Drowning

The nonexistent posting this week is due to drowning in the following:

• snot
• freelance projects
• green, yucky, sinus exploding snot
• a baby who laughs (oh my gosh...the baby laughs...it's the best thing ever!!!)
• opinionated mothers (my mother has been here since Sunday)
• dog hair (I am seriously losing my mind when I look around and see yet another dog hair tumbleweed go blowing by not five minutes after I've vacuumed)
• homemade lemon pound cake...really not good for the 'healthy living commitment'
• more snot

I have the head cold from hell. I sound like an emphysema-riddled old lady and every time I cough it startles my son. I haven't shredded this week, but I have gone on a few walks with the baby. My bob stroller rocks.

I really hope I'm better tomorrow because I'm supposed to go skiing this weekend and I don't want to miss it. I have new ski boots to test out and I got my skiis waxed.

Substantial posting and a renewed commitment to getting rid of the junk in my trunk next week.

Wait...how does this work again?

After nine months of eating as I pleased with the excuse of gestating a human being, my favorite phrase to my husband was 'but it's for the baby,' (best if spoken in a high pitched sugary sweet voice) and three months of nursing through the holidays...I think I've forgotten how to eat in moderation.

Seriously people...

It would be easy for me to blame being hungry on nursing a giant baby, but that would be a lie.

I just like to eat cookies.

So, here is my truthful update about 30 day shred and taking health seriously. I am currently living as a hypocrite. I dutifully do the video every day (which it's still awesome and it's still kicking my ass) and then reward myself with a plate of cookies. This little habit I have going is not going to aid in losing the last of my baby weight.

Needless to say, I did not lose any weight this week. If I look at the scale in just the right light at just the right angle, it sort of looks like maybe I lost half a pound? I think that's me being delusional though...

I feel like if I don't get my little secret out in the open then I'll just have to accept my muffin top and if there is one thing I will not accept...it's the muffin top.

When Jillian Michaels yells at the camera towards the end of level two, "I want you to feel like your going to die..." I say a little prayer...not today God, I just baked cookies...

Jackson is suddenly getting a bit picky over taking a bottle. It took me several attempts to get him to take a bottle yesterday and then Trisha watched him for me this morning while I was at work and he refused it from her as well. Both times he has eventually taken the bottle, because as you can see, the kid doesn't turn down food, but I'm a bit perplexed. I really hope he doesn't completely resist the bottle, because then I'm really going to be in trouble.

Jackson's expression in this picture is what I look at all day long...somewhere in between a little surprised and perplexed. I love that little face.

That onesie by the way is size 6-12 months. The kid is a tank!

Favorite Time of Day

Every day in the soft gray light of the early morning, my son 'calls' from his room. I stumble down the hallway and am greeted with a grin and a shriek. We do the necessary diaper change and then snuggle in on the couch for breakfast. Me with a cup of coffee balanced carefully on the arm of our couch and Jackson contentedly nursing away.

My favorite time is the ten minutes after he finishes nursing and we cuddle and play...delaying the inevitable start of our day. We smile and talk, lots of kisses are given out and I soak up his beautiful baby face. Those blue eyes melt me over and over.

Soon enough he is going to be running and playing, not wanting to slow down for hugs and kisses from me, so today I'll treasure the moment.

Special

My husband sent me a sweet surprise yesterday! It was so awesome to answer the door and see these waiting for me. The bright cheery colors were the perfect anecdote to a long week and the yucky gray weather outside.

It has been a challenging week with Jack. Just when I thought we were getting into a routine with him, he decided to start waking up multiple times a night again. I've gone to all my baby books, talked with friends, called my mom for advice and searched the Internet to try and find a solution on why this baby had given up sleep.

I think a couple of things are going on; it's time to stop swaddling him, he needs more daytime sleep and he might be going through his three month growth spurt. The swaddle issue is tough because it really helps him go to sleep but he seems to fight it quite a bit while he is asleep and it wakes him up. Also, he has recently found his hands and anytime he is awake, his fingers are in his mouth. This is great since he doesn't take a binky, but tough because if he isn't swaddled for a nap, he is waking himself up by trying to suck on his hands.

Oddly enough, the baby slept his 'usual' 8 hours last night from 8:30 to 4:30am. He woke up to eat and went right back to sleep until about 8am. I don't know what's going on...

This is one of those times when I really wish there was a manual to raising children. The rule follower in me just wants somebody to tell me what to do.

It's a good thing he is so deliciously adorable. I think I'll keep him!

Fitness

Like so many of us, part of my commitment or 'resolution' for 2009 is to lose the last of my baby weight(about 5 pounds but I could stand to lose an additional 5 after that, so lets be honest, it's more like 10 pounds) and make a renewed effort to be healthy. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'm about a 5 when it comes to healthy living. I've always exercised, although I'm not an athlete, eaten lots of fruit and veggies and gotten a decent amount of sleep (pre-baby that is). But, I want to do more.

I was looking for a work out that I could do at home when Jackson is sleeping that would not only hold my attention but also be easy enough to follow along. Turbo Jam is fun but I am just not coordinated enough for it. So, upon the many recommendations of fellow bloggers, I bought 30 day shred and I think it's actually working!

My arms feel stronger, my legs are constantly sore and my belly, which is completely whapped out from having a nine pound baby, even seems to be responding. More than anything I think I have a bit more energy and considering my son has once again given up on sleeping at night, I need all the energy I can get.

My goal this week was to do the workout every day. I missed Tuesday but I'm hoping not to miss any other days this week. I am joining a few other ladies in blogland in posting an update on my progress on Thursdays. You might even see a few before and after pictures, once there is documentable progress.

My other goal, which I wrote about over at Bodies in Motivation, was to eat healthy snacks. I need to ramp up on this one. I'm drinking too much coffee, and dipping into the bags of frozen chocolate chips in my freezer. Yes...I eat handfuls of frozen chocolate chips when there aren't any other treats at my house. What is your secret bad habit? Don't leave me hanging out in embarrassment all by myself!

Mad Face

'Dad...I'm ready. Those birds have nothing on me. Why are we sitting on this chair and why are you taking my picture when we could be hunting right now...?'


This picture made me laugh out loud when I downloaded it this evening. There is no mistaking this kid is full of personality and his facial expression is priceless. The camo fleece is icing on the cake.