My First Blog Conference

I'm taking a leap out of my comfort zone. I signed up for my first blogging conference - Blissdom 2013. I'm getting really excited as it is only 10 days away now! I have been so busy with work and my kids that I have neglected this blog. I really need to post here more as I have so many ideas swirling around my head. I am hoping that this conference will give me information and ideas for my work (Social Media Coordinator for a local Photographer) and also help me find the balance with my personal life and needs.

I will probably float between the four different tracks, as all of them are important to my work and personal life. I am a little nervous about going to this alone though. I have no established relationships with other bloggers who will be there, I can only hope there are others in the same boat as me! It does seem like they have things set up in a way that will facilitate people getting to know one another and being able to be social.

Any advice to the novice conference attendee?

Meet our (Not So) New Addition!

Last year I announced our impending third arrival, and I have been remiss in introducing her to you all.  I would like to introduce you to our bundle of joy, Aislynn Elizabeth.

Isn't she cute? She graced us with her presence on January 4th, 2012 at around 2 am. I will share her birth story soon, but that is for a larger post, and quite honestly, I'm not sure I am ready to deal with those emotions quite yet.

So now you know what a cutie she was at a day old, and now to what she looks like today, six months later:

She is full of energy and spunk like any good Capricorn.  She has mastered milestone after milestone and keeps working ahead.  She is slowly crawling, though it is still a modified lunge most of the time.  She will get it soon enough, she is a strong girl! I love my boys with all my heart, but having a little girl to dote on is a blessing. 

So, welcome to the family Aislynn! Mommy and Daddy love you!!!!

Recap of the first week of Body Revolution

As usual, a busy life with three kids has gotten in the way of my writing time. So here is the recap since I wrote last Monday.

Monday - I followed plan and did my 2 workouts and prescribed kick start diet, had to take an Ibuprofen my withdrawal headache was so bad.

Tuesday - again followed the kick start plan as stated, had a touch of a headache still but not as bad as Monday's. I was also starting to get really sore after the second workout.  I had trouble completing the exercises for the full time I was so sore.

Wednesday - woke up to every muscle in my body screaming when they were moved, I was so sore it hampered everyday activities.  I decided to take the day off from exercises and just spend a few minutes here and there doing yoga poses to stretch out. I also drank TONS of water that day. I did still follow the meal plan, but I added one carbohydrate and one more dairy considering I am breastfeeding. This helped a lot with my energy level.

Thursday - Decided that I needed to stop doing the kick start exercise plan and move to normal plan so I didn't hurt myself. I did my morning workout (targeted areas tape 1) and followed the meal plan with modification.

Friday - Went to the doctor for a female issue I had been having and got put on a pill that really messed with my system. I missed the morning workout for various reasons and had planned on doing it in the evening. That didn't happen because I felt so terrible, and I went to bed early to recoup instead.

Saturday - Was my mother's day treat, I got a "spa day" with my best friend. We went to several places to get manicures, pedicures, massages, lunch, and even went to see a movie. That evening I also had a date night with my husband. I took it as my "relax day" and did not workout. I also made mostly good choices diet wise while eating out.

Sunday - I did pretty well diet wise and did the tape I was suppose to do on Friday, target areas tape 2.

Overall, week one was a bit rough. I did my best and hung in there but did have to drop down on the exercise.  I will save that intensity for when I am at a plateau and need to switch something instead of when I am going from sedentary to active! I think that would be more appropriate for someone who is already working out regularly and wants an early boost.  I completed a total of 6 tapes, the same ones and number for the normal week one, just not on the prescribed days.

My weight has been fluctuating.  I was a bad girl and weighed Sunday, then Monday and saw about a two pound difference (not in a good way!) So, I weighed again today and decided to use that number as it was in between and probably more accurate. 

Week 1 results: - 1.8 lbs; - 2.75" (total, over 10 body measurements)

I am happy with this, even though I wish it was more (I really liked the Sunday weigh in as that would have made the weight loss 3.6 lbs,) it is really a good number for a breastfeeding mom.  I have to watch that I do not loose weight too quickly or it can release toxins stored in my fat into the breast milk. I don't doubt that if I had been able to do the entire week one kick start as written I probably would have lost the dress size they said, but you have to be reasonable or you wont stick to the plan.

Lets see what this next week holds!

The Kick Start Restart

So last week I had every intention to diligently start Jillian Michaels Body Revolution. Then reality set in. I was home alone with 3 kids. The first night I was up nearly the whole night with a teething baby, so the early morning wake up to exercise did not happen.  I followed the diet all day with the plans to just do both workouts that evening.  By the time 9 o'clock rolled around and all three kids were in bed I was completely exhausted. I messaged a friend and said "I'm exhausted and about to roll into bed without exercising...you need to motivate me." Thankfully, he did.  I only did one of the two workouts - I chose the cardio tape - but I gave it my all. So much so that I ended up hurting my knee.  To the point I couldn't walk without limping. But I did workout that day, then had to quit the rest of the week while I waited for my knee to heal. I watched what I ate during the week.  Then the weekend spelled disaster.  I had cake, ice cream, donuts, and restaurant food.  BAD news for the diet. Any progress I made was quickly removed.

So, it is Monday again and I have restarted the program with the kick start week again.  It is 8 o'clock now and I have followed the diet all day (same as last week) and have already done the AM scheduled workout (wearing a knee brace) and will do the PM workout once the kids are in bed in about an hour. My only complaint right now is that I have a SPLITTING headache.  I finally took some Ibuprofen to help as it's to the point it's upsetting my stomach.  Staying medicine free is not as important as keeping my dinner down.

I would post more, but staring at this black type on a white background is killing my head.

Thoughts before Kickstart

I will be starting Body Revolution tomorrow and doing the optional Kickstart week.  It claims that you can loose a dress size in one week. Not sure how realistic that is, but I'm going to give it a shot. I will be following the meal plan, with a few modifications because I do not eat fish, and the kickstart week excercise plan. I am expecting some withdrawal symptoms, especially for sugar, so I will have to be good about not caving to temptation.  I'm expecting to be sore as well, this week it has you doing an excercise every morning and night except for day 7 when you rest.

I have done my shopping for food for the week and written out my meal plan.  I had wanted to get a head start on things and prep all the veggies and pre-cook some of the meat.  Unfortunately with how crazy the weekend was, that didn't come close to happening. It seems like the meals are pretty quick to prepare as they are fresh ingredients, so hopefully I can manage even though it is just me and the three kids until late Friday again.

I will admit that I have been bad during these last few days of "freedom." Knowing that I am about to start a diet, especially a very restrictive one the first week, made me feel like I needed a last hurrah.  We had two potluck events today at church, so I made sure to eat all the unhealthy yet yummy options...plus several tasty desserts.  I have also filled up on sweets at home. Sneaking a hostess cupcake here and there (they are for my sons school lunch) and other easter chocolate that is still hanging around the house. So I am now articifially up a few pounds from all the crap I've been eating these last few days.  The most ironic of all was when I was looking through the food guide while eating a large bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream. :P

I had my husband take a "before" picture of me in my workout clothes today before he left.  I will take my measurements in the morning when I'm not as bloated from today's binge. I will post the measurements in 7 days when I have completed the kickstart week to show the change. I'll post the pic then if there is a noticable difference at the end of the week, if not it will be posted in 30 days at the completion of the first phase of the program.

Well, wish me luck! I hope to write a quick post tomorrow update how the day went, so I'll "talk" to you soon.

Writing Therapy

I think it's more than time I resurrect this blog...I hope I haven't lost all of you, my valued readers.  Life just gets in the way some times and it is hard to take time for ourselves.  Well, I take time for myself, but generally is is spent sitting on the couch trying to do as little as possible or sleeping.

Since my last post I delivered a beautiful baby girl by CBAC on January 4th.  I had been attempting a VBA2C at home with a midwife.  I will write that birth story later.  So now I have three little ones running around and a husband who has been traveling a lot for work recently.  It makes things tough around the house for me.  The boys miss their Dad and take it out on me by acting up. I don't want this post to turn into a whine fest, so I will leave it at that.

Anyway, writing is a form of therapy for me.  I can write about what is going on in my life as a way to release the stress, and if you can identify with it or have ways to help, all the better! I will attempt to fill in some of the things that have gone on since I last posted, but I am really restarting with a fitness segment.

I've always been a bit on the bigger side, and quiet frankly I'm tired of it.  I had lost a lot of weight before I had my first son, but have gained a lot of that back over the course of having 3 children.  I have purchased Jillian Michaels new Body Revolution System and will be starting that on Monday.  I will track my progress on here as I need some cyber support! I have signed up for a 5K fun run on June 30th, so I really need to be able to manage that! Who knows, I might even try my hand at a little video blogging. 

Will post again soon, Ta Ta for Now!

New Purpose

I am hoping to start posting on here again in a regular fashion.  I will still be posting on green living topics though soon they will have a newborn slant as I am pregnant with my third child.  I started cloth diapering my second child when he was about 4 months old so the newborn diapering will be new for me.  I will share my pregnancy and newborn journey with you as much as I am able with two little ones running around and my pregnancy exhaustion.  Thankfully, I am mostly over the terrible morning sickness that plagued my first trimester.  I hope you are all still interested in hearing my story as it unfolds.

I understand that some of you might still be having issues with my blog, I'm not seeing any issues on my end so if you could send me a detailed message or comment (including what browser version, symptoms, etc.), I'd be happy to try and figure out what's going on!

The Bug is Fixed

Well, it seems that the technical difficulties I was experiencing have been fixed.  I think there was a bug in one of the plug-ins that seems to be fixed now (through none of my doing)!  Anyway, if you are still experiencing errors please send me a message or leave a comment so I can try and fix it.  Now, I just have to deal with my ancient crappy computer acting up. :-p 

I have many irons in the fire right now so I can't guarantee that I will have any more posts up this week.  I hope I can squeeze out one or two next week! Hang tight and hopefully soon I'll be back to normal (or at least as normal as I get.)

Technical Difficulties

I am experiencing technical difficulties with my site and posting today...I hope to have my Eco-friendly Friday post up this evening but you may have to wait a few days until I have things sorted out.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

Car Seat Safety

I know I'll a little behind the 8 ball by posting this today, but my computer was not being agreeable yesterday.  I will be so happy when I have saved enough to buy a new one!!!!

The American Academy of Pediatrics released new recommendations for the use of car seats and boosters that are going to be an adjustment to those of us who have small children.  We saw recently the change to older children using boosters longer, and these new standards now are designed to keep the youngest members of our family safe in our vehicles.

I know some (including my husband) think that keeping an older child in a booster while in middle school if they aren't the proper height is humiliating.  I think that as this generation in our car seats now will think it's normal and expected, just as wearing a seat belt is now.  Just because we weren't required to do something as a child does not mean that it was the safest thing that we could have been doing. 

I highly recommend you checking out this article on the new guidelines which also addresses some of the common questions/concerns parents have.  It would also be a good idea to look at some of the other resources available on the AAP's site.

I would also suggest that you go to get your seats checked at a safety seat check location and re-read your seat manual.  I have seen many seats installed or used incorrectly and it's worth the 15 minutes.  The biggest things I suggest you check are: that the latch tether strap is flat and tight, that you apply pressure when installing (I kneel full weight into the seat as I tighten the tethers), the chest strap needs to be aligned over the nipples or the armpits on infants, and remember to attach the top tether to an anchor point (not a cargo loop.)

Busy Busy

Wow, is it really almost 9 pm already?  This day has flown by! Today was one of my "kid free" days so I could get some work done.  I ended up doing a ton of laundry, working a little on each of my business, and meeting with a friend from church to do some future visioning.  I'm always amazed at how quickly the day goes by when you start checking off the items on the good ol' to do list.  I will say that I don't know why I bother putting things like vacuuming, laundry, and cleaning bathrooms on the list...they seem to magically turn dirty again the moment they are checked off!

I really had wanted to post this morning to let you know that I was going to be one of the WAHM mamma's featured in The Spotted Box this month.  If you've never heard of The Spotted Box, you really need to check them out.  They put together boxes filled with coupons and samples of various Eco & family friendly products for you to try out.  They stock on the 15th of the month at noon, 3 & 9 pm EST and usually sell out almost instantly.  It seems that all the boxes have sold for this month, but be sure to check them out next month as I believe that are going to be having an awesome box from what I've heard so far.

Well off to my knitting I go...

Overwhelmed by Life

Somehow everything going on in my life snuck up on me and took over...at least that's how it feels.  I barely have time to breathe some days it seems!  I've always been busy, but it feels like I had more time when I was a young girl of 16 and in every club imaginable at school.  I have so many items on my "To Do" list that I never seem to get to my "Want to Do" list.  Has the pace of life really changed that much?  I worry what things are going to be like once my boys are in school and have sports practice, cub scouts, and any other number of activities.  Just today I have spent a majority of my day working on things for my two home-based businesses and almost had a panick attack when I realized what time it is.  I still have a zillion things I need to get done and I only have about an hour to do them! Needless to say many of them are not going to be done.

I am definitely struggling with balance it seems. How do you maintain the balance in your life...or are you as off kilter as I am?  Sometimes I feel like everyone around me is coping so much better than I am, but I often wonder if they are actually in the exact same spot I am putting off a "everything's cool" front like I attempt to do. 

Where I am with Cloth Diapers

As a busy Mom (aren't all Mom's busy?) I often struggle with balance.  I try to balance the time I spend caring for my family, the house, trying to bring money in, and taking care of myself.  I am far from perfect and at any given time one of the pieces listed above is neglected (and it is not the kids!) I have had to balance my love of being a crunchy green mom with the realities of life.  I love cloth diapers, but they aren't always convenient.  I have a rather small stash, which is getting smaller as my little one is starting to grow out of a few of them.  I also have a terrible time with cloth at night - he either leaks or wakes with a rash.  I have gotten to the point that we use cloth around the house and disposables when we are out, when all the diapers that fit are in the wash, and at night.  I do have a nice night-time fitted and wool longies, but it is only able to be used a couple times a week.  I am no where near where I would like to be with cloth use, but until I can manage to make some diapers on my own (that don't leak) it will have to do.  My youngest is now two and about to venture into potty training.  I am hoping that I will be able to use cloth trainers on him, but at this point I'll have to make them myself or save up for a bit to afford a toddler stash.  So, I'm calling out to my cloth diaper friends...do you know of a great (I'll even settle for good) cloth trainer pattern or inexpensive premade trainers? I'd love to hear about your favorites!

The *Ahem* Joys of Being a Parent

Well, I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to get an Eco-Friendly Friday post up yesterday but it was all I could do to get out of bed.  I spent most of the week taking care of my oldest son who had some flu like bug and he repaid me by passing it along to me.  Isn't it always the way? The parent that does the sick care ends up sick themselves, despite cleaning and hand washing. So, I spent the day with fever and chills doing all I could to keep down small sips of water.  Thankfully, both of the boys were fine and we were able to send them to daycare so I could rest. I'm feeling better today but still not 100%.  This is suppose to be very busy weekend for us so I'm not sure I'll get any other posts up today, but Monday I should be able to return to a normal posting schedule. Hope your Friday was better than mine!

4 Year Old's Say the Darndest Things!

Sorry I have been missing the last few days, I have been trying to rest in every moment of free time instead of writing.  I have a cold and a double ear infection.  Lucky me!  Anyway, I don't have any fun pictures to share for Wordless Wednesday so I thought I would share a funny statement my 4 year old came out with today.

We were driving by a construction site so he asked what they were building.  I told him it was going to be a restaurant.  His response was "Oh, as if there aren't enough restaurants in the world."  I could barely contain my laughter.

What funny things have your kids said lately?

Learning to Read

My oldest boy is now almost 5 *gasp* and I certainly do not know where the time has gone.  He is a very bright little boy, I swear it's not just Momma speaking! I have had many people (including elementary educators) tell me he will certainly be in the Gifted & Talented program once he gets to school.  That being said, I have one teenie tiny issue...he is just like me!

I remember being in kindergarten and first grade and getting so totally frustrated if I couldn't make something work a certain way that I felt it should, or if an art project wasn't turning out perfectly I would often abandon it, and reading...oh reading was my Achilles heel!  I wanted so desperately to know how to read, but I couldn't and I wasn't getting it the way I was being instructed at the time.  I distinctly remember a time I was trying to read while sitting at the top of the stairs by my play room and getting so frustrated that I couldn't read a simple book that I had a fit and threw the book down the stairs.  I finally got the hang of it after a move and in the course of a year went from barely able to read "The dog sat" to reading Nancy Drew books.

I do think my little man is a bit a head of where I was at his age reading, but I see the frustration in him.  He wants to read but gives up in a fit when he doesn't know a word.  The worst part is I have no idea how to help him!  I remember the feelings but I don't think there was ever any relief other than from myself taking a step back and trying again.  I am trying to equip him with the problem solving skills to master reading without me interfering to much but it's not working.  He knows all his letters, capital and lower case, and he knows most of the sounds they make.  What I can't get him to do successfully is sound a word out.  He will say all the sounds the individual letters make and spell the word but he won't put the sounds together. I often think of giving in to the infomercials for "Your Baby Can Read" thinking they must be able to get him to read.  Then I remember it's just an infomercial which very rarely deliver the results they say it will.

So I ask you: What are your tips for encouraging reading? Did you or do you have a "intense" child like mine that you helped learn to read?  Should I continue repeating the steps he can take to figure it out on his own or just let him be and continue to just read to him?

The End of the Silent Treatment Draws Near...

Today marks the official end of my tenture as Interim Christian Education Director at my church, so....I get to start focusing on my family, blog and business again! I'm very excited to "get back to normal" even though I really did enjoy working at the church.  I will be spending a few weeks transitioning the new DCE, then I can have some "me" time again.

I am venturing to pay more attention to my needs. I'm a nuturer and tend to help everyone around me and neglect myself - hence being overweight and out of shape.  I'm starting on a new plan from the book "Eat to Live" by Joel Fuhrman, MD.  The book and diet was suggested to me by a midwife I had spoken with and I thought I'd give it a try.  It is very restrictive compared to current societies eating standards, so we'll see how long I can avoid temptation - especially before the holiday's! I'm thinking of blogging about that journey but I don't know if I can commit that time yet...I'll link to it if I decide to go that route!

Talk to y'all soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you are all enjoying your Thanksgiving, I know I am.  I made the boys a yummy breakfast of pancakes and bacon this morning, a treat they all enjoyed! I thought, as many others have, I should reflect on all the blessings in my life.

I am thankful for my wonderful family; a husband who is very patient and supportive through all my career changes (though I'm sure he wishes I'd make up my mind!), two beautiful active boys, and all my wonderful extended family who love and support me unconditionally.

I am also thankful for all our friends.  We live very far from the rest of our family, and we have a wonderful church family and a few non-church friends that always include us if we would be alone over the holidays.

During these holiday's we should remember all those who are away from their families so we are protected and have peace. Remember all of the service men and women past and present who help protect our great country.

And thank you, my loyal readers, for bearing with me as I try to balance life as a mother, blogger, and WAHM!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Child Has What?

I had to bring little Logan to the doctor's office today. On Friday he was bitten by a mosquito and it seemed to be healing fine, then this morning there was a red spot around it about 1.5" wide. The bite got infected, but that was not all. I had noticed a couple of red blister like bumps on his diaper area and thought it was just diaper rash. The he got one on his ankle and the bottom of one foot. Then one appeared on his wrist not to far for the mosquito bite. According to the doctor he has Impetigo. I'm not really surprised, as another little boy at his day care recently came down with it. The doctor broke one of the blisters and sent it for culture just to be sure, but he is now on a really gross smelling antibiotic and an anti-bacterial cream.

Because he has the blisters on his diaper area I have to put the prescription cream on then a layer of diaper rash ointment. Not great for keeping him in cloth diapers. I've had to use disposables for three days now and feel that is long enough. I went out today and picked up a package of flushable diaper liners so I can go back to the cloth diapers I love so much. Even my husband was anxious to get Logan back in his cloth.

Lets hope the liners work so I don't end up with diapers that repel!

No, I Didn't Fall off the Face of the Earth

Sorry I have been MIA. Life has gotten in the way of my blogging, but things should get better (at least until the holiday season gets into full swing!) This past weekend I sang in Faure's Requiem at my church. This required our normal weekday rehearsal, plus rehearsal all Saturday morning, then singing during the morning service Sunday, then rehearsal again before the concert, the concert, the reception, then cleaning up...you get the idea that I needed a little down time. Ha! Stay-at-home-Mom's don't get down time! I am going to try my best to get a couple items posted on my Etsy shop this week, and get some blog posts done. But if it doesn't happen it doesn't happen and I'm not going to stress over it.

Anyway, tomorrow look for a review on two Ecostore USA cleaning products!