More lessons from my first 30 years - #2

Way back in February I started to blog about things I have learned in my first 30 years.  My intention was to blog 30 insights I have gained between then and my birthday.  Well, my birthday will be here in a little more than 16 weeks (Olivia will be here in 16 weeks or less and my birthday is right after my due date), so I better get busy finishing these blog posts.  If you want to read my first post check it out here.

For  my second insight I have learned in my first 30 years I have decided to discuss my most important beauty routine - SUNSCREEN.  I thought this would be timely, considering we're in the middle of the summer months when most people have the most sun exposure during the year.

My most important beauty routine, something I do every single day, is wear sunscreen on my face.  I haven't always used sunscreen every day.  It is something I started probably in my mid-twenties.  When I was a child my parents were pretty good about making me wear sunscreen, because if I didn't I would burn very easily, which was no fun at all.  I only had a few severe burns when I was young, mostly in places you forget to put sunscreen on (like feet, ears, scalp, or those butt cheeks for when the swim suit rides up).  When I was a teenager I usually wore sunscreen, but I would use a lower SPF to try to get tan.  I also visited a tanning bed about once a year to "get my tan started".  Anyone who knows me knows I don't tan, but at 13 or 14 you can easily allude yourself into beliving the unbelievable.  Looking back, I think I was very naive and uninformed on the dangers of sun expsoure.  As I reached my mid-twenties I started to become aware of anti-aging products and I have always heard that a good sunscreen is the best anti-aging product available.  This has been my mantra since.

After Autumn was born, Andrew made sure I understood how important it was for us to be diligent with using sunscreen on her.  As you know, Autumn has inherited my fair skin and red hair (and to be honest Daddy has relatively fair skin as well).  Andrew actually told me he would even bribe our daughters when they are older with back-to-school shopping money if they went all summer without any sunburns.  I am a huge fan of this idea. 

I am a huge proponent of ALL people taking extra measures to protect themselves from sun exposure.  And here is why . . .

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types of skin cancer—basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas—are highly curable. However, melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous. About 65%–90% of melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light."

Skin cancer, although the most common form of cancer, is among the most preventable forms of cancer.  Sunscreen is vital in limiting one's risk for skin cancer later on in life.  Yale Medical Group has a great article on preventing skin cancer.  In particular the article says " It is also true the majority of sun exposure occurs in childhood, so it is critical that parents take special precautions to protect young children. The genetic damage caused by the sun accumulates over time like compound interest, so any protection that can be provided in childhood will pay off later."  Parents please use sunscreen on your kiddos now!

Ok, enough of my ranting.  Here are a few of my favorite sunscreens:

• Lovely Looks Sunscreen - my current daily face sunscreen, apply every morning or every 90 minutes in continuous sun exposure
• Neutrogena Age Shield Face - SPF 70 - another face favorite
• Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock - SPF 70 - the sunscreen I use on my body and Autumn's body (don't forget the scalp!)
• Neutrogena Pure and Free Baby Sunblock Lotion - SPF 60 - the sunscreen I use on Autumn's face
• Target Brand Up & Up Continuous Spray Kids Sunscreen - SPF 50 - by far this is the best bargain spray sunscreen.  It is cheap and sprays very easily.

A few other sun tips:

• Wear a hat in the sun.  I usually wear a good mesh or breathable hat when running and a wide brim Columbia fishing hat when at the bay.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• Avoid spending a lot of time in the sun during peak sun exposure hours, think the hottest part of the day (11-4 ish)
• Wear an SPF 30 or higher
• Use a moisturizer with SPF in it already.
• Buy clothes (particularly swimsuits and workout gear) with UV protection.
• Avoid tanning beds like the plague.
• Don't forget to have fun in the sun!!! :-)



Autumn and I at the bay earlier this summer.



21 Months

I am taking a short break from the "Through the Years" posts to do Autumn's 21 month update - 5 days late.

It seems like this month Autumn has just blossomed overnight.  She is becoming such a big girl, even Daddy says so.  At 21 months Autumn is talking a lot.  She is also developing quite a fun personality.  She is also imitating a lot of what we do.  We're going to have to start watching what we say and do a little closer.

The other night I left her alone in the living room for a couple of minutes while I was putting up the laundry.  When I came back I found her in the kitchen.  She had pulled a chair up to the highchair and she had her baby doll in the high chair.  She was standing on the chair "feeding" her baby and talking on her cell phone, saying "Hi Abby" (in reference to Abby Cadabby).  So stinking cute!

This month we started swim lessons.  The first lesson wasn't so great, but the second was much better.  She loves the water and she just wants us to let her go.  In the shallow end she keeps walking until the water gets deeper and deeper.  She isn't afraid at all.  I like that she doesn't have fear, but that also concerns me a little bit too.

Stats:
Weight - Approx 23.5 lbs
Height - I have no idea, taller than last month though :-)
Clothes - wearing mostly size 18-24 months, but still in some 12-18 and some 2T's as well (particularly in PJ's).  She seems tall and thin, so some of the larger sizes in pants and skirts just fall right off of her, but I think she has the height to wear them.
Shoes - she just upgraded to a size 6, although some 6's still seem way too big.
Eating - she still seems to eat mostly everything, although she does seem to really enjoy sweets and pasta (that's my girl!)
Words - I have no idea how many words she is saying now, but it seems like a lot.  She can repeat a lot of what we say now and she understands so much.  Today I asked her to go get me 2 diapers (1-2) and she came back from her room with 2! 

Challenges:
Autumn is generally very easy, but she is at the stage where we are starting to discipline her and figure out the best way to do that.  Time outs seem to work well, and although we're not adamantly opposed to spanking, we're generally trying to avoid it.  She does occasionally bite me or Andrew (although she hasn't seemed to bite any other kids).  She also seems to have a hard time paying attention to us when we are trying to talk to her.  I think that is just her age.  She also occasionally throws fits when she doesn't get what she wants.  The other day she threw a fit because we wouldn't give her chocolate or strawberry milk.  We're trying to be firm and consistent with discipline, so that she can learn boundaries.  Generally she does pretty well, and we're learning too.

Autumn, you are so sweet and beautiful and smart.  I am excited to see you become a big sister soon and see you continue to grow and learn.  Mommy and Daddy love you so very much!



Trying on Mommy's shoes and saying "cheese"




Wearing a headband like Mommy.




Posing for the camera with Mommy.  She likes it when the iPhone
camera is turned around so she can see herself.




At First Colony Mall after visiting Build a Bear with cousin Landry.  Autumn got a Minnie Bear and she was so excited about her.  She would stop in the middle of the mall and squeeze her bear and say "Yea! Yea!"




Bubba surfing the Internet.



Through the Years - Part 3

So, like I mentioned in the last post I don't really have any pictures (at least not digitally) from 2005 - 2007.  Here is a quick recap of what happened during those years.

In March of 2005 (our Senior year at ACU) we went to Paris with Andrew's family.  This was my first trip to Europe and I loved it.

In May 2005 Andrew and I graduated from ACU and bought our first (and only) house in Missouri City.  Seven years later we are still there, and coincidentally there are still no pictures hung on the walls (oops).

In June 2005 and August 2005 respectively Andrew and I started work for Big 4 Accounting Firms (him at Deloitte and me at EY).  The fact that we worked (and Andrew still works) for Big 4 could explain the lack of pictures.  Public accounting is a very demanding lifestyle, but it is a great place to start your career and give you a good foundation.

I honestly don't remember a lot about 2006 and 2007.  I know we travelled some for my work (mostly the northeast - Boston, New York, etc.).  We worked a lot and spent free time mostly with our families.

My New Year's Resolution for 2008 was to lose weight/get in shape.  I started Weight Watchers after the suggestion came from a co-worker and over 6 months I lost 25 pounds and 5 dress sizes. 

Some other fun things that happened in 2008:

1. I cut my hair super short.
2. We celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary at the Four Seasons in Austin (love that hotel).
3. We spent some time hanging out at the under construction beach house in POC.
4. We went to New York City in August (our second time there).
5. Andrew spent 6 weeks in Hyderabad, India for work.
6. Hurricane Ike hit the Houston area and took our kitchen with it.
7. We travelled to Amsterdam and Brugges, Belgium.
8. Andrew got in a bar fight (sort of)
9. I ran the San Antonio Half Marathon with my Mom.  Andrew and my Dad came along to support us.
10. My Mom and I trained for our first full marathon (in January 2009).

Here are some pictures from 2008.



Celebrating our anniversary at the Four Seasons.





Cooper loves the water!




At a cafe in the Big Apple.



At the top of the bell tower in Brugge.




At a foundatin in Brugge.




The night Andrew got in a bar fight. 
(really some guy just sucker punched Andrew in the back of the head
 - no actual fight ensued)





The night before the San Antonio half marathon with baby Connor.





At a Christmas Family Dinner at Escalante's.




First Colony CoC Young Married Christmas Party.



Through the Years - Part 2

Here are some pictures of Andrew and I in college at ACU (circa 2001-2005).



Outside of Gardner (Freshman Girls) Dorm - Fall 2001




Andrew's birthday dinner at Churrasco's Winter 2001.




Formal (Sophomore year I think)




Sing Song Sophomore Year




GATA Amanda and Frat Andrew





Outside Sikes Dorm (Sophomore Girls)




Bid Night Sophomore Year



The night Andrew proposed.



Andrew and I with his cousins, Ashley and Madeleine. 
They are now in high school!




Bid Night.



Worsham Family Wedding Shower for us - Easter Weekend 2003.



First Colony CoC Wedding Shower - Summer 2003.



MOH Monika Morf, me and Andrew.



Nana, Allison (at 14), me, Andrew, Joy, my Mom and my Grandma at our First Colony Shower.

  

Our Engagement Picture.




 

Andrew in Paris, our Senior year.



Amanda in Paris, our Senior Year. (I have no pics of the two of us together in Paris)



 So, I have to apologize for the lack of pictures between college and 2008.  Apparently I don't have any.  I'm sure there are some somewhere, but I have no idea where.  I had put on a little extra college weight and I think I subconsciously avoided cameras for a few years.  I'll post more pics from 2008 to current in the next couple of weeks.

Through the Years - Part 1

In a couple of weeks Andrew and I will be celebrating 9 years of marriage.  In honor of this occasion I have decided to post some pictures of the two of us through the years.  Today I am starting with pics from high school.

For those of you who don't know, Andrew and I started dating in November 1998 when he was a freshman and I was a sophomore in high school at FBBA.  I don't think either of us could have imagined that we would still be together almost 14 years later, but I know we both feel so blessed to have found each other so young and been able to enjoy so much time together.



I think this was from Andrew's 15th birthday,
just a month after we started dating.




Homecoming my sophomore year.




Sophomore "Date Night" an FBBA tradition.




Homecoming my Junior year.



New Year's Eve on year, don't remember which, probably 2000.



At one of our favorite date spots - Kemah Boardwalk.





My first time fishing in POC.



My Corvair.



Andrew's birthday one year, probably his 16th.




Space Center Houston.



First Colony Mall Fashion Show.  The local high school cheerleaders were selected to be models. 
This is the only time you'll ever see 5 foot 1 in. me on a catwalk.



Soccer and cheerleading




Sports photos




Kemah Boardwalk again.



My family's ski vacation to Durango, CO my senior year.



Taken sometime during my senior year.




Cheer Power Nationals - I competed for jumps and got 5th place!




Christmas one year.




Senior Prom.




My high school graduation.

 I graduated in May 2001 and made plans to attend ACU.  Andrew was not a big fan of high school and he somehow managed to talk his parents into letting him skip is senior year of high school and join me at ACU my freshman year.  Because of this I often refer to Andrew as the only high school dropout I know with a Master's Degree.  (side note - he technically graduated high school through homeschooling and dual credits at ACU) I'll post a few pics of us from our college years soon.