Thankful Thursday

When I found out that Russ had left us, I knew we were losing a wonderful, wonderful person from here. No one will be able to fill the shoes that are now empty. But I want to try.

One of my first steps in trying to emulate Russ is to sit back and think about my life and take the time to remember the great things in my life.

It goes without saying to say that I'm thankful to have known Russ and to have had him as part of my life for 10 years. I'm thankful to have been taught by him, not just in a classroom setting, but through his acts of kindness in everyday life.

Book Club

There is a Book Club starting up - voting takes place for the next 3 days in regard to the first book we'll read . . . jump on over and join up!

The more the merrier!

http://cmonletsbookit.blogspot.com/

Good-bye to a wonderful person . . .

Russ at Christmas - as he battled cancer.

~

Russ left us yesterday to go home. He had a stroke and passed away Sunday afternoon.

Saying good-bye to one of the best persons to ever walk this earth is hard. It's a comfort to know he's in Heaven, but at the same time, I want to be greedy and keep my friend here! I loved reading his Facebook Updates! I loved knowing he was always going to have a positive thought and would be so unselfish and so giving - even when he was, himself, fighting cancer.

I want to be like him. I want to be a positive impact on those around me!

11.23.69 - 1.24.10

Good-bye Russ!

Me Time Update

I finished up the Clomid on Friday. The 50mg a day was not bothersome. After reading some of the message board postings, I had been worried that I might have hot flashes, horrid mood swings or nausea. The only thing that I can say I had was fatigue. I was beyond tired at night. So, when 700 would come around, I was pretty much in bed. I couldn't stand to stay up and blog after Miss Mia was asleep.

Another "me" thing has been my goal of 10,000 steps. I've completed that goal every day - but today. After yesterday's workout, I was a little sore. I also thought I needed to give myself a break - not really certain it's good for the body to work out 45 minutes or so each day, especially just starting out. Yah, those are all excuses for what comes down to "I'm just lazy and couldn't push myself to move my butt!"

Good news - I'm still down on weight. Even with the pizza night last night! I'm excited. I might finally be starting on the right path for weight loss!

Oh - and my legs, starting to look fab! LOVE it - I mean, them!

Still taking cinnamon and fish oil supplement as well as the prenatal vitamin. The 2500 mg metformin XR a day are not kicking my butt. So, very happy with that as well! Just can't wait until I lose weight and can reduce amount I'm on! Fingers crossed!

Tomorrow - jumping back on the work out trail!

Steve and I are "enjoying" the "every other night" part of the Clomid prescription. This will continue for the next week - through at least next Monday. And no, I'm not thinking of the doc while we follow the prescription!

Simply Soggy Sunday

Today was a rainy Sunday.

We ran up to the mall to return some stuff at Old Navy as I realized I do not need to buy Miss Mia any 2T sized clothing. Then, we bought an infrared heater for the sunroom.

When we got home, Miss Mia and I spent the rest of the day inside, playing Wii with Tia, playing with the doggie and just being silly. Grandma came up for awhile and Miss Mia picked on her as well.

It was a simple, soggy Sunday.

Pizza!

Saturday, we had plans to have our friends and their little guy up for dinner.

Unfortunately, plans involving kids often change- this was the case this weekend as Tiff had to cancel on us due to car troubles and Cadin troubles (he was a total crank - kinda like how Miss Mia has been).

So, we ended up just chilling by ourselves while we finished up the pizzas I had started before our plans fell through. Miss Mia was wound and stood in front of the TV telling us really long "stories" (still worried what those "stories" will actually say once she really starts talking.

Miss Mia enjoyed helping place the ingredients on the pizzas and then watching them through the oven window as they baked.

Family Fun Friday!

Friday, we made a yummy crock pot dish and played Wii. Tia played Michael Jackson's "Beat It" so much on Guitar Hero - I think I can now play it in my sleep! She and Dad ended the evening playing Roulette - NOT the Russian kind! Mom and Tia bowled a game - they were both horrid. Miss Mia learned how to hold her nose and point at Grandma to let her know her game was "stinky!"

Miss Mia "helped" me prepare the dessert - we just made a quick Strawberry cake mix. It's amazing how much she loves "cooking".

I'm hoping to make this a frequent Friday tradition for our family!

Fancy Lady

My little Glamour Girl posing in her fancy winter jacket, tennis dress and snow boots. Those are ponytail holders on the floor that she wears as bracelets.

Grandpa and Miss Mia

After having a friend who was only in her 50s pass away just a few days ago, I know how VERY important it is to enjoy each and every moment we have with those we love. Miss Mia and I were out playing in the snow the other day when we decided to stop in and say "hey!" to my Dad. It was a nothing special and nothing too exciting day, but I want to remember (and for Miss Mia to remember) those days as well as the special days in our lives. Seriously, we're so blessed to have my family here and the ability to enjoy them as often as we do!

In Love With My Omron Pedometer

"Omron's most technologically advanced pedometer, model HJ-720ITC, now includes Omron Health Management Software to help you track days, weeks, months and years of exercise. The pedometer measures steps, aerobic steps (10 minutes or more of continuous movement), calories and distance. Dual-Axis Pocket Pedometers feature advanced 2D Smart Sensor Technology, which enables the pedometer to be placed horizontally or vertically while accurately counting steps. The HJ-720ITC can be placed at the hip, in a pocket or clipped to a bag for added convenience."

I must say, I am totally enamoured of this pedometer! I was sick and tired of the pedometers I have not counting steps, dying a few days after I bought them, etc. So, I finally did some research and found this one to be one of the top ones out there. I love that it tells me calories burnt, aerobic exercise and the time. What's even better - I can wear this on my bra, clip it to my waist or even toss it in my pocket! Then, at the end of the evening, I just plug it in to my computer and it'll give me various forms of smiley faces, depending on whether or not I met my goals for the day!

As for my goals, I can set it up to let me know how close I was to my 10,000 steps a day, my 30 minutes aerobic walking, etc.

Plus, with the numbers so large on the display, not being in the 10,000 range will guilt me to walk a few extra steps, park further away from the grocery store, and decide to chase Miss Mia around the house when she's picking on the dog and cats.

I totally recommend saving up to buy this toy. It was one of my best Christmas gifts ever!

Christmas Day 2009

The Photo calendar Tia and I worked on for Goobie.

Hansy checking out Miss Mia's log cabin.

Christmas morning, we had Miss Mia open her first gift while still in bed - the pjs from the night before. We put them on and then we let her see what Santa had left under the tree for her. She was a little hesitant when she came into the room. The gifts were all huge - and covered under king sized comforters. Great Grandma Surrena helped her "unwrap" the biggest gift, her log cabin. She also received a kitchen, duplo blocks, more pjs, a fisher price farm and socks. There may be more, but I can't think of them at present.

From our house, we made our way out into the freezing rain and slid our way out of my drive, down the road, into Mom and Dad's drive and up their steps. It was PURE ice and we "skated" to get anywhere. At Mom and Dad's, Miss Mia "helped" her Gramma Surrena open the traditional money box.

We spent some time at Great Gramma Surrena's before coming back home, taking a nap, going back to Great Gramma Surrena's for a late lunch, and then back home to play in the log cabin.

Christmas was wonderful. All family, and so much excitement with Miss Mia and her gifts!

Christmas Eve 2009

Amelia opening gifts from her Aunt Lisa. With each gift, she would get all giddy and giggly as soon as she began ripping into the wrapping paper.

Amelia sitting on Daddy's lap with her cousins, Curtis and Renee.

Amelia and her Daddy with her Gramma.

The little Princess awaiting her dinner.

Miss Mia eyeing up the huge block of chocolate her Great-Uncle John was holding.

"While visions of sugarplums danced in her head . . ."

Christmas Eve was traditionally held at my house, with Steve's parents and siblings (and their families) joining us for a family dinner and gift exchange. This year, Steve's Mom requested the celebration be held at her house as her health is declining and she didn't think she would be able to climb the stairs to our family room.

We spent late afternoon with Steve's family. We watched Amelia "ooooh" and "aaaahh" in delight over each and every one of her gifts from her grandparents, Aunt Lisa and her family and Uncle Jeff. They gave her some of the most awesome gifts - tons and tons of books, some cute outfits, a leapfrog, and a mini-vacuum to name some of the gifts I can remember off of the top of my head. She gave her grandma the digital photo frame that you can see in some of the pictures. A few nights before, I had gone through the thousands of pics on my hard-drive and pulled a few to install on the frame so Steve's brother wouldn't have to sit and try to figure the thing out (not to be mean, but his family is so technologically NOT advanced - they don't own cell phones, digital cameras and have never owned a single computer).

From Steve's parents' home, we drove the 1/2 mile to my Aunt and Uncle's home where we celebrated Christmas Eve with gifts and a yummy dinner.

Miss Mia was so tuckered out from all of the Holiday Festivities that she fell asleep in the car on our way home. She never woke up for us to give her the traditional Christmas Eve gift of pajamas. Even when we (oops, I mean Santa) was placing her gifts under the tree and making a bit of noise, the poor gal never moved a muscle!

Me Time (Part 2)

The day is coming to a close. I'm curled up in bed under my quilts and feather comforter. My adorable little Miss Mia is curled up beside me, reliving the excitement of the day in her dreams. I am going to try to remember all that Dr. T. told me . . .

It began with her being 45 minutes late . . . and I was her first appointment.

I did not have a good mindset when she came in. Sorry, but 45 minutes late when the weather was beautiful and the roads were perfect is just beyond rude. So, when she walked in, I wasn't my usual, perky, chit chatty self. I think she realized that. She went through the thick folder containing all of my blood work, etc. She told me that two of the levels were high, the TSH and DHEA (I'm guessing on the second, not 100%). My thyroid hormones were all on the high side of normal. So, she said it was definite that I had PCOS and Hashimoto's. She was going to continue treating the Insulin Resistance part of PCOS, but there was nothing to be done with the Hashimoto's as the levels were still within "normal" range.

She was most upset with my weight - and the fact I actually gained a pound since July (seriously, I think I'm the same as then. Hello, wearing heavy sweater over shirt with jeans and heavy winter shoes. Summer, I just had on jeans, tshirt and sneakers). But, beside the whine on my end, she emphasized a few times that I need, need NEED to lose weight.

She was on board with Dr. D prescribing the Clomid. She did tell me to call ASAP should I get preggers b/c she'll need to start running thyroid checks monthly b/c it could be a potentially life-threatening situation for the babe. Also, with my dose of meds being so high (she increased to the absolute max of 2500), they might want to take me off for the first trimester and then put me back on after. I'm praying that doesn't happen. I'd like to have second pregnancy to be med free, just like the first.

I took my first 2500 dose tonight. Feeling it. Got the woozy headache. As soon as I post this, I'm turning off the lights and going to sleep.

I know there is more that we talked about today, but cannot recall the entire conversation at present. I'll make an update later this weekend if I remember more.

Pumpkin Muffins!

Miss Mia is in the habit of "cooking" with me every evening. I pull one of the bar stools over to the counter near where I'm preparing dinner, and plop her down there. She then helps to "organize" all of the ingredients by moving them, and moving them, and moving them again.

Tonight, we just had a casserole from the freezer. The most prep involved was my taking the lid off of the container after Steve brought it up from the freezer.

This did not sit well with Miss Mia. She insisted on "cooking". So, I decided to attempt an easy recipe tonight, one where she could do a lot of the work.

The recipe turned out really well and Miss Mia seemed to enjoy the fruits of her labor! And there were no eggs in the recipe, so I was okay with her eating the batter!

Me Time

After my appointment with Dr. D last week, I did get my first 'script for Clomid. It's sitting here, on my counter, waiting for the right day to start taking it. What kinda scares me are some of the different blogs and discussion boards with other women TTC. A lot of them seem to have symptoms associated with the drugs. I do NOT need more moodswings! Poor Steve!

Plus, a lot of these women are on a lot higher doseages of the meds. Dr. D doesn't think a woman needs to be stuffed so full of drugs!

This is month 12 in our TTC #2 journey.

For the past 3 days, I've felt as though I've had my period. But - there was nothing. I even woke up early Wednesday morning from the cramps that were so bad. Yesterday, I finally had some spotting and was beyond tired in the evening. Today, full on heavy AF with the usual ache in my lower back and legs. Still really drained, but am up to eat breakfast so I can go see Dr. T, my PCOS doc.

Speaking of Dr. T, I feel as though she's been neglecting me. Seriously. She upped my metXR RX to 2000mg a day and never had me back for bloodwork or a check up in the 6 months since she upped me. She was of the mindset that I would be preggers and not need to come back. Well Hello! Guess I fooled her! PCOS symptoms are getting much worse - won't go into details b/c just brings me down, but just take my word for it.

So, Dr. T and I will be having a chat today. I'm trying to figure out if I need to switch to a reproductive endocrinologist who treats not only the entire insulin resistence part of the PCOS, but also the horrid periods, acne, mood swings thing that goes right along with it.

Decisions.

I guess we'll just wait and see how this appointment goes. Seriously - can she up my meds anymore? I'm already on the high end of recommended doseage!

I'll keep you updated! And please, if it's not too greedy of me, please pray for me - not necessarily that I get preggers, but that we can get this PCOS beast under control and I can get back in charge of my life!

Snowy Days

Today, we celebrated the first day above freezing since January 1st as well as the first day without snow since January 1st! We're heading for our January thaw! YAH!

Sausage, Egg and Cheese Turnovers

I've been cold the last few days and unable to get warm. Plus, was having a bout of PMS. What does that mean???? COMFORT FOOD! And this recipe is, for certain, a comfort food!

4 Servings

1 T butter

1/4 cup finely chopped red onion

8 ounces swet italian pork sausage, casings removed

1/4 tsp salt

pepper

8 large eggs

4 ounces cream cheese, cut into chuncks, at room temperature

1 sheet packaged frozen puff pastry, thawed

Preheat oven to 400. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the butter over medium heat until melted, 3-4 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the sausage, salt and a few pinches pepper and cook, breaking up the met with a wooden spoon, until lightly golden, about 8 minutes. In a large bowl, beat 7 eggs. Add the beaten eggs to the sausage mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked but not dry, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage-egg mixture to a wide shallow bowl. Stir in the cream cheese until just combined. Let coo to room temperature. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to a 16 inch square. cut into 4 equal squares. Divide the sausage-egg mixture evenly onto each square, just slightly off center. In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg with 1 T water. Brush the edges of each pastry square with the egg-water mixture and fold over to form 4 triangles, crimping the edges with the tines of a fork to seal. Brush the turnovers all over the tops and edges with the egg-water mixture. Transfer the turnovers to a baking sheet and bake until golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

- from Rachel Ray's magazine.

Now, when I was making this, realized our puff pastry was wrong - we only had shells instead of the roll out square. So, I baked them a few minutes and then pulled the lids off, placing them at side side of cups, and filled the bowls with the sausage-egg mixture. I also used crescent rolls. AND this makes about 6-8 nice-sized servings.

Beef Picadillo

4 Servings

2 T olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
8 large pimiento-stuffed olives, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound ground beef sirloin
2 T tomato paste
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
1 tsp chopped cilantro
salt and pepper

Brown ground beef sirloin. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the onion, bell pepper, olives and garlic. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ground beef, using a wooden spoon to break up any large clumps. Increase the heat and cook until liquid is reduced. Stir the tomato paste into the meat mixture and simmer over medium low heat, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in 2 - 3 T water to loosen the sauce. Stir in the peas and carrots, cover and cook until just cooked through, 4 minutes. Stir in the cilantro; season with salt and pepper.

Pumpkin Ravioli

1 cup pumpkin puree
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus shaved Parmesan for serving
1 large egg
salt and pepper
32 won ton wrappers
6 tablespoons butter

In medium bowl, mash together the pumpkin, cream cheese, Parmesan, egg and 2 pinches each salt and pepper. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Spoon a tablespoon of the pumpkin-cream cheese filling into the center of 16 won ton wrappers, brush the edges with water, top with the remaining 16 wrappers and press to seal, gently squeezing out the air. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt the butter; keep warm. Working in 3 batches, cook the ravioli in the boiling water until they float to the surface, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, add the ravioli to the butter in the skillet and turn gently to coat. Divide the ravioli among 4 plates; season with salt and pepper.

* I used homemade pumpkin puree
** I used reduced fat cream cheese

Veggie "Sloppy Joes"

1 cup dried lentils, rinsed, sorted
2 cups water
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup red and/or green peppers, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
3/4 cup ketchup
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)

In a medium saucepan, add lentils and water, bring to a boil then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Do not drain! In slow cooker, combine celery, carrots, onions, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and lentils and water from saucepan. Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 8 -10 hours or until lentils are cooked and soft. Stir in vinegar while toasting hamburger buns. Spoon sloppy joe mixture on buns and enjoy :)

Doctor Visits

With the start of the new year comes a new round of doctor's visits. Fortunately, the first two of the year have been a success!

1. Miss Mia's. She is up to *almost* the 5th percentile for weight at 20lbs, 3 oz. I was worried doctor would do "you're a bad mommy" routine in regard to Miss Mia's weight. Fortunately, the doctor said all was good and Miss Mia can continue her eating habits, while Mommy keeps hiding the full fat butter in her Mashed Potatoes! All other progressive milestones are being met - and Miss Mia was a dream with the doctor, unlike our last few visits to Children's (but we won't go there right now!)

2. My visit. Today, the doctor wrote out a 'script for Clomid. Oh, and a 'script for 20 minutes a day in the sun. Seriously. Fingers crossed that things work . . . just want my body to again realize it IS female.

~ Saturday is bloodwork for next week's visit with the endocrinologist!

White Bean & Barley Risotto

1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 1/2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup pearl barley
1 15 oz can small white beans
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 6 minutes. Stir in the broth and barley and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer until the barley is tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Sir in the white beans and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with pepper, stir in the parsley and serve.

Horsey Ride!

It's too cold to ride our real horses, so Miss Mia decided on the next best thing. Poor Hansy!

Cardinal Hangout

Miss Mia was beyond excited when standing at the window, looking out. I knew it wasn't due to snow - she still doesn't like it (to which, I say YAH!).

Here, there were around 10 cardinals in my wild rosebush! There are some good things that come out of a snowy day after all!