A MUCH BETTER BLOG

I am not a big fan of New Years Resolutions. Doing something new on January 1st seems completely arbitrary to me. If I want to do something, I just do it. I don’t need a random date to start something.

That said, I have a couple of New Years Resolutions. It has more to do with the fact that I am turning 40 this year than a random resolution. My goals? To sleep more and practice yoga every day. That’s it.

I have been slaving away on my website and store for the last four years and I have sacrificed sleep and a certain amount of sanity to work when I can. I kept telling myself “When I turn 40 I will start doing yoga every day” and “When I turn 40 I will sleep more”. I won’t be 40 until April but heck, I may as well start now, right?

They seem like very simple goals but the girls have a lot to say about them. Sleep for example, is just not in the cards right now. Usually the only time I have to work is when the girls are sleeping. Brielle is a terrible sleeper and will often be up past 10 or even midnight. Bianca has been keeping me up all night long lately as she cuts her last four teeth.

I need to work so I usually go to bed late and if they don’t let me sleep once I go to bed, I am pretty much screwed. It is still a goal and ideally, some glorious dayI will go to bed at 10pm but it will probably require a day care situation so I can work during normal business hours.

That said, I am very aware that if I did go to bed at a reasonable hour, then I would be a better, more relaxed parent and quite likely a much more productive business owner. I struggle with this issue every night and usually the desire to get the business built overtakes my desperate need for sleep.

Yoga on the other hand, is something I have a bit more control over. I have been using Yoga for Beginners with Patricia Walden for years. There is a part in the bonus section of the DVD called “Bringing it all Together” and I think it is a 16 minute workout which is primarily flexibility and balance. I love it but I was looking for something a bit more challenging and new.

Being a big fan of the 10 Minute Solution series, I bought 10 Minute Yoga Solutions with Lara Hudson because of course, 10 minutes is all I can carve out and even that is almost impossible. There are five different workouts with different goals such as flexibility and relaxation or toning your tush. Ten minutes might not seem like much but trust me (as a beginner), Lara can be quite a task master in a tiny time frame.

On many mornings, my little workout is met with screams of protest and general uproar. Ten lousy minutes. After a few weeks of this routine, Brielle seems to be on board and usually does the workout with me. She likes to pick which routine we will do and of course I am in awe of her flexibility.

Bianca participates by sitting on me when I am on the floor, pulling up my shirt and blowing raspberries on my belly when I am on my back and sometimes lifting her arms in the air in a big stretch. One time she got in to the cupboards and I looked up just in time to see her approaching me wielding a frying pan.

It is super easy to skip the yoga. I don’t like the hassle from the girls and if they start fighting or trashing the place during my ten little minutes, then I end up substantially more stressed than when I started.

I am trying to do it every day though. I am forcing myself to do it. I feel great (physically anyway) when I am done. I am setting a good example for the girls. When they participate, it grounds us all. Plus, it will make me feel a lot better to be flexible and balanced at 40.

“Drinking” coffee out of mommy’s cup

Dress up and Home Depot run

Dorothy playing mommy with Blackers (who is the most patient cat in history)

Bianca at Rainforest Cafe

Brielle all dressed up to see Sesame Street Live. She just loves live shows but she didn’t realize this was for kids.

\
Blackers wont stay out of our Christmas tree

Naked tree decorating

Getting a tree from the tree farm with Jim and the boys

Poor Bianca NEVER cries and this pony scared the bejeesus out of her.

Bianca looks so big to me here

Getting a shoulder ride with explanations from daddy

They are the same height when Brielle is kneeling

My daughter the comedian. (It really does crack me right up)

Bianca loves to wear necklaces

Snuggle time (I love this one)

Brielle (aka animal whisperer) taking the cat for a walk on a leash

Brielle reminds me SO much of myself at that age in this picture.

Matching jams -too freaking cute!

I can’t believe this is November

They are really starting to be able to have a lot of fun together

First fort was a big hit

Every so often there is a rare, unexpected picture that has me in it. Today is my 39th birthday so I will celebrate by talking about ME!

Me, Brielle, Eric and Bianca at 3 boobs (Domes in Milwaukee). I am wearing Bianca in the New Native and she is sleeping like a log. Generally she is too fat to cram in a pouch like this (cradle style) but the New Native is roomy and this time it worked well. Now she is big and strong enough to wear in a hip carry (so no more stuffing).

I was about ready to pass out after carrying Bianca for about a mile in the Bjorn. What was I thinking?? She is way too heavy. Try dropping a 20lb bowling ball in a Bjorn and see how far you make it. I had to support her with my hands most of the way. I am sticking with wraps or my Ktan from now on.

As photographic evidence of how much I have changed in the last five years, here is a picture of exactly what I wanted (and got) for my birthday.

Sit and Stroll for Bianca to stand, jump around, sit or whatever and Bianca to pass out in the front seat