How much do you think that bounty cost me? 7 green peppers, 3 red peppers, 1 zucchini, 8 cucumbers, 11 plum tomatoes, 2 green tomatoes, and a pint of exotic cherry tomatoes. All of it organic. From a local farmer's market. All for....wait for it...$12.50. A steal if I do say so myself. And even though Mother Nature tried to put a damper on our trip, we were troopers (so go stick it MN...just kidding...okay, maybe not). Going to be a good, healthy week! A total vegetable fest. Tomorrow we hit another farmer's market where we are looking to get fruits, fresh eggs, and farm-raised meat. Our adventure to healthier eating has begun.
In other news, my babygirl has DEFINITELY found her voice - and boy oh boy is it loud. Good thing she was born into this family, she fits right in. She is still sweet - just had a higher pitch.
And my soldierboy is becoming a man (cue tears). I noticed hair growing above his lips. Any day now he will begin shaving. And then driving. Followed by college. It is going too quick. I miss holding my baby...but am so proud of the man he is becoming. I want to enjoy every day, one slow day at a time.
I decided Sundays were now going to be titled "Family Day". We will spend the entire day doing things together. No chores (okay little to no - we still need to try and keep a clean house), electronics, or home improvement...We had our first one today, and it went something like this:
At 9:30 am, hubby, babygirl and I embark on a 3 mile walk. I should've went to Zumba with my sister, but our gym had cancelled class due to a blood drive and I didn't want to head to Nash Dancecenter for 2 reasons (not a fan of the instructors and didn't want to pay for a class). So 3 mile walk it was.
When we returned hubby cooked us all omlettes. Made to order omlettes. I know you are jealous. He is a keeper.
Next we were rushing to make mass. My soldierboy was an altar boy for the service. And us, well we are always so timely, NOT! For some reason, we are 10 minutes behind the rest of the world, unless we are going to a drive-in movie - but I am getting to that.
Following mass, we decided to head to Warwick, NY. The plan was to go to the drive-in to see Ted. On the way we thought we would hit up Farmer's markets to get some fresh vegetables and goodies. We are really trying to eat healthier in this household.
First stop, Lafayette Village. We arrived a little tardy. What?! That surprises you? Doesn't surprise us. Although there were still a couple stands, most had or were in the process of packing up. Their loss cause we had dollars to spend. We ended up spending $23. We got 3 green peppers, 2 big tomatoes, 2 croissants, a jar of salsa, and a jar of jalapeno jam (that'd be for the hubby). SCORE!
At this point we were starving, but since we only had 20 minutes until we hit Warwick, we chose to wait until we were in town to grab something to eat. That is when we stopped at our next Farmer's market, Pennings. Here they have a Harvest Grill (and beer garden for those drinkers out there). I was a little grossed out (okay, that is an understatement - more like a LOT) by the amount of flies in there. I hung in there and placed my order which I was regretting as the minutes passed by waiting for my food. I am happy that I stuck it out. The food was ah-mah-zing! My turkey burger was the bomb. So full of flavor and it came on a wheat bun. Hubby's grilled chicken with mozzarella and pesto looked good too. I didn't try it, but I took his word on it. Soldierboy, went with his usual standby, chicken fingers. Yes, he is a work in progress with the healthy options. $28 for a late lunch and $13.25 for zucchini bread and blueberry pomegrante jam.
By now it is 4:30 and 4 hours until the movie starts. We drive around for a bit but find NOTHING to do. Then babygirl reminds us that she hasn't had lunch yet by her piercing scream. Any of you moms that nurse can relate. Babygirl is fed, and there is still 3 and a half hours to go. Oh the torture. Apparently if we aren't late then we are too early for the party. We'll get this right one of these times. Long story short, we decide to skip the drive-in.
We meet up with my sister back home. Babygirl and I walk another 3 miles; hubby and soldierboy practice hitting and catching. Hubby takes soldierboy to theater by my house to see Ted.
All in all, I would call it a success. $64.25 (excluding gas and movie). Time was spent together. Without electronics. With those I love.
Definitely doing something again next Sunday, together.
So my girl is mobile. She isn't walking yet but the way she crawls, techincally she is using her feet (more like planking followed by mountain climbers). She is definetely going to be into fitness - YAY!
I also found the first food that she doesn't like - Beech Nut Mixed Fruit with Yogurt. She is NOT a fan. She does however love their cinnamon raisin granola. She would eat that for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I let her.
I sometimes secretly wish I was a stay at home mom. Realizing how quick my little soldierboy's childhood has flew by, I would love to spend every day for the next 4 years trying to make up for the all the time I missed due to being stuck at work. I keep telling my baby girl that I want her time to go slower than her brother's.
As I get older, I realize how important making memories with my family is. I vow to let the house chores, personal errands, and all other tasks that get in the way of 'family' time take a back seat to outings with the kids. My goal is to make sure we do something as a family at least once a week. We will see how that goes starting this weekend. Wish me luck!
I have to admit that I don't hate Mondays. I know I am probably the only one on the planet. But you wouldn't either if you were me. Maybe I should've started with, don't hate me that I get to wear my pj's to work twice a week. Oh and by to work, I mean to my chair with my laptop.
I know what you are thinking - lucky b*tch! Yes, yes I am. I am extremely fortunate that my job allows me to telecommute two days a week. But as much as you may hate me for that. You should understand that the commute to the office is an hour and half. One way. With minimal traffic. Yes, it stinks. No, I am not use to it yet....So you can hate me two days a week. As long as you feel for me the other three workdays.
Now let's not discuss my disgust for Wednesdays ;)
It has been awhile since I have blogged. This thing called life keeps getting in the way. On Tuesday, baby girl had her 6 month check-up. She is now 12lbs 11.5 ozs and 25 inches. She gained a lb in a month, so the doctor is happy with her progress. She is STILL in the 5 percentile - but hey - someone has to be! She was also given 2 shots. I think these shots hurt me more than then hurt her. She only cries when the needle is taken out and only for a minute. Then it appears that she instantly forgets about what happened. Lucky her! I have anxiety the entire time we are waiting for the doctor as I can't handle my babies crying. It literally hurts me. I am thrilled that she is so brave.
My other baby, that I call my 14 year old soldier boy, went yesterday to play paint ball with our neighbor and his son. I don't understand the lure of paintball. The whole point is to hit another person with a 'paint' bullet, which I am told hurts like being slapped with an open hand. Not.my.idea.of.fun! He came home last night, after spending 7 hours in the heat, running through the woods, trying to shoot the 'enemy' all while trying to minimize the amount of times he got hit. And the team he was on, wasn't the brightest group, as most of his hits came in the form of friendly fire. He is black and blue and drained of all his energy. And he would do all over again. God I love his enthusiasm for the insane. I just wish he would channel this energy into his school work.
My progress with my diet and exercise are coming along. I have lost 14.4lbs in 70 days and am nearly at my prebabygirl weight. I couldn't be more thrilled. I have to say that most days, I have incredible willpower. As long as I am seeing progress, it makes it that much easier for me to stick to the program. I do endulge from time to time, but I try to make that the exception and not the norm. Especially since I tend to feel guilty afterwards. I'm hoping that once I reach my goal, the guilt will begin to subside.
My workouts consist of the following:
Sat - zumba or muscle pump class
Sun - zumba or spin
Mon - in the am a muscle pump class and in the evening a zumba class
Tue - in the am zumba and I will begin taking spin in the evening
Wed - Fri I am in the office and don't always get a chance to get to the gym.
In addition, I try to walk at least once a day with my husband and baby girl. I'd take soldier boy too - but he generally isn't up for it. (You know, those 14 year olds.) We walk around our development and the lake because I feel we get a better workout with all the hills. Truth be told, I mostly walk around this area because I am trying to get my husband to be more active. Unless I am asking him to take a walk, he isn't going. But it truly is a good workout, and we walk about 3 miles at a time. I also meet a friend or family member sometimes just to get an extra workout in or to help keep them motivated. I really think that is important - to help motivate and support each other not only in our fitness journeys but in life in general.
In a blink of an eye, baby girl turned 6 months. Actually it was yesterday at 2:12pm to be exact. The time is just passing by and although I love seeing her (and her brother) grow - I wish they would slow down a bit!
In the past month, she has begun to try to be mobile. Now she has never been one to sit still. Not even in utero. She kicks her way around EVERYWHERE. And she prefers to be held 24/7. I blame my husband for that. When she was born he didn't put her down for the entire night; now just the threat of a cry and he goes running to her. This girl had him wrapped around her finger from day one.
She has definitely found her voice. And boy is she loud. I guess she'll fit right in this family.
She is eating more and more solid food. She loves green beans, peas, bananas, and apples. She also must have a daily dose of oatmeal for breakfast. So far it appears that she may be allergic to pears as she broke out in a rash the one time we fed them to her. We think we may try again in case it just was a coincidence (she only had a rash on the back of her neck). I am thrilled that her favorites so far are the vegetables. I hope that lasts.
She is still in 0-3 months, but I think any day she will be in the next size.
Her core is so strong, and yes I am jealous. She can lift herself up using just her core muscles. It is quite impressive. She can't balance herself to stay up - but any day now she will be sitting on her own.
We have also started supplementing with formula - due to the doctor's recommendation. He was concerned that she wasn't getting enough since she was in the 5 percentile for weight and height back at her 4 month check-up. After supplementing, she gained a pound in a month (at her 5 month check-up) and the doctor was pleased with that progress. We try to limit her formula intake to one bottle a day since it makes it more difficult to produce milk if she isn't nursing more frequently.
She still sleeps with me. And I love it. She gets up twice a night to be fed. If she didn't eat much during the day, then we are up three times. It is okay; as my husband says, it is time with the kids. Time is the biggest commodity that we take for granted. Once it has past, we can't get it back. As I get older, I realize how quickly it goes.
I'm looking forward to the next 6 months and many decades more!
