2 Months and Growing

On Friday Avery turned two months old! We celebrated by visiting the doctor for her two month well visit. She was such a good little patient. She smiled and looked around almost the whole time. Our little peanut is growing. Here were her stats from the visit.
Weight: 8 lbs. 9 oz.
Height: 21.13 in.













Avery has reached several milestones this month!

She seems to smile all the time (especially in the morning). I think she is going to be a morning person (like her mom).

She has most definitely found her voice. She loves to "talk" and squeal to us and to her animals. I wonder when she will figure out that the animals don't talk back?! One day last week she even let out a little giggle when we were playing "Pat-a-Cake."

She is great at following Matt and I as we move around the room (when we are close to her of course).

She is beginning to enjoy tummy time a little bit more.

Avery has also impressed us with her strength! She can put all her weight (all 8.9 pounds) on her legs when we hold her upright! I have learned her secret to that strong core she has got and will share it with you. She rides the bike multiple times a day. This would be a great place to insert a video of her pumping her legs as though she is riding a bike! Ha!

I am excited about spending this next three weeks with Avery at home until I return to work. I am going to make sure that I tell those keeping her not to tell me if she has a "first." I at least want to think that Matt or I was the first to see her accomplishments.

We Got Mail!

One of my all time favorite things to do as a kid was to check the mail. I remember my sister and I actually fighting over who got to check it. I grew up in small-town Arkansas in the 80's. We did not have email, FaceBook, or cool phones. So, the simple things amused us. Now that I am an adult with responsibilities, checking the mail often means bills and junk mail.

However, lately we have received some fun packages.

WE GOT MAIL: The first package we received was from my Uncle and grandmother. They sent Avery a cute little Valentine's Day outfit. The outfit said "Baby's 1st Valentines." She wore it ALL day! That is a big deal around our house these days.













WE GOT MAIL: The second package we received was from my mom and dad. Mimi and Pappy sent Avery a sweet little book. We read it as soon as we opened the package.













WE GOT MAIL: The third package we received was from my 1st grade class. The super creative room moms (You know who you are!) had the kiddos make me a Valentine. Then, they complied them and put them together in a heart-shaped book. What a surprise it was and such a sweet keepsake from this school year. On each valentine was a child's picture and his/her message. LOVE.

The Post-Pregnancy Plan - Part 2

This week I am slowly making progress toward my goal of getting back in shape. I decided to officially start the Couch to 10K program this week and have already completed Week 1, Sessions 1 and 2. Yeah me! Last week was just practice. Today Avery decided to wake me up at 5:30 a.m. So, I fed her and then headed out to the WCRC (Williamson County Rec Center). I have lots of energy today regardless of the interrupted sleep last night.

I have decided that I REALLY like to work out. I loved it when I worked at LifeWay because I had lots of accountability. At least three days a week, I would go to a sculpting class with two other ladies on my lunch break. At that point, I saw it as an opportunity to get out of the office for a little while. (I didn't have windows in my office, so I needed fresh air and sunshine.) I would go to classes after work. I would go on the weekends. You could say that I was somewhat addicted to exercise. (Not in an unhealthy way I might add. I just really enjoyed it.) Today it is about getting back in shape, being healthy, and feeling good about myself.

The second step of my post pregnancy plan is to eat more healthy foods. So, I have joined E-mealz. E-mealz is a meal-planning resource that I have used before. However, now they have the New Weight Watchers Point System meals that will help me achieve my goal. (Thank you Shanna for reminding me of this great resource.) Basically you pay $15 for a 3-month subscription. This is a cheap, time-saving way to feed your family. With your subscription, you have access to a weekly menu based on grocery store sales. They even give you a grocery list! As I have been mentally preparing to go back to work, this just seemed like a perfect fit. I will not only save time and money, but Matt and I will eat healthier meals! It is a win-win situation. If you think you might want to try this go to the Web site, download a sample menu, and try a few of the recipes.

That my friends is the post-pregnancy "get back in shape" plan. It is simple, but I know if I stick with it the results will be SO worth it!

The Post-Pregnancy Plan

Yesterday I went to the gym. (Thanks to the Williamson County Rec Center for giving WC teachers free membership, I have no reason NOT to lose the baby weight.) So, Matt was working from home yesterday and I took the opportunity and made my way to the gym for the first time in ... well ... forever!

Couch to 10K. It got my attention as I was reading a post by a friend of mine at alyssainnashville. I clicked on the and read more about a running program that was not only supposed to help me run 6.21 miles but lose weight too! I mean, if you want something you have to work for it, right?!

I have to admit I am NOT a runner. I ran track in middle school just because my friends did. I think the coaches let me compete because they felt sorry for me or maybe for more practice. Either way, I knew myself that I would never make it to the state track competition. However, I do remember thinking that I was pretty good at jumping hurdles. Then one day my foot caught the hurdle in practice. I fell and busted my knee open. I wonder if that is why my knees make crackling sounds today when I run. Hmmm ...

So, I have completed the first session of Couch to 10K! I wonder if I will actually get to the gym enough to complete the program. I checked out the childcare area and just don't feel comfortable yet putting Avery in there. Either way, I have become more motivated in the last few weeks to get back into shape like I was in my mid-twenties. I know it will be even more difficult to keep working out when I go back to work in March. I haven't let myself think about that yet. It is going to be tough in every way.

So, exercise is the first step to getting back in shape and being healthy. The second—eating right. I will post my plan for that another day.