Joe's Jeans

OK, for a couple of months I have had a one track mind. Lose Weight. Lose Weight. Lose Weight. I needed to motivate myself, so I asked Jason if I lost the designated amount of poundage (happens to be 35 freakin' pounds) if he would buy me a pair of Joe's Jeans. When I got pregnant with Quinn I gained a whoppin' 60 pounds! (how is that even possible you ask?) First 12 weeks=no exercise because I was considered high risk. Week 15= Appendix out. Week 24=PUPPP. (if you don't know what that is, google it. It is a ridiculously painful rash that I was lucky enough to get) Week 36=Bed rest. I did manage to lose 50 of the 60 pounds before getting pregnant with our sweet Jessica. I gained 25 with her. Which brings us to the 35 pounds that I needed to lose!!! I have picked out a few pair of jeans that have kept me motivated and on my way! However, I am stuck. I have 7 more pounds to go before Jason slaps that credit card down for a new pair of Joe's Jeans. I have had 7 pounds to go for about 2 weeks now. I only have until July 25 or all bets are off! Can you help me?!? Look how cute these jeans are! Anyone, please, help me lose 7 pounds by July 25!!

Highlights from Our Week

First off, Quinn's little fingers are doing so much better. There are just 2 tiny scabs that should be gone in a few days. He seems to be back to normal with them...grabbing things, eating, hitting, you know all the stuff that boys do!

We celebrated 4th of July this week and we had a nice get together. We were shocked when we found an uninvited visitor in the sill of a sliding glass door.

I couldn't quite capture the "rattle" on film, but it was there!

Makes me sick to even look at the slimy, slithery sucker now!

Since we were at my mom's house I had no clue what to do. Jason called 911 and they connected him to the Fire Department. The Fire Department came out and removed our uninvited guest, just in the knick of time! They put the snake in a bucket and then take it to the nearest wash and release them. (I would have been OK if they killed him) Yuck!!

Mr. Joe Fireman taking our rattlesnake away!

Here is a photo of all the girls at the swim/BBQ. We were playing around with the cameras and trying to get some good cleavage shots.....but unfortunately boys, this is the only picture that my camera took.

Kami, Me, Anna and Tia

One night this week, Jason, Quinn and I all went to eat at a Deli at the Mesa Riverview. As we were coming out of the Deli, Quinn spotted some "water fun" that he went charging towards. I figured I would let him play around for a little bit, but quickly realized he was getting soaked. So we stripped down and let him play around until his diaper was so full and heavy of water, that even passerbys were making comments. Quinn loved playing in the water and we could have kept him there all night!!

Accidents Happen

I was debating whether to call this post "Mother of the Year" because that is the award I should win. I mean, who leaves a HOT flat iron laying around where any 16 month old can touch it. Oh, a lot of people? Then maybe I do not deserve the Mother of the Year award. My heart broke when Quinn touched my flat iron and burned his two fingers. But the more I share with people what happened, the more curling iron burn stories I hear. It WAS an accident and we spent Sunday morning at Urgent Care so they could tell us to do nothing. That is what a $60 co-pay gets you these days. A nurse in our ward gave me some aloe and told us to give him Tylenol. (thank you!!) Other than that, he should heal on his own. Sigh....

Aren't They Beautiful?

Do I have the best sister in the world or what? These arrived yesterday at a time when I needed a little pick me up. How thoughtful and how gorgeous!! Thank you Shannon! I love you!

Mr. Voss

I met him when I was 10 years old. I had a crush on his son, Tommy Voss. He was an unusually big man, but had a very sweet heart. I swam in his pool, watched movies at his house, and even kissed his son!! But I didn't really get to know Mr. Voss until he became Coach Voss. He started coaching me my sophomore year in High School. He had always coached guys and this was his first experience with coaching girls. Later he tells me that he knew nothing about women even though he was married and had a daughter of his own. Our first year together was an adjustment, but I loved his coaching style. Stearn, not harsh, competitive, though not over the top. He told us that the only person allowed to yell at us during our games was him. (that included all parents) That meant that my dad had to sit there with his mouth shut during all games! If not, Coach Voss would kindly ask him to leave. He made us run more than any coach I had. But he was smart. He conditioned us so that no matter how tough the game, or how bad the weather, that we would never get tired. He bribed us. He would say, "if you beat San Ramon, I will shave a mohawk" or "if you go undeafeted this season, I will shave half my beard, dye my hair black and dye my beard red." All this from a 45 year old working man. And believe me, we won and he shaved and dyed. (oh how did his wife put up with that?!?!) He took our team out to breakfast every game day. I share all of this because I graduated from High School 16 years ago. I have not seen Mr. Voss for 16 years, and last Friday I met him in Danville California and we had dinner together. How fun to talk about old times and what he meant during my High School years. He motivated me and helped me be more competitive (is that possible?). And like I said, he had the most tender of hearts. He is 60 now, walking a little more slowly and displaying more grays. But he is still the same old Coach Voss that I remember from High School. "Willy!" he used to call me. And when I saw him at dinner he said "Willy, I thought I lost you." Below is a picture of the 2 of us my Senior year. We won the North Coast Sectionals that year. Hence, the half beard, black beard, red haired crazy man standing next to me.

1st Haircut

For those of you who know Quinn, it took a long time for this little rugrat to get hair. Well now that he has it, it is a little out of control! So while we were in CA we decided to buzz it. His cousin, Grant was sporting the mohawk while we were there, and though I was tempted to follow suit, we just gave Q-man a buzz! Thanks Uncle Steve for buzzin" him!

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Swimming

Since we all know that is is hotter than HELL here in the summer (sorry for the language mom), it is important that you and your kids know how to swim. So, we signed Quinn up for swimming lessons. He has had 4 so far. They started out easy enough and he was a good sport. The mommies even get in with the kids and learn the techniques to teach the child whenever you are in a pool. Then teacher Sara got a hold of Quinn and made him go under. I didn't mind so much and thought it was good for him to get used to. But Quinn has a problem opening his mouth, wanting to taste and swallow the water. He does this in the bathtub as well. So while teacher Sara is dunking him, he has his mouth open, tongue out. Of course he chokes on the water and is mad and crying. Every swimming lesson since has been the same. He sees Sara and immediately starts crying. That is until she busts out her licorice. Red Vine anyone? Quinn, we are finding, is easily bribed with food. (and just so you all know, he is only 70% in weight. But 95% in height.) So I am OK with a little bribery now and then. We have one more lesson. I am hoping with some licorice and good coercing that he will be able to go under without crying. I have not been able to get a lot of photos of him in the actual swim lesson, because I am in there with him. But here are a few....

Waiting for the lesson to begin
For a special treat, a "ride" on Shamu

All this boy is thinking is "get me off the whale. Where is the licocrice lady?"

AAHHH! Happy again. Notice licorice in hand.