Daddy's Home!!!

First order of business... hug the girls and go get Indian food!!!!

Kelli & Sydney actually both chowed down the chicken tikki masala like no one's business! I'm glad I shared, too, but it was a large portion! And I'm proud they are both expanding their taste buds' experiences. (well... Kelli is new to this, but ... proud of her anyway.)

Sydney almost ate more than I did!

Well. Andy is back at it again! Exercise/getting in shape!! He wants to be in shape for our ski trip... so before church this morning he went to work out. Lookin' mighty sexy in that sweat band. Yayayaya!!!

A little photoshoot of cuteness. Enjoy!

Visit from the Dillahuntys

Started my day at 6:30 am with two extra people.

Sydney was just excited to have her friends there first thing in the morning.

Aubrey is grumpy in the morning, but she got her frustrations out on the drums. Which was awesome. At 6:30 am. Eventually I sent her in to the guest room to show her Mom how talented she is.

We later went to Chuy's for lunch. It's a Mexican place here, YUMS. Not my favorire (I prefer Trudy's over Chuy's) ... but I thought it was funny that Sydney ordered a cheeseburger-no-bun. Kelli ate a bunch of refried beans.
For the record, that is the last time she gets refried beans.
Protien or not.

She looks like my mom here.

Syd ate pretty much her entire meal (minus the fries, which she's not really a fan of anyway, and that's fine by me) The Dillahunty kids, not so much. They don't eat a lot! Beck had a few bites of rice and beans and Aubrey had a side of beans.

Probably not proper restaurant behavior. But Beck was getting Sydney back for the torment when he was little'er.

I should have forecasted how this would all go down, too. She later got "protien" everywhere. Her 2nd, ever, blowout since birth. Her clothes were not even salvagable.
luckily she wasn't wearing anything but a white onsie to bed for her nap.

Our dash to the pharmacy to get my prescriptions. I was SOOOOO happy. For me, splurging $200 on these medications was just as satisfying as going to the mall and getting an awesome new pair of boots. I was SO excited. I've been in so much pain and am really anticipating a little relief. Unfortunately, I have a crappy insurance... so most of it came out of pocket. I won't complain. Sydney used her Buddy Bucks to play the games on the way out and got a sticker.

During Kelli's second nap I finished the running I tried to do in the morning (got interrupted)... studied for this court case thing, then felt bad that Sydney was bored. So when Kelli woke up I helped her (one-handed... Kelli wouldn't let me put her down), make gluten free and dairy free brownies.

Jen & the kids came back Friday night. I thought this was a cute picture. He was tuckered out.

Saturday morning Sydney was getting ready for soccer practice (very excited).

Nothing describes how cute I think she looks geared up. Plus the soccer bow adds a major twist of cuteness (thanks J9)

Ugh.

Relaxing this afternoon while I study. I have the sweetest kids. I really do.
My husband is pretty dang awesome, too!

Kelli's First Puffs

After some running around this morning (trash day, Kelli got up chipper and ready to go at 4:52am, breakfast for all, etc etc etc) Sydney points to me and said "Mom! You have giant toe-itis!!" (She really really said this. I requested her source of imagination, and she said "that's what Olivia always says when someone is sick. she says they have itis"). So on account of my "big toe-itis", we made plans to get new slippers today.

Andy will be happy to see this. Texpresso is NOW OPEN!!! It has been "COMING SOON" for a year now. Well... its open now! Weeee!

I truly forced myself to go to the YMCA today. Despite every sore ache in my body, I knew I couldn't let a day go by or it'd get worse on me. This is so hard. But I AM GOING TO DO IT!!!

We went to Target afterwards for new slippers, and a couple snacks for me to take to school. Kelli sat in the cart for the first time (after I Lysoled the entire thing first, I didn't come prepared with the fluffy insert thing). She was cute, she acted SO big the entire time. Like "look at me everyone... see me? NO CAR SEAT." You could see it all over her face.

She got a little fussy watching Sydney and I eat peanuts and Kix, so we went to the baby isle and got some Puffs (which I've tried before, but no dice)... and since SISTER was serving them to her, she gobbled them right up. Chewed and swallowed even.

Just a day full of "big girl firsts!!!"

More please!

Gobble gobble, thank you!

Back home. I thought... since we're being such a big girl today let's try eating again. And let's see what happens if I whip out the green beans.
SHE ATE THEM!!! NO COMPLAINTS!! YAY!!
yeah, she made a mess. but she ate them.

Sydney and her "bot game". It's a new math game online I found for her and she loves it.

Off to dance class. I tried taking my books with me to study/read during her class but the wooden chairs were killing me. So I took Kelli in the gymnastics room and played instead.

Flaring

The same thing happened after I had Sydney, but I thought I'd catch it before it started this time by exercising RIGHT away and trying to do everything I know works. But per the usual, so much gets in the way, and I think a lot set me back this time like getting H1N1, Kelli being sick so often off and on, all our traveling and guests etc. I was focused, but never consistent on my health. And here I am, flaring. It's getting worse everyday and I just want to cry. I'm not myself socially, and I think I'm trying too hard to be "normal" that I'm making it worse & then going "why is it getting worse??". The hardest part is letting people down. Saying yes to things, then changing to "no" last minute, not being able to get out of the house and socialize as much. When Andy wants to do something, I'm indecisive because I just don't know how I'll FEEL later. I'm trying. Some days (or some hours) I'm absolutely okay. Running is the only thing that makes me feel better. I'm moving, stretching and distributing oxygen throughout my body and I'm standing upright (and not in some awkward sitting or laying position). And after running, my body feels great. I cannot sit still in classes either! My elbows, knees & back begin to stiffen so hard and my concentration is competing with the pain.
I had to have one good cry.
I am seeing the Neurologist tomorrow (Thursday) and hoping this helps with everything. I hope he can get me back on a good regimen like I was on pre-pregnancy, with a good night's sleep and up my Topamax dosage to improve the headaches. From there, my goal is to really routine myself. Exercise, sleep, nutrition. Period. No excuses.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Chronic muscle pain, muscle spasms or tightness, weakness in the limbs, and leg cramps
• Moderate or severe fatigue and decreased energy
• Insomnia or waking up feeling just as tired as when you went to sleep
• Stiffness upon waking or after staying in one position for too long
• Difficulty remembering, concentrating, and performing simple mental tasks
• Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and constipation alternating with diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome)
• Tension or migraine headaches
• Jaw and facial tenderness
• Sensitivity to one or more of the following: odors, noise, bright lights, medications, certain foods, and cold
• Feeling anxious or depressed
• Numbness or tingling in the face, arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Increase in urinary urgency or frequency (irritable bladder)
• Reduced tolerance for exercise and muscle pain after exercise
• A feeling of swelling (without actual swelling) in the hands and feet
• Painful menstrual periods
• Dizziness

Fibromyalgia symptoms may intensify depending on the time of day -- morning, late afternoon, and evening tend to be the worst times, while 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tends to be the best time. They may also get worse with fatigue, tension, inactivity, changes in the weather, cold or drafty conditions, overexertion, hormonal fluctuations (such as just before your period or during menopause), stress, depression, or other emotional factors.

Sometimes this comes ALL at once, sometimes bundled within a few days (which can be worse). It feels like my body is just shutting down like an old car! Like I need a new trade-in desperately. I don't know if I'm clinically depressed, rather just "depressed" because I can't be MYSELF physically and mentally. Cognitively, I fumble on my words SO BAD (they call it "fibro-fog" or "brain-fog") and say the weirdest things and I'm like "did I just say that? that made NO sense" (and I know what I meant to say, but it came out like... what!!! And then spend a whole week worrying if _____ thinks I'm an idiot.)
Despite all of this, however, I've been managing the kids and house okay, I suppose. And I'm getting through the days at school/studying well. There just isn't enough leftover after that!!
But I am going to work on that. I know I have it in me.

Tigger

Just going over some slides for my classes the next day and I look up (after nearly having a heart attack over the THUD that suddenly happened on the kitchen table) and ... oh Hello! Cat.
oh... hang on a second.
We do not own a cat.

I think this cat thinks we do.

All kidding aside. This is our neighbor's cat, Tigger. He ALWAYS sneaks in our house!! We can't leave windows or doors open because he will jump right in, even if we're just bringing the kids or groceries in etc. I guess he got in at some point earlier and I didn't know. But after the kids were in bed and Andy's out of town and I'm quietly studying, that sound nearly made me jump OUT of my skin. I love Tigger, though. He's the coolest cat ever.

"Gloooooten Free!!! Pizzaa!!!!"

I found some crusts (by Glutino) that Sydney and I really love and so lately we've been making our own pizzas, which Sydney REALLY enjoys!

She likes to experiment with different "flavors", but she knows that she HAS to eat whatever she puts on hers (I don't let her prepare mine, just the sauce and cheese part)... and so far, she raves about everything she prepares. Even the pasta sauce + onion salt + cinnamon pizza she made last night!

They came out great, as usual! Perfect sizes/servings for us. This is usually one of our go-to meals when Daddy is out of town on business.

Our Weekend

we put together a last-minute BBQ at our house on Saturday around 4pm. Mostly neighbors, a few friends from South Austin and my parents and sister & Doug came. This is Cielo from across the street, obviously picture worthy.

Andy making the margaritas

He was between the grill and the margarita pitcher alot.

Cassidy gave me free hands most of the evening, which was great!

Sydney was happy to have all of her friends over! And, off course, showed off her new gown!

My friend Mandy's husband, Allan, may have had more fun with the kids than the grown-ups. It's a toss up. He really was having a good time with the kiddos.

At the end of the evening I found Sydney in our bathroom giving Ceilo a makeover. It was so precious. They were both taking it very seriously.

The dragon (Lucas) was escaping the slayer (Harper)

The big kids later retreated to the fire outside... the white chair in the background is the one i fell backwards on around 11pm. I truly wish it was captured on video. I was sitting there just participating in conversation, about to take a sip of my margarita when all of a sudden I feel the back two legs of the chair weaken. Then, without any saving myself, I'm going backwards and there is nothing I can do. It was all in slow motion, too. And in 2 seconds, my feet are straight up in the air and my head on the ground. It would have been more funny if I didn't try and spend the next 10 minutes convincing everyone that it wasn't a result of me being drunk. Then out of nowhere that happened to Cassidy, too. And she's 16. And with her parents. And obviously not drinking. And was sitting in the same chair.
I was vindicated.

What I found when I went in for a snack....

Sunday morning I woke up with a migraine (actually, got it in the middle of the night and it had never gone away... cannot wait to see the neurologist! way tooooo many migraines and fibro pain lately) so we missed church but I spent the good part of Sunday cleaning and watching this.

migraine-schmigraine.... so cute.

Around 2pm I finally ate something and Sydney said "ooooh that looks good can I have one!!??" So we made gluten free waffle toasters with nutella and bananas on them.

Sunday evening we went to our neighbor's house for briskett. we had a surprise visit (surprise for me anyway) from the Eckerlings and baby Lily! I feel like such a stalker. But it's a baby.
BABIES!!!!

I took a picture of everyone else so it wouldn't look like I was there just for the baby.

Okay, now back to Lily.
Look at that hair!!!!!

The happy family! Aren't they a gorgeous family!
This reminds me so much of Andy & I when we first had Sydney. We were the same age and everything was so new (not that long ago actually, but I wish I could go back!!!!): first home, new everything, new life together, new'lyweds, the dog ... the whole nine. They just remind me a lot of Andy & I when we were first starting out with Sydney. And it brings back SO many memories of having a child for the first time. BEING SOOOOOOOOO HAPPY, and feeling like "wow, I thought I was happy before... " never imagining I could be any happier, and then all of a sudden the two of you are holding this little thing, this human being you made together and BOOM, happiness just exploded into BLISS. And the next day is even better than the day before.
(sentiment is over... then you realize 6 months down the road "whoa... we've kept a human being alive for 6 months! forget happiness! we're actually responsible! sweet!")