Committing

I am committing to one month of Weight Watchers. I big part of the problem is I stop the counting of points after 2-3 days. If I don't see instant results, I get discouraged. I was going to do the South Beach Diet but I know with the kids birthday party coming up I won't be able to stick to that. So I'm counting points (bleh), reducing carbs, and trying to eat more good for me foods and less junk. I'll let you know how it goes. The big challenge will be the kids party on Saturday. I love cake. Mmmm, cake. Just a little piece is ok as long as I count it.

insanity

One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I guess I'm a little insane. I'm just realizing now that what I'm doing diet wise is not working. I need to figure out what is going to work for me. I did Weight Watchers when I was breastfeeding with very little success but I also have done it before that with much more success. I've done South Beach too with success. I just need to actually commit to something, prepare for it, and stick with it. I probably should have gotten serious before now considering swim suit season (for most people) is starting this weekend. If I start now maybe I will want to wear one by the end of the summer.

I have made one positive change recently. I got a gym membership. I found a local gym that really is only $10 a month even with all their fees. I figure realistically I can only go 1-2 times a week. This gym doesn't have babysitting but I don't feel comfortable leaving the kids with a sitter I don't know anyway. I joined because I wanted to start lifting weights again. I wanted to feel strong again. I've been going about a month which equates to only 5 times but I feel better about myself even if the scale hasn't moved yet. That is the most important thing anyway.

Mmmm, beer

Dave said I should write about the beers I had last weekend. I had 3 1/2 glasses of beer. I got trashed. I have become a cheap date.

We went out last weekend with our friends Jeff and Becky. They are good friends that we don't see nearly enough considering they live fairly close by. Life gets busy. We don't get out much anymore. We went out for Thai food. It was BYOB. That made dinner significantly cheaper. It was great to have adult conversation, good food, and good beers. My parents babysat the kids so when we returned I even got that teenager trying to pass one over her parents feeling. I held it together pretty well so I don't think they suspected.

I am glad the kids are getting a little older. I don't feel so worried about leaving them. I know their grandparents can handle them but it is not fun to babysit the inconsolable infant looking for breast milk from the breast. Cow milk make things a lot easier. I am looking forward to getting out more. Maybe once of twice a month, if we can get sitters. I look forward to reconnecting with old friends.

Whats going on with the girls?

I'm not sure what is going on with my girls. When I weaned Caitlin, the ladies went back to their original size (although not their original shape) before I even finished the weaning process. It has been over 3 weeks since I have weaned Davey completely. I can not cram them to the non-nursing bras without the boob spilling over the top. WTF. I know some people would love to have bigger breasts. I wouldn't be opposed to it but I had a serious Victoria's Secret addiction before the kids. I have a gazillion bras in the now too small size. It would also be nice to return to wearing only one sports bra to jog. If I try to do that now, I attract too much attention and I injure my skin. Dave would love to see me in a bra that doesn't cause uniboob. I know I need to lose more weight so maybe the boobs will lose some too. So I'm wondering if I'm just going to take longer to return to normal or if this is normal. I guess time will tell.

Adventures

Caitlin and Dave in the casino lobby

When you first have a baby getting out of the house is an adventure. You are sleep deprived and if you stay home you feel isolated. When I was having a bad day with my daughter I would pack us up and go an adventure. The adventure could be any trip out of the house. We spent lots of time walking the aisles of the grocery store. She loved looking at the lights on the ceiling and seeing different surroundings. We went on lots of walks around the neighborhood with Maxiumus the wonder dog in tow. Walking the 100 lb yellow lab is always an adventure. We went to story time at the library, gym classes, mom and me pre-school classes, and playgroups.

When your baby is very young, these outings are mostly for you, the mom. It is so important to get out of the house. The babies enjoy a change of scenery but I enjoyed meeting other moms and having adult conversation before my husband got home. While it is great to enrich your child's life and expose them to different experiences it is vital to be good to yourself too.

That brings me to the weirdest place I ever took my new baby. It was a bachelorette party at a casino. One of my best friends was getting married a couple months after I had my daughter. The bachelorette party was 6 weeks after I had Caitlin. I didn't want to miss my friend's party. I was feeling like I was missing out on social stuff. I was still adjusting to my new life, which I love now. With my very understanding husband we packed the car with all the baby gear and started the hour and fifteen minute drive to the casino. I felt like a bit of a creep walking into the casino with a baby but I had a great time. Dave and Caitlin stayed in the party room while I was partying with the girls. I came back to breastfeed between activities. (Caitlin wouldn't take a bottle yet which was the main reason Dave and Caitlin made the trip.) Dave played with Caitlin in the room. He did venture out to get some dinner so she got to see the casino too. The trip made me realize that although my life had forever changed, it didn't mean I was going to miss out on fun stuff like a bachelorette party.

I found the website Rookie moms after I had Caitlin. It is full of great ideas to entertain your baby, get out of the house, and stay sane. The Parents Blogger Network is having a blog blast to celebrate The Rookie Mom’s Handbook and encourage moms to do fun stuff their first year on motherhood. They are giving away some cool prizes so be sure to post this weekend.