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What Cute Valentines!

2011-01-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

Such A Sweetheart Valentine's Day

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January 2011!! Where has the year gone?!

2011-01-20T19:51:00.000-08:00

Wow! I haven't blogged for a year! Mostly because I do most of my updates on Facebook and just really haven't had the time!

Alyson is awesome! She turned 5 last September...started Kindgergarten at Deterding Elementary and LOVES SCHOOL! YAY! She hasn't missed a day and even wants to go on the weekend. Her teacher, Mr. Anderson, is amazing. He's great with the kids and he gets a goodbye hug every day from Alyson. She's starting to read small sentences...it's amazing how much she's growing! She was in a Winter Dance recital-so cute! And, she'll be in another one at the end of January..the Sound of Music. This is all through her school which has a focus on the Arts, supported by the PTA and DART Programs (Parent fundraising). Alyson has lots of new friends...she friends with everyone in the class..boys and girls. She already has boys that are her boyfriends as she says....one she said wants to marry her..so cute! I feel like I should be working at her school...I'm there all the time. I work in the class on Wednesdays and I'm also PTA Treasurer this year and possibly next...a lot of work! I am the Scholastic coordinator for the class as well as Class Treasurer...I just signed up to do so much and I love it! I love being able to be involved because I know if I was still working, I wouldn't be able to help out like I like to.

Molly is so much better! I know in my previous posts, the first two years were seriously rough for me. I really thought I was going to be shipped away to the looney bin or have a nervous breakdown because of the stress. But, after she hit 2 years old in August, something shifted. I still have hard days, but normal things. I think what's helped is her vocabulary. We did baby signs, but she was so stubborn, she oftentimes wouldn't use them and she is so sensitive-to everything! She's talking a whole lot more and we are weaning her from that binky! I only give it to her at naptime and bedtime now. She's also starting to potty train! Yay! She'll be ready to start preschool this August after she turns 3!

Our bankruptcy is final! Yay! All done...fresh start....and now we have a $4000 hospital bill from when we had to take Alyson...:( Life goes on and we'll get it paid somehow...they said if we had to make payments for 4 years that would be fine. We switched insurances (as of Feb 1st)..so happy about that! The girls and I are back to Kaiser and Mike is getting insurance through the VA that he just found out he is eligible for for life since he's considered a combat veteran! Yay!

In April last year, Mike finally did it...we bought our own big rig...well we're leasing it through Swift, whom he has been with for over 8 years now. So, he's running his own business and has big dreams about how to grow and maybe someday be able to stay home and run it from home so he can be with us more.

Mike gave me a quick a scare in July I think it was. My phone had just lost it's charge so I put it on the charger as I was jsut getting home. About 15 minutes later, I checked it for any txt msgs (which is how Mike and I chat in the day while he is working). There were two voicemails. As I listened to the first one, it was Mike..who sounded out of breath and was saying.."please...call me...not doing well..."....yikes! So the next msg came on and it was his manager-WHO NEVER CALLS ME. I about had a heart attack....I thought he was dead or something...like I was getting THE call. Her message just said, "Angel, it's Julie...please call me back as soon as you get this-it's important". I really did about faint thinking the worst. So I call her and teh first thing she says is, "Don't cry....(of course immediately when she says this-I start crying)...Mike thinks he's having a heart attack or something..I just talked to him and we called 911..they are on their way out to where he is". After getting off the phone with her, I call him and he does pick up (whew) and asks me to come meet him...luckily it he was in the Sacramento area. He had a viral infection that while he was driving the big rig, all of a sudden he lost feeling in his arms and legs! He could have had an accident but he was able to pull his rig over to the side of the road...he said he couldn't even dial numbers...he just hit the phone to the last call. I was crying the whole way out to get him. Ambulance let him go because he was getting better and he took a couple days off and saw the doctor. Just such a scare...I thought he had been in an accident. So thankful he is o.k.!

In October, I was offered a part time at home job helping bank examiners with their audit reports! It came out of nowhere-I wasn't looking. A lender that I worked with/for for many years recommended me and the owner hired me right away based on her suggestion! So exciting because the work is great and I can do it at home after the girls go to bed or when they are taking naps. It pays well and I can grow down the line. It's nice to keep my mind active with "adult" things, too.

In November, I decided to join the gym again and I have to say, I LOVE IT! I love exercising and working out and getting stronger. I still have lots to lose but it will come off..I believe in myself and I just have to keep at it. On normal weeks (where I don't get interrupted in my schedule by sicknesses or volunteer committments), I am going to the gym 4 mornings a week..Molly loves the Kidzclub and we do it while Alyson is in school. Just works out perfectly. I'm back to taking step class and now my new favorite..ZUMBA!

So, for Janaury-my hopes for the year:

1. See Molly grow more and start preschool and become the sweet, loving girl that I see in her and just have fun!
2. For Alyson, grow her friendships with her classmates and girl scout friends, start reading, get better at swimming and start 1st grade!
3. For Mike...be able to make some of these dreams a reality, be home a little more and stay healthy.
4. For Me? Continue to lose weight, volunteer at Alyson's school (which I love) and at Molly's school when she starts, enjoy seeing my Best Friend have a great year with her upcoming wedding and festivities and just get back to working becoming a more together mama!

Hope my next post isn't another year later!
Until next time,

Angel :)

Happy 2010!!!

2010-01-13T20:50:00.000-08:00

Hello!!

Well, it's been quite awhile since I blogged! I've just been so out of it and busy with the holidays and Molly...whew!

Anyway...we are all doing well. We moved in November to a 2 bed/2 bath condo in Carmichael (down from our huge 3 bed/3 bath condo) to try to survive (financially). WE LOVE OUR NEW PLACE!!! The girls now share a room and so far that has worked out well. I think they like it (or at least that's what I'm telling myself) and really, they are still so young to even care. The condo is laid out much more condusive to our life. They can play in the living room and their room and I can be in the kitchen doing what I need to do and still see them. The place has a small pool, so we are really looking forward to summer and swimming every day! We'll have friends over, too and I hear that not many people use it (maybe just one neighbor with her 3 kids) so that will be nice not to have an overcrowded pool. Also, it's right at the bottom and around from our stairs (we live in an upstairs unit that backs to a park...beautiful view). I've gotten pretty organized here..still working on it...getting rid of lots of stuff that we just really don't need! It's amazing the stuff you think you need...but really, you don't.

Alyson is growing so tall!!! I think she has had a few growth spurts in the past 3 months. She's already 43 1/4" tall and 43 lbs. Her hair is still crazy curly and wild...She has had two haircuts in the past 6 months. She can write her name now and has shown interest in reading (she pretends to read her books which is great). She is such a great big sister to Molly now (which is a huge relief for me..such a huge turn around from last year where I was litterally going crazy and almost going to seek medical attention for my anxiety and stress). She is a protector now and has a lot of fun with playing with her (most of the time). In the morning, I find her reading or playing games and talking to her sister while she is still in her crib (they try to let me sleep a little bit). She's very much looking forward to Kindergarten. I went today to place her in the Home School in our area-Starr King...which is not where I would like her to go. I open enrolled her for Deterding (better school) but I won't find out until March (lottery system...fingers crossed!!). I've also been looking into California Montessori Project (tuition free charter) and some other options just in case. Wherever she goes, she will do great and I will be an active parent and plan to help and participate in her education as much as possible. :) I am enrolling Alyson in her first gymnastics class at Fliptastic (new gym in Carmichael right down the street from our new place). She had a trial class and loves it. She also tried out preschool Cheer, and enjoyed it, but it's just too disciplined for that age group...she had more fun in gymnastics. She was in a little fashion show at Nordstrom (Galleria Mall) with her friend, Sierra. She was such a little HAM walking up and down...so funny! Also, as you might see in the pictures on the shutterfly share site (link below), she has this funny fascination with manequinns....she loves to go hold their hand or give them a hug...too silly!

Molly is doing well. She's 17 months old now and she started walking last month (late bloomer) and now she never crawls. She loves her babies. She signs many things as well as says it when she signs...like more, all done, milk, drink, eat. She doesn't like taking naps...ever, but she eventually goes to sleep...I put her down and she stands right up and I just have to leave the room. Sometimes I hear her cry for a couple minutes, other times she just lays down...I think she's finally getting it...it's nap time...lay down. :) She can be very stubborn (wonder where she gets that??? haha). She has lots of teeth and continues to get more..she loves brushing her teeth with her big sis and even mimicks when Alyson spits in the sink...she spits, too...it's pretty funny.

Mike is, as always, continuing to work hard for us. He's gone quite a bit, home a little more than usual which is nice. It's slow time now, but his manager said she will keep him busy because he helped out so much over the holidays (and he is the senior driver....on the fleet now for over 7 years). He's gotten a cold 3 times in teh past 2 months...poor guy and can't sleep that well lately and his back is hurting him a lot more. I am hoping he can talk to the doctor about that when I make his appointment soon for a Vasectomy (yes, he is going to go through that because we are done having children). Maybe they can help him with his other ailments.

I am busy with the kids mostly. I'm trying to get into a better routine in our new place to work out (mostly in the afternoon when I put the girls down for their naps)...I've joined sparkpeople.com, a motivational website for weight loss and other challenges and joined on that site a 12 week Biggest Loser Challenge. I'm on a team with 4 other ladies (GO RED!) and it's just a nice support and keeps me on track and motivated with my weight loss efforts. I've been busy, too, selling on Ebay (find me on Ebay user name angel_girl222). I sell whatever I have laying around that we don't need. My recent sales were some old maternity clothes and other clothing items. Mostly I sell kids clothes that Molly has outgrown. I'm saving all of my ebay $$ for hopefully a trip to Disneyland this year for Alyson's 5th Birthday and Molly's 2nd Birthday!!! We really want to go for a few days!!!

Mike and I celebrate in June our 5th Wedding anniversary. We would like to take a getaway for a couple of days, but we will see how $$ is....we should file our bankruptcy case in April or May (have to pay attorney fees first-saving up for that) and get all our paperwork in (which is almost done).

2010 should be a better year for us! We are looking forward to a good year, and are thankful for our family and friends!
Oh...and I must mention because I am just so excited....my Best Friend is GETTING MARRIED!!! YAY!!! Kirsten and Dave got engaged a bit before Christmas and I can't wait to celebrate and help and just be there! WOOHOO!!! :)

Please visit our Share Site with pictures!!! :)
http://heathfam4.shutterfly.com/

Alyson's 4th Birthday!!!!!

2009-09-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

Alyson had a great birthday! She woke up to a Dora backpack and card outside her door...I think she thought santa came to visit she was so excited! Mike made yummy breakfast and then we were off and running! Got to the park at 8:45 and snagged all 5 tables they had!! WOOHOO! Started setting up the craft table, food table and then hid things for the scavenger hunt!

Guests arrived and the party was a success! Kids had fun playing, doing the scavenger hunt, their craft and then guessing how many goldfish were in the bowl (1,604 by the way-and yes, I counted them all out!)...Congrats to Alyson's little preschool friend, Joshua, who won and got to take home all those fish!

Cake time (Chocolate with chocolate frosting) and then presents! Her last present was her 1st BIKE! She LOVED all of her gifts and didn't want to go to bed because she couldn't stop playing with everything!!

She had her first bike fall, after most guests left the party....bandaid and she was good to go!

Thank you for everyone that was able to come! You made Alyson's day very special!

YAY!
Here's the link to the pics!
Love,
The Heath Family!

http://heathfam4.shutterfly.com/

August/September 2009

2009-09-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

Hello!
I haven't been keeping up on my blog too much lately...just been busy with other things! :)

August was great-Molly's 1st birthday was awesome! Although the cake melted before the party started, it still was a wonderful party day and I think she had fun! She is getting so big now. She is 22 lbs. and 32"..she hasn't started walking yet-well, I should take that back. She has taken soem steps on her own...the most was 6 steps and it was so exciting!! But, she's working on it and I think within a month or so she will be on the move! She's very cute-signing "all done" and "more" and she blows kisses when she wants her nap. She finally got some teeth!! They came in all at once...one bottom and two top with another top one poking through now.

Alyson is doing well! I am homeschooling her with preschool this year and we do little activities almost every day and games and puzzles...she will be 4 years old this weekend! I've been busy getting party stuff ready! And, she is so excited to turn 4 years old! She'll have her doctor appointment next week and we'll see how much she's grown! She's so tall. :)

I've been doing alright. Still looking for a part time job. I went on an interview for just a part time teller job and was told that the only reason I didn't get it was because they went with someone with less experience....translation-We can pay them less. Frustrating, but that's how it goes I guess!

Mike is busy working hard for our family. He's been home a little more recently only because work is slow (which isn't good) but it should pick back up here soon as the holidays are approaching!

Last month, we went to the Fair with Aimee and Emilia-super fun day! This month, we went to Lake Tahoe for a few days-it was awesome! It hailed on us the first night when we were trying to have dinner on the beach...that was fun..ha ha...but other than that, the girls loved Tahoe and I love being there. I want to go back!

Here is our link to the Picture website!!
http://heathfam4.shutterfly.com/
Hope all is well!
Love,
Angel

Summer Post!

2009-07-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

Hello! Well, we over here in the Heath Family are definetly struggling-but we are still a happy family and have each other and two beautiful and healthy girls to keep us going! We are only struggling really financially and to top off our already hard times, the A/C in our Kia SUV went out completely on one very hot 106 degree afternoon when I was driving Alyson and Molly to swim...it was awful. Two quotes later, it's going to cost us $1200 to get it fixed-which we don't have. So, for the time being, I am driving the very small Toyota Celica with the two girls in the back...at least it has A/C right? hmmm...positive thinking! Have no idea when we will have $1200 to get that fixed...maybe by next summer!

Alyson is doing great! She has been taking swimming lessons since the beginning of June and just LOVES the water! We go almost every day to lessons, but they end this week for us. We had a little scare with her last month. We bought a Tri Tip from Costco to cook Mike for Father's day. We enjoyed it and all the leftovers. Right after eating it, the next couple of days she was having pretty bad #3 (diarhea) and then the continued for a couple of weeks and turned bloody. About a week after we ate that tri-tip, we had a voicemail that said there was a huge beef recall for Ecoli and we purchased the tri tip that was included and DON'T EAT IT!! TOO LATE! I took her to the doctor for testing (which was fun for me...ha ha...stool samples for 3 days! yikes!)...but after all testing came back, she was cleared! YAY!!! Other than swim, we have just been planning parties and enjoying time together around town.

Molly is such a little funny girl! She is almost 1 already! She is quite teh little eater! She loves avocados and pasta but can't really eat carrots these days. She is standing up on her own but not for very long-no walking just yet! She loves playing with her sister and they are just a funny little pair! In the early months when she was born, Alyson was a mean sister just doing anything she could to hurt Molly...now-she can't give her enough love and wants to always make sure she is safe and laughing. It's so heart warming and just what I had hoped for! I think they will grow their bond as sisters, as I have with my own sister. Molly says "Hi", "Dada", "Mama" and babbles a lot more as if she is saying something (but we just can't understand it!)..she baby signs "more", "all done", "tree" and she blows kisses now, too! She hates getting in her car seat, but once in she is just fine..she likes to study things-trying to figure them out which is really cute to watch. She also loves climbing stairs and giving lots of hugs. She finally got her first tooth (bottom) and unfortunately, likes to bite. I think she will be my biter/pincher. :( I'm trying to break that right now!

Mike is busy working really hard. We are actually entertaining the idea of him becoming an owner operator with his company and leasing a truck through them for 3 years I think and then he'll own it and can be out on his own completely. We just feel this will be the only way to really get somewhere. This is the field that he chose and this is the next step. It's scary though because he will be self employed pretty much and it will eventually be a family business.

I have been thinking of getting a job again...but really it wouldn't make sense to go back full time somewhere because of the cost of childcare! And, they would never see either their mom and dad all day every day and I do not want to do that to them-I can't. I want to be a mom and be there for them-I can't imagine leaving them for that long every day. I am still looking, however, for a part time job just to make a little extra $$$ for our family. Haven't found anything yet, but still looking!

Birthdays are coming up-My birthday this coming weekend! Going to see The Brody's (local band I love!) downtown at the free concert in the park on Friday and then Saturday alone with hubby all day!! That's a first in a really long time! hmm...wonder what we should do! Alyson and Molly are going to be well loved staying at Aimee's and Shelbie's :) THen-the next weekend is Molly's 1st birthday party!! Alyson and I have been getting things ready and I can't wait to celebrate!!! Alyson's birthday is in September, but I have been planning it since June (really)..>I just love the kids' birthday parties and want to make it special for her this year (since we will probably have a really small get together next year because our plan is to take her and Molly to Disneyland for their 5th and 2nd birthdays!!)..she is going to have a Dora and Diego Bike party at Safetyville! She is really excited! After that, Mike's birthday (have no idea what to do...but will figure something out! Just need to find the money!).

So, all in all-we have a lot of fun and good things going on. We may not be very good financially, but we are making it somehow and doing the best we can. We are trying to stay positive.

Here is a link to the Shutterfly page I created...scroll down and view the slideshow for July 2009! Some of the pics are from my friend, Lorilee's with her daughter Natalie and Molly...so cute! Molly just kept want to hug her and kiss her (open mouth-I swear that wasn't trying to bite her-that's how she kisses)...it was so fun to watch them! Molly isn't around other babies too often so that was a treat. There is one pic in there that shows Molly holding Alyson's hand in the car while Alyson is sleeping...it was so sweet...Alyson's hand was just hanging there while she was sleeping and MOlly scooted over just enough to reach out and hold her hand..the whole way home (about 20 minutes)...ahhh!! Their are a couple of pics from the Jelly Belly Factory-I took the girls one Tuesday and let me tell you-get there when they open!!! We had to wait over an hour and half in line just to start the tour! But, Alyson had a blast and there were no meltdowns about the waiting-it was more me being irritated (and hurting from carrying Molly that whole time-almost 3 hours on my feet in the Baby Bjorn).

We hope you are having a nice Summer! And, hope to see or hear from you soon!
Love,
The Heath Family

http://heathfam4.shutterfly.com/#

Summer Fun!!!

2009-06-23T20:06:00.001-07:00

Just a quick little update on the girls....
Alyson is LOVING Swim lessons!!! She is a little fish! She started in the Polliwog class, learning how to put her head in the water and blow bubbles and such. By the end of the two week session, she graduated to a Tadpole already!!! On her first day of Tadpole, she was going under the water so well and even went down long enough to try to get a ring at her feet-which she didn't do but she was trying! She loves it and I love taking her and watching her progress-it's amazing! Also, out of the blue, she has been writing the letter "A", "H", "M" and "N"!!! On her own-I didn't force her or even encourage it-she just wanted to do it herself and did! She is so funny and really has turned out to be a very sweet sister to Molly these days. All those months that I was going crazy and struggling with her and her agressive behavior-she's turned around and now actually cares for her and doesn't want her to fall or get hurt or whatever. It's heartwarming!

Molly...wow, she is growing so fast!! Yesterday, her first tooth popped through, but today, it looks like it slid back in. I think they do that as they are wriggling out. She is 10 1/2 months old now, says "Hi", "Mama", "Dada" and almost says "Cat". We are working on "Sisi" for big sis Alyson. She can sign "more" and is starting to sign "all done". She also pats my breast when she wants to nurse. She stood all by herself (not holding on) twice, but only for a few seconds before plopping down to the ground. She transfers from one area to another while standing. I predict she will be walking by her 1st birthday, but we'll see. I thought she would do it by 10 months since she was crawling so early (right before 6 months).

Birthdays!! I love planning my kids' parties!! Molly turns 1 on 8/8/09 and we are having a Cupcake party for her at a nearby park. I ordered invitations and bought a Giant Cupcake Pan! So fun!! Alyson turns 4 on 9/19/09 and after I get Molly's party in order, I will work on getting her invitations done...she wanted a Dora and Diego party this year-which is super fun for me as I am planning a little adventure for the kids to do. We are having it at Safetyville-to those not in this area, Safetyville is a mini-town, which real streets and lights and everything-just kid size. Alyson wanted to invite all of her preschool friends, too...so this is perfect. There is plenty of space and the kids bring their bikes and ride those around. SO FUN!!

O.k...that's it for now! Hope everyone is well!! Drop a line sometime! Don't forget to check out the link below-more pics from this month!
Love,
Angel, Mike, Alyson and Molly!!!
www.heathfam4.shutterfly.com

Summer is almost here!

2009-05-27T14:10:00.000-07:00

Hello!
We are good here at the Heath house! Alyson is now done with preschool and we have made the decision to not enroll her next year. Not that we didn't love the preschool, but I really want to keep her home with Molly and I and do those fun activities with her-enjoy my time with her before she heads to Elementary school! I am thinking about homeschooling, but definetly have not made up my mind yet. Alyson is excited about the summer and all the fun water play to come! She is enrolled in swim class throughout the summer months every day (M-TH). And, 4th of July coming up and Molly's birthday and her birthday-fun stuff!

Molly is doing great! She is almost 10 months old now (on June 8th) and at her last doctor visit, she weighed in at 19 lbs. 9.4 oz. and was 30 1/4" tall!!!! She is off the charts for height (like 103%) which means that she will be a tall one-doctor says possibly taller than Alyson! WOW!!!! Alyson was already slotted to be about 6'1" tall! WHEW! Molly is climbing stairs now like a pro-standing a lot (but not walking yet) and she has said her first words..."HI" was the official first and "Mama" is the second. I think she's very close to saying "Dada" and "CAT"! She uses one baby sign for "more"...trying to teach her all done (and many others). I am not really nursing anymore-only 2-3 times a day if that and they are not long sessions-maybe like 5 minutes each. Once solid foods were introduced and the bottle (because she would not sleep with just my nursing, so we started supplementing with a bottle), she has lost interest in nursing pretty much. We do it in the morning first thing and then again at night and maybe in the afternoon-but usually not. She's had one little sickness a few weeks ago-got a high fever and diarrhea (like sister) and then right after, broke out in a rash which I'm pretty sure was roseola.

Mike is doing well..working a lot still. He's been home more lately only because work is slow (which isn't good for the paycheck). I am looking maybe for a part time job-doing whatever! But, I have to make it work with childcare and all of that but if I can bring in a little extra money, that would help. We had to break my retirement account-totally did not want to do that but we are struggling to make those ends meet and didn't have any other choice. It was that or file bankruptcy to get rid of this credit card debt (which we pay $600/mo on). I know in the long run, that was a dumb thing to do-but right now, it got us over our hurdle. We had no other alternative. It sucks but I know we will be o.k....just need to work work work. That's all we feel like we ever do. Work!

Mike and I went out on a date last Saturday-first in months! We had sushi and it was kind of a little celebratory dinner-for an early anniversary! 4 years next week (June 4th) and we've almost been together total for 7 years!! WOW!

I started Weight Watchers officially at the beginning of May. Have lost 4.4 lbs. so far (didn't weigh in this week-3rd weigh in-because they were closed on my day). Feel good about it and slow and steady wins the race, right?? I have about 75 lbs. to lose total, so I have a ways to go! I will get there!

Here is a link to some pictures. I've created a little site through Shutterfly now. Dropped Kodak Gallery-was having problems with their site. I hope this one works!
Love to all and happy summer!
Angel :)

http://heathfam4.shutterfly.com/

8 Months and it's SPRING!

2009-04-09T20:55:00.000-07:00

A little update...
I'm going crazy. I think really because I can't turn my back for a second (literally) without Alyson doing something to her sister Molly. I don't want to give Alyson a bad wrap here, but out of nowhere and for no good reason, she hits her, pinches her, squeezes her, tries to pick her up and throw her to the side...this is why I'm going out of my mind.

Molly is 8 months old! She has been crawling since just before 6 months and is doing great pulling up to standing position now and balancing pretty well. She's climbed our two flights of stairs all by herself (I was behind her of course)! I couldn't believe it! She eats like you wouldn't believe! She is 18 lbs. now! I'm actually nursing less because I think she's just not getting what she needs from me now. I still nurse her probably 3-4 times a day, but she also gets solids 2-3 times a day and I'm trying a new thing for naps and night time...a bottle!!! Today it worked and i'm hoping tonight she sleeps through better than she has been.

Alyson is 3 1/2 and loves preschool-which will be over for the summer on May 20th. She can spell her name now out loud and she can write the letter A. She draws little face pictures-pretty cute actually-when she is feeling happy or sad or whatever. I ask her to draw how she's feeling when we are having difficulties. It calms her down.

Mike is working hard, as usual. I hate not having him home, but it's keeping me home and that's the sacrifice right now. At least until our debt is paid off-then he won't have to work so hard!

I was working part time, but it didn't work out so I had to quit. I am looking for a little part time job I can do at home-if anyone knows of one!

Here are a link to some new pictures-including ones from Easter! :)

Love to All!
Happy Spring!
Angel, Mike, Alyson and Molly!
http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=hdc0iwz.83qajb23&x=0&y=-caxak3&localeid=en_US

Funny Video!

2009-03-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

Hi! We are all doing well...here is a funny video. Love the bootie shake done by cousin Nicole! So funny! Shake it, shake it! I have another video, but too large to upload here darn it! Angel :)

Growing Growing Growing!!

2009-03-03T16:02:00.001-08:00

Hi!

Well, we had doctor appointments today! Here's the stats!

Molly is almost 7 months weighs 17 lbs. 7 oz. and is 28 1/4" tall!! WOW!!
She is already crawling and pull up on things. She will be an early walker (I say by 10 months....anyone want to take bets?)! She babbles a lot. She's sleeping better and eats like a little piggy! She's still nursing, but also gets solids at every meal. Aunt Aimee has started making her homemade yummy food! The applesauce is SO MUCH BETTER than the canned stuff at the store...I think I need her to show me so I can make it for me and Alyson!

Alyson is 3 1/2 years old now. She weighs in at 38 lbs. and is 41 3/4" tall...the doc estimates that she might be close to 6'2" when she's an adult! WOW!!! I predict the same for Molly. She is doing very well in preschool. She now can draw circles and make faces which are so cute!

Mike is still working all the time...working hard! Although it's been a little slow so he has gotten home a little more often which we like! But that means he isn't making the money that we need to sustain this luxurious life (ha ha...that was a joke of course). :)

I started working from home for Foss Marketing Group as an assistant. The owner, Erik, is my good friend Nichole's hubby. I'm learning all about the internet marketing world and google ad campaigns and such...it's pretty cool! I like it!

Here is a link to pictures over the past couple of months since Christmas. Some are from a field trip, another when Mike and I went out with my mom for a Crab Feed night, a couple from Sierra's 5th birthday party and then some random ones at Aimee's or my house.

Happy March! Can't wait for summer and swimming and Molly to be walking!

Love to all,
Angel, Mike, Alyson and Molly
http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.9fohbv8r&x=0&y=wx3gpq&localeid=en_US

What a Month!

2009-01-30T12:54:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Well..I quit my job at the bank! WOOHOO!! Very excited about this new chapter in my life, but am quickly realizing that I need help. Not every day, but when things get challenging and I am exhausted, I need help and unfortunately because daddy is gone so much for work (Sunday-Friday night straight) I don't have any help. Sucks for me, huh? I know other people have it worse and blah blah blah...I get that. But it still doesn't lessen my feelings and sometimes I really think I'm going crazy when Molly cries all day long because she's teething or growing pains...whatever. I reach a point and just can't take it any longer-but I have to. That's the thing. Most people would have someone to take over-usually it's a husband, or a grandmother...I don't have anyone like that to be able to say, at a given time, hey-need you to come over and take over for an hour because i'm losing my mind. No-I just have to lose my mind and try to keep it together and after one month of that-I'm exhausted. So, how am I going to do it continuously? Have no idea. I'm just venting now because I need to because at this moment, I have a quiet house for a few minutes-both kids fell asleep in the car and they are now sleeping (one on the couch, the other in the car seat still) in the living room and I am trying to enjoy it while I have it. I'm stressed...then I get stressed about being stressed and then I get angry that I'm alone and then I get depressed that my mom and dad are not here to help me...then I feel guilty because I know that there are other people, single moms and such, that have it way worse than me. So, all kinds of ups and downs for me EVERY DAY. And, I don't get a break. And when Mike is home on his one day off a week and I could take a break, I feel bad about leaving because I never get time with him-so the one day I get to see him-I leave because I need it. AHHH!! I just cannot wait until our credit debt is paid OFF and he can go back to his normal schedule and come home every day or so. I know the light is at the end of the tunnel...and we just have to go through this tunnel for another 2 years-but to me, it's a LONG TUNNEL!! Then I think-maybe I shouldn't have left my job-but then all the money would be going to daycare for the two kids and I'd really never get to see them. So, it's a crapshoot isn't it? Why can't we win the lottery or something? Wouldn't that be nice.

Anyway-enough. Alyson is doing great...loves preschool. We did her valentines for her class (no candy) and just found out that we shouldn't put the names on the cards....didn't know that and already did it. Too bad-don't sweat the small stuff, right?

Molly is o.k....she's not letting me sleep very good these days and that's a huge part of my struggles right now. I really think that I need a good 6-7 hours of straight sleep to function well by myself with the two girls. But, I don't get that so then I"m grumpy. She is sitting up now pretty good and she gets around the room by herself...kind of scooting rather than crawling. She's starting to move her hand forward to crawl and then move her opposite knee forward but then she falls down. So, I predict by the end of February, she'll be crawling. She's 5 1/2 months now. SHe babbles a lot and loves pears and apples. She doesn't like diaper changes (wiggle worm) and she's a pick pocket...she tries to get a hold of anything and everything!!!!

Love,
Angel
"Stressed out Mama"

Christmas!

2008-12-28T08:45:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Well..we had a wonderful christmas! It all started Christmas eve morning-we got ready and headed to Kirsten's home for a visit with her, her mom Cheri, dad Jim and the doggies! We opened presents and had a wonderful time! Next, Kirsten rode with us to Bayside Church for their noon family service. We met Lorilee, CK, Sierra and Natalie there as well and all sat together. It was a great fun kid service. After, we drove Kirsten back home and we went home to get a little rest before heading over to Aimee and Matt's at 4 for the big celebration dinner! Alyson wasn't the best this evening-don't know if she was just overloaded already and tired...but the next day (Christmas) she was back to her normal self and very pleasant!

After we got back from Aimee's around 8:30 and made the Santa cookies and then put Alyson and MOlly to bed (around 9:30), Vincie's friend John helped Mike with the new kitchen! They started at 9:45 and finished at 12:45! WHEW! I went to bed at 12:30 and MIke said that he came to bed about 1:15 after John left to go home. 3 hours! The next morning, I woke up to Molly on the monitor around 5:45 a.m. I got up and as I was opening my bedroom door, there was a light on and then I heard a scuffle. I thought for sure Alyson was already in the loot! I walked out and she was standing in the kitchen looking so innocent. She said, "Hi, mama! There's a KITCHEN and it's MINE!!! It has a stove and everything!!". So CUTE!! She went upstairs with me to get Molly and wake up Nona sleeping on our purple couch. Then, she woke up Mike. Once coffee was brewing, we sat down to open presents. She was THRILLED when she saw that Santa brought her a scooter and dollhouse-both of which she asked for. Morning was great. Mike made breakfast after presents and then we started getting the house ready for his sister, Laura and family. We made an Apple Walnut stuffed pork roast. It a great evening and by the time everyone left-we were EXHAUSTED! I fell asleep at about 10 on the couch.

Oh...one more exciting note-I am no longer working! I resigned from County Bank so that I can be a stay at home mommy! We thought long and hard about this decision and feel it is the right one for our family. :)

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!! Here is a link to the pics!

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.bx9ap3vf&x=0&y=fte6rc&localeid=en_US

Pre-Christmas Blog!

2008-12-21T09:01:00.000-08:00

Hi!

We are all ready to go for Christmas! All the presents are bought, wrapped and under the tree! Yeah!! Very excited about Christmas this year-Alyson is really into it now. Santa is bringing her a scooter and she's getting a dollhouse from Gma Patt and Gpa Joe! She's going to be thrilled. And, she's wanted a kitchen for a long time and Gma Vincie got that! What wonderful surprises! Those are the big items and we got her a bunch of other stuff-probably too much, but hey-she's a kid! :) Over-indulge during the holidays is my motto! :)

Molly won't get as much...she's only 4 months old-what does she really need anyway! New clothes, couple new baby toys. Now next year she might get some cool stuff from santa, but this year it's very basic! She had her 4 month doctor visit on the 16th. She is 15 lbs. 1.5 oz. and 25 3/4" long. Doc said her motor skills are that of a 6-8 month old (already trying to get those knees and hands up to a crawling position) and she's been rolling over both ways for some time now. She scoots herself on her tummy around the floor-it's pretty cute. She's a generally happy child, sleeping through the night now (7 p.m.-6 a.m.). She's only a grouch when she wants to nurse! I can't give it to her quick enough! She's grabbing at toys now and putting them in her mouth-her bottom two teeth are going to pop out any time now I predict (and so did doctor) which is early. We have given her rice cereal just a couple times and smooshed up banana-she LOVES the banana!!! She's really growing and doing so much now each day!

I am doing well. Weight loss wise, stayed the same but haven't really been focused on it. Too busy taking care of the kiddies! I asked Mike if I could re-join CA Family fitness after the holidays and he said if we can afford it, he's all for it. I really would like to get back to the gym. I could go M/W mornings after I drop off Alyson at school and Molly can go into the childcare there at the gym when she is 6 months old. I'm looking forward to that.

Exciting news on the work front. I am scheduled to go back on January 5th, however after much discussion and working out the numbers with daycare and such, it doesn't make sense-so I am resigning from my position in a couple of days. I am really excited because I really wanted to stay home when Alyson was a baby but since we had the house then, there was no way financially for us to do that. But, this time, we live in a great rental and Mike is now making enough with his trainor position to make up for my income-so we can make it work. The only suckey thing is Mike is gone all week and we only see him 1 day (Saturdays). But, our goal is to get all of our credit debt paid down (only a year and half to go for it to be paid off!!) and then he can stop working so hard. We see the light!

We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday! We are headed to Aimee and Matt's Christmas eve and then having a nice dinner with Mike's sister, Laura and her family on Christmas day. My mom, Vincie, is coming as well and will be here with us. Will post after Christmas with pics!

Oh! If you haven't gotten your Christmas card from us yet-don't fret-I haven't sent ANY out yet. They are all ready to go but I just need to get to the post office, which I plan to do tomorrow (Monday). :)

Here is a link to random pictures from this past month!

Love,
Angel :)
http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.atbw7y8b&x=0&y=-cnwqsj&localeid=en_US

November 2008!!!

2008-12-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! Alyson, Molly and I drove to Fresno to stay with Mom, Hank, Raf, Murphy Dog and Kitty. We had a great time and it was very relaxing! Molly did great on the drive-stopped once in Modesto to feed her and change her diaper-big blowout!! That was a bit tough because I didn't know she had a blow out and it was pouring rain-I had to run outside with her half naked to the car to get another outfit and then run back into Starbucks. Challenges of being by myself. Alyson was great-she was very helpful on the road and at Nona's house! Molly slept most of the car ride there and back! WOOHOO!!

Molly is almost 4 months old now and weighs 15 lbs!!! She has her appointment next week so I'll get all the official stats! She is already rolling over both ways (tummy to back and back to tummy) and she is teething. Baby Orajel works like magic! Alyson is doing great-she still loves preschool. She is excited about Santa this year and actually sat on his lap! First year we could get her to do it (other than when she was 3 months old and didn't have a clue what was going on). She told Santa she wanted a dollhouse and a scooter-both of which she is getting. Patt asked Rob to make her a dollhouse, which is already finished. Aunt Aimee is getting some dollhouse furniture. We ordered her the scooter, which just arrived to Aimee's house so I can keep it top secret! I need to go through upstairs and purge things to make room for all the new fun things she will get! :)

Christmas shopping is almost done! YAY! I did brave the Black friday but not at the early morning hours...nothing really that spectacular for me this year to get up at 3 a.m.!

Mike is still gone a lot. He's actually looking for another job-tired of the trainor position that almost got him killed the other day. His trainnee almost rolled the truck taking an off ramp at 50 when the posted sign was 20 (for cars by the way-trucks should go even slower) in the bay area. Anyway, he is looking around and hopefully might find something more local so he can get home more. I hope so. He misses his ladies and we miss him.

Here is a link to pictures! Yay! Shelbie took some great picks of us too which I'm attaching that link as well. We used a couple for our Christmas cards this year!

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZM27Ni5Zt3Qw

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.97iw7ctn&x=0&y=-1f0300&localeid=en_US

Happy December!
Love,
Angel, Mike, Alyson and Molly
(and Ginger the Cat and fishies, Momasnaka-alyson named the big fish-and the Ploclaustamases-probably spelled wrong)

Hello November!

2008-11-15T20:04:00.000-08:00

Hello! We are all doing well here in the Heath Household! Mike is working hard still and we see him only on Saturday and half of Sunday..sometimes once during the week too but no guarantees. I am doing a lot better now that Molly is getting a little bit into a sleeping routine and Alyson is getting used to her sister being around.

Alyson still loves preschool. We did a field trip to a fire station (pictures in the link below)-had a great time! She has a friend she talks about all the time-Isabella...it's cute she's making little friends! Our good friend Shelbie is watching Molly on Friday mornings for me so that I can work in the preschool.

Molly is getting big! She's 3 months old and about 13 lbs. now. She did roll over once by herself (stomach to back) but hasn't done it since. She loves when I say Scooby Doobie Dooooooo and when her sister sings to her or dances. Her exersaucer is the favorite place to be these days! And, she's really starting to grab at things and makes the funniest face looking at the thing she's trying to grab-cracks me up!

As we approach Thanksgiving and the holidays-I would just like to say that I am so thankful for my family and friends for helping me during a really rough time after Molly-I don't know what I would have done without the love and support. I probably would still be struggling (not that I don't have days still here and there) and crying all the time like I was. Thank you to those of you that really were there for me!

Enjoy life!

Angel :)

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.9k565m9v&x=0&y=-1t18b1&localeid=en_US

It's Halloween Time!!!!

2008-11-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

Hello!

We had a great Halloween! We were a family of black CATS! :) Molly is almost 3 months old now and is doing great! She's starting to (not every night yet) sleeping through the night which makes me a more functioning Mama! Alyson is doing good as well and enjoying her preschool classes three times a week. Mike was able to get home on Halloween night and go trick or treating with us! We were down in Elk Grove at my cousin, Nicole's...she had a great party!

Here are links to a couple photo albums. Hope all is well!

Angel :)

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.cq1cackj&x=0&y=-ri91pq&localeid=en_US

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.5xiu9d9f&x=0&y=-lkbdsz&localeid=en_US

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.7skd9oj7&x=0&y=-318cxb&localeid=en_US

2 Months!!

2008-10-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hi! Molly is 2 months old now! She is doing great! Her doc said that she is the size of a 4 month old (height and weight proportionate though) and is doing things that 3 and 4 month old babies do (like her neck control and cooing noises and putting lots of weight on her legs when stood up). She's recently discovered she has hands...last night it was the funniest thing..she just sat in the boppy bouncer chair for about 30 minutes staring at her hands. :) She is now 12 lbs. 14 oz. (3 lbs. over her birth weight) and 24 inches long. 2 feet!! haha :)

Alyson is doing great, too. She started preschool on M-W-F mornings. I go on Fridays and work in the class as it is a parent participation school. They do all kinds of crafts and songs and play..it's fun! And, I take Molly and so far, she just sleeps in the Baby Bjorn the whole time. :) Here is a little video of Molly...so funny!

Here is the web address to some new pics...I couldn't get the blogger to make it a link for you so you just have to copy this and paste it in your web address area. Sorry!
http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.cq1cackj&x=0&y=-ri91pq&localeid=en_US

Love, Angel :)

Lovely......:)

2008-10-04T19:09:00.000-07:00

Just a short post to give the link to the professional pictures our friend, Shelbie, did for us! She did a pregnancy shoot about 2 weeks before my due date and then a newborn shoot. I picked out 25 of my favorites!

We are all doing well. Molly goes for her 2 month appointment next week and I'm sure she will pass with flying colors as far as growth! :) She's doing great!

Alyson started preschool! So far, so good!! :)

That's all for now!

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.ast4wsub&x=0&y=-skvriw&localeid=en_US

Angel :)

Where has the time gone???

2008-09-28T13:33:00.000-07:00

Hello!
Well...let's see, it's the end of September and Molly is almost 2 months old now! She is doing great and really filling out..must be because she eats all the time!!! I can't say she's in a routine yet, but I do see some patterns. She'll take a nap in the morning, again in afternoon...really fussy in the evening...around 7:30ish she'll be in a great mood and smile and "talk" to me..then I'll feed her again around 8:30 or so and she's out until about 1:30! That's her longest stretch. Once I get her down again around 1:45ish or 2...she'll wake again almost at 5 and then I just bring her in bed with me. She still is in the bassinet in our room. I haven't made the transition yet to her room-that's coming! Probably next week, I'll have Mike carry the rocking chair up to her room and start putting her to bed there.

Alyson is doing a lot better. She's had a hard time adjusting and takes it out on me mostly and Molly sometimes. But, there's been less time outs and more listening and following directions. I think she just needed to get used to having some other being in the house that takes attention away. She turned 3 this month! I'm getting ready to put her into preschool 3 mornings a week. It's a parent participation school, so I work in the class one day a week. :) I think it will be good for her and good for me, too. I've had extended baby blues and saw a psychologist for it a couple weeks ago. She said I'm having a lot of anxiety..not so much depression. She said I could take some anxiety medicine if I wanted to...but I prefer not to take any drugs. Alyson had her 3 year doc appointment and she is as tall as a 4 1/2 year old they said! WOW!! She had a shot and was very brave!

Mike is gone again...he leaves on Sundays and gets back home the following Friday night late. I really miss him. And, this past weekend, I had an unexpected visit to the ER which took up most of my one day I get to see him. :( He is going to try to take 2 days off here this week if he can.

My C-section incision has an infection. It busted open a little in two places and started bleeding and oozing again. It's really red and yucky. I'm on an antibiotic now so hopefully that clears it up. I think I'm still doing too much. It's hard not to with two kids! My weight loss has slowed. I was 290 when I went into the hospital. I'm now down to 248. I was 240 when I learned I was pregnant with Molly, so only 8 lbs. from that point. I was still trying to lose weight before getting pregnant from my pregnancy with Alyson. My goal is 185...I will get there some day but right now, I'm not too concerned about it. My job is to take care of my kiddies and the full time nursing should help (as long as I keep my eating in check!) with shedding some more lbs.

Here is a link to some new pics. :) Some are from Alyson's 3rd birthday. Hope anyone who reads this is well!!

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.844rzbhv&x=0&y=7bpejq&localeid=en_US

Angel :)

"Mommy...you sleep a lot"....HA!

2008-08-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

So, every afternoon, the ladies of the Heath household take a nap! Alyson comes downstairs after she wakes up and stands at the side of the bed...I wake up and she says, "Mommy..you sleep a lot"...HAHAH!! That's the biggest laugh ever! No...I just try to get sleep whenever I can! The truth is, I'm only getting about 4 hours total on average at night...interrupted...so my hour in the afternoon is to get me through the rest of the day!

Molly is growing well! We had her 3 week doc appt. this morning. She has gained weight and is almost 10 lbs. now! So, the breastmilk is doing the trick! Good stuff! She feeds ALL THE TIME! She is in the 85th percentile with her weight and head circumference. That's normal. Doc said she is tongue tied...which means that her tongue is more connected underneath than it should be I think. She did some tests in the office and said that she is fine and shouldn't need any intervention when she gets older...I guess in some cases, they have to snip part of the area under the tongue and it can affect verbal development. But, Molly was able to stick out her tongue and she's breastfeeding just fine so she said it's not anything to be concerned with. YEAH!!

Alyson is so sweet to her sister...loves on her and is concerned when she cries, wants to hold her...but she hasn't been too nice to me. She's begun hitting me and just acting out in general. Each day, I don't know what it will bring. I"ve been having some depression because of it...I cry a lot because in some way, I feel I'm not giving enough to Alyson, because I have to give SO MUCH to Molly right now since she is so little....I know it will pass and everything will be o.k. I just get overwhelmed, which the doctor said is normal. Other than that, Alyson is doing well and she will be 3 next month!!!

Mike had to go to Phoenix, AZ this past week...he's been gone since Tuesday early morning. This has been a challenge for me, but I made it!! He's coming home today!! He did his training to be a trainor with Swift and they already have a trainee for him! He trains someone for 6 weeks and then that person goes out on their own. But, good for him (and our family)...whatever miles that trainee drives for an entire year, Mike will get paid some amount per mile for every mile! And, that's for as many trainees as he can do...pretty cool! So, we are excited about that...he won't be home every night like now, but he will be home weekly and it is good for our family. :)

As for me...other than some blues, I'm doing good. Planning Alyson's birthday party...trying to pick out birth announcements for Molly..I think I have them narrowed down! My recovery is going well...my C-section incision is still itchy..so it's still healing. I take Ibuprofen still daily.....I'm driving now..so we get out of the house as often as possible!! I'm keeping our new house up with laundry and dishes and things...feels good. My weight loss has slowed. It's 3 weeks since delivery and I lost 40 lbs. :) PRETTY GOOD! I'm happy with that because it's only 10 lbs. to where I was when I got pregnant. I will continue to breastfeed as long as Molly wants to and that will help with losing more weight, too.

Bye for now! Hope anyone that reads this is doing well!

Link to new pictures!
http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.8u9t7uez&x=0&y=ybl9lq&localeid=en_US

Love,
Angel :)

11 Days Old Now!

2008-08-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Well...we are settling in nicely at home. I had a couple breakdowns and have felt some "baby blues" during the first week home, but now I'm better getting into some type of routine. I think it was just hard for me because I was in pain and just couldn't do everything that I'm used to doing. Especially where Alyson is concerned...I felt like I was losing some of my bond with her since I'm spending so much time with the baby...but I'm not. I think it will make our bond more special and she is a great helper! When Molly cries, she jumps up and says, "Mommy...go get her!! She wants the BOOB!" She's so funny! She will turn 3 next month and I have some fun classes arranged for her so we can all get out of the house and she can get some activity since I am limited right now. :)

Molly is doing great! She nurses all the time during the day, but I'm kind of getting her into a routine at night I think where she is sleeping for about 3 hour increments. She HATES having her diaper changed, but what are you going to do? I have to change it...can't let her sit in a wet or poopy diaper!

She sees the doc again at the end of August and next week, I'm busting out of the house and driving again!!! I am off of the pain medicine (ran out) and just on Ibuprofen now.

The dinners that people have been bringing have been so yummy and much appreciated! And, I've had visitors helping me mostly with Alyson and house things....it's been wonderful. Mike went back to work, but he's been home in the morning time for a few hours before heading out so that's nice.

Again, not that I'm watching my weight (well, I kind of am I guess, but not stressed about it), as of this morning, I've lost 31 pounds! Every couple of days I'm down another few pounds....which is great!

More to come in the weeks ahead! Here is a link to more pictures!!!

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.928hah8b&x=0&y=y85on5&localeid=en_US

Love,
Angel :)

Molly has arrived!!!

2008-08-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

The day finally came! I had a doctor appointment on my due date (August 7th) and during that appointment, they decided to send me over to Labor and Delivery for monitoring as my blood pressure was way too high (152/93). The BP only came down a little in hours I was monitored...time to make a choice! Did I want to be induced (when I was only at 1 cm dilated and 20% effaced) and possibly have 2 days of labor or go for a repeat C-section. After much discussion with Mike and my sister Aimee and Kirsten, I decided on the C-section. This was about 7 p.m. The doctor thought that was the best decision and so did I. I walked into the operating room at 1:30, got my spinal to numb my lower body and laid down. Right away, I started to get a really bad neck spasm that didn't go away...I was wriggling all over the place, which wasn't good for the surgeons. The anestesiologist gave me a shot of Demerol to relax me and WOW, it did!! I was so loopy and I think I dozed off at one point.
Then, it was time to lift her out! Daddy was excited and had the camera ready!!

Molly Addison Heath
Born August 8, 2008 2:03 a.m.
9 lbs. 6.8 oz. and 21" long

After, they wheeled me into recovery and I got to hold my baby. She latched on to my breast right away, which I was so thrilled about! Then, we were taken to our room....where I shared it with 3 other mommies and their babies. Boy...was I not expecting that! With Alyson, because I had a C-section, I got my own room with a chair that pulled out for Mike to sleep and my own bathroom. At Kaiser-Morse Ave., it's all about sharing...it was awful. When I got Molly to sleep, another baby would start wailing or the nurses would come in. We made it through, though and the one thing I can say is that the nurses were AMAZING! Very attentive and so nice. I didn't have a grouchy one (except for one nurse I called the breastfeeding nazi!!). We checked out on Sunday afternoon and headed home!

Molly had her 4 day old appointment at the doctor on Tuesday. She did great and gained back some weight (she had lost about a pound, which is normal for newborns). She is a little jaundiced, but not terribly that the doctor was concerned enough about. My milk has come in and Molly and I are establishing our routines. Last night was actually a pretty good night (waking about 4 times to feed) and I am getting used to the lack of sleep. I'm actually seeing a pattern to her feedings and sleeping right now I think!

Alyson stayed at my sister, Aimee's during the hospital stay. She returned home to us on Monday. It's an adjustment...for her and us..and I think she'll ease into it more and more each day. She's not used to Mommy always being with another child or resting because I am still recovering. I think she is handling it quite well though..

Mike has to go back to work on Thursday. I'm not looking forward to that...we'll see how it goes. I'm still not recovered and still taking Vicodin for pain...and I can't drive anywhere for another few weeks...so I think it will be challenging, but we'll get through it!

Below is a link to a bunch of pictures! I'd love visitors, so if you'd like to come over, please email or call me! angel.heath@comcast.net or 916-568-9377. :)

Here is the link to photos!!
http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.4lkkhekb&x=0&y=p6mmgq&localeid=en_US
Bye for now,
The Heath Family
Mike, Angel, Alyson and MOLLY!!

8 days to go...NO PROGRESS YET!

2008-07-28T19:07:00.000-07:00

Well, after lots of aches and pains this past week...thinking that I had to be making SOME progress....nothing. I visited the doctor today for my 38 1/2 week check up. Molly's heart beat sounds great, my blood pressure is excellent...he "checked" me for dilation and effacement...nothing. While he was doing that, he was concerned that she turned around from head down to possibly side lying or breech...so he got the ultrasound machine in and we got a glimpse of her! She is head down, but hasn't dropped (geez!! With all the pressure and pains I feel 'down below' I thought she did...but I guess not!)...she has a big head. He measured me at 40 weeks, which indicates that she is a BIG BABY!!!

Here are a couple of pictures. I'm taking each day as they come...some are better than others. I'm not able to sleep very well at all. I am wired until about 11 p.m., then lay down and shift back and forth all night long.

My birthday is this weekend...Mike is going to make me something special for dinner and I think I'll have a few visitors come see me...don't feel like going out anywhere in my condition! We are very excited to meet Molly...Mike is getting anxious for her to be here! The port a crib is all set up in our room and her room is all ready to go. Just a waiting game now!

Till next time!
Angel :)

Ouch!!!!

2008-07-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

Well...almost 38 weeks now..starting to have more and more Braxton Hicks. Today was awful and I think things are getting started! I officially have 15 days until the due date. I'm not a happy camper today...having strong contractions off and on all day, probably about 3 or so per hour.

Here's a pic of me last week...getting big!! We are all ready. I am still packing the hospital bags though and Mike needs to install the new car seat but I have to clean out the car first!! haha

More to come!
Angel :/

Added at 11:15 p.m.....so to top off my already painful and uncomfortable day, I fell in the kitchen! My butt and knee is hurting now. OUCH OUCH!! I was taking the lid off of the steamer and of course, clumsey me-I dropped it. I took a step toward it to pick it up, not knowing that on the way down, the lid had dropped water, and there I go! One leg in front...the other bent in back and on my bootie....I need a do-over today. :(

36 Weeks!!! Almost there!!!

2008-07-11T14:24:00.001-07:00

Whew! Well....first of all, we moved and it was successful!! Still unpacking, but getting more and more organized!! Molly's room is coming together, as is Alyson's!! The girls are both upstairs, and the loft is their playroom....it's so fun!!

Me....well, had my 36 week appt. I have officially gained 40 lbs. But, it's ALL BELLY!!!! (And, maybe a little water retention with the heat)...I found out I'm anemic...so I need to take a yucky iron pill every day. I took one that day and spent my last day at work throwing up. Not fun! Another thing I learned is that my blood pressure is a bit high...so they want me to come in every 5 days to monitor that. Other than that, Molly is growing and moving all around inside this big belly! She's head down now and I think she's dropping! Very heavy!

So, as the days go by, things get more and more ready. We are very excited and Alyson has been helping me get things in order. Mike started working more to bring in more money while I am out of work. I will get disability pay that will kick in soon, but it's 2/3 of what I normally get.

Hope all is well with everyone that might read this! I would have a picture, but I forgot to ask Mike to take one this morning!! I'll post pictures later in the week of Molly's room and me!

Angel :)

34 Weeks.......

2008-06-26T17:01:00.000-07:00

Hello! Just a quick post to say hello!! I'm getting bigger and bigger, although maintaining my weight which is good! I've already gained enough (33 lbs.)....starting to have Braxton Hicks Contractions off and on. I didn't realize HOW BIG the belly was getting until this week when Mike took my picture (above)...whew!!

Almost off work!! 8...no 7 more working days!! WOOHOO!!

We move this weekend! Yeah!! We are very excited and I will post pics of our new place once we're in! It's super nice and now I can set up Molly's room!

If you haven't already, go post your guess on our baby pool!
www.expectnet.com, Game Name: Heathprincess2 We already have about 19 guesses on there!! I want more!! See who comes close!

To another week!
Angel :)

32 weeks!!!

2008-06-10T06:59:00.000-07:00

32 weeks pregnant this week! Whew! My body is starting to hurt pretty badly. This belly is getting BIG BIG BIG!!! My test results all came back normal...no diabetes or anemia. I've gained a couple more pounds...so I'm up now to 32 lbs. gained total which I still think is good for me! Had my 32 week doc appointment yesterday..he signed me out of work officially on July 9th...yuck! I wanted it to be NOW! It's hard to go to work every day with my body feeling the way it does. I can make it!

My sister threw me a little baby shower last Sunday. It was fabulous!!! It was nice and small...only about 15-20 people invited that I see or talk to every day....since it is my 2nd baby, it was nice to have a smaller more intimate shower...We received many nice gifts for Molly and her new room! We still need a few things, but do have most of what we need! If I had the baby now, we would still need diapers, wipes and a bassinet....I think that's it for now! :)

Irritant of the month: NESTING!! I'm getting into that nesting mode...however I CAN'T!!! We want to move because the rent on our townhome is going up substantially at the end of our lease in a couple of months. We were on a mission last weekend to find a new place and hopefully try to move before Molly arrives-we found a place!! I turned in the application yesterday and we should hear back this morning. Fingers crossed!!! It's off of Madison and Hackberry...huge brand new condos with a backyard/patio area. We LOVED them and Mike adored the kitchen! They were built like custom condos to sell..but then the market turned so the owners have now turned them into rentals for at least a few years until the market picks back up. If we are approved, we can move as early as this weekend!!! Woohoo!!

Must be going...off to work in the Gas Guzzler...yes, I am driving a 2008 Chevy Tahoe right now (my rental vehicle) because the Kia is in the shop getting it's repairs from the car accident I was in a couple months ago. $40 in gas and it didn't even fill it to 1/2....geez!! I asked for a small SUV and this is what I got!

Till next time!

Angel :)

Molly Addison Heath.........:)

2008-05-15T19:45:00.001-07:00

Hello!

Well..as the title of this blog states, we have picked a name! Molly Addison Heath. :) We love it and it's so cute when Alyson says it.

Things are going well with the pregnancy. It's been about a month since my car accident. I've had 3 physical therapy appointments for my neck and it's gotten better...I won't have to go back now unless it flares up again.

Today, I had a slew of things to do at the doctor. I had to do my diabetes test..which you have to drink this awful soda stuff..yuck! Then, they draw your blood after an hour. I passed the 12 week one so I'm hopeful for this one to turn out well! (5/21-I just learned I passed!!) Then, I had to go to the doc for my 28 week check-up. I am still measuring at about 29-30 weeks...I believe that Molly is going to be pretty big...I'm attaching a picture of me at 26-27 weeks...I'm getting bigger by the day! After my appointment, I went back to the lab to get the blood drawn and then back to the office to get the Rogam shot in my bootie! Ouch! I am RH-...which basically means that if my blood gets mixed with the baby's blood, it could cause a lot of problems.

I've gained too much weight...according to the doctor. I've gained 29 lbs. and according to the guidelines, they only wanted me to gain 20-25 lbs. total...HA! I pack it on and I"m eating well and drinking my water, but my body just likes to hold on to it. Even if I gain another 20 lbs. in the last 2 1/2 months that are left, I'll still be 30 lbs. LESS than I was when I went into labor with Alyson. So, I'm not really concerned about it...my blood pressure is fine and Molly is growing properly. What this will mean, however, is that if Molly is going to be as big or bigger than Alyson...it looks like I'm headed down the C-section path again-which I was trying to avoid..I really wanted to try for the VBAC....but the ultimate result is to have a healthy baby and mama...:)

This weekend, we are taking a family trip!!! We are leaving tomorrow morning for Lake Tahoe and staying until Sunday!! We can't wait! Probably our last relaxing weekend for awhile before Molly arrives. (5/21-We had an amazing time!!!)

Hope all is well!
~Angel~

Ouch!!!

2008-04-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

Well..some updates....Baby is doing great! She's kicking like crazy these days! We still don't have a name picked out, but we have a list going of ones we like. As my belly gets bigger, I think Alyson is starting to "get it" that there is a baby in there! She's so very cute sometimes with the whole thing. Yesterday, as I was driving to work, I was on the freeway stopped in traffic and this lady behind me decided to rear end me! She wasn't paying attention to traffic and crashed into me going about 20 mph. I braced for the impact (which your not supposed to do, but all I could think about was my baby) because I saw it coming in the rear view mirror and I couldn't go anywhere...CRASH! My neck and lower back hurt really bad immediately. We got the CHP and he took the report..then I was on my way to Labor & Delivery to get checked out. I was at the hospital for about 3 1/2 hours while they kept me on the monitor, drew blood and did an exam...geez I was uncomfortable! Mostly because of my back and the only drugs I can take is Tylenol...that SUCKS! However, this morning, I am feeling a bit better..Whew! And...baby is A...O.K.!!! Double Whew! It was a scary thing and I'm glad it was over and everything is fine. It could have been worse. Such nice weather these days! I'm looking forward to it heating up just a little more so I can get in the pool! I'm starting to plan the BBQ get together for my "un-baby shower"..haha! I just want to get everyone together to celebrate our new arrival and visit. So, I thought a fun BBQ at a park would be appropriate with kids and men and everyone. I've attached a picture of me now at 24 weeks. And, a little video of Alyson from last week that is pretty cute! Angel :)

It's a GIRL!

2008-04-01T06:53:00.001-07:00

It's been about a month since my last post. I've fallen behind...just a lot going on in March! I had some really bad back pain going on...but it got better. I "popped" out as they say and you can really tell now that I am pregnant and not just getting a beer gut! On March 13th, we had the 20 week ultrasound. Mike, Alyson, Aimee and my Mom all attended in Roseville. The ultrasound tech was not so nice and didn't allow Aimee and Mom in until the very end. And, she determined...it's a GIRL!! So, now we are thinking of names for our new little princess! In the last week, baby girl has been very very active! I am almost 22 weeks prego now. We are having some financial trouble (again). We can never catch a break, huh? Just when we were starting to recover from losing our house....Mike's work is cutting back and has cut a certain portion of the drivers pay called "extra pay". They get paid about $40 extra pay that is included in their compensation for each run. He does about 3 runs a day x 6 days a week...they cut this extra pay down $10 per run...that's $180 a week...almost $800/month! They just made it effective and I'm afraid for when it shows up on the check next week. I don't know what we are going to do with a loss of $800/month. He's looking at finding another job. But, that might mean he has to do long haul trucking and will be gone a lot. hmm....like my mom says...it will all work out, right? Here are a couple of pictures! And a little video of Alyson talking to her baby sister through my belly! She thinks the baby is IN my belly button...it's very cute. Happy April! Angel :)

E?????

2008-02-27T07:02:00.000-08:00

Good Morning! Just a few updates. I am feeling good...having growing pains here and there and then my leg is twitching weird sometimes...but other than that, I am good. 16 weeks now and I have felt the baby a few times. They say you can feel the baby earlier in your 2nd pregnancy (and beyond) since your stomach muscles are already stretched out and thinner...great...haha

I went over to Motherhood Maternity to get fitted for a bra because my cheapy Target bra is just not cutting it. When my milk came in with Alyson, so at my biggest, I was a 42DD. I am only 4 months prego and I am a 42E! I just can't imagine what I'll be when I grow some more. On that note, I do get boob pains because of the growth and the beginning of production.

I've gained about 3 lbs. since my last post...so that's good. I hadn't been gaining anything really. I think I started at 239 and now I'm at 247. Not bad...I'm defintly not gaining at the rate I did with little Alyson! I started with her at 215 and a day before I went into the hospital, I tipped the scales at 310! I lost 45 lbs. 2 weeks after giving birth to her, but I was huge! I'm hoping that I won't gain more than another 10-15 lbs. with this baby. We'll see!

The 20 week ultrasound is March 13th..I'll probably post again then! We are excited about seeing the little pea in the pod and maybe finding out if it's a boy or another girl! Once we find out, then the shopping will begin!! I think we are having a 2nd baby shower to celebrate this baby...but nothing formal. I'd like a co-ed with kids...more like a big BBQ get together party. I think that will be fun!

Angel :)

Updates.....:)

2008-02-13T06:53:00.001-08:00

Hi! It's been about a month almost since I've written my last blog. I had my 12 week appointment and everything went fine. Baby's heart beat was very strong! Today, I am in my 14th week of pregnancy. And...I keep feeling the baby kick me!!! I know that sounds crazy...but they told me that you can feel the baby earlier than your 1st pregnancy and I swear, after the first one which I thought maybe was gas...it is definetly a little *kick*!!! :) I'm wearing prego clothes now...I haven't taken a picture in awhile. I will soon!

So, Alyson said the cutest thing yesterday.
Alyson: "Mama, your belly getting big!"
Angel: "Yes, sweetie...mama has a baby growing inside her belly"
Alyson: "My brother or sister!!"
SO CUTE! She's really starting to catch on to what is happening with my body.

Work is fine. I'm frustrated right now because I'm not being able to do my own job. I'm still pulled in the branch quite a bit lately and I still have demands with my own work. I have a meeting this morning and I'm not ready for it. I told her yesterday that I doubt I will be ready. I am only one person and can only do what I can do. I am really good at multitasking and being efficient, but lately it's kickin' my bootie!

School.....I haven't done anything with this new semester. I started reading my book in one class...but that's it. I have no idea what I'm going to do about this semester. I'm thinking of dropping all together. By the time I get Alyson to bed, I am dog-tired! I pass out on the couch pretty quickly. Last night, I fell asleep at 7:45. Maybe this weekend (3 day weekend) I can catch up.

That's it for now! I'll post more pictures soon!!

Angel :)

Nosebleeds!

2008-01-18T06:36:00.001-08:00

This past week, we have been very busy! On Saturday, the 12th, we attended the funeral service of my birth grandmother...she was 96...then that evening we all had a wonderful dinner at Fulton's of Old Sac. It was a fun time to see everyone again and Alyson got to meet her cousin, C.J. from Hawaii (and so did I!!).

Monday night, Alyson woke up and threw up on me all night...I didn't get to sleep until almost 6 a.m. and I had to go to work-which I was late. Poor thing....she still doesn't want to eat and she's thrown up again on Tuesday night and Wednesday night.....but not last night so hopefully she is on the road to recovery!! She doesn't have a fever or act differently...well, a little moody. Then, on Wednesday morning....I am in the bathroom throwing up...not a pretty sight let me tell you!! Wednesday night, Mike gets home...he's throwing up. We are a sad sad family around here this week! But, as of today, I think we are all on the road to recovery!!

I do have a Prego-update.....I have a new symptom....NOSEBLEEDS! Well, it's only happened once so far (yesterday) and hopefully it won't happen again....I was standing at the kitchen counter and all of a sudden....gushing blood out of my nose...and it was bleeding for like 10 minutes. It freaked me out a little, but Mike looked it up on the computer and it's normal for pregnant women to get them. WHEW!!

Weekend is here....:) Tomorrow, I am taking Kirsten for her birthday to get mani's and pedi's in the morning at the spa. Monday is a holiday and I'm taking Alyson to her first Little Gym class to see if she likes it. If so, a new 20-week semester is starting so it's perfect timing! I took her when she was a bit younger, but she wasn't ready.

xooxox
Angel

I'm NORMAL!!!!

2008-01-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

Hello! I am now week 10 of my pregnancy and MAN am I tired!! I actually had a mini-breakdown this morning while in the car in the garage. I started crying because I was just so exhuasted. And, I'm getting plenty of sleep! I guess my body is just makin' the babe!

I'm having a weird symptom, however. I wasn't sure if this was normal...but doing some online research...IT IS!! I am having very vivid dreams about ex-lovers! It's very strange and I'm waking up with such a sense of betrayal to Mike and guilt! But, they are just dreams and I really have no control over them. And, from what I've found on the internet, it is mother natures way of clearing the subconcious of the male energies in the deep parts of my mind to make way for the deeper love that I am creating in my body. A way of cleansing old stuff I guess.

Top 6 dreams, according to Parents Magazine:
1. Giving Birth to an animal
2. Giving Birth to an alien
3. Taking the baby out of your uterus
4. Swimming, drowning, standing in the ocean
5. Cheating spouse
6. Re-appearing ex-lovers (WHEW! My dream made the top 6!).

So...although I feel funny about the dreams I'm having, I have to realize they are normal. I haven't talked about them with Mike yet...I don't think I will go in detail however when I do mention it to him. Some websites say it's good to keep a journal next to your bed and jot them down when you wake...HAHHHAHAHAHAHAHA No way in HELL I'm writing down the things that I'm dreaming....are they crazy???

Another thing I'm facing is that I'm just not hungry. With Alyson...I could pile it in! But, with this baby, I'm not hungry and when I do have to eat, I can't eat a lot. I mean, not every time...sometimes I can eat an entire dish...but it's rare! It's good...but just different. Maybe it's a BOY! hmmmm.....they say every pregnancy is different. I'm breaking out on my face a lot! That's irritating. And, then there's the bathroom issues that I won't go in to...let's just say if it's not one thing, it's another.

No pictures today. I'll take a pic at my 12 week doc appointment (Jan. 22nd). I'm popping out a little..but I had some belly roll already, so it looks like just bloating. My pants are starting to get tighter around the belly and I'm starting to wear prego shirts because I just can't hold my fat in any longer! I was really good about sucking it in on a regular basis...not now! I've only gained 5 pounds in 2 months, so I think that's pretty good. My goal, since I was overweight when I got prego, it to try to keep the weight gain down to about 20 lbs. I've read that that is a good goal. We'll see! :)

Angel and "Pea in the Pod"

Christmas......The Good & The Bad.....

2007-12-26T15:39:00.000-08:00

Let's start out with the GOOD! I had to work on Christmas Eve...but was o.k. had it not been for a teller out of balance which caused me to have to stay an extra 1/2 hour....ho humm....went right over to my sister, Aimee's, for the big Christmas Eve celebration with the White/Heath/Erickson/Carson Family! It was a great time...lots of kids running around playing, opening gifts, great food...great people...just really nice! We left around 7:30ish..got home, put the little cute to bed and then finished the wrapping and "Santa" visit! The next morning...it was great! Alyson made out like a bandit, but was a bit overwhelmed I think. She's only 2 and all the gifts were too much (note for next year). :)

Mike, Alyson and I went over to our friends home in Antelope to have a nice brunch...it was very relaxing and great!

Then, it was time to get to work....we were preparing Christmas Dinner for the 1st time for Mike's mom, sister and sister's fiance. They were supposed to be here at 3:30ish....didn't show up until almost 5...did I mention this was the beginning of the "BAD" part of Christmas?? They got here and his Mom said hi to me...but that's it really for the entire night except when they left early, she did give me a hug and said Merry Christmas. Now...sister is another story. I must have said Merry Christmas to her about 3 times...she never once acknowledged me the entire night. She didn't even say goodbye. I was so mad...and it ruined the nice evening. So...after dinner, Alyson was playing with her new dolly and I was in the kitchen and had said I was getting dessert ready...I washed up all the dishes and had plates, forks and pie ready to go....just then..."oh...we have to leave now". WHAT? Just rude. And, to top it all off....I got a pink ceramic pig from his sister as my gift. Now..I don't collect pigs....I think it was a pig bank and I work for a bank...but who does that? Knowing the little that I do know of her...and her sarcastic nature, I know it had a different meaning. I'm smashing it later today :) The only one good thing about that whole evening, other than Alyson having a good time and Mike's awesome Apple Walnut Stuffed Pork Roast, was the sister's fiancee who was pleasant and he made a great homemade mac and cheese. That's about it. Not once, either, did they congratulate either Mike or myself on our pregnancy. They are not welcome any longer in our home.

Hope whoever reads this had a nice holiday. Most of mine was good anyway! :)

Angel

It's Official...and other stuff....:)

2007-12-12T21:53:00.000-08:00

We had another doctor appointment today and ultrasound! It was very exciting! I saw the heart beat!!!! Just a little flutter from the dot within my uterus...but it's there! According to the doc, I am 6 weeks and 1 day along and my due date is August 7, 2008. Yeah!
I had to take all the blood tests today (like 6-7 tubes). When I did this with Alyson, I just about fainted (saw spots and got extremly light-headed and couldn't see). So, when I went up to the guy today, I told him what happened to me last time just to warn him in case it happens again he is prepared. Well...he got all up on his high horse and said it was all in my mind and now I'm setting myself up to actually faint because I'm already expecting it. He moved me into the room with the bed and I layed down and proceeded to argue with him for the next 5 minutes....and it was done...no fainting. I think that's a good tactic for them to piss off the pregnant woman and get her mad so she's not thinking about the blood they are taking from my body...maybe he is right about it being all in my mind? hmm...anyway, no fainting. I had to do the urine test and the drinking of the sugar soda testing for gestational diabetes. Well, I just got some test results posted to my kaiser sign on....looks like my urine is high for glucose and high for protein. I am fearful that I may have gestational diabetes. I have a few of the risk factors (Large first baby over 9 lbs., overweight, over 25). I emailed my doc to see what it means and what the next steps are. I think I may have to go in for a longer test to confirm that. We'll see....positive thoughts, right?!!!

On the school front...I'm almost DONE! I just finished my 16 page research paper for my Accounting class (due tomorrow...whew!). My group and I are almost done with our Research project for the Business Statistics class..and that Final is this Saturday morning at 8 a.m...yuck! I have to schedule my accounting final at the Consumnes River College (in Elk Grove) Lab sometime between now and next week. And, my Econ final is next Wednesday. ALMOST DONE!! I am enrolled for next semester...2 online classes and one that I go to once per week.

O.k....done for the night...I'm tired now. Off to bed!

Angel :)

Surprise! (Again)!

2007-11-28T06:43:00.000-08:00

I am pregnant. I can't remember the last time I had my period and I thought for the past week or so that I was sure to get it....all the symptoms....last night, I got out the one prego test I had left (it's old...so maybe I'm really not pregnant, but I doubt it at this point) and those two pink lines showed up almost immediately. Now, all those symptoms are making sense to me. I would estimate I am about 4-6 weeks. I went to the doc yesterday to do a urine test....got the results just this morning...POSITIVE!

I can't tell you how many people asked me over Thanksgiving..."So, when are you going to have another baby??"....We had a plan...after next year! We were going to take Alyson to Disneyland for her 3rd birthday (I guess that might be out because I think I'll be due just about then) and then in the Spring of 2009, we were going to start trying. I guess God doesn't always take our plans in mind. The other things (and I know I'm complaining right now..but I just need to get it off my chest so I can move past it) is we just lost our house and still have all this credit card debt. By that Spring 09 when we were going to start planning, we would have had that debt paid down over $10,000 and would be able to "see the light" to being debt free (we are doing a debt counseling program right now so we pay them monthly and they pay all of our credit and got the interest rates lowered and all). Then, personally....I'm going to be a fat pregnant woman. I have been trying to lose more weight and finally got down to 233 (my goal is 185)...by next year, I would have been down to at least 205 or lower....and I would have been happy getting prego with that starting weight....but now I'm still fat and now I'm pregnant.

*Sigh*...O.k...yoga breathe.... I liked being pregnant for the most part with Alyson...

So, I told Mike and I started crying. He sat up and put his arms around me and said, "Why are you crying?"...he is so wonderful and I think he is excited to be a daddy again! So, now that it is all confirmed with the doc, I need to make an appointment and start taking those prenatal vitamins.

I go for my first doctor appointment tomorrow (Monday). I am hoping I get an ultrasound to see how far along I am (and maybe a picture of the dot!). :)

Angel and baby on the way

It's been awhile.....

2007-11-19T06:57:00.000-08:00

Hi, This will be short and sweet...I've been swamped with school, hopefully I'll pass my classes. I haven't been on my JC since the beginning of October due to school and work and life really. I've maintained at about 235 this whole time...so at least I'm not gaining, right???!! Anyway, trying to have a little fun here and there. I LOVE the holidays!! Thanksgiving is this week and we are headed to my sister's in laws up in Shingle Springs. Then, I think Alyson and I will take a road trip to Fresno to see my mom, dad and bro! Mike and I have been shopping for our christmas present....we are getting each other a BIG SCREEN TV!! We can't wait! Attached is a video of my little Alyson...she is getting so big!! (She's out of her crib now, too and in to a Toddler Bed!!). O.k...that's all......gotta run! Angel :)

I'm BACKKKKKKK.......

2007-10-14T18:29:00.000-07:00

Hello! Well, I've had quite the time recently. My computer crashed....I had to bring it all the way down and re-install the operating system...which sucks because I lost all my email addresses (I had them plugged in to Incredimail...but forgot to take the off...dummy!). Anyway, the computer is getting better so I'm happy.

School is HELL...I don't know what I was thinking taking 3 upper division finance classes this semester. Again, dumb! It's aweful and makes me not even want to go anymore. I normally enjoy school, but I've put myself in a somewhat bad situation in that I am constantly working on school work, thinking about, or going to class and I made a bad choice to cut into my family time. It's too much. I'm going to finish this semester as best I can and next semester, I will cut back to 2 classes and search for those that are online or TV.

Since starting school, I fell off the wagon with my diet and the ALLI pills. I went back last Monday, the 8th..starting Jenny Craig food again on Tuesday and the pills. As of Saturday, the 13th, I was down 6 lbs!!! 239.5 to 233.5!! WOOHOOO!!! So, I'm back on track! I had a little hiccup last night as it was Mike's birthday party! I took him to Tahoe Joe's and we had big steaks (YUMMMM), but starting tomorrow again, I'm back on track! I now weigh in every other week with JC (due to schedule), so I officially weigh in next Saturday and my goal is to be under 230...which I haven't been since before I got pregnant!!!! When I found out I was pregnant, I weighed about 210-215 if I remember correctly. That was right before I found out and I could not lose weight...I was trying. My body likes to pack on the pounds!! Anyway....I am optimistic about getting under 220 by Thanksgiving! That's my goal!

Have a great week!
Angel :)

Rants..

2007-10-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

I've neglected my blog for a couple of weeks since starting school. I don't know what I was thinking taking 3 classes this semester. I hate hate hate my DS 101 class (Statistics for Managers) and the teacher isn't very good. He's all over the place and doesn't let us ask any questions..it's weird. I thought it was just me thinking this, but it's not. My first quiz....I got a 5 out of 20...that's not good. Well, so did just about everyone else in the class so I know I'm not dumb. :) My other classes are fine...Accouting (online) I just struggle to find the time to sit down at the computer and do the work for the week...but I'm caught up this week! Econ 135 (Money, Banking and Financial Markets) is the other course...I like it, but I don't know if I'm good at it yet...good enough to do well on the test tomorrow, which is not multiple choice..it's bluebook. We'll see! Work is good-I think I get my review pretty soon...I'm interested to see what my new boss has to say about me and my work. The funny thing is, he never asked for any of my production numbers in terms of how many spreads I've done (credit analyst world, when we analyze the financial statements, we are spreading...I know, it sounds dirty). I'm thinking it must be good if he didn't even care to have those numbers. But, I would think he would want some gauge on my progress...we'll see. I hope I get a raise. I barely got one last year.

O.k..MY RANT! MY COMPUTER is my RANT!! It's been infected with all kinds of spyware, adware, viruses....I finally got them all cleaned off I think last night...come on this morning...another f&*(&*(&ing pop up! Sorry....it's just making me so mad....I want a laptop...one can hope right!

The diet! With my busy schedule during the week and on the weekend (I go to class on Saturdays), I haven't made it in to Jenny Craig to get food and all that. My home scale says I'm holding steady, so that's good. I haven't taken the Alli pill since I ran out of JC Food...I don't want to risk the side effects. I need to call JC today and get back in tonight to get food!

Here's a picture of me and my baby...she is doing well. She's actually come in to what people say is the "terrible 2's". She's starting to talk back, say NO, hit me when she's mad and scream loudly. Most of the time she fine, but probably once every couple of days, we have a "situation" as I like to call it.

Happy October!
Angel :)

What a week!!

2007-09-08T15:25:00.001-07:00

This was quite a week...went by really fast. I started School again at Sac State (2 classes) and working on my Acct. class (through community college...online class)..>WHEW! Still working and having a ball getting ready for Alyson's 2nd birthday party next weekend!

On the diet front, I was really good this week! I weighed in this morning a 236...but my official weigh in with Jenny craig this afternoon was 237.5....so I've lost another 2 lbs. since last week! My goal for next week is to get under 235 and I know I can do it! I'm still taking the Alli pills every day and I haven't had any bad side effects. :) I can tell my clothes are starting to loosen up a bit and I just am feeling better already dropping this weight! I figure that if I can lose about 2-3 lbs. a week, by Thanksgiving, I can be down to maybe 200-210 (10 weeks x 3 lbs. each week=30 lbs.)...I can do it!!! :) That would be awesome if I can stick to my good eating and the Alli pill. My goal weight is 180-185...i just feel like I'm going to make it!

Confession.....I have an obsession...I am a scale addict! Kirsten knows this...I get on every day and sometimes twice each day....just to see the fluctuation in my weight. I think it really keeps me on track, along with teh pills....:)

On to a new week!
Angel :)

Going Strong!

2007-08-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

I'm going strong with my diet...although I have hit a few road blocks this week. We went to the Fair last Saturday...I had a baked potato w/cheese, sour cream and bacon (hold the butter), ONE onion ring, and a soft serve. Now ,I think that was pretty good, don't you? Yesterday, I picked up dinner for me and a friend (I was weak...I think it's that time of the month coming up) and it wasn't the best choice...CHINESE FOOD!
Today, the scale says I am up a couple of pounds, but I still have a few more days until official Jenny Craig Weigh in...so if I stick to it and drink TONS of water, I should be o.k. And, if it is that time of month coming up, I retain water like you wouldn't believe! Usually like 3-5 lbs....REALLY!
So, on to a new day. I'm not going to let a little slip get me down!! It's a work in progress and my goal is to get down to 230 by the end of September....then maybe work on getting close to 220 by the end of October...then 210 by Thanksgiving. I CAN DO IT!
Angel :)

9 lbs??????

2007-08-23T22:28:00.000-07:00

Hi! So, as I mentioned in my last post, I started taking that diet pill, Alli, along with following my Jenny Craig program. I've been on it now for almost two weeks and as of today, I am down 9 lbs.!!! That's crazy! I haven't had any treatment effects...well one...which isn't very pleasing to hear about (it has to do with poop and oily stools...)...but it wasn't bad at all.

So, I'm excited and committed to staying on program with JC and taking the pills. I am especially pleased that this may be the kick start I needed to get back in shape...I'll be happy with my weight when I get closer to 215...then 200 and then finally, my goal, of 185 (I'm 6 feet tall by the way)....

Nite nite....time for bed.
Angel :)

Am I crazy, or are people taking crazy pills?

2007-08-13T18:14:00.001-07:00

o.k...o.k...i know what people are going to say....I shouldn't be taking diet pills. Well, I am and that's just how it is. Along with my low fat/low calorie Jenny Craig program, I have begun to take the new Alli diet pill. I've read all about it and feel good about my choice. So...BACK OFF! haha i'm just kidding. :) No, I'm not kidding about taking the pills. I take one at each meal (3x a day). I have the starter pack which will last me about 50 days. In that time, with sticking to my J.C. (Jenny Craig) and taking the pills, if I'm losing I'll buy more...if not, I won't.

Today was my first day. And, I have to say, it definetly keeps you accountable! Because, let's just say, if you don't...they call it an Alli OOPS!! If I eat too much fat for one meal, bad things will happen....I'm not going to spell it out...you can guess. So far today...no "treatment effects"! Yeah!

On to a new day tomorrow...I have like 65 to lose...If I can lose maybe 7-10 lbs. a month, I'll be a happy camper!

Angel