Friday, December 24, 2010

Thank goodness Santa arrives during the night

This is what happens when the twins see Santa...
Merry Christmas to all my bloggy friends out there!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

my 37th year

Yesterday marked the start of my 37th year. I am truly closer to 40 then 30 now...not freaking out at all.....ok, maybe a little but it's more the fact that the kids are getting older, which means I am too... I think 37 will be a fantastic year and I have lots to be proud of and appreciative for...so I'll minimize my complaining for now!

How was my bday?
It was perfect.

I started it off at 5:30 am for a hamstring & tricep workout and when I came home at 7, Tim and Cole were up waiting, coffee on, presents lined up...

YES! I got 12 pound dumbells!
YES! I got the 6-pack bag..in pink!! So cute!

Plus an added bonus...a new pair of weight training gloves.

Remember last year I squealed when I got a dumbell rack. This is just as good, if not better.

A mommy friend brought by fresh flowers for me, my neighbor dropped off some MAC lipgloss (is she telling me something?), Tim's mom and my parents brought over LULULEMON gear and my sister dropped off a blouse from RW & Co and a "bedazzled" tank from Jacob. Never mind the LULU gifts cards I received in the mail from friends and family out of town....

Am I THAT predictable? LULU is the best best present ever. Hugs to everyone who knows me so well...I ordered a pair of crops and a running top online...they ship free overnight TODAY ONLY!

Tim and I ended the b-day with a movie - Black Swan. My choice. Great movie...I recommend it to anyone who like a psychodrama.....we contemplated a stop at our favorite restaurant for a glass of wine...but the power of a good night's sleep won us over.

Happy Birthday to me..what does 37 have in store for me..

Friday, December 17, 2010

Fitness Friday- progress pics

Today was shoulders:

4 sets of each exercise:

Dumbell Shoulder press
Arnold Presses
Front Plate Raises
Side Lateral Raises
Bent over reverse flies
Shrugs

40 minutes on the treadmill alternating minute walk minute sprint...and I'm spent.

Not seeing much changes from the front...maybe shoulders are rounding out a bit
My back is definitely getting thicker and fuller, I nice v-taper making the waist look smaller. I'll post my back workout next week. Yesterday I saw my trainer Paul (read my last post, he wrote some fantastic and inspiring words) and I had a record squat (12 reps at 205 lbs) and leg (press 12 reps at 405lbs). To say my legs are shaky today would be an understatement. A good session of power shopping with my sister tonight will cure it!

Push a bit more this weekend ok?

Friday, December 10, 2010

Fitness Friday - Food and UGGS!

I'd like to think that our whole house "eats clean"

Tosca Reno has a great cookbook called the Eat Clean diet. Check it out, it's worth it. My friend Maia told me about the delicious egg salad recipe she tried from this book. It was a HIT all around. I can make it with full fat cottage cheese for the boys and no fat for Tim and I. I can use all whole milk and eggs for the boys and mostly egg whites for Tim and I. Try it out this weekend and let me know your thoughts!

1/4 cup / 60 ml fat-free cottage cheese
• 1 Tbsp / 15 ml skim milk
• 1 tsp / 5 ml mustard• 4 hardboiled egg whites, diced
• 1 hardboiled yolk
• 2 Tbsp / 30 ml chopped green onion
• 2 Tbsp / 30 ml chopped celery
• Dash curry powder
• 1/4 tsp / 1 ml sea salt

Preparation

  1. Whip cottage cheese and milk until smooth in medium-sized mixing bowl.
  2. Blend remaining ingredients except egg whites with cottage cheese mixture.
  3. Add diced egg whites to cottage cheese mixture. Mix well.
Calories: 170
Calories from Fat: 30
Fat: 3.5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Protein: 17g
Carbs: 18g
Dietary Fiber: 3.5g
Sodium: 528mgCholesterol: 106mg

Besides food, I seem to have an UGG addiction. Either you love em or you hate em...I love em... I cannot bring myself to spend $270 on the new 3 button style out there this winter...so I ordered a pair from China, www.manynike.com. Likely NOT real, but man they arrived today (with a box included and tags on!) and for $45 I will wear them loud and proud. Take a look!
I am ordering UGG slippers and flip flops as soon as I get paid!

On the weight gain front...not great news..I lost 2 pounds on my weigh in this week, putting me at 122.5. Body fat remained at 11.9%. That pound of muscle I worked for disappeared as fast as you can say FLU BUG!. On the upside, I feel 100% back to normal physically, my back measurement went up which means my lats are popping out a bit more. Mentally, I'm excited to hit it hard the next few weeks and grow...The plan is to choose ground beef over chicken at least once a day and get in at least 3 protein shakes per day.

Here's my treadmill workout from this morning:

Incline 9: 3 minutes walk at 3.5mph, 2 minutes run backwards at 3.0mph
Incline 10: same as above
Incline 11: same as above
Incline 12: same as above
Incline 10: Side shuffle 30 sec one way, 30 seconds other side, 3.0 mph, repeat until 4 more times
10 minute light jog, incline 1, 5.5mph

NEW ON MY IPOD THIS WEEK:
  • More - Usher (remix)
  • Check it out - Will I Am & Nicki Minaj
Have a fit and fab weekend!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

It's been 5 years..and 18 before that and likely NEVER AGAIN

I have a friend who lives in another country. I'll call her Noni. 5 years ago she contacted me on facebook. The last time we had seen eachother before that was 18 years!

She lived one street away from my house growing up. She moved to Winnipeg from Toronto with her mom, dad and younger sister. She saw me standing at the bus stop one day and said "I must be friends with her". A week later she registered for the same swim club and we became inseparable. We rode the bus to school, hung out at recess, swam behind eachother at swim practice and mixed in sleepovers, shopping and of course boys. We were 12.

At 14 she told me she had to move back to Toronto. Her dad was being transferred. The day she pulled away from my house, the van packed to the roof and her hanging out the window crying was tough on this 14 year old. I had invested ALOT of time into her and she was leaving me. She was going to be someone else's best friend and I was left here, all alone.

My parents felt bad and sent me to Toronto that summer for swim camp. Noni and I picked up where we had left off. It had only been 6 months. I went back the next summer, and things were great, but we were changing. Time apart at 15 years old was not fostering best friend qualities.

She called me from a far away country the day of my wedding in 2000. It had been 11 years since we had spoken. She was crying, happy for me, sad for not being able to attend the wedding....she dropped a bomb

She had a son. It was a one night stand and she wanted it to work with the father but he chose to return to his girlfriend. She was broke, miserable and now a single mom. We ended the conversation with a vow to keep in touch and meet up one day soon, in Canada.

That day came 5 years later. I was living in Calgary and she was going to be in Toronto and given Canada is not ALL that big, she would book a flight from TO to Calgary and visit me, Cole (1 year old) and Tim. I remember standing at the airport waiting for her, nervous and excited, happy and scared..you name it. She came out of the doors, we hugged, cried and laughed. I thought to myself...see? after all this time you can still be close, even if you are far apart.

Or so I thought.

One day into her 4 day visit and I was ready to boot her little bottom back across the ocean.

Harsh, yes, yes it is.

The entire trip was her therapy session, and pampering extravaganza. I played the role of both therapist and sugar mamma. The father of her son married his girlfriend and wants custody of their son. She is never allowed to move. She is stuck "there". She dropped out of school and can't hold down a job (insert bite of expensive piece of steak she ordered at our dinner - courtesy of Tim, oh and don't forget the 4 drinks in there)

Why don't we do massages? Sure, why not...and while we're at it, this gal on maternity leave (unemployment wages) will take care of that $200 tab. Here is where we insert the story of how she slept with a groomsmen at the wedding in Toronto and now he refuses to call her back...on the cell phone her dad is paying for..which is almost dead...so she can't talk to her son....

Let's go shopping! Suuuuuuurrrre!!!!! Let's spend money we do not have!! In fact, after I buy lunch, she will go and buy a $60 belt from Banana Republic and then proceed to LEAVE the belt at another store shortly thereafter. The solution being that I return to the mall (with 1 year old in tow) and search for the belt...and then mail it to her far across the ocean.

Right.

I got home that day with a pounding headache and a heavy heart. It was not supposed to be like this. It was supposed to be a reunion I would cherish forever. Our lives had taken very different paths, but deep down I thought those 12 year old best friends were in us somehow.

It's been 5 years since her visit. 5 years since we have spoken. She must have felt the same way as I did given we have not made the effort to keep in touch. I often wonder how she is, what she's doing, if she's in a better place now. If she's standing on her own two feet, confident and proud.

I hope so.

Maybe one day I'll decide to find out...maybe in another 18 years.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Christmas me Some MUSIC!

I was stalling the Christmas Tree "putting up" event. I love my tree, I want the ornaments to remain intact...you know...free from 20 little fingers grabbing at them all day. I asked around for baby proofing ideas and my boss told me this:

Wrap a bunch of presents (empty boxes even) and place them around the tree.

It worked! I thought Kyle the climber may begin a journey to the top of the tree but he has stayed away, content to sit and look at the lights. Luke swats at the lower branches...that's about it.. so far so good.

When we were putting up the tree I played my favorite Christmas CD...which is The Barenaked Ladies - Barenaked for the Holidays. My favorite song?

Elf's Lament. Take a listen HERE

Which made me search for a comparable CD. Fun for both adults and kids. No luck...

What do you listen to at Christmas time? What makes you dance and smile and feel the true spirit of Christmas?

Friday, December 3, 2010

Fitness Friday- Make that Flu Bug Friday

I'm usually inspired on fridays to post some great workout for everyone. Today, not so much.

I woke up with the cold sweats, stiff as a board and that old "hangover" feeling I have not had in YEARS. I told Cole last week during our house of illness phase that mommies can't get sick. Who would take care of the kids?

Eat my words.

I got it goooood. I admit, I take on ALOT of stuff. This weekend alone I have 2 photo shoots for friends, 20 papers to mark, 2 hockey games and a sister's b-day. Luckily my course is 2 weeks away from being done. Christmas card picture requests will die down and December birthdays are half of what November looks like.

So this body shut down today and spent most of it in the fetal position on the floor as the twins played nicely...phew. I napped when they napped..something I have not done since they were newborns.

So for those who were hoping for a workout, my apologies. Make me a promise to simply get some cardio in this weekend. I will do the same.

Here's to health!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

My morning in numbers

10: number of times I asked Cole to eat, get ready, pack lunch, put boots on, put jacket on...you get the picture. Amazing we made it to school on time..

9: number of times Kyle threw his food over the edge of his highchair before he actually ate something...and we wonder why he is so skinny..

8: number of times Luke threw a hissy fit when I picked up Kyle

7: number of times Kyle threw a hissy fit when I picked up Luke

6: number of diaper changes

5: number of times I have swept the floor already

4: number of times Kyle has climbed up onto the coffee table by moving an object over to use as a step (sneaky little twirp)

3: number of coffees I have already had

2: number of times I have actually sat down (one would be to write this post while 15 minutes of Thomas occupies their little minds)

1: number of loads of laundry I managed to get done..

It's 1pm.

I can only imagine my numbers for this afternoon..one thing is for sure..90 will be the number of minutes these two munchkins nap!

To all you momma's out there at home with the kids......what's your numbers looking like?

Monday, November 29, 2010

Absent yet present?

Where o where have I been?
Fitness friday came and went. I know. Sorry. I will get back on it this week.

I can list everything that's been going on but for the sake of not boring you, here is the shortlist

Luke = croupe
Kyle = bad cold
Cole = ear infection

Luke + Kyle + Cole ALL cranky and begging for attention...from me. Only me. No one else would do.
This meant I was unable to even get off the floor to work during the day...unless I wanted 2 screaming babies and a whiney 6 year old after me....

BUT..I have been reading the blogs, and I thank you for all the laughs and interesting information you have all provided during my week from hell.

Did I mention it's freezing here so outings are "out" of the question.

And to top it all off. I was told this weekend that I seemed "upset"

No, it was not Tim who said it.

Apparently my balancing act does not include sick kidlets. Apparently I look upset after not sleeping for several days and trying to maintain peace in the house all day.

Apparently...I will have to try and smile more.

So I went and got a cut and color and threw on some makeup and smiled....

Done..and done.
Here's to a healthy week!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Looking out

It's cold here. We're talking really cold, a bundle me up in a parka, ski pants and balaclava cold.

Ahh Winnipeg, how I love you.

With one child, I could easily do it. With 2? Not so much. By "it" I mean venture outside. I have errands to run my friends. I have photos at Costco and the cupboards are bare...

But, for the past week, me and the boys have been hanging indoors. They have plenty of new toys from the big birthday to keep them entertained...but nothing is quite as exciting as this...
Snow!

Several times a day we sit in the front room and look outside. For me, it's simply cold snow and the fact that I'm stuck inside. For Luke and Kyle, I'm sure it's white, fluffy and looks like fun...how amazing it is to see them stare and smile as the snow falls down.

As cars and neighbors walk by. I'm sure the sight of these two staring out the window creates many of their own memories..

My mom had tears when she saw them...she said it reminded her of her time at home with my brother and I, and how it feels like yesterday that we were standing at the window, making handprints on the glass...staring, smiling.

The cold weather can continue on...I'm good inside...looking out.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The POWER of Oprah

The multi-million dollar talk show host has done it again.

She has cost me money.

No, I did not buy anything this time. I sold something.

Huh?

You see, she has that show every November called "Oprah's Favorite Things"....I like to watch it to see what goodies are hot ticket items in her mind. I also get a bit jealous of those in the audience, I admit it.

A few days ago Tim and I were looking to sell some stock. We decided our lululemon stock was a good choice. It was set to reach it's 52 week high, so we sold it at 49.50. A decent profit...

AND THEN IT HAPPENED...SHE SAID THIS...

'I've got to tell you, anything that cuts your butt in half should be your favorite thing too!'"

She was referring to the Lululemon Relaxed Fit Pant




Maybe viewers could miss her saying that...but then she brings out a bunch of models wearing the dang pants and has them turn around to flaunt off the butt.

You would have heard me yelling at the TV.....NOOOOOO, Off the stage people!!!

Maybe viewers don't really care about butts looking half their size?

Maybe I'm delirious

The stock jumped to $55 today.

DANG

The power of Oprah.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Bridesmaid...Round 3



Well, when it rains, it pours weddings around here..
Tim's brother just proposed to his girlfriend of a few years while vacationing in Jamaica.

Isn't it funny how the SECOND a girl gets engaged, the brain starts planning.. the wedding switch flicks to "on" and away we go...I was the same, aren't most girls?

Bridesmaid round 3 for me....I've got this honor down to a science now. No Problemo.

Saturday I met up with the lovely bride to watch her dress fitting. Yes, she had her dress within 3 days of being engaged. A gal who knows what she wants. Love it.

We went to one bridesmaid dress store and less then 2 hours later, all 5 of us were fitted, deposits paid and done. DONE..done. Can I say I LOVE my dress? Love it!

Voila

It's comfy, fun, cute and perfect for me. While I did not choose this dress at first, the second I saw it on another girl I had to try it. I'm still learning to NOT judge a dress by the hangar!

The good old Winnipeg Wedding Social will be next on the list. For those who are scrunching their face in confusion....Winnipeg is known for it's winter wedding socials. It's a big party where you sell tickets for $10 and you rent a community centre, a DJ, provide cheap booze and some food and you have local businesses donate prizes for everyone to bid on. Tim and I made $5,000 at our social and paid the deposit on our first condo with it. This social thing has been attempted in other cities, with no luck. I don't get it, but I get it...you know?

Also talk of a stagette in Vegas. Score!! Finally, a trip for me! Anyone wanna come?

Did I mention a date for the wedding has yet to be set?

Minor detail.

Will keep you posted!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Fitness Friday - Weigh In Week

124.5, up a pound in 3 weeks. Body fat remained at 11%, waist shrunk .5 inch but legs and arms grew .5inch. That 1 pound is all lean muscle...YAY.....here are my latest shots



Pleased were my trainers. Pleased am I. Feels like my muscles are popping out a bit more, less lean/skinny looking and more "fit" looking. Can I say my boobies are back! Double yay!! Only took a year and some serious chest work but I managed to pump them up again...

Side view...

Can we say a tan is needed? Yikes! Winnipeg Winter White in full effect!

Lots of oblique work these past 3 weeks and the results were good. Some definition on the side came through. Given my waist is pretty small, we don't expect huge changes there, just more definition.

Weigh in night means CHEAT MEAL NIGHT! Tonight I was ALL OVER the chocolate from halloween, I have been saving it until now! As I sit here, I feel ill and will likely have a headache from the sugar but it was well worth every little aero, kit kat and coffee crisp in my belly. Back on track tomorrow I go. Round 2, another 3 week program.

I worked DANG hard for that pound, heavy on the weights, lighter (ie:45 minutes a day) of cardio and ALOT of food. Amazes me how hard it is to gain muscle mass, I was worried I may get too big...not likely at the rate I'm going. We are switching to 5 days of weights now. I find my recovery time is not enough on a 6 day split. With my already active lifestyle with two babies at home, I need at least 2 days of active recovery. This will include yoga or light walk but no weights.

The shopping trip to Costco tonight included:
Chicken
Ground Beef
Veggies of all sorts..except carrots and peas, too high in carbs
Eggs
Milk
Yogurt
Cottage Cheese
Whole grain bread
Quinoa

Tomorrow I'll spend the wee hours prepping and cooking while the babies play and the house is quiet. Approx. 16 weeks out from competition. 4 more weeks of eating like this and then we will start cutting it down to get lean. Stay tuned!

NEW ON MY IPOD THIS WEEK:

  • Give a little more -Maroon 5
  • The Big Bang - Rock Mafia
  • Wiggle Wiggle - Fulanito

Have a fit weekend!

Monday, November 15, 2010

365 Days Later

This was me just about a year ago..We were celebrating Cole's 5th birthday, knowing I was about at the end of my "pregnancy" rope...what you don't see is the extreme pain on my face from the pressure in my groin as the twins were both head down..and more then 6 pounds each....

I started this blog as a way to journal my infertility and IVF attempt. I was tired of everyone asking the same questions and I was tired of not having any answers. All I knew was that after Cole I stopped ovulating..nothing seemed to restart the cycle. Anger, frustration and sadness were part of my life.And then...we got these two...the only two that survived...how cute are they!!A week after implantation I felt different...things felt off...I remember laying on the table at the clinic and the doctor placing the ultrasound wand to my belly. I couldn't look, I was scared of seeing nothing....but nothing prepared Tim and I for this sight..
and after 37 weeks of carrying those embroys, watching them grow, feeling them move inside my belly, on this day, one year ago, Luke and Kyle arrived into this world.
We left the house as a family of 3 and came home as a family of 5. Sure there have been struggles along the way, sleepless nights, endless days of crying and whining...but Tim and I seem to manage through anything..supporting eachother and recognizing that some days are just tougher then others. Noone said twins was easy and they were right. Twins is double the work...but double the fun too...

As we struggle this week through a case of the croup for both twins, we will celebrate the big day on the weekend with family and close friends...double the cake and double the mess!

Kyle took his first steps yesterday and Luke is finally skootching around to keep up with little brother. The best part of the day is when I lay down on the floor and they crawl all over me, fighting for my attention, wanting to be close to mommy...will I always be so special in their eyes?

I stop and stare at them at least 20 times a day. They fascinate me. They. Are. Mine.
Wow.

Thank you...thank you...thank you..


Happy 1st birthday my boys...you are everything daddy and I had hoped for...and more.



Friday, November 12, 2010

My fitness wish list

We are interval training this week. Try this one out..basically you run for 5 minutes, walk for 1 minute, run for 4, walk for one...yada yada
    Set 1
  • 0-5 minutes. Warm up with a 5 minute jog. Speed 5.6
  • (5-6 minutes. Slow it down for 1 minute. Speed 5.3).
  • 6-10 minutes. Increase the pace and run for 4 minutes. Speed 6.0.
  • (10-11 minutes. Take a breather for 1 minute by walking Speed 4.0
  • 11-14 minutes. Increase the pace and run for 3 minutes. Speed 6.5.
  • (14-15 minutes. Slow it down for 1 minute by walking Speed 4.0
  • 15-17 minutes. Increase the pace and run for 2 minutes. Speed 7.0.
  • (17-18 minutes. Slow it down for 1 minute by walking Speed 4.0
  • 18-19 minutes. Increase the pace and run for 1 minute. Speed 7.5 or higher.
  • (19-20 minutes. Slow it down for 1 minute by walking Speed 4.0

    Set 2
  • REPEAT Set 1.
  • The Finish
  • 41-46 minutes. 5 minutes tempo run. Speed 5.8
  • 46-50 minutes. Cool down with a 4 minute walk. Speed 3.5.
My b-day is around the corner and I'm dropping ideas left and right. Last year I got a dumbell rack! Yay! (seriously..it made me happy). This year I'm begging for this little number....I present to you the 6-pack bag!
Giddy me...a spot for ALL my crapola I carry around all day...It comes in grey and pink too....eeeek!
Apparently, per my Athletic Therapist, I should also be spending some quality time on a foam roller...me..not as giddy about this option...And finally, I need a set of these babies..
according to Tim I can just use my 10's or 15's but I really need the 12's....I really do..so if you're reading this Tim...pleeeeeeese?

So there you have it. My fitness wish list.

What's on yours?




Tuesday, November 9, 2010

My life revolves around hockey

I swore I would not be a hockey mom. I swore.

Guess what..I am a hockey mom and Tim is a hockey dad.

Do we watch hockey on TV?
Nope (shhhh...it's one of the reasons why I married Tim...sports do not consume his time)

Did we attend any Flames games when we lived in Calgary?

Nope
So why on earth would we put Cole into hockey?

"Cause every kid needs to play hockey" ....or so said my good friend ( who happens to play girls hockey)

When someone takes you by the shoulders and stares into your eyes and tells you so....you tend to listen.

And so after 2 years of skating lessons, we ventured into the world of hockey. How bad can it be?

The money for ice time is flying out of our pockets...weekly games and 1.5 hour practices for 5-6 year olds means an exhausted cranky pants Cole...

Weekends have gone from "what are we going to do?" to..

"It'll depend on when Cole plays hockey"

Tim never learned how to play when he was little, he remembers thinking it was too expensive and not wanting to put his parents out...deep down, every winter when the guys play a "pick up game" at a local community centre, my hubby becomes sad...it's pathetic. Really.

The hockey rink lures me by providing free Tim Hortons coffee...the babies will learn to skate through osmosis from spending so much time there.

And Cole? He is taking this gig seriously. He "trains" everyday with me, push ups, pull ups, rides the stationary bike..he wants to be Sidney Crosby.

And let's face it..it's pretty hard to say no to this cuteness..


No, I do not know how to put on all that gear...like I said, the free coffee is my gig!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Fitness Friday - Crank that incline

This week's treadmill workout is simple. Walk it out...but pretend you are in San Fran where the roads are not flat...
Get on that treadmill and crank it up high...

For mine, that means a 10 incline. If yours goes higher...by golly today is your lucky day!

0-5 minutes incline 3, speed of 3.7mph

5-15 minutes, incline 10, speed 3.1

15-20, incline 4, speed 3.8mph

20-30 incline 10, speed 3.3mph
30-35 incline 5, speed 3.9mph

35-45 incline 10, speed 3.5

45-50 cool down, incline 1, speed 3.5mph

It's nice to switch it up from always running...the incline will help tighten up that butt..play with the speed but do not change the incline I have suggested..

A tip I found this morning, thanks to my trainer..if you want to get ultra low on your pushups, place a set of large dumbells on either side of you (25's and up). Chest gets low to the ground and you WILL feel it. He graciously snagged a pic as I was cursing under my breathe..




I spent an hour getting manhandled by my Athletic Therapist this morning...my running injury was acting up a bit and my heels were sore...apparently I'm all out of whack..nothing major, just regular kinks cause by volume training. I've added him to my team...a weekly visit to him will keep me injury free...I hope.

New on my IPOD this week:

  • Nuttin Nuh Go So: Notch
  • Bumpy Ride: Mohombi
Stay Fit this weekend!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

6 going on 16

Coley Bear turned 6 today.

Tim and I chatted a bit about the day he was born...how different things are now....we have lost loved ones...we have gained new loved ones...our own and extended...

You blink and your monkey goes from a toddling 2 year old..To a 6 year old little man...
I sent a little note in his lunch today...reminding him that at 11:30 he was officially 6 and that we loved him...simple things like that note made me smile. Nothing like your child's birthday to make you realize just how lucky you are to even be a mom.

Hockey, Nintendo DS, The Wii, Math, Reading Star Wars books consume his life..so Tim and I decided to get him a magic set! He spent the evening learning new tricks and impressing the family...he is one funny kid.

Tim's mom made a great cake which looked exactly like his hockey jersey....complete with his name...only grandma's have that kind of patience to make black icing!

We dined on sushi and homemade pizza..special requests from the birthday boy....we opened gifts..we laughed....

And now I sit here, writing this post, listening to my 6 year old as he sings to himself in his bed...

Happy birthday to me...Happy Birthday to me...
Bonne Fete a moi...Bonne Fete a moi

Ok, who taught him the french version?

Happy Birthday Cole.

Monday, November 1, 2010

BOO- We broke 500 kids


Jengo Fett, Darth Vader, a Walrus, a Monkey and I...the Spider Witch enjoyed one heck of a Halloween.

500 kids was the tally last night.

Say what?

$100 bucks in candy (and that is at wholesale price)...

25 people at our Halloween Howl Open House...

Great food, including meatloaf hand, snake bites and Ghost Pines Wine...
It was fantasticly (is that a word?) insane...Tim projected a movie in the front window to "spook" the kids..and once the youngsters were done at 7pm, I changed and stood out on the driveway looking like this...

For the older kids..you know the ones who pretend to be all brave...I scared em...good.

I think this may become a tradition....

BOO!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Fitness Friday -Speed Training & ABS

Training hard these days...as I'm sure you all are :)

I've increased to lifting weights 6 days a week and 45 minutes of cardio per day. Caloric consumption is 2062 cals. I weighed in at 123.5 last night which was fine as we want to stay between 125-130 prior to the diet down phase. Body fat was down .5% so we're watching that to ensure I do not get lean now..instead of during the diet down phase.

When on earth do I do all this AND work 25 hours a week, and run the house with 3 kids? You'd be amazed at what you can do with proper planning and communication. I'm at the gym at 5:30 am for weights and I run during the morning nap. I work during the afternoon nap and in the evening.

I have to keep the treadmill interesting or I'll get bored. So this week I'm giving you all some speed training - as usual you can speed it up or slow it down to tailor to your level of fitness, below is simply a guideline.

Interval
Warm up 5 minutes - walk/slow jog at 3.5 MPH, at a 7% incline.
One mile Run at 6.0 MPH.
Rest Set Slow it down to 5.0 MPH and run for 3 minutes.
Work Set Speed up to 6.8 MPH for 30 seconds.
Rest Set Go back to 5.0 MPH for 3 minutes.
Rest/Work Sets Keep repeating the 3 minute/30 seconds intervals until the clock reaches 25 minutes.
One mile Run at 6.0 MPH for another mile.
Cool down Slowly jog or walk for 5 minutes at 3.5 MPH at a slight incline (5% to 7%).

When you're done I want you to do 3 sets of the following:
10 crunches, rest 10 seconds
9 crunches, rest 9 sec
8 crunches, rest 8 sec
7 crunches, rest 7 sec
6 crunches, rest 6 sec
you get the idea...all the way to 1 crunch...

If this does not BURN you are doing the crunches wrong, really focus on belly button in, nice and slow crunch, give a little extra squeeze at the top!

New on my IPOD this week:
  • Chori Chori - Aneela (it's a song from Zumba...remember the old "informer" song by snow?
  • Stereo Love - Mia Martina
  • Michael Buble -Hollywood
Happy Halloween!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Fitness Friday - Hill Training Treadmill

I'm taking to the hills today...treadmill style.

Tim has been away ALL week...5 days as single mom and things went pretty well. A few meltdowns, pukes and sniffles along the way...I do miss getting outside of the house for a workout though...especially with the gorgeous fall weather!

If you do treadmill running, you want to ensure you up the ante every now and then. No course is completely FLAT so running on a "0" incline is not representative of the real road.

Try this simple hill workout this weekend to get those hip flexors working and the heart pounding!


Slowly jog for 5 minutes.

2 minutes steady pace at 4% incline
Recover (easy pace) for 2 minutes.
2 minutes steady pace at 5% incline
Recover (easy pace) for 2 minutes.
2 minutes steady pace at 6% incline
Recover (easy pace) for 2 minutes.
2 minutes steady pace at 7% incline
Recover (easy pace) for 2 minutes.
2 minutes steady pace at 6% incline
Recover (easy pace) for 2 minutes.
2 minutes steady pace at 5% incline
Recover (easy pace) for 2 minutes.
2 minutes steady pace at 4% incline
Recover (easy pace) for 2 minutes.
Slowly jog for 5 minutes.

New on my IPOD this week:
  • Jay Sean -2012
  • Sean Kingston - Letting Go
  • Shake - Jesse McCartney




Have a GREAT weekend!































Wednesday, October 20, 2010

I often sit and wonder

Each day we make decisions, some are consciously chosen by ourselves...others I feel result from choices we have made in our past...So often we are faced with a choice..get up early, or sleep in? Read just one more chapter or go to bed...Make dinner or order in...

Mundane, I know, but lately I find myself wondering ....

1. Brains or beauty?
2. Love or money?
3. Public or Private school?
4. Hockey or no hockey?
5. Yoga or Pilates?
6. One best friend or several "good" friends
7. One more baby?


What are you wondering about these days?

Monday, October 18, 2010

RUDE!

Is it me, or has society become a bit more rude? I know I posted last year on my pet peeve about elderly people taking the baby parking spot at Costco or the mall...that was a first glimpse into what I believe is a society of disrespectful, rude people.

I know it's harsh. You don't have to agree with me,and by all means I do not mean ALL people are rude...just many more then I can ever remember... Today's rudeness was the straw that broke the camels back for me. In the last week..this is what I would consider "rude" behaviour towards me.

1. An older lady (mid 70's I guess) at the gym accuses me of being "drunk" as she laughs with her friend that I could not find my gym card for my locker. I swore I had placed the generic card you get from the front desk into my locker and when I turned around the lady was using my locker. I kindly took the card away and noted I would move lockers...and then she snagged the card out of my hands exclaiming it was HER card. Blah Blah, hee, hee, she is drunk, or maybe she got up too early were her words about me to her friend...When she lifted her purse up, there was MY key...I looked her straight in the eyes and said..in my motherly tone..."you were extremely rude to me, I did not deserve that from you, and at 6 in the morning the least you could have done was help me try to find my key" Still, no apology from her...she walked away mumbling "it was just a joke". I was offended..would she have treated a fellow "older" lady that way?

2. At the gym, I need 15 pound dumbells, none on the rack. Trainer next to me and her client have MANY dumbells around them...none of which are being used as they are too busy chatting and laughing...as her client starts pressing 20 pounders, I ask if I could snag the 15's for a set.
"NO, she says...we are using them". Then she looks around as though another set should miraculously appear before me. So, I used 17.5's and gave her my hairy eyeball look for the next few sets...since when are we unable to share...I thought that was a 2-4 yr old behaviour issue.

3. Running errands today, a twin in each arm, a parcel to return hanging from my shoulder, I struggle to open the door to the store...I get in and 2 men are staring at me and one says "wow, you have your hands full..."I place the container on the floor and kick it up to the front desk, stand in line, make my return, you would think someone would have helped me...place the parcel on the counter for me? Nope... get the door for me on the way out? You would think the 2 men STILL standing at the door would help out and push it open for me. NOPE. They stopped talking though to watch me struggle. If I was not sweating from lugging the boys and standing in line for 5 minutes to get $11 back I likely would have thanked them for being so helpful...the sarcastic woman in me.

So, while these 3 events are mere blips in time, and maybe I'm in a grumbly mood..but I hold doors open for people, I don't park in handicap spots or baby parking if I have help with me..I let people work into sets on the machines with me, heck, I've even paid for an elderly man's parking at the gym when he forgot his parking pass...I certainly do not take pride in someone else's discomfort.

Chivalry is defined as "pride aspiring to beauty, and formalized pride gives rise to a conception of honour, which is the pole of noble life". I'm not asking for chivalry my friends....

Nice will do, just fine...

Can't we all just get along?

Sunday, October 17, 2010

1st haircuts

In preparation for the upcoming one year celebration, Tim and I decided it was time to get rid of Kyle's old man comb over and Luke's out of control tuft..The following photos will explain just how different my boys are....Kyle...Fun, fun, loved every second of the clippers...took all of 2 minutes to achieve a nice trim do. The kid does not sit still for ANYTHING...except the clippers...who knew. Smiles all around..

Luke....

Screaming before those clippers even touched him...Look at that face...my heart breaks! Thank goodness we did it ourselves, the poor hair stylist who would have had to endure that!!!! The kid sits still ALL day...barely moves....but he turned into a wiggly snake when those clippers came out.

So another milestone is done...and let's just say I pray their hair grows EXTRA slow and another such event will not occur for many months to come!

Happy 11 months my boys

The little men are 11 months. Crazy, I know!

They continue to get busier ever day. I think I sat down once yesterday..and that was forced on me by Tim, he knows when a headache hits, I need an hour of dark, quiet, uninterrupted time. Good man.

Lukey Dukey...you continue to greet anyone who enters the room with the biggest, most gentle smile...you eat sand and grass like it's a delicacy...pebbles are not your thing..likely since your brother is eating them all....You're sensitive, hate loud noises, and require some alone snuggle time before naps and bed.

You say mama and my heart melts.I have one question...When are you planning on crawling? Not that I'm rushing you, you seem to want to crawl, you rock back and forth...and then give up. Take the plunge my dear, you can chase your brother around and have more fun!

Kylie Wiley...while still fiesty, you seem to have calmed down a bit now that you can crawl, pull up, stand and let go, and climb stairs....the house is fort knox because of you! You say mama, you wave bye bye and you shake your head no...you watch me talk and I swear you are trying to mimic me...you are gentle with Luke, even when he swats you away...keep trying Kyle, he'll come around!

Cole is having a blast with you after school each day playing "chase me" around the main floor of the house..he will sit and play blocks and entertain you boys while mommy preps dinner. Cole is my little helper and makes my life much easier.

Happy 11 months my boys...how I adore you!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

It's Official - Masters here I come

I have officially decided to compete in 2011. The competition will be the Masters Figure (35 and over only...all you young pups are NOT allowed!) March 19, 2011, right here at home!

Check it out here for more info.....in case anyone wants to come cheer me on!

I have enlisted some help. My nutrition/weight training/posing/supplement gal Jewels...and my CRAZY AWESOME ..and darn right cool athletic trainer Paul.

My sister is on board for styling and her best friend Sommer for hair and makeup. Tim, my parents and all my friends are ready for support when needed....that means NO temptations ok?

Do I have the first clue about what I'm doing?
NO

Am I scared?
YES

Has this been in my bucket list since I was in my early twenties?
YES

I'll tell you, my biggest fear is that I get on stage and I'm that girl that everyone looks at wondering why she is there...you know like those bad singers on Idol....someone should tell them they can't sing!

So you see, part of this process is for me to grow in confidence in my own determination and abilities. I know I can diet, I know I can put the hours in at the gym and still manage work and a house of kidlets....I just have to truly BELIEVE in myself and enjoy the process. If I step on that stage looking the best I possibly can, knowing I gave it 100% then the end result will not matter.

I will keep you posted every few weeks on what's happening..diet, training and "other" stuff (posing clinic starts in January). For now, the next 2 weeks will focus on settling into a new diet, 2000 calories (up from 1500) and 5 intense weight training days per week as well as 30 minutes minimum of cardio per day. Many late nights are in my future, but for this night owl and early riser, I say BRING IT!

So, what's on your goals for 2011, have you revisited your "fitness" bucket list and will leap with me into unknown territory? A half marathon? Triathlon? 10km walk? Committing to exercising at least 5 days a week? Whatever it is, it is YOUR GOAL

PS: comments are truly appreciated my friends...I am reaching out for support here and I know I will get some lovin from ya! Stay fit and fab this weekend!

TAG - I'm it - Get to know me!

What is your daily routine like? What time to you get up, go to bed, dinner routine, etc.
Most mornings the twins dictate my rise...generally at 6:30 and I wake Cole at 7:30. Breakfast at 8, I bundle the crew up at 8:30 and we walk to school with Cole for 8:50, home by 9am. Babes down for a nap at 9:30 and I get in my cardio in my home gym or I dash to the gym (Tim works from home so he is with the twins while they sleep). Get twins up at 11, lunch at 11:30, bath for the twins, run an errand with them if I need to, and they are back down at 1:30ish for a nap and I work online. Pack up the twins at 3:10 and walk to school and stay and play at the playground until 4:30. Home at 5, dinner 6, play, bottle, bed for twins by 7, Cole in bed at 8:30 and I work again online until 10:30 (this is when Tim gets in his workout)...Tim and I relax till 11:30 and it's bed time.
PHEW


What are things you do with your family for fun. And for those of you with children, what fun things to you like to do with your kids?

Family walks are huge in our house, we have friday night movie night, and we love heading to the lake and exploring on the beach. Unstructured fun is something I have learned to embrace.

What are your FAVORITE holiday traditions?

We just had thanksgiving at the new cabin and it was AMAZING. I'll do a post on it soon. Otherwise I am not a huge tradition girl, odd for my type A personality, but I'm floored that people put so much pressure on certain days of the year.

What do you do when you want to relax and have some "me time" ?

My "me" time is working out. I do have a girls running group every week and that's a great way to socialize and stay fit all in one. I did notice at the lake though I HAD to relax as I had no internet, it was my day off from training...so I read a trash mag and had a nap!

What is one of your favorite books you've read so far?

I loved Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. I also really enjoyed the Andre Agassiz Bio...

What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

Food wise? Chocolate and pies, pumpkin pie for sure...I indulge in my pleasure at least once a week! Otherwise, I am guilty of watching too much reality TV....teen mom, jersey shore..plain old junk. Does it make it any better if I say I watch these shows while on the treadmill?

Thank you to Miranda at Hangin' Loose with The Tucci's for tagging me...check her out, she does fantastic blog and website design work! She lives in Hawaii!!! Can you imagine!!!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Fitness Friday Is Back!

I'm Back!

Recent stats:Weight remains stable at 122lbs and 9.9% body fat! Goal attained and I'm in muscle building mode. When I began this journey to shape up post twins, I started Dec 1st at 149 lbs and 23 % body fat. Feels great to have my body back!

Competition weight should come in about 115lbs so this weight is completely maintainable for the off season. I meet with Miss Fitness 2008 next week for an overall assessment of what we need to work on.

This week has been slow as I recover from my 10 mile run. I managed a 6 miler today as well as a zumba class Tuesday, a back and chest workout wednesday, shoulders and arms on thursday and tomorrow I'll hit the legs. I try and get 45-60 minutes of cardio in each day, rain or shine, inside or outside, to me, no one cardio is better then another, just move it each and every day. Pick something you like and enjoy it!

I truly enjoy running outside, but on the days when I can't, I need to motivate myself on the treadmill. So here is a great workout, adapted to both the runners as well as my walkers out there. Try it this weekend, or twice if you plan on indulging in a Thanksgiving day treat!

WARM UP 5 MINUTES:

MinutesWalk
mph/incline
Run
mph/incline



5:00-9:004 / 55.5 / 3
9:00-11:004 / 75.5 / 4
11:00-16:003.5 / 105 / 6
16:00-21:003.5 / 86 / 3
21:00-22:004.0 / 45.5 / 2
22:00-23:004.5-4.8 / 47 / 2
23:00-24:004.0 / 45.5 / 2
24:00-25:004.5-4.8 / 47 / 2
25:00-26:004.0 / 45.5 / 2
26:00-27:004.5-4.8 / 47 / 2
27:00-29:003.5 / 105 / 8
29:00-31:003.6 / 85.2 / 6
31:00-33:003.7 / 65.4 / 4
33:00-35:003.8 / 45.6 / 2
35:00-38:004.5 / 26.5 / 2
38:00-40:004.0 / 25.5 / 2
40:00-45:003.5-3 / 14.5-3.5 / 1

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

My pregnancy has traumatized a 6 yr old

As I maneuver myself through this thing called being mom to a grade 1'er, I am once again at a loss for words....guidance from all you seasoned moms is needed here...

I was picking up Cole from school, minding my own business when a mom came over and asked if I was Cole's mom.

Yes, I said..

"My daughter was in Cole's class last year....and she said she asked you if you had a baby in your belly and you said you had 2 babies"

Oh yes, I remember her asking me that!

"well, she has been traumatized ever since...to the point where when she sees you she hides her face, she refused to go to any parties that you would be bringing Cole too...and I asked the teacher if anything happened last year that would have caused this..."

SAY WHAT?

Pretty sure I stood there with my mouth open, wondering how to respond! I asked her to bring her daughter over to see me when she came out and she didn't...I asked her to ask her daughter again what is causing her such trauma...I also asked why she is bringing this up a year later AND our kids are not in the same class....

Confused and yet a bit saddened that this has been placed upon me.

Help?

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Random thoughts in plus 23 degree weather

You heard right. It's plus 23 degrees here in the PEG. Between the sun, the fresh air and the amazing fall colors, I can barely contain my excitement.

No, we do not live in frigid cold weather year round. No we do not travel by sled and live in igloos (a man once asked me that...I will not say where he was from....let's just say faaaaaar south and must have lived under a rock himself!)

My house is a mess...unpacking for 5 people is a bit more work then I anticipated...The babes are cranky pants from 4 days of missed naps and so-so night sleeps in a hotel. Never mind the fact that I stifled Kyle from crawling for 4 days. He was a kid in a candy store this morning when he saw wide open spaces!

Cole was dragging his feet to school, bags under his eyes from 4 days of Nickelodeon fun at the MOA. Never mind the junk lunch I packed for him given we had no groceries. If the lunch mom at school does not call and ask WTH was that, I will be shocked.

On the upside...I am done work for 2 weeks until I start up again teaching another on-line course. Oh the plans I have for the next 2 weeks....none of which will get done if this weather keeps up! I will make an effort to read more blogs and comment as I miss it! Life has sped by these past few weeks and it's nice to just sloooooow right down.

So, I will enjoy my coffee here (Seattle Best from the Tassimo...love the US selection!) and enjoy the peace and quiet of babies napping......

I will get back on my fitness friday this week and post a new workout! Lots of requests for more detail on my training so maybe I'll post a weight training workout...any suggestions on bodyparts you most want to work on?

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Well...it wasn't 26.2 miles...

Someone sent me a text this week which read...

"While it's not a full marathon, hope you have a personal best on your race!"

While I could dwell on that text (I assume it was well intentioned?), I chose to not obsess that my dream of being a marathoner was not happening, and simply head to Minneapolis and enjoy myself and guess what...I have had a fantastic time PLUS...a personal best on the 10 mile race...1:26:21.

Let me say this....I RUN FOR MYSELF AND ONLY MYSELF. Ditch the competitiveness if you want to truly enjoy running. When you turn it into a competition, you take out the fun, the freedom. Be tough on your own personal goals but don't judge others for theirs. Ok, lecture over.

My gal Shawna, who continued to train without me when I got injured in July, finished in 4:08. She is truly amazing. 3 kids under 6, a Partner at a big CA firm and a bum knee, she found the time to crank out the required training schedule and finish this beast of a run!.

This was one of the nicest courses I have ever run...including the 7 hills! At almost a hill per mile, this prairie gal is not used to that kind of incline and the hip flexors are paying right now.

A bright and early start with a plus 4 temp...my faithful running bud...Dad...my gloves which I bought at the expo here say JUST ONE MORE MILE...ain't that the truth? Mine really should have said I RUN FOR COFFEE...
We said goodbye and headed to our corrals. That's me with the 2 water bottles. Me and 6000 other runners!
A cool dry-fit shirt for the finishers! Well worth the $65 entry!
What would I do post-race? Massage, eat, stretch...nope..I headed for the Caribou Coffee stand and dosed myself up...Did you really think there was any other option for me? I run for coffee remember? This city is patriotic...I was like a fish outta water eh? Can't say I've ever run a race where there was a gigantic Canadian Flag hanging from massive cranes near the finish line. Go big or go home right?
As I ran through the streets of Minneapolis and my legs felt light, my lungs full of fresh beautiful fall air, I was truly thankful that my injury was at bay, and that I was simply able to run again..one foot in front of the other, with my family proudly waiting at the finish line.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

cheeri-O

This post is just cause...just cause I have to.

Cheerios are a staple around here, 3 boxes are in the pantry right now, all different flavors (me= whole grain, Tim& twins = multigrain, Cole = plain jane)

We inspired Kyle to crawl by using cheerios...

I take them in tupperware on every shopping trip to entertain the boys...

They are all over the floor some days...and then this is what happens.

Kyle slapped one on his head (he's like a squirrel...packing them away for the winter)...why would he not carry it in his hand????? That would slow him down way too much.


What's the staple cereal in your place...any funny cereal stories to share?

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Technology and me = oil & water

Heads up....do not buy me electronics. EVER

If you do...you will regret it as chances are I will ruin it within the year. Maybe sooner.

Not intentionally...it's just me and always has been me.

Remember these..Yup, I had not one, not two..but three of them between the ages of 13 and 15...every time my parents would buy me a new one...they would plead..."please Cheryl take care of this one.."

Remember these...
Uh huh...I had ALL THREE of these babies with a flippin year and a half. Let's revisit the demise..

Camera #1....death as a result of ingesting breastmilk
Camera #2...death as a result of ingesting Maui sand (at least it was Hawaii sand)
Camera #3...death as a result of dropping onto a patio in hopes of saving Cole's fingers from being slammed by a patio door. (yes I saved his fingers...)
Tim put his foot down and refused to buy me (aka Dr. Destructo as he calls me) anymore cameras......tough love at its finest!

So 10 months ago just after the babes were born and my cell phone plan was coming up for renewal Tim caved and presented me with a lovely blackberry...with a disclaimer....

Cheryl, I did NOT buy you the warranty plan...as the plan does not cover water, breastmilk or sand damage...so it's useless for you" PLEASE take care of this phone!

Blink blink my baby blues......Ok, no prob.

Blackberry met water (potentially drool if the twins had it..) last week. Crap.

Tim phoned the cell phone company... $600 to replace the phone since I'm only 10 months into a 3 year contract.

Double Crap.

Tim said nothing...he simply shut his office door for a few hours while I tip toed around the obvious. He emerged.....filled a tupperware with rice, placed the battery into the rice and let it sit on the cable box for 3 days...while of course we avoided talking about the obvious.

He baked the blackberry at 100 degrees for a bit...and voila, I'm back in action with $600 still in my pocket. No lecture...

Which makes me think that this was pretty much expected...has Tim become immune to my destructive technological tendencies? Likely not...pretty sure I avoided one unhappy hubby....and for that reason I have taken it upon myself to purchase this from Etsy.com...
Cute right?

AND padded...
AND waterproof....




Saturday, September 25, 2010

My Tissue Balls...How to DIY

Lots of requests to share how I made these tissue balls for my sisters wedding shower...


http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/pom-poms-and-luminarias?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/paper-and-fabric-flowers#slide_4

I first saw them at a small bridal shower at a friends condo. The "pop" of color was fun and the lightness of the decor made me feel happy....I HAD to make them! Her color was apple green...

These are REALLY easy to make, trust me...coming from this non-crafty person...

My only suggestion is to splurge and by the $2 tissue paper, not the dollar store stuff as it seemed to tear easily. I bought flower wire from Walmart for $2 (for 10 pieces, which I cut in half) and I used clear string to hang. The total per ball was about $2.20...cheap!

Each tissue ball took about 10 minutes to make. We made 25 for the shower and reused them again the week after for a friends wedding reception. After that they were "wilting" ....

Play around with color and and patterns for a fun birthday theme! If you make them I expect some pics!!!

Enjoy!