And it begins....

After 6 years of either being pregnant, just had a baby or trying to have another baby being my excuse for why I'm overweight I no longer can fall back on those poor reasons. Since I've yet to think of some other bad justification for being lazy I've decided to start losing weight. That and I know that while I'm exclusively breastfeeding it should be relatively easy.

My sister Kim and I have started walking about 4 miles every day for 5 days a week. I also bought a jump rope. I plan to use it for cardio, though I haven't actually started that part yet.

My sister Heidi and I are also going to post updates once a month on our progress with pictures to keep us accountable and motivated. I must admit that I'm not entirely happy with the pictures...I was hoping that I wasn't as chubby as I thought I was. Turns out, it's worse than I thought it was. So here are my measurements and my pictures. I'd say enjoy, but, well, I know better.

Weight: 138.2 lbs
Waist: 34 1/4 in.
Hips: 39 1/4 in.
Thigh: 23 1/4 in.
Calf: 15 in.
Upper Arm: 10 1/2 in.

Terry's Birthday cake

I just had to share, even though this is the 3rd post for the day! Since he wouldn't tell Kim what kind of cake he wanted, this is what he got. Guess that will teach him to have an opinion! Though it was really yummy cake!

Meeting Grandma Terry and Papa Ray

We were so glad to have Ray and Terry here for the weekend, but sad that it couldn't be longer! I didn't take as many pictures as I should have....do I ever? But here are a few of the ones I did manage to get.

A gunfight in Tombstone, Collin is being accused of shooting the parrot. (Of course he didn't do it!)

But the outlaws were rather sure he did.




They embarrassed him, but at least he got a pin for it!



We also toured a mine. This is Ray, Terry (mom), Collin and Terry all holding hands. How cute is that?



This is a heavy rock, but he insisted he could hold it by himself.

Right before they left for the airport. We will sure miss you guys and can't wait to see you again!

Liam takes a bottle...Mommy takes a break!

We decided that at 6 weeks it had been long enough and it was time to try giving Liam a bottle of expressed breast milk. I pumped after Liam had been sleeping several hours and Terry got to give him a bottle for the first time! Liam did a great job and even kept eating after he discovered that I was still around. Since he did so well with us we decided that it was time he went somewhere without us. We loaded him (and Collin) up and sent them to spend some time at Aunt Kimi's. They ended up at Grammy and Pop's so Collin could go swimming and Liam could watch football with Pop. Terry and I snuck away to a movie ("The Informant"- very odd) and dinner. It was great to have some time with just the two of us!
The milk. Wow! That is a lot, and I have small boobs!



Doing great!



Mommy?! Oh well....

Lake Patagonia

Over the long weekend we took a trip with Grammy and Poppa to Lake Patagonia. We had a great time and though I didn't get any pictures of myself or Grammy, at least I took my camera! Collin had so much fun playing in the water and Liam enjoyed the cookie crumbs Poppa let him eat (thanks Dad!) This was our first visit to the lake, but I think it won't be our last. Who knew we had so much water in Arizona and only and hour away? Who knew that it would only take me 7 years to think that this was a lot of water!

Liam wasn't really impressed with the water! He was crying the instant Terry let his feet touch the water. Poor thing, I guess he thought it was too cold.

In deep conversation with Poppa.

Collin never tires of this game....Terry does!

I loved the expression on Collin's face in this picture. I think he loves his daddy!

What a handsome kid!

Dear Liam,

You are one month old! I can't believe how fast it has gone. It seems like yesterday that I was impatiently waiting for you to arrive! Even with a distinct lack of sleep I love you so much and I am so glad you have joined our family. Our journey to get you here was such a long one that I find myself reflecting on you growing so much more than I did your brother. You are so amazing to me!

This month you have gotten so big. You have certainly gained a lot of weight as the rolls of fat on your legs and arms can attest to! But at no other time in your life will those rolls be as absolutely adorable as they are now. You are nursing like a champ and have made mommy so proud of you!

You are starting to smile now, though you are rather stingy with them. You like to be held in an upright position much better than lying down. You are learning to like your swing and have always liked the bouncy seat, though you still know that being held by mommy or daddy is better than anything else.

Being a mommy is hard as I am anxiously waiting for you to grow up and learn all the things you are destined to and to see what kind of person you will be, but I am also sad to see it going so fast already. I want it to happen I just wish it seemed like a slower process.

I love you little boy and I'm so glad you are with us!

Love,

Mommy

"Liam Feet"

Collin made up a game at the office today. He called it "Liam Feet". When he lined up bottles at Liam's feet, Liam would kick them over. Collin thought this was a great game, while Liam was maybe a little less impressed with it. But anything to keep both boys entertained for any amount of time is great for Terry and I!
Lining up the bottles.



Kicking them over!

Our newest Cubs fan!

Thanks to Aunt Heidi, Liam has been officially initiated into the mandatory "Montgomery Family Cubs Fan Club".

Collin is feeling concerned that our annual pilgrimage to the Cubs spring training game here in Tucson will be ruined this year because Liam will be too noisy. I'm fairly certain that we will still be able to enjoy the game! (At least as far as baseball can be enjoyed!)

So here is a big welcome to our newest member, may he be privileged enough to finally see the Cubs win the World Series at some point in his lifetime*!

*It should be noted that many, many people have not had that one privilege realized and have sadly passed without it ever happening. Whose to say the next 100 years will be any different?