It's Friday Time to Party!

Hey, hey, hey it's Friday! And guess what? I had the day off! Woo hoo! So this post is coming at ya a little late, had to wait till the little humans went down for a nap. Thank you for those days they nap at the same time!

1.

Have I told you guys about Younique? It's my new favorite product. I'm sure you guys have heard the buzz about 3D Fiber Lash. Well I finally decided to give it a try and I LOVE it! Get ready for a bunch of close up pictures of my eyeball (you're welcome).

I don't know if you know, but I have little to no eyelashes...see below:

Now this is me with just mascara on, I use Volum' Expresss the Falsies Waterproof Mascara.

Now this is just one coat of the 3D Fiber Lash.

And then I added another coat, just cause I could, a girl can and will take as much length as she can!

This is how it works: you have a transplanting gel which you apply first, and then you immediately apply the natural fibers followed by another coat of the transplanting gel. I usually have both caps open and do one eye at a time. I cannot say enough good things about this product. I seriously love it and want to scream from the roof tops how awesome it is! I told a bunch of my friends when I started using it, and they wanted to try it too, so I told them I would host a party so that they could try it. I thought I would invite anyone else who wants to try it, here's the link to my party. If you have any questions let me know.

2.

I love that my parents moved close to us, now they can come and walk Baby Fox to and from preschool with me

3.

This happened yesterday, I won the bet. Mr. and I bet that Mini Fox would walk before 13 months 1 week. I had everything below that, he had everything above, I won by 1 week. I'll never let him forget it.

4. 

Remember this post? And I asked all of you to vote for Baby Fox, well I won! We won a $50 gift card to Amazon, so Thank You! What should I get?!

5. 

This picture cracks me up. It looks like Baby Fox is eating Mini Fox, but in reality Mini Fox is laughing hysterically and loving every second of it.

Linking up with: Erika, Andrea, and Narci for Friday Favorites,  September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey, Friday, 
April, Darci, Natasha and Christina for Five on Friday and Lauren for High Five for Friday  

Post Baby Body, Now What?

Back again and today's topic: Learning to Love your Post-Pregnancy Body

I remember when I finally got that little + sign with Baby Fox, it was so exciting, we were going to be a family of 3. And then the numbers on the scale started going up. It's hard, I think, as people we are trained to want the scale number to stay the same or go down, never up. So it was super hard to see that number going up every week. Then you sort of start to wrap your head around, yes we want the number to go up, then you think, we'll the baby is 7 pounds, extra fluid is about 10 pounds, 4 pounds is extra blood pumping around...everything else, just extra fluff. I weighed myself just before going to the hospital...

A few minutes before leaving for the hospital, clean and sweet smelling

 and then I weighed myself when I got home from the hospital...and you know what? That stupid number was EXACTLY the same. Like really, it could have AT LEAST been 6 pounds lighter (how much Baby Fox weighed), but nope, it was the same, I had a long way to go.

Coming home from the hospital

 The weeks after Baby Fox got here were a blur, eventually I came out of the fog and started walking with him every day. Then when I got the clear from the doctor to exercise, I started with a group called Stroller Strides. It was life saving, not a doubt in my mind, it helped me get through those first months after baby. It lead me to a group of women who kept me sane and kept reminding me that I am a good mother no matter my size or shape. My hips were wider, jeans just didn't fit the same. I was a different size. I had to accept that fact and look at my precious baby boy and just work it. I worked out like no other, I worked out 5 days a week with Stroller Strides. I worked hard, really hard. But you know what? It didn't feel like it, I was with other Mom's, some new, some already 2 or 3 other kids. I had a group of woman who answered my newbie mom questions, people to talk to that didn't just stare blankly at me when I talked. But my hard worked paid off, I was back to pre-pregnancy clothes about 4 months after having Baby Fox. People would always say, oh you just bounced right back, and I would say,thanks, I did, but I worked hard for it. I don't let people think that I got to how I was, because I have good genes...nope I worked for this.

Baby Fox is almost 4 months old

 When Mini Fox came I was about 5-10 pounds heavier than I was with Baby Fox.

2.5 hours before Mini Fox arrived

This time I decided to use one of those bamboo belly bandits (I seriously have a problem with the model they are using on that front page, like really? Couldn't they have found a woman who was ACTUALLY postpartum?! Not some super skinny...you know what to make us all feel like we should look like that), and you know what? It freaking works! If you don't know what it is (I didn't until I went to buy some nursing bras at Motherhood Maternity 1 week post baby, and it helps to just suck everything in, helps fight gravity from pulling everything down). Seriously, it felt better when I had it on. I didn't feel the weight of all that extra poundage weighing me down. It was a little uncomfortable, but with time you just get used to it. You're supposed to wear it 24/7 for 6 weeks postpartum. I think I did it for 24/7 for about 4 weeks, and then I wore it while just at home and sleeping for about a week, and then I stopped wearing it the last week. But I think it totally helped, I was back in my per-pregnancy jeans about 6 weeks after giving birth. Not sure why I "bounced" back faster, maybe it was because my hips were already wide, so I didn't have to adjust to that fact or maybe it was my body remembering, oh yea you've done this before, we're going to be okay. I once again joined Stroller Strides full time (I was only going before on my off Fridays), and worked hard.

2.5 months post baby, Mini Fox is sleeping in the stroller off to the side

I have learned that your hips change, the fat get redistributed to different places, but that it takes you 9 months to put on the weight, so it might take you that long to get it off. A reason why I worked so hard is that I knew I was going back to work and didn't want to buy new work clothes, motivation right there! Plus I knew once I went back to work, I needed to be in maintain mode, I knew I wouldn't be able to go/get to the gym as often, maybe 1-2 times a week, if that.

Bottom Line I worked hard for my postpartum body, it didn't just come naturally, but my hard worked paid off, and I didn't have to buy new work clothes either time :) Just remember, your body is your body and it did amazing things to give you the little human you have now. So love it, nurture it and it will be nice back to you.

If you have any questions about the Belly Bandit, just shoot me a message, I was not sponsored by them, just wanted to let you guys know something that worked for ME.
    Have you learned to love your post-pregnancy body?     Check out the other mama's blogs for their stories.  And be sure to link up with us below if you also have a post on this topic.   

  In the difficulty of motherhood, it's so important to find other mamas to relate to.  Toddlers can be a handful and leave you wondering what to do next.  This series is here to help you navigate through toddlerhood while being able to relate to other mamas going through the same thing.  We may not always know what we are doing but we give it our best shot anyway.  Come back each week to check out our new topic and read along with the other hosts of our One Year and Beyond series!  

The Not Quite Military Wife// Like a Morning Cup of Coffee//  Meet the Sullivan's

 From Here to Eternity//  Pig and Dac//   Everyday Love

A Cowboy's Life// Life of Faith//  Foxy's Domestic Side//  My Delicious Adventure

Oct 2:     Toddler Diaper Bag Essentials 

Oct 9:     Learning to love your post-pregnancy body

Oct 16:   Busy Toddler Activities

Oct 23:   Keeping in Shape While Caring for a Toddler

Oct 30:   Sick Day Tips

Nov 6:    How to Not Lose Your Patience with your Toddler

Nov 13:  Favorite Toddler Outings

An InLinkz Link-up

The Pacifier Mystery Solved!

The days are getting shorter, I'm going to have to find somewhere in my house to start taking my pictures. Usually I take pictures after work, pretty soon it's going to be dark when I leave and when I get home, sigh.

It seems almost impossible that I haven't put this outfit together. So simple on these hot days. I went to Payless to pick up a pair of their Defelex Comfort shoes (and yes they are super mega comfortable) in nude and the sales lady said...I never would have thought to put that turquoise color with purple/blue. Well thank you!

When walking out the door for work, instead of grabbing my jean jacket, I decided to grab this blazer. Not sure if I totally like it, but I'm leaning towards the I like camp right now.

Now onto some random things.


Remember how I told you I was watching this show? Well how perfect was it that Alfonso did the "Carlton" on Dancing with the Stars this week. Made my week.

I'm so ready for cooler weather. I seriously feel like we've been in a constant Spring/Summer mode for the last two years. Last year it rained maybe 3 times and all of our flowers were blooming in March! Seriously? We've had in the 90° weather for the last week or so. We're supposed to be getting a "cold front", you know 80° weather for a few days before it goes back up. This happens every October, why am I always surprised?

I found out this week there can be too many raisins in Raisin Bran. This is the best one out there, they are small little flakes that are chewy and delicious! But every once in a while we get a box where the raisin machine must have had a freak out and dumped 2-3 boxes worth of raisins in...I love raisins, but 10 raisins on each bite is a bit much.

We've had the case of the missing pacifiers. Slowly but surely all of Mini Fox's pacifiers were disappearing. It was like the mystery of the socks in the dryer...couldn't figure out where they were going. Well turns out Little Miss, was throwing them behind her crib...we found 11 back there. LOL, sneaky girl. Mr. retrieved them on Friday and guess what? This morning she was back down to 4...silly girl. At least we don't have to keep buying new ones...just move the crib. haha.

 Linking up with Because Shanna Said So, Get Your Pretty On, The Pleated Poppy, Tucker Up

Things I Shouldn't Be Afraid of But Am

I have a lot of irrational fears. Sometimes I just want to scream at myself, like get it together! These are so silly...but none the less, they're fears, and here they are. In no particular order, and I hope we can still be friends after you really find out about what a freak I am.

1.

Back when I first got married, Mr. and I would always watch scary movies. I like being scared, I didn't mind them, but then slowly I started having more nightmares and we decided it was best if we stopped watching scary movies and just like that the nightmares almost ended. Unless I watch something scary, and then all bets are off. That being said The Grunge shower scene. You know what I'm talking about. When SMG is washing her hair and suddenly she feels hands on the back of her head...yea, I haven't seen that movie since the movie theater, and it still haunts me. For a few months after that, I sort of would have a 2 second freak out.

2.

Closing my eyes in the shower. Seems weird right? But in my head, some serial killer is going to come into my bathroom, knife and music going (you know the music I'm talking about)...ready to kill me...but if I keep my eyes open...then they won't come right?

Apparently I have shower issues.

3. 

Stepping on a lizard/bug/snail while taking the garbage out at night. This hasn't happened to me, but doesn't prevent me from freaking out. I should just turn on the light, but usually I just hop a few steps, throw out the garbage, then hop a few steps back. Less steps means less chance to step on one right? Note: I think this fear steams from the fact that while in college and I was walking home from class one day, I step on what I thought was a rock, but when I turned around to look, it was a baby frog...suffice to say those sandals went into the trash.

4.

I once heard about this apartment in NYC where someone found  freaking snake in their toilet. I guess it had gotten out of it's cage, and went into the toilet and was just roaming around in the pipes and popped up in some random person's toilet...so I always look, ALWAYS...

5.

I'm afraid of the ocean. The part where it's not light blue, but super dark blue. That part, terrifies me. When we went scuba diving, the only thing getting me through it, holding Mr.'s hand (yep under water) and thinking, I can swim faster then that girl over there...haha. But in general if I can't see the bottom I won't go in it. Even in the wake of the wave, when I'm just up to my ankles, nope, won't do it.

This is a picture from our honeymoon...see the light blue around the huts, that is barely acceptable, I can see the bottom and it's about chest deep. That really dark blue (where the boat is), that's not okay to swim in, really deep and you never know what could swim up from the bottom and get ya.
 

From our honeymoon in Bora Bora, we took a helicopter ride and this was one of the first pictures we took. This is the hotel we stayed at (the helicopter picked us up from our hotel, cause we're fancy like that...no really, it's a super small island where each hotel is basically it's own island. The center island being the "mainland" and where all the shops/restaurants are located,  and I'm fairly certain all of the hotels probably have a place for helicopters to land...)

 The above picture was the only acceptable picture, the others...they just freaked me out just looking them up, didn't want them on the blog forever. haha...

So make me feel better, what are your irrational fears?

 

 

After 5 Years....and some Weekend Stuff

I was itching to get out and start shopping for the Fall Challenge (not too late to sign up*, do it!). Anyway, I really wanted to take advantage of Target's Cartwheel, so I asked Baby Fox if he wanted to go to Target with me. He always loves going to Target, mostly because he probably gets a toy every time he goes. Anyway, I told Mr. that I thought tonight would be a good night to have just us to go dinner. So Baby Fox and I went to Target and then went out to dinner at Cheesecake Factory. It was great just spending some time with him.

It's blurry, but I don't care

He's put bread in his mouth for a smile...he's such a boy!

When we got home, put Baby Fox and Mini Fox to bed, I wasn't sleepy (it was 9pm), but Mr. was, so off to bed he went and I stayed up and watched Star Dust and this: I haven't watched one of these episodes in forever!

Saturday morning we took Baby Fox to get a much needed haircut. At first he was super hesitant and crying, but then realized it didn't hurt to get your haircut.

And then he realized he wasn't going to get a toy for getting his hair cut, cue, end of the world type crying.

We went to Whole Foods afterwards to pick up some food...Mini Fox's first time in a cart.

She was doing pretty good, until she decided to turn around.

I've been wanting to hand this picture for 5 years, yes we've lived in our house for 5 years, and Mr. finally hung it. I love it!

Mini Fox was sleeping, what better time to take a selfie?

Finally finding a spot to hang some more pictures. So happy to finally have some stuff on the walls. We spent so much time patching holes and painting it was hard to put more holes in the walls, but it felt good, and I might go on a picture hanging craze.

Saturday night we went to my Aunt and Uncle's for dinner. It was yummy and my sister was there, always a good time.

They were the only kids there, so we brought a movie for Baby Fox to watch.

This girl finished before everyone, and played nicely with this while we all finished dinner

We spent the night at my Aunt and Uncle's, and let me tell ya, Mini Fox is a loud sleeper and she sucks her pacifier all night long...

Taking a walk to the park before it got too hot.

Whenever Mini Fox was on Mr.'s shoulders, Mini Fox would pull his hair, Mr. told her not to pull on his hair and that it hurt, so her solution, is to just not hold on at all...talk about giving Mama a heart attack, but somehow she stays on and has a smile on her face the whole time.

On our drive home, we saw a clown car..litterally, a guy dressed up like a clown in a car that said clown car on it. You can't really tell, in this picture, but this guy has a little tiny hat on his bald head...things you see in LA.

While the kids were sleeping I decorated our mantle for Halloween.  Yep our family room has a bunch of toys everywhere, Mom Life...

He's smiling...

She's smiling...which do I pick? Both...

To end the day we talked with Grandma for a bit.

It was a good weekend, so far next weekend we have NOTHING planned...yay! But I'm sure we'll find some trouble to get into though...haha.

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Faith, Sarah and Heather for Mommy Moments

and with Bella & Lisa
*this is an affiliated link and I will get referral money

Friday Favorites #7

Yay, it's Friday! We made it, and with it comes some favorites. Here are mine for the week.

1.

I saw this commercial this week, I seriously love the Esurance commercials, they crack me up. Best line in this one: "Three in a row... sweeeeet, Level 2!"

Anyone else love their commercials? Yes I still watch commercials, sometimes when I'm hitting forward I see something that catches my eye and I stop, rewind and watch it.

'

2. 

Mini Fox is so close to walking. Baby Fox keeps telling us that she walks, but as soon as well look over she sits down...I think she's just practicing in private so that when she does debut her new skill, she'll be able to run. We're in trouble now!

3.

I love how much the kids love each other. Mini Fox walked up to Baby Fox to give him a little snuggle

4. 

Sneak Peak into our Halloween Costumes. See previous years here, here and here.
Can you guys guess what Mr. and I are going to be?

I think the pacifier makes Mini Fox's costume don't you?

 5.

You know when your hair starts to feel super heavy and just sort of icky from using too much shampoo and conditioner and hair products? Use this stuff. It's the most awesome stuff EVER! You just wash your hair with this, don't use any conditioner though. After you get out of the shower dry your hair, your hair is going to feel light, and it's going to be SO, SO soft, it almost feels like you've gone to a salon, no joke! Seriously, it's the best thing you can do to just refresh your hair. I use it every month or so, just depending on how I feel. It's only $6ish at Target, so what does it hurt to try it out. If you do, let me know how you like it. Everyone that I've recommended it to, loves it too.

5.5

Don't forget to "vote" (click like) for Baby Fox! Click the link and then click like (they just screen grabbed my IG account, so you have to click like on the FB picture. Please, please please with a cherry on top? I'd forever be grateful!

https://www.facebook.com/lmualumni/photos/a.10152275448980957.1073741827.175517010956/10152275449730957/?type=3&permPage=1 or click here 

For Mini Fox  https://www.facebook.com/lmualumni/photos/a.10152275448980957.1073741827.175517010956/10152275449730957/?type=3&permPage=1
or here

 Hope you have a great weekend! We're going to my Aunt and Uncle's again to eat the most delicious spaghetti you'll ever eat. Maybe I'll even remember to take a picture...probably not though, I'll be too busy stuffing my face!

 
Linking up with: Erika, Andrea, and Narci for Friday Favorites, September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey, Friday, April, Darci, Natasha and Christina for Five on Friday and Lauren for High Five for Friday