Running Weight Loss Monthly Update

November 1st Weigh In-  157lbs
December 1st Weigh In - 154lbs

I have to admit that I think the Dec 1st weigh in was a little bit of luck.  I have been fluctuating between 153 and 157 all month and on Dec 1, I just happen to weigh 154.  

I am still going strong with reducing the amount of soda I drink.  In the last month I've had, maybe, a dozen sodas.  Which before giving soda up, I was drinking a dozen a week.  I am very proud to admit that I not only made the seven day goal but went 10 days with no soda.  Now, I have one occasionally and that typically is following after a long night with the boys and I need something to get me through to nap time :)

Cardio Stats for Nov:
Walk - 8.2 miles
Elliptical - 13.6 miles
Run - 19.1 miles
Total - 40.9 miles

December 04, I officially started my third marathon training schedule.  Wish me luck.  I will be back next month to report my Dec numbers.

Thanksgiving 2010

For those that knew me 10 years ago they know this better than anyone; I was in a bad place, making really bad decisions.  At the time, I kept most of this to myself but one friend, A, knew what was going on and she helped me realize my life was spinning out of control.  She didn't lecture me, or tell me how to fix my problems or life.  She just provided unconditional love, support and brutal honesty and with time and her friendship I was able to get my life in order.  I am forever grateful for this friend!  Thank you A.  I love and cherish you!!

I bring this friend up because she is the one who helped me onto the path I am leading now.  A path that I cherish more than words can ever express.  I have a husband who us patient, kind, thoughtful, funny, sexy, loyal, and above all an amazing father.  I have two healthy boys who bring more laughs and smiles to my face, daily, than I thought ever imaginable.  I am surrounded by family and friends who would walk to the end of the earth and back for me or my children (they proved that this spring and fall when I was on bed rest).  I thank My Heavenly Father for all the blessing in my life.

I thankful for my past because it has taught me to appreciate what I have today.  I am thankful for all my family and friends who have been part of my life.  Thanksgiving is the holiday to give thanks!  So thank you.  I hope I prove how thankful I am for each of you daily in my actions and words.
xoxoxo

Visit from Texas

Cole and Greyson are very lucky to have grandparents who love and adore them.  Several weeks ago Greyson met his grandfather, J and J's wife, A for the first time.  It was a wonderful visit filled with lots of hugs, kisses, spoiling of the boys and relaxing. 

We spent one afternoon at Balboa Island watching the seals play in the water, going on the ferris wheel and for carousel rides.  I can't believe I am 32 years old, have lived in Southern California my entire life and this was the first time I'd been to Balboa Island.  It was a ton of fun and Cole could not get enough of the ferris wheel. He kept asking for more.

We also spent one afternoon looking for the perfect toddler golf set, just like daddy's.  After some searching we found the perfect set.  Cole is getting better and better at hitting the ball.  I think my hardwood floors are the most thankful for the sudden coordination.  

http://www.youtube.com/user/BBCZS?feature=mhum

Their visit was over way to fast and we miss them already.  Hopefully, we'll be back to Texas early next year.  Cole can't wait to spend some time with PawPaw and his ice cream obsession :)

2 Months Old

My Greyson is 2 months old already.  Why is it that pregnancy drags on so slowly but once they are here time seems to fly by?!?!?!  I can hardly remember the first month with Greyson home and now he's 2 months, WOW!  He is getting so big. 

At his 2 month check-up he weighed 12lbs 3oz (75th percentile) and he was 24.5" long (off the charts).  He endured and survived two shots and I have to admit I think Cole was a little relieved it was Greyson getting poked and prodded and not him for once. 

Greyson is full of smiles, and laughs.  He loves to make eye contact and he held.  I feel so blessed to have Greyson in my life.  I am truly blessed.

My cup runneth over!

Check out Greysons sweet voice :)  (I apologize for my annoying voice now!  Why do people talk like this to baby's?!?!)
http://www.youtube.com/user/BBCZS?feature=mhum#p/a/u/0/QmD8gZAGQNk

32nd Birthday!

Yesterday was my 32nd birthday and it was a perfect day! 

My day started off like any normal day, me hanging out with my boys.  I have so much fun with Cole and Greyson. They are my world bring so much joy to my life.  Anyways, my mother came over around 1ish to see the boys, allow me to go on a birthday with (w/ no kids) and to have a girls night in eating Mexican food and watching chick flicks with her since Brian had to work late.  Around 3 there was a knock at the door with a man holding the most beautiful bouquet of flowers (see picture...the flowers are taller than Cole).  I sent Brian a text thanking him and asking if he'd be home before midnight (no execration on the time).  He replied, "no, I'm coming home early. I'm taking you to dinner."  This was really unexpected!!  I was thrilled.  I asked my mom if she knew about this and was that why she really showed up on my doorstep. She just smiled and nodded.  My mother is WONDERFUL!!  I hurried up and feed Greyson, got dressed for a run and went 3.2 miles in 37 minutes.  I get home, jump in the shower and as I was getting ready there was a knock at the door.  I answer it and two really good friends of mine are there with birthday cake in hand.  A and O are so great and they made a perfect day even better!!  Brian got home around 7ish and we enjoyed two hours out at a nice restaurant talking, laughing, eating and I even indulged in a nice glass of wine (my first in over a year).   We started out in bed with only the two of us but by midnight all four of us were crammed into a queen size bed. As I was listening to Brian, Zabdack (sleeping under the bed), Cole and Greyson snoring I couldn't help but smile and thank God for blessing me with such an amazing bunch of boys!  I couldn't imagine my night ending in any other way!

Giving up soda

After I was cleared to start working out again I thought great the extra 10lbs are just going to melt away.  I would start running, doing the elliptical, lunges, squats and crunches. Well, the extra 10lbs didn't melt away and getting time to workout isn't as easy as it was pre kids.  I started to think of other areas I could control to help my weight and waist line drop and I decided soda was what needed to go.  I was told that I should see a difference after 7 days.  I am currently going into day 5.    

Day 1 - HUGE headache but didn't miss soda at all
Day 2 - Minor headache and missed soda when we went out to dinner
Day 3 - No headache but man I wanted a soda so bad!
Day 4 - Headaches are completely gone.  I was tempted to have a soda with lunch but I drank water instead. 

I've made it half way so no turning back now (I hope).  I haven't seen a difference in my weight but I have noticed my tummy is a little flatter.  I need to see a significant difference for me to give up soda for more than a week.

So far, this sucks!  I'd be lying if I said I don't miss soda, specifically Mountain Dew.

Happy Halloween

Anyone that knows Cole knows it takes some time for him to warm up to strangers.  He must asses his surroundings before he takes part in a situation and he always needs to be aware of where Brian and I are at (in a new setting).

Well, none of that is true on Halloween.  Cole amazed me with how outgoing, ambitious and overall fearless of strangers he was.  He had no qualms with going house to house, waving and smiling then putting out his pumpkin for candy.  By the second house he had this process down and was running house to house giggling with delight between each house.  When someone allowed him to choose a candy he would look into the bowl with complete concentration and delicately select one candy.  If the person did not move the bowl fast enough he figured it was because he was allowed to select another candy.  We'd laugh as his hand went in the bowl again, he'd clap and then grab a handful of candy and clap some more.  It was so dang cute! 

Greyson slept through his first Halloween but he is enjoying the aftermath with all the candy I am consuming.  Not so good for the weight loose goal but hell, Halloween comes once a year! 

After the excitement of trick or treating we got home, relaxed and put Cole to bed by 9:30.  He woke up at 3:30am ready to play.  He was full of energy from the night before (mind you he has had no candy yet).  I got up with him and we played.  Okay, he played and I tried desperately to stay awake.  At 7:30am I notice it is very quiet in the play room.  I go to investigate and guess who is passed out amongst his Lego's and trains...my precious, amazing boy, Cole.

As a side note, but something worth noting...GREYSON SLEPT 9:30PM TO 6:30AM.  This is a first :)

Greyson getting some sleep before the festivities start
Cole coloring his pumpkin and Greyson tagging along

"Mom, lets go...I'm ready!"

First house was a huge success

Taxi Cab Daddy to the rescue