Off to Beantown!

Okay - life is going just fine... just really really busy.
I have to run off to teach yoga right now... and then we (B and I) leave for Beantown tomorrow morning.
I will be sure to update you all with pics and fun stories when we return... but it will be about a week without an update. I am sure you will all survive.
Love love!

The Party

What a success - the kids ran all around the Children's Museum, the cake was great! (the thomas even drove around that track!!!!) and the adults loved it too! I will just say - I made that silly face blowing out the candle - but B did it all by himself :)


What a blast!

The Cupcake

I am going to let the pictures tell the story.
Happy Birthday B - Next up - PARTY! Tomorrow!

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

Noodle, Nicey, Lovebug, Sweets, My Baby Boy! You are such a gift. I love you more than words could ever express. Your mommy and daddy wanted you so badly. For years and years we tried to have a baby. We prayed, we dreamed, we hoped. You had your own agenda. You waited until we were really ready. I mean, we thought we were ready, but you knew better. You came to us at just the right moment. You are an angel, a gift. Your mommy and daddy thank God for you every day.
You are gentle, loving, cuddly, cozy, funny, silly, fun to be with, you are you - perfect.
I want so much for you. I want you to have the world. I will try everything to give you what you need... You just have to know, You are the light in our lives. You are our hope, our happiness, our love.
You make us a family.
We love you. Happy Birthday B - May life as a Three year old be sweet! :)

B's Birthday Week!

This is a big week! B's Birthday week. I have something fun planned for each day. Honestly birthday's were always really really important in my family growing up - so that is how I treat it. A celebration of B! In this case - I am celebrating an entire week. He is the light of my life!!!! :)
Okay we kicked it off today with a visit to the Science Center. We were supposed to go with my dear friend Jen (and her son Luke and Emma - who B adores). But sadly, Jen's little ones are so sick - vomitting. UGH! I feel terrible for them all and hope they get better fast.
So B and I headed out alone. There was a big Train Expo at the Science Center. Naturally for an event like this - AND because it is a holiday - it was packed! But B and I looked at all the mini trains - we even took time out to go into the Butterfly house and watch a snake show.
I love hanging out with B - everyone knows that by now - but for his birthday - tons of fun.
Tomorrow we have preschool together - then Wednesday I am taking him to one of those places with inflateable jumpy houses. It should be a blast. Thursday - his bday we will do something fun - not sure yet what, but I know it will include a gourmet cheeseburger because B loves them! No McD's for him - he wants the good stuff;) who can blame him right?
Friday back to Preschool - he will get a crown and be sung to and be able to choose his own song for circle time. Saturday is his birthday party at the Children's Museum... all Thomas decor....
it is great!
In other news - B has continued to pee on the potty (well, and his diaper) but he is doing really well. No poopy yet.
I am going to a job interview with my fitness company... wednesday (during nap). We will see what happens.
Dh is home but doing freelance work right now. So that is okay too. Just an adjustment with all of us in the house all the time. :)
Oh yeah, next week B and I are off to Boston. Lots of stuff...
YAY!

Feeling better about me....

Weight Watchers always works to get me back on track.. but the first couple days are rough.
anyways - I am on day 9 and I have lost 3 pounds. One more to go... so I feel back to normal.
NOw back to maintaining... which I have done for four years ( minus pregnancy) so I know I can do that.


also been doing a lot of yoga. teaching and on my own... makes me feel good.

Getting ready for B's bday this week. Thursday. YAY! Then his party at the Children's Museum on Saturday. Should be fun fun.

Got a date with DH tonight. Will still try to eat healthy when we dine out. I am close enough now to the weight I want to be.. I will make it :)

Growing Up

B is getting to be a big boy now! His Third Bday is just a week (and a day) away. I cannot believe it. I decided to take his bday pics today. We are both well, and had the time.
The pics of he and I - were taken by me - but with a timer... here at home. It was funny! The pic below - obviously taken here at home too.
I thought it would be fun and different - to take some pictures in an urban environment. Since , well, I like that look - and B and I are always in the city (we do live in one afterall!)
So off we went to Pike's Place. That is always a fun trip.
This pic I told him to stop scrunching his nose! but I love it!

Then we went down Post Alley under the market and got these very urban looking pics. It was cold... so I went fast! :)
Also, this morning B asked me to "pee pee on the potty?"
I set him up on his potty and he asked for the big potty.
I set him up and he stared at his penis. I said... can you pee pee like Daddy?
and Lo and behold - he peed!
Then we took a bath. The water was draining at the end and he asked to pee pee on the potty again.
I set him up and he peed for a LONG time!
Whoo Hoo!
We now have the chart up. Ten pees on the potty = special treat.
My boy is so grown up!

Weighty Issues...

Okay, confession time. I am feeling really obsessive about my weight.
I am one of those people who has to work EVERY day to stay thin.
You know those people who, thinness comes naturally... the ones who
can eat a whole pizza every day and they wouldn't gain an ounce...
yeah - not me.

My whole family is over weight. Really. I was really over weight about
five years ago. I have always been athletic and thin - but well, age caught up to me.
Then I took a long hard look at myself and changed. I lost 40 pounds. It took me
nearly 8 months. But I have kept it off ever since. (except when I was pregnant, of course) :)

anyways, I did not work at being thin over the holidays... so now I am paying the
price. I gained three pounds. I know, I know - you will say - no biggie, JL, it will
go away. But I am crazy over it. I am. I am so fixated I weigh myself all the time.

I do not have a big problem I assure you all. Really just look at me - you know
that - But I have a threshold and when I am over it - boom... I am nuts.
I even gained another pound. WHAT? I gained when I have eaten less and exercised more.
WTF???!!!!

OKay- Tell me I am lame - I know - I just had to vent.
thanks for reading.

Kerry

There are some girlfriends you know, were meant to be sisters = but ended up a best friend... it is God's little gift to you. Kerry is that - my sister, best friend. Kerry and I have been friends most of our lives. We met and hit it off at 13 years old. So that means we have been friends for 21 years. (sorry to give our age, kerry :))
Back when we first met, we were running on the cross-country team together. One of our first memorable moments - at running camp (ya ya I know) I crawled into her sleeping bag on the top bunk - cuddled in right next to her and burped in her face. She knew she loved me then, right Kerry?
Since then, we have had our ups and downs... like most sisters... but we have grown closer because of those times.
Through thick and thin we are together. We have often said we would be two old ladies, living in a house on cape cod - rocking in our rockers on the front porch together!
Kerry inspired me to become a yoga teacher. Inspired me to get a tattoo - and on my lower back - and what I chose to put there. Kerry saved me and told me off when I was so depressed I wouldn't eat after my first marriage ended. Kerry had a son almost exactly one year after me.
Kerry hated my first husband - why didn't I trust that???!!!!! Kerry constantly gives me advice and love when I need it most.
Last year, Kerry and her family came to Seattle to visit us - these are pictures from that trip. So fun and so silly! This year, Kerry bought B and I tickets to visit them in Boston. I cannot wait. What a gift... not only the trip, but you, Kerry. You are a gift to me every day.
I love you.

Re-Connect?

I have such great friends, I do. One of the reasons, I think, is I really 'connect' with them and they 'connect' with me. I need that in a friend. Ya know? But with kids and life and what-not - that isn't always possible... then I feel dis-connected and bummed.
There are two friends I am really missing that 'connection' with right now... Jen and Erica.
Luckily I have dinner plans with Jen on Monday - I seriously cannot wait to just talk! and CONNECT!!! I miss you lady!
and Erica - what can I say - Life is crazy - and I miss you. :) I cannot wait to have some time to reconnect.

But I should stress... my friends are always part of my heart and soul - so even if I feel disconnected... especially if I feel disconnected... I love them - deeply.

Life is Good

1. I am sending that rude yoga woman (and her friend) compassion and love :) (through my heart of course)
2. B and I did not have to wipe our noses once today - and no coughing.
3. It is Friday
4. I have great friends
5. So far almost everyone has said yes to coming to B's Party!(minus two very important people - Kenzie and Alex - but I already knew they couldn't make it)
6. My session with Pia was awesome last night
7. The board/parent meeting I ran last night ended EARLY
8. I threw out the rest of the fudge in the house and I am drinking a lot of water today... those three pounds are going away!
9. I love my DH
10. I may go shopping during B's nap since DH is home

I suck....

I was all excited about yoga - see previous post - and I suck.
Tonight a woman walked out of my class totally disgusted. Her friend stayed in class...
only to tell me how much she hated it. Nice.

I got home and I don't know why, but I weighed myself.
I am fat.
Boo hoo. I am a baby.

This is Yoga Week

It really is feeling like a 'yoga week' for me this week.

I started off the week - on new year's day - taking a class - as a student. It was at one of the best studios here in Seattle. The room was packed. Everyone out wanting to start the new year right I guess - myself included!

Then, Tuesday I was back to teaching at the gym. We got a week off between Christmas and New Year's - Seriously a week is a long time. I felt like I had been gone forever.
Last night's class was packed (everyone back in the groove). Lots of beginners. It was nice.

Today, I got to do a private session with a former client of mine. Pia is an incredible woman. She has lived strong through two rounds of leukemia! The second time, she came to Seattle for treatment... a stem cell transplant. That was a year ago Thanksgiving. I worked with her, in private sessions, throughout the whole ordeal. I am so inspired by Pia.. She is so strong and such a bright light in any room. She and her SO got married this year too. I am so happy for them. Anyways, she is back in Seattle (from NY) for a round of tests... to make sure all is okay.
I was able to meet with her this morning, and do a session. She has grown so much in her practice over the last year. I really miss working with her. Those sessions were such a gift to me.

Tonight, it is back to the gym.
Then tomorrow, I meet with Pia again. And Sunday I teach at the gym.

All I can say is, all this yoga better help me get rid of the three pounds I gained over the holidays. I guess I had a little too much fudge!

I Love a Good Book.

Oh, do I love a good book. A book you are left thinking about long after you close the back cover. Since I becoming a mom, I can get lost in a book - during naptimes :)
I have pretty much given up on TV. Books fill you with so much more.

I just finished a book that with live inside me for a long while - The Secret Life of Bees - By Sue Monk Kidd.

A must read.

Happy New Year

2006 is here. 2005 is gone. 2006 will be a good one, I know it!
Before I had B, people used to tell me children will change your life. You know it, but you cannot appreciate it until it happens to you.
The truth really is... it changes... but for the better. Really, so much better.
Gone are the days of going to Fancy, crowded restaurants on New Years... Here are the days of fancys desserts made by your DH at home! (see pic above)
Gone are the days where you don't quite remember the ball dropping (at 9pm here on the West Coast)... Here are the days when your baby says "Cheers Momma. Cheers Dada. Happy New Year" and you almost cry. AND your baby drinks his gingerale out of your prized EMMY glass - that no one could TOUCH before :)

Gone are the days of Expensive, shimmmery clothes just perfect for a night out - like New Years - Here are the days of 50-cent tiarras for you and your family - just because it is funny.
.... Life could not be better. I love my family and look forward to a happy, healthy, successful 2006.