Misc Tidbits

Happy Birthday To Me!!! I made it to Onderland for my birthday!!! Whoo Hoo!!!! My birthday was non eventful and that's fine. I got an iHome which I LOVE that I use everyday at home. Tonight we're going to dinner with family.

Salem's cheerleading is OVER. She loved it but I am SO glad for a break. And we don't have a Daisy meeting until 3/23. Whoo Hoo!

I am trying to decide what to do about Raina for the fall - whether to do 3 days of PreK a week at Abilene Christian or 2 days a week Mother's Day Out at Highland. I lean towards Highalnd (Young Children's World) and Brian is leaning towards ACS since Salem is there. I just worry she's not ready speech wise. But maybe it would help. Salem went to preK at ACS for 2 1/2 days a week. I could do something similar and then do another year of preK in 2010 unless she gets really ready. We'll see.

I am fairly confident - 99% sure Salem is going to 1st grade. I am VERY excited. The tutoring is going well and while she still has trouble I believe the tutor that they can work around it and with it.

Here is the exercise I got in this week:

2/22 - Rest - I was SO sore from working out with the trainer on the Friday before
2/23 - Stretches
2/24 - Week 2 Day 1 C25K - Wall Sits, Wall Push Ups, 50 Crunches, Misc
2/25 - Week 2 Dday 2 C25K - Cross Trainer 25 Minutes, Walked 30 Minutes, Strength Training 1 Hour
2/26 - Recovering from the day before - Seriously I did way too much for the amount of calories I took in but it felt SO good.
2/27 - 1 Hour Strength Training
2/28 - Week 2 Day 3 C25K - Worked Arms & Legs At The Gym

My goal next week is to work out 6 days a week.

Another Day In The Life

I started surgery at a 22 and am now in 18W jeans! :) I am SO excited. All my weight is almost completely in my tummy but I have lost more inches. When I was 37 - I got pregnant with my Raina and was in an 18 but weighed 189. I am sitting right about 200 in an 18 right now.

That is EXHILIRATING!!!! :) I am taking new pics next week. I doubt I will see a huge difference from my 6 week pics but still. I do see a difference in the pics taken at MOPS & POPS this year compared to last year but that will be two weeks ago. But I will post them for fun's sake.

I was SO excited I went and bought a cute jacket and cami to wear on my birthday this weekend. It adorable. And I got an iHome for my birthday for my touch. Brian said to find one (thanks sweetie) and I got one at Kohl's for 59.99. AWESOME.

OH - and I am wearing a pair of 18 camo capris. LOL. Camo probably isn't in style anymore but I LOVED them and bought them on clearance almost 2 years ago for $5 thinking I'd lose weight.

Well I did! LOL. This year I am going to spend a bunch of money finding my style. LOL. I am going to try to be good until I have to buy clothes and then go in spurts til I get to goal but at goal we're going to splurge.

Salem is doing well. Cheer practice was over last night. Whoo Hoo!!! We have our Monday's back! I am SO excited. All my friends - do NOT let me schedule anything else on Monday except going to the gym or walking at ACU which i can do with the kids. We both need a break with Monday being MOPS.

I need to take some pics of the girls. I don't know what's up with me. I am also having a hard time finding cute Easter dresses. I bought 2 at Target but I don't "love" them and I always pick Easter dresses I love!

My exercise routine this week

Sunday - Week 1 Day 1 - Couch to 5K
Monday - Nothing
Tuesday - Nothing
Wednesday - Walk 2 Miles at ACU
Thursday - Week 1 Day 2 - Couch to 5K
Friday - 45 Minutes of Strength Training With Everfit Trainer. :) Happy Birthday to Me!
Saturday - Walk 1-2 Miles (Planned)
I actually walked 1/2 a mile and stretched. I am so sore I can barely move.


Of course I can barely move my legs right now!

10 Honest Things

*Choose 7 spectacular blogs that you can't live without and pass this goodie on to the them.*Post the "chosen ones" on your blog in link form AND...*List 10 honest things about yourself.

Brenda Ann, Julia, Dorothy, Christi, Marcia, Shannon & Glenna (I'll link later)

1. I like my books to be in order by size rather than alphabetical order. It looks nicer. Makes books harder to find though.

2. I love Salem's school. It feels like home and I love being a part of that.

3. I never thought I'd be able to quit drinking diet coke. :) But I surprised myself.

4. I don't mind doing laundry but I absolutely detest folding clothes. It drives me INSANE.

5. I love my computer. I'd get rid of my TV before I ever got rid of my Internet. I actually am addicted to it probably.

6. I love my girls so much it hurts. I worry WAY too much about them.

7. I love a mentor (well I love all the MOPS mentors) but one has really just helped me a lot lately.

8. I love game nights with other couples. I love to hear the kids playing to their hearts content while the adults get some adult time. (I got this from LaRae but I totally love it too).

9. I LOVE being a SAHM. It's the best job in the world.

10. I love having friends over. I need to do it more!

WLS Picture - 6 Weeks

OK I don't know why I didn't smile. :) But this is me 30 pounds slimmer. :) You can compare to my surgery pic here.

Yet Another A Typical Pap - Sigh

I swear why can't things be easy. My last three paps were A Typical but no HPV. I go Thursday to test for HPV but still why can't I have one medical thing go easy.

I just freaking stress out so easy and I've already been worrying about the gastric mucosa in my stomach and was just getting to a good place and now this. I am just tired of it and I truly feel like the devil is stalking me with this worry so I definitely need to get through this.

And I "know" the answer is not to worry but I don't know how not to worry. So it's complicated.

The Couch To 5K Running Program

You know I really hate running when I try it but I am convinced that I need it to lose more weight and get my body healthy. I also need the endurance if I want to hike and be outdoors with my kids.

So today I started the Couch To 5K Program - C25K - it's basically interval training. Most people when they try to run try too much too soon and give up. Um - that's like me everytime in the past. I have a couple of friend's doing it and thought I'd check it out.

Basically, C25K, is a fantastic program that's been designed to get just about anyone from the couch to running 5 kilometers or 30 minutes in just 9 weeks. Its secret is that it's a gentle introduction to getting the body moving, starting off alternating between walking and running small distances, and slowly building up until after 8 weeks, you're ready to run 5 kilometers or 30 minutes non stop.

There are podcasts on the C2K Website that will give you music and then tell you when to walk, run etc. I did it today without it - just timed it. I will probably do that and listen to my own music. It wasn't easy but it wasn't as hard as I thought it was - and it's only 3 days a week. The other days I'll walk and do some toning.

Anyone want to try it with me? We can finish up by running our 5K at ACU or somewhere. Here is what you do each week.

Playroom Progress - Pics

This is before. Blech! Very dark - the wood is pretty but not for a playroom. This was as Larrah was moving out so it was trashed.

Notes:

1. The ceiling fabric off the ceiling is coming down. We'll have to drywall it - a pain but it must be done. That might take til April or so. There will be new light fixtures then.

2. The carpet is coming up next week! :) We found hardwood under it. We'll sand and stain it later. YEAH!!! This was an upstairs room that was an addition so we never assumed there would be hardwood under it.

3. We aren't finished painting. The yellow needs one more coat and the trim work needs to be done - the trim is time consuming because of all the drawers and doors and all. Phoebe that yellow you told me was PERFECT.

So ideas:

1. I need ideas for curtains and bedding. There are 6 windows - 2 on each end and 2 in the alcove (orange) area. In the alcove area we will put a daybed. I need ideas for bedding for that. I will put up new inexpensive mini blinds.

2. Rugs: I need at least 2 big rugs. I'll probably get a small rug for the alcove area. Nothing ridiculously priced.

3. Bathroom - Right now there is a red shower curtain hanging up. I can do another cloth shower curtain or beads. WDYT? I like the idea of a shower curtain cause it totally hides it.Later I have to lay tile and get a new carpet and clean. It's a shower, toilet and sink.

4. Does it need a lot of decor? All the toys will move up there. I wanted to use the drawers for organization but Raina can't open them which is too bad cause there are 14 drawers and a built in desk. Grrr. Maybe one day.

5. So I need organization ideas too. I was thinking cubes but they'd have to be attached to the wall and I am not sure about that. Julia I still hope you can help me but money is tight til April.

They moved some toys up there to play with now while Brian is working on it. They LOVE it up there. But literally ALL toys will be up there but books, games and things like paint and playdoh. Other art supplies will be in the roll top desk. I got that idea from Julia too. There room will be for sleep only.

I'd love to have an art center (desk), dressup area, baby area, kitchen area etc. I have racks that they can hang dressup clothes on that we'll hang up with some sterlite drawers underneath for shoes, wigs and necklaces. But I want it all separate so it makes sense.

The alcove area will have the daybed (guest bed) and relaxing area for the girls - mainly stuffed animals over there somehow creatively used.

The musical sound of the girl's playing...

We've been so busy with therapy and such that there is almost no time to play before dinner and bed. Sigh. So today I decided we wouldn't go to church. They love church but we have gymnastics on Wed and it's over at 4:15 and then church is at 6. So we eat in between and when we get home it's bath and bed. So no church. And I may do it a couple of times a month. Church is great but the sound of the girls playing together outside and driving their jeep and watching them giggle as Nina rides with them and barks at the cats is priceless.

They need this. They need some normal kid things. KWIM? Cheer is over in 3 more games. So in March our Mondays are free except Girl Scouts 2x a month. Yes we did too much by signing up for cheer but for 8 weeks it seemed ok. But then our opening at gymnastics came about 2 months earlier. Sigh! But cheer is almost over and then our schedule will be this:

Daisy Girl Scouts - 2x a month
Tuesdays - Tutoring - 3:15-4:15
Wednesdays - Gymnastics - 3:30-4:15 (Both Girls)
Thursdays - Speech From 3:00-3:30 - Riding Therapy 4-5
Fridays - Tutoring - 3:15-4:15

I am resolving to get my house work and errands ran before I pick up Salem to limit our time on the run and Raina's time in the car. Raina's tantrums have increased since adding tutoring and I know it's hard on her but I don't have a choice right now. So I am trying to make it work.

I Dad a Dr's Appt On Monday

He was as kind as usual and welcome me with a hug as did his nurse Holly. He was SO supportive of my decision and excited I am down 28 pounds. I tested my diabetes this weekend and didn't take the avandamet and my blood sugar has been perfect but he wants me to stay on it and the pravastatin (for high cholesterol) for a couple of more months. So he said keep testing and we'll decide in a month or so. So we'll test my A1C, B12, Iron, Liver Enzymes, Cholesterol and some other things on March 1.

My goal is to kick up the workouts this week!!! I am so excited - I am only 4 pounds away from Onderland!!! LOL.

I did talk to the nurse again yesterday and asked if my labs looked good if I could go back on metformin rather than the avandamet. She called back and said Dr. T agreed. :) Yeah! This will save me $100 a month! WOW. :)

I am a little frustrated with my scale. I spent $40 on a nice digital readout that measures dehydration, BMI etc. But it keeps giving me different readings. I don't know if it's because I have an old house and it's unlevel but one spot in the kitchen it will tell me one weight and if I move it it tells me 2 pounds more. So I am HIGHLY frustrated and looking for the receipt to take it back. So I don't have an accurate weight. GRRR.

**** Update on the kids

Salem is doing great in tutoring. Her tutor thinks she will definitely do fine and can move up to 1st. :) We'll still be tutoring of course but still. I am highly excited about that.

Raina - if she doesn't go back to Woodson for speech lab (I am hoping they would put her in speech 4 days a week - we'll see - we don't qualify $ wise), I am going to check out Rainbow school simply because I can leave her in longer than 2:30 so that might make therapy appointments easier in the fall if I don't have to rush and pick her and Salem up and then rush to appointments. We'll see. I just have to think about this now cause spots fill up. If it doesn't work out at Rainbow or Woodson we'll go to Young Children's World. I love it there but they end at 2:30 and I think Woodson would be best because of speech but it's only 2 hours. I can't get ANYTHING done. LOL.

Guess what I am wearing!!!!!!

I was a 22 when I had surgery. Lately my two pairs of jeans have been almost falling off. Today I couldn't figure out what to wear so I got into my extra large stuff and I have on the bottoms to an extra large jogging suit that I haven't worn since before I was pregnant with Raina!!!

I am SO SO SO excited. :) I'll dress up for church on Sunday and have Brian take a pic. I still have a ton to go but still - this has me SO excited. :) Hopefully I am under 200 soon as well. That's my first big goal.

TAG!!!!

Gari-Ann tagged me for this round. Thanks. I like doing things like this!

Here are the rules:
Step 1: respond and rework—answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.

Step 2: tag—eight other un-tagged people

************************

What are you wearing now? Boxers and a tshirt

What’s the last thing you read/are currently reading? Breaking Dawn

Do you nap a lot? Not usually unless I am sick. Even right now with zero energy I don't know.

Who was the last person you hugged? Raina

What’s your current obsession/addiction? WLS related stuff & coming up with ideas for decorating the girl's playroom.

What was the last thing you said aloud? Talked to Nina when I took her outside

What websites do you always visit when you go online? 2 Ezboard/Yuku boards, blogger, Obesity Helps

What was the last thing you bought? Cup of ice at Sonic

What are you listening to right now? Rerun of CSI

If you could have any super power, what would it be? I like that money tree idea

What time do you usually get up? 6:30 on weekdays. Blech!

What's your most challenging goal right now? Keeping my energy up and not getting overwhelmed.

Say something to the person who tagged you: I wish we lived closer! We could craft and spend time together. Sigh.

If you could have a house–totally paid for, fully furnished–anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? Beach House!

Favorite vacation spot? The beach

What is your favorite item of clothing? Shorts! I hope to love jeans one day

Name one thing you just can’t resist no matter how bad it is for you: Nothing right now! LOL. Except being online too much

Favorite pair of shoes you keep going back to over and over, even though your closet is overflowing with a zillion others: Yellow Box Flip Flops

Name one thing you cannot live without: My family - less emotional - my flat iron and my computer.

What time is bedtime? Around 10:30 usually.

*My added question*
Do you have an upcoming vacation planned? I don't but I am dreaming!!!

I tag:

Brenda Ann
Christi
Glenna
Marcia
Robyn
Tammy Lynn
Whitney
Julia

WLS Update 2/5

I forgot to post on Monday but and then I got so sad that I just couldn't post. :( Those situations are still heavy on my heart but all I can do is pray. I can't let it consume me. I've struggled with worry and anxiety in the past from letting situations terrify me and consume me. I just can't get to that point again. KWIM?

So back to the weight loss update - I am down 26 pounds. It's weird. Last week I lost almost half a pound a day but the week before it was slow but not a complete stall like I thought. Yesterday I started my cycle so I didn't weigh anticipating the worst. Today I went ahead and weighed and had lost 2 pounds since Monday.

So I am still fairly nauseated - more of the reflux but the nausea does hit. I am still taking nexium. I felt great on Sat and Sun and didn't take the nexium on Monday. That was a HUGE mistake. But I can deal. It won't be long term. :)

And I just have to say another wonderful thing about Dr. Campos/Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. As many of you know they found a gastric mucosa and intestinal dysplasia in my stomach during my sleeve. They sent it to pathology and it was fine but they recommended I get a scope every 6 months. Sigh. That sucks without insurance. Not sure what I am doing about that. But they've checked on me and sent me the path report and my samples to give my Dr. WOW. :)

This week my goal as been to exercise officially M-F and be active on the weekends. So far I've walked a mile everyday. :) I plan to walk at ACU with the kids over the weekend. And I want to start some cardio and low weights next week.

Right now my food friends are: Laughing Cow Light Cheese - seriously it is all I eat some days, sugar free popsicles, Matrix Dutch Chocolate protein powder made with skim low carb milk (YUM) - I drink 1 a day and another glass of milk a day. Some days I can eat some really mushed up chicken or an egg but so far these are my staples. Oh and string mozzarella cheese. It's soft so it mushes up even more when chewing. I didn't do well on refried beans or tuna so I am slow to try them again. Actually I am slow to try anything new until I can eat all this without feeling yucky. I do like hot and sour soup. The tofu is YUMMY! I just drink the broth and eat the tofu and leave the pork and bamboo shoots.

I do LOVE G2. :) I do struggle with water but I am getting fluids in with the G2, milk and shake.

Anyway - that's where I am at. I LOVE my sleeve. I do have some mental body dysmorphia - I look in the mirror and don't see a difference or second guess but literally 2 pairs of my jeans are falling off me - so I hope my mind catches up with my body!!! :)

Very Sad Right Now

As you know a couple of days ago I posted to pray for Regina as things aren't looking great. I know her mom has her at CHLA to start a new IV Chemo treatment. I am praying it works.

Then my friend Trina's 2 year old nephew Eoin (Owen) has leukemia and things aren't looking positive. They've been trying to keep him well so they could do a transplant. If he doesn't get well soon - his parents will be faced with a very difficult decision.

And if those two heartbreaking scenarios weren't enough - a lady I knew from my early days in the Abilene Moms of Multiples died in a house fire over the weekend. She had twin boys and a daughter and one of her sons was sent to Lubbock with 3rd degree burns and I just found out he died as well.

It's almost overwhelming. I am praying but totally broken hearted and am not sure even how to pray. All three stories are like the worst things I can imagine. I simply...

It makes my topics on weight loss, Salem's audiology processing disorder, considering moving Nannie to a nursing home etc - seem so insignificant.

I truly believe in God. I truly know he's here and his heart hurts for all three of these families. I just still wish these awful things didn't have to happen. I'll just never really understand things like this - they really didn't happen at the will of another person which is just as awful but more understanding. These two kiddos don't deserve cancer and to do before they really live. And this woman who died in the fire and now her son...

It makes no sense...

Meet Nina!

This is the newest member of our family - Nina. :) She's half bichon frise and half pomeranian and totally sweet and adorable. We are ALL in love and she seems to equally love us all! LOL.

Prayers for Regina

Serious prayers needed for Regina please! :(