The Pre Stage

First it was preschool, and now it’s pre-ballet classes.  Once a week for 12 weeks, Samantha is getting in touch with her inner ballerina.  She’s been asking for this since we left England and was enrolled in the Baby Ballet program, so I knew it was something she really wanted.

Of course, I’m sure there’s some of “me” in the decision…I’m not the most coordinated, and my dancing ability certainly leaves something to be desired.  So if this is something she wants, I’d like to support it.  Not to mention that long and lean, I suspect she’s got the body of a dancer on her hands.

It was hard to find somewhere that had what we were looking for–solely ballet, but not a yearlong commitment in case she changes her mind.  Luckily, the county offered a pre-ballet class for 5-6 year olds that seemed ideal.

Right now, Samantha is the only child in the class, but they’ll still run it.  And she get individual attention and the teacher says they’ll be able to do a lot more.  And she certainly loved her first class.

In just a month we’ve added preschool and pre-ballet to my oldest daughter’s schedule.  She’s certainly a busy bee.

 

What I Love About Sundays

Even after we purchased the AFN, American football on Sundays was one of the things I missed most living overseas.  Even during years when I didn’t know all the players names, positions, or teams, there was nothing I loved better than sitting down on the couch and being able to catch the Redskins game.  Something about the tradition of it all was what I ached for, so even when I stayed up late to watch a game, it just wasn’t quite the same.

So we found new Sunday traditions.  Thanks to Anne and Phil, we became huge fans of the Sunday Roast–a nice, big, mid-day meal and the company of good friends, followed by desserts, tea and coffee, and (when Anne was around) a knit and natter.

Back in America now, we managed to blend the two, quite nicely, if I do say so myself.  Following a nice big Sunday roast, the girls had their first, impromptu football practice thanks to Uncle Andrew!

Maybe you can go home again, after all.

 

Water, Water, Everywhere!

This summer has been the summer of swimming for my daughters.  Though they’ve always liked the water and Grandma’s pool, they’ve spent most of their previous summer’s days splashing around on the steps.

However, every summer they learn a bit more and get a bit more daring, and so we knew that this was destined to be the summer of swim lessons.

Of course, all parents will tell you their kids were incredibly cute during their swimming lessons.  No need to reiterate that one for you, blog readers…

But, can all parents show you shots like this…not only the cute swimming shots, but their 3 year old and 4 1/2 year old jumping off the diving board IN THE DEEP END, without a life jacket?

Erica, swimming in the deep end

Samantha & the class on the fun noodle

Of course not.

Come on…you know you wish your kids were as cute as mine right now…and they’re bloody good swimmers, at that.

 

babyballet

Samantha had her first babyballet class yesterday!  It was, without a doubt, the cutest thing I have ever witnessed.  I am kicking myself for not getting off my butt and enrolling her sooner, because she is only going to get 4 or 5 classes before we move.

I’m the first to admit that I am all for my kids to grow up.  I’m not necessarily ready for them to be teenagers and out of the house or anything, but I am always excited for the next step.  I’m never one to hold on too tight, or to hold them back, because I always love the next stage.  Plus, I get bored of one thing for too long, so I am always looking forward to their next adventures.

Sure, I say things all the time about how fast they are growing up and how I’m not ready.  But it isn’t 100% honest.  Because I love the next stage so much, and watching them grow and change.

But today was the first day that I actually thought, “Oh my gosh, I am really not ready.”

.

And I’m certainly not ready for Erica to follow in her footsteps.

 

A Post of Tweets

• I’ve started to think in Tweets (less than 140 characters).  I thought a post full of them was appropriate.
• My mom left today.  I’m feeling miraculously alright–after all, I’ll see her again in less than 6 weeks!
• I have now finished three Malabrigo March projects, with another on the needles.  Whee!
• Planning to spend the day tomorrow with some good friends–thanks to my good husband.
• Tomorrow is my last time serving our parish with the Children’s Liturgy.  I am going to miss it.
• I wonder how many days in a row I can wear my Opulent Raglan before people start looking (sniffing) at me.
• Getting up before my kids, even though it seems counter intuitive, really does make for a better start to the day.
• I am planning to wind some yarn and start knitting my Brilliance Pullover this week.
• I’ve been blogging for a year now…a year!  How crazy is that?
• I caved and placed a rather large order for yarn last week.  It should be here in time for my birthday!
• Speaking of birthdays, I can’t stop listening to Tim McGraw’s (Phil Vassar’s) My Next Thirty Years.  Guess how old I’ll be on the 24th.
• Erica is up and watching Spongebob Squarepants, while Marcus and Samantha snooze away.
• I might go for a run today.  Then again, I might not.
• I really do love my life.

 

Week 4 Weight Loss Weigh In

I’m not sure if anyone is really following these, but I’ve made myself post them so that I’ll feel an extra added incentive.  I hate the thought of coming on here to tell you that I’ve had a bad week because I’ve had pizza and beer every night, so this keeps me honest and motivated.

So, week 4 has ended and…drumroll please…I dropped another 1.5 pounds!  Yay!  The line is very mysteriously between two numbers, so rather than sell myself short or give myself too much credit, I’m going to be honest.  Here are my stats then:

Weigh Loss Required: 18 lbs.
Week 1 Weight Loss: 2 lbs.

Week 2 Weight Loss: 3 lbs.

Week 3 Weight Loss:  0 lbs.

Week 4 Weight Loss: 1.5 lbs.

Total Weight Loss Thus Far: 6.5 lbs.
Weight Loss To Go: 11.5 lbs.

Let me know if there are errors with my math. 

So, what’s been going on for me on the weight loss front?  Well, in all honesty, I was discouraged by last week, and ate out/ordered in a few nights to console myself.  But I’ve noticed that I’m feeling full sooner, and not overeating to the extent that I was before.  I’m also being more reasonable with my alcohol consumption–drinking one beer or glass of wine to unwind at night, instead of 4 or 5.  I’ve also steered clear of regular soda, and am (gasp) starting to acquire a taste for diet.  I’m also still drinking tea and coffee, but using sweetener instead of sugar.

I didn’t add in the gym or running as I’ve said I would for the last 3 weeks.  I know I need to, but don’t know why I’m so resistant to actually doing it.  I have been walking a bit more, though, so that’s good.

So, on to another week!    I’m hoping for another 1.5 lbs this week, which would bring me down a total of 8 lbs. with only 10 to go!  Fingers crossed!

 

Week 3 Weight Loss Weigh In

Well, week 3 has ended.  It wasn’t one of my better weeks (out of, you know, the three weeks that I’ve been trying to lose weight).

Though I lost 5 lbs in weeks one and two, I stayed the same for week 3.  At various points in the week I had lost a pound or two, but today’s official weigh in reads the same as it did last week.

Really, though, this was a good thing, though I feel a little glum about it. I’ve learned a bit, and that will help me with week 4.

1)  Hot drinks (tea and coffee) have got to go.  I added them back in this week, and if I have just two hot drinks with milk and sugar a day, that’s 200 calories (at least) right there.  They are back out of my diet.

2)  I do have to start eating better, not just less.  A diet of pizza, McDonald’s, and cupcakes is not going to cut it, even if my calorie intake is reasonable.

3)  I have to remember that snacks that I purchase for the kids are just that…for the kids.

4)  I am going to have to start working out.  I didn’t do it this week because I was sick for a couple of days, but then I used it as an excuse to not work out for the rest of the week.  If I want to get back into shape, there has to be a fitness component.  I know that once I add it in, it will be easier to keep it up.

So, here’s to next week.  At least I didn’t put on weight, right?

 

A Mish-Mosh

This week, the Yarn Harlot had a day where she caught her readers up on everything, without the usual rhyme and reason that accompany her posts.

I’m there myself today, and want to tell you so much that I can’t seem to find a string that ties it all together. So, a list it is.

1. Marcus is having serious back trouble, which began on our holiday in the states. We were in A&E again last night, seeking adequate pain management and a clearer diagnosis. We left knowing no more than when we went in, and expect that he may end up needing a referral and an MRI. Please be thinking about him.

2. Samgirl is missing and crying her her Aunt Kiki every night at bedtime. I knew that the bond they shared was strong, but I just didn’t realize how much she meant to my baby girl. I suppose it makes sense, since she means so much to me. In this regard, April, and our move home, can’t come soon enough.

3. I’m tweeting now. Feel free to follow me at Twitter (Writing_Mom).

4. Marcus and I started our diet on Thursday, January 8. I have lost two pounds in one week, just by watching what I’m eating, switching to diet soda, and cutting down on my alcohol intake. I plan to add running and the gym into my routine by the end of the month. I am now 16 pounds away from my goal weight, and have just over 3 months to get there.

5. The knitting continues. I’m getting ready to cast on for the Back to School U-Neck Vest that I was swatching for earlier this week. I’m also knitting a beautiful pair of socks for my mom in Claudia Handpainted, Sportweight. The colorway is Ingrid’s Blues, and it’s lovely!

What a jumble. But for the most part, the chaos is controlled and all is going well. I hope the same is true of you!

 

Tumbling off the Fitness Wagon…

…but for a good reason.  First, it was the little celebration with a few friends on Friday night that resulted in me drinking a little too much (I’m too old for this) and then it was yesterday’s cookie baking madness with friends (I may never eat another cookie again).

But, I’m going to be back on my fitness horse today.  I’m running this evening, trying to continue to track my eating on My Daily Plate, and cutting back on the drinking and the empty calories.

But man…those cookies were good.

 

My Rings Don’t Fit…and other, equally depressing, realizations.

I’m not entirely sure what’s come over me. I imagine it’s the same sort of thing that strikes most people on January 1, when they realize that it’s a new year and time to get it together.  Well, it’s dawned early at my house.

My wedding rings don’t fit.  I’ve known this for a few months now, though I’ve tried to ignore it.  They’ve been sitting in my jewelery box, taunting me.  I can get them on.  But the engagement ring is so tight that I can’t stand the feeling of it around my finger.

My jeans don’t fit either.  And I don’t mean that little problem where they’re too tight after washing and stretch out some on day two.  I’ve held out hope as far as day four on a few pairs, and the fact remains.  They don’t fit.

I’m eating crap.  It’s true.  Today I ate (seriously) a brownie and two slices of leftover pizza for breakfast, a sandwich and a brownie for lunch, white rice sprinkled with Parmesan  cheese and the skin off of a chicken thigh (totally not kidding here) for dinner, and a Lean Pocket for dessert.  Of course, we all have days like these.  But lately, most of my days are like this.

I’ve entered a vicious cycle with food.  I’ll be sitting here thinking to myself that I hate my weight, how my clothes fit, and that I feel fat.  And do you know what I do?  I go get a brownie because, after all, I’m already fat and it will at least make me feel better.

I definitely have an unhealthy relationship with food.

Add in the fact that I’ve gotten lazy, and blamed my depression.  When I started taking antidepressants in November 2007, I had been running and was in the best shape of my life.  But I was too sick to take care of myself, and stopped running.  But then, my medicine made me lose weight…and so when I stopped running and started taking antidepressants, I was suddenly the skinniest I’ve ever been.

I knew that it was unhealthy.  That’s not the way to lose weight.  And I knew that the weight would come back on when my body adjusted to the medication.

I was right.

But I hate how I look now. My clothes don’t fit.  I eat crap and then feel worse about myself.  I’ve got Kiki’s wedding coming up and I don’t think I’ll fit into the dress I ordered.

I should say that I am not, under any circumstances, saying that I am really and truly fat.  I realize that I am much skinnier than some people, and that they’ll read this and be insulted by it.  After all, if I’m saying that I feel fat, I must be saying that you are fat, too, right?  But I’m not.  Not at all.  I’m just saying that I am not happy with my body right now, and a lot of it has to do with my weight.

I know my own feelings about my body and my weight need adjustment.  That’s part of the problem.

But I also know that my relationship with food and fitness needs to get back on track, too.

So tonight I went for a run.  It wasn’t much, but it was a start.  Maybe this will be the beginning of something…

Only time will tell.