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!