"no poo" challenge

And I do mean No SHAMpoo. Don't get any weird ideas...

 

(he makes me look gooood)

So I've seen the No Poo method all over pinterest and wondered if it really works. Then my gorge mama friend over at Love Chugs posted about it and I decided it was time to give it a try.

The No Poo method uses baking soda and apple cider vinegar in place of shampoo and conditioner. It supposedly helps your hair grow longer, stronger, healthier, shinier, lengthens the time between washes plus more! Amazing right? Well, we shall see!

This is what you need...

Baking Soda
Water
Pointed Tip Bottle (like a mustard bottle or the kind that comes in box hair dye kits)
Apple Cider Vinegar (or white vinegar for oily hair)
Spray Bottle

This is how you do it...

Baking Soda Mixture (BSM)
Mix six parts water with one part baking soda in the condiment bottle. Shake. At the start of your shower, wet your hair. Apply BSM all over scalp and scrub (My hair is pretty thick and the BSM has no lather so I had to part it in fours in order to make sure I got every part of my scalp). Rinse.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Pour ACV into your spray bottle. After you've rinsed the BSM, spray the ACV all over the length of your hair. Let the ACV sit while you finish your showering business. Rinse. (Some of you might be worried about the smell because the ACV is STRONG but honestly, once you rinse it out you can hardly smell it and once your hair is completely dry you can't smell it at all. Promise. Some people have said they put essential oils in with the ACV to help with the smell but honestly I think that's a waste).

This is what I'm testing...

Health and Strength : I'm HORRIBLE at getting my hair trimmed...I think it's the biggest hassle. That being said, I typically get my hair cut twice a year and my stylist ends up having to chop about 6 inches each time because it's so split and unhealthy.

Shine : My hair has little shine without product or heat (thank goodness for Moroccan Oil).

Length : Right now my hair is 28" from crown to tip.

Time Between Washes : I wash my hair every 3-4 days (typically using dry shampoo on the fourth).

Added bonus : less frizz and flyaways (have you seen my hair air-dry? Yikes!!), less oily, more body, new hair growth, no chemicals, less expensive, safe for color treated hair

Go here to read the hows, whys, and what-ifs of the No Poo method.

Keep an eye out for updates about my No Poo Challenge and leave a comment if you've tried this! I'd love to hear your experience!!

ode to love day

Valentine's day is just around the corner! Here are some of the things we've done so far to celebrate...

T.P. roll heart stamped cards...
This was SO fun! C figured out how to stamp the hearts all by himself and made 7 cards before he was ready to move onto something else (I'd say that's pretty good for a one-year-old).

Here's what you need...

  

Here's how you do it... 

So it's pretty self-explanatory but just take your t.p. roll and pinch the top in a line all the way down the roll. Then directly parallel, pinch the bottom out all the way down the roll and it should make the heart shape. Then just dip, stamp, repeat!

 

 

**I highly recommend you use non-toxic, washable paint**

Clearly C had a taste or two of the paint.

My gorge mama friend, Jen, over at delightfuldeets.com made these cute v-day cards using heart shaped cookie cutters!

Valentine's photo shoot...
My lovely friend Sasha over at moiology.com helped me take some cute valentine's pics of C.
We're planning on sending them out (with C's heart cards) to some of our far-away-fam for v-day.

(They still need to be edited, but here are a few of my favorites)

Sugar Cookies baked with love...
We made a couple of goodie bags for our sweet neighbors that shoveled the snow off our driveway and porch TWO days in a row.
They included chocolates, cocoa mix, and these delicious sugar cookies!

Leave a comment or a link and let us know how you're celebrating love day!

Here are some other super cute ideas I found on pinterest that I'd like to try someday...

*52 Things I Love About You *Heart Strings *Love Notes for the Kiddos

my fitness challenge

Every body is different, right? Right! Ok cool, now that we have that out of the way...

I created a little fitness plan for myself so I can get back in shape and back down to my pre-pregnancy weight. Most of this will be pretty dang embarrassing for me but I feel like if I post it up here then I will feel more accountable and actually stick with it. Feel free to share your fitness knowledge with me because I'm pretty clueless and kind of just made this all up based on stuff I saw on pintrest!

I started on January 1st...yay for new years resolutions.
weight : 152.5lbs
bust : 39"
waist : 31"
hips : 39"
Oh my fatty! I know right?

January Goal : commit to healthy eating. goal weight : 145lbs

I missed my January goal by one measly little pound!! But I'm determined to make it up in February. And I did commit to healthier eating. It was actually easier than I thought. I didn't do anything crazy (like all protein or juice cleanses) because I know my personality and I can't handle that stuff for more than a of couple days.

Here's what I've been doing so far...
I do not indulge in sweets like I used to (who knew brownies didn't count as a meal?!)
I do not eat after 8pm
I drink at least 90 ounces of water a day and cut out juices and soda
I remind myself constantly that chips and candy are not considered "snacks" and if I feel a little hungry between meals I eat a cheese stick, fruit leather, carrots, yogurt...
For breakfast I eat something simple and filling like cottage cheese and fruit, an egg and toast, or oatmeal....
For lunch I have a green smoothie (C has one too, he LOVES them!)
For dinner I have whatever we decide to have for dinner as a family (lasagna, chicken, roast...) as long as it's not fast food.

As of February 1st...
weight : 146lbs
bust : 38.5"
waist : 29"
hips : 37"

Even though I didn't hit both of my goals, I'm pretty proud of myself! 6.5 pounds and a few inches down and eating healthy. That's HUGE for me! Anyone that knows me knows that I have quite the sweet tooth teeth!

February Goal : commit to regular exercise (regular for me being 30+ mins 4+ times a week). goal weight : 140lbs

This might be a struggle initially. Because of the weather I can't just go out and run anytime I want and with my husbands crazy schedule that leaves me with either 5am workouts or 9pm workouts which is when I'm usually really tired or so tired... Lame excuses right? Yea, I know.

My end goal is to be fit, feel good, and be confident with my body by June (just in time for our trip to Hawaii). My end weight goal is 125lbs (my pre-pregnancy weight was 122lbs). SO doable right?? That's only 5 lbs a month!

Anyone else struggled with losing the baby weight? Or had great success? I'd love to hear your story!! Tips, tricks, hints...send them my way :)

It's been a while but I'm back!

Thanks to my lovely insta followers, I've decided to start blogging again! I used to LOVE blogging but after I had my son, I kind of forgot about it!

I got on a few nights ago and gave my blog a little facelift and read through old posts...I can't believe how many things I posted that I completely forgot about! Now I'm super sad that I missed out on blogging the past year...and the first year of my sons life! But no need for sorrow. Better late than never, right?

Take a minute and look around. Even though my last post was over a year ago, it might be new to you! And don't forget to leave some love, I love hearing from my readers!

P.s. If you have a blog I would love to follow you! Please leave your link in the comments :) 

Baby Carter is Here!

Carter James Williams

Born at 1:31 am on November 12, 2011

7 pounds 4 ounces, 19 3/4 inches

So if you read my last post...I didn't make it to my next appointment :)
On Friday, November 11, my contractions were 10 minutes apart but of course they didn't hurt at all so I didn't think baby boy was coming. I went to bed around 10pm and woke up at 10:50pm because my water broke! I was a little disoriented and panicked haha. Brandon got my mom, a towel, and a trash bag and we hopped in the car and headed to the hospital.
We got to the hospital just after 11pm and checked in. The nurse checked me at 5 cm and 80% effaced. That's when the hard labor started. Brandon quickly put on my hypnobirthing cd and I tried to relax. Brandon, Mom, and Nurse Monica were SO amazing and helped keep me relaxed throughout my labor. We did such a good job that I started to doze of during contractions.
At 1:15am I started feeling really nauseous so my nurse checked me again because she thought I might be in transition. She said, "Oh! You're at a 9 and your cervix is gone. I need to go call your doctor!" After she checked me, my body immediately started bearing down, ready to get our little guy out. It was the weirdest feeling ever. It felt totally involuntary, my body was just doing all the work, I didn't even have to try!
Within a few minutes my nurse could see baby Carter's head! I had the hugest smile and could not wait to hold my boy. That's when my nurse put her hand on Carter's head and said, "Renee, I need you to slow down, your doctor isn't here yet." YEA RIGHT! I tried for a few seconds but I didn't know how to stop it. At 1:31am, Nurse Monica delivered baby Carter.
My doctor walked in just a few minutes after that (He came from Am. Fork Hospital, a 15 minute drive to Timp Hospital).
My nurse gave Carter to me as soon as he was out and I got to hold him for almost 2 hours before they started his newborn procedures. Brandon got to cut the umbilical cord and be with him everywhere he went. My doctor spent a good hour stitching me up afterward. I had three 2nd degree tears because little man came out with his hand up at his shoulder...awesome. It actually wasn't bad at all and recovery has been a lot easier than I thought...probably my easiest recovery all year!
Anyways, after a few hours they took us to our recovery room. We had TONS of visitors while we were there. I probably got about 3 hours of sleep the entire stay because all I wanted to do was stare at my sweet little son!
The entire experience was incredible. I don't think it could have gone any better. I'm so glad our little one is here with us. He is so perfect!!
P.s. HypnoBirthing is the best! If you're planning on going natural, I highly recommend this class!

So perfect :)

Weekly Appointments

Wed. 11/2/11 - I had my 37 week appointment. I'm 2cm dilated and 80% effaced and lost my mucous plug (ewie). My doctor thinks baby Carter will be here within the next couple weeks! I told him not to get me excited and he said he highly doubts I'll be a 41 or 42 weeks mom :) YAY!!

Wed. 11/9/11 - I had my 38 week appointment. I'm 3.5cm dilated and 80% effaced! My doctor stripped my membranes and stands by his prediction. We'll see...

Thur. 11/10/11 - I've been having consistent contractions. In the morning and afternoon they were 6-8 minutes apart and lasted about 40 seconds. In the evening they were 2-4 minutes apart and lasted about 45 seconds each. And Mom flew in :)

Fri. 11/11/11 - I'm 5cm dilated and 80% effaced. My contractions slowed to about 10 minutes apart and 50 seconds long. Had my membranes stripped again. Baby Carter come on out!!

My Next Appointment is on Mon. 11/14/11.

Predictions?

Me - Nov. 18

Brandon - Nov. 20

David Essuman - Nov. 10

Brent Tracy - Nov. 10

Kim Goddard - Nov. 12

Mom - Nov. 12

-----------

Let us know what you think!

The Belly Diaries

-32 Weeks-

-28 Weeks-

-24 Weeks-

(Just After Surgery)

-22 Weeks-

(Just Before Surgery)

-20 Weeks-

-18 Weeks-

-16 Weeks-

-14 Weeks-

Surgery #2

Here we go again!

March 16, 2011 I had my laparoscopy to drain the 28cm cyst on my right ovary.

A month and a half later, at my 12 week ultrasound, my OB saw that the cyst had come back and was about 11cm. For some reason he thought it would be best to just keep and eye on it and see what happened.

At my 21 week ultrasound, my OB saw that the cyst had grown to over 30cm! Finally, he decided to act and sent me to a specialist. The specialist was pretty astounded that my Dr had waited so long to do something about it and she scheduled me for surgery two days later.

I had a mini laparotomy to remove the cyst, remove my ovary, and repair an umbilical hernia I got from my last surgery.

The surgeon and doctors were amazing, they took great care of me and baby boy. As soon as I was out of the OR they took me to Labor and Delivery for 36 hour watch. They had our little man hooked up to monitors to make sure he was doing well and that I didn't go into labor. After I was cleared from L&D, they sent me to the postpartum floor for 24 hour watch and continued care. All of the hospital staff was amazing and took great care of us.

The night I left the hospital, Mom flew in to help take care of me. It was so nice to have her here and to have her help. She did everything! Cooked, cleaned, helped me with my medicine and kept Lilly occupied. Thanks so much mom! I love you!!

Now I just have two more weeks of initial recovery and I should be good as new?

Ew, and I have to give myself shots in my stomach everyday...thank goodness for my sweet neighbor who is a nurse and has been willing to come over everyday after work to give them to me!

My belly is about half the size it was before surgery but now it's ugly :( like Quasi Moto...at least our sweet little guy is safe and sound and has the whole place to himself!

It's a...

P is for...

Pineapple

Pizza

Pudgey

Powerade

Pink, perhaps

Puke

Pringles

Phat...more like fat

Picky Eater

Potatoes, mashed preferably

and most of all PREGNANT!

The rumor is true! We're expecting!

Baby Williams is expected to arrive around November 25, 2011