It's Time to Lose this weight

A couple of years ago (before Gracie) I lost 30 lbs. by working out and eating right. Since I've had her, my habits have just gone down the drain because I don't know how to fit it all in. But, its time to lose all this weight, it's pretty sad that I am 8 lbs heavier than what I was when I left the hospital. Johnson County has this challenge called "Dump Your Plump" they challenge local organizations and workers to form teams and lose weight. I did this 2 years ago and lost 18 lbs in 10 weeks and won $400. So, I got an email again the other day and I sent it to my co-workers at school. So many people wanted to join that we have to make 2 teams. I'm excited! I know I won't lose as much as last time because I don' t have an hour to work-out every night, but at least I'm challenging myself to something. It starts on the 7th, so I better enjoy my food this weekend :) Then it goes all the way until the week before Thanksgiving-just in time to put a little back on with the holidays! Hopefully this will get me motivated to keep going...wish me luck!

25 Random Things About Me

I got this idea from a friend's post...so I'm going to try it too!

25. I hate the snow...pretty much everything about it, especially driving in it.

24. I worry all the time and if there is nothing to worry about, I find something to worry about.

23. I met my husband in college-we were neighbors. We have been together for 9 years and married for 3. We have never broken up.

22. I have a heart for kids with special needs and enjoy working with them.

21. I grew up in a Catholic church and my husband grew up in an Assembly of God church. We are now attending a Christian Church and love it.

20. I'm not the best at staying in touch with people. I have good intentions but just get busy and don't do all that I should. Thank goodness I have understanding friends.

19. I have lived in Greenwood for 7 years and I really like it here, but sometimes I miss certain things about a small town.

18. My hair is naturally curly and I have finally learned to accept it and hope maybe Gracie will have some curls too.

17. I don't have a relationship with my dad and I was secretly very excited when I found out I was having a girl because I couldn't wait for her to have a relationship with her dad. I guess I'm hoping to live vicariously through her. My husband is completely opposite my dad.

16. I wish I could have stayed home more with Gracie, however I had over 5 years of teaching experience and never would have been able to get back into teaching.

15. I HATE the neighborhood we live in. Can't wait until we are able to move.

14. I wouldn't mind to have another baby sometime soon, but my husband is not quite ready.

13. I really enjoyed being pregnant and actually enjoyed the labor/delivery too. However, I was in labor for a very short period of time.

12. I enjoy reading, but never have time.

11. I have an obsession with buying new clothes for Gracie.

10. I'm not happy with my body at all right now. But, I would rather spend time with my family than work out, so I'm having a hard time losing weight.

9. I talk a lot and way too fast.

8. I absoultely hate doing laundry and will procrastinate forever.

7. Me and my brother have a 7 year age gap, but we are extremely close.

6. I have a dog and she drives me nuts, if I could do it all over again I would not get a dog.

5. I'm still friends with girls from high school-we are all in different places, but know we can always rely on each other.

4. I call my mom almost every single day!

3. I still go in and check on Gracie in the middle of the night when I wake up.

2. I drink coffee everyday.

1. We usually go out to eat throughout the weekend, every weekend! I know that will probably change if we have more kids, but for right now we enjoy that time and it gives me a break from cooking.

It has been a busy week!

Well..I started back to school on Wed.  That was our teacher work day and the kids came on Thurs.  So, it was a nice short week.  I think I'm going to have a good class.  I have 9 boys and 9 girls and they all seem very sweet.  I have some talkers-but I was one myself :)  The start of the school year is always busy....lots of planning, preparing, open house, etc.  So, after Gracie goes to bed, I have lots of work to get done.  I'm sure this week will be very busy.  

Gracie adjusted to going back to the sitter just fine.  The first day she didn't nap well, but the other days she did fine.  We have had to change her schedule a little because she was going to bed around 7:15-7:30 and not getting up until around 8:00 AM...but now she has to be up by 7:15 to get to the sitter.  I just feel I can't move her bedtime up anymore because I will get no time with her.  I leave school as soon as it is over to pick her up...this is why I have a lot of work at night...but it's worth it!

This weekend we took Gracie to the park to play and we had a cook-out with some people from Tim's work.  It was fun!  Everyone brought there kids...there were 7 boys and Gracie was the only girl.  but, she didn't care she can hold her own!!!!  Today we are going to be heading to church and then I have work to do for school during her naptime.  I wish the weekends were just a little longer!

Back to School

It's back to school today...wish me luck...more on the part of leaving Gracie :(

Funny things with Gracie....

So...lately Gracie is really trying to vocalize things with us.  She knows some signs we have taught her (more, all done, thank you, rain) and uses them all the time.  She also is trying to say lots of words.  She really likes the song "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and her favorite part is when you say "up above", so now when she wants you to sing the song she will say "up aba" and she tries to sing....it is sooo cute!  She also has learned that I always wash my hands after changing her diaper, so now she thinks she has to do it too!  She rubs her hands together and points wanting me to wash them for her.  So, anytime you say "Gracie wash your hands" she will rub her hands and look for a sink.  She has also decided that she does not like to have a wet or dirty diaper.  As soon as she goes to the bathroom she comes and tugs on her diaper and says "uck" and wants me to change it.  It is always RIGHT after she goes.  The dr. says she is too young to verbalize if she has to go before, but that I might as well start working on potty training if it bothers her that much...so we will see.

We are just amazed at everything she is learning.  She is truly amazing!

Gracie's Dr. appt.

Gracie had her 15 month checkup on tues.  She had to get 3 shots :( but she did really well!  We have delayed the MMR and will probably do it around 2 years.  She is now 31 inches (80%) not sure how this happened and 22 pounds (40-50%).  She has grown 2 inches and gained 2 pounds in 3 months.  The Dr. said she is currently getting 6 teeth in (Yeah) and we noticed today that 3 of them have now popped through.  Luckily she is still sleeping great, just occasionally fussy during the day, but not really a lot.  She has all 4 molars coming in and a couple up towards the front.  She didn't get her first tooth until almost 11 months and now they are all coming in!!! 

Tim and Zach's birthday

Happy birthday to Tim(husband) and Zach(brother).  They share a birthday and it was on Aug. 7th!  We celebrated today with my family.......

Feeling grateful..

that I decided to take the job in 2nd grade this year.  After registration last week enrollment was low in 1st grade and they had to cut a teacher (would have been me) and move the person to 3rd.  So, she only had a weeks notice.  I would never have got it all done.  So God must have been leading me in the right direction.

Speaking of school we start on Wed.  I love my job and always look forward to the kids, however I would be lying if I said I was really excited to go back.  I just hate leaving Gracie.  Last week I left her at the sitter while I went to work at school and I just bawled when I left her.  Reality hit me that it is coming up quickly and that I will have to leave her everyday.  Last year was a little bit easier because she didn't realize it, now she does and doesn't want me leaving.......so wish me luck!

Jill's Wedding

I'm really far behind in blogging, so I will be making a couple of posts.  Last weekend was by friend Jill' s wedding.  We left on Friday for the rehearsal and left Gracie for the first time.  The rehearsal went well.  The only thing was the dinner was outside and I ended up with about 20 mosquito bites on my legs and feet...not pretty when you have a short and dress and you are in the wedding!  The ceremony was one of the most emotional one's I have ever been too.  Jill was beautiful and sooo happy!  The reception was soo much fun and it was great to see all of my old college friends. 

We did have one disaster...right before we were leaving for the church my zipper on my dress busted and we freaked out.  Luckily one of the mom's there is a seamstress and she had to sew me into my dress with fishing wire.  It was crazy.  However, it lasted for a full 12 hours and never came out.  We had to ask the front desk of the hotel for scissors to cut me out of the dress.....pretty crazy.

It was hard to leave Gracie all weekend but we managed.  My family stayed at the house with her and she really had a great time.  Although, I had Tim up early Sunday morning to head back.....