Things I Said I Would Never Do As A Mom

Since , becoming a mom I have caught myself time after time doing things that I thought I would never do , but am totally doing..So, never say never!

Here is what I thought I would never do:

1. Owning a Mini-Van- This was something that I ALWAYS said I would never do. However, that quickly changed when I realized how much stuff a baby needs when traveling. Plus, when we travel we bring Lilly, her crate, and both our golf clubs. The first time we traveled with Harper we had no extra room in my 4runner. So, we decided to explore our options and chose the Toyota Sienna. Hey, do not hate on the minivan until you try it. I promise you will fall in love with the automatic doors/ trunk, sunroof, and 20 inch TV.

2. Making my own baby food- This is something I never thought I would do. See, I am all about buying items to make my life easier and to me I thought this seemed so impractical. I mean, who has time to make baby food :). However, when I received the Baby Bullet as a gift, I realized that it was pretty neat. It is cheap and easy to use. For instance, one whole sweet potato last a week and half and only takes 5 minutes to make. So, I think I am going to keep making my own until it becomes a hassle.

3. Having Harper out past her bedtime-We take Harper everywhere with us. Mostly because we do not live near any of our family and at 5 months I am not comfortable with Harper being watched by some of my old students. So, we have decided to just take her out with us meaning dinner. Normally, she is always sound asleep so she is unaware we are out but I do sometimes get this vibe that others do not approve that we have her out so late (meaning until 10 ). I used to judge those parents and now I completely understand.

4. Taking Harper to fancy restaurants. I always used to say how annoying it is that parents bring their babies to an upscale resturants . However, since having Harper she has been to many of those restaurants where children are not really wanted. The nice thing is that at Harper's age most people do not even notice her , since she is always asleep or quiet.

5. Having Harper sleep in our room (in her co-sleeper).  I always was very opinionated over parents having their children in their room past 1 month. That too changed when I had Harper. I realized that it is not as easy as you think. Personally, I never had a hard time (emotionally) with Harper being moved to her crib it was just me being lazy. It is so much easier to have her in the co-sleeper , so if she needed to be feed all I had to do was turn over and feed her. Now that she is sleeping until early morning hours it is not as hard. She is currently sleeping half in our room and half in her's. Hopefully, when all our summer travels end we will establish a better routine.

6. Leave the house without a shower or putting makeup on. This is something that I NEVER thought I would do. I am not a vain person , but I do like to look decent before leaving the house. Well, that has changed a little. Now days, I catch myself grabbing a baseball cap and my workout clothes to go to  run errands. I sometimes even realize after I have been out all day that I had milk stains on my shirt from where Harper spit up.

7.  Treating a trip to the grocery store like its a night out on the town. Yes, going alone to the store has become something that I have really started to enjoy. Instead of rushing through the aisles I find myself actually reading labels and taking my time.

8. Talk about gas and poop. I was always raised to not say these two words because they were not "lady" like. However, that went out the window the minute I had Harper. Anytime she has an upset stomach everyone is always talking about gas and what not.

I am sure that I will have many more things to add to this list as time goes on but as for now these are the main things I thought I would never do!! Boy was I wrong :)

My Personal Weight Loss Challenge

Well, it has come to this... I have had to join a gym to lose the remainder of my "baby" weight.

Love this!

I have tried the last 5 months to lose weight on my own, but that is just not cutting it. I need more exercise than what I am currently getting to lose it all. During my pregnancy, I gained a total of 30 pounds. I have lost 20 pounds but still need to lose the last 10. For some reason, that last 20 came off  without any effort on my part unless that means eating a cheese-steak, Chick-Fil-A, pizza, and enjoying some sort of alcoholic beverage with dinner.  However, I do walk our Lab every night which is quite a workout but just not enough for me to lose the weight. So, I decided to go and join a Gym.. Gold's Gym..and I love it!

I work out!

 I used to be a member of this gym before we had Lilly. Once, we got her I decided to drop our membership so I could come home from work and walk her. Now that our lives have changed I decided to rejoin. The main factor was that they have a childcare program for when you are working out. The great thing is that one of the girls watching the children is one of my past students who I would recommend to anyone. So, it is a win - win for both Harper and I.

Harper loves watching all the kids

So far , I have worked out at least 4 days a week, since we joined whhich was last week :)... I have also continued to walk Lilly in the evening so that she continues to get her exercise. So, hopefully I am on my way to major weight loss.. We will see!!! I will be sure to keep you updated with my progress..

This is seriously how I feel about my own weight loss :)

Our Last 5 Years..

It really is amazing how much life changes in 5 years , both good and bad. Here is a look back at the main events that happened to Will & I as a couple.

**Warning Photo Overload**

2007

Summer

On May 25, 2007 , we purchased our very first house, which I love. Due to our growing family,  I think that this could change in the next 5 years. When we purchased our home we did not have Lilly or Harper, so our home was just enough space. Now we are going to need a bigger yard and another bedroom. So, we will see what happens.

Our Lovely Home

Fall

In August, I started my first teaching job at Cave Spring High School teaching 10th grade History . This school is one of Virginia's highest ranked schools academically and has a wonderful student body.  It was so much fun to work with great students who made me laugh everyday. Still, when I see my past students it brings a smile to my face because I remember all the memories I made at this wonderful school.

Go Knights!

Winter

The week of Christmas,  Will and I joined his family at The Greenbrier to celebrate the holiday and his mother's birthday. We created so many fond memories while staying at this resort.

My in-laws and I at The Greenbrier celebrating Christmas

2008

Sadly, on January 23, 2008 Will's mom, Freda passed away with cancer. This has been one of the  hardest obstacles we had to deal with as a couple. Will's mother was one of the most beloved women I have ever met. Will is from a small town in Southern Virginia and we often joked that she was this town, since she was  very involved in the community. Recently, we have really felt her presence with the birth of Harper. We just know that she is looking down smiling at us and loving her.

Tom, Freda, Will, Thomas & I at our wedding

Spring

In May, Brandon graduated from Lee University with a Business Administration degree. Currently, he is  employed by Chick-Fil-A Corporate in Atlanta , Ga. My youngest brother Bryan graduated from high school in Northern Virginia and is currently a Senior at Shepherd University majoring in Business Marketing.  Growing up , I was always so close to both my brothers, so this was an emotional but happy time.

Brandon & Bryan

Summer

In July, Will's family and I traveled to Cabo San Lucas.  We had a great time and decided to always have an annual family trip.

Getting ready to go downtown Cabo

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo

Fall

In October, we went to the Homestead Resort in Convington, Virginia for a convention. It was so nice to get away and play golf during the beautiful fall season.

The Homestead Resort Course

Winter

Christmas Time

2009

To celebrate the New Year, Will, Thomas, Tom and I travelled to San Francisco and Napa, Ca. It was a wonderful trip and I hope to travel there again one day.

Golden Gate Bridge

Welcome to Napa!

Beautiful Vineyards..

Happy New Year!

Summer 

In June, we were able to travel with my family to Bermuda. It was so nice to spend a week with my parents and brother Bryan. (Brandon was working for Chick-Fil-A for a summer internship and could not make it)

Bermuda Loving..

Bryan, My father, and Will enjoying our vacation

In July, we went to Myrtle Beach, Sc with Will's family. To celebrate the 4th, we all went to The Dunes Club and had a great time. This is my all time favorite golf course and club in Myrtle Beach.

The Dunes Club, Myrtle Beach

The Dunes Club

Tom, Thomas, & I celebrating the 4th of July

Fall 

In November, Will and I went up to Washington DC and cheered on our team, The Washington Redskins. Sadly, they played the Pittsburgh Steelers and lost the game, but it was still fun.

Go Redskins!

Our Seats

Winter

We spent our second Christmas with my family in Northern Virginia. Our annual tradition is to go to a local hibachi restaurant for Christmas Eve just like the family in the movie Christmas Story.

Merry Christmas!

2010

To start of the New Year, we travelled to Scottsdale, Arizona with Will's brother and dad. It was one of the best trips I have ever been on . From the beautiful scenery, excellent South Western food, gorgeous golf courses, and great times with family it was all unforgettable. 

Sedona, Az

Night View of Scottsdale, Az

For my Valentine's Day gift I got Miss. Lilly. Lilly was our first "child" and has been the best Lab a family can have. She is sweet, protective, loves to play golf, rides the waves in Myrtle Beach, and kisses Harper's feet. Yesterday, Harper actually laughed out loud at Lilly when she was kissing her. In a way, Lilly is the reason why we decided to have a baby.

Lilly's first night home

Loves riding in the 4 Runner

First night in our home

 Spring- Summer

Loves Myrtle Beach, Sc

Loves rolling in the sand

Fall

For Halloween, we both decided to dress up and go to a friends party . I was a 1920s Flapper and Will was a 1930s football player. We really enjoyed our costumes :)

Winter

Merry Christmas!

2011

In February, we decided to celebrate Valentine's Day at The Greenbrier. We had a wonderful weekend wine tasting and gambling in their new casino. These are memories I will forever cherish pre-Harper.

How good do you think I felt after this?

Love The Greenbrier

Spring

For Spring Break, we decided to spend our last one (hopefully without children) in Bermuda. It was  a wonderful vacation where we played golf and were able to just be us.

Ah, Spring Break!

Just the two of us.

Summer

In June, we found our that our prayers had been answered and we were Pregnant! 

It's Positive were having a Baby!

On June 25 , Brandon and Anne got married in a beautiful ceremony in Chattanooga, TN. It was such a gorgeous event filled with so much emotion. We were so happy to add such a sweet person to our family.

2 months pregnant

In July, Will and his good friend Mark played in the J.J. Redick charity golf tournament and by chance they won! So, we were able to meet him and other celebrities. It was a fun night, even though I was the driver :)... Pay back this coming summer!

JJ Redick Tournament Winners!

JJ with Janet and I

In August, we decided to go to Myrtle Beach with my brother Bryan and play some golf. Since, I am not sure how much golf lies in my future it was so nice to get out and play at least 3 times that week.

Playing Grande Dunes

Fall

In October, we went to The Homestead with our friends Mark and Janet. This was one of the last times I was able to play golf before becoming to pregnant. It was a great weekend!

Playing The Old Course and shot a 94...

5 months pregnant

Winter

In December, my mom threw me a beautiful baby shower. It was so nice to share this day with my entire family and close hometown friends.

Only 2 more months to go!

For Christmas, we decided to go to NOVA and spend time with my family. It is always nice to go home.

Merry Christmas!

2012

In January, our friends Mark & Janet threw us a beautiful couples baby shower. We feel so blessed to have such a great group of friends and family who will be a great influence on Harper.

And of course in February , we were blessed with the birth of Harper Nicole..Words cannot describe how much I love this little girl and how much joy she us brought to our lives.

Oh, I could just kiss those checks all day long!

In the next 5 years, I hope that we are blessed with all the joy life has to offer and that when we look back we have as many wonderful memories as I have had so far.