Happy Halloween

Jordyn had a great first Halloween. Its hard to believe this time last year she was still in my belly! Where has this year gone??

5 years

Today I am celebrating 5 years since my kidney transplant. I can't believe its been this long already. Sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday and other times it feels like a lifetime ago. Thankfully everything is great - all my lab work checked out fine and everything is within normal range. I feel great, and have my sweet baby girl, wonderful husband and family - life is good!!

Wordless Wednesday - Livestrong Challenge

This past Saturday we participated in the Livestrong Challenge 5k. Here's a family pic in front of the state capitol after we finished the race.

Falling off the Wagon

One of the things I had a hard time with after Jordyn was born was losing weight. I gained 32 pounds during my pregnancy, and probably had another 20 or so to lose aside from the pregnancy weight. I had a c-section and a long recovery. I couldn't take normal anti-inflammatory meds like Ibuprofen because of my transplant. So I was on Vicodin for a few weeks and then only Tylenol. I also had some leftover placental tissue so I was bleeding for weeks afterwards. I didn't finally start feeling better until Jordyn was 12 weeks old. Once I started feeling like myself again I decided to tackle the weight issue. I joined Weight Watchers in April and by September I had lost all the baby weight plus 10 pounds. I was so good about counting my points. For me, the best thing about WW was that I could eat whatever I wanted - every food had a points value. So every so often I'd indulge and not feel bad about it.

In September I had a really hectic month. I had a huge event for work (that I bitched about here on this blog) and I was really stressed out. I was out of town for a week in Charleston, SC and they have the most amazing food. Of course when you are on business entertaining clients, all your meals are out at these fabulous restaurants, and well, lets just say the points took a back burner. When I came back I was good, but couldn't get back on the points. Its been a month now and I need to get motivated again. I've gained only 2 pounds but I feel like a huge cow. This week I had planned to get back on the program and today started out so great. By late afternoon the veggie chips were calling my name for a salty craving as well as the mac n cheese we had for dinner. Then the last piece of the ridiculously decadent pecan pie in the fridge practically made its way down my throat.

Bottom line is I feel guilty. The program worked for me and I need to get back on the wagon. I bought smaller sized jeans - the first in years - so I want to be able to still wear them. I really need some motivation. Something that doesn't come with a chocolatey, salty, sweet yummy flavor.

Sweet Angels

Today is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day. I feel fortunate to have my sweet baby girl and today Jordyn and I share our thoughts and prayers with the families of each of these angels who are no longer with us...

Tyler
Henry
Sam
Jack
Kinsey
Ryan
Isaac

For all the other families who have had their babies taken away too soon, I wish you love, hope and peace.

A Date with a Big Orange Jug

This month marks a big milestone - 5 years since my kidney transplant. October 30 is the official day... but I have to do some things leading up to it. Every other month I get routine bloodwork to make sure things are normal. Once a year in October I have to go through a battery of tests to confirm everything is still working fine. Tons of bloodwork, chest xray, EKG, and my personal favorite, the 24 hour urine test. Basically, you have to collect all your urine into a big orange jug over a 24 hour period. You also have to keep it in the fridge, so it always makes for a good joke or two in my house. I've probably done at least 10 over the past 7 years - a bunch as they were trying to diagnose my condition, and then once a year since the transplant. Aside from the obvious annoyance in having to literally pee in a jug, it confines me to the house all day. Unless I try to be daring and head out in between trips to the bathroom. But my mind always gets to me and 10 minutes after I leave the house my bladder starts playing tricks on me. One time it was so bad I didn't think I was going to make it. So now, I just suck it up for the day and stay inside for a long date with my jug.

Six Days

Last week I had to spend 6 days away from Jordyn. It was very hard, but I survived, and more importantly, she was happy and well taken care of when I was gone. I was in Charleston, SC for an event that I had been planning since I came back from maternity leave at the end of April. It's the same event I was bitching about in a prior post, but thankfully, it all worked out and was very successful. I actually managed to have some fun too. I ate a TON of good food - Charleston has some pretty amazing cuisine - had lots of drinks, got a massage and shopped. I would have liked to explore the city a little more, but the one afternoon where I had a chunk of free time, it was pouring, and I didn't want to take a historical carriage ride in the rain. I arrived back home on Friday late afternoon and I swear, Jordyn changed in the 6 days I was gone. She looked so grown up! She is going to be 10 months on Monday - where did the time go??

We had a busy weekend - we went to the Longhorns game on Saturday and then went to ACL Festival. This is the first year I haven't had to work the event, and actually got to relax!! My company is a sponsor of the festival and we have had one of the premier stages for the last few years. I used to be on the sponsorship team and I was responsible for the backstage hospitality area. Tons of fun, sure, but dealing with high maintenance execs who want their Red Bull and Vodka ASAP, not so much. Luckily the people in charge now were nice enough to give me backstage passes, and I scored a parking pass from one of the organizers, so we were able to go at our leisure and have fun. We also spent most of the day there on Sunday - the Raconteurs and the Foo Fighters were definitely the highlights! Jordyn was home with the nanny - I hated leaving her again, but a loud, HOT outdoor festival in a dusty park was no place for a baby. Many others disagreed with my rationale - I saw plenty of infants younger than Jordyn there. I just don't get why someone would bring their baby. But I digress.

Back to the grind at work. Last week showed me I could have balance, but now that I am back I am wishing I was home with Jordyn all the time.