One thing at a time

Well....seriously...what the heck?!  A little behind here.  The holidays are all done, well except for New Year's, but things are heading back to normal.  Well, whatever that is right? 

I had a previous post about not wanting to really diet but change my lifestyle.  My sister is wonderful and is willing to help and do this along with me!  I have been putting it off because of the holidays and not having a lot of time to get things together.  Then last week I came down with a nasty cold and finally feeling better over a week later.  So here we go!!!  She read an article stating things to do to clear both your mind and your body.  And one was to watch less TV.  Usually I have the TV on for the majority of the day.  Not always watching it but have it on at least.  I turned it off after talking with her yesterday morning and turned on my radio.  It felt GREAT!  Weird thing to make you feel better, but it sure did.  Cole did watch his Mickey DVD  after nap but while he was down I kept it off and it was so nice.  So now today I think I will take and throw away all my junky icky food.  It's hard because I would love to get Mike on this train with me but thats next to impossible.  So I am actually thinking of putting a lock on a container and giving Mike the code to it...haha.  But seriously thinking of it.  So that is my new life change things for the day.  Here goes nothing!  And maybe head to the grocery store for some new foods.  I've realized it's too hard to try and change everything all at once.  So one thing at a time....

So on another note....I am going to share some Christmas pics of Cole.  He loved his first Christmas and had a good time with unwrapping his gifts.  So enjoy those and Happy New Year's everyone!

                                                   Cole with Mom and Papa before opening gifts.

This was his expression after getting paper off of a gift!  So great to see that excited face.

With all of his stocking goodies.  Plus the stocking that Mike's mom made him.  Turned out great.

Taking a nap on the way to Nana and Papa's house with his new Mickey that Santa brought him.



Just a few more days....

Believe it or not Christmas is just around the corner!  I have finished my shopping as of Friday, and let me say it feels so good.  And it definetly looks like we are going to have a white Christmas!!  I'm one happy girl. 

Mike and I have decided not to exchange gifts this year.  Normally I would be bummed but I'm ok with it this year.  We have struggeled lately and I'm just happy that we get to spend 4 days in a row as a family.  Super excited for Cole to open his gifts,  I konw that he won't care about really anything but the wrapping paper and the mickey mouse that is on them!  But will still be fun.

We are blessed that we are able to spend the holidays with both famlies.  We will spend Christmas Eve with his and then head up to my parents for the weekend until Monday.  Can't wait. 

So tonight Cole and I made his gift for Mike.  It was an idea I got from a friend who got the idea from another blog.  I wanted to get him something from Cole but keep it very reasonable in price.  And let me tell you, I accomplished that mission!  I will post a pic.  Hopefully Mike will find some sentiment to it like a girl would, but he's a guy so shouldn't expect too much huh?! 

I spend all day yesterday (Sunday) baking cookies with my Mother-in-law.  We had a great time.  I am so lucky to have such great in-laws.  While we baked,  Grandpa watched and played with Cole.  Got on the floor and played around with him, he's so lucky to have two sets of grandparents that absolutely adore him.  He is definetly not lacking in the love department!  There are many more great memories to create and some will come this weekend with his first Christmas!

Below are a few pics as usual.  Enjoy!

The gift from Cole to Daddy.  The brown blog thing is Cole's handprint the best we could get.

I just had to share this one!  Helping with the dishes...lol

Random thoughts.....

It's been a few days here.  I've had so many thoughts.  First of all Cole and I did our donation to the Humane Society.  Now all we need to do is find a toys for tots drop box and then we wil be all set.  We picked up some dishes spray bottles, and some bleach.  We put them in a Christmas bag and dropped them off.  It felt so good and it starts our tradition.  Then I made a huge mistake and took us through to see all the puppies.  I felt so bad and wanted to take them all home with us.  My heart just broke.  We were not able to donate much to them but it was something and now a couple of them have some new dishes. 

My sister has agreed to jump on the lifestyle change train with me.  We will have to do this living 3 hrs apart but I know we can do it!  I'm super excited.  We are going to really start pushing each other after the first of the year.  With Christmas next week its kind of a hard time to do this.  But I know we can do this!!!

Mike and I still go back and forth on if I need to find a job.  I guess I am being quite picky beause I don't want to work the nights or weekends especially since Mike works night hours.  So still looking.  Although laely I am really finding it pure joy to be home with him.  The evening time used to be my least favorite time of the day however lately it seems to be my favorite.  After we have dinner is my time to sit on the floor and play with him for a couple of hours.  It's become the best part of my day.  Especially when he sits there and says mom mom mom mom and snuggles in.  How could one not love that?!  It just melts my heart.  Its unexplainable when your little one calls you mom and lays his head on you and babbles...haha!  It's the BEST! 

So the holidays are just next week.  It's nuts howfast it comes.  Mike and I are so excited to spend time with or families and for Cole to have his first Christmas.  I know he isn't able to really understand the whole present thing but I think he is going to have a blast opening gifts and really enjoy that wrapping paper most of all!  We are so blessed to have him part of our family now and have so much to look back on this year.  But that is going to be saved for another post. 

Sorry this post is not too interesting but here are a few pics to spice it up! 

How could you not love that face?!

Him and Gunner have the same expression!

Look at those toofers!

Lifestyle change

Where oh where has my motivatin gone?!  I think I left it somewhere back in May/June.  Since having Cole I have gone from being super motivated to shed this weight and I was doing so well.  Eating right, exercising, I even fit back into my old jeans for a short time.  And now......well...that's a whole other story.

Now that Mike is working 2nd shift I find it hard to be on a normal schedule myself.  We don't eat lunch until 1 or even 2 pm and then dinner is sometimes not until 7 or 8 for me most nights.  And at that point I'm so exhausted and hungry that I find whatever I can make quickly.  And sometimes I make popcorn and have that for dinner.  Not the best habits.

Back in September Mike and I joined the YMCA.  Now that has been great.  We are able to take Cole to the daycare there so that gives me some time to myself.  And if we want we can take him swimming, which he loves.  But there are days I go and don't really push myself.  I need that person there to push me through things and push me to my limits.  But personal trainers are so dang expensive.  Ugh.....

Now is not really the best time to start a diet or I should say a lifestyle change.  But I'm going to shoot for it. I have done this and said this many times, but I have come to the point where I hate to look at myself in the mirror and dread putting on a pair of jeans because they are not comfortable and I have flub that hangs over the sides...not attractive whatsoever!  Ick.  So tonight I will eat my last treat and start fresh tomorrow.  Anyone want to join me and be my lifestyle change buddy?!  Please speak up and help me and I'll help you!

Here is to saying good bye to my comfy pants every day and hello to my jeans and a better me!  Wish me luck....cuz I am going to need all that I can get!

What a day.....

So I'm glad this day is almost over.  It has been a rollercoaster.  First of all I woke up and Mike left me a note letting me know that they are getting slow at work and we will be cutting it short so I should start looking for part time work until the salon picks up more.  I have mixed emotions about this.  Part of me would like to get out of the house (alone) and feel like I am contributing more.  But the other part of me feels guilty and want to be with my little boy.  I know it would only be part time but it's still hard.  And it all depends on the day on how I feel about it. 

Now as for what I want to do...I know I can't be picky and what not but I want a "real" job with daytime hours.  I really dread working retail.  For a couple of reasons.  One being I don't like retail hours and second of all...it's retail!  Ugh!  But part of me feels like that is all I will be able to find.  I did apply at a dermatologist office for 3 days a week and also in the Anoka School District as a para.  I would rather do something like that.  Overall I would really just appreciate it if my salon took off like a bat out of $%&*!  haha...but it's true!  It's something I LOVE doing and something I am good at.  It's my "career". 

So that started my day off kind of on a sad note...but then Cole was just a goof this morning and such a snuggler with mommy.  Made me just smile and melt.  Then however after this nap this afternoon was he crabby and full of screams.  And to top that off I ended up with another horrible headache after the gym so that did not help that situation one bit.  So at that point I was like, a job would be kind of nice!  But right before bedtime he was happy and full of smiles and giggles.  Go figure right?!

So who knows...I wish something would just fall from the sky and into my lab that was made for me to do.  In reality something else I would LOVE....if there was a job out there that paid me to scrapbook pictures for people!  Wouldn't that be great?!?!!!!  My other ideal job- besides the one I have of doing hair out of my home.  Maybe, just maybe...right?!

                                        And this is the reason why I love being home.

On that note I'm going to post a "Blog Only Special" for Dahlia Street Salon. 
When you call to make your appointment mention the "My Life" Special and you will receice a FREE deep conditioning treatment with any service or a FREE Color Glaze with your color service.  But make sure to mention the "My Life" Special!!!!  Call 651-245-8873 and don't forget my referral program...refer 5 friends or family and get a FREE haircut!



Lucky Dog

This is the time of giving.  And we can't forget all of those pets out there who are unfortunate and don't have homes and families to spend their holiday with (yes I am that person who thinks of the pets as part of the family).  Our pup is one of the very fortunate.  We did not get him from a shelter however, but I have a big heart for those that do.  My parents have a big heart and adopted their lab mix Izze from a shelter and my in-laws also have a big hear and adopted their lab/coon hound mix Gunner from a shelter. 
As another part of my giving this holiday season and another way to show Cole how to give, I have looked up supplies that shelters are always in need of.  This afternoon Cole and I will go and pick some up and drop them off at the Coon Rapids Humane Society.  There are many other ways to donate either supplies or your time.  Here is a list of supplies they need:
Common needs

• Bath towels (used)
• Batteries (AA and 9v)
• Bedding (for small animals)
• Bleach
• Canned food (adult and puppy, kitten)
• Cat bedding (fleece fabric, rugs, blankets)
• Cat brushes
• Cat toys (no cat nip, not made out of real fur)
• Clorox wipes
• Distilled water
• Dog brushes
• Feliway spray
• Fleece
• Food bowls
• Fresh veggies
• Gentle leaders (medium and large)
• Gift cards (grocery and pet supply stores)
• Kleenex
• Kongs (all sizes)
• Laundry soap (liquid)
• Litter boxes
• Litter scoops
• Newspapers
• Paper cups (3 oz.)
• Paper towels
• Spray bottles
• Timothy hay
• Treats and toys (for small animals)

And here is the website for all other information on either adoption or ways to volunteer.
http://www.animalhumanesociety.org

                                                                Our Yellow Lab Ajax.                               

                                                              My in-laws pup Gunner.

My parents pup Izze.



Happy Tuesday

Well another day is started.  I actually set my alarm for 6:10 this morning.  Last week I was getting up at 6 or so after Cole had his bottle, and I actually felt great all day.  Yesterday I didn't get up until 8:30 and was dragging all day long.  So I decided I'm going to try this out this week and get up at that time and see how it goes.  So nothing too interesting here....I'll share some cute pics of our little one.  He is now 9 months old. Not sure where this time went.  But he really is a great little guy and we are so lucky....as a matter of fact the lil stinker is up right now I can hear him as I type.  He normally isn't up for another hour or so...oh well...enjoy the pics and have a great day!

Playing outside in the snow for the first time.  Not quite sure what to think besides, "Brrrrr....."

Playing at Nana and Papa's.

This is my favorite!  This is our Christmas card.  His face says it all and shows his personality...silly!  Gosh I love this little boy!



Third time is a charm right?!

Well...this is my third blog.  The other two have failed completely!  So if I don't succeed at this one, well then I guess I wasn't made to blog I guess.  I will pretty much just share what is on my mind. 

Last night I was able to put up our Christmas tree and decorate it!  Was so nice to have some quiet time to myself.  Mike was at work and Cole was sleeping and so was the dog.  It was so nice to get it done and now to enjoy it for the next several weeks.  I just love this time of the year.  It puts me in such a great mood.  In the past years I have never thought about donating any toys or anything for the little ones.  This year I think I may pick up one and drop it off in a Toys for Tots box (gotta find one first).  But now having Cole I really do understand some stuff more.  And that is one of them.  I would be devestated if I was not able to get Cole even just one thing for Christmas.  We are fortunate and are able to get him a few things.  Plus I would like to start now and teach Cole the art of giving.  I know he won't understand at this age, but maybe now is the time to start a tradition and every year him and I pick out a toy and donate it.  Yup...just decided...that is what we are going to do. 

Well...I was going to head out to the gym this morning but went to Target and then came back home.  My car took a detour I guess to the house here.  I have had no motivation whatsoever this week to get to the YMCA.  I sure need to though.  I think it would put me in a better mood for one thing and make this holiday season a little less stressful.  They only have childcare until 2 pm.  So if I don't make it there I should head downstairs and do the 30 Day Shred.  Just remind myself..it's only 20 min...it's only 20 min. 

Ok better go and be productive somehow today.