This and That.

A few random tidbits today...

Tyler is currently smacking my husband's bare belly. 

Tyler is the proud own of his very own slide and he is in love with it.  Seriously, I think it's time to think about china patterns.

I am super excited to be ordering a new android phone tomorrow!  I don't even have internet on my phone right now. I can't wait!  I haven't had a "toy" in ages!

Doing okay on the diet plan...I have been doing my workouts...this week has been really busy and my eating habits have suffered a little bit.  But I'm hooking up with a new exercise buddy starting tomorrow, so hopefully we can encourage each other and do well!

Work is kicking my butt this week. The end of the month is my busy time, so there's that.  Then they began a construction project in our department that leaves me homeless for awhile. They gave us NO notice that they would be starting today.  I'm using a coworkers office for the rest of the week, then my bosses office next week.  Super fun.

We are working on our kitchen.  Last weekend we installed new countertops and a new sink. I'm pretty proud of us!  Next up: floor, paint, backsplash, cabinet hardware.

And now Tyler is playing with a balloon in the shape of a football helmet. Never a dull moment.

Healthy me?

So I have joined the ranks of the countless people that are (DUN-DAH-DUH!) dieting.  I've decided to give it (another) shot for a couple of reasons.  First of all, I am overweight.  Second of all I am unhappy with the way that makes me look and feel.  Third, I am hoping that losing some weight might help me on my TTC journey.

You see, I've never been skinny.  Even growing up I had that little pooch in my lower tummy.  I didn't love that, but it wasn't so bad.  I have a round face and I've just never been small boned.  In high school, I wasn't big, I was figuring skating back then and was in decent shape.  In college, I gained the freshman 15...well I was actually probably a sophomore. It was the year I met my hubby and we were happy and went out to eat a lot, plus it was the same year I started taking BC pills for the first time.

Then, of course, I had my son 2 years ago.  Hello stretch marks and upper tummy.  So now, here I am, wishing I could at least feel better about how I look.  So I'm trying to eat better and I am trying to get some exercise.  Of course, there isn't much time for these things, so I am doing the little things I can.  I bought some good groceries.  I took a walk, pushing Tyler in a stroller.  In the last two days I have had four good, healthy meals, one so-so meal and one not so good meal.  Breakfast has been easy.  Lunch is fine unless I go out.  I have a hard time resisting the fast food...I'm trying to order smaller portions and sometimes trading fries for a salad.  Baby steps lol.  Dinner is pretty good, as long as I make sure to get a veggie in there and watch the portions.  Tonight I caved and at 2 hot dogs instead of 1.  I've been snacking on good stuff two, yogurt with granola, fruit, raw veggies, 100 calorie packs, lots of water.  I haven't had a soda this week, not even diet.

I'm hoping that by writing and posting this, I might be more likely to hold to it.  And it's totally reminded me that I need to exercise tonight.  Unfortunatly, that comes after the two year old is in bed, which isn't the best time of day to do it, but it'll have to do!  I want to spend time with Tyler in the evening, and since we don't get home until almost 6 and he goes to bed at 8, it's the only time that works, unless I walk at lunch at work (which I will when I can, weather permitting) or get up earlier (not likely!).

So there we are, my quest to a healthier me!  We'll see how it goes!

Domo's Destinations, Part One!

Welcome to part one of Domo's Destinations!! In this episode: Pet Store! (Captions by me and Twin! Funnier parts by Twin!)

Domo says: "OUTSIDE!  This is not the sofa!  Today is the best day EVAR!"

Doma doesn't think Guinea pigs look like guineas or pigs.  "Are they tasty?  Will they help me destroy cities?  What's the point?"

Domo views guinea pigs from above.  "Do you guys want to be my minions?  I do need minions."

Who is cuter, Domo or puppy?  "I come in peace, furry one.  Please do not chew on me."

Domo goes Aquatic.  "Guys, are scuba suits expensive?  Because I would really like to go swimming, but I don't work the wet look."

Domo can swim!  "Sing the Jaws theme! SING IT!"

Domo considers catching some dinner.  "FISH.  Beer batter yourself, deep fry, then get in my belly!  NOW."

"Grow, little lizard.  Together we will stomp on buildings and wreak havoc."

 "Did you run over him?  Why is he so flat?  Tell me what you did to him!"

Domo fears the albino snake! But not because he's white. That would be racist.  "No, it's because it's a snake.  If it's a python, how is it going to find my neck?  It's going to wrap itself around my armpit and I'm gonna get all 127 Hours'd!"

Domo wants to talk car insurance, but the gecko is not on duty, it seems.  "TELL ME HOW I CAN SAVE 15%  OR MORE!  I will also settle for Flo's number."

Domo noms on a chew toy.  "Diff fing taftef  like baffrobe."

Domo is admonished, because said chew toy has not been purchased yet. "I was just getting sampling!  Is that not allowed here?"

Domo is ashamed.  "I have been chastised.  I am torn between despair and the urge to stomp things."

Domo gets a birds-eye view of birds.  "So what's the deal with you guys?  Your arms are weird.  Wait, they make you levitate?  That's AMAZING."

Domo has a wonderful idea! Domo should totally try flying!  "I can totally do this.  Those things are teeny and feather covered.  I am Domo.  I will FLY!"

It's wooorrkkking!  "I'm Flying, Jack! I'm--"

FAIL.  "Owwww.  Need a little help here."

Now Domo really sees birdies...  "You saw nothing, do you understand me? NOTHING!"

Does this sweater make Domo look square?  "I feel pretty!  Oh, so pretty!  I feel pretty and witty and--- are you taking my picture?  It's just for us, right?  Don't put this on the internets.  I trust you."

Domo considers becoming a prissy purse pet.  "If Paris Hilton lays one finger on me, though, I am OUT."

Caged Domo!  "I don't think I like this.  It's not cushy at all, and I can't seem to find the TV.  What am I, an animal?  Wait... am I?"

Domo mustn't lick his stitches.  "This will really help sell it to Flo.  I'm gonna marry her."

Domo wishes to tell you that his water dish is empty.  "And just how am I supposed to jacuzzi in an empty water bowl, huh?!:

Domo always takes the stairs.  "As someone wise once said, escalators can never break.  They can only become stairs.  Plus, elevators are big death boxes, I saw it on 20/20 or something."

Flyin' atcha!  "Domo must go now!  I will return when you need me most!  Or when my humans are bored.  Whichever comes first!"

Bummin'

I'm feeling pretty bummed today....Aunt Flo (AF as she's know in TTC (trying to conceive) speak) arrived today. Another unsuccessful month. Adam and I gave it our best this month. I got a positive OPK (ovulation predictor kit) 5 days in a row. I thought I had some symptoms like extreme weepiness, fatigue, backache, sore breasts....but I guess these were in my head, cause there she was this afternoon. I even toyed with the possibility that it was implantation bleeding. I'm delusional. Or desperate. Ugh I know it's pathetic. I have a beautiful son, it'll happen when it's meant, yada yada. But this is my blog, right? I can bitch about this? Right? Next month would put a baby due near xmas and the next month would be near Tyler's bday...I didn't want either of those, but I don't want to stop either. Ugh, just the cherry on top of a crap sundae of a week.

Speaking of TTC speak, I'm amazed at all the acronyms! I've been hanging out on some forums (big mistake, I know) Can you guess these? Highlight after the acronym to see answer.

BD Baby Dance
AF Aunt Flo aka period
BFN Big Fat Negative
BFP Big Fat Positive
CD Cycle Day
DPO Days Past Ovulation
HPT Home Pregnancy Test
POAS Pee on a Stick
TWW/2WW Two Week Wait (refers to time between Ovulation and Next expected period)

I swear, it's another language entirely!

Okay, moving on...shake it off. Life goes on. On the upside, new posting series premiere coming soon! (I know, my whole 3 or 4 readers will be on the edges of their seats LOL) Twin and I are going to take a photo series of field trips with DOMO! Domo is...well a Domo....a little Japanese character. He's squarish and has a large gaping mouth. Her Domo was crocheted for her by a coworker. He is awesome and we will be traveling the city with him, taking fun photos and I'll be posting them here with some fun captions. So stay tuned! I promise that postings to come will be more upbeat!

Tagged!

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals or are they members of your family?
I have a dog and three cats. My mom, who lives with us has two cats. My sister, who is also staying with us right now, has two dogs. So that means that I have three dogs and five cats. I love my animals, but I have to admit they've become more pets than family members over the last few years, especially since I had Tyler. Especially my cats.

2. If you could have a dream come true, what would it be?
Right now? To have a healthy baby girl.

3. What would you do with a billion dollars?
I have sent way too much time thinking about this. I would hire someone smart who could help me make the best of my money first. I would pay off my debts and the debts of my immediate family. I would then build a house, take a real vacation, and then sit down and figure out how I want to proceed with my life. i'd like to start some sort of non-for-profit organization to help others. I'm not the type to lay about for the rest of my life.

4. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
Watching my son be goofy!

5. What are your earliest memories?
I think I remember moving from Sherman Drive to the house I grew up. I remember sitting on boxes and eating White Castles.

6. How did you meet your significant other?
My friends Gabby and Pat introduced us, we met on a blind date.

7. What kind of books do you read?
Lots of different things. Romance types mostly. I also love the Harry Potter books.

8. How do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully in a larger house! I hope to have at least one more child, hopefully a girl. I hope to be somewhat happy in my job and financially stable.

9. What’s your fear?
Losing the people I love.

10. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to see outer space?
Nah.

11. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Think a second on if it was the alarm, Tyler, or my bladder that woke me.

12. If you could change one thing about your significant other, what would it be?
I really don't think I would change anything! Maybe he could stop picking his nails and clearing his throat?

13. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
I put a lot of pressure on names! Something feminine, not too common, with a good nickname. That's about as specific as I can get.

14. What are your pet peeves?
Ignorance and criticism.

15. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?
Probably pizza.

16. What is the thing you enjoy about blogging the most?
I love it when people comment! It makes me feel so special when I realize people actually read what I had to say.

17. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
LOL I never REALLY knew. I thought about teacher, artist, writer, singer. I even considered 911 operator once. I watched too much Rescue 911 and the only time anything ever happened to them was a lady with diabetes. I figured it was the safest profession. Yeah I don't know how my mind works.

18. Do you have any recurring dreams?
Not really. I dream really randomly.

19. If you had to choose between vacationing at the beach or in the mountains where would you go?
That's hard...I'm going to say beach but not busy and not too hot.

20. What show/movie did you love as a child that, turns out, is really terrible to watch as an adult?
Bambi. Depressing.

Freaky-Me

I visited my optometrist today. It's something I've done since I was tiny--just a toddler. When I was a child up through about 19, I went to Riley Children's Hospital for all my eye care. I was born with something called a coloboma. It's basically a gap in the formation of iris of my eye, causing part of my optic nerve to be very thin. For me, it mostly means that I am legally blind in that eye (the left eye). I can see, but it's very blurry, even with glasses. Here's a picture of a coloboma (not mine):

Incidently, John Ritter had a coloboma. So does Madeline McCann.

In addition, I also have a condition called heterochromia iridum. That means that my eyes are two different colors. My right eye is green and my left eye is brown. It's always been that way, at least since my eyes changed color when I was a baby. Do you know that Jane Seymour and Demi Moore have this condition, too? Most likely, the two conditions are linked, likely the heterochromia iridum is a side effect of the coloboma, but not everyone who has a coloboma has two different colored eyes.

So anyway, today I visited my eye doctor. She's all the way in Greenfield, which is about 45 minutes from Indy. My mom had an appointment too, so we went together, with Tyler. My mom does not travel on interstates. So it was a bit of a drive. I go to this doctor because she offers a service called OptiMap, an alternate to eye dilation. I hate HATE HATE having my eyes dilated. In case you don't know, this involves eye drops, which are evil. It also involves blurry vision and extreme light sensitivity for pretty much the rest of the day. I have had it done countless times, but as soon as I heard there was an alternative, I said "Sign me up!"

The alternate, OptiMap involves literally taking a picture of the back of the eye. I simply press my eye to the lens of their machine, receive a flash of green light, and presto! Instant view of my optic nerves, retinas, etc. Aside from the little green floating spots I see for a minute or so afterward, no muss, no fuss. So here's my right eye. I understand it's pretty typical of a "normal" eye:

And here is my left eye, the "bad eye":

The green light floods through to the back of my eye, in a keyhole-effect because of the part of my iris that never formed.

So my left eye is pretty messed up. And there's no fixing it. When a nerve is damaged, it can't be repaired. So my right eye has done most of the work for my nearly 29 years. It wasn't good to start with (in case you don't know, my entire immediate family needs glasses for various reasons) and has weakened over the years. My doctor told me today it's a good thing I wear glasses, if for no other reason than to protect my right eye. I am at a higher risk of retinal detachment in that eye. That wouldn't be good. I'd be a dangerous blind person.

It was a pretty uneventful visit, my prescription hasn't changed too much. I certainly hope Tyler takes after Adam, who wears glasses but has pretty decent eye sight. I think I might get lucky there...the kid can point out a McDonalds from a mile away!