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Should You Make Time for Fitness?

Posted on October 14, 2018

Did you come here expecting me to say yes? I’m not going to.

A lot of people will tell you making time for fitness is “easy” if it’s important to you. I call bullshit – sort of. Allow me to elaborate:

A lot of people will tell you making time for fitness is “easy” if it’s important to you. I call bullshit – sort of. Allow me to elaborate:

“Making time” for anything is exactly that: MAKING TIME. It would be nice if we all had unlimited time, but alas, that is not the case. If you want to find time for one activity, that means borrowing it from another activity.

I should mention that I’m not here to debate whether or not exercise is good for you, I think we can all agree that it is. But should you bend over backwards making time to fit it into your life? Only you can answer that.

If you want to find time for one activity, that means borrowing it from another activity.

Running a 10K on Thanksgiving

Let’s get started with what YOU do. Maybe you work, maybe you take care of kids, maybe you do both. These duties are non-negotiable. Work has deadlines, and I assume you want to keep your kids alive.

So, what else do you do? Maybe you are responsible for the cleaning in your house, making meals for yourself and others, doing laundry, or picking up after your family. Then there are “luxuries” we all want to enjoy such as showering, eating full meals, (can you tell I’m a mom?) and having a moment to unwind by watching tv or reading a book.

Then there are “luxuries” we all want to enjoy such as showering and eating full meals (can you tell I’m a mom?)

Now let me jump to why I make time for fitness. When I work out, especially when I do cardio, it makes me a better mom. I have more patience to deal with my kids, I have less anxiety, and my body feels better.

However, making time for fitness comes at a cost. Some days I don’t have time to make dinner, or I might have to skip washing the sheets and towels one week. Maybe I skip vacuuming and that means I’m wading through Cheerios to get across my apartment – kidding, sort of…

Making time for fitness comes at a cost.

Are these the types of things you want to give up? I can’t answer that for you. Maybe sleeping on dirty sheets gives you insomnia because you’re so grossed out. Maybe not picking up the kid’s toys every day gives you panic attacks because there’s too much clutter. Does this sound healthy to you?

You are the only person who can evaluate how different activities positively or negatively impact your life.

You are the only person who can evaluate how different activities positively or negatively impact your life.

Maybe you are able to move some things around in your schedule and start a new fitness regimen right now, maybe you’ll do it when the kids are older, or maybe when you retire. Whatever the case, don’t beat yourself up too much if you are in a fitness slump.

Be your own advocate

While I do sincerely hope each of you eventually finds a fitness regimen you love that fits in your schedule perfectly, I’m not going to preach to those of you who haven’t yet. And I definitely won’t say it’s “easy.” Be your own advocate and choose a path that makes you your best self. There is no one-size-fits-all for the perfect life.

Daily Life

Our New Cinemood Projector!

Posted on September 18, 2018

Earlier sunsets = movie nights outside with the Cinemood projector! This was our first time trying our cube outside, and I am impressed! I decided to put our cube through a few tests and see how it would perform.

I decided to put our cube through a few tests and see how it would perform.

Test 1: I wanted to see what kind of surfaces we could project on, and this bench was one of the first things I saw. It was perfect. I also tried it on the side of my car and it looked great as well. Test 2: We went right around sunset and I was worried that the projection would be too dim because it wasn’t completely dark. Again, the picture was really clear, even at dusk! Test 3: Southern California is never quiet. Would our cube be loud over the sound of the waves and traffic? The answer was yes. Even though it was a few feet in front of where we were sitting, the volume level was great. Test 4 (last test): If I don’t have a higher surface to set the cube on and I need to tilt it to hit the projection surface, will it distort the image? Pass again! Setting the cube down in the grass and tilting it so it would project on the bench didn’t change the quality of the image.

Even though it was a few feet in front of where we were sitting, the volume level was great.

I am so impressed with our Cinemood cube. I love how easy this device is to use, and that we don’t need wifi or any cords to watch. You can download a wide selection of movies from Netflix (we have already downloaded Trolls and Peter Rabbit for the kids!) I also love that there is a blue light filter so it doesn’t disrupt sleep. It is currently ON SALE, and f you use my promo code “parentdaze” you will receive a free OmNom discover (Smart cover + 18 extra episodes of OmNom cartoon series.) Shop one for yourself here!

Daily Life

World Breastfeeding Week

Posted on August 8, 2018

I planned on taking a cute photo of Isabelle and I alone for World Breastfeeding Week… Of course, nothing ever goes as planned with 2 littles, but this is a more accurate representation of my current breastfeeding situation. I am proud to say that this week marks 28 months of exclusive breastfeeding between Katie and Isabelle. I am especially proud considering that when I was pregnant with Katie, I didn’t plan on breastfeeding at all. I said that I would at least try it, and I’m so glad I did.

This week marks 28 months of exclusive breastfeeding between Katie and Isabelle.

It hasn’t been without challenges. The beginning with both girls was incredibly painful and difficult. I had problems pumping, and it’s a lot of pressure when you are the sole provider of sustenance for your baby. When they are fussy you feel responsible. Was it something I ate? Am I producing enough milk? You also worry about keeping your supply up when you are away from your baby.

When they are fussy you feel responsible. Was it something I ate? Am I producing enough milk?

When Jason and I hiked San Jacinto, I was away from Isabelle for over 24 hours so I had to take breaks to hand express behind trees! But you do what you gotta do! It’s been a long journey filled with stress, reward, wonderful bonding, and sometimes tears. Happy World Breastfeeding Week to all the nursing mamas out there. If you are just starting out, know that every day gets a little easier! Here is a link to one of the first blog posts I wrote – 11 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Breastfeeding

11 things I wish someone had told me about breastfeeding

Daily Life

Isabelle is becoming her own person

Posted on August 1, 2018

This little lady is getting such a big personality and and even bigger attitude. She’s at the age where she wants things but doesn’t know enough words to articulate herself so she screams at the top of her lungs when she doesn’t get what she wants. I remember K doing the same thing around this age and it lasted over a year. We’re crossing our fingers IB will outgrow it sooner than that!

She doesn’t know enough words to articulate herself so she screams at the top of her lungs when she doesn’t get what she wants.

Isabelle also has the confidence of an Olympian lately, but isn’t that steady on her feet yet. Her constant climbing means lots of bumps and bruises. I think her short stature is giving her a complex. She wants to keep up with Katie so bad but she’s tiny! She wants to ride the scooter but her legs are too short to push, she wants to grab things off the counters but she’s way too short to reach them, and lately she wants to sit at the table and not in the high chair but she isn’t tall enough to reach her food! The struggle!

She wants to ride the scooter but her legs are too short to push, she wants to grab things off the counters but she’s way too short to reach them…

But watching her at this age is so much fun. She is so inquisitive and I love seeing how proud of herself she is when she learns new things. Oh, how I wish I could freeze her at this age!

Daily Life

Realizing how alike my kids are

Posted on July 18, 2018

When I got pregnant with Isabelle, everyone told me how siblings are so different from each other. It made me a little sad because I love Katie so much, how could I love her opposite? But also, I thought, maybe I wouldn’t mind a quiet baby who thumbs through books independently while I’m cooking dinner and doesn’t stomp through the living room like Godzilla (not pointing any fingers…)

I love Katie so much, how could I love her opposite?

In some ways, Isabelle is different. She likes to be held more, she sleeps when she’s tired no matter where she is, and she’s also a lot smaller so she can’t get into nearly as much stuff as K could at this age. (Throwback to the time K got into a reed diffuser and I had to call poison control.) But the similarities end there. Every day, Isabelle gets a little louder, a little more daring, and tries just a little harder to keep up with Katie.

Every day, Isabelle gets a little louder, a little more daring, and tries just a little harder to keep up with Katie.

Today she did her first “hike” on her own 2 feet. We took her on the quarter mile trail to see how she would do. (And see how much patience Mom had trying to keep her on the trail the whole time…) She thought she was the coolest! She loved chasing lizards and running after Katie, and of course trying to hang upside-down like Katie… (Any guesses on how old I’ll be before my first heart attack?…) Watching the girls have fun together was such a joy and I can’t wait until Isabelle is old enough to listen better and can all go on longer hikes. I’m so lucky to have 2 little ladies who love adventure as much as I do.

Daily Life

Hip Dysplasia Awareness month

Posted on June 29, 2018

Did you know that June is Hip Dysplasia Awareness month? And did you know that risk factors for having a baby with hip dysplasia are: 1st pregnancy, genetics, breech presentation, or having a girl? When I found out Isabelle was breech, all I knew is she would be a c-section. I worried about her safety and my recovery from the surgery. It was not until AFTER she was born that the doctors told me she was at risk for hip dysplasia and needed to do a hip ultrasound. (If you want to follow our whole hip dysplasia journey, check out the hashtag #freeiblegs on instagram.)

It was not until AFTER she was born that the doctors told me she was at risk for hip dysplasia and needed to do a hip ultrasound.

We got our ultrasound at 5 weeks, went to the orthopaedic doctor later that week, and imagine our surprise when we left with Isabelle in a pavlik harness (see below.) I felt awful for Isabelle. I think I was more upset than she was. It looked so restrictive. I was sad we couldn’t take it off for diaper changes or baths and she felt so much less snuggly. She actually adjusted to it really well though. She wore it full time for 6 weeks, then 16 hours/day for 3 weeks, then 8 hours/day for 3 weeks. It seemed like eternity at the time, but now it seems like it was just a blink.

I was sad we couldn’t take it off for diaper changes or baths and she felt so much less snuggly.

Once it was off, we had to wait to see if she would need further treatment. It felt horrible to not be able to do anything during that time. The next possible steps would have been a body cast or surgery. I tried to remind myself how well she adjusted to her harness, and that a body cast wouldn’t be the end of the world. I really didn’t want her to need surgery though. Luckily for us, after much waiting and several more xrays, she needed neither. Despite the time she spent in the harness, she still pulled to stand at 5.5 months, crawled at 8, and walked at 11.5.

The doctors say she still has mild hip dysplasia in her right hip but because we caught it early and treated it, she would live a normal life.

The doctors say she still has mild hip dysplasia in her right hip but because we caught it early and treated it, she would live a normal life. When it is not caught early, surgery may be the only option. I encourage all moms with breech pregnancies to ask their doctors about hip dysplasia. If mine hadn’t told me about it, we would never have known.

Daily Life

Katie is growing up

Posted on June 15, 2018

She’s such a young lady now! I can’t believe how much her language has exploded in the past 6 months and it’s really cute watching her try out new phrases. I assume she heard “that’s not fair” at school recently because she said it when she was having a hard time turning on her scooter yesterday. Apparently gravity is so unjust! Jason and I tried to explain to her what “fair” actually means, but she wasn’t interested at the time. She’ll get it…

Jason and I tried to explain to her what “fair” actually means, but she wasn’t interested at the time.

She’s also been seeking out conversations with kids her age and I love watching her initiate them. It’s usually something like “Hey, you guys are big kids. I’m a big kid too.” Then she asks their names or how old they are and tries to compliment them like, “Oh, your name is John? THAT’S SUPER COOL!” With oh-so-much enthusiasm.

I try to remember that with all the struggles we have raising a toddler, she’s also struggling trying to find her place in the world.

I try to remember that with all the struggles we have raising a toddler, she’s also struggling trying to find her place in the world. Everything is new to her and her developing language is opening up relationships for her in a new way. It’s pretty impressive when you think about it. But that doesn’t mean things have been easy lately. K is about 90% done with her naps and I’m trying to juggle work, watching both girls, keeping up the house, making dinner, etc.

It’s hard now that I’m missing the time she used to nap, and even harder because a non-napped toddler is not the most pleasant to be around come 6 o’clock.

It’s hard now that I’m missing the time she used to nap, and even harder because a non-napped toddler is not the most pleasant to be around come 6 o’clock. Like I want to lock myself in the bathroom with a bottle of wine. And my computer so I can squeeze in some work! We are headed to Michigan tomorrow morning so it will be a nice change of pace for all of us and we are super excited to see my Michigan family and friends! And there is nothing in the world like a Michigan summer! I guess I wasn’t really going anywhere with this post, just some rambling I needed to get off my chest. Wish us luck on the flight and with packing. We’ll be in the mitten soon!

Daily Life

Date night without any kids!

Posted on June 5, 2018

What do you do to keep your relationship strong after having kids? Jason and I were lucky enough to have a wonderful date night on Friday while his parents watched the girls. We did dinner, we went to an adults-only club for the first time in years, we danced, we held hands… It felt so amazing to reconnect as a couple.

We did dinner, we went to an adults-only club for the first time in years, we danced, we held hands…

We have not been having problems, but being reminded of how good it feels to be a couple and not just “mom” and “dad” made me want to feel that more often. So, what are the things you do that help keep your relationship strong? I know it isn’t practical to spend every spare second together after the kids go bed, because we’re exhausted.

I know it isn’t practical to spend every spare second together after the kids go bed

I’d be lying if I said there aren’t some nights where I zone out in front of the tv and he works on his computer, and that’s fine sometimes. Actually… it’s necessary sometimes. After I’m done with the girls’ needs for the day, and he’s done with work, sometimes we need a minute to ourselves. When we do spend time together after the kids are in bed, we’ll watch a show together or have a drink and chat.

What are some little things you do in your relationship that remind you how much you love each other?

But I’m wondering what other couples do that they recommend. Play a card game? Do a puzzle? I’m not looking to spend every night staring into each other’s eyes talking about how much we love each other, because that’s crazy. (And please keep it PG because my parents are on here.) But what are some little things you do in your relationship that remind you how much you love each other?

Daily Life

ParentDaze is 1 year old!

Posted on June 1, 2018

ParentDaze is 1 year old! This was the first photo I posted on IG and facebook, and it was also my first outing with both girls. I was 3 weeks post c-section and couldn’t lift K yet so all we could was walk and I had to keep both girls in the stroller the whole time. K still brought her pacifier EVERYWHERE and I lived in flip flops.

I was 3 weeks post c-section and couldn’t lift K yet so all we could was walk

I can’t believe how much I have grown since then. I remember being so scared about being a mom of 2 and now it’s like I have been doing it my whole life. I feel empowered! I have grown a lot as a writer as well. I started my ParentDaze blog as an outlet for my feelings, almost like a journal. I think I have really found my voice (and way less emojis ?. Why was I using so many in the beginning? ???)

I started my ParentDaze blog as an outlet for my feelings.

I am also branching out and writing more about myself and MY life, separate from the kids. When I started ParentDaze, it felt like my life WAS the kids. And it kind of was at the time. A 2 year old and a new baby are pretty consuming. But now I am gaining a little more independence back. I will still be sharing a lot about parenting, asking for advice, and speaking about our struggles, but I plan to branch out and do more lifestyle pieces too.

I am not my kids, and while being a mom is the most important job I’ve ever had, it does not define who I am.

I am also changing my profile photo on instagram today, to one of myself. Because I am not my kids, and while being a mom is the most important job I’ve ever had, it does not define who I am. I am really excited about the future of ParentDaze, and so grateful to everyone who has been supporting me all this time. My mom, my real life friends, and new IG and facebook friends within whom I have found an amazing support network.

Daily Life

Toddler Power Struggles

Posted on May 31, 2018

Let’s talk toddler power struggles. Katie’s new thing is to wear 2 different shoes – which we are completely fine with. We try to let her make choices in her life whenever possible. I think we give her a fair amount of control for a toddler.

Lately we’ve been noticing Katie will ask for things and we aren’t even sure she wants anything

Lately we’ve been noticing Katie will ask for things and we aren’t even sure she wants anything – it’s like she just wants to see what we’ll give her. It usually goes something like, “I need water pleeeease!” (Of course in the whinest voice ever like she has been dying of thirst for 3 days.) So after we do the whole “How do you ask?” song and dance, we give her water.

Obviously we don’t want to deny her things she needs, but this game is getting kind of ridiculous.

Then it’s “I need milk!” “I need a snack!” “Can we watch something on tv?” “Can we go outside?” “Can we go home?” (She has literally asked me this while we are sitting on our couch AT HOME.) Obviously we don’t want to deny her things she needs, but this game is getting kind of ridiculous. It’s especially bad at bedtime, which is a whole separate stalling issue, I think. But the nonstop asking for things is driving me crazy. However, I’m not about to say no when my kid asks for water. Does anyone else’s kids do this? And how do you handle it?

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