Brainorrhea

Wow!  That's a low price!!

Hello, the title is brainorrhea!  So when I started this blog earliers, the first word was all I had saved in draft.  When I came back, that is what popped into my head along with thoughts of Drazil's cute little girl all dressed by herself!  :)

It has been a crazy 24 hours!  Not only did we actually list our house (for 60 days) on the market, we also negotiated property management with our realtors if we don't have a contract by then.  I'm a bit stressed because I will be dealing with offers, counter offers and closing alone as Hubster will be away at school.  Makes me a little nervous.  It's also solely up to me to keep the house in pristine condition because I will only have 30 minutes notice of showings.  Two kids and a dog and a cat and me....Lord give me strength!

We have also decided on the house we'll call home in Florida.  It's a 3bdr, 2bath with a swimming pool!  Cool!  It's also about 30 minutes from the beach  Double cool!   So as exciting as that is, I am also nerve wracked about driving from Kansas to Florida with the kids and dog alone.  I think I've found a friend to road trip it with me and help out, but not sure if she'll flake or not.  It also means, I get to deal with the military movers on this end single-handedly as well as all the unpacking at our destination. 

Hubster will be gone for Phase I of his training for 6-10 weeks.  So I have set a goal to lose 15 pounds in 6 weeks to "wow" him when he returns.  Hoping some water aerobics and laps in the pool will help.

I'm also freaking out a bit because the whole move is just a month away!!  Time is going to fly by!  And I'm afraid I'm going to be so busy I'm not going to get to spend the time I want with the friends I have here before I have to say goodbye.  Kasey and Kellie have been lifesavers, literally, throughout my time here in Kansas.  I watch Kellie's little man and feel so blessed to get to spend a bit of each day with him and will be sad when I don't' get my sweet little baby fix on a daily basis.

Speaking of brainorrhea, I've also had some female issues since surgery.  I am on continuous birth control (the patch) to prevent TTOM from visiting due to endometriosis.  I had some break through bleeding before my surgery so I just went patch free since they generally want you hormone free.  Well, I started using it again the Sunday after (like a Sunday start) and have been spotting ever since.  I called and the surgeon's said it shouldnt' have anything to do with the weight loss or the surgery and to call my gyn.  So I did.  They called in a script for an estradiol patch...put it on last night and woke up with heavier spotting today.  So I called them back to make sure it was supposed to actually stop the bleeding...and it was.  So they had me stop that and put me on progesterone.  Holy hormones, Batman!  Hopefully, this will stop the spotting so Hubster and I can....well, you know, before he leaves for Phase I in less than a week.   Anyone else have weird woman issues after the band?  I'm so ready for my hysterectomy but they won't do it until I'm 6 months post-op from the band.  Grrr!

Onto other band related things, I finally got my butt in gear and walked a half mile tonight with Kellie.  We plan to do it again tomorrow, maybe we'll make it a whole mile if my little tagalongs stay home.  ;)  I'm also hoping it will be enough to make the scale show me lower numbers!  I'm hoping to be at 207 on Friday, my weigh day.  I got down to 209 a couple weeks after surgery, then went back to 211, so I'm hoping to go back down and then some!

Also, for those who are looking for a good pain reliever, Tylenol has a liquid called Rapid Relief.  It tastes like cherry cold medicine, but trust me, it tastes better than the children's tylenol and you dont' have to take nearly as much!  I discovered this when I no longer needed the liquid lortab but was still having pain from the hiatal hernia repair.  Just thought I'd throw that out there in case any of you were looking or getting banded soon.

When I was at the pharmacy last night picking up the estradiol, I noticed they had the store brand Viactiv chews BOGO.  So if you are a fan of Viactiv, Walgreen's has their brand on sale this week.  It was the 60 count and they had chocolate or caramel flavors.  I picked up one of each.

Oh, tonight, my Monster finally figured out how to ride his 12inch bicycle with training wheels.  We had to bring it home after our first short walk to have Hubster do some adjustments.  I was just so proud of him..he looked so cute riding his big boy bike!  Can't wait to do it again tomorrow...hopefully with less of me pushing to get him started.

I guess that's about it for now.  Sorry so random, but it was the unloading of the brain.

Oh - one last thing--I'm going to the BOOBs get together!  I made the arrangements with my friend who lives near Chicago.  So not only do I get to meet all you wonderful ladies, I also get to see my dear friend that I haven't seen in over 3 years thanks to good ol' Uncle Sam!  So to say I'm excited is an understatement!

Happy Hump Day!

B.O.O.Bs

So with my move coming up, I didn't think I'd be able to go.  But the more I've been thinking about it, the more I want to make it happen.  I've always wanted to go, but wasn't sure what I'd do with the kids, etc.

Anyhow, I was wondering if any other gals in FL might want to carpool to reduce costs?  I have a vehicle large enough to seat 8.  So I would have 3-4 spaces available after me and the kids for everyone to be comfortable.  I may have to make a detour in Indiana to drop the kids off with my parents if I can't get other arrangements made.  If you're interested, please email me through my profile and let me know.

Our "Fixer-Upper"

I thought I'd share some random pics with you all.  Those of you have been following me know we've been busy working on the house to get it ready to rent out or sell.  So here's a few shots.

Front View

Kitchen from Dining Room

Kitchen from Garage

Kitchen from Nook

The kitchen is probably our pride and joy because within 72 hours of closing, we had completely gutted it.  Ripped up floors, ripped out cabinets, etc.  We also gave it a new floor plan.  The fridge used to be right nest to the stove where the second cabinet on the right is.  Hubster did laid all the tile, hung the cabinets and installed the countertops.  My dad did the lighting at the kitchen sink and our new ceiling light last year when they came to visit for spring break.

Living Room

Family Room

The living room isn't really anything spectacular.  We did do the textured wall painting using a rag technique.  We love the huge window as it lets in lots of light and really brightens the room.

The family room is Hubster's pride and joy.  He and his friend ripped up two layers of the ugliest linoleum and peel and stick ever known to man and installed the pergo flooring.  That desk in the right hand corner was built for me by my dad when I was probably Munchkin's age.  Yes, the TV is on the floor because we haven't found a new TV stand we like yet.  And the blue color...we mixed that one ourselves with some leftover paint from the guest room, dining room and Monster's room.  LOL  Try matching that! 

Monster's room is probably my pride and joy.  I spent hours painting his room that bright!  Yes, it is fire engine red and royal blue with caution light yellow trim.  As you can see, it's based on the Disney "Cars" theme.  You can't see from this picture but he has all the "Cars" wall decals all around including "Lightning McQueen", of course!

The guestroom, again, not anything spectacular.  I just really love the navy and khaki colors together!

This last pic doesn't have to do with the house, but I'm posting it just for Drazil.  This is what it's like to be the deer on the way to work!  No, I was not hit by a deer.  It was exactly one week after Hubster deployed to Iraq for the second time and I guess my mind was elsewhere.  I pulled out in front of a Chevy Silverado that I didn't see until after I felt the impact.  Hung out and did the police thing, let the tow truck take my car, walked back to my house (where you see the truck in the left corner is the road to my house) and got Hubster's truck and went to work (late, of course).

Call the Pope

and call me a convert!!!  I have just found the most incredible make-up product ever!!!

For years I have been a very loyal Mary Kay consumer, even going so far as to become a consultant for the discount.  I've always been happy with their products and feel they are great.  I was just tired of having to come up with an order big enough to qualify for the discount every time I needed something.  I also didn't want to deal with having to deal with a pushy MK consultant to get the goods (and I don't want to pay full price).  So I decided to go with something more readily available that I could just get when I need it.

I ordered myself the Bare Escentuals "Get Started" and "Happiness" kits from Sephora.  It arrived Thursday afternoon and I couldn't wait to go "play" with my new stuff.  All I can say is the Bare Minerals are AMAZING!!!!  They feel soooo light and give such great coverage.  My skin really does look flawless!  I love how natural it looks as I am one who just likes to have my skin tone even, throw on a bit of mascara and lipgloss and call it a day.  This product gives my skin a nice even tone and nice healthy glow, although I do feel the "warmth" is a bit dark for my fair skin.  I prefer "Glee" out of the Happiness collection for all over face color.  The eye colors in the Happiness collection are great, but I only use those on "date night" or other special occasions.  The Buxom Mascara that came in the kit is incredible.  It's my new favorite.  And the Berry Rush lipgloss smells incredible but lasts a long time and is like your natural lipcolor with just a bit of shine.  I will definitely be ordering more of it.

So, I just had to share my new found beauty product rave with you all.  I know many of you probably already use BE and I'm late catching the boat....but gimme a break.  It was a long swim!  LOL

One last thing....Please take a second and vote for Baby Cole in the Parents Magazine cover contest.  It just takes a second and voting ends tomorrow.  He's come from 4000 something to #15.   Oh and if you  have more than one computer to vote from...go ahead! 

VOTE FOR COLE!!

BYOC

1. Name a career you would NOT want to do and tell why.
I don't want a desk job where I sit in a cubicle and have no contact with other people during the day.  I am very much a people person, a talker, and definitely couldn't handle sitting at a desk, staring at a computer all day, every day.  Very mundane.
Also, as a nurse, I hate med/surg!  I hate suctioning trachs, inserting or removing NG tubes, and wound care is enough to nearly make me pass out.

2. What’s the best present you ever received for your birthday?
Probably my 30th birthday.  My mom arranged a card shower from all my distant relatives and she gave me a nice Relic watch.  Love it, unfortunately, it has bitten the dust.  I thought it was just a dead battery.  I got a new battery put in it and it worked for all of 5 minutes.  But it was the perfect size, two tone, just nice.
 
3.What do you hide behind?   
 At work, I hide behind my need to be the best.  This actually becomes self defeating because then everyone comes to me for everything and I start feeling overwhelmed.  But I hate confrontation so I just keep doing it until I can't take it anymore and have to reduce hours or find another position elsewhere.
In life in general, I hide behind my sarcasm.  Sometimes people don't know how to take me because of that sarcasm.  Perhaps I just come across as a bitch to some.  But sarcasm is my shield.

*I also added Drazil's award to my blog for BYOC.  I admit, I held off because my mom reads my blog and not sure she'd get it.*

Kids Say the Darndest Things

It's Friday, so I thought I would share a conversation that Munchkin (who will be 9 tomorrow) and I had earlier this week.

Somehow, we got on the topic of the birds, the bees, babies, and proper terminology for the girl parts.  Yes, the word "vagina" was mentioned.  Munchkin thinks this is a weird word and thinks we should just continue to call them "privates".  Fine with me.

Anyhow, she starts asking how babies are born if it's not a C-section (which I had with Monster).   So I told her that the natural way for babies to be born is through the vagina.  She asks how a baby can come out of there and we discussed how the cervix and vagina stretch.  So with big eyes she uses hand gestures making a circle and it stretching huge and asking "Like this?!" and I replied "Pretty much."  Her response to this was.....wait for it.....

"Like a cow's butt?"

At this point I bust out laughing because totally not the kind of response I'm expecting!  It just seemed to be totally out of left field.  But then curiosity got the best of me because it's not like we live a on a farm.  So my next question of course is "How do you know what a cow's butt looks like?"  She said she saw one pooping once and it's butt stretched to let the turds out.  Niiiiice....

Just another day with a preteen!

Give Peas a Chance

As you may know, I've been struggling with the transition from mushies to "regular" food.  I've tried a couple recipes that I thought would work only to find myself stuck and very uncomfortable.  Last night I found a recipe that I actually like and didn't get stuck.  The recipe came from a Weight Watcher's magazine.

Shepherds Pie

1 pound lean ground sirloin
1 c. frozen peas
1 jar fat free beef gravy (12oz)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 c. reduced fat cheddar cheese (optional)
mashed potatoes

Brown and crumble beef in large skillet over medium-high heat.  Prepare mashed potatoes while beef is cooking.
Once beef is cooked, drain if necessary and return to pan.  Add peas, gravy and black pepper.  Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated.  Spoon beef mixture over mashed potatoes.
Makes 6 servings (1 cup)  Calories: 229  Protein: 23g

It was a bit bland so I had to add some salt to taste.  I had leftovers for my lunch today.  Sad thing is, no one else in my family liked it because "OMG!  It has peas in it".  I, myself am not a fan of peas, either.  However, in this recipe, you really can't taste them!!  So go ahead, give peas a chance!

Also if you have any family favorite mushie meals, please leave it in a comment or send me an email through my profile.   Thanks!

Skinny Jeans

Yay!  I was able to put on my skinny jeans last night!!  No rubber bands, no feeling like I was cutting off the blood supply to everything below my waist! 

I'm not sure skinny jeans is the right term, but maybe skinnier jeans.  They're my Lane Bryant jeans, size 2 red petite.  I bought these jeans while Hubster was deployed and they were my favorites...not to mention for years my jeans have come from Wal-mart (yes, I really did like their Faded Glory but now their jeans suck).  For a fat chick, these jeans made me feel good, although I about choked on the price after the years of Faded Glory jeans.

*I tried taking a picture, but to no avail...my arms just aren't long enough to get a full length body shot!  I'll try to add one after Hubster gets home and can take it.*

Anyhow, happy as I am to be able to wear them again, I'll be even happier when I get down to my size 16 Bill Blass "real" jeans...you know before "stretch" was incorporated into everything denim!  I look HOT in them...or at least sure thought I did.  I wore them on my first date with Hubster back in '04.  There will be pics when I hit that goal!

 
Happy Hump Day!  Don't forget to vote for Cole in the Parents Magazine Cover Contest!

 CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR COLE
Not only is he super cute and belong on a magazine cover, winning would help cover the costs of his feeding program!  You can vote once a day for the next 4 days!  Please share the link with your family, friends, and followers, too!

In the Spirt of Change

"My life tomorrow will be the result of my attitudes and the choices I make today."

I came across this quote today and it just struck a chord with me, so I am sharing it with you.  :-)

It's just so true.  It kind of goes along with the law of physics that says everything has an equal and opposite reaction.  The food choices I make today will affect my life tomorrow....whether it be a gain or a loss.  The choice I make whether or not to exercise today will again, affect my life tomorrow.  Either it will motivate me to keep on keepin on or I'll go back down the road of "blah excercise".

I can make the choice to be a bum and do nothing or I can tackle my mountain of laundry and start decluttering and geting rid of all the paperwork we've kept the last two years but probably don't really need.  LOL  I'm a habitual procrastinator so making the choice to be productive has to be a conscious one!

So for today, this is the quote I've got in my back pocket to remind me to make better choices!

What a Cutie!

My friend, Sabrina, entered little Cole in Parents Magazine cover baby contest.  If you could take a moment to help her out and give this little guy your vote, she'd greatly appreciate it!

http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/photo/230264

Also, if you are in the Long Island area, check out her photography!  She does a great job and I'm hoping to bribe her into a trip to Florida to do pics of my munchkins on the beach!

Reflections by Bri Photography

You can find her on Facebook, too!  Be sure to become a fan and share her with friends! :)

Reality Sinking In

Tonight we took pics of the kitchen to give to our realtors/property managers.  Later this week we will sign the paper work with them to rent the house out in June or July. 

We've found two houses we're interested in.  Both are 3 bdr/ 2bath.  One has a pool and about an extra 100sq. ft. or so.  The other one is a bit smaller but has a great split level deck and vinyl fencing and is $150 cheaper.  Both places have schools with good reviews both from greatschools.com and parents.

I'm working on getting my resume together to try to get a position on base.  However, it's through the Direct Hire Authority so I'm not sure if I should send a "resumix" style resume or one I would submit to a civilian employer.  With the Army's CPOL, they use an optiscanner and so many words have to match the job description in order to even be selected for review by a real person.  I think with the DHA, it skips that step.  So I'm leaning toward the civilian style resume. *shrugs*

As for the band, I'm feeling frustrated.  Even mushy stuff like blended pasta salad is getting stuck.  I feel like I'll never have "normal" foods again.  I ate like crap today, munching on bbq potato chips because they dissole in the mouth and go down easy.  Bad food choice.   So tonight I had the Amy's Black Bean Chili with some nacho cheese and sour cream.  It's definitely got good flavor, but I'm still tired of liquids and mushies.

Speaking of mushies...is a bowl of cereal considered mushy if you let it get soggy?  Or does it go against the band rules because of the milk (no drinking while eating).  Yes, this is something I pondered as I let my Reese's Puffs get mushy this morning.

I walked a bit last night but didn't get out there tonight.  Will do double tomorrow!

Goals

Well, I met my first weight goal.  It took longer than some, but that's okay.  I'm not going to complain.  I've lost 18 pounds in just over 3 weeks.  That's not too shabby. 

Today I was able to put on my "working around the house" jeans without sucking in or using a rubberband to extend the waist.  Still a bit of muffin top, but better than it's been!

Also, since I was unable to actually walk in the March of Babies due to the change in my surgery date, I am planning to walk in the 2nd Annual "Autumn and Friends Memorial Fun Run/Walk".  It's a 2 mile walk up a huge hill on the golf course here.  My next door neighbor started this annual Fun Run/Walk in memory of her daughter, Autumn that passed away as an infant.  I'm hoping to walk it in less than an hour.  I used to be able to do 2 miles in 40 minutes or less, but this is uphill and not a treadmill....so adding a little time.  So it's time to get my buns in gear and get walking!

Other band news, I've had my first stuck/PB incident and all I can say is that it sucks!!!  No more chicken breast for this girl....and it wasn't even dry.

Oh and small grocery store victory today...I finally found a can of Amy's black bean chili!  Can't wait to try it!  Even have some cheese and sour cream to flavor it up with!

Update on Kaisa - she's running around almost as if nothing happened.  She slightly favors that leg but nothing like yesterday where she wouldn't even put it down.  We'll get it looked at tomorrow, just to be safe.

Here's a pic taken yesterday, her 4 month birthday.  She's such a tiny thing or at least seems much smaller than Kazak was at this age.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

If it weren't for bad luck

we'd have no luck at all when it comes to dogs.

Today Hubster was in the garage and Kaisa was on her leash, tethered to a party table we have.  Somehow she managed to knock over a solid wood twin headboard onto herself that was on the other side of the garage.  She wimpered and will not put her right rear paw on the ground.  I don't see any swelling or feel any loose bones but she yelps if he knee is bent.  I placed a call to the vet.  She said it could be bruised or fractured, but if it's a fracture they'd refer to KSU Vet Hospital for ortho repair.  Until then, she's on crate resst and gets half a Maalox covered aspirin twice a day.  If she's still not bearing weight on it come Monday morning, we'll head to KSU for X-rays.  Hoping it's something that can be fixed with a simple cast and won't need plates, pins or fixators.

Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Wrapping Up the Week - and BYOC

I am officially 2 weeks post-op.  The scale did get down to 210 this week, but I'm back at 211 today on my official weigh day.  Am I disappointed, yes, a little.  But I've gone from liquids to mushies so no gain is still good.  It's time to kick things up a notch and get this booty moving....yep, time to start incorporating excercise!  I plan to start with Wii Fit for 30 minutes in the morning and an evening walk with the family.  It's a start.

Yesterday was my first grocery shopping trip since being banded.  I have to say, I'm really proud of myself.  There were no chips, cookies, Little Debbies or any of my other weaknesses in my cart.  I made a  meal plan to include some mushie stuff like Shepherd's Pie, Spinach Mushroom Mozzarella Supreme, Rotini Lasagna, Bowtie Pasta Salad w/ Chicken...all from Weight Watchers or Hungry Girl.  I'm just not as snacky as I was pre-band and I don't crave the sweets like I used to.  Except for ice cream...but since there's none in the house, it's a trip out to get it.  We live 5 miles from town so while it's not far it's far enough to have to really, really want it and a small is sometimes too much, so again, things are good even with indulgences.

I've also started using The Daily Plate to track calories and excercise.  According to them for my height, weight and activity level, I should be consuming 1800 calories a day to lose 2 pounds a week.  Is it just me or does that seem outrageously high?  I know pre-band I easily ate over that...but since being banded, I'm lucky to hit 1000.

Edited to add Drazil's BYOC

1. If you ever won the lottery – what’s the very first thing you’d do?
Pay off the house, the cars and student loans.  Then I'd pay off my parents' house for them.  Beyond that, there'd be huge college funds for the kids (we have 4 total) and then charities close to my heart.  Which if you haven't figured out, I'm a sucker for kids.

2. What is your favorite curse word?
I don't know that I have a favorite...I use them all.  Shame on me, as I could probably make a sailor blush.  Although I am trying to clean up my potty mouth.  I have a 3 year old that is picking up mommy's bad words...not cool!

3. What is your favorite holiday and why?
I love 4th of July.  It's the holiday that my parent's host.  The whole family gets together including aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.   We set up tables and chairs in the barn, have a huge pot luck, play cards, board games and swim in the pond.  Then of course, after it's dark, there's fireworks.  Last year it was cold and drizzly.  We played some good rounds of Apples to Apples while bundled up in sweatshirts.  My uncle made an awesome sangria that we all enjoyed and one of my younger cousins handled the firework display.  Not bad. 
Second favorite would have to be Christmas because of all the traditions and again having the family together.  Those are usually the only two times we get to go back "home" to visit and have our whole family together.

4. What turns you on?

Dark hair and blue eyes with a 5 o'clock shadow, manly....so hot!  Think Rob Estes.----------------------------------------------->

Now, lucky for me, Hubster has these amazing blue eyes and had dark hair before he went gray.  He's pretty damn hot...put him in his ACU's (although I agree with Drazil that BDU's are hotter) and all I can say is day-um!!!!

5. Whose blog spoke to you, stayed with you, meant the most to you, stands out to you this week and why?

I think Jen and Drazil and all who are planning the Boobs convention.  What an awesome idea and great locale.  Wish I could make it but don't see it happening.  I can't wait to read everyone's blogs and see pics from it though!

Yumminess

I made a super yummy dinner tonight.  I sauteed onion and mushrooms with some fresh minced garlic and just a splash of worstechire.  Then I grilled some chicken breast in the leftover juices with just a bit of balsamic vinagraitte.   Green beans with Mrs. Dash as a side.  Helloooo deliciousness!!!

Too bad I'm full from the 3 pieces of California roll I had as a late lunch.  But I'll have a tasty lunch tomorrow...provided the chicken isn't too dry.  If not, I'll just enjoy the mushrooms.

Yes, I'm supposed to be on mushies....but isn't everything mushie after being chewed well? *shrugs*  Yes, I am a bad bandster.  I admit it.  But I started this blog to journal my experience with the band....the good, the bad, and the ugly.  The only real concern I have is that I will stretch my pouch, but I'm eating really small portions and have avoided all things carbonated.

One question I have for the other bandsters out there, am I the only one who has difficulty not drinking for an hour before and after eating?  I try really hard, but a half hour is about as long as I can wait.

So there you have it from the non-compliant banster.

Hump Day

Is it just me, or is this week just dragging by?  It's not that I really have anything to look forward to his weekend...this week just seems to be going so slow!

Not a whole lot to report here.  I am technnically supposed to still be on liquids til Friday but can't handle it...so I've moved on to mushies.  It seems all the liquids were sweet and I just couldn't handle any more protein shakes after the last 3 weeks of having them daily.  I usually just have chicken broth and mashed potatoes, although last night I did have some chili.  We have to go grocery shopping and I'm just wondering what kind of mushies you enjoyed? 

Monday night we got our new puppy, Kaisa (KY-suh), which means empress.  She's a white/cream colored German Shepherd and is really just the sweetest thing ever.  I'll try to add a pic in a bit.  The kids just love her, including Monster.  She's not as rough and tumble as Kazak was, which I think Monster appreciates.  Tonight will be her first puppy class with Munchkin and tomorrow is her initial vet check up for 16 week shots, etc.

Hubster is at his levy briefing this morning so now we'll officially have orders and be able to make more plans in regards to the move.  He's pushing for the kids and I to stay here in KS while he does his schooling (about a year total) and then he'll try to get orders back here.  I on the other hand, think we should keep the family together.  Lord knows the Army keeps us separated enough...2.5 out of the last 5 so far between deployments and training.  It also seems every time we get reassigned, he is of course, sent to a unit deploying.  So I don't want to separate the family for a year while he's at school, just for him to graduate and get sent to a deploying unit where he'll be gone another year.  And honestly, I really don't want to do it in KS where my limited support network will be reduced to nothing this summer when the few friends I have will also be PCSing or ETSing.  Lastly, FL is probably the only "cool" place the Army will ever send us.  My vote is to rent the house out for a year since that's how long we'll likely be gone and then try to get orders back here as it's an area we both really enjoy and is close enough to "home" to make family visits reasonable.

Oops, sorry, that last bit kind of went off on a tangent!  But it's whats on my mind this hump day!  Hope all of you are having happy hump days!
*sings* Let's all do the dance....let's do the hump...the humpty dance

Picture Time!

Here are the pictures taken the morning of my Lap-Band surgery.  Definitely not flattering by any means, but they said to wear comfortable clothes.   Needless to say, after seeing the pics, I did change shirts into something that wasn't so truthful!  So here I am, in all my fat chick glory!  You were warned!

Roly-Poly Olie

Big Bertha Butt

Side View
Object is as large as appears

Oh and do you see the size of my arms!  I can deal with my bazonga boobs, big booty and full thighs....but the fat flabby arms have GOT TO GO!!!!  Some of you may recall from my very first blog entry that my arms were my big awakening.  hahaha....get it?  Big awakening?  okay...back on track.  If I still had the pic I'd post it.  My arm could easily have been mistaken for the back of someone's thigh/calf area.  But all that is going to change with me and my band. ;-)

How are things going with the band you may wonder?  Well, I'm down another 8 pounds since surgery.  So pre-op and week 1 makes a total of 15 pounds gone, but my ticker goes by my weight before surgery on 4/2/10.  That seems amazing but I have no idea where it's coming from because none of my pants fit right yet from last year.  GRRRR!  Soon, though,  right?

Last week was really rough, but things finally started getting better on Friday.  I was finally able to drink water decently.  After my post op appointment, Hubster wanted to go to Red Robin.  I ordered the clam chowder and just ate the broth/soup.  Hubster finished up all the clams and potatoes that were at the bottom.  LOL  But I must say it was delicious and I wish I would have ordered some to bring home.  It was very rich and creamy.  I may just make some cheesy potato soup tonight.  I'm still doing mostly liquid with some mushies....like last night we went to IHOP after picking Munchkin up in Topeka from a friend's.  I ordered chicken noodle soup and mashed potatoes.  I used the broth from the soup to thin the potatoes (the soup was not that good, BTW).  Hubster again finished the chunky stuff.  LOL

My favorite "treat" right now is a decaf non fat, sugar free iced caramel latte from Starbucks.  I did mention I'm a Starbucks junkie, right?  It's like my little cup of nothing!  But I love it!

My friend Kasey made a surprise stop today.  She was at the store and saw a smoothie recipe book and picked it up for me.  She's so sweet.  So I gave one of them a try.  It wasn't bad, a bit tart which was nice after so much sweet crap on the liquid stage.  Here's the recipe:

Blueberry Cherry "Cheesecake" Smoothie

2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 c. fresh or frozen cherries
1-1/4 c. milk
1/4 c. cream cheese (2oz)
1-3 ice cubes

To make things simpler, I used "cherry berry blend" that I had in the freezer.

Combine blueberries, milk, cherries and cream cheese in blender.  Process until smooth.  Add 3 ice cubes if using fresh fruit. 1-2 cubes if using frozen.  Process until smooth.  Pour into 2 glasses, serve immediately.
Makes 2 servings.  Sorry - no nutritional values given.

Some whine with my cheese, please

It's post-op day 6 and I still flippin hurt!  Granted it's not as bad as it has been, but I still feel like I can't breathe right and that I have air getting stuck where the band is.  It's quite uncomfortable.  I also tend to get a hiccup or two after every sip and hiccups hurt bad, s does yawning. Today there's a burning sensation where my port incision is.  I'm trying to increase my water intake but our water has a funny aftertaste to it, even after being filtered.  I asked Hubster to pick up some bottled water for me last night, but apparently that was asking too much.

I also feel as if I've been sucked dry of energy.  I hit my point of "done" last night which I think peeved hubby off.  I went with our out of town guests to the Oz Museum and the Oz Winery yesterday.  We were gone about 3 hours total and nothing hard core.  But last night by 9, I was hurting, sore and tired.  I just wanted to go to bed.  I apologized to our houseguest for calling it an early night, told Hubster I was taking my meds, taking out my contacts and going to bed.  Then he has to come in after I'm half asleep and ask assanine questions like where is Monster going to sleep?  I don't really give a rat's ass...he can sleep wherever he wants as long as you guys leave me alone!!!

Hubster has been less than supportive through this.  He spent the weekend asking why I was trying to be a badass and only take the minimum dose of pain meds.  Why?  Because you're too busy working on the house to bother watching the kids who are still fighting and getting into stuff they know they're not supposed to be..  Yes, I asked you to take Monster to the dump with you because I don't think it's wise to leave him with me when I can't chase him, pick him up and am loopy from pain meds.  You ask what I let him get into?  I didn't let him get into anything...you're supposed to be watching him, remember?

Oh, and yes, I did call crying Tuesday because I was left alone with Monster, who knew I couldn't chase him, pick him up or really do anything to make him mind.  So yes, he ran wild and I wanted to drop him off on the steps of the first orphanage I came across.  I didn't get to take any pain meds that day to deal with the pain and naps were out of the question because we know Monster got his name honestly.  Yes, I was tired and wore out before you came home from work.  Yes, I was a cranky bitch who had company from out of town coming in a matter of hours, which you knew about and the house was a flipping wreck.  I probably overdid it because I did do the sweeping and mopping and attempted to vacuum as well.  When I have complications and it's taking longer to heal, that's because you, Hubster, are a heel!

Oh and I'm sorry I didn't make dinner.  But in case you haven't noticed, I can barely get my own nutritional needs met.  Man up!  You know where the grocery store is and how to work the stove, oven and microwave.  If that's too complicated, there's a grill outside that works and the weather is great for it.

Trying to keep up with 3 year old Monster alone has been a challenge.  I refuse to take the pain meds because of how loopy they make me when I am responsible for supervising him and my friend's 3 month old.  I gotta be at the top of my game for that!

I did finally sleep in my bed last night...it's the first since having surgery.  I had been sleeping propped up on the couch until then.  I slept much better than I had...and woke up a bit late this morning.  Meaning I woke up Munchkin late.  She did luckily get dressed, have breakfast and catch the bus but barely.  More bad mom awards my way!

Bloomin Human

There is a human inside this post surgical shell!  I feel much better today!  YAY!!!!  Managed to shower, dress, do dishes and make some cinnamon rolls and coffee for my houseguests.  I also have my little man that I babysit during the week back today.  My how he grew over the weekend!  He's so sweet.  I think his momma was glad to see me feeling better today, too.  She stopped by yesterday to pick up a check for our t-shirts for Sunday's March for Babies walk and I was still feeling pretty rough and it showed!  However, I'm a bloomin human today!!  Whoo-hoo!!!

Had another yummy protein shake today. 
4oz 1/2% milk
5 ice cubes
1 tsp creamy peanut butter
1 scoop Amplify chocolate smoothie protein powder
1/2 ripe banana

Mix ingredients together and blend until smoth.  Very tasty!

I will admit, I'm doing so well on the hydration so I'm really pushing the fluids to get back the balance.  The protein shakes have been tasty for the most part and I'm having fun experimenting, but I'm definitely ready to chew some food.  I made cinnamon rolls for my houseguests and I did try a little nibble.  However, it was pretty doughy, despite being done and so I spit it out.  Definitely don't want to get stuck.  And I shouldn't really miss chewing that much....I mean I get to chew my Pepcid Complete twice a day and two Flinstone vitamins!  LOL

I also figured out that the source of my pain and the reason I feel like I can't breathe right is probably due to the hiatal hernia repair.  The pain is where there are no incisions, right under the left lower ribcage.  The same place I'd get a weird feeling if I ate too much (usually Mexican) prior to surgery.  It hurts worse if I take a deep breath and sometimes it really feels like my diaphragm and lungs aren't working together right.  I'll definitely be bringing that up at my follow up appointment on Friday.  I hope it will pass soon because it bites big burritos...especially since it's the only real pain I have.

I also realized that I'm getting the worst mommy ever award.  Between the stuff with Kazak and surgery, I totally forgot tomorrow is Munchkin's play.  She's really just an extra with no lines, but she needs a fish costume.  A costume we were supposed to make.  Well, as I said, totally slid off the radar and now we have to come up with a costume.  She wants to be Flounder from "Little Mermaid" but I'm not creative enough to make a costume like that that fast.  So she's going to have to suck it up and be a jelly fish and wear her black sequinned tutu from Justice with irridescent ribbons coming off it for tentacles...because it's all I can think of.  Bad, bad, mommy!

D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!

So I found the perfect protein shake flavor today!  Yes, I've been experimenting.  LOL 

4 oz 1/2% milk
1/4 c. caramel flavored Starbucks frappucino (the bottled kind)
1 scoop EAS 100% whey protein powder in Vanilla
4 ice cubes

Combine ingredients in order and blend til smooth in Magic Bullet.  Delicioso!!  (Yes, I watch too much Dora!)

Anyhow, I am also finally feeling half-way human!  Thank goodness.  Not sure how much longer I could have existed as zombie in a Lortab induced coma I or my family could have taken.  I'm definitely not as sore today, but am super tired  Monster was awake well after midnight and kept waking me up as well.

Lastly, this Sunday is my 3 mile march for March for Babies by March of Dimes.  I only have 5 days left to meet my fundraising goal!  I will match each donation made until my goal is met!  So let's rock this!  Every bit helps because for every dollar you give, I'm giving one too!

Hit by a Mack truck...

twice!  That's how I feel today.  I'm definitely hurting worse today than I was yesterday.  My whole left side hurts.  I get a sharp pain where my port is, like a muscle spasm.  It also hurts to take a deep breath.  It defintiely feels bruised and sore.

I had to go from the lower dose prescribed to the higher dose last night so I could sleep.  I've been sleeping on the couch so I can be propped up and not have so much difficulty getting up.  I'm afraid if I lie flat in bed, I won't be able to get up.

So when does the pain start to get better instead of worse?  Is what I'm feeling par for the course?

On the bright side, I'm still not hungry!!  What a grea feeling not to be starving all the time or thinking about food.  I can start full liquids today and really not craving anything.  Sipping Crystal Light pink lemonade and water alternately and am content with that.

Day 1

All I can say at this point is that it is amazing to not be hungry!!  Who would have thought it'd take 20 minutes to eat an individual cup of jello?  Which the only reason I'm eating is so that I have something in my tummy before I take my meds.

Speaking of which, I'm taking the lowest dose and I've only needed one dose so far today.  I am still a bit sore, feels like strained muscles.  Not so much pain with the breathing, so that is good.  I've been up and walking.  I'm folding laundry and putting it away...that's my big chore for the weekend.  Hubster is doing the washing and drying and carrying it up and down the stairs for me.

But I'm amazed at how this little thing is already working!  Hubster went to the store last night and came home with Krispy Kremes and my all-time crack-like addiction...lofthouse iced sugar cookies.  You know the ones where just one is like 300 calories?  yeah, haven't even been tempted!  That is a huge NSV because pre-band, I would have ate at least 3 last night and had another for breakfast!  Um, I did tell you they were a crack-like addiction!

So that's what Day 1 has been like.  I can take off the outter coverings and shower this afternoon, but will likely wait til before bed.  But so far, so good.

I'm Home

The surgery went welll and on schedule.  I was in the recovery area for about 45 minutes before being moved to a curtained area where I was given ice chips.  A little later they gave me the barium drink (which is nasty for being unflavored).  I went and had my x-ray, everything looked good.  I asked the doctor how mliver looked and she said it was fine.  I lost a total of a 8 pounds on the 10 day pre-op despite the cheating.

I was given a dose of liquid pain meds before heading home, and slept the whole way.  I think we got home somewhere around 1?  I made myself comfy on the couch and slept some more, til about 4.  Then I started sipping some Crystal Light and I had a sugar-free popsicle at 5:15. 

Hubster is picking up my meds and the kiddies. 

My throat is scractchy and a little sore from the intubation.  The area around my port feels like a muscle strain.  Other than that I'm not hurting too much unless I take a deep breath.  Then I get a sharp pain on the right side of my chest.  My guess is this is the trapped gas.

I just took the first look at my tummy post -op as well.  I have 5 little incisions, covered with steristrips and bandaids.  I can removed the bandaids and shower tomorrow afternoon.  They'll take the steristrips off at my follow up appointment next week if they haven't come off before then.  My tummy looks weird to me.  My top tummy is sticking out further than the baby roll/pooch which is usually the opposite.

I'm on clear liquids for the remainder of today and tomorrow and can start full liquids Sunday.  I'm definitely going to try some of the soup recipes you all have shared with me.  I also picked up some sugar free puddings and lots of light yogurt.  Carmen got me hooked on the cinammon roll flavor of Yoplait and that is what I'll be having for breakfast!  Yum!

Anyhow, that's it in a nutshell!  Thanks to my dear friend Kasey who kept Munchkin and Monster for me so that I could have this done.  I love you, too, girl!!

It's heeeeere

That was said in my best "Carol-Anne" voice from the movie Poltergeist.  That movie flipped me the fark out for the longest time....okay, so I'm still skeeved by it!

Anyhow, the day is here.  I'll be leaving in about 20 minutes to head to the surgery center.  Check in is at 7 with surgery scheduled for 8.   Hopefully, since I'm an early morning case, there won't be much delay.

The kids spent the night at a friend's house as we are having to leave here at o'dark thirty.  They're out of school today so they will spend the day playing away with their best friends.

Speaking of best friends, I want to say a special thanks to my dear friend, Kellie!  She's currently on her way to Vegas for a wedding she's in, but she was so sweet and got me a card to mark today.  In it she wrote:
"So excited for you and your new start on life!  I hope tomorrow is the starot of so much for you!"
How sweet is that?  It means even more because she herself lost 40 pounds while her husband was deployed and has kept it off, with the exception of pregnancy.  However, with her litttle man not even being 3 months old yet, she's a skinny minnie and looking fab!  Such a great inspiration and has shared some great Weight Watcher recipes with me.  So, thank you, Kellie!  I love you girl!!

Well, time to go!!!  This time I really will see you on the other side of Band Land!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow

I love you, tomorrow!  Yes, tomorrow is the day I finally get banded.  I'm sure I should be more excited, but instead I have a whole bunch of doubt. 

I have not been anywhere near successful with the 10 day pre-op diet.  I cheated the first day with a piece of cherry delight.  Two days later, when I thought they were postponing surgery again, I had Mexican with the family.  The next day I didn't eat anything all day while waiting to hear from the surgeons and cheated again that night with a steak that Hubster grilled.  I was a good girl through the weekend.  Then the monthly visitor came  (despite continuous birth control to keep the bitch from visiting at all) and I tried desperately to stay strong, but caved.  I had a grilled stuffed burrito from taco bell and half of Munchkin's small blizzard last night. 

If I can't adhere to 10 days of a strict diet, how am I going to learn to live with the rules of the band?  What if I'm going through all this and just screw it up?  I feel like a failure already because I couldn't stick to the pre-op,  even with the inspiration of those who have gone before me and totally rocked it.

I'm not looking forward to the fact that I have to accomodate the unwelcome guest.  She always makes life miserable, especially toward the end of her visit...which will be post-op.  And yeah, this is the first time I've ever had to have surgery with her accompanying me to the OR.  Could she get anymore overbearing?!

Today  is the day we say goodbye to our furfriend, Kazak.  We had a good time last night at puppy class, and we gave him his own dish of vanilla soft serve when we got home.  The weather has been great this week and we got in some good long walks and games of fetch, as well.  We have a heartful of wonderful times with him and hopefully those can overcome the heartache we're feeling right now.  I hope he's able to know just how much we love him and what a great part of our lives he has been.

See you on the other side.....