40 Bags in 40 Days!

I began emptying my house of 40 bags of stuff on Wednesday!

It is already making me feel a little better!

I put Miz Aise in her bouncy chair today . . . we'll be saying bye bye to the chair within the 40 days as well!  Poor tyke is looking like a giant in the thing.  I know she didn't look so big sitting in it last week!

Our baby clothing will be going to goodwill or yard sales as Tiff had a boy (yah!  she had her baby!).

Today's bag:  Grandma S's containers = an entire bag of the plastic containers went back to her today!  (The Hubby had been putting them in our already overly full cupboards).

 

Purge!

Last year at this time, I was starting to gain back my energy that the first few weeks of pregnancy has wiped out.  I was also starting to get in the PURGE! mood. 

Then, I watched something on the news one evening where people were reducing everything in their lives.  I loved the feeling I got from watching that segment and made it my goal to attempt to reduce everything in my life by half (although, no one has yet to give me an answer on my biggest question - if I only have one husband and I need to reduce EVERYTHING in my life by half . . .).

In the weeks that followed, I celebrated many small victories.  I had tons of bottles of shampoo that I had started to use and set aside after becoming bored with the scent.  These all were mixed together and I used the shampoo cocktail in my daily showers.  It still sudsed up and my hair was just as clean.  Plus, it was great to see my shelves empty of products!  Old and mismatched socks were tossed.  Clothing I'd been hanging on to from my skinny days went to the Salvation Army, Mary Kay samples were shipped to friends everywhere.  Victory.  Victory.  Victory.  Each item leaving this house was a small victory against clutter.

I'm ready to do this again this year.  I missed the 111 items in 1/11, so I'll be trying the 40 bags in 40 days for Lent idea . . .

The goal.  So Simple.  Remove 40 bags of STUFF from my house in 40 days.  Bags could be any size, just NOT ALL Ziploc Sandwich bag size.  Bags can be destined for the garbage, Goodwill or a friend's home.

Some ideas already:
1.  Mary Kay Samples to the Gals @ work
2.  Clean out the fridge
3.  Office paperwork
4.  My clothing (again!)
5.  The hubby's clothing
6.  Miss Mia's clothing
7.  Miz Aise's clothing (c'mon Tiff, have that baby . . . . we have girl's in newborn - 3 months!!!!)
8. The basement!!!!!  (right there would be my 40 bags!)
9.  BoxTops labels for school
10. Campbell's Labels for school (I noticed the piles of 9 and 10 have recently reached the uncontrollable stage)
11.  Miss Mia's toys (she has stuff with which she and Miz Aisey will never play, so let's get it gone!)
12.  My books!!!!!! 
13.  Medicine cabinets
14.  the pantry - hey, I can always cook some stuff up and take it in bags to work, sharing with my coworkers!

Along with the purging, I'm trying to use up the miscellaneous items that are half empty, to include the lotions that lost favor, the razors I disliked, etc.  I know my husband is notorious for starting new containers prior to finishing up the old ones - I think we have 4 tubes of diaper cream all over half empty.  SIGH.  Maybe I should start a goal of 40 lessons to teach the Hubby????

Now, it's time to get out those 40 bags and prepare to start filling them over the next few weeks!

~ Jaime

Closing the Door

The last few hours of 2010 are quickly ticking away.  I'm currently tucked in bed with my Little One while she decides if she IS going to sleep, or if she may wake up and want a snack.

Waiting for her to make this decision, I let my mind wander and realize that, last New Years at this time, we were still praying we would have more children in our life.  How neat to know that our prayers were answered with such a perfect gift!

I continue to wander and think of everything that has happened this past year . . . I lost a friend - one of the best people to ever step on this planet.  I am still of the opinion that his prayers helped when I was using fertility treatments.  To go even further, I think he's my little Miz Aise's guardian angel.  We lost family members - one of the oldest and the very youngest. My heart still aches each time I think of my little cousin's passing.  I am comforted in knowing my Great Uncle Earl is there with her.

Miss Mia  . . . . let's see . . . .
~ is going potty without accidents.  I was so worried with how she would do when Miz Aise came and she had to share the spot-light.  We had a few bumps (and still do), but nothing like what I thought.  Yah, we took a step or two back in potty training, when she would tell us it was Aise or Hansy who needed to go potty, but that trend quickly ended.  And yes, she'll still purposely do something forbidden to get our attention, but those are fewer and fewer. She makes up by being so cuddly with her sister and so protective of her. 
~ is getting so vocal.  It's amazing at how many words she now knows as well as how complex her sentences are becoming.  I love that she uses please, thank you, excuse me and I'm sorry.  Yesterday, she complimented a cashier at Lowe's by telling her she was wearing pretty make up.  It doesn't get much cuter than that - and it was so wonderful seeing the smile on that cashiers face.  She couldn't believe Miss Mia was only 2 - and that Miss Mia responded with the correct answer when she asked her her age. 
~ is able to do split jumps just like Miss Picky.  She dances up a storm whenever music comes on.  She has perfected her summersalt, does bridges and kicks. Now, she walks through stores doing cheerleading moves - again, just like Miss Picky.

Miz Aise . . . hmmm . . . her list is a little short . . .
~ is starting to get on a schedule for sleeping and eating.
~ is cooing and smiling.  She also started laughing on Christmas Day.
~ favors Miss Mia - her first smile was for her big Sister.  Her eyes follow Miss Mia everywhere.  She also coos more and gets all excited when hearing her sister's voice.
~ is currently wearing size 0-3 clothing and size 1 diapers while eating approx 4 oz milk at each feeding.  She doesn't like taking a bottle from me, preferring natural feeding, but she does accept it from every one else.  She has also started using the binky this last week instead of comfort nursing (I hate using binkies, but at the same time, I am sooo glad she's started that as she would "nurse" for 1/2 hr or longer and then would start freaking out if I would remove her!)

The Home . . . Hmmmm . . . .
~ We have my sewing room together and I've been using it for projects.  Have orders for 3 quilts.  Made 12 pillowcases for the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge (in Russ' honor).  My friend Christine gave me some adorable material - and those pillowcases will be in Lainey's honor. 
~ Our sunroom was enjoyed throughout the entire year.  It has become one of Miss Mia's favorite rooms and it shows as most of her toys are stashed there.  I do still have to stucco the one wall, but it's complete but for that.
~ Outside, I didn't get much accomplished due to the extremely hot days and pregnancy . . . but we did plant some fruit trees.  I'm also planning to continue planting a garden, even if only to show the girls the enjoyment of watching something grow from seemingly nothing.

And, me . . .
~ My goal last year was to get pregnant.  I did accomplish that!  YAH!
~ The other half of my goal was to continue the weight loss.  I was doing great, getting into size 8s the week I got pregnant.  Now, my goal is to get back on the weight loss train.  I've been working out with the Wii and dancing with Miss Mia.  I can feel it - especially the days after doing a lot of lifting her!  The scale isn't showing a change, but I'm having fun and moving, so that's what counts.

For 2011 . . . .
~ I hope to continue improving myself through learning . . . .
~ I want to focus on becoming a better Mom to my two girls.  I want them to have fun childhoods where they were free to learn and be themselves - as well as to grow up normal, well-adjusted girls.
~ Physically, I want to keep working out and toward my goal weight.  I hope to defy my PCOS and stay med-free.  I will be starting my cinnamon supplements again.

Miz Aise has decided she needs her beauty sleep, so I'm going to tuck her into her cradle and snuggle in my own bed.

Happy New Years!

It's About That Time . . .

Miz Aise is quickly losing her newborn-ness and fast becoming an adorable baby.  This is wonderful news, but at the same time . . . it stinks.  I can't use the "I have a newborn" excuse much longer for why I am not in a full workout routine. 

Yes, my pants are falling off of me when I walk, but I still have a lot of weight to lose (thanks to the PCOS).   I also have the Mommy Belly still.  UGH.  Another positive is that my chest is no where as large as it was with my last pregnancy/breastfeeding time frame.  BUT I still have a lot of weight to lose.  Yes, I already said that.

On my 5'3 frame, my initial goal is to be back to my pre-PCOS/Post Wedding weight of 135 lbs.  I would love to get back to my 115 from high school, but I'm going to sit goals that I feel I can achieve without a miracle or being trapped in a cave with only water for 2 months. 

So, with all of my rambling, what am I saying?

Goal #1 - Get back down to 135 pounds (that's appox 20 lbs).
Goal #2 - Get back on a workout routine.
Goal #3 - Start hitting my 10,000 steps a day goal.
Goal #4 - Determine ways to make Fun Time with the Girls part of my fitness routine. 
Goal #5 - Find some danged will power and quit eating all of the the food that I see!

There.  A few goals.  Very easy ones actually.  I know I can do this . . . I went from 195 to 167 prior to my first pregnancy.  I was then down to 154 prior to this last pregnancy.  I KNOW I can whittle away the weight - and writing my goals and checking in with them on here will keep me on track!

Here we go!