Hello All!!

So, I know that it has been a LONG time. But I feel that it is time to start blogging again. Just to keep track of everything going on. There has been a lot going on.
1) We moved into our home a week before Christmas.
2) Hosted Christmas - had the Hampton clan over, cousins included.
3) Had Wally's parents and sister, and her two little ones the weekend after christmas.

So things have finally settled down. And as you can imagine with all the craziness I have not had time to fully unpack. There were boxes everywhere that just got moved to the basement to make things "presentable". We have also inherited lots from Wally's grandfather "Pop" so we have been sorting through that stuff as well as our own.

We didn't have much time to go get a christmas tree but we were able to walk through the woods behind Pop's house the weekend before. This is Faelyn in from of the tree that we cut down.

Christmas morning :) She had a great time.

 This was New Year's Eve - We were undecorating the tree and just hanging out.

 New Year's Day : we went sledding down the driveway and in the backyard. This little girl loves the outdoors and cold weather just like her daddy. And she looks pretty cute in that purple hat and bear suit.

 One of my new year's resolutions is to try and keep this going. Keep friends and family updated with pictures on what is going on in our lives. Another post on New Year's Resolutions to come soon.

~ Katie

Post Pregnancy Weight Loss

So my biggest struggle right now is the weight loss. I gained about 45 lbs with my pregnancy. I ran and worked out throughout the  majority of my pregnancy. I even ran a marathon. However I also indulged in dessert almost every night. I didn't eat whole pints of ice cream just small cups. But apparently it was too much and it has now stayed on my body.

So initially I expected breastfeeding to help take most of the weight off. I lost about 20 lbs within the first 7-10 days. This was promising. I continued to eat normally and the occasional dessert. I wasn't exercising yet because things weren't healed "down there'. I  did start walking SLOWLY up and down the road, not even a full mile.

Well not it is 11 weeks later and I have only lost another 3 pounds. I have started running a little but my pelvic floor muscles are what they used to be. Enough said. I have also started my P90x routine again. I feel as though things are firming up but still not losing the weight. Since I go back to work soon I gave in and bought a few new pairs of pants. I didn't want to go back to work in maternity clothes.

Well, we ran 4 miles today, 460 calories according the the Garmin. I will keep you all updated.

~K

Big News!

So a lot has changed since the last time I have posted.

1st - I had a beautiful baby girl. Faelyn Camille.

photo courtesy of Sarah from Snaps of Real Life

photo at 6 days old courtesy of Sarah from Snaps of Real Life

This picture below is of her today at 11 weeks old. I can't believe she is already 11 weeks old. It feels like just yesterday that I was going to the hospital but in other aspects it feels like she has been around forever. The sad thing about her being 11 weeks old means I have to go back to work soon. I go back for 1/2 day on wednesday and full days thursday and friday. I sure am going to miss hanging out with this little one all day.

2nd - The house!

It is coming along. The builders started April 2nd with the first delivery of logs and this is where they are now. The logs are all up and the porch roof is getting working on. The crane comes on Tuesday after the holiday to put the purlins up and then the house roof goes on!!

 3rd-
Faelyn and I ran our first race since she was born. She was 10 weeks old and the youngest one there. We ran a 5K in 30:12. Not too bad if I say so myself. We had #1. Apparently it was alphabetical.

 She was nice and cozy in the Mountain Buggy Terrain with this red carrycot/bassinet. I must say it is a wonderful stroller and so easy to push. It did take a little getting used to running with a stroller though. I was tempted to lean on the handle bar which is weird because I don't even do that when on the treadmill.

 4th and Lastly -
My little sister graduated college. She is a graphic design major with a specialty in social media so if anyone is hiring please let me know I will pass the word on.

It was pretty hot so we hung out in the shade and grass. Little F got to lounge on Daddy.

Well, she is screaming her little head off as we speak. She is probably hungry. She is always hungry. 

~K

30 weeks

Another friday has come and so has another week of this amazing pregnancy. Today is officially 30 weeks... 10 more to go.

I have gained 30 pounds so far, which is crazy to say out loud. I don't feel as though I am big enough to have gained that much weight. Oh well. I am eatting very healthy but still enjoying my sweets.

I still haven't had any major issues. Baby and I are healthy.

We have been attending childbirth class which is informative. However, If I had the chance to do it all over again I would have done the 1 day class instead of the weekly class for 5 weeks. The instructor drags things on. I am sure that it is nice for some of the others to break things down VERY simple, but for us it seems like overkill. Thankfully, next week is our next week.

Well there are 2 more days in 2011... Any plans for New Years Eve? I think we are just staying home. Maybe a hike for sunday :)

New Years Resolutions!

As the New Year is coming upon us very quickly it makes me think about what I want to make for resolutionas for the upcoming year. It is bad that I can hardly remember what my resolutions were for 2011?

I must say that going into 2011 my life is at a completely different spot than last year. Last year, I was preparing for moving across the country, getting married that February, and starting a new job. Going into 2012 I have a whole new set of challenges ahead of me. One of the biggest ones is preparing to have a baby, due in March. We are also building a house, that is set to start in April, so the preparations are in full swing. Things are not moving slowly around here.

As far as resolutions go I would love to continue running, once I am able. My mom, who had ACL surgery in October are already planning a half for late spring/early summer.

Obviously lose the baby weight as soon as possible.

Continue to eat healthy.

Stay in contact with friends even those far away. This week has been an eye opener when a close friend had major surgery that was completely unexpected. It makes you realize that we are not untouchable and even though we are in our late 20's early 30's bad things can happen.

I am still struggling to come up with other resolutions. Any ideas?

Do you make resolutions? What are they for 2012?

25 Holiday Questions

Well, things have been super busy lately. But I thought I would join in on the fun around the blog world and answer some questions about Holiday traditions.

• Eggnog or Hot Chocolate?
• Hot Chocolate - Eggnog is a little too rich for me. But Wally decided that he like it this year! 
• Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
• Some unwrapped and some wrapped.
• Colored lights on tree/house or white?
• Colored lights for both when we were growing up. Now colored on the tree and white for on the house.
• Do you hang mistletoe?
• I never have, probably never will.
• When do you hang up decorations?
• Start bringing stuff out the day of Thanksgiving :)
• What is you favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
• Acorn squash with apples
• Favorite holiday memory as a child?
• Being able to unwrap on present Christmas eve (always PJ's) and going to a campfire.
• What is on your christmas wish list?
• My big gift  I am asking for this year is snow shoes.  I have pretty much everything I need and since we are in a rental home we don't have a ton of room for extra STUFF.
• Do you open gifts on Christmas eve?
• As kids we did, but as I mentioned earlier it was also PJ's. It is something that I would like to continue with my children even if there isn't a bonfire/party to go to.
• How do you decorate your tree?
• Lights go on first then the ornaments. This year we have a Christmas tree decorating party, sort of. We had friends from out of town here and we all decorated it together. It was a nice change.
• Snow? Love it or Dread it?
• Love it! I'm DREAMING of a WHITE Christmas.
• Real tree or Fake?
• Real one. The fake ones look nice and last longer. But; A) aren't good for the environment (tons of plastic) and B) don't smell like Christmas.
• Do you remember your favorite gift?
• I must say, I probably have on the the worst memories or anyone I know. I am sure I got some great presents over the years but I don't know if I have a favorite. I do love my new pillow I got last year.
• Favorite holiday dessert?
• Cookies - All kinds - I'm not picky.
• What is the most important thing about Christmas for you?
• Spending time with family.
• What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
• I can't say that I have one favorite tradition.
• What tops your tree?
• Growing up we had an Angel, however Wally and I now have a Star
• Do you prefer giving or receiving?
• Both obviously. I love when I think I have found a great gift that the person will love and didn't ask for.
• What is your favorite Christmas song?
• My new favorite song is the 12 Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser.
• Candy Canes? yuck or yum?
• Love them. But I love almost All candy.
• Favority Christmas movie?
• Miracle on 34th Street
• What do you leave for Santa?
• Milk and Cookies, and Carrots for the Reindeer.
• Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?
• We were allowed to go through our stockings and play with the "Santa" gifts, before waking up our parents.
• Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?
• Times are a changing... I used to be a mall shopper however it seems as though the gifts I want to give now a days are harder to come by and this year I did a lot of my shopping online, thanks to free shipping. Also www.ebates.com is a great site where you can get a % of money back that you spent.
• Christmas letter or card?
• Christmas card. However my mom has been writing letters to go inside the card for as long as I can remember.

27 weeks

27 weeks!!

I am officially 6 months pregnant and I feel great. I have to give a lot of credit to my husband for helping me to stay active these last few weeks. As many of you know I ran until about 22 weeks. At that point there was just too much pressure in the pelvis that was not comfortable and having to pee every 15 minutes was just plain annoying. I had to plan my runs where I knew I would have somewhere to pee.

I recently had my 1 hour glucose test- which came back NORMAL! yay! I was a little nervous because this momma is craving sweets and I didn't want to have to watch what I ate. I must say I am doing pretty well. Making sure I have enough calcium because the baby sucks it out of you, fruits, and veggies, to balance the chocolate and ice cream :)

Are you all ready for christmas? I have surprising done a lot of my shopping online. I am quite proud of myself. I only have my father left to buy for, the dogs, and stocking stuffers! Then get the wrapping done. I am so excited to get some christmas baking done as well.

House Update:
Things are going along as planned. We have a foundation, well, and they are working on getting the power out to the house site. Now it is just sit and wait until April for the building to start. Well... no sitting around here. We are working with a kitchen designer to plan the layout and researching appliances and getting quotes for that.