Mommy Knows Best

I haven't made it any secret that Avery doesn't sleep.  And, at 12 months old, this hasn't changed.  We've tried it all...to the point of not trying anything anymore.  Whatever happens, happens--whether that means getting up once during the night at 5:30 or if that means waking up at 2, 3:30, 4:15 and 6.  It's random in our house.  We've tried keeping bedtime routines strict, then no routine, cereal and bath before bed, bottle to fall asleep, sound machine, sleep training....you name it, we've tried it.  Our kid just isn't responding.  I was pretty much okay with it.  I accepted that she'll do whatever she needs to do and prayed to God every night that she'll eventually grow out it.  But recently, Avery has been visited by the teething fairy (boy, I'd love to punch that woman) and has made sleep pretty much non-existent in my home.  Instead of waking up at 3 and whining for a little while, Avery would wake and a full-on, scream-her-head-off crying jag would begin.  No pacifier would quiet her, no bottle would soothe.  She didn't want to be in her bed, held, rocked, laid on the couch with daddy, NOTHING.  We basically gave her Advil and fought her until she finally passed out again.  Completely, utterly, physically and mentally draining.  I've been in a fog....it's hard to get up in the morning, it's hard to find motivation to do anything throughout the day, it's hard to stay awake on the drive to and from work.  This stage is so exhausting.  Then, on Saturday night, we went to my cousin's wedding and stayed the night in a hotel.  Avery was worn out by the time the wedding was over, so my mom and sister took her back to the hotel room so she could turn in for the night.  When Marty and I got in, we left her in my parent's room and I worried all night long what kind of sleep they were getting.  Was Avery screaming her head off and they were cursing me for a terrible night?  When morning came, I went to their room....and putting on my most sympathetic and "I-totally-understand-because-I'm-living-it-everyday" face, I asked "How did she sleep??"  All night, y'all.  She tossed and turned around 5:30, but never woke up and slept until 8:30.  WHAT.THE.HELL.  What does my kid have against her daddy and I that she is hell-bent and determined not to sleep for us??  Better yet, determined that WE don't get any sleep either.  Frustrated is only the beginning of what I was feeling.  Yesterday, when I got home, there was a card addressed to Marty and I in the mailbox.  I opened it:

And I know it's going to be okay.  Because sometimes you just need your mommy to tell you so.

Hot Messing it all up in here.

Hot Mess Monday---and yes, I realize that it's almost Tuesday when I'm posting this.  It's been a "hot mess Monday" in every literal sense of the word!  Onto the update!

Original weight:  142.5
Last week:  138.8
This week:

Wow.  Pedicure, anyone?

Weight loss from last week:  2.2 lbs

Overall weight loss:  5.9 lbs

Pretty darn good, if you ask me.  But I have a loooooong way to go.

Biggest challenges this week:  Portion size.  I am a terrible judge of how much of a particular item I'm supposed to have.  I'm seriously thinking about signing up for Weight Watchers Online to help me with that.  

How I've lost weight this week:
{1}  I've tried to make a conscious effort to before more active.  Less snacking, less TV and sitting on the couch, more cleaning around the house and dancing to music on my iPod (yes, really).
{2}  Less fast food.  I'm really trying to get to the point where the idea of the McDonald's Drive Thru turns my stomach.  Baby steps.
That's about it.  Between my daughter's birthday and my cousin's wedding, I haven't even had time to think about working out, much less do it.
Now, here's my "before" pictures.  I just want you to know that I had to actually give myself a pep talk to post these on here.  These are more for me than anyone else.  It's pictures for me to look at and use for motivation.  *deep breath* I cannot believe I'm about to do this.....

This outfit is one that I wore back in my ballet days.  It's my hope to fit into it again....and look skinny in it again. 
Goals this week: 
-->Work on the baby fat.
-->Tone my arms.  I've noticed in recent pictures that my arm looks gigantic...and unproportionate (is that a word?).  My arm looks like it's taking up the entire picture and it's the first thing I notice when I see a picture of myself.  That's gotta stop.
See you guys next Hot Mess Monday!

A letter to my Avery...

My sweet Avery girl,

I can't believe you're already a year old!!  A year ago today, I was laying in my hospital bed wondering how I could ever love anything more than I loved you at that moment.  I'd known you less than 24 hours, yet you were completely perfect and I knew that I had been put on this world to be your mommy.  Over the last year, I've watched you grow and learn.  I've watched you develop a personality (and an attitude!).  It's so funny to watch you learn something new...you're so proud of yourself whenever you finally master it and you look over at your daddy and me to make sure we're watching you.  You're so smart (doesn't every mother say that??).  You bring joy to everyone around you--your personality is contagious!  Your entire family loves you beyond words and spoils you to no end....all you have to do is point and grunt and people go running to get you whatever you want!  It's been a joy to watch you learn different stages---rolling over, crawling and now walking!!   To watch you learn new words and phrases (your favorite right now is "I want that!") and use them more and more everyday.  You go nowhere without your Minnie Mouse doll and we quickly have a panic attack on our hands when you realize she's not in reach.  Unfortunately for mommy and daddy, you still don't sleep well through the night and don't nap much, but you'll learn!  You are the complete spitting image of your daddy---busy, can't sit still, into everything you can get your hands on and completely adorable.  I know you've only been in our home for a year, but I can't remember what life was ever like without you.  I thank God every morning that I get to wake up and spend another day watching you grow.  Nothing matters more to me than being your mommy.  I love you so much sweet girl.  Thank you for making your first year the best one of my entire 26.  Happy birthday.

Love,

Mommy

High Fives!

This week has been insane.  My daughter is teething like ca-razy and no one in my house is sleeping.  Please forgive any spelling mistakes, jumbled words or incoherent sentences.  It's just my sleep-deprived brain talking.  Onto the good stuff!

1.  This isn't exactly new-ish news, but I'm driving a new car.  Back in December, my sweet hubby gave me an early Christmas present in the form of a Ford Edge.  Great for Avery, more room, beautiful, but so expensive when it came to gas.  When you're driving 60 + miles everyday, you need something that gets better than 18 miles to the gallon.  I was so sad thinking of giving up all my extra cargo space.  Insert HHR!  No, it's not the most beautiful vehicle I've driven.  Yes, I get a ton of jokes about it...it looks like a hearse/gangster car/smooshed SUV....but I love it.  It's unique, it's roomy, and it gets 25 miles to the gallon on average.  Laugh all you want.

2.  I visited my local Farmer's Market on Thursday morning.  I was only there to buy sweet corn, but the garden fresh tomatoes were calling my name.  As were the sunflowers, okra and green beans, but then my wallet yelled at me and I had to walk back to my car.  Find your local Farmer's Market.  Your belly will thank you. :)

3.  My cousin is getting married Saturday!!  Today will begin the wedding festivities and I can't wait to stand by her side tomorrow and watch her become Mrs. Miracle!  Hooray weddings!

4.  VBS came to an end this week.  I love watching little kids learn about Jesus and all the wonderful things he does for them. 

5.  I saved this for last because I don't know how much I can talk about it without becoming a weepy mess.  My sweet little Avery turns one tomorrow.  How is this even possible!?!  Sometimes, I can't really remember her being a tiny newborn, due to the sleep-deprived fog I lived in for her first three months of life.  Other times, it seems like only yesterday that I was standing in my bedroom (one year ago today!), folding clothes while Marty gathered our hospital bag, took a shower and counted the minutes in between my contractions.  It's unreal.  If you see me tomorrow and I'm blubbering into a Kleenex, ignore me please. :)

Happy Friday all!! 

Hot Mess Monday!

It's Hot Mess Monday!  Did I lose any weight? 

Last week's weight:  142.5
This week's weight:  138.8 (I apologize for not having a scale picture here....I weighed myself this morning and forgot to take a picture....next Monday!)
Total loss:  3.7 lbs.

Biggest challenges this week:  Finding time to work out and eat healthy and staying away from extra Cokes. 
How I've done it:
{1}  I've cut my Coke/soda intake WAYYYYYY down.  I was probably drinking 3-4 sodas a day before I committed to this challenge.  While I haven't been able to quit cold turkey, I'm slowly weaning myself off.  I have only been drinking one can of Pepsi/Dr. Pepper a day.  Which is a big deal, considering my kid decided to develop the sleeping pattern of a newborn this weekend.  Any time I felt the urge or the want for a Coke, I made myself a big glass of water or a very small glass of sweet tea.  I really believe this is probably the biggest reason for my loss this week.
{2}  I haven't joined a gym or started any kind of work-out regimine, but I have been trying to work in little exercises during my every day routine.  While brushing my teeth in the morning and before bed, I will stand in front of the mirror and rise up on my toes and then back down.  If I'm playing in the floor with Avery, I'll do some crunches or bicycle exercises while she's busy.  I've even incorporated Avery into my exercises.  Lifting her up and down off the ground 10 times is the equivilent of having a 20 lb weight...and she thinks it's hilarious!  
{3}  No more McDonald's.  I did have to run through the drive-thru yesterday because I wasn't home and was headed to church to help with Vacation Bible School.  But I chose a chicken option and kept my drink small (darn you McDonald's and your automatic large drinks you give away!)  I really think this is where the majority of my extra weight comes from and I look forward to more falling off as I break up with the McDonald's drive through.
{4}  Choosing healthier lunches and snacks.  I've been making sure to fit more veggies and fruit into my lifestyle.  Last week, I made a lazy lasagna chili for dinner that had zucchini and onion inside.  Not only did I get veggies in for dinner, but I sauteed the leftover zucchini and had it as a side dish for lunch the next day. 
That's all I've done.  I do plan to find a work out routine that I can fit into my crazy mommy lifestyle that's more structured than lifting a laundry basket or ballet moves while I'm brushing.  Despite my loss this week, I feel flabbier than I did last week. 
Here's my before picture.  Lord, I cannot believe I'm about to do this.  I don't take pictures of myself.  Ever.  But this is a rare moment when a picture was taken at one of Avery's friend's birthday party.....

Now, before I get a ton of comments, I know I'm not fat, okay?  These are simply areas that I do not feel comfortable with and want to change.  Do I know it could be worse?  Yes.  But do I know that it could be better?  Absolutely.  Hence my "hot mama" journey. 

P.S.  Have you checked out Sarah and Leticia's progress yet??  We're just three mommies trying to lose the weight together!  Wanna join us?  The more the merrier!  On to Week 2!

High Five! {4th edition}

It's finally Friday!  High fives all around!  And these are a few of my favorite things.....just from this week.

1.  I may be getting an iPhone soon....key word being MAY.  That didn't stop me from checking out cases and covers for a full day.  My favorites:

Grey Chevron; Vintage Little Mermaid (drool!!!); Mint Green Polka Dots; Mickey Mouse; Audrey Hepburn; Kate Spade Polka Dots; Fisher Price Baby Toy/Phone Protector (for Avery, of course); Color Bursts; Up

2.  Thank God for Target and their squeezable baby food pouches.  Helps when your kid gets all "sassy pants" and decides she doesn't need you to help her eat.

3.  I finally broke down and bought myself a Tervis tumbler.  They seriously keep your drink cold FOREVER.  And I have to have my water ice cold if I'm going to be drinking a ton of it every day.  I actually have drank more water since buying this cup.  A little on the expensive side, but soooo pretty!  Mine:

4. We went to a 1st birthday party for one of Avery's little friends Saturday. She practiced her party hat look :)

Speaking of birthdays, I finished her invitations and mailed all of them! 1st birthday countdown: 8 days. A WEEK from tomorrow. *deep breath* 

5.  Last Friday, the hubby, sister and I decided to spontaneously drive to Louisville to Easton Corbin in a free concert on 4th Street.   Isn't he adorable?  It's my goal in life to fix him up with my sister Dayna. 

Enjoy your weekend, friends! :)

iPhone Manage without iTunes

If you would like to remain independent of iTunes or the iCloud when using your iPhone, you might be interested in finding various ways of managing iPhone without iTunes.

There are several iPhone data categories which you can already manage without the need of iTunes. For a detailed guide on how to manage your iPhone without the need of iTunes, please refer to the pages below:

Managing iPhone contacts without iTunes

Managing iPhone apps without iTunes