Wednesday, August 31, 2011

I may regret this in the morning..

BUT I signed myself up for two LONG months of 5:45am wake up calls--for.....

BOOT CAMP!

Yes, you see I was doing SO good--eating decently (chocolate every other day instead of every MEAL)
and working out consistently.

I did that for a month or two before we headed down to Florida for a free for all of fried seafood, cold adult beverages and the lazy life of a glorified beach bum.

Ahhhhh I miss the b e a c h .

Anyway--I have been slacking ever since. That's been JULY!
First week of July to be exact.

I haven't necessarily GAINED any weight.  But I definitely haven't lost.
And I'm about 10 lbs from where I'd like to be.
I mean, I can fit into MOST of my jeans.  But it would look a WHOLE lot better if I was down some.
And I'm sure my stomach/muffin top and waist would like a little breathing room as well.

So yes, I don't know if I can quit my love for all things CHOCOLATE....
but maybe throwing in some burpees, mountain climbers and jumping jacks will do this big tooshy some good.

I'm excited too!  I really, REALLY enjoyed Camp Gladiator.
The trainers are amazing--and the workouts KICKED my tail.
I hated it during the workouts (really the first few when I was so out of shape)--
but afterwards I felt a m a z i n g !

I lost around 10 lbs in 4-6 weeks.
And I lost a lot of inches everywhere.
 I actually did take before and after measurements...and I need to look at them again so I can count them up.
Anyway--I'm looking to lose another 10 lbs so I can fit into my skinny jeans again.

well--here's to the [future] toned & HOT mom I always wanted to be!

 Ps-Did I mention I want my body to be in great shape before we get pregnant with baby numero 2?
Yes--baby fever is running rampant in the Knuth household. (But hold your horses, it will be awhile!)


We still have to finish another room or two in our house before the next baby--and I want to make sure I'm back at fighting weight before (God willing) we are blessed with another one.


I was just very, VERY sick with Kie the first 5-6 months.  I literally couldn't do much but go to work--and pray I wouldn't puke or pass out.  So if the next pregnancy is like that I want to make sure I'm in the best condition possible to make it easier on me, the new baby--and for Kie.

So--yes, back to the grind.  Because like the Bible teaches us--our bodies are OUR temples.  And I need to get back to treating it like that. And by golly, us ladies are able to bear children.  So we need to do it right by treating it right.  ::Step away from the Oreos!::
Not only do we use our bodies, but our babies do.
I need to be reminded of that daily!
Our bodies aren't our own!
And you'll definitely learn that the second you become pregnant.

Ok I'm wrapping this up.
Tomorrow, bright and early--me and J will be starting a love/marriage devotional.
It's very easy to put marriage & romance *and God's idea of marriage*
on the back burner when you have a family, a career, a household to tend...
so we are trying to set some time early in the morning each day (5:45am ahhhh!) to spend some time reading the Bible together-reflecting over our devotional and praying.
Because I know--and you probably do too---that society and Satan has a target on the back of married, Christian couples.
It's a vile and cruel world--and the only way we can stand up to anyone or anything is with God's Word as our shield.

So wish us luck! I hope this becomes a habit for us!

I'll leave you with some random cell phone shots!

Until next time,

-HK-







Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Momma HK's **Top Baby Items**

This is SO overdue.  I was going through the dozens and dozens of drafts I had in my blog files and realized I never posted this.  Well it's about 3 months late but here you go!

So I decided I wanted to make a little list of the TOP things I used right when Kie was born (and some I still do.)

It's funny how BEFORE you have a baby you think you know what to get for one.  You go to the baby stores, spend a lot of money, register for everything under the sun---and ONCE the baby arrives, you realize the $200 swing you got was a waste because they hate it.  Or that the $20 diaper changing mattress is what the baby PREFERS to sleep on verse the $800 crib you JUST HAD TO HAVE!

Of course every baby is different.  Just like every pregnancy, every delivery and every mom and baby.  So take this for what it's worth!

Also these are in no particular order--I will stress the importance of some of the items in our life!

1. The Boppy:
I love my Boppy.  First off, I had a C-section and it was so hard to hold Kie those first few days and weeks to nurse.  So the Boppy really was helpful in holding him and keeping him at a great level to nurse. I just threw it around my waist and laid him on it.  Ta-da! Closest seat to the 24 hour buffet (oh new moms do you feel me?!)  Also, they are good for tummy time and aiding the baby in sitting up.  I actually got my Boppy from a friend (who never nursed) and I put a cute new cover on it.  (Sold separately!)

2. The Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump:
This was such an important item to have those first few weeks.  I was trying to get my milk to come in (since I was separated from Kie and did not SEE him for 3 days after delivery).  I used it to try to stimulate some milk production.  Not only was it great for those first few days but I used it a lot to store up and freeze milk.  I love my breast pump.  It comes with two pumps to use at a time but I normally just use one at a time.  I also got a hilarious breast pump bra that you can use to attach the bottles to.  Needless to say, I won't be posting a picture of that.

I still use my breast pump (Kie is still breast fed--9 months and going strong!)
It is a MUST HAVE for mother's that are breast feeding.
They are expensive but worth every penny!  Also, I have a car charger pack that I use on long trips to pump and serve milk to Kie while he's in his car seat.  That way we aren't stopping as much.

3. Eddie Bauer Pack n' Play:
Kie LOVED his pack n' play.  For the first 5-6 months of his life he slept in the Pack n' Play either in our room or down the hall from our bedroom.  I was thinking we made a BIG mistake in spending so much on a crib.  (Close to 1k--however it turns into a full bed with rails/headboard)  Anyway, the pack n' play is great because you can take it anywhere! We have taken it to the park, on vacation, to grandmother's and it provides a clean, safe environment for your baby.  Kie now sleeps in his crib but we have his pack n' play ready to go for quick vacations or for those short evenings he stays with his uncle across town.  I personally loved the Eddie Bauer because it was grey, black, red and plaid.  It was very boyish!  It also came with a mobile, a changing station (we never used).  And a night light that played music and vibrated.  KIE LOVED IT!  That was his favorite thing.  In fact, I was worried he'd never sleep with out it being on. (But like I said, he's trained now!) Also, the pack n' play is super easy to put up and take down.

4. The Snuza
So I found out a little bit late about this great gadget.  But I highly HIGHLY recommend it to new mommas.  Mainly because those first few weeks and months--are usually spent NOT sleeping and watching your baby sleep.  I was terrified of SIDS.  And this monitor helps ALARM parents to when their child isn't breathing throughout the night.  You can read my post about it-- Click me! Or Google it!  It really helped me sleep better.  Kie doesn't wear it now because he crawls everywhere and usually sleeps on his stomach.  So I took it off when he was about 6 months.  Anyway, I really wish I had it those first weeks otherwise I wouldn't of aged quite so much it.

5. Baby Trend Expedition Jogging Stroller with Car seat
I LOVE my baby stroller.  It is great because it's light weight--and has real tires--not the plastic ones.  It has a snap in for your car seat--also has speakers and plug in for your iPod!  I loved it because it came with the car seat and booster to snap in the car and into the stroller with EASE!  It folds up and takes up little space in my SUV.
I was having major cabin fever those first few weeks from home since I couldn't drive. I was suppose to take it easy for 6 weeks after the c-section--but I just had to get out of the house....so my stroller was a blessing.  I still use it--with out the car seat in it.  And Kie even can fit in the car seat still...but it is running a bit small.  It says it fits babies up to 35 lbs and Kie is around 22 now.  Overall it was a great deal.  I think it was close to $200 for the 3 in 1. And it's been worth every penny!  I love it because it's durable and we have taken it to Mt. Bonnell and to Town Lake--and those trails are definitely rough--and our stroller is great!  (Also has great storage for shopping and it turns easily!)
--I also have a Phil & Ted's jogging stroller ($500) that I adore too!  It isn't as big and is great for easy, quick runs to the store but it's pretty expensive. Otherwise the Baby Trend is good for BIG shopping excursions or when you need to load it up with a lot of things.

6. The Bumbo
Perfect when baby needs help sitting up (so comes little later down the road) and a great feeding chair to keep baby STILL when trying to navigate a spoon into their mouth.  I also love putting the Bumbo on the counter--and letting Kie watch me cook.  Of course he's far away from the edge and not near the oven.  It also gets a newly baby off their back or tummy for a bit so they can work on their neck muscles.

7.  The Baby Bjorn-
I loved the Baby Bjorn for those first few months that you can wear your baby around.  Kie quickly got to be a hefty lil man so I used it less than my husband did.  I cannot tell you HOW adorable and precious it was to see Kie man in his carrier.  Especially when J would wear it and be vacuuming!  I also tried out and purchased a few other baby carriers.  I have the Moby and I do like it but when your baby is fussy and has little patience tying a Moby around you isn't so easy.  I also had a few slings that I liked as well, but Kie quickly outgrew them.  Out of the few slings and carriers I tried, I still went back to the Baby Bjorn because it was quick, comfortable and adjusted to Kie as he grew.  You can wear it forward or backwards--and it was quick and easy to put on without anyone to assist you.

8. Baby Monitor-
I cannot even tell you what brand of monitor I have.  Though it is pretty cool--it tells you the temperature of the baby's room and allows you to talk back to the baby.  Originally we got the screened monitor so we could watch Kie sleep, but the DAY we set it up I saw a 20/20 News Report on how easily the digital lines could be accessed and other's could view your baby! Plus the monitor was so expensive, so we took it back to get a regular one.  To be honest, we didn't use to monitor for the first few months because I often slept with Kie or he slept in our room.  But now with him being so much older, it is so nice to wake up to him baby talking or playing in his crib.  It also has a super far range, so we can take the monitor outside to our back patio and still hear him!

9. Onesies, Zip Up Pjs with Feeties, and Spit Up Blankies-
Ok so maybe I cheated a bit with adding all these in one.
And perhaps you're thinking--DUH, hello--I know my baby needs clothes!
Well, sure baby needs clothes.  And those cute precious outfits with all the buttons and all the ruffles are so cute when your sweet one is wearing them.  But putting them on IS another story!
Quick and easy to change is best in MOST situations.  Especially if your bundle of joy likes to spit up. Or if they are still young and can't regulate their body temperature.
Kie was born in November and the weather here in Texas usually changes from 100 degrees to 50 degrees with little warning. So Kie wore lots of onesies that could be layered with other things.
Also, getting access to a stinky diaper is easier when you're not wearing tights, jeans and other crazy things.  Like wise, Spit-Up blankies should be cute and easily accessed as well.  They need to be in your purse, your diaper bag, your car, over your shoulder--and everywhere those first few months.  They are also very multi-functional.  They wipe spit, drool, food and milk.  They can clean hands, face and can be made into an emergency diaper!  You never know when you'll need a blankie so ALWAYS be prepared.  (They also cover up the milk leaking from your breasts through your shirt)  So yes, get a cute blankie or two, because you just never know ;)

10. The Sleepeasy Solution Book-
This book SAVED my life, literally! You can buy it here! I was so sleep deprived I could NOT function.  Kie never slept. He woke up every two hours during the night to nurse.  He never napped and he was on NO schedule whatsoever.

Until one glorious day my husband came home during his lunch break with this LIFELINE!
I was so skeptical. I mean, seriously--he had mentioned how his friend with TWINS trained their babies at 4 months old with this book. But me, being hardheaded said "I didn't need any help from anyone!"  That was when Kie was 5 months old.  Fast forward 1 month later and I was a desperate woman.
I read the book in an hour or two and started training Kie that night.
In two days or so, he was trained. And it has MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD!
I should make a blog just about this book because it was that AMAZING!

Buy it now---and have it ready!! Kie goes to sleep at 7:30pm every nights-sleeps WITHOUT waking up until 9am or later.  Then he NAPS every two hours during the day. YES, NAPS EVERY TWO HOURS!

I cannot explain how great it was finding this book! So I'm passing the word onto you.  You can thank me later ;)




Alright--well this post was WAY over due.  But I did finally get it posted.  Also, these are just my personal opinions and I was not paid to give any testament towards any of these products!
I hope some of this information will be useful for any new mommies out there!!


Until next time,

-HK-


Saturday, August 27, 2011

catch all

Happy Saturday!
I'm finally posting last weekend's pictures.
Last Friday we went to Marble Falls to Lake Buchanan.  We rented a (log) cabin for the weekend at Willow Point Resort.  It was such a relaxing, quiet time!

We wanted a weekend to ourselves, out of the city just to get back to the basics.  I love camping but since Kie is still too young for that we decided renting a cabin with all the amenities would be a better idea for now.  Plus, it's still 105 degrees here in Texas.  So A/C is a must!

The cabins were perfect size for us.  They had a queen size bed (in the master sleeping area) a loft with two twins, and a full size pull out couch.  We brought Kie's pack and play along and set up his bed so he felt right at home.

We spent Friday night on the porch, relaxing and taking in the fresh air.  Saturday morning we woke up early to get on the lake.  And to our surprise, NO ONE WAS ON THE WATER.

Which made for a perfect lake day.

We put Kie in his car seat that Justin rigged to the boat seats....so that me and J would take turns pulling one another behind the boat.

I'm still learning to wake board--but I'm getting better each time.  It's such an addicting hobby! I'm good at getting up and now I'm learning to get the feel for my new board and ride the wake.

Saturday we cooked burgers on the grill, played some card games like King's in the Corner  and enjoyed a couple of great ciders and took it e-a-s-y.

I LOVE the outdoors.  And it was a nice, short drive out of the city to the middle of nowhere so we could enjoy one another's company.

As for the past week--Kie and I have been busy.
I started my new goal this week of reading the entire Bible--start to finish. MAN IS IT SCANDALOUS!?
Seriously, the Old Testament has some crazy things going on that I don't remember my old Sunday school teachers telling me.
I also organized our entire office--and cleaned out our filing cabinets (Took some great tips from Pinterest)  Also re-organized our pantry, kitchen and storage closets. (Also using more tips and DIY from Pinterest which I'll post later)
We also had a few play dates with friends.
 We went and checked out a new (to me) mexican restaurant for lunch yesterday, Zocalo with my friend Michelle downtown. And wow I've missed her so much!  She's a nurse and stays really busy on the weekends.  But I'm hoping work will slow down soon for her and we can get together more often.
Then last night I celebrated one of my best friend's birthdays at one of my favorite restaurants, Hyde Park Bar and Grill.

I swear, August has FLOWN by!
I'm praying soon this hot weather will go just as fast.

Anyway-tonight I'm excited because me and J will be going out for Justin's work party.
They are having a party because Land Rover won the Pinnacle Award-which basically means their business here in Austin was rated as one of the top Land Rover's in the country.

It's a rare award to win--but Justin's dealership has received it a lot in the past.  They have some great parties for everyone that works there.  Which includes great dinner and free drinks.

So this evening we are heading out to 6th street (if you're not familiar with Austin's 6th street-it's equivalent to Bourbon Street in New Orleans--but a bit cleaner) and having dinner at the very delicious Iron Cactus and then going across the street to Ester Follies, a comedian club.

Needless to say, I'm pumped up for great Mexican food, free drinks, stand up comedians and a night to put on some fun clothes/heels and go out with my man.

I do try to get dressed up 3 or more times a week.  Because it is SO easy to stay in elastic when you're a SAHM.  So for accountability purposes I do put on a pair of jeans here and there.  I may only wear them at the grocery story but hey it's better than me rocking my pjs in public.

alright enough rambling, here's some pictures of this past week.

Until next time,

-HK-


Kie wearing momma's headband



love this picture of Kie in the background




air!

Kie's first tube ride

me

boat from our cabin--yes the water is down a lot. we've been in a serious drought

view from our cabin 

porchin it










morning view

breakfast with pa

AM wake boarding time

heading down to the beach

Kie and his car seat strapped in to the boat.

BIG BOY!






ha love this picture


sitting on the porch waiting on dad to get home 
Yea dad is home!




Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The joys of motherhood

Oh the joys of being a mother.
Truly it is bliss.

But then there are moments that I'm like how did God let me have a baby?
I mean 99.9% of the time I'm a fully aware, capable and wonderful mom.
If I do say so myself!


However today I had a moment.

So Kie man is on the m o v e.
Like everywhere.
I spend a lot of my time just chasing him and making sure he doesn't get himself too knocked up.

He climbs, he crawls, he walks a long the shelves, the walls, the tables, the stools, the chairs--the doors..my legs...or what have you.

Today was like most days. He was in our room, playing with everything that's NOT a toy.
And he goes for the monitor cord that's plugged in.
 I use to take it away from him but that's been weeks ago.
 I mean, the boy loves it.
He pulls the monitor (listening) device off and then sticks the plug in part into his mouth.  Like always. (so the cord is still plugged in the wall.)

His eyes get big (it's hard to get bigger because they are already) and he quickly pulls it out.
He examines it--the puts it back into his mouth. Just to pull it out again.  Also-his eyes get big.
Every single time.

I don't seem to notice much else and never give it a second thought.
Until today-

"hmm wonder why he takes it out so quickly just to put it back in again?"


"perhaps it has a bitter taste?'

"it is metal.."

(That's me having a convo with me).

So I squat down where he is. Take away the cord he is in the process of taste testing---and I plop it in my own mouth.


OWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!

It shocked me!!!

AHHHH!




sooooooooo Kie has been shocking himself.
And has been...for weeks on end.



Good job mom. Good job!

I win mother of the month.


Who knew electric cords weren't toys?!


Until next time,

-HK-

Sunday, August 21, 2011

oh self portraits

 I rarely have pictures of myself since I'm the one behind the camera.  Nevertheless, I decided to have a little fun in front of the web cam.  I was home and ready to go on our mini vacay--and Justin was running late from work so I killed some time... enjoy!!  Because I took it back to the good ole days of MYSPACE.  I decided to do the cutesy faces all the cool kids do.
Luckily in the end Kie decided to join me and makes the pictures a lot better.  
You'll be able to tell when he had enough of our mother/son photo opt!
You know I'm from the ATL Yall!

over the shoulder
nom nom nom
I'd prefer if you let me nibble on your fingers, mom!
KAPOW! 



move over ma, trying to type here.
Kie mastered his Blue Steel face

Come back for the next post about our awesome family getaway in a hidden oasis! 

Until next time,
-HK-

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