Hilton Says

I LOVE this time with Hilton. Since he started talking it has gotten more and more fun to see what he says each day. This developmental period is definitely my favorite. I wanted to capture how cute he says certain things, he has a little bit of wisp (lisp) that show his struggle with L's so far. And I find it completely adorable. And no I'm not worried about it, both Jared and I had difficulty with certain consonants growing up but...I digress. So I'm going to post little clips of conversations with Hilton just to be able to forever remember and look back at his speaking development. Plus a couple funny things he says that I love.

First, a video run down of his current words that he uses the most, which includes, mommy, daddy, puppies, pizza, crackers, and the latest his response to 'What is your name?'

And my absolutely favorite phrase he has started to say:

 

Love this boy, even if I he doesn't say it back every time :)

T25: the beginning

So I've been internally conflicted if I should share the whole experience with this blog of my journey using T25, and I feel like three weeks into the ten week program I have already seen such great results that it wouldn't be a fair assessment if I didn't share everything. I'm by no means a workout guru, nor am I a workout blogger. There are plenty of those out there, so don't expect that of me.

I first starting looking for a workout program because I was told by one of my doctors that I was about 20 lbs overweight (!). Granted I had stopped loosing weight when Hilton was around 9 months old and pretty much been stable since then, but I wasn't more than 5 lbs. over my pre baby weight although I was definitely not happy with my post baby body. I'm not saying that I wouldn't have a baby if I had known this was how my body would change, because I would do it again in a heartbeat, but I definitely could tell I was carrying some extra pudge in places that certainly didn't need it (love-handles, tummy, arms, thighs).

So I started looking into and researching workout programs. This was mainly because last summer I tried to get back into running and after getting stress injuries in my knees decided it wasn't worth it to do high impact activities as my sole source of working out. I hate, loathe, detest gyms and am too self conscious to workout in front of groups (plus the membership fees seem like a total rip off). I knew if I didn't find a workout program that was quick, and gave me fast results that I wouldn't finish it. I had heard of the insanity program before but felt like I needed something toned down for my needs: enter T25.

Made by the same person as Insanity, Shaun T. but a much more beginning intro style workout program geared to get people quick results with only 25 minutes 6 days a week. I was really skeptical as well, but I'm telling you they should be paying me for my review because I've a believer.

Let's get to the nitty gritty:

STATS:
beginning stats:
Weight: 155.5 lbs
Hips: 39 inches
Waist: 34 inches
Arms (humerus section): 11.5 inches
Thigh (where thighs touch near crotch): 24 inches

Week 1:
Weight: 155.5 lbs
Hips: 38.5 inches
Waist: 33 inches
Arms: 11.5 inches
Thighs: 24 inches

Week 2:
Weight: 155 lbs
Hips: 37.5 inches
Waist: 32 inches
Arms: 11.5 inches
Thighs: 23.5 inches

Week 3:
Weight: 154 lbs
Hips: 37 inches
Waist: 31 inches
Arms: 11 inches
Thighs: 23.25 inches

So I will for now spare you my beginning photos, I don't want to post those until I have great 'after' photos to compare them too. But I'm telling you, this program works. I'm in no way in great shape, I have a very sedentary job and chasing my toddler for a couple hours after I get home doesn't really count as 'working out'. I don't go full blast during the entire workout, otherwise I would pass out! But along with the loss of mass around my waist and hips I am feeling so much stronger and having more energy each day. It's not hard to commit to less than half an hour after I put Hilton to bed and it is completely paying off! I'm already down from a size 10 jean to a size 8 and I have hopes to keep slimming down. Granted I know that working out shouldn't be able just loosing weight, but also getting stronger and I'm happy to note that I can finally do ten push ups in a row and not collapse between each one!

 To come.....my nutrition and calorie changes.

 
p.s. this photo above I will share because it was the point where I realized it was time to get serious about really loosing weight and slimming down, I want to be confident in my own skin around others to be an example for my children and I know that means working to be happy and stronger physically. I don't want to be one of those moms who hides behind swimming 'skirts' and shirts at the pool, I want to be one of those mom's who are happily chasing their kids around, not self-consciously sitting on the side watching their children make memories.

Content

I haven't posted in quite a while, mainly because I feel like we don't really do anything incredibly interesting that's out of the normal for our family. But I definitely want to keep posting so I can document my families life, and so I feel like even if I post about the hum drum things I want to at least do that for hubs and my little man even if everyone else might think it's slightly boring. I promise to get on here a bit more and maybe even post some up to date pictures :)

...

Content. Is this what heaven feels like? I'm so happy and comfortable in life currently. Not that days aren't without there challenges and it's like I don't have things to work on personally. Because I definitely have days where I know I could have done better. But I'm happy. I love and appreciate my job, and I feel that is reciprocated. I love our neighborhood and where we live. No I do not love all my neighbors, and yes there are projects around my house that are on the if-we-had-a-million-dollars to-do list, but still I love our house and area in which we live and the freedom being homeowners gives us. I have a new car that I don't worry is going to break down on the freeway or loose a tire as I'm driving home (that really happened) and is a wonderful mom car. Most important of all I have the greatest husband who just graduated from Utah Valley University with his bachelor's and is such an amazing provider for our family, and the most precious curious happy little boy to fill my days with wonder and opportunities to be the best mom I can be.

But the only way I can appreciate these things and people is because I have experiences to compare to when I didn't have them in my life and struggled without them. The first three years of our marriage we lived in four different apartments each one worse than the last. We dealt with obnoxious neighbors, ridiculous rent charges with utilities on top, and ultimately lack of control over our own living space. We recently got rid of our Subaru, which was nothing but trouble from the beginning (and a terrible purchase but don't tell Jared I said that) and made me worried driving Hilton around because I didn't feel it was reliable. I dealt with a terrible time dating, I never had a good or healthy romantic relationship until I met Jared and I truly was meant to meet him as he has made these past five years wonderful. And I feel I can still appreciate Hilton even on his terrible no-good very bad fussy days as I know what it was like to cry wanting a baby for so long. There is no way without these hard experiences that I could appreciate all the many blessings that my life currently holds. My challenges that Heavenly Father blessed me with have helped prepare me to appreciate what he wanted to give me, and I'm so grateful for those experiences. I know I have been so incredibly blessed with these people and things in my life, and I'm constantly worried that I will blink and it will be gone. My husband and Hilton are the reason I get up each day and try to be the best person I can be.

All of these things make me the luckiest woman ever, and I don't want to ever forget it.

Hilton's bedtime routine

Ever since Hilton finally started sleeping through the night we have developed a pretty complicated bedtime routine. Whenever Jared takes over he either gets steps out of order or forgets them altogether. But he tries which is worth a lot! Thank goodness our bedtime routine isn't completely strict and there aren't any crazy dances or tricks to getting Hilton situated. As long as he is warm and happy he goes to bed just fine. Overall though I've found that he really does notice if I don't use the lotion he likes and he definitely won't spend as much time in the bath as usual if I don't use bubble bath so I definitely rely on our bedtime products to help get to the end goal of being in bed and a good night's rest.

1. We have to use this bubble bath, it smells so good and doesn't dry Hilton out at all. It's so good and definitely goes a long way. He also loves playing in the bubbles and it makes it so he smells clean when he gets out.

2. California Baby by far is my favorite baby product line. It's a bit more expensive then the usual brands like Johnson and Johnson etc. but so worth it! A little goes a long way with this brand as well and it smells SO good comparatively. This diaper rash cream we love and I always put a little on Hilton's bum before putting on him nighttime diaper because obviously that diaper is on the longest so I definitely want to protect his sweet cheeks as much as possible for the night.

3. Burt's Bee's Baby Bee Calming Lotion. Love. So moisturizing has a nice calming smell to it that isn't overpowering at all and is made primarily from natural ingredients. Love it. I smother him in it from head to toe every night and it keeps his dry skin outbreaks to a minimum and keeps him smelling nice and fresh.

4. Carter's fleece sleepers. It's all we buy and all Hilton will wear. Definitely have stocked up in every size.

5. And lastly Goodnight Moon and a variety of other baby books. Typically we read about 3-4 depending on the night before I put him down and he loves them. He has started helping me turn the pages which is sometimes not so helpful but it's nice to know he's following along and I've learned which books he loves the most which is fun.

We love these products and I know from trying others that these are the best for little man's bedtime routine. Try them out and if you use them already then you know what I'm talking about! And good luck to all the moms with babies they're trying to get adjusted to a sleeping routine, I know how hard it is but you can do it! Restful nights are on the horizon.