Kids are awesome. There's no two ways about it...they're just awesome. And of course I mean that seriously...and totally sarcastically. This summer has been one of the most annoying, frustrating, and ultimately hilarious summers of my life. Every day the kids teach me something new...whether it's a new phrase, a new way to piss me off, a new way to love them more...just something new.
One of the more annoying and funny parts of the summer have been the conversations with my Hosers. This summer's topic of choice? Poop. Now I know that everyone talks about poop. Don't lie - you know you do. Every time you're with your friends, the conversation ultimately gets to that topic. The colors, sounds, smells, amount...it never gets old. No matter how much you try to deny it, poop and farts are always funny. And definitely discussion worthy.
That being said...my kids seem to like talking about poop more than typical kids. Sure it's annoying. And rude. And completely unnecessary. And yes...they get yelled at for it. I've also started making them stand in the bathroom and talk to the toilet when they just can't seem to stop spouting off at the mouth. But no matter what I do, they love talking about poop. Part of the reason that potty-talk is so prevalent around here as of late is because I'm in the middle of potty-training Janna - which, BTW, is going really well!
Each kid has a specific word or phrase for their droppings, too. Right now, Elliott is all about poo squids. Poo squids are what Elliott calls the specialness left in her undies after she poops (and wipes herself). Please be aware that these are not to be confused with "poo skins" - which is what Gabriel leaves behind. No matter how much TP they use, there is always a present left in their pants for me (or rather - for Jon since he does the laundry around here). And it bothers the bejesus out of them! They hate it! So Gabriel has gotten into the habit of wiping with baby wipes...which he then flushes (which of course clogs the damned toilet). And Elliott has taken to coming into the living room (or wherever I happen to be at the time) with no pants on...and bending over to ask, "Please, Mommy. Will you check my bottom? I don't think Barbie wants a poo squid today." Because as we all know, the Barbies on the undies will be very upset if they're visited by a poo squid.
Even Janna has become conscious of her poo. She doesn't know what a squid/skin is, but she's not one to be outdone. Her special word is "bolus". That's what she calls her poopies (well, that's what she calls them when she isn't calling them poopies). Boluses (Jon started calling her poops that when she was a baby - she's always had a little trouble in the #2 department, and as a result her offerings look like brown tangerines - or boluses of food). She tends to poop during her afternoon nap, and her oh-so-pleasant way of letting me know she's awake is to yell, "Mommy? Janna Ella have bolus. Fwesh panties. Pweeze." And when I don't come running, "Mommy? Way ay you? Janna Ella needs fwesh panties. Now. Yucky bolus. Stinky." And if I have the audacity to continue ignoring her, "Mom!?! Janna Ella needs fwesh panties now! Heiney cheeks hurt! Ma? Fine! Do it I self." And that usually sends me running.
So. Poop. Kids. Awesome.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
66
52 weeks ago today I started my journey to become a healthier me. The number above? Is how much weight I have lost in those 52 weeks. 66 pounds. 66!! Sixty freakin' six!! I'm pretty stoked about that!!
So...how did I do it? I've changed two major things about my life - food and exercise. First I tried to regulate the amount and types of food I was eating. I started using the Points system from Weight Watchers, and it really helped me feel motivated. I noticed results right away, and it has helped me to regulate my food intake (i.e. I measure almost everything I eat). I'm making healthier choices for myself - and for my family. All of us are healthier because I changed the way I cook and grocery shop.
When I get asked about what I eat, I tell them I eat what I want. And that's completely true. I just eat less of it - and I make sure it's reduced calorie and lower fat. I've gotten used to eating low fat (or fat free) cheeses, yogurts, sour cream, milk, coffee creamers...and so have Jon and the kids. Splenda and spray butter have become two of my very best friends, and I wouldn't be able to survive without all of the yummy (and fiber-filled) Fiber One snacks. 100 calorie snack packs are also one of my favorite things in the world, and I have rediscovered my deep and abiding (and very annoying and messy) love of air-popped popcorn.
As far as meals go, I eat toast for breakfast. I eat a sandwich or soup for lunch (I would be lost without Arnold sandwich thins and Progresso or Campbell's light soups). I make the same dinners I made before, but I don't use butter on anything. All veggies are steamed, meat is grilled, salad dressings are light, mashed potatoes are made with fat free chicken broth...I cut corners wherever I can. And the results have been wonderful. Not only are we eating healthier, but the meals have been tastier, too!!
Secondly...I exercise every day. And believe me. I hate it. I hate everything about it. Sure I feel better afterwards, but finding the motivation to actually do it is sometimes next to impossible. I have a pretty strict schedule that I try to stick to as much as possible. Sundays are my "free" days - I do something very light (like a short walk). Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are my Jillian Days. And dude...I hate that woman. But I manage through it (mostly by calling her nasty names, or envisioning her face at the end of my fists while I'm punching) . Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are my Leslie Days. Now Leslie I like! She's annoying as hell, but not enough to make me want to hit her. I vary my walks...but most of the time I stick with a fast three-mile workout.
Those are my "tricks". I changed the way I eat, and I increased the amount of exercise I do. When I started, I didn't really have a goal in mind. I just wanted to be healthier. Well, that and I didn't want to have to shop in the plus-size section of stores anymore. And I'm there. I can chase my kids without being too winded, and I'm down 5-6 dress sizes. My goal for this year is to maintain what I've started (if I lose more, great; if not, also great).
So...how did I do it? I've changed two major things about my life - food and exercise. First I tried to regulate the amount and types of food I was eating. I started using the Points system from Weight Watchers, and it really helped me feel motivated. I noticed results right away, and it has helped me to regulate my food intake (i.e. I measure almost everything I eat). I'm making healthier choices for myself - and for my family. All of us are healthier because I changed the way I cook and grocery shop.
When I get asked about what I eat, I tell them I eat what I want. And that's completely true. I just eat less of it - and I make sure it's reduced calorie and lower fat. I've gotten used to eating low fat (or fat free) cheeses, yogurts, sour cream, milk, coffee creamers...and so have Jon and the kids. Splenda and spray butter have become two of my very best friends, and I wouldn't be able to survive without all of the yummy (and fiber-filled) Fiber One snacks. 100 calorie snack packs are also one of my favorite things in the world, and I have rediscovered my deep and abiding (and very annoying and messy) love of air-popped popcorn.
As far as meals go, I eat toast for breakfast. I eat a sandwich or soup for lunch (I would be lost without Arnold sandwich thins and Progresso or Campbell's light soups). I make the same dinners I made before, but I don't use butter on anything. All veggies are steamed, meat is grilled, salad dressings are light, mashed potatoes are made with fat free chicken broth...I cut corners wherever I can. And the results have been wonderful. Not only are we eating healthier, but the meals have been tastier, too!!
Secondly...I exercise every day. And believe me. I hate it. I hate everything about it. Sure I feel better afterwards, but finding the motivation to actually do it is sometimes next to impossible. I have a pretty strict schedule that I try to stick to as much as possible. Sundays are my "free" days - I do something very light (like a short walk). Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are my Jillian Days. And dude...I hate that woman. But I manage through it (mostly by calling her nasty names, or envisioning her face at the end of my fists while I'm punching) . Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are my Leslie Days. Now Leslie I like! She's annoying as hell, but not enough to make me want to hit her. I vary my walks...but most of the time I stick with a fast three-mile workout.
Those are my "tricks". I changed the way I eat, and I increased the amount of exercise I do. When I started, I didn't really have a goal in mind. I just wanted to be healthier. Well, that and I didn't want to have to shop in the plus-size section of stores anymore. And I'm there. I can chase my kids without being too winded, and I'm down 5-6 dress sizes. My goal for this year is to maintain what I've started (if I lose more, great; if not, also great).
Monday, July 27, 2009
It's Official!
Janna's 2!! Which means she's no longer a baby. She's officially a toddler now. A bonafide Big Girl. Or as she likes to call herself, "Janna Ellen Princess Monkey".
Miss Monkey is growing and growing. Well, kind of. My Girl is a big ball of sass wrapped up in a wee little package. But she's cute! And very smart. And fiercely independent. And extremely cuddly. She's just such a great Little Girl!
Since I love boring you guys with pictures of my kids, allow me to share the last 12 months with you. I already posted her first 12 months in pictures here, so I'll pick up with month 13.
Janna - 13 months. Calling Gramma has always been one of her favorite things to do!
14 months - Janna would happily stay in the tub for hours if you let her.
15 months - BOO!! It's almost time for Halloween!
16 months - The climbing has begun! Keeping Janna off of any and all furniture (box, step, whatever) has become nearly impossible!
17 months - Christmas Eve!
18 months - Mommy's boots are so much fun to wear!
19 months - Janna insists on feeding herself. And since that's easier (for me) than listening to her whine, I allow it.
20 months - I love "riding" bikes!
21 months - Janna has discovered the joys of crafting! Playdoh, crayons (she doesn't eat them anymore!!), markers, paint...she loves to make things!
22 months - Darth Janna! Everything Sissy has, Janna wants! She idolizes her siblings!
23 months - The pack and play has become a jungle gym. Janna likes to nap, but when she's done, she DONE.
24 months - Happy Birthday, Baby Janna! You might not technically be a "baby baby" anymore, but you'll always be our baby!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Another Person's Garbage...
...is very often my treasure. I love to dumpster dive - and I don't have a problem admitting it. People (myself included) throw away so many useful things without thinking about it. In the late winter of 2008 I found this in my next door neighbor's trash pile:
It's a child's desk. It was painted white, and there were decals, stains, cut marks, and all kinds of filth all over it. I figured that we could simply repaint it and use it for Gabriel. Jon and his Dad (pictured above) stripped the desk last fall and discovered that underneath the 452 layers of white (and then brown) paint was a sturdy desk constructed from solid maple.
Jon decided that with Gabriel going into Kindergarten he would use the summer to finish what he and his father had started. So we took the desk with us to PA. Jon did all of the sanding, I did all of the staining.
What do you think?
I think it turned out beautifully! The top of the desk is so smooth...and it looks like satin. I love it! It's the perfect size for The Boy's room. It has built-in pencil holders and the shelves on the side are perfect for his books. Instead of buying him a cheap piece of faux-wood junk, he has this. A beautiful piece of furniture that should last him forever. And it was FREE! (Well, we did have to buy stain and extra sandpaper, but the $20 or so spent on that was totally worth it!)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
I'm Baaaaack!!
The week was fantastic! I won't go into detail now (cuz I'm too tired), but I'll add pics sometime this week. I took so many pictures I literally had to go buy more SD cards for my camera. It was one of the best weeks I've ever had. And I know the Hosers loved it, too!!
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