Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Time for a Throwdown

What? I haven't posted in 2 months? I feel like I was barely catching up on our summer events, and now fall is practically over. I specifically logged on tonight so that I had at least something to show for the month of November.

One thing that I put together today was a Healthy Challenge for the month of December. I put the Throwdown out to my family and they are going to rise to the challenge! The inspiration for this came as a friend told me of a family challenge she does during the holidays, while I was mentally counting the number of birthday parties and holiday celebrations ahead this month and was feeling the dread for my still-recovering-from-a-baby waistline before things even started. So, this throw-down challenge will help me keep motivated nutritionally and with regular physical activity for the normal days in the month, and thus allow me to enjoy our upcoming celebrations guilt-free.

I figured I would also post it here to get that extra edge of accountability as well as share it in case anyone else may need some extra motivation to stay healthy this time of year. It is set up to be possible no matter your current level of ability, but still challenging depending on what "Point Level" you aim to hit.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

December Healthy Throw-down Challenge:

Goal: Earn as many points as possible in the month of December. Challenge begins December 1st and goes through December 31st. Final points tally will be taken on January 1st and winner will be named.

Points for Nutrition:

·         1 point for a serving for fruit per meal
·         1 point for a serving of vegetables per meal
·         2 points per day if you do not eat any treats (candy, cookies, cakes, ice cream, donuts, etc.)
·         2 points for drinking 100 oz water per day
·         -2 points (yes, that is negative) for eating fast food, and no points will be counted for your meal at a fast food joint, even if you had a fruit or veggie to go with it.

Points for Activity:

·         1 point for every 15 minutes of activity at the gym/ weight training
·         4 points for taking a class at the gym (includes crossfit, yoga, strength class, etc.)
·         1 point for every 30 push-ups
·         1 point for every 50 sit-ups
·         1 point for every mile ran or walked
·         1 point for every 10 minutes on the bike or elliptical or stair stepper
·         1 point for every 15 minutes of P90x, insanity, home exercise video, etc
·         1 point for every 15 minutes mountain biking, hiking or swimming
·         1 point for each session stretching for physical therapy

Point levels:
50 points: Baby Steps Level
100 points: Beginner Level
200 points: Intermediate Level
300 points: Advanced Level
400 points: Champion Level
Most points earned: Bragging rights over all other participants

Friday, September 30, 2011

First Day of Preschool 2011




Bridger started preschool this month. This year we decided to do a preschool co-op with seven other moms - so I host it one week every other month. There is a group of 8 kids and Bridger has a great time every day he goes!

He is a curious, good-natured kid and I can't believe how big my first baby is getting! He loves to play with friends and with his little sister, is enjoying playing soccer for the first time at the YMCA, loves riding his bike, loves to play board games and Wii games, responds well to positive reinforcement, and is at the age where he still wants to please his parents.

He reminds us often that he will be 5 years old soon (in December) and tells me all the cool, fun things he will be able to do when he is five. Slow down buddy!


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Thursday, September 08, 2011

We are a happy family!

Last month we had some family pictures taken by friend of mine. These are just some of my favorites!



 The Boys:
 The Girls:
 Cute Kids:

Thanks Annie!  http://annierudenphotography.blogspot.com/

Friday, September 02, 2011

Blueberries, Baby Blessing, Biking & other fun!

Time flies when you are having fun! That certainly was true when we had my brothers and parents in town to celebrate Aron's baby blessing weekend.

 We picked blueberries!
 We explored the Gorge & Waterfalls.

 We all participated in the Sherwood Family Triathlon. Yes, even 4-week old Aron completed the race!
 Swim!
 Bike!
 Run!
 Success!

 Me and my Superkids!


 Blessing day! Jim gave Aron a beautiful blessing. We love our special little guy!

Okay, Jim & I look a little tired, but at least the kids are cute!

Love it!


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Sunday, August 14, 2011

3 weeks old already!

So... Aron is already 3 weeks old!

Time has flown by, but at the same time seems like he has already been a part of our family forever. Here are some things we have already discovered about our little guy:
He has the ability to put a sleeping spell on anyone who holds him more than 5 minutes.

He is a true third child and calmly puts up with a lot of attention from older siblings quite well.


Aron is a hard worker. He takes his jobs of sleeping, eating and pooping quite serious.


He loves his Grandma. (Who wouldn't?)


He has very caring, loving, enthusiastic big brother and big sister.

2 week old stats:

Weight: 10 lbs, 1 oz (87%)
Height: 22 in (91 %)

Head: 38 1/2 cm (81%)


I have been SOOO grateful for the help of my brother, sister and mother. This has been a great recovery for me so far, and we have all enjoyed their presence enormously!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Introducing baby Aron!!!

Better late than never! Nine days after his due date, our little boy finally made his appearance! Yup, that means I was 41 1/2 weeks pregnant, folks!
Aron Donald Schaffer was born Friday, July 22nd at 12:50 am. He weighed 9 lbs 7 oz and is 22 inches long.

Aron means "mountaineer" or "mount of strength". Donald is my father's name and means "ruler of the world". So, Aron Donald is our own little "ruler of the mountains".

After about 12 hours of labor, and about 1 hour of pushing, I was able to have another successful VBAC (and avoid the C-section that was scheduled for that very day).

Aron has a very sweet nature. He loves to be snuggled and cuddled up tight, he is eating like a champ, sleeps well (except between the hours of 2 am - 5 am) and cries pretty much only when there is a diaper change in progress.

Bridger & Kacy are so excited to be big brother and big sister. B loves holding the baby and is very careful around him, and Kacy loves to say "there's the baby!"

We are so excited to have little Aron in our family. I am so happy to finally hold him in my arms, and not in my belly.

Welcome baby Aron!