I'm copying off of Mallory over at Truly Thompson today and giving you my first ever 5 Question Friday!
1. What do you enjoy doing the most with your spouse?
Hiking, hands down. We both love being outside, summers are short here so we try to enjoy them as much as possible. He took me on my first backpacking trip about 2 years ago (I think, Momma brain is getting me right now) and I can't wait to go again! I also love when we just sit and watch a movie.
2. How do you eat your taco? From the top or from the side?
From the side, and on a side note tacos sound awesome! :)
3. Have you ever shut off the basement light and ran like a fool because you knew someone was down there and would get you? Haha, yes! Sometimes when I'm home alone (with Liam) for whatever reason I suddenly turn into a scaredy cat that hears every-single-noise!
4. If you could change one thing about you what would it be and why?
There really isn't much, I wish I would have gotten a different degree in college. I like the way I look physically (because I eat right and workout!) and like my personality so I'd say: I wish I had realized my passion for health and fitness before I had completed my Marketing degree and I wish I would have changed education paths and gone after health/fitness with my whole heart.
5. What age do you think is appropriate to have the "bird and the bees" talk with your children?
Honestly I think you should be the first one to talk about all that with your child or children, and if you start early you can create an open dialog that hopefully will last. With that said, each to there own, every child is different (as is every parent).
Have a lovely long weekend everyone!
Much Love,
Jen
August 31, 2012
August 24, 2012
A Day In the Life {of a Working Mom}
I saw a post similar to this on a stay-at-home-mom blog and thought it would be fun to compare.
A Typical Day;
6:10 am I get up after hitting the snooze once, I can hear my coffee brewing and I want to be out of the shower before it's done (I have a coffee maker with a timer that I load with grounds the night before it is HEAVEN!)
6:33 am I'm out of the shower, dressed, sipping coffee and putting on make up. Fingers crossed to have my hair done before Liam is up, this is rare.
6:45 am V gets Liam up, brings him into the kitchen and feeds him, today's breakfast is cut up banana and vanilla yogurt with some milk and a few honeynut cheerios. I'm sssoooo close to being done with my hair, darn it!
6:50 am I'm finally done getting ready, I take Liam into the living room and play with him on the floor while I sip some coffee and eat my breakfast (vanilla yogurt with vanilla/almond granola and a few dark chocolate chips). We always have the national news on but I rarely hear much.
7:20 am V starts to prepare for work, I dress Liam for the day, brush his hair and teeth, then continue playing.
7:38 am I pull together anything Liam will need for his day with Nanna and my leftovers, we load up and head out.
7:56 am we pull up to Nanna's, go in chat with her about anything necessary, I leave for work (Liam typically cries a little when I leave now, it's hard but Nanna has told me it never lasts more than 30 seconds, I choose to believe her).
8:10 am-4:30 pm I work.
4:55 pm I pick up Liam at Nanna's. I always ask if he took both naps, ate well, poo'd etc.
5:15 pm Liam and I get home, Liam likes to eat immediately so I put him in his highchair with a snack which today was watermelon and begin on dinner (note to self get better at using crockpot). Today I baked some chicken breasts and prepared salad (Liam's dinner is a small portion of whatever we eat, I also made some peas for him which are one of his favorites!)
5:35 pm V is working late so I eat with Liam, we are all done with dinner so we head to the livingroom for playtime.
6:04 pm V gets home from work, he eats and showers since he had a long day.
6:20 pm-7:20 pm we play with Liam, practice walking, play with blocks etc. Sometimes we'll go for a walk but V is extra tired and I'm certainly not well enough yet. We only do baths every few nights if it were a bath night we'd do one from 7:00 pm to about 7:20ish.
7:30p we start bedtime routine; Tonight I change Liam's diaper, brush his teeth and put him in jammies while V fills his humidifier, picks up the toys in the livingroom and straightens his bedding. Liam sits in my lap with his monkey and sippy while V reads two stories from Liam's children's bible, kisses and into the crib. We tell Liam we love him and "night night"
7:40-9p Time with V, we typically watch TV and just hang out (I often go running during this time or twice a week V plays video games). I usually put out my clothes for the next day and prepare leftovers for Liam and my lunches as well. I might do some light cleaning during this time...sometimes.
9:30p I often go to bed, I've always been a morning person.(with how sick I've been lately I've gone to bed as early as 8pm, sad.)
So there you have it, a typical Thursday in our lives. It's pretty organized, because it has to be but honestly I like it that way.
Much Love,
Jen
A Typical Day;
6:10 am I get up after hitting the snooze once, I can hear my coffee brewing and I want to be out of the shower before it's done (I have a coffee maker with a timer that I load with grounds the night before it is HEAVEN!)
6:33 am I'm out of the shower, dressed, sipping coffee and putting on make up. Fingers crossed to have my hair done before Liam is up, this is rare.
6:45 am V gets Liam up, brings him into the kitchen and feeds him, today's breakfast is cut up banana and vanilla yogurt with some milk and a few honeynut cheerios. I'm sssoooo close to being done with my hair, darn it!
6:50 am I'm finally done getting ready, I take Liam into the living room and play with him on the floor while I sip some coffee and eat my breakfast (vanilla yogurt with vanilla/almond granola and a few dark chocolate chips). We always have the national news on but I rarely hear much.
7:20 am V starts to prepare for work, I dress Liam for the day, brush his hair and teeth, then continue playing.
7:38 am I pull together anything Liam will need for his day with Nanna and my leftovers, we load up and head out.
7:56 am we pull up to Nanna's, go in chat with her about anything necessary, I leave for work (Liam typically cries a little when I leave now, it's hard but Nanna has told me it never lasts more than 30 seconds, I choose to believe her).
8:10 am-4:30 pm I work.
4:55 pm I pick up Liam at Nanna's. I always ask if he took both naps, ate well, poo'd etc.
5:15 pm Liam and I get home, Liam likes to eat immediately so I put him in his highchair with a snack which today was watermelon and begin on dinner (note to self get better at using crockpot). Today I baked some chicken breasts and prepared salad (Liam's dinner is a small portion of whatever we eat, I also made some peas for him which are one of his favorites!)
5:35 pm V is working late so I eat with Liam, we are all done with dinner so we head to the livingroom for playtime.
6:04 pm V gets home from work, he eats and showers since he had a long day.
6:20 pm-7:20 pm we play with Liam, practice walking, play with blocks etc. Sometimes we'll go for a walk but V is extra tired and I'm certainly not well enough yet. We only do baths every few nights if it were a bath night we'd do one from 7:00 pm to about 7:20ish.
7:30p we start bedtime routine; Tonight I change Liam's diaper, brush his teeth and put him in jammies while V fills his humidifier, picks up the toys in the livingroom and straightens his bedding. Liam sits in my lap with his monkey and sippy while V reads two stories from Liam's children's bible, kisses and into the crib. We tell Liam we love him and "night night"
7:40-9p Time with V, we typically watch TV and just hang out (I often go running during this time or twice a week V plays video games). I usually put out my clothes for the next day and prepare leftovers for Liam and my lunches as well. I might do some light cleaning during this time...sometimes.
9:30p I often go to bed, I've always been a morning person.(with how sick I've been lately I've gone to bed as early as 8pm, sad.)
So there you have it, a typical Thursday in our lives. It's pretty organized, because it has to be but honestly I like it that way.
Much Love,
Jen
August 20, 2012
I'm in Remission...
Monday morning I had another scheduled appt with Dr T (Hematologist Extraordinaire). The day felt different from the very beginning. For one thing I've been very sick the last week and half. I ended up with walking pneumonia and pink eye. Fun (not). Needless to say I was too tired to get up extra early to prepare, I slept until the last possible moment then got up and got ready as quickly as possible. I dropped Liam off and headed to the hospital.
At the hospital I got my labs done in record time, not even enough time to worry about what I anticipated to be a rough appt. I didn't have time to think about how I'd been in the emergency room a week before (long story, I was so sick I started throwing up and got very dehydrated) and was already told my numbers were below where Dr T wants them. I checked in at the Cancer Center where Dr T's office is and sat with my kindle fire after a friendly chat with the world's nicest receptionist. Moments after I found seat in the lobby three people checked in behind me, one of whom was frail thin and was trying to hide her hair loss under a cute cap. I felt a flood of emotions for this woman and a flood of emotions surrounding my condition... what have I been whining about?! Look at this woman, she is clearly fighting for her life and I whine about a small blood disorder! I felt like the world's biggest jerk. I couldn't focus enough to read my book. I was ashamed of all the fear I've had over the last 11 months, totally and completely ashamed.
It wasn't long before I was called back, weighed, had my blood pressure checked and was waiting for Dr T. This wait took longer than usual. I sat alone in the exam room attempting to read my new book "Wild". Time seemed to drag on, but apparently it was with good reason. When Dr T came in he almost immediately said Your number is 308k!! (Normal is ~150k, I had been at 70k just one week before) He looked at me, seemingly waiting for me to be jubilant. My reaction? Huh. Wait, WHAT!?!? What does that mean?! Apparently your immune system can go haywire or bounce back very suddenly. Our discussion was short and sweet while he did a routine exam. I don't need follow up, people in remission don't need further care, I am no longer considered to have ITP. He expects my numbers to level out and stay normal. I just kept saying this is not at all how I expected today to go! My husband is going to have a heart attack! Dr T walked me out, shook my hand and told me I looked great. On the way out of the hospital I called V balling to tell him the news, he was as shocked as I was.
Unfortunately I had to head straight to work, I shared the news with my co-workers and boss. It was neat to see the shock on their faces. All throughout the day I tried my best to process this. I took time to thank God and tell him I wasn't ungrateful but surprised, very surprised. That is the part that makes me saddest. I never ever expected this to happen. I never asked for it, my reasoning was that God doesn't always heal people, even when they ask. I told people that I was thankful to not look sick, or feel sick and I was ok living with for the rest of my life. It never occured to me that it was even an option for me to get better, but why not? Why wouldn't God heal me? I can't explain why I felt this way but I'm sad about it. In retrospect it really bothers me that I never considered it an option for God to heal me, even when friends and loved ones suggested it as an option I quickly countered with what I thought was "reality". Ye of little faith.
Being free of this disease changes a lot of things, it opens the door to possibly trying for another baby, someday. I feel like I have a new lease on life. I'm so thankful, so very thankful. All the praise, honor and glory to God!
-Jen
August 11, 2012
Calmness and Peace {Dr. Appt}
Last week I had my first annual exam with my ob/gyn since having Liam....you remember Dr. Wonderful, yes? Dr. Wonderful is an amazing doctor. I know far too many women to dislike, even hate their ob/gyn and it saddens me. The person who brings your child into this world should be wonderful to you, I wish everyone had a doctor like mine.
I sorta looked forward to my check up. Crazy huh? Compared to my visits with Dr. T (Hematologist extraordinaire) an annual is a walk in the park! Plus I'm nearly 15lbs below my pre-pregnancy weight, I've managed to maintain this weight for around 6 months and I'm darn proud of myself for it. Also I love Dr. Wonderful's staff, they are equally as wonderful! I walked in and the receptionist immediately says to me "You cut your hair!" I was shocked that she even remembered me let alone my hairstyle after a year. Love.
After confirming all my info and signing in I sat with my kindle fire hoping to read a bit of my newest book (Wild by Cheryl Strayed) before being called back. Two clearly pregnant women were called back and shortly after so was I by my favorite nurse. Happiness. Nurse D and I caught up while I was weighed and had my blood pressure taken, she told me to strip down to nothing but the cape she pulled out and Dr. Wonderful would be right in. I picked up my kindle after stripping down hoping Dr. Wonderful would have to do a few ultrasounds and I'd get a few pages in. No such luck one page in and knock-knock.
Perhaps I have a strange bond with Dr. Wonderful but I was glad to see him. He's older than both V and I, at least old enough to be either of our parents, maybe mid-50s? He's easy to chat with but gets right down to business. Boob exam, ugh I hate them but they are a necessary evil. I brought up my ITP diagnoses and Dr. Wonderful delicately said "Hmm do you have future pregnancies planned?" I twisted my mouth a little and said "no..." He seemed ok with that answer. I couldn't help myself "I can't help but notice you didn't argue with me on no more babies, it's for the best isn't it?" Dr. Wonderful "Well. It's a bigger decision for you to possibly expand your family. But it's a tough decision to be taken from you. You could have more children, we could treat you and manage your ITP but it means more steroids. I have some articles for you, I'd like you to be educated before you make a final decision. I like that you are on Mirena, it's a good birth control for you as it prevents periods since you risk heavy bleeding." The rest of our conversation was about my half marathon and how proud of my Dr. Wonderful is. He kept saying "You look great! Your working out, your organized, you're WEIRD!" I just laughed.
After my exam I dressed and met Dr. Wonderful to get the article he mention and a rx for an inhailer for my asthma. He again congratulated me on doing so well, told me I looked great and said "Well, see ya next year!"
After I left I could have returned to work for an hour but decided to take that time for myself, well kinda, I wanted to get some stuff cut up for dinner and change into comfy non-work clothes. I wondered around my silent home picking up things and thinking about my appointment. I had this wonderful sense of calm and peace. I was thinking to myself while cutting up ingredients for dinner "If I could have one thing, anything, what would it be? More time. More time with Liam and V, with my friends and loved ones. If I do get pregnant and my ITP goes haywire I truly could die and I would not get more time with anyone. I would make a choice that would screw up the one thing I want most; more time with those I am already blessed to have. Yeah, no more babies is the right choice for us. Hopefully one day it won't sting as much but it's the right thing." There were no tears which is rare. In my hearts of hearts I want another child...a sibling for Liam, but more important than that is cherishing what I already have. I put all the prepped ingredients in a bowl and headed off to pick up my sweet Liam. I hugged him extra close and thanked God for him with tears in my eyes. I am beyond blessed just to have him and get to be here to be his mom.
In about a week I have my next appointment with Dr. T (Hematologist extraordinaire), I'm anticipating treatment since I believe my platelet numbers have held the same pattern they have since being diagnosed last September. Right now I feel good about it, I feel like I know what to expect and I have a lot of pride about accomplishing my first half marathon.
Much Love,
-Jen
I sorta looked forward to my check up. Crazy huh? Compared to my visits with Dr. T (Hematologist extraordinaire) an annual is a walk in the park! Plus I'm nearly 15lbs below my pre-pregnancy weight, I've managed to maintain this weight for around 6 months and I'm darn proud of myself for it. Also I love Dr. Wonderful's staff, they are equally as wonderful! I walked in and the receptionist immediately says to me "You cut your hair!" I was shocked that she even remembered me let alone my hairstyle after a year. Love.
After confirming all my info and signing in I sat with my kindle fire hoping to read a bit of my newest book (Wild by Cheryl Strayed) before being called back. Two clearly pregnant women were called back and shortly after so was I by my favorite nurse. Happiness. Nurse D and I caught up while I was weighed and had my blood pressure taken, she told me to strip down to nothing but the cape she pulled out and Dr. Wonderful would be right in. I picked up my kindle after stripping down hoping Dr. Wonderful would have to do a few ultrasounds and I'd get a few pages in. No such luck one page in and knock-knock.
Perhaps I have a strange bond with Dr. Wonderful but I was glad to see him. He's older than both V and I, at least old enough to be either of our parents, maybe mid-50s? He's easy to chat with but gets right down to business. Boob exam, ugh I hate them but they are a necessary evil. I brought up my ITP diagnoses and Dr. Wonderful delicately said "Hmm do you have future pregnancies planned?" I twisted my mouth a little and said "no..." He seemed ok with that answer. I couldn't help myself "I can't help but notice you didn't argue with me on no more babies, it's for the best isn't it?" Dr. Wonderful "Well. It's a bigger decision for you to possibly expand your family. But it's a tough decision to be taken from you. You could have more children, we could treat you and manage your ITP but it means more steroids. I have some articles for you, I'd like you to be educated before you make a final decision. I like that you are on Mirena, it's a good birth control for you as it prevents periods since you risk heavy bleeding." The rest of our conversation was about my half marathon and how proud of my Dr. Wonderful is. He kept saying "You look great! Your working out, your organized, you're WEIRD!" I just laughed.
After my exam I dressed and met Dr. Wonderful to get the article he mention and a rx for an inhailer for my asthma. He again congratulated me on doing so well, told me I looked great and said "Well, see ya next year!"
After I left I could have returned to work for an hour but decided to take that time for myself, well kinda, I wanted to get some stuff cut up for dinner and change into comfy non-work clothes. I wondered around my silent home picking up things and thinking about my appointment. I had this wonderful sense of calm and peace. I was thinking to myself while cutting up ingredients for dinner "If I could have one thing, anything, what would it be? More time. More time with Liam and V, with my friends and loved ones. If I do get pregnant and my ITP goes haywire I truly could die and I would not get more time with anyone. I would make a choice that would screw up the one thing I want most; more time with those I am already blessed to have. Yeah, no more babies is the right choice for us. Hopefully one day it won't sting as much but it's the right thing." There were no tears which is rare. In my hearts of hearts I want another child...a sibling for Liam, but more important than that is cherishing what I already have. I put all the prepped ingredients in a bowl and headed off to pick up my sweet Liam. I hugged him extra close and thanked God for him with tears in my eyes. I am beyond blessed just to have him and get to be here to be his mom.
In about a week I have my next appointment with Dr. T (Hematologist extraordinaire), I'm anticipating treatment since I believe my platelet numbers have held the same pattern they have since being diagnosed last September. Right now I feel good about it, I feel like I know what to expect and I have a lot of pride about accomplishing my first half marathon.
Much Love,
-Jen
August 8, 2012
Summer Reading
My sweet hubby bought me a Kindle Fire for our 4th Anniversary/My Birthday/Mother's Day. Can I just say I am obsessed with it! I really wanted one, and confessed that to V but didn't want to spend the money....in case you hadn't yet noticed I'm cheap. V on the other hand loves to spend money, it doesn't even have to be on himself! When I told him I really wanted a Kindle Fire he simply said "Ok, well buy one then!" (Needless to say I hand our finances.) Within a week of confessing that I wanted one I told V not to spend the money. (I'm making us sound poor, we are by no means poor, like I said I'm cheap!). The day before my birthday V was late getting home from work, when he finally did arrive he presented me with a shiney new Kindle Fire (and two year warranty), not only that V told me to "buy books and a case, enjoy it, you deserve it!" I've never looked back!
Since April I've already read four books and I have one just waiting for me! So I thought it would be fun to start posting my reviews of said books. I'm probably not the typical reader, I much prefer memoirs and true stories to fantasy and fiction. I have no desire to read the Grey series nor anything about Vampires. I have a subscription to Self Magazine on my Kindle Fire (once my physical subscriptions to Runner's World & Women's Health Magazine run out those will be on my kindle too!) While we're at it I'll just confess to checking facebook, using myfitnesspal and generally screwing off on it instead of reading. :)
With that said I'm open to suggestions! I'd love to know what others are reading and if your reviews! So be on the watch in the coming weeks for reviews of books I've read so far: Kisses from Katie, Girl Walks Into a Bar, Bossypants & Where You Left Me.
Happy Wednesday!
Much Love,
Jen
With that said I'm open to suggestions! I'd love to know what others are reading and if your reviews! So be on the watch in the coming weeks for reviews of books I've read so far: Kisses from Katie, Girl Walks Into a Bar, Bossypants & Where You Left Me.
Happy Wednesday!
Much Love,
Jen
August 2, 2012
Just Call Me: SuperMom/SuperWife!
I generally consider myself an organized person, having Liam has improved my time management skills like nobody's business! But I'm still a person, things slip though the cracks sometimes.....
But not today! I am so on it! Today I paid almost all of our bills (hi, incase you hadn't noticed it's only August 2nd). Most of our bills aren't even due for two more weeks, at least! I also signed Liam up for Fall/Winter Parent & Tot Swim Lessons at the YMCA, in addition I signed myself up for a new fitness class at the Adult Learning Center in our town! I love taking classes at our adult center, they are high quality but super affordable, 8 classes for $25?! Yes Please! I've taken regular yoga but never the heated vinyasa so I'm pretty excited! I might be overly excited because having this class also means it's scheduled "me" time (in case you are wondering it's after Liam is in bed, difficult to come by but not impossible).
All this while getting all my work plus some done at the 'ol desk job! (Bosslady is out of town so I've been able to juggle a bit extra today). Not only all this but we have manage to pay off most of our car! By October we will have no car payment and I'll probably lower our insurance to save even more!
I feel like supermom/superwife! Today I could concur the world! Or at very least organize it's schedule and perhaps balance it's bank account!
Ohohoh! And one more thing, I have dinner planned for tonight! That's right, I'm awesome!
I hope you got a few giggles out of my silliness today!
Much Love,
Jen
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| thanks google images |
All this while getting all my work plus some done at the 'ol desk job! (Bosslady is out of town so I've been able to juggle a bit extra today). Not only all this but we have manage to pay off most of our car! By October we will have no car payment and I'll probably lower our insurance to save even more!
I feel like supermom/superwife! Today I could concur the world! Or at very least organize it's schedule and perhaps balance it's bank account!
Ohohoh! And one more thing, I have dinner planned for tonight! That's right, I'm awesome!
I hope you got a few giggles out of my silliness today!
Much Love,
Jen
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