In 2007 I lost 33 lbs. Well, I probably lost about 100 lbs with all the losing and gaining back, but 33 lbs seems to be gone for good. I feel pretty good about that. Could I have done better - sure, but I'm very pleased with what I did lose. The 33 lbs made a huge difference in the way I feel about myself. I hated looking in the mirror b/c I was fat in my face - but my face has thinned out alot and I feel like I'm starting to look like my old self again. I'm a long ways off from my 'wedding weight', and I don't know if I will ever get back down to it completely - but my goal for 2008 is another 20-25 lbs. Actually, I would like to lose another 25 lbs before we start TTC for baby #2 - which could be as early as July - but that is a topic for another day. Just had to brag on myself a little!!!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
It was Merry - Part 2
Christmas this year was nice. The presents were very unexpected - and over the top for us. I got Eric a Sony camcorder - this is the one - and honestly, I didn't do a ton of research, I just knew that I had about $300 bucks to spend, $275 to be exact - and that was the one that was the best bargain in my price range. I wanted a camcorder that recorded onto the mini-DVDs, and this fit the bill. I had it all charged up and ready to go so that he could start using it immediately once he opened up his present. And I did get it for him, but really, it was a group gift for all of us - but I know that he will be the one using it the most as I mainly use the regular camera. But once he started using it, we were both amazed at all the features! The screen that you use to view the video while you are recording is completely touch screen - and that is how you maneuver to all of the menus. Very cool! Eric's two other small gifts from me were an Ernie Haase and Signature Sound DVD and two CDs, the 2007 WOW Christian Hits and the Casting Crowns new CD. Both CDs are very good - and provided us with great music during out trip to South Georgia on Christmas Day.
Peyton and Eric got a Mustang Remote Control Car from Mommy and a Nerf Like Rocket Launcher thingie that they can play with together in the back yard. Nothing too fancy...
From Santa, Peyton got all the little Mickey Mouse beanie dolls, and a larger Mickey doll. He also got the Cars Tent and Sleeping bag set and a Leap Frog Learning Game System. I also scored him a few deals over the year thrifting - which were a Little People Garage - Firehouse, a Weebles MiniVan/Bus, and a Mega Blocks Farm with some of the Animals. So far his favorites are the Mickey dolls, the Mega Blocks farm (along with the Blocks set he got from family) and the Weebles Minivan. He got so excited this morning when I broke out the Mega Blocks set for the first time, and then when I showed him that the blocks went with the farm - he was so happy. That is what is so fun about being a parent/mom. Seeing your kids get so excited about stuff like that and seeing them 'get it' - how he knew that the blocks when on the farm pieces.
However the biggest surprise of all was this...the Canon Digital Rebel XTi. Shock, total Shock. And it took about a day for me to get excited because I know that we didn't really have the money - but Eric got a Christmas bonus that covered some of it, and I'm getting my yearly bonus the first pay period in January - so I talked myself into it. I'm so excited. Eric bought it locally and paid about $100 more than we found it for online, and he bought the XT, so I found the XTi (which was the one that I wanted) for about the same price as he paid for the XT - so we took it back and now I'm anxiously awaiting the XTi it to arrive. I've been stalking the UPS tracking site - and it should arrive next Wednesday. Oh - I can't wait.
Friday, December 28, 2007
It was Merry
Taking Pictures with Peyton isn't such an easy task. This is one from a photo shoot earlier in the month at an attempt at a photo greeting card - which didn't exactly turn out as I had hoped, but it was nice. Instead of using one photo of him in front of the tree, I ended up using 3 of my favorite photos from the year - that really had nothing to do with Christmas for the card - but it looked ok because the card was Christmas-y enough all on it's own.
So, that was the Christmas Card that we sent out. Hopefully next year we will send out a lovely family Christmas Card - with the 3 of us on it. Peyton did finally get the hang of opening the presents.
...and SANTA came...
And Peyton LOVED what Santa brought him...
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
We are all ready for Christmas. Tomorrow we will have breakfast/lunch at my Mom's for her side of the family and then meet for an early dinner at my Aunt's for my Dad's side of the family. My aunt and I decided we were just going to do a ham and rolls along with lots of finger foods/appetizers instead of doing a full feast - because all that cooking is alot of work on the both of us and it can get expensive when you are feeding about 20 people.
Then on Christmas Day we will be going to Eric's Papa's down in south Georgia. After we visit with his mom's side, we will maybe get to go to his Aunt Marie's house to visit with his Dad's side, it just depends on how everything works out. that has sort of become tradition - and I would really like to go visit with them too!
Tonight at some point I plan to go through all of Peyton's toys and pack away most of the 'baby-baby' type toys to make room for all the new ones that he will be getting tomorrow, on Christmas Day and from Santa. We didn't really go overboard with too many toys - but our living room is already FULL, so I think packing away some of the ones that I think he has outgrown is a good idea.
Eric and I have both gotten each other two gifts, so we decided to open one on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas Day. I'm very curious to see what my gifts are. I also have a few gifts under the tree that are to 'Peyton and Daddy' which are toys that are too big for Peyton to play with by himself, but that they can play with together.
As for the grandparents - all I'm giving them are Peyton's 1 year pictures and the calendar that I made. I don't think they expect too much from us and I'm sure they understand how much we have to spend on all the neices and nephews, and Peyton so I'm not stressing it. I did get my Dad a nice new bible though - that was one gift that we agreed to splurge on for him. it was about $50 bucks, but it is very nice. He always remarks on our bibles when he visits, so I know that that is something Dad will enjoy.
Dad is going to be in Texas this year with his girlfriend, so that is going to be a little different. But we got to see him about a week or so ago when my sister had her baby, so we exchanged gifts then.
I can't wait to see how Peyton reacts on Christmas morning to the new toys in the living room from Santa. I think that is what I'm looking forward to most of all...
Well, hope everyone has a Wonderful Christmas!
Then on Christmas Day we will be going to Eric's Papa's down in south Georgia. After we visit with his mom's side, we will maybe get to go to his Aunt Marie's house to visit with his Dad's side, it just depends on how everything works out. that has sort of become tradition - and I would really like to go visit with them too!
Tonight at some point I plan to go through all of Peyton's toys and pack away most of the 'baby-baby' type toys to make room for all the new ones that he will be getting tomorrow, on Christmas Day and from Santa. We didn't really go overboard with too many toys - but our living room is already FULL, so I think packing away some of the ones that I think he has outgrown is a good idea.
Eric and I have both gotten each other two gifts, so we decided to open one on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas Day. I'm very curious to see what my gifts are. I also have a few gifts under the tree that are to 'Peyton and Daddy' which are toys that are too big for Peyton to play with by himself, but that they can play with together.
As for the grandparents - all I'm giving them are Peyton's 1 year pictures and the calendar that I made. I don't think they expect too much from us and I'm sure they understand how much we have to spend on all the neices and nephews, and Peyton so I'm not stressing it. I did get my Dad a nice new bible though - that was one gift that we agreed to splurge on for him. it was about $50 bucks, but it is very nice. He always remarks on our bibles when he visits, so I know that that is something Dad will enjoy.
Dad is going to be in Texas this year with his girlfriend, so that is going to be a little different. But we got to see him about a week or so ago when my sister had her baby, so we exchanged gifts then.
I can't wait to see how Peyton reacts on Christmas morning to the new toys in the living room from Santa. I think that is what I'm looking forward to most of all...
Well, hope everyone has a Wonderful Christmas!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Film Excitement
I've been wanting the Canon Digital SLR camera for a LONG time but it just isn't going to happen for a while, so months ago I got my Pop's old Canon SLR 35mm camera from my Grandma. I had a really hard time figuring out WHERE the battery was, how to get to it, finding a replacement battery, etc - but I finally figured all that stuff out. I loaded the camera last week and finished the roll last night.
So today I took it to the only local film development place we have (that isn't a mega chain) and I was so excited after work to go and get the pictures. But I somehow had loaded old film and retaken the roll over the previous roll - how exactly I have no idea. the original pictures were over 10 years old. I guess the roll might have been in the camera when I got it but it wasn't rewound all the way, and then I must have gotten it mixed up with the new rolls that I had purchased. So the pictures were of the old pictures with Peyton imposed on top of them and they were very blurry. So, I'm busily taking more pictures now because I'm very anxious to see the quality of the photos with this camera - and I would like to maybe be able to give my Grandma a picture of Peyton taken with Pop's camera for Christmas.
So, what is this new/old fancy camera I have?
The camera was purchased before I was born, so it is at least 28 years old, but from the small amount of research that I have done, i think it is a 1976 Model. It was the first battery operated manual camera made by Canon. It is the Canon AE-1 Model, I have 2 lens (the 35mm and the larger lens (not sure the size), and the only thing that isn't working is the flash. The flash had corroded batteries in it, so I cleaned it really good, but I couldn't get it to work. If the pictures turn out well, I'm going to consider buying the flash (i've seen them priced from $10 - $50). However, most of the time even with the point and shoot that i have i would turn off the flash when i had good lighting, so I'm going to wait and see. I'm surprised to see how valuable this camera still is, after doing a quick ebay search, I've seen some going for around $150...so hopefully since my Pop took good care of it, and it has just sat in the closet for the last 10 years or so, that it will hopefully take good pictures...we shall see.
But it is quite exciting, not knowing how the pictures are going to turn out until I get the film developed. I can't take tons of pictures with this camera because the development costs would be too great, and I do still want to save up for the digital one - but I have been having a little bit of fun with it this week, and hopefully I can use it to help me get ready for that new camera that I WILL get one day!
So today I took it to the only local film development place we have (that isn't a mega chain) and I was so excited after work to go and get the pictures. But I somehow had loaded old film and retaken the roll over the previous roll - how exactly I have no idea. the original pictures were over 10 years old. I guess the roll might have been in the camera when I got it but it wasn't rewound all the way, and then I must have gotten it mixed up with the new rolls that I had purchased. So the pictures were of the old pictures with Peyton imposed on top of them and they were very blurry. So, I'm busily taking more pictures now because I'm very anxious to see the quality of the photos with this camera - and I would like to maybe be able to give my Grandma a picture of Peyton taken with Pop's camera for Christmas.
So, what is this new/old fancy camera I have?
The camera was purchased before I was born, so it is at least 28 years old, but from the small amount of research that I have done, i think it is a 1976 Model. It was the first battery operated manual camera made by Canon. It is the Canon AE-1 Model, I have 2 lens (the 35mm and the larger lens (not sure the size), and the only thing that isn't working is the flash. The flash had corroded batteries in it, so I cleaned it really good, but I couldn't get it to work. If the pictures turn out well, I'm going to consider buying the flash (i've seen them priced from $10 - $50). However, most of the time even with the point and shoot that i have i would turn off the flash when i had good lighting, so I'm going to wait and see. I'm surprised to see how valuable this camera still is, after doing a quick ebay search, I've seen some going for around $150...so hopefully since my Pop took good care of it, and it has just sat in the closet for the last 10 years or so, that it will hopefully take good pictures...we shall see.
But it is quite exciting, not knowing how the pictures are going to turn out until I get the film developed. I can't take tons of pictures with this camera because the development costs would be too great, and I do still want to save up for the digital one - but I have been having a little bit of fun with it this week, and hopefully I can use it to help me get ready for that new camera that I WILL get one day!
Please return to normal soon
The last week has been super crazy at my house. My sister had her baby, CJ had to stay a few nights in the ICU but he is doing just fine and at home now. The hospital was also very very good to my sister and did not make her go home. They let her stay in a room and labeled her as 'nesting', so she wasn't checked into the hospital or on the books, but she was there with him.
Then last weekend we had my niece's 4th birthday party - which was fun. But really, at Peyton's age, all I do is chase him around the whole time. And they had horse rides in the backyard, so I was a little nervous for him to be back there, so for most of the party we were in the play room playing all alone.
Sunday was Eric's family's Christmas b/c his sister has to go to Tennessee so we had it early for them. But her two boys were both sick with a stomach bug - however, one of the boys had come to Grandma's house before we all came - so the house was 'infected' by the time we got there. EVERYONE in the whole stinking extended family got sick. The more I think about it the more ticked off I get. I had to miss 2 days of work this week, two days that I should have been able to take next week, so I'm going to have to work next week - Ugh. But that really isn't the bad part. The bad part is your baby puking his guts out all over you at 3am in the morning. And then the next night (when you think all is well), having explosive diapers all night. NOT FUN. Eric got sick too, so he was out of work 2 days, and he doesn't have 'sick leave', so his check will be 2 days short of a full check. So this was just PERFECT! I think I have washed about 12 loads of laundry and used up about 2 jumbo cans of Lysol. Next time something like this happens, I'm leaving, or not going. I don't care what they say - it isn't worth it. If someone is sick with a stomach bug - WE ARE NOT GOING NEAR THAT HOUSE!
That being said, the Christmas was nice. But I have a whole other post I would like to do soon about Christmas. I'm having a really hard time with the REAL meaning of Christmas and how to make it feel right. I don't know. I just seems like everything is so much about presents. We have dinner and a prayer - but then it is all presents. We have gone to church the last few Sundays and to the special Christmas services (or will go to them) but I just don't know how to make it more about Jesus and the real reason why we celebrate. And maybe I'm having an even harder time this year because we are tight on money - but it seems like for the last few weeks all I have focused on is my Christmas list. What I'm buying, who I have bought for and what I have left to buy. I don't know, I'm sort of rambling here - this has just been something that I've been having issues with this year.
So, with that said, I have everything all ready for Christmas. I want to just relax and enjoy my family (E and Peyton) and then run around to all the family gatherings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - then it will be back to work...and time to start looking toward 2008!
Then last weekend we had my niece's 4th birthday party - which was fun. But really, at Peyton's age, all I do is chase him around the whole time. And they had horse rides in the backyard, so I was a little nervous for him to be back there, so for most of the party we were in the play room playing all alone.
Sunday was Eric's family's Christmas b/c his sister has to go to Tennessee so we had it early for them. But her two boys were both sick with a stomach bug - however, one of the boys had come to Grandma's house before we all came - so the house was 'infected' by the time we got there. EVERYONE in the whole stinking extended family got sick. The more I think about it the more ticked off I get. I had to miss 2 days of work this week, two days that I should have been able to take next week, so I'm going to have to work next week - Ugh. But that really isn't the bad part. The bad part is your baby puking his guts out all over you at 3am in the morning. And then the next night (when you think all is well), having explosive diapers all night. NOT FUN. Eric got sick too, so he was out of work 2 days, and he doesn't have 'sick leave', so his check will be 2 days short of a full check. So this was just PERFECT! I think I have washed about 12 loads of laundry and used up about 2 jumbo cans of Lysol. Next time something like this happens, I'm leaving, or not going. I don't care what they say - it isn't worth it. If someone is sick with a stomach bug - WE ARE NOT GOING NEAR THAT HOUSE!
That being said, the Christmas was nice. But I have a whole other post I would like to do soon about Christmas. I'm having a really hard time with the REAL meaning of Christmas and how to make it feel right. I don't know. I just seems like everything is so much about presents. We have dinner and a prayer - but then it is all presents. We have gone to church the last few Sundays and to the special Christmas services (or will go to them) but I just don't know how to make it more about Jesus and the real reason why we celebrate. And maybe I'm having an even harder time this year because we are tight on money - but it seems like for the last few weeks all I have focused on is my Christmas list. What I'm buying, who I have bought for and what I have left to buy. I don't know, I'm sort of rambling here - this has just been something that I've been having issues with this year.
So, with that said, I have everything all ready for Christmas. I want to just relax and enjoy my family (E and Peyton) and then run around to all the family gatherings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - then it will be back to work...and time to start looking toward 2008!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Worried new aunt
My sister had her baby via C-section on Thursday (she had already had a c-section due last time b/c her last baby was breach - so they did a c-section again). CJ was a very healthy 7 lbs 7 ozs and 20.5 inches. But after about 4-5 hours he was having problems breathing and some bubbles were coming up in is mouth - which was a sign that he had some fluid still in his lungs. So he has been in ICU for the last two days. My sister is coming home from the hospital tomorrow without him. He got worse yesterday, but is starting to get better today - which the doctor and respiratory specialist said is normal.
But due to the breathing problems - he hasn't been able to eat - which has led to jaundice. He has only had one poopie - which is not good, so they are having to deal with that now too. His heart rate has been high this whole time as well - so they are constantly monitoring lots of factors. it is so sad to see the pictures of him (I can't go into the ICU), he has all these wires/probes attached to him, lights under and around him and a little dome around his head for the oxygen.
The doctors keep reassuring her that everything is going to be perfecting fine, and that he is not in critical condition, he is doing very well on the treatments, but i can only imagine how she must feel. i don't know how i could have been able to leave the hospital without Peyton. it would have killed me. while visiting today, two families left with their babies, and she just cried and cried as they passed (and after) - i know she is going to be a wreck tomorrow.
CJ will be in ICU for at least a few more days, and then he will have to stay in the regular baby nursery for a few days to be monitored after that. Right now, the ICU only has two babies in there along with one full time nurse that never leaves the room without another nurse coming to watch them while she goes on break or to the bathroom, so that is very reassuring. I just hope he gets to come home soon.
But due to the breathing problems - he hasn't been able to eat - which has led to jaundice. He has only had one poopie - which is not good, so they are having to deal with that now too. His heart rate has been high this whole time as well - so they are constantly monitoring lots of factors. it is so sad to see the pictures of him (I can't go into the ICU), he has all these wires/probes attached to him, lights under and around him and a little dome around his head for the oxygen.
The doctors keep reassuring her that everything is going to be perfecting fine, and that he is not in critical condition, he is doing very well on the treatments, but i can only imagine how she must feel. i don't know how i could have been able to leave the hospital without Peyton. it would have killed me. while visiting today, two families left with their babies, and she just cried and cried as they passed (and after) - i know she is going to be a wreck tomorrow.
CJ will be in ICU for at least a few more days, and then he will have to stay in the regular baby nursery for a few days to be monitored after that. Right now, the ICU only has two babies in there along with one full time nurse that never leaves the room without another nurse coming to watch them while she goes on break or to the bathroom, so that is very reassuring. I just hope he gets to come home soon.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Website is live and taking registration
I'm nervous, what if nobody registers for the crop? What if I spent all that time creating the website for nothing. I sent the email out last night, and when i left for work this morning - no one had signed up...I know that the crop isn't until January, but still. So, here's to me keeping my fingers crossed hoping that I get at least 10 people signed up for this crop before the event - and that I don't end up looking like a fool...
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
14 Months
Peyton is 14 months old, well, technically he was last week...
A few new things
- He loves to hug me.
- He is sleeping better now too, most nights he makes it until 3 before he wakes up, and he doesn't have to take a night time bottle anymore.
- He LOVES outside.
- He still loves mickey, and he has a goofy doll/stuffed animal that he will hug anytime we ask him wear goofy is.
- He is starting to drink SO much better from the cup. I think we might be ready to cut out the bottle by 15 months
- He isn't talking. I think we will have to get him tested next month after his 15 month checkup.
- We started him on allegra to see if it helps him stop getting so many sinus infections - he has had about 6-8
- He did NOT like his visit with Santa
- He LOVES playing with his Daddy
- I'm having the hardest time keeping him out of the drawers in the kitchen
- Did I mention that he loves outside???
- His eyes are still the most gorgeous shade of blue
- He is wearing a size 6 shoe, and people comment all the time on his huge feet...
that is all i can think of for now
A few new things
- He loves to hug me.
- He is sleeping better now too, most nights he makes it until 3 before he wakes up, and he doesn't have to take a night time bottle anymore.
- He LOVES outside.
- He still loves mickey, and he has a goofy doll/stuffed animal that he will hug anytime we ask him wear goofy is.
- He is starting to drink SO much better from the cup. I think we might be ready to cut out the bottle by 15 months
- He isn't talking. I think we will have to get him tested next month after his 15 month checkup.
- We started him on allegra to see if it helps him stop getting so many sinus infections - he has had about 6-8
- He did NOT like his visit with Santa
- He LOVES playing with his Daddy
- I'm having the hardest time keeping him out of the drawers in the kitchen
- Did I mention that he loves outside???
- His eyes are still the most gorgeous shade of blue
- He is wearing a size 6 shoe, and people comment all the time on his huge feet...
that is all i can think of for now
Another blow...
The Falcon's coach has left for another job - mid season. I feel so sorry for the Falcon's owner and players. I can't watch any of the press conferences without getting all choked up. The coach was pretty new - so I wasn't very 'attached' to him yet so I don't really care that he left, but I am hurting for the team and Arthur (the owner). I just want to get excited for our team and football again. I want people to stop picking on us (falcon's fans) and for us to start winning football games again. Football is supposed to be fun! Please, let the drama end!!! Let's get back to the game PLEASE!
Saturday, December 01, 2007
My website is live
Ok...
I don't want to use the 'real' name of my 'wanna be' business because I don't want it to ever be linked here, so I'll take this down after a week or so, but I have finally gotten the website almost finished. This is what it is going to look like for now.
I would like to say that I am NOT a graphical designer. All the programs that I write are applications, like an employee database for example. I'm also not a digital scrapbooker - not yet anyway, so this was my first attempt at making something from scratch, and I already want to make it better but I just don't have time. I think it looks good enough though.
So, here it is...created by yours truly...
I don't want to use the 'real' name of my 'wanna be' business because I don't want it to ever be linked here, so I'll take this down after a week or so, but I have finally gotten the website almost finished. This is what it is going to look like for now.
I would like to say that I am NOT a graphical designer. All the programs that I write are applications, like an employee database for example. I'm also not a digital scrapbooker - not yet anyway, so this was my first attempt at making something from scratch, and I already want to make it better but I just don't have time. I think it looks good enough though.
So, here it is...created by yours truly...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)