Ok, so I guess I'll try to recreate the magic that was my blog entry at 5:30 this morning. It is about 2/3 reflection and 1/3 whining. Brace yourselves.

I am currently preparing for the very trip that inspired my decision to make a radical change in my life last year. We go on an RV camping trip and off-roading in the desert with a bunch of other people. It is pretty much four days of obscene overindulgence: cookies, pie, chips, creamy dips, s'mores, and all manner of starchy goodness. It was at this time last year that I got fed up with feeling bad physically and about how I looked. As, I sat by the campfire with my waistband struggling against my belly, I decided that I had to get my eating under control. I had lost a lot of weight after my second baby was born, especially in the first six months when I was nursing full time. I had started a really enjoyable and effective exercise regimen (I totally my personal trainer). But, I was eating whatever my little heart desired. This became a problem when my little one started on solids and I was only nursing about 1/2 as much as before. I did not adjust my eating, yet I no longer had the 500 extra calories to blow everyday.

The difference this year is that I'm pregnant. But, I can't let that be an excuse to go hog wild. I have a half-cocked plan. I am going to eat as cleanly as possible during the day, and allow myself treats in moderation after 5pm. I know, that seems kind of backwards. But , I am emotional about food. I'm not an emotional eater (if that makes sense), but I don't want to miss out on what everyone else is having. When everyone gets back from the trail runs, they gather around the campfire and snack . So, that's when the temptation is strongest for me.

I did such a better job of explaining this in my obliterated blog. Oh well.

In other news, we had a birthday party for little girl this weekend. She is just so cute! I love her so much. She is 2 now, but she still seems like such a baby to me. She talks way more than her older sis did at this age, but she doesn't quite have her maturity level. It might be her round cheeks and the fact that she's a thumbsucker that keep her so babyish in my mind. She is also less outgoing and independent than her older sis. She is so funny though. At one point during her gift opening she started exclaiming, in a very low-pitched, Tommy Boy-like voice, "OH MY GOSH!" I don't know where she picked that up, but it was hilarious. She has also started insisting on going to restaurants all the time but she calls them, "food house." She'll say, "Mama. no chooch, food house foost." (No church, food house first) What a ham!

Anyway, her party was really fun, except for the part where my mom got herself in a snit, threw a tantrum, pouted for the whole party, and then left after her gifts were opened without saying anything to anyone. What happened? She fed our dogs, even though my husband had just fed them, and he told her that they didn't need to be fed. Not meanly, just as a matter of fact. Then, my sister, whose dog my mom is forvever trying to feed people food even though he's allergic to everything, asked her why she fed our dogs without asking us first. She had a fit and said that they were "crucifying her " over it. Puh-leeaz. My husband felt bad that she got her feelings hurt and tried to apologize, at which point she lashed out at him saying that we are "horrible to her and always hurt her feelings." She does this at 90% of family gatherings. She finds a reason to get offended, blows up, "punishes" everyone by storming out or leaving, and then goes about trying to gain whatever allies she can by spreading around a very twisted version of what actually happened. She then will call you up days or weeks later as if nothing ever happened. Whatev. Everyone in the family is aware of her need for chaos and to make everything about her. Nobody knows what to do about it though. It is sad because she ends up alienating everyone in her life and is sad and lonely because of it. I should be praying for her instead of complaining about it. I am just frustrated beyond belief at her inability to see how her behavior negatively affects the whole family. Just let us enjoy the 2 year old's birthday without the drama, woman!

Ok, it's not nearly as good as it was this morning, but there is my longest blog entry ever. If you have made it this far, congratulations! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels for all those who are setting out on their holiday adventures early.

I have now experienced the frustration of losing a very long blog entry. I may try to recreate it later. In the meanwhile, enjoy this picture of little girl eating her birthday cake.