Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Post-Valentine's Day

So yesterday was interesting...for lack of a better word. It was Valentine's Day and it was a LONG day. Dimaya woke up screaming 3 times in the middle of the night, but she did put herself back to sleep which is awesome. No one tells you that even when babies do begin sleeping through the night, it doesn't mean that you will. Most nights I hardly sleep since I'm always anticipating the moment she'll wake up screaming! So, yes, there is some truth to when other parents tell you "You will never sleep again!" with their sunken and bloodshot eyes. Welcome to Zombieville...because that's exactly how you're going to feel. It's crazy how you just look at your child's face and you can't be angry about not getting any sleep.

I started off the morning with some a bowl of Captain Crunch in Horizon Organic Fat Free Milk since it took everything in me to crawl out of bed. I must say--if you haven't tried it yet--Horizon milk is the best I've ever tasted. I tend to be a little sensitive to milk, but for some reason, it's about the only brand that doesn't bother me as much. The gym trip turned out to be a family affair. Steve, Dimaya, and I mobbed into the gym with all of our gear (and toys). I had a pretty good workout, and was very surprised at myself for running 8 out 10 minutes non-stop on the treadmill! Currently I'm sticking to a routine I found online that seems simple, but effective. I'm feeling a little more confident and and less self-conscious about being in the gym. There were more women there this time so I didn't get the uncomfortable feeling this time. I completed everything on the circuit with a few interruptions from Dimaya. You see, she was in the Kids Club area with the glass windows. All I could see was her face--red and tear-streaked--plastered against the glass screaming for us to come and get her out.

As for Valentine's Day, Dimaya and I went to visit Steve and the interns at the office until their work day was finished. Then we had a family dinner at Shogun which was extremely busy. We ended up sitting around the grill with about a million other people and watched the show as the grillmaster cooked up our food. Dimaya was enthused by all of the action and stole the show as usual. The only thing she didn't like was when the fire blazed up really high and got close to her. It was funny us because she was so shocked she started crying and screaming for a moment. It was a great dinner...long...but fun! I hope everyone out there had a great Valentine's Day too!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Getting Motivated

(Okay, so I meant to post this yesterday also, but of course life happens. Figured I would just post it now).

The activities on Sunday were as follows:
  • Short walk in the park with the family (including the dogs). It didn't turn out to be very long or "brisk" to be considered exercise, but we got out of the house. We've had PLENTY of snow in the last few weeks.
  • Went to Barnes & Noble to get inspired and motivated for Monday...the big workout day! Read a few Pilates and Running magazines. I got really psyched about possible teacher training, certifications of all sorts, and Couch to 5K races.
  • Found a fitness routine that I think suits me well!
  • Got a new sports bra and some pants from Target. Let me tell you...I never knew breasts could be used as weapons (against yourself for that matter)! Obviously I needed some real support--went from a 34C to a 36DD--if I planned on running anywhere.
  • Had a nice dinner with friends and extended family. I opted for spinach enchiladas to be a little healthier! They were delicious!
One thing that concerns me about working out at the gym is being there with all of the juiceheads. I know it's something that is totally my issue, since most of them could care less whether or not I'm there working out. I guess there is some kind of solace in that. I never remember feeling this way before I had a baby. Probably because the idea of anything jiggling was far from my mind. Now it's part of life! That's a clear sign of motivation if I never had one before! Don't get me wrong...I'm not huge or terribly out of shape, but I have goals that mainly include feeling great about myself and helping others to do the same. It amazes that I'm going to do this in such a public way. I am really pumped about starting my workout and getting back in shape! Let's see how it goes!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Gearing up!

Hello everyone!

Almost two years ago my life changed dramatically...for the better! I was a graduate student in geography conducting research on how to create resilient communities that were vulnerable to hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Little did I know, I would meet, Steve, the man of my dreams and within 3 months, I would be engaged. Four months later...we were married. Talk about a change! Oh, wait...let's throw a another surprise in the mix! June 1, 2010 we welcomed a baby girl, Dimaya, into this world.
The last two years have been the best years of my entire life. I NEVER would have thought that I, the tedious-solitary-government-job-seeking-girl, would end up married with children so quickly. No one really tells you how to handle the massive amount of responsibility suddenly placed upon you...once you say "I do" and then when you give birth.
For some reason, I found myself lost in between the graduate student I was and the stay at home mom I had become. Almost like a world of limbo! My situation had changed, along with my body and my self-confidence. Let's just say two years ago my life looked like this:
  • Go to class and work on hurricane research.
  • Go to the gym and get a good workout. Gotta keep the body tight!
  • Go to work at the pharmacy as a technician.
  • Look for government jobs in good locations with nice salaries and benefits.
  • Go out with my friends.
  • Buy the latest (BCBG/Nine West) shoes and (Big Star/Lucky) jeans.
  • Maybe cook, but most likely go out to eat sushi or Mexican with my single friends.
  • Stay up watching re-runs of old shows and finally fall asleep at a crazy hour.
  • Sleep in until about 10:30AM whenever possible.
Now it looks more like this:
  • Wake up at 5:00am (after various wakings throughout the night) to a crying baby ready to eat.
  • Feed myself with baby in lap trying not to spill milk from the cheerios on her head.
  • Watch Rugrats and Dora until I can crawl back in bed.
  • Buy Dimaya the latest Baby Gap/Old Navy clothes and shoes. I think I own 2 good pair of flats. Pumps? I gave up on those when my feet looked like squished sausages during pregnancy.
  • Hang out with friends who have kids because they understand when you have to reschedule.
  • Go on baby playdates, La Leche League meetings, Story time, Mom groups, etc.
  • Exercise?? WTF...
  • Take a nap with the baby at some point during the day. Changing diapers is exhausting!
  • In the bed by 9pm or 10pm at the very latest. Yes...I am old ;-)

I am on a journey to regain my body, self-confidence, and do things that I always thought were impossible! I'm hoping that someone will find this blog helpful and maybe even inspiring. Follow through this learning experience as I find myself in the making!