Day 5 - Done!

I finished Day 5 of the Shred today. So far it is going well. The workout is getting easier for me and I am starting to see little changes. I've lost about 3.5 pounds, at least that's what I think. We don't have a "real" scale in the house, but we do have a Wii fit. So, I stood on the Wii fit on Sunday and had lost 5.1 one pounds since I had stood on it last. However, that was first thing in the morning and I had not stood on the Wii fit in 83 days (yes, it keeps track of that!).

Working out again feels great, but I afterwards I feel like this:

Poor little boy was so tired after a long day that he fell asleep sitting up on the couch.

Until later,

Melissa

That's My Girl!

Today was Kacie's Run, a 5K or 1 mile fun run, benefiting the special education students in our district (CFBISD). I walked with a few other colleagues from school. It was a lot of fun and benefited some very special kids. You can read more about Kacie's Run here.

I took Katelyn with me this morning. Addison had dance class and I knew Isaiah wouldn't walk the whole time and there is no way I could push him in a stroller.

Here is my sweet girl before the run:

Sorry the picture is so blurry. I'm really not a good photographer.

I walked with one of my good friends, Carrie. She is such a sweet, caring person and an amazing friend.

Carrie and her husband, Shane, had a sweet baby boy last September. Lincoln is absolutely adorable. After a tough start to life he is doing really well now. You can read their story here.

Before the race started Katelyn looked around the large soccer field (the walk was at a high school stadium) and said, "Where my soccer ball?" Oh, there is hope, one child may play soccer like her mommy!

It was a great walk and something we will definitely do every year.

Oh, and I did do Day 3 of the Shred today too! I'm not sure if this soreness will ever go away!

Until later,

Melissa

Day 2

I finished Day 2 of the 30 Day Shred and I am hurting! I'm not sure in all my years of competitive soccer I was ever this sore. It sure is nice to feel muscles that I really didn't think existed anymore. My kids at school got a good laugh out of how slow I was moving today.

So, what do I think of the video? I know its only been 2 days, but I love it!

What I love:

- It is only a 20 minute workout. It is hard to have time to workout with three little ones at home, so this quick workout is perfect. And after 20 minutes, I feel like I have worked out for an hour.
- I love the ab exercises. My stomach will never look the same after having 2 c-sections, but I can't wait for it to look just a little better.
- The arm exercises are really good. I have a lot of arm "flab" and I can already see a small difference!
- There is a modified version for anyone who can't quite do the "regular" version yet. It is nice to be able to start with the modified version.

What I don't necessarily love:

- Push Ups! I can't stand them. I've had 7 knee surgeries (way too much soccer growing up) and had my right knee replaced. Push ups just kill my knees. Hopefully soon I'll be strong enough that I won't have to do the modified version.

- Jumping Jacks! I have always had large breasts and jumping jacks just kill me, plus I look really funny doing them!


I honestly can't wait to workout tomorrow! Day 3, here I come!

Until later,
Melissa

30 Day Shred

It's time that I get all this infertility, adoption, pregnancy weight off! The weight started getting piled on when I started infertility treatments. The hormones, shots, IUI's and IVF's certainly did nothing good for my body, but it was worth it to try and start a family.

Me: Right after our last infertility treatment

After many unsuccessful fertility treatments, we started the adoption process. As we got further along and things became more stressful I relied on food as a way to cope with all the stress. By the time Isaiah came home I weighed about 10 more pounds than I did before the adoption.

Me: With Isaiah shortly after he came home

Three months after Isaiah came home I was pregnant with Addison. I ate terrible during my pregnancy with her and gained a lot weight. I don't even remember how much because it was SO much!

Me: With Grandpa at a visit shortly after Addison was born

Three months after Addison was born, before I could even begin to really get the baby weight off, I was pregnant with Katelyn. I had not lost much of the weight I gained while pregnant with Addison and gained quite a bit more with my second pregnancy.

Me: Family picture a few months after Kate was born

I have no one to blame but myself. I did this to myself and now it is time to start working on getting all the weight off. I started the 30 Day Shred today! I actually got up at 5:30 and did it before work. Let me just say, it kicked my butt and I was sore all day long. However, it sure felt good to know that I worked out today.

To help me stay motivated I am working out with a few other bloggers. Hopefully I will see some pretty good results in 30 days!

Until later,

Melissa

Happy Birthday Katelyn

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Dear Katelyn

Happy Birthday to You

Katelyn - It is hard to believe that you are already two. You are such a sweet, loving, gentle little girl. We will never forget the day you were born. We thought you were just perfect:

At one, you had really turned into such a sweet little girl. You loved to be cuddled and had such a laid back personality.

Now you are two! You are a spunky, little girl that loves to talk. You are still a complete sweetheart but you certainly know how to defend yourself from your brother and sister.

We love you sweet baby girl and can't wait to see how much you grow and change this upcoming year. Happy Birthday Sweet Katelyn Danielle!

Until later,

Melissa

My Lipstick Girl

My conversation with Addison went like this today:

Addison - "Hey mom, I found this lip gloss on the floor (in my car), can I put it on?"

Me - "Sure, let me help you."

I then opened the lip gloss and put a little on her lips.

Me - "Addison how was school today?"

I then tried to give her a kiss, to which she responded.

"Mom, a girl never kisses right after she puts on her lipstick. You can kiss me right here on my cheek."

I just stared at her and thought to myself, "Is this seriously my child?"

This picture is courtesy of Aunt Christy from Addison and Katelyn's birthday party.

I love you sweet Addi Grace, but Gramma and Christy sure have rubbed off on you!

Until later,
Melissa

Spring Reading

Earlier this week, when the weather was in the 70's (not snowing like yesterday!), I decided to take reading time outside. I love to read and read to the kids daily. The kids really do enjoy reading and love to sit down and "read" their books themselves.

So, I sat on the swing and read my magazine. I definitely know I'm not young anymore when I love reading this:

I used to love Cosmo and Glamour, and now it's all home and food magazines.

And the kids sat in their playhouse reading.

Hopefully many more beautiful Spring days are on the way and we can enjoy more outside reading time.

Until later,

Melissa

Happy Birthday Addison Grace

I can't believe that Addison turned three on Sunday. Kate and her shared a birthday party since their birthdays are 10 days apart. It was a cute, totally pink, princess tea party. It was a blast! We had a professional photographer take all the pictures so I don't have any to download. But, if you go to the photographer's blog you can see a few of the pictures. They turned out incredible! It is under "C" family.

http://www.doubletakephotodfw.com/

The one thing I will never forget about the party is Addison's reaction when everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. It was the funniest thing I have ever seen. We really thought she was crying but she was just so excited she couldn't contain herself. I'm going to try and post the video soon!

Happy Birthday my sweet Addi Grace. I couldn't imagine life without you. You are a true blessing who brings so much joy to mommy and daddy!

A Boy and his WII

Isaiah loves playing tennis on the WII. He really gets into it and often works up a sweat. He is actually very good at it (better than Jason and I), which is really surprising since he only gets to play every other night for 30 minutes. It is his alone time while the girls take a bath. I think he really enjoys it (and enjoys the break from his sisters). I decided to snap some pictures of his intense concentration and dripping head of sweat tonight.

Ignore the outfit, he still has on his church shirt but wanted to wear some comfortable pants.

I sure do love this sweaty boy!

Until later,

Melissa

The Joy of Books

The girls really love to read. They love when we read to them and love to read to other people. I walked into our bedroom the other night and this is what I saw.

I love that they love books. I just hope that love continues, they have many many more years of school ahead of them!

Until later,

Melissa