Drake...Summer Schedule...Pictures...

Well, I reached my breaking point and finally took Drake to the vet.  He has sores on his face that are creating quite the problems on our carpets, etc.  It's too the point where I won't have anyone over anymore and we can't travel with him.  I'll spare you the details...  He needed to get current on his vaccinations and preventatives again, so I bit the bullet (can we say $300 bullet???) and took him in.  The vet said his sores look like cysts.  He's on antibiotics right now for them, but she said they will probably not go away unless they are surgically removed.  He's almost 12 - not sure if that is the way to go.  Although Drake's blood work was excellent a few months ago, she gave him a check up while we were there.  He is definitely showing signs of aging: lumps all over his body, cataracts (she said it's the type where his vision is fuzzy, but he won't go blind), weight loss (she said probably from muscle loss which is common too in older dogs - he's at 87.5 pounds - his lowest ever as an adult dog) and his tear ducts are not functioning properly - which has led to his goopy eyes (which is also common in older dogs).  So as of today, he is up-to-date on his vaccinations and preventatives, on antibiotics and tear drops and we are going to be taking him off his steroids.  He's been such a good dog - I hate to see him age and think about things like how he can't see as well.  He also doesn't always get up to greet us anymore either.  I love him so much (even though I get sooo frustrated!!)

SUMMER!!!  Our schedule has changed again and just in time for summer.  I only babysit on Mondays now.  We are picking up our play group on Tuesdays.  There is library time on Wednesdays and we are planning to hit the pool every Friday (hopefully with our play group) since the pool opens at 11 instead of 11:30.  We need some more fillers, so I might look into classes at the Y.  And of course, we are going to be hitting up the parks - already have been and we love it!!!  I'm making of list of places to go this summer so we won't be caught off guard with nothing to do. 

Oh yes, a big milestone - but yet dreaded milestone.  Brady has learned how to open doors.  Specifically the one to the garage.  And trust me, he would rather be outside so this has already been a challenge to keep him inside.  Oh fun!

Mother's Day 

I actually took him to a noon workout.  He did pretty good for about 40 minutes.   And then he started to get a little "active".  So we left.  :)

His daddy is trying so hard to get him into his outdoorsy hobbies.  This was about 5 seconds before the freak out and he still says "no daddy fish".  He did not like it!

Summer + little boy = scraped knees and bare feet!

He watched another little girl go down this huge slide, so he decided to tackle it!!  Oh, and of course he is carrying Buzz and Woody the whole time.  

Doesn't he look so little up there?  I'll admit - I was close to panicking.  :)

Numbers

I did it.  I hit my revised goal today.  For the most part.  My original goal for this second challenge was to lose 20 pounds.  As things progressed slowly, something else started to happen.  I realized that I was getting really close to getting out of the 150's.  Somewhere that I haven't been in a long time.  My revised goal was to get safely out of the 150's so that when I fluctuate up, I'll still be in the 140's.  Today, the scale said 149.8.  Whoop Whoop!!  I have two weeks left of this challenge.

So, I'll share my numbers.  I'm not ashamed anymore.  It's who I was/am/will be. 

*2003 wedding weight = 118 pounds.
*2006 or 2007 (can't remember) = ran a 1/2 marathon in AZ with my sister and I remember complaining to her how I was now in the 140's and the scale keeps creeping up.
*March 2010 = 161 pounds when I became pregnant.
*December 2010 = topped 200 when I had Brady.
*May 2011 = quit my job to stay home and started working out at the Y = 178 pounds.
*January 2013 = started my first 9 week challenge at Goals In Motion at 164.6 pounds.
*TODAY = 149.8 pounds.  Since the beginning of my first challenge, I've lost 14.8 pounds. :)  This is the amount I lost on my own after I quit my job, but it took my almost two years to do by myself.  Clearly I've learned a lot about nutrition in my new adventure at Goals because it's only been 4 1/2 months!!
*A weight I will be content with = 125/130 pounds.

When I start comparing myself to others, I immediately stop myself and remind myself of the progress I'VE made.  And it's very flattering to have people come up to me and tell me whatever I'm doing is working because they can see the change.  I've had neighbors, people in class, friends, family, our buddy at the grocery store.  I even had an instructor come up to me and tell me to buy some pants that fit.  :)  It's a wonderful feeling!!  I'm working so hard to do it the right way. 

It's the little things...

1.  I finally used my new Norwex mop.  It was the most amazing experience ever.  Seriously.  :)  I was always annoyed waiting for our steam mop to start steaming.  Then I would have to change outlets three different times to cover the whole floor.  Not to mention worrying about Drake as he walked across the hot floor.  My new Norwex mop was fast and easy and took me only a fraction of the time.  If you want to host a Norwex party so you can use your free money towards the mop system, let me know and I will hook you up.  :)
2. Drake and the carpet (8 points) vs Heidi (0 points).  This dog..  and the carpet... 
3. Brady and I went shopping at Scheels today.  I've become an Under Armour junkie.  It's like we are rich or something.  We then hit up the play area - on purpose.  Brady had an absolute blast.  Him and this 4 year old girl became buddies.  She even kept calling him 'Bud"!  I seriously think I was the only parent watching my kid though.  I get it that with the older kids, you just need a break.  But those are the kids that are annoying.  And yes, even if you decided to have a ton of kids and you are tired, still watch your little kids. 
4. I've always said that I will never.ever.ever go on a cruise.  No one understands why I won't, but read the news.  More people overboard.  You either get sick, crash, the power goes out or you go overboard.  I won't be caught dead on a cruise ship!!!  EVER!!!
5. My little sister Jenn is growing up.  All engaged and everything.  :)  Congrats Jenn!  We think Kyle will make a great addition to our family!!!

 

I put him to work the other day.  Hey - he wanted to dust, why not give him a duster??

 

I got him Subway at the food court today.  He can eat a whole 6"!!  This face is hilarious.  :)

Emilia Lou

April 24th our family was blessed with a little girl this time.  :)  Congrats Melissa, Gerry & Maxwell and welcome to the world Emilia Lou.  I heard you are your mama's little angel!!!  I cannot wait to meet you and snuggle with you!!!

Getting kisses from her big bro Maxwell

Emilia Lou

Spring

What better time to blog about spring then on the day it is snowing in May. 

I love spring cleaning.  I enjoy cleaning/organizing the garage and working on the lawn.  I was finally able to do some of this last weekend.  As an added bonus, I even got Chris to go through some things and get a pile started for the city-wide cleanup day.  I love throwing things out - I am so not a hoarder.  Now, if I could just get motivated to clean the inside (window tracks, dust, washing the doors, cleaning windows and screens).  That doesn't seem to be happening.  The only rooms I've spring cleaned is Brady's room, Brady's bathroom and the laundry room. 

Last year I focused on some inside projects.  This year, while I still have a few inside projects, we are focusing on outside projects.  We are getting our outside shutters painted.  Yay - I've been wanting to do that for a few years!!  Our garage needs painted..  again..  And I would really love to get a shed and Chris claims he agrees this year.  For real this time.  Our neighbor built his and it's the nicest shed I've seen.  I hope they can build ours too.  And then for Brady, a swing set.  :) 

Brady has had some issues with spring already.  He really did not like that his t-shirt sleeves did not go all the way down his arms.  He was a little dramatic about it.  He has also already scraped his knee and for some reason (age maybe???) it was the worst thing ever.  He cried for an hour until we decided to walk to Cherry Berry.  Then he seemed to be OK.  However, almost a week later, he is still talking about his owie on his knee.  It's going to be a long summer if he gets scrapes like he did last summer!!

And May basket day.  I have gotten to know our neighbors over the years just from being outside walking Drake and then being outside with Brady.  We have some really nice neighbors that I trust.  Well yesterday, I just happened to be hanging up our winter coats and noticed one pull into the driveway.  They were dropping off a May basket for Brady.  It was so thoughtful.  This neighbor also gave Brady a special bag of goodies (bubbles, etc) for trick-or-treat.  It means so much to me when people think of him.  I am going to remember to do May baskets next year.  Another fun thing to do when you have kids!  Love it!

Remember the Greek yogurt dip I was talking about?  Brady does love it, just not the celery.  :)

He discovered a dandelion after church on Sunday.  It was such a beautiful day, an amazing church service and then I got to experience again how awesome life is when you are discovering it.  As I told my mom, life is fantastic thanks to this little boy.  I am so blessed!

Helping daddy mow the lawn.  Chris mowed the lawn and Brady mowed the sidewalk.  Notice he ALWAYS has to have more then one thing in his hand!

Buddies.  He told me "Drake happy"!!