Beyond My Goal

I feel great & I wanted to share it with the world. Not only did I REACH my goal, I passed it! I weigh about (give or take depending on water retention, etc) 10 lbs less than I did at my wedding, and my wedding weight (155 lbs) was my original goal. If I can do it, you can to. I even started to throw in some exercise in my life. I started power walking/jogging (and running only on the treadmill, for now). I downloaded this fabulous app called MAPMYWALK (they even have MAPMYRUN, and MAPMYDOGWALK) and they even email me weekly to let me know what I've accomplished during the week. I still have a bit I want to tone (remnants of 3 pregnancies on my belly) and between some situps, and power walking/jogging, I hope it helps! If you have stomach toning secrets you'd like to share, please do!

 
Last week at a splash park. 

Skinny

This was me (on the left hand side) in January 2009, 7 months after I had Mackenzie. I wasn’t happy with myself, and had gained a lot of weight with my pregnancy. (I actually gained a lot of weight all 3 pregnancies). Then on the right hand side, that’s me, after losing 35+ lbs and reaching my goal of 155. I was just over 190 lbs in January 2009.

In July 2009, I was at my lowest I’d been in years (149.0), and felt great. I was wearing a medium, which I hadn’t done in years either. Almost all throughout high school I wore a size Large. I used to dance (ballet, tap & jazz) but once I had hit puberty, I got curvy and my thighs filled out. I had lost 25 lbs to bring me to 155 lbs for my wedding in 2005. 155 was a decent weight for my height (just under 5’5). When I was 155 for my wedding, and when I hit 155 in 2009, I liked my figure.

Then in the fall of 2009, just after I lost all the weight and was looking good, I got pregnant, and had a miscarriage. It took 6 months after that to conceive Quentin, and I ate my way through winter. Then I got pregnant with Quentin and by the end of the pregnancy, I was at my heaviest ever pregnant, and after delivering and losing the initial baby weight, I was at my heaviest ever as well, still. I was not happy with myself.

Just after delivering Quentin at the hospital, “first” family photo.

After getting home from the hospital, during Chanukah 2010.

In 2011, I started out at 204.4 in an XL shirt and a size 14 or 16 pant, depending on the company. I couldn’t believe it. I wasn’t happy. I worked hard and in 2011, my lowest towards the fall was 172. I gained back a few pounds over the Christmas holiday and in 2011, I started the year off at 181.8. I got strict with myself in March, cutting out all sugar, and watching my portions. For 1 month I even cut out all diet soda (I don’t drink regular anyhow). I eat only whole wheat products and have not been even eating starch after 5 pm (it sits on you overnight!).

(This picture above was taken recently, in May of 2012, since then I’ve actually lost a few more pounds). And now, I am at my lowest that I’ve been in YEARS! I hit 146.6 this morning. I’d love to lose a few more pounds so that I have leeway for treating myself on the weekend and then taking it off during the week if necessary. I want to stay under 150 lbs. I feel FANTASTIC. And I even have been fitting into a few size small items, I love it! Size small?! If you would have asked me at the beginning of this year if I would ever wear a small again, I would have laughed at you. But it goes to show, that when you are DETERMINED and have DEDICATION, you can do it! Trust me, I did! And this was all without exercise, but with eating properly. It’s totally possible!

The problem is, I still see myself as huge. I tug at my clothes to try and cover the belly, I wear long shirts, that come over my pants. And when I was larger, I never saw myself as big as I was. It’s a vicious cycle, no? The mind works in funny ways. I am still trying to get used to my skinnier self. Luckily I have an entire medium wardrobe from when I lost the weight in 2009. Though, I have 2 wedding and an engagement party coming up after the summer, and don’t have anything to wear. That requires new dressed and shoes too, right?

I’m totally treating myself to a HUGE slice of Strawberry Cheesecake on my birthday next week. Yup!

What have you done to lose weight? What are you secrets to losing weight? What has or has not worked for you? Are you at your happy weight? Let’s talk! Don’t be shy or if you are, message me privately. I am open, or I would have not written all my numbers above! I’ve done so many “diets” over the years, but I finally combined all that I learned from all of them, put them together, (the things that worked) and managed to lose the weight. I still have a little belly bump (I guess that is normal after having 3 kids), but I get in those daily crunches (that’s all I’m doing for exercise lately – with 3 kids, and I’m still home with Quentin for a bit longer, I have NO time to exercise, and evenings I’m so tired I have no energy to do so). The belly bump hangs a bit where my 2 Csection scars are, but I’m hoping with doing some stomach toning that I will be able to get rid of it, eventually.

Don't forget to enter the contest for the knitting book! Contest ends this Saturday night 06/09/12!

Instagram Kinda Weekend

On Friday, I visited my bestie, who is on bed rest with her 2nd pregnancy, and did some knitting. I actually cast off the hat I’m working on, details to come this week. After visiting her, I headed to the Atwater Library, for a workshop being held by Catherine McKenzie and Shawn Klomparens on Dialogue Writing. I got to meet Mitali, a knitter/mom/blogger that I’ve been following for a while. It was heaven. My 2 fave authors in the same room. I have read both of Catherine’s and Shawn’s books and loved them all. Catherine’s 3rd book is coming out in May, and Shawn is working on his 3rd novel, which I can’t wait to read as well. I walked away from this workshop thinking about all the millions of ideas I have brewing in my head (for years, actually), and how to go about putting them on paper. Or rather, into Microsoft Word.

Saturday I attended a birthday party with my eldest 2 kids, it was their friend’s birthday and we went Glow in the Dark Mini Putting at Putting Edge. I had been to a putting edge in Toronto, years ago, and we finally got one here, not too long ago. (Maybe in the last year or so?) The boys had a fantastic time, and keep asking to go back.

I took a self portrait of myself yesterday, and I can officially say that I have lost 20 lbs. TWENTY POUNDS! That's the size of a one year old (for the most part). I’ve lost an entire baby! Off my body. LOL. I feel great. I still have a few more pounds to go, but I am so close to goal. And I have been pulling out my much loved and missed wardrobe. Yes, it feels great. I leave you with a few photos of my adorable 3 munchkins. The littlest one, is my biggest destroyer. Who would have thought? Stay tuned for some knitting updates this week, as well as hopefully a big movie/book/tv review post that I’ve been working on for quite some time. I think I should be able to finish it and get it posted this week.

1 Month Soda Free Challenge

 

I hadn't had any soda in one month. Last night I was out for dinner and I treated myself to a diet pepsi. (My soda drink of choice). I only drink diet to begin with, but I wanted to see if it made any difference in my life without having any. Besides the fact that it costs next to nothing to drink water instead (besides the occasional water bottle and the filter in our water cooler that we change every 6 months), I wonder if any of the 13 lbs I've lost so far has to do with cutting out soda in my life. I will never know, but it was a nice challenge to do for a month. I am not going to cut out soda 100% out of my life, but I am cutting back 80% of the amount that I used to consume. I'm thinking a nice treat on the weekend will not be the end of the world. Are you addicted to soda? What's your drink of choice?

Playing Catch up

It's been crazy busy around here.
Quentin turned 21 weeks old on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 &
Mack turned 149 weeks old on Thursday, April 28th, 2011

This week was also 225 weeks old for Sean on Tuesday (April 26th) &
also 52 months old for Sean on Thursday (April 28th)

Quentin also turned 5 months old on Saturday April 30th, 2011.
The picture on the right is Quentin all dressed up for Easter.
(We celebrated Easter with Jamie's step-family).

I'm now down 28 lbs since January 1st. I feel good, I'm fitting in my pre-maternity clothes better, and I'm so darn proud of myself. I still have a few pounds to go, but I've been very disciplined with myself, and so proud. Quentin used the Jumperoo for the first time this past week. He absolutely loved it, and I caught it on video, which you can view here. Lots of firsts lately!

I had to share this photo (above). Quentin was getting hungry, so I left him on his play mat in my bedroom to run to the kitchen to make him a bottle. When I got back, he had fallen asleep. It was too cute.

More firsts last week were using the lifejacket and sitting in the flotation seat (dolphin shaped) at swimming. He's so cute in the pool. He actually loves the water and doesn't freak out or flip out when dunked under the water. That's my boy!

This weekend we went to a birthday party for my cousin's son's 2nd birthday. There were some special guests at the party (some disgusting reptiles and such). Sean was super brave and wore a snake around his neck. Mack was super excited for his bunny to meet (a black) bunny. His face was priceless.

We've had a good week (despite the water heater tank dying). It's been a lot of brotherly love around our home. I'm so glad my boys get along great. I love seeing them together.

Today’s Link Love:

- This pie looks delicious even un-cooked.
- I love this photograph.
- I might have to knit me up some of these leg warmers.
- Too bad I won’t ever be pregnant again, this maternity shirt is way too cute.
- Love this Alphabet print (I printed out the purple one for my home office).
- Can’t wait to have fresh veggies from my garden to make Ratatouille.
- The pencil vase is a cute DIY teacher gift.
- Love this DIY Herb Soap Tutorial.
- Dooce did it again, she is just hysterical.
- Dying to wear flip flops again. Bring on the warm weather.
- Love love love love this tattoo.
- Doesn't this space look warm, inviting & cozy?

Some crafty things coming up in another blog post. Stay tuned!

3.14.11

Someone thinks he's hanging out with another baby! He was smiling at the mirror for a good while this morning. Too bad he doesn't realize it's himself he is looking at.

Today we had playgroup in the afternoon. I went a bit late as I was at home waiting for a phone call that I wanted to take (with only good things to come!). Luckily we were only a little bit late and Quentin got to hang out with his new buddies for a bit. Aren't they all delicious?? One of Quentin's friends thought he was comfy to sit on. Today was our 4th week of playgroup and so far, everyone is getting along great and things are going smoothly. There will even be a Daddy joining us for a bit as the mom is going back to work for a few weeks (as her job can't be replaced with anyone else - she's a sign language interpreter).

Drive by Monday:
- I'm growing out my hair.
- I'm 17.5 lbs down since January 1st. Kind of feel "stuck" this week, but working at it, and I'm not giving up. I know I can do it, and reach my goal. I'm not giving in to temptation.
- I haven't had any chocolate since 2010.
- I haven't had any cake, cookies, or junk food since 2010.
- I'm definitely addicted to diet coke.
- I'm totally enjoying the book I'm currently reading.
- Upset I lost 1 hour of sleep last night. And for what? We can't even go bike riding at 5pm after I pick up the kids from daycare, so what's the point? It's not warm enough yet. It's too early for daylight savings time.
- I managed to make one of these, with better yarn this time and a different brand crochet hook. Details to come tomorrow. I think I'm going to make it in both sizes that are available in the pattern. It's so cute.
- Someone is coming back tomorrow to pick up one or two of our couches! So happy we're getting rid of some of them and the rest that we're not using anymore will go into the garbage. It's too bad that there is a mountain of snow on our front yard, or I'd put the couches out with signs that say "FOR FREE - PLEASE TAKE ME" on them... maybe if the snow melts before next garbage day next week I can do that? I guess we'll have to see if the warmer weather & the rain they're calling for this week help get rid of the snow.
- I'm so fed up with winter, I've already started wearing my sneakers outside. Bye, bye boots. See you next year. I'm also *this* close to pulling out my Capri pants... just sayin'.

Today's Link Love:
- Fabric Shopping Bags (Sew)
- Scrabble Coasters (Craft) (scroll down to end of that post)
- Button-tab Hat Pattern (Knit)
- Shrink Ring Tutorial (Craft)
- Hobo Bag (Sew)
- Salad Dressings (Cooking)
- Braids Made Easy (Bird in the Hand Tutorial - Knitting)
- The Not-Too Beret Pattern (Knit)
- Newfie Mitten Pattern (Knit)

Don't forget that by commenting, you will be entered into my giveaway for a copy of Arranged by Catherine McKenzie. The contest runs until March 16, 2011, and I will draw a winner that evening when I blog. All you have to do is comment on any post this blog. I will also throw in that if you go to my FB Page and click the LIKE button until March 16th (Wednesday), come back here & tell me (I will check!) that you clicked the LIKE button, and I will give you a bonus entry to win a copy of Arranged!

2.2.11

Quentin is the king of faces.
I could stare at him all day and be entertained.
Here's another one from today.

I am trying to understand why Mackenzie just put an entire (brand new) toilet paper roll into the toilet bowl. He also felt the need to include some off the roll that's on the dispenser on the wall. The roll was so soggy by the time I got to it, and realized what he had done, that I had to get rubber gloves to fish it out - it was falling apart in my hands. I had to fish it out though, no way I was flushing an entire roll down the toilet, especially since the cardboard roll was in there too. I totally thought my older boys were passed this stage already. I would expect that from Quentin in about 9-12 months + from now. Not my 2 and a half year old.

Mack apparently has been going through a "No like it" phase. He says it to everything. I hear it at home. I hear it at dinner time. Dinner time (or any meal time) is when we hear it the most. Even to foods he does love and ate just a few nights before. When I picked up the boys from daycare today, Mack's teacher approached me about it. She said that he says "No like it" to a lot of things lately and doesn't participate in much and doesn't eat much. I don't know if I should be concerned or if this is normal for a 2 and a half year old to be going through a phase like this? Anyone deal with this before, or know anything about what I should do about it? For now, our GP had said that it's not what he eats in a given day, it's what he eats during the week that matters (and he does eat, as he is gaining weight) but it's more the behavioral stuff like participation in class activities at daycare that I am more concerned with.

I love that even after eating bad hospital food for 3 days straight, I'm still on track & have lost 13.2 lbs since January 1st. At this rate I will reach my goal by my 30th birthday. Gotta stay focused. I can do it. I don't eat much at night anymore after dinner. I make sure I eat a filling meal at dinner, and load up on a lot of calorie free vegetables at dinner (I love steamed vegetables, especially green beans, snow peas and carrots).

I ventured out today (even though the snow was coming down and driving conditions weren't exactly that great - people seriously forget how to drive in winter. We leave in Quebec people... winter comes every year!) I met up with a friend who works as a technician in a pharmacy at her work, and we had lunch. It had been years since I'd seen her last (thank you facebook for letting us get back in touch). It was nice to see her. The one nice thing about this weather is the fact that I got fantastic parking and there were no line ups! I was shocked that Costco was dead on my way home. I picked up a photo order that I did - I made some wallet size photos to put in each of Quentin's thank you cards. They came out really cute.

Today’s Link Love:
- One of my readers shared this with me. Too bad I don’t have almost 4000$ to spend on something like this. What an experience that would be!
- What a great photograph.
- I love Andrea's Sick Lockdown Activity list to keep busy.

2.1.11 :: 9 weeks old & 213 weeks old

Quentin is 9 weeks old today.

Sean is 213 weeks old today.


Today, Quentin and I had a visitor, one of his friends (and his mom too, of course).

It was nice to have a friend over. Both boys slept for most of the visit. We did catch them awake for a bit just before they headed home, so we grabbed a few photos.

Today I was in much better spirits. I'm still a bit nervous about the unknown with Quentin having Laryngomalacia. I'm marking down every feeding he does, and how much he drinks. I'm marking down anything else that strikes me as not normal. Quentin had an "episode" (I'll call it that) today, where his face turned bright red, and he was making this weird face and he gasped for air. It freaked this shit out of me. Quentin's friend was over and luckily (just in case) his mom knows CPR (she's a teacher). I said if this episode happens again, I'm taking him to the hospital. Today's episode lasted a few minutes where he kept gasping. Then, formula came out of his nose. I suctioned it out, and he was fine. But I was really freaked out. I'm hoping it doesn't happen again. I'm keeping a close eye on him. I'm even sleeping on his floor of his room, on a futon mattress at night.

I spent most of the rest of the day calling pediatricians offices. I learned on Thursday at our doctor's office that our doctor will be taking a sabbatical leave. This is on top of our clinic closing and her moving to another clinic (a little bit further away). This is after she just came back from a one year maternity leave. I need a doctor for the kids. So I called and called. I got no where. No one is taking new patient. I even tried playing the newborn card. Doesn't work so well if it's your 3rd kid even if they were taking on new patients, it has to be your first newborn. Dang. (I wasn't going to lie, that's not cool). Then, tonight, when Jamie got home, I asked him who his doctor as a child was, because I got a name of a doctor near his childhood home. When I tell him the name, he laughs. No, it wasn't his pediatrician, but his best friend (who actually was over tonight), his mom is that doctor's secretary. Jamie's best friend is looking into it, and is seeing if he can get his mom to get us in there. I'll know more tomorrow. Honestly... it's really about who you know. (I did name drop on a lot of the phone calls today, but it didn't really help me at all, unfortunately).

I didn't "check-in" on Friday for my diet, since I was at the hospital with Quentin. For spending a few days "out of my element" and eating hospital cafeteria food, I managed to actually lose half a pound. I'm now down 12 and a half pounds since January 1st. I'm very happy with my progress so far. And I long for spring when I can go for walks to the park, and get more exercise, outdoors. I'm sick of the cold weather.

Today's Link Love:|
- Today I made this banana bread recipe. I made one plain and one with chocolate chips (for the kids). I've been cooking lately, but I can't remember the last time I baked. It felt good.
10 Free Pampers Gifts to Grow points: Pampers4momjfm1.
- I'm involved in a Blog Tour for author Leah Ingram. The details are on her blog here. She'll be vising my blog with a Q&A on Monday, February 21st for her new book.
- Love this jewelry holder.

1.21.11

Ahhh, this is life.

I think I forgot to check-in last Friday for my weekly weigh-in. Last Friday I was down 6.4 lbs since January 1st. And today, since it's Friday again, I'm now down 10 lbs! I'm unbelievably proud of my progress so far. I don't really see 10 lbs gone, except on the scale. I am not sure I notice it just yet on myself. I did do my starting measurements. I measured my neck, my arm, my bust, my chest, my mid-section, my waist, my hips, my thigh in 2 places, my calves, my ankles... you name it. I measured it all. I'll do a once a month check-in with how many inches I've lost there. I hope to see progress after one month. I want this a$$ back (August 4th, 2009 blog post image). I want to get back to THIS on the scale (July 25th, 2009 blog post image). I can do it. I just have to keep focused and motivated. I have an entire pre-pregnancy wardrobe waiting for me. I miss it. It's calling my name. By end of summer I want to be comfortably wearing it.

Jamie took the day off from work today, and after both of us sleeping in (he was also very kind to get dressed and take the older two boys to daycare), we watched the movie The Social Network. We both really enjoyed watching it. Funnily, I found myself checking in on Facebook a few times while watching the story of how Facebook became to be. My husband, who is not on facebook, still won't go on facebook. I thought maybe by watching the movie, he might change his mind, but nope. He still won't create an account.

I started a new project while watching the movie. I went down in needle size, hoping to make it fit Quentin well, but I have an odd hunch that it will either just just fit him or it'll be too tight. I will try it on him tomorrow. It would probably fit a newborn best, so if that's the case, I'll keep it (and finish it) for a newborn photography prop. I have plenty of yarn in just one skein to make 2 hats, I'm sure. I'll try the hat on Quentin tomorrow and see how it fits him. I'm already done 4" of the 6" that is required for this hat, so I won't frog it.

When I picked up the boys from daycare today, it wasn't so pleasant. Sean has been having behavior issues lately at meal time at daycare, not behaving with his food. (Food on the floor, food in another kid's hair, and today, he chewed up his cucumber and then put it on someone's plate). WHY!? He knows better than to play with food. I don't understand why he's doing this at school. He never plays with his food at home. Everyone is just telling me "It's cuz he's 4 years old'. But that's not an excuse. I didn't raise him this way. Why is he rebelling at daycare? And Mack has been very emotional lately at daycare, crying over little things for nothing. I try talking to him and telling him that he doesn't have to cry over every little thing, that he's a big boy now. Hopefully he will stop doing this. He might be crying, but I am so glad that the whining he used to do all the time, has stopped. I think I'd rather the crying over whining. Hopefully we'll have a good weekend with the kids, and no bad behavior. The time out chair doesn't seem to work for Sean anymore, so now when he's not behaving he has to go sit on his bed and think about what he's done. When he does misbehave at daycare they do take away privileges from the kids. He'll start losing privileges at home too - if he doesn't behave. I don't know what else to do to get his attention.

1.7.11

Quentin likes soothies too. I picked these up while in Plattsburgh back in September 2010 when I went down for the day. Quentin seems to like both the soothies and pacifiers. Sometimes he just wants to suck on his bottle of the sake of sucking, and if there is formula in there, and he's already eaten, he might eat too much and be sick, and if there is nothing in there, then he'll suck back air and get gas. So instead, I'll give him a pacifier. He's not really a crier, so I don't really need to give him a pacifier to "shut him up" like some mothers do with their babies. I only give a pacifier (or soothie) when deemed necessary. Does this make sense? I don't want to over use it, but sometimes, he just wants to continue with the sucking motion, and I don't want him using a bottle to do so.

Sean is now officially in his big boy car seat (booster). He was towering over his forward facing car seat, and was above the height requirements for the booster, so we switched him into it today. I can't believe what a big boy he is now. I was sad putting away his car seat.

I forgot to mention, I started my own Project 365 at the beginning of the year. You can view the blog here. One photo a day for 365 days. Some of the photos might already be blogged here, but some may not be. I hope to have fun with this project, and I'll get me photography every day. I know I take a lot of photos, but I don't always shoot every day. This will allow me to pick up my camera daily and try to be creative. If there are days I'm not feeling so creative, you'll probably just see photos of my kids. But that's okay, they're cute.

Dropped off my precious Electolux (the only vacuum cleaner to own). Mine kind of looks like this one but in beige. My cleaning lady showed me that the nozzle is not really working properly. It's not picking up stuff off the carpet. So I took it in today. There is a place right next to where the boys go to daycare, in the same complex. The lady at the counter took it in, but the technician wasn't in today. She said I should get a call with an estimate on Monday. I hope it's not going to cost too much money, but it's the greatest vacuum cleaner ever, so we'll see what's wrong with it.

Exchanged Sean's helmet today too - got a new one. I even got a 20$ credit back to the my credit card, as the new one is sold as a kit (cheaper). Sean's original one was bought separate (the helmet and the grill separate). The kit is obviously cheaper, but the girl at the customer service was telling me that they sell them separate at the beginning of the hockey season so that if someone has one part but not the other, they can buy just what they need. Mid-season, they get the helmets in.

Sean stayed in from daycare today, as he has to be fever free for 24 hours before he can go back to daycare. His fever only broke yesterday at 2:30pm, so he had to remain home from daycare today too. Lucky kid.

Diet week 1 :: I'm down 4 lbs. I have a long way to go, but this is a very good start. Let's hope this keeps up. I want my 2009 buttox back around my birthday. Ok, ok, maybe my birthday is not realistic, but by the end of summer. In 2009 I started a diet in January, and by August I was at my lowest in years - 149 lbs. I had reached my goal weight (155 lbs) by my birthday in June 2009. I'd like to be back there again... and this is the year I'm going to do it! Are you planning to lose weight in 2011? What are you doing to make that happen?

Today's Link Love:
- I love these shoes (in black). They'd be great for spring/summer.
- Love this really cute kid's bed.
- This poster is way too funny.

1.1.11

Happy New Year. Wow. 2011. Where did 2010 go? Seriously.

Today the diets start. More than 1 actually.

First, my husband and I are planning to get back into shape. We'll be eating a lot healthier and exercising. (I'm setting exercise as my goal this year as I hate doing it - but definitely should). With the exercising though, I need to first be cleared by my doctor at my check-up at 6 weeks postpartum, as I am not supposed to be exercising or lifting anything heavy for 6 weeks after my surgery (C-section). I suppose though, that I could start walking on the treadmill, as I am allowed to walk. In the spring, I plan to start an aqua class (with Quentin), so that will get us both in the water. I plan to keep busy. And I plan to get back into shape. In 2009 I lost almost 40 lbs. I want to get back to that weight I was, and I know I can do it. I just need to stay focused and I will get there. I also plan to cut out soda (I am addicted to diet coke/diet pepsi) and drink more water. I don't think I'll be able to cut it out 100%, but if I can cut it out of my life at least 80%, that would be enough for me. My mom was just telling me that my dad (and her) cut out soda (diet as well only they were drinking) and my dad dropped 20 lbs just from cutting that out of his life. (Though, I hear it's like that for men. Maybe women too can lose weight just by cutting out soda?) Though... I did drink diet soda during both times I dieted hardcore (2005 up until my wedding (and I lost 25 lbs from March until September) and in 2009 (from January until August/September)) and I was still able to lose weight. We plan to eat more fish (I was actually turned off by fish while pregnant with Quentin and didn't eat it once). Hopefully changing our eating habits will also help.

Have you dieted? What worked for you? I'm open to suggestions, tips, etc. Please share! If you don't want to leave a comment about it, but want to still let me know, you can always email me at knitpurlmama at gmail dot com. I'd love to hear from you. The way I lost 40 lbs in 2009 is definitely not an option anymore for me. So I'm looking to see what worked for you, maybe it can help me.

The 2nd diet I'm doing is a yarn diet again. I was so good in 2010, and only bought a few things at the end of 2010 when my yarn diet ended (the weekend I was supposed to go to Rhinebeck 2010 - but couldn't go because of my high risk pregnancy). I still have a very large stash, so this year I will try to make a dent in my stash. I had started organizing my stash, cleaning up my yarn room, to make sure everything I had was indeed listed on Ravelry. However, Quentin surprised us 4 weeks early, so I didn't get a chance to finish. I've been using my free time to nap lately, so as soon as I start to function properly again, (and Quentin gives us longer stretches of sleep at night), I'll finish organizing my yarn room and loading anything that is not on Ravelry on Raverly. I will get there & accomplish that. The bit of yarn I will still receive this year, will be from Tanis Fiber Arts. At the end of 2010 her sock club ended up in my shopping cart after she announced it on her blog. I think I will receive my first shipment this month. It was paid for after my last yarn diet ended... so it'll be nice to have some surprises in the mail. Can't wait to see what she sends!

Today we went over to my in-laws to celebrate my sister-in-law's birthday. Her actual birthday is tomorrow. We also exchanged Christmas gifts with everyone. I got a few small gifts, (as I already got a steamer & a new iron from my in-laws) but they still got me a few small things, which was totally not necessary, but fun nonetheless. Jamie and I also got a popcorn maker - something that I wanted to get for a while now, just never got around to it. It's so much healthier to pop your own. Very excited to try it out.

Being at my in-laws and having people there who want to steal Quentin away from me (except during feeding or diaper changing time of course), I got to knit a few rounds on Q's Milo. I better get it done soon, I think he'll fit into it now, it's so tiny. As long as I get some more time, I can totally finish it soon. (I'm knitting newborn size).

This year, I want to knit more. Crochet more. Read more. Explore more into photography (and maybe put my photography degree - I did graduate in professional photography to use). I want to bake/cook more. I want to spend more time with my children doing really fun things. This year I turn 30, and I'm a tad freaked out about that too (though I hear the 30's are the new 20's and they are some of the best years of your life).

What do you want to accomplish this year? What are your new year's resolutions if you're making any?

This is the year to make it happen. Let's do it! Wishing you all a fantastic 2011. (Today's date is pretty cool, eh? 1-1-11. I wonder who was the first Montreal baby of the year. It'll probably be in tomorrow's paper.

Today's Link Love:
Some Pampers Gifts to Grow Points: F9779FYAHFJRYCN.
Some Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards Points: 1 point code: BGTCK-MJMKH-KBPGB 5 point code: BJSGM-LKKKQ-ZKPGB.
- Love this photo of the crafted snowmen.
- Would love to get a yarn bowl.
- This photo is fun!

july twenty-three

I'm down again on my scale at home. I'm so proud of my accomplishments. And let me tell you, there are some days where I just want to shove my face with food. At least when I want to do that, and I do, it's shoving my face with cucumbers or healthy snacks instead of chips and cookies and ice cream and all that bad stuff. Today marks exactly 6 months since I started my weight loss. I cannot believe that I've lost almost 38 lbs.

After my cleaning lady left today, I dropped Mack off at my parents house and headed to work. There was a few things to take care of before next week, and since my mom agreed to watch Mack for a couple of hours, which was good, since he's not in daycare yet.

Going to work today, I made a quick stop into the sewing shop next to my work. Whoops, walked out of there with 6 x 50g balls of yarn. 4 balls are for socks for Jamie (for 2 pairs) and 2 balls for myself. I probably should have avoided that store! I will take pictures of that stash enhancement and post them soon! I'll have to make sure to avoid that shop when going to work. (Though, there's not too much more than what I bought that didn't have acrylic in it).

After picking up both kids on my way home, we played in the backyard for a bit. I wanted to pick some lettuce in my garden for my neighbor. She was craving lettuce (33 and a half weeks pregnant).

Saw some zucchinis that will be ready soon.

And some almost ripe tomatoes.

Some green peppers actually growing! (Last year we got none).

Some lovely pink flowers.

One of the many bees in our backyard.

The first zucchini ready to eat!

My little munchkin!

And my little clean freak (he's obsessed with cleaning products!)

And even though we were having fun in the backyard, we had a date in the park to go to.

We met up with my very pregnant neighbor and her 5 year old daughter in the park for a bit until our dinner showed up (we ordered in food tonight). As we were leaving the park after our playdate, Sean went over to our neighbor's daughter, and gave her a hug goodbye. While sweet, he plays fast this kid! He only just met her tonight. I told him next time, save hugging for a 2nd date.

Tonight I had to give Mack a bath since he was filthy from the sand at the park. Jamie had ball so I was only going to do 1 bath tonight and Mack needed it more. Alone I won't bathe both of them together, and there's not enough hot water to do one bath after another as by the time one kid is done a bath, I'd have to re-fill the tub with water as it's ice cold. But, our water doesn't heat that fast for some reason (as to why I don't take a shower right after Jamie takes a shower). Sean will get his bath tomorrow night. After I put Mack to bed tonight I had a huge problem getting Sean to bed. I seriously only got him into bed after 10:30pm. He was just fighting me. So I sat with him in the dark in my bedroom (as that's where he wanted to be and that's the only place he didn't scream on the top of his lungs) until I finally convinced him he was tired and should get to bed.

Now I'm exhausted. I'm not liking this terrible two's business....