U.S. Army

Today we woke up at 4 AM and went downtown where Brent was sworn in to serve in the United States Army. This is something we have been thinking about for a while, and we finally decided that this is what would be best for our family right now. Brent will be leaving on April 9th to go to basic training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, then heading to AIT at Ft. Lee, Virgina where he will be doing Small Arms and Artillery Repair. Although I am dreading the day he leaves for basic, we are both very excited to see what the future holds. This new lifestyle will give us the chance to grow as a family and become a stronger, closer unit. I have never been so proud of my husband, he is an amazing man, that would do anything to make sure his family is safe and provided for.

The Small Things

So, I am always looking for good blogs to follow...and I came across one on Pinterest today that I absolutely LOVE <3 It is hard to find a good blog on hair, but let me tell you... She has fun and easy tutorials, posts on her favorite products, and she also does some really awesome giveaways :)

Check out this lovely lady

http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/

Paleo Progress

Well, I have been eating Paleo for about 3 weeks now! ( Not sure what Paleo is? Click here )Let me tell you, I feel SO much better already! I do not feel bloated, I have 20x's more energy, my skin is clearing up, and I think I am losing some weight ( I say think because I do not own a scale...for the sake of my sanity)! Now, I have to admit I have slipped up a few times...I am telling you sugar is the devil....But I think I have made up for it my working my butt off at the gym! I am really excited to see the changes that have been happening, I am going to continue making healthy choices and keep you updated on my progress!

Brent has even slimmed down too!!! :)

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Please excuse my Pajamas....I live in them  :)

A-Z, of who else...but ME

A. Age: 20
B. Bed size: A Queen, but with McKenna joining us in the wee hours of the morning I wish we had a King.
C. Chore that you hate: laundry...putting it away is where I run into a problem.
D. Dogs: We don't have one, but when we do it will probably be a chocolate lab!
E. Essential start to your day: Snuggling with Kenna and a kiss goodbye to my husband when he leaves for work.
F. Favorite color: Teal and Purple
G. Gold or Silver: SILVER!
H. Height: 5'4
I. Instruments you play: none, I briefly tried the guitar when I was 8.
J. Job title: Wife & Mother
K. Kids: McKenna Renee Reis -14 months old
L. Live: Boise, ID
M. Mother’s name: Kristen <3
N. Nicknames: Lexi, Lex, Pexis
O. Overnight hospital stays: hmmm..2 I think. 
P. Pet peeves: Being ignored when I ask a question 
Q. Quote from a movie: if you're a bird, i'm a bird - the notebook (as if you didn't know!)
R. Right or left handed: righty
S. Siblings: 4! Sam, Thomasin, Aubriana, & Brinley
U. Underwear: hmm optional ;) LOL
V. Vegetable you hate: Mushrooms yuck!
W. What makes you run late: Finding an outfit, I probably go through 3 or 4 before I find something I like.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: When I broke my collar bone and when I broke my wrist
Y. Yummy food that you make: I am OBSESSED with baking, give me a yummy recipe and I'll make it (and eat it of course)
Z. Zoo animal: Polar bears and Elephants :)

Paleo- "So easy a caveman could do it"

I have been having some minor issues since McKenna was born; chronic hives, insomnia, acne, weight gain, and fatigue. Now, some of those things come along with motherhood, and they are to be fully expected; but almost everything on that list I found that I can have complete control over.

On Monday I  went to the doctor for my annual check up; I was told something I have never been told before in my life... that I was overweight. Growing up I was always in good shape; I was athletic and always on the go; so when I got pregnant and gained 60 lbs, it was really hard for me to deal with. I felt like this skinny girl in this HUGE body. After giving birth I expected my body to just bounce back, silly mistake. Now, more than a year later I lost 40 lbs of the 60, and now I have at least 20 more to lose. To make it a little easier, I was also told that I am allergic to basically everything I shouldn't be eating...Wheat, rice, corn....and much more. After I left my appointment I realized that I needed to do something about my unhealthy eating habits and change my lifestyle.

When I got home from my appointment I contacted one of my oldest and greatest friends Sage, (She told me about the Paleo Lifestyle just a few weeks ago when I was complaining about my insomnia, but I don't think I was ready then.) I asked her for some grocery shopping suggestions and she helped me tremendously! I have now started doing my research and I have found that this way of living is purely focused on getting healthy, the natural way. The Paleo diet is a way of eating that best mimics diets of our hunter-gatherer ancestors - lean meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, and nuts...no artificial/processed foods!

I am SO excited to start this journey.  For me this is not just about losing the baby weight, this is about creating a healthier life for myself, and my family. So, I will keep everyone updated on my progress, I am determined to get healthy :) NO MORE EXCUSES!

http://paleodietlifestyle.com/paleo-101/

Blueberry Face

If M could eat blueberries for breakfast, lunch, and dinner she would! Blueberries are her favorite food (besides french fries, which I NEVER should have let her try because now that is all she wants...I know, I know, bad mom award!) and she has them most mornings for breakfast... Now, McKenna is not exactly a delicate flower, she likes to get in there make it her own, I like to think that she is being "creative". You can guarantee that after a meal there is going to be some sort of fabulous design on her tray, a new type of hair gel infused in her lovely locks, and a special moisturizer massaged, deeply, into her skin...and that is why M gets at least one bath a day!

The title, Blueberry face, I think is pretty self explanatory...but it is something that I had to share with friends and family, because every time I go to take her out of her highchair, without fail, I am cracking up!

VERY proud of her work.

Get me out of here mommy! (notice the hair)

True Art

Do not be alarmed, this is not dirt. THIS is from BLUEBERRIES, and it will be there for a few more days :)

That's all folks :)

Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

Yep. There is a special week dedicated to breastfeeding, and I think that is amazing!

Why Breastfeed ? Really, I could go on and on and on about the benefits of breastfeeding. It truly fascinates me, but I will spare you my ranting about why I LOVE it, and instead provide you with a few facts.

Most people do not know, or care about the benefits of breastfeeding infants/toddlers and it is quite alarming to me. Now, I am not saying that breastfeeding is for everyone many people have major problems and cannot continue to breastfeed; so whether you choose to use formula or breastfeed either way you are feeding your child, and that is what matters. What I am saying is that women need to understand the benefits of breastfeeding and not completely write it off because it is, "too hard", or it grosses them out...

Breast milk is an amazing thing. Most people don't know that breastmilk changes to fit your child's specific needs, it is known to reduce allergies, boost the immune system, and provide vitamins that cannot be provided by formula. Not only are their amazing benefits for children, mom gets a lot out of it as well! Breastfeeding moms tend to lose weight faster (burning an extra 500 cal. a day...woop woop!), they are also at lower risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer as well; and lets not forget the incredible bond that is formed from holding your child close and nourishing their bodies from your milk solely. OH and it is SO much easier to whip out a boob than get up and make a bottle in the middle of the night :)


I can not tell you how many sideways looks I have gotten for breastfeeding McKenna in public, I have been asked to cover up, or go somewhere else "to do THAT" and guess what!? It doesn't bother me one bit! I know that what I am doing is what is best for my child, and it is most definitely not gross, breasts were made to provide milk for our children, not to be gawked at and sexualized... I have been asked many times when I plan to stop, and my answer is whenever McKenna is ready. I do not have a specific cut off date for her, or a specific age. I believe that when she is ready she will no longer want her "milky milky" :)

So, thank you for listening to me talk about something I am truly passionate about! If you ever have any questions about breastfeeding, I would be more than happy to answer them!

*I am by no means an expert, but I do like to do my research :)
http://www.kellymom.com/
http://www.lllusa.org/
http://www.breastfeeding.com/
http://www.ourmessymessylife.com/2011/07/pros-and-cons-of-my-breastfeeding.html

Yellow

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

No, this is not a dream....try and wipe the drool from your chin! A friend of mine posted on Facebook that she was going to make these delicious little treats and I couldn't help myself, I had to try them out! ( Thanks Haley <3 )

Next time I think I am going to make the brownies a little thicker , there was a lot of cookie dough and not enough brownie
( which isn't necessarily a bad thing)

The raw dough is egg-free, of course. 

Want to satisfy your sweet tooth and have a little piece of heaven right on your plate?  here is the Recipe

Thoughtful Thursday

Well it has been a while since I have updated, it has been one of those months where a lot has been going on and time has flown by! It is amazing how every aspect of your life changes once you become a parent. Your concept of Time, Money, and Love all seem to evolve.

Time becomes so precious, instead of thinking "I can't wait until January, I will finally be 21!" my thoughts go straight to "WOW by the time January gets here McKenna is going to be 18 months old!" As much as I love watching this little girl grow, it makes me tear up to think she will never be this small again. So instead of worrying about everything that needs to get done, and wishing the days would go by faster, I am learning to enjoy every. single. second.

It is sad how much time and energy we put into thinking about Money. There are so many other important things going on in the world and in our lives, yet our whole world revolves around our possessions. Don't get me wrong, I love having nice things, but instead of spending money on new clothes, shoes, and bare minerals makeup, I am constantly thinking about M's future and how we are going to provide for her financially. I am lucky enough to have a husband who works hard to put a roof over our head, food on the table, and clothes on our back; but the thought of "how can we make more" always runs through my head, and for that I am somewhat shameful. Do we have enough in our account for bills? Do we have enough to put money aside in M's savings this month? And lets not forget our own savings... What I keep reminding myself is that I have a beautiful, healthy, and happy family, and that is enough. My point is.....money is not about purchasing things anymore it is about making sure my bills are paid and my family is fed, everything else is just EXTRA.

Love, has become a constant in my life. I never knew I was capable of caring so much for another person until I met my sweet angel. She brings me the most happiness and pure joy I have ever felt, and I am so thankful to be given the opportunity to be her Mama. I wrote a journal entry a long time ago, I was heart broken and venting...but there is a passage that I read every once in a while that makes me smile. I was writing about my two greatest loves, ones I never even knew existed . 

Those great loves, the ones that play an epic role in your life, but bring so much uncertainty, a love so doting even the most amorous heart skips a beat, it is within those moments you find that love is not something you practice, or learn; it is something inherent, a gift you were given, one that wasn't meant for you to know when you would receive it, or who you would bestow it upon. It is something above our aptitude and will, an endowment so sublime it is foolish to negate its beauty and power in our lives.

So, Thank you, McKenna...for changing the way I look at life, and letting me see what is really important <3

Happy Birthday My Sweet Little Girl

Well, the day has come! My sweet little baby is ONE.....ALREADY! I can't believe it has already been one year! She is still my sweet little bebe, who loves her milky, her paci, and lots and lots of snuggles! Although she seems to be getting bigger by the second, no matter how big she gets she will always be my sweet little baby.

Brent and I were talking about the day I went into labor, and I remember that day so vividly, it seems like it was just yesterday! I went to the Dr. for my 36 week appointment on Wednesday, and the doctor and I discussed my options for labor since M hadn't flipped yet...we decided that if she did not flip by my due date ( July 24th) I would have a C-section on the 29th. So for the next few days I baked, cleaned, and organized Kenna's room a bit...by Friday I was exhausted and slept all day. I woke up around 10AM, ate (of course), watched some TV, and went back to sleep until 1PM when I woke up because I had to pee...I went to the bathroom, sat down, and nothing happened...I thought well maybe if I lift up my belly a little bit that will take some pressure off of my bladder....well I lifted up that HUGE belly of mine and GUSHHHH, my water broke. At first I wasn't sure if I just had a really full bladder, but when I stood up and the water kept coming, I knew right then I would get to meet my little baby soon enough! I called Brent at work and told him my water broke, but he thought I was joking....after a few times of telling him, "NO BABE! I AM SERIOUS! YOU NEED TO COME HOME!" He finally believed me and  rushed home. He arrived in a panic, but with a HUGE smile on his face and helped me back my bag. We headed off to the hospital where I had an emergency C-Section and delivered a 7 lb. 2 oz. precious baby girl at 6:24 PM.

So today we celebrated her birth, the day we were blessed with a healthy, beautiful, smart, and adventurous little girl. I speak for both Brent and myself when I say our lives will never be the same, we are both so happy, and PROUD to be the parents of this amazing little human. Happy Birthday McKenna Renee <3 you make my life beautiful.

Apt. 142

First and foremost....Happy Father's Day to my amazing husband and the best father in the world! Kenna and I love you SO much Brent <3

So I figured I should post some photos of our new apartment. We are mostly finished unpacking, and my house is clean...Well, as clean as it is going to get with my little mess-maker running around :) We went from a 670 sq.ft  one bedroom apartment to our new two bedroom 935 sq.ft apartment and we are LOVING the extra space <3

Not to mention we now have our own washer and dryer, and THAT my friends is amazing! I  know the pain of having a baby in one arm, and a laundry basket in the other, walking down a flight of stairs and across a parking lot to pay over $3.00 for one load of laundry....and let me tell you that makes the tedious chore of doing laundry even more mind-numbing! One thing is for sure though, I never thought I would get excited about a washer and dryer....it is the little things in life that make me smile :)

My pride and joy lol

Idaho or bust.

Well we sure have been busy! Who knew packing up and moving 900 miles away would take so much out of you!?

Brent was offered a position with Wells Fargo, in Boise Idaho and after thinking long and hard we decided to go for it. Although I cried just thinking about leaving my family I knew that this was an opportunity we could not pass up. We only had about two weeks to pack, find a place to live, and head on out!

Dan and Brent packed up and left on Sunday and made a pit stop in Vegas (Brent's first time there, not sure I want to know the details) then drove the rest of the way Monday and unpacked and moved in on Tuesday. McKenna and I left Wednesday afternoon and arrived in beautiful Boise around 9PM. McKenna's first plane ride was a hit! She played peek-a-boo with the people in front and behind us, and even got to sit in her own seat and play.  I was so proud of her, for one EXHAUSTED baby, she did great!

The last two days have been full of trips to Walmart, unpacking, and exploring this gorgeous city! Brent, McKenna and I walked around beautiful downtown Boise, had some lunch, and stopped to play in the grass near the Capital Building.

Today is the day!

I figured today was a great day to start my own blog. I am constantly posting pictures on Facebook of fun things I am doing with my daughter, or things she does to make me laugh; so as I was making babyfood (for the first time in my new food processor) I thought that it would be fun to start blogging about new things I am learning and picking up everyday. Being a mom is a new and exciting experience for me, I have found this passion for life that I never knew I had and that is something I would love to share with friends and family. Everyday I am amazed at the new things Brent, McKenna, and I are learning together on this Journey of a Lifetime.