Week 10 ~ weigh in

Week 10 ~ Weigh in

-2.2lbs

It's hard to believe it's been 10 weeks already and that I am so close to goal, although I will probably be set back a bit from Christmas. I am please with IP and my results, it definitely isn't as hard as I thought it would be. I wouldn't say that the diet was "easy" because there are a lot of restrictions but the reward is worth it. NS was definitely a easier diet with way less cravings but it also took about twice the amount of time to get to where I am now, with exercising everyday. I haven't done any real form of exercise since starting, I am just now thinking that maybe I should start to go back to the gym in the new year, just to tighten up the skin a bit and tone up. I am currently 183.2lbs and would really like to be in the 170's before taking my break from this diet and enjoying all the Christmas festivities. That gives me two weeks to loose another 4lbs - totally do able!! My plan is to slowly go off the diet, as if I am already at goal - I don't want to shock my system too much. So starting the week of the 20th I think I will gradually add more healthy carbs, I will make a egg bake that should last all week for breakfast since I don't have much time in the morning to make breakfast, then I can warm it up at work and eat it at my desk. I will add my own protein to my lunch - maybe make a chefs salad instead of just greens or bring some tuna. Supper will remain the same and so will my snack. I don't think this will halter my weight loss too much but it's the treats I plan on having during Christmas and Boxing day that might set me back. My inlaws have a open house on Boxing Day and there is ALWAYS a good spread of different things, healthy stuff and yummy treats!

Above is a pic of the advent calendar I made Jacob, he loves it - unless he gets socks or something other then chocolate! hehe We celebrated St.Nicholas day on Dec 6th, except on the 6th he wasn't a very good boy and wasn't listening at all so we made him wait till he was good, which happened to be the next day. I can tell already that he is going to really be into this Santa thing this year. He really enjoyed the kids Christmas party we had at work, the Moms group Christmas party and his St.Nick gift. I'm excited to see him open all his gifts this year and see the look on his face when Santa comes.

Getting ready for Christmas

As Christmas approaches I find myself busier then ever but it is for things that aren't really necessary. For the past few weeks I have been keeping myself busy by making 9 different cookie recipes and making assorted tins for some of my customers at work and co-workers. I assembled and filled a advent calender for Jacob and got Christmas photos done and ordered. I have gone shopping more times then I think I needed too. And I still need to mail my Christmas cards, wrap gifts and get prepared for hosting Christmas dinner. I feel like I am trying to keep busy on purpose, when I do have time to think I usually end up crying.

As I plan Christmas dinner I realize that there are a lot of people that won't be attending this year. And not because they weren't invited or have other plans but because they have passed away and are no longer with us. I will hear Christmas songs on the radio and think about my Dad, my Grandpa, hubbies Grandma, uncle George and Grandmas best friend - FIVE very important people to our family and FIVE people that loved Jacob more then words could say. FIVE people that won't be able to see the look on Jacobs face this year when he gets spoiled by Santa or helps decorate his very own mini Christmas tree. FIVE people that will never share any of these special moments ever again. This is what makes me cry when I have time to think, this is the reason I like to stay busy during this time of year. Our first Christmas without FIVE loved ones. :(

15 days till Christams!! :o

I installed a scrap booking program on my work computer and have been working on small projects when we are not busy. I love it, and I think I'm fortunate enough that my boss is a really nice guy and as long as I work when work needs to be done it doesn't seem to be a problem! Have I mentioned lately how much I love my job and the company I work for!! ;)

I have so much to do, this month has been crazy busy! This weekend our Moms group is having a xmas party for the kids and I volunteered my place! There will only be six of us but my house isn't that big so I'm worried about not having enough space!? I guess we will just make the best of it but I am have two days to clean the house, make some more nut n' bolt (munchie) mix, bake some cookies and dye my hair! O - and wrap the present for the gift exchange!

Our living room is being engulfed with toys and I'm worried it's just going to get worse with Christmas only 15 days away!! Jacob has soooo many toys and he is only one and a half, I can't even imagine what our house will look like in a few years! I'm hoping to teach Jacob that he needs to give some gifts that he no longer plays with away to people that need it, once a year he can pick out any toys he wants to give away (hopefully a box full).

I am also hosting Christmas dinner this year for my family, which is a first! It will be the second time I have ever cooked a turkey and hopefully it turns out as good as my first. I just need to practice my stuffing, last time I think I used too much thyme and it tasted funny. We are celebrating on Christmas Eve - presents and all! It is my hubbies family tradition that we would like to carry on with Jacob. Santa comes to our house Christmas Eve night, after supper, which makes it a little tricky to get all the presents under the tree without the kids seeing! But it is so worth it to see the miracle light up in their eyes! We are hoping to carry on the belief of Santa for a few years and hoping that our family will participate in the lie. My brother isn't really on board, he wants to be the "cool Uncle" that gives the cool gift that Jacob will remember. But we want EVERYTHING to be from Santa, so hubby says if my brother puts a tag on the gift saying "from Uncle J" then hubby will take it off and replace it with one that just says Jacob or from Santa. I'm kinda on the fence about the whole thing, I like the idea of having Jacob believe in Santa but I also think he needs to know that people you love give you gifts as well and you give gifts to people that love you. So I think for the first few years in his life we will be all about Santa but then when he starts school and finds out there is no Santa then we introduce the gift giving to family?

Speaking of Santa ... I took Jacob to see him last night and ... he freaked out!! I had to sit with Jacob and Santa to settle him down. So I had to decide .... do I take the picture of Jacob crying on Santa's knee or the one of both of us with Santa ?? I took the one where he is freaked out! It was funny, and cute in a mean mom kind of way. I thought it would make for a good story years from now when Jacob understands but I also took the picture number of the good pic just in case I change my mind and want a "good" pic of Santa. I have 2 days to decide if I want to spend another $20 on Santa pictures?! :)