The Life of A Mommy Blogger {Featuring Kirby Amour}

I recently read a NY Times Article on a study conducted about mommy blogging and how they've proven it "makes new mothers happier". This got me thinking a ton about the role blogging plays in my life, my friends lives, and my families day to day. It's big for me, it's big for my family, we put ourselves out there almost daily for the world to see including the small handful of people who we don't want to know anything about us. 

I don't know if I'm alone in seeing this but there seems to be a stigma about bloggers. I've noticed most tumblrs keep their blogs away from 90% of their "real life" fiends and families. It's almost like it's OK to be 100% yourself with the community you have grown of complete strangers yet we hide from those who are closest. I've been wondering about this for sometime and the reasoning. I guess sometimes it just depends on why you blog and how personal you get.

Blogging for me has been about many things. The community aspect is HUGE. The record keeping, the opportunity to experience and work on my craft of writing almost everyday. Tumblr has brought so many amazing things into my life: online friends have become real life friends, I've connected with other Brooklyn moms which has given G some pretty cool kids to grow up with, it has brought support when I've needed it most, and so much positive energy around who I am helping my personal growth. This isn't to say bad things haven't come out of the internet for us, it isn't always all good and sometimes the pressure to keep things up to date when I have writers block sucks. Yet, it's all worth it. 

I guess the biggest reason I blog is because it feels good and makes my life more fulfilling at the end of the day. And I particularly Baby Blog because my daughter is the coolest thing in my life.

You can find Kirby at Baby G, Parents for Occupy Wall Street & Kirby Amour!  Kirby also runs Awesome Baby Blogs a fantastic non-competitive directory of parenting/baby blogs.  

Yes. Yes. Yes. {Featuring Melissa from MaMe Musings}

“Did you know you were having twins?” “Were you surprised to find out you were having twins?” “Do twins run in your family?”
Yes. Yes. Yes.

People ask me all the time if we knew we were having twins. Yes, we actually knew we were having twins almost from the day we found out we were pregnant. After two solid blood tests, I wasn’t scheduled to go in for an initial ultrasound until I was 6 weeks. Even then, it would be extremely early. Until then, I just had to have faith that there really was something going on inside my body. It would have been a little easier to believe if I had some symptoms to prove it. As it was, I felt nothing. I felt great. Maybe a little tired, but nonetheless, great. Just when I thought I was having a symptom, it would fade away. 

In a twisted way, I wished I would feel bad just so I would know I was pregnant. I emailed my doctor and asked if he could run another blood test just to make sure things were still progressing since I had no symptoms to put my mind at ease. Surprisingly, he suggested we do a quick ultrasound instead. If all was well, at 5 weeks and 2 days, we should at least see a gestational sac. I was already in tears before the first circle appeared. Through the tears of joy and amazement, I saw a blurry circle—my baby! The doctor continued moving across, stopping briefly, before saying nonchalantly, “There’s one, and there’s another one.” I saw the second blurry circle—also my baby! He pointed out the specks inside each circles. We were seeing the gestational sacs and the yolk sacs. Both were right on track for 5 weeks and 2 days. Were we surprised? Yes. In that moment, I was speechless. We knew there was a possibility of twins. We knew our beta numbers were on the high side, but for it to actually happen to us? Amazing. My husband claims he saw the doctor scan by both sacs before he even pointed out the first one. What was odd is that neither of us mentioned the word twins until we left the office. Honestly, to this day, I find myself saying, “Twins. Really??” 

People want to know if twins run in my family. Yes. They do now. Actually, both of us have twins in our families, and there may be some genetic connection. But, I have come to be more open about the fact that we also used fertility medicine. I think many people who ask if twins run in our family are really wanting to ask that question anyway. 

 Some want to know if the twins are “natural.” I would argue that all babies are natural. Asking if my babies are natural sort of implies that they might be unnatural, supernatural, or preternatural. Touch them. Hold them. Feed them. Play with them. They are 100% natural babies. They are a gift from God regardless of whether I took meds to juice up my ovaries or not. I have also learned that by being open about my struggles I have allowed others to be open about their struggles. Infertility can be such a lonely road, and if one woman can find understanding through me then why would I hide my story? What’s the fourth most asked question? I’ll let you guess, but the answer to that question is also—yes.

You can connect with Melissa over at MaMe Musings, where she shares life with her beautiful twins and her husband!  


Twins run in my husband's family and my family, so I secretly hope that I'll have a set of my own!  Thank you Melissa, for sharing what it was like to discover you were expecting two babies…and for your daily sharing of how to live life fully with those two adorable tots.

Muffintop Meltdown {v.7}

Progress & Starting Medifast
This will be the last week without images…can't wait to show you guys my progress pictures next week!!  I think I am going to be showing a big difference!
Measurements:Chest: 34.5" (-.5")Waist: 31" (-1")Hips/Bum: 42.5" (-.5")Thighs: 24.5" (-.5")Arms: 12.5" Muffintop: 35" (-.5")
Progress Report:

Weight Lost This Week: Unknown

Total Weight Lost: 7 pounds

Inches Lost This Week: 3 inches

Total Inches Lost: 13.5 inches

Points Earned:

This Week: 30

Points Balance: 337

I have just completed my first three days on Medifast.  You may notice that I don't provide a lot of back links for the program.  This is simply because my choice to do Medifast was in no way sponsored by the company, nor is it my goal to sell you on their program.  I have seen several success stories among other bloggers, and personally know a couple who together did awesome on the program, they look the best I have ever seen them!  

At first I thought maybe Medifast wasn't going to be the right thing for me because I don't have a very significant amount of weight (or so I thought) to lose…but when I adjusted my ideal weight for the inch of height I lost in my first pregnancy, it turns out, I have about 40 pounds to lose.  

They say the first three days on the program is the hardest as your body enters ketosis.  (Ketosis is basically the metabolizing of fat for fuel instead of sugar/glycogen).  I was actually surprised at how I didn't feel that bad.  I've been cutting back on coffee and am now down to only one 16oz cup of coffee a day.  

The food tastes alright.  Some of it is great, some of it needs to be tweaked.  The good news is there is a very active community on the Medifast community forum that helps you to figure out what you can add or how you can tweak the meals in order to enjoy them more.  I'm already feeling better about the small alterations to some of the meals I've been having today.

I am amazed to say to you that after three days (only) I have noticed a flatter stomach.  Three days.  I can't wait to see what I look like when I go home to New York next week, plus to actually step on the scale for the first time in three weeks.  

This Week:

I'm proud of these choices:

I finally started my Medifast! :)  

I'm drinking tons of water again.

I made Oreo stuffed brownies for valentine's day and didn't have one, not even a taste.

I'd like to work more on:

Being creative with my Lean & Green meals (basically the only meal I have to plan each day…consisting of a lean protein and tons of non-starchy veggies.

I totally cheated when:

I have been drinking so much water, and I just wanted something a little, tastier.  I made the mistake of opening a vitamin water and drinking almost half before I saw the sugar content.  Oy vey!

How did you do this week?

Want to catch up on my weight loss journey? V.6, V.5, V.4, V.3, V.2, V.1

Who of You by Worrying…{Featuring Carly from TexasLoveBirds}!

Hello, Baxtron{Life} readers! I'm Carly and  I blog regularly over here at a little place called Texas Lovebirds. My blog started as a series of "Dear Peanut" letters to our unborn son, but it quickly became a way for me to document this beautiful life and everything that comes along with it.  

With our son's due date just a few days away, our life is about to change in a big way and I hope you all will join us as we take our first steps into parenthood. 

Today I'll be sharing a post that I wrote several months ago; at the time I was about 26 weeks pregnant. Even though this experience seems like ages ago, I constantly go back to it and the lesson that I learned.  I hope you enjoy my thoughts and can learn something from it as well. Because let's be honest, momma or not, we all find ourselves caught in the trap of worry at one time or another.

 

Growing up I remember hearing adults (specifically my parents) talk about the worry that comes with being a parent. You know, followed by that very typical line.."you'll understand when you have kids someday." Okay Mom & Dad, you were right.  Last night while I was outside with the dogs, I took a little spill. My sweet Molly girl (you know, all 170 lbs. of her) got a little rowdy when I had her on her leash and pulled me a little too hard; thus, I fell. I caught myself on my hands and knees and got up unharmed. No belly hitting, or even remotely touching, the ground. Molly was distraught and quickly came to my aide, crouched beside me till I was on my feet. Once I was on my feet, my hand was covered in big, slobbery, Great Dane kisses.  I felt fine, I didn't ache, and I had no pains. 

But, of course, a little bit of me started to worry.

I promptly came inside, drank a big glass of juice, sat down, prayed, and waited for Gunner to move. I called Cody at work, and he assured me that I was fine as long as I wasn't hurting (in times like these, his medical knowledge really helps calm me). Shortly after getting some sugary juice in my tummy, Gunner began to kick up a storm. Each little movement, even the kicks to the ribs, made me smile. My boy was just fine.

"Thank you, Lord," I said. 

Followed by a thank you to Gunner as well.

Anxiety and worry are things I've always struggled with, and I'll probably write more about that later, but so many events have taught me that God is always in control. I think this will be a hard pill to swallow as Gunner comes into this world, but I know in my heart that it is true.

Gunner will always be most precious to me, but it comforts me to know that he is even more precious to God. He was knit in my womb for a reason, for a purpose. I don't even know what he will look like, but God knows the entire life that is ahead of him. God is so cool like that.

And do you know what's even cooler? 

That God allows little worriers like me to raise his children.

And when we worry, He grants us a flurry of movement and kicks.

Update!  Today Carly will meet her baby boy Gunner! :)  She is scheduled for a c-section based on his position.  Stop by her blog and give her a word of encouragement!! :)

Is it Possible to be Cute while Pregnant?

One of the things that was a major bummer for me when I was pregnant with Zion was the financial struggles we were going through at the time.  There were several items that I felt would have made my pregnancy more enjoyable, (had we had been able to purchase them), one of which was, maternity clothes.

I had just achieved my ideal weight and the best shape of my life prior to getting pregnant, so going through the weight gain and body changes accompanied by pregnancy was very difficult for me.  I think that part of the reason it was so difficult was because I couldn't by comfortable clothes that made me feel cute and pregnant.  Next time around it is going to be different.  :)

Even though I am not pregnant {yet} I love checking out maternity clothes.  I really love Destination Maternity, so I was browsing their new arrivals for Spring the other day and fantasizing about what a cute pregnant Courtney could look like sometime in the not too distant {hopefully} future!

Here are a few ways you can save big this week if you are in the shopping mood:

Free shipping on orders over $100 at Destination Maternity. Use code: FEBDM - valid February 16-20, 2012.

Buy One Get One 50% off select styles ż jeans, pants, tees, tanks, panties & nursing tanks at Destination Maternity. Valid February 1-20, 2012.

Buy One Get One Free on select clearance items at Destination Maternity. Valid February 1-20, 2012.

Featured Sponsor {Mallory of Mallory's Musings}

Hi!  I'm Mallory.  I am stay at home mom in my late twenties living on the Gulf Coast of Florida with my handsome husband and a very spirited almost 2 year old daughter named Aubrey .  My blog is basically about the ins and outs of me as a mom, which has proven to be quite the adventure.  I love to cook, craft and take photos and I share all of those things with you.  Please stop on by and say hi.

Define "Love" in your own words?

This one is a toughy because love can mean so many different things.  The definition can change drastically depending on what or who you are talking about.  I do think there are a few words that universally describe love and those are: respect, desire and admiration.

Your favorite Love story and why?  

I love the classic love stories and the ones that start out as young love and last a life time.  Maybe because that's how my love story goes(the young love ones, that is).  Some favorites that come to mind are Queen Victoria and Prince Albert,  Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, and of course Allie and Noah from The Notebook.

Tell us about the Best Valentine's Day you've ever had? 

 We aren't big about Valentine's Day around our house.  There have been plenty of romantic things that we have done for each other but they don't necessarily fall on Valentine's Day.    Instead of telling you about my best Valentine's Day, I will tell you about the one that I remember most, which is our first one as a couple.  Joe and I were seniors in high school and we had just started dating the month before.  I wanted to do something cute but not over the top for him so I asked his twin brother if there were any video games or movies that Joe wanted.  He told me that he wanted some basketball game for Playstation.  I went out and bought the game plus a bag of mini snickers bars because I knew they were his favorite.  I put the game in a gift bag surrounded by the snickers.  I was so excited to give it to him Valentine's morning at school and he loved it.  The bummer was that he nothing for me.  He said it was because he didn't want to bring it to school and he was going to come visit me at work that night.  I worked at a resort and that night I was working at the ice skating rink there.  Joe did show up that night with a few gifts for me.  He brought flowers, chocolate covered strawberries and a perfume gift set.  Which was totally sweet except for he must have forgot that he told me he had bought that perfume for his ex-girlfriend for Christmas but they broke up before he had the chance to give it to her- whomp whomp.  From that moment on I knew if I wanted a real romancer Joe was probably not my guy.  Thankfully ten happy years later, he has more than made up for his for first Valentines Day mishap.

Connect with Mallory: Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Happy Valentine's Day!

Oh hubby…I miss you.  Only a week from tomorrow babe!  Love you!

The Weekly Wrap {2.11.12}

Things have been a little delayed … what can I say…keeping up with three toddlers is quite the job! :)  Enjoy these pictures from our visit in Texas so far!

Fun on the trampoline. 

Enjoying yummy treats, and family favorites.

I finally learned how to make virgin mojitos!

 Some much needed time outside on a rainy day!

Nonstop fun with these kids!

Delicious Flatbread & Dipping Sauces…YUM!

Presenting my beautiful little niece: Sofia Elliana! 

I miss you all, but I'm having a great time! :)  How was your week?

"Pinning!" {wk.12} RED!

Sorry this got delayed this morning! I had completed my collage and just as I was about to click on save, I lost EVERYTHING.  Ugh!  Without any further delay:

Welcome to "Pinning!"!!!

First timer?  It's simple:

Follow your hosts: Courtney & Kimberly

and

 Link up your favorite pins for the week

or

Participate in the theme of the week

This week's theme: RED

What better theme in anticipation of Valentine's day!?

1.  Owl Always Love You Plush

2.  Red Couture Wedding Gown

3.  Goddess Pleat Baby Dress

4. Rihanna in Roses

5. Red Corduroy Teddy Bear

6. Gorgeous Red Tresses

7. LouBoutin inspired Manicure

8. Beautiful Red Leaves

9.  Fluffy Red Horse Plush

10.  Rose Red Art

11. Poinsettia The Way Jacket

12. Elephant Plush

13.  Floppy Striped Bunny Plush

14.  Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

15.  Modern Wall Art

THANK YOU for Linking up last week!  

Check out Kimberly's Blog to see who won last week's title of Pinning-est!

Are you "Pinning"?  

Come on, everyone is doing it.  

Join us MONDAYS for weekly sharing of Pinterest finds.  

February 13th: RED (Cause, you know, V-day is tomorrow!)

February 20th: P.S. I Love You (Be Creative!)

February 27th: This is My Style (Define your style!)

March: We'll be doing something new! Stay tuned!

Muffintop Meltdown {v.6}

Progress, Points & My Favorite Jeans
Progress Report:

Weight Lost This Week: Unknown

Total Weight Lost: 7 pounds

Inches Lost This Week: Unknown

Total Inches Lost: 10.5 inches

Points Earned:

This Week: 0 (Wasn't Counting!)

Points Balance: 307

This post is coming at you delayed, simply because I've been insanely busy this past week with the arrival of my baby niece (pictures & details to follow!)  I've been busy helping with three toddlers and other household chores.  Every night I've been utterly exhausted by the time the kids are all in bed.  

I didn't measure myself or do a weigh-in (I mentioned previously that my sister informed me that she doesn't have a  scale so that is out until I get home in NYC.)  I also decided not to track points.  I've been really needing to be flexible in everything, and I'm admittedly off track a bit.  I'm still not discouraged though.  In life there are always temporary setbacks…the key is seeing them as just that…temporary.  

Today, I thought I'd share a two part goal I have regarding two of my favorite pairs of jeans ever:

1.  Goal #1 is to fit into my 7 jeans again.  Right now I can pull them almost all the way, but I cannot button them or zip them, too much hip/butt, so as that region shrinks these will easily fit again.

2.  Goal #2 is to fit into my Express jeans again.  I haven't worn these jeans since before my wedding/honeymoon.  I can pull these up to about mid thigh right now…so I have some work to do! 

In other news, I begin my Medifast 5-in-1 program tomorrow morning.  I am excited to get things going in the right direction again.  I delayed starting the program because I had a moment of clarity about attempting to start it while watching three toddlers all by myself for 48 hours…not the brightest idea.  I can't wait to share progress with that later in the week, and let you know how it is going and what I really think of it.

This Week:

I'm proud of these choices:

Well, I am sure there is something to be proud of, but I can't really think of anything, eek!

I'd like to work more on:

I haven't really been working out this past week and a half, nor have I been very disciplined with my eating plan.  The family here knows how to cook, so it is REAL hard to stick to my own food! :)

I totally cheated when:

I've been having a TON of dessert, so bad, really, like ice cream, cupcakes, cookies…woe is me!

How did you do this week?

Want to catch up on my journey? V.5, V.4, V.3, V.2, V.1

O.M.Y. {oh.my.yum} Featuring Sarah from The Fontenot Four!

Check out this delicious recipe from Sarah of {the Fontenot Four}!

On Saturday morning I was browsing Pinterest.I wanted a simple crock pot recipe for chicken.I wasn't feeling well.  I had thawed out chicken.  Had to cook it. But didn't want to exert a lot of effort!Ever have those days??I came across this pin for Cilantro Lime Crock Pot Chicken:Source: pipandebby.com via Sarah on Pinterest
I checked my pantry and, sure enough, I had the ingredients...pretty much.I had bone-in skin-on chicken breasts, not boneless skinless.I had dried cilantro, not fresh.I had lime juice in a bottle, not a fresh lime.Well, that worked for me so here is my version of this recipe! Easy Delicious Cilantro Lime Crockpot Chicken: So so nice to have a Kindle Fire to put on the counter for easy access to the recipe!!

Aside from the chicken, here's what you'll need:

A 24 oz jar of your favorite salsa.  I had a club-size bottle, so I measured out 24 oz.

The original recipe calls for the juice of 1 lime.  I did not have one, so I added 1 tbsp of "Realime" lime juice.

Instead of fresh cilantro {because I had none}, I used not quite 1/4 cup of dried cilantro.

Add 1 pouch of your favorite taco seasoning.

Blend everything together in your crock pot.

Throw in a package of boneless skinless chicken breasts.

{mine were bone-in skin-on, so I de-boned and de-skinned them before putting them in}

Cover the chicken with the salsa mixture.

Set the crock pot to low for 6 hours.

{about 4.5 or 5 hours in, I put it on warm}

Towards the end, I threw some white rice into my rice cooker.

Chicken is ready!

Serve the chicken over rice and top with the salsa mixture.

Not photographed: I then put some tortilla chips on the side and topped with some of the salsa mixture.  I added a generous amount of shredded "Mexican" blend cheese as well as dollop of sour cream!

This was so good that this post was supposed to go up Monday but I couldn't wait to share it with you!!

And before you say aren't you starting a fast??  Well, yes I am...it starts at sundown tonight.  This is not a Daniel Fast recipe, that's for sure.  And I enjoyed every bit of it! Enjoy!
My mouth is totally watering from this recipe: cilantro & lime---that is all you had to say!!  Thanks, Sarah for this delicious recipe…I'm hoping to get to cook this for my sister's family while I'm visiting with them.  :)  
Friends, you should totally visit Sarah's blog…this lady is inspiring in all that she does!  :)