Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Feel the Burn

I rolled out of bed this morning and every muscle in my body hurt. I am feeling the burn. Yesterday I worked out with my sweet sister-in-law who just happens to be a personal trainer. I have been working out on my own for about a month now and our schedules happened to coincide yesterday. I had been on the treadmill for about 20 minutes totally engrossed in All My Children playing on the TV in front of me when she came up beside me and put her face right up to mine and scared the living daylights out of me. Considering my heart was already racing at 135 bpm it is amazing I did not have a heart attack on the spot. I must have been really engrossed in the daytime drama because she really caught me by surprise. You know what else is amazing? I have not watched the Children since I was on maternity leave almost two years ago and I easily grasped the plotline which had not changed much. Back to the burn. While Libby did her 10 minute jog on the treadmill, burning more calories than my 30 minute walk, I decided to try out the Elliptical machine. I have been eyeing it for weeks but avoided it because I didn't want to make a fool of myself. Well Libby gave me the lowdown and I hopped on. When I finished, 5 minutes later, every muscle in my thighs and buttocks were burning. Then we went downstairs to do some strength training. We did regular crunches and crunches balanced on one of those exercise balls. Those are the ones that did me in and now I feel like my ribs are bruised and it hurts when I cough or laugh. We also did something called the Cobra and I am sure I looked hilarious doing this one. We laid on our stomaches with arms out beside us thumbs up and arched our backs and shoulders to raise our chests off the ground. This was a back strengthening exercise which I definitely need. Working out on the treadmill is easy for me because I can just tune into the TV for 30 minutes or listen to my music but the resistance training takes so much more will power because well.. it burns, literally. But it is worth it or so I keep telling myself. And now that I have gotten into the routine of exercising it is time to increase the load, raise the bar, pump it up, or whatever you want to call it. Speaking of burn we are at the moment getting doused with a heavy rainfall. Considering the temperatures have been scorching the last couple of weeks we needed a nice cool down. And there is thunder rumbling. It is the perfect snuggle up on the couch reading a book while the child naps weather. Hmmm.....I've gotta go!

Friday, August 24, 2007

Toddler mania

Tobey this is for you so I can remember all of your little intricacies at 2 years of age and why I called this time in our life toddler mania.

My boy is getting very opinionated these days. He is finding his voice, HIS way. For one thing he has decided that he likes Daddy's truck much more than Mommy's car. Anytime we go somewhere with Daddy Tobey has to ride in the truck or else. It's really kind of cute and it always makes Daddy's day. He can say things like "my boy prefers trucks" with a man grunt. He has also gotten very opinionated about food. Well actually he has always been opinionated about food. But these days he goes into the pantry and looks around surveying his choices. He just stands there in the pantry and finally decides and points, usually to a bag of cookies. But sometimes to applesauce and that makes my day. He is also very opinionated about TV. This morning when I woke up,(actually it was noon but I worked last night) Tobey immediately started crying and pointing to the TV. His Daddy was watching some man channel about DIY techniques. I asked Tobey if he wanted to watch cartoons and he said Yeah! He had not had his morning fix yet and he was fine after about 30 minutes of Barney which was about all his Daddy could handle. He has also gotten very picky about HIS stuff. He does not like it when we use one of his toddler chairs to prop our feet up. He will come over and push our feet off the chair and place it back under his table where it belongs. He won't eat strawberries unless I sprinkle sugar on them first and he has become an avid vitamin consumer since we started the Flintstones Gummy Vitamins. Our new mantra around the house is "one a day, one a day, only one a day" as Tobey cries and points to his vitamins. He no longer appreciates my help at mealtimes and pushes my hand away with a frustrated cry. Without actually voicing it I know he is thinking "No Mommy, I can do it"! I am amazed at his independence and a bit daunted by it at times. I can't help but think this is only the beginning. Tobey has always been very cautious so I am also amazed by a very adventurous side that he has displayed recently such as leaping off of furniture and running from Mommy at the Toy-R-Us. He made it clear across the store and made it apparent that he wanted to do some shopping alone. He was tired of looking at clothes and just wanted to find some toys. Come on Mom, this IS a toy store. Yesterday we went for a swim and he jumped off the diving board. Did you hear me? He jumped off the diving board. I could not believe it. Thankfully I was underneath the diving board ready to catch him and Daddy was coming up fast behind us. I almost drowned but Tobey never went under. He only did it the one time. Thank goodness not all caution has left him. So yes we are in the midst of some toddler mania around this house but life has never been more fun and exhausting and wonderful and flustering all at once. Thanks to our little independent and adventurous maniac.




Can't you hear him laughing gleefully, "Ha!Ha!Ha! I've got you where I want you...You are mine! (Yes we are, sweetheart.)

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Sugar high-Oh My!



My son has the biggest sweet tooth so he was loving this wedding cake. Nobody was around so Tobey thought he would help himself. He actually got several spoonfuls before I discovered him lurking here behind the table. Within the hour he was going at full speed, running back and forth from me and his Daddy, leaping off the sofa, and giggling, giggling, giggling. It was a sight. There was a meltdown. We survived.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Reading Rainbow

I love, love, love to read. And it is very important to me that my son will enjoy reading to. From very early on I started reading to Tobey. Like when he was still in my tummy. I received the book "I'll love you forever" at a shower. I would sit in the rocking chair in his nursery, prop the book on my round belly and read out loud and sob at the end. I was just a little emotional. I would also read out loud during my quiet times so that he could hear the Word. I have continued reading since. We read together EVERYDAY, usually several times a day, especially before naptime and at bedtime. We have been reading more than usual this last week because we both have had a summer cold and that is about all mommy has had the energy for. We have also watched cartoons while mommy napped on the couch. The last month or so he has become very opinionated about what we read. I pick up a book and say "this one", while he grunts and emphatically shakes his head no. We go through 3 or 4 books until I pick up the "right" one and he grins and nods his head yes. Sometimes he will actually say yes but only if he feels like it. Our library has expanded dramatically over this last year because I joined a children's book of the month club. I like variety and get tired of reading the same books over and over. We also go to half price books quite a bit. Tobey loves picture books where he can point out different items as I say the name and animal books and anything by Sandra Boyton. We especially love the Belly Button Book. There is nothing that makes me more proud than when I walk in his room and he is sitting in his rocking chair with a book propped open. It is just too sweet and I think too myself "keep on reading darling and expand that imagination".



Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Why Brian Welch Walked Away

Transformations

If you are into God's amazing transformations, you must check out the new book by Brian Welch called Save Me From Myself. He was the lead guitarist for Korn which I had vaguely heard of when I saw this book at Barnes-n-Noble. I was just walking by the new non-fiction section when this book caught my eye. Because I have family members struggling with addictions right now I was drawn to the title and the caption underneath "How I found God, quit Korn, kicked drugs, and lived to tell my story". I started it that evening after Tobey went to bed and finished it the following evening. I was just drawn to this guy's story. He starts off with alot of back history. I must warn you there is some offensive language but he was living an offensive life. He was living the rock-n-roll dream yet he was so unhappy. He states many times that he had it all but something was missing. I was torn reading about his many addictions and his struggles to quit. He tried many times but always went back to the drugs and hated himself for it. I have never struggled with an addiction but like I said I have several family members who have and some who still are. This book gave me such insight into their inner struggles with themselves and God. I was reminded of sin in my own life and how at times I willingly disobey God and always feel terrible for it. Welch describes a time that he found some speed hidden in his closet. At this point he had found Christ and had been delivered from his addictions. As much as he did not want to do the drugs, he did them anyway and found that they did nothing for him. He did not get that same "high" as before. After that he went through his house and found all the stashes and flushed everything down the toilet and sais he has not touched drugs since. Amazing. I was singing God's praises and rooting for this rocker guy all throughout this book. I loved the part about his tattoos. After he was saved he added several to his collection because he felt God telling him that they would be an example to the world that God loves those crazies with tatoos too. He had the verse Matthew 11:28 put on his neck because this was the verse that God used to call out to him and Jesus on the fingers of one hand and love on the fingers of the other hand. He describes the moment he asked Jesus into his heart, "It just felt like he poured out liquid love into me. It was, like, just so awesome" and he also sais that God is "irresistable". I so agree. I was so encouraged by this guy's transformation from a hard rocker to a man on fire for Jesus. Praise you Jesus that you are calling men and women from all walks of life so that together we can relate your love story to the world. Awesome!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Lazy Summer Days












Saturday, August 4, 2007

A Good Thing!

I haven't been blogging much lately. There has been alot going on. I have started working out at my new gym so that is taking some time away from the blog world. But it is well worth it. My son loves the gym more than I do. I have to drag him out of the kid's club area. I guess I should work out longer so he will have more time to play. I am glad he likes it though because i am liking it too. I can already feel a difference in my energy level and I have only been working out for a few weeks. I love the way I feel after I workout. I had forgotten about that exercise-induced exhilaration. It is a good thing!

Tobey just got over a bout of sinusitis and has finished his antibiotics. He has been in an exceptionally good mood ever since. We finally decided what we are getting him for his birthday. It is a play tent. I really think he will enjoy it.



I am more excited about this birthday then his first one. I think it is because his second year has been more challenging than the first year. Since his first birthday we have learned about food allergies. About a month ago we went to an allergist and his allergies were confirmed. Through blood testing we found out that he is still severely allergic to milk and eggs. We also found out he is allergic to dogs. We have been contemplating what to do about our Scooty.However, he is not allergic to bananas. Yea! We have avoided bananas for over a year now because we thought he was allergic. We have gone through teething, tantrums, falls and bruises, and busted lips. It has been much more exhausting than the baby stage. So his second birthday seems like such a milestone. Such a good thing!

Random Facts

Yea, a tag from the Flying Mum. Thanks Sunni!

The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they are tagged, and to read your blog.

8 Random facts about me:

1. I am a very messy cooker. It drives my husband crazy who cleans as he goes. I try to do that but I usually have three or four things going at once so I do my best. The end result is always cutting boards all over the counter, vegetable peelings piled up in one side of the sink and dirty dishes in the other, spots of food on the counter and stove. I am a very quick cleaner though. I tackle it and get it done.

2. I am a picture queen. I just love them so much. I can't have too many. Believe me Tobey will have plenty to show his girlfriends one day.

3. I love grapes but I hate grape flavored candy and refuse to eat it. I don't know why.

4. In opposition to Sunni I love sweet tea. Anything sweet for that matter especially chocolate. It's my downfall.

5. My husband just walked through the room and I asked him to name something random about me. He thought for a minute and said "You do spontaneous favors for me". What? I do. Is that a loaded comment.

6. I used to do pottery in high school and I loved it. I seriously considered becoming a potter. I still dream about having my own little studio one day. I must pause here and think on that a bit.

7. My husband was my first boyfriend and the only man I have ever kissed.

8. My middle name is Rumiko. It is Japanese. My Uncle met and married a Japanese woman when he was stationed in Japan.

Okay now I am supposed to tag 8 bloggers but I don't know 8 bloggers who haven't already been tagged so I will do what I can. I tag Pinkmommy, Charity, Lori, Amber, Kittyhox. And Janelle and Melissa I am tagging you again.