Thunder Thigh Thursday

Ok....I am finally here to blog about THUNDER THIGH THURSDAY!
Well, I must admit that it has been a rough last couple of days due to Christmas BUT - I SUCCEEDED! No weight gain to report today! Actually, I have to report a 3 lb loss! HIP, HIP, HURRAY! So....drum roll please.... that brings me to a total of 48 lbs! And here is a picture of me now.... And me then.....YIKES....and AGAIN!

Christmas at the Cole's!

Keegan, Cooper, Riley and Carson
Christmas Breakfast of Champions!!!

What did you get Keegan???
Riley got DIAMONDS from Papa!
Look Mom, I got a toothbrush!

This one is all MINE!!!

Mommy got her first "Harley Davidson" shirt

Daddy got a new "BEARS" shirt. (The BEARS still Suck daddy!) As you can see, Christmas was good to us. I hope Santa was as good to you as he was to our family. MERRY CHRISTMAS !

After 39 days..

Cooper came home from the NICU. Last year - Christmas Eve day we got to bring Cooper home!! It was the best Christmas ever!!!

We hope everyone has a great holiday season!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thunder Thigh Thursday

Well, it's that time of week again. I am only down 1 lb this week, which I guess is pretty good considering what happend over the weekend. I went off my diet Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. By Monday I was up 5 lbs!!!! Holy Crap. Who knew what 3 days of eatting like cow could turn into. So, ever since Monday I have been working my butt off to get rid of those extra nasty pounds! With that said.... I am happy with my 1 lb loss this week.
I am not sure what I will do next week. I am tempted to skip the whole "Thunder Thigh Thursday" entry, but who knows, I guess I will decide Thursday after I step on the scale.

With a 1 pound loss, that brings me to a total of 45 lbs gone, and a total of 10 inches gone from my waist. (4 pant sizes, and a whole bra size!)
Here is hoping for a new wardrobe for Christmas!

We would like to wish everyone very Merry Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year!

Thunder thighs, friends, and bugs

We wanted to start this blog with a little reminder to our friends that we miss them . I know this isn't the best song for our message....But it's the one the kids liked the best. So, Jacob, Tyler, and KJ......We miss you guys! (Hugs from Riley and Keegan)

Ok, I guess I should report in to my "Thunder Thigh Thursday" journal. Once again today, I am down 4lbs. Yeah! That's a total of 44 lbs! Hopefully the ball will keep on rolling! We'll see what happends over the next 2 weeks. All I can do is pray for the best.

We have officially caught the sick bug in this house! Riley and Keegan have been sick of over a week now with a cold and a nasty cough and believe it or not.....it spread to Cooper and Carson.

Tuesday night I was in the ER with Cooper. He seems to be ok, but has a NASTY cough. We sat in the ER for 3 hours for the doc to tell me he has a cold. GEEZ...I didn't even have to go to med school to figure that out!
Wed, I took Carson to the dr. She has a dbl ear infection, a rash from her toes to her head, a sore throat, a fever, and an eye infection from all the lovely boogers that keep getting smooshed in.

Today, we were back into the dr's for both little kids. Carson is eatting less and less, but seems to be perking up a bit. Cooper on the other hand is getting a bit worse. Our doc seems to think he could be getting the start of RSV - a BIG no no for preemies. Annika seemed to think though if either Carson or Cooper end up with the full blown RSV, they should be ok. They are otherwise healthy enough, and big enough and should get through it with out a problem. We will keep an eye on it and keep our fingers crossed that either one of them don't end up back at Children's. So, that is all the excitment in the Cole household.
So until next week, I will keep busy by running around the house with a can of lysol, a container of clorox wipes, and a box of tissues!
That should help the pounds fall off!

After 26 days....

Carson graduated from the NICU 1 yr ago! I can't even begin to explain the emotions we felt. It was very exciting to finally bring our little girl home, but it was very sad to be seperating her from her brother. It would only be another 14 days before they would be reunited again.
Welcome home Carson! (Dec 10, 2005 - weighing 5 lbs 10 oz)

Thunder Thigh Thursday

And then 40 were gone!!!!
You read correctly...... 40 lbs - poof, gone! I almost shocked myself when I got on the scale today!!!! Yippy!!! I can't believe it!! Even after the late night Diary Queen run with Molly this past Saturday night, and after the Cinder block piece of lasagna I ate...And salad with REAL ranch, and the brick of garlic bread! WOW!!! Who knew!

Ok....only 10 lbs more until I reach my Mexico goal!!! The first "pit stop" is in sight! I think I can, I think I can......

Until next week....

Happy munching!

The "New" me picture...Stolen from Molly

Ok...So many have been waiting for the " 35 lbs lighter " picture. Well, I have been having issues with uploading pictures from our new camera so I decided to steal it off of Molly's blog. Thanks Moll! The whole Ray Clan came for a visit last weekend and we had a blast. Feel free to see pictures and read about it on Molly's blog.
I will update more tomorrow on "Thunder Thigh Thursday"! stolen

...here are a few of my favorite things

Ok, so last week, I was tagged by Molly to tell about my my favorite things.
So, Here are a few of my favorite things......




1) I am truely in love with my Dansko professional Clogs!
These things are amazing. I could walk around the world and back - if it was possible! The only issue with these shoes is that they are a bit spendy - but worth every penny!


2) Every woman needs a great chapstick. For me - I love Burt's Bee's (Beeswax lip balm). It's the bomb baby!










3) My next favorite item seems a little weird, but I am in love with my Cordless Shark Sweeper!!
Every mom with toddlers and no dog, needs this item! I have only had it a few days and it is the best!











4) Since I have kids, I must admit - You got to have Britax Carseats!! I have 2 sets of twins and we have 4 Britax Carseats. My 1 yr olds are in the Britax Roundabouts.
We have the puma print - JUST LOVE IT!








My almost 4yr olds just got the Britax Regent. We love these too!

5) My last favorite thing are my Keen hikers! If you are looking for nice winter or hiking boots - These are it! You will love them! For some reason I am not able to upload the picture, so you will just have to take my word for it!

So, These are just a few of my favorite thing!

Happy Holidays!

Thunder Thigh Thursday

Ok, as I have been reading my dear friend Molly's, and her friend Fremas blogs, I see that they are doing a Weigh in Wed. blog. Well, for me, I do not weigh in on Wed.....I weigh in on Thursdays, so I needed a good title for my weigh in story of the week. What would go with Thursday????? Since this is a weight loss story, I thought THUNDER THIGH THURSDAY sounded really nice.
I started my weight loss journey September 14, 2006. The day Cooper came home from his cranio surgery. I had put it off all summer...and by the time we had come home from our 8 day stay in Milwaukee for the kids surgeries, I have had it with my weight. Clothes always fitting snug, pants to tight around the waist, it was time to get serious. I of course, Like Molly have also had my bumps in the road. I won't lie...It's been tough. But every day I feel better and better. I have 4 children and a husband who need me - I was done being selfish!
Through today, I have lost 8.5 inches around my waist, dropped 3 pant sizes and 2 top sizes. In 2 1/2 months, I am down 35 lbs!!! I am no where near where I need to be, but It's a start. I had Keegan get on the scale with me this morning and he weighed in at 35 lbs. I HAVE LOST KEEGAN!!!! Let me tell you....to me, 35 lbs didn't seem like a big number until I saw how much Keegan weighed. Visually..... 35 lbs is a lot!
Christmas is coming and I hope I do as well through the holiday as I did Thanksgiving.
My goal before going to Mexico Jan 31st is to lose 50lbs. Hopefully I will be able to make my goal and then some before then.
Until next week - Happy munching!
Here is a picture of me 35 lbs ago. I will add a me "now" picture tomorrow.

Carson - 11.27.06

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In the fast lane going 25

Do you ever feel like life is just passing you by? That's how I have been feeling the last couple of weeks. So much going on, so little time. As you may know, Carson and Cooper hit a big milestone last Wed. - They turned 1!!! I was sure with everything we went through this past year, that the year would never end. But Nov. 15th came and went and my babies are now 1.

Last week we took a little trip out to New Jersey to visit my grandma, aunt, and cousins. Riley and Keegan are old pros, but it was the first flight for Carson and Cooper. I must say everyone did quite well. It was good practice for our upcoming trip to Mexico.

Tuesday, Appleton had their annual Christmas parade. Can you believe it is almost Christmas already? I just seems like we were swimming and playing at the lake, and now Christmas? Yikes......time is flying by. As I may not be ready, make not mistake about it - Riley and Keegan can't wait!!!!!! With every toy commercial that comes across the t.v, someone chimes in with," Oh I would love that for Chirstmas." Oh to be a young child again. I can remember getting the Chirstmas toy catalog and circling and writing down item numbers and pages numbers until I couldn't see straight.


On September 14th, I got back on track with my girlfriend Molly in our battle to lose weight. I am happy to announce that after 2 months and 9 days I am down 30lbs!!!! Yippy. Only 1,000 more to go! No, honestly -It hasn't been bad at all. I must admit I am very happy! My goal is to be down 50 lbs by the time we leave for Mexico. With that said, today is Thanksgiving - One of my favorite holidays. I am hoping I have enough will power to not eat my loss in turkey, cranberries, stuffing, mashed potatoes, fluffy fruit salads and of course, pie. But if I can not resist....I will die a full belly woman!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Happy 1st Birthday

Happy 1st Birthday Kiddos! You have been through a lot this past year and you are truely amazing! You are our heros.

Love you,
Mom and Dad

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween....Ok a little late. Here are a few pictures of my crew......crazy as ever - But fun!

Just when you think you see a light at the end of the tunnel...

....this happends - you find a bone in a place where you think it shouldn't be. I can't tell you what it is or how it happend, but I am thinking.....It's not good. I believe that her skull is shifting. The left side of her head is "normal" feeling, but the right side has this huge ridge that runs along the side of her head.
So, the first thing Monday morning I called her Cranial facial team at Children's. I talked to one of Dr. Jensen's Nurses and she wanted me to email pictures of this bone. Ok, well, to actually see this bone would mean I would have to give this poor little girl a hair cut.
not the easiest task in the world, but we got it done. I am hoping to hear something from Dr. Jensen today or Wed. Meanwhile, I will be having a nice chat with the man upstairs.

Out for a long weekend.

Ok, I know I am behind on blogging, so bare with me while I play catch up.
A week and a half ago we started our trip to Indiana to see Matt's family. This time through, we decided to go a night earlier and make a stop at our friends house. My girlfriend Molly, aka LOST A SOCK, was kind enough to take our family in for the night. Molly lives in btwn our house and Matt's mom's so it makes for a nice break. We arrived at the Ray household at 11pm. I must admit, it was a nice, cozy, quiet house until my family showed up. This is a picture of what 3 crazy kids look like at 1:30 am - doesn't look like they are ready for bed to me.

It is always nice to see the Ray family. Thank you Molly, for letting us screw up your nice, cozy, quiet home.
This trip is always to short, but we try to make the best of it while we are there. Matt's mom had moved into a new (old) house and it was our first time seeing it. VERY NICE! It was expecially nice because she no longer needs to drive to work - it's across the street. Kathi works for a company that repairs big trucks - Semi's etc, so it was very exciting for the kids when she would take them over to work. Keegan had a great time. He was offered a couple of time to get a short ride in the trucks, but he wouldn't go unless Nana would go with him. Needless to say there were no semi rides this time. Maybe next time. Riley also had a great time. Down the street, a block each way from nana's house were parks, so on days they got a bit restless, Matt would take them to play on the sildes - their favorites. Keegan also had a great time on the mary- go- round. We even got a chance to go to Nana 2's house (great grandma). Thanks Nana 2 for the wonderful meal and all the goodies.
On our way home last Sunday we hurried our buns to get to Milwaukee. My parents, Mike, Sue, Devon, Matt and I all got tickets to see the Blue Man Group. So, my girlfriend Erin, who has twin boys Riley and Keegan's age, and who we also miss very much, has moved to Milwaukee. She and her wonderful husband Brian had offered to watch all 4 of my kids while we went to the show. Thanks Erin, Brian, Jacob and Tyler. You guys ROCK!

I must admit, the show was terrific. You you ever get a chance to see them, please do. It's a great time. It was a jam packed weekend, but we loved every minute of it.

Thanks everyone for such a great trip!

Only in Wisconsin can it go from Fall to Winter in 2 days flat!

Ok, so I may not be the smartest cookie in the jar, but damit - I'm doing the best I can! My kids are addicted to their bikes and today they wanted to go for a bike ride. I told them not today it's to cold out. But they insisted. So, first I wanted to get everyone out for a fun picture in the leaves before they are covered with snow. Yes, I said snow. It snowed here yesterday so I know accumulation is just around the corner. So, I send all kids out with no hats, coats, or mittens for a lovely shot in the leaves. Keegan and Riley both start complaining about how cold it is outside - SHHHHHH I say, "I want to get the picture taken". As they are all shivering, I snap one picture and get everyone back inside. Still, they complain about a bike ride. So - Me, myself, and I bundle everyone up and off we go on a bike ride. Did I forget to mention that we are all sick with a nice cold????