Unintentional Co-sleeping {Try New Adventures Thursday!}

Honestly, this is a post never in a million years thought I'd write.  However, it's become our nightly routine and I thought it deserved some "chatter."

Let me first start off by saying that I am a routine girl.  Not nearly as rigid during the day (my husband holds the title for that), but when it comes to our bedtime routine, mama does NOT mess around. 

We eat dinner promptly at 5pm. every. single. night. 

Our 2, 4 and 5 year old go to bed at 6:30.  every. single. night.

Our 8 year old goes to bed at 8.  every. single. night.

And they sleep through the night.

Now, how did this routine begin?  When I was pregnant with Minh (8 years old), a family friend of ours gave me a book called Babywise.  I was a young mom, still in college, still working, and really had absolutely no clue about parenting, much less sleep training.  That book changed my life and I truly believe it's techniques taught me how set a nightly routine, continue nursing, and allowed me to graduate college on time.  It's not for everyone, and I'm not here to debate feedig on demand vs. parent directed feeding.  Bottom line, it worked beautifully for us and I had all 4 of my children sleeping 9 hours straight by 8 weeks, all while nursing full time.  Then came #5.

An is a sweet, happy, smiley little boy who got thrust into our life of organized chaos.  We are a family always on the go and I joke that An is our "take along baby."  He is usually in the Ergo as I attempt to chase the kids around parks, cook meals, and diffuse toddler combat.  I began to implement his eat, play, sleep schedule when he was 5 weeks old.  He was right on course until day #5 when we had major house issues (I won't get into them, but they were and continue to be baaaad).  We spent a night at my folks, the next 2 days at the campground (a planned trip!), and then came home and rearranged all the childrens rooms.  Everyone was displaced, and we're still in the process of establishing permanent sleeping arrangements for our nomadic sleepers.  In the midst of this confusion, An somehow *cough cough* made his way to our bed.  And there he has slept for the past 2 and a half months.  It wasn't until his appointment this morning when our Pediatrician asked, "and he is sleeping in his crib?" to which I answered with, "oh, well, no.  He's still in our bed," that I realized we are truly co-sleeping.  Me?  Muwah?  A co-sleeper???  gasp.

I giggled on the drive home that I now fall under a more "crunchy" label of attachment parenting.  I hold and wear An all the time, something I never did with the others.  True, it's part necessity in order to keep up with his 4 older siblings, but part (I believe) is I'm trying to breathe in every moment of An's baby sweetness.  He very well could be our last child and I know just how fleeting this precious time is.  Am I sleeping as well with him in bed with us?  No-and lets not forget how sneaking out of bed at 4am to get to my CrossFit workouts on time is an obstacle course in itself.  But am I seeing little quirks, and sighs, and coos, late night nursing and midnight giggles that I never have before?  Yes.  And it's sweet, peaceful and natural and I'm loving every minute of this unexpected sleeping arrangement.


I now truly "get this."  hahaha

Memorial Day 2012!

Remember what Memorial Day stands for...thank you to all of our military.  Freedom isn't free.

 

We weren't sure if we would be able to get outside on Memorial Day since a tropical storm was baring down on the East coast.  However, the storms stayed North and we were able to attend our family friends get together before my husband had to leave for work.  It was great being able to catch up with friends, and dare I say we had a "relaxing" time with all five!?  :)

Jumping off the board

Swimming the length of the pool!

She's headed to the diving board!

There she goes!

Collection of crab claws from searching in the mangroves.

spa party

swimming to the bottom!

fun in the Florida sun!

He had such a great time :)

Some of our most favorite friends with baby #3 on the way!

CrossFit Workouts {Try New Adventures Thursday!}

Mama is out of shape.  I mean really, REALLY out of shape.  This fifth pregnancy has completely sent my body into a downward spiral.  I was always very blessed to snap back fairly quickly and with minimal effort.  However, that is not the case now.  I needed a change.  I needed direction.  I needed help.  A sweet friend of mine had been posting pictures on facebook of something called crossfit, and one day I just decided to take the leap and see what the hype was all about.  The first time was free and I can honestly say I have never felt so completely-out-of-shape-I-think-I-just-might-die in my life.  It was a real wakeup call that I needed to get on track immediately.  That afternoon I bent over to put the baby in his carset and completely fell over because my thighs were so sore!  So there I was, sprawled out on the garage floor (literally) and the first excuse that came to mind was, "ugh.  This is just too hard,"  followed by, "I don't have the time for a consistent workout," and "my baby is only 3 months old...it's too soon to start working out."  Then as I hobbled around the van, loaded the kids in, and started driving a realization hit me-Something that hurt so much also felt so good.  I knew then that if a workout can do that to me, just imagine what it's doing for me.  And I decided then and there to officially start CrossFit...3 days a week...at 5am.  I paid, I'm in it for the long-haul, and I am getting stronger every day!  I have also coupled it with healthier eating...not a diet (...yet?), but today is my 4th day without a diet coke, handful of chips, or eating the kids leftovers.  I'm allowing myself 1 cup of coffee in the morning and the rest is water, portion control, and veggies and fruits.  Tomorrow will be my 7th workout and I am excited!!!  Below is some CrossFit information.

I saw this last week...very inspiring and very true.  Just what I needed to hear right now because  being healthy and strong for my five children (4 boys, especially!) is a true necessity.

What is CrossFit?
"CrossFit is a registered affiliate of CrossFit. Our athletes train using the CrossFit methodology. The CrossFit prescription is "constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movement". Constant variance assures your body will not plateau and will always be given a new stimulus to create change. High intensity is the key ingredient in our program. Intensity is the independent variable most associated with maximizing favorable adaptation to exercise. Functional movements are universal motor recruitment patterns, they are performed in a wave of contraction from core to extrememity. We do not train muscles in isolation because in life and sport we utilize compound movements that are multijoint. The body is a system and should be trained as such.

At CrossFit we train in small groups with a coach. We find this creates much more intensity than if you were to train alone. Our approach is consistent with what is practiced in elite training programs associated with major university athletic teams and professional sports. CrossFit endeavors to bring state-of-the-art coaching techniques to the general public. We believe you can train elite athletes and your grandmother the same way you just have to vary intensity and load. We are all anatomically the same."


When do I workout?  I mean, how can I possibly fit it in with 5 kids?
Since it's not a workout dvd that I can do at home and especially since I'm still nursing our 3 month old full time, this was a challenge.  I found that the ONLY time during the day I could possibly fit a workout in was before the kids got up.  Sooooo, the 5am session was the best bet.  The first 4 times my alarm would go off at 4am and I would drag out of bed, get dressed, nurse the baby, then be out the door at 4:40am.  However, by my 5th workout, I could tell my body was getting used to my schedule and it wasn't nearly as difficult.  Also, the feeling of driving home at 6am with my workout for the day complete was incredibly liberating!  I'd get home, take a quick shower, get breakfast going, and just started having quiet time for my devotions...all accomplished by 7am!


What's an example of a daily workout?

For time:
Run 400m
30x Body-weight bench press
Run 800m
20x Body-weight bench press
Run 1600m
10x Body-weight bench press

This was Wednesdays work out and you can see there was upper body workout then lower body.  So I did bench press with NOTHING but the bar (whew!  Still very hard for me!) and then as soon as I was finished, sprinted out the door and down the street for a 400m run then ran back in and did bench press again.  repeat.  I have been there with only one other person and then 6 other people so there is LOTS of 1 on 1 training.

The workouts you do are from crossfit.com and are completely different EVERY DAY.  Below is how they jot it down do you can see how you do!  I LOVE this and do you see me?  Marissa-near the top!  I feel super cool.  Right now I'm not the least concerned about my time, I'm in pure survival mode and just want to COMPLETE the sessions.


Soooooo, if you have the slightest interest in checking out the CrossFit craze, I'd say GO FOR IT!  It has really motivated me to make a lifestyle change and I'm feeling great!

Sunday Supper Meal Plan 5.21.2012

Well, it's been months since I've posted a Meal Plan...and I'll be honest, months since I've even made one!  We've had a lot of adjustment with our newest little one but spring has also been a very busy, yet FUN season with learning time, camping, playdates, anniversaries, teacher appreciation week, birthdays, our new paddle board, illness, our Texas Trip, Crossfit, school registration, summer camp registration, the Irongirl 5K, copious amounts of doctor appointments and all the in-betweens of life!  Five children has certainly been a learning curve and there is absolutely NO down time.  However, we are settling into our routine and I've realized how lazy I've been and how much housework my husband has queitly absorbed.  Sooooo, time to get back on track!

This weekend was a lot of fun!  I took Hieu to Disney on Ice with our sweet friends-it was a nice mother daughter date night!  Yesterday, we ventured across the bridge and attended one of my good friends daughters birthday parties and today we went to grand opening of our local splash center!  My husband had to work all weekend, but he was able to squeeze in attendance before his shifts.  Below is a photo bomb!  (we got a new underwater camera-trying it out!  haha)

Sunday Supper Meal Plan 5.20.2012

Monday
Lunch-turkey and cheese sandwiches
Dinner-Peanut Butter Slow Cooker Chicken over rice
*I have MOMS Club Banquet, so I'll be holding off on eating until the evening!

Tuesday
Lunch-Grilled Cheese sands with greek yogurt and honey
Dinner-Frozen Black Bean Chili courtesy of our sweet friend, Molly, served over rice

Wednesday
Lunch-Turkey and Cheese sands with strawberries
Dinner-Sloppy Joes and tater tots and fresh green beans picked from my dads garden!
*Hubby and I have a double date night so we will do out best to hold off eating until then!

Thursday
Lunch-Banana Sushi with strawberries
Dinner- Tomato Soup and grilled cheese sands

Friday
Lunch-Turkey and Cheese Sands with strawberries
Dinner-Crockpot Pineapple Chicken served over rice and green peppers

Saturday
Lunch-Turkey burgers and fruit
Dinner-Marinated Steak, baked potatoes and salad

Sunday
Lunch-Turkey and cheese sands and fruit
Dinner-Italian Minestrone Soup in slow cooker served over rice

Hieu and her sweet friend, L!  They had so much fun and so did the mama's on our night "off."


Hieu and I!


Intermission


Cinderella!


Party fun!


Pinata!


Rec Pool fun!!!

Underwater shot!



After the slide!

Picture with 4


All 5 of my children!!!!  <3 <3 <3

Our New Paddleboard!

My sweet husband purchased me a paddle board for my Valentine's Day/Wedding Anniversary/Mother's Day gift and we love, love, love it!!!  We had been talking about it for a while and decided that if we wanted to purchase a "family toy,"  it needed to be incredibly low maintenance and something that everyone could enjoy.  And viola!  The paddle board fit our needs perfectly!  I practiced tying it up and can now do it on my own, too.  We purchased ours from West Winds Paddle Board, they have awesome designs and are a fabulous, friendly, local company and we highly recommend them if you are in the market for a new paddle board.  Take a peek below!

We brought it camping and shared with our camping crew!  The little kids can sit in front as you paddle and our 8 year old was able to paddle on his own.  :)


The day we purchased it!  I fell in love with the yellow!


Loaded on our swaggerwagon!  I felt like such a groovy mama driving around with it.  hee hee

New Swaggerwagon Swag {B 4 U ask~Yes, they are all ours!}

I just HAD to show your our new and improved "Swaggerwagon Swag!"  Is this a wicked funny family, or what!?  I found it on Etsy at Vinyl Art Studio and I think it came out GREAT!

Austin,Texas Trip!

Last month, my best friend from college/college roomie got married!  It's so exciting seeing close friends step into that next Chapter of their lives...and sweet when you're asked to be a part of their special day.  We were invited to their Austin, Texas wedding and my husband was DETERMINED to find a way to get me out there!  Sooooo, with lots of coordination (Minh stayed with my parents, and Thao and Hieu stayed with his) and an extended amount of time taken off work, we flew to Austin with our (then) 23 month old and 8 week old.  We were able to stay 4 days and nights and had SUCH a marvelous time!!!  It's amazing how much sight seeing you can cram into 4 days with "only" 2 children!  My husband even decided to stay at the hotel to watch the kids during the wedding so I could really "live it up" at the reception.  He said, "We're not flying ALL this way just for you to have to worry about watching the kids at her wedding."  Really, how blessed am I!?  Below are some pictures  :)

It was Nam's first time on a plane and he did so well!  However, I think his favorite part was waving to people getting on and off the elevators at the airport :)


We went to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas!


The ULTIMATE climbing tree!


The Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.  It was BEAUTIFUL and so unique.  I loved it!


We ate at the Rain Forest Cafe for lunch and Nam had a wonderful time watching the monkeys, rainstorms and cool things.  It was such a special treat for him to have so much one on one time with mom and dad :)


We walked to the MASSIVE mall they had...it was so huge we got lost inside.  haha


We rode a river taxi!  It was so neat!


Next up was back to Austin to see the Capital (or is it Capitol?  hmmm...I always get confused with those).  It was BEAUTIFUL and reminded me so much of Tallahassee (I went to college at FSU).  However, they sure don't lie when they say everything is bigger in Texas!  WOW!  It was gigantic!!!


This was for the bride-to-be.  GO LONGHORNS!!!  :)


We drove through the University of Texas.  Again, it was very nostalgic with its brick buildings and campus layout.  *sigh*  I miss college.


My FIRST pair of boots!!!  I will be wearing these to the upcoming Tim McGraw/Kenny Chesney Concert!!!


Sweet moment capture of Nic and Mark at their rehearsal dinner at a beautiful park in Austin.  We had a wonderful time that night!!!  I just about TACKLED Nicole.  Seriously.  It had been over 6 years since we had seen each other!!!


Nic and I...and my food pudge!  hahaha


Next morning we were off to Zilker Park!


And Bonita Springs...it was very bonita.  haha  :)


We took a train ride!


It was SO COOL!!!  They had a local who is there daily playing the guitar.  Nam loved the entire experience.


The gorgeous bride!!!!  And then my camera phone died  *sniff sniff*


She had this super cool Photobooth there, too!  Here is a picture of Nicole the Bride, her Best Friend/Matron of Honor Natalie, and me!  <3

Then it was time to PAAARTAY!!!  I think this was after 3 glasses of wine ;)  And yes, that's me on my knees-I think my bruises lasted 2 weeks from the reception.


She had this super cool Photobooth there, too! Here is a picture of Nicole the Bride, her Best Friend/Matron of Honor Natalie, and me! <3


This is of a new friend of mine that I met at the Wedding.  We were both there "stag" so we became besties ;)  We decided to take a "before" the reception began and an "after" set of photos.  They are hysterical!  haha