update

Today was a great day!

First off, I weighed in at 127.6 lbs! that's a total weight loss of 15 lbs in 2 months! I feel great! I'm officially back to the pre-pregnancy weight for Jonathan, now to lose more weight just for me! My goal for the end of November is to lose 4 more lbs, which might be hard at the end there since we have Thanksgivings to go to, but I'm shooting for the moon!

Today we had family photos at JCPenny's. They turned out so nice! I'll post some once we get them! We then went to chili's for lunch as a family.... where I ate WAY too much, and probably gained a lb back! :)

This evening we went to my parents for the kids trick or treating. It was fun to dress all three babies up. See next post for pics and more information.

Poor Lincoln has his 1st cold, so he is finally sleeping, but I anticipate lots of crying tonight.

Over and out!

Our Trip to Indiana

Early October, the boys and I took a trip to Indiana to visit family. We drove down on a Wednesday because my cousin and his family were in town and I hadn't seen them in almost two years. The trip down went great. We drove the first 3 1/2 hours before stopping for a lunch break. Jonathan took a great nap, and Lincoln slept the whole way!

On wed, we were able to visit with my aunt Karyl, my cousin Christy and her new little girl Allie. Such a little cutie. The two babies together were adorable. This summer there was a total of 5 new babies on my dad's side of the family. It would have been neat to try to get a picture of them all together, but there was never a time when we were all there at the same time.

Jonathan playing with his 2nd cousin, Addie

Lincoln and Great Aunt Karyl

Lincoln and Allie

Visiting Family:

Jonathan, Lilly and Addie

Lilly feeding Lincoln: practicing for her new sibling next year!

My cousin Stacy

The majority of the time was spent playing with Natalie. She is 9 months older than Jonathan, and the two of them together was fun to watch!!

the favorite toy for the week: a "bug"

Ring around the rosie!

The boys got to spend some quality time with Great Grandpa Sand!

playing in the leaves!!!!

Smelling the flowers at Grandma's house!

This tree was one of our best memories at your grandparent's house. All of us use to climb it all the time. I got a quick picture of Jonathan sitting it. However, the tree is starting to die, so I don't know how much longer it will be there... sad thought!

It was a great trip!!!! Everyone was worried about me driving alone through Chicago, and overall it went fine. We started on the way home and the truck was acting funny, so we ended up turning around and

The Apple Orchard

Today we went to an apple farm in Cedarburg. My parents went along. It was a beautiful day, 55 degrees and sunny, however, it was REALLY windy, but it didn't stop us from having fun.

The first thing we did was go into the kids zone. There was a sandbox, and play set, and a kids corn maze.

We walked through the maze... and being the comical family we are...(hahaha), we pretended we were lost, and needed to call 911...lol. Anyways, Jonathan really enjoyed walking though it. There was only one path to find, but it was a long one. Fun!

There were a few animals to look at, some chickens, geese and a rabbit, but nothing too special. Jonathan was more interested in all the wooden animals.

We then took to the apple orchard. There were rows and rows of apples. Of course, our favorite was the "Jonathan" apples. The filled up a bag (97 cents/lb). Jonathan enjoyed picking up all the apples off the ground.

We were there about an hour, but it was a FUN hour!!! We love fall!!

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?