We went out to eat tonight, not even a week after I started exercising. Fantastic timing, right? But I think I did just fine in regards to picking the right things to eat, and exercising (pun intended) portion control. I had one small chicken leg (which I had perhaps half of, since I ripped off a lot of the meat to give to Alyssa), two hot wings (these wings look like they came off of a baby chick; they were that small!), half of a piece of baked fish, one serving of macaroni and cheese, one unbuttered roll, corn and carrots. Dessert consisted of low fat vanilla frozen yogurt sprinkled lightly with sprinkles, and a small piece of a brownie that I split with Alyssa. (Can you tell that we went to a buffet? I love them because you can just have little bits of this and that; enough to treat your taste buds to all sorts of yummylicious things and enough to make a meal out of!)
Then we went to Wal-Mart. I parked near the back of the lot, and insisted on carrying Ryan while we were inside.
Okay. Halt. I promise I’m going to turn into one of those vain little bitches who is obsessed with her weight constantly. I swear not to slit my wrists if I gain a pound in my quest to lose about seventy-five. But at the same time, by making myself “accountable” for my actions (by reporting them to Daniel – he’s so supportive and encouraging I could just melt – and my friends and readers here online), I feel I will do so much better in regards to keeping with my weight loss regime. Seriously. If you see me slipping in any way, feel free to give me an e-nudge (“Yo, fat ass, get those calories burned off!” or “Damn girl, push away from the table!” suffice nicely).
So, back to our night. We went to Wal-Mart. I fed Ryan while Dan browsed for some of those form fitting crew shirts that he loves so much (he only wears the same five over and over and over, despite having an entire drawer full of shirts…). I’ve gotten good at nursing very discreetly in public: I wear layers, and when it’s time to feed Ryan I pull the top layer up and the bottom layer down. My stomach stays covered, my breast stays covered, and Ryan covers my nipple. Most people think I’m just carrying him around in a sideways position. I’m always amused when older women come up to see him, then nearly jump out of their skin when they realize he’s nursing. But the old women are almost always nice. Old women “props” are sweet (“Oh dearie, that’s so good for him… you just keep giving him that breast milk as long as you can!”)
I found several clearance spring and summer shirts for Alyssa – $2 and $3 each. They’ll go well with the five pairs of $1.78 jeans and pants (different colors with matching belts) I found at Target last month. Seriously, if you’re on a budget, or just enjoy being frugal in order to have money left to save and/or splurge, shop between seasons! I find great deals on warm weather clothing during the fall and early winter, and great deals on cold weather clothing during the late spring and early summer. And by “deals” I mean items that are marked down by at least 50%.
We about crapped ourselves in excitement when Alyssa shouted “potty!” upon passing the potty training aisle. So we picked up a potty for her (one of those rings that fit inside the regular toilet so that the kids don’t plop in butts first, arms and legs jutting outwards and flailing helplessly). I sat her on it tonight and flipped through a Parents magazine for fifteen minutes or so, while confirming every few minutes that yes, this is the big girl potty. Yes, Mommy uses the big girl potty. So does Daddy and Grandmom and Uncle A and Uncle Y. All big girls and boys use the big girl potty! The end result was a big fat nothing, but hey, potty training doesn’t happen overnight. She’s already telling us as soon as she’s gone to the bathroom, either by saying, “ew, diaper!” and/or bringing a clean diaper, cover and diaper-holder-together-er to us. We’re making progress, and that’s what matters.
Dan twiddled his thumbs and yawned exaggeratedly while I exclaimed over clearance (75% off!) Christmas items. Then we checked out the Valentine’s Day items (aside: as the funniest! gag! gift! ever! I’m going to get Dan one of *NSFW* these *NSFW*). I found the most adorable Winnie the Pooh Valentine’s Day cards, but when I showed them to Alyssa she gave me one of those, “you have got to be kidding me” looks. She rolled her eyes at me, and I swear if that girl could talk she would have said, “Mom, are you for real? I don’t want Jordan and Taylor and Corbin and Kierra and AJ to make fun of me. Nuh uh, I am not sending Winnie the Pooh cards!”
So, Care Bears it is. If you’d like a Valentine’s Day card from us to you, e-mail (x@jenn.nu) me your address.
You can do it Jenn :P. Just keep reminding yourself why your doing it :D!
And that is too funny. Already thinking she is too big for Winnie the Pooh :P.
Alyssa is such a little lady! I wish you luck on the potty training and I must admit that I am happy that there will be a long time before it’s my turn to help my daughter with the loo – I have read nothing on the subject yet.
January is awesome for shopping children’s clothing. I am going to rob some stores as well.
You’re doing great with the weight loss. And yay! Interest in potty training! Yay! Hopefully soon you’ll be down to one diapered butt.
I need to be more disciplined with eating better/less. Lately I just don’t give a shit and stuff my face with whatever I want. I think my brain/stomach is still in Holiday Mode.
Congratulations to you though, you seem to be off to a great start!
Yay for Alyssa wanting a potty!
I am always buying between seasons.. I bought a cute little spring skirt for Taylor in November. Three bucks. Can’t beat it!
Keep working at the weight loss.. you’ll start seeing the difference after a few weeks! Especially in your energy level. That was the first thing that I noticed when I was going to the gym (which I need to go back to, but with night classes it ain’t gonna happen – what a waste of money right now).
Potty training is such a tricky science. Every single kid will train differently anf respond to different regimes. I can tell you what worked for me and maybe it can help you with ideas…
I went to a $1 store and picked up some toys and everytime Cassidy went in the potty I’d let her choose one out of a bag. I started keeping the sippy cup out of reach so I coud keep track of her intake and noticed that about 30 minutes after drinking she’d go and started putting her on the potty at about the 20 to 25 minute mark.
Anyway, just some ideas for ya. Good luck!
omg, you guys are getting ready for vday early! =)
And it’s a good thing to eat in moderation. I know David has like 2 giant meals a deal, but it’s better to have, say, 5 small ones. ^^
You know, I’m finally figuring out what NSFW actually means, and it’s rather enlightening because I see it on tons of sites and it makes me feel good that people of the internet are looking out for people like me, who get paid to practically play on the internet all day long.
I had no idea you were back and it makes me happy because I thought I had run out of blogs to visit. Yes for Jen! I knew you wouldn’t leave forever
Discipline is very good for loosing weight. Give yourself min goals to reach too and when you hit big goals like 10, 20 or 30 pounds buy yourself something nice and when u hit BIG goals like 50 or 100 treat yourself to something GREAT! I have lost 20 pounds so far since the end of Sept and it hard, but i keep pushing. Having people around you that are doing the same thing helps. I think about how all those cute clothes are gonna look on once I drop the weight!
Hoorah for Alyssa. Potty training and tuff, but once they get the hang of it, it will be great!!
I love buffets too. It’s esp. easier when you have kids, ’cause then they can pick from so many different choices instead of just one meal. Congrats on the weight loss and keep on going girl!
I need to head out to Target and Wal-Mart and see what i can find for AJ. He’s definately going to need lots of new clothes for summer. He’s growing soooo fast.
Before you know it, Alyssa will be using the potty. it sounds like she’s getting close. I’m trying with AJ, but I think I need a new potty with a splash guard because the one he has doesn’t have one, and all I need is for pee to go everywhere BUT the potty. hehe.
LOL. Alyssa sounds too adorable. Miss Grownup now. hehe. I need to get some Valentines too. I know AJ would vito the Winnie the Pooh cards too. hehe. He wants to let the girls know he’s a “Car” man. LOL.
I completely forgot Valentine’s day is coming up! Not like I have a good reason since it’s all over the stores. I should’ve sent out V-day cards with my xmas cards to save money hahaha.
Did you get my xmas card yet? I sent out a batch, um, late. ha.
Being accountable to others has helped me get back in shape. I make weekly promises to a good friend of mine, I swear to him I won’t touch my personal weakness foods for 6 days at a time (day 7 is always my free day). I had a dream that I was eating some sort of candy and spit it out, FREAKING out because I really had forgotten in the dream. It was like I was sitting with some people talking and someone offered M&Ms and I just absently took some as I was talking, ate a few, went to put a few more in for the second bite and realized what I’d done.
Having someone who loves you and WILL hold you accountable for your choices when they know that you’re striving for something personal is very, very wonderful. Most of my friends and family really couldn’t care if I’m healthy and in shape. It feels like real love when someone makes you acknowledge that you broke a promise about something seemingly so trivial : )