High Heels for Tennis Shoes!

I remember when I met my now husband 5 years ago, telling him I never wanted children. I was the girl who thought I didn't need kids to be content with life. Give me a handsome man to spend time with and we will travel the world and be happy with each other.

I still want to travel the world and I got my handsome husband to spend time with, but as time changed and life around me so did my whole perspective on having children.

I was the girl who would NEVER leave the house without make-up on. The annoying one who went to the gym with my hair curled and fake eyelashes!

I carried in my purse at all times and I am not kidding here:
A full size hair brush
Comb
My whole make-up bag
A large size can of hairspray
Nail polish and remover
Finger nail file and cutters

I wore high heels everywhere dressed up all of the time and had to look or at least feel like I looked perfect.
Then it's like one day I woke up and realized that I didn't need all of that to find the perfect man or to feel good about myself.

I knew that I wanted to create these perfect amazing little human being to share my love with. Now I will tell you that finding an amazing man to call my husband did help me make these decisions. He loved me with or without make-up and preferred me with out. He showed how amazing he was with his nieces and nephews and I knew that he would be even more amazing with our children. (Which he is!)

Don't ever let anyone tell you motherhood is easy and paint you this clean pretty picture on what it is all about!
Yes it is amazing and I love being a mother more than I could ever explain. I have an amazing son who I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

But Motherhood is anything but rainbows and sunny skies all of the time. With in the first week of bringing home our son I had been spit up on, peed on, and pooped on more than I thought possible.

The first month of him being home I probably slept less than 5 hours a day with him waking every hour and a half to nurse for 45 minutes and go back to sleep for and hour and wake to do it all again. Showering was a luxury that only happened if I had enough energy to do it before my husband left for work. My son had to be held  for him to sleep for the first three months and if you put him down at any point during the day he would scream!

Any time we went anywhere people must have thought I was a hot mess because I would spend an hour trying to get him together and all of the stuff we needed to leave the house and throw myself together in 5 minutes. Sweat pants and t-shirts were my main wardrobe!

My son will be turning 7 months on the 8th of February. Gosh that is so hard to believe! Even though I don't always get my make-up on before we leave the house I do now get my showers regularly. I get more than 5 minutes to get ready normally! Plus we all sleep a lot better than we did at first (most of the time).

As I look back I am still a long way from where I use to be when I had to have every hair in the right place and my make-up perfect. The great thing though is I wouldn't have it any other way. I love being a crazy mess and if that is what I have to be in order to get to spend 45 extra minutes with my son each day, I will take it!!!
After all if people don't like the way I look then they don't have to keep looking at me.

There are much more important things in life then what I am wearing and how much money I spent on it.
Or the way I look and if my make-up is perfect. My son always looks amazing and perfect and that is more important to me than how well put together I am!
When I think of it I would never want to trade my tennis shoes back for those high heels. They hurt my feet to much anyways. = )

Until Next Time,
<3 Ashley

Monday Rambles

Since my mind is going into twenty different directions I'm sure this post will too. I have been so busy the past few days working on my "Goals of 2012".

Feeling crafty here lately so I have been making some wreaths and redoing some old vintage metal chairs, that I adore and can't wait to finish. I will post pictures and step by step tips on doing your own projects at home when I finish.

Starting organizing my Laundry room and getting it ready for a mini makeover and spruce up!

Working on a in detail plan on how we are going to get our debt down and get caught up on more things to get our credit on a climbing upward pattern. It looks like we will at least be able to start putting a dent in it and start getting things lined out and slowly get caught back up.

Still cleaning out our home and starting on Project Baby Proof! Which is coming along slowly...lol and Clayton will probably catch up to us before we can finish.

Had a great weekend with my hubby and truly enjoyed the time we got to spend together. Got some extra lovin' time in thanks to my MIL for watching Clayton. I miss every moment I'm not with my little man, but love the time I get to spend with my husband. (He is such a great hubby and daddy!)

Then got some errands taken care of today and took my little man to the doctor only to find out he has pink eye. = ( Poor thing has gotten plenty of extra cuddly time in with momma, because he hasn't felt good at all. (It breaks my heart.)

Oh and I am looking into possible job options so I can afford to go back to school.

So I know this is random and all over the place but I have a ton going on in this little (big head) of mine... It's hard for me to keep my vomit of the mind under control! I will keep tomorrow's post more on one track.

Until Next Time,
<3 Ashley

Wednesday Weigh In: Week One

Let me start by saying I am going completely out of my comfort zone here...

Weight has always been something I have struggled with. So talking about my weight in such an open way is kinda of intimidating. (I'm not an easily intimated person.) With that said I am way out of my element here.
 I am hoping that this will be just another way to help me stay motivated and maybe for me to be able to motivate someone else!

As I have mentioned I had my amazing son just a little over 6 Months ago. Yes, I gained weight while I was pregnant and  in different area's then I had weight before. Not to mention that my son was two weeks early and weighed 8.6 pounds and was 21 1/2 inches long. I will however admit that before I got pregnant I weighed the most that I ever have.

I am happily married and we love to eat and eat out. I really didn't see myself gaining all of these extra pounds. Guess I had my sunglasses a lot because I had gained almost 50 pounds in 4 years.
I have an awesome husband who seemed to like me chunky more than  he likes me thinner!
His words not mine..." More Cushion for the pushin!"

While pregnant I felt the prettiest I had felt for a long time! Guess what they say about the pregnant glow made me feel great. On top of having the greatest gift of all time in my tummy.

The week my son was born. 38 weeks Pregnant

Sorry for the Toliet Pictures. 37 weeks Pregnant

However after I had my son was another story. I had all this extra skin where my tummy was stretched to its max and I just felt awful about myself. I unfortunately was not one of those pregnant momma's where my skin and tummy just went back to normal like it was before.

I have lost all of my baby weight. Or weight I gained while I was pregnant. I was back to the weight I was
when I found out I was pregnant, when I decided to really do something about my weight. (Plus some extra loose skin I acquired!)  

I started my diet three weeks ago today and I had taken some pictures then. I deleted them though, because I thought I looked fat. =)

So the picture you are going to see are from this morning and a couple I took last week in some jeans that were tight on me when I started.

Last Wednesday January, 18th 2012

January, 18th 2012.

Here are my totals lost so far.
Total Weight Loss = 12 Pounds
Inches off Waist = 5 Inches
Inches off Hips = 3 1/2 Inches
Inches off Thighs = 3 Inches
Inches off Chest = 2 Inches

January 25th Weigh In

January 25th Weigh In

I am super pleased with my results so far and I am looking forward to seeing more awesome results!

Until Next Time,
<3 Ashley

Yummo!

I knew long before I started feeding my son solids that I wanted to make them! It was important for me to know exactly what he is eating. Where it came from, how it was prepared and when it was prepared. It has all been a learning game for me and  something I truly enjoy doing. So here is what we do...

First, I purchase Organic Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. I buy enough to make a month supply of baby food at a time. It is good in the freezer for up to 30 days. I should say that things like banana's and avocado's I make just enough for a a few days, because they tend to turn brown and the flavor tends to change.

Baby for items for a months worth of food. $11.88

 Next, I make sure that all of the equipment, storage items, prep area and myself are clean and ready for safe and healthy baby food making! = )
I got the Baby Bullet when I started and it is very helpful, but you could also use a Blender that has a puree setting or a food processor.
Since I make a months supply at a time I bought enough of the
4ounce, BPA free, microwavable and freezable plastic containers to store my baby food.

Baby Bullet and Storage Cups

To start with I peel, and core all of the items that need to be done this way. ( I bought a apple core remover from Wal-Mart, Because it saves a ton of time.) Then I cut them up and boil them until they are soft enough to be blended. 

Items I use to prepare my Baby food.

After I make the baby food I disperse it between my Storage cups. I put about 2.5ounces in a container. This is as much as the first level baby food you buy at the stores. (You can always thaw out more if you need it.)

Storage Cups I use for a months supply of baby food.

How much you make and store will depend on how many times a day you are feeding your baby solids and how much you are giving at each feeding. I try to prepare just what we need for the 30 days I am making the food to keep from wasting anything.

Start to finish it normally takes me about an hour to prep, steam/ boil, and blend and store the food. That's not to bad to have healthy, fresh, yummy food for your baby!

Here are a few pictures of my super cute, adorable Son enjoying his food prepared with love for him!  ; )

Clayton Loves his Homemade Food

Trying to eat and distracted by my Photo taking!

Yes I know he is just the cutest! "Wink, Wink" I am also kind of partial.

Until Next Time,
<3 Ashley

I Don't Skinny Dip, I Chunky Dunk!

Big is Beautiful!

I truly believe that some of the most beautiful woman are full figured or shapely  woman.
Queen Latifa, Adele, Kim Kardashian, Marilyn Monroe and the list could go on and on.

One of my goals is to lose weight this year. Not because I want to fit into the mold of you have to be skinny to be beautiful. I want to be healthy and be able to play with and keep up with my son! I know that a big part of losing weight is eating healthy (which is also one of my goals), but it is also a lifestyle. It is so easy to eat unhealthy when we live in such a busy fast pace world. Grab McDonald's on the way to school for breakfast, lunch at your favorite local restaurant and Chinese on the way home for dinner after you pick up the kids, make it to practice, and get your shopping done.

Trust me I am so guilty of all of the above. So when I decided to "diet" if that is what you want to call it, I knew I had to make a change in my lifestyle.

Here is what I am doing:
No Salt
No Dairy
No Sugar
No Soda
No Fast Food
Limited Wheat and Bread

The Question I tend to get asked when I list all of these things is... "What are you eating then?"
 Meats, Veggies, some fruits (not all fruits are good fruits), nuts and tons and tons of water.
As well as working out 5 days a week. Mostly Cardio and some lifting for toning in my arms and legs.


I started this Three weeks ago on Wednesday and I have lost 12 pounds, 4 1/2 inches off my waist, 2 1/2 inches off my hips, and 1 1/2 inches of my legs!!!

I am pretty excited with my results so far and I feel healthier and have more energy! For anyone who has a 6 Month old we all know you need tons and tons of energy!
My goal when I started was to lose 60 pounds by my sons first birthday which is July 8th of this year.
That leaves me with 23 weeks left to lose 48 pounds.
Which means I just need to lose 2 pounds a week to make it to my goal...

I am super excited to make this journey happen and to see my transformation. Just to be able to keep up with my son when he is running around and wanting to play like children do will make it all worth it!
I am going to start taking pictures each week and will keep you guys posted on my Wednesday Weigh In.

Let me know what you all do keep healthy and feeling your best, any and all extra feed back and motivation is always appreciated!

Until Next Time,
<3 Ashley

Looking Back

Losing a love one never gets easier. Sometimes it doesn't seem to hurt as bad as others. Then something reminds you of them.
A Scent, a flower, the weather, a bird, a certain season...
It doesn't have to be anything in particular and it can cause a rush of emotions to come streaming back. Well today it was a certain day and it would have been my daddy's 52nd birthday.
It still doesn't seem real that he has been gone for four years. I think of him often and as the years have went by I smile when I think of him instead of cry, but I guess all the extra momma hormones got to me today.
As I was rocking my son to sleep tonight and humming to him as I often do I started crying.
My daddy would have been so proud to be able to enjoy his grandson! To take him camping, fishing, hiking, to carry him around on his shoulders. I could picture them doing all of these things together as I rock my son to sleep and I cried not just because I miss him, but because thinking of these things made me happy.
Clayton may not get to do these things with his grandpa in this life.
But he will know what a great man he was and how he was the best man I have ever known and one day he will get to meet this man, his grandfather.
I am thankful for every minute I got to spend with my daddy.
Every lesson he taught me.
Every time he got on to me for something I did wrong.
Looking back I am thankful for all of these things because it made me the woman I am today.
I hope one day that my son and family can say the same things about me.

Goals, Not Resolutions.

First off let me just say that I will get better with doing this more often. I have been SUPER busy this week with one of my many goals for the new year! I decided this year that I would set Goals for myself and not the traditional New Years Resolution. Yes I know it's pretty much the same thing, but it works better for my mind set and seems more attainable this way! = ) So here they are...
1) Start a Blog
2) Lose my extra baby weight that I gained by my Son's first birthday. July 8th
3) Eat healthier
4) De-Clutter our home of all things we do not need or use
5) Get caught up on our Debt
6) Work on keeping that loving feeling in my Marriage
7) Keep things Organized
8) Spend tons of time playing with and enjoying my Son as much as I possibly can!

   So Far I started on all of these and I am, and will continue to work on them all! The one I have been super busy with this week and am loving is De- Cluttering our home. Everyone has that "Don't get rid of that I am going to have a Yard Sale pile." can understand where I am coming from. Well ours had taken over a whole storage unit and home. Soooo, thanks to my amazing neighbor who started a local Buy, Sell, Trade page on Facebook. I have been inspired to get rid of all the extra stuff that we have crammed into all the nooks and crannies in our not very big home! I have been a mad woman taking pictures of every other thing and posting it to this sight. Simply using the rule of thumb if I haven't used it in over two weeks or never really liked it in the first place, it's gone. I am the worse about keeping things just  because someone gave it to me or because I might use it in 5 years when i decide to make waffles.... With a new baby and all the extra stuff you need to take care of the baby, entertain the baby or that you will need to keep for the next baby we have in 3+ years we simply just don't have anymore room. My goal is to get rid of 5 things a week that we do not use or need  and to keep doing this throughout the year. I feel that if I can keep this up I will not only be making a little extra money, or helping someone that needs it, I will also be clearing my home of all the extra piles of "stuff" that collect over time! So here is my challenge for you guys... Try doing something similar,  keep in mind not to keep something just because you bought it, keep it because you use it or need it! See if you have any local groups where you can post the things you want to get rid of, you  might make a little pocket change. Or  donate to a local shelter what you don't want to sell. Hope you have the same luck I have been having getting rid of stuff and as much fun. I mean how often do you get to make some extra money getting rid of things and meet new people from you area at the same time.

Until Next Time
<3 Ashley 

2012.... Getting Started

Okay so I'm just going to jump in and start swimming... This last year brought on tons of new things and amazing adventures for me. The main and most important, the birth of my Son and only child Clayton Eli. During my pregnancy my husband and myself went back and forth on what we were going to do as far as myself working, child care, or me becoming a stay at home mother. We decided that if we budgeted our finances and saved as much money as possible that I would stay at home and take care of our son. Not to mention I didn't want to miss all of those fun first that he was going to experience. You know how everyone tells you that your life is going to drastically change when you have a child. Well let's just say I knew that was going to be true, but I didn't know how much I was going to love all of the amazing changes this little human being was going to bring our way. I love who I am as a mother! I love how much more aware I am of the things around me, in my home, what we eat and what I buy. So I decided (with a lot of persuasion from my sister) that I would start a blog. Mainly to be my virtual journal, but to also connect with other people and share the things I have learned and the experiences I have had and will continue to have being a mother and wife.  So here is my introduction.... My name is Ashley and I am a stay at home mommy to my amazing
6 month old son Clayton. I love making things, learning new things and  spending time with my family! I look forward to what this blog will allow me to share and I hope that you all can over look any typo's and enjoy the honest everyday mommy outlook that I am going to bring to the table.

Until Next Time!
<3 Ashley