3/10/12

Saturday. I LOVE Saturday.

The weather has taken an amazing turn, spring has sprung - early even. We had a virtually non-existent winter, and it's now actually spring - it's supposed to stick around and everything. YAY!

My friend from work, Kelly, found out about a special the Minnesota Zoo is running right now. If you bring in an old cell phone (working condition or not), and you get in for free. We usually don't go to the Minnesota Zoo because it's so expensive, but I wrangled up 3 old cell phones, and Amelia is free, so WALAH, free trip to the zoo! This happened to be the last weekend for the special, so it was perfect timing. We met Kelly and her family after a quick breakfast and some showers, around 10:30. It was pretty packed, but not horrible. The weather was perfect, the kids had a good time, and it was nice to spend the day outside. Her kids, Annabelle and Finley, are 4 and just couple months younger than Amelia, so it worked out perfect. Olivia and Annabelle were pretty shy towards each other, but started to warm up towards the end. I'm excited for them all to get to know each other better...I know Christian and her husband would get along fabulously too, so YAY for new playmates :)

After the zoo, the girls went down for their naps. Christian spent nap time helping his friend work on his brakes, then they were off to grab some grillin' goodies. My dad stopped over to visit and help move all of the downstairs furniture back into the family room. We also had a surprise visit from my BFF...she found a super cheap flower girl dress that she wanted Olivia to try on. It was super cute, and Olivia loved it, so we were all sold! YAY.

After some dinner and catching up, my dad was on his way home, the girls were off to bed, Christian and his friend were off to have a couple beers, and I had the house all to myself. HEAVEN! Daylight savings time is overnight - NO FUN. Not looking forward to it at all. Let's see what trouble that brings.

Here are some pics from our zoo visit with our new friends. Good times!

3/9/12

Today was a ROUGH day, well, rough is probably putting it lightly. I woke up with my sinuses a complete mess. I could hardly see, my eyes were watering all day long and it was just painful. Olivia spent the morning complaining that her tummy hurt. We brushed it off as her typical attempt to get out of eating her breakfast, and lunch...until she woke up early from her nap, whining in pain, and then threw up everything she'd eaten. Proceeding to throw up a few more times over the course of the evening. Amelia took a 4 hour nap, which didn't strike me as odd...she had eaten well all day, until dinner, when she wouldn't eat at all. She was acting completely normal other than that...until, out of nowhere, she LOST it, EVERYTHING, right in the middle of the living room floor...right in the middle of Christian and my eating dinner. Ay, Ay, Ay. Let's just say, between we 3 girls, Christian was a very busy guy today.

To top off this horribleness, my weight in today was disappointing. Even though I completely expected it, I took it really hard. I ended up gaining a pound this week. With my array of illnesses the last few weeks, I haven't been able to work out (really, there is NO way I could have), so while I have been good about watching my diet, I knew it was going to catch up to me. As the day went on, I started to put things into perspective and wasn't quite so hard on myself. Tomorrow marks 2 months since I started my diet and exercise program. I've lost 10.6lbs (4.82%), only gained once in 8 weigh-ins, and I'm down 8.75" (from 4 spots). It's nothing impressive, but I'll definitely take it, and it's progress, and that's all that matters! As soon as I start feeling better, I'm starting my new 60 day workout program. I purchased a new set from one of those daily deal sites, called "Top Trainers". I'm a little nervous to start it, but I'm excited to see some more results!

One piece of very exciting news is that our new carpet is officially in. I LOVE it. The basement is already so much more comfortable and cozy. It looks great, and feels even better. SO exciting. Now, it's time to shop and decorate! Good times.

Christian and I both passed out shortly after the girls did. Christian and Olivia spent in our bed so he could keep an eye on her. I passed out as soon as the girls did. Here's hoping for a much healthier day tomorrow!

Here is my Chloe, my sleeping buddy :)

3/8/12

Today is my Friday at work. THANK GOD. It's been a long, rough week, and I'm happy to see it go. I even made it through the whole day at work. Nice.

Work has been pretty steady. Thankfully not too crazy with all of my absences lately, but definitely enough to do. Christian had his interview at work for a new job today. I'm a little confused by this new job...supposedly it's a higher, managerial classification, but it's salaried, so it sounds like he wouldn't be taking home as much as he does now in the end. I guess we'll see what happens after the interviews and go from there.

Today, we officially booked his trip to Mexico. I mentioned a while back that his grandmother is very ill...she basically raised him when he was younger, so he's been taken it pretty hard. He's gone home to visit twice since we started dating....right away, shortly after we met in 2001, and then in 2006. So, apparently we're on a 5 year cycle. His mom was thinking of going with him, but the tickets are too expensive, so she's not able to go. His friend from work is actually going to go with him. Any excuse for a vacation I suppose! I know Christian was really nervous about traveling there alone, so I think that was pretty comforting to him. So, tickets are purchased, and he has his vacation request in. I'm a little nervous for another week of single parenting, but it actually ended up being kind of relaxing last time. My big concern with being on my own is fitting in my workouts.

The girls seem to be feeling a bit better. Amelia still isn't sleeping well, and Olivia has her cough. Olivia was obsessed with Rico tonight...they usually don't pay any attention to the cats, but for some reason, they were BFF's tonight.

3/7/12

Today was horrible. There really isn't much to say. I woke up feeling deceivingly better, and I was just DRAINED by the end of the day. I ended up leaving work a little early to get some rest before everybody else got home. I snuggled in bed until it was time for dinner. It was just a very difficult day, and I'm so, so, SO over this plague!

One bright spot...Amelia brought home her first batch of artwork from school, and it warmed my heart. Her apple sauce drawing was from her very first day at school. Ugh, I just love them!

3/6/12

I really don't have a ton to share today. I'm still incredibly sick, and really wondering if there is more going on than the doctor thought. This is ANYTHING but the common cold, and I seem to have some new, horrible symptom every day. One day it's my sinuses, the next I'm stuffed up, the next I have no voice, the next it's my relentless cough. It's getting out of control. I miss working out....I've kept up my daily walk at work, but even that is really hard for me to do right now. I'm so frustrated with this. Grrr, vent over!

Tonight was fun in the bath night, with "bath hats". I love my girls...even on my sickest of sick days, they just make me smile a million watts.

3/5/12

Today was a pretty long day. We had our big, annual conference at work today. I handle the registration table with a few other ladies from our office. It's nice getting a more low key day, and spending it with my friends from work, but it ends up being a pretty long day. Bonus, is that we always get out a little early :)

Today was Christian's mom's day to watch the girls, but she had a job interview come up, and couldn't do it. So, Christian was home with them in the morning, and my mom took off the afternoon to watch them (I've put my foot down and decided it's his responsibility to figure it out when his mom "can't" watch the girls on her day from now on).

After the conference, I ran to Target to do our weekly shopping. Because of his late start, Christian had to work late, so after Target, I was off to pick up the girls. Christian arrived home shortly after us, and it was dinner and a relaxing evening for all of us.

As we made dinner...the girls took to decorating my laundry basket. I see a washing machine full of stickers in my future....

3/4/12

Well, today was a pretty lazy day. I forced Christian to get up with the girls this morning so I could sleep in and try to get a little extra rest. With two rowdy toddlers and a blaring TV out in the living room, my sleeping in didn't last TOO long, but it was better than 6:30AM, that's for sure.

With the chaos and sickness of this past week, I'm pretty sure that every plate, cup, pot, pan and piece of flatware we own was stacked up in the sink. I spent the morning washing dishes, while Christian entertained the girls and handled breakfast. I spent the rest of the morning with my feet up, warm-compressing my eye, praying for a quick healing miracle. Finally, nap time was upon us, and I took full advantage and took a nice long nap myself. I hate losing an entire weekend day, but the rest and relaxation was much needed.

After naps, the girls and I played with some play-doh, did a little dancing and hung out. They decided to boycott my "stay in our PJ's all day" plan, and picked out some clothes, and got themselves dressed. Well, Olivia attempted to help Amelia get dressed...I had to step in for the safety of all involved. Meanwhile, Christian did a little shopping - some food and some basement floor supplies, and made us all some dinner. Carne Asada tacos, on the grill, in the freezing cold. Sometimes, you just gotta do it!

Bedtime couldn't have come soon enough, for all of us. The girls are looking and feeling MUCH better. Today should be the last day for both of them on their eye drops - they've looked pretty good the past couple of days, but I'd rather do extra and be safe than stop them too soon. Christian is a bit stuffed up, but nothing like the rest of us. I'm still feeling pretty crappy - today was mainly the sore throat and congestion. My eye is still bothering me, but actually feels much better than it did. Here's hoping we're all on the mend...finally. I can't wait to be able to get back on track, exercise wise!

Here are some pictures from today. Silly girls, play-doh fun, and daddy grilling away.

3/3/12

Today was kind of a rough day. Christian was working some overtime this morning, so it was just the girls and I. Olivia was up at 4:00AM, complaining that her eye hurt, and never really slept well after that. Both girls were up for the day by 6:30, and I was feeling the worst yet. Olivia continued complaining about her ears, and with the way I was feeling, I figured we both might as well make a trip into Urgent Care to get checked out.

It was a difficult morning for me. The girls were pretty much crying and whining the entire morning. Nothing I did made them happy - they were exhausted, in pain - Olivia with her ear, Amelia with her teeth, and just in bad moods. They weren't listening to anything I said or cooperating at all. I got them settled into their chairs for a somewhat late breakfast (because they wouldn't cooperate with me up to that point), and I ended up locking myself in my room to have a little scream and cry myself. I hate to admit that, it seems completely ridiculous to say outloud, but I didn't feel like I had any other option at that point. I finally pulled myself together, and we all ate breakfast. Things calmed down for a little while, but started right back up maybe 30 minutes later. So, it was off for naps, for both of them. WAY early compared to their usual nap time, but much needed. Thankfully, they took a standard, long nap. Waking up shortly after Christian arrived home from work.

He handled their lunch when they woke up, and then Olivia and I were off to Urgent Care. She did indeed have an ear infection, so I picked up some meds for her at the pharmacy. Unfortunately for me, I just have the standard, really crappy common cold. No strep, no ear infection and nothing they can do for me. As for my eye - I simply have a stye - again, nothing they can do for me. What I wouldn't give to have something that can actually be treated! The eye stuff sucks too. No makeup and no contacts until it heals....no makeup, in the real world? I think not. And, no contacts would be fine - if my glasses weren't broken and 3 prescriptions out of date! Ugh. Warm compress as much as possible this weekend, that's for sure.

Olivia and I stopped into Target after the appointments to grab some more over the counter medication for me. Then, it was home to do a little light cleaning, and get ready for tonights events. Shortly after I arrived home, my Dad stopped over to help us out. Tonight "we" - really, me not included at all - pulled up the carpet in the basement. We had to move all of the furniture and stuff out of the living area. Christian is going to clean up the floor, bleach it and seal it over the week now that the carpet is up. It's probably not TOTALLY necessary, but the smell down there was SO bad, we just have to do everything we can to make sure it doesn't come back.

My Dad hung around to chat, watch a little Wipeout and eat some dinner before taking off. Then, the girls were off to bed, and Christian and I were literally right behind them. EXHAUSTED! Here are some pictures of tonights floor work.

3/2/12

Friday. Today was another rough day. I did have much more of a voice today, so that was helpful. But, I definitely wasn't feeling well. I was very hot and a little loopy all day. My eyes were watery and itchy. One of them was hurting REALLY bad, felt like the whole thing was bruised. By the end of the night, I was checking it out in the mirror and noticed a little bump on the bottom lid of my eye. After looking it up, I'm thinking that I have a stye in that eye - but I suppose I'll have to get it checked out to make sure. I swear, it's never ending. Every day it's something new!

Work actually went pretty fast for feeling so crappy. I got caught up on a bunch of stuff, and had a long meeting that took up a good portion of the day. Before I knew it, I was off to pick up the girls and head home. My mom said Olivia was pretty difficult and crabby today. They weren't super happy the rest of the night either. Christian picked up some dinner on his way home, and the girls were off to bed shortly after eating. Christian has to work early in the morning, so it was a pretty early night for us as well. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

One piece of good news...I weight in this morning, and was down another pound! Even though I've felt so horrible, and haven't been able to get in much exercise. So, that's brings to me losing 11.6 pounds in just under 2 months - I'm pretty happy with that. Lord knows I'd love for it to melt off faster than that - but with working full time, two young toddlers and a house to take care of - I think I'm doing pretty good!

Tonight I got home to a bunch of fun surprises. I think the mailman must have really hated me today, because a bunch of my freebies/samples came today ;) This is why I love getting the mail...my obsession...

3/1/12

It's March! How can that be! Maybe since we didn't really have much of a winter it just seems like time is flying by.

Well, another day in the life of the sick. Today, the girls seemed a little better. They were both off to school - pretty tired, but Olivia was actually happy to be there, so that was better. I on the other hand, was my worst yet. I really could barely talk today, it wasn't good. I don't know what is going on, but it is definitely not pretty. Unfortunately, after depleting my leave time when I had Amelia, and random sicknesses between myself and the girls since, I just haven't been able to build up a good amount of leave time. So, I pushed myself through the day and toughed it out.

The evening was pretty low key. Christian took care of dinner and the girls, and I just relaxed and took it easy. REALLY hoping this all passes soon.