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.

Planks and Sushi- balance people...it's about balance.

Well- the instructor from last night’s class must have read my blog and known I needed to bust out some planks.  We did 10 rounds of 30 second planks-  a few months ago that would have been “Easy Peasy” (as Lilah would say- that’s her new thing).  Last night though, it was rough!  Shaking, fingers digging into the mat, legs wobbling, sweat dripping, - rough.  And today my shoulders feel it!  Tonight I will stick to the challenge and do my Day 2: 20 second plank- I have a feeling I can rock that with no problem, lol!

So after the gym- 15 minutes of cardio on the elliptical, then class- I went home - and per usual, didn’t want to cook.  I had trail mix for dinner.  Fail.  Saturday is the day!  I will go to the farmer’s market and the grocery store, and there will be no more excuses.  Until then though, no promises.  Anyone have any favorite, healthy, no cook, dinner recipes? 

Tomorrow is my last day of work before maternity leave.  I am so excited.  I can’t wait to have a little time to catch up.  Catch up on sleep…. Catch up on laundry… Catch up on cleaning.  It’s been really hard getting up at 5:00 am and getting ready for work after a long night of waking up every 2 hours to pee, or just to lay there with my eyes open for 2 hours – because why not.  So it’ll be nice to have a little flexibility and sleep in a little when I have a rough night.  And my little bug starts preschool, and ballet, and swim lessons, and I get to be home to take her to all these things!  I am more excited than she is!  I don’t see a whole lot of resting in the next 4 weeks- but I do hope to be productive.  Luckily I’ve gotten most of the baby prep done- all that’s left really is washing and assembling the co sleeper in our room, and washing the infant carrier. So I’m ready for ya, Ellie- but no rush, I’ve got lots going on the next few weeks- LoL!

I think that’s all for today- pretty uneventful yesterday… and Tonight I’m having sushi for dinner and probably not making it to the gym… so don’t expect much from me until Sunday or Monday when I’ve redeemed myself and have good things to discuss ;)

Have some self control.... No really, please do.

I’m still here…. I’ve been quiet because it’s been busy around here.  We are in the last week of school for the year and I am on my last week of work before maternity leave- so things have been hectic! 

Saturday was a success!  I dropped my car of at Big O for my oil change- and went for a walk (with slight jogging spurts).  Decided to dust off my Couch to 5k app…. Started from the beginning- Week 1… it’s been a LONG time since Week 1 was the best I could do {sad face}.  But- I did it. 

After that it was all party mode.  It was SO. Damn. HOT.  Gross.  I am so sorry everyone, and thank you for bringing your littles anyway- Lilah had so so so much fun, so to me, it was worth all the sweat.  She told me on the way home “Mom, I had so much fun at my birthday”- music to my ears.

Sunday was a rest day- got my steps in though- running errands, shopping, chores, etc. 

Monday was UJam- have I mentioned yet that I love it?  I do.  It’s fun, and upbeat, and I can modify to make sure I’m no over doing it.  I did a quick mile on the Elliptical before class for a little extra.  Not sure what my calorie burn has been because my fitbit is hanging on by a thread, and my new one isn’t due to be here until Friday… How will I ever survive!?

Last night was Charlie’s class.  I took Andrew with me this week.  Thought it would be good for him since he does most of her walks at home.  He did really well with her!  And she actually did really well too- she doesn’t do so well for me- I’m sure it’s because I have ZERO patience and she can sense my fuming frustration!  Ha!

Tonight is that “strength training class that has no name” that I tried last week.  I am looking forward to it!  Hoping to get to the gym a little early and do some cardio before class.

Now- on the other side of things…. Nutrition.  Terrible.  Plain and simple!  LoL.  I had fast food again… ugh.  And Candy- I keep eating candy.  A piece here, and piece there, but it all adds up! I don't know why it's been so hard for me to use self control!  I've done it in the past like a champ, lately though- I can't find it anywhere! I’m hoping once I am on maternity leave I can curb the mindless snacking.  I honestly think I will be pretty busy and on the go so that should help.  And I never got to the grocery shopping last weekend- so my healthy options are very limited in the house right now… and have I mentioned how HOT it is, the last thing I want to do is cook dinner!!  It’s miserable.  My back hurts, my feet are swollen and it’s a bazillion degrees, who wants to stand in the kitchen like that and cook? I see lots of salads in our future.  So that is a goal for next week- clean up the eating.  I have to, you know what they say- you can’t out exercise a bad diet….

Gah- and the plank challenge- I keep forgetting!  I vow to start TONIGHT.  Anyone else?  I could use some accountability!

Fri*YAY* and Planks

Oh Glorious Friday!  This has been a long “short” week!  Am I the only one who felt like it dragged?

Made it to the gym last night, go me!  Sweated through 40 minutes of Ujam, and went home.  I’ll be honest I was SORE from Wednesday night's class- and it took all I had to even get my butt to the gym last night.  And let’s not even talk about the swollen Flinstone feet I’m dealing with.

Speaking of Wednesday- I planked in class… I haven’t planked in over 8 weeks I’d say.  And at that point, even pregnant, I could hold a solid 60 second plank like a champ.  Wednesday I was shaking at 25 seconds.  That’s disappointing!  So, it’s on my list of things to work on.  Maybe I’ll do one of those 30-day plank challenges.  Has anyone done one?  Did you get stronger? Here is the one I am going to follow- join me!

Tonight I won’t make it to the gym- I have errands to run for the party tomorrow, and Andrew has baseball.  So I think I Lil Red and I will walk Charlie (our puppy…) to the game. At least I’ll get my steps in that way. 

I have an appointment to get my oil changed at 8:00 am tomorrow morning- a few blocks from the gym- so my plan is to drop off the car- walk to the gym- work out- walk back to get the car.  Then I can have it all done and out of the way before 10:00 am- and I won’t waste an hour just sitting in the Lobby at Big O- being tempted by Donuts.  They always have donuts!  Jerks.  Kidding.  I love them, and 100% recommend them.  They are family owned by a great local family, they always take great care of us- honest and quick, and it’s one of very few places my husband approves of.  If you know him, you know that means a lot!

Anyhow, enough about that.  Not sure what is on the agenda for Sunday- I usually try to get my steps in by shopping.  Don’t judge me. I wanted to go to the Galleria last weekend and we didn’t make it- so maybe I can talk the husband into going Sunday- guaranteed to make your step goal at the Galleria.

So that’s that- 2^nd week down… Still have some places to improve- but I’m doing better than I was!  Stay cool this weekend, and get your sweat on!

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