The stockings were hung.

Yesterday we went to Wal-mart, (I am ashamed to say one of my favorite stores) to get our Christmas tree and decorations. B. talked me into a fake Christmas tree this year, even though I LOVE a real one. As much as I complained about getting a fake one, I have to say it turned out really nice, well beautiful is more like it. We got home, put the tree up, decorated the mantle with garland and lights and hung the stockings. We also bought a massive star to hang from the front porch. B. is in the process of building me an arbor to decorate with Christmas lights, so the outside is the next project to tackle. We found out in the process of decorating that C. hates garland. I mean she is absolutely terrified of it, she also is not to fond of touching the tree, hopefully she'll warm up to the Christmas decorations though.
I sat on the couch last night after everyone went to bed, drinking some milk and looking at our tree and the decorations. I love the way that Christmas lights look and most of all I love the feeling of comfort that you get from looking at a twinkling Christmas tree. This time last year we weren't in the best of positions, I was 7 months pregnant and we had just left Savannah in a hurry due to jobs disappearing, we had to leave what had been our home for four and a half years at the spur of the moment, and we weren't sure what we were going to do. We moved in with B.'s parents which was a blessing,B. got a good job, I had C. in March and we lived with them for 8 months. In late August we got our house. I sat and thought about how blessed we have been, blessed with a beautiful baby girl, blessed with love for each other that has been tested and that has succeeded, blessed with a loving family, blessed with jobs, blessed with a house that we have made into home, and blessed with little things like Christmas trees.

Run.

As you know I am trying hard to start seriously running again. I am a book dork, so of course I would buy books on running. B thinks it's hilarious that I would buy a book on running, he doesn't understand that their is more to it then you think. So I bought The Idiots Guide to Running and Bill Rodgers Lifetime Running Guide. Bill Rodgers has written both of these. The books are awesome because he makes you feel that anything you do, even if it's just walking or running for a couple of minutes makes a difference. He has a walk/run combination plan that I have been meaning to try, but haven't really committed to as of yet. So far I've wanted to just walk and run a little to get used to the neighborhood, my shoes, and pushing Clara in one of the most bulky strollers that have ever been made for a baby. The thing is HEAVY! So this week I am going to try and do the running plan that's in the book, heavy stroller and all. First thing first I need to build my endurance, and get used to hills, because this neighborhood is really hilly. I look forward to being able to run without feeling like I'm dying and to be able to run a least a mile by the first of the year. I want to reap the benefits of running for my body, but also for my mind. Being outside and walking around the neighborhood gives me a sense of calm that I don't usually have in my day to day life. I also really enjoy spending the time outside with C. because I know she benefits from it too. So for Christmas I'm asking for a jogging stroller from Target, and maybe I can squeeze some good running shoes out of Santa Claus.

C. on Thanksgiving day.

Dropping the pounds.

When I found out I was pregnant I started eating and eating and eating. Now of course some of that was pregnancy cravings and needing the extra calories and then some was me enjoying the fact that I could eat whatever I wanted and have an excuse for it. After Clara was born and 55lbs later, I really wish I would have watched my diet a little bit better. Losing baby weight is hard, losing weight in general is hard. Three years ago I lost 50lbs and was at my goal weight, I felt good again. So recently I decided I wanted to feel good and look good again. I went on slim fast and eat between 1300-1500 calories a day, I keep a food journal and I started walk/running, with my ultimate goal being able to run 5 miles no problem, I'm still working on mile 1. I've been on this diet and exercise plan for about a week now, and last night I stepped on the scale, and to no avail I have not lost any weight. Disappointment I must say. I was at least hoping for a pound or two. So now I am determined to lose weight, hopefully at least 20lbs by C's. birthday in March. I really really want to start running full time, like I used to in highschool, I would love to run the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta July 4, 2010. Right now my goal is to be able to run a mile again.
Now don't let this post fool you, I want to look and feel good, but I also want to be healthy for my daughter, I want her to have the best of me, I want her to have a mama that can chase after her without getting winded, that can pull her in her wagon fast, that can play with her until she gets worn out. That's what I want. That's what I'm working towards, and no matter how long it takes, and I'm sure with some bumps in the road I am determined to get there.

Thankful.

It's Thanksgiving again! I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. As I sit here just a little after midnight, sleepy and ready for bed, I find myself thankful for everything I have, especially my beautiful baby girl and my B. I am so thankful that God answered all my prayers and has blessed me with a wonderful family that I used to spend so much time praying and dreaming that I would some day have. I have been blessed.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, may it be a special one!

Wardrobe Change

I just noticed that my page is rather depressing looking. Like a tired, sad old man. Which doesn't describe me at all, so I'm going to change it. It may take me a while since I'm not very good with the whole blog design thing. But at least I can make it look a little happier.

First.

So I've decided to blog again. Nothing fancy, nothing long or drawn out, nothing to technical. This is just me blogging.
Where to start? I've moved from Savannah, Georgia to the Atlanta area in December of 2008, I got engaged in February 2009, had a precious baby girl in March 2009, moved into my very own house with my little family this past October, and somewhere in the process of it all I guess I got a little lost. I want to talk about what it means to be a mom, what it means to be a wife, what it means to keep up a household. I want to talk about depression and anxiety and weight gain and weight lose and crazy hormones, I want to talk about life. I'm not going to sugar coat anything, I want to find mom's out there that find themselves going through the same thing. I want to talk about it all.