New Mom Challenge...

I realize that it has been awhile since I have posted an update about the New Mom Challenge. I won't lie...I am still struggling some weeks but I feel like I am making progress. I am back to my pre-baby weight. I can fit into all my pre-baby jeans...just in time for 120 degrees! I might look like I am back to my old self but I don't feel like I am. I feel run down, exhausted, constantly in need of a nap ha. I think that my problem is I don't sleep well and I am still not eating as clean as I should be. I think I need to revamp the diet a bit and also I need to work on making sleep a priority. That should be easy working night shift with a 6 month old...right? :/ I am working on it though...and I really am pleased with the progress I have made!

The hubs and I decided that we are going to cancel our gym memberships. Our gym is beautiful. I love it. I love the classes (that I never go to) and the pool (that we never swim in) and the locker rooms that have wooden cabinets and granite countertops. Needless to say we pay big bucks for the membership and I have only gone...once *cough cough* since Em was born. I find it much easier to workout at home or go running/walking outside. We are going to turn our den into a workout room! I am actually really excited! Now I was leery at first. I didn't want our den to be a gym because I didn't want our "grown up" house to look stupid. Well...whatever. Anyone who knows me would expect me to have a gym in my house. So...why the heck not? We will be saving money BIG TIME by not paying for the gym.

On the subject of fitness...I know that I have talked about this site before...but I love Fitnessblender! I think this might be the best home fitness website EVER. There are so many choices and you really have no excuse. Some of the workouts are as short as 5 minutes. Everyone has 5 minutes. Yes...even you...oh busy busy person...has 5 minutes. My favorite workouts on the site are the "when I say jump" and "red light green light" workouts! They are really fun. Don't get me wrong...they are ridiculously hard. Like RIDICULOUSLY hard. I swear the entire time (under my breath of course). But they are kind of like a game. You workout really hard (green light) then randomly get a break (red light). Or you do one cardio move and then randomly jump up or do a burpee (you are prompted by the trainer). It just makes the workout speed by. If you haven't checked the site out yet...do it! You won't be disappointed. :)

Uh...Oh...I have a problem...

Everyone who knows me knows that I have a bit of a diaper hoarding problem right now. Well...(dear husband...don't read this). I have a new obsession. A wonderful obsession...it's called WOOL! I was afraid of wool diaper covers for the longest time. A very wise group of women schooled me on why wool is actually pretty amazing. Now I want my entire diaper stash to be comprised of wool. Sigh.

I have thrown around the idea of selling off at least 1/2 of my stash to fund my wool habit. Is that crazy? Maybe. Am I still going to do it? Maybe. Don't judge me...people. I am a human being...and I have flaws. :)

Just in case you too are afraid of wool...don't be! Read up on why it's awesome, not hard to care for and super comfy for baby! Click on the links for some great articles and videos to help you decide if wool might be right for you!

http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/real-diaper-news/quarterly_article_sanders_diaper-covers-why-wools-cool.htm

http://www.zoolikins.com/wool-diaper-cover-information.html

http://christadovel.hubpages.com/hub/Wool-Diapercovers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXUEADmQ3QU&noredirect=1

Product Review!

It's time for another round of product reviews/updates! I really love doing this. A) It gives me an excuse to shop. B) Well...I don't really need a B. I just like trying out new things so there ya have it!
I have a few new products but I also have a few updates on some older products.

Do you remember a few posts back when I mentioned I bought two outfits from Kinderstuff? They are a new little company that sells organic kids clothing and you can send back the sutff that your kiddo grows out of to get discounts on future purchases. I loved the concept so I decided to try it out. The clothes I ordered were so soft, super well made, very cute! As you can see below...Em loved her onesie!

Alright...don't be distracted by my deliciously cute baby. Back to the point at hand. Chris from Kinderstuff actually contacted me the other day and wrote me such a nice email. Thanking me for being a customer, asking me how I liked the products and what my suggestions would be for the future. I LOVE LOVE LOVE feeling like a valued customer. They even sent me ANOTHER coupon to use. I am a customer for life! Seriously! I emailed him back and he replied AGAIN! I just love it when companies take care of their customers. Check out the site! Kinderstuff.ushttps://www.kinderstuff.us/

Moving on...beauty products. I love The Honest Company...you guys know that. I have decided that while it does take a bit of effort to rub in...I like the sunscreen. Most sunscreens turn me into one huge zit. I have really sensitive skin and I feel like pretty much anything can set off flares of acne that would rival any 13 yr old boy. I am pleased with the sunscreen thus far. No zits and no sunburns. That is all I ask for people. It is also working out great for Em. Winning!

I recently purchased a few Alba products. In my search for green, natural alternatives quite a few people mentioned Alba and gave the brand rave reviews. I bought a face wash and shampoo/conditioner. I am zit free and have great hair so really I feel like things must be working out! I love the smell of the shampoo and conditioner. It leaves my hair soft and smooth. I am able to style as usual (AKA use copious amounts of HEAT) with no problems. I have had bad experiences with natural shampoos so I have been afraid to make the switch. The Alba products are working great! I pay big bucks for salon products and this shampoo/conditioner are working just as well. I also really like the face wash! It leaves my skin feeling really clean. It takes off makeup like a champ and has seemingly kept summertime breakouts at bay.