BY BUSTING MY ASS! I started two weeks ago with a personal trainer at the big YMCA in town. They have free childcare while I do my workouts, so it's a perfect fit.
Some lessons learned:
1) Cook your meals at home.
I have really loved this because it aligns with my other goals of cooking for pleasure and saving money. My new routine is to shop on Saturday or Sunday (sans husband, sans baby!) and buy everything we need for the week, emphasizing on veggies. I buy a 6 lb. chicken and roast that on Sunday or Monday night for dinner with veggies. I cut up the rest of the chicken and split it 3 ways: one for Bryan's lunches, one for my lunches and one for the next night's dinner.
2) Hurt now for later.
On the first day, my trainer asked me about the food I ate and my workouts before that day. Were they delicious? Was it fun to just relax and skip the gym? Oh yeah. Well, life is about balance. I've got to weigh out all the decisions I made to get me where I am right now. Now's the time: eat right and aim to hit the gym everyday.
3) Just do it.
It's silly that I bundle myself up and my toddler up just to go workout for 30-45 minutes. But if I didn't, I never would go to the gym. I need to take care of myself, my body, my family. I am taking charge of my weight and my fitness and my diet.
That being said, I've lost 6 pounds, an inch in my neck and three inches in my hips. My pants fit again! They're tight, but they actually button now. I have a jawline in pictures again (still a little bit of a double chin), and Bryan is really impressed with how I look now. 6 pounds! That's it! I think it's a lot, but it's also not that much.
We have two big trips coming up in March, and I want to look fantastic. Also, this is MY time. I'm home, I have the time and the ability, and I have youth on my side. I need this. I need to be myself again, and I haven't been feeling like myself where I'm at. I was unhealthy, unmotivated and had no self-control. Now, after only two weeks, I had one Dr. Pepper and haven't really missed it. The food isn't that hard and the workouts are really tough but when they're done, I feel so powerful, so strong. And nothing feels better than stepping on the scale and seeing another pound gone!
6 lbs out of 29 lbs. I can do this!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Bradley Douglas: 18 Months
The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of Toddlerhood.
18 Months came like 6 Months did: immediately with changes. I remember Bradley sitting up like no big deal on his six month birthday, and 1 year didn't feel that different from 11 months or 13 months. 18 months feels different.
The biggest changes happened this week, and I shall share a la list form.
1) EATING! The week prior to this one, Bradley would eat a huge breakfast, half of a lunch and literally a single bite at dinner (sometimes not even). I am a very relaxed mom (much to the horror of some family), and I tried not to let his not eating bother me. I would think about him going to bed hungry, no dinner in his belly and feel badly for him, but I also figured that if he was hungry, he would eat. I guess he wasn't hungry...until the dinner before he turned 18 months. He had TWO huge plates of spaghetti. Then, on his 18 month date, he had three plates of dinner: what we were having (rice, edamame and dumplings), then a peanut butter sandwich, then a bowl of Cheerios, then grapes and an entire apple. Now he's eating like this at every meal. I am impressed.
2) Opening doors. Our new apartment has lever doorknobs, not round ones. He is not only tall enough now to reach, but he's smart enough to figure them out. There goes peeing alone (Note to self: lock the door.)
3) Speaking in (tiny) sentences. He's always been eager to repeat what we say and learn the meanings of words that are important to him (more, all done, nurse, cookie, cracker, blueberry). However, this week, he said his second sentence (first was Hi Dad the week we were moving from Oklahoma): "Muh blue-blue peeeeeas" (More blueberries please). I almost fell off the couch. He can say (something he wants) peeeeas. Or more more (something he wants). I'm trying to teach him to add "Mom" or "Dad" to the end of "I love you" or "Goodnight" but he's not quite there. He loves to go to the window, say "Snow!" and then turn to me to say "Cold" which is close to a sentence.
4) Pronouncing different consonances in a single word. He has always repeated the first consonant sound in a word to mean the word (for example: muh-muh for Muppets, koo-koo for cookie, blue-blue for blueberries). Just yesterday, I taught him to say Muh-Pits, and if he concentrates, he can say it! If he's too excited, he'll revert to his Muh-muh.
5) Immediately repeating what we say. He is picking up new words (not sure how much he understands), but he can repeat everything from coffee to pillow to whatever we're doing/eating. We are definitely watching what we say - and censoring some of the podcasts we listen to in the car.
6) Critical Thinking/Making Connections. Yesterday, he was reading a book with me and pointing out things in the book. He saw a cherry and said Cherry! Then ran away. When he came back, he brought me the DVD of Wreck it Ralph and said "Ralph! Ralph! Cherry!" If you haven't see this movie, first go see it - it's awesome. Second, Ralph does eat a big Pac-Man cherry in the movie, but it's an insignificant part of the movie and lasts for maybe 30 seconds. I know every parent says it, but MY KID IS A GENIUS!
7) Growing Taller/Not Sitting Still. He is officially out of his 6-12 month pants! Woo hoo! Short legs Buckley has grown an inch and a half since January 4. He is now solidly in his 12-18 month pants without me rolling the bottom (I rolled the bottoms of his green pants for MONTHS). Also, I can't hardly get a good picture of him nowadays because he is constantly running or climbing or falling down or walking away. I keep on trying though.
8) He has weaned. This is such a hard thing to write about because it's very uncommon to nurse a baby past one year. Also, when I first started breastfeeding, my goal was 3 months. My journey has been the most unpredictable part of motherhood for me, and I'm still not sure what I think - or if I will breastfeeding my next kid, but that's another story. Regardless, Bradley has been nursing only in the mornings for a few months now. Just about 10-15 minutes of cuddles and nursing. I think it helps him wake up because he's not a morning person, but he clearly doesn't need the milk. But, he did seem to need me, that close bond. But yesterday (the day after 18 months), he just woke up and wanted to eat cereal with Bryan. Just like that, it was over. I'm ready (and have been), but it went without fanfare, without notice, without a look back.
9) Tantrums! Just random, awful, loud, horrible tantrums. Tantrums when I ask if he wants to play. Tantrums when I give him a bowl of Cheerios for breakfast. Random tantrums in the middle of playing. Tantrums that include flailing around on the floor. SO MANY FEELINGS. ALL THE FEELS!
Thus ends his baby chapter. He is our toddler now, our little man. He can eat by himself with a fork and spoon, turn on lights, throw away diapers, bring me a clean diaper, put his dirty clothes in the hamper, clean up his toys, put Legos together, pick out a movie, and give the best tiny hugs. He's in a gymnastics class now (and I'm not sure who loves is more, me or him!), goes to the library once a week and plays in the YMCA pool once a week.
They say it goes by fast, and I'm not sure if I'm being contrary just because that's my nature, but it feels like a lifetime ago since he was born. Even his first birthday feels like forever ago. I'm cherishing as much as I can, taking lots of pictures and videos and being in the moment when I'm with my Bradley.
Happy 18 Months to Bradley Douglas!
18 Months came like 6 Months did: immediately with changes. I remember Bradley sitting up like no big deal on his six month birthday, and 1 year didn't feel that different from 11 months or 13 months. 18 months feels different.
My sweet little baby has grown up into a
feeling-filled, dramatic toddler. I shall endearing refrain from
calling him my baby, for he is now a toddler, officially a year and a half. I think he also graduates from X number of months old to being solely X years, X.5 years and almost X years. Which, after 18 months of counting months, I'm kind of relieved.
The biggest changes happened this week, and I shall share a la list form.
1) EATING! The week prior to this one, Bradley would eat a huge breakfast, half of a lunch and literally a single bite at dinner (sometimes not even). I am a very relaxed mom (much to the horror of some family), and I tried not to let his not eating bother me. I would think about him going to bed hungry, no dinner in his belly and feel badly for him, but I also figured that if he was hungry, he would eat. I guess he wasn't hungry...until the dinner before he turned 18 months. He had TWO huge plates of spaghetti. Then, on his 18 month date, he had three plates of dinner: what we were having (rice, edamame and dumplings), then a peanut butter sandwich, then a bowl of Cheerios, then grapes and an entire apple. Now he's eating like this at every meal. I am impressed.
2) Opening doors. Our new apartment has lever doorknobs, not round ones. He is not only tall enough now to reach, but he's smart enough to figure them out. There goes peeing alone (Note to self: lock the door.)
3) Speaking in (tiny) sentences. He's always been eager to repeat what we say and learn the meanings of words that are important to him (more, all done, nurse, cookie, cracker, blueberry). However, this week, he said his second sentence (first was Hi Dad the week we were moving from Oklahoma): "Muh blue-blue peeeeeas" (More blueberries please). I almost fell off the couch. He can say (something he wants) peeeeas. Or more more (something he wants). I'm trying to teach him to add "Mom" or "Dad" to the end of "I love you" or "Goodnight" but he's not quite there. He loves to go to the window, say "Snow!" and then turn to me to say "Cold" which is close to a sentence.
4) Pronouncing different consonances in a single word. He has always repeated the first consonant sound in a word to mean the word (for example: muh-muh for Muppets, koo-koo for cookie, blue-blue for blueberries). Just yesterday, I taught him to say Muh-Pits, and if he concentrates, he can say it! If he's too excited, he'll revert to his Muh-muh.
5) Immediately repeating what we say. He is picking up new words (not sure how much he understands), but he can repeat everything from coffee to pillow to whatever we're doing/eating. We are definitely watching what we say - and censoring some of the podcasts we listen to in the car.
6) Critical Thinking/Making Connections. Yesterday, he was reading a book with me and pointing out things in the book. He saw a cherry and said Cherry! Then ran away. When he came back, he brought me the DVD of Wreck it Ralph and said "Ralph! Ralph! Cherry!" If you haven't see this movie, first go see it - it's awesome. Second, Ralph does eat a big Pac-Man cherry in the movie, but it's an insignificant part of the movie and lasts for maybe 30 seconds. I know every parent says it, but MY KID IS A GENIUS!
7) Growing Taller/Not Sitting Still. He is officially out of his 6-12 month pants! Woo hoo! Short legs Buckley has grown an inch and a half since January 4. He is now solidly in his 12-18 month pants without me rolling the bottom (I rolled the bottoms of his green pants for MONTHS). Also, I can't hardly get a good picture of him nowadays because he is constantly running or climbing or falling down or walking away. I keep on trying though.
8) He has weaned. This is such a hard thing to write about because it's very uncommon to nurse a baby past one year. Also, when I first started breastfeeding, my goal was 3 months. My journey has been the most unpredictable part of motherhood for me, and I'm still not sure what I think - or if I will breastfeeding my next kid, but that's another story. Regardless, Bradley has been nursing only in the mornings for a few months now. Just about 10-15 minutes of cuddles and nursing. I think it helps him wake up because he's not a morning person, but he clearly doesn't need the milk. But, he did seem to need me, that close bond. But yesterday (the day after 18 months), he just woke up and wanted to eat cereal with Bryan. Just like that, it was over. I'm ready (and have been), but it went without fanfare, without notice, without a look back.
9) Tantrums! Just random, awful, loud, horrible tantrums. Tantrums when I ask if he wants to play. Tantrums when I give him a bowl of Cheerios for breakfast. Random tantrums in the middle of playing. Tantrums that include flailing around on the floor. SO MANY FEELINGS. ALL THE FEELS!
Thus ends his baby chapter. He is our toddler now, our little man. He can eat by himself with a fork and spoon, turn on lights, throw away diapers, bring me a clean diaper, put his dirty clothes in the hamper, clean up his toys, put Legos together, pick out a movie, and give the best tiny hugs. He's in a gymnastics class now (and I'm not sure who loves is more, me or him!), goes to the library once a week and plays in the YMCA pool once a week.
They say it goes by fast, and I'm not sure if I'm being contrary just because that's my nature, but it feels like a lifetime ago since he was born. Even his first birthday feels like forever ago. I'm cherishing as much as I can, taking lots of pictures and videos and being in the moment when I'm with my Bradley.
Happy 18 Months to Bradley Douglas!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Snow day paradise
We love our new home. Love the new apartment, the new jobs, the new big city life, and I even love the snow.
We hate the zero and negative degree weather, but what we hate most is that awful freaking cold wind.
This snowday is spent at our friends house. Here I am, lying on their couch blogging while watching Parks and Rec. Bryan and Isaac are writing a board game. Julia and both babies are down for a nap. It's glorious.
We ordered pizza delivery for lunch, ate some of isaacs homemade bacon (amaaaaaazing), eggs, toast and fruit for breakfast. Last night, Bryan and I went out for a date and came home to get drunk and play poker. It is seriously the best.
It's been awhile since we had best friends. Pretty much since they moved away from Oklahoma. We are back, baby! As Bryan says, you gotta have friends.
Snowday highlights:
-Ginny saying, "No Bradley" all day about everything! Adorably bossy. A girl after my own heart!
-Bradley teaching Ginny how to make a pillow tower and then smashing it with a body slam.
-chair racing!!
-Babies playing together, moms gabbing about shopping and dads nerding out about economics.
Is this real life?!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Happiness.
Ive been slow blogging updates because so much has been happening.
1) Bryan started his new job
2) I started working out, and today I met my personal trainer
3) our friends here are moving so I've been watching two toddlers on different schedules (madness!)
4) updating insurance, banks, cable, bills, need to do DMV (yikes)
I'm just so happy here. The apartment is always clean. Maybe because it's smaller? Maybe because it's newer and I care more? Maybe because it started clean and it's easier to keep clean?
Well, whatever. I was putting on makeup while Bradley naps and I got this text from Bryan:
Bryan is happy. He's proud of his job, excited for the new classes and new (really smart) students. This makes me happy.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Happy New Year and New Year Resolutions
Hooray! I am blogging from a hotel bed with a sleeping Bryan next to me, heels on the floor. Where's the baby? Oh, he's eating breakfast and watching Monsters university with Aunt Cari and Uncle John. We left him yesterday morning, and it has been so nice to have some uninterrupted us time! The best way to spend New Years and our anniversary is without a baby! Ha
Needless to say, I am starting this year out happy! (Not going to lie: i can't wait to see him again and hope he comes running over saying mama!)
This year is a blank slate for us: new city, new job for Bryan, new job for me (Manager of the house/family), no new baby/no pregnancy, new school.
We talked so much over the last 24 hours about this new year, and we are ao excited about the potential for change and new aspirations. Bryan wants to excel at his job, network with colleagues and be more attentive to email. I want to set up budget, organize our calendar, find friends, find a babysitter, find doctor/dentist/gym/haircutter/pediatrician, and teach Bradley new things.
And so, like millions of Americans, I have compiled a list of resolutions for 2014:
1) read 52 books, or a book a week
2) practice patience (in commutes, in conversation, in parenting, in my marriage, with weight loss, etc)
3) live in the present (stop planning so much, enjoy the now.)
I am excited for this new year! It feels so fresh, so different and (I'll say it) so NOT Oklahoma.
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