Summer is BACK!

Somehow when the time changes and the weather warms up down here, life just seems good! All of a sudden I WANT to work out, I WANT to clean, I'm more organized, my house is cleaner, there's food on the table, even my kids are cuter.

We bought a new car, FINALLY! It's an almost new 2005 Toyota Sienna minivan, so Troy is driving the '98 Dodge minivan as his truck (took all the seats out). It's nice having something to haul things in, but still have passenger capacity when needed. I love the freedom of having my own car, but I hate paying for gas. Between that and helping out with the car payment, it's really taken a chunk out of my monthly income from teaching. I'l be throwing all my money at this thing until it's paid off, hopefully in about 2 years.

I was really sick last Thursday, some stomach virus. It didn't last very long, but I lost about 5 lbs in two days, and I'm just now back where I was a week ago. Putting on baby weight is mentally difficult: I'm at a 17lb gain, was hoping to keep it to 20 total, but with nearly 3mos to go I don't think I'll make that!
Still working out at the church classes, and going to my community rec center to lift weights twice a week, running on Friday mornings, and going to karate twice a week. It's depressing how much work it takes to not be overweight, much less in good shape. My eating has improved, but it's so difficult to keep the calories under control. I love bread and pasta, and even whole grain is just sky high in calories. But I'm determined to keep my weight under control because it was so difficult to lose it all after Olivia was born. I really let myself go during and after that pregnancy.

Baby is doing well. I'm at the point where I need to start seeing my two midwives more often, and I just hate prenatal checkups. I'd be happy to have about 4 the whole pregnancy! I need to write up my "ideal birth story" for her. My last visit she asked if my kids would be there, and I said, "No, I don't even want you two there!" She laughed and said they'd try to stay as inconspicuous as possible, and wondered if an unattended birth was something that interested me. It's not something I ever want to do, but the if nothing goes wrong I don't see any need to have them in my way: the unattended atmosphere is what I'm trying to mimic as best I can with the obvious observers who need to be there.
Troy's mom is coming up after the delivery to help out for a few days, that'll be nice. Hopefully she'll just play with the kids, cook, and pick up, because I hope to have all my meals put up in the freezer and the house spotless with laundry done the way it was when I left for Vegas. It was so nice to have the break, and Troy is so good about keeping the house up. All I had to do when I got back was laundry and wipe the counters and bathrooms. They even mopped while I was gone! That's what I'm looking forward to when the baby is born. I already have all the clothing washed, spring cleaned all the kids' clothes, and we're ready to go!

Work is looking up: I'm far more motivated to write my new classes, and working with a teaching partner has been really great. She helps me stay on top of things, set goals and deadlines, and stay enthusiastic. I have my computer time more under control, and have even managed to scrap a few of my own pages lately.

I sewed too! I made a new nursing dress that's loose to be more like a lounging dress, so it fits me now too. I already wear it too much! I'm looking forward to finishing writing my classes so I have more time sew. I don't want to write any more after these are done: I'm maxed out on how many I can teach. After the baby is born it'll nice to just focus on running the classes so I can spend more time being mommy, doing the simple things like housework and sewing. I don't need more on my plate, I want to enjoy my kids while they're little!

My goals are all progressing well, and I'm really pleased with how things have been going. Aside from being so irritable, and Troy's in school and irritable as well! We've both noticed how hard the other is trying to keep things "cool" and in control, and life has been so much more enjoyable!

Another Girl!

Things are going really well. I'm a complete hormonal mess, very weepy and irritable, but it doesn't seem to be related to anything real, except for the obvious pregnant reasons! I'm not even feeling anything bad, just suddenly feel the urge to cry for no reason. It's not a big deal, but I think it's pretty funny!

We found out we're having another girl. I'm okay with that (3 girls and 1 boy), but I'm upset that my son won't have a brother. Personally I think girls are great! And it's not like we're raising girly princesses around here, so he should have plenty of wrestling and video game partners, and a mom and older sister who can karate-woop him anytime!

Work is getting away from me. I'm trying to get back into my other hobbies like sewing, and being more vigilant about teaching my oldest daughter piano and sewing, so I have less time for scrapbooking and writing classes. I need to manage my computer time more efficiently so I have time to write as well as scrap personally. Perhaps I'm just in a bit of a rut there. I figure as long as everyone is happy and the house is running smoothly, everything else is just bonus. Whatever I can fit in makes me grateful.

I just got back from Las Vegas for the CHA trade show where I met many of my online coworkers. Vegas is definitely an interesting and different place, a lot of fun even without gambling. So many shows and attractions and gaudy architecture to gawk at. The show is in Anaheim next year, and I've never been there either, but with a new baby I'll probably skip it. Though turning it into an extended Disneyland trip might be fun with the family!

House is Clean with my new baby, Roomba!

Christmas was a blast in Phoenix, and when I got home we had a new baby: delivered in a box that said "Roomba" on it!
It's amazing, but having that timer on it so I KNOW it's coming out at 9pm every night really motivates me to pick up a room to be ready for it. I guess I didn't realize how often I go to bed not picking up at least one room, and doing that everyday makes a huge difference!

So the thing has infected the rest of the house, the kitchen is clean, the bathrooms are clean, the beds are made, the laundry is done. I got some larger baskets, and having it organized has been really helpful. I haven't yet decided if I prefer to do a load a day, or spend one day doing it all, and then fold and put away one person's basket a day. Having each person have his own basket is really helpful as well, keeps the job smaller when I do it in portions.

So I'm doing pretty well with my goals!

Have yet to really get back into working out, but I go to the aerobics class at church twice a week now. Need to get back into lifting my dumb bells at home and using the community gym. I didn't gain any weight over the holidays, but I am starting to now. My goal is to stay under 170 by the end of June at delivery.

I DID get my next karate belt last November, advanced brown. After some "morning sick" leave, we're back at it twice a week. Taya's little friend wants to sign up and ride with us, so yet more motivation to get there! I am unable to set a goal for my next belt test: April is out, October may be wishful thinking with such a small baby. Certainly by April 2007 I will be ready to test again: seems so far away. But I will likely be able to do a triathlon in August or September, those take less time to train for.

The sewing room is close to being organized, Troy finished my new cutting table just before Christmas. I love it! I am really tired, and just trying to find the energy to work and exercise and keep the house, the "extras" seem really huge right now. I am sure I will be back at the cutting table soon.

For work, I've been doing much better since I set days to comment on students' work and allowed times for the computer. I don't scrap every Sunday, but I do it more often than I had been. Sometimes I just don't feel like it! I've decided to cram through writing these two new classes so we can buy a new car in a hurry. I found a c0-teacher for one class, so that'll be a huge help. Still working on the 15 minutes at a time for writing and commenting on members' work.
I was offered a job teaching English for 6 weeks, but I can make more money for my time teaching online classes at DSU.

I am writing new routines, or trying to. We went over mine when Taya and I were planning her routines, and I realized just how out of date they are! So far so good, so I'm not in a big hurry to get that done. I also am going to spend at least 15 minutes a day doing some school activity with Levi, and making at least 15 minutes to read to both little ones in the evenings.

Aside from feeling lazy due to baby fatigue, I'm doing really well. Writing things down help me realize just how much I get done, even with all the inactivity and resting!

We're having a BABY!

We're having a new baby! It's early, we're still in that "unreal" phase where the chart is telling me one thing, but my body hasn't caught on yet. Not that I hope for morning sickness or a huge gut, but it would certianly lend some credibility to my claim!

Due on June 19, Mom's birthday, we're hoping for the 28th. With an anniversary and all 3 kids on the 28th of a month, it would be a real shame to mess up the trend with this last baby. Our track record shows we have a good chance of making it! Nine days overdue is hard to plan, they don't have reverse inductions, do they?!

I'm still feeling pretty nervous, not excited or upset. I know what I'm getting myself into, and I really, really, really, really want a boy! That's a lot of pressure to perform in yet another aspect I can't control. Well, such is life with children, I'm getting used to it.

Goals

I'm under 150 pounds for the first time today! 148.6! I was tracking calories at www.fitday.com and gave that up. Too stressful, and too easy to get obsessed. I made my goal of doing it for 3 weeks, I learned a lot, but it was hard to force myself to stop. I know I can always do it again when things stall, it's a good tool. Just can't do it all the time.

I need to record some new goals. I realized the bodybuilding books I'm reading all have goals sections, and I wondered why I have never made any for other areas of my life! S o here goes

Fitness
1. I will weigh 135 pounds by October 31, and I will not gain any weight during the holidays.
2.I lift weights 3x/week, I do cardio 4x/week, and go to karate at least 2x/week.
3. I am writing a new workout plan every 8 weeks.
4. I plan my meals a week in advance, and cook several meals at once for the freezer.
5. I am getting my next karate belt in November.
6. I am doing a triathlon in June, or if I'm pregnant doing one after my karate test.

Housekeeping
1. By the end of September, I clean my kitchen every night before bed, and clean bathrooms every morning.
2. I sweep everyday, and mop every 3 days.
3. Get enough laundry hampers to contain dirty laundry. Wash, dry, and fold one load everyday.
4. Do not turn on the computer until 7pm, or do not have it on past 10am.
5. Organize sewing room by Thanksgiving with cutting table for sewing some Christmas gifts.
6. Follow my daily/weekly/monthly routines I wrote. Choose one thing I'm not doing and do it for 3 weeks before choosing another.

Work
1. I make time to scrapbook for myself every Sunday evening. One layout per week.
2. Spend 15 minutes per evening working on writing DSU classes or tutorials.
3. Spend 15 minutes per evening commenting on general gallery layouts.
4. Comment on students' layouts twice a week.

I think that's it for now.

All is Well

Troy is back, and after a minor scuffle all the fish is safely stowed in a new chest freezer where my industrial sewing machine used to be! The machine was a commercial 3-phase motor which couldn't be adapted to even a 220 outlet for home use, so I sold it to a parachute/skydiving instructor. Fortunately, my best friend's husband is an electrician who sky dives, so not only did he save us the trouble of learning the hard way it's not a 220, but he called his friend who bought it. I'm sad to see it go, but at least I made a few bucks!

Not sewing, not scrapping, just obsessed with this weight loss thing. That's fine, it leaves more time for cleaning the house. The pool is closing soon, so I'm anxious to get in as many laps as I can while the weather holds. Then it's back to biking/running, and I think I actually prefer to swim. I've lost a few pounds, look more toned, but have a way to go yet.

Every once in awhile I'm reminded by something of an old article I read on rediscovering passion in our lives, to not let the mediocrity of routine prevent us from being creative. So my diet wasn't working, I got a new one. I read some books, got excited, and that's what keeps me going. My cleaning routine isn't working, so I found a new resource. Hopefully honeymoon phase will set it, like it did with the www.flylady.net approach, and I can get things back to where I want them to be. I'm happy with a great routine that works, when I can be really organized and thus very productive. I'm hoping this detour will give Troy the time he needs to dig into my sewing room remodel so I can sew again. And hopefully when I feel healthier and my house is back to its old self, I can spend some more time scrapping and teaching.

Yep, all is well, and not just because I'm trying to convince myself it is!

Caughta Lotta Fish

Troy brought home about 200lbs of salmon and halibut, but I only got to see it in neatly packaged and frozen blocks of fish flesh. He had a great vacation as only a man can when reeking of fish guts for a week. Fortunately he showered before coming home, but with flight delays he barely pecked me after running in the door and straight back to the store to buy a chest freezer to save his precious catch. We'll eat well for awhile on these guys!

Visitors and Vacations

Troy is in Alaska for a week! I'm glad he went, it will be fun, but sad to be apart. BUT my best friend since grade school is visiting with her husband. Too bad Troy won't be around the visit since she met him before I did. They taught Levi how to swim, and we had a great time hanging out.

My diet is going okay...haven't lost any real weight, but that's good I guess since I don't want to go too fast and lose muscle with the fat. I seem more toned, I haven't skipped any workouts (Weights MWF, Swimming TT, and Karate WS). Hopefully this body "reshaping" will be fast and I can start to lose some fat and inches. I ordered an at-home fat % caliper today, so hopefully I can stop paying too much attention to the stupid scale! I can't WAIT to get my "after" photos!!!

Wow, Troy is going to Alaska!

Wow, Troy is going to Alaska! Just sprung that one on me. Apparently his friend Wally is going on a fishign trip for a great deal, so Troy couldn't resist tagging along. Hope he has fun and gets a ton of great photos.
He's leaving on Wednesday...yes, in less than 2 days, and will be gone until the following Thursday night.
It's actually kind of freeing, that we can do this type of thing on a whim. Not only that we can still be spotaneous when life seems to weigh us down so often, but that we can afford it. Not that we can afford it, but that it won't break us. He got a profit-sharing check today that sealed his decision to go as it was exactly the amount he needed for airfare!
Is it petty to admit I'm jealous? But I'm excited, because not only will he have a wonderful time, but that it shows me we can do this, everything is not a big deal!

I think I must be hormonal again, I'm not used to this! I'm used to having a few cycles a year, and it seems I've become a frequent flyer in the Time of the Month Club. I HATE it! Makes me feel hopeless, overwhelmed, irritable, weepy. Just at the time when I should be excited to get another chance to have a baby, I wonder what's wrong with me and if I can handle it! But I know it's not really "me" talking, that these feelings are under the surface and just amplified right now. I'll be fine...right?

Things at work are going well. I'd like to make a little more money, but I think the summer is slow. I'd love to find more time than my allotted 24 hours and write more classes, but I've secretly really enjoyed the break from the breakneck pace I've had this past year. Sometimes this industry gets really catty, a bunch of competitive women, but if I try to insulate myself from it, to remember this is my passion and we're all just trying to make a few extra bucks, then I can do my stuff and not get distracted. Except by email, whenever I need a good distraction, there's ALWAYS email!

I need to lose weight!

I'm starting a new diet, that's my obsession this week. It changes, you know, so check back in a few days and see what new neurosis I have developed since then. If I'm lucky, I'll go back to a previous obsession and save myself some money buying new supplies!

It's called The Abs Diet, and so far I really like it, though it doesn't seem to be helping at all. It's not much different than what I was already doing that didn't work, as is plain to see from my under 150 photo from January, and now I'm just barely under 160! Basically, eat more often, build muscle by working out, and eat high protein, high calcium, high fiber, and no refined sugar or flour.

I'd publish my Before photos in my bikini too, but it might scare off too many viewers, and since this is such a high traffic blog I need to be respectful! Perhaps when the Afters look better than the Befores, I can post them all as a boxed set.

Yes, those are my feet, even the podiatrist says they're ugly!

Starting stats:
height 5'7"...almost, and don't intend to change that much
weight 158
waist 31.5
hips 41.5
body fat >20%

This is where comments such as, "Emma, you cow, go for it! You sure need this!" or "Wow, you're brave to take photos in a bikini, ick!" or other insensitive jeers are most inappropriate. Unless you think it will motivate me, in which case feel free! Just please refrain from putting me on a scale from 1-10...wait, then that scale says I'd be really thin, let's try that!

Let's see...what to say?

My first post should be my life story thus far, right?

Well, who has time for that?! Between kids, the house, hobbies, and work, I'm lucky I have time to type in this at all!

Here we are with our 3 kids. I work teaching digital scrapbook classes at www.dsplace.com, Troy is a semi-conductor technician for KLA-Tencor, and the kids specialize in Grumpy, Whining, and Snuggles. There aren't a lot of career opportunities out there for minors, so it's fortunate most of them are good at these things!

We have way too many hobbies, it's a wonder the dishes ever get done or the lawn ever gets mowed. I sew clothing, scrapbook digitally, have a brown belt in karate, Troy fixes all things broken, does carpentry so the kids have more things to break, and we both love individual sports like kayaking or rock climbing or racquetball, and we sing and play the piano. I said we like it, not that we're good at it!
Like all good parents we feel guilty that we don't spend more time as a family, either together or on kid or couple dates.

It's amazing that with our frenetic pace and busy lives, we still feel we accomplish so little, and that our lives are inherently boring. Well, if you can squeeze us into a nutshell, this is it!