randtbrown's LCing and motherhood journey

[AlexTucker]

I have a friend with a Master's degree in Early Childhood Development and she has never used it....she is a stay at home mom who home schools her kids and loves it!! She pulls out the degree when someone treats her like a stay at home mom who doesn't know what she is talking about. heheheheheh Your doing the best thing possible for your son! I am a work from home single mom and my kids are loving it! I am using my degree, but found a softare company that lets me to tech support and programming from home!

[randtbrown]

I do some work from home (I do the book keeping for my mom's company), just not the high powered job I invisioned when writing and defending my thesis . Oh well, eduction can never hurt you- I just have about 40K in loans to pay off- and that was JUST for grad school!

Eating okay today:

2 cups coffee
1 chicken breast/broccoli/cream sauce/salad from olive garden (didn't overeat though)
2 chicken theigs
6oz london broil

I was 192 again this am- the 191 didn't stick- but I'm still pushing for 187 by Friday.

[randtbrown]

Last night i ended up having 1/4 cup of walnuts after dinner- I keep doing that.........I should probably eat more during the day so I don't get hungry at night.

Today I have had the following:

6oz london broil, .5 oz cheese, 1 tbs light sour cream
1/2 of a JinB chicken salad with 1 tbs of the dressing
dinner will be: 3 chicken thighs and spinach

I managed to stay off the scale today. I'm going to try to stay off until Friday....

[randtbrown]

So yesterday was on plan except dinner was ONE chicken thigh and 2 cups of veggies. Also 1/4 link of sausage for a snack. And no walnuts (splenda popcycle instead!)

Tonight we are going to go out for steak. A local resturant called Papas has Wed night ribeyes. They are really good- and only about $10 for a large steak, baked potato and roll (for Ron) and a self serve salad. We go, watch the baseball game on the big screen and relax. nice treat. We couldn't cook that meal for $10.

I'll eat light today to make up for the steak. HOWEVER my goal is to only eat 1/2 of it.

[randtbrown]

So Monday I started having this uncomfortable feeling in my lower ab, didn't think much of it. Yesterday it progressivly got worse, thought it may be a bladder infection. Late yesterday afternoon it was so bad I thought I was going to throw up- bad. I took some pain meds left over from after I had kyle it by about midnight it was better. Also last night I started spotting pretty heavily (even though my full, normal TOM ended last Thursday). This morning the pain is better but still bleeding. I'll call the my doc later today when he opens. What gives???? ERRR

[AlexTucker]

hmmmmmm? hope your feeling better...maybe the Dr. will be able to tell you something

[randtbrown]

Talked to my doc earlier- going in tomorrow AM for an ultrasound and visit with my infertility specialist (he also specializes in endometriosos-sp?) They are going to try to figure out what is causing the pain and bleeding. She told me to take it easy today- quit taking the vicodin until she can confirm I'm not pregnant again, and come in first thing in the morning.

[AlexTucker]

I started to ask you that yesterday...could you be pregnant? I am glad your going to the Dr. Let me know what happens!!

[randtbrown]

Eating good today:

2 cups coffee
lettuce wraps at Chilis (no rice noodles, a few carrot shreds)
1/4 sausage link, 1 chicken thigh
London broil, 1.5 chicken thighs (1 tbs LC bbq, 1 tsp ranch)

I got a very big ice tea instead of a very big dt. dr pepper at sonic this am- that has to be better- right?

Pain still here. Still bleeding. Very tired.

[randtbrown]

Well, an eventfull morning fore me. Woke up in much pain, still bleeding. Ultrasound showed a large cyst on my left ovary that filled up with blood then ruptured (it isn't the cyst or the rupturing part that is unusual for me- but the blood is). My endometrium wall is double the thickness that a normal one is. The cyst actually is still there- didn't dissolve into itself like it normally would, still drawing blood- which is why I'm still cramping and bleeding. Doctor says my options are to risk being put on birth control (risk because I had a pulmonary embolism in the past), take progesterone, or wait until TOM comes again to see what the cyst does and have a D&C if it is still a threat. He suggested to wait because right now he can't confirm that I'm NOT pregnant because of my uterus wall (although he can't bee too concerned about it as he didn't do a blood test). He said if I am pregnant it is unlikly to be a viable one due to the trama. So, for me it is at least another 10 days of cramping and bleeding then wait for TOM. He said it is unlikely that TOM will come at his normal time, if it comes at all. When TOM returns I'll go back to see what the cyst is doing. And he won't give me any pain meds in case I am pregnant. So motrin it is. No hard activity, no intercourse. Basically on pelvic rest- where I spent 7 out of 9 months of my pregnancy (the other two were very strict bed rest). I don't understand why I can't have a normal reproductive system. (but don't think for a moment that I don't know how lucky I am to have Kyle. I was told that would probably never happen. He is a miracle baby and I think God for him everyday- I'm not ungrateful for it at all.)

[AlexTucker]

WOW Tarrah...lots of options there. I hope things get better quickly!!

[randtbrown]

Well today is Friday- My mini goal was to be 187 today but I'm not going to even get on the scale. I have enough drama going on and I know I'm not there, so I'll wait.

Kyle was doing so much better on his meds but yesterday he spit up ALL DAY (12 times). I quit changing clothes at number 3. Ron quit changing after number 10. Fun. I did wait to give him his meds until his third bottle (usually has it with his first0 because we were in a hurry yesterday to get to the doctor. Maybe that is why? We'll see today. The next step is to change his formula to Gentelese- but that is $6 more for a smaller can than what we give him now (GoodStart).

Pain is a little better this morning. Yesterday it got worse in the afternoon. I hope today is just plain better.

Mom went to Pittsburg with Brenda (her long time friend and room mate whom i hate) yesterday morning. SHe was supposed to come back Monday. She called last night and told me she is coming home today- she changed her flight because she wasn't having fun. Brenda is being a terd and she doesn't want to stay. I had a full weekend planned out not planning for her to be here- we are supposed to go to dinner with Barry. I just hope we can still go, without her finding out- and without her going off the deep end about it. I know she doesn't want us seeing him (they are going through a divorce), but he is a part of my life.....so hard. I hate divorce. I've been through enough of them for sure.

Eating well yesterday:

B- 1/2 a cup of coffee (ran out of time)
L(11:00)- 1/2 link sausage
early D(3:30)- stirfry italian sausage & spinach (about 1.5 cups)
snack(7:30)-1.5 cups of iceburg, 2 cherry tomatoes, 1 tbs onion, 1 tbs ranch dressing, 1 oz cheese (okay, so that wasn't so great)

[randtbrown]

so I got on the scale- 191. Same as last week. A full week with no loss. I'm totally on plan- what gives?

I'm going back to fitday on monday. I just don't see what I've eaten that is causing the lack of loss. Too many dt. cokes. Okay, I'll give those up next week. Just water/tea/SF crystal light.(watered down).

[AlexTucker]

I wonder if you're retainin water with your female stuff going on?? Are you measuring? You might be losing inches....and it's just water keeping the scale from moving.

[randtbrown]

I wondered if that was possible. My hormones and body are all out of wack- I didn't ovulate, won't start TOM one time. Who the heck knows. I'm not gonna stress.

Survived the weekend. On plan mostly- my "cheats" included an extra serving of broccoli yesterday and today and about a cup of cole slaw that I didn't make so I'm sure it had some sugar in it- but it was better than potato salad. I've cooked and measured all my chicken in 6oz portions for the week. Chicken and fish will be all I'll eat, hope to see the scale move. I've had salty foods this weekend, so I'll expect a little gain in the am, but not worried about that. Perhaps this week I'll get to 187! lol.

Ron's youngest niece (11yo) is with us now. She is a little bit of a brat, but overall doing well. Tomorrow will be our first day on our own. Wish me luck!

Oh, and I did have one dt. coke today- but just 8oz instead of my RT 44 and that was it for 2 days. Baby steps!

Kyle changed formulas to the gentelese (and it is $6 a can more and a smaller can!). Still spitting up just as much so I don't think it helps. I'll keep him on it until Wed when we go in for his 4 month shots and talk to the doc. He is eating every 2 hours so i'm hoping she will let me start veggies.

We went to my dad's today and had a good time. I can't believe I actually ENJOY going there. For so many years it was hard as our history isn't so great. But being a grandfather has really changed him. He always said he wanted me to wait until he died to have kids b/c he didn't want to be a grandpa. But I've never seen that side of him. It is amazing. Totally amazing. And Kyle adores him. He bought him a horse. He probably is the only 4 month old little boy who has his own horse....

[AlexTucker]

Is Ron's niece staying for the summer? Good Luck!! When my nieces come to stay it's like a wirlwind from the time they get here till they leave. I have boys with flat tops, shorts and tennis shoes. I am not a girly girl at all. When Rusti is here she is the same age as my oldest, but when you have 3 kids someone is always left out. My older niece Jess comes for 2 weeks in June. She is 21 and has autism. Mentally she is about 12, so she is a handful, but I know her mom looks forward to the break when she is here. They live in Florida and Jess comes to stay with us several times a year for 2 weeks. Both girls are very girly girly and come with outfits...where the socks have to match the bow and the purse .....All three of us go with hair wet, tank tops and shorts..flip flops.

Sorry Kyle is still spitting up. Hopefully getting him on something solid will help. I nursed both of my kids so we had very little of that and it was free!! My favorite part!!

My cheats over the long weekend were much worse than yours! I had Pizza on Saturday and then an ice cream sundae on Sunday afternoon. I got in all my exercise plus about 4 hours of swimming with the boys, so I am hoping they balance each other out.

[vwchick]

Aw Tarrah. Sorry to hear you (and Kyle) are having a rough time. Hopefully you both get things figured out and start feeling better soon.

Don't worry too much about the scale. With the way things are going for you, it's hard to tell what's causing the lack of loss. Just stay strong and the pounds will eventually leave.

[emndarmic]

Hello Tarrah..
Just checking out your journal and I want to be like you so much, you are very motivated and know what you want and will stop at nothing to get it.

Did you ever give the chiropractic care any thought for Kyle? I know it's scary because it was for me too, but it was SOOOOOOOOOO helpful, he sounds like my Micah was for 5 months of his life, the meds weren't helping much at all..if any, esp the post above about 12 times...that was so my littel guy until we took him..they told me some babies go threw so much stress and trauma during childbirth that their backs need put back into place, makes sence to me, If I was all tied up in knots in mom's belly, I would be out of whack too. LOL...

Keep journaling..it's very inspirational to me..HOW DO I START MY OWN JOURNAL ON HERE and put a link on every post like yours, I'm not very computer smart...hahaha? Thanks alot!!
Have a great day!!
Amy

[randtbrown]

OH NO! Not the whole summer. The 11yo (Chy) is here until Friday while her sister is at camp, then Sunday we get the 13yo (Tony) for a week. That's it! She is still sleeping- when will she wake up???? lol

Amy- thanks! glad to know I'm helping someone out there- many have helped me in my journey. To start a journal of your own, go to the main journal thread and on the top hit "new thread". Title it anything you want. Copy the website and paste it into your signature. I had to ask the moderators to help me with that part, and still didn't figure out the fancy way to do it!

[vwchick]

Tarrah (and Amy):

Remove the * from this...

[URL*=http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=427226]Read my journal about being a new mommy and losing the baby fat![/URL]

...and it'll look like this in your signature:

Read my journal about being a new mommy and losing the baby fat!

[randtbrown]

Thanks Bonnie- I did it!!!!

Posting more pics of my little cutie pie!

[randtbrown]

Tried to start a water fast today but made it to 7pm and ate 6 oz of chicken and 1 cup of lettuce. Not bad I guess for the WHOLE day. I really wish I had it in me to do a 7 day fast.....cleansing purposes it is SOOO good I hear!

[randtbrown]

On plan today:

B- coffee
L- 2 slices deli ham, 1 slice swiss cheese, 1/2 pickle, 1 tsp mayo
S- handful of celery slices with 2 tbs ranch dip
D- 1.5 cup lettuce, 6 oz chicken, 2 tbs light vinagerette dressing

I was 189 this am!!!!

I did have one dt. dr pepper. But only one.

[vwchick]

Aw, those pictures are adorable. What a cutie patootie you have!

How are you feeling?

[randtbrown]

I'm feeling better- not 100% yet, but better

[randtbrown]

I'm around- just busy with an 11 year old- finally gone today- we get three days to ourselves and p/u the 13yo on Monday. The 13yo- Tony- is 120% different than the younger sister. Younger sister is hyperactive (on ADHD meds), thin and never stops TALKING! Tony is slightly overweight (large breasts for her age as well- very senstive about it all), doesn't like to get of the couch (kinda lazy- eats junk all day long).

I'm annoyed at Ron's mother (the grandmother of the girls- they live with her). She has the youngest one (Chey) on the meds, but I'm just not convinced she needs them. What do you expect from an 11 year old who is probably a little hyperactive, but is given nothing but junk to eat all day (cokes, poptarts, the works) and isn't allowed to leave her apartment all day while her grandmother is at work and doesn't do much after. No sports, no activities. SOOOOOOOOO sad. She hated me. One coke a day. One treat a day and only if she ate healthy during the day. She had candy in her room I found wrappers when she left! ERRRR! she kept saying "at home I drink coke all day and eat whatever I want". Well, not here. What can you do?

Eating is good. I forgot to eat a lot when she was here because I wouldn't want to eat what she was eating (toast, hot ham and cheese, homemade pizza, etc) so I would make her something to eat before me, then Kyle would need to be fed, and by then I'd forget I didn't eat and we'd be on the road (spent a lot of time walking around the mall), by dinner I was STARVING each night! I am down to 188- so perhaps she was good for me! lol

Kyle loves squash- his first veggie. Hates baby cereal by itself. Doing good eating solids though. Slept 2 nights in a row in his crib, in his room. He has woken up a couple times each night but we have been able to get him back to sleep without picking him up each time. He normally sleeps 11 hours so I'm hopeing to get back to that real soon!

That's about it for me!

[AlexTucker]

The pictures are adorable! Very cute!! I am glad your feeling better. I completely understand about your nieces. Mine is very simlar....she is allowed to as she pleases most of the time, so when she is here and we have a schedule, a bed time, no snacks after dinner and one coke a day and not everyday. The boys drink water unless they are having a meal and then they can have milk, cool-aid, tea what ever is here. She doesn't like having to take a bath when I tell her to she definately rules the roost at her house.

[randtbrown]

I don't think the child would have ever taken a bath if it were up to her...... I was like that when I was young- but not 11! I was way more mature than she (or her sister). She is a little behind in that area though. But, with her family drama history I totally understand.

[randtbrown]

Kyle slept through the night in his bed!! He is going to spend the night with my mom tonight- scared about that a little. Maybe I'll try to get her to stay here tonight........We are going fishing and will be out really late.

He really doesn't like cereal unless i add about 1/2 something to it.....but I want him to be able to enjoy the food on its own- he loves the baby food alone, just not the cereal.

I've been doing 2tbs of rice, 1 tbs of applesauce in the am (along with a 5oz bottle- I have to put about 1/2 the applesauce in the rice to make him eat it- and he only eats about 3/4 of it- but will eat all the applesauce by itself). Then at 6pm I've been giving him 2tbs of rice with 1 tbs of squash (today is last day of squash and we move on to the next veggie). Same as the am, 1/2 the squash has to be put in the cereal, but he gobbles up the squash by itself and eats about 3/4 of the rice/squash mix. We will go through the veggies then start new fruits in the morning. I just can't seem to give him veggies in the morning becauase, well, I wouldn't want squash for breakfast.......

Also, I've been putting him in his crib at 10am for a nap (he never would take a nap really). He has put himself to sleep three days in a row! I figure 4 months is good enough time as any to start SOME sort of routine.....

[AlexTucker]

I wonder if he doesn't finish food when it's mixed because it's heavier...maybe it fills him up faster. That's great that he slept through the night!!

Have fun fishing!! I miss camping and fishing...haven't done that since my divorce. My ex has all the camping gear and he takes the boys when he has them....so atleast they are getting the camping..fishing...guy thing experience!