Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Call off the search parties

We are alive. Can I pretend that I was doing the Anti-NaBloPoMo? Unlike past absences that were usually due to rough times, this month has been lots of goodness.

There isn't much to report on Isa over the last month. Her language skills are developing at shocking speed. She speaks in full, reasonably long sentences all the time now. Often the sentences are even grammatically correct. I don't need to translate for her as much anymore because everyone else can understand her as well. I'll try to capture some conversation on video although she tends to clam up as soon as the camera comes out.

I think we've also started turning the corner between babyhood and childhood. Tantrums are down to a respectable limit (hey- she's still 2!). I don't need to worry about her getting into all the "off limits" things the second I turn my back. We have even started doing simple craft projects which I'm thrilled about. It's nice to have some options for filling the cold, wet mornings when we're stuck inside.

The big changes this month have been for me. I've felt for the last year or so that my life is slowly spiraling out of control. I'd gained a lot of weight, had been struggling with lots of fatigue due to my crazy work/Mommy schedule, and generally felt like crap much of the time. I was struggling to keep up with work and finances were a big mess. The house was rarely clean and we ate quite a bit of unhealthy, easy to prepare food. I felt like I was failing in ever aspect.

A very good friend of mine recently finished school to become a registered dietician and I asked if she'd take me as her first client. I figured that it would be beneficial to both of us, but honestly never expected to have it be this successful. We've made lots of little changes that never feel like too much work and after only 4 weeks I feel like things have turned around.

I now make a monthly dinner menu plan so I don't have to stuggle with what to cook/eat each evening. Funny how something so small can be revolutionary in my world! It took away the stress of "Oh my God- it's 15 minutes until dinnertime and I have no idea what we have in the fridge!" (which usually resulted in a meal of noodle with butter and parmesan). It means that we're eating healthy, balanced dinners and I'm cooking again, which it turns out I really do enjoy.
My parents gave me their ancient exercise bike and my sister gave me some free weights that she no longer uses. So now I have a simple home gym down in the basement. There really isn't any excuse for me to not get down there and exercise during her naptime. Plus, heading down to the basement means laundry gets done on a regular basis. Woo-ha!

My nutritionist also started me on an adrenal fatigue supplement which is GLORIOUS! I feel awake during the day now which means I don't want to stay collapsed on the couch all the time. It's the next best thing to truly being well-rested, which is something I sadly can't make happen with my schedule.

This week in our session, we decided it was time to start working on weight loss and I'm feeling very motivated. My sister finally set a date for her wedding- August of next year. I'd like to lost at least 40 lbs by then, which I think is realistic but will require me to be pretty motivated.

So.... that is the LONG version of what's been going on this month. And if you actually made it all the way through this wordy post, here is your reward:

9 comments:

InventingLiz said...

Oh, she does look like a little girl now, not a baby!

Congrats on all the positive changes.

veggiemom said...

What awesome positive changes! I need to implement most of them in my own life.
Ditto what Liz said about Isa. What a big girl!!! Adorable too!

ferenge mama said...

sooo glad to hear this!

please post the monthly meal plan. I am begging you.

and ditto on the comments on that photo - she gets ever more lovely every day.

(this is Habesha Child, by the way - blogger won't let me comment using my WordPress ID. hmph).

Noelle said...

beautiful girl!

ts said...

She is such a cutie! I want to try those supplements-I definitely need them :)

one happy family said...

I love you, and your honest post!

Shauna said...

I still can't believe how gorgeous Isa B is... I was so thrilled to meet with you before Stacy and I took off to pick up sweet Maeve. I'd love to get together again sometime in the near future... we're just settling, as you know! I'm glad you're feeling better... I may be hitting you up on those helpful hints! Take care.

Jesi and Joe said...

Yeah! Glad to hear you feel like you're getting on the right track! This month I've been working on the exact same thing! (Monthly meal plan, that is!). Amazing how nice it is to have it planned in advance! :-)

Oh, and Isa is absolutely gorgeous (always has been) and is getting so big!!! Time if flying by, our babies aren't babies anymore!

Anonymous said...

Yes, the exhaustion of being a single mom. The cooking drill is what does me in. A month of meal planning is awesome. I should try this. I am still cooking double meals for my still picky girl.

Good for you for taking care of yourself.

Martha