You're doing it wrong

Well, I'm doing it wrong.

I have been working hard to shed some weight. So far, I've lost 19 lbs. And yet, I have about 35 to go.

After reading an inspiring blog entry from Dashing Dish, I decided I'm going about this the wrong way. I decided to make my weight loss journey less about myself, and more about God. Starting today.

This morning, instead of hitting snooze on my alarm, I got up and spent those 15 minutes reading my neglected Bible. And it was good. I enjoyed my mocha and toast in the dark, quiet hours of the morning while I looked through passages about food. I mulled over Matthew chapter six:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Now I realize that these verses are not about weight loss or feeling good, but I do think they still apply. Instead of obsessing over calories, I need to just focus on treating my body like God's temple. That means eating right and exercising. The benefits (i.e. weight loss) will just be bonuses to taking care of my body.

Happy To You

Well, my son has officially turned two. Today we had a great day. He woke up to presents waiting for him in the living room - a space shuttle, a doctor play kit, and a few more super heroes.

He got to have a giant chocolate chip cookie from Barnes & Noble, and after a supper of his favorite meal (hot dogs), we sang "Happy Birthday" and he blew out two candles and enjoyed a little birthday cake.

Yesterday and today all I could think about was where I was two years ago. At 7:53am this morning, I got a little teary eyed. Motherhood has changed me in so many ways - the biggest of all my capacity to love. There is no feeling like watching your child grow and seeing him find joy in the world.

And the cutest thing ever - he likes being sung "Happy Birthday" to. We sang it to him, my parents sang it to him over skype, and his class sang it to him during snack. While he was playing downstairs, I could hear him singing to himself, "Happy to you."

Happy Birthday, son. We love you very much.

Almost Two

I feel like my little boy is growing up so fast. I was speechless when a couple of days ago, he started singing the ABC’s (I have only heard him get to “D” so far). He also counts up to 8 (and then skips 9 and goes to 10 ).

Last weekend we went to the MN Zoo to see the Farm Babies. His favorite was the cow, as he kept asking to go back to the cow multiple times. We saw baby sheep, goats, piglets, calves, and ducklings. Then we moved on to Discovery Bay. Inside, they have a recreated tidal pool (every minute or so water gushes out and the “tide” goes up briefly). Inside was a starfish. We were sitting on the edge of the tide pool and Lucas would reach in and gently touch the starfish. Then he started singing and doing the motions for “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”

He also got to pet a shark in the touch tank and we also saw a dolphin show.

We all had a great time!

My favorite thing he does right now is he will give me a big hug and say “Mama!”

I can’t believe he is turning two next week. He is a very active, typical little boy. He loves sharks, whales, snakes, spiders, rocks, wrestling, music, books, and being a helper (he loves to help wash strawberries in the sink).

Time is flying.

Good Mornings

Some days, L is extra cuddly and our goodbye hugs last a few seconds longer. Every day I drop him off at daycare, I kiss the top of his head and say, "I love you. Have a good day."

Most days, he takes his place at the breakfast table, then turns to me. He waves and says, "Bye, Momma," and blows me a kiss. If I'm lucky, I get an "Ah loo."

This morning he didn't want to break our hug. But then one of his good friends Ava called out from the breakfast table "Lucas!" (of course it sounds more like Goo-cas :0) .) She pulled out the chair next to her and pointed to it, saying "Lucas" over and over.

I don't know what it is, but these two little tots definitely have a special place in each other's hearts. These are the same babies that would crawl over to each other from across the room grinning from ear to ear when they were not even a year old.

Lucas sat in the chair next to Ava. I was just leaving the room, certain he had forgotten me already, when he looked up and I got my "Bye, Momma," wave, and kiss.

I love starting my days this way.

Little Moments

I admit I have terribly neglected this blog, but I am ready to get back on the bandwagon. I need to keep writing. For me.

I'm feeling refreshingly optimistic - likely due to the the promise of Spring around the corner and the joy I get from planning my son's (second) birthday party (there are few things I love as much as celebrating my son).

I'm starting to carve time out from my busy day to do little things for myself. Read a few chapters of a book. Do a quick 15-minute exercise. Take the time to sit down and write a few things out.

And the more I've thought about my blog (and how I don't want to be a terribly boring blogger), the more I've realized this blog is about me and my family. And though our life is very ordinary, it is filled with beautiful little moments. These are the little things I want to focus on so that many years down the road, I will have a beautiful collection of memories to look back on.

I am going to start right now with a short and sweet phrase my son says that never fails to make my heart melt: "Ah loo" (I love you).

Luke's Favorite Foods

fruit loops

watermelon
animal crackersblackberries
mandarin oranges
baked beans
green beanschocolate chip cookies :0)
ice cream
chicken nuggets
peanut butter & jelly sandwiches

(of course Luke only gets a small taste of ice cream/cookies on a rare occasion, but his arms start waving like crazy when he does get a taste!)

It's too cliche -

but what a difference a year makes.

A year ago today, Nathan and I checked into the hospital at 7am and I was hooked up to pitocin. A year ago from this moment, I wondered if he'd ever come. And a year ago from tomorrow morning, Lucas Arthur was born at 7:53am. At 7:53am, I met my son for the first time face to face. I was in such awe of his beauty, that it took all my concentration simply to reach out and stroke his cheek with the tip of my finger. At 7:53am on Thursday, April 16th, time stood still.

It's so bittersweet. I can't believe it's been a whole year since Lucas was born. I will never forget all of the emotions that came with that day. All of the struggles, all of the hope, all of the love.

The greatest things do come in the smallest packages.


Lucas on his birth day. 4/16/09


Nearly one year later. 4/3/10

We love you, Lucas.



Luke's birth story.