My Fitness Update

Hi Everyone,

I hope you had a great weekend.  We were able to get in some family pictures this weekend and I'm so excited for them.  We got them done with our unofficial family photographer.  The team/she has done my sister's wedding, my wedding, a pregnancy photoshoot for me and another set of whole family photos. I can't wait to get them back.  They were taken in a local creek and I'm sure half of the pictures are just James, alone, playing in the creek but I'm 100% okay with it. 

I thought I would pop in with a quick fitness update.   I would say that I’m doing pretty good, probably middle of the road success.  I gave up cookies and ice cream for two whole weeks.  I don’t know if thats a big deal for you guys and I kind of hate it that it is for me but I really noticed a difference. I think I lost about 4 lbs or so over those two weeks.  It really shows me how much of a difference cutting out that type of food can make.  I have been doing okay since those two weeks of giving it up.  I wanted to do this every two weeks but life got in the way but maybe after the ice cream is gone in the house (wont take long, Update: Wes ate the last of it last night) I’ll do it again.  

The past week or so I haven’t been doing very good with eating at all.  I just haven’t been in the mood for breakfast and when I do this it just seems to throw off my whole eating schedule.  Sometimes I’ll find myself not eating lunch either and then grabbing a super late lunch and not being in the mood for dinner. It’s a really bad cycle. But I’m hoping to improve that this week.  Just need a little motivation. 

On the other hand, my working out, especially my running as been going pretty good.  We did have a couple setbacks, a lot of rain and catching a cold. But I feel like the running is going good.  The minutes I’ve been running have kicked up a notch and I can totally notice.  I think I just finished week 4, so about 12 runs, and I have gone from running 30 seconds at a time to 5 minutes.  I’m not gonna lay and say the 5 minutes is a breeze but It’s something I couldn’t have done with I first started. 

I finally found a routine in the morning that works for us so I can get a run in.  After breakfast, we get dress (James in his outfit for the day and me in my workout clothes) and head out the door.  To combat the Truman factor, we take him for a quick walk around the neighbor then drop him off at the house and then we hit the road.  James does pretty good when we go on a run.  I do make sure that I have snacks for him and I give it to him half way through.  A lot of time, he’ll just sit in the stroller and I hardly notice he is there.  Sometimes we stop by the library on our way home, Bonus!

This is an old picture, we don't have the line TV anymore. 

One area in my workout routine that I can improve on with my non-running days.  I can’t really do my workout DVDs when James is awake.  There is a lot of phone taking or tacking when I try to do them when he is awake. So I have to fit it in when he is sleeping along with during the stuff for Wes’ business, chores and anything else that is 10 times easier when James is asleep.  So working out doesn’t always get done. But I know that everyone says that you have to make them a priority or act like they are an appointment that you can miss.  I do like to add the workout DVDS to the mix because they really do help you tone up.  You can’t get six-pack or super ripped arms just with running. 

I have about 10 - 15 pounds left to loose but I’m just gonna see what happens.  See where I feel my best and where it’s something that I can easily maintain and still enjoy my favorite foods. 

So thats just a quick update on where I am or what I have found in the past few months since my last fitness update.  I do feel good at where I am, some of my pants/shorts feel looser, and I do know that I’m making progress.

-Have you ever tried to cut out a certain food group and noticed a huge difference afterwards?

-What is your favorite form of exercise?  Do you like workout tapes or are you a prefer being outside?

-Megan

My Cleaning Schedule

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are having a good day.  Honestly, my morning isn't going that great.  I got ready to go on a run (finally) and when I was getting James some snacks, I noticed ants in his snack cup.  A short story on me and ants. I don't really like them but I try my best to just let them be, especially if they aren't in my kitchen or getting in my way.  But I ended up finding so many in my purse that I totally freaked out and spend about 20 minutes trying to clean them out.  James was fussy and wanted to be held but I was dealing with the ant issue. My theory on why they ended in my bag was because of a baggie that used to be filled with strawberries from last night baseball game mixed with all the rain we have gotten it just a big invite for the ants to dive in.  I do find this pretty funny considering the topic of this blog is cleaning and i'm taking about ants in my purse. 

On another note,  I'm taking a meal to another firefighter family (the wife has cancer) tomorrow and I'm in the process of making cookies to go with the dinner and I went to the store and grab all the supplies the other day and I just got around to making them last night/today.  I didn't use one of my recent favorite recipes because I wanted something quick so I followed the recipe on the back of the bag and man, it's has let me down so much.  I even used good butter and let the dough cool in the fridge for over 12 hours so everything should be good to go but I ended up with flat, sad looking cookies.  So flat and sad looking that I don't want to deliver them to the family and they will probably end up going to the fire station.  Those guys really aren't picky and love drop in sweets.  

Update: I made more cookies after James went to bed. I used a new recipe. It was very similar to the tollhouse recipe but I used 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 white sugar ( a little more brown sugar than the other recipe) and 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder.  And these cookies looked great.  Not flat and came off the tray so nice.

So thats how my morning is going.  On the flip side at least I got a run in.  So back to the main topic of this post my cleaning schedule.  I came across this article about a cleaning schedule and I thought it was a good read and had a lot of good ideas. 

After some trail and error I have found a schedule that works for me.  I like to divide the work load into 6 different days and taking Sunday off.  Before I had this schedule I found myself spending 3 to 4 hours cleaning on a Saturday morning and always feeling like I had do to a massive clean up with someone was stopping by in a few minutes.  But with this schedule I eliminated that Saturday morning clean up and the mad rush to clean up. 

On Mondays - I clean the kitchen, wipe down the appliances, take the trash out (Tuesday is trash day) and try to mop the floors (doesn't always get done every week.

When you have to clean and someone wants to be held.

Tuesday - I clean the bathrooms and do a load of towels.  I use old rags, instead of paper towels, to clean so I use a lot of towels on Tuesday and Monday so doing the towels after those two days just makes sense for me. 

Wednesday - I clean the living room on this day. I try to wipe down James toys and clean his playmate during one of this nap and try to dust too.  I'm not really good at dusting.  And what I mean by not good at it is just that I don't really notice it and or take the time to clean it.  This also used to be a James laundry day.  Until a month or so ago I used to do James' laundry on Wednesday and Saturday because he isn't going through multiple outfits so the amount of laundry didn't warrant enough to do another load of laundry. I also try to switch change bedsheets and changing pad cover. 

Thursday - I vacuum the house.  Like I said I don't have a very big house and only two rooms in our house have carpet right now.  So I try and vacuum those and the rug in the kitchen on Thursday.  Also on Thursday I try to tidy up our bedroom.  You know how it goes and things get put where they should belong or clothes don't get put away properly.

Friday - Friday is a big laundry day. I usually do mine and Wes' laundry and our bedsheets.  I don't really do any other house cleaning that day because I've already tackled the rest of the house so it's just a touch up day.  This is also, usually our grocery shopping day, so that takes a couple of hours. 

Saturday - I change James' sheets.  I like to change them twice during the week because he does spend more time in his bed than we do and I like to make sure his sheets are nice and fresh.  Saturday is also clean out car day.  I don't do a major detail every Saturday but I try to gather up all the toys and trash that have seemed to gather in the course of the week. 

I try to do one more monthly chore during the week.  These our things that don't need to be done every week but really do help the house seem nice and clean when they are done.  I think I originally set these chores up do be done on Saturday but I really just find myself doing them randomly through out the week.  I'll look at the fridge and think, man this is really dirty and clean it.  Or realize that I can't really see through the windows and clean them. 

The last thing on the cleaning schedule is the daily tasks.  These tasks are what help keep the house always in decent shape and you don't have to go to a mad rush when someone stops by.  My goal every night, before I go to bed, is to get these done but it doesn't always end up that way.  But I try.  I did time myself the other day and it took me about 20 minutes or so to do all these things and that included even cleaning up from dinner.  
 - Make the bed in the morning
- clean up the kitchen and start the dishwasher (if full)
- pick up the living room: put away toys, fix pillows and blankets
-put away items that have traveled through the day
- sort through the mail as soon as I bring it in the house


So there you have it.  My cleaning schedule and how I try to keep my house looking nice and clean even with a 14 month old who seems to try to pull out everything that I have just put away. 

Do you find yourself cleaning all in one day or through out the week?
Do you have certain things that you find you have to do before you go to bed?

-Megan

Why I Run

Hi Everyone,  

I hope you all are having a good week. Sorry about the delay in posting between catching a cold this weekend, Wes’ business getting busy and the olympics being on TV it’s been hard for me to find time to sit down and write.  

But I thought I would go ahead and write about why I run. Honestly, I feel like, if you were to ask anyone who runs, they don’t run just for the exercise benefit.  There are plenty of other exercises out there that can get you the same benefits as running so you have to get something extra from it.  So I’m gonna list a few of the reasons why I run. 

It’s relaxing.  I do understand how crazy this sounds but it’s true. I found this quote and it’s so true and I think about it often.  I discovered this quote a couple of years ago when I first got into running, before James.  

I think what’s so relaxing about it is because you can almost tune out all the other thoughts in the run, especially if you are struggling.  A lot of the times when I run all I find myself thinking about is my foot placement and my breath. With those thoughts and my music/podcasts coming through my headphones, I find myself not thinking about all that I have to do in the day, what the hard parts might be, where I might struggle.  There just isn’t room for that when you are running.

There was just something so relaxing and freeing about getting up early in the morning and just running. And while I don’t run as early as I used to, I still find it just as relaxing and I really think James does too.  Most of our runs, he’ll just sit in the stroller and eat this snacks and just be chill.  He doesn’t make a lot of sounds, he doesn’t try to climb out of the stroller, he just sits and lets me run.  Which leads me to my next point.

Puts you in a good mood.  Again this is something that sounds strange to non runners but I can tell a total difference in my mood and my patience when I do get a run in and when I don’t. And I can kind of tell with James.  He’s not as fussy during the day or maybe I just have more patience for it. 

Not only does it put you in a good mood afterwards, it always makes me what to be super productive. Half of my kitchen and bathrooms have been organized post run.  I don’t know if it’s the extra energy you are supposed to get from the exercising but I find myself looking at a problem and instead of saying, I’ll deal with it later, I pull everything out and fix it right then and there. 

Feeling my body move. There is something powerful about feeling your body when you run.  Feeling your leg muscles stretch and contract and your lungs expand.  You almost feel like this is what your body is meant to do, it just feels natural.  I don’t talk about it often but in the past couple of years I’ve had pain around my lower back/ hip muscle.  It’s not bad enough that I have seek professional help but it does cause a little pain in the morning or after a long car ride.  But the thing that I find amazing about running is that when I run, I don’t feel it.  The pain and tightness that would cause me to walk strange and bend down to pick something up at a weird angle is gone when I put my body to the edge and run. 

I like to say that I’m a runner.  This one is kind of vain but I like being able to say it and even though I’m still in the beginning stages of running and can only run a few minutes at a time. I am still a runner and if anyone asks what I enjoy doing, I say runner.  There is some satisfying about saying that.  

I would highly recommend running to anyone and not just for people looking to lose weight.  If you are finding that your day is just full of stress and not any free time for yourself. Try running.  You don't have to go out and run a mile, just get out there.  I like the app 10k runner.  It a free app and it breaks down training for a 10k into 14 weeks. You start out small, 30 second runs and build up from there. And you might think to yourself, oh I can't run or I'll look so slow.  But who cares, the people out there who are running aren't judging you, they will give you a smile to say, keep going, you got this.  Unless you run like Phoebe or Captain Jack, then there might be a little judgement. 

What is your most relaxing part of your day? 

What is your favorite exercise? how did you start? 

Taking a look inside my diaper bag

Hi Everyone,

Can you believe that it’s already Friday?  Or have you been counting down since Monday morning.  Today James and I are attending my first MOPS (moms of preschoolers) meetings.  Yes I know James isn’t in preschool yet but this group is for moms with kids from 0 -5. It’s held at my church and from everyone that I’ve connected with on the Facebook page seems really nice and helpful.  I think it will be a good thing.  The only thing I’m a little nervous about is that the meeting is from 9 - 11 which is James’ normal first nap time.  We did a test run at home on Wednesday by not putting him down for a normal morning nap and he seemed to do pretty well so I feel a lot better now going into today. 

I don’t know about you but I love seeing what other people pack in their diaper bags.  I always find them helpful for the item that I may have forgotten to pack or overlooked thinking I wouldn’t need it.  So I thought I would donate to the cause and let you have a peek inside my diaper bag.  

In full disclosure this is my third diaper bag - my first diaper bag was a backpack, an Eddie Bauer one.  Wes really pushed for that one and it was nice but I didn’t like how I had to dig way into it when I need to get something.  This diaper bag has actually become Wes’ everyday backpack.  He was going on a trip and he couldn’t find his backpack so he borrowed James and never gave it back.  I will save that it was nice to be able to just throw it over my shoulder and no have it slip down my arm. 

The second bag was a big diaper bag with a lot of storage and big openings.  This one was perfect for the prime months of 3 - 9.  When James still hadn't committed to a real schedule and I never know if I was gonna need something or not. But I got tired of how big the bag was and how heavy it got so I started to search for a new one.  

I decided to get a type of bag that I have always favored - a messenger bag from the SkipHop brand. And I’m so glad that I bought this bag, it holds just the right amount of things for me and has a ton of pockets. Even a shallow one for my keys that is on the outside of the main zipper compartment.  and I even use it when I don’t need to like I trip to the grocery store without James when before I would pull out my wallet and switch it over to a new purse. 

But back to the main topic of this blog, all the stuff that I put into my diaper bag for a 1 year old because what you need for a 1 year old is very different than 1 month old. 

I’m gonna try and name everything that I pulled out of my diaper bag last night. I didn’t go through the diaper bag beforehand so it was full of a bunch of random things. I tried to be good and write down everything but then I lost that piece of paper so I’m gonna try and name everything but I will probably forget something.

What I usually keep in there:

-Wallet

-toiletry bag

-a pair of socks (for gymboree)

-tissues

-boogie wipes

-paci wipes

-antibactierial wipes

-first aid kit

-snack bar (for me)

-burp cloth

-dirty diaper bags 

-snack cup (James)

-bucket hat (James)

-Sunglass (me)

-hand sanitizer

-food mat (for eating out)

-extra paci and paci strap 

-chap stick

-changing pad

-a wet bag with a extra diaper and wipes

Not pictured:

-sunglasses (James) I took them out for him to wear on a walk and haven’t put them back in yet

-sunscreen - we are down to our last tub and it is floating between the house and the bag

Extra stuff that was in there:

-receipts 
-school supply list (for my church backpack thing)
-old indians tickets
-extra toy and book
-almost gone snack bar for James
-extra paci
-James’ shoes 
-extra outfit for James
-left over snack bag

You might be interested on why I don’t carry an extra outfit  for James in my diaper bag.  I know he isn’t immune to accidents.  We actually had one at Ikea hence the change of clothes between the pictures.  But I usually keep extra diapers and an extra pair of clothes in my car. If we don’t take my car on a trip then I pack an extras with me.  But maybe I will do a post about the storage box in my trunk sometime. The reason why I had an extra pair is because I thought we were going to go to a water activity and I wanted to be prepared. 

Since Wes doesn’t take James too many places alone and doesn’t need my diaper bag I am able to refill as a I go through it.  I have been caught a couple of times down on the snack area but I am able to make do.  

I don’t really keep any toys in my diaper bag because James doesn’t seem to be to entertained by them so why carry them.  Thats also a big reason on why you need to make sure that your diaper bags works for you.  If you need to carry 4 diapers at all times, do that.  If toys will keep your kids from a melt down, go ahead with your bad self and pack toys.  No one is going to have the same diaper bag needs as you and your kids.  Do whatever works for you.

- Did you always carry the same diaper bag or did you go through a couple until you found one that works best for you? 
- What is/ was the one item in your diaper bag that you have to have with you? 

Nap time project - Envelope Pillow Case

Hello There,  Thanks for stopping by my little place in the web. I hope everyone is having a good day. 

After I got my couch from Ikea,  I noticed that something was missing to increase my comfort level. And we know that couches are all about comfort. I was missing extra pillows. The arms aren’t super high but you need a little support when you are laying down and relaxing.  So I did a little shopping and I couldn’t find some that was reasonable  and that I liked. So I decided to make my own. This project ended up being a really quick one, if you wash the fabric before hand it could totally be a nap time project. 

 When I was at Michael's I found some 20 x 20 pillow fillers, I wanted big pillows, and used a 50% and a 40% off coupon to bring the total for about $13 for both fillers.

Then James and I took a trip to Joann’s for some fabric.  I was really looking for some cute canvas fabric because I know thats is what a lot of the pillows are made out of and it’s a stiffer fabric and would load up well.  So sadly I couldn’t find any that I liked.  However, I did find some cute blue fabric.  

I found a pattern online and crunched some numbers to see how much I would need.  I get to the cutting table and realize that the fabric wasn’t a complete roll.  It looks like it had been returned or previously cut.  But with some help from the lady, we were able to figure out that I had enough fabric to make it work. I used a 50% off couple for the fabric.  So I think it was about $7 for the fabric. So this project clocked in just under $20 for both pillows.  Not to shabby. 

Step 1: Wash the fabric. This step is really important especially if you are planning on washing it if you get stains on it. Thats another thing thats nice about the envelope pillow case, you can remove it to either wash or just switch it out without having a tons of extra pillows laying around. 

Step 2: To make the pattern for the pillowcase : Take the length and width of the pillow and add two inches to it.  Cut it out.  To make the envelope part of the pillow case - measure out two other pieces of fabric the same width as the other but 5 inches shorter. I know this sounds super confusing.  It’s even more confusing when you are the fabric store with a baby who is upset that you stopped pushing the shopping cart.  

example:  For my 20 x 20 pillows.  I cut a piece of fabric that was 22 x 22 and two pieces of fabric that were 22 x 17.  

Step 3:  Lay the larger of the fabric pieces pattern side up then lay the two other pieces pattern side down on top of the larger piece. This allows you to line up the edges to make sure nothing is too off and would make the pillowcase lumpy.  Trim the edges if needed.  

Step 4: Taking the two smaller pieces measure up 1 inch on only one width of the fabric.  This is going to be your edge of your envelope.  All the other edges will be covered.  Fold the bottom of the fabric up to the inch line making an edge about 1/2 inch and iron and pin it. Sew along the hem.

Step 5:  After you finish sewing the seams, place the pieces back on top of the larger piece.  Line up the corners and pin the two pieces of fabric together.  You want to leave the middle flaps open.  Sew about 1/2 inch around the edges. 

Sidenote: Make sure you term your corners so they lay nice and flat and don't get bulky. 

Step 6: Flip the pillow case right side out and insert your pillow and your done.  

I can’t wait to do another pillow and maybe some more patterns to be able to mix it up a little bit. 

When you can’t find something at the store, do you find yourself making it or just going without it?

Do you like your couch to have a lot or little amount of pillows?

Trip To Ikea

Hello Everyone!

I hope you had a great weekend.  We had a little mix of baseball games, just relaxing and of course some Baby Einstein Watching. 

Don't worry I removed him after I took this picture.  

A couple of weeks ago Wes, James and I made the pilgrimage to Ikea.  I decided that I wanted to get a new couch.  Our couch was a hand-me down from Wes’ parents so I’m not sure how long his parents had the couch and I’m not sure how long Wes’ had the couch but it was time to get a new one.  

I did a little research before we made the trip.  I looked at the type of couches they had, taped them out on the living room to see how they fit and how they would look in the living room. When we decided to take the trip actually surprised me.  Wes was on a little vacation (14 days off) so I thought it would be a good time to take a trip to Ohio.  But I was getting kind of antsy to go get the couch and I told Wes that I wanted to go either today (Sunday) or Monday.  Wes said he couldn’t go Monday so Sunday it was.  James was already fussing when we got back from church (it comes close to his nap time) so I knew we had to pull it together quick and get on the road so James could fall asleep in the car. 

We got in the car about 10:30, had to make a quick stop at fedex which didn’t go over well with a tired baby who just wanted to take a nap. 

We made it to Ikea around 12:30ish.  We decided to eat lunch there instead of stopping at a restaurant along the way.  We have never had the food at Ikea before but I was impressed with the choices and prices of the food. 

Wes had some meatballs and I had a half a chicken with some veggies and mac n cheese.  Before we left the house I prepped some food for James before we left the house.  

After we had lunch we hit the floor. My main mission for the day was too find a couch.  We spent a little time looking at the couch options and Wes veto the one that I really wanted.  So I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do about the couch so Wes suggested that we should just go through the showroom and we can come back and decide. 

It’s always found looking through all the different set ups they have and how they are always improving the kitchens.  

We didn’t spend too much time in the rooms/ kitchens because they get very clogged with people, especially on a Saturday. 

I was starting to feel the pressure of deciding what I wanted for the couch because we did just take a two hour drive and spend our whole day there so if we came home with nothing then it would be a wasted time.  

As we were making our way through the end of the showroom I started to grab a couple of little things.  I grabbed 4 spice racks which have become super popular for little bookshelves and I plan on using them the same way for when we start James’ big boy room.  Which isn’t in the future plans at all but I just wanted to have them on hand and I believe they are only like $4 a piece.  

I also grabbed some popsicle holders and some bowls and plates for James which were super cheap. 

By the time that we made it back to the couch area, I still hadn’t made up my mind.  But I did know that the only couch that was going to work was the KETORP. 

 It was the only design we both liked.  So the next step was what type of couch and what color.  I went back and forth a lot because what I wanted the didn’t have - type and color.  So I ended up just picking the regular sofa and getting an ottoman to go with it in the white color they have. 

So if you have never been to Ikea before.  After you have made your major sections you go downstairs to what they called the marketplace which has a tons of little things - pillows, fabrics, silverware, all sorts of stuff.  And you make your way through there until you get to the big warehouse where you pick up your big items.  We located our boxes really easy - one box per item and when I go to grab the cover I see the grey color that I wanted and I was a little mad at the guys up stairs who said that they didn’t have any in stock.  So I doubled checked with the lady that they were the right type and grab the grey cover and left before they could tell me otherwise.

I believe my total came to about $728 when it was all said and done but I feel like thats pretty good for a couch and ottoman plus some little extra things.  By the time that we left, James and Wes were both ready to leave.  Ikea can really wear you out.  I think we left around 3 -4, I don’t remember exactly.  

James and I waited while Wes went and got the truck to load the couch into.  The family next to us didn't have enough room in their vehicle for what the bunkbeds they bought and we in the process of getting a U-HAUL to drive home. James fell asleep almost immediately when he got in the car and said that way until we got off the interstate. 

Overall I think it was a good trip to Ikea.  I got a couch that I really like and for the Ikea assembly record.  It was probably one of the easiest putting together of Ikea furniture that I’ve done.  So do not fear. 

Do you like to visit Ikea? how does your spouse/ partner feel about it?

What do you do when you can’t get the item that you really wanted to get?