Why a Morning Walk Could Change Your Life

A lot of our mornings begin in chaos (perfectly described here by my friend Meg) with crying kids who won't admit they are still tired, stinky diapers, and incessant whining for breakfast and something to do. In fact, Lucy often opens her eyes and immediately mumbles my least favorite phrase, "I'm bored." It's a pretty discouraging way to start the day, and as many times as Jared and I have tried to convince them that the obvious solution to all of this is to just keep sleeping, that doesn't seem to be a viable option for them. 

When we sat down to revamp our schedules last week, we decided to try going for a walk first thing in the morning. This way we can get some form of exercise in, Jared can spend some QT with them before leaving for the day, and maybe, just maybe, it would reduce the amount of six a.m. whining.

We have a few parks in walking distance so as soon as they wake up, we put them in the stroller with a few snacks and start walking to a park. We'll get to the park and swing them for fifteen minutes or so and then make the trek back home.



In those forty-five minutes something magical happens.

The kids are calm. Jared and I are able to talk almost totally uninterrupted. The sunshine infuses us with energy. The spring flowers sooth my nerves. My heart rate goes up for a few minutes and I no longer want to crawl back in bed. Playing in an empty park allows my children to run free, taking away that restless, "I'm so bored" feeling. Lucy doesn't cry so much when Jared leaves for school. And neither do I.    

It's a good way to start the day.



 

What's your favorite way to start the day?

The Best Swimsuits for Moms

Trying on swimsuits as an awkward, insecure 14 y/o girl is pretty brutal, but postpartum swimsuit shopping can be brutal in a medieval torture chamber kind of way. I've found that half of the torture is picking out half a dozen suits that I like without knowing what cuts are flattering for my body type or cuts that I should file a restraining order against.

I made this little chart of what I hope will be helpful tips to reduce the torture and increase comments like, "Hot dang, I've still got it." Because you do.     


{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}

Montessori Activity: Shape Lacing Cards

Montessori activities are my favorite of all of the educational models because they teach little people how to become big people. I was once a little person dying to become a big person so I appreciate the independence that learning skills like this can give children.

I made simple lacing cards (also known as sewing cards) for Lucy last week and I've had as much fun with them as she has. They are perfect for strengthening fine motor skills and an ideal activity for a car ride, which is something our summer is going to be filled with.



Simply download the shapes from the link at the bottom of the post, print on cardstock (scale down or up depending on your preferred size), have laminated on about 5 or 10 mil laminate and cut out the shape. I used a 10 mil and it took a bit of upper arm strength to get the hole punch to go through, but they are very sturdy. Then, using a dry erase marker to mark where you want your holes, punch a 1" hole over your marks. I made some with holes closer together (1" distance) for a more difficult cards and some farther a part (2" distance) for an easier card.




As far as the lacing goes, I have tested just about every kind of yarn, ribbon, and string and have found that I prefer this simple satin cording from the craft store. I taped around the end of one side that leads the lacing and tied a knot at the other end to keep the ends from fraying.  



I made a simple bag for the cards and quickly attached a label on the front using my sewing machine. This way the cording can be kept with the cards.



Download the shapes below!

A Good Day.

When my 12th grade English teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I jokingly said something about living in an old VW bus on Huntington Beach. The wrinkles in his face deepened and he wisely responded, "If you don't take hold of life, it will take hold of you."

Lately, I've found this to be especially true. Instead of taking control of each day with purpose and a plan, life has attacked me in the face at seven a.m. in the form of a one and three-year-old crying and whining for breakfast and a diaper change. I have felt anxiety, stress, and been far less effective as a mom and as a business owner. I kept thinking that more frozen meals from Costco would do the trick, but, much to my dismay, dinner ain't my only problem.

Not surprisingly, (since women are the ones who really rule the world households) Jared has felt the same way. Last night we both recognized the dissonance we've been trying to unsuccessfully resolve independently. After five minutes of discussion we figured it out. Yeah, we're a pretty stellar team.

Excuse me for the trite 7 Habits reference, but remember that analogy where you put you try to put the small rocks in a mason jar first and then there are no room for the big rocks, but if you put the big rocks in first then the small ones fit too? Well, we realized that our big rocks have been going in last. Actually, it's more like our medium-sized rocks have been going in first, the things that are a priority, but not most essential, leaving no room for the most important things that make life meaningful.

We, naturally, made a list of "rocks" and then prioritized them, but I think what we did after that was just as important. We talked about the cornerstones for a good day and how we can make every day a little bit better. Here are a few things we came up with:

We started our new "initiatives" immediately, going to sleep at ten and waking up at six. Solomon was on to our plan at 5:58 and started bouncing around in his crib, but we just put him in his high chair, put some cereal in front of him and started our routine. By 6:30 we were all out the door and on our way to the park for a brisk walk. Jared and I talked about what we had read that morning as we watched the sun peak over the mountains. We made it to the park for a quick play date before Jared left for the day.

Somewhere along the way I felt all of the anxiety that I've felt for months slowly leave my body and the fogginess that's clouded my mind clear. I'm not sure if it was the smell of the poppies and peonies as we walked or the peace I felt inside from talking to God first thing in the morning, but the contrast was palpable.

I feel ready to take on the world again, which is good because it's coming on strong right now. In fact, I feel about as happy as Solomon was when Jared graduated. (Can you believe that face?! Or the arm?!)

What do you do to keep life from getting the best of you?      

In the next life I want to be...

Juliet Simms from The Voice. This is such a killer performance of one of my favorites, "Roxanne" by The Police. Simms married total control and reckless abandon with absolute perfection and authenticity. I did could watch this a hundred times over and not get bored.

Yeah, I know this probably doesn't merit its own post, but I promise good stuff is coming soon. Besides, making pointless references concerning my favorite reality television shows is just who I am. Juliet Simms has got her singing voice and I've got my reality tv references, we were born with these talents and now we are forced to share them with the world.

You're welcome.   

Kiwi Mag Cover Shoot

I just received Lucy's pics from a photoshoot for Kiwi Magazine. She was one of six girls they shot to give the company a variety of girls to choose from. Although Lucy wasn't chosen (this little cutie pie was), she had the time of her life.

I don't know if we'll do anything like this again, but I will say that it was surprisingly fun and non-competitive. Child modeling is a strange world, and I think it can be especially dangerous for adolescent girls who are already going through such a brutal time physically and emotionally, but Lucy is still so young. She was totally unaware what the photos were for, she just thought she was hanging out with some "big people" friends and playing house. Of course I'm thrilled to have these gorgeous photos of my sweet little girl.

Thanks again Nicole and Mallory.






All photo credits: Nicole Hill Gerulat

Let's Get Real: sometimes life is busy

Due to a combination of preparing for our next move, Jared's finals, Lucy's bowels, Solomon's molars, my business, and beautiful weather {see below}, this blog has suffered quite a bit lately. Sometimes life piles up and something has to give and I'd rather it be a little bit of posting than bedtime stories.

Anyway, I'm sorry the content has been a little lacking and may be for the next few weeks, but they don't call me the "comeback kid" for nothing. Just kidding, nobody calls me that, but I wish that would catch on somehow.

xo

SLC Summer with Kids and Ever/After Photo Contest

Since summer is already here in Utah this year (though a part of me is still waiting for Ashton Kutcher to jump up with buckets of snow), I wanted to bring back an old post with a list of Salt Lake City activities with children I compiled at the end of last summer. You can see it here.

I also wanted to give you a heads up about this fun contest. The best baby basics company in the world, Ever/After Clothing, is having a photo contest for free clothes. This was an easy one for us since Lucy and Sol are in their clothes just about every day. Thought I'd share a few of their photos.

**This is not a sponsored post, I just love this company.