Dominic loves Halloween!

Two years ago, he was a pumpkin, and last year, he was a guitar. This year, Dominic got to be a big boy and choose his very own Halloween costume. Not that this comes as a surprise or anything, but Dominic chose to be Elmo!!! Of course, I approved!!!

We had fun Trick-or-Treating in our neighborhood, and both Daddy and Mama took turns carrying around our adorable, fuzzy little guy.

At Dominic's daycare, he got to play several fun games. I think he looks especially cute here, playing with the pumpkin bean bag toss.

Dominic got to play with one of his friends, Zoe, a.k.a. the lion.

Doesn't Elmo make the sweetest little face???

Elmo's treat after a long, hard day of being cute...

Four years of being a Mrs.!!!!

Four years ago today, Todd and I officially became husband and wife. It was a beautiful day then, and I was reminded of the weather with the lovely sun we also had today.

I love my husband very much, and I know that marriage is work. But, it is worth it to have your best friend nearby on a daily basis. I look forward to at least 50-60 more years of happy marriage in our future!!!!

Big boy, bigger little boy?

If the title of this post seems a little confusing, please let me explain.

Last night, Dominic got to meet his new cousin Ethan (or "Baby Ephan" as Dominic says) for the first time. By the way, how sweet is this photo?

Anyway, Dominic has been dethroned as the heavyweight baby champion for Henry grandchildren. When he was born, he weighed 9 lbs. 12 ounces.

Well, Ethan's birth weight (on September 28, 2010) was a whopping 10 lbs. 9 ounces. The nurses nicknamed him "Kindergartener."

Welcome to the family Baby E! Your weight is just fine with us!

Is this what 30 looks like?

When I started my "From one birthday to another" weight-loss challenge, I weighed 178.2 pounds (see left). At the end, on my 30th birthday (which is today), I haven't gotten much lower.

My weight now is only down to 169 pounds (see right). Seriously? That's a gain from my last weigh-in, and it means I only lost 9.2 pounds (or approximately 5.2 percent of my original weight) overall.

Maybe I set too high a goal for too short a time. The younger me would have probably pouted for a lot longer, but I've entered a new decade now. I'm going to be happy with what I did accomplish and continue to make strides in the future.

A big thumbs down to my former employer!

This has been a rough year financially, mostly because I was unexpectedly laid off in January.

All my department had been hearing about was how this was such a good time for the company and to prepare for lots more growth.

After the last "Yay, we're growing" meeting, I'm told my job is gone with only a b.s. "We are making organizational changes" reason.

Apparently, I wasn't worth saving, but I'm not sure I measure up to their standards (nor do I want to any more).

I just learned that the company's CEO is currently serving a 60-day jail sentence after driving drunk over Memorial Day weekend in Florida and causing an accident. Does he get laid off too? Nope!

Check out this text from the local newspaper: "The board of directors also issued a statement on Monday expressing confidence in ----- and saying that he is expected to return by early November."

Classy...not!!!

From one birthday to another-3, 2, 1...30?

My final countdown has begun. One week from today, I turn 30. While that's kind of a crazy thought, I'm not going to worry about it.

What would worrying do, anyway? I can't change it, and I certainly want to live a happy life that ends long after 30.

I'll be starting this new decade with the beginnings of a hot body, or at least that's what I'm telling myself! :)

Check out my final swimsuit photo, a.k.a. "the after shot" and hear my ending weight next week. See you then!

More proud Mama moments!

This beautiful two-year-old right here is the only thing (or person) that keeps me sane most days.

He is regularly counting from one to ten (sometimes going all the way to "firteen," or how most of us say thirteen).

Also, he sings the alphabet song all the time and speaks in several word sentences. Of course, he is "Mama's Little Genius."

I love him sooooooooooo much and can't wait to see how he will change next!

From one birthday to another-almost there!

I will turn 30 three weeks from today. While that thought freaks me out just a bit, I know it is coming whether or not I'm ready for the new decade.

One thing that will make me feel and look better (and maybe younger too!) is definitely losing weight, and I want to lose a lot of it!

On July 4 (see photo), I weighed 178.2 pounds, and now, my weight is down to 165.2 pounds. Since the beginning, I've dropped 13 pounds (7.3 percent of my total weight).

I'll have a huge number this week because I didn't exercise much last week. If I add in a bunch of exercise (even if it is just walking for 60 minutes each day) to my plan of eating right, I should see awesome results!!!

Going back to school!!!

The Beloit College Mindset List looks at pop culture events that have shaped the lives of incoming college freshmen.

I took an extra interest in this year's list because I'm now taking four classes at Lincoln Land Community College!!!

I'd been hoping to go back to school for a while, but it was never the right time. Getting laid off from my second job in a row made me realize I needed this.

If all goes according to plan, I'll be a Registered Nurse specializing in Labor and Delivery no later than June 2014.

But, I'm far from the typical college freshman. In the year 1992, when most of this year's college freshmen were born, I was starting 7th Grade. That's a little depressing and scary.

In doing this, I realize I'm setting a great example for Dominic. Education is vitally important, and it is NEVER too late to go back.

From one birthday to another-four weeks left!

As you've seen in some of my other recent blog posts, this has been a crazy time for me. I'm actually kind of surprised I lost any weight at all! :)

Three weeks ago, my weight was 169.6 pounds. Today, I'm "tipping the scales" at 166.4 pounds, which means a loss of 3.2 pounds.

Since I began (see July 4 photo), I have lost 11.8 pounds or 6.6 percent of my starting weight.

I'm slowly starting to realize that, while every pound counts, the really important thing is learning to live a healthier life and be a better example for my amazing son!

2010: My Summer of Books-goal interrupted...

At this rate, my word's not going to mean much before long. This summer has been a season of goal-setting, and now, I have to change yet another deadline! :)

I'll be taking books #22-38 and reading them in a "Book of the Week" format.

But, first things first! Book #21 was "Secrets" by Danielle Steel. This book, first published back in 1985, focuses on the making of hit prime time soap opera "Manhattan."

Maybe it's because this book reminds me of the soap opera-watching days of my childhood, but I really liked it. Steel did a great job of character development with Sabina, Jane, Zack, Gabrielle and Bill, and really made me care about what happened to everyone.

Just like the stars of "Manhattan," I have a secret of my own. You'll all be seeing a big announcement from me here in the next few days!!!

From one birthday to another-not so fast!

When it comes to my weight loss and especially my "From one birthday to another" swimsuit challenge, I sometimes think the whole world is against me.

I was supposed to have a weigh-in today, but as luck has it, I got a visit from my least favorite Aunt. As you ladies know, that basically means I'll have some extra water weight for the next five days.

So, I'm postponing my weigh-in to NEXT Sunday, August 22. In order to keep the number of weigh-ins the same, I'll also be weighing-in the Sunday after that, August 29.

Thank you for being patient. I won't disappoint you!

2010: My Summer of Books-over the hump!

Whew! 20 books down and 18 left! I finally made it over halfway, and it feels good.

Danielle Steel's "Sisters" was book #18. It immediately appealed to me because there are four girls (and no boys) in my family, and Steel's book follows the four successful Adams sisters. Girl Power!!!!

Lawyer Sabrina, TV producer Tammy, Italy-based artist Annie, and international supermodel Candy cope with an unthinkable family tragedy by living together in New York City for a year.

Steel creates a touching story of family pulling together to create beauty out of something so heartbreaking, and I absolutely loved it!

For book #19, I read Jay Asher's "Thirteen Reasons Why," which follows good-guy Clay Jensen and tortured soul Hannah Baker, speaking from the grave.

Clay is one of 13 people to receive a mysterious package containing cassette tapes with messages from Hannah. Each person listening to the tapes is in some way, according to Hannah, responsible for her suicide.

Asher's storytelling is unique, mesmerizing and sad, and it reminds all of us of a critically important message: learn the potential warning signs a person may be suicidal and don't be afraid to act if you see them.

With book #20, I got to check out "Look Again" by Lisa Scottoline, and this one hit especially close to home for two reasons: I'm a mother of a young son, and my college degree is in print journalism.

"Look Again" focuses on Philadelphia newspaper reporter and single mom Ellen Gleeson, who gets the shock of a lifetime when she thinks she recognizes the face of her adopted son Will on a "Have You Seen This Child?" flyer she gets in the mail. The journalist and mother in Ellen won't let her ignore the flyer, so she decides to investigate.

My heart was in my throat the entire time because I cannot even imagine how horrible my life would be if I ever had my son taken away from me. Scottoline's story felt so real to me, and I can tell you that, by the end, I was practically cheering out loud.

On to book #21..."Secrets" by Danielle Steel.

Dominic's got his sea legs!

This past Saturday, we had fun on Lake Springfield and quickly found out that Dominic has absolutely no fear of water. He would have walked right off the edge of the boat if we had let him.

2010: My Summer of Books-a reading exercise!

I've combined my two Summer goals by taking a novel on my daily walks. I'm "killing two birds with one stone" and tricking my body into forgetting I'm exercising.

With book #15, "The Compound" by S.A. Bodeen, I read a fascinating story of what happens after a nuclear attack. Nine-year-old Eli Yanakakis' life is turned upside down when his family is forced into an underground compound for the next 15 years.

Things really get scary when Eli starts to wonder if a nuclear bomb was even dropped in the first place. Will he be able to escape the total isolation of the compound, or are he and his family stuck there forever?

If you only read a few books in your lifetime, you need to seriously consider making Randy Pausch's "The Last Lecture" (my book #16) one of your choices.

Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon professor, died of pancreatic cancer on July 25, 2008, but he never let cancer defeat him. He said, "If I don't seem as depressed or morose as I should be, sorry to disappoint you."

Everyone in the world can benefit in one way or another from Pausch's words of wisdom on dreaming big, working well with others and making the most of every day you have on Earth.

For book #17, I read "Dead Air" by Mary Kennedy. Kennedy's story follows radio psychologist Maggie Walsh, a Manhattan transplant who trades in the craziness of New York City for a calmer existence in small town Cypress Grove, Florida.

As it turns out, small town living can be just as crazy. Maggie is thrown into a murder investigation after hot shot New Age author Sanjay Gingii is killed shortly after appearing as a guest on her radio show.

I give this murder mystery an enthusiastic two thumbs up. Kennedy introduces many different characters, and yet, I never felt lost. Her descriptions were crisp and clear, and she kept me guessing right until the end.

It's time for book #18, "Sisters" by Danielle Steel.

From one birthday to another-three times a lady!

I've turned another calendar page, and Aug. 1 is here. It's time for my third weigh-in during my "From one birthday to another" swimsuit challenge.

My current weight is (drumroll please)...169.6 pounds! Ok, so maybe I shouldn't put an exclamation point after that, but any loss is really a step in the right direction.

I've lost 4.4 pounds in the last two weeks. Since I began my weight-loss challenge (see starting photo at left), I've lost 8.6 pounds (or 4.83 percent of my starting weight).

On Aug. 15, my scale will say 164 pounds. To get there, I'll walk every day and drink lots of water.

2010: My Summer of Books-plugging along!

When it comes to my summer reading goal, think of me as the little engine that could. I'll keep plugging along until I've successfully crossed the finish line.

Book #12 was "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson. This book follows the "life" of anorexic teen Lia, who dangerously counts every calorie and doesn't injest enough of them to maintain a weight over 100 pounds.

Lia is haunted by the memory of her former best friend (and bulimic) Cassie, who died shortly after making the last of 33 desperate phone calls to Lia (who didn't pick up even once). It looks like Lia is headed the same fatal direction as Cassie, but it doesn't end up that way.

This book is a must-read for anyone who has a daughter or anyone who has courageously fought the anorexia or bulimia battle. I was blown away by how real and how sad "Wintergirls" was.

Lucky book #13, "Murder List" by Julie Garwood, focuses on sexy hotel heiress Regan Madison. While Regan's job is to run the charitable wing of her family's international chain of hotels, she also spends a lot of time helping friends.

Regan and her friends hope to expose Dr. Lawrence Shields, a shady self-help guru who may have gotten away with murder. While attending one of Shields' seminars, Regan follows his directive to create her own "murder list" of people she wouldn't mind seeing vanish off the face of the earth.

Life becomes way too scary when someone gets a hold of Regan's list and starts killing people on it. Will the killer be discovered before Regan becomes the latest victim? In my opinion, it is totally worth it for you to read "Murder List" and find out for yourself!

I've been a big St. Louis Cardinals fan my entire life, so I got especially excited for book #14. With "3 Nights In August," Buzz Bissinger's main focus was to follow the St. Louis Cardinals and manager Tony La Russa as they faced the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series at Busch Stadium in August 2003.

La Russa creates a complex game plan for each series based on countless hours analyzing past statistics. This would be a fascinating read for any true baseball fan. It just happens to be a bonus that it focuses on the greatest team and rivalry in professional baseball.

For book #15, I'm now reading "The Compound" by S.A. Bodeen.

Beautiful birthday boy!

Yeah, I'm fully aware of the fact that Dominic's birthday was ten days ago, but we had a little mishap with our digital camera. Thankfully though, the photos were recovered! So, I thought this would be a good time to share some of my favorite pictures of the day with everyone...

2010: My Summer of Books-back on track!

My plan almost got derailed. Party details, weight loss and job hunting kept me busy. Also, book #9, Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights," was a long, slow read.

"Wuthering Heights" takes place in England in the late 1700's/early 1800's and follows the forbidden love story of Heathcliff and Catherine. They aren't blood siblings, but grew up together after an orphaned Heathcliff is taken in by Catherine's father.

I know this book is a classic, but I never got into it (mostly because many characters are mean). It must grow on you a little more each time you read it.

For book #10, I chose Brian James' "The Heights," a modern-day version of Bronte's novel. James' edition follows San Francisco kids Henry and Catherine, raised as brother and sister after Catherine's dad finds a shivering Henry abandoned by the side of the road.

Catherine and Henry share a deep, romantic love that makes almost everyone around them very uncomfortable, but they vow to remain together forever. As more and more forces conspire to keep them apart, Henry's anger continues to grow.

While neither "Heights" book was badly written, I prefer the James one. It was a quick, smooth read, and the story was clear and easy to follow.

With book #11, I went with Danielle Steel's "Coming Out," which focuses on perfect wife, mother and lawyer, Olympia Crawford Rubinstein. Olympia is excitedly helping her twin daughters prepare to "come out" at the biggest debutante ball in the country.

As the ball approaches, Olympia and her family deal with a lot of drama and bad luck. This ball means a lot more than playing dress-up, and as a reader, I was glued to this book right until the last page. It wasn't a long novel, but it was written well.

My Summer of Books ends two months from today, and I'm just starting #12, "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson. I better get going!

From one birthday to another-second weigh-in

Two weeks later...time for my scale once again.

On July 4 (see photo to your left), I weighed 178.2 pounds, and now (on July 18), I'm at 174.0 pounds. That's a loss of 4.2 pounds , which is approximately 2.4 percent of my starting weight.

I'll admit that while it wasn't a terrible time for food, it wasn't great either. I probably had more than a couple of pieces of birthday cake at my son's party and just kind of snacked on and off during this time too.

I didn't reach pig-out levels ever, but I know I can affect positive change by changing what I snack on from salty and sugary no-no's to equally tasty fruits and veggies.

See you in two more weeks!

Two-year-oldie!

Since I'm so tired that I'm starting to get really silly, this post will have to be a short one...

I cannot properly express with words just how much this perfect little boy means to me. Is it really possible that he turned two today?

Thank you God for sending Dominic my way. I could not have asked for anything more.

From one birthday to another...

Independence Day is my favorite holiday. I'm a very proud American, and it's important to celebrate the birthday of this incredible country.

In just over two months (on September 19), I'll be celebrating my own special birthday.

With the big 3-0 just around the corner, I'm officially re-launching my campaign for a better body that I started in mid-April.

Back then, I promised to show myself in a bikini on July 4, and I've at least kept that one promise.

This is what 178.2 pounds looks like, and I never want to see this again. I'll be weighing in every two weeks and reporting on the aspects of my diet and exercise program that are really working.

Ready, set, GO!!!!!

Five years with the love of my life!!!!!

July 2, 2010 is the five-year anniversary of my first date with Todd.

On that incredibly fun first date, we had dinner at Smokey Bones, went for a walk in Washington Park and did a round of mini-golf at Knight's Action Park.

What I remember most vividly from that day was how nice Todd's eye contact was. He was always looking right at me, and boy, was he handsome too! When I got home that night, I called my mom and probably spoke to her for 30-45 minutes on how I thought this could be the start of something big (and clearly, I was right).

Less than two weeks later, we went to the Chicagoland NASCAR race and saw our favorite Dale Jr. win! I think that means we were a winning pair from the start!

2010: My Summer of Books-no problem!

Three weeks in and eight books down. Only 12 weeks and 30 books left. No problem!

Denise Swanson's excellent page turner "Murder of a Royal Pain" was book #6, and it's one of at least twelve in Swanson's Scumble River Mystery Series.

This book follows small-town school psychologist Skye Denison. One night, she discovers the body of Annette Paine, a pushy mom with no shortage of enemies.

Pretty soon, Skye finds out that Annette was not the intended victim. Skye has to find out the killer's real target before it's too late.

For book #7, I chose "Glitter Baby" by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. The glitter baby is Fleur Savagar, a supermodel and actress considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world by everyone but herself.

The worlds of high fashion and Hollywood are supposed to be glamorous and exciting, but they don't mean much to Fleur. She walks away from the fame and the millions in order to really find herself.

What's my verdict on this one? Phillips' "Glitter Baby" really shines!

Since I can't resist a good murder mystery, I grabbed

"Dial Emmy for Murder" by real-life soap opera star
Eileen Davidson for my book #8.

Many of us have heard the phrase "Write what you know," and Davidson does a fabulous job of exactly that by sharing with her readers the story of faux soap star Alexis Peterson.

Alexis has enough drama in her work life, but it follows her home. She's thrust in the middle of a "Who dunnit?" when the body of her handsome young co-star literally falls in her lap.

For Alexis, her problems only multiply as the body count continues to rise. Who is killing the young studs of the soap opera world, and will they silence Alexis forever before she uncovers their identity? If you want to know, you'll have to read it yourself.

With book #9, I decided to go with a classic: "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte.