My Little Lady Will Be Turning 7

I cannot believe that in just 15 days my little baby girl will be turning 7 years old.  I remember like it was yesterday, contracting in the rinky dink Labor and Delivery ward that was Fort Bliss Army Hospital, crying my eyes out waiting to get into an exam room and watching other pregnant women walking by me on a tour of the L&D wing.  I remember getting so many stares because of how much pain was showing on my face.  Contractions hurt people, so yes, I'm going to cry.  I remember my mother looking at them saying, "This will be you soon!" Haha, she showed them. 

I remember being in the exam room for all of 5 minutes when they finally said, "Yup, this baby is coming." I looked at them with a confused look on my face.  Clearly I was thinking, "Ya think?" About an hour later my mother got a call from my husband asking where we were. He thought we were going to Walmart to walk around and jump start my contractions.  I still to this day do not know how he did not see me doubled over in pain, with tears running down my cheeks, as a sign of me NOT being in labor. Men. 

After my mother informed him of where we really were, he got in the car right away and drove over.  When he got there he asked, "Why didn't you tell me you were in labor?" Ugh, men.  Needless to say, I did NOT answer that question. 

A couple of hours went by and eventually my husband got hungry, but since the cafeteria at the hospital was closed he had to go down the road to Burger King.  By the time he got back he ended up walking into the room with doctors and nurses surrounding me telling me to push. What an idiot. He just HAD to go get food. I wasn't allowed to eat, so why should he be allowed? Makes no sense to me. 

Finally, after 5 and a half hours of labor and pushing, my baby girl arrived.  I remember seeing her little face and tiny toes and I could not help but cry tears of happiness, joy, and love.  She was so beautiful and tiny and perfect. 

I looked at my husband and saw the same tears running down his face.  She was everything he had wished for.  The next day Ed brought our son to finally meet his little baby sister.  He was so happy.  You could tell he was excited to be a big brother. (Oh, how times have changed on that front) 

She has grown into a beautiful little woman, packed with personality, sassyness, kindness, a smile that lights up a room, and hugs that warm you to your soul. I am so proud of my baby girl. 

So, for her birthday, I will be making a layered confetti cake with pastel icing. There will be different colors between each layer and will totally reflect her crazy and outgoing personality.  

For decoration, I'm envisioning a lot of pink. Pink tablecloths, pink streamers, pink, pink, pink...  

Last year I taped a clear plastic sheet to her door and stuffed it with balloons so when she opened her door there was a balloon avalanche. It was funny.

She loved it and was completely surprised. This year, I have to top it.  I can't wait!

Days 3 to 11

I know I said when I started that I would post something every day and tell you about my progress.  Well, as many of you know, life gets busy.  Life got pretty busy with kids, work, working out and school.  So here I am on Day 11, the first day of the Max Phase and for me I am taking MNS (metabolic nutrition system) Max E for maximum energy.  

Lets go back to Day 3.  Day 3 was pretty easy going.  Besides the fact that I had a huge essay to write for my Sociology final, I was able to get in a good 2 hour workout and a little Jillian Michaels on the side.  By the way, I still stand by what I said before.  That lady is crazy mean, but she is crazy lean and if I have to do what she says to look like her, I totally will.  The next few days were pretty much the same except I had some work time in there and I also managed to get my hair cut.  It's short and cute and I'm loving it.  I had cut it back in June before I got the job at Great Clips, but just a few days ago I got it cut a little shorter because my bangs kept bugging me. Ugh! 

Here is what I look like now! (this was taken after I first got it cut back in June)

Even though it is super cute and I love it to death... this is what it looks like in the morning... (this was yesterday)

I look like I should be in a Flock of Seagulls tribute band. 

Back to the challenge.  I started noticing an increase in my energy, even more so than after drinking just a Spark.  I have more focus and am able to get a lot done without becoming distracted as I normally would.  I have been feeling more rested when I wake up in the mornings. And not to mention, now that it is Day 11, I am down 3 pounds and have lost 3.5 inches.  Now, I know this may not seem like I have lost a lot, but I started out pretty small.  My main goal for this was to lose a couple pounds, but mostly inches and to become more toned.  I also wanted to gain more energy.  So all in all, I am on the right track and I am more than pleased with the results so far. 

A friend of mine has been doing the challenge right along side me.  She has lost 6.2 pounds and has lost 5 inches.  I am so happy for her and cannot wait to see her results after the challenge is up and as she continues on her AdvoCare journey.  I can totally see the change in her and I see her almost every day. She is doing fantastic!

We both still have 14 days to go, but our time does not stop there.  The 24 Day Challenge is simply a jumping off point.  It is only the beginning to an amazing path to becoming healthy and fit and also debt free. I'm so excited!

Rocking Out While I Work Out

As you know I have been posting a lot about AdvoCare and the 24 Day Challenge.  I have also been working out a lot.  This morning I had an idea.  Since I write about how much I have been working out, why not share the music I listen to while I'm working?  So, here I am to deliver some ideas to you of different music may not have thought of listening to and some you probably already have on your list. 

My Workout Playlist:

"I Wanna Go" - Britney Spears

"Bangarang" - Skrillex

"Roar" - Katy Perry

"Girl On Fire" - Alicia Keys

"Bleed it Out" - Linkin Park

"Can't Hold Us" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

"Do it Like a Dude" - Jessie J (this song is a little explicit, but it's a great song for chicks that can do things just as well as guys)

"Applause" - Lady Gaga

"I Need Your Love" Calvin Harris ft. Ellie Goulding

"Little Talks" - Of Monsters and Men

"Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons

"Bleeding Out" - Imagine Dragons

"Bulletproof" - La Roux

These songs help me push myself and keep going. I love getting a good workout in.