June 28, 2010
Another Amazing Weekend Recap
Lately, I've been avoiding the computer on weekends. I disconnect from blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and email for the sake of spending time with my wonderful family!
Scott had another weekend off, so we took the opportunity to show Angelica how fun a weekend could be. Total cost for her entertainment: $3!
Saturday morning, we woke up, had breakfast, and then spent about two hours sitting in the kiddie pool. I wasn't going to, but she ordered me in. "Come on, Mommy, go swimmy! Sit right there, Mommy!" Let's never mind that I was still in my PJs...she didn't understand that and I didn't feel the need to fight her on it.
After swimming and nap time, we met up with Cara and Nathan at Amaya Papaya for their $3 open play. Locals -- if you've never been to Amaya Papaya, CHECK IT OUT. I love that place! It was so great to see them again...I think the last time we got to hang out was back in March. Her little boy Nathan is so cute! Here's hoping we can do it again soon!
It had been a couple of months since we'd gone to Amaya Papaya too...they had a lot of parties on weekends, and with work being busy and all, we just didn't get to head out there. Last time we went, she was still very much in the "cling to mom and dad" phase...not so much anymore! She took off, played by herself, did puzzles, climbed, danced, bullied a couple of other kids (we're working on "sharing" with her now so that hopefully, she'll stop yelling "NO! IT'S MINES!" to everything) and for about an hour and a half, she had fun.
Afterward, we hunted down some ice cream (treats in moderation, right? We hardly ever do that!) and then went to Target, Publix, and then while I unloaded the groceries, Scott took her outside to play with the neighborhood kids.
That was a first, actually...we had seen and talked to a couple of the neighborhood kids, but they're all older than Angelica...there are two three year olds but the others are all much older. They're all great kids though. She really seemed to enjoy meeting and playing with them, and it's great that she's making a few friends!
While they played, I made dinner, then we ate, then danced to some Laurie Berkner songs, then it was bath and bed time!
Sunday was another amazing day! After breakfast, we headed out on an impromptu trip to a local park, where Angelica did slides and ran around for awhile before she discovered the splash pad. That was the best thing ever! She pretty much ran around and splashed and played with some other little girls who were there until she was ready to pass out.
And of course, since I'm married to a big kid...my husband wound up standing in the middle of the splash pad, soaking wet, being chased around by four little girls (Angelica plus three other girls, all sisters, who were also there). It's adorable how kids are just drawn to him...being the oldest of four, and the only boy, I think he must just have an "older brother" aura about him. I wish I had brought my camera, but I didn't.
We had tacos for lunch, then Angelica had a nap while I made a southwestern salad with homemade avocado lime dressing for a pot luck dinner we were going to at my parents house. It was made from almost all fresh ingredients from Orlando Organics...and it was delicious, if I do say so myself. I'd link to the recipe but I can't seem to find it online...it's in the most recent issue of Vegetarian Times Magazine.
So when she woke up, we went to my parents house, where Angelica played with cousins Willy & Anna...we enjoyed a delicious meal, came home, and did bath, stories, and bed time again.
I ended the night by doing some light cleaning...vacuumed, cleaned the bathroom, took out the trash...then I made some delicious banana flax muffins to have for breakfast this week.
I know this is kind of a rambly, long post. I really had a great weekend though and wanted to download the memories from my brain so I don't forget it.
Scott had another weekend off, so we took the opportunity to show Angelica how fun a weekend could be. Total cost for her entertainment: $3!
Saturday morning, we woke up, had breakfast, and then spent about two hours sitting in the kiddie pool. I wasn't going to, but she ordered me in. "Come on, Mommy, go swimmy! Sit right there, Mommy!" Let's never mind that I was still in my PJs...she didn't understand that and I didn't feel the need to fight her on it.
After swimming and nap time, we met up with Cara and Nathan at Amaya Papaya for their $3 open play. Locals -- if you've never been to Amaya Papaya, CHECK IT OUT. I love that place! It was so great to see them again...I think the last time we got to hang out was back in March. Her little boy Nathan is so cute! Here's hoping we can do it again soon!
It had been a couple of months since we'd gone to Amaya Papaya too...they had a lot of parties on weekends, and with work being busy and all, we just didn't get to head out there. Last time we went, she was still very much in the "cling to mom and dad" phase...not so much anymore! She took off, played by herself, did puzzles, climbed, danced, bullied a couple of other kids (we're working on "sharing" with her now so that hopefully, she'll stop yelling "NO! IT'S MINES!" to everything) and for about an hour and a half, she had fun.
Afterward, we hunted down some ice cream (treats in moderation, right? We hardly ever do that!) and then went to Target, Publix, and then while I unloaded the groceries, Scott took her outside to play with the neighborhood kids.
That was a first, actually...we had seen and talked to a couple of the neighborhood kids, but they're all older than Angelica...there are two three year olds but the others are all much older. They're all great kids though. She really seemed to enjoy meeting and playing with them, and it's great that she's making a few friends!
While they played, I made dinner, then we ate, then danced to some Laurie Berkner songs, then it was bath and bed time!
Sunday was another amazing day! After breakfast, we headed out on an impromptu trip to a local park, where Angelica did slides and ran around for awhile before she discovered the splash pad. That was the best thing ever! She pretty much ran around and splashed and played with some other little girls who were there until she was ready to pass out.
And of course, since I'm married to a big kid...my husband wound up standing in the middle of the splash pad, soaking wet, being chased around by four little girls (Angelica plus three other girls, all sisters, who were also there). It's adorable how kids are just drawn to him...being the oldest of four, and the only boy, I think he must just have an "older brother" aura about him. I wish I had brought my camera, but I didn't.
We had tacos for lunch, then Angelica had a nap while I made a southwestern salad with homemade avocado lime dressing for a pot luck dinner we were going to at my parents house. It was made from almost all fresh ingredients from Orlando Organics...and it was delicious, if I do say so myself. I'd link to the recipe but I can't seem to find it online...it's in the most recent issue of Vegetarian Times Magazine.
So when she woke up, we went to my parents house, where Angelica played with cousins Willy & Anna...we enjoyed a delicious meal, came home, and did bath, stories, and bed time again.
I ended the night by doing some light cleaning...vacuumed, cleaned the bathroom, took out the trash...then I made some delicious banana flax muffins to have for breakfast this week.
I know this is kind of a rambly, long post. I really had a great weekend though and wanted to download the memories from my brain so I don't forget it.
Monday Meal Planning - June 28 2010
It's Monday, which means that my meal plan for the week is almost completely finalized! I'd like to thank Amanda from Not Your Mama's Martha for her comment and link to her blog last week...some of her meal planning tips are amazing, and if you're looking to start doing the same, check it out! (Link is in the left sidebar.) Also, I have to make mention of my own mother who I remember doing this same thing every week when I was a young child.
Here's what's on the list for this week!
All days: Breakfast is either plain Cheerios (in the yellow box -- not honey nut or any other variety because of the HFCS), or Banana Flax muffins, which I made on Sunday night. (To make them healthier, I used low fat buttermilk and half the amount of sugar, substituting turbinado (Sugar in the Raw) for table sugar.)
Monday:
Lunch: Leftover lasagna, salad (I wound up making last week's vegetable lasagna later in the week due to Scott's work schedule, so we still have some left over!)
Dinner: Tortillini, salad
Tuesday:
Lunch: Leftover lasagna, fruit
Dinner: Chicken Nuggets (for Angelica)/Boca Burger (for us), Glazed carrots
Wednesday:
Lunch: Leftover lasgana, fruit
Dinner: Mac & cheese with veggies
Thursday:
Lunch: Leftover mac & cheese
Dinner: Veggie tacos
Friday:
Lunch: Leftover veggie tacos
Dinner: Amy's frozen pizza
Saturday:
Lunch: Leftovers (or pasta, if none)
Dinner: Grilled cheese with veggies or salad
Sunday:
Lunch: Go out for lunch (if not, we'll eat any remaining leftovers or pasta, since I have tons of that!)
Dinner: Baked potatoes with cheese and vegetables
For some of these, I put "veggies" because it depends on what comes in our Thursday shipment from Orlando Organics.
To answer Anna's question from last week:
I find that my problem with doing that is I get bored and/or have cravings for other foods. Does that happen to you? If so, what do you do?
Fortunately, I haven't encountered that issue...yet. I think it's mostly due to the fact that right now I am trying a lot of new foods, and my biggest cravings are soda and chocolate. So I guess the answer is to keep your meal plan fresh and exciting, and if you start to get bored, cut that one off the list and add something fresh and new. For cravings, indulge them! I'm not a fan of demonizing any specific food because then you just obsess over it. I drink soda one or two times a week, and the other day I had a chocolate craving so I had a little bit. The size of a funsize candy bar. Above all else though, find what works for you and be patient.
Also, my veggie lasagna recipe:
One box whole wheat durum lasagna
One yellow onion
One green or red pepper
One carrot
One 16 oz container light ricotta cheese
5 cloves of garlic
One box of frozen spinach
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 oz pasta sauce
1 package of shredded mozzerella (The regular size sold at the grocery store...I forget how many ounces this is.)
Boil the lasagna according to package directions, drain, add a touch of butter or olive oil to prevent sticking if desired.
Chop the onion, pepper, and carrot.
Peel five garlic cloves off of a bulb of garlic and either chop or mince.
In a medium sized pan, heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium low heat. Add the garlic. Let it simmer for a minute.
Defrost the frozen spinach according to package directions.
Add the spinach, onion, pepper and carrot to the pan and saute' for about 5 minutes.
Mix the ricotta cheese and half the mozzerella in a large bowl.
In a large lasagna pan, pour just enough pasta sauce into the bottom of the pan to cover it. Add a layer of lasagna, cover with cheese mixture and veggie mixture, and a pasta sauce. Repeat until done. (I guesstimate how much is needed for each layer.)
On the last layer, cover with the remaining pasta sauce, then cover with mozzerella. Cook in the oven for 25-30 mins at 350 degrees.
Enjoy!
Here's what's on the list for this week!
All days: Breakfast is either plain Cheerios (in the yellow box -- not honey nut or any other variety because of the HFCS), or Banana Flax muffins, which I made on Sunday night. (To make them healthier, I used low fat buttermilk and half the amount of sugar, substituting turbinado (Sugar in the Raw) for table sugar.)
Monday:
Lunch: Leftover lasagna, salad (I wound up making last week's vegetable lasagna later in the week due to Scott's work schedule, so we still have some left over!)
Dinner: Tortillini, salad
Tuesday:
Lunch: Leftover lasagna, fruit
Dinner: Chicken Nuggets (for Angelica)/Boca Burger (for us), Glazed carrots
Wednesday:
Lunch: Leftover lasgana, fruit
Dinner: Mac & cheese with veggies
Thursday:
Lunch: Leftover mac & cheese
Dinner: Veggie tacos
Friday:
Lunch: Leftover veggie tacos
Dinner: Amy's frozen pizza
Saturday:
Lunch: Leftovers (or pasta, if none)
Dinner: Grilled cheese with veggies or salad
Sunday:
Lunch: Go out for lunch (if not, we'll eat any remaining leftovers or pasta, since I have tons of that!)
Dinner: Baked potatoes with cheese and vegetables
For some of these, I put "veggies" because it depends on what comes in our Thursday shipment from Orlando Organics.
To answer Anna's question from last week:
I find that my problem with doing that is I get bored and/or have cravings for other foods. Does that happen to you? If so, what do you do?
Fortunately, I haven't encountered that issue...yet. I think it's mostly due to the fact that right now I am trying a lot of new foods, and my biggest cravings are soda and chocolate. So I guess the answer is to keep your meal plan fresh and exciting, and if you start to get bored, cut that one off the list and add something fresh and new. For cravings, indulge them! I'm not a fan of demonizing any specific food because then you just obsess over it. I drink soda one or two times a week, and the other day I had a chocolate craving so I had a little bit. The size of a funsize candy bar. Above all else though, find what works for you and be patient.
Also, my veggie lasagna recipe:
One box whole wheat durum lasagna
One yellow onion
One green or red pepper
One carrot
One 16 oz container light ricotta cheese
5 cloves of garlic
One box of frozen spinach
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 oz pasta sauce
1 package of shredded mozzerella (The regular size sold at the grocery store...I forget how many ounces this is.)
Boil the lasagna according to package directions, drain, add a touch of butter or olive oil to prevent sticking if desired.
Chop the onion, pepper, and carrot.
Peel five garlic cloves off of a bulb of garlic and either chop or mince.
In a medium sized pan, heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium low heat. Add the garlic. Let it simmer for a minute.
Defrost the frozen spinach according to package directions.
Add the spinach, onion, pepper and carrot to the pan and saute' for about 5 minutes.
Mix the ricotta cheese and half the mozzerella in a large bowl.
In a large lasagna pan, pour just enough pasta sauce into the bottom of the pan to cover it. Add a layer of lasagna, cover with cheese mixture and veggie mixture, and a pasta sauce. Repeat until done. (I guesstimate how much is needed for each layer.)
On the last layer, cover with the remaining pasta sauce, then cover with mozzerella. Cook in the oven for 25-30 mins at 350 degrees.
Enjoy!
McFatty Monday: Holding Steady, Sort Of
I lost weight! It was .2 pounds (Taking me from 249.4 to 249.2) but I still lost a little bit. Not the two pounds I was hoping for...but I'll take it!
I'm home sick today, under the weather with the summer cold that I always get. I'm sure it's from running around and running myself into the ground over the past month...that, for sure, had an effect on my immune system. But I'm glad for it. I'm glad for the fact that through the self-study I've done about nutrition, diet, and exercise, I've learned how to listen to my body and learned when I need to stop.
So today, Angelica's at daycare, Scott's at work...I addressed a couple of important work issues but for the rest of the day, I'm taking it easy with the hopes that I'll bounce back quickly and can get back to work tomorrow good as new or at least close to it.
And maybe this week I'll get that 2 pound loss I wanted for last week.
I'm home sick today, under the weather with the summer cold that I always get. I'm sure it's from running around and running myself into the ground over the past month...that, for sure, had an effect on my immune system. But I'm glad for it. I'm glad for the fact that through the self-study I've done about nutrition, diet, and exercise, I've learned how to listen to my body and learned when I need to stop.
So today, Angelica's at daycare, Scott's at work...I addressed a couple of important work issues but for the rest of the day, I'm taking it easy with the hopes that I'll bounce back quickly and can get back to work tomorrow good as new or at least close to it.
And maybe this week I'll get that 2 pound loss I wanted for last week.
June 25, 2010
Weekend Review: Crayola Kids Paint
Welcome to the Weekend Review with Angelica's Awesome Adventures, The Life of Rylie...and Bryce too! and The Florida Hogans! We would love for you to link up your reviews at the bottom and let everyone know about your favorite products! Reviews with giveaways are awesome too!
Once upon a time, we had a weekend morning with nothing to do. A trip to Target and less than $10 later, we had all the tools necessary for two hours of fun!
How did that happen? At Target, we purchased a 10 pack of Crayola's washable Kids Paint, paintbrushes and a pad of paper! I love these paints...but probably not as much as Angelica does!
I had a hard time deciding which paints to buy. They had a four pack of finger paints for the same price as these, but I liked the variety of colors that came in the package we purchased. Although Angelica's pretty much learned her colors (the only one she still has trouble with on occasion is yellow), the variety of colors that come in the 10ct box kept the dialogue of conversation about colors open. As I pour the paints for her, she always yells out which color I'm pouring. I love it!
The day we bought them, I wrote a blog post about our fun with Crayola's Kids Paint. And here are some pictures of the fun we had!
Here are some examples what I love about these paints:
- They're every bit as washable as they claim, unless you let the shirt covered in paint sit for a week or two without being washed. (I did this when we were without a washer & dryer...even then a good amount of the paint came out!)
- You get a good amount of paint for your money. For $4.99, we got 10 colors and she has painted with them probably 10 times now...and we still have a ton of paint left over.
- They're non-toxic...this came in handy when Angelica painted her hand and then decided to lick it. (Note: Non-toxic doesn't mean it tastes good...I wish I had a picture of the face she made!)
- The colors are really bright!
- The paint has a good consistency...not too thick but not runny...just right to pour onto a plate for individual paint sessions.
Want to check these out for yourself? You're in luck! Crayola's running a few specials for my readers...pick the one that works best for you!
Save 10% Storewide at CrayolaStore.com when you use coupon code CRAYTENOFF!
(Expires 6/30/2010)Receive a 10% Off discount code when you sign up for email updates at CrayolaStore.com!
Free Magic Light Brush on all orders over $40 from CrayolaStore.com! Enter FREELB at checkout to receive free gift!
Also, Free Shipping on ALL orders over $75 at the Crayola Online Store!
Disclaimer: This opinion is my own. I am writing this review without the request of the company. They have not contacted me in any way, did not provide me with the product, nor did they compensate me for my time. The above links are affiliate links and I do earn commission for purchases made through them.
Do you have a product you would like to let everyone know about? Link it up below! Please link to the actual product review and not your blog’s main page. Thank you for joining us!
June 24, 2010
Reflections
I was looking through some old photos of Angelica, and came across this one. This was always one of my favorites. She's about two months old here...maybe three? I can't even remember anymore. She was always the cutest baby though. Always so alert and focused!
It's funny how a picture can just take you back. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I remember that fuzzy little baby head. I remember being up before the sun that day and just snuggling while giving her a bottle. When I remember those times, it reminds me what a true miracle she is. It reminds me that even though she can be a royal crankypants sometimes, she is still the light of my life.
Even if she's becoming a big girl now, she will always be my little baby.
June 23, 2010
Wedding Day Blog Hop
Ahh, this blog hop came just in time. We're about 2 weeks away from our five year wedding anniversary. Scott and I were married on July 5, 2005 at Leu Gardens in Orlando, FL. We had a long, long engagement (we got engaged on my birthday in 2002!) but we did the bulk of the planning in under six months and it still turned out to be everything I expected.
(Photos by the WONDERFUL Cristy Nielsen! If you're looking for a wedding photographer in the Orlando area, she can't be beat.)
Me and my bridesmaids...my sister, Stefanie, was Maid of Honor...the bridesmaids were my best friend Cara, and my sister in laws Tarah, Shannon and Jennifer.
Scott and his boys...best man Fee, groomsmen Gary, and his uncles Brad and Jeff. We had an uneven number because a month and a half before the wedding, Scott's best friend Dan passed away.
Coming down the aisle with my dad. Trying not to cry!
Scott sees me for the first time in my wedding dress (which he had not seen before the wedding). He swears he wasn't about to cry, but I know he was :)
Here we are, saying our vows. We each had written our own vows, and had the officiant (Jasmine Devitt) read "i carry your heart in my heart" by ee cummings at the beginning.
A candle we lit at the entrance to the reception to honor friends and family who attended "in spirit" (because they had passed away)...Scott's friend Dan, his grandfather, all three of my grandfathers (my dad's mom was divorced and remarried) and my grandmother (mom's mom).
Our cake!
The first dance (our song was You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban)
The father/daughter dance (we danced to Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon & Garfunkel)
The mother/son dance (their song was Wonderful by Eric Clapton)
Sister dances! Scott has three sisters, I have one, so he had this brilliant idea that we would do this big "sister dance". It was fun :) (The song was "Sister" by The Nixons)
The DJ was playing "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" by Jet, and Scott was doing this wild, crazy dance and slid across the floor. SO glad Cristy caught this moment!
Cake smash! I don't care if it's tacky. We were both cracking up!
My sister caught the bouquet!
Will caught the garter. They had just started dating about a month before this. They're married with two kids now, I guess it worked out!
Leaving the reception hall. This picture cracks me up because I feel like we look so stoic...kind of like the American Gothic painting.
June 22, 2010
Add this one to the list...
This morning, I discovered another thing to add to the list of "things that set Angelica off".
She woke up, happy as a clam. I got her dressed (even letting her wear her very favorite Mickey Mouse shirt), and then we headed to the kitchen to get breakfast. She picked her bowl (the red Elmo bowl they sell at Target for $1, pretty much her favorite bowl ever.) She poured her own cheerios. She poured the milk. (With help from Mommy.) She picked her own spoon. All things she asks to do to assert her independence, which I have no trouble with.
I get her situated at the table with her bowl and then ask her what she wants to drink. And that's when it goes downhill.
The conversation went a little like this...
"What would you like to drink, honey?"
"Hmm. Let's see...CHOCOLATE MILK!"
"Okay, but we have to have it in a sippy cup. Okay?"
(...because she has a tendency to "play" with it and I did not want to have to bathe her before school)
"Okay Mommy! Sippy cup!"
I get a sippy cup, pour in the milk, add a little bit of chocolate Ovaltine, close it, and shake the cup to mix it.
"NO! I WANT TO STIR! ME MIX IT? ME MIX IT?"
"We can't this morning, remember, we agreed it had to go in a sippy cup."
"NO! I WANT TO STIR IT! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
I place the cup on the table.
"NO! DON'T WANT IT!" She throws it on the floor.
I pick it up and place it back on the table.
"You don't have to drink it, but it stays on the table."
She throws it again, screaming and crying and yelling things I can't even understand at this point. So I walk away and continue to pack my lunch, make coffee, and not give in to her "need" to stir her own chocolate milk.
Scott wakes up and asks what's wrong.
"Oh, I just gave her some chocolate milk in the wrong cup."
Eventually, she calmed down a bit, and I sat across from her and explained that I understood she was frustrated, and I would let her stir some chocolate milk at dinner if she still wanted. A few minutes later, she stopped crying, and gulped it down like you wouldn't believe, and asked to watch Boogie Boogie Hedgehog. So I put it on TV, then gave her a kiss and a hug and told her I love her, even when she's angry.
I've just got to keep hoping that she grows out of this phase soon. Doubtful. She's headstrong and stubborn, and gets a little bit of that from both of her parents.
I will say, though, when she's not having tantrums, she is such a sweetheart. Last night before bed, I was changing the batteries in her "bubble machine" (her Fisher Price Ocean Wonders aquarium) and I was struggling to get the batteries out. She saw me struggling and said, "You okay, Mommy?" then jumped up on the bed next to me, gave me a big hug and said, "Hi Mommy, hello, it's okay." I just have to remember these good times when the tough ones come along.
She woke up, happy as a clam. I got her dressed (even letting her wear her very favorite Mickey Mouse shirt), and then we headed to the kitchen to get breakfast. She picked her bowl (the red Elmo bowl they sell at Target for $1, pretty much her favorite bowl ever.) She poured her own cheerios. She poured the milk. (With help from Mommy.) She picked her own spoon. All things she asks to do to assert her independence, which I have no trouble with.
I get her situated at the table with her bowl and then ask her what she wants to drink. And that's when it goes downhill.
The conversation went a little like this...
"What would you like to drink, honey?"
"Hmm. Let's see...CHOCOLATE MILK!"
"Okay, but we have to have it in a sippy cup. Okay?"
(...because she has a tendency to "play" with it and I did not want to have to bathe her before school)
"Okay Mommy! Sippy cup!"
I get a sippy cup, pour in the milk, add a little bit of chocolate Ovaltine, close it, and shake the cup to mix it.
"NO! I WANT TO STIR! ME MIX IT? ME MIX IT?"
"We can't this morning, remember, we agreed it had to go in a sippy cup."
"NO! I WANT TO STIR IT! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
I place the cup on the table.
"NO! DON'T WANT IT!" She throws it on the floor.
I pick it up and place it back on the table.
"You don't have to drink it, but it stays on the table."
She throws it again, screaming and crying and yelling things I can't even understand at this point. So I walk away and continue to pack my lunch, make coffee, and not give in to her "need" to stir her own chocolate milk.
Scott wakes up and asks what's wrong.
"Oh, I just gave her some chocolate milk in the wrong cup."
Eventually, she calmed down a bit, and I sat across from her and explained that I understood she was frustrated, and I would let her stir some chocolate milk at dinner if she still wanted. A few minutes later, she stopped crying, and gulped it down like you wouldn't believe, and asked to watch Boogie Boogie Hedgehog. So I put it on TV, then gave her a kiss and a hug and told her I love her, even when she's angry.
I've just got to keep hoping that she grows out of this phase soon. Doubtful. She's headstrong and stubborn, and gets a little bit of that from both of her parents.
I will say, though, when she's not having tantrums, she is such a sweetheart. Last night before bed, I was changing the batteries in her "bubble machine" (her Fisher Price Ocean Wonders aquarium) and I was struggling to get the batteries out. She saw me struggling and said, "You okay, Mommy?" then jumped up on the bed next to me, gave me a big hug and said, "Hi Mommy, hello, it's okay." I just have to remember these good times when the tough ones come along.
Top Two Tuesday: Reality TV
Top 2 Reality Shows You'd Be On!
I'm guilty of loving Reality TV. I don't know why. I didn't when it first came out (and have never watched a season of Survivor), but I guess now that I'm a parent, the fact that it really doesn't tax my already overtaxed brain at the end of the day is fun.
I'm leaving American Idol off the list since I am now officially TOO OLD to be on the show, but let's give it an honorable mention since that would have been my first choice, had I been young enough. Oh, and if I had a really, really messy house, I'd have picked Clean House, since I pretty much watch that show all the time...alas, my house is remarkably tidy for having a toddler.
Also, leaving off The Biggest Loser, even though I watch the show. It's entertaining I suppose...but it does not promote healthy weight loss.
1. I'd love to learn to dance, and then join So You Think You Can Dance! It's probably my favorite reality show. I started watching it when I was pregnant with my daughter...watched the 2nd episode of Season 5 when I was in labor and delivery. Amazing stuff.
2. I would also love to learn how to cook, and join the cast of Top Chef. But only if I could cook vegetarian dishes.
June 21, 2010
Monday Meal Planning
I'm starting a new feature...Monday Meal Planning! Each week, I plan out our meals so that I never have to ask myself the "What's for dinner" question. This way, I always know what's for dinner, and I can always make sure I have all of the necessary ingredients at hand...or use the ingredients we already have. Minimizes waste AND stress...it's a win/win!
Though it's important to me to cook healthy, whole foods with no/minimal processing, I'm also a realist. I'm a working mom of a tantrum-prone two year old, and I am certainly not supermom...therefore, I allow for a few "easy" meals each week...chicken nuggets (for Angelica), Boca Burgers (for me & Scott), frozen pizza (though I buy Amy's, so it's organic and vegetarian-friendly), etc.
If you'd be interested in seeing this as a McLinky so that you can add yours to it, let me know! Since this is the first one, I want to gauge interest before I put it all together.
This week's meal plan:
Monday:
Lunch: Amy's frozen meal, fruit
Dinner: Homemade vegetable lasagna
Tuesday:
Lunch: Leftover vegetable lasagna
Dinner: Tortillini in marinara sauce, salad
Wednesday:
Lunch: Leftover vegetable lasgana
Dinner: Orzo with vegetables and avocado
Thursday:
Lunch: Leftover orzo, fruit
Dinner: Veggie burritos with rice and beans
Friday:
Lunch: Leftover rice and beans, fruit
Dinner: Chicken nuggets/Boca burger, corn on the cob
Saturday:
Lunch: Leftovers, or grilled cheese (if the leftovers are gone) with veggies and/or fruit
Dinner: Frozen pizza, salad
Sunday:
Lunch: Chicken nuggets/Boca burger, mashed sweet potato
Dinner: Having dinner at my parents house to celebrate my Dad's birthday
Though it's important to me to cook healthy, whole foods with no/minimal processing, I'm also a realist. I'm a working mom of a tantrum-prone two year old, and I am certainly not supermom...therefore, I allow for a few "easy" meals each week...chicken nuggets (for Angelica), Boca Burgers (for me & Scott), frozen pizza (though I buy Amy's, so it's organic and vegetarian-friendly), etc.
If you'd be interested in seeing this as a McLinky so that you can add yours to it, let me know! Since this is the first one, I want to gauge interest before I put it all together.
This week's meal plan:
Monday:
Lunch: Amy's frozen meal, fruit
Dinner: Homemade vegetable lasagna
Tuesday:
Lunch: Leftover vegetable lasagna
Dinner: Tortillini in marinara sauce, salad
Wednesday:
Lunch: Leftover vegetable lasgana
Dinner: Orzo with vegetables and avocado
Thursday:
Lunch: Leftover orzo, fruit
Dinner: Veggie burritos with rice and beans
Friday:
Lunch: Leftover rice and beans, fruit
Dinner: Chicken nuggets/Boca burger, corn on the cob
Saturday:
Lunch: Leftovers, or grilled cheese (if the leftovers are gone) with veggies and/or fruit
Dinner: Frozen pizza, salad
Sunday:
Lunch: Chicken nuggets/Boca burger, mashed sweet potato
Dinner: Having dinner at my parents house to celebrate my Dad's birthday
McFatty Monday: Post Birthday Edition
Remember how I said last week that my goal was to maintain?
I DID!
Even with the 30th birthday and Father's day overindulgence, I still managed to maintain at 249.
I wish I had more to say about that, other than that I'm excited!
Goal for this week is to lose 2 pounds, to be 247 on Monday. I've got a plan of action with the food and exercise for the week. I've got the meals all planned out for the week, which I'll post separately, and I've got exercise planned for at least 4 days this week. I should be good to see that 247 next Monday!
I DID!
Even with the 30th birthday and Father's day overindulgence, I still managed to maintain at 249.
I wish I had more to say about that, other than that I'm excited!
Goal for this week is to lose 2 pounds, to be 247 on Monday. I've got a plan of action with the food and exercise for the week. I've got the meals all planned out for the week, which I'll post separately, and I've got exercise planned for at least 4 days this week. I should be good to see that 247 next Monday!
June 18, 2010
Goodbye, 20s. (This may be a long post!)
I am just about to say goodbye to the 20s and usher in the 30s. I could mourn this aging process, but I really won't. My very wise grandmother once told me she earned every one of her wrinkles and gray hairs, and that's a mantra I fully believe in.
When I got pregnant with Angelica, I was 27. As I've mentioned, I was overweight, out of shape, and that that really made pregnancy a lot more difficult than it needed to be. I remember telling myself, one day, out of frustration...I will not carry these bad habits into my 30s! I will make that decade of my life the healthiest one yet!
And by healthy, I didn't mean "skinny". I meant just that...healthy. Strong. Full of life.
While I haven't lost all the weight, I'm proud to say that over the past year I have set aside so many unhealthy habits and ushered in so many healthy ones...and even though I still have a long way to go on the weight loss, I can definitely say that I will enter my 30s with the tools necessary to be healthier than I have ever been.
I got fat on the "American Diet". If someone I hadn't talked to for a couple of years saw me now, or heard that I haven't eaten fast food in ages, they would be shocked. I used to eat fast food up to twice a day...hey it was convenient! My plate would be half meat, half fat, and maybe, just maybe, a handful of veggies. Slathered in butter.
Early this year, I watched Food Inc. While I realize that, like all documentaries, it was biased toward the filmmaker's point of view, it was eye-opening nonetheless and was a huge contributor to my choice to be vegetarian. I don't disagree with eating meat (humans are omnivores, after all)...it's the way meat is "processed" that turned me off to it. Add to that processed foods...frozen meals chock full of sodium, 100 calorie packs, "health" shakes, and so on...it's like we're no longer eating food.
Another thing is...we are so consumed with these fad diets, weight loss pills, diet products, get-thin-quick schemes and processed foods with false claims that we forget that it's not about being thin...it's about being healthy.
I remember once, when my daughter was about five months old, a very nasty person sarcastically said to me on a message board, "Seems like your daughter is a few months old now, why are you still such a fatty?" (Or something to that effect.) At that point, I'd already lost 10 pounds through making healthy choices, so it didn't phase me that much, other that to show me that (1) this person was a superficial jerk and (2) reaffirm how much people are obsessed with getting skinny, being skinny, and staying skinny...health be damned.
Considering I had a c-section, had only been cleared to exercise for 8 weeks, and had lost 10 pounds, I think I was right on track at that point.
I refuse to take that to heart, and I refuse to pass the message on to my daughter that it is important to be thin and that you don't have value as a woman if you carry extra weight. Let us not forget that the female body (even my larger sized one) is capable of creating, sustaining, and giving birth to human life. I will take my stretchmarks and extra pounds for the value found in that.
Thinness does not equate health, and it does not equate value. It is important to be healthy, to fill your body with nutrients instead of sugar and junk, to maintain a proper lean body mass so your organs function properly, not to "look good" (something I'm working hard to achieve), and to respect what your body is capable of doing. That's what I want my daughter to believe about herself, too.
How do I teach her that? Someone once told me this quote (not sure who originally said it): "Children may not always listen to what you say, but they are always watching what you do." If I adopt that attitude toward myself, I hope and pray that she will adopt it for herself.
Oh, and that quote is truth. Since I stopped drinking soda and drink tea and water, she wants to drink water all the time!
Speaking of Angelica...trips to the grocery store are a learning experience these days. She begged me for a box of doughnuts the other day, and I had to explain that we couldn't buy those because they're fried and full of sugar and things that aren't healthy. I don't know on what level she understood but she didn't fight it. She just said..."Ohhhhh...okay!"
It's been a learning process for me, too. Until the past six months or so, I wasn't a big label checker, but I've since become one. It's horrifying some of the stuff that goes into kids products. For example, I checked out the label on something I used to buy for Angelica regularly, and the first three ingredients: "High fructose corn syrup, sugar, partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil". So...processed sugar, table sugar, and trans fat. I don't mind giving a sweet treat on occasion, but I'd rather it be fruit or a more natural sugar (like evaporated cane syrup)...and I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of clogging my toddler's arteries with trans fats. (They're allowed to put zero on the label if it has less than .5 grams/serving.)
This has been really long-winded, but in summary, I'm glad my eyes have been opened to what proper eating habits are. I will not lie and say I am perfect 100% of the time...who is? But as Michael Pollan wrote (and I mentioned in my Orlando Organics review): "Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants." That's what I do. Most of the time. I would just improve upon his mantra as such: "Eat food. Not to much. Mostly plants. And then get up off your butt and MOVE."
Here's to a healthier decade!
When I got pregnant with Angelica, I was 27. As I've mentioned, I was overweight, out of shape, and that that really made pregnancy a lot more difficult than it needed to be. I remember telling myself, one day, out of frustration...I will not carry these bad habits into my 30s! I will make that decade of my life the healthiest one yet!
And by healthy, I didn't mean "skinny". I meant just that...healthy. Strong. Full of life.
While I haven't lost all the weight, I'm proud to say that over the past year I have set aside so many unhealthy habits and ushered in so many healthy ones...and even though I still have a long way to go on the weight loss, I can definitely say that I will enter my 30s with the tools necessary to be healthier than I have ever been.
I got fat on the "American Diet". If someone I hadn't talked to for a couple of years saw me now, or heard that I haven't eaten fast food in ages, they would be shocked. I used to eat fast food up to twice a day...hey it was convenient! My plate would be half meat, half fat, and maybe, just maybe, a handful of veggies. Slathered in butter.
Early this year, I watched Food Inc. While I realize that, like all documentaries, it was biased toward the filmmaker's point of view, it was eye-opening nonetheless and was a huge contributor to my choice to be vegetarian. I don't disagree with eating meat (humans are omnivores, after all)...it's the way meat is "processed" that turned me off to it. Add to that processed foods...frozen meals chock full of sodium, 100 calorie packs, "health" shakes, and so on...it's like we're no longer eating food.
Another thing is...we are so consumed with these fad diets, weight loss pills, diet products, get-thin-quick schemes and processed foods with false claims that we forget that it's not about being thin...it's about being healthy.
I remember once, when my daughter was about five months old, a very nasty person sarcastically said to me on a message board, "Seems like your daughter is a few months old now, why are you still such a fatty?" (Or something to that effect.) At that point, I'd already lost 10 pounds through making healthy choices, so it didn't phase me that much, other that to show me that (1) this person was a superficial jerk and (2) reaffirm how much people are obsessed with getting skinny, being skinny, and staying skinny...health be damned.
Considering I had a c-section, had only been cleared to exercise for 8 weeks, and had lost 10 pounds, I think I was right on track at that point.
I refuse to take that to heart, and I refuse to pass the message on to my daughter that it is important to be thin and that you don't have value as a woman if you carry extra weight. Let us not forget that the female body (even my larger sized one) is capable of creating, sustaining, and giving birth to human life. I will take my stretchmarks and extra pounds for the value found in that.
Thinness does not equate health, and it does not equate value. It is important to be healthy, to fill your body with nutrients instead of sugar and junk, to maintain a proper lean body mass so your organs function properly, not to "look good" (something I'm working hard to achieve), and to respect what your body is capable of doing. That's what I want my daughter to believe about herself, too.
How do I teach her that? Someone once told me this quote (not sure who originally said it): "Children may not always listen to what you say, but they are always watching what you do." If I adopt that attitude toward myself, I hope and pray that she will adopt it for herself.
Oh, and that quote is truth. Since I stopped drinking soda and drink tea and water, she wants to drink water all the time!
Speaking of Angelica...trips to the grocery store are a learning experience these days. She begged me for a box of doughnuts the other day, and I had to explain that we couldn't buy those because they're fried and full of sugar and things that aren't healthy. I don't know on what level she understood but she didn't fight it. She just said..."Ohhhhh...okay!"
It's been a learning process for me, too. Until the past six months or so, I wasn't a big label checker, but I've since become one. It's horrifying some of the stuff that goes into kids products. For example, I checked out the label on something I used to buy for Angelica regularly, and the first three ingredients: "High fructose corn syrup, sugar, partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil". So...processed sugar, table sugar, and trans fat. I don't mind giving a sweet treat on occasion, but I'd rather it be fruit or a more natural sugar (like evaporated cane syrup)...and I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of clogging my toddler's arteries with trans fats. (They're allowed to put zero on the label if it has less than .5 grams/serving.)
This has been really long-winded, but in summary, I'm glad my eyes have been opened to what proper eating habits are. I will not lie and say I am perfect 100% of the time...who is? But as Michael Pollan wrote (and I mentioned in my Orlando Organics review): "Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants." That's what I do. Most of the time. I would just improve upon his mantra as such: "Eat food. Not to much. Mostly plants. And then get up off your butt and MOVE."
Here's to a healthier decade!
Weekend Review: Orlando Organics
Welcome to the Weekend Review with Angelica's Awesome Adventures, The Life of Rylie...and Bryce too! and The Florida Hogans! We would love for you to link up your reviews at the bottom and let everyone know about your favorite products! Reviews with giveaways are awesome too!
"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." -Michael Pollan
This week, I'm owning my Earth-friendly, organic food eating, crunchy granola mommy persona. I can't deny it anymore!
Here's one just for the locals!
A couple of weeks ago, I read about Orlando Organics on my really awesome friend Cara's blog. We eat a lot of fresh produce these days (since I'm a vegetarian and all) and seeing as how it's hard for me to make it out to Whole Foods to get organic produce, and the variety and freshness of Publix's inventory varies so much, I decided to give it a try.
We got our first shipment today and I am in love.
Here are all of the wonderful things I have to say about it.
1. Convenience! It was so quick and painless to sign up for the service, and they bring it right to your door! Even if you're not home...you just leave out a cooler and some ice packs, and they come and fill it up for you.
2. It's customizable! Don't like a particular fruit/veggie? Add it to your dislikes list and they'll attempt to replace it with something from your "favorites" list. For example, kale was on the list this week, and it reminds me of the food I got served in the hospital (since one of the menu options was, "Grape on kale"). I put it on my dislikes list, and I got bananas instead!
3. The produce is organic, and when possible, grown locally!
4. It's affordable. I opted for the Harvest Blend Regular produce package ($32.99), and when I added up just about what it would cost to buy that produce in the store, it worked out exactly the same, if not cheaper. And that's buying conventional (non-organic) produce.
5. The produce is fresh! And if it's bad for any reason, they'll make sure to put extra in your next shipment.
6. The produce tastes really, really good!
Here's what was in our shipment this week:
Bananas
Valencia oranges
Blueberries (grown local)
Carrots
Bicolor corn (grown local)
Cucumbers
Gala Apples
Garlic
Haas avocado
Tomatoes
Peaches
Pears
Romaine lettuce
So far, I've eaten a peach (which was delicious!), and Angelica literally devoured the blueberries. We got a half-pint and they are gone. I may have eaten 3 berries. She ate the rest of it and yelled at me if I tried to take one! And then insisted I put the plastic container (which was plastic #1) in the "recycle bin!" (Smart girl!)
If you live within their delivery area, and you're inclined to eat organic produce, give Orlando Organics a try! You won't be disappointed.
Disclaimer: This opinion is my own. I am writing this review without the request of the company. They have not contacted me in any way, did not provide me with the product, nor did they compensate me for my time.
Do you have a product you would like to let everyone know about? Link it up below! Please link to the actual product review and not your blog’s main page. Thank you for joining us!
June 17, 2010
Indoor Activities for Florida's Rainy Season
First of all, thank you and welcome to all of my new followers! I loved getting your comments over the past couple of days, and I am going back to check your blogs out and follow you as well!
It's the rainy season again here in Central Florida...the time of the year when you can set the clock by the 3 pm rain storms. In my pre-baby days, these were the days where I'd go home, snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and read a book or watch some television (or, take a nap!).
Now that I have a toddler, things are not quite that easy. During the week, I'm fortunate to be a working mom, knowing that my daughter is in the capable hands of her daycare teachers, engaging her mind with fun, indoor activities. But in the evenings and on weekends, it can be a challenge to keep her entertained when we can't go outside. (And believe me, she asks to go outside a lot!)
So what do we do? Here are a few of the indoor things we have been doing lately that keep her entertained.
- Reading books
- Painting
- Play Doh
- Coloring Books
- Stickers
- "Educational" TV (WordWorld, Sesame Street, even Dora the Explorer to an extent...hey, that's how she learned to count in Spanish!)
- Playing "dress-up"
- Playing "computer games" -- Check out SesameStreet.org, they have some that are appropriate for every age level. Angelica loves Elmo's Keyboard-o-Rama and the Toddler: Wheels on the Bus games.
What do you do to keep your toddler entertained when it's raining outside? I could use some new ideas!
It's the rainy season again here in Central Florida...the time of the year when you can set the clock by the 3 pm rain storms. In my pre-baby days, these were the days where I'd go home, snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and read a book or watch some television (or, take a nap!).
Now that I have a toddler, things are not quite that easy. During the week, I'm fortunate to be a working mom, knowing that my daughter is in the capable hands of her daycare teachers, engaging her mind with fun, indoor activities. But in the evenings and on weekends, it can be a challenge to keep her entertained when we can't go outside. (And believe me, she asks to go outside a lot!)
So what do we do? Here are a few of the indoor things we have been doing lately that keep her entertained.
- Reading books
- Painting
- Play Doh
- Coloring Books
- Stickers
- "Educational" TV (WordWorld, Sesame Street, even Dora the Explorer to an extent...hey, that's how she learned to count in Spanish!)
- Playing "dress-up"
- Playing "computer games" -- Check out SesameStreet.org, they have some that are appropriate for every age level. Angelica loves Elmo's Keyboard-o-Rama and the Toddler: Wheels on the Bus games.
What do you do to keep your toddler entertained when it's raining outside? I could use some new ideas!
June 16, 2010
June 15, 2010
Finally, a breakthrough!
Last night was almost completely tantrum-free. Lots of whining, but really only one minor meltdown over some much-desired Ni Hao Kai-Lan band aids.
I think I figured out for sure that the major contributor to her meltdowns is picking up on my stress. After work, I took advantage of the fact that her daycare is minutes away and is open until 6:30, and went home and did chores for 20 minutes. I did a load of laundry, did the dishes, and watered the flowers, before jumping in the car to pick her up. Then, for dinner, we had pasta (what's simpler to cook than that?) so for the most part, I was relaxed. And miraculously, so was she!
I may need to make a habit of this! I always feel guilty picking her up closer to closing time, but yesterday I rationalized it by telling myself that I'm PAYING them to be there until 6:30, so if I pick her up at 6:20, it's not a bad thing. Even if she is the last kid there. It's worth it for her to have a happy Mommy when she gets home.
As of now, my kitchen is clean. My flowers are watered. My laundry, as of 8:15 this morning, is DONE! (Well, the last 2 loads need to be folded and put away, but at least the clothes are all clean!) Bonus points for Scott getting home last night at 10:30pm instead of 2:30am and for me being in bed before Midnight. I actually got some sleep! Things are looking up.
Angelica and I had some adorable moments last night, too. After her bath, we were getting ready to read stories when she said, "Go show kitty funny face?" (Usually if Scott and I are both home, whoever doesn't do her bath gets to see "funny face" after her bath is over...I guess kitty was a good replacement.)
The rest of it went a little like this:
Me: "Okay, but come right back!"
Her: "Okay, Mommy!" ::runs down the hall, I hear her "showing" the kitty her funny face, which sounds a little like "Mlllahhhwwwhhhh!" She runs back down the hall, "Do again, okay Mommy?"
Me: "Okay, but come right back!"
Her: "Okay!" Shows kitty funny face, comes back, asks to go again.
Repeat 10x
Then she didn't ask me for permission. She just ran down the hall. So I yelled after her, "Uh oh! You didn't ask Mommy!"
I hear her stop in the hallway. She yells back, "I SHOW KITTY FUNNY FACE, OKAY MOMMY? I BE RIGHT BACK!"
I say okay, I hear her go show the kitty her funny face again, and then come back.
It was probably cuter in real life :)
Also, she started counting, and all of a sudden just broke into, "One, two, buckle MY shoe! Three, four, shut the Door! Five, six, pick up sticks! Seven, eight, lay them straight, nine, ten, a big fat HEEENNNNNNNNN!" I didn't even know she knew that nursery rhyme. It was wonderful. This is a girl who LOVES to sing, and I love to hear her sing.
Except that one time she was singing a Kings of Leon song in the car (I'm a big fan, but the song was not exactly appropriate for my 2 year old to sing!)
Speaking of her hamming it up...Angelica loves to see herself on TV! Whenever we go to Target, the security television on the way in is the main attraction. She will ask to, "Go Target, see Angelica TV? Please?"
Add "actress" and "singer" to the list of possible future careers for this one!
I think I figured out for sure that the major contributor to her meltdowns is picking up on my stress. After work, I took advantage of the fact that her daycare is minutes away and is open until 6:30, and went home and did chores for 20 minutes. I did a load of laundry, did the dishes, and watered the flowers, before jumping in the car to pick her up. Then, for dinner, we had pasta (what's simpler to cook than that?) so for the most part, I was relaxed. And miraculously, so was she!
I may need to make a habit of this! I always feel guilty picking her up closer to closing time, but yesterday I rationalized it by telling myself that I'm PAYING them to be there until 6:30, so if I pick her up at 6:20, it's not a bad thing. Even if she is the last kid there. It's worth it for her to have a happy Mommy when she gets home.
As of now, my kitchen is clean. My flowers are watered. My laundry, as of 8:15 this morning, is DONE! (Well, the last 2 loads need to be folded and put away, but at least the clothes are all clean!) Bonus points for Scott getting home last night at 10:30pm instead of 2:30am and for me being in bed before Midnight. I actually got some sleep! Things are looking up.
Angelica and I had some adorable moments last night, too. After her bath, we were getting ready to read stories when she said, "Go show kitty funny face?" (Usually if Scott and I are both home, whoever doesn't do her bath gets to see "funny face" after her bath is over...I guess kitty was a good replacement.)
The rest of it went a little like this:
Me: "Okay, but come right back!"
Her: "Okay, Mommy!" ::runs down the hall, I hear her "showing" the kitty her funny face, which sounds a little like "Mlllahhhwwwhhhh!" She runs back down the hall, "Do again, okay Mommy?"
Me: "Okay, but come right back!"
Her: "Okay!" Shows kitty funny face, comes back, asks to go again.
Repeat 10x
Then she didn't ask me for permission. She just ran down the hall. So I yelled after her, "Uh oh! You didn't ask Mommy!"
I hear her stop in the hallway. She yells back, "I SHOW KITTY FUNNY FACE, OKAY MOMMY? I BE RIGHT BACK!"
I say okay, I hear her go show the kitty her funny face again, and then come back.
It was probably cuter in real life :)
Also, she started counting, and all of a sudden just broke into, "One, two, buckle MY shoe! Three, four, shut the Door! Five, six, pick up sticks! Seven, eight, lay them straight, nine, ten, a big fat HEEENNNNNNNNN!" I didn't even know she knew that nursery rhyme. It was wonderful. This is a girl who LOVES to sing, and I love to hear her sing.
Except that one time she was singing a Kings of Leon song in the car (I'm a big fan, but the song was not exactly appropriate for my 2 year old to sing!)
Speaking of her hamming it up...Angelica loves to see herself on TV! Whenever we go to Target, the security television on the way in is the main attraction. She will ask to, "Go Target, see Angelica TV? Please?"
Add "actress" and "singer" to the list of possible future careers for this one!
June 14, 2010
And now, for some of the "good"
I feel like lately, I've written a lot about the "bad" and the "ugly" sides of the terrible twos, but there are plenty of "good" times where my heart just melts. Here are a few examples of those moments.
For a long time, when Angelica would insist on doing something herself, I would relinquish the item or task and say, "Oh, I'm SO sorry, here you go!" On Saturday, instead of yelling, "NO! I DO IT!" She started saying, "I do it, please, Mommy, oh, I SOsorry, I SOsorry Mommy!" (I placed commas and words together to emphasize how it comes out when she says it.) It's adorable and lets me know that she does hear me when I talk.
This morning, as I was leaving, I said, "I love you Angelica" and she yelled, "I love you too, Mommy, YAY MOMMY!" It just warmed my heart.
Last night, during her bath time, I was exhausted and sat down and breathed a huge sigh. She looked at me and said, "You okay, Mommy? Okay Mommy?" She's so caring and empathetic.
On Friday, we met up with Scott for dinner (he took a quick break from work) and I asked her for a BIG kiss, and she grabbed my cheeks, pulled my face to hers, and gave me a HUGE kiss. And then a hug. And then another kiss. So, so sweet!
Yesterday, she climbed up on the coffee table, turned around to me, and said, "I do BIG jump, okay Mommy?" I said, "No, not okay." So she sat down and scooted herself to my arms to get down. Sometimes, she listens!
I fell asleep on the couch Saturday morning after breakfast, and she climbed up next to me, gave me a kiss, and rubbed my shoulder like I do to her every night when she's going to bed.
The most fun we had over the weekend was on Saturday. While she napped (the only nap she took all weekend), I pulled weeds in one of our flowerbeds and prepped it to plant flowers. After she woke up, we went to Target...I peeked in the clothing section and she told me a shirt that was too small for me was "too big for Mommy!" (aww, flattery!) and then we went to the garden center and she helped me pick out flowers. She was very, very opinionated about the flowers she liked and the ones she didn't. Appropriately enough, her favorites were the impatients! I took plenty of pictures of the garden and hope to have time to download them off the camera and post them very soon
When we were at Target, she was eating yogurt melts and insisted I eat one. She just HAS to share.
Finally, these days, she almost always says please and thank you without being prompted. If you sneeze, she says "Bless you", and when you say "thank you", she says "welcome!" She also excuses herself when she burps (and excuses YOU if you burp), or if you say "excuse me", she says "you're excused". We've done well teaching her manners!
After planting the garden, we came in to change out of our muddy clothes, and to keep her busy while I changed, I gave her the most beloved item in the house -- Dora the Explorer bandaids. And in the 90 seconds it took me to change, she had unwrapped TEN bandaids and stuck them to her leg. When I sarcastically asked, "Do you think you have enough bandaids?" She said, "Nope, I don't THINK so!"
Her politeness does make it hard to avoid laughing when she does something clearly defiant though, like when she was taking off her shoe at the grocery store, and I asked her to leave it on, and she says, "No, I no leave it on, I take off shoe!" and then laughs at you like you made a funny request.
I guess my point is, she may scream and yell and tantrum and drive me crazy, but still, every night when I tuck her in and kiss her goodnight, I miss her instantly and just want to go in and snuggle and wrap my arms around her.
For a long time, when Angelica would insist on doing something herself, I would relinquish the item or task and say, "Oh, I'm SO sorry, here you go!" On Saturday, instead of yelling, "NO! I DO IT!" She started saying, "I do it, please, Mommy, oh, I SOsorry, I SOsorry Mommy!" (I placed commas and words together to emphasize how it comes out when she says it.) It's adorable and lets me know that she does hear me when I talk.
This morning, as I was leaving, I said, "I love you Angelica" and she yelled, "I love you too, Mommy, YAY MOMMY!" It just warmed my heart.
Last night, during her bath time, I was exhausted and sat down and breathed a huge sigh. She looked at me and said, "You okay, Mommy? Okay Mommy?" She's so caring and empathetic.
On Friday, we met up with Scott for dinner (he took a quick break from work) and I asked her for a BIG kiss, and she grabbed my cheeks, pulled my face to hers, and gave me a HUGE kiss. And then a hug. And then another kiss. So, so sweet!
Yesterday, she climbed up on the coffee table, turned around to me, and said, "I do BIG jump, okay Mommy?" I said, "No, not okay." So she sat down and scooted herself to my arms to get down. Sometimes, she listens!
I fell asleep on the couch Saturday morning after breakfast, and she climbed up next to me, gave me a kiss, and rubbed my shoulder like I do to her every night when she's going to bed.
The most fun we had over the weekend was on Saturday. While she napped (the only nap she took all weekend), I pulled weeds in one of our flowerbeds and prepped it to plant flowers. After she woke up, we went to Target...I peeked in the clothing section and she told me a shirt that was too small for me was "too big for Mommy!" (aww, flattery!) and then we went to the garden center and she helped me pick out flowers. She was very, very opinionated about the flowers she liked and the ones she didn't. Appropriately enough, her favorites were the impatients! I took plenty of pictures of the garden and hope to have time to download them off the camera and post them very soon
When we were at Target, she was eating yogurt melts and insisted I eat one. She just HAS to share.
Finally, these days, she almost always says please and thank you without being prompted. If you sneeze, she says "Bless you", and when you say "thank you", she says "welcome!" She also excuses herself when she burps (and excuses YOU if you burp), or if you say "excuse me", she says "you're excused". We've done well teaching her manners!
After planting the garden, we came in to change out of our muddy clothes, and to keep her busy while I changed, I gave her the most beloved item in the house -- Dora the Explorer bandaids. And in the 90 seconds it took me to change, she had unwrapped TEN bandaids and stuck them to her leg. When I sarcastically asked, "Do you think you have enough bandaids?" She said, "Nope, I don't THINK so!"
Her politeness does make it hard to avoid laughing when she does something clearly defiant though, like when she was taking off her shoe at the grocery store, and I asked her to leave it on, and she says, "No, I no leave it on, I take off shoe!" and then laughs at you like you made a funny request.
I guess my point is, she may scream and yell and tantrum and drive me crazy, but still, every night when I tuck her in and kiss her goodnight, I miss her instantly and just want to go in and snuggle and wrap my arms around her.
McFatty Monday: Goodbye, 250s!
This past week has really been a roller coaster. I've been basically husband-less due to the demands of my husband's job for a couple of months now (not complaining, remember I said...these are the punches we have to roll with sometimes!) but this past week was the worst of all. He took Angelica to school every morning, went to work, and then didn't get off until 1am or later each day. Thankfully, this project will be over very shortly (maybe tonight!) and I will no longer be a "single mom"!
Along with that territory comes significant stress though. I think the worst of the terrible twos has landed in our household, which means every night is filled with screaming, kicking, yelling, ugly tantrums that stress me out and exhaust me. I have a chronic illness that affects my stomach and flares up under stressful conditions, and with a flare up comes the disappearance of my appetite. And right now, my appetite is GONE.
So I forced myself to eat when I remembered over the course of the week, which wasn't that hard, but remembering to eat over the weekend was a challenge. I think between managing the tantrums and mess-making, taking care of weekend responsibilities (grocery shopping, cleaning the house, etc) and finally get caught up on laundry (we were without a washer and dryer for three weeks...you should have seen the amount of laundry that piled up!)...I may have eaten a meal and a half each day.
Oh, and because of how much needed to get done this weekend, and the fact that during Angelica's nap on Saturday (she did not nap on Sunday) I actually took the time to start working on my garden (the best therapy EVER!) I did not stop moving between 9am and midnight or later each day this weekend. (Except for 2 hours that I accidentally fell asleep on the couch on Saturday morning. Whoops.)
Having said that, I was not shocked, but I was overjoyed that this morning, I weighed in at 249! Goodbye, 250s! That's a four pound weight loss from last Monday! I did the math, and that means that since January 1st of this year, I have lost 12 pounds. Not bad, not bad at all!
Since I lost so much this week, my goal for next Monday is really just to maintain this loss. If I lose anything, it'll just be the icing on the cake!
Along with that territory comes significant stress though. I think the worst of the terrible twos has landed in our household, which means every night is filled with screaming, kicking, yelling, ugly tantrums that stress me out and exhaust me. I have a chronic illness that affects my stomach and flares up under stressful conditions, and with a flare up comes the disappearance of my appetite. And right now, my appetite is GONE.
So I forced myself to eat when I remembered over the course of the week, which wasn't that hard, but remembering to eat over the weekend was a challenge. I think between managing the tantrums and mess-making, taking care of weekend responsibilities (grocery shopping, cleaning the house, etc) and finally get caught up on laundry (we were without a washer and dryer for three weeks...you should have seen the amount of laundry that piled up!)...I may have eaten a meal and a half each day.
Oh, and because of how much needed to get done this weekend, and the fact that during Angelica's nap on Saturday (she did not nap on Sunday) I actually took the time to start working on my garden (the best therapy EVER!) I did not stop moving between 9am and midnight or later each day this weekend. (Except for 2 hours that I accidentally fell asleep on the couch on Saturday morning. Whoops.)
Having said that, I was not shocked, but I was overjoyed that this morning, I weighed in at 249! Goodbye, 250s! That's a four pound weight loss from last Monday! I did the math, and that means that since January 1st of this year, I have lost 12 pounds. Not bad, not bad at all!
Since I lost so much this week, my goal for next Monday is really just to maintain this loss. If I lose anything, it'll just be the icing on the cake!
June 11, 2010
Weekend Review: Chobani Greek Yogurt
Welcome to the Weekend Review with Angelica's Awesome Adventures, The Life of Rylie...and Bryce too! and The Florida Hogans! We would love for you to link up your reviews at the bottom and let everyone know about your favorite products! Reviews with giveaways are awesome too!
This week, I'm reviewing the deliciousness that is Chobani Greek Yogurt!
I had been hearing and reading hype about greek yogurt, but hadn't really paid much attention since I enjoyed the Stonyfield Farms fat free regular yogurt. As a vegetarian, I have to find good ways to work protein into my diet that don't involve meat, and earlier this week I read that greek yogurt has about twice the amount of protein as regular yogurt, so I had to try it.
There were lots of options for Greek yogurt at the grocery store, but I ultimately settled on Chobani because it was fat free, free of artificial sweetners, and on sale! It's a little more expensive than the yogurt I regularly buy (A little over $1 per serving) but I have to tell you, it is work every single penny of that.
It was like eating a dessert. It was rich, thick, and creamy, like full-fat yogurt! It was a "fruit on the bottom" kind of yogurt, which I typically don't like, but it mixed really well and was absolutely delicious. If you're comparing to other fat-free yogurts, it has more calories (I know Dannon's fat-free is 60 calories, and Yoplait's is 100 calories -- Chobani is around 140 calories), so if you're budgeting calories, you might have to make some adjustments -- but since it's higher in protein, it stays with you longer, too!
There are lots of benefits to choosing Chobani Greek Yogurt as well. From their "About" page, the benefits include:
- All natural. No preservatives. No artificial flavors.
- No synthetic growth hormones: No rBST-treated milk.
- Includes 5 live & active cultures, including 3 probiotics.
- Made with real fruit.
- Twice the protein of regular yogurts.
- A good source of bone-building calcium.
- Gluten-Free and Kosher-Certified.
- Safe for people with corn, nut and soy allergies.
If you've been thinking about trying Greek yogurt, you can try Chobani's for free! (I paid for mine before I saw this coupon!) They're offering a coupon for a free cup of Chobani yogurt.
Next time I buy yogurt, I'll buy this kind again.
Disclaimer: This opinion is my own. I am writing this review without the request of the company. They have not contacted me in any way, did not provide me with the product, nor did they compensate me for my time.
Don't forget to enter the Cleanwater Infant Tub Giveaway at The Life of Rylie and Bryce Too!
June 10, 2010
And the terrible twos continue...
Last night was pretty much a continuation of the night before.
I stopped on the way home to forget butter (my third grocery store trip of the week...and today I made a fourth...I seem to forget something every time!) and got to daycare 10 minutes before it closed. And again, after a very enthusiastic greeting, we disintegrated into temper tantrums.
Angelica's newest thing is that she wants to do everything herself. EVERYTHING. Things that she is physically unable to do, and things that are unsafe for her. Now, normally I am all for letting her try to do things she is physically unable to...but I will not consciously let her do something unsafe.
Example of the physically unable to: She wants to buckle herself into her car seat. She's been able to do the chest buckle since she was about 15 months old, but she cannot do the lap harness or tighten the straps. So, she has a tantrum.
Example of the unsafe: She asked for cherries for a snack last night, so I got some out and started cutting the pits out of them. So she starts yelling, "ME CUT? ME CUT? Angelica do it? NO! NO MOMMY DO IT! ME CUT!" Well, I'll be damned if I'm giving my two year old a knife. So I told her, "Mommy has to do it, it's not safe for you to use a knife yet."
So she throws herself on the kitchen floor and screams. I offer her the (now de-pitted) cherries and she throws the bowl across the room.
So I gently say to her, "Angelica, when you calm down, Mommy will be in the living room. You can come to me when you're calm and I will give you a hug.
30 minutes later, still on the kitchen floor, screaming. (I checked on her every 5 mins or so to calmly remind her of where I was, tell her that I love her, and that I understand she's frustrated, but Mommy cannot give her a knife.)
I sat with my head in my hands, just doing deep breathing exercises. And then I got up, and kicked a helium balloon that was still hanging out in our living room from her party.
I felt awful. I know the last thing she needed was for me to coddle her, because after all, tantrums are exercises in attention-seeking (believe me, I've been doing research and the "ignore" approach works best for us!)...but it was so hard to hear my little girl cry. But I also felt awful for being frustrated, because I don't want to be that mom who is always angry. (And I'm usually not, but there have been other, non-Angelica related things going on lately that have left me stressed out and completely drained.)
She did eventually calm down, and asked to go outside and play with chalk. And all was good again until...she couldn't open the package of chalk herself, and then it turned into another screaming fit.
And so it goes. Welcome to the terrible twos!
By the way, the "ignore" approach I use is based on this advice from Dr. Sears...he has some really great tips on that page for dealing with tantrums, but with all advice, you have to also do what works for your kid...if she's not receptive to being consoled, which she makes evident pretty quickly by pushing me away, hitting me, or telling me to go away, she's left to work it out with regular check-ins until she calms down. It usually nixes the tantrum pretty quickly, but sometimes, if she's tired or having a bad day, it takes longer. Most of Angelica's tantrums are "frustration tantrums", which require some empathizing, especially if she can't do something...so I try. But lately, when I even try to help, she just flies off the handle, so I let her calm down and then we hug and "talk" about it...as much as she can understand at age 2!
I stopped on the way home to forget butter (my third grocery store trip of the week...and today I made a fourth...I seem to forget something every time!) and got to daycare 10 minutes before it closed. And again, after a very enthusiastic greeting, we disintegrated into temper tantrums.
Angelica's newest thing is that she wants to do everything herself. EVERYTHING. Things that she is physically unable to do, and things that are unsafe for her. Now, normally I am all for letting her try to do things she is physically unable to...but I will not consciously let her do something unsafe.
Example of the physically unable to: She wants to buckle herself into her car seat. She's been able to do the chest buckle since she was about 15 months old, but she cannot do the lap harness or tighten the straps. So, she has a tantrum.
Example of the unsafe: She asked for cherries for a snack last night, so I got some out and started cutting the pits out of them. So she starts yelling, "ME CUT? ME CUT? Angelica do it? NO! NO MOMMY DO IT! ME CUT!" Well, I'll be damned if I'm giving my two year old a knife. So I told her, "Mommy has to do it, it's not safe for you to use a knife yet."
So she throws herself on the kitchen floor and screams. I offer her the (now de-pitted) cherries and she throws the bowl across the room.
So I gently say to her, "Angelica, when you calm down, Mommy will be in the living room. You can come to me when you're calm and I will give you a hug.
30 minutes later, still on the kitchen floor, screaming. (I checked on her every 5 mins or so to calmly remind her of where I was, tell her that I love her, and that I understand she's frustrated, but Mommy cannot give her a knife.)
I sat with my head in my hands, just doing deep breathing exercises. And then I got up, and kicked a helium balloon that was still hanging out in our living room from her party.
I felt awful. I know the last thing she needed was for me to coddle her, because after all, tantrums are exercises in attention-seeking (believe me, I've been doing research and the "ignore" approach works best for us!)...but it was so hard to hear my little girl cry. But I also felt awful for being frustrated, because I don't want to be that mom who is always angry. (And I'm usually not, but there have been other, non-Angelica related things going on lately that have left me stressed out and completely drained.)
She did eventually calm down, and asked to go outside and play with chalk. And all was good again until...she couldn't open the package of chalk herself, and then it turned into another screaming fit.
And so it goes. Welcome to the terrible twos!
By the way, the "ignore" approach I use is based on this advice from Dr. Sears...he has some really great tips on that page for dealing with tantrums, but with all advice, you have to also do what works for your kid...if she's not receptive to being consoled, which she makes evident pretty quickly by pushing me away, hitting me, or telling me to go away, she's left to work it out with regular check-ins until she calms down. It usually nixes the tantrum pretty quickly, but sometimes, if she's tired or having a bad day, it takes longer. Most of Angelica's tantrums are "frustration tantrums", which require some empathizing, especially if she can't do something...so I try. But lately, when I even try to help, she just flies off the handle, so I let her calm down and then we hug and "talk" about it...as much as she can understand at age 2!
June 9, 2010
I now have two sets of eyes.
When I was a toddler/little kid, my parents used to say they had eyes in the back of their heads. As an imaginative child, I had some very interesting visions of eyes hiding behind their hair that pop out whenever it was convenient for them.
Yesterday, I learned the true meaning of this phrase.
Angelica was just on a roll last night. I sent a very happy kid to daycare and somehow was sent home with a grumpy monster. She pushed every single one of my buttons and fortunately, I was able to keep my cool with her...but by the time she went to bed, my last nerve was shot. The evening just got off to a bad start. I got to daycare to pick her up and was already flustered, so I'm sure she picked up on my mood. I had been sitting in a traffic jam thanks to rubberneckers checking out an accident, and it took me about an hour to get there. To add to my anxiety level, after a very enthusiastic greeting, she proceeded to have a temper tantrum before I could even get her in the car.
And screamed all the way home.
And when we got home, she didn't want me to get the mail, so she had a temper tantrum on the front lawn. And then decided to "run away". She took off down the small cul-de-sac on which we lived, and in a very angry voice with arms crossed, she said, "GO AWAY Mommy, I go now!"
So I picked her up and carried her in the house. Which prompted another tantrum.
Then she noticed the scrape on her knee (which she got at daycare) and asked for "Dora boo-boo" (that's her word for band-aid).
So I got one for her, and opened it, which she saw and started screaming again, "NO! Angelica do it! Angelica pick Dora boo-boo! Angelica open it! Waaahhhh!"
I give her the box, she picks one, opens it, puts it on her leg (though not the one with the "boo-boo" on it). And then gets another. And another. She's happy, so I let her do it. She eventually starts sticking them on me. So I let her. Hey, she's happy.
After about 25 bandaids, I decide we need to at least save a few of them for real boo-boos, so I tell her we have to put them away.
Tantrum.
She asks for juice. (Remember, the doctor said no juice before dinner?) I tell her she can have some with dinner.
More tantrum.
She asks for chocolate milk. Again I tell her...she can have it with dinner.
I think you get the idea.
Eventually she asks to go outside and play in the pool, and needing a moment to just sit down and breathe, I take her outside. And when we're done, I get her into dry clothes, set her up with a video and start cooking dinner.
While I'm cooking, we have more tantrums. She finds a granola bar in my lunch bag, asks me to open it, I say no...so she rips it open with her teeth, takes a bite, and then throws pieces of it all over the house. She grabs a package of hot dog buns and takes a bite out of each one, then rips them up and throws them everywhere. I take it away, MORE TANTRUMS. While I'm prying it from her hands, her grilled cheese sandwich burns and I have to start over. (::exasperated sigh::)
So, at one point while I am cooking, it gets very, very quiet in the house. The video is over. The TV is silent. I hear no tantrums. I hear no movement. Given all the tantrums she'd had, you'd think I'd be breathing a sigh of relief...alas, there is a such thing as too quiet.
I peek around the corner, and Angelica has unplugged the stereo from the wall (something she has never, ever done before) and is playing with the outlet. ((Insert Heart Attack Here))
I run over, grab it from her, start saying, "Danger, Danger! Give that to Mommy! Danger, danger, danger!" At this point, she's now freaked out, scared and crying, which is probably a good thing since electrocution is something to be scared of.
But now I know. Eyes in the back of your head = The mommy instinct that kicks in when your toddler is TOO quiet and doing something they shouldn't.
Yesterday, I learned the true meaning of this phrase.
Angelica was just on a roll last night. I sent a very happy kid to daycare and somehow was sent home with a grumpy monster. She pushed every single one of my buttons and fortunately, I was able to keep my cool with her...but by the time she went to bed, my last nerve was shot. The evening just got off to a bad start. I got to daycare to pick her up and was already flustered, so I'm sure she picked up on my mood. I had been sitting in a traffic jam thanks to rubberneckers checking out an accident, and it took me about an hour to get there. To add to my anxiety level, after a very enthusiastic greeting, she proceeded to have a temper tantrum before I could even get her in the car.
And screamed all the way home.
And when we got home, she didn't want me to get the mail, so she had a temper tantrum on the front lawn. And then decided to "run away". She took off down the small cul-de-sac on which we lived, and in a very angry voice with arms crossed, she said, "GO AWAY Mommy, I go now!"
So I picked her up and carried her in the house. Which prompted another tantrum.
Then she noticed the scrape on her knee (which she got at daycare) and asked for "Dora boo-boo" (that's her word for band-aid).
So I got one for her, and opened it, which she saw and started screaming again, "NO! Angelica do it! Angelica pick Dora boo-boo! Angelica open it! Waaahhhh!"
I give her the box, she picks one, opens it, puts it on her leg (though not the one with the "boo-boo" on it). And then gets another. And another. She's happy, so I let her do it. She eventually starts sticking them on me. So I let her. Hey, she's happy.
After about 25 bandaids, I decide we need to at least save a few of them for real boo-boos, so I tell her we have to put them away.
Tantrum.
She asks for juice. (Remember, the doctor said no juice before dinner?) I tell her she can have some with dinner.
More tantrum.
She asks for chocolate milk. Again I tell her...she can have it with dinner.
I think you get the idea.
Eventually she asks to go outside and play in the pool, and needing a moment to just sit down and breathe, I take her outside. And when we're done, I get her into dry clothes, set her up with a video and start cooking dinner.
While I'm cooking, we have more tantrums. She finds a granola bar in my lunch bag, asks me to open it, I say no...so she rips it open with her teeth, takes a bite, and then throws pieces of it all over the house. She grabs a package of hot dog buns and takes a bite out of each one, then rips them up and throws them everywhere. I take it away, MORE TANTRUMS. While I'm prying it from her hands, her grilled cheese sandwich burns and I have to start over. (::exasperated sigh::)
So, at one point while I am cooking, it gets very, very quiet in the house. The video is over. The TV is silent. I hear no tantrums. I hear no movement. Given all the tantrums she'd had, you'd think I'd be breathing a sigh of relief...alas, there is a such thing as too quiet.
I peek around the corner, and Angelica has unplugged the stereo from the wall (something she has never, ever done before) and is playing with the outlet. ((Insert Heart Attack Here))
I run over, grab it from her, start saying, "Danger, Danger! Give that to Mommy! Danger, danger, danger!" At this point, she's now freaked out, scared and crying, which is probably a good thing since electrocution is something to be scared of.
But now I know. Eyes in the back of your head = The mommy instinct that kicks in when your toddler is TOO quiet and doing something they shouldn't.
June 8, 2010
Praise for Moms
Last night, a friend of mine randomly posted on my Facebook wall, simply saying, "You're an awesome Mommy!" After a day where Scott worked until almost 3 a.m., and in my day, I did the following:
I'm very, very lucky that when my husband is not at work, he is definitely the stellar, 50/50 parent in the household. I couldn't ask for more. But I also can't blame him for being out of the house and at work late when his job requires him to be there. That's just life, and we have to roll with the punches it deals us. (And these are "punches" we've been dealing with for the better part of a decade!)
I am also very aware that my struggles with parenthood are not really unique. In fact, I can imagine situations much more challenging than mine. Which is why I want to say...
Moms, you are all doing a great job! Working moms? Be proud! Stay at home moms? Be proud! Handle it all by yourself, or with the help of your significant other? Be proud! If your kids go to bed every night feeling safe, secure and loved, be proud. You are doing the best that you can, and you, too, are awesome.
- Functioned on very little sleep the night before (the kids trashed the house on Sunday...but we had such a good time that I didn't really mind the cleaning, even though it took forever!)
- Got Angelica dressed
- Fed her breakfast
- Worked
- Grocery shopped
- Picked up Angelica at daycare
- Unloaded the groceries
- Unloaded Angelica
- Put the groceries away
- Dealt with temper tantrums (including one that followed my saying no to having a third package of gummy snacks after dinner, which resulted in big huge tears and screaming "I WANT DADDY!" Way to blow my ego, kid!),
- Cooked dinner
- Bathed Angelica
- Got her into her PJs
- Read stories
- Got her her cup of water in a DORA cup (which she insisted on)
- Cleaned the kitchen
- Wiped the sticky toddler substance off of the furniture (seriously, what the hell is that stuff? I swear they must ooze liquid sugar and smear it on everything!)
- Finally got some "me time" to unload the camera, blog, shower, and watch a little TV.
I'm very, very lucky that when my husband is not at work, he is definitely the stellar, 50/50 parent in the household. I couldn't ask for more. But I also can't blame him for being out of the house and at work late when his job requires him to be there. That's just life, and we have to roll with the punches it deals us. (And these are "punches" we've been dealing with for the better part of a decade!)
I am also very aware that my struggles with parenthood are not really unique. In fact, I can imagine situations much more challenging than mine. Which is why I want to say...
Moms, you are all doing a great job! Working moms? Be proud! Stay at home moms? Be proud! Handle it all by yourself, or with the help of your significant other? Be proud! If your kids go to bed every night feeling safe, secure and loved, be proud. You are doing the best that you can, and you, too, are awesome.
June 7, 2010
What happens when the cousins come to visit?
...We have the best time ever, that's what!
Cousins Willy and Anna are Angelica's bestest friends in the whole world. She's only known them since she was born. (well...she met Anna ten weeks after she was born but still, close to it!) Pictures speak oh so much louder than words...
Cousins Willy and Anna are Angelica's bestest friends in the whole world. She's only known them since she was born. (well...she met Anna ten weeks after she was born but still, close to it!) Pictures speak oh so much louder than words...
Three toddlers in a kiddie pool!
Cheese!
"Mommy, I do FUNNY FACE!"
Playing "hopscratch" (That's what Angelica calls hopscotch). Yep, my child is picking her nose. She currently thinks this is the greatest thing ever and says, "Mommy, boogies! Stick in mouth!" and tries to get me to eat them. I tell her it's yucky and to please not do that. So far it hasn't worked.
More funny face!
Anna looks to be saying, "Am I really related to this crazy girl?"
And a good time was had by all.
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