Reagan @ 7 months

I am finally writing this! Reagan is almost halfway to 8 months but better late than never. Right?

Seven Months Old
1/16/2016

Height:24 3/4 in

Weight:14 lbs 13 oz

Likes: Bo, Bo, Bo! She won't nap if he is around because she MUST know what he is doing. She loves to sit and watch him and just laugh at all he does. She also loves sitting up, playing with Bo's toys, and being the center of attention. She loves baths and trying to suck all the water out of the washcloth. There aren't many things she doesn't like and it's so fun to see her find new things she does enjoy.

Dislikes: Sleeping. This girl does not like to sleep! She fights naps and still doesn't sleep through the night. She still hates being alone and lets you know it!

New Things: She started food! I can't say that she really likes pureed baby food or cereal but she will eat some. The only way she eats it is if she can stick her fingers in afterwards. Even then, she blows most of it back out onto me. She laughs and laughs and makes a BIG mess! She really loves table food. She doesn't get much but will go to town on sweet potato sticks, mum mum crackers, and bread or pretzels if she can get a hold of them. She has eaten green beans, pears, sweet potatoes, carrots, and rice cereal. She scoots backwards, rolls everywhere, and has started saying "da-da". She is so close to crawling forward. I am pretty sure that Bo is going to have a fit when she really starts moving. She has also started crying when you take things away from her and won't stop until she gets it back. She is an onery thing. She must be watching her brother.

We love our little Reggy!!

Spinach Stuffed Shells

Spinach Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
1 box jumbo Shells
½ bag frozen spinach (about 2 cups)
1 container cottage cheese
1 egg (optional)
1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
Pasta Sauce

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cook the shells according to the package
Cook the spinach according to the package and drain
Drain shells and let cool so they are easy to touch
Mix spinach, cottage cheese, egg, and shredded cheese in a bowl
Spray a 9x13 pan
Fill shells with spinach mixture and place in pan.
Top with Pasta Sauce if desired or wait until after baking and let everyone add sauce to their own.
Cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes
Remove from oven and Enjoy!!

Take 5 to Exercise

For me, exercising is a priority. I make it work for myself and for my family. Exercising makes me happier and gives me the energy I need to be the best wife and mother. These are my FIVE steps to add exercise into your day.

Make a Plan
I am not spontaneous. I like to have a plan for everything and know what is coming next. Working out as a Stay at Home Mom is difficult. I wanted to set myself up for success as much as possible. I figured what time of day works best for me to work out. For me, its the morning. My mood is SO much better after I exercise. Yes, its harder to get up early but it's worth it. I like myself more after and I think my family does too. Then, I wrote it down. I can't just make up a few exercises and just do them and feel like I got a good workout in. Writing it down holds me accountable to it and gives me direction and focus. Plus, it saves me time and I need all the extra time I can get. Crossing each day off gives me so much satisfaction. I love to watch progress in action!

Wear your workout clothes to bed
I work out at home. No one sees me. No one knows if I wore those clothes yesterday or not. Well, except all of you reading this. I worry so much about making noise in the morning. My greatest fear is waking my kids up. Opening drawers makes noise. It seems like the quieter I try to be, the louder I actually am. Even if I don't wear my workout clothes to bed, I try to have everything laid out downstairs so I have no excuse. Not being prepared used to be one of my biggest excuses. Now I can't use it.

Be Flexible
This is difficult for me. I like routine and I like exercising in the morning. I also like the alone time of exercising by myself, before my kids wake up. It would be great for that to happen five days out of five. Realistically, it probably happens three days of the week. Usually, I am halfway through my workout or in the basement using the elliptical when one wakes up early. Sometimes my cardio gets cut short or I have to trade the morning workout for nap time or night time when my husband is home. I try not to get discouraged when it doesn't work out and just readjust my schedule to fit it in later. Sometimes, Bo watches PBS or joins in on the exercises. Reagan just needs a couple toys and some attention and she will happily watch me do squats or planks. Stressing about it doesn't help. Being willing to change it does. There are also days I miss a workout. It won't kill me. My kids need me more than my elliptical does.

Find a Friend
This has been the greatest thing keeping me on point. Knowing that someone else is doing the same workouts and is expecting me to do them do really keeps me motivated. Even on the days I don't want to do them, I know that she is probably doing them right then. I told her I would and I don't want to break that trust. It's also fun to discuss how our workouts are going, what is working, and what we could change. She encourages me and I encourage her. If you don't have a person like this, enlist your husband or a good friend just to check in with you. Maybe they won't do the workouts but they can still be a great workout to you as you work to get fit. If you need someone, I would love to be that person for you as well.

Take a nap
I know this won't work for everyone. It also doesn't work for me every day. Some weeks by Friday I am exhausted. Getting up early to exercise and staying up late to get a few chores done catches up to me by the end of the week. When I can get both kids napping at the same time, I try to take advantage of that time and rest. It doesn't always mean napping, but I usually fall asleep if I am just sitting on the couch reading or resting. Even thirty minutes makes a world of a difference to the rest of my day. There are nights that by seven, I am a cranky mess. I am tired and I just want the day to be over. I am no fun to be around. Those are the days I should have taken a nap. I also have to tell myself that the dishes can wait until later, or the floors can be mopped later. All the mess will still be there when I wake up.

Pretending to nap. They don't actually sleep together.

Happy Friday and Have a Great Weekend!!

QOTD: What tricks do you use to her your workout in?

-Rach

January Workouts

I am starting a new workout series this month with a couple great ladies! These workouts are short but will work some of those key problem areas. It is so much more motivating to know that others are exercising with you and it has been great in keeping me accountable. I try to get in 20 minutes of cardio each day along with my workout. It might be the elliptical machine, treadmill, or walking my stairs. As a busy mom, I take what I can get and try not to get discouraged when I can't fit it all in. Some days it's only 10 min and some days I can get in 30. It's more difficult when my kids are awake but so fun to have them join in on the exercises. We especially love squats and pushups!

Legs

Arms

Calendar

Any exercise is better than none and the best time to exercise is any time! I would love to have you join us or give the workouts a try. I am looking forward to this new year and new workout!

-Rach

Reagan @ 6 months old

Our favorite little lady is 6 months old!! Maybe it's because she is baby #2 but it just seems like she is growing so fast and is hardly a baby anymore. I always thought that I only wanted to have boys but I am so glad God gave us this sweet little girl.

Height: 24.5 in

Weight: 13 lbs 15 oz



Likes: Being held, sitting up, Bo, Bo's toys, water bottles, baths, being tickled, her doll, chewing on everything, paper, the dog, reading books, singing, watching Bo jump up and down, peekaboo, sleeping on her back, going outside, riding in the car, pulling hair, mommy, daddy, watching people, and being the center of attention



Dislikes: Getting her diaper changed, getting dressed, lying on the floor, scooting backwards when she wants to go forward, getting stuck, being alone in a room, napping, and sitting in her swing.



New Things: Had her first Thanksgiving and Christmas with Dean's family, started scooting backwards, rolling from her back to her tummy, getting her first tooth, first Christmas parade, craft fair trip with friends, tried sweet potatoes, started sitting up by herself.




Reagan loves Bo. It is so much fun to watch them start to play together. She loves to touch him and try to play with him. He loves to lay on her, sit on her, and tickle her. He is very observant and worries when she puts things in her mouth, especially his things. I know that will only get worse as she gets more mobile. She is always watching him and gives him the biggest smiles. It's so cute to see them interact and see him take care of her. Hopefully, they will stay best of friends.

   

She is such an easy going baby. As long as she is included, it doesn't matter what we do. She loves to be carried around and in the middle of everything. We love watching her experience and learn new things every day. I love to imagine what it will be like when she starts crawling, walking, and talking. We are so blessed and couldn't imagine life without her.

Resistance Band Arm Workout 1

This is my first try at a fitness video. It's purpose is just to give explanation on how to complete the exercise. It isn't a full workout. All the exercises can be done with a resistance band, free weights, or even canned goods. Complete 2 sets of 15 of each exercise.

A friend and I have been working out together since the beginning of November and I have been creating the workouts. We text each other each day after we finish to help keep each other accountable and motivated. I never thought that just a simple text or knowing that someone else is working out too would be so motivating for me. I know she is doing it so there is no excuse for me not too. Of course, I have those days where it would be easier just to skip. I can't expect her to do it if I won't. Honestly, I feel like I can get through the day better if I get to exercise. My energy level is better and my attitude is better. I can definitely tell a difference if I don't get to workout. Even for just 10 min. I am sure my children and husband appreciate a more patient, kind me. It is hard to get up early. Some days it is exhausting just trying to be quiet so I don't wake the kids up or hoping I can just get in a few more minutes before they do. But each day it is worth it. Each day I feel better about myself.

I am hoping to make and post more videos as we go through each month exercising. I would love to have you join me or follow along. If you want more information about my workouts or even want to use my workout calendar, I would love to share. I will be making some new things for January.

Four months old

Reagan is four months old!! These last four months have flown by, especially this month. Reagan is growing so much and it is such a joy to see her experience life every day.

Weight: Maybe almost 12 lbs-we haven't weighed her and don't have a scale here. Is it acceptable to use the scale in the produce section at Walmart?

Height: Approx 21 inches long

Wears: size 1 diapers and 3 month clothes. Some of her onesies are getting a little snug. Just in time to transition to long sleeves.

Likes: Bo, laughing, bath time, reading books, getting her diaper changed, stroller riders, being outside, sitting up, being held, sleeping on mommy or daddy, chewing on everything, her fingers, watching Bo play trucks, sleeping on her side, rolling over

Dislikes: riding in the car, having a dirty diaper, napping, the swing, her bed, hair bows, socks, her hat and jacket

New things: "talking" all the time, sitting in the bumbo, teething-bottom two are almost through, chewing on things besides her hands, wearing a bib, drooling, laughing to get attention, refusing to nap anywhere besides being held, touching Bo if he is close, trying to scoot forward and backward

Adventures: ran a 10k and 5k with Bo and Daddy, went to the circus, went to a pumpkin patch, went to the fire station, went to the zoo, dressed up as a skeleton and went trunk or treating

It has been so much fun this month to see her interact more and watch as she discovers new things. She likes to be the center of attention and is starting to enjoy playing with Bo. He even gave her her own trucks. It won't be long and she will really start playing with him. She is so easy going and doesn't mind being carted everywhere. We love her more and more each day and can't wait to see what this next month brings. 

Here is what Bo was doing at four months old . It's amazing how similar they are.