A Day in the Life

I love my 2 children. My family is what I was put on this Earth for. When Jimi strokes my hair while he drinks his night time bottle, or Kaya still comes to snuggle me at every possible opportunity or Joey comes home and immediately sets them both off in fits of glee from being tickle hugged...it all makes me melt. I have to remind myself this when the daily grind frustrates me like it is right now.

I wake up at 5:00 or so in the morning- this is best case scenario, some nights my insomniac daughter will wake me up at 2:30 because she can't sleep(like last night) or Jimi might wake up once in a while from wetting through his pjs(that would be 4:30 last night, right when said daughter finally got up and went back to her room.) Don't forget the cat that is obsessed with me and sleeps at my head on the nights that I forget to let him out.

Anyhoo, so I'm up by 5ish and feeding Jimi as this is about as long as he can sleep. I change, feed him his morning bottle, and try to lay him down for another 30 minutes or so so that I can get ready for work.

6 or 6:30 I'm getting Kaya up, and fed and downstairs. I make it down for a quick cup of coffee, put Jimi in his jump up and have a quick look at my email before I fix snacks, and food for Jimi for the day, and go start the car to be out of the house by 7:20...and breath.

Work is pretty much status quo, it can get very stressful and busy, but I look forward to the adult conversation and a full 8 hours without getting spit up or snot on me. I leave work at 5:00.

I pick the kids up a little after 5. Joey and I work together to get Jimi fed his dinner, have a night time bottle, get changed and put to bed all between 5:30- 7:00. Kaya has a snack and plays while all of this takes place as she has already done her homework at daycare. At 7:00 or so we eat dinner, I check her homework, and have a little down time. She goes to bed around 8:30 and I colapse around 9:30.

So that's my day. Joey and I have only a few short hours to spend together. I never get a chance do things for myself, or if I do find the time I frankly don't want to because I am so tired.

I know I'm not the only one out there that works hard or is tired or whatever. I haven't even gotten to cleaning, or lack-there-of...that is a whole new post.

A New Day?

In my last post I predicted McCain would win. I guess it was wishful thinking when all the polls were pointing towards Obama. I wanted McCain to win not because I am a republican, as I consider myself an independent, not because I am a racist, nothing could be further from the truth, but because I genuinely like the man. I am sure I am a minority in saying that when his own party barely tolerates him because of is bipartisan ways. Am I wrong to think that this country would be a lot better if we stopped playing tug of war with our ideals and agendas and found a way to mesh them together? I guess I just look at things through rose colored glasses, but I have always been taught to compromise, not fight for your own way. That is a change I want to happen.

I said I couldn't picture Obama as president. How could I picture it when this country has never taken any step towards electing anyone other then white old men? I was wrong.
On election night, I went to bed early, knowing we would not win. I was asleep for all the speeches, and admit I have only seen clips of Obama and McCain speaking on election night, but I can tell you I am very proud of this country for bucking the system and voting the first African American into the White House. I too was teary eyed watching Jesse Jackson tear up and many many others break down that night. The significance is not lost on me, I promise you.

I am sad that my candidate didn't win. I do not share the same vision that Obama has for this country. But you have got to be very small minded, or blind, or both to not see that with his election comes renewed relationships with our allies who were starting to turn their backs on us. Our country has renewed hope in democracy; that if you fight for change, you will actually achieve it. This election was the personification of what Martin Luther King spoke about. And, I think we actually just jumped up a few links on the evolutionary chain.

That's my 2 cents on this election. Now I have to go pray that he doesn't turn us into a Marxist society...hehehe...just joking...kind of. :)

Halloween...already??

When did we get to the end of October? My house has been crazy busy with cheering, girl scouts, work, a teething baby...it just never ends. Christmas will be here before we know it.

Jimi is 7 months now. He has his first 2 bottom teet that came in about a week ago. He is sitting like a pro these days, and is so much busier then Kaya was at this age. She walked easily at 10 months, but she was perfectly content to just sit and chill with you. Jimi isn't crawling yet, but he bounces and swings his hands and moves more then I ever thought possible.

The election is next week. I have correctly picked the winner for every presidential election since Clinton's first run for president. This year I pick McCain. It has to be McCain. I just can't see this country with Obama as president. The only silver lining about this is no matter who wins...it is not going to be Bush.

I Am Who I Am

I am pro-choice, support the troops in Iraq, support gay marriage, the right to bear arms.

I am pro death penalty, feel the urgent need to do something to combat global warming, and completely disagree with tax and spend mentality.

I don't agree with a government healthcare, but think something has to be done about the costs of insurance, I support tax cuts, school vouchers and think if we werer attacked today on our soil, Obama is the wrong person to to have in office to defend us.

I think McCain has made mistakes, but Obama has made just as many. I initially supported Obama, but after reviewing all his stances, I just can't back him. I think he is way too extreme a liberal, and extremists of any party are scary. I don't consider myself a democrat or republican, but I'm voting McCain.

Please think about your vote before following the herd . Read about who you are voting for, or in some cases against.

I Love my Kids

I just saw them this morning on the couch with Jimi looking at Kaya with hero worship in his eyes, and Kaya so proud that her brother is starting to sit by himself. They are amazing and we are so lucky to have them.

So Sick of the Blame Game:

Do you know that in 2005/2006 McCain authored legislation for stricter regulations for mortgage companies like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He tried to fix this problem but the senate shot him down every chance they got...now where are we???

Now Obama is trying to say that McCain's camp had money given to them by these companies...just look at the end of this post at the actual campaign contributions people.

I'm only pointing this out because there are many people to blame for our crisis. And of course there is so much more to it then just mortgage securities, but if people would stop pointing fingers for one minute and try to work together to end the issue, maybe we won't face another massive recession.

OpenSecrets Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Invest in Democrats - Capital Eye: "Top Recipients of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Campaign Contributions, 1989-2008

NameOfficeParty/StateTotal
1. Dodd, Christopher JSD-CT$133,900
2. Kerry, JohnSD-MA$111,000
3. Obama, BarackSD-IL$105,849
4. Clinton, HillarySD-NY$75,550
5. Kanjorski, Paul EHD-PA$65,500
6. Bennett, Robert FSR-UT$61,499
7. Johnson, TimSD-SD$61,000
8. Conrad, KentSD-ND$58,991
9. Davis, TomHR-VA$55,499
10. Bond, Christopher S 'Kit'SR-MO$55,400
11. Bachus, SpencerHR-AL$55,300
12. Shelby, Richard CSR-AL$55,000
13. Emanuel, RahmHD-IL$51,750
14. Reed, JackSD-RI$50,750
15. Carper, TomSD-DE$44,389
16. Frank, BarneyHD-MA$40,100
17. Maloney, Carolyn BHD-NY$38,750
18. Bean, MelissaHD-IL$37,249
19. Blunt, RoyHR-MO$36,500
20. Pryce, DeborahHR-OH$34,750
21. Miller, GaryHR-CA$33,000
22. Pelosi, NancyHD-CA$32,750
23. Reynolds, TomHR-NY$32,700
24. Hoyer, Steny HHD-MD$30,500
25. Hooley, DarleneHD-OR$28,750"

My Baby is 6 months old...and other random thoughts

My stupid camera is not working at the moment, so there are no pics of my precious little 6 month old right now. Jimi is thriving, weighing in at 18.3 lbs and 28 inches long. He is so happy and loves to play peek a boo and patty cake. He still isn't rolling from belly to back, but the doc said today not to worry, since he is still developmentally only 5 months old. He loves to eat and is teething like crazy. I just can't believe it's already been 6 months!

Kaya loves her cheering and got the "loudest" award at last weeks game. She started Daisy's and is selling candy and nuts for a few weeks. She loves 1st grade and her teacher. She is doing great with reading, but her handwriting stinks...I guess it will get better as the year wears on.

Joey just started his 3rd year of school. Just one more year after this one! He got a nice raise last week...yay! He loves his current job he is working on, and is currently a bit obsessive trying to make sure Kaya sells the most nuts out of her troop.

I am status quo at work. It is such a crazy place to work at. So much happens in a day, week, month, but I just don't have the energy to tell all of my tales...I think that would be a whole other blog! I am slowing down on my weight loss, my own fault of course. But I am still headed in the right direction...down, and I guess that is what matters right now. I can actually fit into some old pre preggo jeans, and I think that has made me lose some momentum.

I had gum surgery last Thursday, a part of the whole "getting braces" saga. I can only eat soft foods for a week, and today is the first day I'm now swollen. The next step are pulling 2 bottom teeth, then the braces.

I am in the middle of posting a long post on my political stance. I haven't voted since Clinton, mostly staying apathetic with the whole process. But this year, I have actually pulled my head out of my ass and am reading over all of the issues, stances, propaganda, etc. I have to say I still hate the process because so much of the real issues get lost in lies and negative shit slinging.

That's it for now. I need to update my baking blog, but it will have to wait because I am leaving to go home now.

My Mind is Made Up

I don't talk politics. I generally fall in the middle of peoples views. I personally believe that too much of any one thing is bad for you, and of course I relate that to politics as well. I don't think attacking peoples inability to send an email, or swear someone is a terrorist because his name is Barrack Hussein Obama is right or has any place in an election. Presidents aren't allowed to send email, and really, the whole terrorist theory is just not even worth my time talking about...it's a name people. As are Track and Piper and Willow, so leave their names out of it! I get emails daily from friends who are passionately on one side or the other, and I totally support their views, after all, that is what is great about our country. Freedom. However, I feel with each passing election, people are getting more and more "passionate" and less united, which is what we are supposed to be...isn't it?


This is the part where I was going to lay out all of my political views and explain my stance, but I'm not. I'll simply say that I am socially liberal, fiscally conservative and based on what I have read about the candidates viewpoints and what I think are the most important issues facing us right now...I'm voting McCain and Palin.

The Voice Inside Me is Screaming

I have had no voice for over 2 days now. I can't yell at my daughter, or at my husband to come help with the kids...what is a girl to do?

I did work for the last few days, and what little voice I had was used on phone calls and people at work.

I even missed a girls night last night because of this craziness, and because my head felt like it was going to explode.

When I finally get it back for good, I'm going to never stop talking. My family better watch out.

Goodbye Summer. Hello 1st Grade

The Presidential Race

I have mentioned on my blog a few times that I was leaning towards Obama, but I have always stated that I like McCain for not always listening to the moral majority and popular republican vote. Well, I know that Palin is getting a lot of flack about her age, inexperience, and abandoning her kids...but I like her. I hated Hillary, so I'm not one of those "oh she is a woman so I want to vote for her" mentality. I like her and what she has done during her small amount of time in office. Now am truly on the fence about what to do.

Checking In

No new weight loss or gain this week. I got into this rut too when I was doing WW the first time. One week I lose, the next I stay the same. Since I have an online membership, I have been a little slack lately with going to the meetings and weighing in there. I need to focus on that as my goal for next week.

Kaya is all ready for school. She has delivered her supplies and met her teacher. All the clothes, at least through Christmas if not longer have been bought, and we have even had a fun bout of Stomach flu running rampant through our household. First me last week, then Joey the past week. And fun of all fun Kaya came down with it and got sick all over the place last night at around 2:00 in the morning. Good times. Luckily up till now, Jimi has missed the horrible bug.

He continues to get bigger and bigger. He loves his Johnny jump up and we are looking on Craigslist for an exersaucer. Kaya has grown this summer as well, now wearing a size 1 in shoes, and 7 clothes. Her first football game to cheer for is Saturday the 6th. She is so excited.

Metal Gear

I had my orthodontic consultation yesterday. For all of those with children...start saving your money now. If they need braces, it can be pretty expensive. Even with our dental insurance, it only pays for half of the cost. My orthodontist is really nice, and I have some pretty extensive work to be done, just like I expected. I have to have 2 teeth extracted, and after a year of wearing braces, jaw surgery to extend my lower jaw that never grew correctly...yikes. The surgery is up to me, but I guess I will see how the braces go first, and how much my insurance will cover the surgery. It is technically cosmetic, but my case is pretty severe, so they are sure that insurance will cover it. All of this will take 2 years to do. Don't worry, there is no headgear involved! My next appt is next week to take models and x rays of my teeth. I would think by Halloween I should have them on.

Jimi at 5 months old

Jimi is a little monster. No really, he is. He spends his days rolling, growling, bridging, growling, standing with assistance, growling, smiling and...did I mention growling? He is such a happy baby and loves to stand on his own 2 feet, which he just realized he had about 2 weeks ago. He is eating up a storm and loves everything but carrots so far. He has tried my ice tea, and loves that, and actually doesn't do to bad slurping water through a sippy cup. Messy, but he does it. He has never taken a pacifier, but his knuckles are getting a work out. I swear a tooth must be coming soon. He is still bald headed, as was Kaya for the first year.



We are so blessed to have this little guy. We went through a lot trying to have number 2, and I am so excited every morning to see his face.

The Upcoming VP Candidates

If you know me, you know I hate politics. I'm as about as middle of the road as one can get. I am fiscally conservative, and socially liberal. I have never voted republican, and so far this election I really like both candidates but I'm more inclined to vote for Obama.

I have mentioned on here before that I like McCain for his unpopularity in the eyes of most republicans because he is not so conservative. He votes his conscience, and he is good friends with another great middle of the roader that I am a fan of J. Lieberman.

I really like Obama. I feel think he has a great shot at really making a difference in our country. I am really siding with him at this point just based on what I have read so far.

If he picks Hillary, which I still think is highly unlikely, I will completely change my mind about him. She is evil. I like Kaine and Richardson. Warner is fine.

If McCain picks Lieberman (which is likely impossible) I will vote for McCain regardless of who Obama picks.

That's it. My 2 cents. I have very conservative friends, and very liberal friends. This is my moderate point of view.

Paying the Piper

I stepped on the scale this morning instead of going to the meeting. I have gained .8 lbs. Ugh. I knew it was going to happen, weight loss does not equate to McDonalds and Burger King. We all slip, we all fall, but you have to remember to get back up and keep trying. I will do better next week. It's funny, I'm not over eating the things I'm baking. I'm fine with moderating those into my points system. Instead I'm compelled to eat the crap they serve at Fast Food places.

Joey is working overtime this weekend and Kaya spent the night at his Dad's house last night, so it's just Jimi and me this morning. It's been nice just hanging out with him. We have been singing and dancing most of the morning to the Oldies station on our Dish Network. Something I never get to do with the house full.

I'm getting ready to bake some Blondies for Kaya since Jimi went down for his morning nap.

TidBits

I have a summer time cold...ugh. Waking up with a raw throat and stuffy nose is soo not fun this time of year. Jimi has been sneezing a bit the last few days, so I'm sure I caught it from him.

I ate yesterday like I would never eat again...must get back on track today. I want to be back into my size 10 fall clothes by mid September. Eating McDonalds for lunch is not getting me there any quicker. That's what I get for spending my whole lunch school shopping for Kaya and only having 5 minutes to grab something before I went back to work.

If you heard last weekend on the news about an 18 year old wrecking his car in King and Queen County and dieing...that was my step mother's grandson Dustin Johnson. He just graduated this past June and I had only met him like 2 times and that was way back when he was like 8 or 9 years old. But it doesn't make it any less heartbreaking for his mother. I'll be going to the viewing tonight to help support my step mom and her daughter Dana. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.

I wish we would have taken a vacation this summer. We aren't beach people, but it still would have been nice to get away for a week. What we'd like to do is take another cruise, but we probably will hold off until our 10 year anniversary in 2010. I think we will take our kids with us so we need to make sure Jimi is old enough for their kids program and plus we will have to save up the extra money for them to go.

Oh well, enough dreaming for now...that is a long way off.

Blogging Part Deux

I am probably the Grocer's favorite shopper. Even if I have a list, and now-a-days, coupons, I am still an impulse buyer. I just can't resist all sorts of items that jump out at me while I'm at the store. I have visions of making a wonderful roast, or more often then not, some sort of sweet dessert or bake good. I have all of these many items in my pantry just waiting for the inspiration, that sadly, I don't have time to find. My biggest offense at the grocery store are the little recipe books or food magazines at the check out. I flock to them like a fat kid to candy. I just know I'm going to find the perfect thing in there to fix for the nameless perfect occasion.

I am beginning to aquire so many recipe books and magazines that I will never have a chance to fix half of the items in my life time, but I love to look at them. That along with the fact that when I do bake something and I do a good job, like the birthday cake for Joey this past weekend, I'm proud and want to show my accomplishment. These are all reasons why I have created a new blog. To share what I have done, and give me a reason for using my neglected ingredients and recipe books. I enjoy baking and maybe if I blog about what I'm creating each week, I will make time for something I love to do.

So if you ever need a recipe or idea for something to bake. You can find me at http://www.52sweetsayear.blogspot.com/

This should do wonders for my diet!

Robin Williams

I totally have a comedic crush on Robin Williams. He is, in my opinion, the funniest person alive.

I found out yesterday that he is coming to Richmond in Oct. and tickets go on sale this Saturday. I am so excited...I can't wait!

Happy Birthday Joey!

Tomorrow Joey will be 32. We are going to breakfast with his family in the morning and feasting on king crab legs and corn on the cob tonight for dinner.

Kaya and I watched Peter Jackson's King Kong this afternoon, me for the second time. She totally got the love story and cried at the end...just like I do when I watch it. It's funny to catch actual glimpses of her growing up right in front of me.

Other then that, it's a nice quiet weekend. Jimi has been practicing his new talent of rolling over and is eating rice cereal once a day. He isn't quite used to it yet, so we are starting slow. We tried sweet potatos yesterday, and he really didn't like that!

I am ready for the God awful heat of summer to end.

Jimi is 4 Months Old!

Jimi was 4 months old July 20th. He is such a smiling, laid back baby. He is sleeping at least 10 hours a night now. He rarely gets fussy and lets just about anyone hold him and loves the ladies at daycare. He worships Kaya, instantly breaking into a gummy grin whenever she comes near. He just started rolling from back to front yesterday, still not quite getting the arm underneath out from under him, but he is getting the hang of it. He is changing so fast, as big and healthy as he is now, it is hard to think that he had such a rough start coming into this world.

He had his 4 month checkup today, weighing in at a whopping 15 lbs, 13 oz! That is 75th percentile for his age. He is 26 1/2 inches long...that is 95th percentile for his age. Other then size and weight she agreed with me it was time to start feeding him baby food and that he is developmentally on track at this point.

Steady as she Goes

I was up 2 lbs this past Tuesday...too much quiche, wine and brownies at Girls night last weekend, followed by Papa Johns and wine the next day. It was a temporary increase though, because I'm right back to my same weigh in of last week.

I'd Give my Eye Teeth to Have Straight Teeth

I never talk about it because I'd rather ignore them and wish they weren't there. But if talking about losing weight helps me do it, maybe talking about getting braces will help me do it also. Those of you that have always had straight teeth, or got braces at an early age can't comprehend how badly I want my horrible overbite and crooked teeth to disappear. I won't even go into the years of riducule I suffered because of them...lets think merely of the health of my teeth. I've never been able to bite into an apple...what a simple task, but my bite does not allow me to do that. And the crowding and uneven bite causes cavities and gum issues, and again I will mention my appearance...I hate to smile!

So for years I did ignore them, then before we were married I looked into getting braces, but with out dental insurance, well, we just couldn't afford it. So now 8 years later, 2 kids later, and now armed with awesome dental insurance, I am pulling my head out of the sand and made myself go to the dentist today. Did I not mention that it had been a few years? I was scared this morning when I went...scared of being told all of my teeth were going to fall out, or hell no you are no longer a canidate for braces...things obviously I knew to be false. After the horrible xrays were taken (I hate those) they found that I had no cavities! I am, however, going back in two weeks to get my bottom grey fillings redone into white ones so I won't have the unsightly gray teeth anymore.

Next comes braces. One more step closer.

Falling Apart

This week, I was coming back from lunch I hurt the hell out of my wrist. I tried to carry 3 heavy office max bags on my wrist, while carrying my water bottle in the same hand trying not to spill it and grab another bag in my right and shut my van trunk all the same time. I did it all, but the rest of my day, my left wrist hurt like hell...that was Wednesday. I still can't put any real weight on it. So between that and my right foot that has been hard to walk on since March, maybe it's time to go to a doctor.

In other news...Jimi is trying hard to turn over. He is getting a little more whiney these days and drooling more...could he be teething this early? Where did my happy little boy go? He is sleeping between 9-12 hours a night and has been for about 2 or 3 weeks.

Kaya officially learned to swim this week. She went to Morgan swim school last summer and was diving underwater and swimming then, but confidence issues and a whole year passing had Kaya using a noodle all over again in the pool this summer. Her daycare takes them to the pool once a week and this week she let go of the noodle and swam across the pool. She then reportedly swam the rest of the afternoon...yay!

I'm down 1.8 lbs this week. I've got about 10 lbs to go to my last years pre pregnancy weight.

Saturday Weigh In

I lost 3.8 lbs this week. I ate a ton of seafood (steamed shrimp, tilapia, crab legs) which are low in calories and fat. And a lot of vegetables. I tried walking a fast 2 miles yesterday morning with Jimi and completed the whole 2 miles, but felt like my legs were going to burn off or cramp up or something. I have along way to go before I consider jogging that distance, any distance for that matter. I am so out of shape.

We didn't do much yesterday, I mostly cleaned up and did laundry. We feasted on Crab legs and fresh corn from a local produce stand and watched I'm Not There, the movie about Bob Dylan's life.

Today I have to go to a meeting for Kaya's cheering that is going to start in a few weeks and finish laundry, vacuuming, you know fun stuff like that. Oh and I promised Kaya I'd take her to the mall.

Haiku to the Black Cat

I am so sorry
Wrong I was to accuse you
monitor is fine

Kitty with a Wire Fetish

We adopted a sweet 15(?) year old black kitty last year. Our family loves this kitty, especially Kaya, and this kitty loves my daughter, husband, and dog. It doesn't like me so much because his arch nemesis, the white kitty, loves me. The white kitty, Maximus Kittenus, aka "white kitty" is a bully with small kitty's complex and beats up on the dog, daughter and this old black kitty. Following me so far?

Yesterday morning I came downstairs as I always do to check my email before anyone is up. I discovered that this kitty completely chewed in half the cable running from our flat screen monitor to our computer. This is not the first time this kitty with a fetish has sliced a cable, 1 month ago it was one of our baby monitor cords, 3 months previous was the mouse to our computer, and about 5 months ago, it was our computer speaker wires. These other items were not extremely costly,we had an extra set of speakers, we threw the baby monitor away, and bought a cheap new mouse. The monitor, however, is expensive and just a year old. I ordered the replacement cable yesterday, and the cable alone was $50. Yeesh.

What does one do with a kitty with a wire fetish? Is there a support group for kitties? A 12-step program? Biofeedback? I know what my first instinct was but I will not divulge it because I am truly an animal lover, and I don't want any
evidence to the contrary.

Needless to say, I will not be able to post again from my home computer until the part comes in. The part should be in sometime next week, until then, I only have access at work.

Losing the Weight

I am trying really hard to make this lifestyle change because I really want to lose 30 or so lbs and be as fit as I was a little over a year ago.

It is hard to stop eating out twice a week, snacking on junk food all the time, and drinking coffee everyday. Coffee, the way I drink it with sugar and a good amount of half and half, is about 2 points. I am willing to use splenda, but refuse to budge on the half and half. So, even though I love it, it's not worth it to me to waste points everyday on that...so I have started only having it on weekends. Alcohol is another thing I don't waste my points on too often while I'm on WW, I just don't agree with wasting my 22 precious points on any beverage. I would love to come home every night and have a glass or 2 of wine, but I just remind myself of the sick feeling I get when I try to put on my old clothes and they are still too small. I had to actually buy almost a whole new wardrobe after having Jimi because I had nothing except maternity things that fit me. I was 185 then, and I still can't wear any of my old clothes now, over 17 lbs later.

I wanted to join a pilates class at a church next to my house, but they only have it on Mondays, and I just found out today that Kaya's cheering practice is going to be on Mondays, so much for that idea. I am really considering starting to work my way up to running. That's a bold sentence huh? Starting to consider working my way up to...well, to clarify, I am really out of shape. I walked a half mile at almost a jog last week, and I was totally winded...but I guess you have to start somewhere.

I would love to set a goal for myself to run the Monument Ave 5k? 10k? which is it? I know that running would fit into my very tight schedule right now and would do wonders for increasing my metabolism and help lose weight. I just know that starting the process is a painful thing, and I just need to get off my butt and do it.

Good Recipe Link

If you don't know already, I'm a bit of a foody. I not only love to eat (hence my new membership at WW), but I also love cooking. I take that back, I love baking. I will cook, but baking is my love. I don't have much time to do either these days, but regardless, I still love looking at cookbooks and online cooking sites and finding great recipes to try out...one of these days...

I found this great website from the Food Stamp Administration. You can search hundreds of recipes and they will not only give you the nutritional info on each recipe(which helps a WW point tracker like me) but it also gives you the cost for the whole recipe and cost per serving. I don't know about you, but the rise in food costs (and everything else) is starting to bug me...I've even started shopping groc. store ads and downloading coupons onto my Kroger card (thanks for the idea, RKKS)

I like Kroger because for every $100 you spend you can get $.10 off each gallon of gas...that helps a little.

Anyway, before I get on a tangent about the price of everything, here is the website.


http://recipefinder.nal.usda.gov/

If you ever run across a good recipe, let me know!

Movin on down

The first time I started ww 2 years ago, I had a 7 lb loss the first week. My loss this 1st week wasn't nearly as good, but I am totally excited that I lost 4.2 lbs! I started the week off eating completly the wrong food but staying within my points. Near the end of the week I started to get better at picking healthy choices that fall in my 22 point per day allowance. I went way over 1 day, but didn't get discouraged, and got right back on track after that. Today I feel less cravings, I'm able to drink all of the water I'm supposed to with out the "floating away" feeling, and hopefully this attitude will hang on with me for a bit so I can lose the weight I want.

I know that my losses will not be this good every week, and there will be gains, but I feel like I am back on track. My 1st goal is to lose 10% by labor day, that gives me about 13 more lbs to lose, then I will set another.

Happy 4th of July

Jimi

Something has been bugging the shit out of me, and maybe if I write it out, I will feel better. Feel free to give your advice.

I have a physical therapist I work with who is very sweet and came to my baby shower and really wanted to work with Jimi after he was born because she said she was being trained in this infant therapy method that is supposed to help in their overall development whether they are behind or not. She asked if she could use Jimi as her "guinea pig" way back while I was still pregnant. Well as you all know the story, he was born prematurely and stayed in the NICU, then his pediatrician said maybe he had a scrotal hernia, then she mentioned possible scoliosis because he like to look up at the light. I was a little sick of hearing there are things wrong with my child, and I should have never had the PT come visit us while I was still at home with him. After one visit she calls me and states that he needs early intervention because he is behind developmentally. WTF!?! Of course he is, "he was premature", I say, and therefore his developmental age is 4-5 weeks behind his actual age...and everything works itself out by the time they are 2 years old.

She wanted to regress him back to putting him in a sling, which is no big deal if he were a newborn starting out, but I never put him in one because I didn't have one, and I'm not going to start now when he is perfectly happy in the crib or pack in play. She wants me to change my thought process that I want him to try and sit up and hold his head up, because she thinks he needs to still be cradled and treated like a newborn. She originally brought this to me as doing her a favor, helping her with her infant study she is doing, but then she is asking me to go through EI and request her as a therapist. I really do like her as a person, and I thought about it for all of 5 minutes when these reasons popped into my brain.

A. If it was supposed to be free, why is she now trying to get paid for it through EI?
B. He was only 11 weeks old at the time, now he is 14 weeks old, give the little boy a chance to catch up for Christ's sake!
C. This is my last baby I'm going to raise and I want to spend this time enjoying his growth and development, not feeding my anxiety that there is something wrong everytime I think about his lack of skills during tummy time!
D. I just don't think he is that far behind.

I have come to the descision that I'm waiting untill he is 6 months old and then kind of taking a look at the whole idea. But it aggravates me because the fact is that she has planted that seed of doubt in my head. That somehow by not doing this now, I will regret it when he is diagnosed with some horrible delay problem (this is my anxiety talking).
She has my anxiety working overtime so that everytime I see one of my friends kids, I think back to what they were doing at Jimi's age, and every baby I see while we are out and about, I compare to my little guy.

But with all of this said, and all of my anxiety aside, I still don't think that I need to start this whole process now. What harm could it to wait until 6 months?

Ok, that is all, just had to vent, because she just called here at work and wanted to know if I had contacted Hanover County yet about services...

Checking In

Our weekend was ok. We have had parties at our house for 3 consecutive weeks, and this weekend was supposed to be us sitting at home relaxing. But Joey's dad had a cookout so we felt like we needed to make an appearence.

Kaya played on a big dirt mound (fun) and Jimi just hung out with us. He is starting to sit up a little more and he loves to talk to you.

Sunday, Jimi would not sleep for anything. He typically takes a 2-3 hour nap midmorning/early afternoon, but he was awake pretty much all day, until 9:00. So by this time he was cranky, but he was fighting sleep much like Kaya used to. By the time he finally fell asleep, I was ready for a bottle of wine, or those chocolate glazed doughnuts in the kitchen. That is how I would usually deal with a stressful evening. I was good though and had 1 of those fudgecycles that are only like 20 calories and went to bed.

I went to ww on Saturday. I was 172.4 and it felt good to go again. I have been really good so far...of course this is only day 3 for me, so we shall see.

We aren't doing anything for the 4th. We went to the beach last year with friends and had a great time, but as busy as we have been recently, it might be nice to have a quiet long weekend.

Weight Watchers

2 Years ago this August I started WW and over the course of 4 months, met my goal of losing 25 lbs. I became pregnant, lost the baby and gained back all of my 25 lbs and became pregnant again (that is the abridged version)

It's been 14 weeks since I've delivered and I've tried watching my WW points on my own for over 6 weeks. After losing and gaining the same 5 lbs, my total weight loss is 2 lbs... ugg... just 30-40 more lbs to go. Yes that is right am 15 lbs heavier then I was when I started WW 2 years ago...and I thought I was really heavy then.

I signed up for their monthly pass yesterday and plan on weighing in and attending my first meeting on Saturday. I'm a little mad at myself for needing to go back. I still remember my mindset 2 years ago, but just can't find it again. I'm hoping that by having to own up to my weight each week and by paying for the monthly pass,that will be all I need to start shedding this weight.

So like last time I will be totally honest on here as well regarding my gains, losses, and weight. My scale this morning read 172...sob...sob...I will post tomorrow morning at my first weigh-in just in case they don't match.

Myers-Briggs Personality Test-Introverted-Sensing-Feeling-Judging

Yesterday evening, I decided to take the Myers-Briggs test to figure out my personality. There are many free tests on the web, and I'd love to know what some of your personalityies are that are reading this. Just google Myers-Briggs Test
I was classified ISFJ, here is the description:

ISFJs are characterized above all by their desire to serve others, their "need to be needed." In extreme cases, this need is so strong that standard give-and-take relationships are deeply unsatisfying to them; however, most ISFJs find more than enough with which to occupy themselves within the framework of a normal life. (Since ISFJs, like all SJs, are very much bound by the prevailing social conventions, their form of "service" is likely to exclude any elements of moral or political controversy; they specialize in the local, the personal, and the practical.)

ISFJs are often unappreciated, at work, home, and play. Ironically, because they prove over and over that they can be relied on for their loyalty and unstinting, high-quality work, those around them often take them for granted--even take advantage of them. Admittedly, the problem is sometimes aggravated by the ISFJs themselves; for instance, they are notoriously bad at delegating ("If you want it done right, do it yourself"). And although they're hurt by being treated like doormats, they are often unwilling to toot their own horns about their accomplishments because they feel that although they deserve more credit than they're getting, it's somehow wrong to want any sort of reward for doing work (which is supposed to be a virtue in itself). (And as low-profile Is, their actions don't call attention to themselves as with charismatic Es.) Because of all of this, ISFJs are often overworked, and as a result may suffer from psychosomatic illnesses.

In the workplace, ISFJs are methodical and accurate workers, often with very good memories and unexpected analytic abilities; they are also good with people in small-group or one-on-one situations because of their patient and genuinely sympathetic approach to dealing with others. ISFJs make pleasant and reliable co-workers and exemplary employees, but tend to be harried and uncomfortable in supervisory roles. They are capable of forming strong loyalties, but these are personal rather than institutional loyalties; if someone they've bonded with in this way leaves the company, the ISFJ will leave with them, if given the option. Traditional careers for an ISFJ include: teaching, social work, most religious work, nursing, medicine (general practice only), clerical and and secretarial work of any kind, and some kinds of administrative careers.

While their work ethic is high on the ISFJ priority list, their families are the centers of their lives. ISFJs are extremely warm and demonstrative within the family circle--and often possessive of their loved ones, as well. When these include Es who want to socialize with the rest of the world, or self-contained ITs, the ISFJ must learn to adjust to these behaviors and not interpret them as rejection. Being SJs, they place a strong emphasis on conventional behavior (although, unlike STJs, they are usually as concerned with being "nice" as with strict propriety); if any of their nearest and dearest depart from the straight-and-narrow, it causes the ISFJ major embarrassment: the closer the relationship and the more public the act, the more intense the embarrassment (a fact which many of their teenage children take gleeful advantage of). Over time, however, ISFJs usually mellow, and learn to regard the culprits as harmless eccentrics :-). Needless to say, ISFJs take infinite trouble over meals, gifts, celebrations, etc., for their loved ones--although strong Js may tend to focus more on what the recipient should want rather than what they do want.

Like most Is, ISFJs have a few, close friends. They are extremely loyal to these, and are ready to provide emotional and practical support at a moment's notice. (However, like most Fs they hate confrontation; if you get into a fight, don't expect them to jump in after you. You can count on them, however, run and get the nearest authority figure.) Unlike with EPs, the older the friendship is, the more an ISFJ will value it. One ISFJ trait that is easily misunderstood by those who haven't known them long is that they are often unable to either hide or articulate any distress they may be feeling. For instance, an ISFJ child may be reproved for "sulking," the actual cause of which is a combination of physical illness plus misguided "good manners." An adult ISFJ may drive a (later ashamed) friend or SO into a fit of temper over the ISFJ's unexplained moodiness, only afterwards to explain about a death in the family they "didn't want to burden anyone with." Those close to ISFJs should learn to watch for the warning signs in these situations and take the initiative themselves to uncover the problem.

Ode to George Carlin

George was a comedic genius. I first became a fan of his raw "humanity is doomed" type of comedy at the ripe old age of 12 or 13.

You will be sorely missed.

Happy Birthday Kaya

At 4:22 in the morning today, June 22nd my little girl was born 6 years ago. We had her party yesterday. She had such a great time with her friends, I am so blessed to have a beautiful, sweet little girl. I love you sweetie!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

This is the End

I am headed back to work on Tuesday after having been off for 12 weeks on maternity leave. To say I don't want to go back is the understatment of the year. In fact, if I were someone who suffered panic attacks, that is where I would be right now. Who knows before it is all said and done, I might have a few. I was struggling last night to remember exactly when the last time I was off for 12 weeks straight was...I can't exactly remember, but think it was way back when we lived on Stuart Ave, maybe in between Victoria Secret and Sterling Optical? All I know is that it has been at least 10 years and since I know I'm not having any more children, this is it for a long time to come.

Back in my Day

I'm really not that person that is overly sensitive about my age. Getting older is a part of life after all, and the 1 or 2 grey hairs that showed up 4 or 5 years ago, have now started to invite their friends, but I have yet to really care that they are there. It struck me today though that I will be 32 this Saturday. Hmmm, I know when I was a kid, I thought 32 was middle age, and could never concievably see myself that old. Well I am just about there, and I still don't feel middle aged. My age doesn't really bother me, but when I think of the age of my parents, 69 and 67 this year, that really hits me...when did everyone get so old?

I remember summers when I was a kid, swinging as high as I could, then jumping out and flying, if only for a few seconds. Picking Crabs on the picnic table out in the back yard and lemonade at my grandmas house. Home made Ice cream, sucking on wild honeysuckle in the woods, and summer trips to theSsmithsonian. Our parents didn't spend money to go the beach or go to the pool, so we spent our days playing on our bikes, or playing wiffle ball. We lived too far out for cable, and we didn't have atari...but we were never bored.

What do you remember?

Bad Joo Joo

So I must have done something to upset Karmic law yesterday, because it totally kicked my ass!

I was at the mall with Jimi and I was getting his stroller out of my trunk. I was just shutting the back of my van when WHAM the corner slammed into the top of my head right at the hair line...FUCK! After the blow to my head, and pride the rest of the trip went fine. Later at the house I was rearranging Kaya's room to make space for a dresser Suzy is giving us. I had her little circus table in my hands taking it to Jimi's room since she has out grown it and WHAM my left shin runs full force into her metal vanity chair...FUCK!

Now that I have a lump on my head and now my shin I think, wow, what a wierd day. As I am limping off the residual pain Jimi starts to cry. I go to pick him up out of his crib and WHAM...well not really a wham, but you get the idea- my lowest part of my back spasms into this horrific pain. It has been feeling a little sore every now and then, but yesterday the gods decided to shove that voodoo pin straight into my L1 vertabrae.

I'm glad today is a new day, new joo joo.

Sunday Bloody Sunday

How does the weekend go by so fast? I'm not even working, yet it seems like the stretch between Friday when Joey is off and Sunday night just flys by. We hung out at the house all weekend, and loved every bit of it. Joey fixed Kaya's innertube on her bike and they cruised the neighbor hood several times, and Jimi and I strolled.

This past Thursday was Field Day at Kaya's school. Jimi and I went and my team even won a friendly game of Tug of war when the parents and teachers decided to give it a try.

Saturday evening while Joey cooked dinner, we had the TV off, the doors and windows open and the music turned up...To our surprise, our little Hannah Montana wannabe, Kaya, rocked out to Guns and Roses, Sex Pistols, and the BlackCrows. I took a couple of pics of her amidst her head banging and air guitar...disregard her t shirt ;) In one she definetly looks like she is channeling her inner Johnny Rotten.

Jimi is smiling more and more every day. He actually slept for 6 1/2 hours Saturday night and gave me a much needed long stretch of sleep.

Checking In

It's been a few weeks since my last post. I am doing much better now that I am no longer breast feeding/pumping. All is healed, and all though I loved that time with Kaya, Jimi and I just never got into a good place with breast feeding. He started his first few days of life in the NICU with IVs, and then bottle fed, so he only at best tolerated breast feeding, and pumping and bottle feeding just wasn't going to work long term for me.

Jimi is getting into somewhat of a routine. He eats about 6 oz every 3-4 hours and then at night he sleeps about 4-5 hour spurts so I'm only waking once around midnight or 1:00, then I'm up at 5:00 for the day for his next feeding, getting Kaya ready for school and out to the bus stop. I'm getting around 6-7 hours of sleep off and on each night, and I've gotten used to it.

Kaya loves Jimi so much, but she has had a bit of a hard time coming to terms that she is not the center of the universe. It could be a mixture of her age and the fact that we have a new family member, but she is getting in trouble (albeit small trouble) at school now, and we are going through at least 3 melt downs a week at home where she won't do as she is asked. She gets punished, then she breaks down because she got punished...fun times. She is a sweet, beautiful girl, and we are all getting through it. We know it is a big adjustment for her. She stayed home this morning from school with a rash, I already had an appt at the pediatrician for Jimi's check up so she went in with us. She had an allergic reaction to something, and is being put on steroids for 2 days and then claritin. She was soo not happy that I just dropped her off at school.

Joey has comfort issues with newborns. He feels really uncomfortable holding and entertaining an infant that can't quite hold himself up yet, and fusses a good part of the evening. So he takes on the household duties and Kaya, and I have Jimi duty. We did this same thing when we had Kaya, and by the time they get to be around 5 or 6 months, he pitches in with them, and things get back to normal. But in the mean time I'm pretty much solely responsible for Jimi, minus a few changes of diapers, and a few spurts of Joey watching a sleeping, easy baby. Don't get me wrong, he loves hanging with Jimi, but only if I am there as his security in case he starts crying...

I am doing ok. I am slightly dreading going back to work. I am ready to be part of the adult world again, but I have loved my time home and will really miss this newborn stage since we are positive Jimi is our last child. I have started weight watchers again, and have lost around 5 lbs so far, but I have about 30 more to go...yeesh! I just came back from taking Jimi to his checkup and I had to seriously fight the urge to stop at the McDonalds right around the corner...I was good and came home and had a carton of peach yogurt, all the while imagining I was eating an egg mcmuffin. I am trying to psych myself up to start going to a gym, but maybe that will come later.

So Jimi had his 2 month checkup today, he will be 10 weeks tomorrow. He is doing well, she told me to cut down on his feedings...how do you do that when the child is hungry all the time? She said it is not that he is hungry but that he wants to suck. Well, I've tried the pacifier and I hold out as long as I can, but when he cries and head buts you and roots until you give him a bottle, I call that hunger. I could cut back on the amount, but then instead of being hungry every 3-4 hours, it would be every 2 hours, and that is making backwards progress in my opinion. I will at least try to cut back an ounce each feeding and see how that does. He weighs in at 11 lbs, 4 oz and is 22 inches long. That is 50th percentile for weight and 25th for height. He also has demonstrated a tendency to hyper extend his head a lot, so she suggested an xray to rule out scoliosis, but she did a quick test while we were there because he was doing it at the time, and when she turned the light off, he returned his head to normal. Light on...hyper extended, off, normal. So she is really just doing an x ray to be cautious. He got several shots and is now sleeping them off.

As far as what is going on in the world...when did gas prices suddenly get this high? I will admit, I never pay attention to the price of gas...until a few weeks ago when Joey told me it cost $75 to fill up my van? Of course my gas lasts about 2 weeks, but still..sheesh! As far as the presidential race goes. I rarely get involved with politics, because for years I have said they are all crooks and I don't have any faith in any part of the process. But, I will say this... I believe that Obama and McCain are honest men...well, as honest as a politician can get. McCain is a moderate conservative that votes his conscious. I may not agree with every policy, but at least he doesn't always let his uber conservative counterparts sway his vote. Obama I believe is the same way, and I agree with more of his ideas and beliefs. Hillary is just evil incarnate. I have nothing else to say about her, I liked Bill, but not her. I will more then likely vote for Obama, unless he does something stupid like asking Clinton or another idiot as his running mate.

Ok, I think that is enough sharing for now. I will post pics later.

Happy Mothers Day

I made a list of things I wanted for Mothers Day. I want Kaya to clean her room, Joey to install new mini blinds in the kids rooms, clean the kitchen, and litter box. He also bought a baby swing for Jimi as a surprise to me yesterday after a particularly rough day where he was up nonstop from 7 am to 5 pm, 90% of the time crying. I got 2 dozen roses from my boss, who dropped them by yesterday so she could see Jimi again. Today we are going to Suzy's for dinner and a joint mom's Day/birthday party for Shannon.
***EDITED*** TOO MUCH INFO***
For the last month, I have been battling with a tear in my breast from feeding. It is very painful every time I have to feed him or pump, and is bleeds. I have tried several suggestions from a lactation consultant to heal it, and some cream from my obgyn, but nothing is helping. It keeps getting infected, so after much thought, and a lot of pain, I stopped breast feeding as of last night. I still have about 200 oz of milk frozen from being an "over producer" so for now he will be getting half stored milk, half formula. I just don't see why I need to make myself miserable just to breastfeed... of course now I'm swollen and in a whole other kind of pain, engorgement.

I have about 5 weeks before I go back to work, the time has already gone by so fast. I have mixed feelings with going back, I miss the mental stimulation and adult interaction, but I love being off work raising Jimi.

Oh well, I'm off to get my morning cup of coffee, now that I'm not breastfeeding anymore, I can have all the coffee I want.

Trip to the Portrait Studio

I just spent about 15 minutes blogging on the grueling 2 hours spent at Portrait Innovations with my kids yesterday. After proofreading my post, I decided to erase it because even though it was really tough handling both kids and their various tantrums, they are only going to be this age once, and I don't want to dwell on the bad parts of the day. So here are some pretty amazing shots of my 2 beautiful kids.

1 month checkup

Jimi had his 1 month checkup on Monday. He now weighs a whopping 8 lbs 8 oz, and is 21.5 inches long. He is eating well and although his doctor thought he may have an inguinal hernia, after going to a pediatric surgeon on Wed, he is fine...he just has a hydrocele, which is a big word for built up fluid.







He is getting chubby cheeks and is fuzzy and cuddly and sweet and I am so in love with that little boy! He is still wobbly headed, doesn't like tummy time and has this cute little sideways smirk that makes me melt whenever I see it.







He was 6 weeks old yesterday and I have roughly 6 weeks left of maternity leave...eek! Why does that send me into panic mode? I'm sure by the time it gets closer I will be more then ready to join the adult world again...I do miss my fast paced job, just not the uber stress that goes along with it.

5 going on 15

Taking care of an infant 24/7 has really made me realize just how big Kaya is getting. She is testing us some since we brought home Jimi, but we are all getting through it. Mostly, she is in love with her little brother, and says he is her favorite person in the world. But then she acts out for attention and gets punished and states that we love him more.

She is into "hot" boys (her words) and talks of boys and boyfriends with as much gusto as she used to talk about Dora the Explorer. Yesterday she informed me this boy Grant that invited her to a birthday party next weekend, kissed her on her lips a few weeks ago. But he isn't important because Cody is who she likes and lets not leave out Paolo, who has stated he wants to marry her. When did all of this happen? She is only almost 6!!

She came to us last week preaching to us that we are killing the planet because we don't recycle.

"You and Daddy are polluting the environment and that will delete the ozone and kill us and the trees. And why are we the only ones that don't recycle?"

She asked Joey yesterday if she could have a car for her birthday when she is a teenager.

Kaya is indeed growing up. For those of you that did not know me as a child...she is the spitting image of me, except for the blond hair. And come to think of it, I had my first kiss in kindergarten.

Thoughts on my son's birth

When I had Kaya, the epidural was so strong that I couldn't feel anything from the waist down, not even the pressure to push. That was the best possible of scenarios in my opinion. A lot of critics would say, that is unnatural, and that the only way to experience birth is with out any pain assistance. I'm not that kind of woman! I had thoughts this time that maybe I would attempt a natural birth, but after my water broke spontaneously again, and pitocin was given around 10:00, I waited all of 3 hours before getting my epidural this time...please note, this is a record for me, because with Kaya I waited all of 30 minutes until I requested an epidural.

Well, epidurals must have changed in the last 6 years since I had a kid, because I was ready to experience the same total lack of feeling as I had with Kaya. No such luck. Initially it did take away the pain, but as my contractions grew stronger, so did the discomfort. I kept mentioning this fact to my kind nurses, and they did increase it to the highest level it could go. Near the end it was pain, and I was thankful when the pain turned to pressure to push, but I think I stated about 10 times that day, and I still stand by it, had I felt that pain with Kaya, I may not have had Jimi. I guess I am just a wimp, I didn't even have to push for long, maybe 10-15 minutes, but every time I tell my story, I think I add 10 minutes.

Hale and Hearty

We brought Jimi home on March 30th. He was 6 lbs, 1 oz when we brought him home, only 2 oz shy of his birth weight. We are so thankful to have him home. He is beautiful and has a million facial expressions. We can't quite pin point who he looks like yet, although I still think he has Joey's nose and lips, but we also see a resemblence to Kaya when she was an infant.

At the pediatrician today, he weighed in at 6 lbs 10 oz, so he is hale and hearty and absolutely wonderful.

That's My Boy

I love this picture because Joey looks so in love with Jimi, and though you can't see it, Jimi, has the same look on his face.

I can start breast feeding tomorrow. They have him on .5 liters, so it won't be much longer now. They gave us info on infant CPR tonight, which Joey and I will take on Sunday. The nurse tonight seemed to think maybe by the first of the week sometime we could have our little boy home!

I will room in with him at the hospital the last day he is there so we get a chance to bond, and I will have a day of taking care of him while still under the watchful eye of the nurses. Now if I can just convince one them to come home with me to take care of Jimi. ;)