P is for Potty

We had some minor success today. Nate peed in the potty for the very first time! He has been more than slighlty resistant to trying to go in the little potty. We wound up buying a padded seat that fits on top of the regular potty for him to sit on.

I missed an opportunity yesterday for him to poop on the potty, but today was determined to get something.

So, 30 minutes or so in the bathroom, singing silly songs, a cup of apple juice and the iPod playing games, and Yay! He peed. He was so, so excited to draw a smiley face on his potty chart. Then, we called Lino at work so Papa could say Great Job. For us, his first potty chart has 8 boxes on it. A pee gets one happy face, poop gets 2. Once he fills that chart, we will get him a small prize and do a chart with more boxes.

I have mentioned before, how I am not opposed to bribing my children in certain instances. This first potty occasion was one of them. When we were trying to talk Nate into even trying, we told him for his very first time we would take him (right away) to get an ice cream. Well, the other day one of the girls mentioned Chuck E Cheese, so....you guessed it-despite my efforts to talk him back into Friendly's, we wound up at Chuckies. The kids had fun though. The girls were super cute, when they got home Nate told them his news and they both gave him huge hugs and were just as excited for him as I was.

I know it is just a first step. About 20 minutes after he went, he pooped in his diaper while I was doing my workout. It is progress, though and I will take it.

My big plans for sewing today, didn't happen. (due to our unexpected field trip) I need to make a prototype book bag for a school program (due tomorrow night, so I will have to get that done) , I have the girls outfits, Nate's shirt and my skirt to finish. Those are all on the to do now list. Then, there is the list of things I would like to do: more things for Etsy (tote bags, crayon bags, crayon rolls, baby things, etc...endless actually), some stuffed bears to donate to a shelter that takes in victims of sexual/domestic abuse, and some other things that I have seen in my sewing magazines....a never ending list of want to do's.

Happy May

Wow, April went by really quickly! Easter, Lino's birthday, school vacation and then my birthday, too. We have been busy.

I have also been keeping up with my workouts. I have done a workout every day. Some have been tougher than others, and I had a slight setback with my eating habits that was caused by Easter candy (I am completely unable to eat only 1 jellybean) But, I am back on track and seeing continued good results.

We went to Old Navy last week so I could try on some jeans. The last time I bought jeans was back in August/September and had to buy size 14's. Ugh. I was so mortified by that. Really was. Anyhow, I took some size 10's into the fitting room, and just to see how close I was, a pair of 8's.

I was thrilled that the 8's fit!!! I know it may be due to vanity sizing and the fact that no 2 pairs of jeans fit the same way, but Idon'tevencare!!!! I went back and scoured the shelves for every pair of 8's they had to try on! I found a few more that fit and picked the best pair. I only bought the one, because I am hoping that in a month I can get into some 6's!!!

I have even been able to fit into some shirts that I haven't been able to wear since before the girls were born! It is amazing what this has done for my self esteem. And, since I can fit into my own shirts now, Lino can have his back!

I still have a bunch of sewing to do, and pictures to post. The kids and I planted some seeds, and we are super excited that most of what we planted is growing! (I have absolutely no desire to garden, so this is a big deal for us! )

But for now, I need to catch up on chores. Yesterday was my birthday, so I didn't do everything that needed to be done. And, if I can keep busy, I may not eat too much leftover birthday cake :)

Progress

Wow, April is going by quickly. It has been a good month so far (with the exception of all of us being sick over Spring Break)

I am so happy and excited, today is Day 30 of the 30 Day Shred for me. I stuck with it and have lost 12 lbs and 5 inches so far. I started Shred at 156, so I am at 144! I haven't been on that part of the scale since before I got pregnant with Nate! I still don't love to exercise, and need to learn to eat better, but I am very pleased with the results so far. Lino says he can notice a difference. My rings and watch are looser, my clothes are baggier. I have 3 pairs of jeans that I bought in September, they literally fall off of me now! (Seriously, when I walk, it is step, step, step, pull up my jeans!) And, another pair that are from before Nate was born, they are loose too! I can't wait to go try on some jeans to see what size I am in.

I am still in the middle of sewing all of that fabric. I thought I was being super organized; I cut everything first, figuring I could then just sew everything when I got a chance. Well, I am using a pattern that is new to me. I measured the girls, cut out their size. I finished one dress and tried it on Cassie, too short. Ugh. There was no way to save it as a dress, so I will just turn it into a top/shorts outfit. But, I had to go back to the fabric store to get more of that fabric. I am determined to make a dress out of it so I will just use a pattern that I already know and love. I also have to refigure another dress that I have already cut out, and don't have enough scraps....I know how I want to do it, but the store was out of the fabric, so now I have to come up with a new plan.

Lino is on board with a new family matching photo, though he will just be coordinated with us. He says that to make him a shirt that he will more than likely only wear once is a bit silly. Which, he is right, I would rather spend the money on other fabric, if that is the case!

Our car drama seems to be solved (knock on wood!!!) We wound up getting Lino a new to us used car. We just didn't want to sink a bunch of money into rebuilding the engine on his not knowing how long that would last. He is now driving a 98 Audi A4. It is pretty sweet. Manual transmission, which I need to brush up on. I haven't driven a stick in years.

I wish I could remember some of the funny stuff the kids have done/said. I can't believe I haven't blogged in this long....wow.

Shred, Sewing, and Seriously???

Well, Day 8 of Shred, and it isn't as hard as the first few days. Yesterday we went shopping to get proper sneakers and hand weights. I haven't had real sneakers in years, just basic Keds, and that is like being barefoot to work out. Since I didn't have weights when I started, I was using 2 1 1/2 liter bottles filled with water, and those were about 2 1/2 pounds each. I got 3 pound weights, and that was definitely better.

I am excited that I am noticing a difference on the scale. This morning I was at 150. Yay. That is 16 pounds lost since December. Admittedly, 10 of that happened when Nate stopped nursing and I was sick for a month and didn't really eat. Weight loss is loss, though, so yay. I am shooting for 130-135, and if I can start eating better, it may happen.

***
Sewing: I have the patterns that I need all traced and cut out. I am going to start cutting all the fabric today, and hope to start sewing mid week. I am excited, the fabric is cheery and bright. I will try to remember to take pictures as I go.

***

Seriously??!? A couple of weeks ago, Lino's car died. It had been giving him problems, but the mechanic said it should be fine. He was on his way to work in the morning, and luckily not that far away when it died. He was able to make it home and we managed to get it back to the mechanic. The diagnosis: transmission shot. All of the possible scenarios to fix it are expensive. Replace gskets and hope the head isn't cracked, get a rebuilt trans. or a new one.

We are fortunate that he was able to use his mom's car while his was at the shop. And, his parents bought a new car, so we could use their old one until we figure out what we were going to do.

Lino was on his way home from work on Saturday, when all of the wheels locked up. Luckily, he wasn't on the highway (he said he probably would have been killed) and he was in front of a brake place. They look at it and say, it's done. Cracked head mounts. And because it is as old as it is (a 1990) it really isn't worth fixing.

Seriously?!? 2 cars in 2 weeks? Who put a hex on us? Can it please be lifted? And, the car is 30 miles away, and our AAA membership lapsed (I never got a renewal notice), so that means we can't upgrade our membership to get free towing..... I am going to try calling and plead with them, we have been members for 5 years.

It needs to get better....

Happy Tuesday.

Well, last week Maggie and Nate decided that they wanted to be a dinosaur and a tiger for Halloween. They saw some sewing patterns that I have, and made up their minds on the spot. Cassie has wanted to be Barbie Mariposa for about a year now, and was confident we could find one in the store.

After the girls got on the bus last Thursday, Nate, Lino and I headed to the fabric store. We found some great deals on fleece and striped fabric. (around $20 for all of it) Saturday we went looking for Cassie's costume. Lino discovered 2 different Mariposa's in the aisle, miraculously both in her size;and they were the only 2 left! Cassie fell in love with one of them, so that solves that.

Head to Target for sparkly pink shoes and then home. Cassie tries on her costume, as soon as she takes it off, it starts to rip. I am pretty confident that I can fix it, but I also offered to make her one, too, now that I know what Mariposa looks like. She wants no part of it. She adores the store bought one, so I will get it all fixed up for Halloween.

I had traced/cut out the patterns and started sewing the dinosaur on Sunday. Made some good progress. The feet had me a bit confused, but Monday I took some time to really figure it out. The instructions weren't super clear, so I was confused on some of the steps. Now that I figured it out, it makes perfect sense! Now I just have to decipher how they say to attach the feet to the legs!

Unfortunately, it took longer than I expected to do the feet, and I am a bit behind. No worries, though, I have 3 days to get them done!

I think when the dinosaur is finished it will look super cute. Maggie tried some of it on so I could measure cuffs, she loves it. She picked the colors, purple body and green spines. I just hope she isn't called Barney all night long!

***
Yay for the Patriots for holding on and winning! They are faring okay this season, despite all the injuries that have occured.

A lot of sewing!

I haven't been feeling well this past week. As a result, I haven't spent a ton of time on the computer. Instead,I got a ton of sewing done!

I made a bunch of things for my Etsy store, and I made Nate a jon jon. Lino thinks that jon jons are completely ridiculous, but this is the last summer I can put them on Nate (I think next year he will be too big)

When I finished it yesterday, Nate wouldn't try it on. He ran away yelling, "I won't do it" when I asked him to wear it. Today he isn't feeling well, fever and congested. He asked to wear it when I was taking pictures of it! (must be the tylenol talking!)

I am thinking a white t-shirt underneath will look cute.

Maggie and Cassie said they wanted to take pictures, too. That is, until they stood there. This is the best one of all three. Maggie doesn't want her picture taken, and Cassie was watching tv.

Next on my personal sewing to do list is to cut the pattern for dresses for Maggie and Cassie. I don't love this step. I keep my patterns intact so I can use different sizes. Instead, I trace the patterns onto tissue or pattern paper and cut those. It takes a bit longer, but it means I can use the pattern more often.

(Nate just asked to get out of his outfit, lol. At least I know it fits!)

I still have things to make for etsy, but I need to get to the fabric store. That will probably happen later this week, since Nate isn't feeling well today.

Sewing today!

It feels like it has been a while since I sewed anything. I am going to see how much I can get done today. I cut a skirt pattern (for me!) and the fabric yesterday. I also cut some etsy stuff yesterday.

I would also like to cut the pattern and fabric for a dress for Maggie and Casssie and a jon jon for Nate.

We shall see!