Getting healthy and fit.

Last August I started dieting to shed those last 40lbs of baby weight I had left over from Masons pregnancy. I breastfed for 5 months and never dieted so I kept half of what I gained and even when I did have to stop I didn't drop the weight as easily as I did with Colton and Adelyn. I decided to start diet pills since Ryan had in the past and it worked really well. I didn't drop weight easily though so I knew diet and exercise was a must for me. I spent the next three months exercising about 5 times a week usually walking the most. In that time I lost almost 30 lbs. We moved into our new house right before November and I got distracted the next two months with painting and making this house our home. During that time I continued to take diet pills but stopped exercising and only lost 5 lbs. After the new year I didn't lose anymore and have been stuck at the same weight.  I stopped diet pills in March and realized I needed to exercise to have the tone and healthy body I wanted and to change what I eat and to cut down on carbs and cut out most sweets and recently cut out diet drinks. The last 6 weeks I started jogging on the elliptical we bought and started walking outside. The past two weeks I've kicked it up a notch and started back at the ymca doing 2 miles in under 22 minutes so far and weights. I'm motivated to not just lose lbs but to gain muscle and lose fat. I also added body builder fat burning pills that have b12 and drinking protein shakes. Since I cut out diet drinks I strictly drink water besides coffee on ocassion. My goal is to have my food be as clean and natural and full of as much protein as I can.  I don't want to get manly muscles but a body I'm proud to show off for the hardwork I can put into it and make it a lifestyle change. I've been using weight machines and doing some muscle training with the equipment at the ymca and also doing squats,  planks, tricep dips, and leg lifts at home. In just the last few weeks I can tell a difference in my muscle definition and jiggle a little less. I know it will take time to get to where I want to be but I plan to keep going and motivated by others on instagram (thefranklins_getfit2013) and Facebook and have even inspired some myself. I do want to lose about 8 lbs but gain muscle so I know weight loss will be slower but the results will be more noticable. Last august I wore a size 10 and large shirt and now I wear a size 2-5 pants depending on brand and a size small shirt. My goal is to fit my smallest jeans I own which I need to lose a few more inches to do so. I don't want to just lose weight and be boney I want to be strong.  Strong is the new skinny and sexy and it makes you live longer and feel better when you eat right, work out, and actually try. I want to be ready this bikini season and when we go to a water park in September with his work. I can control my body and control being healthy and that's what I've chosen. Here are some before photos, some in between, and now.

Masons one year post and check up!!!

I can't believe my littlest man is one years old (13 months now). He has grown so much in the last year and developed his own personality, looks, and loved by so many. I finally got to his one year doctor check up a month late which is so me. She said he was extremely healthy and strong and doing everything he should for his age and more. He was a whopping 24 lbs solid and 31 inches long with a 19.5 inch head. He sure has grown a lot from being 9.5 lbs, 21 inches, and a 14 inch head! He amazed me the day he was born and continues to amaze me and be the puzzle piece that was missing from our family to make it really complete. I thought after Addy I was finished but longed deep down for a third and God knew what was needed in our lives to complete our family and heart and gave it to us and he surely doesn't make mistakes no matter how a child is conceived. My kids can drive me nuts from sunup to sundown but make my life worth living and give it meaning and Mason just added to it. He can walk perfectly since 11.5 months and started at 11 months. He is practically running now. He says hi, hey, bye, no, yes, bye bye, dada, mama, pap, bubba, uh oh, ball, and probably a few more my forgetful mind has lost. He knows when he wants a drink and understands to bring his cup to the kitchen to give to me for milk. He knows when it's time to eat and sit down to eat his food which is does well and eats 3-4 table meals a day plus milk and water throughout the day. He understands getting out of his carseat and the straps but of course can't do it himself just yet but knows the concept. He loves helping but loves making a mess even more. He is probably my most nosey child and wants to explore everything including the outside and doesn't want to be confined to a stroller or picked up when we are outside or shopping. He still loves playing with his siblings and calls his brother "bubba" when playing and understands. He still loves baths and showers and whines if he doesn't get to take one. He loves all toys and all things that aren't toys to push around like my decor and such ;-)!! He knows when bedtime is which is usually around 9pm and doesn't want to be rocked anymore but prefers to be laid down on his boppy pillow, blanket covering him, and his paci in his mouth and will go to sleep without a single noise which makes me miss our cuddles and rocking and see that he's really growing up. He takes usually one good 2-3 hour nap in the middle of the day. He usually wakes up around 10am and naps at around 12 or 1 unless Ryan is on day shift so I try hold off a nap until 4 or 4:30 if I can manage but he always lets me know when hes tired and wants to lay down! He loves pretty much anything  and recently tried almond soy milk and asparagus and loved both. He also loves all fruits, most veggies, any meat, cheese, or bread and is barely picky about anything. I hope that last! Colton is my pickiest like his dad and Addy sometimes will like a few things and the next day won't so it depends and Mason eats just like me so far. He loves jumping on the trampoline or his bed and loves swinging outside. He also loves ride on toys and when his brother or sister push him all around the basement playroom. He was able to find eggs this year at his 2nd Easter with his siblings. He wears 12-18 month clothes and I really need to finally invest in a good pair of walking shoes because he doesn't have any and he has a long, wide foot so I'm guessing he wears a 4-5 wide in shoes. He loves car rides and visiting family and now loves playing with his cousins Wyatt and Lawson since they can play well together or beat each other up lol. He still is extremely attached to Ryan and I and loves being held or carry a lot at home or at least by us if he's not carried. I don't mind though since I'm trying to hold in every last bit of baby I have of him until he's too big to be carried and wanting to play with other people. When he's in school and mom/dad isn't cool anymore. When he's too independent for any help. It will make me sad when those days come and when he has a smart mouth or thinks he knows best but I know it's just apart of parenting and something I'm used to when Colton likes spending time at Ryans dads on the weekend or wants alone time or Addy wants to try and do everything herself because she's a big kid. It's hard but I'm proud of them even on the hard days I want to run away awhile lol. Here a some of the big things about him for his 12th month. 

• 24 lbs
• 31 inches
• 19.5 inch head
• Has pretty long blonde hair that tries to curl only at the ends
• Still has big blue eyes
• Wears 12-18 months
• Most likely wears 4-5 wide shoes
• Walks perfectly and trying to run
• Eats anything and everything
• Eats table food 4-5x a day
• Drinks water/milk/almond soy milk and some juice (not much)
• Still takes a paci
• Drinks only from a sippy
• Says mama, dada, bubba, bye, bye bye, hi, hey, uh oh, ball, no, yes, pap (or paci) and maybe a few more. 
• Loves his siblings
• Loves family
• Loves jumping/swing
• Puts himself to sleep/doesn't like to be rocked :(
• Knows when bedtime/naptime is and let's us know
• Loves baths/showers
• Shows us when he wants milk and takes cup to kitchen for more 
• Still a huge mama/daddys boy
• He loves all toys 
• He loves getting into everything and exploring
• He hates strollers/being confined/carts
• He hates any shopping
• He loves ride on toys and his siblings pushing him
• He loves being outdoors
• He hates any loud noises pressure washer, vacuum, etc. 
• He tried asparagus and almond soy milk for the first time and loved it!

Here are some recent photos of him!

 

Recent of Colton and Addy:

78th Photo Session- Prom 2013!

I got the privilege to take prom photos for the first time ever. I was also able to use a new location I thought was gorgeous because of it's bridges, walking trail, trees, and train that sit by the walking trail. I started jogging on it a week ago and thought it would be a perfect place to do a session and got the opportunity with this one and conveniently it was right by the center that was hosting their prom. Another thing I loved about this session is it was right before the sun went down so the lighting was perfect and I got gorgeous hazy tones and warm skin tones which I prefer for most of my photos. Here are some of my favorites from the session.

Easter Minis 2013!

Last Saturday (before Easter) I had my first mini session of the year for Easter. I had 5 families join in and spent 3 hours between them getting different shots and poses on the bridge, driveway, in front of the water, and so forth. I brought along a few props but nothing too extreme so it wasn't cheesy and had one family bring their pet bunny to add to some photos. Everyone did really well and I had a pretty good outcome of photos that I had to narrow down to around 10 for each family. It took about a week to finish but I think everyone was pleased with them. I tried a few new actions that I've had for a while to make it look warm yet natural and really pop. Here are my favorites from each mini. 

76th Photo Session!

I had another outside photo session for the year and this time I got to take photos of an adorable little boy for Easter/Spring. He was all dressed up in his Easter best outfit and did so well. I brought along plastic eggs for a prop and he loved them and played with them like he was hunting eggs. There were spring flowers all over so we took quite a few photos by them. He picked them and smelled them and just had a ball playing with all the yellow flowers. I loved how the photos turned out and how well he did for being so young!

Monster Masons first birthday!!!

So we had Masons first party at our house that I fretted and stressed about for weeks on end. We FINALLY finished painting the garage just in time (even though I still touched it up afterwards). The day of his party was hectic like usually with me running around ragged trying to get things finished in time. Of course I didn't have time to fully get myself together but I did manage to throw on some nice clothes and have his party set up and cake delivered before anyone arrived so that was a plus. I didn't feel good all day but managed to make it look adorable and him have a good time. He absolutely loved opening his presents and  playing with the bag paper more than anything. Laughing and smiling about it the whole time while big brother and sister filled in to fully open the presents. I stood back so I could snap photos of his little faces and presents. Sadly I forgot to charge the camcorder so I didn't get the whole opening presents and cake eating recorded which made me really sad because I try to record every holiday and birthday so I felt awful but at least he has the photos from the day to look back on. I also forgot to do the whole candle blowing out part. Apparently I had bad mommy brain but he took his time and tore into the cake anyways and didn't seem to unhappy about that. He made a little mess but looked to cute so I didn't mind at all. Everyone got their cake, candy, and gift buckets and seemed to have a good time. Of course I had a few left over buckets from some that couldn't make it which is why I usually only buy so many and get so much decor now since I learned in the past I just waste a bunch on stuff to get thrown away so I tried to not go overboard but still manage to make it look nice and people enjoy. I decided since it was chilly not to do a bouncer and let the kids play in the basement which has enough enjoyment in its self. Overall the day turned out well and he got plenty of new toys, clothes, and seemed to love everything which is all that mattered to me. He was walking around everywhere and now practically running. He really hasn't done a whole more in the last 2-3 weeks besides starting to say uh oh and understands and he started drinking out of a straw. He almost has his 7th tooth in but it's of course being stubborn. He goes for his one year appointment on the 26th and I will post more updates about what he's doing after that and of course how much he's grown! Here are some photos from his party from the decorations, presents, cake, etc..