Weigh-In Wednesdays, Week 7

Drum Roll Please.......Week 7.....


                                            Week Loss: 1 Pound
                                            Total Loss: 15 Pounds

The key to weight loss in our house.....preparation!

I found that Ben and I both eat healthier if I choose one day.....cut up/wash all the fruit and have it readily accessible. Also, we make our lunches the night before so that we don't have an excuse to go out to eat!

Thyroid

Who knew your thyroid was so important?
It is has been a LONG time (i.e., high school) since I have had to take any anatomy classes!
I have quickly learned more about the thyroid and its functions in the last 3 weeks.

When I was really sick a few weeks ago (fever, etc), when I saw the doctor in the Walk-in clinic, he could have cared less about my "virus" and wanted to know how long I had "that thing" on your throat.  (As a side note, Ben and I had not noticed the "thing" but just the week before my sister told me that my neck was really big.....I thought she was being rude! I had to call and apologize)

After some blood work, seeing 2 Doctors, 1 Endocrinologist, and 1 surgeon, we have learned that I have a nodule on the left side of my thyroid. They are thinking that I might have had it for a while, but because of my post-pregnancy hormones, it might have just had enough juice to get larger.

Tomorrow, I will be going for a biopsy and to have the wonderful thing drained. I. AM. SCARED. TO. DEATH.  Honestly, I'm not worried at all about the results, I REALLY don't think it is cancer. HOWEVER, I am very worried about the pain. I am awake during the procedure (i.e. big needles in my neck!) and the doctor has painted a very painful picture. I'm hoping he has made it sound worse than it is just so I will be pleasantly surprised!

If you have a chance, say a pray that it will be pain free as possible and that the results will come back good. It does takes 2-3 weeks before we will know so until then, I go on living like I never had it and then depending on the results, the doc said we would go from there.

Thank you for your prayers!

Weight-In Wednesdays, Week 6

Drum Roll Please.......Week 6......

Week Loss: .4 Pounds

Total Loss: 14 Pounds

A loss in a loss is a loss....right? .4 is weak, but it is a loss! Celebrate the little accomplishments!
And a BIG Accomplishment....I can wear my wedding rings again!

A snack idea for anyone Weight Watching Out there:

Add some strawberries (FREE!) and this is a great 2 Point Snack!

Buy My Sister's House!

Take a look at my sister and brother-in-law's awesome house in Springdale.  

3826 Pasofino Loop

3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, study, playroom, large eat in kitchen, formal dining room spread over 2551 sq ft
Featuring hardwoods, tile, granite, stainless steel appliances, security system, central vac, jacuzzi tub, dual central air/heat, sprinkler system, Springdale School District (JB Hunt Elementary, Har-Ber High)

Asking Price: $235,000 

The End of Maternity Leave

Tomorrow is the day I have been dreading. It is the "Mommy Goes Back to Work Day".

I have absolutely LOVED maternity leave. I have taken in every bit of 11 weeks 4 Days and not taken one day for granted.

I have laughed, cried, grown inpatient, made great memories, been silly, challenged potty training, and loved on the boys.

As with any decision as a family you have to weigh everything and at the time, working is what is best for us.

I am so VERY thankful for the amazing women who help me raise my boys at Central Presbyterian Children's Center. John Michael loves his teacher, Ms. Katelyn, and she is so wonderful with him and he comes home learning things that I am amazed by. Matthew will stay with my mother-in-law for a few days before starting school.  But when he does start class he will have the exact same teacher, Mrs. Shirley, that John Michael did.  (John Michael still loves to visit Mrs. Shirley!)  I know they will be in good hands....just not my hands, and that is what makes it hard.

If you think about it.....say a prayer for me on Friday that I will be at peace and my emotions will be in check!  As I know the boys won't even know I'm not there, but I sure will!

Here is a glimpse of some of the fun we had on my second half of Maternity Leave:

Meeting Matthew's Future Wife, Maci Dickinson

 

Trying out all of Matthew's Toys

Smiling

Swinging

Holding Brother

Cookie Rewards for Being Accident Free

Brotherly Love

"Bed Head"

Talking to Mommy

Library Visits

Just a Rocking

Sneaking Cookies!

Hanging with the Cousins

Finding "New Uses" for Brother's Boppy

Going to Church!

 Who could Forget Naps??

Helping Mom Cook

Boys Not Wanting to Take a Picture!

Matthew Being a Good sport on Outings

 Visiting the Huckabee Nature Center:

What an Awesome Summer we Had!

Weight-In Wednesdays, Week 5

Drum Roll Please.......Week 5......

Week Loss: 2.6 Pounds

Total Loss: 13.6 Pounds

  Wow! Shocked this week! With being away for the weekend, I just knew that the scale was not going to be kind, but it was! I did try to stick with some healthy choices (brought my favorite Veggie Chips with me), but overall while I vacationed, I splurged.   This week, I thought I would show two of our "Secret" Foods:    

Best Diet Drink!

  

This is what we use for a Wrap for Lunch. It is only 1
Weight Watcher Point and makes you feel like you are eating a lot!

Great Grandparents!

For Labor Day, we all loaded up to take a tour to introduce Matthew to his Great-Grandparents that he hadn't had a chance to meet yet! 

We started driving Friday evening towards Houston, TX. Ben's Grandfather (Papaw) has been at MD Anderson receiving treatments due to Leukemia. This was a special trip for us and we were so glad to be able to meet and see some of the wonderful people who have been taking care of a very special man of ours! MD Anderson is an amazing facility.

Friday we made it to Nacogoches, TX. 



Waking up with the car sillies! .

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early and made the remaining 2 hour drive to Houston, TX.

We were able to check out MD Anderson and had lunch in the cafeteria (which was really awesome). After lunch, we were surprised (and excited!) to learn that Papaw was going to be released from the hospital and he was going to be able to spend time with us in the hotel. We were able to get the first Arkansas Razorback game on our iPads and Laptop computer and we cheered the Hogs to Victory!

   

Mamaw Carroll and Matthew



Watching the Game Together.

Aunt Cindy and Amanda also made the trip to Houston. John Michael became FAST friends with Aunt Cindy and bossed her around quite a bit. 

One of John Michael's Favorite things on the trip....Aunt Cindy's Hair!

Matthew couldn't resist napping with Cousin Amanda



Four Generations

 

One of my favorite pictures from the weekend...it is
as if John Michael is telling Papaw it is time to smile!



Sunday afternoon we said our goodbyes and headed to our next destination.....Texarkana, AR. At this point, Matthew was officially tired of the car and wanted us to know. We arrived late Sunday night and settled into another hotel room.



Are we there yet?



Such a good daddy....trying to get Matthew calmed down.

Monday morning we introduced Matthew to his Great-Grandmother, Mamaw Georgia. Both John Michael and Matthew had a big time playing at her house with Aunt Beth and Uncle Max as well.



Although it was a whirl-wind trip and involved staying in three different places three different nights, we were so glad we went and were able to spend time with everyone. As always, it never feels like enough time though!

As a side note....please say a prayer for our Papaw Carroll as he is undergoing many treatments. We are praying for peace and healing.