Spring is here!

I know, I have been absolutely HORRIBLE at updating my blog and I should do it more often(I say this every year, almost every post!haha) It's been 2 months (almost) since my last post, so its about time :)

What can I really say though. My main focus these last two months is getting my weight down and under control. I have been really dedicated to the cause (FINALLY!) and since Christmas I have lost a total of 22.9lbs! Woo hoo!! I am a numbers and results person. My motivation is seeing the improvement. When I don't, I lose all motivation. It's addicting too. Although I am happy I've lost as much as I have, am still not even half way to my goal of what I want to lose. But I am close to half way!

Some may say to me "why do you want to lose so much weight?". Well, for one, I never lost the weight from when I got pregnant with Elyse and just gained MORE when I was pregnant with Alistair, and then didn't lose that either. I was at the biggest I had ever been and I wasn't carrying a child. I was avoiding seeing people and going to parties. I even went to a party of people I hadn't seen since befoore pregnancy and the look on their faces was a little surprising. Although I know it wasn't intentional and not meant to hurt my feelings but it made me realize, I am huge. I am not only bigger than ever, I hate how I look. 

I was avoiding cameras and people. It don't want to be a mom that doesn't take photos with my kids. I don't want to think "my looks are fading" or my "best years are behind me". I want to be the size or close to the size I was when I first moved to Seattle. I was a happy, confident person. I was comfortable with how I looked. So thats my goal. 

How am I doing this? The first thing I did was buy a fitbit. I have worn my fitbit flex every single day since the day I got it. It was one of the best investments for my weight loss. It made me realize how inactive I am/was. I was aiming to hit a goal of 10,000 steps a day. I got one back in August of 2013. Still to this day, it is hard for me to meet that goal, but I am trying harder to get there than I first did.

Then I joined stroller strides. This was a decent workout that I could do without dropping my kids at daycare. Unfortunately, the franchise I was at closed at the end of October 2013. So then I tried Barre class, and that was AWESOME!! the workout was sooo hard, but it was really expensive, so that didn't last long. Finally, I signed up for the Jingle Bell 5k in Dec. I ran it and it felt so rewarding since I am a self-proclaimed "non-runner".  Then someone new was buying the Renton Stroller Strides so I went to a "meet and greet" she was having. There she mentioned how she how she was going to teach the Body Back Program.

So I decided to sign up for Body back over stroller strides. Best decision ever. Body back really made me realize how much improvement I needed and that I could do it. On top of that, as I mentioned before, I am training for a few runs. I did a 5k in early march and beat my last time by abound 10 min. MY next run is the Seahawks 12k in April which I have been training for. Next I have the Run like a Mother 5k which I hope to beat my last time.  Then Bay to Breakers in May, but I heard you can't really run because it's so crowded. Then lastly, I signed both Cole and I up for the Rock n Roll half Marathon on June 21st. So that is what I will be training for after the 12k. whew!! its going to be hard but I can do this!!!

So with the training and Body Back (I signed up for another session) I work out 5-6 days a week. On top of that, I use Myfitness Pal app to track my calories. This has been a big contributor to my weight in my opinion. I start every morning with a cup of water water and half a lemon squeezed, I cut out caffine, but I still drink decaf drinks, and count my calories for the rest of the day. Also my fitbit connects to the MFP app and the more steps I get the more calories I can eat. I log or scan all my food. I also have my food journal open so others can see it. It keeps me honest and more accountable. I also have given up desserts for lent and hope to continue to cut out desserts. Not completely because, what kind of life is a life without desserts?!

 But before all of this, the first thing I do is weight myself, every morning. I look forward to it, and I spend my day making better choices so that the next day when I get on the scale the number changes for the better :) 

It is a fitbit scale so it also syncs to the MFP app which shows me how much I lost which is great!

Anyways, hopefully what I am doing continues to work and I can get to my goal weight someday!!

How's the resolution going??

Usually at this point, many people have forgotten their resolutions and there are the few that are still going for it, and then there are the others that have decided to just give up. Well, I'm happy to say, I am still full-blown working on my resolution. Everyday reminding myself that I am doing this for the good of myself and family and no one else. 

I have signed up for a great program through Stroller Strides called Body Back. It is an 8 week long program with a meal plan and workouts twice a week plus homework(more working out and reminding us to stay motivated). I'm doing this with my friend Amanda and we are four weeks into it. So far, so good!! 6 lbs down and I feel so much better! The meal plan is easier than I had expected too which is really helpful!! On the days we aren't in class, Amanda and I have been starting to train for the Seahawks 12k run in April. (It's April 13th and cole is doing it as well, so if anyone wants to come and babysit, that would be awesome!!!)

I also have a 5k on March 5th, but at this point in the training, it will be a breeze. Honestly though, I am not a runner, never have been. I have really impressed myself with amount of running I have been able to complish lately!! Yesterday, according to my training plan, I needed to run 2 miles. So I went to the gym and ran 2 miles on the treadmill, and went home and felt like it wasn't enough. I took the kids and went on a walk/run of 3.75 miles. Yes thats a total of 5.75miles rather than the 2 I needed to do. 

Now, when I say I "ran" 2 miles, I mean I ran as much of it as I could. I am not yet able to run 2 miles straight. But I run about 95% of it which is more than I have ever been able to do. Also, I run very very slow and I am okay with that. When I try to run faster, I end up walking more. So I prefer my slow pace. I saw this great quote that I repeat to myself daily "I run slower than a pack of turtle through peanut butter, but I run." It's me. Plus, I love turtles and it makes me think of my old turtle Arnie, going through peanut butter :).

On a different note, YAY to my SEAHAWKS!!! Super Bowl Champs!! Also, I must say, everyone is giving Sherman soooo much flack for this interview after his ninners game and at first, I was pretty turn off by it all. But when I think about it more, I think its ridiculous how much people are upset by it. It's a game for the rest of us, this is his job, his career. He was heated and got passionate and it was on TV. He said in an interview, people want him to be a robot on tv and he's not. He is a person and I believe he has the right to get upset. For those pointing the finger and saying "shame on you", have you never gotten upset at work and cussed under your breath or even at someone??? yea... didn't think so. His just happens to be on TV and everyone gets to see him at the best and worst of times. No one is perfect. So yes, after its all said and done. I like Sherman. There I said it!

Go Hawks!!!! On to many more victories!! 

Lastly, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

New year, New Dreams

Belated Hello!!!

As usual, "It's been awhile!" haha

Well, another new year, and another new dream. It's that time where everyone talks about their New Years resolutions. If you're anything like me, I break them or forget by the time valentines day comes around. A whole year is a LONG time to remember a resolution. I decided that this year my resolution will be more vauge and hopefully more attainable!

So my resolution is stop thinking about what everyone else thinks of me, and do things to make myself a little happier. Since being a stay at home mom, I have been more depressed and unable to see the good in what I do and always the bad. I constantly worry about the sterotype and in the beginning it was about losing who I was. I didn't realize how much having a child would turn my entire life into a different one. I mean, I knew, I heard people telling me, but it's one of those things that you can't really know till you get there. 

Anyways, there no "lose weight" goal or "write a novel" goal. Simply, (or not so simply) stop caring so much about everyone else and work on myself. How am I going about this without being uber selfish? Well, when I think about it, the things that would make me happy is 1) having a happy and healthy family. 2)have a happy and healthy body 3) having happy and healthy relationships. 

For the first, the more I do and with my family and not try to give myself "pinterest stress". Also stop comparing myself to other moms and wives, and just do my own best the better off I will be. Keeping a postivie attitude (but I am still allowed to get upset) and just not beat myself up so much for not being the best at anything. Having dinner on the table when I can, get my kids to eat better foods and teaching them things wheter they actually pick it up or not. I have also realized, I'm a better mom when I get a break. So I am trying to find a new hobby that helps me gett away for a few hours a month. Right now I have tried painting, but it's $$$ so I don't know if I can keep it up. 

For the second, I can't go on any kind of diet. Its not my personality and it will cause me a lot of mental stress that I am already trying to avoid. Instead, I will try to make better choices but still allow myself some of my weaknesses (smores). Food makes me happy so I can't deprive myself of it. Plus, when trying to cook for a toddler and adults, it gets tricky. Instead, I want to work out more. I enjoy working out but finding the time is VERY difficult. I've signed up for a few runs coming up! the Seahawks 12k at the landing and the hot chocolate run :) Looking ot sign up for more. Those are also not cheap but it keeps me from flaking and I have to run no matter what!!! (plus I invested in lots of running/workout stuff this christmas so I NEED to use it!)

For the last, I always worry about bugging people or offending people. But I shouldn't with my friends. So I am going to try harder to be myself. Also to just invite people to do things even if i feel like I am bugging everyone. I know I would rather be invited to something I can't go to then not invited at all. Also to focus on those that also focus on me. I spent a lot of my life making lots and lots of friends and for a long time (when I didn't have kids and had the time to maintain all those friendships) I had a lot of friends. But since becoming a mom, it's been very difficult. Not only do I have a hard time staying friends with some people, it's been hard to make new friends since my whole world revolves around being a stay at home mom. So I want to be a better friend to those that have decided that I was a friend to keep and am still friends with. Those are obviously the important ones. But I am going to to try to not stress about the friendships that have drifted apart. 

To finish this up, its a lot when I think about it. But by the end of the year, I want to be a happier person and hope that some of that happiness willl rub off on others :)

Belated Happy Holidays!

Alistair by weeks

I've spent a lot of time collecting photos apps and making these fun memories of my son. I wish I had done this for Elyse too.

Some of these are "old pictures" for some of you, but I thought it would be fun to see them side by side and see how far he's come :)

ps the last post about arbonne was written 2 months ago and i just noticed it didn't post. So I sent it through again. 

Arbonne!!

Some may have noticed some of my recent posts on facebook and pinterest about Arbonne!

What is Arbonne and why am I posting about it? Well it's this great company I have decided to work for as an independent consultant. Arbonne is a company that produces botanically based ultra premium skin care products, cosmetics and wellness products. I have been using the skin care and wellness products and love them. I think I am borderline obsessed with them actually.

They contain no chemical dyes, fragrances and carcinogens, 100% vegan certified(which means no animal testing and no animal products or by-products), paraben free and swiss formulated. It's wonderful!! I feel like for the first time in my life that I am actually taking care of my skin and enjoying it!

What do I do as an independent consultant? Currently, I am in training, but anyone can become one. But once I am comfortable, I can have people book parties with me where they invite friends over and learn about Arbonne. This is something that is going to take some time for me to be comfortable with and learn more about the products and company, but it's something I am really excited about and hope I stick with it.

If you are interested in learning more about Arbonne or want to host a party(oh and as a host you can get discount on products based on sales at the party and a small free gift!), email me hsvangundy@gmail.com.

Why am I doing this? Well, I have been a stay at home mom for over two years now. I enjoy staying with my kids a lot but am also looking for a way to get some social interaction, get out of my work out clothes and pjs, make a little money and keep my brain educated by learning new things! Also, I really do like the product and learning about the key elements and active ingredients in things, then comparing it to what I use on myself and family on a daily basis.

It's not easy to do right now or give it my 100% all. Adjusting to life with two kids at home and having a happy family is still my main focus in life. This is a nice and exciting side project for me that I would like to try to be successful with!

So if I ask you "can you host an arbonne party for me?" I apologize now if it's annoying, but I have to at least try! You don't have to buy anything at all, if anything just hear what I have to say about the company and products. I really do believe in them.

For example, right now I am using the RE9 anti-aging set face set and also the RE9 Firming cream among many other products. I am using the Firming cream on my ugly stretch marks I have gotten from my most recent pregnancy and I can already tell the difference. They aren't gone (yet!) but they are absolutely fading!! It's amazing!!!

The other thing I really like is the ABC Arbonne Baby Care line. I got it for Alistiar. He's a lot more fair skinned than Elyse was/is and I notice red blotches on him from time to time. After I started using the ABC on him, they faded! Now they are mostly gone! Their diper rash cream is great too. It's not as thick and pasty as most diaper rash creams are so a little goes a VERY long way!

Anyways, posts might be shorter lately due to my kids demands, but I wanted to post about it really quick. I will continue to post about my progress and of course the family :)

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Our first three weeks of a family of four

  

It's been three weeks since our family has become a family of four and only one week since I've been doing it alone(during the day). It hasn't been too bad!

I know it can definitely be worse, but it is also by no means easy. Alistair is still only waking between 1-3 times a night but has been waking at 6am for hours while Elyse sleeps till 8am. Which if I had it my way, I would be sleeping till 8am as well. But he's been pretty good otherwise. I dont know if maybe because I have a better idea of what to do and what to stress and not to stress about. My hands are definitely full though. Elyse is in the middle of potty training (she's getting it!) and also moved to a toddler bed. On top of that, she managed to get a cold. So it's been hard being on top of all of those things and keep her away from her brother. The potty training is going better. She's been at it since her brother was born and recently is going days without accidents and going both poop and pee in the potty so thats a big plus!

The toddler bed thing is a different issue. She likes it, but she likes her ability to get out whenever she wants too. The chanagelle here is a safety issue of making sure she doesn't leave her room and get into something, but also she gets up at random times of the night, opens her door and yells for us. So we have 2 kids getting up in the middle of the night now, awesome. 

We are trying to not move backwards and are sticking to the toddler bed for now, but we have the pack n play set up in her room in case she just won't stay in bed. We haven't had to use it in a week though. It's been exhuasting since we have double duty, but not terrible. Although, it is almost 11am, and all I have had is a half a cup of coffee and I've been up since 6am. (maybe I should eat instead of blog)

I have noticed I am not as stressed out as I was last time or even while I was pregnant. I don't know if it's because I'm home all the time(with potty training and two kids, its hard to leave) so I am always comfortable or if its because I'm fairly busy, but either way, I'm not as upset all the time with Elyse or the dogs so thats good!!

Here are some of Alistair's recent adventures in the last 3 weeks :)

Sleeping

First bath at home(after his belly button came off)

Working out at the activity gym

"I can't believe I'm related to these people"

His big hands!

"My sister is already dressing me up without my consent"

Family time at the beach

I dont know where she learned this from, but Brody didn't care

This is the face I always see. It means "i need a nipple in my mouth!"

my little man and I

Hes a fan of the ergo

more cute sleeping

He's wearing crabs!!!!

Here's a few photos of him growing :

Birth

The one week old pictures are from his newborn photos and I don't have the rights to use those just yet. So soon!!

Alistair Coulston Van Gundy

  So we made it!! All the way to 39 weeks and the scheduled repeat c section!

It was a very very different experiance this time. Although I had a c section with Elyse and knew what was coming, it was still scary and unpredictable. With Elyse, the things that hurt, didn't hurt this time, and the things that didn't hurt last time, hurt a little this time. Last time I wasn't a fan of the IV getting put in, and the cathedar being taken out. Those 2 things didn't hurt a bit this time. Maybe because I was expecting it to hurt a lot! 

The day before

In the recovery room getting preped!

But my spinal didn't really hurt this time, but the sting of the numbing meds hurt more than I had remembered. The one that this was predictable was that laying on the table while being cut open was still one of the most unpleasant feelings I have ever had. I just worried that at any moment, something could go wrong and I would suddenly feel EVERYTHING! Due to this fear I was gaging and spitting up. Basically making myself sick with worry. There was a lot more moving and a shaking this time. Apprently, my little boy was 1, not engaged in my pelvis(he hadn't dropped yet) and 2, not ready to come out at all!! They tried to vaccum him out, which didn't work and had a very hard time pulling him out of me. He was hanging on!!! My OB later told me that they thought that if she had let me go until I went into labor naturally, that he would have gone to 42 weeks and then had to do a c section anyways. He was NOT coming. HAHA

Cole was trying to distract me and asking me questions. One of them being "so how big do you think he'll be?" Cole guessed 7lbs something and I said 8lbs 1oz. 

So my daughter was really early, and my son didn't want to leave :) Maybe he's a mommy's boy already? :)

Alistair Coulston Van Gundy was born July 3rd 2013 at 8:06am. 8lbs 9oz and 21 inches. He pooped coming out and then was immediately hungry. Different from Elyse, I got to hear him cry coming out of me. I wasn't prepared for it because I was busy worring about myself and then when I heard him I immediately started crying. I was so overwhelmed with emotion it was strange. I did not have this with Elyse because I was just in a different time of my life and I knew there were still obstacales ahead with her breathing, and health. 

Once he was out, I say the pediatrican take him and clean him up. I heard them talk about how he pooped, and then he was a little bundle wrapped in swaddle and handed to Cole. So surreal, I have a daughter AND a son now!Cole brought him over(im still being sewed up on the table) and he looked nothing like I had expected yet completely perfect at the same time. I couldn't believe that a few minutes ago he was still in my womb and I was pregnant.

Getting cleaned up!

He was bigger than I had expected, and looked nothing like Elyse. I thought he would be the boy version of Elyse, but they couldn't look more different! Elyse had a darker complexion coming out, dark hair, dark eyes, and obviously really small. He has light hair, light eyes, and fair skin. When Cole brought him up to me, he was so cute. He was sticking his tounge out and licking his lips :) The pedi came over and said "he's hungry". hahaha unfortunately for him, he was going to have to wait till I was done being sewed up :)

Cole was holding him and Alistair was showing me he was hugnry while I was being sewed up

Once I was done, they put him in my arms and wheeled me to my recovery room. He was SO cute. Then a few minutes later, he was breastfeeding. He latched pretty easily and was doing great :)

The rest of the stay was pretty good. My parents came with Elyse and she got to meet her baby brother. She was SOOO good with him and still continues to be interested in him everyday. 

So excited to meet her brother!!!

That first night was tough though. Since we didn't get to have elyse in the room with us last time, this was also another one of those "firsts" for us. He cluster fed that whole night. It was unexpected for us and really hard. He wsa basically eating for 4 hrs straight with burps in the middle as a break. We were SOOO tired. Plus I was all drugged up and we had both barely slept the night before. 

The second night was a little better. Not as much cluster feeding and was eating every 3-4 hrs. When we left the hospital on friday mid morning, he was 7lbs 9 oz, so still getting back to his birth weight. Oh I forgot to mention, the hosptial was really awesome!! They had photogrpahers that came around(of course you had to buy the photos though) and massages(also needing to be purchased, but worth it!). The some of photos on this post were from his third day of life in the hospital room by the photographers.

my handsome boys

Coming home!!! His hat says "born at Swedish"