Progress Picture

Friends & family have been commenting on my recent weight loss. I tell them that it didn't happen on accident! After having 2 kids, I dreamt about fitting into my pre-pregnancy clothes again. I had been wearing my maternity clothes for months after Ava was born talk about depressing! I refused to buy any new clothes at that weight. I got bags of hand-me-downs from my mom. That's when I got MAD! I cut back on the portions & junk food to start but the real change came with sweat. I bought my neighbors inline skates for 5 bucks at a garage sale and started 'strollerblading' with my girls. Then I started getting up at 6 am to get my exercise.
--Nani

Progress & Reward

Kyra & Ava went to my in-laws today. We had a rocky morning with 1 minor meltdown that was quickly extinguished thanks to our tag team parenting tactics. When I run into a wall with Kyra, I call on Arthur to intercede. It's not ideal, but it has helped. We had a huge success with the bath & pj routine, hence the shameless sweet reward- a chocolate cupcake with a Hello Kitty ring on top.
--Nani

A Tough Day...

My biggest challenge is my 3 year-old daughter Kyra. She has been the toughest little girl to deal with as of late. From whining to kicking & screaming, this girl is testing my every bit of patience. After a meltdown, I am emotionally & physically drained. My 15-month-old, Ava, is usually crying by now as well & my husband is ready to jump out the window of our 2nd-story house. YIKES!!!


I seriously don't know what to do. I have tried all sorts of methods & end up feeling defeated, not to mention the guilt of having a household that is in turmoil. I'm not talking about a couple of fits or a few power struggles. I'm talking about waking up upset & going to bed upset & being upset for the majority of the time in between. I dropped her off to my mother-in-law's house for some relief today, but as soon as I picked her up, the tantrums resumed.


On a positive note, I made it out for my morning jog. I made it all the way (a little more than 3 miles) without stopping! I sprinted at the end for a strong finish. It's been so cold in the mornings that my hands are freezing! My eyes tear up endlessly and am constantly wiping them. I usually start with my jacket on & end up tying it around my waist when I get too hot to wear it anymore. Today I left it on the entire time!


On a crafty note, I finished up the burp cloths for my friend Amy last night. They turned out pretty cute...white flannel trimmed with Heather Bailey Pop Garden brown Sway fabric & pink ric rac. I was going to quilt them but decided not to after all. I also started Heather Bailey's Hooray For Headbands using the same fabric...I'll finish up after posting as crafting is the other stress relief outlet I have (exercising is the first)! Pics to follow soon....hopefully!

Happy Birthday Penny

Before I head off to bed, I want to wish Penny a happy birthday. You're someone I'll never meet, yet still I know you. You've given me strength (a.k.a. "Penny Power) on many occasions. When I think about how tough & crazy things are in my life, I think about your struggles & the determination you embodied in your actions. Happy birthday Penny.

Post 6 AM Run!

I did it...I woke up early & made it out for my run yesterday. I have been so out of my routine of getting up at 6:00 AM and exercising. I was a reluctant early bird but what matters is that I got up & out of bed! I claim that as a victory for me. Kyra was awake when I got home after my run. She was so enthusiastic and encouraging about my run. Did you have a good run mommy? Great job mommy! That was much needed fuel for my tank. She has been extra challenging the past couple weeks. Sometimes I feel completely out of control but when she says stuff like that it just makes me beam.
--Nani

Taco Sauce

Holy taco sauce batman! We counted 80 packets from Taco Bell tonight! My hubby DID say a lot of sauce!
--Nani

Quilted Burpcloth

Arthur suggested that I make my own burpcloths instead of buying them. The lady at Jo-Ann Fabrir store suggested the flannel. I doubled up the fabric, sewed, pressed & turned it out. Then I had the fancy idea to quilt the burpcloth before adding the fabric strip(s). I did okay for my first time but I have so much to learn.
--Nani

Cool Rose

I like to stop & smell the roses when I'm out & about. Here is my pick for the best rose in the neighborhood! It has a strong sweet fragrance & unique coloring. Anyone know what kind of rose this is? I just might have to knock on their door & ask them the next time I go for a walk in the neighborhood.
--Nani

Elephant is DONE...

...but I plan on embellishing it! The ears took me a while to attach...I didn't know how to whipstitch & had to look it up in my library book. I picked up 3 more books today...2 on fabric flowers & 1 on making dolls. I love to create!
--Nani

My mother-in-law got this magazine for me. I wanted to get a newspaper but we didn't go to buy one until after 4 PM. The guy at 7-eleven told Arthur they sold out in the first 30 minutes! I wanted to have a piece of history. I was so moved by the intense sense of hope, unity, healing & restoration of this desperate nation.
--Nani

Disneyland Fun!

Last night I went to Disneyland for free with some moms from my meetus group. We had a blast! Here I am in the back row with my arms up...feeling quite exhilerated. We left our kids at home so we could concentrate on having as much fun as possible with no worries! Yaaaay!
--Nani

Kitty & Sneak Peek

Kyra was so excited to try out her new sewing kit from auntie Chandra. Here is the cute kitty she sewed, stuffed & embellished all by herself! I'm so proud of you my girl! ...behind the kitty is my almost finished mommy elephant! Coming soon... --Nani

Work In Progress

Here is my Mommy Elephant so far. I started the actual sewing tonight. Up to this point I had only cut out the pattern & done some pinning. I attached the minkee underbelly & head insert as well as sewed the trunk. She is taking shape quite nicely! The minkee fabric was pretty slippery so I opted to baste the pieces after pinning for extra stability. It turned out to be a little extra work but well worth the effort...the seams look nice & clean!
--Nani

Trick?

Who said Halloween was over?!
--Nani

Making History!

Kyra did the honors of putting my absentee ballott in the box this morning. She was so excited about voting & kept asking me if she could vote!
--Nani

Election Day!

This morning started off with a walk to 7-Eleven for a cup of joe. I've been undecided about who I will vote for until this morning. I am really hoping for a big change in our country and I think Obama is the man that can do it! I feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing historical election. Vote, vote, vote people...Just Do It!
--Nani

Happy Birthday to me!

Slept in till 9, breakfast in bed, kids at my in-laws all day, iced coffee, trip to Tall Mouse & 5 yards of kick ass fabric... PRICELESS!

I am 32 years-old today and so grateful for all the blessings in my life.

--Nani

Unforgettable Elephant (Mommy)

I got this adorable Elephant doll pattern from Leslie on Thursday night & I couldn't wait to start. I pinned & cut out the pattern yesterday. I love this green & blue paisley fabric and Leslie thought to add red to it. I see some red ric rac in my elephants future! The inside of her ears and her underbelly will be super soft minkee fabric. That was my cool idea! I already want to make more!
--Nani