tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15769231804054820992024-03-12T18:01:27.582-07:00Rocking the Band!Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-10838211157179329062010-08-14T18:52:00.000-07:002010-08-14T18:52:11.781-07:00How would you pronounce this name?Yeah, like I said... How do you pronounce this name?<br />
<br />
EVERLEIGHTiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-79338347758654621802010-04-20T12:55:00.000-07:002010-04-20T12:55:32.813-07:00Helloooo friends!HI! It's me, Tiffani.. remember me? :) For those not following my <a href="http://adventuresinbabybaking.blogspot.com/">pregnancy blog</a> you probably thought I just fell off the face of the planet! :) I'm here!<br />
<br />
I'm 11 weeks pregnant today and "officially" (as in, according to my ultrasound) due on November 9. That happens to be the day after Cadence's birthday in case you were keeping track. I'm feeling good!! A lot of sleepiness but even that is going away with time and I'm starting to be able to get out of bed before 9 am again. YAY! <br />
<br />
I EAT though... man do I eat! I still get hung up on foods like bread and chicken just like before which was a surprise to me. I was under the impression that once your band is empty you can eat like pre-band. NOT TRUE! This was a pleasant surprise for me though really. I'm maintaining my new weight nicely. I eat far less than pre-band. I am trying to behave since I am diabetic and need to be good. My numbers just tell my doctor if I am eating well or eating like crap so I really need to control myself, lol.<br />
<br />
My year bandiversary is coming up in 2 days. Crazy. I doubt I'll do a whole post on it since I'm up in weight from a year ago... sort of depressing but then again when you think of the outcome.. not so much! :) I'll just start over after my bub is here safe and sound. No big deal! Totally worth it.<br />
<br />
I'm going to Chicago for B.O.O.B.S if I'm allowed by my doc. I'm going to ask her next week just to double check. I live 2 hours from Chicago but I know I got some paperwork that told me not to "travel" 2 months before delivery... so I'll just check. I don't think a 2 hour jaunt qualifies as "travel" personally. Ramona made my day and asked me to be roomies. I was feeling a bit self-conscious about going, honestly. I feel like I'm going to be the fat girl!!! BUT COME ON!!! Time to cut myself some slack, no? For some reason I feel like I don't fit in with you banded girls but I AM still banded. I just have to get over those stupid insecurities, I guess.<br />
<br />
Anywho! I just wanted to drop a note to say hello and catch everyone up. :) I'm still reading everyones blogs and will probably start following more from the BOOBS trip to get to know some more ladies before Sept.Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-74942813476924008182010-03-09T12:26:00.000-08:002010-03-09T12:26:38.178-08:00I'm empty, along with some drama!I went in yesterday to have my band emptied. Apparently everyone that becomes pregnant in our clinic gets their band emptied in the first trimester sometime. She hit my port on the first try and it was beyond simple. She pulled as hard as she could (her words) and retrieved 4 ccs from my band. FOUR CCS!!!!! I was supposed to have 10.5 in there. Then there was speculation that maybe the first fill didn't make it in... so then I should have had 7.5 in there. Either way, that's not FOUR! Where the HECK has 3.5-6.5 ccs gone!!!???? <br />
<br />
The NP was going to talk to my surgeon today and see what he thought. She also emailed the band representative who is the Realize correspondent for our clinic. Well, guess what? She's on maternity leave!! :) Cute. So the message was forwarded to someone who isn't familiar with my situation so the NP is going to have to tell him the whole story all over again. We'll see what they think happened in there.<br />
<br />
Also, I can start getting refilled after breastfeeding is well established so as to not interfere with my milk supply. She suggested 3-6 mos after the baby is here. I think we'll be saving our pennies to by another package to get fills and appts paid for for a year. It's about $2100-2200 for a year. I'll need that after baby. IF we can figure out what's up that is.<br />
<br />
She mentioned not thinking there was a leak because the fluid that came out was not a funny color. Not sure what that means or what color it should be (red perhaps from blood?) but that's what was said. <br />
<br />
I posted my first pregnancy post on that blog. I'd love to have all of you follow <a href="http://adventuresinbabybaking.blogspot.com/">there</a> if you're interested!!Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-46590979453063213412010-03-08T08:28:00.000-08:002010-03-08T08:28:15.119-08:00EEK! Time to get unfilled...I finally reached my NP on Friday and told her about being pregnant. She said I needed to come in and get unfilled. I'm going to leave in a bit more than 30 mins!! I'm nervous to see what happens when I get unfilled. I don't feel like I have much restriction but I know I *some* and I'm not looking forward to losing that little bit of help I'm getting. They said if I still feel symptoms like I have the band then they want to still look further into if the band has slipped. If it's like it's gone then they'll wait until after my pregnancy. Obviously I hope I can wait.<br />
<br />
I'm also looking forward to seeing what is actually in my band, cc wise. I'll let you all know when I get back. Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-67203683745965155062010-03-01T12:01:00.001-08:002010-03-01T12:02:47.647-08:00Here's what I came up with!! :)<a href="http://adventuresinbabybaking.blogspot.com/">The baby blog!</a> I'll make my first post soon but if you want to follow, there is the link!!<br />
<br />
See you there! :)Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-55296582639018075632010-03-01T09:09:00.000-08:002010-03-01T09:09:56.231-08:005w0dHello ladies! :) Just wanted to warn you all that I'm planning to make a pregnancy/baby blog. I kept an online journal with Cadence and printed it off to put in her baby book. I'd like the same thing for this baby too. I don't want to print off all my band blogs too so I'm going to separate the two for the time being. I'm 100% certain that I'll be posting periodic band updates and that I'll be back after baby trying to make this work out for me once again.<br />
<br />
I haven't made one yet but when I do I'll post a link so anyone that wants to can follow along. I will also have family and friends following since I will share that link with them as well.<br />
<br />
So let's see. The back story behind getting pregnant is simple. I stopped taking BCP's and our first official month of trying was back in December. That was before anything was considered "wrong" with my band. So, we fell pregnant on our third try. Of course, that was the one month I didn't FEEL pregnant and the month that they finally told me they thought something was wrong with my band. *sigh* Oh well, wouldn't trade a blessing like this for anything! :) <br />
<br />
I took a test the morning of my big upper GI to see the band placement because that was supposed to be the first day of my AF. I took it at 3:30 am and went immediately back to bed after I realized how early it was. Well... OOPS... 3 hours later I look at that test and it's positive. Uhhhhh, now what? I canceled the test at the hospital just to be safe but really still assumed that I wasn't pregnant. I figured it was just sitting out too long and was a false-positive. I went in to the regular doc later that morning for a BP check (normal, btw) and asked for a pg test. They took a urine sample from me but I had just gone maybe 2 hours before. The test was negative. I was sort of bummed but also knew that I was really early, had just peed, and there was still a possibility that I still was. I went straight to Walgreens and bought a pack of 3 digital tests. Took one the next morning at 2:30 am (what's with me, I know..) turned away from the test to burn some time, turned back and it said what I showed you all in that picture, "Pregnant." I stared at it sort of waiting for the "not" to appear before that word. Thought it might flicker on and off like an old hotel sign or something. Alas, it stayed "pregnant" for the next 24 hours.<br />
<br />
I couldn't very well just sit on that info alone. I nudged Chris a few times. He assumed I was trying to get frisky. MEN. So I used that to my advantage and told him, "quit trying to take advantage of your pregnant wife!" Well, that was enough. He was up on his elbow, blinking his eyes, asking "seriously?" We wound up staying up until 4:30 am talking, giggling and just being generally ecstatic about telling people and sharing the news with Cadence.<br />
<br />
We've since told all of our family. I'm not the type that can keep secrets like that in! Cadence has hugged "the baby" every morning and is SOOOO excited! She wants a sister but she said it would be ok if it was a boy because she knows you can't choose. What a sweet girl. She's in an anti-boy phase right now so I'm really surprised by that grown up comment. <br />
<br />
I feel generally fine. My breasts are heavy feeling and overall sore but that's about the only thing. I'm tired but really not any more than usual, yet. I'm sure things will get more intense as I get a little farther along. I'm just 5 weeks along today, as the title was to suggest. I have a few appts next Monday at 6 weeks. Chris' insurance changes April 1 and I have an appt for that day to meet my new doctor and hopefully hear a heartbeat in there! :) Exciting stuff!<br />
<br />
That's about all the goods for now! I'll be back when I think of a clever title for a baby blog!!! :) Any ideas?!<br />
<br />
Oh, as always, thank you guys for the tremendous amount of support you've given me through all of this. I am always so overwhelmed and surprised by it and I'm not sure why at this point. It should just feel natural but it still makes me feel so special and cared about! :) Thank you so much!!!Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-540477315899643622010-02-27T10:42:00.000-08:002010-02-27T10:42:57.030-08:00How's this for a mysterious post?Instead of going to find out what was wrong with my band on Wednesday, I got a positive pregnancy test and had to cancel. X-rays are bad for babies! ;)<br />
<br />
There's more to that story but I don't have time to post it.. but I do have a picture of what I saw on Thursday morning. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/S4lnVrzOsaI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/0J6ssSQszEg/s1600-h/2010+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/S4lnVrzOsaI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/0J6ssSQszEg/s320/2010+003.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I'll post the entire story really soon. But to sum it up... I still don't know what's wrong with my band and now I won't, possibly, for another year. We are thrilled and can't wait til Fall! :)Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-1954507162846425152010-02-14T18:46:00.000-08:002010-02-14T18:46:30.755-08:00Happy Valentine's Day AND 100 followers!! :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bargaineering.com/images/in_posts/love-valentines-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.bargaineering.com/images/in_posts/love-valentines-day.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Valentine's Day to all my <b>100</b> followers!!! Wow, who would have thunk that one!? :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">On to regular news... I scheduled my upper GI for February 24th at 8 AM. It's at the hospital in Madison and I'm pretty much super excited to get it done so I can, hopefully, have some answers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Along those lines, I'd like to say THANK YOU to everyone that commented on, or even just read, my blog entry about all <a href="http://rockingtheband.blogspot.com/2010/02/coming-out-of-hiding-with-semi-bad-news.html">this</a> mess. I think a part of me expected all of you to bail on me because I feel like I'm not a "real" bandster for some reason. I have a band, yes, but it's not working properly. Hopefully one day I'll have things up and running correctly and I'll get to utilize all the wonderful information you ladies have taught me. In the mean time, if anyone knows anyone else in my shoes, send them my way! I'd love to be able to help someone. That would really make me feel better.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We had company Saturday. My BFF, Leann, came to visit from Indiana. She brought her <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">fiancé</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"> and son (who happens to be 3 days older than my daughter) as well and we had a great time! We went to <a href="http://www.gomongo.com/">bd's Mongolian Grill</a> for dinner and then followed that up with some <a href="http://cascademountain.com/">tubing</a> at Cascade Mountain. What a fun night!! We got there with about an hour and 15 minutes left to tube and we took advantage until we were icicles. They stayed at a hotel (for reasons unknown to me, we have a spare room and plenty of extra space) in town and came back for breakfast this morning. I cooked an egg casserole-y thing and we had fresh fruit and toast with it. They had another destination in Wisconsin today so they left before noon. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">I got on my computer to play around and then went up to cuddle in bed with my family (they were watching movies in bed) and promptly fell asleep... for 3 hours! LOL! It felt great to catch up on sleep though. We stayed up until midnight last night doing wedding projects and talking. She also brought my bridesmaid dress along. I've mentioned the dress in a past post. It FIT! :) I felt a little compressed in the upper abdominal area so there needs to be a little hard work to improve that. I'll be doing a lot of dress adjustments during the ceremony so I need to be able to MOVE, lol. I'll post pics (she took them) when I get them! :) </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">Hope everyone else had a fabulous weekend! :)</span></span></div>Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-64698436995414776492010-02-09T13:15:00.000-08:002010-02-09T13:15:21.139-08:00Coming out of hiding.. with semi-bad newsWell, I am the same as everyone (most..) else and I hid when something was wrong. *hangs head in shame*<br />
<br />
I went in for another fill today and went armed with a speech to give. I was ready to fight for myself and was VERY happy to find out that I didn't have to. My nurse practitioner (NP) came armed as well. She talked to my surgeon last night about me and they have a plan for me. I was ranting on and on about how I'm gaining weight and it CAN NOT be all my fault. I exercise 4 times a week and recently added in boot camp classes when possible, too. I drink only water and milk (before meals or between as a snack) and until very recently have been following eating guidelines quite closely. Only "until recently" because I have been feeling SO down that I've been stuffing my face with junk. I admit this though.<br />
<br />
My NP just nodded and sat there looking awfully sympathetic. When I finally shut up and let her talk she told me their plan. I'm to get an <b>esophagram</b> as soon as possible. They said they have ruled out all other possibilities and are ready to look into more serious problems. She expressed to me that they do NOT think this is my fault. They think something is wrong with the band. She said one of two things are likely at this point: 1) the band slipped up around my esophagus, thus, creating no pouch. or 2) the band slipped down further or some of my stomach has prolapsed through the band. Again, this problem would have made a larger pouch.<br />
<br />
Both issues would explain the urge to look for food all the time and my seemingly insatiable appetite lately. The first issue would explain why I feel some "stuck" feelings sometimes when I eat (but they pass quickly.. like a clogged drain) and why I get the hiccups when I take a drink while eating or eat too quickly. <br />
<br />
So.. this continues the saga of Tiffani. :(<br />
<br />
IF one of these proves to be true there is one solution. Surgery. I'm self-pay, in case you forgot. I asked if the surgeons would donate their time or some such to help cut down on costs and she said she didn't know because I was the first person she knew of this being a possibility for since working there (she started in August). She said it was definitely worth exploring though if we need to.<br />
<br />
The NP sat with me for probably 30 minutes. Our appt was a 15 minute time slot. She had tears in her eyes right along with me when I sat there taking this all in.<br />
<br />
Obviously, I got no fill. I will be called soon to schedule my appt for that test and we'll go from there. She said our next step would be to look for a leak but they really don't think I'm showing signs of that happening.<br />
<br />
I would have so many decisions to make if this (any of this!) is the case... remove the band, replace the band, reposition the existing band.... UGH UGH UGH :( :( :( I hate this.<br />
<br />
Did I mention I'm 5 lbs away from weighing what I weighed on my date of surgery? Yeah. Something's wrong.Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-16722244208339906232010-01-25T12:35:00.000-08:002010-01-25T12:35:18.594-08:00Questions stolen from everyone!!<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Had a VERY busy weekend as seems to be our usual. Makes the week come up on us way too quickly. This Friday I'm seeing my therapist again, finally. Really looking forward to talking to her about my food journal and see what kinds of things she can offer me. Also, Friday we're going to see Monster Trucks, lol. Hubby got free tickets and we got a big group together to go. Saturday we're going to see RENT!!! YAY, can't wait. It's my first time seeing it so I'm super excited.. love the theater!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. What time did you get up this morning? Alarm goes off every weekday at 7:15 am<br />
<br />
2. How do you like your steak? Medium<br />
<br />
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Lovely Bones, good book, good movie!<br />
<br />
4. What is your favorite TV show? Biggest Loser, Survivor, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Modern Family... oh my. I DVR EVERYTHING though.. watch it when I'm free.<br />
<br />
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I suppose I *could* live anywhere in the world but I choose here... Madison, WI. My family is close enough and far enough away for comfort! :)<br />
<br />
6. What did you have for breakfast? Leftover breakfast casserole (sausage and eggs) that we were sent home with from FIL's bday party.<br />
<br />
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Japanese! YAY sushi!!<br />
<br />
8. What foods do you dislike? Onions. BLECH. I CAN taste them even when you say I can't, too.<br />
<br />
9. Favorite place to eat? A good sushi bar or steakhouse, I suppose.<br />
<br />
10. Favorite dressing? Raspberry Vinaigrette or French if that's not an option.<br />
<br />
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Chevy Trailblazer, 2007, Red, mine. Chrysler 300C, 2008, black, hubby's.<br />
<br />
12. What are your favorite clothes? Basic stuff.. jeans with a solid or lightly patterned top. Cami with a sweater, etc. I'm a simple girl.<br />
<br />
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? I would love to see so many places!! Australia, Switzerland (been there once, it's beautiful), Mexico, sooo many more!<br />
<br />
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Full<br />
<br />
15. Where would you want to retire? I'd love to have a winter home when I retire, somewhere warm. Then still live in this area spring through fall.<br />
<br />
16. Favorite time of day? When the hubby comes home for lunch! :)<br />
<br />
17. Where were you born? Racine, WI<br />
<br />
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Baseball<br />
<br />
19. Bird watcher? Nope<br />
<br />
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? I prefer to see sunlight than dark so I suppose morning but I don't wake up nicely. ;)<br />
<br />
21. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Not at this point.<br />
<br />
22. What did you want to be when you were little? A teacher. Still want to!!<br />
<br />
23. What is your best childhood memory? Spending weekends at my cousins' house on the lake. Swimming, ice skating, 4-wheeling...<br />
<br />
24. Are you a cat or dog person? 100% cat person. Grew up with dogs but I just don't like their smell and maintenance LOL.<br />
<br />
25. Are you married? Yuppers! 09/03/05 was our big day!<br />
<br />
26. Always wear your seat belt? Always. Always! ALWAYS!<br />
<br />
27. Been in a car accident? Once, by myself. Hit a tree on the first snowy day of the year when I was 18... been scared of snow driving ever since. :(<br />
<br />
28. Any pet peeves? Pouty lip self-portraits. We know you think you're cute, get over it.<br />
<br />
29. Favorite Pizza Toppings? hawaiian pizza! canadian back w/pineapple!<br />
<br />
30. Favorite Flower? roses, red :)<br />
<br />
31. Favorite ice cream? I'm not a huge ice cream fan but when I get it I like mint chocolate chip.<br />
<br />
32. Favorite fast food restaurant? Noodles & CO. or Wendy's<br />
<br />
33. How many times did you fail your driver's test? none<br />
<br />
34. From whom did you get your last email? Becky :)<br />
<br />
35. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Target or a home store where I could remodel my entire home!<br />
<br />
36. Do anything spontaneous lately? pfft.. nope.<br />
<br />
37. Broccoli? w/cheese please! or plain with dip.<br />
<br />
38. What was your favorite vacation? Probably one of the three trips to Las Vegas... I love seeing theater shows and seeing the sights!<br />
<br />
39. Last person you went out to dinner with? Chris' brother and his gf<br />
<br />
40. What are you listening to right now? SIRIUS Hits on the tv... Cadence turns it on randomly throughout the day to dance for the baby we watch. Baby loves it, LOL.<br />
<br />
41. What is your favorite color? Pink!<br />
<br />
42. How many tattoos do you have? 3<br />
<br />
43. Coffee drinker? Yes please but it has to be drowned in flavors, can't be "coffee flavored" if you know what I mean. I like fancy coffees like cappuccino and lattes.</span></span>Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-71214718642224842702010-01-22T06:51:00.000-08:002010-01-22T06:51:03.045-08:00HAHA, I whine for no reason.I realize now that there are many reasons to be unfollowed. Perhaps they started a blog or thought about it and then it wasn't for them and deleted the account all together. I know who my real people are and I follow them closely and I hope not to lose any of you!!! :) Dumb post... I'm over it!<br />
<br />
Anyways, I'm up two extra followers this morning, haha. YAY! I loooove my followers!! If there's anything anyone wants to know, feel free to ask! :) <br />
<br />
Things are going well here. I hurt my back last night somehow. I had personal training this morning and she basically just helped me stretch my back out and did some light, light exercises that wouldn't hurt it too much. I'm running like a fiend lately. Fiend in my definition is WAY more than I ever thought I would be running. I guess I really never pictured myself running at ALL but I'm so glad I am.<br />
<br />
Cadence is going to a water park hotel with her BFF's family tonight. We are dropping her off after her gymnastics class and then we'll be free! ;) We're taking advantage and going to dinner with friends tonight. We have reservations at a great steakhouse. Tomorrow we'll be relaxing and enjoying our alone time until she gets back. Then Sunday we'll go to Chris' dad's house to celebrate his birthday, they're cooking us brunch.<br />
<br />
Hope all of you have a fabulous weekend!! I'm planning on it! :)Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-51651743822878603622010-01-21T19:35:00.001-08:002010-01-21T19:35:32.022-08:00Eek, I'm being unfollowed! :(Sorry, to all my blog peeps if I suck at blogging!!!! :( I try to blog as often as I can about interesting stuff. I also do my best to read and comment on as many blogs as I can. I read ALL the blogs I follow and just don't always comment to save time for reading. <br />
<br />
Hope I didn't offend someone or any crap like that. What a poopy feeling to be unfollowed!! LOL... and how ridiculous, too, that I had to make a whole post about it!!Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-54024309591332202912010-01-15T11:36:00.000-08:002010-01-15T11:36:27.833-08:00I have been sick again but I have a NSV to share!!I have been sick with some nasty cold or something. I have a ton of buildup of post-nasal crap in my throat. I cough and cough all night trying to sleep and get it out and then during the day my nose drips all the day long, lol. I'm a disgusting mess!<br />
<br />
I did, however, want to share my NSV that I had recently. I have been taking my daughter to Kindermusik since she was just a couple of months old. It's a music class that involves the parent/caregiver a whole lot. This week we did a song where we have the kiddo on our laps and then fall back so the kid's on our chest/stomach and we throw our feet in the air! Well, we've been doing this in class forever and I could never get back to a sitting position without pushing off the ground with my hands. Keep in mind my daughter hasn't gotten any smaller.. she's 50 lbs now. I did it! :) I rolled back up to a sitting position with Cadence on my lap still and did NOT have to push off the floor! <br />
<br />
So what does this say? I've gotten MUCH stronger! In the beginning of classes (when C was only a few months old) I would blame my c-section... cuz you know, they cut through those muscles. That can only go on for so long! Now, I managed to do this fun thing with my daughter and not just once but THREE times! I was smiling for a long time after that! :)Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-83214158451704403082010-01-11T12:37:00.000-08:002010-01-11T12:37:41.738-08:00Help out a friend?Hi guys! :) A wonderful, real-life, friend of mine has a daughter in a photographer's contest over here.. <a href="http://kileyephotography.blogspot.com/">http://kileyephotography.blogspot.com/</a> so if you feel so inclined to vote PLEASE do! You can vote for anyone you'd like but my friend's daughter is number <b>10</b> so that would be extra helpful. I'd love to see her win this!! :)<br />
<br />
Thanks for all your help!! It's a close call right now but she's in the top 3 at the moment!!!Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-61994686691258800122010-01-07T09:01:00.000-08:002010-01-07T09:01:20.814-08:00Way past due!Good grief I am a slacker! I haven't even caught up on all of your blogs since Monday but I will get there, I promise! I wanted to post about my week so far since it's been eventful! :)<br />
<br />
I decided to call on Monday to schedule a fill. I was up to like 225 point something and I was starting to look for food all day long. I knew it wasn't in my head. Fancy this, they had an appt available on Tuesday! I took it!! I went in a bit ashamed. My blood pressure was high and they were asking me what was up since they could tell from that that I was nervous. I explained that I was afraid I was going to be talked about behind my back at the clinic. How this crazy girl has 9+ cc's in her 9 cc band and she wants more.. HA! What a nutcase!! Kristen, the NP, reassured me that "nutcase" is not the phrase they use to describe me. LOL. She told me that she talked to my surgeon and the only conclusion they can come to is that the very first fill must have been subcutaneous since the first fill is hardest since they can't pull any fluid back to know they're in the port since there's NONE in there to pull back. I've brought this up before but it's quite reassuring to hear again. She also said as long as the band is allowing fluid she will put more in. She said she's had people where the band will physically NOT allow more fluid to be pushed in. The plunger on the syringe will go back up and fluid goes back into the syringe. Interesting. So she said we'd baby step me up from here on and she'd give me a 1/2 cc. FINE! :) She does the fill and tells me that the fluid went in very easily and there was no resistance coming back at her. Then she sits down at the computer and gives me this look... uh oh! She said, "I actually gave you 1 cc." I could tell by her look... "accidentally?" I asked. "Yes.." she said, "we got to talking and I just wasn't thinking and put all of what I had in." She always has a bit of extra in her syringe so she has some to work with. We had a serious talk about side effects of being too tight and she sent me off. I even admitted to her that I was a bit excited to see the results of this fill.<br />
<br />
Well... she called me the next morning. She said after we talked she was worried I wouldn't tell her if I was too tight. I admitted to wanting to feel some of the side effects of being too tight just because I never have so she was understandably worried about me. I reassured her that I wasn't holding back and that I was doing fine so far. I have taken it easy so far and haven't eaten anything too crazy like chicken... although I will consider that today.<br />
<br />
I have noticed I'm feeling full sooner and for a longer period of time. Last night I had 3/4 of a chicken patty (not the same texture as a chicken breast.. I'm sure you know what I'm referring to) and some broccoli and I was STUFFED! I had tater tots on my plate that had to be saved for another time. BTW - this is NOT a normal dinner but I worked until 8 and stopped at the store to cook something I could eat pronto since I'm starving when I get home from work. They only take 15 mins in the oven. Also, I left the bun off. I have no problem eating bread but I noticed I was getting full off the broccoli so I figured I'd better take the bun off so I could eat more of the meat.<br />
<br />
Not sure if I blogged about my psychologist visit on 1/1/10. I started seeing a long-term psychologist on Friday, the first. She is on vacation now (of course! :( ) but she gave me a sheet to track all my food on each day. It really has kept me accountable to myself. I go to eat that handful (or bag!) of chips and I'm like, "am I gonna want to write that on my sheet?" Then I go on to ask myself what else I can snack on why I even need a snack. It's really great to look back on as well.<br />
<br />
I hate making such long blogs because I feel like no one's going to read them but that's what is new with me! Oh and my weight is back down to 221.2. Considering it was at 225ish last week that's pretty darn ok with me! I'm about 8 lbs from my low thus far. That was when I had the flu too so it's not an "official" low I guess. <br />
<br />
Anyways, 8 lbs til I'm at my lowest weight ever! :)Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-24757311607817790022009-12-29T14:14:00.000-08:002009-12-29T14:14:40.798-08:00A few Christmas pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Szp7DV6LmfI/AAAAAAAAALY/6N1KKfw0ww4/s1600-h/winter09+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Szp7DV6LmfI/AAAAAAAAALY/6N1KKfw0ww4/s320/winter09+014.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is me with my coworker, Michelle. This was taken at our Christmas party. I thought it was not only a cute picture of the both of us but we match!!! Funny. :)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Szp7KLBx21I/AAAAAAAAALg/ZuPZQ8MEvB4/s1600-h/winter09+082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Szp7KLBx21I/AAAAAAAAALg/ZuPZQ8MEvB4/s320/winter09+082.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Me, being ridiculous Christmas morning. Cadence picked out this scarf for me. She told me she got me a scarf but I was surprised about what it looked like at least! :) She did well!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Szp8B1FdTuI/AAAAAAAAALo/oykmHBUGJwQ/s1600-h/winter09+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Szp8B1FdTuI/AAAAAAAAALo/oykmHBUGJwQ/s320/winter09+067.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I spent 5 hours baking cookies the Sunday before Christmas. Here I am with the results. We still have plenty left after bringing a ton to Grandma's and having guests. We'll be taking some more with to the NYE celebration we're attending. Everything here was a tried and loved recipe except the cookie with the mint M&M on top and they will be permanently added to our list of cookies!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Szp8rx8fLoI/AAAAAAAAALw/RGt74siBVwU/s1600-h/winter09+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Szp8rx8fLoI/AAAAAAAAALw/RGt74siBVwU/s320/winter09+051.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This totally cracks me up! See the little hand on my water? See the look on my face? HAHA! I am forever telling her to ASK before she takes my beverage and Chris happened to catch "the look" on camera. TOO FUNNY!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Szp9jWlyX8I/AAAAAAAAAL4/L0qSLtGl-kI/s1600-h/winter09+096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Szp9jWlyX8I/AAAAAAAAAL4/L0qSLtGl-kI/s320/winter09+096.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cadence is apparently not wanting her picture taken. This is her with her cousin, my nephew, Dante. He is 6 (SIX!) and weighs over 100 lbs. :( My sister needs to buy him adult sized clothes and she hems MEN's pants for him to wear. I feel so bad for him. All the kids were wrestling with the bigger kids and he broke a sweat... like a REAL sweat. My kid plays hard and I have never seen her sweat like that, ever. Makes me sad. Also, my sister is forever defending how he got this way. "He doesn't eat a lot." etc... umm yeah, saw that in action this weekend. In fact I have a photo of him chugging Mountain Dew. REGULAR mt dew. :( Enough about that.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Szp-cd2Cz2I/AAAAAAAAAMA/qHrKy6UAKT8/s1600-h/winter09+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Szp-cd2Cz2I/AAAAAAAAAMA/qHrKy6UAKT8/s320/winter09+037.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll end with this one. I just loooove how fabulous and shiny my hair looks. Hehe. See how much my kiddo is helping too? I work while she eats yogurt.. nice.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy New Year everyone!!! :)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_295/1217642359U2qGo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_295/1217642359U2qGo2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-82126835633850202082009-12-27T18:40:00.001-08:002009-12-27T18:40:51.627-08:00Before I forget!I'll try and do a better Christmas update with pictures later this week but want to post this memory before it gets outta my head!<br />
<br />
I was describing someone to my grandma and said, "she's not fat, she's not skinny... she's average... about my size actually."<br />
<br />
Then I stopped... did I just say that? About myself!?<br />
<br />
I'm average.. to myself! YAY!Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-83162912714209544112009-12-21T19:30:00.000-08:002009-12-21T19:30:10.630-08:00I'm still alive!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/3061375913_0524e0e5a0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/3061375913_0524e0e5a0.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
</div><br />
Sorry for being so scarce guys! With the rush of the holidays and life in general I haven't even had a free few minutes to post! I'm just posting to say HI! My weight is up at the moment.. not much but enough to make me irritated, lol. I'm up to 219 or so. Work in progress.. that's me. I've upped my cardio to 3 times per week (with the trainer) and one strength session per week. That should see a budge in the scales. <br />
<br />
Then you have to factor in the mass amount of cookies I produced yesterday and then I just need... prayers LOL! I plan to give most of them away and take them to gatherings so we should be ok but for now they are in my house. I did manage not to taste (m)any doughs while making them and I didn't even have a single finished cookie until an hour after they were ALL done. I made SIX different treats! Five HOURS of baking. OY!<br />
<br />
Have a very merry Christmas and I will hopefully post something more helpful, and/or band-related soon! :)Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-57812273763512627242009-12-10T12:11:00.000-08:002009-12-10T12:11:44.578-08:00Family pictures and a fun email!We had our family holiday photos (and C's 5 y/o pics) taken last Saturday and I posted the proofs to my photo site. My aunt, Jane, saw them and forwarded a couple along to my grandma. This is the email she sent to me and I'll follow it with a couple of the photos we had done.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Jane sent me your new pictures & they are beautiful, boy. you are really looking good there. That weight is sure coming off. Stay warm & drive carefully. Love ya"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">Wasn't that fun!? <3 Love that lady, lol. She knows how to give a good pick me up, for sure!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFSd4zuBAI/AAAAAAAAAKg/2nBjb3jq_cw/s1600-h/fampics09+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFSd4zuBAI/AAAAAAAAAKg/2nBjb3jq_cw/s320/fampics09+002.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is the photo we chose for our cards. Along with a shot of Cadence by herself.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFTWxqfhCI/AAAAAAAAAKo/tXSju4pibwo/s1600-h/fampics09+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFTWxqfhCI/AAAAAAAAAKo/tXSju4pibwo/s320/fampics09+007.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These aren't going where I want them to go, LOL. Anyways, this is to stay accountable. I don't particularly love this shot but it shows my whole body (mostly, I guess) and it also shows my kiddo's adorable skirt! I chose her outfit and my outfit around that damn thing! It's silver toile (no clue how to spell that but dictionary.com tells me that is the correct word and meaning!) and I paired it with a red shirt and ivory cardigan, hooded. While I have no adorable skirt I am wearing dress pants in a twill material and a red shirt with ivory cardi.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then we have a few cute ones of my bub :)</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFUseox0-I/AAAAAAAAAKw/auwxlxII7c4/s1600-h/fampics09+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFUseox0-I/AAAAAAAAAKw/auwxlxII7c4/s320/fampics09+017.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFU2xR8eVI/AAAAAAAAAK4/SUbshr4Ra1E/s1600-h/fampics09+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFU2xR8eVI/AAAAAAAAAK4/SUbshr4Ra1E/s320/fampics09+025.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Are these really going to post side by side!!! *gasp* Well, here she is, my beautiful girl. We had her hair curled for cheap at one of those walk-ins allowed salons and she absolutely loved that! And, for $16 why not!? <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFVQvn8iJI/AAAAAAAAALA/onMSyTIOGf0/s1600-h/fampics09+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFVQvn8iJI/AAAAAAAAALA/onMSyTIOGf0/s320/fampics09+033.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFVSc3W8kI/AAAAAAAAALI/4NCz8G-G52g/s1600-h/fampics09+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFVSc3W8kI/AAAAAAAAALI/4NCz8G-G52g/s320/fampics09+034.jpg" /></a> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last one is the non-holiday pose the photographer did with us. They all turned out about that great with Cadence only half smiling or smirking so we didn't purchase any of those. She is a fantastic smiler so I was VERY disappointed that the photog couldn't get her to freakin' smile for ONE of the FIVE shots she took in this same pose.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And just one more for the day... I feel like I all I do is brag about how cute my kid is.. but that's what proud mamas do!! :)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFV-PDchtI/AAAAAAAAALQ/c6ZSEyJySwY/s1600-h/fampics09+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/SyFV-PDchtI/AAAAAAAAALQ/c6ZSEyJySwY/s320/fampics09+051.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-51396097176213684542009-12-07T09:59:00.000-08:002009-12-07T09:59:54.763-08:00My Beautiful Girl!Cadence had her Christmas show for dance yesterday! It was a Polar Express theme and they had an older gentleman read the story of "The Polar Express" in between dances. It was beyond my expectations of a holiday dance (a benefit even, the studio didn't make money from this show!) and was just phenomenal! Here's Cadence's performance and some pictures from that day. Enjoy :) I'm so proud of her I could burst.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su4KwjClS94">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su4KwjClS94</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Mommy and Cadence before her show<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Sx1B4mF1ZvI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Vim4p9Rgxss/s1600-h/winter2009+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Sx1B4mF1ZvI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Vim4p9Rgxss/s320/winter2009+010.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Pretty girl's stage makeup. She was so excited about her lips!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Sx1CCucqF2I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/aPvANUY2jAs/s1600-h/winter2009+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Sx1CCucqF2I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/aPvANUY2jAs/s320/winter2009+006.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blurry first position pose :) but you can see her whole outfit :)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Sx1Cb3_kyoI/AAAAAAAAAKY/FMfbbT70wPk/s1600-h/winter2009+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Sx1Cb3_kyoI/AAAAAAAAAKY/FMfbbT70wPk/s320/winter2009+007.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">That's enough bragging for the day, I think! :)<br />
</div>Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-18093112539075830762009-12-04T11:12:00.000-08:002009-12-04T11:12:50.992-08:00Pysch Visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Sxlb9oDZ2fI/AAAAAAAAAKA/1XAFoYE2DP4/s1600-h/transa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Sxlb9oDZ2fI/AAAAAAAAAKA/1XAFoYE2DP4/s320/transa1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Yesterday, I had a visit with a wonderful health psychologist. I spent an hour laying it all out there and man did that feel good. He listened for a good, long time and then asked some questions. After he was done listening he drew the above diagram. It's called Transactional Analysis. He said it's old but so is he, hehe. I could actually really relate to what he told me with this! Basically, when I'm all "I want that candy and no one can stop me" it's acting in my child state. When I'm rational and think it through like, "I don't need that candy cuz it's gonna go straight to my ass" that's my adult state. And, when Chris is all, "you can't have that candy because you told me to stop you..." that's him being my parent and I hate it! LOL!<br />
<br />
This is a public blog so let's face it... my parents have the potential to come across it. So I'm not going to spill all my baggage out there but, basically, I was a REALLY good kid and I had a VERY strict step-mom. I think she'd admit to that much, I hope. I never did drugs, never drank, never partied. <br />
<br />
In the opinion of EVERY psychologist I've seen for any reason they've all told me that I grew up too quickly. The psych yesterday thinks I am nurturing the child state of me because I didn't get enough time to be completely in the child state. If I'm twisting his words around a bit you'll have to forgive me because there was a LOT of information to take in during our session. So he suggested I try to nurture my child state in different ways than food. Think about it... what are one of the ways you nurture a child? You feed it. I feed my child state a wee bit too much and too often! :) He suggested I try to figure out what my child state needs. This could be done on my own by journaling (helloooo blog world) or by seeking professional help. He, being a psychologist himself, of course recommends that I see someone. I agree with him but just don't know where I will fit it into my schedule. <br />
<br />
I told him something he really liked too. I told him I was worth the time and money (if it costs and isn't covered by insurance) to take care of myself. I've already spent a LOT of money to get this band so why wouldn't I take whatever necessary steps to further help myself since it appears I need it?! I will NOT fail myself OR this band. I refuse.<br />
<br />
Ahhhh. You gotta love a good psychologist session! :) You know what else I love? My blog ladies! You were all SO supportive of my last post and I had tears with each comment that came in. I am SO thankful!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/smoochies-muah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/smoochies-muah.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
</div>Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-38680148830679932822009-12-02T12:08:00.000-08:002009-12-02T12:08:15.193-08:00Revelations at the Nutritionist'sI've been procrastinating coming here to blog this. Then, I got to thinking how supportive and wonderful you all are and I know you won't judge me or hate me... and if you do, well, that's not nice!<br />
<br />
I saw Diane, the nutritionist, for my 6 mos post-op visit. I'm 7 mos post-op but I had to reschedule with her since her daughter was sick last month, you may recall that story. Anyways, she asked the usual questions about my daily menu and all that. Then I confessed (as I had been planning to do) that I have been eating a lot of junk. She asked if it was more or less than pre-surgery. I said about the same. She asked if left to my druthers would I eat all junk food. My answer, of course, was yes. She fell silent for a bit. She looked me squarely in the face and said, "The band is working." I started in with my buts and she interrupted with, "The BAND is working." She fell silent again and then she said, "you look like you might cry." And cry I did.<br />
<br />
She assured me that the band is doing what it needs to do and I need to remember the rules, battle some old dragons still hanging on and seek some additional help. She set up an appt for me with the health psychologist and recommended the guy who has worked with food longer. I see him tomorrow at 9 am. Thank goodness for my wonderful husband who is going to stay home with the girls (our girl and the one I babysit) while I go. <br />
<br />
She reminded me that the band is there to decrease hunger and I told her I am hardly ever hungry. (Truth!) Then the band is there to limit what I eat and if I eat the right foods it does that. I am not doing that though and I need to have a bit of extra help battling some old dragons that are still hanging around. She cried with me, said she was a sympathy crier and she couldn't help herself. She reassured me that NO ONE is judging me or talking poorly about me. They want to help me and they just think a fill is the wrong way to go right now. So, I canceled my fill appt (for yesterday) and instead made tomorrow's appt for the health psych. <br />
<br />
She asked me if I heard her say that I had failed. I said yes. She said that is NOT what she said. She said the dreaded phrase, "it is what it is." (I HATE THAT!)<br />
<br />
So basically, I have head hunger like no other and I need some help tackling that still. I'm going to need your support more than ever as I try to overcome whatever issues I am keeping tucked inside.<br />
<br />
I love you ladies.. you're all the best. Thanks for sticking with me. I can do this. I said myself that there's no sense in looking back so I'm not going to tear myself apart and criticize how I did this. I'm going to look ahead and do what I can... improve upon my situation and take care of myself. :)<br />
<br />
There are some ups in this. I'm trying to see the positive to keep positive. I have maintained, and not gained, my weight for several months. I am still exercising four times a week with a trainer and we are about to change up our schedule to put in more cardio and do less strength until I lose more weight. I have gone down in clothing sizes and gotten to where I have no clothes... yes, this is a plus! I hated all my not stylish clothes and I can't wait to replace all that stuff with new, trendier clothes!!<br />
<br />
So that is that. It is what it is. LOL!Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-41107895382560998112009-11-27T19:01:00.000-08:002009-11-27T19:01:03.854-08:00Happy Thanksgiving (a day late)I managed to not only lose 1.2 lbs since last week (still not at my low since surgery yet) but I also went to the gym today and doubled up on my training sessions!!! I managed a whopping FIVE sessions at the gym this week. I feel great about that and HELLO, that might have something to do with the loss this week :) I dig it, I do. :D<br />
<br />
Had a fabulous time yesterday for sure. Ate my fair share of food (and yours, I'm sure) I won't lie but I worked my booty off at the gym today so I don't even feel the slightest bit guilty! Not gonna stress about that AT ALL. Why bother.. what's done is done! :) You can only move forward.<br />
<br />
We got our tree up today and some other small decorations. We need to get to the hardware store tomorrow for some nails for some other things but I'm loving how it just fills up my home! Makes it so festive and happy. Not to mention the kiddo loves it all!<br />
<br />
Got a bunch of online shopping done this evening. Didn't take advantage of many really huge sales but got the kiddo completely taken care of and I also bought for the hubby. I warned him he can't read the packing slip or he dies. I even went so far as to have his gift wrapped so he can't see it that way either! I'm excited :) I asked the fam for a bunch of new winter clothes. I'm a bit scarce on them! <br />
<br />
Speaking of clothes... my band buddy Tracy hooked me up once again! She sent me a package of 3 sweaters recently and I actually wore one of them yesterday for Thanksgiving! :) It was an XL Ralph Lauren sweater, hooded with front pockets. It was soooo soft (rabbit hair) and I wore a black cami under it and it was perfect! The other two were lighter weight solid color sweaters. Both XL and I believe both Gap. They both fit gloriously! :) So happy to be in these "normal" sizes. :) :) :)<br />
<br />
I rescheduled my fill for this coming Tuesday. I also see the nutritionist for my 6 month visit (a month late since she had to reschedule my actual appt) on Monday so I'll be a busy appt girl this week. I'm anxious to see what everyone has to say!!! <br />
<br />
Well, that's about all the updates. I'll try and get some pictures of the holiday decor around my house and post those soon. <br />
<br />
Lots of love!Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-31317884286125107912009-11-24T17:29:00.000-08:002009-11-24T17:29:34.080-08:00BLECH!Soooooooooooooo. It turns out Chris decided to pass a kidney stone through his system today right around the time I was getting ready to leave for a fill. In case anyone doesn't know... stones are comparable to child birth apparently in pain. I had to drive the man to the ER and cancel my fill. I'm going to call tomorrow to try and reschedule for asap (maybe tomorrow??) and get that taken care of.<br />
<br />
The good news is the man must have passed his stone through to his bladder since his sever pain stopped. They sent him home with a script for Vicodin and told him to strain his pee to hopefully catch the culprit and have it analyzed to see why he got it in the first place. <br />
<br />
So that's that. No fill for me today.Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576923180405482099.post-51336617762499075462009-11-24T07:32:00.000-08:002009-11-24T07:32:08.358-08:00Haircut, baby hairs, fills, oh my!Well, where to start?! I guess first of all, today is my fill at 3:45. I plan on really talking to the NP and asking her to be generous and let me deal if I'm too tight (not *really* but to give me more than .4 this time). I've never BEEN too tight so it's just hard to see that happening to me if that makes any sense. I sort of want it to happen to know that it CAN happen! That there's a green zone for me coming.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I ran into the salon and got a quick trim. Well, I suppose I scheduled it but she happened to have an opening yesterday so I scooped it up! I went at 4 and her next appt wasn't until 5 so she curled and styled my hair for free in between! Sweet! Here's a shot I captured on my laptop webcam.. so not that great. I also took it about 2-3 hours after so it was a bit flatter than it started. She knows I like volume so she always gives me big hair :D hehe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Swv7Q3bEh1I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/bRe77iuJGGc/s1600/Picture+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rRoqsNuvYAU/Swv7Q3bEh1I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/bRe77iuJGGc/s320/Picture+004.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't you just LOVE my wallpaper too? And the sleeping kitty? That's Rocky! This is where I normally sit while I'm blogging or on my laptop. The wallpaper has been here since before we bought the house and we've just not been troubled to take it down...even though we despise it. Sigh... it will wait.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some good news.. :) As my stylist was cutting my hair she pointed out all the little baby hairs sticking straight up from the top middle of my head! YAY! My hair is growing back! :) I'd noticed that it stopped falling out but didn't notice these baby hairs until she pointed them out. Well, darn it if I couldn't stop talking about them after that LOL. I was so excited! :)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm growing my hair long for my BFF's wedding in May so I have something to style for the big day, lol. Otherwise I usually cut my hair pretty short or at least a bit different each time. This was just a trim :)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll report back in once I know what I got for a fill! I work tonight so maybe after work or tomorrow :)<br />
</div>Tiffanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855737187547692682noreply@blogger.com6