I should go to bed

So, with a fresca in one hand and my other hand on the mouse searching aimlessly for anything interesting, I realized a few things:

1. I am really really tired and probably should go to bed, but being lazy and doing nothing worth while seems to be more fun. (If you're thinking "??", so am I....puzzler)
2. Mothers Day is in 2 weeks and I am actually a mother this year! Kind of excited.....
3. My kid is going to be 3 months old on Sunday. Freak! Where did the time go?
4. I saw a picture of home...like my actual Ottawa home.... and got excited because I'm going to be there soon! Haven't been there in a year and a half. Special thanks to the US Government for withholding money and then giving it back to us so we could pay for flights!
5. Gordon needs another job. His boss is lame.

Now you too know why I can't sleep. Its 11:13.

Bath time for Brooke!

So, she first grew out of the little pink plastic tub we got at the hospital, then it was the sink, and now she is in the big bathtub! She loves kicking, so I thought the $7 bath thingy was worth it, and I was right! She loves being in the bath now and her grumpy noises turned into happy ones!

Another trip to Utah

One tired girl! This was Brooke the morning after we arrived in Provo. She likes to stay up late and sleep in, like her parents!

This past week, Gordon, Brooke and I traveled to Provo for David's (Gordon's brother) graduation and commissioning into the army. It was a crazy few days that made me really tired, but it was pretty fun overall. I got to see one of my best friends, Amy, as well as a friend from Ottawa (Lisa) that happened to be in Provo! We went over to Lisa's apartment for lunch and she made us authentic Japanese food. It was delicious! Thanks Lisa! We also got to see Gordon's newly engaged friend JJ, and his lovely bride-to-be Erin. We're looking forward to their wedding in August and are so happy for them! Gordon also went to dinner with his good friend Matt. Lots of people to see for us!
After the graduation, we all went to dinner at a Brazilian restaurant called Tucano's and it was so good! There's a buffet with salads and different side dishes, but also, there are people that go from table to table with huge skewers with different kinds of meats. It was so good. The fish with mango sauce and the pineapple were my favorite, along with all the beef. Gordon's favorite was the tri tip sirloin and the chicken hearts (I guess he came to love these when he was in Brazil on his mission). After my first plate of food I was full, but I kept eating! Its so hard to stop when it is so good! Suffice it to say, not a lot of weight loss this week--it was totally worth it.
Saturday afternoon, a lot of people from Gordon's home town in Hood River gathered together at the Kelly's home for some mexican food. It was nice to put names to faces. Everyone was so nice. Anyways, we arrived Wednesday evening and left Saturday afternoon. Brooke travelled well, although got sick of her seat by the end of the 4 hour drive. All in all, a fun, but tiring trip! Until our next adventure.....in 4 days.

Gordon and Brooke at Tucano's. I think she is starting to look more like Gordon. David and Gisela. Brooke a few days before the trip in our bed. She's still our small little pumpkin! John and John! Haha....Gordon's brother and Dad. Marilyn, Gordon's mom.

Happy!

Today, Gordon was on his laptop at the kitchen table with Brooke in her bumbo, happy as a clam. I was making cookies. The dishes were done, the sun was shining in, the windows were open, the apartment was clean, the laundry was done...I could go on.

I stopped and smiled to myself thinking how blessed I am. Sometimes, I wish I could press pause on my life just to bask in the happiness. I should have more days like today.....sigh.....

Ready for Summer!

Today was such a beautiful day! The weather was gorgeous; Sunny and warm with a breeze. We took advantage of it and went for a long walk to the park, then to Shayna's! Its going to be so much fun once summer is finally here! Getting just a taste of warm weather makes me want it more! Brooke got a little sun (like 15 minutes worth) while we took her down the slide and over by the monkey bars. She's still a little young for the baby swings, though I was tempted. Walking leisurely is a very calming thing to do, especially with your family on such a great day. The upcoming week should be even warmer than today! And, we're going to be in Utah for 3 days, too, which means it'll be even warmer! Hooray for summer. I still want to get Brooke a little bathing suit and some sunglasses- there's a splash park here that is fun to cool off at, plus, its hard to say no to a teeny tiny bathing suit. So cute! Last weekend, we were in Idaho Falls and we got her 3 pairs of shorts, 2 onesies, and 3 shirts, all for $35 (I love target-cute clothes at a great price). So we are ready! We can't wait.

I'm liking this whole sleep thing.....

Brooke wearing a hat from the Amy's, and jeans (that fit!) from my mom!

So, I don't want to jinx it, but for the past 3 days, Brooke has been sleeping for 6-7 hours at night, with only 1 feeding at about 5am! Hot Dog! I hope this keeps up because my body actually will wake up, literally at 4:59, and then I hear her start to make noises 30 seconds later. Its kind of nice only waking up once. Still sort of feel exhausted at times, but compared to some other people I know, this is really great!

In other news, I lost .8 of a pound this week. Pretty good considering I only worked out twice and ate almost an entire pan of rice krispie squares. Overall, weight loss is 2.8 pounds. About 5 more to go until I reach my goal. Then, maybe I'll try to lose 10-ish more?! Who knows.....But, it really helps that I can't have dairy or chocolate. That really cuts out a big portion of foods that I would usually be indulging in. One day, I'll be able to eat cheesecake again......one day.

We love our macbook!

Brooke lately

Its really incredible how different Brooke is now that she's getting older! She is awake more and doesn't really like sleeping because she is too curious for her own good and sometimes does not let herself fall asleep. But she's put herself into a pretty good pattern that's easy for me to follow: 3-4 naps in the day, and typically only wakes up once in the night. We went to the doctor on Wednesday for her 2 month appointment which happened to be when she got her shots. She wasn't too impressed with the nurses, and after 3 needles, I wouldn't be either. The doctor said she looked great and very healthy. Ever since we went to Oregon and saw how big Chloe was compared to Brooke, I've been concerned about her weight. She is almost 11 pounds and is 22 inches long. Both these measurements are almost in the 50th percentile, so she's right in the middle of everyone. The doctor said she's a smaller baby, but when comparing her weight versus her height, the measurements made sense and he said there was no reason to be alarmed because she was 'really healthy' and her growth was 'very steady'. Also, her head grew an inch! Her brain is getting bigger, thus, smarter! I really notice her starting to stare at certain things in the room, and actually start looking at the tv with interest. Sometimes, she will follow me with her eyes when she's in her bouncer and I'm trying to tidy things up. Man, she it too cute! We love having her in our little family! The following are photos and a video showing just how much she has grown and matured! Enjoy!

My weight loss tracking

Starting from last Sunday, here were my activities:

Sunday: Yoga
Monday: Step class
Tuesday: Spin Class
Wednesday: Treadmill and elliptical
Thursday: Went to go to step class and it was canceled, so again, treadmill and elliptical
Friday: Didn't work out
Saturday: Ran outside on the school track
Sunday: Didn't work out and pigged out on good food
Monday: Pushups and situps
Tuesday: Pushups and situps; attempted pull ups
Wednesday (today): Treadmill

Overall weight loss: 2 pounds!

I also am trying to eat healthier snacks, like rice cakes, fruit and vegetables, yogurt, cheese and V8 (and I know that V8 is loaded with sodium, but since I have such low blood pressure, I can handle it). Drinking enough water is still hard, but adding crystal light seems to have helped.

I did go online to Canada's Food Guide website to personalize a food plan specifically for me (a 23 year old female) and I printed it out and it is on my fridge.

Here's a deep thought from me: On the American's Food Pyramid, I was allowed 11 servings of carbohydrates as well as limited sugars and fats. On Canada's Food Guide, I am allowed 7 servings of carbohydrates and no where on the guide does it have any mention of sugars or fats. Maybe this could contribute to America being the fattest nation?! Just an interesting thing I noticed.....

Easter card photos

We're making an Easter photo card to send to our families and close friends, but I'm not sure which photo to pick. I think I like the 2nd and 3rd one the best. I think I'm going to have to lighten them up and take out my red eyes. They look dark to me....are they dark? I thought about changing them into black and white, too. Tell me what you think!

To run or not to run

Gordon and I have been talking about whether to run in the teton dam marathon this year. Just to clarify, we'd be doing the 5 or 10-k. I said I would do it last year but then I got pregnant and didn't have the energy to and thought it might not be good for the baby, especially since I hadn't been practicing. So, this year I was really gung-ho about it- until I looked at the charted course....2/3's of the race is uphill. I have shin splints from running of flat ground! Needless to say, I have no motivation and no desire to participate. (why would I pay $30 to go through torture? To get a free shirt? No thanks) I still think maybe I should try....we'll see.

As for my weight loss, yesterday, I pigged out at my sister's house and ate like 17 cookies. So, I am not going to weigh myself until at least Wednesday so I don't completely get depressed by the weight GAIN. Yikes. At least I have a good (medical) reason as to why I can't lose weight. The doctor said I needed to work double as hard as another 'normal' person would to get the same result. It sucks, but oh well. Thats just how things happen in life....or my life.

Seriously?!

Dear Mother Nature,

Are you kidding me? MORE SNOW?!
Not sure if you got the memo, but its April....ie spring.
We would appreciate sun and temperatures above 40.

Yours truly,
Lauren