Cooper Thomas: Ten Months

Here we are again writing about Mr Cooper and I just don't know where time is going! You have officially mastered crawling and boy are you quick. Anytime we open something (the fridge, bathroom door, front door) you are there at lightning speed trying to check it out. You are also becoming a climber so mommy has to keep a close eye on you! Your favorite places to hang out are the kid kitchen and Snyder's dog bed and you want any toy that your brother has (which is ok because he takes away any toy that you have). You are getting a little more clingy but still don't like to be held for too long, so that's always fun to try and figure out. Maybe it's just that you don't like to be held while sitting down and you'd prefer us to be up and moving with you.

Some good news is that your ear infection that you've had since February FINALLY cleared up, but you've still got fluid so the ENT recommended getting tubes which we will do later this month. You rub your ears a lot so hopefully this will help you be a bit more comfortable. You are doing better sleeping through the night and I would say you sleep more through the night than not these days. But you are a early riser! That's ok with mommy as long as you let her sleep all night :)

You got a couple more teeth this past month so you are up to 6 now and I'm pretty sure some more are on the way soon. You still aren't a fan of actually eating food (despite your curiosity for it). You sit in your chair at dinner every night so I'm hoping one day it all clicks! You continue to interact more and more with your brother and usually it's smiles and giggles unless he's sitting on top of you or pushing you away because you are in his personal space. Mommy thinks your smiles and giggles are just the best and that you are the cutest thing and she's happy to have you as an office mate everyday.

Real People, Real Results: Insanity Asylum

My poor short-statured body...it took quite the beating during my second pregnancy. I am no where near where I thought I would be look wise post partum, but it's not holding me back from daily workouts and healthy eating. And I'm happy to say I'm finally starting to feel "skinny" again and feeling great is all that really matters!

Insanity Asylum is NO JOKE! It's a sports-training workout program and I would say requires you to be in decent shape to make it through. The good thing about this program is it's only 30 days, yeah! But it's 30 days of intense workouts 40-60 minutes long. Thankfully Shaun T is generous and throws in a few random rest and "relief" days. If you love fast paced, total body workouts then I challenge you to give Insanity Asylum a try.

One of my biggest struggles is always food. Being a full time working mom with two young boys, I am tired ALL-THE-TIME and I expend most of my "extra" energy on making sure I get my workout in. But I feel like I did pretty good with food this time. Insanity Asylum follows a guideline of what to eat each meal (example: #1 protein and starch, #2 vegetable and protein, #3 protein and starch-3x a week, #4 vegetable and protein and #5 vegetable). Here is generally what I ate throughout the month.

Meal One: Oatmeal with protein powder, walnuts and blueberries

Meal Two: Protein Bar and occasionally an apple

Meal Three: Salad with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, chicken and a balsamic vinaigrette or a chicken pita with cucumbers, red onion and feta.

Meal Four: Smoothie with protein powder, spinach, frozen fruit, avocado and almond milk

Meal Five: Protein and vegetable

This is my second time doing Asylum so I knew what I was in for. I'm happy I'm starting to physically feel better, even if the appearance isn't there quite yet. But what pictures also don't tell you is I'm a push-up queen and I'm feeling so strong! So on to the next challenge...Insanity Max:30!

Cooper Thomas: Nine Months

Well Cooper you had an unfortunate theme to this month - ear infections and teething. Poor guy you've been through a lot the past few weeks. At your check-up today the doctor confirmed that you busted ear drum from a couple of weeks ago healed, but you still have or got another double ear infection (3 to date). We sure hope you get better soon! You are still pretty happy and just don't enjoy being left alone in your crib. Not sure if that's illness related or you just wanting to be around someone all the time. And as for the other part of your monthly theme you got your first tooth on March 17 and now have 4 to date (the fourth one popped in last night/this morning). Tooth number two seemed to be the worst, but it could have also been the ear infection. Hard to say! You have the hardest time at night and during the day you just want lots of attention and things to chew on.

You figured out how to crawl but still prefer your belly slide when you get to the hardwood floors. And mommy's favorite you have proven you are capable of sleeping through the night! For about two weeks, half the week you are sleeping through the night. I'll blame the other half on the ear infections and teething! Thankfully you aren't too hard to get back so sleep. A little bit of food and you're golden. And while we are talking about food, you still really haven't figured out other foods yet. Lots of things go in your mouth, but that little tongue pushes it right back out. I think you've swallowed a handful of things since we started this new venture. Your doctor re-assured me you'll get it when you are ready so for now you get to continue making a huge mess that mommy loves cleaning up (ha!).

You and your brother are becoming quite fond of each other. You guys are always want to play with whatever toy the other has and your big brother is good and entertaining you so I can get a few things done.

Aside from the ear infections and side effects of teething, this was one of your most fun months so we can't wait to see all that you will be up to next. We love you Cooper Thomas!

Birth: 6lbs 11.1oz and 19.5in

Leaving Hospital: 6lbs 3.9oz

Five Days: 6lbs 10oz

Two Weeks: 7lbs 10.5oz and 20in
One Month: ~9lbs and 21in
Two Months: 11lbs and 23in
Four Months: 13lbs 4oz and 25 1/2in
Six Months: 16lbs and 26 1/2in
Eight Months: 17lbs
Nine Months: 17lbs 10oz and 28in

Real People, Real Results: The Master's H&C

60 days ago I set out to become {a master}. The Master's Hammer & Chisel was the next step in my postpartum journey. And while I'm not 100% satisfied with my {results} it has been a journey within its self keeping consistent with a daily workout as a full-time working mom of two young boys. I often have to remind myself my body has been through so much the past few years and that everyone's postpartum bodies are different (thank you to Baby Center for this article). I know for certain my postpartum body has been very different from the two boys. So here are my thoughts about the program...

THE WORKOUTS

This program is primarily weight-based. While I know it's good to incorporate weights in to your routine, I wasn't a fan of always doing weights. I think there was only one video where no weights were involved (and it was my favorite workout to do ;)). Secondly the weights focused on heavier sets. I'm more of your lighter weight and more rep girl. But I came out of this feeling strong and that's  never something to complain about!

THE FOOD

All programs give you a guideline or meal plan you can follow to help maximize results. I did great for the first 3 weeks, then it was my birthday and I fell off track. I don't have a horrible diet. I mostly need to work on portions, eating more well-rounded meals, less snacking and definitely more water. Aside from food helping with results, I could tell days that I ate better than others (and drank more water) I had more energy to power through. It's always an area I'm hoping to improve on and I know I'll get there again, one day! Until then I'm doing my best and finding a balance that what works for me.

THE TIME

The workouts were 25-40 min each with most averaging around 35 minutes. What I did like about these workouts was there was a little more pre and post workout stretching which seemed to be lacking in other shorter programs I've done lately. The best time for me to workout was on my lunch break or right after work. This gave me the freedom of only having one kiddo around and sometimes he was even napping!

Overall I enjoyed the program for the first 4 or 5 weeks and then I was ready for something new and more cardio! These videos will definitely be great supplements workouts to do in the future. And as I said earlier, even thought I'm not 100% {proud} of my end results, I know this isn't a one-stop-shop. I'm here to maintain a healthy lifestyle and one that works best for me. I'm stronger, more confident and I'm enjoying working out again. And that's all that matters to me. So on to the next adventure; Insanity Asylum!