Guess who's back!!

Wow, its been another year, I let another year pass right before my eyes.

Those of you who follow me on facebook know that I have faced a number of challenges in 2011.

To break it down for my readers who havent been around me, my husband and I lost our home at the end of June, 3 weeks before I was going to deliver our baby. My landlord stopped making mortgage payments and the house was in the early stages of foreclosure, which we had no idea. She wrote us a letter stating she was selling the house and we had until July 11th to leave. We were devistated but thanks to my mom, she allowed us to stay in her home until we could get ourselves stable. I dont know what we would have done without her. It was also great having my sisters as a support system, especially with me being hugely pregnant.

Jacob Andrew was born on July 20th, weighing 9lbs 3oz. He had no intentions of coming out and I had a long hard 19 hour labor. We were all over the moon and his birth helped balance out the hard times we were facing.

In August my husbands company went on strike for 19 days. Now, 19 days doesnt seem like much but imagine going without a paycheck or two, how quickly it throws off your entire budget. We were so thankful to still be at my moms, but trying to pay off our debts and catch up with past debts was becoming difficult (and cant forget diapers, etc..)

However, through the hardships and all of the tears, our prayers were finally answered in September. Rick and I had our eye on a house that was down the road from my moms, and we called about it, and after meeting with the lender and looking at almost a dozen houses, we found our home. 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath , 1975 sq feet of dreams for us. We scheduled for a 45 day close because there were a lot of documentation we needed to gather, different proofs of things, etc...It was a long month and a half but we finally closed on November 4th.

At the end of November I found out that I had a 1.8cm gall stone which was causing a lot of my eating issues. I wasnt able to tolorate any foods and I was misrable, especially Jacob, who nurses. December 16th I had it removed and

It was definately a year to remember, thats for sure. Lots of hard times, but so many good things. But here I am back to this blog because my 2 year bandaversery is coming up and I am still no where near my goal.

I had gained 52lbs with my pregnancy, and I had lost all but 4lbs of it until after I had my gall bladder out (and consequently, right before the holidays), so I put on about 13lbs, which had me so discouraged. I went from 221 to 234, and I was so unbelievable depressed. I got a fill so my band went from almost empty to about 5.2cc's. Right now I can really feel the restriction and I am trying to amp myself back up.

We are taking the kids to Disney at the end of June, so my goal is to be under 200 by then, and hopefully in a size 14 jeans. I need tons of support and help. I am trying to put myself back in the mindset that Im a new bandster again....so...here we go!!!

PS For those blogs I havent been to, I will do my best to come around and say hi and catch up with you all!

Almost a year ago

I cant get over my bandaversery is almost here already. I feel like it was just yesterday I was frusterated and upset b/c I couldnt eat anything, and I kept telling myself I shouldnt have done this.



Uh, of COURSE I'm glad I did it. I weighed 287lbs before my band, and today I weigh 210. Its amazing. Of course Im no longer focused on my weight loss for the moment, but there are times I do find myself on the scale "just to see".


Since body shots arent going to be as glamorous as all of you skinny gals, I figured I'd post a belly picture. I laughed when people told me I looked "small" and "tiny". (and yes, I was in the Ob office when I took it lol, I dont have a full length mirror)



Hope you are all doing wonderfully! And congrats to Steph on hitting 90lbs and Janelle for 60! And Carmie, you are just meeeeelting!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year....

Even though it feels like my days drag they've been going by so quickly. I have to say I will be glad once Jan 17th rolls around so I can start my 2nd trimester. I have been so unbelievably sick with this pregnancy. I've lost another 6lbs this past month which puts me at my lowest at 211. I looked at my ticker and I'm only 36lbs away from my goal which is amazing.

My doctors said the weight loss is still OK, as long as I start gaining a few in the end. I have to admit though, its kind of nice not to be that pregnant woman that is CONSTANTLY shoving her face and trying to use her kidney bean sized baby as an excuse.

I've been trying to continue healthy eating, and this pregnancy has been making me CRAVE veggies. I love stacking up a plate of veggies with my ranch dressing and munch away. Although I wont lie, I inhaled almost a bag of gummy bears last night.

We had a good holiday here. The kids got a ridiculous amount of toys as usual. Food was good, family was enjoyable, so not much to complain here.

I have to say I will be SO glad when my husbands W2 gets here so we can go file our taxes, we have to get this debt paid down and I'd like to buy the baby's crib now so we dont have to stress about that later. My son also will need a new toddler bed since the crib he sleeps in now was actually one that was "banned". I just dont know if I'm ready for it yet :(

I hope you're all well, I've been trying to keep up with everyone as best I can.

Making the lapband easier to "obtain"?

I was watching the local news the other night and they did a story on how the FDA is considering "lowering the standards" for people to be able to get the lapband.

I guess I'm impartial. On one hand, it would have been nice to have this "option" years ago, but at the same rate, I had to work my ass off and jump through every last hoop to get my insurance to approve my band, and now to be able to say, "Oh, well I'm 40lbs overweight I should be able to get weight loss surgery bar none".

America is chalk full of obese and morbidly obese people, but I dont think they are putting in all of the thought that this ISNT a magic tool. Is it going to get to the point where people might be 20-30lbs overweight and assume this will be the cure all?

I dont want to say I dont think this is right, because yes, everyone deserves a chance, but at the same rate would people be more willing to pack on a few more pounds to get this? It almost reminds me of having to spend $100 to save $10, and when you are $12 short you'll pay that $12 + just to save that $10. *shrugs*

For my lap band ladies, thoughts?

Quick Update with a surprise :)

I know most of you gals already know, but for those of you who dont have me on facebook here is my latest surprise =)



Baby #3, due July 27th, 2011. We are soooo excited! Saw my OB today, she couldnt get over how great I looked and said she was very excited for my husband and I. Saw my PA this afternoon, and after a slight bit of panicking on my part about eating enough calories for me and the bean I was re-assured everything would be fantastic, and she wished me the best as well, and told me to call her if I needed anything. She did recommend I see the dietician again to go over the "safe" way to gain weight during the pregnancy. I'll hopefully see her sometime after the new year.

So thats my news, hope you all had a great Thanksgiving =)

Long time no blog

Ooops, sorry gang. I didnt realize its been so long.

Well, I've finally hit 60lbs down. I still cant get over how much I've changed. I am overflowing with confidence and I strut around like a proud peacock. I am really enjoying my new found self.

I also want to add I was told AGAIN that I look just like "the girl from the princess diaries". LOL Second time in a month I was told I look like her. I think its hilarious.

I also went into Lane Bryant the other day because my 18's are enormous on me and YEAH BABY, I'm in a 16! I actually do plan on buying them, especially since they are 40% off. There is a picture below of my accomplishment.

The holidays are approaching quickly, and I am so excited. I found a delicious pair of knee high boots and I am thinking about buying an adorable black dress to wear on Thanksgiving. Ooooh yes, you heard me. Heather, in a dress? UNHEARD OF!!

I also have a support group meeting tomorrow, and its with the plastic surgon at the hopsital I got my surgery in, so I'm hoping to learn a few things so I can eventually look forward to getting my "work done".

Ok, I shall leave you with my latest "body shot". *grins*

Ann Hathaway

I was standing at the help desk at Barnes and Noble, and I was asking a woman about a book and the woman stands next to her and goes, "Has anyone told you that you look like Ann Hathaway?". I was like, "Um..no lol". It kind of caught me off guard. I'm starting to feel good about myself again and that helped out big time. Yay NSV :)

Speaking of the scale, I stepped on it a half a dozen times this morning (no, I really did) and it kept reading 219.8. I was like, "This cant be right". I dont actually know if it is or not. I'd be dead shocked if it was, since it read 223 the other night. I think when my dog ran over it and tipped it he may have done something to it :/ I actually bothered me seeing that. I dont want it to be untrue and then I see it go back up 4lbs again.

My birthday is on Sunday. I'll be 26. I dont feel one way or the other about it, just another day lol. Apparently we're going to my MIL's for dinner and cake (mmmm, cake). Tomorrow my husband is taking me shopping and to dinner. I'm so excited to spend some time with just him. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE my kids, but I miss my husband.

Oh well, thats all good and fun. Hope you're all well.