A little me time

Fate...

That is what I am calling it.  I have been bitching about my weight for YEARS!  After seeing my girlfriends loose some serious weight the last couple of months in a variety of boot camps, I took my fat butt to the computer and signed up for a women's boot camp.  My girlfriend Lori has been doing one in McKinney and she has really enjoyed it.  The time for the workouts is good with my schedule.  Chad was encouraging so I went for it.  It is three days a week.  I started last night and I am dying today.

Monday morning, I threw all of my Weight Watchers material in a bag and took it to work.  I also took workout clothes and shoes.  We have been walking on our lunch breaks around the neighborhood behind the office.  It really doesn't matter if we stink we when we get back because don't see anyone.  I told myself that I just wasn't going to eat crap any more.  That is what it all boils down to.  Yes I have and small amounts of things I should have stayed away from but much, much less than I would have ate just last week.  

Then today, my boss (who is my age) came into the office this morning and said that he is adding a new benefit to the office.  A GYM MEMBERSHIP.  We would have a small amount out of our checks but he would pay 75% of the membership for 24 Hour Fitness.  If we wanted to work out during lunch, he would look at letting us flex our hours so that we could.  I think the last time that I had the opportunity to work out in multiple locations during one week was in college.  And that was 10 years ago.  

Here is my plan.  Boot camp is through May.  Three days a week.  Monday, Wednesday and Thurs/Friday.  This well get me going and in better shape to make it to the gym.  The hardest part is starting, right.  Gym membership starts Friday.  I would love to go on the weekends and at least 3 days a week during lunch.  Did I mention that Chad's company gets a discount too?  So all four of us will be heading to the gym together.  I will not eat crap.  If I do, it will be in very small portions.  

So.... here to fate giving my butt the swift kick I needed.  I no longer have a time issue,a  budget issue, or will I miss having someone to work out with.  All of the excuses are gone.  Here's to some me time.  

Sleeping Double in a Single Bed

I am not sure when it happened.  One night Reece decided to sleep in the twin bed in Addison's room.  I was okay with it.  Maybe she would sleep there all night verses coming down to sleep with us.  Addison was still in her crib.  They had plenty of room.  

She did it the next night.  And the next.  This continued for weeks.  Around spring break we decided to move Addison out of the crib and into her twin bed.  I thought Reece would move back to her room.  No such luck.  Reece said that she would just sleep on the trundle bed in Addison's room.  It quickly became an contest to see who would sleep where.  "I want top!"  "No!  It's my turn".  

Then the real fun began.  Addison was free as a bird.  Nothing was keeping her in bed.  It truly felt like an episode of Super Nanny.  I would put her in bed, she would run out.  Repeat.  Repeat.  She won by the way.  We rock her to sleep again now.  Don't get me started.  I have strayed....

So the girls are sharing a room.  And a twin bed with a trundle.  So what do I do?  Buy another twin bed for the room?  Bunk beds are not an option.  Addison = no fear.  Keep it like it is?

Addie's room is the last room to be completed in the house.  She still has builder beige on the walls.  She has cute drapes.  Cute bedding.  It just needs it to be painted and rearranged.  We didn't want to do anything till she was out of the crib.  

Any suggestions?????  I don't think Reece is moving out any time soon.  By the way, Reece's BFF, Audrey and her sister share a room by choice too.  I think that's why Reece moved in.  

Our new look

Over the Easter week-weekend, we had hardwood floors put in the front entry and family room.  It has made a HUGE difference.  I am so pleased with how they turned out.  The guys that did the installation were excellent.    If you are in the market, I would HIGHLY recommend this company.  

Take a look!

A new blog to Follow

I have had the pleasure of meeting some great people since moving to Dallas almost 9 years ago. (Can you believe it has been that long?) One of those great people is Jessica. She is actually one of my brother's friends but I am happy to say she is one of mine too. Layne actually married Ben and Jessica almost 2 years ago. I am getting side tracked.

Jessica does the PR for Children's Hospital in Dallas. She has started a great blog from the hospital with fun and informational stories. I know many of you are parents, I thought that you would enjoy reading the blog and all the greatness that comes along with stalking a new blog. And since I have been awful about updating, you can now read it instead of mine. The great thing about her blog is that you don't have to be in the Dallas area to get great information from it.

So without more babbling...

http://childrensmedicalcenter.blogspot.com/

I'm adding it. You can add it too.

We're home

Sorry for the delayed post. Addison came home yesterday afternoon. Played a little and then took a nap. I crashed about 7:30-8 so sorry for no post. She is much, much, better. Thanks for checking in on us. I will update more later this week.

Quick Family Update from a Guest Blogger

Hey everyone. It's Mitzi and Layne. Christine and Chad have asked us to hop onto their account real quick and let you know what is going on with the family.

Last night, Christine and Chad took Addison to the ER at Children's Hospital in Plano. Addie had severe diarrhea all day, and they were worried about dehydration and cramps. They admitted Addison to the hospital last night. She has a stomach virus, and essentially has no good bacteria in her tummy. The doctors are going to keep her at the hospital until she has a solid bowl movement, which could be a few days.

Mrs. Carmen was in town this weekend to help out, and Sabrina is off on Monday and Tuesday of this week. You can reach Christine and Chad on their mobile phones since they will be out of the house most of the week. If you're reading this, you're a friend of the family, and should feel free to call and check in.

Love, Mitzi and Layne

I'm loosing an eye! - Part 2

About 2 years ago, Reece woke up after a night of fire works for the 4th of July with her eye swollen shut.  We didn't know what happened.  We made a quick trip to urgent care (because you know we only get really sick on the weekends).    Learned that she had a misquote bite on her eye lid.   Nice, right?  The one place hat you can't put bug spray and Reece gets bitten there.  

Fast-forward to that evening.  Eye is still very swollen and we get in the bathroom to brush teeth for the night. She takes one look at herself, and looses it.  "I'M MISSING AN EYE!  I'M MISSING AN EYE!"  She finally calms down enough to look in the mirror as we raise her eye lid to show her that her eye is still there but it a little closed off at this time.  While I felt bad that she reacted that way, I still giggle a little about her comments. 

Why tell you this old story?  Because this weekend was part 2.  

Chad and Addison had run to the Minute Clinic on Sunday because Chad felt terrible and Addie was still running a little fever here and there and I wanted them to check her ears.  Reece and I stayed at the house and went outside to start pulling weeds in the front yard before we mowed.  Reece played for a while then wanted to help.  I wasn't going to turn down the help.  And she can keep a conversation going.

About 15 minutes into helping, Reece starts screaming.  Not the "Oh my - there is a dog over there" scream.   I am talking the one you have never heard before.  Not even the same scream as when she broke her elbow.  The kind where your heart stops.  I look over and her hands are covered in fire ants.  I beat them off.  Look closer at her and realize they are on her legs too.  Strip her naked in the drive way and run her to the tub.  We wash (drown) what ants are still on her.  She is still screaming.  I know that they hurt.  I just try to keep her calm.  She gets out about 5 minutes later and we get dressed in new clothes and dry hair.

As I am drying her hair, I notice that her eyes are starting to get puffy.  She has been a little puffy just with regular seasonal allergies but this is different.  Her face quickly starts to swell as well as her eyes.  I know that we are in trouble.  Have I mentioned that Reece has had a sever reaction to Benadryl in the past?  She just hallucinated for about 4 hours.  No big deal, right?  So there is nothing at the house that I feel comfortable giving her.  I try to call Chad.  No answer.  Call mom.  She says go.  Call Chad again.  No answer.  Reece and I jump in the car.  We start heading to Acute Kids.  I call Lori - ER or Acute Kids.  She's not home.  Dustin says ER.  

  Reece is starting to cough on the drive there.  Then she starts falling asleep on me.  I scream at her to wake up.  She does.  Finally get a hold of Chad.  They are on there way.  We get to Centennial. Not in record time. Preston Road sucks.  I over think everything.  We should have just gone to Children's.  I should have taken the Tollway.  But we are finally there.  

The triage nurse looks at her and takes us back. Reece's eyes are almost completely closed.  It has been about 45 minutes since she was bitten by the ants.  She does a little paperwork.  The doc comes in slower than I wanted but Reece's oxygen levels were good.  She gets a little steroid in her.  Throws up.  We are waiting for the next round and they bring in Benadryl.  They give her half the recommended dosage.  She does well with it and a new steroid and the nausea medicine just to make sure it all stays down.  

She improve quickly and I am thankful.  All in all, not a horrible trip but not one I don't want to make ever again.  Chad has treated the ants.  Reece's has played outside.  The world is right again.  We are making a phone call the the pedi about an epi pen.  Who knows how she will react again.  

***I know that I have be complaining a ton lately about how sick everyone has been.  It has just been our lives that last month and a half.  I think the girls at work think I suffer from Munchhausen by proxy syndrome.  I will try and make my next couple of post light hearted.  The kids are still funny.  I'll remember to tell you something good.