1/15/12

Today was a wonderful day in so many ways!

Though I missed my babies like crazy, we did get to sleep in today. REALLY sleep in - I didn't roll out of bed until 10:00...and just because I had to! It seriously felt amazing! Christian and I ate a quick breakfast and got ready, then were off to pick up those crazy toddlers!

We picked up the girls around noon and were right away on our way to see Sesame Street Live! I won tickets a couple weeks ago on facebook. We'd never been, so I was pretty excited to see what the girls would think. Olivia was pretty into it. She doesn't know all of the characters, and she was mostly concerned with where Elmo was any time he wasn't on stage. LOL. Amelia actually did really good for her first show. She danced a little, watched quite a bit and they girls ate some snacks. We took them to the play area for a while during intermission to get them up running around, and Amelia actually made it just about the entire show before she started getting antsy...Christian brought her out in the hall while Olivia and I watched the end of the show. It definitely wasn't as good as Disney on Ice, but it was fun, and, of course, free, which makes everything better :)

The girls passed out right away when we got in the car and took a nice nap. Christian and I were pretty exhausted so we just took it easy (well, he actually napped too, lazy boy). The rest of the night was very low key - dinner, play, baths and bed. Tomorrow is the Holiday, so I'm excited to have another day off!

Today was a break day in my exercise routine, so I took it easy there. Did good on my calories/food though. YAY!

Here are some pictures from the show.

1/14/12

I woke up a little stressed out this morning. I think life just getting to me. Just one of those days, you know. My mom contacted me early in the day to see if we wanted her to take Olivia overnight, or both of the girls for a while...Christian asked if she would just try taking them both overnight. She was nervous about it, but agreed to give it a shot. I don't know why, but the thought of it gave me a little panic attack. I mean, I know I was away from them when I went to Chicago, but it's really hard for me to leave both of them. I don't know why I have such a hard time leaving Amelia in particular. I don't know if it's because she was such a difficult baby that I revert back to that in my mind and think she just needs me more or something. I don't know, but it's definitely harder to leave her than it was when Olivia was younger - seems strange.

So, we took the girls to breakfast at Perkins (ugh, SO GOOD!), then stopped into Home Depot to pick up some supplies so we can start the play room. We picked up some magnetic paint and some chalkboard paint, and we bought some wood to frame that once we paint, and some paint to paint that wood. Christian also picked up some supplies to FINALLY lay down a threshold form when he tore up the carpet and put down tile downstairs LAST winter. I'm excited to finally get started on this stuff.

While the girls napped, we started painting the boards. After 5 coats over the weekend, they were done! Then, after naps, my mom came to pick up the girls for the night.

Shortly after, Christian got ready and was going out for dinner/beer with a friend. I took the opportunity to take down the tree and get the living room back in order. This lead to rearranging furniture, vacuuming, dusting and scrubbing some old stains on the floor (now that I FINALLY found a carpet cleaner that actually works - so exciting!). I was exhausted by the time I was done, it was definitely my workout for the day!

I was a little worried about this weekend. Weekends and diet usually don't mix well for me. I did pretty well today thought. I looked up my Perkins meal before we went, so I would know what was best for me to get. I had a good lunch and dinner. Ended up under my calories, even with eating out again! YAY. My cleaning escapades tonight definitely made me work up a sweat, so I think that was a good amount of activity for the day. So, I think a pretty successful day!

As we got the girls dressed, I noticed I'd picked out one of my favorite old outfits for Amelia. So cute. I put together a little comparison of the girls in the outfit. Olivia is much younger, yet the shirt is pretty tight on her, she has WAY less hair and she's just my little chunk! Amelia is kind of swimming in the shirt still and has a nice full head of hair. They seriously couldn't be much different! LOL

1/13/12

Today is my Friday off, so I'm home with the girls. They were pretty well-behaved today, with a few rough patches. They played pretty well together this morning. Amelia is really getting into all of the different shape sorters and toys like that. Starting to piece everything together!

During naps I did my usual...pay bills, do the checkbooks, DVR and computer time. I also got my workout in, so GO ME! I did pretty good with my food today, except skipping breakfast. It's only been a few days, but I feel better just for getting myself back on track. Hopefully I can really stick with it and make the life changes that I need to!

This evening was very low key. Christian was pretty tired and passed out pretty much as soon as we put the girls down. It's looking like another quiet Friday night for us!

Here are some pictures of the girls today. Olivia will often try to hold Amelia like a little baby, it cracks me up. And, one of Amelia, just being the cute little ham she is :)

1/12/12

Today was a pretty good day! Still on the wagon (YAY for day 3, LOL) and going great. I got my walks in today, and I ended up leaving work a little early to get in my workout since I had plans tonight. YAY! I came in well under my calories, even with my dinner out. Feeling pretty good right now, that's for sure!

I didn't realize until this morning that this coming Monday is a Holiday...since today is my "Friday" at work, that means I get a 4-day weekend! YES, LOVE that! So, work ended up flying by which was definitely a good thing.

After work, I rushed home to get my workout in. It was painful, but it always feels good to finish up a good workout! Then, I was immediately out the door to meet the bestie for dinner! We were off to our usual spot, Khan's, to eat. Which, really isn't that bad for you. I get chicken, lots of veggies and pineapple - the only downfall really is the oil they cook it with. And, even that isn't so bad. So, at least when we go out, it's not a horrible dinner. It was great spending time with her and catching up. If only it would happen more often!

Finally, it was time to head home. Christian and the girls ate with his mom, so they arrived home shortly after I did, and it was basically time for baths and bed. I did snap this picture of my little lady first though...oh, that smile :)

1/11/12

Well, I'm off to a great start on my new diet and exercise plan! I'm already feeling some pain from my walks and workouts. I've linked up with a bunch of my friends on myfitnesspal.com so we can support each other through this. I'm feeling SUPER motivated right now, especially after weighing in yesterday. Man the number on that scale can really slap you in the face when you aren't ready for it! But, I'm ready to go. It's hard...the only thing worse than starting to lose weight, is starting OVER. To think of everything you went through, all of the hard work, just thrown away. Makes me very angry - hopefully angry enough to stay motivated and focused!

Other than that, it was a pretty typical day. Work was good, seems to go a little faster now that I actually get up and away from my desk for my breaks! Christian has still been working an hour or two over OT every day, which is really nice.

After work I did my workout, and the rest of the house came home. We ate some dinner and just hung out the rest of the night. Amelia was a little crabby today, so we sent her off to bed a little early so she could get some sleep. Olivia finished up a movie, then was also off to bed. Just another day!

Here is a picture I snapped of Christian and Olivia watching TV before bed. Christian actually passed out, LOL.

1/10/12

Alright folks, you’ve heard it before, and hopefully this will be the last time, but today I start the NEW ME! The Holidays are over, the birthday is over, the sickness is leaving and life is calming down. I have NO MORE EXCUSES, and I’m ready to do this.

Yesterday I made up my menu for the week, did my shopping and packed my breakfasts and lunches for the week. I brought that in, and stuck to it! I’m also leaving my check card at home so I won’t be tempted by the cafeteria! I spent a good amount of time typing up my exercise plan for the next couple of months. I’m going to do my yoga video in the morning (as soon as I work on getting up on time!), walk the tunnels at work twice a day, and do my 60 day shred videos after work. On “rest” days from the videos, I’m going to do my Pilates to make sure I stay in the rhythm.

My walks today felt REALLY good. I had a good pace for just starting out, and got both of them in. The video really kicked my butt today. I’m exhausted, and already in pain, but if feels good nonetheless. I posted on my facebook today, asking if any friends used myfitnesspal, and would be willing to link up with me so we can motivate each other. A handful do use it, so I’m excited about that! I managed to stay within my calories, but did go over on my Carbs (not that I’m watching that TOO closely), so I need to work on that.

All in all, I’m really proud of my first day! Hoping I’ve finally found the motivation I need to do this, and stick with it! I’m at my highest non-pregnancy weight EVER right now, and I want to go down, and never look back up again!In other news, I’m feeling much better today. I’m still a little congested, but WAY better than the last couple of days. I made it through the entire day at work and was pretty productive. After I finished my evening workout, I started dinner, and finished just as the rest of the family arrived home. We ate dinner, and spent the night playing and goofing around together. Just lovin’ life, and hoping to stay on this high!

Here are some bathtime photos from tonight.

1/9/12

Guys, I’m down. DOWN.FOR.THE.COUNT. Today was a very hard day. From the cough, to the migraine to the congestion. My sinuses are out of control. It was ROUGH indeed. I did get up and head into work, but only lasted about half the day before I had to leave. I looked like I was crying just about the entire day, it wasn’t a pretty sight.

On my morning break, I did go through the ads and planned out my menu for the week. My goal was to start my new exercise and diet plan today, but there’s no way I could have. I did force myself to stop and do my shopping when I left work, because I NEED to get going on this, for my own health. I was able to fly through the stores and get everything put away pretty quickly, then hit the couch and never looked back.

I was able to get in some good rest time before the rest of the family got home. Christian made dinner and helped feed the girls, which was a HUGE help. I started feeling a bit better, and wanted to get some time in with the girls, so we put together one of Olivia’s birthday presents…a marble maze toy. The girls LOVED this thing – they couldn’t get enough of it. Pretty great considering Olivia was convinced it was a “boy toy” when she got it! LOL

1/8/12

Alright – it was only a matter of time. I am most definitely sick now. At least I was able to get through the Holidays, Birthday and kids’ sickness fairly healthy. Hopefully I can get it to pass quickly, because I’m not looking forward to this.

We took it pretty easy this morning. I did a TON of laundry throughout the day, otherwise, didn’t do a ton. I ended up taking a nice nap while the girls napped, which helped a ton, but I just kept feeling worse as the day went on.Christian and the girls went to dinner with his parents for his Dad’s birthday, so I got in a lot of quiet time (but was bummed to miss out on dinner….). I ended up taking down most of the upstairs Christmas decorations…didn’t put anything away, and still have the tree to take down, but I made some progress. It took forever – I kept getting winded and my sinuses would start acting up, but it was a good start.

Luckily, Christian brought me some leftovers, so I was able to eat while he gave the girls their bath. I finished folding laundry once they were down, and passed out. Here’s hoping that I don’t get any worse!

Here is a lazy day picture of Christian and the girls.

1/7/12

Today was the big PARTY DAY! My baby’s 3rd Birthday Party, still so hard to believe. I’ve been really nervous about the party. With the girls being sick, and so many of my friends and their kids being sick lately, I was so worried that nobody would be able to make it. Thankfully, everybody but one dad came that was supposed to. It was so great being surrounded by so many of our amazing friends and family members on such an important day.

Olivia had SO MUCH FUN running around, jumping and sliding with all of her friends. Amelia just did her own thing the whole time, having just as much fun. I got to briefly catch up with our friends and it was just an amazing day. Olivia was blessed with so many great toys, books and clothes. All in all, it was a HUGE success. Seriously, I would HIGHLY recommend Pump it Up for a party – they do a GREAT job! I’m not too happy with their handling of the Happy Feet contest, but for what they ACTUALLY do, I highly recommend them. Worth every penny!

The girls passed out on the way home from the party, and went right down for their naps. The carpet cleaners arrived shortly after we got home, and got right to work. I couldn’t believe how fast they did the basement – and it looks AMAZING. Seriously, the carpet is a whole new color, and it smells great. Our basement is finally livable again, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. We haven’t decided exactly what we’re going to do yet, but closed off the basement and put the litter box by the door, and the cats food and water by the entry. They will no longer be aloud downstairs because I know that cleaning the carpet doesn’t completely get rid of it, and Rico will just start right back up again, pee’ing all over. I think we may get rid of the dogs kennel, and leave him upstairs during the day, and put all of the cats stuff by the entry, but we have some talking to do about it. We’re still not sure what we’re going to do with Rico, I’d hate to get rid of him, but we just can’t deal with that anymore. It breaks my heart.

Once the girls were up from their nap, we ate some dinner, and headed over to my cousin’s house for a bit. He was home alone with his kids, and we hadn’t hung out with them for a while, so we spent some time playing and catching up with him and the kids.

A very busy day, but beyond great! Birthday, officially over! Here are some party pics!

1/6/12

The big news going on right now is this CRAZY weather. I think it’s pretty crazy just about everywhere across the country right now, but in Minnesota – SUPER crazy. This is supposed to be our coldest time of year right now, literally, the middle of “winter” for us – and we’re breaking daily HIGH records. 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and no snow on the ground! It’s supposed to continue on through next week. Now, I’m normally a winter person – but only because I can’t handle the heat, so the cooler weather agrees with me. THIS, is actually perfect for me. I’m not into snow, snow sports or anything like that, so other than Christmas, I really don’t care if we have snow or not. This cooler, but sunny and bearable weather, I could live with.

Now, I’m just hoping this doesn’t mean we’re in for a brutal Spring/Summer. And, I do feel bad for people, and business, that rely on snow and cold weather in the winter. I know there are a lot of business that are being hurt by the lack of winter – that part definitely sucks.

After I picked up the girls today, we headed to Target to pick up some final party supplies. The cupcake cake ended up being on sale (only $15.00!!), and even though the facility provides plates and stuff, I wanted Olivia to have her princess theme so I picked some stuff. I love taking the girls shopping – they are just in awe of everything, and are so funny. If only they didn’t take up so much room, and if only I didn’t hear “ooh, I want that one” ten million times :)

We all snuggled on the couch for some family time. We watched Wipeout, and seriously, Olivia thinks it is the funniest thing EVER. It’s so cute. We watched a couple kid movies and just relaxed, which was much needed. Christian and I didn’t last long once the girls went down – exhaustion, and an early day tomorrow made for a fairly early bedtime for us as well. Boy, we’re definitely getting OLD!

Here is a bathtime photo. Our "spa-like" bathroom is no more - it's pretty much just a kid disaster zone now. Ha.