/Tina/

Monday, January 21, 2008

So far, the South Beach diet is working like a charm. I've lost 5 pounds in my first week, so naturally I feel very motivated to stick with it. I just hope that once I'm able to add carbs back into my diet full time, I won't go overboard and end up back in the same slump I've been in for years. I'm eager to meet my first goal of losing 15 pounds. If I meet that, I think I'll gladly keep going in order to get down to a more healthy weight. Then it's just a matter of keeping off the excess for the rest of my life!

I will admit, I cheated a little bit over the weekend, allowing myself to eat hashbrowns with my omelet at brunch with friends on Saturday, and yesterday I ate a few tortilla chips with my salad at Taco Bell. That's one restaurant that makes leaving behind the carbs nearly impossible.

Genevieve is doing great, her physical therapy went well this morning and I can tell she's really close to taking solo steps. It'd be something great to see, I feel like I've been waiting for it forever. :)

- One Motivated Momma, 10:57 AM

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

It's been far too long, myspace gets more of my attention these days.

Thanksgiving went fine, inspite of a gall blatter attack. I hardly ate for 4 days, couldn't even indulge for Turkey Day dinner, which was a bummer. I am scheduled to get the little bugger taken out on February 2nd. It sounds like a relatively simple procedure and I should be able to eat normally shortly after it's done. I think I might take it easy for a while though, just to be on the safe side. May the Good Lord grant me an easy surgery and quick recovery.

Christmas went well, a lot of food, fun, and family for all. Apparently a lot of alliteration too. ;) We got a lot of really nice gifts, spent a lot of time with my brother, his wife and children, and celebrated my parents' anniversary with a pizza supper in GI. It was a good time had by all, except Genny, who was running a fever and spent the evening, and night, with Jeff's folks. The time off seemed to help because she was back to normal by Monday. It was nice getting back to our quiet appartment. That's the thing about spending a week with family, it's rarely quiet and rarely lonely. :)

My sister Tiffany is due with her first baby at the beginning of February. They're expecting a boy, and are going with an airplane theme for the nursery. Being the over excited Aunt that I am, anytime I see airplane baby clothes, I gotta buy them. That kid won't lack for naviator style for at least his first year of life. :D Hopefully Tiff and Nathaniel aren't tired of airplane clothing yet, cuz I got a least 2 more outfits floatin' around here.

It's been a long time since I've been on my own computer. Now that I have it up and running, I should be able to update this blog a bit more often.

I hope you all are enjoying 2008 so far, I know I am. We look forward to purchasing a house this spring, becoming home OWNERS for the first time ever. It should be an interesting adventure and I'll be sure to keep any readers I have posted.

- Tina, 07:38 PM

Thursday, November 01, 2007

October 31st, 2007: Night of the Black Cats.

Instead of going as a ladybug, Gen went as a black cat, and since I was in the festive mood, I too dressed up as a momma kitty. The ladybug costume was a bit too big so we'll wear it next year. It's really cute, but Gen would have been swallowed up by it.

We had a great time visiting her grandparents and great-grandparents, and seeing my niece and nephews in their costumes. The twins went as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and a very cute witch, while Lukey went as a little 'stinger; a bumble bee. He was so cute in his little costume. Being the curious little fellow he is, he mosied his way around my grandparents house, but dressed as a silly little bee, it was even funnier than normal.

My parents got a real kick out of Genevieve in her black cat costume. When she'd scoot, her little tail would drag behind her on the carpet. It was a great night.

- Tina, 03:32 PM

Monday, October 22, 2007

Hello All!

Halloween is nearly here and I'm eager for some trick-er-treatin'! Genevieve is borrowing a costume this year, and will be going as a ladybug. I know, not that frightening, but she's a baby and babies should be cute. :)

Gen is doing well, loves to roll around and jabber on about everything. She's getting a little more courageous when it comes to pulling up. Hopefully she'll be doing a lot more, closer to walking, by Christmas.

Gen stayed at Grandpa and Grandma Schmidt's house overnight on Saturday so Jeff and I could go out for the evening. It was really nice not having to worry about Gen but I was eager to see and hold her once Sunday rolled around. I met up with my sister and my folks in Waco yesterday. They brought Gen there since NELHS auction was held yesterday. I had a lot of fun looking everything over and buying stuff we really don't need. Gen slept most of the time I was looking things over and was a good girl the rest of the evening. We didn't stay for the supper since I wanted us to get home to Jeff. It did smell wonderful though!

Our roommate (Jeff's brother) Nate is off for a couple days so we have the apartment to ourselves. It's kinda fun but Nate's not really the loud, roudy type anyway, so I'm sure we'll be happy to have him back after Fall Break is over. :)

- Tina, 11:50 AM

Friday, October 05, 2007

I know, I know, no pictures, right? Well, I'll figure it out someday...

I found out the sex of my little sister's baby last night and she sent me some pictures from her ultrasound. She said finding out what she's having makes it more 'real' and I know exactly what she's talking about. I think puting a gender to your unborn baby does make the little bean more real, because now you can plan for it, what colors and clothes you want for it, what names you'd choose, even maybe imagine what they will look like.

Naturally, I'm not going to spill the beans on what Tiffany is having, that's for her to tell. :) I'm excited for her though and will likely be buying more than a normal aunt's share of goodies for the little bundle of joy. I do so love babies!

- A soon-to-be-sixth-time aunt, 01:16 PM

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

A rainy day keeping us inside is a perfect day to catch up on the site.

Gen had her first visit with a local physical therapist yesterday and seemed very comfortable. It is a bit of a drive, but it's really easy to get to. We'll be returning every Monday from now on. On Thursday she has an initial appointment with an occupational therapist, who works with her upper extremeties.

After her appointment we stopped by Target to kill a little time, then headed to Omaha to pick up her new S.M.O.'s or supramalleolar orthosis, a fancy term for foot and ankle supporters. They fit snuggly inside a cute pair of sketchers, which were given to us by Hanger, the people that make and monitor her orthotics. The braces are hardly noticable above her shoes, and unless you're looking for them, you might not even notice them, though her shoes are a bit oversized, to accomidate the braces. I know once she's wearing more jeans this fall and winter, her legs won't look so scrawny compared to her new shoes. :) I'll have Jeff help me post pictures tonight.

We had to put her crayons up because she started to eat them, but while we were at Target yesterday I picked up a big coloring pad and 'jumbo' crayons. We colored for a bit together and Gen did fine with them. She made a few marks, then had a lot of fun picking the crayons up while I named the colors.

She's such a funny little thing. She continues to scoot as her main source of movement, but I find her standing in her crib more and more often, which for us is very exciting. I have hopes that she'll be walking by Christmas, what a gift that would be!

- Tina, 08:57 AM

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

The last days of casting have finally come!

Gen had an appointment in Omaha yesterday and we learned this set of casts will likely be her last. Next Monday, the orthopedist will take off her casts, then we'll head over to the Hanger prosthetics and orthotics people so they can measure Gen for a set of shoe inserts that will continue pushing her feet into place. Dr. G also says her achilles tendons do not feet tight enough that they'll require 'lengthening', which is wonderful news.

I'm just ecstatic that I can finally give her a normal bath! She loves bath time and I'm sure she'll love being able to splash and play in water again.

Gen and I were in Aurora last week to watch her cousins for a day, and to help my mom with the same children over the weekend. Tanya and Brandon spent a long weekend in North Carolina, even catching the Nebraska football game there. I went on Thursday to watch everyone. Gen is still afraid of her cousin Luke and cried most of the time, but Luke was a peach for me and the twins were really good too. We got them on and off the pre-school bus without any trouble, and Luke listened very well, for a one-year-old. :)

When Jeff and I got to my parents' house on Saturday morning, the look on my mom's face said we were just in time. She had sort of started too many projects that morning and was looking a bit frazzled. Jeff and I took everyone off to the park for a while in the afternoon and treated the kids to ice cream at McD's on our way home. Again, the kids were excellent and Luke had fun running around. The weather was a bit warm for me, but the ice cream break helped. We made it back to my parents' street just in time to catch mom on her way back from practicing organ, so we all walked back together. It was a great weekend.

Tanya and Brandon made it back home safe and sound and were in Aurora by about 12:30 on Sunday. I know Tanya was especially excited to see her kids, but I'm sure the break was good for her. I know whenever I get a break from my mommy duties, I feel eager to get back to them. :)

We have a busy week this week. Gen and I will be heading back to Omaha tomorrow for an optometrist appointment, and then she has shots on Thursday. She's a popular girl these days!

- Tina with a plate full, 08:07 AM