It has been a long time since I have posted and no there really really isn't a really good reason other than the fact I have been super busy with "N's" school, play dates, birthday parties, church activities and things.  Things I think are becoming calm before the storm because this past weekend was fairly easy going and I also signed up with our Children's Ministry this past weekend too.  So I think I have a little while before I'll be getting more busy with that.

I'm trying to be a better person and that's taking quite a bit as well.  I need to learn patience with my daughter.  I love her but she has a lot of growing up to do.  She will never stop talking, she will ask the same question over and over, she is more defiant now.  I guess I have a few years left on that before she calms down like "N" did.  This past weekend we spoiled him by buying Xbox 360 Pro Bundle but it's cool because it came with Kung Fu Panda and Legos Indiana Jones.  Just so you know if you buy this, the games are in one case and they are hard to find in the box.  Be sure to check everything in the box so you don't throw it away.  He really loves playing games and he's starting to like playing Guitar Hero too.  I think it's pretty cool.  "O" wants to learn but I think she's still a little too young.

So here it is around 9:30am and "O" and I are sitting on our patio in the shade, she's coloring and talking and I'm drinking my coffee trying to work and then later on trying to get the house cleaned and put back together.  We have these spurts where we'll be really good at keeping the house picked up and other times we aren't. 

Last night we had to finish our grocery shopping at our other Walmart and decided to pick up some pie pumpkins to make homemade pies and when we got home decided to try to make pumpkin cookies instead.  Well, it didn't turn out so well because our blender was crapping out (as it always does when it comes time to being used).  So eventually we will be getting a food processor which will be nice because that means I can also make my own pesto sauce and peanut butter!  Yeah me!!

"N" is now going to school full days now and because of that last week I thought it would be a nice treat to go to Chuck E. Cheese.  He's never been there and he really has been good and I wanted to kill some time.  I spent a total of $19.00 for 100 tokens and 2 drinks (since we already had lunch) and we were there for almost three hours or so.  It was fun because I played a few games with them, was able to sit and talk with my girlfriend and they could play without having to be watched constantly.  They had so much fun and I had fun too because I was able to let them go do their own thing without having to worry where they were.  I think we will have to break down and buy an air hockey table because "N" has been hooked on them for years.  I'm not kidding he's been playing air hockey  since he was about 2-3 years old and loves it!

Things have been going pretty good with me in general.  I'm still learning what I can and can't eat which I think I'll always be doing.  I did learn that I cannot eat bratwurst or hot dogs anymore.  I can't eat eat them because they are just way too fatty.  After losing your colon things just will never be the same.  It's true with digestion, foods you can eat and even sex.  I know that I needed the surgery to save my life but it really changes your abilities.  Sunday for instance, I ate at church and stayed with my girlfriend for a "Getting To Know Us" class (four and a half hours).  Normally after each meal I have to use the bathroom because now the food gets digested as I eat so within 20 minutes of getting done my food has been digested.  So after that I end up really needing to go and when I'm at home no big deal.  When we are out it's more difficult and I find it very embarrassing to talk about right at this moment.

So getting back to this story.  When you have these surgeries your comfort level goes down and you now need to time things.  Sunday I was miserable and because of that and not being able to use the restroom I was up all night in pain.  I have learned my lesson and I am also changing how I eat.  Before I go to bed I always have one rectangle of Live Active Cheese by Kraft and also an Imodium Multi Symptom to help as well.  Some days are better than others and since I've started on a birth control (to stop cysts from forming on my ovaries) it's been more difficult for me. 

My diet right now is ok, it could always be better but for breakfast I have a Kashi TLC Strawberry soft baked cereal bar with DanActive dairy drink with an Imodium.  I eat whatever for lunch (PB&J or something) and dinner we'll eat taco salad, chicken enchiladas, chicken parmesan, or something to that extent.  I do limit certain veggies though.  If we have corn I will have a small spoon full and a small amount of lettuce since it's not easily digestible.  The beans I'm careful of as well but I know that I can have one chicken and black bean enchilada because I will have big problems since there is a good amount of fiber in them.  I still do have to watch my fiber intake since I can't eat a normal amount anymore but I still have to have some.  I also have to work on staying hydrated.

What I'm learning is so much that I almost need to write down some things or else I will forget, for example certain foods that I don't eat a lot of I need to write down my body's reaction so I remember if it was good or not.  Especially restaurants, they are horrible because of the amount of fat and grease they use.  One of the worst of me is On The Border, Kyoto Bowl (not sure why), Panda, Mc Donalds, pizza places.   Basically most food places but I did notice that when I ate sushi I didn't have really any problems.  What to I consider a problem?  Having to run to the bathroom more than three times in an hour after eating, a burning sensation as I go to the bathroom, a diarrhea like consistency and painful gas.  As time has passed the pains have minimized up until I eat something that doesn't agree with me.

As in life, you live and learn and move on.  Once you figure things out then it won't be so hard later down the road.  I have been told that it could take up to a year for my bowel movements to really calm down.  They are better as long as I don't eat or drink certain coffees, carbonated drinks both soda and alcoholic and some dairy products.