The Sweetest Adventures

Whew we made it!

2012-01-30T08:29:00.013-05:00

Oh my...it has been 3 months since my last blog post! I have been busy. Duh. To be honest, that is not really an excuse. I think my priorities ebb and flow depending on how much time I have. Bla bla bla. The bottom line is I have been a crappy blogger. Sorry.Here is a quick recap: Work has been good for me. I have been with ABG for almost a year and am feeling much more confident. I like the guys

I've Lost My Mind AND a Cup Size!

2011-10-18T12:41:00.003-04:00

Recently I posted up a Facebook status update that on the surface, I thought was a normal thought provoking update. Come to find out either people thought it would be a better idea to poke fun at me or reply back with reassuring "it will be ok, don't worry" comments. Alright, rewind. Here is a little back story to my status update:On October 4th a baby girl named Lisa Irwin went missing. She is

Rolling in the Deep...

2011-09-26T11:08:00.002-04:00

I am freaking in LOVE with this song. Adele is amazing. There are certain singer/song writers that just hit ya, you know?Sara Bareilles wicked awesome.And Dolly...what else is there to say?As Aven's birthday gets closer (I know it is still 3 months away, but closer nonetheless) I realize how crazy fast she is growing up in front of my eyes. I hope she grows up with strength, thirst for knowledge,

Pack your Bags--Bags!

2011-08-26T09:41:00.009-04:00

The above statement is no longer! Sleep is glorious. I have taken for granted all the mornings I slept in as a teenager and a hung over college student. Serious lack of sleep will make you feel like you are living in an alternate universe. For lack of a better example, a dull catatonic version of your vibrant self. In addition to not stressing about working out (which I am working out even

Ripples

2011-08-23T20:47:00.009-04:00

Yesterday I got some very bad news. A friend of mine died tragically. Sorry to just blurt it out like that, but there is no way to soften the event. I won't go into personal details about him, because I am not sure if his family is ready to read about all that in a blog post. The true purpose of sharing this sad story with you is, just like most of my blog posts, I want to share insights I have

Triathlon + Mommyhood + Life = Balance -- WHAT???

2011-08-10T15:18:00.007-04:00

I am freaking ridiculous! Really. I am. Here are the list of things I have decided to take on as a new mother: BreastfeedingCloth diaperingNEW Full time job (40+ hours a week)Pumping b/c of full time jobMaking Aven's baby foodTraining for an Iron distance triathlon in October And this is all on top of cleaning the house, doing laundry, grocery shopping, cooking dinner, and trying to be present

YouTube: What 2SweetMomma Knows

2011-07-27T14:56:00.005-04:00

There are many things I have learned about myself and about the world around me since I have become a Mom.The first thing is there is no way to prepare a parent for the amount of sleep he/she will lose in the first 6 months of your child's life. Oh everyone said I was going to be tired, and they were NOT kidding! I have always had the ability to "function" very early in the morning and continue

Back to the TRI

2011-07-13T09:18:00.002-04:00

Race Report: Chattanooga Waterfront 7/10/11I will preface this race report with I am not going to go on and on and on with excuses. There are many things that are working against me right now and I am not really sure how to fix them or correct them.The main and most time consuming part of my life is breastfeeding. I thought that by 6 months we would be on the "easy train" when it came to this.

Baby Backpacks ROCK!

2011-07-06T15:18:00.009-04:00

I will give a little back story to this entry...Elaine, my mother-in-law is a blue ribbon, wicked awesome garage sale warrior. She has found SO many great deals on really good baby stuff. When Andy and I mentioned to her we wanted to get a baby back pack...she found one last summer. I think she paid maybe $5-$10. We were so happy. It has been sitting around our house waiting for the day Aven was

Weekend fun @ the Sweets...

2011-06-26T15:41:00.002-04:00

Weekends are always bitter sweet. I can't wait to spend time with Aven and Andy, but yet I have a week worth of laundry, cleaning, and bill paying to catch up on. Usually, I can hammer most of this stuff out when Aven is napping or after she goes down for the night at 8:30pm. But yesterday and today have been problematic being that she doesn't want to take a nap!She falls asleep while I am

Blog this!

2011-05-29T17:42:00.020-04:00

sorry.I have been a bad bad blogger. I also have been a bad bad Vlogger as well. I have been taking photos and videos, but I have not uploaded them. I have a new lap top from my new job, but it is not as easy on a PC as it was on a Mac. Yes, I will admit it. I LOVED LOVED my Mac. There were somethings that were backwards. Like how to minimize a screen. It is in the left corner, not the right with

4 months old!

2011-05-03T19:00:00.002-04:00

I knew this day would come, but 4 months ago I thought it would take a long long time to get here. Our baby girl is 4 months old this week! I know to some that still seems pretty young, but to me it is a HUGE milestone. She can do so many things now. She can hold her head up, push herself up (baby push up) when she is on her tummy, recognize me and Andy, smile, bring her hands to her mouth,

Aven Videos & photos

2011-04-10T21:00:00.009-04:00

These first 2 are from a scrap book a bunch of us gals did for our lactation consultant who left after they closed Parkridge's Lactation Center...I wish I could take credit for the layout and the design.The first video was taken on my birthday morning and the second was taken today when she was sleeping...I thought her little shakes were cute and interesting...wanted to get them on video.

Happy Day

2011-04-03T15:32:00.015-04:00

So crazy how things change in a year. Last year starting in January Andy and I decided we were ready to throw the contraception out the window and add someone to our little family on the mountain. It took a couple months of "trying," but we persevered.I had a rough March last year thinking we would never get pregnant (after trying only 2 months before). FYI there is a very very narrow window of

Getting better and better

2011-03-12T09:24:00.010-05:00

I think I am going to need to seriously pinch myself...This week has been AWESOME! The weekend in Illinois was crazy busy, but so great at the same time. We saw Chris, Cara, and Jonah on Friday with guest appearances from Larry, Deb, Sondra, Jim (Sweet family), Phil, Mick, Nancy, and Shawn (Bloomington friends). The boys headed to the 1 bar in Lexington, while Cara and I held down the fort. It

8 Week Ride

2011-02-26T12:32:00.010-05:00

What a crazy 8 weeks this has been. Aven turned 8 weeks on February 25, 2011.I have been a Mom for 2 whole months!!! Wow. It is really and truly unreal what an experience this has been. Earlier, I mentioned how the first 3 weeks are really hard. Then you turn a corner at 4 weeks and by 5 weeks you feel like your world may somewhat resemble itself sooner rather than later. The last 3 weeks with

5 weeks: The Ups & Downs

2011-02-06T23:09:00.009-05:00

Hi all. It has been a while since my last post, but there has been so much going on it was hard for me to get some time to blog. Go figure, right ;-)First, I only had 2 weeks of full maternity leave, then on week 3 I started back to work from home part time. For the following 2 weeks after that I have been working from home full time. Today is my last day of being at home with Aven. I am so sad.

Breastfeeding and Aven video

2011-01-08T16:44:00.017-05:00

Click HERE to see a video of Aven...Click HERE to see my latest vlog.Sorry, the videos are not embedded into the context of the vlog. Short on time these days so I did it the "easy" way. ;-)There were some things I missed in the vlog, so I included some pics below...Above and Below: 39 weeks (day before delivery) -- yes I was able to muster a smile between contractions hahahaAbove: Aven and Momma

Aven's Big Debut!

2011-01-06T18:50:00.013-05:00

I have said for weeks now that Aven would pick her birthday...well folks we have a girl with fabulous taste! New Year's Eve will always be her day. I am so happy. I have never been one to make sure I have NYE plans, but our baby girl changed all that now. ;-) All day Tuesday and Wednesday I felt horrible. Pukey, tired, crampy, ICKY. I started with contractions Wednesday night. It started off

Baby Girl is HERE!!!

2011-01-01T08:24:00.015-05:00

Hello all! Well if you haven't heard, Baby Girl Sweet is HERE!We named her Aven Eve Sweet.Her first name is a mountain flower. The Aven can be found in Nova Scotia and upstate Vermont. We like the name because it is unique without being strange and it is really pretty. I found the name on-line when I searched for "southern baby names." Not sure if it really is a "southern name," because I went

38 week vlog/blog

2010-12-27T13:14:00.026-05:00

Hi everyone. According to my due date, I have 11 days to go! Yikes. We are getting really excited to meet her and being able to get to see her. We were just talking last night about how fast this pregnancy has gone. When I break it down into trimesters, the second trimester went by the fastest. But in reality 40 weeks is not THAT long of a time, considering the end result is a human being! Heavy

37 week Vlog

2010-12-12T12:59:00.005-05:00

Attempt #2 at a vlog. Much shorter this time. Only 2 parts! LOL If you have trouble viewing in my blog just go to www.youtube.com and search 2SweetMomma and it should be listed under my videos.Take care and talk to you all soon. Heather

35 week apointment

2010-11-30T12:15:00.002-05:00

Had my 35 week doctor's appointment yesterday and all is going well.My blood pressure was 102/68Baby heart rate was 144Tummy measurement was 36 cmMy weight...well let's just say I am "right on track." ;-)Meg said the baby is still head down and she is filling up the belly space nicely. She said the itching is normal and the "big" movements are normal as well. More movements are always good. I

35 week vlog!

2010-11-26T16:54:00.012-05:00

So I attempted to post a video blog (vlog) this morning and total FAIL. Then, I went shopping at Hobby Lobby and got some hooter hider supplies and some binding for baby girl's quilt that I am going to try and make tonight. Whew. Good break, cuz when I got back I figured out how to split up my super EPIC long 1st vlog. FYI it is 25 min!!!!! omg. I thought I wouldn't have enough to say to fill 10

8 months

2010-11-13T12:25:00.006-05:00

Today started off well and then hit a bump in the road, but it is a beautiful day in Chattanooga and I can't stay in a funk and not enjoy my friends and family.I had a prenatal massage scheduled today, but the massage therapist called in sick. Boo. Then the spa couldn't get me rescheduled for 2 more weeks! UGH. I totally understand the fact the massage therapist was sick, but the salon should

Cloth Diapers

2010-10-27T10:37:00.018-04:00

There are so many people that are curious and interested in our pregnancy. I am so happy to answer any questions and tell them how I am feeling, planning, doing, etc. Although, it does get sort of annoying when I tell people we are going to cloth diaper they look at me like I have totally lost my mind. Then they follow up with a comment similar to if not exactly, "Wow, you are more daring than me

30 week preggo pics

2010-10-26T18:50:00.004-04:00

The slowly disappearing belly button...The bump is out there fo sho!!!

Less than 12 weeks to go...

2010-10-21T21:03:00.003-04:00

I was 28 weeks last (FRIDAY 10/15/10) 7 months. WOW. It really has gone by fast. I didn’t think it would go fast, but it has…Since the first 4-6 weeks were “funny” I guess it stands to reason. What I mean by “funny” is, women are not pregnant for 9 months, as we have come to believe. We are actually preggers for 10 months. 40 weeks = 10 months. The doc starts counting your weeks on the first day

Preggo favorite things

2010-10-05T22:18:00.004-04:00

I did a blog a while ago listing out my favorite things. Most of them still ring true, but I have added some things specifically designated for preggo times. 1. Patagonia Underwear: these are the bomb diggity! All I gotta say is spend the $20 on a pair and try them. Even if you are not preggers, you will fall in LOVE. You can find them cheaper on Amazon.com but HERE is a link to Patagonia's

Baby Prep: A work in progress

2010-10-01T16:29:00.012-04:00

I had another doctor's appointment today. I am officially 26 weeks. Two more weeks and I start my third trimester. Come to find out, I "turn" every Friday. I guess since all my other appointments have been on Wednesdays that is why I was so confused the nurses kept saying I was a week behind where I thought I was.Things are still looking good. I have had a couple of stressful weeks and lost a

Baby showers and 24 week pic!

2010-09-16T09:35:00.019-04:00

Well it is official. I am 6 months along! Whoa. Really freaking hard to believe there is going to be another person living in our house in roughly 3 1/2 months. Cool, but still hard to believe. Here are my 24 week pics...I know it doesn't LOOK like I am getting bigger, but it sure feels like it. I will take a pic tonight...I usually look quite a bit more "robust" after dinner ;-)I am sure every

Vacation?

2010-09-14T11:12:00.005-04:00

WOW! Just got back into town from Andy and I's first "vacation" since we got married 3 years ago. If you know us, we don't take your typical vacations. Usually the vacation is initiated by a triathlon. This time was no exception. Also, this is a really busy time for my job, so I was working as much as I could fit in as possible. So for me, it was a working vacation. I know oxymoron ;-)We headed

Normalcy?

2010-08-28T15:01:00.005-04:00

Things are starting to get back to normal...I think.For pretty much all of 2010, I have been thinking only about babies babies babies. It started in January when we decided to "try" to have a baby. It is so strange to switch from years and years of birth control to then throw it all out the window and "try" make a person. A person whom you will be responsible for, love, care about, and will

O Abs, O Abs, wherefore art thou strong Abs?

2010-08-16T21:36:00.012-04:00

I knew when I got pregnant my tummy would get bigger and bigger and bigger. I am cool with that. Actually, I am looking forward to the big round belly and knowing inside is a protected healthy baby. (I know when I go back and read this I am going to slap myself ;-))But what I was NOT prepared for was the complete and utter lack of ab strength. I didn't really know how much I depended upon my core

Baby Sweet: boy or girl?

2010-08-12T09:49:00.018-04:00

When a couple decides to expand their family from 2 to 3, there is so much to talk about: when to start, how to handle difficulties conceiving, cloth vs. disposables, breast feeding, child care, and the list goes on and on. But the one thing they can't "decide" upon is the baby's gender. That is left to biology and chance.Oh sure, you could go the *designer baby* route; but personally, I find it

Ich liebe Deutschland!

2010-07-31T11:29:00.011-04:00

The world is a funny, strange, and exciting place. I had to come to Tennessee to find out the answer to something I have been wondering about Illinois.Back in college, I had a friend from New Jersey and we were chatting one day about accents and how people speak differently depending on what region of the US they call home. He mentioned the MOST annoying thing Mid-Westerners said was, "Do you

Week 16!

2010-07-23T17:11:00.010-04:00

Well, I am officially 16 weeks. Check out the article from Strong Moms.comBaby Sweet is the size of a large pear.Interesting to think since he/she has most of what they are going to have when they are born. At this point everything is really really small and not functioning. Although, I have heard I should be feeling "fluttering" or kicking. I am not sure how that is supposed to feel, but really

Baby Registry...blarg

2010-07-05T09:27:00.004-04:00

I am now at week 14 and things are starting to take off. Baby Sweet is about the size of a peach. Like I mentioned in my previous post, none of my pants or shorts fit anymore. I got all of Cara's maternity clothes hung up and the skinny Heather stuff put away till next year. I couldn't give up my 2 favorite pairs of jeans though. I am hoping to get a belly band or a b-buckle. I am thinking if I

Is that a plum or a baby?

2010-06-30T18:32:00.007-04:00

With 1 week of our pregnancy being out in the open, things have gone pretty well. I have noticed people have started looking at my belly before they look at my boobs (oh wait! I mean eyes--yea before they were looking at my eyes) ...so that is a plus-I guess ;-)I had my 3rd appointment today. Week 13! Whoo Hoo! Elaine and Al were visiting Chattanooga this week and on their last day before heading

News from the Sweets!

2010-06-06T05:22:00.016-04:00

We have some really great news to share with everyone; and we have finally reached the point where it is "safe" to tell all...we are having a baby! Yeah!!!!The proof is in the pee stick (it really does say "pregnant")Andy and I have always known we wanted to be parents. We've talked and planned and talked and planned and the beginning of the most exciting ride is finally here. I took a home

Wet Hot American Summer

2010-06-06T04:57:00.003-04:00

Summer has finally arrived. Here in the dirty South, things have been "summer like" for a while now, but with the arrival of June and the passing of Memorial Day...it's official.We had a really great Memorial Day. Our neighbor's youngest daughter graduated from UTC and they wanted to throw a graduation/Memorial Day party. It really was an excuse to a) create a smoker b) smoke over 60 lbs of meat

Catching up with Friends

2010-05-15T10:27:00.017-04:00

It has been over a month since my last post... GASP! I know, I know. I am such a bad blogger. I won't bore you with the laundry list of excuses. I will say we have been very busy and not busy at the same time. I am sure you all have experienced that as well.Our friend Courtney, from Boulder Colorado, (originally from IL) came for a 2 week visit at the end of April. It was so good seeing her and

New blogs I follow...

2010-04-09T17:56:00.003-04:00

Hi y'all,There are a couple new blogs I follow. Thought you might want to add to your summer reading list ;-) They are all in the side bar, but here are some explanations of the titles:GAIA Fitness-duh...Andy and my coaching company ;-) heheAnnie's Eats-awesome recipe blog, great pictures and super yummy foodCase Racing & News- Melisa & Ryan Case's personal blog (friends from Normal, IL)Kym

Growlers, Woodpeckers, and Debit Cards...Oh my!

2010-04-08T13:45:00.012-04:00

I left TN early Saturday morning on the 27th of March. I packed the car the night before, so I would be sure to leave early and not forget anything. There I was, traveling along enjoying the Tennessee landscape. I figured I would pull off with a half tank of gas to fill up; and I would make it through Nashville with out a problem. Then WHAMO! I opened my billfold and realized my debit/ATM card

Blarg!

2010-03-15T21:26:00.007-04:00

So many things to talk about, but are they "blog worthy?" Every time I sit down to write I think about the first blog of this year and how I promised myself to write with a purpose. Writing with a purpose can be very subjective. Do I write for myself or do I write for you? The reader's idea of purposeful prose can be very different from mine. How do I accomplish poignant writing AND satisfied

GAIA Fitness

2010-03-06T11:23:00.006-05:00

I have been trying to think of a way to announce our new company GAIA Fitness to my readers (btw...I am hoping it is readers and not reader ;-)) I am thinking I should do a little "rewind" on our lives. We moved from central Illinois to Chattanooga, TN for the rock climbing. Yup. You read correctly. Andy and I are rock climbers. We met rock climbing and most of our dear friends are rock climbers

FA: Facebook Anonymous

2010-02-25T18:06:00.007-05:00

"Hello, my name is Heather and I am addicted to Facebook.""Hi Heather."In years past, I have given up many different things for lent: swearing, drinking, biting my nails, cracking my knuckles, T.V., and pop -- just to name a few. But this year, I was trying to think of something that would be REALLY hard.Let me rewind, there might be some people who are unfamiliar with Lent and how Catholics

The Love Algorithm

2010-02-13T09:47:00.005-05:00

Je t'aime - Ich liebe Dich - Te amo -Aloha wau ia 'oeThis weekend is full of love. It may be a Hallmark holiday, but that does not stop the millions maybe billions (seriously there are over 8.3 million people in NY, NY alone) of people who will buy cards, flowers, dinner, or a special gift for the 1 person they love the MOST.Is that what it is all about? To be validated? If I get a gift on

Idiocracy -- WTF?

2010-02-04T11:17:00.000-05:00

At work we have launched our new web-site. So many cool things are there, in addition to us merely advertising our company, we are showcasing Twitter, blogs, job postings...just to name a few. Everyone in the company is supposed to write a blog entry for the company. (Don't you worry; I put one up for the chopping block) Some have been advertising related, some not. The guidelines we were given

Boring but a post nonetheless...

2010-01-25T16:12:00.000-05:00

I regress...it feels like I have not spoken to anyone about what has been going on for the Sweets since the beginning of the year. So I am interjecting with a boring old regular blog post. Things are going well. We stayed in on New Year's, it was nice. We popped a bottle of champagne & watched a movie. We also toasted at midnight with 12 green grapes for each of us. The 12 grapes represent the

Stepping up and Punking out

2010-01-25T11:05:00.000-05:00