week in iphone pics

This week?  It was a really good one.  At least that is what the photos remind me of.

sunday

Sunday Ryann spent most of the day in her pajamas.  I asked her if she wanted to go to the gym or stay home and be lazy.  She said be lazy, and has told me that a few more times throughout the week.  Whoops.  Her little pajama self was all dolled up by 7am though.  Sunday afternoon we did a fun and easy little art project.  More on that this week!

monday

On Monday Ryann sported her first ponytail.  Dang that little thing was hard to get in, but it was SO cute.  We made some cloud dough and had a blast playing in it.  Unfortunately the pony tail didn't last long (nor did her outfit) so by lunch time she was looking a bit of a hot mess.  After nap Ryann hung out with me at my printer while I worked with my rep on some client invitations.

tuesday

I snapped the picture on the left to capture some crazy nap hair.  Then, I realized crazy nap hair pretty much makes Ryann look like my twin.  You can see the side by side on my facebook page.  Oh and while I was putting dinner together some small animals, or possibly a certain little toddler was quietly destroying the pantry.  I thought she was just happily playing in there like she was last week when she made a giant peanut butter tower.  Whoops.

wednesday

Grammy came to hang out with us on Wednesday and do a little shopping, so of course we hit up CPK (California Pizza Kitchen) for our favorite salads.  Ryann always gets a kick out of drinking from a 'big kid' cup.  Ryann and I were on our own Wednesday night, so when she requested a bath at 4:45, I figured why not.  We spent a good 30-45 minutes just playing in the bath.  Of course followed by a goofy mirror photo session.  We ended our little girls' night watching Tangled and eating 'special' (s'mores) popcorn.  Ryann was definitely a happy little camper.

thursday

Not much to say about these except that Ryann was a giant goober when she came home from MDO on Thursday.  And does she or does she not look like she is about to cause a lot of trouble in the picture on the right?  Goofy, goofy little girl.

friday

We picked up this new porch bench cushion on Wednesday, but I had yet to actually put it outside.  Ryann decided it was her pillow seat and felt the need to sit on it for her snack.  Ry and I packed up and headed to Grammy's house Friday afternoon.  When we got there she enjoyed putting on a little concert for me, reading with Grammy, and basically being Papa's shadow.  This kid LOVES her Grammy and Papa, and asks to go to their house pretty much every other day.

saturday

Another day filled with fun hanging out with Papa and Grammy.  There was a little guitar serenade bright and early.  Ryann began to discover the joys of large boxes.  She was so worn out from all the fun that I had to wake her after a three hour nap, which of course made her goofy.  Papa and I took Ryann on her first paddle boat ride.  And the goober tried to fit herself inside a puzzle box.

I've pretty much started exclusively using instagram (you can find me @thedomesticwannabe) for my phone photos now.  I can't decide if I want to switch back and forth between hipstamatic or not.  Most days I don't see the need, but then I think some of the photos from hipstamatic look better quality because I actually have to compose the shot in the little square.  I know I can do that from instagram, but I have been liking the convience of just popping open my phone camera and editing the picture later.  Hmmm....

I also wanted to share a random instagram tip.  For the life of me I can not remember where I saw this (if you have seen it before please let me know where, I'd love to give credit where credit is due!).  Anyway, you can double process your photos.  Sometimes I love the black and white, and sometimes I think it looks a bit stark.  Or my photo is too dark for it (in my opinion) and throwing another filter on top can lighten it up.  The photos on the left were done with just the black and white filter, the ones on the right I went back and processed them again with 'sierra'.

I'm sure a lot of you have already figured that little trick out, but I just thought I'd share!

Linking up with Amy.

favorite toddler iPad (and iPhone) apps

As I've said in previous posts, I have somewhat of a love/hate relationship in regards to Ryann and the iPad (or the iPhone).  She loves loves LOVES playing games on the iPad.  If I really need to get something done without too much interruption, that thing can be a lifesaver (or when we're on a plane.  definitely when we are on an airplane).  But I don't want her always staring at a screen, not to mention the complete meltdown that ensues when I take it away.

Nonetheless, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of our favorite toddler games so far.  Most of them are paid, some of them are more my favorites because of the educational aspect, some of them Ryann likes for who knows what reason.  Here you go!  :o)

Itsy Bitsy Spider by Duck Duck Moose  $1.99
This was the first game that really solidified Ryann's love for the iPad and kept her attention.  It is easy for her to navigate by herself, and with about five different scenes to move between she doesn't get bored quickly.  The game also does have a a few educational aspects to it.  The little fly answers some questions, and the squirrel helps you count to 10.  Ryann has liked this game since we went to Georgia, so I would say suitable for about a year an up!

Peek A Zoo by Duck Duck Moose  $0.99
Peek A Zoo is a more recent favorite, one we purchased while in Omaha for Christmas.  Honestly?  I don't understand why she loves it so much, but she does.  And that is what matters.  Basically the game asks a question (who is so and so, who is crying, who is face backwards) and the child selects the right character to move on.

The Monster At the End of this Book by Sesame Street  $3.99
Chris and I both love the book, so we were excited to find an interactive version in the iTunes store.  This is another app that Ryann has liked quite a bit since we first introduced her to the iPad.  She has a great time tickling Grover and knocking down bricks to move from page to page.  It does take a tad bit long for each page to load (nothing ridiculous, but sometimes long enough that Ryann starts to fidget or move on), but overall I think it was really well done.

UnColor by Christy Brant Company, LLC  $0.99
This is a great simple app for young toddlers.  Essentially you use your finger to clear the black off the screen, revealing an image underneath.  Once the image is fully visible the animal does a little animation.  One random side note about this app though, the scene with the zebra?  Scares the crap out of Ryann every. single. time.  The zebra makes a rather abrupt snort noise of some sort and it freaks her out.  She played with it often enough that if she starts to swipe and even a tiny speck of the zebra scene is visible, she freaks out saying "No zebra!  No zebra!"  I do wish the game had more scenes, but to tell you the truth Ryann doesn't seem to mind all that much.

Make it Pop by Tryangle Labs  $1.99
Ok this app, I love the concept of.  It has a lot of educational aspects, working on letters, colors, numbers, etc.  Unfortunately it doesn't hold Ryann's attention.  I think mostly because it doesn't ask her any questions, just tells her stuff when she pokes it.  She'll play with it for a while, but ultimately she picks something else.  But I'm including it in my list because I love finding well designed AND educational apps for the iPad.  (I found this app through Bri over at {collected}!)

Logic by PopAppFactory  $1.99
Err, this is another that I probably like more than Ryann.  But she will play a few sets before moving on.  In this app, the child drags tiles featuring letters, shapes, numbers and colors to the appropriate space on the screen.  This game is a bit more difficult, first because the child has to understand to hold there finger on the screen to drag the tiles (which I'm sure doesn't take too long to figure out, but still).  Also, the numbers portion?  You're matching tiles with a certain number of dots to the correct number space on the screen.  Ryann can count, and she recognizes numbers, but the concept of that section is still too difficult for her.

Coloring for Kids by Internet Design Zone  free
Apparently coloring on the iPad is way cooler than coloring with real crayons these days.  Basically this app has coloring pages you can color.  There are several different colors and apparently 3 different brush sizes (all though I have yet to figure out how to change mine, haven't really tried to though).  Not really sure why Ryan loves it so much, but she does.  This game is listed as 'free', which initially it is, but you only get two of the seven categories of coloring pages.  To have access to the rest is $1.99.  So far Ryann has just been happy with the free set so no big deal to me.

Peekaboo Animals:  There's a Lion in my Backyard! by Bambino Avenue  free
To tell you the truth, I have no idea what this app does or is about.  Ryann clicks through the thing so fast and all I hear is a kid saying "It would be nice to have a GORRILLA! in my backyard," in an accent.  But she accidentally deleted the thing off my phone and it was as if the world ended.  Tears and lots of whining that I couldn't understand.  So, um, it must be fun?  The app is free but only comes with six animals.  You have to pay $0.99 to have the full set of 25 animals.  Maybe the next time we take a trip somewhere I'll pay up to keep my kid entertained for longer :). 

Elmo Loves ABCs by Sesame Street  $4.99
I hesitate to include this one, mainly because of the price.  I don't necessarily think it is worth $5.  Some of it is a little complicated for a young toddler as well.  But Ryann DOES play it, and does enjoy it.  It doesn't hold her attention as long as some of the others.  Supposedly you can upload your own photos and such into the game to be included in the various letter segments, but I have yet to try it.  I saw that there is a lite version (no idea why we didn't try that first) so maybe look for that as opposed to paying for this one.

Glow Coloring by MobiTech3000 LLC  free
Just another simple and fun coloring app.  I guess you can scan images and import them into this app so you have something to trace/color.  But we haven't tried that out yet.  Ryann likes the coloring app I mentioned above better than this one, but maybe if I included the images to color she'd like it more.  Either way, it's free, might as well give it a try!

And there you have it.  Overall I would highly recommend checking out all the apps by Duck Duck Moose if you are looking for a good game for your kiddos.  I think Fish School seems good for younger toddlers, but Ryann isn't all that interested in it.  We've also got Park Math which seems a little over her head, and Musical Me which just doesn't seem to hold her interest or is a little complicated or something, but I still think they are good games.  I'm excited to try out Word Wagon soon.  I just like that the apps really are trying to be educational, AND they are well designed.

How about you?  Have any favorite apps you'd like to share?

week in iphone pics

Well, I've decided I have a love/hate relationship with instagram (if you really want to follow my feed, look for thedomesticwannabe.  and be prepared for a slew of pictures of Ryann.).  And part of it may be I just don't really know what I'm doing, so throw out some pointers if you've got any.

I love being able pick the filter after the fact.  So really I can just take pictures on the regular camera, and deal with making them pretty when I have time.  I also love the little blur feature.  I've probably overused it already.  I don't love not being able to pick the specific frame I want.  I really like the consistency I've had with my hipstamatic 'prints'.  It is driving me nuts that these don't all look the same.  I suppose I could solve that problem by not having a frame on any of them at all, but sometimes I want the frame, you know?  And that blur feature, can you change the size of the area that isn't affected?

The other thing that drives me nuts is that the images aren't all the same size.  As in when I went to edit the photos and make these collages I had to spend time adjusting the image size on each file so I could put them all in one place.  Not the end of the world, just an extra step I didn't have before.

Ok moving on, our week via my phone!

monday

Ryann was basically a goober all day.  We had a playdate, but I couldn't get a decent picture on my phone.  Ryann and Daddy had a tickle fight.  Nothing crazy.

tuesday

I will never understand why she loves to sleep with her face stuff in the corner.  It's tough to see but her little bum is sticking up in the air and she is face down in the top right corner.  I was just trying to take a picture of all the beads Ryann made me wear at 7:30am, but she decided to eat them.  I have no idea.  Shopping with the grammy!  Ryann cracked herself up throughout Hobby Lobby and found some shades she absolutely had to have at Baby Gap.  While Ryann napped we started on some birthday party tissue poms.  And just a sweet smile to send to daddy.

wednesday

Ryann woke up with some crazy hair.  One side had gone completely flat, the other was a crazy curly mess.  We visited a playtime at the museum with our friends.  Ryann and I hit up where else, Target.  And do you see the yogurt melt hat on her head?  She was very proud.

thursday

Ryann told Chris she wanted to construct mommy out of the blocks.  This is what they came up with.  Looks just like me, doesn't it?  Ryann and I drove to Grammy's house.  Well, I drove.  She snoozed.  Grammy put together an entire playroom for Ryann, complete with a little table with a roll of paper for stickers and coloring.  Ryann is one lucky little girl.

friday

Ryann learned to make a really awesome and very pretty face...  I was trying to make her smile, and obviously she thought I was nuts.  Giraffes in the grocery store, ahh!  :o)  And mini tissue poms.  Lots of them.  Thanks to my bestie and my mom for helping my absurd birthday party ideas come to life.

saturday

Oh my little musician :o).  And apparently the baskets aren't just for toys and beanie babies.

And that pretty much sums up our week!  Actually there was a lot of crankiness and a few tears this week.  Mostly from Ryann, possibly a little bit from me.  I *think* her last set of molars are starting to come in.  She always has her hand shoved down her throat, and her emotions are ALL OVER THE PLACE.  I can't keep up.  I'm praying it is her molars and that they just come in and get it over with.  Not that this is just her being a toddler.  Oy.  I can only take so much!

Linking up with Amy!

this and that

::  Last night I was washing dishes at the sink while Chris and Ryann were playing a game that was some sort of combination of chase/peekaboo/tickling/who knows what.  Her little feet were thumping all over the hardwood.  There was lots of giggles.  She would run in the kitchen and hide between my legs, peek out, and when Chris would jump out from around the corner she would dissolve into a pile of laughter and they would be off and running again.

It was one of those moments that just makes my heart swell.  Days can be rough.  Not everything is perfect.  But I have much more than I need.  And my little family makes me so incredibly happy.

::  Thank you Baby Gap for creating clothing that perfectly matches the color scheme for Ryann's birthday party at just the right time.  Now I just have to decide what exactly I want her to wear.  I think no matter what she will have a pair of those purple jeans.  Because whether I like it or not, apparently purple is her favorite color.  And those are adorable!

::  Speaking of the birthday party, why do all things alphabet related have to only come in primary colors?  It is making me life just a wee bit more difficult.

::  Lately I've been letting Ryann take a shower with me in the evening.  Sometimes it is just more efficient to get us both clean at the same time.  Not to mention now she actually likes the shower as opposed to screaming her head off if I take her in there.  Well last night she was overly excited about the upcoming shower and was more or less yelling at me to take my clothes off and get the heck in the shower.  When I finally was in my birthday suit she slapped my naked butt and said "yes!  mommy naked!"  Awkward much?

::  I've read a few articles in the last week related to kids and parenting.  I found them all interesting, helpful, and in one instance highly entertaining.  If you haven't come across them you should definitely take a minute to read them!

Don't Carpe Diem

To the Mother With Only One Child

9 Things I Learned in the Parents Encouragement Program, AKA Sh*tty Parents Anonymous

::  I'm in the market for a new diaper bag.  Or a second diaper bag I guess.  I want to have the option to take a backpack diaper bag with me if need be.  I've seen the Petunia Pickle Bottom bags of course, but any other suggestions for a backpack diaper bag I should take a peek at?

::  Well I finally got on instagram.  But I am having a hard time using it over my hipstamatic app.  I'm just so used to hipstamatic.  Plus sometimes I take like 4 or 5 shots of the sameish thing on my phone, and I don't want those to automatically go through to me feed (not that anyone is following me right now, but you know...) so I'm taking pictures with my regular iphone camera and then putting one or two into instagram.  Have any of you tried out instaplus?  Or I suppose I could continue using hipstamatic and just upload the photos I really want to share into instagram.  Seems so complicated, doesn't it?

:: I've still been to lazy to edit a bunch of my Georgia pictures.  But here are a few where I was practicing shooting into the sun.  Beach pictures can be tough with the sun being so bright, so I figured I'd play around with some other angles.

::  Do you wear leggings?  What is your favorite brand?  I tried really hard at making myself get dressed regularly, because I don't want to look like a slob, but if we are just going to be around the house sweatpants are way more comfortable.  I'm trying to compromise with leggings.

::  Happy Tuesday!

the plan

Lately I've had a few comments asking what I've been doing to lose the weight (20.6 pounds as of this morning!).  So I figured I'd give you a little run down.  There definitely isn't some genius plan or anything, I've just been going with the burn more calories than you eat and try and stay away from super salty, sugary or carby (that isn't a word, I know) foods.  So original right?

Diet
Probably the most significant tool throughout this whole process has been my calorie tracking iPhone app, Calorie Counter PRO by MyNetDiary.  I was able to input my current weight when I started, my goal weight, and when I hoped to achieve that goal by.  The app won't allow you to input a goal date that would have you losing more than two pounds a week, just for the record.  But you shouldn't really be aiming for more than that anyway.  You input some other items and the app spits out how many calories you should be eating a day.  Right now I'm at 1284.  It definitely disappears quickly if I don't think about what I'm putting in my mouth.

You can input your exercise, and the app gives an analysis showing how many calories you have left for the day based on your workout.  So on days I run, I generally earn an extra 400 calories or so.  I still try not to go over my 1284, but I do give myself a little wiggle room on the days I workout hard.  The app does adjust your calories as you start to lose weight, I used to be allotted somewhere between 1350 and 1400 calories.

I still need to work on my actual meals and snacks.  I've figured out how to stay under my calories, but what I'm actually eating still leaves a lot to be desired.  Pretty much every morning I eat a slice of toast with peanut butter, drink 4 ounces of orange juice, and take my vitamins.  Sometimes I'll have a Special K bar for a snack.  Lunch is generally some variety of a chicken wrap, sandwich or salad.  We've gotten pretty good at making healthy dinners, but basically just have meat and veggies.  Not a whole lot of fun there.  Almost every single night I have 1/2 a cup of chocolate frozen yogurt with 3/4 of a cup of raspberries.  I look forward to that all day :o).  Throughout the day I either drink water, or Minute Maid Diet Lemonade.  It should be more water, but I love that lemonade!  Nonetheless I try really hard not to drink my calories.

Generally when we are cooking dinner I try and find recipes that offer nutrition information, so I can get an idea of what I'm eating.  However there is an option on the Calorie Counter app to create a recipe; you input all of the different food items in the dish, click a button, and it totals it all together.  Then you can get a better idea of how much you should actually eat.

via

Some staples in my pantry lately have been Mission Life Balance Whole Wheat Tortillas, Oscar Meyer Rotisserie Chicken Breast Deli Meat, Laughing Cow Light Garlic and Herb Cheese Wedges, Special K Cracker Chips, Kemps Chocolate Frozen Yogurt, plus fruit, veggies and proteins.  Taste of Home's Healthy Cooking magazine has been pretty good to us.

A good little snack or lunch idea?  Take a tortilla, spread on the Laughing Cow cheese wedge, top it with 4 slices of chicken breast deli meat and roll it up.  You can either slice it to get a pinwheel style appetizer/snack, or if you're lazy like me you can just eat it.  Another tip... Chris has made a chicken rub that we really like (I'll have to try and get the recipe from him).  We usually go ahead and grill up all three chicken breasts that come in a pack, even though we will only use two.  Then I cut up half of the third breast the next two days for lunch, and put it either on a salad, or in a wrap with 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese and some lettuce.

So there you have it.  What I have more or less been eating the last 11 weeks.  We do still go out to eat occasionally, but I try and limit it to places where I can find nutritional information online, and plan what I will get before we go.  Applebees has a pretty decent menu for under 550 calories, and if we want something quick we usually grab Subway.  I can't believe it has been almost three months since I've had a hamburger and fries.  My biggest downfall throughout this whole thing has been sweets.  I CRAVE them all the time still.  I really thought I would be stuck missing chips and fries and things of that nature, but I seriously want to eat chocolate all the time.  And I love baking.  But I am trying to control those habits.

Exercise
As most of you know, I completed the C25K app on my iPhone.  For the first 10 weeks of this journey I alternated between the workouts on the app, and just making sure I walked at least two miles throughout the day.  We have gone on TONS of walks lately as a family, weather permitting of course.  (Stupid weather, stop being so dreary!)  Now I am doing Bridge to 10K three times a week, and attempting Jillian's Six Week Six Pack the other days, along with lots of family walks still.  Honestly?  I'm not really enjoying the video.  I'm not sure why, it isn't too difficult (although all the time spent in the freaking plank position SUCKS), not too easy, but I just hate doing it.  So I might need to come up with another option.

Random tidbit, my favorite running music includes songs by the Pussycat Dolls, Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine (hello it says 'run fast' in the song), and Imma Be by the Black Eyed Peas.  Just thought I'd throw that out there.

I think strength training is really going to be key for me throughout the rest of this journey (although cardio is still important) because even though I've lost a good amount of weight, I still feel flabby.  I'm not seeing the body that I want, or that I know I can have.  I know I don't have the energy or motivation for a rock solid body, but I know I can be more toned.  If I keep hating the video, I'm not really sure what I'm going to do that can supplement.  I definitely need a plan to follow.

Follow Through
The main reason why all of this is working right now, is because I have adapted the go big or go home mentality.  Since posting that first post, and knowing how many of you out there are reading this, I have a bit more motivation to continue on this journey.  That, combined with the fact that I actually have time and support for this right now.  I am so lucky that Chris has had so much time off over the last couple months.  He doesn't start residency until June 23rd, so now is the absolute perfect time for me get in the habit of taking care of myself.  I think really, the biggest challenge will be when he isn't around anymore.  I so hope I can keep it up.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  This has been HARD.  There are some days that I just want to sit and mindlessly snack, or just freaking eat as much pasta as I want to.  Or have three margaritas because I feel like it.  And I know I'm going to slip sometimes.  And that indulging every now and again is ok.  But I haven't yet figured out how to have the balance between the two, so until I reach my goal weight I am being very VERY cautious about doing things that will hurt my progress (I didn't keep that in mind when I made TWO batches of no-bake cookies this week.  But don't worry, I have only had one a day!)  I think the saddest part about this whole thing right now, is that I will avoid social situations where I know food will be present, because I don't trust myself to make good decisions in those settings.  Again that relates to me needing to find balance.  I'm working on it.  Because attaining my goal of a healthy body, shouldn't cause me to miss out on other things I love.

via

If you have any fitness/exercise tips or healthy snacks and meals you would like to share, please do so in the comment section.  I'm sure other people would appreciate the help, I know I would!  And if anyone out there is blogging about a health journey, let me know.  I'd love to read about it!  Linking up with Heir to Blair :o)

success.

Run a 5k?  Check.  Woot!  I have such a sense of accomplishment about this.  Was I the fastest?  No.  Did I beat my previous 5k PR?  No.  But did I run the whole thing?  Heck yes.  Did I beat my 35 minute goal?  Official time:  33:31.  Bam.

I am so very thankful that my bestie came out to run with me.  Who knows if I would have made it without her.  She completed a 5k last weekend in 33 minutes, so I knew we were going to be perfect running partners.  Except for the part where she wanted water halfway through, and being the fool I am, totally made her bypass the stand.  Oops.  Sorry Meg!

I think we were only about a mile in, no wonder we looked so chipper.

There were over 3500 women and girls at this mother's day run.  It was pretty crazy.  We lined up between the ten and eleven minute mile groups... the start was kind of rough because everyone was so packed in, and some people were abruptly stopping to walk with no warning in the middle of the course, but after a few minutes the pack started to spread out.  As we passed the guy with the stopwatch at the first mile marker, he called out 11:48.  I of course instantly thought CRAP!  We were already behind the pace I wanted to go.  At mile marker number two, we were at 21:40.  Apparently we kicked the second mile's butt (as far as I'm concerned anyway).  At that point Meaghan pointed out that the stop watch dudes were going off the gun time, but we didn't cross the start mats for about a minute or so after that.  Meaning our pace was absolutely fine and I had no reason to worry.

Apparently we slowed down quite a bit during the third mile, because our official time came in at 33:31.  Of course I was kicking myself a little when I saw that, wondering why I hadn't picked up the pace just a bit.  But Chris brought me back to reality.  "Wasn't your goal to be under 35 minutes?"  "Yeah."  "Then what's the problem?"  Ok Chris.  You're right.  Plus Meg and I finished 637 and 638 out of 3567.  I'll definitely take that.  As a side note, there was a six year old who finished in like 20 minutes.  Sheesh!

my cheering squad :o)

Over the last couple weeks, I wasn't sure what my approach to running would be after this 5k.  I still don't love running.  I'm not sure I'll ever understand the people that do.  But I feel such a sense of accomplishment from meeting this goal, that I can't throw it all away.  So I downloaded Bridge to 10k on my iPhone.  It is a little daunting, seeing as the summary says the workouts range from 50-70 minutes, but I really loved the C25K app.  It kept me motivated, and gave me a plan.

Starting this week I plan to alternate between running and Jillian Michael's 6 Week Six Pack DVD.  I gave the video a half-arse try last week, and was actually a wee bit sore, so I figure it might actually do something if I really put some effort in to it.  I was thinking it was going to be a very ab focused workout... nope.  Well kind of I guess, but it definitely works everything else as well.  And Jillian is actually nice in this video, which was a surprise.  I haven't tried the 30 Day Shred or Ripped in 30 yet (both of which I ordered off Amazon as well), but I have a feeling this is a much easier workout than those.  So if you are wanting to try a Jillian DVD but aren't ready to die yet, this might be a good start for you :o).

Ryann was really proud of me.  I swear :o)  Or loving her Cheerios, whatever.

I'm hoping that in the next six weeks I can get pretty close to my goal weight.  As of this morning my total lost is 18.2 pounds (At one point I was down 19 pounds, but another indulgent weekend brought the scale up a bit this morning).  I weigh what I did the day I got married, and was able to wear my pre-pregnancy jeans (size 8's that were in the goodwill box because they were too small) this weekend.  They weren't even a bit tight.  I have 14.2 pounds to go to meet my goal.  The 10k app is a six week program, and even though I doubt I'll have an actual six pack in six weeks, since both the DVD and the app are both aimed for results in a six weeks, I am excited to see how it goes.

Honestly, when I started this journey to a healthier me ten weeks ago, I didn't think I would make it this far.  Since I've been out of college it has been so hard to keep my eating and my weight in check.  I'm not sure what clicked in my brain that allowed me to succeed this time, but I'm so happy it is working.  And I am so thankful for everyone out there who is supporting me.  All of your kind words (and the fact that I know that you know what I'm trying to accomplish) really keep me going!

For all of you out there who think you aren't strong enough or fast enough or whatever enough, I leave you with my pinterest motivation of the week.

via

Get out there and get moving.  Even if just a little bit.  You can do it.

headband obsession

Whew! We just got back from spending a little time at the resort (aka my parents house :o) so I'm feeling a little out of sorts. But oh well, it was great to hang out with my parents for the weekend, and let Ry spend a little time in the pool. And I mean a little time. The water had been perfect for a while, but of course it rained before we went, so she thought it was a little chilly! Anway...

I've had a few people ask about where I get all of Ryann's headbands. Where else? Etsy. I love that site. It distracts me for HOURS. Plus, I have the etsy addict app on my iPhone now, so I can browse etsy pretty much anytime anywhere. Its terrible. Especially considering my headband obession. I don't know why I feel like Ry needs so many, but I do. Probably because with her short little blonde hair makes her look rather bald, and although I try not to care, I don't exactly love it when people ask me how old my little guy is.

The most recent headband purchse I made was from etsy seller lisigirl. I found all of my skinnier colored headbands there. All 20 of them. Yes 20 :o). For $7.50! No, there isn't much to them, but they have a loop to put clips on, they are super soft and don't dent Ry's head, and she has 40 colors to choose from. I also purchased 6 flower clips for $9.00. Not too bad right? It's a great way to get a headband that matches every outfit. You can get all 40 different colored headbands for $15.

Here are some other headbands I wouldn't mind having in Ry's collection :o).

find it here


find it here


find it here

find it here

There are so many others. Man I love etsy. And headbands. :o)

blogging from bed

Yesterday morning I couldn't sleep. I woke up 2 HOURS before Ry, at 5:20am. So when I couldn't get back to sleep I shopped the iPhone app store.

I ended up purchasing one called 'blogpress'. We shall see how posting from the phone goes.




I'll leave you with Ry chillin' in the bed yesterday morning.

Hopefully this actually posts to my blog...

*EDIT* The post did make it to my blog, so I can successfully post from my phone! Only a couple of things I don't like... it made the picture pretty small, and I don't think I can add my labels. Oh well, I'll survive. I suppose I can fix those things when I'm at a computer.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

ryann and the iPhone

Today I upgraded my iPhone to the 3GS. Definitely not necessary, but hey, I figured I have a kid so I might want a phone that takes video :o). Completely logical right? I thought so. I also downloaded a fun new app called Hipstamatic (sorry it isn't a free one, but it only cost $2). It is a camera app that allows you to take vintage style photos. You can change between a few lenses, and a few different types of film. You can also buy more lenses and more film styles. It probably does some other things as well, but this is as far as I have gotten.

And in honor of my new phone, here is a video of Ry enjoying the iPhone. The video was taken on Chris's camera. Please disregard my stupid voice.

She seriously loves staring at anything that produces light.