Feeling Great

I feel great! I'm down about 15 lbs since the beginning of the year. Finally passed the plateau that I was stuck on since about (Canadian) Thanksgiving. I've been so good this year so far, and I'm so close to my goal now - I can smell the finish line. Except on nights where the kids don't sleep the night (like Tuesday night to Wednesday morning of this week, where Sean woke up 2x and Quentin got up 2 other times in the middle of the night and I was a walking zombie on Wednesday), I feel more energetic, after dropping some weight. My goal is to buy myself a bikini (and look good in it) for my birthday this year (in June). I can so do it! I know I can! Determination and discipline have been key. I am not even exercising that much (unless you count chasing after my 3 kids), but eating healthy - and cut out all sugar & haven't touched (diet) soda in almost a month now. I also introduced 8+ glasses of water a day into my life... which I wasn't getting before, I would drink a diet pepsi glass after diet pepsi glass... (NOT GOOD even if Diet!) Are you making any changes in your life? If so, please share! Is it working for you? My favorite part of losing weight... my curvy baby bearing hips... are almost gone! I no longer have love handles too... and I've started to pull out my 2009 wardrobe, which I bought after losing 40+ lbs in 2009 after having both Sean & Mackenzie. So close... I can smell it! I can't wait until all of my 2009 wardrobe fits!

august twelve :: 60 weeks old

Mack is 60 weeks old today.

I need to find a better system to get out of the house in the morning with both kids. I really don't understand how it takes me so long to get out the door. And then I remember I have 2 young kids. This morning I was about 8 minutes late to Mack's mom and tot class, our last Wednesday class. I don't feel so bad because the first 30 minutes is gym time, so we didn't miss any music. Sean decided this morning that he wanted to dress himself. That took like 45 minutes. He kept getting frustrated and screaming he couldn't do it, and then when I offered to help him or even just show him or get him started - he threw a fit that he wanted to do it himself. And then once he finally got dressed (shirt on backwards though), he decided he wanted to get undressed again and get dressed all over again. At that point I got really frustrated and was trying to figure out how to carry both kids down the stairs (since Mack's not walking yet) and get out the door.

After our class I checked in with the nutritionist for my weekly check-in (since I can't go on Friday) and I'm the same weight as I have been for the last two check-ins. 151.8 lbs on their scale (148.8 lbs on my scale). I can't get it to go down further! Dying to get off 3.8 more pounds. I want to hit 145 lbs on my scale (148 on theirs). Though, I'm in no rush for that to happen. Whenever it does...!

While Mack napped this afternoon I finished up some earrings I've been working on. I love them!!! I'm really on this jewelry kick. I even got compliments while wearing them out this afternoon). Sean's new teacher loves them, I think I'm going to give her a pair.

If you are interested in purchasing a pair, please either leave me a comments with your contact information (email address where I can reach you), or toss me an email (my email address is in my profile).

After Mack got up from his nap I went to the post office to mail a few things including some swap packages for a few swaps I'm in and hostessing. I wanted to make sure those got out in the mail before the mail deadline. I had finished packaging them up while Mack napped, so it feels good to get them en route.

After the post office, I found these tshirts for Mack. How could I not get them for him? They say his name on them!!! I cannot wait for him to fit into them, as they are 2T, 3T and 4T.

(The red one says Mack under the front of the truck).

I also picked up a twin size blow up mattress for Sean. I could have sworn that my mom brought home the one Sean slept on while we were in Florida this past January, but she says she left it there. I was expecting the mattress to be expensive, but including the pump it was under 20$. We need it for this weekend, but now we have one, and I'm sure it'll get plenty of use. It could also be used for any future sleepovers the boys have with their friends, for a comfy place for a friend to sleep on. I don't know, I'm just thinking ahead!

Tonight, after an easy leftovers dinner, the boys got their bath. Tonight, though, out of no where, Mack FREAKED out as soon as his body touched the water in the tub. Let me tell you though, it's the hardest bath I've ever had to give either boy. The water wasn't cold or hot (or Sean wouldn't have gone into it either). I just cannot figure it out. He screamed. Cried. Freaked out. I had to hold him down and wash him. I had to have Jamie hold him down while I rinsed his hair. There was no way he wasn't getting a bath tonight. He already doesn't get baths on a daily basis because of his eczema... I wasn't allowing him to skip tonight's bath. I really hope that he doesn't freak out in the next bath. It just doesn't make any sense. No issues with the pool though (that I know of), so I really don't get it. I guess I'll have to wait and see if he throws a fit the next bath.

Tonight after the boys went to bed Jamie and I watched 2 episodes of Dexter (Season 1 episodes 2 & 3). Holy is that show deranged. But Jamie and I are enjoying it. I really like Michael C. Hall. I was a huge fan of his on Six Feet Under and he's doing a great job in Dexter. Trivia - did you know that Michael C. Hall is married to Jennifer Carpenter who plays his sister on the show? It's weird seeing them as brother and sister in the show when I know in real life they're married. Newlyweds too. This New Years Eve will be their 1st wedding anniversary. Ah, the things you learn from IMDB. I didn't get any knitting done tonight as I had a ton of laundry to fold while we were watching tv. The laundry that just never ends. Ever.

august seven

This morning both boys slept in until 8 am. This is beautiful on my part. Love it when they both sleep in. I've been a little sick of the 5-6 am wake ups. I'll take 8 am any day. A little extra sleep to rejuvenate my body. Does my body good. (Especially since I'm usually a night owl).

First thing this morning I took Sean and Mack for a haircut. 9 am appointment.

Sean's wild hair pre-haircut.

Mack's wild hair pre-first haircut ever.

The boys getting their haircut.
I do have to say that I am MAJORLY impressed with Mack.
He didn't cry! I am not even sure he noticed he got a haircut actually.

My handsome 13 and a half month old.

My handsome two and a half year old.

Mack got a certificate that it was his first haircut, along with that was a curl of his hair. I did take some extra locks home to put in his "First Curl Box" and some for his baby book.

After the hair appointment, I checked in with my nutritionist, and I'm doing good on maintenance. I'm the exact same weight today as I was last Friday at my check-in. So far so good. 38.6 lbs lost. So long. Never want to see them again.

My mom had to walk the dog before we headed out to meet up with my grandmother, so I ran home to do a few things around the house before we left. Plus I wanted to change the boys out of their shorts and tshirts into something warmer. Yes, you heard me correct. It's August, and it was freezing out today.

While I did a return at Ikea (remind me again to never shop there again, I hate that place and there is always a long wait for the returns), the boys napped in the car. I am glad they were able to get some shut eye.

We met my grandmother for lunch and some shopping once we were done the return at Ikea. My boys love the side-by-side double stroller. They could sit there for hours making each other laugh. It's so cute. I love it.

It's scary how much they look alike. And it shows so much more now that they have the same hair cut. (The lady at the hair salon was telling me that when she swept up the hair after their cut, their hair mixed together was the exact same. You couldn't tell the difference whose was whose. Their hair is the exact same color and has the exact same curl. You'd have thought by looking at it, that it came from the same person).

We walked around the mall for a bit until Sean got a little cranky from being in the stroller too long. I did manage to get Mack some walking shoes for a good price. Sean was in size 5 by his 1st birthday, and started to walk 3 days before his 1st birthday. Mack will be 14 months old on the 17th, and is still in size 3. I picked up some super cute size 4 shoes for Mack. I hope he starts walking soon. It would just make my life so much easier...!

My checked out what was happening in the garden and found some ENORMOUS zucchninis. Two and a half year old for size. LOL.

Or the length of my husband's arm to his elbow for size. It weighed a ton too. But boy was it DELICIOUS. We cut it into rings, and oh, how do I love thee grilled.

Today's garden loot.

My in-laws came for dinner tonight bringing some delicious steaks that we barbecued. It's been a while since we had steak and it was super delicious.

Tonight I worked a bit more on Macduff. I like the way the yarn is knitting up.

Before I hit the sack, I want to show you this AMAZING birthday package I got in the mail from Bea today. Thank you so much Bea - I love everything.

The loot: A handknit by Bea scarf, 2 skeins of yarn (Details below), 2 wonderfully smelling sachets, 3 bags of goldfish (Sean ran off with the other 2 bags as they were for him), a bag of leftover yarn bits for my Sock Blanket, and a gorgeous tote bag that Bea made herself.

Inside the tote bag had a special palce for me to keep my stitch markers. What a great idea!

The yarn included one skein of Middlearthknitter Yarns Merino/Tencel in Orchid

and a skein of Yarnpig Porky's Best in Robyn. (Named after me!)

And the beautiful Cat's Paw scarf she knit me in honor of the memory of Jazz. So sweet. I will absolutely be reminded of Jazz whenever I wear this scarf. Thank you so much for knitting it for me Bea. I truly appreciate every stitch you knit. I love it. And I think it looks good on!

You ROCK! Thanks for the absolutely amazing birthday gift. I love everything. And Sean thanks you for the colored goldfish which we cannot get here in Canada.

july thirty-one

This morning I checked in with the nutritionist. I only go once a week now that I'm in maintenance mode. I like this once a week check-in, it's very.... relaxed. I'm down another 1.2 lbs from last Friday, at 151.8 lbs on their scale (which is 148.8 lbs on my scale - 3 lbs discrepancy). I'd like to get down to 145 on my scale, so that's just another 3.8 lbs to go. Not that far off! This is my new goal, with no deadline.

Bonnie and I decided to run some errands this morning and then go for Harvey's hamburgers for lunch. I had a coupon for 2 free hamburgers as Harvey's is celebrating 50 years. Since my hamburger was free, I got another free hamburger with the purchase of Mackenzie's kids meal. I like Harvey's because you can get a hamburger on a whole wheat bun. This makes me happy. And their burgers are rediculously tasty. By far my fave place to get fast food burgers.

After lunch we headed to my friend D.'s to go swimming.

Mack likes his new friend C. (from one of his mom and tot classes we're in).

Rosie had a snooze while we got ready to go into the pool.

The kids enjoyed themselves. Rosie, C & Mack.

They played ball too.

Mack had a grand time.

Had so much fun it was time to take some shut eye in the boat.

We definitely hope to go swimming again this summer in D's pool.

My in-laws came for supper tonight. Jamie had ball again so he missed out on a pasta dinner. My mother-in-law made a tomato sauce base and then "spiced" it up to your liking. For me it was a clam sauce, and for my father-in-law, he had it primavera style... as some examples. It was delicious. My mother-in-law brought her homemade apple crumb, and I had a small little piece. It was so good. I haven't had something like that in a long time, it was much deserved. Plus, I didn't have much anyhow, saved the rest of what was left of the small pie for Jamie for when he gets home from ball tonight.

july twenty-four

This morning I hit 150 lbs on my scale and 153 lbs on the scale at my nutritionist's office when I went to go weigh in today. Today I officially start maintenance, the last phase in my weight loss program. It means that I will maintain my weight (or even lose a few more if my metabolism is working in full gear). It means I can cheat on the weekend and know how to lose any gained weight from said cheating during the week before cheating again on the weekend.

This morning a sleepy Mackenzie and I did some errands. I somehow managed to transfer him safely to the stroller without waking up. Sometimes this works, and sometimes it doesn't. Today, thank fully it did! I had to fight with some pretty aggressive people in the parking lot at the mall for a parking spot. Gosh, some people are just animals.

I took Mackie out for lunch, nothing fancy, I was craving a subway sandwich. I can get him soup there, which he likes. Once he's a little older I'll be able to get him sandwiches, but not yet. I checked out the magazine shop next door to the restaurant and picked up two UK knitting magazines that I like to read. The usual place I get them from didn't have them in stock.

Jenn came over while Mack took an afternoon nap to look through the traveling stash bag. She made away with some stuff from there. Hope she gets some good use out of that stuff!

I picked up Sean after she left, and my in-laws came for supper tonight. We went out for dinner to one of my fave local Italian places that has whole wheat pasta on the menu. After dinner I checked out the book market, a second hand book shop next door to the restaurant, to see if they had any chick lit. I ended up getting 4 books, as they had a promotion of buy 3 get one free. Upon getting back to the car, Sean decided that he refused to get into the car unless I changed his diaper. He had gone to the bathroom and didn't want to sit in it. So, I changed him on top of the trunk of the car. Have you ever had to do this? I didn't know where else to change him. I didn't even care if people saw me doing this. What other choice did I have? I'd rather on top of the trunk lid than on the floor (even though I had my changing pad on me...!)

I got my4.5 skeins of black Burly Spun in the mail from a Ravelry Destash. I picked this bulky weight up for the Cozy Bolero. I can't wait to finish some projects to start that one.

I also decided that I want to make the Featherweight Cardigan. Though, I cannot decide which color to make it in. Sapphire Green Malabrigo Lace (above) or Jewel Blue (below). The pattern requ

Loving my new body, I cannot believe that I fit into a JUNIOR MEDIUM top!
Isn't this top adorable??

Off to go work on Ishbel.

july twenty-two :: 57 weeks old

Mack is 57 weeks old today.

This morning after dropping off Sean at daycare I took Mack to his class at the local synagogue, and it was a private class this morning as we were the only ones there besides one other girl and her child. Private classes are fun sometimes!

After music, I went to the nutritionist, and I'm back down to 153.8 lbs. Things are looking good. I really would like to hit that goal of 145 on my scale at home and 148 on their scale (3 lb discrepancy) though, as I keep mentioning, there's no deadline. After the nutritionist, I went to the UPS store to drop off some packages for work, and then checked out the shoe store next door. Someone told me I would be able to find something I was looking for there, but they didn't even have anything close to what I was looking for. No big deal. They current shoes on display are so ugly looking. Nothing was of my taste. I think that was the fastest I was in and out of a shoe store.

Mackie and I did some groceries this morning, and then I headed home to put him down for a nap. While he napped his short nap today (I'm wondering if the nap was cut short because his dream screen batteries died and that's his nap time/bed time routine to have it on) I got some work done. Lately it's just busy busy and lots of work to do. Never ends! Anyhow, I tried using his new cd player instead with some classical music, but I guess it just didn't have the same effect for him, and he didn't nap his usual 2.5-3 hour nap. (I'm still trying to figure out how my mother gets him to nap for 4 hours in the afternoons when she babysits him. That one is still a mystery to me.

I did a post office run this afternoon and also picked up my missed package from yesterday. It was the pattern Socks with No Name by Cookie A. I ordered it from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I had to sign for it, which is why my mailman couldn't leave it in my mailbox. While I was at the post office (in the pharmacy), I picked up some C batteries for Mackie's dream screen, so that it would be good to go for bedtime tonight.

When I picked up Sean from daycare today, they said that he was a really good boy today. Phew. I wasn't liking this "not behaving" business, even though they're saying it's just related to him not sitting properly at the lunch table.

Tonight I went knitting with my West Island Knits group. I got there early enough to grab the only huge table in Starbucks. I absolutely LOVE this table. It perfectly fits us around it and we can all see each other and hear each other (most importantly!)

I had a good time tonight. I worked on my Clapotis. Surrounded by friends (and family) is how I like to knit. Good chat, yummy mocha flavored coffee, what else is there to ask for?

july twenty

This morning I checked in with my nutritionist. This is my last week of my three times per week check-ins. As of Friday I'm in the last phase of my program and I will only have to go once per week to check in for weigh in. I was up a pound but still under my goal weight, which is completely fine in stabilization. I'm sure I will go up and down around my goal weight. I can't always be the same exact weight to the ounce. I'm sure by the time I go on Friday, I'll be back down again. I know my body.

So, I receipt that I needed today to do a return to Walmart got washed in my pants last night. I have no idea what the rush to wash those pants I wore on Friday was, but in anycase, the receipt is gone. I did a bit of detective work and realized that since I'd done a return with that bill on Friday (for 1 of the 3 sets of sheets I had bought at Walmart and today I wanted to return the other 2 sets after finding more on liquidation at Zellers) that the girl at the cash marked down my transaction number on the return slip since I kept my original bill, (that is now gone as it went through the washing machine), that I would be able to get the transaction number, etc, and possibly be able to get my invoice reprinted. Took some time to get everything organized, but I was able to get my return done and now I have a copy of that receipt. I think I need to make a sign to put on my washing machine "CHECK ALL POCKETS BEFORE WASHING"!! I'll never do that again!

I got the chance to speak to Cynthia today on the phone. I had called her to wish her a happy birthday. It was the first time we've spoken on the phone. Hopefully one day we'll get to meet! Happy Birthday Cynthia! Hope you had a good one!

I worked all afternoon while Mack napped and I did some laundry at the same time. I really honestly don't understand why the laundry is never ending, but the 6 baskets above are not the only laundry I have... there is still a LOT more that needs to get done. It just really never ends.

Again today when I picked up Sean from daycare he was playing soccer with the older kids. It's really too bad that summer soccer this year was only for 2005 babies and older. Sean is a 2006 baby, so he'll have to wait for next summer to play when it's 2006 babies and older. He would have loved it. He's really into sports, very well coordinated as well. He had another good day today at school, which is good. Slept well, ate well, behaved well. I'm glad he had a good day today, hopefully he'll keep just having good days.

I got this ball of crochet thread on Saturday at the stash party when I was talking about finding something (maybe dental floss maybe even fishing wire) to thread in as a lifeline in my Ishbel before starting the lace portion, scared that I'd screw up somewhere and have to rip back. By putting in a lifeline, if something happens, I could go back to a row before, without having to rip back more than I have to.

This crochet thread is just perfect. Super thin and not in the way.
Now I'm ready to start the lace.

The weather this summer has been the pits. Look at what they're predicting for this week. Tomorrow, Showers. Wednesday THROUGH Saturday, Showers. Sunday - Thunder Showers. Uhm, where's summer?? Rain, rain, go away, come back another day - you're flooding my vegetable garden.

Jamie's subbing on his friend's baseball team tonight, so I'm going to go relax & knit.

july fifteen :: 56 weeks old

Mack is 56 weeks old today.

Mack started 3.25% homogenized milk this morning. At first he tasted it, wasn't sure what the heck it was and threw the bottle at me. I tried explaining to him that he is now a big boy and he has to learn to like milk, because that's all he'll be getting from now on, instead of formula. I told him it was good. After some convincing, he eventually finished drinking the entire thing, but still not sure if he liked it. And not all of it made it into his mouth. I'm hoping tomorrow gets easier. I really don't recall the transition of Sean going on 3.25% milk, though, I could just look it up in my archives. I'm sure I blogged about it.

This morning we had our class at the synagogue again. The music girl was late, so class ended late, which wasn't a big deal. We had fun regardless. We just got more gym time today because the music part was delayed.


After class, I went to the nutritionist. I've now been the same stable weight since last week - which is good, and it's still under my goal weight. This is good. It means this stabilization is working. I'd of course like to lose a few more pounds, but stabilizing under my goal weight works too. I was 154.2 on their scale which is 151.2 on my scale.

I did some groceries real quick and then brought Mack home for a nap, as he was getting cranky at this point. I did a lot of work at home, including packing of orders. I also did some more inbox clean up for my emails, and things are starting to get under control these days, which is super duper good. I like being more organized. Hopefully I can get back on track, and stay there!

Upon picking up Sean from daycare, he's been getting the middle box at daycare checked off for behavior. The first box is a happy face, the last box is a sad face. The middle box is a straight lined mouth face, meaning "so-so". I need to ask his teacher what he's doing to "not behave". This is not cool that he's behaving like that, but I want to know what the root of the behavior is.

Tonight I went to Knit Night with the West Island Knits/Crochet group. I worked on my Clapotis (which is coming along great) and got a LOT knitted on it tonight. We were a nice group tonight, Always good conversation. I love it.

july thirteen

After dropping off Sean at daycare today, I headed to the nutritionist office. I've been now the same weight (which is good!) since last Thursday. I'm down 36.2 lbs (from my 35 lbs goal). I'd like to lose still the few more so that I can have that extra room to have a little cheat here or there if I wanted, once in a while and not feel guilty about it.

I ran some errands this morning, picking up some items I needed. I went to the post office to mail some RAKs for Ravelry (for the Random Acts of Kindness group), I had made stitch markers over the weekend for about 8 people on Ravelry who had handmade stitch markers on their wishlist.

And since I'm an obsessive list maker, I picked up some new notebooks. I love notebooks. They're a guilty pleasure. I journal, jot notes, make lists, write down directions, phone numbers in them. There are times were I have a bunch of notebooks in my purse at one time. I love them. And fresh clean ones are always exciting.

I also picked up a vegetable thing for the barbecue. I'd seen the hostess of the BBQ yesterday using one, and thought it was a great idea for grilling vegetables, and them not falling through the grill of the bbq! I want to look at one more place before settling on keeping this one (I was told there is a place that has one for half the price that I paid for this one above - and since I'm the queen of deals, I'd like to check it out before using this one, since I have 30 days with the one above to return it if we don't use it).

Mack went down for a nap just after 11 am this morning, and napped until just after 3pm. We were possibly going to go to playgroup today, but that didn't happen due to Mack's nap. It's too bad because it was at Jenn's house today. I honestly don't think we'll be going back to playgroup anymore, as it's right smack in the middle of Mack's nap time. Too bad. Now that Mack's doing the toddler nap, it's just not going to work. I think our playgroup days are over. We'll just have to make playdates with friends. So I stayed in and did work while Mack napped. I got a lot of stuff done.

Today I wore an old Barenaked Ladies tshirt that I haven't worn in years. It was not fitting for the longest time, when I had all the baby weight still on me, but now it's too big! Size Medium and too big! I love it! Though it's a cozy "baseball" style tshirt and I love it. I wonder what else is in the back of my closet that will fit again/be too big! I love it. I'm sure that I got that Barenaked Ladies tshirt at a concert that I went to... which was pre-Jamie... so over 7 years ago.