the end of another hike:

This hike was in the pouring rain-that’s not sweat-it’s rain!:

Wet Lu:

The army family:

Me, Shaun, Lucy, and our Hawaiian friends (who we LOVE) Kelli and Jessica:

My Hula Girl:

My favorite picture of all time:

Lucy Standing Unassisted in the Water:

Happy Girl!

I cleaned up all the Spam and installed the spam filter that Kath recommended. I already had it installed but it was inactive for some reason. Humpf.

I went yesterday and got my hair cut, my brows waxed, and another wax in preparation for Hawaii ;). I’ve been growing my brows out since the horrible threading incident of June 25th! I only remember the date because it was my wedding anniversary. I got a recommendation from a friend (with great brows), I looked up her recommendation on Yelp! and she had hundreds-literally HUNDREDS of great reviews. I went in and she took half of my left eyebrow off. Seriously. You can see it in this picture:

Notice how they are both VERY thin and the left one just disappears? It’s a shame too because threading really does a great job of removing the hair. I think the lady just had an off day and she messed up and rather than owning up to it she just made it worse. Oh well, it was a learning experience and my eyebrows are almost back to normal. It’s amazing how much better I feel when my brows look good <-- Wow that makes me sound like such a girly girl! I love that picture though. My husband's clone actually somewhat looks like me in that picture-I think it's the smile. Work is getting less hectic but it's still insane and OF COURSE they're making my last days in the office just jammed pack. ARG. I will NOT work past 5 PM tomorrow. I still have to pack! I have almost everything out but I have to physically put it in the suitcases and get everything ready. I was up at 12:30 last night worrying about that. Here's what my schedule DID look like: Up at 6:30-Nurse Lucy, Get Ready for Work 7:45-Drop Lucy off at Daycare 8:30-5:30 Work 5:30-Drive home-pick up Lucy on Tuesday and Thursday. 6-Make Dinner 6:30-Eat Dinner 7-Put Lucy down 7:30-Get Lucy's bottles and food ready for daycare 8-until I finished-Work-most nights 10 or 11 Sleep. Cut out the working after 8 and that's my day for the last 2 weeks or so. Still hectic but doable. Man getting dinner on the table by 6:30 is HARD. I think it's really important for us to eat as a family and I don't like making Lucy something different so most nights we eat as a family. Yes Lucy is eating what we eat now with a few supplements ;) She is such a big girl. I have a TODDLER now. She's not quite walking on her own but she is OH so close. I don't know if she'll be walking by her first birthday but I'm sure soon after, I'll have a walker. Today I turned in my hospital grade pump. I only have one pump session left today. 2 tomorrow and then I get a break while I'm in Hawaii and then I'll only be pumping once a day for the following week and then I'm DONE. DONE. DONE. I am SO over pumping. I'm actually pretty much over breastfeeding but then we'll have these sweet sessions and I get all sad. I'll miss it but I'm ready to move on. It just means my little baby is growing up. Which is wonderful and sad (bittersweet) all at the same time. Okay, I should get back to it.