*Positive*

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

I read this quote and instantly want to be an optimist. I want to see the opportunities that are right in front of me, everyday. I NEED to see those opportunities. If I don't, everything in my everyday life will be overcome with negative energy... my negative energy. Isn't it much easier to be happy all day? Isn't it more fulfilling to share a smile with people you care about? I wonder why so many people say they see the glass half full, but then don't act upon it. I admit, I am one of these people... not ALL the time - but at times my negativity takes over and I find myself in a funk. I need to remember how blessed I am with the life I have been given. After all, I have a wonderful husband and son who make my days brighter. I have an amazing family that not everyone is fortunate enough to have. I have great friends who are there for me whenever I need them... and who genuinely care about me (and the people that mean the most to me.)

I am dreading going back to work in a week (that is the negative side of me coming out), but if I look at the opportunity, I see a wonderful job that is WAITING for me to come back.. students and coworkers who are anxious to see me return.. and for that, I am grateful!
I had my 6 wk check up today and received some unwanted news. Now, I can either choose to dwell on the negatives, or I can look at the opportunities of the potentially difficult situation and be positive. My positive energy will in turn, bring out positive results :)

I said I would give an update on my 8 day ignite challenge - so here it is: After 8 days, I had lost 8 pounds and 8 total inches. My pre-pregnancy pants now can be buttoned up and they fit me better. I'm not squeezing myself into clothes anymore - and that's a great feeling! I still have some work to do, but it's a great start! My brother is currently on day 3 of the challenge. As many of who know, he is fit and doesn't look like he needs to lose any weight. After 2 days, he is down 6 pounds. He is a very active person and works hard to stay in shape. He wanted to see how much extra body fat he could lose and it appears he is doing just that. So, now matter what size you are, weight and body fat can be lost!!

Try and think of the positive side of things.. you'd be amazed how your positive attitude rubs off on others :)

Piling up

BABIES ARE EXPENSIVE!!!

Sorry, I just need to vent a bit via my blog. Now, please don't get me wrong... I would NOT trade Easton for ANYTHING, but I cannot believe the medical bills that keep coming in the mail. Every time I check the mail and see a "Methodist" envelope, I feel a huge lump instantly forming in my chest. I am terrified to even open it up because I can't possibly imagine what else they we are being charged for.
I have received 5 different bills... 3 for my expenses and 2 for Easton. Of course there isn't a break down given for what you're paying for. The descriptions are so extremely vague, so I realized I am going to need to go in to the hospital and get a break down of exactly what we are being charged for. I figure this is probably the smartest thing to do :)
There are the expenses for all of my prenatal checkups and labs/tests, my time spent in the labor/delivery room, my epidural, my pain medication, my stay in the hospital, Easton's stay in the hospital, and Easton's circumcision. Now, I understand that being in the hospital is going to accrue expenses, but charging a couple hundred dollars for Motrin - to a women in pain because she just had a baby - seems a little extreme!! (Once again, I apologize for my ranting...)
The bills I have received are "insurance pending"... so I do not know how much we will have to pay yet, but all I can say is I am thankful for great health insurance! That is one of many HUGE benefits of my job... great health insurance :)

SO.... in conclusion, babies are expensive.. when you really break it down and realize what you are paying for, it all adds up. Think about the numerous prenatal visits, ultrasounds, lab work at every check up... and that is all before the baby is born!
Like I said, don't get me wrong... I wouldn't trade anything for Easton. He has changed my life for the better, and has changed me as a person! I just didn't take into account all of the expenses. Good thing he is SOOO worth it :)

Day 6

Alright, I know I said I would keep everyone up to date with how my ignite challenge has been going - and clearly I have left everyone astray for the past few days. I apologize!
First off, this challenge is not easy! I am constantly tempted by Marcus and Katie when they eat supper and all that is on the agenda for me is either a lean shake (on my protein only days) or some turkey and cheese (on my eating days). I really look forward to my eating days - which are days 3, 5, and 7. I have made a very healthy wrap that is under 500 calories on those days and I really savor the taste :) The wrap consists of a multi-grain tortilla, 2 oz. of delicious grilled chicken, diced tomato and green pepper, shredded cheese, and lettuce. I honestly can't get enough of the taste!! I think these wraps are my new favorite meal!
The protein only days aren't all that bad either. I have 3 shakes throughout the day and two snacks of turkey sprinkled with cheat.
The xyng pill that I take right away in the morning really does suppress my appetite and give me energy! Since I have started this challenge on Monday, I have not had to take a nap during the day. Before, I was napping at least once, if not twice throughout the day when Easton was sleeping. I can definitely tell a difference in my energy levels, and it is great because I know I will have more energy at work when I go back.
Like I said before, this challenge is NOT easy.. just like any other diet plan. It however, is manageable. In previous years, I have found myself not sticking with a program.. but this one is different. I have more motivation to lose weight after having Easton and I have made it half way through day 6.. only two more days! I can't wait to see the inches that I have lost on Tuesday. I also weighed myself this morning and I am down 6 pounds since Monday. I was hoping to lose more weight than that, but I DO have 2 more days left, and my mom made a good point: since giving birth, 5 weeks have gone by and my body went through a lot! I need to remember that it took me 9 months to gain all of that weight and I should give myself 9 months to take if off! I am only 3 pounds away from my pre-baby weight and I have a feeling those 3 pounds are going to be my toughest yet, but I am ready for the challenge!
Once again, if anyone has any questions on the ignite challenge, please don't hesitate to ask!

Here are some pictures of Easton :) He's changing every day!

Calling his friend Maggie

Just hanging out with mom :)

Pooping, haha

Day 1

It's official... I have decided to do the 8 day ignite challenge. My mom is a very strong believer in the Core4 products and I am anxious to try them (now that I am not pregnant) so I can have a story for myself :) This challenge is 8 days long and is supposed to produce results of losing 8-15 pounds in 8 days as well as inches, which at first I thought was absolutely ridiculous... but after seeing results of people that my mom knows and people in my hometown, I believe in it too and it makes me that much more excited to have my own story. So I will be sure to keep you all updated on how my ignite challenge is going! If you are interested in what the products are all about or want to lose some weight/inches, let me know and I can get you some information on them!

Last night, Easton had some "tummy time." I have some pictures and a video to share :)

42 things...

I told a friend the other day that I have found myself a changed person in the past few weeks after Easton was born. I can't even begin to describe those changes in words as they are so significant to me, yet I was unaware of them because they came so natural. I guess it's true what people say: the mother instinct is just there and once you have a child, your life is changed forever. People also say, "I bet you don't remember what life was like before he came along." Well, to be honest, I do remember. I had a full 8 hours of sleep, I was completely selfish and did things for myself every day, my life didn't revolve around midnight feedings and worrying about my milk supply, I didn't keep getting bills from the hospital in the mail. These are just a few examples of what my life was like before Easton arrived. Now that he is here, I wouldn't change anything. I am intrigued by him every day and love him with everything I have.
I was doing some searching on a website that I found very helpful throughout my pregnancy: http://www.babycenter.com/0_forty-two-things-that-change-when-you-have-a-baby_1452535.bc  I came across the article titled "Forty-two things that change when you have a baby." As I'm reading through these, I find myself smiling and nodding at every one, because they are all so true. There are 15 main ones that I will leave you with. The other 27 are from readers who posted them themselves. Take a look!

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.
2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.
3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no long seem like sacrifices.
4. You respect your body.... finally
5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.
6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.
7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.
8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.
9. Your heart breaks much more easily.
10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.
11. Every day is a surprise.
12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you (hooray for poop!)
13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.
14. You become a morning person
15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power. 

These 15 things really make a person stop and think. It's amazing what a little human being will do for a person and how they change so many peoples' lives! I know mine has changed :)

Reflection

I was fortunate enough to be up north for the past 10 days. Marcus and I went to the lake over Labor Day weekend, and then I stayed at my parents' house for the week while Marcus went back to work. He then drove up to Moorhead so we could spend time with his family this past weekend.
Easton traveled really well! I was one very happy momma :) Everyone was so excited to see him. It had only been two weeks, but my family couldn't believe how much he had changed already! I, of course, don't see it because I am with him all day every day, but apparently he is changing every day. I have been told numerous times to cherish when he is this small because it doesn't last long, and I am starting to believe everyone is right. He is almost 4 weeks old, and that is just crazy to me! I have to go back to work in 3 weeks, and I am NOT ready to leave him. We are, however, fortunate enough to have Grandma Kimmy come down and watch him for a few days and then Grandma Deb is going to watch him the following week so he doesn't have to go to daycare right away. I think that will really help me go back to work because he will be with both grandmas :)
While I was in Hallock, my mom and sister threw Easton and I a baby shower. It was wonderful! I got to see some of my old classmates, which was great! My amazing friend, Rudd, drove 2 hours and surprised me!! It's events like that that really make you realize how blessed you are to have such wonderful friends! Now just to sort through all of Easton's clothes and things and get thank you's sent out! He is not going to need clothes until he is 2 :)
It was wonderful being in Hallock and seeing family for a week, but I am relieved to be back at home. Easton and I are back on somewhat of a schedule and he slept well last night (inbetween feedings of course!)
I need to go and give E a bath, but I will leave you with some updated pictures of my little guy :) I apologize if a majority of my posts are all about him, haha. BUT, a proud mama's got to brag!

I caught him at just the right moment :)