Yesterday my five-year-old son, affectionately known here as "Nas", started "Kindie Camp". When I would tell friends and family about it I would ramble on and on about what the kids do while they are at camp, until my Mom dubbed it, simply, "where kids go learn to be kindergartners." Yep, that's it.
Anyway, today I had to take Jay to a summer dance workshop that started at 11. Nas is out of Kindie Camp at 11:30 so I figured I'd just sit in the car, read my magazine and wait until time to pick him up. So I'm sitting in the car enjoying an article about Angie Harmon, just reading along. I was a bit distracted because it was a bit warm sitting there so I noticed a mom and daughter picking up what sounded like "lettuce" from the front office - more likely letters - I noticed the purple car my daughter's 3rd grade teacher drives, then I happened to glance over at the playground.
I'm not sure if I've mentioned it here but from time to time I worked during lunch and recess throughout the past two school years so I'd spent a whole heck of a lot of time on the playground. It's where I tied a 1st grader's shoes almost daily, the same 1st grader. It's where I listened to bright-eyed little girls who seemed to be thrilled to talk to me. It's where I got tanned on the warmer days and wore head-to-toe gear on the cold days. I'd even imagined it would be where Nas would play as a kindergartner. Imagined.
Today, that image came live and in color. I glanced up and didn't think much of the playground until I saw a black head of hair appear then disappear behind the equipment. It was my Nas. I caught another glimpse of him jumping off the equipment onto the ground below and...I...LOST it! It was an uncontrollable loss of composure that forced me to remove my sunglasses and just let it happen. It was inevitable because I am the emotional one who cries at every school event and, for sure, on every first day of school. I'm "that" mom.
There I sat, crying like I'd been punched in the gut because my little boy - my baby - was enjoying the playground with other kindies. He became one of the kindies I had to watch like a hawk during recess, they are quite young after all. I knew then that I am no longer in a transitional phase of motherhood, I've made the transition from being the mother of young kids to the mother of school-aged kids. That phase really is over. I knew the process started on Nas' last day of preschool - and it ended right there in the parking lot as I soaked the pages of Woman's Day magazine with my mommy tears.
There are so many blog entries here from years ago where I rejoiced in the mother of young children phase, and others where I, well...didn't rejoice. It seems all-consuming when you're knee deep in having babies, bottle feeding or breast feeding, getting them to sleep through the night, all of those doctor's appointments, potty-training, play groups, preschool...but like anything else, it all comes to an end.
Maybe today's flood of emotion is my bridge to the other side. I've been very hesitant to cross because this side of motherhood is familiar to me, now, after nine years. I guess I should just take a deep breath and take one step at a time and wait another however many years to adjust to that side of motherhood - only to have to come to the end of yet another phase. Who signed me up for this?!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Summer Love
Growing up I hated summertime. HATED. I had a strong dislike for bugs, being hot, sweating, feeling dirty - all of this made me dread summer. Back then my family lived in crazy-humid Dayton, Ohio which didn't help!
In the past couple of years I have found myself enjoying the outdoors more and more - I even LOVE summer and so many things about it. I look forward to warm days, the sun on my face and the breezy, cool summer Colorado nights. I'm not sure what evolved, but I look forward to the few months of warmth. Maybe because of my tendency to suffer from low iron - I STAY cold in the winter - that might be the #1 reason I can say I love summer.
There are plenty of things to dislike about summer - I know, I had a running list very recently - but there are so many wonderful things! Just knowing we're almost in July makes me sad because the summer is moving too fast! Although I must say I'm an 85-degree kind of girl...much warmer than that and I'm seeking shade!
What do you love about summer? Here are a few things I've thought of over the last few days since my daughter was finally set free from school ;) JUNE 22 no less!
- Fresh fruit/veggies that tastes best in summer months
- Going barefoot (I detest shoes if they can be avoided)
- Freedom from schedules
- Family trips
- Green grass
- Sitting in front of our house watching butterflies visit our flowers
- Sitting in front of our house with friends/family/a book or magazine
- Sitting in front of our house bright and early with a tasty cup of coffee
- Spending time in the mountains with my family
- Driving with my windows down singing a fun song while the wind blows through my hair
- Farmers Markets
- Sitting out on the deck for lunch with the kids
- Beautiful colors that make our state "Colorful Colorado"
- Our wedding anniversary...of course!
- The smell of food on the grill
- The leisurely state of mind most people seem to take on
- Playing in the sprinklers with the kids
- LEMONADE...especially if it's Strawberry Lemonade!
- Lighter eating habits
- Summer rain
- Going sleeveless, summer dresses, sandals, flip-flops
- Waking to a SUNNY morning and the later sunset
Need I go on? Yes, I most definitely love summer and try to enjoy something on this list every day. I know, for sure, the dark fall is coming soon enough. At least I can say, come October, I fully enjoyed my summer! I hope you are too!
In the past couple of years I have found myself enjoying the outdoors more and more - I even LOVE summer and so many things about it. I look forward to warm days, the sun on my face and the breezy, cool summer Colorado nights. I'm not sure what evolved, but I look forward to the few months of warmth. Maybe because of my tendency to suffer from low iron - I STAY cold in the winter - that might be the #1 reason I can say I love summer.
There are plenty of things to dislike about summer - I know, I had a running list very recently - but there are so many wonderful things! Just knowing we're almost in July makes me sad because the summer is moving too fast! Although I must say I'm an 85-degree kind of girl...much warmer than that and I'm seeking shade!
What do you love about summer? Here are a few things I've thought of over the last few days since my daughter was finally set free from school ;) JUNE 22 no less!
- Fresh fruit/veggies that tastes best in summer months
- Going barefoot (I detest shoes if they can be avoided)
- Freedom from schedules
- Family trips
- Green grass
- Sitting in front of our house watching butterflies visit our flowers
- Sitting in front of our house with friends/family/a book or magazine
- Sitting in front of our house bright and early with a tasty cup of coffee
- Spending time in the mountains with my family
- Driving with my windows down singing a fun song while the wind blows through my hair
- Farmers Markets
- Sitting out on the deck for lunch with the kids
- Beautiful colors that make our state "Colorful Colorado"
- Our wedding anniversary...of course!
- The smell of food on the grill
- The leisurely state of mind most people seem to take on
- Playing in the sprinklers with the kids
- LEMONADE...especially if it's Strawberry Lemonade!
- Lighter eating habits
- Summer rain
- Going sleeveless, summer dresses, sandals, flip-flops
- Waking to a SUNNY morning and the later sunset
Need I go on? Yes, I most definitely love summer and try to enjoy something on this list every day. I know, for sure, the dark fall is coming soon enough. At least I can say, come October, I fully enjoyed my summer! I hope you are too!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Sibling Bliss
In February 2004 Babe and I found out we would be welcoming Baby #2 in early November. I was ecstatic because this baby was my life's mission after miscarrying the October before. That was my initial reaction anyway. When the dust settled I was thrilled at the idea that Jay, who turned three that February, would get to be a big sister just like I was to my younger sister. I imagined the day Baby #2 would arrive and how happy Jay would be to finally see the elusive baby we kept talking about throughout the pregnancy. There was much preparation to be had if I really wanted Jay to be all smiles upon meeting her baby 'brudder', so this became my life's mission!
Over the nine months we spent waiting and growing Nas, I read all kinds of magazines about bringing Baby #2 into the picture without leaving Baby #1 on the fringe. No way did I want my Jay to feel replaced because that simply was impossible to do! But without any effort on our part I knew it could get ugly. So after reading "make the baby HERS and she'll feel like she's the doting Big Sister" I decided this was ingenious, especially because Jay was already a little mama and would love being little mama to Nas. It worked like a charm! Although I must say she seemed a bit apprehensive about his arrival that late October afternoon, it wore off pretty quickly.
Fast-forward to today. If you have more than one child you know better than most that siblings have their moments. I don't know if they get tired of looking at each other, need more supplements of some sort, or just want to drive the parental units crazy, but more than one child is a recipe for plenty of arguments. That being said, they also have some really good times together. This is what I was shooting for when we decided we could go for Baby #2 - sibling bliss.
Nas is in his last year of preschool, therefore navigating the ins and outs of how kids treat each other and how he should react when he feels mistreated by friends. Jay is his best friend - hands down, his big sister is his go-to-girl when he needs to talk. So typically after homework is done and snacks have been chowed the kids will end up in the playroom together. One day when I walked past I overheard Nas telling Jay all about his day, the good, the bad and the ugly. (Side note: When I asked him how his day was all I got was, "Fine." Go figure.) I smiled when I heard him dish because if I'm not his confidante somebody needs to be and because "Sissy" is on my side (wink) I am pretty sure she'll come to me when need be - at least at this point.
They were playmates when Nas would sit in his high chair and Jay would make him laugh like no one else could. I know that when Mommy isn't with them, Jay is sure to take on the role ensuring Nas is safe and behaving the way he is expected to. I also know that if Nas needs anything and Sissy is the 'mommy figure' he will go to her first. Jay loves being the big sister and takes full advantage of her title, and she's darn good at it too! They stay up late on weekends, sleeping in the same room, laughing and talking, shushing each other when they hear a parent's footsteps nearby. And the laughter that fills our home when the kids get on a roll is just what I signed up for when we decided two kids sounded doable.
Two sets of clothes with the change of each season: $200; Ibuprofen for the headaches caused by Wii arguments: $7; Movie tickets for two kids: $18; The blissful bond shared between a sister and a brother: Priceless.
Over the nine months we spent waiting and growing Nas, I read all kinds of magazines about bringing Baby #2 into the picture without leaving Baby #1 on the fringe. No way did I want my Jay to feel replaced because that simply was impossible to do! But without any effort on our part I knew it could get ugly. So after reading "make the baby HERS and she'll feel like she's the doting Big Sister" I decided this was ingenious, especially because Jay was already a little mama and would love being little mama to Nas. It worked like a charm! Although I must say she seemed a bit apprehensive about his arrival that late October afternoon, it wore off pretty quickly.
Fast-forward to today. If you have more than one child you know better than most that siblings have their moments. I don't know if they get tired of looking at each other, need more supplements of some sort, or just want to drive the parental units crazy, but more than one child is a recipe for plenty of arguments. That being said, they also have some really good times together. This is what I was shooting for when we decided we could go for Baby #2 - sibling bliss.
Nas is in his last year of preschool, therefore navigating the ins and outs of how kids treat each other and how he should react when he feels mistreated by friends. Jay is his best friend - hands down, his big sister is his go-to-girl when he needs to talk. So typically after homework is done and snacks have been chowed the kids will end up in the playroom together. One day when I walked past I overheard Nas telling Jay all about his day, the good, the bad and the ugly. (Side note: When I asked him how his day was all I got was, "Fine." Go figure.) I smiled when I heard him dish because if I'm not his confidante somebody needs to be and because "Sissy" is on my side (wink) I am pretty sure she'll come to me when need be - at least at this point.
They were playmates when Nas would sit in his high chair and Jay would make him laugh like no one else could. I know that when Mommy isn't with them, Jay is sure to take on the role ensuring Nas is safe and behaving the way he is expected to. I also know that if Nas needs anything and Sissy is the 'mommy figure' he will go to her first. Jay loves being the big sister and takes full advantage of her title, and she's darn good at it too! They stay up late on weekends, sleeping in the same room, laughing and talking, shushing each other when they hear a parent's footsteps nearby. And the laughter that fills our home when the kids get on a roll is just what I signed up for when we decided two kids sounded doable.
Two sets of clothes with the change of each season: $200; Ibuprofen for the headaches caused by Wii arguments: $7; Movie tickets for two kids: $18; The blissful bond shared between a sister and a brother: Priceless.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Non-Traditional Student...Now that's an understatement
In the few days following my last post to now I have decided that I am ready to go back to school to finish my college degree. For me, this is BIG because I had a pretty rough experience at the university I chose to attend from 1996 - 2000, so rough that I had no interest in giving it another whirl. Thanks to a Mommy-Friend of mine, I actually started considering higher ed again.
I've seen stories on TV about women graduating from college at ages ranging anywhere from 50 to 90, so this thing is doable. A mother of two kids in elementary school, unemployed for about 5 years, whose only daily stimulation has come from 'curing' random illnesses - preferably cures of the natural kind, and remembering math symbols and terms that I haven't used in years to help Jay with her homework, you could call me Non-Traditional. This is what my college counselor and professors get to mold - a mommy lump of clay.
Along with my lack of worldly or academic experience, I'm not a real fast learner. I know, that sounds "special", but I read slowly, I must read in a silent setting, I'm pretty good at math unless you start talking Geometry or beyond. I'm a Liberal Arts girl at heart, why they see fit for me to delve into courses like Statistics is beyonnnnnnd me. Just when I think I have one concept licked they throw another one my way - college is going to be a trip!
With that said, 11 years under my belt since my last attempt at college has taught me lessons no college course ever even touched on:
There is nothing to fear but fear itself. Sure a history class would have taught me that FDR said something along these lines, but the truth is I spent most of my life using FEAR as the basis of most of my decisions. Not so much anymore. I have learned that if I don't push past my fear - in this case, honestly, fear of failure - I will never accomplish anything for I have never 'woman-ed' up enough to even try. So although I think back on my many 'issues' as a teenager in college, I'm in a different, better place. I've grown up and know the true value of an education. An education opens doors, doors that enclose the world of possibilities for my life. Fear is not riding shotgun on this trip!
Nothing worth doing is ever easy. Another quote, but applicable all the same. Babe tells me I can't be afraid to work hard in the gym - the sentiment applies to every area of my life, not just fitness. I used to act like working hard in school, thinking too hard or truly learning a concept might turn my brain to mush. Like lifting a 5 pound weight at the gym is really going to do anything for a seasoned female body builder. No, that woman's going to have to step it up or she'll never get any fresh results. That's how I'm feeling about college - it won't be easy, but I'll enlist every bit of help I need this time around to get it done. Something about college back then turned me into an academic pansy - this time it'll make my brain the capable powerhouse I know it can and should be.
I know life is going to get crazy-busy when I start school this fall, I'll have to organize and prioritize like never before, but at 31 with both kids in school there's nowhere to go but up in regards to becoming even more of the woman God intended me to be. He gave me a chance to raise my babies, a time when my focus was completely on them, and now that they are off to a great start I feel like all eyes are on me. I'm as ready as I'll ever be.
I've seen stories on TV about women graduating from college at ages ranging anywhere from 50 to 90, so this thing is doable. A mother of two kids in elementary school, unemployed for about 5 years, whose only daily stimulation has come from 'curing' random illnesses - preferably cures of the natural kind, and remembering math symbols and terms that I haven't used in years to help Jay with her homework, you could call me Non-Traditional. This is what my college counselor and professors get to mold - a mommy lump of clay.
Along with my lack of worldly or academic experience, I'm not a real fast learner. I know, that sounds "special", but I read slowly, I must read in a silent setting, I'm pretty good at math unless you start talking Geometry or beyond. I'm a Liberal Arts girl at heart, why they see fit for me to delve into courses like Statistics is beyonnnnnnd me. Just when I think I have one concept licked they throw another one my way - college is going to be a trip!
With that said, 11 years under my belt since my last attempt at college has taught me lessons no college course ever even touched on:
There is nothing to fear but fear itself. Sure a history class would have taught me that FDR said something along these lines, but the truth is I spent most of my life using FEAR as the basis of most of my decisions. Not so much anymore. I have learned that if I don't push past my fear - in this case, honestly, fear of failure - I will never accomplish anything for I have never 'woman-ed' up enough to even try. So although I think back on my many 'issues' as a teenager in college, I'm in a different, better place. I've grown up and know the true value of an education. An education opens doors, doors that enclose the world of possibilities for my life. Fear is not riding shotgun on this trip!
Nothing worth doing is ever easy. Another quote, but applicable all the same. Babe tells me I can't be afraid to work hard in the gym - the sentiment applies to every area of my life, not just fitness. I used to act like working hard in school, thinking too hard or truly learning a concept might turn my brain to mush. Like lifting a 5 pound weight at the gym is really going to do anything for a seasoned female body builder. No, that woman's going to have to step it up or she'll never get any fresh results. That's how I'm feeling about college - it won't be easy, but I'll enlist every bit of help I need this time around to get it done. Something about college back then turned me into an academic pansy - this time it'll make my brain the capable powerhouse I know it can and should be.
I know life is going to get crazy-busy when I start school this fall, I'll have to organize and prioritize like never before, but at 31 with both kids in school there's nowhere to go but up in regards to becoming even more of the woman God intended me to be. He gave me a chance to raise my babies, a time when my focus was completely on them, and now that they are off to a great start I feel like all eyes are on me. I'm as ready as I'll ever be.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
It's this one thing
Way back in February 2001 I gave birth to a big ol' 8 pound 6 ounce baby girl who was, without a doubt, the prettiest baby I have ever seen. She had these rosy pink, plump little lips, eyes that slanted just right, and this mellow personality that was obviously her father's. All of this wrapped up in one little hospital blanket stole my heart, making my decision (and Babe's easy approval) to stay home with her an easy one.
Fast forward October 2004 when I was finally relieved of the duty of carrying my adorable, though itty bitty, 6 pound 12 ounce baby boy. Although this little cutie tortured my body for all nine months, I was committed to raising him "full time" the way I did Jay. Babe and I decided that two years would be plenty of time for me to be home.
Then came October 2006 (Nas' second birthday), October 2007, 2008, 2009 - and I'm still home. My little boy is in preschool for a few hours a day Monday through Thursday in preparation for all-things kindergarten and outside of that he plays, has playdates, or he hangs out with his Mommy. I'm truly blessed to be able to be home with my babies because it really is important to me to get my kids off to a good start - and this is one way I know how to do that.
So it's just this one thing that has my mind a bit disturbed. Mind you I'm a Virgo and I worry too much about ev-er-ee-thing. Although I have four months before my youngest even starts kindergarten, I'm thinking about, wondering about, concerned about, WORRIED about what I am going to do when August 2011 comes along and my li'l baby is gone to school all day along with my baby girl.
I have zero interest in administrative work, though that's what I have experience in. Working in retail might be okay and the hours might work out, but weekends? Um, no thanks. I don't have a zillion skills, I guess most people don't, but what in the world will I DO? Oh my. Writing, that's what I know how to do. I also edit, but without a handy-dandy degree those jobs are tough to come by. This ONE thing...one little thing and it has me baffled.
Whatever it is God has in store for me after I've devoted my entire being to my babies, my husband, our home, I know it is going to be good because, as other at-home moms know, the first five years are truly a labor of love and quite the adventure. I'm looking forward to whatever it is as I move into another chapter of my life, although I sure would love to know what's in store.
Fast forward October 2004 when I was finally relieved of the duty of carrying my adorable, though itty bitty, 6 pound 12 ounce baby boy. Although this little cutie tortured my body for all nine months, I was committed to raising him "full time" the way I did Jay. Babe and I decided that two years would be plenty of time for me to be home.
Then came October 2006 (Nas' second birthday), October 2007, 2008, 2009 - and I'm still home. My little boy is in preschool for a few hours a day Monday through Thursday in preparation for all-things kindergarten and outside of that he plays, has playdates, or he hangs out with his Mommy. I'm truly blessed to be able to be home with my babies because it really is important to me to get my kids off to a good start - and this is one way I know how to do that.
So it's just this one thing that has my mind a bit disturbed. Mind you I'm a Virgo and I worry too much about ev-er-ee-thing. Although I have four months before my youngest even starts kindergarten, I'm thinking about, wondering about, concerned about, WORRIED about what I am going to do when August 2011 comes along and my li'l baby is gone to school all day along with my baby girl.
I have zero interest in administrative work, though that's what I have experience in. Working in retail might be okay and the hours might work out, but weekends? Um, no thanks. I don't have a zillion skills, I guess most people don't, but what in the world will I DO? Oh my. Writing, that's what I know how to do. I also edit, but without a handy-dandy degree those jobs are tough to come by. This ONE thing...one little thing and it has me baffled.
Whatever it is God has in store for me after I've devoted my entire being to my babies, my husband, our home, I know it is going to be good because, as other at-home moms know, the first five years are truly a labor of love and quite the adventure. I'm looking forward to whatever it is as I move into another chapter of my life, although I sure would love to know what's in store.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Speaking of Food
People everywhere seem to be talking about FOOD. Good food, healthy food, fun food, naked food, just FOOD. And considering how focused I've had to become about food, it's kind of funny, ironic funny. But this time it came in the form of Jamie Oliver's "Food Revolution" television show and now I get to think more about what I'm putting into my children's bodies...my head is spinning.
My kids have never been difficult or picky eaters, they eat when they are hungry and have a wide range of foods, healthy and otherwise, that they enjoy. One hurdle passed. I know plenty of moms whose kids don't like much of anything and when the kids are served foods they like, the kids don't eat much of it. So in that respect, I have it easy. Jay and Nas eat salad, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, fruit, peas, and several other healthy foods. Dinner is typically an easy meal: we're all home together to eat, Babe cooks well, kids like veggies well enough, and we're all hungry! No real problems there.
For breakfast Babe and I trade off, and that's also a fairly easy meal. Fairly. Some time ago I vetoed sugary cereals for breakfast, they now get the "snack" title they deserve. If we have cereal for breakfast it has to have a low sugar content and it should be served with toast, an egg, meat of some sort, or something that will help get the kids through the morning. Oatmeal is pretty popular around here for breakfast, Eggo waffles with something on the side, an omelet from time to time...and on the weekends we usually have pancakes. Our dinners and breakfasts aren't always the picture of health, but we definitely make an effort most days.
Lunch is where things really get hairy. I know Jay gets sick of a sandwich at every lunch, but there's not much creativity - at least not that I know of yet - out there to help make a tasty lunch that is healthy and doesn't need to be heated. They call it "cold lunch" for a reason. But thanks to Jamie Oliver's new show, I will make an effort to pack yummy lunches that will be fuel for Jay's body and the rest of her day. After all, how can a child learn when their 'fuel' is trash? I put quality gas in my car in hopes that it will transport my precious cargo for as long as I need it to. I need to expect the same for the food I put into my children.
Salty, processed "turkey" from the local grocery store deli, PB&J made with PB that has partially hydrogenated oils as an ingredient, juice boxes with little fruit juice and a ton of sugar, the options aren't all that great. And although I don't think our school lunches are terrible, I definitely think my kids need to pack a lunch more often than they buy.
It's so much easier to have the kids buy lunch: planning, preparing, time taken when time is already limited, the list goes on. I get it, it'll be a challenge and require some effort. But I guess if it means they will be healthier in the long run, it's a challenge I have to accept.
My kids have never been difficult or picky eaters, they eat when they are hungry and have a wide range of foods, healthy and otherwise, that they enjoy. One hurdle passed. I know plenty of moms whose kids don't like much of anything and when the kids are served foods they like, the kids don't eat much of it. So in that respect, I have it easy. Jay and Nas eat salad, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, fruit, peas, and several other healthy foods. Dinner is typically an easy meal: we're all home together to eat, Babe cooks well, kids like veggies well enough, and we're all hungry! No real problems there.
For breakfast Babe and I trade off, and that's also a fairly easy meal. Fairly. Some time ago I vetoed sugary cereals for breakfast, they now get the "snack" title they deserve. If we have cereal for breakfast it has to have a low sugar content and it should be served with toast, an egg, meat of some sort, or something that will help get the kids through the morning. Oatmeal is pretty popular around here for breakfast, Eggo waffles with something on the side, an omelet from time to time...and on the weekends we usually have pancakes. Our dinners and breakfasts aren't always the picture of health, but we definitely make an effort most days.
Lunch is where things really get hairy. I know Jay gets sick of a sandwich at every lunch, but there's not much creativity - at least not that I know of yet - out there to help make a tasty lunch that is healthy and doesn't need to be heated. They call it "cold lunch" for a reason. But thanks to Jamie Oliver's new show, I will make an effort to pack yummy lunches that will be fuel for Jay's body and the rest of her day. After all, how can a child learn when their 'fuel' is trash? I put quality gas in my car in hopes that it will transport my precious cargo for as long as I need it to. I need to expect the same for the food I put into my children.
Salty, processed "turkey" from the local grocery store deli, PB&J made with PB that has partially hydrogenated oils as an ingredient, juice boxes with little fruit juice and a ton of sugar, the options aren't all that great. And although I don't think our school lunches are terrible, I definitely think my kids need to pack a lunch more often than they buy.
It's so much easier to have the kids buy lunch: planning, preparing, time taken when time is already limited, the list goes on. I get it, it'll be a challenge and require some effort. But I guess if it means they will be healthier in the long run, it's a challenge I have to accept.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
What I'm missing
It's been about a month and a half since I decided to become "vegetarian". I've learned a lot since day 1, but it definitely gets easier with every passing week. Going vegetarian (eating primarily veggies/fruits, no meat, cheese only on pizza, and eggs only in baked goods) has introduced new foods to my diet as well as some really great recipes, so what have I missed since January's change?
Oddly I haven't missed as many 'meaty' foods as I initially thought I would - and I'm so thankful! Though if I craved meat at every meal, or even just at dinner, I don't think I'd stay the vegetarian course. I must say a pot roast cooked in my Crock Pot for eight hours sounds really tasty sometimes - it was, after all, my favorite! A super-tender hunk of beef soaked in its own juices along with carrots, potatoes, and peppers made this girl very happy. Slap something green along the main event and I was set! Yep, I definitely miss pot roast.
Recently I took the kids to get lunch at Chick Fil-A and I had to WALK AWAY because those fried chicken breasts looked oh-so tasty. Chick Fil-A, pre-vegetarianism, was my favorite 'fast food' joint and just thinking about their Original chicken sandwich decorated with that buttery bun, two crinkle-cut pickles, and half a packet of mayo makes me want to try those 'fake chicken' patties Alicia Silverstone raved about on "Oprah".
I also miss meatloaf every now and then. I know, how many people love meatloaf? That was my requested birthday dinner many years in a row and my mom even treated me to her meatloaf, mashed potatoes, cabbage and cornbread the day Babe and I brought Jay home after she was born. Meatloaf kinda girl I was! Even now when Babe makes it, and he makes it quite well, I think - WHO decided going veg was a good idea?! But I have yet to break down and I hope I don't!
After almost 2 months of being a veggie girl I have lost, without even thinking about it, about six to eight pounds. Years upon years of dieting haven't yielded that kind of result that didn't require weird foods/shakes/point counting. I just ate til I was full and my body seems happy. This is one of my least important reasons for staying vegetarian because deep sleep and waking with energy like never before has me hooked. Sure, paying attention to what my body needs and balancing my diet through the day is definitely part of this fabulous way of life for me - but if it took eliminating meat, including my favorites!, I'm just glad to enjoy the benefits as they surely outweigh the yumminess of a Chik Fil-A sandwich, a pot roast or the meatloaf...COMBINED!!
Oddly I haven't missed as many 'meaty' foods as I initially thought I would - and I'm so thankful! Though if I craved meat at every meal, or even just at dinner, I don't think I'd stay the vegetarian course. I must say a pot roast cooked in my Crock Pot for eight hours sounds really tasty sometimes - it was, after all, my favorite! A super-tender hunk of beef soaked in its own juices along with carrots, potatoes, and peppers made this girl very happy. Slap something green along the main event and I was set! Yep, I definitely miss pot roast.
Recently I took the kids to get lunch at Chick Fil-A and I had to WALK AWAY because those fried chicken breasts looked oh-so tasty. Chick Fil-A, pre-vegetarianism, was my favorite 'fast food' joint and just thinking about their Original chicken sandwich decorated with that buttery bun, two crinkle-cut pickles, and half a packet of mayo makes me want to try those 'fake chicken' patties Alicia Silverstone raved about on "Oprah".
I also miss meatloaf every now and then. I know, how many people love meatloaf? That was my requested birthday dinner many years in a row and my mom even treated me to her meatloaf, mashed potatoes, cabbage and cornbread the day Babe and I brought Jay home after she was born. Meatloaf kinda girl I was! Even now when Babe makes it, and he makes it quite well, I think - WHO decided going veg was a good idea?! But I have yet to break down and I hope I don't!
After almost 2 months of being a veggie girl I have lost, without even thinking about it, about six to eight pounds. Years upon years of dieting haven't yielded that kind of result that didn't require weird foods/shakes/point counting. I just ate til I was full and my body seems happy. This is one of my least important reasons for staying vegetarian because deep sleep and waking with energy like never before has me hooked. Sure, paying attention to what my body needs and balancing my diet through the day is definitely part of this fabulous way of life for me - but if it took eliminating meat, including my favorites!, I'm just glad to enjoy the benefits as they surely outweigh the yumminess of a Chik Fil-A sandwich, a pot roast or the meatloaf...COMBINED!!
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Mommy Upgrade
If this is your first time reading my blog you may not know that I have two kids. My daughter is 9 and my son is 5. Since becoming a mother I have taken my job as a mother seriously - sometimes too seriously to where it consumes me, and sometimes I find myself getting too lax where child-rearing is concerned. A Mommy Upgrade is seriously overdue, but after this weekend my kids will be enlightened in a way only a Mommy can enlighten.
A Mommy Upgrade isn't something kids, mine or any other, are likely to fully enjoy initially, but because this is my JOB it is what I deem necessary to work myself out of this job. So this is is the deal: Every so often parents have to raise their level of expectation regarding the kiddies. If parents don't, kids will likely become stagnant and it is quite sad to see a healthy adult walking around with a child-like mind.
When my kids were babies I allowed them to be babies. I talked to them (a LOT!) although I didn't use that crazy baby-talk. It was my thinking that babies are people who need to grow up speaking English, not babbling, so full sentences - including some 'big' words - were the order of that baby phase. When the kids turned 2, they had to be upgraded. At 2 they were told that they were no longer babies - they were, after all, walking, talking, eating solid food, telling me "no", going potty and the like. The baby days were packed away at age 2. At age 4 they were upgraded again. It was time to get very serious about learning all-things preschool.
By age 5, it was time to start preparing for kindergarten. The kids need to know how to behave when there is another adult overseeing them. My neighbor hipped me to the idea that kids entering kindergarten need to be taught how to eat - preferably the entree before dessert - so Nas and I have talked about that while I still have him home. It's also a time the kids learn to talk to an adult, at school or anywhere else, when they need help. This "age 5" upgrade has proven to be the most intense upgrade - but it's still early!
My daughter hasn't seen an upgrade in awhile now and we are way overdue. I like to do upgrades for both of the kids at the same time because upgrades can be quite rigorous, so Nas gets the kindergarten upgrade along with the Domestic Duties upgrade.
The Domestic Duties upgrade is a full-week's schedule of age-appropriate chores. Each child has one, maybe two, chores a day that must be completed or privileges will be taken away. They will both be paid a fair amount on a weekly basis but the payment will not be based on whether chores are completed because I need my kids to learn to handle money; the sooner the better! The kids must learn to be part of the household in a way that requires effort on their part, but is fair based on their ages. I just might let some of the control-freak in me go so I can teach Jay to do laundry this summer - we'll see ;)
If I don't teach my kids to gradually become more independent I will have done them a disservice, and THAT is simply not an option. I will definitely fail them as a mother in one way or another, but when there are lessons to be taught that are staring me in the face I cannot just turn away, I owe it to them to upgrade them. And so I upgrade!
A Mommy Upgrade isn't something kids, mine or any other, are likely to fully enjoy initially, but because this is my JOB it is what I deem necessary to work myself out of this job. So this is is the deal: Every so often parents have to raise their level of expectation regarding the kiddies. If parents don't, kids will likely become stagnant and it is quite sad to see a healthy adult walking around with a child-like mind.
When my kids were babies I allowed them to be babies. I talked to them (a LOT!) although I didn't use that crazy baby-talk. It was my thinking that babies are people who need to grow up speaking English, not babbling, so full sentences - including some 'big' words - were the order of that baby phase. When the kids turned 2, they had to be upgraded. At 2 they were told that they were no longer babies - they were, after all, walking, talking, eating solid food, telling me "no", going potty and the like. The baby days were packed away at age 2. At age 4 they were upgraded again. It was time to get very serious about learning all-things preschool.
By age 5, it was time to start preparing for kindergarten. The kids need to know how to behave when there is another adult overseeing them. My neighbor hipped me to the idea that kids entering kindergarten need to be taught how to eat - preferably the entree before dessert - so Nas and I have talked about that while I still have him home. It's also a time the kids learn to talk to an adult, at school or anywhere else, when they need help. This "age 5" upgrade has proven to be the most intense upgrade - but it's still early!
My daughter hasn't seen an upgrade in awhile now and we are way overdue. I like to do upgrades for both of the kids at the same time because upgrades can be quite rigorous, so Nas gets the kindergarten upgrade along with the Domestic Duties upgrade.
The Domestic Duties upgrade is a full-week's schedule of age-appropriate chores. Each child has one, maybe two, chores a day that must be completed or privileges will be taken away. They will both be paid a fair amount on a weekly basis but the payment will not be based on whether chores are completed because I need my kids to learn to handle money; the sooner the better! The kids must learn to be part of the household in a way that requires effort on their part, but is fair based on their ages. I just might let some of the control-freak in me go so I can teach Jay to do laundry this summer - we'll see ;)
If I don't teach my kids to gradually become more independent I will have done them a disservice, and THAT is simply not an option. I will definitely fail them as a mother in one way or another, but when there are lessons to be taught that are staring me in the face I cannot just turn away, I owe it to them to upgrade them. And so I upgrade!
Friday, March 5, 2010
What's New?
Today Babe took Jay to pick up her first pair of glasses! Honestly I'm not the best about having the kids' eyes checked annually, but when she couldn't see the clock I use to keep my Wii playing time to a minimum, I knew she had a problem. At the optometrist's office Jay was asked to read a bunch of letters in varying sizes. I was amazed and how difficult this task was for her! Needless to say my baby girl is wearing glasses to help balance her nearsighted issue. Jay picked the "keeper" pair first, although she tried on a few pairs after - she looks so cute! And I'm glad to hear her say she can see things that are at a distance that were previously a bit blurry. Of course Nas wants glasses too. We'll have his vision checked once we know his letter recognition is SOLID. The doctor might think the kid is BLIND!!
This past week I took the kids to the school district admissions office to fill out the required paperwork for Nas to start kindergarten in August. If there is a more bittersweet moment than this one, I am not so sure what it is. Of course it was a day my darling 5-year-old son was driving me UP a wall and chasing me back down, so I watched him move from chair to chair in the admissions office thinking, "maybe this is more sweet than bitter?" But when your 'baby' goes to kindergarten it seems there is no more baby at all! Not that this is such a bad thing because I am a self-proclaimed lover of independence, but dropping him off at school at 8:00 a.m. and not seeing him again until 2:30 p.m. will take some getting used to. It definitely took some time to adjust to Jay being at school. But really there are so many variables in this life that could hinder my child from attending kindergarten that I remember to be thankful that he is capable of learning, healthy, and overall ready for this new stage of life. I am truly thankful! I am also glad August is 5 months away ;)
Jay attends a school that follows the year-round schedule so she's been off-track for the past 3 weeks. I love the year-round schedule because it allows us mini-breaks to spend extra time together. We stay up a little later (some nights!), enjoy lazy days when we are in jammies all day, play Barbies, spend afternoons in the warm Mile High sun with our friends, and laugh...a lot! It's just the right amount of time for kids to get caught up on sleep, take a family trip, then they're ready to head back by the end of week 3 (at least she is!).
Jay's school will go back to a traditional schedule next year and I'm not looking forward to it because we won't have this kind of free time spread throughout the year - we'll get one big chunk of a summer break. I must say I was afraid I'd hate the year-round schedule when she started second grade at her current school and I have loved it. Maybe traditional won't be so bad?
Things here have been good, no reason to complain at all! I'm excited to see what the rest of 2010 has in store for our little family - so far so good!
This past week I took the kids to the school district admissions office to fill out the required paperwork for Nas to start kindergarten in August. If there is a more bittersweet moment than this one, I am not so sure what it is. Of course it was a day my darling 5-year-old son was driving me UP a wall and chasing me back down, so I watched him move from chair to chair in the admissions office thinking, "maybe this is more sweet than bitter?" But when your 'baby' goes to kindergarten it seems there is no more baby at all! Not that this is such a bad thing because I am a self-proclaimed lover of independence, but dropping him off at school at 8:00 a.m. and not seeing him again until 2:30 p.m. will take some getting used to. It definitely took some time to adjust to Jay being at school. But really there are so many variables in this life that could hinder my child from attending kindergarten that I remember to be thankful that he is capable of learning, healthy, and overall ready for this new stage of life. I am truly thankful! I am also glad August is 5 months away ;)
Jay attends a school that follows the year-round schedule so she's been off-track for the past 3 weeks. I love the year-round schedule because it allows us mini-breaks to spend extra time together. We stay up a little later (some nights!), enjoy lazy days when we are in jammies all day, play Barbies, spend afternoons in the warm Mile High sun with our friends, and laugh...a lot! It's just the right amount of time for kids to get caught up on sleep, take a family trip, then they're ready to head back by the end of week 3 (at least she is!).
Jay's school will go back to a traditional schedule next year and I'm not looking forward to it because we won't have this kind of free time spread throughout the year - we'll get one big chunk of a summer break. I must say I was afraid I'd hate the year-round schedule when she started second grade at her current school and I have loved it. Maybe traditional won't be so bad?
Things here have been good, no reason to complain at all! I'm excited to see what the rest of 2010 has in store for our little family - so far so good!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Doctors - I'm Watching You
My nephew is 2 years old and he will look at you and say, "I'm watching you!" in a dead-serious tone that makes you feel like you'd better be on your best behavior. Well this is how I feel about doctors - and I hope they are on their best behavior because I don't trust them. I can't sugar-coat it because it's how I truly feel.
First things first, of course there are great doctors out there, but there are some doctors who make it all too obvious that they recommend procedures/specialists/prescriptions because they are getting something out of it. For those doctors, shame on you. When I go to the doctor I expect to know what makes the most sense for my health or for the health of my family - my kids especially. And because you went to school for such a long time, I assume you know how to read and think for yourself - therefore don't just go the way the tide carries you, do your research and pass on pertinent info to your patients to take or leave as they see fit.
Case in point: I have two kids, my daughter is 9 and my son is 5. They both have the vaccinations up to age 5 and now I'm having a hard time allowing God-knows-what to be injected into my kids. Yeah I know, they were poked for about 5 years already and I'm just getting the message. I've been doing a lot of reading on these vaccines and if what a bunch of doctors say about how unnecessary vaccines are is true, why then do pediatricians continue with the assembly line of kids coming in and out of their offices for the requisite shot (OR THREE)? Do we really know that these vaccines are necessary or are the doctors just hoping it all pans out? And why, when I mention the findings other pediatricians write about, am I told the same "Vaccinations have been proven safe" line? If that's the case, discredit all the said 'bunch of doctors' laid out for me in plain English against having my babies poked.
Oh no, it's not just vaccinations for me either. Cancer - this is a very heavy topic because I would guess everyone has been touched by it in some way. I'm very skeptical about this chemo/radiation set up they have going. It honestly scares me. But I'm sure doctors don't know any other way to help patients and aren't sure there are any other options. It just seems to me the only medical choice cancer patients have is to have the tumor(s) removed and tons of chemicals pumped into their bodies. Can this possibly be the only way? It really concerns me that maybe Chris Rock was right in that there is no money in the cure for cancer. The medications and procedures alone are probably a billion dollar industry, a cure wouldn't likely rake in the dough.
The last point I want to mention is how so many doctors shun alternative medicine. And why might that be? Maybe because someone like my chiropractor adjusting my spine so that my reproductive organs can function properly is cutting into the profits of the doctor who would have performed my partial-hysterectomy, which I was seriously considering! So many people think chiropractors are quacks, but hang on their doctor's every word like it is the gospel truth. Meditation, acupuncture, massage therapy, and so many other ways of allowing our bodies to heal themselves are looked upon as craziness - but my doctor has rarely done anything for me but push yet another prescription my way.
I've had my eye on doctors for some time now and often wonder if maybe they want to just treat the symptoms and not get to the root of the problem because it's not as profitable. So much of what is wrong with us, health-wise, could be relieved by regular exercise, sleep, eating right,and enjoying the good things in life. I don't think any of those areas requires any kind of prescription. But if you go in to see your doctor about aches or pains, heck a cold, you can bet you'll leave there with some version of a script.
I'm going to try to go it without your meds, just know Doctors - I'm Watching You.
First things first, of course there are great doctors out there, but there are some doctors who make it all too obvious that they recommend procedures/specialists/prescriptions because they are getting something out of it. For those doctors, shame on you. When I go to the doctor I expect to know what makes the most sense for my health or for the health of my family - my kids especially. And because you went to school for such a long time, I assume you know how to read and think for yourself - therefore don't just go the way the tide carries you, do your research and pass on pertinent info to your patients to take or leave as they see fit.
Case in point: I have two kids, my daughter is 9 and my son is 5. They both have the vaccinations up to age 5 and now I'm having a hard time allowing God-knows-what to be injected into my kids. Yeah I know, they were poked for about 5 years already and I'm just getting the message. I've been doing a lot of reading on these vaccines and if what a bunch of doctors say about how unnecessary vaccines are is true, why then do pediatricians continue with the assembly line of kids coming in and out of their offices for the requisite shot (OR THREE)? Do we really know that these vaccines are necessary or are the doctors just hoping it all pans out? And why, when I mention the findings other pediatricians write about, am I told the same "Vaccinations have been proven safe" line? If that's the case, discredit all the said 'bunch of doctors' laid out for me in plain English against having my babies poked.
Oh no, it's not just vaccinations for me either. Cancer - this is a very heavy topic because I would guess everyone has been touched by it in some way. I'm very skeptical about this chemo/radiation set up they have going. It honestly scares me. But I'm sure doctors don't know any other way to help patients and aren't sure there are any other options. It just seems to me the only medical choice cancer patients have is to have the tumor(s) removed and tons of chemicals pumped into their bodies. Can this possibly be the only way? It really concerns me that maybe Chris Rock was right in that there is no money in the cure for cancer. The medications and procedures alone are probably a billion dollar industry, a cure wouldn't likely rake in the dough.
The last point I want to mention is how so many doctors shun alternative medicine. And why might that be? Maybe because someone like my chiropractor adjusting my spine so that my reproductive organs can function properly is cutting into the profits of the doctor who would have performed my partial-hysterectomy, which I was seriously considering! So many people think chiropractors are quacks, but hang on their doctor's every word like it is the gospel truth. Meditation, acupuncture, massage therapy, and so many other ways of allowing our bodies to heal themselves are looked upon as craziness - but my doctor has rarely done anything for me but push yet another prescription my way.
I've had my eye on doctors for some time now and often wonder if maybe they want to just treat the symptoms and not get to the root of the problem because it's not as profitable. So much of what is wrong with us, health-wise, could be relieved by regular exercise, sleep, eating right,and enjoying the good things in life. I don't think any of those areas requires any kind of prescription. But if you go in to see your doctor about aches or pains, heck a cold, you can bet you'll leave there with some version of a script.
I'm going to try to go it without your meds, just know Doctors - I'm Watching You.
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