Surgery, new love and Christmas time!

I'm always amazed at the people who complain about wait times for medical care.  We have had many appointments with specialists for Anna and have never waited very long for anything.  When her heart murmur was first detected we waited no more than a couple of weeks for her first echo then less than a week for the second.  Then when they determined that it was indeed a defect we were referred to McMaster and didn't wait very long for that appointment either.  It was less than 2 months for sure because I was already a month pregnant with Christina when Anna's defect was originally diagnosed and was less than 3 months when we went to McMaster the first time.  Since then we have had regular appointments with no delays for extra tests.  When we first found her hernia we were told she would have to go to McMaster for that as well because of her heart.  I figured we would wait a few months to even see the surgeon but it was less than a month.  We were told at that appointment that it would be 6 to 9 months for surgery.  OK that's a pretty long wait but we were also told that if she had any complications or any issues we were to bring her to emergency and they would fix it right away.  Well we had no issues and we only waited maybe 4 months for surgery.  We went for pre-op just over a week ago with no surgery booked and less than a week later we were called to go for surgery.  So now only 4 months after our first appointment she has had the hernia repaired.  For a non-life threatening issue I'm happy with that kind of wait.  Now we only have to worry about the heart part again and that should be repaired in the next year or so too.  That will depend on how much she grows and how much her heart changes at the next visit.  

We also have some excitement in our house because Meag has found a new beau.  It's funny how things work and how when the right person comes along everything just falls into place.  Meag had been pretty stressed about life in general and all of a sudden everything has just worked out.  School was not going well. She didn't like the program she had chosen and was struggling with marks.  On the same day that she decided to switch programs and move forward she also met this new boy.  It happened by fluke really.  The family was going to Niagara Falls to stay overnight at a hotel and she had to take the bus to meet us there after school.  She doesn't know Niagara Falls and was saying to a friend that she was worried because she didn't know where she was going or where to get off the bus.  This guy overheard her and said he was going to the Falls and would help her.  The rest is history!  They have spent lots of time together since and she can't stop smiling.  This makes me happy!

Christmas is now only one month away and with two little girls in the house things are getting very exciting.   We get our tree this weekend and they are both now old enough to help with all the decorating.  I just love this time of year and all the time we get to spend with family enjoying each others company and just having fun.  I feel like this year I am looking forward to things even more than usual and can't wait for everything to be ready and the holidays to start!

Well Hello There:)

Wow it's been a while since I posted!!  I haven't forgotten about the blogging world but I just haven't had much to write.  Things are the same as last time I posted.  Still going to the gym and working out.  I haven't been running as much.  I'm blaming that mostly on a huge brain block where I felt like I had to run with the group or not at all.  In the last couple of weeks I've identified that as a problem now I just have to get out there and run.  I have to find my motivation again and I know that to do that I have to lace up the shoes and hit the pavement.  I know that the minute I step out the door and feel that wonderful rush of the fresh, late fall air I will remember what I love so much about running.  It's the getting out the door that has become the problem.  I know I can do it and will do it.  I just need to do it.  Tomorrow is a Y night but Thursday looks like a free and clear day so hopefully I can get my butt in gear and get out there.

Tonight would have been a running night but it was parent/teacher interview and I felt like coming home as a family and spending the night together was important.  I had no surprises at the interview.  Anna is doing fantastic at school and is, for lack of a better word, the teachers pet.  She is having no problems except for being a Chatty Cathy (I have NO idea where she gets that from lol).  I'm very proud of her and hope that she retains this love of school.  One of my favorite things is that she is a natural leader.  I have always known that but it's nice to hear that.  Her teacher said she is respectful to everyone, encourages her friends to do things and is always eager to work and help.  She is a rule follower but will also question things to understand better.  Her school work is always done when needed and she is right where she should be if not ahead of the game.

Anna has two surgeries coming up in the next year or so and one of my biggest worries was her missing too much school and falling behind.  Her teacher laid that worry to rest today when she said that Anna could miss an entire week of school and have no issues.  We go for pre-op for the first surgery next week.  I'm hoping that she has the actual surgery over the Christmas break so that she doesn't have to miss but if it lands during school time I won't worry so much now.

The teachers have all loved Anna so far.  She is a calm, happy child who focuses when she needs to and gets things done.  She is a rule follower and listens well.  Next year Christina starts school:)  Those teachers have no clue what they are in for next ;)

AWOL

I realized just now that I haven't posted anything in quite some time.  I don't really have a reason for this aside from the fact that I haven't been on the actual computer much lately.  Things continue to move forward.  I had a nasty cold over the last week and a bit but am much better now and returned to the gym today.  I've been eating well for the most part and continue to watch how much junk we are bringing into the house.  My knee is continuing to get better and with the week off from activity it was feeling really good.  It's tighter now but nothing that will slow me down.  It's almost Adryanna's birthday so this will be a busy week between work, programs at the Y and getting things ready for the party but it will all be worth it in the end!

I Love Fall!

Today as I drove back to the office from an appointment I passed through a very tree filled area.  The leaves were starting to change and absolutely beautiful.  I love this time of year.  Thanksgiving is this weekend and with it comes wonderful food, family and fun.  We'll spend part of this weekend at an annual craft show, part enjoying a lovely Turkey dinner and part just enjoying the great outdoors.  I love to run at this time of year too.  The air is fresh and full of comforting smells, the scenery is beautiful and it just feels great to be out there.  It's been a good week too.  My knee is getting better everyday and workouts are getting easier again.  I'm certain that I will be running totally pain free in the next couple of weeks.  I'll have to make sure to keep up my stretching so that I don't get tight and sore again but it's all worth it to be able to enjoy this, my favorite, season!

Doing well:)

I keep recommitting to this health journey and then falling off the wagon.  I decided a few weeks ago that this would be the last time I do this and that it would be for good.  It was a good start and it has only gotten better.  I've been working on my knee issue and have figured out the things I need to do between chiropractor visits to keep things moving in the right direction.  I've been eating well and the more I eat healthy the better I feel.  I know it's not rocket science but sometimes I just need that little reminder.  

Last week I attended a nutrition seminar called "5 Steps to Optimal Health".  It was very informative and really made me think about what I eat.  I have been struggling with stomach issues for a very long time.  The people running the seminar talked a lot about digestion and why people in general have so many digestive issues.  The one thing that really stood out for me was the list of symptoms they showed us for gluten intolerance.  They explained that many people can be sensitive without being intolerant and that many people do not even test positive with the simple blood test that they do.  My doctor has always been difficult and this is an area that he is stubborn in.  I have been to him several times and he has sent me for many tests but never the Celiac test.  So I decided that I would take a leap and go gluten free for 3 weeks.  At the end I will have something with gluten and see what happens.  I started working on this on Friday and already my stomach feels so much better.  I am not as bloated and am not having the incredible pain that I often just accepted as normal.  This could be totally psychological, it could be just that I'm more conscious of what I am eating and therefore eating healthier or it could be that gluten has been the problem all along.  Only time will tell but for now I'll take whatever is happening and be happy.  

I've also been very good about exercising.  I have made it for most of my workouts and tonight's run was fantastic.  I really feel like I'm back on track!!!

Proud Mama Moments

Today Adryanna brought home her first "test" ever.  It was a five word spelling test.  She's in grade one so tests aren't exactly complicated by adult terms but for a five year old it's a big deal.  Of course for my little girl it was no big deal.  She didn't even tell me about it actually.  When I checked her agenda book it was in there with a big star on it.  My little smarty pants got 5/5!!!  I was quite proud and promptly posted a picture of it on Facebook, emailed the picture to Daddy and our best friends, Erin and Stan.  Everyone is so proud of her.  When I said something to her about it she said, in a very matter of fact voice, "I know Mommy".   Perhaps she didn't really realize how awesome it is or maybe she just didn't care.  Either way she didn't seem impressed.  That is until later on.  As the evening went on she told me that only two kids got a star.  She then said she thinks it's because they are the only ones who got them all right.  I still don't know if she gets that it's super awesome to get perfect on a test but I'm sure proud of her.  Some would disagree with me but getting good marks is very important.  I want her to understand that hard work pays off and she will get further in life if she tries hard in school so I will make a big deal when she brings home good marks.

Today's test:)

The flipside of that is that I'm not sure she had to try very hard.  We have been sent home a list of words for her to practice at home.  In class they will be doing five words a week and this list goes until November.  She can read every word on the list with no real effort, she can spell all of this weeks words.  The important thing to note is this kid loves books.  I have pictures of her at a year old sitting in a box of books.  She has easily a hundred books in her room.  We have read to her almost daily since she was an infant.  I'm sure all of these things contribute to her success and I hope she never loses this passion for learning.

Just over a year  old

Two Freaking Years Baby!!!

I guess I realized this a few days ago but tonight was the first time I said it out loud which made it feel real.  I have been a runner for two freaking years:)  It's hard for me to wrap my head around that right now.  I remember my beginner clinic like it was yesterday.  I am a very visual person and have an amazing (annoyingly amazing sometimes) memory.  When I think about those first runs I can picture the routes, smell the smells and hear the sounds.  They are some of my fondest memories.  They are life changing memories really.  When I walked through the door that first night I would never have imagined I would be where I am today.  I couldn't have even began to think that I would have run a half marathon or that I would be considering doing another.  This is the first time in my life that I have stuck with any exercise routine.  I will never be able to say exactly what has happened this time but whatever it is I'm so thankful that it's happened.  I have never felt this good about myself.  I've gained so much confidence over the past two years.  I feel like I have a whole new outlook on life.  I'm just so damned happy that I made that first step through the door.