Toddler Throwdown: Cutest Wins

If you didn't know, Elena is battling Caroline @bebehblog for title of cutest little girl. Lately my heart has been cracking under the strain of her overwhelming cuteness.

Caroline considered yourself served.




PS Ethan didnt want to be left out.



PSS Caroline, I really love talking to your pictures on mommy's computer. So no hard feelings and I offer you the title Miss Cutest Ginger because are the cutest little ginger I know.
xoxo, Elena

[This is a no hate zone and we all adore Caroline. Obviously, we have been having too much fun over here and are a bit silly.]

Trying New Things

I have never thought of myself as a writer. Story teller, yes. Writer, no. My grammar is not that great, more from laziness and style than lack of knowledge. I don't have a burning desire to write. However, I have been accused of talking to much. I do have a burning desire to share. Yeah, I know, annnnoooyying.

I do write ad copy, sales pitches, and technical documents on a daily basis, but I have never written fiction. Like never ever. I love reading so much that occasionally I wonder, why haven't I written fiction before? Well last night I was inspired and started developing a basic short story plot, this morning I just couldnt let go of it so I put it on paper, did a few rough edits, and then realized that its really not bad. Actually its better than some of the stuff I have read. If I can flesh it out with a decent long term plot (versus series of short scenes) and develop the characters, I would even characterize it as good. Great would require some serious story telling depth without loosing the reader's interest.

I can't believe that I actually wrote a story. An interesting piece of fiction. Not just imagined but captured in words. I am so beyond proud of myself. I left a copy for my husband to read, but I am not ready to share it with the genneral public so don't ask. Maybe in the future but dont get your hopes up. I cant wait to put more on paper, I have several future scenes playing in my head and am mulling about where I want my characters to go.

I think I might have a new hobby developing.

Like Woah Weigh in.

I don't own a scale but am committed to getting down to my pre-Elena target health/weight. Its not just about weight, its also about strength and, more importantly, endurance and lung capacity. I know there are very few pictures of me on here. I have cuter kids. Plus, no one ever takes pictures of me.

Here is my weight by the numbers ...
High school skinny: 103
My just married weight: 112
Pre-Pre Elena (no exercise + marriage weight): 130lbs
Pre Elena (after getting healthy): 122
At 40wks with Elena: 167
At 8wks with Ethan: 142
At 38 wks with Ethan: 175
Keep into account I have been the same 5' 3" through all of this.

My healthiest. See the one handed hold? These guys have it easy.

For years post marriage, I coasted on being naturally petite. Hormonal birth control packed on the freshman 15 unlike college ever did. For my height I was overweight. Not obese but definitely on the blurry line between normal and overweight for my build, but more concerning for me I was that I was unhealthy. As a child I was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis from severe allergies turning into bronchitis and then pneumonia. I was briefly on a twice a day inhaler. With prescription meds we were able to control the allergies and the bronchitis cleared up. My lungs were never the same. Pre-Pre Elena I was very upset with not how I looked but that I was winded easily and felt drained of energy. I started a work out routine that works for me mixing weights and cardio. I felt great, lost inches, and could breathe again! That's how I got to my pre-Elena weight and condition.

I dont have any real pictures so you get old bump pictures.

4wks 3 days with Elena

That is right at my pre-Elena weight of 122. At this point my shape was starting to change but not my weight. Current me is at 132.5lbs as of last night! My boobs are twice as big and my pooch is similar to this picture but I have extra weight in my love handles, legs and lower hips. I can see those ten extra pounds. What you cant tell from a pictures is that that stomach is hard. My new post two babies one is mushy with lots of lovely extra skin. Oh my abs, I miss you! Now the hard part begins: building muscle tone and cardio health. Apparently my weight loss is drastic enough to where our therapist keeps commenting on it. I am not doing this for my husband but I think it would be pretty awesome if he commented on it and enjoyed it too.

Next Friday Ethan turns 4 months old.

Last days

My best friend is headed back to work after having her son and it had me reminiscing about when my maternity leave ended for both my kids.

With Elena, I only had 4 weeks off and then I was forced back early because the mortgage company wouldnt let us close on our new house until I was back at work. After 4 weeks at home, I was going out of my ever-lovin' mind. I was so bored. My sweet little girl slept a lot and required very little work. I was excited to go back to work.

With Ethan, I am drowning in the dirty laundry (clothes only, not diaper laundry - husband does that.) of two kids. There never seems to be enough time to clean up after my toddler much less basic house maintenance. The Elena effect is much like if you used a leaf blower to to dust. It is amazing what destruction one little girl obsessed with organizing (moving things) can do. Even beyond that I would rather make silly faces at Ethan all day and talk with my big girl.

Every day is so precious and that is underscored by the fact that it may be the last day. I want more children. I have made that very clear. My husband is on the fence. As much as I adore my children, I love their father more. This idea seems to be a rarer these days. I hear so many people say that their children come first in their lives. That their children are somehow more than their spouses. I don't understand this thinking. When I fell in love with my children, I did not fall out of love with my husband. He still remains the one person I have chosen to love for eternity. I cant help but love my family, my kids. They are physically a part of me. My husband is more than that to me. The kids will eventually leave and create their own families. My husband is with me beyond that. Our relationship is deeper. We share our struggles and laughter. We support each other no matter what. That being said I have told him that if he doesnt want more children, we wont have any more. No questions asked. I have two. 6 years ago that was two more that I thought I would ever have. My children are in many ways a miracle of God's grace. Elena was named after that grace. I will not selfishly badger him for more children.

These children. These two children may be the only two children I ever have. Ethan's 3 months smiles, silly faces, and laughter may be the last I ever get. When I sweep Elena's curls into a hairbow, a tear comes to my eye. I may never have another little girl who wakes up saying bow! hair! bow! Who prances to give her daddy kisses before night night. These days are the last that I may ever have and I greedily cherish them. I did not want to go back to work, but at least I am blessed to have them with me at work.

From Blah to Wow.

In my quest to re-find my inner chic, I created a list of my basic must haves. From this list, I will be buying my highest priority pieces first. Or at least I will try to stick to the list. My sorority girl self is clapping her hands excited about colors! jewelry! bright patterns! I haven't had this much fun since rush week :cough: 8 years ago :cough:.

Considerations

These basics are just that - basic. It doesn't matter if you work or stay at home. You should still own these pieces as they help you span many different occasions. Not in the working world? You may not want slacks with pinstripes. Spend a lot of time 9a-5p in an office? You probably want a sleek black pencil skirt versus a flirty number.

Nursing mommas probably want to think of boob access especially if you keep finding your kids doubling like mine. Being ever increasing, I prefer tops that can stretch through my second trimester. I also shop in maternity dresses and skirts that work regardless of stomach size. In bottoms, I buy most of the basics in maternity and non-maternity pants.

Know thy colors.

The basics are for the most part neutral since they are the foundation of your wardrobe. You will need accent (colored) pieces from each section. When picking accent pieces, having a pre-planned pallet is essential to building a mix and match wardrobe that has the most versatility. I like to stick with two non-black neutrals and 3-4 accent colors that all work together. When picking colors its a good idea to balance light and dark colors. You don't want an entire wardrobe of neon even if you prefer bright colors. For example: navy and lime green balance each other out.

My colors are blue (navy/aqua), green (lime), purple (plum), and red. I believe every girl should have at least two pieces of red in her wardrobe - a red dress and red heels.

Neutrals: Grey and White

Start shopping!

It is just the beginning, but I bought two pieces I needed. I couldn't help but chase a little bit of color and it fit my church appropriate item! In case you wondered what church appropriate is, it is semi formal and not slutty. So no short shirts, spaghetti straps, or breast baring. Just the thing you need for dinner party, baby shower, or afternoon wedding. Once I get together the basics, I will take picture of possible outfit combos from my wardrobe so you can see how things fit together.

$24.99, Target

$29.99, Target