April 2013 Goal Assessment; May Goals!

Yay for Friday! I hope you're all having great days - I'm post-massage so i'm feeling super relaxed and happy. Becks is sleeping, most of my chores for the day are done and i'm excited to be in a new month. April was definitely a jumping-off month. I got a lot done and feel great, but definitely want to focus more in May! I go back to work on Monday which is very bittersweet and i'm definitely interested in how 'being a working mom' shakes out as i've never had to focus on both Becks and my work - eeek! As we're wrapping up another month, here is a look at what we set out to do in April, and what we accomplished!

1. Make 2010 and 2011 photo books. (couldn't do ONE so now i'm going for two.... LOL we'll see!) DONE; well, I did the 2010 one. It took much longer than I expected. I'm definitely excited and motivated to do the 2011 now that I'm enjoying having the 2010 to peruse!  However, i've found that it's best to organize for the books offline THEN make the book. So, for May I will organize for the 2011 book and not make it until June!

Cover

A few layouts from our 2010 voyages, including Vegas, New York, the Dominican Republic,  Auburn and Colorado 

2. Finalize Household budget. I'm going to mark this as complete, special thanks to my friend Seema for sending me her Excel file and tips - it definitely helped get me started. While I feel I have snapshot of current, I want to actually start maintaining it... eek!
3. Create study. not done; I did buy a desk at Pottery Barn, but still need bookshelves, a lamp, etc. It's coming along.
4.Upgrade all door knobs. not done! Other things trumped this on Austin's list but he's on it!
5. Read 3 books. not done! I actually read no books. I started several and couldn't get into any which was frustrating. Hopefully I'll have the time to read more in May.
6. Finish thank you cards and order new family stationery. I ordered family stationery but didn't finish thank you cards - have about 20 left and it's on my list for this weekend!

7. Schedule and take newborn photos We scheduled these twice and had to cancel - life keeps getting in the way. Definitely doing in May - they will be three- month pictures! :) 
8. Buy new sheets DONE; Mom helped me and I got a pair of grayish blue Polo sheets from TJ - woo!
9. Follow April 2013 Workout Plan!! Biggest focus of month outside of Beckett! I'd say I did pretty good with this - I did 87 miles, 2 sessions with a personal trainer and 1 group fitness session. I definitely feel 'back in the game' but am ready to add in some strength training and classes - mix it up - woo!

Below is my April Work Out Tracker....

It was supposed to be my calorie tracker, too, but I only tracked for the first 10 days. Tracking is SO hard now that I feel like I have a lot more on my plate. However, I also know that I have had the most success with weight loss when I track, so hopefully I'll do better at tracking in May (although I can safely say that it's the 3rd and I haven't tracked - eek!)


April 1: 1,626 calories; 3-mile walk with Sharon; SP cal burn: 229 (net: 1,397)
April 2: 1,781 calories; Biceps & Back ST; SP cal burn: 20 (net: 1,761)
April 3: 1,616 calories; 45-minute treadmill walk (3 miles) and 2.5 mile walk with Sharon; SP cal burn: 414 (net: 1,202)
April 4: 1,956 calories; off
April 5: 1,607 calories; 40-minute walk with Monica (probably 2 miles) + abs; SP cal burn: 191 (net: 1,416)
April 6: 2,117 calories; 2-mile treadmill walk; SP cal burn: 296 (net: 1,821)
April 7: 1,988 calories; 4.5-mile walk with Sharon; SP cal burn: 346 (net: 1,642)
Week 1: 17 miles (and a back bicep workout and an ab workout)
April 8: 1,762 calories; 1.5-mile stroller walk with Beckett; 3.75-mile walk with Sharon; SP cal burn: 382 (net: 1,380)
April 9: 1,562 calories; off
April 10: 1,770 calories; 1-mile stroller walk with Beckett; 4.63-mile walk with Sharon; SP cal burn: 424
April 11: off
April 12: 1-mile stroller walk with Beckett; 4.5-mile walk with Austin & Beckett; SP cal burn: 392
April 13: 4-mile treadmill walk; SP cal burn: 290
April 14 - 1-mile walk with Beckett; 4.5-mile walk with Sharon
Week 2: 26 miles (43 so far)
April 15 - 4.5-mile walk with Sharon
April 16 - 3.25 mile treadmill walk; 3/4-mile walk with Beckett
April 17 - 2.5 miles with my Mom and Beckett
April 18 - 4-mile treadmill walk
April 19 - 2-mile treadmill walk
April 20 - 4-mile walk with Beckett, Devon and Dane
April 21 - off
Week 3: 21 miles (64 so far)
April 22 - 4-mile walk with Beckett and Michelle
April 23 - 4-mile treadmill walk
April 24 - 1/2 mile (fitness test at Lifetime Fitness); 3.5 mile-walk with Sharon
April 25 - no mileage (but did a 1-hour session with a personal trainer)
April 26: 2-mile treadmill walk
April 27: off
April 28: 3-mile treadmill walk
April 29: group fitness class included 2-mile walk
April 30: 4-mile walk with Sharon; 1-hour session with a personal trainer
Week 4+: 23 miles (and 2 1-hour sessions with personal trainer and a 1-hour group fitness class (87 miles)

Like last month, a lot went on this month:

• April 6: Had a great visit with Monica, including a walk and pedicure!
• April 7: Scott & Mary came up to visit, and Teresa and Forrest came over from Alabama to meet Becks and stay the night
• April 9: Took Becks to my office and had lunch with Stacy & Leslie at Nordstrom
• April 13: Melissa, Jon and Madison came over to visit and meet Becks; Andy and Monica came over for dinner, drinks and time with Becks
• April 16: My mother-in-law came to visit Becks for the night
• April 17: My mom spent the afternoon with me and Beckett
• April 20: Devon & Dane came over to visit, including a walk and fun on the piano
• April 21: Beckett and I drove over to Devon's to see Devon, Dane and my mom and visit the park
• April 22: My mother-in-law came to visit for a few nights and keep me and Becks company while Austin traveled
• April 23: My aunt Sharon spent the day with me, Beckett and Michelle (Austin's mom!)
• April 25 - 28: Headed over to Birmingham for a long weekend, including Michael Velotas's first birthday and a get together for his dad, Jimmy's, 31st birthday

Other than that, random things were done!

• We figured out and settled up the accident case from last November when I was rearended
• Switched over from Regions Bank to Wells Fargo (so much work -ugh)
• Went to the chiropractor
• Found and ordered Beckett's outfits for photos
• Sorted and packed maternity clothes to return to 3 of my friends who lent them to me; returned 1 set so far
• Signed up for a new gym
• Began the process of refinancing our home (ugh)
• Made Mother's Day presents for Beckett's Gigi and Mimi

I also continued my daily pictures of Beckett - here are some favorites from April!

So what are the May goals?

1. Organize closet around what fits; return all maternity clothes
2. Operationalize household budget
3. Create study
4.Upgrade all door knobs
5. Read 3 books
6. Finish thank you cards
7. Schedule and take newborn photos
8. Organize for 2011 photo book.
9. Follow May 2013 Workout Plan!! Biggest focus of month outside of Beckett!

Q: What's on your agenda for May?!

Busy April: Hanging with Friends & Fam, Walking, Enjoying Becks

Woo! This month is flying by! Can't believe I haven't posted since the 11th - just staying so busy with little Becks - can't believe she is 10 weeks old already - such a sweet girl! So what have we been up to?

Last Friday/the 12th - family night! We went for a 5.5-mile family walk with Beckett after Austin got off work - so nice! Then we just hung out at home and got some rest for Saturday's day of friends!

Picture from family walk!

Saturday/the 13th - I got up early and did a 4-mile treadmill walk. Afterwards I had planned to visit with Sharon and her godson across the street, but it was SO polleny so we just said hi for a few, then the Mittelbronns came over to visit. Loved catching up with them and getting to see their beautiful girl Madison - total doll.

Becks with Melissa & Madison Mittelbronn

We sat outside and enjoyed the weather until 5 or so when they had to head home and Becks had to go down for a nap. Around 6:30 the Blancos came over and we hung out, had drinks and dinner and they did Beck's shower and bedtime routine with us - so fun! Loved seeing our friends and watching Beckett get to know the important peeps in our lives!

Sunday we got up early and started watching Mad Men Season 5 on Netflix - LOVE IT.

Then I went for a 4.5-mile walk with Sharon on the Greenway - so nice! Later me and Becks and Austin did a 1-mile walk, and then just family night/cooking/etc.

Monday I just spent the day with Becks, then did a 4.5-mile walk with Sharon - we were on a roll! Tuesday I did a 3.25 mile treadmill walk while talking to my mom, then raced home to meet Austin who had a hair appointment. Then I took Becks out for a 3/4-mile walk to take it up to 4 miles! I showered and then Austin's mom got in town to visit! She brought yummy Greek food, we had some wine, we hung out with Becks and had a great night!

Becks with her dad, Mimi Michelle and puppers

Wednesday we visited with Austin's mom, then the two of them headed out to Nordstrom for some shopping. Meanwhile, my mom came to visit - Beckett got to see both of her grandmas in one day! Me and mom took her for a 2.5-mile walk - so nice!

Becks and her Gigi

Thursday we were back on our own, and I squeezed in a 4-mile treadmill walk while having a marathon chat with Monica. Then we just had a pretty routine day that ended, as always with Beck's bath - she loves them!

Becks after bath!

Friday I went to join a new gym (love it!) and got in a short, 2-mile treadmill walk then had a restful family night that included a visit to the nearby fro yo shop!

Saturday my sister and Dane came over! So good to see them - we went for a 4-mile walk on the greenway- both the babes did SO good in their strollers! Yesterday Becks and I headed down to Devon's and Dane's to visit! My mom visited, too, and the 5 of us headed to a nearby park - so fun!

3 of my favorite ladies

Wagon down to park

Sisters and Cousins

Hanging in the Porter's front yard - Becks LOVES that flag

Close up - she seriously loved it

And Dane loved his water table - yay! 

And we loved the Moby - thanks for another great loan, Devie!

Woo! So we've been a little busy but all fun, do-it-to-yourself kind of busy! I'm loving getting Becks out there so much more - she seems to love the outdoors and seeing new people - yay! While I'm LOVING the beautiful weather I'm HATING the pollen. I spend my days with burning eyes, runny nose, constant sneezing - UGH. Even with Claritin I'm getting no relief - so miserable. :(

Q: What have you been up to? Are your allergies making you miserable, too?

Q: The month is wrapping up quick - what's one thing you hope to accomplish in this last week? I've got lots of miles to walk, thank you cards to write, and books to read - fun!!

28 Miles, First Shots, A Visit Out

We're continuing to have such a great month! Tracking isn't so bad and not much work at all since all of my information is already in SparkPeople, and we've walked 28 miles as of yesterday! Most of miles are done with my awesome neighbor friend Sharon! We've walked together several times this month. And I walk with Miss Becks of course in the daytime. And I've gotten in a walk with Monica, too! It's going great - love it! I will say the pollen is making me not want to go at all, but i'm taking my claritin and dealing with it like everyone else. Sigh.

I'm using an app Sharon got me onto called Nike Running. It's great! It tracks our walks and tells me how many miles i'm walking, at what pace and it logs the time so that's been SUPER helpful. During the day I can just pop Becks in the stroller and we'll walk away from the house until we hit a 1/2 mile or a 3/4 mile, and then walk back, getting in a quick mile or mile and a half. I don't like to stay out too long with her just in case - but she does seem to enjoy our little walks, and sleeps through must of them!

After our great friend-filled weekend, Monday was a little quiet at first. But that afternoon we headed to the pediatrician and learned that our little Beckett is already 24" long and 11 pounds/13 oz. - healthy girl! She did great with her shots!

Tuesday we got up early and took a picture of Beckett with a 'Happy Birthday Mimi' sign for my MIL! Beckett was so sweet - she even smiled! Then me and her headed out and made our first outing with just me and her to my office and then to a lunch at Nordstrom Cafe! I was so nervous about the stroller, the carseat, eating on the go, etc., but it was great to see my co-workers and to get to have lunch with Stacy, little Lola, and Leslie! I enjoyed catching up with them all, Beckett did great (such a calm little thing!), and then me and Becks headed home.

We were both exhausted! I think the anxiety of driving with her and just everything took a toll on me! SO glad I had taken the day off working out as I didn't have the energy at. all.

Yesterday we stayed home and stuck to the schedule with lots of good feedings and activity times. We got in a 1-mile stroller walk, and around 6:15 I headed over to Sharon's and we had a great 4.67-mile walk - woo! Before I knew it the day was over and it was time to crash - yesss!

Q: How is your week going? Any highlights yet? Mine is definitely getting through the first round of shots with Beckett and our first venture out - so proud of her! And i'm glad I'm getting in so many walks - even with the allergy attacks it's worth it - makes me feel like me again!

Amazing April So Far!

I feel like I’m coming out of a fog, in a good way! By ‘a fog’ I mean grossy, nasty, sunless weather that makes me feel lazy, as well as super sleepless days where I kind of feel like a zombie. Beckett began sleeping 8+ hour stretches through the night with the arrival of spring – Ahhhhh! 

Picture clouds parting, angels singing, that is how we feel over here at the Martin household. Don’t get me wrong, the months leading up to now have been amazing in their own right, but to have a shift in sleep cycles and weather patterns is definitely giving us extra skips in our steps! I had a great productive week with lots of To-Dos crossed off and walks taken, and a great weekend!

Friday Monica came over around 9:30 a.m. and we had a day of fun! We fed and hung out with Becks, went for a 2-mile stroller walk, got pedicures and just hung out and watched TV and talked – such a fun day! That night me and Austin just relaxed and cleaned up the house a bit in preparation for the next day’s company!

Saturday Austin mowed the lawn, cleaned up his office and went to Total Wine and More, one of his favorite places on earth, and I took care of Miss Becks and went to the gym for a 2-mile walk before stopping by the grocery store.  Before we knew it, it was 2 p.m. and time to get Becks up to meet Mary & Scott! Had so much fun catching up with them,  and they brought little Becks the sweetest little birthstone earrings – adorable! About an hour later, Teresa and Forrest got in from Alabama – so good to see them!! They brought Miss Becks the sweetest little outfit – can’t wait to see her in it this summer – such a lucky lady.

Becks & T

The Lengels with Daisy & Remy

Becks & Mar

Becks & Forrest

The Girls

Beckett got to meet so many of our besties! We spent the day outside enjoying the sun, a cold cut tray, and a few adult beverages – such a beautiful day! Beckett did so good with her bottles and was very sweet with new peeps and new puppers – Daisy and Cassie were in tow! It started to get late so Mary and Scot headed out, we ordered a dinnertime pizza, and then we did bath and bedtime with Becks before putting her down at 8:30. Then we just visited with Teresa  and Forrest – so good to see them!

Yesterday Austin got up early and made us all breakfast, then we spent the morning with Becks and the pups and watching a church service online. Teresa and Forrest left around lunchtime, and we put Becks down and I headed out for a walk with Sharon on the greenway! We used the Nike Running app which told us we walked 4.67 miles – woo! We walked 15-minute miles – such a great walk and talk!

Today Beckett is two months old – WHAT?! We have her 2-month pediatrician appointment this afternoon – can’t wait to see how much our nugget  has grown!

Q: What was the highlight of your weekend?

Breastfeeding Update

Happy girl after a bottle of 80% formula

I want to thank you all so much for your support. I worried I would get at least one nastygram but I didn't. I just got letters of support, and people telling me that I'm doing the right thing for me and my family and that that's really all that matters, and to not let anyone make me feel otherwise/guilty/etc. That meant so much to me! I enjoyed those who shared their stories, many of which were similar, as well as the decisions made as a result. Bottomline to me is, just like we always say with working out and weight loss, listen to your body. Well, in this case, listen to your heart and your baby. I think I knew for a couple of weeks that it wasn't working, but it's like I just had  to do it because it was the right thing to do and I'd made the decision so dang it - I was going to stick with it even if it wasn't working! Once I really listened to myself and stepped back and started asking for advice and getting support from others, I knew what I had to do for Beckett, even though I didn't want to do it!

As far as the transition from BM to formula, I know you can go 'cold turkey' with the drying up of your milk, but I'm scared to death of a blocked duct or mastitis so I'm taking a longer road but it's working so far! I'm basically:

• removing pumps and cutting the times every 3 days (so 8 pumps for 20 minutes; then 7 pumps for 18 minutes; then 6 pumps for 15 minutes; etc.)
• wearing a super tight sports bra 24/7
• doing frozen cabbage leaves treatments (2/day)

I'm now down to 2 pumps a day for 10 minutes - WOO! After I do 1 pump for 5 minutes and am no longer pumping, I'll do the band-aids + sports bra + ace bandages + tylenol and hopefully that will do the trick - so we're getting there. I can definitely tell that I require less calories and less water now. Don't get me wrong - still eating my fair share and drinking a lot but before it was like I was STARVING and PARCHED all the time. I'd wake up in the middle of the night and in the morning and feel like I was hungover from dehydration no matter how many times I filled up and drank my huge water bottle. I would go to the fridge, open a water bottle and drink it under 3 minutes. Seriously. Then fill up that same water bottle with the cold fridge water and drink it down. THEN fill it up, fill up my big reusable bottle and ALL OF THAT would last me about an hour.

Anyway, enough complaining! I'm much less thirsty - yay - and happy to report that thing are going better in that area. I'm very happy with our decision and am finding that I have SO much more time in the day to spend with Beckett while she's awake, and to spend with the pups/cook/work out/blog/etc. when she's sleeping!

Thank you again for your Facebook and blog comments and emails of support - I appreciate this community so much!!