I did it! I exercised yesterday and today in the morning before kids were up. well, they were up during some of my exercise but I got it done. And I feel so good. I am also proud of myself cuz I got all the way through my Bob Harper DVD this morning. The first time I did it I only got 15min then quit, then 25, 33, and this morning, one hour! Go me. I am sore and loving it.
I'm also feeling recommitted to eat better. Today I did spectacularly. Super motivated-watch the pounds and inches melt away!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Nice people
So today I went to Target with all the kids. It wasn't so bad. My two big girls are generally well-behaved and my baby just hangs out in my sling. I bought a bunch of groceries and was loading them in my trunk from my cart. I was a dork and had pushed the cart to the little sidewalk thing in front of my car, so I had to walk the length of my car over and over to get all the groceries to the back. While the two big girls were in the car fighting over something and Little Peach was still sleeping away in the sling while I loaded up, a car pulled in next to me. A middle aged couple and their granddaughter (about 10 or 11yo) got out. They took one look at me with my baby strapped to me, a forlorn look probably upon my face, and screams and shouts coming from inside the car and immediately offered to help load my groceries. I thought about it for 1.2 seconds and said, "yes!"
I am so grateful to be the recipient of a random act of kindness today!!
And because I love 'em, here is a pic of my two redheads today. They matched so we had a little photoshoot.
I am so grateful to be the recipient of a random act of kindness today!!
And because I love 'em, here is a pic of my two redheads today. They matched so we had a little photoshoot.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
A goal
Ok, world. At least the microscopic sliver of the world that actually reads this blog. I am committing to you that I am going to start exercising tomorrow! Yup. I'm going to try a new plan. It's called "Get Up Before the Kids and Sweat with My Bob Harper DVD." Now, I've been meaning to do this DVD every night but you know how it goes....once it's time to actually do it, my energy level is like, zero. Or barely enough to straighten the kitchen and veg.
I always have intentions of going to bed early. Every night just after the kids go down, Hubs and I yawn at each other and say, "let's go to bed early tonight." But then we catch some sort of "kid-free time" second wind that keeps us going till 11 or 12. Then kids are up between 6 and 7. Remember when it was dark in the mornings? When kids got up more about 8? Yeah, I miss those days. Well, no more! I will go to bed tonight by 9:30ish to catch up on my sleep, get up at 6 and work out. Yup. It's gonna happen. Time to kiss these love handles good-bye. Tone these flabby arms. Locate my abs.
And I'll start eating better on Tuesday so I can have memorial day treats tomorrow. hee hee.
I always have intentions of going to bed early. Every night just after the kids go down, Hubs and I yawn at each other and say, "let's go to bed early tonight." But then we catch some sort of "kid-free time" second wind that keeps us going till 11 or 12. Then kids are up between 6 and 7. Remember when it was dark in the mornings? When kids got up more about 8? Yeah, I miss those days. Well, no more! I will go to bed tonight by 9:30ish to catch up on my sleep, get up at 6 and work out. Yup. It's gonna happen. Time to kiss these love handles good-bye. Tone these flabby arms. Locate my abs.
And I'll start eating better on Tuesday so I can have memorial day treats tomorrow. hee hee.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Do your homework
I am a researcher. I always hated researching stuff in school, but I really like doing it for my own purposes. A few examples of the type of stuff I like to look into:
Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy finding out what works for other moms and I love sharing and hearing about different experiences we've all had with our kids and parenting methods. But I don't really have a "go-to" person to ask questions of. Hmmm.
Do you know what these are? They are cloth diapers. Yup. I am officially a CD mommy. I did "sposies" with my first two, and did a bunch of research {surprise, surprise} on cloth this time around. Another one of my BFF's is a CD mom and while at first I was appalled and grossed out by the idea, I poked around a few cloth diaper sites and found that it's actually not as gross as one might think. Everyone always jumps to the conclusion that cloth diapering is just as it was in 1983 like when I wore them as a youngster.
I am pleased to tell you they are much improved, ladies and gents! For one thing, they are fitted like a disposable diaper with snaps. The waterproof-ness of it all is in the outside fabric and plastic pants aren't needed. They are super soft and absorbent and keeps moisture away from baby's skin. And poop? For the first 6 months for babies that are exclusively nursed, you just toss them in the wash as-is. As they begin to incorporate solids and their poop changes, you get a diaper sprayer that connects to your toilet. The strong stream cleans any solids off and into the toilet--no swishing required.
On one site it stated that if you use cloth for two kids from birth to potty training, you save around $4,000. Not to mention the massive amount of diapers that will be spared from landfills on your kid's behalf. I do believe in being as green as you can and this is a way to do it better. It is also good for baby's skin. My Little Peach never gets red in the bummy, when my toddler (in disposables) does occasionally get a bit of redness.
Plus, they're CUTE!
- When I was engaged, I read books about marriage
- When it was time to get pregnant, I read books/sites on trying to conceive (it's trickier than you might think when you have irregular cycles)
- When I was pregnant, I read books/sites on pregnancy, labor and newborn care
- As my kids grow, I read books/sites about their current stage of development
- I research new ideas or theories and decide for myself if I want to implement them or not.
Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy finding out what works for other moms and I love sharing and hearing about different experiences we've all had with our kids and parenting methods. But I don't really have a "go-to" person to ask questions of. Hmmm.
I am pleased to tell you they are much improved, ladies and gents! For one thing, they are fitted like a disposable diaper with snaps. The waterproof-ness of it all is in the outside fabric and plastic pants aren't needed. They are super soft and absorbent and keeps moisture away from baby's skin. And poop? For the first 6 months for babies that are exclusively nursed, you just toss them in the wash as-is. As they begin to incorporate solids and their poop changes, you get a diaper sprayer that connects to your toilet. The strong stream cleans any solids off and into the toilet--no swishing required.
On one site it stated that if you use cloth for two kids from birth to potty training, you save around $4,000. Not to mention the massive amount of diapers that will be spared from landfills on your kid's behalf. I do believe in being as green as you can and this is a way to do it better. It is also good for baby's skin. My Little Peach never gets red in the bummy, when my toddler (in disposables) does occasionally get a bit of redness.
Plus, they're CUTE!
Me and my three munchins on Mother's Day.
Yes, that is grammatically correct.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
It's harder than I thought
Didja think I was talking about being a mom? Cuz while yes, that is harder than I thought it would be, I am not referring to it.
I'm talking about painting a table. I am doing my kitchen table for the second time and man, it's tricky! You might think: sand, paint, seal. Uh, nope. I got the sanding and painting down. The sealing part is soooo hard. You have to do it slowly so you get even coverage, you have to buy the best brush cuz it's the least likely to leave stroke marks, you can't shake the can of sealer because it will cause air bubbles which will dry as tiny bumps which you will then have to sand smooth for the next coat {not that I know from experience}. I just did coat #4 and I'm hoping it will be my last. I can still see stroke marks when it dries so I don't know if I should leave it and someday buy a new table or keep doing coats, practicing my technique until I achieve the results I want.
Today I went to a funeral of the father of one of my flute students. He was 39 and had a heart attack. He was not overweight but had a family history of bad hearts. He left behind an amazing wife and two beautiful daughters, ages 8 and 11. The talks I heard (I was late) were uplifting and wonderful. Our bishop talked about grief and how it is a process and can't be healed. Grief can cause depression, etc that can be treated by medication or counseling, but grief itself can't be healed. Mourning is part of grief and comes now and then in one's life who has lost a loved one, esp at times like weddings, graduations, holidays, vacations, achievements and other special times. It was sobering to reflect as one always does when someone passes on the fragility of life and how nobody can hide from death's shadow. We try to keep ourselves healthy, drive safely, and hold our childrens' hands as they cross the street but really, death can strike anybody at any moment.
It reminded me of a few things: holding grudges is stupid. Being stingy (in some situations) is not worth it. I need to tell my family I love them more. We all say it to each other every day but I can strive to be better.
Last night I was falling asleep and thinking about my second daughter who is not as cuddly as the others, plus she is two therefore difficult. She is posing challenges that we never even thought about with our first kid at this age. Nothing serious, but she is definitely feisty! I thought about how when she's bigger she's not going to want to be held anymore or cuddle all that much (I'm thinking like, teenage years here) so I decided to make a conscious effort to hold her whenever she asks. The feeling of her little arms around my neck is the sweetest feeling and I want to soak it up while I can.
And while we are on the subject of little arms, can I just say I am head over heels in love with my baby? She is the sweetest, softest, squishiest smoosh ever. I know she'll grow faster than I can even think about, so I'm trying to kiss her and hug her all I can while she's still little enough to not crawl/walk/run away from me. She's 2 1/2 months old right now, has just discovered her hands, and is getting that little bald ring around her head from rubbing her head on the sheet like babies do. Mmmm. I even love the smell of spit up on my shoulder cuz it reminds me of her. hee hee
I'm talking about painting a table. I am doing my kitchen table for the second time and man, it's tricky! You might think: sand, paint, seal. Uh, nope. I got the sanding and painting down. The sealing part is soooo hard. You have to do it slowly so you get even coverage, you have to buy the best brush cuz it's the least likely to leave stroke marks, you can't shake the can of sealer because it will cause air bubbles which will dry as tiny bumps which you will then have to sand smooth for the next coat {not that I know from experience}. I just did coat #4 and I'm hoping it will be my last. I can still see stroke marks when it dries so I don't know if I should leave it and someday buy a new table or keep doing coats, practicing my technique until I achieve the results I want.
Today I went to a funeral of the father of one of my flute students. He was 39 and had a heart attack. He was not overweight but had a family history of bad hearts. He left behind an amazing wife and two beautiful daughters, ages 8 and 11. The talks I heard (I was late) were uplifting and wonderful. Our bishop talked about grief and how it is a process and can't be healed. Grief can cause depression, etc that can be treated by medication or counseling, but grief itself can't be healed. Mourning is part of grief and comes now and then in one's life who has lost a loved one, esp at times like weddings, graduations, holidays, vacations, achievements and other special times. It was sobering to reflect as one always does when someone passes on the fragility of life and how nobody can hide from death's shadow. We try to keep ourselves healthy, drive safely, and hold our childrens' hands as they cross the street but really, death can strike anybody at any moment.
It reminded me of a few things: holding grudges is stupid. Being stingy (in some situations) is not worth it. I need to tell my family I love them more. We all say it to each other every day but I can strive to be better.
Last night I was falling asleep and thinking about my second daughter who is not as cuddly as the others, plus she is two therefore difficult. She is posing challenges that we never even thought about with our first kid at this age. Nothing serious, but she is definitely feisty! I thought about how when she's bigger she's not going to want to be held anymore or cuddle all that much (I'm thinking like, teenage years here) so I decided to make a conscious effort to hold her whenever she asks. The feeling of her little arms around my neck is the sweetest feeling and I want to soak it up while I can.
And while we are on the subject of little arms, can I just say I am head over heels in love with my baby? She is the sweetest, softest, squishiest smoosh ever. I know she'll grow faster than I can even think about, so I'm trying to kiss her and hug her all I can while she's still little enough to not crawl/walk/run away from me. She's 2 1/2 months old right now, has just discovered her hands, and is getting that little bald ring around her head from rubbing her head on the sheet like babies do. Mmmm. I even love the smell of spit up on my shoulder cuz it reminds me of her. hee hee
Monday, May 23, 2011
Consistency, I guess
Today is Monday. Family Home Evening. Let me describe FHE in the Simonson family for your enjoyment:
Kids are SUPER wild. Maybe it was the uber sweet watermelon they had just consumed? I was trying to remember if they had a treat but no, it was only watermelon. So that must be why. Hubs and I sit on the couch and call the girls to gather. They arrive in the family room and roll around on the floor, giggling and making strange noises. I ask the girls if they want to lead the opening song, which they usually do together with wooden spoons as batons. My 4yo (we'll call her "Sweetcakes") says, "no!" and my 2yo (who shall be known as "Honeybuns") plays intently with her dollar store mermaid and mini-Rapunzel doll that she carries around 24/7, keeping up a steady dialogue in a high pitched voice as the dolls talk to each other.
Ok, I guess I'll lead. I lead them in singing "When My Mother Calls Me, Quickly I'll Obey." Sweetcakes suddenly wants to sing it as a solo so I sit down and she sings it with cute exaggerated actions (last week our lesson was on obedience and we learned that song). Honeybuns stands next to her and joins in on the actions and an occasional word. They are so cute doing it that Hubs and I chuckle and clap, and Hubs gets out his phone to video them doing it. He says, k now do it again. Honeybuns refuses and sits on the floor, kicking her legs grumpily. Sweetcakes goes through the song again for the video but a bit sillier, and both girls end up laughing hysterically at the end of the song.
Nice reverent start to our FHE, huh? So I had decided to teach the lesson on tithing, since Sweetcakes has started to have an interest in earning money to buy her own toys. I showed the picture of the little girl paying tithing and tried to engage Sweetcakes by describing the picture. She pays attention for 3.5 seconds then runs away. Honeybuns is still playing with her dolls. I try to tell her that we will receive blessings by paying tithing but she is completely done paying attention by then. I sigh and say to hubs, "not our most successful FHE, huh?" haha
Then we read scriptures. Sweetcakes repeated her verse in a silly way. I was grateful that one of the verses was a one liner for Honeybuns to repeat. She loses interest quickly. Someday we'll get through the Book of Mormon, I just know it.
Richard J Maynes of the Quorum of the Seventy said in this past General Conference, "We learned that our children might not remember everything about the family home evening lesson later in the week, but they would remember that we held it. We learned that later in the day at school they would probably not remember the exact words of the scriptures or the prayer, but they would remember that we did read scriptures and we did have prayer. Brothers and sisters, there is great power and protection for us and our youth in establishing celestial traditions in the home."
I shall remind myself of that quote many times in my mothering life, I believe. And remember that story Elder Bednar told a few years ago? About his young sons tattling on each other about things such as, "he's breathing my air!" haha. He talked about consistency as well. Bring on the distractions and wildness! We shall conquer!
Kids are SUPER wild. Maybe it was the uber sweet watermelon they had just consumed? I was trying to remember if they had a treat but no, it was only watermelon. So that must be why. Hubs and I sit on the couch and call the girls to gather. They arrive in the family room and roll around on the floor, giggling and making strange noises. I ask the girls if they want to lead the opening song, which they usually do together with wooden spoons as batons. My 4yo (we'll call her "Sweetcakes") says, "no!" and my 2yo (who shall be known as "Honeybuns") plays intently with her dollar store mermaid and mini-Rapunzel doll that she carries around 24/7, keeping up a steady dialogue in a high pitched voice as the dolls talk to each other.
Ok, I guess I'll lead. I lead them in singing "When My Mother Calls Me, Quickly I'll Obey." Sweetcakes suddenly wants to sing it as a solo so I sit down and she sings it with cute exaggerated actions (last week our lesson was on obedience and we learned that song). Honeybuns stands next to her and joins in on the actions and an occasional word. They are so cute doing it that Hubs and I chuckle and clap, and Hubs gets out his phone to video them doing it. He says, k now do it again. Honeybuns refuses and sits on the floor, kicking her legs grumpily. Sweetcakes goes through the song again for the video but a bit sillier, and both girls end up laughing hysterically at the end of the song.
Nice reverent start to our FHE, huh? So I had decided to teach the lesson on tithing, since Sweetcakes has started to have an interest in earning money to buy her own toys. I showed the picture of the little girl paying tithing and tried to engage Sweetcakes by describing the picture. She pays attention for 3.5 seconds then runs away. Honeybuns is still playing with her dolls. I try to tell her that we will receive blessings by paying tithing but she is completely done paying attention by then. I sigh and say to hubs, "not our most successful FHE, huh?" haha
Then we read scriptures. Sweetcakes repeated her verse in a silly way. I was grateful that one of the verses was a one liner for Honeybuns to repeat. She loses interest quickly. Someday we'll get through the Book of Mormon, I just know it.
Richard J Maynes of the Quorum of the Seventy said in this past General Conference, "We learned that our children might not remember everything about the family home evening lesson later in the week, but they would remember that we held it. We learned that later in the day at school they would probably not remember the exact words of the scriptures or the prayer, but they would remember that we did read scriptures and we did have prayer. Brothers and sisters, there is great power and protection for us and our youth in establishing celestial traditions in the home."
I shall remind myself of that quote many times in my mothering life, I believe. And remember that story Elder Bednar told a few years ago? About his young sons tattling on each other about things such as, "he's breathing my air!" haha. He talked about consistency as well. Bring on the distractions and wildness! We shall conquer!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
My life
Hello. My name is Alisa.
I wanted to start my own blog, to record my own thoughts and feelings separate from our private family blog. I have always been a good journaler (is that a word?) until the past 5 years or so. Probably about the time I had my first kid. Life got a little busier and I sort of fell off the wagon, scrambling to catch up now and then.
I have 17 journals filled with my life so far. My kids think it's fun to carry them around. I don't mind it {mostly} because I can pick one up and read about a bit of my life while they're out. I love being able to look back at days I've forgotten and say to myself, "Sure glad I wrote about that!" Since I can type way faster than I can write, I will try to post every day.I want to remember these early days of motherhood. I don't know if anyone will read it, but hey, it's mostly for me anyway. If you do read it, leave a comment!
I am 28 years old, married to a really awesome husband, and have three cute kiddos. My husband just graduated from law school a week or two ago {I can't remember the date today} and I am a SAHM {stay-at-home-mom}. I graduated with a BA in Music in 2004 from BYU {emphasis in flute} and I teach a handful of people flute lessons in the afternoons.
K that's enough about me. On to my thoughts.
I've been pondering lately about SAHMhood. I think I've been getting dragged down by the mundane and was starting to feel trapped and tied down. Part of it is probably cuz I just had a baby 2 1/2 months ago, and she is breastfeeding exclusively so I can only leave for up to a couple of hours at a time and it has to be well-timed and well-planned. She just started taking a bottle though so I feel a smidgen more freedom. Even though I have to add pumping to my regimen of mom chores.
But I digress. I felt tied down. But then I read a book called "In Praise of SAHMs" by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. It was amazing. She praises SAHMs and provides evidence (mostly anecdotal, but also some factual) about how typically children are better off being raised by their parents, and not paid caregivers. Not that I've ever had the desire to put my kids in day care or hire a nanny. But still. Endless dishes, cooking, cleaning, diapers, laundry, not to mention all the stuff that goes on with caring for children was wearing me down. And I've only been a mom for 4 1/2 years!
This book uplifted me. So did praying and reading the scriptures. I remembered that before I got married all I wanted was to be married and become a mommy. I wanted it SO bad. I prayed for it every day. I tried to make myself the best person I could be so an amazing man would fall in love with me. And it worked. He did, and here we are. I have to say that I am now recovering from my wallowing and embracing this motherhood stuff more fully.
Shrug and Smile. That is what one mom said in that book. Let it go. Choose your battles.
I am not a live-in housekeeper. I am a Mom, first and foremost. I struggle with the constant guilt: when I play with the kids, I feel guilty for not cleaning the messy house. When I clean, I feel guilty for not playing with the kids. So the house is a little cluttered. So the bathrooms need scrubbing. The closets need organizing. Email inbox needs clearing out. Pictures on the walls need to be updated. Menus need to be created. The list goes on. But my kids are playing with play-doh, coloring, learning to read, imagining, and helping me cook. They are pretty happy kids, and that's what I'm trying to dwell on instead of thinking about my long tidy up list.
The other night the hubs was off camping (hey, he needed a break before official bar studying began) I was putting all the kids to bed myself. The two big girls (ages 2 and 4) were running around wildly like kids do at bedtime. I remember being wild at bedtime when I was a kid too. The baby woke up. I don't think she was feeling well. I got her out and carried her around while getting teeth brushed, jams on, bladders emptied. As I felt completely outnumbered and felt frustration and impatience looming on the horizon, I stepped back and looked at the big picture.
I am a MOM! Look at me, I'm living my dream! Look-three little people, depending on me and loving me unconditionally and I get to guide and direct and teach and love them ALL DAY!
Much better. Patience and love moved in, and I read the girls stories while holding the baby in my lap. I gazed at each of them and smoothed their hair, kissed their cheeks, and let my eyes memorize the picture in front of me. I love these little girls so much it takes my breath away. I don't want them to grow up and not see me as their hero, their #1, their favorite person in the world anymore. I want them to always come up to me randomly and say, "mommy, I want you to hold me. " and "You're the best mommy ever, Mommy!"
Sigh. It's moments like those that make me really love my job. And I need to record more of those moments. Keep 'em coming!
I wanted to start my own blog, to record my own thoughts and feelings separate from our private family blog. I have always been a good journaler (is that a word?) until the past 5 years or so. Probably about the time I had my first kid. Life got a little busier and I sort of fell off the wagon, scrambling to catch up now and then.
I have 17 journals filled with my life so far. My kids think it's fun to carry them around. I don't mind it {mostly} because I can pick one up and read about a bit of my life while they're out. I love being able to look back at days I've forgotten and say to myself, "Sure glad I wrote about that!" Since I can type way faster than I can write, I will try to post every day.I want to remember these early days of motherhood. I don't know if anyone will read it, but hey, it's mostly for me anyway. If you do read it, leave a comment!
I am 28 years old, married to a really awesome husband, and have three cute kiddos. My husband just graduated from law school a week or two ago {I can't remember the date today} and I am a SAHM {stay-at-home-mom}. I graduated with a BA in Music in 2004 from BYU {emphasis in flute} and I teach a handful of people flute lessons in the afternoons.
K that's enough about me. On to my thoughts.
I've been pondering lately about SAHMhood. I think I've been getting dragged down by the mundane and was starting to feel trapped and tied down. Part of it is probably cuz I just had a baby 2 1/2 months ago, and she is breastfeeding exclusively so I can only leave for up to a couple of hours at a time and it has to be well-timed and well-planned. She just started taking a bottle though so I feel a smidgen more freedom. Even though I have to add pumping to my regimen of mom chores.
But I digress. I felt tied down. But then I read a book called "In Praise of SAHMs" by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. It was amazing. She praises SAHMs and provides evidence (mostly anecdotal, but also some factual) about how typically children are better off being raised by their parents, and not paid caregivers. Not that I've ever had the desire to put my kids in day care or hire a nanny. But still. Endless dishes, cooking, cleaning, diapers, laundry, not to mention all the stuff that goes on with caring for children was wearing me down. And I've only been a mom for 4 1/2 years!
This book uplifted me. So did praying and reading the scriptures. I remembered that before I got married all I wanted was to be married and become a mommy. I wanted it SO bad. I prayed for it every day. I tried to make myself the best person I could be so an amazing man would fall in love with me. And it worked. He did, and here we are. I have to say that I am now recovering from my wallowing and embracing this motherhood stuff more fully.
Shrug and Smile. That is what one mom said in that book. Let it go. Choose your battles.
I am not a live-in housekeeper. I am a Mom, first and foremost. I struggle with the constant guilt: when I play with the kids, I feel guilty for not cleaning the messy house. When I clean, I feel guilty for not playing with the kids. So the house is a little cluttered. So the bathrooms need scrubbing. The closets need organizing. Email inbox needs clearing out. Pictures on the walls need to be updated. Menus need to be created. The list goes on. But my kids are playing with play-doh, coloring, learning to read, imagining, and helping me cook. They are pretty happy kids, and that's what I'm trying to dwell on instead of thinking about my long tidy up list.
The other night the hubs was off camping (hey, he needed a break before official bar studying began) I was putting all the kids to bed myself. The two big girls (ages 2 and 4) were running around wildly like kids do at bedtime. I remember being wild at bedtime when I was a kid too. The baby woke up. I don't think she was feeling well. I got her out and carried her around while getting teeth brushed, jams on, bladders emptied. As I felt completely outnumbered and felt frustration and impatience looming on the horizon, I stepped back and looked at the big picture.
I am a MOM! Look at me, I'm living my dream! Look-three little people, depending on me and loving me unconditionally and I get to guide and direct and teach and love them ALL DAY!
Much better. Patience and love moved in, and I read the girls stories while holding the baby in my lap. I gazed at each of them and smoothed their hair, kissed their cheeks, and let my eyes memorize the picture in front of me. I love these little girls so much it takes my breath away. I don't want them to grow up and not see me as their hero, their #1, their favorite person in the world anymore. I want them to always come up to me randomly and say, "mommy, I want you to hold me. " and "You're the best mommy ever, Mommy!"
Sigh. It's moments like those that make me really love my job. And I need to record more of those moments. Keep 'em coming!
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