Water water water...

My new best friend

The kid I have to glare at while he eats

Fudgesicles...and REALLY

enjoys them!





I'm on day 4, and so far so good!  On Tuesday I had good "before" for my before / after pics done.  Love em!  Yesterday I added a app on my iPhone called My Fitness Pal...love it!!  All is good in diet world!!  The next 3 days will be the test.  DSAMC is getting a award from the ARC tonight, so I have to eat REALLY good there, Friday is Gracie's b day...my big girl will be 7!!  Saturday is her party, and Sunday I have a baby shower that is sure to have some tasty treats!!  I'm thinking one of those days will have my "cheat" meal in it...just say'n!

Happy weekend everyone!!

Day 1...done!

Well that wasn't so hard. lol. I know, it was only the 1st day. My intentions were to eat "clean". That didn't so much happen, BUT I did eat really good. And I realized that I have a addiction to cheese. Anyway, I sat down this evening and googled a calorie calculator to see just how did I good calorie wise...I rocked it. Here is how it went down...

Breakfast:
Oatmeal 1/2 cup 150 cal
raisins 2 tbs 40 cal

am snack:
Babybel cheese 75 cal
strawberries 1/3 cup 25 cal

Lunch:
Chicken Cesar Salad (romaine lettuce 1 cup, tomato 1/2 Roma, croutons about 5...just enough for some crunch, chicken breast 1/2, dressing 2 tbs.) 230 cal

pm snack:
String cheese 80 cal

Dinner:
Scrambled eggs with sausage & mozzarella cheese (6 tbs egg whites, 1 egg, 1 small sausage patty, about 1/8 cup cheese) 270 cal

Total it up kids...870 calories!! That still leaves room for a apple & natural peanut butter before bed!!

So yes, I clearly need to eat less cheese...but other than that it was a pretty good day. And NO, I'm not going to do a daily post of what I eat...that's just flat boring. Oh, and I went to the gym & did 30 min of cardio & a few leg machines until they were jello. Not my best day at the gym, but it will do!!

1 day closer to a skinner me!

Chang'n it up

When I started this blog a few years ago, it was to inform family & friends of the ups & downs of our life with Down syndrome.  At the time Jake was having major medical issues, & mommy was having some pretty good stress issues.  This was my way of filling everyone in, and "venting" at the same time.  But those days are long gone.  They seem like yesterday, but it's been over 2 years since Jake has seen a hospital.  It's been almost 2 years since he's had anything more than a sniffle (knock on wood).  So our life with Down syndrome is...well pretty boring.  I'll take boring.  Boring reassures me that our family really isn't much different than yours.  School is out, therapy has been put on hold for most of the summer (our choice), and the sun is shining.  It's time to PLAY!

Where am I going with this...I'll get to the quick & dirty.  I'm going to use this blog as my way of chronicling the 20+ lbs I'm GOING to loose over the next 10 weeks.  There is nothing special about the 10 week time frame, but because I often diet (and most of the time fail), I know that good weight loss is around 1-2 lbs a week.  I know what works for me & my body to get the weight off, I just need the motivation.  I become a 2 year old when it comes to will power.  I HAVE NONE.  Some days are better than others, but I can justify "a day off" like  you wouldn't believe!!  So, here it goes.  I did something that I have never done before...took "before" (as in before & after) pic.  OMG, if that isn't motivation to get going...I don't know what is. 

So, for the next few months this blog will be about my diet, exercise, water consumption, headaches from lack of Starbucks, glaring at small children as the eat fudgsicles in front of me & the occasional "YEAH FOR ME", when the pounds do come off.  If it's not your thing, no worries...I'll be back to life with Down syndrome soon...until them our "special need" is for a slimmer, more energetic mommy!

Raise your glass (of ice water) to:
Seeing the magic numbers of 140 lbs
Buying a size 6 jeans
Running without feeling like I'm going to die
Having a happier, healthier mommy...because

WHEN MOMMY IS HAPPY...EVERYONE IS HAPPY!!

It's been awhile

Since my last post (way back in November), I had lost my blog writing mojo. But I think I've got it back. All thanks to Kelle Hampton and her amazing new book Bloom. It took me back to a place I haven't been in a long time. Or at least what feels like a long time. The cold, sterile hospital room, the darkness, the pain, the confusion, and the guilt. The mantras of "this might be ok", & "it is what it is". The massive amounts of denial. Calling therapy "school" & trying to make my big girl follow suit...all to make myself feel better. It's funny looking back at some of the things I said, did, and made up in my own mind to make myself feel better about our unique family. But I guess those are the things we have to do as humans to make it to the next day. There were times I wasn't sure I wanted to know what the next day was going to bring. But the next day always came...and we made it thru. Sometimes we reach for answers from places that might not be so "normal" or "accepted" for guidance or piece of mind, or just the sheer power to make it thru another day. I found my latest in the form of a psychic. Yes, a psychic. Roll your eyes, tell me it's all fake, it rolls right off me. This girl knew her stuff. I've never been into the whole psychic thing, but this experience has opened up my mind...a little. If nothing else comes from it, she told me that Jake would surprise us in his abilities of what he can do. Did I walk away thinking he will be the President of the United States...no, but I did walk away with the thought that maybe I am under estimating him. Maybe I am setting limits in my own mind to what he could be or do. Just like being open minded enough to go to a psychic reading, I need to be way more open minded about the potential my children have. To the potential that Zach & I have for each other and ourselves.

I'm having this moment of "what's stopping you" feeling about myself, life in general. Like all the things I've been saying I want to do, or I'm going to do...but conveniently find a grand excuse for each and every one of them. So, here is my 3 year (odd time frame I know but I like it) get off your butt and make it happen list:

1. Go back to school

2. Go to PA. to meet Jennifer & Tyson in person

Yes, there are only two items on my "to do" list, but they are BIG to do's. I have a 3rd that I am entertaining, but I want it to be in my own will, with no outside influences.

Chuck E Cheese's has put this girl in a mind numbing state of laziness, so off to put little people to bed I go!

A full heart

Today is my birthday (cue in Happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you...). It could have been one of the most boring birthdays to date...but I wasn't having that. Why anymore boring than the others you ask? Well, my birthday is always with in the week of Thanksgiving. Everyone is busy...always. Then add in hunting season. And don't forget the common cold/flu that ALWAYS happens this time of year. Well, this year...all of those things fell into my birthday week! Yes, birthday week. I won't lie...I got a little bummed for a few days. Then I decided I was going to snap myself out of my funk (because really, if I don't...who will)? I took a step back and realized I've got it pretty darn good. Then I felt a little selfish. Then I got inspired.

Random Acts of Kindness or RAC. Ever hear of it. It's the new craze (well, that I have noticed in the blogging world). For each year you are celebrating you do 1 RAC. FUN! It's like a 1 person party! Well a 3 person party in my case because I took the kids with me to do 34 RAC's! Here is what we did...

1. Mailed a card to a friend with a Starbucks gift card. If we lived closer I would have taken coffee to her at work.
2. Delivered hot chocolate to a couple I saw outside hanging Christmas lights. Turns out, it's their daughters birthday too!
3. Took dinner to a friend who just had surgery.
4. Helped do a little house keeping for the same friend in #3.
5. Dropped off fresh baked cookies to friends (x 2).
6. Fresh baked cookies to the kids daycare.
7. Dropped mail off at the mail box for my aunt (a whole 2 house away) lol.
8. Gave a picture of Jake to his bff/day care pal/ cousin. There is a really cute story behind that.
9. Surprised a friend with a fabulous wreath that she has been eyeballing for a few weeks!
10. Picked up garbage in the parking lot at Jake's school.
11. Gave a Bling Bulb (Christmas decoration) to a lady in the parking lot of Starbucks.
12. Paid for coffee of the car behind me at Starbucks.
13. Delivered little gift bags to 2 new babies born today. In the bags were a pink/blue rubber ducky, and knitted hat that my mom made. Thanks mom!
14. Gave a Bling Bulb to our friend that works in OB. She helped deliver Gracie 6 years ago!
15. Walked around the hospital handing out balloons and lolly pops to any kid we could find.
16. Left folders with color books & crayons in the OB waiting room & in the peds play area.
17. Fed all of the candy machines & pop machines we could find in the hospital.
18. Left little bottles of hand sanitizer...everywhere (bathrooms, tables...).
19. Went to a playground a dropped coins all over for kids to find.
20. Left a generous tip at dinner tonight.
21. Put shopping carts away in the store parking lot.
22. Gracie told a old lady that she liked her kitty sweatshirt (lol).
23. Put coins in balloons. When Gracie woke up she got to pop the balloons and spend the money at the dollar store.
24. Left a care package of vitamin C drink mix, tissue, and hand sanitizer on a few cars in the mall parking lot.
25. Saw a rock star parking spot at the mall, but let the car behind me have it. (that was a tough one). lol
26. Didn't remind my brother that he is almost 5 YEARS OLDER THAN ME when he sent me a text to tell me that I'm old. (Ok, that's a stretch as a RAC, but it took some holding back)
27. Took dad to dinner. Thanks for going with us dad!
28. Stopped at McDonald's for ice cream, & bought ice cream for the car behind us.
29. Left lolly pops on cars that looked like they had kids.
30. Gracie colored a Thanksgiving picture for the older lady next door! But she got to shy to deliver it, so I did.
31. Left a candy bar in the mail box for the mail man/woman.
32. Gracie stood by the door at the grocery store while I was checking out and opened the door for people. (yes they are automatic doors, but she thought she was doing something really nice).
33. I let Gracie listen to Kids Bop in the car ALL DAY LONG.
34. Our grand finale...we Ding Dong ditched! The funniest thing I have seen in a long time!

Ahh...that was a action packed day. Gracie & I had lots of talks about how happy our hearts were when people smiled because we did something nice for them...tonight we go to bed with full tummies & happy hearts. It was a good day.

Do you correct?

Ok, call me crabby, call me tired, call me whatever. But for some reason today I hit a brick wall when it came to peoples incredible knowledge of Down syndrome. I'm not perfect & I am by no means pretending to be. I had my own ideas of Down syndrome before I was forced to be educated about it. I get that people generally are not meaning to be offensive or negative & are usually just trying to strike up conversation when they grace me with their "knowledge" of Down syndrome. I get it. And I'm ok with answering people's questions about Jake. I really am.

I know, I know...get to the point. My point is think before you speak. Ok, probably not YOU, because most likely if you are reading my blog you have a child with Down syndrome and you are on the same boat. But does anyone else get SO frustrated & tired of peoples off handed/trying to complement your child but really slapping you in the face comments? I find myself (way to frequently) thinking...did you really just say that? And I will admit, I usually just smile & walk away because I am about the most non confrontational person on earth. I know, if I want the world to change the way people think about Down syndrome I need to speak up. So I will try...a little. Baby steps...baby steps.

So, are you wondering what fantastic comment got me going on this blog post...here it is (it's really not that bad) "They (people with Down syndrome) are ALWAYS happy". Wouldn't that be AWESOME? Ahh, Yahh...it would. I gave my stock response, "He has his moments". Want to compare some other spectacular comments I get or have gotten in the past (since I'm on a rant...these are the ones that I just look blankly at the person & walk away...because nobody is really this stupid):
"Well he's cute anyway" &
I can't believe I'm about to repeat this one, but I actually had someone say this to me when they asked me what was WRONG with my son...
I responded, "Nothing is wrong with him, he has Down syndrome". Her response back (brace yourself), "Oh well at least he's not autistic". REALLY?...REALLY?

I'm going to try harder to not let REALLY bad comments get to me as much & I am going to try to educate people (without sounding educational) when such comments are made. So here it is for today's comment:
Jake (and all people with Down syndrome) is human. He has good days, he has bad days. Like any other person, he is happy with a splash of crabby. He has more than one emotion. He has a attitude & a personality. He & I butt heads on a daily basis about something. He's not a little golden ray of sunshine 24/7. Like any other 3 year old, Jake wants what Jake wants. And he will find a way to tell you what he wants...& get it. Thankfully, Jake is a pretty happy go lucky kid. I got lucky there.

There is my rant...peace!

10.2 seconds

That's how much time I have to post today. Ok, not really, but that's what it feels like! That's how everyday feels. Odd that I feel more rushed now that BOTH KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL...at the EXACT same time!! I have 2.5 hours everyday with no kids...to do whatever I want! So far, I have spent a lot of time at Starbucks! What can I say, I like coffee & love to people watch! Here are a few pics of Jake's first day of preschool!

He loves it! It's such a wonderful feeling to be able to walk him up to his little classroom blow kisses & RUN AS FAST AS I CAN calmly walk away while brushing away a little tear. Ok, who am I kidding, we all know there is a little pep in my step after I drop Jake off knowing I have a little me time.

On another note, since I have started this blog I have made a great new friend Jennifer. Jen is also a stay at home mom to 3 sweet little girls & a extra chromosome rocking little boy Tyson. Jake & Tyson are only a few weeks apart in age, so we are going thru all of the "fun" of having little boys together! Again, I'm not gonna lie...they are naughty! We are pretty sure that the extra chromosome they have gives them some kind of cosmic connection that tells each other when to do naughty things at the exact same time, so that we are both about to pull our hair out...at the exact same time! Oh...gotta love them. It is our plan to someday meet (we are in Wa., they are in Pa.), but until that day comes we are having fun getting to know each other thru blogging, Facebook, & presents. Yep, presents. We have been sending presents back & forth with little gifts for each other (because we rock as moms & we deserve gifts), & for each of the kids. Who doesn't love to a box in the mail? Anyway, here are the gifts we just got from our friends in Pa. Thanks guys...YOU ROCK!
Julie, Gracie, & Jake

This is our friend Tyson! Jenn got Jake & Tyson matching t shirts! LOVE it!

Chocolate fixes everything...right? Can't wait to make my own bars!

Thanks Jen!

Up next...Jake's 3rd birthday on Sunday! Yahh!!