goings-on.

• I really do have the best husband, ever. Currently, he is snoozing away because he pulled the night shift last night. I was beyond tired yesterday and feeling I was coming down with a cold. Sweet husband took care of the baby all night last night without even being asked. I love him.
• Speaking of which, he and I are doing The Love Dare together. January and February in Arkansas are usually quite gloomy and we tend to fall into a funk this time of year. What better way to avoid the funk than by purposely doing something that will strengthen our marriage? We are on Day 6 and it has already proven to be worth the time and effort.
• Christmas this year was one of the best Christmases we've had in a long time. Husband's family was with us, as was my Mom. It was a wonderful day of opening presents, eating, relaxing, and just being together. I hope my Dad enjoyed seeing all of us together. Wish he could have been there.
• Vivian is growing like a weed. I can't believe how big she is. She has already outgrown several outfits. It makes me so sad! I want my baby to stay little forever. Sleep through the night, yes. But stay little. Please?
• She slept a consecutive six hours last night. I'll take it.
• I can't wait to get my clearance from the doctor to start working out again. I am so over this pooch and these extra 20 pounds. I am thinking about creating an account at jillianmichaels.com. My problem is not the working out, it's the eating. I need a meal plan and a grocery list for healthy meals. NOW!
• By the way, I am NOT reading Wicked. I haven't been reading that for awhile (I suppose I should change my sidebar). Instead, I have turned my attention to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's a pretty interesting read; Wicked was not -- although the musical was fabulous.
• I got a Kindle for Christmas. Love!
• I also got a pair of Steve Madden boots that I've been eyeing for quite some time at Kendi Everyday. They fit, but just barely. I gained so much weight in my legs during my pregnancy. Boots aren't cute when they're squeezing the crap out of your calf muscles. Again, I can't wait to hit the gym. I am so ready to go shopping! I want to update my wardrobe/totally clean out my closet but I am in a holding pattern until this weight comes off. Maternity clothes are too big, my regular clothes are too small. It's so frustrating!
• 2010 has been quite a year and I have been thinking about that blog post for a while. So much has happened, both good and bad. I am ready for 2011. Aren't you?
• I am hoping that Kmart has the Martha Stewart Christmas stuff on sale like they did last year. That's my exciting plan for the day.
• My feet are cold.
• I think I'm done now. Here's a photo of Vivi at bath time. Just for kicks.

a little narcissism for your monday.

I apologize in advance for this post, but I just had to.

Thanks to my Medela breast pump, I have already lost 30 of the 50 (yes, FIFTY) pounds I gained during my pregnancy. I haven't eaten any differently (ok, maybe a little less since caring after a newborn is so time-consuming that one often forgets to eat), nor have I exercised. I won't get that clearance from the doctor until the first week of January.

Just saying...if you're wondering if breastfeeding DOES help you lose the weight, it does. Really. And you don't even have to do anything but sit there!

Don't believe me?

Here's the night I was induced compared to the day Vivian turned one month old.

See? Yay for breastfeeding! I still have 20 pounds to go - you might have noticed that lovely pooch still lingering above my waistband - and I wanted to lose about 15 pounds before I got pregnant, as well. I figure that will come off with time and with diet and exercise once I'm in the clear.

Note: Not that it matters, but we are not nursing. I pump every 3 to 4 hours and then she eats from a bottle. It has worked out so much better for us! Husband can help with those middle-of-the-night feedings and this house is just a much happier place to be now. No one tells you about the options you have. I know there is a huge debate over this (which is quite silly), but there are options, people. I wish someone had told me that you don't have to exclusively give formula or exclusively nurse. Nothing is exclusive with babies, y'all. You just gotta do what's best for you and your family. The End.

On a totally different note, Husband was asked to be Santa for his squadron's Christmas party. Here he is with Vivian when he returned home from the party. This kills me!

what day is it?

I couldn't tell you.

In case you were wondering, I am still alive. I have been inundated with newborn madness for the past couple weeks that I'm lucky to get a shower. Forget blogging!

These last few weeks have been really intense as we are trying to figure out our schedule. I liked the book Babywise and all, and it seems to be really working in terms of maintaining some sort of serenity in this house, but it is incredibly labor-intensive!! I am exhausted. Is any of this even making sense?

I don't know.

Huh?

whip it!

During some quiet time last night, I was able to watch a movie: Whip It.

I loved it! That movie is very Juno-like, as it stars Ellen Page and has the same sort of humor, which I love.

But more important than that, it's about the roller derby scene in Austin. I was enchanted!!

I could really (really) see myself enjoying the roller derby -- as a participant, not just an on-looker. I Googled "central Arkansas roller derby" and lo and behold! There are teams everywhere! Even in my little town!

There is a holiday expo "tournament" taking place on December 11 only 10 miles from my house and I have full intentions of going to check this whole roller derby thing out. I like the fact that the admission costs are going to benefit a local food pantry, too.

Think I could hack it?!