52-Week Challenge: Week Three

So I will admit, I didn't do all that great on last week's challenge to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night.  The fist night was not my fault, as I had a teething baby who was up all night.  I did pretty well the next few days but last night I was so engrossed with finishing the last book of 'The Hunger Games' trilogy that I didn't even look at the clock until I was finished. . . and let's just say it was waaaaaaay past my bedtime.  But any of you have read 'The Hunger Games,' I think you will forgive me.

Anyways, on the days I DID get 7-8 hours of sleep, I felt so much better.  I think I tend to alternate between getting way too much sleep and not getting enough.  It seems to be that I stay up way too late one night and don't get enough sleep, making me exhausted the next day.  I over-compensate this with going to bed super early that night and end up getting too much sleep---which actually makes me even MORE tired the next day.  It doesn't make sense to me, but it's true.  However, this week I did my best to have a set bedtime as well as a set wake-time, and I found myself not even needing coffee in the morning.  It was so nice. :)

Anyways, onto week three.  This week's challenge is called "Keep It Off the Couch."  Apart from exercise, incorporate regular and routine activity into your lifestyle.  This challenge is NOT about going to the gym 5 days a week or running 3 miles every day.  It is simply choosing to put more movement into your life.  I'll give you some examples of how I plan on implementing this to try and clarify.

1.  Take A Walk.  Walking is such a great, under-rated way to get moving.  I think people associate it with power walkers at the mall or old people exercise.  But walking is such a wonderful way to ensure you don't remain sedentary all day.  Take a walk before breakfast and after dinner.  It aids digestion and makes you feel better.  My mom takes a walk during her lunch break at work to be sure she gets one in during the day.  Or, do as I do:  walk your dog.  I see so many people with dogs, and I hardly ever see ANY of them out for a walk!  Poor doggies. . . and poor owners!  My dog would drive me absolutely insane if he didn't get his daily walk.  He gets a long one in the morning and a shorter one in the afternoon.  If you don't have a dog, take your kids for a walk.  Matty enjoys our walks almost as much as Oskar!  If you don't have kids or a dog, take a walk with a friend.  If you don't have friends, well. . . we have bigger problems.

2.  Stand Up.  This will be a new one for me this week. Instead of sitting and doing things, stand up.  Stand up and watch TV.  Stand up and play around on your computer.  Stand up and read.  I know this isn't feasible to do all the time and may actually weird some people out, but standing instead of sitting for a few minutes throughout the day is a start!

3.  Park as far away from the building as possible.  Getting in a few extra steps a day--even if its parking and walking through the parking lot of the grocery store instead of driving around for a half hour to find a close parking spot--will make you healthier AND save you time.  But, FYI, I DON'T recommend doing this at night.

4.  'Actively' Watch TV.  This is my second "during TV" suggestion because, well, I have certain shows that I just can't miss. :)  Instead of just sitting on the couch, DO something.  Clean the living room.  Do laundry.  Or, if you're really motivated, do some sit-ups or push-ups.  Anything to keep you moving, at least for a little bit.

5.  Have Fun.  Even the most die-hard couch potatoes are bound to find something active they enjoy doing.  So instead of sitting on the couch for hours when you're bored, replace it with some kind of activity:  biking, tennis, basketball, rollerblading.  Whatever you find that you actually enjoy.  As for me, I love to dance.  I don't do it well, but I enjoy it.  My dog and my son get quite a show when I get bored.

Okay, those are my suggestions and what I plan on doing this week to implement the challenge.  Do have any more ideas?  Feel free to leave them in the comments, and good luck!

I Dare You Not to Smile

I dare you to watch this video and not smile.  Go ahead.

You smiled, didn't you? ;)

52-Week Challenge: Week Two

Greetings!  Thank you to all of you who agreed to do this "52-Week Challenge" with me!  I'm looking forward to hearing how you implement each week's challenge and how successful you are.  I really think it will be helpful to share our personal experiences; someone who may be struggling with that week's challenge may get a tip from YOU and learn how to succeed!  I'll continue to link this blog to Facebook each week, but feel free to leave comments on here as well.  You never know who you might help by simply sharing your thoughts!

So, with that in mind, how did you all do with week one's challenge of drinking more water?  I didn't find this week to extremely difficult because I've always been quite a camel when it comes to drinking water; however, I don't think I've ever attempted to drink AS MUCH as I did the past week.  The first two days were a struggle.  I found myself gulping down at least half of the last bottle of water right before bed just to make sure I got it all in. . . and then I was up at least twice during the night to go pee!  But after the first few days, I seemed to actually crave the water.  I was feeling the need to drink more, and I wasn't forcing it anymore.  In fact, I found myself actually drinking MORE water than was necessary to complete the challenge.  I was downing FOUR Camelback bottles a day.  Did anyone else have this experience?

The only bad part of this challenge:  having to pee CONSTANTLY.  I felt like I was pregnant again.  Bluh.  Supposedly this will fade as your body gets used to the increased in-take of water.  Let's hope so.

Anyways, on to week two.  The focus this week is on sleep.  The challenge is to get 7-8 hours of restful sleep each night.  I can almost HEAR some of you sighing.  "Trust me, Jenn.  I WISH I could get 7-8 hours of restful sleep a night!"  Well, this week, make it a priority!

I know there are some things out of our control that might prevent us from meeting this challenge.  Small children, for example.  There will definitely be nights when 7-8 hours of sleep are impossible, but those should be the exception and not the norm.  Focus this week on things you can change to make 7-8 hours of sleep at least a possibility.

For example, I know that my son gets up between 7-8 every morning like clockwork.  That means I should be aiming at going to bed around 11:00 every night.  Easy enough, right?  Should be.  But I often find myself up waaaay too late doing silly things:  watching mindless TV, tinkering around on Facebook, playing 'Words With Friends, or--lately--reading.  I also have a bad habit of sleeping with the TV on which causes me to wake up several times each night.  These are things I can change to make sure I am at least setting myself up for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.  So this week I vow to turn off the tv and computer, put the book away, and get to bed at a decent hour.

As always make sure to check out the book '52 Small Changes' for more tips and facts on how to complete this week's challenge.

And by the way, before I go, I just wanted to remind that just because technically week one's challenge is complete, it doesn't mean you can just go back to not drinking any water!  Be sure to keep up with your goal!  Don't worry if you still have remind yourself to drink more.  Studies have shown that it can anywhere from a week to an entire year before our habits become actual habits.  But that's our ultimate goal during these next 52 weeks:  to turn these small changes into habits that will make us all "healthier and happier."

Good luck!  Be sure to share your experiences!

A New Kind of Resolution. . .

Every year I make the same New Year's resolution:  to be healthier and happier.  And by the end of every year, I realize that I have failed.  Sure, I have survived another year without another major health issue, and  I consider myself a pretty happy person. . . but am I really healthier and/or happier than I was a year ago?  I have no idea.  And besides, who can tell?

So when I sat down this year and really started thinking about my New Year's resolution, I decided I wanted to do something different.  I discovered two major reasons that I always seemed to fail at this goal.  One was that it was too broad.  What did I mean by "healthier and happier?"  Did I want to lose weight?  Exercise more?  Eat better?  And what about being happier?  Did I want to smile more?  Be more kind?  What exactly did I mean?  The other reason was that it was too lofty of a goal to attain.  Being healthier and happier takes a million little changes that can seem overwhelming when you try to implement them all at once.  I usually started off really strong---no soda, veggies every day, exercising 5 x's a week, etc. . . but after the first month, I was so burnt out that I stopped trying.  It was a classic example of too much, too fast.

So the other day, I stumbled across the book '52 Small Changes:  One Year to a Happier, Healthier You.'  Each chapter details one small change you can make every week that will ultimately lead you to a healthier lifestyle, not just physically but emotionally and mentally as well.  You get a challenge a week (for example, week one is 'Drink Up!' and is all about drinking more water daily), and it then gives you tips on how to incorporate this change into your life and make it a habit.  To me, this seemed like a perfect solution to my failing New Year's Resolution.

So my question is:  who's with me?  I'm not really sure who even reads this blog, but if you're interested, I'll post the new challenge every Monday and we can work through it together.  Sort of an accountability thing.  I recommend getting the book if you want to participate (pretty cheap, especially if you get the Kindle version like I did.)

So, okay, week one:  drink more water.  The author recommends figuring out how much water your body needs by drinking the amount of water in ounces that equals your weight in pounds divided by two.  So for example, I weigh about 125 lbs, which I rounded up to 130, then divided by 2 for 65.  That means I need to be drinking AT LEAST 65 oz of water each day, more if I'm exercising, living in a dry climate (I am), or pregnant  (which I'm not).  Since I use one of the large Camelback water bottles which contain about 24 oz, I just rounded up again and told myself I need to drink at least three of those a day.  That will put me at 72 oz.  Easy enough?  I don't want to steal all of the author's thunder, though, so I'll leave it to you all to get the book and read her tips on how to drink more water throughout the day.

I've only been doing this challenge for 2 days, and I've succeeded both days.  Hooray!  I'm on my way to a "healthier and happier" me. . . now who will join me?

Happy 5 Months, MJ (and Happy New Year to Everyone Else!)

Happy 2012!  Today we are celebrating not only a new year, but also MJ turning 5-months-old!  As always, here are few highlights of the past month.

Although we're sad Daddy is TDY, you sure have taken a liking to his recliner.  Here you are, looking like a typical man.

The weather turned semi-cold for a few days, and it was fun to get you all cozy in your new hat, made just for you by your Aunt Nicole.

CHEESE!

You have finally taken a REAL interest in Oskar.  Every time he comes around, you watch him like a hawk. . . 

And sometimes--SOMETIMES--he gets close enough for you to touch him.  He gives you kisses, and you try to "pet" him. . . which usually means you end up smacking him on the nose.  It's a good thing he loves you so much.

Aunt Erin took our family pics right after Christmas while Daddy was home for a few days.  Again, a few of my faves:  (**All pictures taken by e.s.photography.  If you like her work and are interested in her taking YOUR family pictures, check out her website.**)  

What makes this one so great is that he was looking up at me.  LOVE!

Go State!

Bring on the new year!  May you all be blessed!

Santa, Slots, and Sauerkraut. . . or "Christmas in Vegas"

Merry Christmas!  For our first Christmas back in the States in 5 years, we invited my entire family out to Las Vegas for the holiday.  My sister, her husband, and my nephew arrived from Texas the day before my parents got in so we made the most of it and snapped a few pictures of the boys to give to Mamaw and Papaw for Christmas.  We got a photo session, editing, printing, and framing done all in one afternoon; another perk of having a photographer for a sister.  We took several different shots, but these are my favorites.

Had to do a John Deere picture for Papaw. :)

Matty took to my sister's husband, John, right away.  Nothing like a happy baby to instill a big case of baby fever in everyone. ;)

My sister also brought out her dog, Chopper.  Oskar was so happy to have a friend to play with--and take walks with--for a few days.

The next day my parents arrived, and they got to meet their new grand-baby for the first time.  I pretty much didn't even get to touch my child for the rest of their trip. ;)

Jonathan arrived on the 23rd, and our entire family was finally together.  Before we knew it, it was Christmas Eve.  

My sister and her family decided to stay in a hotel since our house isn't very big, and my nephew Gabe was very concerned about Santa not knowing where he was.  So, before he left Texas, he made some "reindeer food" in Cub Scouts, which he then sprinkled in front of our house so Santa wouldn't miss it.

And it must have worked:  Santa came!  He brought MJ a jumperoo, a few books, a couple 'Baby Einstein' DVDs, and two new toys.

MJ LOVED his presents, and he started to think this "Santa" guy might be pretty alright. . . 

So much to explore on this thing!

Once Erin and her family arrived back at our place from the hotel, it was time to open presents from the rest of the family.  This was Matty's pile.  I think Mamaw and Papaw may have gotten a little carried away with this whole "1st Christmas" thing. ;)

Oh boy!  Presents that make a lot of noise!  Thanks, Mamaw and Papaw! ;)

His favorite toy?  A little rubber Big Bird car from Great-Grandma Babb.

A toy camera from Aunt Erin.  What else did you expect?

His first Cardinals hat from Daddy.  

FINALLY finished opening his presents.  Can everyone else open theirs now?

Oskar's present was destroyed in minutes. . . 

Our Christmas tradition is to have our big meal on Christmas Eve and then just eat pizza on Christmas Day.  While we were overseas, this usually meant just heating up a frozen pizza, but with my mom in town, that meant one of her famous home-made pizzas instead.  The doggies kept a close eye on her just in case she needed any help.

Matty also got to watch his first Broncos game with Papaw.  They may have lost, but Papaw was still happy to have his little Tebow by his side.

My Christmas gift to my sister and her husband was a night out in Vegas.  We left the kiddos with the grandparents and headed down to the Strip.  John had been to Vegas several times before, but this was my sister's first taste of Vegas so we started out slowly with a stroll down Las Vegas Boulevard.

We stopped at the Venetian and took a tour through Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum.  I'd been to one in Amsterdam with my friend Karen, but this was everyone else's first time.  At the entrance was a replica of the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign and since the REAL sign was all the way at the other end of the boulevard we settled for this picture instead.  (If you've never walked the Strip, it's waaaay longer than you think.)

We all had a blast taking pictures with various "celebrities."  Jonathan was a little shy at first, but he started to warm up when he saw MJ. . . 

. . . and when we got to the NASCAR room, he was like a kid in a candy store.  

Absolutely ecstatic to pose with "The Intimidator" 

As for me, I found my own cowboy, Mr. Tim McGraw.

"This cat could ball."

The highlight of the entire trip for my sister, who has a slight Johnny Depp obsession.

Wouldn't be Vegas without the Rat Pack. . .

. . . or Elvis.

The Hall of Presidents offered an opportunity to take a picture with either Obama or G. Dub.  One guess which one we chose.

I already had a picture with G. Dub from Amsterdam, so I chose Honest Abe instead.

After the wax museum, we took a stroll around the Venetian.  This is the view of the Mirage from the Venetian.

I've been to Venice, and this wasn't quite as awesome as the real place. . .but it WAS cleaner and everyone spoke English so I don't think it was that bad. ;)

And, of course, I had to introduce my sister to my favorite:  the slots!  She lost a dollar.  But my husband turned $40 into $120 at the roulette table so it all worked out.

For dinner we ventured a few blocks off the Strip to the Hofbrauhaus: Vegas.  Jonathan and I had visited the one in Munich and, after 3 years of living in Germany, it was still the ONLY German food (and beer) I ever liked.  We had high hopes that this one would be the same.

It was.  Authentic beer hall feel, live German band, delicious beer, and amazing sausage, kraut, and potatoes.  We had a blast.

My sister's husband got talked into taking a shot of Apple Schnaps after dinner. . . which, according to the waitress, meant that she got to smack him on the behind three times with a paddle.  And she was NOT playing around with her spanking.

We spent the rest of the evening strolling along the boulevard enjoying the lights before heading home to my parents and our sleeping children.

By now, all the family is gone, and Jonathan will be heading back to New Mexico soon so I'll be pulling "single parent" duty for a few more months.  But this Christmas has to go down as one of the best in recent memories.  Thank you all for making the trip out here and giving this exhausted mommy a much-needed break and mood-lifter.  

As for everyone else, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too!  

Vegas "Winter"

Now this is the kind of winter I like.  I can see the snow, but I don't have to deal with it AND it's still in the mid-fifties here in the valley.  Hoodie weather all winter?  I think I'll really like this whole Vegas "winter" thing. :)

This is the view of the mountains from our sub-division.  We are as far west as you can get and still be considered in Las Vegas.  In fact, the east/west streets in our sub-division end in the foothills of the Spring Mountains, and this picture was taken at the end of one of those streets. :)

And here's another view of the mountains from the park across the street from our sub-division, giving a wider view of what we get to see every day.  

Yes, okay. . . living in the desert is growing on me.  I hated it at first, but it was mid-July when we got here, hotter than Hades, and I was 8 months pregnant.  But now I'm seeing that the desert is pretty in its own way. . . and this "winter" is certainly helping its case. :)