I WON!!!

I can't believe it, as of last week I was pretty sure I was not going to make it, the gap between the leader and I moved from .11% to .4%. But then I did some algebra and figured I might as well take the shot. In the end I was at 7.92% lost, and second place was something like 7.86%. So it was very close. I did not actually sabotage anyone. Ok, I did do the secret-admirer-has-sent-you-your-favorite-candy-bar thing, and walk through the office with a plate of hot cookies. But that was all in good fun. And the cookies were way more tempting for me, I had to live with them. Seems like I've been baking cookies all week - that has been hard to resist. So anyway, over the weekend I thought I should at least play this thing out down to the wire. So no salt for me on Monday, worked out Tuesday morning and got in the sauna, started thinking crazy thoughts like "would I weigh less if I got a haircut?" and actually (literally) weighed my clothing options Tuesday morning. High noon was the finale.

I've actually lost more than 7.92% of my body weight, since I started before the competition. I shall not post my actual percentage for fear that someone might do the algebra and figure out either my present or starting weight. :) But I am down 35 pounds total. And now, up $700. YEAH!

liquid diet

Despite the constant drooling, chewing motions, age (7 months) and size, this kid is just not interested in food. At all. We've tried bananas, apples, applesauce, even a lemon just to see what she would do. Reaction was the same as the avocado. Oh well. We'll just give it some time. Maybe she needs some teeth first. No rush.

bigger and smaller

I am sorry to report that we have fallen completely off the pushup wagon. It was fun while it lasted. I did notice that carrying Stella got a lot easier. We'll have to restart sometime. I really like the program, we just had to repeat that second week and never did, so we just need to start from the beginning.

Stella is coming on like gangbusters - I think she's going to crawl any day now. She sits up by herself, and is getting really good at the whole reaching for things. We are going to have to rethink some things in our house... She loves her books and hates her car seat. She is way too big for her infant car seat, we need to order the big one now that will take her through the toddler years. She's too heavy to carry around in it anyway. Oh! And I was thrilled to discover that she can now ride in a shopping cart without her car seat. It's crazy funny. She reaches for something in the store, and does the full body lunge, but then doesn't yet know how to get herself upright again. She just looks up at you, sideways.

I am down 31 pounds total and am in second place for the competition at work. There is $750 at stake, and there is 0.11% between first place and me. Needless to say, that person's "secret admirer" is going to bring them a candy bar today... there is just a week to go.

it must be boy season

Last week we got a special election day bonus - two new nephews! Stephen's cousin Colin and his wife Megan welcomed Patrick and Liam to the world. Megan gets the bragging rights of having voted while in labor. That's dedication. They came in at a very respectable size - each was over 6 lbs. They are so cute and very sweet. I think Stella wants one for herself. She looks like an amazon next to them.

Next month we will get another one - my sister is due with a boy Christmas Eve. And then we have another cousin having a boy in April. And my uncle and aunt welcomed a boy a few weeks ago, my 53rd first cousin. Holy smokes.

Proud to be an American

Although I didn't vote for President-elect Obama, I am as proud today to be an American as I was when President Bush was elected. It's simple to me, the man in the oval office does not make this country great, it is the people that embrace the simple, but often uncommon princles of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Niether party has a monopoly on the truth of these principles, simply different paths.

I was listening to NPR this morning and a leader in Africa was offering his congratulations to the American people for the peaceful election of Obama. I actually chuckled with joy upon hearing this. In this country people do not die in the streets because their guy didn't win. People may sob a bit, they may be a bit frightened of the change, some may even wear black in protest, but we still live free.

So good luck to President elect Obama, and thank God the Dems don't have a super majority!

I like to think it was my car sticker that put him over the top

Even though Stephen cancelled out my vote (as usual, at least this year he didn't actively try to steal it), I am thrilled beyond measure that Obama won. I may look back on this one day with embarassment at my overt jubilation, but for today, I want to document this. A new day is dawning. I am proud of our country today.
It is the exact opposite of four years ago - when I just lay on our bed and sobbed. I was so heartbroken, but today my faith is restored. I think good things are coming.
There may be some policy points on which the candidate and I disagreed, but I trust this man to be a thoughtful, intellectual, open-minded and reasonable president. Someone cool in a crisis, who listens to all sides and seeks out opposing points of view. I don't want to elect someone to have a beer with. I want a leader, and I think we got the right guy.
My cousin Linsey was in Grant Park last night in Chicago. It must have felt like the center of the world. I am so jealous - Stephen and I both would have loved to have been there. What an amazing moment in time. I feel like celebrating!

introducing Stella Miranda!

Her first Halloween. I'm sure she'll hate me for this one day. But she was a good sport, and her Carmen Miranda costume turned out reasonably well. The fruit was surprisingly hard to balance.

heathen no more!

Last weekend we had a christening for Stella Rose, and a party at our place afterward. It was so much fun, and we are extraordinarily lucky to be surrounded by such amazing friends and family.

We carried on an italian tradition of sausage making to mark special occasions. It was our first time leading such an endeavor. Luckily Joe and Rose were on hand to lend their grinder and advice. So Friday night a small group of us gathered to turn 35 pounds of pork shoulder into yummy italian sausage that we served at the party the next day. My dad also led a family tradition of marking special occasions with homemade ice cream - we had Stellaberry (aka strawberry) and cookies & cream. yum. I broke my no sugar rule and it was SO worth it.

I think about 60 people were there in all, and luckily our former jungle of a backyard is now a lovely courtyard perfectly suited for this kind of thing. Lucky for us the weather cooperated - it was beautiful blue skies and cool breezes.

My brother in law Chris came through with a cornhole set. Cornhole rules. Mostly because it sounds vaguely dirty, but is really a combination of horseshoes and bean bag toss. Only with corn. And holes. We played it in the front yard and converted many to the cornhole cause. Here's a few of our nephews and neice playing - one of the few times the kids actually got to play.



Here's a few shots of the patio:
Stephen's Uncle Billy adds his special magic to any photo he can.


Yes, the giant Buddha head in the courtyard did lead to a few questions... what can I say, we love the Buddha in our house.


A shot of the courtyard through the back french doors. Muchas gracias to Jenny who took it upon herself to dress up the fence with a coat of stain - she can come visit anytime! Also many thanks to my mom, who, let's just say, made this photo possible.

Here's a shot of the front yard. Stephen did a great job. His pointing finger is really tired! (kidding, hon...)

Stella's godparents are my brother Paul and his wife Amanda. We were so happy to have them in Texas for a visit. Stella learned a lot from her cousin (and our godchild) Kaia over the weekend. Does that make them godcousins? Godsisters?

Sunday morning we took Stella and Kaia to the Dallas Arboretum for a photo shoot with Lindsay Baronoskie. She did an amazing job. See more on our Flickr site.

I just wish we had taken pictures during the party and baptism. We forgot to bring the camera to the church, and afterward we got caught up talking to everyone. A few people got shots at the church - If you have some, please send them to me! Stella wore the sweetest family gown - hand made by her Nana using lace made by HER Nana back in Ireland. We were afraid to let her stay in it for the party, so my mom bought her the sweetest party dress: