Goodbye Pat

Pat was the first babysitter I ever trusted to leave my baby Jacob with. He was one year old. I had interviewed with her months earlier but decided to leave him with my aunt. After my aunt moved and no one else was available....which was very suddenly.....she took him in without question . After the birth of Allie, she watched her too. Allison was only 8 weeks old. My kids continued to go to Pat's for 4 1/2 years. Last summer was the last time they went to Pat's because of scheduling and school issues. I just found out today that Pat died. She was a dependable, strong, smart, crafty, wise woman. I am so sad to hear this news. I didn't realize how sick she was. I sent a card to her last week wishing her well and giving her updates on the kids. Little did I know that this would happen. I hope that she knew how grateful I was that we had her to depend on all those years. She really was a lifesaver. Pat, you will be missed.

Weigh in ritual

I have a weigh in ritual that I follow very carefully. I feel that if I follow these "rules" that I will have my "real" weight!

Rule 1. Must be first thing in the morning.

Rule 2. My bladder must be empty!

Rule 3. My boobs must be empty! ( I have to feed my daughter before getting on scale)

Rule 4. No clothes

Rule 5. Weigh self at least 2 times. (just to make sure that the first number was right)

Am I crazy or what??? I know right?

I am also trying to work on not weighing myself everyday. It drives me crazy how my weight fluctuates from day to day and from morning to night. So, I just need to weigh myself once a week and get over it! But, I am sticking to my ritual....it makes me feel best!

Soccer

Do you think her pink shorts match???

Jacob

Saturday was the first game of the season for both Jacob and Allie. It was a perfect day for soccer. I have to say, Jacob has come a long way from 4 seasons ago. The first season he played he would pick at the grass, play with the goal netting, just stand there, cry. He didn't even finish the season because he was just DONE. Last Saturday, I just have to gush.......Jacob scored his first goal ever!!! It was amazing! I am soo sooo sooooooo soooo proud of that kid. He was the only one that scored on his team too. He played hard! He is starting to come out of his shell. Jacob is a very shy kid when it comes to new people and new surroundings........I just found out that he barely talks at school and that his teacher thought he had a speech problem......she even had the speech therapist evaluate him......the eval came out normal. He is just shy! I couldn't believe my ears...at home he is so LOUD. Anyway, I am off subject now.... I am just so happy that Jacob scored, because I think it gave him some much needed confidence.

Week 12 weigh in

Another 1.2 lbs. has left my body! Yay! I am now down a total of 21.6 lbs! I am so close to my 25 lb goal! I am super excited! First thing I did after I got home from work was buy some fruits and veggies! My fruit bowl was empty! It is amazing that I am now actually craving fruits and veggies. I can remember going days without eating a single piece of fruit. Isn't that sad? How horrible! I treated myself so badly....and I didn't even realize it.

Week in Review:

1. I had a total of 44 servings of fruits and veggies! I beat last week!
2. I exercised 5 days, earned about 28 activity points.
3. I used all of my WPA's.
4. I used 18 activity points this week. I realized I am so much hungrier when I exercise.
5. Weakness this week: We made smores! The chocolate was delicious!
6. I also made pigs in a blanket with regular hot dogs, crescent rolls, and velveeta cheese...it was nine points and I had 2 =18 points for a dinner! ....my kids didn't even like them! and Ervin grudgingly ate 2. I guess I won't be making that for dinner again!

All in all, it was a good week, any week with a loss is a good week for me!

Here is a pic of all the fruits and veggies I bought this week! Allie had to sneak in the pic too! I promise, I won't eat her....

Black

I dyed my hair today. I did it myself and in the process asked "Why did I decide to do this myself?" I thought I would try and save some money, you know , since the economy is so bad.... The dying was a big mess. I haven't dyed my own hair in years and forgot how crazy and thick my hair is.....I got black dye all over the place! The sink, my face and arms, my feet, my toes, my carpet!!! akkk!!! Does anyone know how to get dye off of carpet??? No, I did not dye my hair around carpet, but since the dye got on my foot and I didn't know, it kind of spread. It was only in one place...so that is good, but Dang! my carpet!!!

Here is a before and after pic. The before pic was taken back in Feb. I am also 20 pounds heavier in the before pic.

before

after

Erv: " Your hair is blacker than your shirt!"

I was trying to dye it back to my natural color, I think it is a little darker, but hopefully will fade...

What do you think of the new do?

I got tagged!

This is my first game ever, so I hope I do this right.....thanks Kelly for tagging me. Kelly has a wonderful blog , myvoicemyview.blogspot.com ( I haven't figured out how to link ) : )

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. summer!

2. losing weight

3. the end of the school year

4. getting a cute haircut (never happens)

5. wearing flip flops all day everyday

6. fitting into my old jeans(I can fit into one pair now!)

7. the World Affair (it is a local fair once a year)

8. visiting my brother in Va

8 things I did yesterday:

1. I swept and mopped the floors

2. I went to kboxing class

3. I went to Trader Joe's and bought new stuff

4. I took my daughter to ballet class

5. Blogged

6. Laundry

7. watched American Idol

8. found a gray eyebrow hair! and then plucked my eyebrows ( much needed)

8 things I wish I could do:

1. I wish I could run 3 miles straight!

2. I wish I could travel the world

3. I wish I could live near my best friends!

4. I wish I could wear a bikini ( I think I was 4 years old the last time that happened!

5. I wish I could read minds ( like Edward Cullen)

6. I wish I could fix anything

7. I wish I could be more assertive.

8. I wish I could be a stay at home mom

8 shows I watch:

1. Desperate Housewives

2. American Idol

3. Survivor

4. Grey's Anatomy

5. So You Think You Can Dance

6. Jon and Kate plus 8

7. Sponge Bob (because the kids are watching)

8. Ellen

Week 11 weigh in

- 2.8 lbs!

Yay! It feels good to be back on track! I am now down 20.4 lbs. My first goal was to lose 25lbs. so I am getting really close. This week was a great week. There were no celebrations to get me off track, I followed my plan and it was worth it. When the scale shows your work you really get excited again!

Week in Review:

1. I had a total of 40 servings of fruit and veggies! Wow, I really improved on that!

2. I drank more water

3. exercised 5 days for at least 1 hour

4. I had @ 4 chocolate ice cream cones! All the ice cream and cones are gone now...thank goodness.

5. had my weakness with chocolate candy on Tuesday, developed a plan for the 2-5 time period and stuck to it!

6. Used all of my WPA's

7. I earned 28 activity points, I used 6.

A Saturday afternoon and a half year old

My Maddie is 6 months old today! What a beautiful day it is! I can't believe that it has been a half year since she was born. She is growing so fast. Where does the time go? I know I say that every month but dang! She is getting so big so fast. Maddie is just a joy! She is sleeping like a champ...she sleeps through the night and it is wonderful! I have never had a baby that did that. She likes to pinch now which just drives me crazy especially when I nurse....she likes to pinch the boob. Her hair is starting to lay a little better.....on most days! She is loving her cereal........and she loves applesauce.....she is a little picky with other kinds of food...I guess she is not like her mommy in that way : )

there is my little sunshine!

Playing outside on a beautiful spring day!

Allie and Maddie

Maddie, 6 months old

So, I was up at 7 am, thanks to Maddie...... I went to kbox class at 10:15 am....got home around noon and then hubby says he is going out riding. Riding? Motorcycle riding on his very fast motorcycle. He told me about this riding plan earlier in the week. Why am I so surprised that he is itching to leave so fast? Can you tell I HATE his motorcycle? He calls it his BABY.......Am I jealous of the motorcycle? I think I used to be....not anymore....now I just despise it and all that it represents! It is a lovely Saturday here. The weather is perfect. It is the perfect day to ride his motorcycle. I should be happy for him...instead I am jealous....jealous that he has such a fun toy.........not that I would ride it...just that he has something that he loves and that he is passionate about...I don't have anything like that. Anyway.......I feel better now that I have bashed his motorcycle! I should be sleeping as I post this....I have to work all night and it is 5 pm now..........and no nap for me. It is my fault....Erv did good and got me a babysitter. I just couldn't sleep....all the lawnmowers and kids screaming outside would just not allow it......so I am blogging......... oh wells!

the hours between 2 and 5......

The hours between 2pm and 5pm are my problem hours. During these hours I love to snack. The snacking leads to binging and before I know it I have consumed over 10 points (or more) worth of food. My son gets home around 3:30ish and when he gets home he is starving. So here I am making something for my son to eat.... and I think, gosh I am a little hungry.....and I will eat what he eats and some crackers here and some ice cream there and some cookies and there you have it. I am always wanting something to eat at about that time. So, now I have decided to do something about it. Yesterday, during my snacky time I had raw baby carrots and cantaloupe which really did the trick. The carrots were crunchy and took a long time to chew. The cantaloupe was perfect and so sweet and that took care of my sweet tooth....and then I drank like 3 glasses of water. Today, my plan is an apple and more baby carrots.... and more water. I also plan to keep myself busy.....I have a ton of laundry to fold and hang (that is never ending). I am golden after dinner (on most days) : ) Once I am in bed, I can feel a little hunger creeping in, but then I fall asleep and I am good til morning.

I made it through!

Today, kickboxing class about killed me. She worked us so hard. I looked in the mirror and my face was PURPLE. My eyes were burning from all the sweat pouring down my face. My hamstrings were barking at me. My lungs were tired. My bladder was wishing I was in the bathroom. I was so thirsty. Thursday class is harder because of this particular instructor. Her class is always full because she will deliver a knockout workout. I was dreading class today. I am just glad that I finished, barely . Afterwards, I still had to cool down on the treadmill for 15 minutes.

I am now home. Just finished taking a shower and my face is still red. I am still sweating a little.

That was a power workout.

Week 10 weigh in

I am up a pound this week which was expected. I already worked out today and I am back on track with journaling and eating healthy. I kind of stopped journaling on Friday night.... : ) I was eating too much to journal. I ran out of room! With family over and home cooked Filipino food it was hard to resist. I only eat that kind of food once in a while so it was worth it. I stayed on track with exercise through the week which I think saved me from gaining 5 pounds. It was difficult to fit the workouts in but I am happy I made the effort. I have realized that it is sooo true that when I take care of myself I feel soooo much better and when I don't I feel soooo BAD.

Easter celebrations and Maddie's Christening

After work, I got home around 8:15 am and started getting ready for mass and Maddie's Christening. I am happy to say I did not fall asleep during mass, I did get nauseated, but I managed to get through it! I must say that Madelyn was great during the whole mass and didn't cry once, not even when the priest watered her head. She was awesome.

Waiting for mass to start

Me and Maddie

With Father after mass

Godparents Rex and Julie are on the left


Allie in her Easter dress

taking a nap

egg hunting

more egg hunting

chocolate, he ate almost the whole bunny. He was unsupervised.

* I spent over $52 in chocolate candy! what the heck???

* don't go to wal mart the day before Easter because all

Easter candy and eggs will be gone....

Lesson Learned!

Maddie's new toy, I even put it together myself, pretty impressive huh?

Happy Easter!

Today I did not count any points. I have been awake for a very long time and when that happens food seems to be a friend : ) and it is Easter! I am glad to say I did not eat any chocolate today. I ate a ton of chocolate at work last night though! I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter! Maddie had a wonderful day. Her christening went very well. I will post some pics soon!

sore

My muscles are so sore it is not even funny. It hurts to walk, bend, squat, sit, stand.....I took this cardio sculpt class yesterday and the instructor works you out real good! After her class my legs felt like jello. I guess that is good! I weighed myself this am to find I was up 3 pounds! what the heck??? maybe it is all the salty chinese food? : )

I am going to be awake for 2 days straight starting today....not my plan , but it is going to happen. I woke up today at 6 am.....thanks maddie! ....and I am working from 7pm until 7 am, then the baptism is at 10:30 am, then the party is after that ...........I hope I can make it through tomorrow!!! I am also hoping I can get in a quick nap right now....hope?

not a good week

Ok, it is Friday night and 3 days in to my new week. I am not doing so well. I have been to Chipotle, Wendy's, and my mom's house. ha ha.... my mom cooked some yummy Filipino food....who knows how many points that was! and to China Cottage....oh my.....There is a carry in at work tomorrow....Sunday is Easter............I hope I start making better choices! I am sure the scale will show all of this and I will be ready to get back on track on Tuesday. I knew this week was going to be rough. I have been exercising though..........so that is good!

New haircut

Both Allie and Jacob got their haircuts today. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there is a special for 10 dollar haircuts at a place called Kiddie Kuts. They have fun seats and the kids can watch a movie while getting their hair cut. They also give out suckers and balloons afterwards. Allie sat on a horse and Jacob sat on a motorcycle, just like his dad would pick. Here is a pic of Allie's new style. I took a risk , this is the shortest her hair has ever been cut. It is super cute!

Week 9 weigh in

I am down another 2.1 pounds! Yay! Brings the total to 18.6 pounds lost. Very happy considering we celebrated another birthday. One more special occasion to get through before I can get a break and that is Easter. Maddie is going to be baptized on Easter which makes the day extra special. In the Filipino culture baptism is a very very big deal and a big celebration. We are going to have the whole family over and a ton of food to go with them! When Jacob was baptized we rented a hall and had over 100 guests. Yeah, crazy huh? Well, 2 kids later and we are downsizing that a bit!

Week Review

1. Had 20 points worth of cake : )
2. Had 9 points of chocolate candy at work
3. Ate around 21 servings of fruits and vegetables
4. Loving Reeses Cereal right now!
5. Exercised 5 times this week for a total of @ 25 activity points
6. Ate all of my WPA's
7. Used 3 activity points
8. Increased my water intake
9. Hot tea has become a favorite


I am ready for a new and fresh week. Erv wants to eat out today. He begged me to go out yesterday and I said heck no, tomorrow is weigh in! He wants to go to chipotle, hopefully I will behave!

Exhausted

Just got back from working the usual 7p-7a shift at the hospital and I must say I am EXHAUSTED. It wasn't that it was a busy shift, it was more of an emotional shift. My patient delivered too early and the baby did not make it. That is the tough part of my "fun" job in labor and delivery. You try not to cry. You try not to feel. You try to separate yourself from the situation. But in the end, you take it with you no matter how hard you try.

Cupcake Maker

Allie wanted a Cupcake Maker for her birthday and she scored one from Grandpa and Grandma. We made a couple of cupcakes with it and had a good time. The toy is for 8 years and above and Allie is 5 so she needed quite a bit of assistance. The cupcakes came out ok. They don't taste that good. I wouldn't waste my points on it. I guess the important thing is spending quality time with my daughter!

Allie and her brand new Cupcake Maker

stirring the cake mix

mix in cupcake holder

microwave for 30 seconds

pretty chocolate cupcake

icing the cupcake

done! the icing does not come out as nice as it does on TV!

Happy Birthday Allie!!!!

Happy Birthday to my little girl! I am a day late in posting Allie's birthday. We have been celebrating for 2 days! Her birthday was the 3rd. On the 2nd we had family over for dinner, cake and ice cream. On her actual day we went to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate. My pics are all out of order because I didn't upload right and I am not about to start over! I am still tryin to get a hang of this blogging thing!

Pancit - a traditional Filipino dish made of rice noodles, veggies and chicken. I made it for Allie's birthday dinner, YUM!

Here is Allison, one day old.....


Allie with Chuck E Cheese, the first year where she is not shaking and crying because he is scary to her.


Having a blast

Opening presents

Money!!!

Blowing out candles....she looks like she is smokin!

Happy 5th Birthday Allie!

Cake from Ele, they have the best buttercream icing ever!

Allie is my easy going child. She is happy, fun loving, cuddly, beautiful, smart . We love you Allie! I hope you had a great day!

Yay!!!!!

I just paid off 2 1/2 hospital bills and a credit card!!! WOW! That feels good!

Wasting food

I have a hard time with wasting food. I struggle daily with being the "garbage disposal" for my kids. I am always the one that eats the last two bites of pancakes, the other half of the sandwich or the last sip of milk because my kids are too full. These extra bites are definitely one of my issues that have put on some of the extra pounds. This week I am trying to put the leftover food into the real garbage disposal and not the mommy disposal. I am hoping to make this a habit. If you think about it....the food is being wasted either way you look at it. It is wasted if I throw it away or it is wasted if I eat it because I don't need those extra bites. I don't need those extra calories. I am going to try really hard to waste that food, instead of waist that food.