August, 2022

Our beautiful, brave girl finally earned having her ears pierced! She worked during summer with a little learning each day (reading + workbook + journal) as well as extra chores each day (well, most days) and was able to have them pierced. We were up in Oregon still, and her cousins extended their stay a bit so the timing was perfect. She was able to have the support of her cousin MC who already had her ears done earlier in the year.

On the 3rd, we celebrated Big Man's 4th birthday out on one of the docks, as we had in previous years. He continues to be such a charming, obedient little man, with such an amazing, and developing, sense of humor. He will often do something new, like make a funny face and then ask "Is that funny, Mom?" and has recently started feigning falling over dead with shock or surprise, legs and arms up in the air like a bug. He is also very loving and sweet. 

I was still recuperating from my surgery while we were in Oregon. It was one of the only times that I have been there and not been able to go on any runs.

When we returned to California around the middle of the month, we worked in a day at the OC Fair. I was dreading the heat, crowds and expense but we had the best time. We went in the latter part of the afternoon and had the best time. 

We tried our best to squeeze out the last drops of summer before we returned to school and work by working in a few Disney trips, a beach day with friends and lots of pool nights.

   

The month concluded with a Blippi party for Cha. We hosted this a little later in the month so that he could invite his class. Blippi came and entertained the smaller kids for 2 hours, and was a good sport about being harassed by the older kids who could be heard giggling and stomping upstairs. After the party, a few of our friends stayed after to swim. It was a great way to end our summer, as we started to gear up for the new school year!

July, 2022

July started with our July 3rd tradition of watching the fireworks from El Modina High School while having a late dinner at the Orange Mining Company. Then, it was finally time for my surgery before flying to Oregon at the end of the month. Because I was recuperating from the 7th onward, this blog is especially lacking my usual content. More accurately, any content. But a picture is worth a thousand words, right?

June, 2022

Not pictured: SIX more

 

June brought the end of first grade and the beginning of summer. And finally, the completion of our pool. Although complete, we still had to wait for a few weeks after it was filled before jumping in together as a family (retrievers included!). Aut had end-of-year celebrations for Girl Scouts, Cha had a birthday party for his bestie, and we worked in quite a few Disney trips. We also found loving homes for all ten of our Golden Retrievers, primarily from word of mouth.

"Legendary" dinner at the Hobbit.

I volunteered for VBS at Autumn's school, and her Aunt/Godmother paid for her to attend a Catholic one as well. We celebrated my birthday and my best friend's birthday with a now legendary dinner at the Hobbit.

Because we had ten puppies, we were not able to work in an international trip as planned, but enjoyed staying home and watching them swim.

Girl Scouts end of year party

Moms from the kids' school

Disney days are the best days!

BFF!

Making slime!

I'm really impressed that my hubby actually designed out pool to fit the space. The pool company that we chose first presented the typical, curvy pool that they have placed in hundreds of backyards. But it did not fit our space, so my hubby drew up come other plans. The six foot fireplace, extra large hot tub and the Baja shelves and swim-up barstools were all his idea. While it was initially hard for me to conceptualize, it could not be more perfect. He even had them install a Badu swim jet (alone over 10K) just for me. The only thing we are waiting to get installed are the fire/water bowls along the back wall. And of course, landscaping. But the kids were in there every day since allowed to swim!

June can't pass by without mentioning that the 28th was my Mom's birthday, and she would have turned 71. When I mentioned that it was her birthday to Aut, she said "Oh Mommy, we need to have a tea party!" and she was excited. I love it that she has formed that connection. And I found a new (to me) song that I listen to when I'm missing her the most. It came out the year before she died. 

Tummy Tuck Time!

A tummy tuck (also known as an abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that reshapes and flattens the abdominal area by removing excess fat and skin, as well as tightening the muscles in the abdominal region, the goal being a tighter and firmer abdomen. But it does a lot more than help women feel comfortable in a bikini again after having babies. This major surgery is considered more invasive than a c-section with a longer and more difficult recovery for one main reason: the muscles. 

I have a condition common post-pregnancy called Diastasis recti, where the two bands of muscles that come together in the middle of the abdomen are separated by the growing uterus. And when this happens, there are no exercises in the world that can help. The only solution is surgical repair. Not repairing the abdominal muscles can lead to back problems down the line. While some people feel that I should roll the dice and only have surgery once I have back problems, I don't want to ever have back problems if it can be avoided and also don't want to have major surgery when I'm any older.

Although there are muscles being repaired, abdominoplasty is never covered by insurance, and only done by cosmetic surgeons. And, let's be honest, if no muscle repair was needed, I would still want the procedure because I was huge with Cha! So large that when I sent my before picture to a friend, she thought I had altered it and responded with "You never looked like that!" But I did...and here's my proof:

While I worked hard to loose the majority of it, I still found myself larger than I wanted to be, and larger than I felt comfortable weighing. My BMI was still too high, and last summer, a plastic surgeon that we had a consultation with told me that I had too much visceral fat. He was brutally honest, and even though it wasn't what I wanted to hear, it needed to be said. He told me that a tummy tuck could not help with fat around my organs, which is the worst type of fat to have, medically speaking, and that it would work against the procedure. Another surgeon explained that I needed to get down to my goal weight before having a tummy tuck. Its okay to gain some weight after the surgery...but you do not want to loose.

I was pretty frustrated because I had been running more than ever; three miles almost every single day from March 13, 2020 until the picture below, on the left, taken in April of 2021.

So I decided to work smarter, not harder. Knowing that weight is only abut 20% how much we exercise and 80% what we eat, I backed off on my running, added in weight-training two days a week, and upped my intermittent fasting, which had been key to all my progress up until this point. I remember taking the photo on the left, and being worried that there never would be an "after" to compare it to.

For several months, I did nothing. And a few months after that...nothing. But then we put down the deposit on my surgery, picked the date and it was time for the rubber to meet the road. I was out of excuses and ways to justify how I looked and felt. Ohh...it's tougher to loose when you're older was countered with the knowledge that our metabolism only slows 3% a decade. Or well, I'm a Mom now was quickly countered with yes, I am and for that reason and more I want to be around as long as I can, and be healthy; feel healthy! Being in shape does not just add to the quantity of our life, but to the quality as well. I have more energy and am in a better mood when I'm on my game.

Also super helpful to me in shifting my mindset was Candace Cameron Bure's book, Reshaping It All. This book helped me view self-control as being more in line with Biblical teachings than gluttony and self-indulgency. 

In Reshaping It All, she continues the story, inspiring women to embrace a healthier lifestyle by moving faith to the forefront, making wise choices, and finding their worth in the eyes of God. Candace shares a candid account of her struggle with food and ultimately her healthy outlook on weight despite the toothpick-thin expectations of Hollywood.

More than a testimony, here is a motivational tool that will put readers on the right track and keep them there. In addition to practical advice, Candace offers a biblical perspective on appetite and self control that provides encouragement to women, guiding them toward freedom.

Look, I love food more than most people. And being a distance runner, I have gotten away with being able to have more than my fair share. In fact, I famously ate more than my husband who is 6'4" (and full of muscles) on our first date because I was training for an ultra marathon. I mean, I actually went back for thirds, which did concern him a little! But the problem is that a mile still only ever burns 100 calories, and when I'm not logging the miles, it can be too easy to get used to eating more.

As a runner, I felt like I was brainwashed into thinking I had to eat frequently, at least every three hours. But when you're eating that often, there are too many opportunities to slip up. For me, it is much easier to make one decision: to not eat for a period of time, rather than trying to make 15 healthy, good choices each day! I mean, I work in a school where there are always unexpected pastries materializing out of thin air. When I'm fasting, I feel like I have a magic shield activated and I am able to say no. I have even driven the kids through the in-n-out drive through and not had one bite, not even their leftovers. No matter what your weaknesses and pitfalls are, there are ways around them. It just took me a few decades to find mine. I've tried a lot of different techniques, but intermittent fasting is the only thing that has worked for me. When I used to track my calories, I felt like it put food on my mind even more! And once I messed up, usually by 2pm each day, I quit tracking for the day and said I would start over tomorrow. My advice is to find what works for you; there is something. And every time you fail, you're one step closer to succeeding. For reals, this time.  

I feel like I'm on a great path now, and it feels good to be in control. I'm hopeful that the picture on the right is not my "after" picture, but rather my "during" picture, which I can eventually place next to my true "after." I look back on the time when I was eating for two adults (not myself and my fetus) and I can truly say that I did not enjoy it. When you can have anything you want to eat, any time you want, you do not appreciate it. Now, I enjoy my occasional cheat meal or Two Good yogurt (with only 2g of carbs) way more than I ever enjoyed that second bowl of ice cream. I look forward to my cup of tea. I feel proud when I wake up and weigh myself.

My surgery is only four days away, on 7/7, and I am more excited than nervous. I check into the surgery center at 6am and stay until 6:30 am the following day. Always the over-sharer, you can count on regular updates from me. Here's a preview: I will have two drains in for two weeks, and won't be able to walk upright for awhile! It going to be tough not being able to help around the house, swim or play with the kids. I think I'm even going to miss the gym and sauna! But I'm fortunate to have made it to this stage, and be a good candidate for this. Here's to a speedy recovery and health and strength. Oh, and patient kids who won't mind several days (weeks?) filled with Disney movie marathons, and lots of reading and snuggling.

May, 2022

 Pool construction continues, and continues and....

...there is light at the end of the tunnel. The whole process has been a nightmare for my hubby, who bears the brunt of the decision-making process as well as all financial matters. But the finish line is sight, and we are beyond excited. He even shelled out the $12,000 for me to have a swim jet, so that I can get a good swim workout in! We never dreamed that a swim jet would cost that much, nor could we conceive the final cost of the pool! He said that of he had known the cost of putting in a pool, he would not have purchased our home. Thank goodness we were in the dark, because our home is prefect, not just inside but we love the location. We're at the end of a cul-de-sac and back up to open space that can't be built on and hiking/running/mountain bike trails which is a dream come true not only for me, but for the kids in years to come, as well as our dogs.

May is always a special time for me because the month starts with my birthday, and ends with our girl's birthday and we have mother's day in between! I marvel at how fast she seems to be growing, and just how quickly the time passes. 

Her birthday party was a success! This was the very first time she only invited girls, and only her class (plus cousin & neighbor). We were limited to 12 girls, but could pay a little extra to have up to 14 at the venue, Le Petiet Princesse. It was tough to not have some dear family friends there, but with the new school, we were hoping this would help her make some connections. I had no idea that all the girls would come! To make it special, and last a little longer, we had the girls all meet at our house and then took a limo to In-N-Out, and then on to the spa and tea parlor, where each girl received hair, makeup and nail polish before putting on a fashion show, having a tea party and a surprise visit from Aurora!

It was cute because on the limo ride there, all the girls were a bit reserved even though I was playing. But on the way back, they were dancing and giggling and being silly. 

The celebrations continued after her birthday party, with an evening at Chuck-e-Cheese and Great Wolf Lodge with her neighbor friend Mara and her cousins. She had her first sleepover there, when the girls stayed in the bunkbed area.

On Mother's Day, Elsa had 10 puppies! Ten! All survived, and are healthy and thriving.