It's just a number and it doesn't define me

I've been a little unhappy lately knowing that I'm the heaviest I've ever been. Many people would argue that I don't look like I've gained weight and some might even argue that I've lost weight... To those of you who do, thank you. You know how to make a girl feel good.

But if I'm being honest my pants dont fit the same as they used to and the ever persistent woman pooch/muffin top is too poochy. I'm tired of seeing these rolls. I know I have the power to change it but it's been hard fighting fatigue to get up early and get motivated.

I want to look cute in clothes and this has prevented me from shopping because I don't want to buy larger sizes. I fear this will prevent me from working towards loosing the midsection. Today we went to shop on gift cards and a store I once loved is no longer a love at all. I used to wear a 10 at AE and while I could "fit" in a 12, my big butt truly belonged in a 14. I kept telling myself that it's just a number and it doesn't define me but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt the ego and motivate me more.

I was able to find some cute and flattering clothes tonight to boost my self image and self esteem but I am keeping some pants that are from AE size 10 that I LOVE. These are my motivation pants. I need to fight through the rough days of fatigue to get enough work outs in to start getting more energy and break my vicious cycle. My problem will be getting up before the kids to work out or working out while they crawl and run around me. Challenge? Yes! But challenge accepted! Bye bye pooch!

9 months

Ethan just had his 9 month visit with our pediatrician. His weight changed from 17.9 lbs to 21.2lbs and he is in the 74%.

His height changed from 27in to 29.5in and he is in the 89%.

His head circumference went from 17 to 18 in. And he is in the 71%.


Height and weight combined puts him in the 55%. Dr says Ethan's putting all his food to good use so our hungry little monster can continue to eat like a madman. He also said it was fine if Ethan is rejecting baby food for what we are eating at mealtime.

The kids are looking forward to Christmas. Alli seems most excited about her stocking. It will be here before we know it!

No slowing down now

Ever since Ethan figured out how to pull himself up, he also decided to make a greater effort in crawling. Now if he is on the floor, he is crawling. There is very little sitting. Here is an early video of his crawling.

Sleep over and Not to be Outdone...

Alli had a blast sleeping over at grammy and papa's. She got to stay up very late and actually convinced her Grammy to let her sleep with her! They woke up to more fun and Marilyn and Ashley got some cute pictures of the kids enjoying the day.

"Peace"

Hugs

Ethan couldn't let his sister have all the fun. After having a rough nap day, he didn't want to take his final nap before dinner. I was almost done cooking and wanted to get Alli fed before bringing him down. So I turned his monitor down so I could focus on her. When we sat down to eat, I saw the monitor blinking red and so I turned on the video to check on him. My mouth his the floor when I saw this below!

This is the first time Ethan has pulled himself up into a standing position. I watched him for a while and even saw him fall backwards, crawl back over and stand up again. Here we go. I better get my running shoes on because this kids going to keep me moving!

Cousins together again

Ben's sister Ashley is in town this week with her two boys. Alli is so excited to be able to spend time with Carter! They have had fun fishing, feeding carrots to the horses, riding horses, running the hay field, kicking balls, throwing rocks in the pond and anything else they can think of. Tonight Alli is having a slumber party at Grammy and Papa's. This is her first time away from both me and Ben. I'm sure she will have a blast!

Life slow down!!

Ethan is crawling!! Today Ben was rushing out the door to head to a fire call and Ethan realized he was at the front door. He started working his way towards the front room but as soon as he hit the hardwood he lost traction. This was the first time we saw him crawl more than one or two steps forward. Of course he won't do it when I have a video ready!

As of tonight, Ben only has 2 classes left to finish his BA!! Hallelujah he should be done by the first of the year. He is cramming in tons of fire training too. He's taken two leadership training courses for Chief's, tested out for his hazmat operations certification, tested for his fire officer I certification, is taking a course the last week of November for Fire Inspector, and THEN the first week of December he is in his Paramedic refresher the whole week. agh! He'd love to find out whether or not he's passed his Fire Officer I so that he could go take the Fire Officer II in December as well.

We hope and feel that all this hard work and dedication to his studies will pay off the first of the year.

So let me try to catch up for the last month. Alli loved Halloween She still wears her butterfly wings around the house. We had a great time at a local pumpkin patch and have enjoyed two pumpkin pies thus far from the pulp of the pumpkin.

We are loving the cooler weather. Ethan is so fun to dress!

Ben turned 30 on November 1! Woo hoo someone's getting old! I'm so proud of him though. He has truly accomplished so much in his 30 years. One day soon I know he will achieve the goal he has been working so hard for. I love you Ben!
Happy Fall Everyone!

Proof Needed

Last night I was woken by Ethan's cries and went to the monitor to determine whether or not I needed to go into his room. I stood there for a minute watching him...and I'm not sure if my sleepy eyes deceived me but I believe I saw Ethan crawl in his crib! I knew Ben was awake too so I shouted out to him, "Ethan crawled!" He was as shocked as I was but I just wish I had proof of it. I put him on the ground tonight to try to get him to do it again but he just laid there. haha oh well. Soon...very soon...my little monkey will be crawling and the gates will have to be back up in my house :(