Grandma Cindy found the cutest costume for Acalias while we were in San Fransisco visiting. Isn't he so cute?
We took him treak-or-treating at the school so that he can meet several of Derek's professors. I thought this guys costume was neat so we took a picture with him.
Here he is with the President of WVSOM, President Adelmen.
We also went to our Ward's Trunk-or-treat. My friend Becky had her little baby girl earlier this month and named her Sophie. She is so small, Acalias was never that small. Babies grow up way too fast.
This is Acalias' ward Grandma, Sister Watkins loves to snuggle with our little boy. Acalias enjoys anyone who is willing to give him attention.
Acalias and I spent 9 days in San Francisco with my mom. I had to keep the secret for three long months but it was so worth seeing her reaction. It was as if she had won a million dollars. I love seeing how my mom interacts with Acalias, she loves him so much.
From the time I arrived, until the time I departed Acalias spent the majority of the time in Grandmas arms. Good thing we have a swing and other bouncy toys for him at home, otherwise we would go crazy feeling like we need to hold him all the time. When I visit Mom, I typically visit my mission but this time I spent the majority of the time with mom. We visited the Golden Gate Park and Bakers Beach (both of which I had never visited before). Acalias is easily entertained anywhere, as long as bright colors or people are involved. Grandma and Acalias at the Golden Gate Park & Bakers Beach
I met up with a couple of my close college friends as well. It’s crazy to think back to my college days. I made great friends, and I’m glad that we have kept in contact with each other; I have so many great memories with them. Jolynn and I shared two classes together at the U of U. We studied for tests together and became great friends. I can’t believe that we are both mothers now:)
Umu and I were in the Pacific Islander Student Association. We traveled to San Diego to support our basketball team and Tonga to present our research together.
It was great to catch up with both of these ladies, they inspire me.
Mom received a second surprise on Friday morning. Mom would typically take me to the San Mateo shoreline trail to run while she walked with Acalias. On Friday I told her that I preferred to walk around the neighborhood. I had planned with my siblings for them to be at the door once she opened it. Surprise! I was so jittery that I missed the bulk of it when I tried to record it. Then when I finally got my camera on, I was so excited to see everyone that the footage is of the wall and floor as I made my rounds hugging everyone.
Watching my nephews interact with Acalias was priceless, Audric was happy to sing Acalias a song in this next video.
Unfortunately, it rained the entire weekend that my siblings were in town. Derek flew in on Saturday and presented at the AOA Conference on Sunday morning. We thought it would be nice to support him until we found out that it would cost $150 dollars just to get into the conference. We made due by playing card games, puzzles and coloring. We had fun catching up, I hadn’t seen my siblings since last November and Derek hadn’t seen them since last July. I’m super excited to go home and spend more time with my siblings in December.
Proud Grandma!
The weather cleared up the last few days that we were there, just on time for the AOA 5k on Tuesday morning. It was cold so we left Acalias with Grandma.
I also had my mom take family pictures of us at the beach. These are a couple of our favorites along with the new header picture we have up above.
We had a wonderful time with mom, it was hard to say goodbye.
Our flight was scheduled late, our total travel time would be 12 hours. Acalias slept the majority of the time, thank goodness. When I realized our layover in Atlanta,Georgia would be 4 hours, I called my sisters and invited them to come and meet their nephew. It was so good to see them, I hadn't seen them since their graduation in May 2009.
I have over 200 pictures of the trip. I will post the remaining pictures on Facebook for you all to see.
The past couple of weeks we have traveled to several site locations. Ashland, KY, Princeton & Huntington, WV.
Derek really liked Ashland because he would get to rotate with 3 PM&R (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) doctors, a specialty that he is really interested in. The head resident gave us a great tour of the hospital. It was the first tour where we were actually taken into departments rather than showed the hallway leading to ER or the door leading to Pediatrics. We were able to see the equipment Derek would be learning on. The town seemed family friendly; I even spotted a mall…a real mall with shops that are open inside! Another added bonus is that I’d have another one of my roommates 3 hours away in Louisville, KY.
Princeton seemed nice as well it was a lot bigger than Lewisburg. While Derek toured the hospital, I visited with the Watsons who just moved there for their rotation in June. Acalias played with the kids while I got the scoop about where to eat, fun places for kids to play and pricing for homes and rentals.
Huntington is home to one of the biggest party schools in the East, Marshall University. The hospital seemed old and run down. It was located in the city, it felt constricting as if they had run out of space to build. I bypassed the tour due to the repulsive smells I encountered even before the tour began. The plus side about Huntington is their great selection of restaurants. We ate at an amazing Indian restaurant, every bite was heavenly! On our way home I counted 6 Gentlemen’s clubs on one street. Derek and I agreed that (aside from the great food) the town didn’t seem to fit what we’re looking for.
Where am I? Why am I still in my car seat mommy?
Acalias did well during our travels as long as his basic needs were met. After our tour in Ashland, KY we sat in a meeting room so that the students can ask questions. Acalias was farting so loud it was hard to believe they had come from a 3 month old little boy! I had to change him three times during that tour; thank goodness the restrooms had a changing table (a rare commodity on this side of the country).
Lately Acalias has been rejecting bottles and binkies. Hopefully he learns to accept a bottle before we travel in December; I can’t always breastfeed on demand in public. He has opted to suck his thumb. I’m constantly replacing his thumb with his binky to avoid a habit that might not ever end.
Tonight at my Weight Watcher’s weigh in, I achieved my first major weight loss goal. I lost 10% of my body weight and received a special 10% Key chain. Losing 10% is highly celebrated at Weight Watchers because it reduces risks for many diseases and although it’s not a lot of weight, it gives you the self confidence and motivation to continue losing weight. Once I achieve further goals, I will receive pendants to put on my key chain. Many people question why I chose to be a part of Weight Watchers when I have been a part of the group on and off over the past 4 years. I should know what it takes to lose weight right? I need the accountability and the group support. It’s so easy to fall off the weight loss wagon when you’re not accountable to anyone. I love food and it doesn’t help that I ‘m a social and emotional eater, it’s hard to keep myself in check. When Acalias cries all day and I can do nothing to comfort him, I reach for something to snack on to ease my frustrations. When Derek scores well on an exam, we celebrate by eating something delicious, which typically contains a hefty amount of calories. When we get together with our friends, food is always involved.
I envy people who are naturally thin; I wish I had a metabolism so fast that I could lose weight in my sleep. Since wishing won’t alter my genetic predisposition to rapid weight gain with every single item of food that I put into my mouth…I guess I will have to keep running my tail off…and keeping a food journal…and weighing in every week. My goal is to become a Lifetime member of Weight Watchers, which entails me achieving my weight loss goal and staying within 2 lbs of it for the rest of my life (minus pregnancies). I have a long road ahead of me and most days I just want to be done tracking calories. I’ve set monthly goals in which I plan on reporting in a blog post each month. My weight loss goal for October is 8lbs. I will also update my weight loss ticker located on the sidebar each month.
Until then, I will continue posting pictures that are intentionally cropped or have my son or other random objects placed in front of my midsection:) Such as the picture below.
