Browsing Tag

parentdaze

Opinion Pieces

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

First Hike of the Season

Posted on September 22, 2018

First hike of the season! We probably should have waited a couple more weeks because it was HOT and we ran out of water for the last (and hardest) mile, but it felt so good to be back out there! The kids didn’t notice the water was gone (maybe because they were the ones who drank it all and were already hydrated) but Jason and I were struggling!

We work out much less in the summer because it’s just too hot.

We work out much less in the summer because it’s just too hot. Jason started swimming recently but I have been l-a-z-y! And lazy fitness for me also means lazier eating, less motivation, and not feeling as good mentally. I’m happy that the weather is cooling down and I will be able to jog and hike more frequently again. (Yes, I know I could suck it up and still do things in the summer, but I hate being miserable during a workout.)

It’s steep (about 700 feet up in 3/4 of a mile) but it’s short (just under 3.5 miles)

We definitely started the season with a bang going straight to Car Wreck. It’s steep (about 700 feet up in 3/4 of a mile) but it’s short (just under 3.5 miles) so we can still do it with the kids. K can hike and climb on her own and then we take turns with IB in the carrier (which sucks on the up.) Already feeling better having gotten our first hike under my belt though and excited for more to come! Hopefully we’ll get some nice 65 degree days soon. Who else loves hiking?!

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

The “Watch Me” phase…

Posted on September 7, 2018

Cooler weather this week meant we got some time to connect with nature. We really needed it! We all had kind of a difficult week again this week. Isabelle is teething and hasn’t been sleeping well, which means no one is sleeping well. K is in a new “Look at this! Watch me!” phase which has made it tough for me to get things done.

K is in a new “Look at this! Watch me!” phase.

On one hand, the mom guilt is real! If I don’t watch one time, will she need therapy for the rest of her life?! I can already picture it… “ONE TIME my mom couldn’t watch me stand on one foot, for the millionth time!” (Okay, so maybe not need therapy, but you know what I mean. I don’t want to ruin her self-esteem!) On the other hand, I have certain things I need to do. Eat, make my work deadlines, pick up enough that we aren’t living like hoarders… It’s hard to find a balance.

Eat, make my work deadlines, pick up enough that we aren’t living like hoarders… 

I feel like the “Watch me” phase is almost a regression. K was doing well playing independently for part of the day so I could get things done, and now it’s back to only getting things done during quiet time (formerly nap time for K) and bed time, and I’m feeling spread really thin. As soon as the kids go to their beds, it’s like a mad dash to do everything. And what do you do and what do you give up?

What do you do and what do you give up?

Work deadlines are obviously a priority, picking up a little bit is necessary, now do I choose shower or eat or laundry? Because I can’t do them all! I know it’s just a phase that will pass, and I know I can say “Mommy’s busy” some of the time, but does anyone else have advice? How do you get through this phase without losing your mind or damaging your child?

Daily Life

A much needed 3 day weekend

Posted on August 31, 2018

What are everyone’s plans for the 3 day weekend?! I’m so ready, you guys. This has been a really rough with the kids for me. Isabelle is at the age where she wants things but doesn’t know enough words so she’s constantly screaming and clawing at me because she’s upset I don’t know what she wants.

“Can you please get out of the car? It’s time to get out of the car. Let’s get out of the car now. Get out of the car, NOW. Okay I’m going to count to 3 and then I’m going to remove your body from the car.” 

K has really struggled with listening this week too. Everything I ask her starts out like “Can you please get out of the car? It’s time to get out of the car. Let’s get out of the car now. Get out of the car, NOW. Okay I’m going to count to 3 and then I’m going to remove your body from the car.” *Tantrum of the century ensues*… And rinse and repeat for every thing I ask all day. I’m exhausted. I’m spent. Having one of those weeks I wish I could run away! I’m so ready for a 3 day weekend and for Jason to be able to help with the girls. What is everyone else doing this weekend? Any fun plans?

Daily Life

Isabelle is in a big girl Graco carseat!!

Posted on August 27, 2018

Where has the time gone?!  It seems like yesterday that Isabelle was a tiny little baby.  (Well, she’s still pretty tiny – but not so much a baby anymore!) Now that she’s older, she’s not a fan of lying down in a carseat.  She notices that big sis is sitting up, and she wants to see stuff too!

Now that she’s older, she’s not a fan of lying down in a carseat anymore. 

We wanted a carseat for her that would sit her up, but would still be rear-facing.  We also wanted something that we could switch to front-facing after she is at least 2 years old.  Then we wanted some add-ons like cup holders (because food is our only trick to keep her awake on long midday rides! All moms know that one short car nap can ruin afternoon nap time!)

Food is our only trick to keep her awake on long midday rides!

We decided on the Graco Extend2Fit Platinum Convertible Carseat to fulfill all of these needs (gifted to us by Graco.)  Actually, we have been a Graco family since Day 1.  Our infant carseat, infant stroller, jogging stroller, toddler carseat, high chair, and pack n play, are all Graco.  If I had to guess, I would say I put about 2,000 miles on that jogging stroller before it was broken in the cargo hold during a flight…  I think I could have easily put another 1,000 on it.  (When you have a baby with colic, you surprise yourself with how many hours per day you can spend walking!)

We decided on the Graco Extend2Fit Platinum Convertible Carseat to fulfill all of these needs. 

So, back to this new carseat!  I was really surprised at how easy everything was.  It came in one piece so there was no assembly required.  To install it, you simply click one strap into each lower anchor in your car’s seat bight (the space between the back rest cushion and cushion you sit on – I totally had to google the name for all these car parts!) Once you are latched in, you pull a lever to automatically tighten the straps so you don’t need to put your weight on it and tighten manually.  There was no base to mess with, and adjusting everything was easy too.  To adjust the strap height, you pull a lever at the top and slide up.  This also adjusts the head cushion.

The Extend2Fit extension panel provides an extra 5 inches of additional leg room, which accommodates taller kids or so you can keep your little rear-facing past age 2 if you want.

To recline, (because you need to recline somewhat for rear-facing carseats), there is another lever on the side.  It is clearly labeled which positions are acceptable for front-facing vs rear-facing.  And there’s even a little bubble indicator on the side of the carseat that lets you know if you chose the correct position. The Extend2Fit extension panel provides an extra 5 inches of additional leg room, which accommodates taller kids, or so you can keep your little rear-facing past age 2 if you want.

The Extend2Fit Platinum Convertible Carseat is designed for rear-facing infants from 4-50 lbs, and front-facing toddlers from 22-65 lbs.  At the rate Isabelle is growing, she will be in this carseat until at least 8 years old!  To shop this carseat for yourself, click here!

Daily Life

When You Realize Your Kids Are Just Like You…

Posted on August 16, 2018

The face you make while you decide if your floral arrangement is complete or not…. When I lived in Michigan, finding flowers in our yard to put into a vase was one of my favorite things to do in the summer. Some flowers only bloom for small windows of time, so it was extra special to clip some of those for an arrangement. Lilacs were always my favorite. It seemed like they only bloomed for a couple weeks, though it may have actually been longer.

 Sometimes I catch myself trying to correct K on things I do myself and I can’t help but laugh. 

K had a really good time wandering around the yard finding flowers to put into the vase. I think she even added in some shrubbery! It’s so bizarre when you see pieces of yourself in your kids. Personality-wise, I mean, (because looks-wise, they are all Jason!) Sometimes I catch myself trying to correct K on things I do myself and I can’t help but laugh. Yesterday I heard her getting upset while she was stacking some toys and they kept falling. I had to let her know that this is how gravity works, and there was nothing she could do to fight it. Some things will never balance on each other. It’s a fact of life.

Yesterday I heard her getting upset while she was stacking some toys and they kept falling. I had to let her know that this is how gravity works…

But then I thought about all the times I get mad at gravity.  Does anyone else do this? You are carrying a stack of items you stacked poorly and they fall, or a dish falls off of the drying rack because you stacked it poorly? And you want to be mad, but it’s kind of your own fault (and also gravity’s fault, obviously! Not taking all the blame here!) Every once in a while I see these little pieces of myself, some are good and some are bad. But for the bad, I have to remind myself that I feel the same way! And I also remind myself that I can take the opportunity to reflect, and acknowledge how dumb it is to get mad at gravity. I don’t think it’s going anywhere.

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
Play time with the girls

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.