Liza and Sophie

Somehow my baby girl is 4 months old...I swear she was born yesterday...Things are busy busy around here.  We are constantly on the go. Liza is not a fan of being still (where in the world does she get that) so we move around A LOT... She hangs out in the bjorn, we go on walks in the stroller, or we just bounce...big time bouncing...and don't think you can trick her and sit down while she's in the bjorn...NOPE... she is not having that... She met her new BFF a few days ago and fell in love...Sophie the giraffe is the bomb...Liza loves her to pieces, but at the same time wants to eat her head off... I'm cool with that though, if it helps those gums...chew away honey... Tonight she played in her new walker, but never let go of Sophie...

Tyler picked up Subway, and we thought we could squeeze in  dinner before bathing Liza...I had to take a picture bc this is what "dinner time" looks like these days...on the floor, while we bounce Liza around... I'm not sure why we have furniture...notice on the floor- subway sandwiches, drinks, burp cloths, gripe water, toys, the laptop, cell phones...the list goes on :)

Happy Hump Day-
Liza's Mom

Now I lay me down to sleep...

It's hard to say what my favorite time with Liza is, but it's a close call between morning and night...she is so so happy and smiley in the mornings and talks non stop...but there is just something about bedtime that I love...we are very very routine...we live life by a schedule...I'm a huge fan of schedules...I think that children benefit from schedules and routine...they know what to expect and it helps them become grounded...so we start between 6:30 and 7pm...start with a bath...this is her daddy's job...mom watches and talks to her, but Tyler loves this time...then we take our "big" bottle and start to wind down... After her bottle I swaddle her,and she's out...once she is swaddled she is DONE with rocking...she wants to be in bed...so I put the pacy in and lay her down...as crazy as this may sound I always put my hand on her chest...just enough pressure for her to feel secure...instantly he goes to sleep...I say a prayer and kiss her goodnight...this time couldn't be more perfect...I walk out of her room, and always breathe a sigh of relief...we made it one more day, and it went smoothly... I'm so thankful for her and all that she has brought to our lives...words can't describe my love for her...with that being said...sweet dreams... Love, Liza's mom

My challenge...update

Well my first 4 weeks is almost over...next week I get a "recovery" week, and then I have 4 more weeks, of more intense insanity...I am proud to say that I measured today and my results were shocking...I've lost 4 inches off of each thigh...2 1/2 inches off of my hips...1 1/2 off of each arm...1 1/2 off of my chest..and almost 2 off of my waist...it has not been easy, AT ALL especially since I've gone back to work..I've been waiting until Liza is down around 7 or 730...I'm pooped by then...but I've pushed through it, and I'm so glad...I'm looking forward to my recovery week, and then plan to hit it hard for 4 more weeks...

So if your looking for a great workout Insanity is an option...it sucks, but works;)

Happy Friday Eve...
Spenc

Mrs.Knox

I've sat down to blog on this subject 3 times and every time Ive started I stop...I have a lot of mixed feelings about this and I'm going to put it all out there...like it or not ;)

The last day time I was called Mrs.Knox was on December 21st and 7 days later my title changed to mommy...not only did my name change, but my entire life did a 180. Not only did I gain a daughter, everything about me changed a little...I think about things in a different way and in so many ways I look at life differently. Being a teacher has always been important to me and I have loved each and every child that I've taught...but in just 2 short days I will return as Mrs.Knox again, but in so many ways I will be a changed person...I think I will be a better teacher and more compassionate person...I will think of Liza all day long and think about how I want her teachers to treat her one day...the thought of sending her off with someone I don't know makes my stomach hurt deep down and makes my palms sweat...I've never ever thought about this before...and not one day will go by that I don't think of this now...

I knew in may when I found out I was pregnant that I would take 12 weeks off...These were going to be the first 12 weeks of my. Holds life and I wasn't missing a single day...of course there was a part of me that couldn't help but think of the time I would lose with my kiddos at school...but I knew every parent would understand and do the exact same if given the opportunity...when I left the school on December 21 a part of my heart hurts bc I knew I would miss them so so much...and I have but I have loved my time at home with Liza and I consider myself very lucky...I have been with her for 103 days and will cherish these days for the rest of my life...

I can remember like it was yesterday playing "house" in the playroom at my mom and dads house...I was the mommy and I had a daughter...in my 4 year old mind I stayed at home with her and did things like make cookies and dress her up...but in the real world things are so different...my days consist of crying,spitting up, pooping, washing bottles, feeding....the list goes on...and I wouldn't have missed 103 days of this for the world even when I was sitting in Liza's room crying with her bc Im exhausted beyond words...with all this being said I go back to being Mrs.Knox on Monday... I am looking forward to it in so many ways...I miss my routine when I work...in some ways I truly believe I may be a better mother...I think I will have more patience with Liza in some ways...I miss my coworkers too... I only go back for 5 1/2 weeks and then will be home for summer...I honestly believe that being a stay at home mom is the hardest job on earth...I'm not sure I could do it forever...I miss adult interaction...the minute Tyler gets home I talk his head off;)... Summer breaks will be perfect for us though bc I can't imagine the thought of going back to work "forever"... I have a huge break to look forward to.

So, I'm going back...And as excited as I am of course I have a knot in my stomach...not bc I'm worried about her being cared for properly or bc I'm worried she will be sad...I'm only worried about missing her, and if I didn't miss her something would be wrong...she will be with her 2 grandmothers who love her more than life and that makes my heart happy...I'm lucky in so many ways...I can't imagine dropping her off at a daycare where I don't know a soul...I would die...and although I will miss out on a few hours during the day I keep reminding myself...it's not the amount of time I spend with her, but how our time is spent...

On Monday morning please say a prayer for me...and for Liza and her sweet grandmothers who will be keeping her...pray that I have strength to walk in my classroom and take on the role of Mrs.Knox...and to all my parents just know that I promise to love your baby just as I would want Liza loved...

Happy Easter-
Liza's Mom

My Challenge...

On February 8 I woke up, and 6 weeks was up. I had been looking forward to this day for quite sometime...I knew all along that I was going to try my hardest to lose my pregnancy weight, but wasn't sure how...

When I found out I was pregnant I was big into running... I had just completed my first half marathon, which was HUGE for me bc before the training for it I had never run a mile in my life.  Before I began running I was very active,  I completed 90 days of p90x and was in the middle of insanity when I began running.  I never finished insanity and that always bothered me.  Before p90x I wasn't into exercising.  Throughout highschool I cheered, and that kept me in shape.  Then came college and I did NOTHING.  I gained way more than freshman 15.  I wasn't happy with myself at all, but to be honest a lot was going in those years...besides weight.

I started dating Tyler in June of 2008.  He is very active and rubbed off on me.  I ordered p90x knowing NOTHING about it and dove right in.  My results were more than I ever expected.  So with all that being said I've worked hard to be in shape.  I am in no way someone who can eat what they want and stay thin while doing nothing. 

When I found out I was pregnant I knew I wanted to stay in the gym.  I went up until 1 week before I had Liza.  At times it was hard, but I knew in the end it would help me.  I gained most of my weight in my hips and thighs and knew it wouldn't fall off on its own. 

Fast forward to February 8th.  At first I was determined to pick up with p90x.  I knew it would work.  It had before and it would again.  I realized quickly that I was bored with it and needed something new.  I heard about Brazillian Butt Lift and did a little research- sold... All I needed were a few reviews saying it worked ;)  I started BBL and loved it, but in the back of my mind I kept thinking about Insanity.  There is no doubt BBL is effective, but I needed to sweat and be exhausted when I finished, and I wasn't. A few days later I watched a video of a girl who completed insanity.  She told her story and showed her before and after pics.  I haven't stopped thinking about it since I watched it.  Then I woke up and the infomercial was on tv...Thats it! I had to do it... So I've made my mind up... I started Insanity and I will not stop until May 19th.  Not bc I want a nice body for summer, not bc I want to wear a bikini, but bc I want to feel good again. I want to have energy and be the best I can be.  So I took pictures, I did measurements and I started.  I know it wont be easy and there will be days I just want to go to bed or sleep late instead of work out, but Im doing this...if not for me for Liza.  I'm not trying to be super thin and a size 0...thats not me, but I am trying to be my healthiest...

I will update in 30 days, and again at the end of my challenge...Now that I have put it out there for the world to see, I can't be a quiter!

Happy Monday...Happy Spring
Liza's Mom

Honesty

A few months back I saw a sign on pinterest that said something to the effect of "if only your life were as good as it seems on fb"...oh how true this is...judging from 80% of the post I see daily most people I know have the perfect life... What.ev.er...

My eyes have been opened in the last three months...life is far from perfect...there are certainly parts of it that seem perfect like watching Liza sleep and dream and smile and make sweet sounds...but in reality it's not perfect...at all...Im going to be completely honest...it's hard, very hard, and if you say it's not hard at times...you are lying to yourself...I feel very lucky or should I say blessed to have a healthy baby girl and a husband by my side...not one day goes by that I don't think of single mothers or women who can't have children...my heart breaks for them...becoming a mother makes you look at life in an entirely new perspective...

The first month was very hard for me...I believe I was a tad bit depressed...I was very emotional and hard on myself...it was like one day I just woke up and felt like spencer again...life with Liza just became the norm...we developed a routine and got the hang of all this new stuff...but to say its all perfect wouldn't be the truth...just today I had a bit of a meltdown...Liza was fussy after church...nothing was making her happy...so we sat down in the rocking chair and both cried... Within minutes she was asleep and I laid down too..we both slept 3 hours...I realized when I woke that she wasn't the only one over-tired...mom was too...

So if you are a first time mom or expecting soon, just hear me out...you are completely normal for not feeling like your living in a fairy tale land all the time... I'm sure I will be talked about for being so honest..but it's the truth...Liza is 100% perfect but every day won't feel perfect...so cry your eyes out and take a 3 hour nap...it helps...

Happy Spring...
Liza's Mom

Survival Kit

Ok so we've survived 2 months or if we make it to Thursday we have ;) and these are the things that helped us survive...I have a lot of friends who are expecting and I thought this would be handy...a sort of survival list of what we have used for Liza Kate


First and foremost the nap nanny. For the first 3 weeks of LK's life she lived in this...It stayed on the foot of our bed and she slept in it all night...we have finally put it in her crib, and now she sleeps in the crib on her nap nanny...

Our swing and bouncy seat are wonderful. They are both snuggle bunny. She loves them.  They cradle her so much.Both of these are availabe at Target or Babys R Us.

We got a video monitor and it is fabulous. I watch her until I know she is asleep. I can't imagine ever putting her in another room without it.



I know there are so many bath tubs for babies and everyone has their opinion, but although we bought the fancy one from Babys R Us, this is the one we use and we LOVE it...you can find it on amazon...It is basically a big spongue that the baby lays on...perfect for an infant and its only 8 dollars..yep!

I still "try" to be somewhat organized so this item is one of my favorites...I think its called a baby caddy...it holds everything...I have diapers in one slot, wipes in one, and then desitin, baby powder, nose sucker, gripe water (which I will mention) gas drops, and paci's in  the other slot.  I got mine at a baby store in Eldorado, but I am sure they are easy to find.  I use this ALL THE TIME!



Since the baby bjorn isn't really for infants we used the moby wrap and I LOVE it...We use it all the time, even now that she can get in the bjorn she loves the wrap too..

I swear we would still be up all night if it weren't for the miracle blanket...At first I thought she dodn't like it...Then after getting NO sleep, I decided that didn't really matter...So we attempted it and she slept so much better...by 1 month old LK was sleeping from 10-5...I wrap her before bed and during nap time...It is a miracle!

Here is another life saver...The sound machine...The minute I turn it on...she freezes...She likes rain, but it has different sounds...I bought it at Wal Mart...Well worth 30 dollars...

Last but not least gripe water...It is fabulous... The minute LK gets hiccups I give her a few drops and they are gone...also just to dip her paci in...she may be addicted...gas drops are a must too, but I figure everyone knows that...

Hope this is useful in some way...Some way somehow my baby will be 2 months old on Thursday...breaks my heart...Happy Saturday...

Love,

Liza's mom