I burned 632 calories doing cardio today. I also gained two pounds.
Please. Tell me how any of this makes any sense. Please.

Here are some pictures for you. I need to buy a lens that will take better quality pictures inside. The lens I have right now isn’t so great for that. For now, this is just how it will be.

 

This is how Freya smiles … with her whole face.
Pretty darn cute

Sweet Mazie waiting for her morning oats

Samson and Freya just chillin on the rug

I’m not even sure what’s happening here, but it looks like fun

Remember the last post about my dentist? (If not, read it. It’s right there below this. Right there. Down under this one. Right. Down. There.)
Today I received a handwritten card from him in the mail. ‘sright, folks. He reminded me about how important it is to prevent tooth decay and expressed his appreciation to me for (me basically being so awesome) choosing him, etc.
Um, best dentist ever?

I re-organized our bedroom today amongst other exciting things like that. I tried to get out of working out at the Y this afternoon (didn’t go this morning because of bible study) but Jennifer wouldn’t leave me alone about it and the only way to get her to lay off was to give in. And by that I mean that Jennifer strongly encouraged me to go and I took her advice willingly and went.
I’m glad I did. Great workout.

Freya laughed for the first time yesterday. I cried a little bit. Then she threw up.

And can I just say that I love it when Nate surprises me by coming home early to help out with bedtime? I can. I LOVE IT! Right now he’s at an indoor soccer thingy, playing soccer with a bunch of college students and alumni. How cute is he? I wish I could watch him play.
(I requested that he not break his ankle (again) as our deductible is outrageous. Oh, that and the fact that I don’t want him to be in pain. Yeah. Pain concerns first and then insurance concerns second. I know the priorities … but, still … that deductible is insane.)

My Dentist appointment was a success. I am back home now, both girls are resting and I am getting ready to finish up the laundry. We will be heading to the Y around 11 … I am going to try something new with Freya as she is unable to fall asleep while at the Y and ends up crying a lot. I’m going to do my cardio then go rock her and put her to sleep myself. I’ll finish my workout after she’s resting.
Oh, why oh, why did I ever start swaddling her in the first place? I really try to avoid setting up “sleep props” and I did it anyway. Now she can’t sleep unless she’s swaddled (or when she’s really, really tired she’ll fall asleep in the car seat) and it’s my fault. I’m going to have to wean her from that soon.
It’s funny you know … how I set out to not create habits like that and then one day I realize that I have. All part of the learning process.
Ok, so back to the dentist: I have a lot of cavities, but none that are cause for great concern. I also need to get my wisdom teeth taken out. The game plan is to take care of the cavities over the next year and then have my wisdoms removed. I have a cyst behind one of them that will need to be biopsied at that time. Yikes. He said that it’s not his top priority and to not freak out about it. So, I’m not freaking out.
As the dentist was leaving the room he said, “You’re nice. I really like you”. Heh. Well, good because I would really hate to have the man that’s going to have his hand all up in my grill not like me.

• Pretty good weekend. Nate and I finished up the first season of 24 last night. Love that show. We’re heading into the second season as soon as he gets out of the shower (he just got home from work. 32 hours since Saturday at 12 a.m. He’s so awesome) and hunkers down on the couch next to me.
• We lead such separate lives today with grad school, work, etc. I strongly dislike it, but I just keep reminding myself that it’s only for a season. I miss those days of doing most everything together … even the mundane (grocery shopping, dinner, etc.) things are better when he’s around. Plus, he takes the dog out when he’s around. Taking the dog out is one of my least favorite things to do ever.
• Oh, I got my lip pierced last week. What? I know. The nurses had to cut my nose ring off as I was going into my emergency c-section and by the time I got home from the hospital and tried to put one in again, it was all closed up. I was just going get my nose re-pierced but thought I’d mix it up a little. I really, really wanted a Marilyn (upper lip, like a mole) but the piercer said no way because I have a mole there. Getting a piercing to look like a mole when I already have a mole doesn’t make much sense. (I’m not always the brightest star in the sky. The sharpest tool in the shed, etc.) I got it on my lower lip instead. I think it’s beautiful, but to each his own.
• I bought Mazie’s Easter basket and its contents yesterday. I’m so excited to give it to her. I’m not very good at celebrating (birthdays, holidays, etc) but I NEED to be now that I have children. It’s part of what makes life fun and I want so badly for my little ones to know that life is so much fun!
• I hear Mazie in her room laughing. This means Nate is out of the shower and has gone into her room to kiss her goodnight. (She usually spends the first part of her bedtime singing and talking to herself so she is still awake even though she went to bed a little while ago) Good sounds. My Mazie giggling because her Daddy is being silly.
• I have a dentist appointment at 8 a.m. tomorrow. Remind me to make my appointments a little later in the day next time. Guh.

Sweet Maziecakes

Sweet Freya

Look! We can see the lake in the Winter
(not sure why the neighbors have a dumpster right now)

Pretty sunset

Nate, Aaron and the kiddos on our walk to the park

My handsome (sleepy) Nate

Spring flower

I still don’t really know what I’m doing with my new camera yet, but I’m learning! In the meantime, we’ll just have to deal with it.

Aaron helped me understand my new camera a little better on Saturday night. I’ve even taken some pictures (which I will post soon).
I have a cold. It’s official. I don’t even remember the last time I had a full-blown cold! I will probably be over it quickly since I’m taking lots of extra vitamins, etc. Last night was one of those kleenex stuck up the nose nights. It was the only way I could keep my nose from running all over the place … I don’t want to take anything since I’m nursing so my nose has been given full reign here. Right now it’s winning.
I’m off to Walmart today to buy an area rug and some other equally exciting things. I’m going to swing by the health food store to see what else they recommend I take to get over this crap as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, it’s time for laundry, a shower and some playtime with my babies. No workout today.

• I’ve never worked out this hard in my life! I love it. I’m really starting to see a difference.
• The Wineys are coming over for dinner … I WILL TAKE PICTURES! I’m hoping I can talk Aaron into helping me out. I haven’t even put the battery in it yet.
• Oh, yesterday Nate told Mazie she needed to be happy all day. Mazie told him that was hard. Heh.
• Also, LOVE the weather because everyone in the neighborhood gathers in the alley and we all hang out their with our kids. I will take a picture of the alley hangout. I will. I’m committing to that right now. Then you will see why I love living here.
• Ok, I’m off to make dinner. Quinoa with chicken and sweet potatoes.

One of the things I love about our main group of friends is our spontaneity. Yesterday afternoon was heading into a low-key evening when all of the sudden a big get together erupted. It was an awesome night. Everything was just right and the break from homework was just what the Dr. ordered for Nate. I love last night. Fun, fun, fun.
My new camera came yesterday. I haven’t even had the chance to play with it yet … that’s on the docket for tomorrow afternoon during nap time. I can’t WAIT to start taking pictures with it. A real camera. I’m in the big leagues now, folks.
Oh, and I’ve been working out 5-6 days a week for 1-2 hours a day, I’m nursing and pumping and eating well annnnnnnnnd haven’t lost a pound. What up.
And can I just say that I have the most adorable children? Yes. Yes, I can. I was told today that Freya is one of the happiest babies … that girl smiles and smiles BIG. Mazie is just as sweet as can be and makes me laugh all the time. I’m a Mom. Still can’t believe it sometimes.
Ok, time to settle into the couch and wait for Nate to get home. He’s always a little burned out on Saturday nights as he is coming off a 19 hour shift. I feel so bad for him … squeezing 32 hours in every weekend. He works so hard for us and rarely complains. What a man, what a man, what a man. What a mighty good man. (remember that song?)

• I have to take a break from running. (And I was down to a 14 minute mile even ) The plantar faciitis in my right foot hurts crazy bad and the only way it’s going to heal is if I take it easy. Sad.
• Also, the program that I referenced in the post before this is not recommended while I’m nursing. So, maybe later.
• Our alternate Zumba instructor has five children and has lost 110 lbs. Pretty crazy. I love hearing her talk about her weight loss and secretly I want to scream “I’m in the 100 pound club, too!!” but that would be selfish and uncalled for. But, I really want to. Really do.
• I bought some much needed workout clothes. The ex-husband’s t-shirts, albeit functional, needed to be retired. Much too big. Much too manly. Guess they’ll just become jammies now. I kid. We all know that I wear really sexy things to bed. Bah. I kid again.
• I took both girls to the Dr. today for coughs. The Dr. didn’t prescribe any meds (good) and told me to just keep doing what I’m doing. ie – continue taking good care of them. The vitamins and probiotics and breast milk do wonders.
• Speaking of breast milk … I WAS ACCEPTED AS A DONOR!!!! I got the call today.
• I need to get some pics and vidoes up in here. I’ll work on that soon.
• Good night.

I’m thinking about doing This Program. Nate wanted to a 10 day fast so maybe we’ll just do this one together. Hhmmm.
Side note: I’m so thankful I’m not super fat anymore. I ran across a picture of myself at 297 lbs and almost peed my pants. Whoa.
For me, it’s more than just about my appearance. Losing weight, eating well, working out, etc. helps me establish more balance in my life. I feel better emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically when I am mobile and making good choices. I don’t always (obviously) but I certainly do more often than I used to (also obvious).
Also, I will always carry with me the consequences of living a life without much self-discipline in regards to food. The stretch marks have faded, but they will always remain. My arms are smaller, but the extra skin will always remain. Things like that … I’ve learned to embrace these things. It doesn’t mean that I “like” them, but I view them as a reminder to never go back.
I’m also very fortunate to be married to a man that thinks I’m beautiful as I am. He is proud of me and the scars that I wear are not ugly to him. They are a symbol of how hard I have worked and how hard I continue to work on this battle with food and balance. He knows how I struggle, every single day, to overcome and rise above. To him, my fighting spirit overshadows any lifelong flaw I now bear.
Now that is beautiful.