Sanctuary

Disneyland has been my favorite place these last few months

I never tire of all the cheer, character, and cheesy rides

No matter how I've been feeling before I arrive, the moment we pull off the freeway I am instantly happy

We've gone with friends, with Grandma, and even alone

I especially enjoy the times that Jared can come (and the extra hands are nice too :) )

Its no wonder I crave this place on lonely days like these.... Maybe I shouldn't have gotten a pass with black-out days!!! 50 long days until we can go back :(

Until then I guess I'll just have to look at the pictures and rely on my memory

P90X- Week 1 Review

We made it through a WHOLE week! I am very excited. There were some moments where I considered quitting, seeing the large amount of days before us, but we're still going strong.

We did core workouts, kenpo (our favorite so far), arms and back, legs, yoga, and cardio.

High point- sweating during kenpo; up until that point I hadn't really felt like I had gotten my heart rate high enough, and it was actually very exciting to feel the sweat coming on! Ask Jared, I was all geeked up about it :)

(J's high point- the rush lifting and curling weights during the "arms" portion)

Low point- realizing how much we have left! It is difficult to sacrifice the quiet evening time where we usually watch some tv or read to unwind, especially for such a long time.

(J's low point- only doing two hanging pull ups... There's definitely room for improvement there!)

(motivating results like this keep me going!)

Also, I had to stop the phase 1 of the diet. I wasn't really planning on doing it in the first place, but I gave it a shot. All the protein and lack of grains in the phase 1 made me feel sick to my stomach all day. I could tell it was too much meat for me, and after I stopped I felt much better.

Another benefit is that I can already feel improvement! My stomach is feeling a bit tighter even after just a week. I can't wait to see what 90 days looks like!

P90X- Day 1

Disclaimer- The following post contains brief nudity, and slightly offensive material. Proceed with caution.

We just began the rigorous home-fitness program called P90X. It comprises 90 days of different workouts of all major regions of the body, along with an eating plan. The goal is that you reach your "best body".

We found the program through referrals from friends and some internet research. We wanted to do it because it is something we can do together, it requires little equipment, and we can do it from home.

Our personal goals are pretty different, but we hope that it can work for both of us. Jared simply wants to lose weight and tighten up. I lost the weight after having the baby but I am scrawny and un-toned. I wont be taking many dietary restrictions, but I would like to see more definition!

We decided to go for the 'Lean' program after I saw all these pictures of girls bulking up. I don't want big arms. I don't want my pants tighter on my flat rear-end! So the first video is a core work-out.

Our date had been set to begin for a few weeks now, and even though we spent the whole day at Disneyland we knew we had to do it. We both took turns trying to get out of it, but in the end we knew it was now or never!

With great trepidation I am posting our 'Before' pictures.

Here we are, as you once knew us.

First workout thoughts-

The main guy, Tony, is ridiculously obnoxious, but if this works I don't care how annoying he is!

(20 min into it) If I have to do one more push-up, I think I'm going to throw up!

Wow, I'm actually sweating! I can't remember the last time that happened!

Ok, Jared is really sweating. I just touched the carpet where he was laying and it's wet! Gross!

How am I supposed to function tomorrow!?

Jared: "Maybe we shouldn't have done it at the same time. Who is going to watch our kids tomorrow? We're both going to be sore!"

Our next weigh in/measurings will be at day 30, then day 60, and finally day 90! Hopefully by blogging about this we will be more accountable and motivated to keep it going. Wish us luck!

Connecticut

This past week we took yet another trip, and went to visit my family in CT.

Here are some of the highlights:

Exploring Central Park in NY. Nicholas loved running around in all the open space. Sometimes you forget you're in the middle of the city until the wind changes and you get the stinky NY smell back.

Climbing rocks

In heaven: the Thomas section of the Toys R Us in Times Square

Uncle Jake as a new action figure. {He could be "The Boy of Endless Questions", who's trick is to ask questions non-stop until his battery finally dies}

We met up with Ashley and Dan (pictured in front of the Rockefeller Ctr.) who wandered with us

The next day we went to the Aquarium in Norwalk.

They had sharks, turtles, fish, penguins, stingrays, seals, and.... meerkats? Apparently we have some cross-over marine biologists. Rykie loved them so much that he cried when we left them.

One of the other days we went to a local grocery store called Stew Leonard's. I think it was the crowd favorite for the under 3 group.

AZ Trip

We had a blast on our weekend trip to AZ! It was Sister Gee's homecoming and Elder Gee's farewell. I loved seeing so many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins.

I went a day early just me and Rykie, and he seemed to enjoy the one-on-one time we so rarely get together.

He was an angel on the plane and slept in my arms the entire flight. He also won over our seat neighbor, a charming old school teacher named Odessia Love (a name worthy of being a lounge singer, right?)

Nicholas arrived later and became Grandpa's little hiking buddy.

Rykie played nicely with his 2nd cousin, Amber (a miniature of her mom, Melissa), who is just two weeks older.

... And in emptying out Grandma's closets we dusted off my old wedding dress I left there. Still fits! I forgot how much I loved that dress.

Nicholas was fascinated the most by Grandma's brand new elevator! He found it very entertaining and enlisted whoever he could find to take him in it.