Where have I been?

You may have been asking just where the heck have I been…and the answer is back in NJ, welcoming my new niece into the world! Miss Ella Violet. This little girl just melts my heart into a sweet little puddle. I just can’t get enough of her. So for being so patient, I will reward you all with a post full of pictures.

Let's start with the cutest, shall we?



So yes, I was back to visit my best friend and help her out a little as she transitioned from a mother of one to a mother of two. Well...at least I tried to help. It was hard to not snuggle this little bundle all day long.

Chasing her big brother around makes my guilt about not going to the gym just float away. Kinda. It’s fun to play with him and I feel sooo much more active now than I did before my surgery. But still, I think she deserves a big gold medal every day…attached to a very fancy new coach bag.

Anywhoo…while I was down there I discovered a few things "gastric bipass-wise." Let me share.

First, I hate the fact that I cannot eat and drink at the same time. Its annoying. It’s frustrating. And it’s the one habit I have from my pre-surgery brain that I just can’t seem to shake. I literally have to remove my cup from the table when I’m eating or I will still drink, just out of habit, and will certainly pay for it afterwards. It really friggin’ hurts.

When you eat and drink at the same time you feel full (and queasy) quicker while also allowing your food to move through your pouch quicker, making you want to eat and drink more. A “catch 22.” My new found solution?

Watermelon.

You can’t not eat and drink at the same time when you are eating watermelon. It’s fantastic. As you are chewing the fruit just disintegrates and the juice explodes from it. It’s like it’s own little cleansing sip of liquid deliciousness with every bite…unlike any other fruit I’ve tried.

On the 6 hour drive home, I know I ate at least half of a whole melon. It was heaven. Thank god I wasn’t pulled over. (I would have loved to see myself try to explain this to the cop)

Second, is that I am eating pretty much anything I want. (within reason…I haven’t tried sugar at all…I mean, do I even WANT to know if I can eat cake? No way. Too dangerous.) I have even conquered the dreaded lettuce that has been giving me trouble for so long. I still eat tiny portions and I always feel really full after I eat, but at least I kind of feel like I have a handle on it now. It really makes me feel less stressed when I am eating with people.

Or when people are cooking for me. Like my best friend’s husband…a professional chef. He is the second reason I want them to live closer to me. (His mashed potatoes could bring peace to the middle east….I’m sure of it.)

Lastly, I partook in my new favorite treat, Rita’s (sugar free) water ice again! This time, I had the pineapple flavor and it was equally delish as the mango peach. Please…I’m begging…someone bring one of these places to the Boston area!

Preferably, within walking distance to my house.