Happy Holidays!
Posted
Love, The Hellekson's
Kroger Weekly Ad: 9/9-9/15
1 week ago
Do You Hear What I Hear?
PostedYou guessed it! Ready or not, Baby #2 is on his or her way. This was a total surprise to us as well :) I am in my second trimester now. We find out the gender next month. Until then, I shall be eating all my words about having children close together. God has a funny sense of humor, doesn't He? Praise Him, the giver of life...keep our new little one safe and healthy as he/she grows.
A little Behind
PostedI just realized I haven't posted any new updates on our family since Greenlee started walking over a month ago! And I also realized I have no fun pictures to post either! Bad Mommy!!
I am LOVING that Greenlee is walking now. It makes life so much easier. I don't have to constantly wipe off dirty hands and knees from crawling. And she can walk around outside now instead of crawling and getting skinned knees or ripped clothing. I especially love that she can walk when we are eating out. If she gets antsy at all we can just let her walk around for a few minutes to burn off some energy. It's fantastic!
We are still having a lot of trouble during mealtimes. She still eats babyfood because she won't eat chopped up fruits or vegetables. Last night she ate a chopped apple for the first time. She had tried them before but the kind I got were so crunchy that it would take her about 10 minutes to chew one piece (she still only has 2 teeth). I got a different brand of apple this time and she chowed down. So that was a huge victory. Vegetables are another story. She will eat jarred baby veggies until the cows come home but she won't touch chopped veggies. It's really frustrating. She is the same way with any kind of meat except chicken nuggets which I despise giving her because they are so UNHEALTHY. Recently I found some organic meatless chicken patties that taste exactly like real chicken nuggets and she actually likes them. So I guess that's 2 points for mom! I feel way better about giving her those. Besides that the only other "meals" she will eat are grilled cheese, cheese tortilla, or PBJ. Thankfully she loves yogurt and cheese as well so we do those for snacks. I'm hoping to expand her food horizons VERY VERY soon. We'll see what her doctor says about all this pickiness at her 15 month appt. I actually posted a video on youtube of us trying to get her to try chopped up potatoes and carrots. She was crying hysterically like we were trying to get her to eat dog poop. It was hilarious. If you ever need a good laugh you should definitely check out that video!
Josiah is finishing up his first semester of grad school next week. We are all ready for him to have a break during the holidays. We don't have any big plans this year. Just staying home, cooking, baking, etc. It will be nice and relaxing I am sure!
Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas season. Enjoy celebrating the birth of Jesus with your families!
For my friends who actually read this blog...what kind of Christmas traditions do you have each year? One Christmas tradition we had growing up was reading 2 pop-up story books before bed on Christmas Eve. One was "The Night Before Christmas" and the other was "The Birth of Jesus." It was a great time to remember the true meaning of Christmas even though it is fun to incorporate Santa Clause as well :) Other family traditions were decorating the Christmas tree, making Christmas cookies, and drinking egg nog together!
And She's Off...
PostedYesterday, out of nowhere, Greenlee decided to start walking. Luckily, mom had the video camera handy. I just love this sweet little clip...yay for Greenlee! I think it's official that I can say she started walking at 13 months :) Such an exciting milestone!
The Routine
PostedI meant to include this in my last post but some of my girlfriends have been asking about my weightloss routine so here it is:
1200 calories per day-- I try to fill my diet with foods that are really going to fill me up and give me energy-- not just 1200 calories of carbs and snacks. I eat a lot of cheese, almonds, Bocca and Morning Star burgers. During the summer I ate tofu, fish, steamed and stir fry veggies, etc. If it's 8 or 9pm and I'm absolutely starving I will pop a bag of edamame or Green Giant's Fresh steamers in the microwave for about 100 or 150 calories and it's very filling. I don't eat a lot of sugar, but I do have cheat days. We eat pizza about once a month and once a week or so I let myself have Chickfila (but it's usually the Charbroiled chicken sandwich and a side salad). We also have days where we eat Mexican or some other fattening meal-- these cheat days keep me sane and they haven't affected my weightloss at all.
I work out 5 days a week for at least an hour. I do spin class twice a week for 50 minutes followed by 10 or 15 minutes of push-ups and sit-ups. The other 3 days I either run outside or on the treadmill, do the elliptical machine, or the stair climber. All of these activities I do for 50 minutes and follow them up with sit-ups , push-ups, light weights, and /or planks. I also have a few home workout videos that I will do when I'm in a bind and I can't find someone to watch Greenlee while I hit the gym or if I'm just feeling too lazy to go to the gym. Bob Harper's kettlebell dvd workout and also a Pilates dvd. I like them both and am always sore afterwards!
I hope this helps any of you who are looking for a specific routine to follow to help jumpstart a weightloss program. It took me a while to make my own formula but I find setting aside specific times and days each week to workout ensure that it actually happens. I'm less likely to lose motivation this way or skip a workout. I also plan childcare ahead each week-- usually my parents watch Greenlee or I arrange to workout during a time that Josiah will be home.
Good luck ladies!
Post-Baby
Posted
So, 12 months post baby and I've FINALLY gotten off all my baby weight-- it feels fantastic!
New Words and Toddler Woes
PostedI can't believe how quickly Greenlee has all the sudden picked up more words. It seems like these things just happen overnight so I like to make sure I write them down so I don't forget. I use this blog, as well as her baby book as a written record of all her milestones.
Along with her normal words (Mama, Dada, Baba, Buh-bye, and Nana), she has added a few to her vocabulary. Just this past week I've heard her say,"Hi-ya", "ow-dide" (outside), and "he-doh" (hello).
Another thing Josiah and I have been noticing the past few weeks is that our daughter has some issues with sharing and a bit of a temper when she doesn't get her way. If we have something that she wants, she just crawls right up and takes it from us. If we try to take it back, she throws a total tantrum! It's a bit embarrassing in public or at the church nursery. At home, it's baffling to us because she is typically such a sweet child. Honestly, I'm not really sure how to deal with this as I wasn't expecting to have to face these issues so early. If anyone has any advice or pointers feel free to leave me a comment! In the meantime, we are forging on in our journey through toddlerhood.
The Weight Battle
PostedSo here is another random post about something that has been on my mind for quite some time now: weight....not wait...but WEIGHT.
I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. In fact, I have a vivid memory from when I was 6 years old about my weight. My dad's two sisters were in town visiting and I distinctly remember them commenting to each other about how I was getting "chunky." They had no idea that I was listening and that their words would stick with me forever.
Another memory I have was from middle school. My mom and I had swung by the school gym to pick up my older brother from basketball practice. I ran inside to get him while my mom waited in the car. When I walked into the gym, my brother was hanging around with all his guy friends and when he saw me, he greeted me with "hey fatty" in front of everyone. I was mortified. I remember being totally devastated for the longest time, despite my parents' efforts to make him apologize and him reassuring me that he was only joking. Words hurt, but even more so, I felt that the words had truth to them. Maybe I really was fat and overweight. In retrospect, I wasn't really fat, but I definitely wasn't the typical bean pole like all of my peers. I probably could have eaten more heathful as a kid, but I was picky and my parents did the best that they could.
Anyways, as I entered into high school I couldn't really find any sports that I was good at, so I didn't get as much exercise as I should have. As a result, the pounds started packing on because I ate like any typical teenager-- school lunches, pizza, fast food, etc. By my junior year I was wearing a size 10 or 12 clothing and weighing in around 155/160 (I'm 5'4). Obviously, that's a lot for a 16 year old girl. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore...people were definitely making comments about my weight and I felt awful about myself. I starting running the summer between my junior and senior year and dropped over 40 pounds. Unfortunately, it became an obsession. I cut my calorie intake to under 800 calories per day and ran about 3-5miles per day. It was too much for sure. I dwindled down to about 115 pounds. I wore a size 2 or 4 in clothes.
As I got into college I was able to maintain a healthy weight for myself by regular exercise and eating healthy, but I still went up and down a lot. I remember at my brother's wedding (I was 20 years old) I had ballooned back up to a size 10/12 and I was miserable. Usually, whenever I stopped exercising is when I would start gaining again. Obviously, this makes sense but it was a constant struggle for me to stay committed to healthy eating and a vigorous workout routine. Why couldn't I be like all my friends who ate whatever they wanted and never had to exercise to stay at a normal weight? It just didn't seem fair.
Anyways, fast forward to when I got pregnant. I had gained 10 lbs since getting married and continued to gain almost 50 lbs during pregnancy. I assumed breast feeding would melt off the pounds so I wasn't too worried. Besides, I wanted to enjoy my pregnancy and not be consumed with counting calories for once. So, I did just that, and boy did I pay for it afterwards! I lost about 15 pounds at delivery and about 10 or 15 more through breastfeeding, but the minute I stopped nursing, so did my weight loss! I was stuck in a size 12 and around 170 lbs. I can't even describe how low my self esteem was and how bad I felt for "letting myself go." It wasn't fair to my husband or myself. But, unfortunately, I just couldn't make the time to exercise and I had no one to watch Greenlee while I went. I was sleep deprived too, which doesn't help when you are trying to start an exercise regimen.
Finally, when Greenlee was 8 months old, I had a a break-through. We were in North Dakota visiting my in-laws and they had scheduled a family photo session. I refused to take part in the photos because I was so embarrassed of my weight. I felt so guilty for not being in the photos because I knew it was selfish and prideful. But, it was the defining moment for me because I knew something had to change. When we got back, I told Josiah that I had to join a gym. He gladly shelled out the cash and also said we could increase our grocery budget in order to buy more healthy foods (fresh produce, fish, etc).
Since July 11th, I have lost 16 pounds and am now in a size 8. Almost all my old clothes fit me and it is just such a wonderful feeling. It is definitely a struggle to fit the gym in some days and to find someone to watch Greenlee while I go, but I make it work-- 5 days a week. I've also transformed my diet-- almost completely cutting out sugar and bad carbs. I do allow myself cheat days though, because it keeps me sane! For the most part, Josiah has been doing the dieting and working out with me, so it has helped to have a partner in my journey. I still have about 15 or 20 more pounds I would like to lose, but I feel that as long as I stick to my routine, it shouldn't be too hard to get there.
I guess I'm writing this to encourage anyone who may be struggling in this area. Just know that you are not alone and that you can change. I did and am still doing so...it's a constant battle of the mind and body. The good news is that God truly does care, even about things like weight that may seem trivial to some people. Praying does wonders for me when I get discouraged or want to give up.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. Therefore, honor God with your body."
I'll close this post with some pictures that demonstrate my constant struggle.
December 2009- 145 lbs
September 2011-- 11 months post-delivery-- 155lbs
December 2010- 3 months post-delivery-- somewhere over 170 lbs
October 2010- 3 weeks post-delivery-- somewhere over 180lbs
August 2009- my honeymoon 135lbs
The Birthday Girl: 12 Months
Posted
Excited to have daddy at her doctor's appointment for once!
Just getting in a little reading while waiting on the doctor.
At Chickfila for dinner on her birthday
My little fashionista (sporting a big girl ponytail)
In typical Shields Family fashion, we've been celebrating Greenlee's birthday for an entire month. We had the party for her in September with my brother's family and she's had gifts from family members being shipped in each week. We gave her our gift last month at the family party. She also got to Skype with her Granny and Grandpa while opening their gift on the week of her birthday. On her actual birthday we baked pumpkin cookies, went on a nice long run in the stroller, and took her to Chickfila for dinner. The day after her birthday Josiah took off work to spend the day with her. We took her to her 1 year check up, put together her new dollhouse bookshelf, added a few new decorations to her room, opened more gifts, and had pizza with her for the first time. My parents have one more big gift for her that they are going to give her tonight...so the girl has had quite the array of birthday festivities!
1 Year Checkup stats: 23.6lbs, 31 inches tall. She got 4 shots total (including a flu shot) and her blood drawn to check for lead and her iron levels. Poor girl! Her next checkup is at 15 months :)
One Year Old
PostedI seriously can't believe how fast this past year has gone by. It is definitely true what people say about time flying once you have kids. It seems like a month is only a week, 6 months is only a month, and so on.
Josiah and I have reflected several times today about how we can't believe how one year ago today we got to meet Greenlee for the first time. It's just so crazy to think about. It really seems like yesterday-- I know that sounds cliche. I wish I could go back to the day she was born. It was such an amazing labor, delivery, and hospital experience. That being said, I definitely wouldn't relive the first few months for anything! Those were such hard times. I don't miss the little baby stage at all-- well except for the sleepy snuggles-- I do miss those :)
Overall, I think we are ready to move into this new stage called toddlerhood! The baby months were adorable and fun, but it is even more exciting to watch her learn, talk, comprehend, experience new things, and grow into a little person with her own special personality. I know toddlerhood will be a challenge but I also think it will a blast!
Happy First Birthday to our darling little lady-- you are a treasure and we are so excited to see what the next year holds :)
1 Year Photos: Sneak Peak
PostedYesterday we did Greenlee's 1 year photo shoot and also a few family photos. Our photographer is SO awesome! I have been working with her for over 3 years now. She did portraits for my 25th birthday, our engagements, our wedding photos, Greenlee's 6 month photos, and now her 1 year photos. If you are in the Louisville area and need a photographer you should definitely look her up-- Kriech Higdon Photography. She is always sooo sweet to Greenlee and has a little boy of her own, so she understands how difficult it can be to photograph a little one. We just love her! Anyways, here is a little sneak peak of Greenlee from the shoot. She did pretty well for the most part but got a little weary of having her photo taken after an hour or so. Hopefully I will have more pictures from the shoot to post soon!
We also went to Huber's Farm last weekend, which is a family tradition. I remember going to Huber's every fall from the time I was a little girl. We went last year when Greenlee was 3 weeks old, and it was fun to take her this year when she could eat all the yummy homemade food. The fried biscuits were her favorite. She also enjoyed the pumpkin bread, apple bread, and smoked swiss cheese! Next year we will ride the tractor and let Greenlee pick a pumpkin!
I'll take some ice cream, please!
Trying to get 4 kids to look at the camera and smile at the same time is NOT easy!
James and Cooper riding the tractor
Last week we turned Greenlee's carseat around to face forward-- she is officially a big girl now. We were going to wait until her actual birthday because we wanted it to be something special that she would notice but she started getting carsick everytime we would ride in the car-- like throwing up. So the doctor said if she was forward facing and could look out the window at the horizon it might help her to not get sick. It worked like a charm-- she hasn't gotten sick since. She loves facing forward and being able to see us and look out the window.
Singing to the birthday girl!
Daddy and Greenlee blowing out the candle
Mommy cutting the cake
Little sweetie
"What is this thing?"
yummy...
Finger lickin' good :)
Ready to open her gifts!
Cooper helping Greenlee open her gifts
A new book-- she LOVES books!
Family shot at the end of the party...she was pooped!
Just A Little Rant
PostedOver the weekend, Greenlee got sick for the second time in her life. She was throwing up every 15 minutes for 6 hours straight. It started around 7pm and ended around 1:30 in the morning. There was puke everywhere-- disgusting brown spots of vomit in our carpet that no matter how hard we scrubbed would not come out. At the same time both my husband and I, as well as Greenlee, were covered in vomit. We literally could not clean up as fast as she was puking it all out. It was sometime during one of the many baths we gave Greenlee that night and cleaning up those revolting brown spots that I thought, "what would we do if we had another little one to take care of during all of this?" I had no answer. The thought was almost unimaginable. As wonderful as another child would be, I know my limits, and I knew in that moment that I could not have another child anytime in the near future.
I guess it's because of all of this that I get really frustrated with people who ask "so when is Greenlee going to get a sibling?" I'm like, "Are you serious? She's not even 1 yet!!!" It's people like this who have the mindset of: have as many kids as you can in as small a time frame possible. It seems like a cultural trend sometimes in the Christian circles. To me it's like saying "let's all go inflict the worst imaginable pain on each other possible, it'll hurt for a little while, but after it might possibly get manageable." YEAH RIGHT. Why would you do that to youself? To your marriage? I just don't understand it. Not everyone can handle having multiple children close in age (me obviously being one of them) and I don't like when people pressure other couples in that direction.
Honestly, I don't have a specific direction for this post. It was simply a rant. That's what blogging is for, right?
I will wrap this up by saying something positive because I know this post probably seems depressing. Despite all the hardships and sickness and lack of sleep-- I love my daughter to pieces and would never trade her for anything. She is definitely a blessing from the Lord. She has the sweetest little personality, tons of spirit, and a smile that just melts your heart. I'm just not ready to have any more blessings for a while, because like I said-- being a parent is freakin' hard!!! It's an enormous responsibility and requires your all-- every single day. There are no days off...it's a 24/7 gig. But at the end of each day, I am thankful God chose me to be Greenlee's mom and to bring her into the world. We truly love her with all of our hearts!
11 Months Old!!
Posted
Greenlee is 11 months old and I can't believe it! In less than a month she'll be officially a toddler. I'm really hoping she walks by her birthday-- she's so close. She stands alone a lot but not quite taking steps yet. Playing with the blanket in the pictures is her favorite thing to do lately. She pulls it off the chair numerous times throughout the day and plays with it for like 20 or 30 minutes. Glad something so simple can provide so much entertainment for her!
We took her to the doctor a few weeks ago and she had lost some weight. We aren't sure why but the doctor wasn't worried since she has always been a big baby. She is still around 30in tall and weighs 20 1/2 lbs. Still in size 3 diapers, 12 months clothes, and size 4 shoe. She is slowly transitioning to all table foods but I still feed her a lot of purees too. We finally ditched all the bottles so she just drinks 2 sippy cups a day of whole milk. This was a really big transition and took about a week but she's doing fine now.
I started babysitting a little girl last month-- Greenlee goes with me and so far it's working out great. Josiah started grad school a few weeks ago and he really likes his classes. It's just two nights a week so it hasn't been too bad for our family.
I think that's all that's been going on with us lately. See you next month!
