Preparing For A Tummy Tuck! {Tips, Tricks, & What to Expect}

I've done a post on this before..
But i hadnt done a video for my youtube channel.

BUT i have had lots of questions so im answering them in this video as well!

So if you're thinking about a tummy tuck or soon to be GETTING a tummy tuck..
grab your pen and paper and take some notes!

 Dont worry my scar isn't that funky looking, its just the indent from the seam of my shorts

------------------------------------

So ive been planning some giveaways for you guys!

Im going to be giving away a necklace (like the one seen on my instagram recently), and a $50 gift card to a boutique! STAY TUNED GUYS!!

Dont go MIA from the Young&Restless Blog!

Google reader is donezo as of July 1st.

 Follow me on Bloglovin' so we dont get lost in the hiatus!

Give Thanks...

YUP.

This is my Thanksgiving post.... (FAIL)

This is just a photo dump of our Thanksgiving day.. mixed with rants on what im thankful for!

I am thankful for:

*Family. 

My little family that i love so much that i am building. But also my family that i grew up with, and my family that i married into! I dont know what i would do without my family!

 *My husband.

 He is my rock, my other half, my everything. I am so attached to him. He makes me a better person every day.

 *My kids. 

Being a mother is something you just cant even describe! The HARDEST but most rewarding thing in this life. They are the best thing to happen to me apart from my husband!

 *My photography business. 

This year, my business has really started to take off and i couldnt be more happy about that! I love my job, the people i meet, the moments i capture. I love making people happy. Its such a beautiful rewarding job! I feel so privileged to be able to essentially stay home with my kids, but still bring in some income :)

 My friends. 

This year has been a crazy one as far as friends go. I've met some new amazing ones that i have gotten really close to... and ive lost some really close ones that mean a lot to me.

Life is crazy but ive learned you just have to make the best of what you are dealt with. All you can do is hope for the best. Everyone has their own personal struggles. Sometimes you just have to let life take its course! Embrace what you have, and learn to move on with what you've lost.

 Modern Medicine: 

As you all know.. i have hypothyroidism, and so i am so thankful for doctors and medicine.

 God. 

No matter what your religion is.. im thankful that i was raised with God in my life. For comfort, for hope, for everything imaginable. 

 My mistakes.

Yep. i am thankful for my mistakes. For that have molded me into a better person.

 My neighbors:

I really lucked out moving into the town homes that i moved into. Our neighbors are so loving and have really touched our lives in a important way. i really appreciate them!

 My health.

I know i complain a lot about my hypothyroidism... but it could be a lot worse! And i really need to appreciate what im NOT suffering with, rather than what i am.

 My open mind:

That sounds weird. But i am truly thankful for my ability to have an open mind with things. To not sweat the little things. To not judge. Find the good in everything. etc. 

My mom:

Everything im thankful for, everything i am.. ALL boils down to one person. My mom. She is the most amazing woman. Every good quality in me came from my mom. She taught me to be caring, loving, kind. To know Christ and live by him. She is such a hard worker. Has always worked hard for her family to have the things we needed, and then some. She went to school on her own with 2 kids and no family who lived close. She is a true hero. MY hero. She raised all her children to be amazing people. We have big shoes to fill :)

The Dark Side Of Pregnancy...

So i've posted before about pregnancy and finding the positives in it no matter what... [You can find that post HERE <-----]

But pregnancy DEFINITELY has its dark side....

Everyone knows the last month of pregnancy is the hardest and most miserable.

I already have carried super low this pregnancy, which has caused my hip pain and such, but it wasnt too bad. Now that Baiden has dropped, im in almost CONSTANT pain..

Walking is painful due to my sciatic nerve and now back pain. There is so much pressure on my cervix that i get sharp pains, which cause contractions, its just miserable.

If i sit for longer than 20 minutes my hips start to hurt and i have to change position or adjust. If i lay down, i cant lay on my back so i have to pick a side, and being on one side too long makes my hips hurt bad so i have to rotate (which is a painful process). So BASICALLY, walking, sitting, and laying down, offers little relief.

 Getting up is quite the hard process (and probably amusing from an outside view). Its difficult to get out of bed. I cant sit on the floor for more than 30 second without TREMENDOUS pain when i move.

I can barely shower myself. Shaving is pretty much non existent (sorry husband!). I cant paint my toes or clip them. TRYING to do so just gives me contractions cuz squishing Baiden in the least bit puts so much pressure on my cervix that i contract

It hurts to put on pants/shorts like a normal person. I feel like im pulling a muscle ever time i try to lift my leg to slip it into a pants leg.Standing too long makes my chest hurt and feel heavy (dont freaking ask.. i dont know). I run out of breath just TALKING too much.Im always getting random charlie horses that HURT. Add that to the sciatic nerve pain.. SHOOT ME NOW!

I already had to pee about ever hour and a half to 2 hours.. now that Baiden has dropped, i feel like i have to pee every 30 minutes or EVERY time i stand up. Even just sitting or laying i will get sudden SHARP pains in my cervix. I can feel him pushing on it like he is trying to bust out and it is SO uncomfortable.

Baiden is so big that his movements have started to kinda hurt? Like he loves to stretch out or run his boney elbows or knees or SOMETHING along my belly and it HURST. There is more baby than fluid now so his movements are just sore now.

My boobs hurt, i have bad allergies (you cant take good meds during pregnancy), i get heartburn by just SMELLING something spicey. I have to eat like a toddler. I randomly get nauseous. I cant brush my teeth without the sink looking like a murder scene (pregnancy gingivitis). The love life is interesting to say the least with a belly this huge and a kid so low. My belly itches now. The constant cramping and tightening is so irritating and sometimes painful. OH the list goes ON and ON!

Did you catch all that?

Alright lets continue...

Do you know what its like to be in CONSTANT discomfort? It REALLY takes its toll on the emotions. And i think this is why ive hit my breaking point emotionally. I've been on the more emotional side this whole pregnancy. But nothing bad at all. Now im SO sensitive. I randomly start crying. I have a break down about once a week now. I catch myself being paranoid, like "What if Jeff is miserable dealing with me and all my neediness". "What if my own daughter starts to not like me cuz im ornery all the time?"

Just ridiculous things...

I know this is all normal.. but its just hard excepting that you've lost control of your body and mind.

Im so lucky to have an AMAZING husband and support system (friends/family) who are understanding to it all. Let me vent, dont judge me, are there for me through it all etc. And honestly, i think im handling it all pretty well. Ive had a PERFECT pregnancy up until this point so i REALLY lucked out.

I figured i just better document the not so fun stuff cuz as we ALL know... i keep it real on this blog, blog about it all, and dont hold back. For others to relate to, not feel alone, and for me to look back on and remember why we are having NO MORE BABIES ;)

 Cheers to the next 3 weeks and 3 days! 

The countdown is ON! 

WE CAN DO THIS!!

:)

Ps..

Photos are of, taken by, and edited by me :)

Go to http://chrissyannphotography.blogspot.com to see more of my work .

This Is Me...

"You are who you are and that's all you can be... look at the world and say this is me, take me as I am or watch me as I go"

One of my BIGGEST flaws/personal problems.. is that i care too much.

Im CONSTANTLY putting others before myself. Im a people pleaser. I like to make others feel happy. I truly love and revolve my life around helping others.

Now you might be wondering... "How is that a flaw and a personal problem"?

Its a problem because im essentially neglecting myself. Im not protecting my OWN feelings and emotions. Im more worried about the other person and not hurting THEM, that i end up hurting MYSELF.

Ive always considered this a good quality about myself... until recently as im realizing its becoming a problem. People are starting to take advantage of this with me and walking all over me.

I think others become so accustomed to me being a push over and nice... that when i do make a stand for myself or realize im pushing myself too hard and want to slow down a little... its unpleasing to the person and they get mad at me. Like ive "changed" and im being "rude", when really all ive done is realized its not worth hurting myself or over working myself to please THEM.

Like with my photography business (or any business for that matter). You need to know your own worth and dont settle for less otherwise you're going to get walked on and your business isnt going to go anywhere.
(just a little scenario)

Everyone knows the last month of pregnancy is the hardest and most miserable.

Now that Baiden has dropped im in CONSTANT pain. Which i think all the physical pain is whats taking its toll on my emotions. (i will do a separate post about the pregnancy pain either tomorrow or in my Wednesday pregnancy post).

[So here i am at my breaking point emotionally]

Im just TIRED of being made out to be something im not. Im TIRED of being taken advantage of. Im DONE being a door mat. I know that i really have myself to blame for being treated this way. Ive allowed it for so long that thats all others know with me. But do NOT make me feel like a bad person just for protecting myself and caring for my OWN emotions for ONCE in my life.

Do NOT try to break me down and and make me out to be something im not..

Ive had a HUGE wake up call in the last few months as far as picking the people you surround yourself with wisely. Ive surrounded myself with good people who surround THEMSELVES with good people. I now am CONSTANTLY told how amazing i am. I am actually APPRECIATED and shown how much i am appreciated. Even by people who dont even really know me. 

I recently shot a wedding (my best friend Nikki Hatch's wedding), and the next day Nikki called me and left me a message. She said "i just wanted to tell you.. SOOO many people came up to me at the wedding and singled you out and said "you know that Christa girl, she is SO sweet and so amazing. She is such a sweet heart and so patient". That hit me SO hard (i cant even hold back the tears as i type). It hit me so hard cuz i've been going through a rough time with some people that WERE really close to me, trying to make me feel so ugly. Like im this HORRIBLE person when im not. 

And FINALLY!!..... FINALLY.... i have found friends who treat me just as amazing as i treat them. FINALLY i have good people who would give their shirt off their back for me, as i would do for them. FINALLY people who make me feel just as good as i try to make others feel. FINALLY!!

THIS IS ME!!

I KNOW my self worth. I KNOW who i am.

And i dont need to people who try to tarnish that beauty.

Im A Blogger...

I am who i am. Love me or leave me as i always say!

I blog. Its something i enjoy. A hobby i enjoy. Its my release. My journal. Its therapeutic. I love having a place to look back and reflect on my life. An open book if you will. And i plan to have my blog made into a real book for me to have.
 I love being creative with it, i love networking it and seeing it grow. I love getting emails of how much i helped people get through similar things they are going through. I love helping people.

But blogging has its negatives.
You are completely exposed. Vulnerable.
And you have your critics. 

If you dont like what i say or do, no one is MAKING you follow my blog and other numerous social media platforms. Now DONT get me wrong. This post isnt an angry "i got haters" post. Im not saying that at all.. And im about to explain WHY im making this post.

Ive always explained myself as "neutral". I do well with seeing both sides of things. Yes i might have an opinion one way or another, but i like to understand both sides.

In a world so black and white... im the PINK :).

I think of it as being open minded.. easy going. But one thing i find myself running into (which makes NO sense to me) is that im always upsetting someone. Im either upsetting the black side, or im upsetting the white side. 

For example, this post <--

Everyone likes people to be on their side... but i mean come on, you get upset just cuz someone has an opposing opinion? As long as it was expressed tastefully and politely, whats the big deal?

I run a family blog.

So what do you think my readers like to read? They like to read about anything pertaining to the family. Me, being a wife and mother, am going to blog about relationships, parenting, and anything moms like to do like cooking, working out, beauty tips, things i struggle with, etc. MY LIFE basically. For others to relate to, understand, enjoy, etc.

Now in blogging about my life, WHY would i blog about the amazing life of a working mom when i stay home? WHY would i blog about how beneficial formula is when i plan to breastfeed? WHY would i blog about the life of a single woman when im indeed married. Why would i blog about how amazing cloth diapers are when i dont plan to EVER use cloth diapers.

Do you get my point?

I blog about what i know, what i love, what i plan to do. Things that interest me..

I dont judge. i look at positives on both sides. I NEVER "dog" on, "dis" "put down" the opposing side (unless im talking about abuse, abortion, neglect, and things along that line). But at the same time, YES, i am voicing my opinion. I AM favoring one side. DUH.

Please point out a post where i was completely dissing the opposing side of what im talking about if there is one. Im 99% sure you wont find one.

I dont really know what im trying to get out of this post.. But basically, if something on my blog offends you.. No one is forcing you to look at it. Im done with people making me out to be something im not.

Amen.

Who Am I? And WHY Am I Married??

I decided that a waterproof lap top NEEDS to be invented. This is due to my overwhelming desire to BLOG when im in the shower. I mean come on, they think of EVERYTHING you can put in a shower... why not a laptop?! I dont know what it is (probably cuz its my ONLY "alone" time) but when i shower my brain floods with deep random thoughts. And they always fill my brain like as if i was telling someone my thoughts.. in writing form.. as if i was BLOGGING. But really, lets be honest, i LOVE to write. Thats WHY i started blogging.

Anyway.. ill stop rambling and get on with my post. 

I told you that i wanted to do more "Relationship" posts.

Do you ever ponder WHY you are the way you are? WHY you do what you do. Do you ever try to fully understand who you truly are? Do your actions ever confuse you? Like WHY did i just do or say that? Why did i react that way to that situation?

Well i do this all the time. I've always considered going into the profession of being a therapist, or psychologist. I love picking at brains and analyzing people. Why they do what they do. Things like that. But i pick at my own brain too.

When doing this i realize how AWARE i am of my own self. How "in tune" i am with my thoughts, my body, reasons for why i do what i do. I can tell you how i might react to a situation before it even happen. 

But i think the most prominent thing about my self is how HONEST i am with MYSELF. 

I know my true self. I know my deepest thoughts. I dont judge myself. No one else can see what inside my brain. There is no reason to put up a front. So why would i lie to myself.

I consider myself to be a very mature easy going person. But in that same aspect, im not perfect. Im human. Sometimes a situation happens and i react in an immature way. But the thing about that is that i can RECOGNIZE when i do so. And people can call me out on it... yea i might get mad initially, no one likes to hear when they are wrong. But i am left THINKING about what they said. Dwelling almost, but for the good. I analyze myself and dig deep and realize "yea, they were right". So dont be afraid to put me in my place ;)

You might be wondering what this has to do with relationships.

We all know there are MANY key points as to WHY relationships work or dont work. We know that biggest reasons for divorce are money and lust.

But today i want to pin point something that i think plays a HUGE role in making a relationship work!

We all have heard the quote like "you cant love someone else until you love yourself".

Well i completely agree with it. Not only that.. i think you cant make a relationship work until you can make YOURSELF work. Meaning you have to be able to realize your flaws. Realize when you are wrong. Know when you yourself needs to make some adjustments too.

I think all too often we are quick to blame the other person. 

And that can be so destructive in a relationship.

You have to know your partner limits and pet peeves, things like that. But you also have to be aware of your own. Know when you are creating a situation that is going to upset your partner and avoid it. Know when you are creating a situation that is going to upset YOURSELF and avoid it.

It is actually REALLY hard to me to ADMIT when i am wrong. In my head i admit it no problem. I even feel bad and dwell on how i wish i could take back my behavior or words. But its hard for me to VOICE it.

--------------

Anyway, you get the point. 

I think the more we focus on our OWN flaws and fixing our OWN self (no this doesnt mean  that in the process you point out your partners flaws too) and make OUR SELF the best person we can be... the relationship will follow.

Valentines Day Vlog (Meet the Husband) {V.V}

CHECK CURRENT THEMES ON THE VLOGGING TAB!

This is last weeks and this weeks vlog
Do your vlog, grab a button, and LINK UP!

Some pics from Valentines day :)

 Are Braylee and Makaibree not the cutest?!

 Making valentines cards for the neighbors :)

:)

Hope you all had an AMAZING V-DAY!!

<center><a href="http://christanncox.blogspot.com/p/vlogging-vednesdays.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Young&Restless" src="http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff281/chrissyann336/vvbutton2.jpg" /></a></center>

<center><a href="http://christanncox.blogspot.com/p/vlogging-vednesdays.html" target="_blank"><img alt="young and restless" src="http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff281/chrissyann336/vvbutton1-1.jpg" /></a></center>

--------------------------------------------------------------

DONT FORGET TO VOTE DAILY FOR OUR BLOG!
click this link

Then the LEFT bubble.
THATS IT! :)

(Motivation Mondays} Week 11, WEIGHT Disclosure

I asked you guys last week to guess my weight..

The average was 150 ish

Jean size 7-9

NOW I WILL TELL YOU!

{Turn music off at bottom of page}

Shrinking and Toning.

11 weeks.

13 pounds down (1-2 pounds per week is healthy)

2 inches in waist

3 inches in belly

Take that haters!

My diet is fine.
Thanks hunnie :)
-----------------------------------------------------------

Could ya?

Click on the ^^^ then click the LEFT bubble.
THATS IT!

Thanks for all the support guys :)

IVE BEEN TAGGED!!

First some announcements.

CHECK OUT MY GIVEAWAY! Found --> HERE <--

Also, i have some really exciting news!

IVE BEEN ACCEPTED AS A FITFLUENTIAL AMBASSADOR!!!!!!

Learn more about them HERE, and follow them on twitter @FitFluential

Im seriously soooooo excited!!!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok so ive been tagged by Melissa @Knit Purl Baby AND Jessica @Dramatic Mama! AND Nikki @Southern Mama with a Bad Mouth! Lol So i figure i better do this haha. Basically this is a great way to learn more about certain bloggers with 11 facts & 11 questions. then you tag 11 more people with 11 new questions. all for the end of 2011! ok, i think we are all on the same page now.

Here are the rules.

1. You must post these rules.
2. Each per­son must post 11 things about them­selves on their blog.
3. Answer the ques­tions the tag­ger set for you in their post and cre­ate 11 new ques­tions for the peo­ple you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 peo­ple to tag and link them on the post. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her.
5. No tag backs and you legit­i­mately have to tag 11 people.




11 things you may not know about me...

1> Im one of the most CHILL, NON DRAMATIC people you'll EVER meet! I seriously just dont care for it.
2> I've played the piano sense i was 8 years old, and can KINDA play the guitar
3> I've only had ONE boyfriend. Then i married him :) 
4> Im a REALLY awesome burper and rapper.
5> Im REALLY sensitive when it comes down to people that are close to me. Other than that, you can call me that im ugly, fake, whatever, and i couldnt give 2 sharts less about what you think :)
6> Im a people pleaser, but when it comes down to how people want ME to be, i dont care to please you.
7> Im WAY too easily used (why do i have to have a big heart??) lol
8> I forgive WAY too easily. But i dont consider that a bad trait. Forgive and forget. Woooosa!
9> Im a gemini so there are 2 sides to me depending on my mood. I can be very loud and outgoing, but sometimes really quiet and to myself.
10> I grew up in the "ghetto". Drive by shootings all the time, graffiti on the houses, all that jazz
11> I STILL wish i was a dancer. haha! Like a professional one. NO not a stripper, like dance dance. :)

Now for my questions given to me:

1. What's your favorite TV show? Im not a TV person. But when i do, i LOVE criminal minds!!! My guilty pleasures are Jersey Shore, and Teen mom.
2. Who would you say is your hero? My mom and husband. My mom is an amazing successful woman who works hard and made sure we had a good life. Got us out of the ghetto, went on vacations a lot, baked cookies with us, created SOO many good memories and traditions. I just love and appreciate her! Also my husband for saving me. I was an emotionally distraught kid when i met him lol. And still to this day, he takes good care of me and brings out the best in me :)
3. How would you describe yourself at the age 18? Ready to move on with life and settle down. Just finished high school and got married to my love!
4. What's your favorite cartoon? Family Guy. That counts right?? lol
5. Where is your dream vacation and why? New Zealand, or Hawaii. Cuz..... HAVE YOU SEEN PICS OF THOSE PLACES??! (Lord of the Rings was filmed in NZ)
6. What's your favorite book and why? Any Mary Higgans Clark book. Im a thrill seeker i guess lol.
7. What are you most scared of? Being alone. Im not a lonely person. I need loved ones surrounding me
8. What's your favorite thing about blogging? Making a difference. Being someone to look up to. Finding other bloggers who make a difference and who i can look up to. Anything along that line :)
9. What/Who got you started in blogging? Shawntae @A Little King and I. We are IRL (in real life) friends. And she is amazing and always encourages me in the blogging department. She is also my "go to" blogger mentor :) Love you Shawn! Kiss my children ;)
10. If you could buy one thing without having to worry about the price, what would it be? My mom's house. Like i'd pay it off. Or an awesome vacation for her. She's done WAY TOO MUCH for ALL her children and deserves SOO much in return. But if i were to be selfish, id buy an indoor aquatic ocean. :)
11. What are you wearing right now? NO cheating! LOL. Oh, anyone who knows me could have probably guess this one. Sweats and panties from Victoria's Secret (im obsessed with that store). And a hoodie. Me loves me comfies :)! But one thing you might not have guess... im wearing piggy slippers. One is evil, and the other has a halo :)

 Dont believe me?? Here ya go ...

Now for My questions for the peeps im about to tag!

1. Whats your dream talent/Profession?
2. When you hear the word, MILK, whats the first thing that comes to mind?
3. What was life like growing up?
4. How many kids do you want (if any)
5. Have any New years resolutions?
6. How would you describe your "style" (or lack there of if you're like me)
7. If you could go back in time, would you change anything?
8. Greatest movie of all time?
9. What do you wish to accomplish in the next 5 years?
10. Have you broken any bones?
11. If you could be ONE celebrity... who would that be?

YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED!

Kaitlyn from In Our Sea Of Love

Abby from Dirt On The Rocks

Justin from Mr Burch's Spot (new blogger)

Micheal & Craig @ The Hipster Dad!

Deanna @ Delirious Rhapsody

Ashely @Sloanbook

Natasha @Young Mothers Memories!

Karly @ Three in Three

Meg @ Pauly, Meg and Zoey

Grace @ Camp Patton

Alycia @ Crowley Party

Changes to Young&Restless!

I hope you all are having the happiest of Holidays! 

I am so excited for the new year!

And can i just tell you how AMAZING all my readers are??

I just love you all. You are all so supportive and ive met so many awesome people!

                 I just wanted to announce some changes coming to the Young&Restless Blog.

My fitness updates that i do on Saturdays will now be on Mondays. Its taking too much of my day to make the vlog, edit the vlog, and post the vlog. So pics and vlogs will be taken and made on saturdays, But posted on mondays for a new segment called "Motivation Mondays". Lets be honest. We all need a little motivation on mondays anyway ;)

Also, this blog will ALWAYS be family oriented. I will always post about my life events and will do updates on Braylee. But, i need to be more cautious of things i guess.

Have you ever checked your stats on your blog of where your traffic sources are coming from? 

Or what people are searching that brings them to your blog??

Well i did this for the first time the other day.. and for my all time most searched words that bring people to my blog... here are some of the search words.

HOW DISGUSTING!

i know alot of it has to do with the fact my blog has the word YOUNG in its tittle...

But it just makes you double check what your posting.

Granted you cant shelter and protect from all the world sickness out there and it would be silly to revolve my life around the fact that there are creepers out there. I mean when i go out into public i cant control who or how my daughter (or myself for that matter) is looked at. I know there are sickos out there EVERYWHERE. I just think us bloggers need to be VERY aware of these things.

Like i CRINGE when i see people put nakey pictures up of their children.

Yes its cute to us parents... but to pedophiles.. you're just giving them their kicks.

Anyway, just kinda spreading the awareness about THAT.

On to more changes.

Like i said this blog will ALWAYS be about my family and my life. But you might notice it might just be a little less personal about my daughter. The BIGGEST thing you'll see is my fitness stuff and things that are important to me

Ive created this FB fan page because ive been getting a lot of friend requests on my personal page from people i dont know. And my personal page is where my CLOSEST updates, statuses and pictures of my daughter are. And i just dont need creepers on my personal page...

But this page is FULL of fitness motivation, updates, streams from my twitter and Youtube, Still very personal and open, just less of my daughter for her protection.

So you should LIKE that page..

{FIND IT ---------> HERE <-------------}

Anyway, just wanted to get up a quick "Holiday" picture post as well as some updates!

Ill get some "cooler" more interesting posts up soon!

Bare with me :)