C 2 5K Update [[W5D3]]

Definite progress!

If you are familiar with the C25K program you know what w5d3 means...a 20 minute straight run, and I did it!  This is not the first time I've done it. Three years ago I got to this stage, and was SOO excited, then I found an excuse (I'll spare you the details) and quit. Not this time. I'm psyched for w6d1...one more week of intervals and then I'm on my way.  5K here I come!

S.M.A.R.T.!

 

You've heard of this before...right? Either in your 'personal development' class, or when an athlete came to talk to your class.  All about how to set goals properly?  Well, I've actually taught that class, but somehow I never quit figured how how to get myself into it myself.  

Last week I made a decision that I needed to do 'something' before the new year. I"ve spent the whole year 'planning' on doing lots of things, but in the end I never really made it.  Well as I mentioned a couple of days ago, I've started the 30 day 'No Fizz' challenge.  So far so good on that one.  The other thing is that I've been working on the C25K program FOREVER!  I mean over many years I've started and stopped many, many times. And over the last couple of months I've redone week 4 several times, never completely stopping but never moving forward.

So here comes the SMART part!

                             No Fizz Challenge                        C25K

S     Specific         Follow Plan for 30 Days                Complete Program

M     Measurable   Finish Plan                                     Finish Plan

A     Attainable       In both cases I KNOW these are things that I can do!

R     Realistic        Again, I know these are things I can do in this amount of time, only 3 days/week etc.

T     Timely        These are both things I want to complete before/as of January 1st

So as far as the 30 day challenge goes things are going well. I know 4 days isn't a big deal for most people, but for me it's huge, and I am feeling better already.  For my running, I've already signed up for (and paid!) a race for January 1st.  It's the 'Resolution Run'. So I don't have a choice. I've got to do it. I've evened asked G if he wants to join me...we'll see on that one.

I'll keep you updated!

Family Pictures

As I mentioned in my Christmas card post, we recently got our family pictures done! I think I'm pretty much addicted now, I love having these special memories.  I actually just made Shutterfly photobooks with my pictures so I'm interested to see how they turn out.

Anyway...here's a few of my favorites!

30 Day....No Fizz Challenge

Drinking Pepsi is something pretty much everyone in my life jokes about...it's my biggest vice by far.  While trying to eat healthy it's one thing that keeps coming back up.  So while searching for support on giving up this (nasty) habit, I came across No Fizz Charlotte and their 30 day challenge.

The website has great information, and I signed up to receive an email with further resources.  Looking forward to seeing what they send along.

So...30 days...aim to drink 60oz of water, and avoid soda.  Sounds like a plan!

Cards are on their way!

Cool Blue Holly Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Holidays are coming! First step?

I LOVE the holidays, I always have. But now that I have a little one, it takes on a whole new meaning.  I can't wait to share our excitement with everyone else too! It's Christmas card time!

I think was about a month ago that I started looking into what cards to pick. We had our family pictures done, and so I had to wait til they were done before I could do the final design. After looking at all the different suppliers online, and reading lots of revues, I came to the decision that the best quality and selection are with Shutterfly!

The only problem now is picking a card, there are so many amazing designs! Check them out!  While waiting to order my cards I also played around with a lot of other products available on the site. In particular the photo books are fantastic, and I plan to order a couple as a Christmas present to me!

Don't celebrate Christmas? Not a problem...they have New Year's cards too.  Such a great idea.

So go check it out, and hey, if you are a blogger too, you can get 50 FREE CARDS! Seriously, you can't go wrong!  Off to make my final selection.

Things I love < A series >

I love stuff...I love researching stuff...it's an addiction. But I figure there has to be some good that comes from it.  Before I was even  TTC  I studied fertility friend like it was nobody's business.  Then came cloth diapers. Then once I got pregnant...watch out. From strollers to car seats, cribs and curtains. you name it, I knew ALL about it.

So I figured I should share some of that knowledge for everyone.  IRL I have friends who don't even bother looking into things themselves. One of my gf asked me "so, what carseat are we buying?" lol  So I figured I would start with the things I've actually researched and purchased for myself. And then I'll probably just start listing some of my 'wish list' stuff too.

Any products you are particularly interested in? Let me know...I'll see what I can do!

My big Bro is married!

So I've mentioned on here before about the bridesmaids dress I had to wear, and how I wasn't all that excited about it.  Well, regardless of how I felt/looked, the main point of the day was that my brother was marrying his best friend.  It was a fantastic day, they were both beautiful, and I was so happy to be there with them.

 

 

And of course...Miss Lyla was absolutely beautiful!

Proud of my hubby

Summer vacations are always hard for us to come by.  It's a busy time of year for our work, so usually we just make due with a couple of long weekends.  This year however, G had a ball tournament that matched up with my brothers wedding so we figured we would make an event out of it.  The first weekend we had the wedding and then we stayed for the whole week.

G has been playing fastball his whole life, and he's very dedicated. This year his team decided to really go for it and prepare for nationals.  Over the past 6 months or so, he has really pushed himself, lost some weight, and has been in the best shape I've seen him in a long time.

He is a real leader on the field, has such an amazing drive, and he's an awesome player.  Plus...he's pretty hot in his uniform too! lol

Wordless Wednesday < Welcome Fall >

Friday Favorites!

Number 1 comes from my hubby.  Last night I was out at a friends house until pretty late, when I came in I new he was sound asleep, and had been for quite a while.  But as soon as I got in bed he rolled over and snuggled right up to me.  Still sound asleep.  He is ALWAYS hot, I'm ALWAYS cold, so there's nothing better than getting snuggled so sleep.  Love him!

Number 2 is from my dear Lyla (shocker I know!).  Right now one of her favorite things to do....is sit.  Yep, sit on the floor, sit on one of her chairs, even on the radiator (not on obviously).  When we were at my Mom's last week she was kind of walking around backwards, and we were all wondering what she was doing.  We were all sitting at the table and she was 'looking for a place to sit'.  At one point she just leaned back against the wall and squatted down into a sitting position.  So freakin' cute!

Happy Friday!

Summer Vacation

Although we didn't have a lot of extra money when I was a kid, my parents always made sure that we got to travel (by station wagon of course) and really enjoyed out summer.  When I asked my mom why we weren't in soccer in the summer she said it was because we always complained when we had to leave the beach early!  I grew up in PEI, can you blame me?

So now that we are 'all grown up', this is still something I want for our families. It's tough, I work in recreation and g works in construction, so the summer months are busy. But fortunately we've had things we 'had' to go to the past couple of years, so it made it easier to work things around.  Last year I was standing in a wedding for a roomie for university so that gave us a great opportunity to visit New England and get some great shopping done.  This year we had a lucky draw of dates since my big bro was getting married, and g had a ball tournament the following week.  As much as I adore my Mom and Dad, I knew staying there for a full week would be a little much. So we booked a beautiful cottage and called it a vacation!

The schedule looked kind of like this. First Lyla and I went over to PEI for a quick weekend trip.  A cousin of mine who lives on the complete other side of the country was visiting for the first time since my parents' wedding, and she couldn't stick around for my brother's wedding. So since it was also 'Old Home Week' in Charlottetown we figured we take in a few things.  Then I had to come back for Mon-Wed for work. Lyla and my sister and I headed back on Wednesday to help prep for the wedding which was on Saturday.  g came on Friday and we checked into the cottage on Saturday for the week.  He played 2 games a day all week (it was SO hot), and other than that we just enjoyed visiting.

Here's a couple of my favorite pics...lots more to come!

Labor Day is the new New Years!

Just back from vacation, such an amazing vacation, I think it's actually my favorite ever!  So of course I have tons to blog about...I actually started writing down topics last night and filled a page, so I am going to have lots of things to write about, and I'll easily hit my 30 posts challenge!

But for today I'm going to focus on the start of the 'new year'. I really think resolutions and all the stuff would work better starting with labor day.  It's the unofficial end of summer, and change of weather and wardrobe, and a starting fresh.  Maybe because my Dad was a teacher and we always looked at the fall as the starting of the new year.  I never feel that motivated by January 1st (except for the new calendars and day planners...love those!), but this feels like a fresh start for me.

I think this year it's even more so since we just got back from our vacation. Because I came back off Mat leave in May I didn't take any summer vacation until now, and it was much needed and fantastic!  Also we just moved offices ( I got stuck in the basement of our building), and I've taken it upon myself to really spruce up my office. New lighting and frames, even a rug, it's been great.

So here's to my 'new year'.  I've got lots of goals and plans, so stay tuned!

Not this time!

Okay, seriously 'universe'...what is it about me trying to do something good for myself that causes you to throw challenges in my way? Okay, challenge makes it sound so dramatic...more annoying than anything.  Alright, lets back up a minute here.

So my 'healthy eating' plan went out the window a couple of weeks ago, not even sure why, lots of excuses, not worth the time to write them.  However, I did get a good kick in the pants to get moving again and last week, I (re)started the Couch to 5K plan.  Had a great first day, it was hard but I finished it.  Then I went home to visit the parents for the weekend.  Thought I was totally prepared, but I forgot shorts...so....I (being so dedicated) went out and bought a pair so that I could go. THEN...my stupid ipod didn't work. I went anyway, and did my best to count out 60sec runs.  I figured my ipod just needed to be charged, nope...still doesn't work!

Well, I'm going to suck it up and go today anyway.  I really don't have the money for a new ipod..any suggestions on a cheap mp3 player that will work for me?

Week 2 - 1/5

Wordless Wednesday

Miss Independent...

Week 1 - 5/5 (Yay, I did it!)

Fun summer weekend!

Now that we are halfway through August I'm starting to get that little panic about trying to fit in as much fun as possible.  So this weekend we did just that had a lot of fun in the process.

First up? A play date.  As I recently mentioned a friend of mine just started back to work so we decided to get together to let the girls 'catch up' and have a little chat ourselves. It was so cute watching them all toddling along and babbling in their own special 'language'.  Then before we left, they thought they we 'help' with some chores!


Anyone need any help with their laundry?

Then on Saturday night we took a walk around the waterfront.  Greg is always pretty grumpy about doing those types of things, but he does love getting a chance to hang out with Lyla...and she loves being with her Daddy too.

Then on Sunday I had to work...but I work in recreation, so it was quite a lot of fun too!  In the county where I work they have the worlds highest recorded tides (I know you are impressed! lol)  So this past Sunday was the years lowest tide, and we planned a 'Mud Run' for our community members.  There was a little bit of work...setting up and helping with registration, but really I just got to enjoy the beautiful day and having fun with all the kids!

Since Greg was home with Lyla they decided to come out and visit me.  We had a great time, although Lyla wasn't a huge fan of the water. Hopefully she'll start to enjoy to the beach a little more next summer!

Here's to making the most of summer!

Week 1 - 4/5

Does it get any cuter...?

than four little girls in pigtails?

Week 1 - 3/5