Something is Finally Clicking

I haven't written about my diet in a long time because it has not been going well. I'm good for a couple days then I sabotage myself. I'm not sure why I keep doing this. I would use any excuse to ignore what I'm suppose to be doing. Typical excuses were eating at the in laws, stressful days, celebrations, etc. My weight has been ping ponging back and forth by about 5 lbs.

Four days ago I was reading Candy's blog. She is also doing the 365 photo challenge. She was celebrating getting to day 28 of the challenge. She wrote that it takes 28 days of doing something to become a habit.

Something clicked for me when reading that. I have done the first 28 days of the photo challenge too, so why couldn't I do 28 days of Weight Watchers without cheating? I have decided to look at the diet as a 28 day challenge. Sometimes looking at the plan as a lifelong change is too overwhelming. I know it doesn't make a ton of sense. What I do know is that the last 3 days it has been a lot easier to stick with the diet. Maybe writing that things are going to change is a little premature but I'm feeling hopeful that I will be able to wear a bathing suit this summer without being self conscious or at least not hating my body the whole time.

Taking Time for Me

The year of mom is a great idea. All too often, we moms let time and things for us go. The year of mom is all about prioritizing yourself. This year I vow to work on myself. As a stay at home mom, I feel totally focused on the kids and their needs. Obviously I still need to be a good mom but sometimes I need to take time for myself too. I'm also not going to feel guilty about taking said time. The husband and I have worked out a plan to take more alone time. I plan to work on my blog, go to the gym more often, jog again, and work on being a better photographer. All these things will help me be a better person and thus a better mom. Isn't that what it is all about anyway?

This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Sitter City.

Enjoying the "warm" weather.

It is above freezing here today. We took advantage of the "warm" weather and the kids, Maximus, and I played outside. It is a pain to bundle them up but we were all going stir crazy. The kids and dog had a blast stomping through the ice crusted snow and playing on the swing set.

Skywatch Friday

Go to Skywatch Friday to see skies from all around the world.

Day 29

We got hit by another storm yesterday. The snow and ice are pretty but I'm ready for spring.

Enough

Day 28

Davey says enough photos!

Wordless Wednesday

Splashing Fun.

Check out 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

Self Portrait

Feeling brave I took a close up.
17/365

Do I look coy?

Ticked Off Tuesday-Sleep Issues

Kids wait till you get really comfortable in a routine, then they change it completely. Davey is 20 months old and Caitlin is 3 1/2 years old. I would think I am way beyond sleep issues. Fortunately we haven't had many but one day a week for the last two weeks Davey had gotten up around 5 am. He simply doesn't want to be in his crib. I tried to put him back in but he was not having it. I took him to the living room, laid on the couch, and let him sleep on my chest. He seemed content and fell back to sleep till after 7 am. I on the other hand do not fall back to sleep for the whole time.

Yesterday Davey pulled the same wake up routine at 5 am. This time Caitlin saw me with Davey and insisted she wanted to sleep on the couch with us too. I didn't fall back to sleep at all with both of them resting on me.

I'm ticked off that I can't figure out why he is waking up. I worry about it becoming a routine.

As annoying as the early wake ups are, there is something more annoying and that is when my dear husband rationalizes with me that we went to bed early so I got 7 hours of sleep and therefore should not be tired. Said the man who slept for two more hours. It is enough to make me scream. Telling me this doesn't make me feel less tired.

PS-For the record I got closer to 6 1/2 hours of sleep.
PPS-I still love you Dave even if you make me scream sometimes.

Pondering

Day 26

Caitlin looking very thoughtful during her bath tonight.

Not Me Monday

I did not remove several pieces of furniture in my living room to prevent my son from climbing and thus making my living room look bare. I did not duck tape my son's pajamas to prevent him from getting naked. I did not use my son's sleep sack as a straight jacket to prevent him from climbing out of his crib. It is also backward so he doesn't unzip it and get cold.

Day 25 photo

Go to My Charming Kids to check out more Not Me Monday.

Weekly Winners-All About the Kids

My favorite shots were all the kids this week. Hope you like them. Don't forget to go to Sarcastic Mom for more weekly winners.

He loves his dino friend.

When fish attack.

I want to nibble that tummy.

Cheese. Check out his busted lip.

Flying.

And one pretty tree.

Putting Me on the Schedule

It is so easy to lose your sense of self when you are a parent. I love being a parent but I miss having time for me. The kids always come first. I make sure that the kids have enough activities to entertain them and educate. I forget to schedule time for me. For Dave. For me and Dave.

Dave and I have talked about this recently. We decided that we need to schedule time for each of us to do things we enjoy by ourselves and also together. Today Dave took the kids to his parents to visit. I am enjoying being by myself. I thought I would go to the gym since I don't get to go often enough but I may just make lunch, read blogs, and watch really bad reality tv with Maximus. I don't think it matters what I do as long as it is something I want to do.

I am also going to get a babysitter at least once a month so Dave and I can go out and connect as a couple and not just as parents. But we probably will end up talking about the kids a lot and that is ok too.

So to find balance I am going to put me on the schedule.

24/365

This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by BOCA

Day 22 and 23 Photos

This is the first time (but not the last I'm sure) that I didn't post the photos on the day but I still took them on the day. To make up for the lack of post yesterday, I'm posting extra photos. Hope you enjoy them.

Experimenting with motion and camera settings. 22/365

Enjoying a popsicle. 22/365

The cute kids. 23/265

Snuggled down. 23/265

Dancing. 23/265

What happened when I wasn't looking...

Day 21-Cute mischievous thing

While I vacuumed Davey got himself completely naked. I wish his diaper wasn't dirty. I stuck him in a onesie after this.

Wordless Wednesday

For more wordless Wednesday check out 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordless Wednesday.

Day 20

Davey and I went to his gymnastics class. It isn't really a gymnastics class. It is more of an open gym. That is probably better anyway since Davey doesn't stop moving. He has a blast.

Good Luck Mr. President

It is hard to be ticked off today with a new president taking office. So Ticked Off Tuesday will return next week I'm sure.

Honestly I wasn't thrilled by any candidates this past election but I feel once the president is in office everyone should try to support him. It is hard to not get excited by the prospect of a new beginning. While I don't agree with all of Obama's policies. I still feel hopeful. Obama has made a lot of people interested in politics. People are getting involved. Look at the how many people are attending the inauguration! I hope people don't lose interest after he is in office.

I feel proud that America has elected its first black president. I hope that means that American is a place where anyone can really accomplish their dreams.

I hope that the President and congress can work together to get things done to turn around the economy and the war. I really I hope Barack Obama is a great president. We need him to be.

Day 19

This beautiful tree is in my neighbor's yard. It is part of my view when I wash dishes. I love the sharp angles of the branches. It looks pretty with the snow outlining the branches. As pretty as it looks, I would love to see something other than snow. I'm longing for spring.

Vamos

Caitlin: Let's vamos

Dave: Um, where did she learn that?

Me: She is practically bilingual. She watches Dora the Explorer, Handy Manny, and Go Diego Go! Education by television. Isn't it great!

Day 18-Cuddling

My cute family cuddling under the blanket and reading stories.

Weekly Winners

Looking straight ahead.

Loving the snow.

Is it bedtime yet?

Go to Sarcastic Mom's weekly winners to check out some great shots.

The Guardian

17/365
Always protecting us

How I Spent My Day

Despite Davey's cold, he was up to his usual antics. That meant that I continued to remove him from dangerous places when I wasn't busy photographing his mischief.

16/365

Caught in the act.

No Big Government

Caitlin, Davey, Maximus, and I were all running around the house having fun. Maximus, the wonder dog, took the horse play a little too far and starting to mouth my arm. I yelled at him to stop. Caitlin then started to yell at him "No more big government. No big government."

Is she watching Bill O'Reilly again?

Day 15

The little girl requested that I take her picture. How could I refuse?

The Tale of the Diappearing Diaper

The wind was howling. The heat was out. We were stuck waiting for the repairman. I let the kids stay in their pajamas with sweatshirts over them to keep warm. I changed Davey after his morning poop. Fast forward to noon, I lift Davey up to read him a story. When I lift him, I notice something peculiar. I can't feel a diaper on Davey's tush. Hmmm...I unzip his jammies and there is no diaper. I can't believe that I forgot to diaper him.

I haven't done that since those really sleep deprived days of the kids' first weeks. I only did that once or twice with each of them. They both peed rather quickly and were changed quickly. So then I wonder how it is Davey hasn't peed since 8 am. Rather curious.

Fast forward to 2pm, the repairman has fixed the heat. I decided to change the kids into regular daytime clothes now that it is not so cold. When I take Davey's jammies off, I find him with a diaper on his tush and another soggy one in the leg of one of his jammies. Yuck. I can't believe that I didn't realize that the diaper was in his jammies. Poor kid. I did feel better that I didn't forget to re-diaper him. I'm not going totally senile but this isn't exactly a glowing report of my mental state either.

When Crafting Goes Awry

We have been stuck in the house all day, (thanks to the below zero temperatures and the kids' cold). Things got a little out of hand at craft time today. It was well worth the mess to entertain them for a half an hour.

My "all stars"

A rousing game of hide and seek ensued after craft time.

Day 14

Wordless Wednesday

Little boy + Big Field + Lots of Snow = Lots of Fun

Day 13

Caitlin walking the dog.

Ticked Off Tuesday Kinda

I'm ticked off that I can't remember what was ticking me off earlier this week. Man I'm getting old. If I don't write stuff down, forget about it. It is like it never happened. I use my 3 year old to help me remember what to buy at the grocery store. Then I blame her if I forget something important like her Yogos. Hee hee that like never happens. Yogos are too important for her to forget. Her constant chanting in the store helps too.

What you are ticked off about? Feel free to comment or link. Next week I promise to remember what is ticking me off. Probably.

Day 12

I love this dog.

First Sledding Ride By Herself

Day 11
I'm so proud of how brave she is.

Weekly Winners-Winter Mix

We have had a great mix of winter weather here. We have had cold, rain, sleet, ice, and today snow. Here are some of my favorite shots this week.

Icy beauty

Fresh paw prints

Icy lights

Gorgeous sky 1

Gorgeous sky 2

Go to Sarcastic Mom's weekly winners to check out some great shots.