Beach Beauty with Lupus

It ha been a long time.  Apparently I only enjoy sharing my journey with Lupus when something bad is happening to me.  Since it's been so long since I've felt really crappy I haven't felt the need to share and that isn't right.  People need to know that there are good days, even great days!  Days when you forget you have Lupus.  I went to the beach and for more than a quick ten minute "I saw the water" and I'm out of there!  We spent hours playing in the sand, touching the water with our toes and napping all under the protection of a bunch of umbrellas, hats, and lots of sunblock!  For Jackson, it was his first trip to the beach.  For me, it was my first trip to the beach with Lupus.  Although I will say it was not incredibly awesome wearing so much protective wear I didn't feel too out of place.  No one that I noticed was staring at me or acting like it was odd that I wasn't sporting a bathing suit like everyone else.  I think the push nationally for SPF is helping.  They are making some very cute SPF clothing and everyone is well aware of the risks of the sun!  My family helped a lot too!  Always reminding me to move my chair so I stayed in the shade or asking if I needed more sunblock.  I am grateful for the vacation to feel normal.  I am so proud to say I didn't get the slightest bit of sunburn.  I came home the way I left, no aches and pains.  Getting enough sleep on the other hand was a challenge!  Jackson is 16 months and in the 98th percentile for height and weight.  So need less to say he did not want to sleep in his pack n play.  We alternated from the floor to the futon to the bed and no one slept well in his room since he snores and breathe loudly all night!  So, its back to work and daycare.  Back to waiting for the next big thing!  We do not have another vacation planned yet but I am excited thinking about all the places I want to take Jackson that for a long time I didn't think I was going to be able to. 

Jackson and I enjoying the beach for the 1st time!

 

If you have time, please check out this link to see my team in the Walk to End Lupus Now Maryland walk which is in 40 days!  I would love to have you on my team or as a supporter.  Lupus is a horrible disease that hurts so many people.  I am blessed with a wonderful support system and the best doctors in the country.  I know times are rough for everyone but if you can afford $5, $10, $15 please consider a small donation to my cause.  I will not stop asking until we find a cure.  I appreciate everything you have done, are doing right now, and will do in the future to support my family and myself in this crazy journey.

http://lupusdmv.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1072113&lis=0&kntae1072113=F6592DC0DFB442169501F5E3EA263764&supId=0&team=5526234&cj=Y

I Love Sundays

This might be my favorite day of the week.  Sundays are super relaxing around here.  This morning Jackson slept in until 7 and then we went on a walk around the block.  I enjoy morning walks because it is still cool outside and no one else is out and about.  Today we walked by the mailbox and around the block the long way.  I was pretty tired when we got back but it felt good.  So two days of walking (outlets yesterday) has got to be good for me.  I made sure to use a lot of sunblock and covered up.  Still getting used to by unhealthy relationship with the sun (thanks Lupus).  On the plus side, I got a new hat at Ann Taylor; it's so cute. 

Sundays are great days to catch up on house cleaning and laundry.  I get a lot of satisfaction when my house is clean.  I guess cleaning makes you feel good because you can see fast results and have control over the process.  With Thanksgiving this week I wanted to make sure our house is at least presentable. 

Wearing sweatpants and slippers all day.  Everyone needs a day a week to do that!  Plus, football means sitting back with the hubby eating some yummy snacks.

It doesn't get better than a lazy Sunday.

Today's Blessing:  I forgot to add a blessing to my last post so I will give two today!  First, having the ability to walk.  Being able to move makes you feel good and its good for you.  Second, finding a few pair of pants that actually fit for work.  I have lost 50 lbs since I had Jackson in April (7 months ago).  I think it is the best thing about getting Lupus.

It's Dracula, No Just Momista

Happy Halloween at Sea World San Antonio

 

This afternoon my husband and I took our 6 month old to Sea World.  Sea World does a nice job for the holidays but I will say this year was a little disappointing as they were lacking some decorations.  I wish there were move characters to get pictures with.  At night the really spooky stuff comes out but would it hurt to have a few more characters for the little ones?  And, what happened to dressing up for the holiday?  I think I could count on my hands how many children had costumes on yet everyone loved Jackson's costume.  That's all part of the fun.

Today I was outside walking for 2 hours!  That's pretty impressive considering I have been pretty much in the house for 2 months (except running some errands here and there).  It felt great to get out in the fresh cool fall air.  I remembered to use my sunblock but I also realized I will probably smell like sunblock for the rest of my life.  Maybe they could make a sunblock that smells like something other than what it is.  Michael Kors sunblock would be wonderful. 

I was pretty worried about the sun but as you can see, I sported a nice hat.  I worry that my fear of the sun will turn me into a vampire lady never wanting to leave the house, waiting for the sun to fall so I can go outside and not worry about a flare up.  I was going to call this post "turning into a lady of the night" but realized that's probably not a good idea.  Definately not what I am going for.

Time to cap off the night with a little American Horror Story (my DVR is going to explode soon if we don't get some shows watched).  Boo!