Live The Life: Week Three

Phew!  I'm a quarter of the way through with this program.  :)  Go me!

Week Three was a good one.  I've heard it said that it takes about two weeks to develop a habit.  I'd say I agree with that.  Getting those first two weeks behind me was a bit difficult.  But during this last week I realized that the workouts were getting easier...almost enjoyable!  And I don't think I had a single sugar craving all week.  I even made a delicious dinner of French Dip Sandwiches for Danny, the girls, and the missionaries on Friday and only tried ONE bite!  It was a new recipe, that was my reason for even the one bite.  :)  

I really feel like I'm seeing (and literally feeling) results!  My clothes are definitely getting looser, and I have even been able to comfortably wear jeans for extended periods of time!  I know, small victories, right?  And I feel like I have more energy than I used to.  It's interesting...I find myself more tired in the afternoon than I used to be.  I usually need to lay down for a 20 minute power nap during the afternoon while the kids are sleeping when I didn't use to have to.  But, I also have WAY more energy during the other parts of the day.  I'm getting more done around the house than I used to, and doing it in shorter periods of time.  And MOST of the time, I feel like I'm more cheerful than I used to be.  And maybe...just maybe...I'm a mite more patient with the kids.  Maybe.  ;)

All in all, I'm really loving this program.  It's not easy.  In fact, I'm pushing myself harder and denying myself more than I ever have before.  But I love how I feel, and I think I might even love how I look when I'm done!  I was a bit discouraged this morning when I didn't lose as much weight during Week Three as I had during the previous two.  But I'm losing more inches where it counts, so I'm going to push on true and see this thing to the end!  Here are the numbers:

WEEK THREE RESULTS

1.8 lbs lost (total ~ 8.6 lbs)

1 1/2 inches off my waist (total ~ 4 inches)

1 1/2 inches off my hips (total ~ 2 3/4 inches)

This is Life

Danny and I have been feeling a little bit of a funk lately.  Who doesn't this time of year?  It's January, for heaven's sake.  And even in sunny So Cal, you can't escape the downer from the holidays that seems to embody this first month of the year.

But for us, it seems like more.  And after many conversations, I think we've realized something.  We are in a totally new phase in our life!  Since we decided to get married, our life has been a whirlwind of major events.  Just 2 weeks after our honeymoon, we find out we're expecting our first child.  Then when Claire is only 7 months old, we find out that Sophie is on her way!  Then just less than a year after that, we're graduating and moving to California to start a career.  And then just a few months after we get settled, Johnny's on his way!  

Now Johnny is five months old, and I've recovered from being pregnant (physically AND emotionally!)  It's crazy to say, but life for us here in the Call house is...stable.  And if feels really, really weird!  :)  It's a good weird, though.  We have our "30 Before 30" list, and the time and means to do it.  I'm Living The Life, and feeling great.  The kids are all healthy and growing and getting cuter by the minute.  And Danny is tearing it up at work!

I think this new stable time in our lives feels weird because for once, we don't know what's on the horizon.  And that can be a bit unsettling.  But as I've watched our family in the last couple of weeks, I've realized that I don't want to get too caught up in what tomorrow is going to bring.  Because today is awesome!  I have the most blessed life.  I love that I can capture what my life is like right now through this blog.  It's really helped me to appreciate the smaller things.  Somehow I know that these small things now are going to be big things later, and I don't want to forget.

So, here is a peek at what January has been like for us.  And when I look at these pictures, I can't seem to feel that funky feeling anymore.  I'm just overwhelmed with how joyful my life is!  Life really is good, and I'm confident it's only going to be better.

We gave potty training a try for Sophie early in the month.  She started out great!  Here she is, in her big girl panties and clutching her potty treat.  Success!  Sophie was ready!  Things went great for a couple more times.  But then the accidents started.  And I realized that Mama wasn't ready to potty train!  We've put away the potty treats for the time being.  Maybe in a month or two...or three...we'll try again.  I really don't mind changing diapers that bad. :)

Claire and Sophie really are best friends.  And I've loved watching their friendship develop as Sophie gets older and can play more on Claire's level.  Sure, they fight over who gets to play with the Belle figurine, or whose turn it is to pick the movie.  But mostly, they love to play together.  I'm grateful we had them so close.  They'll always have a friend.

Seriously, these girls crack me up!  I was finishing my workout one morning, and in walks Sophie with a ball under her shirt and a basket on each arm.  She said, "Bye, Mama!  I'm going shopping."  I couldn't stop laughing!  I just had to get a picture.  And when Claire saw the fun I was having with Sophie, she went and got her own "baby" to put in her tummy!  I have such stinkin' cute girls...

If you could take a picture of happiness, this is what it would look like.  The love of my life holding my three precious children, all in their jammies on a Saturday morning.  It doesn't get better than that.

I've mentioned that the girls love playing together.  This was just too cute.  Again, while I was working out, Claire decided she needed a haircut.  Sophie was happy to oblige!  I'm pleased to say, there were no actual scissors involved.  Just a lot of unmitigated adorableness!  

And finally, another parental payday (we've had a few so far)!  I wasn't around to witness this particular miracle, but Danny told me all about it.  Apparently, while I was out delivering a meal to a dear friend after her amazing home birth, Danny told Claire she could have dessert IF she cleaned her room.  I only wish there was a before picture, because I guarantee that room was a disaster zone!  Danny was busy doing the dishes (I know, awesome husband, right?), and had forgotten about Claire's ultimatum.  But then Claire came running in the kitchen and exclaimed, "I did it, Dad!  I'm all done!"  Danny skeptically went to inspect Claire's work, and was shocked to see a perfectly spotless room!  A-MA-ZING!  Claire lives her life in la-la land.  I can't get her to stay focused on just getting the toys back in the toy box, much less cleaning her entire room!  But maybe, just maybe, we're getting the message through that wonderfully cute head of hers.  Just maybe. 

So there you have it.  January has been a pretty good month after all!

5 Months

Admit it.  You've never seen a cuter little boy!

Johnny is five months old today!  That means next month, he'll be half way to 1 year old.  I'm not joking when I say that the thought of him being one makes me a little teary.  I seriously wish this little guy would be my baby forever!

It seems to me like Johnny has changed a lot this month.  His personality is really starting to come out, and I just love it!  He's still so agreeable, but he gets really impatient when he's hungry.  And he's perfectly okay with letting everyone know it!  He's really found his voice in the last few weeks.  And he's started giving me kisses when he gets excited.  Mostly when he's been wanting to be picked up and I FINALLY get around to getting him!  It's so cute...he'll grab my hair on either side of my head and pull my face to his mouth.  I'm going to have to warn any girls in his future...he's a sloppy kisser! :)

We're still seeing Dr. Kris for his physical therapy, though she is hoping he'll be discharged after 2 more visits.  Let's hope!  He seems to be doing much better to me, though he does favor that left side of his a little bit.  I'm sure he'll grow out of it.

Here's a look at what else Johnny's been up to this month:

*Wears size 3 diapers

*Still in 6-9 and 9 month clothes

*Wears a size 3 shoe

*Is rather proficient at rolling from his back to his tummy, and has managed to return to his back a couple of times

*Still HATES tummy time

*Prefers to sleep with a receiving blanket across his face, whether he's in his crib, swing, bouncy seat, or car seat

*Likes to sing to himself when he's really tired and ready for bed

*Is showing an increased interest in solid food

*Seriously LOVED the little bites of yogurt that Mama and Daddy let him try

*Loves playing in the bouncer

*Loves giving Mama and Daddy kisses

*Absolutely loves discovering his world through his mouth

*Virtually ALWAYS has something in his mouth

We love our Johnny!

Live The Life: Week Two

Alright!  Two weeks down, ten more to go! :)  This week wasn't nearly as hard as last week was.  I think I got into the groove a little bit more.  Plus, when it did start to get hard, I just remembered the results from Week One, and that got me through!

My workouts were difficult, but doable.  This is an improvement!  I even stepped it up a bit, and instead of just running the first 5 minutes of my cardio, and ran 10 minutes.  This may seem like a no-brainer.  But I can't even remember the last time I ran 10 consecutive minutes and didn't throw up.  I think Danny and I were engaged!  So yeah, I've been feeling pretty good about that.

And the menu this week felt more satisfying to me than last week's did.  I didn't get my first hunger pain until Wednesday, and it wasn't too bad.  I even made Sausage Tortellini Soup and Cheesy Garlic Swirls for a friend of mine that had her baby, and didn't even snitch one bite!  That was painful, but I did it!  I didn't feel as restrained this week, though I did long for a reward of some culinary sort around Wednesday night.  That's when it's really hard for me.  Danny is in school all evening on Tuesdays, so he's literally home for 10 minutes after work, and doesn't get back until the kids are in bed.  And then with mutual on Wednesday, I get maybe an hour and a half of parental assistance until he leaves again, only to come home after the kids are once again in bed.  By Wednesday night, I'm seriously wanting a treat I don't have to share!  But like I said, it was easier to get past that feeling this week.

Best of all, I'm starting to notice a marked change in my body.  My waist feels smaller to me, and I'm feeling more toned over all.  My pants are DEFINITELY getting roomier!  I worried that it was all just in my head, until I weighed in this morning.  Once again, the results speak for themselves!

WEEK TWO RESULTS

3.4 lbs lost (total ~ 6.8 lbs)

1/2 inch lost on my waist (total ~ 2 1/2 inches)

1/2 inch lost on my hips (total ~ 1 1/4 inches)

The Brightest Sunbeam

With the beginning of the new year, Claire graduated from Nursery and became a Sunbeam!  Danny and I are in utter disbelief.  I remember so clearly bringing her swaddled in a blanket to church on Sunday.  And then I remember blinking and taking her to Nursery for the first time.  And now this!  I really need to stop blinking.

This was Claire and I on her first Sunday in Primary.  I feel so fortunate that I get to be in there with her, and even teach her Sharing Time (and sometimes Singing Time, too!)  I enjoy watching her get excited about the Gospel.  She is easily the most reverent girl in Junior Primary, and I'm not just saying that.  She'll sit there quietly, for the whole hour, just holding her precious Book of Mormon to her chest.  She makes me so proud!

And if that wasn't enough, Claire gave her first prayer in Primary yesterday!  Daddy helped her a little, but she spoke clearly and loudly.  She did such a good job!  And looked good doing it, too...definitely her Daddy's girl.

Claire loves Primary, and she loves her Sunbeam teacher, Sister Perez.  With all that fun and learning, there's only one thing to do when you get home.

Crash for a wonderful Sunday nap!

Live The Life: Week One

I'm trying something new this time around.  Once again, I find myself in the position to lose a decent amount of weight after another beautiful and amazing baby.  I haven't quite gotten it all off after Claire, but I heard about this Live The Life program, and it gave me hope.  Maybe I can get close to my pre-baby self...

This isn't all about weight loss, or about getting into a certain size pants.  It's about how I feel.  Let's not mince words, it matters a great deal to a woman what she looks like.  There's no way around it.  And while I'll admit that I probably worry too much, I won't apologize for worrying at all! :)  I want to feel like I look better.  More than that, I want to feel comfortable in my clothes...and my skin...again.  It's been a LONG time since I felt like I fit right in a pair of jeans.  And I'm tired of feeling physically restrained by the remnants of a baby belly or by muscles that are weak and unfit.  I'm ready to Live the Life!

All that being said, I started the program at the beginning of last week.  (For those interested, you can learn more about it at www.kristiapproved.com.)  I thought I'd let you all know how it went.

It wasn't easy!  :)  The first day, my workout was almost more than I could handle.  I was sore, literally, for 4 days!  I sat by the toilet ready throw up after my cardio.  I was seriously worried about the next day's workout.  But to my pleasant surprise, it was difficult but doable.  And once the soreness subsided, I actually started to enjoy it a bit!  A bit... :)

The eating is pretty good, too!  You eat the same six meals for all seven days of the week, and I think that's what I struggle with the most.  The food itself tastes good, I just miss cooking and eating a variety of things throughout the week.  But I didn't feel hungry until Thursday, and even then it wasn't bad.  I definitely struggled as the week went on feeling restrained from the things I love (mostly food...okay, pretty much only food), and was seriously waning in internal motivation.  But Danny stepped in and kept me going strong.  Thanks, Babe!

The results were worth it.  During Week One, I lost 3.4 pounds, lost 2 inches on my waist, and 3/4 of an inch off my hips!

Definitely worth it.

30 Before 30

I have a friend whose blog I greatly admire.  She did a 25 Before 25 list, and I thought it was a fantastic idea!  Here's the jist of it: you make 30 goals you want to accomplish before you turn 30, or 25 if you're turning 25, or 50 if you're...you get the point.  Danny and I have kind of changed it a little because, let's be honest, we're a little wimpy!  :)  We made one list between the two of us (which I don't think is exactly cheating, since we are one in purpose, you know?), and our deadline is my 30th birthday, which comes six months after Danny's 30th.  

Here's our list!

1. No car payment

2. Go camping as a family

3. Go to Disneyland with the kids

4. Do temple work in all 4 So Cal temples

5. Take a cooking class

6. Have 3 months of food storage and emergency preparedness

7. Go on a "dress up" date

8. Take a family vacation, just us

9. Prepare one family name for the temple, each

10. Cook our way through a cookbook

11. Have another baby

12. No more consumer debt

13. Go to an aquarium

14. Write our will

15. Have grass

16. Learn how to can

17. Have a successful garden

18. Run a 10k

19. Read a classic

20. Go horseback riding

21. Take a family hike

22. Learn the summer/winter constellations

23. Take a photography class

24. Eat at a Food Network star's restaurant

25. Actually celebrate an anniversary

26. Read the entire Standard Works

27. Attend the temple 26 times

28. Be CPR certified

29. Throw a dinner party

30. Write our Family Mission Statement

There it is!  In writing.  Now we're committed!  :)  I'm excited to get started on these awesome goals!  I'll update our progress on the list from time to time over the next 2 years and 2ish months.  The clock starts now...ready, set, GO!

Tradition

Grandma and Papa have something of a Christmas tradition.  Every year, they take pictures of the family by the Christmas tree.  This year, it was quite the event!  We finally had everyone together, and picture perfect, on New Year's Day.  I've mentioned it before, but it really is quite incredible how the family has grown in just one year!

  This is how much the family has changed in 3 short years.

2007

2008

2009

2010

My, how we've grown!  Now that all the boys are married, I imagine the growth will steady out a bit.  Here are some of the other poses we took:

Papa and his boys

 Grandma and Papa with their cute grandkids

The Grandkids

(Left to right: Braxton, Claire, Taven, Ruby, Johnny, and Sophie)

The Menfolk

The Womenfolk

And there you have it.  I reached a major personal goal of mine with this post.  I have officially documented an entire year of our family history on this blog.  And I must say, I'm darn proud of myself!  I can't say it enough, but Danny and I are so blessed!  I am excited to start our next year of Call Family History...

New Year's Eve

Where did 2010 go?  This year has been incredible, and has gone by incredibly fast!  Before we knew it, we were getting ready for the big annual New Year's Eve party at the Call's.  Seems like it wasn't very long ago we were doing the same thing to welcome in 2010.  And here we were, bidding it farewell...

This year's party was just us, as opposed to having a ton of extended family there.  In a way, it was really nice!  We still had TONS of food.  Danny tried a new Garlic Artichoke Dip from, of course, Our Best Bites, and it was to die for.

While the cooking and cleaning was going on, Grandma was keeping the kids entertained...

Grandma and Sophie worked on some puzzles, and then Grandma helped Claire, Sophie, and Johnny make Happy New Year's crowns!  What a fun Grandma my kids have.  They all looked so cute!

It was about 5:00 by the time we got everyone to the house and the food was ready.  We all decided to play "Bezzerwizzer" first, which is the game that David and Camillia got us for Christmas this year.  A few of us had played it earlier in the week, but you can imagine how much more fun it was once everyone was together!  And by fun, I also mean competitive.  "Bezzerwizzer" is a trivia game, and we had all the Call brothers in the same room.  Enough said.  :)

While the adults played their game, the kids found ways to occupy their time.  Claire and Braxton were basically inseparable.  It's so fun that our girls have cousins their age on the Call side now!

After the game, and everyone had their first round of stuffing themselves sick, we decided to take the festivities downstairs.  There was more gaming to be done there, of a different variety.  Danny, Robbie, and David played Wii Mario Kart, which got a little noisy.  And Grandma and the Aunties played "Chutes and Ladders" with Claire and Braxton.

Once we pulled the boys away from the Wii, we busted out a rowdy game of "Reverse Charades", which was hilariously fun!  Our kids made it until about 10:00 or so before they were ready for bed, and Danny and I, while making it to midnight, were in bed shortly thereafter.  Right after Danny threw a firework at Robbie's head, or some sort of tomfoolery.  :)

2010 was an incredible year for our family.  We started the year out grieving the loss of Rachel, which made us very much appreciate the precious relationships we have with our family.  We spent a large majority of the year looking forward to Johnny's arrival, and then enjoying the sweet spirit he brought to our home.  We added two sisters-in-law and two cousins.  We were able to make our way to Utah four times, as well as had visits from family in between.  Really, 2010 was about family for us.

What an amazing year it was, and I can only imagine the experiences that await us in 2011.  Personally, I'm excited!

You thought we were done with Christmas?

Think again.  We lived an entire week of Christmas!  Or at least it felt that way.  :)  After all the festivities of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we still had the annual Call Christmas Party on the 27th.  I love Danny's family, and all the traditions that they have!  This party is a big one...honestly, it's the biggest holiday party I think I've ever attended!  This year seemed to be a bit more toned down, but there was still plenty of food and family.

There are a few things that are always a part of the Call Christmas Party: yummy food, the kid's Nativity, and Great Grandma Call reading "Tommy Wright" while we pass around white elephant gifts.  This year, all three of our kids participated in the Nativity.  Claire and Sophie were angels (photographed with Braxton the Shepherd)...

And of course, Johnny was the Baby Jesus...again. :)

And if you thought that Christmas at Grandma and Papa's house, AND Christmas at Grandma Candy's house was enough, than you were wrong!  We still had Christmas as Grandpa Richard's and Grandma Ruth Ann's!  Seriously, our kids were spoiled this year.

The girls both got blanket/stuffed animal combos.  Claire's was a giraffe that matched Isabelle's gift that she had gotten earlier during her visit.  Claire was very excited that they both had giraffes!  And Sophie got a Tinkerbell set!

Johnny got his first Santa Bear, complete with candy cane.  Claire was especially stoked about the candy canes...

Grandpa Richard and Grandma Ruth Ann also got Danny and I a wonderful gift basket full of yummy goodies...and a Visa Gift Card!  Thanks, Dad!

After dinner and gifts, we just enjoyed visiting for a while.  Sophie showed Grandpa Richard the iPad, which Grandpa thought was pretty neat.

I mean, he thought it was REALLY neat! :)

It was nice to see my Dad and Ruth Ann again.  It's nice to have all our family in one area!

 (Notice my Dad's still holding the iPad!)

We love our family!

Little Fashionistas

Girls will be girls...

I'm so glad my girls have awesome Aunts to show them how!

Claire's Snow Adventure

Claire has been waiting for "Christmas at Grandma Candy's" pretty much all year.  Because she remembers the snow!  Last year, all the cousins were together because of Rachel's funeral.  And it snowed a lot.  So...my Mom being the Grandma that she is, went to Kid-to-Kid and bought all the kids snow clothes and sent them out to play!  It made an impression on Claire.

Christmas wasn't a white one, but it started snowing the day after, and boy did it snow!  Claire immediately wanted to go out and play in it.  I wasn't prepared, however, with snow gear.  We did the best we could...

Claire was obviously less than impressed with her outfit.  She was NOT okay with wearing Daddy's socks for snow pants, and Johnny's beanie.  I don't know...I think she looked pretty cute!  But once we got her coat on and sent her out into the winter wonderland, she forgot all about her fashion faux pas.

Aunt Julie volunteered to go out and play with Claire.  Our little California Girl needed some direction on how one plays in the snow.  I think Aunt Julie and Claire had a fine time!

And then Aunt Julie taught Claire the first lesson in snow play..

SNOW ANGELS!

Claire loved her snow adventure.  Maybe almost as much as Danny and I enjoyed watching her love it!  And we're so grateful our kids have such fun Aunties...

Thanks, Aunt Julie!