Finally I am doing it

I wouldn't say I am necessarily disgusted by what I see in the mirror, but when my clothes and wedding bands are starting to get a little tight-especially my scrubs for work!-it's time I do something about it. And, to hold myself more accountable, I am putting my weight loss goals on my blog. I rejoined sparkpeople.com to track my calories and work out. My goal as of now is to lose 15 lbs by mid July (which totals to about 2 lbs/week).

To jump start, R and I have decided to make June a no eat out month; not only for our budget, but for our bodies as well. Honestly, I am a little excited to see if we can do it. I also am making my trips to Target a few less but that is another post entirely. I also realized way back when almost 7 years ago!) in addition to playing tennis 5-6 days/week in highschool I walked 2 miles. The joys of living less than a mile from the school. Realistically, I know I will not be playing tennis, but I can initiate my work out by walking 2 miles/day. Once in the am and then in the pm. I realize working nights might make this a little more difficult, but something I can tweak later. Maybe I will just have to work doubly as hard at work ;)

So, there is it in plain type. I've started my goal to lose and I really hope I stick with it!


****Had to add this somwhere cuz it was too darn cute. Daniel wanted to go on the "alligator" yesterday and we couldn't figure out what he wanted. Then we walked past the elevator and he said it again. He calls the elevator the alligator. So cute!****

A day in the life...

7:30 I awaken to the sounds of Daniel and Jake in their cribs. Daniel is typically screaming to get out and Jake is talking to himself

8:00-9:00 We are dressed and feed. Handy Manny and Imagination Movers are playing in the background. This gives me a chance to open my eyes, check email and eat as well.

9:00-10:00 Attempting to entertain 2 rambunctious boys. We play, we read, we color, we cry for snacks, we beg to go outside and to the park. Jake goes down for a mini nap around 10:00. Continue to ask for food and park from Daniel. I attempt to straighten up the house and throw in a load of laundry.

11:00-11:45 Jake is up and to the park we go. We swing (a lot) and slide. Daniel attempts to run into the street and usually by that time, park time is over.

12:00-12:30 Lunch. Nap time is almost here!

12:45-1:30 or 2:00 Sanctuary! Attempt to clean myself up, the house or just spend some time in quiet. If it is a work day, I nap as well.

2:00-4:30 See 9:00-10:00 I wonder how much longer I can entertain children. Still attempting to clean up the house

5:00-6:00 The bewitching hour. Kids are hungry and starting to get tired. Trying to make dinner. One of these days I'll figure out how to make a bunch of meals beforehand :)

6:30-7:00 Bath time! Kiddos splash around-incidentally, I get a bath too :). Naked run around time then pjs on for a little chill time.

7:30-8:00 Jake in bed. Book read. Daniel in bed. Book read and books in bed with him. A busy day, but worth every minute.

There are of course variations depending on the day of the week, but overall that is my day. It seems longer putting it in writing. I'll miss it all when they start going back to school.

In other news, I tried Jake in the back carrier design of my Ergo and it was a success! Typically we do side carry. I did feel a little like a momma with a monkey on my back but his weight was evenly spread out and my hands were free! Best purchase I ever made! Oh, and the 3 dollar washer/dryer Fisher Price toy I found at a yard sale Saturday. Daniel loves doing his "chaundry".
We all tried out a "new" restaurant yesterday. It was from Diners, Drive ins and Dives. Apparently, there are other locations but we tried the most authentic...right in the city. Sweetie Pies is some southern home cooking. Good, awkward, but good.

Jacob Ryan

My second born. My little green eyed, curly haired sloppy slobbery grin-giving, second born.
It makes sense that I found out your daddy and I were pregnant with you at St. John's and that 34 weeks later you would be born there. I always knew you would be my Jacob Ryan even if daddy held out till the last minute on agreeing to your name. You are so loved by us and your not so bigger brother. My pregnancy with you was uncomplicated and very enjoyable. Maybe that's why you decided to come out with a bang...

You were born on May 14th, 2009 at 12:27 pm. I like to joke that I was actually getting paid to labor at home with you because I was paid on stand by from work on the 13th. I started contracting at 12:30 that morning and decided around 2:30 it was time to wake the troops and head to the hospital. I wasn't very uncomfortable at that point, just really anxious to meet you. Grandma watched your brother and daddy and I headed to St. John's. It was raining much like it is now. All the girls were excited to see I was actually in labor and decorated our room in celebration of your birth. We had my water broken at 8:00 and started the process of initiating the pitocin. Daddy and I took a much needed nap and by the time I woke at 11:30 I was dilated to a 7. Things really started to progress from there. Soon I was feeling pressure and you were moving on down whether the doctor was there or not. My nurses ended up holding you in until the doctor arrived-luckily just time because as soon as I rolled over, you were out. They didn't even have time to gown and glove! From the first moment I saw you, I was in love with you. You came out screaming but calmed down as soon as you were placed on my chest. I was in awe of your dark hair. You weighed 7lb 3oz and you were 20.25 inches long. You were-and still are-the most calm and happy baby. Your daddy and I are very blessed to have you as our second son. You and your brother are great friends and laugh at each other all the time. You are a perfect fit to our family. We love you, baby.

It's been a loong time....

I know, I know, it seems I've taken a hiatus from all things internet related. Shocking, I know. It's not to say that my Facebook, blogger and mommy board consume my every waking hour, but spending a little less time here made for more time out there. And by out there, I mean my front yard. Ryan and I are in the process of planting strawberry plants where the evil thorn bushes once were.

*Side note: Whoever thought that rock was decorative and enjoyable has not spent 3 days digging out said rock. I digress.*

It's been back breaking, tedious work but I would not change it for anything. Working alongside my husband and watching my children explore the front yard (and occasionally attempt to run in to the street-Daniel) has been refreshing. R and I are tackling a project together and working side by side to better our front yard and yield (hopefully!) strawberries. It's filled me with great joy and accomplishment. This is good considering we've been dealing with Grandma Nancy's hosital stay. I won't go into too much detail but we're all praying for a healthy recovery. She has a long ways yet, but we're hopeful.

The boys have been great-for the most part. There are still plenty of moments in my day when Daniel exceeds my patience and I really have to step back and take a breather (and am still working on stretching my patience more) but it is so fun to watch them. Jake especially. I think my favorite age to date is 1 year old. They're mobile, inquisitive and wanting to test boundaries and it so much fun to see them connect. Jake has taken to saying "vroom, vroom" when he plays with his cars and it cracks us up. Daniel has also become more interactive with his little brother and it is so heart warming to watch them play together. Daniel gets a big kick out of making Jake laugh.

On a more serious note, it's not a secret that I have struggled with my faith. Well, not so much struggled in believing in Him, but finding the time and energy to give more of myself to Him. I've been reading 'Real moms, Real Jesus' and it's really helped me take a moment to analyze myself, my faith and my role as a mother. I have been connecting with my Bible more and my spiritual self and relying more on prayer to get me through tougher times and I can feel the change within me. It's nice. Also, there have been changes around me that further deepen my faith. R can call it coincidence or hard work on our part, I call it faith. Believe me, we've had that discussion. Jake no longer needs surgery and we've been able to refinance our house. Little changes to some, but well needed to us.

I leave this now with some newer pictures of my men. Tomorrow I will be sure to post because my little Jake turns 1!!!! Hard to imagine a year ago today I was still pregnant with him..

My Mother's day gifts

Daniel helping cut grass


My men ♥

Spring!

Spring is here and so are allergies; stuffy noses, runny noses and itchy eyes. But, along with those almost unendurable symptoms are sunshine, playgrounds, smiles, sunscreen, tanned arms and longer days and for that, I am so grateful. Some people may think that winter and snow is like a pristine and clean covering over the earth, washing away the old and blanketing with new, but I feel spring is that newness. New buds on the trees, new flowers popping through the ground, new experiences outside with my kids. By far one of my favorite times of the year. I love the feeling of being rewashed and rejuvenated. I love watching my children run and play and laugh so carefree. I love opening my windows to let in cool spring breezes and spring smells. It is this time that I am espeically thankful to God for giving me all that I have. Thankful to Him that He loves us so much and wanted to share with us His creation. For being able to step outside my home and see all the beautiful life surrounding mine. Glory to Him in the highest. Thank you Father that every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from You, Father. (James 1:17).

Oh my gosh.

I was driving home from work this morning and noticed right before the Page extension entrance to 270 a Maryland Heights PD cruiser was driving pretty fast to get onto 270. It struck me as really odd and since I have a certain obsession with my Maryland Heights PD I paid some more attention to where it was going. As I got closer to the exit for Dorsett I noticed the cruiser and the car it was attempting to get to. This white SUV was driving erratically in the far left lane and hit the median about 3 times balancing on 2 wheels before it finally settled in the lane. I was absolutely speechless watching this all unfold before my eyes. It was like it was happening in slow motion. I could see the sparks jetting from between the car and the median and I was absolutely sure it was going to flip it was hitting the median so hard and so fast. As I exited 270 I glanced up to see if the driver was ok and it appeared that he was sitting still but the driver's side window looked pretty banged up. I contemplated stopping but there wasn't any way I was going to be able to get across traffic and another cruiser was turning around to head the opposite way on 270. I can still see the images in my mind as I write this. I wish I knew what was the precursor to all of this. A blown tire? Drinking and driving? An accident? I tried finding R's radio to listen when I got home but my men were up and I realized I would much rather spend a few moments talking and hugging them then listening in on such a bizarre event. Thank you God for watching over my vehicle and leading the events up to my departure from work in such a way that I left when I did. It was incredibly bizarre and I hope that I never have to witness such an event again.

The itch

I'm kind of getting the itch to venture out and search for new employment. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do and definitely want to stay in maternal/women/children but I really want something more Mon-Fri, weekends off, no holidays. I need a little more stability. Anyone know of that? Anyone?