Zumba-licious

So on Monday night, I finally got to go back to Zumba.  Last winter/spring, I went to Zumba at Applewood Chiropractic.  I loooooved it.  It was a fun way to work out & despite my self-proclaimed complete lack of rhythm, I found myself acutally able to do all the moves.  I felt Zumba-licious after every session.  Then we moved to Evans City & I found myself without a Zumba class to call my own...{and pregnant...  & shaking your butt is not something you really care to do when you've got a giant baby bump.}
As soon as I became un-pregnant, I was anxious to start back up again.  Especially when Megan & Maria told me they were going to Zumba at Ghost Riders.  Ahh, Ghost Riders.  The first place where Tyler & I set eyes upon each other.  {Yup, we're rednecks.} 
I thought I knew what to expect... I just assumed it would be just like the other Zumba-ing I had done.  I was wrong  Apparently what I had done before was "Zumba 101."  This new class was more like "AP Zumba for the Gifted."  This Zumba threw in moves I've only seen on MTV.  And the pace... whew!  It was quick.  There was jumping and shaking and gyrating....And thrusting.  Lots of thrusting.  To top it all off, there are mirrors on every single wall.  Therefore, I could see myself Zumba-ing from every angle.  And there were 60 people there to see my every trip & stumble..  And no air conditioning.  By the end of the hour, I was sweating profusely.  Ugh.  Gross.  But, it was indeed, a great workout.
The instructor was amazing.  She has all the rhythm that I lack {and more}.  She stays energetic for the full hour!  When she Zumbas, she looks like this.  Annnnd, I... well, when I Zumba, I look more like this.  Yeeeeah. 
Thankfully, everyone says that the more you go, the more familiar you'll get with the routines.  Gosh, I hope that's true.

I ♥ Etsy

When Tyler & I started planning our wedding, I found myself on TheKnot.com quite a bit... usually on the message boards, just browsing what the other brides had to say.  So many of them would say, "I got it on Etsy." when they were talking about the different items {garters, cake toppers, jewelry, bridemaids gifts....} they had purchased.  All I kept thinking was What the heck is an Etsy?  I learned that it's basically an online craft show... and ohhh, how I *do* love a good craft show. 
I fell in love with Etsy.  I think you should too,  I  thought I might share a few of my favorite Etsy shops to get you stated.  Seriously, be careful when you go on Etsy though.  They need a warning sign or something that tells you that you're about to spend a bundle.... not because it's expensive... but because it's all just so stinkin' cute!

Adorable little headband {that I'm too chicken to buy}

Some western inspired nursery art for Mr. Hudson

Gnome, sweet, gnome!

These bags are just toooooooo cute! 

Umm... pretty much everything in this shop--especially the cookies!

It's SOAP!!!

I wish I had this much time on my hands.  I would make ALL of it!


And..... for the first time------- my very own Etsy shop!  Tah-Dah!!!  OhMyDot
I'm still working on adding more items, but I'm pretty excited about it!

Maybe I want a tiara too....

Lately, I've found myself becoming more & more obsessed with a show about little girls {and um, sometimes even boys?} who are in pageants. 

It's called Toddlers & Tiaras- Yup, the TLC show that features 4 year olds who look like 34 year olds.  I am absolutely obsessed with this show.  I have it set up as a series recording with our DVR {Thank goodess for DVR's!!!} Part of me finds it terrifying.  The other part of me is enthralled by it.  I used to find it strange that they sold TLC shows on DVD... Seriously, who would want to buy the season-set of Jon & Kate Plus Eight or I Didn't Know I was Pregnant {a show that could be another complete blog post in & of itself...}, however, I think I could watch Toddlers & Tiaras over & over & over again....

My absolute favorite episode is the one with Madison/Tootie {click to watch a clip}.  Yes, her mother allows her to go by "Tootie" when she's on stage.  Some might consider Tootie a nasty little brat.  I dunno, I think the girl's got spunk.  {And perhaps a multiple personality disorder--a la Sybil.}  What can I say though, the girl is on top of her game when she's in front of the judges.  And her attitude kinda cracks me up.  {Who lets their child behave that way?!?}  I think her episode was the first I saw.... and I've been hooked since.

I really love the pageant parents.  I think I like watching them just as much, if not more than the little contestants.  Check out #3 'Ava's Dad' here.  I could totally picture Tyler acting like this if we ever had a little girl in pageants.  {Hah.}

The strangest part of all to me is the complete transformation these little 5 & 6 year olds go through to look "glitzed" enough for the stage.  Don't get me wrong, I looooove being girly.  But really?  Fake eyelashes on a three year old?  And the pedicures?  I didn't have a pedicure until I was in college!  And some of these kids get them weekly!  The one thing they don't really show on TV are the photos for the "Most Beautiful Portraits" portion of the pageants.  They mention them, but they don't show up-close photos.  I took it upon myself to do some research.  This site is just bizarre.  Sure, I understand editing a photo because of a stray hair, a blemish, to even out skin tone.... but to add NEW EYES?!?!  Are you kidding me?  And check out these photos.... If you hover your mouse over them, it shows you the "before picture."  Yikes.  All I can say is, "Hey second little girl down, I want that hair." 

I think that it's a very good thing Hudson is a boy... I really think that if we had a girl right now, I'd already be contemplating entering her in a pageant or two..... Or hey, I could be like Hayden & Maverick's mom {and Tyler would absolutely killlllll me!} Hopefully by the time we're ready for another baby, my Toddlers & Tiara's obsession will be done & over with. 

I ♥ long weekends....

Ahh, what a relaxing weekend this has been.  Tyler was off Friday, Saturday, Sunday *and* Monday.  He spent a good portion of the weekend working on our footer/retaining wall.  Oh, and I did ask him what exactly the footer's purpose was & he said, "It holds the wall up, dear."  I'm guessing the "dear" part means that perhaps I should already know that....

I spent my Friday evening at the good old Big Butler Fair with Megan-- gotta love those Clarks.  They put on a good show & it was an awesome night out.  {Thanks, Meg!}  I also spent some "Mommy-gets-out-of-the-house" time doing a little shopping... mostly browsing, but a little shopping.  I found a gift card for New York & Co. from two Christmases ago & whaddaya know... still had $25 left on it!  I got myself a cute pair of capri's, two tops & necklaces to match!  Can't beat a good deal... especially when you've got a gift card!

Hudson was also busy this weekend.  He did some swimming on the Fourth & took up a new hobby... smiling!  The only picture-taking device I had near me was my cell phone & I managed to get a few cute pics of his little grins.  Here's my favorite:

Today was also my MyFitnessPal.com weigh in day.  I've been working really hard to keep track of all my calories & get my exercise in.  But, I was still a little skeptical about how it would all turn out--especially since I treated myself to a strawberry ice cream cone yesterday at Jordan's in Kittanning {they have the BEST ice cream!}.  Welp, I hopped on & I was four pounds lighter than I was last Monday.  Woo hoo!  I was thrilled.  Goodbye, baby weight!  I still have a few more to go, so I'm really looking forward to {hopefully} starting back up with Zumba this week!

Speaking of starting back up with things.... a little over a year ago, I fell in love with a site called Etsy.  It's basically an online craft show {and I ♥ craft shows!!!}  I bought a ton of stuff for our wedding on Etsy {my garter, bridesmaid's earrings & gifts, candy buffet labels, etc} and for a short time, I even had my own shop.  Unfortunately, I didn't time things very well {who knew the week before your wedding isn't the time to be entreprenurial?} & I got suuuuuuuuuper stressed & had to close up shop.  I did sell quite a few things {a lot more than I expected to!} and the whole experience {minus it being smack in the middle of pre-wedding chaos}, was fabulous.  Well, considering I do have a lot more time on my hands these days {even if it is in the middle of the night}, I thought I might give it another go.  I'm working on getting some items posted & creating new listings for sale.  I'm really excited about it because I think it will be a fantastic creative outlet... and will hopefully bring in a little cash too!  I even designed my own logo.... Here's a sneak peek! 

{You'll have to wait until I'm all ready before I unveil the name though.  Tyler thought it was cute...  but I don't think my mom quite understood it.... so I guess we'll see how it goes over... eventually.}

Wet Concrete + Bad Dog = A Mess

This morning {before I was even awake}, Tyler & his friend from work, Jim, were already outside pouring concrete into the moat surrounding our house footer trench.  To tell the truth, I have no idea what purpose this aforementioned footer is going to serve.  Tyler's thrown the word around so many times, I feel pretty stupid asking him what is now.
Well, things went well.  The concrete truck came in, made a loud racket & got the job done.
Tyler was just getting ready to head into work.  He brought Sadie inside {she had been out on her line...apparently overseeing the concrete-ing process?} and before I knew it, she had taken off down the stairs to the basement.  Little did I know... the basement door was wiiiiiiiide open-- open to the freshly poured cement pad right outside.  Yup, we had 6 little puppy prints right there in the concrete.  Tyler was far less amused than I was.  For a few moments, I thought we should keep the prints... and maybe add a few of Hud's.  However, I quickly realized  that would not be an option.  Luckily, Tyler got everything smoothed out & we now have a fantastic little cement pad.... and a footer {whatever that may be}.
This week, I started using MyFitnessPal to try to get back to where I was pre-Hudson.  It's wonderful.  My friend Maria told me about it & I decided that after my {self-created} one-month post-baby grace period, I was going to do something....anything.  Today's my fourth day & I can honestly say, I love it.  All I have to do is add in all the food I eat & the exercise I do each day & it keeps track of my progress.  My favorite part is when it tells me "If you keep this up, you'll weigh "however many pounds" by "a not so far off date"!  Yay! 
I've also been trying to get in some more exercise.  I'm anxiously awaiting my return to Zumba after the big "Six Week Appointment" next Wednesday, but for now, I've been taking Hudson for walks {Good grief, we have some big hills here in Evans City!} and doing a free Jillian Michaels' workout I found OnDemand.  That Jillian Michaels.... she whoops my butt.  I just about passed out from pain while going down the stairs today.  Yikes.  But hey, at least it's working, right? 
Huddy got to wear his adorable little monogrammed onesie I made for him.  I stayed up until 11:00 hand-stitching it on Tuesday night.  Hudson apparently took note of my toiling & managed not to throw up on it until late last night...after he was thoroughly shown-off.  What a sweetie.