Wooo Hoooo!!!!!!!!

Two really exciting things happened today, but before I get to that I will recap my fitness week!

 This last week I have not been doing 30 Day Shred due to continuing Knee issues. I did see the doctor though! He said its (my MCL) definitely not torn, and as many of you know recovering from a Sprain is a slow process! I really like Dr. S though for the fact that he gives me options of things to do to still be active. I do have knee braces to wear when I exercise now due to the position of my hips, I tend to put a lot of pressure on my joints making recovery a lot slower! I made it back out to Water Aerobics! Its such a fun and awesome workout, I'm thinking I may need to find a sitter when Zack is gone to continue going!

On my way to Water Aerobics

Working on getting my beach body back...

I only made it to the gym 3 times last week, seems like 3 is my magic number. Dr. S suggested the stair stepper to help build muscle to prevent me from having to go to physical therapy, but I have yet to brave that machine- maybe tomorrow if the gym isn't shut down by Tropical Storm Man-Yi! One goal is to do more miles than I did last month! In August I completed 30.4miles, so far I have completed 21.6miles - I think I got this!!! So Run for the Cure is 12 weeks away, I'm starting to feel the pressure since C25K was interrupted with my knee issues. I only have another 3 weeks until I truly NEED to start the program back up to be as ready as I can on Race Day.

Which leads me to the FIRST AWESOME milestone I reached today:

 

I RAN, yes the entire time, a whole 5k!!!!!

3.1 miles in 37:46

 

I decided on my way to the gym that I would try and run a 5k on the treadmill. To see how the knee brace helped, how slow I am, and how much I need to improve. I jogged to the gym to get warmed up, got up to the cardio room and set the treadmill on speed 5. Don't get me wrong there were a few times I want to turn it down and say well I tried, but I knew that would do me no good on my long term goal. It wasn't easy but I feel SOOOO good that I accomplished it! Now I am no where near my goal of running 9-10min miles, but its a start. As for my knee, its a bit sore and the real test will be to see how it feels tomorrow.

 

Now MILESTONE #2 I hit today:



 

 

I 'm UNDER 165lbs!!!!

 

According to my RunKeeper, I am 25% of my way to my 30lb weight loss goal! At first I thought the new scale at the gym was off, figured it was crazy that I had lost almost 3lbs in a week. So when I got home I broke out my WiiFit and its not lying! Now how much of this is water weight that I will gain back once I start drinking more, I still suck at drinking water or anything for that matter during the day. I have about 10 more pounds before I am at Pre-Bristol weight and about 22 to go until I reach my goal!

 

Now its time to sit around and wait for this Tropical Storm to hit. Waiting on it is kind of like watching paint dry. TCCOR 4 was 48hours ago and it seems like a week ago. It just needs to come and go! I stumble upon a yummy fall-ish cookie recipe on one of my favorite sites (Skinnytaste)that I may try to make tonight: Skinny Pumpkin Spiced Snickerdoodles!

 

Until Next Time

 

XOXOXO

JENN



Proud of Myself This Week!

The first week of September as flown by, maybe its because I'm in Baby Shower mode, but I can truly say I am proud of myself.

On the Fitness Side of My Journey: I haven't stuck to my fitness calendar 100% but I haven't given up. I have come to realize I am not at the 3 workouts a day level yet, after putting my all into 2 I am spent. Wednesday ended up being a day of rest because Zack and I went on a date and time slipped away. Thursday I started the day with Jillian to get shredded then I did my first water aerobics that night, I went into it thinking it was going to be easy and wasn't expecting the workout I got! It was totally fun and man it worked my muscles good, I want to do it more! Its offered 2 nights a week and 2 mornings a week, with Zack's schedule I am hoping to catch it at least once a week. When I got home I was all set to do my Biggest Loser, yea that didn't happen my body was mush and that's when I realized if I push too hard I will hurt myself again. Friday I made it to the gym for a good 45 min Cardio workout then came home and did 30 Day Shred! Very pleasantly surprised when I went to weigh myself and it showed 167.8, since only a week before I weighed in at 170, I'd say 30 Day Shred is doing some work! The way I am doing shred is on 2 days off 1 day. Yes it will take me longer than 30 days to get shredded but gives my body recovery time! Now yesterday (Saturday) was another oops Rest Day. With Zack working it makes it hard to get to the gym kid free with their hours and I was doing Shower stuff. With that guilt of taking another day off that I was supposed to be getting my butt into gear I woke up at 4:20am this morning and pulled myself out of bed. Determined to do my first jog outside in almost a month, I tied up my shoes and made my way outside using the elevator as my stretching time. When I got outside it was drizzling, now my inner lazy bum said turn around and go back to bed but I'm not made of sugar so I decided to just enjoy the warm rain. This was my first non-gym cardio since I hurt my knee a few weeks ago, so I wasn't completely sure how far or long I could go. Now I'd like to be able to say I got out there and jogged the entire 26min but I would totally be lying! I'd say I jogged 85% of the time. My problem is breathing techniques while I run I tend to try and hold my breath and pacing myself- hopefully restarting C25K will help with that. Now I lasted 26 min I was shooting for around 30 cause Zack had to leave for work and Bristol slept through the night so I didn't want her screaming for a bottle as he was trying to get ready, I will take my 2.15 miles over 0 any day!

 Looking like a hot mess after my rainy jog

Kinda proud I could still pull of 12 min miles

Hoping to get more miles in this month than I did last month!



On the Food Side of My Journey: Other than our Italian Dinner we have stuck to our meal plan and haven't been bad this week. I am actually having a hard time eating enough calories in a day. Since I have 2 under 1 during the day in the week, sometimes I just cant find time to eat - which is a terrible excuse and I am working on it. I saw this on Pinterest and wanted to share it:

I remember this every time I think about eating cookies or cake after I work out. Just cause you burn X amount of calories doesn't mean you should reward that with eating something bad for you. Now this doesn't mean I will never eat cookies and cake, cause lets face it that is TOTALLY unrealistic *especially with the Baby Shower happening today*! My favorite meal I whipped up this week was a tie between my Chicken Avocado Wrap with Cottage Cheese:

 

Or my Mexi-Ranch Turkey Burgers (Protein Style for me) with Sweet Potato Fries.

 



 I got the idea for the burgers off Pinterest but then ended up just making my own recipe, they were amazing, even Sawyer gobbled his up in no time. I did top the boys burgers with cheese and added Jalapenos to Zack's, but just served mine on lettuce with Avocado! Here is how I made them:

1 lb. Ground Turkey
1/2 packet or 1 1/2 TBSP of Ranch Seasoning
1 TBSP Mrs. Dash Southwest Seasoning
1/2 tsp Cumin

Mix well, then divide into 4 equal patties.
Grill or Cook in Pan until done.

Nutrition Facts. Serving Size 1 Patty:

236

Calories, 1 Carb,

17g Fat,

199 Protein,

261mg sodium

0g sugar

I'm still on the quest to drink more water, not sure how something so easy can be so hard to do! I will get this down though!

Well it is time to get ready to go decorate the rec room, be watching for a Baby Shower post cause I am totally excited about how all our stuff came out! Until Next Time~

XOXO
Jenn

 

That Little Voice Gets Really Annoying and Lies!

Jillian kicked my BOOTY twice today, 30 Day Shred Level 1 Day 2 this morning and Biggest Loser Wii Lower Body workout tonight. For as sore as my booty is, I better have a fine&toned back side soon!
Here it is only September 3rd, my body feels like it should be at least mid-September. Its a good feeling once the workout is over but during more times than not its a struggle to push through- not physically, mentally! That inner bum in me likes to say things like: "Just rest. No need to keep going. Eat Cookies. Get on Pinterest. No one is watching just sit there and watch the video but don't do anything". Or when I'm mid circuit and my legs are burning and my heart rate is up, I think "Sitting down not feeling the burn would be nice" but I WONT QUIT. I CANT QUIT. Bristol will be 3 months old in a few weeks, sometimes when I look at myself I still look/feel preggo. The pooch has got to GO! To help keep me motivated and focused on this Biggest Louser Challenge (and getting my pre-Bristol body back) I decided to make a Fitness Calendar.

I  have dedicated Sunday as my day of REST and I have been doing 2 "workouts" a day, usually ends up being about 1 hour of strength/cardio/circuit training.

In the eating portion of this journey, I would say as a family we are doing quite well! As always with Pinterest as my guide I have been able to whip up a weekly meal plan of "Skinny" recipes that my whole family likes! Here is this weeks menu:
Sunday:  Malibu Chicken with Acorn Squash
Monday: Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry --out of the p90x nutrition book!

Tuesday: Pizzadillas with Salad (or leaves as Sawyer calls them)
Wednesday: Turkey Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries
Thursday: Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Salad
Friday: Chicken Taco Chili
Saturday: Skinny Slow Cooker Beef Curry

All work and no play makes me a little crazy so I got my inner crafty Momma on and made a new wreath! I love going down to the Daiso (100Yen Store here, would be like a Dollar Store in the States but much better stuff!!!) After browsing Pins I decided a yarn wreath would be my next décor, so the kids and I watched a movie while I wrapped the noodle.

Then once the kids went to bed I got the hot glue gun out and finished making it pretty. I used and old wood letter from a previous craft project, glued burlap (left overs from my last wreath but it was only 200Yen at Cainz for a HUGE roll I still have lots left!) to the letter, glued on my flowers from the Daiso and BAM a simple and cute wreath to welcome Fall in. Total Cost to make it was only about $6! (Pool Noodle $1, Yarn 100Yen, Flowers 200Yen, Burlap 200Yen) 

 

 I've kept busy the last few days but it that sore feeling means I am making progress. Still need to work on drinking more water but my knee isn't giving me too many issues. Hoping by the end of this week that little voice simmers down and realizes that I am committed to getting fit, I can't keep wearing maternity pants and I'm tired of being flabby!

I wrote it on my calendar and I will leave you with this quote as it has motivated me the past three days:

"The voice in your head that says that you can't do this...

IS A LIAR" 

Until Next Time!
XOXO
Jenn

If you don't already follow me on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jsmith032310

New Shoes+ New Goals = Feeling Motivated!

Its been a month since I started my Operation Lose 30. The first month wasn't as successful as it could have been but I didn't go backwards so that a plus! My knee is feeling better but I am trying not to push it, I have been doing the elliptical at the gym to get my sweat on! This feels like a huge step for me because I HATE going to the gym. Not because I don't like working out, because I feel like the instant I step in I am being judged on my weight. I feel like people who are fit don't give credit to those trying to get fit. I find the empty stares and lack of smiles you get when you step into the gym very negative and slightly intimidating! But with my body protesting me jogging and walking on the pavement I had to buckle up, and get over thinking about what others are thinking so I can get to my goal. Right now its doing low impact, building leg muscles to strengthen in knee so I can get back out on the pavement!

 Anyone who knows me knows that I am good at making spontaneous decisions well this morning was one of those days.... I got up checked my facebook and decided I wanted to join a Biggest "Louser" Challenge here on base! With only an hour until a weigh in I found a partner to compete with me and made it to the gym! Now we got there before weigh ins so we got a good 45min of cardio in and I fell in love with this new elliptical machine which will probably become one of my best friends until I can run/jog outside.

Its one of those virtual everything machines. You can watch your progress on a track, up a mountain, around a housing area, or the intensity level. Or if you don't want to watch your progress you can watch TV (AFN of course) right there on the screen in front of you! AND to make it even more awesome you can hook up your iPod/iPhone/MP3 player and it will charge it while you workout. If we have more room in this apartment I would be seriously thinking of just buying my own!

So after our nice cardio workout it was time to face the numbers, now my WiiFit weighed me in at 167.8 this morning, but that was right after waking up. A couple hours later after our workout and drinking water I weighed in at 170 on the gym scale... 3 pounds seems like a HUGE difference, but clothes and water must do that to you! I really like my number better but for competition sake 170 is my starting weight. Then we used a Omron Body Logic Fat Loss Monitor to measure body fat and BMI. Appears you can buy your own on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Omron-Logic-Monitor-model-HBF-306C/dp/B00006WNPU , might be an interesting tool to have at home! These measurements were a little eye opening Body Fat: 31.6% and a BMI of 27.8. Really looking forward to seeing those numbers drop a little!

My plan for the following month is to get at least 4 days of Cardio in per week as well as strength and toning workouts outs at home (WiiFit Biggest Loser, modified p90x workouts, even some Jillian workouts). I want to be active daily. Meal planning will continue on as usual, We have been eating fairly "skinny" and I keep finding new healthy recipes my boys love! I seriously don't know where I'd be without Skinnytaste.com!  I do need to work on drinking more water, there have been days that I go and only drink 16oz of water on top of my 10oz cup of green tea in the morning!  

I am totally in love with my new shoes I found at the Yokosuka NEX, Nike Vomero 8's. I feel like they really help my supination issue and are totally comfortable **and cute**. After almost 10 miles this week on the elliptical my feet don't hurt, nor do my joints (but the Mobic might be helping in that area).

I guess its time for my sweaty self to go shower and get ready for my day with the family! I'll leave you with my monthly body pics, not much change I see from last month but hopefully the measurements will go down!

Until Next Time

XOXO

Jenn

31 August 2013

Weight: 170

Body Fat: 31.6 %

BMI: 27.8

Waist: 37.5 inches

Hips: 44 inches

L Thigh: 25 inches

R Thigh: 25 inches

L Arm: 12 inches

R Arm: 12 inches



A Week of Appointments Leading to a Reality Check That I am NOT a 16yr Old Athlete Anymore!

This week has been a week of many appointments, ending in news that could be worse but I still didn't like hearing...
Monday  I made a hair appointment to take some Mommy Time while Daddy watched the kids. With this heat and humidity mixed with having two kids under 3 keeping me busy I didn't feel like I had enough time to manage my medium length hair and wanted something cooler. I thought about going back to my high school hairstyle but figured I needed a "Mom" cut. I opted for Posh Spice inspired Bob. Hoping the shorter style will be easier to maintain and the front is still long enough to put up when I exercise!

 

 

 

Tuesday I had my 8 week postpartum check and IUD procedure. My OB/GYN doctor said everything is healing great and told me IF we were to have another I am no longer a VBAC candidate, which is fine IF we decide on another I wouldn't even opt for a VBAC. After reading horror story after horror story I still decided on the Mirena, I don't have to remember to take something everyday and its a semi-permanent solution to prevent a 3rd Smith running around for awhile! So far I haven't had any of the crazy symptoms you read about in the horror stories and the whole procedure was relatively painless and quick!   

 

Wednesday Little Miss Bristol had her 2 month well-baby appointment... AHHH where did these past 8 weeks go to! I feel like just yesterday she was in Tachikawa at the NICU now she's in 3 month clothing (mostly some 0-3 still fits) and a little chatter box when she's awake! She weighed in at 10lbs 12oz and is 22 1/4inches, right in the 50th percentile for her age. The new pediatrician is AMAZING, sadly she is just a manning assist while our other is out but she was so great I wish she would stay! She said Bristol's development looked great and had no concerns.

 

Thursday I took another Mommy day but it included carting the kids around since Zack was working nights. One of my Friends and I drove down to Yokosuka, I was on a mission to get new running shoes since I needed a new pair, I was wondering if my shoes were part of my knee issue. I did get a pair and REALLY want to try them out but that leads me to Friday's appointment...

 

Friday I finally called and scheduled an appointment with my PCM to get my knee checked out. Last Saturday I went on a 7.5 mile bike ride followed up on Sunday with another day of C25K which I got my run time down and was so stoked! But after my cool-down and was relaxing in the house my knee started killing me. I have had 2 knee surgeries, one on each knee back in the day of being a school athlete. My last surgery- a Lateral Release- was 10 years ago and left me on crutches for months and lots of physical therapy, so I know my knees have some problems. After not working out for 5 days and the pain becoming no better and worse by the day I knew I had to at least go make sure I didn't tear anything. After a not so pleasant exam of twisting and pulling and pushing on my knee, I got news that could be worse but Dr. S is on board with getting me to run the 5k in November so I will make it through....

 

I managed to sprain my MCL and have possible Bursitis. Now he was 75% sure its just a sprain and I didn't tear my MCL but I have a follow up appointment in 3 weeks to re-evaluate it. He also suggested that at my next appointment we talk about sending me to the orthotics lab on base for custom knee braces, he said the position of my hips and leg shape appears to put a strain on my joints as it is which is made worse by exercise. The current plan of action includes R.I.C.E. and Mobic (Mobic: a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis). He doesn't want me to start up any outside running if I start feeling better until after my follow-up and has suggested swimming and elliptical if I feel up to it. Also he suggested I quit wearing flip-flops, they are the worst choice of footwear since they have no support and with my gait and alignment issues put added stress on my joints, he said if I want slip-ons Birkenstocks or Crocs are the best options... guess I need a pair of Birk's then :)

 

So what have I learned from all this? Apparently I jumped into getting ready for this 5K a little too hard too fast after being so inactive (I'm still blaming the bike ride on causing this, since I didn't feel bad when I was running). I am getting older, I am no longer that 16yr old high school athlete therefore my joints need a little extra TLC and don't bounce back from injury as well as before. I hate not being able to work out but hoping by taking it easy, when I do start training again it will feel great! Dr. S is also going to help me lay out a workout plan that will get my 5K ready. Although I want to be out there running as I type this I am thankful for medical providers who want to help me to my end goal and are supportive instead of telling me to give up!

Here's to hoping for a speedy recovery cause I want to wear my new shoes so bad and hate feeling like a lazy bum!!!

 

On a more positive note I am down 4lbs in Operation Lose 30... Kind of looking forward to taking my progress pics around the 1st of the month because although I might not be dropping lots of weight I am feeling better and feel like I have less back fat!

 

XOXO

Jenn





Never felt so good to sweat so much!

19 days ago I decided it was time to start Op Lose 30... Now living in Japan you are subjected to some AMAZING food and drink and as I mentioned before I LOVE FOOD!!! So after stepping on the scale almost a week ago I was pleased with my 2.5lb loss. I have realized that Operation Lose 30 is so much as just losing 30 pounds as it is getting in better shape, I don't want to focus on the number 30 too much. Its really just bringing food and exercise together and finding stuff that works for me!

As for food, I haven't stuck to eating hardcore healthy every single day the last 16 days and honestly I don't plan to get so hardcore that I deny my mouth the Japanese off base deliciousness!!! I'm making a goal to try and eat out only once a week at the most. While eating out of the house I try to watch my portions and not eat my whole plate if its not an extremely healthy meal (I have failed at this eating CoCo's - but I did get 200g of rice instead of 300g lol) but I'll be making a more conscience effort. I also need to get back into the eating every 2 hour habit, sometimes I just lose track of time or get caught up changing 2 sets of diapers and feeding children that I forget to snack. Although I have found quite possibly my new favorite snack: Special K Popcorn Chips! Now they aren't as good as movie theater butter popcorn but they satisfy the salty popcorn craving well! I have been stalking SkinnyTaste recipes lately too and getting back into the swing of making healthier dinners for the family! I also haven't been drinking meal replacement shakes (GNC Lean Shakes) but will start that seems to help kick start my metabolism and makes it easier to not miss a meal.

Exercise... A word that contains so many emotions. So far I've only done 2 Wii workouts. I was being slightly lame and making excuses like I was too tired at night to do one and the mornings it was better to just sit around waking up. Well I started thinking about me wanting to do a 5k and C25K and decided that the only way to start making me accountable is to know when there was a 5k and COMMIT! Not only did I find one but I love the cause it supports (Breast Cancer Research), I will be RUNNING (I opted not to click the walk portion and already paid my registration fees for the run, so no turning back now) Run for the Cure 2013 in Tokyo! The run is in November so I have 15 weeks to get race ready, plenty of time!!!  The past 2 mornings I have been out on the pavement around 5am getting this body moving. I completed my first day of C25K training and it felt good, wasn't too easy or too hard. After completing day 2 it didn't feel easier but I beat my mile time from the first day! My goal is to get my run down to a 9 min/mile.

Just a few small things I didn't mention above I have decided on that will help me get to my end goal:
- Taking the stairs up & down when I don't have children with me.
- Drinking more water
- Cut out coffee and drink Green Tea!

Well its time to meal plan for the week and hit the commissary! Keep putting one foot in front of the other, make small goals and if you need motivation reach out to a friend or join an exercise forum!

Until Next Time
XOXO
Jenn

Sakura (桜)

I feel as if this month as flown by, where did March go?! Only 30 days ago it started and the land was still bare and the trees all looked dead, now while out and about the scenery is brightening up even on gloomy days with all the Cherry Blossoms in bloom!

When we found out we had orders to Yokota the first two things that crossed my mind were Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossoms! Well I am blessed to be able to see Fuji-san out my bedroom window on nice clear days. We have yet to make it up towards the mountain to check things out, but we will one of these days! One goal I have before our 4 years expires here is to climb Fuji! I figure I'll do it our last summer here so I have time to train and prepare myself for that journey!

Fuji-san from my bedroom patio back in December!

 

I kept hearing that the Cherry Blossoms would be in bloom late March so as the days ticked by I and we got closer to the end of the month I figured I'd start taking more walks off base to check things out, plus I'm currently pushing myself to make it 60miles in 2 months so I like to get those miles in! It wasn't until the 22nd that the trees really started to get pretty. Since I had never experienced Spring in Japan I didn't know what to expect exactly but words and pictures do no justice to the beauty of the Sakura. In a short 8 days the trees have gone from lightly blooming to the petals falling off. Its a quick change and weather doesn't help (this rain and breeze we are having is starting to make it snow blossoms). I also didn't realize how symbolic the cherry blossoms were for the Japanese, its the start of a fresh season. They celebrate by pinicing under the trees and having festivals! (We have yet to make it out to a festival due to Zack's work schedule.) I got to watch part of a documentary explaining the meaning of the Sakura to the Japanese and it was very touching. I went on a walk with a friend a week ago along the Tama River. It was a cloudy, windy day yet there were still so many people enjoying themselves under the trees along the paths. A lot of people had little grills going or bento boxes and they were drinking. The way they value family and nature really speaks to me. I felt happy just watching family and friends enjoying themselves. I would love to make it out to Showa Park before all of the blossoms are gone but the weather forecast the next week looks awful wet, thankfully we have another 3 Springs to enjoy the scenery! Here are some pictures of Sakura that I have snapped :)

Down by the Tama River

 

Same trees as the above picture just up on the path and one day later :)

 

Sawyer and I on our walk

 

This picture doesnt even begin to show to massive amount of people out enjoying the trees on a rather blah day, but that family having a picnic was cute!

 

Just love the white and pink!

 

On base.

 

Our Tower

 

Trees along the street by our tower.

 

The beauty of these trees is something that one really needs to experience, I could try and describe the beauty and take a million pictures but it still does them no justice! I just wish they hung around a little longer! With the Sakura blooming and the switch from nice weather to rain, you can tell spring is here!

 

Since I don't do the whole New Years Resolution thing I like to set goals every so often for self improvement. With losing so much weight before this pregnancy I was determined not to gain the 65lbs that I did when I was pregnant with Sawyer, so I set a goal once the weather got nice to walk with Sawyer. Figured it would get us both out of the house and the cardio would help me not gain too much weight. March 11th, after 2 decent walks I decided it was time to set another goal! The goal being I want to walk 60 miles before May 11th. My walks average 30min-2hours depending on where my feet decide to go and if I have Sawyer with me or not. I have a couple friends who walk with me and little do they know help keep me motivated to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I'm finding that the first 45 min is the most brutal, but I love the accomplishment I feel after I get 3miles or so in. Due to the rainy season I will have to start walking on the treadmill to keep on track to knock my 60mile goal out of the park, but I'm proud to say that as of March 30th I have 28/60 miles completed (47% of the way there)!!! There are days the pelvic pressure is too much or I am so fatigued that I know better than to push myself, or the days that after the walk I cant do anything cause of aches and pains but I am hoping that keeping active will help my recovery time as well as keep some weight off.

Here is my longest distance so far, I'm not trying to go fast plus this was a day that we stopped and took lots of pictures of Cherry Blossoms and ran into Seiyu for Strawberries!

 

 

We are getting ready to take a trip to Yokosuka Naval Base in two days so be on the lookout for that fun adventure post! Until Next Time XOXOXO

 

 

I'm back!!!

Got to thinking about the blog and realized I hadn't written in 5 months?!?! I have also been thinking about the direction I want to take this blog and decided its not just for pictures and our Japanese adventure's but also thoughts feelings, daily life, or anything else I want to blabber on about! My goal is to get on here at least once every 2weeks (hoping to do weekly but I forgot how much pregnancy drains you AND how having a toddler makes you even more EXHAUSTED!). Since I feel the need to pick back up and get better about blogging so here we go!

Family Pic from Early December

 

These last 5 months have been crazy! After finding out we were expecting (Bristol Nicole, Due June 29th!) and how sick I was in the beginning we didn't get out too much! We have taken trips to the local Zoo but not much more adventuring, or not nearly as much as we would of liked to have been doing. Up until this last month we have stayed home quite a bit especially because Winter got super cold and I was a big baby less than thrilled about the cold! Probably one of my favorite memories of this winter was Sawyer's reaction to seeing snow for the first time!

Laughing and trying to catch snowflakes!

 

We were in no way shape or form ready for the snow, so we didn't get to play much but once we did get his boots in and his snow jacket it never snowed again!? My one of my favorite pictures from Christmas this year is this one:

My Little Man is growin' up!

 



Christmas went well, it sucked being away from family but gave us a change to start our own traditions! Time seems to drag but at the same time fly by, guess its always that way during the holiday season! I was happy to see what 2013 will be bringing the Smiths! So far its been a good year and its only going to get better!

We took our first family day adventure in awhile just last week, the Takao Trick Art Museum was our destination! With my Mom's visit approaching and the weather getting so nice its time we started getting out more again! The museum is a bunch of smaller rooms with just paint on the walls but as you walk around and look things look 3D! They encourage you to touch and have fun. Lots of laughter and silliness happen here! There is also a floor with more interactive art. We enjoyed it very much and I look forward to taking my Mom! Here is the website in English: http://www.trickart.jp/en/. I'll share just a few fun pictures we got that day, lots more up on Facebook!:

Trying to not let the Gator get us

Mirror Fun

I think I make a great Centerpiece!

Springtime in Japan is BEAUTIFUL and we haven't even got to experience it in full force yet! Now the allergies that come with all the pollen are killer but once you get a good Allergy Cocktail(eye drops, nasal spray and pills) from your doctor you are all set! I have been trying to walk 30min a day lately to help prevent massive pregnancy weight gain. Being 24+ weeks preggo I'm still weighing just as much as my pre-pregnancy weight with Sawyer!!! This morning we went on a walk down to the river to see how well the trees were blooming and to get some good miles in (I want to complete 60miles before May 11th!). Another goal I have is to complete the base loop which is a little over 8 miles, soon but I'm also keeping in mind I don't want to push myself too hard too fast!

Pretty Blossoms on this mornings walk!

Cherry Trees are just getting going, Can't wait til next week!

Now that we are a quarter of the way through 2013 already, I can say I'm please with how this year is turning out so far. Ready for May & June to be here so I can see my Mom and meet Little Miss Bristol!!! Hard to believe in just 6 days we will have lived in Japan 7 months, only about 180 weeks left of living in Japan!