DOWN TWENTY with more to go!

I just wanted to say that today was great for me! The past week I've buckled back down on my eating. I'm back to protein shakes, eggs, salads and chicken mostly (with the occasional chocolate!). I have been weighing myself every Monday since March regardless of weight loss or gain. I printed a chart off the computer and hang it in the bathroom so I can see it all the time. I know weight isn't the best indicator of health. I know that focusing on that soley isn't the best long term plan but right now, for me, it helps. I like to have something measureable. Not simply a lowered jean size or better fitting shirt (although that is great too!). So, the coolest thing was today, I saw results! When I see results, I have increased motivation to continue eating healthy!! I am now down exactly 20 pounds since March!!! I am so thrilled! I want to keep going, keep it up and maybe even be forced to buy MORE new jeans! (I rewarded myself this fall with 2 pair from Maurices) I struggled a lot the past two months but at least maintained... hopefully with this new loss I can stay motivated to drop a few more pounds! Maybe 10 by my birthday!?!

Sweet, sweet summer!

My sister came down with her two boys this week and we decided to take them all to the MillPond. It's a large pond that is located in the heart of our small town. They have great paths to walk, ducks to feed and various shops, ice cream and even a playstructure the kids can usually play at (it's currently closed). It was  a beautiful day for all of us and I'm thankful for the time with my nephews, sister and my mom!

Holly really wanted to wear that hair clippy but it didn't match (I'm kinda a stickler) so I decided to put it on her hat instead of a fishing hook! She's just getting to big, too fast!

Hanny was quite a serious kiddo today. She had her "baby" with her and I was so afraid she'd drop it in the pond but she wouldn't let go so she spent much time in the stroller and short periods w/o baby closer to the water.

So very, very thankful for my family this week. Thanking God for the health of our family members and saying many prayers of thanks. God has been good to us, and we are humbled.

Weight Challenges

In March I posted about a life change that I was making... eating healthier, exercising and just maintaining and overall healthier lifestyle. My main goal of coarse was to lose weight and get back into some clothing I haven't worn in a few years. Since then, I've lost 16 pounds. Honestly, this has been extremely challenging and it seems to get harder every day.

I joined Jazz.er.cise in October with the hopes of going at least 2-3 days per week. I  LOVE the workout there! I feel energized and truly feel like I'm getting my butt kicked. I started out going the 2 days per week and did great! Lately... um, really, the past two months (just after signing on a year), I've slacked. Big time. I can find every excuse not to go. Mornings are too early and besides, Aaron has to leave for work earlier now that he drives further. Afternoons in summer are full of mowing the lawn, fixing dinners, and enjoying being a family. During the day, well, I never do that simply because it's just not plausible. They do have childcare available, free of charge, on tues, wed & thurs but I just can't seem to get to that session. The good news is that I've been walking 4 mile walks with my mom during this time, usually 1-2 times each week. I used to love exercise. I was a huge tomboy growing up and played softball and basketball like it was no ones business. As I've gotten older, I find that what I really missed was the competition of it all.

When I went on my food overhaul, I was basing it all on a book titled "Fee.d Musc.le, Starv.e F.at". It worked pretty good for me. The hardest part is finding the time to actually cook. They don't want me to make just one meal. It's making an omelet every single morning. Then having basically chicken, salad or fish (which I don't eat) at each meal. I am horrible at making meals, let alone for just one person! My mornings are full of getting three people dressed and ready for their day, feeding my kiddos, the cats, cleaning, laundry, etc... whatever is on for the day, it's never an omelet. I started incorporating protein shakes into my day and that is something I've stuck with. I usually substitute breakfast. It recommends at least one meal per day. What I found was when it came time to re-incorporate carbs into my diet (at two weeks), it got harder. And harder. My cravings are back and full force. I snack just like I did before. I am working very hard at this and attempting to choose healthy snacks. I'm learning that just because it's a good option, eating a ton of it defeats the purpose. UGH!

So, I think I'm doing pretty good overall. I've just been stuck. But that is nothing new. I've been here before. At least this time I'm down 16 pounds. My goal is to lose twice that. Or more. So... I've got more work to do. Some ideas I've had are to go to be earlier and get up at 5:30am. Then I'll come downstairs and workout to the Zu.mba Wii game I've got (at least a couple days per week). Couple that with the occasional Jazze.rcise and walks and I've got myself a good gig. Maybe If I got up earlier, I'd have time after Zum.ba to make myself that omelet! So, that's the idea... we'll see what happens. Getting to bed earlier will be my toughest challenge. It's the time of the day when my girls are asleep and there is no timer ticking telling me they'll be up soon and that my time is limited. I know they'll be down for hours.

So, that's my lifestyle change update. Hopefully in a few months I can chart some more progress!!

Preschool

We signed Holly up for preschool this week. It is bittersweet for sure. I am really excited for this part of the girls life! I really liked school (always academics, but hated the social aspect in high school)! I'm anxious to see if we've made the right decision. I think it's crazy how much time I've put into looking into preschools, and I am worried about if this is the "right" one. Preschool is preschool, right? Maybe not... Aaron's only worried that the girls get the right amount of math & science that they should. I'm worried that the teachers should be nice, the potty the right size and the classroom exciting. Oh, and that she LEARN enough to get her to where she needs to be to start Kgtn in two years. Yikes! We paid our deposit on a Christian school's preschool program. It's non-refundable yet I still feel the need to look further. There was one other school I had wanted to tour. So, this week, I plan to. I want to see it. I want to let my heart settle. I'm hoping that by seeing this other school, I'll know. But if I don't, surely after a few days of school, I will know for sure! I pray that the decision we made was a good one. I have a good feeling about the place, but I still worry.

Worrying = Mommyhood. 4sure.

Firsts

We've had LOTS of first this past week! From picking strawberries, to hair cuts and finally the first dentist appt!! The girls did AWESOME with all of it!

First Haircuts went much better than I had ever expected! They sat so well and watched the tv with cartoons on that was there. They got to choose to sit on a carousel horse or in a car. At first they both picked a horse but Hannah changed her mind before the cut and sat in the car. Holly's is so short but makes her curls curlier! Hannahs cut some loose ends but sure didn't take much off. Double edge sword I guess. I like the cut look but so sad they take hair. The girls were thrilled with the balloon and sucker they got after their cuts were done! I cannot get over how cute my babies are and how fast they are growing!

Holly was leaning to watch the tv they had there for the kids to watch.

Holly After... Shorter than I had hoped but CUTER than I imagined!!

Hannah getting hers cut too...

Hannah's After... longer than I hoped, couldn't tell it was done but still CUTE!

 We went Strawberry picking for the very first time about a week ago with my mom, sister and her two boys. The weather cooperated but barely! It was humid but not terribly hot as we had storms heading in! Hannah ate a ton of strawberries and Holly had a couple. Funny thing is they only eat them there and never when I put them on their plates! Silly girls!

Dis one? Hanny picking strawberries... she probably ate more than she put in the box!

Holly picking strawberries... and by the look on her face, likely being bossy too!

Today was dentist day! This was the girls first OFFICIAL time at the dentist. I had taken Holly once before along with my appointment just to have her see them and start the process of warming up to the idea. They both did extremely well! They sat in the chairs and went for a ride in them, then they both allowed the dental hygenists to polish them with the "Mr. Tickly" and they used Mr. Squirty to spray water into a cup and sucked it out with Mr. Slirpy! The girls had a great time! Almost as much time as the staff did helping them! They were thrilled to get new toothbrushes and at the end asked for a cookie. UMMMM? Yes, a cookie! We all got a laugh out of that! I was so proud of them! Holly has all 20 of her teeth and Hannah has 17! 

Hannah getting her teeth checked by Dr Brunner

Holly getting hers checked by Dr Brunner

Patty did Hannahs teeth and Lisa did Hollys! Afterward they gave the girls princess tiaras and wands!

Holly-isms.

The past two days Holly has said two things that I just cracked up hearing and I LOVE that she is at this stage! It's way too cute to hear her and what her understanding is of things.... thought I'd share!

Yesterday after her nap, Holly and I were relaxing on the couch watching Mickey and our cat, Maui was sitting next to her. She was petting him and he in return was putting his front (declawed) paws on her arm. After a minute of them being cute, she turned to me and asked "Mommy, what does Maui have?". I was confused and asked "what do you mean?". She then paused and said "He has M&M's mommy!"... she was referring to the little soft pads on his paws! LOVE IT.

Then today we were at AAA getting some trip tix and the lady at the counter was saying hello to the girls. So, Holly standing in her stroller said to the woman, "This is Hannah. And, this is mommy. And, (pointing to herself), this is ME!",,,,

The things this kiddo comes up with just make me laugh! I love them both dearly! Just had to share those silly tales!

Secondary Infertility

Noooo.... not me! I have a friend who is facing secondary infertility (infertility after having a first child). I'm not familiar enough with this to offer her the support she rightly deserves. Anyone know of some online support she might benefit from? I can empathize with many aspects of infertility but not secondary. I know there must be a difference. When I was going through it before my girls, I couldn't understand someone who had one child and so deseperately sought another when they were surely blessed by the first, afterall, I would have been extremely grateful for one child! I can understand better now but certainly back then, I had some anger. So... any suggestions on resources would be fantastic! Thanks!!