Happy Birthday to my mom!

I want to wish my mom a very happy 48th birthday! She is adjusting well down in Iowa, and officially starts her new job tomorrow!

That means we are 3 months and 3 days from my birthday, and 3 months and 12 days til Christmas!!

Stop back later I will have a post about our weekend and other happenings!

Take a moment today....

9 years ago at this moment I was in the shower getting ready for a doctors appt....9 years ago these Towers which I had been to the top of back in 1995 were being destroyed....9 years ago almost 3,000 people lost theirs lives...families and friends have been forever changed, and so have we. Take a moment today and remember. Where were you? What were you doing? How did you feel? Please read on.....

Please also remember the other victims from The Pentagon(one of which was a daughter to my Grandmas good friend from high school) and Flight 93.

God Bless these men and women. Take a moment for them.

18 month appt!

I can't believe my little girl is over 18 months old. She is just such a pure joy to be around. I love her so much. We had her 18 month appointment today. It went very very well. She is growing and developing so well. The doctor was just astounded by her measurements and words/sentences.

Claire is:
Length: 35 1/4 in. (I'm betting on a basketball player for the Iowa Hawkeyes!!) (99.7%)
Weight: 26 lbs (73%, yay! the dr was very happy being we were sitting right on 50% last time)

We counted her words she is up to about 25 words that we can understand(with me saying them and her repeating them back), her sentences are "I did it", and "Gonna getcha". She also sings part of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Then, we showed that we know body parts and she knows what shoes, shirt, pants and diaper are. We also have 3 animal sounds that we can do(lion, monkey and pig). She is very ahead the doctor said, and to keep up the good work. She is excited to see her back for her 2 year visit!!

They moved the 2 shots from age to 2 to age 18 months, so we had those plus I requested the flu shot. We should be set then til February as long as the major sickies stay away!!

An update on the reaction to amoxicillan is more so welts, and she had some swelling that the doctor noticed and I didn't so she will have to stay away from the "cillan" family.

I'm so proud of Claire, and its nice to know we are doing a great job!

We discovered.......

That Claire is allergic to Amoxicillan!! She started getting hives on Tuesday night. We called the Dr. on Wednesday, and stopped them. When the nurse said they'd get worse before it was better she was not KIDDING!!! I feel so bad for my lil' peanut. We gave her a dose of her Zyrtec on advisement of the doctor to see if it'd help but no such luck. Here is one picture...these spots where the size of peas yesterday!

I just feel so bad! I'm glad though however that she doesn't get the reaction I get to "cillans" which is swelling of the face, lips, and throat. I mean the allergy runs strong in my side of the family but she had taken it one other time when she had ear infection, and no reaction.

I'm wishing my little bear a speedy recovery. Have I mentioned I just feel so bad for her??

We already had her 18 month appointment (yes, I am a little behind) scheduled for tomorrow, so the doctor said she'd take a look to see if there is anymore they can do! I'm excited to see how much my lil' girl has grown since her 15 month check!

Moving on...

Tomorrow is the day...my mom is moving back to Iowa, and my brother will be following in a couple weeks with all the furniture. I am so excited for her. She accepted a better paying postion with a hospital down there. She will be closer to my grandparents to help them out more so my grandma since my grandpa is in a great facility being very well taken care of.
I'm not going to lie...I am going to miss her even though she will only be 5 hours away its still going to be hard not having her right here. We plan on getting our Skype set up, and like always we will be talking at least 2 x's a day.
I will post pictures of the picture we made her and some other things we did for her farwell. More than anything we love her very much and wish her the best!

Now...I'm off to get this kink out of my neck! I hate sleeping wrong!

Graduation, Fall projects and a break!

Hello! I hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend, and had a good week! We had a pretty busy week here! We kicked it off on Wednesday with my husbands graduation from his Pharmacy Tech program. He graduated with a 4.o GPA, and he was a Student ambassador. I am so very proud of him for his accomplishment. Now, we just do the wait game and hope he gets a job very very soon! (Please say some prayers!)

Here is Claire waiting for Daddy! (Love her face!)

Here we are after graduation, Claire was doing great seeing that it was almost 2 hours past bedtime! I was so proud of them both! These are my two favorite people! I love them both so much.
Then, we started some more fall projects. We've already accomplished the garage, our hutch, and front closet. This weeks agenda is our hallway closet, and bedroom! Its just amazing how much "stuff" you can collect over the years.
We took a break today and went to Minnehaha Falls. We hope we can get back there before the weather gets to cold. Speaking of weather...it has been amazingly beautiful! I love this kind of weather, and would wish for it year round! I'm so ready for fall! It is my favorite time of the year. I am looking forward to the pumpkin patch/apple orchard and all the beautiful colors. We will also be celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary! (Once again crazy how time flies!)

Speaking of breaks...I am making some changes in my life I realized that I spend way to much time on the computer. No, its not time away from my family because when Claire is up I am not on but its just that I need a break. I know way to much about others people lives then even my own life it seems.(kind of like losing yourself in cyberspace) I am taking a Facebook break mainly. I am going to lessen the amount of time I check emails, and just read blogs once or twice a week. I'm going to focus on reading, crocheting, start potty training(more on that in future posts!) and just enjoy my time. I will still be blogging about our month. It is going to be a busy month! My mom is moving to Iowa next week, and then we take her stuff done at the end of the month plus the fall projects I want to get done just won't have much time to be on!

On a side note...I am so very very proud of my Hawkeyes! I'm looking forward to a good season!

18 months!!!!

This cutie turned 18 months today!!!

I really don't know where the time is going! I love this girl with everything in my heart. She makes my mornings beautiful because there is nothing better than going in and finding her dancing around in her crib shouting "ma ma" "da da" "UP" "ma ma" "da da" "UP UP". We were at a housewarming party for a friend this weekend, and everyone kept commenting about how smiley and happy she is. Its very true this girl always has a smile (for the most part, more on that later! hehe!!).

Claire you are mommy and daddys joy. Thank you so much for being you. We love you so much! You are the biggest blessing in our lives, and we are so thankful for you!

You weigh: Approx 26 lbs.

Height: Approx 33 ins.

You have a very good vocabulary which includes: "nanas"(banana), "hot", "up", "borilla"(gorilla), "mama", "dada", "I did it", "getcha", ball, bot(sippy cup),"ook" (book), "appa"(cat), "ove u"(love you), and so much more.

Your favorite things: Your stuffed gorilla and books.

Your favorite foods: yogurt, french toast sticks, mac and cheese, peas, carrots, tofu, eggs, and anything else that does NOT include meat. I'm beginning to think you might end up being a vegan but thats okay.

We hope that you all had a wonderful Tuesday! We have a fun Wednesday planned!

Today, I was so moved at church. We had a group from MN Teen Challenge visit, while our pastor was at his Navy Reserve weekend. If you are not familiar with MN Teen Challenge. They offer a variety of programs to people trying to overcome addiction. The work with teens and adults. They have 28 day, 60 day and a 13 month programs. We were able to hear the stories of these young adults. OH man I should of brought the kleenex today. It was just amazing to hear how far they have come, and even the stories of those who have just began their journey. I am so proud of them because truly the first step to anything is to seek help and admitting that you have a problem. There was one gal who really touched me. She is 27 years old. She was addicted to meth for 10 years. She would leave her daughter to go get high. Her mom called child protection services on her when her daughter was 2. She had the oppurtunity to get clean, and turn her life around so thats what she did but soon after exiting her 60 day program(at another program other than MN Teen Challenge). She started using again. She signed her rights away to have her mother raise her daughter. A year later she found herself in a very dark and scary part of life, and decided to change. She as been in Teen Challenge for 9 months now. She is slowly rebuilding her life, and her relationship with her daughter and family. Her daughter even calls her "mommy" now, and she has done that in months. And, on September 8th she gets to take her daughter to kindergarten, something that 9 months ago she never imagined.

It was stories like that touched my heart. In some aspects I know how the families of these men and women feel. I had a cousin that used and sold drugs, and landed himself in jail a couple of times. It was so hard to watch. My cousin and I are 6 months apart, and grew up together. It was a very struggling time in my life watching him go through that. He is better now, and has 4 kids.

I know what addiction is like. My addiction was food. (I know not any were near what drugs and alcohol do to you but still). I ate myself through my pain of my cousin dealing with addiction, my aunts bipolar, and my daily battles in my head with my own depression. I have slowly been breaking my habit. It is very hard to not help yourself to that 2nd or even 3rd piece of cake, or 2 helpings at dinner. It is a battle. I am slowly but surely winning. There is nothing harder than to tell yourself "no" or that you can get through this. I am glad that I have a great support system. Just like I am happy that these young men and women have began to rebuild their relationships with family, so that they will have a good support system to help them through.

I would like to ask you to pray for these men and women. That they continue down this path they are on of self discovery. That they can continue to rebuild the broken relationships. That they build a strong foundation of faith to get them through the rough times that are coming once they get out of their program. They will face so much when they get out. We can not judge them they have already beend judged way to much, and we don't were they've all been or how they got to were they were at to use and abuse but we can just hope that they will stay clean for the rest of their lives. I want nothing more than to see them all succeed. Will you do that for me?

Down below is a link to one of the songs they sang, it was of my favorites! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWndDW_271g

Its Wednesday already???

This weeks seems to be going by so fast then tonight it seemed to slow a bit. We have been battling allergies this week! Its unbelieveable how allergies can make you feel so crummy. We haven't been to the gym since Saturday but no worries I am doing my Kettleball at home, so that I can stay on track.

We've had some happenings this week. One my mom accepted a job last Friday for a new job in Iowa! I am very excited for her beyond words. It is a step up from what she is doing. It will give her some experience for degree that she is obtaining. It will be hard to have her gone being that I am so close to her. We will be making more trips to Iowa that is for sure. Eventually, I wouldn't mind moving home to Iowa. For now though I feel driven to stay right where I am at. I love this little town. I'm with a mile to mile and half of Target, 2 parks, ECFE, my doctors office and our gym. We love to walk to these places on nice days. It helps get in some added exercise.
Would you please go wish my friend Kelly at www.kellyskornerblog.com a big congrats on expecting baby #2!!! I'm so very excited for this family with all the challenges they had getting their first child followed by a 3 week NICU stay!
Would you also go check out my friend Taras blog, she just revamped her blog! Its all about sewing, cloth diapering and daily life! She is inspiring me to sew! You can check it out here: www.sewandtellbytara.blogspot.com

Thats all the news I have for now! Have a great Thursday!!

Working out and heat!

Hello! It has been so hot here in MN. I can't remember a summer this hot and humid in a long time! It just makes me want to curl up on my couch with a fan in front of me! ha! I would say I'm kidding but I'm not. Except I am no longer a couch bum! I love to work out. I am at the gym every day! I do take a break on Sundays but other wise we are there every day for about 90 minus plus we go on walks and our apartment complex has a pool that we enjoy! I am starting to slowly see the results. I'm sure if I give it another month I will really start seeing the results. I did have to go buy belt today! I'm not going to be new clothes with the summer days ending soon! I have found a new love...KETTLEBALL!!! Its a great work out. I bought it so that I can do it at home. It cost extra at the gym, and it was way cheaper just to go buy a set that included a DVD at Wal-Mart! Give it a try!

Claire is walking all over the place! She started walking at 16 months old. I knew she'd walk on her own time. She is now saying "nananas" for banana's. She has such a good vocabulary. She is just so much fun! I am so very very blessed to have her in my life!! I thank God for her every day. It was a journey for us to have her, and not even sure we'd be able to have children. I have heard of sick children and children that have passed on, and it saddens me deeply. I pray for those families because I can't imagine losing a child.

We could use some prayers for my husband to get a job! He just finished his pharmacy technician program. We just need a mircle. Its hard to live on unemployment. I have started selling BeautiControl. Its an at home spa. I love the products, so I am hoping that can take off and give us a little extra.

Thats all I have to report for this Tuesday! I hope you are all having a great Tuesday!

Just an update!

We are still around. We have been busy. We had a wedding this past weekend. It was a really fun time. We are still going to the gym every day if not every other. Claire is keep us very busy since she now walks well runs full time. She is such a joy to be around! She loves to read, play with her baby and she is in love with her "orilla" or her stuffed gorilla. She loves to come up sit on your lap, and have a "serious" conversation, give kisses and hugs. I just love her! I am so thankful for her!

Our August is jam packed but we've decided that we just can't go to everything which makes us sad but we need to enjoy some of our summer too. We have yet to make it to Stillwater/Taylors Falls. We'd also like to do some other exploring if possible.

Have a great Thursday everyone!

We finished!!

WE DID IT!! WAHHOOOO!!!! It felt so good. We finished on Wednesday just one day ahead

My husband and I lost 31 pounds between the 2 of us! Which if you ask me is a very good start!

We have been busy around the O household! This week we finished the Lazyman, then I had a Spa Party, Friday my friends Melissa and Brian visited all day, Saturday we went to a seminar while Claire spent some time with cousins, and then today we went to the Minnesota Childrens Museum (it was Target Free Sunday!) and then took in the Rivertown Days Parade in our town! Claire is now down for a long nap!

I'm still here!!!

I was gone last week! We went to Iowa (my home state) to visit with relatives. It was a nice time but I am glad to be back!!! I did not forget the Lazyman. I mainly did the walking part of it by walking 2 miles a day. I just have a few walking miles left, and I am done. Right now I am track to finish my Lazyman next Tuesday just a couple of days before it ends. I have lost 12 lbs. total. It feels good. I went out and bought a belt! My short were driving me bonkers. I will admit that I will be glad when Lazyman is over. I can start going back to my aerobics classes more. I've missed my gals!

No other real news to report! Just wanted to check in!

Half way done! Woot Woot!!

We hit the half way mark on Tuesday, and we are half way done with every part of the Lazyman! Its an awesome feeling to be accomplishing this! I must say that I never thought I'd be able to finish this even with the six week time frame.

I have come to really love working out. It is just a daily thing that I get up and do now. I am still working on the diet part because sometimes I want to sneek in something. I know that its okay every once and awhile but sometimes this early on you can back to old ways real fast.

Other news going on. My husband has been in the Pharmacy Technician program at Everest since the end of November. Today is his last day then he has a 160 hour externship to complete. He is finishing with a 4.0. I truly couldn't be more proud of him. He has struggled in the past. This will be so good for our family, and its future. I just need to finish up, and we will be set! There is going to be lots of good happenings in our family in the next year which is something we've needed for awhile now!

Have a great Thursday! It is a beautiful day out here in MN!

Claire update!!

What has Claire been up to you ask???? I will admit I've been bad about blogging but I really need to try to maintain this blog. There is so much going on in our lives.

She turned 1 on February 24th! She is just a joy to be around. Even though lately she has been more into throwing fits because she can't have everything she wants! Some times it is embarassing (if we are out in public) but other times I just have to laugh. Seeing her throw her head down and pound her fist on the ground is kind of entertaining. I don't let her see me laughing. I guess the best thing is just to ignore them but sometimes I do address it. She is not quite walking yet. She does take steps but then freaks out, and thinks crawling is better. I think we are getting closer to her being a full time walker but I figure with in time it will happen. She is much more focused on other developments. If I sing the ABC's to her...she sings back "Ahhh, Beyyyy, Ceeyyy, Da", and that is as far as she gets. I want to capture it on video but the minute that camera is out well its over. I will figure out a way to trick her. Her words include..."momma, dada (finally!), ut oh, ok, up, yes (haha...the "no" word isn't used), Lila (a girl from ECFE), ba, orilla(for her gorilla), grandma (mumbled but you can hear it), pretty sure she said thank you the other day not sure though, so as you can she is getting up there in word (she has more but can't think of them all). I am proud of her. Her favorite things right now are her books. She sits and looks at her books a good majority of the day. We read all time. She loves being outdoors, painting, swinging, and just being a goofy lil' girl. Oh...and I can't forget she loves to blow kisses and "give love" (which is patting her hand over her heart or giving you a hug)! It is so cute! I love her so much! Here are few pictures! From 12 months to 15th months! She has grown so much since then. At her 15 month check she was 33 1/2 in tall (99th) and 23 lbs (53rd).

Lazyman Triathlon!!

I stated in the last post that my hubby and I have joine the Lazyman Triathlon! It is going great so far. I love working out. It makes me feel so good! I have so far lost 8 pounds since June 1st, so that is a good number I think.

What have I been doing? I have cut my calories down to 1200 to 1500 to trick my body a bit. It is better to vary your calories. I have been eating more veggies, proteins, and limiting my fruit. I work out for about 2 hours a day. I vary my workouts every couple of days as well. I am also going to try do more of the classes that I've previously tried. Like Bodypump, Salsa Splash, Zumba, Drums Alive and Bodyvive.

I will continue to keep you updated! We are already almost half way done, and the half way point isn't until June 22nd! My next post will be a Claire update!

My journey to a new me (or us!)

I've been a busy little woman in the gym!! My hubby and I decided to do the Lazyman Triathlon at our YMCA. IT is going great so far! I love working out more than I thought I would. I am in love with it actually! It makes me feel so good! The picture below is my below picture! It is of us at Claire's 1 year birthday! (I plan on doing a post dedicated to Claire soon, she is up to so much these days!)







We have 6 weeks to complete a triathlon(hince the Lazyman part!) It is a 26.2 walking miles, 112 bike miles and 2.5 swim miles! We are almost half way done. My goal is to be there every day. We've had to take a few days off due to previous made plans but we have been very good about going. I am so proud of us!

I figure that by joining this Lazyman Triathlon it holds me reliable to be there! I want to write about it as well...so what better way to keep up my blog?!?! So follow me (I should say our since my hubby is in this to)to taking off this weight!

Hello! We are still alive here in the Oviatt household. We have been so busy with Claire and life that I had put this on the side burner. I realize though with that how busy we are need to be here writing about it! I will be back with a huge post soon to update everyone on our happenings!