Inches Lost

Three years ago, July 5th, 2012 I blogged about going beyond my weight loss goal. I had lost ALL the baby weight after 3 kids. And then in 2013 I bought the wool shop, I started working full time out of the house, exercise time disappeared and so did my clean eating habits. There’s a wonderful bakery across the hall from my shop, and I was eating from there at lunch and having snacks from there, out of convenience. Slowly, but surely, the weight started to come back on, and I didn’t even realize how quickly that could happen.

In December 2014, I saw this picture of me (left), at my sister’s 30th birthday party. I was so round. And I only realized after seeing the picture. It was time to do something about it – I couldn’t let myself continue like that. I’ve had a love hate relationship with food all my life. The right hand picture is me, this morning, 12 weeks into training 5-6 times per week. (I mainly go 6 days a week, only 2 weeks I couldn’t go 6x, once because I was out of town for the weekend and once the week I started because I started on a Tuesday and couldn’t go more than 5x that week). The trainers at 30 Minute Hit are amazing and push me to my full potential. Some days are harder than others but I push through, and I keep thinking about the bikini that I want to wear on future vacations. I haven’t worn a bikini in years, and I plan to this summer, hopefully! Since starting in January 2015, I’ve lost as of last Friday, 43.75” off my body. I have a bit more to go, but I can see the finish line now. And thanks to the help of my new FitBit toy, I’m hoping to stay on track!

Week 2 vs. Week 12.

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. 

Summer Walk

Last night we made sure to be finished dinner early enough and we headed out on a walk (the boys wanted to get a slushie at the corner store). We had a great time walking, biking and rollerblading. (I pulled Quentin in the red wagon, which he loved!) I think we will make this evening walk a habit.

Spring has Sprung

On Sunday, April 17, 2011 Mack turned 34 months old.
2 more months until his 3rd birthday.
(Which means 2 more months (less a day) until my 30th. Silently.freaking.out)

On Friday I walked to pick up the boys from daycare (joined by my mom & Bosco)

It happened to be a nice spring day. I'm trying to get out and walk as much as possible now that the weather is nicer. The walk on the way there was easy, but on the way home, adding in an almost 30 lb Mackenzie into the double stroller, was quite the workout. I was beat upon returning home.

On Saturday we did a bit of gardening in the house, we planted our seeds for our vegetable garden. Both boys helped, and Sean was really into it. I can't wait to actually plant everything outside. We planted different kinds of cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, red & green peppers, lettuces, spaghetti squash, you name it. I can smell the fresh vegetables already.

Last night we had Jamie's side of the family over for Passover for the first Seder. I believe this is my 2nd time doing a seder at our house (maybe 3rd, but I think just 2nd). It's a LOT of work. I did a lot of prep work on Sunday (as well as some of the cooking beforehand over the last few weeks) and then didn't sit down for one second from the time I got up yesterday (early too) until our guests left after 10 pm last night.(11,503 steps walked today - which is considered very active, thank you pedometer!) Then we had to get the kids to bed, then there was a freak-out over a missing Brobee - whom was later found under the couch in the playroom after Mack finally fell asleep without him - which I then snuck into his room and placed Brobee on his pillow so he'd be there in the morning for him. So I didn't get to bed until about midnight last night. Oh what a day. Thankfully Passover is just once a year. And luckily we just just fit all 17 of us (18 with Quentin) at the tables (I picked up 2 extra folding tables, which are handy to own). The kids had a fantastic time with their cousin (who is 5 months younger than Mack almost to the day) who came in from Ottawa. It was nice to see family, but what a mess there is to clean up now (slowly been doing dishwasher loads and hand washing my fine china). Tonight, the seder is at my parent's house, and I will get to sit back and enjoy myself this time. Quentin didn't want anyone but me last night (and I was serving all night) so I'm going to assume he's going to cling to me tonight too.

Happy Passover to those of you whom celebrate.

Today's Link & Other Love:
- These teacher appreciation ideas.
- Knitting your own nuptials and other souvenirs.
- This cute shirt idea for boys.
- Losing 24.4 lbs since January 1st.
- These adorable knit legwarmers.
- My new neighbors whom I finally got to meet have a daughter 10 days younger than Quentin. It's nice to have new friends within feet.
- This photo scavenger hunt idea for kids.

Bubbles, Spiders & Meatballs

This week Quentin turned 19 weeks old (Tuesday, April 12th)
Sean turned 223 weeks old (Tuesday, April 12th)
and Mackenzie 147 weeks old (today, Thurs, April 14th)

This week, we've played with bubbles.

We've attended our final mini session music class (and tried on the famous spider hat that I have pictures of both Sean & Mackenzie wearing from when they took this class too).

There were times with friends, and quiet time with naps.
(Mackie finally went back to daycare on Wednesday once he was fever free).

We saw more friends, and even went for an hour & a half walk today.

Sean helped me make 112 meatballs (double recipe) for our guests coming for Passover next week. Sean made me promise that I'd wait for him to come home from school to make them, so I did. He was an awesome helper. He's really quite good at rolling meatballs.

Happiness is....
♥ No longer having to go back to the Children's Hospital for follow-ups. We were cleared yesterday from having to go back to see Respirology and we're also weaning Quentin off the Zantac. Quentin's also 12 lbs 1.5 oz now (he gained over half a pound last week, my little piggy!)
♥ Finding a handbag you thought you no longer had.
♥ Having healthy snacks a friend.
♥ Baking with my son.
♥ The Habs winning Game 1 of the 1st round of the playoffs tonight.
♥ Spring Cleaning.
♥ Catching up on some magazine reading.
♥ Being almost done the book I'm currently reading.
♥ De-cluttering my home. (Will be updating my De-Clutter Blog in the next few days, I've been keeping a list).
♥ Seeing the numbers drop on the scale each week.
♥ Pulling out my beloved wardrobe. Bye-bye everything maternity. Hello clothes!
♥ Bedtime cuddles.
♥ Bedtime stories.
♥ A clean house!
♥ My son telling me I'm the best chef.
♥ Finally having the strength to let go of baby clothes and donate them to someone else who can use them, love them & cherish them as I did.

Today's Link Love:
- Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards points: BKKJSJHSWMZWPGB
- 50 free Pampers Gifts to Grow Points: happybdaypamprs (Valid today only)!
- This person's home library is so cheerful!
- This retro wristband pincushion tutorial.
- This stuffed animal tutorial is adorable.
- Booster Seat Cushion tutorial.

2.7.11

I need more hours in the day. I have these 3 bottle holders (2 with Sesame Street Fabric (one for Quentin and one for his friend Nate) and 1 in black with 1 dots on it - an extra one for Quentin) that needs the last final hand sewn touches to them. Time to do it? Hard to find. Hoping to get these done tomorrow. I really wish there was more hours in the day. More hours to read. More hours to knit. More hours to sew. More hours to read blogs. More hours to reply to my emails (slowly working on cleaning out my inbox - which is a complete disaster right now). I did print a new pattern today and took out the yarn & appropriate needles, so I'm hoping that I can get started on that as soon as possible. It looks like a quick knit.

I ended up moving my eye doctor's appointment to next week. There was no point in going to it today with extremely tired eyes. Quentin's been having a 3-4 hour period every night that he wants to eat every hour. Not fun. It's been 2 nights in a row like this. So I'll be going for a check-up next week and I'll be praying that I get a good night's sleep the night before it. Thank you all whom have been commenting on their experience with Lasik. Thanks for all the info/feedback.

Since I was beyond a walking zombie today, Quentin and I decided to sleep in until past 2 pm. He got up once around 7:30 am, again just before 11:30 am and then at 2:15 pm when we got up for the day finally. While I didn't get much done at all today, I did manage to get on the treadmill for a good 30 minutes. It's amazing how much time flies on the machine when you're engrossed in something else. I brought my internet tablet with me (inspired by Oprah who plays Scrabble when she works out) and played Jewels. I am still looking for Scrabble or a scrabble like game for Android. Anything to pass the time faster on the treadmill. I hate working out. I find it a chore. However, I want to get my figure back, and exercise is important. My goal right now is to get on the treadmill for 1 month straight, every day. I am betting myself if I can do it. I hope I can keep it up. I figure, if I can get through one month straight, then anything's possible.

Oh, I love my boys. They're too cute.

This was just before bedtime tonight.

07.21.10

SPECS:
Pattern: Girl's cap sleeved spring shirt by shellee floyd (My Ravelry Project)
For: Bekah’s 1st Birthday
Yarn: 1 skein of Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash color 805
Needles: US 6 - 4.0 mm, US 8 - 5.0 mm and US 10 - 6.0 mm
Size: 3T
Timeline: July 12-20, 2010
Modifications: Knit pattern as written to desired length of shirt.
Opinion: I love it. I hope the birthday girl loves it too.

SPECS:
Pattern: February Baby Sweater by Elizabeth Zimmermann (My Ravelry Projects)
For: Zoe due Dececember 2010
Yarn: .89 of a skein of Colinette Jitterbug in Whirley Fig
Needles: US 6 - 4.0 mm
Size:newborn (?)
Timeline: June 22, 2010 to July 9, 2010
Modifications: Knit pattern as written.
Opinion: I love it. I can’t wait to have a little baby to put into it. I had an easier time with it once I deciphered EZ’s pattern writing. I had previously knit the February Lady Sweater, but still needed some guidance with the baby sweater with EZ’s vague pattern writing techniques.

I ended up using the shiny buttons, because the pink ones, while fabulous as well, weren’t 100% the same shade as the pink of the yarn, and after talking with some friends, I decided to use the shiny over the pink. I think it was a good decision. What do you think?

Drive-by tid-bits about my day:
- I almost fell asleep in pre-natal yoga today. It was that relaxing. I also think she did an extra long bit to the relaxation at the end, that I felt myself nodding out. Bliss.
- On my way to work I stopped off at Telus (my cell phone provider), which is a few doors down. I have been meaning to go for a few weeks now, as my cell phone has been stuck in “silent mode”. Well, I finally figured out how to get my cell phone off said “silent mode”. Damn * (star) key. One of the kids must have held it down, and I had no idea that the * key activated permanent the silent mode on my cell! It also de-activates it. Well, now I know.
- Had a nice dinner out with a few friends. Indulged in foods that isn’t normal food for a dinner. But that’s okay, I’m pregnant. The baby requested it, right?

Today’s de-clutter progress is here. Over the 100 item mark now. Only 1872 to go!

Today’s Link Love:
- This chore chart is awesome.
- Think it’s silly that kids love these. They remind me of day camp back in the late 80’s.
- Love this image.

Off to bed to read. Almost done the book. Got the next one lined up – so stay tuned.

07.16.10

I am so sad that the pool in my area is closing down for the fall session. They’re not sure if there will be still pre-natal aqua in the fall, as they are not sure if they are keeping any of the “day” classes like aqua running in the small back pool, but for sure the kids swimming lessons are not being held for the fall session. They’ll start back up again in January. I don’t think I am going to even to bother registering them for the fall session elsewhere. I think I am going to just take a break for one session, until January. I do want to see if I can find a pre-natal aqua class somewhere else (preferably during the day though, I don’t function too well at night anymore for activities of the like).

This morning in pre-natal aqua I made friends with a teacher. She’s the only other English speaking in the class (we’re 6 of us, but so far we’ve only ever been 4 at once. Last week she was there, but I wasn’t (Mack was home sick) and the week before I was there, but she wasn’t. She’s super sweet, and due the same week as me. She’s not sure her exact due date, her Ultrasound at the beginning of August will confirm what date, but she’s due somewhere between Dec 26th and the 31st. (I’m due Dec 28). It’s nice having new friends in the area, due with a baby at the same time. Since she’s a teacher and has the summer off, I think she’s going to join me for pre-natal yoga. The other 2 girls in the yoga class are due at the beginning of the fall, so as soon as they give birth, there will be no one left in my class. I am glad that I’ve found someone else to join. We instantly bonded. Now that I’ve dumped the useless people in my life in the mental trash (no offence to them, but I have no reason to keep them in my life), I have room for new people in my life. I am all for meeting new people. Maybe she’s a knitter as well… you never know!

After work, I picked up the boys from daycare and learned that Sean didn’t have a single accident today either! He’s had a superb week potty training in big boy underwear. Aside from one accident during daycare nap time and a few accidents here or there at home at night, he’s been doing VERY well. So proud.

Sean helped me pick stringless beans and snow peas today after school/work. They were the only things that were ready in the garden (besides some spinach, but I don’t know what to do yet with the spinach, so I’m not picking it until I’m ready to do something with it. Mmm! Fresh produce.


The boys invented their own poker game tonight while my in-laws were over for dinner. My in-laws are huge poker players (texas hold’em) and Sean likes to play poker with them. Mack really got into it tonight as well.

Tonight Jamie and I finally caught up on Big Brother. I worked on Bekah’s Birthday gift, but had to stop because it’s getting a little long, and I need to find someone to try it on, for length. Now I’m thinking about starting another one for Zoe, also in Cascade 220 Superwash. What a great pattern (Girl Cap Sleeved Shirt). Need a quick knit? It can be easily knit in less than a week, depending on how much knitting time you get.

Today's de-clutter progress is here.

07.14.10

Sean had 2 accidents last night while I was out at the show. He was a bit too busy doing whatever it was he was doing, and only realized after he went, that he did. That's okay. We’ve only just begun. Plus, accidents happen. Today again, Sean didn’t have a single accident in daycare. I am so proud of him. However, tonight he had 2 more accidents (while I was out). I honestly think he’s doing very well for something new to him.

While the boys were at school today, I had my pre-natal yoga class in the morning. Again, it was so relaxing that I almost fell asleep during it. After lunch, I got inspired to sew some shorts or Sean. I had him try them on when he got home today, but they were a little too small to pull up over his hips/bum. So I will have to try again, tomorrow, a little larger. I am not sure if they are too big for Mack, as he wouldn’t try them on tonight. I’ll have to put him in them tomorrow and have him model them then. Hopefully tomorrow he’ll let me put them on him. When I asked him tonight to try them on, he told me he was already wearing shorts. Funny boy. I’ll link you tomorrow how I did them, when I show you them, hopefully on Mack. They were quick and easy and only took me about 30 minutes total.

Tonight I went out with some friends knitting. I have been making some great progress on Bekah’s Girl Cap Sleeved Spring Shirt. It’s coming along very nicely. I’m just not sure how long to make it, as the pattern just reads “knit to length” for the body. It looks a little small to be a size 3T-5T, but maybe I’m wrong. I’ll try it on Sean for sizing (in privacy of course cuz it’s a girl’s top, shhh), and if not, on Mack. It’s for my friend’s daughter’s 1st birthday (I wonder if she still reads my blog? If she does, this won't be a surprise anymore, whoops! Hi Lauren?!). Either her daughter will grow into it, or it'll be small enough to fit her now. I guess we'll have to see when I’m done.

Day 4’s progress of my current de-clutter challenge is here. Do far so good. I think I am going to tackle the junk drawer next. I know we all have those. Maybe when I am done it won’t be a junk drawer anymore. Then what do I call it?

It’s getting late, and I want to go read a bit more in the book I’m currently reading. It’s very inspiring to be more economical and watch how I am spending my money.

06.30.10

I almost fell asleep in pre-natal yoga this morning. It was so relaxing. And during the sun salutation, – I got really tired. Quite the workout for a pregnant woman. (Well the variation that my teacher does anyhow).

This afternoon I waited around for the plumber to come install my gas line for the BBQ. Did he show up? No. And it only started to rain around 5pm. He could have worked outside ALL afternoon. I was so mad.

Tonight I went knitting with some friends, and finished the sleeves on Zoe’s February Baby Sweater. I’ve started working on the body now. I am in love with the color and I love the way it’s knitting up. I think I’ll be finished this one in no time. Which is good, because I have four million other girlie knits on my list to do. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about the boys.

There was a gorgeous sunset on my way home from knitting tonight. I just love the sky when it’s like that. And it was so late too when I saw this, almost 10 pm. I know the days are starting to get shorter and shorter these days, and we already had the longest day of the year, but it’s still nice to see the sun set late.

Ok, I want to go see if I can read the last few pages in the book I’m reading to finally finish it off. I swear, I only have like 15 pages left or so, and I keep falling asleep while reading. I want to move on from this book already, I hope I can just get through the last few pages. The book just has been dragging on. But I wanted to finish it. No idea why I just didn’t toss it. It’s the religious stay at home mom book. I wonder if I have any friends who would want to read it, and probably enjoy it. There's too much church stuff for me, a non-practicing Jew.

I leave you tonight with this hysterical 911 call!

Can you believe this nut?

september two :: 63 weeks old

Mack is 63 Weeks old today.

This morning I got to sleep in a little later than usual. The boys slept in as well. I eventually got the boys ready and took Sean to daycare. Again this morning was a bit of a fuss. I really hope that he stops this "I no like daycare" business. He's been there almost a year (September 23rd marks one year since he started). Everyday he does enjoy himself. I am not sure what this fuss in the morning is all about.

Mack was dropped off next at daycare. Still not realizing where he was, he went from my arms to his teacher's arms. No real freak out there this morning, until I started to leave and he realized.

I worked at home until I had to leave to go pick up Mack before the daycare's nap time. (12:30 pm for Mack's daycare). I had enough time to go to the post office and pick up a wipe container for the wipes at Mack's daycare as I was asked to bring one when I dropped him off this morning. (I have to supply diapers & wipes for Mack's daycare. Sean I only have to supply diapers). I picked up Mack, and apparently he napped for 1 of the 2 and a half hours he was there this morning. How that is possible, I am not even sure, as he slept in this morning. They said he was pretty much crying most of the time he was there (while awake). I know it'll take some getting used to - and him crying is normal. He has to realize that I will come back to get him, and he's not being left there forever. Until he builds that trust, he'll still cry. It just sucks that this week is a 4 day week as he started only on September 1st which was yesterday, a Tuesday, and next week is a 4 day week because of labor day on Monday of next week.

I fed Mack a pasta lunch (always my fave), and put him down for a nap. I'm not sure what that 1 hour morning nap was, but he never fails to nap in the afternoon for me. I made sure he went down for his nap before the appointment that I had with a contractor to come look at the floor in my basement where we think the water is coming UP from the ground (when it rains really heavy only), and before my appointment with my new trainer. My trainer was coming half an hour after the contractor was supposed to be here. Well, my trainer showed up, and the guy still hadn't. I trained an entire hour, he still never showed up. I called the company, as it was actually my father who had set up the appointment for the guy to come see my floor, and the guy was like "I have no record of an appointment at your house but your address sounds familiar". In the end, he sent his guy at 4pm.

I trained from 1:30-2:30 with an old friend of my sister's. My sister actually trains with her as well. She is a personal trainer and I had a good work out today. She came to my house today because Mack was in his crib napping. Usually I'll be going to her place, where she has a full basement gym or something. I'll start going there once Mack's in daycare full time. We will be focusing on my stomach and my thighs. Though I think as much as I could possibly tone those two areas, I don't think I'll ever be satisfied with the results. What women loves her stomach and thighs? Come on! Get real! She explained to me what my workout would be and I tried out all the movements. It's a mixture of Pilates exercises. I had a lot of fun and I have a feeling I'll be freakin' sore tomorrow. I hope to see her once a week and once she gives me a print-out of what exercises I'm doing, so I can follow (I have a bad memory when it comes to remember exactly what to do), then I want to do it 2-3 times on my own during the week, plus the one time a week I'll be training with her. I have a goal to have a flat stomach and nicer thighs before I go to Florida in the new year. Reasonable! At least this time in Florida I'll be 40 lbs lighter. I like the sound of that. This past year, I only started my weight loss program the day after returning from Florida. And maybe this upcoming trip I can actually wear a bathing suit. Last year we didn't go swimming once. It was too cold the entire trip.

After my trainer left, the contractor finally showed up. He took a look. There are two options, but we must run a test first, either the next time it rains, or by turning on the hose outside and letting it run by a crack we found in the exterior wall, but not in a location we thought would affect where I've been finding puddles. If the water runs into the house from this crack, then we'll have to fix the crack outside the house (800$ + tax). If it's not coming in through there, then we have an option of putting in a sump pump (950$ + tax), which will flush out any water under the house. He says if it is the crack in the wall or not, he recommends fixing the crack anyhow, as it's large enough for him to put his screw driver into, and putting in the sump pump is not a bad idea either. (So 1750$ + tax). Not an expense we were expecting, but better than 20,000$ + for having to excavate around the house if there was a problem in the pipes. He showed me a quote of a house in Pointe-Claire that he has to excavate and not only will it cost her about 15K for the work, but she had just put in a brand new deck in her backyard (3000$) which will have to be taken apart and put back when she is done the work for her pipes, and all her landscaping, etc. I'm so happy that it's not that for my house. What a relief. When I spoke to Jamie this evening he said we'd run the hose sometime soon and see if the water is even coming into the house from that crack.

This evening before knit night I met Amy at Dumoulin. She has a contact there, who is the manager. He had mentioned to Amy that if she ever needed anything to let him know. When he reminded her again this week, she was like "actually yes....". So I was getting a good deal on the Nikon D3000 which comes out next week. However, I ended up walking out of there tonight with the Nikon D60. The D60 is the best selling DSLR by Nikon, or maybe even the best selling Nikon digital camera even. In any case, I have 15 days if I decide I don't like it and want to get the D3000. However, there is such slim differences between the 2 cameras, and they're both 10.2 megapixels. They are so close in features, that it wasn't worth me waiting an extra week to get the D3000, and pay a lot more for it. Made no sense to me. So I walked out of the store tonight with my new digital camera! And let me tell you, I'm in love with it. I am so super happy that I got it.

Tonight at knit night I worked on MacDuff. I am almost done the repeat before starting the decreases to finish off the hat. It's coming along really well.

Look at this quality of low light imagery. I swear, if I had taken this exact same shot with my Canon, it would not have come out this clear without a tripod. The quality is just unreal what I am able to do with low light situations.

Tonight I was surrounded by a small group of knitters. It was a small group, but nice nonetheless. Small groups are just as nice as larger groups.

Hi, I'm Robyn and I'm no longer a Canon Cowgirl. I've finally flipped to the better side.

august thirty-one

I couldn't sleep last night. It's my laptop's fault. I ended up going to bed for about 2 and a half hours this morning at 6 am until the kids got up at 8:30 am. I'm zonked but oddly functioning. I ended up cleaning up my house, doing laundry all night long (and folding them too!) and a dishwasher load. I just kept thinking about possibly losing everything on my hard drive and I just couldn't sleep because of it.

This morning after dropping off Sean at daycare, I headed straight for the store. Sean didn't want to go to daycare today, and I think it was because he was home all last week and now he seems to think that all mommy does all day is hang out in bed and watch Sprout. Uhm, quite not... but he doesn't understand that. I think it's going to be a long week this week with the 2 drop offs at daycare. I know for sure, Mack's going to cry all this week. He's too attached to me to go to daycare willingly!

My hard drive was saved. Phew! We were able to take out the hard drive and put it into an enclosure and back up all my data. Though - that took almost 3 hours. We started with one of the partitions of my hard drive and while that was doing (over an hour), I went out and ran some errands nearby, whatever I was able to get done.

After my back up was complete (and checked), I sent my laptop via Purolator to the manufacturer (after speaking to their repair department and getting all the information needed to get my laptop fixed by them.

This afternoon my mother came over with her dog, and we walked with Mack to go pick up Sean from daycare. I took my Graco double stroller, and it looked so empty on the way there with only one child. It was a very nice walk. Sean's teachers were impressed with my mom's Great Dane Bosco. My mom stayed outside with Mack & Bosco while I went into to get Sean, but from the classroom window, they were admiring him. On our walk back, we stopped off at my friend Dara's house. We got some water for Bosco and chatted for a bit. I really like Dara and I'm glad that her son will be taking another course with Mack this fall. Dara and I seem to get along really well. It doesn't bother me that Dara is almost 12 years older than me. To be honest, I don't even notice an age difference when we're hanging out together.

This evening I finished the Guild Newsletter as I'm the editor. It's a volunteer position but I love doing it. I am glad that they asked me to stay on as newsletter editor this year. I would have had it finished a lot earlier if my laptop would have turned back on last night, but I had to start from scratch today once all the files were re-emailed to me. Working at my computer in my office is very restricting. I miss the freedom with my laptop. I cannot wait to get my laptop back and it's only just left my posession.

Upon a seat sale, I booked my tickets to Florida for the new year. I'll be going down again with my mother, sister and my two kids to visit my grandmother in her condo there. I am very excited to go down again. Mack's ticket is still free of charge since he's under 2 years old (He'll be 19 months old) but he'll have to sit on my lap for the entire flight. That will certainly be challenging. The last time we flew down, he was almost 7 months old, I wore him in my baby sling carrier and he slept almost the entire flight. I don't think I'll be wearing a 19 month old. I'm praying it's NOT a full flight, and there will be room for him to have his own seat in the end. Keeping my fingers crossed. In anycase, I need to update Mack's passport since he was 4 months old in his last passport picture and he doesn't look like that picture anymore. Canadian babies are given one free update passport if their passport was issued between birth and 364 days old. Mack falls into that category. All I have to do is take new pictures and refill out the passport form. I do hope I am able to get his old passport back, as it would be a nice souvenir to keep in his memory box.

Off to go pack Mackenzie's stuff for his first day of daycare tomorrow. I'm nervous!

I can't believe tomorrow is September. S-E-P-T-E-M-B-E-R!

june twenty-nine

I was in a bit of a bad mood when I went to the nutritionist this morning. First off I was a tad hungover from the wedding last night. (Reminder, don't walk away from the table, the waiter WILL refill your wine - don't even look away from your glass while you're sitting at the table!) and probably because of the wine, I was up on the scale today and it made me upset. I know that I will always probably gain one or two pounds on the weekend, but then lose it during the week, and that is what they will teach me during maintenance, which I will be starting in a few weeks. (I'm still in stabilization). They will teach me how if I want to have a cheat day on the weekend, to then lose that weight during the week, so that I could cheat again on the following weekend. The goal is lose any weekend cheat weight gained, before doing it again. Because if you gain 3 lbs but then only lose 1 before "cheating" again, that's how pounds add up and you will have gained 2 lbs here and 3 lbs there, and the next thing you know it, you're up 10 lbs.... I NEVER want to be the weight I was before I started this diet ever again..... and I'm happy for this lifestyle change. As long as I can control my cheat days once in maintenance, then I'll be good. I want to be able to maintain my weight within 5 lbs. Though, I still want to lose about 7 more from my goal weight, but no rush. I think that last 7 lbs will take more work now that I'm at the end.

Today we had a brunch at the bride's parents house. It was a brunch for out of town guests and immediate family. The kids weren't invited to the wedding, so they met today for the first time. Sean immediately had fun playing with his

I can count on Sean for a silly picture anytime!
He LOVES to be upside down.

I don't take very many pictures with my brother, but I like how nice this one came out. Definitely frame worthy.

When we got home from the brunch, Sean REFUSED to nap. He wanted to watch TV in my bedroom. The next thing I know it, he's OUT cold...! The boy really needed his nap. We let him sleep until just before supper, or he'd never go to bed tonight. He naps every day in daycare, but at home, always is fighting his naps. Drives me insane. But clearly, he needs his nap.

I did some work from home while both boys napped late afternoon. When Jamie got home from work we made a bbq for supper. (Regular occurrence in summer, might as well take advantage).

This evening because I was feeling guilty for being up on the scale this morning at the nutritionist's office, I ran on the treadmill for 30 minutes. (Well walked fast, with a bit of running). I have been so busy lately to use the treadmill, and I do feel guilty about that. But I have been biking. So I have been getting exercise, that's for sure.

june nineteen

This morning I went to the nutritionist and I am doing good after my first week of stabilization. I don't think the extra portions of food that I am now allowed to have affected me at all. So far so good!

Last night I started reading a new book - and so far I really like it. It's called Unravelled by Robyn Harding. I really hope to make more time to read more. I really enjoy it, so hopefully I will find some extra time. My free time is so limited right now, so when I do have some free time, I'm usually knitting.

After Mack's nap toady we headed out to go to the office supply store as Jamie needed a few things for the store and I wanted some binders to organize my patterns better. I have an idea of how I want to organize them but I wanted to see what the office supply store had first.

Today I biked to go get Sean from daycare. What a workout that is every time. It feels so great after I'm back. It's super easy going to daycare, with only Mack, who is around 20 lbs, but adding in Sean, who is easily 30 lbs, (maybe a little more), and lugging 50 lbs of weight back towards our house, is really a workout. Hopefully there are plenty of really nice days to come this summer that I will get to bike very often to pick up Sean.

Tonight we went out for dinner to celebrate our Manager at our store NOT leaving! What a relief. We weren't sure if he was going to stay or leave. He had originally given Jamie his 2 weeks notice. But after Jamie talked to him, he decided that in the end, he was making a very selfish decision, since he was only thinking about himself and not his girlfriend or 4 year old daughter. We're going to make changes around work for him to do his job better, and things are going to be a little different from now on, but we're not losing him! Phew! It would have completely changed our life if he was going to leave. It was definitely a reason to celebrate tonight!

We have some beautiful flowers growing in our front yard. Things are starting to bloom!

Tonight I watched the movie Smother and it was just alright. A definite chick flick. And after I was done watching the movie, Jamie & I caught up on the first two episodes of Season 5 of Weeds. I worked a bit on my Clapotis and then cast on my Ishbel for the knit-along I'm hosting on Ravelry that starts today! Did you cast on as well? Progress pictures to come tomorrow!