Cherish Your Cherubs - Praise

I'm joining in this week with Naomi @ Seven Cherubs.

Praise is something we have been practising more and more lately as the little man is understanding and seems to be listening to wht B and I tell him. It amazes me at times - the things he understands.

Yesterday we were watching the football and at half time I started cleaning up all the mess the little man had been making, packing his toys back into their baskets etc. As I was doing it I verbalised 'Time to pack up' 'Put your toys away' and similar things ;) and he suprised me by grabbing toys and putting them into the baskets! It was so cute actually and he was so proud of himself. I couldn't help but shower him with praise. He had the biggest smile on his face.

I'm really trying to keep things positive in our house, I try to only say 'No' when he is doing something that could be dangerous for him.

I also try and explain why I want him to do or not do different things, even though I don't know how much he understands. Like the other day when he was pulling all the MCN's (Modern Cloth Nappies) out of the basket. Even though it was frustrating to watch as they take aggggggggggggggggggges to put together, I tried to remain calm and asked him to stop and then explained why. B and I are really trying to let him explore and allow him to be naturally curious. Whenever he does something really well we give him the necessary praise and I think that this has helped especially recently with his eating and touching of finger foods.

No matter what though - This parenting thing is always a challenge no matter how cute your kid is
xx

Ouch!

I went for a run today. Yep me. I know - I shocked myself too!

As part of my 12WBT journey I have to do pre tests to gauge my level of fitness and part of that was a 1km timetrial. It's been a while since I ran anywhere to be honest. I have bad knees and use that as an excuse too! This morning I asked B to come down to the oval with me and time how long it took me to run a kilometer. I set myself a goal of being able to do it within 8 minutes and managed to do it with a time of 6m37s.

It wasn't pretty, I had to stop and walk for a bit - but nethertheless I acheived my goal and completed the fitness test! Onwards and upwards. B, Little man and I then went and did the grocery shopping using the meal plans set. I am looking forward to eating some nice and healthy meals. Looking at the menu and the amounts of meat allocated it has already made me realise that I overeat! But I guess that is the whole point! I then spent my afternoon cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Some of those meals are going to be delish :) I'm trying to pre cook as much as I can. That way I'm organised and less tempted to grab take-away.

As I'm a glutton for punishment at the moment I also went to the gym and did a 500cal workout while the little man had his afternoon nap. I am not too sure how I am going to get myself off the couch tonight though! My body is exhausted. As soon as I sat down I felt my muscles relax and now they are stiffening. I'm thinking an early night and lots of sleep will help :) Luckily for me Sundays are a rest day!

Hope your weekend is looking good!
xx

Thankful Thursday - The dreaded photos!

As I blogged about the other day - I have signed up to 12WBT this round. I've started working my way through the pre season tasks.Some of them were challenging let me tell you and they really required a deeper thinking and also admitting a few things to myself about why I make excuses :(

This morning I asked B to help me take some 'before' photos as part of task eight. Well let's just say the photos will be ALL the motivation I need! I don't think i'll be posting them but they are an eye opener for me. But I am more determined than ever to acheive results! I

Today I am thankful for my determination. I am going to work hard, I am going to succeed and I am going to lose this baby weight! I am motivated :) and looking forward to the challenge!

What are you thankful for? I'm playing along here with Kate Says Stuff
xx

Wordless Wednesday - Chubby Thighs

Playing along here and here
xx

The simple things

Today Little man and I had a few things planned. We went into the city and had lunch with Cooper's Grandad for Fathers Day (My Dad). Little man showed off to Grandads office (although just quietly Grandad was looking quite chuffed).

Afterwards we shopped for a new hat! Little man has grown a bit since summer - definitely needed a new one :) we also printed out some new photos.

Then we came home and did something unplanned. We played outside with the cats and explored the backyard. Here are a few pics from our afternoon.

Modelling my new hat

hmmm that didn't last long

Look Daddy missed some when he mowed!

intrigued by a feather :)

Malibu and Little Man

Balancing!

A fun afternoon exploring for us. What did you get upto today?
xx

12 WBT - Here we go!

I was flicking around on the internet the other night and came across some 12WBT stuff. I looked into signing up last round, but honestly thought it would be a waste of money and that I could do it myself...... Well that totally has not happened and I find myself feeling like I have lost confidence. Quite simply it comes down to the fact that I am not happy with the way I look :(

So here we go! I signed up before I could change my mind and now a few other people I know have also joined. I am determined to make a real go of this and make lots of changes. I'm going to post some of my goals and stuff on here to make it real. I'm telling you guys so that I can't back out! I no longer want to blame pregnancy. I need to visit the gym more often and make better food selections!

I'm ready to change and looking forward to the next 12 weeks :) and beyond!! Summer!!!

Anyone else joining the 12WBT journey? Or anyone who has completed round one or two? I'd love to hear about what you thought of the program and any tips/pointers for me

xx

Happy Fathers Day B!

Today is Fathers Day - and the first one for B and the little man.

Little Man was super excited about the day and decided he couldn't wait to see his daddy! So started crying out at 4:30am...... B went into him and got him back to sleep but the day started for us @ 6:15 (how I wish my son took after me with loving sleep....). B received some new socks (his request) a picture from the little man and will receive a photobook when artscow comes through with the goods!

Little Man making his picture a few days ago

We had a nice family breakfast of bacon and eggs and then headed to the beach for a day out with Daddy.

It rained on the way there and I was thinking it would be horrible but when we arrived the rain stopped and the clouds started to part.

Somehow B managed to sneak a fishing rod into the car.... so we dropped him off to have a fish and little man and I went shopping for our picnic lunch. We passed a market on the way and pulled in for a look.
There wasn't very much there but I did pick up some delish choc peppermint fudge for B and I. Although it was $5 a piece so it would have wanted to be good!

Then we headed back to meet B. I decided to grab out the baby bjorn (perhaps for the last time as he is WAY too heavy) and walk across the sand to see if B had been catching any. Little man loves being outside and he was flapping his arms and kicking his legs like crazy! Probably one of the reasons why I think it was the last time!

Our picnic lunch was beautiful - A nice simple day spent with the two people who make my world spin.
Happy first Fathers Day B. We are so lucky to have you!
xx

Love

Love is a beautiful thing and this week I am grateful for the love I have in my life.

I'm Grateful for B - he is an amazing husband and father, I still smile when I see the way he interacts with the little man. He is so hands on with him, without me having to do a thing! He is and always has been a wonderful source of support for me through this journey of motherhood and I love him more each day. (soppy I know).

I'm grateful for each and every day I have had so far with the little man. I still am amazed at how much I can love a single human being. He has in 11 months taught me more than I ever thought possible. His smiles light up my days. His laughter melts my heart and his growing personality makes me so proud on a daily basis. I'm grateful for all that he teaches me about being a mum. He has definitely made me a better person :)

Lastly I am grateful for my family. I love how close we are. This week has showed me once again that when it comes down to it my family will be there to help me out - no matter how much they need to put themselves out. My sister, my brothers, my mum and dad would do anything for me and in turn my little man. With the illnesses and events we have had this year, the love in our family has proven to be strong. I love the way that we are always here for each other.

Love. So blessed to have a life full of it.
xx

Back to before

Last night I went to watch a basketball game.
This would be seemingly insignificant to most people but for me it was something that used to be a major part of my life. You see before my little man came along, I was a basketball coach for Representative basketball. I would have games each Friday night and training each Sunday morning and Wednesday night as well. I travelled back to where I grew up to coach and for those of you who are Melbournites - I travelled down the dreaded ring road... yep three times a week... generally peak hour (that part I do not miss!) Even whilst pregnant I coached - right up until I was eight and a half months!

So when one of the kids I had previously coached asked me to come and watch her play a final I decided to pack the little man into the car and head into Albert Park. Even though the game was right at his bedtime the little man behaved like a champ. I took his dinner with us and fed him whilst we were watching the game, although I do think he will be a basketballer when he is older! It was so hard to feed him! He was tracking the game and even clapping when the people around us clapped :) That was pretty cute.  He sat in the pram and watched for the most part and towards the end when he started to get cranky, one of the players little sisters came over and played peek-a-boo with him which he loved!

Meanwhile I sat and watched with a few of the parents and I must say I loved it! It was like stepping back into my previous life. My life before becoming a mum.

It made me think about if/when I'd like to return to coaching in the future? I think I really would - but I'm unsure if the travel would be too much for the little man and whether B would be as keen as I am.

I don't know - but I do know that stepping back to before, even just for a night was great!

Do you have something that you used to do and miss? even just a little? I'd love to hear about it :)
xx

Night in the kitchen

Have you ever had those moments where you feel inspired to grab a recipe book and make something a little more interesting then the same old chicken and salad dinners? Yes? Well that was me tonight.

I must admit I do enjoy cooking. Particularly if it turns out deliciously tasty...... and I think I find it relaxing in an odd kind of way!

I had some apples that I wanted to turn into a dessert for the little man - and B and I had forgotten to take out any meat for dinner. So I grabbed a few cook books and after about 5 minutes of flicking through, decided upon a Beef Vindaloo from the CSIRO cookbook. I have made it before (burnt the bottom though) and decided it might be a better idea to stay close by this time :)

Concurrently I decided to whip up an apple and oatmeal dessert using a recipe I found on the wholesome baby food website. There is some really good stuff on there so if you are into making the food for your bub I recommend hitting it up!
So I sent B to the supermarket with the little man in tow and while they were gone I started on the apple dish.

 

Apple pieces and oats cooking slowly

With cinnamon added

Served up ready to go!

Then when B returned from the shops I started the 80 minute cooking process of the beef vindaloo. I took my laptop into the kitchen and cooked/facebooked/blogged all at once to pass the time. A tiny bit of 'me time'. Here are the results

simmering away

almost cooked and ready to serve

The finished product



B and I sat down to eat and he was suitably impressed. The taste was sort of sweetish with an added spiciness (if that is even a word).The two empty bowls proved the meal was a success. Cooking a meal from scratch did however make me realise that I'd like to try and do that more often, less processed and less preservatives - but also good for the soul...

Anyone else been on an adventure in the kitchen lately?

xx