somethingwonderful’s Neighborhood

Here are a few of the photos I have taken for my photography class.  I am starting to feel more comfortable with my camera, which is nice.

Leafy Sky

Mossy Tree

Rose Buds

Japanese Flower

Kelli agreed to let my buy my latest obsession today.  The Nikon D40.  It is the cheapest and lightest Nikon digital DLR.  All of the reviews have been fantastic.  I am really excited.  I like to take pictures but I have not been impressed how the normal compact cameras take pictures.  I want to take a million pictures of Alli.  Between now and then I can learn how to use it.  Kelli does not think that I will use it much, but I will show her!

D40

Every year at work they give us the option to have a free on-site health screening from Interactive Heath Solutions, which they pay for.  My HDL, good cholesterol, is moderately low and they say I may have something called Metabolic Syndrome.  I hope I am not dying.  More details below.

HDL - Moderately Low

Your screening showed a moderately low level of HDL cholesterol. HDL, the ‘good’ cholesterol, is thought to counter-act the effects of LDL, the ‘bad’ cholesterol. The higher the HDL the better. High levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with lower risk of developing heart disease. Low levels of HDL are associated with higher risks for heart disease. Average HDL levels are 45 for men and 55 for women. HDL levels of 55+ are ideal, while HDL levels of less than 35 are considered high risk. To improve your HDL, make sure you are getting regular aerobic exercise, do not smoke, and follow a diet that is low in carbohydrates.

Metabolic Syndrome

Your screening indicates that you may have a disease state called "Metabolic Syndrome". Metabolic syndrome is a collection of health risks that, when seen in combination, increase your chance of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. There are five risk factors that are used to determine metabolic syndrome: large waist measurement, elevated triglycerides, low levels of HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated glucose. Most researchers believe it is caused by a combination of your genetic makeup and lifestyle choices including the types of food you eat and your level of physical activity. If you have metabolic syndrome, your body experiences a series of biochemical changes. Over time, these changes lead to the development of one or more associated medical conditions. Please review the information sheet provided in this packet and discuss ways to lower your risks with your personal physician.

After trying various degrees of diet and exercise since the beginning of March I think I have finally found a combination that works.

I am now taking my lunch to work.  I used to eat out every day, not fast food but teriyaki chicken, mexican food, chinese food, and pizza.  Now I take a sandwich, a few wheat thins, and some grapes most days.  I only eat when I am hungry and limit deserts and things that taste good.  I tell myself that I know what they taste like, which is a lesson I learned from Kelli's OBGYN funny enough.  I have been eating more fruit and veggies.  I go for a walk during my official lunch break at work most days.  After two weeks of this new strategy it has started to pay off.  I noticed this morning that I am down 5 pounds, which is encouraging. 

Last night Kelli and I were laying in bed and she put my hand on her belly.  For the first time I was able to feel the baby kick!  Even though it was not very hard it is still amazing.  I am sure little Alli will be so cute.  I can't wait for her to be born.

Today is Friday so things are looking up.  I hope Kelli wants to go to Jones Creek tomorrow.  The weather will be nice so it would be a good day for your first swim of the year.  I hope Alli likes the water.  We will probably start taking her to swimming lessons when she is young so she will get used to the water fast.

Time to start heading to work.  Justin is off today so I will be closing by myself, again.  I don't really mind since I can just listen to my iPod and work.  I talked him into working next Saturday for me so that will be nice.  He likes to have Tuesday off so he can be with his woman so he does not mind working on Saturday.

We went on our first real bike ride together yesterday. The weather was perfect, we both had the day off and so we picked a great 4 mile route (plus 4 miles back) through a whole bunch of parks. It was the first ride in a book we'd picked up called Recreational Rides Around Portland. Their motto is, "A good ride should not be judged by how far you went or how fast you rode, but by how much fun you had." Works for me. We had to take several quick breaks because either my ass was getting sore, my hips were aching or my uterus was starting to feel funny, but Andrew was incredibly sweet and patient about it. Was a very nice day. It's hard to tell if i'm drinking enough water though.

Then Mom came over for bbq'd hamburgers, blackberry pie and to visit. i would seriously advise every pregnant woman in the world NOT to bring up the baby names until after the child is born. i still can't believe she's insisting that we change the boy name we like simply because SHE doesn't like it. i'm sorry, but it's going to be Kadin Drew if we have a boy. Who on earth does she think is going to be raising this child!?!? Andrew and i just laughed at her attempts; i'm sure she feels like she's out of the loop, we never see her aymore, she doesn't have a say in any of this, but that's just life. i AM a 30 year old married woman now with a baby on the way. Maybe she's still in denial.

Cabin

One other thing, we discovered that you can now reserve yurts in Oregon online so we spent quite a while last night looking for a good campsite that had a cabin or yurt available soon. Zero luck at the beach, particularly Ft. Stevens *boo* but we did reserve one for Lapine State Park, which should be nice next month. We've got the camping bug, even if we'll be cheating a little. =)

Today started out at 6am with a phone call from my brother saying that their other mama cat, Spice, was going into labor right now and could i please come over and be there with her. i'm not working this week so i said sure. After probably 2 and a half hours we knew something wasn't right (Andrew came over too). The kitten's paws were coming out first(!!) and it was taking way too long. i tried gently pulling on the paws coming out but it was too slippery and i'm sure not a great idea. We called the vet, they said bring mama cat in, so that's what we did. Within a few moments after getting there the vet came out and said she delivered the breech kitten but unfortunately he didn't survive. They said they'll do an x-ray to see if there were any other kittens. About this time we hear that the first kitten is actually breathing, with Spice licking him like crazy. Turns out there were no other kittens, which is highly unusual. The one kitten, they're calling Miracle, is now at home nursing happily. What a long day. i'm thrilled he made it and that i was able to be there and do the best thing for them both (of course, the $190 vet bill was unfortunate). Cats are so cool.

Spicebaby4_17_07

It was pretty cute, the moment i got home Boo knew something was up. He could smell something all over me and now he won't leave me alone; he's never like this after i've been around other cats so i must still have some "birth odors" on me.

i need to catch up on my sleep now. If i don't get my 10 hours every night i feel lousy by the evening.

Another week... just got back from spending the weekend at Cannon Beach with the hubby. Had a nice, relaxing time. The weather turned out fairly decent. Our view was awesome, right on the beach. i adore waking up to that in the morning.

We did some shopping in town, drooled over several paintings we want (particularly a Dahlke), drove to Ft. Stevens, and found a great little place to eat, Bill's Tavern. I'm sure we'll be back soon.

Also went on my first bike ride (just a short one) around the neighborhood tonight. My first time on a bike in ages and thank goodness i didn't crash and die! =) They're really fun and easy to ride. We also picked up my ring today from Fred Meyers (who knew they did a good job!?!) It looks gorgeous! Ooooh i can't stop staring at it.

One other thing... i should have taken pictures of Zoe, our 6 week old Ragdoll kitten. We stopped by to see her and she is digustingly adorable. She'll be in our arms in another 3 weeks (they take longer to mature... or so they keep telling me heh.)

Accomplished quite a bit today and now i'm ready for a freakin' nap.

First we went to check out the new Trek Lime bikes, which we really liked, but the service at the NE Bike Gallery was horrible. Not one person asked us if we needed anything, so after probably 20 minutes we left. At the Beaverton location we were treated very well, Andrew took the Lime for a spin and the guy answered all of our questions. If they're paid commission, which i would think they are, why would the Hollywood guys give up over $1000? Anyway, we're going to get them next week when they're on sale. Pretty exciting. i'm reading up on bikes and pregancy right now mom =) And there's no point in "consulting my doctor" because he's already made it perfectly clear how he feels about exercise, which is "Go exercise!!"

Then we had lunch at a new Mexican place, Bajio, in Tigard (great food), checked out REI's bike racks for the car (it's going to hold 4 bikes so when the kids get older we'll already have room), did some Easter shopping at Fred Meyer AND decided to finally do something with my engagement and wedding rings. We're having the diamond mounted in the middle of the channel set diamonds and sapphires, and also sizing it since i found out both rings were sent in the wrong sizes. It's going to be a really pretty ring. Although it felt strange walking away from my rings; my finger is going to feel so naked! It will look something like this, only all princess cut.

Almost new ring

Now, my job... i think Thursday was my last day with the Monster child, depending on if one of the several nannies they interviewed can start next week. This would make me incredibly excited. Ya know, that "OMG i'm free!" feeling. i'll find out in a few days. Keep your fingers crossed people.

Time to eat, man i'm so starving all the time, and watch a movie. Yay!