A long time coming...

More than a year ago I wrote this post about leaving Texas and I described how I felt like the sad little OU boy when UT kicked their tails a few years ago.
Well, I now get to say that I feel like this...

YYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! WE'RE COMING HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tim got an awesome offer with a great company in Fort Worth! We will be leaving July 15th and I have a lot to do before then! My big sis Rebecca is coming up here on the 12th to help me and then to drive back with Libby and I in my car. Unfortunately, we have three cars at the moment. Long story. Short version is that Tim bought a car from a friend of a friend hoping to fix it up and either sell it for a profit or sell his Acura and keep the fixed up one. Unfortunately, the Acura is not selling and we haven't gotten the title for the Hyundai yet.

So we have a bunch of prayer requests for y'all:
~Pray that one of the cars (hopefully the Acura will sell - yay, no more car payments!)
~That I will be able to get everything sorted through and packed by the time Rebecca comes so we can have a little fun before we leave.
~That we find the best place to live in FW/Arlington. Kind of difficult to get the feel for an apartment if you're not there! I have found a good one that seems perfect, lets hope it is!
~That on the drive back Libby won't be too "difficult" and will handle the 1500 miles as well as possible.
~All the logistics will work out: renting the truck, getting Rebecca up here, etc...

Thank you all so very much!! I can't wait to see my dear Texas peeps! It will be so good to be back.
And now I had better get to work!!!

Back by popular demand

THE LIBSTER!!!

Hope y'all enjoy!

Body After Baby

Monday again! Time for everyone at Mama's Notes to dish about how they did regarding getting their body in shape after a baby. Also time to set new goals and hopefully keep them! :)
Last week I did really well! I walked or ran four days and did some other stuff too. I drank lots of water and ate somewhat healthfully. However, I did notice that my stress levels were a lot higher last week and so I ended up munching more. So I haven't lost any more weight. :-/
Today I started off great though. I got up early and ran 'the loop' which is about 1.5 miles. I chugged my way around it but I made it the whole way! It's nice to just be out by myself in the morning, when I have more energy too, so I'm going to keep doing that. I love my jogging stroller but it's still a little clunky and heavy. It's easier for walks. Maybe when I get in better shape it'll get a little easier. However, I really like going running by myself, just Maddie and I. It really helps clear my mind. So hopefully I can keep doing that *Thanks Tim!* :)
Goals this week:
Run every morning (as long as its not raining!)
Drink lots 'o water
Eat healthfully (yay, blueberries are on sale!)
Thanks guys. :)

Sugar...what I've learned this week

So I made it to today. :) And then Tim brought home the sun flower butter that I've been dying to try. And I had to spread it on some toast, ya know? So the butter has cane sugar in it and the bread has honey, I think. So ya, busted! But it's ok, I was planning on eating sugar tomorrow as we're going to a BBQ and I don't know how I could avoid it.
However, I do think this going without sugar thing has accomplished some things for me. For example:
~It's seriously made me exam what is in the things I normally eat. Also, going along with that I haven't eaten things I might usually. For example, I was at my neighbor's house and she had just made a batch of flaky canned biscuits. I declined her offer because of the sugar in them, but there's a heck of a lot of other icky stuff in those things!
~I've eaten a lot better than normal with lots of hearty foods and veggies.
~I don't think I'm addicted to sugar. (there's been homemade Peppermint ice cream in the fridge all week and I never even wanted it)
~My "problem" is munching and snacking when I'm bored.
~I love hummus and I think that if everyone ate more hummus people would be healthier and happier.
~It is possible to drink tea without sugar but it makes me sad.
~A teaspoon of brown sugar in oatmeal really makes it for me. Plain oatmeal with just blueberries? Ick!
~I don't eat a lot of sugar, but I eat too much in general, obviously or I would've lost this baby weight sooner! Case in point, I was always at my happy weight a few years back. Why? I was super busy, worked out every day, and didn't eat huge meals. I also remember sitting in meetings with a big box of fresh Krispie Kreme donuts in front of me and I never took a nibble. That'll keep ya skinny, folks! Big news, I know!

So I guess it really just reinforced what I already knew, healthy eating is good! Eating too much sugar? Baad!
Tim and I have really been trying to change our whole way of eating and incorporate more fruit, veggies, and whole foods into our diet. This means not taking "shortcuts" and by making most things from scratch and not buying instant/on-demand foods. Plus, I think my food tastes better! (I'm not conceited, just ask Tim!)
This week I learned my new favorite lunch: homemade chicken salad stuffed in half a bell pepper with a salad of baby spinach and avocado on the side with a few crackers. So yummy!

Please don't hate me because I didn't make it the full 7 days. Honestly, I'm not worried about it. This was an experiment for me and I feel like I've learned a lot. Giving up things for a time really causes you to think about how often you eat or use them. So because of that, next week I'm going to "give up" my computer for the week. I think I waste a lot more time on my beloved Mac than I realize. I'll still check my email because I have to for several reasons, and I'll need to pay bills on the 15th but I'm not going to check my fav blogs or news sites. Please don't get your feelings hurt if I don't comment on your blog next week. :) I think it will just make me think about the times I want to get on the i-net. I know I'll have more time to do more things, especially like have my daily devotionals. That's a whole 'nother post but I certainly need to be more diligent in reading my Bible.

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it! The weather has been nice today so as soon as Lib wakes up we're going to go for a walk! And I'm going to try to run parts of it too.

Woo-hoo!

Just wanted to update and say that I have made it TWO days without sugar! That's no sugar whatsoever! It's been kind of difficult, but I am surviving! :) It's interesting how many things have sugar hiding in them. It's made me a lot more aware of how much sugar I eat. I had a bit of a headache the first day but other than that it hasn't been too bad. Ok, so I know 2 days isn't a lot but it's quite an accomplishment for me! So I just wanted to let y'all know. Ok, thanks, bye! :)

Body After Baby

It's Monday again!
I lost another pound this week so I am getting closer to my goal! Still need to work out more though. :-/ Libby has had some difficulty staying asleep lately so I've been pretty tired. We're going to try some new things so hopefully that will help both of us out. :) I know that when I'm fully rested I'm more motivated to work out so I'm counting on that. :) And it's a new week!
This week I am totally giving up sugar. Boo hoo! I've already missed my little teaspoon of sugar in my morning tea and my brown sugar in my oatmeal. I'm curious to see how it helps because it's pretty difficult as there is sugar in almost everything! Even Wheat Thins! But not Triscuits! So I'm going to make some chicken salad and eat it with them. I'm doing this on my own but I'm confident I'll succeed. :)
Along with the no sugar thing I'm also:
~Drinking a lot of water
~Going walking/running when possible
~Doing my Shred DVD
~Taking my vitamins (because I forget a lot)

I got the stuff the make hummus and I've been eating that with veggies by the truckload! It's soooo yummy and makes eating raw veggies so easy! So far my favorite is red bell pepper, but broccoli comes in close at second!
So as long as I remember not to eat sugar all week I should be good to go. :)

Pictures!!!

So did y'all check out my scrumptious little niece? Ha! Little is not the right word to describe her!! She is just about 4 pounds less than Libby!! Too funny! I just wish I had been there to cheer Mindy on. (NO epidural or anything!!!!) Hopefully we'll be back in Texas for each of our next births so we can cheer each other on! I just can't believe my 5'2", 115 lb. SIL had a TEN pound baby! And people, the babe was posterior for a while!! Mindy is Superwoman!!

And now since I know you've been dying to see them, here are some pics of slobbery Libby! I've had a bib on her all day so hopefully we can avoid soaking too many outfits!! Oh and obviously she still smiles with her whole mouth! Too funny! I hope she does that for a long time.

Happiest baby around!

No bottles here! We just skip straight to cups!





Practicing sitting and more drool

Trying to crawl!!






Growth!!




Flower child!




As you can see, Libby is trying to crawl and will soon be on the move! She's also doing a pretty good job of sitting on her own. She can sit forever if I hold onto her feet, but without help she can sit without toppling over for anywhere from 5-30 seconds. Although I just can't wait for her to crawl! I love each stage and I'm happy for the changes. I'm not one to want to stay in the same place for long. So I enjoy her stages but I'm just as ready as she is when it's time to move on. Maybe I'll feel differently with the youngest but I doubt it. :) I'd better get going but enjoy these pics!!

Welcome, Halie Ann Warner!!

"Little" Halie Ann was born this morning at 10:44 in New Braunfels, TX to Todd and Mindy Warner. She was also welcomed by big sister Ellie Sue. Mindy is Tim's sister.
Halie is 10 lbs. 3 oz. and 20.5" long! Not a tiny girl! I can't wait to meet her!


Being held by Aunt Heather.

Just me

So I'm just going to write out some thoughts I've had. I don't think it'll be about my sweet munchkin. Can you handle a Libby-free post??
Bethanie wrote an awesome post recently. I know how she feels. Sometimes I get so frustrated by the state of our government and the lack of understanding by a lot of my fellow citizens. It blows my mind when I read that Barack Obama has such high approval ratings and yet people do not approve of the policies he supports! And now all of a sudden we're no longer a Christian nation?! We're Muslim?! Huh? Patrick Henry is rolling in his grave.
I have a little garden and it is just precious. I love being able to run out and grab a handful of basil or whatnot to use in my cooking! I can't wait until my tomatoes and peppers are ripe too! (I'll post pics soon - much better than last years sad attempt!) It makes me feel like Laura Ingalls meets Ina Garten.
Tim is working late tonight and so that's highly annoying, I really wish he and Libby could spend more time together. I know she wants her mama sometimes, but I want her to be close to Tim as well. Now that she's getting older, however, she and Tim are able to play a lot more.
I've been trying to keep the house cleaner and it's going pretty well! I find that it helps when I have everything organized and a place for everything. So even when things are super cluttered and messy I can pick up in an hour or so. However, my nemesis is the floors. I HATE cleaning the floors! I don't know what it is but every time they get bad I build it up in my head how awful it is. Then I finally bite the bullet and do it and it really isn't too bad. And they look so nice! So tomorrow I'm going to DO IT. Those floors are getting swept, vacuumed, and mopped! I just wish I could pay someone to clean the floors, ugh. I guess that's what kids are for! Get on that, Libby! :)
I hate going to Wal-Mart. It's so awful. We have a serious love/hate relationship. They have the things I love but I hate how much money I spend there! Oh well! I got some really cute things too.
Speaking of, I got some things for my new little niece who should be arriving any day now! Mindy is due on Monday with little Halie and I cannot wait to meet her! I already miss Libby being a teeny tiny baby so it'll be fun to see a new one around. Halie will make #5 for Tim's parents! And all girls! And all age 3 and under!
Ugh, it's about 10 and Tim isn't going to be here for a while. I had a lot more thoughts. Probably a lot more interesting in my head than on this here blog. Mama needs some sleep so I will let y'all get back to your exciting lives.
XoXoXo!

5 Months!

Little Libby is now 5 months!! I keep saying this, but I can't believe how quickly time is flying by. She's growing like a little weed as well. I took her to the doctor for just a little visit. (I break up her shots so she goes every month). I tossed her on the scale real quick and she tipped the scales at 14 1/2 lbs! And she's roughly 25 3/4"! I looked it up and that's right at 50th percentile for weight and 75th for height. Those are the same percentages as the last couple of months. And that's just on breast milk! Makes me very happy how successful that's been so far.
We haven't started any foods yet but she is very, very curious about our food. And I started giving her a bottle of water to play with and suck on. I don't think she's actually drunk very much, but it's good practice!
We're making the transition of sleeping full-time in her crib and last night (first night) went really well! I'm hoping that will only continue. :) Right now she's snoozing on Tim but I'll move her soon. She still wakes up in the night to eat but as long as she goes right back to sleep I'm not complainin'! I've also started putting her on her tummy to sleep and that's really helped! I feel comfortable doing that now that she's 5 months, rolling around, and has great head control.
Newest "things": grabbing at everything: my hair, glasses, earrings, necklace, pretty much anything anywhere nearby. Squirms and wiggles on the floor trying to get places. Seems like she moves backwards more than forwards though! As before, Libby is extremely alert and has incredible focus on things around her. I really think her personality is a lot like Tim's, especially regarding her attention to detail, she does not get that from her mama!! :) For example, we went to the city the other day and took turns carrying her in our front carrier. We were window shopping and she stared intently at all the items in the windows and would look whenever I pointed at something. I really think she knew what we were talking about!
Well, I'd better get ready for bed. Lib and Tim have fallen asleep on the couch and I need to transplant Libby and get Tim to bed. Not sure if I can carry Tim! :)
Here are some pics, I'll post some growth pics tomorrow.
xoxo

Body After Baby

Well, I finally have some positive news! I've lost 4 lbs! Not really sure how because I have not been diligent at all in working out but I have been eating better and less. So I guess that has helped! :)

More of the same things week:
~Drink LOTS of water
~Work out with The Shred
~Go Running/Walking
~Eat small, healthy meals

Just more of the same and hopefully I'll continue to have good reports!! :)