Much to be Thankful For

This year I have much to be thankful for. I am thankful for my health, my husband, my family, my job (even though I hate it but in this economy I am happy to have it), my house, my dogs, and I am especially thankful for my sweet baby girl. This time last year she was in my belly, kicking away, 2 weeks from being born. And this year she was eating turkey and is getting ready to turn 1 year old!

We had a nice Thanksgiving. Our good friend came over and brought a fried turkey from a local restaurant here in town. This is the 3rd year we've done it and its become sort of a tradition. We look forward to that delicious turkey every year. I made all the sides and dessert - even though I didn't cook the turkey I was still cooking and prepping for 2 1/2 days! And then we eat and its all over in 10 minutes. Now I am relaxing on the couch, watching the Texas Longhorns game on TV while my husband and his friend are at the game. I am awesome because I got them the tickets.

Our meal was so good, I thought I'd share some photos. I don't have the best camera for food images, but you get the idea. I am getting hungry again looking at these!

yummy fried turkey from Hoover's in Austin. I must say, I did a fine job carving it and plating it!

squash casserole - I opted for this instead of the green bean casserole. It was really yummy - the top crust is crushed ritz crackers and cheddar cheese!

cornbread and sausage stuffing

The spread - this photo has my favorite sweet potato with toasted marshmallow

Jordyn enjoying her first Thanksgiving meal

Sorry no pictures of the dessert - spiced pecan bars. By the time we ate it I had put away the camera and it didnt occur to me to take it out again. Just trust me when I say they were fabulous! Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow, how did it already become mid-November? Wasn't it just Halloween? This month has been busy - I celebrated my 33rd birthday - my first one with Jordyn. All those years blowing out the candles and making wishes and she was finally there with me celebrating. It was the best present I could have received. I did get a new Coach bag, which was a pretty cool gift! Its purple - my favorite color!

This week Jordyn started daycare. We struggled with sending her for awhile but we finally had to give in. Our nanny found a full time position, and we couldn't afford her full time, so we had to come up with an alternative plan. Luckily we were able to find a center near the house that offered part-time programs for infants. She will go on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuesday went better than I expected. Jordyn is so adaptable and loves playing with other kids, and thats exactly what she did all day. Her teacher said she refused her lunch, and only napped for an hour and 15 minutes, but was happy all day. She said it will take her some time to adjust to the new schedule and new surroundings but overall she did great. I am trying to change her schedule at home too so everything can be a little more streamlined. Today I gave her a sippy cup with milk along with her lunch around 1145. She used to get a bottle of formula at 1130 and then her lunch at 1230. But she's almost a year and we are transitioning from formula since she is getting all her nutrition from food. She did well with the change, so we'll see how it continues to go. I think she is getting great care there so I am happy about that. And I didn't even cry when I dropped her off. Yay for me!

The big birthday is coming up soon - on 12/6. We are having a party on the 7th at the house - I am really looking forward to it. I still cannot believe she is going to be 1!!

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.