fitness + fashion: walking + shorts

Today I am 51% complete with my challenge to walk 30 miles in 30 days. The biggest part of the challenge is that I am walking daily with my two girls and a double stroller in tow. In the first 15 days, I have walked pretty much every single day for at least one mile. I am pretty proud of myself for making it this far and staying on track. I am not a runner and honestly, I do not enjoy exercise but I want to be a good role model of healthy habits for my children. I already feel better, more toned, and stronger just half way through. I have until June 21 to make it to 30 miles and at this point, I hope to make it there before then. Motivate yourself by setting a goal and go for it! 

And now for some fashion. I chose the hottest time of the year so far to start my challenge. It's been in the eighties all week so it's shorts weather and it's here to stay. These shorts are my favorite pair that I own. They have a mom friendly 5 inch inseam so they aren't too short or too long. So comfortable and affordable! And this style of shorts is on sale for only $12 right now! Click the link at the bottom!

// shirt {similar} // purse // shorts //

// sandals // bracelet // bangles // watch //

happy 17 months!

Today Julianna is 17 months old! Time flies... it really does. Our Julianna has completely changed our lives in the past 17 months. She's showed us what a true, beautiful blessing children are. She's just amazing and I thank God for her every day.

Julianna is growing and learning so much! She's loves to talk to us! So far she says these words regularly: mama, dada, Josh, juice, JuJu, ni ni (night night), bye bye, hey, dog, doggie, duck, baby, and please. She says a few other words occasionally and some of her words don't quite sound like the actual word but I can tell what she's saying.

My favorite thing she does right now is give kisses, without prompting. Every night after I put her pj's home, I hold her close, and I say her prayer. The same prayer I used to say with my mom when I was a little girl.

Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray the Lord my soul to keep

Watch over me through all the night

And wake me safe by morning light

Amen

She has the same wall plaque with this prayer on her wall that I had growing up. It's very special to me. Well, every night while I was saying her praying, about mid-way through she gives me a kiss. And after I say amen, she say ni ni and gives me another kiss. I tell her I love her and she says it back in her own little way. Melts.my.heart. It's such a special time. It's most definitely a remember this moment!

Julianna is also walking everywhere. No more crawling whatsoever. When she's not walking, she's running! Right now she's still loving baby dolls. She's started rocking her babies and telling them to shhhh. It's so funny what she picks up. She's a good little mommy!

She has also been eating so much better. Meals have been quite a battle with her in the past few months. Food would be thrown on the floor before she even tried it. Now she's trying everything and even clearing her plate most nights at dinner! Fruits, veggies, meats, everything- she's eating it! I hope this lasts!

And I leave you with 2 pictures of our baby girl... one on the way to daycare this morning (I don't think she liked the song) and the other this evening (I think she was trying to escape):

on the move!

Julianna is on the move. She's choosing to walk more often now and gets antsy when someone is holding her unless she's tired. She's loving her freedom to explore. She still walks with her arms out like a little zombie but it's too cute. So proud of my baby girl!

Julianna's current stats:
Weight: 22 pounds
Height: about 30 inches 
Teeth: 8, four on top, four on bottom. Her gums are super swollen and 2 molars are trying to poke through.

Oh in other news, Julianna loves money. She was "helping" at John and Amanda's yard sale yesterday. She saw the money and immediately had to have it. She spread a stack of it out and got really excited. She's too funny!

video: more walking

video: walking all by myself!!

swing, swing

After I picked Julianna up from daycare this afternoon, we made a little pit stop at the park. Julianna still can't walk completely on her own. She takes 4-5 steps and then just sits down. She'll walk much longer if I hold her hand. She's getting there! So not a whole lot for us to do at the park besides swing. But she loves to swing so we had a nice time.

thunder thighs and the crab walk

Julianna went to the doctor yesterday for a checkup on her ears since she's had 2 ear infections back to back. Doctor said they looked great. They weighed her while she was there too... baby girl has gained about 5 pounds in the past 3 weeks! That's just about her birth weight! It's all in those thunder thighs.

I have a feeling those thunder thighs will be slimming up pretty soon. Julianna crawls everywhere but lately she's introduced the crab walk into her toolbox of movement. She's also been standing on her own for brief moments as well. I don't think it'll be long till we have a walker... exciting and scary at the same time!

Now enjoy a few pictures from dinner and bathtime tonight! :)