Fit n' Firm Friday (Video Edition): Front Row

Well hey there. My first name is Elizabeth, but I go by Lizzie. My middle name is Ashley, but I think I should change it to Awkward. I still would be able to keep my middle initial too! If you can bear with me here, this is a fabulous exercise demonstrated in this goofy video. Ryan was out of town last night, so I had to improvise without him here to be my photographer. Honestly, (and sadly) this is the best one. I tried probably 15 times to get a decent video, but I am just SO incredibly talented at being odd, I just can't hide it. I'll work on that. So, without further adieu...

FRONT (DUMBBELL) ROW

What you need: 2 light to medium weight dumbbells

What it works: it focuses on working your upper back, but it works your arms, shoulders, and core as well.

You should all be thankful I didn't post the video where my arms started flapping because I didn't know what to do with them. It was fantastic.

*IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER*

-Have a slight bend in your knees

-Bend at your waist

-Hang your arms straight down from your shoulders

-Don't round your back out, keep a natural arch.

-Bring your elbows up and out, stopping at the top of your abs or by your chest

-Make sure you breathe

-Have slow, controlled movement

-Pinch your shoulder blades together at the top

8-12 Reps, 2-3 sets

Thanks for stopping by for my Fit n' Firm Friday! Try these front rows and tell me what you think!

Target... oh Target.

Today, I went to the doctor for Mackenzie...again. I took her to urgent care last Saturday where they said it was just the upper respiratory virus. Well, she has continued to have a low-grade fever, her nose is runny and congested, her eyes are oozy, she is super fussy, is super lethargic, and just yesterday started throwing up. The doc said due to the congestion and drainage from her virus, she got a double ear infection and a sinus infection. So, off to Target I went to pick up Mackenzie's antibiotic. Lucky for me, for 2 months I have kept two shirts in the car with the receipt that needed to be returned. I FINALLY got it done. I just love Target. I just LOVE IT! Therefore, I shall sum up the highlights of this trip.

1. When the pharmacy was filling the prescription, the guy asked if I wanted to add a flavor to her antibiotic. I said sure! The gentleman then listed off the flavors: strawberry, bubble gum, cherry, grape, raspberry, and something else, I forget. I deliberated and finally chose raspberry, when all of a sudden, an army of red shirted Target workers slowly eased their way in to the pharmacy area and the surrounding aisles. I am sure I made a weird face when I looked around me wondering if I was being "pranked." But, they carried on and I guess they just must have had a meeting or something. Paranoid? No way. Was I scared? Maybe. Anyway, a female employee who overheard the list of flavors being read off added, "and they have bacon and tuna flavors too!".... ummmmm...? Why yes! That's the ticket! I will take my bacon flavored antibiotic to-go please!


Image from here



2. As I was leaving the pharmacy, an elderly lady with a thick German accent was talking to a Target employee, and as I walked by I heard, *remember in a thick German accent* "Yes, and people can't ever believe how old I really am, really. They can't believe it. I am 84!" At that exact moment, she starts kicking her leg up high into the air, demonstrating her limber limbs in full motion. The worker dude just smiled and agreed it was impossible for her to be 84. I want to be her when I grow up.

3. Due to my thrice deflated post-breastfeeding chest, I need a better sports bra. More padding so I can feel a smidge feminine at the gym, and ironically-even though there is nothing there- I need some more support. Well, to my surprise, at our Target (they probably were just out of stock), they only had padded sports bras in all sizes larger then A. Dag nab it. WHY!? This is just my luck. I guess I just might stuff socks in my sports bra like my mom told me to do to fill it out. Really though...if you think about it, how awkward/hilarious would that be if I actually did that and went to the gym. I wonder if people would question their authenticity...
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Pennies, A Day of Birth, Sick Baby and Chopped

  Over Labor Day weekend, we went to Ryan's grandparents that live an hour and a half away. They also have an AMAZING farm. Railroad tracks run through their property, so putting pennies on the tracks is a tradition. Ryan took the boys to get their first pennies smashed by Thomas.

Ryan's 28th birthday was Saturday! Because of a sick baby, we didn't celebrate with his family until Sunday when we got to the farm. I made this incredible chocolate cake for him. I made it for Cole's birthday last year and we all devoured it. I figured it was time to make it again. Happy birthday Ry!!! 

 My cute boys just hangin' out in the back of the truck!

Mackenzie was in the truck with me and Ryan as we drove(slowly) around on the property. She has been sick with an upper respiratory virus for about a week. If you can tell, she is not feeling well in this picture.

Last but not least, I wanted to change things up a lil bit, so I chopped my hair off again! And I love it!!! It's an A-line bob thingy majigger. It feels so nice to not have 20 pounds on my head. Seriously, I have been blessed with some thick hair, but ya know... less is more sometimes! I love seeing people's reactions to my hair when they do it. My hair stylists over the years always freak out after we are a good 5 minutes into a hair appointment. : )