frusterations

well, so I was doing great on my weight loss, but the past few weeks have been a struggle for me. Some days I do well at following my diet, and then other day's I don't. I've gained 1 lb in the past 2 weeks, which I guess isn't SOOO bad, but I really wanted to lose 5 lbs by the end of this month (now 6), so I guess I better get my butt in gear, start counting my calories again, and add an exercise routine. We'll see how it goes.

Weigh in

Okay, so I missed the 1st of the month weight in:

Starting weights: 142 lbs

Today: 132 lbs.

Goal: 120 lbs

I've lost a total of 10 lbs this past month! I am so excited about that. My goal is to be down to 125 by the end of this month, and down to 120 by Dec. We'll see what happens. I'm almost down to my pre-pregnancy weight for Jonathan, I've passed my wight from Lincoln :)

Cousins!

Last night I had the opportunity to watch my precious neice, Ava. She is just adorable. It is so much fun to watch our kids grow up with their cousins. Both Ava and Lily! I have no doubt that there will many adventures for these kids as they grow up.

Jonathan, Lincoln, Ava

Jonathan, Lincoln, Lily

Steele Family update

So things have been busy. I haven't been blogging as much, and believe it or not, I haven't been on facebook as often either... even though I still am on quite a bit. I'm working on spending more time taking care of my kids and house (and hubby), working, dieting and spending more time with God.

This past week I actually started a diet... I eat 1200 calories a day. Now, I'm not really strict on it.. if I go over by 50-100 calories, I'm not going to stress out about it. But this week I've lost 3 lbs. Last week I lost 2. So, in 2 weeks, that's a total of 5! my goal is to get down to 120/125 lbs. I have anywhere from 11-16 more lbs to lose. I'm not trying to take it off too quickly, but I'll be happy if I'm down to that weight by Christmas (just in time to put some back on...lol )

Things have sure changed in our life these past few weeks. Nathan started school 3 weeks ago, which decreases his hours by 2 days a week... which really affects our checkbook! We're in the process of cutting back, and learning how to live on a tighter budget, with 4 people. It's difficult, but I truly believe that this is what God has been leading him to do. Please pray for me as I get stressed about money and bills. But I KNOW God is in control, and he will provide!

I've been reading a book called "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore. It's an awesome book. It's really opened my eyes and heart to living a fuller life in Christ, one that is free from sin, worry, and the chains I may have place in my life. I pray that God will continue to use her words to teach me where I need improvement and teach me to fully TRUST Him!

Another thing that is going on is with Jonathan. He is being evaluated for speech therapy. He's 18 1/2 months old, and isn't saying anything. I'm not worried though. He understands EVERYTHING we say. I'm hoping that his just helps jump start speech, and they can give up tips on how to encourage him to speak.

My mom and took him out and did his 18 month photos. I think they turned out well! I did all the editing, which was fun. He's growing up right in front of my eyes.
He loves to play outside on his slide. I dread winter when we won't be able to go out and play very often!

Lincoln is 3 months old (Aug 25th)! Hard to believe it!!!! Here is an update for him:

*Sleep has been hit and miss, he usually does 9-10 hours. But the past week he's been waking up earlier...so now, if he wakes up before 5, I've been letting him CIO. The first night was 30 min, then I gave him a bottle. The second night was only 5 min, and the third night was 1 min. We'll see how tonight goes! :)

*He eats about 7 oz, 5-6 times a day

*He takes 3 naps, 1 1/2 -2 hours each

*he smiles and laughs ALL the time

*He holds his head up very well, and is starting to get his chest off the ground

*He started rolling over at 3 1/2 months

*I'm thinking of introducing cereal this next week for supper time. I think this might help him sleep better at night.

*he's starting to hold toys!

This is the age that I really begin to enjoy! watching them learn and explore is so much fun!

Well, I think that's all for now. Not much else in new on my end. How is everyone else doing?

busy month

wow - time has gotten ahead of me. I have so much to blog about. This past month we did a lot of things. Went to Fish Day, Holland Fest, Ozuakee County Fair, the beach, my grandparents came in for a week, went to the zoo, and of course got together with friends for play dates. I won't post pictures of everything, there is too many. Besides, I posted them on facebook, and everyone who reads this is probably friends with me there, so check it out.

However, during this past month Lincoln turned 2 months. I can't believe how quickly time went.He is just an adorable baby boy. He loves to smile, and has given us a few giggles here and there. He is sleeping usually 8-9 hours a night, with an occasional night that he wakes up sooner. But overall, he is doing great, and I couldn't be happier! We don't' do tummy time as much as we should, but he's starting to get stronger. He eats about 5 bottles a day, between 6 and 7 ounces each. Hearty appetite! At 2 months he weighted 10 lbs 11 oz, and was 22 inches long. He has grown a lot since then, I can't believe how quickly is growing.

Play date: July 6th

We had Michelle, Sonya, and Caleb over today for a play date. We took a walk to the park. The kids had a blast. (and so did we)

Lincoln cried a lot of the time, poor thing

pushing the kids on the swings

Slides!!!!

We then had lunch and the kids ate a cookie while they watched Veggie tales.

It was a fun day!

4th of July

We had a weekend full of fun fun fun!!!!

Sunday we had the Steele/Schmucker Family party. It was a fun filled day!

Marissa did bubbles for the kids:

This is Lincoln's 1st 4th of July. He was awake most of the day. Crazy boy!

Everyone went swimming

Boating on the "MAC"

Volleyball

Fireworks concluded the night!

Great Aunt Tammy meeting Lincoln!

It was such a fun day that Jonathan never took a nap! He finally crashed on daddy at 10 pm.

* * * * * *

We had a BBQ at friends of the family on Monday. They played volleyball and softball. I sat around chatting with family and friends, and chasing Jonathan around. He was FULL of energy that day.

Lincoln's 1st 4th of July!!! (bib from Great Aunt Tammy)

Spending some quality time with Aunt Liz! Look at him take her in!

My dad took a lot more pictures on his camera, so I didn't get very much to post here now. But it was a fun evening. We skipped fireworks, it was just getting so late, and we had a BUSY weekend, and Jonathan was tried and crabby. We'll take him to fireworks at Fish day in 2 weeks.