I'm scared.

For the past week, Alaina will randomly start choking and gagging. And sometimes she coughs so hard that she spits up ALOT. She did that 3 times today already. Also, when she is asleep she will randomly stop breathing and then violently start gasping for air. Needless to say, I am scared. I'm not one of these Moms who freaks out over everything. In fact, I am probably TOO laid back when it comes to my kids getting sick. But this is different. Its not normal and theres no one in the world who could convince me otherwise. Its progressively gotten worse and the past couple nights I have lain awake in bed, listening and making sure that my sweet baby is still breathing in her bassinett.
Today has been the worst so far. I cannot tell you how many times she has had her "gasping spells" while she's slept today. I'm afraid to sleep tonight.
For those who know my Mom, she is a WONDERFUL pediatric nurse. She works at First Choice Peds, where we take the girls. I talked to her tonight and usually she makes me feel better, but she had no words of wisdom tonight or any "well, it could be...." explanations. I'm taking Alaina to the Doctor tomorrow. Hopefully we will find out whats going on, and that there is something that we can do to stop it.

So, for those of you who read my blog.....pray. please.

The Girls

So I realize its been awhile since I've posted about the family and what we are up to. And this is because its been a boring 2 weeks for us. We've been slumming it at home because of this snow and I really haven't wanted to get Alaina out in this weather. She hasn't gotten sick yet, and I am hoping to keep it that way.

In the past couple of weeks, Alaina has gotten bigger. She's filling out her 0-3 mos clothes very well now. They are still roomy, but she is able to wear them. She's sleeping through the night consistently now. She's always been a good sleeper, but occasionally after she was born, she would wake up around 3am to eat. But now she sleeps from around 11pm to 6am. Its wonderful. Of course, Sophie did this too, and then decided when she was about 5 mos old that she would wake up twice during the night. That lasted until she was 7 or 8 mos old. So I am fairly certain that Alaina won't always sleep through the night from now on, but I am definately enjoying it for now, while it lasts. Alaina is also smiling now. Not the "oh I'm about to fart or poop" kinda smile. But the "oh, you look foolish talking baby talk to me and I find you amusing" kinda smile. Its VERY cute. I might post a picture at the end of this post for all of you faithful readers.

So now onto Sophie. I think she's giving us a taste of what the "terrible twos" are going to be like. She used to lay down at night and go right to sleep. We'd hug and kiss her goodnight and she was perfectly content to go to bed. But now, she fights it tooth and nail. Also, she gets into everything. Now I know she's a 19 month old and they just naturally are curious and will get into things. But she's getting into things that she knows are off-limits and then when we count to 3, she still doesn't put it down. We can spank her and it doesn't phase her. Putting her in the corner works for about 5 minutes, but then she's back into everything. Don't get me wrong- I'm not at my wits end or anything. She's still a happy, good little girl about 1/2 the day. Its the other half that is hard to get through. But we deal with it, with lots of discipline, frustration, and love. Boy, that sounded corny. Sorry folks. Anyway, Sophie also has a new obsession with the TV. She is ALWAYS wanting to watch it. I can see this being a problem. My little brother, David, had a TV obsession when he was little, so my mom ended up taking the TV all week and on Friday nights, she would bring it out to the living room (we had a rolling TV stand, so it was easy to move it) and we could watch a movie. And then the TV went away til the next Friday. I can see Michael and I having to take the TV away. Although, I can't see Michael giving up the TV either. He has an obsession with videogames.

I start school on Thursday, Jan 12th. I have classes on Tues, Wed, and Thurs this semester, with only 2 night classes on Tuesday nights and Wednesday nights. I am looking forward to going back, but I have alot to do this semester to prepare myself to get into the nursing program. Gotta take the NET, and study for it before I take it. I've also got to complete the nursing program application and mail it in before the deadline hits in June (which gives me plenty of time, I think). Also, the FAFSA has to be filled out by March so that I still qualify for grants and certain scholarships. So I'm going to do that and I have to work REALLY hard this semester to make all A's. I want to bring my GPA back up. It went down to a 3.54 after last semester.

Theres really nothing new with Michael. Still working at JCMC. Still playing videogames on his days off (and helping with the girls, of course).

So thats whats going on right now. The end.

Day 6

Day 6- Yay!

My muscles aren't as sore anymore. And while I'm working out, I can tell a difference already when I'm doing cardio. I'm building up my endurance. That's good. I have to tell you, it is HARD to make yourself workout everyday. Which is why I am thankful for Richelle. We used to work at the same place and recently have started getting together and working out. If it weren't for her coming over everyday, then to be honest- I probably would have skipped yesterday. Yesterday was a VERY lazy day for me, not sure why. But she and Rob (her fiance) came over and while she and I worked out, Michael and Rob kept each other company in the dining room (they aren't allowed to watch us workout. haha).

So I have consistently worked out everyday, and its going great. Also, the portion control and 1 soda per day thing is going really well too. I'm not going to allow "real" sodas in the house anymore. Only diet drinks. And yesterday I bought a ton of bottled water, so it should last me for a couple of weeks.

So I am raising my water bottle to toast to Day 6. May it bring happiness, healthy choices and a good, hard, fat-burning workout.

Day 3

Day 3 of the 30 Day Shred.
Am I feeling it? Heck yes.

My legs have been screaming at me since yesterday. But that's good, right? my arms aren't too sore, but that's because I haven't gone to walmart to get weights yet, which is on my "to-do" list today. The past 2 days I haven't been using weights because I haven't had any. But filled water bottles will do in a pinch, right? haha. I tried, anyway. So I'm going to start with 3 lb weights.

So the video is really great. Hopefully I will see results at the end of the 30 days. Although, like I said in my last post...I'm not stopping after 30 days. After the 30 days are up, I'm going to start Level 2 and do that for another 30 days. I highly recommend the video.

I am also only allowing myself one soda per day. I am choosing to drink only diet sodas for those that I do drink. Other than that 1 soda, and half a glass of orange juice in the morning, its water for me- all day, every day. Sodas are my downfall, my weakness.

I'm cracking down on myself. KUDOS, Becky Edens, KUDOS.

P.S. The girls are great. They are both taking naps right now. Alaina is growing like a weed and I swear- Sophie says a new word everyday. They are my sweet little cupcakes. Sophie tries to work out with me at home. Its really cute. I'd get a picture, but that means I would have to stop working out to do so- which I can't let myself do. So...just imagine a 19 month old little girl doing squats and attempting pushups. Its pretty darn funny.

30-Day Shred

So for anyone that knows me very well, you know that I have a hard time doing things and sticking with it constantly...so I decided to start doing a work-out routine everyday. I have heard good things about Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred workout DvD (she's one of the trainers on The Biggest Loser). So I decided to give it a shot. I started it yesterday, and I am very sore today from doing it. Its not "hard". They aren't hard workouts, but its very intense. Its only a 20-25 minute workout (theres a warm-up and cool-down included), but its constant moving. She does great though. There are 2 levels- level 1 for the beginner and level 2 for the more advanced exerciser. I'm going level 1. I'm planning on doing level 2 when I finish the 30 days of level 1.

So I am going to be posting my progress regularly on this blog. Its my way of being "accountable", so that I'll stick with it and not quit. This year it is my goal to lose 40-50lbs. I need to get healthier. Not just for me, but for the girls. I don't want to be a Mom who can't do certain things with my kids because of my weight and physical condition. I want to do things with them and not be gasping for air. I also want to be a good example. I have the tendency to be overweight, as does Michael, so its going to be easier for the girls to put on weight as well. So i want them to grow up with exercise and establishing good eating habits.

So from now on, this isn't just our family blog. It is also my weight loss/getting back to a healthy lifestyle blog. If anyone wants to join me in doing this, I'll be working out every night for 30 minutes. Even if you just get the DvD and start it, I am more than happy to be anyone "accountability" partner and make sure that we do it daily and don't slack on it. This is for ANYONE, not just us overweight people. Its also for people who are interested in being more healthy and toning up their body.

have a happy evening! wish me luck!