Saturday, July 31, 2010

This is my confession

I got really drunk last night. Hubby and I were celebrating our anniversary - three years! - by going out to dinner. And then going to a bar. And then another bar. We drank a lot.

And I decided to tell Hubby about my blog. This blog. I told him. I told him about twitter. And the email address. And the pseudonyms.

His reaction: "So, you actually have people that read your blog? That's pretty cool."

He's right. It is pretty cool.

This is my confession

I got really drunk last night. Hubby and I were celebrating our anniversary - three years! - by going out to dinner. And then going to a bar. And then another bar. We drank a lot.

And I decided to tell Hubby about my blog. This blog. I told him. I told him about twitter. And the email address. And the pseudonyms.

His reaction: "So, you actually have people that read your blog? That's pretty cool."

He's right. It is pretty cool.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Cute Attack

In case you needed something cute to cheer you up:
http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/
GO NOW.

Cute Attack

In case you needed something cute to cheer you up:
http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/
GO NOW.

6 Months!

I just can't believe that Laura is already 6 months old! It feels like just yesterday that I was taking her to her first check-up. Laura has grown so much between each visit to the pediatrician. I know, because I took pictures!
One Week Old: Two Months Old:
Four Months Old:

Six Months Old: To date, Laura weighs 15 pounds, 11 ounces, and measures 26 1/8" in length. She is exactly in the 50th percentile for everything! Perfectly healthy, and perfectly beautiful.

6 Months!

I just can't believe that Laura is already 6 months old! It feels like just yesterday that I was taking her to her first check-up. Laura has grown so much between each visit to the pediatrician. I know, because I took pictures!
One Week Old: Two Months Old:
Four Months Old:

Six Months Old: To date, Laura weighs 15 pounds, 11 ounces, and measures 26 1/8" in length. She is exactly in the 50th percentile for everything! Perfectly healthy, and perfectly beautiful.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Three Years Ago


Three years ago, I was sitting in my parents' kitchen, painting my toenails. I went with a bright tomato red, since they didn't have to match anything. I was wondering when I should take my shower. I was idly nibbling a bagel.


I was getting ready for my wedding. The big day. The day I would marry my best friend and lover. The day we would become a family.


It was a beautiful day, filled with love - and the most fun I have ever had.

Three Years Ago


Three years ago, I was sitting in my parents' kitchen, painting my toenails. I went with a bright tomato red, since they didn't have to match anything. I was wondering when I should take my shower. I was idly nibbling a bagel.


I was getting ready for my wedding. The big day. The day I would marry my best friend and lover. The day we would become a family.


It was a beautiful day, filled with love - and the most fun I have ever had.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Adventures in Babyfooding: Bananas

Did you know that bananas contain all the essential nutrients for sustaining life? Like, you could eat just bananas for the rest of your life and be ok. Sounds like a pretty awesome food to me! In fact, bananas were the second food Laura had.

And I figured, how hard could it be to make babyfood bananas? Turns out, not hard at all:

Step 1: mash banana with a fork
Step 2: thin with formula
Step 3: feed hungry baby

Wow. That was way easy! Turns out, Laura wasn't too huge a fan of the random stringy bits that I hadn't been careful enough about removing. But she just made a face and spit that part out. She LOVED the rest.

Even better: I just read online that you can freeze mashed bananas. Which is good, because I have five very ripe bananas on my counter.

Adventures in Babyfooding: Bananas

Did you know that bananas contain all the essential nutrients for sustaining life? Like, you could eat just bananas for the rest of your life and be ok. Sounds like a pretty awesome food to me! In fact, bananas were the second food Laura had.

And I figured, how hard could it be to make babyfood bananas? Turns out, not hard at all:

Step 1: mash banana with a fork
Step 2: thin with formula
Step 3: feed hungry baby

Wow. That was way easy! Turns out, Laura wasn't too huge a fan of the random stringy bits that I hadn't been careful enough about removing. But she just made a face and spit that part out. She LOVED the rest.

Even better: I just read online that you can freeze mashed bananas. Which is good, because I have five very ripe bananas on my counter.

McFatty Monday - Week 3

Here we are, at week three of McFatty Mondays!

This weekend was really hard. Hubby and I went to three parties - two on Saturday and one Sunday afternoon.

At party #1, I found myself mindlessly scooping salsa onto chip after chip. I caught myself and stopped. It was hard, but I was really proud of myself!

At party #2, I had a drink or two. And some snacks. But I didn't go after the brownies, and I didn't have that many drinks. I didn't have enough dinner, but whatever. By a rough estimate, I went over my WeightWatchers points for the day, but not too bad.

At party #3, I had a few drinks (again), and did catch myself snacking a little bit. But I am really proud of catching myself. I didn't count my points at all. But I also didn't go crazy with the snacking! That's a win in my book!

So, once again, I slacked with the exercise. But I'm sticking to the point system through Weight Watchers. I hear that it takes three weeks to form a habit, or something like that, so I'm anxious to see how this week goes. And maybe, just maybe I can incorporate some sit-ups into my life!

McFatty Monday - Week 3

Here we are, at week three of McFatty Mondays!

This weekend was really hard. Hubby and I went to three parties - two on Saturday and one Sunday afternoon.

At party #1, I found myself mindlessly scooping salsa onto chip after chip. I caught myself and stopped. It was hard, but I was really proud of myself!

At party #2, I had a drink or two. And some snacks. But I didn't go after the brownies, and I didn't have that many drinks. I didn't have enough dinner, but whatever. By a rough estimate, I went over my WeightWatchers points for the day, but not too bad.

At party #3, I had a few drinks (again), and did catch myself snacking a little bit. But I am really proud of catching myself. I didn't count my points at all. But I also didn't go crazy with the snacking! That's a win in my book!

So, once again, I slacked with the exercise. But I'm sticking to the point system through Weight Watchers. I hear that it takes three weeks to form a habit, or something like that, so I'm anxious to see how this week goes. And maybe, just maybe I can incorporate some sit-ups into my life!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Weigh In

So you may remember that I started Weight Watchers for McFatty Monday? And that I'm doing it with a coworker? Which means I weigh in on Thursdays. As of this morning, I am down two pounds! I'm feeling lighter, if that makes sense, and feel confident. It's been a week and a half and I haven't once slacked on entering my points into the system. I haven't cheated or anything. I also haven't worked out, but whatever.

Starting Weight: 146
Starting BMI: 25.1
Current Weight: 144
Current BMI: 24.7
Goal Weight: 125
Goal BMI: 21.5

Weigh In

So you may remember that I started Weight Watchers for McFatty Monday? And that I'm doing it with a coworker? Which means I weigh in on Thursdays. As of this morning, I am down two pounds! I'm feeling lighter, if that makes sense, and feel confident. It's been a week and a half and I haven't once slacked on entering my points into the system. I haven't cheated or anything. I also haven't worked out, but whatever.

Starting Weight: 146
Starting BMI: 25.1
Current Weight: 144
Current BMI: 24.7
Goal Weight: 125
Goal BMI: 21.5

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

I never could have guessed

Phew, yesterday was fun! I have never guest-blogged before, so I was a little nervous. I hope you had a chance to peek at my post over at Stacey's, because it was about my most favoritest thing in the whole world!

Today I'd like to talk about something different. Baby food. In a million bajillion years, I never would have thought that I would feel the urge to make my own baby food. Never. I love to cook, but somehow I just didn't see baby food as my oeuvre.

Since Laura started eating baby food, I've been looking at the fruits and veggies Hubby and I eat a little differently. I look at zucchini and wonder if that's mashable (it is!). I wonder if Laura would like peaches (she does!). For a while, I thought that maybe I could try making my own here and there. But like most things, I decide I want to do something and then take a million years to just buckle down and try it.

For a while, I made excuses. Why would I want to go through the hassle of getting the food processor out and dirtied. Maybe, I thought, I would be more likely to just do it if I bought a really expensive baby food making tool. But then I realized, why would I buy what amounts to a food processor - that I would still have to make room for and clean - when I already have a really nice Cuisinart?!

So the other night, I broke out the baby cookbook a coworker had given (that I immediately cast away thinking "YEAH RIGHT"), and looked up the recipes for peaches.

Step 1: Steam peaches
Step 2: Remove skin
Step 3: Blend

Um. That's it? Surely there must be more to it.

Step 4: Serve within 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Never mind. That's it. I can do this. And I did! I also made plums and peas. And I know from tasting them that MY peas are way better than anything Gerber could do. So I know I'll continue to buy the jarred stuff. I'm certainly not trying to make my own rice cereal (that one does have a lot of steps). But I know I will make at least some of Laura's food. It's kinda fun!

I never could have guessed

Phew, yesterday was fun! I have never guest-blogged before, so I was a little nervous. I hope you had a chance to peek at my post over at Stacey's, because it was about my most favoritest thing in the whole world!

Today I'd like to talk about something different. Baby food. In a million bajillion years, I never would have thought that I would feel the urge to make my own baby food. Never. I love to cook, but somehow I just didn't see baby food as my oeuvre.

Since Laura started eating baby food, I've been looking at the fruits and veggies Hubby and I eat a little differently. I look at zucchini and wonder if that's mashable (it is!). I wonder if Laura would like peaches (she does!). For a while, I thought that maybe I could try making my own here and there. But like most things, I decide I want to do something and then take a million years to just buckle down and try it.

For a while, I made excuses. Why would I want to go through the hassle of getting the food processor out and dirtied. Maybe, I thought, I would be more likely to just do it if I bought a really expensive baby food making tool. But then I realized, why would I buy what amounts to a food processor - that I would still have to make room for and clean - when I already have a really nice Cuisinart?!

So the other night, I broke out the baby cookbook a coworker had given (that I immediately cast away thinking "YEAH RIGHT"), and looked up the recipes for peaches.

Step 1: Steam peaches
Step 2: Remove skin
Step 3: Blend

Um. That's it? Surely there must be more to it.

Step 4: Serve within 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Never mind. That's it. I can do this. And I did! I also made plums and peas. And I know from tasting them that MY peas are way better than anything Gerber could do. So I know I'll continue to buy the jarred stuff. I'm certainly not trying to make my own rice cereal (that one does have a lot of steps). But I know I will make at least some of Laura's food. It's kinda fun!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

I'm so nervous

And so excited! All at once! Today, I am guest blogging for the first time! Come check me out over at Musings of a Mommie I'm talking about my most favoritest thing.

I'm so nervous

And so excited! All at once! Today, I am guest blogging for the first time! Come check me out over at Musings of a Mommie I'm talking about my most favoritest thing.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Because where are we without friends?

One of my dear friends gave birth to her son three week ago. He was 5 weeks early, and spent a week in NICU. He's home now, and doing really well. My friend sent an email to me this afternoon, and it brought tears to my eyes:

I hope I haven't shared to much personal information but, I've learned that being open and honest, especially with close friends, is very helpful. It seems to make it easier to just put it out there and learn other people's experiences as well. It makes me feel not so alone. I appreciate how open and honest you've been with me....I learned to an extent what to expect from the whole experience and I can't thank you enough for that.

If I have learned nothing else in the past 5 1/2 months, it's I need friends now more than ever. Openness and honesty are the only things that can get me through this. I don't know where I would be right now without Hubby, my mom, my mother-in-law (never thought I'd say that!), this blog, and my friends. So thank you. From the bottom of my heart. And now that I hope I can return the favor someday.

Because where are we without friends?

One of my dear friends gave birth to her son three week ago. He was 5 weeks early, and spent a week in NICU. He's home now, and doing really well. My friend sent an email to me this afternoon, and it brought tears to my eyes:

I hope I haven't shared to much personal information but, I've learned that being open and honest, especially with close friends, is very helpful. It seems to make it easier to just put it out there and learn other people's experiences as well. It makes me feel not so alone. I appreciate how open and honest you've been with me....I learned to an extent what to expect from the whole experience and I can't thank you enough for that.

If I have learned nothing else in the past 5 1/2 months, it's I need friends now more than ever. Openness and honesty are the only things that can get me through this. I don't know where I would be right now without Hubby, my mom, my mother-in-law (never thought I'd say that!), this blog, and my friends. So thank you. From the bottom of my heart. And now that I hope I can return the favor someday.

McFatty Monday

Today marks one whole week on Weight Watchers! A whole week where I was conscious of my eating. And I realized that I eat of lot of snacks during the day that I don't even notice! A handful of something here, a bite of something there... and that's not even counting my actual meals - where I eat way past being full!

I did go to the gym this week. But only once. And I did think about setting up the WiiFit. But I didn't. I made a whole lot of excuses for not exercising.

So here's the deal. I have my WW weigh-in on Thursday, because that's the day my coworker weighs-in and we're in this together. As of this past Thursday, four days in (and pre-weekend), I hadn't lost anything. Which is fine. I'm not in it for the pounds, I'm in it for the pants sizes. As yet, I have not ventured so far as to try pants on again.

My goals for this week are to:
*Continue watching what I eat
*Continue focusing on eating healthier snacks (even if this or that is only 3 points or whatever)
*Set up the damn WiiFit
*Check out what OnDemand has to offer in the way of exercise shows
*Get to the freaking gym! That we pay for! And never use!

McFatty Monday

Today marks one whole week on Weight Watchers! A whole week where I was conscious of my eating. And I realized that I eat of lot of snacks during the day that I don't even notice! A handful of something here, a bite of something there... and that's not even counting my actual meals - where I eat way past being full!

I did go to the gym this week. But only once. And I did think about setting up the WiiFit. But I didn't. I made a whole lot of excuses for not exercising.

So here's the deal. I have my WW weigh-in on Thursday, because that's the day my coworker weighs-in and we're in this together. As of this past Thursday, four days in (and pre-weekend), I hadn't lost anything. Which is fine. I'm not in it for the pounds, I'm in it for the pants sizes. As yet, I have not ventured so far as to try pants on again.

My goals for this week are to:
*Continue watching what I eat
*Continue focusing on eating healthier snacks (even if this or that is only 3 points or whatever)
*Set up the damn WiiFit
*Check out what OnDemand has to offer in the way of exercise shows
*Get to the freaking gym! That we pay for! And never use!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Ah, Friday!

I haven't been my usual bloggy self this week. For a few good reasons!

1) I'm finally buckling down and getting some actual work done at work. You know, instead of just blogging, reading blogs, reading tweets, reading more blogs... You get the idea. I have had trouble getting myself back into a work routine (even though it's been three months since I've been back?), so this was a good week. Not that I didn't slack off a little here and there...

2) I'm a little obsessed with the Weight Watchers site right now. All the time I might have spent blogging last week, I have spent searching for point-friendly snacks. Turns out, Starbucks isn't that bad. Cheese is that bad.

3) I've spent a LOT of time at home preparing food to go along with my new diet. Veggies and fruit = 0 points. So I bought some veggies and fruit. And pre-chopped everything so that I might actually eat it.

4) Hubby is taking a really big, really important test today and tomorrow. And I'm not sure how that directly affects my blogging, but it does. Maybe because I'm too busy trying to keep Laura out of his hair while he crams? Maybe I feel that since he's working SO hard, maybe I should just relax for both of us?

So let's see how the diet survives the weekend. And keep our fingers crossed that Hubby survives the big test. And maybe my work motivation will carry over into next week as well. No promises.

Ah, Friday!

I haven't been my usual bloggy self this week. For a few good reasons!

1) I'm finally buckling down and getting some actual work done at work. You know, instead of just blogging, reading blogs, reading tweets, reading more blogs... You get the idea. I have had trouble getting myself back into a work routine (even though it's been three months since I've been back?), so this was a good week. Not that I didn't slack off a little here and there...

2) I'm a little obsessed with the Weight Watchers site right now. All the time I might have spent blogging last week, I have spent searching for point-friendly snacks. Turns out, Starbucks isn't that bad. Cheese is that bad.

3) I've spent a LOT of time at home preparing food to go along with my new diet. Veggies and fruit = 0 points. So I bought some veggies and fruit. And pre-chopped everything so that I might actually eat it.

4) Hubby is taking a really big, really important test today and tomorrow. And I'm not sure how that directly affects my blogging, but it does. Maybe because I'm too busy trying to keep Laura out of his hair while he crams? Maybe I feel that since he's working SO hard, maybe I should just relax for both of us?

So let's see how the diet survives the weekend. And keep our fingers crossed that Hubby survives the big test. And maybe my work motivation will carry over into next week as well. No promises.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Sweetest Thing

This morning, I popped my head into Laura's room to check on her before heating her bottle. I was expecting to see her sleeping on her tummy, eyes all squeezed shut. Instead, I was greeted by a happy, smiling baby playing quietly by herself in the crib.

So of course I quickly shut the door again and hoped she hadn't seen me. I didn't want to break the spell of her morning! When the bottle was finally heated, I scooped my smiling baby out of the crib and started our day.

What a great morning!

The Sweetest Thing

This morning, I popped my head into Laura's room to check on her before heating her bottle. I was expecting to see her sleeping on her tummy, eyes all squeezed shut. Instead, I was greeted by a happy, smiling baby playing quietly by herself in the crib.

So of course I quickly shut the door again and hoped she hadn't seen me. I didn't want to break the spell of her morning! When the bottle was finally heated, I scooped my smiling baby out of the crib and started our day.

What a great morning!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Off to a good start!

I signed up for Weight Watchers yesterday morning, and diligently entered in everything I ate yesterday. I even came in two points under my daily goal.

And even more impressive? I actually went to the gym. I said I would. I put on the clothes. I thought about skipping. And then I got in the car and went to the gym. Plus two bonus points for me!

I know that exercise and diet programs can start off really enthusiastically, and then drop off... but I really need to do this. NEED.

Off to a good start!

I signed up for Weight Watchers yesterday morning, and diligently entered in everything I ate yesterday. I even came in two points under my daily goal.

And even more impressive? I actually went to the gym. I said I would. I put on the clothes. I thought about skipping. And then I got in the car and went to the gym. Plus two bonus points for me!

I know that exercise and diet programs can start off really enthusiastically, and then drop off... but I really need to do this. NEED.

Monday, July 12, 2010

McFatty Monday

By now, you all probably know that I don't often participate in cross-blog activities. But I'm making an exception, and am going to be a late joiner for McFatty Mondays. Sometimes got to give, because I drove off to work this morning in maternity pants. You know the ones - with the elastic waist band? Because I couldn't get my other pants over my butt? This is bad people. Really bad. Embarassing, really. So I'm starting today.

1) I just checked. The Y is open till 10:00. So I can pick Laura up from day care, come home, feed her dinner, play, put her to bed, and still have time to workout once Hubby gets home from his meetings or whatever.

2) Days that Hubby can't get home by 9:00, I can use the WiiFit. Since it's currently sitting next to the door ready to make a break for it. I mean, ready for me to hook up to the TV and actually use.

3) I'm joining Weight Watchers with a good friend. We work together, so we can hold each other accountable. And since I'll be paying actual money to this company, I'll want to make sure I use it.

4) I had oatmeal for breakfast. Yucky oatmeal. And didn't finish it, because it's yucky. But am now not allowed any snacks till lunch.

5) Lunch is a tub of hummus and some fresh veggies, with a side of cantaloupe and blackberries. And I might not like hummus very much, but that's it. I'm not going to "get bored with my lunch" and "go next door for grilled cheese" like usual.

6) And if the hummus doesn't fill me up, I'm still not going to cave to the snack machine. Because I don't have any change. By design.

So do I know how much I weigh now? No. Do I know how much I want to weigh? No. But I do know that I don't like being a size 10, and that I'd like to be a size 6 again. I think this is realistic.

McFatty Monday

By now, you all probably know that I don't often participate in cross-blog activities. But I'm making an exception, and am going to be a late joiner for McFatty Mondays. Sometimes got to give, because I drove off to work this morning in maternity pants. You know the ones - with the elastic waist band? Because I couldn't get my other pants over my butt? This is bad people. Really bad. Embarassing, really. So I'm starting today.

1) I just checked. The Y is open till 10:00. So I can pick Laura up from day care, come home, feed her dinner, play, put her to bed, and still have time to workout once Hubby gets home from his meetings or whatever.

2) Days that Hubby can't get home by 9:00, I can use the WiiFit. Since it's currently sitting next to the door ready to make a break for it. I mean, ready for me to hook up to the TV and actually use.

3) I'm joining Weight Watchers with a good friend. We work together, so we can hold each other accountable. And since I'll be paying actual money to this company, I'll want to make sure I use it.

4) I had oatmeal for breakfast. Yucky oatmeal. And didn't finish it, because it's yucky. But am now not allowed any snacks till lunch.

5) Lunch is a tub of hummus and some fresh veggies, with a side of cantaloupe and blackberries. And I might not like hummus very much, but that's it. I'm not going to "get bored with my lunch" and "go next door for grilled cheese" like usual.

6) And if the hummus doesn't fill me up, I'm still not going to cave to the snack machine. Because I don't have any change. By design.

So do I know how much I weigh now? No. Do I know how much I want to weigh? No. But I do know that I don't like being a size 10, and that I'd like to be a size 6 again. I think this is realistic.

Friday, July 9, 2010

A conversation with my mom

On FB earlier this evening. We were talking about Laura's shoes (and how she has outgrown them already!)

Me: It's been way too hot for shoes anyway. And they hinder her scootching.

Mom: Oh... maybe you should put something on her feet! Scootching leads to crawling, leads to walking, leads to RUNNING... forget life as you know it!!

Me: haha, I know... but she's so proud of herself all the time. Who am I to ruin such self confidence?? I've spent my whole adult life trying to have one ounce of the confidence she has.

So I'm going to keep Laura barefoot. And I'm going to help her scootch. And sit up. And crawl. And walk. I might try to discourage the running... but I don't anticipate much success in that!

A conversation with my mom

On FB earlier this evening. We were talking about Laura's shoes (and how she has outgrown them already!)

Me: It's been way too hot for shoes anyway. And they hinder her scootching.

Mom: Oh... maybe you should put something on her feet! Scootching leads to crawling, leads to walking, leads to RUNNING... forget life as you know it!!

Me: haha, I know... but she's so proud of herself all the time. Who am I to ruin such self confidence?? I've spent my whole adult life trying to have one ounce of the confidence she has.

So I'm going to keep Laura barefoot. And I'm going to help her scootch. And sit up. And crawl. And walk. I might try to discourage the running... but I don't anticipate much success in that!

Dear Baby,

Get your sinning in today and tomorrow, cuz' Sunday you're getting baptized!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, and God

Dear Baby,

Get your sinning in today and tomorrow, cuz' Sunday you're getting baptized!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, and God

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Aggravation

It's been hot out. Really hot. Like hot enough to fry an egg on a sidewalk or a commuter train, as the case may be. Hot enough that I just know the trains are going to break down every night. Hot enough that I can plan to get home two hours late every night, and frustrated to tears.

And what is MARC's solution to this problem?

"Spurred by recent service disruptions on MARC trains, the Maryland Transit Administration has extended the hours of its customer call center and implemented other measures in an attempt to answer customer concerns."

Because calling to complain to some operator in India is really going to help me get to day care on time. Yup, one phone call is going to get the a/c running, and the trains back on schedule!
NOT.

Aggravation

It's been hot out. Really hot. Like hot enough to fry an egg on a sidewalk or a commuter train, as the case may be. Hot enough that I just know the trains are going to break down every night. Hot enough that I can plan to get home two hours late every night, and frustrated to tears.

And what is MARC's solution to this problem?

"Spurred by recent service disruptions on MARC trains, the Maryland Transit Administration has extended the hours of its customer call center and implemented other measures in an attempt to answer customer concerns."

Because calling to complain to some operator in India is really going to help me get to day care on time. Yup, one phone call is going to get the a/c running, and the trains back on schedule!
NOT.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

I hate commuting

If I ever quit my job, it'll be to save myself from the evil daily commute. Commuter trains suck.

I hate commuting

If I ever quit my job, it'll be to save myself from the evil daily commute. Commuter trains suck.

Motivation

I have to admit it. I'm having a real hard time finding motivation to get my work done. I come to work everyday (last week excluded!), and sit at my computer, and stare at the screen.

I stare and stare, and maybe read some blogs, and maybe play some FB scrabble with my parents. And just think about all the work I need to get done. And then 5:00 rolls around and I haven't done any of it. Like none at all. It's really getting to be a problem.

I believe in the philosophy of kaizen - taking one small step at a time to achieve larger goals. I've gotten away from this since Laura was born, and am now totally overwhelmed by all the things I need to do. Focusing on the larger picture is too scary for me, and I've shut down.

So yesterday, I made a list of little things that I need to do. Today I crossed one of those off my list. It feels really good to put a little check mark in the box next to the task. (Yes, I draw little boxes on my to-do lists). Tomorrow, I will work on another small task. Eventually, I'll finish the list and start a new one. This is the only way I know to get myself motivated again.

Have any other moms out there faced similar problems? Any tips for me to get back on track??

Motivation

I have to admit it. I'm having a real hard time finding motivation to get my work done. I come to work everyday (last week excluded!), and sit at my computer, and stare at the screen.

I stare and stare, and maybe read some blogs, and maybe play some FB scrabble with my parents. And just think about all the work I need to get done. And then 5:00 rolls around and I haven't done any of it. Like none at all. It's really getting to be a problem.

I believe in the philosophy of kaizen - taking one small step at a time to achieve larger goals. I've gotten away from this since Laura was born, and am now totally overwhelmed by all the things I need to do. Focusing on the larger picture is too scary for me, and I've shut down.

So yesterday, I made a list of little things that I need to do. Today I crossed one of those off my list. It feels really good to put a little check mark in the box next to the task. (Yes, I draw little boxes on my to-do lists). Tomorrow, I will work on another small task. Eventually, I'll finish the list and start a new one. This is the only way I know to get myself motivated again.

Have any other moms out there faced similar problems? Any tips for me to get back on track??

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Little Mermaid

I never thought I'd be one of those moms who put her precious baby girl in a bikini.
And then I did.

But c'mon. How cute is she?! And we might as well take advantage of this small window in her life where she isn't self-conscious about her body. I might also add that she has washboard abs right now. It's from all the crunches she does trying to sit up on her own.

Little Mermaid

I never thought I'd be one of those moms who put her precious baby girl in a bikini.
And then I did.

But c'mon. How cute is she?! And we might as well take advantage of this small window in her life where she isn't self-conscious about her body. I might also add that she has washboard abs right now. It's from all the crunches she does trying to sit up on her own.

Finally.

Finally feeling human again. I don't know what happened last week, but let's just say I'm happy to be eating again.

On the other hand, I did lose some weight. A welcome loss.

So hopefully I'll be back to my bloggy self this week. And I promise a picture or two of my little water bug!

Finally.

Finally feeling human again. I don't know what happened last week, but let's just say I'm happy to be eating again.

On the other hand, I did lose some weight. A welcome loss.

So hopefully I'll be back to my bloggy self this week. And I promise a picture or two of my little water bug!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

What a weird week

I have been totally absent from my blog - just too much going on to write! That hasn't stopped me from reading and commenting, but I haven't felt much inspiration for much more than adding my thoughts to your writings.

So here's just a recap on where I've been this week:

Monday - puking on the train
Tuesday - trying to rehydrate after puking the previous day. And getting my first post-partum period. Not pleasant.
Wednesday - work trip to Philadelphia! Fun! But not much time for blogging :)
Thursday - staff picnic! LOTS OF FUN! Except that I once again didn't eat and got dehydrated. This time we're dealing with the other end


Tomorrow is Friday. One more day to the holiday weekend. And I can.not. wait for the weekend! I just hope I'm feeling better asap. Because this sucks. I would really like to ingest more than saltines and gingerale in the coming days.

How will you celebrate the 4th?

What a weird week

I have been totally absent from my blog - just too much going on to write! That hasn't stopped me from reading and commenting, but I haven't felt much inspiration for much more than adding my thoughts to your writings.

So here's just a recap on where I've been this week:

Monday - puking on the train
Tuesday - trying to rehydrate after puking the previous day. And getting my first post-partum period. Not pleasant.
Wednesday - work trip to Philadelphia! Fun! But not much time for blogging :)
Thursday - staff picnic! LOTS OF FUN! Except that I once again didn't eat and got dehydrated. This time we're dealing with the other end


Tomorrow is Friday. One more day to the holiday weekend. And I can.not. wait for the weekend! I just hope I'm feeling better asap. Because this sucks. I would really like to ingest more than saltines and gingerale in the coming days.

How will you celebrate the 4th?