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