...on food

I have recently come to the realization that I have a fairly unhealthy relationship with food.  Mainly, I LOVE it.  My weakness is, of course, sweets.  I am around something sweet and I have no self control-none.  This is problematic because I love to bake.  I have also recently realized that I tend to use food as a comfort.  I never used to do this until a few years ago, or at least I was blissfully unaware of it.  I remember a few days after we moved into our old house or "the house that shall not be named", Adam walked into the kitchen and caught me eating a donut that was a few days old and really, really stale.  He looked at me and oh so lovingly said, "sweetheart, I think you might be stress eating."  That, my friends, was the beginning of it all.  I write all of this to tell you all about something completely crazy that I am about to do. It is a food journey of sorts that, I hope, will put me one step closer to looking and feeling better.  I also hope that it will allow me to foster a healthy relationship with food.  So what is this crazy journey?  I am going to do another 30 day challenge only this time, there will be no cheat meals.  Doesn't sound that crazy, right?  No, the crazy part is that this time I WILL post pictures both before and after.  (yikes!)  I will also be keeping a log of thoughts and progress throughout the 30 days on my blog.   There are a couple of reasons why I have decided to do this 1) I am doing this by myself and for myself. (Adam is in the middle of his 30 days right now) and 2) I am afraid that I will quit.  The big starting day is July 5th.  If anyone would like to join me in my journey I would be thrilled!  Only a few more days of mocha's, bread, wine, and sweets before I say goodbye to them for 30 days!

...on the bean sprout

I know, I know, I have been MIA for quite a while.  I really do promise that I will try to be a more consistent blogger in the future.  I do, however, have a fairly reasonable excuse for not blogging for a while.  Here, I'll even show you...

I'm an Auntie again!  Pretty good excuse, huh?  Joshua David Asp came into this world a week ago today.  Adam, Jack, and I drove out to Minnesota last weekend to meet the little guy.  Joshua's nickname throughout Jen's (Adam's sister) pregnancy was bean sprout-It's amazing how quickly the nicknames fade after they are born.  He is such a cutie and so little compared to his cousin, Jack and big sister, Caroline!  I'll post more pictures and info soon.  Welcome to the family little Joshua.  You are so very loved.  

...on seven months

I'm pretty sure that I JUST posted on six months and I can't believe how time is flying!  Here are some pictures from our seven month photo shoot...

Ah, such a goof ball, my sweet little Jackson. 

...on coming to Jesus

I think that I am out of control.  I feel like everything in life is so overwhelming right now and I don't even know why.  Does anybody else feel like that?  I feel like it is time to have a come to Jesus meeting with myself, know what I mean?  Part of me kind of feels like I might be going through some late post-pardom depression only I don't feel depressed just really, really off...Just ask my husband.  I find myself having bizarre overreactions to silly things.  Pardon my rambling but I just felt like I needed to write.

Ok, I think that is out of my system.  Thank you, blogosphere, for letting me vent.  In other news, out little Jack-man has (kinda) started to sit up!  My sister-in-law tells me that this is a HUGE game changer.  I'm super excited about being able to sit him up to play as opposed to him lying on his back or tummy to play.  I think this will lead to a much happier baby and for that I am so, so thankful.

So back to what I was talking about earlier, the out-of-controll-ness.  Towards the end of our trip to San Diego, Jack was just done.  He was so completely 100% off his schedule that he was protesting by screaming and staying awake.  I nearly had a nervous breakdown which led us to this moment...



No, Adam did not propose again, although I'm sure he would, right???  Adam and I decided to take Jack for a walk in the BOB in hopes that he would fall into a restful sleep.  Well, he didn't.  BUT, we did come across this sweet couple getting engaged on the beach at Coronado Island!  I'm not kidding you, I nearly cried.  It was so sweet and for some reason it just made me feel better about things!  You can see more about them on Adam's Blog.  Sometimes it is the little things in life that make you take a deep breath and realize that everything is ok.

...on San Diego

Turns out, when you travel with a baby, this is what happens...

This picture probably makes it look worse than it really was but that is a lot of bags, am I right?  Jack went on his first plane ride last week to San Diego.  He did pretty well on the plane and I must say, I am not looking forward to the day that I am traveling with a 17 month lap child and not a 7 month lap child. Seriously moms, how do you do it?  And with two!?  I can't even think about that.  Adam was in trainings most of the week so Jack and the ladies cruised around San Diego in the BOB.  Well, Jack cruised in the BOB...we pushed/carried him.  I think I'll just let the pictures do the talking for this trip...

Jack Passed out on the plane

We went for a morning jog and stopped at the aircraft carrier.  I thought Jack should be super excited about it but, he wasn't.  

...on crossfit albuquerque

Several posts ago I talked about the paleo diet which is, obviously, the "diet" part of Adam and I trying to be more health conscious.  The other part of it is our exercise routine which brings me to Crossfit Albuquerque.  Adam and I have done "crossfit" for a couple of years at the gym but we have recently joined the official crossfit gym here in Albuquerque and we both love it!  I'm not going to lie to you, I was completely opposed to it at first.  Super intimidated, kinda lazy, content to "do my own thing", etc., but mostly intimidated.  Adam kind of gave me a swift kick in the pants and I finally bit the bullet and started going.  Apparently, if you are constantly complaining about how you look but exercise sporadically and eat crap, it is difficult to meet your fitness goals, who knew?  Let me just say that I have only been consistently going (three times a week) for about a month now and I can already notice a difference in the way that I look and feel.  It is amazing how your perception of yourself changes when you know that you are actively trying to live a healthier life.  Seriously, check out the website.  The trainers are great, the people are great, the work outs will kick your booty every time, guaranteed, but are great.  Just sayin'...

Adam workin' it during the "murph"
Run 1 mile
100 pull ups
200 push ups
300 squats
Run 1 mile

...on cutie little skirts

...if I do say so myself.  Remember the fabrics that I showed you on my last post?  Well, this is what some of it has turned into so far.

Skirts!!  12-18 months, 3-6 months and, wait for it....preemie!  I had some leftover fabric that was not quite big enough to make something for a newborn baby and I think there will always be a special place in my heart for preemies so...preemie skirt!  I think that I'm going to look into making these and donating them to the hospital here where Jack was when he was born.  It is so hard to find preemie clothes but as a parent of a preemie, you still want to dress them up in cutie clothes.  So you might be thinking "um...Jess, you don't have a girl, why on earth are you making all these girl clothes?"  Well...I'm thinking about selling them and I'm really excited about it!  I'll, of course, make matching onesies (which I haven't done yet) and will post pictures as soon as they are finished.  So if you need a gift for a baby and you see something you like please let me know!  I'm trying to make a couple of outfits a week and I'm doing my best to find unique and fun fabrics to use.

...starting him young

My parents came in to town a couple of weeks ago for a visit.  I'm pretty sure they are no longer coming to visit me and Adam but to see Jackson.  It's kind of like when I meet friends for lunch or coffee and they always say, "oh, and bring Jackson!".  So now I see how it is, real cool, ya'll only like me for my baby.  Kidding, kidding.  Anyways...so we took a family trip to Target, a fantastic place and yet somehow, a drain on the wallet.  Someone please tell me how does that happen!?  We went to check out and my favorite little coffee place (Starbucks) was giving out tiny Jack sized samples of their new mocha coconut frappuccino.  Before I knew it, little man had his fingers all up in that whipped cream!  It was priceless.  It also got me thinking that maybe I drank one too many decaf mochas while I was pregnant.  Who am I kidding, you can never have too many mochas!!  

Another thing that Jack got to experience, although not for the first time, was playing the piano with my Dad.  If my Dad and a piano are in the same room you can bet that there is going to be some serious piano playing going on.  

And finally, Grandma got to feed Jack some avocado.  I think his favorite food so far as he dives for the spoon with his mouth wide open!  Well, not in this picture but trust me, that happened.  

On  side note, I went fabric hunting last weekend and looky, look what I found!  I have already started sewing some fabulous little things...pictures to come soon.  I tried so hard to find cute boy fabrics but they are all so lame!  Next time, I suppose.