Working on Being Healthier & Happier

I am coming to the end of my first week of eating healthier and exercising. My goal is to exercise (long fast walk or exercise video) at least 4 times a week & I have done that this week. I am not even counting the calories burned by breast feeding & the million trips up and down our stairs every day. Those are just bonus calories. Actually, I am not really counting calories or restricting the quantity at this point. I am just making better choices.

Like most women, I want to lose weight. How much? We don't have a scale, so I can't say. I do know how much I weighed right before giving birth & I'll find out how much I lost when I go to the doctor for the 6 week post check-up. I also know what weight makes me feel like looking in the mirror rather than avoiding it.

To kick start my motivation, I got my non-maternity clothes out of the attic (I put them in there when we moved here instead of unpacking them). Now, everything old seems new again. By going through the clothes, I realized two things:

1- The pickins are slim. Apparently, I bought one pair of jeans right after I had Lexi (they are a little big on me), but must have worn workout clothes or been mostly naked for the sizes during maternity leave.

2- I am going to have to do some shopping when I get down to the size of most of my clothes because they are almost all summerish or businessish (9 years of living & working in Miami). Fortunately, shopping is another motivator for me.

This morning, I received an e-mail from a close friend that I have known for 20 years (yes, back in good old Jr High). She started a blog called Not So Skinny Me. Apparently, she is also on a quest to get back her girlish figure. BTW, I still think of her as a hottie, since we had many years of ballet & dance classes together. I know there are a lot of girls out there in our situation. Perhaps, we can all work to motivate each other. Check out her blog & join in with motivational comments.

Driving Away the Men

Being up several times a night (every 3 - 4 hours) means that I get a chance to watch a LOT of tv. Most of it is mind numbing, but I got a chuckle out of this story: Pretty in Pink. Apparently, men dislike the color pink so much that it is actually a deterrent for this county jail. After testing the new design for my blog, I remembered the story. Yes, it is a lot of stinky pink, but I also heard that pink makes you look younger & my birthday is approaching. I need to do something to minimize the dark circles under my eyes. So, deal with it!

Another New Year

We really enjoyed the holidays this year. Christmas brought lots of presents for Lexi, which she loved. Plus, I was spoiled with a mother’s ring with all of our birth stones from Steve. He even shocked me by saying we could add another birth stone if we have another baby. Anyone who has spoken to him over the last 9 months has heard him say that he is done having kids and that he is going to get a vasectomy. When I laughed about him mentioning another child, he just said “IF.” I guess this is a topic for another post.

December has flown by and here we are in the New Year. I can hardly believe it. My new baby is a month old and my little toddler is going to be 2 at the end of this month. Life sure goes by quickly.

Looking back, I realize that 2007 wasn’t the uneventful year I had been hoping for, but some wonderful things happened. At the beginning of the year, we were living on South Beach. Steve worked in downtown Miami. Lexi went to daycare and spoke more Spanish than English. I was working as a Marketing Manager at the same place I had been for the past five years. My work life revolved around going after a huge project. It was all I could think about day and night. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be due to blatant political corruption. My view of politics will forever be tainted. In the Spring, we went in with my brother on a cheap house in Montana. Our original plan was to flip it, but later opted to rent it out for a while. In May, I found out I was pregnant, which we had been “working on” since January. June brought another big change. We started a big job hunt for Steve and he flew to Houston for interviews. He accepted a great one and then the moving process began. We arrived at the end of July and I officially became a pregnant SAHM. Lexi and I have enjoyed our time together. In September, Lexi and I took a trip to Virginia for Steve’s Granny’s 90th birthday. After that, life was basically uneventful until Baby Jordan was born the beginning of December. He has brought amazing happiness to our family.

Looking ahead, I realize this year could hold many interesting surprises just like every year does. We would like to buy another house and we are planning to attend my family reunion in July at the Grand Canyon. Other than that, I guess anything goes except for my resolution which is to get in shape. Actually, calling it a resolution makes it sound like a wish. This is more of a MUST/WILL do thing. I am no longer pregnant or devoting most of my life to work, so the time is now. Lexi, Jordan and I will have fun eating healthy food, exercising, and doing outdoor activities. I am looking forward to it. We will also maximize our time with Steve, who has a lot going on at work, but still finds the energy to help out at home.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Morning

Falling Behind

Excuse me while I catch up on life. So far, being a mom to a toddler and a new born isn’t that hard (at least emotionally). In fact, it is easier than being very pregnant and taking care of a toddler. At least I have more energy and my body is not screaming about being uncomfortable all the time. The main problem is that there are just not enough hours in the day to deal with other things like sleep, catching up on e-mails, talking to friends, blogging, making birth announcements, sending out thank you cards, cleaning the house, baking lots of Christmas goodies, organizing my desk, etc. I did manage to finish wrapping gifts, make treats for Steve’s work, and buy a few more gifts. Not much, right?

Fortunately, help is coming tonight. My sister is flying in. I am looking forward to her entertaining Lexi and holding Jordan in order for me to rush around the house and catch up on a few things. Unfortunately, time will still be limited. The fact that I am nursing every 2 hours & it takes about 30 - 45 minutes each time pretty much leaves little time for life. No wonder I am falling behind.

That reminds me... today is the day that I was scheduled to be induced. Thankfully, that is all behind me. I guess I am not that behind. Some things were early & other things have been delayed & neglected. Perhaps, I'll find a balance soon.

Christmas Tag

I received this Christmas Meme by e-mail. It has been a long time since I have been tagged. This one was festively fun, so anyone interested can consider themselves tagged.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag?

Wrapping paper

2. Real tree or artificial?

Real tree – I love the scent

3. When do you put up your tree?

the weekend after Thanksgiving or first weekend in Dec

4. When do you take down your tree?

New Year's Day

5. Do you like eggnog?

It is ok, but everyone knows I prefer HOT CHOCOLATE.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

Nothing specific stands out

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

Sort of – last year my mom brought back a hand carved Joseph, Mary & the baby from Poland. I don’t have a whole scene though.

8. Hardest person to buy for?

My mom – she has everything she needs and can buy anything reasonable that she wants.

9. Easiest person to buy for?

I would have to say kids in general.

10. Worst Christmas gift you've ever received?

For several years after my parents divorced, my father bought Loews gift cards for me. There wasn't even one near me in Miami. He could have gone to the Target right by Loews.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail of course

12. Favorite Christmas movie?

Christmas Vacation – I can recite the whole thing

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

November

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

No –shared a few though

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Do I have to choose one? I am a huge fan of all Christmas goodies. My diet starts in January.

16. White or colored lights?

White

17. Favorite Christmas songs?

Little Drummer Boy

18. Traveling for Christmas or stay home?

Home, but my sister & father-in-law are coming.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?

Yes

20. Angel or Star on top of tree?

Actually a bow

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning?

One on Christmas Eve that is always new pjs so that our morning pictures look cute. This is a family tradition that I love.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Christmas parties for adults only – kids are one of the best parts of Christmas. I know lots of people that disagree though.

23. What I love most about Christmas?

Being with family and friends, giving gifts, building anticipation for Christmas morning, gobbling Christmas goodies

Birth Story of My Big Premie

It all started last Friday when I wasn’t feeling very well. Besides an extra dose of exhaustion, I felt like I had menstrual cramps. These were not the same symptoms I felt the week before, so I decided to just take it easy. I did not want to call the doctor. Around noon, I had not improved so being the wise person that I am, I decided to finally read the check list of reasons to call that the hospital had given me the week before. Guess what? Menstrual-like cramps was on there. I called the doctor’s office and had to go through the whole explanation of how I don’t feel contractions. The nurse seemed a little miffed, but told me to come into the office at 2:30pm. I put Lexi down for her nap right away.

I woke Lexi up just in time to make a mad dash. She was still out of it, so I ended up carrying her through the parking lot and into the office. I wondered if I would be scolded, but my options were limited. They took me right in for an ultrasound. Judging by the size of the baby’s belly, they thought he would weigh less than 6 lbs. They also noticed that the amniotic fluid was low. My doctor told me that she wanted me to go right to the hospital and check in. Of course, I called Steve and asked him to come to my rescue. I wondered how much of an adventure this would be considering I had Lexi with me. Fortunately, it was a very short walk.

When we got to the maternity ward, I peeked into my friend’s room to see if she was still there. We had visited her and her new baby the night before. Apparently, she had just checked out. With no more distractions, Lexi and I headed back to Labor and Delivery (L&D). I filled out a few papers and they checked us into a room. I was being hooked up to monitors while Lexi was exploring the room and entertaining the nurses. My phone rang and to my surprise the caller ID showed that it was my friend’s mom. Somehow, she knew I was at the hospital. It turned out that my friend’s husband spotted me going in. She offered to pick up Lexi and help us out over the weekend. Steve arrived fairly quickly though.

My night in the hospital consisted of steroid shots for my premie’s lungs, trying to increase the amniotic fluid through IV, and being monitored. The whole thing seemed strange. Probably because the only other time I was in the hospital was when I gave birth to Lexi. Plus, it was the first time I slept away from her.

The next morning, I was given another steroid shot and a more extensive ultrasound. This time, the baby was estimated to be about 7 lbs and the amniotic fluid was much better. Things were fairly calm except that the contractions monitor revealed that instead of peaks and valleys, I was stuck at 5 (out of 12). I guess it was one LONG contraction that had lasted hours. When the doctor came to see us (about noon), she told me that she could release me, but that I would just be back that evening for delivery. I was already dilated to 4 or 5 cm. She gave me the option of inducing & I took it. I called my friend’s mom to ask if she would take care of Lexi. She dropped everything and came to pick her up. Steve rushed home to grab the camera. While he was gone, my water was broken, the Pitocin drip was started, and I was even given an epidural before feeling any pain.

Steve and I just chatted over the next few hours while my legs were tingling. A little after 3pm, the nurse checked me again and I was dilated to 7cm. She realized that she had not put a catheter in, so my full bladder was probably slowing down the progress. She drained it and at 4pm I was officially 10 cm. The doctor had me push through 4 contractions and out popped Jordan. His official birth time was 4:07 pm. I guess it is true, the second time is MUCH easier. In fact, I think all births should go like this. I only ended up with 3 stitches.

My premie was born weighing 6 lbs 9 oz and being 18.25” long. Not bad for being less than 36 weeks along.

We're Home

This is just a quick post to let you all know that we are home. I was released from the hospital Monday night, but Jordan had jaundice and they wanted to keep him under the lights. We spent yesterday going back and forth to the hospital so I could breast feed him, which is going very well by the way. More later...

New Arrival

My sister, the one any only Freckle Face Girl, has asked me to declare to the world that she has had her baby! Little Jordan was born at 4:15 houston time and I (Auntie Paige) got his first picture in a text message not two seconds ago! He is adorable! Six pounds nine ounces, and 18 1/4 inch tall. Imagine how large he would have been if they'd waited a month!

There are no problems, he's breathing just fine and he's been bathed and swathed. As soon as I get some e-mailed pictures I'll guest post them here :)

-Auntie Paige

Sending the Cards Early

I don’t know if most people have strategies for when they send out Christmas cards, but I usually send them near the beginning of December. It is a great thing to check off the "To Do List." I also figure that people start decorating right after Thanksgiving, so they are already in the holiday spirit. Plus, some people display their cards as part of their festive décor. I guess I could even rationalize by saying it is fun to be one of the people that kick off the card sending frenzy. I try to get most of them done near Thanksgiving.

This year, I have sent them before December. That is right, they have all been mailed. I will blame it on two things (because nothing is ever my fault). One, there is an entire week of November after Thanksgiving. How can I possibly wait an entire week for December to start so that I can put them in the mail? I hate having them sit around staring at me. Two, I am trying to get all of my Christmas preparations done early so that I can be ready for the baby.

My family and friends already know that I am a wacko for holidays, so they shouldn’t be too surprised. As for Steve’s contacts, they will just have to get used to it. Soon, they will come to expect it from me.