Weigh In Wednesday

Wednesday is so many things in my world. Payday,  hump day, and it is now the day I weigh in. I generally hate Wednesdays because they are so busy. I don't know why they are but it's always been that way. That must be why my brain clocks out on Thursday afternoons. It's kind of a problem.

Anyways, the real reason why we are here. Weigh In Wednesday. I joined in last week but didn't have any numbers do to lack of time. The week before that? I had numbers, and a post even, but had formatting issues at home and never logged in at work to fix them. So, I'm going off those numbers for my weekly change.

 

 

Starting weight: 175

Two weeks ago: 165.2

This week: 162.0

Change: -3.2

Total Change: 13

 

I have reached the half way point to my pre-pregnancy weight! This half way point is huge for me.

 

Right before I got pregnant, I lose about 15 pounds. I had gotten my eating on track, I was exercising a decent amount and things were going great. Losing weight before getting pregnant was completely intentional. I didn't want to be overweight, pack on 50 pounds except it was more like 65 then feel like shit. What new mom doesn't feel like shit anyways. Between healing, lack of sleep and those damn hormones, the last thing you need is to worry the weight. Which is what I would have done, and still did just a little, had I not lost the weight. Losing weight beforehand helped ease some of those worries to me. I had a "head start" and I knew I was capable of losing weight. Knowing that I could do it was the biggest relief of them all.

 

With that weight loss, I have given myself 2 numbers to work off of throughout losing the baby weight. I have a "Pre-Pregnancy Weight" and a "Pre-Pre-Pregnancy Weight". Pre being the 150 after the weight loss, and Pre-Pre being 160-164. I fluctuated a lot prior to losing weight because I'd do the song and dance of losing the pounds, then resuming normal unhealthy activities.

 

So, I have arrived at the Pre-Pre-Pregnancy weight. First goal is met just a couple weeks shy of Tuck's 9 month birthday. Although I sit here and still feel like a busted can of biscuits most days, I am so proud of how far I have made it since February. Through 2 busy seasons at work, Danny's broken foot and just the fact that I had a baby, I've managed to lose some weight.

 

I've started getting back into exercising regularly. I walked at the park twice last week and went to Zumba last night and am planning on going again Thursday. I think my Zumba days are numbered though, at least until September. Tucker has been pretty fussy in the nursery there the last 2 times and I don't want the poor sitter to go through that. I'm thinking about doing 30 day shred at home, but going to Zumba on days that I can find someone else to watch him or Danny can be home with him. Who freaking knows. I'm also toying with the idea of running again. Indiana weather has been very fall like lately and since its not hot as balls out, running doesn't sound terrible. So basically I have zero clue as to what my exercise plans are for the next month or so. It's wonderful.

 

 

Okay, so like I said earlier, Wednesdays pretty much suck so it's time for me to get some work done!

Weekend Recap

This past weekend was the first of a few busy weekends we have coming up.

Friday I decided to leave work a little early and go snuggle with Tucker. I'm not sure what came over me but I just missed that little guy and work has calmed down tremendously so out the door I went. We went home and laid in bed giggling back and forth while we waited on Danny to get home. He went car shopping with my brother so he was gone all day. After Danny got home I headed into town for some weekend essentials.

Beer for Daddy, Wine for Mommy, Juice for Tucker and Chips for fun

Shortly after I got home, we had some friends over for pizza (pizza for them, unimpressive, not worth the calories wings for me) and catching up. We were going to make a game night of it, but they were both battling colds so they went home. It worked out since Tucker woke up right before they left and decided he wanted to party until close to 12:30. Mama was tired!

Saturday morning Danny had class, which he drove himself too. Reminder: he has a cast on his right foot. So, that wasn't at all nerve wracking! Tucker and I had made a trip to Meijer to spoil a certain little boy. I realized last week that Tucker had like no toys that he could actually play with read: make a bunch of racket with and since he likes to turn his playmat upside down I figured he was getting bored. So, toy shopping we went. And I'd say he's pretty happy with the outcome!

That afternoon Tucker and I drove almost 2 hours to a baby shower that lasted all of an hour. It was for one of my sorority sisters and I am the unofficial godmother to her 3 year old little boy. I say unofficial because I wasn't invited to the christening but was asked to be his godmother. Anyways, I hadn't seen her in almost 2 years so I figured it was worth the drive. And my prayers of a sleeping baby there and back were answered. Thank God!

We had another busy Sunday in the books. A trip to the grocery where Tuck got called a "beautiful little girl" twice, visiting with Danny's dad, a visit from my mom, cleaning the kitchen, Chinese take out, baby bathing, and laundry folding. I was pretty beat. Does anyone else feel like a million bucks after they clean their kitchen? I mean, I didn't scrub anything or clean behind the toaster, but I did a decent job with the minimal work I did. My mood was instantly lifted.

The weekend didn't end without tears though. My mom had to put her baby Ozzy down.  He was diagnosed with diabetes about a month and a half ago. My mom couldn't afford the treatment (like hundreds of dollars per month) so she was just letting him ride it out thinking he had months left. They went for a walk on Friday, then when she got up Saturday he was a completely different dog in the worst way. When she got home from her visit last night, she didn't think he would make it through the night, and didn't really want him to live like that. I mean, the dog refused a slice of cheese. Ozzy doesn't turn down food of any kind. Ever. Period. So, Danny and my brother went down to get  my mom and Ozzy, then went to do what needed done at the vet. My mom stayed with us last night and is loving on Tucker this morning to help boost her spirits. That dog was part of her life for 10 years and her rock since my dad died. He was her best friend. So sad!

Spend Now, Save Later

Alright, we all know I love to save money. I mean I've said time and time again that one of the main reasons I'm breastfeeding is because I don't want to pay for formula. Even more so now that Tuck has the milk allergy. Well, today I'm sharing with you my grand Christmas shopping plan. Which has already started. That's what happens when you have a baby in the month of December, plus you want to throw a 1st birthday party, an adult Christmas party and lets not forget that people like Christmas gifts.

Back in April (I think) I finally gave in at Old Navy when they asked if I wanted to open a credit card. I did because my cart was filled to the brim and that 15% savings would help. I also did it because when I go on my girls trip with Danny's family we spend at least an hour and a half in Old Navy, buying for ourselves and each other's children. This card would come in handy.

At the time I didn't know just how handy it would be, but I found out in July. In July they sent me a flyer that every dollar spent was worth 5 times the reward points. Everywhere, not just at Old Navy and the brand stores (Gap, Athleta, Banana Republic, and I think there is one more). So, instead of using my normal credit card, I started swiping my Old Navy card. Miscellaneous purchases, some gas, food, anywhere I would normally use my regular credit card.

July ended and in my inbox was a $45 waiting for me. With an expiration date of 12/31/14. Well after my shopping trip. With the affordable prices at Old Navy, I could have 3/5 nieces/nephews clothing gift paid for. (I give clothes and a toy. I'm a cool aunt) So, in my mailbox this month was another flyer. 3 times the points everywhere. I've already earned $25 reward that is good until February. I now have all 5 nieces and nephews clothes gift paid for. The other nice part? I earned those points, buying Tucker's Christmas/birthday gifts. I'm using Christmas shopping to pay for Christmas shopping.

Danny is even impressed with my smarts so I know I'm doing something right!

By the way, Old Navy/Gap Brands has no clue I'm doing this so there is no additional kickback. I just like saving money and I like sharing my good ideas when I have them.

Another perk, more money for Target.

And a new car... and a camper... I like nice things :)

Weigh In Wednesday

A post from me 2 days in a row? It's a blogging miracle!

If I've ever needed a weight check in, it's now. However, I don't have any stats this week since I forgot to weigh myself before I ate breakfast. I don't want that large bowl of oatmeal throwing the scale off :)

A week and a half ago I got the orders from Tucker's pediatric GI doctor to remove dairy from my diet. The naïve and uneducated Erin thought "no problem, I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds while saving $30-40 a week and helping my baby feel better" Cutting out dairy is f'ing hard.

 

I had no idea what I was getting into and how much dairy was in the "healthier" foods that I eat. Laughing cow cheese, certain breads, most salad dressings, yogurt... Basically dairy was in almost every thing I eat and included in every meal. 

I've spent the last week and a half researching and brainstorming ideas on how I can still enjoy the foods I eat. With me being unprepared and having little knowledge, I've been eating poorly. I unfortunately remembered reading that Oreos are dairy free. I ate all an entire package with the, exception for 5 or 6, over the weekend. Another unfortunate thing is that salads from fast food restaurants are likely out of the question now. I believe most of them are pre-made so I would feel like a total dickhead asking them for no cheese. (someone please correct me if I am wrong) This leaves me ordering a burger and fries, but not before I Google the restaurants allergen menu. Most restaurants have them available online so that is super helpful.

Now that I am almost 2 weeks into it, I feel a little better about the whole thing and am getting better with my choices. Plus, it forces me to be prepared. I've said many, many times that if I don't plan ahead, I fail miserably. For instance, last night Danny and I went to Olive Garden for our anniversary. It was there or Chili's after I had done my research and I knew what I could order from both places. I knew all day long yesterday that for dinner I was going to have breadsticks (still unsure about the butter on them. The allergen menu said they were dairy free but Lose It says there is butter.), pasta e fagioli soup (I about cried when I found out there was parmesan cheese in the salad dressing) and spaghetti with meat sauce. Not counting the 9 oz small glass of wine, I walked out of Olive Garden just 97 calories over my daily limit. Had I been able to eat dairy, I probably would have been an entire days worth over. So, this might not be so bad after all.

 

Over the next week, I'm going to try really hard to document what I eat and then share with the class next week!

3 years

Yesterday I spared you guys the repeat recap of this past weekend. With the exception of no doctor's appointment for Tuck on Friday, it was the exact same. Campground on Saturday, birthday party and getting shit done on Sunday. You didn't need to read about that again.

Today is a special day though. Three years ago today, I became Mrs. Summers. Three years ago today I was getting the reception decorations all set up before heading to the salon to get wedding ready. It was seriously the most perfect day, with only a couple minor hiccups that didn't even bother me. Nothing about the wedding mattered except the open bar because I was excited for our marriage. The moment Danny and I started dating, I knew he was the one. I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life with this man and I couldn't wait for that day to arrive.

Here are some of my favorite photos from our wedding day.

Danny and I opted out of not seeing each other before the wedding. We didn't want to make our guests wait too long at the reception while we finished up pictures. We chose to just have a special moment with the two of us (and the photographer obviously). After a couple shots, we were left to spend a few moments together before we finished pictures. It didn't take anything away from walking down the aisle either.

 

My brother had the duty of walking me down the aisle since our dad passed away the year before. About 30 minutes before we were to walk out, we had a Crown Royal drink in honor of our dad. I had special glasses made for the occasion with the Crown Royal slogan, "For Every King A Crown" It was a special time.

 

 

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures from our wedding. An in the moment, not posing picture. I just love it.

 

Our first dance. Who doesn't love one of their first dance photos?

 

The two most important things in my dad's life were his family and his friends. I wanted to do something special with his 3 best friends. The guy in the first picture wrote a song for George Strait called "Oh, What a Perfect Day" and my dad was so incredibly proud of him. He went out and bought like 6 of the CD's since his friend would make a cut of each record sold. I had the DJ play that song and call all 3 of them out to the dance floor. I danced with each of them for a little bit of the song. I won't ever get a true father daughter dance, but this is the next best thing and something I will hold near and dear to my heart.

 

My bridesmaids. My closest friends (except one) still to this day.

 

A special dance with some of my sorority sisters. At the end of each formal, the song Miss American Pie was played. It was only right to play it at our wedding.

 

 

Here's to another wonderful year with the man of my dreams!