This weekend I had the pleasure of co-hosting a baby shower at a DC sweet spot: a chocolate lounge called co co. sala. If you're ever in the area, with a hankering for chocolate, you must stop in. The experience is like nothing else.
Sweets
February 28, 2010
February 22, 2010
Mcfatty Monday VII: D+
No gains or losses this week, which actually feels like success considering I didn't track my points or make the best choices when it came to food. Devilish chocolates and impromptu birthday treats. Oy! I'm a slacker compared to Blair, who in the same amount of time has already lost 18 pounds. Where'd my competitive streak run off to?! Honestly, I think I was in need of a little incentive. Now I have a working deadline! May is just a few months away and I have pep in my step (and a twinkle in my eye).
Anyway, boxing continues to be an outlet for me in the evenings--I really, really, love my time there and I've again increased the weight that I can lift, so there's some progress!
See you next week with some measurements and an official weigh-in!!
This week's score: D+
Cardio: A
Strength Training: A
Weight Watchers: F
February 21, 2010
Out on the town
Before Roscoe was born we were movie fanatics. In a typical week we would see a movie in theater, and rent at least another (or two) through netflix.
Our last outing to the movies was a disaster. We found seats in the last row on the far left-hand side, which seemed like a great location because we didn't have to worry about anyone peeping over my shoulder, and it was a straight shot to the exit. Roscoe was almost three months old at the time and spent the duration of the 2 hour movie alternating between nursing, fussing, and crying. In an effort to spare the other movie-goers from his newborn wails we exhausted ourselves bounding frantically up and down the aisle and out the door--no sooner would we settle back into our seats than he would begin again. Up and down, back and forth.
We received a fair share of looks--some dirty, some full of pity--and one random woman even gave us some unsolicited advice. We each missed about a 1/3 of the movie, including the end by which point we had thoroughly given up. Lesson learned. We didn't want to be those people ever again!
It's been over 6 months since then, and more than nine since we've been out as a couple. Roscoe's new routine has recently made it possible to consider the evenings a safe time to venture out and so we decided to schedule our "first date".
We bought our tickets in advance, and our friends who live across the street generously agreed to give up their Saturday night. Their daughter is due in only 8 weeks so they were more than happy to take up baby watch. When all the pieces were in order, I suddenly felt indifferent to the whole idea. Is seeing Avatar in 3D really worth leaving Roscoe?
Saturday morning I was feeling particularly unsettled, and as the day wore on I tried not to think too hard about it. At 5 minutes to departure we threw on our clothes, and scribbled out the appropriate emergency information. We checked on Roscoe one last time, and gave some last-minute over-involved instructions: a demonstration on how to adjust him in his swing, how to properly drape his blanket, and the location of a nightlight (just in case). Before I knew it we were two people pulling out of the garage and away from our warm, dimly lit home--inside of which, our whole world was soundly sleeping.
Just as our conversation turned to a topic unrelated to Roscoe, nursing, or sleep, his latest toy began to play a mischievous little jingle from the back seat--as if we needed a reminder of our parental status. With every bump, turn, stop, and go, the toy was activated. I tried to silence it but there was no way. We finally stuffed it in the glove box and drowned out the sound with the radio up at a decibel level we've not been able to enjoy since Roscoe's little ears entered the picture and, hand-in-hand we proceeded with our evening.
In short, Avatar was one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen. The imagery was incredible, the story was fascinating. Watching it in 3D was fantastic. Despite thinking of Roscoe every 5 minutes, we sent only one mid-movie text, just to check in. We grabbed a milkshake on the way home and we arrived to peace and quiet--Roscoe hadn't more than stirred in our absence.
It was a little wild to enjoy 3 1/2 hours together, alone, and then get to come home to our little guy who seems to have our hearts wound tighter with each passing day. We feel pretty lucky and content, to know that from here on out, in addition to the everyday joys of parenting, our lives will also include some of the pleasures that came before.
Second time this week!, he sleeps in his crib
He fell asleep in his crib. It only lasts about 45 minutes and then he stirs and we move him to his swing. But STILL! He's making progress all on his own.
February 19, 2010
February 18, 2010
Carry on
Just when I was beginning to wonder when my fertility would return, hopeful that it would be sooner rather than later considering Roscoe's amazing evolution in the sleep department, I GOT MY PERIOD!
Some days, I just feel that I am meant to make babies. I love my body for this.
So it's time to pull out the planner and resume one of my most memorable and favored activities of 2008: fertility tracking!
February 15, 2010
McFatty Monday VI: Fail
Two back-to-back snowstorms left me housebound for all but one afternoon last week. As a result, boxing, weight lifting, and food tracking were replaced by insane consumption of all things on the list of diet saboteurs.
In an effort to own the choices I've made over the past two weeks, and to get back on track, I stepped on the scale: + 3 pounds. ew. ick. poo.
Losing control of my workout routine was a big disappointment. I'm a catastrophic thinker, and my approach to diet and exercise tends to be all or nothing, which I would highly NOT recommend! If I've learned anything about weight loss over the years it is that persistence is mandatory. I set myself back when I reacted by abandoning the piece of the plan over which I still had control, and at this stage in the game, is probably most important to my success.
After some reflection, I'm empowered knowing that this weight loss journey--this adventure back to fitness after baby--is mine, and that I have only myself to answer to.
"Cheating" or choosing to eat three slices of cake instead of (and/or in addition to) a real lunch only hurts my progress toward the goals that I've set. And since improving my strength and fitness remain at the top of my list, I'm consoled knowing that while a week away from the gym is not ideal, two weeks of a diet derailed doesn't minimize my gains realized at the gym. So all is not lost!
Same goals as always this week!
This week's score: F
Cardio: F
Strength Training: F
Weight Watchers: F
February 14, 2010
Speaking of falling in love
Take a look at this:
Inspired by the mural in his room. One of a kind. Created just for Roscoe by his Grandma. I still have the one she made me 28 years ago.
I can't wait to see the places this quilt will go!
February 13, 2010
Baby's First Valentine's Day party
This month's Bradley get together was all about hearts, and pink, and valentines in the form of babies who are looking more and more like little kids than infants.
Three feet of recently accumulated snow has left some neighborhoods impassable, so the party was moved to our place.
Doilies, tissue paper hearts, pink tinsel garlands, and a bouquet of helium balloons with a green gorilla: the decorations were perfect and over the top. We spoiled ourselves with afternoon brunch (fresh lemon mousse, chocolate covered strawberries, and pancetta strata) and a mini valentine exchange.
The mommas caught up on solids, sleep, and family life, while the babies showed off newfound mobility (in our otherwise non baby-proofed home). But in Roscoe's case, since he seems to have little intention of crawling or even scooting anytime soon, he demonstrated a knack for manually bringing his friends closer to him via hair pulling, shirt grabbing, and using an open mouth to explore their faces, hands, and shoes.
While the photo ops were abundant, capturing the kids in action proved to be a challenge:
pants off!
February 10, 2010
Desperate
You know I'm really jonesing for exercise when you find me shoveling snow in 25 degree weather, and 45 mph winds.
Does shoveling for 75 minutes make up for 2 slices of cake with pink frosting and heart shaped sprinkles?
No, you say?
Darn it.
Will you be his Valentine?
I bought these cool valentine's from Etsy. Cool Mom Picks (one of my all-time favorite blogs) hosted a competition a few weeks back and the 12 winners' designs are included in a printable pdf for just 3.99--every penny goes straight to the Children's Heart Foundation. True love, all around.
I printed the designs on cardstock and colored them, Roscoe added a few crayon strokes and used his feet to "paint" them with watercolors, and we finished them off with some strategically placed glitter.
There couldn't be a better day to pull out the art supplies because IT'S SNOWING again.
While Roscoe did take his art very seriously (at times), in truth their was more crayon chewing, sucking, and throwing than anything else! The Splat Mat was a huge help.
Roscoe's very first art project was a sweet one. Now we're all set for Saturday's Baby's First Valentine's Day party (I'll be sure to post pictures!). A few other special people can look forward to receiving a little art love from Roscoe as well.
February 8, 2010
McFatty Monday V: C
Another week down.
It probably wasn't my best, but following a week of no sugar and 4 days of gyming, I think I was feeling entitled to a little complacency. Toward the end of the week (beginning with a delicious breakfast delivery) I stopped counting points, and I'm pretty confident that I consumed all those earned through exercise, and probably more.
I'm reconsidering whether weighing in every four weeks is the best approach because I find it's easy to let myself off the hook in the first two weeks, knowing I can make it up in the last two. Owning up to the scale can sometimes be a great motivator--a chance to start fresh. Often the damage isn't nearly as bad as first imagined.
As I've mentioned, my weeks run Friday to Friday...so I've really completed half of the week already. We had a snowstorm that began Friday morning, lasted through Saturday night, and held us hostage through Sunday. We failed to make a grocery run before the snow began to stick, and bare cupboards are no way to start the week out.
As a consequence, I think I may have to weigh-in at the end of this week just to set myself straight. Looking forward to it. Ew.
Best Breakfast: 2 slices sprouted wheat bread spread with 2 tsp peanut butter, layered with 1 banana (sliced), and sprinkled with cinnamon.
Best workout moment: learning a new method of wrapping my hands to prevent raw knuckles--sweet relief!
This week's score: C
Cardio: A
Strength Training: A
Weight Watchers: D
February 6, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
