This picture takes my breath away. What an amazingly handsome little man we created. We are so lucky!
Special thanks to Halo Photography for capturing my little guy's picture so beautifully each time we use her! She's awesome!
Place I have traveled to:
When we first chose our honeymoon, we decided we wanted to go to Hawaii. I mean, who wouldnt, its beautiful. But, alas, no condos available that week through my parents timeshare. Hmmm, so now what? We could have either gone with some exotic locale where we would have to pay for our AC or a beautiful (and AC furnished) condo in a place we would never again get the opportunity to see...Thailand. It wasnt even on our honeymoon radar, but we traveled the 21 hours to get there and enjoyed every single second of our 10 day stay!
The first few days were a sleep adjustment to say the least, but I got very used to Thai "American" television that came on at 3 am. We'll say I caught up on a lot of wrestling surprisingly :) We enjoyed the cuisine of the Italian restuarant at the resort because I have a super picky husband and after 10 days we wanted some "American" food :) The sun also got me badly and I ended up with some crazy tan lines. But even with these mishaps, we were able to take in the majestic beauty that is Phuket, Thailand. One of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world.
Thailand is the land of smiles, and the people were amazingly friendly. Everything (even in the resort) was cheap, cheap, cheap. The weather was amazing, the scenery was to die for, and we didnt miss Hawaii one bit. We got to see 2 countries, Japan and Thailand, and immerse ourselves in a culture we knew we wouldnt see again. It was a great trip and recommend it to anyone who wants an experience they wont forget.
My favorite movies:
The acting isnt great but its one of those movies that you can watch over and over again. When I was little, I wanted to do ballet, but I was too busy with other things, so I think that has something to do with my draw to this movie.
I could watch this movie any day of the year. Its probably my favorite movie, and I can quote most of it. :)
My favorite disney movie. When I was 5 I tried to put my Sleeping Beauty on Beta in our VHS player and realized it didnt fit. I was heartbroken, like for real tears and all. I remember that day clearly to this day. My husband bought me it on DVD about 3 Christmas' ago so I could own it forever <3
These are my sisters and brother. Mess with one bean and you mess with the whole burrito! :) We love each other dearly and would defend each other to the death. What a great family to be apart of!
This is my oldest sister Nikki. She is 11 years older than me, and until I was in my 20s, we never really clicked. She was my older sister and I was just not up to her maturity level. She cleaned my diapers and used to pick my brother and I up from school. She is one of my best friends nowadays and is a beautiful person inside and out. She has a beautiful little girl Makayla (above) and a handsome little man Memphis (with Keyser above...watch out in 16 years!). She is very smart and very driven, quiet and contemplative, but knows how to have fun! She is also my hairstylist (she graduates Paul Mitchell School in December!! :)
This is my sister Jen. She is my 2nd oldest sibling and is 6 1/2 years older than me. We had the same bond as my other sister until I was 18 and then we moved in together in an apartment in Lexington, Ky. From then, we because fast friends. She is super duper energetic and fun, wild and a bit crazy, and a power shopper :) She has 2 adorable children, Hayden and Bailey (that pretty girl above :)
This is Joey, my slightly older brother. Hes only 17 months older than me, because well, I was an Uh-Oh ;) To say we fought when we were growing up would be a huge understatement. We fought bad, and it usually ended in tears. Sigh...look how far we've come :) Joey is talkative, funny, and has an amazingly extensive vocabulary. He is also a nursing student, like myself, so we can vent to each other about that. Hes a home body who I think could spend 16 hours a day in bed, but he usually gets what he needs to get done...usually :)
Love my sisters and brother...they are definitely my best friends.
These are all my adorable nieces and nephews...minus Memphis.
Meet my parents...Shannon and Larry. A Michigan girl met a Arizona boy in the Air Force at the age of 18. Dated just 3 months before my dad realized he needed to have her around forever. They will celebrate their 42nd wedding anniversary this month...the 15th (the Ides of March). They look so in love, don't they?
Oh my, what an inspiration for their children. Their love for each other has surpassed so many obstacles and bumps in the road its not even funny, but they still came out on the other side. I aspire to have a marriage like theirs...which should be easy since I married a man like my father.
One day, one of my siblings said "Wow, mom, you used to be so pretty!" My Dad responded, while sitting in his recliner watching the game, "She still is." I love them...for loving me and loving each other.
My first love. Sigh, to be young and dumb again ;) Just kidding, sort of.
I was a bit of a late bloomer when it came to dating. I had my first boyfriend when I was 13, but he was not my first love. From then until 17, my first love was soccer. I played it all the time and really didnt have much time for much else.
That all changed when A came around, a soccer playing boy that I fastly became smitten with. He was a year younger than me, which sort of became our downfall. We dated for a year and half, mostly hanging out at home or watching him work on his car, until I went away for college. A didnt think he could do a long distance relationship, so we parted ways. I was heartbroken. My first love had broken my heart. I went away to the University of Kentucky and mended my broken heart with frat parties and girl time. Lo and behold, however, 1 month later, A called and this young foolish girl thought all was forgiven. I finished out the year at school and then transfered to the university back at home. You all have that one thing that you regret? This is mine. I mean, what young woman moves back home for her boyfriend? This one, a very naive young girl back then.
This isnt to say we didnt last. We did, for over 3 more years. We had good time, but sometimes when you meet your first love at 17, it just doesnt last. We ultimately grew apart, wanted different things, and were 2 completely different people than we were at 17. In the end, we broke up on vacation in Florida, with his parents, on.the.first.day. Face Palm. We spent all week avoiding each other while trying not to let his parents on to something. I still think they knew the first day, because I dont really think we were fooling anyone. But at that age, you are smarter than everyone, so we thought we did ;) That was 2004 (I think) and I dont think I have seen or talked to him since. Pretty sad because I really did miss his family, but oh well, I wish him nothing but the best. I think he got married last year, according to a FB friend. Hes a good guy and deserves good things.
I however met my true love about 16 months later and it was a fairy tale ever since. I have always said the reason I knew my husband was the one because our relationship is so easy...hes loves me unconditionally, and I never have to falter in that. Thats what a grown up relationship is all about, and I know that because my first love wasnt really that. Thats what I took away most from that 4 1/2 years of my life!
See you all tomorrow...Parents up next!
I kind of cheated you all out a recent pic. I took this one today. You can really tell my weight loss in my face!! :)
Well, I was apparently sleep deprived, distracted, (insert any other mom adjective here) yesterday and thought day 2 was about my first love. Ha, I know its not because I am excited to talk about it...promise my Love! :)
So today is meaning behind my blog name. Waiting on Our Miracle. Pretty self-explanatory, right? I am so original.
We tried for Keyser for exactly 17 months. A long freaking time. I call Keyser our miracle because we lost 2 babies before him, and we honestly were beginning to lose hope that he would ever come to us. He did, and for that, he is our miracle.
We started trying to have a baby in September 2007. Newlyweds for only 4 months, we never knew the struggles that were going to be placed before us. First month...I got pregnant with angel #1. Over the moon excitment was hindered by daily pain and constant spotting. I crossed my fingers every time I went to the bathroom hoping not to see blood. Every time, I was disappointed. "A lot of people spot", "Pregnancy is uncomfortable", "The heartbeat sounds great!". Reassuring words from our doctors was all that I was carrying with me. I knew I would lose the baby, it was just a matter of time. My body finally allowed my baby to go to heaven In November 2007 at just 10 weeks along. D&C followed, along with heartbreak and lost hope.
Fast forward to 7 months later, when right after our 2nd anniversary I found out we were pregnant again! It took us 6 months to conceive this time, but who cares...this one was going to stick around! I made sure I did everything right...no heavy lifting, no caffiene, or even lunchmeat (yeah I was that lady), and I felt great. On Father's Day 2008, I began to have the tell tale cramps. "People do cramp while pregnant, its the uterus stretching" was what I got from the doc. Go in the next day for an U/S and saw our perfect little one on the screen. Heartbeat and all. I gained a little more hope and continued my day. Little did I know this was the last happiness for a while. The next day, while at work, I started to miscarry. This happens to only about 5 % of people who miscarry the first time. Bad luck I guess. We lost angel #2 on a Tuesday in June, at only 7 weeks along. My hopes and dreams of becoming a mother were waning. I had little hope that I would ever be able to hold onto a pregnancy. Again, a D&C followed, along with the mandatory healing time (mentally and physically), and we started trying again in October 2008.
My husband and I went through a lot, if you can imagine, during this time. We got in horrible fights, I said very hurtful things, and we wondered if all of our dreams would never be realized. All we wanted was a baby. Not to fix out relationship, because that was never the issue...but to make us a family...all we ever wanted.
Then one day in late february, the best day of our lives happened. We were pregnant! This time, I had a lot of doctors on my side. It took hormones and baby aspirin to make Keyser a reality. I knew this was going to work. A calm came over me when I found out I was having a baby. Like someone placed their hands on my shoulders and told me this was going to be okay. And it was. Keyser is our little miracle, the boy who made us a family. He is our world, and we will always be thankful (if thats the word) for the journey that led us to him. We grew up a lot during that time, and it may not have been pleasant, but we definitely don't take that time or him for granted.
Whew, sorry for that. It was kind of therapeutic to get it all out! Thats my story...its why I started this blog and its why we call our monster our miracle.
See ya tomorrow!
So this is me, Chelsey. I am a 28 year old wife to Travis and momma to Keyser. My 2 boys are my reason for breathing, my motivation, and my biggest accomplishments. I would not be anywhere near the place I am today without my husband, and my son is my dream come true. Okay, enough with the mushy stuff :)
I am also a nursing student and a full-time hotel employee. I love people, sometimes, which makes my job a fun one. I am not actually into the nursing program yet, but I am a nursing major and apply in April, so cross your fingers for me that I get good news in June! I need this to happen...I am so done with school!
If you couldnt tell, I am a busy lady. I wish I didnt have to work, but we gotta do what we gotta do, right? I like to relax by watching way too much TV and trying to beat my husband in Jeopardy. I sometimes win...rarely :)
15 interesting facts:
1. I was named after a movie character...Jane Fonda's character in "On Golden Pond." Keyser was also named after a movie character...Kevin Spacey's character in "The Usual Suspects." We like tradition :)
2. My husband and I have the same birthday. Crazy huh?
3. I played soccer from age 5 to age 18. I literally played year round, outside in the fall, spring and summer, and indoors in the winter. I also swam and ran track in high school. Funny thing is, I never remember being busy?
4. I love to craft things, but never have the time. I have always wanted to have a little booth at a craft fair, with hairbows and bow holders, even if I dont have a little girl to put them in! Maybe one day my sister and I can do that...it sounds like a lot of fun!
5. I have never broken a bone.
6. With that being said, I was on crutches every soccer season in high school. I eventually had to have both of my ankles reconstructed.
7. Adding on to that, one of my biggest fears is twisting my ankle off a curb. I always cringe when I step off one because I know how weak my ankles are.
8. Spring is my favorite season. I cannot wait to plant flowers.
9. When I was little, I wanted to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. And a mommy. One out of two aint bad ;)
10. I originally started school to be a pediatric dentist...then a doctor....then a teacher....and now a nurse. Indecisive much?! I have finally found my calling though!
11. My husband's ex girlfriend dated my ex boyfriend. Oddly enough it is the thing that brought us together. No, not in the scorn lovers sort of way, but in the hey, thats a coincidence kind of way! :)
12. I soooo thought Keyser was going to be a girl. So did my husband. We were both kind of disappointed to find out it was a boy, but we so wouldnt have it any other way now. Love, Love, LOVE our boy!
13. Adding on to that, I think I would live life a bit disappointed if I was never able to give my husband his "Daddy's girl". Hopefully it happens next time and we are done!
14. I still miss my angel babies. Still don't know whats wrong with my body, but so glad we didnt have to find out and we have our miracle Keyser. (If you didnt know, most insurances make you go through THREE miscarriages before paying for testing. I am so lucky to have a great team of doctors who took a chance that actually worked!)
15. I have lost nearly 24 lbs in 8 weeks. This is without eating bread or sugars. No, its not a diet, its a way of life, and I am so happy I have made this change. I want to grow old!
Well, I have said enough for today...tomorrow is First Love...I bet you all are excited :) lol
Note: Its not my husband...but hes my last! :)
My friend Shay over at http://familyofgrants.blogspot.com/ "challenged" her readers to a new blog challenge and I took it on! Hopefully this will kick my butt into blogging again...when time permits :) I am excited to make time for this everyday!
Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3-Your first love
Day 4-Your parents
Day 5-Your siblings
Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7-Favorite movies
Day 8-A place you've traveled to
Day 9-A picture of your friends
Day 10-Something you're afraid of
Day 11-Favorite TV shows
Day 12-What you believe
Day 13-Goals
Day 14-A picture you love
Day 15-Bible verse
Day 16-Dream house
Day 17-Something you're looking forward to
Day 18-Something you regret
Day 19-Something you miss
Day 20-Nicknames
Day 21-Picture of yourself
Day 22-Favorite city
Day 23-Favorite vacation
Day 24-Something you've learned
Day 25-Favorite memory
Day 26-Picture of your family
Day 27-Pets
Day 28-Something that stresses you out
Day 29-3 Wishes
Day 30-a picture
See you later on today! Day One starts tonight :)
Its a bird, its a plane, its KEYSER!
Keyser and Zeus, best buds forever.
"Helping" me cook :)
28 lbs 6.5 oz.....32 1/4 inches.
He wants to grow up big and tall like his Daddy :)
~He has a touch of eczema, but not too bad. Mostly on his calves and back of his arms. Nothing a little Aveeno Baby cant fix (better fix at 8 bucks for a small tube! I kid, I kid.)
~Like to knock his big noggin on everything. Doors, TVs, and floors are his favorite. :)
~Climbs like a monkey. He is always trying to get on the table, counter, and out of his crib. Thankfully for the last one, he has only done this once!
~Loves to groove, to rap music specifically. If hes fussy in the car, all I have to do is tune the radio to rap, and hes a happy camper. Like father, like son I guess :)
~Is wearing 2T clothes and we are starting to buy 3T for summer. I mean, hes going to be in young men's by kindergarten at this pace! ;)
~Thinks hes a vegetarian. Mostly hates all meat except smoked sausage. Loves his fruits though. Hes on the fence about his veggies.
~Says a bazillion words, but only about 15 we understand. Daddy is his favorite. Momma ranks about 14 :)
We love him with all of our hearts...probably more. He is the best part of our day.
As far as I go, I have lost 14.8 lbs so far...still have 60 or so more to go. I hope it keeps falling off but I know I will stall for a bit, it has happened before. Working out 4 days a week on my Wii Active 2 game...which I need to write about...its Ah-Maz-ing! Its like having your own trainer! Anyway, I am fitting in clothes I havent fit into since before Kman was even a thought! Woo hoo! Only 5 more months until vacation!
Take care! :)
Hey all! I am making some pretty big changes this year to myself. My monster is over a year now, and its time this momma decided to take herself back. Last year, I made all kinds of excuses not to diet and take care of myself...Keyser is breastfeeding, mommy guilt, I'm tired, etc. This year, I decided to cut the crap and really do something! I am going to have all kinds of mommy guilt if I didnt get my weight in check and leave Keyser without a momma! So a light switch went off, I woke up, and feel like a brand new woman!
This blog with still have ramblings of mommyhood, but it is going to slightly veer into my weight loss journey direction. Since January 1st, I have given up soda...completely. Starting January 10th, I decided to take a huge step. I am living a very "clean" food lifestyle. This means lean meats, veggies, water (tons and tons) and nuts. No more processed junk, and more importantly very low carb and sugar intake. I have to do this, or else. I have a strong family history of diabetes, and you can see my new way of eating as a diabetic diet. Its going to work, because it has to. I want to be there to see my grandkids grow up, and I have all the willpower to do so. I want my patients in my future nursing career to take me seriously...because I am not sure they would take the "fat nurse" serious when giving them medical advice. I also want to make my husband do double takes when I walk in the room. He loves me to pieces regardless, I just want to be one hot mama!
So progress so far? Since January 10th, 11 days, I have lost 12.4 lbs. My goal is 3 lbs per week. I still have 53 lbs to lose for my first goal (hopefully by June!), and an additional 30 to lose by next fall.
I know I can do this...I have to for this little man. I love him too much not to!
