uh. Change

For the most part, I am not a fan of change. Lately though, life events have got me re-wiring my thinking and just jumping into it..the feeling akin to jumping into a cold pool. The best way to acclimate the body is full immersion. So me, being me, that is exactly what I'm doing. These are the top three changes I am currently working on:

1) Weight Watchers.

They have this new program called Points Plus and last night I reviewed my material and today started tracking via this new system and lo and behold it was not as "difficult" as I thought it was going to be. I actually "enjoy" tracking electronically via ipad, latop, or android.

*As an update, I am happy to report that as of this morning's weigh-in I have maintained the weight I've lost through the old system and somehow managed to lose 2 pounds without trying ...That I can attribute to nursing and Gavin's most recent growth spurt.*

hassle free tracking

2) Fix yo-self-up girl!

I thought that I ascribed to the mind set of "look good, feel good" but now mother to two my mantra most resembles "comfy = frumpy." In my everyday-frump-gear, one would not believe that I once upon a time held the title of "Best Dressed" in high school. To be honest, these days I've not even taken the time to figure out  what looks good on me, so I wear whatever. Today, I changed this by putting on my contacts because I hear glasses age you at least 10 years. Then I put on some makeup. Tomorrow, I'm going to schedule a shopping date with my sexy sissy who is the least frumpy person I know (and love)!

hello? who is THAT?

3) Moving more

The word "exercise" to me conjures up negative images of myself getting very tired, very fast. So, I am changing that word to "moving." Dancing, jogging, even walking with Gavin in the bjorn. SOMETHING for a sustained period of time, everyday. Gerald and I were just talking about how we've eased up on our "moving" and how we want to increase our energy levels. He starts Crossfit this Sunday and me well, I'm going to do some dancing while Gavin naps ;D

"change the lightbulb"arms

Cheers all, to Change..and have a Charmed & Blessed 2011!

Gigi Says...

12/22/10: In a sing-songy voice Gigi says, " I peed on myself..I peed on myself..:D"

12/28/10: "Nooooooo mommy!! Don't call the Grinch. Let's go. I go brush my teeth now."

Out with the old, in with the Droid

I was coming from our Christmas party tonight and made a stop at Target. I got a snack, went to the restroom, did some shopping then BAM! I realized I left my cell phone in the family restroom. Semi-frantic I run back to see if the phone was where I left it but it was no where in sight. F bomb! F bomb! MF bomb! Grrrrrrrrrrr. I checked with guest services and all open service counters and no one turned it in. Mf'ers!!!

I cool off, find my cart, and pay for my stuff. Then I remember Gerald being gifted a brand new Droid. As soon as I get home I call my cell and it goes to voice mail. I quickly get on the phone with Verizon, report the phone lost, and activate the new phone Gerald just HAPPENED to have (crazy synchronicity huh?) All is well with my account and Gerald, the techie, is already discovering exciting new things this wondrous machine can do. The coolest is it's ability to work as a hot spot for my iPad allowing me mobile internet access with it. TIGHT. That and you can watch videos in HD! Whaaaaat!?! Super tight. That's all I know for now because Gerald went to bed with it. Heehee ;)

So, tata my good ole' Omnia, I especially loved your 8.0 megapixel camera. I hope your new owner will make good use of you because as of now it is out with the old and in with the Droid.

Goodnight. I got a new toy to play with :) Peace out.

Eyes gleaming, chin up

I know this blog is about counting my blessings but there have been a number of things that have me carrying a heavy heart lately...(the passing of a mother, the deteriorating health of a loved aunt, missing our little juju...)

Then, I got to thinking...How does one enjoy the holidays while simultaneously dealing with heart-breaking events that sometimes pop up out of nowhere? Or, how do you deal with ongoing challenges and struggles that can be both emotionally and physically draining?..

A picture of Gigi below offers a glimmer on how to begin to answer these tough questions.

...First, the awe and wonder in her eyes makes me feel like everything is going to be alright. I feel comforted and in touch with my own inner child who deep down inside knows this.

Children are human beings that are truly magical to me. I've found that watching and being present with them can be a type of healing all on its own. Gigi's gesture of looking up speaks volumes. Eyes gleaming, chin up, I know that the very best thing to do, in all situations, joyous and not, is to trust in God and live the best way I know how.

Life can be tough. But it can also be magical.

Have a charmed and immensely blessed week all = )

Jingle Bell Rock

 

Gigi motions to the iPad and says to Mommy, "I got your favorite.."

*happy sigh* Super Priceless = ) : ) ; D

An Island Christmas

This Monday we had Part 2 of another Early Christmas get together with our friends May & the Esguerras. Leilani, Marcel, & Mira graciously hosted our dinner at their charming Fremont home. I did not get to take any pictures because I was feeling under-the-weather and having Gavin in the Bjorn was tiring enough. I really loved the "Island themed decor" Lei & Marcel had going. Check out their Island-tree above:

Mira Esguerra

Mira, such an adorable doggie tried to befriend Gigi but our little girl was not very welcoming. Hopefully as she gets older she'll learn to stop jumping all over the place when a cute, non-harmful pooch wants to play with her.

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We had a waist-line-friendly dinner consisting of turkey burgers, mixed salad, and a variety of tropical fruit for dessert. After dinner, we gabbed, and played with the kiddies. May had quite the magic touch with the children making Gavin chuckle loudly and Gigi "cooking & chopping up veggies" on an Iphone app. Gigi happily participated in a game we play at home called "Talent Show" and went on stage and sang "Jingle Bells" for us. 

Gavin chuckling away

Playing "Tita-Boo" with her baby brother (Peek-a-Boo)

We exchanged presents, and Gigi, being Gigi, could not wait 'till Christmas to open her presents. She loved the gift from the Esguerras and proudly exclaimed:

 "I  A  Purple  Princess now! Yaaay!" (Her favorite color.)

We had a great evening and all went to bed and slept happily ever after until Gavin woke up four times that night from a stuffy nose. (A nasty cold-bug hit all of us but thankfully we've been resting at home for the past few days and I'm glad to share we're all feeling much better. We gots more partying to do and need to be in our best singing/dancing condition ;D )

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(UP NEXT: Currently gathering the footage and photos for our next entry: "Mom's Special Surprise")

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Early Christmas

Holiday Get Together Part 1

with

Helen, Christina, Paul, & the Kiddies

Above is a picture of Lizzie, Chloe, Ben, and Gigi opening presents

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After dinner the girls busied themselves with various activities and among them was "Coloring in the Coloring Corner." Check out their great smiles. *Priceless* = ) (Ben was playing with blocks and a wooden train and did not want to be bothered.)

Then we played dress-up. Ben did not want to be a princess for obvious reasons. He was, momentarily, a football coach armed with a headset, football, and all. He was not feelin' my paparazzi-ing so I let the boy be :D 

Shortly after the girls did the "Three Princesses Dance" to Beauty and the Beast. This blog for some reason would not upload the video so I You-Tubed it instead. Below is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poul9X39Fnk

***

My homeboy Ben needed to be represented one way or another even if its a backside view. Here goes:

And my littlest homeboy, Gavin, is chillin' as usual ** fisted tap-tap on the chest ** :

Gigi then said, "Wait mommy, me too. With Gavin!!"

This is the thing with kids, they're sooooo happy one minute, then the next thing you know they're melting down. Gigi was the first domino to go down during bathtime. While Ben, Lizzie, & Chloe were happily splashing in the bath Gigi sat on the potty for 20 straight minutes saying she had to poo but no poo came out. She had already gone #2 two times and I highly doubt she needed to go again. Then after bathtime, Lizzie had a slight meltdown. After the kiddies brushed their teeth Lizzie somehow angered Chloe and Ms. Chloe showed us all how throwing a "Big Girl Meltdown" is done. But hey. Those are kids for ya. They may drive us crazy but they're the only ones who we love like crazy also. All in all, we had a great family time together. And in the end that's what truly matters.   : )  = ) ;D Yay!

-charmed & blessed over & out

Big Boy

We just started giving Gavin rice cereal a few days ago. 

Below is a link to some video footage of our "Big Boy" having lunch today.

Feed me. Please. 

P.S. Gavin is not really BIG but compared to Gigi, at his age, he IS. Here's some perspective. At 1 year Gigi weighed 16 pounds. As of yesterday, at 6.5 months, Gavin weighed over 15.5 pounds. Go Big Boy!!! :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BR6qH19k2I

Holiday Picture Ornament (kid friendly activity)

Happy early Thanksgiving all!

Here is a video on an easy (non-messy) kid friendly craft idea for holiday ornaments.

Enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c94bfZZmVpM

Artful Saturday

"Artful Saturday." This entry will be more about "doing" rather than "writing." Here are a couple small, easy, artsy thingies I'll be working on in between caring for Gavin and doing chores:

Celebratory Place-cards for Gavin's Baptismal Celebration (due to many upcoming "big" family events we've decided to scale down this celebration with an intimate family dinner)

Small chocolate favors to make the table setting more festive

Creating photo ornaments capturing the year's top 10 Family Occasions/Celebrations

Have a charmed & blessed weekend all!!

**UPDATE**

I found a beautiful Baptismal Prayer below and printed it on the back of the Celebratory Place-cards. Out of this I became inspired to print the prayer and customize it with Gavin's name so that we can recite it as we say grace before dinner.

Below are the final pieces. I now feel complete and can finally go to bed. Goodnight!

The beautiful Baptismal Prayer

Personalized the Baptismal Prayer for my boy = )

The finished pieces =D

Weight Watchers Meetings

Background:  I discovered Weight Watchers when Gigi was six months and found (for the first time) that I was, easily and with little stress, losing weight! No low carbing, or any other "fad" type of diet...but eating what I wanted. I got to my goal weight and guess what happened? Yup, got pregnant with Gavin. A couple months ago, I rejoined WW and thought, I can do this by myself, I dont need to go the meetings. I knew what they were all about. Fast-forward to the end of October: I learned that it was actually the meetings that kept me on track and most of all, MOTIVATED.

Last week I went to my first meeting and today was my second. I've been looking forward to this meeting all week because I knew I was going to get a reward: a star-sticker (for 5 pounds I lost!) to affix on my WW bookmark! Funny how this seemingly "little thing" kept me excited and motivated. And...just for coming, attendants get "bravo" stickers to put in our Pocket Guides. Of course, I love that too! : )

Another thing I've learned is that when it comes to changing one's behavior, being immediately rewarded (in small, tangible ways) really does work wonders. For me, getting the support at the meetings, strategizing about upcoming events, and earning small rewards gets me excited about the program and makes me feel that my goal is all the more attainable. A big Hooray to that! =D

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Here is a shortened version of a poem and quote shared at today's meeting:

1)
May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump
May your pie take the prize
and may your Thanksgiving Dinner
stay off your thighs!

2)"It is better to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent" -Ezra Taft Benson

Lastly, here is an EXCELLENT but VERY LONG article on the SCIENCE behind why change can be so difficult:

Link to Article

Have a charmed & blessed week all!!!