·:[ The Healthy Mom ]:·
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In this corner, weighing in at 130 lbs, we have our reigning champion, mama Maida!

Let’s get ready to rumble…

Zander and I had el battle royale yesterday - a test of wills. And I lost. Well, I lost it, anyway. He just kept pushing me and testing me and I let him get to me. I yelled at him, tried to taunt him back and then left him in time out in the car.

He had truly gotten on my last nerve. He was rude, rude, rude. We just got madder and madder at each other, feeding off each other’s anger. It was bad. Not my proudest parenting.

So this morning, he awoke with attitude, and I decided that I would nip it in the bud. “Zander, ” I explained, “let’s have a good day today. If you could be nice to me, I can be nice to you. Let’s try not to fight today, okay? If you are not rude to me and don’t have big tantrums, that would be great. It would really make me happy if you could do things when I ask you to them without saying ‘No, I don’t want to.’ or ‘I *will*’ rudely.”

“Okay, mom.”

Then he found a Land Before Time movie he wanted to watch. I said that if we could get through the day without fighting, he could watch the whole movie tonight.

It actually worked. When I requested things from him - like going to the potty or eating his meal - he would at first balk as he usually would. I would gently remind him, “Zander, I am asking you nicely to do this. I don’t want to have to fight about it.” And then he would be agreeable. After Doug got home, we exchanged glances several times at how agreeable Zander was because he really wanted to watch that movie.

Before we put the movie on, after bath and PJs, I hugged Zander, “We had a good day today, didn’t we?” He agreed. “No yelling, no fighting…”

“No frustrating…” he continued.

“It really makes me happy when we don’t fight, Zander. I really like it. Thank you so much for being so nice to me today. I really appreciate it.”

We hugged some more. He watched his movie, then went to bed. No stalling or anything.

Of course, it could be a fluke. But I’ll take it. It was a really great day for us after last night’s war.

WORKING OUT
I work out at home, usually while they are eating breakfast or otherwise playing.  Occasionally I work out before they wake up, but that's  very rare.  I really like the Tae Bo workouts.  I definitely feel the burn, and I actually enjoy it.  Way better than running on a treadmill for me, plus I get to kick and punch my punching bag    Sometimes Zevan tries to do the moves, it's pretty funny.  I used to wear Zevan/Zander when on the treadmill or elliptical - not too fast, of course, and I think the extra weight helped burn more calories.

Cleaning counts, so does shoveling snow and shopping.  Last Monday, I cleaned out the pantry and did some rearranging in the kitchen.  I even cleaned off the top off the refrigerator (YUCK).  I definitely burned calories.

EATING
Sometimes I will take a sip of Doug's wine with dinner, but only once in the past month have I poured my own glass.  My weakness is margaritas when we eat Mexican food - and Doug's homemade guacamole.

FASTING
Yesterday my friend May and I fasted.  Nothing but fresh fruit and drinks all day.  That was a first for me.  I got a wicked headache (probably caffeine withdrawal) and got irritable (low blood sugar) but I did it.  I even did Tae Bo first thing in the morning.

Final tally: 4 bananas, 10 strawberries, 30 grapes, 4 oz orange juice, Keto Juice (protein drink), Brewer's Yeast Buds, vitamins and tea (no sugar or cream): 631 calories

This morning, I felt weak, but okay.  I started out with a bowl of Special K with strawberries and milk before shoveling the snow off the driveway.  I came back in for a real breakfast, one egg, two slices of bacon and a piece of toast.  Probably should not have started out with something so greasy and heavy - I felt nauseated and heavy with that in my stomach.  Then I went climbing - my skills were definitely off from the fasting, but I still got a good workout.  I'm back on track with the normal amount of calories for today. 

May wants to fast once a week!  I said MAYBE every other week. 

I have to say that I do feel like it did me some good.  Some detox, and reset my food expectations and dependencies.  We'll see how long THAT lasts.  I'm just proud that I actually went through with it. 

We'll see on Monday how much it helped the weight loss effort.    or

I lost my pedometer.  I have no idea where it is.    I think I might have to go and buy another one

We just got back from the doctor who told us that Zander has RETRACTILE testicles and is perfectly normal and does not require surgery.
 
 
 

I am the happiest mama on the planet right now!

Thank you so much everyone for your support and encouragement and thoughts, prayers, vibes!!!   

It was the best doctor's appt ever.  The ladies in the office were so nice and just doted on the boys while we waited.  They got stickers, lollipops and really enjoyed their saltwater tank.  They usually don't get very many kids there, being a urological office.

Anyway, Dr. Derkson said that since Zander's testicles (or as Zander calls them: tentacles ) go all the way down to the bottom of his scrotum, that he is normal.

It's possible that Zander was just very tense the day of our first appt, which is why the other doctor recommended surgery.

Anyway, I'm just happy that my baby is not going under the knife!      

Oookay. 

So, I almost didn't get on the scale today because I got my period this morning.     Since getting an IUD I never know when/if it's coming, so now I know why I was feeling so bleh, cranky and sluggish the past few days.

But I had to know. So, after extra tao bo  and a 15 minute pilates work out to boot, I got on the scale.  Drum roll please….

I lost 0.4 lbs!     So, I'm feeling pretty good about that.  With my cycle, my weight has about a +/- 3.0 lb fluctuation.

I guess I will stay on this calorie count one more week to see what happens.  I tried the Advanced Tae Bo work out this Saturday.    I'm *so* not ready for that.  I need another month of basic Tae Bo - at least!

Oh, and I have to tell you about these fantastic workout pants I bought at Target.  They are SO comfortable.  They are ProSpirit contrast band yoga pants.  They feel as great as some of my maternity pants when I was pregnant.  And they look cute.  I got blue and green.  I'm going to the other Target today to see if they have my size in the other colors.  Cheaper than their Mossimo line.  About $18 a pair.

I have to remember, not to beat myself up for one off day of overeating and/or not working out - I just need to make up for it the next day!

As long as I am not sleeping  , on the computer  or watching TV and just moving my body  , it counts!

Well, our appt is this week.  Last night when I was changing Zander's diaper, he told me "Check my tentacles, mom"  LOL! 

I looked down and could see that his testicles were actually in the scrotum.     I burst into tears, I was so happy about it.   

The next time we changed him, they were back up, but at least I know that they "reach."  So, if he does have to have the surgery, it won't be so severe.

Or maybe he won't have to have it at all…   

Send descending vibes our way     

As you may have gathered from the Fitness Boards, I have joined the Discovery Health Challenge with other moms in the group and am currently logging my food intake and exercise in an effort to become more fit.  I am on my way to becoming a "Tae Bo Hero"  It's my favorite work out by far.  Billy Blanks cracks me up.  The food thing is going reasonably well.  Check back with me in another week so see if I feel the same.  I'm back to climbing twice a week thanks to a the gift of a membership and the return of my climbing partners after holidays travels/illness.     

Website work has slowed down a bit.  Need to figure out my next step there.  Do I start actively marketing for more work?  We are struggling financially, so the money would be good, but I already had to cut one day of day care.  Still working that out.   

We're having a bit of a family reunion next month with my family.  Trying to figure out how to drive around 6-8 adults and 4 boys during the visit.   We booked a place in Dillon for the weekend, but not sure how to fit everyone in to sleep at our house.  My parents, my brother, his wife, his teenage son and his newborn son - my cousin and his girlfriend, and two other friends (both over 6' tall!).    I have an idea, just have to work out the details.

Zander is getting back on track with the potty training  He's been mostly dry during the day (before 5 PM) since Monday!  Still won't poop in the potty, but I'll take what I can get.  Sometimes he just refuses to get on there, though.  Usually later in the day.  We're waiting on his appt to confirm that he will need surgery.  That's weighing on me.     Otherwise he is as clever as ever!

Zevan is more ornery than Zander ever was.  And he isn't even two years old.  Now that I know terrible 3s are even worse than the terrible twos, I'm a little concerned.  He is so cute, though.  Even when he being a little stinker.  He just *loves* to sing and dance.  So cute!   

Doug and I are definitely re-connecting, albeit sporadically.   Again, I'll take what I can get.   

So it begins…

A new year, and another chance to resolve to lose weight, eat better, get fit.

This year I have signed up for the Discovery Health 2006 Body Challenge. From the FAQ:

The Discovery Health Channel’s National Body Challenge is a FREE eight-week, comprehensive fitness and weight-loss challenge that provides the tools and inspiration, online and on television, to get in shape, shed extra pounds and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

The Challenge begins on Jan. 14, 2006, and continues for eight weeks, ending on March 11, 2006.

All registered National Body Challenge participants will receive access to our online customized meal plan, a personalized activity and weight tracker, extensive information from doctors and health and fitness experts, a free eight-week membership to Bally Total Fitness*, online recipes, special savings from Discovery Channel Stores and more.

We even have a “team” from the West Side Moms.

What’s my goal? To weigh 125 and/or drop 2″ from my squishy 21 month-post-partum belly. Ideally, I want to wear my dark blue Express jeans without my belly hanging over.

How will I do it? Calorie counting, rock climbing, Tae Bo and running outside when the weather is nice.

I researched through the night and came to the conclusion that I wanted to see a pediatric urologist for another opinion.  Doug and I talked it over this morning, and is completely supportive, as I knew he would be.

This has been an interesting experience so far.  Because of his age, I felt it was necessary to explain to him that no one should touch his genitals unless it was a doctor with mama and/or dada present, or unless it was his mama and dada.  I also told him that I was checking because "the doctor thinks you might need surgery and mama needs to make sure he is right.  I don't want you to have surgery unless it is necessary.  Is that okay?"

"Yes, it's okay, mama."  My little guy!

So there you have it.  The rest of this post is detailed medical stuff from my research in case any other mamas find themselves in my situation.  While surgery still seems likely, I feel more informed than I did 24 hours ago.   

I found this page from American Family Physician® journal article which has a lot of information, a dx chart and pictures of physical palpitation as well as of the surgery

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001101/2037.html

Undescended testicles can be categorized on the basis of physical and operative findings: (1) true undescended testicles (including intra-abdominal, peeping at the internal ring and canalicular testes), which exist along the normal path of descent and have a normally inserted gubernaculum; (2) ectopic testicles, which have an abnormal gubernacular insertion; and (3) retractile testicles, which are not truly undescended. The most important category to distinguish on physical examination is the retractile testis, because no hormone or surgical therapy is required for this condition.

It further talks about the actual physical palpitation with photos…

A true undescended or ectopic inguinal testicle will be felt to "pop" under the examiner's fingers during this maneuver. A low ectopic or retractile testicle will be felt by the opposite hand as it is "milked" into the scrotum. The ectopic testicle will immediately spring out of the scrotum when it is released. The retractile testicle will remain momentarily in the scrotum until further stimulation causes a cremasteric reflex.

Differentiation of a retractile testis from a true undescended testis is sometimes difficult; consultation with a urologist may be valuable.

I believe now that he may have an ectopic testicles,  since the testicles do not stay descended momentarily.  While this would still require surgery, I would just like to get confirmation from someone who is not a surgeon. 

After looking further into the hormonal treatment, because of his age and the fact that this is most likely ectopic testicles which are physically unable to stay down, this course does not seem likely to succeed.