26 Things About Me on My 26th Birthday

This picture was taken just over ten years ago on our family vacation to Hawaii - CRAZY!

Ok, technically my birthday is tomorrow, but I know this post would never happen tomorrow so I'm writing it today! No intro needed, here are 26 things you may or may not know about me!

1. I am terrified of needles - hence the natural birth. I know it doesn't make sense to most, but to me it does.
2. I am a control freak. I hate being a passenger in a car, wish I could fly the plane when we travel and basically do everything that is important myself - or at least supervise!
3. I realize this makes me sound very Type A but I lke to think of myself as a creative, lazy Type A. I love design and creativity, but I also make a million lists, none of which I ever complete or come close to completing.
4. I have ADD.
5. Graphic design work is the only work I can do where my ADD doesn't get in the way, its honestly the only thing I can "get lost" in and let my mind completely relax.
6. On that note, I can't relax. I always have to be going and doing something.
7. I cannot draw to save my life unless there is a computer to help me!
8. I hate the phone. I hate calling people and tend to ignore phone calls since it gives me anxiety.
9. If I could live anywhere in the world it would be Ithaca, NY.
10. My favorite color is green.
11. As a child I wanted to own a candy shop. I kind of still do.
12. I will be my own boss someday and own my own business - of what yet, I'm not sure!
13. Tom and I want 4 kids but now that we have Finn it's hard to imagine and I feel bad that there is no way our next 3 kids will ever get as much attention as Finn gets since he's the only one at the moment.
14. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
15. I was very calm on my wedding day (this was pointed out to me many times). I didn't have a doubt in my mind that marrying Tom was the best decision I would ever make.
16. I have a hard time telling my left from my right. When driving I'll tell Tom to turn right but I'll point left. This started right around the time I started driving - perfect timing.
17. I didn't have my ears pierced until I was 12.
18. I have ten piercings in my ears and one in my belly button. Yes, I know I'm terrified of needles but I have a prescription for numbing cream and used it every time!
19. I can read an entire book and not remember anything I just read. Even if I love the book I may only comprehend the overall feeling of the book, but I can't remember details. It's just one of the joys of ADD - I envy people who remember what they read haha.
20. I love NPR (VPR here in Vermont) because I actually remember more when I listen to a story (not everything but definitely more).
21. I'm really good at math but it bores me because it comes so easily. I hadn't taken math in 4 years and got a 750 (out of 800) on the math section of my GRE. I hope my children all get this ability since I am horrible at explaining math and how I come up with answers.
22. I'm afraid of the dark. I slept with a light on (a legit lamp, not just a nightlight) until I was in 5th grade.
23. I love to smile. I smile at everyone in hopes that if they are having a bad day it will cheer them up.
24. I hate seeing people sad/disappointed/stressed/etc. Even if it is a stranger it really upsets me. I will go out of my way to try and make that person feel even a little bit better.
25. I was born and raised Roman Catholic. And although the Catholic church and all of its rules makes me mad (women cannot be a priest!), all of my morals are based in my religion. I honestly believe everyone is equal and we should help those in need regardless of how they got there. If we could all stop discriminating I really believe we could solve a lot of problems.
26. I sometimes forget how old I am and have to do the math to figure it out. Hopefully I will remember this year since I wrote this post!

Weight Loss Update and Progress Pictures

I finally started back at the gym two weeks ago and I'm loving it. I definitely should have gone back a little sooner, but Finn will grow fast and I can't get those moments back. I've even started to run/jog on the treadmill which I was scared to do at first knowing I hadn't run since 36 weeks pregnant. But it actually wasn't that bad and I ran about an 11min mile which is pretty decent since I ran it consecutively and didn't have to stop constantly. I will admit that my hips felt a little off, which the midwives told me they would and my recovery period is a little longer than it use to be haha. Before I could take a day off after a hard workout and I would be fine, but now I'm still pretty sore after skipping a day to recover. My goal is to work out 3 days a week which I have reached these last two weeks. This coming week I probably won't get to the gym at all since we are leaving at 5am Wednesday to go back home for Thanksgiving and won't be back home to Vermont until Sunday. This unfortunately leaves me little to no time to go to the gym since I work Monday and Tuesday 7-5 (deadline at the paper is killer) and Monday may even be longer than that. I may try to leave at 4 on Tuesday so I can get in at least 45mins at the gym, but we'll see how my deadlines are. Anyways, here are my updates!

16 Weeks Postpartum (oh and not stretch marks, they're scratch marks thanks to my sensitive skin!)

13 Weeks Postpartum

41 weeks pregnant = 185

8/21 weight = 160

9/6 weight = 156.6

9/20 = 154.2

11/1 = 147 

11/21 - 143.8

Weight Loss in three weeks = 3.2lbs

Total Weight loss since 8/21 = 16.2lbs

Weight Loss to go = 8.8lbs

Goals:

9/30 = 155 MET

10/12 = 150 MET

11/21 = 145 MET

1/31 = 140

3/31 = 135

Goal Measurements by 4/24 = These are all my pre-pregnancy measurements except for my bust
Bust = 36in (still nursing)
Waist = 25in
Hips = 36in
Thighs = 21in

Starting measurements 9/22=

Bust = 38in [2in to go]

Waist = 30in [5in to go]

Hips = 41in [5into go]

L Thigh = 23in [2in to go]

R Thigh = 23in [2in to go]

Measurements 10/30 =

Bust = 36in GOAL MET [although this measurement changes depending on the last time Finn nursed!]

Waist = 29in [4in to go]

Hips = 39 [3in to go]

L Thigh = 22in [1in to go]

R Thigh = 22in [1in to go]

Measurements 11/23:

Bust = 36in GOAL MET

Waist = 28in [3in to go]

Hips = 38 [2in to go]

L Thigh = 21.75in [.75in to go]

R Thigh = 21.75in [.75in to go]

Cara Box

I loved my Cara Box matchups this time around as I had so much in common with them. Sierra sent me an awesome box that I was so excited to receive. Sierra lives in SanDiego (slightly jealous since VT is way more than slightly cold this morning!) and has an adorable one year old son so go check out her blog to find out more! And here is my Cara Box reveal!

I LOVE socks, it's kind of an obsession so these are perfect and will help me stay warm in the extreme cold of VT.

Sierra has a small business and made me this adorable necklace that says "It started with a love story" and then has our anniversary and Finn's birthday listed - so cute and an awesome idea for a gift!

Sierra also made me a keychain that has Finn's name, birthday, weight and height on it - again a perfect gift for a new mom. 

How could I forget the best part of the package, a Superman onesie costume that came complete with cape, for Finn!

Sierra put together an awesome package but mostly I'm happy to have made a new friend!

p.s. the chocolate is empty in this picture - it was opened and eaten first thing and I'm slightly very jealous that Sierra lives near a Trader Joe's!

3 months old!

3 months old on October 31st!

Wow, these past three months have flown by! It's hard to believe that one year ago we found out I was pregnant and now we have a chubby, happy three month old!

Milestones: Finn smiles constantly now and he laughs (not a belly laugh yet) very easily especially if you stick your tongue out at him. He holds his head up exceptionally well and if you sit him up in a chair, like in the picture, he usually doesn't flop over. He always has his hands in his mouth and is determined to find his thumb! He even has two bottom teeth that are definitely going to be coming in soon - oh boy! He is around 27inches and 16lbs and just started wearing 6-9 months clothes so we're thinking he'll be 6'5 like his uncle Patrick!

Eating: Oh, pretty much constantly still! He eats every 2 hours almost like clockwork and at night its almost every hour for three hours before bed.

Sleeping: He is still an awesome sleeper thankfully. We tend to go to bed around 9 or 9:30 and he usually sleeps until 5:30 or 6 so around 8 or 9 hours. Although lately he's been getting up around 4 or 4:30 to eat for 10 minutes then goes back to sleep for another 3 hours. I'm really hoping he keeps sleeping this well since I'm starting back at the gym this week and I'll need all of the extra energy I can get!

Saying: Finn is "talking" a ton now. He is especially vocal in the mornings and when we lay him on his back and lay next to him he loves it and talks constantly. He shriks when he gets excited too and then looks around like "was that me?!?" He'll be talking before we know it!

Likes: Laying on his back, when mom and dad make silly noises at him, being in the car (must be moving), colorful toys, bath time, music and of course milk!

Dislikes: being put in his car seat - seriously the only time he truly cries but once the car starts to move he's totally fine, tummy time - he cries or eats the blanket, and not much else - he's a pretty relaxed baby that loves almost everything!

Weight Loss Update

I know, I know it's been awhile! I went back to work on October 21st and I'm working 30 hour weeks so I have two days off with Finn - I work 7-5 on Monday, 7-4 on Tuesday, 9-1 on Thursday (Finn comes with me!) and 9-4 on Friday. I've been slacking on blogging but I keep up my instagram since it's much quicker so follow me there!

Next is my weight loss update and I am right on target which is pretty awesome! I have to admit that I haven't gone back to the gym yet since I can bare to be away from Finn especially with just going back to work. But I have decided that for my sanity I have to so I am starting back at the gym in a week. I'm only going to start out at three days a week but I think that's pretty good for a new mom.

I have to say that the transformation my body has gone through post pregnancy is really hard for me. I knew it would take some time for the weight to come off and that my body wouldn't look the same but it is much harder for me than I imagined. I have never been overweight and even when I thought I was "fat," I was never really that soft. The hardest part for me has been how saggy my stomach is now. Basically all of my weight gain with Finn was in my stomach so now the extra skin (although not a lot, just a lot for me) is there and my muscles are not so it's just weird to me to see it like that. I also made the mistake of trying on my old size 2 jeans and none of my jeans have any real stretch to them, they are very tailored so needless to say I was sorely disappointed when they didn't fit at all. I did go to Gap and bought two pairs of size 6 jeans which fit perfectly and are already a little loose (I even put them in the dryer the last time I washed them) since I know I have to at least loose all of the weight before I can try my size 2 on again.

I'm consistently loosing almost a pound a week still mostly because Finn eats a ton (every 1.5-2 hours) and I'm honestly not very hungry anymore. I thought I would be more hungry nursing than when I was pregnant but I'm less hungry than even pre-pregnancy and I have to force myself to eat during the day. For most women this wouldn't be a problem but with my past food issues I have to make sure I eat as I don't want to go back to restricting and having a bad relationship with food in general.

Ok, so enough talking - here are my newly updated pics and results, along with my measurement update!
(top: current 13 weeks postpartum; middle: 5 weeks postpartum; bottom: 3 weeks postpartum)

41 weeks pregnant = 185

8/21 weight = 160

9/6 weight = 156.6

9/20 = 154.2

11/1 = 147 

Weight Loss in six weeks = 7.2lbs

Total Weight loss = 13lbs

Weight Loss to go = 12lbs

Goals:

9/30 = 155 MET

10/12 = 150 MET

11/21 = 145

1/31 = 140

3/31 = 135

Goal Measurements by 4/24 = These are all my pre-pregnancy measurements except for my bust
Bust = 36in (still nursing)
Waist = 25in
Hips = 36in
Starting measurements 9/22=
Thighs = 21in
Bust = 38in [2in to go]
Waist = 30in [5in to go]
Hips = 41in [5into go]
L Thigh = 23in [2in to go]
R Thigh = 23in [2in to go]
Measurements 10/30 =
Bust = 36in GOAL MET [although this measurement changes depending on the last time Finn nursed!]
Waist = 29in [4in to go]
Hips = 39 [3in to go]
L Thigh = 22in [1in to go]
R Thigh = 22in [1in to go]

I hope that once I begin to workout these numbers will go down much quicker, but this isn't bad for purely weight loss inches lost.

30 Before 30

Since I turn 26 in exactly 2 months I figured I may as well write my 30 before 30 list to give myself some time to finish everything on it so here we go...

30 Before 30:
1. Travel to Europe – alone with Tom
2. Run at least 2 more marathons
3. Triple my freelance business
4. Go to NYC at Christmas time
5. Enroll in grad school for graphic design
6. Have two more children (God willing)
7. Move back to NY
8. Travel to Hawaii (again!)
9. Use my sewing machine
10. Travel to Vegas with Tom
11. Take yoga classes regularly
12. See the Grand Canyon
13. Plan someone else’s wedding
14. Go to an SU basketball game
15. Plan out dinners everyday for a month
16. Do something that makes me nervous
17. Take a cooking class as a couple
18. Take a last minute long weekend trip based on flight sales on expedia
19. Volunteer for something I truly believe in
20. Use our video camera to document major life moments and holidays
21. Go to every brewery in VT
22. Go to another DMB concert with Tom
23. Own a pair of Frye boots
24. Take Finn to Disney World
25. Get in the best shape of my life – the healthy way
26. Take a dance class for an entire year
27. Grow my hair out to my mid-back
28. Teach at a college level
29. See a ballet (a REAL, professional ballet)
30. Visit the Chocolate Bar in Boston

Weekend Recap and Weight Loss Update

This past weekend Finn and I traveled back home to my parents for my best friend's baby shower. Tom had to work the weekend at the hospital (physical therapists have to work one weekend every 6 weeks for his job) so Finn and I were on our own. Thankfully he loves the car and passed right out for the entire 3 hour drive. We had lots of fun with grandma and I'm so happy Finn was able to meet my best friends finally :) Here are a few pictures from our weekend and below that is my weight loss update!

Finnegan with the Square and his future best friend in Eileen's belly!

Finn looks so little in these pictures even though he's 7.5 weeks and the size of a three month old!

First trip to the mall with grandma picking up some 3-6 month sleepers!

My parents dog, Buster, wouldn't leave Finn's side all weekend!

 Weight Loss Update!

8/21 weight = 160

9/6 weight = 156.6

9/20 = 154.2

Weight Loss in two weeks = 2.4lbs

Total Weight loss = 5.8lbs

Weight Loss to go = 19.2lbs

Goals:

9/30 = 155

10/12 = 150

11/21 = 145

1/31 = 140

3/31 = 135

Throwback Thursday

As Finn was sleeping this afternoon I became sentimental and started to look through all of my pictures in iPhoto. I figured I would share a few of my favorites for Throwback Thursday...enjoy!

Me and Tom's little sister the summer after freshman year in college - and she's still that crazy!

Carly and I at a party at my house the summer after sophomore year in college - I can't wait to see her in less than two weeks!

In Washington D.C. the summer after freshman year in college, I think.

When I was a bridesmaid in my cousin Meghan's wedding my Junior year of college - still one of my favorite dresses that I hope I will fit back into!

Summer 2010 in Kennebunk, ME!

Life Lately in Pictures

Since I haven't posted much since Finnegan was born, I figured I would just post a bunch of pictures since we are now taking MILLIONS of pictures!

Our first real family outing to Long Trail Brewery!

At Tom's cousin's wedding where Finn slept the whole time !

Sleeping on dad's lap at the wedding.

We attempted the NY State Fair and saw the butter sculpture!

A little catnap at the Fair.

Only two hours at the Fair since Finn wasn't a fan!

Homemade Sangria!

He thinks his name is funny when mom says "Finnegan!" in a high pitched voice!

Took a day trip to walk around Lake George!

The start of our brewery tour at Fiddlehead.

Magic Hat!

Family picture at Magic Hat.

Busy day in Burlington!

Finnigan's Pub in Burlington so of course we had to get a drink [ even if it's spelt wrong! ]

Allagash White at the pub.

HeadyTopper at the pub.

Oh the Vermont State Fair [ a liiiittle smaller than the NY ]

First trip to the Rutland "mall." 

Post Baby Weight Loss Week 2 Update!

It's been two weeks since I first posted on my post baby weight loss journey and not much has changed. I'm eating the same and walking at least 3-4 times a day and I'm really trying to use my abs when walking to stand up tall and walk faster. I can't wait to start running again even though I know it will be very hard at first but I honestly can't wait!!! I'm going to start the Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred on September 12 since we have a wedding on October 12 and I'd love to fit into some of my old dresses so I don't have to buy a new one, which would also be in a bigger size which would also be slightly depressing. 

8/21 weight = 160

9/6 weight = 156.6

Weight Loss in two weeks = 3.4lbs

Total Weight loss = 3.4lbs

Weight Loss to go = 21.6

The weight loss is still pretty steady which I wasn't totally expecting, but I'm happy it is. I'm really hoping that once I actually start to workout the weight will really begin to come off and I'll be more toned as well. Below are my goals and new updated pictures [ excuse my crazy hair and makeupless face! ] . I definitely feel like I'm starting to tone a bit more but it's definitely still hard to look at older pictures of myself with a flat stomach. And to think that back then I was so hard on my body when in fact I looked awesome! Anyways here is the progress so far...

Goals:

9/30 = 155

10/12 = 150

11/21 = 145

1/31 = 140

3/31 = 135

9/6

8/22

9/6

 

8/22