19 down

19 pounds that is. 19. Whoa. I never thought that I would allow myself to get to the point where I had to lose that much. I still have 6 to go. But I did. I love food. That wasn't an excuse to find myself somewhere between overweight and obese.

I was at a healthy weight and then I got pregnant, 18 weeks and some baby weight later I had a miscarriage. I went into labor and there was nothing that caused it and there was no stopping it. It shook my world, my core, my everything. I found comfort in food, my dogs, my family, my husband, and my couch. I gained a few pounds, but I didn't bother to think about it. "Once I get on my feet, I'll do something about it." Well that's what I told myself. I kept eating and kept laying on the couch.

Six months later we found out I was pregnant. I was PREGNANT!! Hmm, not a good time to lose weight. But I felt good about my weight. I didn't have much to lose. "It's ok, I'll be good and won't have much to lose." Boy was I wrong.

I continued to indulge and I started having issues with retaining water and the number on the scale kept creeping up. I remember one time I went in to see the dr and I had gained 5 lbs in one week. I blamed it on being 9 months pregnant and it being the dead of summer in Texas.

I had my son and when he was about to be a year old I decided to start taking my body back. I started eating better and exercising. I started to lose weight, I was feeling good about myself and then I found out I was pregnant again. "Well, there goes that", I thought. My focus was on the life being created. Eating healthy, drinking water, going on walks. But I do love food. I had my son and the birth was a little traumatic. But I found myself at the heaviest I have ever been. EVER.

This past holiday season I was not happy at the number on the scale. I knew I wasn't being healthy for my family. The family that needs me. The family I love. A really good friend of mine was promoting an online weight challenge. I thought, "Why not?" It will hold me accountable for what I eat. My first goal was don't gain any weight. It's hard to do over the holidays. When it was over I had managed to lose 3 lbs. I was so proud. So when she announced another weight loss challenge I was game.

The second week of January I stopped in a Medifast clinic and asked questions. I signed up and started their program. It consists of eating 5 MF meals and one lean & green meal. So six meals a day. The first is an hour from waking up and then 2-3 hours afterwards.

I'm loving watch my husband do it with me. I love to see my family eat healthy. I love cooking for my family.

I've lost 19 lbs. I'm currently doing the most recent weight loss challenge. I've got 6 more lbs to go. I'm at a weight from before I had the kids. Once I get to my goal weight, I'm going to focus on toning. Right now, my focus is weight loss with some toning.

My Stats:
highest weight: 140
lowest weight: 105
current weight: 111
goal weight: 105
next goal weight: 115 (toning up and putting on 10 lbs of muscle)
height: 5’0″
size: 4



The Taste: Tuesday at 8|7c on ABC

Recently the hubs & I stumbled upon The Taste. I must say that I'm hooked.

I love, LOVE, love Anthony Bourdain. He's one of the four judges. The other judges are Nigella Lawson, Ludo Lefebvre, and Brian Malarkey.

Contestants are in four groups and each judge coaches one of the groups. At the end of each show there is a blind tasting with the judges that determines the winners & losers of the challenge.

I love the concept! I love that there isn't room for favoritism. There's also competition among the judges. I can't wait to watch Tuesday!

I found it!!

I grew up speaking my parent's native language. So did my husband. Except that they are very different languages.

Before we had children, and we knew it was in our future, we always talked about exposing them to both languages. I speak Spanish to them. They hear it when we hang around my very large and loud family. We listen to Spanish music and dance to it at least once a week. B1 loves Dora, Diego, or Handy Manny.

But I've had a hard time finding cartoons that were in Vietnamese. I had issues finding something that I thought B1 would enjoy. The Hubs speaks to him in Vietnamese but I want him to be able to see cartoons that speak it also.

I think I found just the thing. We watched this video on You Tube. It's the Dino Lingo video series which is a language learning program for kids. We watched the ones in Vietnamese. Today we will watch the ones in Spanish.

What I love is they have many different languages to choose from. B1 seemed interested and was very excited about the dinosaurs and the dogs.

Disclaimer: All the views are my own. I did not receive anything to write this review from Dino Lingo. I did view this clip complimentary through Influenster. If you want to join, let me know and I'll send you a link!

Why yes, I AM his mother.

I knew that when I got pregnant there was going to be a huge chance that my baby was going to look very different from me. I would sit around and try to picture if he would get his daddy's Vietnamese eyes or would he get my Mexican skin. Would he get his daddy's Vietnamese jet black hair? Would he get my Mexican features? Who would he resemble? Would he be a beautiful mixture of both of us and not look like either of us? Would he look more like his daddy and his side of the family? Or, would he look like my side of the family? I did know that there was going to be a strong probability that he was going to be different from one of us. Who it was going to be was going to be left for time to tell. We were going to have to wait to find out. I knew that. For 9 months I  prepared to have to deal with him looking different, but what I wasn't fully prepared for was people not believing that I carried him in my womb. That *I* gave birth to him. It is frustrating when people assume that I am not his mother. I don't know if they think I'm the nanny.

If I'm with my husband, I get looks. I'm sure people are thinking that I'm his step mom. At least I am some form of mom. The problem is when it's the kiddo & I without the hubs. On several occasions I have had people question me whether I'm his mom. When I say yes, they look at me as if saying, "But are you his *mom*, mom?" I guess what bothers me about that is that he is my child regardless. It's no one's business if I carried him for 9 months or if someone else did. He's my child. My baby. Mi gordo. My lovebug. Mine.

I have never had anyone question to my face if I'm the nanny or the sitter. I don't know how I would react if that ever were to happen. I guess it depends on my mood at the moment. I don't ever want Little Man to question his appearance. I know there will be a day where he is going to question why he looks different from his cousins on my side. Or maybe he won't because race and appearances aren't something that we make a big deal about. We teach love. Love for everyone regardless of race.

Little Man is the spitting image of his daddy. The hubs and I couldn't have planned it better. It's kinda scary how alike they are. It's been that way since day one. The day he was born one of the nurses turned to my husband and jokingly said, "Are you sure you are the father?" Everyone burst out laughing because there is no denying it. As Little Man gets older he looks more and more like his daddy. I wouldn't change that. I love that he looks so much like him. I hate that I have to prove that he is mine.

I shouldn't have to prove anything to anyone. He's loved and that's all that matters. I didn't snatch him. I promise.

What can I say?

Life has been super busy. Not an excuse, just the truth. I always say that I'm going to post, but my body & Little Man have other plans when I get home. I'm trying to be better.

This last year has been amazing, sleepless, tiring, blessed, full of laughter and constantly evolving. Especially the laughter part.

Little Man is going to be one next month. Yup. ONE!!! When did that happen? Sigh. It makes me sad because I feel like it just flew by. It feels like he was born and then the next day he was going to be one.

I leave you with a picture of Little Man. It was for his very first picture day. Sniff. Sniff. My baby isn't much of a baby anymore.

It's the perfect time...

to take pictures and share memories created with family. I love the holidays! I know it's been a while since I last posted. I will update soon, but that's for another day.

This year has been full of "firsts." First born, first grandchild, first laugh, first smile, first 4th of July, first Thanksgiving and now first Christmas! I'm so EXCITED!! 

With all the firsts going around, I can't wait to share Brandon's firsts with all of our family that aren't in town. I can't stay away from shutterfly.com. I have created several things but I need to take some more pics of Brandon wearing all the cute outfits his aunt Yen & his Great Grandma Louise sent him.

For Christmas I normally send a regular boring card, but  this year I'm considering sending this. Shutterfly has cute stuff. I can't make up my mind. Too many to choose from. I've never sent a picture card but I always love receiving them.

I have an idea for this. It gives me the opportunity to play with my camera and with my baby who is always up for smiles, laughs & pictures.

I'm in the process of creating one of these.I believe Grandma & Grandpa Nguyen are really going to enjoy their gift.

I'm off to take more pics of my cute baby.

30 weeks 3 days

Where has the time gone? Wow. We have less than 10 weeks before we will be holding and kissing our little one. I am getting excited but I'm nervous. Excitement wins though.

His movements are much more powerful and you can actually see him moving around in my belly. I'm not going to lie, it feels so weird but we are fascinated by it.

I have had heartburn from hell lately. There are days when even water does it for me, but I pop some Tums and go on with my day.

Ken & I are trying to finish the nursery and the registry. Please have patience with us as we slowly but surely get it done. We are such slackers. Hehehe!

I have a dr's appt on Friday afternoon. After this appt I will start seeing him every two weeks and then on a weekly basis until Baby B arrives. Almost there.

29 weeks 2 days

Baby has been super duper active. Sometimes I think he's break dancing in there. It's neat to have Ken feel him squirming in there. I can't wait to hold our little tiger.

I swear that every time I pass a mirror my belly has grown inches. I have considered measuring it but I'm scared of what I might find out. 

27 weeks 2 days

I had a dr appointment on Thursday and everything went well. My dr says that everything is right on track.:)

I was also told that if I don't go into labor by June 29th, he will induce me on June 30th. He said that I probably won't make it until then. Apparently, I'm cooking a big ole baby. 

A year ago

I can't believe that a year has gone by. It seems like it was just a couple of weeks ago, but not a day goes by that I don't think of our precious angel baby who was with us for such a short time.

I am grateful for the 16 weeks we DID have and to know that B has an angel looking over him at all times.

Life always throws curveballs but I think it's how you handle them that matters.

I am lucky because I have had such a great support system to overcome the rollercoaster of emotions that came with the loss of a loved one. My husband, family, friends, my faith and my FIF's. I love you all and I'm SO grateful for every piece of advice, hug, card, text, email & phone call.

I couldn't have come out of this experience with a glass-half-full perspective if it weren't for my loving and patient husband. On the days that I all I needed was a friend, he was it. If all I needed was him to sit there in silence with me. He did and sat there for as long as I needed. He knew exactly what I needed when I didn't even know what I needed. I can't even put into words everything that he did for me.

I love you babe! I know this wasn't easy for either of us. I thank my lucky stars to have my best friend as my husband.

25 weeks 4 days

March 25, 2010

I have finally caught up! Woohoo! From now on all my posts will be current. 

 

24 weeks 1 day

March 15, 2010

This week the dreaded morning sickness decided to make a return. It is VERY mild but annoying. All for such a greater good.

 

23 weeks 3 days

March 10, 2010

I've been feeling great. Thank God.

My doctor says that I'm doing great. My weight gain is on track but most importantly my blood pressure and  glucose test are exactly where they should be and Baby's heartbeat is strong. All great news!

At my doctor's appointment this week, I also found out that our baby boy is measuring at least 10 days ahead. This is according to the measurements taken from our last ultrasound of him.

At my first ultrasound we were told that my due date was July 4th, 2010. On 4/01/2010 I will have another ultrasound to get a more accurate date.

My doctor said that either we are either having a big baby or my due date is off. Ha!

It''s a boy!!

February 15, 2010

I went in to have my big ultrasound a week before but the US tech was rushing and only took pictures that my doctor needed. I went back and had pictures taken for us to have.

It was amazing to see him kicking, yawning, scratching and sleeping. We also got to see him have the hiccups. 

We can't wait to hold him and kiss him.

 

21 weeks 6 days

February 27, 2010

It's rodeo time! I love going to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. 

My parents used to take us when we were little and it has always been something I've enjoyed doing.

Ken & I try to go at least once while it's here. It lasts about a month. 

This year we went to the BBQ cook-off and enjoyed a funnel cake. 

20 weeks

February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day & Happy Lunar New Year!!

Welcome the year of the Tiger! 

According to the lunar horoscope my husband is a dragon, I am a dog and our son will be a tiger. I think I might have my hands full. :) 

According to everything I've read dragons and dogs aren't compatible as a couple. Funny because the best relationship that I have ever had with anyone has been with my husband. It's going on four years and we have had many discussions but never a fight. I guess this dog was meant to tame that dragon.

We have never really done anything big for lunar new year but this year we decided to celebrate it. We went to China Town (which is awesome) on Bellaire and bought some food. Ken surprised me with some tulips that morning. He knows that tulips are my favorite. He randomly surprises me with flowers.

We decided long ago we wouldn't do any gifts on Valentine's Day. I don't see the point in only being sweet once a year because someone told you to. So instead we are sweet many more times throughout the year.

We went and ate some pho and it was so yummy. The restaurant that we went to had some dragon dancers there. I wish I would have taken my camera. I tried to take pics with my iPhone but they didn't turn out very well.

 

Whoa, baby! 18 weeks 6 days

February 6, 2010

(I'm a huge dork and didn't realize that I could back date these posts to show the dates of when they should have been published. Oh, well. Now I know for next time.)

Can you see it now?

That's what the front looks like.

17 weeks 4 days

January 28, 2010

I didn't really look pregnant even though i sure did feel it.

The day I found out I was pregnant I started having food aversions which sucked because I was at a wedding. And I was hungry. Ken was nice enough to polish off my food so that no one would suspect anything. Yes, I love to eat.

I had morning or more like all-day sickness from week 6 until week 12. It's not very fun. I was taking medication for it because it's not fun to gag in the middle of a conversation. Especially when my job requires me to talk to my customer's about 95% of the time.

Thankfully, I never got it during the night so I was able to get some good sleep. Ahh, good sleep. How I remember thee. More on this in a future post.  

Can you see the bump? It looked more like bloat but there it is.

You really can't see it here but it's there.

5 weeks 3 days

I went in on 11/04/2009 for my first appointment. We didn't get to hear his heartbeat until after six weeks but we were able to see a very light flicker of what was his heartbeat.

I couldn't help but to hold my breath and take it all in.

This is what I looked like.

October 30th, 2009

I don't think I will ever forget that day for more than one reason.

I left work early to go home and get ready to go to one of my best friend's wedding. I have known him for 20 years. He was one of the very first people I met on my first day of second grade. He's been a great friend. That wasn't until recently because he was such a booger growing up.

Left to Right: Gabriel, William, Luciano (The Groom), Me, My Husband (in the blue shirt), Armando & Joe (in the back)

I had stopped off at Target to get a card and a couple of over the counter pregnancy tests. I was a couple of days late but I really wasn't too worried about it. We had been careful or so we thought.

What a surprise when I saw this staring back at me. Those lines came up so quick. I thought something was wrong with the tests.

Yes, I took 3. I didn't believe the first one or the second or the third. I had to call my friend V because I was in such a huge stage of shock. The good kind of shock. She laughed at me and was very happy. We squeed on the phone.

I tried to get ready to go to the wedding but I couldn't think of anything else but those plus signs. I kept going from the closet to the counter and staring at them.

That is how the hubs found me. He scared the living crap out of me because I didn't hear him come in.

I told him, "Guess what?" He said, "You are pregnant." I said, "Yes." I showed him the tests. We hugged & kissed and told me to get ready because we were going to be late. Ha! Gotta love my husband.