Hi everyone! I don't get a chance to update or post often here at all anymore, and boy do I miss it! Between the kids, work and life in general, there isn't much time to breathe most days. So here's a quick update..... Jessica will be 5mos old on the 29th and is doing great. She's 12lbs or just over that now (my scale goes between 12 and 12 1/2lbs) and getting so long. As tiny as she is, she is still mostly in 0-3mos clothes, but begining to fill out the 3-6mos sizes better. (still in a size 1 diaper though) She is showing a greater interest in food, so I'm debating starting her on solids sooner than planned. I went to our natural food store and picked up brown rice, barley, quinoa, and red wheatberries for her cereals for $1.36! There is enough to last her at least 2-3mos, so that was a terrific deal. I ground it all down last nite, so it's ready to go for when I'm ready. I don't typically start solids (DS#1 was the exception****il 6mos or so, but I'm thinking I might bump it up for Jessica to 5 1/2mos. We'll see..... She's got her rolling down, however will NOT roll from back to tummy any more as she really doesn't like being on her tummy. Silly girl! She has discovered her voice big time and just LOVES to sing and 'talk' to anyone that looks her way. Speak of the devil....she's talking now after her nap. I''m doing really well physically and got my weight back down by 9-10wks pp. Now that I'm back to work at Curves, I'm making myself get my butt in gear and am exercising at least 2x per week. I know I really need to do more than that, but this is a start. Only 1/2lb more and I will have lost half of myself!! I'm registered for the conference on June 4 in Hudson WI and am excited to go. My surgeon is one of the featured speakers, so that's exciting for me. Jessica will be coming w/but DH is keeping the other 3. That's it on me, or at least all I can think of now.....I look forward to everyone's update's also. Traci 248/124.5 mom to Blake~9 Christopher~6 Elizabeth~almost 4 post-WLS baby Jessica~almost 5mos!

Hi Teah, yes I'm a gardener too - but mostly flowers. I did plant a few tomato plants in my butterfly garden this year - the trick will be keeping the groundhogs and bunnies out! I have a garden in my back yard that measures about 20' L X 8' W and I have all kinds of flowering perennials in there. This year it's looking like the coneflowers (echinachia) are really taking over! Hugs, Nancy

Oh no, those peanuts are addictive. Yesterday, I started my container garden. I tried it once before, but i think I had too many plants in too small of a container. So far I only have tomatoes and green and yellow peppers. I am going to also try lettuce and spinach, so I'll be able to pick a nice fresh salad. Is anyone else a garnder? Anyway Today's plan: Breakfast Turkey Sausage and Oatmeal Lunch Salad w/ Chicken Breast Dinner Frozen Meal Snack Yogurt w/Grape nuts Cheese and Crackers

Hi Mike...WOW you have done wonderful....In less than 48 hrs I will be having PS...I am going for the whole thing at once: abdominoplasty, brachiplasty and thigh lift...I am getting nervous and will be glad when its over... I read this board everyday as well as the plastics board. I dont write much but follow all my July Buddies and how they are doing!!! Janette RNY 7-13-04 363/132 - 231 lbs

Remember the expression "It's like riding a bike....."? Well I'm here to tell you it's TRUE! You never do forget. I was never a good rider, having learned later (age 13) and almost being thrown over the handle bars when I grabbed the front brake caliper as a young teen... But ya just get on and ride! Just like that.... Irene