Catch up!

I am way behind on blogging!  Life has been a crazy one between work, gym and family life.  When I get home from work, I try to avoid the computer if at all possible.  Tonight, I am making an exception to get you all caught up on the Bailey's life!

Wriston talking on the "phone"

Stephen and I had a great Labor Day weekend.  We spent Saturday - Sunday in Greenwood with Gran and Pop as well as the rest of the Bailey family.  I think Wriston is such a lucky boy to be loved by so many.  When we walked in, Pop wanted to hold him immediately.  He held him and gave him several kisses.  Pop's love for him is obvious.  Moments like that are meant to be cherished forever.  Gran also spent time holding Wriston.  She sat and watched him play while he showed her his new tricks.  Last time we were up there, he was not sitting up but was rolling around.  Now, he's sitting and CRAWLING (more of an Army crawl at that point -- or "high crawl" as his Uncle Michael corrected us).  I think the highlight of his weekened - although, Stephen may disagree as Wriston was sleeping - was when he watched the Gamecocks win their first game against ECU!!  GO COCKS!  haha.   When we left on Sunday, Stephen and I talked about how blessed Wriston is to have his great grands in his life (mine passed well before I was born).  We only hope that Wriston will always know just how MUCH his great grands (especially) love him.  If Wriston grows into half the man Pop is today, he will be just fine.  He is such a special.little.boy.

So far, September has been a fabulous month.  Here are a few of his accomplishments:

• As I said earlier, Wriston began it with a high crawl, but now he is truly crawling.  While he goes faster while scooting, he can hold himself up and does at times. 
• He is also showing his curiousity.  He crawls over to drawers to open them up, he crawls to toys and under tables to pick up other toys and never seems to want to sit still (I think he inherited this from me??). 
• Furthermore, on Labor Day Monday, we went into his room and found him STANDING UP in his crib!!!  Now, Wriston pulls up on everything (or tries to) and likes to try walking.  When "walking" he does a high march with each leg.  I foresee him walking within the next few months.
• Wriston also likes to talk on the phone.  When given the phone, he says hey (or what I know is hey) and then adds some gibberish. 
• He CLAPS!  It is precious.

So, that's the gist of our life for the past few weeks.  I hope to post new pictures of Wriston soon!

Weigh In

I just started week 4 of the Biggest Loser Competition at the gym and week 1 of Weight Watchers.   As of Saturday, I am down almost 5 pounds.  I am so pleased.  I really did not expect to lose weight as I thought I would gain muscle.  Any loss is great loss.  I just want to be healthy.   It's nice to be on a new path! :)

Week 3

We made it to Week 3 of the Biggest Loser Competition at the gym!  I've kept up going to the gym 4 times a week and making it to the classes on Tuesday nights.  I made some new friends and am pleased with the progress.  I'll do a weigh in tomorrow morning.  Even if I've not lost weight, I do notice a different in my ability to lift weights.  It's nice.

I decided to join Weight Watchers.  I'm on day 3 and so far, not too bad.  I need to do a little more grocery shopping to be able to stay within the point ranges given.  I am hoping combining WW with the workouts will help me lose weight faster!

In Wriston news - he is still the most loving boy ever.  We took him to the Orthopedist Ped Dr for an x-ray on his hip.  His bones have not fully calcified so we could not see the ball where the leg goes into the hip, but based on what the Dr COULD see, he is pleased and told us to not even worry about it anymore.  We do go back when W is 1 year old.

Well, that's all for now ... off to enjoy my last weekend in my 20's!  WOW.

Day 9 - OUCH!

Just returned from my second gym nutrition and workout class for the Biggest Loser Contest.  Wow.  I really learned a lot.  We went over the harmful effects of too much sodium in food, even those hid in so called "healthy" microwaveable foods.  I was amazed to learn how much sodium and sugar are also in foods in restaurants.  It seems eating at home is really the only safe option.  We went over the top 30th saltiest foods - check out this list!  Who kne w some of the things are on there were unhealthy!  Instead of eating the daily recommended amount of 1500 mg of sodiumn/day, we'd eat three or four times that amount in ONE meal (also, notice some of these CALORIES!  WOW).  And then, once you are done there, check the sugar intake in some of these drinks!  I really am enjoying the class, the new friends and the new ME :0)

So, why OUCH?  As you are aware, this is really my first time back in the gym since having Wriston over six months ago.  I consider myself healed from the c-section even though I was advised not to have a second child til after 18 months of having Wriston (no worries there!) because of the internal healing that takes a little longer.   Until now, I never noticed any pain and all has gone smoothly.  Well, I ended up doing my exercise routine and when I got to the ab machine (w/weights), I really felt intense pain coming from my incision site.  I quit immediately and looked it up online (as it was after Dr's hours).  Everyone said they had the same issues and it was just the muscles building back up.  I decided to work out for two more days and if the pain continued, I would call the Dr. So, then yesterday, I realized that after doing the crunches/ab machine for over a week, I felt little to no pain... I even increased the weights.  YAY!  I am happy the muscles are healing now even if at a slow and slightly painful pace!

Tonight, at our bootcamp following the nutrition segment, we did continuous rotations of lunges, ab workouts, step aerobics, weight training and resistance bands and boy oh boy, I am SORE.  My abs are hurting along with my legs.  Wowzer. 

No pain, no gain... right?

Week 1 - Done!

Today is the final day of Week 1 in the Biggest Loser Competition.  I think I did fairly well this week - went to the gym 5 times, dieted nicely and learned a lot in our nutrition class.  At my weigh in this week (remember, we're required to weigh in weekly), I lost almost 1.5 lbs!  WOW!  I think that's great!  I really did not expect to lose any weight at all, so ANY weight off is welcomed.

I guess I realized this week that dieting is time consuming.  To avoid finding myself wanting something at a drive thru or giving up and hitting the vending machine, I am packing my lunch and snacks.  The lady who held our class on Tuesday (I'll call her a nutritionist even though she's not officially one - she's just an instructer with experience/knowledge on diets/plans) said we need to eat every 3 hours.  Each meal should include a protein, carb and a little fat and each meal should be the size of two fists.  I ended up going to the store and buying a lot of good proteins to help out during snack time.

Also, after talking to another training, I've decided to follow a modified Eat Clean diet.  Eat Clean basically means you avoid eating anything white -white flour, white rice, etc.  What I learned is that even if breads or foods say "whole wheat," that is not necessarily true.  I learned how to read labels and make sure I am buying foods that are "clean."  I am starting the diet with a modified approach to ease into the program and hope to eventually switch over 100%.

Overall, I am excited to see what happens over the next seven weeks!!  Keep sending positive thoughts and encouraging words my way :)  Every bit helps.

The night before our wedding!!

Noooowww... to change topics, today is my 7 year anniversary with Stephen!!   What can I say about him that you do not already know.  I absolutely lucked out when Stephen decided to come see me in Columbia back in my Columbia College days.  He has always loved me for me.  He has accepted my quirkiness, my loudness, my passion for life, friends and family and my faults.  While he is my opposite and some view him as a complete opposite, until you really get to know Stephen, see him in his quiet moments, see him when no one is looking - see what I (and a few close family and friends see), it's hard to understand how we even came to love one another.  Truth

8-7-2004

is - Stephen is just as quirky, loud, funny, opinionated and silly.  Yes, he lets things "roll off" instead of taking them so seriously, but that's what I love - he is the one to balance me out.  And having him as Wriston's dad just makes him an even better husband.  I love him more and more each day.  I love him for everything he stands for and everything he hopes to be.  I love his drive, dedication, honesty and love for knowledge.  So to sum this all up, I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together.  He is my best friend.  I love you, Stephen!

New Month = New Me w/a 6 Month old!

 
Finally August - hard to believe I have a SIX month old now!  We went on vacation a few weeks ago to Ocean Isle Beach, NC.  We (the Todd's) rented a house on the beach and it was literally right off our back porch.  We had a very relaxing trip and Wriston seemed to enjoy the beach.  He was not out too much, but was able to stick his feet in the sand, the ocean and mostly, in his mouth!  While at the beach, numerous "firsts" came - Wriston was able to sit up on his own, Wriston got in his FIRST tooth and then two days later, got his SECOND tooth!  My baby has TWO teeth!  And of course, Wriston being the sweetest baby did not seem to complain/fuss about his gums hurting.  He is a trooper! 

As we know, this month is super special for numerous reasons!  First, Stephen and I have our SEVEN year anniversary this year!  How wonderful for us!  We celebrate our anniversary this Sunday, August 7th.  No real plans at the moment and presents are being postponed.  Second, Mom celebrates her birthday on the 21st and then third, Dad and I share our birthday on the 23rd!  I will finally be (what I use to consider OLD) the big 30! 

Being a mom has really changed me and all for the better.  While Stephen may disagree, I am more patient, maybe more understanding, more loving, more family-oriented, more loyal to friends, more accepting of others, more faithful to God and a believer in myself.  With all the health issues in my family, I really want to make sure that I am the best not only for myself, not only for Stephen, but for Wriston.  He deserves me at my best.  God blessed me with him and I owe Him lots. 

So, it seemed like a twist of fate that I received an email from my gym (that I've been a member of but not visited since a little after I found out I was pregnant) for the Biggest Loser Contest.  Basically, the contestants have to be able to lose at least 15 lbs, work out at the gym 4 times a week and (while optional) attend a class that gives out nutrional info the first half and then a workout class for the second half.  The contest began on Monday, the 1st.  I weighed in and was not surprised (or pleased) with the results.  However, it is the beginning and what matters if the effort and the results at the end.  The contest last eight weeks and has weekly weigh-ins.  This week, I met with a personal trainer on Sunday go to over the exercises I needed to do and discussed diets.  Monday, I did the exercises we did on Sunday.  Tuesday, I attended the class and workout class, which ended up being Kickboxing!  Every class has a different type of exercise class at the end of it.  Today, I worked later and am taking the night off.  I will be back tomorrow and Friday. 

I will try to post pictures of me weekly so we can see if anyone notices a difference.  I am really excited about the possibilities ahead of me as well as the diet I decided to follow.  While nothing "official," I am going to try to eat "clean" as well as calorie count.  I learned a few things in class last night that I think will help put me on the right track to eating right and losing weight.  So, watch out - come October, I hope to be healthier!

Playtime, Projects and Prayers

Wriston is quite the young man.  My new favorite sound is waking up and hearing him talking in his crib.  He's quietly playing with his feet and speaking his gibberish ... and of course, throwing in a few raspberries!  I cannot help but giggle.  Being a mom is wonderful!  Our daily routines are more standard now.  Wriston is in bed by 7:30 pm and sleeping til 6:45ish.  He's eating a little food 3 - 4 times a day and loves it.  We decided to stop feeding him carrots after a few mishaps.  His favorite food seems to be bananas/apples and sweet potatoes!  He loves a new teething ring and Mom saw his little teeth under his gums - guess they will make an appearance in the next month or so.  Wow.   How adorable will he look then?!!  Precious I am sure.  He is still very well behaved and loves being talked to (takes after his momma, eh?).  He has a new high chair and exerciser at the house - both of which he loves.  Once we get back from vacation, it will be time to (*tear*) take down his baby swing as he has outgrown it.  Wriston's 6 mth appointment is scheduled for August 3rd and I am excited to see his stats!  Wriston is also trying to sit up on his own ... he can last a few seconds (maybe up to 7 now), but I think by the time we come back from vacay next weekend, he will be sitting up for a long amount of time. 

Stephen has been a hard worker.  He is in the process of fixing our back deck.  When we moved in, our deck was not in the best condition and after 2 years and some change, we decided it was time to put some effort into the back yard.  He has done a GREAT job and I am proud of him.  I'll post pictures of progress once he is done so you can see it all at once.  I think it will be finished after vacay.  Also, once it is completed, I think it will be time for a Bailey cookout :)

Vacation starts this weekend.  We're doing our annual trip with my side of the family.  Instead of going to St. Augustine, FL as usual, we're sticking it out at a house in Ocean Isle, NC.  We're Oceanfront and I am excited to put Wriston's toes in the sand for the VERY FIRST time!  We (now, speaking about the Todd side) are in need of a vacation.  We have been through quite a few rough weeks.  Perhaps you've seen me just a bit down or thought I was acting a little off (more than normal).... so here's the reason why.  Just a few days ago, it was confirmed that Dad has Prostate Cancer.  Cancer - what a powerful word.  It's so taboo.  No one ever wants to mention it or think about it.  Truth is - it is a scary word.  You cannot help but face the "what if" thoughts, but, luckily, advancements are made every day in cancer research and cancer no longer seems to be an automatic death sentence.  Luckily for him, Prostate Cancer is curable and we can only pray all goes well with treatment.  While I did not share this with everyone earlier (wanted to know results of everything first), I want to say a special thanks to those who did know, who prayed, who kept us busy/mind off things and who were just there... means a lot.  We are just in the beginning phases of this part of the journey, but I want to ask anyone and everyone who reads this blog, to put my dad (& others dealing w/prostate or other forms of cancer) into your daily prayers or on your church prayer list as it can only help!   Send positive thoughts and love our way.  I will try to keep everyone posted as we make our way through it as a family.  I look forward to one day telling everyone he is a survivor.