Influenster - Super Mom Vox Box!

A few months ago I heard about the Influenster Vox Box from a friend. Its a way to fill out brief surveys and get sent a box of new products to try and review for the companies. Its pretty fun! I always look forward to my next box!

The last Vox Box I got was a Super Mom Box. I was pleasently surprised with the products I received since they were brands I don't generally grab for.

One of the products I got in my box was Suave Kids Purely Fun 3-1 Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash.

I won't lie, I NEVER grab Suave products. At first glance, I was a little disappointed when I opened by box and saw this item. My Wyatt has super fine hair and sensitive skin, so I figured it would be best to try this on him. At first I was so surprised about how good it smelled! Usually things with labels like "Pure" and "Simple" don't have any scent...and I am a sucker for a nice smelling product! Besides that it washed really well and was ACTUALLY tear free (which isn't always true). It left Wyatts hair clean, not greasy, and not weighed down. It worked well on Parsons thick curly hair to! Over all this product was a win in our book! 

There was another Suave product in my box. It was a coconut oil hair mask. NOT good for my thin Mama hair. Not something I would recommend for anyone with thin hair that is easily weighed down. 

The third item in the box that I wouldn't usually grab for was Palmolive Fusion Clean Dish Soap.  I won't lie. I am a blue Dawn or Method girl when it comes to dish soap. Again, I was pleasantly surprised by the Palmolive! It got my dishes clean without scrubbing, took care of toddler gunk and didn't leave soap scum behind on my dishes or on my sink! Another win in this box! 

There were a few other products in my Super Mom Vox box, squeezable Daisy Sour Cream, kids dental flossers, pens and deodorant. Ill save those reviews for another post!

xo

Patty

Whoa is been awhile!

Hi there long lost blogging world, its been awhile.

Its been awhile because shortly after my last post almost two (yes 2!) years ago life got crazy!

Parson started school as a 3 year old and ended up occupational and speech therapy which took up a ton of time. Right around that same time we found out I was pregnant with babe 3! Hannah, who is now 10 months old is such a pretty spunky little joy.

Wyatt who is now two and a half (WHAT?!) has had a crazy last year to. But, more on that to come.

Then our Parson is a spunky, adventurous, strong willed FIVE year old who is starting kindergarten in a few weeks!

Don't worry, there will be more updates on life soon.

xo

Patty

3 days in!

So I am on day 3 of this challenge group that I am apart of. So far its been going pretty good...despite the mini candy bars hanging out on top of my fridge for trick or treaters this weekend.

I have been drinking the Shakeology at least once a day. I'm trying to find a recipe that I like. I mean its not the worst tasting thing ever, but it takes some getting used to :) I love eating healthy food, it feels good. So that part is pretty easy. Again, except for the stupid candy bars on top of my fridge and I won't lie. Monday and today I have had 2 mini kit kat bars. I know its not the end of the world...but still.

About that halloween candy. I always battle with Halloween. I mean its so fun for Parson to get dressed up and go get "treats". I always have a variety in my bowl to pass out. It usually is candy, glow sticks, and temporary tattoos. You would be surprised how many kids pick the glow sticks and tattoos over candy.

So what do I do about all the "junk" that Parson gets in his bag? Well the last two years I have just been swapping it out with stuff I "want" him to eat. I don't think that is going to work this year. My plan for this year is let him go trick or treating, let him enjoy candy (an acceptable amount) on Halloween. Then the next day he will have an option. He can trade his candy for a new set of legos or 2 trips to the aquatic center. Then the candy will go to work with daddy and all the grown ups there can enjoy it :) I will stills swap out a few thinks like my favorite go to lolly-pops for him.

We will see how it goes. What do you think he will choose? Legos or the aquatic center. I am torn, those are two of his favorite things. I am excited to see what he chooses.

Workouts have been going pretty good. I still love PiYo and boy my arms are sore still from Monday! Today one of the coaches in the challenge group decided that our challenge for the day was to do 10 squats every time we had to use the potty. Let me tell you, when you are trying to drink at least a gallon of water each day and you have had two children....you have to use the bathroom a lot. So its 3:59 and I have done 50 squats today.

Here are a few pictures from the first few days...

Breakfast day one! Coffee, Steel cut oats with raspberries, banana and a drizzle of raw local honey

These came in a 4 pack. I LOVE them. This is the only one I ate. Parson as since then eaten them.

Day one workout! PiYo hardcore on the floor. Wyatt literally laughed at me the ENTIRE time.

Chocolate Raspberry Shakeology breakfast day 3

Parsons lunch on day 2. Turkey and hummus roll up, green pepper, sliced apples, and baby carrots

Lunch day 2! Meijer has delish ready made salads with berries and pecans! You don't even need dressing.

50 squats in

I told you I would sprinkle some cute. ;)

Now, on to my workout for today. Wish me luck!

Patty

A change of pace

Ive been gone for a long time. With two very cute and time consuming reasons to blame...

Wyatt 9 months

Parson 3 1/2 years

This blog has been primarily about the doing of our everyday life and about our two adorable boys. This blog is about to have a little change.

After I gave birth to Wyatt and I was around 6 weeks postpartum. I started heading to the gym and running with by best friend. We were hardcore. We pushed through injuries and kept on going and getting better and better. Heck, we actually started to like running! I dropped all my baby weight thanks to my diet, exercise and breastfeeding.

Summer rolled around and our schedules got busier then our little family bought a home. Our time was consumed with parties, house shopping, packing, vacations, and moving. Needless to say diet and exercise got put on the back burner. Boy, I can tell. 9 pounds later I'm feeling a whole lot less motivated.

Before the craziness of the summer hit, I signed up to become a beach body coach. I ordered PiYo (a mix of pilaties and yoga) an at home work out that kicked my butt. I loved it. But we all have our struggles.

At the time I was dealing with Wyatt being super sensitive to dairy and eggs. So, that meant no dairy or eggs for me since we were elusively breastfeeding the time. That made a diet hard. Lots of carbs, meats, and peanut butter ;) That also meant I could not drink Shakeology which was part of the beach body plan. ( No worries folks its not like slim fast, its just mix you toss in your smoothie for an extra boost of nutrients and protein).

Now that Wyatt is not as sensitive to when I have dairy and eggs, my diet has freed up again! Parson is in school a few hours a week and thats ample time on those days for me to squeeze a workout in. Who knows maybe ill brush off my running shoes and go for a run this week with my running buddy.

Anyway, this blog is going to be my diary. My tell all about my journey to a healthier life...not a smaller number. In fact. We aren't even going to talk numbers here. We are going to talk about how I feel, how my workouts are getting "easier" and how my clothes fit. Because ladies (and gents) your more than a number. You are worth a healthier life...and I am discovering that I am to.

My beginning goals are:

Workout 5-6 days weather its walking, running, PiYo or whatever...something
Feed myself (it seems like a no brainer, ask any parent they will understand)
Feed myself nutrient dense food. Feed myself as well as I feed my kids. (you'll also see what I feed my kids daily to. It about a healthy family for me..not only me)

Get ready for lots of food shots, sweaty post workout shots, a touch of cuteness from the boys and probably a whole lot of complaining at first. Join me if you want or just sit back and watch.

Oh and feel free to send me a note of encouragement because...I like brownies ;)

Patty

So its been awhile...a long while.

SO I have been long gone. Obviously because I am focusing all my time and energy into two little boys, my hubby and home!

Here are a few pictures of our spring and summer. I promise ill be back someday soon-ish to update!

We bought a house!

Played at the beach 

Went on nature walks

Laughed a lot

Read lots of bedtime stories 

Went on vacation

Wore party hats for fun

Got stitches while playing at Grandmas

Started preschool

And are always having fun and being silly

-Patty

3

April 5th 2011 at 2:47pm....weighing 9.5 pounds and measuring 22 inches long. Parson Dean Jones was born. Wisked away from Mom and Dad quickly and admitted to the NICU for dangerously low blood sugar. Our start was rough.

April 5th 2014....weighing in at 40 pounds and almost 40 inches tall. This boy certainly does not have any health issues now. 

He is kind, smart, curious, and naughty. He loves his little brother and adores his Daddy.

He loves to read, sing and dance...he gets that from his Mama.

Being outside is his favorite thing...regardless of the temperature. 

School buses are his true love, but he loves all things transportation.

He knows all his letters, numbers 1-20, knows his shapes, colors, directions, his full name, the state he lives in, birthdate, can sing countless songs, and knows Mom and Dads "real" names. 

He speaks so clearly now...not perfect but his diction is improving day after day. We drive in the car and need no music because he narrates exactly what he sees out his window. Taking in every moment, object, vehicle,  movement of the world around him.

He will show you the firehouse, hospital, gas stations, train stations, parks, Mr. Phils house, grandmas house, and the infomus red store (target)....and he will most certainly show you all 3 school bus depots in our area. 

His favorite foods are black beans and rice, turkey dogs, cherry tomatoes, apples, grapes, strawberries, french fries, curry chicken and ice cream. 

He is our fabulous first, our biggest little, the boy that made us parents, gave us new meaning to life and has taught us so many lessons.

We love him more than life itself...forever growing and forever our first baby.

Wyatt Stanley Jones is here - Labor Story

3 weeks later, after many days of trying, I have this post written. Written so someday Wyatt can know how he came into this world :)

Thats right, Wyatt Stanley Jones came into this world on January 14, 2014 at 11:36pm at 8.9 pounds and 20.5 inches long. Almost a pound and 1.5 inches smaller than Parson...and boy did he come quick

Rewind to January 12...I was OVER it. The sun was shining so we went for a 3 mile walk to get things going. After the walk I had two contractions and that was it. Right then I said...Im done. I am done bouncing on the yoga ball, I'm done walking, and I'm done trying to make him come. He will come when he is ready.

I spent Monday and Tuesday morning relaxing and playing with Parson. Monday the weather was great and I had a burst of energy so I cleaned and went to the grocery store and stocked up on basics and made a pot of potato soup. Went to bed and slept great, woke up Tuesday morning thinking it was going to be a normal day. Looking forward to the doctors appointment that I would have on Thursday. Thursday it was mandatory that I would be checked for dilation...I had refused checking at my previous appointments.

Jan.14.14 Parson and Mommy - my last few moments as a Mom of 1

Right after I felt my first contraction!

About 4:00 on Thursday I was putting away clean laundry and I stopped because I thought I may have felt a contraction. No way I said, I am crazy and just wishing thats what that was. 4:30 came and I had another. I had a few more before 5pm. I texted my Doula and my sister and law and my text read "I am about to say the stupid line...I think I am having contractions" my sister got excited and my doula said to keep her posted. I changed my clothes, made dinner for Parson, and started walking laps around our very very small house. Aaron got home at 5:30 and I finally told him I was having contractions and that I thought we may need to go in at some point tonight. At about 6 I texted my doula again and said "well these are contractions and they are about 10min apart, and they are getting stronger. But nothing I cant deal with" She called me immediately and talked with me through a contraction. At this point they were uncomfortable but I could still walk and talk through them.

By 7 they were about 7-8min apart and almost 2 min long. Aaron gave Parson a long bath so I could labor in the quiet. We put Parson to bed at 8 and my contractions were about 5min apart. I was still in denial that this was real labor because the contractions were not that bad compared to the pitocin induced contractions I had with Parson. At this point I called everyone and said at some point we are going to the hospital. I called my Grandma and talked with her for a bit...still managing to be able to talk to the contractions without much trouble. I had purchased chicken in bulk the day before...so as my Aaron is trying to hurry me out the door to the hospital, I refused to go until the chicken was separated and put in the freezer. :P

About 8:30 my BFF showed up to sleep at the house with Parson and Aaron was driving me bananas telling me we had to go to the hospital right now because the on call doctor said so. My contractions were about 3min apart and I could no longer talk or walk through them. I texted my doula and told her to meet us at the hospital.

Moments before we left for the hospital...woah look at all that belly!

9:15 I am checked into my room and my blood pressure is kinda high...so they hook me up to the monitors, put me in a stupid gown and made me LAY DOWN. Right..laying down is the worst thing ever when your in labor. That was the longest 15min of my whole labor. They checked me and I was 4/5 cm dilated. Finally after 15 long long minuets they said I could get up and walk or whatever and wear my own clothes!

I intended on walking around or laboring in the jacuzzi tub....that did not happen. After a few more contractions our doula said "mmm I don't think we are walking anywhere." she also told us she thought I would deliver by Midnight...I thought she was nuts. I labored with a yoga ball with the help of our doula, Aaron, and some lavender essential oil for a little over an hour. It was funny because in between contractions I felt "normal" so normal I was trying to have conversations with people...I think our Doula told be to stop talking and rest between contractions 3 times before I listened, good thing I did!

At about 10:15 my contractions were very strong and during contractions and what I know was transition I started doubting myself, my body, and questioning what the heck I was doing. Again after some assuring words from our Doula and Aaron I knew I could do it. The nurses had me get into bed so I could be checked and I was at 8!

After a few more contractions they called the on call doctor, who was not my primary OB but turned out to be fantastic. My water had not broken yet...she looked at me and said...if I break your water your baby is going to come almost immediately. We said okay, she broke my water and my body started pushing. I remember yelling "Im not trying to push its just happening!" and no one was worried...because it was time. Again, I had to focus and get my head in the game.

Our birth plan said that I didn't wanted to be told when to push...and I was nervous that I wouldn't know when and how. Literally the on call OB took a seat on her stool and just watched for quite a few contractions while my body "pushed" for me...which is exactly what we wanted. I finally asked "Can you see my baby yet?!" she said yes and a few pushes later at 11:38pm Wyatt  Stanley Jones was here!

Now immediately after I gave birth I felt normal...like I had not just given birth...I mean I didn't even end up with an IV. Which is great...because I loath them.  It was so strange. After I had Parson...I felt like a zombie...not well. I think that was the cause of a very long almost 24 hours of active labor and my body trying to come off a bunch of medicine.

I was healthy, Wyatt was healthy, and I did it, my body did it. After the whirlwind, confusion, and fear from Parsons labor and delivery, I am thankful I had the natural birth I have always wanted to experience. It was exactly what I hoped it would be. Funny enough, Wyatt's natural labor was much less scary than Parsons medicated induced labor and delivery.

I am thankful that I had a healthy pregnancy, labor, delivery and baby. At the end of the day, regardless of how Wyatt came into this world...I would have been happy as long as we were both healthy.