BabyCakes a Year Later

One year ago:

And today:

It's flying by!

The Baby Song

I don't have baby books for my children.  

I don't scrapbook.  

I have few actual printed copies of the thousands of photographs I have taken in the last 7 years chronicling my brief term as a mother.

What I do have is this blog, and lately I've felt the urge to document a special part of the bond I have with my children.  

It began when BigBoy was an infant: he wanted to be held a lot.  He needed to be soothed a lot.  When you run out of lullabies, old hymns, and even TV theme songs, your instincts just take over.  

One day as I walked and rocked him slowly around our little apartment, holding him pressed to my chest as he liked it,  I started humming and the words came out.  

Years later BigBoy named it The Baby Song, and now both of my children request it when they are especially tired, sick, or just want the comfort that whispered words of love can bring.

I know I'm no singer, but the voice God gave me speaks to the heart of my children.

BigBoy and BabyCakes, this is for you.

*Email recipients have to click over because the recordings are embedded.

Dimples and mouse ears

"Hey kids, let's take a few pictures outside before it gets dark."

 "Look who's home!"

"Hi Daddy! Check out Spiderman and his side-kick Minnie Mouse."

Later, after trick-or-treating at about 10 houses, we hung out on the porch and ate gave out candy.

 Peter Parker BigBoy generously shared his chocolate with his addict mother. (He offered, I didn't ask!)

Dimpled and Mouse-eared jack-o-lanterns pretty much sum up Halloween around here. 

I hope it stays that way. :)

Snapshots of Fall

See you next week!

WW Wednesday

Well look at that -- I'm actually writing a WW post on Wednesday! (But only because Melissa told me to. ;))

This past week I haven't felt great.  I've felt like I was hit by a truck, actually.  Apparently ignoring pneumonia doesn't make it go away, so J has been extra concerned with me resting up and recuperating.
We've had a lot of convenience foods and my tracking was blurry, you could say.
All the same, I was surprised when I had a gain today at the scale.  It wasn't a big one, but I was surprised all the same.
Then I remembered how much less activity I've had lately.  Because I don't go into a job every day, if I'm sick and being told to take it easy, I do that (for the most part).
I think my small gain today was partly a result of my tortoise-like lifestyle lately.

So, my lesson learned this past week was that if for some reason my activity level takes a big hit, I should (duh) adjust my food intake accordingly.    If I'm not going to the gym or even running around my house and community like I usually do, my body doesn't need the same fuel as usual!
Also, comfort foods might be comforting in the moment, but they are an annoyance on Wednesdays!

Goal for the week: track my foods and practice more control over what I bring into the house.  If nap time is my hardest time of the day (and it is), then don't have the foods that tempt me the most!

WW Wednesday: Monday Edition

In the name of anti-procrastination, I'm going to do a WW post (for last week) now on Monday.

...


Aaaand I can't remember how my meeting went.


...


(crickets)


Or my week, really.
(That's why it's best to do it ON WEDNESDAY, Cayce!)

Oh! I got it! (Oh and I had a loss, by the way! :)  )
I was reminded that it's not always comfortable to change how you're eating.  (duh)
If I'm super-comfortable, that usually means I'm not going anywhere.
There needs to be a period of adjustment before comfort sets back in.
So right now I am uncomfortable -- and it's a good thing.  It reminds me of my priorities. It pushes me.  It annoys me.  It's the eating equivalent of a tight, unforgiving waistband.  Once I get used to the changes I must maintain to take this to the next level, I will be able to ease into it and relax in my new routine.

---Ok, truth be told, over the last couple days while recuperating from sickness, I may have indulged my sweet tooth a bit too much.  Come on, I found out the Snickers pumpkins taste just like the Snickers Nutcrackers!  I also may or may not have hidden the two I bought in my purse so I wouldn't have to share with my kids.  I have a problem.  I'm aware of that. ---

Moving on, lesson learned: stay the frick away from the Halloween candy. It does not bring out the best in me.

Goal for the week: Continue tracking and adjusting what I see as my new normal... without the freakin chocolate!

Tricycle time

Have a great Tuesday!