Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Please feel free to join in by getting details from Peggy: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY, Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Outside my window... 
It's been SUPER HOT since Friday, yesterday was the hottest day EVER in our area, at least since they started recording it back in 1877.

I am thinking... 
about what to make for dinner tonight..........fish for hubby, pasta for me probably

I am thankful for... 
all that the Lord does & provides for us

I am wearing... 
a heather grey tank top & denim shorts

In the learning room... 
same for Lil J--Spanish, Bible study, your baby can read; I picked up a free book at my church on Sunday about missions

I am remembering... 
how dreary & unpeaceful my life was before I met Jesus

I am going... 
grocery shopping tomorrow, just milk & chicken & some supplements

I am currently reading... 
I finished my Francine Rivers novels, only to find that they are partially a true story, based on Francine's own family history, knowing that just makes it all the more interesting, but it was a REALLY good read, really makes you examine yourself & how you view your mother & how you treat your child based on how you view your mother & your upbringing.  I am about to start a book on missions that they were giving away for free at church on Sunday & I am still reading Black Beauty outloud to Lil J.

I am hoping... 
we get to the top of this mountain soon, we've been climbing for over 2 years now.......

On my mind... 
why my stepdaughter gets so touchy & defensive every time the subject of current events &/or church comes up, I guess all I can do is pray for her

Noticing that... 
Lil J has fallen asleep in his jumperoo, that means no afternoon nap for him most likely, so I better enjoy my time NOW

Pondering these words... 
if He is not Lord of all then He is not Lord at all--from Greg Laurie

From the kitchen... 
I made snickerdoodles yesterday, so yummy, I want to make some more focaccia soon, but maybe not todday

Around the house... 
I need to do a lot of cleaning this week, took last week off due to my shoulder, it's still not completely better, but I can't have the house not clean either.

One of my favorite things 
reading, I can't get over how much I enjoy it & I hope to impart that love to my son

From my camera..
We took a trip on Saturday to visit my hubby's grandma.  We took a pic of this pic hanging on her wall.  My hubby is the youngest one, sitting on his mama's lap.  This is the youngest pic of my hubby I have ever seen.


Monday, September 20, 2010

The Simple Woman's Daybook


Please feel free to join in by getting details from Peggy: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY, Monday, September 20, 2010

Outside my window... 
It's really been a beautiful day today, I would love to have a little more breeze blowing though.

I am thinking... 
about relationships & how complicated they can become & how we can take action & communicate & forgive & make actual choices to improve our relationships or we can sit back & be hard-hearted & stubborn & refuse to forgive or communicate--it's OUR choice

I am thankful for... 
my incredible & amazing husband--he never ceases to amaze

I am wearing... 
blue top with crocheted cutouts & a white cami underneath with denim shorts

In the learning room... 
nothing new here at all........

I am remembering... 
how little & helpless Lil J was 17 months ago

I am going... 
grocery shopping on Wednesday--would go tomorrow, but it's my laundry marathon, so most likely I will put it off 'til Wednesday

I am currently reading... 
Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers (I finished Her Mother's Hope--this is the sequel, these books are soooooo good!) & am still reading Black Beauty out loud to lil J

I am hoping... 
we get better medical insurance soon

On my mind... 
wanting to be a good mother & raise my son in the way of the Lord

Noticing that... 
Lil J has a poopy diaper, I must pause now & go change him & then return to finish this.........

Pondering these words... 
to never let the sun go down on your anger--I'm still pondering this from last week,  as hubby & I committed to each last night to always follow this 

From the kitchen... 
nothing new yet this week.....need to finish off some leftovers & want to make some corn bread & focaccia & maybe bagels too.......

Around the house... 
got a lot of extra cleaning done last week, so should have an easier week this week :)

One of my favorite things 
spending time with my family--over the weekend my mom, bro, & sis in law came over & we celebrated my mom's 70th bday.  I had a wonderful time.

From my camera...
this is Lil J's new trampoline



17 month updates

So Lil J is now 17 months.  Time sure does fly.  I sometimes sit & watch him & can't believe how big he has gotten so fast.  It seems like only yesterday he was a teeny tiny little helpless baby that would not survive without me.  Sure, he has a lot of growing & maturing to do still to be called "independent", but he is far more so than he was at birth.

He now weighs 27 lbs (50-75%), is 32" tall (25-50%), & has a head circumference of 20" (>95%).  I don't think I've bought him any clothes all year (though maybe I did buy a few back in January, but I'm pretty sure my last shopping for him was in December, along with Christmas shopping).  But he is now growing again.  I remember in his early days how amazingly fast he was flying through his clothes.  It was nice to have a break, especially financially, but it's also nice to know that he is getting enough nutrition, evidenced by growing.  So he has pretty much grown out of all his 18 month clothes, with the exception of some shorts & pants (he has a long torso like both mommy & daddy so he usually wears a smaller size on bottom).  He has now grown out of most of his 24 month clothes as well & is moving into size 2T now.  I found absolutely nothing when I went to Carter's this time.  I LOOOOVE Carters for baby clothes, but not so much for toddler clothes.  They have a pretty small toddler selection & had absolutely NO toddler clothes on the clearance rack (with the exception of shorts).  So I doubt I will ever set foot in Carters again, makes me a little sad.  I had headed to Kohls (my fave store for me), but didn't find a whole lot there either (both on clearance as well as regular price stuff).  I had first gone to a Target (well, was actually already at Target & decided to take a look at clothes for him since we were needing some) & I honestly only found TWO shirts.  I was really disappointed.  After having such poor luck at Carters & Kohls as well I headed to a different Target & found a really nice selection of toddler clothes there.  I will have to remember to just head there first the next time we need clothes.  It seems at most Targets & WalMarts 75% of the clothes are for GIRLS, which seems kinda ridiculous to me.  I guess that's what sells most though.

I'm in the process of moving him up to size 5 diapers as well.  His overnight diapers are already size 5, but his regular diapers are still size 4, we should be finished with them in a day or two though & then he'll just be in size 5 for both.

Lil J is trying to talk more & more now.  He still says "Hi Gizzy" to the dog.  For a while he was saying it to everyone & I would tell him "that's silly, that isn't Gizzy, that's [fill in the blank]" & it seems like he's finally getting it & now just says "hi" to everyone.  He says it over & over all day long & I answer each time to encourage him to talk more.  Occasionally he says other things, but not consistently.

Last year I spent the birthday money I received to buy him "your baby can read".  I laughed about how priorities change once you have kids.  And this year I spent my birthday money on a trampoline for him.  He LOOOOOVES to jump, so I'm hoping he loves it.  It arrived today.  So far he understands what it's for, but is a little nervous about it.  He is always nervous & wary of anything new.  I recall being the same as a child & hating being pushed.  So I do my best to just relax about it & give him time to warm up to it on his own.  A couple of times now he has walked up to it & pointed at the foot on it & said "blue".  The feet on it are indeed blue, I'm just a little surprised cuz I really haven't worked with him much (me personally that is) on colors yet. But his toys & "your baby can read" videos do address colors, so perhaps he's picking it up there.  There are just so many things to teach little ones, I can't seem to get to it all yet, but I feel I have plenty of time to get there still.

He's eating 4-5 times each day.  He's still picky.  He usually has cinnamon toast for breakfast, though some days he has french toast or eggs or pancakes (I found a new pancake recipe that he really likes--I do too).  He still loves pretzels, freeze dried fruits, chips, things like that.  He likes quesadillas too.  I usually sneak some black beans in there too.  Occasionally he'll step out of his box & eat some chicken or yams or other new items.  These usually have to be on someone else's plate though, for him to want them & enjoy them.  And I still put fruits & veggies in his goat milk kefir.

His naps vary a lot now.  Some days he takes a morning nap & others he doesn't.  Most days he takes an afternoon nap, but occasionally he'll skip it.  Some days he takes both morning & afternoon naps, & some days he only takes one or the other.  And occasionally he takes neither.  It varies a lot.  I just have to keep an eye on him, on his behavior & mood & watch for clues that he's needing a nap.  He's usually really good about nap time & bedtime.  Occasionally he'll cry at first, usually for naps, very rarely for bedtime.

That's all the updates I can think of for now...........

Monday, September 13, 2010

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Please feel free to join in by getting details from Peggy: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY, Monday, September 13, 2010

Outside my window... 
It's going to be a warm day, in the upper 80's, but I don't think I'll need the a/c; as soon as the gardeners leave I will open up the doors & let the breeze in & it should be comfortable.

I am thinking... 
about why people have to be so sensitive & over-reactive about certain things, & yet they refuse to see or admit to it & so it never changes throughout their entire life.

I am thankful for... 
my almighty God

I am wearing... 
navy blue tank top & denim shorts, not planning to go anywhere, so nothing fancy

In the learning room... 
nothing for me at the moment, just focusing on lil J--still daily Bible studies & some Spanish

I am remembering... 
how easy life was 2 years ago....when do trials end??

I am going... 
nowhere this week, aside from the always necessary grocery shopping trip

I am currently reading... 
Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers & am reading Black Beauty out loud to lil J

I am hoping... 
to get lil J a trampoline if I get birthday money

On my mind... 
how hard life is

Noticing that... 
hubby closed all the blinds cuz the gardeners are coming, but I have a shoulder injury acting up right now & am unable to open them :(

Pondering these words... 
to never let the sun go down on your anger

From the kitchen... 
had fun last week--made cinammon bread, bagels, & focaccia; hoping to make another loaf of bread soon & have to put a bottle of lil J's kefir in the blender with some fruits & veggies today

Around the house... 
I managed to get the basic cleaning done last week, but it was hard with my shoulder as it is, hopefully it will heal up or I can get to a chiropractor & can return to normal activities

One of my favorite things 
laying on the floor & letting lil J climb on me & sit on me & jump on me, etc, LOL

From my camera...
I wish I was here :)


Monday, September 6, 2010

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Please feel free to join in by getting details from Peggy: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
FOR TODAY, Monday, August 30, 2010

Outside my window… 
It's beautiful & breezy & not so hot, it is very welcome after a hot weekend of having to run the a/c

I am thinking… 
About life & death & the complexity of it all.  How death affects each person differently.  Each person is in a different place, has a different relationship, with the one who has died.  We had to put our husky to sleep on Saturday.  It's hurts me to watch my stepdaughter be sooo upset about it & it hurts even more to see her act like she is angry at us about it, yet she refuses to discuss the situation with us, so we can resolve nothing.  Oh how my heart aches for both the loss of the dog as well as for my stepdaughter.  At least I take comfort in the knowledge that the dog had a good long life & we took good care of her & loved her & even in her final tough 6 days I know I took good care of her & am grateful to be able to say that.


I am thankful for… 
My awesome & holy God, I sometimes look around at this world & long for it to all be over with, there is so much ugliness & greed that it sickens me


From the learning rooms… 
I finished my continuing education modules for renewing my license.  I am still doing daily Bible study with lil J.  I started reading my own daily Bible reading out loud, for lil J's benefit.  And I am now reading other books out loud to lil J.  We started & finished Winnie the Pooh, we are now reading Black Beauty.  And I still read to him in Spanish often.


From the kitchen… 
I need to make a pot of beans.  I need to start making home-made bread, at least for me & lil J, since we eat so much of it, it will really help to lower our grocery bill if I start making my own.

I am wearing… 
a black top with a blue cami underneath & denim shorts


I am creating… 
??  I printed out the music sheets to songs from lil J's favorite show (Cherub Wings), hopefully I will be able to make time to sit down & learn some of them on the guitar, I think he will really enjoy that


I am going… 
We were supposed to take my stepdaughter & her boyfriend out to dinner tonight, not sure if they are still wanting to go, but am hopeful that they will.  my stepson is also with us today, since he has a school holiday, so it would be nice to also take him out to dinner as well.


I am reading… 
The Gradual Vegetarian, my mother bought me this book back in 1988 & it impacted me so much I have never parted with it.  It is actually falling apart, I need to get it rebound or get a new copy really, but it's still a great read.  It's great just for learning how to eat healthier, even if you have no interest in being a vegetarian.  But I am returning to my vegetarian ways & am reading it & reviewing some old favorite recipes in it.  And I'm still reading my Francine River's novel as well.


I am hoping… 
To have a date night for my birthday.  As much as I love lil J I haven't had a break in over a year & I would really like one.  We really can't afford to do a birthday party, but I told hubby I would really like a date night & that's ALL I really want for my birthday.


I am hearing… 
lil J playing with his toys & the breeze blowing outside; oh how I love the sound of the breeze, I love where I live sooo much simply because of the wonderful breeze here.   


Around the house… 
This morning while I was in the shower lil J (in his jumperoo) opened the drawer on the nightstand & pulled everything out!  He is toooo much sometimes.


Some of my favorite things… 
Family & friends & beautiful weather like today


A few plans for the rest of the week: 
Will probably need to go grocery shopping sometime this week, although there is nothing we are urgently needing yet, thank goodness.


I am praying… 
the same as last week, but also for my stepdaughter in her grief & anger regarding our husky


Here is a picture thought I am sharing:


Here is my little stinker from this morning

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Post partum Body Image & other ramblings

So my little boy is almost a year and a half these days.  While I am mostly back in shape after the pregnancy (been working out very consistently since 3 weeks after the c-section), I don't think my abs will ever be the same again.

Of course people ask me if I want to get a tummy tuck.  In my pre-pregnancy days I used to wonder if I would want a tummy tuck after having a child.  I always assumed it would depend on just how bad my tummy looked afterward.  I mean, no offense, but I've seen some horrible tummies (I'm a nurse) & the women always tell me that pregnancy did that to them.  So of course I was a little frightened, but at the same time I wondered why not EVERYONE ended up looking that way.

I had always tended to believe that if you were really fit prior to getting pregnant that your body would snap back much more easily & quickly, but having never been pregnant I was never really sure if this was correct.  But I would often see people who had never worked out a day in their life & they would get pregnant & they would have all these plans to start getting fit after having the baby & I would see them later on as the baby got older & older & their plans had not worked out.  It had occurred to me how difficult & stressful that would be as a person who had never worked out before, but what had not occurred to me before is how stressful having a new child in the home is on top of that!  It was easy for me I believe because exercise is such a regular habit in my life.  I only had one stressor to deal with (the new baby) rather than two (trying to start an exercise routine AND a new baby).

And so I finally ended up pregnant & I have to admit that I was very fit at the time.  Just prior to the pregnancy I was doing a lot of weightlifting & lifting VERY heavy weights & I was VERY thin also.

I continued working out (doing pregnancy pilates, prenatal yoga, & spinning) through most of my pregnancy, I stopped somewhere in the third trimester after being placed on modified bed rest.

And while I was hoping to have a vaginal delivery (for an easier recovery) I ended up having an emergency c-section (for failure to dilate).  I had this horrible fear of abdominal surgery.  When I was 12 I had this massive surgery done on my ribcage & it hurt SOOOO bad.  But everyone kept telling me to be grateful that I had chest surgery & not abdominal surgery because abdominal is so much more painful.  I had believed this my whole life.  I even ended up having a second chest surgery later on & while it wasn't as painful as the first (didn't have any bones cut like in the first one, only skin & muscle the second time), it was still painful & a difficult recovery.  So when I had the c-section I thought it was going to be so much worse than the chest surgeries & I have to say it was not at all.  I have to say that chest surgery is the worst--you use your chest muscles so much more than abdomen & it's a MUCH tougher recovery.  Because of this my c-section recovery was a breeze for me & I was going for hour long walks about a week & a half after my delivery & I started working out again 3 weeks after.

It wasn't long at all before everyone kept commenting on the fact that I didn't look like I had a baby at all!  And so I have to believe that my thoughts on being fit prior are truly accurate.

As for that tummy tuck.  Well my tummy is not where it was prior to getting pregnant.  Yes, the muscles are strong & fit & flat, but there is still some loose skin there that is never going to go away.  I've traded in my bikini for a tankini now.  And as for that tummy tuck?  I thought long & hard about it & this is how I feel:

1) My body is this way because I had a BABY, it's not like I was eating junk food & being a couch potato.
2) I am actually quite proud of how good I do look after having a baby (especially considering I had him in my late 30s & I gained a whopping 47 lbs during my pregnancy) & am very proud of what I've accomplished through diet & exercise.  If I was to have a tummy tuck I wouldn't be able to look in the mirror & be proud of my accomplishment anymore.

So no, I have no desire to have a tummy tuck.  I am not against plastic surgery at all & I am not judging anyone who has had, is going to have, or just wants to have, a tummy tuck.  But for ME I feel plastic surgery needs to be reserved for things that cannot be changed by diet & exercise.

Weight Revisited (& health in general)

So I followed Suzanne Somers diet for close to 2 weeks.  Then I got sick.  I was nauseated & had a bad headache & was very dizzy for a little over a week.  When I'm nauseated all I can stomach is carbs.  So of course I fell off my diet.

But I have to admit I was not enjoying this diet at all.  I wasn't feeling good, not in a healthy detoxing my body sort of way, but in a heavy, eating too much protein sort of way.  It was also a little too expensive to keep up right now.  Our finances are tight & I've been working hard to stretch the expensive food items like meat--lots of stir fries, pasta dishes, etc to stretch our budget right now.

So I did some thinking about my weight, my health, & food in general.  I know that technically I am not overweight, yet I still like the way I feel & look when I'm a few pounds lighter than I currently am.  I struggle back & forth with this all the time.

And for several years now I have been studying the food system in our country & it is oh so disgusting.  We buy a lot of organic & try to eat as healthy as we can.  But I just keep on learning more & more awful things.  I was a vegetarian for 10 years at one point in my life (from age 15-25).  I ended up stopping just because I didn't like having to be so legalistic about it once you label yourself a "vegetarian".  Like if I was eating out & wanted soup I couldn't order soup with a meat broth, that sort of thing.  So at the age of 25 I decided to just eat whatever I really "wanted" to eat.  And of course I ended up going along with the mainstream eventually & eating meat on a daily basis.

Now there are some meat items that I do enjoy, like roast beef, turkey sandwiches, & a few others.  But for the past couple of days I have stopped eating meat & am doing fine.  Of course it's a little more challenging when I'm cooking for a family of devout meat eaters, but I am confident that I can make it work.  Eating out was never a problem for me in the past when I was a vegetarian, so I'm not even worried about that at all.  Of course I will still allow myself dairy & eggs & fish on occasion, especially when eating out.

This should also help to cut down on our grocery budget as meat is our biggest expense & now I won't be eating any.  So that's also a plus.

So for now I'm putting any dieting plans on hold & just trying to get back into the vegetarian swing of things & I'll see where my weight ends up & then later on decide if I still want/need to lose a few pounds.