I was reading this http://www.parents.com/baby/new-parent/emotions/nine-ways-life-is-better-with-baby/?sssdmh=dm17.503745&esrc=nwpmmdailytip012411&email=811031896
article today and thought about the wonderful changes to our family in the last two months.
Samantha Adores Us
From the second she wakes up, Miss Samantha is all smiles. She "coos" and "ahhs" to me and my heart just melts! Samantha doesn't mind my excess mommy weight, she doesn't care that I'm in public in sweat pants with my hair a mess, and she's too little to talk back just yet! Sammie doesn't hold a grudge if her bottle is too chilly, or fight me when I want to dress her in pink with a big bow on her head! Her love for mommy is unconditional, as is my love for her.
You Gain a Feeling of Belonging & Make New Friends
It's nice to have someone so innocent and sweet depend on you. I don't mind explosive diapers or being barfed on. I don't mind being up to feed her at 3am. We are now parents of two-- we aren't interested in bar hopping; We'd rather watch a Disney movie on the couch. Instead of new gadgets for ourselves, we get excited to buy their clothing and toys. Our new community of friends revolve around kids, and we don't mind the change. We have traded bar-hopping weekends for picnics at the playground, followed by nap-time! We now belong with our family in our home or on adventures together, and while it's great to keep in touch with our friends from our "Before" life, we are glad love to meet other families with kids-- learn from them, watch our kids play together, and to put the kids first.
Your Heart Opens SO Wide
I knew I would love Stephen more than I have ever loved anyone or anything the moment I was told he was growing. When I got pregnant a second time, I knew that I could somehow love this baby as much as I love Stephen. The love between Josh & I grew somehow even more. Getting pregnant with Samantha reminded me of ALL I have to be thankful for and reminds me of what my priorities really are.
You Get Things Done
I know what it's like to be a working mother, but most days as a stay-at-home mom I feel like the master of multi-tasking. I can cook, clean, organize, pay bills, change diapers, and as fast as I can knock 20 things off of my 'to-do' list, another 20 things are tacked on! Josh and I do our jobs so that Stephen and Samantha can do theirs- grow up and have a great childhood to look back on. The sooner we get the adult stuff out of the way, the sooner we can do the fun stuff with our kids!
I am Reminded That My Body is Important, too
My kids can't eat candy and cookies all day because it's not healthy. Having a baby and all of the changes to my body that come with it was a big reminder that I need to follow some of the healthy eating habits that I am trying to instill in my children. I may have an additional chin, 'mommy marks' on my belly and hips, and any chance of ever wanting to purchase a bikini are slim to none, but my children were worth what my body went through and now it's time I lead by example. This is sort of a way for me to reward myself; The better I eat and the more I work out, the more things I can do with my children physically and the longer I will be able to do them.
I Know What Matters & Can Cut Myself Some Slack
My house is not going to be perfect 100% of the time. Not every meal I cook will be gourmet and sometimes I'll forget what the heck I was supposed to be doing or where I put Samantha's pacifier. Spit-up on a new outfit isn't the end of the world. Having kids makes your priorities change and some things that used to feel important, just don't feel as important as they were. I try to do my best, even if sometimes my best is just alright. I am not in a competition!
We Have Built a Family
When I look at my two amazing kids I can say, "We did that!" I am lucky enough to have a husband who is happy with me and my imperfections. I have kids who forgive me for sometimes being high-strung. Josh and I depend on each other and our kids depend on us as a team. I love my role in our family and am proud of how the Moody Chiperno's have turned out thus far.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Carla's Candid's First Giveaway
http://hoagy74.blogspot.com/2011/01/carlas-candids-launch-giveaway.html?showComment=1295904460447#c81174938848086670
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Things I Learned at My First Monster Truck Show
One of the first things I learned was that, perhaps, I should have bought some ear plugs.
The ear plugs would have been a wonderful option to protect me from lesson two....If you buy your kid a big bag of c.c. (Not crack cocaine....But almost the same thing)....He will finish the entire bag in 3 seconds flat and he will touch you and hug you and shake sticky fingers at you the rest of the night.
c.c.= cotton candy; Oh, lord.
Lesson three, which was also quickly learned, was that a comfortable pair of flats was a poor choice. Also, apparently garbage cans are not necessary at a function such as this-- you just throw whatever you are finished with on the floor. I guess since it's indoors it's not littering...?
You WILL see more mullets than you have ever seen at one time, You WILL see rows of people sporting hunter's camo designed clothing, every other person WILL have a 40 ounce beer can, and the people sitting in front of you WILL buy their kids flags.
At intermission I saw that every person around us left and bought earplugs and earmuffs. I can try to tell myself it was because the trucks were so loud, but I really know the truth....It was because STEPHEN was so loud! I found myself "shusshing" him throughout the whole thing. I guess if your kid is going to be unbearably loud, this is the place for him to be....And he certainly was. He saw everything he has dreamed about in his four short years. Stephen saw motorcycle flips,
even a Monster Truck flip over.
He saw rednecks in their clunkers do things his mom and dad will never do with their vehicles.
He even drove in a real Monster Truck, though if he tells you about it he's going to call it the "Monster Truck School Bus".
I can file this away under "things I never thought I'd pay to do", but all-in-all I had a great date night with my little man. I wish Josh had been a part of it, too.
Stephen got to meet all of the drivers. This is Stephen with the "Bounty Hunter" Matchbox Monster Truck, the real Monster Truck, and the driver who was a very nice guy.
The ear plugs would have been a wonderful option to protect me from lesson two....If you buy your kid a big bag of c.c. (Not crack cocaine....But almost the same thing)....He will finish the entire bag in 3 seconds flat and he will touch you and hug you and shake sticky fingers at you the rest of the night.
c.c.= cotton candy; Oh, lord.
Lesson three, which was also quickly learned, was that a comfortable pair of flats was a poor choice. Also, apparently garbage cans are not necessary at a function such as this-- you just throw whatever you are finished with on the floor. I guess since it's indoors it's not littering...?
You WILL see more mullets than you have ever seen at one time, You WILL see rows of people sporting hunter's camo designed clothing, every other person WILL have a 40 ounce beer can, and the people sitting in front of you WILL buy their kids flags.
At intermission I saw that every person around us left and bought earplugs and earmuffs. I can try to tell myself it was because the trucks were so loud, but I really know the truth....It was because STEPHEN was so loud! I found myself "shusshing" him throughout the whole thing. I guess if your kid is going to be unbearably loud, this is the place for him to be....And he certainly was. He saw everything he has dreamed about in his four short years. Stephen saw motorcycle flips,
even a Monster Truck flip over.
He saw rednecks in their clunkers do things his mom and dad will never do with their vehicles.
He even drove in a real Monster Truck, though if he tells you about it he's going to call it the "Monster Truck School Bus".
I can file this away under "things I never thought I'd pay to do", but all-in-all I had a great date night with my little man. I wish Josh had been a part of it, too.
Stephen got to meet all of the drivers. This is Stephen with the "Bounty Hunter" Matchbox Monster Truck, the real Monster Truck, and the driver who was a very nice guy.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Dreaded Diet
This week has been spent from doctor's office to office. Monday I saw Dr. Ramirez at KD about the sounds in my right ear, and then had to get blood work done. Tuesday Samantha had to see her pediatrician for her two month check up. Wednesday I saw my doctor, and then had to get more blood work. Then today I had to go to KDH for my first MRI to check out this ringing issue with my ear, which also resulted in my third shot; This time to add the dye to my bloodstream.
With Josh gone this month I told myself it's the perfect time to get myself working on losing weight. I need to start working out, which *blush* I can't say I've done much of in the last year. ((I can't believe I admitted that in typing and now all I want to do is list my excuses))
Feeling bad about my weight isn't getting me anywhere and I know I had better start moving and food journal-ing. I feel no need to post my before weight, but it is the highest it has ever been and most of the time I cannot believe I am this big.
After the MRI today I went to Sam's club and spent money I didn't really want to spend, but I bought good looking fruits and veggies, as well as some healthy grab-and-go options. I was diligent in my journal-ing, but to my dismay Rhandi informed me tonight that something I thought had to be the best choice on the menu was in fact not, so day 1 of this diet very well may be a wash.
I met Carla and Aaron at the Olive Garden for lunch and thought "Man, a ceaser salad sounds wonderful!" I didn't eat the croutons but enjoyed everything else assuming it was safe. Apparently that salad with croutons was a whopping 850 calories!
When I looked it up tonight and I added the calories I ate today, I think I am still between my limits, but it stinks that at day 1 I already feel like I slipped up. At least I still have 28 more days before I see my doctor to check-in and hopefully during those days I can knock off a few pound, that will inspire me to do this next month and so on.
As for working out, I can't seem to find a gym that I can honestly say that I think I will be successful with. I hate that everywhere I want to go, there's a daycare flub. I like going to the gym and I like working out, but I also don't want to pay and sign up for a contract if I can't use it, and with Josh gone all the time and about to redeploy, I need something that will work. With that being said, I know I need to work out so tonight was Day 1 of the Shred Dvd.
I remember being althletic as a pre-teen and teen, and I remember being flexible and I remember moves such as jumping jacks feeling different than they do today. My push ups are pathetic and doing that routine r e a l l y shows me "Hey, Stupid" and makes me further understand that I've let this happen and now I need to fix it-- it's not going to be any easier if I keep putting it off.
I ended the evening with a snuggle and bottle feed with Sam, and then a nice hot bath. I think tomorrow is going to be a well needed "lazy day" here in the Moody Chiperno household.
With Josh gone this month I told myself it's the perfect time to get myself working on losing weight. I need to start working out, which *blush* I can't say I've done much of in the last year. ((I can't believe I admitted that in typing and now all I want to do is list my excuses))
Feeling bad about my weight isn't getting me anywhere and I know I had better start moving and food journal-ing. I feel no need to post my before weight, but it is the highest it has ever been and most of the time I cannot believe I am this big.
After the MRI today I went to Sam's club and spent money I didn't really want to spend, but I bought good looking fruits and veggies, as well as some healthy grab-and-go options. I was diligent in my journal-ing, but to my dismay Rhandi informed me tonight that something I thought had to be the best choice on the menu was in fact not, so day 1 of this diet very well may be a wash.
I met Carla and Aaron at the Olive Garden for lunch and thought "Man, a ceaser salad sounds wonderful!" I didn't eat the croutons but enjoyed everything else assuming it was safe. Apparently that salad with croutons was a whopping 850 calories!
When I looked it up tonight and I added the calories I ate today, I think I am still between my limits, but it stinks that at day 1 I already feel like I slipped up. At least I still have 28 more days before I see my doctor to check-in and hopefully during those days I can knock off a few pound, that will inspire me to do this next month and so on.
As for working out, I can't seem to find a gym that I can honestly say that I think I will be successful with. I hate that everywhere I want to go, there's a daycare flub. I like going to the gym and I like working out, but I also don't want to pay and sign up for a contract if I can't use it, and with Josh gone all the time and about to redeploy, I need something that will work. With that being said, I know I need to work out so tonight was Day 1 of the Shred Dvd.
I remember being althletic as a pre-teen and teen, and I remember being flexible and I remember moves such as jumping jacks feeling different than they do today. My push ups are pathetic and doing that routine r e a l l y shows me "Hey, Stupid" and makes me further understand that I've let this happen and now I need to fix it-- it's not going to be any easier if I keep putting it off.
I ended the evening with a snuggle and bottle feed with Sam, and then a nice hot bath. I think tomorrow is going to be a well needed "lazy day" here in the Moody Chiperno household.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Samantha Anne is 2 Months already!
This picture is of my sweet baby sleeping off a rough day. :(
Mommy and Dr. Alvarado celebrated her big two month milestone by giving her three shots in her thighs. Poor Sammie! Samantha was a tough cookie and only cried for a few seconds, and then took a long, deep nap. Luckily I don't see any swelling and she doesn't appear to have a fever.
I was told that at 23 inches she is in the 75th percentile for her length and has average head size and weight, which was barely over the ten pound mark. I swear- I can feel her growing bigger everyday. The past two days her body feels heavier and chubbier and I am loving it! She looks so much like her brother and father, with a few hints of me mixed in there.
Doctor Alvarado noted today that she is doing things that she should not be able to do already, such as push herself up and hold her head so well. She then warned me to "watch her like a hawk"!
I feel blessed to have Samantha, our final addition to our family, and cannot wait to see the look on Josh's face when he gets to hold her next!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
