Exploring the outside in fall....

Here was a picture I snapped on one of our nightly walks. The fall is here so it's absolutely PERFECT for outdoor activities!

Apparently, Sophie, my sisters dog loves the outdoors in the fall too! I hope this weekend we will be able to make it to one of the pumpkin farms!! Last year we took Noelani with Ashley (Antoines sister). They had fun, but Noey was too little to really run around and enjoy it. In fact, it's crazy to think that she wasn't even walking this time last year!! 

Tonight, we went to a birthday party. It was so weird thinking about the differences from last year to this year. Last year, I remember having to hold her the WHOLE time during the party. I also remember having to sit upstairs and try to get her to take a nap! This year - it was SO different. She was one of the "big" kids - running around with all the other kiddos and playing with the toys. I actually got a few minutes to relax here and there while she wandered off and played.

A quick update on me: I've been sticking to my diet/exercise as best as I can. I have a TERRIBLE ear infection right now, and what I believe is a pulled muscle in my neck/back from lifting the treadmill. I slept for 13 hours last night...and I REALLY did not want to go on the treadmill tonight. I did eat a piece of pizza and a cupcake tonight, so I knew it was absolutely necessary to get on there. I got my butt on there and actually beat my best time. I'm ashamed at what my "best" time is lol so I won't post that....but I will say I have cut the time it takes me to do a mile down by 3 minutes from my initial time 2 weeks ago. I have already lost close to 5 pounds....it's hard to actually tell because with it coinciding with my cycle, I'm not sure if it could be more/less of a loss because of my bloating, etc. Either way, I'm satisfied to say that's about a 2.5 lb loss each week. It will take me a LONG time to lose the weight, I'm sure....I just hope to stick with it. I've found that the weekend last week was much harder to stick with than the weekdays. I have to work on that!

My gift to myself.....the journey of a healthy lifestyle

HERE they are - my first official pair of running sneakers. I said I'd give myself a week before I bought some. Mainly because I have tried to "eat better" so many times before and never stuck to it.

I knew I deserved these tonight because I have been on my treadmill every.single.night. Also, I have NOT strayed from my diet. Yes, I did indulge in a SMALL ice cream last night (a dilly bar from Dairy Queen which is 210 calories exactly) - BUT I made sure I saved enough calories in my diet plan so that I could enjoy this). 

Tonight, Antoine wanted to go to Red Lobster (and has been begging to go for months). I was so nervous to "eat out" while dieting. I didn't think I could control myself. However, I did just the opposite!

I made sure to order a garden salad and the light balsamic vinaigrette dressing. I got a lemon water....and they serve rolls while you wait for your food. I knew I shouldn't eat one....but this was my downfall tonight. I shared one with Noey. THEN she wanted another one so I ate another half. So I had one little roll. By the time my fish came I actually wasn't that hungry! I ate a third of my Tilapia/Linguine and had to pack the rest to go home. I really thought I did pretty good actually. Antoine had battered/fried shrimp and I would be a liar if I said I didn't want to try some! He even said "just try it!"....but I resisted the temptation and packed the food.

Because I have completed a week of sticking to this - I know I can do it. 

After dinner we went to a couple of stores because we are scheduled for pictures tomorrow with {{Lindsey Robinson}} check out her site (LOVE!!!!) and wanted to get Antoine a new outfit. I ended up with a pair of sneakers.

By the time we got home, it was 8:30, and I was pooped. Noelani needed a bath....and as I type now, I'm ready for bed. I told Antoine "ugh I don't feel like this treadmill tonight". He said "just skip it then"......WELL, that was all I needed to hear and I got my butt in gear and tried out those new sneakers and completed a mile on there! 

Funny moment of the night - I got Noey some oranges as a side with her chicken tonight (instead of fries) - and she kept saying "YELLOW YELLOW!!!!!" when asking for them. Hey - she knew they were SOME type of color!!

I am hoping I can stick to this healthier lifestyle. I know that I might have bumps in the road and slip up a bit - but I need to do this. 

YAWN - ok I need to take my butt to bed because  little miss gymnast has class at 9am and I will barely have the energy for it!!!

Allergies & Progress!!

Here is Noelani, in all of her glory at my cousins baby shower. CHOWING down on probably one of the 20 strawberries she ate. Up until about a month ago, she would break out into the worst rash ever if she ate berries. It was really weird!! I tried it every couple months to retest....and suddenly, she didn't get a rash. I tried it a couple of more times and we had success!!!!! Weird how kids grow out of allergies so sudden! Thank GOD it is the only known allergy she had. So far we have been very lucky not to run into any other unknown allergies. That's one thing about adoption that can be scary. We know very limited medical health information about her birth family. 

She was so happy eating these berries she kept running around and spinning in the hall!

I snapped this picture, and even though she has a cheesy grin, I just cannot believe how big my baby is getting! 

I also think we figured out what some of our sleep issues have been! Two nights ago I checked her mouth thinking MAYBE some of her mid night waking was a 2 yr molar. There was NOTHING there, although it felt like her gums were hard - but it's just impossible to see that far back in her mouth. WELL, last night I was on the treadmill and Antoine said "Jenn, why is the floor all wet over here?!". I then noticed her shirt was drenched in the front and she was chewing on a toy. I stuck my finger in her mouth and TADA she is getting her two yr molar on the top left. That's what all the wet floor was from - my poor baby drooling! I asked her if she wanted Tylenol and she said "YESSSSS"

We had a bedtime with no tears and I am happy to report she went to bed around 9pm and slept until 6am! WOO HOO!!!

Speaking of treadmills, I am happy to report I have used it every single night so far. I am sticking to my diet and very proud of myself. I hope to at least lose 10-15 lbs by Thanksgiving/Christmas. I think that's a reasonable goal for now. I am starting to learn when to stop eating when I am full and NOT to continue to eat just because it tastes good. Tonight, I made shrimp fajitas and after a little rice and half of the fajita I was so stuffed I couldn't possibly eat anymore if I wanted. THAT is a big accomplishment for me.