6 1/2 months prego

Getting closer and closer to the finish line is becoming sureal! I miss Dan being here to take pictures of my growing belly each month. This fabulous bathroom shot will have to due for now. :)

A healthy change

July - I chopped off my hair and lightened it. Now it's August and I have new glasses. I think a little healthy change is good. What will be the new thing in September???? HMMMM..we'll see....

A little healthy venting

I just need to vent. I think it cleanses the soul. And I need to do that right now.
(Disclaimer - it's late, I'm tired, still getting over nasty infection in the body, had a rough day with a 2 year old throwing tantrums due to shear exhaustion, and am really missing the deployed hubby.)

It really chaps my hide when people make me feel like I am less of a person because I choose to stay home with my child. Especially when these types of comments to me, come from members of my immediate family, who decided themselves at one point to be a stay at home parent. Why? Why does your full time job and schedule matter more than mine? Why is it wrong for me to make the choice to stay home with my child? It's not wrong. I see it as being a wonderful thing. And I am so grateful that I am in the situation that I am able to do that right now.

The conversation:
Me: Yah, so I am really proud of Ben for trying to go potty on the toilet. These past few days he has been really insistent on wearing big boy underwear and not diapers. Up until today though he didn't want to sit on the toilet. But today he did!
Family Member: "Oh wow, your day consisted of waiting for Ben to take a poo. How exciting. Well, I have to go and write a 15 page essay and read 3 chapters in my book."
Me: No response except talk to you later, but inner voice says, (Ouch that hurt)

It hurts me to the core. The comment made tonight. Potty training.......not rocket science - I understand this. I didn't accomplish a major life time goal by watching my son sit on the toilet. I did not take college courses to do the laundry, cook dinner, read him The Big Red Barn, practice counting to 5 or singing the alphabet, change a diaper, or budget the bills. But I feel that I am making a difference in my sons life. And right now he is my priority. That is my decision. Why do people feel the need to show one up, even when it's your own flesh and blood? Why the competition? It bothers me more than I can say. But, it really helped typing this up.

Good night blog world ~

Motivated

So thanks to bed rest, and Dan being deployed, I have been doing a lot of reading lately. Currently one of the books that I am reading is:

I first heard of Dave Ramsey from my friend Sarah. She attended one of his financial seminars. She taught me about cash envelopes, and the debt snowball. They were able to become completely debt free using these tools among others of Dave Ramsey. I saw this book at the library and immediately knew if I wanted to get truly serious about becoming debt free, then I needed to read this book. And I am so happy I have.

I would suggest this book to anyone and everyone. It is inspiring. Dan and I are working on becoming debt free. And I have to tell you this book is helping us get to that goal.

YAH for healthy living and that includes healthy finances!

"Me Time"

So once a week, my friend and I trade a day during the week watching each other's chitlins. It is the greatest thing ever. We each get 3 hours, free babysitting, "me time" to do whatever we want! Sometimes I use it for Dr's appts, or sometimes grocery shopping, and any errands that would go faster without a toddler in tow. This time however, I wanted to do something that would really rejuvenate me and focus on me for once. And I had the greatest me time ever!

I first went to the library and checked out some books, Cd's, and a movie.

(Not usually a Michael Moore fan. However, I wanted to check out this movie knowing there is a serious health care crisis and watch it with an open mind.) Some soulllll music

I love the sound of his voice...........

The most adorable book that I read to Ben every night. Ben now understands Daddy is in the desert riding around in a jeep. Who doesn't love this soundtrack?

Decided to catch up on my military spouse reading ~

This book gives a great idea that Ben and I will be doing for Dan ~

I have wanted to read this ever since I became prego with Ben ~

Enough said ~

Then I headed to the brand new gym just built here on base. It was honestly nicer than the gym I was paying a membership at! Rock wall included that will make Dan a very happy camper. :) I did the bike and then walked the treadmill. (Which I have to gush ~ each treadmill had it's own flat screen TV on!) I then went to the indoor pool where I swam some laps....for free! Lap swim is free as opposed to the $1 cost for open swim time with Ben.

After I was done working out and swimming, I headed home for a nice hot shower. Then grabbed a tuna in a whole wheat pita pocket with sprouts.

I can not tell you how wonderful it was to just focus on me completely(except of course getting Ben a few books at library) and having it all be completely free!!!!

My feeling to living on base and meeting such a great person who can relate and understand military deployments..........can best be said in a song......"I think I'm gonna like it here......" Annie the movie.

I highly suggest "me time" to anyone and everyone. It is the best thing a mother, wife, or woman can do for themselves. I know that by rejuvenating myself, I am being a better Mom to Ben. And that is such a good feeling.

I have been craving.........

I remember making this back in Hawaii, when following the Women's health magazine food plan. Not a bad craving to have right? What I LOVE about Women's Health magazine is that when finding recipes on-line you can adjust the serving size, and it adjust the ingredients for you. Link for the recipe page is on the right of this page.

Creamy Chocolate-Banana Ice
Original recipe yield: 2 Servings:

INGREDIENTS:
3 ripe bananas
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1/3 cup chocolate soy milk

DIRECTIONS:
Peel bananas and slice into 1/2 -inch-thick rounds. Arrange slices on a foil-lined tray and freeze for at least 3 hours (if you want to freeze them longer, you can then transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag).
When you're ready to make the ice, put the frozen banana slices and cocoa powder in a food processor. Pulse 10 to 20 times until bananas form pebble-size chunks. Turn the food processor on and add soy milk in a steady stream, processing until mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds. Note: You may need to stop the motor once or twice and scrape down the sides of the bowl for even blending.
Scoop banana ice into serving bowls and return to the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm up before serving.

I think I'll prepare my bananas today and eat this tomorrow..........YUMMMMMM!

Remind me when I pop this thing out............

When I pop the baby out and get back to a more routine work out schedule and stricter diet........ I really want to read the book "You on a diet" by Dr Oz and focus on eating from that book.

I have always loved Dr OZ. I think it's great that he is trying to get the people of America to be healthier...not skinnier....but healthier. He measures your waist size not your weight. I have learned so much from him so far as I read about his theories in healthier living.

I was just organizing my computer desk piles. I have a big stack of papers on what to eat and what not to eat and how to exercise. I am always ripping things out of magazines. I always have different ideas of how I am going to get down to my "goal size". I need to remind myself from time to time that it's not about how you do it. Just pick one and do it. And do it the right way! And I really think following the You on a diet plan will work for me as a permanent health solution in my life. Which is my ultimate goal. Not a quick fix like I've done before in my life. But a permanent solution for life!

Okay back to organizing the tornado known as my desk.

Anyone else a fan of Dr Oz like myself?