Saturday, June 26, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Updates
Down another 3 lbs. Sadly, back down to the weight I normally am. BUT, I know I can lose weight so that is encouraging. Now I just have to figure in more exercise.
This past week my brother and his family have been in town. It's been so nice to see them all-even if I did have to work 3 days this week. I haven't seen my niece in a year and a half but she warmed up so quickly to me. I love her to pieces. She is such a loving, independent, rambunctious child! She is also very delicate and soft which is quite a change from my broad and thick men. It's also been so enjoyable seeing Daniel and Jake interact with her. Normally, Daniel is my quiet observer and more jealous of the 2 boys but he's loving having a playmate and has no qualms about me playing with Sophia. Jake, on the other hand, has been exhibiting a bit of a jealous streak and is constantly wanting to be held. It could possibly be due to teething though. His poor gums are swollen. Oh well, any excuse to cuddle with my guy is a good one. On the same token, I haven't seen my brother in over a year as well and it came to be quite a shock when I did see him for the first time. Sadly, sometimes I forget I have a brother-briefly!-only because he isn't here day to day. I've forgotten how much he looks like my dad. It's comforting to feel like the family is complete.
I've also been thinking about my own parenting style. In no way is any other parenting style wrong from mine or better, I've just had time to evaluate differences. I've been reading other blogs and articles categorizing parenting and not matter how confident you are in your skills sometimes your beliefs can get shaken up a bit and you can either justify what you're doing and know it's what is right for your family, or you can reevaluate what you're doing and possibly even change course.
I know that there isn't one specific article that can explain how I rear my children, but rather it's from a collection. From day 1 (or, the day beginning when I found out I was having boys) I have known I wanted men like Ryan. Strong, bold, moral and tall. (The last is a joke-sortof.) I also knew I wanted my boys to grow up being respectful to woman and compassionate in love and life. I also knew I would need to parent to their personalities as well. So, I parent with a firm hand and big heart. Ryan parents with a firmer hand which probably balances me out when I give in :) I am teaching my boys to clean up after themselves, that grooming makes for a clean body and soul, to respect our bodies and our family and to honor God and mommy and daddy. I am not shy with affection for the boys because I want them to know they are in a safe place. Plus, they're just so darn adorable. Granted, there are plenty of times when I feel like a broken record after having repeated myself a million times, but it's so worth it when Daniel begins cleaning up without being told (Jake's only 13 months so not a whole lot of that going on ;), they lovingly give a baby doll care or interact in our prayers.
As far as parenting their personalities, Daniel is my shy observer and is so intense. He is independent and very sensitive. I have to remember to let him test himself but calmly step in when he's being destructive. He gets very nervous when he is being reprimanded so I find mymself speaking quietly and getting down to his level. He is a moody man too and most often times wakes up from his naps whining and out of sorts. I know that he is a boy who needs alone time to regroup. Ryan and I had a lot of trial and error before figuring that. Now, we rarely get such a huge tantrum as before. Jake is my light. He is rarely in a bad mood, except when he's teething or hungry. He is still learning and doesn't understand much outside of himself, but from day one he has been the easy natured and laid back baby. They are both a nice complement for each other. Jake seems mischevious and I know sooner or later, my hands are going to be full. Something tells me he'll see a lot of the time out corner.
My parenting isn't rocket science and it has no tricks bells or whistles, but it bonds well with our household and my boys and that is all that matters in the long run. I am grooming my men to be leaders and while the task seems taunting at times, I feel in my heart they will be the type of men Ryan and I would be proud of.
This past week my brother and his family have been in town. It's been so nice to see them all-even if I did have to work 3 days this week. I haven't seen my niece in a year and a half but she warmed up so quickly to me. I love her to pieces. She is such a loving, independent, rambunctious child! She is also very delicate and soft which is quite a change from my broad and thick men. It's also been so enjoyable seeing Daniel and Jake interact with her. Normally, Daniel is my quiet observer and more jealous of the 2 boys but he's loving having a playmate and has no qualms about me playing with Sophia. Jake, on the other hand, has been exhibiting a bit of a jealous streak and is constantly wanting to be held. It could possibly be due to teething though. His poor gums are swollen. Oh well, any excuse to cuddle with my guy is a good one. On the same token, I haven't seen my brother in over a year as well and it came to be quite a shock when I did see him for the first time. Sadly, sometimes I forget I have a brother-briefly!-only because he isn't here day to day. I've forgotten how much he looks like my dad. It's comforting to feel like the family is complete.
I've also been thinking about my own parenting style. In no way is any other parenting style wrong from mine or better, I've just had time to evaluate differences. I've been reading other blogs and articles categorizing parenting and not matter how confident you are in your skills sometimes your beliefs can get shaken up a bit and you can either justify what you're doing and know it's what is right for your family, or you can reevaluate what you're doing and possibly even change course.
I know that there isn't one specific article that can explain how I rear my children, but rather it's from a collection. From day 1 (or, the day beginning when I found out I was having boys) I have known I wanted men like Ryan. Strong, bold, moral and tall. (The last is a joke-sortof.) I also knew I wanted my boys to grow up being respectful to woman and compassionate in love and life. I also knew I would need to parent to their personalities as well. So, I parent with a firm hand and big heart. Ryan parents with a firmer hand which probably balances me out when I give in :) I am teaching my boys to clean up after themselves, that grooming makes for a clean body and soul, to respect our bodies and our family and to honor God and mommy and daddy. I am not shy with affection for the boys because I want them to know they are in a safe place. Plus, they're just so darn adorable. Granted, there are plenty of times when I feel like a broken record after having repeated myself a million times, but it's so worth it when Daniel begins cleaning up without being told (Jake's only 13 months so not a whole lot of that going on ;), they lovingly give a baby doll care or interact in our prayers.
As far as parenting their personalities, Daniel is my shy observer and is so intense. He is independent and very sensitive. I have to remember to let him test himself but calmly step in when he's being destructive. He gets very nervous when he is being reprimanded so I find mymself speaking quietly and getting down to his level. He is a moody man too and most often times wakes up from his naps whining and out of sorts. I know that he is a boy who needs alone time to regroup. Ryan and I had a lot of trial and error before figuring that. Now, we rarely get such a huge tantrum as before. Jake is my light. He is rarely in a bad mood, except when he's teething or hungry. He is still learning and doesn't understand much outside of himself, but from day one he has been the easy natured and laid back baby. They are both a nice complement for each other. Jake seems mischevious and I know sooner or later, my hands are going to be full. Something tells me he'll see a lot of the time out corner.
My parenting isn't rocket science and it has no tricks bells or whistles, but it bonds well with our household and my boys and that is all that matters in the long run. I am grooming my men to be leaders and while the task seems taunting at times, I feel in my heart they will be the type of men Ryan and I would be proud of.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Weight update
As of last week (I haven't weighed myself today as of yet) I have lost 3 lbs. I admit I've been a little more lax this week (maybe why I have not weighed myself) but I am joyful that it is possible for me to drop my gut :)
While listening to the radio the other day, a question was posed as to what we mean when we say we "can't" do something. In reality when we say we "can't" do something it really means we "won't". As in, we "won't" atleast attempt to see if we can. Or, we save it for another day or don't have the patience to wait for the result, so why do it? I find myself stuck a lot in the "won't" rut. Given the right resources and time (all of which I know I can find) I can do a lot of what I say I can't. It's all about mentality and support.
Given the fact that I am trying to lose weight, that conversation stuck with me. I have one bad week and then think I "can't" lose weight, but I really "won't" attempt. It's a war between myself and food, and I really want to win! So, this is my new mantra; something that will keep me motivated. I no longer "won't" do something about my weight, because I know I "can".
While listening to the radio the other day, a question was posed as to what we mean when we say we "can't" do something. In reality when we say we "can't" do something it really means we "won't". As in, we "won't" atleast attempt to see if we can. Or, we save it for another day or don't have the patience to wait for the result, so why do it? I find myself stuck a lot in the "won't" rut. Given the right resources and time (all of which I know I can find) I can do a lot of what I say I can't. It's all about mentality and support.
Given the fact that I am trying to lose weight, that conversation stuck with me. I have one bad week and then think I "can't" lose weight, but I really "won't" attempt. It's a war between myself and food, and I really want to win! So, this is my new mantra; something that will keep me motivated. I no longer "won't" do something about my weight, because I know I "can".
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