Month: March 2013

a first: playing in the snow

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest
Our backyard.  Their playground.

Until yesterday, the snow was something that the boys just watched from inside.  Stomped on in the driveway or knocked off of a bush while on their way to the car.  I’m not going to lie – I hate the snow.  The reason they have never played in the snow is because I don’t want to play in the snow. Hate is not a strong enough word.  Sure, it’s pretty.  But worthless as far as I’m concerned.  However, the first words out of Theo’s mouth when I picked them up from the babysitter were “Mommy, can we play in the snow?!”  He had such an excited, hopeful look on his face that I couldn’t find an excuse to say no.

We got home and bundled up and went right back outside for about 45 minutes.  I was paranoid the entire time that they were going to freeze.  Every time they sat on their knees to play.  Every time they fell on their bottoms and just sat there laughing.  Also, I was freezing.  But the looks on their faces were so priceless and sweet.  I guess that dumb snow’s not entirely worthless. Anything free that can elicit such wonder and amazement has some innate value, correct?  Without further ado.

Checking the mail before we go inside.
Well, that was fun.  Is it springtime yet?
~C~

weigh to go: 2 months in

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

Click here for the previous update.

I was disappointed the last time I posted because I was doing SO well following my plan for dieting and exercising only to gain weight.  I’ve increased my water intake significantly, stayed the course overall, and am continuing to lose weight.  With my goal being to lose 20-24 pounds (and maintain in that range thereafter), I am over halfway there.  As of last Friday, I’ve lost 12.8 pounds.  
What’s working right now continuing to log all of my calories — yes, EVERYTHING I eat, on MyFitnessPal.  It definitely helps me focus, make better decisions, and plan ahead for what/how much I am going to eat throughout the day.  I’m trying to incorporate snacks between meals to keep my metabolism busy but it’s hard to do when I’m counting calories and have to ration enough for meals on days when I don’t hit the gym (MyFitnessPal gives me more calories to eat when I exercise — hello, motivation to go to the gym right there!). 
What’s also working is planning to cheat.  In other words, I give myself something to look forward to and that helps me maintain while that cheat day is approaching.  Last week it was enchiladas, chips & queso, and a margarita with a friend on Friday night.  I ended up eating twice as many calories as I was supposed to for the day, and guess what? It’s fine.  Not every day, but once every couple of weeks is fine.  I’m still losing weight and honestly?  I was probably eating that many calories EVERY day before January.  Yikes.  Having an awareness of this completely changes the way I look at my food, and yes, other people’s food as well.  I just want to make better choices, be around for a long time, and set a good example for my kids.  
What’s essential to my success so far and going forward is reminding myself that I am not in a race to lose the weight and get in better shape.  I’m determined to make this a lifestyle change.
Going to the gym makes me feel stronger, more energetic, and accomplished. I love how I feel leaving the gym.  I love being able to say that I pushed myself.  I even love wearing my sweaty clothes out of there like a badge of honor.  Take that, fat.  Keep crying! I am taking control of my life, my health, and my body.  I’m not letting my body control me.  I feel proud when I resist a cupcake here, a donut there, and a latte every morning.  I’m having fun searching for and testing healthy recipes for my family.  
I know I’m only 2 months in, but I like where this is headed.  Dramatic weight loss or not, I like feeling better and fitting in my clothes better.  
xo,
~C~

downswing/upswing

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

Last week, Theo ran a fever off and on for a couple of days. Friday morning, he seemed fine. So did Dexter.  But then two hours later, I received a text from our sitter saying that Dexter was puny and a few minutes later another one saying he had thrown up.  And had a fever.  Oh dear.

I left work and picked up the boys.  Dexter was just a pathetic little blondie boy by the time I got there, sleeping on a pillow on the floor.  How do they go downhill so fast?

We had to cancel some plans over the weekend but luckily we didn’t have anything out of town or have tickets purchased for anything.  We certainly would not have been able to go.  Dexter still had a fever Saturday and had started coughing. By Sunday, Theo’s cough and runny nose had worsened. I didn’t know a runny nose could be so severe….sounds like a minor symptom, but try telling a 2 year, 51 week old boy that.     He cried every time his nose was running.  He wanted us to wipe it.  He cried every time we wiped it.  This cycle repeated, ohhh, every 30 seconds.  For the whole day.  Poor kid’s face was raw!

So that’s our weekend recap.  Here are a few pictures that I managed to snap on my camera and phone.

Poor, raw, baby face broke my heart.
Sicky wants Apple Jacks for dinner.
Sicky gets Apple Jacks for dinner.
The boys were definitely the best today that they have been in the last 5 days or so.  Hopefully the downswing is over because we have a very special THIRD birthday to celebrate Friday!
Linking up with Mindi from Simply Stavish and Sarah from Nurse Loves Farmer for their Catch the Moment photography challenge. 
waiting for the upswing,
~C~