New Year, New (Old) Me

Happy New Year! I hope all of you will be safe tonight and that you have a wonderful 2011. Unfortunately, hubby and I aren't going to be going out tonight as we have no sitter for Tanner and Breckin. But I don't mind - we are actually going to hang out with our neighbors and their kids. Champagne around the firepit - not a shabby way to spend an evening. And the most important thing is that I'm with the ones I love when I ring in the New Year, and my boys are all I need. :)

Anyway, being that 2010 was spent being pregnant and then trying to reverse the damage said pregnancy caused...I am definitely ready for a new year. Don't get me wrong, there are so many wonderful things about pregnancy, but it definitely took up the greater part of my year and I'm ready to get back to me...get my body back and really enjoy the year to come. So the "new me" I'm wanting to be is really the "old me", as in having my pre-prego body back!

If you read my previous New Year's Resolution post, you will see I've set some specific fitness goals for myself. Now, I'm not like the many New Year's resolution-ers that up and decide I'm going to get fit this year and start out all gung-ho then give up by March. I'm an exception to the rule being that I'm not someone who hasn't worked out for years and is trying to go all out just because it's a new year. I'm a self-proclaimed fitness nut and before finding out I was pregnant last December, worked out 5-6 days a week on average. As well as worked out as much as I could during pregnancy. Anyhow, I feel the goals I've set for myself are attainable by me and I'm going to take it one week at a time. This week, my specific goals are to:
1) Complete Week 1 of Insanity,
2) Run at least a total of 10 miles,
3) Cut out bad carbs (no more holiday junk!), and
4) Drink at least 8-10 cups of water per day (64-80 oz) or more.

I love using this blog to keep track of my goals. In a way, I feel it helps keep me accountable. So if you would like, please check back often as I will be posting updates of my progress. I will post my beginning stats (measurements, etc.) here shortly.

I wish you the best of luck in whatever your goals are for this new year!

New Year's Resolutions 2011

I know it's so cliche, but I love making New Year's resolutions. I don't know whether it's because I like to think of each new year as a new beginning or a chance for self-renewal, or if it's just my need to organize my thoughts and goals because I'm a little OCD. :)

With that being said, here are my New Year's resolutions for 2011:

1. Lose the last 5 lbs of my pregnancy weight, and then about 10 lbs more.
2. Eat clean and drink more water (at least 8-10 cups a day).
3. Starting January 1st, begin the Insanity program again and stick to it for the full 60 days. (Doing this with hubby)
4. Continue to build my cleaning business.
5. Focus on being the best mother and wife I can be.
6. Give the house a good cleaning at least once a week :)
7. Make a visit back to visit family and friends in Idaho.
8. Make a visit to Cali to visit old friends.
9. Take a long girls' weekend with good girlfriends.
10. Introduce and cook healthy meals for my family at least 3 nights a week.
11. Make an effort to send relatives pictures of the kids more often.
12. Keep up this blog.
13. Take a new class - or 2. Particularly interested in Barre Evolution or dance classes.
14. Run in 5-7 local 5Ks, but aim for more.
15. Run 10 miles per week starting in January and build up endurance for more.
16. Have date night with hubby twice a month.

That's all for now!

The Non-Caffeinated Mommy

Caffeine. Such a powerful drug. So many hardworking Americans are addicted to it. Many can't bring themselves to function without it.

I used to be 100% caffeine-free. I guess except for a tiny bit of chocolate here and there, but I'll be honest, I wasn't consuming that for the caffeine. Anyway, I didn't drink sodas (not even the caffeine-free kinds), caffeinated teas, coffee or anything. My drinks of choice were water, skim milk and of course the social alcoholic beverages when out with friends.

Then in 2008, I opened up an in-home daycare. My addiction begins. During the year that I had my in-home daycare, I would be up around 5:30 or 6am...take the dog for a morning walk, then prepare for the kids to start arriving as early as 7am and the last ones would not leave until 5:30pm. That is a long work day - and with no breaks. Around 10:30am, I would start to get that nodding off feeling...and with kids, you just can't have that. You need even more energy to keep up with them than you do with just a regular job! So I started purchasing energy drinks. Diet Rockstars and Lo-Carb Monsters were my guilty-pleasures. And I drank one EVERY DAY. Sometimes two. Yeah, it was bad. Here I am, 2 years later (except for a 9-month break during pregnancy) and I'm still having one a day. I am now a stay-at-home mom for the most part and working on my cleaning business. I have a 5 year old and a 4 month old - both of which require a lot of alertness in their own ways. Tanner, the 5-year old, is off-the-walls hyper most days. You absolutely have to find things to keep him entertained. And he can be very hard to keep up with. Breckin, on the other hand, requires a great deal of attention at this age, and of course getting up in the middle of the night for feedings some nights leaves me exhausted in the AM. (Thankfully, he has been sleeping through the night most nights for about a month.) But my sleep is still light, nonetheless, since I'm used to getting up. Hopefully my body will get back to normal soon.

I have been on a mission to lose all of my pregnancy weight by the end of this year ever since I got home from the hospital with Breckin. In light of having to change my diet and exercise habits (at least from what they were during pregnancy), I have decided that it would also be in my body's best interest to lay off of the caffeine. Hopefully altogether. I want my body to run on the energy I get from exercising and eating right. For so many years, I functioned absolutely fine with no help from the caffeine jolt whatsoever. I know I can do it. It's a bit harder now that I'm a mommy of two boys, but I know I can do it. So here's to kicking the habit - wish me luck!

A Jolly Good Time...

Last night I had my 3rd Annual Ladies' Xmas Gift Xchange. It was another successful and fun-filled time. We had a wee bit much of the holiday alcoholic punches I made - Jolly Juice & Christmas Cheer. We were quite the jolly, cheerful bunch! The Dirty Santa game was a little dirtier this year than the last, with more of the girls finally getting the guts to get dirty and snatch up gifts from each other on their turns! It seems to get dirtier with each year - I think at my first gift exchange no one stole anyone's gift! Anyway, I love spending time with my good friends and catching up as we all lead very hectic lifestyles and need things like this to catch up with one another. Thanks to the wonderful group of ladies that came - can't wait for next year's...

Holiday 5Ks!

I ran the Turkey Day 5K and the Reindeer Run 5K this year with my dog, Dakotah. I am really starting to love running. I used to really hate it. I suppose my relationship with it is still more or less a love/hate relationship, but the past couple weeks I have been trying to run every evening or in the early AM in my neighborhood. I have to say, I feel like I'm getting addicted. I guess what everyone has always told me is true: at first you hate it, but then you get addicted (the runner's high) and start to really love it. Here are some pics from the 5Ks:

Allison, Tessa and I enjoying a beer after the Turkey Day 5K:

Dakotah & me in our reindeer attire for the Reindeer Run:

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

I hope all is well with you and the Mrs. up at the North Pole. I know you're very busy this time of year...visiting malls and having all sorts of little ones sit on your lap and rattle off their mile long lists which likely include wishes for Justin Beiber concert tickets, I-Pads, Wii's and plenty of other things I never had the pleasure of getting the equivalent of back in my day. But if you find you have some extra time, I have just a few little Christmas gift requests.

I was a very good girl this year...very giving. In fact, I lent my body for an entire 9 months to support the growth of a precious little human being. With this selfless act, I was not allowed alcohol, sushi, or the ability to keep up my workout regimen (due to extreme hip and pelvic pains)...which also caused my body to hold on to some extra baggage. Now all I'm asking is that you give me my body back. I've been working really hard and I feel I deserve it. Particularly, I would like a harder butt with a little lift, and a flat, tone tummy. Oh, and much smaller thighs - can't forget that. I just want to wear my skinny jeans again! If you could give me this gift, I would be forever grateful. I would also not take it for granted - I would work every day to keep it in tip-top shape.

Second on my list is a laptop computer. I have been taking care of the same desktop computer for 9 years now. NINE YEARS! I should get some kind of tech-geek award for that! I mean, they say you should upgrade every 2 years, but I have been frugal and have kept this baby running for almost a decade. It's almost unheard of. I have treated her right (and that's including moving her to different residences eight times). But alas, I have to accept she is getting old...she's like 92 in technology years. She's gotten very slow. I just don't have the time to sit and wait for her to process everything...I'm trying to run my business with Internet ads, email...keep up my Facebook and this blog...the slow processing is taking the time I could be spending with my family. So please, pretty please, could I have a new laptop?

This is pretty much it. You see, I don't ask for much. I mean, if you want to throw in some clothes or a few giftcards (I love Target, Old Navy, & Kohls)...by all means, I will accept them.

Anyway, I wish you safe travels this Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

Morgan Smith

The Thanksgiving Three Thousand...

I was watching Regis & Kelly today and Kelly spilled out a nice article about the calories we consume in an average Thanksgiving meal. If you are one of those ignorance-is-bliss types, you may want to stop reading now. (However, I must admit, my post title has pretty much given it away. Oops.)

Here you have it ladies and gents, the average calorie-consumption in your run-of-the-mill Thanksgiving feast:

3493

Holy moly!!! That's just about how many calories you need to burn to lose 1 pound! (And good Lord, we know how tough that can be.)

And just for kicks - here's a list of some individual Thanksgiving staples and their calorie counts:

1/8 of an Apple Pie: 400 cal
1/8 of a Pumpkin Pie: 350 cal
2 glasses of red wine: 250 cal (who has just TWO glasses?)
1 cup stuffing: 358 cal
1/2 cup gravy: 80
2 slices canned cranberry sauce: 110 cal
1 cup sweet potato dish: 315 cal
1 dinner roll: 150 cal

Thanksgiving is my husband's FAVORITE holiday. (If you know my husband, I'm sure that's no surprise.) It is my least favorite holiday. I absolutely dread Thanksgiving. It's like the kickoff to all the holiday eating and bad choices. And this year I'm still working on dropping my pregnancy pounds, so I can't exactly call it a cheat day. That meal would be the equivalent of a cheat week. I don't want to end up with an extra 5 lbs to RE-lose. And I'm also working to avoid all the Christmastime goodies as well. So I've been coaching myself (well, brainwashing myself) into thinking of all the casseroles and desserts as disgusting...telling myself I don't even want them. I guess we'll see how I do. At least I'm running the Turkey Day 5K in downtown Charleston that morning...so I can feel a little less guilty about what I do eat. It may even lead me to make better food decisions (exercise has a way of doing that.)

Well, Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! Try not to think about the calories too much and just enjoy your loved ones and some football.

Three Years Ago Today...

I married the love of my life. We have been through a lot, but we always see it through to the other side. I know now that there is nothing that we can't get through together. He is my companion, my love and my best friend.

Happy Anniversary, Jake. ♥

Here are some pics from our small, private ceremony that took place at Breach Inlet on Sullivan's Island, SC:

The Difference Between Boys and Girls

So I was outside today cleaning up my dog's "business" as Tanner was playing in the yard. He starts casually saying, "Momma, Momma..." to get my attention. I don't look up from what I'm doing, but still say, "What?"

"I found a rat."

I look up at him, and he is holding a dead baby rat IN HIS HAND! (Likely killed by Dakotah.)

So I do what any mother would do...

I scream.

And then I yell for him to drop it immediately! Poor kid must have thought he was in trouble by the way I was reacting. I then tell him not to touch ANYTHING with his hands as I rush him inside to wash his hands and face with Lysol soap. Then of course feeling yucky myself just from having seen it, I wash mine too.

Of course I calmed down quickly to let him know that he wasn't bad, but that I only freaked out because rats carry diseases and can make us sick which is why I rushed him to wash his hands. I also let him know that he is not to ever pick up a dead animal again - he is only to tell Mommy or Daddy about it so we can get rid of it.

So as I went back out to finish picking up after the dog, I was thinking to myself...only would a mother of boys have to deal with this. Sure, a 5-year old girl might TELL you there is a rat and point it out, but she would have never actually picked it up and brought it to you.

Oh, and as for the dead rat that he dropped in our backyard, yeah, I had to scoop it up with the pooper-scooper and drop it in the bag with the rest of the dog's "business".

Thankful

So Tanner was watching his favorite show yesterday, The Super Readers. (FYI: We only get cartoons on PBS since we cut off cable and are now just using an antenna for channels.) Anyway, if you've ever seen an episode, they usually hop into some story book to help solve one of their personal problems and along the way they find super letters to put together at the end of the day to give them their answer. Yesterday the word was THANKFUL. No doubt in celebration of Thanksgiving I'm sure. Well I thought that with Thanksgiving coming up, it would be nice to create a post about the things I'm thankful for because I'm sure I don't say it or show it enough.

First and foremost, I am thankful for my beautiful sons...that they are healthy and happy and for all the joy they have brought to my life and continue to bring with each day.


My husband. Lord knows he puts up with a lot from me some days, yet he still tells me he loves me every day, usually more than once. He works hard for our family, he is a wonderful daddy and a good person. I am so lucky to get to share the rest of my life with him. (Sexy, isn't he?) ☺


My family and friends. They are there for me through thick and thin, no matter how busy or how far away they may be. (To those not pictured here and know they should be, it's only because I didn't have the pics on my computer! But you know I love you!)










My health. Thankful to have a strong body and mind, no disease or serious illness, the ability to walk, talk, hear and see.

That I live in America. I have freedom (without which I would not be able to speak my mind in this blog), I have food and water. I have many things that most people in the world will never have and I don't ever want to take that for granted.


Wine, definitely wine. No need to elaborate here.


Which brings me to my next one - Margaritas. Again, no explanation needed.


Diet Rockstars and Lo-Carb Monsters.



Having been able to live by the beach for the past 9 years.



What are some things that you are thankful for?

Curse You, Allergies!

It is 2am and I'm blogging. Something is seriously wrong with this picture. Breckin was doing so well sleeping through the night the past week, but for some reason woke up just before 1am for a feeding. Ever since I put him back down in bed, I've been running back and forth to the bathroom to blow my nose...more like blow my brains out. And my eyes are so watery they are literally flooding tears down my face as if I had just watched The Notebook. I am miserable with my allergies acting up. And I've got a major sinus headache. (Kill me.) I couldn't bear to stay in bed because all the getting up is keeping Jake awake and the poor guy has to go to work at 7:30. (Aren't I a sweet wife to be so considerate?) I'm sitting here now killing time until my allergy meds kick in so I can hopefully get at least another couple hours of sleep before the kiddos are up for the day. I never had allergies until I moved to South Carolina. Curse you, South Carolina!

AAAACHOOOOOOO!!!!

Top 10 Tuesdays: Reasons Why It's Good to Be The Princess

Well, it's no secret that when I became pregnant with Breckin, I had hoped for a little girl (I seem to remember being quite open about that). Although I think I still might want a little girl someday (though for now my shop is closed until further notice), I do have to admit that it really is so wonderful being a mommy of boys. Here are the top 10 reasons I love to be a mom of all boys and the life of a princess mommy is not too shabby:

10. Two words: Momma's Boys - boys love their mommies soooo much and it's so nice to feel so loved.
9. A lot less drama in the teen years. Less dramatic in general. I provide enough drama for one family and I don't need anyone stealing my thunder.
8. I do not have to compete for my hubby's love - I am the only girl in his life.
7. The mother/son dance at their weddings.
6. Not having to pay for their weddings.
5. When they get to a certain age, daddy can take them to do "man" stuff and mommy gets a lot more girl time (translate: "me" time)
4. Boys are naturally more tough and less likely to cry when taking a fall. A lot less fragile in both mind and body.
3. Not having to worry so much when they start dating. I will naturally worry a little, but for much different reasons.
2. Statistics show mothers and daughters argue way more than mothers and sons.
1. Their wardrobes will cost exponentially less to maintain throughout the teen years. Since I don't have to pay to upkeep a girls' wardrobe and beauty, I will have more to spend on mine! :)

"There's a special place in Heaven for mothers of all boys." -Unknown

5 Years Ago Today...

I became a mother!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful boy, Tanner!

Tanner around 6 months:









Tanner and me just a few hours before I went into labor with Breckin:

'Tis the Season for Giving...

It is November and the holiday season is upon us yet again. A time of loving, laughing, togetherness and of course, giving and receiving. Our children know how to receive things, but do they know how to give?

Tanner is turning 5 this Saturday and I thought this would be a great year to really teach him about giving to those much less fortunate than him. We have always tried to keep Tanner aware of how blessed he is to have so much and that there are so many young children in the world without anything at all. We don't want him to become spoiled or take for granted all he has. But this year I want to do something different with him - I want to really show him what I'm talking about. I'm thinking I may even take him to help serve at a soup kitchen this year. But here is my plan for teaching him how to give to other children less fortunate this season:

Starting this week, and each week until the end of the year, I am going to ask Tanner to pick out something specific of his that he has loved (gently), that he would like to give to another child to enjoy. The week of Christmas, we are going to take all of the items to a local children's charity.

Week 1 (Nov 1-7): A toy
Week 2 (Nov 8-14): A book
Week 3 (Nov 15-21): A blanket
Week 4 (Nov 22-28): A stuffed animal
Week 5 (Nov 29-Dec 5): Another toy
Week 6 (Dec 6-Dec 12): Another book
Week 7 (Dec 13-Dec 19): Another blanket
Week 8 (Dec 20-Dec 26): Another stuffed animal

Of course, if he is willing to offer more than just the one item each week, I will let him. But I figured this list was doable and he will get to handpick each item himself.

I encourage you to have your children do the same this year. It is important that we raise our children to be thoughtful and generous towards others. Show them how happy they can make one child just with one small gesture...and also make them realize how truly blessed they really are.

Happy Holidays ♥

October Photo Share!

Here are some pics of some great moments in October with my family:


























I swear Breckin has been smiling since just a couple weeks out of the womb - but he is seriously the most smiley baby...here are some cute little smiles I was able to capture on camera:

















Our visit to the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch:



























Halloween Costumes:

















My Dad made his first visit to Charleston since I moved here - we were so glad to see him as it's been almost 3 years since I've seen him!

























Brotherly Love (technically, this one is from November):