A day for me

This is my grow-into closet....see post below...

Thats what I did today.

I woke up with a headache, I think from sleeping wrong....and cramps (sniff sniff) :(

So having rose here with the kids, and not being called into work I decided to head across the border. I had some amercian cash left.

I decided to look for some scrub stores, and I found a couple.

I am known at work for my fabulous scrubs. I would win best dress nurse I tell ya ;)

I like to look good when I work hehe.

Once I had lost all the weight, and won the $$ back I treated myself and bought a bunch of new ones...and they were all stylish :) no cheaping out! hehe

So today, I found a couple places that sold the brands I loves AND cheaper :)

I think I will have to do a picture in every outfit I have and post them. Then you can see how cute I look hahahaha.

Then I stopped at the mall in town. There are many stores I love there, ones not in canada.

I have to say I love shopping....and I am SO good at it lol

I really just come across the best deals. It amazes me.

My favorite kids store is gymboree. I LOVE their clothes BUT they are pricey. They do have good sales when you are lucky to come across them.

I really dont mind spending the extra money, as I swear by the quality. I have never had a shirt wear out...or a stain not come out.

And of course not being done having babies, they will make good hand me downs :)

SO in the mall, I walk to the store and they have 2 racks outside marked $4.99 and under. I was in HEAVEN. The original prices of the stuff was $24 to $40 USD. wow.

So I was able to get an entire line of shirts, a dress, and shorts for Arianna in size 6. Maybe 15 pieces...(they sell there clothing in lines, everything coodinates) and one pair of jeans for james lol. it was mostly girl stuff.

I mean, I cannot get that good of deals even at walmart lol.

That was ONE DEAL I was not walking away from.

I shop a year in advance. I am going to post a picture that shows you my grow-into closet. this houses my spring, summer and fall clothes for this year...yup all year. I have size5/6 for arianna in there and 4/5 for James.

shopping off season is the best :D

SOOOO someone, someday is going to jump for joy (and be soooo lucky) when they inherit my hand-me-downs. just checkout gymboree.com and see how cute it is. almost all the kids clothes are from there...and I get them for amazing prices...deals even walmart can't beat ;)

The hour before bed

Is a very long hour...
the kids are in their room...running...and screaming....where do they get the energy?
I know its because they are tired, but still. It really makes them hard to handle lol.

Today I took them shopping. Arianna has a science experiment to prepare for. She has to create something that will keep an egg that is being dropped from a ladder from cracking. get that? lol
It has to be less then 30cm all around. The teacher will drop an egg from a ladder into it, so whatever it contains must be soft in order to keep the egg from smashing.
So today Arianna wanted to go look for some soft things. We headed to the dollar store. This is that she picked out:
bath squishy sponge things lol (no idea the name for them)
some soft foam make up applicators (the triangle ones)
some cotton balls
and some pom pom craft balls.

There we have it, we will see what she creates...and if the egg lasts ;)

After that, we headed to the movies. we have a $3 theatre close to home. Cannot beat that! And if they are good, they get the $3.99 kids popcorn combo. Today we saw the tale of despereaux. It was cute, and the kids liked it :) I love cheap, fun things to do in order to entertain the kids :)

I have been off the last 3 days, and so has Rose (nanny). It has been nice.
Rose has been with us almost a year now, and she will be done with us in december. Depending on when I get pregnant will determine how fast we move on getting another nanny. We are looking into sponsoring Roses Niece. As long as I continue to work, we will need a nanny. I am lucky my job pays well enough, that I can pay for it and my loan. phew. lol.
With James starting kindergarten we will be walking back and forth to the school 3 times a day...how is one to work around that haha. Ahhh the luxury of having a nanny to help :) The best thing we ever did for sure!!!!!!

I am back to work tomorrow. I work 2 days then have a couple off. We are getting a new gas fireplace this week. I am excited. It is in our TV room, cant wait to be cozy!!!!

Well its about bed time for one little monster ;)

back to my roots

well, not really, but it's how I feel...aand that is blonde :)

I am slowly making my way back to lighter hair. After that black incident it has taken a long time. I figure it will be around a year later that I will be back to "normal".

Summer just brings out the blonde in me...

I got some blonde put in yesterday. Its a process thats for sure :)

I figure one more set of highlights and I will be surely sunkissed :)

I registered James for kindergarten. I cannot believe in a few months both my kids will be in school. wow.

He is excited to go. And he is on par with Arianna. He can do everything she can. I guess thats the bonus is having kids 14 months apart. He learns everything from her, and wants to do things just like her.

Work is going great. I still LOVE it. this 8 hr part time line has be wonderful. If I stay any extra time, its overtime. which I love. I am banking it for days OFF. yay.

I will soon get my benefits, which when needed, will give me mat pay at 78% for some of the time. cant beat that!!!!

still trying yes. no luck with that so far. I guess it takes time after a miscarriage to get your body back. I would love for it to happen soon (only for the huge age gap) but I am also happy to just let it happen and not TRY ( no calculations or temps lol)

A friend from work is coming over tonight for a movie night. kids will be pooped as they were up late last night and early today. We will go have some dinner then watch something girly I am sure :)

Hope you have a good weekend

Coffee

Coffee is a must have for me these days. For one thing I am NOT a morning person, never have been. If I have to wake up before 7am I need something to help get me going.
As most my shifts are 7-3, this has me waking up at 6am. Yuck. I always swing through the timmys on my way for a hot cup of coffee.
The hospital has a tiny little coffee shop. It has a good creme caramel coffee.
One of my buddies at work always buys me coffee. He is so nice.
So, the other day he left 5 mins ahead of me for break. Asks me if I want coffee. I say sure!
When I am about to go to break my other friend Les asks me to go to the coffee shop with him for a coffee. I say oh, actually my personal assistant has already gone to get me one :)
I love the people I work with!
And I love my coffee :o)

Queen of the...

Catheters. Yes, that is me.
I am so good at the female one, I tell ya, I always get it on the first shot...hehe
Something to be proud of in the nursing world.
As you know, the female anatomy is quite complex ;)

I am really enjoying my 8 hr line.
Its so busy the day goes so fast.
I love going to work. It is a chance for me to socialize with coworkers (I have made GREAT friends), have some me time doing something I am passionate about, and being able to make a difference.

Nursing may be a dirty job...literally...but it is rewarding.

I have seen many deaths since starting at Delta, I am really shocked at the number actually, but it is no longer something that leaves me an emotional wreck.
I had a HARD time the first few...I mean I would cry just as much as the family.
But now, I have learned to deal with the emotions in a different way.
It will always be sad, but my job more importantly is to support the family. And I feel I have grown in a way that I am able to do that. I am stronger.
I always say a prayer for the person who has passed....
What makes it easier, is most the time the person is reaching the 90s or older! And I grew to know them over the time at the hospital. And most lead fulfilling lives. I am happy knowing life was good to them, and they no longer need to be here and suffer.

Ok enough on that....I just wanted to share that this is one area I have really grown in as a nurse.

I love my job and would not trade it for the world....
But, being a mother comes first. And if my family needs me I am here.
When a coworker called in sick today as he daughter was injured at school. She felt bad, and I just said to her. Family comes first. And she said OK. She knew it too, but its nice to hear it from someone else.

I have been thinking more and more about one day finishing my RN. Maybe its been the praise I get at work from other RNs telling my how good I would be lol....
But, I think if I do, it would be to work in maternity.
We will think about that once all the babies are done.

I know a few other friends who are pregnant.
Due around the time I was.
More lately, my heart is aching. I really wish it didnt happen.
I really want to be pregnant.
The age gap is big already...and getting bigger :( sigh.

Well, time to get the kids ready for bed.
I have a few days off now.
And Alyson, Brandon and I are headed to the Vault friday evening. Thank you :o)

bored....

SO I thought I would share my nightly style of bangs...and my belly ring hehe..oh and the nose which is harder to see. Do I look younger with the bangs? Its nice to know I can have them if I need a change ;) AND yes...I have stretch marks...ahhh the marks of motherhood ;)

On to 2009

snow on christmas day....at my parents...and this was not the end of it lol

Lack of blogging has been due to the crappy few months around here lol.

At least for now, we are all almost healthy.

Christmas came and went...and for some reason it just didn't feel the same.

Brandon was working most of it...and we got covered in a few feet of snow, which left many stranded at home.

I can say I am really ready to begin a new year. The end of this one has been rough.

Its been over 2 months since I miscarried. And I still think about it. And I really wish it would be easy to get pregnant again.

I can admit I am jealous of the people who are pregnant now, due around the same time I was supposed to me...wondering why it worked for them and not me...sigh.

I am thinking of heading back to bootcamp in the new year as well. I am FINALLY in a normal weight and BMI. yay me lol. But in 10 more pounds I will be skinny ;) haha

I wear a medium well now, but I want to be bikini ready :)

that is if I can tan the stretch marks to be less noticeable lol.

This is the one thing that really makes me feel good. How far I came losing weight and keeping it off.

WELL mostly. I think 2 pounds crept back over christmas, but it was SO worth it and I AM OK WITH IT lol.

I start my new part time line at delta hospital on Jan 1. I will be working 8 hr shifts. yay! and almost all 7-3. I am excited about that....to be a permanent staff member.

Although, I think brandon wants me to stay at home again ;) I have been spoiling him with cooking and baking....he remembers the old days haha.

well that is all I have to say for now.

On to 2009 and pray for a better year :)

Happy Holidays?!

Not if James keeps getting sick.
This time it was a cold gone wrong, giving him croup, and constricting his airways.
Yup, we were at the hospital AGAIN. This time for nebulizers (face mask that gives medications that look like smoke) James was not a fan.
Of course any tubes he sees he is going to scream....nightmares about the NG tube still I assume.
After a good dose of steroids, he seems ok. Just the cold now.
But, I tell ya we may as well rent a room at the hospital.
sigh.

what else can I tell ya?!
oh yes, I got my belly button re-pierced...and my nose.
crazy?! maybe, but I like.
no tattoos for me, just these :)
And they look good ;) even hubby agress.

work is work...still love it. but the night shifts kill me.
maybe Jan. I will have a nice part time 8 hr line. I should know tomorrow!!! yay!

and the biggest news? brandon bought me a new car for christmas.
it was supposed to be a suprise, but the original deal he made feel through, so he had no choice but to tell me, as the van needed to go back.
So we got to go together and pick one. we opted out of a domestic and went import.
I am getting a mazda 5 gt in stormy blue. its so nice.
it seats 6, has a nice sun roof and is good on gas.
it is way smaller then the van, but still has enough room.
I am excited. It is sitting on a boat now, headed to the port I believe. Should be here in a day or two I guess.

The kids are doing well. Arianna had a couple days of bad behavior at school but seems to be corrected. thank goodness! And you know James' story lately lol.
they are obsessed with christmas music.
I bought them the little peoples christmas cd, and they listen to it ALL day.
it has all the common christmas songs. so they are learning.
It has been great, they have been playing so nice and spending a lot of time in their room ;)
what am I going to do when christmas is over?! lol

Hair done!

A little shorter then I wanted...sigh, that always happens...but the highlights are nice...slowly getting back to normal...no more black hehe

Almost 28!

Here I am just a couple days away from the big 28....and I feel great :)

Since May I have lost almost 30 pounds...yes thats right.

I was around 177 when I started bootcamp...and was a size 12...

I am now 147 pds and am a size 9; almost 8...

I feel wonderful about myself again :)

I still want to lose a bit more, but am in no rush. I am going to enjoy my holiday season after the stress of the last couple months.

between the miscarriage and James in hospital for 10 days, I need time to relax.

I treated myself to a brand new pair of lululemon pants (size 6 even !) they are expensive, but well deserved hehe.

Sorry for the lack of updating...but as you know James being in hospital took my time.

I am not going to post about it on here...as I have enough notes about it on facebook.

We are looking forward to a nice holiday season. Almost time to put the tree up (rule is after my bday but it will be Dec 1 i think )

I am most likely going to be getting a part time line at the hospital. It will give me between 9-11 shifts a month, ALL 8 hours, and 90% 7-3 shifts. CANT BEAT THAT. Nursing now a days is almost all 12 hrs. Days nights...

so if I get this...minimal nights.

It will be PERFECT. AND it will give me benefits which will include maternity top-ups :) for when the time happens. I will get closer to my regular wage while on mat leave! cant beat that!!!