New!

I'm baaaaackkk!! I cannot believe it's been so long since I've blogged! I honesty think that it mostly has to do with the fact that instagram has become a blog of sorts for me. I can post pictures of all my projects and daily life with a short blurb and I'm good to go - but I miss blogging dearly and love that it keeps a record of certain parts of my life I might not otherwise remember.

 Around here, I have been loving my role as a full time stay at home mom and wife! Now that Connor is getting older I have been taking on all kinds of new projects. Currently I am obsessed with all things homesteading {hence to the blog name change - more on that later}. I have been reading books, watching videos, and trying out all kinds of things to save money and live a more sustainable lifestyle.

 Johnny and I both share a love for a good deal {in other words, we are cheap}. I think that is why homesteading appeals so much to me. I love to save money and I love to make things/ do things on my own. It gets me so excited!

I also love the idea of teaching Connor how to work hard and do things himself instead of getting them handed to him. I'm already envisioning him harvesting vegetables with me in the backyard and running around playing in the dirt at the same time and I just love it!

Just for fun I looked up the Wikipedia definition of homesteading:

Broadly defined, homesteading is a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. It is characterized by subsistence agriculture, home preservation of foodstuffs, and it may or may not also involve the small scale production of textiles, clothing, and craftwork for household use or sale.


Sounds awesome right?! 


I also changed my blog name - Here's why:


My old name {If It Jiggles} is still near and dear to my heart because I blogged under that name for a long time but it just doesn't seem to fit anymore. That name to me meant blogging about health and fitness and although I am still very passionate about those subjects, I have so much more going on now and I thought a name change was in order! I chose Tullar Homestead because it describes my life - homestead is defined as: 

1.         A house, esp. a farmhouse, and outbuildings.

2.         A person's or family's residence, which comprises the land, house, and outbuildings

Tullar Homestead means the place where my little family resides and all the activities that go on here! I'm looking forward to sharing more with you all very soon! 


xoxo Jessenia 

Mommy Tip #1 - Squats

Although I've only been a mom for a little over 3 months I feel like I learn something new everyday so I've decided to add a new section to my blog called mommy tips. I love reading about other people's experiences with motherhood so I wanted to be able to share mine in quick little blerbs here and there. Mommy tips will be little tips about anything mommy related that I discover on my journey in parenting! So here it goes! :)

Mommy Tip #1:

Finding time to workout as a new mom is hard sometimes. Running is my main means of exercise but sometimes it's a struggle to get out the door! Here's my mommy tip on how to squeeze in a workout at the most unlikely times.

Squats are a girls best friend! I used to do 100 squats a day on top of my normal workouts and I love what they do for my butt and legs. As a mom I now have a built in weight of about 13-14 lbs. His name is Connor!

Sometimes the little guy won't take a nap unless I rock him to sleep. This is the perfect time for me to get in a mini workout. While I rock him I do sets of 10 wide squats. You can also try a traditional squat or side lunges. Not only do I feel the burn but it actually helps C fall asleep from the rocking up and down!

If you want an added challenge, make a rule that every time you change a diaper you have to do 5-10 squats while holding baby. You'll be surprised how sore you are the next day!

Hope you enjoyed the very first mommy tip! Feel free to share some of your mommy tips in the comments. I'd love to hear them!

xoxo Jessenia

Running - Mommy Style

If you know me, you know I love running. My freshman year of high school my mom convinced me to run cross country to get into shape for soccer and also because she ran when she was in high school. When the season first started I hated it! I remember we would have to run around the fields behind the school and when we got to a part where our coach couldn't see us we would walk.

As the season progressed I fell in love with it. I especially loved racing. Putting everything you have into training and then competing in a race is such an amazing feeling and not only are you racing against the other runners but your racing against yourself. I was constantly trying to beat my PR.

Even though I loved racing and running I was always one of those runners who was content with being in the middle of the pack - not super slow and not super fast. I trained hard but when I felt like being lazy I did. lol.

I continued running through college and up until I got pregnant, competing in 5ks here and there and I did my first half marathon last October. I had always thought I would be a pregnant runner but once I got pregnant it just didn't feel right to me. I know there's loads of research on the pros and cons but for me personally it didn't seem like the right choice so for a whole 9 months I didn't run. It was the longest I have gone without running since I was 14. Needless to say, I missed it .. a lot!

After my c-section the doctor cleared me to run at 4 weeks and I started out really slow with walk breaks. It always sucks to have to start running from scratch but I kept at it and built up my endurance. As of now at 12 weeks I pretty much feel back to normal with my endurance and pace. I'm running a 5k soon and then I'm going to be training for a half marathon starting in January.

Although most of the time I run by myself while my husband watches Connor, I still feel like running has changed for me. Being a mommy runner is much different! When I go out for a run most of the time I think about Connor at home. What is he doing? Is he hungry? Is he still sleeping? My husband is great with him so I know I don't have to worry but that's just what moms do!

I also can't just run for as long as I want or decide I want to run another mile mid- run because I know I have to be home to feed Connor since he still doesn't go very long between feedings. Even though these might seem like bad things they aren't at all! I love knowing that when I walk in the door after a great run my little man will be waiting for me! I love him so much! I also can't wait for him to get a little bigger so he can ride in the BOB running stroller without the car seat. I hope he likes it! That way we can  go on long runs together and of course when he can run, I hope he'll be running next to me!

I have read many forums about mommy runners who say they are in better shape and have more determination post baby than they did before and I think I could say the same for myself. I'm not in better shape quite yet but my determination is higher because I have something to work for. I'm working off the baby weight and working towards feeling strong again. My goal is to beat my PRs for a 5k and half eventually and when I do I know I can look forward to seeing my husband and my sweet baby boy waiting for me at the finish line!

Hope everyone is having a great week! If you're a mommy runner, how has it changed for you?

xoxo Jessenia

Thoughts on Co-sleeping

When I was pregnant I wrote this post about co-sleeping. Having never had a baby before I had no idea how I would actually feel on this subject. I went through all the ideas in my head before Connor was born. I finally settled on side-caring Connor's crib with our bed. We set it up a few weeks before his arrival and I would stare over at it every night and dream about the day he would be laying in it!

The first two nights we spent at the hosiptal I was still very sore from surgery and I could barely get out of the hospital bed so Connor slept with me in the hospital bed. I was also struggling a little with breastfeeding since I didn't get to put him to the breast right after delivery (sigh) so it was nice to have him close to try feeding him as much as possible.

Once we got home the plan had been to have him in his crib next to our bed but I couldn't sleep on the side with the crib because it was too hard for me to get out of the bed since I was still very sore. I ended up putting Connor right next to me in the bed all swaddled and basically held him the first two nights at home because I was so nervous to roll over him.

As I started feeling better I started sleeping on the side of the bed where his crib is attached and at the beginning I could get him to fall asleep in his crib and then when I would feed him I would let him fall asleep on me which quickly transitioned into him having to sleep on top on me all the time. We went on this way for a while and then we discovered that he slept well in his car seat so we put his car seat in the crib and put him to sleep in that (sounds a little weird but it works!)

Sleeping in his crib

 Now if I am not going to bed at the same time as C, we usually put the car seat in the crib and he falls asleep in it for about 4-5 hrs. Then after his first feeding I just set him next to me (in between my husband and I - not in his crib - he somehow knows the difference and won't sleep in his crib) pat him on the back and most times he falls right asleep.

Sleeping in our bed

I remember saying in my original post that I didn't want to have him in between us at night. Oh how things have changed! I think co-sleeping arrangements are totally personal choice and based on each family but I am also finding out it has a lot to do with what baby wants too. C isn't one of those easy babies that you just put in their crib and they fall asleep. Based on how many different ways he has preferred to sleep in his sort 2 1/2 months of life, he is definitely opinionated. I love having him sleep with us because he's only going to be a baby one time and we both are so enjoying snuggling with him every night and morning.

Since my husband works from home, most days he wakes up at the same time as C and I do. Wake up time is always decided my C himslef. He kicks me in the stomach every morning until I wake up! After I feed him Johnny and I play with him in bed and enjoy all of his adorable baby smiles and coos. There's just nothing like it!

I mean who wouldn't want to wake up to this face ;)

My plan is still to start transitioning him to his own room around 6 months which means before then I'm going to have to wean him off of sleeping in our bed to sleeping in his crib - attached to our bed. We will see how this goes though. I am still a firm believer that parents should be the boss of their children and not the other way around. Right now C is so small and innocent that I don't want to wean him, train him, or put him on schedules yet but once he is older I want to get a little more structured which means him moving into his room.

However, it's still a few months away so for now we are going to enjoy C being a little baby and snuggling as much as possible! Thoughts?! Leave a comment :)

Have a blessed week!

xoxo Jessenia

2 Months Post Bump

Hola! Has it really been 2 months 3 days since my little C was born? I can't believe it and yet it feels like he has been a part of our lives forever. A friend of mine is pregnant and she asked me how it was being a parent and I told her that sometimes I look at him and I just want to cry because I am so happy. (sometimes I do lol)

One week - 7 weeks

This past month has been full of changes and milestones for Connor. He is growing so fast and we are loving every single second with him. I wish I was writing down more of what he is doing and I am trying so that I can write it all in his baby book.

At around 7 weeks he started making so many new noises. I just love hearing his little voice! So many coos and grunts and everything in between. He has also mastered to art of whining.. wonder where he gets that from! haha I said in my one month post that he had my personality and it becoming more and more apparent daily. Even though he is hard sometimes I don't even mind because he is the sweetest most adorable baby I've ever seen (of course ;)).

At around 8 weeks he started to suck his thumb and is very interested in getting his hands in his mouth. He only gets his thumb in his mouth on occasion and is still exploring and trying to figure out his little hands and what there are. So cute.

I know all babies are gassy but this guy like I said before is a farting machine! It's so hilarious and gives Johnny and me lots and lots of laughs. I'm thinking it's because of my vegetarian diet. Any vegetarians out there experience this?

He is very active and doesn't sit still for a second unless he is sleeping. He is constantly kicking and turning his head to look at everything he can. He is very strong and already has pretty good control of his head. He loves to be held in a standing up position and can hold himself standing for a few seconds. I try to give him tummy time daily but he hates it! Hopefully he'll like it a little more soon.


He still is eating every hour unless he is sleeping and it is so tiring but I'm kind of getting used to it now. My mom was reading on Dr. Sears website that babies that are breastfed on demand vs. a schedule grow faster and have an easier time maintaining their weight when they get older because they control when they eat. Makes sense to me! I think he has to eat so much because he burns so many calories with all he crazy moving.















He smiles all the time and loves to look at his daddy. I love seeing them together and cannot wait to see what the future holds. The dad and son relationship is such a special one and I feel so blessed to have a husband who is such a great father.

Here's how I've been doing:

At two months postpartum I am feeling great! Occasionally my incision feels a little sore but its not painful at all. I have been running pretty consistently the past few weeks and I am training for a 5k in decemeber. I am following two plans picking and choosing workouts from both depending on how I am feeling. I can't say enough about how great it is to be back running again. It's such a big part of me. I am really thankful now for the ability to run after taking so much time off. There's just nothing like it!

I tried doing some leg workouts with squats and lunges a couple of times but my incision was starting to hurt so I am currently just running for now. Hopefully soon my incision will be able to handle a little more soon.

I am now about 5-6 lbs away from my pre pregnancy weight and I feel like the lbs are coming off so slowly but I think when you only have a few lbs left thats kind of how it goes. I know I'm putting in the work and it will come off eventually. I do feel my body changing though. My legs are slowly changing shape, feeling stronger and getting muscle definition back and my belly is going down. It's so amazing to me that we have the ability to literally change our bodies just by what we eat and how we exercise. Pretty cool when you really think about it.

2 months                                                                                 5 weeks

Overall, right now I'm focused on being the best mom to my little C as possible but I'm also taking care of myself and I'm focused on running my first 5k back to the best of my ability. I can't wait to cross that finish line and see Connor and Johnny waiting for me! First race with a baby - So exciting!

That's all for now! I'm hoping to write a post on cloth diapers soon so keep on the lookout for that. :)

(P.S. If you think C looks different, it's because we buzzed all his hair off because he was starting to look like an old man! It accidentally got a little too short and I had an emotional breakdown about it lol but now it's growing in all even and fuzzy so it's all good!)

xoxo Jessenia

Around here ..

there's been tons going on. I have once again been slacking on my blogging but I'm finally feeling like I'm getting the hang of this whole mom thing (somewhat) so hopefully my blog will be a little more loved soon than it is now!

My little C is growing up so fast and I cannot believe it. Every day I look at him and think he looks even bigger than the day before. He's growing too fast and I kind of wish it would stop.

I have lots to share about how he's been changing but I will wait until the 2 month update! Ohh the suspense. ;) He'll be 2 months old on sunday. Holy crap! Time flies.

I've starting training for my first 5k post bump and I'm super excited about it! I love being back out running again and can't wait to race. There's nothing like getting up early and running in a race. I just love it!

Oh and the weather here has been gorgeous. 50s at night and 70s during the day. Perfect for cute little boys in beanies. :)


xoxo Jessenia

The Endless to-do List

Happy Monday! It's nap time here at the Tullar household and so far I picked up the living room and worked out. I probably should be doing laundry and dishes but instead I'm taking the time to write down all the things I need/ want to do.

Lately I have been feeling so motivated and excited to do so many things. Like I mentioned before, I really think that having a newborn takes up so much time that you don't take any time for granted. I've recently been sucked back into pinterest so of course there are millions of ideas swirling around in my head every time I look at it.

So here it goes, my to-do list begins! :)

• start a garden (i already have sweet mint, chocolate mint, & spinach)
• make diy cleaning supplies
• make diy toiletries (ie shampoo, deodorant)
• sew a bandeau bra
• fit into my old jeans ;) 
• up my running milage 
• workout everyday
• start cloth diapering full time
• make diy cloth diaper detergent
• bake some fall treats 
• go completely gluten free 
• clean/ reorganize my house one little section at a time (this may take me foreverrr)
• run a 5k 

& of course spend lots of time with my hubby and baby boy in this gorgeous weather! 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful monday!

xoxo Jessenia