Please ignore all the tomato sauce.
1 year ago
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Loving the Warm Weather
On Saturday morning we took the kids to the zoo. We got there around 9:00 before the crowd arrived. When we left at 11:30, it was really crowded.
These turtle babies were enjoying the sunshine.
The cheetah seemed to be posing for photos.
Wesley is really into the "Going on a Bear Hunt" song. Since he was singing it at the zoo, we knew we had to stop by and see the panda bears.
Chris got a close-up of an American Rhea.
The elephant trainers were doing a demonstration so we got to see how they check the elephant's teeth. 
The orangutans were out on the o-line.
After we got home from the zoo, I went to work for three hours. I don't usually work on Saturdays but I have been working during nap time every other week for a couple of months. Thankfully all the kids were tired from the zoo and everyone took a nap for Chris. He really is awesome. He finished feeding the kids lunch, played with them, changed the little ones' dirty diapers and put them all down for naps.
On Sunday after church and lunch, we took the boys out on their tricycles. They rode for at least a mile and Lydia walked at least 1/2 mile. I am so glad that she is walking more when we go on walks.
Lydia loves it when Chris tosses her up in the air.
Just like real race cars, there was some bumping (and pushing) going on when the boys raced back and forth across the bridges.
You can tell how hard they are working by the looks on their faces. 
When we got home, Lydia wanted to try out Hunter's tricycle. Even with the seat moved all the way up, her legs weren't quiet long enough.
It really was easy keeping Hunter and Colten this weekend. The nice weather helped because we got to go to the zoo and play outside. The kids like playing with each other so much that I think they were all on their best behavior.
These turtle babies were enjoying the sunshine.
The cheetah seemed to be posing for photos.
Wesley is really into the "Going on a Bear Hunt" song. Since he was singing it at the zoo, we knew we had to stop by and see the panda bears.
Chris got a close-up of an American Rhea.
The elephant trainers were doing a demonstration so we got to see how they check the elephant's teeth. 
The orangutans were out on the o-line.
After we got home from the zoo, I went to work for three hours. I don't usually work on Saturdays but I have been working during nap time every other week for a couple of months. Thankfully all the kids were tired from the zoo and everyone took a nap for Chris. He really is awesome. He finished feeding the kids lunch, played with them, changed the little ones' dirty diapers and put them all down for naps.After naptime, we took them to a playground at an elementary school. Here is Hunter learning how to go down the fireman's pole.
On Sunday after church and lunch, we took the boys out on their tricycles. They rode for at least a mile and Lydia walked at least 1/2 mile. I am so glad that she is walking more when we go on walks.
Lydia loves it when Chris tosses her up in the air.
Just like real race cars, there was some bumping (and pushing) going on when the boys raced back and forth across the bridges.
You can tell how hard they are working by the looks on their faces. 
When we got home, Lydia wanted to try out Hunter's tricycle. Even with the seat moved all the way up, her legs weren't quiet long enough.
It really was easy keeping Hunter and Colten this weekend. The nice weather helped because we got to go to the zoo and play outside. The kids like playing with each other so much that I think they were all on their best behavior.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Double the Fun
This weekend, Hunter and Colten, stayed with us while Mark and Michelle enjoyed some warm weather snow boarding. Hunter is less than three weeks older than Wesley and Colten just turned one. I felt like Lora Lynn with four under four (now she has five under five).
Everything went really well. The kids loved playing together and they all seemed to be on their best behavior.
On Friday afternoon I took all four of the kids for a walk. Wesley is getting much better on his balance bike.
Hunter took a turn on the balance bike also. His scraped nose is from when he went flying down a hill on the tricycle with his feet in the air. I was behind him yelling, "Put your feet down!" but he never did and he crashed when the sidewalk ramped down to the road. Thankfully he was fine except for the skinned nose and a scraped knee. I was so proud of him when he got back on the tricycle. When we down the next hill he did a great job controlling his speed with his feet.
Wesley continues to prefer his tricycle over the balance bike.
After bike riding, we walked to the playground. It was about 4:30 and the deer were already out. A certain little boy was yelling, "Look Mommy! Dears!" and that scared them away.
All four kids had fun at the playground. Colten climbed the stairs and then Hunter, Wesley, or I helped him turn around and slide down feet first on his tummy. Here he is on the "baby treadmill". He just crawled and crawled and never went anywhere. He is adorable, isn't he.
After Colten went to the bed, the older kids watched Toy Story. I thought it was so sweet and cute that those chose to all sit on the same section of the sectional.
Everything went really well. The kids loved playing together and they all seemed to be on their best behavior.
On Friday afternoon I took all four of the kids for a walk. Wesley is getting much better on his balance bike.
Hunter took a turn on the balance bike also. His scraped nose is from when he went flying down a hill on the tricycle with his feet in the air. I was behind him yelling, "Put your feet down!" but he never did and he crashed when the sidewalk ramped down to the road. Thankfully he was fine except for the skinned nose and a scraped knee. I was so proud of him when he got back on the tricycle. When we down the next hill he did a great job controlling his speed with his feet.
Wesley continues to prefer his tricycle over the balance bike.
After bike riding, we walked to the playground. It was about 4:30 and the deer were already out. A certain little boy was yelling, "Look Mommy! Dears!" and that scared them away.
All four kids had fun at the playground. Colten climbed the stairs and then Hunter, Wesley, or I helped him turn around and slide down feet first on his tummy. Here he is on the "baby treadmill". He just crawled and crawled and never went anywhere. He is adorable, isn't he.
After Colten went to the bed, the older kids watched Toy Story. I thought it was so sweet and cute that those chose to all sit on the same section of the sectional.
Friday, March 6, 2009
MOPS Goes Bowling
Today we had another MOPS event. This one was super easy for Michelle and me. Some of the moms suggested the event and then one mom went over to the bowling center on base and reserved it for us within the first month of having her third baby. This same wonderful mom can also bowl while holding her 16 pound baby.
The kids loved bowling. Most of them were obsessed with the balls and hording them.
Lydia took several turns bowling, but she didn't love it as much as the older kids did.
Here is the best shot I got of Lydia bowling using the ramp.
Wesley used the ramp some of the time.
Wesley also practiced rolling it and throwing it, as seen below.
Lucas, who is five, is very into bowling; however, his sister, Julia, who will be three in few months won the game.
The kids needed a pizza break. The moms also enjoyed this pizza, especially since it was only $12 for a large pizza.
After lunch, the kids got to bowl a few more turns before it was time to leave. This is our friend Rachel using the ramp.
Yes, I am probably the world's worst bowling. Even with using the bumpers, I bowled a 95.
The kids loved bowling. Most of them were obsessed with the balls and hording them.
Lydia took several turns bowling, but she didn't love it as much as the older kids did.
Here is the best shot I got of Lydia bowling using the ramp.
Wesley used the ramp some of the time.
Wesley also practiced rolling it and throwing it, as seen below.
Lucas, who is five, is very into bowling; however, his sister, Julia, who will be three in few months won the game.
The kids needed a pizza break. The moms also enjoyed this pizza, especially since it was only $12 for a large pizza.
After lunch, the kids got to bowl a few more turns before it was time to leave. This is our friend Rachel using the ramp.
Yes, I am probably the world's worst bowling. Even with using the bumpers, I bowled a 95. Thursday, March 5, 2009
Shredded
Well, I wish I was "shredded" in the way Jillian means. I think the underside of my kneecap might be a little shredded now. I will find out next week when the orthopedist reads the MRI report. He saw a bone spur on the x-ray yesterday and he is guessing that my life-long knee issue is causing problems again. It has been injuried (swelling and pain) three times in the last four and a half months.
I was hoping for another kind of "shredded." No, the doctor didn't say it was shredded but the doctor who did the surgery in 1995 said it looked like crab meat (the technical term is chondromalacia) under my kneecap and this doctor yesterday said it was probably the same way again. The official diagnosis is patellofemoral syndrome.
Working Out
When we moved into our house six years ago this week, we immediately got an elliptical machine. I have to say that is the best money we ever spent. I was never able to consistently go to the gym three times a week after we got married. It took too much time and effort to get dresssed, drive to the gym (or at one point, just walk there), work out and then drive home.
Once the elliptical machine was set up in our basement. I was faithful! I used it three times a week, almost without fail, for almost six years. If I missed a workout it was because I walked outside or we were on vacation. The Tivo also helped with the workouts. When I was pregnant with Wesley I did it four times a week but I didn't have the same energy level during my second pregnancy so I only did it three times a week.
I also lifted weights to improve the look of my arms and to maintain my leg muscle strength to try to prevent the knee problem from happening again.
However, I did nothing for my core. I tried pilates but I didn't love it. My core was very weak, especially after having two babies. I have always been "sway backed" but it got worse. One of my coworkers even asked if I was pregnant with number three. She thought maybe I was because "my pelvis was so anteriorly tilted."
Oh, and my stomach will never be flat so I had given up on situps a long time ago.
Then I read on someone's blog that Jillian was kicking her a** and I decided to try it.
Wow, what a great workout. She should have called it the busy mom workout or rather the lazy mom workout. Because the workout is only 20 minutes (well 27 with a great warm up and so-so cool down). There are three workouts: Level One, Level Two, and Level Three. Each level is made up of three circuits, each circuits is made up of 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio, and one minute of abs.
I started the DVD in January. I did level one for four or five days in a row. Level one was a good workout; I felt like I had worked out and I felt great. Level two kicked by butt. Why? Because of:
If you are looking for a great workout, try these DVDs. They are awesome!
I was hoping for another kind of "shredded." No, the doctor didn't say it was shredded but the doctor who did the surgery in 1995 said it looked like crab meat (the technical term is chondromalacia) under my kneecap and this doctor yesterday said it was probably the same way again. The official diagnosis is patellofemoral syndrome.
Working Out
When we moved into our house six years ago this week, we immediately got an elliptical machine. I have to say that is the best money we ever spent. I was never able to consistently go to the gym three times a week after we got married. It took too much time and effort to get dresssed, drive to the gym (or at one point, just walk there), work out and then drive home.
Once the elliptical machine was set up in our basement. I was faithful! I used it three times a week, almost without fail, for almost six years. If I missed a workout it was because I walked outside or we were on vacation. The Tivo also helped with the workouts. When I was pregnant with Wesley I did it four times a week but I didn't have the same energy level during my second pregnancy so I only did it three times a week.
I also lifted weights to improve the look of my arms and to maintain my leg muscle strength to try to prevent the knee problem from happening again.
However, I did nothing for my core. I tried pilates but I didn't love it. My core was very weak, especially after having two babies. I have always been "sway backed" but it got worse. One of my coworkers even asked if I was pregnant with number three. She thought maybe I was because "my pelvis was so anteriorly tilted."
Oh, and my stomach will never be flat so I had given up on situps a long time ago.
Then I read on someone's blog that Jillian was kicking her a** and I decided to try it.
Wow, what a great workout. She should have called it the busy mom workout or rather the lazy mom workout. Because the workout is only 20 minutes (well 27 with a great warm up and so-so cool down). There are three workouts: Level One, Level Two, and Level Three. Each level is made up of three circuits, each circuits is made up of 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio, and one minute of abs.
I started the DVD in January. I did level one for four or five days in a row. Level one was a good workout; I felt like I had worked out and I felt great. Level two kicked by butt. Why? Because of:
- walking push-ups- stand up, touch toes, walk out to push up postion, do a push up, touch toes, stand up
- plank jumps - knees in to chest. The plank is like a push up position - you are on your hands and feet.
- plank jacks- jumping jacks, with your legs only, in the plank position.
Because Level two was harder for me, I only did it every other day and it took me about two weeks to sort-of master it. Also around this time, Chris commented that arms looked better and felt more muscular. Now I had been doing basic arm exercises for years but it wasn't like Jillian's workout.
Then I started level three which really kicked my butt. I did it all of February, basically every other day. No, I haven't lost weight. I haven't modified my eating habits at all so I am not surprised that I haven't lost weight but I have toned up! I feel great. My core is strong now! Woo Hoo!
For March I decided to try another DVD from Jillian. It is 40 minutes plus warm-up and cool-down but you don't have to do all seven circuits. I enjoyed all 40 minutes of it on Sunday and thought it was a great workout.
If you are looking for a great workout, try these DVDs. They are awesome!So, just when I am feeling like I have a great exercise groove going with DVDs (I would have never have thought I would like working out with DVDs) I am sidelined waiting to hear what I should do about my knee. The doctor said I could do yoga which I hate. Today I did Level Two but I didn't do the jumps and I modified all the legs workouts or did moves from the other levels.
No, the workouts aren't causing the knee problem. I was born with poor alignment at my hip, knee, and ankle. I had knee pain my entire childhood. When I was nine years old an orthopedic surgeon told me to lift ankle weights to strengthen my quads and the pain went away as long as lifted the weights. When I was 21, the pain got worse and I had the crabmeat cleaned out and my kneecap repositioned. That worked for 14 1/2 years. Now, I am waiting to see what the MRI says and if the anti-inflammatory will help.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Daddy Makes It Better
When I woke Lydia up from her nap yesterday I told her, "Daddy came home early from work so he could play in the snow with you." She immediately asked, "Why?" and then she said, "I don't want to!"
Thankfully she had a much better time in the afternoon than she did in the morning. I was actually very cold the second time we went out so I don't think she was warmer then. Maybe she liked it better because it wasn't actually snowing. Or maybe it was just because Daddy was with us.
I washed and dried most of the clothes we wore outside in the morning except for the gloves Wesley wore so he had to wear a pair of pink gloves again.
Lydia actually chose to walk on the snow but it wasn't very deep in this spot.
Look at those two following Daddy.
This was Wesley's first time making a snow angel.
Lydia might not have been able to move her shoulders since she was so bundled up but she was able to bend her elbows. Her snow angel didn't have any wings.
Wesley really got into making snow angels.
The snow is already melting away. I am ready for spring!
Thankfully she had a much better time in the afternoon than she did in the morning. I was actually very cold the second time we went out so I don't think she was warmer then. Maybe she liked it better because it wasn't actually snowing. Or maybe it was just because Daddy was with us.
I washed and dried most of the clothes we wore outside in the morning except for the gloves Wesley wore so he had to wear a pair of pink gloves again.
Lydia actually chose to walk on the snow but it wasn't very deep in this spot.
Look at those two following Daddy.
This was Wesley's first time making a snow angel.
Lydia might not have been able to move her shoulders since she was so bundled up but she was able to bend her elbows. Her snow angel didn't have any wings. 
Wesley really got into making snow angels.
The snow is already melting away. I am ready for spring!I think we will get a sled and hope for a couple of chances to use it next year.
Monday, March 2, 2009
A Snowy Morning
I think we have about six inches or so of snow in our neighborhood. We went out early this morning while it was still snowing. This made one kid very happy and one kid very grumpy.
Wesley was happy to run around in the snow.
Lydia was not happy at all. She refused to wear her gloves and she refused to walk. I had to carry her around the block.
We came back home (because I can only carry Lydia so far) and Wesley wanted to ride his tricycle.
Then he tried out the snow shovel.
That is a heavy load.
Once I took over the shoveling, Wesley got out his stomp rocket.
Lydia was still refusing to play in the snow.
So, I gave in and let her hold her blanket while sitting on the steps in the garage.
Once we were all back inside, Lydia was fine. She is normally such a happy little girl. Maybe she just likes warm weather better.
For lunch I made a Dutch Baby Pancake. The three of us ate the entire thing! The kids and I had second helpings which finished it off.
Wesley was happy to run around in the snow.
Lydia was not happy at all. She refused to wear her gloves and she refused to walk. I had to carry her around the block.
We came back home (because I can only carry Lydia so far) and Wesley wanted to ride his tricycle.
Then he tried out the snow shovel.
That is a heavy load.
Once I took over the shoveling, Wesley got out his stomp rocket.
Lydia was still refusing to play in the snow.
So, I gave in and let her hold her blanket while sitting on the steps in the garage.
Once we were all back inside, Lydia was fine. She is normally such a happy little girl. Maybe she just likes warm weather better.For lunch I made a Dutch Baby Pancake. The three of us ate the entire thing! The kids and I had second helpings which finished it off.
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