Last of the Vacations and on to the New Year!

We have really been blessed with a lot of travel these last few months. We went home to Ohio for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. I have LOVED it. I've been able to recharge and get better perspective being away from California. I've also had a MRI on my left knee to see what we can do to make it more comfortable. Declan is learning and growing up so fast and so is Penny. The kids are just growing up so fast. I'm also getting anxious about getting to the gym again- I have found that it's a great escape for me. I'm also excited to start the new year and do things better.

We have done so much traveling that we are grateful to be back home and to get back into a good routine. We had great holidays visiting our families and to really enjoy ourselves with them. Of course, there are things that we didn't end up doing or people that we didn't get to see (or see as much as we wanted to). I don't know why but the kids ended up getting sick for both holidays. I have an amazing friend who came through for us with having the right medication for Declan so we didn't need to have a prescription filled during the holiday. They had bad coughs and diarrhea and vomiting. But we're all better now and trying to get back on the right time zone. Penny really understood Christmas this year (at least decorating the tree, opening presents, and recognizing the baby Jesus' birthday as well as her own birthday). Christmas morning was spent at my parents (where we were staying), followed by birthday cupcakes and ice cream for Penny's birthday celebration, and then off to my in-laws for Christmas round 2. She got into unwrapping presents so much she wanted to help everyone unwrap (once she got the hang of it). Declan thought the paper was AWESOME (which it was) and was in really good spirits. We have been so grateful to the friends we felt we could call on to transport us to and from the airport on these many trips because without them we would be at home (or calling a minivan cab).

The kids got TONS of things including the Hello Kitty pajamas (which she would live in if I let her) and a quilt for Declan made by my sister (that can be used for toy cars with the applique roads). Declan is officially walking as of this past week and babbles like no other. Penny got mistaken as a kindergardener when we had company for dinner (they asked when she started kindergarden and then I said she had just turned 3...) Penny is done being potty trained but due to the style of pants for girls (leggings generally) she needs some assistance to get them off. I'm still very conscious of the parks we go to so I know exactly where the bathroom is (and that's IF they're one there). She's pretty good at holding it when we need her to as well. Speaking of growing, here are the kids' stats for their appointments: Penny is a whopping 31 lbs (50%) and 36.5 inches tall (so she is CONSTANTLY bonking her head on the kitchen island). Declan is a whole 22 lbs 2 oz (but at his last appointment a few weeks ago from being sick he was up to 23 lbs), 29.75 inches tall (just .25 inches shy of needing to switch car seats) and 46 cm for his head (25-50%). The doctor and I attribute Declan's small weight gain do to the fact that he was very ill a few weeks prior.

I feel like I've been able to do some more reflecting as I've been away from the hustle and bustle of California. I'm coming to know who my friends really are and ways to cultivate those friendships better. I'm learning to still be cautious to those around me because of bad situations that have arisen but be true to who I am. We've been instilling some pretty good habits in the home as well (utilizing some Christmas gifts from this year and last). I look back to where I was not even a year ago and to see how far I've come with what I've had deal with and overcome and I'm happy with what I see. Life isn't perfect yet but it's getting closer every day. Chris and I have been able to set aside some couple time once a week and we're able to have some great discussions/conversations (they don't last more than half an hour usually). We're trying to find a way to get me back in the gym this year (I've been twice this new year). Chris has been on a really crazy schedule, getting him home anywhere from 7-8pm (and still riding his bike). I'm hopeful that a solution will be happening soon because I have some goals I need to keep on regarding my weight. The MRI on my left knee came back to say that my arthritis is just getting progressively worse but there's nothing torn to be mended. That means no surgery but I can have lubrication injections if I'm still in pain to help with the bone-on-bone (with a little bit of cartilage). The cold weather from the holidays made it really bad (where I was taking as much pain killer as I was allowed to in a day). I know as I continue to lose the weight that it will take more pressure off my knees (although it won't heal my arthritis but hopefully make it a little more comfortable). I hate being told my restrictions for exercises (no squats or lunges that are more than 45 degrees and no running for long distances). I've been doing really well on just sticking with the bike because that and the elliptical don't cause any pain.

Well, sorry it's been a while since my last post. Here are some last minute pictures to make you smile:

Family Trips- Our Crazy October!

What a crazy month October has been for our family! Declan has now logged more flying distance in his short 10 month life than Penny did by his age.

To kick off the month, we watched General Conference where the leaders of our Church give talks that are broadcast to the whole world. My goal was to find something that spoke to me and I felt that Saturday was meant for me. I'm so grateful to my parents who instilled in me at a young age how important it is to watch all the sessions live as much as possible because I would've missed the inspiration that came to me as they were speaking. I am looking forward to getting my hard copy of General Conference to mark up and re-read each talk to see what stand out this time from my initial notes and inspiration.

we were invited to go to Capitola beach (near Santa Cruz) with a group of friends. As soon as they had heard that we hadn't been to a beach besides Half Moon Bay, they insisted we join them. Penny, who is PETRIFIED of water, actually wanted to put her feet in the ocean I think partly due to peer pressure and seeing that her friends weren't scared. We carpooled down and just had an amazing time. At one point, Penny was standing on the beach by herself and got knocked over by a wave and although she got a little scared she wanted to get back up and get her feet wet again. This is a very common trait in her, to do something and fall (or something like unto it) and get back up wanting to do it again no matter how much it may have scared her.

Next, Declan and I flew back to Ohio for a wedding that I would never miss in a hundred years of my dear friend. I have been inspired by how much she has changed her life to finally find the person she wants to be with forever and to be able to go be a part of it was so special. I couldn't have done it without the help of my sweet husband (who took vacation time to stay home with Penny), my amazing parents (who not only put Declan and I up but made the reservations for me to be at the ceremony), and my dear in-laws (who watched Declan while I was at the ceremony). It was truly amazing and inspiring and helped me recharge my battery. Declan got to meet a few cousins and meet Grandma and Grandpa Wright for the first time in person (EVER, in his life). I also got some good one on one time with Declan. I know that I have been really blessed with kids who travel/fly in planes well. My mom, on VERY short notice, asked me to be a part of their Relief Society activity the second night I was there (which was a great blessing knowing that I was missing our Relief Society Super Saturday due to the wedding). My mom told me to topic she wanted me to talk about to the group and I felt like she was very inspired, knowing what I have gone through these last three and a half years. (Oh, you want to know what she had me talk about...?) It was about perspective. That trip was such a great spiritual time for me, to think about "perspective", to be able to witness a wedding, and to refocus on what really matters most. I felt like I did those many years ago when I visited, where I was that outgoing, blunt (in a good way), and confident girl that my husband met just over 5 years ago. I am looking forward to going back to Ohio for the holidays again.

Then, we had my in-laws fly out for some well earned vacation. We went to San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Apple (of course), Boudin's Sourdough Bread Company, and enjoy some time together. I also took Penny to the dentist for the first time to meet her and have Penny's teeth counted. Penny was a little nervous but did a good job overall. Penny made a new best friend- Grandpa Wright- while they were in California. He was the best friend to play with ever. It was ADORABLE. Then, we (the girls) went to the nail salon to prepare for our trip to Hawaii...

After the visit to California, we then met up with my in-laws in Hawaii. Again, I really feel blessed with good travelers. The kids didn't scream on the plane and were (for the most part) well behaved (partly thanks to technology and the coloring app). Declan and Penny got to experience a real pool for the first time. Penny was a little scared but became "brave" (her words) and did an okay job at her small attempts to learn to swim. Declan LOVES the water. He thought this was the best thing EVER. Needless to say, we went to the pool every day except for Monday and Tuesday. We did some pretty cool things in Hawaii- we went to the Dole Planation and took a train ride there, went to Diamond Head Crater, went to numerous beaches (of course, they're all over...), found some great local food,  went to a bay for snorkeling (Chris and his dad went snorkeling while his mom and I dealt with the kids), and Chris' sister joined us for 24 hrs and we got henna tattoos together, went on a crazy hike with an amazing water fall (Chris, his sister, and his dad), and then went to the Polynesian Cultural Center with a friend I haven't seen in almost 7 years. Amazing things with amazing people. We had a great time so much so that his sister wants to make this an annual family vacation. We were celebrating our respective anniversaries- Chris' parents and ours. Chris' dad had the right idea by leaving his cell phone back in Ohio the whole time... Wish I had done the same at times. We also popped in to see the temple grounds there. Penny wanted to take off her shoes to stick her feet in the water areas there but Grandpa help distract her from doing so. I am so grateful to our friends who were able to take us to and from the airport. We had such an amazing time. Here are some of the pictures that we took:

 

 

 

 

8 Week Weight-Loss Challenge! part 2

9/30:
Today was the final weigh-in. We had to do a video like we did for the first weigh-in so you won't wear a big winter coat (or holding a baby...) and then you "magically" get lighter each week. I have been enjoying getting to the gym as much as the week would allow me (or rather Chris' schedule so he could watch the kids). I have found myself being able to listen to my body better to know when I am full and not to kill myself during my workouts (I had knee surgery about a year and a half ago). I have gone down a full pant size in 3 different cuts of jeans (at Old Navy) and have a good handle on how to keep going in this journey because it is far from over. I am planning what I'm going to eat each day better calorically so I won't be stuck in a bad situation ("bad" being over my allotted calories) especially if I know I'm going to be going out to eat that night or for lunch- I plan my day according to my best knowledge of what I will be doing. I have lost inches from my thighs, neck, chest, waist, and arms: thigh- 2.5 inches, neck- 1.25 inches, chest- 3.5 inches, waist- 2.25 inches, and arms- 1 inch. I have lost a total of 21.8 lbs during this weight loss challenge but over the last 3 years (not including the weight at the end of my pregnancies but the highest I've been after the babies) I have lost almost 40 lbs. This is the lightest my husband has seen me since we've been together the last 5 1/2 years. I had reached my first goal during this challenge, which was the lightest I was after I got home from my mission. I passed that during the last 3 weigh-ins. Now I'm on to my next goal of my weight when I entered the MTC (which is less than 20 lbs away). Here are my before and after pictures:

I hope to continue on this journey but I won't be able to be in the next group due to travel. I am so grateful for my friend to have approached me to be in her first group because I was ready for it. I know it's not going to be easy for me as I soon approach the end of nursing as well (so less extra calories burned) but I know I have a great support here.

8 Week Weight-Loss Challenge! part 1

8/9: The beginning
I have decided to embark in an eight week weight-loss challenge (because I know I need it) with a group online. It was perfect timing because I had just started getting to the gym the week before and knew that I wanted to lose some weight for a variety of reason. Let me share with you my reasons:
1. I'm almost done nursing so my limitations as far as leaving Declan with a sitter are much better.
2. For my birthday present, I asked Chris if he could commit to watching the kids so I could start going to the gym more (more being more than once ever) and he said he would.
3. Chris and I have discussed my knee issues and have a goal weight in mind that I need to be less than before I should have the doctor do an MRI to see if loosing some of this weight will help it or have no impact.
4. Going to the gym makes me feel like I have something of my own to enjoy outside of the home.
5. I've had blood work done and have been told that everything looks great (a little low on vitamin D) and all they really think I need to do is loose some weight.
6. I know I've been successful before in my attempts to loose weight (and then I end up pregnant- which is NOT something we want right now) and I feel like it's a good time.
7. I'll finally be using the gym we've been paying for since just a month before I was pregnant with Declan and out of commission (being sick).
8. Prize money. Oh well. It's motivation :)

9/14: The Middle
WOW! This has been a fun journey so far. There have been some great challenges within the group like drinking 90 fl oz or half your weight in fluid ounces (I opted for the 90 fl oz) and walking or running or biking a 5K (which is SO easy since I've mostly been going on the bike at the gym). We were asked towards the middle (as a reminder) that we should take measurements. I really regret not doing that at the beginning of the challenge only because within the past 3-4 weeks I've seen some AMAZING results. As of tonight, I'm down 14.8lbs, 1 inch off my waist, 1.5 inches off my hips, 2 inches off my thighs, half an inch off my arm, 1 inch off my neck, and 1.5 inches off my chest. It feels amazing. I went to the gym this morning and didn't push myself hard (but still burned 420 calories with the resistance up to 13) and biked 2.3 miles to the park and back with Chris and the kids. Part of that was up hill so Chris kicked my trash on the bike ride even though he had 50 lbs of kids in the trailer plus the trailer. The challenge ends on the 30th of September so we'll see how I finish this bad boy off. I've been using myfitnesspal to track calories I'm eating and burning. Weighing in holds me accountable for each week because I've paid to be in this group and am currently ranking #3 (including the facilitator who can't win the prize money, which would put me at #2 then). I met with a dietician on Tuesday and she was impressed that I've been so consistent with my weight loss each week (about 2lbs a week except week 1 when it was 5). She said the only things to really tweak if I wanted was keeping up on fluids and more non-starchy veggies or carbs. It was so nice to get a pat on the back from someone who helps people work on this for a living. I am 2 lbs away from my lightest weight since dating Chris 5 1/2 years ago. After I hit that goal, my next goal is my reporting to the MTC weight. I feel like I have two end goals- I have a weight goal and a size goal. I know they're attainable and that I'm doing this the smart healthy way to loose this weight for good.