The goings on of our geeky little family and the musings and soapbox moments of the lone female in the group.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Weight
I thought my pre-pregnancy weight was lower than it actually was. I am officially lighter than my pre-Brettley pregnancy weight. Now it's losing the bipolar weight. I can do this!!!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Christmas Comments
It's not a well hidden fact that I LOVE Christmas. I listen to my favourite Christmas albums year round and I get super excited for decorating every year. I love the spirit of it. I'd love to start decorating on November 1st every year and have at least 2 full months of decorations. I don't, though. I always wait until November 12th at the earliest. Because I don't want my focus to be decorations on November 11th. I'm Canadian to the core and have no idea what Veteran's Day is like in the States. But up here, I do my best to give Remembrance Day the respect that it deserves. I wear my poppy for 2 weeks before the day. I often read books that remind me of the sacrifices that people made in wars for freedom. I have already started collecting books that will help my kids to become educated about the World Wars. So many lives were lost and so many more were scarred to ensure freedom, that it feels disrespectful to decorate for Christmas before then, at least to me. But you'd better believe that I'll be unpacking my Christmas tote on November 12th!
On another note about Christmas, I keep wondering why everyone is allowed to have rights during the holidays (or year round, for that matter) except for Christians. Seriously, if someone wishes you a Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa, no one's going to correct them or chastize them. Happy Holidays is considered perfectly acceptable, politically correct and highly encouraged. However, if you wish someone a Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas then all of a sudden you're discriminating and offending people. HONESTLY?!? Take a step back and realize just how lost and corrupt our society has become so that someone can't even give people a pleasant festive greeting anymore. So whatever people wish me this year, I'll smile, say thank you and wish them a Happy Christmas. Because I don't answer to cranky atheists who want to control the beliefs and morality (or lack thereof) of the world. I answer to Heavenly Father, and it's the birth of His son that I am thankful for this time of the year, and always.
*Takes a step off of the soapbox*
On another note about Christmas, I keep wondering why everyone is allowed to have rights during the holidays (or year round, for that matter) except for Christians. Seriously, if someone wishes you a Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa, no one's going to correct them or chastize them. Happy Holidays is considered perfectly acceptable, politically correct and highly encouraged. However, if you wish someone a Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas then all of a sudden you're discriminating and offending people. HONESTLY?!? Take a step back and realize just how lost and corrupt our society has become so that someone can't even give people a pleasant festive greeting anymore. So whatever people wish me this year, I'll smile, say thank you and wish them a Happy Christmas. Because I don't answer to cranky atheists who want to control the beliefs and morality (or lack thereof) of the world. I answer to Heavenly Father, and it's the birth of His son that I am thankful for this time of the year, and always.
*Takes a step off of the soapbox*
Monday, October 31, 2011
Weight Loss and Halloween Time
John and I did our official 4 week weigh ins on Saturday. He has lost 16 lbs since Oct 1st and has dropped 2 pants sizes. I have lost 9.2 lbs and have dropped 1 pants size. I am pretty impressed that we managed to accomplish that in the same month as Thanksgiving, Caleb's surgery and company staying with us for a weekend. My goal for November is to lose 5.1 lbs, so that I will be under 180. As of Saturday, I only have 10 lbs to go to reach my pre-pregnancy weight from when I got pregnant with Brettley. I am hoping to reach this by the end of 2011, but by Brett's first birthday at the absolute latest.
Weight has been a huge struggle for me the past few years. After having Ty I got back to a healthy weight and looked quite decent for someone who'd been pregnant 3 times. Then we found out I had bipolar when it got super out of control and I got put on meds for it. In the first month alone I gained 25 lbs. I just kind of gave up after that. I tried to go back to calorie counting a few times but just couldn't stick with it, my heart wasn't all there.
Why is this time different? Probably for several reasons. The first being that it's a project for my Personal Progress, which I really want to do. The second reason would be that I am accountable to someone for how I do each day and I don't want to have to tell her that I gave up or wimped out or something (thanks for being there for me). The third is that I just got downright sick of not being able to wear clothes that I actually like because I was too big to fit in any of them. There are more reasons...Health, being a good example for my kids and more. It was all too much and finally it stuck. If I mess up a day here or there I just get back on track the next day.
***
On Saturday we went to our ward's Trunk or Treat. It was Caleb's first outing since the surgery. First they had games which resulted in Ty eating at least 3 rice krispie treats and John and I making fools of ourselves racing each other to eat 2 gummie worms and a bowl of whipped cream each faster than the other. I lost and I'm okay with that. Then we went outside and people gave out candy from the trunks of their vehicles. It was VERY cold. Caleb was The Human Torch (Fantastic Four), Ty was Thomas the Tank Engine and Brettley was Yoda. I did take pictures, I just haven't uploaded them yet. Ty will have to be Larry the Cucumber tonight because he got strawberries all over his costume on Saturday afternoon.
That night John and I went to the Olive Garden on a date. It was wonderful, I love their food. After that we picked up Brettley's Christmas present from Grandpa M a couple of months early. He got a bright red Bumbo chair. He loves it and I love having it. It's so useful. He 'sat' during Sacrament Meeting in it yesterday, which freed up both of us to deal with the other 2 boys.
Weight has been a huge struggle for me the past few years. After having Ty I got back to a healthy weight and looked quite decent for someone who'd been pregnant 3 times. Then we found out I had bipolar when it got super out of control and I got put on meds for it. In the first month alone I gained 25 lbs. I just kind of gave up after that. I tried to go back to calorie counting a few times but just couldn't stick with it, my heart wasn't all there.
Why is this time different? Probably for several reasons. The first being that it's a project for my Personal Progress, which I really want to do. The second reason would be that I am accountable to someone for how I do each day and I don't want to have to tell her that I gave up or wimped out or something (thanks for being there for me). The third is that I just got downright sick of not being able to wear clothes that I actually like because I was too big to fit in any of them. There are more reasons...Health, being a good example for my kids and more. It was all too much and finally it stuck. If I mess up a day here or there I just get back on track the next day.
***
On Saturday we went to our ward's Trunk or Treat. It was Caleb's first outing since the surgery. First they had games which resulted in Ty eating at least 3 rice krispie treats and John and I making fools of ourselves racing each other to eat 2 gummie worms and a bowl of whipped cream each faster than the other. I lost and I'm okay with that. Then we went outside and people gave out candy from the trunks of their vehicles. It was VERY cold. Caleb was The Human Torch (Fantastic Four), Ty was Thomas the Tank Engine and Brettley was Yoda. I did take pictures, I just haven't uploaded them yet. Ty will have to be Larry the Cucumber tonight because he got strawberries all over his costume on Saturday afternoon.
That night John and I went to the Olive Garden on a date. It was wonderful, I love their food. After that we picked up Brettley's Christmas present from Grandpa M a couple of months early. He got a bright red Bumbo chair. He loves it and I love having it. It's so useful. He 'sat' during Sacrament Meeting in it yesterday, which freed up both of us to deal with the other 2 boys.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Brett, Caleb and Ty
Brettley had his ophthalmology appointment yesterday. Glasses are a must. We are going to look at some tonight, and hopefully to book Caleb's check up as well. I'm pretty nervous about dealing with glasses on an 8 month old baby who's not even supposed to be 7 months yet, but other people have done it so I'm sure I'll figure it out.
He has to wear the glasses for a couple of months and then we go back to see the Dr. If his eyes still aren't at normal strength then we will have to try patching them for a while (I'm even more nervous about this one).
After we've tried that if there is still strengthening to be done then it will have to be done by surgery. Obviously I'm the most nervous about that one.
Sometimes it feels like this is really hard and all, but when you consider that he was born at 33 weeks and this and the apnea are the only real problems that he's had, we're very blessed.
Brett also discovered yesterday how much fun it is to "help" me feed him his solids. It was a messy experience, but he loved it.
***
Caleb is doing okay. He's willing to eat more again, although he prefers to eat Brettley's pureed veggies over most of what I make for supper. I don't have a problem with him eating it, since it's just concentrated vegetables and packed full of nutrition.
He's still not up to par and surviving on Tylenol and Motrin, so I'm glad that I decided to keep him out of school until next Tuesday. He has been working on his printing and doing worksheets brought home from school, and that has been really good for him.
***
Ty turned 3 on Sunday. We had celebrated the weekend before though so that Caleb would be able to enjoy cake with him. He got lots of Star Wars stuff. He is still fighting the toilet training like a mad man and I've decided to just not worry about it for now. I REALLY didn't want to send him to Sunbeams still in diapers, but right now all the training is doing is frustrating the both of us really bad. Maybe if he's not mad about it then he'll stop decorating my wall with a black permanent marker.
***
Yeah, that's about all that's really going on here. We're trying to figure out our plans for Christmas. Anyway, I'm off to do some work on a Personal Progress project. Have a good one!
He has to wear the glasses for a couple of months and then we go back to see the Dr. If his eyes still aren't at normal strength then we will have to try patching them for a while (I'm even more nervous about this one).
After we've tried that if there is still strengthening to be done then it will have to be done by surgery. Obviously I'm the most nervous about that one.
Sometimes it feels like this is really hard and all, but when you consider that he was born at 33 weeks and this and the apnea are the only real problems that he's had, we're very blessed.
Brett also discovered yesterday how much fun it is to "help" me feed him his solids. It was a messy experience, but he loved it.
***
Caleb is doing okay. He's willing to eat more again, although he prefers to eat Brettley's pureed veggies over most of what I make for supper. I don't have a problem with him eating it, since it's just concentrated vegetables and packed full of nutrition.
He's still not up to par and surviving on Tylenol and Motrin, so I'm glad that I decided to keep him out of school until next Tuesday. He has been working on his printing and doing worksheets brought home from school, and that has been really good for him.
***
Ty turned 3 on Sunday. We had celebrated the weekend before though so that Caleb would be able to enjoy cake with him. He got lots of Star Wars stuff. He is still fighting the toilet training like a mad man and I've decided to just not worry about it for now. I REALLY didn't want to send him to Sunbeams still in diapers, but right now all the training is doing is frustrating the both of us really bad. Maybe if he's not mad about it then he'll stop decorating my wall with a black permanent marker.
***
Yeah, that's about all that's really going on here. We're trying to figure out our plans for Christmas. Anyway, I'm off to do some work on a Personal Progress project. Have a good one!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Surgery
Just when you thought you were safe and that I'd gone into hibernation, hey? I honestly just haven't had much of anything to talk about. I've been busy attempting to keep my house clean, eat better and exercise. For the most part it has been going quite well. I have a wonderful friend who has been keeping me accountable with the eating and exercising.
Yesterday Caleb went and had his tonsils and adenoids removed. Everything went very well and he was eating everything in sight less than 4 hours after the surgery even began, including pizza and chicken strips. He was a bit sore today and out of sorts, but he's still doing a lot better than I'd expected him to be doing. He has been a trooper and the only times he cried yesterday were getting the IV put in and taking the tape off of it to get it out. I can't blame him, I hate IVs with a fiery passion.
The only other thing that is really new is that Brettley goes for his opthamologist appointment on Monday evening. I'm trying to be hopeful, but even his pediatrician agrees that it's highly unlikely that he won't need surgery. For those of you who haven't been following what's going on, both of his eyes are very fixed into a crossed position and getting worse instead of improving.
That's really about all that's new here. I hope everyone is doing well.
Yesterday Caleb went and had his tonsils and adenoids removed. Everything went very well and he was eating everything in sight less than 4 hours after the surgery even began, including pizza and chicken strips. He was a bit sore today and out of sorts, but he's still doing a lot better than I'd expected him to be doing. He has been a trooper and the only times he cried yesterday were getting the IV put in and taking the tape off of it to get it out. I can't blame him, I hate IVs with a fiery passion.
The only other thing that is really new is that Brettley goes for his opthamologist appointment on Monday evening. I'm trying to be hopeful, but even his pediatrician agrees that it's highly unlikely that he won't need surgery. For those of you who haven't been following what's going on, both of his eyes are very fixed into a crossed position and getting worse instead of improving.
That's really about all that's new here. I hope everyone is doing well.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Birthday, Health and Gratitude
Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 27, which is nothing spectacular. I don't feel old on my birthdays because John is 8 years older than I am and he makes me feel young. I didn't do much of anything for my birthday, except make myself beef enchiladas for supper. They were pretty good, but a little bit more work than I thought they'd be. I haven't decided yet if they're going to stay on the regular menu or be replaced with something a bit easier to make.
I have been calorie counting since Sunday morning and exercising since Monday. I am really enjoying it and have an awesome sponsor who's keeping me accountable and that's working very well for me. John has been counting calories as well and doing great with it. Even when they have yummy leftovers at work he's been staying on track. My goal is to be back to my pre-pregnancy weight by Brettley's first birthday. I don't think there will be any trouble reaching that. My goal after that will be to lose my bipolar weight (I gained 25lbs in just 1 month because of medication), but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I'm feeling so much better health wise and about myself since I started doing this.
In the spirit of the upcoming Canadian Thanksgiving Day (this coming Monday), I will do this month's Attitude of Gratitude today:)
1) I am so grateful for the ability that we have to receive inspiration from Heavenly Father about what we should do in our lives. I am also grateful for the priesthood and for a husband who worthily holds it. I am grateful for the ability that he has to give me priesthood blessings so that I can receive further guidance from my Heavenly Father.
2) I am grateful that pomegranates are back in season. I miss them so much when they're not. I have had 3 in the past week and it wasn't nearly enough. I will have to buy more next week. I love pomegranates.
3) I am grateful for how wonderful I've felt this week in regards to my physical and emotional health. In choosing to take better care of my body, I am being extremely blessed. Heavenly Father is so good to us:)
I have been calorie counting since Sunday morning and exercising since Monday. I am really enjoying it and have an awesome sponsor who's keeping me accountable and that's working very well for me. John has been counting calories as well and doing great with it. Even when they have yummy leftovers at work he's been staying on track. My goal is to be back to my pre-pregnancy weight by Brettley's first birthday. I don't think there will be any trouble reaching that. My goal after that will be to lose my bipolar weight (I gained 25lbs in just 1 month because of medication), but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I'm feeling so much better health wise and about myself since I started doing this.
In the spirit of the upcoming Canadian Thanksgiving Day (this coming Monday), I will do this month's Attitude of Gratitude today:)
1) I am so grateful for the ability that we have to receive inspiration from Heavenly Father about what we should do in our lives. I am also grateful for the priesthood and for a husband who worthily holds it. I am grateful for the ability that he has to give me priesthood blessings so that I can receive further guidance from my Heavenly Father.
2) I am grateful that pomegranates are back in season. I miss them so much when they're not. I have had 3 in the past week and it wasn't nearly enough. I will have to buy more next week. I love pomegranates.
3) I am grateful for how wonderful I've felt this week in regards to my physical and emotional health. In choosing to take better care of my body, I am being extremely blessed. Heavenly Father is so good to us:)
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