Sorry I haven't been a good blogging person and keeping up with my "Hectic Happenings", but I was out of town this past weekend. My little sister graduated from college----let's say it together "AWWWWW". I am super proud of her (and her fiance') and cannot wait to witness them begin their adult lives with money and stuff! HAHA
So, because of this, Lauren and I drove over to her college city (5.5 hr drive), we dropped Julia off with my other little sister along the way, and Joshua and Chris stayed home for a boy's weekend. (They also had a graduation to attend, which is why they couldn't go with us!)
To sum it up, although I will be a good blogger and be more specific in the upcoming days, it was a really long drive there and back... Lauren and I had a wonderful time just her and I, and I am exhausted and glad to be home. There are so many things that need to get done in order to re acclimate us to being home, but instead I went to bed early, hung out in bed with my husband, got up, went and worked out, and came home and took a nap. I guess tomorrow I will have to actually do something.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Lights and Sirens.
So, it finally happened. I was doing this:
And then saw and heard this:
Got to experience this:
And now I look like this! ;-)
***I actually got off with a warning, but still heeded that warning!***
And then saw and heard this:
Got to experience this:
And now I look like this! ;-)
***I actually got off with a warning, but still heeded that warning!***
Swimming Lessons!
I finally got my kids into swimming lessons, they had them last year and we very much enjoy the instructor as well as the pool they are in is super warm (Unlike the bigger pools (ie: the YMCA or H.S. pool), and with the kids as young as they are, I really don't want them to freeze.
Anyway, so I got them into a private lesson where it is just them and the instructor. Last time Julia was in it (which was a Mommy and Me class when she was 13 months old) she DETESTED it, and screamed bloody murder the whole time she was in the pool. So, this time, we walked in and she started screaming and kept screaming for about 4 minutes after she got in with Miss T. Then she realized she liked it. By the end of the lesson she was dunking her head, being dunked without complaint, splashing, blowing bubbles and threw a HUGE fit when we had to take her out! I knew, if given time and opportunity, she would be a fish like the other two!
They are all doing very well, Lauren is fine tuning her crawl stroke, Joshua is really just learning the basics, and Julia getting acclimated to the water. Here are some pics:
Then we came home, and partook in my "from scratch" cooking attempt! My husband says it was a hit!
(Here is the recipe:
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup of butter
1tsp minced garlic
3-4 cups cubed potatoes
1 bottle of clam juice
3 6oz cans of minced oysters (2 cans drained, 1 can with the juice)
1/2 cup flour
1 quart half and half
1/2 tsp sugar
Salt and Pepper to taste
Put all of this in the crockpot on low. I cooked for 8 hours (although you can do less, when the potatoes are cooked you are good to go). It did separate a bit (butter/milk) however, I just whisked it a few times throughout cooking and then prior to serving and it was great!
Anyway, so I got them into a private lesson where it is just them and the instructor. Last time Julia was in it (which was a Mommy and Me class when she was 13 months old) she DETESTED it, and screamed bloody murder the whole time she was in the pool. So, this time, we walked in and she started screaming and kept screaming for about 4 minutes after she got in with Miss T. Then she realized she liked it. By the end of the lesson she was dunking her head, being dunked without complaint, splashing, blowing bubbles and threw a HUGE fit when we had to take her out! I knew, if given time and opportunity, she would be a fish like the other two!
They are all doing very well, Lauren is fine tuning her crawl stroke, Joshua is really just learning the basics, and Julia getting acclimated to the water. Here are some pics:
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| Waiting for their turns |
 |
| Julia being floated! |
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| Lauren and her crawl stroke! WTG LAUREN |
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| Joshua doing some underwater swimming |
 |
| Joshua back float |
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| Lauren back float.... pics like this make me realize how TALL she is getting |
 | |||
| Waiting for instructions |
Then we came home, and partook in my "from scratch" cooking attempt! My husband says it was a hit!
 |
| Homemade Clam Chowder (I did not make the bread bowl---but I can ;-) |
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| The kids in a mini bowl. |
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| My dinner :-)!!!! I don't like clam chowder (however, I tasted it and it was REALLY good!) |
(Here is the recipe:
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup of butter
1tsp minced garlic
3-4 cups cubed potatoes
1 bottle of clam juice
3 6oz cans of minced oysters (2 cans drained, 1 can with the juice)
1/2 cup flour
1 quart half and half
1/2 tsp sugar
Salt and Pepper to taste
Put all of this in the crockpot on low. I cooked for 8 hours (although you can do less, when the potatoes are cooked you are good to go). It did separate a bit (butter/milk) however, I just whisked it a few times throughout cooking and then prior to serving and it was great!
Weekly Weightloss Wednesday
Wednesdays Stats:
Highest Weight "achieved": 11/09
To date weight loss: -62 lbs (No change)
Goal weight: 83 more lbs to lose
Daily Average Caloric intake this week:1235
Average Water intake this week:74 oz
Total Cardio This week: 168 minutes (increase by 33 minutes from 1 wk ago)
Total Weightlifting this week: 140
Highest Weight "achieved": 11/09
To date weight loss: -62 lbs (No change)
Goal weight: 83 more lbs to lose
Daily Average Caloric intake this week:1235
Average Water intake this week:74 oz
Total Cardio This week: 168 minutes (increase by 33 minutes from 1 wk ago)
Total Weightlifting this week: 140
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Had my cardiac stress test:
Link to original post #1 and original post #2
Today I got to partake in my treadmill cardiac stress test. It was kinda interesting---kinda not. You go in, they strip you from the waist up and let all the upper goodies hang out. Then attach a bunch of stickers with leads to monitor your heartrate and then a blood pressure cuff. Then another lady came in, and did an ultrasound of my heart and then they threw me on the treadmill for 10 minutes. At first, I was like "dude, this is easy".... then the last minute wasn't so much. Incline of like 30 with a rate of 7 or something. Thought I was gonna die, then they say "Get off as fast as you can and go lie down on that table" where they proceed to do another heart ultrasound to compare the before and after.
So, here are the results: My admitting heartrate was 52 with a normal cardiac ultrasound. (Some valve regurgitation, which is actually pretty common, so no worries). Then they put me on the treadmill with the attempt to get my heartrate to 168. They got up to 149 and that was all they could do, but it still went up and did what they needed it to do, and the after ultrasound was also normal. He explained his findings this way: "The PVC (palpitations) are benign, and I am not concerned about them at all, it just means your heart is a little overzealous. Your heart is slow to increase, as we suspected, but it does get there---but along with that it decrease VERY quickly. (In 30 seconds it had gone from max of 149 to 104). This is actually a sign of an extremely healthy heart and is kind of the ideal kind---the kind that those people that run miles and then stop to shoot targets want. Honestly, because of your size and fatigue, I would not have expected to have such a healthy heart. So, basically this is not a heart issue. Have you had a sleep study? (yes, I have... no apnea, but they did find that I did not ever hit REM sleep in the 8 hrs I was there) Did they tell you why you never hit REM sleep and which doctor did you see? (No, they just said "yup, that is why you are tired" and I saw Dr. C). "Well, I suggest that you have another sleep study if they can't use the original results (done 3 yrs ago), but instead of seeing Dr C. (who does more on the pulmonology (breathing) side), you should see someone who specializes in sleep disorders akin to narcolepsy."
And so he thinks everything stems from not sleeping---I can believe that.
So, basically.... my heart is fine, the palpitations are no big deal and probably so noticeable because of my slow heart rate---the heart has lots of time to build up the electrical charge so it is more of a noticeable jolt. I actually have an extremely healthy heart (wish my ass was as healthy).... So, off to yet another Dr I go.
Today I got to partake in my treadmill cardiac stress test. It was kinda interesting---kinda not. You go in, they strip you from the waist up and let all the upper goodies hang out. Then attach a bunch of stickers with leads to monitor your heartrate and then a blood pressure cuff. Then another lady came in, and did an ultrasound of my heart and then they threw me on the treadmill for 10 minutes. At first, I was like "dude, this is easy".... then the last minute wasn't so much. Incline of like 30 with a rate of 7 or something. Thought I was gonna die, then they say "Get off as fast as you can and go lie down on that table" where they proceed to do another heart ultrasound to compare the before and after.
So, here are the results: My admitting heartrate was 52 with a normal cardiac ultrasound. (Some valve regurgitation, which is actually pretty common, so no worries). Then they put me on the treadmill with the attempt to get my heartrate to 168. They got up to 149 and that was all they could do, but it still went up and did what they needed it to do, and the after ultrasound was also normal. He explained his findings this way: "The PVC (palpitations) are benign, and I am not concerned about them at all, it just means your heart is a little overzealous. Your heart is slow to increase, as we suspected, but it does get there---but along with that it decrease VERY quickly. (In 30 seconds it had gone from max of 149 to 104). This is actually a sign of an extremely healthy heart and is kind of the ideal kind---the kind that those people that run miles and then stop to shoot targets want. Honestly, because of your size and fatigue, I would not have expected to have such a healthy heart. So, basically this is not a heart issue. Have you had a sleep study? (yes, I have... no apnea, but they did find that I did not ever hit REM sleep in the 8 hrs I was there) Did they tell you why you never hit REM sleep and which doctor did you see? (No, they just said "yup, that is why you are tired" and I saw Dr. C). "Well, I suggest that you have another sleep study if they can't use the original results (done 3 yrs ago), but instead of seeing Dr C. (who does more on the pulmonology (breathing) side), you should see someone who specializes in sleep disorders akin to narcolepsy."
And so he thinks everything stems from not sleeping---I can believe that.
So, basically.... my heart is fine, the palpitations are no big deal and probably so noticeable because of my slow heart rate---the heart has lots of time to build up the electrical charge so it is more of a noticeable jolt. I actually have an extremely healthy heart (wish my ass was as healthy).... So, off to yet another Dr I go.
Time out chair here we come!
Julia Julia Julia. She is 2..... just turned 2. And the other kids didn't really hit the "terrible 2's" until more like late 2 or even 3. But, Julia---she has the desire to excel, and reach this frustrating milestone VERY early. I considered my self seasoned...... she is my 3rd, I have been through the store fits, I have been through the only wanting to do things their way. But Julia is more difficult. She is SO stubborn. You can tell her to come to you and she laughs a staged 2 year old belly laugh and says "Say it again"... you yell at her and she chuckles.... Yet, no one else sees this----for other people she is angelic. She is super sweet and charming. People ask if she ever actually is naughty. The answer to that is YES---- she whines ALL THE TIME... she throws a fit if she doesn't get the song she wants or the show she has demanded.... she will throw her juice cup at you if she requests juice and you give her water/milk. She will spit food across the room if you give her something she doesn't like. She has NO problem in hitting someone who is not allowing her to get her way (Poor Joshua is the prime target).
I didn't have to implement consistent discipline with the other kids until much later---Julia... look out, here comes the time out chair! I can see it already---she is going to run us ragged, and due to her being the baby, thus far, she has always just gotten what she wanted to prevent the "crying". We are creating a monster. So, my next project? Making a time out chair. For now, we will start with just a stool we have around the house, but I am going to make an official chair soon and let me creative juices flow.
I didn't have to implement consistent discipline with the other kids until much later---Julia... look out, here comes the time out chair! I can see it already---she is going to run us ragged, and due to her being the baby, thus far, she has always just gotten what she wanted to prevent the "crying". We are creating a monster. So, my next project? Making a time out chair. For now, we will start with just a stool we have around the house, but I am going to make an official chair soon and let me creative juices flow.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
What a fun fun day!
It was so nice out today, it hit low 70's---which is just about perfect for me. I started the day off at 530am, took a shower with Julia, painted her nails, enjoyed some hanging out while eating cereal and watching Toy Story until the other kids got up.
Then, Julia and I went outside and assembled the garden planter box:
Then Julia played outside for a bit: (Yes at 630 am :-)
Then, Julia showed the doggie how to eat: (The picture I missed, was when she actually put her head in the bowl, and pulled out some kibble with her teeth and tried to feed it to the doggy with her mouth----uhhh, GROSS and cute :-))
Then, I came in the house, made breakfast... painted Lauren's nails because she liked Julia's so much, and did some morning chores.
Then the kids and I went out and dug more of the hole that the planter box is going to go in, and put it in its place. Now, I just have to fill with the dirt and plant stuff! :-)
After that, I tackled an annoyance we have had for quite some time..... the bathroom fan in our bathroom made some horrid "I am going to die" sound and it didn't work well, so I replaced it. I am not the "home-fix-it" type of girl, so I must say I am quite proud.
Then, I scrubbed the upper deck with a bristle brush and soap, and the kids wanted to play in the sprinkler, but we don't have a sprinkler... so I improvised and I call it the "po'-white-trash sprinkler" but the kids loved it!
Then, it was 1130am and I was tired. I made something (will be highlighted in my Frugal Friday premier---on Friday :-)), had lunch, laid in the sun for a bit, listened to Pandora with the kids, watched a movie (Maid in Manhattan) and then retired to rest time, in which I got about an hour of dozing.
What a great day, makes me very excited for the summer!
Then, Julia and I went outside and assembled the garden planter box:
Then, Julia showed the doggie how to eat: (The picture I missed, was when she actually put her head in the bowl, and pulled out some kibble with her teeth and tried to feed it to the doggy with her mouth----uhhh, GROSS and cute :-))
Then, I came in the house, made breakfast... painted Lauren's nails because she liked Julia's so much, and did some morning chores.
Then the kids and I went out and dug more of the hole that the planter box is going to go in, and put it in its place. Now, I just have to fill with the dirt and plant stuff! :-)
After that, I tackled an annoyance we have had for quite some time..... the bathroom fan in our bathroom made some horrid "I am going to die" sound and it didn't work well, so I replaced it. I am not the "home-fix-it" type of girl, so I must say I am quite proud.
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| The old icky one---no wonder it wouldn't work |
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| When I was all done---what you couldn't hear was the quiet WORKING hum it made! |
Then, I scrubbed the upper deck with a bristle brush and soap, and the kids wanted to play in the sprinkler, but we don't have a sprinkler... so I improvised and I call it the "po'-white-trash sprinkler" but the kids loved it!
 |
| I hung the hose off the deck--HAHA |
What a great day, makes me very excited for the summer!
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