Blog Challenge Day 18 - A Photograph of Yourself

This is me back in the summer of 2010.

I wore a bikini to the beach that year. It was the first time I wore a bikini since I was like 12.

I mentioned I gained a lot of weight in high school and then I lost it all in my early 20s. And while I changed my life and I looked great, I still didn't have the confidence in myself. I always noticed my flaws. My poochy tummy or my flabby arms or my gummy grin with gapped teeth. I never felt truly skinny despite being around 115 lbs. I had low self-esteem. Rob helped my gain my confidence. He loved me for who I was and said I was beautiful. And slowly I began to love my body as well.

Moving forward a few years, we were heading to the beach for the weekend and I knew we were going to be staying at a relatively quiet beach, so I thought that it was about time to celebrate my body and wear a bikini! And yes, you could still see my poochy tummy, but I didn't really care because truthfully, no one else probably cared either.  I felt like not only was I exposing more skin, but more of myself as well. I was so proud of myself though!

I may not get my bikini body again, but you can be sure that I love my body more than ever. And I'll have my bad days, but I have to remind myself that for 9 months I grew a baby and then my body fed and cared for a baby and if that took a long time, getting back to my normal weight and body will take a long time as well.

Our New Family Car!

Meet the newest member of our family! We got a 2011 Subaru Outback!

Rob and I had been talking about getting a new car for a few months now. While the Cube was great, it wasn't ideal for humans, dogs and any extras like luggage. We also felt that we should sell the MINI since it was just sitting in the garage and we didn't need three cars. We're going up to New York soon and with the long drive and the possibility of driving in crappy weather, I thought it'd be a good time to see if we can get a new car.

I wanted a Subaru, because I am a sucker for good marketing! (being in the design industry and all) But how can you not love a Subaru commercial? How can you not love a company that promotes love, family and most importantly dogs? And their latest commercial saying how Subaru owners keep their cars for over 10 years, that so nice! (i've been watching the commercials thing morning and i'm either cracking up or crying...sheesh, hee hee)
Of course I wanted a Subaru because it's a very safe car, the all wheel drive and the room.

We started the search for either a Outback or Forrester. You know what? It's pretty hard to find! Sure there are used cars, but they are either old and high mileage or new and really expensive. The one we ended up getting is fairly new, but it does have a lot of miles. The price was really good though! Also, this car is LOADED! We have heated seats, defogging and deicing, touch screen radio/cd play/gps/ blue tooth/ ipod..., sun roof, tinted windows, all weather matts and who know what else? It looks like the previous owner did a lot of driving, like a sales rep. Score for us! With our trades in and a slightly longer loan, we are actually saving quite of bit of money too!

I'm so happy! It's our family car! Now I just gotta put our robot family stickers, an apple sticker and find a good rescue dog magnet. Oh and pick a name too! I also just ordered our Subaru badge! Subaru gives you a customizable badge that you put on your car. We've getting one with the family, running and half marathon (which i will put on when i finish my half in jan.)

Blog Challenge Day 17 - My favorite blogs

Personal blogs are my favorites and right now baby blogs. I love reading about other peoples lives and not in a nosy way, but a way to feel connected.

But I can't really pick favorites because each offer something unique and special. Instead I'll share my top 3 non personal blogs.

io9.com - This is my go to blog about everything nerdy. They talk about tv shows, movies, science and other geeky things.

Brit Co - I actually use their app, but it's still a blog. This blog posts crafts, fashion, food and real great tech stuff.

Maddie on Things - Maddie is an amazing dog (rescue of course) who has the sweetest face and a wicked balance, which her owner loves to take photos of her doing some pretty fun things. This is my go to feel good blog.

Blog Challenge Day 16 - Thoughts on Education

You know, I haven't given education much thought. It just seems so far way from me right now and well, a lot can happen in 6 years. One thing that I know that's important to me while Sam is young, is not to pressure him into learning. Sure, let's say ABCs and count. But I know there's parents out there who start their kids so early with education so they can get into a good college. Let kids be kids. Another thing that's important to me, is the arts. I want Sam to love art like me and Rob did as kids. A way to express themselves. Whether it's writing, drawing or even music. I hope that Sam's schools also have art classes. I know most schools do, but it's not as important as the test scores.

Sam & Suzy This Week

Rob and Sam went to an air show together

Nights and evenings have been a little rough around here this week. Sam's been getting up in the middle of the night and sometimes it's hard to get him back to sleep. Since Rob isn't training for any marathons, he's been helping out. I put him on late night diaper duty and then I put Sam back to sleep. If it's 4 am or later, Sam comes into bed with me since I can't try putting him back to sleep only to have to wake up like an hour later.

He's also been going to bed earlier too. He used to go to bed at 8, now it's more like 7:30. It's kind of throwing me off! Yesterday I felt like I barely got to spend any time with him because of me running and when we got to sit down and play, he cried because he was so tired. We spent the rest of the evening reading books.

Sam:

I love seeing his personality come through. He loves to eat, but always holds his hand up like he doesn't want to get messy and leans his head in with his mouth open. I love finding his tickle spots and I love how I can make him laugh by kissing his tummy. He laughs when we sing silly songs. Itsy Bitsy Spider is his favorite song. He cries and refuses his paci, but if you just hold it in there, he'll quickly stop and fall asleep. 

Suzy:

So, I got really bummed last Sunday. It looked like breastfeeding was over and done with. Sam had no patience with me anymore. I cried and needed a hug from Rob. Monday came along and I'm like, "No! I will not give up! I will pump again at work, take my herbs and feed Sam more!!" And I did, I even pumped at night because Sam got too frustrated. But alas...there was no increase. I have to put on my big girl undies and face the fact that we are done with breastfeeding. This weekend will be the last weekend of morning feedings. Again, I am extremely proud of myself for sticking out for so long despite the trouble and the stress of it all.

Blog Challenge Day 15: Where Will You Be In 5 Years

In 5 years Sam will be starting school (or just about to). By then, I keep telling Rob, we need to decide what we're doing in terms of where we live. I love our house, I love our neighborhood and neighbors and we've very lucky to be close to good grocery stores and such. But, we often talk about one day wanting a home that's a bit smaller, a bit older and where we can have chickens. (oh and a big garden and solar panels!) I always say we have until Sam starts school, but that'll happen before we know it!

I'm pretty sure North Carolina is our home now. We both have great jobs and we're starting to build friendships here. We finally found our groove with this place. We have the mountain and beaches close by to visit. Weather is great, with a bit of everything. Charlotte is building up their cool arty culture, good food and of course good beer. Every so often I yearn to live somewhere like Portland or California, but I'm tired of moving and to start all over again it just so so hard. So Charlotte it is.

If we stay in our house, I want to really clean it up and make each room clean, simplified (but cozy) and finished looking. Actually, I'd like to do that regardless. I'd like to screen in our porch too. Maybe we'll put new tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms. Oh and we totally need to paint inside and might as well the outside too.

If we do move in 5 years, we want a single story home that's 20+ years, aka with a lot of character. We'd like to be able to have chickens. I would LOVE to have a metal roof. We'd have to find a good school, another reason why I don't want to leave our home here.

In 5 years, I like to have traveled more too. Become more out doorsie, like hiking and camping. Have great adventures as a family.

Blog Challenge Day 14: 3 Healthy Habits

I was a very unhealthy teenager. I stayed inside, watched tv and played video games all day. I did not eat healthy at all! Breakfast was Oreos. No wonder why I got to 200 lbs! My parents thought diet pills were the answer, but that's so so bad and barely worked! I finally started eating healthy and started moving. It took me a few years and LOTS of learning and growing up, but I managed to lose about 90 lbs.

Because of achieving that, I am very much a healthy cheerleader. I love encouraging people and showing them that while it may be hard sometimes, for the most part being healthy is very easy!

Here are some of my healthy habits:

1. Be positive about being healthy! This is a hard one, but if you stay positive you're more likely to make better choices. You will be less likely to eat your feelings or sulk on the couch. Celebrate the good choices you made today. Be grateful for all the work your body does. Don't focus on the bad, like losing weight, focus that you're doing something good for yourself and losing weight is an added bonus. (ha ha, ask me what i think about this when i step on the scale in the morning)

2. Eat smaller portions. I tend to have a lot of stomach issues and I found that if I ate smaller portions, I felt so much better. On the plus side, I lost a lot of weight like that too. Sometimes I feel satisfied with just having a bite of something, just a taste.

3. Get some fresh air!  Nothing is more inspiring that just being outside. Even if it's just standing in your backyard soaking in some sun. Being outside is good for your body and your mind.