Making Harvest Dreams Come True (in the suburbs)

Mom and Dad came to visit last weekend!  We took Ava to the pumpkin patch on a perfect, sunny fall day.

 She's at a really curious age so we had a hard time getting many pictures where she's not investigating or chewing on something!

 Family pic.

 Proud grandparents!

 Right shoe missing.  Haha.

 Good looking husband.

 Picturesque pumpkin field.

Fall is the best!

Twins!

 The only thing sweeter than a baby girl is...TWO BABY GIRLS!

On Oct.3, Jamie and Lucas' baby girls decided it was time to be born.  Jamie was 33 weeks so the babies are old enough to breathe on their own and are healthy as can be!  They are staying in the NICU for a few weeks.

Don't they look like the most precious little dolls sleeping so sweetly? 

Isn't it so cute that Margaret (left) has dark hair like Lucas and Nora has light hair like Jamie (right)?

Don't you wonder how tiny they seem in real life since they're 4lb 5oz and 4lb 10oz?

Don't you wish there was a picture of the twins with their mommy and daddy?

Don't you want to kiss that tiny face?

Can you see how small her head is compared to Dad's hand?
Don't you want to pull that blanket down so you can see her baby tummy (you KNOW you do!)?
That's sleepy little Margaret, just growing and getting stronger every hour!

Doesn't Nora have the most perfect little nose?

Don't her little kissy lips make you smile?

Doesn't she look so peaceful and sweet? 

Don't you want to reach in and grab her?!!

Doesn't this just make you think about what a miracle it is when babies are perfect and healthy, even when they're born 7 weeks early?

Congratulations, Lucas and Jamie!  I can't wait to come meet these most precious girls!

We're All Friends Here, Right?

...if not, stop reading my blog.

I just love a before and after, don't you?  I'm going to a very public before and after here.  I hope you don't find it obnoxious.  I really went back and forth about putting it on the blog, but then thought it's my blog and I'll do whatever I want.  I guess this is mostly for me, but I'll definitely work harder if I know I have to report back every month.

What is it before and after you ask?  Crossfit.  Have you heard of it?  I just joined.  It's the new workout fad that is actually legit.  Google it if you haven't heard about it...pretty intense.  It's a fitness regime that was designed for police, fire, military and has gone mainstream.  It includes olympic lifting, gymnastics, running in different combinations that will take you to the edge of passing out every time.  That's why I like it.  It's supposed to be "functional fitness" that will enable you to do anything you need to in real life...you get in a car wreck and have to push the door open, no problem...you need to carry your 50 lb kid for a mile, no problem...you need to haul bags of mulch from your front yard to your back yard, easy.

Now, I lost the baby weight long ago and have gained some of it back.  I will say that even with all the weight off and in pretty good running shape-like in April-things weren't as they once were and still aren't.  I started a new job at my company and it has been extremely busy and stressful leaving me with no energy for they gym.  Now that I'm used to operating at that level, I'm back at it.

I joined Crossfit for 6 months and I have no idea what kind of results to expect.  Everyone that goes to my gym is ripped up.  I'm not expecting to reveal a crazy 6 pack in 6 months, but I think I'll be decently happy with the results (why else would I go).  I should also say that I'm not participating in the Paleo diet that Crossfit pushes.  I generally try to eat "whole" and healthy though.  No way I'll commit to completely cutting out the occasional plate of nachos, beer, brownies, pizza.

So here's the before pictures.  They're terrible pictures, too bright-sorry sorry.  

This is about as bad as it gets.  No make up, shirt up. Don't judge.

 Familiar side shot from my maternity days only this shows the after effects of that pregnancy...will my stomach ever be the same?

I'm going to post every month and let you know the following:

-weight lost/gained

-new pics!

-Stats that only I care about (below).  Documentation for myself.

The beginning:

-Weight gained/lost-0

-Inches gained/lost

 -Waist

 -thigh

 -butt

-Can complete:

 -1 off-knee pushup

 -0 pull ups

 -85 lb deadlift

 -8 lb kettle bell snatch

 -training bar squat snatch

 -training bar hanging snatch

Ok, that's all on that.  Will provide and update next month!