Back to the Real World!

Now that I have been home for a few days, it's been harder to get back into the swing of things then I thought. Partly because I came home with a bit of a cold, and partly because we hadn't eaten health or excised at all for the last week. However, I was happy to see that the scale hadn't changed too much from before I left.

I'll take that compared to the 5 pound gain from last year. But let me tell you, I will have to work my way back up to the type workouts I was doing before vacation. Just after 30 minutes on the elliptical on Monday and I was done for.

Today we where lucky enough to get for another big dumping of snow... ugh. But I should complain too much being that I had a delayed start to work. However, I plan on warming myself up with a full recap of our trip to Mexico!

The trip was a great time with some old and new friends! I only wish I could be soaking up more of that Mexican sun right now... stupid snow- how I hate you so!  Oh I miss Mexico!

The Day I Found Out I was Pregnant

This post was written on the day I found out I was pregnant and how that day unfolded. Enjoy!

Written on March 9th:

Now I'm not super "regular" so I wasn't too concerned that I was just two days late. However, over the last few months, it has been coming early so for it to be late was a little odd. With that being the case, last night before I went to bed I figured I would read the directions on the pregnancy test to see when I should test. It said it best to take the test in the morning for the best results so I just headed to bed, but I still wasn't very concerned.

While sleeping, I had a dream that I took the pregnancy test and it came out positive. It was just so vivid it was scary. The remember looking at the little blue plus sign and even though it wasn't very dark, it was there. Now this is about where in the dream I got woken up by the husbands snoring. It was about 4:00am so I tried to go back to sleep, but it took a bit of time to shake the dream before I dozed back off.

I woke up around 9:00am (I hate daylight savings time) and knew Sam would be sleeping for a while longer. So the first thing I did was get up and take that test... I was just so much like the dream. I put down the test and tried to wait out the two minutes, and slowly a second light blue line showed up.

If I said I was surprised, that would be a lie because I pretty sure my dream told me what was up many hours before. My biggest concern was how to tell Sam. I love my husband but he's a huge gossip, and we were planning on having dinner at his parent's for his brother Joe's birthday so I figure it would be best if I told him after dinner.

 

("Kids" picture for Joe's Birthday- I'm the only one who know at this point!)

Also, I want to make sure I told him in the best way I could think of...

Back in May, Sam told me when we were getting Ashley's cookie cake after she gave birth (just in case you don't remember)-

 

he said that he would like to find out that I'm pregnant via cookie cake.  Only my husband would think getting this wife pregnant means he deserves a cookie for it! (Just kidding- kind of.)

I knew I was in no state to be creative so I googled "How to tell your husband your pregnant?" and I found this funny saying online. "Congrats, your swimmers won the race! Prize to be claimed in 9 months."

On a side note- when I went to the store to get the cookie cake, I wrote down the quote and handed to the lady in the bakery. At first she just looked at me very confused and walked away with the cookie. However, when she came back she said "I get it now! That's really a cute idea!". So I guess the very first person to know other than me was the lady at Jewel's bakery department.

Anyway- when it was finally time to have the big reveal, I called Sam into the kitchen with the cookie on the counter and the test in hand.  His face was priceless and his reaction was- "Really?!? That's awesome!". Then the very next next question out of his mouth, "So when should we tell people?". Oh do I know my man or what?!?

The Difference One Year Can Make

I'm so excited for our vacation that is coming up in two weeks! I'm so ready that I'm even starting to get my stuff around that will need to be packed. One of these items is my digital camera. I don't know about you, but any time I pull my camera out I can't help but go through all my old photos. 

 

It is photos like these that make me so ready to leave the cold and snow behind for some fun in the sun with these lovely people.

 

 

(Minus Mike but plus EJ)

However, over this last year I've been on a mission to become more comfortable in my own skin. In addition to the fun pictures of our friends on vacation, I came across this photo which was actually taken one year ago today...

 

I think it is a little funny that I happen to go to the gym today and took another picture of the scale...

 

When I originally stepped on the scale this morning, the thought that ran through my head was "I really feel like I'm going to have a fat day" (those days that the scale is just higher for no real reason). I was surprised by the number I was looking at because this is the lowest weight I've seen the scale in probably about a decade, so I needed to take a picture. I was happy to see that 154.6, but I've been pretty hard on myself lately because I really wanted to see under 150 by the time I go on vacation in two weeks. I'm pretty sure that isn't going to happen because over these last few months, it's getting harder and harder for that scale to keep going down because I'm gaining more muscle and have less fat to lose.

However, I think I was meant to see that 192.1 picture today. I was meant to see it because I really have come a pretty long way in just one year (a total on 37.5 pounds). I need to be nicer to myself and realize that I have done something I really didn't think was possible just one year ago. With some hard work and dedication anything is possible; you just have to be willing to really try and put your mind to it.  

 

So in two weeks I'm going to hit the beach, show off all my hard work, and just enjoy this time in our lives. Also, I plan on getting a new picture on the beach with me in my new bikini! I worked hard for it so may as well show off a bit.

Why I hate January! And why I'm happy to see it go!

So being that I haven't blogged pretty much this whole month, I'm here to let you know- I'm alive, and I'm so happy January is almost over (with only a few hours left to go)!

January is normally my 2nd least favorite month (August is my 1st), being that it's the start of the Spring semester at school which means it's pretty stressful at work, and because the weather is crappy in January. However, this January may have taken over the #1 spot this year. Here is why this January has just SUCKED...

1. The weather has been really crappy this January. We've had a ton of snow with wind chills in the -20 to -40. Its been way too cold and I'm not a happy camper about it. Here is a picture of my view from my office yesterday-

Gross- Right? I would say so.

2. It's the start of a new semester, so that means my wok phone and email is being blown up by students who have waited to the last minute to get admitted to school and/or get registered for classes.

3. Being that weather has been so crappy- we had 4 days of school/ work cancelled this month,which would normally be pretty awesome; however, it just added additional stress on to work because there were less days to deal with student issues before the semester started.

4. It's after the holidays, so there isn't anything is fun or exciting going. I really do like being social, but January is a hard month to make plans with people because of the weather, and because everyone is a little light on money being after the holidays.

5. And most importantly- this January has come with many loses of love ones. I know many of my friends have had family members pass away this month. That is always hard on your soul when people leave your life. This month alone I have went to 2 wakes and 1 funeral. Now, I'm lucky because most of these were for people I wasn't personally very close to, but it's still hard to see your friends and family going through these loses.

So now you understand why I've been MIA this month. With all these things stacking on top of each other, I'm ready for a fresh start of a new month. Even though they are calling for more snow tomorrow (5 to 9 inches), at least I have no plans and I can just stay home and cuddle on the couch with the hubby and kitty; which sounds like a great way to start off the new month to me!

Have a great weekend everyone! Keep safe and stay warm!

Furry Friends Friday

I have been reading other blogs for a long time, and I love when people have a "theme" on different days of the week, so I thought I would start my own- Furry Friends Friday. I mean who doesn't love a cute fluffy ball of fur to start your weekend off right.

This week (of course) I'm using my fur baby to express my current feelings.

(Mom- Why are you taking a picture of me?)

 

Yeah, that's right- I'm feeling fat (got to love all the holiday food), lazy (because it's 10 degrees outside and all I want to do is be on that couch with my blanket), and not really assumed (because I had to go back to work).  I'm hoping that I can fully recharge over the weekend and be ready for the craziness that January come Monday.

 

Have a great weekend (and keep warm- for those of us in the Chicago & Michigan)! 



Good Bye 2013 - Hello 2014!

As another year has come to a close, I reflect back on 2013 and think of it as the year of "Cruise Control" because we just really got to enjoy life. It was a year of fun-

A year filled with good friends-

And a year of big personal accomplishment for me-

 

Under 160!!! Over 30 pounds loss since March!
And for 2014, I hope for more of the same.

 Here's a preview of some the fun to come- in 60 days, we will be meeting up with these lovely ladies (and Joel) for some more fun in sun in Mexico! Maybe I'll even buy a bikini to show off my hard work.

Also, I'm excited to be a bridesmaid for Anna and Angel's wedding. It will be fun to be in a wedding party that isn't my own.

 

Past that, we'll just see what else this year will have in store, but I have a feeling it's going to be another great year! Happy New Years (Eve)!

Merry Christmas Eve!

It's Christmas time and I'm finally finding my holiday spirit. Yesterday I found myself enjoying some holiday music, baking, and some hot spiced wine. It was a great night!

Note to self: Taking hot cupcakes out of the pan can lead to cupcakes looking like this-

I'm excited for all the holiday plans that are in store for the next few days. This includes time with my family, time with Sam's family, time with friends, and maybe even a road trip to see the newest addition to my extended family-

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!