Work It Wednesday: First Night Out Post Baby

I think I did pretty good working it for my first dinner with friends away from my bambino! I missed him but I held it together!!

Check me out!! This was actually the only thing appropriate I could fit in, but I think I did pretty good & I had a great rendition of my previous inspiration collage in the previous Work It Wednesday Post!

<3 Audj

Toss Up Tuesdays: Helpful Sites for 1st Time Moms

These are a few of my favorite sites!

I over-love Pinterest! When in doubt I search Pinterest to see if anyone else has found solutions because I figure I'm definitely not the first in the long line of motherhood.

Breast Feeding Tips:

Nap Time Tales

Breast Feeding Misconceptions

New Baby Product Reviews:
Babble


General Sites:
Babycenter ( I live by this app. It has great week by week depictions of what you & baby should be feeling)

Pinterest

As I come along more blogs I like I will keep you posted.

<3 Audj

Thrifty Thursday: Fitness Necessities

So I am super excited for this Thursdays thrifty finds! I was in search of fitness accessories to make my quest for 3-4 workout days a little more enjoyable and accurate. 

I found this pair of over-the-ear headphones and matching armband for $12.99 @ TJ Maxx It came as a set which was a steal since I went to Sports Authority prior to and the armband alone was $30 on clearance!

It even has a special pocket for my house key :)

I was also able to score a calorie counter/stopwatch as well but this time Sports Authority came through! I found this watch which is regularly $50 on clearance for $29.99 and then I had a 15% off coupon from my new MUST HAVE app 'Snip Snap' which saved my $4 extra!! #winning

 Now I just have to figure out how to program it!! 

<3 Audj

Fitness Makes You Feel Good Friday

So my battle to get fit I feel I have to show my motivation and goal body and where I am now (baseline photo) in order for my progress to be seen! I believe you have to visualize your goals and make it clear so that you can achieve them and be constantly reminded that it is possible. This week I began my journey on my post pregnancy body. I must say that I wanted this body before I even got pregnant but I don't believe I was fully committed. Today I am claiming my 'Get Right' Body!! 

Current weight: 158lbs

Goal Weight: 125lbs

My goal body 2010: 

My current body 6 weeks post baby:

I've got to get there people!!!!

<3 Audj

Marital Monday: Who does it best?!?

We are destined to compete for the #1 spot! 

So since having the baby I think that my hubby might be going through his own version of post-partum depression because he seems to not want to let my baby go. Once he gets home he wants to hold him, bathe him, change his diapers, and if he could he would breast feed him too. Not only does he want to do everything but he wants to dictate how I do it because he feels "he knows best" and only "he can do it right". It is driving me up a wall and I love it all at the same time. At times I find it cute but at other times it is the most frustrating thing especially with my hormones being all over the place. I believe if I didn't laugh at his shenanigans so much it could definitely put a damper on our marriage. When it becomes frustrating and I find myself getting angry I just simply say please stop because my hormones can't handle this right now and that seems to simmer things down. This is an ongoing struggle of mine so I will let keep you posted as time goes on. 

<3 Audj

Feel Good Friday: Post Preggo Goal Setting

So I feel good on this Friday after my 6 week post partum check up the doctor says all is well and I am healing great! I am cleared to workout and I am pumped to get into my 'GET RIGHT' program. By Any Means Necessary... Stay tuned for my updates!

Here is my goal body: 

(#FBF 2010 Florida Bridal Shower)

P.S. I am printing and posting this on a wall for motivation & inspiration

<3 Audj

Thrifty Thursday: College Edition

Forever21 goes collegiate! Wendy was able to find me a really cute tank & tee for my alma mater of The Florida State University!! They were $10 each and we were also able to find a free shipping code for my purchase. They have other teams/schools check it out.

Here is a screen shot of my cute finds-

<3W.A.D.2

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Is Here

Please do your part to help fight against breast cancer! Fight the good fight however you can! You can donate, walk, and/or volunteer in your local area! 

Here are some sites with more information:
American Cancer Society
Susan G Komen For the Cure

<3 WAD2

Audj's Trial Workouts: Post Pregnancy Motivation

Destined to BE FIT!

As promised, here are a few of the workouts I am thinking of trying out. I hope this helps you get fit as well!

Stay Motivated!

The Stroller Workout

Rear Sculpting

Inspiration Work Out

Top Moves Post Baby

All of these workouts are from various online magazines that offer other free tips to getting fit. So definitely check them out!

<3 Audj

Toss up Tuesdays: Post-Preggo Weightloss

The pressure to lose the pregnancy weight & lose it fast is REAL! I find myself weighing in everyday and I am obsessed with new workouts via Pinterest and I'm exactly 6 weeks out today! I have an appt for clearance on Thursday to be able to workout which I'm excited about, but it's bittersweet. I follow these mommy bloggers that show flat abs at 8 weeks post partum, and I am wondering how in the heck! I will admit I didn't have a flat stomach before but my biggest question is when do they find the time?!? Between breast feeding/pumping every 2-4 hours I can barely find the time to take a shower in the day much less workout!! So my goal is to find some type of workout daily that will allow me to get in the habit of just getting active at first. I've found a couple 15-20 minute workouts that I'm going to try out and see if they work! 

I gained a total of 45lbs total during my pregnancy!

Here is my journey:

Pre pregnancy:

37 weeks preggo:

4 weeks (PP) Post-Partum: 158lbs <no workout or dietary constraints just breast feeding>

So far I've lost 27 lbs now is when it gets tough!! Operation get right in full effect. I will post my workouts soon!

<3 Audj

Post Partum: the things I didn't know but wish i had been informed

We all should be informed. Maybe I was ignorant and didn't research enough prior too giving birth, but I didn't really expect what was headed my way. I must say the pregnancy was something that women always talk about and force their experience so you as soon as they find out you might be pregnant. What they fail to tell you is what happens to your body once you have the baby. It's kind of like they have a memory lapse that forces them to focus on how hard it is to deal with the baby's schedule. They didn't tell me that my entire body would be aching and that it would hurt when I urinate for almost a full 2WEEKS all while dealing with a crying baby whom wakes every hour. No wonder they say post parting is real for women and the baby blues become real almost instantly. 

When leaving the hospital for the first time caused me to have a nervous breakdown. I cried all day for no reason other than how nervous I felt about my parenting skills. Scared that I may not be as ready as I thought. A huge help for me was the Baby Center App on iPhone! 

Throughout my entire pregnancy that app was my bible. It allows you to search about many things and it helps you connect with other mothers due the same time as you which was a huge help that stopped me from going into a panic and calling my doctor every minute.

Don't get me wrong I am glad to have my baby boy & I would do it all over again. I guess you could call it what you want but I am glad I know now going into the next stages of life's baby cycle...

So I vow to inform you of what I was never told but have experienced!!

<3 Audj

 

Marital Monday: We Are Destined for Growth & Reflection

My my my how time flies!! I can't believe it's almost been a year since I posted a blog and I have truly missed this release in my life! Life has been super transformational. In the past year I have transformed from career wife to new mother of a handsome baby boy. It was a bumpy ride but I have been able to make it to the other side safely. 

I went through baby registries, showers, body transformation, and marital transformation. I have consistently been on an emotional roller coaster and have bypassed all of the wives tails and deciphered the truth thru my pregnancy. 1 fact remains and that is that "every woman is different" and should embrace the experience for themselves. If asked I will tell my story but I don't want to be pushy and invasive like the mothers I've experienced.

Pregnancy was fun, tiring, stressful, joyful, new, great, and fulfilling all in one.

I didn't experience any cravings or morning sickness I was just huge the entire pregnancy due to my 5'2" frame. The most annoying question I recieved was "are you having twins?" Which is might I add sooooo rude!

The effects of pregnancy hormones make marriage a lot harder and the baby makes the bond stronger.

This is just the intro of more to come... Glad to be back! Stay tuned!

What's on your Christmas List?!?

New Uggs: Found Here

As Christmas grows near and I get older I find it so hard to figure out what to get my hubby! My list gets easier, smaller, and more expensive. For him I am always trying to figure out what to get him that he hasn't already gotten himself which is super frustrating. We try to surprise each other, but it never works. We usually purchase one for each of us and then one for ourselves. It makes me wonder what are you getting your significant other?

Black Combat Boots: Found Here

Boyfriend Pant: Found Here

Being Thankful in 2012

Today we are destined to be thankful for our friends and family and all of the great people that God has blessed us with. God placed us on this earth to give back and do His work. Today even though the food is great and the family time is wonderful we ask you to take the time to be thankful for what God has given you and take your time to give back to those less fortunate than yourselves. Do not focus on the family that you may not agree with and take the time to appreciate that God blessed you the opportunity to be with them. Today even though God has chosen to take some of our closest family members to His better place; today we are thankful to be alive and to focus on the positive things that God has blessed us with. Thankful for our loving husbands, family, friends, and the opportunity to see another year.

Take the time out to do something kind for someone else. Thankfully Blessed!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours!!

<3 WAD2

Introducing:: Toss Up Tuesdays :: Fall TV Favs

Welcome to Toss Up Tuesdays>> Todays post is focused on Fall TV. Fall TV has gotten WAD2 hooked! We both cannot keep up with all of the shows that we want to watch so THANK YOU DVR! We could not survive with out it. 

WAD2's Fall Favs::

Wendy's Add-In Fall Fav

Audra's Add-In Fall Fav

What are your favorite shows from Fall Tv? 

Mother Nature

We are destined to conquer the storm. Who would have thought that in a mere 3 years in DC, Mr. D and I would have experienced blizzards, heat waves, an earthquake, and a hurricane?!? People claim the weather here is great, but I beg to differ. The four seasons are pretty to look at- when you're visiting. The transition from fall to winter this year is going to be quite tumultuous. Mother Nature is on a mission to be seen and heard. Guess we all better start paying attention.

Marital Mondays!

Welcome to Marital Monday!! This is the first time we are posting on this topic and we wanted this topic to be real!! So today we wanted to talk about staying through the times when you love your spouse but don't really like them too much. Many people don't always talk about the times when you aren't so fond of your loved one, but if you are human then you know that in any relationship there are ups and downs and it is just about working through it. It takes time and commitment to truly work through the love and likes. We truly believe that there is no way out, there are only steps up! In those times the best help is to have one person that you can truly confide in. Someone who is in a similar life position that will understand, listen, and not judge! Just be cautious about who this person is and set clear boundaries on judgment and confidentiality. My Marital Monday Confidant is my blogger partner/sister/niece Mrs. Wendy-Ann! It helps to really have someone that can finish your experiences, relate, empathize, or flat out tell you when you're wrong. We are destined to be frank... It's not always peaches and cream.

<3 W.A.D. 2

Introducing Wear It Wednesday

We are destined to wear it & work it! With our new look we also have new topics! So say hello to our Wear It Wednesday!
Wendy went to the DC Women in Leadership Luncheon. Wendy is wearing a navy/white striped dress w/ a khaki blazer & peep toe pumps.

We also pictured some other Wear It Wednesday DC Women in Leadership.

Audra wore a black blouse/ houndstooth skirt/ black tights/ black velvet boots.

Change is in the Air

We are destined to transition. Everyone thinks of spring cleaning, but for us the fall is an excellent time to "fix it, change it, rearrange it." The blog obviously has a new look and we've determined the content guidelines to organize our posts. Our posts will still have the same feel and point of view: marriage and family, lifestyle, and fashion. If you haven't already subscribed to our blog... you may want to do that now ;-)
WAD2

We Are Destined 2 Evolve

Currently we are in the process of trying to make our blog even better for your viewing pleasure!! If there are any suggestions or topics that you would like to see us blog about just comment or email us at wearedestined2@gmail.com and let us know your thoughts!

<3 WAD2