Waist Watcher Wednesday Week 9

Before I begin today I just wanted to talk about a few things:


1. Today is Natalie's checkup! I am hoping to hear that we are doing well with parenting and that she is still gaining weight! I will give you an update tomorrow.


2. This post is scheduled to post today, because I will not be home! Hubby and I are dropping the kiddo off, and we are headed to my VERY FIRST NBA BASKETBALL GAME! I am super excited and we got the tickets for super cheap (because the Wizards kinda suck) and so I'll get to see my Magic for the first time! AND as a bonus, I'm going to get to see a friend of mine that I used to work with dance with the Wizards cheerleaders! I am super excited about that!


Ok now on with the post!

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This is a weekly link party for everyone wanting to get back in shape, where we can post/comment our stats and offer each other helpful advice, workout ideas, what works for you, what doesn't and just generally support each other so that when we think about giving up we will have bloggy friends to lift us up again!

So, I will post one inspirational thing, a workout that I want to try, or something workout related every week, and I encourage you to do the same! Let's inspire each other into getting healthy this year and making our waists disappear!

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Well my plans got VERY ruined this weekend, but I am totally ok with that.

My husband was hospitalized on Sunday and Monday this week. We still don't know exactly what was wrong, and when he was realeased he was told to buy some Prilosec OTC and get a colonoscopy but not much else. He still didn't feel that well today, and still has a monster headache that he's been battling with for the entire three days.

So needless to say, I didn't get to the gym to sign up. And I probably won't be able to get to the gym until Sunday to sign up. I still haven't had my back checked out, and I am still sore, but am hoping that once I start exercising that it will dull and go away, and that this is just a reprocussion from me being so inactive. I need to get on the ball because I only have one month to get ready for this 5k. And only 3 months till the second one. I must be crazy, but I totally want to do it! And I will!

So, this week I am going to focus on cutting soda completely out of my diet again. So no more soda or tea at work, and only one soda a day (a zero calorie one) with dinner. I think that is a good place to start, because I have been getting very bad with the soda again (even if it is Pepsi Max) and it leads to other bad choices. So my goal for this week is to only have one Pepsi Max a day, with dinner. And that's IT.

Not a bad goal eh? OH, and I AM GOING TO SIGN UP FOR THE GYM THIS WEEKEND!

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How did you do this past week?

Weight: 204.8
Previous: 204.8

TIPS: Weight yourself at the same time every time (morning is best) in the same type of clothing (or nude) on the same scale to get the best results.

REACTION: I swore off the scale this week, because it was just making me depressed. I will not weigh myself again until I get into that gym and get started!

BMI: 33.9
Previous: 33.9

TIPS: Use this website to compute your BMI

REACTION: Same as above.

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[If you'd like to participate]

Blog about your weight loss goal, frustrations, struggles, accomplisments, weigh-ins, whatever you feel! Then come back here and link up in the collection at the bottom of this post. And while you're here grab the WW Wednesday button to use on YOUR blog!

[If you want to add the blog hop in your post]

If you want to participate in the hop, just click here and copy and paste the link into the HTML of your post! That's it! Simple!

[A litte something extra]

To make things a little more fun, each week I will choose a random linker to put up as a STELLAR WAIST WATCHER OF THE WEEK. You will get a button with the link back to your blog and it will stay up for the whole week! How cool is that?

I plugged in last weeks link ups into random.org. This weeks winner is: Ida @ Eternity Kind of Love! Congrats again Ida! =) You're doing a great job, and I hope to see you linking up this week too! I hope you are feeling better and was able to get back into the gym!

[Encourage each other]

Check out the other linkers and leave them a comment with some kind words! We are all going to need a kick in the pants or a hand to help us up throughout this process! It will also keep us all accountable if we know our bloggy friends are watching!

Don't forget to grab the button on my sidebar and show the blogworld that you're a waist watcher!


Linking up here:

Natalie's Scrapbook: The Beginning

I have toyed with two ideas for Natalie's memories. Either do a digital photo scrapbook on Shutterfly (kinda expensive but really, really nice) or a regular, normal scrapbook.

I've decided on a regular scrapbook. So I needed to add pages, because there was no way that 20 pages was going to cut it. So, I added another package of page protectors and now I have 40 to work with.

So, I made a list of all the things I would want to include in the scrapbook. I got to Natalie's 4 month photos, and only had 6 pages left....uh oh. I'm going to need a second scrapbook.

Here's the bad news:  a second scrapbook costs more money, and more time.

Here's the good news:  a second scrapbook means I have more time to create it little by little, and that I can go ahead and just bang out the first six months!

Once I divided the things I wanted to include in half, I started pairing down and combining things until I got to 40 pages. The photo above is the end result.

This is her scrapbook. I am going to put my favorite photo of her in the front pocket, and below it will say "Natalie Elaine Farris July 2011 - January 2012"

Then I chose which "pattern pack" I was going to use. I chose this one:

And started filling in my book. I used the more solid colors for pages with alot of photos, pretty patterned ones for the ones with just a few photos, and the ones with decorative edging (like the below) photo for the pages that will have alot of text. I am going to buy another pack so that I can use it to make mats for some of the photos, and decorative shapes to add dimension and keep with the color scheme of the book pages.

I think I've got all the pages where I want them. Now to start designing each page, printing the photos and text blocks, and cutting and matting them all!

I am actually pretty excited about this!

What d'ya think?

Man Candy Monday #7: Michael Shanks

Are you ready for the "other" Michael I mentioned? I am super excited to share this one, because I have to completely credit my husband for turning me into a Stargate freak.

In his best-known role, at the head of the Stargate male cast (although he's not the "lead") is none other than Michael Shanks.

He plays a character named Daniel Jackson, who is extremely smart, and extremely sexy/dorky. He often spouts nonsense, is obsessed with history, and has a phenominal knack for figuring out all of the mysteries of the universe.

Although he started out a little dorky due to the way the character was styled in the original movie (in which James Spader played Daniel) ...

 He eventually morphed into a super-sexy, hisorical buff, liguist, and well...I'll just show you.

There is something about that uniform....it looks good on ALL the stargate guys!!

Anyway, the pictures really don't do him justice, you have to watch the tv show, because not only is he a hottie, his humor and demeanor on the show will make you fall in love with him! Oh, this makes me want to watch SG-1 again from the beginning just talking about it!

The best part was when my husband and I were watching one of our newest favorite shows, Burn Notice, getting caught up for the upcoming season, and who pops up in a few episodes but Michael Shanks!

For you Smallville fans, he also had a small role on there as Hawkman.

Name:

Michael Garrett Shanks

Born:

December 15, 1970

(what is it with me and older men?!)

From:

Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada

Relationship Status:

Married to Lexa Doig

Fun Facts:

His character on Stargate is killed in 4 different episodes

 Auditioned for the part Praetor Shinzon in Star Trek: Nemesis
His best friend is Chistopher Judge who plays Teal'c in Stargate SG-1

Notable Roles:

Stargate SG-1
Stargate Atlantis (limited appearances)
Stargate Universe (limited appearances)

Burn Notice (2008-2009)

Smallville (2010)

Red Riding Hood (2011)

Linking up here:

Thanks for joining me for another installment of Man Candy Monday! Who's your favorite Man Candy??

Significant Other Saturday Sunday #2

NOTE: I must apologize for not posting this yesterday, I was feeling really terrible, and when I got home from work my back was hurting so badly that I just went to bed. I promise to get back to posting on time!! =)

"No significant other is perfect and it doesn’t really matter. What matters is how we set ourselves up to think about them. If we focus on their failures, their annoyances, or ways in which we have felt hurt by them, then we will interact with them as a hurt and frustrated and disappointed partner. That makes for miserable living for ourselves and our partner and those around us. But if we focus on their strengths, their potential, and the ways in which we feel blessed by them, then we will interact with them as a forgiving, blessed, and contented partner. And there’s no greater need a partner has than to feel respected by their lover. If they feel like all they do is hurt, disappoint, and frustrate, then the same atmosphere and the same actions will be perpetuated. But if they feel that their partner can be happy and responsive regardless of their own shortcomings, they feels respected and empowered. Then a positive atmosphere is perpetuated and actions, once destructive, can improve in an environment that is rich for cultivation and growth into deepened respect and intimacy."

Significant Other Saturday is a day in which we can all get together and remember why we fell in love, why we continue to love, and why we will always love our partners. Too often we take our relationships for granted and just expect them to be there. Join Ida @ Eternity Kind of Love, and me - Rachael, as we challenge you to be attentive to your relationship and tell us all about your partner and why they are so special to you!

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This weeks topic was: Tell us 5 things that you love about your significant other!

 1. He - is - FUNNY: My husband always has something funny to say. He has an endless supply of jokes. And man, can he do some GOOD impressions! He is better than anyone I know when it comes to imitating accents!

2. He is sexy: This goes without saying, because I don't think any of us would be with our partners if we didn't find them attractive, but man my husband is a hottie! I am such a sucker for muscles and gotees!

3. He is hardworking: My husband doesn't have an easy job. Now, it's no where near the hardest job out there, but it is physically taxing, and he comes home tired and sore from lifting furniture all day more often than not. But he still takes some time and cleans around the house for me. He's amazing.

4. He is smart: He's been making some very adult decisions all on his own. He's decided to stop drinking alcohol. He always is thinking about how his decisions will affect a certain someone in our life. Which brings me to....

5. He is a WONDERFUL father: He just loves our little girl so much. He may not particularly enjoy some things (who does? have you met anyone who LIKES dirty diapers?? Not me!) but it doesn't even phase him. And he's always thinking about her, and things that he wants to do with her. My heart swells watching him with her. It makes me melt.

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We want to hear all about the loves of your lives!

* If you would like to participate *

Blog about the topic of the week found above, or blog about whatever you feel you need to say about your love! Then come back here and link up in the collection at the bottom of this post. Please grab the button and use it in your post, or post it somewhere on your blog!

The only thing we ask is to follow both my blog and Eternity Kind of Love, in some way. Either GFC, Facebook, Twitter or Email Updates. Just let us know how you are following so that we can follow back!

* If you want to add the blog hop to your post *

If you want to participate in the hop, just click here and copy and paste the link into the HTML of your post! That's it! Simple!

<center><a href="http://youmeandnatalie.blogspot.com/search/label/Significant%20Other%20Saturday" target="_blank" target="_blank"><img alt="Significant Other Saturday" src="http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l569/rowmerrilyblog/SOSbutton.jpg?t=1329507512"/></a></center>

Next week's topic is:



Tell us ONE thing that you could work on with your partner, and how you are working on it.

See you next week!

The Nail Files: Part VII

This week I wanted to share with you the "best buy" I've had in a while....and no, it didn't come from Best Buy, it came from Walmart!

Isn't that color amazing?!?! I found it on clearance for....

$2.48!! I couldn't believe it. And it looks GREAT on my nails!

Linking up with Tara @ Fabulous But Evil, and Vicki at My Vickilicious Life!

Natalie 7 months!

Dear Natalie,

You are offically seven months old! You have gotten so big, and become so much fun this month! I am having a blast with you these days, and I know it's only going to keep getting better!

Your appointment isn't until February 29th, so I don't have your exact measurements yet, but I will be sure to update this once I know just how big you've gotten!

Stats:

Weight -

Birth: 4 lbs 0 oz
1 mo: 5 lbs 13 oz
2 mo: 8 lbs 3.5 oz
3 mo: 10 lbs
4 mo: 13 lbs
5 mo: 12 lbs 13 oz
6 mo: 14 lbs 4 oz
7 mo: 15 lbs 2 oz

Length -

Birth: 18 1/4 in
2 mo: 20 1/2 in
3 mo: 21 in
4 mo: 22 1/2 in
5 mo: 24 1/2 in
6 mo: 24 1/2 in
7 mo: unsure just yet

You are still drinking 3-4 8 oz bottles a day. You are using the medium flow nipples like a champ, and you are still eating very well!

You are loving solid food! So far you have tried:

Apples
Bananas
Pears
Peaches

Green Beans
Peas
Squash
Sweet Potatoes
Carrots

You love them all (except you are not a HUGE fan of the squash, and neither is Momma - it's runny) and we think your favorite is bananas...at least for now!

 
You are still a stellar sleeper! You even slept extra today for Momma, which was so nice!

You are in between sizes right now. You are starting to grow out of some of your 3 month clothes, and some of the 6 month clothes and 3-6 month clothes are starting to fit you pretty well. Most are still a little too big.

You are still struggling a little bit with acne, but it is getting better. You still have no teeth, but I'm thinking it's only a matter of time.

You sat in your first highchair and cart this month! I was sad and proud all at the same time! You are just growing up so fast!

You just love your jumper toy! You insist on playing in it almost every day!

We celebrated your first Valentine's Day! You were so cute! You spent time with your Nan and Pappy on Valentine's Day and then the three of us went out to dinner the next night.

I hope this month is just as exciting as this past month was!

Momma and Daddy love you more than yesterday and less than tomorrow!

Joy, and Lack Thereof...

Has anyone ever just completely and totally sucked the joy out of something for you? Well, that's how I have been feeling the past few days.

I love my blog, it's a place that I know that (most) everyone who reads will accept me, listen to me, sympathize with me, and offer advice. It's where I write when I am happy, sad, excited, nervous. It is my diary and my stomping ground. Recently, I have been trying to create more traffic, so I've needed to be more consistent in posting. And it's taken it's toll, but not on me. I'm still loving it.

But now, personal things are beginning to crumble. And as a result, I just haven't been able to get my "groove" back. Nothing that I have been writing seems "fun." And I know that's probably just me, and my new thought process. But, it's really hindering me from enjoying the one thing that I really love to do.

I know this is all very vague, and you probably won't really understand what's going on, but bare with me everyone, while I try to get back the one thing that is truly 100% for ME and no one else.

Why CAN'T we have our cake and eat it too? HUH? Why is that so hard/unfair?

End rant.

Waist Watcher Wednesday Week 8

NOTE: I'm sorry for not posting this yesterday. I've been a little behind in scheduling things. In addition to this post, come back later to view Natalie's 7 month stats and update on what she's been doing lately!

This is a weekly link party for everyone wanting to get back in shape, where we can post/comment our stats and offer each other helpful advice, workout ideas, what works for you, what doesn't and just generally support each other so that when we think about giving up we will have bloggy friends to lift us up again!

So, I will post one inspirational thing, a workout that I want to try, or something workout related every week, and I encourage you to do the same! Let's inspire each other into getting healthy this year and making our waists disappear!

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I have to admit, I may have lost my motivation. I don't have alot of support around me (in "real" life) and it's really hard to stay positive when you have so much negativity being thrown at you.

I am also SUPER bummed that no one wanted to get involved in Jena's and my music swap this past week! Maybe we will try again once we get a few more followers =)

I am promising to myself AT THIS MOMENT, that I WILL check out the gym at least by Sunday, and I WILL go at least three days a week: on Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday. Maybe even a fourth, I'm thinking either Thursday or Friday. I NEED to get in shape for these two *yes you read that right - TWO* upcoming 5k's that I want to run!

It may be a little bit premature, but I'm feeling really good about these decisions!

And I just want to share that I, Rachael, bought one of THESE today!

I am so excited to try yoga again! Please God let me get through the Sun Salutation this time! I need more flexibility in my life!

My bruised tailbone is healing, but the problem is I think it messed up EVERYTHING else in my back. My shoulders, my spine...by the end of the day everything hurts and I can't even bend over at the waist to pick something up off the ground. That should not be happening to me. I want to get it looked at, but I'm afraid of the medical costs. (Crappy insurance...) Maybe yoga will help me.

I also think that when I fell I did something to my forearm because it hurts when I pick anything up, including the baby. Ugh. I hate feeling like I'm falling apart.

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How did you do this past week?

Me - I'm back down 2 lbs. Although that doesn't mean much, since that STILL puts me at the same weight I started this process at.


Weight: 206.4
Previous: 204.8

TIPS: Weight yourself at the same time every time (morning is best) in the same type of clothing (or nude) on the same scale to get the best results.

REACTION: And almost 2 lb loss is good, but still not great.

BMI: 34.3
Previous: 33.9

TIPS: Use this website to compute your BMI

Underweight = <18.5

Normal weight = 18.5–24.9

Overweight = 25–29.9

Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

REACTION: Not where I want to be.

**********************************************************************

[If you'd like to participate]

Blog about your weight loss goal, frustrations, struggles, accomplisments, weigh-ins, whatever you feel! Then come back here and link up in the collection at the bottom of this post. And while you're here grab the WW Wednesday button to use on YOUR blog!

[If you want to add the blog hop in your post]

If you want to participate in the hop, just click here and copy and paste the link into the HTML of your post! That's it! Simple!

[A litte something extra]

To make things a little more fun, each week I will choose a random linker to put up as a STELLAR WAIST WATCHER OF THE WEEK. You will get a button with the link back to your blog and it will stay up for the whole week! How cool is that? One new rule: You have to be a follower of my blog in some way, either GFC, Bloglovin', Twitter, or Facebook in order to win.

I plugged in last weeks link ups into random.org. This weeks winner is our newcomer: Amber @ Blissful and Wishful! Congrats Amber! =) I hope to see you linking up this week too!

[Encourage each other]

Check out the other linkers and leave them a comment with some kind words! We are all going to need a kick in the pants or a hand to help us up throughout this process! It will also keep us all accountable if we know our bloggy friends are watching!

Don't forget to grab the button on my sidebar and show the blogworld that you're a waist watcher!


Linking up here: