Fat BE GONE!

So fall is almost here and with fall comes leaves and I am turning over a new one. It's called a DIET! When I started my fertility meds in December of 05 I gained weight almost instantly. Seriously. It was like..."oh, here you go....have some FAT!" Well I sick of it. I have done nothing to lose the weight ever since and the adoption made me gain a lovely 10 more pounds. Got on the scale today...thank God I haven't gained any weight in the past 6 months...but the number glaring back at me in all of it's glory was NOT a happy one. No, I am NOT going to tell you what it was. HAH. However, I will tell you that I have 20 pounds to lose to be semi-happy and 25 would be perfect. Not a whole lot but not a whole little either.

I am the WORST eater. My close friends know that I make midnight runs to the gas station for Skittles. I am 100% addicted to Skittles and Coke. We do NOT eat healthy in this house. I usually eat for the first time everyday around 4:00 pm. Yes, you read that right. I do not eat breakfast OR lunch so I eat dinner and I snack on Skittles and Cheez-Its the rest of the night. BAD. Two years ago, right before I went on the fertility meds I did Weight Watchers. It was sooooooo easy and the weight fell off. Well, starting Tuesday (I am not starting on monday..it's a holiday...I deserve cake or something that day!) I am back to the diet.

Luckily I am one of those people that once I decide to do something I don't waver. I do it. So once I start this diet I won't quit until I am happy. It has just been getting to the point to DO the diet. But I love clothes, I love fashion, and I miss my body. And I am getting it back. To keep myself accountable I am going to post each week how much weight I have or haven't lost. I feel like putting this on my blog and proclaiming it to the world that I am going on a diet forces me to go on it for some reason. SO.....here I go! I will keep you posted and if anyone wants to join me then feel free!

*****OH....and make sure you check out Alec's birthday post below!*****

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEC!!!!!!!!

Five years ago today Kris and I headed to Aultman Hospital at 6:00 am for a scheduled induction. I was 42 weeks pregnant and more then ready to give birth. After 17 hours of labor Alec was delivered via emergency c-section at 11:49 pm. We spent Labor Day weekend in the hospital with our new and beautiful son! Fast forward five years...here we are!

Every year since Alec turned one we have taken him to Chucke E Cheese for his birthday. He loves to go and it's a special thing we do only on his birthday each year to keep it special. We took Haylee along this year (of COURSE) and they had a FABULOUS time. They are so cute together. On the way there Haylee asked Alec if he would marry her. He told her he WOULD marry her for fifty years! HAH! They have been friends since birth and I don't think their friendship is going anywhere soon!

Poor Mikayla is actually REALLY under the weather but held up well at Chuck E Cheese. She was a little out of it but she hung in there for the sake of her brother.

It was a wonderful day...and a little sad. I just can't believe my adorable, wonderful son is already five years old. Since it's late and I am exhausted I will post more about Alec tomorrow. I will give an "Alec Five Year Update!" Enjoy the pictures and video...

Friends Forever

He was SO mad I made him wear this hat in this picture!

All smiles!

HAYLEE!

Mikayla thought Chucke was COOL! Very MUCH unlike her brother and Haylee who are BOTH scared to DEATH of him and have been each year!

We see you Mikayla!

Alec in the Barney Ride

I think Mikayla thought he was real...look at her face checking him out!

Crazy Girl!

Alec LOVED the new horse ride...he wanted to ride this horse which was a racing game over and over and OVER. I think we spent 7 tokens on this horse!

Group Picture

The Birthday Boy with Mommy:-)

Hello? Anyone on the phone?

Fun on the slide!

Alec took Mikayla on her first ride down a slide today

I HAVE NO IDEA WHY BUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS ARE NOT PLAYING RIGHT. THEY KEEP STOPPING AND STARTING AND I AM SO FRUSTRATED. PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU ARE HAVING ISSUES OR IF IT IS JUST MY COMPUTER. THANKS:-)

My Mom's Surgery

Today was the day. I left the house at 10:00 am and headed to Columbus...a 2.5 hour drive from my house. Kris took the day off from work to stay home with the kids. After getting a bit lost trying to find a place to park since the parking was FULL everywhere...I made it to her pre-op room at around 12:45. I was able to see her, hug her, pray with her, spend time with her before they took her back. It was really tough. Her doctor explained the entire procedure to us (my dad, me, and my aunt) and told us they would remove the first lymph node and check it for cancer first. If it was + then they would remove all the lymph nodes. He said he would call us at this point in the surgery and let us know. We went to the waiting area and about an hour or so later the woman at the desk came and got my dad because mom's doctor was on the phone. My aunt and I just held hands and I prayed. My dad came back, sat down, and said...the lymph node was negative...the cancer hasn't spread. PRAISE THE LORD. I sighed a breath of relief that I have been waiting to exhale since I found out about the cancer. This was good news. They finished up the surgery and the doctor came and spoke with us. Basically, it was self-contained he feels. At this point, we are not sure WHAT the course of action will be, but the doctor feels really, really good about everything which makes US feel really good. She was able to come home tonight and is at home resting. She did well during the surgery and so they allowed her to go home. So thankful for that! I know so many of you are wanting to know what happened today so I knew I needed to hop on here and post. I am exhausted but I was thinking of all of you and wanted everyone to know.

Both the kids are sick....poor Kris. I came home to a clean house, floors swept, bottles washed, dishes done, and kids in bed! I wasn't sure WHAT I would find when I got home (I got home at about 8:15 tonight). So a HUGE shout out to my wonderful husband who is one heck of an amazing man! I also want to thank my Aunt Chris for flying up from Florida to be here with us today and also my best friend from high school, Amber, who lives in Columbus and came over to the hospital with her 9 week old sweet boy to sit with me and help me through. Dad...I love you...we made it. We are GOING to make it. My mom is going to be OK...she is a survivor and I love her so much it hurts....

And to God...thank you..all praise goes to You because YOU are the one in control...

Daddy did my hair today...how did he do?

I think pretty good for the first time he has ever done hair in his life! Don't you think?

YEA!!!!!!!!!! My dad is AWESOME...and he even took these pictures of me today! How lucky are me and my awesome brother...we have a super-cool dad!

PIGTAILS and more...

Well I have finally been able to get Mikayla's hair up in pigtails the past few days. It falls out a little in the back so I think I am going to buy some of those little clips to put back there. The following pictures really do not show it off but whatever...maybe you should come see her in person:-)

Lots of things happened this weekend and lots of decisions were made between Kris and I about things. First of all, I will not be starting school tomorrow like I had planned. There are several reasons why. One is because I want to be there as much as I can for my mom right now and because of what I am going through on that front I don't even have the remote desire to concentrate on school right now. I want to concentrate on my mom and my family. Period. And actually this is a better decision all the way around for me because if I would have went this semester I would have started my pre-student teaching Spring semester and my student teaching next fall. I didn't like this because 1.) I didn't want to have to separate classes...I would have new students that fall and I want the same students all year long because that is easier. 2.) Alec starts Kindergarten next fall and if I am student teaching I CANNOT be there for him at all. Preschool has NOT started off well and really...it's all too much to write about it but just know that this is what is best for various reasons for me, my mom, and my family.

As for Alec's preschool. He will not be going back. We had several things happen this week that were horrible and inappropriate for a teacher to do. I am not going to get into all of it but I will not allow my child be treated this way by ANYONE especially his own teacher who is supposed to be loving and nurturing. I won't tolerate it and I have already found a new preschool for him that is wonderful. I take Alec in sometime this week to meet the teacher and hang out for a little while. Please pray this is better for him. This past week was really tough for my little guy because of the things that happened.

Lastly, this will probably be my last post until after my moms surgery. It is this Tuesday at 2:00 pm and I am feeling nervous but have a strong faith in God that everything will be OK. Please continue to pray...I know you all are! I will give an update sometime after I know more because I know that so many of you have been praying and inquiring.

Now...here are the pictures:-)

There is nothing better then love from my daddy!

All smiles for daddy:-)

Cute little tongue

Being a girl is hard work everyone! I think I shall sprawl out here on the floor and take a break even if my mom says I don't look very ladylike!

Break if over...I am on the move again.

My sweet Alec. What a year it has been for him. So many changes...so many new things. I think he is having a harder time with it all then I realize. Another reason school should not be in the cards for me right now.

Look at those pigtails!

Aren't they adorable??

Mom....am I cute?

You better believe I am CUTE!

Oh man..Baby Einstein...I LOVE this show.

Mom...seriously...I can't watch it when you are in my face taking pictures!

Just toddling around

GASP! She found me!

My sweet girl....I just love her.

She ALWAYS has something in both her hands.

She's coming my way....

Here she comes!

OH MOM...you are not SERIOUSLY going to put me in the pack-n-play are you?!?! Yes honey...I am...you DO want me to make your dinner don't you?

~Goodnight Everyone~

MOM...here is your update

My mom called me out today and said that she wanted a 14 month Mikayla Update! So mom...and everyone else that watches this blog...here you go!

Miss. Mikayla Faith turned 14 months old on August 17th! She was seven months when she came home and now she has been home for almost 7 months! We have hit a major milestone because from here on out....she has been in the US longer then in Guatemala. Where did the time go and why did it seem like those FIRST seven months went much slower then last seven?

Mikayla is now full force walking. Gone are the days of sitting and crawling. The sitting days lasted a loooooong time....the crawling days only lasted 1.5 months. She was on a mission to walk and she has accomplished it! Of course she still falters every once in awhile but all in all...she is doing great with her new found walking skills.

In the past month her personality has really begun to come through. She has no problem telling you in babble what she wants. NO PROBLEM. And she equally has no problem telling you when she is NOT happy. Mikayla is a lover. She loves, loves, LOVES to give hugs and she gives them all the time. And not short hugs...Loooooooong hugs. The good kind where she wraps her arms around your neck and cuddles into that crook between your neck and head. That's HER spot and I like it! She also loves to have her hair rubbed. She will give you a hug and then you can keep her there for a good ten to fifteen minutes just by rubbing her hair or humming her a song. She is a very affectionate little girl.

She goes to bed each night no later then 8:00 pm. She gets back up at about 5:00 am for a bottle, we need to work on cutting it out but it is one of those things that comforted her when she came home so now she's hooked on it, and then typically goes back to sleep until 9:00 to 10:00 am...much to the happiness of her mother who loves to sleep until noon!

She is getting ready to start her 4th months of the INH medication that she has been taking due to her positive TB test. She has done really well with it and takes it in the morning with her cereal.

She is really slimming down since she started crawling and then walking. Her "belly" although still there is not QUITE as there anymore. She is still fitting into her 6-12 months clothing and here and there she can wear 12-18 months. Just depends on the brand. Her shoe size is still a 2 and I have no idea how she balances herself on such tiny feet...but the video below is proof that she can.

Her language is still delayed a bit but I am not concerned about it. This is typical when children are adopted Internationally. She never really heard English in her first 7 months. Although she can't SAY the words quite yet....she TRIES to. But right now she has four words, mama, dada, bubu (brother), and baba (bottle). She will get there...and it sure is hard to be concerned when she has surpassed all my expectations so far with catching up.

Mikayla loves to laugh and can be a little Diva at times. She is usually very calm and happy but if she is OFF her schedule then WATCH OUT. She gets cranky in a hurry. She is very much full of personality and is so much fun to watch. I think she is going to give Alec a run for his money. She is one confident little princess. Is she spoiled? You bet...but tell me...how can she NOT be when it is imperative that adoptive parents practice attachment parenting when their children come home. However, she will sit and play by herself for an hour at a time at least so I guess she is not TOO spoiled... but when she wants held...SHE WANTS HELD and usually mom or dad are happy to oblige.

What's her favorite food? Try EVERYTHING...that is, if it doesn't have milk in it! She will literally eat anything you put in front of her. She loves to eat. LOVES TO EAT. However, she REALLY like peaches and bananas. She has done just OK switching to Soy milk. We have had a tough time with it. These milk allerigies sure do eliminate a lot of foods! She also likes to eat grass, carpet fuzz, leaves, string, or anything else that she sees. Thank God for Dyson!

Her favorite toys consist of balls, she loves them and particularly likes to have one in each hand so that she can bang them together. But we have one of those ball machine toys by Playschool when you put it in the animals' mouth and it rolls down. Whatever...don't know how to explain it but she loves that toy. She also loves to walk or ride on her Dora walker. Her favorite thing of all though? Her pink bear lovey that Grandma Di got her for my baby shower. She won't go to sleep without it and that thing has seen the world already. It also accompanies us on many car rides. Bless the lovey.

So that is a "Mikayla Update" for everyone. I will do one on Alec next week for his birthday...which is August 30th:-)