Rest.

Wow!  All three babes in bed!  I have finished washing, drying, folding and putting away all the laundry...washing, drying, and putting away all the dishes...and have swept both the kitchen and laundry room and wiped down the counters in the kitchen!

I also have two steaks in the fridge marinating :)

Here's to a peaceful day so far!

Doing it right this time.

My last attempt at the 9 month weight loss didn't go too well.  I do have the desire to get back to a healthy weight and to be more "fit".  However, I'm laking the "time" when the end of the day comes.

I have decided to get a personal trainer.  I will be meeting with her tomorrow afternoon for the first time.  We will put together a workout plan/schedule.  I'm very excited about this.  I know it is going to be EXTREMELY hard at first (seeing how I get winded when I'm just walking), but I know that I will feel better about myself, my body, and I will be healthier in the end.

I can do this!

9 Months...Day 20

Oh, I know, I know...I haven't been very faithful in my postings, but I haven't forgotten about them either.  I'm really trying hard to restructure my life...and right now blogging is not top on the list.  However, I do have some good news.

On Sunday July 18th I weighed myself, and I was 1.1 lbs lighter than my last weigh in. So, since my first weigh in on July 1st, I am now down 3.1 lbs! :)

Unfortunately, I did eat a bunch of soft baked cookies tonight...eeep!  but they were "O' so good" :)

9 Months...Day 12

It's been a while.  Sorry for the lack of posting, but things have been crazy.  I finally have a min to sit and type :)

So, I'm not going to bore you with the details of what I have eaten for the past 8 days...but I will report on my progress.

So, July 1st I weighed myself and I was 174.6.  A week later on July 8th I weighed myself...  I was SO excited when I saw the numbers 172.6!  That's right, my first week and I'm down 2lbs.  I will weigh myself again this Thursday and see what I've lost. :-)

9 Months...Day 4

Cereal
Sweet Tea
2 Milk
Ravioli
3 Water
3 Chicken Nuggets
Green Beans
Rice
Cold Stone

Lets just say that yesterday might have been a set back... :-/

9 Months...Day 3

I did accomplish my goal of drinking more water.  I finished 3 glasses of water yesterday, for a total of 48oz.

Yesterday I ate:

Cereal
Coffee
Hamburger with a couple fries
Smoothie
1 OJ
1 Milk
Fajita with Chips (no wrap)
3 Water
Kettle Corn
Pina Colada

Today my goal is still to drink more water.  I would like to eventually be drinking 64oz of water a day.  I'm off to have breakfast now.

9 Months...Day 2

Day 1 was pretty successful!

I'm starting off this 9 month adventure weighting 174.6 lbs.  I was shocked when I saw that number.  It was a LOT lower than I had expected I was at 204 when I delivered Elisha.  Now I don't have a "normal" scale...I'm going to be using my Wii Fit Balance Board to do my weight checks.  So...It could be off just a little.

So, I have 49.6 lbs to go until I hit my goal of 125lbs.  Now, I'm really not concerned with the actual numbers, just how I feel and look, but the numbers will help me keep track of my progress.

With needing to drop 49.6 lbs in the 9 months, I will need to lose 1.2lbs per week...so we can just say 1.5lbs.  This is very doable...If I can recall correctly, the healthy number of weight to lose a week is 2 lbs.

Ok, now for the check in part...
Yesterday I ate...
2 eggs (over medium)
2 pieces of toast (butter and apple butter)
1 coffee (2%milk and powder)
1 OJ
1 Smoothie (Strawberry, Peach, Orange, Apple)
Peanuts
Ravioli (sauce and ramano)
1 piece of Texas Toast
1 glass of 2% milk
2 glasses of water

Recently I have been ending my evenings with ice cream or other desserts...I was able to refrain from it last night...I think we might even be out of ice cream now, but I didn't even check :)

Today my goal is up increase my amount of water.  My glasses are not 8 oz glasses...they are 16oz.  I found on the internet that women should consume about 9 8oz glasses of liquid a day (with breastfeeding, I should probably have more) I did have 7-8 8oz of liquid yesterday...but I'd like it to be all water today...we will see.

9 Months...Day 1

Alright...Its time to get serious.  It is now July 1st and I've had 3 weeks to recover from giving birth.   I am starting today, and I'm going to take the next 9 months and get serious about getting healthy.  Mostly this means getting off the extra weight that I have been carrying around for 5 years.  My goal is to be between 125lbs and 135lbs by April 1st.  I'm not sure what I'm currently at, I'll post that later.

The reason I'm posting about this is I'm using YOU to keep me accountable.  You don't have to read these postings if you don't want to, but knowing that anyone is able to read this might help me stick to it.

I will try to post daily and check in at least a week and post my weight.  I don't have an elaborate plan right now...basically watch what I eat by counting calories and at this point try to exercise when I have a free moment.  Hopefully soon I might be able to get a routine for exercise.

So there you have it...that's what I'm doing.

Any advice?

OK, so I live near an ocean for the first time in my life and I'm not quite sure what to do.  I've done some looking around on the internet, and found that hurricane season runs from June 1 - November 30.  So since it is June 28th, I thought I should have some kind of idea what to do in case of a hurricane.  The first things that come to mind are evacuation route and survival kit.  Is that it?

I was looking up the evacuation route for where I live...and I have to admit that I don't quite understand it.  I guess I'm going to have to sit down with a map and figure it out...however, I do have a question.  Will the highways be closed?  Are the evacuation routes quicker?  or is it just a way to split up the traffic?

Survival kit ideas that I found online have all been about the same idea.  Food, Water, Tools, and Important Papers.  Anything else?  And do I put this all together in a box that I can throw in my car if we have to evacuate?

When do we evacuate? (Nana and Papa, we are coming your way if necessary)  Do I just wait for the weatherman to tell me it is time?  When I start feeling nervous about the situation? (there will probably be a lot of false alarms then).

So...just for the record, I'm not freaking out here.  I have been told that this is supposed to be a pretty bad storm year for the Charleston area so I just want to be prepared and not in the dark about what to expect.  Since its not just me that I have to worry about, but 3 of us, and one that can't do anything for himself, I want to make sure I know what to do.  So any helpful thoughts would be much appreciated.

Baby Supply List

These are not in any order.  I've provided links only to help with what item I'm talking about...it is not necessarily the cheapest place to purchase.

1. Snappi Diaper Fasteners http://www.snappibaby.com/products/snappidiaperfastener.html
2. Bummis Super Snap Diaper Cover (Newborn and Small) http://www.bummis.com/us/en/super-snap.php
3. Graco DuoDiner Highchair
   Lowery: http://www.gracobaby.com/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=1762134
   Brunswick: http://www.gracobaby.com/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=1763865
4. Avent Bottle Nipples (all sizes) http://www.consumer.philips.com/c/avent-baby-nipple/35490/cat/us/#filterState=MCC_NIPPLES_SU_US_CONSUMER%3Dtrue
5. Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags http://www.lansinoh.com/products/milk-storage-bags
6. Lansinoh Nursing Pads http://www.lansinoh.com/products/disposable-nursing-pads
7. Parents Choice Organic Baby Wipes http://instoresnow.walmart.com/Sustainability-Page_ektid39900.aspx
8. NUK  aka Pacifier (all sizes)
   Genius Silicone:  http://www.nuk-usa.com/products/c-8$p-45/geniustm-silicone.aspx
   Classic Silicone:  http://www.nuk-usa.com/products/c-8$p-57/classic-silicone-pacifier.aspx
   Nature Silicone:  http://www.nuk-usa.com/products/c-8$p-101/nature-pacifer.aspx
9. Temporal Thermometerhttp://www.exergen.com/medical/TAT/tatconsumerpage.htm
10. Huggies Newborn Pure and Natural Diapers
    http://www.huggieshappybaby.com/products/index.aspx?uri=diapers/index.aspx&globnav=hhb
11. Munchkin Bottle and Nipple Brushhttp://www.munchkin.com/products/detail.php?pID=12&gclid=CIik-Z_RuKECFQ9N2godVEO8-g
12. Gerber Organic White Onsies (0-3m, 3-6m)
    http://www.target.com/Newborns-Gerber-Organic-Onesies-2-pk/dp/B001FSBNZC/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton
13. Newborn and 0-3m Boy Outfits
14. Baby Monitor
    (no website provided because I really don't know which one would be best, so you can use your best judgement)
15. Complete Care 4 Stage Bath Center
    http://www.safety1st.com/usa/eng/Products/Child-Care/Bathtubs/Details/2167-44045-Complete-Care-4-Stage-Bath-Center
16. KidCo Bath Storage Basket
    http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html?asin=B000MVQBG4&colid=1AQZCHOVDAOET&coliid=I359JKIL3WNCG3&bckreg=baby

Not sure if I am forgetting anything, but here is the list that I have come up with so far.   :)

The baby is coming soon!

So, not sure what to do about a baby registry.  I've had some people ask me if I have one.  The answer is no.  Nathanael and I haven't set up a registry, because we figured we wouldn't be having a shower (since we don't know anyone here, and since this is our third baby).  I've been inventorying the things that we have left over from when Ivy was born, and the clothes that Ari wore, and I've noticed there are a few things that I will need to purchase.  I suppose that I can make a list and post it, that way if you really want to get us something, you can pick from the list.  You wouldn't have to worry about going to a specific store where we are registered, but I would ask that you save the receipt just in case.

I fell today.

Ya, I'm OK...just a little sore.  I decided to wash the papasan chair cushion in the bath tub.  It's been five years since we got it, and it was looking pretty bad.  After I finished all I could do in the tub, I asked Nathanael to take it outside so I could hose it down and set it out to dry.  While I was outside setting something up for him to lay the cushion over, he was inside trying to figure out how to get the cushion outside.  He had tried just bringing it out and realized he was getting water ALL over the floor.  I came back in the house while he was in the laundry room getting towels.  Not knowing the water was on the floor (and we have all tile floors) I started down the hallway and *slip* down I went.  I caught most of myself using the hall door and closet door, but I think I landed on my knee and hip.  My knee had a slight bruise (the mark is gone now) and my hip is a little sore.  I think I might have been more embarrassed than hurt...and I cried.

It was a good day.

This morning I went out to the grocery store to pick up some items I couldn't find at my last grocery trip.  I also stopped by the Airman's Attic to see if the cappuccino/espresso maker that I had seen the week before was still there...The attachments were, but not the appliance : (  ...However, while there I found this:

For those of you who are unfamiliar with what the Airman's Attic is, it is a place where people can donate stuff, and other people can come get it.  It is on a first come first serve basis.  I am SOOO very excited about this find!  I really wanted to have a bassinet for next to the bed after the baby was born, but Nathanael didn't think it was necessary.  Since these little pieces of furniture can be expensive, I would have felt bad purchasing one, but not even Nathanael can argue with FREE!!  Thank you, whoever you are, that donated this!! <3  It will be loved and taken care of :)

After my find, I did a little kitchen work...I started the dough for the rolls we were going to eat for diner.  While they were raising, I made 13cups of homemade biscuit mix, that later when we want biscuits, I will add 1/3 cup of water per cup of mix.  Then when the roll dough was ready, I kneaded in sun-dried tomatoes.  While those were baking, I prepared the main dish..

I was pretty pleased with dinner...and maybe for desert we will be able to enjoy one of the chocolate biscottis that I made yesterday.  All of the recipes that are shown, came from a cook book that I bought a few years ago, but never made anything from it....until now.

.

Pampered Chef

I'm hosting a Pampered Chef catalog party.

If you are interested in looking at the product or ordering anything, let me know and I can
send you an e-invite.

I have sent some invites out already, but I may not have had your current e-mail, or one at
all.  

All orders need to be in by Feb 5th.

Great news!!   In the month of February, all non-glazed stoneware is 20% off.   So if you've
been wanting to get a bar pan, or round stone...now is the time to do it.

Resolution?

So my mom in law wrote: "The bad thing about resolutions is that we usually fail at them."  and since I am almost expected to fail, I can say that my New Year's Resolution will be to slim down on my stuff.  pre-baby clothes, knick-knacks, furniture, ect.  (Nathanael, I warn you, don't get your hopes up.)  I would also like to finish up some unfinished projects: Amy's blanket, Ivy's blanket, scrapbooks, ect.

Getting out of credit card debt, budgeting and sticking to it, and creating a schedule that keeps the family moving forward are also somethings that I have in mind.  (I think my list is getting to long, but maybe I will at least accomplish one of them?)


Other than things that I can make happen, I'm hoping for a better year.  A LOT happened last year that I'd rather not think about.  I know that my life changes daily, but last year it changed dramatically.  I did however have some wonderful travels and experiences, but I'm glad to have my family back together, and a dresser and closet to get my clothes out of instead of a suitcase.

Hope everyone has a wonderful start to their new year.

Reading...

I started teaching Ivy again. We haven't been practicing reading for sometime now. I was very excited to find out that she remembered everything that we had learned. She even learned 1 new sound and 7 new words today (and the book recommended spending 3 days to do all of them. O "awe" and HOT COT POT COP HOP TOP and POP!! She can now read 18 words!  

We will review again when daddy gets home, again around dinner, and then before bed.  I'm very proud of her!

Dear Grandma Rose.

Grandma,

I think of you often and wish you were here,

I don't always understand and it's not always clear.

I know that life on Earth must end,

But I feel I've lost a very good friend.

I wish my children had the chance to grow up close to you,

I have wonderful memories from when it was just us two.

I miss talking to you about cooking, sewing and gardening,

I begin to call then realize you will not be answering.

Today you would have been eighty-three,

But instead you passed and now are free.

Free from sickness and suffering,

and to know this, it comforts me.

You will not be forgotten.  I love you.

Funny Story

Nathanael and I are sitting here watching the office.  We have already watched 3 episodes since the children have been put to bed.

Just about a min ago, Ivy comes storming out from the hallway (stating in a sassy teenage voice) "Either fix it, or turn that thing off!  It's keeping me awake."  She listens to stories on CD to go to bed, and there must have been a scratch on the CD...Nathanael reported it was only on track 2.

Guess you had to be there to hear the way she said it.

Our Appointment

We had our 1st Baby Dr.s Appointment, and everything went well!   I was surprised at how big the baby
actually was already.   Well it's really only the size of a grape (length wise), but the legs and
arms were defined.   We could also see the heart beating.   We didn't actually get to hear the
heartbeat this time, but I think they will do it next month.   They did this ultrasound to check
how accurate my due date was, and to see if there was more than one baby.   The results,
my due date is June 18th, and unless someone was hiding, we are only expecting one.

Today I actually had more energy than I have the last 3 weeks, so I hope it continues that
way.

I will miss you Grandma Rose.

Thank you to those who I've talked to here recently, who have shared there thoughts and feelings of my grandmother.  I am going to miss her, and it is going to be hard for me, as I'm sure others in our family, to get through the holidays this year.  For those of you who knew Grandma Rose, knew what a wonderful person she was.  There is so much that I have learned throughout life, that I learned from her.  She aided me in cooking, knitting, crocheting, sewing, and cross stitching, but most importantly, she taught me how to love and serve others.  She was a wonderful grandmother and friend.  I have only happy memories that come to mind right now, and each one makes me miss her more.

I would like to write more about her, and some of the memories I have, but I will save that for another time.

Nathanael, the kids, and I will be traveling to Ohio in the next couple of days for the services.  Please keep my family and others who are traveling in your prayers.