Dirty thirty

So, here we are.  About to embark on our trip to PA for my dirty thirty birthday little brother's wedding. Its going to be a little crazy, getting all 6 of us there, to the state of PA, getting 3 of us dressed for activities in the wedding, keeping one of us content to not be held by momma all.day.long, trying to not kill the children whilst spending 8 days in a hotel room. (This one is not going well.  I can hear some gnashing of teeth upstairs from E while I type/nurse the baby.)

So, back to the crazy. Not that I expect them to, but I don't really think my brother and his future wife are going to remember that this Saturday also happens to be my birthday.  Not just any birthday, mind you.  Its my 30th. 

I had been dreading it.  I'm not incredibly fond of increasing age. In me or the children.  I'm one of those people who cries at 1st birthday parties and sniffled a lot when I turned 25.  However, there's been a change in me the last few weeks.  I think, mainly due to my weight loss. 

I've gone on weight watchers before.  Once, right after we got married, I lost 25lbs.  Again after having O and A, which I couldn't lose too much with out it affecting my milk supply.  After I weaned A, I worked hard at losing weight and trying to keep it off during fertility treatments.  But, I could never get back down to what I weighed before getting pregnant with O.  After having I, I tried again.  I started running when he was 6 months old.  Before I got pregnant with little Eliza, I got with in 8 lbs of my pre-O weight.  So close, but no cigar. 

Then, Eliza was born.  With a dairy allergy.  I went dairy free in December and lost a decent amount.  Started running again.  Then, I joined Weight Watchers in February.  Since then, I've lost 24.8lbs.  Putting me 3lbs BELOW my pre-O weight.   I think its a combination of not being able to cheat much (because, really, who wants to cheat with chips?  I want cake.  Or chocolate.  or cheese.  Which, because of the whole dairy thing,  I can't have- ever.) making better food choices, (not that I ever made horrible ones.  I just eat a lot of food.  Healthy food, but still TOO MUCH.) and running. 

My weight loss has given me a certain amount of confidence in turning 30 that I didn't have before.  Its sort of amazing to weigh less than I have as I'm turning 30 than I have my ENTIRE ADULT LIFE.  That's kind of awesome opossum. 

Here are some pictures.  Now, my photographer was really great at making me look my best, so they aren't the clearest for comparison.  But, I really don't have any other pictures.  

2 weeks after having Eliza

Me, and the hooligans. 

Now, if there was only a way to un-seperate my abs, we'd be all set.