3 months

Dear Kinley,

You, my dear, are 3 months old today! When the heck did that happen? It seems like not that long ago we were bringing you home from the hospital, putting you in clothes that were way too big and snuggling you as much as we could! Well, the latter still applies. My dear Kinley, you have grown so much over these months. I love watching you learn and develop! Although, I get a little sad that my little girl is not staying so little. I definitely savor the moments when you are in my arms!

 Some big mile stones, you can officially laugh, even though you don't do it very often. That's okay though; it makes the times when you do so much sweeter. And two days ago, you rolled over on your own for the very first time! Mommy was amazed! I thought for sure it was going to take you another month. You never acted interested in it when we would practice, but I stand corrected. Dad and I love your curiousness and still get so excited every time you smile, which is all day long! You are still babbling away. I think you talk more to Daddy than to me, but that's okay. It's fun watching you two play and bond. You have such a happy disposition, Kinley and you are a very easy going baby. You still have your not so happy moments, (like while doing tummy time) as every baby does, but usually it's nothing a little nap or snuggling can't cure. You love being around people and studying their faces! Dad and I have a feeling you are going to be quite the people person when you are older.

We took you swimming for the first time last month! I know the pictures look like you aren't really enjoying yourself, but I think that's because we took you out to the pool right after you woke up from a nap. So you were a little groggy, but nevertheless you had a great time in the giant bath tub! Dad and I can't wait to take you out again soon!

We have a lot coming up in the coming months! A trip to Utah to see GG and Grandpa Glenn in the next couple of weeks, then maybe a roadtrip or two, your first Halloween, your first Thanksgiving with Grandma and Grandpa Nunes and your first Christmas!

Your dad and I still love your more than words can say! Our love for you grows more and more every day! We are so grateful to have you in our lives!

                                                         

 Happy 3 months Miss Kinley Rae!

Quick Cardio

Hey! Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! Ours was pretty low key, but it was fun to have Kinley around for her first 4th of July. Unfortunately we didn't get to see any fireworks. The towns surrounding us had their shows on Thursday. We thought for sure that something would be going on close by on Friday, but sadly there wasn't. Oh well. We weren't too sure how Kinley would do with the fireworks anyway. We'll try for next year.

I wanted to share a youtube video for anyone interested in a quick cardio workout. I love this lady. She is spunky and full of energy. This is a great 10 minute workout that combines cardio with weight training. This is sure to get you sweaty and give you a burn! I'm doing it this morning. Give it a try! Let me know what you think!

                                                                   10 minute cardio

Have a great holiday weekend everyone!

2 months

Dear Kinley,

You are two months old now! It's funny it seems like you have been in your dad and I's life for much longer than that! You are growing so much! It's exciting to see, but also a little saddening to see you already growing up! Some days I want you to stop, so you can always be this little. You smile ALL THE TIME now! Both Dad and I think you will be giggling in no time! You are still as observant than ever, which is probably why you don't like to nap as much during the day anymore. You still nap, they are just shorter cat naps. It makes it hard for Mom to get much of anything done. You love when Dad gets home from work. It's funny, when he is around you watch him constantly! And I think he makes you smile the most. I think we might have a Daddy's girl in the making. You are so content most of the day, just happy to be in your vibrating chair. You love that chair, but you also have no problem letting me know that it's time for some mommy snuggles. I am happy to give them though. You continue to be a joy in Dad and I's life and in those around you. People always comment how beautiful and calm and alert you are! You are still my perfect little girl. I thank God every day that you are in our lives. I love you so much, Kinley, more than I ever imagined. Happy 2 months little girl!

Workout 1

                                                   June 30, 2014

I wanted to create a page where I can post some of my workouts. Since having my little one I've been really excited to get back to the gym and regain my strength and endurance. My body, however, doesn't seem as thrilled. Having a baby takes quite a toll on the body (don't mind my Captain Obvious-ness...) so I have had to learn to take things slow and work back up to where I use to be pre-pregnancy; which has been a challenge in and of itself, but I've enjoyed it.

The one thing I have really wanted to work on is re strengthening my core. I went soft towards the end of my pregnancy and ignored my core quite a bit, and now I'm paying for it! If I can give one piece of advice to anyone wanting to exercise during pregnancy, which should be EVERYONE, do NOT forget your core! It helps so much with labor and delivery AND recovery. With that said, I wanted to post a workout that I've done a few times now. I came across a youtube series called, "Pilates Summer Series". The instructor, Robin, spends 3 weeks toning every part of the body in preparation of summer and "bikini season". She focuses on one area of the body each day. I haven't completed the whole series yet, but I am loving Robin's ab workouts. Today I did days 1 and 6, both ab workouts. Each of them separately is great! The reason I did both, was because I wanted a little extra challenge, and boy did I get it! The other thing I love about these series and her workouts is that they are safe for women who are post pregnancy trying to rebuild and reconnect the diastasis recti (the muscles in your lower abdomen that stretched and thinned during pregnancy. So without further ado..

Today's workout:
Summer Series Day 1
Summer Series Day 6
12 "girl pushups" (knees on the floor)
12 tricep dips
12 wide arm pushups
(repeat arm series twice)
12 burpees.

Try it, let me know what you think?  

1 month

Dear Kinley,

We have made it to one month!! And a little beyond. I'm glad we have all survived. You have brought so much joy into your dad and I's life! When your dad and I first saw you one month ago, we were completely smitten by you! We are now true believers in "love at first sight". You are absolutely beautiful and feisty like we thought you would be. (You get that from your  mamma) Everyone says you look just like Daddy, but you definitely got Mom's big eyes. When you are awake you are so observant. You look at everything and everyone and are mesmerized by what you see. You have the sweetest little smile and the cutest giggle when you are about to eat. You make the funniest faces, especially when you just wake up, that make Mommy and Daddy laugh and laugh. Some likes and dislikes: You dislike being changed, the car seat (when you are awake) and sleeping anywhere other than Mommy and Daddy's arms. You like tummy time, baths, and snuggling. Especially snuggling!

You have turned our whole world completely upside down, but we wouldn't have it any other way. We love you Miss Kinley Rae!

One Year Down: A Review of Texas

Well, it's been a little over one year since Matt and I moved out here to Texas. When I first got here, I wasn't as excited as I thought I'd be. Matt asked me to give it one year before I made any real opinions about it. We have reached the one year and I can officially say what I really think of Texas so I thought I would blog about it.

Ready?

Texas is not that bad. I have to say I like it a lot more now than I did a year ago. Here a few of my personal pros and cons.

Pro: The people here are so friendly! I mean genuinely friendly. I love that people still use "sir" and "ma'am" here. That is one thing that Matt and I probably picked up first, along with "y'all". At work we both noticed how quickly we started saying, "yes sir/ma'am" I still use it now even when I'm out shopping or on the phone. I really hope that continues to stick actually and I plan on teaching my kids to do the same. In both Fort Worth and now in Roanoke people are just so warm and inviting! We loved the people in our old ward and we are loving getting to know all of the people in our new ward! Matt and I both agree that the one really nice thing about living outside of Utah is that the church is a lot more close knit. Yes, in Utah there are LDS members everywhere, but outside of Utah, the members that are there are so much closer and the wards, in general, are a lot more united.

Pro: It is really green where we are! I love all the trees and green grass. I never thought Texas would be this green, but it's actually really pretty to drive by flat green pastures or see a thick wooded areas.

Pro: I can't talk about Texas without mentioning the food! Some of the best BBQ I've ever had as been here in Texas as well as steak! Texans know what they're doing with a slab of meat! Before I got pregnant I was starting to realize that I was going to have to make my workouts a little more hard core in order to keep my figure while enjoying all this awesome food!

Pro: Cost of living is really great here! We have driven around different neighborhoods and may have taken a flier or two of a house that was on the market just to see what houses around certain areas are going for. And we have been really surprised about how affordable it is to live here! We are always in awe of how big the houses are here and how many there are of them! But now we know, it's because it really is that affordable to have a larger than needed home. That's not to say that we are in the market or are going to be buying a mansion anytime soon (if we did we would also need to buy me some help to help me clean/maintain it) but at the same time, if we stayed here, buying a house wouldn't be too far away.

Now for a few cons.

Con: Weather. As much as people disagree with me, I don't think I will ever acclimate to the heat! I absolutely dislike the humidity. Walking outside and inhaling thick, muggy air, having my hair go completely flat and droopy and feeling wet all day is not and probably will never be my cup of tea. I love being outside! I hate that most of the days I have to be inside because it's too hot to take Kinley out in... even at 9:00 A.M.! And honestly, I really don't care to be out in the heat here much anyway. Enough of that. Bottom line: Humidity and Jamie are not friends. Also, (I thought I would never say this) I miss the snow. I miss having seasons. It's funny, when I lived in Utah I complained that it was too cold for too long. The winters last a little too long there, and now it seems like we have moved to a completely opposite climate. It's too hot here for too long! Hopefully Matt and I will settle somewhere with a happy medium.

Con: I know I said that I liked the scenery here for it's flat green pastures, but I miss the mountains so much! I think I took their majestic beauty for granted. I was so spoiled in Utah where I could drive through Logan Canyon, or gaze out at the beautiful Wellsville mountains. Even though I'm still pretty novice I loved hiking those mountains and looking down below into the valley. If we do decide to move, mountains are a must in our next location.

Wellsvilles

Con: As much as I am loving and getting acquainted with our neighbors and people in our "ward family" I really do miss our families. My parents like to remind me how far away I am as much as possible (as if I don't already know) and I understand why. They miss us and our new little addition. And I miss them and I miss Matt's family as well. I was really lucky because I grew up seeing my grandparents practically every day! I know most people aren't like that, and I would like Kinley and the rest of our children to know both sets of their grandparents as well as I knew and know mine. Those are memories I will always have and that I would never take back if I had the chance.

It looks like from my little list that I have more pros than I have cons. I will be honest and say that this wasn't the case a year ago. We still have so much more to explore in the lone star state and I'm excited to discover what else Texas is really all about. Yes, there are some things that I'm not so keen on about Texas as you have read, but I wouldn't change moving here. It's been a fun adventure for Matt and I; and whether we settle here or not, Texas will always have a special place in our hearts. It's where Matt's first grown up job was, it's where we became so much closer, because really we are all we have out here and last but not least, it's where our beautifully sweet daughter was born. =)

If anyone who lives or has visited Texas has some insights as to places to see, things to do,

or places to eat, let me know! I'm always looking for new adventures and tasty bites!

Kinley's Blessing weekend

Last weekend Matt and I had the privilege of having both our families out to Texas for Kinley's baby blessing. Our apartment has never looked so small with so many people in it! But it was worth it to see all the people who love and support us and our little girl! Kinley was blessed on Sunday, June 8th, 2014. Matt said the blessing and all of her uncles and her two grandfathers were able to be in the circle. It was such a neat experience to see all of them standing around her and to hear Matt bless her. It was a beautiful blessing and I've so grateful for honoring his priesthood so that he could perform that for her. I didn't really take any pictures during the week other than the day of her blessing. But we all had so much fun! Both Matt and I both stated how nice it was to have everyone here to celebrate and how we missed being close to both of our families. We loved seeing both of our sweet little nephews and introducing them to their newest cousin!

Here are some pictures from the day of her blessing. Hopefully in the next few days I can get her back in her dress to take pictures of just her in it. I had a laps of "mommy brain" and forgot to do that, along with a few other things throughout the whole week. Oh well! Also, a HUGE thank you to Matt's mom for making her blessing gown. It is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to tell Kinley what a special gown it really is when she is older. =) I've had a couple of different thoughts as to what to do with it once Kinley is older. I think it would be really special to have a  piece of that dress sewn into her wedding dress, or just passing it on to her when/if she has a daughter of her own. Way too far off to be thinking about, I know, but still. I like the thought of her being all grown up. For now though, I'll keep her the way she is. I love her more than I ever thought possible.

some pictures from the week.

Kinley and Dad

Us and my parents

My family

Grandma and Grandpa Nunes

Gigi and Grandpa Glenn

Us and Matt's parents

Matt's family

All of our siblings

Gigi and Kinley. Gigi made her dress. Beautiful!!!

Me, Kinley, Aunt Sarah and Sawyer

Brandon and Kinley