Momma's Monday Check-in: 25/40

Note: McFatty Monday's is no longer! Instead I will post Momma's Monday Check-in. Join me as I eat and exercise my way through the next 15 weeks.

Due Date: April 8, 2011

Total weight gain: 13.5, last I checked--but I haven't checked in two weeks and now I'm afraid to!

Cravings/Aversions: none

Sleep: Roscoe resumed co-sleeping with us in Florida. We had dreamy nights full of slumber, and have decided to continue now that we're home. With Little Sears on his way I'll have to work out the details if this becomes our new routine.

I can't live without: Family. We were thrilled to spend an entire uninterrupted week together, and being separated from extended family over the holidays made us that much more appreciative.

I miss: I really missed my salt pig of fleur de sel. I should have packed some for the road!

I am looking forward to: Friday, when I will get to hang out with Roscoe and Andy all day and play with our Christmas bounty.

Best moment this week: Watching Roscoe's excited little face light up with each gift he unwrapped. And then to hear him exclaim in a high pitched voice, "tink-ew!" It was too sweet.

Milestones: Roscoe put a plastic little toy man under his t-shirt and called it a baby :) I didn't expect Roscoe to be very aware of the baby or of his impending big brotherhood, but he understands a lot more than we think.

Movement: After our first two days at Disney World I realized that I hadn't felt the baby move at all, and got a little worried, but I must have just been too busy to notice because the little guy soon picked up his acrobatics and hasn't taken a break since. I can pretty reliably now feel his little rump under my ribs, too.

Gender: Boy!

Exercise: Our resort had an on site gym and I welcomed the convenience. I lifted weights twice, and took the elliptical for a good spin. I also spent 5 straight afternoons roaming around the Disney Parks so I hope I burned some calories in the process.

Diet: We ate most dinners at home and packed lunches for our park days, but I will not lie and say that I had a balanced and nutritious diet while away. I ate A LOT of chocolate covered treats, in the shape of mickey mouse.

Goals for the upcoming week: My workout gear arrived and I can't wait to test it out. Three times at the gym is my goal.

Belly Shot: I'll try to post a picture soon.

Labor Signs: None

A Florida Christmas Eve

Disney

The Magic Kingdom was a madhouse Monday afternoon. The four of us, with two little ones in tow made it through the front gates around 2:00, when morning naps and full bellies gave everyone the best chance for a happy experience.

I've never been to Disney at Christmas time and Main Street was decked out for the Season. We weren't the only ones who thought a Disney trip in December was a great idea; the streets were so packed we could barely navigate. The MVP of the day (and possibly the trip so far) was my new Sakura Bloom sling. I can't believe we survived the infant stage without it, but I'm so happy that we finally have one because Roscoe camped out in it all day. He was snug and content, enjoying the view and the people from the safety of my arms. Besides the minor balancing act that I had to perform to manage my belly and Roscoe without toppling over, I was so grateful we threw the sling into our pack at the last minute, "just in case".

Pirates of the Caribbean was a surprising hit--we kept things cheery by keeping the focus on the animals--and Roscoe just could not contain his excitement during the Jungle Cruise, and The Tiki Room. We stayed until the sun set, then made one last stop at the Main Street Confectionery for pumpkin fudge, caramel apples, and Mickey shaped rice crispy treats. We made it home just in time to usher Roscoe into the tub and then tuck him in for the night.

The temperatures have been in the 70's, and besides the bird of paradise in our villa that we decorated with white lights, and the stockings we hung in the living room, it's too easy to forget that Christmas is just 3 days away.

Momma's Monday Check-in: 24/40

Note: McFatty Monday's is no longer! Instead I will post Momma's Monday Check-in. Join me as I eat and exercise my way through the next 16 weeks.

Due Date: April 8, 2011

Total weight gain: 13.5, last I checked.

Cravings/Aversions: none

Sleep: We're all still struggling to get well after three weeks of shared illness. Sleep has suffered.

I can't live without: A nice break from reality every now and then. A warm weather escape is going to be just the thing we need.

I miss: Running. It's a guaranteed calorie burn/feel-good workout. Even though it's cold outside I don't like knowing that I probably couldn't do it comfortably, even if I really wanted to.

I am looking forward to: Christmas in Florida! Disneyland was a childhood staple in our house, and I can't wait to experience it again for myself, but also to share the magic with Roscoe.

Best moment this week: The nursery is 75% complete!! The curtains are hung, the walls painted, shelving installed, and the main pieces of furniture are in place. I think I might have a new favorite room in the house. Roscoe's nursery got a toddler makeover and now he has a newly organized space with plenty of room to rough and tumble. The boys' rooms are side-by-side and I love to stand in between the two and take both in at once.

Milestones: For the first time when the baby moved I could feel both sides of my belly moving--he's taking up the space now!

Movement: Lots!

Gender: Boy!

Exercise: After all the great comments I received last week to encourage me out of my workout slump, I was finally moved to buy a few new items from fit2bmom--they're having a sample sale! This week I'm hoping a change in environment and warmer weather will entice me to work out and counter all the Christmas treats that I plan to consume.

Diet: I'm glad that January 1 will bring a new beginning and a mental restart for my diet/nutrition goals.

Goals for the upcoming week: Have fun!

Belly Shot:

Hey! Good start, I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and a full body circuit! All before 8:30am.

Labor Signs: None

'Twas the night before take off

It's 4:40 in the morning. The whole house is dark and silent, and I just cannot fall back to sleep. In 4 hours we leave for the airport to fly to Florida. It's the first time we'll have spent Christmas away from our families, out of state and without the comforts of home. I'm looking forward to it and yet I already miss tradition.

The year's first snow blew in two days ago and while it was only a few inches it lingers still, powder turned to ice. Highs in the 70's are sounding pre-tty darn nice right about now. Our luggage is packed as efficiently as possible, we managed just one bag each--plus a stroller, a car seat, and three personal carry-on items...

Roscoe and I share a gigantic duffel filled to the brim with everything from toiletries to Christmas stockings, stuffers, and a few wrapped treasures for Christmas morning. And I wouldn't be surprised if a couple strands of white lights got thrown in for festivity. Christmas Eve dinner recipes are somewhere in the mix too.

Unlike our typical vacations, this one is loosely planned, with very few expectations--I'm not sure there is any other way to travel with a toddler and a 24 week pregnant Momma. But our hopes are high to fully experience five days of Disney World, catch up with our friends (who are sharing this adventure with us), catch up on sleep (oh I hope! I hope!), and to also sneak in a little baking, sun basking, and lots of Christmas cheer.

Happy Holidays!

Boring

I'm so bored. Oh so bored. The gym is terribly boring.

The outside temps are in the 20's and I dare not set foot outside, if I have choice in the matter. Even our afternoon walk to the mailbox has been put on hold until further notice. If determined to break a sweat, the gym is my only refuge from frostbite and aching lungs.

There are a few little issues driving my motivation into the ground, however.

I still do not have proper maternity workout attire (I have no excuse for why I have not made the investment after 1 1/2 pregnancies) so I am left to either squeeze into my former gear (which doesn't fit that well, ahem) or to creatively assemble "outfits" from cast away items that I would otherwise never, ever, wear. I don't know about you but I like to feel confident at the gym, or else I don't really have fun, and I want to leave. Lately I've noticed that I've adopted a bad habit of jogging into the gym, swiping my card, running into my class, spinning like a drone for an hour, and then hightailing it out of there as fast as I entered.

While it would make all the sense in the world to take advantage of the fact that I have already done 3/4s of the work by dressing, and transporting myself halfway across town, I leave instead of lifting weights or working out my abs because I'm not up for strutting my "stuff" around the gym.

Then there's the fact that my gym is pretty traditional with a schedule of group exercise classes, most of which take place before 5:30 pm, rather unaccommodating for anyone who works, particularly considering the traffic in the area. Spin is the only class that is even remotely appealing, but I kind of hate it while I'm there. The lights are so bright, and the instructors are so peppy. I like to get in a zone while I exercise, and somehow staring at my own (blurry--since I don't wear my glasses to class, and pale (BRIGHT LIGHTS!)) face in a mirror for an hour while trying my best to block out all the extraneous diversions just isn't inspiring. Do I get my heart rate up? yeah. Do I break a sweat? yeah. Do I enjoy it? not really.

It's become too easy to find reasons not to go to class. That means that I need to do something drastic because not going to the gym, especially now, just won't do.

I have nooo answers, but I hope I come up with something soon. Any suggestions? I'll take anything.

Graduation Day

My little sister graduated with her masters degree on Saturday. True to her nature, she stole the stage and danced her way across. I was moved to tears because I know how much work she's put into her education and I'm thrilled to see what she will do next. She deserves everything she's earned.

Momma's Monday Check-in: 23/40

Note: McFatty Monday's is no longer! Instead I will post Momma's Monday Check-in. Join me as I eat and exercise my way through the next 18 weeks.

Due Date: April 8, 2011

Total weight gain: 13.5

Cravings/Aversions: none, although I realized that poached eggs have been the staple of this pregnancy. With Roscoe it was bagels with cream cheese and tomato.

Sleep: The three of us have been sharing a virus of some kind--it started with Andy, passed to Roscoe last week, and now it is my turn. I lost my voice over the weekend and the coughing alone has made all the muscles in my torso sore. Night coughs are awful, but coupled with pregnancy insomnia I'm really struggling with rest.

I can't live without: The Internet. Christmas shopping is complete and I did it all while lounging about on the couch.

I miss: my income before childcare expenses and part-time work hours.

I am looking forward to: We leave for Florida at the end of the week! A warmer climate, and Roscoe's first Disney experience will be a different way to spend the holiday.

Aha moment: There's not much to happen between now and the baby's arrival besides weight gain...

Best moment this week: I really enjoyed my prenatal visit on Friday and when Susan felt for his little body and quickly found his head down low, she stated "yep, that bounces like a little head--looks like he's head down!" It sank in a little deeper that our boy is in there doing his thing, and making early preparations to be born. I know he's only a pound a half but I can already picture him in my arms.

Milestones: I threw up for the first time this pregnancy! I have no idea why, but it happened during a morning tooth brush. Interestingly, I threw up only once with Roscoe, also while brushing my teeth.

Movement: He's quite active! When I read at night I rest my book on my belly now, and he's bumped my reading material several times in the past few days, which is always amusing.

Gender: Still a boy!

Exercise: This past week did not work out the way I had hoped. I made it to only one cycling class early in the week and have been couch surfing most evenings in the hope of ridding myself of this terrible sickness.

Diet: I've been trying to drink more water, with some success. I didn't gain anything last week so that is a good thing.

Goals for the upcoming week: Get well, meet my work deadlines, pack efficiently for Florida, find time to workout at least twice.

Belly Shot:

Labor Signs: None