An update in 13 dashes or less.

I never anticipated that blogging would take an all-the-way-in-the-way-back-trunk-space seat part of my life.
But I had a baby. So it did.

Here's what's happening lately in 13 dashes or less:

my cute "twins" 

-Kyson is 2 months, weighs 13.8 pounds (ch-ch-ch-chunky!), eats like crazy, sleeps like wonderful, is super chill, way happy, and uber snuggly.
-Blake is 2.5, weighs 26 pounds, and is 3 feet tall. He's super talkative, overly friendly, not scared of anyone, and carries on conversations like an adult. He also is very good at convincing: "Just one more, Mom, okay? Okay? One more. Okay." Or "Kyson isn't crying anymore. He is happy now! I helped him and now he is happy and not crying."
-Kaiya is better adjusted but as much as we love her, want to keep her, and will cry when she leaves, we have to give her up. It's just not going to work out to keep her with everything else that is happening. Enough on this or I'll cry.
-Scott is almost done with tri 9. We are working on the possibility of a preceptor-ship in Idaho that would move our family back in October instead of December. Everything is happening so quickly and is very exciting and overwhelming.
-I am busy. Tired. And happy.

-the end.

yes, he was pulling him around in the cart

-Just kidding.
-Me and the hubs finally decided we needed some major lifestyle changes. Not sure how or when it happened, probably somewhere between pushing a 7 pound cantaloupe out of my body and only getting 4 hours of sleep a night, but we got in the habit of eating. Eating much and eating junk. Without exercise.

-Once I realized I was actually gaining weight back, while nursing!, after dropping the initial quick post-baby pounds, and he realized he was teetering at a very precarious weight, we settled on some changes.
-Once again, the myfitnesspal app has been a lifesaver! We set our goals and we input our food. Very quickly we realized we would much rather eat a filling 160 calories of pistachios than a fluffy, airy, 100 calorie granola bar. We've transformed into bunny rabbits and squirrels and eat many a salad, wrap, fruit, and nut at our home.
-He's already lost 5 pounds and I've lost 4! We are also exercising consistently again and feeling very happy.

8 lbs until pre-preg, 13 til goal weight. my jeans fit again!

-I'm telling you, both he and I thrive off of exercise. We are a much happier family when we're active and moving!

-So now comes the moment that I stop writing because I've completely forgotten all the clever, funny, inspiring, controversial, confessional, and interesting blog posts I've composed in my head over the past three weeks. I now slink away and leave you with a simple, uninteresting, generic update on our family.

love, hugs, and cheesecake (that I wish I was currently eating)

happy, sleepy, baby

wanna squish those cheeks? me too

What I might have put as a FB status this week

Things I might put as Facebook status's this week if I were annoying:


1. My dog is watching TV. Whaaa?
2. Going to the pool is way more fun and way easier than I thought it'd be!
3. Ever had your child fall and have blood gush out their nose inside Toys R Us? We have.
4. Strollers, strollers, strollers. Ugh. Why didn't I buy the BOB for $275?
5. Anyone want a cute, energetic, soft, cuddly, black dog?
6. Dude, this baby likes to eaaaaat!
7. I need my hair done. Rockin' the unprofessional ombre.
8. This weather makes me excited to move back to Idaho!
9. I didn't really follow the Zimmerman trial, but I do know that only God knows what really happened and only He can make an accurate and fair judgement.

10. No Texas Fudge Cake should ever be nearly entirely consumed by just two people. Oops.

11. Watermelons should never, ever, ever, taste like pumpkins.

Happy Summer, friends! We're off to the pool!

The Past 6 Weeks

Well, I feel pretty lame for going oh, one day short of a month before updating my blog. Obviously, I've been a little busy. Wanna know what I've learned?

-Two kids is tough stuff. 

-Thrush is quite possibly the worst thing that could happen to a new mom!
-Sometimes natural remedies are really great, but when something goes unresolved for over 4 weeks, it may be time to get a prescription. Thus was the case with our Thrush infection. Oh, and it's still not completely gone.
-No new mom should ever be banned from chocolate (or any other treat) in the first few years weeks of motherhood.
-It is critical for me to get at least one 3-4 hour chunk of sleep every night. Crucial for me to get at least 6 hours total. Helpful for me to get 7 hours. Glorious if I get more than that. Thankfully, Kyson has been cooperative and sleeps like a rock from 10pm-around 2-4 am. It's lovely.

-Probably a good idea to give your newborn a bath more than one time in 4 weeks... Just sayin'
-Having an energetic dog in a third floor apartment with a new baby, a toddler, and a recovering mom, is enough to make anyone want to toss her off the balcony. Don't worry, it hasn't happened and won't happen.
-Sometimes the dishes don't get done, and it's okay.
-Sometimes the laundry doesn't get done, and it's okay.
-Sometimes the house is a disaster, and it's okay (for about 2 days).
-Taking a shower and putting makeup on now takes much longer and is reserved only for special occasion days. (jk...kinda)
-Sometimes we have experiences that force us to learn how to ask for help. Everyone is always willing to serve, but most people have a hard time asking...myself included.
-Breastfeeding and I do not get along well. Thankfully, someone invented pumps and formula.
-I am a much happier, less stressed, and more loving mother when I'm not freaking and stressing about trying to struggle through nursing my baby. I think emotional and mental stability for me is equally, if not more, important than exclusively breastfeeding.
-If I can drive 246 miles, ALONE, with a two year old and a newborn, I can pretty much do anything.

"Stop crying, Kyson!" 

(he got the binky himself and put it in)

-If I can survive 4 days and 4 nights by myself with those two boys, after driving 246 miles twice, I consider myself Wonder Woman and feel nearly invincible.
-I am so unbelievably grateful for my husband!!!!!
 

This is what a chunky Karissa-baby looks like.

-When it feels like all hell is breaking loose, the walls are crashing down, the kids are crying, the house is a mess, the dog keeps barking, and you haven't gotten more than 4 hours of sleep in the past 3 nights, remember, Heavenly Father takes care of his children and sends special angels in the form of friends to help out. I have never felt so blessed, loved, and taken care of by some of my very best friends. I don't know how I would've survived some of the days if I didn't have people that truly love and care for me help out!!

After a really, really, difficult day, I opened my scriptures and found this verse: 1 Nephi 1:20 (last half) "I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."
This really struck me because I realized that my friends who had reached out and helped me the entire day, taking Blake, making us dinner, doing my dishes, were definitely tender mercies from the Lord. It was a blessing from God so that I could gain a little strength and feel closer to deliverance of the hard times. I can honestly say, after that day, I did feel a little stronger and like I could continue on for at least one more day. After that, things continued to improve and I have been doing better every day since then!

4th of July

Finally, one of the best things I've learned, or experienced really, is that it DOES get easier!!!!

Every day is easier than the last. I've figured out issues with myself, I've figured out routines for my kids, I've figured out how to multi-task better, I've figured out how to be more efficient. It's amazing how our capacity to love, serve, and work, expands with experience.

Re-purposing my maxi skirt into a dress. (6 weeks pp)

I love having my two boys! It has not been an easy 6 weeks, in fact, it's been terribly difficult, but I finally feel  like I'm getting the hang of things and I'm finally starting to feel like myself again! Now I just need to find a double stroller so I can start doing power walks and build up to running again...  No more excuses. 14.5 weeks until my Half Marathon. Better start training!

Love these guys!!!