Home sweet Hotel.

I feel like a gypsy.  We left our house last Wednesday and stayed the night up in Shingletown, Thursday we checked into the a hotel here in town, Saturday we left for Fresno, and stayed in a hotel there Saturday night.  My dad was elected Commander of the Department of California for the American Legion.  We are all very proud of him, and know he is the perfect guy for the job!  Here we are at the Department convention in Fresno on Sunday-

We checked into a different hotel back in Woodland when we returned Sunday (the original hotel didn't have a pool!), then Monday night we had to move hotel rooms because the AC went out.  We are all settled in a new room now, with a bigger fridge... and Lilah is loving the pool.

It's been an adventure to say the least-  and I'm learning just how "minimalistically" (is that a word?  I don't care...) I can live.  I keep thinking of things I want to grab from the house- and then talking myself out of it.  

Trying to tell myself "it'll just be a few more days, you don't need it." 

 and "that's just more stuff to pack up when it's time to go home." 

Realistically though if I was able to go to the house I'd probably just go get all these things I think of!  I've been given strict orders to stay out though- and Andrew "lost" ( I'm thinking it was on purpose) my house key so I can't even sneak over there!

As of today they are still doing asbestos removal- it should be done today.  Then they need to retest and get clearance, then the water damage team can finish the dry out- THEN we can talk about reconstructing.  I feel like we have awhile still before we get to go home.  We were hoping to go home this weekend, but the asbestos team has taken longer than expected, and until at least the walls are rebuilt we need to stay in the hotel.  Missing walls in 110 degree weather isn't going to work for me.  

I am however, getting nervous about returning home the longer this takes!  I figured we'd be home days ago, and I could get everything unpacked and cleaned before Eleanor makes her arrival.  Now I am beginning to think I will be bringing Eleanor home to the Holiday Inn, and she will be there to help me unpack and clean once the time finally comes.  

Ok, let's get to the real stuff.  I've eaten like crap, and missed a few workouts.  I am tired, our schedules are a wreck, I can't cook, it's freaking hot, and I'm going to have this baby any day I think. There ya go, my list of excuses!  I'm TRYING to do my best- I've gotten Nugget's salad bar instead of McDonald's, I've had apples and whole wheat tortillas with PB for dinner instead of Taco Bell.... but I've also had shakes from Sonic, and M&Ms.  It's stress eating, it's comfort food, it's convenience, and maybe 5% pregnancy cravings.   I'm really trying to get my workouts in though.  I've made it to a few classes at the gym, went for a good walk with Marie in Shingletown, I even did Zumba twice... I hate Zumba- but it's what was available when I had the free time so I did it.  This morning I went and walked around target for about 40 minutes- got in 4000 steps!  Tonight I will go to Ultimate conditioning at the gym.  I went to it last night as well.  Monday I even got ALL green!  I was pretty proud of myself!  Almost did it yesterday, but I slept in so I didn't get my hourly activity at 7:00 am.

I need to start thinking about what I want to do after the baby is born  I want to do something new and fun, some sort of program that will give me motivation and accountability.  I know what I need to do, I know how to work out, I know what foods to eat, but I work harder for other people- instructors, coaches, etc- so I want a program.  Any suggestions??

Oh- Baby update.... I am 11 days from my due date.  I've had some contractiony type feelings but I think they are more braxton hicks that real contractions.  Having some mild back pain today, but that's really about it so far.  Check up Friday morning.

Ladies and Gentleman, Children of All ages....

Welcome to the best show in town.......

My house is officially a circus, and I don't even get to be the ringmaster.

I'm just shy of 38 weeks pregnant....last week I put the finishing touches on the girls' room, baby clothes washed, diapers stocked, bags packed.  My nesting continued to the rest of the house- wash the walls, steam clean all carpets, "Hunny how much work is it to replace the shower stall?" was even in there at some point. But on my terms.... my schedule... in my control.  If you know me, you know that's how I operate,  I have to have a plan, and I can't feel like things are out of my control.

Well, God's a funny guy when it comes to that. He only lets me get away with it for so long before reminding me that I am NOT always able to be in control.

Friday evening I noticed some small water spots on the kitchen floor- I assumed they were from the dogs bowl, or that Lilah had a leaky cup.  Then a short while later I saw more water.... what the heck.  Then I noticed as I walked my feet were getting wet, I looked down and pressed on the floor with my toes and watched as the water seeped up between the flooring.  Shit. Ari came home shortly after, we figured the ice maker was leaking, he pulled the fridge out, checked the hose, everything looked fine.  So he checked the other end under the sink- no problem there either, checked the drains for the washing machine on the other side of the wall- nope, not that.  So he decided he would call the warranty company.  We called them Saturday, they couldn't send anyone until Sunday.  So we waited around all day Sunday- the guy finally showed up around 7:30 at night.  he searched around just like Ari did, and didn't find anything.  Cut a hole in the wall to test inside there, still nothing, then they pulled the stove out, and right behind that and the cabinets was a steady stream of water coming from a cracked hose. Great.

So we've been without water to the kitchen since Sunday night.  Called our insurance Monday morning and filled them in- I figured they'd send someone out to give us an estimate, we'd replace some flooring, collect a check, and have a baby.  WRONG.   Obviously I've never done this before.  They send out Coit, a damage and restoration team, who took pictures, measurements, did leak tesst, moisture tests, asked a bunch of questions, yelled a lot in Russian, let the dog out, let the flies in, and barely spoke English.  They were here until 8:00 last night, and finally when they left, my floor was gone as well, the kitchen was barricaded off with plastic tarps, and 7 HOT and LOUD fans were placed to start the "Dry Out".

They informed me they would return Today, along with the Asbestos and Lead testing company- around 9:30 am.  

As we know I am trying to follow the Fit Girl 28 day program.  I had gotten some food prep done Monday morning before the chaos ensued, but not much.I got the lasagna done which is dinner days 1,3,5 and 7. It's supposed to be Pumpkin Lasagna Rolls, but that sounds weird to me... so it said you could sub other veggies- I chose zucchini and spinach instead.  Also since there's two of us I decided just to make a regular pan lasagna instead of rolls.  I took the recipe and multiplied everything by 8 to make 8 servings.

 Hopefully we can eat it tonight so I can report back on how it turned out.

 Unfortunately that was as far as I got, then I wasn't able to access the kitchen the rest of the day.  So I got up early today and figured I would make stuff ahead of time for the day and place it in the fridge in the garage so we could get to it as we needed it.  Well, I got as far as getting breakfast handled for everyone and the doorbell rang.  At 8:00 am.... surprise.... they were here early, and They got right to work so my plan was shot.  They needed access to the crawl space- which is in my room, in the closet- sure let me just clear my bazillion pairs of shoes, out of the way real quick.  Then the asbestos guys shows up, more questions, more access needs, then the manager from coit arrives... it's literally beginning to feel like LAX in my house at this point, people everywhere, hustling around, phones ringing, Russians yelling, the dogs running around crashing into things with her cone, Lilah is scared of the men in paper suits (they had to wear them to access the crawl space), it's literally a circus.  

Everyone finally cleared out around 12:00.  Gone for the day, hurray.  They left behind the HOT and LOUD dryers, and my kitchen is still closed off, but at least I have my bedroom back, and don't have 6 strangers in my house.  As of right now they are saying the wall between the kitchen and the garage needs to come down, and the cabinets need to come out, but they can't start any of that until the asbestos testing come's back.  So right now we wait.  I am rushing through laundry like a mad women since I won't be able to use my machines after tomorrow... I considered finishing my meal prep- but I won't be able to get to any of it so I don't know what good it will do.  I'm honestly at the point right now where I feel so overwhelmed that instead of doing something I'll just do nothing because I don't even know where to start.  I could pack the kitchen up- they didn't say to- but if they are taking cabinets out I imagine it needs to be done?  Should I let them do it, or should I?  Should I pack the fridge up and put everything in the one outside?  Or will they just move the whole fridge to the garage for me?  I should at least clean it out, half the food will be spoiled by the time I have my kitchen back. See what I mean- too much to think about.

So that's my reality right now.  So much for the 28 day meal plan..... looks like I'll have to give that another go once this is all done and over with.  In the meantime I am really going to try not to just say screw it and go back to eating crap- I am going to try and at least make good choices with whats available to me.  Like last night we had to go out to eat, and I had a large garden salad, I wanted a Burger and fries- comfort food- but I convinced myself to make a better decision.  I did make it to the gym last night in spite of everything else.  So at least there is that.  

Wish me luck as this continues to unfold.  Pray for my sanity please.....and the safety of these workers- it's a crap shoot whether or not I'm going to have a breakdown.

34 weeks, Ponies, and Scorching Temps.

Had my 34 week checkup yesterday afternoon.  Up 1 pound since my last appointment at 31 weeks.  Not too shabby.  I’m far over where I wanted to be weight gain wise, so I was hoping to just maintain these last few weeks- not gain, but 1 pound is better than the multiple pounds I was seeing at previous appointments!  Fundal height is 37 cm, heart beat was good and strong, good to go for another 2 weeks.

Tried a new class at the gym last night.  Not sure what it was called- but it was pretty much a strength training/muscle conditioning routine.  I got there a little early and did 20 minutes – medium intensity- on the elliptical, then headed to class.  It was 3 sets of 4-5 exercises, 3 rounds each.  For example, the first set was: Deadlifts, bent over rows, plie squats with a row, squat thrusts, and jump rope- repeat 3 times.  Lots of squats and lunges, good amount of arms, and just the right amount of cardio bursts to keep the heart rate up and the sweat pouring.  Yuck.  It was so hot.  Even in the air conditioned gym.  It’s just miserable.  Triple digits all week and rising.

Speaking of triple digits and rising, the hottest day is supposed to be Saturday.  Wonderful, glorious Saturday- the day of Lilah’s 3^rd birthday party… outdoor birthday party…. Hottest part of the day- Birthday party.  Ugh.  It was originally a projected high of 108- there’s been a small drop- looking at 103 now.  But let’s be real- it’s all hell after 95.  I legit have considered cancelling the party!  But my sweet little ginger girl is so very excited to ride ponies- I will grin and bear it for her sake.  Aside from the heat I am so very grateful that I decided to go this route.  I booked this party back in March at a local horse stable- they do Pony parties- they supply the ponies; you supply the kids.  I knew I’d be too pregnant and tired by this point to host a party at home and have to deal with weeks of prep and days of clean up.  This way I just have to brings snacks, a few decorations and games and then throw it all away at the end!  And a huge thank you to Aunt Marie for doing the crafty side of it, and making the cupcakes- what would we do without you?

Tonight is Ujam!  Yay- looking forward to it since Monday was a holiday.  Is it totally obsessive that I hate that the display on my FitBit is broken because I like to check my steps and heart rate at the end of each song?  It is?  Yeah… I kind of thought so.  Shout out to FitBit customer support though- a quick live chat online and a new one is in route to me and will be here Wednesday.  In the meantime, I am flying blind- no heart rate tracker and I can only see my steps through the app for now.  How will I ever get through until Wednesday… LoL

9 more Working Days...

9 working days until Maternity leave.  Thank goodness!  I am ready.  This whole work thing really gets in the way of other stuff.  

I used to get up at 3:30 a few mornings a week so that I could go to the gym at 4:00 and get my workout done.  However, with this wonderful pregnancy insomnia, I just. can't. do. it.  I am awake a few time a night as it is, and not getting great sleep, so the 3:30 alarm just isn't happening.  

Which means I have to squeeze my gym time into the evening- also when we have baseball, scouts, meetings, puppy class, etc.  It's hard.  

Anyhow- I made it to the gym Thursday for Ujam!  Yay, and again Sunday- cardio and weights.  Bringing my grand total to 4 days last week.  I'll take it!  

I did NOT make it there yesterday however, we were out all day enjoying the day off and time got away from me. I did do a good amount of walking though. But now I realize that I wish I would have squeeze a workout in somewhere- because today isn’t going to happen either.  We have Scouts, Baseball AND puppy class all at once this evening.  So as I said, 9 more days…. 9 more days of juggling.  Then I can breathe.  Once I am on leave I can get up and go first thing in the morning and then get on with my day- and I can’t wait. In the mean time I am just going to do my best.  I will get to the gym tomorrow and hopefully Thursday and Friday, too.  Saturday is Lilah’s birthday party- so It’s bound to be a busy day- but if I plan well I can make it a priority in the morning.  If I can stick to that I will still hit my 4 days.... we will see.

Now, food.  I’ve actually done Okay!  I’ve stuck to my 80% rule rather well…(80% real food). And I only slipped once on the fast food- Had a sausage biscuit from Carl’s Jr. yesterday.  Damn it.  I can only be so strong!  I did some shopping this weekend and got some staples- so I should be ok this week as well- I hope.

The main thing though, is I’m getting back in the right frame of mind.  I’m making a conscious effort to plan my workouts into my day, and thinking twice when making food choices instead of eating whatever whenever because I think I can. 

Oh!  I also got some a peek at a fun new program courtesy of Katie, and I am excited to try it.  Have you heard of the Fit Girl 28-day jump start?  I’ve been following them for a while- and after reading the program I am thinking I will use it post-partum.  Check it out if you haven’t heard of it…. And if you have- or have tried it- please share your experience and results!