Friday/Saturday Weigh Ins

Last week's weight: 165.8

This week's weight (Friday): 165.6

This week's weight (Saturday): 164.8

This week's weight loss: -1 lb

Total weight loss: 151.2 lbs

I was quite irritated yesterday when I saw the scale. Only -0.2 lbs. I know last week I talked about being in plateau. I actually just talked that out with my hubby yesterday too. I told him maybe the shock of the tummy tuck and subsequent weight loss after has put my body into shock mode (it's happened before when I lost a big amount in a short time) and now my brain is telling my body to slow down for some reason. Also, I'm sure, even though I was counting them, the stinkin Tootsie Rolls that have been plaguing my house, have not been helping!!

So this week's challenges are my husband's birthday weekend (it started yesterday - which you can see I had success so far - and by the way his actual birthday was yesterday) and Thanksgiving.  

Last Thanksgiving I was still "learning my band" and had a PB episode during dinner. Fun. I sincerely doubt we shall have a repeat of that. 

Today is a big Whovian day, which for my husband for it to fall on his birthday weekend is fantastic. It's the 50th anniversary of when Doctor Who first appeared on the telly. Big deal at our house :)

Kids are doing great at school. M made the A-B honor roll!! L is making strides at school and improvements. His gen ed and ASD teacher did a combined parent/teacher conference with me. He's making friendships with neurotypical kids which will help him!!!

How was your week?

8 Years Ago Today. A Note.

Even though I wrote about L's birth story yesterday (I thought we'd be way too busy today) I thought I'd show you what I put on FB today. 

8 years ago today, I had THE scariest day of my life. When I thought I was losing my child I prayed as best I could, joked around to keep my very high blood pressure down as much as I could and when people found out what was happening prayer was spreading like wild fire. Even someone who didn't know what was going on, had a notion to pray for me at a certain time that day and it was the exact time everything was happening. 

L you may have been the scariest birth story I've ever encountered (notice you have no younger siblings) but you have such a light in you that only God Himself can give. We are so proud of all the accomplishments you have made. You read at a higher level than you should. Math you are probably doing the same. Life has thrown you a ton of lemons baby boy but you just look at them and say, "eh, lemons" and don't even bother to make lemonade. You make your own way in this world. You are kind and loving. Sweet and the funniest little guy I know. 

God knew right whose house you belonged too. You admire Sissy. Love your Daddy and put up with all mommies kisses. 

Happy 8th birthday (not my baby) anymore. We love you.

 

8 Years Ago....Tomorrow

In case my day gets away from me tomorrow (which Sundays usually do with church and all) I'm posting this a day early. 

Just a warning.....you may want to have tissues readily available before reading this.  It is a little lengthy, but well worth the time to read!


Here is what happened 8 years ago (yesterday and today): - again pretend you are reading this tomorrow -

Eight years ago yesterday (today) was a Wed. night and I went to the hospital to be observed because my blood pressure was really high. I had an appt. on Thursday for an NST (non-stress test) and to see the dr. at 10 and 10:50 am. 

I was hooked up to the NST machine and things were fine. The baby’s heartrate wasn’t doing a whole of lot of reacting when they were moving, but still fine. Then all of a sudden the heartrate drops off. I thought the baby had moved. So, I waited and no one came. You see the NST room is in the back of the office where no one is and I get forgotten about. I tried moving it around and finally decided to go find a nurse asst. She came back in and couldn’t find it. She got another nurse asst. and she couldn’t find it. They got the Doppler, still couldn’t find it. 

They take me up front to see the doctor. She gets out the Doppler and can’t find the heartrate. She brings the ultrasound machine into the room and calls the other doctor into the room. Of course by now I am crying. The other doctor came in the room. They were trying to whisper over my head. Then I am not sure if they could find the heartbeat or not, finally they did and began counting. The heartrate what I know now was in the 70’s. 

By now they are calling 911. I had to get my cell phone and call P and my mom. P was taking M to the doctors because she was so sick. I had to track him down in the waiting room and to have them tell him to come because they were rushing me to the hospital by ambulance. Then I remembered to call back (even in the midst of craziness) to tell them I wasn’t going to the hospital we had planned on but to the one closest to my doctor’s office.

They called 911. They put me in an ambulance and we had a police escort to the hospital. I found out later that my blod pressure in the ambulance was 200/150.

I got to the hospital at approximately 12:00 pm and our baby BOY was born at 12:10 pm. He was born on Thursday, November 3rd at 12:10 pm. He weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. and was 19 inches long. He has a head full of dark hair with natural highlights!

When the doctor came out to inform P & M the baby had been born, she had hugged M and said you have a beautiful baby brother (we didn't know what we were having), then she hugged P and began to cry and kept saying "I can't get it out". In that moment P thought I had passed away. But, she was just
so overwhelmed by the entire events of the day that she had to relieve some of the stress. And we'll, she's a woman too. 

God was there with us that day. He protected L from all the harm that could have come to him. He protected me throughout the surgery and in the ambulence where my blood pressure was extremely high.

That's what happened 8 years ago today (tomorrow). 

Even on the bad days when ASD is in high doses in our house, we can easily recall the events of this day and remember that L could EASILY not be here.  Or he could have cerebal palsy.  Or many other things could have went wrong that day.

L, you are the funniest, smartest, sweetest, cutest boy I know!!  And yes, to quote anything you memorize (lately the Christmas program) but just a little reminder from the Veggie Tales God made you special and He loves you very much.  And so do we!!!

Friday Weigh In

10/18 Weigh in: 170.2 lbs

10/11 Weigh in 169.2 lbs

So what happened that week, my birthday. That's what happened. Then on 10/18 my dad had major surgery. The surgeon went in saying he was hoping just to do it (remove a polyp from my dad's stomach) laprosopic and he'd be home in 3-4 days.  But, depending on where it was and other circumstances, they may have to open him up and oh yeah, there's the possibility that I might have to take out half of your stomach.  Well, they ended up not being able to do it laprosopic, however, they were able to only remove the polyp and he still has his stomach!!! 

You know the time when they are about to take you into surgery and the anesthiologist is going over everything one more time? Well, that was the time my great-great aunt l, who is almost 93 and usually lives with my parents but is currently rehabbing at a nursing home (whew), they call and tell my mom that they think she's had a stroke! Talk about awful timing. So, between all of that and my son has had some awful ASD days. My daughter was struggling (she pushes herself when it comes to school) with algebra this week but my hubby said he saw the light bulb go on and that's an awesome indication that she is finally getting it. So, long story short, I saw 174. something this week. Freaked me out a bit. So, P hid my scale and I ate better. No more stress eating!!!!

This Week's Weight: 167.8 lbs

Weekly Loss: 2.4 lbs

Total Loss: 148.2 lbs

Oops. Need to blog more.

Well, I WAS down to 172, and then we had a foodie kinda weekend. And quite frankly I am still majorly recovering from my tummy tuck so I'm not overly worried. And I think I've figured out my life with food. Yes, the scale is going to go up every now and again. But, then you go back to the things you know to do. Protein, water (which by the way since my surgery I've MAJORLY upped my water intake so I am patting myself on the back for that) and well, exercise.  Can't exercise so protein and water it is. And I have to be careful too. I have NO fluid in my band. And I really need to figure out when I am going to go do that. 

Oh and just to throw it in there, have I mentioned that I'm getting REALLY good at wound care?? Unless you ask, you don't want to know. But, ask me would I have the tummy tuck again, YES!!!!

My plan was to do it (my fill) right before I go back to work (Oct. 14) however, I am having my belly button revision surgery 6 days before I go back to work and my port got moved to right above my belly button and let me tell you my whole belly is tender to the touch as it is. So, I'm not quite sure what to do. My goal was to go back to work and be 175. Well, I'm already under that. So maybe I just need to relax. Story of my life by the way. 

So here's a few pics I thought you would enjoy. 

My girl right before having her braces removed:

And right after (FYI - Invisalign retainers - spoiled kids!!):

Did I show you first day school pics?? Here is M - 8th grade:

And here is L - 2nd grade:

L has seasonal asthma and it decided to kick in, so he had to breathing treatments for a bit:

Here's a selfie of me on our way to our church's small group that we lead. We had a road rally (no I didn't participate, I sat at the church and tallied points):

Well, I think that's about it for now. Hope all is well in your world. On the right side of my blog you can see the blogs I read. That Molly Girl is having her surgery tomorrow, head on over to her blog and wish her luck, give her your best advice or simply say hello!!

Bye guys!!!!

TTT

Good morning everyone!!

1.  Well, I think I need to officially change my weigh in day from Thursday to Friday because my weigh in time is 9 am (I know random but it feels like my lowest time of the morning before I can't stand not having anything to eat anymore). And I'm going back to work the day after Labor Day and my only day off during the week will be Fridays. So, the change. 

2.  Today's weigh in. Well, a 0.2 lb gain. Considering my weekend and yesterday, this is not bad. I weighed myself earlier in the week and let's just say I really worked my butt off this week and its a shame because had this been a normal week I would have seen a great loss. But since tomorrow is now my official weigh in day, there's still hope?!?!!

3.  New coffee fave, butter toffee with a half of a chocolate protein shake (skim milk and half of a scoop of chocolate protein powder already mixed together and used as creamer). Oh, I also use Splenda (or whatever Kroger or Walmart brand I bought). It took me awhile to get used to using Splenda vs sugar but its worth the no calories. 

4. Band still a little tight until early evening but I'm not overly concerned. The evening I'm not tight at all. So, I definitely don't think I'm in an overfill situation. I just told my husband as these last 19 lbs or so (really 20 I guess :-/) come off I will likely need an adjustment because I'm guessing the band will loosen up much like a belt would. 

5. I mentioned I'm going back to work the day after Labor Day. This comes with a challenge for me besides the obvious mom back to work, kids back to school, etc. I've lost 10 lbs so far this summer, hoping it'll be at least 15 by summer's end. So, my dress clothes don't fit. And well, when you don't work, you don't make money. You see where I'm going. 

6. Speaking of money, I get to spend some next week on my girl!! She turns 13 (GASP!!) on the 22nd but we are having her party on the 16th. Well, the first party (she's spoiled and will be having a few) with her friends. It's a nail salon party where the young ladies get to pick a mani or pedi and then they are getting a make up lesson from an esthetician. During this there will be a dessert and snack table set up with a pink and zebra theme available to them. Lunch of pizza will be followed complete with TARDIS and red bow tie cupcakes.  I bought goodie bags. Do 13 year olds still get goodie bags? It'll have a mani set in there (cuticle pusher thingy, nail clippers, nail file, etc), a pedi toe separator, a bottle of nail polish and a roll of zebra print duct tape. 

7. Tried running this week twice. Didn't get too far. I'm not very fast. I hate running. My hubby says I'll get better. I'll believe it when I see it. Did I mention I hate running? I just can't find a workout I like. Oh and by the way, last night just proves my point, tummy tuck. TOTALLY NECESSARY. Just gonna leave it at that. 

8. I've lost, as of today, 126.2. That's a ridiculous amount of weight. Yea I know you are probably doing the math, sigh, but I'm getting there. 

9. Does anyone besides Chelle and I care there is a new Doctor?????? I think he might be kinda cool. He's much older than Matt Smith, but I'm thinking he might have something up his sleeve. 

10. Got my hair trimmed this week and my eyebrows waxed. Ahhhh. 

Oh. Here's a couple of pics. One of my sweet boy on Sunday after church and one of me at our small group picnic. 

TTT

Ten things Thursday. Are ya ready??

1. I know I've lost some weight this week. But I've jumped on the scale before my designated time. So, I don't want to tell you how much until then. So I will edit later to add the total loss!! Btw, FINALLY!!

EDITED TO ADD: my total loss is now at 122.2!!!!!

2. My hubby has been doing really well too. He's lost almost 30 lbs. He changed his diet a little, cut out pop and recently starting working out at his company's gym. I'm really proud of him. 

3. The kids and I have been out this week to meet friends to swim. They are so happy when they are swimming. And with friends. It's been a nice week. 

4. My husband is on day 11 of a 12 straight work period. In a very hot plant working 11 hours with about (roughly) a 45 min drive in but at least an hour drive home everyday. Bless his heart. 

5. I tell you what, I was getting super frustrated that I wasn't losing any weight, so it's nice to see a loss this week!!! But, I'm having issues with my hair. It's falling out BIG time. More than it ever has. I told my hubby it did when I was losing a lot maybe it was a sign I was on a losing streak again (he hid the scale - which I asked him to do - so I could only weigh myself once a week). Then I remembered I haven't been taking my bariatric vitamins because I ran out. I've been sharing vitamins with my son. So, who knows. I need to get my own this week end. 

6. My daughter's 13th birthday is coming up so we are in the process of beginning to make plans. 

7. I'm also in charge of planning a road rally the next day. 

8. I'm so enjoying my summer as a SAHM. 

9. Finally got my hubby to drink 1.5 protein shakes a day. I wasn't drinking my strawberry flavor I bought. So instead of throwing it out he volunteered to drink it. Which is cool in lots of ways. It's helping him eat way earlier than he was and getting way more protein :)

10. Because of previously mentioned protein shakes being consumed in our household, we now own 4 blender bottles. 

Here are a few pics :)

At the market where we buy our fruits and veggies, they had mini apples. 

Family game night!! Trouble!!! L beat us all. 

I get more pics of him sleeping....

Sorry I've been MIA

I've noticed when I'm not losing weight, I don't blog. Shame on me. I should be blogging my whole experience. Lately, it's a slow go!! But, about a week and a half ago I asked P to hide the scale from me. I'm too obsessed with watching it everyday!! So, he did and I waited a week before weighing myself (I did try to find it once ;). In that week, I found I lost two lbs. back down to 196.6. For a total loss of 119.4!!!! Wow. 

Now this weekend we went camping. Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm not that kind of a gal. But, I made the effort and I think I did pretty well. I slept in a tent. Went kayaking for the first time. We went in the lake a couple of times. Took a tour of the campgrounds we were staying at in the back of Papa's truck with the kids to look for a ton of wildlife!! I ate decently until I got home!! So, we shall see what the scale shall reflect this week!

So, here are a few pics from our weekend:

Here's L passed out almost immediately as we drove on our way because we were up late at the fireworks the night before. 

L and some playground fun at the campground. 

My hubby roasting marshmallows because he's awesome at it!!

L enjoying a s'more. 

P enjoying a s'more. 

We found this on a little side trip and L is standing in front!!

I'm not drinking a sweet tea...yikes!!! Good thing it's an every once in a while thing instead of an every day thing like it used to be!!!!!

Here is the face of a very frustrated ASD boy who's mom wouldn't let him play with one more electronic thing. It wasn't funny then, it is now. But at least I had my wits about me to get the pic!

And then I come to a place if mom guilt because I really don't have any great pics of my daughter to share. So, here's one from the day she came back from camp!!!

 

And one from the fireworks the other night!!

I haven't felt like blogging

Because my scale keeps going up!!

Why does my scale keep going up? I mean I know I've eaten a few things I shouldn't have. But I don't think it's enough to predicate this. 

I'm frustrated. 

I've also been on some steroids for my back. 

I believe my hormones are out of whack from my surgery. 

All of this rolled into one makes me sad. 

M is camp. 

L has a big cavity appointment today and already has 4 mg of Valium on board.

So today is a sad day for me.   

TheWeight on the scale goes up and down, up and down, up and down.

Are you singing now ;)?

Well, I'm down to 198.8 as of this morning. So, I'm down. But I'm bummed because I had been down to 197.6. This is my weight loss trend. Truly throughout my WHOLE weight loss. I'd lose 2 gain 1 back, lose 2 gain 1. I have no idea why I still get so bummed every time I still that scale move. 

Anyway, happy to be in onderland. Thrilled to be in onderland. Looking forward to 170. To me that's my magic number. That's my number that I'm "planning" to hopefully have some skin removal surgery at. 

It's weird to have my weight actually listed here now. I've never done that up until last week. Feel almost naked telling you all. 

Well, school is out!!! M ended AWESOME!!! She is on the honor roll again (just waiting for confirmation tomorrow) and L ended stressed because of all the chaos however my boy reads WAY above grade level. They thought he could do even higher than he tested but he is a bugger to test!!!

I, too, am home for the summer. My kids are home, so am I. My boss has a summer intern of sorts filling in for me and other than financially, I'm very excited!

As soon as school got out, the kids and I headed to the movies and enjoyed an afternoon together. 

My back is acting up again. If you can recall from my December and January posts I did a lot of PT.  Well, I'm back in pain again. Not quite as bad. But more annoyed and getting there. Sigh. 

NSV, I have to buy a new bathing suit. Which is an awesome thing and a bad thing. Awesome because that means I have lost a ton of weight. Bad because it means I have to find the moolah to do so!!

Oh it's Thursday. I guess I should do Ten Things Thursday. 

1.  Weight above

2.  M grades above

3.  L reading level above

4.  Back issues above

5.  Bathing suit above

6.  We have a homeowners issue I'm feeling very stressed about, so if you are a praying person, please pray for us. 

7.  Father's Day this weekend. No plans so far. Hubby went with his buddies to a MLB game last weekend and saw our team win! Also got to see our favorite pitcher pitch (finally). Every time we go its never his turn in the rotation. 

8.  I have several things I'm addicted to right now. Coffee (I use a half of a protein shake as my "creamer"), Orange Leaf and Doctor Who. Even though I'm only leaving for the summer my boss gave me a gift card to Orange Leaf and the fill in for me bought me a Doctor Who water cup and a sonic screwdriver keychain. 

9.   I have no idea where to go to buy a bathing suit. 

10. My daughter sang in a quartet in front of a high school auditorium full of people for her middle school choir concert two weeks ago ;)

Happy Mother's Day

This post is going to be about two things, my mom and why I'm a mom - my kids. 

My mom is one of the most caring individuals you could ever meet. She loves you with her everything and would do anything for you. I still love the story of how she was potty training my little brother and they were outside and he must have told her he had to go so she literally ran him into the house to go, the only problem is she fell on the way and broke her leg. That is motherly devotion. Or the time my best friend was having a baby and she wanted to do something special so she purchased the most beautiful baby carriage cake I've ever seen. And every baby I know has a hand crocheted blankey made by my mom's own two hands that I know personally they all love. My mom also works full time. She takes care of my 92 year old great-great aunt that lives with her. But no my mom doesn't wear a cape, she should. :) I love you mom. 

The reason I get to celebrate today is because God has blessed me. When I was 18 years old I was diagnosed with PCOS and the doctor basically told me it was gonna be an uphill battle. But, he was kind and said we'll get you there. Well, when it was time (or what I thought was time) he couldn't "get us there". So, off to the fertility specialist is where he sent us at the ages of 23 & 22!!! And well, after many tests and two rounds of Clomid and  prayer it just didn't feel like it was God's timing yet. He (yes God) told us later when it was time :) We found out two days before Christmas in 1999 that we were pregnant. We got to share the news first with P's grandmother, who's birthday it was and who passed away a week later. The following August we had a beautiful red headed 8 lb. 14 oz. baby girl!!!! A baby with red hair - SURPRISE!!!!  A couple of years later we thought it might be nice for M to have a sibling, but we lost that pregnancy. About a year after that I was a chaperone on a youth group trip for the teens at our church and feeling a bit off. Came home only to discover I was pregnant :). L came out in the MOST dramatic way possible (so appropriate for him and you can read how on any of my Nov 3 posts). 8 lbs. 9 oz. I hear he was screaming but I was knocked out at the time ;)

These babies are now growing up. M will be a teenager entering her last year of middle school this year. L will be 8 and going to second grade in the fall but to me like every mom I know, these children will always be my babies. 

Light It Up Blue

This post is to honor my boy, L. And to pronounce my faith to you all.

I honestly don't know where to begin. Well, April is Autism Awareness month. You will hear and/or see a lot of people talk or doing things to "Light It Up Blue". This is in awareness of the disability.

My son is autistic. Or my son has autism. Or my son is on the ASD spectrum. Depending on how you care to verbalize it. All of it says the same thing. We began to notice something wasn't quite right when L was approaching 2. Well, I did. Most of the people in my life kept telling me, he's fine, he's a boy, he'll catch up, etc. But, like with most things a mommy knows.

So, right before his second birthday we began the process of having him tested with early intervention. This is amazing in our state. If anyone has any doubts regarding their child, they will let you know. It's free and if something is "wrong" they can direct you to the next steps.

The testing showed L lacked language skills, fine and gross motor skills. Well, the tester got 2/3 right. He had the gross motor skills. So, we were directed to our local school district where they do their own set of testing. I remember how heart breaking this time was. It's really hard to admit to yourself that your child may have needs that you really don't want to say out loud.

At this time they put L in a category called "Early Childhood Development Delay". The rest of that school year we spent taking him to a speech therapy play group where we would go with him. He would spend two hours twice a week playing in a group setting and getting therapy and being taught by a special education teacher at the same time. It was a big year. His behavior changed dramatically!!!!

At the end of that year it was recommended that he return the following year to go to the three year old special ed preschool. It was four days a week, half day, for free. At the end of that year, we continued but did something amazing. During four year old preschool, he was doing so well he spent the majority of his day OUT of special ed and was in inclusion in general ed.

Towards the middle of four year old preschool it was decided to test L for autism. This is a big deal in our school district because once you make that distinction and that check mark, there's no going back. So you have to make sure. The school district gathers a committee of professionals of all types from across the district that does not know your child and brings them in to observe and test, so they can be as objective as possible.

I remember the day the findings finally came back. I knew the answer before I was told. The social worker at his school and I had a really good relationship and she said I wouldn't ever tell any parent this over the phone but I know you and I know you already know. Yes, we believe your son is on the spectrum.

I still cried. I still cry. It makes me sad that my son gets angry when confused or frustrated. Sometimes it makes me angry too. Sometimes I'm just plain sad.

Good things have happened along the way. L wasn't ready for kindergarten. He has a late birthday (November) so even if he didn't have the disability he would have likely still did junior kindergarten. His junior kindergarten teacher tells me he is the most talkative, articulate autistic child she's ever had. He has building blocks built in him we have to constantly work at. Meaning socially we see specks of him understanding social cues and making friends. And emotionally he lets us love on him and chooses to love on us in his time.

Now comes my faith. My God is a great big God. I could be angry and say why my boy. And I have. Trust me I have. But, if you can recall from my November blog regarding his birthday, my son shouldn't be alive or at the very least he should have cerebral palsy with the oxygen he lost. So, I choose to believe that God has something amazing in store for this little boy. He is teaching P and I something through our little man. And He is walking with us through every tough moment.

Autism is hard. If you don't know anything or anyone that deals with it, I encourage you to do so. Please feel free to push my blog out. I want people to understand that we live real lives. Autism effects real first grade boys and moms who have weight issues. Not just celebrities who claim their kids are cured by the foods they eat.

Pic Post

I haven't been able to re-figure out how to post pics from my phone, until today. So here's a truckload.

#1 - Me on the way to our church's women's Pinterest Christmas party!

#2 - My baby missing a front tooth!!!

#3 - Both my babies dressed up for Christmas Sunday :)

#4 - L and his new DS game.

#5 - M and her new shirt!!

#6 - Merry Christmas from us!!

#7 - My man and our girl :) We are Whovians :)

#8 - M and her dad after she finished her part of a science experiment.

#9 - Silly boy!! Lunch out!

#10 - Crayon mustache :)

#11 - Blue and Gold Banquet. Won a prize :)

#12 - Aren't they beautiful?

#13 - L and I out with Cub Scouts to see Annie.

#14 - Last one, Annie!!

Here's just a few of my fam!!!!!

Must Be Getting A Little Freaked Out

I have had a bummer day. The kinda day where you don't get out of bed. M's been watching old Doctor Who episodes with her dad (I love the new stuff, don't really think I'm into watching the old stuff).

L's been video gaming it up today!!An old Wall-E game and the computer.

Me, I've been hanging with Netflix. Trying not to over think this upcoming week. My surgery is Tuesday but have a bunch of prep stuff on Monday.

First is my unfill. I'm not looking forward to the conversation about what I've been eating. I hate disappointing people. Second, I have to do a lovely bowel prep. I'll just leave the details to myself on that.

My surgery is bright and early, well actually, dark and early when we leave. My mother in law is coming to get the kids off and my parents are meeting us at the hospital. It's a robotic procedure. Interesting, huh??

On a fun note, the boy and I had a lovely mommy/son night last night. Cub Scouts were supposed to visit a play and/or musical. One of local high schools was putting on Annie. He cried at the end. He said it was sad but beautiful and he could watch it again and again. Sweet boy!!!!

NSV anyone?

On Saturday we took the kids out for a little fun and shopping for good report cards. I think that kids who work hard and do well deserve to get rewarded. Some parents believe that it's their job. Often big companies give bonuses to employees who do their jobs well. Just my humble opinion ;)

I digress. We went to the mall. First we went to Johnny Rocket's. If you've never been to a Johnny Rocket's, it's like a old '50's diner feel with burgers and shakes. Not the best place for a bandster. But, it's where my hubby picked. So, we went in and when I saw how small the booth was I got that little panicked voice inside. But, I sat down. No problems. BIG NSV!!!! (non-scale victory). Also, I made a decent food choice, which is hard there. I had a turkey patty with some mushrooms and cheese, no bun and well, fries. I had half the patty, a couple of fries and then my band was starting to say done, done, done! So, I was done!!!!!!

We walked around the mall. Took my daughter to a punk store (so not her style, she's very much a Tommy Hilfiger, Polo, Old Navy - in other words - preppy), but we found her another Doctor Who shirt. Oh yeah and a sonic screwdriver key ring. She was a happy girl.

P and I bought a new candle. Sweet strawberries. It's our favorite.

We went to see Monsters Inc. in 3D. We enjoyed it very much. It was the very first movie we took M to. Last time we saw it in the theatre, M was in footsie pj's with a bottle. Quite a while ago ;)

After we stopped by to some of the old troop members from Girl Scouts, we bought 2 boxes of cookies. By the way, I also have 9 boxes on order......yikes. Another NSV, I've only eaten 1 cookie.

So Saturday was lovely!

Yesterday I had a PT appointment. I missed Friday because of the snow. Couple of things about PT I've learned, you kind of know when you are done. Friday is my last day. I think unless my back really, really flares up I should be good. Secondly, make better shirt choices when going. Some of the exercises are not good for a modest woman. A v-neck t-shirt, not good when you have to do stuff. Just sayin'!

Ok, scale.....103.4!!!!!!

Bandwagon....no pun intended, well, maybe.

I along with a lot of other bloggers I read, just haven't felt like blogging lately!!

I went into my clinic the first Monday after the new year and insisted on a fill. Told her my portions have gotten a bit too big even though I do have some restriction. She was hesitant but gave me a 1/2 cc. So, I'm up to 7 cc in my 11 cc band. I can't really tell the difference. But I have lost some weight and I'm pretty close to a MAJOR goal (hopefully I will get to blog more on that this week).

My hubby and I have gotten a few dates under our belt lately :) Our babysitter is awesome!!! She loves my kids to death and understands L's ASD and doesn't care about it!! Just loves him!! By the way, the feelings are mutual. They love her too! My 12 year old doesn't really "need" a babysitter but I don't think it's fair of us to ask her watch her ASD brother for long periods of time. I think that would be too overwhelming for them both. So for her I think it's like having an older girlfriend come over, as she kinda does her own thing.

This weekend we went to this little town a bit away from our house that's like a little piece of "Amercianized" Germany plopped into the middle of our state. We went to their shops first and did we shop? Nope. We went straight to the cupcake bakery that recently won on Cupcake Wars on Food Network. Um, diet? So, this is what we bought there (yeah, there's more to come): 4 gourmet cupcakes - maple bacon, coconut, cherry and chocolate covered strawberry, a chocolate cake pop and chocolate covered bacon. So, as we walked around we split the cake pop (AMAZING) and the bacon (ok). Took the rest home. Then we stopped at the popcorn shop. My weakness. I LOVE POPCORN!! And they have tons of flavors in a variety of sizes. I showed a bit of restraint, only 3 flavors in the tiniest size I could get (2 are already gone :-/).

So, then we headed to dinner where we split a pretty darn good comfort meal!! I had smaller portions and tried chicken pate for the first time (yuck).

Then we went shopping, properly (we've been watching a lot of BBC Sarah ;). P bought 2 new pair of tennis shoes or as they call them in the UK trainers, and I got 1 pair.

It was nice to get away just he and I with no children in tow! We had a bit of a drive there and we were both yawning like crazy on the way, so I pulled up Pinterest and found 50 questions to ask on a date. Some were redundant, some you should never ask your spouse (unless you want a fight). It was a good talk!

I have had only one complication from my band surgery and I wouldn't even call it a complication. More of a side effect. Because all of my fat was pushing my core muscles into place, now that the fat is dissipating my core muscles are pretty much gone. So, my spine is wibbly woobly (to kinda use a Doctor Who lingo) and not staying in place. As you can imagine this is quite painful. So, I've been doing PT for almost 2 months. For a while they had me bouncing from therapist to therapist. I started off with the director of the clinic. Smart guy, lots of degrees. But, is a smart guy. Works you out hard, doesn't really seem to mind that you are in pain. Then I got a temp. She was nice enough. Then I got the new girl. Sweet girl. Still green, but seems to know her stuff but still finding her place at the clinic (btw, I haven't had her in quite some time but she seems to be really finding herself here, I'm glad, she's very sweet), then there's my therapist. Let me digress for a second, I have had my main therapist for a bit but I got thrown off schedule one day and to go back to the main guy once, he was teasing me (while working my butt off) saying I see how you are abandoning me, I finally said hey I can't help the schedule and oh by the way do you know that I've had 4 therapists? Yeah, he stopped and repeatedly apologized after that. Apparently, they only like you to at the most, have two. So, my therapist is about my age and a nice guy. The good news is, I'm not hurting as bad, bad news still hurting. He's taught me a lot of exercises I can do at home because my time doing PT is coming to a close. We are reevaluating today.

No snow on the ground. We had a warm up, which melted it all. Now we are in a deep freeze. Which means we still have to send every piece of snow gear in for L and probably will do so until April :) No, I'm being serious.

My dad got good news from his test. It still is showing no cancer (he had 5 endoscopes last year on his stomach/esophagus). But, something is still going on we just aren't sure what. Appointment today.

Semester is over! Whew. My M worked her tail off. I hope her grades reflect because she deserves it!!!!

TTFN!!

Edited to say: it snowed last night :)

TTT

1.  I have more readers than I realized. I feel a little egotistical saying this, but I've worried about not having enough readers. But, I've had a few people tell me that they've been reading my blog, but they aren't "officially" followers. I want you to know this, I appreciate you following me along on this journey. It's a long, difficult journey. I still have quite a bit of a way to go, but the encouraging comments. THANK YOU!!!

2.  My hubby is very funny. He is my very best friend. We've been together for a very long time. This summer we will be together 20 years!!! Married for 16!!! We were babies ;) Actually we really were, he was 16 and I was 17 when we started dating. He makes me laugh, often. His new thing right now is that he is done watching new shows and getting into them, just to have them cancelled. Several new shows over the last few years we have gotten into has gotten cancelled. The newest, Mob Doctor. He's quite unhappy.

3.  P's also trying to talk me into watching Dr. Who with him and M.  I watch shows like Top 10 this and The Women of Dr. Who, etc. but haven't really watched a whole episode yet. I know quite a bit about the show. He believes I will get into it someday. I told him that I would make a deal with him. I'll watch one episode of Dr. Who and then he will watch one episode of Downton Abbey (by the way, the American premiere is Sunday). He said yes, but I don't believe him, unless he REALLY wants me to watch it ;)

4.  I'm still doing PT for my back.  My original physical therapist has not been helping me, meaning his appointments have been filled so I've been seeing someone else. So tonight he was teasing me that I've been "seeing someone else". Silly man. So, I do have a new therapist.  But, I do like newest one.  He's not quite such a PT meanie.

5.  My kids are stinkin' awesome. Today was a good day. Ever just have a good day with your kids and just want to squeeze them!!?!?! Today was that day. L had a great day at school, which is awesome considering it was his first day back from a long break. His behavior sheet from the para-pro had 9 smiley faces (a big deal at our house) and no time outs!!!  M had to make up a gym class (can you believe that?) so, she hopped on our new elliptical for a half an hour!!! She did good!!!!  I was impressed!!  They played Wii together tonight and my daughter started the second book in a series she's really enjoying. Ahhhh......

6.  I went back to work today, I have tomorrow off.  Kinda seems silly to go back for one day, but my regular work week is Monday thru Thursday and I told them that I would only take time off when the kids were off, so since the kids were back today, I went back today.

7.  My dad needs prayers. I know God has already done some pretty awesome things so far for him, but if you could say a prayer for my dad, we would appreciate it.

8.  My church does a 30 day fast starting on January 2. You choose how you want to fast. Whether it be a meal, or two, a Daniel fast, a fast from technology or whatever. Then take some time and have prayer time specifically for certain things. I love my church!

9.  Did I or have I ever mentioned I'm kinda a tv addict? I watch a lot of tv after everyone is in bed. Ask me if I watch a show that no one else in your life watches and you've always wanted to have someone to discuss it with, because I very well may.......one of our favorite shows is FINALLY coming back late next month. And if you are around our age, a lot of the jokes you will get. Pysch on the USA network!! We even rewatch a lot of the episodes on Netflix!!

10. Whew, number 10.  Kinda giving you a lot of random info about me today. Last one. Everyday I need to make sure that the dryer is empty when the kids get home from school. Why you ask? So that snow pants and mittens can go in the dryer to be dried for school the next day. Yep, I live in the part of the country blanketed with snow in which I'm sure my son is covered in every recess :)

TTFN!!

A New Year and A Stupid TV Show has me STRESSED!!!

So, obviously I haven't blogged in a while.  Hardly at all.....

Why?  Because I'm at a total stall out.  Is it my band's fault?  Don't think so.  Actually, I know so.  I've been eating pretty much whatever I want....lacking in the protein and water dept.  I got down to 94-95 lbs. now I'm back to 90-91 lbs.  

I have been working out approximately 3 times a week.  At PT.  It feels like court ordered workouts.  But, at least I'm doing something!!  And we got an elliptical machine.  My cousin and his wife were not using theirs so, we bought it from them.

So, back on track.  Starting tomorrow!!  Sigh.  Will that ever go away?  The whole, my diet will start again tomorrow?  Apparently not.  But, 2012 was an amazing weight loss year for me.  Even if I did gain back 5 lbs. at the end of the year, I still lost 90 lbs. from March through December!!!!

Christmas was pretty awesome.  I wish L's presents would have been something he would have fallen in love with, he enjoyed them though.  M, however, LOVED her gifts.  LOTS of Dr. Who stuff!!!  She was thrilled.  We ordered a DS game from the UK and it threatened not to get here in time for Christmas, but it made it here!!  She was so excited!

My hubby surprised me with a new bead for my Pandora bracelet.  My poor hubby, he bought one I already had.  And we had said that we weren't going to get gifts.  Bless his heart.  Sweet man....

Now, onto the show that has me stressed....I literally had to watch part of it on mute.  Mobbed.  This poor girl made the mistake of telling her co-worker, a teacher, that she has feelings for him!!  Oh no!  What was she thinking!!!!??

So, I have a fill scheduled for Monday.  Am I weird to think I would like to have my NP take the fluid out just to "see" if 6.5 cc's are still in there?

Ta ta for now!!

Hustle and Bustle

I had this problem last year too. I go into the season with good intentions. Knowing this is the season we celebrate our Savior's birth. That we give gifts to one another that we put precious thoughts into hoping they are going to love. We hang wreaths on our doors, put trees in a lot of rooms and decorations everywhere.

But, I'm still not feeling very Christmas-y "yet"! I'm hoping this weekend is a BIG turnaround for me! My hubby and I both have this weekend off and although having a Friday off together is usually fun, today, it's full of appointments and running kids to their appropriate social engagements.

Tomorrow, however, we have NOTHING planned! So, maybe Christmas lights. Christmas movies that have been DVR'd.

Sunday is a really big day at our church. It's called Family Christmas. It's a chance for our church to recognize families in our church that are living the "Christmas story" in their everyday lives. People show up to church, having no clue they were picked to be a part of the day to be honored! I've never been to one (we've only been at our new church, well, this is our second Christmas) and I've heard awesome stories. So, we've made a plan. We are going to early service. EARLY service is so hard to do, but we are doing it. Since we don't have a para-pro at church right now, we have someone helping L at home. We are going to see if L's babysitter, who is AWESOME by the way, will then meet us at my parent's church, where we will be showing up late, but I am hoping to catch some of my nephew's Christmas program! Whew!!!

So, there you go. I've had a lot of work stuff going on, but I shall not go into detail.....for now.

In band news, quite a few PB episodes, but they are my own fault. You would think after having this thing 6 months, I'd learn. Still learning I guess. A new complication has arose it's ugly head, however. My back is out. Yep, did you know you can throw your back out LOSING weight? Apparently, all that fat was holding my core muscles into place around my spine. Now that it is dissipating, no core muscles. So, my doctor tried a couple of different muscle relaxers for a few weeks, but PT is where I've ended up. Yep, doctor ordered workouts. Guess it's the only way to actually get me to the gym.

My weight loss is currently at is 94 pounds. It's so hard for me to grasp that I was carrying around all that weight. I did have someone at work say something to me yesterday, I brushed off, but was like, really? Did you really just say that? We were having a going away breakfast for an intern and I chose not to eat anything (pure will power, which by the way has been TOTALLY lacking this time of year...and those bagels were my favorite, but I'm figuring bagels are no longer my friend since I've had the band installed). Someone made a comment about it and I said well, I've had like 50 oz. of liquid already this morning and I'm good for now. And someone else said something about my surgery. A lot of the people I work with knew me before my surgery but there are a few new people. Anyway, one of the new people said (I had mentioned yesterday I had lost like 92 lbs.) something like oh that's great, even when you have more to go....really? Sigh. Is that the youth of America?

Let me end on a positive note. I hope that everyone loves the gifts we bought this year for Christmas. I know my daughter will. The one gift we bought had to be shipped from the UK and was threatening not to be here in time for Christmas. Well, it came on Wednesday!!!! YEAH!! I just hope my son likes his gifts just as much. He didn't ask for anything for himself this year. It's been a tough couple of weeks, autism-wise, but when I see letters like this, it reminds me what a sweet, tenderhearted little boy he is.....

TTT, a day late and a dollar short

1.  Had a quick appointment with my nutritionist just to kinda check in and see where I am at.  Apparently, I'd lost 9 lbs. last month.  Sure didn't feel like 9 lbs.  I guess that's the problem with weighing yourself everyday, you don't really SEE the results like that.  Going to try to not weigh myself as much (yeah, right).  I was thrilled to hear how much I had lost, but man, when you weigh yourself so much, you really don't see it, do you?

2.  My NP popped her head in for a brief moment to ask how I did and when she heard how much I had lost, she gave me a warning.  I say popped her head in because if I had "officially" seen her, I'd be paying for it, but my nutritionist is free.  She told me that some Roux-en-Y patients end up with gall bladder issues after their surgery and they start losing a good majority of their weight.  Apparently, I'm keeping a rate of weight loss with Roux-en-Y patient vs. a Lap Band patient.  So, they want me to keep an eye out for gall bladder issues.  Should I have any, my bariatric surgeon could remove my gall bladder.....  Did you know this was complication?  I didn't.  Sigh.

3.  My daughter has been working her BUTT off in school.  7th grade is HARD!  But, she is reaping the rewards.  First marking period is over and although I don't have her "official" report card yet, I can keep up with her grades online and as long as they stayed the same (forgot to check at the end of the week of the marking period), she has all A's and 1 B.  AND the B was in Gym!!  Way to go M!  She was rewarded with a new game for the Wii she really wanted.....would have been a great Christmas gift, but she deserves it!

4.  L has been doing pretty good in school too.  We just have a lot of behavioral stuff to work with him on the ASD.  I think those things will come along as he gets older, more mature, more understanding!!

5.  L had his birthday parties (yes, you read right parties....we had 2) this weekend.  We had our first sleepover with cousin E, who is his dad's younger brother's son.  They are only 7 months apart.  I don't have his parents permission to put his pic on my blog, yet, so you just have pics of my kids from this weekend to look at :)  E, is very good at trying to figure out L.  They are buddies!!

 

 

 

 

6.  We both had election day off this year.  Actually, we all had election day off this year.  The kids were home with us too!  P and I got up and went to polls pretty early in the morning and voted.  Here's a pic from the morning.  I apologize in advance for no make up on me and the weird pic face he tends to do.......sigh.

7.  My darling hubby is an awesome daddy!  My parents bought our son a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Secret Sewer Lair Playset, while my in-laws awesomely bought all the TMNT to go with the playset!!  However, the playset, has to be put together.  Here is a hard working Daddy, tired after a 10 hour day at work, and roughly a 2 hour drive to and from work, working on putting it together.  It's a 2 day project to say the least :)  (P.S.  I took this pic with Instagram)

8.  My church is doing a Pinterest party for our ladies Christmas party and I have so many ideas on what to do for it!  I am going to try to go out today and get the supplies for the things I need to get it done....or maybe tomorrow...yeah, tomorrow might be better!!

9.  It's getting quite cold here!  Winter coats, hats and gloves have come out of our closets and onto our bodies!!  We have not seen any snow but I bet it'll happen sooner than later!

10.  It's almost time for our tree!!!  I'm getting excited about putting our decorations up!  We always do it the day after Thanksgiving (which coincidentally is my hubby's birthday this year as well).  I'm paying a friend come give the house a good clean before we put the tree up that week so I feel fresh and clean before the holidays start!  I think I might be more excited about that maybe.......any moms or women in general out there get that?  Just me?  I know it can't be just me!!