Me: on another diet

Yeah, so I'm dieting again. This time, (crosses fingers) I am doing a little better than before. Amen to breastfeeding. Which I'm probably going to be doing until Camden starts kindergarten... Anyway, I am doing much like I did before when I lost a little over 20 pounds- watching portions, having mustard instead of mayo, lots of fresh fruit, only diet sodas, etc. I am allowing myself about 1500 calories per day, sometimes less sometimes more. I still need to maintain a good diet since Cam nurses ALOT. Which is ok with me, because I am losing it quicker than I thought I could. Why didn't I start this when he was 7 weeks old instead of 7 months old? Oh yeah- postpartum depression. Anyway... I normally wouldn't post my starting weight being the internet and all. But, what the hell? So here goes:

my highest non-pregnant weight- 258 (after my appendix surgery)
9 months pregnant weight- 270
weight when I started dieting- 231
weight now- 211.6

Yep, that's right! I have lost 19.4 pounds since April 15th (58.4 since I delivered Cam). It has been crazy- trying to count calories in addition to fitting in a 2 to 3 mile walk every day. The calorie counting has been pretty easy, thanks to an app called Lose It on my phone. The walks are another matter- it's stray angry dog city out here. But, I'm managing thanks to walking with some friends and a wooden sword from Medieval Times! Seriously though, I am so close to being under 200 it's crazy! I am pretty stoked especially since A) I havent weighed this amount since Chloe was 6 months old and B) I am at the smallest size Lane Bryant sells which means I can finally start shopping for clothes somewhere else! Yeehaw! Not that their clothes aren't cute, I'm just tired of that being one of the only places I can shop. I would dress totally different if my options for clothing weren't so limited. Plus, those fat girl clothes are expensive! All that extra fabric... So, wish me luck. I hope to be chosen for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue next Summer. Not really.

Liar Liar

Ok, so I am supposed to be keeping up with my blog... and I haven't! I have reasons though. Of course I have reasons! Chandler had surgery, again. He had ACL/MCL reconstruction on his knee. Basically they take a piece of tendon from his knee and repair or make new ligaments with it. It's a pretty intense surgery and he has been home with me for a week. He has recovered nicely up to this point but has needed ice bags, medicine, food, and drink constantly so between nursing Camden and tending to Chandler I have barely had time to breathe. Plus, not to mention Cam has had a nasty eye infection and Hayden has a sinus infection. So, between the three boys I have kept Walgreens in business this week. They have had 7 RX's filled in the last week! I won't even tell you the hours I spent in Doctor's waiting rooms...
Then, it was mine and Jon's birthday on Sunday. Big whoop! I turned a big number and Jon turned an even bigger number- 40. And, because I am so not on my game, we did a whole lotta nothin'! Jon chose to spend his day at the track and I went to church. We met up for Chili's, we let the kids choose and they loooove Chili's. Honestly I like to eat there, but my friend Lois took me there for my birthday lunch (and gave me an awesome bracelet and necklace) on Friday and I guess I thought Jon and I would be lucky enough to score a sitter and have a super nice birthday evening but it wasn't meant to be. I feel bad because I really wanted to throw Jon an awesome Over the Hill party but the surgeon insisted Chandler needed surgery asap and that took first priority. I promise eventually I will make it up to him.... somehow!
And then, one of my mom's closest friends who I thought the world of passed away on Friday and the funeral was yesterday. So sad :( Her passing away really bothered me because not only am I growing older but the people who I admired as a child and spent time with that were adults then are now reaching their golden years and with that comes sickness and death. One of the parts of being an adult I do not like a bit.
So, those are my reasons. I am bound and determined to keep my blog going, it's just hard! Bear with me. I hope to get out and about more with the kiddos and hopefully have lots of fun and take lots of pics. Crossing my fingers...

And she's overwhelmed.... week 2 as a family of 7

Wow! Overwhelmed is a massive understatement.... It has been interesting around here. Let's just say my recovery period officially ended Sunday evening. I love my hubby to death, but he ran out of steam around the time the visitors stopped coming in droves. He lasted longer than I thought. He has been getting Hayden from school on his lunch break which is great, and does a random chore here or there- but it's never really enough. Basically things are one step forward two steps back around here. I am constantly nursing, changing diapers, or washing baby clothes. Today alone Camden went through 7 outfits! I am lucky to get a shower and to brush my teeth around 1 each morning. With the big kids, Jon, laundry, dishes, school stuff, my Facebook addiction and the baby- it's the earliest I get a moment to myself. A smart mommy would leave crap undone, but I just can't. One night this past week I got in bed at 1 and Camden woke up at 2 and stayed up til 6.... I was climbing into bed when my kids were having breakfast. Then there's the animals, they are always looking at me with hunger in their eyes. But really- they're fine and besides how am I supposed to nurse a baby when I barely have time to eat? Thank goodness for granola bars and Hot Pockets! And, speaking of food- our dinner fairies stopped bringing food on Sunday. So sad... I think Jon took it harder than anyone. Man, was it ever nice. So far this week we aren't setting the world on fire with our own home cooked meals either. Last night- chili dogs, tonight- Dairy Queen. Seriously I gotta do some intense healthy meal planning since my diet officially restarts Monday. I am only 12 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight. You gotta love breastfeeding, I have lost 6 pounds since Sunday! Woo hoo! Anyway... back to my rambling. I am trying my hardest to spread myself out and be Supermom, but it's easier said than done. Don't get me wrong, I am so in love with my family and our beautiful new son. But, I didn't know stress til now! There have been funny moments as well. Like, Cam's insanely loud bowel movements that produce a dime size spot of poop and the random giggles and smiles he is so good at while sleeping. I think my biggest guilt feeling/gripe though is spreading me around so everyone gets attention and in the process I am neglecting Ashley... Which, I guess is a gripe nearly every mom I know also has. So, it has been crazy, fun, intense, exhausting- you name it! Basically, I guess we are trudging along and having a happy chaotic time figuring out our new normal- whatever normal is?!

P.S. I also managed to make two homecoming mums this week, with tons of help from my friend Erin. I literally gave up two showers to make those bad boys. You're welcome Chandler and Hunter... I will post pics soon.