Shedding a Toddler.

My weight journey had never been difficult as a young woman.

 

I pretty much ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted and didn't feel too self conscious about the way I looked.

 

There were definitely things that I didn't enjoy about my body, but as an avid hater of exercise I knew I couldn't complain too much.

 

If I wasn't willing to put in the effort to "fix" my "flaws" then I figured I should just shut my trap.

 

So here's my story of weight gain and loss:

 

Enter boyfriend.

 

Get comfy, gain 5 lbs.

 

Boyfriend becomes fiance! Gain 5 lbs.

 

Fiance becomes amazing husband. Gain 10 lbs.

 

Get pregnant and immediately gain 10 lbs.

 

Lose that pregnancy and wallow in pity for 2 months. Never lose 10 lbs.

 

Get pregnant AGAIN! Yay Addison! Gain 60 more lbs of "baby" weight.

 

HahahahHAHAHAHhahhahahaha.

 

I haven't ever seen no 60 lb baby.

 

Live in delusion for 1 whole year and eat whatever I want/never work out.

 

See photo of myself at my sweet Addi-Bo-Baddi's first birthday and literally burst into tears.

 

Decide to eat healthier and workout!

 

Lose 16 lbs!

 

YAY!

 

Become too darn sexy and get knocked up again.

 

Only gain 50 lbs of baby weight...

 

that's better right?!

 

Hahaha! Hohoho! Heeheehee.

 

Ugh.

 

Have a 9 lb 3oz baby girl.

 

Wonder were the 40 lb baby I was carrying around went off to.

 

Make it to Scarletts first birthday at exactly 20 lbs under my heaviest weight!

 

Be super happy about that.

 

Over eat to toast my weight loss success!

 

Gain 10 lbs back in 1 month.

 

Decide that I'm so not happy with being overweight/lethargic/uncomfortable/not active in my childrens lives!

 

Kick my butt into gear and workout for realz.

 

Start eating healthy!

 

Actually ENJOY both of those things!

 

Slip up here and there but realize that it's ok to have a "bad" food day as long as I'm taking care of myself the majority of the time I'll feel wonderful!

 

After months of hard work, put on the smallest pair of pants I own!

 

Those pants also happen to be the pants that Mr. Harriot proposed to me in.

 

Win.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This post isn't to gloat.

 

It's to remind me on my off days/weeks/months that I'm completely capable of feeling amazing about my life.

 

It's to remind me that my babies and husband love me even at my worst and definitely at my best!

 

That my babies appreciate me when I'm happy and healthy and that I'm able to be involved more with them when I feel good!

 

It's also an encouragement to all those Mamas out there to know that they aren't the only ones struggling with their self image or their post baby bodies.

 

Mine is in no way perfect (especially after two large babies!) but feeling healthy makes me happy.

 

Lets show our little loves how important it is to take care of their bodies!

 

We only get one so why not take the time and effort to show it some love!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the horrid before photo...

 

 

UGH...

 

And the much improved after!

 

 

 



The Creepy Kitty Stalks My Home

Paul's mother gifted us with a large bag of the kids costumes from years ago.

 

There are a plethora of great costumes for the ladies to dress up in.

 

Addison has chosen this one.

 

 

 

All.

 

The.

 

Time.

 

I forced her to take portraits around tthe apartment in her favorite cat suit.

 

 

 

These are all locations in which she has hidden from me in the cat suit.

 

Obviously not all of them are hiding.

 

 

They are ALL quite creepy when she just shows up out of no where.

 

Meowing.

 

 

To finish this post off...

 

Enjoy the picture that started it all.

 

I was working.

 

Minding my own business when I got that feeling that I was being watched.

 

I turned around to see this...

 

 

The creeper kitty.

 

Sleep well tonight.



So So So BUSY!

I've been so super busy these last two months that I've really been slacking on keeping this thing updated!

 

It's been bugging me recently not only because I know there are some of you who like to keep track of us on here, but also because I love to keep track of us on here!

 

It's like a fun little journal with photos that I can look back on every now and again.

 

I can compare things that Addison did at a year and a half to what Scarlett is doing now!

 

It's fun because I really do forget some of the cute/funny things Addi-Bo-Baddi did when she was that small and it's awesome to have this reminder.

 

SO!

 

A list of some of the things I've slacked on blogging about to help me remember in the next 2-4 weeks!

 

#1.

 

CAMPING!

 

Holy cow do I have a huge folder of our stupid cold camping adventure this year.

 

 

#2.

 

Epic Sprinkler Making!

 

Paul and I made this for the summer.

 

It was AMAZING.

 

More pictures and a link to the directions soon!

 

 

 

#3.

 

Our quirky bedtime books.

 

We're not a typical bedtime story kind of household.

 

 

#4.

 

The ZOO.

 

Plus the 1,800 other times we went there this summer.

 

 

#5.

 

Board Games.

 

Plus how my husband is a better parent then I.

 

 

#6.

 

Bathtime.

 

Also, how I'll never let Scarlett babysit.

 

 

#7.

 

Our yearly corn maze trip!

 

 

#8.

 

Lily turned SEVEN!!!

 

Plus other straight up ridiculousness from the day.

 

(When did I become old enough to have a 7 year old?!)

 

 

#9.

 

Soccer!

 

She's been playing for almost 2 months and I haven't said a thing.

 

Fail.

 

Not her.

 

Me.

 

She's awesome.

 

 

#10.

 

The creepy kitty epidemic.

 

Plus how it's my Mother in Laws fault.

 

 

#11.

 

Business and Engagement Pants.

 

I'm rocking some photography and wearing the smallest pants I've ever owned.

 

It's been a good summer.

 

 

#12.

 

Friends.

 

Paul and I have acquired some absolutely amazing people in our lives.

 

You all deserve to hear about them.

 

 

 

So, obviously there is LOTS to talk about in the coming months.

 

PLUS the holidays/birthdays/events.

 

You're all welcome to verbally slap me if I don't keep up!

 

I need the push sometimes.

 

Just don't actually slap me.

 

I'm scrappy when I fight.



What a Difference 7 Years Will Make...

7 years ago today my biggest little was welcomed into the world by her Mommy and Daddy.

 

Two people who love her with the kind of love only a Mom and a Dad can experience.

 

This little bundle of joy changed all of our worlds.

 

The last 7 years have been filled with ups and downs.

 

Giggles and Tears.

 

Living and Learning.

 

She has brought so much joy to all of her family that it's hard to even know where to start.

 

I have been so lucky to get to call myself Lily's Step Mom.

 

Happy 7th Birthday to Little Miss Lily!

 

You are loved more then you can understand!

 



The Usual Faces...

A couple of weeks ago Paul and I had the opportunity to have our portraits taken by one Miss Hannah Robinson of Worlds Apart Photography.

 

So we ditched the kids for the evening with the Gummy and Papa and went and had some fun!

 

Hannah took so many beautiful portraits!

 

Of course, my favorite ones are of Paul and I mocking our childrens faces.

 

 

 

 

 

Wait...

 

 

Oh no.

 

That's not a kid look.

 

That's a "I love you cause you mock our babies with me look. Now lets make out."

 

Avert your eyes!!!

 

 

I tried to warn you.

 

 

He gives irresistible looks.



Get Over it Woman.

I've always hated photos of myself.

 

In fact, I successfully avoided any and all photos in my family photo album for what looks like close to 3 years.

 

Yup.

 

There are hundreds of photos of my lovely ladies and their amazing father.

 

None of the awesomeness that is the woman who carried them around for 9 months and provide them with food and boo boo kisses on a daily basis.

 

I'm sure the main reason for this is because I'm the photographer and am usually the one behind the camera.

 

Or because I declare that I look like an ugly beast and hide behind anyone or anything within 5 feet anytime a lens is pointed in my general direction.

 

Take your pick.

 

Either way, if I were to die in a horrible freak accident (like overdosing on caffeine which in my case is completely possible) my children would never know that they did in fact have a mother who carried them in her womb and loved them even on days when she didn't look her 100% best or kissed their boo boos even when those boo boos happened to be on disgusting feet or right butt cheeks or whom fed them 3-10 meals a day or watched The Lorax 9 times in one week because she didn't care about her own sanity or cleaned up all the cheerios they spilled on purpose or who updated her family blog while a toddler wrestled her hands.

 

You get the point.

 

So over this last year I've been doing a little challenge on Instagram.

 

It's called the 365 challenge and it entails taking 1 self portrait per day for an entire year.

 

So far I'm 254 days into this challenge and I've (surprisingly) really enjoyed the process.

 

It's actually taught me a couple of things.

 

1. I love taking portraits with/near/around my babies.

 

2. I need to take better care of myself physically, not only for myself but to be an example of health for my children.

 

3. The little moments are the most important to me.

 

Maybe all of this has been brought on by my marathon-o-sad-movies I enjoyed the other day.

 

(Seven Pounds, P.S. I Love You, and Harry Potter anyone?)

 

(Don't judge me on the Harry Potter.)

 

Sad movies aside, I want my children to have memories of me.

 

Physical memories that they can look back on and remember fondly.

 

I want them to have photographs of us having fun together.

 

Laughing, smiling, loving one another.

 

I guess this whole post is just to remind myself (and anyone else whom avoids the camera) to jump in on those moments.

 

No one will care that you looked like a hot mess while you were camping.

 

All they'll see is that you had an awesome time with your family and that you were THERE.

 

 

Your family loves you just the way you are.

 

(Thank you Mr. Harriot for this awesome puffy faced, no shower, early morning, 2 nights camping, covered in everything photo and forcing me to be in it.)

 

(Also thank you for my lovely little ladies.)

 

She Talks.

Getting all nostalgic on you this afternoon.

My little Scarlett said 'sticker' today.

HOW did this happen?

Wasn't this just yesterday?!

 

Time sure does fly when you're raising littles.