Dillon - last week being 1!!!

Dillon turns two on Wednesday - some days I cannot believe he is only 24 months!! He just amazes me daily! Let me tell you a few things he has said over the past couple weeks.
On the way home from picking Dillon up from school recently, California Girls was on the radio. I looked in the rear view mirror to see Dillon's hands waving in the air - - - the song was on the course "West coast represent, put your hands up" ... I didn't realize he was listening to the words on the radio!! I had tears coming out of my eyes I was laughing so hard! I was not expecting that!
Last week Mom and I caught Dillon counting on his fingers - he counted to FIFTEEN!! 15! He's not even 2 yet!!! Is that not insane??
This past weekend we went flying and camping. As we were leaving the campground, Dillon was already in the plane and I was climbing into the seat. Due to all the camping gear, Dillon needed to sit on my lap instead of by himself. When I got in, I pretended to sit on Dillon's lap and he said "excuse me Mommy". It cracked me up!
Then Thursday this week Dillon was taking a bath and I asked him what he wanted for his birthday. Thinking he didn't really know what I was talking about since he's only had 1 birthday and I'm pretty sure he doesn't remember it, I tried to help him out. I said "do you want a Thomas the train??" and Dillon responded with "and a helicopter!" How did he know what I was talking about and how did he remember seeing a toy helicopter at Target the day before??
Last night we went to Winston-Salem after work/school to pick up Carly (Mom had a hair appointment, so headed home early). When we were leaving he said to Mom "see you Sunday!" ... LOL She always says that to him when she leaves on Fridays, but again - who knew he was listening and how did he know to say it?? CRAZY!
When I ask Dillon how old he's going to be this week he says either "4" or "5" ... I think he might be on to something! HA HA! So cute!!! In preparation for his big day, Dion took him to get a haircut this morning (his 4th). Dion said he did great, and we think it's his best hair cut yet! ISN'T HE PRECIOUS?? I can't believe my baby is going to be an official toddler Wednesday! :(

Skinny Jeans - Day 1

Well, I'm almost threw my first day of the Skinny Jeans Challenge! So far so good ... I guess!! I haven't cheated today (whoo-hoo!) and I did work out, so we'll call that a success. This morning's gym session was hard - kick your butt hard! But that's good ... if you're gonna do it, might as well go all out, right? I only fell once ... ha ha!! I was doing lunges with 15 lbs weights in each hand and when I went down, I went too low and couldn't get back up! What was the trainer response? You might think it was "oh, too much weight?" or "are you okay, stephanie?" or perhaps "take a breather for a minute and then get back up." No, no, it was none of those. She said "that one doesn't count" ... NICE! This is going to be hard!! :) But like I said, if you're gonna do it, might as well do it all the way!
For those interested (and for my records years to come - ha!) here's what I ate today:
6:30am - hard boiled egg & 1/2 banana
8am - (after workout) berry berry good recovery shake
11am - string cheese and a bag of raw veggies
2pm - greek yogurt and strawberries & blueberries
5:45pm - 1/2 grilled chicken breast, broccoli and 1/2 sweet potato w/ butter
still to come (around 9) - apple with peanut butter
So really you see I am eating. I am not eating carbs though (just the 1/2 sweet potato), and besides the shake (really a smoothie) the only thing I have had to drink is water. HUGEEEE for me ... HUGE! Well, Day 1 almost done ... 55 more to go! :) Bring it on Skinny Jeans!

Skinny Jean Challenge - Day Minus 3

Last month I signed up for the "Skinny Jean Challenge" at my gym. The goal is to lose 2 jean sizes in 8 weeks. There are 4 training sessions per week, and then nutritional guidelines. You take in a pair of jeans, try to fit your fat hiney into them, get your picture taken, then start the challenge. At the end of the 8 weeks, if you can fit into your jeans, you're eligible for some prizes. Sounds great, right?! OK - let me fill you in on my consultation ...
The nutritional guidelines are around "eating clean" ... you aren't going to believe this. Sit down. Eating clean means eating no processed foods ... basically no packaged foods ... no bread (with exception - I can eat Ezekiel bread. They keep that in the freezer section of the grocery store. It's that good - they have to freeze it ... I'm guessing this stuff doesn't fly off the shelf!!) ... no pasta ... no rice ... no waffles ... no tortillas ... NO SOFT DRINKS ... no splenda ... no chips (even the baked kind!) ... so basically that means I will have to change almost everything I do today!! No more protein bars for breakfast with a diet coke. No more Jersey Mike or Subway sandwiches for lunch with baked Lay's. No more Brixx's pasta or pizza. Did I mention no more diet coke?!
I start this challenge Monday. I am so excited and yet SO NERVOUS! I have been planning "meals" for 2 days ... I have come up with 6, and considering I am supposed to eat 6 of these mini meals a day, I have a day's a worth! Apple & peanut butter is one. Greek yogurt and berries is one. 1/2 chicken breast and broccoli. Raw veggies & hummus. Hard-boiled egg and banana. Now I can't even remember the 6th one!! At any rate, the goal is to have a protein and a fruit or veggie with every meal. NEVER eat a carbohydrate alone (ever!) ... (oops! you mean that snack of cheez-its isn't healthy??) Oh - did I mention the water? Half your weight in ounces. All of this has to be tracked. If you "splurge" (you know, get wild with a $1 unsweet tea with splenda from McDonalds), you have to put an "X" on your tracker. Only 4 "X's" per week - that's 90% compliance.
And then the exercise part ... I am soooo nervous about that! When my trainer asked me Monday if I worked out, I did NOT tell her I had been trying to run recently. I'm fine with her thinking I walk at a brisk 2.5 miles per hour twice a week! I want to set the expectations LOW!! My first session is Monday at 7am. My sessions are Monday & Wednesday at 7 and Tuesday & Thursday at 6. I am planning to go to the gym Friday mornings to walk, just so I am really pushing myself these next 8 weeks.
OK - I am soooo nervous!! Be thinking about me! I am going to ask the trainer to email my picture to me. I am sure you are all dying to see me trying to fit into my 2 sizes too small jeans ... (when I was trying them on before heading to the gym, Dillon was making fun of me. He didn't know he was, but he pulled his shorts down and then pretended like he was really struggling to pull them back up ... nice ...)
One last weekend of splurges before I get started!! Dion, Dillon and I are going camping tomorrow! Can't wait! Will post more on that when we get back! I haven't been camping since high school - and that last year, I'm pretty sure I ended up sleeping in the van!

Pinch Me!!

This was Sunday morning at our house ... how sweet are my babies?! Somebody pinch me; I must be dreaming!
They were watching Elmo's World on Sesame Street ... we're starting Carly early!