Career Strong

The last time I posted about my weight was in May and I had 26.6lbs to lose. Well friends I am happy to report that as of this morning I have 9.6lbs to go! I'm so proud of myself. I have to admit, it hasn't been a walk in the park. I went back to work which I thought would be tough for my workouts but I started the 30 day shred, just like I promised back in May.  It was only 20 minutes and very easy to fit into my day. I just got up early and did it. But then I started to get bored. There are 3 levels and by the time I made it to level 3 it just got monotonous. So, my solution, infomercials. I have to admit I'm slightly obsessed with all things infomercial. I don't actually buy into most of them but I love a before and after shot. I happen to love all the kitchen gadgets too but haven't bought any of those.  There were 3 workout DVDs that I was debating about buying. P90X, I decided against this one only because several people had told me that some workouts ca...

This Saturday was your Daddy's 40th birthday party. You stayed up until 6:45 and then fell asleep for about an hour. Then Nana (Darren's Mom) came to get you up and take you to her house. But she isn't in a house yet. She and Papa Chicho moved here from California and decided to find a house once they arrived so they are living in their RV.  That's right, for your 16th Saturday you went camping! They set up your pack and play in the back bedroom (this is a crazy nice camper by the way) and you slept like you always do  (12 hours). Daddy and I stayed up until 4AM! I decided it would be fun to plan a celebrity style roast for his birthday so all of his friends brought speeches to roast him.  It ended up being a huge success except that we were wiped out on Sunday when we went to pick you up. You must have known because you slept Sunday night without waking up AT ALL! Thank you!

I have read several people's blogs where they have mentioned their daily routine with their kids. I love this because this routine will inevitably change, in fact, more than a few times over the course of 18 years. :-) So here goes, this is our daily weekday life right now. Mornings are so special to me right now. They get me centered for the day and they are sometimes the only time I get with Stella so mornings are sacred right now. 5:30AM Wake up, change into workout clothes and do my workout DVD for the day 6:15AM While eating breakfast email my workout buddy (Jen Crandall!!) to tell her about my workout (more on this in another post) Pack the car with my pump, ice pack and cooler. Make Stella's bottles for school.  This usually involves changing lids from my pumped milk to nipples and then making 1 bottle of formula. She is eating about 4 times a day now, only 1 time being formula but I have a feeling this ratio will change a lot over the next few weeks. 6:3...

Saturday 13 We took family photos to document your 3 month birthday. We can't believe you are 3 months old! Funny enough you woke up all smiles, even giggling for us but then I put you down for your 2:30 nap and a very unhappy child woke up at 2.  You just weren't into smiling so unfortanely most of these photos you are just not having a good time. It also happened to be about 100 degrees outside and you sweat like your Daddy even at this age. I'm still losing the baby weight so this isn't the most flattering side view but I love kissing your little head. This picture is the best representation of you! Alert and happy. You're wearing one of my dresses that Grammy made me when I was your age. Seriously, there's never been a prettier baby. You are my sweet doll baby. You started crying so Daddy decided to put your down for a nap but the photographer followed us upstairs (love you Jennifer LeMay!) and snapped this adorable picture. Your fa...

I haven't talked much about my other child. Gypsy. No, I didn't name my other daughter after a stripper, she's a cat.  She's black and white and our first child.  When I met Darren I already had Gypsy. She was, after all, my child from a previous marriage. I got her at the ASPCA in Knoxville when she was 10 weeks old and just fixed. Her mother had her in the wall of a building where she was cut out of the wall and rescued along with her brothers and sisters. I knew when I saw that face that she was my kitty. Although after Stella was born she's kind of gone on the back burner. Poor thing. She is still such a huge part of my life though. Who wakes up with me every feeding, Gypsy. Who was home all day with me during maternity leave, Gypsy. Who took naps with me in the middle of the afternoon when Stella was sleeping, Gypsy. She's kind of been my therapist. The one I could look at when Stella was crying and I didn't know what to do. Funny thing is, she usua...