The Unknown...Here We Come!

Well, we are heading into the unknown. This is a bit frightening for us as we have started to have some awesome stability in our lives this year. But, isn't that the way things go? Can't get too comfy now. And I will say that unlike other times where something happened to us, we are choosing to do this to ourselves and for some reason there's comfort in that.

It's true that sometimes you have to move backwards temporarily in order to move forward. And that is just what we are doing. Tom has said "so long" to his employer of four years, ADT. He has ventured out of the world of fire and security systems, something that he has been dying to do since he fell into this career in 2003. Yes he has attempted school a couple of times in the past, but always while married to the fire and security industry. And well, that marriage just didn't work out. The fire and security industry was always the "other woman" that never wanted him to make it to class or have time to study. So for the first time hubby will get to go to school without this obstacle in his life. There will be other challenges of course, such as paying all of the bills every month. But there is no gain in life without risk. I wouldn't have a successful daycare business if I hadn't taken the leap at some point and quit my job. I had no clients when I did this, but I also knew that my current position took so much of my time that the only way to focus on building my business was to have that time available. Life is like that sometimes. You stay with what you know where it's semi-comfortable and settle or you decide that there is more to life than "settling".

Hubby has had this dream for several years. In fact, this dream is a good part of why I built my business. It's all been part of the plan from the beginning. It's still very scary to step out even though this has been the plan. But here we are. Who knows what will happen? I know that we will not see very many of our "wants" in the next few years. And some of our "needs" will move to the "want" category. Funny how that happens when living depends on frugality. But this will all be worth it in the end.

I am thankful that we have family and friends who support our vision. Our newfound church family is of immense comfort and I'm thankful every day that we've found a home at Grace Church in Galesburg. And not to be pushy, but if you're looking for a church you just might try it. I'm just saying!

What the?

So this is going to be a venting post. Consider yourself warned. But just imagine this for a minute.

You join weight watchers and stick to the program. Things are going great and you're losing weight. Then all of a sudden your body just sticks. One weight, down to the ounce. Day after day for an entire week. However, you continue to be faithful to your program, knowing that if you just eat within your points the weight will come off. That week your muscles ache all over for some unknown reason. Then, on the seventh day of being stuck on the same weight, you get a bad migraine that lasts for ten hours. You lay on the couch all evening and do not fix a nutritious dinner because it hurts to move your eyes. So hubby orders pizza and you indulge. And yes, you eat a few more pieces than you should. The next morning you step on the scale and find that you have gained 2 1/2 pounds. From one freaking night of pizza. Really?

You may have guessed that this is not an imaginary person. I must admit that I feel like screaming and throwing something right now. But I won't. I'll just take my shower, get ready for my day, and stick to my program today.

I'm seeing my doctor in less than a month and if my weight loss progress isn't sufficient given the fact that I'm doing weight watchers and I'm now on thyroid medication for hypothyroidism then she's going to discuss putting me on an additional medication for insulin resistance. This would be in addition to the pile of vitamins I'm on along with my progesterone. GAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Okay. I guess that's rant enough for one morning. Time to get ready for my day!

And Sometimes You Walk Away

"AGH!!!" The cry of protest reverberates throughout the house as I shut the gate to the playroom and walk away. The cry continues as though it's chasing me as I go into a different part of the house. I try desperately to get away. Sound like a bad nightmare? This can be reality for mothering in the worst times. Sometimes your child is having one of "those days" and you've exhausted every gentle discipline technique, anger management resource, as well as some not so gentle discipline techniques (i.e. yelling). This is when a momentary retreat can be so much more helpful than trying to continue in the moment.

If I had to name the hardest thing about being an "Attachment Parent" it's that I can't be just that when it's most needed. It's an ideal and a set of great ideas to strive for, but the reality is that many of us fall short when we've been pushed to our limit. And I can say for myself that falling short is something that I do on a regular basis. But I like that I have a goal of who I want to be as a parent. AP ideals are for me a sort of guide or road map. When I take a detour I at least know the main road that I want to get back on. I've realized as my child has really started to grow into his "threeness" in the last month that I will need to reread some things that I read when he was younger. We have hit a hump. But I firmly believe that it's not every little moment that counts but the overall picture and the continued striving to be more empathic, more nurturing, more understanding, more considerate, more respectful, and well the list could go on and on.

Well, it's been a good five minutes and my child is repeating in a sad voice from the playroom "I want my mommy." My heart rate has slowed, my breathing is more relaxed, and I feel now that I am in a state of mind to give an honest effort at finding out what exactly my child is trying to communicate to me in his moment of tantrumy tears and frustration. Time to go!

The Weight Loss Plateau

Anybody who's ever tried to lose weight knows that there is one thing we all dread. The big bad scary plateau. I was expecting to hit one at some point in my weight loss journey, but it honestly seems a bit soon to be hitting one. I feel that's where I'm currently at. I've been stuck on the same weight down to the ounce since last Thursday. I've followed weight watcher's like a good girl. I admit that I haven't worked out as much this week. I've been super tired for some reason. I did walk last night. But even without working out I should be losing a little just by sticking with my weight watchers plan. Blah. Perhaps my body weight is shifting around. Although I'm not sure. I don't feel like I'm exercising enough to chalk it up to muscle gain or anything.

I know the best things for breaking through a plateau are shaking up the routine. Perhaps I can throw some more effort into getting up early and doing my yoga. I'm not doing so hot at that one for the moment.

Hopefully this plateau breaks soon because I'm ready to continue on my weight loss journey. It's a bit frustrating because I'm an immediate results sort of gal. So I guess I'll just have to be patient!

What Attachment Parenting Is

I've been asked by people whenever the topic of attachment parenting comes up, what exactly that is. As much as it's instinctive and wonderful for me and my family, it's not always easy to describe. Sometimes I feel that I end up stuttering around words trying to explain. Perhaps after years and years of practice I will become better at explaining this concept to others. I hope so. I can honestly say that I feel lucky to have stumbled on the ideas of attachment parenting prior to having my little one. I think that it has already made a lot of difference in how my son is raised and it will continue to have an impact for years and hopefully for generations.

So here's a link that covers the basics anyways. There's nothing profound or earth shattering in this article. It's just basic description and definition of all that is attachment parenting.

What Attachment Parenting Is

Weight Loss Challenge - Update

Well, I have absolutely no idea what day I'm on of the weight loss challenge. My goal was to keep a journal and write in it every day of the challenge. Hahahaha - it was a nice thought!

I will say that this challenge is exactly the kind of kick in the rear that I needed to help myself focus and get on track. I'm down 10 pounds since the start of the challenge. Woo woo! I hope that I can continue to stay on track. I've also got my healthcare provider involved. I met with her this past Monday. She's been working with me on possibilities to get my body functioning properly. So it all kind of goes together. I've started on protein shakes as I rarely get in my protein intake for the day. Also, she's going to start me on some Vitamin D as my levels of vitamin D are low. She's going to be speaking with the doctor today about putting me on some meds to help my thyroid function properly. So, one step at a time. I really like that even though I'm seeing her for another issue, her goal is to get me healthy - not just quick fix me. I am starting to believe that my body will fix itself if given what it needs. I guess I feel hope and feel that I'm on my way to a healthier me!

World Breastfeeding Week

It's World Breastfeeding Week - woo hoo - hurray for breastfeeding! I long for the day that moms everywhere at least try. I think back to Boo as a little baby and all of the out and about nursing experiences we've had. Some were great and some were pretty rough. But it was all worth it!

So cheers to all who are breastfeeding and/or have breastfed!

A Camping We Did Go

What a lovely time we had this weekend. I feel as if I must write before the memories fade too much. The family and I packed up on Saturday and headed to Johnson Sauk Trail for camping. We would've liked to go on Friday evening, but we were zonked. I had my DCFS address change licensing visit for the daycare on Friday and that always makes for a long day. But I was 100% in compliance and the visit went really well. So that was really nice. But my intention was to pack my stuff Friday night as hubby was working on getting the camping stuff together. Instead I climbed onto our bed at 9:00pm that night to look at a book Boo wanted to show me and fell fast asleep. Oops! So the next morning was a mad dash to pack and I do admit that we are wanting to become way more organized with the packing/unpacking/planning process when it comes to camping. So we are planning to make a master packing list and laminate it sometime soon while the experience is fresh in our minds. There were a few things that we forgot, but mostly we were okay.

It took us forever to get our tent set up. It was a new tent and like all disorganized campers we did not practice setting it up prior to leaving. So we looked like a couple of buffoons until we figured out our new tent, which is exceptionally nice I must say.

After tent set up we took Boo in a paddleboat on the lake. He loved being on the boat, but I've forgotten how tiring a paddleboat can be. It was good fun though. I love being on the water. There's something amazingly therapeutic and relaxing about water. Well, mostly. Hubby and I did bicker a fair amount of time about how to properly steer the paddleboat - I guess we truly are an old married couple!

Anyways, after that we went back to our site and grabbed Wally - yes, even the dog came camping - and headed out for some hiking. I planned on Boo tiring soon and brought my Ergo carrier for him. So hubby, Boo, Wally, and I set out for an hour and a half or so of hiking the trails. It was loads of fun - I LOVE to hike. It's one of those forms of exercise that just doesn't feel like exercise to me - it's just too stinking fun! Anyways, after that we headed back to the campsite for that staple campfire dinner - hot dogs!

Poor Boo covered his eyes while the fire was going. He's a bit sensitive about some things and a big bright campfire is one of them! He conked out pretty much right after dinner and hubby and I took turns treating ourselves to a shower. Ah - the luxury! Then we did smores while Boo slept in the tent.

It was a pretty short trip and we would've liked to do more. We realize that we need to be more organized to maximize our time camping, but we'll get there. We just need more practice. So we're already planning more trips for this year before the weather gets too cold.

The morning was pretty uneventful, just breakfast and packing up. I will say the highlight of the morning was hubby accidentally spraying shaving cream on himself instead of deodorant. He has spray deodorant and I guess when you're tired from a full day the day before it's easy to mix it up. It was a bit funny though!

Mostly Boo loved it. But I did have to explain to him Saturday night that we were going home the next day because he looked a little worried that the tent was our new house. He didn't care for the bugs - I can't say I blame him. We put bug spray on him, but he was still bitten quite a bit. I think he'll be happy to go back, but he's not ready for more than one night just yet. We're pretty sure he would've had a complete melt down if we had told him we were staying a second night. He had fun, but he was definitely excited to come home. Wally did fantastic camping! We were so proud of him. Only a few times did he get extra "barky" and that was right around bedtime of course. But it was all new to him. Overall I think he was in dog heaven. He was calm and relaxed and definitely in his element. Those who have met my dog know that calm and relaxed are not usually words that would describe him. I even think hubby and the dog bonded a bit which was pretty great.

Anyhoo, we have lots to do. I have the day off tomorrow, but I'd like to get unpacking and cleanup done so that other than doctor appointments tomorrow, it's just kind of a rest day. That sounds utterly fantastic!