Saturday, December 8, 2007

Mommy Tummy


Awhile back, some of us were talking about how to rid oneself of the extra pounds that just seem to hang on after having a baby...Well, a lot of people say to do "crunches" to flatten the tummy...however, I came across this article by Rachel Rabkin Pechman in the July issue of "Parenting" that says crunches can actually hinder and not help. For those of you interested..READ ON:


"The stubborn tummy (why crunches don't always work)"


"During pregnancy the outermost abdominal muscles stretch and separate to make room for the expanding uterus. Even after birth, though, when the uterus shrinks back to its original size, these ab muscles can stay separated (after a vaginal delivery or a c-section). And crunches can do more harm than good.


'Crunches put pressure on the tissue that connects the outermost abdominal muscles, which can further separate tham,' says Julie Tupler, a nurse and coauthor of Lose Your Mummy Tummy. The key to toning up your tummy: Brace your stomach and focus on engaging the innermost ab muscle, the transverse abdominus, since this is the muscle that really supports the uterus and gut and keeps your belly sucked in. This also helps prevent back pain.


You can engage and tone your transverse ab muscle while you do almost any activity--or when you're just sitting around. How? Sit up straight, shoulders down, and draw your belly button in toward your spine. 'Imagine you're wearing a corset and you're pulling its strings tight,' says Lisa Druxman, a fitness trainer and author of Lean Mommy. Believe it or not, sitting this way (say, while you're reading to your child) or standing this way (maybe while you're waiting in line at the store or changing a diaper) will make your abs firmer and flatter. It'll instantly elongate your torso and strengthen your abs and back. If you think you'll forget to do this, tie a piece of string around your waist while your ab muscles are drawn in, and leave it there. Every time you expand your stomach, you'll feel the string pull and remember to keep your abs taut."


The article continues with a few other excercies and other tips, but I think that is enough for now. "Good luck" to all those "battling" this "condition." I know I have enough in this area to keep me busy for awhile.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Excitement

We hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. We surely have so much to be thankful for!!

So, it has certainly been quite awhile. We do have excuse however...We have been blessed with a beautiful, healthy baby girl. Carina Jean Rose was born on November 12th...at home on our living room floor. She apparently did not want to wait to go to the hospital. It all happened super-fast! Quite the excitement. We were then taken by ambulance to our local hospital for a few days stay. We are both doing well.
She is really a good baby..she has been sleeping through the night already at two weeks old!! Again, what a blessing! Its hard to believe she'll be a month old already next week. She has Daddy's mouth and Mommy's nose..and she is dark (skin and hair) as of now. I suppose that could all change.

Michael has been sooooo good with her. He rushes to go see what is the matter if she fusses, he loves to give her kisses and touch her hair. What a sweetheart of a brother. :) I'll have to remind him of his actions when he is a little bit older.

In other news, we would also like to welcome (not even 24 hours old yet) little Eric Joseph to our family...Esther and Joey have a son--born December 4th. He is TINY!! Could be partly because he is 3 weeks early. Welcome little one!We only went to see him today...so no pictures yet.
I know there is so much that I am missing..but those have been the highlights of our past month. Till next time....

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Countdown


It is finally cooler...the leaves have changed color. It's beautiful to see.
We're now on countdown for baby #2...Two and a half weeks remaining till our due date. So we're just waiting........... Mike threw us (baby and I) a surprise "sprinkle" this past weekend. It was nice.We had our parents, siblings, and a few friends join us to help celebrate/welcome the upcoming arrival of this little "bud."
Thanks to all who attended and helped with the planning. Once we get some pictures developed, we'll be sure to post some.

Monday, October 8, 2007

2 years


We just celebrated our second anniversary yesterday. Two years...where has the time gone?? Though, as I'm sure it is with most of you, on one hand it seems we've been together always and on the other it seems like it was just yesterday we were "goin' to the chapel." We've been so blessed over these two years...a growing family, our health, a home...the list is really innumerable if we stop to think about it. The Lord is good--beyond our expectations.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Enjoyment....

Michael is growing and learning so much...here are a few recent photos of him...hence the title.




On another note,we're back from our travels. We spent a week in Williamsburg, Virginia--(it was hot!!) and 3 days in Laurel, Maryland. We made it to the beach twice..once with my amiga, Kristi, who came up from Emerald Isle, North Carolina to see us. Thanks!! We also spent some time with Bill & Cathy in Maryland...we got to see the (majority of) Baltimore Zoo with them. Michael enjoyed seeing the animals. While it is nice to get away every now and again, it is even nicer to come back home.

We're now on countdown for the arrival of our next rosebud.....approximately 6 1/2 weeks remaining. Who would have thought the end of September would be so warm!!




Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Thirsty


This is a little tidbit from Sheila Walsh that I read this morning..

"I see my soul as being like my car. As a vehicle needs clean oil, I need intimate contact with God. Our souls were made for this. When we deprive our souls of that very life force, we can survive--but that is all we are doing. We were not created to merely survive but to thrive in God.

Sometimes we know we need refreshment but are too lazy in the routine of life--or too preoccupied with what we think is '"important'"--to stop for spiritual replenishment. Sometimes life may crowd in on us enough that we simply are not aware of our need. Think of the need for intimacy with God in terms of physical thirst. In the routine demands and distractions of the day we can forget this most basic of all needs. I notice that on a hot day my dog, Bundle, is always returning to his water bowl for a drink. Sometimes it's only in watching him that I realize how thirsty I am. I have the beginnings of a headache caused by dehydration. It's not wise to wait to drink a glass of water until after the headache is so bad you have to go and lie down in a dark room."
"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring." Isaiah 44:3

Monday, August 27, 2007

Part-time no more

Today, after seven years of "laboring," at the bookstore, is my last day of working outside of the home....temporarily at least. This is going to be a whole new experience being that I've held at least two jobs since I was sixteen years old...ah! The Joys of Motherhood...

This blog itself is a whole new experience for us...we'll try to keep you posted on a regular basis.