Some More Weight Loss Realizations

I am trucking along on this weight loss journey...slow but steady.  Week by week I am seeing some progress.  However, I am also learning things here and there along the way. 

What have I learned?  Well, it is your lucky day.  I will share some of these ground-breaking realizations, revelations, whatever you want to call them, with you.

1. Fiber one brownies taste pretty good...but they are not, I repeat, not as good as the real thing.
2. A bowl of lettuce with some low fat dressing is not that filling, but I can convince myself that it is.
3. One piece of pizza is usually enough, even though I want another one more times than not.
4. Mayo on a sandwich from Panera Bread can more than double its fat content (WTF!).
5. A pair of pants can add about a quarter of a pound when you weigh yourself.
6. Weighing yourself in as little clothes as possible (and as acceptable while in a room with about a dozen other women) is the way to go.
7. Throwing out my kids leftovers is helpful.  After all, I am not a dog and therefore should not eat people's scraps.
8. Carbs are not the enemy...excessive amounts of them are.
9. Its okay to drink beer all day...and just not eat anything.  Maybe just save that for a Saturday though.
10. My daughters don't care how much weight that I lose (or gain).  It's as simple as not wearing sweats for them to think that I look nice. 

I am sure that the realizations will keep coming and I will be sure to share them.  Stay tuned!

I Wasn't Expecting That When I Was Expecting

There are certain things that I expected when I became a parent.  I knew that I would not have much time to myself.  I knew that I would not be able to sleep as late as I wanted.  I knew that my child would become my first priority and everything else would come second. 

However, there are things that have happened since I became a parent (some immediately and some took time) that I truly did not expect.

Here are just a few:

1.  I did not know that I would rarely be able to use the bathroom or shower by myself without a child knocking on the door (they knock if I am lucky) or barging right in.

2.  I did not know that I would have to share almost everything I ate...someone is always eating off of my plate (whether they have permission or not) or asking for a bite of what I have. 

3.  I did not know that I would buy all brand name clothes for my children and then purchase a pair of Faded Glory jeans from Walmart for myself.  I just NEVER saw that one coming.  But I only did that once after my second daughter because I refused to spend a lot on a pair of "fat" jeans.  I guess the joke was on me because the jeans still fit...but I rarely wear them because they have a rip in the crotch.  That's what you get when you buy a pair of jeans for $12.99. 

4.  I did not know that I would easily spend at least an extra $20 at the grocery store when my kids were with me.  How them being allowed to pick out one extra treat each turns into 10 extra things by the time we check out is beyond me.

5.  I did not know that a child smiling, laughing, sitting up alone, saying "ma ma" or "da da", crawling, walking, running, riding a bike, etc...would be such a big deal.  But it absolutely is a big deal.  Each milestone is a big deal.

So clearly there are certain things that a person might not be prepared for when they become a parent.  I know I certainly was not prepared for all the day to day "surprises" that came along with parenthood.  You just learn as you go.  And in my opinion, it is probably best that you didn't know all the gory details beforehand. 

So what about you?  Have you learned anything after becoming a parent that you did not expect?

Unsolicited Advice for Parents (from people who aren't parents)

Have you ever been given unsolicited advice?  Isn't that just the best?

Well if you have not, you may find it hard to believe that there are people out there who give unwanted advice about things that they have no clue about.  Here are some things that some parents (not me, but someone that I know) have been told by people that have no children:

1. "You just have to be consistent with your kids when they misbehave."
Really, no shit Sherlock.  I know I have to be consistent (again, not talking about "me" personally, but someone I know might feel this way).  So at home there are consistent consequences for bad behavior, such as a warning followed by time out.  What do you do if you are somewhere and you just need your child to pipe down so you can get things done?  I know, I know...if they are being bad, you should just leave where you are immediately and tell them that it is because of their unacceptable behavior.  BUT what if you are at the store to get necessities and that is not an option?  When that happens, consistency goes out the window and you should always resort to bribery.  Whatever works, right?

2.  "You still need to make time for yourself and get out without your children."
Should I? Because I would never DREAM of doing that.  I couldn't imagine going out to a nice relaxing dinner without the kids in tow.  That sounds like torture.  OF COURSE I would like to get out without the kids, but wait until you have 3 children and see how many people are knocking down your door to babysit on a regular basis.

3.  "You should treat yourself to a day of shopping."
Awwww, so sweet of you to say that.  Are you going to pay for it?  No?  Well, then maybe you can pay for my kids' clothes or new shoes, or give money for this field trip or that book fair or picture day, or diapers, or formula, or groceries, or the MILLIONS of other things that I need to buy.  So sorry but no, a shopping spree is not on the agenda for me at this point.  You must have forgotten that a home day care is not a multimillion dollar corporation.  Thanks for the tip though;)

4.  "I am sure an large SUV would have given you the same amount of room as a minivan."
Well, I am sure it would have... if I wanted to climb over a whole row of seats to get to the third row.  Or I am sure that a nice large $50,000 SUV would do the trick, along with a $600 car payment.  So thanks but no thanks, I will take my minivan.  Good looking out though.

5.  "Just try to get everything done at night so you are not rushed in the morning."  
Honey, I have news for you, I would STILL be rushed in the morning.  That is just the way of life when you have children.  And here is some more breaking news...when my kids go to sleep, that last thing I want to do is get ready for the next day.  I am too busy keeping up with the Kardashians, checking out Rachel Zoe's latest "major" styling event or photo shoot, or checking in with my favorite Housewives.   I will accept the consequences in the morning.

So there you have it...just a few pieces of unwanted advice that might have been given to someone I know by people that need to keep their well meaning but useless words of wisdom to themselves. 

How about you? Has anyone ever given you unsolicited advice that made you want to dropkick them square in the teeth? Please share!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

So you know the old saying...time flies!  As much as you may want to slow it down, it's just doesn't seem to happen.
People are always telling me to enjoy my kids when they are young because, well you know, time flies.  I completely agree with this.  But when I sit down and think about it, I truly believe when I look back on this time I will be able to say that I enjoyed it and that I had my fill.  I really have.  When my second daughter was 1 year old, I resigned from teaching and started a home daycare.  This way I could work and also be with my children. 
I am with my 3 year old and the baby all day, sun up to sun down...day in and day out...every morning, every night...okay, you get the picture.  The 3 year old will start preschool soon (that's another post for another day...I'll just say that potty training this one is for the birds!), but I have been with her every day for the past 2 years.  I taught her colors, numbers, shapes, letters...and I have to think that my excessive talking has at least slightly contributed to her large vocabulary.
A few months ago, someone said to my sister-in-law Danielle, "They grow up so fast" (in reference to her sons who are 12 and 14).  Her reply hit the nail right on the head.  She said, "Well, I think it's just about right."  The second she said it was like an awakening to me.  I couldn't agree more.  And I am not a bad mom because I don't want my kids to stay babies forever.  I am not a bad mom because I want a little of the independence that comes with having older children.
I don't want to wish it away.  I cherish every second I get with them.  Every age is my new "favorite" age.  But I look forward to going on vacation with the kids when they are a little older and independent.  I look forward to taking them out to a nice dinner that doesn't involve a menu they can color on.  I look forward to grabbing my purse and heading out the door with them for a day of shopping or running errands and not worrying about forgetting wipes or a bottle or pacifier.  These are things that I look forward to in the future...while also enjoying them in the present.  And I think that it is completely normal.
So when the kids get older and they are arguing with me about driving or going out with friends, I will think back to when they were sweet little babies.  I will miss it...no doubt about that.  But I will also be able to say with 100% certainty that I spent as much time with them as possible and enjoyed every (well, almost every) second.

Do you agree?  Does time go at a snail's pace for you or is it flying by faster than you would like?  Do you, like me, love the time with your kids but look forward to a time of some independence in the future?