Catching Up....and the Truth about Sugar, Fats and Carbs

Been awhile since I posted but I have been busy as a bee the past couple of weeks.  I spent a week in NYC for work and managed to add some fun time to the trip with two buds from work.  We learned a lot at the Conference Board's Talent Management conference and then spent Friday and Saturday sightseeing and eating ourselves to death.  We also took in Mary Poppins while there.  A definite MUST SEE. 

 

Last week I was playing catch up at home and at work to get things back in order after being away so I feel like I fell off of the face of the Earth for the week.  However, my first day back I did get my annual physicals crossed off of my to do list.  Yep, both docs in one day.  Lots of fun. 

So, want to know the truth about Sugar, Fats, and Carbs.....

Too much of them = High Triglycerides

So, that is the category I fall into.  Mine were 250 and need to be under 200.  The doc told me to start a regime of fish oil 4 times a day and come back in for a check up in 3 months. 

I am going to make some other changes as well since now I have a good challenge in front of me.  Back on the wagon for exercising 6 days a week with a mix of cardio on the treadmill and Jillian's 30 day shred.  I am also paying attention to what is in my food.  It is really amazing how much sugar is in almost everything. 

I am excited to see how low I can get my numbers over the next 3 months. Wish me luck.

Happy Thanksgiving from our Family to Yours

Just a few scenes from our awesome day of celebrating Thanksgiving as a little family of 4:

 

 

 

 

Blog Re-Haul

So, it has been awhile since I posted here.  I see a direct correlation to the timing of the creation of my Facebook page to the decline in my posts here.  Guess a quick update pic would be in order to calm the masses otherwise known as family who want pics of the kiddos in every form of social media that they can get them...

 

Yeah, so Chase has grown a bit...he is talking even, and trying to walk.  And Parker, well she is a little girl now.  Really, where does the time go.   

Ok, back to the topic of this old blog.....I am remodeling it and plan to give it a go again.  However, with a new twist.  I'll still post about the kids and family as I know how the grandparents (and great grandparents--Hi Papa Diffenbaugh) love to hear about the latest adventures/tantrums/every day acts of the kiddos but I am also broadening out to use this as a creative outlet.  I plan to include my ramblings on things such as creative pursuits (because seriously, there has to be more to life than picking up Cheerios off of my floor at every meal), moving more, eating less ('cause I need an accountability avenue as these pounds aren't dissolving on their own), motherhood (again, back to the cheerio thing) and living life (as I try everday to pursue a more meaningful and wholehearted life to be a better example to my kids).

OK, I hope you all enjoy being updated on the happenings at the Stewart household and find something useful from my ramblings. 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and check back soon....really, like next week or sooner....not next November :)

P.S.--Like the banner?  Photo from my first 5K...that I ran!

Back to Blogging

Sorry there have not been any updates in months.  Here's a quick rundown of all our goings on:

• Bathroom is finished....yippie.  Parker loves the new big bath tub but is not too sure about the jets



• Michael officially pulled off the rebirth of the Chattanooga Area Soap Box Derby in Chattanooga and the two winners spent a week in Akron, OH preparing to compete against the world's best.  Ethan (stock) lost his first heat down and Kurt (super stock) won his first heat but then was taking out his second trip down the hill.  Plans are ensuing for next year's race.



• Parker is growing like a weed.  She is walking, running, and talking.  She has mastered lots of words and now will repeat what she hears (no potty mouths here anymore).  She thinks she is about 10 and loves to run around with the big kids.  We have to fight to keep her in her stroller and she is now starting to fuss about the car seat.  We officially moved her out of the high chair and she now sits on a booster seat with us at the table.



• Russell (My brother), got a job with TVA at the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant as an operator trainee and he has been staying with us during the week while in class until he and his wife find a place to live.  Parker has enjoyed being around her uncle and she likes it when her Aunt Katie comes to visit too.



• We spent a week at Myrtle Beach earlier this summer with the Stewart side of the family.  Parker loved running around on the beach and thankfully she did find the water entertaining until the next to the last day so we only spent one day having to constantly run after her as she wanted to plunge into the ocean.



• I got a promotion at work and am now the Site HR Manager.  This has been a great opportunity but has been very stressful.  I am looking forward to settling in my new position.



• And how can I forget to mention the TWO bats we have had visit us this summer.  The first one woke me up at 2 am as it rummaged through our bedroom.....not a good thing to wake up to.  We had to have it captured and tested for rabies to ensure we were safe.  The second bat came to visit last Sunday in the evening.  It decided it would like to fly around the downstairs.....well, it messed with the wrong family. No capturing this one, it went to bat heaven.  We had him sent off for testing too and no rabies.  We are now having our house bat proofed to ensure we have no future visitors.

Well, this about sums about the past few months for us.  I will leave you with some much needed pics and I intend to be better about posting updates. 

   

Flowers from Michael and Parker

Aren't these beautiful!  I have the best husband and daughter in the world.

Fun new toy (for Mommy)

Happy Mother's Day to me!  Happy Mother's Day to me....

The gift from Michael and Parker was in today and I was able to go by and get it....for thise of you non-scrapbookers, you will not get this :)

This is a digital craft cutter which cuts shapes that you can download and fonts....so, you can basically cut anything you want for a page....super cool.  I am off to continue playing!

Visiting California

Michael and I went to Carmel Valley, CA last week for his good friend Tim's wedding.  We had a great time and I survived being away from Parker for 4 days.  Here is a picture of us together....

While there we got to see the sights, drive the famous "17 mile drive" where you wind through Pebble Beach (we went in "The Lodge" at the famed Pebble Beach golf club).  One day we had lunch on this beach...

(Not very nice but it is the Pacific Ocean)

And met this bird as he eyed us for our food (look closely, are there 2 legs or one?)

Gotcha!  There are two legs....he fooled us for a minute too!

And one last picture of Michael next to the otter:

Happy Memorial Day!

It is officially summer here at the Stewart household.  I bought the all dreaded bathing suit (even more dreaded after having a baby), made some strawberry shortcake, and Michael is getting the Jeep cleaned up. Here are some pics....Parker is ready for a drive to Bruesters Ice Cream....

Happy Graduation

Russell "walked" this past weekend at his graduation ceremony from Georgia College and State University.  We were able to be there to help him celebrate this big accomplishment.  Parker was excited to see everyone, especially Great-Grandma Dot.   Here are some pics:

Autism Speaks

Go to:

http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/PersonalCharityBadge.aspx?pcaid=102379

and donate for a worthy cause.  Ali is a scrapbooker whose story of her son's autism is inspiring.  She is a really cool mama....read more on her blog

Making me happy today

Here is another picture of our adorable, nephew, Wrenn

And, some Gerber daisies to brighten your day.   Spring is almost here...it was like 78 degrees here today with a great breeze.  Parker and I play hooky as I had to take her to the doctor again....she has a cold but it was a great day to skip the afternoon of work and daycare.

New blog

Welcome to the new blog.  This hosting site has better options for sharing photos so I have switched over since we will have lots of photos to share of little Parker.

Hope all is well.  Parker has a well baby visit today so I will update the blog later with all the details.  She had a big day yesterday as I took her with me to get my hair done and then we went on a shopping trip for non maternity clothes (very depressing).  I am sure this is the first of many shopping excursions she and I take together.  Fortunately for me, she can't tell me what she wants so therefore this was one of the cheapest trips we will take together. 

More info and pics soon.