Happy Halloween!!!!

Our first Halloween has come and now its gone!!! And we had so much fun! It all started after school today when I went I picked up our little man and took him to see grandpa Mueller at work. Grandpa was in a meeting so we went to visit grandma and grandpa Alberts because they were just dying to see Tigger. We took a couple of pictures and of course got lots of kisses and hugs! Then we went to pick up the pizza and wings so that we had something to snack on while we passed out candy with grandma Mueller and Papa Tigger. Grandpa Mueller surprised us and drove over to see Tigger again because he was in a meeting when we went to visit him at work. Everybody loved being able to see baby Tigger but I think they loved giving the hugs and kisses the most!!! Grandma Dresp passed out candy at her house but she came over last Saturday to get her hugs and kisses in (and thank you by the way)!!! Oh and I can't forget about mama and papa Tigger, we got our kisses and hugs in too (and what do you know we got another family photo)!!!

Papa Tigger set up our fog machine and black lights to make our house look extra spooky on this extra spooky night. Baby Tigger loved the fog machine and I think he was mesmerized by the black light. And he loved seeing the neighborhood kids in their costumes too! He made it about half way through trick or treat before it was time to go to bed. He can't wait until next year when he gets to go from house to house with all of his neighborhood friends.

Papa Ed, Grandma Alberts, and baby Tigger!

Grandma Mueller, Grandpa Mueller, and baby Tigger!Papa Tigger, Mama Tigger, and baby Tigger (We LOVE YOU!!!)

Baby Tigger loving the fog and black lights!!!Future Trick-or-Treat buddies!!!

Thinking about being baby Tigger with grandma Dresp the week before!!!

Wordless Wednesday (HA HA mommy! You are never going to get a picture of my teeth!!!)

Taking it off together Tuesday

I am up one pound since Friday!!! Oh well.... I'll hope for a better week this week!!! Here is Leigh's report for this week:

The prize this week is sponsored by Chris. She is offering two beautiful Christmas mugs and a $10 Chevron Gift Card for the prize for this week! WOW! What a great prize. Makes me wish I had lost this week. If you'd like to sponsor a prize, let me know! We are currently out of prizes!



The names of this week's "losers" were dropped into a coffee cup and this week's WINNER is Christy!

Congrats to Tina for being this week's biggest loser of pounds!! She lost an amazing 5.2 pounds. I wonder if she is willing to loan out her personal trainer. Be sure to cruise over to her blog and congratulate her!

Chris - 2 GAIN
Tammy - 1.5 LOSS
Life With Hashi-Thyroid Blog - no report
Grace - No Change
Leigh - 1.5 GAIN
Clara - 1.2 LOSS
Julie - 1 GAIN
Cheryl - 1 LOSS
Audrey - 0.8 LOSS
Christy - 1.4 LOSS
Tina - 5.2 LOSS
Danielle - 1 GAIN
Jessie - no report
Steph - no report
CYN - no report

This week's total - 5.6 LOSS! WOOT!



Baby Updated: OMG!!! My baby is going to be six months old tomorrow!!! Yes, six months ago on April 29, 2008 our baby boy was born. He is the most precious baby and is literally growing by the minute. He has been cooing for a while but now he is full blown talking (in his own way, which sounds like yayayaya or nininin or dadadad) and it is the cutest thing ever. And it's official he has two teeth. They are not all the way in but they are through the gums. Now, if only I could get a picture to show you?? Hopefully soon!!! If anyone has any ideas on how to keep my guy smiling when I take the picture, please share!!!

Family Photo

We had our first family photo taken at JCPennys on October 17, 2008. I wanted to get a head of the crowd for the holidays but it turned out that everyone had the same idea. Our appointment was scheduled for 10:40a.m. that day. We did not get called back for our sitting until 11:40. Needless to say, it wasn't the experience that I had hoped for. We felt rushed because there were many others like us who were waiting their turn. And I planned the babies feedings around our photo, which would have worked out if we were taken at 10:40!!! The little guy was fine until after we got our picture taken but then I had to wait to pick my pictures, which again was rushed because now our little guy was starting to get hungry. I brought a bottle but there is nothing comfortable about trying to feed the baby around a million other people while standing and trying to pick out pictures. Even though it wasn't the best experience.... I am happy with the pictures for the most part because my baby is worth it!!! And he look adorable!!!

Here are few that I really like, but then again I like all of them!!!

Why didn't I order this last one? I think I will have to get it after all!!!!

FTF "HFH" (Not a total disaster)

I lost the three pound gain that I reported for Taking it off together Tuesday so I'll take it!!! My week was not a total disaster after all!!! That makes me happy.. YAY!!!!

Here is what I did this week:

Saturday: 2.5 mile run with dogs, 3 sets of stairs at the park.
Sunday: 2.5 mile run with dogs, 3 sets of stairs at the park.
Monday: 3 miles on the elliptical, 1 mile walk.
Tuesday: OFF
Wednesday: OFF
Thursday: 3 miles on the elliptical, 50 crunches, 10 push ups, and 1 mile walk.
Friday: 3 miles on the elliptical, 50 crunches, 10 push ups, and 1 mile walk.

I actually do have a healthy recipe to share but I do not have a name for it!!!! Anyway, all you need is ground turkey, rice, salsa, and cottage cheese. And all you do is brown the ground turkey, cook the rice, and then mix the turkey and the rice with some salsa and cottage cheese (you can decide how much of each you would like to add). This dish can be served cold or hot (I prefer it heated)!!! Let me know if you decide try this recipe.

Pizza Test

I saw this test over at Maggie's blog and thought I would give it a go!

Here is what my pizza says:

Your Pizza Says:

You tend to be attracted to rustic, homemade foods. You don't like fancy restaurant food. You prefer your own cooking. Pizza Topping You Should Try: Basil Stay away from: Any pizza overloaded with a mess of toppings

The Pizza Test

I am not so sure I agree with this because I totally love fancy restaurants and would rather eat at a fancy restaurant then eat my own food. However, now that I am a mom... I guess I have been cooking more and I don't even now why because it's not like our little guy can eat big boy food yet!!! So, maybe I am already practicing?? I don't know?? Plus, I love pizza with lots of toppings. I am so that "extra" girl when I order something or go out to eat. It's funny because when I first met my husband, we would go out to eat and he felt like he had to wait forever for me to finish my ordering (extra sour cream please, and could you bring an extra ranch for my fries, and I think I want a side salad to with cheese and onions please!!! I hate to make you run so I thought I would just tell you now!!!) Anyway, now I just order for both of us now that I have him eating so many more foods than he thought he liked!!!

What does your pizza say?

Wordless Wednesday

Taking it off together Tuesday

No good news here this week when it comes to weight loss. I actually gained three pounds. I admit that my eating was absolutely terrible (in a good way). My husband and I got out for dinner on Thursday night and what did I order----chicken and mushroom fettuccine Alfredo-- can you say hello CALORIES!!! Anyway, here is
Leigh's report for this week:

This week our contest is sponsored by Tammy! She is offering a copy of Superfoods for the prize for this week! If you'd like to sponsor a prize, let me know! We are currently out of prizes!



The names of this week's "losers" were dropped into a coffee cup and this week's WINNER is Chris!

Congrats to Clara for being this week's biggest loser of pounds!! Be sure to cruise over to her blog and congratulate her!

Chris - 1 LOSS
Tammy - 1.5 GAIN
Life With Hashi-Thyroid Blog - No Change
Grace - 0.4 GAIN
Leigh - No Change
Clara - 1.5 LOSS
Julie - 0.8 LOSS
Cheryl - no report
Audrey - 2.2 GAIN
Christy - 0.2 LOSS
Tina - 2.0 GAIN
Danielle - no report
Jessie - no report
Steph - no report
CYN - no report
This week's total - 2.6 GAIN! EGAD!


Baby update: The teeth are coming in full force now!!! You can see the white little nubs YAY!!! And he is already learning very quickly that he will no longer be able to chew on his fingers with the same force as before he had teeth. He's so smart!!! We just love him to death!!!!

A Birthday Party

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL

Today was Maddie's first birthday!!! Her parents, Amy and Joe (my friends), had the party at the German Central Club. There was tons of food, drinks, and fun! Maddie greeted our little guy with a kiss when we walked into the club and gave him a gift for coming to her party!!!

This bib was in his gift bad along with pears and a cookie. Hi! My name is AJ!!!Eddie (Me) and Maddie (Amy)

FTF "HFH"

I lost two pounds this week. Yes, the same to pounds that I reported for Taking it off together Tuesday. I said last week that maybe this week I would add some lifting. Um... ya, that didn't happen. I did my same old work out that I always do. It was like I had a good angel sitting on my right shoulder saying, "go lift, go lift, go lift" but then there was the bad angel on the left shoulder saying, "go run, go run, go run"!!! And what do you know the bad angel won me over every time!

Here is what I did this week:

Saturday: 2.5 mile run with dogs, 2 set of stairs at the park.
Sunday: 3 mile walk with son.
Monday: 3 mile run on track, 1 mile walk.
Tuesday: 3 mile run on track, 1 mile walk.
Wednesday: 3 miles on elliptical, 1 mile walk.
Thursday: 3 miles on elliptical, 1 mile walk.
Friday: OFF

I took today off to go get our first family Christmas picture. I will be posting pictures soon!

Now on to Christie's question of the week: So remember our question for this week? About your favorite and least favorite body parts or rather, what you'd like to work on? What are they???

I'm not sure that I actually have a favorite when it comes to a part of my body, but if I had to pick something I guess I would pick my shoulder muscles (sorry Christie!!!). I've always had good shape to my arms and I am thankful for that! As for the part I don't like, I would have to say my gut buster!!! I could do a million sit ups and I would still have a gut!!! I don't really even drink any more and it's still there. Now I know I just had a baby and everything, but even pre-baby no matter what diet I would try or work out I followed the gut just won't go away. Any suggestions on how to get ride of it?

Taking it off together Tuesday (even though it's Wednesday)

I am having serious connection problems!!! Still!!!! Still!!!



Anyway, I lost two pounds for taking off to together Tuesday. I didn't get to post yesterday because of the ISSUES!!!

And, my son is teething in a major way. I called the doctor today for any suggestions. I have tried the cold wash cloth, the water rings, and the ice cold water in a sippy cup. I have yet to try filling his binky with water, that one is next on my list. The doctor called back and told me that I could use baby orajel. I tried it and it seemed to work for a short time. Hopefully, his little tooth will come soon so that he does not have to be in pain.

Back to taking it off together Tuesday, here is Leigh's report for this week:



This week our contest is sponsored by Christy! She is offering an Earth Theraputics Foot Care set for the prize for this week! If you'd like to sponser a prize, let me know! We are currently out of prizes!



The names of this week's "losers" were dropped into a coffee cup and this week's WINNER is Tammy!



Congrats to Christy for being this week's biggest loser of 3 pounds!! Be sure to cruise over to her blog and congratulate her!



Chris - 1 GAIN
Tammy - 1.0 LOSS
Life With Hashi-Thyroid Blog - No Report
Grace - 1.1 LOSS
Leigh - 0.5 LOSS
Clara - 2.0 GAIN
Dette - 0.5 GAIN
Julie - 1.4 GAIN
Cheryl - No Report
Audrey - 0.8 LOSS
Christy - 3.0 LOSS
Tina - No Report
Danielle - 2.0 LOSS
Jessie - No Report
Steph - No Report
CYN - No Change



This week's total - 3.5 LOSS!

We love the weekends around here!

This has been a great weekend. Not only has it been in the 70's and beautiful outside, we've had a lot of firsts around here! Our little guy is now trying to stand. He has been attempting this for about two weeks or so but this weekend was the first time he jumped around in his activity jumper all by himself. He also is starting to sit up (for about three seconds before he slumps over), and we broke out the high chair! He has probably been ready for the high chair, but when sitting in the bouncy chair works while feeding him why mess up a good thing right? Anyway, we used the high chair for two of his feedings so far this weekend and he seems to like it but that might be because it's NEW and he loves that I have to work extremely hard to make him laugh and smile while feeding him. He has just been a little ham this weekend loving up all the attention. Which leads me to the cough. He has been experimenting with his vocals and he now knows that the cough gets him lots of attention. He just coughs and coughs and then laughs... ha, ha, ha!!! Oh, and did I tell you that he is a pro at fighting sleep. Yes, Yes, he is.

We went for our usual walks this weekend and now that he can really see things, he just loves it! We took a walk back to our barn last night to give daddy a kiss (because he's been chopping wood for the winter all weekend) before bedtime and couldn't stop looking up in the sky and at the trees. It would have been a perfect night to sit around a bonfire. However, I am still a freak about the bugs and after about two minutes of being back there we were swarmed by mosquitoes. No Thanks... so we went inside and talked on the bed like we usually do! OMG!!! And how could I forget to tell you that our son has had his first official wedgie!!! Yep, a wedgie see:

Dad changed this diaper!

Sitting big boy style in my high chair!
Hanging out with Speags before our walk!

FTF "HFH" Better late than never!!!

I am down one pound this week for HFH! It is the same one pound that I reported for Taking it off together Tuesday. I have reached the point to were my cardio workouts alone are not going to cut it! I definitely need to start adding sit ups, push ups, and weight lifting. That will be my goal for next week. I'm not going to make any promises because I love to run and it's hard for me to not run and lift but I will try. Maybe I will even try doing both!!!


Here is what I did this week:

Saturday: 2 mile walk, 2 mile run with son in running stroller.
Sunday: OFF
Monday: 2 mile walk, 2 mile run with son in running stroller.
Tuesday: 3 mile run on track, 1 mile walk.
Wednesday: 3 miles on elliptical, 1 mile walk.
Thursday: 3 miles on elliptical, 1 mile walk.
Friday: 2.5 mile run on track, 1 mile walk.


On another note: It's homecoming weekend for my school district. To be supportive I dressed in spirit wear on Friday! My little guy had on his very own spirit wear too! His little onesie says Pirate Hoops.


Here we are bright and early Friday morning.

As for the question of the week: What inspires me and where did I find it?

I never had to go looking! My dad has inspired me my whole life. He has always lead by example and has pushed me to be the best person that I can be. He has taught me that hard work and perseverance pays off. He has always believed that I could do anything I put my mind to and because of that I have accomplished most of the goals I have set for myself. Now that I am a mother, I want to be that inspiration. I want to be able to inspire my son the way my dad has inspired me! That is what inspires me now at this very moment. I only hope I do as good a job with my son as my dad did with me!!!

Wordless Wednesday (Then and Now!!!)

Taking it off together Tuesday

I lost one pound over the weekend!!! And it was probably because I was busy taking care of my constipated baby, who by the way is feeling much better for those of you wondering!!!

Here is Leigh report for this week:

This week our contest is sponsored by Julie! She is offering a copy of the Biggest Loser Cookbook as a prize this week! If you'd like to sponser a prize, let me know! We are currently out of prizes!

The names of this week's "losers" were dropped into a coffee cup and this week's WINNER is Grace!

Congrats to Clara for being this week's biggest loser of 2 pounds!! Be sure to cruise over to her blog and congratulate her!

Chris - 3.5 GAIN
Tammy - 0.5 GAIN
Life With Hashi-Thyroid Blog - 1.0 LOSS
Grace - 0.2 LOSS
Leigh - 0.5 LOSS
Clara - 2.0 LOSS
Dette - 0.5 LOSS
Julie - 1.0 LOSS
Cheryl - No Change
Audrey - 0.8 GAIN
Christy - 0.6 GAIN
Tina - no report
Danielle - 1.0 LOSS
Jessie - No Change
Steph - no report
CYN - no report

This week's total - 0.8 LOSS!

Have you ever felt completely helpless?

Well I have!!!

On Friday morning I noticed that my sons bowl movement was not the usual. So I asked Celeste, our day care lady, to keep on eye on him. When I went to pick him up on Friday she reported what I had already seen earlier that morning. Right away I new he was constipated. So Saturday we decided to stay home, instead of going out to my mom's camper for a clam bake, to wait for a movement. I waited and waited and waited for him to make a movement. But nothing came, so I waited so more, but nothing. I called the "on-call nurse" around 4:30 on Saturday and her recommendation was- stimulate the anal area with your rectal thermometer and try giving him some prunes. So the next time I saw my little guy pushing I pulled out the rectal thermometer and tried to help him. There was nothing good about what I saw and the extra stimulation did not help. Sunday morning my husband and I tried to help him again and again and then finally we just took him to the emergency room. Our little guy was so backed up that he needed an enema. I felt completely helpless holding him in my harms listening to him scream while the nurses and doctor tried to flush him out. Not only did they go in there once but three times. The first time they flushed him with warm water but it didn't work, the second time they put a suppository up there but NOPE nothing, the third time they flushed him with saline and it finally worked.
I felt so bad for my little baby. The whole experience broke my heart. It hurt me that he was hurting and I couldn't do anything about it other than take him to the emergency room. But he is okay now and that's all that matters. And if you are wondering, yes I am giving him some fruits now!!!

My bracelet has arrived!!!

Yes, my first prize ever in blog land has arrived! I would like to thank Ciara for the beautiful bracelet she made for our, Taking it off together Tuesday, weight loss group.

Here is the beauty that will help keep me focused on my quest to live a healthier life!




The charm attached to the bracelet says believe. I do believe. I believe in myself, my son, my husband, and my family!!! And I believe in all of my blog friends. Keep up the good work!

Pictures From the Past Week!!!

Do you like carrots? How about these carrots?

I LOVE MY COW!
Dinner at grandpa and grandma Mueller's last Sunday.
I love when my mommy makes me laugh and smile!

FTF (Hot for the Holidays)

OMG!!!! First I would like to say that if my Internet keeps cutting out on me and doesn't stay up and running I AM GOING TO PULL MY HAIR OUT!!! So I am going to make this quick. I am down one pound for FTF.

Here is what I did this week:

Saturday: 2.5 mile run with dogs, 3 sets of stairs at the park.
Sunday: OFF
Monday: 2.5 mile run with dogs, 2 sets of stairs at the park.
Tuesday: 3 miles on the elliptical, 1 mile walk.
Wednesday: 3 mile run on the track, 1 mile walk.
Thursday: OFF
Friday: 3 miles on elliptical, 1 mile walk.

I took a few days off this week because I have not been feeling very good the last two weeks. I decided to go to the doctor's and it was determined the I did indeed have a bug. Like I didn't have enough problems not being able to connect to all of you. But I am here and alive and my baby is growing by the minute so I won't complain to much.

Speaking of my baby, he has been on solid foods for about two weeks now. He is growing bigger by the minute. Oops, I already said that but he is he is getting so big. He is five months old and wears nine month old clothes which are already starting to get small! So far, he is not a big fan of carrots (but that's probably because I didn't know to heat them, MOTHERHOOD FOR DUMMIES-I told you that I am so in that club!!!) but is tolerating the sweat potatoes. Believe me- I have pictures coming!!!!

Well, that is it for now.... I can't believe I finished this post and didn't get my live line cut!!! YAY!!!